The Question of thinking

Alright guys.  Time for my recent thoughts lately.  As addressed in my last post, this is not to be taken as truth if you find flaws in it.  This is so that I can say what I'm thinking, and you guys can correct it if you find flaws in it.

Anyways...

Recently, I've been reflecting a lot on what I've done in my high school years.  I've been thinking about the paths I've gone, the thoughts I've had, the people that have influenced me, and things like that.  I got to thinking about my 9th grade Honors English class (the turning point in my life, besides accepting Christ for salvation).  I don't know where I got this from, but I started to think about the beginning of that year in that class, where Coach Carruth would write a quote from a plethora of worldviews on the board at the beginning of each class and tell us to tell him the worldview behind it.  We started off by trying to tell him of some moral that that person was trying to articulate to the world.  Every time we did that, he always told us to stop diving and to just snorkel across the quote.  He told us to tell him what it said.  We would always keep guessing until he finally told us what it says.  Saying that we need to stop diving and just snorkel always baffled me until I finally got what he was saying.

This is the question I came upon in my thinking:  did we do this because we often hear someone telling us morals by which to live (which basically consumes 90 to 95% of all sermons we hear today) and thought that that was the way of thinking of the person's quotes time?  Or were we just stupid and didn't know how to really read a quote?  I don't know.  I see arguments from both sides.  Yes, there is more to life than living by a bunch of rules (which I find contradictory to the Gospel, since we are freed by the cross and not bound, which is the nature of rules), but I also see that our actions justify our philosophy (you know, the whole St. Francis "Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words," thing.).  I might just be babbling and being stupid (which we all know is very possible), but I really think that I might be on to something.  What are your thoughts?

Questions, comments, and anything else, message me.

You guys rock.

Signed,

ht

My thoughts for two months

Ok guys.  It's been almost exactly two months since I last blogged.  I've heard lots of constructive criticism on my blog so I'd like to address that first.

First of all, I know I come across as stating that I am absolutely right.  I'm not.  I look back on my last blog and read how stupid I sounded.  I would like to make it known right now that my blogs are just my thoughts.  Whether they are right or not is a different story.  It's just what I'm thinking at the moment.  I would like to apologize for how rude I was.  I will not be rude to those who respect my right to think.  I apologize to those who take my thoughts the wrong way.  I think out loud, and, sometimes, it's completely against what I should be standing for.  But, in my defense, I would rather be known for being honest in my intellectual struggles and trying to find truth rather than find it blindly, like it seems that most people do.  I often hear people saying the masses are suckered by the media.  I do not want to be that type of person.  This requires me to get my feet dirty, think, and see what comes out the other end (The Office fans will get that one).

So, these are just my thoughts.  They could very easily be wrong.  But, in my pursuit of truth, would like to see where my follies are in my thinking.

So, here's what I've thought about the past two months.

These past two months, Jesus has really spoken to me that it is Him we should be following.  With the election of Obama, and many Christians outraged over his policies (I do not know where I stand do to my thoughts being on getting my life with Jesus straight), I have noticed the fluctuation of Christians slandering our president.  First of all, don't do it around me.  I know he does some things wrong.  But, he is human.  He is capable of making mistakes.  He is also our God-ordained leader.  I don't care if he is against everything we are against.  I don't care if you think he is the anti-Christ (which he isn't and only an idiot would believe that).  I prefer to deal with Obama the way Jesus would.  Peacefully and in love.  If we really would take Jesus seriously, I think He would change the way we do many things in life.  I've been reading the One Year Bible for the first time (and am so far behind.  I need to get back on track.  I know what I'll be doing tomorrow.).  I've noticed that Jesus didn't go around looking for ways to demand that there be a moral code change.  I noticed that He showed them love.  I might be completely wrong with this, but instead of having an outrage at their sins, he just saw them as human, forgave them, and loved them.  I don't really know where I'm going with this.

To sum it up...

love people.  Period.

One other thing I've been thinking about.  

Why do we judge sins as if there is one worse than another?  I've noticed that a lot of Christians view drinking, smoking, premarital sex, and cussing as the four worst things that a Christian can do.  Don't get me wrong, those are bad things.  But, I cussed one time, and people still bring it up like I"m a terrible person.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a cursing sailor.  I cussed because my beast of a friend walloped me without me knowing it was gonna happen and it hurt.  It was an honest mistake.   But, if all sin is the same in God's eyes, why is it that we treat some as worse than others?  Why do we get upset at people for being honest?  I'm doing a class at church that I've been in for about 4 years, and my teacher asked us last week why we were there.  Most people were like to grow closer to Christ.  I decided to be honest and said to look more spiritual.  (Btw, my intentions have now changed.  I'm in there to learn how to be a better spiritual leader).  I had all the kids look at me like I was the worst kid possible.  When there are 15 American (big) high-schoolers in an extra Jesus-class, especially at a huge church (this is big too), I'm positive that more than one kid was there to look more spiritual.  But where did this spiritual arrogance come from?  Why do we do it?  Just what I've been thinking.

Anyways, please critique my thinking.  I come not saying this is fact, but as some one looking for truth.  Thanks for the critiques.  They are much appreciated.

You guys rock

Signed,

ht

Rationality and the Faith rambles to legalism

Hey guys.  New post!  Anyways...

I've gone to Bellevue for 14 out of the 17 years of my life.  I love it there.  But I don't agree with everything there (mostly on morality issues, such as drinking, gambling, etc., etc.).  But there is one issue that I do not agree on.  I that the human mind is just as great a tool for knowing about God as the Bible and prayer (which, I have seen, is a very hypocritical thing to deny, but that's beside the point).  

First, the brain, with its ability to rationalize and think, was made by God.  It was made to think.  God WANTS for us to use it.

Two, in Romans, Paul talks about how man is without excuse because of the creation.  While I understand that the Bible is infallible and stuff, if man has creation alone, he is still has the wrath of God upon his shoulders when he dies if he doesn't accept the Truth.  This is implies that man can rationally come to a sense of God without the Scriptures.

Finally, from my own personal experience, my rationalizing has brought me so much closer to the Lord.  I'm able to rationalize beauty, truth, and God (not fully, of course...just a smidgen).  It wasn't another Bible study that brought me to the Truth.  It wasn't saying a prayer that brought me closer to the Lord.  I often killed myself over those.  I would feel tired.  But I took a sabbatical from them both.  And that has made all the difference.  I've learned more about God through thinking then any Bible study would ever teach me.  That's why I enjoy the Creation so much.  I love climbing up a mountain and looking out and seeing the qualities of God in His Creation.  Anne Bradstreet comes to mind when I think of my situation.  She said that no school of theology taught her more about God than the rationality of the mind and the beauty of Creation.  

It's so comforting to me that I don't have to be having a "quiet time" to fully learn about God.  To be honest, sometimes, I don't even read my Bible.  I just go outside and sit in the gazebo with the rain falling down and sit still and listen.  God normally speaks louder to me here than anywhere else.  

I'm not into legalism.  Actually, I speak out legalism.  This often means withdrawals from leaders in the church and speaking out against them.  Of course, I'm rarely listened too.  But sometimes, with the burden of legalism lifted off someone's soul, I see the Truth.  Truth not seen in "doing good."  But the truth seen in doing good.  Loving the Lord.  I'm still a sinner.  I'm wretched.  I don't expect myself to be perfect.  But I show sincere repentance and continue the fight.  

Christ has made me so happy without legalism.  I no longer say "do this," and "do that."  All I say is, "repent."  That has brought me so much happiness.  While I still hold Christians to a high standard, I don't expect perfection.  When someone sins, I see it no differently than if it's a lie or if they killed someone.  I have fleshly desires for revenge.  But in the end, I see them as a sinner and keep no record of right or wrong.  

Thanks for reading.  Hope this helps someone.

Questions, comments, and requests, message me.  

Later.

Signed,

ht

What I learned in Gatlinburg.

Hey y'all.  It's been a month exactly since I last posted.  Sorry.  I've been busy.  My sugar booger took quite a lot of my break ;) (and FYI, she's very precious to me)

Anyways...

Here's what I learned in Gatlinburg.  First off, let me let you know that I'm a big picture kind of dude.  I like to get to the root of everything.  If you make a philosophical or spiritual statement, I dissect it to find the deeper meaning.  So here is the deeper meaning of Mike Curry's message in Gatlinburg.  Life is not about what WE do.  It's about what Christ does in us.

This week we discussed the beatitudes.  We had one session for each beatitude.  Every time, he would say something to the effect that we cannot do it on our own.  We must let Christ do it in us.  The way he spoke made me feel the need to get saved after every message.  (Don't worry, I'm saved.  It was a feeling of the need to change my life.)  I seriously believe that what Mike has said will stick around for the rest of my life.  All my life I've struggled to let Christ do the work in me.  It's not natural man, and it's especially difficult for me.  I can do most things I attempt.  It took a long time for me to finally realize that I can't do it.  Now I'm gonna let Christ work through me instead of working for Him on my own.

Just an extra insight, I loved the New Year's Eve service.  The communion we took actually meant something.  I actually felt the Spirit of God over the place.  I definitely had to go ask for forgiveness from some people.  It was difficult, especially from some of my close friends and my leader.  It was EXTREMELY difficult.  And now that I look back on it, I still need to go apologize to two people.  And I will.  I'm just gonna struggle with it for a while.

Anyways, questions, comments, or laments let me know, or if you were there, tell me what you learned.

Later guys.

Signed,

ht

Engaging God's World

Hey guys.  Me again.  Anyways...

My dad asked me to go run some errands for him at night, and I took this chance to let my mind just wander around while I'm driving and think about life in general.  Explore my brain basically.  This is what came to mind:  engaging God's world.

How do we do that?  There is more ways than just doing good deeds for others.  While I fully believe that this should be done in a believers life, we can't limit ourselves to doing only this when it comes to engaging God's world.  Here's what I mean.

My church has 30,000 members.  It's VERY easy to become isolated in the church there and only do the things which the church offers.  If it has a work day, we'll do that.  We'll go on the churches mission trips.  But we've got to do more than that.  We have to engage ourselves in the world of the non-believer in an effort to understand them so that way we can effectively know how to witness to them and know what we're getting into before we engage with someone.  For example, we have to know the philosophies of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Mormonism, etc., etc. so that way we can disprove them.  We have to know what people are seeing in movies or listening to on their Ipods.  Granted, we should definitely keep our minds and our hearts pure while doing this, so we must you discretion in what we put into our minds. 

Here's my point.  We can't just break away from the world and create a Christian sub-culture.  That accomplishes nothing.  Take a look at the 60's.  We did that then.  It's brought us a ton.  We've got to engage it.  Learn the philosophies.  Hang out with non-Christians (making the Christian ones your closest friends, of course).  ENGAGE the world.  You've got to be discerning on what you do while you're engaging it, but we must engage it.  Simple as that.

We must do this to impact the masses.  Jesus started out with a couple, who each reached a couple, who each reached a couple, etc., etc., and look where it's gone now.  "Biggest" religion in the world.

Anyways, comments, questions, or thoughts, let me know.

Later guys.

Signed,

ht

Wow

Hey guys.  It's been almost two months!  I'm so sorry guys.  Life has just gotten so hectic lately.  But anyways...

I was recently just reminiscing in my thoughts and looking back at my life and realized something that we often take for granted.  It's not our actions that make us pure.  It's the intentions we go into these actions that make us pure.  Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, tells the Jews to not only observe the letter of the law, but the heart of the rule.  (If a rule ain't there, you haven't done anything wrong.) But  I was recently discussing the quality of humility with a friend of mine.  We were discussing how I've been told that I'm often quiet arrogant.  I'm not gonna lie.  I'm arrogant and obnoxious.  But, when I do practice "humility," (which I do...you just might have to look for it) it's often quiet a fake humility.  I personally believe that you should just be arrogant if you're gonna practice a fake humility.  You're only committing one sin and not two sins.  You're only arrogant, not just lying (about being humble) and being arrogant (it's a heart issue, remember?).

But this brings me to my next item of discussion.  What is humility?  It's not not talking about yourself at all.  It is this:  it's, when you do tell others about your accomplishments, doing it because you're excited you did something.  It's not to put others down.  Should you always talk about your accomplishments?  Heck no.  Here's basically what my rambling is about.  It's ok to tell others about your accomplishments.  You just have to the right heart.  And, it'll probably heart to celebrate others accomplishments while you're at it.  That might help you a little bit.  Besides, loving others includes celebrating with them and being proud of them.

On another little mini-sermon, just for fun, the church building is not sacred.  It's just a building.  The worship that goes on in the building is sacred.  But not the actual building.  We should still be good stewards with it.  We should treat it with respect, since God has been gracious enough to give it to us.  But overall, it's not sacred.

As always, message me with questions, comments, or criticisms.  I take all. Point out the flaws in my thinking.

Go Tigers Go!

Later guys.

Signed,

ht

Tonight...

Tonight, around 10:30 or so, I'll attempt to post a video blog...if I can figure that out.  Haha.  But seriously, I will.  Just giving it a thought and seeing how it'll work.