Hello, God... What do you say?

I was born and raised in a Bible-believing, church-going family. We would say our prayers before going to sleep every night and say grace before each meal, thanking God that we are blessed with such good fortune. The question I have here is, after talking to God, how do we listen to God? I am sure there are probably half a million books out there on the topic, but if I just went and found one of them, I wouldn't have the fun of putting together this post now would I?

This morning while getting ready for work, I was pondering the concept of listening to God and getting frustrated in a seemingly not ending circle of logical explanations. I sat roughly down on my bed and just plain asked.... "How do I listen to you?".... I tell no lies, no more than 1/2 a second later, my fan propped up in my window started to slow down. My initial reaction was that time was slowly coming to a stand still and a door would appear out of no where, where of course God would step out and answer my question... but of course a quick look down to my alarm clock confirmed that we had just lost power. Coincidence?

Here are a few uneducated ideas I have...

Let's set the scenario in a mall, I walk into a CD store and find no one working in sight... I could easily slip a CD into my pocket and be out the door within the blink of an eye, home free. But then something in my gut, my chest, and my head all start talking.
"... this doesn't seem right..."
"... you know better than to steal..."
"... think about the people that you are hurting by doing this..."
Is this God? Is this my conscience? Does God speak through a person's conscience?

I know if I don't touch the topic of the Bible, at least one person will point out that it is God's Word. Since I believe that the Bible is God's Word, I also believe that it is one ways that God has spoken to us. But notice the past tense. God uses the Bible, but it isn't changing. The Bible still is, and always will be a valid source of God's Word, but it isn't changing. I am wondering how God speaks to people in present, real time. Are we supposed to use our knowledge from the Bible to make decisions with God somehow intervening and helping us make the right ones? Is it a combination of the Bible and a person's conscience, which is God’s tool for speaking to us?

I believe in miracles as well. I'm not saying that the power going out in my house right after asking God how to listen to him was a miracle, but is something like that an attention grabber.... or possibly coincidence? I remember going to a Christian music festival down in Kentucky for many years back when I was younger. It was called Ichthus, and you camped out all weekend long, going to Christian music concerts, seminars, skits, the whole nine yards really. It was always a blast. On the Saturday night of the Festival, the thousands of people that are present all gather in the main concert stage field for a short service. A speaker gives a little talk, and everyone (tens of thousands of people) takes communion together. I remember one year looking up to the blue sky to see just that, all blue, but one cloud... There was a cloud in the sky that was no small cloud, but very large, and in the unmistakable shape of a cross.

Prayer is a comfort. We've been taught from day one of Sunday School that God is love. When you pray, you are able to talk to somehow who you've been told has unconditional love and forgiveness. It is like talking to your best friend when things aren't going well. When you have a dilemma, talking to your best friend, just hearing your words aloud will much of the time help bring your train of thoughts back on track. Talking out loud lets you hear yourself out loud and consider a scenario from a slightly different standpoint. Is a prayer to God the same? Talking to God, without anyone else around... are you finding solutions to problems just by giving them a different perspective… by organizing your thoughts into coherent sentences while talking to God?

I like the Garth Brooks song, 'I Thank God for Unanswered Prayers'. But in my opinion, that is the toughest part about praying. Yes there is a comfort, but when the answer to the prayer isn't simple like "God, Pleeeeeease let me have a bike for Christmas!" ... looking, waiting, wanting an obvious answer can leave you ... yes, feeling ... blarged.

- Jason

Being an open-minded church goer

I am always too skeptical when I go to new churches.

This morning I met Dan and Katie at Crossroads Community Church up near Norwood. I know a few people that attend this church, and just from looking on the outside I knew it was a big church. I wasn't prepared for when I walked in the doors though. We all literally thought we were in a children's museum, such as COSI. The lobby is a huge open area with coffee stands littered about the room and even a soda machine with 'coffee shmoffee' labeled across the top. It was a very contemporary and comfortable atmosphere.

Walking into the auditorium we were blown away by the size. Not only was there a balcony, but there was also a second balcony... so I guess they have a lodge. The lights were dim in the auditorium giving a (as Dan called it) non-confrontational feel. They must have some pretty awesome concerts at this church.

We were catching the tail-end of a sermon series on 'home'. Our home in the church, our community, and (today's sermon) our earth.

The general message of the sermon was God gave us this amazing custom home that we call earth. At this point in time we are destroying it... and its time to stop waiting for someone else to make the difference, and bring the concept of change on your own. I liked the message, I didn't enjoy the sermon though.

The preacher (Brian I believe) had many statistics and quotes, among those from scientists and the documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth'. I feel like I am knowledgeable enough to have vocal opinions on many political stances including some issues with the environment. Brian told us that our earth, our home, is in danger, and we should take it upon ourselves to make a difference.

He also stated though:
* Every year 5% of all forests in the world are burned. This is bad
- What he failed to mention was how much of those burned forests are replanted. And he also didn't mention that when forests are burned down it can actually be positive for the environment because it revitalizes the soil.
* By the year 2015 (I think is the year he stated) 40% of the world will be plagued with water deficiency.
- This doesn't surprise me, and its not fault entirely of the destruction of our environment. 88% of our world lives in 'third world' nations. Yes, I'm aware megaessays.com probably isn't the most reliable source, but the current true number can't be far off. People in third world nations aren't getting water for reasons well beyond just the weather.

My last complaint is that I didn't feel that the preacher brought the Bible or God into the current equation. He read Bible verses stating that we are in this world and are put in charge of the upkeep of this world. He stated God created the world, but after that I felt almost as if God disappeared and left us to keep his creation healthy. I wanted to hear what the Bible and God have to say about a healthy planet.

I'm being too hard on the service. I am way too skeptical every time I go to a new church. I am always looking for negative aspects.

I will of course be going back to this church to give it more time. I like the atmosphere and I know I like people that go there. So far I don't like the lack of singing and I didn't feel as though it was very personal. All the flashiness and Broadway-esque qualities made the service feel more like a production than a connection with God.

Go in with an open mind Jason and maybe I will find what I'm looking for.

Exorcise Daily

With tomorrow being Easter, many people are deciding to which church they will descend to and bless with their presence for services. Now its good that these people make the effort to go to church at all, but you have to wonder, if you only go on Easter, what's the point? Is Easter worth double? If so, does Christmas count for more as well? I don't think God has set point values for attending church.

How bad is church really? Well, this one Sunday... we learned about loving our neighbors and forgiveness.... ouch, man, it was terrible, had to sit on my hands to stop myself from waving angry fists at the rotten message... uh, no. Let's just consider the scenario of Christianity. There is this God, who created the world, gave us life and a scene to keep us occupied. Some million/billion/thousand? years later, this guy was born. Now this guy (let's just call him Jesus) walked the earth for 30 some years teaching people the good qualities of character... and if that wasn't enough, healing people... raising the dead... casting out evil. Was he a bad guy? Undoubtedly no. Then two-thousand years later, we're here.

Christianity has morals and beliefs. Let's just leave out the beliefs for now and concentrate on the morals. Helping others, loving others, being kind... sound simple enough, right? If somehow you can't comprehend the concept of God, or the beliefs of Christianity, give it time, talk to people, but one thing I can guarantee you is you can handle the morals.

The other day, I was driving down the highway after work, coming back to the house, and the road was a madhouse. Everyone was doing their best to cause everyone else a headache... well it worked. What if... now just give me a second of fantasizing... What if while driving, when a car puts its turn signal on to change lanes, and you might possibly be in his blind spot, or maybe he can see you, but he's still a little close to your front bumper... What if, you tapped the breaks and let him over. And what if... if you are the driver changing lanes, you smile in the rear view mirror and give a friendly wave of thanks? Our roads would be a much happier place.

One more scenario... What if, you are walking out of Kroger after buying your monthly groceries, and while checking out, the cashier is just going about her business, not looking all too excited about anything, or maybe you can even tell he/she's not happy. What if you just said, "Long day?" or even... "How's your day been so far?" And then you don't stop there, you take the response and continue it, making a conversation. Terrible I say.

You can live with morals, Christian morals are good ones to follow.

This year, this Easter, if you don't regularly attend church, or are having a rough time grasping religion, just think to yourself about what Christianity really is... how can that be bad, I see only good. You need something to believe in, everyone does. Make believing a priority this spring.

The Homeless Union

This morning, on the way into church, a man with nasty teeth, a need for a shave, and an even greater need for a shower was standing outside the entrance asking those coming in if they could spare a dollar so he could get lunch. Usually, I'll give a dollar to those who ask, if I do indeed (and it is rare) have cash on me. This time I thought I'd try something different.

(Reaches hand out for a hand shake)
"You spare a few dollars for food?"
(I acknowledge and return the hand shake)
"Well how about I meet you after the service and we can go get lunch together?"
"That would be very fine... I'll see you here after the service."

I was actually kind of surprised he accepted my offer. Most of the time you just think they say its for food, but then go buy some Colt45 to wash their minds away. The entire service I was thinking about him, trying to decide if he was really going to be there for our 'lunch date'. The service ended and I was quick to get outside, and sure enough he was there. We made way to Jersey Mike's and ordered some food (to go on his request) We talked a lot, he asked lots of questions about my life, my family, and actually seemed throughly interested. I in return asked him about his family and life, he was raised with 16 foster kids and loved to cook/bake and paint/draw. Quite an interesting character.

I am, however, convinced that the homeless are all part of a union. I am sure they have meetings to argue over who gets what corner at what times of day... also of course to hand out the latest cardboard sign. 'Homeless... Hungry... God Bless' 'Vietnam War Veteran - Homeless - Please Help - God Bless'
And its true, all their signs do say God Bless... but I've never seen a homeless looking person in a church service.
I think next week, if I see my homeless friend again (I wish I could remember his name) I'll take him to lunch again, but first invited him in for the service. Have a good rest of weekend, GO OSU!