British Literature

I hate reading poetry for school. How in the world does it apply to my life?... I don't know, but hey, I get college credits for it, so it's whatever. XD

Wow. I have changed.

I read over all of my old blog posts last night and oh my goodness, I have grown so much since then. In some ways, I miss some of the ways I felt about things, but I have grown to be much less judgmental, I think, as well.

It's by God's grace we change, and His grace is more than enough.

Finding Gospel References

At caregroup on Wednesday, we talked about and practiced finding gospel references in many different passages of Scripture. I went straight to work today. I'm going through the Psalms in my quiet times, so I've got it easy spotting Gospel references in those passages - the Psalms are stuffed full with direct and indirect references to the different elements of the gospel: salvation, redemption, adoption, atonement, etc. So here's the part of Psalm 33, the chapter I read today, in which I recognized a reference to salvation.

" Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. "
[Psalm 33:18-22 ESV]

I found it interesting that in verse 19, the writer recognizes that first in importance is his soul, and then his body.

If you read this passage and were not gospel-minded, you may tend to notice more the part about the Lord keeping the writer alive in famine. That part is important, but put it in perspective of the gospel, and a whole new world opens up. These verses talk about hope [Ephesians 2:8], salvation, and God's steadfastness.

My takeaway point is that the Christian belief is all about faith. The word "hope" is mentioned twice and the word "trust" once in these five verses. Obviously, then, it's quite an important idea that it's through faith we are saved. Not by our own works, but by the calling of the Savior.

New stages

Well, college classes start tomorrow. That will be very interesting. Central Piedmont, baby!!!

I've still got some free days, so I shall be working and pushing forward on AMP's new album.

I've really been thinking a lot lately about being "spiritually-minded..." keeping my mind on the things above. And I've been thinking about what that means in my life, specifically. I think for myself it means recognizing always that a. God is in control of every circumstance, b. God's purpose is infinitely greater than mine, and c. God's plan is infinitely better than the things of this world. So staying "spirit-minded" would, were I to follow it perfectly - which is impossible - cause me to never sin and only be constructive. I'm human, so I can't follow it perfectly, but it is a good guideline, I think.

What else is new... I saw Inception. That was a good movie.

I think that's about it for now! Peace, my siblings.

I guess I'm back

I feel like posting more often. I think I shall do that. We'll see how long it holds up.

Israel - the land stolen from Palestine

[edit, 8/19/10]I want to make it clear before you read that I am addressing only one or two ideas that seem to be prevalent among my friends and acquaintances. I in no ways wish to elude to or incite any kind of hatred against the Israeli people. I love these people just as much as anyone else, and everyone holds false ideas. Perhaps my idea is false. I don't believe it is, but it could be. The point is, I'm just challenging you to really think about why you believe what you believe. I'm not picking on anybody. This, I should have made clear in the original post.[/edit]

The nation of Israel is made up of a bunch of European Jews who decided that they should steal Palestine from those who owned the land. When the New Testament speaks of "Israel," it is not speaking of the land of Israel, but of the people under the New Covenant - the Christians. So trying to defend "Israel" the country is absolute idiocy... it is not their land, they are not God's people, and many lives are lost by their occupation of Palestine.

I do not hate Jews - I love the Jewish people, just as I love all people. There is a special kinship between the Jews and Christians, though. Just because I am opposed to the nation of Israel does not mean I am opposed to the Jewish people. I pray for peace for all people... and for Israel to relinquish their claims on the Palestinian soil must needs mean increased peace in the Middle East. Many Christians believe that they are fighting to defend the "Holy Land," but do not realize that there is no longer a physical temple for God... WE ARE HIS TEMPLE. "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV)

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I felt led to share this because I think that many Christians get distracted over the issue of the nation of Israel. If people look past their religious preconceptions and realize what is actually going on in the Middle East, I think many would realize what a losing war we are fighting in Israel. I do not mean to say that there is something wrong with opinions or convictions or doctrine... on the contrary - these are all necessary, but we must make sure we have right opinions, convictions, and doctrine. The idea that Israel is a "Holy Land" for Christians is false. The Palestinians occupied the land for hundreds of years before WW II when the Jews decided they had the "right" to move back. This is errant thinking. I believe the Jews have no right to live in the land of Israel, and if they wish to have peace, they should up and move.

Any thoughts?