23 April 2009

Genesis according to Oudtshoorn

In the beginning God created heaven and earth. Now the earth was a formless void, there was darkness over the deep, with a divine wind sweeping over the waters.

God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that light was good, and God divided light from darkness. God called light 'day', and darkness he called 'night'. Evening came and morning came: the first day . . .

God said, 'Let the earth produce every kind of living creature in its own species: cattle, creeping things and wild animals of all kinds.' And so it was.

God made wild animals in their own species, and cattle in theirs, and every creature that crawls along the earth in its own species. God saw that it was good . . .

The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of heaven and all the wild animals. But no helper suitable for the man was found for him.

This is where the narrative found in the small churches of Oudsthoorn differs. You see, many would have you believe that this 'helper' was to be a woman, and so forth. Yet, God looked in all the wrong places for a helper suitable for man (honestly, a chest cavity?). It was not among the birds of heaven, rather among the birds of earth. Namely, the ostrich. And so it was in Oudtshoorn and it was good. Man and ostrich lived side by side in perfect harmony for eons.

3 comments:

  1. Michael... there are no words.
    Hahahahahaha
    Thanks for sharing this!
    -Vanessa

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  2. Hi Michael,

    It is now 3am in Branson and I just finished reading all your blogs about Europe and Africa. You have now been to two places in the world I would most like to see (aside from Sweden of course) - Africa and Paris. I really enjoyed all you blogs but especially liked the Election 2007 blog where you rated Paris and Berlin on a number of things. Thought your writing was great and enjoyed so much reading about all your experiences.

    We are hanging out with your Mom and Dad this week. Went golfing on Sunday and out for dinner with your parents. Tomorrow (Tues) Leo and Jeff are golfing again and your Mom and I are going shopping - will grill burgers together afterward.

    Look forward to seeing you this summer. Just in case you didn't hear - Jeff got engaged to Katie on March 31. They are planning a Spring 2010 wedding. Take care and once again - enjoyed reading all about your adventures.

    "Auntie" Linda
    linda.forner@gmail.com

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  3. Hahaha! BRILLIANT!

    AND you got to ride an ostrich! Doubly cool...Though, judging by your dismount, I do question the "living side by side in perfect harmony" bit... ;)

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