everyone counts

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Listening

Let's see, Faith comes from hearing
and
The voice of the LORD is over the waters - The God of Glory thunders
Once upon a time, a long time ago, a very messed up not that young woman sat in the lotus position, in the light of a single flame, seeking answers...
"I don't even know your name" she cried out into the darkness.
"What do you mean you don't know my name" spoke the still quiet voice. "I am Jesus..."
Once upon a time, not quite so long ago but long enough. A young mother, pregnant with her second child, listened intently to a sermon about the hidden talents.
"So what is the talent that I've buried LORD"
"I've made you a teacher" say He to her heart. And a teacher she has been ever since.
Once upon a time, a middle aged Christian Camp director read Psalm 29 in the little chapel in the woods. "The God of Glory Thunders!" And it did. And they all jumped. Amazing!
I'm listening right now LORD. I don't want to ramble. I don't want to argue. I just want to hear.

11 comments:

Wanderer said...

See, I am not the only one that can relay such circumstances. Perhaps reality hasn't gotten in the way as much as you think.

In all seriousness, I think that it isn't the preaching, or debates or arguments that will make the difference in our different theological positions. It is these quiet revelations of our faith in action that makes me certain that neither of us is likely to lose faith or be convinced to cross over to another camp.

Arthur Brokop II said...

But Dear, Dear Wanderer-
We can't both be right.

Anonymous said...

As I asked on a previous post (only this morning so I did not yet expect a reply) I will ask again here. Wanderer you said your faith had failed you (I am assuming that you meant faith in Christ, or was it faith in the church? or in the bible? or?). Why did it fail you or how did it fail you?

Wanderer said...

Inheritor - In truth, I don't think that my faith failed at all, just lagged for a time. Still, my beliefs now leave me standing theologically at odds with the church.

So it seems from the Christian view point, that my faith lead me away from the church, and as such failed. If this faith was from God, did God send me away?

Wanderer said...

I am afraid I agree, MaryEllen. If two stand at odds on a subject, at least one is bound to be wrong. This doesn't trouble me so much, though, since neither of us can comprehend the complexity of God's mind or God's plan, the odds are that we are both wrong about as much as we are right about.

Arthur Brokop II said...

It is true that God, in His word, poses the question, "who can know the mind of God?" yet He also says, Come let us reason together.
Some Christians out there consider me a liberal heretic. And it has become clear to me over the past few months that I actually do not believe in the same god "they" believe in. But Jesus is the Key, and His Cross the deciding factor. The Bible is His Living Word. And that is either true or not true. I vote for True!

Wanderer said...

And unfortunately this is one point in which we differ. One of very few points, but a rather big one. Given this separation of perceptions, it frequently amazes me when the few of you don't simply cease dialogue with me at this intractable difference.

Arthur Brokop II said...

I believe that once you looked into the eyes of Jesus, and you had questions that no one was able to answer. I remember crying out to Him in the darkness, and at that time there was no answer.
Life's journey is never over, and I for one find our conversations
"fascinating" (RD and I are watching the original Star Trek - it's affecting my brain.)

Wanderer said...

"I believe that once you looked into the eyes of Jesus, and you had questions that no one was able to answer."

You didn't finish this statement, although I doubt I am wrong as to the intention I read into it. Still, we have a stalemate. For I believe that if once you walked with Her and told Her what it was that you needed, what you didn't understand, She would answer, and there would be no further question in your heart.

Arthur Brokop II said...

only you could finish that statement dear Wanderer...I wouldn't exactly call this a stalemate, but if it were, that would only mean it was time to line up the pieces and start a new game...once I saw a skit, done by a group called the covenant players, at Grace Church. Several people were looking at a scene, supposedl like the way the rocks and mesa's when the setting or rising sun is shining on them I suppose. They were awed at the scene and it was indeed quite beautiful, but another character was trying to get them to turn around and look at the light that was creating the scene, the light was much more awesome, but none of them would turn and look. I will not turn away from the light. I will not turn away from the Cross.
But that doesn't mean that our dialog needs to end, you challenge many of the Christians you visit here in cyber space to go deeper in and higher up (C.S. Lewis in Last Battle). I'm gonna skip over to your sight and talk about the lady I saw by the river Saturday.

Wanderer said...

I am glad you feel a challenge you and others. In that I do a good turn then, even if you are right. I appreciate the scene as you wrote it out on my site, and I am earnest in my response. If you can't go further to answer my question there, I am sure we will talk again in the near future.