This blog is going to be one those 'i can't understand the American thinking at times' sort of blogs.
I was reading on World Net Daily about a book that someone just wrote about how Affirmative Action really hurts those its trying to help. One reason i can't stand the idea of Affirmative Action is because it puts you at super high risk. You want an example? with joy...
Let's say your going in for surgery. It's a triple bypass surgery on your heart. So your about to go under the knife. Here's the kicker - the doctor who is going to be performing this operation is second to someone else. And he's not really that good at it, but he was brought in through affirmative action... the hospital had to fill a quota. The doctor is from a minority group. But thanks to affirmative action, they hospital HAD to hire him over someone else who is better... just to fill a quota.
Now, probably the thinking behind affirmative action is to give those who might not otherwise have a chance of getting a job. But seriously, its not the greatest idea.
Its for reasons like this that i don't like affirmative action. It's filling a quota. That's why i don't like the idea. It's meant to make someone feel ok about themself. And i don't have time to get into THAT whole ideology... (like how i don't really like how we're to have self-esteem, rather than knowing who we are as Children of God and knowing our identity in Jesus Christ... but that's for another blog).
All in all, i think affirmative action is total chaos. It hurts rather than help in most cases. Down w/ that stupid way of thinking.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
It's Just A Tool
Today after church, i went to have some fellowship with some of the families from my church. One of my friends, her family was in town and i wanted to spend some time w/ them. So, i went back to their house to have lunch and just time to chat. During this time, we got into some good discussion. One of the things that was mentioned was the fact that sometimes as Christians, we put rules up for the wrong reason. Let's take the tv for example. For some people, the tv is the devil. All the stuff that's on their is just immoral. So they don't watch. While i respect that way of thinking, i do disagree w/ them. The tv itself isn't the devil, its the fact that it fell into the hands of twisted hearts and minds. The tv itself is just a tool. I once heard the phrase 'Guns don't kill people, people kill people.' A gun or tv in and of itself isn't wrong. It's what you do w/ it that's wrong. If you put a gun on a table somewhere and just watch it, nothing will happen. it will sit there. It's when you pick it up and point it at something or someone and pull the trigger w/ a bullet in it that it becomes bad. Or rather, it's used for the wrong purposes.
I'm not against hunting and watching tv w/ folks at all. It's what your hunting for perhaps or what your watching on tv that is objectionable. I went through a period of about a year or so where i didn't watch tv or movies. It was for that times set aside that i felt God told me not to be involved in that sort of stuff. i wasn't going to put that on anyone else b/c its not for me to do that to people, necessarily.
I grew up in Lancaster, PA. I had lived there for 20 years before moving to Concord, NC to go to FIRE School of Ministry. Back in Lancaster (pronounced 'Lang-kis-ter', not 'Lan-caster'), a big thing in that area is actually the Amish society. Now, there are a lot of myths about them, but i gotta say that i still have a sense of honor about them. A few things i don't really like about them, but at least they hold to their beliefs for the most part.
But a few of the things that they don't like is to have a picture taken of themselves and they don't use guns. They would most certainly be labeled under the category of conscience objector, meaning they'd be morally opposed to shooting someone, even in self-defense. Now, while i respect these traits of there's, i don't agree w/ them. First off, a picture is just a picture. they say it steals your soul. And it very well could. I believe their reasoning in this is for those people who think its just all about them. Every chance they get, they're in front of people and it has to be all about them. That bugs me too. I can't stand those sort of people. But a camera or a gun isn't a bad thing. it's what you do w/ those instruments that can be bad.
Think of it this way. A percentage of people you know are getting into car wrecks. Is that any reason to tell people to stop driving? Or is it time to perhaps train those people how to drive responsibly. unless of course it wasn't their fault for getting in car wrecks... in which case, life just sticks.. but if the wreck was their fault, then decide if more training is necessary maybe or what is the best course of action.
My point in this is is that God called we as Christians to be world changers. it's His desire for us to get out into the world and make a difference. There may be some who are called to be in the business world and make money. Great! use the tool for a Greater Purpose! "yeah, but there's a lot of corruption in the business world." so get in their and change that then. Some may be called into politics some other sphere. Those are great tools! Use them. Who do you think originated those ideas? Don't be afraid to get out there just because there's some problems. But acknowledge those issues and decide to be different.
I've seen lots of corruption in the church... maybe we should stop doing church b/c ministers are falling in sin... (ok, somewhat of a bad example here b/c i don't want people to play church... i'd rather them live like Disciples..) but you get my drift. Acknowledge the problem and decide you'll make a difference.
I'm not against hunting and watching tv w/ folks at all. It's what your hunting for perhaps or what your watching on tv that is objectionable. I went through a period of about a year or so where i didn't watch tv or movies. It was for that times set aside that i felt God told me not to be involved in that sort of stuff. i wasn't going to put that on anyone else b/c its not for me to do that to people, necessarily.
I grew up in Lancaster, PA. I had lived there for 20 years before moving to Concord, NC to go to FIRE School of Ministry. Back in Lancaster (pronounced 'Lang-kis-ter', not 'Lan-caster'), a big thing in that area is actually the Amish society. Now, there are a lot of myths about them, but i gotta say that i still have a sense of honor about them. A few things i don't really like about them, but at least they hold to their beliefs for the most part.
But a few of the things that they don't like is to have a picture taken of themselves and they don't use guns. They would most certainly be labeled under the category of conscience objector, meaning they'd be morally opposed to shooting someone, even in self-defense. Now, while i respect these traits of there's, i don't agree w/ them. First off, a picture is just a picture. they say it steals your soul. And it very well could. I believe their reasoning in this is for those people who think its just all about them. Every chance they get, they're in front of people and it has to be all about them. That bugs me too. I can't stand those sort of people. But a camera or a gun isn't a bad thing. it's what you do w/ those instruments that can be bad.
Think of it this way. A percentage of people you know are getting into car wrecks. Is that any reason to tell people to stop driving? Or is it time to perhaps train those people how to drive responsibly. unless of course it wasn't their fault for getting in car wrecks... in which case, life just sticks.. but if the wreck was their fault, then decide if more training is necessary maybe or what is the best course of action.
My point in this is is that God called we as Christians to be world changers. it's His desire for us to get out into the world and make a difference. There may be some who are called to be in the business world and make money. Great! use the tool for a Greater Purpose! "yeah, but there's a lot of corruption in the business world." so get in their and change that then. Some may be called into politics some other sphere. Those are great tools! Use them. Who do you think originated those ideas? Don't be afraid to get out there just because there's some problems. But acknowledge those issues and decide to be different.
I've seen lots of corruption in the church... maybe we should stop doing church b/c ministers are falling in sin... (ok, somewhat of a bad example here b/c i don't want people to play church... i'd rather them live like Disciples..) but you get my drift. Acknowledge the problem and decide you'll make a difference.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Pick on someone your own size....
This evening, i went down to a city counsel meeting at the government center in Charlotte. There is a new "Anti-Bullying" policy that is being voted on. And most of it sounds good! Because most of it is good.... but slipped into the categories of individuals that are being considered is 'sexual orientation'. now, i want to make something very clear here: i am not for homosexual bashing or anything of that nature. i don't tolerate speech like that around me. but included in this bill is the fact that if you saying anything bad about homosexuality, you could be punished!
lets put it into another light... lets say that someone is questioning their gender. they're claiming to be a 'woman trapped in a mans body'. ok, so ladies, lets say your at a restaurant somewhere and you simply go to use the restroom. your in there and suddenly a guy comes walking in! so, after you probably scream like crazy and run out, you go run to the manager of the restaurant and tell them that there is a man in the woman's restroom! when you question the guy, he say's "oh no, you don't understand... i think i'm actually a woman trapped in a mans body."
you might think i'm stretching it here. but this is the exact thing that is taking place as of right now. the sad thing about the night for me was the students. i felt soo bad for the students who got up and spoke from their hearts about their being bullied in school. i wasn't exactly mr. popular in school myself. matter of fact, i was seriously contemplating either homeschooling or private schooling. but after some prayer, i knew i was supposed to stay in public school. how else are we to affect our nation and society if we stay inside our little bubbles?
here's a thought to ponder: we don't need new rules and laws... we just need the correct enforcement of those already in place.
most of the policy was ok. i read it and was like "thats not a bad policy." but then i read some of the categories and i was frightened.
i don't know how to end this. just thought i'd share this w/ the general public.
lets put it into another light... lets say that someone is questioning their gender. they're claiming to be a 'woman trapped in a mans body'. ok, so ladies, lets say your at a restaurant somewhere and you simply go to use the restroom. your in there and suddenly a guy comes walking in! so, after you probably scream like crazy and run out, you go run to the manager of the restaurant and tell them that there is a man in the woman's restroom! when you question the guy, he say's "oh no, you don't understand... i think i'm actually a woman trapped in a mans body."
you might think i'm stretching it here. but this is the exact thing that is taking place as of right now. the sad thing about the night for me was the students. i felt soo bad for the students who got up and spoke from their hearts about their being bullied in school. i wasn't exactly mr. popular in school myself. matter of fact, i was seriously contemplating either homeschooling or private schooling. but after some prayer, i knew i was supposed to stay in public school. how else are we to affect our nation and society if we stay inside our little bubbles?
here's a thought to ponder: we don't need new rules and laws... we just need the correct enforcement of those already in place.
most of the policy was ok. i read it and was like "thats not a bad policy." but then i read some of the categories and i was frightened.
i don't know how to end this. just thought i'd share this w/ the general public.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
An Outbreak Has Occurred
Friday night, one of my roommates here comes into my room when i was getting ready to go to bed. He says with a big grin on his face, "Did you hear what happened today at school?" I said, "No, what happened?" "We didn't have classes today!" At first, i was like 'what do you mean?' Then it dawned on me: The Holy Spirit broke out in intercession! they started praying around 8am and kept going til about 1pm. i was immediately jealous and happy for them at the same time.
The Lord rewards those who seek Him. The Lord pours out into a vessel that is cleaned and wanting and needing a touch from Him. My roommates went on to describe to me what happened. Unfortunately, words can't describe what was going on in my heart. I seriously wanted to start crying out of joy. Luckily, the schools leaders allowed the intercession to takeover and not worry about classes for the day. We're a school and church that is somewhat used to this sort of thing happening. We long to have an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit feels welcome to move about as He so desires.
I've said it before and i'll say it again: the Lord is raising up sons and daughters to take rule and reign on this Earth. The only way to do that is to have people who are used to being in His Presence and know His voice. I'm not talking about having nice church services and living decent lives. This is a Saul/David like scenario. I'm not writing this to necessarily trash traditional style church. But something seriously needs to change. We need to be able to change the method without changing the message. Jesus said "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand."
Recently, it came down the vine that a church here in the states issued a "30 Day Sex Challenge." i read it and was like "what?!? thats absurd!" I'll stay away from the marrieds portion of that one (considering my current single status) and just hit on the singles end of it. For singles, it was to abstain from sex for 30 days... Whatever happened to the message of Holiness and consecration. Can we not realize that parts of a 'seeker sensitivity' in our 'American gospel' just isn't working? I loathe sitting in on messages and the minister has to dance around issues so as to not offend someone.
But i know for a fact that church as we know it is about to change. I'm not talking about watering down the message at all, but perhaps in how its delivered. A loving parent will at times have to bring correction to their child. It's in how its brought i think that makes a big difference. Is spanking a bad idea? Nope. But it depends in the attitude and the manner of which is delivered. What child likes to be disciplined? as far as i know, none. But the Bible says to not despise the discipline of the Lord, because He disciplines those that He loves.
All this to say that this past week here in the FIRE community, hearts are being stirred. Minds are being renewed and lives are being changed. May we have wisdom so as to know how to steward what the Lord has given, is giving and will continue to give to us His bride.
The Lord rewards those who seek Him. The Lord pours out into a vessel that is cleaned and wanting and needing a touch from Him. My roommates went on to describe to me what happened. Unfortunately, words can't describe what was going on in my heart. I seriously wanted to start crying out of joy. Luckily, the schools leaders allowed the intercession to takeover and not worry about classes for the day. We're a school and church that is somewhat used to this sort of thing happening. We long to have an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit feels welcome to move about as He so desires.
I've said it before and i'll say it again: the Lord is raising up sons and daughters to take rule and reign on this Earth. The only way to do that is to have people who are used to being in His Presence and know His voice. I'm not talking about having nice church services and living decent lives. This is a Saul/David like scenario. I'm not writing this to necessarily trash traditional style church. But something seriously needs to change. We need to be able to change the method without changing the message. Jesus said "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand."
Recently, it came down the vine that a church here in the states issued a "30 Day Sex Challenge." i read it and was like "what?!? thats absurd!" I'll stay away from the marrieds portion of that one (considering my current single status) and just hit on the singles end of it. For singles, it was to abstain from sex for 30 days... Whatever happened to the message of Holiness and consecration. Can we not realize that parts of a 'seeker sensitivity' in our 'American gospel' just isn't working? I loathe sitting in on messages and the minister has to dance around issues so as to not offend someone.
But i know for a fact that church as we know it is about to change. I'm not talking about watering down the message at all, but perhaps in how its delivered. A loving parent will at times have to bring correction to their child. It's in how its brought i think that makes a big difference. Is spanking a bad idea? Nope. But it depends in the attitude and the manner of which is delivered. What child likes to be disciplined? as far as i know, none. But the Bible says to not despise the discipline of the Lord, because He disciplines those that He loves.
All this to say that this past week here in the FIRE community, hearts are being stirred. Minds are being renewed and lives are being changed. May we have wisdom so as to know how to steward what the Lord has given, is giving and will continue to give to us His bride.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Bad news sells...
I don't know about you, but at times, i just can't even watch the news. Everything is just soo depressing. School shootings happening almost every other week, people being bombed out, mud slinging going on everywhere... at times, i'm just like turn it all off and just get away from life.
I think its kinda funny almost how some handle it. We want to immediately start to profile people. Which has its point, in some degree. But when are we going to realize that when you take God out of the equation, life is going to go down the tubes. Sometime ago, i got one of those mass emailings and it was a poem. It goes as follows:
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB
Mary had a little lamb,
His fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
The Lamb was sure to go.
He followed her to school each day,
Twasn’t even in the rule.
It made the children laugh and play,
To have a lamb at school.
And then the rules all changed one day,
Illegal it became;
To bring the Lamb of God to school,
Or even speak His Name.
Every day got worse and worse,
And days turned into years.
Instead of hearing children laugh,
We heard the guns shots and tears,
What must we do to stop the crime,
That’s in our schools today?
Let’s let the Lamb come back to school,
And teach our kids to pray.
I think this kind of sums it up. I grew up in the public high school. Part of me wanted to try out a nearby private school, but one of my friends at church went there and he just told me not to bother. In his words, hypocrisy ran rampant. So i thought about home schooling. But i felt that God wanted me in the public arena for a purpose. So i did. And i'm glad i did. We needed the presence of God in that place. And i was one to carry it.
some of you may look at the public school system and think "its soo ungodly... i don't want my kids in there..". And of course, i'm not a parent yet and i wouldn't ever claim to try and force you to put your child in that environment. But there was grace on me to be there. I would encourage you that if your a parent reading this and you have a child in the public school, talk to them and find out what's going on. See what's on their heart. Do they want to stay in or not...
Yes, i faced a lot of rejection in there. People knew me and knew what i stood for. But i wasn't going to be afraid. Even when there was rumors that there was going to be a shooting at our school. during that time, we came together and prayed and nothing happened. At one point in time, i was very nervous... but i had to stand strong. I told one of my best friends there, "if i bite the bullet, people will come to Christ. don't back down, but preach the gospel. show people a hope in Jesus." he told me the exact same thing.
We can either walk through this world with our head hanging low and our tail between our legs... or we can hold our heads high and look to Jesus and meditate on the Cross and think of the wonders of God and go throughout our day.
I don't know about you, but i'm not backing down, despite all that's going on in the world. if anything, it gives me a greater burden to go for God and advance the Kingdom of God. I've been told that at times, i've had a convicting spirit about me. i didn't even do or say anything! i was just being me! When you live for Jesus, you will face opposition. you will offend people w/o saying anything at all. Because your standing for truth.
So do we cower in the corner when bad things happen? or do we rise up and say "not anymore... this stops now!" and get on our knees and cry out to God for mercy and grace? I'm not advocating to be arrogant and prideful, but i'm advocating that we exercise our faith in God and relationship in Jesus. and proclaim the good news of the redemptive blood of Jesus to the captives.
And we quit trying to make the Jewish people give up there land in hopes of peace talks to stop the bombings. We all know them giving up land isn't going to do anything. It's not going to make the suicide bombers stop. i just had to put that in here... lol. (what can i say, i'm pro-Israel and i'm realistic).
anyways, thanks for reading all of this.. i wasn't expecting it to get this long. but things just kept coming to mind.
I think its kinda funny almost how some handle it. We want to immediately start to profile people. Which has its point, in some degree. But when are we going to realize that when you take God out of the equation, life is going to go down the tubes. Sometime ago, i got one of those mass emailings and it was a poem. It goes as follows:
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB
Mary had a little lamb,
His fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
The Lamb was sure to go.
He followed her to school each day,
Twasn’t even in the rule.
It made the children laugh and play,
To have a lamb at school.
And then the rules all changed one day,
Illegal it became;
To bring the Lamb of God to school,
Or even speak His Name.
Every day got worse and worse,
And days turned into years.
Instead of hearing children laugh,
We heard the guns shots and tears,
What must we do to stop the crime,
That’s in our schools today?
Let’s let the Lamb come back to school,
And teach our kids to pray.
I think this kind of sums it up. I grew up in the public high school. Part of me wanted to try out a nearby private school, but one of my friends at church went there and he just told me not to bother. In his words, hypocrisy ran rampant. So i thought about home schooling. But i felt that God wanted me in the public arena for a purpose. So i did. And i'm glad i did. We needed the presence of God in that place. And i was one to carry it.
some of you may look at the public school system and think "its soo ungodly... i don't want my kids in there..". And of course, i'm not a parent yet and i wouldn't ever claim to try and force you to put your child in that environment. But there was grace on me to be there. I would encourage you that if your a parent reading this and you have a child in the public school, talk to them and find out what's going on. See what's on their heart. Do they want to stay in or not...
Yes, i faced a lot of rejection in there. People knew me and knew what i stood for. But i wasn't going to be afraid. Even when there was rumors that there was going to be a shooting at our school. during that time, we came together and prayed and nothing happened. At one point in time, i was very nervous... but i had to stand strong. I told one of my best friends there, "if i bite the bullet, people will come to Christ. don't back down, but preach the gospel. show people a hope in Jesus." he told me the exact same thing.
We can either walk through this world with our head hanging low and our tail between our legs... or we can hold our heads high and look to Jesus and meditate on the Cross and think of the wonders of God and go throughout our day.
I don't know about you, but i'm not backing down, despite all that's going on in the world. if anything, it gives me a greater burden to go for God and advance the Kingdom of God. I've been told that at times, i've had a convicting spirit about me. i didn't even do or say anything! i was just being me! When you live for Jesus, you will face opposition. you will offend people w/o saying anything at all. Because your standing for truth.
So do we cower in the corner when bad things happen? or do we rise up and say "not anymore... this stops now!" and get on our knees and cry out to God for mercy and grace? I'm not advocating to be arrogant and prideful, but i'm advocating that we exercise our faith in God and relationship in Jesus. and proclaim the good news of the redemptive blood of Jesus to the captives.
And we quit trying to make the Jewish people give up there land in hopes of peace talks to stop the bombings. We all know them giving up land isn't going to do anything. It's not going to make the suicide bombers stop. i just had to put that in here... lol. (what can i say, i'm pro-Israel and i'm realistic).
anyways, thanks for reading all of this.. i wasn't expecting it to get this long. but things just kept coming to mind.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Good times
Sunday night i got together w/ a bunch of my friends here from church to celebrate someone's birthday here. we went out to eat and then went back to someones house to pray. we ended up praying for about 5 hours or so. we started somewhere around 4:30 and had to stop around 9:45pm. good times... it felt soo good. we started off w/ worshipping for a while and then we ended up praying for people. we did some foot washing combined w/ "The Hot Seat." these weren't prayers just like "Oh Lord, bless them..." and done with it. this was reading their mail so to speak and getting deep and rooting things out in their life. whoever said Christianity is boring apparently hasn't been hanging out w/ us...
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