Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Dec 9, 2006

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

God, the Longer I Know Him the Stranger He Gets!

By Chris Hansen

Part II

In my previous article, I wrote about our twisted reality because God knows everything.  I pointed out, as a brief review, that the laws of probability are all twisted out of shape because God already knows whether heads or tails on a coin will come up.  Therefore the chance of one side isn't really 50%-it's actually 100%, and the probability of the other side is not 50% but really 0%.  Now let's play another mind game.  What happens if God is omnipresent?  For the non-theological, that word means 'present'; in all places, at all times. 

We are taught that God is present everywhere.  For those of us who have heard this from childhood, we take this for granted.  We are tempted to say, "and your point is what?"  Usually we talk about how comforting this concept is, and we should.  We also talk about how disturbing this is when we're up to no good, which is often!  Here's what we don't talk about much.  What happens to the laws of physics in such a case?

Now, in order for us to operate in a meaningful universe, we have to be able to move about in it.  We have to be able to move from point A, through point B, and closer to point C.  I know, I'm stating the obvious!  Remember, that God's nature warps the obvious into the strange.  Here's why.  In our 'normal' universe, it is possible for you to walk closer and closer to me and then begin to walk farther and farther away from me.  That's because you and I don't occupy all points in space at all times.  We occupy some points in space, and we don't occupy other points in space. 

Now, here comes the twist!  God simply doesn't operate that way!  All of God occupies all points in space at all times!  This means that nobody, in the whole universe, can ever move closer to God and then further from God!  This means, therefore, that, from God's point of view, nothing ever moves!  That's because all points of space, in our universe, touch all points of God at all times.  From God's vantage point, we are forever motionless!

Last time, we saw that time doesn't exist in God's frame of reference, because He sees the future as if it had already taken place; as if it were a past event!  Now we've really messed things up!  Not only does time not exist, but neither does motion!  Great!  We can't have a meaningful universe at all!  In order for us to do anything, we have to move and use energy.  Energy requires motion, which is now impossible, and motion requires the passage of time, which is also impossible! 

While we're on the subject, let's talk a bit about energy.  When I use energy to do something, I lose a bit, something else gets a bit, and then a bit of energy gets lost.  If I make a pot of tea, my stove expends some energy, the water absorbs some energy, and some gets lost on the way.  The water simply doesn't absorb all the energy coming from my stove.  In a perfect world, the exact amount of energy that my stove loses would go right into the water, and the two amounts of measurable energy would be exactly the same.  However, in our imperfect world, the water takes less than my stove gives out.  What does that have to do with God?  Well, since He has all power, He never loses energy!  So He violates all the laws of energy that we know!  If He made my cup of tea then, no matter how much energy He put into the pot of water, He would have just as much left as He started with!

Now, the punch line: How does God allow us to function in this twisted universe that can't really move or exert energy, from His point of view?  We saw, last time, that, because He withholds information, He resets the laws of mathematical probability back to 50% in the coin toss.  Once again, God withholds His active presence from all points of the universe.  Yes, God is always present, at all times, in all points of space.  However, He does not exert force on all points at all times.  If He did, then the entire universe would be static and unmoving.  It would be like pushing on the front and back of a wagon equally.  The wagon just wouldn't move.  God, has divided His presence into a passive presence, and an active presence.  He has chosen not to exert His active presence at all points at all times.  That is why He can appear to move, do things, manifest His presence, and allow us to manipulate our reality. 

Next time, we'll think about what happens when God loves.  It puts Him in quite a dilemma; justice versus compassion!

All from Insights from a Blind Man: Chris Hansen

Chris Hansen
E-mail Address(es):
  chrishansen54@sbcglobal.net

© by Chris Hansen

Author of Grandfather's Journal

Revelation Revisited and Secret of the Psalms

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

Here we have a wonderful duet, from Chris and Debra Shiveley.  As you all know, Chris is Debra precious adopted son.

I Am From

Christopher Shiveley Welch

I am from the beautiful fragrance of coffee, musky dog smell, and Dawn detergent.

I am from the antique house, over a beautiful diamond lake.

I am from the pink, white, and scarlet petals of roses and shiny, green ferns.

I am from family Thanksgivings on an island in Maryland and farmers who grew food.  I am from the wonderful, old name Welch which is from Ireland.  I am from the Viking name of Shiveley.  I am from the French name of Gaffin.

I am from people who like to write.  I am from generations of authors.

I am from peaceful people in a wonderful, peaceful community.  I am from “Monkey” to Chris with clefted lip and palate to repair.

I am from a Catholic mother and Presbyterian father.  I am from the sweat lodge of the Lakota.  I am from a God who cares about all living things.

I am from the quiet town of Westerville.  I am from the German and Irish, the Vikings, French and the Cherokee; a beautiful mix.  I am from dairy cows and wheat.   I am from adoption.

I am from the peaceful state of Ohio and from war veterans.  I am from the man who walked into Dora and liberated the Jews there.  I am from the compassion and the bravery of my mother.

I am from the beautiful pictures of my mother and my father as kids.  I am from the sketch of me on the wall.  I am from the pictures of my grandparents in the living room.

I am from love.

Chris

~**~**~

I Am From

Debra Shiveley

I am from the vineyards of Alsace, from the forests of Britain, the fields of County Cork and the tee pees of North America.

I am from a white farmhouse atop a hill, rolling pastures, deep woods, the smell of hay and manure.

I am from Snapdragon, Tiger Lily and tall leafy trees.

I am from farmers wise in the ways of the earth and judges versed in the law.  I am from Countremans, Armacosts, Shiveleys and Gaffins who believed in hard work, God, justice and rain.

I am from generations of men and women who tilled the earth and asked no man for aid.

I am from “He who will not work, neither shall he eat,” said with stern face framing sparkling, loving eyes.

I am from Baptists and Quakers: “Thou shalt not kill, covet, lie, steal.”  I am from a small steepled church nestled within the hills of Southern Ohio.

I am from pastures, lowing cattle and salt licks.  I am from fields shooting forth tobacco plants, tall wheat, alfalfa.  I am from hay-filled barns, three legged stools and tall, shiny cans redolent with the scent of fresh, warm milk.  I am from the garden: ripe tomatoes and corn, green beans and onions.  I am from the springhouse, cool and refreshing on a hot summer day, filled with rich cream, cheeses, and newly churned butter.

I am from a mother who walked away in search of a better life and found heartache instead.

I am from the south end, rag tag houses falling down, gaunt children staring from sagging front porches.

I am from a Catholic church built tall: gilded and marbled, smelling of incense.  I am from rosaries and chalices.  I am from Ave Maria.

I am from God.

***

I am from the loneliness of an abandoned child, born to poverty and neglect.

I am from a race of strong women who refused to be held down, who would not say yes when they meant no.

I am from a country torn by assassination, Viet Nam and the Atomic Bomb.

I am from the flashing lights, the music, the throbbing beat of disco.  I am from the deliciousness of a soul reborn, dancing with arms uplifted.

I am from the wedding; the chapel flower-laden; the organ pealing forth a song of promise.

I am from adoption agencies: babies lost; hopes crushed; tears shed. I am from the joy of motherhood.

I am from the nursery: powder-scented days of Nursery Nirvana; baby lotion and Similac; somnolent dawns and dreamy dusks.

I am from the world of anomalies: beautiful baby face; cleft lip and palate.  Can no one else see his beauty?

I am from the hospital room.  Sweet baby held close: must keep safe; must alleviate the pain, must do this for him.

I am from an author long dead:  poems collected in a cigar box.  Pete Seager singing Grandpa’s words.  I am from a grandfather never met, yet so close to my heart.

I am from the printed page; goals reached; dreams attained.  I am from the story told and the story read.

I am from many things.  I am from my experiences.

I am from the Universe.

***

I am the 54-year-old mother of a 14-year-old son.  Born with cleft lip and palate, Chris also has several learning differences.  He is my “special delivery baby,” arriving home when I was 39 ? and adopted when I had just turned 40.

I live in Central Ohio with my husband Mark, and my son.  My hobbies are reading history books, working on counted cross-stitch, movies and cooking.

My works to date include A Very Special Child, a children’s book which explains adoption in a loving and spiritual way, Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams, a murder mystery co-authored with my cousin, and my son has his book Christopher Bullfrog Catcher, which teaches a child how to write a story and how to respect and care for God’s creatures.

I am now writing the docu-novel The Adoption of Christopher and its companion cookbook Christopher’s Family Table.   I am also working on Cedar Woman, which will be my first romance novel.  Finally, Heads are Gonna Roll is in the research stage.  This will be my foray into the world of the paranormal and reincarnation.

Debra

Author of A Very Special Child - An Adoption Story - co-author Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams ; scribe for Christopher Bullfrog Catcher http://www.whodathunk.org
 
I firmly believe that I have received the same child I was meant to receive whether I gave birth or adopted.  The same soul, the same entity was meant to be mine from the beginning of time. Debra Shiveley Welch "A Very Special Child"

Readers Feedback

CAROL,

What a wonderfully wild mind Cassady has.  Please publish more of his stuff.  Peace,  Ron

Carol your story about the singing competitions touches home. I have a daughter that is great at singing and she is also afraid to sing in public. I, too, watch American Idol Twice I was right~!

 Jene Lind

Carol I love American Idol too. I never watched it until last year, but I'm hooked now. Michael Smith

GR8 story Carol...  thanks for sharing...  I like dancing with the stars...  LoL

I was a pretty good dancer before my knee went bad.

Love ya,

Barbara

If you want to talk to Jesus- That's really good Carol. Cute for the kids. Nell

Carol I just love your poem and find it very refreshing and charming along with being a blessing to the soul. Sandra Hoynacki

I am From – Carol Roach - That last paragraph is exactly how I feel about my own writing.  Good work my friend.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

Beautiful poem and says so much about you as a writer, Carol.

Love,

Barb

Advent Calendar - Hi Hartson. We have four of them in our house. One for each one of my children. The third one, our landlord bought for my children. These three are chocolate calendars. The fourth one is the family calendar. It is a wooden christmas wagon with 24 small drawers. I filled the drawers with choclates and small toys too! Evey day each member of the family open a door and finds a treasure.....

This is a wonderful Christmas tradition not known in the USA.... When I eat my chocolate piece today, I will think of you... PS: Today is my day to open the "7 drawer".... TANNIA

Quinn, your story was fascinating and extremely educational.... I didn't know all those details about this disease.... I was happy to read that your mom got in under control with her medicines.... You are a blessed child who sent near her to Help her out when others couldn't. You played a valuable role on her life; never forget that..... God bless you. TANNIA

 ~**~**~

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