It seems to me that if we stand for something then no matter what's going on around us or what society is doing we should continue in the things we believe to be truth.
Ancient martial arts is based on keeping the peace and protection of others and if it's the last resort protecting yourself. The other night I went for a philosophy class to a presentation of martial arts in the modern age.
They talked so much about this inward peace that in turn is transferred to a peace that is tried to be kept on the outside.
That is all cool and I can respect that for what it is. However they promote peace until conflict arises. Then they use there training that promotes conflict.
If they truly stood for peace then they would under all circumstances? Right?
How can we as a society or even as Believers say we stand for things but only under the right weather.
Daniel O'Connell stood for peace and when the going got tough he still stood for peace.
There is familiar story in John ch.8 where the Pharisees bring a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. By the law of Moses they could have stoned her but when they asked Jesus he said " He that is without fault through the first stone" they all left and Jesus the only one that could have casted the stone told the woman to go and sin no more.
Christ stood up for bring glory to His Father and Love.
Do I stand for society's views on how to live an authentic life or should I focus on my savior that calls me to love and bring Glory to my Fathers name?
We need to search out in scripture how we should live our life. The Bible is truth and that is the only way we will be able to know which way is right when the tough question arise.
Our world views are all false because of our imperfections so strive and seek Him and you will find the truth!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Thoughts on Daniel O'Connell...
Daniel O'Connell has been the source of a lot of thought in the last couple of days. He was a man that lived in the 1830's in Ireland in a time where the Catholics were oppressed by the more powerful and dominate Protestants.
Catholics of the time couldn't hold seat in parliament and there were many laws in the protestants favor. Catholics couldn't be schooled and only 5% of them owned land to the dismay of the protestants. England was trying to get the Catholics out of Ireland because they stood for the "old way" and times were changing.
O'Connell comes on to the seen from a family that was catholic and did own land and was tutored by a man in the ways of a lawyer.
He became a political figure head for Ireland Catholics and believed in the law and peace.
He started speaking and holding rallies. Soon 100s of 1000s of catholics would show up to listen and the protestants were threatened by this
They knew he was a peaceful man and so when he would go to speak at these rallies they would threaten to send in troops and he would back down knowing what his catholic brothers would do.
You can imagine that the Catholics didn't put up with this behavior very long (just as our society wouldn't) and a couple of years later this man was killed.
I have immense admiration for Daniel O'Connell because of his dedication to what he believed. Even when his own brothers turned on him he still stuck to what he believed. My professor saw this a weak and cowardice but I saw it convicting and challenging.
As a believer am I willing to stand up for what I know to be right regardless of who has my back?
Catholics of the time couldn't hold seat in parliament and there were many laws in the protestants favor. Catholics couldn't be schooled and only 5% of them owned land to the dismay of the protestants. England was trying to get the Catholics out of Ireland because they stood for the "old way" and times were changing.
O'Connell comes on to the seen from a family that was catholic and did own land and was tutored by a man in the ways of a lawyer.
He became a political figure head for Ireland Catholics and believed in the law and peace.
He started speaking and holding rallies. Soon 100s of 1000s of catholics would show up to listen and the protestants were threatened by this
They knew he was a peaceful man and so when he would go to speak at these rallies they would threaten to send in troops and he would back down knowing what his catholic brothers would do.
You can imagine that the Catholics didn't put up with this behavior very long (just as our society wouldn't) and a couple of years later this man was killed.
I have immense admiration for Daniel O'Connell because of his dedication to what he believed. Even when his own brothers turned on him he still stuck to what he believed. My professor saw this a weak and cowardice but I saw it convicting and challenging.
As a believer am I willing to stand up for what I know to be right regardless of who has my back?
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Periods of Dryness
Liberation... I was liberated as a young boy from the entanglements of sin and I have found that in my spiritual life that God is always trying to show me something.
There are times that I am in open fields and the sunshine on my face and He feels so close. Emotionally, it's like I can almost see Him and it is an amazing time of fellowship. These times are few and far between but they are so sweet and as I said the sun, it warms my soul and and is a warm embrace. So many of believers (Myself included) just live for these times and think this is what it's about, an emotional high and the goose bumps on the back of the neck.
But more times than not I find that I am in the forest and ketch the sun on my face briefly through the trees. The sun is still there and really hasn't changed there are just trees in the way. Many people will tell you that this is b/c of sin in your life but I don't think that is always the case.
God is always there and just because we don't feel His presence doesn't mean he has abandon us. The end of Matthew gives us the promise the He is with us always, even to the end of the age.
Regardless of were your at, the field where the sun is shining on you or in the trees where you feel the sun but not in full, be encouraged b/c God is there and if we open our eyes He can show us things.
There are times that I am in open fields and the sunshine on my face and He feels so close. Emotionally, it's like I can almost see Him and it is an amazing time of fellowship. These times are few and far between but they are so sweet and as I said the sun, it warms my soul and and is a warm embrace. So many of believers (Myself included) just live for these times and think this is what it's about, an emotional high and the goose bumps on the back of the neck.
But more times than not I find that I am in the forest and ketch the sun on my face briefly through the trees. The sun is still there and really hasn't changed there are just trees in the way. Many people will tell you that this is b/c of sin in your life but I don't think that is always the case.
God is always there and just because we don't feel His presence doesn't mean he has abandon us. The end of Matthew gives us the promise the He is with us always, even to the end of the age.
Regardless of were your at, the field where the sun is shining on you or in the trees where you feel the sun but not in full, be encouraged b/c God is there and if we open our eyes He can show us things.
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