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"Coincidences are God's way of remaining anonymous." - not sure the original source. If candy corn and the number 29 help someone to remember that God loves her/him, I think that's wonderful. Sometimes it really is the little things.

~Megan

I think megan is right.

On another note: Did Jung believe in God?

All those surprises he mentioned above *and* a fully pre-crushed package of Ritz Chips (*just* when I was hungry for something crunchy, but have a temporary filling in place so I'm not really supposed to do much crunching! Coincidence? I think not!! ;-) )

((Cue U2 music: (S)He moves in mysterious ways...))

(((Not to mention a paper coaster from the Sheraton hotel chain -- wooo!)))

Sounds like you hit our neighborhood just right when you Googlized my address, Gordon. We got lucky in moving here around 30 years ago, before the road was even in, and haven't seen any good reason to leave. If you ever need a roof over your head in the Bay Area, just say the word :-)

"All those surprises he..."

That was me,

Carroll (still not clued in on how to avoid being "Anonymous" around here all the time)

((sigh))

rlp,
I got my books yesterday in Canton, Ohio. You asked how far I am from the Pro Football HOF. I am about 4 miles away, I would guess. I used to live close enough to be able to hear the annual HOF game over the stadium sound system and the Goodyear blimp would circle over my house. Good times, then. My new neighborhood is much quieter :)
Thanks for the copy of the christmas story and the plumbago.
Tracy

gravellizard

When are coincidences no longer a coincidence? I have had a couple of rather ordinary events in my life with a large number of coincidences associated with them to make me think those coincidences had to be more than just coincidences.

I think one of the problems with many Christians is they are always looking for God’s zebras (those very extraordinary things like walking on water, the blind seeing, water turning to wine, etc). But I have come to believe God has surrounded our lives with ordinary horses (those ordinary events sometimes called coincidences). Many are looking so hard for God’s zebras they fail to see Gods common ordinary horses around them. It is exciting when you start to recognize God’s horses.

The problem is this kind of thinking brings in the question as to why do bad things happen to people. Books have been written on this subject. I don’t know the answer. I would just like to say that if we lived in a perfect world there would be no need for that little word called “faith”.

Gravellizard

I believe it is God. When I read it ... all I could say was "Amen."

-Dr. Bubba
(A physicist which means skeptical by default but not when it comes to God working in our lives. Even during times of trouble I see God working in our lives.)

I notice that you've mentioned including ramen seasoning packets several times. As a confirmed "ramen is my comfort food" ex-college-student, I was wondering... What do you do with the associated noodles?

(Personally, I'd eat them -- they kind of taste like potato chips before they're cooked, but I know that's just my weird mental aberration.)

Kate

I hate to be the cynic, but this reminds me of when my Grandmother used to tell me that she thought about Grandpa in his rocking chair all day and then couldn't stop seeing rocking chairs all over the place...obviously a gift from Grandpa and "GodHimself." Hmmm, G-ma...maybe its because you live in retirement condos and the place is just crawling with rocking chairs. I'm just saying...

Can't we just let a coincidence be a coincidence? Seriously, if I have to start searching my everday experiences for secret messages from god, I'm gonna be really exhausted. Not to mention, people might start thinking I've gone loco.

Gordon,
you are a strange breed to me. Sometimes you seem very orthodox and mystical, but othertimes it seems like it pains you to chalk something up to the supernatural...
I wonder why such conflict? Why such a fierce skeptisism, when one is in the "God" business so to speak?

These are deeply personal questions and you dont have to answer if you dont want to.

So, rlp, traffic has picked up considerably over at the candy corn story which prompted me to tell the story that originally got me thinking differently about God and coincidences and all that stuff make some people skeptical. I think God gives us signs to make us wonder. His glory is all around us. I believe he longs for us to notice. Just my personal opinion. I'm really enjoying this, are you?

Greetings from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I live by a small pond which is not counted in the 10,000. I received your book a few days ago with three of your surprises; a Sheraton Hotel paper coaster, a small bag of honey-roasted peanuts courtesy of Southwest Airlines and a ticket to some architectural exhibit honoring Frank Lloyd Wright. There is a connection between San Antonio and Twin Cities. You are near the Southern terminus of Interstate 35 and I am near the Northern terminus. RLP, I appreciate your insights, honesty and clarity of writing. Your thoughts about faith resonate with me and give much comfort and help and for that I thank you.
Terry S

Hi RLP just got my book in time to go on Continuing Ed....Poor thing that I am,I have to spend five days at Carmel Beach reading (yikes) Your book is first of 9 that I have on my desk to read. Loved the Krispy Kreme Hat (it will look fetching tomorrow as I preach) Yes that's my little pink church on gorgeous land in California (I'm doubly lucky). Blessings (oh and the chicken on the Celtic Disk?????)
shalom and keep on writing (please)
Gail in San Bruno

If I have God within me, and God is chuckling a little at the experience, then if I want candy corn or the number 29 are they not likely to show up with mirth? Yes, it may be because my perception becomes aware of what is already there to be observed, and yes, it may be that my desires or God's desires have influenced existence, and still again it may be that Existence, being fashioned by God's presence within it, has influenced my perception. Whatever way, I think the joke is probably on me.

If God were actually all of Being, would my expectations and what I notice not have some degree of congruence with this Being?

Does it really even matter?

Probably. Almost certainly, but likely not as we expect.

Still working on what matters,
Steve

PS Very cool site. My first post. Am a past pastor, a marriage and family therapist, and was sent to this site by my psychic who used to read and comment when RLP was still anonymous...

Got my book today and thanks. I love candy corn, the coaster with the big S on it is nice (did it belong to Superman?), but the Frank Lloyd Wright bookmark thing was great! I am a big, huge FLW fan. I've been to Oakpark to his studio, taken the homes tour, bought books, etc. I either was an architect in a previous life or am gearing up for that career when I come back around. Anyway, thanks. But the book is the real treasure. I'm sitting there reading after I get the candy corn out of the book (without noticing which page it was in), laughing. I'm laughing because I'm reading the post about finding the perfect church, but also to keep from crying because right before that I read the post about your Jewish friends, plus what you said about the moon. I had to stop reading one post altogether and save it for later because I could not bear to feel those emotions coming like waves so close together. Good writing. Honest writing. Makes me want to be a better writer. And a more honest preacher. Thanks. -- Chuck

Wow.

When I read this entry, the entry directly above it (the one about your life/profession changes) had 29 comments.

Spooky!

I actually got the packet of shout. I'm a klutz and do have the tendency to spill food (or other random crap) on myself, so the shout packet was a nice surprise. God or coincidence? Sometimes I'm not sure...but maybe God is in that coincidence... (c:

And by the way, thanks for getting the book to me quickly despite the busy-ness that is your life. (c:

*funny side note...I'm in Massachusetts and I had to chuckle when you put "Go Sox" on my note. Why? you may ask...it makes perfect sense, I live in MA, right? Well, I'm actually just out here for the year going to school and my home is Denver, CO. It was hard to root for those Rockies out here with the die-hard Sox fans..but, they were all quite nice about the whole thing (tho that may just be b/c they kicked CO ass) (c;

To Preacer Gordon Atkinson!!!
This is your wake up call, if you are a preacer of GOD!!!
Then you should know the day you are going to stand in front of HIM it will be with all of your explannations and predictions of his laws.
Hope you know what your doing
Have a nice trip to HEAVEN!!!

Lynette