I recognize that of those that read this post, there may be differing opinions on the United States' 'War on Terror.' This campaign has seen many of our men and women warriors on the front line of an attack that has taken place in Afghanistan, and an occupation and overthrow of a dictator in Iraq. This war has taken many of our men and women away from home, it has cost the lives of some, and has cost agony and pain for others that have been maimed or injured by the effects of the war. This also affects the many friends and family members that have a loved one serving our country in the war on terror.
My attempt at writing this post is not to speak down of the war, nor will it speak of the current US administration, but instead will speak on the war on terror that every Christ-follower has seen since the beginning. This war is a war on sin, as sin is forefront on any hurt, it is forefront of terror, of hate, and of everything wrong in this world. This war puts man against his nature. It puts humility to God against his pride. It puts me against myself. It is war, it is division, it is fire. (see Matthew 10:34, Luke 12:49)
It kills me to see Christians not living their faith.....when I don't live my faith. You see, to obey my savior means that I must live differently, I must live in radical peace - not a peace of relativity, but a peace that supersedes the understanding of men - a peace that honors God. Having said this, as others have spoken about Truth (see here, here, and here). There is no peace with Christ if truth is not fought for. The relativists of the world may not like me, but I will stand by Truth, which is found in Christ alone.
I find it relatively interesting that in the correspondence between Jesus and Pilate (see John 18:33-38), Pilate straight out questions Truth. He says, "What is Truth?" This is no different than many non-believers, and I am increasingly sad to sad to hear that many people that call themselves believers are now questioning truth. As the world distances itself from Truth, we should see a clear distinction between those that hear the voice of Christ and listen, and those who do not hear....but are we? In my own life, I have seen areas where I compromise, areas where I am holding fast to my own sin, and areas where I am acting like a child not wanting to hear something from there parents. I picture my hands over my ears and me screaming to drown out the words of Truth....where I should be with a notebook and pen, learning everything I can.
Publicly I challenge myself to listen to the Truth more, and my hopes are that others do the same. Without listening attentively to this Truth, there is no peace, as without Truth (as Jesus defines himself as the Truth) , there is no salvation.
The war on Terror is simple and complex. Fighting for a nation's freedom, fighting against injustice, and fighting against persecution is an honorable thing, as without it, we may not have the security and liberty that our soldiers and country are fighting for, but above that, there is something greater. Truth must be fought for. Truth in Christ must be fought for, first in faith, then in word and deed.
Sin exists, and there is nothing we can do to change that fact. The Truth is, however, that our sin (and your sin, and everyone's sin) can be washed away. That is the Truth. Our job, as obedient soldiers of a war on sin, is to accept the salvation found in Christ, lead others to the Truth, and be obedient in word and deed to our saviour's calling. That is our war on terror. That is the one (and only thing) that can change the world. Christ is the only way to change the world.
10 August 2007
02 August 2007
____________ bridges
You know, I was going to title the post "Burning Bridges", but given the happenings, I thought it only appropriate to say what I was going to title it....so it wouldn't seem so bad....or something of that sort.
Here is a video of the event (Note: you will have to watch a commercial)
What can I say that has not already been said?
As you can see on the video, there were many cars on the bridge. As of now, there are 4 dead. and a bridge is down. I pray, honestly, that people will remember that this is an incident where people died, where people were hurt, where people were scared. As time passes, I hope that is what is remembered, instead of what is inevitable: people forget about what happened, and instead get mad at MN-DOT for not putting up another bridge fast enough, because it is adding an extra inconvenience to their commutes.
As far as an appropriate response....well, as with any other tragedy....all that can be said is that it is terrible that there is human death in the world. Regardless of situation, but particularly in light of situations, it is important to remember that a person's life is short, and has no guarantees as far as a certain length. For those that do know Christ, this should hopefully allow for us to see the hope, the security, and the love of God, just as it should allow us to see that there are others that do not have that hope, that love, and that eternal security that is freely given to us by God through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is a time of tremendous trial, of worry, and of fear for those that were involved at any level, and the families of those effected will be seeking to fill the God-shaped hole in their hearts.
that is all for now.
Christi Crux est mea Lux.
Here is a video of the event (Note: you will have to watch a commercial)
What can I say that has not already been said?
As you can see on the video, there were many cars on the bridge. As of now, there are 4 dead. and a bridge is down. I pray, honestly, that people will remember that this is an incident where people died, where people were hurt, where people were scared. As time passes, I hope that is what is remembered, instead of what is inevitable: people forget about what happened, and instead get mad at MN-DOT for not putting up another bridge fast enough, because it is adding an extra inconvenience to their commutes.
As far as an appropriate response....well, as with any other tragedy....all that can be said is that it is terrible that there is human death in the world. Regardless of situation, but particularly in light of situations, it is important to remember that a person's life is short, and has no guarantees as far as a certain length. For those that do know Christ, this should hopefully allow for us to see the hope, the security, and the love of God, just as it should allow us to see that there are others that do not have that hope, that love, and that eternal security that is freely given to us by God through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is a time of tremendous trial, of worry, and of fear for those that were involved at any level, and the families of those effected will be seeking to fill the God-shaped hole in their hearts.
that is all for now.
Christi Crux est mea Lux.
21 July 2007
Profoundly interesting
I was having a conversation today, and the person had mentioned that I had not written much on my blog over the past few days. I mean, there has been posts, but instead of my thoughts, or a profound story, instead, I have just made short comments on quotes or news stories. Looking at the posts.....this person is correct.
So, Irene, this is my attempt at writing something profoundly interesting. I hope it works, but I am thinking that it is just going to be a longer method of writing to the one/few people that read this blog.
I have been battling to trust God, well, trusting others that are trusting God. I find it interesting that it is easy for me to trust God as long as I can control how the process is executed - the plan, the timeline, and everything that would potentially require trust. The second that this ability to plan, schedule or execute is put in someone else's hands, I get scared.....like a 3 year-old. I'd like to say that I trust God, but my analytical side has a tendency to expect the worst case scenario...perhaps that lack of expectation is the ultimate issue......but any way it goes, I am sure that God is in the process of teaching me something great.
In the English Standard Version of the Bible, the word "Propitiation" is used 4 times to speak about Christ coming to earth, and what happened on the Cross. I find it incredibly interesting that this same word is translated to "sacrifice" in other translations. Those two words mean something completely different to me.....perhaps just as the word "Propitiation" helps provide more clarity of God's love than "Sacrifice", God's word for "trust" means something different than mine.
I recognize that this is post is going to be incomplete....but so am I (as it relates to this thought.....yeah....the thought.) so have fun with that.
pax
So, Irene, this is my attempt at writing something profoundly interesting. I hope it works, but I am thinking that it is just going to be a longer method of writing to the one/few people that read this blog.
I have been battling to trust God, well, trusting others that are trusting God. I find it interesting that it is easy for me to trust God as long as I can control how the process is executed - the plan, the timeline, and everything that would potentially require trust. The second that this ability to plan, schedule or execute is put in someone else's hands, I get scared.....like a 3 year-old. I'd like to say that I trust God, but my analytical side has a tendency to expect the worst case scenario...perhaps that lack of expectation is the ultimate issue......but any way it goes, I am sure that God is in the process of teaching me something great.
In the English Standard Version of the Bible, the word "Propitiation" is used 4 times to speak about Christ coming to earth, and what happened on the Cross. I find it incredibly interesting that this same word is translated to "sacrifice" in other translations. Those two words mean something completely different to me.....perhaps just as the word "Propitiation" helps provide more clarity of God's love than "Sacrifice", God's word for "trust" means something different than mine.
I recognize that this is post is going to be incomplete....but so am I (as it relates to this thought.....yeah....the thought.) so have fun with that.
pax
20 July 2007
quote
I can't say that I agree with this......but it was interesting none the less.
pax
John Lehman
"Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat."pax
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