About
Cole NeSmith
About Me
I’m the Creative Director of a church community in Orlando, FL called Status (http://www.whatsyourstatus.com). I work with film makers, musicians, designers (graphic, stage, interior), writers and lots of other types of artists to create worship experiences that challenge people to know God and themselves more deeply.
In addition to this role, I write, play music, do some creative consulting and seem to always be working on a new project.
Here are some things that influence who I am :
Interests
Truth
mysticism
music
words
learning
exploring
nature
identity
fixed gear
Favorite Movies
Drama – Finding Neverland
Comedy – Christopher Guest Collection
Horror – 28 Days Later
Action – Bourne Trilogy
Kid’s – Pirates of the Caribbean
Suspense – The Game
Documentary – Life in the Undergrowth
Political – The Edukators
Foreign – Das Experiment
Fantasy – Peter Pan
Favorite Music
Rufus Wainwright
Igor Stravinsky
Arcade Fire
Anything with epic orchestration
Favorite Books
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Walking on Water
This Side of Paradise
The Sun Also Rises
Hey,
You seem like a very open and honest guy and I appreciate that. I have gone to Discovery for about 3 months and there are some things about the God thing that just ain’t clicking for me. Someone suggested that I talk to you becuase you will, “keep it real” and that what I need. I am so tired of all these people telling me how happy go luck life will be because I decide to do this God thing. I am going to make a decision when it’s right and I get my act together. I want to be “all in”! Do you know what I mean? So, here is my question I have been burning to ask people that say they are really into the God thing. Why is it that so many bad things can happen to one person if God is such a good God? I won’t get into the specifics because I’m not looking for anybody’s sympathy. I just want the truth and to understand it.
Thanks,
Kim
Hey Kim,
Thanks for your questions.
First, let me clarify… life with Jesus is certainly not happy go lucky. Life with Jesus demands much more thought, much more processing and many more decisions that are givens when you’re just living for yourself. That being said, life with Jesus means stronger foundations, clearer purpose and a more pointed life.
As to the question, “why do good things happen to bad people…” I think the question itself makes some incorrect assumptions.
1. That bad things don’t happen to bad people… they do.
2. That you’re a good person… You (and I) might do good things, but we also do bad things. This is why people’s bikes get stolen or why we get impatient at the checkout line at the grocery store… we have good in us because we reflect the image of God, but not everything we do is good.
3. That bad things always end bad… There’s a reason bad things happen, and we can either wallow in the badness of our circumstances or choose to learn from them. We can endure and learn to be faithful or we can give up and wallow in our sorrow. You choose.
4. That God makes bad things happen… While God knows what’s happening in your life, he doesn’t dictate what happens. Often times bad things happening around us are the result of our decisions. People get lung cancer because they smoke. People go to jail because they murder. You get the idea. Sometimes there are bad things that happen to us that come with free will. God doesn’t want robots following Him. He wants real people in real circumstances in relationship with Him through the seasons… like a friend. Like a true lover.
Ultimately, I don’t want to convince you that Jesus is the way. I’d love to see you come to that conclusion on your own. But again, it’s not an easy life. It’ll take commitment and discipline. So, be prepared because it’ll be an amazing ride.
What do you say?
Well,
I guess I need to be a little more clear about where I am at. I am sure I have done bad things. However, I don’t think any of the bad things amount to what has happen in my life. I never knew my Dad and my Mom was and is a druken prostitute. This is putting it lightly. As a result of her lifestyle somethings that I don’t think anyone should ever suffer through have happen to me. As a result I will be managing a challenge health issue the rest of my life. I want to know what kind of God thinks I deserve this for something I did? Also, don’t kids get like special coverage for the bad things they do? Granted I was at one time, but I am not a kid now. I have been living with embarrassment and rejection as a result of my Mom’s life style. Some of this rejection came when I shared at a church. i have learned not to tell my story because no one will continue to accept me if I do. What kind of place is this that I can’t be me? I will continue to seek a quiet corner at Discovery, where no one speaks to me or knows my name. The jury is still our abour making any more spiritual decisions right now. Thanks for the response and like your writings. They seem real and true to life. I appreciate that. Why can’t the rest of the church be like that? Why can’t everyone share the pain behind their smiles and still be accepted? Sorry I am just stuck on this soap box.
Kim
Well,I guess I need to be a little more clear about where I am at. I am sure I have done bad things. However, I don’t think any of the bad things amount to what has happen in my life. I never knew my Dad and my Mom was and is a druken prostitute. This is putting it lightly. As a result of her lifestyle somethings that I don’t think anyone should ever suffer through have happen to me. As a result I will be managing a challenge health issue the rest of my life. I want to know what kind of God thinks I deserve this for something I did? Also, don’t kids get like special coverage for the bad things they do? Granted I was at one time, but I am not a kid now. I have been living with embarrassment and rejection as a result of my Mom’s life style. Some of this rejection came when I shared at a church. i have learned not to tell my story because no one will continue to accept me if I do. What kind of place is this that I can’t be me? I will continue to seek a quiet corner at Discovery, where no one speaks to me or knows my name. The jury is still our abour making any more spiritual decisions right now. Thanks for the response and like your writings. They seem real and true to life. I appreciate that. Why can’t the rest of the church be like that? Why can’t everyone share the pain behind their smiles and still be accepted? Sorry I am just stuck on this soap box.Kim
+1
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