playing with poseidon

S2 asked for help because he wanted to enter a LEGO® contest. The object is to build something based on a scenario and then submit a picture of it. This one is a robot with a trident and some other tool in his right hand. Somehow or other, this thing helps police catch thieves in their getaway cars.

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I asked a few questions and tried to coach him in such a way that he ended up with his own concept, and promised I would help him take pictures. Hopefully, they are not looking for pro stuff or expert photos.

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He really, really wants to win this thing, but I don't want him to hang all his hopes on the company's prize. If he is too fixed on that prize, he misses out on so much. Don't get me wrong; I want him to try to win, but not at the expense of missing out on the rest of the experience. I told him to enter, and even come up with multiple entries if that is allowed. I'll keep taking pictures and we can have fun together so that he finds a way to play like a winner, regardless of the outcome.

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This idea of living in the moment is what a former pastor referred to as having the mindset of a "sojourner" versus "settler." It is not always easy to be fully engaged in the here and now, especially when a fixation with the destination consumes our vision. I hope he can learn this lesson.

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(thinking) A trident for a robot?? He really likes that Greek Mythology game on the computer!

favorite things

A friend said that his favorite aspect of Christmas is the incarnation itself. More than anything else, he enjoys knowing that God became a man and came to mankind. That’s quite a bit different from what many people think religion is about. For many, religion is about man’s attempt to reach God or even reach some form of godhood. But at Christmas, God comes to us in more than one way.

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God comes to us in the sense that He actually takes on flesh, but he also comes to us in the sense that He has bridges the chasm separating us from His divine favor.

The image above is from the Lego Bible, illustrated by Rev. Brendan Powell Smith. He has a fun idea there with all those neat Bible story scenes, but his momma oughtta slap him for some of his crude images.