Sean R. Reid

I find myself absolutely fascinated by the discourse of intelligent design (ID) proponents.  Mostly I find myself drawn to the debates like one is drawn to a car crash. It’s been a constant source of confusion and frustration since converting to Christianity.  I have never been able to reconcile a necessity that I suddenly cease to believe all of the science that is available.  I came to know Christ because of the facts as they presented themselves in my life.  It would be intellectually dishonest of me to suddenly change my opinion without examining the evidence. It would be equally so if I were to suddenly deny scientific fact and replace it with a “God of the gaps.” I simply cannot believe that faith in God renders evolution false any more so than evolution renders God false.

Evolutionary biology has proven time and time again to be solid and good science (meaning it subjects itself to testing and scrutiny and incorporates new findings accordingly).  Unfortunately, ID just doesn’t seem to hold up under scientific investigation.  At least, in my opinion, it doesn’t hold up outside of “God spoke it so” and works accordingly through natural processes. If you want invoke an intelligent designer that created the rules by which all things are governed, I’ll agree. If you want to invoke constant tinkering and manipulation l then we’ll part company. Read more »

I’m trying to get back into the swing of regular updates.  I’ve got a few irons in the fire as of late, including the work I’m doing on the GotSpirit Network.  If you haven’t been following my Twitter feed the you should click the link and see what I’ve been up to.  Short version, for those not interested in clicking, is that I’m building a network of websites to cover cheerleading in Georgia.  What can I say, it’s my niche and I do it well.

I’ve also got a few other projects, some in my head, some in progress.  So I’ve been away from the blogging here primarily because I’m writing so much content elsewhere.  I’m hoping any writing is good writing.  Ideally I’ll improve with each character I type.

Read more »

Second day in a row, does that make it a habit yet?  =)

Today I’m grateful for:

1. Having a wonderful evening with Jess after both having a stressful day
2. Having plenty of time to make lunch this morning with relax time to spare
3. The GotSpirit Network getting some nibbles from potential advertisers
4. My life and the people in it
5. The freedom to look forward to the weekend
6. The week is half over and a great weekend is on the horizon
7. The awesome connectivity power of Twitter
8. The Lord watching over me in the shadow of his wing (Psalms 17:8)
9. My meds that seem to be working and keeping my moods resonating at a normal frequency
10. The ability to choose to be happy and grateful instead of wallowing in negativity

This was over at XXXChurch about the reactions of people, Christians and non, when see see the “Porn Mobile.” Sadly it seems they run into more “Christian” resistance than they do secular:

Today I found the following passages** and thought they were rather appropriate for the scene; [youversion]2 Corinthians 3:1-15[/youversion] discusses the concept of legalism and cautions against legislating spirituality and morality; [youversion]Romans 7:5-7[/youversion] talks about how such legislation usually results in rebellion more often than purity.  Short version: if you want to make sure someone does something you don’t want them to do, make it illegal.

My version?  I’ve run into a LOT of  “Christians” in my life that sound like the older gentleman in the parking lot.  To be perfectly honest, it made being an atheist the easiest decision in the world.  Nothing supported my stilted worldview than a legalistic, close-minded, loud-talking religious person practicing Quotation Christianity (aka “Christianity”).  Christ spent time with lepers, whores and tax collectors.  He was surrounded by sinners CONSTANTLY.  A common theme I’ve discovered as I’ve begun reading various Bible passages is that God often chooses the LEAST.LIKELY.CANDIDATES.  He takes those from the very bottom and after setting their eyes upon Him they rise to the top.  Abraham to David to Paul, practically all of Judges.  Seriously, from bottom to the top. Not because they followed the laws but because they fixed their gaze on the Lord and walked in the light through acceptance of God’s grace.

Since converting I can rightly be called a Jesus Freak.  I’m all in.  Done. Dedicated 150%.   I’m sure the gentleman in that video had the best of intentions.  However, his actions are not embracing the disenfranchised and bringing others into the love of Christ.  I pray daily that I don’t become a Quotation Christian.  I also pray for those Quotation Christians that I let lead me away from faith.

To truly have the Spirit inside of you then you must be willing to embrace those that will spit in your face, challenge your beliefs and continue to love them. If you can’t do that then you are trapped in your own quotation marks.  Your laws will make you a prisoner.

*note: I’ve begun using The Message Translation of the Bible.  I really like this translation particularly for my blog posts. The strucuture lends itself to my rambling style more effectively without losing the message.

**edit: I just want to clarify that the passages were part of a recent batch of devotionals. I  don’t want to give any misrepresentation with regards to my Biblical scholarship.  These are being put in front of me more than I am able to just pluck them out.

First, I saw this post over on Ragamuffin Soul with a fairly famous quote from Michael Jordan:

Keep Shooting

Then, while getting caught up on devotionals  I read Zechariah 13:9.  Read those lines again and focus on “through the fire [...] refine them as silver.”  Precious metal, forged in fire.  Made smooth, stronger.

Been there? I have.

Under the weight, in front of the heavy bag, jumping over a ply box. Fire.  Burns.  Training HURTS.  But in a good way.

I think I’m going to have to put that Scripture verse on the wall in my gym.  As I make this walk and “find my legs” I’m finding that the training “hurt” is less about penance and more about growth.  It’s a pain that leads to strength, a sign that something is going very VERY right.  Beating yourself, causing yourself pain, is a hurt that will never actually heal and only makes you weaker.   That pain is a sign that something is very VERY wrong.

I want to be forged in fire.  Let me be like a precious metal; stronger, cleaner, improved and refined.  It’s the difference between being brought through the fire and being left to the flames.  I know the Lord will bring me through and I will emerge on the other side safely.  I’ve been in the flames and I prefer to no longer stand still.