Consider This?

This is not a usual post that I put up. This is a consider this, which is usually a post that I put up when things in my personal life weigh heavily on my mind. However, this post is not negative in inference or tone. I just feel that I need to share what I perceive around me in relation to the activity of God.
I have seen God, at work, in people's lives. At our church recently, I have seen people respond to God in an attempt to better their lives. What a wonderful decision. Specifically, I have noticed that many of our sermons lately have been centered on worry, perseverance, and hope. Now, these have not been specifically taught on, except for worry, but they have been very evident in each sermon and Sunday School Class meeting. I think it is obvious that God has a real message for our church body. BTW, I got to Wake Cross Roads if anybody is interested.
Also, in the blogosphere of people I know, there has been a great desire for people to have perseverance. Let me be candid, things in this world right now are not great. As a matter of fact, they are scary, burdensome, and downright cumbersome. There is no hope, no future, no money or fame that can make these problems go away, that are provided in the world. If you take a moment to look at how miserable the world is, maybe it will help you to understand how better off you are, if your a Chrsitian. Aren't you glad that in the future, you won't have to worry about that. And, even now, you don't have to worry needlessly. Did not Christ say that he will provide all our needs. Amen or Oh me!
Nevertheless, perseverance is a spiritual character trait, and it isn't built over night. I empathize with your struggles. I know many of you right now who are paddling in the seas of uncertainity. That's ok though, where there is no certainity, there can be faith upon the bedrock of the promises of God. Stay grounded in the Word, and you will weather the storm.
I understand the struggles around us as people of America. The economy is disastrous and a persons lifestyle exceeds their paycheck. Our morality is compromised because every image we see is of tight spandex, 12 pack abs, and dish-towels that became tank tops over night. Our faith is lacking because we just seem to do those things we don't want to do while we continue not doing the things we ought to do! BUT REMEMBER, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO QUIT. THIS TOO SHALL PASS (as my wife likes to inform me of).
So, in retrospect, all I wanted to do was vent a little here, encourage a little there, and get a laugh or two from whoever may be reading this. Listen to me, brothers and sisters, now is not the time to be idle. Now is not the time to be scared. Now is the time to be thoughtful, wise, discreet, and holy in conduct and conversation. Of course, these things are always to be desired, but with the way the world is right now, especially in our country, people could do with seeing a little genuine Christainity actually lived out, and not just lied about. So, be real today. Persevere. Remember, God is still in control.
Think on That!

Searching the Seat of Suffering II

I have been thinking lately about the various forms of suffering. Now, the idea of suffering seems to infer great anguish or pain. It appears, though, that many people suffer from psychological pain and turmoil. Now, I do not mean to suggest these people are clinically insane, but they are mentally and spiritually in distress.
It is my purpose just to think through his issue. Suffering seems to me to be something that is like a weight that drags you to the bottom of the ocean. It is an anchor that is tied to your leg, pulling you down. However, it also connects greatly with your perspective. If you keep focusing on the anchor, you will probably never see or hear the helicopters and rescue boats that are searching the waterways looking for you. Because, most people who suffer have someone there to help them, albeit they just need to be looking in the right direction. However, this would really relate to those people who are dealing with usual stress symptoms from places like work, school, home, etc.... I would never dream of Saying that someone truly suffering through raw physical abuse, torture, or cruel disease would always have a form of help. To seem to say so would seem to be cruel to me.
I guess what burdens me the most is seeing people who suffer and knowing that they can overcome their pain, but with plenty of time, hard work, and commitment. Unfortunately, most people would opt for psychiatric therapy and happy pills from the bottle. How sad, it seems, to enslave yourself to a false form of happiness instead of feeling the true joys of deliverance. I guess some people feel that honest request fro help infers individual weakness. To that idea, I say how sad.
Think on That!

Quick note on the Poll

Just some instruction.

When I ask if you would rather suffer by choice or incident, I am referring to voluntary choice or involuntary. Some people choose to suffer pain or discomfort to reach a goal (diet, exercise, spiritual instruction, or personal sacrifice). Others, however, suffer involuntarily by being hit by a car, being robbed, facing natural disaster, or finding out they have cancer.

The design of the poll is to measure your view of suffering, not your experience. And, by default, knowing that all of you will suffer, would you rather put yourself into a position of suffering or would you rather experience suffering without personally instigating it. Hopefully, I asked the right question and this brings some clarity. If not, then give me a suggestion.

Thanks!

Searching the seat of suffering I

It is with somber, and somewhat eager anticipation, that I begin this series. I will give credence at the beginning that this issue, at least in my mind, is serious and thought-provoking. Over the last month, I have seen and experienced pain in different forms and fashions. From a young couple who lost their new born baby (only a few minutes old), to hurricane victims who have lost their homes, and some, their lives. To a family who lost their adopted daughter to accident. I have seen people choked by financial struggle, teenagers gripped by a confusion of purpose and family dysfunction. I have heard of young girls, forced into prostitution, young men forced into violence. I have considered the loss of close family and friends. I have seen anguish, frustration, anger, disposition, violence, pain, and death. I have reflected on the way of life, the way of wisdom, the way of confusion. Religious strife, political ignorance, media frenzy, human injustice and indecency, are just some factors of this overwhelming experience.

Needless to say, this is an inexhaustible subject in which everyone is its object. Next to death and taxes, it is an inevitable problem. However, for most people, existence consist of life, suffering, and death. There is no opportunity, no hope, no peace. For someone, somewhere, this has to be their reality. For everyone, everywhere, suffering and pain are their reality. Rich or poor, ignorant or educated, Christian or Atheist, Republican or Democrat, Prostitute or beauty queen, football star or Foosball star, man or women, children of America or Africa, every person in every class, faces pain and suffering.

Now, I know that philosophically this would deal with the problem of evil. However, as I am always inclined to discuss those matters that are relevant to philosophy (which is usually everything), I am not as interested in the philosophical argument (Problem of evil) as I am in the empathetic attempt to relate to you as a human being. I am not going to argue for the need for suffering, but only for the capacity to discuss its effect on you and I. So, please comment for me. Talk to me. Let me know your views. This series is more about the experience of suffering as opposed to the existence of it. Oh, and on another note, please answer my poll. It would be greatly appreciated.
And remember, life is never as exciting as when you are discussing a new idea. And in this case, life may never be more important.

Think on That!

Note to readers

My apologies for being so absent in posting on my blog. If you were a faithful reader, you have probable decided to stop checking for a new post. If you have come across this blog from another site, then stick around and let me know what you think.

Honestly, I have not written for two reasons. One, I have been very busy with family matters and school. As you probably know, August is a difficult month to accomplish anything other than adjustment and new beginnings. For me personally, it means a new semester, another year of marriage (just celebrated 3 years Aug. 20), new employees who start at work, and a host of other minor details. Needless to say, things mount up quickly. The other reason I have not written is because I was thinking of some topics to discuss. I now have some topics that should keep me, and hopefully you, busy for the month of September and October. Soooo, if you have waited, then wait no further. I am ready once again to take up my sword (keyboard) and deliver my thoughts to you.
So, as always, Think on That!

A Mind on a Mission

Recently, my wife and I returned from visiting her parents in Tennessee. It was a great trip, both relaxing and refreshing. But, even while I was physically on vacation, my mind was still very active at every turn (well, for the most part, HA HA). Now, what intrigues me in hindsight is that being a good steward of your ‘mind’ not only means training your ‘mind’, but also sharing your ‘mind’. When you share your ‘mind’, you’re not only sharing ideas and opinions, you are sharing yourself. You are sharing an intricate, intimate part of who you are. In essence, when you share your ‘mind’, you are showing someone that you love them. If you think about it, sharing your ‘mind’ is one way in which you can love your neighbor (as Christ commanded). Sharing the Christian Faith in a rational way (sharing your mind) is, in fact, loving God with your mind and loving your neighbor as yourself!

Let me qualify my term of ‘the mind’ more succinctly. What I mean by ‘the mind’ is simply the realm of knowledge that you posses. So, your ‘mind’, in my terminology for this blog, is the knowledge you have on any given subject.

Now, in regard to the Christian perspective, sharing your ‘mind’ is sharing Christ because Christ is the seat of all knowledge. Thus, you glorify God and illustrate what being a proper Christian is when you seek to edify others with your ‘mind’ (what you know).

So… let me encourage you to USE THAT BRAIN! Don’t let your fear of the unknown or the Secular Academy frighten you. If you don’t understand a concept, get educated. If you don’t know how to articulate yourself, start a blog or better yet, listen to others articulate ideas similar to your own (preachers, professors, or friends). The fact is, find a way to get your ‘mind’ out there. For you, it will be the greatest thing you ever did. For God, it will be what he was expecting you to do all along. So, go ahead, get yourself out there in the world intellectually. I don’t think you will ever regret that you did. And, if you need some help, let me know. That’s what friends or fellow bloggers are for, right?

Nit-picking the Nerds

Do you ever hear a statement or phrase that immediately conjures a mind-travelling journey down an ideological road that you have crafted for yourself? Do you hear words or phrases that lead you to analyze and explore, to intemplate, a fact and its relation to you. Do you read books, listen to morning shows or talk shows, or watch the news and find your mind exploring the ideas that they present, under your own terms. I hope you do! This is what I call nit-picking the nerds.

Nit-picking is when you hear a phrase or read a portion of some literature, only to immediately take that information, and the moments of enlightenment or curiosity, and analyze and explore their every facet. In a way, I guess it is accustomed to analytical reading. But, it is more than just reading to learn. Nit-picking is analyzing, but also exploring, discovering, and understanding. In short, it is introspective interaction with information you come in contact with, both printed literature and audio/visual sources. Nit-picking is Intemplation! Nit-picking is fun!

But, you may be asking, how do I do that? How do I nit-pick? Here is my suggestion.

1) Analyze: Read, watch, or listen with an engaged mind to whatever mode of information is available. Interact with that information at your own pace, and explore the sudden burst of inspiration (thoughts) you receive. In short, these are seed thoughts. And, with a little water and the proper care, they could turn into all sorts of beautiful things (poems, journal entries, and books, recordings, maybe even teaching lessons or sermons).

2) Explore: Once you have received a seed thought of inspiration and enlightenment, explore it. DO NOT LET IT GO! That means, do not continue watching or reading and tell yourself that you will come back to it later. You won’t! You will FORGET it! WRITE IT DOWN or talk it out into a voice recorder. Do something so you don’t lose it. Then, once you have written it down, think about it. Turn it over. Look underneath it. Poke it, rub it, and hold it. In short, get to know the idea. (Intemplate) Why did I think of this? What should I do with it? How does this relate to me? Can I help other people with this?

3) Discover: I have already alluded to this. Try and discern what you can do with this thought you have. For some of you, you might want to keep it for yourself. Maybe a journal entry or poem. For others, you want to share it with someone so you write a song, a blog, maybe even a book! Do what you want to with it. Be productive. So… if that means that you do nothing other than think more critically about how this idea has affected you, that’s OK. You may find that in discovering what to do with this information, you yourself have become a better person for it.

4) Understand: This is the crucial part of the exercise. At this juncture, you should have some idea of what prompted you to think the thought/s that you did. Maybe you have been studying philosophy and a certain thought alerted you to an undertone in a TV show. Perhaps you are an artist, and you saw something in the world in a different way for the first time which left you inspired and excited. Possibly, you are getting older and life seems to be different now than it ever has been before. In other words, you have made an effort to understand the idea you had and its effect upon you. At this point, you have successfully nit-picked your mode of information.

Remember, nit-picking is relative to the person. This is an introspective exercise. However, the main question you MUST answer is, are you going to be productive with it? Are you going to mold your thoughts accordingly, or are you going to mutilate them? Are you going to be a good steward of your mind? The world has too many people relying on how they feel. Become a person who relies on how they think. You have the ability to use your mind productively. Are you going to mold it, or mutilate it?

Think on That!