A CHRISTIAN’S VIEW OF CREATION

The only exclusive timeless spiritual being, Triune God, surrounded by spiritual creatures, angels who worship and serve God eternally, decided to create a species of physical beings, unique, humanity, in whom God would invest a divine similarity. A delicate feature. There would be affinity between God and humanity. To affect this plan, God created a universe of galaxies, and in one galaxy he made one planet suitable to human physical life. Humanity, with this divine resemblance, both genders, should enjoy Earth and wisely govern this jewel of a planet.  God was pleased with creation. Because God knows all things, ends from beginnings, even then God knew humanity would fail to maintain God’s likeness. Sin would interrupt the affinity God had with humanity. Sin changed humanity. Transience and Mortality. God’s penalty on sin. Still God loved this Earth full of people. God’s plan in eternity was to restore this Godlikeness, this affinity in humanity. Restoration would result from God’s greatest of all time demonstration of love. The death penalty would be paid. God determined to take on a human form to briefly reside on planet Earth, then die. God’s eternality would conquer death. Penalty served. Sin’s interruption arrested. God’s prerogative. The benefit to humanity, contingent on individual faith in the efficacy of God’s death. Plus, a promise. Eternal life with God for the believer. It worked. It works.

REAL LIFE IN A DREAM - A POEM

It was a family meal. 

I was the eldest at the table, the head. 

During conversation, someone spoke, 

something offhand, cutting, hurtful to me. 

That was it, the proverbial last straw.  

Similar insults have occurred before. 

From the same person, flippant, rude. 

I slammed my fork down loudly striking my plate

as I rose in haste and left the dining room. 

I walked swiftly to my room, aware 

that someone was following me. 

I shut the door behind me and sat down in my armchair. 

The door opened and someone entered, 

looked at me with sorry eyes, came and sat with me. 

Sat, wedged between arm and my body, with back to me in silence. 

That gesture broke me and I cried. 

Sobbing, heaving and another person entered. 

Young, supportive, well intentioned, 

and the two exited without a word. No true resolution. 

The relationship unchanged. I was angry.

Angry with the second person for surging in, disturbing our moment. 

I yelled out loud, and the sound woke me up.

Reflectively then I wondered about the dream. 

Realized as if a light went on. The offender was me. 

The me of the dream was God. 

I was the one who repeatedly injured the Father. 

Injured is an inadequate word. Offend would work. 

Sin is more accurate. This was a teaching moment. 

How often a cohort of sorts has interfered,

diverted my attention, and pulled me from enduring repentance. 

More was expected of me, rightfully so since I am of the family. 

   

© Ron Unruh, Feb 2019

A New Year's resolution

A NEW LEARNING
Well there goes that! I have already broken my resolution not to write anything about New Year’s resolutions. It’s an irresistible theme. Sorry. Perhaps by the end my apology will seem unnecessary.

Typically a resolution at the New Year marks a person’s commitment to some self improvement project or lifestyle change or habit reformation with the intent that the resolve be year long or until fulfilled. To that end people predictably choose to such resolutions as weight loss, debt reduction, physical exercising, eating properly, drinking less or no alcohol, cessation of smoking, being less grumpy or angry are common. A study reveals that 52% of resolute people expect to succeed but only 12% achieve it. Men succeed 22% more often when they set S.M.A.R.T goals, (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time based) such as losing one pound per week rather than a non specific “lose weight” objective. Men benefit from looking at rewards. Women succeed 10% more often when their goals are made public with the support of friends.

When it comes to spiritually minded people desiring something more profound in their experience with God, resolutions are sometimes of assistance. The full and original draft of ‘Five Resolves for Personal Revival’ is found at author Jim Elliff’s website for Christian Communicators Worldwide. Here are several statements of resolve that could not only affect a 2009 different from past years, but also accomplish a lifetime transformation.

1. I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without fully repenting of all known sin against God.
2. I will not to go to bed this evening nor live this day without removing from my life every habit or activity I cannot be absolutely sure is approved by God.
3. I will not to go to bed this evening nor live this day without doing all that is possible to correct any wrongs between myself and others.
4. I will not to go to bed this evening nor live this day without spending quiet moments with God in prayer and sincerely meditating on His Word.
5. I will not to go to bed this evening nor live this day without asking and expecting God to use me as an effective instrument of revival in someone's life.

I love writing comedic, sometime romantic, sometimes enlightening material, yet there are times when earnestness forbids anything but gravity. My own spirit is touched by my personal need in life to revisit these resolves and not just for one day.

Elliff also recommends daily review and application of all five resolutions and when resolve becomes tired, admission of the weakness to God and resistance to the easy road to resign. Finding some friends with a similar desire to be holy and enjoying the values of mutual encouragement and authenticity is recommended. Then expect God to empower these personal resolves because they please Him.

May we move forward together in 2009.