Last week in Boston, Massachusetts, bombs went off during a marathon and killed over a dozen people, and injured many more. Also, an explosion at a factory in West, Texas killed and injured even more. I'm sure all of you have heard of this, and if not, a quick google search should give you all the info.
This reminds me of the Sandy Hook shooting last year. People who have done no more wrong than anyone else killed simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Whenever I hear of reports like this close to home, it shakes me.
But, in reality, things like this, and much worse, happen every day in other parts of the world.
And that makes me very mad and very very sad.
I'm mad at God that He would let this happen. I'm mad at the fact we can make our own choices, I guess. I'm mad at the person (or people) who do things like this.
Then I get sad. Sad for the people injured or killed, of course, and the people who lost someone. But also sad for the perpetrators. To realize that someone could be so full of hate, fear, and anger that they would do anything even slightly this awful is soul crushing.
Thinking about it makes me want to go and give free hugs, just to try and make it a little better.
Which leads me to my next point.
I challenge you all to do the same in response to this atrocity as I did last year. Fight the broken with the good. Sponsor a child (here or here), hug your friends, coworkers, neighbors, family, strangers. Do something nice for someone mean. Pray for the souls of those who have died that they find peace. And pray that those who have lost someone or were hurt draw close to Him, and find the peace only He brings.
The Bible tells us that God makes "all things work together for good." All things mean the good, and the bad. I pray that God uses this tragedy, and every tragedy plaguing the world today, to make the world a better place.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
O God, we are a broken world. Please heal us.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
How To Overcome Temptation And Avoid Sin Wherever They May Be Found
We all struggle with temptation. For some of us, it's the struggle with lying. Others have a compulsion to take that which isn't there's. As still further, and possibly the most common, is the struggle with sexual morality.
The purpose of this post is to share the ways that I overcome temptation. I've gotten so good at it that I barely have to think about it anymore. Not to say I don't still sin, of course I do, but what I mean is, these "strategies" to overcome temptation have become almost reflexive. Of course I'm still tempted, we all are, but now, it takes a much stronger shove by the enemy to get me to move from where God wants me to be (and where I need to be).
Anyway, without further adieu, I present, my top 5 ways of overcoming any and all temptation whenever it rears it's incredibly ugly head:
1. Pray. When you have the urge to look at pictures you shouldn't, or keep that $5 bill that fell out of a stranger's purse, or whatever it may be, pray. If all of your conscious thoughts are on God, it's a lot harder to type in a URL, or put that bill in your pocket.
2. Read the Bible. I tend to head for Leviticus or Chronicles, as it takes quite a bit of concentration to figure out how those books fit into my faith today. And, when all of my effort is devoted to that, it's difficult to focus on much else.
3. Avoid the "near occasion of sin." While this is a Roman Catholic idea, I think it's applicable to any Christian (or really anyone who wants to avoid doing something). Basically, avoid situations which will put you in a position of greater temptation. Which is easier? To refuse go alone to a friend of the opposite gender's house, or to stand in their bedroom, then walk out? I think the answer is obvious.
4. Listen to some music. I would suggest some songs about God, but any bands that have a good message are equally effective (like Mumford And Sons). My favorites are David Crowder, The Sidewalk Prophets, TobyMac, and MercyMe. And, if I may suggest some songs: Holy (After All), You Love Me Anyway, Made To Love, and Lose My Soul.
5. Pure self control. Sometimes this is all it comes down to. Through shear willpower, don't sin. This is obviously the hardest, as it doesn't involve distraction or avoidance of the problem completely. But, many times, this is my last resort.
As you've probably noticed, the most effective (and the easiest) way to overcome sin is to distract yourself with God. Remind yourself that He is worth every effort you can give Him, and then infinitely more on top of that. Remember He loves you, and only wants the absolute best for you.
The purpose of this post is to share the ways that I overcome temptation. I've gotten so good at it that I barely have to think about it anymore. Not to say I don't still sin, of course I do, but what I mean is, these "strategies" to overcome temptation have become almost reflexive. Of course I'm still tempted, we all are, but now, it takes a much stronger shove by the enemy to get me to move from where God wants me to be (and where I need to be).
Anyway, without further adieu, I present, my top 5 ways of overcoming any and all temptation whenever it rears it's incredibly ugly head:
1. Pray. When you have the urge to look at pictures you shouldn't, or keep that $5 bill that fell out of a stranger's purse, or whatever it may be, pray. If all of your conscious thoughts are on God, it's a lot harder to type in a URL, or put that bill in your pocket.
2. Read the Bible. I tend to head for Leviticus or Chronicles, as it takes quite a bit of concentration to figure out how those books fit into my faith today. And, when all of my effort is devoted to that, it's difficult to focus on much else.
3. Avoid the "near occasion of sin." While this is a Roman Catholic idea, I think it's applicable to any Christian (or really anyone who wants to avoid doing something). Basically, avoid situations which will put you in a position of greater temptation. Which is easier? To refuse go alone to a friend of the opposite gender's house, or to stand in their bedroom, then walk out? I think the answer is obvious.
4. Listen to some music. I would suggest some songs about God, but any bands that have a good message are equally effective (like Mumford And Sons). My favorites are David Crowder, The Sidewalk Prophets, TobyMac, and MercyMe. And, if I may suggest some songs: Holy (After All), You Love Me Anyway, Made To Love, and Lose My Soul.
5. Pure self control. Sometimes this is all it comes down to. Through shear willpower, don't sin. This is obviously the hardest, as it doesn't involve distraction or avoidance of the problem completely. But, many times, this is my last resort.
As you've probably noticed, the most effective (and the easiest) way to overcome sin is to distract yourself with God. Remind yourself that He is worth every effort you can give Him, and then infinitely more on top of that. Remember He loves you, and only wants the absolute best for you.
 |
| A few lines from TobyMac's song "Made To Love." Source |
Monday, April 1, 2013
A Rational Explanation
When discussing with non Christians the basis of my faith, the Resurrection usually gets brought up. And, it should. It's what substantiated Jesus' claim that He was telling the truth. And, as Paul wrote, "If Christ is not risen, we have no hope. (1 Corinthians 15:17)" And that's true. But back to the point I plan on making.
CS Lewis said that Christ was either liar, lunatic, or Lord. Basically, either He knew He was lying, He thought He was telling the truth but was actually insane, or He is who He said He is (that's a lot of capital 'H's!)
I think this is a fairly comprehensive explanation, but I think a 4th "L" needs to be added.
This 4th "L" is "Legend".
Either Christ was a Liar, Lunatic, Lord, or Legend. He may have told the truth, but his followers distorted it.
Assuming atheism as fact, the 4th seems the most likely, but still flawed.
If Christ was a liar, then none of his other teachings have any bearing, and I find it hard to believe that He would have attracted the crowds He did, nor do I think it would have lasted almost 2000 years. If Christ was a lunatic, then his teachings are OK, but I don't think a crazy man would have attracted those crowds, nor would those crowds grow larger over 2000 years. If He was a legend, then it's all useless. For all we know, He was just a particularly wise carpenter from a dusty corner of the Roman empire, who got blown all out of proportion by people looking for something to do.
But, none of these satisfy me, and here's why:
I have yet to find rational reasoning that explains the actions of the apostles after His death. I have yet to find anyone explain in a way that provides for the fact that 10 of the 12 men who knew Jesus best, who traveled with Him for 3 years, were told things that no one else were told, died incredibly painful deaths rather than deny Christ. The only 2 exceptions were Judas (who killed himself after he realized what the Romans planned on doing to Jesus) and John, who lived a long life in service to the Church.
So, let's say Christ was a liar, and His 12 knew it. Then all they got were incredibly young and painful deaths, hated by the vast majority of their people. If He was a liar but they didn't know it, then He got what the same, but the other 10 who died, why did they die? If their Lord died and didn't come back, when He said He would, I can't think of anything that would drive them to behave the way they did, except possibly insanity.
But, would 12 insane men following another insane man create a faith that asks its believers to give up everything they own, to deny themselves, to serve others, and then lasts 2000 years, always growing, with no sign of slowing down?
To paraphrase CS Lewis, if miracles (and particularly, The Miracle, the Incarnation), do not exist, then the naturalistic explanation is always the more likely. However, if I accept the existence of God, then that means I accept the possibility of miracles, particularly, the possibility of the ressurrection.
You see, this
CS Lewis said that Christ was either liar, lunatic, or Lord. Basically, either He knew He was lying, He thought He was telling the truth but was actually insane, or He is who He said He is (that's a lot of capital 'H's!)
I think this is a fairly comprehensive explanation, but I think a 4th "L" needs to be added.
This 4th "L" is "Legend".
Either Christ was a Liar, Lunatic, Lord, or Legend. He may have told the truth, but his followers distorted it.
Assuming atheism as fact, the 4th seems the most likely, but still flawed.
If Christ was a liar, then none of his other teachings have any bearing, and I find it hard to believe that He would have attracted the crowds He did, nor do I think it would have lasted almost 2000 years. If Christ was a lunatic, then his teachings are OK, but I don't think a crazy man would have attracted those crowds, nor would those crowds grow larger over 2000 years. If He was a legend, then it's all useless. For all we know, He was just a particularly wise carpenter from a dusty corner of the Roman empire, who got blown all out of proportion by people looking for something to do.
But, none of these satisfy me, and here's why:
I have yet to find rational reasoning that explains the actions of the apostles after His death. I have yet to find anyone explain in a way that provides for the fact that 10 of the 12 men who knew Jesus best, who traveled with Him for 3 years, were told things that no one else were told, died incredibly painful deaths rather than deny Christ. The only 2 exceptions were Judas (who killed himself after he realized what the Romans planned on doing to Jesus) and John, who lived a long life in service to the Church.
So, let's say Christ was a liar, and His 12 knew it. Then all they got were incredibly young and painful deaths, hated by the vast majority of their people. If He was a liar but they didn't know it, then He got what the same, but the other 10 who died, why did they die? If their Lord died and didn't come back, when He said He would, I can't think of anything that would drive them to behave the way they did, except possibly insanity.
But, would 12 insane men following another insane man create a faith that asks its believers to give up everything they own, to deny themselves, to serve others, and then lasts 2000 years, always growing, with no sign of slowing down?
To paraphrase CS Lewis, if miracles (and particularly, The Miracle, the Incarnation), do not exist, then the naturalistic explanation is always the more likely. However, if I accept the existence of God, then that means I accept the possibility of miracles, particularly, the possibility of the ressurrection.
You see, this
Image from reddit user /u/Not_Austin
is not likely to motivate a dozen men to risk their lives, at least not that on it's own.
However, this,
when added, is enough to motivate even the most stubborn of men to follow him.
Now, Christianity doesn't work if Christ is not alive. It's useless. And, neither do the histories we've been taught, all culminating in a faith 2 billion strong. So, until someone presents a rational explanation to explain the behavior of the Apostles after the death of Christ, as well as the fact that it's still around, and continuing to grow, I'm going to need some pretty strong arguments to significantly doubt my God.
Yesterday was Easter, the day He rose. Day before that was a Saturday, when He was dead. Before that, Good Friday, when He died. And before that, Maundy Thursday, when He was betrayed. 3 of those 4 days seem strange to celebrate, but Easter makes the joy found in those preceding days of sadness make sense. Easter makes every day make sense, because we know that He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Reasons I'm Not Roman Catholic
About a year ago, I made a list of reasons I wasn't Roman Catholic. It had about 150 items on it. The most obvious one being that I wasn't raised that way, then I moved on to things like being bored at mass (when I've been with my grandmother), then I got to the theological issues I had. These included praying to the saints, transubstantiation, the priesthood, and the RCC's stance on homosexuality, contraception, and abortion.
Now though, a month after I first started feeling this pull towards Rome, that list is only 3 items long. Here it is:
1. I wasn't raised Roman Catholic
2. I'm afraid of how my grandparents would react.
3. I'm not sure whether my desire to become Catholic comes from that church's truthfulness, or my own emotions.
Number 1 is obvious enough, so I'll skip to explaining 2 and 3.
My maternal grandparents are very conservative, and very Protestant. While I've never actually heard them say anything against Catholics, they've spoken poorly of any denomination that does not believe in the immorality of homosexuality, for example, or really any denomination that differs from theirs in any slightly significant way. I love them with all my heart, but I'm worried of how they may respond in a less than positive way if I told them I was no longer Protestant.
The third one is where it gets tricky, and much more confusing.
The thing is, I believe in (or at the very least would be able to accept) everything I've read about the Catholic church. This ranges from the Immaculate Conception, to purgatory, to Papal Infallibility. Now, I know what you're probably thinking. "316trees, if you believe everything the Church teaches, why don't you join?" The trouble is, I tend to make decisions based on emotion rather than logic. While its impossible to fully separate your emotions from your decisions, especially with a choice like this, I want to do my best. I've made split second decisions that did not end well. These range from asking girls on dates, yelling at my parents, and cheating on a quiz or test at school. The thing about those is, they can all be rectified, at least for the most part. But with becoming Catholic, it's not something I would want to back out of. I've read enough about RCIA to know its not the 6 week, meet-on-sundays-after-church-for-an-hour confirmation course I did when I was 12. Combine that with my volunteer involvement at my Presbyterian church, and the missions trip I may go on this summer... It gets complicated, and I have to be sure.
My emotions come into play even more with a desire to make my paternal grandmother (a devout Catholic) happy. When I was at a Christmas Mass with her last year, there was a saint depicted on the inside of the church. She turned to me and said "I look at that, and wonder what you'll become, 316trees. I don't expect you to become a saint, but I still wonder what God will do with your life." Of course, she wasn't telling me I had to become Catholic or she would be disappointed, but what I got out of it (of course among other things) was that if I became Catholic, it would make her very happy. I also am making myself feel rushed to make the decision, because she's getting on in years, and while she's in excellent health, everyone has to go Home eventually.
The other big emotional complication is my best friend. She's my favorite person I know, very attractive, and very Catholic (as are her parents). I would never use a girl as a reason for making such a huge life decision, but how close we are combined with how important her faith is adds some more pressure to make up my mind, as my hormones aren't seeming to want to let me just be friends. But, I shall attempt to stay in the friendzone!
So, most of the emotional pressures are more telling me to decide quickly than to decide one way or the other, though the latter pressure is definitely present.
A little over a week ago (maybe 10 days), I said on Reddit that I expected to be joining either the Catholic or Orthodox churches within the year. I see now it probably won't be Orthodox, and it's probably closer to 4 months.
The past month has been a storm of growth for me, and I don't see an end.
But whatever I do, I hope and pray for His will to be done in my life.
Whatever you're doing
Inside of me
It feels like chaos
But now I can see
You're up to something
Bigger than me.
I'm giving into something
Heavenly.
-From "Something Heavenly", by Sanctus Real
Now though, a month after I first started feeling this pull towards Rome, that list is only 3 items long. Here it is:
1. I wasn't raised Roman Catholic
2. I'm afraid of how my grandparents would react.
3. I'm not sure whether my desire to become Catholic comes from that church's truthfulness, or my own emotions.
Number 1 is obvious enough, so I'll skip to explaining 2 and 3.
My maternal grandparents are very conservative, and very Protestant. While I've never actually heard them say anything against Catholics, they've spoken poorly of any denomination that does not believe in the immorality of homosexuality, for example, or really any denomination that differs from theirs in any slightly significant way. I love them with all my heart, but I'm worried of how they may respond in a less than positive way if I told them I was no longer Protestant.
The third one is where it gets tricky, and much more confusing.
The thing is, I believe in (or at the very least would be able to accept) everything I've read about the Catholic church. This ranges from the Immaculate Conception, to purgatory, to Papal Infallibility. Now, I know what you're probably thinking. "316trees, if you believe everything the Church teaches, why don't you join?" The trouble is, I tend to make decisions based on emotion rather than logic. While its impossible to fully separate your emotions from your decisions, especially with a choice like this, I want to do my best. I've made split second decisions that did not end well. These range from asking girls on dates, yelling at my parents, and cheating on a quiz or test at school. The thing about those is, they can all be rectified, at least for the most part. But with becoming Catholic, it's not something I would want to back out of. I've read enough about RCIA to know its not the 6 week, meet-on-sundays-after-church-for-an-hour confirmation course I did when I was 12. Combine that with my volunteer involvement at my Presbyterian church, and the missions trip I may go on this summer... It gets complicated, and I have to be sure.
My emotions come into play even more with a desire to make my paternal grandmother (a devout Catholic) happy. When I was at a Christmas Mass with her last year, there was a saint depicted on the inside of the church. She turned to me and said "I look at that, and wonder what you'll become, 316trees. I don't expect you to become a saint, but I still wonder what God will do with your life." Of course, she wasn't telling me I had to become Catholic or she would be disappointed, but what I got out of it (of course among other things) was that if I became Catholic, it would make her very happy. I also am making myself feel rushed to make the decision, because she's getting on in years, and while she's in excellent health, everyone has to go Home eventually.
The other big emotional complication is my best friend. She's my favorite person I know, very attractive, and very Catholic (as are her parents). I would never use a girl as a reason for making such a huge life decision, but how close we are combined with how important her faith is adds some more pressure to make up my mind, as my hormones aren't seeming to want to let me just be friends. But, I shall attempt to stay in the friendzone!
So, most of the emotional pressures are more telling me to decide quickly than to decide one way or the other, though the latter pressure is definitely present.
A little over a week ago (maybe 10 days), I said on Reddit that I expected to be joining either the Catholic or Orthodox churches within the year. I see now it probably won't be Orthodox, and it's probably closer to 4 months.
The past month has been a storm of growth for me, and I don't see an end.
But whatever I do, I hope and pray for His will to be done in my life.
Whatever you're doing
Inside of me
It feels like chaos
But now I can see
You're up to something
Bigger than me.
I'm giving into something
Heavenly.
-From "Something Heavenly", by Sanctus Real
Friday, March 15, 2013
The One About "Going To Worship"
In February, I went to a youth conference a few hours north of where I live. When we had the inevitable 'what was your favorite part about the conference' discussion with our pastor, one person (one of my best friends) said "I really liked that got to worship. We aren't usually able to do that." What's worse, everyone else (including the pastor!) nodded in agreement. I stared on in disbelief.
2 Sunday's ago, I was sick, and had to miss church (sad face). This past Sunday, one of my other friends (he happens to be a 38 year old volunteer in the Youth Ministry) said "hey, 316trees, why weren't you at worship last week?" I explained why, but still, I was flabbergasted that someone do much older and more involved at our church would have the same outlook on it as my fellow high schoolers. But, when I think about my pastors identical reaction, it's not that surprising.
See a common trend here? As Jordan Taylor of Blimey Cow puts it, "worship isn't something you do, it's something you are." When Paul instructs us to "offer up our bodies as living sacrifices" in Romans, he meant it. Everything you do should be for the glory of the one who made you (intentional rhyme, and almost a direct quote from a song of which the name I can't remember).
I don't like the fact that our society as Christians (particularly Protestants) has gotten to the point that we refer to a church service, or singing "rock and roll to God," as worship. Music can certainly be a part of worship, but when we make it the end all, we take away from God, and it starts turning our religion back into a list of things we absolutely have to do.
Now, I need to clarify 2 things:
1. I love going to what a lot of people refer to as worship. I like rock n roll and I love God, combine them, that makes me happy.
2. My criticism isn't so much on the church as a closed off unit, but because it gives people looking in the wrong idea.
I want to reiterate again- if someone asks you if you want to go to worship with them, your immediate response should be "I'm already there, and I won't leave!"
I can't be the only one who thinks this way. This also contributes to my criticism of "Christian Music," but that's for another post.
PS- Here's a pic from that weekend:
2 Sunday's ago, I was sick, and had to miss church (sad face). This past Sunday, one of my other friends (he happens to be a 38 year old volunteer in the Youth Ministry) said "hey, 316trees, why weren't you at worship last week?" I explained why, but still, I was flabbergasted that someone do much older and more involved at our church would have the same outlook on it as my fellow high schoolers. But, when I think about my pastors identical reaction, it's not that surprising.
See a common trend here? As Jordan Taylor of Blimey Cow puts it, "worship isn't something you do, it's something you are." When Paul instructs us to "offer up our bodies as living sacrifices" in Romans, he meant it. Everything you do should be for the glory of the one who made you (intentional rhyme, and almost a direct quote from a song of which the name I can't remember).
I don't like the fact that our society as Christians (particularly Protestants) has gotten to the point that we refer to a church service, or singing "rock and roll to God," as worship. Music can certainly be a part of worship, but when we make it the end all, we take away from God, and it starts turning our religion back into a list of things we absolutely have to do.
Now, I need to clarify 2 things:
1. I love going to what a lot of people refer to as worship. I like rock n roll and I love God, combine them, that makes me happy.
2. My criticism isn't so much on the church as a closed off unit, but because it gives people looking in the wrong idea.
I want to reiterate again- if someone asks you if you want to go to worship with them, your immediate response should be "I'm already there, and I won't leave!"
I can't be the only one who thinks this way. This also contributes to my criticism of "Christian Music," but that's for another post.
PS- Here's a pic from that weekend:
Thursday, March 14, 2013
A Prayer For Truth
When I pray long prayers, I tend to write them down first. It helps me to keep track of my thoughts, keep from getting distracted, and of I want to, pray them again. Most of them I keep to myself, but this one I wanted to share. It's a prayer that God lead me to the Truth.
Holy God, fill me with your Spirit. Let me have eyes clear enough and a mind sharp enough to discern the path you want me to follow. Show me your true church, show me where your Spirit truly dwells, where it truly moves in the world. Show me which church is true, and not a shadow of the truth, as I suspect the church I attend is. If the Catholic church is in fact the true Church, lead me there. If it is the true church, help me to overcome my shyness and awkwardness when talking about You, in order to better understand what I have to do. If the Catholic Church is the true church, lead me to it, and please, God, do not delay. If it is true, let me know by some sign that will take away my doubt and make my path clear. I feel pulled more strongly to be Catholic than I ever have before, but I still question that. If the Catholic Church is not true, lead me to the church your Son established. Father, I pray that in and through my life, your will is done.
Amen
Saint Charles Lwanga of Uganda. His patronage includes converts and
Catholic youth.
Friday, March 1, 2013
I'm back, and quite different
Ok, as you guys know, I stayed off the Internet the past month. You can read about the reasons why in my last post.
Here's what I learned:
1. Being involved at /r/Christianity and regularly reading about Christ related things outside of the Bible makes me a better person.
2. The Internet fuels my addiction to masturbation. It's gotten better.
3. My lifestyle requires computers. Several of my classes require my homework to be done online, and my various extracurriculars require constant checking of my email.
4. Even though it's impossible to separate myself entirely from computers and still remain a fully functioning member of society, I can sure as heck not play games, check Facebook, or the like.
How my theology has changed:
1. A month ago, I wouldn't have objected to gay marriage. But now (and I'm sincerely sorry if this offends you) I believe that homosexual acts are sinful.
2. I am now pro life. Meaning, I believe abortion is murder, and the current state of the US where it's even up for debate is incredibly sad.
I reached these conclusions through a lot of reading, both of the Bible and things I printed off the interwebs.
*Note: God is pushing me around a lot right now, or at least thats what it feels like. I don't expect to land back in the PC(USA) church where I started.
In fact, I know I won't. I think I know where this is going to put me, but I need to be certain.
Here's what I learned:
1. Being involved at /r/Christianity and regularly reading about Christ related things outside of the Bible makes me a better person.
2. The Internet fuels my addiction to masturbation. It's gotten better.
3. My lifestyle requires computers. Several of my classes require my homework to be done online, and my various extracurriculars require constant checking of my email.
4. Even though it's impossible to separate myself entirely from computers and still remain a fully functioning member of society, I can sure as heck not play games, check Facebook, or the like.
How my theology has changed:
1. A month ago, I wouldn't have objected to gay marriage. But now (and I'm sincerely sorry if this offends you) I believe that homosexual acts are sinful.
2. I am now pro life. Meaning, I believe abortion is murder, and the current state of the US where it's even up for debate is incredibly sad.
I reached these conclusions through a lot of reading, both of the Bible and things I printed off the interwebs.
*Note: God is pushing me around a lot right now, or at least thats what it feels like. I don't expect to land back in the PC(USA) church where I started.
In fact, I know I won't. I think I know where this is going to put me, but I need to be certain.
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