And, you’ve got a point- the banjo is possibly a good representation of America. Brought over from Africa and adapted to European folk music, to jazz, to folk music (and somewhat unfortunately, to country & western). And there’s a good dose of liberalism in there as well. The Star-Spangled Banjo.

Perhaps the essence for you of the banjo is that it is an American instrument, created by slaves, yes, but still original in the way that they formed and shaped it in the United States. And there is the American Exceptionalism aspect in your conservative American herat.

There is nothing…nothing at all that we can give up…or do…that will be good enough.

It’s far too late for that.

Thanks for the encouragement, Alden.

Forgive me if my thoughts are poorly constructed.

Certainly the God of the Bible acts, but have you never noticed that God is always there when you need him most, despite our having made shameful decisions time and time again? How often would we be there for someone who shames or insults us over and over again? But in my experience God chooses to stick around and forgives all if we but ask.

Why does the God of the Bible love the humble? Those he calls his friends are typically known for their humility. Could it be because these men and women are reflecting his image, becoming like him?

In my experience, God patiently awaits our turn towards him and then rushes in to encourage us in these healthier/wiser choices. That is not to say that he isn’t moving heaven and earth around us to show us the foolishness of our ways. But he appears to respect our choices and will let us destroy ourselves if we are determined to do so. God appears to me to be modeling how he hopes we will treat others. It takes strength to choose to see our own sin rather than blame our neighbor.

Certainly God could make us do whatever he wants, but it appears that he chooses a different relationship with his sons and daughters. He seems to value us and this relationship far above anything we can comprehend. I believe he is seeking to work with us, not for us. He has sacrificed everything to make this possible. He is asking us to do the same.

This life on earth is temporary and provides us an opportunity to learn how to live, how to learn, how to forgive and how to love. He is preparing us for something greater.

My theology may have holes in it. It probably does. I am a work in progress.

That doesn’t sound like much of a God, to me.

I much prefer the God of the Bible who acts…for us. Who chooses us, while we were yet sinners. Who made the decision…for us…on the cross…and in our Baptisms.

To me, that is a REAL GOD.

Thanks.