another clown
Category: Personal
can Jesus hit a curve ball?
I watched Major League last night. It is one of my go-to movies when I want to just “chill.” In the movie, one of the characters, Eddie Harris, asks, “Are you saying Jesus cannot hit a curve ball?“
I think the question centres on Jesus’ humanity – as the God-Man, is he perfect in skill? Is “hitting a curve ball” part of perfection? Did Jesus ever burn the breakfast for his disciples? Or, to put it negatively, is it “sinful” not to be able to hit a curve ball?
Does this involve the communicatio idiomatum (communication of attributes)?
So, can Jesus hit a curve ball?
pray harder
So, I am not a huge consumer of podcasts. I was in the past.
I recently listened to The Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder. I like cults, and this one is local. The podcast was somewhat one-sided and a little simplistic, but I really enjoyed it. I cannot expect all podcasts to be a theological exploration within a wider historical context. One thing that always interests me is the assumption of intent on the part of the leader. Anyway, interesting.
Also, as I have your attention, I am doing a podcast. (And, to be honest, doesn’t everyone.) I have a trailer for Season 1 in the feed. I am hoping to record on a Friday. Just random stuff!
accountability
So, to be transparent, I believe in accountability. Each of us will one day need to give an account of our life and actions (or lack thereof). In this, I stand alone before God.
Sin is very much connected. Yes, I think there is such a thing. Without my sin, there is no Jesus as my Saviour. Sin is not a moral failure (doing the wrong thing) but a broken relationship that shows itself in my actions and desires. And the great news is that Jesus steps towards me and bridges the gap when I cannot move.
How outrages!?
joke?
Have you ever thought that all of this is a cosmic joke? It’s a mistake, and the joke is on me. That feeling that I am completely out of place, out of time, out of sync with the world around me. There is an inside joke called “life”, of which I am simply not part.
I have felt that more in the last couple of months, and I censor myself to fit in, making myself small to fit into other people’s views of me. I have not spoken up and allowed my silence to be consent. It is a learned stress response. It is a way to escape and internalise everything until the balloon is full and “pops” with much noise. And I want to run, perhaps to see if people will miss me.
When is “enough” enough? Where do you draw the line? I fool myself into thinking that I am open-minded, yet even I have my limit. But where is that invisible line? I think I am on the threshold. I feel like I am drowning. Or being fed a diet of air. Why do I hide my thoughts and ideas for “peace”? Is that life with other people?
Being alone is great. Refreshing. Upbuilding. Perhaps the context has to change?
One of my favourite Kierkegaard quotes is from Sickness Unto Death:
The formula that describes the state of the self when despair is completely rooted out is this: in relating itself to itself and in willing to be itself, the self rests transparently in the power that established it.
So, I pray for what I fear most: having my “self” transparent in Jesus.
eh?!
I have no clue. I hope it will still be here, doing what I am doing now. But it can also change very quickly. In fact, I am thinking of changing things.
religion?
The great thing about subjects at school is that they can be held at arm’s length. I can study and collect all the knowledge but not emotionally engage with it—a little like Mary’s Room.
At the end of my schooling, it was mathematics. I was hoping to be a math teacher. I even started a university degree. But that did not happen.
When I was just starting, my reports say I was very good at religion. (My mother reminded me on Sunday.) I am not sure what that means. Later, I found other things to “excite” me. Somehow, my life has come full circle.
I should add that I am “good” (relatively) at religion, theology, and philosophy. That does not mean I have it all together or am perfect. I am working on the lived experience every day.
… outward form
… holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timonthy 3:5, 12
reading?
Is reading a form of exercise?
Otherwise, it is a nice walk along the beach. I used to walk every day, but not so much anymore! As some would say (me!), “there are too many people out there”.
silence
To sit in silence without needing outside stimulation or other people. It can be for 10 minutes or five during the day. Sit outside and enjoy the sun, or just listen to the rain. Without a goal, a product, or an end, simply sit in silence and be “me.”
this solitary life 