First, I would like to discuss my current perspective on God. I want to begin
this text my saying, yes, I'm still a Christian but with deep theological questions that a majority of people who I consider to be theologically grounded are unable to produce a response that settles my mind. This is the question of God the 'father'. I rack my brain with this idea now more then ever as now I am a Dad. If God the father claims to be our Heavenly Father as Christians why do so many Christian (good Christians) live in poverty or live paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet not just monthly but weekly. I suppose it's easy to place a 'biblical Sunday school ' answer on this but truly as a dad I would do everything in my power to protect / provide and be there for my kid(s). It baffles my mind to think the guy who claims to be the creator of the universe, claims to hold all things in his hands, and lastly and worst claims to be the father to the fatherless doesn't insure that his children are taken care of. You can say that is our duty as the church to be God's hands / feet. News Flash the church is and has completely failed! When is this 'god' going to step in and be the God he claims to be? I suppose this whole rant and rave is not to stir controversy but to say those who have been blessed have an obligation to bless. When we do have money my favorite thing is to bless others. The problem is the people who are prone to bless aren't typically blessed. So who screwed up in this equation? God? Doesn't he control all things? I know it sounds like I'm angry but I'm truly not! I merely am unable to produce answers to questions that not only believers ask but more importantly unbelievers are asking.
Next, I would like to catch some people up on my life. (Ha-Ha) I live in Great Falls, Montana. I moved here with Ross Stores as the Assistant Store Manager. I worked there until recently (August). I'm currently doing two different jobs, at Montana State University as an interpreter and I'm working for two different agencies as a community freelance interpreter. Brittany now works full time for Montana State School for the Deaf and Blind in the Visually Impaired department as a Teachers Assistant. Hailey is now 2 1/2 and she is crazy smart! I know I'm bias as her Dad but truly she knows all of her ABC's and can count to 20 and sings along with many songs and is starting to pick up reading some words. She is putting together sentences. I love that little girl! Also we are expecting a baby boy on December 10th. Last but not least I miss my family, I miss my friends, and Seattle! Haha
Okay, I think that's enough for today. I'm truly going to try to blog at least once a week. Feel free to comment ask questions but please remember this is just a blog so be nice! :)
Jordan Smith
Wow! So refreshing to read a "real" person's blog. :) As I read your post, my immediate thought was, as a child, we have lots of choices. Good choices, and bad choices. Lasting choices and short term choices. Obviously we don't want to be cookie cutter people. I think in many ways, it requires us to depend on God our Father, to provide for our needs. It can't be on our own. It is all for HIS glory. Everything. Yes, it is hard to see people (or ourselves) go through the "valleys" but, there would not be any mountains if that were the case. How many times do we say, "Lord, I give you this", and then take it right back. I think it is a time where, like King David, it requires you to search your heart, your motives, because later down the road, you'll look back, and say, "Whoa! How in the world did we ever make it", which Niles and I have said many times. It is because of those times, we matured, developed character and learned so much and grew as a couple and then as a family. It makes you appreciate what you do have. I don't think blessings are necessarily returned in the same way (ie. Finances to finances). It might be emotional support, financial, physical, etc. Definitely things to think about. I believe Jesus wants us to ponder these things and think on these things. Not just accept it.
ReplyDeleteSoo excited that your baby boy is just about to arrive! Keep posting Jordy!! :)
I used to be frustrated with not having all of the answers. Nowadays, I'm not as frustrated since I've learned that I'm not going to have all the answers, I think.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit is wooing you. These questions in which no one is able to answer adequately "forces" us to decide if we are still faithful. "Are you still with me?" Jesus challenges us.
We claim the Bible has "all the answers", yet why do we feel like we don't have all the answers? It seems paradoxical, doesn't it?
I want all the answers so I can blaze a trail and be on fire.
... but, it doesn't work that way, unfortunately.
I've got "gaps" in my theology. Each time I figure out a "gap", another one opens up.
After all these years, it seems that we are to work out our salvation -- we are to figure out the gaps in our theology.
The Apostles in the New Testament didn't have all the answers either. It looks like they did, but they wrote the letters after the fact.
C. Peter Wagner makes that point in his book, "The Book of Acts: A Commentary". He explains that the Apostles were figuring out the gospel as they blazed a trail. One of the best books I've ever read.
Nowadays, my faith is secure yet I'm concerned that we have not been God's Hands and Feet the way we should be. When I read the Book of Acts and compare then and now, it is disturbing how far we are from proactively making an impact on society (e.g. 3,000 were added to the faith in one day; everyone who was in Peter's shadow was healed, etc.)
Keep on truckin', I say. Blaze a trail and figure out the theology as you go.
Dude you make a great point. I can’t believe I’m reading this 7 years later having never read it! Crazy how life flies by!
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