The burning bush was an act of God.

As was the flood.

The parting of the Red Sea? Yep. Would have loved to see that one!

“It’s funny Lieutenant Dan said that because right then, God showed up!” F.G.

Did Forrest experience an act of God? Yep yep, ON THE BOAT!!!

Winner winner chicken dinner! or should I order shrimp po-boy on the menu? This act of God turned out to be a blessing to Forrest and his Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. By the grace of God, Forrest was blessed with the only shrimp boat that survived the hurricane.

Then I got to thinking; maybe referring to the commonplace, physical events here on earth are simply acts of God! Think about it this way: God made our planet and all of the processes that we see actively in the world today. Plate tectonics, vulcanism, erosion, landslides and earthquakes, just to name a few. And, as those events occur, how more appropriate than to describe them as acts of God.

Every time it rains it’s an act of God? Pretty much. Maybe He’s not intentionally orchestrating every cloud but He made the atmospheric system work, along with the other processes that form the lay of the land and the currents through the depths of the oceans. This is all so fascinating to me, as a scientist, to think of how perfectly He created our planet.

Calling these events “Acts Of God” is catchy. It simplifies, making the big picture of catastrophic events black and white.  And while we’re at it let’s have an orogeny or two. Orogeny? Yes, you know, the forces and events that lead to large, structural deformation of the Earth’s lithosphere as tectonic plates collide and move about. Greatest in Mastodon scale are the orogenies.

Lest we forget the thunderstorms, floods and tornadoes. Ah yes, these common culprits that put insurance companies at risk. They know that rising water only began with Noah.

Speaking of tornadoes I’ve never shared my cyclone experience here at I’m Just Thinkin’. I took a sabbatical while attending the University of Florida. Yep, headed off for 18 months to live on the Apalachicola Bay. A friend had purchased a house on the bay, and we gutted the place, fixing her up to a new glory. It was there that I acquired a few handyman skills, serving as chief apprentice for the roofer, plumber, electrician and drywall experts. One day while hanging out we noticed a waterspout off in the distance through the bay window overlooking the water. This started to get a bit creepy when the funnel cloud didn’t go left or right and kept getting bigger. It didn’t take us too long to realize being in front of the bay window was not going to be a good idea, so my friend and I each grabbed a dog and huddled down in the hallway.

Indeed the tornado roared through the property, tearing the room off the adjacent guest house. Meanwhile, in the main house, all the windows were shattered. It was just like I’ve heard others speak of these deadly storms, the sound and energy of the freight train coming through the house. The atmospheric pressure changed and it got really cold. We looked at each other and confirmed all was ok. It seemed to last forever, but I’m sure our experience was less than 30 seconds. That same twister went further inland and killed 3 people in a mobile home park. It made national news with coverage on CNN. Pretty crazy. It was then and there that I realized tremendous appreciation for the weather, and for these acts of God.

Is a tornado more dramatic than an orogeny?

Packaging my tornado story with various other ramblings…

What to do when God shows up?

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“We ourselves feel what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” — Mother Teresa

So think about it this way: when God asks us to do something we have a choice, right? That’s where free will comes in. Let’s think about Jonah… so here’s a guy who was called on by God to go to the Assyrians and warn them that they would receive judgment if they did not repent from their evil ways. Well, Jonah didn’t really care for the Assyrians… so much so that didn’t want them to receive God’s mercy. So instead of heading over to Nineveh as God directed, Jonah headed in the opposite direction.

Surely God could have easily found another messenger, right? Right. But I can’t see that scenario happening anywhere in the Bible. Jonah’s task at hand was important… and so it was for Noah and Abraham. Even Moses had questions and doubts of his ability to lead. Just another drop in the ocean? I think we all agree the rock stars that are in the Bible are worthy, right? Wrong. They were all wretched black-hearted sinners just like you and me… sinners in need of a savior. They needed a Savior. We all do. What happened next? Well, in Jonah’s case God pursued him and turned him around. Jonah fulfills his mission.

And how about for you and me? I think God likes us to use our free will, that’s why He gave it to us. However, when it comes down to the important stuff… like following God’s will and fulfilling the decisions that He rests on for the story of humanity… I think He works on and in us when we rebel (or turn to religiosity, whatever the case may be). Who knows whether our next decision will be a catalyst for all of humanity or not. Surely we can see how some of our decisions affect not only us but our offspring and theirs as well. Does that make me want to be more obedient to following Jesus, growing to be more and more like him? Yes, indeed it does. It also makes me want to contribute to the big picture. Like Mother Teresa says, the ocean would still be the ocean but it would in fact have one less drop without me or you. Every drop counts…

What is your favorite Bible story about obedience? Are you more likely to turn to rebelling or religiosity when God wants you to do something that you don’t want to do?

Image courtesy of wallpaperswide.com

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Surely Skipper and Professor could have put one of these together, right?

Gilligan is Jonah – Yes, “Little Buddy” is the one most likely to be swallowed by the whale. Additionally, he is continually in the mindset of avoidance. Here’s what I really love about Gilligan: He was humble… he didn’t particularly want to be stranded on the desert isle… however, he was content… plus, he is redeemed for God’s glory… did you know that Gilligan actually saved the Skipper by pushing him away from a loose depth charge while they were both serving in the U.S. Navy? I’m guessing Gilligan has a Popeye tattoo on his right shoulder… along with an anchor inscribed with “A Fisher Of Men!” on the left.

Skipper would be Noah – No brainer with that one. However, for the sake of saving the cast and crew, Skipper needs to get busy building a new ark to take them all home… instead of filling the TV network’s coffers and milking the series for another season as a castaway. Interesting trivia… did you know the character “Skipper’s” name in the series was Captain Jonas Grumby? No wonder they just called him Skipper!

Professor. I’m guessing the prof. would have been a prophet. The Professor was mild-mannered… and brilliant. Uber smart. Gismo’s galore. Always had the right answer. Got a question? Ask the Professor. Ok, so he was also just collecting a paycheck on this island… a guy that smart surely could have come up with a successful exit strategy. I am pretty gullible but you can’t fool me that Skipper and Professor couldn’t have built a boat. Hmmm, a prophet… but which one? I’m going with Elisha because this prophet had a heart to serve. The Professor was a ready resource for all stranded on the island… all, that is, that could figure out what this geeky scientist was saying.

Ginger is The Woman At The Well – For some reason I can’t get it out of my mind… the episode when Ginger is seducing the Professor. btw, I never really envisioned the woman at the well as being attractive, but I guess she must have been to be the seductress who was married 5 times.

Mary Ann is simply Mary. Mary Ann was sweet… nice… real… everything a Godly man could ever ask for. I like Mary Ann (does it show?). Show me a Mary Ann and I’m ready in a flash to shove off to the nearest deserted tropical island… with Mary Ann, that is!

Mrs. Howell. I’ve always wondered why Mrs. Howell had so much material packed onboard the S.S. Minnow for just a 3-hour tour. I’m pretty sure her trinkets were just a smattering in comparison to her jewelry box… er, treasure chest at home. But who in the Bible? Clue: Thurston called her “lovey.” Her real character name? Get this… Eunice. Eunice was Timothy’s mother in the Bible. It is believed that Eunice’s strong faith influenced Timothy to greatness. I’m thankful for “Lovey” Eunice.

Thurston Howell III is… well.. wealthy. Dripping in Rich-ness. In the worldly way, even his palmetto hut had an air of extravagance. If you can get over the Mr. Magoo thing, stay with me as I’m liking Mr. Howell to Zacchaeus. Remember, Zacchaeus was the short, wealthy man in the Book of Luke… a lost man who Jesus, in His typical style, hung out with and changed…

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10… that includes you and me… in addition to every Thurston Howell III who ever lived… and believed.

… and so the lost castaways were found…

The end.

Do any of these Gilligan’s Island characters remind you of someone in the Bible?

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