The last bit is an off-the-wall analogy...and i admit, one that's a bit far out in an elliptical orbit [my roommate explains my brain's activity as being in a far-reaching interplanetary orbit]. It has become quite apparent to me that much creative mental energy is seeping out through my notes and both written & verbal ramblings, both within class and without. We have been discussing the fallacies inherent in the argument from Humanist of the Year in 1981 Carl Sagan that 'the cosmos' is all there is or ever will be. Dr. Tackett has used as an illustration that most of the materialist/humanist/naturalist view can be thought of as a magic cube, within which absolutely all of existence and the universe itself is contained. This made me think of the cube from the latest Indy Jones movie, because the concept is just as stupid and inadequate as that flick was, I suppose!
The overlay of much of the material we're going through right now is, you might say, the world as presented as 'The Tale of Two Fathers,' with the Father of Lights' eternal and transcendent Truth warring against the Father of Lies and his half-truths, lies, and deception. Well i've scrawled a plethora of notes, but the punch line is basically "Do you really believe what you really believe is really REAL?" Which in my opinion is a most pervasive and relevant question. Were the answer to be yes for even 10% of the Body of Christ, the Gospel would be rumbling through the streets and setting the captives free with the intensity of a rampaging wildfire. The image has been used quite forcefully that the smoke has been billowing under the door, ideologically speaking, of our nation for quite some time now...and the fire does not trail too far behind.
Overall i'd say this is the beginning of my cup being filled up, if you will. It has certainly been emptied in past years....that is something that has been extremely personally comforting....Dr. Tackett speaks of God taking him through 'cocoons' of trial, tribulation, and death leading to new life. Very reassuring to know that i am not the only one God works this way through. And its so euphorically enthusiastically energizing to go through many consecutive hours of lecture and never check the time. Which brings me to the most peaceful part of things here....God has restored my voice. It has been for years that my vocal chords have not fully expressed praise to Him....and before i got here He used a can-opener to crack the lid....and i began singing to Him in corporate and even private settings. To do it here has been quite different, and shocking to me, because i've been adoring Him with and in front of [literally, as i'm in the catbird seat in class every day] those i don't know, relative strangers, at least initially. He has been pouring out through me words and praises too long held back....praise be to our patient, omnipotent, and gracious Father of Lights and all Truth!
Probably the song that has pierced me most has been one not sung in class or church or any other corporate gathering....Third Day's "Love Heals Your Heart." And the mountains shout and scream praises to Him, if we will but have ears to hear. Alright, into the realm of incidentals...the weekend was a dichotomy of activity and rest....after the rafting and reading all day Saturday, i took Sunday completely off as a rest day, except church of course. The Father's Day sermon was quite moving....and encouraging. Spent time with a good friend here who is about to travel to Europe in a few days, very mutually enriching. Had my first day apart from the Focus community, and it was good to decompress and process more fully the events of one of the most intense, full weeks of my life! Haven't quite got back up to speed, and many [including Tackett] were under the weather today....had to gear down some :)
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