DISQUS

Marcus,
Good post and interesting thread.

I think evolutionists would say we didn't come strictly speaking from apes, but that apes and us came from the same ancestor.

I agree with the basics of what you say, though I am not sure I embrace it for myself, nor do I care much. I think it's a tragedy that young people lose their faith at the university, when they're taught a view which shatters what they were taught about creation from Genesis. As if the Bible stands or falls on such a view. Completely absurd I'm sad to say, I think!

I don't care how God created all things. I believe the Bible is true, and what we can learn from science is true as well. I say go ahead and put some weight on science, but let's remember too, that science itself is ever evolving as to its theories from its continued endeavor.

Just my two cents on this, where I'm at now.

Yes, Marcus. This could be all too consuming, yet if it's kept in a good place so that it would occupy, say a President Obama only for a small space of his time with good summaries, I think all well and good. And why not more communication through using YouTube and the like? We need more careful discourse and discussion, and hopefully getting away from the sound bite.

But just my small take.

Sounds like fun for you!

haha. I don't know. Life often reminds me of a horror story with some of its twists and quirks, as well as outright catastrophes.

But a good story is always good, imagination too. And to have a little chilling excitement should be a part of any good story, suspense, whatever.

But I guess I just can't stomach too well pure, unadulterated horror. Maybe a defect in me?!

Ted Gossards last blog post.."Indiana Jones - fear" from L.L. Barkat

I don't know, Marcus. But I'll go with the busyness of an ant, and working together with a common goal and purpose. I kind of like that.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Holding Pfaltzgraff - inclusion" from L.L. Barkat

I agree that we need to start with ourselves as to begin to understand where our "high calling" lies, first at home and then with the special works God seems to set before us, for which we're specially designed (Ephesians 2:10).

But we must work to bring it out into every area. After all, we're commanded to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength- and with that to love our neighbor as ourself, at the same time praying that God's will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

So I think we have to work through the muck of politics and I don't think this election, for example, is a clear cut case of black and white. And even with the platforms of the two major parties- for me the same, not black versus white.

So I think we have to pray, to be in the word and seeking to meet the high calling of God for us in all of life, beginning where the rubber meets the road in our own lives, and then work at making the best judgment possible in voting come November.

I'm an Independent registered here in Michigan and have been kind of rethinking my anabaptism which is admittedly not entirely pure, anyhow, though anabaptism really includes a spectrum. But I think we Christians need to be involved in public life. Maybe it's the Calvinism where I live rubbing off on me a bit, but that part of it I think has a good point.

And I think as long as we're working through this, and trying to be informed as well as subjecting it all to God in prayer and our reading of Scripture, then I think we just have to make the best decision we can, and vote accordingly.

I know how I'd vote if I had to do so now, and I'll listen to both, and let the process play out, but I'll be glad when it's all said and done.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..quote of the week

Good sense of humor there, and I like among the other things here, the laughter part. How much more laughter we need! We take too many things seriously in a bad way.

But it sounds like you folks did survive!

Ted Gossard's last blog post..Palisade Cliffs - doubt from L.L. Barkat

Marcus,
A whole bunch of truth in this. Yes, I do better out of rest, both physically and spiriually.

It is odd that we're to work to rest. But when you think about it, it's not. And then out of this rest comes work.

It does remind me of simply abiding in the Vine, Jesus, and that only when we do that will we do anything worthwhile in God's eyes, bearing fruit.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Howe's Cave - baptism" from L.L. Barkat

I really like the thoughts on teaching, and that book I'm sure is a great read.

Yes, I missed my calling, I'm more and more convinced. I should have been a teacher in some setting as my work, but oh well.... Just have to make the best of what's left.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Sword in the Stone: resistance" from L.L. Barkat

Yes, I think the truly genuine prayer is what we need to pray if we're really praying. It has to be from a heart even if a broken or ravaged heart.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Heron Road - suffering" by L.L. Barkat

Quite interesting, Marcus.

I like the idea that truth is beauty and beauty the truth. A good thought and oh so true. And the delete comment option is good, though I can just flood someone's blog trying to explain myself!

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Tossed Treasure - messiness" by L.L. Barkat

Yes, Ashley I believe was/is a good friend of Rich Mullins. I'm sure it's great and powerful and good stuff. Thanks, Mark. I have to head out the door, but will hit the music later.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Christmas Coal - shame" from L.L. Barkat

Very nice music. And I agree. It's hard for people to see this, though, at times. But that's where I live, even in Jesus.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."stepping stones - conversion" - from L.L. Barkat

I do want to add that often I've found God reward my attempt, weak though it may be, to draw near to him. Through prayer or being quiet. I get a sense that God is in my life then, that he is with me encouraging me onward.

But yes, there is plenty of crap God needs to cut through in our lives. I want him to, but it's not easy. We seem to have a built-in resistance to it because change and God's working in our lives seems distant or forboding. Though as soon as we experience any of that, we find it pleasant. Though I wonder if alot of God's work in our lives really seems unpleasant to us at certain junctures.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..sons and daughters of encouragement

Yes, Marus. I think I hear you and have been there countless times myself, as well.

It is so refreshing to experience God's love in Jesus through others in Jesus. And then we're to go out and share that same love to all.

This kind of life of sharing God with each other by the Spirit through love and good works and words is so weak in our thinking and practice, in our theology and practice. It's too much about "me and God". But that does have its place; but I seem to find more of that through fellowship with others, praying with and for them.

Oh well, just my spiel here. But yes, there are those times when it seems no matter what, that everything is dark and dead. Part of the life of faith, I take it.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..sons and daughters of encouragement

Marcus,
Nice.

And even nicer is L.L.'s hands over at my blog on Saturday's posting. I'm sure you won't want to miss that. Deb and I had such a nice time with her, for an hour, late in a day. She was so gracious. It was fun.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..prayer for the week

Marcus,
Interesting.

Hey, I have a pic of L.L.'s hands over on my blog from Saturday's post, and about our time together.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..prayer for the week

Just read your skit, too, Marcus, and I like it. (scratch all the other stuff I just typed.)

Marcus and L.L.,

Yes, I really like the work Krista Tippett does on Speaking of Faith (see my side link to get to her NPR weekly program). You can learn so much; she's an excellent listener.

I may not be on board with all of her thinking, I don't think I am, though her thinking may be contextual in relation to the program, though I think it's more than that.

I know one person who greatly impacted her and her thinking was Dietrich Bonhoeffer. You can find "Ethics and the Will of God: the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer" on her programs you can listen to. A great program, and it's interesting that though Bonhoeffer had a clear gospel witness, he was much at home among unbelievers and seemed to have really good rapport with them, in a way that opened up the gospel for them. But that's just my take.

It is a difficult subject, Mark, and one I'm sure, we all need to keep working on together, hopefully.

Kind of a fascinating post and thread, Marcus. So many of you folks are so sophisticated.

I like and agree with the thought of being as natural as possible, while realizing in that, that there may be ways we're mistaken, or more likely, ways we can improve.

But I especially think just being a part of a blogging fellowship can really help us in some important and varied ways.

Blessed Christmas and new year to you and yours, Marcus!

I agree with Real Live Preacher about you as a good father.

This has to be good writing, because it reminds me of when I did the same things your son did here (at least a couple of them). I can still taste the mashed potatos. And we used to lick them off the beaters, as well.

Nice poem, Markus, and very nice read.

Reminds me of Rich Mullins lyrics, maybe because I've been listening to him alot, lately. Whimsical, imaginative, memorable.

Mark, Great advice and ideas here. We read to Tiffany too, and at one point they said she was easily the best writer in the eighth grade at a charter school. She read, "Lord of the Rings" three times (I have yet to read it!). But now she's on a hiatus away from it, and seemingly not either interested in writing or reading. Don't know....

But yes, great advice.

Marcus, You're tagged!

Sorry to hear about that, Marcus. As others have said it will all shake out well in the end, in the Lord. Hope you get or have had some great rest.