March 6th: Alien Technology

I am a sucker for technology. Put “Mechanical,” “Hi-Tech,” “Engineering,” “Machinery,” in the title of a show and I’m in there like a dirty shirt. As long as it’s something solid and has moving parts or blinking lights, I’m in. While I’m a sucker for that stuff, I’m also very skeptical about anything that is less than scientific. “Psychic,” “Zodiac,” “Astrology,” “Aliens” or words like that in a headline, will ensure I take a pass on whatever is offered.
It was, therefore, with combined curiosity and skepticism that I recently watched “Alien Technology.” As fascinating as the concepts of flying saucers and alternative energy sources might be, the truth that such things are little more than scientific fiction and speculation was readily apparent in the program. As to the alien component of the show, well that was even more blind faith and guesswork than I have heard in a long time.
The nice thing about machines is that their existence and function is pretty easily proven. You can see and hold the things. Alien technology, however, is complete and utter fantasy. It was sheer imagination on the part of the presenters of the show and nothing more.
What troubled me, however, was how easily they twisted the facts to make things sound good. They took their fantasies and presented them as fact. They took tiny guesses and blew them up into full blown theories. The presented their speculative visions as bonafide reality. In short, they told a wonderfully true sounding story of misinformation and logic twisting slight of hand as actually having happened.
That bothers me. Treating fiction as truth misleads the fool and confounds the wise. It leads the innocent astray and puffs up the guilty. It’s just plain wrong. It’s also unhelpful when it comes to the matters of faith I deal with.
Junk science like “Alien Technology” just confuses things. As God’s servant, I have a hard enough time spreading the truth, and what is in the Bible is indeed true. There are too many witnesses to deny it’s truth and far too many people who have been blessed by it to deny its effectiveness. There are, unfortunately, a great many folks confusing its reality or putting it down as fantasy, which makes the work of believers that much harder.
Our challenge is to tell Jesus’ story in a way that is undeniable. The best way to do that is not with words, but with a life that proves His worth and wonders. There is no denying how great a Christ-like life can be.
Thoughts

March 11th

Snow day today. Kid's at home, Lois at work. Lots of snow to shovel. Thanks for the exercise and for the time at home, even if David did go to a friends. Thanks most of all for the time with Anna, even if it was just a couple of hours.

March 10th

What busy day, God. Lot's to do, lots of travel. Thanks for getting me where I needed to be and back home again safely. Thanks also for being able to spend quality time with quality people doing something both productive and joyful. It was great to be part of the process of getting new ministries underway in our Presbytery. May this be the start of many good things happening in our little part of the world.

March 9th

A bit of confusion, in a good way, today. Schedule was confused from another source, so I ended up offering a worship service that wasn't needed after all. A second person had already been arranged without my knowing, so it all worked out in the end.
Kind of silly, but a reminder of who and what we are as humans: a reflection of you, full of amazing potential, but with just enough freedom to blow it all too often.
Thanks for your patience with us, and with me. Help me get it right a little more often, and to be gracious when I get it wrong because of someone elses mistake.

March 8th

Lord, today was an international day of celebration of women. I appreciate the opportunity of having been able to take part in one of those celebrations right here in Chatham. There are so many talented women in our community and in the world. Thanks for all of them, and especially for Lois, who has been so supportive and helpful along the way. Help her to be a great woman as well.

March 7th

Another Monday, another recording session. Thanks, God, for the time I'm able to spend doing this.
Thanks also for the support I've received from Bob, the producer, and the fact that he thinks some of the stuff is pretty good.
Help me move ahead and maybe even use the song he suggested for worship sooner rather than later.

March 6th

Lord, Jesus' gift of Bread and Wine, the Communion meal, is something special beyond belief.
It is a joy to be able to serve the people at St. James and to offer them this most holy gift.
Thanks for letting me take Jesus' meal to the folks who couldn't make it to church. Let them feel the love that is in my presence, not just mine, but that of the folks at St. James, whom I serve.

March 5th

Lord, today was tough on everybody. I'm sorry wasn't as patient as I should have been. I'm thankful, though, that you've helped me grow so that when I blow it, I can also make some attempts to do better.
Thanks for Lois' patience, and for the doctors that took care of her today. Thanks most of all that she is OK and just needs to rest tomorrow.
Thanks also for good friends that are there in a pinch. Help me be a blessing to them as they are to me.

March 4th

Lord, it's been a bit of a struggle trying to get my Message together for this Sunday, and I thank you for being with me through the process. Help me remain sharp and ready as I lead worship and guide your sheep. Let me be worthy to be serving as pastor and of the trust of the congregation.

March 3rd

Lord, your blessings are beyond compare, but sometimes your challenges are pretty exciting too. Help me serve even when I'm tired, to persevere when there are struggles, and to be honest with myself and with you. Let me trust you more and more and myself less and less in every aspect of my life.

March 2nd

God, its been a day of blessing and quiet work. I especially appreciate being able to work out and push my body as I try to get in shape and lose weight. Help me stay motivated and do what I need to improve physically so that I can in turn stay stronger spiritually and mentally.
May my fitness help me do my work better and live to serve and be with my family for a long, long time.

March 1st

Thanks for the people I work with, God. Help me to lead them and to follow their counsel. Help me to teach them and to learn from their wisdom. Help me to laugh with them and to give them a reason to rejoice.
Bless us as we work together for your glory.
Empower us to hear you speak through our meetings, our fellowship and our worship.
Chastise us when we go astray and let us know when we please you. Above all, keep us working together as a blessing to the congregation we serve and the community in which we live.

February 28th

Lord, again I thank you for the gift of music and for the blessings it offers me. As I start recording some of my songs, I ask for your help to do a good job of it and to use whatever comes of the process for your glory. Let me sell the songs and music so that the project can more than break even, so that the profit can be used for the mission projects at St. James.
Throughout the process keep me humble and open to new ideas.