I regularly read a blog and I came across this from an entry on this particular blog and I agreed a lot with the sentiments that she expressed -
Honestly, I am grieved over other things…I am grieved that some Christians are walking around with anxiety, gripped with fear that O is the Antichrist. I am also grieved that other Christians are walking around rejoicing in a man’s ability to save them from all their sorrows, all their pain, their financial woes, and who knows what else. If people were to actually read the Bible they would see that God has always been aware of who is in office and at times, appointed leaders to teach His children lessons. I am grieved that for some, so much emotion is put into a political election that when their candidate wins or loses, some actually think it is the saving answer or the end of the world…So? What if it is? What if it is the end of the world? Why does that thought provoke paralyzing fear in some people, namely people who claim the name of Christ? Either God is on the throne or He’s not…He is who He says He is or He’s not…either He is truth or He isn’t…either He knows what He’s doing, or well, if He doesn’t, we are all screwed, frankly, so none of this really matters…I rest in the peace of knowing that God is good, He is on the throne, and that He loves us too much to allow us to become complacent...He is sifting, therefore, He disciplines those He loves. (noahsteven.blogspot.com)
It is true. It is interesting that people think Obama is going to save us from ourselves. He can try, but he is man. Man cannot save himself or anyone else. And does it really matter about O's position on life? Not really. We're all responsible to God for our decisions. If we support abortion and partial birth abortion murder then we answer to God for what we believe. I wish that people didn't believe that abortion was a good answer to an unwanted pregnancy, but unfortunately it is. But whether or not it's legal or whether or not our president elect is for or against it, he will answer to God just like everyone else. All we can do is to pray for those who feel that way because answering to God for the murder of an innocent human being is going to be quite a scene, one that I never want to be a part of. God knit everyone in their mother's womb from the time of conception onward. He is the one that is going to be angry at anyone who thinks that abortion is a good idea. We don't have to be angry at them. We need to feel sorry for them and pray that they will have a change of heart.
And also to comment on the quote I have above, I agree, so what if it is the end of the world? If you're a Christian, what in life is there to fear? Nothing and no one but God himself. He is the only one that deserves our fear. It is He who controls the storms and the wind and the waves. It is He who provides and gives is what we need. Not man, not a president. No one but God Almighty is to fear. And if the end of the world is coming, all I have to say is "Come Lord Jesus."
Friday, November 7, 2008
Find Your Fun
I had orchestra rehearsal last night. I finally practiced my piece with some determination to master some rather difficult parts with nearly impossible fingerings. I'm tell you, Tchikowski was no flute player. That's besides the point. As I was playing and finally able to play those tricky measures I realized how much fun I have playing. I think when we get to be adults we put behind some of those things that use to give us so much pleasure as children. Who says that you can't still play on a soccer team or still play your musical instrument? There are plenty of outlets in most major cities for people who want to continue something that they enjoyed earlier in life. I think that not finding a fun outlet is another reason why so many people are so glum all of the time. I'm around other mothers quite often and I don't see a lot of sparkle anymore. I sometimes think, do these women really know how to have fun anymore? We get so bogged down by the trials and not so fun stuff that we have to deal with as adults that we forget to have fun once in a while. I love playing my flute in the New Life Symphony Orchestra. Yes I'd love it more if I got paid for it, but that isn't the point of this orchestra. I have fun, it is challenging, and it is something that is unique and different about me because I really don't know a whole lot of adults who still have hobbies that they began when they were only 11 years old. Go find your fun. Join a club, band, team, whatever and stop being so gloomy and feeling sorry for yourself.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Was Jesus a Socialist?
Interesting thing to think about on the heels of yesterday's election. Obama's name is closely associated with the word socialist it seems. You could say that Jesus held socialist ideals. One big idea of socialism is equality and giving to the poor. A sort of Robin Hood idea - steal from the rich to give to the poor. So here are some verses in which someone could make an argument that Jesus would be okay with socialism -
- Galations 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. "
- Luke 12:33 - Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
- Luke 18:22 - When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
I'm sure you could find more, but you get the point. However, even if you could find 100 more verses supporting a socialist thought in the New Testament, you are failing to see the heart behind the matter. Jesus doesn't force anyone to give to the poor. He doesn't make anyone do anything that they don't want to. Jesus gives us the freedom to give to those less fortunate then ourselves. And another thing, though there are many verses that speak to being generous with one's possessions, the focus on Jesus's ministry was on spiritual matters, not material. He also made it quite clear what his true priorities were. For instance, when asked if he had come to abolish the law that was set in the Old Testament, he replied:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:17-19).
And how about what he wanted us to do with our lives?:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Mark 28:18-20).
He wanted and wants us still to spread the Gospel, give to the poor because we know it is the right thing to do, not because someone forces you to do so. And another thing, true socialism, since it wants to erase classes and differences would take away your freedom.
As Pope Benedict XVI has written:
"Let us recall the fact that atheism and the denial of the human person, his liberty and his rights, are at the core of the Marxist theory...Moreover, to attempt to integrate into theology an analysis whose criterion of interpretation depends on this atheistic conception is to involve oneself in terrible contradictions. What is more, this misunderstanding of the spiritual nature of the person leads to a total subordination of the person to the collectivity, and thus to the denial of the principles of a social and political life which is in keeping with human dignity."
- Galations 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. "
- Luke 12:33 - Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
- Luke 18:22 - When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
I'm sure you could find more, but you get the point. However, even if you could find 100 more verses supporting a socialist thought in the New Testament, you are failing to see the heart behind the matter. Jesus doesn't force anyone to give to the poor. He doesn't make anyone do anything that they don't want to. Jesus gives us the freedom to give to those less fortunate then ourselves. And another thing, though there are many verses that speak to being generous with one's possessions, the focus on Jesus's ministry was on spiritual matters, not material. He also made it quite clear what his true priorities were. For instance, when asked if he had come to abolish the law that was set in the Old Testament, he replied:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:17-19).
And how about what he wanted us to do with our lives?:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Mark 28:18-20).
He wanted and wants us still to spread the Gospel, give to the poor because we know it is the right thing to do, not because someone forces you to do so. And another thing, true socialism, since it wants to erase classes and differences would take away your freedom.
As Pope Benedict XVI has written:
"Let us recall the fact that atheism and the denial of the human person, his liberty and his rights, are at the core of the Marxist theory...Moreover, to attempt to integrate into theology an analysis whose criterion of interpretation depends on this atheistic conception is to involve oneself in terrible contradictions. What is more, this misunderstanding of the spiritual nature of the person leads to a total subordination of the person to the collectivity, and thus to the denial of the principles of a social and political life which is in keeping with human dignity."
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Hashimoto!
Isn't that fun to say? Hashimoto. Come on, say it out loud, fun, isn't it? I mean, it's great to get diagnosed with something that is actually fun to say. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Tons of fun.
I finally found a doctor that I like! Never mind that I was there for THREE HOURS. But, he is into holistic medicine and it makes me happy! He actually believes in propolous for the immune system! Go figure. God made things that can help us feel better? No way! I like God made cures for things. Even my new medication isn't synthetic. Yay! Oh and for more giggles, his first name is Vladamir (like Dracula) and I saw him on Halloween, and they took blood. hahaha.
Basically after I had Knox, my immune system went crazy and as my doctor said, "Your immune system woke up and it was like it got a machine gun and went Boom! Boom! Boom! and it shot your thyroid." Even the way it happened is amusing. This explains why my allergies have been something awful this past year. My immune system is just trying to hold it all together. I'm surprise that I didn't get really sick this year. I think all I've had was a cold or two. Yay for washing hands and eating healthy. So basically it will slowly deteriorate throughout my life. Oh well. It could be worse. Well, potentially it could be. Type One Diabetes and Celiac Disease are related to Hashimotos so hopefully I don't get either one. I haven't figured out which causes which others so maybe I don't have to worry. That's a question I'll need to ask next time I spend the afternoon at the doc's office. But seeing as I can pretty much understand his English despite his Russian/Ukrainian accent, he's into holistic medicine, and he actually TALKED to me, I'm a very happy Hashimoto Thyroiditis individual. It doesn't take much to make me happy these days!
I finally found a doctor that I like! Never mind that I was there for THREE HOURS. But, he is into holistic medicine and it makes me happy! He actually believes in propolous for the immune system! Go figure. God made things that can help us feel better? No way! I like God made cures for things. Even my new medication isn't synthetic. Yay! Oh and for more giggles, his first name is Vladamir (like Dracula) and I saw him on Halloween, and they took blood. hahaha.
Basically after I had Knox, my immune system went crazy and as my doctor said, "Your immune system woke up and it was like it got a machine gun and went Boom! Boom! Boom! and it shot your thyroid." Even the way it happened is amusing. This explains why my allergies have been something awful this past year. My immune system is just trying to hold it all together. I'm surprise that I didn't get really sick this year. I think all I've had was a cold or two. Yay for washing hands and eating healthy. So basically it will slowly deteriorate throughout my life. Oh well. It could be worse. Well, potentially it could be. Type One Diabetes and Celiac Disease are related to Hashimotos so hopefully I don't get either one. I haven't figured out which causes which others so maybe I don't have to worry. That's a question I'll need to ask next time I spend the afternoon at the doc's office. But seeing as I can pretty much understand his English despite his Russian/Ukrainian accent, he's into holistic medicine, and he actually TALKED to me, I'm a very happy Hashimoto Thyroiditis individual. It doesn't take much to make me happy these days!
Rebellion and Redemption
This is the chapter theme for chapter one of Isaiah. Reviewing the background of Isaiah would help before proceeding.
In chapter one, God is upset with Israel because they do not understand God. They are revolting against him and he's not too happy with it. The Israelites are offering sacrifices to God like he commanded them to do, but they are not doing it because they want to. For them it's just another ritual. God says that he is weary of bearing the festivals and feasts. The offerings are worthless and the incense that they are burning is an abomination to him. He is thoroughly frustrated with his people. He even says to them in v 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hid My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. You hands are covered with blood."
We can be much like the Israelites. We go to church because we're "supposed to", we may do our quiet time because "everyone else is doing it" and we do many other things that we may just do them because that is what a "good" Christian does. God doesn't want your puppet responses, he wants to you want to worship Him. He wants you to want to read about Him. Does God listen to the prayers of the insincere? We talked about this in Bible study. Some people thought that God hears the prayers of everyone, but perhaps ignores the insincere ones. I don't know the answer. We can read that here God ignores the prayers of the Israelites, but we live in a time after the coming of the Messiah which makes a difference in how some things now work. The bottom line is that God wants sincere hearts when living our faith and our lives.
Even though he is completely upset with his people he still offers forgiveness to them. V 18 "Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as son; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."
No matter how badly we mess up, God always is there to forgive us and cleanse us. No sin is too great for him to forgive us from. The New Testament tells us many times over that if we believe that we have everlasting life from our belief in Jesus, then we do. Our outcome is determined by ones faith. If we look at what influences us, what/who we turn to in trouble, what/who we turn to in joy, it can show us where our faith lies. God doesn't want you on the fence. He wants you all for him. Jesus came and is kind of like the great divide - either you believe in Him or you don't. There isn't a grey area like we love to have on issues. It is pretty clear cut with God. Either you believe and have everlasting life, or you don't. We all get a chance to believe. More on that in a few more chapters.
Hold on to your hats though, things get worse before they get better. The Israelites are not always the smartest people (hmm.. like us!) and we're going to see how God deals with them and their rebellion and their breaking of the everlasting covenant.
In chapter one, God is upset with Israel because they do not understand God. They are revolting against him and he's not too happy with it. The Israelites are offering sacrifices to God like he commanded them to do, but they are not doing it because they want to. For them it's just another ritual. God says that he is weary of bearing the festivals and feasts. The offerings are worthless and the incense that they are burning is an abomination to him. He is thoroughly frustrated with his people. He even says to them in v 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hid My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. You hands are covered with blood."
We can be much like the Israelites. We go to church because we're "supposed to", we may do our quiet time because "everyone else is doing it" and we do many other things that we may just do them because that is what a "good" Christian does. God doesn't want your puppet responses, he wants to you want to worship Him. He wants you to want to read about Him. Does God listen to the prayers of the insincere? We talked about this in Bible study. Some people thought that God hears the prayers of everyone, but perhaps ignores the insincere ones. I don't know the answer. We can read that here God ignores the prayers of the Israelites, but we live in a time after the coming of the Messiah which makes a difference in how some things now work. The bottom line is that God wants sincere hearts when living our faith and our lives.
Even though he is completely upset with his people he still offers forgiveness to them. V 18 "Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as son; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."
No matter how badly we mess up, God always is there to forgive us and cleanse us. No sin is too great for him to forgive us from. The New Testament tells us many times over that if we believe that we have everlasting life from our belief in Jesus, then we do. Our outcome is determined by ones faith. If we look at what influences us, what/who we turn to in trouble, what/who we turn to in joy, it can show us where our faith lies. God doesn't want you on the fence. He wants you all for him. Jesus came and is kind of like the great divide - either you believe in Him or you don't. There isn't a grey area like we love to have on issues. It is pretty clear cut with God. Either you believe and have everlasting life, or you don't. We all get a chance to believe. More on that in a few more chapters.
Hold on to your hats though, things get worse before they get better. The Israelites are not always the smartest people (hmm.. like us!) and we're going to see how God deals with them and their rebellion and their breaking of the everlasting covenant.
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