Today, we were reading the story of Jesus’ Temptation. We talked about a lot of stuff, but after the Devil offers Jesus anything he wants in the world if he’d only worship the devil, I asked TJ this:

Can the Devil really give Jesus this world? Does he own it or does God?

That started this exchange:

TJ: Um, no, God is in charge.

Me: Are you sure?

Yeah?

Then how come some people do bad things?

You mean like the kid who put graffiti all over the boys bathroom at school?

Yeah, like that. Was that something that serves God or that God did?

No.

Oh… so then God’s not in charge of all things in this world?

(TJ looks really confused at me here)

(I’m kinda stuck myself… I’ve asked a question I don’t really know how to explain to a 9 year old. I’m asking God, how am I going to explain the dichotomy in Scripture that God is more powerful that the devil, but allows a measure of autonomy to him in this world? I’m not even sure I understand this) So I tried this:

Who is in charge of your room?

Um, I am.

Well, what if you wanted to put a big hole in the wall so you could spy on people in the park? Could you do that?

No.

Why not?

Cause you wouldn’t let me.

But I thought you were in charge of your room?

Well, no. You and Mom are.

Well, which is it?

Both I guess. (eyes look up and he smiles) Oh.. I get it. Like God is really in charge but he sorta let’s the devil have his way sometimes, even though ultimately God is in charge. Kinda like you and mom let me make some choices in my room like where I keep my toys and stuff, but really, I can only do what you let me- cuz it’s your house.

Right. (I think)

Phew…. wrestling with theology with my kid scares me. I hope I don’t screw him up too bad.

Saw this on Marko’s blog.

You can play Deal or No Deal online from NBC for fun. And check this bonus… there’s no cloned women holding the suitcases sending more messages than money.

I tried it. My best of 4 rapid tries at it was $274,525 with a suitcase of $50.

If only if it wasn’t pretend.

this scenario happens in my life from time to time:

• I send an e-mail or a phone call to a friend.
  
• No response. Like for a while.
  
• I send an another e-mail or a phone call.
• No response. Like for a longer time.
  
• I wait. I think. I wonder.
• I send a final flare in the air
• No response…
  

Now, the mind game begins:

1. Bet they’re mad a me.
2. No they’re not. You dork. They never got your e-mail. Your e-mail system sucks.
3. Bet I did something wrong.
4. No, they probably are just busy. There is more to life than your calls.
5. Maybe they never got the message.
6. Maybe my friend lost my number.
7. Bet they’re mad at me.
8. They hate me.
9. Maybe they never talk to me again.
10. Maybe I should call again.
11. Maybe they’ll yell at me if I do.
12. I’m over-reacting. I’m like a high school drama queen. Someone slap me.
13. I wish I could just see them so I could ask them face to face.
14. I think they hate me.
15. Yep. They must hate me.
16. …. I’d like to think about something else… but my brain is stupid.

I HATE MY HEAD. I HATE IT WORSE THAT I CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK.

This post by Scott McKnight is worth taking the time to do. Good stuff for thinking about why you believe what you believe and what of it is based on culture and what is not. I asked a few of my own questions in this previous post.

Here’s an interesting read in time magazine this week on the politics of 24.