To overcome sin, like any other change, requires first and foremost a game plan. To be successful, you must also have these three things: a coach/mentor, accountability partners and a supportive community.
To change, is like stopping a mighty avalanche with one's bare hands. It is simply impossible.
Yet, if you have faith like a mustard seed, I tell you, you can say to this mountain, "Move" and it will move. It is not the great action that will stop the powerful avalanche. It is the two denari, given by a man who is spiritually poor, choosing to give all he has, though he has nearly nothing to give.
...
<SI> Scott Izu, PhD
Copyright September 2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Dinosaurs and Predictive Models
I spent yesterday morning and evening with my members of my Christian family. A morning drive included dreary eyes and me, almost half asleep, trying to answer the question from one of John Piper's CDs "Do you enjoy being with your Christian family?" If the answer was, "No", he said perhaps you need to ask yourself two other questions: 1) Do you even know any real Christians? and 2) If you do know Christians, what does it say about you if you do not enjoy being with a people that embodies the likeness of Christ?
I can say that I love my Christian family a ton so fortunately, I did not have to spend my morning brain muscles, while half awake trying to answer the next two questions.
On the ride home from Moss Landing, a fellow brother and I discussed how people can take the facts before them, mix them with their current understanding and somehow create an explanation that is completely off base. In this case, the people of the time, expected a Savior as predicted by Isiah almost 500 years prior to come to conquer the Roman people. That was based on human understanding. But Jesus, then came, almost in ridiculousness, with such a radically different form than expected. Based on God's understanding which points to the limitations of the mere mortal, the limitations of the human mind. It points to how small we think and can comprehend. Jesus came and conquered something entirely unexpected that no one could have ever predicted: death.
Jesus has taken everything I have known in my life and completely flipped the script on me. All of a sudden, what I thought made me strong, suddenly made me weak. What I thought was secure has suddenly become temporal and fleeting. The people I thought I was saving, I was actually hurting. Or more importantly, when I thought I could save others, I discovered it was really me that needed to be saved. While I thought it was everyone else that needed to be fixed, I happened to be what was wrong with the world.
What have I learned from this in my life? Unfortunately, I have learned that I cannot rely on my own understanding. Why? Because my own understanding can completely change over time.
When I was young, there used to be 9 planets. Now, all of a sudden, there are only 8 planets. Pluto somehow got re categorized.
Take a look at the models of the atom. These have changed over time from the Bohr Model to Quantum Physics (see www.everythingmaths.co.za) to who knows what in the future. So are models useless? No, a model is an inaccurate representation of something, anything, that by design limits the parameters involved and oversimplifies the object in question in order to make a predication. In other words, for models of the atom, we can used this oversimplification to make predictions about the near future (ie predictions within proximity of time and space).
Take this linear predictor...
I can say that I love my Christian family a ton so fortunately, I did not have to spend my morning brain muscles, while half awake trying to answer the next two questions.
On the ride home from Moss Landing, a fellow brother and I discussed how people can take the facts before them, mix them with their current understanding and somehow create an explanation that is completely off base. In this case, the people of the time, expected a Savior as predicted by Isiah almost 500 years prior to come to conquer the Roman people. That was based on human understanding. But Jesus, then came, almost in ridiculousness, with such a radically different form than expected. Based on God's understanding which points to the limitations of the mere mortal, the limitations of the human mind. It points to how small we think and can comprehend. Jesus came and conquered something entirely unexpected that no one could have ever predicted: death.
Jesus has taken everything I have known in my life and completely flipped the script on me. All of a sudden, what I thought made me strong, suddenly made me weak. What I thought was secure has suddenly become temporal and fleeting. The people I thought I was saving, I was actually hurting. Or more importantly, when I thought I could save others, I discovered it was really me that needed to be saved. While I thought it was everyone else that needed to be fixed, I happened to be what was wrong with the world.
What have I learned from this in my life? Unfortunately, I have learned that I cannot rely on my own understanding. Why? Because my own understanding can completely change over time.
When I was young, there used to be 9 planets. Now, all of a sudden, there are only 8 planets. Pluto somehow got re categorized.
Take a look at the models of the atom. These have changed over time from the Bohr Model to Quantum Physics (see www.everythingmaths.co.za) to who knows what in the future. So are models useless? No, a model is an inaccurate representation of something, anything, that by design limits the parameters involved and oversimplifies the object in question in order to make a predication. In other words, for models of the atom, we can used this oversimplification to make predictions about the near future (ie predictions within proximity of time and space).
Take this linear predictor...
Close to the dot, the line actually predicts fairly well. However, the farther you get away from the dot, the worse the predictions become. Now, look from the following perspective...
The prediction is now completely off and the oversimplification of the line becomes readily apparent. It is clear that the other parameters cannot be ignored.
So what does all of this have to do with dinosaurs? My argument is that so called dinosaurs existed so long ago that their existence to me is completely in question. A radical view, I know. But nevertheless, I probably would have been the kid in class who questioned whether the Earth was actually flat, when all of my classmates knew it to be true. Simply because all of the facts pointed to it. And, everyone else believed it.
The models for dating may include carbon dating or counting tree rings or counting layers of the Earth's surface. However, these models are only accurate where there is not a catastrophic event. Or in other words, these models are only accurate where the parameters missing within the model of prediction do not have a large impact on the prediction itself.
The Clay Math institute, will give one million dollars to someone who solves the Navier Stokes equations which represent solving a fluid dynamics problem to predict air turbulence. Today's, air planes typically wait two minutes between flights because no one can predict the turbulence in the air. So, somehow, I am supposed to believe that we humans can predict something that happened thousands of years ago, yet we can't even describe two minutes of how wind will work. Our weather prediction for tomorrow is only 50% accurate. The truth about the wind is that no one knows from where it comes, when it will come or where it will go (spiritual reference intended).
According to en.wikipedia.org, Lascaux cave paintings are over 17,000 years old. I remember being told that humans worshiped animals and would paint on the cave walls so that they could encourage the gods to allow successful hunts. But, with me the simple story is just as good. Kids discovered that they could draw. And kids do what kids do. They draw all over the walls, the couches, everything. Even when you tell them over and over not to. Why would this not apply to an old civilization? I mean come on. Take the modern day man. He goes to work. He comes home exhausted and is stereo typically known for being the lazy husband who doesn't want to do anything but watch TV or play video games on the couch. Now, you are trying to tell me that the ancient man, with the same makeup all of a sudden came home after hunting large animals and he wanted to draw instead of rest? I'm sorry. Men like to hunt. Kids like to draw. Pretty clear to me.
So in the end, how do I explain intricate sets of bones that appear to fit perfectly together and form the bone structure of what we know as dinosaurs. Well, I don't. The story is great. It is believable. But somehow, with a million other possible explanations that come up within a matter of minutes (ask a few teenagers to come up with some theories), I somehow just don't completely believe that dinosaurs ever existed.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Personality Types and The Bible
I first learned of the temperaments from Personality Plus, which discussed Aristotle's temperaments: Choleric, Phlegmatic, Melancholy and Sanguine.
Personality types have played an important role in my life. I strive to follow the axiom "Know Thyself". They have helped me to understand my family of origin as well as each of my kids. They have helped me in how to guide each of my children differently and discover their emotional needs and how they are motivated differently. I wrote this poem of my children: Four Elements of Life.
Revelation 4:7, Ezekiel 1:6 and Ezekiel 10:14 all discuss the four faces of the cherubim.
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
The four faces of the cherubim are the lion (Choleric), ox (Phlegmatic), man (Melancholy) and eagle (Sanguine). They align with the four apostles (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
They correspond to the four elements: fire (Choleric), water (Phlegmatic), earth (Melancholy) and air (Sanguine). They also correspond to the four seasons: Summer (Choleric), Winter (Phlegmatic), Autumn (Melancholy), Spring (Sanguine).
These temperaments arise in movies like The Last Air Bender, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo), Harry Potter (Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor).
The ways people typically deal with conflict can help identify which they are. Typically, the four conflict resolution styles are: Fight, Accommodate, Flight, Collaborate.
Notes:
1. For the mapping from Cherubim to Apostles I agree with www.4personalities.com but disagree with eyesright.speedofcreativity.org (see comment from Adrfian Gray on the page which backs my view and maintains the order in which these appear in the bible) and www.samuel-beckett.net. For Cherubim to Temperaments, I disagree with www.businessballs.com.
2. For the mapping from Elements to Temperaments I agree with en.wikipedia.org (Temperaments) and en.wikipedia.org (Humorism) and www.temperamentorder.com. Fire and Water are often considered direct opposites as are Choleric/Phlegmatic.
3. For the mapping from Seasons to Temperaments, I agree with www.inspiredworld.com and en.wikipedia.org (Humorism) and rosegardenbuffalo.blogspot.com. Summer and Winter are often considered direct opposites as are Choleric/Phlegmatic.
4. There are so many disagreements on Myers-Briggs that I did not try to include this from above (these all differ: www.pinterest.com, www.temperamentorder.com, fisheaters.com, getcontrolofyourlife.org). In general, I think that Extroverts which rely on their own intuition are Choleric, Introverts which rely on sensing are Phlegmatic, Introverts which rely on their own intuition are Melancholy and Extroverts which relay on sensing are Sanguine. Of my search, this diagram aligned best with the four temperaments in terms of characteristics: getcontrolofyourlife.org.
Many separate the Myers-Briggs into Idealists, Guardians, Rationals and Artisans. The two questions involve how people make decisions. With this split, the first question is where one gathers information from sensing (outer world) versus intuition (inner world). The second question asks how one receives/processes that information. For sensing, this means perceiving via experience or judging via observation. For intuition, this means feeling or thinking. For Sanguines and Phlegmatics, they are motivated much more by their senses. For instance, if they excitement and anger, motivate them, respectively. For Cholerics and Melancholies, they are motivated much more by their intuition. They will tend not to believe you if you tell them they can't do something or believe you are sincere if you give them a compliment, respectively.
Looking at spiritualpractice.ca... One that processes their their inner world with feeling (compassion) primarily and their outer world with perceiving (daring), is most Choleric (ENFP, Champion). One that processes their outer world with judging (observant) primarily and their inner world with feeling (relational) is most Phlegmatic (ISFJ, Protector). One that processes their inner world with thinking (analytical) primarily and their outer world with judging (hesitant) is most Melancholy (INTJ, Mastermind). One that processes their outer world with feeling (compassion) primarily and their outer world with perceiving (stimulating) is most Sanguine (ESFP, Composer).
5. Other classifications
Personality types have played an important role in my life. I strive to follow the axiom "Know Thyself". They have helped me to understand my family of origin as well as each of my kids. They have helped me in how to guide each of my children differently and discover their emotional needs and how they are motivated differently. I wrote this poem of my children: Four Elements of Life.
Revelation 4:7, Ezekiel 1:6 and Ezekiel 10:14 all discuss the four faces of the cherubim.
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
The four faces of the cherubim are the lion (Choleric), ox (Phlegmatic), man (Melancholy) and eagle (Sanguine). They align with the four apostles (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
They correspond to the four elements: fire (Choleric), water (Phlegmatic), earth (Melancholy) and air (Sanguine). They also correspond to the four seasons: Summer (Choleric), Winter (Phlegmatic), Autumn (Melancholy), Spring (Sanguine).
These temperaments arise in movies like The Last Air Bender, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo), Harry Potter (Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor).
The ways people typically deal with conflict can help identify which they are. Typically, the four conflict resolution styles are: Fight, Accommodate, Flight, Collaborate.
Notes:
1. For the mapping from Cherubim to Apostles I agree with www.4personalities.com but disagree with eyesright.speedofcreativity.org (see comment from Adrfian Gray on the page which backs my view and maintains the order in which these appear in the bible) and www.samuel-beckett.net. For Cherubim to Temperaments, I disagree with www.businessballs.com.
2. For the mapping from Elements to Temperaments I agree with en.wikipedia.org (Temperaments) and en.wikipedia.org (Humorism) and www.temperamentorder.com. Fire and Water are often considered direct opposites as are Choleric/Phlegmatic.
3. For the mapping from Seasons to Temperaments, I agree with www.inspiredworld.com and en.wikipedia.org (Humorism) and rosegardenbuffalo.blogspot.com. Summer and Winter are often considered direct opposites as are Choleric/Phlegmatic.
4. There are so many disagreements on Myers-Briggs that I did not try to include this from above (these all differ: www.pinterest.com, www.temperamentorder.com, fisheaters.com, getcontrolofyourlife.org). In general, I think that Extroverts which rely on their own intuition are Choleric, Introverts which rely on sensing are Phlegmatic, Introverts which rely on their own intuition are Melancholy and Extroverts which relay on sensing are Sanguine. Of my search, this diagram aligned best with the four temperaments in terms of characteristics: getcontrolofyourlife.org.
Many separate the Myers-Briggs into Idealists, Guardians, Rationals and Artisans. The two questions involve how people make decisions. With this split, the first question is where one gathers information from sensing (outer world) versus intuition (inner world). The second question asks how one receives/processes that information. For sensing, this means perceiving via experience or judging via observation. For intuition, this means feeling or thinking. For Sanguines and Phlegmatics, they are motivated much more by their senses. For instance, if they excitement and anger, motivate them, respectively. For Cholerics and Melancholies, they are motivated much more by their intuition. They will tend not to believe you if you tell them they can't do something or believe you are sincere if you give them a compliment, respectively.
Looking at spiritualpractice.ca... One that processes their their inner world with feeling (compassion) primarily and their outer world with perceiving (daring), is most Choleric (ENFP, Champion). One that processes their outer world with judging (observant) primarily and their inner world with feeling (relational) is most Phlegmatic (ISFJ, Protector). One that processes their inner world with thinking (analytical) primarily and their outer world with judging (hesitant) is most Melancholy (INTJ, Mastermind). One that processes their outer world with feeling (compassion) primarily and their outer world with perceiving (stimulating) is most Sanguine (ESFP, Composer).
5. Other classifications
- Lion, Golden Retriever, Beaver, Otter
- DISC - Dominance, Steadiness, Conscientiousness, Influence
- STAR - Action, Stability, Thinking, Relationship
- Warrior, King, Lover, Friend
- BANK - Action, Blueprint, Knowledge, Nurturing
- Jackal, X, Mouse, Elephant (Alligator, X, Rock, Fox)
6. Curious about how the love languages (Gary Chapman) map to personalities: Physical Touch, Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time
7. Curious about how traumas (Gary Smalley) map to love languages: Abandonment, Invalidation, Defectiveness, etc
8. Curious about how the 3 realms and the Holy Trinity relate:
- God, Jesus, Holy Spirit
- Emotional, Physical, Spiritual
- Love, Word, Spirit
- Mind, Body, Spirit
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Friendship
This weekend, I saw something quite spectacular. A story of struggle and of victory. And in each victory, there is always the hand of friendship that extends to life one up at the point where it is needed most.
In my life, I had faced a crossroads. One of dropping out of school, when a teacher went above and beyond to help me on my journey. And a few friends who encouraged me to visit this teacher.
Friendship. When life brings you to your knees as it has a way of doing, a friend is always there to help you get back up.
I have struggled with avoiding addiction to pornography, sex, gambling, alcohol. You name it, I have struggled with it. And it is always friends that help fight this battle. We journey together. We cover each others blind spots. We do what we can, when we see there is something that needs to be done. And we don't get bitter or resentful if we realize that for everything we see and do, there is always someone covering us, doing things that we don't even notice.
I used to get mad at homeless people because I thought they should just work hard and contribute. I thought it was me that did all the work. I thought I was simply being rewarded for my efforts. Then, I realized, that I only did 5%. I only did what was in my control. The rest, the 95% was done by all the people around me. The ones who were watching my back when I didn't even notice, didn't even acknowledge, didn't even thank them.
Galatians 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Ecclesiastes 4 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. 2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. 3 But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. 6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. 7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: 8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor.16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
In my life, I had faced a crossroads. One of dropping out of school, when a teacher went above and beyond to help me on my journey. And a few friends who encouraged me to visit this teacher.
Friendship. When life brings you to your knees as it has a way of doing, a friend is always there to help you get back up.
I have struggled with avoiding addiction to pornography, sex, gambling, alcohol. You name it, I have struggled with it. And it is always friends that help fight this battle. We journey together. We cover each others blind spots. We do what we can, when we see there is something that needs to be done. And we don't get bitter or resentful if we realize that for everything we see and do, there is always someone covering us, doing things that we don't even notice.
I used to get mad at homeless people because I thought they should just work hard and contribute. I thought it was me that did all the work. I thought I was simply being rewarded for my efforts. Then, I realized, that I only did 5%. I only did what was in my control. The rest, the 95% was done by all the people around me. The ones who were watching my back when I didn't even notice, didn't even acknowledge, didn't even thank them.
Galatians 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Ecclesiastes 4 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. 2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. 3 But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. 6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. 7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: 8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor.16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
To Drink or Not to Drink
I was raised Mormon. Unfortunately, when I was entering high school, my mother decided that if I was not going to enter the Celestial Kingdom, it was no use developing a relationship with me. Before it came to this point, I had some major problems with the religion.
Over time, I developed one fundamental difference. Salvation through works. Versus salvation through grace. My core belief now is that we cannot work our way into heaven. It is only by grace that we are saved. It is then through unfailing love associated with this salvation that we have no choice but to be filled, transformed and sanctified, therefore producing righteousness. As humans, what spills out of us, only mimics what is poured into us. Quite simple.
My hatred for the religion stemmed many debates and internal turmoil. So much so that it caused a lot of wreckage in my own life. Then, one day, I read about the woman at the well. A woman, filled with adultery in her life, is confronted. A woman, who I myself identify with. It is as if, in the midst of my turmoil, I ask, "Which is the truth? What is taught here or what is taught there?" Jesus replies, "Believe me, a time is coming when you will be so lost in your ways it will not matter."
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Those confronted and paralyzed by other's decisions, focused on things outside of their control. Those are destined to be brought to their knees as life has a way of doing. Eventually, I decided that I had enough on my plate to focus on, enough problems and challenges within my own realm, that I no longer had the capability to judge others decisions. Eventually, I found myself reading Jeremiah 35.
35 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord during the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: 2 “Go to the Rekabitefamily and invite them to come to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink.” 3 So I went to get Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons—the whole family of the Rekabites.4 I brought them into the house of the Lord, into the room of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah the man of God. It was next to the room of the officials, which was over that of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper. 5 Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, “Drink some wine.” 6 But they replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab[a] son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. 7 Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.’ 8 We have obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab commanded us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine 9 or built houses to live in or had vineyards, fields or crops. 10 We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab commanded us. 11 But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invadedthis land, we said, ‘Come, we must go to Jerusalem to escape the Babylonian[b] and Aramean armies.’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.” 12 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying: 13 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the Lord. 14 ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. 15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me. 16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefathergave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’ 17 “Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.’” 18 Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what theLord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ 19 Therefore this is what the LordAlmighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’”
Those who do not know any better. Who simply follow the will of their ancestors. They will be blessed and protected. Even though they do not know the Lord, they are still protected. What else can one do, but the best they know to do? And how many of us don't even do what we know is best to do?
Over time, I developed one fundamental difference. Salvation through works. Versus salvation through grace. My core belief now is that we cannot work our way into heaven. It is only by grace that we are saved. It is then through unfailing love associated with this salvation that we have no choice but to be filled, transformed and sanctified, therefore producing righteousness. As humans, what spills out of us, only mimics what is poured into us. Quite simple.
My hatred for the religion stemmed many debates and internal turmoil. So much so that it caused a lot of wreckage in my own life. Then, one day, I read about the woman at the well. A woman, filled with adultery in her life, is confronted. A woman, who I myself identify with. It is as if, in the midst of my turmoil, I ask, "Which is the truth? What is taught here or what is taught there?" Jesus replies, "Believe me, a time is coming when you will be so lost in your ways it will not matter."
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Those confronted and paralyzed by other's decisions, focused on things outside of their control. Those are destined to be brought to their knees as life has a way of doing. Eventually, I decided that I had enough on my plate to focus on, enough problems and challenges within my own realm, that I no longer had the capability to judge others decisions. Eventually, I found myself reading Jeremiah 35.
35 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord during the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: 2 “Go to the Rekabitefamily and invite them to come to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink.” 3 So I went to get Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons—the whole family of the Rekabites.4 I brought them into the house of the Lord, into the room of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah the man of God. It was next to the room of the officials, which was over that of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper. 5 Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, “Drink some wine.” 6 But they replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab[a] son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. 7 Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.’ 8 We have obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab commanded us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine 9 or built houses to live in or had vineyards, fields or crops. 10 We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab commanded us. 11 But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invadedthis land, we said, ‘Come, we must go to Jerusalem to escape the Babylonian[b] and Aramean armies.’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.” 12 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying: 13 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the Lord. 14 ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. 15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me. 16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefathergave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’ 17 “Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.’” 18 Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what theLord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ 19 Therefore this is what the LordAlmighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’”
Those who do not know any better. Who simply follow the will of their ancestors. They will be blessed and protected. Even though they do not know the Lord, they are still protected. What else can one do, but the best they know to do? And how many of us don't even do what we know is best to do?
Friday, February 19, 2016
Control
What exactly do we have the power to control? When we are triggered and our amygdala takes over and we react with formed responses long before our frontal lobe can evaluate the consequences, what do we really have control over? When we have a long history within us, affected by place of birth, ethnic background, education, can we really choose how to act or respond?
This is the topic of today's blog.
I believe, when it comes to control, we only have control over one thing. Our will. We do not have control over the smallest things, even whether we move our fingers. Our will might be to move our fingers, but at any moment, God can take away motor capability and the best doctors in the world wouldn't bat an eyelash. They have seen it before. Yes, we just have control over our will to move our fingers.
I might have a will to publish this article, but at any moment, God could make my computer crash or the internet connection drop or introduce a family distraction, in which case I would not publish this. My will would be to share my thoughts but I have no control over even whether this article gets published! And in the case, it did not, I wouldn't even bat an eyelash either, as I would attribute the lack of time to some other set of events.
What about sin? Do we really have control to avoid sin?
Ephesians 2:9 reads "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
First, of all, any victories we have we must attribute to God, because it is only through His protection that we might avoid sin. For this reason, we cannot judge others either. If that is the case, where should our pride be?
Jeremiah 9:23-24 reads "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord."
For how can you boast that you have not stolen, when it is God who gives you what you need so that you do not have to steal?
Proverbs 30:8-9 reads "Keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
It is the arrogant that point to other's sins and cast shame and condemnation. Such is arrogance because no one can truly know the extent of another's depravity. And arrogance because the extent to which God's grace has prevented them from such consequences of life is not acknowledged. Rather than point the finger, praise God that he has prevented you from such calamity.
Romans 8:1-2 reads "Therefore, there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Once you start to realize how little control you have over your life, you can start to actually make change occur in your life. You cannot control your desires. These are God given. Your goal should be to figure out why God built you with these desires. What God wants to bless you with through these desires. And how Satan wants to curse you by twisting these desires.
Revelations 3:17 reads "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."
True change and reconciliation comes from healing the wounds of this broken world. What happens if you do not realize that you are broken?
Jeremiah 6:14 reads, "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace' they say, when there is no peace."
Luke 10:25-37 reads, "On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. 'Teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'What is written in the Law?' he replied. 'How do you read it?' He answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 'You have answered correctly,' Jesus replied. 'Do this and you will live.'
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' In reply Jesus said, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then, he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denari and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?' The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.' Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.'
One of the amazing things here is that Jesus directly addresses how to follow two simple guidelines in our life. Love God and love others. But more subtle, he addresses the arrogance of man.
He states that we are all broken and wounded and need a savior. We are the ones left beaten and battered by a broken world. Only after we acknowledge our wounds, allow Jesus to heal us, can we then use his righteousness! As the broken man uses the donkey which represents carrying burdens and the denari which represents provisions and the innkeeper which represents restoration, so too, we can lean on Jesus. Most importantly, we may wear the cloak of Jesus to cover our sins.
So what do we really have control over? We have control over whether we allow Jesus to heal us. We have control over whether we admit we are broken. We have control over whether we acknowledge our dependency or whether we ignore and say there is peace when there is no peace. It is our will we have control over.
We may think that we are righteous but any moment God could reveal to us the true nature of our sinful beings, simply by placing us in a situation where we fall into temptation. There are situations each of us cannot handle. And God doesn't say He will give us one hundred outs as we fall into sin. No, along each path to sin, He gives us one moment of choice.
1 Corinthians 10:13 reads "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
There is one moment, one single moment of consciousness when you have a choice. You are convicted that you should do one thing. However, it may be long before the actual sin occurs. You may be convicted that you should stay home or that you should not open a door. This is your way out!
Revelations 3:20-21 reads "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelations 2:17 reads "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it."
When it comes to choice, we have two paths to take. We cannot control our actions or the future, but in that moment of choice, we can surrender our will. We have free will. In the story of the prodigal son, the son had the choice to leave home or stay. He had no control over the consequences and pain and temptations that overcame him due to separation. Finally, after much suffering, he was faced with another choice. To return home or stay. Again, he had no control over how his father would react to his return. The prodigal son control in those two instances. Those two moments determined the path of his life.
Many will state that regulations that govern a man's life are two restrictive. This simply isn't the case. For in every choice, there are two paths. No matter, the choice, both paths are restrictive in the sense that what can be achieved on one path, simply cannot be achieve on the other. On one path Satan dangles the rewards in plain sight. On the other path, God has placed hidden manna.
Proverbs 14:12 cautions, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
This is the topic of today's blog.
I believe, when it comes to control, we only have control over one thing. Our will. We do not have control over the smallest things, even whether we move our fingers. Our will might be to move our fingers, but at any moment, God can take away motor capability and the best doctors in the world wouldn't bat an eyelash. They have seen it before. Yes, we just have control over our will to move our fingers.
I might have a will to publish this article, but at any moment, God could make my computer crash or the internet connection drop or introduce a family distraction, in which case I would not publish this. My will would be to share my thoughts but I have no control over even whether this article gets published! And in the case, it did not, I wouldn't even bat an eyelash either, as I would attribute the lack of time to some other set of events.
What about sin? Do we really have control to avoid sin?
Ephesians 2:9 reads "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
First, of all, any victories we have we must attribute to God, because it is only through His protection that we might avoid sin. For this reason, we cannot judge others either. If that is the case, where should our pride be?
Jeremiah 9:23-24 reads "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord."
For how can you boast that you have not stolen, when it is God who gives you what you need so that you do not have to steal?
Proverbs 30:8-9 reads "Keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
It is the arrogant that point to other's sins and cast shame and condemnation. Such is arrogance because no one can truly know the extent of another's depravity. And arrogance because the extent to which God's grace has prevented them from such consequences of life is not acknowledged. Rather than point the finger, praise God that he has prevented you from such calamity.
Romans 8:1-2 reads "Therefore, there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Once you start to realize how little control you have over your life, you can start to actually make change occur in your life. You cannot control your desires. These are God given. Your goal should be to figure out why God built you with these desires. What God wants to bless you with through these desires. And how Satan wants to curse you by twisting these desires.
Revelations 3:17 reads "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."
True change and reconciliation comes from healing the wounds of this broken world. What happens if you do not realize that you are broken?
Jeremiah 6:14 reads, "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace' they say, when there is no peace."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' In reply Jesus said, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then, he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denari and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?' The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.' Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.'
One of the amazing things here is that Jesus directly addresses how to follow two simple guidelines in our life. Love God and love others. But more subtle, he addresses the arrogance of man.
He states that we are all broken and wounded and need a savior. We are the ones left beaten and battered by a broken world. Only after we acknowledge our wounds, allow Jesus to heal us, can we then use his righteousness! As the broken man uses the donkey which represents carrying burdens and the denari which represents provisions and the innkeeper which represents restoration, so too, we can lean on Jesus. Most importantly, we may wear the cloak of Jesus to cover our sins.
So what do we really have control over? We have control over whether we allow Jesus to heal us. We have control over whether we admit we are broken. We have control over whether we acknowledge our dependency or whether we ignore and say there is peace when there is no peace. It is our will we have control over.
We may think that we are righteous but any moment God could reveal to us the true nature of our sinful beings, simply by placing us in a situation where we fall into temptation. There are situations each of us cannot handle. And God doesn't say He will give us one hundred outs as we fall into sin. No, along each path to sin, He gives us one moment of choice.
1 Corinthians 10:13 reads "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
There is one moment, one single moment of consciousness when you have a choice. You are convicted that you should do one thing. However, it may be long before the actual sin occurs. You may be convicted that you should stay home or that you should not open a door. This is your way out!
Revelations 3:20-21 reads "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelations 2:17 reads "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it."
When it comes to choice, we have two paths to take. We cannot control our actions or the future, but in that moment of choice, we can surrender our will. We have free will. In the story of the prodigal son, the son had the choice to leave home or stay. He had no control over the consequences and pain and temptations that overcame him due to separation. Finally, after much suffering, he was faced with another choice. To return home or stay. Again, he had no control over how his father would react to his return. The prodigal son control in those two instances. Those two moments determined the path of his life.
Many will state that regulations that govern a man's life are two restrictive. This simply isn't the case. For in every choice, there are two paths. No matter, the choice, both paths are restrictive in the sense that what can be achieved on one path, simply cannot be achieve on the other. On one path Satan dangles the rewards in plain sight. On the other path, God has placed hidden manna.
Proverbs 14:12 cautions, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
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