It took five hours to make the trip from Tulsa, OK to Glen Rose, TX.  The museum is an under-funded converted barn, with only one exhibit that seemed unique or treasured.  The museum was established on the site of the discovery of a fossilized human foot-print that had been slightly blemished by the print of a dinosaur’s paw.  This exhibit is presented as a proof that man and dinosaurs coexisted in the same time in human history instead of being separated by at least 500 million years as the natural evolutionist claim.

Personally, I have long believed that the earth is only thousands of years old.  I have held this believe as a non-essential of my faith.  I have enjoyed learning scientific research that confirms what I believe to be the “Biblical record of creation.”  On the other-hand, I have never felt defensive of this believe.  I’ve heard others express disdain for my belief (not knowing I held it).  And, I’ve heard some express disdain for those who oppose this belief.  I imagine you have too.

Now, I have this opportunity to tell you what hearing my belief extolled, explained, and celebrated means to me.  As the founder of the museum lectured on “the crystalline canopy that was part of the atmosphere of the earth prior to the world-wide flood” I experienced several strong feelings: 1) I felt so loved.  For instance, one of the theories that Dr. Carl Baugh elaborated on was “the song of the morning star” spoken of in Psalms.  Dr. Baugh drew on reports from NASA that detail the different natural radio signals emitted by different planets.  One is described as a series of whistles, another as a deep-throated hum, and another as various sequences of percussions.  Together, the planets create a symphony.  Dr. Baugh claims that the atmosphere of the earth prior to the flood included an electromagnetic field that actually attracted and amplified this symphony and broadcast it to the earth from the sky for an hour or so each day.  2) I felt like my life really matters.  I am not one of thousands or millions of generations upon this earth. I am part of a generation that participates in profound changes such as each generation of the people of God have during this short history of the people of God.  And, 3) I felt excited for the possibility of Jesus’ impending return.  Anticipating a short history of the world creates a profound anticipation that excites and delights me.

I’m not sharing any of this to prove or convince anyone of my belief.  I still do not think it is essential to a faith in Jesus.  I do, however, want to share the feelings such a belief inspires in me.

I used to practice spiritual disciplines.  Now, I just allow myself to indulge in the means of grace.  When I need encouragement that God’s plan for me is wise and loving even when I don’t like my circumstances I read the Bible.  If I’m really struggling I may meditate on select verses or even memorize a pertinent chapter.  I know God will comfort my anxious thoughts and calm my racing thoughts.  So, when I need to, I indulge myself.

When I feel certain compulsions to self-destructive and/or demeaning behaviors, I may treat myself to a day of fasting or some intense physical exercise.  Once again, God accepts my invitation to minister to me by calming my body.  Or, when I feel tired or alone, I go to church and let my pastor spoon feed me some life-nourishing truth and let the worship team draw me into their fellowship of praise.  I may even be treated to an invitation to celebrate communion with God and saints throughout history through receiving the Eucharist.  I feel the passions to love and care for others poured into me through these means of grace.  I unapologetically indulge myself.

Back when I used to think of myself primarily as “a Believer” I practiced spiritual disciplines in hopes of discovering the right things to believe.  When I thought of myself primarily as “a Disciple” I practiced spiritual disciplines in order to be obedient to the principles of God.  But, now-a-days, I think of myself as first and foremost as a child of God, adopted into the family of God.  I rejoice in my forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice on my behalf.  I depend upon the Holy Spirit to continue the works of sanctification that has been begun within me.  I cast all my cares on Him, and put away those “spiritual disciplines”.  I’m just a child.  I can’t be expected to be smart enough, strong enough, caring enough, and stable enough to accomplish those disciplines.  Instead, I will indulge myself in the means of grace.