Page 32 - March 2014 Catalyst

tI he Foundation oF a living Faith
f you were even remotely tuned in to our god is too small
television during the mid to late 90’s Like the little canine, we are all on a quest
you are familiar with America’s love a air with Gidget the dog. She became so popu- lar that she ew rst-class, opened up the New York Stock Exchange, and even made an appearance at Madison Square Garden. Gidget starred in numerous commercials and transcended the “burger wars” in which numerous fast-food chains were actually producing advertisements against one an- other. You will remember her as the Taco Bell chihuahua, probably assuming it was a boy dog. Often dressed in classic Mexi- can gear, she spoke using special e ects via the professional voice of Carlos Alazraqui. Many of her lines became mainstream to American culture: “Yo quiero Taco Bell!” “Viva Gorditas!” “Drop the chalupa!”
My personal favorite rst appeared in 1998. e scene featured the downtown streets of a large city late at night. Homemade signs were posted in various places pointing the way to a plate of tacos on the sidewalk. Gidget stood expectantly near her “bait”. In her mouth was a rope tied to a stick holding up a box. She was ready for her unsuspecting prey. In the darkness of the night she called out, “Here, lizard, lizard!”
Unexpectedly, a loud and threatening growl and imposing shadow steals the moment. A hungry and aggressive Godzilla appears. At the sight of the oversized monster rep- tile, the little dog promptly drops the rope and, in apparent shock, utters, “Uh-oh! I think I need a bigger box!”
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to nd something that ultimately proves bigger than our expectation or capac- ity. Regardless, every soul searches. Some discoveries prove to be misguided. Oth- ers are completely transformational. Most are somewhere in between. In any case, we need the bigger and better box of a clear biblical understanding and a regular re- newal in the truth of the one true God.
Have you ever considered that all of your life is ultimately an expression of your the- ology? Let’s go slow here, as theology is not a topic usually discussed during early breakfast or casual conversation. e word comes from two Greek terms: “theos,” which means “God” and “logos,” which pri- marily refers to the “study of ” something. Most simply, theology is “our view of God.” is personal view exerts a great in uence on us because everyone ultimately lives out his or her belief (or lack thereof ) about the existence and character of God. is belief shapes identity, forms a sense of purpose, and determines our real values in life.
Proverbs tells us repeatedly that, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Applying practical truth to daily life begins with our understanding of God. Knowing how we should live is anchored in the bed- rock of our God-concept.
smorgasbord sPirituality
Today, our culture has taken advantage of the exploding list of options to create their own smorgasbord-designed understanding
march 2014