Wind

So once in a while at work, a rousing God and/or political discussion will erupt (generally around Angela's desk). So when I go in this morning, this is happening again. Honestly I like that the people in the office are willing to talk about it openly, but no one is there to be converted it's mostly a talk/debate-fest. So I didn't attend this mornings discussion, but I did think of an analogy that i wanted to write about a little further while i was eavesdropping whilst having a discussion with another fellow.

Wind.

I'm sure i'm not the only person to use the Wind analogy for God-stuff, but I just thought of some things a little differently today, so i figured i'd get them onto paper/html so that it's more orderly in my mind.

So the standard wind analogy generally has something like "you can't see the wind, but you can feel it, and you can see it's effects". I think this relates well to God, but it's been used a lot in church circles so it might be a little bland. What i started to think about, was how a lot of non-christian (and christian alike) people will attribute characteristics to God by what they see in people that are professing to be His followers. Now i think this is as valid an argument as any - i think Christians should hold a very high standard for their lives (personal and spiritual) - i fail the standard test often, but i strive to do better (we all should). But what came to me today is that the character of the wind doesn't necessarily change just because it's carrying (or is associated with) something that's not so nice as a summer breeze. Sometimes wind can be lovely (summer breeze example) but it can also carry swarms of locust or sand or sleet and snow and hail (as we here in newfoundland know a little too well). But none of that changes what the wind is. It's just moving around the globe, through different weather systems, gaining strength, and losing it (i'm not well read in wind or any related field, but i hope the point is coming accross a bit). Just because people who are associated with God (either by being followers of Christ, or just by their own admission - there is a difference!) fail, miserably sometimes, that doesn't mean that that is who God is. God is the amazing one who continues to loves and care for those stupid people who keep failing.

I'm not sure how much more i have to say about the wind thing, but this is the interweb, i can come back and update it some time. I'd like to direct anyone reading this to a cool website from Canada's most listened to Christian call in show (we've got 1000's i know) - The Drew Marshall Show. A friend pointed me to this page to watch this guy on 100 Huntley St. and while some people may not like the way he came off on tv, if you listen to his shows there's a real genuine spirit to the guy, and he's got great guests (comedians, writers, actors, singers ..etc). Give some of his stuff a listen. If nothing else he's provoking some discussion which is usually a good idea (speaking of which i need to back Angela up in the next Consilient office debate!).

By the way, i work for the above mentioned company and if you're in need of some free push email on your mobile phone, check us out! www.consilient.com

Also, i've just taken ownership of my new bike. You can check it out on my flickr account. It's a specialized rockhopper pro disc (all mountain). I'm pretty excited, but i will be more excited when we get some decent weather and temperatures above 2 degrees celcius!! Speaking of wind... Anyways, good-nite and God Bless (if you're into that kind of thing)