Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The Shack
A board member for Stadia recently recommended "The Shack". It is a book that should be read by all. It deals with our road to God on so many levels. For the purposes of this blog, it deals with the question, "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" or the question of evil. The technical term for this is a theodicy-- like the book of Job, it causes us to lift the cover off our pain and look at what is going on behind the scenes in the heavenlies. It is not the Bible and thus it most likely does not describe God fully or possibly even accurately--who of us can, but it will make you think about God. It will also help you put your own pain in perspective. For some comments and preview you can go to http://www.theshackbook.com/index.html
Monday, January 14, 2008
This from a reader
My experience is that overall emotional stability or better yet, happiness, is a daily issue to deal with. I think overall we are better off if we follow the lifestyle as taught by Jesus and the Bible, but it doesn't make us immune to the attacks of Satan or other people or just natural circumstances such as disease or accident to us or loved ones.
I find wisdom in what Solomon wrote overall in Ecclesiastes about having a balanced life, a partial summary as contained in these verses:
2:24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
3:12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
So to me the practical application of these verses balanced with all other parts of the Bible is this: Bad, disappointing and discouraging things are going to happen to all of us while here on earth. When those things happen, how do we keep our balance and get back up to par? Depend upon God per the verses you quoted plus apply what Solomon stated in Ecc.
So how do we apply this in a practical way? In my opinion we need to plan and do those things that have a probability to bring us satisfaction, joy and happiness. It sounds simple, but isn't always that easy. When we get wrapped up in our work, even if it is ministry work, over time it can cause us to ignore those things that otherwise bring us satisfaction and joy. Over a period of time we get out of the habit and can actually "forget" how to do those things.
I think its important then to take some time and identify what kinds of experiences will likely bring us satisfaction, joy or happiness... and make it a priority to regularly participate in those types of activities. Maybe its spending more quality time with those we love. Maybe its going to more ball games or getting more physical exercise or going fishing with a friend or tending a garden or whatever. Perhaps its a combination of a few different activities during the different seasons. I think there's some wisdom in the old adage, "All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy." Or, take time to smell the roses.
In any event, the bad times are going to happen and I think its good to have a regular dose of good times in order to help balance out the bad times.
Gary Martinez
I find wisdom in what Solomon wrote overall in Ecclesiastes about having a balanced life, a partial summary as contained in these verses:
2:24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
3:12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
So to me the practical application of these verses balanced with all other parts of the Bible is this: Bad, disappointing and discouraging things are going to happen to all of us while here on earth. When those things happen, how do we keep our balance and get back up to par? Depend upon God per the verses you quoted plus apply what Solomon stated in Ecc.
So how do we apply this in a practical way? In my opinion we need to plan and do those things that have a probability to bring us satisfaction, joy and happiness. It sounds simple, but isn't always that easy. When we get wrapped up in our work, even if it is ministry work, over time it can cause us to ignore those things that otherwise bring us satisfaction and joy. Over a period of time we get out of the habit and can actually "forget" how to do those things.
I think its important then to take some time and identify what kinds of experiences will likely bring us satisfaction, joy or happiness... and make it a priority to regularly participate in those types of activities. Maybe its spending more quality time with those we love. Maybe its going to more ball games or getting more physical exercise or going fishing with a friend or tending a garden or whatever. Perhaps its a combination of a few different activities during the different seasons. I think there's some wisdom in the old adage, "All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy." Or, take time to smell the roses.
In any event, the bad times are going to happen and I think its good to have a regular dose of good times in order to help balance out the bad times.
Gary Martinez
I haven't written lately
Sorry for those of you who have looked here and found nothing new for the past two weeks. I've been traveling extensively and found myself too tired to write at the end of the day. Not an excuse, but at least an explanation.
I found today that some of you have not been able to post comments. I think I have remedied that situation. If you still find you can post a comment, please email me at mbigelow@stadia.cc and I will work some more on it. I'm still new to this blog business.
I removed the survey this morning since no one could post to it. Overwhelmingly, 80%, people felt that betrayal is the worst bruising they have undergone. I have to confess that it makes sense to me.
I've been thinking the last few days about the role of music in helping us through our bruisings.
In the two major bruisings of my life I have found each time a song has spoken very clearly to me and helped me through it.
When we lost our daughter 32 years ago, "It is Well with my Soul" became a solid resting place for our faith. Sometimes we sang it by faith, trusting that it was well with our souls even though it didn't feel like it.
Last year, as we went through other trials, "Blessed be Your Name" became a source of strength. The only downside of having songs that take you through these times is that you can hardly ever sing them again without our eyes becoming moist as we think of God's faithfulness to us. However, that's a small price to pay for the blessings we have received from song.
Martin Luther said, "besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart…"
It's no wonder he wrote "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" while on trial for his faith.
He also said, "I have no use for cranks who despise music, because it is a gift of God. Music drives away the Devil and makes people happy; they forget thereby all wrath, unchastity, arrogance, and the like. Next after theology, I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor."
So, find a song, sing it strong and let it help strengthen you through the hard times.
I would be interested in other songs that you have found a help in times of trial. Please post a comment and let me know.
I found today that some of you have not been able to post comments. I think I have remedied that situation. If you still find you can post a comment, please email me at mbigelow@stadia.cc and I will work some more on it. I'm still new to this blog business.
I removed the survey this morning since no one could post to it. Overwhelmingly, 80%, people felt that betrayal is the worst bruising they have undergone. I have to confess that it makes sense to me.
I've been thinking the last few days about the role of music in helping us through our bruisings.
In the two major bruisings of my life I have found each time a song has spoken very clearly to me and helped me through it.
When we lost our daughter 32 years ago, "It is Well with my Soul" became a solid resting place for our faith. Sometimes we sang it by faith, trusting that it was well with our souls even though it didn't feel like it.
Last year, as we went through other trials, "Blessed be Your Name" became a source of strength. The only downside of having songs that take you through these times is that you can hardly ever sing them again without our eyes becoming moist as we think of God's faithfulness to us. However, that's a small price to pay for the blessings we have received from song.
Martin Luther said, "besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart…"
It's no wonder he wrote "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" while on trial for his faith.
He also said, "I have no use for cranks who despise music, because it is a gift of God. Music drives away the Devil and makes people happy; they forget thereby all wrath, unchastity, arrogance, and the like. Next after theology, I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor."
So, find a song, sing it strong and let it help strengthen you through the hard times.
I would be interested in other songs that you have found a help in times of trial. Please post a comment and let me know.
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