People fascinate me - especially the ones I don't like - which for the most part are most of them. To paraphrase a quote ...Oh I love mankind, it's the people that give me the most pause.. I suppose the ones that cause me the most disdain are the preachers (not necessarily the ordained ones), Perhaps you know some - the ones that tell you how you should live, what you should do, what you should say - yet have never spent 10 minutes of their life talking WITH you, for no other reason than they have spent their entire life talking TO you. For the most part, I have lived a life of passionate zeal - but have rarely expected others to live any different than they do. Recently, several people have told me I should change my life. Granted, they have not seen me in over 25 years, but they feel they have the answer - THE WAY - as they called it. They will quote scripture after scripture - as if memorizing words will change the world - even change me. What they don't know - and only a few people in the world do - is that I am a true believer in God. Not a BETTER believer, not a HOLIER believer, but a believer nonetheless. My belief is so deep that if today, I were provided empirical data that the Holy Bible was just a book, my faith in God would not diminish, it might actually grow. You may find that odd. The truth is - people debate stuff in a circular pattern - they argue a point using the point as the premise. If you argue that the Bible is the truth, while referencing only the Bible - only someone who believes your way will listen.
Anyone reading this will most likely have a different relationship with God than I do. I may have read somewhere a personal relationship with God is what is expected (Oops...I may be doing the same stuff others do - quoting). The real answer lies within each of us and not amongst us. So, if God and I had a conversation in human terms - I think it would go something like this:
God: How's the knee?
Me: Getting better. Thanks for helping me find the duct tape this past summer.
God: You think I did that? (Smiling)
Me: Of course! Blood was pouring out of my knee and I needed to stop it fast. We both know when I need something in my garage, it takes me a week to find it, That day I found it right where it was supposed to be .... in just a few seconds. But then again, you are the miracle guy, so maybe you had my girls put something back from where they got it. Lord only knows it would take a miracle. No pun intended, God.
God: No offense taken. Even I need a little humor. So much misery in the world I created.
Me: Yea, I have been meaning to ask you about that....why so much?
God: You know the answer - people. Free will presents quite a few challenges, yet it allows people to grow - to understand and to see a clear path.
Me: It also allows for destruction and pain. Not the kind of highlights you thought when you created us huh?
God: Excuse me? Of course I knew...careful little man. My hope was that there would be more like you and a whole lot less like some others.
Me: Please tell me you did not use hope as a strategy?
God: No - but it is a human process, so my children will.
Me: Not me
God: Yes, even you....as a matter of fact - you more than most.
Me: What? You must have me mixed up with that NY singer Chip Prince - the one when I search for me on the NET, I get a picture of a short, bald guy.
God: No - you Chip Prince of Springville, AL. You - the one who wants to make a difference in others' lives. You - the one who can by doing - not by telling. You like being anonymous - but I know....
Chip: You think I am going to bring people to you?
God: You already have.
Me: You know I only pray for my health. For I know that with that I can do most anything - I will figure it out. I don't ask for stuff. I don't ask for help.
God: I know, but many do and that is OK.
Me: I suppose it is. As I was driving the other day, I was thinking about my life.
God: I know you were.
Me: Of course you do. Can I finish? God!
God: Yes, but clean up the language, I am right here you know.
Me: Ooops! Anyway, as I was thinking about my life, I realized how many times you were there to help me in my one request for my health. When I was 15 and you had the police stop the fight. When I was 19 and allowed me to not get hit with a punch from my old man. When I was in the Army and no real harm came to me. When I have travelled so many miles on planes and cars - yet I arrived safe. When I have helped people in situations that needed help when others simply would not. I know that I was not smart enough to do it all on my own - and I just wanted to say thanks.
God: I know..
ME: Of course you do...sometimes knowitalls are agitatng
God: (Smiling) You have a mirror my son? But the truth is, I need more like you Chip.
ME: I am no preacher. I am not a hand raising fundamentalist. I am not the guy to bring people to God with scripture.
God: No you are not. You are effective though in the what you do. Be an example for those that do not know me. People that know YOU - would never expect it from you and will watch and listen. Never let them see you coming. Reach those not in the choir - the ones that need a different type of messenger. Believe me - they will NEVER expect you. Never let them see you coming - until you are there
Me: You saw that movie too? Never mind, of course you did....
God: So, big day today?
Me: Funny...tomorrow is the celebrated anniversary of your Son's birth and of course my girls with Santa and all. Guess I should not put those together huh?
God: Happiness and Good Will toward Man is my desire....I see nothing wrong with what you said. Besides we know the truth...
Me: Yep - Our Saviour's birth was most likely in June or July, the only reason we celebrate Christmas in December is ...
God: ....People. Got to love 'em.
Me: I guess YOU do....
God: You try so hard to act like you don't - but your actions differ so much.
ME: Sometimes you are tough to talk to.
God: People say the same thing about you Chip. The reason is we speak the Way and often that is not easy for people to understand.
Me: What if I blogged about our conversation today? What do you think people will say?
God: Some will like it, most will hate it - call it sacreligous. But not me...so go forth my good and faithful servant. You have done well and you will continue for I do answer Prayers. So how's that knee?
ME: Better each day - just like life with you.. Most of all thanks for understanding..
God: Anytime...
ME: Merry Christmas Father...
God: Save it for July!!!
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