Researchers believe we are made with some natural inclinations to believe in God. We aren't born completely blanket slates. Similar to the previous thoughts on we all have the same moral understanding; we are all also born with a natural tendency to believe in God.
This research comes from understanding that babies are more than just little people with dirty diapers, they also understand certain scientific things "for example, that objects can't move through other objects." (Natasha Crain, Talking With Your Kids About God)
"Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary field that studies how the mind works. In the early 1990s, cognitive scientists started applying their finding to the question of why religious thoughts and actions are so common across cultures - perhaps humans have predispositions that make it natural for us to believe in God. That's not to say such predispositions can't be overridden by cultural and educational factors but rather that they may be an important biological basis influencing later belief development. This specific area of study is now called the cognitive science of religion." (Natasha Crain, Talking With Your Kids About God)
(Thoughts from Talking With Your Kids About God.)
Monday, February 19, 2018
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Science & God
"But why is the world intelligible rather than chaotic? If the universe is truly the product of unguided evolutionary forces, as atheists claim, there's no reason to expect that an elegant ordering of nature would have happened on its own. But if the universe is the product of intelligence, as Christians and other theists claim, we would expect it to be orderly - a reflection of its rational designer." - Natasha Crain Talking With Your Kids About God
Human reason is more than atoms colliding. It is more than just some scientific things moving around and bumping into each other. If this were true, wouldn't we just a response to science around us? I am more than some reaction to things around me. I can think logically; I am made in God's image. We are made in God's image.
Science opens the door and explains more about God's creation that what we read in the Bible and see in real life. It explains to us more about how is creation works. Science and God, work together. God, created science.
(Thoughts from Talking With Your Kids About God.)
Human reason is more than atoms colliding. It is more than just some scientific things moving around and bumping into each other. If this were true, wouldn't we just a response to science around us? I am more than some reaction to things around me. I can think logically; I am made in God's image. We are made in God's image.
Science opens the door and explains more about God's creation that what we read in the Bible and see in real life. It explains to us more about how is creation works. Science and God, work together. God, created science.
(Thoughts from Talking With Your Kids About God.)
Friends
There was a time in my life when I was in search of friends. I need my people, who supported me, loved me and where close and accessible.
Don't get my wrong I have had friends over the years, but life changes impact friends as do moves, and I had a lot going on, didn't have a lot of time, and needed people.
Every time I met a new gal I'd think, could she me by friend? She seems nice? How can I extend an invitation to start a friendship? And I was always thinking this way, looking for friends, trying to build friendships to carry me and my family on our adventures. I knew I needed people.
I distinctly remember on of the first time I realized I had been somewhat successful at this. My family had been sick; and a 2nd cousin of my and some folks from the church brought my family dinner. It was left from a SOUP meal they had served at the church that night, but they thought of us and brought of a warm home cooked meal. The left that food for us an I remember telling Keith, "we have people!" And I meant so much with that; we had people who loved us, thought of us and cared for us in a way that I'd been looking for in friendships.
That was a starting point for us, and I think we've done a wonderful job of connecting to people and building a community of friends for each of us individually, but as a family too. We have people. They're people from church; they're family, and a few good friends I've known for many years now. I believe God wants us to live in community with people who loves us, and we've built that. Friendships and relationships take time and forgiveness and communication and we've done that. And I couldn't be happier! Thank you Lord for these people!
I've always wanted our home to be a place for people to gather, and I think I tried to push that too hard early on after we've bought our own place, but naturally it has happened over time and we welcome groups of friends, family, friends families, and our kid's friends into the home often. This past summer, our first summer at our new home, was the epitome of that, and I'm not sure we'll have a summer like that again, but we were able to gather people from all our different areas together celebrating and enjoying each other and introducing our people to each other and it was a beautiful thing.
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In the last few months I've had this realization; I still think like I did when I was searching for friends when I meet new people. Maybe I'm misguided, maybe I'm ignorant, but I realized I don't need to do this anymore. It's not that I'm not open to meeting new people and developing relationships, but I don't have to search so hard for more people. Quality of quantity right? I already have my people. Sure that will change with time and life with change, but I will adapt, our family will adapt. If I keep searching for more friends now; I need more time for each of those friendships, and I don't want that to take away from the current friendships! I don't want those to suffer because I feel the need to keep searching for more, more, more.
Don't get my wrong I have had friends over the years, but life changes impact friends as do moves, and I had a lot going on, didn't have a lot of time, and needed people.
Every time I met a new gal I'd think, could she me by friend? She seems nice? How can I extend an invitation to start a friendship? And I was always thinking this way, looking for friends, trying to build friendships to carry me and my family on our adventures. I knew I needed people.
I distinctly remember on of the first time I realized I had been somewhat successful at this. My family had been sick; and a 2nd cousin of my and some folks from the church brought my family dinner. It was left from a SOUP meal they had served at the church that night, but they thought of us and brought of a warm home cooked meal. The left that food for us an I remember telling Keith, "we have people!" And I meant so much with that; we had people who loved us, thought of us and cared for us in a way that I'd been looking for in friendships.
That was a starting point for us, and I think we've done a wonderful job of connecting to people and building a community of friends for each of us individually, but as a family too. We have people. They're people from church; they're family, and a few good friends I've known for many years now. I believe God wants us to live in community with people who loves us, and we've built that. Friendships and relationships take time and forgiveness and communication and we've done that. And I couldn't be happier! Thank you Lord for these people!
I've always wanted our home to be a place for people to gather, and I think I tried to push that too hard early on after we've bought our own place, but naturally it has happened over time and we welcome groups of friends, family, friends families, and our kid's friends into the home often. This past summer, our first summer at our new home, was the epitome of that, and I'm not sure we'll have a summer like that again, but we were able to gather people from all our different areas together celebrating and enjoying each other and introducing our people to each other and it was a beautiful thing.
----------
In the last few months I've had this realization; I still think like I did when I was searching for friends when I meet new people. Maybe I'm misguided, maybe I'm ignorant, but I realized I don't need to do this anymore. It's not that I'm not open to meeting new people and developing relationships, but I don't have to search so hard for more people. Quality of quantity right? I already have my people. Sure that will change with time and life with change, but I will adapt, our family will adapt. If I keep searching for more friends now; I need more time for each of those friendships, and I don't want that to take away from the current friendships! I don't want those to suffer because I feel the need to keep searching for more, more, more.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
What is science?
"Scientific study never leads to absolute certainty - strict proof or disproof. Science can't prove or disprove God's existence because the nature of science isn't to prove or disprove anything with absolute certainty." - Natasha Crain in Talking with your Kids About God
How much evidence do we need?
When it comes to belief in God; how much proof do we need to believe?
Have you ever asked yourself or asked God to give you a direct answer to this? Have you every wondered why he doesn't just show up and make himself known so all believe?
I remember being a kid trying to learn and understand and wanting a clear sign of direction, an answer that never came. However, as I've grown and aged, I've grown in my faith. I don't need a sign; I have prayer. I see his handwork in nature; I see his love in other people. I feel his presence in my world. I see his miracles around us.
What would it mean if he appeared to us here one day? Wouldn't that be the coming of Christ and change everything we know? Would it be too late for our faith to save us?
What about free will? He gave us free will in his creation; He wants to be chosen by us. Don't you want to be chosen by someone too?
If He appeared here now and we saw his glory, would we have the free will to choose him and believe and follow him?
(Thoughts from Talking With Your Kids About God.)
Have you ever asked yourself or asked God to give you a direct answer to this? Have you every wondered why he doesn't just show up and make himself known so all believe?
I remember being a kid trying to learn and understand and wanting a clear sign of direction, an answer that never came. However, as I've grown and aged, I've grown in my faith. I don't need a sign; I have prayer. I see his handwork in nature; I see his love in other people. I feel his presence in my world. I see his miracles around us.
What would it mean if he appeared to us here one day? Wouldn't that be the coming of Christ and change everything we know? Would it be too late for our faith to save us?
What about free will? He gave us free will in his creation; He wants to be chosen by us. Don't you want to be chosen by someone too?
If He appeared here now and we saw his glory, would we have the free will to choose him and believe and follow him?
(Thoughts from Talking With Your Kids About God.)
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Make mine a double!
This Sunday's sermon text was 2 Kings 2:1-12. In this passage, Elisha is asking Elija for a double share of the spirit. he is asking to take Elija's place as head prophet.
We are all called to study and learn from our elders. We are called to mentor the next generation. We are called to share our faith and our knowledge. We should all be seeking more of the Holy Spirit. To do that, we have to put in the work. It takes time. We must persistently pursue Him and the Spirit. We must study the Bible, pray and have a Christian community to support and encourage us.
I am blessed to be able to help carry on my church.
I must allow myself to be mentored.
I must mentor the next generation.
We are all called to study and learn from our elders. We are called to mentor the next generation. We are called to share our faith and our knowledge. We should all be seeking more of the Holy Spirit. To do that, we have to put in the work. It takes time. We must persistently pursue Him and the Spirit. We must study the Bible, pray and have a Christian community to support and encourage us.
I am blessed to be able to help carry on my church.
I must allow myself to be mentored.
I must mentor the next generation.
To Be, To Do, To Be ...
We had a substitute Pastor last week while ours was on vacation. The scripture came from Mark 1:29-39.
She talked about the need for rest and prayer. There is a little of Mary and a little Martha in us. We need to find the balance between being & doing. Tiredness is good; it's means we've worked hard and need rest. Weariness is not so good; it's means we've lost the joy and heart of our work. Likely this is because we aren't spending out time being. Our doing can get in the way of our being. We need to listen to the call of Jesus daily.
She even said you can start small, you can start with prayers during your showers, etc. Start small and consistently spending time in quiet prayer with the Lord.
Doing should be full of joy and compassion.
She talked about the need for rest and prayer. There is a little of Mary and a little Martha in us. We need to find the balance between being & doing. Tiredness is good; it's means we've worked hard and need rest. Weariness is not so good; it's means we've lost the joy and heart of our work. Likely this is because we aren't spending out time being. Our doing can get in the way of our being. We need to listen to the call of Jesus daily.
She even said you can start small, you can start with prayers during your showers, etc. Start small and consistently spending time in quiet prayer with the Lord.
Doing should be full of joy and compassion.
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