Work

Worked for the first time today. It was nice to be back, since I need the money AND know the routine. Sort of. They've added a lot of stuff but I'm almost back in the groove. Standing invitation to anyone who happens to be on Route 309 in Coopersburg, PA - stop by for coffee or ice cream on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. I'd love to see ya.

It's raining, which means S-'s game is cancelled. I get to go to church tonight for whatever they are calling the Wednesday night service, then meet my mentor tomorrow for a quick catch-up, then plan VBS this time tomorrow.

I'm rereading the Lord of the Rings, which has been very instructive. You see, last time I read them I was a young pipsqueak of fifteen who didn't know much about the world, or even his own shoelaces. Now I'm nice and mature (ok, I'm 19) and I've traveled to Europe. I'm struck by the Europeanness of the books, or my interpretation. All of the scenes are being imposed on the EMW trip scenery, making a wondrous portrait.

I've been reading the book of Isaiah, which is fearfully complicated. I'm afraid the whole Bible is. When I was young, I thought that at some point I'd know all there was to know in the Bible because, after all, it's only a finite number of words and therefore a finite amount of knowledge. I was very wrong. Every time I reread something, I gain a whole new perspective. For now, I'm struck by God's justice as He raises up nations to punish Israel and then punishes those nations for punishing Israel. I'm afraid these dastardly deeds make both predestination and free will seem a bit foolish. God isn't bound by our human constructed concepts (helpful as they may or may not be). He didn't predestine Babylon or Assyria to punish Israel, or else why were they held accountable? And yet He does actively raise those nations up to punish Israel, thus seeming to obliterate free will. Where is the answer? God's sovereignty and man's will are not mutually exclusive.

To veer onto lighter subjects, I had Jon- burst into tears today because he thought I was returning to "cowwege." I'm afraid August is going to be hard.

Later:
Tonight we had a fellowship time at church that focused on diversity of backgrounds but oneness in Christ. When it was asked who was from Asia, one woman stood up. When it was asked who was from Africa, one young man stood up. A few stood up from the Caribbean. No South Americans or Aussies were present. But when Europe was called out, 75 people stood up. And when it was announced that "those with ancestors from Germany should raise their hand," 74 people raised their hand. Gotta love a PA Dutch church.