three hundred thirty seven

 

PATRIARCHY

My last post I first used this word because I have often heard it used as a slur so I did some research. I found a spectrum of definitions and some of the newer ones are quite hateful so I thought I would go back to our past to see how it was used in positive and negative ways. 

I searched for how it was supposed to work and how it has been abused. The word has reached buzz word status today so just the mention of the word triggers strong reactions. 

Big business and government is open to criticism for sure. The good old boy network and discrimination are wrong. We have made progress in this area and there needs to be more. Women are as capable of running large corporations as anyone. 

Business is rough and tumble ruled by profits. To rise to the top of a ruthless cut throat rule bending big business what ever the anatomy requires a ruthless cut throat rule bending leader. Climbing the ladder in search of power, people will use any advantage they can find so networking, nepotism and victimhood are tools to get there. 

Politics is a little different. Many women have entered this world and have become successful. Raise enough support and convince enough voters and you will have the job. After that, keeping promises, serving constituents and being ethical should get you reelected. 

Politics is unfortunately even more screwed up then big business. Politicians don't answer to a board of directors looking for profits. To keep their jobs they do need to raise money and constantly focus on maintaining an image by using teams of pollsters and advisers. No tactic is off limits so everyone is subject to attacks. 

(No Pelosi crying pics, her tear ducts haven't worked for years.)

Charges of oppression, misogyny, racism, bigotry, hypocrisy, rumors of corruption and scandals while claiming victimhood is now a too common tactic. If adding more minorities or women is the fix for division, I don't see any evidence this works. Candidates with good character of any sex or color can get elected but even they only last a term or two if they don't play the game.     

I'll leave those two institutions to fend for themselves. I agree they are fair game for criticism, investigations and protests. Remember as consumers and constituents we usually get more of what we ask for. If you want leaders with character look for leaders with character.

The patriarchy I am focused on is man's role in the family. I think it has two elements, one is a charge of responsibility and the other is breaking a 50/50 tie. 

The many misconceptions and abuse of the words "leader" and "head" makes it a hard subject to discuss. I won't attempt to explain why men were put in this position but I will look at how it works.

A man's charge comes in two parts, the actual responsibility and the power to carry it out. Far too many men embrace the power and forget the responsibility. These men deserve the criticism they get.

Many men take on the charge of responsibility but don't have the support to carry it out. A woman can help him be successful or sabotage him to make him fail. If he is looking after the best interest of his family why not help?

There are many ways to lead, if a wife is more suited to lead and he takes a support role he is still responsible to fulfill his charge. The focus is fulfilling the charge not being the boss.

It's confusing to many men, they think they need to act like the boss but it doesn't fit their nature. It is probably better if you do it the way that fits you best.

Being an example to the children is important so leading as a team using the talents and abilities of both parents is healthy.

He is the tie breaker, after both sides give their input on a decision and they don't agree someone needs to break the tie. 

If she supports him and they succeed he will thank her for supporting him. If he fails he can't blame her for not supporting him. This draws them closer together. A bonus for her is she can remind him of this for the rest of his life.

If she doesn't support him and they fail he may blame her, if they succeed he may gloat because he did it in spite of her. This will divide them. 

Keeping ego in check is the key. Even though styles differ fulfilling the charge is the mission.

What is the charge exactly? Provider, protector, role model, spiritual example, disciplinarian, nurturer, mentor, companion, romantic partner, supporter and handy man. 

I love strong women, I have no issue taking on a supporting role. Even though I have a submissive nature, together we get the job done and I have no problem giving her full credit. 

Being more assertive works too, some women want a man with a take charge bossy style, it just doesn't fit me. The critics have a problem with this style. God picked men to be the responsible party, I cant tell you why this is, I guess it had to fall on someone.

I don't have answers I'm just saying how I feel. The "Patriarchy" has been a catchall for the problems of the world, but I hear no real solutions just complaints. 

Changing the genitalia of the people in charge without a focus on character is not a serious solution. If the focus is solely on who holds the power then it's just another power grab.

three hundred thirty six

 

MASCULINITY

Today masculinity is under attack. Men have been demonized and blamed for all violence, war, hatred, rape, macho and every evil imaginable. Don't get me wrong there are men with poor character who break the law, abuse or bully women, children or other men, engage in corrupt business practices or misuse authority. The men who  do this should be held accountable for their actions, but labeling all men as bad because they live in a testosterone fueled body is wrong.

I still say that there is a difference between men and women. I know that is not a "woke" opinion, but I'm old and have my sex organs on the outside. Some say I have no right to say that because I'm not a biologist. I could come up with a few clever comparisons but I'll just stop at that's just stupid. 

I grew up in different times but abusive criminal men were just as wrong as they are today. It would be like a person who attends a church, owns a computer, owns an American flag and lives in a rural state is responsible for a crime one thousand miles away, oh wait that already happens.

Boys are aggressive, competitive, reckless and physical.  In their early teens testosterone goes on overdrive so they are insane into their twenties, or maybe seventies now that I'm there. 

Men do do silly things to impress women. Like the bird kingdom they puff themselves up, ward off competing males, dress in fancy clothing, display their dominance and physical prowess and engage in exotic dances. 

The females engage in similar practices. They sit in judgment of the competing males. They are in total control of the situation while the males make fools of themselves. This is full blown testosterone in action. 

  

Wealth, physical prowess, the ability to protect and provide are assessed by the female. She plays her part in the ritual by displaying her beauty using makeup, revealing clothing and flirtation. Let's be honest first impressions are based on these rituals. 

The elements of the ritual from the ancient world thru the 20's, 60's, 80's up to now have changed but underneath they are basically the same ritual. The "woke" mob has attacked this but I'm sure there are "cis-males" showing off their socially aware vegan woke credentials  to impress cute "cis-females".

 My generation raced and wrecked muscle cars. We talked trash and got in fist fights but basically we were trying to impress a girl. We were political and got behind causes but those too had a mating motive. All of this as testosterone screamed in our ears, the pursuit of females was in the center of everything.

Later in life I discovered what a real man was. Even though I had been bombarded by the message of honor, responsibility, strength and virtue from the adults around me, at work, in school and in the media it finally sunk in. I do not blame any young person for the views they have because they never here these values expressed in a positive way. They are usually mocked as outdated, out of touch and fools.

What it is to be a man has been blurred. The media portrays men as macho, sexist, violent, crude, womanizing, immoral pigs, but when they do show the man of character honor and responsibility who is a law abiding family man, but is rarely casted as the hero. After a few plot twists he eventually becomes the hypocritical bad guy. So the image of a man is trashed at both ends. Virtue, honor, responsibility, monogamy, protector, leader, provider, disciplinarian and spiritual head of the family is mocked and demonized.

 

Professor Jordan Peterson is one voice that promotes male responsibility. He has been savagely attacked link for encouraging young men to step up to the challenges of life and become virtuous responsible men. He has written life changing books that have inspired hundreds of thousands of young men to be better men. He has been ignored, smeared, slandered and censored for this. In spite of this opposition the common sense principles he lays out in his books continues to effect a generation of young men.

I attend mostly men's AA meetings. I have nothing against mixed meetings, in fact I have learned valuable lessons from women in my sobriety journey. Men act much different with just one woman in the room, I'll admit I do. I love my wife and have no urge to cheat. The reality of testosterone racing through my veins and pheromones in the room at a subconscious level I feel my feathers puff and I suck in my belly. 

In an all men's meeting the rough and tumble of male humor, the straight honest talk and the bluntness if being called out for bull shit is something not every woman would understand. 

The average woman would be surprised what real men talk about. Yes there is a little bar room talk but my experience is the majority of men feel like they can always do better. They yearn to be better husbands, fathers, friends and citizens. Most feel alone and it takes a while for them to open up. Sure there are self centered jerks, macho men, womanizers, thieves and liars, but they don't hang around long. I guess the strip joints can use the money.

I have seen strong men weep, morn loss, feel the shame of financial failure as a bread winner and yearn for answers to heal relationships. Not every man follows sports, has ever been in a fight or was led around by their penis. Most men are lonely and insecure but they do it in secret. 

My dad a few months before he became ill.

Men are cave dwellers, we feel safe there. We will invite a woman in but don't want it redecorated. Real men are not victims, they keep their emotions in check, but they share them with a fishing pole or wrench in their hand.

I grew up with several examples of how to be a man. Some taught me the wrong things but most challenged me to be responsible, honest and loyal. Sure men can be pigs but most are doing the deal. They pay their bills, obey laws, provide for their families, are loyal to their wives, work hard and show up on time.

There are fewer and fewer good examples of good masculinity presented to young men today. Entertainment media emasculate and feminize men. The warriors and police in the middle of a fire fight continuously share their insecurities with each other while they kill the bad guys.

Once the testosterone starts to flow growing up is confusing enough. Combine that with the new societal pressures its no wonder they choose to wear a dress. I know I'm old and my idea of how men dress, play and conduct themselves is dated, but the fundamental essence of a good man never changes.

Our leaders

Living in central Oregon the young guys I know have started businesses, have a trade, are raising families and are becoming positive male mentors. They hunt and fish, have nice trucks and a motorcycle, go family camping and can build and fix stuff. 

Some would see them as Neanderthal knuckle dragging mouth breathing breeders. I doubt they have ventured far from their bubble to meet these men. I have lived in many places in and out of that bubble and this small town gives me hope for our future.

All is not lost, this weird detour we are on goes against basic human nature it will not last. If this is natural it would not have taken this long to surface. The pendulum swings slowly sometimes and there will always be people pushing the boundaries. I can't wait to get back to live and let live. 

three hundred thirty five

 

ISOLATION

The Wall, a 1982 Pink Floyd movie captured this in a dramatic but accurate way. I can't identify with all of the elements of this movie but I can relate to living behind a wall and having people making demands of my time and energy.  I simply wanted to be left alone.

The Jonny Depp 1993 movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape? also captured this feeling. This movie really disturbed me, perhaps that's one motivation to go on my adventures.

I enjoy being alone in the middle of nowhere, no demands, no schedule and no one to please. I ride where I want, as long as I want, stop where I want and make human contact when I want. I love being  an island with nothing but my bicycle, energy and wits. I have no-one to blame for my problems or ask for help. For some reason being in this predicament pushes all of the right buttons and I find serenity on the seat of my bicycle.

I did this long enough to know it can only be for a season, I can't do it as a full time lifestyle. I met a few guys making an attempt to live as a full time nomad but after a year or two they were burned out. I think that was the most important thing I learned over the months and miles so I never lost perspective. 

People in general piss me off but I am certain I piss a few people off too. As I travel through the world I use a principal from the book, The Art of War, it says "Be cordial to everyone but always have a plan to kill them".  Working retail for more then 40 years has taught me to act vulnerable and friendly but keep people at arms length. 

Unfortunately this became ingrained into my personality. The wall between me and the world around me has been there since I was a child. As the decades past I added more and more wall. Even after I became aware of this and made an attempt to demolish it, connecting with the people around me is still a crap shoot. 

Very few have breached the walls of my fortress. Even fewer have remained for long. Only one has been welcomed completely. It took someone very special to open the heavy fortress door. I have a few friends that have peeked inside but it's a two steps forward, one step back process.

I once took pride in being that rugged individual nomad. An adventure with a beginning and end is healthy but running from the world is not. I did the comfortably numb thing with alcohol for years. This type of wall has destroyed many people. I was fortunately rescued from this fate decades ago.

500 pound phone

I still struggle with human contact. I enjoy people but to a point and I know community is how humans function the best. A relationship with God is incomplete without other people. The monastery model is flawed, isolated from the world to ponder God in a meditative environment sounds very holy but it is just another method of hiding. An occasional spiritual journey may clear our minds and spirits but communing with others is where it's at.

Jesus is a good example of a balance. He worked with his hands, hung out with common people, made friends with fishermen, had public encounters with people who were hostile to him and he took time to isolate and commune with his father. 

I spend plenty of time alone. While I fidget doing "stuff," I stay silent but my mind keeps spinning. I can always get spun up about something. I future trip about things that probably won't happen, relive and regret things I can't change, criticize myself too much, love myself too much and escape too much. 

My big brother in his cave

I do force read a little Big Book and a little Bible, I check the political soap opera, scan world events then listen to nonpolitical books about world and military history, space exploration, aviation, baseball and biographies of interesting people.  I need to be centered and clear minded so I am aware of the computer principle, garbage in garbage out.

Something new I have implemented is using my phone to make human contact. I text several male friends, call them occasionally and once or twice a week have breakfast or coffee. This has never been easy for me but each time I do it gets easier. 

It's ironic, I text, call and have coffee but if I stop for a week, I get texts, phone calls and an invitation to have coffee. We eventually all begin to answer texts, phone calls and have coffee. We still hate doing it, but a minute after we answer or show up we are glad we did.

Two men talking, wow what a concept.

No matter how much I want to isolate I can't get away from these guys. They ask how I am so first I lie and say I'm fine. They then tell me I'm full of bull shit, we laugh then I tell them how I really am. This process has escaped me for most of my life. 

Living in a world of first time last time human interactions is a form of isolation. No one ever gets a real peek past the wall, I can edit the view of what's inside. 

Once I gave up hiding life got better. I learned this late in life but not too late. Whatever I was searching for on my bicycle was always right in front of me.

Tear down the wall does not happen all at once it comes down brick by brick. Other humans are now friends not just subjects in an anthropology study.

three hundred thirty four

There is a war going on today, it is not a new war it is the oldest war. Good vs evil  began in the garden when man chose to rebel. For most of the history of man the line between good vs evil seemed to be clear but in the past century it has become blurred.

The frog in a pot of water is a valid illustration. The frog enjoys the water in the pot as it is slowly heated. He will stay in the pot until it boils. If you dropped the same frog in a pot of scalding water he would immediately jump out. Western civilization particularly the United States of America has been soaking in a pot of water and it's about to boil. 

The past half century has accelerated this at an alarming pace. Sure the speed of technology and the growth of social media are a factor but abandoning our moral compass is the main reason. We have become a narcissistic society seeking a self serving comfortable lifestyle. We have abandoned self sacrifice, a sense if duty or honor and have developed an unquenchable sense if entitlement. 

Don't get me wrong I'm not holding the high ground, these behaviors and attitudes have caused a great deal of wreckage in my life and the people around me. My greatest regret is the damage I have done to a relationship with my amazing daughters. 

We are flawed people with scars and open wounds. We can rationalize them, ignore them or numb ourselves by drowning them in entertainment, hatred, self pity or substance abuse. 

Violence, addiction, depression and self harm are at an all time high even though we are living in the most prosperous and free society on the planet. We can over consume, over indulge and rely on government to take care of our needs. A work ethic, a drive to grow a family, build things and owning something to pass on to our children has taken a back seat. 

Society now values victimhood, revenge and selfishness. I cannot listen to politicians or the media because they never stress the hard truth of personal responsibility. In the past at least they gave it lip service but now they mock it out loud. Those who stress these things are mocked and branded as uncaring haters.

Mega church worship

Church attendance is at an all time low and the churches that do have audiences are focused on entertainment. They have adopted this approach to survive but many have stopped telling people the harder teachings in order not to offend.

Like all nonprofit organizations, charities and foundations enjoy special tax breaks. There is legislation being passed that may empower the IRS to remove the tax exempt status of some religious organizations. Churches since our founding have built hospitals, drug and alcohol rehabs, food banks, adoption services, inner city missions for the poor and countless other charitable services. 

If this does happen I believe they will target specific nonprofits that do not conform to the ever evolving popular woke standards. Many main stream religious organizations have already complied with these new standards for survival but I believe there will be a remnant who do not.

Woke Jesus

They will be mocked and labeled as haters and fanatics. Much of this is happening now but with this new power of government they might face bankruptcy, fines and imprisonment. The irony is the remnant may be the frogs who jumped out of the pot the moment the fire was lighted. 

I hear gloom an doom about the events of our world. We constantly hear, If we don't vote a certain way it is the end of freedom or democracy. If this law passes our freedoms are gone. Our history is being rewritten, our privacy invaded and our speech censored. All of these matter but beyond all of this even if the worst possible thing happens there will always be a remnant.

Church Hierarchy

 

Thru-out Hebrew history no matter how hopeless things looked for Israel, there was always a remnant of believers who stayed loyal to God. I do not think God or believers are any different today. 

Early on I was confused about who or what to believe because of the many divisions in the Church. I think at the time there were 1500 different denominations and I'm sure there are many more today. I researched many of them and found clear differences in their mission statements and doctrines. 

Most took spreading the good news seriously, but as interest decreased some used marketing, sales tactics, entertainment, the prosperity doctrine and an easier softer message. With a narrow focus on attendance, they built more elaborate buildings and grew a large organization around a charismatic leader.

Prosperity Doctrine

I was confused by all of this because the message seemed watered down. I searched on my own to find the message and found the covenant God was offering directly to me. The door opened a little and I began to understand a relationship God required a lot more then just closing my eyes when I pray, regular attendance and throwing a few bucks in the basket.

I was finding so many differences I began to strip off everything "Churchy". I found that a lot of worship is based on man made doctrines and tradition. Many people have studied the scriptures before me and I value their insights and wisdom, but sometimes they have developed a following of their own shadowing the real message. I also see the value of practicing tradition but not when they become requirements for access to God. 

I also looked into prayer, healing, prosperity and promises. It confused me when someone with a large following was preaching a sure fire formula prayer to petition God. God's on demand participation in an on stage demonstration did not make sense. 

Showman Faith Healer in Akron Ohio

I believe God can do anything, he can bless us with prosperity, heal or bodies and give us great teachers but in his own time and in his own way. I don't think holding a crucifix, reciting a formula prayer or worshiping a man with a blue suit or a pointy hat can actually control what God will do. We can ask but I think it is foolish to think we can twist his arm.    

I have personally experienced and witnessed what can only be described as miracles. I also saw people who were devout believers who still suffered disease, tragedy and heartbreak. Did they lack the faith to avoid these things, were they not chosen, were they saying their prayers wrong, maybe they didn't buy the right holy trinket or maybe they belonged to the wrong denomination?

What I did find was the covenant he offers to everyone. It was offered directly to me not to an organization. God set the terms of the agreement, detailed his promises if I was faithful and warned of the curses if I fell short. He also promised he was going to help me keep my end of the deal if I just ask. He didn't promise to fix my problems or make my life easy. He did promise persecution and I will never again be alone even after this life. In addition I am required to study his words, have an ongoing conversation with him and share my experience with others. 

If this covenant was offered through an organization it could get confusing. If I am in a direct covenant relationship with God, I am responsible for my behavior so a direct relationship requires the believer to put more skin in the game.  

Acts 17:11 The Bereans studied to see if it was true....

Taking the time to know what we believe and why we believe it requires effort. A congregation of believers who know what they believe and why they believe it makes it a very hard place for a leader to twist the truth. They will be called out before they can close their Bible.

There is value to organization, a place to worship, the ability to pool resources for missions and charity outreach and a community to encourage one another. Leadership is chosen by the people they serve based on their character. Each group is financially responsible, there is no central office, no giant pool of money and only a basic doctrine. Sharing the message is each member's responsibility, not the sole responsibility of a silver tongued hired preacher.

One disadvantage to large organizations is they have a great deal of property, personnel and infrastructure to lose so political, financial and legal concerns may effect them. The temptation to yield to pressure and conform has effected many religious organizations already. Individual believers in smaller groups have more skin in the game so they may have more ability to resist the pressures.

One question is how many will stand firm when the pressure builds. My personal belief is the church will grow when the pressure comes. A relationship with God that isn't sugar coated or easy is what many are looking for. 

This is an amazing country and perhaps it is in its last days of greatness, but I don't think these are the last days for it's people. I believe a great awakening is about to happen. Many who put their faith in elected officials, political parties and big government may face a rude awakening, this includes many churches.  I don't look forward to chaos but I do see in the long run it can change millions of lives.

The bottom line if you are a believer stand firm, be the remnant. What I do know God promises you are never alone and you will face persecution. I know this doesn't sound as fun as getting that new car or winning the lotto but I believe with all of my mind body and soul the next life will be worth any trials we may face. My only prayer is that I am one who stands firm.

three hundred thirty three

WHO'S DRIVING THE BUS?

This is not an original question, I have a recovering friend who asks this question regularly. I operate my life based on questions like this that I call bumper stickers. I rely on these bumper stickers rattling around in my head to make decisions instead of relying on my ever changing moods and feelings. 

The "if it feels good do it", "life in the fast lane" and the "fuck it" philosophies are self serving and usually lead to disaster and emptiness. For many years I lived out these philosophies and they did lead to disaster and emptiness.

I discovered I had based my choices on my feelings and most of these foolish philosophies. This was obviously not working so I had come up with a new plan. As I yielded my will over to something bigger then myself, shut my mouth so I could listened and learned to take suggestions I discovered the power of bumper stickers. 

I learned most of them in the rooms of AA, AA literature and the Bible. However Zig Ziglar, Will Rogers, Roger Waters, Oscar Wilde, Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood), Thomas Sowel, Rush Limbaugh, C.S. Lewis, and many more have given me a few but only if they are wise and true. 

Bumper stickers are based on things that are true, so they do not change like my ever changing moods.

I was recently on a tour of Old Jerusalem in Israel. There were many religious men reading aloud their repetitive daily prayers. Jewish worship uses specific readings from the Torah to celebrate holy days and their children memorize prayers, history and stories. All through Israel there were constant reminders of historical places and events everywhere.

I'm certain men like this are tempted by thoughts and feelings to choose self serving behaviors. However regularly pondering the wisdom of the Torah may overcome the majority of their fears, jealousy, hatred and lust. I'm not implying they do not fall short but because their hearts and minds are being exposed to this wisdom even if they do fail, at a minimum they know they are wrong which causes them to soon repent and make things right again. 

There are many who enter the rooms of AA, some leave because they are not ready, some have short term success and some pile up decades of sobriety but all have the ability to take back control and crash and burn. Those who have absorbed enough of the program do return to begin again. One meeting usually ruins all future drinking for a real alcoholic but they do know where to find the answer.

Yielding control, filling our heads with bumper stickers and sticking with there herd. The driving the bus illustration is a simple way to say yield control to a higher power. I have an additional view because I am a Christian. I trust that from the day I was baptized into God's covenant I received his spirit into my mind and heart. I also believe because I consumed his words this same spirit now lives in my head. 

I'm not a snake handler, tongue speaking or faith healer. I do not say these things don't happen, they just don't happen to me. I do however look back on my life since that day and like the footstep prayer I have never been alone. 

In spite of His Spirit mingling with my spirit I'm still required to expose myself to his words. I repeatedly read and study to put these words in my mind. Many of my bumper sticker truths are from the scriptures but I think these truths are expressed in other ways and through other sources. In AA those who do not recognize Jesus as their higher power do stay sober and experience serenity. 

In this blog I am free to share what works for me. Out of respect for the traditions I don't talk this way in an AA meeting. Alcoholics Anonymous has one mission, to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. 

I share a similar faith with many other members but to the new person and some long time members quoting scripture may not be helpful.

Who is driving the bus? says in a non religious way to allow God to take control. Many of these simple illustrations describe a deeper truth. To save a suffering soul from the horror of addiction is certainly God's will. If that person continues on seeking more truth they may open themselves up to the God if my understanding.

My only job in AA is to have my hand out to anyone who asks me how I got sober. I simply yield my will over to God (let Him drive the bus) and live my faith openly. I only need to be ready to give them an answer as to why I have hope and peace in my heart in the midst of the chaos of life.

three hundred thirty two

Faith, what is it exactly?

I have heard many descriptions and definitions of faith. The one that fits my logical brain is simple, God is faithful to his word, if he says he will do something, he will do it.

People, including me are not always faithful, we make appointments, commitments, promises, pledge our allegiance, sign contracts and swear oaths but in our weakness we don't always keep them. 

We have good intentions and even think we are being faithful but we deceive ourselves by rationalizing, redefining and creating elaborate and convincing excuses for falling short. This is the difference between us and God, God does not lie or fall short, ever.

Faithfulness is what God has looked for in man from creation. Unfortunately because of our flawed nature man cannot be consistently faithful, we need his help.

The Bible is filled with personal testimony about God's faithfulness. The covenant or deal God offers and keeps with nations, groups and individuals is proof of his faithfulness. 

No, there are no recordings, video, photographs or signed documents. Just personal testimony written in history and the Bible. In a court of law personal eye witness testimony is considered proof of innocents or guilt, physical evidence is not always required.

 

For many centuries after these testimonies were written and handed down, billions of others have had the personal experience of God's faithfulness. I am one of those people.

God has a different timeline and a much larger purpose so at times it can feel that he is not being faithful to his word. We don't see the big picture because we measure the physical world in linear time. God does not have these limitations. He calls himself "I am" for a reason, he sees all time at once. 

Many of God's promises are not fulfilled during the life span of the people he promised but he does fulfill them to the following generations. 

We live in an instant society today so it is even more difficult to grasp the larger picture. Because things do not happen on our schedule is not proof it will not happen. Some have used this as proof God does not exist. The more immature society becomes the more we look at God as being aloof, unfair and unfaithful. We do this to a point that we can deny his very existence. Many have sadly reached this point. 

This is where I draw my own limits of understanding how God works. I will not waste my time speculating the everyday details of how he works but I do know his motives. God has clearly revealed them. He simply wants to know us and he wants to be known. 

There are some things around us that I believe are here to teach us. How animals behave, how plants grow, the weather and so on. Everything teaches us something if we take the time to see it.

We grow crops, raise livestock and utilize the things God has put here to sustain us so we can see the constant recycling of life. We feel joy, sorrow, jealousy, peace, comfort, hate, loss and love. He gave us dogs to teach us to morn, children to remember how to wonder and the creation to marvel at it's intricacy and beauty.

 We live in the middle of the greatest pile of physical evidence ever imagined to prove there is a Creator, but I still hear debates and declarations of how God is irrelevant and does not exist.

We have reached a point where to say "I believe God exists" is a bold statement. This watered down statement has become socially acceptable as a declaration of faith. Many have shifted their claim of faith to the word "spirituality". This throws a wide net over every warm and fuzzy feeling.  Worshiping the creation not the one who created it allows them to remain in charge.  

Stating that you believe in some sort of  invisible being is not faith, but  trusting what that being promises is faith. It is rare today that these promises are discussed because they involve yielding our will and observing moral rights and wrongs.

It is ironic that we sometimes feel God pops in and out of existence depending on whether we believe he exists or not. The ones working the hardest to talk themselves and others out of this belief are usually well educated fools. The real question isn't if we believe God exists it is if we believe God.

The chair faith illustration is an example of how we put our trust into something as common as a chair. We plop down our full weight without a second thought. Yes it is a physical thing but it is an example of complete physical trust. 

All He asks is that we accept his covenant and do our best to keep it. In a future post I will describe how he provides everything we need to stay faithful to that covenant. 

I know this is my bicycle blog but life circumstances have brought these issues to the forefront. My reliance on my faith has me embracing life to the fullest and no longer hiding from it. I want others to know the peace I have found in the chaos of life.

I write down my thoughts for two reasons. One is for me to sort them out as I look at them in black and white, and the other is to reveal them to others so in some way they may help.

I will end with this....

Jude 24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—

P.S.

Yes, my faith is in the God of the Bible. I believe God has communicated with man through inspired individuals to write down what has happened, the history of his interaction with man and the way man can have a relationship through the offering of a covenant. I believe God lives in those who enter into that covenant. I don't do well with feelings so the nuts and bolts of his parties, terms, promises and curses agreement makes sense to me. I find security in relying on this covenant and my daily interaction with his spirit that lives in me. I just trust and get out of the way.