Reasoning that “because we are like this so must God be like this. In brief, we are made in God’s image (in the true sense of the word: an image being a two-dimensional representation of a three dimensional reality… read “Flatland” for a more thorough philosophical explanation of this topic.)

The doctrine of Imago Dei usually refers to our capacity for reason, abstract thinking, relational need and ability, awareness of a higher power, and relational needs. Much more, however, it refers to God’s concern for us, as we are beings made in his image. And because of this, a human life is a very sacred thing.

Enough of that digression. here is part two of my 9 things. Read part 1 here.

4. Forgetfulness

He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations… Psalm 105:8

I forget things. Namely I forget my promises. I miss meetings, forget birthdays, drop appointments, don’t follow through on many vows. This lets people down and causes them pain.

God always remembers his promises. He always follows through on them. He will never let you down.

Some people feel let down by God. There are many possible reasons for this. Some common ones are that one can expect something from God which he never promised. This is very dangerous to one’s faith. Another is that we are often let down by people and project this on God. This connection is usually strongest with parents, especially fathers.

This lack of faithfulness on my part continually reminds me that I am weak. It also makes me thankful that God is completely faithful.

5. Spatial Finiteness

For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? – Deuteronomy 4:7

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:20

I cannot be everywhere at once. I can only do so much. Very often I must make choices between two good things to be doing. Sometimes this lets someone down. Sometimes I have to let a good opportunity go by. This is a common experience. We like to typify it in action movies where the hero must choose between saving the girl or the crowd…

God is Spirit. He is not limited by space or time. He is near to his people. He is near those who call to him.

9. Doing Wrong

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Jesus

This statement of Jesus (during the sermon on the mount) is crushing. In order to obtain heaven, you must be perfect. If you’ve never done a wrong thing in your life, leave a comment. (I thought not.)

God is perfect, by definition. He is righteous (that means, always right, never wrong…) Every time I screw up, I am reminded that I am not like God (I am a sinner).

More to come.

No time warp or weird movie premise. Our class president mailed us our letters that were written in 7th grade as part of a time capsule project. It was great fun to read. It was also a little eerie to read some of the things I was predicting. I’m curious where I got those ideas from, there’s no way they were original. I’m trying to remember what the tech and gaming landscape of Q1 1993 looked like… I had a Gateway 486 DX computer at home… probably not top of the line at the time, but pretty snappy. I’m fairly certain we didn’t have Internet (AOL!!) at home yet.

Below is the full text (typos and terrible grammar – which I still suffer – intact) of the letter. Check out scans of the letter here and here.

2-21-93

Dear Me,

When I read this I will be much older and different so some of this will sound crazy.

Right now I’m 13 years old. My voice is just starting to change. I about 5’4″ and weigh about 125 lbs. I like to play Dungeons & Dragons, read, play nintendo (which is probably obsolete when I read this.) work with computers. Right now I want to be a Genetic Engineer. Righ now this letter is beginning to sound alot like the song by Van Halen “Right Now” which reminds me I like to listen to music. Especially hard rock & heavy metal. School is switching over to outcome-based education. It sounds pretty neat. Right now by best friend is Ahren Grebner. Some of my other friends are, [long list of names....]. The last 4 of those are from my old school from where I just moved at the beginning of this school year. I like to write stories especially comedies. I haven’t writtin any recently because of lots of things that are going on. I think I have a pretty good sense of humor.

I don’t have many predictions for the future. I think I’ll have a pretty good job and a pretty nice house. I don’t know if I’ll be married or not I probably will be and I might even have a kid or two. I think most cars will run on alchohol or batteries if we even have cars. But I don’t want to make any guesses because they will most likely be way off. Every generation has a vision of the future with colonies on the moon and mars and flying cars and regular cruises through space. I don’t think it will be like that at all. If there is anything that I will guess it is that we will have such advanced technology that video games will come through radio waves allowing several people from all over the world to participate in the same tournaments. Also I think movies directors will shoot special footage just for video game graphics. Well that’s my letter Bye!

Things I was right about:

• Future vision of X-box live and Internet gaming ;-)
• No flying cars, commercial space flights, or moon colonies
• Video game cinematics and motion-capture CGI-type effects.

Partially right about

• Ethanol / Flex fuel cars
• I have a GREAT job
• I have a GREAT house
• I am definitely married
• I have one kid and another on the way :)