The Absent-Minded Inventor

(I wrote this on October 17, 2009 in my blue book when I was struck with the absurdity of nihilism, although I see other applications for it as well (i.e.: inspirational aspects and also universalist theology). You can find other blue book entries on the Thoughts page.)

Returning to my deliberations on purpose, I begin a story: Once there was an inventor, a master of machinery and technology. He had his duties and roles to fill like everyone else, but he was most dedicated to his life’s work, his invention.

For years he worked on it. Day and night he could be found in his study drawing sketches, scribbling ideas, or in his workshop tinkering with some gear or metal plate. He loved his invention more than anything. He sacrificed everything he had so that it might be perfect.

Finally, when he was very old and very tired, he revealed his invention to his friends and family. They, of course, were stunned by its magnificence. They had never seen anything so lovely.

But the amazement stopped there when the inventor’s friend asked, “But what does it do?” The inventor had no answer.

Links Changes

So today I made a few changes to the links page and I feel like I should explain my reasoning for dropping a few of them.

The first two I dropped were the links to the Atheist Network and to an article by a person named Wulf providing reasons that Christianity is false. My reason for deleting these is that they have become superfluous and irrelevant in my life. Also, I must add that the only reason I kept them up after returning to Christianity was for the sake of not seeming spiteful. I wanted the record to show that although I was rather brutally cast out of the atheist society after re-converting, I held no grudges. That, of course, was simply not the case. I was bitter and self-righteous. So, be free of my grudge, atheist friends.

The other two links I dismantled were those to Tentmaker, a library of universalist knowledge, and to L. Ray Smith’s essays. I simply find myself stepping away from a need to prove universalism to others. If you believe it, wonderful; it really is a beautiful and breath-taking gospel. If not… I’m just tired of arguing. I am, of course, always open to friendly discussion and should anyone feel the need to ask questions about my beliefs, please, speak up!

I will link them here in this entry if you are interested in pursuing those places on the web, but they will no longer appear on my links page.

On another note, I did add a link to Thorns and Myrtles, another wordpress blog that is beautifully worded and artfully crafted. I encourage readers to view her writing.

Penguins,

Amanda

Upside Down and Backwards

As a universalist, people have often asked me what the purpose of life is. After all, armenianism seems to propose that life is a test. Spiritual pop-quiz, kids! Who will pass and who will fail?

But I think it’s a rather backwards inquiry. The point was always eternal life, from our very creation in the garden. The real question is: from whence comes death? And I think we owe ourselves for that one.

Our Father warned us– if you eat of the forbidden fruit, you will surely die. And when he saw us shrug and taste its poison anyway, he came down to save us.

As the scriptures say: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (I Cor. 15:55)

Yes, we shall surely die. But by the love and compassion of our Father, death is brought to its feet and we breathe new life.

Penguins,

Amanda