The Empty

We've had some snow and now some ice in Chicagoland, so the snow has a crunchy top on it. When I went out with my dogs before bed last night, I realized one of the things that I really enjoy about the cold and snow.  You have to gear up - and you get to wear cool gear with cool names. I have boots called Timberwolves. I have gloves, a hat, a fleece, an outer shell. Gear!

As I was saying, the snow has a crunchy coating on top now. So I am crunching through the rugged, snow covered terrain under the moonlight - well, as rugged as it gets in my backyard - and I realize that I think this is fun. I can defy the elements with my gear and with my wits if need be. The crisp air on my cheeks make me feel alive and alert. Plus, I make cool crunchy noises when I walk. Kinda like a giant monster crushing Tokyo.

I'm ripping my Rush CDs today and listening to some stuff along the way that I haven't heard in a while. One of these old favorites is "The Trees" and is one of those messages that is still relevant.

It is about equality, oppression, and entitlement. Here are the lyrics:

There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas

The trouble with the maples
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade

There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream 'Oppression!'
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
'The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light'
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe and saw

This pretty much sums up my view that a lot of the efforts enacted by the US government end up limiting one group instead of enabling another group. Another angle to look at in this metaphor of the trees is how to come to a proper solution. The Oaks are by nature taller than the Maples. That cannot be helped unless drastic measures are taken by hatchet, axe, and saw :). Just talking about trees, one could suggest separate groves of Maples within the Oaks but that brings up the issue of segregation. Segregation is fine and dandy for trees, but people tend to frown upon it :). What's the answer? Let me know when you figure it out so we can stop all the fighting.

We recently moved into a new house - well, new to us - and we've had a lot of yard work to do. I use the royal 'we' there, as my wife has done most of that work. As my wife was doing said work one day, a lady who presumably also lives in our neighborhood walked by and said hello. After exchanging pleasantries, my wife moved to end the conversation by saying that she was trying to finish up her yard work before the rain that was expected that day came. The neighbor lady's response: "Oh, then I'll pray for you."

Whoever this lady is, she must be pretty darn important if she has the clout to get The Lord to alter time and space for the sake of a little yard work. My impression has always been that God is not some djinni that grants wishes in return for polishing a lamp.
I see this as a sign that points to a major problem in the way Christian Americans view God and prayer. Before I go any further than that, I'd like to point out that this is my own opinion and not intended as a slander against anyone's religion. I think religion is very important and I wouldn't say anything at all if I did not. Also assume that the people I am talking about here are Christians from the USA. They are the only ones I have expertise in :). Now, to business. People, at heart, seem to have a dischordant view of how God works. They view communing with God in prayer and formal worship as very important, but if one claimed that God had spoken to him or her they would be considered a nutjob.

People generally accept that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. People also accept that bad things in the world like famine, disease, and terrorism are 'part of His plan.' So, we can allow a little famine now and then, but we'd sure like a Divine Intervention for yard work. Sports teams praying for guidance and perhaps an extra Divine Edge also fall into this category.
People also love love love to thank God for awards - especially televised awards. Did they thank God for the free stuff that they got for just being a nominee? The cell phones, the jewelry, the clothes? Of course it is appropriate to offer thanks, but I just wonder what they really think they are being thankful for. Are they thankful for the vote that got them the award? Are they thankful that everyone else in the category sucked? Are they thankful that God must have somehow manipulated something in some special way just to bring them to this moment? My gut tells me the latter, and that is the height of narcissism.

My view from what I have read in that Book - you know, The Bible - and from what I have been taught and experienced is that God is not magic (irregardless of what Sarah Silverman says). Taking into account the aforementioned 'Omnis,' God put things in motion at the beginning and that was enough. Everything else must fall into place from that single action of creation. There's no 'last minute save' to rectify a situation if He has absolute power over His creation. God can't have an afterthought and change things around if it is already perfect as He intended - and it has to be.

Now, I know that I don't have any more right than the next guy to try to define God and related issues. Like I said before, this is only my opinion on what I see. There's also more to this, but that will have to wait for another day.