I'm giving up on politics.
Here's why:
People will always fail you. Republicans, Democrats, Tea Partiers and OWSers - none of them are right, and all of them are wrong about something. And that's not to say that I have all the right answers, because I don't. But there is no reason for me to put all of my trust and faith into mere men, no matter their convictions. So when it comes to an executive (President/Governor/Mayor), a legislation (Federal/State), or judge (Federal/State/Local), I will take their words and actions with a grain of salt.
Why should I put my hope in someone that will fail me? Why should I worry and argue about government policies and taxes and wars and redistribution of wealth? Sure, it affects me, but it doesn't make my identity (2 Corinthians 5:17). President Obama, Rick Perry, and/or the government can't solve my problems, no matter what they are. By putting my hope in them, I set myself up for disappointment and disillusionment.
The problem with putting our hope, faith, and trust in our politicians and government is that we tend to rely less on God and His promises. And if that is so, such trust in politics is idolatry. No one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24-25). For this reason, I believe Americans are at a disadvantage when compared to those who live in the midst of constant turmoil, oppression, persecution, and lack of freedom (see Chinese underground churches, St George's Church in Baghdad, etc.).
Our hope is in Jehovah Jireh ("the Lord will provide"), and our faith is in Jesus. God never disappoints; His love never fails; His words remain true. We look to Him and Him alone for our needs, because He will always be the One providing for us - not ourselves, not a government (Jeremiah 14:22, Psalm 39:6-7).
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
rest
You should listen to this while you read; I'm listening to it as I type.
I'm tired. Worn out. And at times, weary. With school (darn accounting homework), work, church commitments, and a girlfriend, I have little down time. And I seem to have even less energy. I feel perpetually tired.
Yet even now I have an hour or so to myself, something that seems so foreign to me.
I procrastinate. I don't study well and I easily distract myself. What's the point? All I want to do is sleep, and studying won't work unless I'm alert, right?
And what's the point, anyways? Medical Terminology means nothing to me now, as does complex Accounting. It bears no fruit for me now.
But that's not the problem.
I'm the problem.
I'm entirely selfish in the things I do, especially when I think I am not.
I know everything has a purpose.
He makes it that way.
He saturates my life with meaning.
He set plans into motion before I ever was.
He provides for me, keeps me safe, and guides my path.
So I have nothing to worry about. Nothing to complain about.
And everything to be thankful for,
like the nap time that I've been so graciously given.
Friday, February 11, 2011
influence
Quick blog, go!!
My mind has been blown, literally. After nearly 2 years of college, I finally get it. I understand everything, it seems, and I know my purpose. I have confirmation about my studies, aspirations, goals, etc.
To be quite honest, I haven't enjoyed most of my classes up to this point. Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Anatomy, and whatever else have been classes that I hardly enjoy. It didn't make sense or seem useful, and they didn't tie together very well until about an hour ago.
As a Kinesiology student, I've taken such classes against my will. The most recent class, Physiology, is different though.
During today's muscle physiology lecture, it all made sense. Not only did it tie together what I've learned in the past from school, but it made so much more sense out of the rest of my life.
I realized where I went wrong in my running and how I could improve it. I learned how to be a better shoe salesman. It rekindled my passion for studying exercise. And I learned more about God's infinite wisdom in his perfect design of Creation.
It's almost as if I see the world through different eyes now. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. The complexity is awe-inspiring. The fragility of movement, of life itself, is impossible. The sheer magnitude of our coordination and brainpower is beyond human comprehension. Our brains cannot fathom what our brains do, nor understand.
I find it odd that in a single moment, life can make so much more sense to me. How could I be so influenced by a single lecture, on muscles?
What a blessing it is to see Creation through the eyes of the Creator.
My mind has been blown, literally. After nearly 2 years of college, I finally get it. I understand everything, it seems, and I know my purpose. I have confirmation about my studies, aspirations, goals, etc.
To be quite honest, I haven't enjoyed most of my classes up to this point. Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Anatomy, and whatever else have been classes that I hardly enjoy. It didn't make sense or seem useful, and they didn't tie together very well until about an hour ago.
As a Kinesiology student, I've taken such classes against my will. The most recent class, Physiology, is different though.
During today's muscle physiology lecture, it all made sense. Not only did it tie together what I've learned in the past from school, but it made so much more sense out of the rest of my life.
I realized where I went wrong in my running and how I could improve it. I learned how to be a better shoe salesman. It rekindled my passion for studying exercise. And I learned more about God's infinite wisdom in his perfect design of Creation.
It's almost as if I see the world through different eyes now. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. The complexity is awe-inspiring. The fragility of movement, of life itself, is impossible. The sheer magnitude of our coordination and brainpower is beyond human comprehension. Our brains cannot fathom what our brains do, nor understand.
I find it odd that in a single moment, life can make so much more sense to me. How could I be so influenced by a single lecture, on muscles?
What a blessing it is to see Creation through the eyes of the Creator.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
the importance of favorites
I, like most others, have a list of my favorite things. No, it's not written down anywhere; it's all in my head.
What if you experienced your favorite things at all times, in all places, in every situation? What would your life be like. Mine would be pretty cool, at least for a couple days.
To start out with, I'd probably be in Oregon, at Ecola State Park (pictured below) on the Pacific edge of the state. It's quite chilly there, so I'd be wearing some nice Nike stuff to keep me warm.
There I would find myself quite thirsty, and I would quickly resort to drinking unhealthy amounts of Arnold Palmer Tea inside Bonefish Grill, where I would eat Diablo Shrimp Fettucine.
Keep in mind all of my favorite people are with me (family, friends, kelly). The more, the merrier, right?
Back in Portland, Oregon (where we happen to be staying/living) MuteMath would play a show that we attend, front row. Obsessed with their music (particularly that which they haven't released), I would listen to their song Work of Art constantly.
Later, I end up watching Burn Notice and Burn Notice only during my TV time. Still drinking Arnie, eating DSF, listening to MuteMath, in Oregon, wearing only Nike, with tons of people, petting a cat.
Looking at my life from this point, I think I would love this for all of 10 minutes. It's clear to me that I would grow tired of such an experience very quickly. The more I experience my favorite things, the less I enjoy them. What's the problem? There are a few.
1. There are too many other things we enjoy that we miss out on when we are doing only our favorite things.
2. Constant repetition strips away meaning from our favorite things.
3. The enjoyment never lasts; we are never fulfilled by the meaningless, fleshly things we love in life.
The world of our favorite things is inherently unsatisfying and imperfect. Nothing we produce on our own can ever last in and of our own power. When we lack variety, we lack vitality. When we lack the Divine, we lose eternal pleasure.
This is why the things God has given us last and provide the eternal pleasure, satisfaction, and perfection that we so desire. He is perfect, and everything He has made. The earthly institutions of His Kingdom (marriage, worship, etc.) sustain us because only they bear life.
I don't know exactly what Heaven will be like. But this I do know; it is the perfect, favorite place of my soul, where I will live with my Creator.
What if you experienced your favorite things at all times, in all places, in every situation? What would your life be like. Mine would be pretty cool, at least for a couple days.
To start out with, I'd probably be in Oregon, at Ecola State Park (pictured below) on the Pacific edge of the state. It's quite chilly there, so I'd be wearing some nice Nike stuff to keep me warm.
There I would find myself quite thirsty, and I would quickly resort to drinking unhealthy amounts of Arnold Palmer Tea inside Bonefish Grill, where I would eat Diablo Shrimp Fettucine.
Keep in mind all of my favorite people are with me (family, friends, kelly). The more, the merrier, right?
Back in Portland, Oregon (where we happen to be staying/living) MuteMath would play a show that we attend, front row. Obsessed with their music (particularly that which they haven't released), I would listen to their song Work of Art constantly.
Later, I end up watching Burn Notice and Burn Notice only during my TV time. Still drinking Arnie, eating DSF, listening to MuteMath, in Oregon, wearing only Nike, with tons of people, petting a cat.
Looking at my life from this point, I think I would love this for all of 10 minutes. It's clear to me that I would grow tired of such an experience very quickly. The more I experience my favorite things, the less I enjoy them. What's the problem? There are a few.
1. There are too many other things we enjoy that we miss out on when we are doing only our favorite things.
2. Constant repetition strips away meaning from our favorite things.
3. The enjoyment never lasts; we are never fulfilled by the meaningless, fleshly things we love in life.
The world of our favorite things is inherently unsatisfying and imperfect. Nothing we produce on our own can ever last in and of our own power. When we lack variety, we lack vitality. When we lack the Divine, we lose eternal pleasure.
This is why the things God has given us last and provide the eternal pleasure, satisfaction, and perfection that we so desire. He is perfect, and everything He has made. The earthly institutions of His Kingdom (marriage, worship, etc.) sustain us because only they bear life.
I don't know exactly what Heaven will be like. But this I do know; it is the perfect, favorite place of my soul, where I will live with my Creator.
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