"The problem with turning to philosophers for answers on why and how we know what we know is that they tend to take God out of the equation (not all, but many do). They tend to make faith in the Almighty and His infallible and perfect Word, the Bible, secondary. God is not secondary and He is absolute. We have all we need to know in His Word, everything else we learn from the myriads of human thinkers must be filtered through God's Word. When we start playing around with what we as man can do on our own and not trusting and obeying Scripture, then we always head straight to error and chaos. God is not opinion and simply choice, but a fact and the reality, and all knowledge that we think we know and have mastered can only be truly understood if God's Word is the benchmark, the map, and the compass (I would add now, thinking about it later, the Way). We can only think because God made us to think, now give God that glory."
Sunday, July 06, 2008
The Problem with Turning to Philosophers for Answers
I know I haven't posted in a while, like six months, but here is something that I wrote, during one of my classes, in response to a lecture on epistemology.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Submitting to One Another
As the very few who read my very limited work probably know, I spoke in ONE28 last Sunday and spoke on the topic of submission and humility as presented in 1 Peter 5:5-7. During my Bible reading this morning of 1 Corinthians 8, I started thinking about what Peter meant when he tells us to submit to one another and be clothed with humility. 1 Cor. 8 gives me a very clear picture of what submitting to one another looks like.
First of all, the Apostle Paul reminds in v. 1 that "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." If we were to remember this in our daily interactions with others we would have far less conflict in our relationships with one another. But we tend to think, or at least I do, "I understand this, but I have to be right and so must (whomever I am thinking about or talking to), because we are to work towards Christ likeness which is perfection." In saying this, I assume that I have it all figured out and that is when my attitude turns to pride and selfishness, which leads to anger. Working and fighting for truth and perfection in all things is right, but as Paul continues on in v. 2, "If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know." Talk about a smack down by God's proverbial hammer of a right hand. We will never have the mind of our Almighty Father and as such we will not know everything perfectly. He did give us the truth we needed, His Word, but we must be diligent to work through it and go to it for our understanding and lean on it instead our own understanding. This is when I get puffed is when I think that I have a firm understanding of the concept. I think this because I heard some sermon on it, or read a something about it, but did not really search the Scriptures for myself and gain a firm understanding for myself. So I force my poor understanding on others with a hypocritical and proud attitude. This is not submitting to one another in humility.
Paul continues on in chapter 8 and is talking about liberty in the Church and specifically about eating meat that has been offered to idols. In the Corinthian church, many new believers were struggling with those "who have knowledge" because they were eating in meat offered to idols, which was against their sensitive consciences. Paul admonishes his hearers to not cause those with weak consciences to stumble by flaunting our understanding and liberty. When we act this way we are not thinking of our brothers in Christ. Paul questions us by asking in v. 11, "because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" He goes on and says in v. 12, "when you thus sin against brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ." When we do not submit to one another and seek to edify each other, but instead use our "knowledge and understanding" as a stumbling block, we are committing a grievous sin. We are sinning against ours and their Savior.
If we are to submit to one another in humility then we should be willing, as Paul purposes and commends in v. 13, to "never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." Paul sets the example by willingly setting aside his desires and freedoms to edify and show love and compassion to his fellow brethren. This is how we are to submit in humility to one another, willingly lay down our life, in death and life, for our brothers, whom Christ died to save.
First of all, the Apostle Paul reminds in v. 1 that "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." If we were to remember this in our daily interactions with others we would have far less conflict in our relationships with one another. But we tend to think, or at least I do, "I understand this, but I have to be right and so must (whomever I am thinking about or talking to), because we are to work towards Christ likeness which is perfection." In saying this, I assume that I have it all figured out and that is when my attitude turns to pride and selfishness, which leads to anger. Working and fighting for truth and perfection in all things is right, but as Paul continues on in v. 2, "If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know." Talk about a smack down by God's proverbial hammer of a right hand. We will never have the mind of our Almighty Father and as such we will not know everything perfectly. He did give us the truth we needed, His Word, but we must be diligent to work through it and go to it for our understanding and lean on it instead our own understanding. This is when I get puffed is when I think that I have a firm understanding of the concept. I think this because I heard some sermon on it, or read a something about it, but did not really search the Scriptures for myself and gain a firm understanding for myself. So I force my poor understanding on others with a hypocritical and proud attitude. This is not submitting to one another in humility.
Paul continues on in chapter 8 and is talking about liberty in the Church and specifically about eating meat that has been offered to idols. In the Corinthian church, many new believers were struggling with those "who have knowledge" because they were eating in meat offered to idols, which was against their sensitive consciences. Paul admonishes his hearers to not cause those with weak consciences to stumble by flaunting our understanding and liberty. When we act this way we are not thinking of our brothers in Christ. Paul questions us by asking in v. 11, "because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" He goes on and says in v. 12, "when you thus sin against brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ." When we do not submit to one another and seek to edify each other, but instead use our "knowledge and understanding" as a stumbling block, we are committing a grievous sin. We are sinning against ours and their Savior.
If we are to submit to one another in humility then we should be willing, as Paul purposes and commends in v. 13, to "never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." Paul sets the example by willingly setting aside his desires and freedoms to edify and show love and compassion to his fellow brethren. This is how we are to submit in humility to one another, willingly lay down our life, in death and life, for our brothers, whom Christ died to save.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Things that are Rightfully God's
I know that this is a long over due blog and that I am a blog booger for not blogging more often, but take what you can get and be thankful.
I have been dwelling lately on the supremacy of God in all things and the need for all of our life to be completely centered, focused, and dependent on Him. I have realized that it seems like most of the modern Church does not think this way. Most believe that God is not sufficient in things of science, math, relationships, auto repair, etc ... . You name it people will find a way to give into the temptation that God is not able, or not involved in the little things, or worst yet, that He does not exist. This thinking comes from an improper view of Him and a lack of knowledge and faith in God's Scripture. I want this blog to be a reminder to you all that this is a very dangerous and horrifying place to be. If you think this, and in many areas of life we betray that we do by our actions, then you must be warned that God is a jealous God and will do whatever it takes to regain His glory and preeminence from our lives, whether that means judgment in hell, or discipline as believers.
For the last year or so, Jonathan Sarr, Curtis Wentling, Sean Higgins, and myself have been reading John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion." John Calvin's mission was to glorify God in all that he did and for his readers to do the same. Calvin believed with everything that he was that the Lord, alone, is to be preeminent among His people, and as such has the right to exercise complete authority over them. This is the purpose, in his discussion of the Ten Commandments, he states for giving us the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me." He goes on to say that "we cannot "have" God without at the same time embracing the things that are His. Therefore, in forbidding us to have strange gods, He means that we are not to transfer to another what belongs to Him" (Institutes, 2.VIII.16). All things belong to God because He is the Creator and Author of this world and us, and He is the only sovereign, omnipotent, and perfectly righteous one. Not only this (which is sufficient by itself), but for those of us who believe and reap the benefits of His salvation, He gave His only begotten Son, for our filthy, sin filled, depraved, wicked, and God hating souls. As such we are obligated and should with great joy and willingness to humbly give all we have to Him. Calvin being the great teacher that he is, "conveniently" groups the "innumerable things that we owe to God" under four headings: Adoration, trust, invocation, and thanksgiving. Here they are for edification and reminding, with definitions:
May we all aspire to live this way and to fight for God's glory in our hearts, minds, and actions, and to also fight for the same in others. God is playing for keeps and so should we.
I have been dwelling lately on the supremacy of God in all things and the need for all of our life to be completely centered, focused, and dependent on Him. I have realized that it seems like most of the modern Church does not think this way. Most believe that God is not sufficient in things of science, math, relationships, auto repair, etc ... . You name it people will find a way to give into the temptation that God is not able, or not involved in the little things, or worst yet, that He does not exist. This thinking comes from an improper view of Him and a lack of knowledge and faith in God's Scripture. I want this blog to be a reminder to you all that this is a very dangerous and horrifying place to be. If you think this, and in many areas of life we betray that we do by our actions, then you must be warned that God is a jealous God and will do whatever it takes to regain His glory and preeminence from our lives, whether that means judgment in hell, or discipline as believers.
For the last year or so, Jonathan Sarr, Curtis Wentling, Sean Higgins, and myself have been reading John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion." John Calvin's mission was to glorify God in all that he did and for his readers to do the same. Calvin believed with everything that he was that the Lord, alone, is to be preeminent among His people, and as such has the right to exercise complete authority over them. This is the purpose, in his discussion of the Ten Commandments, he states for giving us the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me." He goes on to say that "we cannot "have" God without at the same time embracing the things that are His. Therefore, in forbidding us to have strange gods, He means that we are not to transfer to another what belongs to Him" (Institutes, 2.VIII.16). All things belong to God because He is the Creator and Author of this world and us, and He is the only sovereign, omnipotent, and perfectly righteous one. Not only this (which is sufficient by itself), but for those of us who believe and reap the benefits of His salvation, He gave His only begotten Son, for our filthy, sin filled, depraved, wicked, and God hating souls. As such we are obligated and should with great joy and willingness to humbly give all we have to Him. Calvin being the great teacher that he is, "conveniently" groups the "innumerable things that we owe to God" under four headings: Adoration, trust, invocation, and thanksgiving. Here they are for edification and reminding, with definitions:
Adoration: the veneration and worship that each of us, submitting to His greatness, renders to Him. A part of adoration is that we must submit our consciences to His law.One last thing to leave you with from Calvin, it is not enough to "abstain from a strange god," but if we are to ascribe to God what He will not allow to be transferred to another and must be rendered solely unto Him, we must pursue "true religion." True religion is "steeped in the knowledge of Him." We must "aspire to contemplate, fear, and worship, His majesty; to participate in His blessings; to seek His help at all times; to recognize, and by praises to celebrate, the greatness of His works--as the only goal of all the activities of this life."
Trust: the assurance of reposing in Him that arises from the recognition of His attributes, when--attributing to Him all wisdom, righteousness, might, truth, and goodness--we judge that we are blessed only by communion with Him.
Invocation: the habit of the mind, whenever necessity presses us, of resorting to His faithfulness and help as our only support.
Thanksgiving: the gratitude with which we ascribe praise to Him for all good things.
May we all aspire to live this way and to fight for God's glory in our hearts, minds, and actions, and to also fight for the same in others. God is playing for keeps and so should we.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Future Thoughts
I have not posted in a long time and my good friend Curtis, the blogging fiend, has challenged me to blog once a day this week. He laid down this gauntlet because it is my spring break, sharing my marinations is good, and it is beneficial, for myself (and him, he says), to put what I have been learning into writing, hopefully in an organized manner.
So here we go.
Last quarter at the UW, my second to last one (woohoo!), I took a class on the city of Rome. It was a history, art history, and Italian class all wrapped up into one. During this class, I had the assignment and privilege of reading some of St. Augustine's On the City of God. Augustine was an amazing man, and his writings, especially this one, are full of theological marinations. When I read through this I was struck with his love and awe for Christ and His Church. If you are not familiar with this great and important work or man (a vital work and man of Christian history), then here is a quick synopsis of both.
Augustine (short for his Latin name Aurelius Augustinus) was born in the year 354 A.D. (none of this BCE and CE nonsense) in a Roman North African city. His mother was a Christian and his father was a pagan. He received his early training in Latin Literature and earned his living as a teacher of rhetoric (very important for a Roman man to learn). He later joined the Manicheans and a few years later became disillusioned. In 387 A.D., Augustine became a Christian with the help of St. Ambrose, and most importantly through the sovereign grace of God. He returned to Africa and established a monastic community; in 391 he was ordained a priest at Hippo (not the animal), becoming bishop there in 395.
For the remainder of his life, he preached and wrote prolifically, defining points of Christian doctrine and engaging in theological controversy with the Manicheans, the Donatists, and the Pelagians.
Augustine wrote On the City of God (22 books, written from 413 to 426 [don't worry I didn't have to read them all]). In this massive text, he constructs an apology for Christianity against the accusation that the Church was responsible for the decline of the Roman Empire, and its sacking in 410 AD by the Visigoths.
So now that you have the context behind the City of God, I'll share what about is so important to actually make me blog about it.
Throughout the text, Augustine is comparing the Heavenly City and the earthly City. He uses Rome as the quintessential example of the earthly City. This city is a city dominated by sin and lust for self-glorification. One good quote from the first book, chapter 30 explains his thoughts about the earthly City:
Why is it that you put the blame on this Christian era, when things go wrong? Is it not because you are anxious to enjoy your vice without interference, and to wallow in your corruption, untroubled and unrebuked? For if you are concerned for peace and general prosperity, it is not because you want to make decent use of these blessings, with moderation, with restraint, with self-control, with reverence. No! It is because you seek an infinite variety of pleasure with a crazy extravagance, and your prosperity produces a moral corruption far worse than all the fury of an enemy.
Sounds like a good description of those who love to bash on Christianity today and blame it for all the evils in our society, but really they just want to live life as their own authority and judge. They hate God and revile against His glorious name. We who are saved must remember that we were just like this, as Ephesians 2 says, we "were dead in the trespasses and sins, in which you once walked," but here is the best part the big "BUT" of verse 4 (you need to go read that on your own, in fact read the whole context surrounding it).
Later on in Augustine's text (Book XIV, Ch. 28), he describes the character of the two cities, and again I will quote it because it is too good to be left out:
We see then that the two cities were created by two kinds of love: the earthly city was created by self-love reaching the point of contempt for God, the Heavenly City by the love of God carried as far as contempt of self. In fact, the earthly city glories in itself, the Heavenly City glories in the Lord (he cites 2 Cor. 10:17). The former looks for glory from men, the latter finds its highest glory in God, the witness of a good conscience. The earthly lifts up its head in its in own glory, the Heavenly City says to its God: 'My glory; you lift up my head' (cites Ps. 3:3). . . . The one city loves its own strength shown in its powerful leaders; the other says to its God, 'I will love you, my Lord, my strength' (cites Ps. 18:1).
He continues on to describe the wisdom those in the earthly city, who "live by men's standards", and says about the Heavenly City that "man's only wisdom is the devotion which rightly worships the true God, and looks for its reward in the fellowship of the saints, not only holy men but also holy angels, 'so that God may be all in all' (cites 1 Cor. 15:28).
After Augustine's salvation, he did all he did so that "God may be all in all." Can you and I say that about our lives? If I took an honest look at myself, definitely not, but God has been faithful to His all and has progressed me closer to living for His glory alone. I am so thankful that God did not leave me in my "earthly city" state and changed my heart to be a heart belonging to the "Heavenly City".
I titled this post "Future Thoughts" because God's glory should be what all of our thoughts should be locked in on, let alone our future thoughts, but lately with the end of my undergraduate schooling approaching, grad school on the horizon, my future job, and plans for when to start trying for little 'bambinos,' that have been roaming through my wife and my minds. With all these things rampaging my tired brain, I forget that I need to look to Christ and His glory in all things, the past, present, and future. God must be all in all in my thoughts and plans, and if He is not, He will destroy my idols because He does not share his glory with another (Is. 42:8).
So here we go.
Last quarter at the UW, my second to last one (woohoo!), I took a class on the city of Rome. It was a history, art history, and Italian class all wrapped up into one. During this class, I had the assignment and privilege of reading some of St. Augustine's On the City of God. Augustine was an amazing man, and his writings, especially this one, are full of theological marinations. When I read through this I was struck with his love and awe for Christ and His Church. If you are not familiar with this great and important work or man (a vital work and man of Christian history), then here is a quick synopsis of both.
Augustine (short for his Latin name Aurelius Augustinus) was born in the year 354 A.D. (none of this BCE and CE nonsense) in a Roman North African city. His mother was a Christian and his father was a pagan. He received his early training in Latin Literature and earned his living as a teacher of rhetoric (very important for a Roman man to learn). He later joined the Manicheans and a few years later became disillusioned. In 387 A.D., Augustine became a Christian with the help of St. Ambrose, and most importantly through the sovereign grace of God. He returned to Africa and established a monastic community; in 391 he was ordained a priest at Hippo (not the animal), becoming bishop there in 395.
For the remainder of his life, he preached and wrote prolifically, defining points of Christian doctrine and engaging in theological controversy with the Manicheans, the Donatists, and the Pelagians.
Augustine wrote On the City of God (22 books, written from 413 to 426 [don't worry I didn't have to read them all]). In this massive text, he constructs an apology for Christianity against the accusation that the Church was responsible for the decline of the Roman Empire, and its sacking in 410 AD by the Visigoths.
So now that you have the context behind the City of God, I'll share what about is so important to actually make me blog about it.
Throughout the text, Augustine is comparing the Heavenly City and the earthly City. He uses Rome as the quintessential example of the earthly City. This city is a city dominated by sin and lust for self-glorification. One good quote from the first book, chapter 30 explains his thoughts about the earthly City:
Why is it that you put the blame on this Christian era, when things go wrong? Is it not because you are anxious to enjoy your vice without interference, and to wallow in your corruption, untroubled and unrebuked? For if you are concerned for peace and general prosperity, it is not because you want to make decent use of these blessings, with moderation, with restraint, with self-control, with reverence. No! It is because you seek an infinite variety of pleasure with a crazy extravagance, and your prosperity produces a moral corruption far worse than all the fury of an enemy.
Sounds like a good description of those who love to bash on Christianity today and blame it for all the evils in our society, but really they just want to live life as their own authority and judge. They hate God and revile against His glorious name. We who are saved must remember that we were just like this, as Ephesians 2 says, we "were dead in the trespasses and sins, in which you once walked," but here is the best part the big "BUT" of verse 4 (you need to go read that on your own, in fact read the whole context surrounding it).
Later on in Augustine's text (Book XIV, Ch. 28), he describes the character of the two cities, and again I will quote it because it is too good to be left out:
We see then that the two cities were created by two kinds of love: the earthly city was created by self-love reaching the point of contempt for God, the Heavenly City by the love of God carried as far as contempt of self. In fact, the earthly city glories in itself, the Heavenly City glories in the Lord (he cites 2 Cor. 10:17). The former looks for glory from men, the latter finds its highest glory in God, the witness of a good conscience. The earthly lifts up its head in its in own glory, the Heavenly City says to its God: 'My glory; you lift up my head' (cites Ps. 3:3). . . . The one city loves its own strength shown in its powerful leaders; the other says to its God, 'I will love you, my Lord, my strength' (cites Ps. 18:1).
He continues on to describe the wisdom those in the earthly city, who "live by men's standards", and says about the Heavenly City that "man's only wisdom is the devotion which rightly worships the true God, and looks for its reward in the fellowship of the saints, not only holy men but also holy angels, 'so that God may be all in all' (cites 1 Cor. 15:28).
After Augustine's salvation, he did all he did so that "God may be all in all." Can you and I say that about our lives? If I took an honest look at myself, definitely not, but God has been faithful to His all and has progressed me closer to living for His glory alone. I am so thankful that God did not leave me in my "earthly city" state and changed my heart to be a heart belonging to the "Heavenly City".
I titled this post "Future Thoughts" because God's glory should be what all of our thoughts should be locked in on, let alone our future thoughts, but lately with the end of my undergraduate schooling approaching, grad school on the horizon, my future job, and plans for when to start trying for little 'bambinos,' that have been roaming through my wife and my minds. With all these things rampaging my tired brain, I forget that I need to look to Christ and His glory in all things, the past, present, and future. God must be all in all in my thoughts and plans, and if He is not, He will destroy my idols because He does not share his glory with another (Is. 42:8).
Friday, October 27, 2006
Just a bit of me.
Sorry for the great absence, the emptiness of the collection. The lack of sententiae. That is fun to say. I think it is latin, but I don't remember. You know, you don't use it, you lose it.
I thought I would share a little of my mind, my heart, my splognon (however that is spelled, my bowels). This is the first quarter of my senior year at the purple and gold UW, and it has been an interesting and adventurous one to say the least.
I am taking a class on J.R.R. Tolkien (fun but lots of reading), a Chinese History class (they have a lot of it, and they need Christ big time), and then there is my senior seminar, Greek Warfare (even more reading and research). Tolkien is fun because I get to read is stories and we get to talk about God and Christianity in class. I even brought in some Calvanism. Chinese history is a snoozer, but it is interesting to learn about their different philosophies over the years, even though they are all vanity and grasping after wind. My senior seminar is cool, because it talks about warfare, but is a lot more work than I expected. I have a 16-20 page paper due at the of the quarter, but many projects leading to that end as we go along, which mean my days very full. This is the heaviest load so far, but it is good for me to press on and persevere, or drown.
Yesterday I had 7-8 page paper due in Tolkien, my thesis and outline in Greek, and a test in Chinese, so needless to say I was up way late. Even with that crazy load God was/is so good and faithful. He gave me the wherewithall to write a good paper (according to Leila and I think she would know), know 90-95% of the info on the test (didn't study as much as I should've), and have time to spare to finish my Greek stuff. So God is good, and all of this has forced me to depend on God a lot more, and pray more. Praise God.
One more thing about this quarter, at the beginning I heard some sad news about my Dad. I won't go into details, but it has put a strain on our relationship, and my heart. Some of you know what I talking about, and I hope you keep praying for me and especially him and his wife (my stepmom). Through this I have been increasingly aware of sin, and its destructiveness. Our pride opens a door the size of those at the Boeing plant that lets them move in 777's or 747's in and out. Pride lets everything destructive in, and when sin is in it seeks to exstinguish all light, burn out all good, and strangle all life in your heart and life. Notice too, that I equated destructiveness with sin. They are one in the same.
We need to fight sin not only in our own hearts and lives, but also in and with others. If we are Christians then we are part of family, and we cannot be indifferent to each other, we must reach out and help each other. My Dad needs my help and I am trying to give it as best as I can. I need your help. I am weak in the flesh, and so are you, so let's fight together. One thing that I have learned in my Greek class is the Spartan hoplites were the best fighters because they trained hard, and fought together. Their constant training allowed them to keep order and overcome many obstacles together. The same goes for the Athenian navy. They were the best because of their focus on training together, and much practice. All great armies/navies, and sports teams found success because they trained hard, and relentlessly, with each other.
The point is, we must train hard and relentlessly for the fight against sin and the flesh. We must do this with each other. We must learn how to use our sword properly. If you don't train hard, who is going to get my back or the soldier next to you. We can't rely on each other if we aren't all working hard to fight better. We must protect and serve one another. Our sin and weaknesses always affect others around us, one way or another. My dad's sin has been festering for years, and it is because he has been poorly trained, and has not sought proper training. I am talking about proper training in the Word, our sword. He doesn't know his weapon, he thinks he does, but it is like he is holding it by the blade or something, trying to fight with handle and cutting himself. Not much good in a battle. So train hard, press on, and humble yourself before God, or sin will invade your heart, and ruin your life and the lives of those around you.
I thought I would share a little of my mind, my heart, my splognon (however that is spelled, my bowels). This is the first quarter of my senior year at the purple and gold UW, and it has been an interesting and adventurous one to say the least.
I am taking a class on J.R.R. Tolkien (fun but lots of reading), a Chinese History class (they have a lot of it, and they need Christ big time), and then there is my senior seminar, Greek Warfare (even more reading and research). Tolkien is fun because I get to read is stories and we get to talk about God and Christianity in class. I even brought in some Calvanism. Chinese history is a snoozer, but it is interesting to learn about their different philosophies over the years, even though they are all vanity and grasping after wind. My senior seminar is cool, because it talks about warfare, but is a lot more work than I expected. I have a 16-20 page paper due at the of the quarter, but many projects leading to that end as we go along, which mean my days very full. This is the heaviest load so far, but it is good for me to press on and persevere, or drown.
Yesterday I had 7-8 page paper due in Tolkien, my thesis and outline in Greek, and a test in Chinese, so needless to say I was up way late. Even with that crazy load God was/is so good and faithful. He gave me the wherewithall to write a good paper (according to Leila and I think she would know), know 90-95% of the info on the test (didn't study as much as I should've), and have time to spare to finish my Greek stuff. So God is good, and all of this has forced me to depend on God a lot more, and pray more. Praise God.
One more thing about this quarter, at the beginning I heard some sad news about my Dad. I won't go into details, but it has put a strain on our relationship, and my heart. Some of you know what I talking about, and I hope you keep praying for me and especially him and his wife (my stepmom). Through this I have been increasingly aware of sin, and its destructiveness. Our pride opens a door the size of those at the Boeing plant that lets them move in 777's or 747's in and out. Pride lets everything destructive in, and when sin is in it seeks to exstinguish all light, burn out all good, and strangle all life in your heart and life. Notice too, that I equated destructiveness with sin. They are one in the same.
We need to fight sin not only in our own hearts and lives, but also in and with others. If we are Christians then we are part of family, and we cannot be indifferent to each other, we must reach out and help each other. My Dad needs my help and I am trying to give it as best as I can. I need your help. I am weak in the flesh, and so are you, so let's fight together. One thing that I have learned in my Greek class is the Spartan hoplites were the best fighters because they trained hard, and fought together. Their constant training allowed them to keep order and overcome many obstacles together. The same goes for the Athenian navy. They were the best because of their focus on training together, and much practice. All great armies/navies, and sports teams found success because they trained hard, and relentlessly, with each other.
The point is, we must train hard and relentlessly for the fight against sin and the flesh. We must do this with each other. We must learn how to use our sword properly. If you don't train hard, who is going to get my back or the soldier next to you. We can't rely on each other if we aren't all working hard to fight better. We must protect and serve one another. Our sin and weaknesses always affect others around us, one way or another. My dad's sin has been festering for years, and it is because he has been poorly trained, and has not sought proper training. I am talking about proper training in the Word, our sword. He doesn't know his weapon, he thinks he does, but it is like he is holding it by the blade or something, trying to fight with handle and cutting himself. Not much good in a battle. So train hard, press on, and humble yourself before God, or sin will invade your heart, and ruin your life and the lives of those around you.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
War, Death, and our Humbled Hearts
I am taking a break from writing my paper on the "Zeitgeist" or spirit of the times of the Americans and the British during April 1917. If you recall this during WWI and on April 6th the US declared war on the Germany and her militaristic allies. As I am working this paper I am listening to DC Talks greatest hits and the song, "I Wish We All been Ready," and I was overcome by emotion. Now I know some of you are thinking that I am a girl, but I asked myself, "Why?" I answered that we are evil people and the world is terribly in need of God and so many of us live our daily oblivious to death, destruction, and pain. We are safe here in our little community in Snohomish county and we forget our place in this world and so stinkin' selfish.
I am so convinced that if we studied our history (the history of man) we would continually be reminded of our sinfulness and need of a Saviour. As I have the privilege to study History at fine university like UW (Go Dawgs, that is a shout out to Sara W.), I have been reminded how important studying history and learning from it is. We all need reminding that the world is not our oyster and we are not the center of the universe. The universe is not youcentric; it is Godcentric. If you think that you are the most important person in the world and your life sucks, then let me take you on a tour of the battle fronts of WWI. I will show you men who loved their countries and hated evil and for the most part submitted to their leaders without question. The fought even when it seemed hopeless and they charged a storm of bullets, they inhaled the fowl, nasty smells of death on a daily basis. They had the "privilege" to fight the worst style of warfare imaginable, trench warfare. Until the tank and the German storm troopers, there was really no way to break through the trench lines completely and exploit the the breakthrough. So all sorts attempts we made to find a way through, like gas, immense artillery bombardment, and even the old school bayonet charge. The use of gas was nasty, it blinded people, burned their skin and lungs, ate through their clothes (mustard gas), made you sneeze so you had to take off your gas masks and be hit by other types of gas, not to mention the fact that while you are worrying about the gas, the enemy machine guns are spitting out their fireflies of death, and the artillery is belching out shells of death. Every aspect of life during the war was focused on one purpose and the was surviving and winning the war; avoiding death and finding solace in victory. Almost SIX MILLION people were killed, seriously wounded, or captured during the Great War. We must remember that life under the sun is mortal and finite. We are not here to live forever and be all hunky dory about life. We are here for God's purposes and that is to praise and worship Him as our sovereign Father, King, and Creator. We are to do all things to glory and praise of God. We must trust Him and obey, and not live our life without regard to death and pain; to not live our life like this is it and we are all that matters. We don't always have to have the best and be comfortable to have joy and delight in God, we can do that while suffering through the horrible atrocities of war and persecution. We can do this and love during the most horrible times of life only because of the indominable Jesus Christ. We think the our soldiers and the soldiers of all battles gave a great sacrifice of life and blood, but none of the millions, perhaps billions of people who have died in the wars of selfish mankind have made a perfect and infinite sacrifice, only JESUS CHRIST has paid the total penalty of sin and only he has fought a truly just and holy war. He is the only conquer and victor. Only He deserves all the spoils and the territories of the enemy. Only He deserves our totally abdication and surrender. Only He deserves praise and the rights to our total obedience. God gave His one and only son to be our victorious conquer and infinite sacrifice. He is the only one worthy of focus and striving. May we remember that every second 1.6 people die and you could be next. We must not wait til it is too late to love our greatest lover and bow the knee perfect submission to His holy will. I beg you remember the truth and forget your petty selves and love God with every molecule of your body being powered by the Holy Spirit charging you soul with the truth of His Word, the greatest weapon we have, and may ask our mighty commander for daily guidance and orders. God I love you and praise you may my own words not be hypocritical and may the only serve to bring you glory.
I am so convinced that if we studied our history (the history of man) we would continually be reminded of our sinfulness and need of a Saviour. As I have the privilege to study History at fine university like UW (Go Dawgs, that is a shout out to Sara W.), I have been reminded how important studying history and learning from it is. We all need reminding that the world is not our oyster and we are not the center of the universe. The universe is not youcentric; it is Godcentric. If you think that you are the most important person in the world and your life sucks, then let me take you on a tour of the battle fronts of WWI. I will show you men who loved their countries and hated evil and for the most part submitted to their leaders without question. The fought even when it seemed hopeless and they charged a storm of bullets, they inhaled the fowl, nasty smells of death on a daily basis. They had the "privilege" to fight the worst style of warfare imaginable, trench warfare. Until the tank and the German storm troopers, there was really no way to break through the trench lines completely and exploit the the breakthrough. So all sorts attempts we made to find a way through, like gas, immense artillery bombardment, and even the old school bayonet charge. The use of gas was nasty, it blinded people, burned their skin and lungs, ate through their clothes (mustard gas), made you sneeze so you had to take off your gas masks and be hit by other types of gas, not to mention the fact that while you are worrying about the gas, the enemy machine guns are spitting out their fireflies of death, and the artillery is belching out shells of death. Every aspect of life during the war was focused on one purpose and the was surviving and winning the war; avoiding death and finding solace in victory. Almost SIX MILLION people were killed, seriously wounded, or captured during the Great War. We must remember that life under the sun is mortal and finite. We are not here to live forever and be all hunky dory about life. We are here for God's purposes and that is to praise and worship Him as our sovereign Father, King, and Creator. We are to do all things to glory and praise of God. We must trust Him and obey, and not live our life without regard to death and pain; to not live our life like this is it and we are all that matters. We don't always have to have the best and be comfortable to have joy and delight in God, we can do that while suffering through the horrible atrocities of war and persecution. We can do this and love during the most horrible times of life only because of the indominable Jesus Christ. We think the our soldiers and the soldiers of all battles gave a great sacrifice of life and blood, but none of the millions, perhaps billions of people who have died in the wars of selfish mankind have made a perfect and infinite sacrifice, only JESUS CHRIST has paid the total penalty of sin and only he has fought a truly just and holy war. He is the only conquer and victor. Only He deserves all the spoils and the territories of the enemy. Only He deserves our totally abdication and surrender. Only He deserves praise and the rights to our total obedience. God gave His one and only son to be our victorious conquer and infinite sacrifice. He is the only one worthy of focus and striving. May we remember that every second 1.6 people die and you could be next. We must not wait til it is too late to love our greatest lover and bow the knee perfect submission to His holy will. I beg you remember the truth and forget your petty selves and love God with every molecule of your body being powered by the Holy Spirit charging you soul with the truth of His Word, the greatest weapon we have, and may ask our mighty commander for daily guidance and orders. God I love you and praise you may my own words not be hypocritical and may the only serve to bring you glory.
Monday, March 27, 2006
The Slacker Blogs
Hey look what I'm doing, I'm blogging. My wife is so inspiring and I thought this is a far more profitable way to to waste time before my first class of Spring 06 at the UDub. I want to write more this quarter to promote yours and mine edification and help all those who read to increase in Christ-likeness.
I have been reminded lately to press on and fight for growth in my life. I have found that I have been trying to fight the spiritual fight with the wrong weapons or at least a weapon in disrepair. Joshua Harris in his book "Sex is not the problem. (Lust is)," formerly titled "Not even a Hint" that I must fight spiritual battles with the Sword of the Spirit and not with my feeble flesh and its wussy rules and regulations. So myself and my fellow small groupers (sounds like a school of fish) are getting back in the fight and again memorizing Scripture. We want to memorize specific Scriptures to fight specific battles. Right now we need to remember that our love is to ABOUND and not to be barried by selfish pride. We also need to work on our respect for others and especially those in authority over us. Keep praying for us and to all who read my blog, keep asking us how we are doing with our fight and if it affecting our love for God, causing rejoicing in Him, and actually being practiced out in our lives. In case you don't know who is in our small group it is: Nathanal Lugg, Garrett Weinberg, Zach Isreal, Joey Neilsen, Bailey Wargo, Tk and me. Love you all and my wife rocks.
I have been reminded lately to press on and fight for growth in my life. I have found that I have been trying to fight the spiritual fight with the wrong weapons or at least a weapon in disrepair. Joshua Harris in his book "Sex is not the problem. (Lust is)," formerly titled "Not even a Hint" that I must fight spiritual battles with the Sword of the Spirit and not with my feeble flesh and its wussy rules and regulations. So myself and my fellow small groupers (sounds like a school of fish) are getting back in the fight and again memorizing Scripture. We want to memorize specific Scriptures to fight specific battles. Right now we need to remember that our love is to ABOUND and not to be barried by selfish pride. We also need to work on our respect for others and especially those in authority over us. Keep praying for us and to all who read my blog, keep asking us how we are doing with our fight and if it affecting our love for God, causing rejoicing in Him, and actually being practiced out in our lives. In case you don't know who is in our small group it is: Nathanal Lugg, Garrett Weinberg, Zach Isreal, Joey Neilsen, Bailey Wargo, Tk and me. Love you all and my wife rocks.
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