A Finite View of the Infinite

2011 Retrospect

2011-12-30T08:35:00.002-07:00

I think this year deserves copious reflection in order to prepare for 2012 and the new challenges and opportunities I and my family will encounter. I hope to post my answers in a few days.

20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
5. Pick three words to describe 2011.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).
8. What were the best books you read this year?
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.

I found this list of reflection questions at simplemom.net.

The year of Discontent

2011-12-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

The social world has been void of my presence lately simply because I find it laborious and of no value to me--it's a waste of time. I have neglected this blog for similar reasons. Additionally, the title of the blog and my profile blurb are not true. I am not satisfied in anything, least of all God. I am not striving to encourage my son or husband in their pursuit of Christ. I am still finite but I have no view of the infinite; my vision is blurry and trained on lesser things at the moment. I am a hypocrite.

The year of 2011 is the year of Discontent. I am discontent, even dissatisfied with myself, my abilities, my job, my accomplishments, my efforts, my parenting, my thesis, my God, my life. I even find myself disappointed by those I love because I have placed unfair and unrealistic expectations on them. I blame everyone but myself for my current habitation of a pit excavated by myself.

Even in my confession I am self-centric; pronouns referring to myself thus far in this post: 27.

When in such a state, this dog returns to the refuse of the destroyed relationship. The longing for connection, for someone to confide in, removed enough to ensure transparency, though able to understand on an emotional, spiritual level--the objective third party. And yet, thoughts toward that party are less than objective. The opinions carry more weight than any deserve. Perhaps it is not as safe as desired. Perhaps not as objective either.

The lust in my veins is sickening--lust for a kind word, company in this pit. And here I am content. Contentment in discontent simply because exertion to escape is too daunting. I am content to do nothing.

I am in quite dire straits.

Know your heart...

2011-09-07T15:03:00.000-06:00

A very wise imperative >> Know Your Heart and Don't Believe It

Orphans

2011-07-01T12:48:00.002-06:00

Something that has been floating around my head for a while...God-Centered Missional Adoption and Orphan Ministry

Chemophobia

2011-06-23T09:56:00.000-06:00

I am not alone in my irritation at marketing campaigns touting "chemical-free" products when very few things are not chemicals. Additionally, chemicals are not something to fear, but to understand as they are the very building blocks of our existence.

This is a good summary of the quandary scientists face in this emotionally fueled marketing trend >> My Chemically Fueled Life

Motherhood as a Mission Field

2011-06-17T21:43:00.000-06:00

I wish I had read this in the early months of my son's life. I needed this encouragement so dearly.

Motherhood as a Mission Field

The Pitfall Of Perfectionism

2011-06-02T13:50:00.002-06:00

The Pitfall Of Perfectionism

Parenting Daughters

2011-03-06T00:20:00.000-07:00

I do not have a daughter, yet. I love my son and fully intend to enjoy raising him. However, I was and am a daughter who still has much growing to do. I love my dad and believe that he and Mom did their best raising me and my siblings. At the same time, I so wish someone would have spoken this truth into his life while my sister and I were still young. I remember vying for a kind word from him, working just to be noticed and acknowledged. At times when I was noticed, the words were less than what I expected or desired. I know this has affected me and continues to affect my marriage and will probably influence my parenting.

None of us has escaped childhood unscathed by something a parent has or has not said to us. I pray that as my friends and I marry and start families, we will strive to minimize the wounds we pass on to our own children. With that said, even if you are not a father or even a husband, please read the article linked below. It will give you great insight into women and prepare you for the day you might have a little girl hanging on your every word.

>>>Parenting Daughters by Pastor Dave Bruskas

A song of ascents

2011-03-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

Psalm 126:1-3 (New International Version, ©2011)

Psalm 126:1-3
A song of ascents.

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

Saying you’re having a hard time “connecting” at church. | Stuff Christians Like

2011-03-03T12:44:00.004-07:00

Truth in a delicious wrapper of sarcasm >> here

Fears for my son: Biblical Sexuality

2011-02-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

Parenthood has been quite the ride these past 10 months and 18 days. I love my son as I have never loved anything before. Any expression on his face or little accomplishment does not go unnoticed or without celebration. He is a vital part of my heart and I love him. I only want all that is best and beautiful for him. But in that desire for his life, there will be challenges in teaching him what is right, especially since what is right is often incredibly unpopular. It seems the world accepts or even encourages sin as long as it is "safe" or "victimless." How do I tell him there is no such thing?

One of my fears centers around teaching him a correct, biblical view of sex. I thought I had learned the correct view growing up, but I see now that I did not have the whole story. I never knew that the compromises I made would affect my marriage and even my ability to be a good parent to my children.

Thankfully, Christian leaders are coming forward to help adults and children alike learn the beauty of sexuality as God intended. One such leader is Mark Driscoll and his wife. I read a post on the Resurgence website that offered some good general advice and helpful, though heartbreaking, information about sexuality among children today. It was very thought provoking and reminded me that I want to be proactive, not reactive, in raising my son to know what is right. I encourage other parents to consider discussing this and other important topics before the child asks the question. Be prepared; do your research and prayerfully consider how to best communicate with your child.

As a parent, we are charged with a heavy, beautiful, exciting, wonderful task of molding another person. Let us take hope in the promises of God and His faithfulness to supply what is needed. In this case, I need heaps of wisdom!

Beautiful!

2010-10-12T23:08:00.004-06:00

Two of the best things in my life...

2010-04-14T09:09:00.003-06:00

Welcome to our first child, a little boy!

Having a son is really quite an amazing thing. He's just one more display of God's love for us.

Reflection

2009-12-29T01:07:00.002-07:00

As I think about the past months, reading old blog posts and personal journal entries, I am somewhat surprised at how different my thoughts and struggles are now after eight months of marriage, 4 months of pregnancy, and one year of graduate studies. Of course I had anticipated a ridiculous amount of change after my wedding, yet there is no method of preparation for all that has come.

I am so very blessed to have my husband beside me. I am confident, with God's grace and strength, nothing will break our commitment; not even my past sin, nor my future shortcomings. I must admit, though, the idea of being a mother is terrifying. I am starting to think defending my thesis will be easier than giving birth. And every time the prospect of having a child frightens the tears out of me, Alex is there with a shirt to cry on as I sit in his arms and listen to his assurance that, though terrifying, it will surpassingly amazing. I am so thankful to have him.

In summation of 2009, I have learned many lessons the hard way, yet God has proven that he remains faithful when I am not. Alex has proven his love is continual. The change and opportunity for despair will continue well into the next year, yet I merely see at as yet another chapter of my many adventures. I have started a new glorious adventure this year of which much of the future is unknown. Yet, I know this: God is God and I am not, and this is wonderful!

Today's feelings about my thesis

2009-12-08T15:13:00.002-07:00

Why I wore sweats to school today...

2009-09-16T13:55:00.002-06:00

Quotable Lewis

2009-08-14T22:37:00.003-06:00

The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing—to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from...

Regret

2009-07-06T21:36:00.003-06:00

Let go. Why do you hold on so tightly to what was never your own? Why do you play the victim in a scene you designed? Why do you question intentions based upon your immediate emotion rather than attempting to understand? Why do you seek for what you know you shall never find?

Is loss too hard to swallow? Is failure too bitter? They are the products of life as a fallen being. The taste of them is inescapable yet never without benefit.

Grasp the lesson so dearly learned. Stand up and continue on the grand adventure. Live. Thrive! And allow the past to remain so.

Peace

2009-05-21T23:13:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow I am getting married. It's pretty exciting and not nerve wracking at all like many people claim. In fact, I have been so certain about few things in my life. As Alex and I look forward to this life together, I am overwhelmed by so many people around us who continually point us to Christ as he is the author of this marriage. We are truly blessed to be so loved by Jesus our Savior and the friends and family around us.

Books

2009-05-15T15:37:00.002-06:00

My fingers tingle to run down the spine of this one.

Exhaling

2009-05-03T16:45:00.002-06:00

This will be okay. No, it will be good. It will be much better than I had ever thought was possible. It will be better than expected because my God consistently surpasses my imagination in situations that are wretched on every level. This is peace. I do not know what will happen or how everything will fall into place. But, as I pursue righteousness, I have no reason to worry about or attempt to control it because God is beautifully sovereign.

Don't waste your life

2009-04-22T16:14:00.002-06:00

I don't like hip hop, at all. But this is superlative...

More on relationships

2009-04-18T14:12:00.004-06:00

I need to learn so much more about relationships--how God designed them and how sin distorts them. Relational sin is a huge struggle for me right now. Relational sin is the product of looking for what I can gain for myself in my interactions with others. The emotional and spiritual consequences are surprisingly detrimental to all areas of life and especially in my most cherished relationships with those I love deeply and strive to love biblically. As you may have read from the previous post, all relationship is designed and given by God. To regard such gifts as opportunities to advance my own agenda and well-being is theft from the gracious giver of all good.

I realized this, and have spent the past weeks praying for guidance on how I can transform a dysfunctional and unhealthy pseudo-friendship in to a redemptive relationship that glorifies Christ. I have begged for a different answer than the one I knew was the only right response.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul exhorts the young pastor:

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Though Paul is referring to the selfish pursuit of money before this passage, I believe it may be biblically applied to any sort of selfish pursuit born out of discontentment with what God has provided--including relationships.

So, how do I flee such things and pursue righteousness? I must "throw off every weight" which includes severing ties in broken relationships that only lead me to sin instead of sanctification. To a point, this had already been done, but I needed to make it complete for the time being as the temptation to go back is too great right now as the emotion is too potent. I still have hope and confidence that one day, the Holy Spirit may restore and redeem this relationship if he so chooses. I hope they know I will be here if a time comes for restoration. I will pray for them at the Spirit's prompting. But until then, I will pursue righteousness and life without reproach as I know they will as well.

The rain outside seems to bring clarity. Thank you Father for your cleansing rain and redemptive work! Please transform me into a woman worthy of your name!

Redemptive Relationships

2009-04-15T18:00:00.002-06:00

Lately, I have been considering what exactly “redemptive relationship” is. I must confess, I have difficulty in relationships. I do not trust, I do not love, I do not sacrifice my agendas or desires for the benefit of the other person and the glory of Christ. As a result, most relationships, whether intimate or casual, lack depth and authenticity. I am selective with whom I share my struggles, desires, dreams and fears. Very few people are allowed so close. In contrast, the relationships with those who somehow gain my trust tend toward dysfunction as I tend toward selfishness. Though the extent of disclosure varies, all my relationships lack redemptive quality and I sought to understand why.

Redemptive relationships are marked by a singular focus: Christ. He is the means, the end, the motive, and the strength to live in messy relationships with flawed people. A redemptive relationship is a synergism of two broken people being transformed—sanctified—into the image of Christ. The synergism, redemption, sanctification does not occur without love. Love is the mark of a Christian, it is the very character of God, and it is the foundation of my salvation so its importance in relationship is quite logical. And yet, so many of my relationships suffer from a severe lack of love.

Love is a wholly selfless decision to place the needs and desires of another person above my own. It seeks to encourage and understand. It offers affection and compassion, sympathy and empathy, and honest desire to meet in the horrible circumstance with the desperate desire to do whatever it takes to help. A billboard along my usual drive to school simply states, “Love eases pain.” Indeed it does, yet it goes beyond easing pain; it searches out the source for total restoration of hope, joy, peace, beauty. Love is impartial, not differentiating between friend and enemy, lovable and unlovely. Love must be received to be reciprocated. Love is not content to tolerate sin; it works to sanctify, purify. Love holds tight to the promises of future grace, seeking the Glory of the Father here and now while longing for the Glory yet to come. Love is an incarnation of the character and presence of God. Love is necessary for redemption.

As I read and sought to better understand this beautiful concept, God’s word convicted me. The theme running through the relationships of Christ on earth, of God with his people, of the apostles with those they were seeking to save is love. I thought I understood love as it pertained to missions, as it pertained to friendship, as it pertained to marriage. Obviously my understanding did not broach the depth and importance of love in relationships for the redemptive work of Christ. I am devoid of compassion and full of selfishness which is in direct opposition to life I claim to live, the God I claim to serve. I discovered the truth that every relationship is God’s. He orchestrates and arranges the entrances of people into my life and blesses me with opportunities to reflect his Glory, his fame, his goodness, his mercy and his truth in darkness. He allows me to participate in His relationships. How foolish I have been! I wrote about this realization in my journal a few days ago:

I am a relationship thief. I view relationships as my own, as experiences I control for my own purpose. The reality is all relationships are God’s, designed by God for the justification and sanctification of his people. Every relationship is designed and intended to be redemptive, bringing all parties closer to the heart of Christ.

How can this be? How can I, a very sinful girl, participate in redemptive relationships? By being an “imitator of God… walk(ing) in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

As I follow Christ, putting on his character, incarnate his love, I take part in the redemptive work of Christ through the cross. Such relationships are for my good and His glory, but they will require a sacrifice of my agenda and selfish desires. They require constant communion with Christ to protect me from sinful response. Every interaction must be tempered with love, dependent on Christ’s leading and with the goal of drawing others to worship Christ.

In conclusion, I must apologize to those I called friends and yet failed so severely to incarnate the character of Christ, becoming an antagonist to his redemptive work in your life. As write this, specific people come to mind and I must beg their forgiveness. I hope you know that I will not always succeed. Selfish Mandee will still surface quite frequently. However, I will not take what is not mine. I will continually press into the heart of Christ so that you might be close to it as well.

Beautiful Scandalous Night

2009-04-14T22:13:00.001-06:00

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flowed
For you and for me and for all

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night

On the hillside, you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior's side

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

"

Performing with Grace

2009-04-05T11:55:00.004-06:00

If you know anything about me, you may have realized that when I am overwhelmed everything suffers. I fail to perform to the level expected of me. When I have too much to accomplish, I accomplish nothing. When situations or people bring stress, I withdraw into myself allowing relationships to suffer. When I seem to lack strength for life, I wallow in my weakness instead of depending on the One who is strong in my place. When my performance suffers, I fall into depression or even apathy as I view myself as a failure for not performing with grace.

This past week proved to be such a time as I sat in my office, fighting tears, wondering why I ever decided to go back to school because obviously this was not for me. Did I misconstrue God’s leading and miss His will by following my own? Did I make this decision based on emotion rather than logic and true desire to glorify God? Did I do this for myself, for my family, for Alex and not for my Creator? Am I a disappointment? I must be because my failures outnumber my successes of late: I failed to teach Raman Spectroscopy to my students because I failed to understand it; I failed to be considerate of my mother’s emotions through this planning process and failed to make it enjoyable for both of us; I failed to be a friend; I failed to be a leader; I failed to be a student; I failed to fight for joy.

I know that God led me to this school, at this time. The decision to come was made after months of prayer and uncertainty, searching to know what God would have me do. His answer was so clear, how could I doubt it now?

I doubt because I view my performance as the only measure of my worth and therefore it must reflect whether I am obedient or not. Surely success is the mark of obedience! Surely depression is revelation of some intentional shortcoming in my life, some sin. Surely I cannot believe these inferences if I truly know my Savior!

Indeed, Christ did not promise success, he did not promise emotional stability, he did not promise ease in this life. Obedience is difficult; depression is the broken response of a broken person to a broken world; failure is a natural course for a fallen being. However, in my failure, Christ promised he would bring good things; in my erratic emotions Christ promised to be faithful, constant, sure; in my brokenness, Christ promised to bind me up and comfort me with his joy and indescribable peace. He will be my strength; He will be my joy; He will be Grace to me.

So how did I come to this place? I confess the fault is all my own. Instead of looking to the work Christ accomplished for me, I turned my attention to the work I attempt to accomplish for Him. It is a discouraging sight as my best efforts will never be good or glorious. I posses no grace or righteousness of my own, so even the work of my hands is the result of borrowed joy and vision. I saw I have naught to offer anyone. Instead of exulting in the lovely Grace and Mercy of God that he would bestow upon me all His very best, I shrank away. Why? I do not know—it must be the result of a depraved thought process.

There is great danger in this thinking. It not only affects my life tremendously, but it reflects a distorted view of the Cross and Grace of Christ. Yet, I find this way of thinking prevalent in my environment, allowing it to filter into my mind and heart to the extent that it prevails in me. I lapse into the belief that the value of my life is the sum of my parts, mainly my success as shown through performance: Did I earn the exceptional grade? Did I dominate my presentation? Did I please my parents; do I make them proud? Did I give Alex a reason to love me today; is he happy he chose me? Did I read my Bible and pray through the names on my prayer list? Did I prepare for and go to small group and Bible study? Did I reach my goal? Am I successful? Did I earn His love and grace today?

It does not matter.

The answer to those questions is irrelevant because the economy of God is based on capitalism but on his unimaginable generosity. He is Grace, Righteousness, Love, Peace, Joy and all I ever need regardless of my performance. Out of gratitude I long to serve Him as best I can, focused not on my work, but on the work that allows me to benefit from all that is good and glorious. I must preach the gospel to myself daily as the cross is not just my salvation; it is my sanctification and total redemption of my depraved state on a daily basis. Thus, when I preach the gospel to myself daily, I also preach it to my sphere of influence daily; the power of the cross is unleashed in my life to flow into the lives of the hurting, the hopeless, the proud and the apathetic I encounter. As a friend wrote,

“This is the very reason that the gospel is for all people, for all times. Simply put, we will forget the power of the gospel unless it preached to us daily---preached to ourselves daily---preached to each other daily. I needed to be constantly reminded of Christ’s great exchange so that my mind does not return to its default mode of performance.”

As I preach the gospel to myself, preach the gospel to yourself and we will see a shift in the church from unattractive legalism to a community attractive to the broken failures that inhabit this world; people like me.

Communities of Performance

* People talk about grace, but communicate legalism
* Unbelievers can't imagine themselves as Christians
* Drive away broken people
* The world is seen as threatening and 'other'
* Conversion is superficial—people are called to respectable behavior
* People are secretly hurting
* People see faith and repentance as actions that took place at conversion
* The gospel is for unbelievers

Communities of Grace

* People can see grace in action
* Unbelievers feel like they can belong
* Attract broken people
* People are loved as fellow sinners in need of grace
* Conversion is radical—people are called to transformed affections
* People are open about their problems
* People see faith and repentance as daily activities
* The gospel is for both unbelievers and believers
(from The Resurgence blog)

I want to foster a community of grace.

Reign in My Heart

2009-02-27T14:26:00.003-07:00

Psalm 146

Verse 2 "I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

I will praise God as long as I have the mental capacity to do so, whether convenient or faced with certain pain or death, whether in obedience or shame, weather satisfied or discontent. I will not allow my desire for the comfortable to overshadow my need to praise my Savior.

Verse 3-4 "Put not your trust...in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation."

In all teaching, I must come back to God's word to verify what is true. Furthermore, I must fight to keep my full trust and hope for satisfaction and salvation in Christ. I know myself and I like to look to people, especially men and those in authority, for validation and significance. I allow people, or even mere relationships, to usurp the throne of my heart if I am not vigilant. The consequences are wretched and painful, leaving me ashamed and angry at myself and cut off the relationship. I then find myself wondering how to get through such a situation and ask if reconciliation is possible, or even beneficial. Sometimes it is not. I must trust Christ alone!

Verse 5-9 "Blessed is he...whose hope is the LORD his God."

I want blessing and to be a blessing; I want my blind eyes to be made to see my Savior and see creation through His eyes. I want to be free; I want to be satisfied wholly in Him. I want to uphold His cause as He holds me.

Verse 10 "The LORD will reign forever... Praise the LORD!"

No mater the current state of the world, or even the current state of me, God reigns and will always reign. Praise the LORD indeed!

Reign in my heart today and draw me to yourself for satisfaction and contentment. Give me the strength to guard my heart and the wisdom to know when to share it. YOU are sovereign, amazing, GOD and I am awed by your love.

I will extol you, my God and King

2009-02-26T10:25:00.001-07:00

As I sit at my desk, tucked away in a storage closet for graduate students, papers pile up on my desk and my task list grows alarmingly. Yet, I must be still these few minutes at the beginning of my day. I do not know what to write or how to respond. I cannot communicate my thoughts well, nor are my emotions convenient to verbalize. In this moment, I long for the beauty of David’s songs to flow through my mind to my fingers that I might proclaim the beauty of my Savior on this obscure blog. His love is utterly deep, unsearchably so. I long for nothing more than to be swallowed wholly as I seek to know it fully; may it envelope me and cover all I am!

I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psalm 145:1-7

Propitiation

2009-02-25T15:37:00.002-07:00

My sin stirs God’s swift, complete, all-consuming, terrifying, and just wrath.

Yet, it is never poured out.

It is satisfied.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for out sins.
I John 4:9-10

Coram Deo

2009-02-23T13:01:00.004-07:00

I pray that my life would be marked with integrity such that this article describes:

Integrity is found where men and women live their lives in a pattern of consistency. It is a pattern that functions the same basic way in church and out of church. It is a life that is open before God. It is a life in which all that is done is done as to the Lord. It is a life lived by principle, not expediency; by humility before God, not defiance. It is a life lived under the tutelage of conscience that is held captive by the Word of God.

When I was a child...

2009-02-20T12:44:00.005-07:00

In anticipation of my wedding and my subsequent "growing up," I've decided to get a slightly more sophisticated web log. My intentions are to share my heart, my joys, my struggles, my thoughts and opinions and reveal the glory of the Creator and Savior of my life in doing so. It seems a lofty goal for my limited faculties, but I am called to do this.

I hope to reveal a clear, though finite view of the Infinite Redeemer God.