Someone on Boundless made a comment about how there's this theory that the population is getting less intelligent because the more intelligent women are having less children.
Hmmmm...
I'm not the most intelligent woman in the world, but with straight A's in Math and Computer Science, as well as being well read in classical literature, a background in latin, philosophy, and history, I'd say I can compete for intelligence...
So if I want 5-10 kids, where does that place me in the theory mentioned above?
Its interesting, but in all reality, who are the ones educating most children? The most intelligent mothers are self-educating their families, and for the most part that's a minority. It would seem that the more intelligent women that are working and having less children have kids being raised in the public school system...
Which, apparently, can't teach math...
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Initialize This
I'm starting to wonder if "initiating" is taking a leading role or not.
Far be it from me to want to lead a relationship, but sometimes it seems that being the initiator isn't usurping the man's leadership role or stepping out of place as the submitter.
I don't know. In a way, I probably initiated the relationship with my current boyfriend by inviting him over for pie at 9:00 at night after he got back into town after a long week of travel...
HE kissed ME first, and he pursued me for several months...was I responding or initiating?
And even if I did maintain my role as responder, are there examples of a woman initiating without usurping or manipulating? Instead, a respectful surrender and trusting vulnerability when she lets him know how she feels...
Far be it from me to want to lead a relationship, but sometimes it seems that being the initiator isn't usurping the man's leadership role or stepping out of place as the submitter.
I don't know. In a way, I probably initiated the relationship with my current boyfriend by inviting him over for pie at 9:00 at night after he got back into town after a long week of travel...
HE kissed ME first, and he pursued me for several months...was I responding or initiating?
And even if I did maintain my role as responder, are there examples of a woman initiating without usurping or manipulating? Instead, a respectful surrender and trusting vulnerability when she lets him know how she feels...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Pure Frustration
Anyone who knows me knows I have an odd fascination with history that doesn't typically jive with my college majors or my chosen profession. So, if I delve into history to better understand the trends of human nature and gain more insight into where we are today, forgive me when you find it annoying.
I'm sincerely of the opinion we can learn from the study of history in ways that will help the future.
So...where am I going with this?
History of man...and woman.
There was once a time when men held all the power. Women were held in high esteem, however. Germanic tribes raised their women up as priestesses (never the HIGH priest), revering them as having a special connection with the spiritual world and more in tune with mother nature - primarily because of their ability to reproduce. Women were cared for because from them came the future - in the form of mewling babies that grew into strong and strapping men to carry on the way of life.
Somewhere along the way, though, misogynistic attitudes started permeating the male populace. Either that, or they were always there and with better communication came better awareness. Women were beaten, raped, emotionally abused...and had no way of combatting it.
Then rose a generation of women who said "NO!" this can not be how women are treated! So they fought, and they fought hard, for the right to protect themselves and their children from such abuse.
And then they took it a step too far. From the annals of Euripedes arises a generation of Medeas, who believe that men have gone too long in their power and that their abuses deserve such severe punishment as having their children murdered. God forgive them, at least they were merciful and did it PRIOR to birth.
Among other atrocities, the new movement of feminists has taught young women that they don't need men, that they are better off without them, recounting thousands of reasons of why women are better than men - from being faster in maturing all the way to who has the more beautiful body...and everything in between. We were taught to be educated (because you can't trust a man to always be there to provide for you). We were taught to forego children (because its a parasite feeding off you for 9 months of your life with no gaurantee that the father will protect and provide, leaving you to care for it til its 18th birthday). We were taught to establish a career first, putting boss before husband (at least the boss PAYS for services rendered).
But WAIT! This tale isn't over yet...far from over...
Men began buying into these lies, as well...foresaking marriage and giving into the results of the sexual revolution! After all, feminism introduced a revolutionary concept - sex without marriage OR the fear of babies!
Now, a generation of young women are growing up to discover that all they have been taught was...*gasp*...a LIE! Maybe not completely...there's still some nuggets of truth in that mess that we can take out, polish, and hold close. However, desires for companionship and children are far outweighing the pre-cautions and warnings that flash DANGER DANGER DANGER: MAN CAN NOT BE TRUSTED.
And with these new women come the matriarchs that gainsay the belief that marriage is unnecessary. Nay, they DEMAND that marriage is necessary for ALL. Unless your old and a man, and then your singleness is all your fault and you don't deserve the pleasure of young, supple, fertile flesh.
You, especially those that share the opinions expounded here, may think this story is now told and over.
But alas, you have introduced a whole new animal. From one pendulum swing to the next, history has let gravity take its toll, forcing it from one side to the next...perhaps getting closer and closer to an equilibrium that will only be experienced when my Savior comes back and rescues us from this torturous monster of time.
Swing...now, men believe that there is very little hope in finding a godly woman. Maybe not that harsh, but that they are far too hard to find...and that the risks in finding them are so great that its hardly worth it. After all, even in the church, the women you find are only there for social discourse and all are probably looking for a relationship with a godly man. Definitly not only there to worship and learn about the God they serve.
Now, all women are so tainted by the education of feminism or mandators of marriage, that there's likely not one good pick among them.
Never mind that the girl sitting across the room has a genuine heart for God, loves to pour out her love for others (that is a reflection of God's love for her) in social and nurturing ways, desires to be a wife that Proverbs would extol and illustrates the type of submission that Paul hinted at in Ephesians. Never mind that she is single, longs for marriage, and is amidst men that desire the same. And yet her heart is never discovered. She is overlooked. Perhaps you can tell me why?
It seems that men have indeed shirked their duties as leaders, no longer providing protection to the women who are willing to submit to such leadership.
It seems to me that women who want to force men into those responsibilites are not helping by failing to teach women how to be submissive, loving (not bitter), and caring (not manipulative) wives ala Titus 2:3-5.
It seems to me that genuine and innocent hearts (both male AND female) are getting the short end of the stick, here.
I'm sincerely of the opinion we can learn from the study of history in ways that will help the future.
So...where am I going with this?
History of man...and woman.
There was once a time when men held all the power. Women were held in high esteem, however. Germanic tribes raised their women up as priestesses (never the HIGH priest), revering them as having a special connection with the spiritual world and more in tune with mother nature - primarily because of their ability to reproduce. Women were cared for because from them came the future - in the form of mewling babies that grew into strong and strapping men to carry on the way of life.
Somewhere along the way, though, misogynistic attitudes started permeating the male populace. Either that, or they were always there and with better communication came better awareness. Women were beaten, raped, emotionally abused...and had no way of combatting it.
Then rose a generation of women who said "NO!" this can not be how women are treated! So they fought, and they fought hard, for the right to protect themselves and their children from such abuse.
And then they took it a step too far. From the annals of Euripedes arises a generation of Medeas, who believe that men have gone too long in their power and that their abuses deserve such severe punishment as having their children murdered. God forgive them, at least they were merciful and did it PRIOR to birth.
Among other atrocities, the new movement of feminists has taught young women that they don't need men, that they are better off without them, recounting thousands of reasons of why women are better than men - from being faster in maturing all the way to who has the more beautiful body...and everything in between. We were taught to be educated (because you can't trust a man to always be there to provide for you). We were taught to forego children (because its a parasite feeding off you for 9 months of your life with no gaurantee that the father will protect and provide, leaving you to care for it til its 18th birthday). We were taught to establish a career first, putting boss before husband (at least the boss PAYS for services rendered).
But WAIT! This tale isn't over yet...far from over...
Men began buying into these lies, as well...foresaking marriage and giving into the results of the sexual revolution! After all, feminism introduced a revolutionary concept - sex without marriage OR the fear of babies!
Now, a generation of young women are growing up to discover that all they have been taught was...*gasp*...a LIE! Maybe not completely...there's still some nuggets of truth in that mess that we can take out, polish, and hold close. However, desires for companionship and children are far outweighing the pre-cautions and warnings that flash DANGER DANGER DANGER: MAN CAN NOT BE TRUSTED.
And with these new women come the matriarchs that gainsay the belief that marriage is unnecessary. Nay, they DEMAND that marriage is necessary for ALL. Unless your old and a man, and then your singleness is all your fault and you don't deserve the pleasure of young, supple, fertile flesh.
You, especially those that share the opinions expounded here, may think this story is now told and over.
But alas, you have introduced a whole new animal. From one pendulum swing to the next, history has let gravity take its toll, forcing it from one side to the next...perhaps getting closer and closer to an equilibrium that will only be experienced when my Savior comes back and rescues us from this torturous monster of time.
Swing...now, men believe that there is very little hope in finding a godly woman. Maybe not that harsh, but that they are far too hard to find...and that the risks in finding them are so great that its hardly worth it. After all, even in the church, the women you find are only there for social discourse and all are probably looking for a relationship with a godly man. Definitly not only there to worship and learn about the God they serve.
Now, all women are so tainted by the education of feminism or mandators of marriage, that there's likely not one good pick among them.
Never mind that the girl sitting across the room has a genuine heart for God, loves to pour out her love for others (that is a reflection of God's love for her) in social and nurturing ways, desires to be a wife that Proverbs would extol and illustrates the type of submission that Paul hinted at in Ephesians. Never mind that she is single, longs for marriage, and is amidst men that desire the same. And yet her heart is never discovered. She is overlooked. Perhaps you can tell me why?
It seems that men have indeed shirked their duties as leaders, no longer providing protection to the women who are willing to submit to such leadership.
It seems to me that women who want to force men into those responsibilites are not helping by failing to teach women how to be submissive, loving (not bitter), and caring (not manipulative) wives ala Titus 2:3-5.
It seems to me that genuine and innocent hearts (both male AND female) are getting the short end of the stick, here.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A Covering
One of my favorite illustrations in the Bible is the covering of the woman's head. Its an example of how God provides a covering for sin.
There's a verse that says that the husband is a covering for his wife.
I wonder what this means...
More to come a little later :) Now, back to work :)
There's a verse that says that the husband is a covering for his wife.
I wonder what this means...
More to come a little later :) Now, back to work :)
Monday, June 02, 2008
Basic Essentials
What are the basic essentials of faith?
I know that the following are definitly essential:
But could the following two be considered essentials of faith?
Matthew 22:36-40
If so, than wouldn't it be essential to be obedient to scripture? Not essential for Salvation, but essential for Faith? James 2:14
I know that the following are definitly essential:
- All are sinners. Romans 3:23
- God loves us and gave His Only Son to die for us so that if we believe in him, we may have eternal life. John 3:16
But could the following two be considered essentials of faith?
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul
- Love your neighbor as yourself
Matthew 22:36-40
If so, than wouldn't it be essential to be obedient to scripture? Not essential for Salvation, but essential for Faith? James 2:14
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Economic Decline...
Does it parallel the rise of dual-income families? The decline in family structure (more singles, less marriage...)? Does the disintegration of traditional family on all fronts parallel the economic decline?
I'm not an economist, so I have no jurisdiction here. But, if you have an opinion, I'd love to hear it :)
Some articles to peruse on the subject (I will be adding to it as time permits):
Increased Financial Risk in Family Development
I'm not an economist, so I have no jurisdiction here. But, if you have an opinion, I'd love to hear it :)
Some articles to peruse on the subject (I will be adding to it as time permits):
Increased Financial Risk in Family Development
Rescue Me - Lesson Number 1
I was traipsing around the world of blogs the other day, trying to find out what Google would throw at me if I typed in "female submission". That was interesting...I came accross some very...curious...readings. I discovered that the world has done a fine job polarizing the topic of feminine submission. However, this particular blog is neither here nor there, so on to the subject at hand.
While perusing the stuff, I came across a blog by one of my readers :) She had some sermon notes posted that included some stuff that is common coming from the Elderidges. Pretty much, that women like to be rescued and men like to rescue. Some of the people who posted comments claimed that few of the women in scripture (if any) needed rescuing. I thought about it...I thought about it some more...
So my first subject is Rahab.
Her story can be found in Joshua. In a nutshell, she was a prostitute who lived in a home on the wall of Jericho. Joshua sent spies to scout out the area, and she hid them on her roof. She was a remarkable woman. When the spies left, she asked if she could go with them. They promised that if she left a red cord tied outside her window, they would rescue her when they destroyed Jericho.
And...guess what? They did =p And she married (there's some reason to think she married one of the spies) and is one of 5 women listed in the geneaology of Christ :)
Example #1 that strong, remarkable women can be rescued =) And a biblical example, none-the-less :)
While perusing the stuff, I came across a blog by one of my readers :) She had some sermon notes posted that included some stuff that is common coming from the Elderidges. Pretty much, that women like to be rescued and men like to rescue. Some of the people who posted comments claimed that few of the women in scripture (if any) needed rescuing. I thought about it...I thought about it some more...
So my first subject is Rahab.
Her story can be found in Joshua. In a nutshell, she was a prostitute who lived in a home on the wall of Jericho. Joshua sent spies to scout out the area, and she hid them on her roof. She was a remarkable woman. When the spies left, she asked if she could go with them. They promised that if she left a red cord tied outside her window, they would rescue her when they destroyed Jericho.
And...guess what? They did =p And she married (there's some reason to think she married one of the spies) and is one of 5 women listed in the geneaology of Christ :)
Example #1 that strong, remarkable women can be rescued =) And a biblical example, none-the-less :)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Living Single and Double Income Households
I have to start with this - I'm so stressed out right now, that I'm not certain how coherent this post will be, but I've been thinking about it for the last 2 weeks and today, I had to ask myself WHY is marriage happening so much later and WHY do couples insist on both working?
When I was in college, every vacation I would work 45-50 hours at a movie theatre. I worked there for 3 years, and my boss used to call me a workaholic. If you asked my boss now, he'd say I'm lazy and have a lot of potential that I don't use - simply because I refuse to work more than 40 hours a week.
This phenomenon in differences between my work ethic has recently begun to get to me...what has changed that I am no longer willing to work that many hours? My boss even yells at my young team (all of us under 30), claiming we should all be able to work more hours because we're so young. And then it dawned on me. In college, I had a mother who went shopping, cooked me dinner, cleaned the bathroom, did the dishes, vaccuumed the house...I had little brothers that helped take out the garbage, feed the dogs and cats, and help with other chores. Of course I had time to work 50 hours at work.
Now, I'm responsible for the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning, the garbage removal, paying the bills, and balancing the check book. PLUS working 40+ hours a week. But not only that, when you are trying to live a healthy life style, you have an additional hour a day to devote to that. Its like...where does the time go? I'm so stressed out that I'm ready to ram my head through a wall.
So...what could make this life a bit less stressful? I could definitly handle having my mom move in...but I think my dad would miss her only a little bit. It makes sense that having someone in my home devoted to managing the household while there's someone there taking care of providing the money to manage the household would actually work. And yet my generation is getting married later and later... Aren't they as stressed out as me? Or is it just me?
And then...double income homes...there has to be even more stress there...I mean, 2 people's messes and 2 people to do them...still the same amount of time taking care of bills, chores, and other responsibilites. PLUS working their own hours AND trying to make time to build a healthy relationship.
It just naturally makes sense that one of those 2 would make it their full time responsibility to care for the household and provide a relaxing and stress free environment for the both of them to spend time bonding and relaxing at the end of the day.
And I have a much better understanding of the following verse because of all of this:
"Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land."
~Proverbs 31:23
When her husband is able to take the time that would've been spent doing his doing his laundry, cleaning his home, feeding himself, he can now spend that time gaining respect and being more lucrative at work without sacrificing the time spent with his own family.
I know it sounds so sexist, but the tradtional roles make so much sense =p
When I was in college, every vacation I would work 45-50 hours at a movie theatre. I worked there for 3 years, and my boss used to call me a workaholic. If you asked my boss now, he'd say I'm lazy and have a lot of potential that I don't use - simply because I refuse to work more than 40 hours a week.
This phenomenon in differences between my work ethic has recently begun to get to me...what has changed that I am no longer willing to work that many hours? My boss even yells at my young team (all of us under 30), claiming we should all be able to work more hours because we're so young. And then it dawned on me. In college, I had a mother who went shopping, cooked me dinner, cleaned the bathroom, did the dishes, vaccuumed the house...I had little brothers that helped take out the garbage, feed the dogs and cats, and help with other chores. Of course I had time to work 50 hours at work.
Now, I'm responsible for the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning, the garbage removal, paying the bills, and balancing the check book. PLUS working 40+ hours a week. But not only that, when you are trying to live a healthy life style, you have an additional hour a day to devote to that. Its like...where does the time go? I'm so stressed out that I'm ready to ram my head through a wall.
So...what could make this life a bit less stressful? I could definitly handle having my mom move in...but I think my dad would miss her only a little bit. It makes sense that having someone in my home devoted to managing the household while there's someone there taking care of providing the money to manage the household would actually work. And yet my generation is getting married later and later... Aren't they as stressed out as me? Or is it just me?
And then...double income homes...there has to be even more stress there...I mean, 2 people's messes and 2 people to do them...still the same amount of time taking care of bills, chores, and other responsibilites. PLUS working their own hours AND trying to make time to build a healthy relationship.
It just naturally makes sense that one of those 2 would make it their full time responsibility to care for the household and provide a relaxing and stress free environment for the both of them to spend time bonding and relaxing at the end of the day.
And I have a much better understanding of the following verse because of all of this:
"Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land."
~Proverbs 31:23
When her husband is able to take the time that would've been spent doing his doing his laundry, cleaning his home, feeding himself, he can now spend that time gaining respect and being more lucrative at work without sacrificing the time spent with his own family.
I know it sounds so sexist, but the tradtional roles make so much sense =p
Friday, May 16, 2008
Go ye therefore...
And make disciples of the world.
So says Jesus at the end of Matthew 28, before he ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God.
But what does that mean?
Does that have caveats to it? Does it mean leave your country and make disciples of the world? Does it mean go into your backyard and make disciples of the world? Does it mean neighborhoods, schools, cities?
Does it mean all of those?
Is teaching bible stories to 5 year olds in Grace Church Ocala FL's nursery just as viable as building an orphanage in Honduras?
Is teaching your 16 year old son in your living room the difference between God and Allah just as viable as teaching a 16 year old Arab in the Middle East the difference between God and Allah?
Is raising your daughter to be a compassionate witness of Christ's love just as viable as teaching an Indian temple prostitute about Christ's love?
I just listened to the Boundless Show's 17th Episode, and Rosenberg's attitude towards home missions is kind of appalling for someone who has always felt called to home missions.
What do you think?
So says Jesus at the end of Matthew 28, before he ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God.
But what does that mean?
Does that have caveats to it? Does it mean leave your country and make disciples of the world? Does it mean go into your backyard and make disciples of the world? Does it mean neighborhoods, schools, cities?
Does it mean all of those?
Is teaching bible stories to 5 year olds in Grace Church Ocala FL's nursery just as viable as building an orphanage in Honduras?
Is teaching your 16 year old son in your living room the difference between God and Allah just as viable as teaching a 16 year old Arab in the Middle East the difference between God and Allah?
Is raising your daughter to be a compassionate witness of Christ's love just as viable as teaching an Indian temple prostitute about Christ's love?
I just listened to the Boundless Show's 17th Episode, and Rosenberg's attitude towards home missions is kind of appalling for someone who has always felt called to home missions.
What do you think?
Friday, April 04, 2008
Life is Good
So. Who really believes that?
I found myself bopping my head to Stellar Kart's "Life is Good" song.
The chorus comes on:
Life is good
Eternal life is better
That in combination with my Uncle's Easter sermon:
We are living the resurrected life NOW.
And I realized that I've been complaining about how much life sucks. A lot. As my uncle would put it, I've been living a "Good Friday life". Christ died for me and calls me to die to myself with him. However, Christ resurrected and I am resurrected in him. So why am I living like this?
Its true. Life is good. Eternal life is better.
I found myself bopping my head to Stellar Kart's "Life is Good" song.
The chorus comes on:
Life is good
Eternal life is better
That in combination with my Uncle's Easter sermon:
We are living the resurrected life NOW.
And I realized that I've been complaining about how much life sucks. A lot. As my uncle would put it, I've been living a "Good Friday life". Christ died for me and calls me to die to myself with him. However, Christ resurrected and I am resurrected in him. So why am I living like this?
Its true. Life is good. Eternal life is better.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
I am not skilled to understand
This is normally the kind of post for my other blog, but I figured I'd share...
I downloaded this song a while ago, but I just synced my ipod to get it just yesterday morning...the day I started my Job study. The song?
My Savior, My God
I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know that at his right hand
Stands one who is my Savior
I take him at his word and live
Christ died for me, this I read
And in my heart, I find the need
Of him to be my Savior
That he would leave his place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior
Needless to say, I love that song...and its so true...I'm NOT skilled to understand just how incredibly marvelous and big and powerful he is. I have no knowledge of his plans, no idea what he has in store, and absolutely no fathomable idea of how much he truly loves me.
There is no amount of reason or logic to argue my way into his thinking.
There is only one way to go...and that is this:
Trust that he is just and loving and good and perfect.
As long as things are in his hands, nothing can go wrong, right? Even though it feels like everything crumbles around us every day, we can rest assured that he is in control and he has a plan.
I downloaded this song a while ago, but I just synced my ipod to get it just yesterday morning...the day I started my Job study. The song?
My Savior, My God
I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know that at his right hand
Stands one who is my Savior
I take him at his word and live
Christ died for me, this I read
And in my heart, I find the need
Of him to be my Savior
That he would leave his place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior
Needless to say, I love that song...and its so true...I'm NOT skilled to understand just how incredibly marvelous and big and powerful he is. I have no knowledge of his plans, no idea what he has in store, and absolutely no fathomable idea of how much he truly loves me.
There is no amount of reason or logic to argue my way into his thinking.
There is only one way to go...and that is this:
Trust that he is just and loving and good and perfect.
As long as things are in his hands, nothing can go wrong, right? Even though it feels like everything crumbles around us every day, we can rest assured that he is in control and he has a plan.
Job
I'm currently doing a study on Job right now and am writing my daily chapter studies up on my other blog.
When I am complete, I will condense it, take the major points, and perhaps write about it here. The other blog is a bit more personal and not as critically minded as this one, so travel there at your own risk.
When I am complete, I will condense it, take the major points, and perhaps write about it here. The other blog is a bit more personal and not as critically minded as this one, so travel there at your own risk.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Awe and Wonder
Have you ever sung those songs that talk about how great and awesome it is that we can see Jesus face to face? Or how about when you praise him whether good things are happening or not? And what about the ones where we lay all our burdens at his feet?
I love those songs. I really do. Its built up a relationship with God that seems healthy. I rely on him for everything, I get to see Jesus face to face someday, he gives me stuff, and relieves my suffering...So much me me me. I thought these songs were good...but I think that to much of a good thing leads to a bad thing...even in praise and worship.
I've found that the words in most of our worship either brings God down to our level or puts us on the same level as him. Yes, I praise you in the storm...see? I'm praising you right now while my world is crashing down on me. That makes me worthy of being with you, right? Ummm...no. And maybe its just me that this music has led me to this point...but I don't think so. I've heard the argument before from people wanting to stick with just hymns and the "good 'ol stuff", so there may be something to this. There's nothing wrong with this music, but there needs to be a balance.
What seems to be missing is a sense of awe and a feeling of "little-ness" in our worship music. As I heard someone argue once, what about what God has done for us? Yeah, all that music has references to it, but it mostly revolves around that's why we praise him. I want to be reminded on occassion that I'm really not that important. If I don't praise God, then the rocks on the ground will. Yes, my praise blesses his heart if it comes from my heart, but he is God and he can find satisfaction in anything else. He doesn't pursue me because he needs me - simply because he wants me. I want to be reminded of that. I want to sing about that. I want to sing about how big and awesome and fearful he can be. I don't want to sing about how my praise is the greatest gift to God. Yeah, its the greatest gift I can give, but its not that big a deal in light of what he's done for me.
I've been cultivating a casual friendship with God, which has its place. But I've sacrificed the awe and respect that God deserves as GOD in trade for a relationship where I feel on equal footing with him.
I love those songs. I really do. Its built up a relationship with God that seems healthy. I rely on him for everything, I get to see Jesus face to face someday, he gives me stuff, and relieves my suffering...So much me me me. I thought these songs were good...but I think that to much of a good thing leads to a bad thing...even in praise and worship.
I've found that the words in most of our worship either brings God down to our level or puts us on the same level as him. Yes, I praise you in the storm...see? I'm praising you right now while my world is crashing down on me. That makes me worthy of being with you, right? Ummm...no. And maybe its just me that this music has led me to this point...but I don't think so. I've heard the argument before from people wanting to stick with just hymns and the "good 'ol stuff", so there may be something to this. There's nothing wrong with this music, but there needs to be a balance.
What seems to be missing is a sense of awe and a feeling of "little-ness" in our worship music. As I heard someone argue once, what about what God has done for us? Yeah, all that music has references to it, but it mostly revolves around that's why we praise him. I want to be reminded on occassion that I'm really not that important. If I don't praise God, then the rocks on the ground will. Yes, my praise blesses his heart if it comes from my heart, but he is God and he can find satisfaction in anything else. He doesn't pursue me because he needs me - simply because he wants me. I want to be reminded of that. I want to sing about that. I want to sing about how big and awesome and fearful he can be. I don't want to sing about how my praise is the greatest gift to God. Yeah, its the greatest gift I can give, but its not that big a deal in light of what he's done for me.
I've been cultivating a casual friendship with God, which has its place. But I've sacrificed the awe and respect that God deserves as GOD in trade for a relationship where I feel on equal footing with him.
Monday, February 25, 2008
What I'm Entitled To
I've been spending the last couple of months in a quagmire of spiritual depression. It's been difficult and hard to handle - I find myself wrestling with God more often than not. Why? Well, its quite simple, really. I'm 24 years old, have a strong desire to be married and raising a family (God-given, I thought), and I'm still single, working in a job that requires me to make it my life.
Something that has been increasingly pressed on me in the last several weeks, though, has been my pride. I didn't think it was pride, at first, but rather a lack of appropriate thankfulness for the things I have been given. I think that stemmed out of a lack of respect and awe for who God REALLY is. So I started trying to thank him for all the things he's given me. That's not always easy to do when your stuck on something you want but it hasn't been given to you yet. It wasn't working - there was something else hidden deeper that was preventing the proper feeling of gratefulness and the good that my God has already done for me...
Last night, I stumbled on it...rather by accident. My pride has led me to a point where I feel that I am ENTITLED to certain things. Where I think I deserve to be given this or that. Well, guess what...I don't. None of us do. We're all the lowest of scum and the only reason we are given any blessings of any sort is because God loves us -
Now, I am convinced that someday I will be married - simply because I don't think God is so cruel to give a desire this strong and not do something with it. Either he'll temper it and replace it with something else, or he'll provide for it. But in no way should I feel entitled to it or deserving of it. It is a gift - that he will give in his time. I need patience. Patience and trust, that he will fufill the desire according to his plan. Trust that his plans are "to give [me] a future and a hope"...and not plans for disaster.
And an appropriate attitude of thankfulness that God would choose to love such a wretch as me.
Something that has been increasingly pressed on me in the last several weeks, though, has been my pride. I didn't think it was pride, at first, but rather a lack of appropriate thankfulness for the things I have been given. I think that stemmed out of a lack of respect and awe for who God REALLY is. So I started trying to thank him for all the things he's given me. That's not always easy to do when your stuck on something you want but it hasn't been given to you yet. It wasn't working - there was something else hidden deeper that was preventing the proper feeling of gratefulness and the good that my God has already done for me...
Last night, I stumbled on it...rather by accident. My pride has led me to a point where I feel that I am ENTITLED to certain things. Where I think I deserve to be given this or that. Well, guess what...I don't. None of us do. We're all the lowest of scum and the only reason we are given any blessings of any sort is because God loves us -
See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
~ Matthew 6:28-34
Now, I am convinced that someday I will be married - simply because I don't think God is so cruel to give a desire this strong and not do something with it. Either he'll temper it and replace it with something else, or he'll provide for it. But in no way should I feel entitled to it or deserving of it. It is a gift - that he will give in his time. I need patience. Patience and trust, that he will fufill the desire according to his plan. Trust that his plans are "to give [me] a future and a hope"...and not plans for disaster.
And an appropriate attitude of thankfulness that God would choose to love such a wretch as me.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The Carnal Woman
When arguing and fighting about whether women should be submissive to their husbands or not, many women appeal to the fact that God gifted them with many natural leadership abilities.
He also gifted some people with strong sexual drives, as well.
So, in conclusion:
Seriously, God DID give us natural gifts and talents. That's obvious. Its all over scripture. Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 13 - 14, Romans 12...I'm certain there are more.
Every single one of those passages, however, requires us to use our gifts within the boundaries of the Holy Spirit. What does that mean? It means, use your holy gifts within the context of scripture.
God gave some of us very strong sexual desires. And he created sex to be a good thing. However, he put boundaries on us that were for our own good AND the well-being of others. "Thou Shalt Not commit adultery." He had good reason for it. Some of us know what those good reasons are because we've indulged in it and have experienced first hand what those consequences are. Some indulge in it and have yet to experience any bad effects. That doesn't make it right, does it?
God gave many women the natural ability to lead. But he placed boundaries on that leadership within the Bible. Exercising those skills with in the context of scripture blesses God, others, and yourself. Exercising them outside of scripture hurts more people than you might know, even if it doesn't hurt yourself.
When claiming that God created you in some way, always remember that you are a fallen creature. You are not without sin. Your natural desires, talents, and skills must be harnessed to God's will, not allowed to reign freely. Yes, he gave you skills, talents, and desires that he wants you to use and have fulfilled. But he wants you to submit those to his will and keep them under his hand.
All this born out of my devotion this morning. I read the New Living Translation Bible and I'm in Genesis 3. It translates Eve's curse as "Your desire will be to control your husband, but he will rule over you."
He also gifted some people with strong sexual drives, as well.
So, in conclusion:
You and me baby ain't nothin' but mammals
So let''s do it like they do on the Discovery Channel
Do it again now
You and me baby ain't nothin' but mammals
So let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel
Seriously, God DID give us natural gifts and talents. That's obvious. Its all over scripture. Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 13 - 14, Romans 12...I'm certain there are more.
Every single one of those passages, however, requires us to use our gifts within the boundaries of the Holy Spirit. What does that mean? It means, use your holy gifts within the context of scripture.
God gave some of us very strong sexual desires. And he created sex to be a good thing. However, he put boundaries on us that were for our own good AND the well-being of others. "Thou Shalt Not commit adultery." He had good reason for it. Some of us know what those good reasons are because we've indulged in it and have experienced first hand what those consequences are. Some indulge in it and have yet to experience any bad effects. That doesn't make it right, does it?
God gave many women the natural ability to lead. But he placed boundaries on that leadership within the Bible. Exercising those skills with in the context of scripture blesses God, others, and yourself. Exercising them outside of scripture hurts more people than you might know, even if it doesn't hurt yourself.
When claiming that God created you in some way, always remember that you are a fallen creature. You are not without sin. Your natural desires, talents, and skills must be harnessed to God's will, not allowed to reign freely. Yes, he gave you skills, talents, and desires that he wants you to use and have fulfilled. But he wants you to submit those to his will and keep them under his hand.
All this born out of my devotion this morning. I read the New Living Translation Bible and I'm in Genesis 3. It translates Eve's curse as "Your desire will be to control your husband, but he will rule over you."
Thursday, January 17, 2008
St. Valentine's Day
Normally, the closer it gets to February, the more pronounced my singleness gets. Luckily, as a single woman who hasn't quite learned to take care of herself properly, I don't frequent shopping stores often enough to catch the Valentine's Day vibe.
However, I have this odd, intense little feeling that it is getting closer. And for once, rather than hate the most detested holiday of the year, I find myself hopeful. Why on earth would I greet such a holiday with Hope when the entire holiday is about Erotic Love? Easy...that's not what its about at all...
I can't find any REAL research on this, so all this is according to Church Lore. Someday I may actually attempt to verify it :)
Around 496 AD, Emperor Claudius was complaining about how his soldiers needed a specific amount of time off to spend with their families. To get rid of that need, he instituted a ban on marriage for all soldiers. A priest in Rome refused to stop marrying and performed wedding ceremonies in secret. This priest was Valentine. He was caught and executed for it.
In a day and age where marriage is treated so flippantly among Christians and non-Christians alike, and articles such as this one are not so uncommon, I think that for once, celebrating St. Valentine's Day will be a good thing.
However, I have this odd, intense little feeling that it is getting closer. And for once, rather than hate the most detested holiday of the year, I find myself hopeful. Why on earth would I greet such a holiday with Hope when the entire holiday is about Erotic Love? Easy...that's not what its about at all...
I can't find any REAL research on this, so all this is according to Church Lore. Someday I may actually attempt to verify it :)
Around 496 AD, Emperor Claudius was complaining about how his soldiers needed a specific amount of time off to spend with their families. To get rid of that need, he instituted a ban on marriage for all soldiers. A priest in Rome refused to stop marrying and performed wedding ceremonies in secret. This priest was Valentine. He was caught and executed for it.
In a day and age where marriage is treated so flippantly among Christians and non-Christians alike, and articles such as this one are not so uncommon, I think that for once, celebrating St. Valentine's Day will be a good thing.
Monday, January 14, 2008
All Those Roads
**This may prove to be a very blasphemous post, it may cause you to think differently, or to think deeper into it. Either way, if you start reading it, I strongly encourage you to finish reading.**
This is a popular quote used primarily to justify one's own beliefs in the face of a God who says there is only one way to him. Jesus states quite clearly, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." (John 14:6)
But what if all those roads really do eventually lead to God? But each person is stuck somewhere on that path trying to get there. They think they've reached the end, but really they've only found a mirage - an illusion of home. What if all those roads - all those other religions - point directly towards Jesus Christ? And then, through him, you find your way to heaven.
Let me explain. First, some scripture.
By this, we know that God has revealed himself to all people. From our knowledge of scripture, we know that satan is the master deceiver and distorts all truth to lead people astray. I would argue that every world religion has a basic truth found in it, but is heavily distorted and prevents the believer from moving forward. They think they have found the answer and remain in that one place believing it is the end.
Judaism has often been considered a hub of many different religions. Kind of like America, it is very multi-cultural, "borrowing" heavily from world religions that it has come into contact with. From this, Christianity was birthed. It has largely remained consistent since its birth, but the fact is, its roots are in Judaism. Studying world religions will simply verify this fact (it really can not be denied).
There are people who use this fact as a means to prove Christianity as wrong. But what if it simply verifies it? What if all those religions had found a certain truth and their contact with the hebrews was meant as a way for God to reveal something new about him to them? I know this sounds really mystic, but bear with me.
The Egyptians are the first culture that historians have really discovered that believed strongly in life after death. The Hebrews spent several hundred years with these people and still maintained their own monotheistic religion. However, historians think that this is where the concept of life after death originally came from.
Zoroastrianism could possibly become one of my new favorite religions to study because it introduced a concept that no religion had yet come up with. They believed that there would be a world savior. They also believed heavily in an apocalyptic event that would end the world. Zoroastrianism was very popular in the Babylonian and Persian empires. The first apocalyptic writings in the Bible were from Daniel - who was a captive in the Babylonian empire.
These are the two religions that I know of that greatly influenced Judaic thought, but now I want to look at other ancient religious beliefs from cultures no where near the Hebrews. A lot of these coincide with eachother, but I want to focus on the central themes of them.
North American Indians
Truth: Believed strongly in intelligent creation.
Distortion: Creation is too big for one god to do it all, so there must be one main spirit and many demi spirits, each responsible for a different aspect of creation.
South American Natives
Truth: Believed strongly that God required sacrifice to be appeased.
Distortion: The sacrifice could be any human's blood.
Indian Dharmic Religions
Truth: Perfection is necessary to be with God/at peace.
Distortion: Humans can reach perfection. If not in one life, then they are granted multiple lives to continue working towards that perfection.
So, in conclusion, each road contains a truth that points to one supreme God and his son Jesus Christ who was big enough to create the entire universe and loved us enough to give his son as a perfect sacrifice so that none other was required. Through him, all our sins are forgiven and we are covered by his perfect blood so that we may be at peace with God for eternity.
**Note**
I think it is very important to note that this is not a concession that all people go to heaven no matter what they believe. It is saying that each faith or religion does actually have something right...just not completely right. Stopping there and buying into the distortions doesn't give you a spot in heaven just cuz you got it partially right. THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST and that is a truth that I am not trying to debunk. I believe it 100%. I just don't think everyone else is 100% wrong or that Christianity hasn't discovered some truth from them.
All roads lead to heaven
This is a popular quote used primarily to justify one's own beliefs in the face of a God who says there is only one way to him. Jesus states quite clearly, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." (John 14:6)
But what if all those roads really do eventually lead to God? But each person is stuck somewhere on that path trying to get there. They think they've reached the end, but really they've only found a mirage - an illusion of home. What if all those roads - all those other religions - point directly towards Jesus Christ? And then, through him, you find your way to heaven.
Let me explain. First, some scripture.
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
~Romans 1:18-20
By this, we know that God has revealed himself to all people. From our knowledge of scripture, we know that satan is the master deceiver and distorts all truth to lead people astray. I would argue that every world religion has a basic truth found in it, but is heavily distorted and prevents the believer from moving forward. They think they have found the answer and remain in that one place believing it is the end.
Judaism has often been considered a hub of many different religions. Kind of like America, it is very multi-cultural, "borrowing" heavily from world religions that it has come into contact with. From this, Christianity was birthed. It has largely remained consistent since its birth, but the fact is, its roots are in Judaism. Studying world religions will simply verify this fact (it really can not be denied).
There are people who use this fact as a means to prove Christianity as wrong. But what if it simply verifies it? What if all those religions had found a certain truth and their contact with the hebrews was meant as a way for God to reveal something new about him to them? I know this sounds really mystic, but bear with me.
The Egyptians are the first culture that historians have really discovered that believed strongly in life after death. The Hebrews spent several hundred years with these people and still maintained their own monotheistic religion. However, historians think that this is where the concept of life after death originally came from.
Zoroastrianism could possibly become one of my new favorite religions to study because it introduced a concept that no religion had yet come up with. They believed that there would be a world savior. They also believed heavily in an apocalyptic event that would end the world. Zoroastrianism was very popular in the Babylonian and Persian empires. The first apocalyptic writings in the Bible were from Daniel - who was a captive in the Babylonian empire.
These are the two religions that I know of that greatly influenced Judaic thought, but now I want to look at other ancient religious beliefs from cultures no where near the Hebrews. A lot of these coincide with eachother, but I want to focus on the central themes of them.
North American Indians
Truth: Believed strongly in intelligent creation.
Distortion: Creation is too big for one god to do it all, so there must be one main spirit and many demi spirits, each responsible for a different aspect of creation.
South American Natives
Truth: Believed strongly that God required sacrifice to be appeased.
Distortion: The sacrifice could be any human's blood.
Indian Dharmic Religions
Truth: Perfection is necessary to be with God/at peace.
Distortion: Humans can reach perfection. If not in one life, then they are granted multiple lives to continue working towards that perfection.
So, in conclusion, each road contains a truth that points to one supreme God and his son Jesus Christ who was big enough to create the entire universe and loved us enough to give his son as a perfect sacrifice so that none other was required. Through him, all our sins are forgiven and we are covered by his perfect blood so that we may be at peace with God for eternity.
**Note**
I think it is very important to note that this is not a concession that all people go to heaven no matter what they believe. It is saying that each faith or religion does actually have something right...just not completely right. Stopping there and buying into the distortions doesn't give you a spot in heaven just cuz you got it partially right. THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST and that is a truth that I am not trying to debunk. I believe it 100%. I just don't think everyone else is 100% wrong or that Christianity hasn't discovered some truth from them.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
What the Church can learn from Video Games
...specifically World of Warcraft.
I started playing WoW a couple years ago when I started dating my last boyfriend. I enjoyed it. I was in a long distance relationship, and we used it as a means to interact with eachother. It was more than chatting on AIM or sending "love" letters back and forth through e-mail; it was a way that the two of us could actually play side by side. If he wasn't playing, then rarely was I. My draw to it was my relationship with the person on the other side...
About a year ago I started attending a new church. It was great - at first. I was getting what I needed. I was attending a Bible Study that encouraged us to be reading our bibles every day and to bring questions and/or insights to the bible studies and we would discuss them as a group. It was amazing. Praise and Worship was awesome, the studies were interactive, people were getting to know eachother. And then...it stopped. The pastor leading the study started doing all the talking - still encouraging us to read our bibles every day, but we no longer had the interaction element. As I continued to grow and learn, I recognized a desire to get involved in the ministry of the church, and I told the pastor so. I was approached by the music leader (who happened to like my voice) and asked if I would be interested. I said "YES!!!" It was never followed up on. Six months later, and I'm still there, still a passive member of the church, waiting for these men to follow up on my desire to do more than just listen to them talk. I would show up to places that there was a need, and wait on the sidelines for someone to explain what my role was and what was needed of me, and nothing happened. And lately, my devotion to my bible study has decreased (though I'm working on this ardently), my motivation to attend church has dropped. And where did I go?
World of Warcraft. It was just a little bit at first. Then people in my guild started whispering me that they had missed me in the last couple months. Asked where I had been, and how I was doing. Then the guild in general was demonstrating a need for more raiders. And I wanted to raid with them...so I worked hard to be able to. And then there was a need for Protection Warriors (the characters that take all the damage so no one else does) - I was one. They taught me the fights, they helped me get the gear I needed. Then a bunch of other people wanted to raid too...and now I'm leading a group of them into fights, getting them equipment, and teaching them how to be better players so we waste as little time as possible. I'm tired of it. But I keep going back...why? Here's why:
I am a needed component of a group of people. I am vital to the success of their mission - without me, it can't happen. My company is desired among those my age, as we interact, join new chat channels, and make plans to visit each other (one girl is coming to visit me in January). I am being mentored by the older people in our guild, being taught how to play my part better by some, taught how to better execute the missions by others, and even taught how to be a better leader by even more. AND they are giving me the oppurtunity to lead. Why are they doing this? Why are they investing so much of THEIR time in me? Easy - they saw my desire to interact by my showing up consistently; they saw my desire to be more involved by my being an active learner and participant in discussions; they saw my desire to build relationships by my attempts (though often weak) to socialize.
What did THEY do that my church didn't? Why am I suddenly more dedicated to them than I am to my church? And why can't I find a church that has these skills at building community? A church with these skills of DISCIPLESHIP.
I started playing WoW a couple years ago when I started dating my last boyfriend. I enjoyed it. I was in a long distance relationship, and we used it as a means to interact with eachother. It was more than chatting on AIM or sending "love" letters back and forth through e-mail; it was a way that the two of us could actually play side by side. If he wasn't playing, then rarely was I. My draw to it was my relationship with the person on the other side...
About a year ago I started attending a new church. It was great - at first. I was getting what I needed. I was attending a Bible Study that encouraged us to be reading our bibles every day and to bring questions and/or insights to the bible studies and we would discuss them as a group. It was amazing. Praise and Worship was awesome, the studies were interactive, people were getting to know eachother. And then...it stopped. The pastor leading the study started doing all the talking - still encouraging us to read our bibles every day, but we no longer had the interaction element. As I continued to grow and learn, I recognized a desire to get involved in the ministry of the church, and I told the pastor so. I was approached by the music leader (who happened to like my voice) and asked if I would be interested. I said "YES!!!" It was never followed up on. Six months later, and I'm still there, still a passive member of the church, waiting for these men to follow up on my desire to do more than just listen to them talk. I would show up to places that there was a need, and wait on the sidelines for someone to explain what my role was and what was needed of me, and nothing happened. And lately, my devotion to my bible study has decreased (though I'm working on this ardently), my motivation to attend church has dropped. And where did I go?
World of Warcraft. It was just a little bit at first. Then people in my guild started whispering me that they had missed me in the last couple months. Asked where I had been, and how I was doing. Then the guild in general was demonstrating a need for more raiders. And I wanted to raid with them...so I worked hard to be able to. And then there was a need for Protection Warriors (the characters that take all the damage so no one else does) - I was one. They taught me the fights, they helped me get the gear I needed. Then a bunch of other people wanted to raid too...and now I'm leading a group of them into fights, getting them equipment, and teaching them how to be better players so we waste as little time as possible. I'm tired of it. But I keep going back...why? Here's why:
I am a needed component of a group of people. I am vital to the success of their mission - without me, it can't happen. My company is desired among those my age, as we interact, join new chat channels, and make plans to visit each other (one girl is coming to visit me in January). I am being mentored by the older people in our guild, being taught how to play my part better by some, taught how to better execute the missions by others, and even taught how to be a better leader by even more. AND they are giving me the oppurtunity to lead. Why are they doing this? Why are they investing so much of THEIR time in me? Easy - they saw my desire to interact by my showing up consistently; they saw my desire to be more involved by my being an active learner and participant in discussions; they saw my desire to build relationships by my attempts (though often weak) to socialize.
What did THEY do that my church didn't? Why am I suddenly more dedicated to them than I am to my church? And why can't I find a church that has these skills at building community? A church with these skills of DISCIPLESHIP.
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