Toward the end of my PhD program, I had a difficult time finding a job.  Many days I would stare at my cats and they would stare back at me.  It was unnerving and uncertain.

We had some friends over – a pastor and his wife.  Absolutely the nicest people in a church filled with several pricks.  I told them that I listened to sermons that were encouraging and a source of light.  They were expecting some hardcore intellectual preacher and the stunned look on their faces when I told them who it was spoke volumes.

Joel Osteen.

Yes, him.  But hear me out.  I don’t say things lightly.

I understand why he gets a bad rep – prosperity gospel and weak theology.  But I beg to differ – I’m not sure his critics have actually listened that closely to what he teaches.

What he does best is to point to a God who is all powerful, loving, and good.  Strangely enough, not necessarily found in many churches.

And most importantly, a supernatural God capable of anything.

Like Gandalf, God is not a cheap magician performing tricks but if we don’t see Him capable of magic, we are royally screwed.  We all see how humans behave and their limitations.

A friend told me that his dad taught him to never presume what God will or will not do, can or cannot do, and to always place Him between you and what you face.

This is supremely wise.

What Ostren also emphasizes is that God has the final say in anything.  When I look back at my life, there were way too many events that were definitely God and not coincidences.

One of my favorite verses comes from the 23rd Psalm written by David, someone I identify with.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies

You anoint my head with oil

My cup runs over

I fought so many enemies.  And I was always equipped.  I used to joke with my detective friend that the rod and staff that comforted him in the valley were his gun and otter equipment.

And I had my own as well.