tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23602456464972651472024-03-05T06:18:42.460-08:00White KnucklesBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-55726877128489507662019-06-18T15:18:00.003-07:002019-06-18T15:20:51.440-07:00An Empathetic Defense of Being Pro-Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With many states passing “heartbeat” bills, I have seen many posts on social media stating that the banning of abortions is wrong. Women, such posts say, should have unlimited access to abortions, control of their own bodies, and complete freedom of choice in the matter. I would like to, in light of such claims, discuss the pro-life stance, acknowledging their concerns in the process, since such factors ought to be considered.<br />
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Bear with me before we begin, but I must defend my ability to speak on the subject. Often I have heard that, as a man, I should have no say or voice in this issue, since it involves women alone. This is, I would argue, an invalid argument for two reasons. Firstly, male children are killed in the abortion process and men are the fathers of all children; therefore, men are connected to the issue. Secondly, relatability has nothing to do with morality. While I am not a person of color, I should be able to speak out against the evils of racism, even though I am not a target of such attitudes. With these concepts in mind, let us proceed.<br />
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May I open this treatise with a statement of morality: murder is wrong. Now, I am a Christian, which means I believe that the taking of an innocent human life is an ultimate insult to our Creator, who hand-crafts each one of us with love. I believe that this human life begins at conception; to borrow an argument from John Stonestreet, there are only a few differences between a born child and an unborn child: location, level of development and dependency. With regards to location, it’s reasonable to assume that murder is wrong, regardless of where the child resides when it is committed. Concerning development: it would be wrong to murder a pre-puberty child just as much as a fully developed teenager; the child's individual biological development has no bearing on the issue. Finally looking at dependency: when somebody is in the ICU, we would still condemn a man who would shoot said invalid, even though the patient is completely dependent on machinery for life support. Considering these aspects, I would submit that the unborn child is just as much a person as those that are born. To take the life of an innocent person is murder, and murder is immoral.<br />
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This is a blunt statement of morality, which does absolutely nothing to consider the plight of a woman who is considering an abortion. This is so often overlooked by pro-life advocates, and it is to the viewpoint’s shame. When legislating or proclaiming right and wrong, we need to consider that we are not programming robots who have no fears, loves, dreams, or moments of weakness. I cannot, in good conscience, simply leave this statement as the conclusion. The women’s concerns must be addressed.<br />
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Let me first consider the issue of the control of a woman’s body. I am politically conservative, bordering libertarian, and I would argue that the government should have as little “control” over its citizens as possible. On this point, I have two comments. To begin with, except in cases of rape (which I hope to adequately address later in this post), the woman does have control of her body when she chooses to participate in sexual intercourse. She ought to know that such an act can result in conception, and she chooses to do so; in this way, she does have a choice. Secondly, on the topic of control: a murderer might condemn the government for “controlling his body” in the form of his trigger finger by outlawing homicide. The government should control citizens in situations of morality, in the same way that racism, sexism, and theft are all illegal.<br />
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A second argument for abortion-legality is the inability of the mother to provide for the child. I understand this concern – my wife and I have just had our first son, and the responsibility (financially, emotionally, and more) has only just begun to take effect. While we look forward to this phase of life, I understand the daunting task ahead, and I can only imagine its weight for a young, single, and/or unexpectant mother. A few thoughts on this issue, if I may. To begin with, I believe that the father should also be held accountable. Why is it – legally, culturally, socially – permissible for the father to be aloof? Men should be held accountable for their actions, including fatherhood; this weight should not be carried by the mother alone, but the aloof-ness of the father does not make this murder justifiable, even if it is understandable. Even if the child is going to live a deprived life, initially, this is not condemnation to death. We would condemn somebody going through slums and ghettos and murdering its inhabitants given their bleak financial or relational futures. Fortunately, there are numerous ministries and pro-life clinics (such as <a href="https://www.pathways180.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">Pathways Pregnancy Clinic</span></a>, for which I had the opportunity to sit on their board of directors) that provide emotional, financial, and other types of support to mothers in these situations, and these groups ought to be supported.<br />
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A third, and extremely valid, consideration is that of conception through rape. This is a horrendous crime and one of the few transgressions that dictated the death penalty in the Bible. I shall truncate my comments on rapists there, as I could get very carried away with my negative opinion of such criminals. Regarding the mother and child of such a horrendous situation, I cannot imagine the emotional destruction that results from such a horrific experience; she had no choice in the matter, her body was violated, and a great violence was committed against her. In the aftermath of this, she now finds that she is pregnant, but why should the child be condemned to death because of the crimes of her father? Why should the unborn daughter be held accountable for her father’s act? We would not argue that the born children of rapists should be killed simply because their father is such; why should the unborn be condemned to such a fate?<br />
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The final consideration is that of a life-and-death situation, where the mother is in danger of death if the pregnancy were to continue. Ectopic pregnancies are a prime example of this situation – there are few known cases where the child, and often the mother, survive the ordeal. This, perhaps, is one such case where an abortion could be morally considered, though I cringe even as I type this. An innocent life is lost in either case, and that concept grieves me. However, these situations are rare, and even if abortions were legal in this situation, it does not give credibility to the legality of any of the aforementioned scenarios.<br />
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Attempting to address this issue in such a short length does not do the crisis justice. Our son spent the first week of his life in the Neonatal ICU to address an infection he had contracted. While there, we observed dozens of infants that had been born nearly 20 weeks early - still very much alive, human, and precious. The idea that these children could be killed - in some states’ proposed legislation, even after they are born - is horrendous. The slaughter of children is perhaps one of the most heinous crimes that humanity can contrive. I empathize with the mothers that find themselves in a difficult situation mentioned above, but to kill a child is a terrible thing. This is not political, this is not patriarchal, this is not a power grab - as a Christian, my goal is to support these mothers and save these innocent babies. To legislate infants' destruction is not to be celebrated - it is to be mourned and reversed. For this reason, I am pro-life.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-51984952198445022452019-05-24T12:29:00.001-07:002019-05-24T12:30:35.132-07:00Christian Masculinity Part 3 - An Abrupt Conclusion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you have been reading the series up to this point, you are either intrigued, searching for fallacy, or particularly bored.<br />
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You may or may not have noticed, but I have removed the previous posts related to this topic. This is not because I retract my statements or have had a change in opinion, but rather have had a motivation adjustment. I'm afraid that much of the content was a direct, negative reaction to KS, rather than a hope and love for him and his audiences. To this end, I have removed my comments. I may redress the issue in the future, but I'm the current train of thought will not continue.<br />
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In a short conclusion, understand <i>why</i> you believe <i>what</i> you believe. Have your definitions, concepts, and morality be defined by Biblical precepts, not men.<br />
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<i>"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." - II Timothy 3:16-17</i>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-87437909014929002082019-04-20T17:35:00.001-07:002019-04-20T17:37:31.326-07:00Cultural Hostage Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's a scene in the Batman movie "Dark Knight" where the main antagonist, the Joker, has taken civilians hostages and - by giving them clown masks, gagging them, and taping guns to their hands - has made it appear as though his own cronies - who have concealed weapons trained on the civilians - are the hostages. When the police SWAT teams are sent in, there is immediately confusion, since the people with evident guns in their hands are actually innocent, and are being forced to play a part in the Joker's overall scheme. The SWAT team is misguided - through no fault of their own - as to who the enemy actually is, and rather than actually impeding the Joker's plan, they are contributing to it by hurting the innocent and wreaking havoc among the ranks of the good.<br />
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There is a hostage crisis going on in our culture, but maybe not the one that is so clearly evident. Many Christian pastors and apologists - or SWAT teams of Christianity - today are eager to take a shot at the first clown-mask they see, claim a victory, and look for the next target. However, I think this is where we so often go wrong. We are quick to identify evil and attempt to destroy the person wielding it, but we don't often consider that the "evident" danger is actually being held hostage by the true threat.<br />
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<i>"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." (II Timothy 2:24-26)</i><br />
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Too often, our "evil opponents" are nothing more than hostage pawns in the hands of the ultimate Joker, sin. Many of them don't know any better; many of them are simply seeking self-preservation; many of them might actually take a shot because the last "police officer" that they encountered tried to kill them. But if we as Christians are in the business of rescuing hostages, these hostages need to be saved, not killed, even at the expense of our own lives.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgecUxBS4s6ZI-DoYbdSugdw4tTbjyOpoypNNcrqNdGhlgH0lscwU4q04D5zbzFpIbGyRpTZ1R2Mn5VSHrpS9yxvshT4OvUVDUKsRbShr4wrCANH0wXzbhJQ7lgcOmeAcyrFkpVSDBko/s1600/Angry+Pastor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="618" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgecUxBS4s6ZI-DoYbdSugdw4tTbjyOpoypNNcrqNdGhlgH0lscwU4q04D5zbzFpIbGyRpTZ1R2Mn5VSHrpS9yxvshT4OvUVDUKsRbShr4wrCANH0wXzbhJQ7lgcOmeAcyrFkpVSDBko/s320/Angry+Pastor.jpg" width="320" /></a>It is unfortunately common to hear Christians and even popular "pastors" ranting and railing against individuals and groups today that they see as threats. Don't misunderstand - there are real threats from which pastors must protect their flocks. However, the hostage holding the gun is as valuable as the civilian safe at home. These angry men seem too preoccupied with destroying the clown-mask than actually saving the person behind it. Why is an arrogant anger the reaction to a person who is in desperate need of help, rather than compassion and understanding?<br />
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I teach apologetics. It provides logical, reasonable, and straightforward answers about reality and how it coincides with the Christian faith. It is fantastic ammunition in a theological, ethical, or philosophical shootout. It pains me though, when people with this ammunition begin blasting it at anything that moves, rather than clearly identifying dangerous targets.<br />
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That girl that got an abortion? She is likely held hostage by fear, gagged by social norm, and masked by a need to save face. Many people would present her as an evil witch that enjoys participating in a "pagan ritual". That guy that debated evolution till he was blue in the face? He is trying to find a place in the world, is interpreting data based on the only worldview he has, and was never told the ultimate ramifications. Some would showcase him as a example of evil naturalistic evil incarnate, trying to steal our good little homeschool children from us. That person who lives in an LGBTQ+ lifestyle? They have no reason to believe that what they're doing is wrong (and a red-faced, angry pastor reciting a 2,000-year-old document is no reason), have found some relief in this world, and are giving in to what the culture screams they should do.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83o3CslQlEfQBtPMyQK37oZPQCLhOSsi7tXCAC4pr_N5pKtvbbaynWJI0RclM1R6AAxyzjY80bvVTJsCrCyaPJHCsORWDcKJzsDoL0k2TF2mqbnVdcLSUZyAnVwq2Y-y_wQ49CPvmRpo/s1600/SadGirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83o3CslQlEfQBtPMyQK37oZPQCLhOSsi7tXCAC4pr_N5pKtvbbaynWJI0RclM1R6AAxyzjY80bvVTJsCrCyaPJHCsORWDcKJzsDoL0k2TF2mqbnVdcLSUZyAnVwq2Y-y_wQ49CPvmRpo/s320/SadGirl.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I'm not saying that abortion, naturalism, and alternate lifestyles are correct or that we should shy away from discussing these issues and stating the truth. However, firing a volley of theological bullets will not rescue them. Are we accurately representing the One who came to save and heal? He came as a healer, teacher, and forgiver. When encountering these "armed enemies", our default should be to get up close and personal to see if they are actively gripping the gun, or if the Joker has taped it to their hands. We may need to undertake the delicate task of removing the gag to understand the real situation, rather than shooting the first clown-mask we see. In the paraphrased words of Ravi Zacharais, when engaged in a philosophical debate or discussion, we need to answer the question-er, not the question. Simply winning the debate helps nobody.<br />
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We are in the business of rescuing hostages, saving as many as we can, and snatching those stumbling toward perdition. Every single person is a masterpiece of our Lord; they are imago Dei. Do not, through your angry repulsion, kill them; help them come to their senses; aid them in escaping the snare of the devil; assist them from being held captive.<br />
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Let's go rescue some hostages.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-31704569285496776462018-02-22T14:20:00.002-08:002018-02-22T14:24:37.868-08:00Red Herring Responses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white;">Back in the old days (the actual era escapes me), a red
herring was a fish that would be dragged across a hunting trail to divert the
hounds from their course. The howling, excited canines would charge down the
new trail, unaware that their real quarry was in fact far away from the object
of their efforts. Thus, the red herring urged action, but never in the area
that was effective.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">The shooting in Florida is, unfortunately, no longer as
shocking news as it might have been a few years ago. Amid the aftermath, people
have come with different responses – some good, some bad, some relevant, some
not. I admit I’ve fallen for some of the irrelevant responses, even by
Christians whose point I agree with. However, I feel that two major red
herrings need to be addressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Red Herring 1: Abortion</span></h4>
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<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0691/5031/products/21268664_10211171824505596_903444867_n_1024x1024.png?v=1506379959" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="Image result for good beats evil" border="0" height="200" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0691/5031/products/21268664_10211171824505596_903444867_n_1024x1024.png?v=1506379959" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">This is certainly an issue that needs to be addressed. Millions
of babies have been murdered in this country, and the massacre does need to
stop. Indeed, gun violence pales in comparison to abortion death tolls in the
US </span><span style="color: white;">(<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/guns-vs-abortions/2013/02/07/eb24d0a0-6fd0-11e2-b3f3-b263d708ca37_story.html?utm_term=.a252ac6dbc37">https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/guns-vs-abortions/2013/02/07/eb24d0a0-6fd0-11e2-b3f3-b263d708ca37_story.html?utm_term=.a252ac6dbc37</a>),
bu</span><span style="color: white;">t that doesn’t make the gun violence any less of an issue. If we want a
conversation about abortion, don’t use the emotional atmosphere or death
comparisons to advance a point. Again, this needs to be dealt with, but it is a
separate issue from gun violence; let’s not confuse the two.</span></span></div>
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Red Herring 2: Guns</span></h4>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/20180224_BLP503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="Image result for gun control" border="0" height="179" src="https://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/20180224_BLP503.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: white;">The “right” (and, I suppose, libertarians… basically people
who are neither liberals or fascists…) cling to their guns as though it was the
constitution itself. While I am a proponent of the second amendment, I feel
that many people take this too far. Statements like “The government had better
not try to take my guns… or else…” carries more weight than I feel the speaker
actually intends, as I doubt they would shoot the law enforcement officer who
shows up to collect the weapon, and a Christian ought not lie about possession
or location (Leviticus 19:11). If a ban on weapons occurred that affected my
own firearms, I would give them up willingly, as a Christian ought to do (Romans
13:1). Even if it came down to a Revolutionary War situation (where we needed
to protect ourselves from our own government) – AR-15s, AK-47s, etc., would not
deter an Abrams tank, an F-35 fighter, or a combat UAV. The argument then that
your firearm would protect you from your government is, therefore, irrelevant.
Home defense against burglary or home invasion is a different matter, but
Romans 13 exists despite this.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">That said, I don’t believe guns are the problem, and the proposal
to 1) impose background checks 2) restrict magazine size or even 3) ban all
firearms entirely are ultimately not going to prevent atrocities such as school
massacres. In the first place, every firearm involved in a school shooting was
legally obtained at the time; there was nothing in a background check that
would have prevented them from obtaining the weapon. In the second case,
magazine size can be largely irrelevant, as even an unexperienced shooter can
either have multiple weapons or switch out magazines with relative ease. Finally,
the ban of firearms completely will still not prevent attacks like this, as we
see terrorists effectively working in more gun restrictive countries such as Britain</span><span style="color: white;">(<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40013040">http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40013040</a>),
Russia (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/04/03/the-recent-history-of-terrorist-attacks-in-russia/?utm_term=.e9d9d7b62ece">https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/04/03/the-recent-history-of-terrorist-attacks-in-russia/?utm_term=.e9d9d7b62ece</a>),
and China (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/33-dead-130-injured-china-knife-wielding-spree-n41966">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/33-dead-130-injured-china-knife-wielding-spree-n41966</a>)
and others using either knives, IEDs, or illegally obtained weapons. In fact,
terrorist/homicide rates within the US appear to have no correlation to
homicide rates (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/10/06/zero-correlation-between-state-homicide-rate-and-state-gun-laws/?utm_term=.5baba6951cd1">https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/10/06/zero-correlation-between-state-homicide-rate-and-state-gun-laws/?utm_term=.5baba6951cd1</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Alright, so if we don’t overlook school shootings and focus
on abortion, and guns don’t seem to be the problem, what is the solution? While
people older and wiser than I already have their lists, I thought I’d propose
mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="color: white;">
Solution 1: Teach the Sanctity of Life</span></h4>
<h1>
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://salemnet.vo.llnwd.net/media/cms/CW/faith/28821-ThinkstockPhotos-484067012.1200w.tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="Image result for sanctity of life" border="0" height="167" src="https://salemnet.vo.llnwd.net/media/cms/CW/faith/28821-ThinkstockPhotos-484067012.1200w.tn.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: white;">The school system today teaches that there is no God; in an
attempt to remove religion from the classroom, they have imposed the worldview
of Atheism on the students therein. In Atheism, there is no purpose, no
absolute morals, and we are simply intelligent animals. Nobody passes judgment
on lions for fighting to the death – how is humanity any different? Is it any
surprise that the very centers that propagate this philosophy are locations of
these atrocities?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;">Christianity, however, says that life is valuable (because
people are made in the image of God, Genesis 1:26), murder is wrong (It is
destroying something precious to God, Exodus 20:13), and there will be a
reckoning for your actions (Romans 14:12). When this belief is removed and even
taught to be a lie, we should not be surprised when the students act on this belief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="color: white;">
Solution 2: Protect the Schools</span></h4>
<h1>
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2018/02/armed-israel-1.jpg?resize=600,450" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="Image result for israel armed school teachers" border="0" height="240" src="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2018/02/armed-israel-1.jpg?resize=600,450" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: white;">Scott Biegel died while letting students get into his
classroom and keeping them safe. However, other than being a human shield, he
was incapable of doing anything affective against an active shooter. How much
more effective could he have been if he had been able to return fire? If
Nikolas Cruz had known that teachers were armed, would he have even attempted
such a thing?</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;">Mr. Biegel is a hero – please do not think that I don’t
recognize his bravery and concern for the students. I mourn, however, that he
had to die, rather than defending himself and his students. I am not a
proponent of killing, but if there had been stronger security at the school, as
soon as Cruz became hostile, maybe only one kid would have had to die that day.
There have been proposals to hire armed security guards or law enforcement – a cleared,
proven, safe weapons handler is a much better alternative to a reckless youth
with a death wish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="color: white;">
Solution 3: Protect the Kids</span></h4>
<h1>
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/library/student_services/graphics/homeed_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="Image result for home education" border="0" height="170" src="https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/library/student_services/graphics/homeed_banner.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: white;">This is a harder one to discuss, as it appears to shift
blame from Cruz to others. Parents immediately blamed school staff, law
enforcement, and (of course) president Trump, forgetting that they were the
ones who sent their kids to the school in the first place. I’ve always been an
advocate of home education (more for religious reasons than safety), but at the
end of the day, parents have opted to send their kids to the indoctrination
centers that both teach this dangerous worldview, and have recently served as
killing grounds.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;">I don’t mean to be indifferent – I can’t imagine losing my
child to a monster like this. Many have never even considered that there is an
alternative, but there is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;">I don’t want anybody to be unsafe or injured. While I am
opposed to the public education system overall, that is absolutely no reason to
protect the kids therein any less. If it would keep people safe, I would be a
proponent of gun control, but ultimately, we need a mentality shift. We have
created a moral-less society, and until we give people a reason to believe in a
universal right and wrong, we can likely expect this murderous worldview to
prevail.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.trbimg.com/img-5a86fc34/turbine/fl-florida-shooting-parkland-vigil-20180215" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="Image result for night vigil florida students" border="0" height="225" src="https://www.trbimg.com/img-5a86fc34/turbine/fl-florida-shooting-parkland-vigil-20180215" width="400" /></span></a></div>
</div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-25214468473364594752017-08-14T16:29:00.001-07:002017-08-14T16:30:49.921-07:00Ultimate Identity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXZp6aoaC1CE8-7Ug8qBobGiBxA_ZDPlsA_fJyt4w1tAhXrxINg6m-_sWkYmSTGzJsGSJ_XREHwnK2KIHS5Fu1myjxfVYvLofSESIXMLdFo6tGDSaxg9GYCQHf1c0LJCK0bcCRFHf_Ac/s1600/170812110739-charlottesville-white-nationalist-protest-violent-clash-nr-00000000-large-169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="460" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXZp6aoaC1CE8-7Ug8qBobGiBxA_ZDPlsA_fJyt4w1tAhXrxINg6m-_sWkYmSTGzJsGSJ_XREHwnK2KIHS5Fu1myjxfVYvLofSESIXMLdFo6tGDSaxg9GYCQHf1c0LJCK0bcCRFHf_Ac/s320/170812110739-charlottesville-white-nationalist-protest-violent-clash-nr-00000000-large-169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So... some thoughts on Charlottesville, and the general situation in the country:<br />
<br />
1) Racism (a key element of Neo-Nazism and the KKK) is wrong - Christians, don't ignore this fact simply because it's always on the Left's agenda.<br />
<br />
2) Just because these people supported Trump and Christians supported Trump does NOT mean Christians should ignore the issue.<br />
<br />
3) Just because a non-Christian theology cannot speak to racism does not mean we should not.<br />
<br />
4) Just because President Obama overlooked Islam does not mean Christians should overlook Neo-Nazism (which yes, is as full a worldview/religion as Islam)<br />
<br />
5) A "See how it feels?" vengeful attitude in the wake of President Obama's presidency is not how Christians ought to act.<br />
<br />
6) Just because the Left may not act as Christians ought does not mean that Christians should do the same.<br />
<br />
7) Christians should not address this issue with phrases like "The African-American population is oppressed" or "The Caucasian population is privileged", but rather "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female He created them." (Gen. 1:27) or "But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all." Colossians 3:8-11<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christians do not ultimately identify with the Republican Party. Christians do not ultimately identify with Donald Trump. Christians ultimately identify with Christ - don't get Him confused with the first two.</div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-39675459075556926162017-07-10T16:01:00.000-07:002017-07-10T18:27:24.315-07:00Men and Modesty, or a Clarification on Modesty Pieces<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9JNvdndkDbRZeNiqPiEMMtxG9ix6dxRDJvWUmH-ifewu1aZETCEnlLPFwhhSjFNFFFEJyR-kuwbyYiDy7JaPaclSbDAROdFwbOIkogA0h-NkvWNSOuagSQEkMieF3DUoFmws_1zRG1U/s1600/Carter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1100" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9JNvdndkDbRZeNiqPiEMMtxG9ix6dxRDJvWUmH-ifewu1aZETCEnlLPFwhhSjFNFFFEJyR-kuwbyYiDy7JaPaclSbDAROdFwbOIkogA0h-NkvWNSOuagSQEkMieF3DUoFmws_1zRG1U/s320/Carter.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good day to you, ladies and gentlemen!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must, perhaps, rephrase my greeting, as the principle
audience for this particular memorandum is the ladies. By no means, gentlemen,
is it my desire that you remove yourself from the audience. Rather, I should
like to attempt, in the most exceptional language possible, to convey a
particular thought – ever present on the mind of my fellow gentlemen – to the
ladies who may, or may not, be aware of our rather particular plight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ladies, I wish to address the issue of modesty, coverage,
and accountability. In vain I have struggled, it will not do: I am aware that
many a piece has been written on the subject (truly, the existence of this
letter is a direct response to one such opinion), but they all fall short in
addressing the real problems at hand. If you will indulge me, I shall attempt
to explain our situation using examples from your very own Jane Austen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a response, in part, to Miss Bailey’s piece “I Don’t
Accommodate Uncontrolled Men”. (Though gentlemen, I must warn you should you
proceed to investigate the article, as the cover photo prominently displays a
lady who is hardly dressed). In this piece, Miss Bailey says, in essence, women
are not responsible for what men do with their eyes and thoughts. She goes on
to say that men should be able to admire and deem women’s bodies as attractive.
Furthermore, she conveys that, since men can fight lust, they should; if they
don’t, that is solely the concern of the gentleman, not hers. The predominant heart
in the article is, in her own words:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> “I’m going to stand up and look that man in
the eye and tell him… I have no sympathy for his struggles.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are taking a turn about the room, do ensure that a
fainting sofa is available, not due to the desperate nature of this elegy, but
I fear this may be quite a lengthy discussion. Do not be alarmed at receiving
this letter, but I must be allowed to express my opinion. At least on that
account, I may defend myself. Now, once you are comfortably situated, allow me
to recount tales from Miss Austen’s work, hopefully for both the education and
the entertainment of all concerned parties.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLUebeMPAIDmS_gh8QzYyx4814bzJdD8-en4VRjs8kP5PD6Tuh2OSGqeGIkTtZGx3ss2lNUEAvP43Mwk_tCo9SuhtpPsL92njDPTbWnytl1M1mnh6A8RoywS64NLrCYy8cEPDgU1WGOg/s1600/Willoughby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="620" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLUebeMPAIDmS_gh8QzYyx4814bzJdD8-en4VRjs8kP5PD6Tuh2OSGqeGIkTtZGx3ss2lNUEAvP43Mwk_tCo9SuhtpPsL92njDPTbWnytl1M1mnh6A8RoywS64NLrCYy8cEPDgU1WGOg/s320/Willoughby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must confess, one of Austen’s most despicable character
creations is that of John Willoughby. Perhaps even regardless of his most
inexcusable past, his manner toward Miss Marianne Dashwood was most appalling.
His appearance of honorable intention was most deceptive, and we are all duly
heart-broken when we discover the disreputable character that he is. To lead
somebody on, encourage them to have feelings that are not reciprocated, or to
imply something false are villainous actions, to say the very least.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Women may, in the same way, lead on a man with her dress (or
lack thereof): where Marianne was provoked into attraction through kind words
and gallant deeds, men are quite often provoked by visual stimulation. While we
are all most aware that the random bikini-ist on the beach has no intentions
toward us, there is instantly an attraction on the part of the man; be this
defined as biology, instinct, or other, it is a most common occurrence amongst
gentlemen. While Miss Bailey claims to know such a man for whom this is not
true, I have never met a man for whom this is not the case.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, should the man be able to avert his eyes, guard his
thoughts, and not conjure up the image later? Indeed, this power is granted to
Him through the grace of our Lord, but it is an intense struggle not to do so.
Should Miss Marianne have been able to avert her attentions, guard her heart,
and not conjure up feelings for John? A resounding “yes” ought be heard (and
truly we wish that she had taken such a course of action), but it was a
struggle not to do so. I am not removing the blame of the individual who, under
intense pressure, caved to the temptation, but in the same way we would condemn
John Willoughby for taking advantage of Miss Marianne’s weakness, may we not do
the same for women who treat men as such by their dress?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjVxxMQZUXqRGBgDDIhaLKkX9qkMDfkgfDz8-Ii7CugeSh79F2mix-YOyEcQWlnkwKSWuMJcaPPb47ZmBhtEHOteSEKCJQRv7zd6CA7JWxyjmHdXhU1yxyK0a9ymIOGnCvaI15xKAwQs/s1600/Tilney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="500" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjVxxMQZUXqRGBgDDIhaLKkX9qkMDfkgfDz8-Ii7CugeSh79F2mix-YOyEcQWlnkwKSWuMJcaPPb47ZmBhtEHOteSEKCJQRv7zd6CA7JWxyjmHdXhU1yxyK0a9ymIOGnCvaI15xKAwQs/s320/Tilney.jpg" width="320" /></a>As another anecdotal example, may I recall to your memory
the scandal of Captain Frederick Tilney and Isabella Thorpe? Again, one of Miss
Austen’s more vulgar characters, to say the least, Captain Tilney made it his
mission to involve Miss Thorpe in scandal, to which she succumbed (and
arguably, not unwillingly). Now, was Miss Thorpe completely capable of
rejecting Captain Tilney’s advances? Indeed she was, and she is rightfully
condemned for not doing so. However, let us not forget the object of her
provocation, for indeed we condemn the captain just as much, if not more so, as
an aggressor that encouraged Miss Thorpe to fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
May I again reverse the roles here, if you will permit me,
to make the point? While women may not be intending to fell young men (as
Captain Tilney intended for Miss Thorpe), they may still do so through their
dress. Now the young man is to blame for giving into the temptation to lust
(archaic words, perhaps, but potent ones), but is the source of his provocation
blameless? While she may have not sinned, was she not an accomplice?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I should like to make a brief clarification. In both of
Miss Austen’s tales, the provocateur was intentionally malicious. I do not
believe that my sisters in Christ have such ill-will against her Christian
brothers, but, unfortunately, the effect is the same, intended or not. For
those women who do indeed dress to “catch men” or “show off sexiness”, I have a
different address, but not outlined here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miss Austen’s anecdotes concluded, may I call two verses to
mind, from which I may build a conclusion and a plea:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“But I say to you that
everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed
adultery with her in his heart.”</i> (Matthew 5:8)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“But take care that
this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak… Thus,
sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak,
you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will
never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” </i>(I Corinthians 8:9, 12-13)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In regards to the first verse, may I simply inform ladies of
a very blunt fact: a man can sin just by looking. While Miss Bailey claims time
and again that this is not a problem for her (may I first point out that she is
not a man?), and that it therefore should not be a problem for all men, Jesus
Himself recognized this as a very real and dangerous sin. Adultery was
punishable by death, and that judgement could be incriminated by one lustful
thought. Miss Bailey’s continual insistence about cultural conditioning leading
to this weakness of men does not change the fact that men are indeed weak here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paying heed now to the second verse: Paul here speaks that
actions (moral or even amoral) that can cause our brothers and sisters in
Christ to stumble is a terrible offense. This verse speaks about brothers in
Christ when who are susceptible when their conscience is weak. May I be blunt?
All men (whom the Lord has not called to singleness), regardless of age,
spiritual maturity, or culture, are weak in this area of life, and always will
be. Yes, some may put up a better fight through the grace of our Lord, but it
is still a point of weakness that haunts every man. Miss Bailey’s attitude of <i>I have no sympathy for his struggles</i>
could not be more contrary to Scripture, where Jesus says “By this all people
will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John
13:35)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miss Bailey claims that our “conservative purity” culture
has trained men to be guilty when seeing cleavage, curves, or other features of
a woman’s body. Her claim is that, if conditioned differently, men could purely
admire a woman’s physical form without fear of lust. To be blunt, this idea is
total bunk – if that were true, clothing would eventually become obsolete and a
command that Jesus Himself gave would no longer be relevant. We would have, in
essence, evolved beyond a point of sin. The battle against sin is always a
struggle, and changing the culture will not change that fact. Furthermore, this
does not address the men who are still of the world, currently powerless
against the enemy, unstrengthened by the Holy Spirit – they ought be considered
helpless, as lust is not even considered wrong, and may, therefore, be indulged
in with no regret.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The statement “cover up” or “dress more modestly” is not by
any means an attempt at patriarchal control, body shaming, or the like. If I
may speak with the utmost honesty, ladies: we as Christ-seeking gentlemen are
all too aware of our weaknesses and shortcomings. We struggle with them when
walking on a summer beach; we fight them during our daily gym visit; and many a
“God, help me!” prayer is sent when trying to fall asleep and our minds wander.
It is disrespectful to you as a daughter of God, it is harmful to us in our own
relationships, and it is a blow to God to see our mental purity tainted. The
request to cover up is not a demand for dominance, but a plea for mercy. Please
do not answer our cries for help with “I have no sympathy for your struggles.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In short, I hope that I clarified the original intent of
pieces similar to this that, unfortunately, fall short of their desired intent.
I do not excuse men (myself included) for falling; I do not say that we are not
to ultimately blame for the sin into which we fall. May I ask, nay, <i>beg</i> that you grant us a boon: we are
sinners; we struggle; we often fail. Do not treat our struggle with contempt or
indifference. Please help us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Post Scriptum</i> – Gentlemen, this conversation is not over. I
currently am devising a letter to you all in regards to this matter. Asking for
assistance from the womenfolk is by no means an invitation to licentiousness.
Prepare yourselves, as the next pieces will be much more personal, and – I
believe – much more potent. I shall publish the letter upon its completion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Post Post Scriptum </i>– all, I do understand that, despite my
best attempts at eloquence and congeniality, this topic is extremely personal
and of great import. Do, should you feel the leading to comment or contribute,
do so with the greatest respect for others. I do not mean to be condemning here – I simply seek to
clarify a common misconception and, hopefully, commincate clearly a commonly misunderstood
request.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Post Post Scriptum</i> – <i>Soli
Deo gloria</i><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-43122612742735520972016-03-02T05:38:00.000-08:002016-03-02T14:11:30.343-08:00Trump Card<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8U5qBbKjWpfXSG9itjx8pxL49uekEY1g-2dvBPzik_-yihQESrXWw50QC4zLbKoWy0_0JE123Qj3E7BhS2mxycROkEOheey6TQywcYl0Nc39mKzcsULe-jfGvZCjDS22gQKHSCLFxEbw/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8U5qBbKjWpfXSG9itjx8pxL49uekEY1g-2dvBPzik_-yihQESrXWw50QC4zLbKoWy0_0JE123Qj3E7BhS2mxycROkEOheey6TQywcYl0Nc39mKzcsULe-jfGvZCjDS22gQKHSCLFxEbw/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a><i>“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,</i><br />
<i>And rely on horses,</i><br />
<i>Who trust in chariots because they are many,</i><br />
<i>And in horsemen because they are very strong,</i><br />
<i>But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel,</i><br />
<i>Nor seek the Lord!</i><br />
<i>Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster,</i><br />
<i>And will not call back His words,</i><br />
<i>But will arise against the house of evildoers,</i><br />
<i>And against the help of those who work iniquity.</i><br />
<i>Now the Egyptians are men, and not God;</i><br />
<i>And their horses are flesh, and not spirit</i><br />
<i>When the Lord stretches out His hand,</i><br />
<i>Both he who helps will fall,</i><br />
<i>And when he who is helped will fall down;</i><br />
<i>They all will perish together.”</i> – Isaiah 31:1-3<br />
<br />
Israel was in trouble. They’d already lost 10 tribes to the rampaging of the Assyrians, who inflicted unspeakable evil and suffering upon their victims. The southern 2 tribes that comprised the Kingdom of Judah were struggling to survive. Their previous rulers had weakened the country on every level, and morality was at an all-time low.<br />
<br />
Enter Babylon – the kingdom that bucked the Assyrians and completely conquered the heartland of Mesopotamia. Everything had been subdued… save Judah. The small kingdom stood with, basically, no defense against the onslaught. Previous rulers had been bad, but the Babylonians would take oppression and destruction of morality to a whole new level.<br />
<br />
Judah was afraid.<br />
<br />
Just across the Sinai Peninsula from Judah stood another country – Egypt. This country had thrown off their previous Assyrian overlords, and was, on all accounts, a powerful ally. They retained their own culture and defied Babylonian military, preparing for the oncoming war.<br />
<br />
It totally made sense for Judah and Egypt to unite. Therefore, in spite of Isaiah’s warning, they did. As it turns out, Necho II, the Pharaoh of Egypt, was allied with the remnant Assyrian empire. Traveling north to face the Babylonians alongside the Assyrians, the Egyptians were completely overrun by the Babylonian army. With nothing else in their way, the Babylonians marched to Jerusalem where, in 586 B.C., the Hebrew army was completely defeated, Jerusalem leveled, and the people carried away captive.<br />
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Now we look at this account and say, “Well, of course; God told them not to rely on Egypt because ultimately, as God knew, Egypt couldn’t stand against Babylon, and it meant that people were placing their trust in men, not God.” Now Egypt was no “nice” kingdom either. Egypt’s own pagan, polytheistic culture was just as morally depraved and oppressive as Babylon’s, the only difference between the two was that, at the moment, Egypt wasn’t trying to conquer Judah; Babylon was. Egypt was “the enemy of my enemy,” so Israel aligned itself with a kingdom that, while they had some similar surface goals, was just as dangerous as Babylon was.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphnfnVS0j9INZpRpvyPKtFANpK_SE1mBXb1dYr46BMK-ON8NHblBa9GdyT8XWlnRtBdze3BASj4k7zkT-VIsMnjs4_mnnTcENrdpPuPrW-Meae3xHkW1H7fkbI0yTkFz0OI9EtHw-mSg/s1600/Pharaoh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphnfnVS0j9INZpRpvyPKtFANpK_SE1mBXb1dYr46BMK-ON8NHblBa9GdyT8XWlnRtBdze3BASj4k7zkT-VIsMnjs4_mnnTcENrdpPuPrW-Meae3xHkW1H7fkbI0yTkFz0OI9EtHw-mSg/s320/Pharaoh.jpg" width="320" /></a>May I be blunt – why would we trust in the Egypt that is Donald Trump because of our fear of the Babylon that is the Democratic Party? I have heard time and time again, “Anybody but the Democrats!” at trainings and caucuses leading up to the selection of the Republican nominee. People are always quoting statistics and chances as though humans were scientific entities that are always predictable. I’ve heard things like “A vote for Carson is a vote for Trump,” or “If Trump is nominated, a vote for a third-party candidate is a vote for Hillary.” Folks, if statistics were the only factor, then Israel did the right thing! It would have been “suicide” to try and stand against the Babylonian army alone.<br />
<br />
You can almost hear the commanders of the Judean Army discussing the options.<br />
<i>“Egypt can provide the firepower that we need to defeat the Babylonians.”</i><br />
<i>“But… that would mean aligning ourselves with somebody just as bad as Babylon…”</i><br />
<i>“I don’t care; anybody but the Babylonians.”</i><br />
<i>“What if we only subscribed to Jehovah’s principles and only aligned with and supported people who do the same?”</i><br />
<i>“That’s suicide; get Egypt on the phone.”</i><br />
<br />
Now, I’m not actually here to promote a particular candidate (though it may be obvious that there are some of whom I disapprove), but let me ask – why would a Christian, who is doing his or her best to reflect the character of Christ, support a man who owns and promotes immoral institutions such as strip clubs, verbally attacks people of whom he has a low opinion, and has no biblical rooting for his current belief system?<br />
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“Well, he’s better than Hillary.”<br />
<br />
I’m sorry – say again? Just because a Democratic president might force more things upon Christians does not mean that the country’s leader is a better or worse person.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:</i><br />
<i>‘I will dwell in them</i><br />
<i>And walk among them.</i><br />
<i>I will be their God,</i><br />
<i>And they shall be My people.’</i><br />
<i> Therefore, ‘Come out from among them</i><br />
<i>And be separate, says the Lord.</i><br />
<i>Do not touch what is unclean,</i><br />
<i>And I will receive you.’</i><br />
<i>‘I will be a Father to you,</i><br />
<i>And you shall be My sons and daughters,'</i><br />
<i>Says the Lord Almighty." </i>– II Corinthians 6:14-18<br />
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Folks, if it comes down to Trump vs. Democrats, why would we associate with the moral darkness that is Donald Trump? <i>Because he’ll take less of our money</i> – I would hope we have a better reason to associate with darkness than that; we are explicitly told to love God more than money (Matt. 6:24). <i>Because he doesn’t support abortion </i>– at the moment; he’s changed his stance multiple times, because he has no absolute foundation for his belief; a double-minded man is dangerous (James 1:8-9). <i>Because he’ll strengthen our military</i> – because that always stops terrorism; God doesn’t apply (Deut. 3:22). We are told to be separate from those in darkness, not to make an alliance when it’s pertinent or helpful.<br />
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I’ve also heard that we are the instruments that God uses to work, but we should never intentionally violate a Scriptural principle. To be honest, folks, God doesn’t need our help (case in point… He killed 185,000 invading Assyrians with an angel in one night… no humans necessary; II Kings 19:35). That’s not to say He can’t work through our mistakes (Gen. 50:20), but they are still that – mistakes, and it grieves Him when we make them.<br />
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Think about it when it comes to voting – are you aligning yourself with the lesser of two evils, or are you living your life and stamping Christ’s name (via your support) on somebody directly opposed to Him?<br />
<br />
Odds don’t stand a chance against God. Egypt or Babylon don’t stand against God.<br />
<br />
God’s our trump card.<br />
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Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-21185007359750285012015-12-03T17:16:00.006-08:002015-12-03T17:16:44.737-08:00A Response to a Year of Shootings: The Madman Realized<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6PNa49sZtnSCQvGbF70ri7K1V4XhZK77DBqZDFu0gwY-J5RKpdHurfhGxsdkQvkVMgj8ExDqET-c0rz14PrQ4pAXxdMz0hrqYY4hcFVsDel_A55PQE6tQadnuf06IxA45VBTagahX3Q/s1600/Madman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6PNa49sZtnSCQvGbF70ri7K1V4XhZK77DBqZDFu0gwY-J5RKpdHurfhGxsdkQvkVMgj8ExDqET-c0rz14PrQ4pAXxdMz0hrqYY4hcFVsDel_A55PQE6tQadnuf06IxA45VBTagahX3Q/s320/Madman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Have you not heard of that madman who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours, ran to the market place, and cried incessantly: "I seek God! I seek God!"</i><br />
<br />
Friedrich Nietzsche penned these words before the dawn of the 20th century. These are the words of a “Madman”, who ran about the streets screaming that God was dead, that mankind had killed Him. He was considered insane because he was stating something to be obviously true that was obviously un-apparent to his audience, Western Culture.<br />
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<i>“Whither is God?" he [the Madman] cried; "I will tell you. We have killed him---you and I. All of us are his murderers.”</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqIWRxpG24pBRErvO24i1xWrx2eceCZWJErOg5AEeD46Qx683wuoJRIBNbqiADb1OMUSR9vReM6w-d7CocAFfyh8yK9UrSGxV_8yHhSgjtZGfUKcb9_tQUdh3EeOM4HIpi_Uf3ZEWnGw/s1600/Roman-Centurion1.80195338_std.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqIWRxpG24pBRErvO24i1xWrx2eceCZWJErOg5AEeD46Qx683wuoJRIBNbqiADb1OMUSR9vReM6w-d7CocAFfyh8yK9UrSGxV_8yHhSgjtZGfUKcb9_tQUdh3EeOM4HIpi_Uf3ZEWnGw/s320/Roman-Centurion1.80195338_std.gif" width="320" /></a>What was he saying? Was he equating us to the religious leaders of the 1st Century who delivered Christ to the cross? Or perhaps he was condemning us as the Roman Imperialists, who carried out the deed of killing the Son of God. Even perhaps more applicably, he may have been criticizing society for the blood of the martyrs. But no – this madman was telling of the death of God in Western thought.<br />
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<i>“All of us are his murderers. But how did we do this?”</i><br />
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Western society has flirted with the idea of a God-homicide for a long time. Charles Darwin declared God unnecessary for the origin of life. Henry David Thoreau proposed that man was corrupted by society, not his inherent, God-hating depravity. Friedrich Nietzsche simply put two and two together – if we don’t need God to exist, and we don’t need him to define right and wrong, we must not need Him at all. But unlike most of society at the time, Nietzsche foresaw that Western Society could not continue on as it had – things would change.<br />
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<i>"Whither are we moving? Away from all suns? Are we not plunging continually? Backward, sideward, forward, in all directions? Is there still any up or down? Are we not straying, as through an infinite nothing?"</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo670DwjVgKJcCNTbWICtzvg8LKIcRtbVPQJpegWCvXWg0NXK2PFFDm7DnIZI_hb9ERSopB2yVtG45eGFd3hmHLscAu-Zx2rZo2QsjswQc5pP_DbsixEUEQyPQ_-bEdApEI8vGkHFgsg/s1600/StartKillingGod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo670DwjVgKJcCNTbWICtzvg8LKIcRtbVPQJpegWCvXWg0NXK2PFFDm7DnIZI_hb9ERSopB2yVtG45eGFd3hmHLscAu-Zx2rZo2QsjswQc5pP_DbsixEUEQyPQ_-bEdApEI8vGkHFgsg/s320/StartKillingGod.jpg" width="212" /></a>Without God, mankind had no foundation for reality. Why is murder wrong? For centuries, the Western World believed life was valuable because humans were created imago dei, and therefore, life was valuable. Why ought we to consider one race to be just as valuable as another? Because we all descended from Adam, and therefore were all one race anyways – just with different external, trivial characteristics. Why did we respect and obey our governing authorities? Because we believed authorities originated from God, and we were to respect and obey them.<br />
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The madman saw that we now had no definition. What was up and down? What was right and wrong? Could right even exist? What was good? What was wrong? It was left up to personal or cultural interpretation.<br />
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When a man, for no apparent reason, walked into a university classroom and kills ten people, why is it wrong? This was simply survival of the fittest in action. The shooter was fit; the victims were not. Why fight natural law?<br />
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When a racist man walked into a church and murdered people of a “lesser race”, who was to say he was wrong? Given the achievements of the white society over black, why should he have valued them?<br />
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When radical Muslim terrorists coordinated an attack that killed over a hundred people in Paris, how did they know they could get away with it? They knew the politically correct West would “talk” and “negotiate” and not launch another full-out Crusade, because that was no longer acceptable in Western society.<br />
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<i>Here the madman fell silent and looked again at his listeners; and they, too, were silent and stared at him in astonishment. At last he threw his lantern on the ground, and it broke into pieces and went out. "I have come too early," he said then; "my time is not yet.”</i><br />
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When Nietzsche wrote this in the 1890’s, this statement was true, but friends, the madman’s time is now. The West is realizing what it means to have no God. It means there is nothing “wrong” with killing somebody in the womb or the room, because who’s to say what’s “wrong” anyways? Wars fought over race are perfectly acceptable, because we are one species fighting another, survival of the fittest in action, and nature is a force more powerful than any of us. Why not assume that a radical terrorist is basically “good” and negotiable, when we have no solid definition of “good” anyways? Chaos and pandemonium are all that can exist, because we have no infinite, greater-than-man reference point. How can anything be true?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefD8ermE3Iv_Qx2boc15OznOw78izrljYW285DHVectQefzX_35iGn4F-fQl0c4U-3s6t1DNEmNyXpm_f2avN73TPFVidcwZeoIKaDxRFqI0yRNSM9QxzuzoYA9_Ov5xPwsuOWm6nomE/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefD8ermE3Iv_Qx2boc15OznOw78izrljYW285DHVectQefzX_35iGn4F-fQl0c4U-3s6t1DNEmNyXpm_f2avN73TPFVidcwZeoIKaDxRFqI0yRNSM9QxzuzoYA9_Ov5xPwsuOWm6nomE/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a><i>“Are we not straying, as through an infinite nothing? Do we not feel the breath of empty space? Has it not become colder? Is not night continually closing in on us? Do we not need to light lanterns in the morning? Do we hear nothing as yet of the noise of the gravediggers who are burying God? Do we smell nothing as yet of the divine decomposition? Gods, too, decompose. God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.”</i><br />
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<br />
How then, do we bring this God back to life? In the midst of this chaos and darkness we are seeing more and more often around us, how can we not only save ourselves, but those around us?<br />
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<i>“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16)</i><br />
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Stand strong. Living like a Christian is to be a light, but don’t put your light under a basket. Don’t let peer pressure, reputation, or “sanity” be an inhibitor to standing out. This is a bigger problem than apprehending criminals or controlling guns – this is a culture-wide problem. How do we answer the culture’s plight? Answer the tough questions unashamedly from Christ’s point of view, because we are quickly entering an era where people are searching for answers and foundations, for they have none. But Christ is our answer, our foundation, our direction. So while the madman frets about having no reference point, remember that we have one – Christ Jesus. His words, His life, and His truth stand the test of time; He is sanity in the Age of Madmen.<br />
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Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-52094947671995949592015-12-01T21:23:00.000-08:002015-12-01T21:25:21.632-08:00Shanghai-ed Perspective<br />
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My trip here could be deemed by some as disastrous. Having a long, unexpted delay in an international airport where almost nobody speaks English does indeed sound like a nightmare, but I came away with a great lesson, as opposed to a purely frustrating memory.<br />
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This is the version of the story that I’m tempted to tell, that I think is the natural reaction to the circumstances:<br />
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1. We had a VERY long flight from Seattle to Shanghai.<br />
2. Our flight from Shanghai to Chongqing was indefinitely delayed (scheduled to leave at 9 pm, didn’t leave until 1 am).<br />
3. We had to stay in an extremely cheap hotel (think China version of Motel 6).<br />
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4. We couldn’t get the 9 a.m. flight out the next morning; we had to wait until 12:30.<br />
5. We missed the first day of the build.<br />
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Now, in a me-focused world, this recounting makes total sense. All the ways I was inconvenienced. All the suffering I had to deal with. It’s all about me, myself, and I. Let’s try telling this story again, but with a different perspective (storyline points correspond)<br />
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1. This felt like one of the fastest flights I’ve ever been on; it went quickly and I was surprised we got there when we did.<br />
2. We were stuck in an airport that just happened to have a hotel as part of its complex!<br />
3. The hotel initially had no rooms, but after 10 minutes in the lobby with the four of us scanning the web and making calls for a different hotel, the concierge called me back to the desk and told me that some of their guests had just cancelled, and they had two two-bed rooms available.<br />
4. It took us 2 hours to recover our bags from the previous airline for our final flight; something we hadn’t anticipated beforehand, which would have meant we would have missed a 9 a.m. flight. As it was, we got our bags, got to our gate, and had minimal waiting time before we took off. (And I wouldn’t have gotten to ride with this little guy… we became good friends via peekaboo…)<br />
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5. The first day was very uneventful, which meant we just had a whole extra day to adjust to the time zone with almost no negative impact to the team.<br />
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I was just reading this morning the comparison of a Worldview to glasses – how we view the things that happen around us. If Jesus really has changed my life (and my worldview), it ought to impact how I view things. I didn’t sugar-coat any of the items in the second recounting, I simply looked at things from a different perspective. I had a God up in heaven who had my best interest in mind. Even if I couldn’t understand at the time why we couldn’t get a 9 a.m. flight, God did know; before I got frustrated, I need to trust that God had a reason for this to occur.<br />
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So let's take that selfish, me-centric view and ship it off to Shanghai with no chance to return, because with every little inconvenience, discomfort, and frustration we come across, we can leave it up to Him – we never know what He has in store.<br />
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Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-7080498670503879332015-06-20T23:22:00.000-07:002015-06-20T23:26:40.613-07:00Hope for the Middle Kingdom<i><br /></i>
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<i>China could very easily be called a land of suffering. Dating back to the ancient and medieval era, multiple kingdoms and warlords waged war across the country, sometimes millions of combatants and hundreds of thousands of casualties <b><u>in one battle</u></b>. Then, at the end of the Renaissance, suddenly thrust upon them are foreign powers from across the sea that far out-gun them, and China suddenly recognizes that perhaps, they are not the all-powerful middle kingdom. Then came war with Japan – a devastating ordeal where they were driven back to far central China, after millions of casualties; torn apart by civil war, there was little they could do to resist. Following that, a mis-guided ruler killed millions of his own people in a “Cultural Revolution”. Today, the country has more stability than ever before in its thousands of years of history, but the people are shaped by this past of war, suffering, and death. To cope, they cling to their worldviews.</i><br />
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As I sit here looking at the skyline of Chongqing, I’m struck by its different attributes. Some of the buildings are very tall and outstanding, while others are only a few stories tall. Some buildings are brand new, or even under construction, while some look as though they pre-date the Great War. Some are very clearly seen from where I sit, while others are barely visible through the fog.<br />
From what I know, this view is very similar to the religious landscape of China. Some worldviews are new, strong and vibrant, while others are more subtle, but nonetheless contributing to the inhabitants’ overall view of reality. Some are propped up by the government, some are torn down, and some are let be. I will open this piece by saying that I am in no way an expert on the subject, but I’ve been exposed in the last few days to some aspects that I have found interesting. Historical overview will, I think, provide a good foundation for what we see in modern China today.<br />
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Let us begin with Siddhārtha Gautama, or the Buddha (Enlightened One) ~500 B.C. He attempted to alleviate the suffering in the world by the elimination of ignorance, resulting in Enlightenment. Ultimately, good deeds, karma, and faithfulness would result in reincarnations, ultimately leading the immortal soul to Nirvana, or one-ness with the pantheos of the world.<br />
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Sometime near or after Buddhism’s birth, Taoism, or “the way”, which fit right into the beliefs already existing in China, came on the scene. The idea that all of reality is a struggle, a balance, between the good and the bad, while not exactly the same as Buddhism, was consistent with many of its beliefs. Morality, and your resulting reincarnation into natural or god-like state, is set by the king of the underworld. At the end of their lives, people are put on trial, and the result determines their reincarnated state.<br />
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Nearly concurrently, Confucius, perhaps the most famous Eastern philosopher, founded the worldview named for him that sought to unite oneself with heaven, or Tian. Again, as with Buddhism, this was accomplished by piety, morality, and focus.<br />
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I am only scratching the surface of these ancient religions; entire libraries have been written on these subjects, and there are so many unique strains that emphasize different aspects of the belief. I am doing a high-level analysis in an attempt to paint a general picture.<br />
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Finally, enter the Marxist worldview, one that describes reality as a constant struggle between ideas and more progressive ideals (dialectical materialism, for those of you who like big words). Over time, these struggles will result in the perfect society, or utopia, that lacks bad will, evil, or oppression. Similar to the previous beliefs in that it is also monistic (no difference between physical and supernatural), it is different in that Marxism believes a solid naturalism – only the physical, concrete world exists.<br />
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This is China – a culture that has evolved over time, bombarded with different ideas that have been assimilated into the peoples’ beliefs. So where does that leave us? I was asked an interesting question via Facebook that was very thought-provoking:<br />
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<i>Ben, how do these experiences influence your prayers for the people of China? What has God been revealing to you about Himself as you learn more about Chinese culture and religion?... Are there any parts of Chinese culture in which you particularly see a reflection of the image of God?</i><br />
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I think that that the aggregate belief have a few consistencies with the truth. To begin with, they accurately recognize the struggle that humanity is entangled with. There is evil and suffering in the world, and humanity’s depravity is at the center of it. There is hope for a perfect place whereby evil and suffering are removed, and people can live in peace and harmony. The striving to do good in a world surrounded by evil is central to many of these beliefs.<br />
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The answer though, is not in our own goodness, or even potential for goodness. The Apostle Paul accurately states in Romans 3:<br />
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<i>“…There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good.</i><br />
<i>No.</i><br />
<i>Not one.”</i><br />
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Isaiah drives the point home in chapter 64:<br />
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<i>“…we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”</i><br />
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A somewhat depressing thought, particularly for those who spend their entire lives trying to do good things. Mankind is, on his own, doomed to struggle, fail, and suffer through life. China has searched desperately for an answer to these realities and done its best to provide a solution. Promises of immortality, utopia, or unification with God Himself drive them to live out their faith with a devotion that puts many Christians to shame.<br />
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What then, is the answer? Isaiah supplies not just a band-aid, but a cure to our problems in chapter 53:<br />
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<i>“Surely He [Jesus Christ] has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.”</i><br />
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And Peter goes a step further in his first epistle, chapter 2:<br />
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<i>“[Christ]…who Himself bore our sins in His own body, on the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”</i><br />
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Live. Healed. Returned to the Shepherd. Are these not the things that the whole world needs? Is this not the peace that we all, including the Chinese people, are seeking? Not by our own miserable attempts at righteousness, but by the free gift that He supplies. He paid the penalty, accepted all the “bad karma” that our actions deserved, to the point of death itself.<br />
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He provided an end to suffering, both for now and eternity. He gave us a hope in the midst of loss. He gave us life instead of death. When I say He gave these things to “us”, I do not for a second believe that He did that solely for the Western church.<br />
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He died for the crippled Chinese beggar on the side of the road. He made available the gift of eternal life to the “middle-class” engineer at a factory. He loves, literally to death, the Premier of China himself. China is precious to Him, every single one of its inhabitants. He knows them each by name; they are each individually His masterpieces, created in His image. He is their Shepherd, and is out looking to bring them to His fold. He longs to be reunited with them, as do they, though they do not know Him. Pray that the Chinese people would find the end of their longing for peace in Him.<br />
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Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-20312051356260349792015-05-28T07:50:00.002-07:002015-05-28T07:50:39.346-07:00Christian Music Conundrum - an Introduction
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Music is central to much of American culture, and it is no
different amongst Christians. We use music to for entertainment, socializing,
and worship. It is so engrained in our lives that we seldom stop to consider
anything about it. Sure, there are some old-school people that think that some
music is “bad”, even so much as demonic, but this discussion often appears to
be a fringe argument of the young against the old; boring dead Puritan ideals
against a “living fire”; legalistic against “livin’ for Jesus”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many of us were raised in a home where, in music, a beat was
bad. Mom and dad muted the musical interludes during movies, we weren’t
“allowed” certain CDs in our house, and we all stood somewhat awkwardly during
worship services when we visited friends’ more modern churches. We understood
that some people just had it wrong, and we would obstinately push through life
without electric guitars or drum sets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then… things would start to happen. A good, trusted,
Christian-ly solid, friend would begin to listen to, horror of horrors, Casting
Crowns. Or perhaps you began to listen more closely to some music that your
family listens to and recognize, “Wait a second… this is actually just as rocky
as some artists out there… even more than the Gettys!” Or maybe you finally
heard a pop Christian song you could understand the words to, and thought “Wow;
that’s a very poignantly stated Biblical truth. You could preach a sermon from
that!” We started to ask “What’s wrong with it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then we started seeing inconsistencies – the music was bad
in some cases, but other songs that sounded the same to us were ok to our
spiritual authorities. We would be told “We don’t listen to that artist because
they’re immoral.”, yet Mozart was prominently played and even performed by
members of our household. A few oldies songs with absolutely no spiritual value
might be played by our parents, but our Christian songs that were just as
musically subdued would be “off limits”. We started to ask “Why can’t I listen
to it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then… more things would start to happen. Some of our friends
that had blazed this trail of listening to “modern music” would start making
blatantly un-biblical decisions. You would look up one day and in shock say
“What AM I listening to?” We would start looking more into the lives of these
“amazing Christian artists” and questioning their real motives…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is in this state that I begin to ask these questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What music <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i>
Christians listen to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What music should Christians listen to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What do I do about the people who condemn my
choices?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will ask these questions with the following
pre-suppositions; if you do not agree with these, please do not continue to
follow these posts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are authorities in my life I must respect;
even if they’re wrong, as long as they aren’t telling me to disobey God, I
ought to honor them (Exodus 20:12, 1 Timothy 5:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has an opinion about music – He is the
author of it, and His principles that guide everything about life (including
music) are in His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Satan can twist anything and even deceive
believers who have not imposed God’s truth on the situation (2 Corinthians
11:3-4, 13-14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I COULD BE WRONG! I am going into this study
with a certain view, but I am willing to be proven wrong; my own understanding
could be incomplete. (Proverbs 3:5-7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-19943004509855210432015-04-27T07:14:00.002-07:002015-04-27T07:14:39.114-07:00My Journey Far West... to the Far East
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hCNmR7Ww4PCzZ-AVzl4_TvdfJk_zXJAiRPma4YHGdm6xCMmX-l2Y9pHQcuMqLYsuT11B6jPOlpsqztRJ-UPVSSknT77IoEsEwLzadbdEVDewz-IrQfH5Tkyf4KV7nWsVGWUVQ4b3080/s1600/20150416_185401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hCNmR7Ww4PCzZ-AVzl4_TvdfJk_zXJAiRPma4YHGdm6xCMmX-l2Y9pHQcuMqLYsuT11B6jPOlpsqztRJ-UPVSSknT77IoEsEwLzadbdEVDewz-IrQfH5Tkyf4KV7nWsVGWUVQ4b3080/s1600/20150416_185401.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has occurred to me that I have not done a journal-type
blogpost for a while, and as the last two weeks of my life have been somewhat
foreign (to myself as much as yourselves), I have taken it upon myself to write
out an account of what has transpired over the last 14 days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2-sYi9HQ4xGNbW3A1YH0GRUUf3cMKOvks-GzlVnVhpv6DBPMkPoirRrCp6p7GThsCtweLzBHhHIujQeaR2UkqSy2p6LYAhELoittng_BiJJ1d-18KImfyebqA7rlTBUJzaHFgDLWYns/s1600/20150413_180856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2-sYi9HQ4xGNbW3A1YH0GRUUf3cMKOvks-GzlVnVhpv6DBPMkPoirRrCp6p7GThsCtweLzBHhHIujQeaR2UkqSy2p6LYAhELoittng_BiJJ1d-18KImfyebqA7rlTBUJzaHFgDLWYns/s1600/20150413_180856.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 weeks ago from yesterday, I boarded a plane with a few
compatriots, and we set out for the Orient. Now a grizzled veteran at this
whole “travel to China thing” (which is to say, I’ve been a grand total of
twice), I was quite comfortable with the prospect. A flight to Vancouver, then
to Beijing, then to Chongqing were in store, and, as I found that I can sleep
on a plane, the trip went rather quickly and well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTJPRzyd2Rrj1_06W73HboVJZODFdq3QOToYDNweaV78jghZtYKLg54MQm01T_vhcKZeEloxbTaSHnsF3305AiN7abB0P35YQ3fgV3EgCsMd0hEhR4qMua1Qx-Xwh1sDraN9DYSbenmU/s1600/20150416_113419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTJPRzyd2Rrj1_06W73HboVJZODFdq3QOToYDNweaV78jghZtYKLg54MQm01T_vhcKZeEloxbTaSHnsF3305AiN7abB0P35YQ3fgV3EgCsMd0hEhR4qMua1Qx-Xwh1sDraN9DYSbenmU/s1600/20150416_113419.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived at the factory Tuesday morning. We jumped right
in, qualifying parts, updating line layouts, and getting re-acquainted with our
Chinese colleagues from Chongqing, Taiwan, and Shanghai. It was during this
trip that I found that regional accents and dialects can be so different that
initially, it was difficult for my colleagues from these different regions to
communicate with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinO-6nyxRPU2O50PGTlzJJXh-t6ZGjOysaSSTpu5pDQuoxIWsjfwW0Qr13vJPdG_wIlkPyscOhXSfrljvjIPgi1AYLdWCnaHuZnR8P30P3Nj6Enpd3Fu0tUiHarZQy3ZZq_JUxUB3ZGDQ/s1600/20150416_184559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinO-6nyxRPU2O50PGTlzJJXh-t6ZGjOysaSSTpu5pDQuoxIWsjfwW0Qr13vJPdG_wIlkPyscOhXSfrljvjIPgi1AYLdWCnaHuZnR8P30P3Nj6Enpd3Fu0tUiHarZQy3ZZq_JUxUB3ZGDQ/s1600/20150416_184559.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This trip, I had one of my most unique cuisine experiences.
At first, the proposition of eating grilled lamb seemed tame enough, but little
did I know…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After consuming the lamb (which turned out to be goat;
apparently, in the Chinese language there is no difference between the two
domesticated animals…) over a grill using nothing but our hands (and
occasionally a fork), we proceeded to the hot-pot portion of the meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NtwcXZ0qZezE3bGMnOmumI9dUUu3GaQvV-Jv_0mJwSdhKEbcBlMqKC_H2RxSDztH5F7a13X1UVKXPc1z48vN_dnWO3G9NdsNp24Vfpwv_3cWQZQoiyHphgqczwLI6LiXl01Me2_BOxo/s1600/20150416_200003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NtwcXZ0qZezE3bGMnOmumI9dUUu3GaQvV-Jv_0mJwSdhKEbcBlMqKC_H2RxSDztH5F7a13X1UVKXPc1z48vN_dnWO3G9NdsNp24Vfpwv_3cWQZQoiyHphgqczwLI6LiXl01Me2_BOxo/s1600/20150416_200003.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here, the items for our consumption got a little more
interesting. All the leftover items from the barbecue were thrown into the
stew, and not just the leftover meat: the skull, eyeballs, brains, heart, and
intestines all, somehow, found their way into our pot. Due to their limited
supply, I did not get an eyeball, but I did find that I can recommend both the
heart and intestines of a goat (the brain is too mushy; wouldn’t recommend that
bit…) while the flavor was somewhat bland due to the sparse flavoring in the
broth, the meal was still one to remember.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GVxXTHYl3uCt8Qg3jlA_sHaJ91Y50ntntiO5Qu9-U2PNdS_4p1WwIKtKP8rXIjR5QFDVXVpEL58_qfNiX8YxCaCVcCCPxjEzN5Zn6fFCXQCxSnzGkFbI_XRcs0vqABhz7zgCo1t5gAo/s1600/20150422_202019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GVxXTHYl3uCt8Qg3jlA_sHaJ91Y50ntntiO5Qu9-U2PNdS_4p1WwIKtKP8rXIjR5QFDVXVpEL58_qfNiX8YxCaCVcCCPxjEzN5Zn6fFCXQCxSnzGkFbI_XRcs0vqABhz7zgCo1t5gAo/s1600/20150422_202019.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rest of the build transpired well, finishing a half-day
early. We had a final closeout dinner, where my limited skill with chopsticks
was put on trial and display – I don’t think I did terribly, but you’d have to
ask the eight locals that were at my table. After the food we had toasts,
karaoke (which wasn’t bad, but could’ve been better; I sang the last few lines
of “What a Wonderful World”…), and an introduction to Mahjongg. I am still far
from actually knowing how the game works, but I have had my first lesson, and I
look forward to learning more.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2ljdx9V0tr3624VJ_6xDu7fzOB1dxFajyj-l3AYPj8FSEVpJsFvQoy9ItCBTtol8IWYPHf60x9RTFKqmMFe5rnMJKUZZGocTXZyT7eEFfqw0tQEZegd-dBcGfdQaPDFE0OWS9LALyXE/s1600/20150424_112944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2ljdx9V0tr3624VJ_6xDu7fzOB1dxFajyj-l3AYPj8FSEVpJsFvQoy9ItCBTtol8IWYPHf60x9RTFKqmMFe5rnMJKUZZGocTXZyT7eEFfqw0tQEZegd-dBcGfdQaPDFE0OWS9LALyXE/s1600/20150424_112944.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Such has been my two weeks; I’ve learned a few more phrases
in Mandarin, a few more foods to enjoy and stay away from, and a few more
teammates’ personalities. I am happy to be home, but I look forward to going
back as well!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mLz8XwoTAGbynqhhKoQeGZULB0DK68tQGpelkYvGHV2Vpfv8Vfe_zwACD1nvJdrK0Usgx81pMFemUPfkrQeuoq2ckA_W8UdDPNwy2wu54LY50d56KNE7yxDK7AeMk7cb3iA8vSUq5hw/s1600/20150423_202835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mLz8XwoTAGbynqhhKoQeGZULB0DK68tQGpelkYvGHV2Vpfv8Vfe_zwACD1nvJdrK0Usgx81pMFemUPfkrQeuoq2ckA_W8UdDPNwy2wu54LY50d56KNE7yxDK7AeMk7cb3iA8vSUq5hw/s1600/20150423_202835.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-19818530351230656162015-04-18T20:50:00.003-07:002015-04-19T01:34:29.992-07:00The Body<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbY9ftjxt7TyccFHEGS0NbCbkcQtbNv8_jeX1InIVkbivX394DRpjqFy5epmWQGFcjhm46MCTyQWYlITfCTxWD65r_mAf0cF8PMeSgXNnPmh6YhhrilN4i57i-RNGSO4SKwl7JqfxJjo/s1600/churchfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbY9ftjxt7TyccFHEGS0NbCbkcQtbNv8_jeX1InIVkbivX394DRpjqFy5epmWQGFcjhm46MCTyQWYlITfCTxWD65r_mAf0cF8PMeSgXNnPmh6YhhrilN4i57i-RNGSO4SKwl7JqfxJjo/s1600/churchfront.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had a church service today that would, by many, be
considered one of the best that could have ever occurred.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I began in a comfortable chair, a latte in my hand, and a
high-quality, Bose sound system. When the worship team came on, the
congregation knew they were in for a treat: we had appearances by Philips Craig
& Dean, the Irish Tenors, and 4Him. They played some of my favorite songs,
including <i>How Deep the Father’s Love for
Us</i>, and <i>The Promise</i>. Even in the
midst of China, thousands of miles away from home, my spirit was definitely
lifted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When the pastor walked on-stage, there was almost an audible
gasp as John Piper began to discuss the text. One of the giants of the Faith in
our age, all knew that His preaching would be Scriptural, sound, and profound.
His trademark passion was not long in surfacing as he relayed the Word of God
to us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then, the service got even better as Pastor John turned
to one of my most favorite passages, 1 Timothy 3. After having completed a
Bible Study a few years ago about the qualities of Elders, it has been a
wonderful self-examination passage about how I, as a Christian man, ought to
act. Pastor John delved into the roles of elders in the context of the Church,
taking a new perspective that, while definitely Biblical, I had not considered.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The closeout songs were <i>Psalm
67</i> by the Sons of Korah, and <i>New
Jerusalem</i> by Michael Card. As the last notes of their songs faded, I
breathed a great sigh of contentment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-hnXk2IW3-LwXJ4f8hxfxqX08El__9PDpFsETKk4Rt8CAnsldcrHIHSCuDhb0026YTeOTXlxRNYy97UDqPfB6_GudSeb_Imhk5hipGW5l4udjwB8TGpPRwk__-w-mxPskvkt4v8shsk/s1600/Empty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-hnXk2IW3-LwXJ4f8hxfxqX08El__9PDpFsETKk4Rt8CAnsldcrHIHSCuDhb0026YTeOTXlxRNYy97UDqPfB6_GudSeb_Imhk5hipGW5l4udjwB8TGpPRwk__-w-mxPskvkt4v8shsk/s1600/Empty.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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And yet, something was missing. The worship? Fantastically
reviewed the greatness of God. The teaching? Eloquently presented with passion
and joy. The doctrine? Biblically founded and consistent with the Word of God
Himself. What could possibly be missing?<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we sang, there was no real “we”, just myself, no
companions with whom I could corporately be in awe of God, and the worship service was nothing more than a Windows Media playlist. When Pastor John
came on to speak, I knew there would be no chance to clarify and continue his
sermon, because he was gone when the sermon countdown timeline hit 0:00. After
the service, there were no friends to share the lesson with; nobody who could
present an anecdote about how they saw God’s hand in relation to the sermon;
nobody that could perhaps challenge me further, to continue to pursue God in
the context of the sermon we’d heard, because I was sitting by myself in a hotel lounge. Despite the seemingly perfect service, I
was incomplete.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“But now indeed there
are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no
need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you”. – 1
Corinthians 12:20-12<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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I don’t think this verse is strictly talking about
capability. There are plenty of one-man-shows and lone wolves out there who,
especially empowered by Christ, can do anything; sometimes, we are called to
this. However, it is not our “social animal” nature that makes Christians this
way. We were created to be part of a body. Sustained by God’s power, an eyeball
could survive on its own, but that’s not what it was created for. In the same
way, a believer may survive on his own (and God), but this is not what He was
created to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>“Let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and
so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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I look forward to coming home, but not because of
home-sickness, dislike of the weather, or the food not agreeing with me. I am
eager to return to my Body; I thank God for it, and am blessed by it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll see you soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-56894891552557545172015-03-21T14:05:00.002-07:002015-03-21T14:05:53.145-07:00The Sovereign Plan<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg1MBwVB0FvrjOYjwJ_YN5m5Du1Z3cnaFRaef0TGhFgOAsmaoStd4t3x6EDjK3hIwjvYIM-6s-eppABlLAn4BEgja0yao_WKICWpSXuXh8gJ4BR-4OFwplU1JBvb_djLbhtiK0i1koYw/s1600/slide-12-creator-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg1MBwVB0FvrjOYjwJ_YN5m5Du1Z3cnaFRaef0TGhFgOAsmaoStd4t3x6EDjK3hIwjvYIM-6s-eppABlLAn4BEgja0yao_WKICWpSXuXh8gJ4BR-4OFwplU1JBvb_djLbhtiK0i1koYw/s1600/slide-12-creator-god.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever thought about the sovereignty of God’s
ordering?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I mean, the Westminster Catechism is extremely clear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The decrees of God
are His eternal plan based on the purpose of His will, by which, for His own
glory, He has foreordained everything that happens.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all know this; those of us who have grown up in Christian
homes are taught that God has a plan for everything that happens. This is
generally told to us as a reassurance, but have you ever thought to stop and
think about the amazingness of it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When God created the universe, it’s interesting to look at
the order of Creation. Earth, light, and water came before plants (because the
plants needed all these things), and plants came before animals (because the
animals needed all the things plants needed, and then the plants as well).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We can look at creation, God's eternal plan of salvation, the course of history and say to all of them "Wow, it's amazing to see how God ordered history." But did we ever consider how He's ordered our personal lives? His plan for each of us is just as important, intricate, and planned out as all of history itself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did God ever teach you something that you thought was
insignificant? I mean, sure it was a “good” lesson, but didn’t really appear to
have any relevance at the time. Then, down the road, you recognized it was a
necessary skill to have for a challenge that God sent you through. God always
paves the way – He knows exactly what we need to get through the life He’s
planned out for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps you once received something that meant nothing to
you; later, however, it became key to fulfill something God had for you to do. Sometimes
it comes in the form of a skill – something you learned to do, but didn’t
really end up using until you were in trouble; and it saved you. Maybe it was
some role models you had; personalities that you attempted to emulate and it
turned out that those were traits that you needed for a ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprcAWDn5JB3v0VNYbygyVMW62GCwlG99xmXOZ56eL0uSc8x13AmzATXaUGwbXUsmGeGXGZTLf8rgQC_kwxT_v_XX5bdESygxu4osMSozIw3x62SKOfgcWtMM0sKXwsQ_Ti99ToeS3Lw4/s1600/jesus-the-comforter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprcAWDn5JB3v0VNYbygyVMW62GCwlG99xmXOZ56eL0uSc8x13AmzATXaUGwbXUsmGeGXGZTLf8rgQC_kwxT_v_XX5bdESygxu4osMSozIw3x62SKOfgcWtMM0sKXwsQ_Ti99ToeS3Lw4/s1600/jesus-the-comforter.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God knows what you need and when you’ll need it, and it’s
important to recognize that even when we have no idea why he brought us through
something, He’s got a plan for it; likely something we never would have thought
of. None of the angels could have predicted what God was planning on using
water for, but when Adam first took a drink of the life-giving fluid, they
understood. God prepares us for anything we’ll go through; it’s comforting to
rest in that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-50299387992260335992015-02-26T07:35:00.000-08:002015-02-26T07:35:12.443-08:00Fairytale Part 9 - The Thought Plickens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoFzDS2M4jZBAYgS6EkvV-DMt4NGpI54BwWpQfJvv0NXjsKc8N5w7HAlsGDaMR6fQ1auycHlCPvK7kDETocz1rpYizjgqPnQqLmOP9zHxFBBF-ItKhdDl4pBWdwapBxlYYiomC-iqTMU/s1600/castle-gates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoFzDS2M4jZBAYgS6EkvV-DMt4NGpI54BwWpQfJvv0NXjsKc8N5w7HAlsGDaMR6fQ1auycHlCPvK7kDETocz1rpYizjgqPnQqLmOP9zHxFBBF-ItKhdDl4pBWdwapBxlYYiomC-iqTMU/s1600/castle-gates.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For Part 8, click <a href="http://www.thecaseoftheredheadjt.blogspot.com/2015/02/fairytale-part-8-to-stepmothers-house.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em>Ben, this next bit isn't very long.</em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em>I know, it's a development section.</em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em>Why do you always get to write the shorter bits? Do you know how long it takes me to interview 7 dwarves about an event?</em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em>...you do what?...</em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The seven brothers followed Fred’s tracks up to the gates of
their castle. They were quite surprised when they found the gates closed and
locked. They blew their horn and hollered till they were horse. Finally,
Napoleon approached the gates, and seeing nothing but 7 furious stallions,
simply shrugged and told them all to shoo away. After threatening to send the
dogs after them, the 7 brothers huffed and puffed and galloped away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What do we do now?” Alexander whinnied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well,” replied Dorky, “Let’s head back to the hunting
lodge; we’ll sort things out from there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so, they all cantered back to the hunting lodge.
Stopping at a stream, they were able to relieve their horse-ness and so arrived
at the cottage in their more human form.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upon their arrival, they were shocked to see Snow White
there, sweeping, dusting and cleaning the day away (she had a natural horror of
all things dirty). The dwarves, apparently no longer employed at an evil
castle, decided to let her stay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile, back at the castle, Fred had introduced himself
to the HR Manager. Thrilled at the prospect of employing a talking wolf,
Napoleon instantly offered him a very competitive salary for Resident Evil
Creature, complete with Eye and Dental plans. Fred, somewhat confused at his
turn of fate, quickly accepted the offer. Because his wolfish eyes worked
better in the dark, he quickly implemented a black-out policy, whereby all the
shades were drawn, no more than necessary lighting was lit, and the “day” shift
was to begin at 8:00 at night. Napoleon implemented all of these policies,
excited that his new hire was doing an impeccable job of eviling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After seeing Rose Red faint, the stepmother was in a state
of ecstasy. This was partially due to the fact that she knew it was not from
fright, but rather, while she had been backing away, she had inadvertently placed
her hand on her stepmother’s spinning wheel. Knowing that the spindle was
poisonous (made of hemlock), the stepmother knew that they would need
assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So she screamed for help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<em></em><br />
<em>...wait, so Ben, Rose Red is Little Red Riding Hood, who is Sleeping Beauty?</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>That would be correct.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>...but... there's no prince to wake her!</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Josh, Fred had brothers...</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>...oh...</em>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-28495468137800596862015-02-18T22:25:00.001-08:002015-02-18T22:25:24.604-08:00The Symphony of Heaven
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnJSWURFZpCGg_u4ocTHtiILXPrbl1l6ZrmvliA6MB8SsnirxDlZQXzmXBFlcOwSHzMy9oseI_-E6Jj1cUq7bDtBuKOlx2CRtqj6CI422GVrtnbL94FB-6uow6qlwq_d0W6G8bv7kcps/s1600/AdmitOne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnJSWURFZpCGg_u4ocTHtiILXPrbl1l6ZrmvliA6MB8SsnirxDlZQXzmXBFlcOwSHzMy9oseI_-E6Jj1cUq7bDtBuKOlx2CRtqj6CI422GVrtnbL94FB-6uow6qlwq_d0W6G8bv7kcps/s1600/AdmitOne.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imagine, if you will, that you’d never heard a song before.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life was very droll without it, and you plodded along
through life without a hope that you would ever hear it, or even comprehend
what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then one day, a Man came and gave you a small piece of paper
that said “Admit One” to a concert to take place that evening. After obtaining
directions to the concert hall, you sat in the foyer with many other people,
all nervously considering what was to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then – you heard it! A moving line of a quiet French
Horn coming through the doors to the hall. You rushed to the doors with many
others in the room to see what had made this sound. Unfortunately, there was
only a very small window on the door, and it was very nearly sound-proof. The gentle
brass faded away to nothing and silence again ensued. The small crowd slowly
returned to their seats, a quiet buzz of conversation now beginning to seep
around the room. Soon, people began to doubt, or forget what it had sounded
like. But then, you remembered the line, and hummed the few bars that you could
remember. Peoples’ faced brightened at the memory, and silence again ensued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But suddenly – a new sound! This time, a violin playing a
striking, adamant motif that played so clearly that even people out on the
street glanced up. Again, there was a rush on the doors to look through, but
again, to no avail. The violinist finished the final measure with a brilliant stroke,
and again the doors shut in any sound. People returned to their seats, humming
the tune, and anticipation grew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Throughout the afternoon, small pieces and glimpses of the
great symphony came through the doors. More and more people came in off the
street and waited anxiously for the concert to begin. Then, the Man who had
given the ticket Himself walked up to the doors to the auditorium; removing a
key from His pocket, He opened them. Everybody in the foyer wanted to go in,
but they were slightly intimidated at the thought of a whole symphony. The
small lines that they had heard had been beautiful, strong, and awe-inspiring.
Would a whole symphony be too much to handle?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Come in.” Said the Stranger. “I made this hall, I wrote
this symphony, and I am the Conductor. It will not be too much to fathom – it will
finally fulfill what you’ve been longing for. Come in.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-55697003714891500942015-02-05T18:08:00.000-08:002015-02-05T18:08:18.749-08:00Fairytale Part 7 - The Fred, Red, and Lumber Jack<br />
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<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Josh! I found some of
our notes!</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Really? Which part?</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The page that opens
with “And directly after Snow White fell off the cliff, the queen was turned
into a Newt, and Jack turned into a lantern.”</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Um… Ben, that was an
earlier draft.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rats. Ok, carry on
then!</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s your turn to
write, Ben.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">…I knew that…</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, word was not long in spreading that the queen had been
evicted, and that directly afterwards a huntsman had been dispatched from the
castle. When Snow White and Rose Red heard the news, they were unsure as far as
how to proceed. Was she in fact their foe, and the huntsman was simply doing
his job, or were the tables somehow turned?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They were not long in wondering, for the next morning, as
they ate their bread and baked beans, the Prince’s Deeply was delivered to
their doorstep. On the front page, prominently displayed, was a picture of the
queen being evicted from her home being chased by the vertically-challenged. It
also mentioned the fact that a huntsman had been dispatched with orders to
bring back his quarry… alive.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, the two sisters quickly consulted themselves and each
other as to their course of action. The queen was obviously in trouble, and if
she was on the run, would not have had a chance to read the headline to know
she was in danger. Therefore, via a coin toss (Rose Red lost when she called
Asparagus and the coin landed television), they decided which would go to warn
their relation.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Now, remember our summer lodge up on the mountain?” Snow
White prompted.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes! The one where we would hunt for gnomes with laser tag
guns.” Rose Red replied.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Excellent – the queen will likely head there, as the
huntsmen are unfamiliar with its location.”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so, donning a hooded cloak, Rose Red ran as quickly as
she could in the direction of the summer cottage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, when running, one tends to exhaust
rather quickly, and so she came to rest along the trail. Whilst sitting there,
she was confronted by a wolf.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, dear reader, you will understand that this was no
normal wolf, but rather, Prince Frederick in his animalian form. Seeing what
appeared to be a damsel in some sort of distress, he sought at once to help
her.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hello, Red.” He growled (for he could do no other). “How
are you today?”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh,” She said, rather frightened at being spoken to by a
wolf. “I am fine, thank you.”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Where are you going in such a hurry?” Fred continued.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“To my step-mother’s house.” Red replied.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hmm. Well, I hope you have a safe trip. Be careful, there
are some dangerous animals in these woods.”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Red just stared at him.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as she was on her way, Fred thought frantically
about how to help. He had read his brother’s headline that morning, and quickly
recognized that Jack, the huntsman, was probably out to do the queen in. In
addition, he knew where the cottage was, and knew he could get there very
quickly. Therefore, he at once went as quickly as he could to the cottage,
taking the short-cut, in an attempt to help the queen if he could.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was not long before Jack came to the same place where Red
and Fred had had their consultation. He instantly recognized the wolf tracks,
and shouldering his axe, began the trek to follow Fred’s path.</span></div>
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<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben, this is getting
scary again…</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ok… you may need to
make the next part… less scary somehow.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sounds good. Stand by...</span></i></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-50812157089159133452015-02-01T14:19:00.003-08:002015-02-01T14:19:53.130-08:00Chongqing - the Second Journey<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud1CzW_QHVXoylN-lP__eJ35pHqL8yDm26n0A0e6WmBPYz08stZBq_-iQ7X28WUTHWwLzuvnuH8lcUn1j604oBuNVyEjQeYgUeohEOh0t21rVyaCeff2G1TEEH1E1XW15RalfcGxpRdM/s1600/20150130_214312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud1CzW_QHVXoylN-lP__eJ35pHqL8yDm26n0A0e6WmBPYz08stZBq_-iQ7X28WUTHWwLzuvnuH8lcUn1j604oBuNVyEjQeYgUeohEOh0t21rVyaCeff2G1TEEH1E1XW15RalfcGxpRdM/s1600/20150130_214312.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, while I’d intended to do a blog post every few days,
it would seem that I am constrained to only one per week. That said, there’s
definitely lots to discuss as far as my trip here thus farly.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My trip here was uneventful – 20 hours of flying with
limited sleeping makes Ben a sleepy boy. However, only one day was rough for
jetlag, so I was able to hit the ground running, though I’m afraid that my trip
back will not result in as much tireless-ness.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first week has been very busy with few tangible results.
We are still sorting out a lot of things about processes here, so we have
actually completed very few printers compared to the amount of time we’ve put
in. We have, however, made many fascinating discoveries whilst here.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotstueeuPjdq2WdB4eTWBGLtUwAjxrL6NDwgmsz5D7ufKtGHG1xfwgvUrfIeGXzISdF-5J3iCKOmwtxCiQ3Qo8p7ROuQPbXozZDhS4BI-kz_keSA-JwguNmIeD4CQ77awr0f7TOfabZc/s1600/20150129_124735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotstueeuPjdq2WdB4eTWBGLtUwAjxrL6NDwgmsz5D7ufKtGHG1xfwgvUrfIeGXzISdF-5J3iCKOmwtxCiQ3Qo8p7ROuQPbXozZDhS4BI-kz_keSA-JwguNmIeD4CQ77awr0f7TOfabZc/s1600/20150129_124735.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First – Orange Juice in this country tastes like Tang and
has the ability to electrically shock you. No joke – everybody was zapped upon
making contact with the fluid. We put an ohmmeter to it and found that there
was likely a very high metal content in the juice. And I thought you only
needed oranges to make orange juice…</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oHa7iFkW1iUAIqHBuENZYrRdnLHZ5_Jg5yAG5V-O2S8skbiK8QG0RlyzTy2EpbYHW_dqa3X1XTA-mP9FnkmSXRZsLFLgbXSarh6ykdU4YIAVizicP8UErNwY50fmx0NTAVeHGymrH34/s1600/20150201_185633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oHa7iFkW1iUAIqHBuENZYrRdnLHZ5_Jg5yAG5V-O2S8skbiK8QG0RlyzTy2EpbYHW_dqa3X1XTA-mP9FnkmSXRZsLFLgbXSarh6ykdU4YIAVizicP8UErNwY50fmx0NTAVeHGymrH34/s1600/20150201_185633.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Secondly – Hot Pot is still definitely hot pot. This region
is famous for its spicy food, sometimes with a delayed reaction. Somebody will
put a bite of food in their mouths and, when no fire appears immediately,
continue the chewing with ease. Seconds later, however, his comrades will be treated
to some exclamation of surprise, such as “Oh boy…” or “uh-oh...” (or others, that I won't mention here...) as the fire
surfaces in his mouth and he frantically reaches for a water glass, but to no
avail. Moments later, sweating, huffing and puffing, and sure he will never
taste anything ever again, the burning will finally subside, and the person can
again breathe easily, now more wary of what else he puts in his mouth.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoU50yADieCnRQOnggWkNkghwvdtJzY2CDf0M86uSCRBJP_gAprJ3whFunJsnLlovsZxbqE_pt5n81jCy9VYHaGRkMbNSgY93bQeYJvNxq9ssdxgJTSGCZENwiCa_dyj7UffXVNJHZUU/s1600/20150201_183321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoU50yADieCnRQOnggWkNkghwvdtJzY2CDf0M86uSCRBJP_gAprJ3whFunJsnLlovsZxbqE_pt5n81jCy9VYHaGRkMbNSgY93bQeYJvNxq9ssdxgJTSGCZENwiCa_dyj7UffXVNJHZUU/s1600/20150201_183321.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thirdly-most – this city is beautiful when decorated for
Chinese New Year. Those of you who have viewed my FB have seen many pictures of
this city at night. Since it has been windy and rainy, the air is surprisingly
clear, making for very nice evening outings.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPogPNVOXsa_UvCnAwd5tb-SZA43oy9wrwA5bZk4GccpPSZQkbie6KELMyHBLB0LLAXwet53DKB_3rpX2ksgOF76A_BJg2OwbXHV79ZzMvwC-yFsm-fDa6rfciRer4Mx_o81OFIfdAAK8/s1600/10914893_344279685782351_1561522603294579773_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPogPNVOXsa_UvCnAwd5tb-SZA43oy9wrwA5bZk4GccpPSZQkbie6KELMyHBLB0LLAXwet53DKB_3rpX2ksgOF76A_BJg2OwbXHV79ZzMvwC-yFsm-fDa6rfciRer4Mx_o81OFIfdAAK8/s1600/10914893_344279685782351_1561522603294579773_o.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fourth – there are pigs in the shopping malls here. Pig
petting zoos, in the mall. No hand sanitizer anywhere nearby. Enough said.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod8IB00cyMdwsaBwPohwUN5ttBHoFO_BDZT-wJ5ddFIiVR0hZeBAoY6N_oOsSnXe94aIsuBJYEP1pY4iOc3tJxHQsNxaJzGdgwVpr_mT38v6_XylAHttALHYPjBm7cu5UaL5HuPjoqUs/s1600/20150201_175027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod8IB00cyMdwsaBwPohwUN5ttBHoFO_BDZT-wJ5ddFIiVR0hZeBAoY6N_oOsSnXe94aIsuBJYEP1pY4iOc3tJxHQsNxaJzGdgwVpr_mT38v6_XylAHttALHYPjBm7cu5UaL5HuPjoqUs/s1600/20150201_175027.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fifth – there is a cable car whereby one crosses the river. It
was a lot of fun, though an accidental, illegal viewing of the engine room left
us wondering ever so slightly as to the robustness of the system. However, we
did enjoy the trip, as well as our unplanned excursion down 5 stories of steps
that led us to said engine room in an attempt to find an exit. Needless to say,
we needed to retrace our steps back up the stairs to re-enter the permissible
zone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSeWSobsoav39U2l_EW0D8g98HBSg09lIJM47KNOUJG1GFYEUSMi7XTVD_-kKC1BQeRB8VPMNVM1YSysD3FtboUec4zFcYLjGDY1kdAiw0IWGvoNLST2TK52AQvj0_Kxv77R3eigRE2E/s1600/20150201_180505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSeWSobsoav39U2l_EW0D8g98HBSg09lIJM47KNOUJG1GFYEUSMi7XTVD_-kKC1BQeRB8VPMNVM1YSysD3FtboUec4zFcYLjGDY1kdAiw0IWGvoNLST2TK52AQvj0_Kxv77R3eigRE2E/s1600/20150201_180505.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I hope you did not finish this memorandum bored, and
perhaps slightly lighter after laughing. Excuse me now, I must return to my hot
chocolate as I prepare for the day tomorrow. Tsai Chi!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYe-TMpWPF3UF5JNYxpsoD9fEjc53a_usiKILIZZMIMP-vL6lsfnfX6B4xlwFrbfU-zhCixniE6hZltTmo0hvTZtg6UzNeZkxPoTsIOHzGORUf5slu8eVwR1Zjd_3iaiO1VM5oajjDfo/s1600/20150201_212012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYe-TMpWPF3UF5JNYxpsoD9fEjc53a_usiKILIZZMIMP-vL6lsfnfX6B4xlwFrbfU-zhCixniE6hZltTmo0hvTZtg6UzNeZkxPoTsIOHzGORUf5slu8eVwR1Zjd_3iaiO1VM5oajjDfo/s1600/20150201_212012.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-56716772567585894022015-01-18T17:51:00.001-08:002015-01-19T09:23:51.828-08:00Fairytale Part 5 - A Pig and a Cottage<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">See <a href="http://www.thecaseoftheredheadjt.blogspot.com/2014/12/fairytale-part-4-orders.html" target="_blank">here </a>for Part 4</span></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehTqzgkVdH0ucSfvwVAAPMbJByjv661nMsxuQOwH3ReGlsHB1KVremQLsDtrwMG-yRtdGBCyHffwlxT2M4AeI_4B-4dkJU7096gWz4snWMJgLSYVsgoPI6N7nJvDlaKQINbX3dO8a55k/s1600/snow-white-and-rose-red-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehTqzgkVdH0ucSfvwVAAPMbJByjv661nMsxuQOwH3ReGlsHB1KVremQLsDtrwMG-yRtdGBCyHffwlxT2M4AeI_4B-4dkJU7096gWz4snWMJgLSYVsgoPI6N7nJvDlaKQINbX3dO8a55k/s1600/snow-white-and-rose-red-cropped.jpg" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Josh, this next part
could be kinda scary… should we warn the kids?”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t think so,
Ben. If they want, they could cover their eyes and wait for the scary part to
be over.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Um… Josh… if their
eyes are covered, how will they know when the scary part’s over?”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hmm… maybe they
should get their parents.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good thinking.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thanks.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Certainly.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Any time.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Rose Red and Snow White!” Khan began in his monstrously
very-normal voice. “As employees of an evil system, we have been required to
evict you from these premises directly!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh dear!” Replied Snow White.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh elk!” Replied Rose Red.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, their season isn’t for a few months yet.” Yacovarol
replied. “But regardless, we are here to see you off! Immediately! Now… can we
help you pack?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next two days were spent assisting the princesses pack
their belongings into condensed suitcases they could easily handle. Dorky, who
was on duty the next day, proved most helpful in this situation, advising the
princesses on which pieces would create the largest number of matching
combinations. The princesses, naturally, were very grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the rigorous packing, the princesses were escorted to
the edge of the forest, where Dorky took his leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Very well, my ladies!” He said, bowing deeply, hat-in-hand,
“I wish you a very good vacation! Remember, the cottage is easily traced by
following the path; the pig you will find within is most hospitable. I hope you
return soon!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And with that, he departed, whistling “The Old Goose’s
Gullet” as he skipped back to the castle. Upon his arrival, he was immediately
confronted by the Human Resources Manager, who was in a most vexed state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Huntsman!” He snorted, whilst waving the manual in the air.
“What is the meaning of this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I haven’t a clue.” Dorky replied. “I’ve never read it
myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Huntsman, you were supposed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kill</i> the princesses, not send them off on a summer vacation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hmm.” Dorky replied. “Well, my shift is almost over. I will
pass the instructions on to my brother. What token does she require to ensure
the job is done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Her heart.” The Human Resources manager replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34UIqnyNXcWStUQJxEwpigQAS-fW2QdFBbuogQceamQ44Z2udo_N9uY2Z0wk42eRDiTm8SYtOdvL3wKQIr2NVkP7z0qy06QlqryBGNsCeQThgTqoIOX7W3RQEShG7N2RO4xYgoruqQ4o/s1600/pig-n-straw-house1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34UIqnyNXcWStUQJxEwpigQAS-fW2QdFBbuogQceamQ44Z2udo_N9uY2Z0wk42eRDiTm8SYtOdvL3wKQIr2NVkP7z0qy06QlqryBGNsCeQThgTqoIOX7W3RQEShG7N2RO4xYgoruqQ4o/s1600/pig-n-straw-house1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so it was, the next day, Jack set out to carry out the
task. However, being the benevolent sort, he intended to fool the queen and
bring back the heart of a pig, and he knew just how to do it. Axe in hand, he
tramped through the forest to a spot he knew well – the lane of the three
cottages: one of straw, another of sticks, and another of brick. He stomped up
to the first door and called out:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Little pig, little pig, let me come in!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not by the – oh, never mind.” Came the reply. “I thought
you were a wolf. Please, enter!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite the fact that Jack had not expected the pig to
speak, three spare-ribs and two frying pans of bacon later, Jack had retrieved
the heart and returned it to the queen. He also informed his brothers that
there was now a new, vacant cottage in the forest that they could use as a
hunting lodge. Dorky turned very pale.</span></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-35363389741146314252015-01-04T20:04:00.002-08:002015-01-04T20:09:21.465-08:00December, 2015<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been a long time since I’ve done some sort of
journal-ish entry on my blog – alas, one of the downfalls of having a Facebook
account is that many. Many small updates do not necessarily account for more
detailed entries – I’ve learned this from finding old friends on Facebook and,
after scrounging their pages, seem to have no idea about what’s actually going
on in their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That said, I plan here to account for the past month or so
of my life… for any of those interested…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before vacation could officially begin, we had an OPAYCO Alumni
concert! Ok, well, actually, it was just the Christmas Concert, but a tradition
began a year ago whereby all the alumni are invited back to come play some of
the closing pieces! It was great to get to see people again, and, honestly,
Sleigh Ride, Christmas Festival, and Hallelujah Chorus never get old!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUs_oaVz4KwarZMkvDpadhigQeFcHpO3cndO_0Dxw1WfKiVvJoehfbzyviG2ZwvMDCGt3TwdWTFOlmpvKLhC-H0L-XBqZLFxq8LPZixMtjV6ZmdblpbqpIqZ-15ehzf_Jxl7gRglWdsQ/s1600/20141213_200537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUs_oaVz4KwarZMkvDpadhigQeFcHpO3cndO_0Dxw1WfKiVvJoehfbzyviG2ZwvMDCGt3TwdWTFOlmpvKLhC-H0L-XBqZLFxq8LPZixMtjV6ZmdblpbqpIqZ-15ehzf_Jxl7gRglWdsQ/s1600/20141213_200537.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas vacation began a few days before my official HP
vacation – December 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> were spent preparing
for and actually getting my best friend, Daniel, married to his best
friend, Lizzie. I had the
honor of being best man at the wedding, and I’ve scarcely been more excited,
and finding out that two of my other good friends got engaged the same day didn’t
do anything to keep a smile off my face.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_m3XVP_h7b6IRu-M_dNbG65uZLZ-TtI7Xf0rfpgs74fXholWkemH8t_YAdvfTPpZ7EJ7AwEHMcWzLOCrnFdx23zDNtbo8Yvqa0Q1yWfqeAq4ZGZmMSXjwl8UhrgyXLg_qfnSdcM-N9M/s1600/551472_10205649900192661_1431126461925370098_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_m3XVP_h7b6IRu-M_dNbG65uZLZ-TtI7Xf0rfpgs74fXholWkemH8t_YAdvfTPpZ7EJ7AwEHMcWzLOCrnFdx23zDNtbo8Yvqa0Q1yWfqeAq4ZGZmMSXjwl8UhrgyXLg_qfnSdcM-N9M/s1600/551472_10205649900192661_1431126461925370098_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shortly thereafter came Christmas, ushered in with a
Christmas Eve service at our Pastor’s House. We’ve only just recently started
having this service, which was complete with a hymn sing, Christmas memories,
cookies, and a discussion of evangelism and apologetics with the young men and
our pastor.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylr-ZEzQob3brcTg_tzAE4oiFRQdwuyPKF5W0tggLiWbMCwU2LSEyogDmjQVTGwsEH0oFD2lIPy8BL8ZOcOZMoNt6j-1IIMvw3ZX9UaPyDPgsN8ZKX5RLQY_Os9N8fXMncoaaf-SPhlg/s1600/20141224_193159%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylr-ZEzQob3brcTg_tzAE4oiFRQdwuyPKF5W0tggLiWbMCwU2LSEyogDmjQVTGwsEH0oFD2lIPy8BL8ZOcOZMoNt6j-1IIMvw3ZX9UaPyDPgsN8ZKX5RLQY_Os9N8fXMncoaaf-SPhlg/s1600/20141224_193159%5B1%5D.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas itself was fantastic, with grandparents being
present the whole day, with friends from Church coming in the evening for
Fondue. We did our classic Secret Santa (thanks, Emily!), and the boys got a
game that’s some sort of mix of Axis and Allies, Risk, and the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Last Samurai</i>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX60M0qsxWJthzreZlPt-iD8PpQfNSIe4K2cJYACFQ_zmYyQ3uMsTmm8NXGkYNZd8v8W6OrX_F-aBQ_F-Ta5kJb1GdS_InyoZgb8jZpuvxriIhfrCGcCOgn0PJ3bQtSvwgluHDKUkB6ms/s1600/20141225_191328%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX60M0qsxWJthzreZlPt-iD8PpQfNSIe4K2cJYACFQ_zmYyQ3uMsTmm8NXGkYNZd8v8W6OrX_F-aBQ_F-Ta5kJb1GdS_InyoZgb8jZpuvxriIhfrCGcCOgn0PJ3bQtSvwgluHDKUkB6ms/s1600/20141225_191328%5B1%5D.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Year’s Eve was celebrated with the traditional Gym Night
– always a blast. New Year’s Day brought about our annual New Year’s Day Ball.
Since our home was recently carpeted, we switched venues to a grange, which was
a big success. Note to all of you Emcees and Dance-Step-Callers – if you have a
sore throat, I don’t recommend 2 hours of previously listed occupations. It
does terrible things to your gullet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTB7sq3naaOuJGmESA956Vki-b903lT8KPWzAhcvKvMNNIOD-iJZJ1oBtpZv2WqFZqsGblKt_BqGFN7OTUpctPwPfukACgxZzidJuapzgYAjM2fout9sphYwIgh87NfGjqzI0dvIz5fs/s1600/20150101_191956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTB7sq3naaOuJGmESA956Vki-b903lT8KPWzAhcvKvMNNIOD-iJZJ1oBtpZv2WqFZqsGblKt_BqGFN7OTUpctPwPfukACgxZzidJuapzgYAjM2fout9sphYwIgh87NfGjqzI0dvIz5fs/s1600/20150101_191956.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As if that wasn’t enough, two days later we were off to our
semi-annual Fort Vancouver Day! Josh organized this one, which was awesome, and
we spent a good day volunteering, interpreting, dancing, whittling, eating, and
generally enjoying each other’s company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22bJ0FHbzDQZxe0Y8rRR-bNCvxxuZgPDzuUdGEyV2P9xTIHnMrEzqxzjX3mdt1MY3CLNnAzir3F8Ft7yQBm9UaTh2TvcVj6Y0gGP9pTPWpn7udGVxL1JTJaS8W_rT6wap_tmFdADvRUA/s1600/20150103_115258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22bJ0FHbzDQZxe0Y8rRR-bNCvxxuZgPDzuUdGEyV2P9xTIHnMrEzqxzjX3mdt1MY3CLNnAzir3F8Ft7yQBm9UaTh2TvcVj6Y0gGP9pTPWpn7udGVxL1JTJaS8W_rT6wap_tmFdADvRUA/s1600/20150103_115258.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That evening, we rushed up to another annual event – our church’s
annual Youth Dinner. Arriving in formal apparel (or… some of us changing from
our fort garb upon arrival) we enjoyed a delicious, 3-course meal. Between and
following the food, we played word games, created a Western-Shakespearean
drama, sang hymns around the fire, and recounted what we were thankful for this
past year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPppeURD_Z_5eskdFf4meiJQbboQuNqDervT9VG1MkZzO5astoR7fqrEi-w9goKGQmdZ0J14X2qrt0pBpMUXXzxWg1ubqDY8e38nK0fYVfzsXVZ7UBFvPYGqmyFFn8VV52-liFxekp-s/s1600/20150103_174308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPppeURD_Z_5eskdFf4meiJQbboQuNqDervT9VG1MkZzO5astoR7fqrEi-w9goKGQmdZ0J14X2qrt0pBpMUXXzxWg1ubqDY8e38nK0fYVfzsXVZ7UBFvPYGqmyFFn8VV52-liFxekp-s/s1600/20150103_174308.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a crazy last month, and tomorrow I return to work
and “real life”. I am extremely blessed by family and friends, and its times
like this past month where I really recognize it. Thank you, Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-75014194979764753522014-12-17T07:59:00.002-08:002014-12-17T08:00:08.056-08:00Fairytale Part 3 - The Huntsmean<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See <a href="http://www.thecaseoftheredheadjt.blogspot.com/2014/11/to-read-part-one-once-upon-timelong.html" target="_blank">Here</a> for Part 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img src="http://dfep0xlbws1ys.cloudfront.net/thumbs0b/9f/0b9fed8e898ed414e0f97d46899fdcbb.jpg" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here, our story takes a short turn, where we will introduce
7 individuals: the Vertically-Challenged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nice
politically-correct title, Ben.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why, thanks Josh.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Certainly. Do proceed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now the seven Vertically-Challenged had not always been as
they were. You see, dear reader, they had been very early in life exposed to a
dangerous poison that destroyed one’s ability to grow. While the curse had been
brought on by the best intentions, their father had no idea of the potency of
coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so it was, that after 34 years of consuming the
beverage, the potion began to work its magic, and, beginning with Zacchaeus,
the fifth oldest, the men became, as they are to this day, Vertically
Challenged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, despite their short stature, they set out to make a
name for themselves and quickly took to the art of hunting. Now, it is often
thought that dwarves are miners, and, while they often are, these particular
Vertically Challenged spent much of their time in a cave not for the purpose of
obtaining precious metals and gems, but to hunt for a particular wolf that they
had seen seek refuge in the cave; Rumplestiltskin, the second oldest, had first
discovered the beast, and, as the animal of that species tend to be villainous
in nature, the brothers set out to capture the animal for safe and humane
delivery to the Wildlife Refuge. Now unbeknownst to them, this wolf was, in
fact, an enchanted Prince Frederick, who knew of a secret exit out the back;
however, after digging for years through the cave, the Vertically Challenged
had yet to uncover the passage, and so they often returned to the mine in
search of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now these seven brothers had all obtained employment from a
most benevolent stepmother in a dark, evil castle. Now, only Dorky, the
youngest, had gone in for the interview, and the Human Resources manager
incorrectly assumed that only one person was interviewing for the position. And
so it was that each brother worked one day a week at the castle. This proved
most practical since, due to the insufficient lighting that was apparently
“required” in an evil castle, none of the other employees could tell the
difference between the brothers. And so it was assumed that the queen had a
“huntsman” as opposed to “seven brother huntsmen”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The outcast of the family, however, was Jack, the oldest.
Rather than taking down beasts, Jack preferred to take down trees. As this
obsession proved quite noisy, his brothers often shunned him, leaving him alone
whilst they went hunting in relative quiet, leaving poor Jack often on his own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our story begins when the benevolent queen summoned her
huntsman to an audience on a matter of great import. As it was Wednesday,
Yakovarol, the sixth oldest, brushed off his tunic, picked the mashed potatoes
out of his beard, and strode bravely into the throne room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnXlzcSutgrxRV3YOyIEjxraBLOnLP7aBmJ55Em2lTcc5GBLd43EpdQBn2xrYOnQgJO_8KMaEcWQ6ceI1_Jsk3irQ0DU8XybXqRaH3PUIp0tGGlZmv8b47ExRXtNWlHoowz9yaG8jMnk/s1600/DwarfHunter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnXlzcSutgrxRV3YOyIEjxraBLOnLP7aBmJ55Em2lTcc5GBLd43EpdQBn2xrYOnQgJO_8KMaEcWQ6ceI1_Jsk3irQ0DU8XybXqRaH3PUIp0tGGlZmv8b47ExRXtNWlHoowz9yaG8jMnk/s1600/DwarfHunter.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-76098007828746977412014-10-30T21:03:00.001-07:002014-10-30T21:03:23.059-07:00A Fairytale Part 1 - Once Upon a Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>Once Upon a Time...</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkuIgJ4ZsLH-k64z_9NskjmtOR4tCQBK7UsE1g62o800jOsojl3SE9h2RT04BObbKj09p8J1JvTNRxuqsUVvyPyBAM68Dp91P5Rn5OMGEtafN9sxN4lt8oF6WyNrwYfQ3uuis4YMs6wY/s1600/Fairytale1+-+Once+Upon+a+Time.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkuIgJ4ZsLH-k64z_9NskjmtOR4tCQBK7UsE1g62o800jOsojl3SE9h2RT04BObbKj09p8J1JvTNRxuqsUVvyPyBAM68Dp91P5Rn5OMGEtafN9sxN4lt8oF6WyNrwYfQ3uuis4YMs6wY/s1600/Fairytale1+-+Once+Upon+a+Time.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Reader, if ever there was a historian’s cop-out, this
introduction is the epitome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Generally, when recounting an event, both a time and a place
are provided. However, this introduction provides neither. For a time, one may
say “1746”, or perhaps “last week”, or (in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">extremely</i>
rare situations) “the same day that my aunt Ruth had her beard shaved off”; an
author ought to provide some reference to when in history this recounting
occurred.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Secondly, “Once Upon a Time” does not provide a location. Again,
bare minimum, dear reader, would be something to the effect of “In France”, or “At
my friend’s house”, or “the barbershop with a very gutsy barber”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While it is unknown whether or not our friends, the Grimm
Brothers, invented the term or simply made it popular, they are very much to
blame for this current decline in information. Dear reader, certainly, when you
sit down to read a fairytale, you want to obtain historical and geographical
context for the story about to unfold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Therefore, in an attempt to reverse the trend in fairytale
introductions, we shall open our story thusly:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We don’t know when or where this happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wait, wait – Ben, what
kind of an introduction is that?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, Josh, it’s
better than the classic version.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But you’ve totally
scared them away at this point.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Josh, if this is
intimidating, they will never survive the tale about the Prince in the Well.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or for that matter,
the three little pigs – it’s gruesome when you think about the huntsmen
cutting out one of their hearts to bring to the queen.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even worse – what about
the prince that keeps kissing seemingly dead princesses?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good point – Ben, have
we rated this yet?...</span></i></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-20213449699236387632014-10-25T09:50:00.000-07:002014-10-25T09:53:02.890-07:00Glory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://digital-art-gallery.com/oid/62/640x465_11434_The_name_of_the_wind_2d_fantasy_landscape_adventurer_picture_image_digital_art.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> But the glory of kings is to search out a matter."</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em></em><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
How often do we sit back and simply expect life to come to us? It has, unfortunately, been a general practice of mine to sit and say, "Well, I'll just take whatever God sends me. I mean, He's perfect, so He won't send me anything that's not good for me."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However, while this is good, this is not the best thing. It is good to react well to whatever God sends our way, but Christianity is not passive. We are royalty - children of the King. A resulting characteristic of royalty is that we will search things out.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not sure about a theological question? Don't wait for your pastor to preach on it; search it out. Not sure which university to attend? Don't wait for a lightning bolt to tell you which is better; search it out. Not sure how to deal with a friend? Don't wait for them to fall too far away without the right advice; search it out.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Waiting for great things for you to do for Christ? Don't sit and wait for them to come to you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Search it out.</div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-17150671004217867862014-10-23T08:12:00.001-07:002014-10-23T08:13:28.242-07:00Let it Be Said of Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://www.modgirlmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/internet-reputation.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></div>
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<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Just a quick thought this morning (as if I had any other type... this one, however, shall be presented quickly).<br />
<br />
There is a line from a song that's been resonating with me this morning:<br />
<br />
<i>In Christ alone, I place my trust,</i><br />
<i> and find my glory in the power of the cross.</i><br />
<i>In every victory, let it be said of me:</i><br />
<i> my source of strength, my source of hope - <b>is Christ alone</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
Do I present myself in such a way, receive praise in such a way, and respond to life in such a way that people would say that of me? In EVERY victory - not just the ones at church or ministry - in every victory<br />
<br />
Do all my friends know my source of strength and hope? Am I looking for ways to tell my acquaintances and the non-believers that I know what my source is?<br />
<br />
I may be in need of an attitude adjustment...Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360245646497265147.post-67174932225266782802014-10-13T21:18:00.000-07:002014-10-13T21:21:59.063-07:00The Last Month [or so] in Review<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, while I have attempted to post here more regularly, I
have noticed that my past few posts have had little to do with what’s actually
going on in my life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not necessarily that you wanted to know anyways, but here it
goes…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the highlights of this summer has been cliff jumping.
No, I’m not talking about abyss jumping where one wears a squirrel suit
directly after writing their last will and testament. No, I’m talking about a
30-foot jump into the Columbia River. I got to go twice – once with guys from
Bible Study...<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk9g6a513vbJ2-_5H2Q8FU8wMy_t5LxxYje53YLdeuPgjdyTHHD9yWwRdHrqs2IDUAMgzYn4XMiCFLBnBf-qu2Ja5MIUb3BRWaPQfWwd4GFmLhX5nrAAEXttLiQo2uT0rP72bqMlq3y0/s1600/10610952_285387295004924_8901831409669990386_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk9g6a513vbJ2-_5H2Q8FU8wMy_t5LxxYje53YLdeuPgjdyTHHD9yWwRdHrqs2IDUAMgzYn4XMiCFLBnBf-qu2Ja5MIUb3BRWaPQfWwd4GFmLhX5nrAAEXttLiQo2uT0rP72bqMlq3y0/s1600/10610952_285387295004924_8901831409669990386_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And another time with friends from church, though the latter, after a brief time jumping,
turned into an almost-ice-cream-run, a Hood River Mexican Food dinner, a
halfway-Multnomah-Falls-Hike, and general-fun-along-the-way-ishness.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZJFpmISMiw16B1cD2wW_t_01PfAzBHSVZhPULIahnUCTN9T6bzEr9XIO5PT96WAr0-tUlYfFf-6bBdiiMqsULFk0QXQwvU0I5Nr_9bZmsWxzqYyewKMooCG3mF7eAJUrWBEse3nzdeE/s1600/20140928_182925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZJFpmISMiw16B1cD2wW_t_01PfAzBHSVZhPULIahnUCTN9T6bzEr9XIO5PT96WAr0-tUlYfFf-6bBdiiMqsULFk0QXQwvU0I5Nr_9bZmsWxzqYyewKMooCG3mF7eAJUrWBEse3nzdeE/s1600/20140928_182925.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another highlight was the Pathways Fundraiser Dinner. My
sister Sarah has been volunteering there for a few months now; and the bros and
I have been going to do yard-work for them. However, the Fundraiser Dinner was
a neat way to hear some testimonies and get an update on the clinic. After
obtaining a table, 8 friends from Church and I all attended. It was great to
hear about a mission field right in our backyards, as well as ways we were able
to help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYgEPGc9QNhOkrkk6m0QjtibQ8Wu2nXfkT_5HbPllrNdPDX-iBeXe3KU838przlbdD0AM24do6IAqF3xJSdopD23NSmwFjjrugvfr9stSs7FZ1dOtIblEDWL3AIyjEHSmyki1WLyiDWQ/s1600/20141003_191119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYgEPGc9QNhOkrkk6m0QjtibQ8Wu2nXfkT_5HbPllrNdPDX-iBeXe3KU838przlbdD0AM24do6IAqF3xJSdopD23NSmwFjjrugvfr9stSs7FZ1dOtIblEDWL3AIyjEHSmyki1WLyiDWQ/s1600/20141003_191119.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My next adventure took me back to Hood River, where I went
with Jonathon and Mr. S. to go get apples for Fall Preparation. We obtained
2700 lbs. of apples (Jonathon and I transferring 900 of those from one crate to
another), before returning home. Stay tuned for what we plan to do with those…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And finally, and very encouragingly, we attended a memorial
service for some friends’ grandpa. Although I never met him, the testimonies and
stories shared about him painted a great picture of who he was. He was a
teacher, and elder, and a strong Christian friend. One of the testimonies
summed up very well who he was, and who I would like to be:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>“He made me want to be a better man – he made me want to be
a better Christian.”<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Talk about a life-goal. Thank you, Cliff; though I never met
you, you have given me a great thing to shoot for. This song, played during his
life slideshow, does a great job of summing up the impact of his life story on
me. May it be able to be said of all of us.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/d-3BJrG79IA" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714187440661014775noreply@blogger.com1