My Lord and I were laying in bed talking when the topic turned to me and my cowardice. The reason why I am such a coward when it comes to certain things is because I do not talk to Him as often as I should. It's true! Aside from when I get up and when I go to bed the only cues for conversation with Him are before I eat and before I go on the internet.
The whole thing is that while He is always there, I often forget that He is. The Spirit brought to mind two verses: "For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me," (Psalm 23:5) and, "... behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." (Matthew 28:20). He spoke the Truth when He said such things and not only can He not lie (1 John 2:21; John 14:6) but, when reminded I knew deep within myself that it is true even as I know my own name.
All of a sudden, the Spirit became bold in instruction as seemingly out of left field he brought to me the account of the walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) and with His Grace I very quickly understood. You see, He is always beside me even though I often do not see Him (Luke 24:15-16). He also guides me through the Scriptures and while I can affirm and understand the Truth therein, still I often do not see Him (Luke 24:25-27). However, and without hesitation, it is there in the Eucharist (John 6:25-70) that my eyes open wide and I see Him as if I had always see Him. Or, as a bride seeing the bridegroom (Revelation 21:9-27).
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Sex, Sharks, and Naked Chicks
Either last night or earlier this morning depending on your perspective, I was perusing trailers of shark movies on YouTube. In the comments section below one such trailer, someone remarked that such films are always the same. They are new movies yes, but they always follow the same story line of attractive women, sex, screams, and finally blood.
This is not some new revelation to anyone familiar with the "creature feature" genre. However, it is nonetheless that this particular set is often repeated. One could further note that it is usually an attractive lady or a black dude who gets nom'd first. I personally cannot recall an occasion when for example, an Asian or Native American has been in a typical American made creature feature. This likely reflects the environment of the average American - mostly white with the occasional negro.
Why are there always scantily clad women in such films? Don't get me wrong, I understand that when the setting is near water there is a high chance of bathing suits, but unlike in real life such films are almost explicit in their inclusion of such factors. I wonder why then, they are often so explicit? One could consider evolution for some insights. If physical beauty is genuinely as important to ones survival as the media makes it out to be, then it would likewise follow that such women would survive. Quite often, however, these are among the first to die if not suffer in some shape or form. Rather, in such films I have observed a more honest commentary on the social normative and survival. In truth, we see that beauty is not everything. Those ladies who a both intelligent and of strong character often not only survive to the final four at least, but are also found to be more attractive to the average male viewer than those only offering physical beauty, and these are also less hated by female viewers as well. Perhaps survival of the fittest is more than just social vanity after all.
Now, what about sex? I've seen enough creature films to know that whomever tries to have sex in such a film is gonna have a bad time. Why is that? One would assume that in our pornographic and supposedly sexually liberated society, that one would allow such scenes to play out in its entirety, and that those who partake would likewise be the stars of the show and held up on a pedestal. Instead, they are quite often interrupted and devoured early in the scene. This calls to mind the urban legend about the "Hook-Handed Man." You may recall the basic scene playing out at the end of Lover's Lane where some boyfriend and girlfriend are ready to create a little action of their own. In the end, the boyfriend goes missing and the girl discovers an ominous long scratch on the car door. The moral of this story is a cautionary tale about protecting ones purity. So perhaps creature films echo this sentiment of what most of us hold to be true, even though it currently isn't very popular to say as much.
The screams and blood? Well, that's pretty self-explanatory!
This is not some new revelation to anyone familiar with the "creature feature" genre. However, it is nonetheless that this particular set is often repeated. One could further note that it is usually an attractive lady or a black dude who gets nom'd first. I personally cannot recall an occasion when for example, an Asian or Native American has been in a typical American made creature feature. This likely reflects the environment of the average American - mostly white with the occasional negro.
Why are there always scantily clad women in such films? Don't get me wrong, I understand that when the setting is near water there is a high chance of bathing suits, but unlike in real life such films are almost explicit in their inclusion of such factors. I wonder why then, they are often so explicit? One could consider evolution for some insights. If physical beauty is genuinely as important to ones survival as the media makes it out to be, then it would likewise follow that such women would survive. Quite often, however, these are among the first to die if not suffer in some shape or form. Rather, in such films I have observed a more honest commentary on the social normative and survival. In truth, we see that beauty is not everything. Those ladies who a both intelligent and of strong character often not only survive to the final four at least, but are also found to be more attractive to the average male viewer than those only offering physical beauty, and these are also less hated by female viewers as well. Perhaps survival of the fittest is more than just social vanity after all.
Now, what about sex? I've seen enough creature films to know that whomever tries to have sex in such a film is gonna have a bad time. Why is that? One would assume that in our pornographic and supposedly sexually liberated society, that one would allow such scenes to play out in its entirety, and that those who partake would likewise be the stars of the show and held up on a pedestal. Instead, they are quite often interrupted and devoured early in the scene. This calls to mind the urban legend about the "Hook-Handed Man." You may recall the basic scene playing out at the end of Lover's Lane where some boyfriend and girlfriend are ready to create a little action of their own. In the end, the boyfriend goes missing and the girl discovers an ominous long scratch on the car door. The moral of this story is a cautionary tale about protecting ones purity. So perhaps creature films echo this sentiment of what most of us hold to be true, even though it currently isn't very popular to say as much.
The screams and blood? Well, that's pretty self-explanatory!
Friday, July 13, 2012
All The Little Gods Put A Crown On It
"I have said: You are gods and all of you the sons of the most High." (Psalm 82:6)
I have heard many proponents of the Prosperity gospel (aka "Word of Faith", "Name It and Claim It", "Health&Wealth") claim that we as Christians are quite literally equal to gods and that Jesus Christ was sent to teach us how to be gods. The most prominent proponents I have heard state such are Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn.
I have heard many proponents of the Prosperity gospel (aka "Word of Faith", "Name It and Claim It", "Health&Wealth") claim that we as Christians are quite literally equal to gods and that Jesus Christ was sent to teach us how to be gods. The most prominent proponents I have heard state such are Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn.
Yes, it is certainly true that, "For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him." (Romans 8:16-17) Indeed it is very try that, "For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear; but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba (Father)." (Romans 8:15)
However, we are not and will never be gods, no matter how intense the Evil One insists (Genesis 3:5). If we are not to be gods, then does that mean that the psalmist is wrong to have said, "you are gods?" Not at all. You see, we have the image and likeness of God (Genesis 2:26) and I am quite certain you understand that this is not the same as being made gods. You see, it is quite similar to a duckling when compared to a fully grown duck. While the duckling may have the image and likeness of the fully grown duck, he is not that duck. Also, you could imagine Bambi on ice compared to his father. So are we to God our Father. After all, we are repeatedly told that we are children of God. Regardless of how much faith you have, you will never be able to create something out of nothing, as God has done. We have only the limited ability to create from that which is already present which indeed is a gift that God has endowed on us. We are not gods.
"And the Lord spoke all these words: I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: And shewing mercy unto thousands to them that love me, and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:1-6)
"And the Lord spoke all these words: I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: And shewing mercy unto thousands to them that love me, and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:1-6)
We are not literal gods then, for that would violate the very first Commandment. And this Commandment has not faded away, though it is fulfilled in Christ. "Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:18-20)
"Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23)
"Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23)
Saturday, July 7, 2012
The Pursuit of Knowledge and Wisdom
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight." (Proverbs 3:5)
This particular verse the the verse I most often repeat to myself.
"The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker. For the beginning of pride is sin, and the one who clings to it pours out abomination." (Sirach 10:12-13)
This particular set of verses is the second most common article that I repeat to myself.
If you haven't quite caught on yet, my particular thorn or vice is that of pride. To be even more precise, academic pride. I love to learn and try to gain at least an elementary understanding of all things. Every once in a while, however, I find myself believing that I might actually know something which is the beginning of my downfall. You see, when you think you know something, that is when you know that you don't actually know any thing. Of all the things that I have learned thus far, one of the things that I can say for certain is that I know nothing at all. I remind myself that what I think I know really only just barely scratches the surface. It is all just a drop in the bucket.
"How weighty to me are your thoughts, my God! I try to count them - they are more than the sand; I come to the end - I am still with you." (Psalm 139: 17-18)
I would say to the psalmist, "I know that feel, bro!" In my mind I have been driven to my knees declaring to the Lord that I know nothing. There is so much out there that it would require and eternity for my to come to a knowledge of it all. I am in awe of the Lord, that he is all-knowing. He knows things that even an eternity of study could not possibly reveal.
And so this is my understanding...
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)
Test all things (1 Thess 5:21) and study to show yourself approved (2 Tim 2:15), so that you may give reason for the hope that is within you. (1 Peter 3:15).
This particular verse the the verse I most often repeat to myself.
"The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker. For the beginning of pride is sin, and the one who clings to it pours out abomination." (Sirach 10:12-13)
This particular set of verses is the second most common article that I repeat to myself.
If you haven't quite caught on yet, my particular thorn or vice is that of pride. To be even more precise, academic pride. I love to learn and try to gain at least an elementary understanding of all things. Every once in a while, however, I find myself believing that I might actually know something which is the beginning of my downfall. You see, when you think you know something, that is when you know that you don't actually know any thing. Of all the things that I have learned thus far, one of the things that I can say for certain is that I know nothing at all. I remind myself that what I think I know really only just barely scratches the surface. It is all just a drop in the bucket.
"How weighty to me are your thoughts, my God! I try to count them - they are more than the sand; I come to the end - I am still with you." (Psalm 139: 17-18)
I would say to the psalmist, "I know that feel, bro!" In my mind I have been driven to my knees declaring to the Lord that I know nothing. There is so much out there that it would require and eternity for my to come to a knowledge of it all. I am in awe of the Lord, that he is all-knowing. He knows things that even an eternity of study could not possibly reveal.
And so this is my understanding...
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)
Test all things (1 Thess 5:21) and study to show yourself approved (2 Tim 2:15), so that you may give reason for the hope that is within you. (1 Peter 3:15).
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