Being homeschooled, I have encountered the stereotype that I have been sheltered. The stereotype would say that many of those homeschooled do not know about the real world, because they have not been in the real world. Just recently, I had a friend who told me that he thought I was being sheltered for not being in public school. I will not mention this particular person by name, because I would not like to make it appear I am publicly criticizing him. I think he meant well, although the rational of the matter is that it is not his business.
I went on to ask him what it was I was sheltered from. The conversation pretty much died after that. I usually avoid such arguments. The question, though, does bring up many more interesting points and questions. One such argument used in against homeschooling, is that for a child to learn about the "real world," he should be bullied. Of course, in this case, we must assume that there is a bully. We should not raise our children under the impression that they should be bully's or that being a bully serves a good purpose in the world. In reality, what we should do is train them up in the way that they should go, fervently grounded in Scripture.
I do not think that this means we should reject anything modern, or secular. Some homeschoolers may do that too much. We should reject sin, and live in accordance with God's grace, which serves as an alternative to sinful nature. I heard one particular homeschool graduating friend of mine, say that she has been sheltered, "From worldly ideologies" such as declaring that "Homosexual is fine" and the world of "drugs and fornication" (paraphrased along those lines). This, again, brings up interesting points. Should the church separate the children from such ideologies completely, or should they allow their children to see them, only to learn to make their own choices, and learn from their mistakes?
I personally believe that there is a fine line in this. We should teach the sinfulness of these false worldly ideologies to our children. This, I believe, being the point of this particular person, is true. However at the same time, we should not over-shelter our children from the fact that these false ideologies are present in the world today. I believe that if we commit this "over-sheltering," one of two things would most likely happen: either the child still hears of these worldly ideologies (given that it is advertised everywhere in the world, and is very easily seen), and thus falls into the temptations and rebels against the parental sheltering; or, the child is so sheltered, that he is unable to give a reasonable defense for the alternative Christian ideologies. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to "Be prepared to give a defense to those who asks us to give an account for the hope that is in us." The rationality of the matter is that we would not be able to give a defense if we are clueless to the opposing view.
However, we should be reasonable, so that in teaching our children these worldviews, we teach them as false, to the extent that they are false. We should not defend something that is obviously against Biblical grounds. We should always base any of our thoughts on Biblical teaching. Anything that contradicts Biblical teachings is wrong.
One good example of this would be the popular DaVinci Code novel book and movie series. I believe whole-heartedly that this is based off of false teaching. I never saw this movie, but I could tell from the advertisements that this was wrong. However, I was not against seeing this movie either. One particular family member of whom I have great respect for told me it would be wrong to see it. However, I believe that because of my ignorance to The DaVinci Code, I would not be able to give a reasonable defense for the alternative Christian worldview.
In the public school setting, the teachers are forced to be neutral, which in and of itself is only a special form of being biased. Because of this, many children get conflicting indoctrination. False indoctrination leads to many confusing and conflicting ideologies in children, which is perhaps the greatest sheltering of all- the sheltering of the absolute truth found in the Gospel.
I believe that some people do not homeschool for the right reasons, and I do believe that you can over-shelter children from these false ideologies. A lot of the way children learn, and become adults, is through experiencing tough choices themselves, and learning from their mistakes. Having someone over their shoulders all the time is not good.
But what many people do not realize is that homeschooling is not being trapped in your house all day long learning only from your mother. While being homeschooled, I have been able to take college classes at Jeff State. Many homeschooled students take classes with other homeschooled students. I can honestly say that I don't think most of the homeschooled students I know have a small network of friends available. Some homeschooled students have a greater network of friends than public schooled students, many friends being the friends that will last longer. Many homeschool groups have athletic programs. There is also a near-by band for homeschooled students to partake in concerts, solo & ensemble festivals, and athletic events as a pep-band.
I know that homeschooling does not offer the athletic atmospheres that public schools do. However, I do not think that that means that homeschoolers are any less happy, or that the events are any less fun. I also feel that it is wrong to simply base education off of these extra-curricular activities.
In closing, there is a healthy line, I believe, in the sheltering and lack thereof of children, and, anyone for that matter. In all ways, guard yourself with the Word of God, and if you are a parent, place God's Word upon your children. Be prepared to give a defense for this Truth; learn from your mistakes; do not let anything replace the Truth that is in you.
What do you think?
Pray for our Troops.
God bless.
July 30, 2007
Ryan
Monday, July 30, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Basement
If you are around this area, then you may familiar with the local church-like phenomena, the basement. The basement holds claims to many claims of one finding Jesus, or coming closer to Him. However the basement also has minor controversy behind it.
However the controversy comes more from within the Christian Church, than outside the Christian Church. Many Christians urge other Christians to "come to the basement one Tuesday night" while others dismiss it as a "cult."
I am the kind of person who tries finding good in things done for the glory of God. I personally have never been to The Basement, and do not have first-hand experience as to what it is like. Generally speaking, I try to accept these sorts of events as good forms of Christian worship. However I also do not assume that any way of worshiping is necessarily one that can bring glory to God. Although I have never been to The Basement, I know plenty of people who have. I have never talked at length to anyone who has, but have heard second and third hand reports of what it is like. Going by the best I can see, I will give you my opinions on The Basement.
First off, I would encourage everyone who attends The Basement to question everything speaker Matt Pitt says with the Word of God. Of course, you should question anything anyone tells you with the Word of God, whether it be your Pastor, teacher, friends, or even parents- not just Matt Pitt. However, God does give some people the responsibility to teach the Word of God to others, and there are people God places in your life to help you in your life. In saying this, do not elevate anyone above the Word of God, nor put them level to the Word of God. However, remember that God has put some people in your life for the purpose of preaching His Word. In growing as a Christian, you should learn discernment on these accounts.
In saying this, I believe that any person who is lifted as a public speaker of the Word of God, should have accountability within the church. Anyone could talk at length about the Word of God, even quoting Scripture. However, having accountability is also important. I do not know of Matt Pitt’s experience. From what I have heard, he has some sort of training. However I am not sure what level of accountability he really has earned. Given the recognition he is receiving locally now, and what could grow out of this area, he and others around him should be careful. You should be careful too. Once again, validate (or deny) anything he, and others, say with the Word of God.
There have been reports that speaker Matt Pitt would often alter the Bible’s wording slightly, or perhaps fail to back his opinion with the Word of God, while still claiming he knows where the Bible would defend his point. There have also been reports that he is improving on these such areas. I hope he is. However this is not all of my concern, questions, or opportunities of praise for this ministry.
I have heard that Matt Pitt has said that the basement is not a church, and that those attending should be in church. I agree, and am glad to hear reports that he says this. I do not feel that what happens at The Basement on Tuesday nights could replace what should happen on Sunday morning. Because of this, I do not hold the basement to the same standards as what I would Sunday morning worship service. It is great to have a mid-week church-like function for teenagers apart from their typical weekly service.
However if the basement puts itself up as a place of corporate worship before God, there are some guidelines that they should follow, ultimately rooted in Scripture. What if the speaker (hypothetically) said, "Let’s praise God by eating dog food!" God would not be pleased with this attitude. The Bible is clear that there should be order in any form of corporate worship. The Bible is also clear, that if there is a place of corporate Christian worship, that it should reflect the how the church universally should be. The church should be distinguished from the world, and should be very serious minded toward the Gospel. In the same way, a corporate worship service to God should not be blended in with the world. I have heard second and third hand of The Basement taking songs by the rapper, Usher, only to change the words into Christian meanings. I do not feel as if this presents the best worship attitude before God Almighty.
I could not point to a place in Scripture and tell you from one specific verse what would be wrong with that scenario. However I could not point to one verse to validate or deny many things done by Christians or hated by Christians. Rap music, generally speaking, rightly or wrongly, has an image that should not want to be held by Christians. Therefore, I feel that it essentially waters down the Gospel to play Christian rap, or to say "I hate all rap except Christian rap."
The same could and often does, in my opinion, go for rock music as well. However soft rock, as opposed to punk-sounding rock, does not have this sort of image. For this, I have nothing against light Christian rock. I believe that one can listen to it, and essentially be brought closer to God. God gave us music to glorify His name. I believe that there are places even in corporate Christian gatherings where such music could be played. It is obvious that many are brought closer to God through the playing of these sorts of songs. However, I also feel that in The Basement, as well as places similar to The Basement, a watered down version of the Gospel is portrayed, often beginning in the music. The Christian theme song of today seems so light compared to what it should be. If the "Christian theme song" (for lack of better terminology) was a classic hymn such as "We are God’s People" or "Holy, Holy, Holy," then we would be much better off as a church worldwide.
One reason many feel that contemporary music is better is because it is more attractive young people and non-Christians. However, it is not good to become like the world in order to attract more people. If people "join" Christianity simply because the music sounds good, and not because of what it means, then they are probably not in it for the right reasons. There is nothing wrong with trying to make a Christian arena attractive to young kids or to non-Christians. However, I have concern when the church tends to blend in with the world.
At the same time, the church should not simply be on the sidelines to the world. Often, the Christian has a tendency to either blend in with the world, or be too far away from the world. We should not be spectators holding signs that say, "Join the club or you’ll die in hell!" We should offer an alternative to the world and sinful lifestyles, found only through Jesus Christ. To do this, we must be distinct, and then act. I feel that The Basement acts, and I commend The Basement for that. However, I also have concerns as to if the way they act is the best way to bring glory to God.
Furthermore, if the basement is a place for teenagers to come in worship, I feel that eventually these kids should grow as a Christian. Our youth today is caught in the middle of American individualism, and American emotionalism. I believe that the children are not attracted by deep theological ideas, but rather, community, acceptance, and their emotions. First and foremost, the church, especially a place such as The Basement, should be there on these accounts. The basement has done just that. They give the children a place where they can come and feel loved despite what their past is, and a place that will fire the emotions in a person. However, after this, the church should respond to teaching theology, so that the Christian may grow. I am not sure if The Basement is doing this. Emotionalism should not be the only thing that a church answers to or teaches.
It is hard to both adhere to the emotions of people, and consistently teach their minds. However they can go together. What often happens in a sinful world, is either you attract a lot of people, who seem to grow, but long-term do not grow much, or, rather, a place that will attract very few people, but whose members grow long-term in their relationship with Christ. Basically, the question is quantity or quality? For the strengthening of the church as a whole, both are needed, and both can go together. It is just often hard to find that ground. Once again, as a growing Christian, you should grow in your discernment on these accounts.
So in closing, I give my blessings to The Basement for all good that they have done, and hope to see this grow, if indeed this is a service to God. However I do not feel that any place that has the supposed intent on worshipping God necessarily does it in the correct way. Furthermore, if giving glory to God was measured purely on attendance or earthly success, then any church on television would be a wonderful glory to God. However many Pastors on television wind up laughing their way to the bank. Also, though, God in His infinite wisdom can use people who are even flawed in themselves. Even if The Basement does do things that is not right in God’s sight, or if Matt Pitt himself is hypocritical, God is still infinite, and works even in ways that may not seem good at first. God could take an apparent curse and turn it into a blessing.
If The Basement has led one person to Christ, then it has served some good purpose to God’s kingdom. Of course, this could either be because the people of The Basement have set out to give glory to God, and through God’s grace, God’s kingdom grew, or because God worked through flawed people with different intentions. If you attend The Basement, then I encourage you to still attend weekly service elsewhere. Going to The Basement may not be a bad thing, but it can not replace what should happen on Sunday mornings. Continue to base all your thoughts on the Word of God, and on your faith. Continue to lift high the cross, so that the world may know Jesus Christ is God.
You may want to look at the following blog on The Basement written by Cliff Prosser:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=130099894&blogID=283895140
You may also want to read the other blog I posted just before this on true, weekly, Christian corporate worship (dealing with the traditional Sunday service).
Some of what I touched on in this blog is found in those two blogs. Some of the comments in Cliff Prosser’s blog bring up good points.
UPCOMING BLOGS:
I have plenty to write about. I will try to post a blog on the election. I will also try to post a blog on what government really is, and why God gives us government. I would also like to post a blog on the popular book and movie series, Harry Potter. I saw one of the movies recently, whereas before that, I had not watched any of the movies, nor read any of the books. I know that this is controversial amongst Christians, so I will give you my ten cents worth on the popular book/movie series. I will probably post a couple of personal blogs, as well as some sort of devotional, moral-social idea, etc. Thank you!
Ryan
However the controversy comes more from within the Christian Church, than outside the Christian Church. Many Christians urge other Christians to "come to the basement one Tuesday night" while others dismiss it as a "cult."
I am the kind of person who tries finding good in things done for the glory of God. I personally have never been to The Basement, and do not have first-hand experience as to what it is like. Generally speaking, I try to accept these sorts of events as good forms of Christian worship. However I also do not assume that any way of worshiping is necessarily one that can bring glory to God. Although I have never been to The Basement, I know plenty of people who have. I have never talked at length to anyone who has, but have heard second and third hand reports of what it is like. Going by the best I can see, I will give you my opinions on The Basement.
First off, I would encourage everyone who attends The Basement to question everything speaker Matt Pitt says with the Word of God. Of course, you should question anything anyone tells you with the Word of God, whether it be your Pastor, teacher, friends, or even parents- not just Matt Pitt. However, God does give some people the responsibility to teach the Word of God to others, and there are people God places in your life to help you in your life. In saying this, do not elevate anyone above the Word of God, nor put them level to the Word of God. However, remember that God has put some people in your life for the purpose of preaching His Word. In growing as a Christian, you should learn discernment on these accounts.
In saying this, I believe that any person who is lifted as a public speaker of the Word of God, should have accountability within the church. Anyone could talk at length about the Word of God, even quoting Scripture. However, having accountability is also important. I do not know of Matt Pitt’s experience. From what I have heard, he has some sort of training. However I am not sure what level of accountability he really has earned. Given the recognition he is receiving locally now, and what could grow out of this area, he and others around him should be careful. You should be careful too. Once again, validate (or deny) anything he, and others, say with the Word of God.
There have been reports that speaker Matt Pitt would often alter the Bible’s wording slightly, or perhaps fail to back his opinion with the Word of God, while still claiming he knows where the Bible would defend his point. There have also been reports that he is improving on these such areas. I hope he is. However this is not all of my concern, questions, or opportunities of praise for this ministry.
I have heard that Matt Pitt has said that the basement is not a church, and that those attending should be in church. I agree, and am glad to hear reports that he says this. I do not feel that what happens at The Basement on Tuesday nights could replace what should happen on Sunday morning. Because of this, I do not hold the basement to the same standards as what I would Sunday morning worship service. It is great to have a mid-week church-like function for teenagers apart from their typical weekly service.
However if the basement puts itself up as a place of corporate worship before God, there are some guidelines that they should follow, ultimately rooted in Scripture. What if the speaker (hypothetically) said, "Let’s praise God by eating dog food!" God would not be pleased with this attitude. The Bible is clear that there should be order in any form of corporate worship. The Bible is also clear, that if there is a place of corporate Christian worship, that it should reflect the how the church universally should be. The church should be distinguished from the world, and should be very serious minded toward the Gospel. In the same way, a corporate worship service to God should not be blended in with the world. I have heard second and third hand of The Basement taking songs by the rapper, Usher, only to change the words into Christian meanings. I do not feel as if this presents the best worship attitude before God Almighty.
I could not point to a place in Scripture and tell you from one specific verse what would be wrong with that scenario. However I could not point to one verse to validate or deny many things done by Christians or hated by Christians. Rap music, generally speaking, rightly or wrongly, has an image that should not want to be held by Christians. Therefore, I feel that it essentially waters down the Gospel to play Christian rap, or to say "I hate all rap except Christian rap."
The same could and often does, in my opinion, go for rock music as well. However soft rock, as opposed to punk-sounding rock, does not have this sort of image. For this, I have nothing against light Christian rock. I believe that one can listen to it, and essentially be brought closer to God. God gave us music to glorify His name. I believe that there are places even in corporate Christian gatherings where such music could be played. It is obvious that many are brought closer to God through the playing of these sorts of songs. However, I also feel that in The Basement, as well as places similar to The Basement, a watered down version of the Gospel is portrayed, often beginning in the music. The Christian theme song of today seems so light compared to what it should be. If the "Christian theme song" (for lack of better terminology) was a classic hymn such as "We are God’s People" or "Holy, Holy, Holy," then we would be much better off as a church worldwide.
One reason many feel that contemporary music is better is because it is more attractive young people and non-Christians. However, it is not good to become like the world in order to attract more people. If people "join" Christianity simply because the music sounds good, and not because of what it means, then they are probably not in it for the right reasons. There is nothing wrong with trying to make a Christian arena attractive to young kids or to non-Christians. However, I have concern when the church tends to blend in with the world.
At the same time, the church should not simply be on the sidelines to the world. Often, the Christian has a tendency to either blend in with the world, or be too far away from the world. We should not be spectators holding signs that say, "Join the club or you’ll die in hell!" We should offer an alternative to the world and sinful lifestyles, found only through Jesus Christ. To do this, we must be distinct, and then act. I feel that The Basement acts, and I commend The Basement for that. However, I also have concerns as to if the way they act is the best way to bring glory to God.
Furthermore, if the basement is a place for teenagers to come in worship, I feel that eventually these kids should grow as a Christian. Our youth today is caught in the middle of American individualism, and American emotionalism. I believe that the children are not attracted by deep theological ideas, but rather, community, acceptance, and their emotions. First and foremost, the church, especially a place such as The Basement, should be there on these accounts. The basement has done just that. They give the children a place where they can come and feel loved despite what their past is, and a place that will fire the emotions in a person. However, after this, the church should respond to teaching theology, so that the Christian may grow. I am not sure if The Basement is doing this. Emotionalism should not be the only thing that a church answers to or teaches.
It is hard to both adhere to the emotions of people, and consistently teach their minds. However they can go together. What often happens in a sinful world, is either you attract a lot of people, who seem to grow, but long-term do not grow much, or, rather, a place that will attract very few people, but whose members grow long-term in their relationship with Christ. Basically, the question is quantity or quality? For the strengthening of the church as a whole, both are needed, and both can go together. It is just often hard to find that ground. Once again, as a growing Christian, you should grow in your discernment on these accounts.
So in closing, I give my blessings to The Basement for all good that they have done, and hope to see this grow, if indeed this is a service to God. However I do not feel that any place that has the supposed intent on worshipping God necessarily does it in the correct way. Furthermore, if giving glory to God was measured purely on attendance or earthly success, then any church on television would be a wonderful glory to God. However many Pastors on television wind up laughing their way to the bank. Also, though, God in His infinite wisdom can use people who are even flawed in themselves. Even if The Basement does do things that is not right in God’s sight, or if Matt Pitt himself is hypocritical, God is still infinite, and works even in ways that may not seem good at first. God could take an apparent curse and turn it into a blessing.
If The Basement has led one person to Christ, then it has served some good purpose to God’s kingdom. Of course, this could either be because the people of The Basement have set out to give glory to God, and through God’s grace, God’s kingdom grew, or because God worked through flawed people with different intentions. If you attend The Basement, then I encourage you to still attend weekly service elsewhere. Going to The Basement may not be a bad thing, but it can not replace what should happen on Sunday mornings. Continue to base all your thoughts on the Word of God, and on your faith. Continue to lift high the cross, so that the world may know Jesus Christ is God.
You may want to look at the following blog on The Basement written by Cliff Prosser:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=130099894&blogID=283895140
You may also want to read the other blog I posted just before this on true, weekly, Christian corporate worship (dealing with the traditional Sunday service).
Some of what I touched on in this blog is found in those two blogs. Some of the comments in Cliff Prosser’s blog bring up good points.
UPCOMING BLOGS:
I have plenty to write about. I will try to post a blog on the election. I will also try to post a blog on what government really is, and why God gives us government. I would also like to post a blog on the popular book and movie series, Harry Potter. I saw one of the movies recently, whereas before that, I had not watched any of the movies, nor read any of the books. I know that this is controversial amongst Christians, so I will give you my ten cents worth on the popular book/movie series. I will probably post a couple of personal blogs, as well as some sort of devotional, moral-social idea, etc. Thank you!
Ryan
Monday, July 23, 2007
True Weekly Christian Corporate Worship
You may recall that a while back I wrote a blog on corporate, Christian worship. Today, I desire to give a follow-up on that blog, perhaps being a little more in-depth, and hopefully a little more orderly with my writing.
The term "worship" is so universal, and organizing a blog on worship, as a whole, is actually hard to do. Where do you start? How in depth do you go? Where do you end? Worship could simply mean the glorifying of the name of God, and in the scope of different religions, any God. I want this blog to be about the Christian, weekly, corporate worship service, traditionally held on Sunday mornings. This is not the only way to bring glory to God, but I believe that it is essential to Christian living, and should, at some length, be discussed.
First off, I believe that weekly, corporate worship is desired by God. I believe it is good for good Christian growth. I also believe that a local church is able to help the spread of the Gospel. However I feel that this worship service is more than just that, and there are more reasons than just these to engage in corporate worship.
The early Christians were quick to engage in corporate worship, and from what we see of the Bible, the Bible calls this good, and even gives certain "rules" to follow in the worship (there is not actual set of rules and regulations, but the Bible does give some hints to the way our order of worship should be).
We also see something special about Sunday in Scripture, as if it is the Lord’s day. Obviously, everyday should be His day, but Sunday is perhaps different, to some degree. This leaves me believing that God desires the gathering of His people to have some form of communion with Him, at the corporate level, on this day.
Even deeper, we see throughout the Old Testament, the concealing of New Testament worship. In the Old Testament, God worked through His people with certain covenants. There was the covenant of marriage between Adam and Eve. There was the covenant with Noah that God made. There was the covenant with Moses, David, etc. They all point to Jesus Christ, ultimately, and the new order of things, which mirror the old order.
It seems fitting for the corporate Sunday morning service to be the fulfillment of these covenants; to be our covenant renewal service to God, to remember the covenant He has with us- the acceptance of His grace leads to eternal life. The traditional order of corporate worship services is even modeled similarly after the Old Testament covenants, which all have similar models themselves.
Looking at God’s covenants He has made, we see five basic steps in the order of His covenant. First, God takes hold. Secondly, God separates, and makes something new. He makes all things new. The third step in His covenant, is that God speaks. After that, God lays signs to remember His covenant. The fifth, and final step, is that God prepares for the future.
But don’t just take my word for it. Look at Scripture, and see how this five-step pattern is repeated through God’s covenants. Let’s first consider the covenant of creation, which is centered by God’s relation to Adam:
First, God takes hold of the ground, specifically the dust, in which He created. Before this, God had full sovereignty of the world, but this, now the sixth and final day of creation, God creates man. Genesis 1:4 tells us that He took hold of the ground in order to form His creation. Secondly, this dust that God took hold of, was separated and made new. God took a certain amount of it to form Adam. God breathed the breath of life in this dust, forming Adam. Thirdly, God spoke to this new creature. God tells Adam who God is and who Adam is, and their respective roles. God is Lord over all creation, but has given Adam authority over the animals. God tells Adam to serve and guard the garden. After this, God gives signs of His covenant. God gives Adam the Tree of Life, but tells Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God gives Adam real and physical signs of the covenant. Finally, God prepares for the future, by giving Adam a bride, Eve, who could be a helper to Adam, as well as continue the human race, and God’s kingdom.
This was the first covenant. Now let’s continue to look at how other covenants follow this pattern. Let us consider the covenant of marriage between Adam and Eve, that God initiated:
First, God took hold of Adam causing Him to fall into a deep, death-like sleep. Next, God separates a rib from Adam’s body in order to make something new, Eve. Third, God speaks to Adam and Eve, telling them of their respective roles. Adam has the authority over Eve as husband, and Eve must submit to Adam. However, Adam must also protect Eve, and set the example, and treat Eve right, by loving her and cherishing her. God also tells of the joyous aspect of this marriage, that now Adam has "A helper comparable to Him," which He was missing before hand. God gives a physical sign to remember this covenant, sex. The mistreatment of this sign is the degrading of marriage, whether is be using it improperly, or even the failure to use it when it should be (marriage). Finally, God prepares for the future by promising that through the usage of this physical sign, other men and women will come, and marry. The human race will continue. This covenant is still used today, only illustrating the ultimate marriage between Christ and the church.
I can not go through every covenant on such a simply blog, but to make this even more clear, I will give one more example. Let us consider the covenant God made with Noah:
God graciously takes hold of Noah, and his family. God tells Noah what he wants done. He finds "favor in the eyes of Yahweh." God then separates Noah and his family from the world, in order to form a new creation. Noah would be like a new Adam, where his family would start the whole world over. Next, God speaks to Noah, telling him what authority he now has, as beginning the world over. There is a slight, new way of life. God commands Noah and his family to "be fruitful and multiply." After this, God remember His covenant with Noah by giving signs of His covenant. God gives Noah a new sacrificial system to follow, and God also shows Noah a rainbow, which should remind Noah that God never again would flood the world. Finally, God prepares for the future by promising Noah that He never would again flood the world.
The same pattern is seen in the covenant with David, Abraham, Moses, and so forth. For the sake of the length of this blog, it will not be mentioned. You can see the examples from the previous covenants mentioned. The same pattern can be found in many traditional Sunday services, although it is not found real often in many American churches today. Consider this kind of service:
God takes hold of His people, calling them into worship. The people respond by coming boldly and firmly into God’s presence, giving Him adoration and glory. Secondly, God separates us from the world and from our sin, so that we may be forgiven, and made new. After this, we receive Scripture readings and the sermon, where God speaks to us (this is not to say that the preacher is infallible, but the Word of God). After this, we give our tithes and offerings and partake in the Lord’s supper, where God remembers His covenant through physical signs. Then, God prepares for the future when we receive a benediction to "go" in the world, in the peace of Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, God’s signs were the sacrificial system and circumsision. Now, we have the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Supper in what is often called, "The Last Supper." Jesus gave us Baptism when He was baptized by John the Baptist. Colossians 2: 11-13 reads, "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in Baptism, in Him which you also were raised with Him though faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him having forgiven you all trespasses,.." This shows that Baptism is the fulfilling of circumcision. At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus told His disciples to "Do this in remembrence of me."
All of this is a picture of the ultimate covenant, where Jesus comes, God’s people are taken from the world, to be made new through Jesus, we are given Baptism and the Lord’s Supper instead of circumcision and animal sacrifices, and God prepares the way by His people setting up churches, ordaining Pastors, Elders, and electing deacons, and obeying the Great Commission. Now these churches should meet to renew their covenant with God, and in all ways, give Him praise and glory.
Also, please remember that this structure is written on the standpoint of weekly Christian corporate worship, not any Christian gathering. I do think that there should be order and structure to any Christian gathering, but some may not serve the purpose that Sunday morning service serves. Sometimes there may be Bible studies, local praise and worship gatherings, or even church activities just for fun. All of these have their place, but can not replace what should happen on Sunday morning services.
Sunday service, in and of itself, is not merely evangelism. In and of itself, it is not merely experience, where one’s personal emotions are lifted. It is not education, in and of itself. It is not merely a social gathering either. Ultimately, is includes all of these, but just calling this worship service merely "experience," "education," or "evangelism" is not true. However, it is much more than merely any one of these in specific. I feel that often some churches tend to break it down to one of these. Some churches I see focus more on the "personal emotions" while I see others focusing too much on the "education" part of the service. It is really all of these, in a much more powerful way than many other church activities.
I think that even beyond all the covenantal theologies, though, that worship can be basically systemized, even true weekly, Christian, corporate worship. I do think that God can here worship that may not be completely theologically accurate, but is done with a fearful heart, that thus, should be learning. When you worship, give God your best worship. Do not be Cain, and give God only part of yourself, only wanting to do things your way. Be Abel: living for God, and always wanting to give Him your all in worship. I also believe that weekly corporate Christian worship is essential, and that it should not just be considered "extra" or "icing on the cake" to Christian living. In all ways, worship God in spirit and in truth, and continue to study God’s word, that your worship to God will be beneficial to God’s Kingdom, and more and more pleasing in God’s sight.
The term "worship" is so universal, and organizing a blog on worship, as a whole, is actually hard to do. Where do you start? How in depth do you go? Where do you end? Worship could simply mean the glorifying of the name of God, and in the scope of different religions, any God. I want this blog to be about the Christian, weekly, corporate worship service, traditionally held on Sunday mornings. This is not the only way to bring glory to God, but I believe that it is essential to Christian living, and should, at some length, be discussed.
First off, I believe that weekly, corporate worship is desired by God. I believe it is good for good Christian growth. I also believe that a local church is able to help the spread of the Gospel. However I feel that this worship service is more than just that, and there are more reasons than just these to engage in corporate worship.
The early Christians were quick to engage in corporate worship, and from what we see of the Bible, the Bible calls this good, and even gives certain "rules" to follow in the worship (there is not actual set of rules and regulations, but the Bible does give some hints to the way our order of worship should be).
We also see something special about Sunday in Scripture, as if it is the Lord’s day. Obviously, everyday should be His day, but Sunday is perhaps different, to some degree. This leaves me believing that God desires the gathering of His people to have some form of communion with Him, at the corporate level, on this day.
Even deeper, we see throughout the Old Testament, the concealing of New Testament worship. In the Old Testament, God worked through His people with certain covenants. There was the covenant of marriage between Adam and Eve. There was the covenant with Noah that God made. There was the covenant with Moses, David, etc. They all point to Jesus Christ, ultimately, and the new order of things, which mirror the old order.
It seems fitting for the corporate Sunday morning service to be the fulfillment of these covenants; to be our covenant renewal service to God, to remember the covenant He has with us- the acceptance of His grace leads to eternal life. The traditional order of corporate worship services is even modeled similarly after the Old Testament covenants, which all have similar models themselves.
Looking at God’s covenants He has made, we see five basic steps in the order of His covenant. First, God takes hold. Secondly, God separates, and makes something new. He makes all things new. The third step in His covenant, is that God speaks. After that, God lays signs to remember His covenant. The fifth, and final step, is that God prepares for the future.
But don’t just take my word for it. Look at Scripture, and see how this five-step pattern is repeated through God’s covenants. Let’s first consider the covenant of creation, which is centered by God’s relation to Adam:
First, God takes hold of the ground, specifically the dust, in which He created. Before this, God had full sovereignty of the world, but this, now the sixth and final day of creation, God creates man. Genesis 1:4 tells us that He took hold of the ground in order to form His creation. Secondly, this dust that God took hold of, was separated and made new. God took a certain amount of it to form Adam. God breathed the breath of life in this dust, forming Adam. Thirdly, God spoke to this new creature. God tells Adam who God is and who Adam is, and their respective roles. God is Lord over all creation, but has given Adam authority over the animals. God tells Adam to serve and guard the garden. After this, God gives signs of His covenant. God gives Adam the Tree of Life, but tells Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God gives Adam real and physical signs of the covenant. Finally, God prepares for the future, by giving Adam a bride, Eve, who could be a helper to Adam, as well as continue the human race, and God’s kingdom.
This was the first covenant. Now let’s continue to look at how other covenants follow this pattern. Let us consider the covenant of marriage between Adam and Eve, that God initiated:
First, God took hold of Adam causing Him to fall into a deep, death-like sleep. Next, God separates a rib from Adam’s body in order to make something new, Eve. Third, God speaks to Adam and Eve, telling them of their respective roles. Adam has the authority over Eve as husband, and Eve must submit to Adam. However, Adam must also protect Eve, and set the example, and treat Eve right, by loving her and cherishing her. God also tells of the joyous aspect of this marriage, that now Adam has "A helper comparable to Him," which He was missing before hand. God gives a physical sign to remember this covenant, sex. The mistreatment of this sign is the degrading of marriage, whether is be using it improperly, or even the failure to use it when it should be (marriage). Finally, God prepares for the future by promising that through the usage of this physical sign, other men and women will come, and marry. The human race will continue. This covenant is still used today, only illustrating the ultimate marriage between Christ and the church.
I can not go through every covenant on such a simply blog, but to make this even more clear, I will give one more example. Let us consider the covenant God made with Noah:
God graciously takes hold of Noah, and his family. God tells Noah what he wants done. He finds "favor in the eyes of Yahweh." God then separates Noah and his family from the world, in order to form a new creation. Noah would be like a new Adam, where his family would start the whole world over. Next, God speaks to Noah, telling him what authority he now has, as beginning the world over. There is a slight, new way of life. God commands Noah and his family to "be fruitful and multiply." After this, God remember His covenant with Noah by giving signs of His covenant. God gives Noah a new sacrificial system to follow, and God also shows Noah a rainbow, which should remind Noah that God never again would flood the world. Finally, God prepares for the future by promising Noah that He never would again flood the world.
The same pattern is seen in the covenant with David, Abraham, Moses, and so forth. For the sake of the length of this blog, it will not be mentioned. You can see the examples from the previous covenants mentioned. The same pattern can be found in many traditional Sunday services, although it is not found real often in many American churches today. Consider this kind of service:
God takes hold of His people, calling them into worship. The people respond by coming boldly and firmly into God’s presence, giving Him adoration and glory. Secondly, God separates us from the world and from our sin, so that we may be forgiven, and made new. After this, we receive Scripture readings and the sermon, where God speaks to us (this is not to say that the preacher is infallible, but the Word of God). After this, we give our tithes and offerings and partake in the Lord’s supper, where God remembers His covenant through physical signs. Then, God prepares for the future when we receive a benediction to "go" in the world, in the peace of Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, God’s signs were the sacrificial system and circumsision. Now, we have the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Supper in what is often called, "The Last Supper." Jesus gave us Baptism when He was baptized by John the Baptist. Colossians 2: 11-13 reads, "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in Baptism, in Him which you also were raised with Him though faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him having forgiven you all trespasses,.." This shows that Baptism is the fulfilling of circumcision. At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus told His disciples to "Do this in remembrence of me."
All of this is a picture of the ultimate covenant, where Jesus comes, God’s people are taken from the world, to be made new through Jesus, we are given Baptism and the Lord’s Supper instead of circumcision and animal sacrifices, and God prepares the way by His people setting up churches, ordaining Pastors, Elders, and electing deacons, and obeying the Great Commission. Now these churches should meet to renew their covenant with God, and in all ways, give Him praise and glory.
Also, please remember that this structure is written on the standpoint of weekly Christian corporate worship, not any Christian gathering. I do think that there should be order and structure to any Christian gathering, but some may not serve the purpose that Sunday morning service serves. Sometimes there may be Bible studies, local praise and worship gatherings, or even church activities just for fun. All of these have their place, but can not replace what should happen on Sunday morning services.
Sunday service, in and of itself, is not merely evangelism. In and of itself, it is not merely experience, where one’s personal emotions are lifted. It is not education, in and of itself. It is not merely a social gathering either. Ultimately, is includes all of these, but just calling this worship service merely "experience," "education," or "evangelism" is not true. However, it is much more than merely any one of these in specific. I feel that often some churches tend to break it down to one of these. Some churches I see focus more on the "personal emotions" while I see others focusing too much on the "education" part of the service. It is really all of these, in a much more powerful way than many other church activities.
I think that even beyond all the covenantal theologies, though, that worship can be basically systemized, even true weekly, Christian, corporate worship. I do think that God can here worship that may not be completely theologically accurate, but is done with a fearful heart, that thus, should be learning. When you worship, give God your best worship. Do not be Cain, and give God only part of yourself, only wanting to do things your way. Be Abel: living for God, and always wanting to give Him your all in worship. I also believe that weekly corporate Christian worship is essential, and that it should not just be considered "extra" or "icing on the cake" to Christian living. In all ways, worship God in spirit and in truth, and continue to study God’s word, that your worship to God will be beneficial to God’s Kingdom, and more and more pleasing in God’s sight.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Stupid in America
I believe whole-heartedly that America is one of the greatest nations in the world. We are a nation of freedom, liberty, and power. We are a nation whose people are friendly, kind, and loving, and are not afraid to defend their American liberties. We are a nation of pride, love, as well as great, rich, and special history.
However I also feel that America has its problems. I fear that the people are often ignorant to this great, rich, and special history it has. Americans seem so ignorant to history- even to their own national history. America seems ignorant to many other areas as well. America is perhaps the richest nation in the world, but according to international tests, not the smartest. Rather, America is simply "mediocre."
Even watching Miss America, where the contestants should be some of the brightest young women in America, I feel that there is a certain amount of ignorance that the contestants have to current events. What makes it worse is the fact that they do not realize their ignorance. I do grant that some of the questions asked would have been hard to answer in any way other than one that was politically correct, but the ignorance on both the judges and the contestants could be seen. Miss Georgia said that No Child Left Behind was "very near to her heart," and from my own state, Miss Alabama, seemed to show favor towards a stronger global government in worldwide problems. Many people seem to use the logic that if there is a problem, then the government is here to fix it. This is simply not good logic, and what makes it worse, is many people look to either their emotions or to the media to tell them what the problems are.
The average American is clueless on many current issues, much of American history, or why they believe what they believe, whether it be religion, politics, etc. Many Americans do not know how the electoral college works. Many Americans do not really know the definitions of monarchy, aristocracy, democracy, republican, confederacy, etc. Many Americans simply assume that America is a Democracy, although they are not sure why. Furthermore, in all reality, America is far from a pure Democracy. Many Americans do not know much at all about the "American Civil War" or its causes behind it, and the effects of it. They simply assume it was a war fought over slavery. Many Americans do not know of any of the early compromises our founding fathers made, such as the three-fifths compromise, or any of the compromises on elections. Americans assume that all of our elections were designed to be Democratic votes by the people, but that is really not the case. Many Americans assume that our government is here to provide for us, whether it be our housing, clothing, or education. Many Americans do not know what purpose government is here for.
Even on a more serious side, many Americans do not know why they believe what they believe in regards to their religion. The typical American says what their religion is, but would be clueless when it comes to defending their faith. Many Christians don’t know the books of the Bible, the Ten Commandments, or the meaning of much of the symbolism we see in the Bible. American individualism and American emotionalism has swept through the minds of our youth, leaving many to falsely reject religion, or claim religion in a watered-down defenseless way. This is very dangerous. It has become obvious that America, whether it comes to politics, history, religion, etc., is as a nation clueless.
In perhaps his most controversial television special ever, Stupid in America, which aired on 20/20, John Stossel blames this ignorance not so much on the children or parents, but on the government and teachers unions. Stossel claims that it is sticking children in a government monopolized education, that answers primarily to politicians and teacher’s unions, is the cause for such ignorance.
Although I do not really agree with Stossel on everything, I feel that he makes many points that many Americans are scared to admit, or too ignorant to realize. Liberals consider him a right wing fraud, while conservatives consider him one of the most liberal in the liberal media. But Stossel is neither a conservative or a liberal, but rather a libertarian, a word that many Americans do not know the meaning of, not that they would know much more the real definitions of ‘‘conservative’’ and ‘‘liberal.’’ The show was politically motivated and politically incorrect, but many Americans would not hear him out. Some things Stossel stands for I do not completely agree with, but whether it be his articles, television specials, or books, he actually defends his points, and shows he knows why he believes what he believes. Many times, he is right.
Many Americans think that because there are problems in the public school system, that a higher government with more government spending would be the key. However statistics and common sense tell you that that is not the case. Our founding fathers would be devastated to see our American Government today, with the way the Federal Government has control on the free market and education.
But it must start with the people, not the government. Care about your vote, or your no vote. Care about your government, nation, and education for yourself, or if you’re a parent, for your child. It is time that we take initiative, and help make America a better nation than what it already is. It would be a shame to see this wonderful nation fall apart because of its people’s own ignorance.
Thanks you.
What do you think?
God bless America
Ryan
However I also feel that America has its problems. I fear that the people are often ignorant to this great, rich, and special history it has. Americans seem so ignorant to history- even to their own national history. America seems ignorant to many other areas as well. America is perhaps the richest nation in the world, but according to international tests, not the smartest. Rather, America is simply "mediocre."
Even watching Miss America, where the contestants should be some of the brightest young women in America, I feel that there is a certain amount of ignorance that the contestants have to current events. What makes it worse is the fact that they do not realize their ignorance. I do grant that some of the questions asked would have been hard to answer in any way other than one that was politically correct, but the ignorance on both the judges and the contestants could be seen. Miss Georgia said that No Child Left Behind was "very near to her heart," and from my own state, Miss Alabama, seemed to show favor towards a stronger global government in worldwide problems. Many people seem to use the logic that if there is a problem, then the government is here to fix it. This is simply not good logic, and what makes it worse, is many people look to either their emotions or to the media to tell them what the problems are.
The average American is clueless on many current issues, much of American history, or why they believe what they believe, whether it be religion, politics, etc. Many Americans do not know how the electoral college works. Many Americans do not really know the definitions of monarchy, aristocracy, democracy, republican, confederacy, etc. Many Americans simply assume that America is a Democracy, although they are not sure why. Furthermore, in all reality, America is far from a pure Democracy. Many Americans do not know much at all about the "American Civil War" or its causes behind it, and the effects of it. They simply assume it was a war fought over slavery. Many Americans do not know of any of the early compromises our founding fathers made, such as the three-fifths compromise, or any of the compromises on elections. Americans assume that all of our elections were designed to be Democratic votes by the people, but that is really not the case. Many Americans assume that our government is here to provide for us, whether it be our housing, clothing, or education. Many Americans do not know what purpose government is here for.
Even on a more serious side, many Americans do not know why they believe what they believe in regards to their religion. The typical American says what their religion is, but would be clueless when it comes to defending their faith. Many Christians don’t know the books of the Bible, the Ten Commandments, or the meaning of much of the symbolism we see in the Bible. American individualism and American emotionalism has swept through the minds of our youth, leaving many to falsely reject religion, or claim religion in a watered-down defenseless way. This is very dangerous. It has become obvious that America, whether it comes to politics, history, religion, etc., is as a nation clueless.
In perhaps his most controversial television special ever, Stupid in America, which aired on 20/20, John Stossel blames this ignorance not so much on the children or parents, but on the government and teachers unions. Stossel claims that it is sticking children in a government monopolized education, that answers primarily to politicians and teacher’s unions, is the cause for such ignorance.
Although I do not really agree with Stossel on everything, I feel that he makes many points that many Americans are scared to admit, or too ignorant to realize. Liberals consider him a right wing fraud, while conservatives consider him one of the most liberal in the liberal media. But Stossel is neither a conservative or a liberal, but rather a libertarian, a word that many Americans do not know the meaning of, not that they would know much more the real definitions of ‘‘conservative’’ and ‘‘liberal.’’ The show was politically motivated and politically incorrect, but many Americans would not hear him out. Some things Stossel stands for I do not completely agree with, but whether it be his articles, television specials, or books, he actually defends his points, and shows he knows why he believes what he believes. Many times, he is right.
Many Americans think that because there are problems in the public school system, that a higher government with more government spending would be the key. However statistics and common sense tell you that that is not the case. Our founding fathers would be devastated to see our American Government today, with the way the Federal Government has control on the free market and education.
But it must start with the people, not the government. Care about your vote, or your no vote. Care about your government, nation, and education for yourself, or if you’re a parent, for your child. It is time that we take initiative, and help make America a better nation than what it already is. It would be a shame to see this wonderful nation fall apart because of its people’s own ignorance.
Thanks you.
What do you think?
God bless America
Ryan
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Branson, Missouri
Just here recently me and my family, including some of the extended family, as well as some family friends took a trip to Branson, Missouri. I thought I would give you some of my thoughts on our trip, and the place itself.
Although I would not like to live there, I enjoyed the trip. It was a long ride there, and a long ride back, but it was worth it. We had a good time at the white water nearby, Celebration City, and the two shows that we went to.
The lines for the rides at the parks were shorter, the people at the parks were nicer than those at local places here such as Alabama Adventure, and the place looked cleaner. The shows were family-oriented, but that did not compromise the fun people could have. All in all, it was a good trip.
But even beyond all that, it is good to be back. Here, the traffic is not always bumper-to-bumper, the people know how to drive better, and most of all, this is home. For the most part, people were nice there, but I still feel that 'Southern hospitality' is more alive here. It seemed people would not wave back at you there, where as here, they do. Alabama, to live, is good enough for me.
But we did have a good time, and some good memories. The van would not start when we were about to leave on the trip. It took us about two hours longer to get there than we had thought it would. We got to inner-tube in one of the prettiest lakes in the nation. The pizza seemed foreign to us, but it was still pretty good. We got to see Barney Fyffe! Well, an impersinator, of course. We rode some great rides at the parks. I got to show off my incredible singing skills singing the words "Rock-n-roll" to the song "Old Time Rock-n-Roll." We saw "The Duttons" who have preformed on the NBC t.v. show, "America's Got Talent." There were probably more memories that I can't think of right now as well.
So all in all, it was a good trip, and a place that I would encourage you to travel to one day if your time and pocket-book permits you. I am glad to be back, but I am thankful for the time I had there. Hope all of your travels are as blessed as mine!
Ryan
Although I would not like to live there, I enjoyed the trip. It was a long ride there, and a long ride back, but it was worth it. We had a good time at the white water nearby, Celebration City, and the two shows that we went to.
The lines for the rides at the parks were shorter, the people at the parks were nicer than those at local places here such as Alabama Adventure, and the place looked cleaner. The shows were family-oriented, but that did not compromise the fun people could have. All in all, it was a good trip.
But even beyond all that, it is good to be back. Here, the traffic is not always bumper-to-bumper, the people know how to drive better, and most of all, this is home. For the most part, people were nice there, but I still feel that 'Southern hospitality' is more alive here. It seemed people would not wave back at you there, where as here, they do. Alabama, to live, is good enough for me.
But we did have a good time, and some good memories. The van would not start when we were about to leave on the trip. It took us about two hours longer to get there than we had thought it would. We got to inner-tube in one of the prettiest lakes in the nation. The pizza seemed foreign to us, but it was still pretty good. We got to see Barney Fyffe! Well, an impersinator, of course. We rode some great rides at the parks. I got to show off my incredible singing skills singing the words "Rock-n-roll" to the song "Old Time Rock-n-Roll." We saw "The Duttons" who have preformed on the NBC t.v. show, "America's Got Talent." There were probably more memories that I can't think of right now as well.
So all in all, it was a good trip, and a place that I would encourage you to travel to one day if your time and pocket-book permits you. I am glad to be back, but I am thankful for the time I had there. Hope all of your travels are as blessed as mine!
Ryan
Monday, July 9, 2007
Independence Day
Pardon the delay on my blogs. My family went out of town from 6/30/07-7/7/07. Me and my family, including part of the extended family, as well as some family friends, went up to Branson Missouri.
Obviously we were gone during the fourth of July. We didn't really go simply for the fourth, that's just kinda how it happened. We usually go to Guntersville Lake for the fourth of July, but this time, something called "vacation" got in the way of that.
On the fourth, we really didn't do fireworks or anything like that. It was simple and relaxed, and we didn't party any. I like doing fireworks and watching fireworks for the fourth of July and New Years, but truth be told, they are over-priced in my opinion.
But regardless of what we did, or what you did, there is still a much greater meaning of this day, than the fireworks, parties, traditions, etc. It is about the indepence of this nation, and thus, it has rightfully earned the name "Independence Day." It is the anniversery of the day that our forefathers pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the cause of freedom. It is one of those days in history that turned the world upside down. Thirteen colonies joined together to defeat the most powerful nation in the world. Those little thirteen colonies, over time, would expand and assume it's place amonst the nations, into arguably the most powerful nation in the world.
Back then, just like today, there were people with religious differences, political differences, and philosophical differences. Many of our founding fathers, such as George Washington I believe, were devout Christians. However some were Unitarians, and others were pretty close to Deists. All of our founding fathers believed in limited government, more so than just about any politician today claims, but there were political rivalries then as well. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were political rivals, as were Patrick Henry and James Madison.
But all of these men, despite differencs, came together under the cause of freedom. Through the help of God, these men did what not many thought they could not do: defeat Great Britain. They fought with each other despite their differences. As Benjamin Franklin put it just after signing the Declaration of Independence, "We must all hang together or we'll all hang seperately." The brave men did just that. Not hang seperate, but hang together. In fact, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, despite being political rivals, died as friends. As an interesting point of history, they died on the same day, fifty years to the day after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Today, we still have brave men and women who go to war for the sake of their nation and it's people's freedom. But too often those of us, politician or no politician, take their work, and the work of our forefathers, and all those inbetween, for granted. We forget to think about how fortunate we are, why we are so fortunate, and what we can do to make life even better. Far too often our leaders forget that it was the cause of independence that brought our nation into existence. Far too often the people forget that as well. Thankfully, we do have people who join together to fight for this nation that they call home. This war we are in now should be more than a game of politics, but a fight for freedom, whether you are for the war or against it.
So please, even though this is five days after Independence Day, remember the meaning of it. Two-hundred and thirty-one years ago, there were people who's lives were in trouble, so that I may write this blog today. Let us never forget our Independence, and where it came from. God bless America!
UPCOMING BLOGS:
I will soon write a blog about our trip to Branson, Missouri. I also plan to write another blog about America, but this time, the things that are not so good with America, all with love for country though. I plan to write another blog on Christian worship sometime as well. I would also like to write a blog on the basement, a local church-like phenomena that has grown really popular in the local area. I have put this blog off because of the fact that I have never been to the basement, and because I know people who love it as well as people who don't like it, and I don't want to compromise any unity of the church. I will probably put a few more blogs on here as well, but that's a little "heads-up" to what you can expect.
What do you think?
-Ryan
Obviously we were gone during the fourth of July. We didn't really go simply for the fourth, that's just kinda how it happened. We usually go to Guntersville Lake for the fourth of July, but this time, something called "vacation" got in the way of that.
On the fourth, we really didn't do fireworks or anything like that. It was simple and relaxed, and we didn't party any. I like doing fireworks and watching fireworks for the fourth of July and New Years, but truth be told, they are over-priced in my opinion.
But regardless of what we did, or what you did, there is still a much greater meaning of this day, than the fireworks, parties, traditions, etc. It is about the indepence of this nation, and thus, it has rightfully earned the name "Independence Day." It is the anniversery of the day that our forefathers pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the cause of freedom. It is one of those days in history that turned the world upside down. Thirteen colonies joined together to defeat the most powerful nation in the world. Those little thirteen colonies, over time, would expand and assume it's place amonst the nations, into arguably the most powerful nation in the world.
Back then, just like today, there were people with religious differences, political differences, and philosophical differences. Many of our founding fathers, such as George Washington I believe, were devout Christians. However some were Unitarians, and others were pretty close to Deists. All of our founding fathers believed in limited government, more so than just about any politician today claims, but there were political rivalries then as well. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were political rivals, as were Patrick Henry and James Madison.
But all of these men, despite differencs, came together under the cause of freedom. Through the help of God, these men did what not many thought they could not do: defeat Great Britain. They fought with each other despite their differences. As Benjamin Franklin put it just after signing the Declaration of Independence, "We must all hang together or we'll all hang seperately." The brave men did just that. Not hang seperate, but hang together. In fact, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, despite being political rivals, died as friends. As an interesting point of history, they died on the same day, fifty years to the day after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Today, we still have brave men and women who go to war for the sake of their nation and it's people's freedom. But too often those of us, politician or no politician, take their work, and the work of our forefathers, and all those inbetween, for granted. We forget to think about how fortunate we are, why we are so fortunate, and what we can do to make life even better. Far too often our leaders forget that it was the cause of independence that brought our nation into existence. Far too often the people forget that as well. Thankfully, we do have people who join together to fight for this nation that they call home. This war we are in now should be more than a game of politics, but a fight for freedom, whether you are for the war or against it.
So please, even though this is five days after Independence Day, remember the meaning of it. Two-hundred and thirty-one years ago, there were people who's lives were in trouble, so that I may write this blog today. Let us never forget our Independence, and where it came from. God bless America!
UPCOMING BLOGS:
I will soon write a blog about our trip to Branson, Missouri. I also plan to write another blog about America, but this time, the things that are not so good with America, all with love for country though. I plan to write another blog on Christian worship sometime as well. I would also like to write a blog on the basement, a local church-like phenomena that has grown really popular in the local area. I have put this blog off because of the fact that I have never been to the basement, and because I know people who love it as well as people who don't like it, and I don't want to compromise any unity of the church. I will probably put a few more blogs on here as well, but that's a little "heads-up" to what you can expect.
What do you think?
-Ryan
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