Wasteland by Need to Breathe
Yeah in this wasteland where I’m livin’
There is a crack in the door filled with light – And it’s all that I need to get by
Yeah in this wasteland where I’m livin’
There is a crack in the door filled with light – And it’s all that I need to shine
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” – John 1:1-9
We live within a great paradox. While we work hard to control the circumstances and issues of our lives, many things are dictated by things out of our control. These things are not insignificant in their power to impact our peace of mind and our contentment about where we have come, who we are, and where we feel we are headed. We will consider some of such questions as these essays and stories unfold.
“Why are things are the way they are?” is one of the great questions of life. Why is disappointment and turbulence around every corner?
√ How has my heart coped with such challenges and the relational impact?
√ How have I experienced personal comfort?
√ Have I learned to share and give solace and reassurance to others?
More often than not, life has delivered us some kind of turbulence – even chaos. Imperfection resides everywhere, and pain and uncertainty surround us in the form of challenges and disappointments – even within our most cherished hopes and dreams. This unpredictable mix reaches out to cover even the endings of our journeys as well. What exactly does happen when I die?
Some are convinced the evolution of mankind is upward, with a certainty of elevated arrival. Others are less optimistic. Their view of history and human nature precludes embracing a rising trajectory. Most of us live somewhere between these polarities.
From the atheist to the faith-zealot on the life continuum, each of us has assembled our core beliefs which shape our world view. And we make our life decisions accordingly. These are very individual, personal, and powerful. Which and how are each true of you?
√ I am captivated by scientific thought. The sheer weight of knowledge which has come to light during my lifetime is remarkable. I am swept up in all things beautiful, and science and nature feed the deepest parts of who I am with their focus on the macro and the micro – the great and the small.
√ I enjoy the reasoning processes and conclusions of philosophical thinkers as well. There are multiplied ways to look at any one aspect of life, and I find it stimulating to contemplate the thoughts of other active thinkers, contemporary or historical, within their own life contexts.
√ The role of faith within history and human contemplation of ultimate meaning is fascinating and has shaped human story in significant ways. I, personally, draw clear lines between faith and religion, consulting Jesus for clarity about this.
Consequently, we choose to be determined and not blindly accept either ancient or modern platitudes or unfounded speculations. We believe our intellect, our internal being, and our capacity for human impact is inseparably linked within science, philosophy, and faith. These essays pursue such lines of reflection.
It seems to us we are born into a world at war. Turbulence and Imperfection are the arena where our stories unfold. Our hope is that these podcasts (and the book) will be helpful as you navigate the challenging and weighty aspects of the impact of this on our minds, bodies, souls, and consciences. Finding hope is crucial.
“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait with longing for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighing weights too deep for words. He who searches hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for His saints according to the will of God.” – Romans 8:24-27
Dave and Burnadette Nadler
Perfect Storm – thots both sad and hopeful
Focus, Forgive, Family
Goodness & Severity
Bending Before True Power