Thinking creatively!

A God of mystery . . . .

2007-09-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

I have been readind 'Velvet Elvis' by Rob Bell over the last few days and came across a section which has been making me think. He writes:

Central to the Christian experience is the art of questioning God. Not
belligerent, arrogant questions that have no respoect for our maker, but naked,
honest, vulnerable, raw questions, arising out of the awe that comes from
engaging the living God. This type of questioning frees us . . . . it
allows us to have moments . . . when the silence is enough. The
great Joshua Heschel once said, 'I did not ask for success, I asked for wonder.' The Christian faith is mysterious to the core. It is about things
and beings that ultimatley cant be put into words. Language fails . .
The mystery is the truth.

(Pages 31 - 33: Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell)

I like questions. I use questions a lot in my work. I use them a lot when I talk to God. I like to question God and I dont mind that I dont always get an answer and sometimes get answers that I really dont want to hear. To have faith means that there must be some element of mystery. We cannot and should not be able to explain scientifically all about God. That is not the way. We need the silence. We need to mystery because it is in the mystery that the realities of God become more obvious. God is love. Not just God shows love, or God wants us to love but the BIG mystery is how can God be love. That one will blow your mind. I love chocolate - does this mean that God is in my relationship with chocolate? Why not? I love my kids and my wife - does this mean that God is in my relationship with them - yes, he is! Maybe that is the point! I wrote a thing about love and people in the network blog - check it out for more . . . God is a mystery. Even though I am a scientist - I dont need to know exaclty HOW God works. Rob Bell puts it this way

Being a Christian then is more about celebrating mystery than conquering it

Decisions . . . .

2007-09-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you need to make a big decision? I am trying to make a decision right now. Or rather, I am in the process of being involved in a decision. I am not entirely sure how much say I will end up having to make in the decision. But, when the decision is made by someone else, I might have to make a response - yes or no!

Normally, I am good at decisions. I think fast. I move fast. I have moved on by the time the decision is made. Not this time. This one has been sitting over me like a blanket for a few days now - making me a bit grumpy along with it (well, more so than normal!)

But, there is one thing I do know. I know that God will guide me. In fact, I am searching for his guidance right now. I am looking for the words that he wants to send me. I am looking for His confirmation. I am in a strange place. I dont know what the outcome will be. That scares the pants off me but in equal measure it reassures me. Too often, I rely on 'my wisdom' and 'my knowledge' - the decision is easy, I know what needs to happen. This time is different - this time the rules are different and risks are a lot bigger and the consequences a lot steeper.

So - I am praying that God will steer me through these waters. A decision is going to have to be made . . . . but what will it be! Maybe I will explain more when the decision is finally made!

Also, look out for another post soon about confidence!

Another of my blogs!

2007-08-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

Already I write a blog for my web site, and one for my thinking geographically site and now I have started this spiritual blog. It has been interesting reading a few blogs from guys that I know and see how they have written about their journey online. I am not sure how much I will do the same but hope to offer some sort of log og what I am thinking about on a regular basis. Watch this space!