In light of the controversy which surrounds Rob Bell and the issues of his theology which emphasises only one attribute of God above all other attributes, here is a dialogue worth watching:
(Click here, because the video won't embed properly.) :-/
And a couple great blog posts by:
Albert Mohler and Michael Krahn
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
In this Present Darkness {Burdened}
I’ve started writing this blog about 30 times, and have yet to come up with the best way to introduce such a heavy topic. Partly because I don’t think I’ll be able to do it justice, and partly because I don’t want to leave out anything important. Another factor in my hesitation is simply that I hate disagreeing with people. It causes me to feel nauseated and slightly lightheaded. On that note, I will embark on this journey of thought, and hopefully leave a crumb trail thick enough for a reader to follow.
All but one of my classes are in the field of political science. While most of these classes don’t dig fully into current political arguments, our discussions do hover right over the precipices of the disagreements which cause a great deal of dissention in our nation {in regard to both domestic and international policy}. With this type of dialogue consistently on my radar screen, I feel as though I’ve been able to put more educated thought into the organization of government and how I think and feel about it. {*Disclaimer* I am not about to launch into a rant of amateur political jargon here, I’m just presenting some of the foundation for my thoughts.}
While I do mostly identify with one theory of political thought, I identify first and foremost with my Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ. I enjoy reading of, learning of, and realizing His attributes and the ways in which I might live my life as an imperfect reflection of Him. In my studies and in conversations with various people who I greatly respect I feel very strongly that we {meaning all living human beings} are alive in the last days. I understand that “no one knows when that day or hour will come-not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father {Matthew 24:36}.” But I do believe that while the day and hour escape us, the season is known. The duration of this season may extend for quite some time, but it is still a definite season. Why else would the Word of God include such a great deal of prophetic scriptures, but for us to catch a glimpse of His eternal plan? {“Certainly the sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”Amos 3:7} {Isaiah 46:8-13}
Prophecy that speaks of Jesus’ first coming was hard for the people of that time to understand. Yet, those of us in this age {and all the ages since the birth of Christ} can easily see how completely God fulfilled every promise He made prior to sending His son to live on earth. In the same way, it is has been, and still is, hard to see exactly how this end will occur. But the fuzzy edges of this prophecy jig-saw-puzzle are becoming clearer all the time.
To bring this full circle, I included politics into the first section of this blog to explain the way I am seeing the world from a perspective that is new to me. While I’ve always enjoyed digging into theology, I haven’t always seen a connection between the global political structure and prophetic theology. With recent political upheaval in Northern Africa and the Middle East, the dependently suffering international economy, the devastation of natural disasters, the persecution of Christians, and the ever increasing population of religions contrary to Christianity, I find that there is hardly a doubt that this is the season of the end of the age.
With that, my first instinct is to fear and my human nature thinks “But GOD, I am still so young and I want so badly to live a life worthy of You!” {My human nature also thinks even more selfish and petty things like “will the end come before I’ve ever experienced true romantic love with the right man?” *hopeless/full romantics can bring such a thought into any deep theological and political conversation*} But after this flash of fear and selfishness, I am repeatedly soothed by the deep peace and love for Christ that radiates from my core. With the unimaginable felicity found in eternity, nothing on Earth could be worth any measure of fear and self-seeking pleasure.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. {John 14:6}’”
All but one of my classes are in the field of political science. While most of these classes don’t dig fully into current political arguments, our discussions do hover right over the precipices of the disagreements which cause a great deal of dissention in our nation {in regard to both domestic and international policy}. With this type of dialogue consistently on my radar screen, I feel as though I’ve been able to put more educated thought into the organization of government and how I think and feel about it. {*Disclaimer* I am not about to launch into a rant of amateur political jargon here, I’m just presenting some of the foundation for my thoughts.}
While I do mostly identify with one theory of political thought, I identify first and foremost with my Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ. I enjoy reading of, learning of, and realizing His attributes and the ways in which I might live my life as an imperfect reflection of Him. In my studies and in conversations with various people who I greatly respect I feel very strongly that we {meaning all living human beings} are alive in the last days. I understand that “no one knows when that day or hour will come-not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father {Matthew 24:36}.” But I do believe that while the day and hour escape us, the season is known. The duration of this season may extend for quite some time, but it is still a definite season. Why else would the Word of God include such a great deal of prophetic scriptures, but for us to catch a glimpse of His eternal plan? {“Certainly the sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”Amos 3:7} {Isaiah 46:8-13}
Prophecy that speaks of Jesus’ first coming was hard for the people of that time to understand. Yet, those of us in this age {and all the ages since the birth of Christ} can easily see how completely God fulfilled every promise He made prior to sending His son to live on earth. In the same way, it is has been, and still is, hard to see exactly how this end will occur. But the fuzzy edges of this prophecy jig-saw-puzzle are becoming clearer all the time.
To bring this full circle, I included politics into the first section of this blog to explain the way I am seeing the world from a perspective that is new to me. While I’ve always enjoyed digging into theology, I haven’t always seen a connection between the global political structure and prophetic theology. With recent political upheaval in Northern Africa and the Middle East, the dependently suffering international economy, the devastation of natural disasters, the persecution of Christians, and the ever increasing population of religions contrary to Christianity, I find that there is hardly a doubt that this is the season of the end of the age.
With that, my first instinct is to fear and my human nature thinks “But GOD, I am still so young and I want so badly to live a life worthy of You!” {My human nature also thinks even more selfish and petty things like “will the end come before I’ve ever experienced true romantic love with the right man?” *hopeless/full romantics can bring such a thought into any deep theological and political conversation*} But after this flash of fear and selfishness, I am repeatedly soothed by the deep peace and love for Christ that radiates from my core. With the unimaginable felicity found in eternity, nothing on Earth could be worth any measure of fear and self-seeking pleasure.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. {John 14:6}’”
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Freedom or Bondage?
As a kid, I remember looking up to those in my life who were young adults. I had many cousins and family friends who were living in that phase of life and I thought they were definitely the coolest people around. They could go out with friends, they could drive, they could have jobs, they didn’t have to do chores (at least I didn’t see their chore lists on the refrigerator,) and I was sure that they were living a life of complete freedom.
Now I find myself in this phase of life. I can go out with friends, I can drive, I have a job, I don’t have to do chores (if I don’t mind living in a slum), but somehow I am not living a life of complete freedom. Were my thoughts as a child so incorrect? Yes. Yes they were.
My childhood mind did not contemplate one little factor: responsibility. It seems to increase with age. {Maybe it’ll level off at some point? Maybe not.} I suppose I didn’t take into account that moving toward independence isn’t the easiest thing. I didn’t realize that eventually mom and dad wouldn’t be responsible for bailing me out. {Okay, that statement is a little premature because they definitely have and do bail me out regularly.}
Responsibilities seem to equate to bondage in life. While I have more freedoms as an individual, I also have more bondage in responsibility.
{Feeling a little disillusioned today.}
<-- This happened to me today. :-(
Now I find myself in this phase of life. I can go out with friends, I can drive, I have a job, I don’t have to do chores (if I don’t mind living in a slum), but somehow I am not living a life of complete freedom. Were my thoughts as a child so incorrect? Yes. Yes they were.
My childhood mind did not contemplate one little factor: responsibility. It seems to increase with age. {Maybe it’ll level off at some point? Maybe not.} I suppose I didn’t take into account that moving toward independence isn’t the easiest thing. I didn’t realize that eventually mom and dad wouldn’t be responsible for bailing me out. {Okay, that statement is a little premature because they definitely have and do bail me out regularly.}
Responsibilities seem to equate to bondage in life. While I have more freedoms as an individual, I also have more bondage in responsibility.
{Feeling a little disillusioned today.}
<-- This happened to me today. :-(
Monday, February 21, 2011
A hike
A fun President's Day hike.
The Desert can actually be beautiful.
Just having fun. :-)
It's so great to be HOME!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tea
Adria and I each have robust collections of tea. Combine them, and our collection is outlandishly huge. We have an entire piece of furniture dedicated to the display of it.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
May it be
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26)
Friday, February 11, 2011
Teacher, When is recess?
*This post was written -but not posted- on February 5, 2011*
I have many snap-shot memories of Kindergarten. Sitting on the multi-colored rug in the middle of the classroom, listening to Mrs. Bamford read a book, watching a boy in my class (I don’t remember his name) squirm all over the place because he was tired of sitting, looking over at a girl named Suzie, who I wanted to be like. I remember the overwhelming feeling of restlessness—not because Mrs. Bamford was a poor teacher, but because I couldn’t wait to do something else. I wanted craft time, recess, snack time, or nearly any other activity than sitting on that rug.
I hope I'm a little more mature than that little kindergarten girl, but It seems I'm still very much the same. I still want to move on to the next phase, stage, whatever you want to call it. I want to be done with the present because honestly, the present just seems overwhelming. There are too many thoughts, too many things to process, sort through, and organize into cohesive ideas in the present. Sometimes, I just want to raise my hand and ask “Teacher, can I go to recess now?”
I have many snap-shot memories of Kindergarten. Sitting on the multi-colored rug in the middle of the classroom, listening to Mrs. Bamford read a book, watching a boy in my class (I don’t remember his name) squirm all over the place because he was tired of sitting, looking over at a girl named Suzie, who I wanted to be like. I remember the overwhelming feeling of restlessness—not because Mrs. Bamford was a poor teacher, but because I couldn’t wait to do something else. I wanted craft time, recess, snack time, or nearly any other activity than sitting on that rug.
I hope I'm a little more mature than that little kindergarten girl, but It seems I'm still very much the same. I still want to move on to the next phase, stage, whatever you want to call it. I want to be done with the present because honestly, the present just seems overwhelming. There are too many thoughts, too many things to process, sort through, and organize into cohesive ideas in the present. Sometimes, I just want to raise my hand and ask “Teacher, can I go to recess now?”
Saturday, February 5, 2011
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