Rationality, or Lack Thereof

"I don't think there is an example. My belief in Jesus did not seem rational or scientific, and yet there was nothing I could do to separate myself from this belief." - Donal Miller, in Blue Like Jazz.

I the book Blue like Jazz, Donal Miller takes Christian theology, spirituality, faith, which ever word works best for you, and simplifies it down to 20 topics a fifth grader could understand. In chapter 5, entitled Penguin Sex, he talks about the rationality, or lack thereof, of Christianity. Penguins are mentioned because when they mate the female lays the egg, gives it to the male, and then up and leaves, just like that. And for about a month or so the males just sit around, sit on the egg, and wait for it to hatch. When that month comes to an end the females, by some unknown feeling, head back to their husbands (if you can call them husbands.) They always make it back the day their egg hatches, not one day too late.

We, as Christians, have an unknown feeling not to much different from that of a penguin. Except ours tells us to follow Jesus, we have no rational reason behind it. "I don't think you can explain Christian faith either. It's a mystery. It can't be explained, and yet it is beautiful and true. It's something you feel, it comes from the soul."

Thoughts From a Hammock; Part 2

Here I am again... I guess it's to be expected, where else can I go? The sky is blanketed in rain clouds, covering as far as I can see. And yes, it is a bit cliche, but where is the silver lining? No, I'm not completely in a bad place in my life, but I'm kind of feeling out here on my own. Just as the rain starts trickling down, I realize, it's going to turn up eventually; that I know, because God's always here with me, helping me through every waking second of this mess I call a life. The rain picks up, even more, to the point of pouring. I start thinking, why am I complaining? My life is blessed in every way. I put my trust and faith in my Lord to carry me when I can't walk and to push me when I can't continue. But for now, I think I'll just enjoy the rain and the presence of my Father and Friend: Jesus Christ.

Thoughts From a Hammock; Part 1

5 minutes in and I'm already thinking. Overhead flies a bird, chirping as it perches on a branch. I wonder if it knows. Knows how envious of it I am; envious to be free, not constrained by time or worries or the cares of life. Feeling nothing but the wind beneath it's wings and the steady rays of sun giving heat and light to this beautiful May Sunday. What has it done to worry about it's day; Nothing. Why then can't I let my life loose and give it to God to help me deal with. Clouds float on by, above me. I start wishing, wishing to be up there; among the clouds and living life by a whims, like they do. Knowing no sense of purpose or fear, only going where the breeze pushes them to. Having no figure to conform to, shapeless celestial bodies taunting me, reminding me that in 30 minutes life will be calling my name. Drowning me with its "schedules" and "agendas". I know this sense of simplicity will leave me soon. Soon flooding my thoughts with anxieties of the future and regrets from the past. But for now its me, my hammock, and the peaceful world God has given me today. These are my thoughts from a hammock.