Showing posts with label Rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rant. Show all posts
Oct 6, 2009
An Abbreviated, Short, Brisk Little Rant
I’m reminded of how faith is a gift from God and how belief is first a matter of the heart, not the head. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but it cannot bring salvation of any kind. On its own it is a god of human imagination, a vain pursuit constantly promising what it cannot deliver. It is an open tomb, always swallowing and never being filled; it is a vacuum that ultimately collapses on itself. Apart from its creator, knowledge has no power and no direction… just like electricity is powerful and useful, but only if it’s grounded. You cannot, with knowledge or learning, convince someone of something they have decided against. You also cannot debate for the sake of debate… this too is a vain pursuit with its end in itself. You can love them, you can speak truth, but you cannot make a willfully deaf man understand.
Aug 17, 2009
Meditation
Also, as to aligning with particular groups and doctrinal lines… each “system” is an attempt to reconcile mysteries and as such, is a human structure built (whether solidly or not) on top of the Bible, and thus, is bound to have error. This is why I cannot seem to answer some questions around here… now, some are better than others and I more easily align with them than others, yet some are quite good save a few things or even the tweaking of a few points. If I cannot accept the whole, I cannot claim to align with said system. Thus, I don’t have a clue which particular system I “believe” because they are all in error in one manner or another, though I try my best to be aware of and intelligent on the issues involved. Thus, I know I need to learn more, desire to, and will, yet at the same time, this is why I am ignorant of terms and such. Part of it has been laziness, but part of it is in recognizing that I cannot accept these wholes. So much of this smacks of the “I am of Paul and I am of Apollos” (1 Cor 3:4). If we are truly people of the word, if we truly believe sola scriptura, then why do we so blindly hold to the traditions instead of digging in the Word for ourselves and then taking the systems as advice from elders and those more wise than ourselves.
Some will charge me with being illogical or not desiring consistency… no, quite the opposite. I am a VERY logically-oriented person and quite analytical. I cannot abide inconsistency within myself, my mind, etc. I am very logical and love systematic theology and so on. My contention is that there is more than we are capable of knowing. Thus, we should seek to know all that we can about what we can, but we should not try to force the things that have not been revealed to us. It is actually an affront to God to seek to know the hidden things that He has denied us. If you disagree, explain the Trinity. If you can explain the trinity without becoming a heretic or using this same logic, then I will change my mind. Otherwise, be consistent and admit that you can’t figure out every single thing and learn to be comfortable with mystery… we are the creatures, not the creator. Why can’t we eat this fruit? That doesn’t matter; to you it has not been revealed. Apply yourself with what you are given, but stop grasping for what you have not been. Then, take what you have been given and use it instead of bottling it up in selfishness. Deut 29.29
Some will charge me with being illogical or not desiring consistency… no, quite the opposite. I am a VERY logically-oriented person and quite analytical. I cannot abide inconsistency within myself, my mind, etc. I am very logical and love systematic theology and so on. My contention is that there is more than we are capable of knowing. Thus, we should seek to know all that we can about what we can, but we should not try to force the things that have not been revealed to us. It is actually an affront to God to seek to know the hidden things that He has denied us. If you disagree, explain the Trinity. If you can explain the trinity without becoming a heretic or using this same logic, then I will change my mind. Otherwise, be consistent and admit that you can’t figure out every single thing and learn to be comfortable with mystery… we are the creatures, not the creator. Why can’t we eat this fruit? That doesn’t matter; to you it has not been revealed. Apply yourself with what you are given, but stop grasping for what you have not been. Then, take what you have been given and use it instead of bottling it up in selfishness. Deut 29.29
Oct 7, 2008
A Quick Rant on Gardasil
Well, once again, what was intended to be about a sentence or so that didn’t fit in my Facebook status ended up being an intended short paragraph, which in turn, led to the note below. Also, understand that this was written quickly because I am supposed to be studying Greek at the moment, so there is probably some repetition and there are probably other assorted errors, these are just my usual scattered thoughts. Finally before I begin, I know it’s been forever and I do still want desperately to write on so many things (including the REALLY long-awaited series). Sorry folks, just still more snowed under than I know how to dig out of right now.
___________
I am simply amazed with Gardasil. Merck has employed one of the greatest (and most underhanded) marketing strategies in recent history. If you watch one of the advertisements or read some of the literature, they have young, beautiful girls telling you how they don’t want their lives destroyed by cervical cancer and how this is the answer to that problem b/c they are now protected and won’t die. This is a good thing, I mean, cervical cancer is NASTY (to say the least) and who wants this beautiful, young, energetic, sincere, innocent young girl to die. Of course, I mean, hey, they found a vaccine that prevents her from getting it. I wouldn’t want my daughter to have to face that… seems pretty simple, right?!
Well folks, I am always amazed at marketing and advertising and how insanely deceptive they are. The whole idea of drug companies marketing to the consumer is preposterous and the subject of a much longer rant at some point, but for now let me simply say… the drugs should be marketed to the doctors, not the patient!!!! Folks, medicine is VERY, VERY complicated. Let me say it again, medicine is VERY, VERY complicated!!! People devote their lives to understanding the science behind the human body and the science of helping prolong death (which is the purpose of medicine btw). They are the specialist. However, the drug companies have figured out that if they tell the consumer to tell the doctor what they need, they sell more drugs. It’s really that simple. How is it possible for you the consumer, to know more than the specialist you are going to see?! Does a student set the course material for the teacher? No, the teacher sets the material according to the student (if indeed he is a good teacher). I have been teaching martial arts for 12 years now and students do not tell me what they need. I am the specialist and I will use the best methods I am aware of to teach the student according to his or her abilities. This is the educational method, it works, it is common sense. The students that do come to me, telling me how to do “A,” “B,” or “C” are the ones that don’t make it, at least until they figure out I do indeed know my specialty better than they do. Medicine is the same, but even more so. It’s bad enough that drug companies pay doctors to prescribe their medicines, that sways good medicine far enough, but now, a smiling, pretty face on the tv screen is telling consumers they understand their own needs and medicine better than their doctors. Wow, what a system!!! Ok, well, I ranted a little longer on that rabbit trail than I intended to (I know, I know, what else is new).
Back to the point… what is my problem with Gardasil? Well, it’s not a problem with the medicine itself. All the research* indicates that the medicine will in fact prevent certain types of cervical cancer, but the issue is what they are not telling you. What does this “miracle drug” do? Well, what it actually vaccinates against is most HPV (Human PapillomaVirus) infections. So, from there, they go on and on telling you how bad HPV is and how many people it affects and they really make it out to be something analogous to getting pneumonia or something. Yes, they are both bad and yes, they need to be treated. However, there is a HUGE deception in this type of marketing and even in the very definitions given by “neutral” sources such as Wikipedia. They go on forever describing how “bad” cervical cancer is and how bad HPV is, but they are deceiving the public en masse. What they are trying desperately to avoid saying is that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). We live in such an “under the rug” society, that our very dictionaries are refusing to be blunt and honest, but instead use alternate wording so that people will not be confronted with the hard truth, their sin. We are a deceived nation.
You have virtually no chance of getting this disease outside of living a morally loose lifestyle. Yes, you can technically get this through some other means, but guys, the statistical probability (scientific probability) is nearly zero, which, any good statistics student will tell you, is mathematically the same as none (ie: it’s possible, but get real). Thus, the function of Gardacil is to prevent the consequences of a sexually promiscuous lifestyle. It does not prevent cancer, it prevents HPV, which in turn can cause cervical cancer. So, they are presupposing a morally corrupt lifestyle in which the person is messing around enough to contract HPV (which for some is once and for others is closer to a lifetime) and that HPV will cause cervical cancer. You take any of those things out of the equation and you have a useless drug. The premise is a sexually promiscuous lifestyle. This is the very same thing as the old “hand out condoms in school” issue, except more underhanded.
The drug companies knew that they would not be able to sell nearly as much of their product if they included all of the information, so they are counting on consumer ignorance and a lack of consumer investigation and selling us a line. Unfortunately, many of us are on the hook once again! They know that they would not be able to sell much of their product if they were to simply say that it prevents an STD (which is the most accurate statement). Why? Because for most people, that is not going to be an issue. This is the same issue as that of giving teenagers birth control, people are trying to prevent the consequences of lifestyle choices. Again, the premise, or starting point, is wrong, so the end conclusion is wrong. I don’t have time right now to get into worldview issues and explain all of the statements given above (such as why I believe it is silly to give a teenager birth control), so let me say once again, that I admit I am operating from a Judeo-Christian worldview and since I know the Bible to be true and Christ’s standard to be authoritative, I must align myself with it.
The bottom line, they are skipping steps here folks! Though to different ends, the logic is analogous to the following example. Let’s suppose for a moment that I ran an advertisement that I have discovered that the government is murdering at least 1200 people a year in laboratory-like rooms by injecting them with toxins. I’ve done my research and the numbers are on the rise every year, but I’ve discovered a way to prevent this. I then run an emotionally charged ad talking about how so many families lost their dear loved ones to the evil government program. I even give a few testimonials from ladies like Sue, who is in tears because her oldest son little Tim will not be celebrating Christmas with them this year because the government murdered him in one of their labs. My answer is that I have found out that the government is keeping these poor people in holding tanks and many of them are executed every year and if they stay there long enough, their death is inevitable. Thus, I will pass legislation to ban these holding tanks, effectively preventing the murders committed in these concentration-camp-like places. This sounds great! I mean, I can prevent over 1200 murders a year with one simple act of legislation. Shoot, we will even be saving money because the buildings and labs will no longer be needed. This is GREAT!!! Ok, this is a cheesy example, but let me break it down. If you shoot someone and are convicted of murder, the government will send you to prison, and you will likely get the death penalty and be executed for your crimes. The execution is the consequence of your action. In this example, A (your crime) causes B (jail), which in turn causes C (the possible outcome of your actions). Thus where “-“ equals causation, A-(B-C). In my example, I used particular language to misrepresent C and herald B as the problem (also using particular language to conceal the true nature of B). I neglected to mention A at all. The marketers of Gardasil have used the very same logic. Sexual promiscuity may cause an STD, which may in turn cause certain types of cervical cancer. Gardasil does in fact prevent some HPV, thus preventing some cancers, but it is false logic and deception. They focus on talking about how it prevents certain types of cervical cancer so that all the average consumer hears is “prevents… (Cervical) cancer,” and they know it (folks, marketing is nothing but psychology).
So, if you are a woman and are going to be sexually promiscuous, then you may indeed want to get this medicine, but don’t deceive yourself as to why you are getting it. If you are a parent, understand that you are putting yet another foreign substance into your daughter’s body** and you are not preventing cancer, but a sexually transmitted disease, effectively telling your children that personal responsibility is not a reality, that you don’t trust them, and/or that they can now be promiscuous without having to worry about this consequence. This is the true bottom line and it is despicable to play upon parent’s emotions to sell drugs that prevent consequences, and under false pretenses at that!
I’m truly amazed folks; once again, truly amazed!
*not that I’ve read it all, but I’ve talked with several very knowledgeable medical folks, one of whom is an experienced “female” doctor, and done a little independent reading
**hey, I’m for medicine, but all medicines have consequences and though we do take lots of medicines and I think there are many, many good ones, a medical reality is that every substance affects your body and we only understand enough to know that we don’t understand all of the consequences, especially where new medicines are concerned (anyone remember the iud nightmares). The thing is, medicine is a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils, as the saying goes, in very dim light. Chemo is another example… it is better to be weak and a mess and alive, than to die anyway, but chemo does have some very negative consequences… ok, officially ranting again ;).
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardasil
http://www.gardasil.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=GL07L
___________
I am simply amazed with Gardasil. Merck has employed one of the greatest (and most underhanded) marketing strategies in recent history. If you watch one of the advertisements or read some of the literature, they have young, beautiful girls telling you how they don’t want their lives destroyed by cervical cancer and how this is the answer to that problem b/c they are now protected and won’t die. This is a good thing, I mean, cervical cancer is NASTY (to say the least) and who wants this beautiful, young, energetic, sincere, innocent young girl to die. Of course, I mean, hey, they found a vaccine that prevents her from getting it. I wouldn’t want my daughter to have to face that… seems pretty simple, right?!
Well folks, I am always amazed at marketing and advertising and how insanely deceptive they are. The whole idea of drug companies marketing to the consumer is preposterous and the subject of a much longer rant at some point, but for now let me simply say… the drugs should be marketed to the doctors, not the patient!!!! Folks, medicine is VERY, VERY complicated. Let me say it again, medicine is VERY, VERY complicated!!! People devote their lives to understanding the science behind the human body and the science of helping prolong death (which is the purpose of medicine btw). They are the specialist. However, the drug companies have figured out that if they tell the consumer to tell the doctor what they need, they sell more drugs. It’s really that simple. How is it possible for you the consumer, to know more than the specialist you are going to see?! Does a student set the course material for the teacher? No, the teacher sets the material according to the student (if indeed he is a good teacher). I have been teaching martial arts for 12 years now and students do not tell me what they need. I am the specialist and I will use the best methods I am aware of to teach the student according to his or her abilities. This is the educational method, it works, it is common sense. The students that do come to me, telling me how to do “A,” “B,” or “C” are the ones that don’t make it, at least until they figure out I do indeed know my specialty better than they do. Medicine is the same, but even more so. It’s bad enough that drug companies pay doctors to prescribe their medicines, that sways good medicine far enough, but now, a smiling, pretty face on the tv screen is telling consumers they understand their own needs and medicine better than their doctors. Wow, what a system!!! Ok, well, I ranted a little longer on that rabbit trail than I intended to (I know, I know, what else is new).
Back to the point… what is my problem with Gardasil? Well, it’s not a problem with the medicine itself. All the research* indicates that the medicine will in fact prevent certain types of cervical cancer, but the issue is what they are not telling you. What does this “miracle drug” do? Well, what it actually vaccinates against is most HPV (Human PapillomaVirus) infections. So, from there, they go on and on telling you how bad HPV is and how many people it affects and they really make it out to be something analogous to getting pneumonia or something. Yes, they are both bad and yes, they need to be treated. However, there is a HUGE deception in this type of marketing and even in the very definitions given by “neutral” sources such as Wikipedia. They go on forever describing how “bad” cervical cancer is and how bad HPV is, but they are deceiving the public en masse. What they are trying desperately to avoid saying is that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). We live in such an “under the rug” society, that our very dictionaries are refusing to be blunt and honest, but instead use alternate wording so that people will not be confronted with the hard truth, their sin. We are a deceived nation.
You have virtually no chance of getting this disease outside of living a morally loose lifestyle. Yes, you can technically get this through some other means, but guys, the statistical probability (scientific probability) is nearly zero, which, any good statistics student will tell you, is mathematically the same as none (ie: it’s possible, but get real). Thus, the function of Gardacil is to prevent the consequences of a sexually promiscuous lifestyle. It does not prevent cancer, it prevents HPV, which in turn can cause cervical cancer. So, they are presupposing a morally corrupt lifestyle in which the person is messing around enough to contract HPV (which for some is once and for others is closer to a lifetime) and that HPV will cause cervical cancer. You take any of those things out of the equation and you have a useless drug. The premise is a sexually promiscuous lifestyle. This is the very same thing as the old “hand out condoms in school” issue, except more underhanded.
The drug companies knew that they would not be able to sell nearly as much of their product if they included all of the information, so they are counting on consumer ignorance and a lack of consumer investigation and selling us a line. Unfortunately, many of us are on the hook once again! They know that they would not be able to sell much of their product if they were to simply say that it prevents an STD (which is the most accurate statement). Why? Because for most people, that is not going to be an issue. This is the same issue as that of giving teenagers birth control, people are trying to prevent the consequences of lifestyle choices. Again, the premise, or starting point, is wrong, so the end conclusion is wrong. I don’t have time right now to get into worldview issues and explain all of the statements given above (such as why I believe it is silly to give a teenager birth control), so let me say once again, that I admit I am operating from a Judeo-Christian worldview and since I know the Bible to be true and Christ’s standard to be authoritative, I must align myself with it.
The bottom line, they are skipping steps here folks! Though to different ends, the logic is analogous to the following example. Let’s suppose for a moment that I ran an advertisement that I have discovered that the government is murdering at least 1200 people a year in laboratory-like rooms by injecting them with toxins. I’ve done my research and the numbers are on the rise every year, but I’ve discovered a way to prevent this. I then run an emotionally charged ad talking about how so many families lost their dear loved ones to the evil government program. I even give a few testimonials from ladies like Sue, who is in tears because her oldest son little Tim will not be celebrating Christmas with them this year because the government murdered him in one of their labs. My answer is that I have found out that the government is keeping these poor people in holding tanks and many of them are executed every year and if they stay there long enough, their death is inevitable. Thus, I will pass legislation to ban these holding tanks, effectively preventing the murders committed in these concentration-camp-like places. This sounds great! I mean, I can prevent over 1200 murders a year with one simple act of legislation. Shoot, we will even be saving money because the buildings and labs will no longer be needed. This is GREAT!!! Ok, this is a cheesy example, but let me break it down. If you shoot someone and are convicted of murder, the government will send you to prison, and you will likely get the death penalty and be executed for your crimes. The execution is the consequence of your action. In this example, A (your crime) causes B (jail), which in turn causes C (the possible outcome of your actions). Thus where “-“ equals causation, A-(B-C). In my example, I used particular language to misrepresent C and herald B as the problem (also using particular language to conceal the true nature of B). I neglected to mention A at all. The marketers of Gardasil have used the very same logic. Sexual promiscuity may cause an STD, which may in turn cause certain types of cervical cancer. Gardasil does in fact prevent some HPV, thus preventing some cancers, but it is false logic and deception. They focus on talking about how it prevents certain types of cervical cancer so that all the average consumer hears is “prevents… (Cervical) cancer,” and they know it (folks, marketing is nothing but psychology).
So, if you are a woman and are going to be sexually promiscuous, then you may indeed want to get this medicine, but don’t deceive yourself as to why you are getting it. If you are a parent, understand that you are putting yet another foreign substance into your daughter’s body** and you are not preventing cancer, but a sexually transmitted disease, effectively telling your children that personal responsibility is not a reality, that you don’t trust them, and/or that they can now be promiscuous without having to worry about this consequence. This is the true bottom line and it is despicable to play upon parent’s emotions to sell drugs that prevent consequences, and under false pretenses at that!
I’m truly amazed folks; once again, truly amazed!
*not that I’ve read it all, but I’ve talked with several very knowledgeable medical folks, one of whom is an experienced “female” doctor, and done a little independent reading
**hey, I’m for medicine, but all medicines have consequences and though we do take lots of medicines and I think there are many, many good ones, a medical reality is that every substance affects your body and we only understand enough to know that we don’t understand all of the consequences, especially where new medicines are concerned (anyone remember the iud nightmares). The thing is, medicine is a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils, as the saying goes, in very dim light. Chemo is another example… it is better to be weak and a mess and alive, than to die anyway, but chemo does have some very negative consequences… ok, officially ranting again ;).
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardasil
http://www.gardasil.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=GL07L
Oct 14, 2007
Rant about Football
Originally posted 12:06 am Wednesday, Jan 3 on Facebook
_________________
Before you read the original post, let me say two things…
First, the big post I’ve been talking about is still on the way, I have just been insanely busy (to put it mildly). Thus, this post is more of a filler as I try to make sure that I post at least once a week. I hope to have that one posted within the next two weeks. The reason for the two weeks is that I need to finish typing it, have a person or two look over it, and then post something that I feel needs to precede that one.
Second, please understand that I don’t normally speak with as little grace as in the following post. As noted above, this was originally posted on Facebook and a comment or two was made about my bluntness. I can be an extremely blunt person and sometimes don’t realize how much I am. So, please understand that I do not mean to offend anyone with this, I’m just expressing my feelings in an unguarded manner.
Thanks in advance for your understanding :)
_________________
One thing that I always forget about this time of the year is all of the stinking football!!! For the record, I can’t stand football. I don’t necessarily have anything against it per se, but really detest how it takes over this entire culture during certain times of the year (and just generally have no use for it). Also for the record, I am not a “sports” person in terms of watching stuff on TV or letting it be the sole subject of endless ‘sports’ conversations. Now, I LOVE playing different sports, but that is a different matter altogether (Football is not even one of those)! Bottom line, I think I would literally rather watch the grass grow, than watch football (this is a toss-up, but the grass would probably win :)
Yes, I realize this is not a football, but I couldn't find a pic of a flat football and have about as much enthusiasm about basketball, thus it works just as well :)
I think the following paraphrase will serve to explain my view on this quite well. I cannot take credit for the illustration (it’s from Dr. Kent Hovind – yes, cringe in fear Matt Scheffel), but can sure stand behind it. [I just don’t understand why anyone would pay a guy millions of dollars to carry a pig’s bladder down a cow pasture and then pay another guy millions of dollars to carry it back.] Beyond this, I just don’t understand why anyone would want to watch!
Yes, I realize there is more to it than this, but again, I just don’t have any use for it!
_________________
Before you read the original post, let me say two things…
First, the big post I’ve been talking about is still on the way, I have just been insanely busy (to put it mildly). Thus, this post is more of a filler as I try to make sure that I post at least once a week. I hope to have that one posted within the next two weeks. The reason for the two weeks is that I need to finish typing it, have a person or two look over it, and then post something that I feel needs to precede that one.
Second, please understand that I don’t normally speak with as little grace as in the following post. As noted above, this was originally posted on Facebook and a comment or two was made about my bluntness. I can be an extremely blunt person and sometimes don’t realize how much I am. So, please understand that I do not mean to offend anyone with this, I’m just expressing my feelings in an unguarded manner.
Thanks in advance for your understanding :)
_________________
One thing that I always forget about this time of the year is all of the stinking football!!! For the record, I can’t stand football. I don’t necessarily have anything against it per se, but really detest how it takes over this entire culture during certain times of the year (and just generally have no use for it). Also for the record, I am not a “sports” person in terms of watching stuff on TV or letting it be the sole subject of endless ‘sports’ conversations. Now, I LOVE playing different sports, but that is a different matter altogether (Football is not even one of those)! Bottom line, I think I would literally rather watch the grass grow, than watch football (this is a toss-up, but the grass would probably win :)
Yes, I realize this is not a football, but I couldn't find a pic of a flat football and have about as much enthusiasm about basketball, thus it works just as well :)I think the following paraphrase will serve to explain my view on this quite well. I cannot take credit for the illustration (it’s from Dr. Kent Hovind – yes, cringe in fear Matt Scheffel), but can sure stand behind it. [I just don’t understand why anyone would pay a guy millions of dollars to carry a pig’s bladder down a cow pasture and then pay another guy millions of dollars to carry it back.] Beyond this, I just don’t understand why anyone would want to watch!
Yes, I realize there is more to it than this, but again, I just don’t have any use for it!
Aug 4, 2007
Second Opinions
My most despised “book of the Bible” is that of 2 Opinions, yet it seems the most commonly quoted in all of history.
2 Opinions 4:3 (BSV) “I am right, you are wrong”
2 Opinions 3:5 (BSV) "Fill in the blank"
2 Opinions 4:3 (BSV) “I am right, you are wrong”
2 Opinions 3:5 (BSV) "Fill in the blank"
Jul 7, 2007
A Tirade
Originally posted 5:00am Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 on Facebook
I am frustrated…
When a standard is created, when it should be abated
From nothing it came, yet to all it casts blame
When the Bible is silent, and yet it is cited
No order or ought, yet judgment is wrought
When I discover derision, from a previous vision
A mirage uncovered, before undiscovered
When I would interact, they refuse to transact
First I’m disbanded, then power’s demanded.
When I desire to make music, in their hearing they refuse it
This song from the heart, they haply tear apart
When beauty is around, and vultures swoop down
The first sign of life, is cut with a knife
When my bow is drawn, yet I can’t see the dawn
When no target is in sight, yet I’m stuck in the plight
Above and beyond, when evil is spawned
The most frustrating thing of all, is when I let myself to fall
When I allow my frustration to prevent supplication
To Christ, my God and my Lord, before whom I should be floored!
TTDOMHIAW
Jun 25, 2007
A sloppy springboard from John 10
Originally posted 11:39pm Sunday, Nov 26, 2006 on Facebook
John 10:10-13 0 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd”… wow what a statement and a teaching!!! This should be the motto and heartbeat of ALL of our ministry and personal / interrelationships. We need to stop looking at things and people through self-serving vision and truly, earnestly be concerned with their well being above our own. Self-sacrifice is the model here (John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends). It is only when you come to the point that you totally abandon all concern for yourself and your own well being, for that of another person, that you even begin to catch a GLIMPSE of what it means to love in Christ (and I do not claim to have arrived). It means laying down all rights (and especially pride), at all costs, so that the other person can be built up in Him. If that means allowing them to step on your back to reach the next step, or even costing your own life, so be it! A shepherd is one who loves and owns his sheep. He knows them by name and protects them at all costs, they are dear to his heart. A hired person is only there for the money (insert other random self-serving things here) and has no investment in, commitment, or loyalty to the sheep. Thus, when trouble comes, his own wicked, self-preservation takes over and he runs, leaving the sheep unguarded and lost!
I must reflect and sadly admit the number of times I have been a hireling. No, not for money, but for equally selfish reasons. When we talk to someone or interact with them, what is our motive? It should be to see them brought closer to Christ, at any cost. If their personality or mannerisms bother us, of what eternal significance is it, compared with their spiritual edification?! If a misunderstanding, why must I be right? Note: I am not talking about matters of scriptural truth here, I am speaking of people’s interactions. Is it not better to “give ground” for the sake of their spiritual growth? Or are we so weak in faith and love, that we are willing to let our pride and EVIL ambitions prevent the other person’s growth? Do we lift ourselves up, on their back? God forbid!!! This is the antithesis of love in Christ!
Colossians 3:12-14 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Or are we so short-sighted that we don’t even realize what we are (or aren’t) doing? Do we see through our eyes, or the eyes of Christ? Brothers, we must bear with one another, building each other up, for the sake of the kingdom, with a PURE motive of LOVE IN CHRIST. We must CRUCIFY that evil, arrogant pride that destroys, and through the spirit, receive a new heart of love and compassion, which builds up eternally!!!
Ezekiel 11:19 19 "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh
---also---
Matthew 6:19-21 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
May God grant us eternal vision and blind us to ourselves!!!
2 Corinthians 4:18 …we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Are you as jealous over God’s flock as He is?
May God grant mercy and forgiveness for our manifold failures and transgressions against each other, and ultimately, against Him, as we throw ourselves at His mercy, trusting only in the blood of Christ!!!
John 10:10-13 0 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd”… wow what a statement and a teaching!!! This should be the motto and heartbeat of ALL of our ministry and personal / interrelationships. We need to stop looking at things and people through self-serving vision and truly, earnestly be concerned with their well being above our own. Self-sacrifice is the model here (John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends). It is only when you come to the point that you totally abandon all concern for yourself and your own well being, for that of another person, that you even begin to catch a GLIMPSE of what it means to love in Christ (and I do not claim to have arrived). It means laying down all rights (and especially pride), at all costs, so that the other person can be built up in Him. If that means allowing them to step on your back to reach the next step, or even costing your own life, so be it! A shepherd is one who loves and owns his sheep. He knows them by name and protects them at all costs, they are dear to his heart. A hired person is only there for the money (insert other random self-serving things here) and has no investment in, commitment, or loyalty to the sheep. Thus, when trouble comes, his own wicked, self-preservation takes over and he runs, leaving the sheep unguarded and lost!
I must reflect and sadly admit the number of times I have been a hireling. No, not for money, but for equally selfish reasons. When we talk to someone or interact with them, what is our motive? It should be to see them brought closer to Christ, at any cost. If their personality or mannerisms bother us, of what eternal significance is it, compared with their spiritual edification?! If a misunderstanding, why must I be right? Note: I am not talking about matters of scriptural truth here, I am speaking of people’s interactions. Is it not better to “give ground” for the sake of their spiritual growth? Or are we so weak in faith and love, that we are willing to let our pride and EVIL ambitions prevent the other person’s growth? Do we lift ourselves up, on their back? God forbid!!! This is the antithesis of love in Christ!
Colossians 3:12-14 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Or are we so short-sighted that we don’t even realize what we are (or aren’t) doing? Do we see through our eyes, or the eyes of Christ? Brothers, we must bear with one another, building each other up, for the sake of the kingdom, with a PURE motive of LOVE IN CHRIST. We must CRUCIFY that evil, arrogant pride that destroys, and through the spirit, receive a new heart of love and compassion, which builds up eternally!!!
Ezekiel 11:19 19 "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh
---also---
Matthew 6:19-21 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
May God grant us eternal vision and blind us to ourselves!!!
2 Corinthians 4:18 …we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Are you as jealous over God’s flock as He is?
May God grant mercy and forgiveness for our manifold failures and transgressions against each other, and ultimately, against Him, as we throw ourselves at His mercy, trusting only in the blood of Christ!!!
Jun 20, 2007
What is a True Martial Artist?
Originally posted 2:21am Saturday, Jan 6 on Facebook
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Honor, integrity, respect, and especially humility accompany any true martial artist. Beware of the one lacking in these things. Outwardly consider him a plague to be avoided, yet treat him carefully when you cannot. In your mind consider him an enemy; a viper waiting to strike that cannot be trusted. He is puffed up, deceitful, and dangerous above all. He is a volatile bomb waiting for any chance to demonstrate his own perceived power. He is no better than a bully in a schoolyard. To the one lacking in these things, beware the one who boasts not in himself!
Remember, a man boasts not in the things in which he is the most confident, but rather in the things he lacks!
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A few related scriptures…
Matthew 23:11-12 "But the greatest among you shall be your servant. "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Psalm 20:7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.
Psalm 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
Psalm 94:4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
Remember, a man boasts not in the things in which he is the most confident, but rather in the things he lacks!
,+Brian,+Ryan,+and+Frankie.JPG)
A few related scriptures…
Matthew 23:11-12 "But the greatest among you shall be your servant. "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Psalm 20:7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.
Psalm 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
Psalm 94:4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
May 19, 2007
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