Rob Bell has nothing on Ian Smith

So Wednesday night is house church night and we have been working our way through the nooma series by Rob Bell which as controversial as his thoughts are other than Sam taking exception to Rob Bell opening his mouth no real good conversation has come out of most of it. Kind of just like going through the paces. So we watched the video, went through the questions and that was it. Then I got the idea to throw out soemthing that Ian had said earlier in the day. I believe in evolution just not the theory of evolution. Or something to that effect. It was great People got mad, people left the room, people got hung up on terminology and in the end it was really interesting. I was surprised that some dont believe the biblical account of creation. The find it easier to believe an evolution based account triggered by God. This was something I had never heard before but was pretty interested in. They could accept that the earth was formless and void and that in that area God had stirred things up and out of that something like the big bang or darwins theory of evolution had been born. Still giving all the credit to God for the creation of everything in Heaven and on earth but Not believing in a literal seven day creation story. Magnificent. I dont buy it myself but I thought that in itself was a pretty interesting vien of thought. I explained that the reason for Darwins original theory of evolution had been an attempt at establishing a creation of life on earth that was contrary to a God involved and also that much of the work poured into the theory of the big bang had also been motivated by attempts at disproving God as originator of life on earth. The thing that interests me is always whats the motivation behind the research. Quantum physics is struggling with the thought that no matter how much research they do there is something missing. And the same is happening in other scientific fields. No matter how far they go they keep coming to a point where it doesnt make sense. Much of darwins work on adaptation of species was right on and very ground breaking for its time and i think very relevent today. But the motivation was poor and when some one now states that they believe in evolution it has become a catch phrase that catagorizes you no different than claiming to be a christian or a budhist. There has to be a different way to define your self. Old terminology needs to be doen away with. What do you believe in? I believe in evolution. Means to people that you dont believe in Gods creation. But science has proven much of evolution to be true. And if you believe that God created all things then you believe that God created things to evolve and adapt. The frusteration came when discussing the bible and some people just could not get there heads around the old testament history and the parables of the new testament. I tried to explain that there many truths in the old testament that were good to know wether we belived in the validity of the scriptures. the foods that were forbiden were even untill recent years still known to carry disease and while the new covenant abolished the food issues maybe still we would be better off without pork and tuna from a health perspective. And also the hair braiding beard growing tattooing makeup wearing stuff. What if we hadnt adopted these things into our culture. Remove vanity fromour society today and how different would it look. We would be less concerned about how we looked and possibly have more time for what surounds us. So in looking at some of these things It makes me take the old testamnet seriously and the parables in the new testament while they were used to speak to uneducated people that didnt have our advancements in technology they are still good solid truths for us to live by 2000 years later. It ended up just two of us at the end and we were discussing how people that dont know God do good things. My perspective was that God can do good through all people because he created us all. but when we enter into a relationship with him we give him the use of all our time to do good things. And if we know good people then why wouldnt we want them to have a relationship with God because it would give more purpose to their lives and give glory to God. I could go on and on but thats the coles notes and I hope that a good blogg post is as entertaining as my messy ones. :)

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These days im frusterated. Not even completely sure why just iritated and feel like pickin a fight with someone. Lots of good things are happening these days work has picked up and we are making money finally. Amys mom has had a huge turn around and might acctually come home from the hospice which is a miracle in itself. Everyone is healthy and enjoying the sun and high temps it almost doesnt seem like i could possible feel frusterated. And yet Im fighting myself I think this whole revival thing in lakeland and the way it has spread across the country seems so good on the outside but so wierd at it heart. And yet people are recieving miracles and what is happening to Amys mom is somewhat born out of this whole thing. Churches all across Canada and the states are jumping on the revival band wagon, holding satelite meetings and sending out elders and pastors to recieve the annointing and bring it back. The thing thats getting me is that for the last couple of years i have really desired to see a major move of God. I remember when i was in high school a fellow had come to the school and church and major spiritual acctivity was happening and it was undeniable as to what was going onpeople where getting healed. But now I have to wonder what made that great memory moment in my life any different than lakeland? I cant remember who the guy was. I do remeber people laughing uncontrolablly and falling down but no barking like dogs and shrieking like they were being crucified. I even had an experience myself where i just couldnt stop laughing I was just so happy i couldnt stop laughing. I think the irritation comes from not having a higher intellect to pick. Someone who is wise beyond years I guess that has seen it all. I have lots of friends but they are all into questioning the fundamentals these days. I believe that we need to look at soem things differentley, Like our attitudes towards the world around us and how we relate to nonchristians. I think we need to take the judgement of others sins out of our lives and leave it up to God more. We need to be wise to protect our families from harm but also open to taking a risk on Gods behalf. These are things I feel like have been lacking in the past but I have also noticed people really making efforts to correct them today and I feel encouraged by them. But not so much in my own little community. the progressive change is being overshadowed by this whole new age type movement in christianity. Really the lakeland revival isnt anydifferent than middle eastern style spirit guides and mysticism. The friends that I share a faith with seem more interested in pointing out what is wrong with our faith than charting a course with what is right. WE ARE STAGNANTE! There is only one couple that coems on wednesday night that isnt related to me somehow and my living room is full and has no room for people that might want to come. And I feel like kicking people out! Like asking them to leave so peoplethat really are interested in moving forward have somewhere to sit. And yet each week they all show up again and I dont even understand why. Im not interested in putting too much thought into my faith. If I have to reason it out then its not faith. For faith there is some stuff we will have to accept weather we understand it or not. I dont care if the bible is parable or not. Its the only book we have. I dont even feel the need to think about ends times because the end is coming for me and i have no control over that. If ive made the wrong choice in my faith I wont get to find that out untill the end anyhow and then its too late. I dont believe I have but Im also not going to stress out about my decision. this is pretty rambly and speratic thought but I often feel better trying to type out whats in my mind. And when your not trying to explain it to soemone so that they understand you its less frusterating. I try to never reply to a comment because then I have to discuss it and thats not why I blogg. I do it to get the thoughts out. Kinda like a modern day journal that others can read. And i do like the comments its kindof a passive interactition that doesnt require alot of effort. Funny I feel better already :)