Questions without answers!

Isn’t it funny how people can look at the same painting and come up with totally different interpretations? And what about music…a topic very near and dear to my heart? I’m a huge Tom Petty fan; I see him as one of the most prolific musicians and songwriters of our time. There are others, however, that think his music leaves something to be desired, but absolutely love Kiss, a band I just can’t stand to look at or listen to! Why is that? Aren’t we seeing the same brush strokes, and hearing the same chord progressions? Why do we filter the same things so differently? Is that a process of evolution or the divine? Case in point: I just finished reading Bart D. Ehrman’s book God’s Problem. It deals with the issue of human suffering and how the bible fails to offer any solid answers, and though I agree with his conclusions, I do not share his agnostic worldview. Which is ironic considering we both once shared a conservative Christianity worldview. You see lately I have been going through a bit of theological rearranging myself, but not once have I felt the loss of my faith in a higher power. I’ve questioned it, sure! I’ve changed my beliefs, true! In fact, I’ve had to absolutely drop all of my toxic beliefs, but I’ve always felt God’s presence in my life. There are others that have examined the same evidence as me and have come to believe there is no God at all. Again, why? Aren’t we reviewing the same evidence? And last but not least, the disaster in Haiti: Pat Robertson looks at it and sees God’s punishment. Ignorance in action! Others look at it and wonder why could God let something like this happen? My personal belief is that it is a natural disaster nothing more. God, after all, is spirit and deals with all his children on a spiritual level. Those that lost their lives in the disaster are safe with God now, but it’s all of our responsibility to reach out and help those that are still suffering. But that’s just my humble opinion. The truth is I really don’t know! Wait a minute! That’s somewhat agnostic isn’t it? Damn! Here’s what I’ll do! I’ll just keep trusting the compassionate and loving inner voice I call God until the day I’m Called back home. But here’s’ the deal: I’m gonna ask questions all along the way!

Pat Robertson is Ignorant!!!

This is absolutely crazy! What planet is Pat Robertson from anyway? What I really want to know is why hasn’t the “Christian” right stepped forward to denounce these ignorant, racist and bigoted remarks. I think that silence can speak volumes don‘t you? I am sick of these idiots speaking in the name of God, as if they were so holy and pure! May God have mercy on their souls!!!

I attended church Sunday in the hope of finding some vestige of a spiritual connection within the faith I know and love so well. But alas no! I’m not even sure I could find resolution within any Christian denomination at this point. I disagree with many, if not all, of the churches doctrines. I have no problem with the concept of evolution. I don’t believe in a literal hell, and I most certainly don’t believe homosexuality is going to be the absolute downfall of mankind. I don’t understand homosexuality, and it’s not a lifestyle I would choose, but to demonize a person for there sexuality is wrong! It seems to me that Christianity has become a religion of condemnation not liberation! It’s a struggle for me because I’m not sure how I can identify myself as a Christian, at least in the traditional sense, but I do. As much as I detest most of what I see and hear coming from the “Christian right.” Which, by the way, is absolutely wrong. I can’t walk away from the Jesus that I have come to believe in. The Jesus I know drank with the “sinners”, called out the hypocrites, forgave the unforgivable, spoke out against injustice, and paid the ultimate price for his beliefs. I personally have a hard time finding a better role model than Jesus. So, where does that put me? Am I a Christian? Depends on whom you ask, I suppose. But then again, who cares!

Never back down!!!

I'm pretty much a hippie at heart. Well, except for all the drug bullshit that sometimes goes along with it. I have absolutely too much of that in my family.
That being said, I love Tom Petty's music. It absolutely speaks to me. There has been a lot of stuff going on lately, and this song always makes me feel better. So, instead of posting my rants, I'm gonna let Tom speak for me!

False Answers

I’m getting to the point where I just don’t care anymore. Okay, let me rephrase that. It’s not that I don’t care in the traditional sense; it’s more like I have given up trying to force things that aren’t meant to be. I’m actually more content with life than I have ever been. Which is a little odd considering contentment has always been somewhat elusive to me. I think I finally stopped trying to make “something” of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not quitting my job, selling my house and leaving my family to ride the rails! What I am saying is this: I am what I am and that’s enough! The only definition of success that I need to pursue is mine. This is my journey, how could I realistically compare myself with anyone else? I believe there must be a reason I am here, but I don’t know what it is and I’m fine with that. That doesn’t mean I’ll stop looking for answers. It does mean, however, that I’ll stop basing my self worth off the results, or lack thereof. I’m finally realizing that living in the freedom of the question is far better than the imprisonment of false answers.

Tom Petty Rocks!!

A Frantic Mother!

Life can be a wonderful teacher if we would just take time to look and listen, and last week I observed a beautiful demonstration of God’s love. My wife and I were sitting in the stands watching my son’s basketball game when I noticed a very distressed woman scanning the stands frantically. It seemed to me she was on the edge of pure panic when she finally found the object of her attention, a little six-year-old boy sitting quietly by himself coloring. He was absolutely oblivious to the pain and heartache he had caused his mother. In fact, he didn’t even seem to care; all he was concerned with was his coloring book. His mother, on the other hand, was ecstatic. She ran up the stairs, held him close and sobbed. There was no punishment or scolding just pure love. Oh I’m sure he was given a good talking to about leaving his mothers sight, but at that moment in time he was the object of his mothers unconditional love. I realize there are those that believe God is both vengeful and vindictive towards his children. We are told that if we don’t look, act or believe a certain way then we will surely be doomed to an eternal hell. Of course God will listen if we come to him asking, begging and pleading for his mercy. Then, and only then, will God grant his forgiveness. But that’s not the love I know.

"Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn't he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? “

"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'
"But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time.

Jesus

Maybe… just maybe… God (our father) is looking for us, just like the mother at the basketball game!