Introduction Part Two: Two Amazing Thoughts

Try to realize that we are made “in our image, in our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). That verse had me pondering two amazing thoughts: first, that if A = B then B = A; even my mathematically-challenged mind can understand that basic concept; or, if I am created in the image of God and in his likeness, then not only am I as he is; but he is at least somewhat as he made me to be. I know; it confuses me a little, too.

Second, the double “our” in that verse speaks to me of multiple creators. When I couple this opening Biblical chapter with John 1:3 (Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.) which tells of Jesus as a creation-helper and then the many scriptures about the activeness of the Spirit in both the Old and New Testaments, I’m caused to think that just maybe my imaginings are not that far off. No, I didn’t just violate what I stated earlier in this introduction. This is not an attempt at stating beliefs. It is only a try at imaginings.

If you’re still there and haven’t disposed of this book yet, hold on another minute or two before you begin reading. Two other passages form part of the initial thought processes for all this. Both are in John’s Revelation. The first is his visionary description of Jesus (1:13-16) among the lampstands in heaven with his golden-sashed robe, wool-white head and hair, blazingly fiery eyes, glowing-like-bronze feet, and waterfall-like voice. Of course that was a description of Jesus after his earthly episode with its dark crucifixion and subsequent triumphant return to heaven. Additionally John describes the sharp, two-edged sword protruding from Jesus’ mouth and his sunshine-like face. Combine all that with the last few chapters of the book in which John gives an elegant description of heaven with its golden, pearly, shimmering, and glowing amazements. It boggled my mind as I began, and it still just blows me away when I ponder it all. It reminds me, in a more trivial manner, of what my then three-year-old son Matt said several decades ago, “If God ever makes another world, I wish he would make Superman and Star Wars real.”

If you get to the point of tolerating or even allowing some cranial-wanderings without needing to make truth or even too much sense out if it, then perhaps you can utter with me the words of my then three-year-old grandson Joshua upon seeing his toy train set for the first time in several weeks (his parents rotated the big, really neat toys). He set it up all over their new kitchen and dining area and then stepped back to admire his handiwork. I imagine him with hands on hips as he surveys all he has made and suddenly exclaims, “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”

So, now come! Let us imagine the unimaginable. Let us fantasize about the fantastic together! Let us picture our great God with hands on hips surveying all creation and stating emphatically, “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”