The Brilliance of Jesus

When most people think of Jesus in our modern day they think of a nice guy, but not very brilliant. This understanding deprives us of the practical power of his teachings. I have been reading a book by Dallas Willard called 'The Divine Conspiracy,' if you want a book to challenge what you believe in and how you act in your life, this book will rattle you a bit. I mean Purpose Driven Life was like a 7 out of 10 rattle my cage book, this is like a 56 out of 10 rattle my cage book. That wasn't a good comparison because they are two totally different books. This is what Dallas says...

"If you play a game of word association today, in almost any setting, you will collect some familiar names around the world such as smart, knowledgeable, intelligent, and so forth. Einstein, Bill Gates, and the obligatory rocket scientists, will stand out. But one person who pretty certainly will not come up in this connection is Jesus. 

Here is a profoundly significant fact: In our culture, among Christians and non-Christians alike,  Jesus Christ is automatically disassociated from brilliance or intellectual capacity. Not one in a thousand will spontaneously think of him in conjunction with words such as well-informed, brilliant, or smart. 

Far too often he is regarded as hardly conscious. He is looked on as a mere icon, a wraithlike semblance of a man, fit for the role of a sacrificial lamb or alienated social critic, perhaps, but little more."

Jesus was the most intelligent scientist. He took five loaves of bread and two fish and multiplied it to feed five thousand (Matthew 14:15-21) 

He was the ultimate doctor. He healed countless amounts of people from city to city He visited. He even brought one man back to life (John 1).

He is the best planner. (Jeremiah 29:11...'For I know the plans I have for you")

It's amazing to me how often we forget how great and big our God is. He is bigger than my mind will ever be able to comprehend. I cannot fit him inside a 'little white box'  like that old camp song claims I can do. I should never doubt the God who fed thousands and thousands with a couple loaves of bread. I should never question the God who healed Lazarus and still heals today. God is active and alive in our world and I tend to miss it too often. 

It's ironic to me how I can doubt and question what God is doing in my life as if I know what is better for me. I'm talking about the guy who created me, how ignorant can I be?

What are your thoughts on Dallas Willard's words?

LORD'S GYM

Yeah that's right, a Christian gym. Exclusively for Christians. It's about time Christians have they're own gym. I mean come on they have basically everything else Christianized. They got they're own clothing line, music industry, and soon grocery stores and probably even cars will be Christianized. But now, GYMS?

A gym in Florida called 'Lord's Gym' is for Christians who want to work out in a "wholesome" place. At Lord's Gym faith is as important as form. Exercise classes include yo-god (thats Christian for yoga), praisercise (thats Christian for jazzercise), and even gospel spinning. I just got so excited I peed a little! I've been waiting for praisercise! 

Don't go to this gym wanting to hear Rihanna or Justin Timberlake, no no not up in this gym. The music over the speakers is all "new agey Christian music" as the owner of the gym puts it. Be careful though because if your on the treadmill while listening to Chris Tomlin you might fall asleep. I suggest if your going to lift weights you listen to Third Day for some hard rockin' motivational work out.

The gym even has artwork! There is a floor-to-ceiling mural of Daniel in the Lion's Den for motivation to beat that lion your facing on the treadmill, or that three pounds your trying to lose. 

It keeps getting better. I know, I know, your thinking this is already amazing how could it get any better? Well, a juice bar that's how! After your faithful "wholesome" workout centered on God, why not re-energize yourself with a smoothie. Yes smoothies, three choices actually! Choose from the 'Land of Milk and Honey' smoothie, 'John the Baptist' smoothie (cannibalism?), or try the 'Joseph's Surprise' smoothie (that sounds kinky and disgusting). I know your wondering well do I get a tall, grande, or vente? Well Lord's Gym doesn't use Starbucks sizes, no no they created they're own sizes. You can choose one of those three smoothies in two sizes, David (small) or Goliath (BIG) How did I not see that one coming!?

Now I know your already putting on your work-out clothes so you can go get spiritually fed and feel great about yourself while praisercizing or yo-goding. But you have to think twice about what you wear to Lord's Gym because there is a dress code. The owner says women should wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, a winter hat (you know the kind bank robbers wear?), and....well actually all they're skin should be covered. The owner said we want men to be able to workout without being tempted to lust or sin. Also women will not have to be self conscious about being 'checked-out.' It's all about creating a comfortable environment. 

What a gym! I don't know about you but I'm in and it's actually pretty affordable. I went and got my membership yesterday and now I can workout there anytime I want. If your interested, it's only 10 good deeds a month. Pretty affordable I think.