Whats Important?

I've been having fun lately. I have been expressing my opinions lately. I have been loud and clear...for a normally quiet person...very loud. I got an email from a man named John Shelby Spong. He is a leader in a large denomination of church folk, and carries the title of bishop. He got a letter from someone who stated that looking at the christmas story in the bible was no longer possible given their intellect. That as a "progressive christian" they could not reconcile what was in the bible with their intellect when it comes to the christmas story.
Bishop Spong responded with the answer that the bible cant be taken literally. That virgin births do not happen. That stars dont move across the sky slowly. That wise men do not follow stars to a manger. That angels do not appear to lowly shepherds to announce good tidings. That pregnant women do not ride on donkeys, and that there was no census by the romans. That God's son would be born in a manger is not to be taken literal. That no leader would have children two years and under killed to remove competition. He goes on to ridicule the story to such an extent that he questions the intellect and sanity of anyone who would believe such nonsense.
I guess im crazy, and dumb, because I believe God can make a star move slowly across the night sky to guide wise men to a manger where a virgin birth occurs. I believe angels can appear to shepherds to announce this occurrence. I believe the whole story. I believe in the integrity of the bible, and that God can do anything to achieve His purpose. I also believe people abandon the truth for a lie.
It saddens me because the power of the gospel is lost in this. Jesus said some amazing things would happen if we believe. If our bishops are reducing the gospel to a "cute story" that is only metaphor and illusion, written by mere men to try to get a positive attitude from the reader then I am in trouble. You see the good bishop goes on to say that people dont get raised from the dead. That demons dont exist, only mental illness. That sick people dont get healed, and captives are just disorders in a person that should be treated with medicine. Not only does he deny the truth of the gospel, but he denies the power of it also.
The bible says that people will think themselves to be wise and in doing so will become fools. It also says "the way of a fool seems right to him." I cannot deviate from God's word...in any fashion. I have already gone my "way" and it did not go well for me. I do not claim to understand all of the bible, but I choose to believe it, all of it; and not try to rationalize it away so that I can claim to be a man with the answer. In doing so, according to the good bishop, that makes me naive, and of no use to "the church".

Graduation

Im doing a funeral today. I have mixed feelings about it so as I blog this might not make alot of sense. Sometimes to work out these feelings I will write....sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesnt. My friend Marty is a new convert. He had a spiritual awakening about two months ago. God did a miracle in his life and got him out of a tough situation. We had prayed for God to intervene and God exceeded our expectations. Ever since then Marty has been attending church, reading his bible, and growing in the Lord. It really blesses my heart to see it.
Last week he called, frantic and upset. His mother had a stroke, and was on life support. The doctors called it a massive stroke and it appeared that she would not regain conciousness. They said if she did she would probably be in a vegetative state...alas all hope seemed to be gone. Marty asked me what to do.... i replied pray...pray hard and ask God to heal her. I had prayed for her heart about 6 months ago when she was having heart problems and she had been blessed by the Lord, so now it was time to pray some more.
Marty prayed, and he prayed, and he prayed. After three days his mom actually showed some slight improvement and was communicating with others by squeezing their hands. Then just as suddenly she lost all brain activity, slipped into a coma, and died the next day.
My heart hurts for Marty...I see the confusion in him. I see the disappointment, and the hurt, and I cant help but wonder what he is thinking. When God says no, and you dont expect it, and He says no in such a critical time.....sometimes its hard to swallow.
So today im going to talk about it. Im going to try and encourage, give hope, reiterate the importance of being ready for such a day....but im feeling very hollow about the whole thing. The truth is for us left behind its a very painful time, and sometimes its difficult grasping the God of all comfort.
100 years from now, none of this will matter. God's word will reign just as it does now, I will see it clearly then. There will be no more suffering, no more tears, no more pain. Marty will be with his mom...ill be with mine, and we will be with God. Jesus will explain things to me I didnt understand, ill probably see I suffered mentally because of my lack of understanding. The truth is Marty's mom graduated to heaven.....I can see her in her cap and gown, waving at me with her diploma in hand as she walks into the arms of the Father. Im happy for her....but for some reason im still sad inside....maybe im thinking more about myself then i should....peace.