Bag of Randomness for Wednesday, March 7, 2023

  • I’m really becoming an admirer of Andy Stanley right when a lot of evangelicals want to tar and feather the guy.
  • Junior Miller of The TICKET was talking about what it’s like watch his 19-month old daughter by himself for three days. He said he worries about not being able to “fill the itinerary.” I often have that feeling as a divorced single-father. It’s hard to just allow them to have time to themselves, spending their free time alone in their rooms. They need that time, but when you only have access to your kids for a certain percentage of time, you always feel you should be doing something with them. It’s still a tough adjustment.
  • Sometimes I think about the time I confronted my wife about her infidelity of the heart and how much I cried like a baby in front of her. Not once do I remember her apologizing, only when I suggested it might be a good idea. I don’t deserve to be loved like that (at least I don’t think), but I didn’t want to quit on a relationship and do the easy thing and give up. Better yet, I made a promise, a covenant with God to love and accept her. I didn’t give up on her, she gave up on us and thus the family. And, that’s still tough to reconcile. It’s hard for me to understand how someone can break a promise not only with a human, but with the God they claim is the priority in their life. That’s not a judgement, I just can comprehend it.
  • I also think about my severe depression at the time, as well as my paralysis. When things got going rough, she was not by my side but left me all alone, literally. I hope I can find someone willing to stay by my side through thick and thin. I wonder what it’s like to have no doubt that the person who I married truly accepts me for who and what I am. It may never happen, but I have my hopes.
  • A lot of this is on my mind because I’m not only going into a surgery center for a minor back procedure, but I’m working on a prearranged funeral. One thing my kids want to essure that happens, and this isn’t a joke, but they want there to be soft pretzels and ICEEs available. Of course, there’s a back story to this. But, come to my funeral, and you should be treated to an Auntie Anne’s pretzel and at least a Coke ICEE. Oh, and slurping has to be involved.
  • I enjoy reading the Reddit thread r/NoStupidQuestions. You can ask anything and not worry about being made fun of or being insensitive. Recently, someone asked, If God’s plans are perfect, why do people pray to change his plans? Here is what I thought was the best answer: debate amongst yourselves. But I have a feeling most believers don’t think/believe this way.
    • I assume you’re asking this relating to the Christian God, so I will try my best to answer that question in accordance with that.Most Christians ultimately believe in the sovereignty of God, which means that God is in control of everything and His plan is perfect. However, Christians also believe in the power of prayer, which means that they can communicate with God and ask for His guidance and help.While Christians pray for many things, including healing, guidance, and protection, they understand that God’s will is ultimately what matters. Prayer is not about changing God’s plans but about aligning their will with God’s will. When Christians pray, they seek to understand God’s plan and to ask for His help in carrying it out.In some cases, Christians may pray for a change in circumstances or outcomes, but they do so with the understanding that God’s plan is ultimately perfect, and they trust that whatever the outcome may be, God will work it out for their good.It’s a complex topic that has inspired numerous discussions. Look at this answer as being the tip of a theological iceberg.
  • When I was married, I used to think how great it was that I didn’t have to worry about fashion, that there was no need to dress to impress. That’s not to say I was a slob, but my most comfortable shoes, a pair of mountain climbers, won’t be wowing any chicks and now I think twice when I wear them out. I ask myself, how much should I care about comfort, cost, and convenience verses trying to impress someone or appear more datable.
  • This NY Times interactive (The Programs You’d Have to Cut to Balance the Budget) reminds me of this scene from the great movie Dave.
  • It’s like a biblical prophesy come true.

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