"Faith" or "Proof"

1 + 1 = 2

Its simple isn't it?

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 4

Still simple

2 + 4 + 3 + 9 + 23 + 1 + 7 + 11 + 0.6 + 85 + 13 + 0.4 = 159

This is still simple, but it takes a bit more time to add up.

Its interesting; some of the smartest people I know don't solely focus on adding up the knowns.

The smartest people I know are able to conceptualize and work with unknowns.

The higher levels of math don't deal with known numbers as much as they deal with manipulating unknown variables and concepts.

Its quite amazing!

Simple minds need to have all the facts,

they need to be able to add up all the knowns,

they don't work well with the unknowns.

Simple minds need to have a direct flow of logic

proof

evidence

these are all words of the simple minded.

Words like

faith

trust

hope

these aren't the simple minded's favorite words.

The thing is,

a high math person understands simple math

but

a simple math person doesn't understand high math.

The beauty of it is the fact that a simple math person can always learn higher math.

What are your words of preference?

Proof and Evidence

or

Faith and Hope

Think about it.

More Boxes

Easter Egg Hunt

Recently our church hosted their annual Easter Egg Hunt. This outreach event brought in 716 people. Here are some clips of the afternoon...

Care and Share

The line of cars in the background are those who lined up to receive a total of 27,000 pounds of food from the Bad Axe Care and Share. Its amazing how God works through people who are willing to take steps!

Correction: 275 replaces the 350 I mention in the video

Please excuse the sound quality

Boxes

Let me get used to doing this. This is my first video blog....

Look Up

I'm convinced that we often find ourselves with a mentality that dates back to the 16th Century.

What I'm referring to is a geocentric view of the universe.

To be geocentric is to believe that the Earth is the center of the universe; that everything revolves around the Earth.

In the year 1610, the scientist Galileo started to promote a view that opposed the geocentric view.

By observation, Galileo calculated and believed that the earth revolved around the Sun.

This view became much trouble for Galileo.

The Catholic Church condemned this view and stated it was, "false and contrary to scripture."

Even the largest and most powerful religious structure in the world believed the Earth was the center of the universe.

In 1632, Galileo was tried by the Roman Inquisition and found to be "vehemently suspect of heresy."

Because of this, he was forced to spend the rest of his life under house arrest.

Did I mention that Galileo was right?

The Earth is NOT the center of the universe!

We don't like it when people tell us we aren't the center of the universe, do we?

Mankind has never been gentle to people who oppose this popular view; this "'me'ocentric" view of the universe.

We often find the universe to be "our" life and what "we" have going on in our own little bubble of the world.

Sometimes we need to take a second and

LOOK UP

Looking up helps us see.

Looking up helps us take the focal point off ourselves.

It helps us realize we are not the center of the universe.

By looking up, may we realize that we are part of a bigger picture.

Something beautiful is taking place.

If we take our eyes and minds off ourselves for just a minute, maybe then we will be able to see the universe without the pre-Galilean mentality.

Jesus teaches to, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Its about looking up.

Its about looking at a kingdom beyond simply ourselves.

Its about looking at the world through the eyes of this Jesus.

Look Up

Look Out

Look beyond yourself to something bigger and beautiful that you're actually participating in.

Broken Record

Recently I was in my car driving, listening, and singing to a CD I love.

My phone rang and it was a good friend of mine from the east coast.

We began talking and laughing like we usually do about the humor and the complexities of life.

Ten minutes into our conversation, I noticed I was irritated and wanted nothing more than to get off the phone with this good friend of mine.

The conversation changed from something funny and pleasant, to aggravated and angry.

As I got off the phone ASAP, I noticed something.

The CD that I was listening was skipping. It was repeating the same irritating noise. As I thought about it, I realized that it had been skipping for a good 5 minutes.

I was so caught up in the conversation, I didn't realize that the song wasn't playing like it was supposed to.

Although I didn't realize it at the time, this skipping CD effected my mood, demeanor, and attitude. It changed a pleasant conversation to an annoyed conversation. I couldn't understand this until I focused on what was actually happening.

We all have this skipping CD don't we?

Things don't go as we expect them to.

Our plans don't work out like we want.

Sometimes we blame God.

Sometimes we don't understand what He's doing.

We must realize that this song of creation is in fact skipping. Its not playing out in the exact way that God had in mind.

This skipping CD affects us:

Attitudes

Actions

Hearts

Souls

Some of us sing along to the skipping.

Some of us actually think the CD is supposed to be skipping.

Its not.

The teachings of Jesus show us that God wants us to partner with Him in bringing Heaven to Earth. Jesus teaches us a new way, a new Kingdom announcement right in the middle of this one.

A correction to the skipping of the CD.

Romans 12:2, "Do no conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Never get used to the skipping.

May you follow the way of Jesus as you sing to the original song of creation.