That’s what some Christians think.
That’s why you only give the NT when you witness.
You think people can’t handle the OT.
That’s why you make God in your own image.
Because you honestly don’t believe God is good, all the time.
I look at my own story and on November 1, 2000….the morning after being saved, I started in Genesis. I read through the Bible FULLY 3 times in a year and a half. I devoured it. The stories were/are relevant. The Holy Spirit was/is speaking through the scriptures.
But now, I hear people don’t like God in the OT.
They don’t believe God sent plagues.
They don’t believe God has wrath.
They don’t believe in hell.
Though scripture says it.
So then they have to say the Bible is fallible.
Not believing who God says He is and not believing what He did as recorded in scripture leads to a lot of dominoes falling. You have to continue to doubt more and more to fit the god made in your image and your likeness.
With these beliefs as the foundation, it makes sense why people don’t evangelize.
The God they have made in their image, doesn’t “do” eternal damnation.
So there is no urgency. Actually no reason for Jesus to die either with this line of thinking.
And the enemy has his feet kicked up on the table, dying laughing.
I thank my Dad for my initial ease in viewing God as good. I think he is a big part of this.
I believe people who didn’t have a good dad can also view God as a good Father, but it’s harder for them I’ve noticed.
It was just easier for me. So, I don’t shy from God in our earliest recorded history because His character never changed. I just believed He was/is good.
This morning, God spoke to me through the birds.
My dad used to call me “Tweety Bird.”
I looked back at his emails to me….from years ago.
9/22/2 “The memories —– few people are afforded or reach for what you have. I don’t know, I guess, many years ago if I had to wish what life my daughter (Tweety) would have, I suppose I wouldn’t have picked what you have. But, now that I think about it, it fits. For the life of me, I can’t think of anything else that fits for you. I’m not saying that this might be a full-time lifecalling. But, for right now, it fits — beeeeautifully!!!!!! Love Dad.”
11/2/2 ” I love you, Tweety. I’m so proud of you. Just remember, everything is really fine, as long as we keep our sights on the hereafter, that this is just temporary, and that love will conquer all, in this life and after. Your ever-loving dad, Dad.”
1/14/5 “You have a way with words, Tweety. Flex those writing muscles. You know, I really do love you and wish your life the best. Love Dad”
9/21/6 “To Tweety (aka WAAP). Good to hear from you. Thanks to your setting this
account up, I can communicate across oceans, maybe across galaxies, maybe
across dimensions of time. It is good to know, though, that my Teresa is
staying on this planet and within a few time zones, for now. You will tell
me, I’m sure, when you plan intergalactic travel.
Is it hot, sticky there? Politically speaking, is everything okay there in
Fiji? No rumors of war or unrest? Your safety is my concern?
Curious. Have some of the people you meet draw a picture of God, and then
have them show each other their pictures. God has many faces. With that,
I’m hitting the road. Gotta go to work. Love ya forever, Dad.”
10/1/6 “Question—–Would you consider yourself an “End-Timer,” an evangelical sect that believes the end is near, as prophesied in the Bible? Just wondering. I saw a documentary about them. I co-worker brought me a CD of it. Well, that’s about it from home base. I wuv you, WAAP. Love Dad”
10/11/6 “Hey, WAAP (Wing and a Prayer)—
You know, I thought visiting the Amish might give you a different
perspective on Christian Living. Keep it in mind. And then you mentioned
the Peace Corps. Whoa!!! It has been a long time since I heard the words
peace corp — you know, John F. Kennedy : “Ask not what your country can do
for you, ask what you can do for your country.” A long time.
I know your journey, up till now, has been like feeling your way through a
dark room. But I sense in you a glimmer of light. I’m very proud of you.
You’re a great person. There has been alot of talk about the homeless in
the newspapers — people getting awards, Asheville getting national
recognition and awards regarding the homeless situation. I can’t help
thinking of you when I see the articles. Just want you to know that
there’s activity in that area.
Gotta go, girl. Love you. And I’ll e-mail you this Sunday. Love, Dad”
10/16/6 “Maybe you’re really coming to appreciate all the work I’ve been doing —
that is, storytelling, the art of storytelling. Storytelling connects one
person to another. It is what makes us human. Maybe it is what makes us
spiritual. Just like having to use a key to start a car, stories are what
bridges one human being with another. Without storytelling, you might as
well just stayed home and not venture halfway round the world. The gift of
story, I believe, given to man by the Archangel Uriel, after he made a
mistake while guarding the Garden of Eden and accidently let Satan in. You
know the rest of the story. I believe that all we really want is a Glimpse
of heaven — “Show me just a glimpse of heaven that I may believe in the
hereafter and God.” I believe the “glimpse” comes during storytelling.
I’ll get back with you soon. Love, Dad”
12/7/6 (regarding the Coup in Fiji while I was there) “Tweety, Wing-and-a-prayer, My-No.2-daughter, this — yes, this — might be the time to get out early, if you can. Fly out before it gets any worse. Storytime is over, girly-girl. And above all, I love you. Dad”
12/10/6 “Dear WAAP: I love you three times. Was at the doctor’s office getting my
dab-nabbit, dog-gone, flea-bitten, good-for-nothing, no-good, two-bit
allergy shot. I feel better now. But not about your surroundings. As I
recall, I believe I did research on Fiji the last time you were there and
discovered that there had been a coup in the late 90’s. This might be a
young democracy, but it is certainly not a stable one. Things tend to break
down during coups, such as government oversight of basic police protection,
water purification, food inspection, etc. etc. In other words, there are
other issues besides your immediate safety. Did you know that WAAP reads
and sounds like the noise a bird’s wings makes when it’s flying home, like
Asheville?????????????? I vant to hear that WAAP, WAAP sound. In other
news, there’s no news, except Sarah is coming over in a few hours; we’re
going to see a penquin movie and get something to eat. Penquins cannot fly.
I would rather see a movie about a bird flying — you know, like flying
home — you know, to Asheville — you know, WAAP, WAAP, WAAP. I love you,
TWEETY. Will check in soon. DAD”
8/27/2007 “Dear Tweety-Bird, Wing-And-A-Prayer,
I am trying to get a hang of this. You know, try this and try that, getting use to just doing stuff. I know I’ll talk with you in the morning but I have to get some user time on this. I don’t know if I’m going to get this sent successfully, but I’ll keep trying. I’ve had this computer for three weeks, and this is only the second time I’ve used it. I really don’t like these new fangtangle contraptions. So, I will try and send this to my darling daughter yet again. And, again, I love you. Dad”
1/15/08 (while I was in Afganistan) “Tweety Bird, aka Butterfly,,,,,, I was watching or listening to the news. The news and government officials are becoming increasingly concerned with the rise in violence in Afghanistan, particularly in Kabul. Keep your ear low to the ground. Measure the level of violence and act accordingly. Okay???? Your ever-loving dad. Dad”
1/18/08: “Do not go to any restaurants (or anywhere else) where westerners congregate!!!! Be very very careful, Tweety Bird. Love always, dad.”
6/21/09 “thank you for being my daughter. Love Dad”
4/22/10 “May the wind always be at your back, Tweety. Love Dad”
5/4/10 “Good posting, Tweety. I am very proud of you and your mission. The little girl I knew is alive and well, doing what she does best. Love Dad”
6/21/10 (I was in Iraq) “I see there’s a little unrest on the northern border: Turkey and Kurdish freedom fighters. I’m starting to wonder about an exit strategy if things get worse. Your ever-loving dad, Dad”
My dad is gone now….but he’s living eternally. I still love to read his “old letters.”
Just like my eternal Father’s old stories.
It speaks of His love for me, His precious daughter. He never changes.
