Intelligent Design

If you're like me, you really like clever design and something that functions perfect towards its original intent.  In fact, you might even become interested in reading up on its creator/inventor, the clever one who engineered the 'something' you think is so cool.  Clear creativity is fascinating, as often the inspiration is a mystery, but the outcome is so impacting in its outworking to make life easier, enjoyable, efficient, etc.  Usually a few men or women emerge from their generation to lead the way in creative expression, and the ripple effects of their work changes the way society operates.  Our generation had Steve Jobs, who certainly has his share of 'successful gadgets and products' that would certainly draw admiration for intelligent design.  Why then, if the earth and the heavens, which vibrate with intelligent design and balance, cause intellectuals to come up with terribly unintelligent ways to discredit the Intelligent One who deserves admiration for His work?  It was a 'Big Bang'?  It was space aliens?  It was evolutionary probability?  What did God do to earn such disregard for His handiwork?  If I see a ton of evidence (and there is a ton) that Intelligent Design is in place, then it makes perfect logical sense to hypothesis that an Intelligent One exists.  He is higher in the order of things, above His creation, and able to reveal Himself as He chooses, on His terms.  Why is that so hard to give up?  Is human pride so rock solid, that logic is tossed out and we can never reach the right conclusion, or maybe even reach out to know Him better?  Amazingly enough, as hard as we have worked to marginalize God, He still reaches out to reconcile with us and re-establish a very broken cord of relationship.  I guess even the most ardent thinker will have to continue to bash his wits against that simple truth: God is, and when you are ready to climb up the mountain of evidence that makes it obvious, He will meet with you. 

Los Angeles

Looking out from Jayne's Echo Park apartment, you can see the city of Los Angeles' skyline, and it just calls out to me for an adventure each time.  I stay here on business trips periodically and this time, I decided to jog the 4 miles down to the Staples Center where the LA Lakers play and other teams represent the city, and was not disappointed with what I got see on my way.  I have a little bit of Bilbo Baggins in me that hankers for a new adventure, with new sites and smells and people living a completely different existence than mine.  LA, block by block changes in an instant, from the business district down Figueroa St, to the homeless sleeping under overpasses, to the decaying neighborhoods two short blocks away.  As I ran, I asked God what he thinks about LA, and was His outlook and mood as gloomy as mine, as my thoughts helplessly run to the multi-layers of sin expressed in greed, pride, immorality, violence, etc.  I asked Him if He still delights in this city, invests any hope for restoration and redemption, or will wicked men just rule it like kings till the end.  I felt His delight for the people in all the different layers, His mood much brighter than my skepticism, and compassion far hotter than my cold assessing calculations.  God hopes all things, believes all things, and enjoys Himself, as He fully invests in redemption at every stage of sin's dark advance.  What shocks me and brings a skeptics doubt, sets Him back not at all.  I enjoyed my 8 mile adventure through downtown LA (There and Back Again, by Eric Baggins), but more enjoyed being with Him who is any crowded city's true light and joy.  Oh, if those who don't know Him like that could just taste and see, that the Lord is good, full of goodness and slow to anger, LA would be washed clean. I love this city!

It's Getting Away from Us

Recently I have become very aware of how many different 'pursuits' to self-discovery people in this generation give themselves wholly too.  There are too many to list here, and I know we could come up with a few more.  Whilst I think having interests and hobbies and pursuits is a God thing, what that 'pursuit' does to shape your destiny can often be a path to disappointment.  There is probably some real value in realistic expectations towards most of what we place high priority on, and view it as 'striving after the wind'.  Should we look at this life and say that there is nothing worth putting effort into, or setting some goals and expectations?  Certainly not, that would be depressing.  However, for a follower of Christ, a heart set on eternity, where 'pursuits' have eternal significance, maybe it is good to do an inventory of what we have wrapped our hearts around.  Maybe look at what we spend our money on, invest in and try to maintain?  How much do Americans spend on looking forever young?  How much time should we spend on things that are destined for decay, and have no eternal value?   Unbelievers I observe have an insatiable desire to maintain self-satisfaction or 'Live the Dream!'  The destructive path they leave is unmistakeable and heart-breaking to see how many people had to suffer neglect or abuse to keep those dream wheels turning.  I have to say with some sadness that I see some believers caught up in the same rat race.  I find myself tempted daily to kick off restraint and start looking out for me and getting mine!  I hope I never stop getting disgusted with that thought, like the blended McDonald's Happy Meal Riley's friends made him drink last night!  The key to freedom in life is a detachment from selfishness that only God can accomplish.  When we reach the end of ourselves and embrace Jesus with a whole-hearted pursuit, it's like breathing fresh air for the first time.  It still hurts to see friends, co-workers caught in the vice of a self-driven pursuit, especially when you have already been down that road.  You can only pray they come to their senses, and exchange temporary futility for a eternal satisfaction in Christ.