Because I so often hear this Psalm at funeral, and even at funerals of people I have my doubts about, I tend to overlook the pure beauty and PROMISE of it. It was good for me to slow down this morning, read each word, absorb it and listen to the promises made. I think there may have been an in depth study of it somewhere along the way.
I so agree, Kim. There is so much in this psalm. It is very easy to memorize and meditate on. Just this morning I was thinking about verse three in conjunction with similar words in a couple of other psalms. It is most wonderful when you study the bible for many years and start seeing so many ways it fits together. There are so many truths rephrased and threads to follow. It becomes more and more beautiful and comforting.
A couple nights ago, I mentioned that Emily was watching the Evolution vs. Creation debate between Bill Nye (the Science Guy) & Ken Ham (a defender of Young Earth Creation), hoping & praying that something in it would cause her to doubt her doubts, so to speak.
On her Facebook post about it, she wrote that she was actually hoping Ken Ham “would have some real evidence and reason to back up his side, but he fell flat. I wanted to be surprised by his debate, but that didn’t happen.”
Later she wrote that he didn’t seem to be debating from scientific facts, but “He is shooting himself in the foot by constantly bringing up the bible in what is supposed to be a science debate.” After finishing the debate, she wrote that those who believe in creation (even old earth creation) or Intelligent Design are really “just cherry-picking the evidence that can be twisted to fit the story and rejecting/ignoring any evidence that suggests otherwise.” 😦
Pantheism:
The belief that the Universe and Nature are divine.
It fuses religion and science, and concern for humans with concern for Nature.
It provides the most realistic concept of life after death, and the most solid basis for environmental ethics. It is a religion that requires no faith other than common sense, no revelation other than open eyes and a mind open to evidence, no guru other than your own self.
-World Pantheist Movement-
My heart is aching for my daughter’s soul. (For both my daughters’ souls, of course.)
Please pray that God will be glorified in me, & the love of Jesus seen through me, despite myself. I do not feel that I have been a very good witness to my daughters lately, with some of my outbursts of impatience.
Praying, Karen. I didn’t see or listen to the whole debate — and I realize Christians divide over the “young” vs. “old” earth creationist views — but I thought it was good that such a debate was held. Ham made some good points about the term “science” itself and how it is often misapplied.
Albert Mohler, I think, had the best summation, pointing out that the issue still comes back to one’s world view and faith (on BOTH sides). Not to dismiss apologetics in the least — it’s a very important task in a world filled with skepticism — but we realize, too, that our eyes are only opened by the Holy Spirit and a regenerated heart. So we pray and wait for that move of God to take place in those we love and care about.
“As it turns out, the reality and authority of divine revelation, more than any other issue, was what the debate last night was all about. As the closing statements made very clear, Ken Ham understood that fact, but Bill Nye did not.
“The central issue last night was really not the age of the earth or the claims of modern science. The question was not really about the ark or sediment layers or fossils. It was about the central worldview clash of our times, and of any time: the clash between the worldview of the self-declared ‘reasonable man’ and the worldview of the sinner saved by grace.”
Karen, your daughters are still young. Someday they will question why their belief system is not working for them. Keep your hope firm that God wants to see all people saved. It is in His timing and not our desired timing. He has his reasons for delay. Just keep your eyes on Him and what He alone can do. Because of your struggles with this you are being made into a perfect help for others who struggle similarily. Each time you feel discouraged remember to praise God to fight off the devil wanting you to think your daughters are lost forever.
I know your heart is breaking, Karen. Keep on praying and loving. You cannot be perfect. No one can be. Whether Emily chooses to pursue God is her choice alone. God knows your own pain.
You may point out that she did not give Intelligent design or creationism much of a chance, if she is going by one debate. Seriously? That gives her enough to know all there is to know about both those schools of thought? Should she not at least seriously consider some of the other great scientists who do believe in a creator?
If I were you, I would also do some real research into Pantheism. I would throw out some questions in a loving way. She may totally reject all of that, but it may all shake her ‘certainty’.
You can also remind her when she is expressing a truth that is not compatible with Pantheism or with everyone being their own guru–which is really being your own god.
I lift up Karen O to You this day that she can find rest from agony over the beliefs of her daughters. Please strengthen her belief in Your promises. Your word is truth on which we can stand no matter how bleak the world appears around us. You are all about faith, hope and love and science has not found accurate tools to measure such things. You are way over and above what scientists know as current truth. I hurt for those who use debates over creation to define themselves. Yet I recognize that in Your timing and in Your way You will let issues other than creation show the way to saving faith in Jesus. Please, Lord, help Karen O in her disbelief that her daughters can and will be saved. Help her to wisely choose issues to recognize as appropriate times to bring up the wise advice given in the Bible over various troubles encountered in life. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
And, thinking back, I was still rather enamored of the whole macro-evolution ideas I was taught in college as well when I was their age. It wasn’t until God changed my heart that suddenly, inexplicably to me, really, my whole world view and opinions about many things began to dramatically change.
I thoroughly believe the creation story, but that was not what I was searching for when I went finally to the Bible for help. I can see how different approaches to engagement work for different cultures. I am glad this is working in Japan.
Kathaleena – Emily tends to be quite analytical, & does a lot of reading & research on matters of interest to her. So her opinion is not only based on that one debate alone.
In a comment on her post, I did ask her what is her view of life after death. I’m also going to point out that everyone who has a belief system or view of how the world works believes their system to be the most reasonable & realistic. I’m thinking of making some comment about that being your own guru part, but not quite sure what to say yet.
I usually keep any comments (on Facebook or face-to-face) on these matters brief, & try not to stray into argument territory. Emily can be quite stubborn & shuts herself down to any further debate if she senses an argument coming on.
And so we begin again. Our social butterfly is back from basketball practice with some sort of stomach bug. Lots of vomiting. She is isolated in her room but that has yet to be very successful at isolating it as the boys are also off to basketball. I would really like this to not spread.
Husband got a call telling him nothing so he suspects he did not get the job. Prayer for him as he deals with a probably closed door and the sadness that brings at his age.
Mumsee – Also praying for God to open a door of provision that will not involve Mike having to go away.
As for Emily, I forgot to mention that I did share with her a link to Reasons to Believe (reasons.org), which holds to Old Earth Creationism. I don’t know if she’ll take a look at that or not.
Karen, you know your daughter the best. I was brought up to believe in evolution. We actually had a book that showed all those discredited evolutionary types in the animal kingdom. I remember having a priest come to talk about evolution. He told us that if we wanted to believe we were descended from monkeys, we could, but he didn’t. I thought if that was all he had to say, evolution must be true.
I was a Christian for quite awhile before I changed my mind. I do agree that Emily is quite young. The positive thing is that she is thinking about these things. Many young adults don’t even bother. She is at an age when her beliefs have to become her own.
Wandering Views 
Because I so often hear this Psalm at funeral, and even at funerals of people I have my doubts about, I tend to overlook the pure beauty and PROMISE of it. It was good for me to slow down this morning, read each word, absorb it and listen to the promises made. I think there may have been an in depth study of it somewhere along the way.
LikeLike
I so agree, Kim. There is so much in this psalm. It is very easy to memorize and meditate on. Just this morning I was thinking about verse three in conjunction with similar words in a couple of other psalms. It is most wonderful when you study the bible for many years and start seeing so many ways it fits together. There are so many truths rephrased and threads to follow. It becomes more and more beautiful and comforting.
LikeLike
A couple nights ago, I mentioned that Emily was watching the Evolution vs. Creation debate between Bill Nye (the Science Guy) & Ken Ham (a defender of Young Earth Creation), hoping & praying that something in it would cause her to doubt her doubts, so to speak.
On her Facebook post about it, she wrote that she was actually hoping Ken Ham “would have some real evidence and reason to back up his side, but he fell flat. I wanted to be surprised by his debate, but that didn’t happen.”
Later she wrote that he didn’t seem to be debating from scientific facts, but “He is shooting himself in the foot by constantly bringing up the bible in what is supposed to be a science debate.” After finishing the debate, she wrote that those who believe in creation (even old earth creation) or Intelligent Design are really “just cherry-picking the evidence that can be twisted to fit the story and rejecting/ignoring any evidence that suggests otherwise.” 😦
LikeLike
And then she posted this “poster” on Facebook…
Pantheism:
The belief that the Universe and Nature are divine.
It fuses religion and science, and concern for humans with concern for Nature.
It provides the most realistic concept of life after death, and the most solid basis for environmental ethics. It is a religion that requires no faith other than common sense, no revelation other than open eyes and a mind open to evidence, no guru other than your own self.
-World Pantheist Movement-
My heart is aching for my daughter’s soul. (For both my daughters’ souls, of course.)
Please pray that God will be glorified in me, & the love of Jesus seen through me, despite myself. I do not feel that I have been a very good witness to my daughters lately, with some of my outbursts of impatience.
LikeLike
Praying, Karen. I didn’t see or listen to the whole debate — and I realize Christians divide over the “young” vs. “old” earth creationist views — but I thought it was good that such a debate was held. Ham made some good points about the term “science” itself and how it is often misapplied.
Albert Mohler, I think, had the best summation, pointing out that the issue still comes back to one’s world view and faith (on BOTH sides). Not to dismiss apologetics in the least — it’s a very important task in a world filled with skepticism — but we realize, too, that our eyes are only opened by the Holy Spirit and a regenerated heart. So we pray and wait for that move of God to take place in those we love and care about.
http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/02/05/bill-nyes-reasonable-man-the-central-worldview-clash-of-the-ham-nye-debate/
“As it turns out, the reality and authority of divine revelation, more than any other issue, was what the debate last night was all about. As the closing statements made very clear, Ken Ham understood that fact, but Bill Nye did not.
“The central issue last night was really not the age of the earth or the claims of modern science. The question was not really about the ark or sediment layers or fossils. It was about the central worldview clash of our times, and of any time: the clash between the worldview of the self-declared ‘reasonable man’ and the worldview of the sinner saved by grace.”
LikeLike
Karen, your daughters are still young. Someday they will question why their belief system is not working for them. Keep your hope firm that God wants to see all people saved. It is in His timing and not our desired timing. He has his reasons for delay. Just keep your eyes on Him and what He alone can do. Because of your struggles with this you are being made into a perfect help for others who struggle similarily. Each time you feel discouraged remember to praise God to fight off the devil wanting you to think your daughters are lost forever.
LikeLike
I know your heart is breaking, Karen. Keep on praying and loving. You cannot be perfect. No one can be. Whether Emily chooses to pursue God is her choice alone. God knows your own pain.
You may point out that she did not give Intelligent design or creationism much of a chance, if she is going by one debate. Seriously? That gives her enough to know all there is to know about both those schools of thought? Should she not at least seriously consider some of the other great scientists who do believe in a creator?
If I were you, I would also do some real research into Pantheism. I would throw out some questions in a loving way. She may totally reject all of that, but it may all shake her ‘certainty’.
You can also remind her when she is expressing a truth that is not compatible with Pantheism or with everyone being their own guru–which is really being your own god.
LikeLike
Heavenly Father,
I lift up Karen O to You this day that she can find rest from agony over the beliefs of her daughters. Please strengthen her belief in Your promises. Your word is truth on which we can stand no matter how bleak the world appears around us. You are all about faith, hope and love and science has not found accurate tools to measure such things. You are way over and above what scientists know as current truth. I hurt for those who use debates over creation to define themselves. Yet I recognize that in Your timing and in Your way You will let issues other than creation show the way to saving faith in Jesus. Please, Lord, help Karen O in her disbelief that her daughters can and will be saved. Help her to wisely choose issues to recognize as appropriate times to bring up the wise advice given in the Bible over various troubles encountered in life. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
LikeLike
Amen.
And, thinking back, I was still rather enamored of the whole macro-evolution ideas I was taught in college as well when I was their age. It wasn’t until God changed my heart that suddenly, inexplicably to me, really, my whole world view and opinions about many things began to dramatically change.
LikeLike
Just got this timely email about creation. Very interesting.
http://creationrevolution.com/2014/02/creation-evangelism-japan/
I thoroughly believe the creation story, but that was not what I was searching for when I went finally to the Bible for help. I can see how different approaches to engagement work for different cultures. I am glad this is working in Japan.
LikeLike
Thank you, ladies.
Kathaleena – Emily tends to be quite analytical, & does a lot of reading & research on matters of interest to her. So her opinion is not only based on that one debate alone.
In a comment on her post, I did ask her what is her view of life after death. I’m also going to point out that everyone who has a belief system or view of how the world works believes their system to be the most reasonable & realistic. I’m thinking of making some comment about that being your own guru part, but not quite sure what to say yet.
I usually keep any comments (on Facebook or face-to-face) on these matters brief, & try not to stray into argument territory. Emily can be quite stubborn & shuts herself down to any further debate if she senses an argument coming on.
LikeLike
And so we begin again. Our social butterfly is back from basketball practice with some sort of stomach bug. Lots of vomiting. She is isolated in her room but that has yet to be very successful at isolating it as the boys are also off to basketball. I would really like this to not spread.
Husband got a call telling him nothing so he suspects he did not get the job. Prayer for him as he deals with a probably closed door and the sadness that brings at his age.
LikeLike
Mumsee – Also praying for God to open a door of provision that will not involve Mike having to go away.
As for Emily, I forgot to mention that I did share with her a link to Reasons to Believe (reasons.org), which holds to Old Earth Creationism. I don’t know if she’ll take a look at that or not.
LikeLike
Karen, you know your daughter the best. I was brought up to believe in evolution. We actually had a book that showed all those discredited evolutionary types in the animal kingdom. I remember having a priest come to talk about evolution. He told us that if we wanted to believe we were descended from monkeys, we could, but he didn’t. I thought if that was all he had to say, evolution must be true.
I was a Christian for quite awhile before I changed my mind. I do agree that Emily is quite young. The positive thing is that she is thinking about these things. Many young adults don’t even bother. She is at an age when her beliefs have to become her own.
LikeLike