Tiger Woods needs to understand that no one cares if he is hurting or his game is being "worked on" or anything else. I'm sick of him complaining all the time and giving me that whiny grimmace. Toughen up! No one feels sorry for you. You make more money per day than most people do in a year! Yet your game is going downhill faster than a runaway train. Be a man!
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
I took this quote from Vox Day's blog:
"I suspect that historians will likely look back on the ascension of the left as the destruction of the academy. It is ironic that they enjoy accusing Christians as anti-intellectual, considering that it was Christians who started nearly every major university. And with the decline of Christianity will come the decline of scholarship, as the cause of truth is rendered secondary to questions of politics and power.It's worth noting that the only new colleges being founded are Christian colleges, as the atheized universities gradually devolve into morasses of plagiarism, political correctness and low-grade minds filled with secular dogma."
"I suspect that historians will likely look back on the ascension of the left as the destruction of the academy. It is ironic that they enjoy accusing Christians as anti-intellectual, considering that it was Christians who started nearly every major university. And with the decline of Christianity will come the decline of scholarship, as the cause of truth is rendered secondary to questions of politics and power.It's worth noting that the only new colleges being founded are Christian colleges, as the atheized universities gradually devolve into morasses of plagiarism, political correctness and low-grade minds filled with secular dogma."
Thursday, September 23, 2004
I'm going to be honest and I don't want to be misinterpreted, but I am beginning to get very frustrated with our culture. I have so many friends who have time for nothing, no time to meet, no time to return calls or speak on the phone, no time to return an email just to say they received it. It's like everyone is on their own little planet running their own little show. It's getting sickening. What do people do? And this primarily deals with Christians. That's not the way the Universal Chruch should run, and I believe it's one of the primary downfalls of the Christian faith that we are facing at this time.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
If you are a baseball fan you have to love what the A's and Twins have been able to do in recent years. They keep losing their best players to richer teams, yet are always still there at the end.
I am still confused as to the meaning of that dream from yesterday, although I do believe there is some strong symbolism in it.
I am still confused as to the meaning of that dream from yesterday, although I do believe there is some strong symbolism in it.
Monday, September 20, 2004
First, I watched the movie "Seven" again last night, a very disturbing movie if I must say...
Second, the Lord has for some time given me a great heart for children, especially those from abused backgrounds. I don't know what He is doing to do with that yet but I'm listening.
Then I had this dream last night that deals with this same thing. I'll try to make it short:
I'm in something like a mall food court area and a little girl (who happens to be my daughter Maiya) is roaming around. I ask her where her family is and she doesn't know so I take her to the security and on the way we meet her father and younger sister (about a year or younger) and the father is paying no attention to her, clearly neglecting both daughters. We then instantly move from the food court to a home in the kitchen where I am now talking with the father and mother and playing with my daughter (their daughter in the dream). I was about to leave but the daughter didn't want me to. I told her she would be fine and I left even though she was screaming. I began to walk out again even though the daughter didn't want me to. I felt that something bad was going to happen but the father was pusing me out and I said to the little girl "I feel something bad is going to happen, there is nothing I can do, I trust there is a God and He will protect you..." But as I walked out I realized I couldn't allow this to happen so I couldn't leave and told the father what I felt. He erupted and I had to hold him back from beating me and the daughter up, while the wife was obviously frightened.
I awoke as I was leaving the house with the daughter (again, my daughter). I then had this very strange feeling that the Lord's Presence was with me at that time, letting me know things were all right. I had this deep peace, yet I didn't get any clear direction. Clearly a crazy dream and even as I write this hours later I am still shaken.
Second, the Lord has for some time given me a great heart for children, especially those from abused backgrounds. I don't know what He is doing to do with that yet but I'm listening.
Then I had this dream last night that deals with this same thing. I'll try to make it short:
I'm in something like a mall food court area and a little girl (who happens to be my daughter Maiya) is roaming around. I ask her where her family is and she doesn't know so I take her to the security and on the way we meet her father and younger sister (about a year or younger) and the father is paying no attention to her, clearly neglecting both daughters. We then instantly move from the food court to a home in the kitchen where I am now talking with the father and mother and playing with my daughter (their daughter in the dream). I was about to leave but the daughter didn't want me to. I told her she would be fine and I left even though she was screaming. I began to walk out again even though the daughter didn't want me to. I felt that something bad was going to happen but the father was pusing me out and I said to the little girl "I feel something bad is going to happen, there is nothing I can do, I trust there is a God and He will protect you..." But as I walked out I realized I couldn't allow this to happen so I couldn't leave and told the father what I felt. He erupted and I had to hold him back from beating me and the daughter up, while the wife was obviously frightened.
I awoke as I was leaving the house with the daughter (again, my daughter). I then had this very strange feeling that the Lord's Presence was with me at that time, letting me know things were all right. I had this deep peace, yet I didn't get any clear direction. Clearly a crazy dream and even as I write this hours later I am still shaken.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
I'm getting old. These crazy hairs have been showing up high on my cheeks and they look terrible so I have to have Lisa pull them out. I don't want to shave them or more will come. OUCH!
I look around school sometimes and wonder what Maiya will be like when she is this age. Will she fit in? Will she be different? Will she live for Jesus? Will she have friends? It's crazy becoming a parent and having all these thoughts go through your head and get worried about them.
I was reading about patience last night and how God is so patient and desires that none should perish... Sometimes I want God's judgment to come right now, "Blow the trumpet and let's get this party started!" But then I remember God's patience and the parable of the weeds where if the weeds were picked some of the wheat may get torn up as well and God doesn't want that.
Then I was thinking about this on my way into work this morning and I was reminded of a time way back when when I had way too much to drink and shouldn't have been driving and very well could have gotten into an accident and died and I know where I would have gone. Praise God for His Patience!
I look around school sometimes and wonder what Maiya will be like when she is this age. Will she fit in? Will she be different? Will she live for Jesus? Will she have friends? It's crazy becoming a parent and having all these thoughts go through your head and get worried about them.
I was reading about patience last night and how God is so patient and desires that none should perish... Sometimes I want God's judgment to come right now, "Blow the trumpet and let's get this party started!" But then I remember God's patience and the parable of the weeds where if the weeds were picked some of the wheat may get torn up as well and God doesn't want that.
Then I was thinking about this on my way into work this morning and I was reminded of a time way back when when I had way too much to drink and shouldn't have been driving and very well could have gotten into an accident and died and I know where I would have gone. Praise God for His Patience!
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
From the list of can you believe this... A South Florida's women's basketball player wanted to wear a scarf, long pants, and a top with long sleeves during competition. They obviously refused so she quit the team and lost her scholarship...what has this world come to. Read the entire story at this link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=1882485
On another note, two reflections from my time alone at Copper Rock this evening:
1) This new generation is something. There was this group of teens sitting at a table all playing with their cell phones, not even interacting. Crazy!
2) People just want to belong to something. There was another group interacting and I could tell that one of the members just wanted to be a part of that group and was very happy being allowed in the group. This is quite amazing about the human race, we are made unique yet really rely on others for so much, we want to be independent yet have this need of community. Then we add Christian community the mix and we open up a whole new realm of living.
Another thing, I witnessed two students harrassing an LD student yesterday. In hindsight, I should have stepped in but I really didn't know what was going on until it was too late. That just tears my heart and I need to talk to the young man tomorrow and let him know that he is worthy and has infinite dignity, value and worth just for who he is and that he was created by God.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=1882485
On another note, two reflections from my time alone at Copper Rock this evening:
1) This new generation is something. There was this group of teens sitting at a table all playing with their cell phones, not even interacting. Crazy!
2) People just want to belong to something. There was another group interacting and I could tell that one of the members just wanted to be a part of that group and was very happy being allowed in the group. This is quite amazing about the human race, we are made unique yet really rely on others for so much, we want to be independent yet have this need of community. Then we add Christian community the mix and we open up a whole new realm of living.
Another thing, I witnessed two students harrassing an LD student yesterday. In hindsight, I should have stepped in but I really didn't know what was going on until it was too late. That just tears my heart and I need to talk to the young man tomorrow and let him know that he is worthy and has infinite dignity, value and worth just for who he is and that he was created by God.
I blogged thistopic last spring but it is very pertitent here as well. The weather has such a bearing on my state of mind. When I drive to work and the sun is out, my psychie is great. But the opposite is true as well. Winter is coming, can I move to CA?
I ran into these quotes (some rather lengthy) in my study last night:
"True Christians are people that acknowledge and live under the word of God."
That is an intriguing quote, yet one I have to disagree with. While acknowledging and living under the word of God is vital and Christian living and definitely a fruit of our salvation, that does not dictate Christianity. I would say true Christians are those who have accepted the death of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, while those who do the above would definitely lead a very healthy Christian life.
I liked this one:
"Justification is a truly dramatic transition from the status of a condemned criminal awaiting a terrible sentence to that of an heir awaiting a fabulous inheritance."
On the idea of grace, the author writes the following:
"But many church people are not like this. They may pay lip service to the idea of grace, but there they stop. Their conception of grace is not so much debased as nonexistent. The thought means nothing to them; it does not touch their experience at all. Talk to them about the church's heating, or last year's accounts, and they are with you at once. But speak to them about the realities to which the word grace points, and their attitude is one of deferential blankness. They do not accuse you of talking nonsense; they do not doubt that your words have meaning; but they feel that, whatever it is that you are talking about, it is beyond them, and the longer they have lived without it the surer they are that at their stage of life they do not really need it."
I ran into these quotes (some rather lengthy) in my study last night:
"True Christians are people that acknowledge and live under the word of God."
That is an intriguing quote, yet one I have to disagree with. While acknowledging and living under the word of God is vital and Christian living and definitely a fruit of our salvation, that does not dictate Christianity. I would say true Christians are those who have accepted the death of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, while those who do the above would definitely lead a very healthy Christian life.
I liked this one:
"Justification is a truly dramatic transition from the status of a condemned criminal awaiting a terrible sentence to that of an heir awaiting a fabulous inheritance."
On the idea of grace, the author writes the following:
"But many church people are not like this. They may pay lip service to the idea of grace, but there they stop. Their conception of grace is not so much debased as nonexistent. The thought means nothing to them; it does not touch their experience at all. Talk to them about the church's heating, or last year's accounts, and they are with you at once. But speak to them about the realities to which the word grace points, and their attitude is one of deferential blankness. They do not accuse you of talking nonsense; they do not doubt that your words have meaning; but they feel that, whatever it is that you are talking about, it is beyond them, and the longer they have lived without it the surer they are that at their stage of life they do not really need it."
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
I just thought of another reason why when studying the Bible in a group it is important to go verse by verse.
Think of the one person in any Bible study that always causes trouble. Chances are you are thinking of that person that just doesn't get the truths of Scripture and always has other interpretations and always "just wants to love people and accept them where they are at."
There is really no way of refuting them if you are studying a book or just having a discussion, but when you study God's Word verse by verse you can point to Scripture and prove the error of their thoughts. The burden then goes off the facilitator or the group and puts it on God's Word which we can't argue. This won't solve all problems but I think it will help in many circumstances.
Think of the one person in any Bible study that always causes trouble. Chances are you are thinking of that person that just doesn't get the truths of Scripture and always has other interpretations and always "just wants to love people and accept them where they are at."
There is really no way of refuting them if you are studying a book or just having a discussion, but when you study God's Word verse by verse you can point to Scripture and prove the error of their thoughts. The burden then goes off the facilitator or the group and puts it on God's Word which we can't argue. This won't solve all problems but I think it will help in many circumstances.
The more I think and discuss about the traditional way of "doing church" the more frustrated I become and the more I realize that the younger generations want nothing to do with it. I believe the boomers relate well to logical based reasoning and teaching, but younger evangelicals could care less.
For instance, a church in the area has Sunday school class on Creation, biblical and scientific reasons that it was literally 6 24-hour days. That's all fine and very important in my mind, but in reality, so what? What does believing in that get me? How does it affect me?
I don't think these classes go enough into the questions of how that affects our world today and how this gives us a greater appeciation of God. If we focus on the content without the meaning I think we are fighting a losing battle and I think that is how many churches go about this.
Furthermore, I don't think that was how the disciples and early church taught. For instance, let me use an example from Galatians where Paul references the two covenants, one with the bondwoman or Hagar and the other with the freewoman or Sarah. I'll let you read the text for yourself, but the purpose here is that after Paul is done teaching this truth, in 2:28 he writes that "we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise." Notice how he relates it directly to them and how and why this is important to them. Paul taught the church in Galatia an important truth from the OT and then used it to prove a point about this new life and freedom in Christ.
There is much more to be said here, but again the point is that the old method of teaching of Christianity as a "truth to be known" is not working and is not the method Jesus or the disciples used. Rather, let's teach Christianity as "a truth to be followed or lived" and I believe people will respond more appropriately.
For instance, a church in the area has Sunday school class on Creation, biblical and scientific reasons that it was literally 6 24-hour days. That's all fine and very important in my mind, but in reality, so what? What does believing in that get me? How does it affect me?
I don't think these classes go enough into the questions of how that affects our world today and how this gives us a greater appeciation of God. If we focus on the content without the meaning I think we are fighting a losing battle and I think that is how many churches go about this.
Furthermore, I don't think that was how the disciples and early church taught. For instance, let me use an example from Galatians where Paul references the two covenants, one with the bondwoman or Hagar and the other with the freewoman or Sarah. I'll let you read the text for yourself, but the purpose here is that after Paul is done teaching this truth, in 2:28 he writes that "we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise." Notice how he relates it directly to them and how and why this is important to them. Paul taught the church in Galatia an important truth from the OT and then used it to prove a point about this new life and freedom in Christ.
There is much more to be said here, but again the point is that the old method of teaching of Christianity as a "truth to be known" is not working and is not the method Jesus or the disciples used. Rather, let's teach Christianity as "a truth to be followed or lived" and I believe people will respond more appropriately.
Monday, September 13, 2004
A student in one of my classes today starting schooling the rest of the class on religion. (I always find it so interesting when this happens.) Anyway, she starting talking about her church and how it has a mosh pit and a climbing wall, it's lots of fun. Another student said, "It's not really church then, you just have fun." She responded that she's non-denominational so you come and believe whatever you want and everyone is accepted.
How dare anyone hold anyone else to the standards of God, can't we all just get along? I want to be a part of this church! Who wouldn't!
How dare anyone hold anyone else to the standards of God, can't we all just get along? I want to be a part of this church! Who wouldn't!
I saw this neat bumper sticker yesterday. It showed a baby in a womb and the caption said, "Mommy, what's a safe abortion?"
I'm still thinking quite a bit on whether the primary focus of Christians is first toward the community of believers, fellow Christians, or to non-believers. My heart right now is saying that if we focus first on our cohorts and encourage and build them up, it might be much easier to reach out to and love non-believers. However, I do not discount the clear biblical purpose of the Church to evangelize and disciple the nations. It's probably not either or, but both. But or now my money says focus on the former without neglecting the latter.
I'm still thinking quite a bit on whether the primary focus of Christians is first toward the community of believers, fellow Christians, or to non-believers. My heart right now is saying that if we focus first on our cohorts and encourage and build them up, it might be much easier to reach out to and love non-believers. However, I do not discount the clear biblical purpose of the Church to evangelize and disciple the nations. It's probably not either or, but both. But or now my money says focus on the former without neglecting the latter.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
I'm still not over this weekend's college football games...
I found this great web site where you can look up any NFL player over the past four years and see what his salary plus bonuses were. Part of me feels this is wrong but it's too tempting.
I love being around Christians who love one another and whose sole purpose is to glorify God and follow Him.
I found this great web site where you can look up any NFL player over the past four years and see what his salary plus bonuses were. Part of me feels this is wrong but it's too tempting.
I love being around Christians who love one another and whose sole purpose is to glorify God and follow Him.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Forgive me for being crass, but I have to laugh when I am watching TV and an actress has had certain surgical enhancements of late. Let's get serious!
I think every Christian should decide in their heart two things. First, what are the essentials that make up the faith, what are those things that are non-negotiable. Second, what then are those things that are preferable, or what do we want to base our fellowship on. The two are different yet each equally important. And then the next step is to decide how to act on each of these things in real life while keeping the focus on love.
I started reading this book today called "A New Kind of Christian" and in one of the stories the author is telling he makes the point how we white people (the author is white as well) think of other cultures as either black or white. We don't take into consideration other cultures or backgrounds, one is either black or white, yet how many people do we know fit into either of those categories.
As with many, but not all, things do not fit into black or white boxes, the world can be very gray.
I think every Christian should decide in their heart two things. First, what are the essentials that make up the faith, what are those things that are non-negotiable. Second, what then are those things that are preferable, or what do we want to base our fellowship on. The two are different yet each equally important. And then the next step is to decide how to act on each of these things in real life while keeping the focus on love.
I started reading this book today called "A New Kind of Christian" and in one of the stories the author is telling he makes the point how we white people (the author is white as well) think of other cultures as either black or white. We don't take into consideration other cultures or backgrounds, one is either black or white, yet how many people do we know fit into either of those categories.
As with many, but not all, things do not fit into black or white boxes, the world can be very gray.
Friday, September 10, 2004
If I was a drinker I would be drowning my sorrows at this time. I can’t believe it, I really can’t. I ask myself, why do I like the Noles? Why do I like the Red Sox? These teams continue to break my heart. Yet I continue, with the hope that one day all will be all right, one day they will bring my joy. I long for that day.
On a better note, I had a great day at school today after some really trying days with my students. I decided to first pray for them last night, funny how that seems to help. Then I also decided to really pour my energy into them, more than ever, and really focus on the learning and trying to control every minute. It worked, I hope I can continue that for the entire year.
On a better note, I had a great day at school today after some really trying days with my students. I decided to first pray for them last night, funny how that seems to help. Then I also decided to really pour my energy into them, more than ever, and really focus on the learning and trying to control every minute. It worked, I hope I can continue that for the entire year.
Monday, September 06, 2004
For some reason I was trying to be pc on the last blog even though I know no one reads this. Let me say it again.
I am sick of all of the liberal God-haters hating on God and those who love Him. It really makes me sick to my stomach. I want God to wipe them off the face of the earth. But again, I must love (even though I don't want to) and try to glorify the True God and spread His message and grace. God will repay, I am certain of that.
I am sick of all of the liberal God-haters hating on God and those who love Him. It really makes me sick to my stomach. I want God to wipe them off the face of the earth. But again, I must love (even though I don't want to) and try to glorify the True God and spread His message and grace. God will repay, I am certain of that.
I'm really fed up with all of the hate going around. Hate, hate, hate, everyone is out to be a hater. It really discourages me and makes me a hater in the same light. I want the judgment of God to come down and take care of business, but then I realize that one day God will judge and He will judge justly, for now I must share His love and not worry about anything else. But that's so hard ):
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
