Saturday, October 29, 2005
Read 'em and weep
Read 'em and weep
I am happy to see this corner of the blogiverse. I have been lax in reading, distracted and floating from one to another, between Nafisi's book to Epictetus, Aristotle, Montaigne, Plato, Epicurus, Marcus Aurelius and a little Emerson, not to mention the perennial attempt to finish off Anna Karenina.
Currently, my thoughts are eclipsed by a saxaphone practicing five feet from my makeshift desk in a makeup room in a theatre outside of chicago.
I know this is hardly literary review material, but I promise my next effort will be more fruitful.
I am happy to see this corner of the blogiverse. I have been lax in reading, distracted and floating from one to another, between Nafisi's book to Epictetus, Aristotle, Montaigne, Plato, Epicurus, Marcus Aurelius and a little Emerson, not to mention the perennial attempt to finish off Anna Karenina.
Currently, my thoughts are eclipsed by a saxaphone practicing five feet from my makeshift desk in a makeup room in a theatre outside of chicago.
I know this is hardly literary review material, but I promise my next effort will be more fruitful.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
The case for War
The history that we have access to of the rise andfall of government continually emphasizes one pointwhen it comes to war. When there are culturaldifferences between peoples, any one of which isunable or unwilling to grant survival status to anyother culture, war ensues. War ensues until the hatred is burned off of the minds and hearts of those who lead the opposing peoples (or until they're all dead). Treaties then divide the territories and lands into nations, states and provinces, and a mutual peace is achieved. This is the way all major wars have been fought since the beginning of history, and the resulting lesson is always the same: Lasting peace is achieved through war.
I do not like war any more than any other hippy artisan. But there are more powerful things in the world than the force of my opinion. A good example is government. Governments contain the supposed will and practical might of the people it represents, and therefore often cannot be changed in rule or approach except in a case of war. No matter how potent my opinion or force of love, the institution of government is founded on being able to rule and protect its citizens by way of military might, or war, and my motives and opinions, my hatred for war or love of peace cannot bring either one to a nation.
In this realization, I am faced with a difficult but vital choice, one of realizing the difference between my ideals and the system, how far my ideals can progress within the system, and how fruitful that progress can be. In this choosing, I cannot say that war is bad, because war brings a more lasting peace. The greatest statesmen of history have known this to be true and have therefore sometimes chosen the more difficult and costly road of war to ensure the protection of the lasting peace and freedom that a nation mostly enjoys.
When Japanese bombers struck Pearl Harbor and brought the U.S. into a second world war that had been raging already for years, the U.S. response could have been specific to Japan. American forces could have only struck Japan and fought the one enemy that personally attacked us. Of course, this would have been foolish, because we now know that the axis leader Adolf Hitler had already begun planning airship attacks on American soil from Mexico and Canada. If we had not attacked Germany in Alliance, we would have suffered countless more casualties than the 405,000 troops who were killed in service to our country. It is also very true to assume that by declaring war against Germany, the U.S. fostered even MORE anti-Americanism in Europe than there was before a war declaration.
The reason we remained aloof from the second world war, and the reason we remained aloof from the current war for so long, is because it was not a direct threat to our national interest. Militant Islamic sects sworn to the destruction ofevery major religion and culture apart from their ownhave existed for centuries, and have in the past 20 years been growing in number and intent to carry out their wicked schemes to take the lives of innocent people.
This is not something that we would have avoided being the brunt of if we hadn't done business with the Arab nations. Indeed, a policy of ignoring a problem has been proven to make the problem worse. Neither would we have avoided being the subject of radical Islamic hatred if we had not responded to theSeptember 11th attacks in a non-military way. I agree completely that war has caused more anti-Americanism within these groups to stir towards our land, but I say that we will not be exempted from their plans of destruction, no matter what we domilitarily, who we do business with or what we tell ourselves. In World War II, we had an advantage over the current conflict, in that we were at war with a military belonging to a government ruling a nation. It is an entirely different thing to have a nationless enemynot represented by any government.
This is why I am for the war on terror. We do not have the luxury or necessity of cause to wait for the terrorist groups that were encamped in Iraq and Afghanistan and Iran and in dozens of other countries around the world to attack us under the protection of a national flag before we take action. That will never happen.The only way to successful protect the citizens of this nation (as is a government's first cause and responsibility), we had to respond by taking the fight to the enemy's nesting grounds. There is no person in Washington D.C., no matter what party or affiliation, who can claim that Al Qaida training and organizational groups were not using areas of Iraq as bases. The proof has been presented from Saddam Hussein's own files.
George W., his occassional speech mishap notwithstanding, made it ulitmately clear immediately after 9/11 that any nation or government that assisted or harbored individuals or groups whose sole purpose is the destruction of American civilization would beheld as responsible as the terrorists they permitted.
The capture and impending prosecution of SaddamHussein sent a crystal clear indication to the leaders of Arab nations that George W Bush meant what he said. Within days, Mumar Qaddafi, leader of Lybia, had surrendered all of his previously unreported nuclear weapons programs and supplies. Programs and supplies that inspectors were not able to detect, I might add. These supplies and weapons are now being held on U.S. soil under guard, instead of in waiting to be purchased by an enemy of our state.
The capture also reverberated through Pakistan, which was until this year one of the most notorious hotbeds of anti-American Islamicism. President Musharraf has captured and incarcerated hundreds of militant Islamic criminals, dispelling training camps and sending Pakistani troops into the farthest regions of his nation near the border of Afghanistan where they have never been before, and where American troops were commanded not to go out of respect for the non-violent Muslims who consider the region too holy for infidel troops.
These responses came because Saddam Hussein, a ruler who gave assistance and land to terrorist groups, would not cooperate with American efforts of self-preservation, and was therefore unseated and taken into custody, awaiting trial from a democratic people of the nation he used to abuse. A coalition of over 30 nations still lend theirsupport to the effort in Iraq, because the rest ofWestern Culture is as threatened by terrorism as America is.
We have inspired more anti-Americanism in militantIslamics than before the war began. But 75% of Al Qaida's operation is destroyed and we have garnered the cooperation of harboring nations that we never would have gotten without the enforcement of war. In this way, I agree completely with the cause and necessity of war in Afghanistan, and Iraq. I do not think everything has been done perfectly, I am truly sorry for the loss of human life that has occurred, and I do not look at the current situation without sadness that the transition from a despotism into a democracy has always proved to be a bloody one.
But then I remember that our own freedom has been won four times over in bloody war, enforced by the souls of men who thought it a better thing to take up arms and face their agressors than to live in subjection to tyrranical rule. I am sad for the Iraqis, but I am also happy for them, and infinitely hopeful that they will sieze the opportunity for freedom and take it with all of their might, to the opposition of religious warlords and oppressed history.
I consider myself grateful to be a part of a nation that will not only defend its culture and despise the idea of making peace with terrorism, but also one that will support freedom and independence for other nations as well. I'm glad that we're in Iraq and I don't think we should leave until the people of that nation are free to live without fear, free to forge their own destinies like we are, and free to cherish and defend their own liberties. If we were not in Iraq right now, a worse enemy of freedom would assert itself in the power vacuum created by the loss of so forceful a dictator as Hussein and the people we had attempted to free would be enslaved once more to warlords who take from their citizens without giving, without balance, and without any regard for law or fairness.
Bush may be a Christian and also a warlike leader as well. David, a king after God's heart, as the Bible says, was also a fierce warrior who defended his people by destroying other nations and killing their citizens. He was loved by God so dearly that God promised him the Messiah would come from his lineage. And the Bible also says there is a time to kill, as well as a time to heal. (Ecc. 3:3). But I am glad you mention the responsibity of blood. For as much as the blood of the dead is upon our hands, so are the lives of those freed from oppression. As much as the death of the enemy is on the hands of the leader of the land, so are the lives of the citizens he rules over.
That's why I support this war. We all knew at first that it wasn't going to be brief or easy. One thing we did know before the time had made our minds and hearts dulled to the cause, is that it was necessary, for a silent and deadly foe lay in wait for us, and by waiting we ourselves prepared for more lives to be lost.
I do not like war any more than any other hippy artisan. But there are more powerful things in the world than the force of my opinion. A good example is government. Governments contain the supposed will and practical might of the people it represents, and therefore often cannot be changed in rule or approach except in a case of war. No matter how potent my opinion or force of love, the institution of government is founded on being able to rule and protect its citizens by way of military might, or war, and my motives and opinions, my hatred for war or love of peace cannot bring either one to a nation.
In this realization, I am faced with a difficult but vital choice, one of realizing the difference between my ideals and the system, how far my ideals can progress within the system, and how fruitful that progress can be. In this choosing, I cannot say that war is bad, because war brings a more lasting peace. The greatest statesmen of history have known this to be true and have therefore sometimes chosen the more difficult and costly road of war to ensure the protection of the lasting peace and freedom that a nation mostly enjoys.
When Japanese bombers struck Pearl Harbor and brought the U.S. into a second world war that had been raging already for years, the U.S. response could have been specific to Japan. American forces could have only struck Japan and fought the one enemy that personally attacked us. Of course, this would have been foolish, because we now know that the axis leader Adolf Hitler had already begun planning airship attacks on American soil from Mexico and Canada. If we had not attacked Germany in Alliance, we would have suffered countless more casualties than the 405,000 troops who were killed in service to our country. It is also very true to assume that by declaring war against Germany, the U.S. fostered even MORE anti-Americanism in Europe than there was before a war declaration.
The reason we remained aloof from the second world war, and the reason we remained aloof from the current war for so long, is because it was not a direct threat to our national interest. Militant Islamic sects sworn to the destruction ofevery major religion and culture apart from their ownhave existed for centuries, and have in the past 20 years been growing in number and intent to carry out their wicked schemes to take the lives of innocent people.
This is not something that we would have avoided being the brunt of if we hadn't done business with the Arab nations. Indeed, a policy of ignoring a problem has been proven to make the problem worse. Neither would we have avoided being the subject of radical Islamic hatred if we had not responded to theSeptember 11th attacks in a non-military way. I agree completely that war has caused more anti-Americanism within these groups to stir towards our land, but I say that we will not be exempted from their plans of destruction, no matter what we domilitarily, who we do business with or what we tell ourselves. In World War II, we had an advantage over the current conflict, in that we were at war with a military belonging to a government ruling a nation. It is an entirely different thing to have a nationless enemynot represented by any government.
This is why I am for the war on terror. We do not have the luxury or necessity of cause to wait for the terrorist groups that were encamped in Iraq and Afghanistan and Iran and in dozens of other countries around the world to attack us under the protection of a national flag before we take action. That will never happen.The only way to successful protect the citizens of this nation (as is a government's first cause and responsibility), we had to respond by taking the fight to the enemy's nesting grounds. There is no person in Washington D.C., no matter what party or affiliation, who can claim that Al Qaida training and organizational groups were not using areas of Iraq as bases. The proof has been presented from Saddam Hussein's own files.
George W., his occassional speech mishap notwithstanding, made it ulitmately clear immediately after 9/11 that any nation or government that assisted or harbored individuals or groups whose sole purpose is the destruction of American civilization would beheld as responsible as the terrorists they permitted.
The capture and impending prosecution of SaddamHussein sent a crystal clear indication to the leaders of Arab nations that George W Bush meant what he said. Within days, Mumar Qaddafi, leader of Lybia, had surrendered all of his previously unreported nuclear weapons programs and supplies. Programs and supplies that inspectors were not able to detect, I might add. These supplies and weapons are now being held on U.S. soil under guard, instead of in waiting to be purchased by an enemy of our state.
The capture also reverberated through Pakistan, which was until this year one of the most notorious hotbeds of anti-American Islamicism. President Musharraf has captured and incarcerated hundreds of militant Islamic criminals, dispelling training camps and sending Pakistani troops into the farthest regions of his nation near the border of Afghanistan where they have never been before, and where American troops were commanded not to go out of respect for the non-violent Muslims who consider the region too holy for infidel troops.
These responses came because Saddam Hussein, a ruler who gave assistance and land to terrorist groups, would not cooperate with American efforts of self-preservation, and was therefore unseated and taken into custody, awaiting trial from a democratic people of the nation he used to abuse. A coalition of over 30 nations still lend theirsupport to the effort in Iraq, because the rest ofWestern Culture is as threatened by terrorism as America is.
We have inspired more anti-Americanism in militantIslamics than before the war began. But 75% of Al Qaida's operation is destroyed and we have garnered the cooperation of harboring nations that we never would have gotten without the enforcement of war. In this way, I agree completely with the cause and necessity of war in Afghanistan, and Iraq. I do not think everything has been done perfectly, I am truly sorry for the loss of human life that has occurred, and I do not look at the current situation without sadness that the transition from a despotism into a democracy has always proved to be a bloody one.
But then I remember that our own freedom has been won four times over in bloody war, enforced by the souls of men who thought it a better thing to take up arms and face their agressors than to live in subjection to tyrranical rule. I am sad for the Iraqis, but I am also happy for them, and infinitely hopeful that they will sieze the opportunity for freedom and take it with all of their might, to the opposition of religious warlords and oppressed history.
I consider myself grateful to be a part of a nation that will not only defend its culture and despise the idea of making peace with terrorism, but also one that will support freedom and independence for other nations as well. I'm glad that we're in Iraq and I don't think we should leave until the people of that nation are free to live without fear, free to forge their own destinies like we are, and free to cherish and defend their own liberties. If we were not in Iraq right now, a worse enemy of freedom would assert itself in the power vacuum created by the loss of so forceful a dictator as Hussein and the people we had attempted to free would be enslaved once more to warlords who take from their citizens without giving, without balance, and without any regard for law or fairness.
Bush may be a Christian and also a warlike leader as well. David, a king after God's heart, as the Bible says, was also a fierce warrior who defended his people by destroying other nations and killing their citizens. He was loved by God so dearly that God promised him the Messiah would come from his lineage. And the Bible also says there is a time to kill, as well as a time to heal. (Ecc. 3:3). But I am glad you mention the responsibity of blood. For as much as the blood of the dead is upon our hands, so are the lives of those freed from oppression. As much as the death of the enemy is on the hands of the leader of the land, so are the lives of the citizens he rules over.
That's why I support this war. We all knew at first that it wasn't going to be brief or easy. One thing we did know before the time had made our minds and hearts dulled to the cause, is that it was necessary, for a silent and deadly foe lay in wait for us, and by waiting we ourselves prepared for more lives to be lost.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
I haven't blogged in forever. Well, that's not entirely accurate. It's been since October of last year. That's awhile, at any rate.
Something's been on my mind lately.
Well, nevermind that now. I just need to scribble a few words to reenter the corner of the universe where I type out the words as they come to me.
Later, I will tell you about the enemy of democracy. It isn't Al Qaida or militant Muslims (though they help destroy Democracy wherever they can).
But again, that's for later. For now, I need to go to work.
Something's been on my mind lately.
Well, nevermind that now. I just need to scribble a few words to reenter the corner of the universe where I type out the words as they come to me.
Later, I will tell you about the enemy of democracy. It isn't Al Qaida or militant Muslims (though they help destroy Democracy wherever they can).
But again, that's for later. For now, I need to go to work.
Monday, October 20, 2003
In California, No Less
An amazing thing has happened, something I never thought would be studied, or reported if it were studied, and much less from California.
Scientists have determined that sexual identity is genetically hardwired into creatures. And by creatures, they intent to include humans.
I'm so not joking. Check it out here: http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3643891
Of course, there will still be many many people who, conditioned to believe otherwise by sympathetic lifestle arguments that have propogated over the course of a generation, will refuse to believe this.
But I cannot help wondering if the public opinion and civil society might begin to change its tune about other areas of personal preference that have been viciously attacked, such as antidiscrimination, Christianity and family-oriented or nation-oriented modes of thought.
For example: If, despite the scientific conlusion of this new study, the publically funded homosexual high school in New York is permitted to stay in operation, that is nothing less than blatant government sponsorship of a particular mode of belief.
I don't have any problem with that, as long as the national Democrats, the media and the ACLU don't.
But if they don't have a problem with that, then they also need to cease any and all legal processes against Christianity, the Ten Commandments, faith-based initiative, and homeschool groups.
Then again, when have these politically-oriented organizations ever had a problem with blatant hypocrisy and double standard?
This discovery could mean more than another battle won in the war of morality versus individuality; it might actually drag true tolerance out of people who would defend the sactity of homosexuality to the death, while condemning any form of moral objection.
A light will be shed from this to reveal whether social-interest groups are really out to protect the first amendment or to simply abolish those freedoms there enumerated.
The lines between light and darkness will become just that much more prominent and just that less subjective.
Scientists have determined that sexual identity is genetically hardwired into creatures. And by creatures, they intent to include humans.
I'm so not joking. Check it out here: http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3643891
Of course, there will still be many many people who, conditioned to believe otherwise by sympathetic lifestle arguments that have propogated over the course of a generation, will refuse to believe this.
But I cannot help wondering if the public opinion and civil society might begin to change its tune about other areas of personal preference that have been viciously attacked, such as antidiscrimination, Christianity and family-oriented or nation-oriented modes of thought.
For example: If, despite the scientific conlusion of this new study, the publically funded homosexual high school in New York is permitted to stay in operation, that is nothing less than blatant government sponsorship of a particular mode of belief.
I don't have any problem with that, as long as the national Democrats, the media and the ACLU don't.
But if they don't have a problem with that, then they also need to cease any and all legal processes against Christianity, the Ten Commandments, faith-based initiative, and homeschool groups.
Then again, when have these politically-oriented organizations ever had a problem with blatant hypocrisy and double standard?
This discovery could mean more than another battle won in the war of morality versus individuality; it might actually drag true tolerance out of people who would defend the sactity of homosexuality to the death, while condemning any form of moral objection.
A light will be shed from this to reveal whether social-interest groups are really out to protect the first amendment or to simply abolish those freedoms there enumerated.
The lines between light and darkness will become just that much more prominent and just that less subjective.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
To Work It Out
There's an old Beatles song that has the following lyrics:
"Try to see it my way
Do I have to keep on shouting til I can't go on?
Why d'you see it your way,
At the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone?
We can work it out
We can work it out."
That's a pretty accurate secular way to express how I feel about arguments sometimes. The same type people who will speak most about their feelings are often the ones who will avoid trying to understand the other person's feelings. This is an interesting paradox, and it's also a keen frustration.
Is it possible to express the complete contents of one's heart and still not understand the situation? The Bible tells me, "So."
Proverbs 18:2 -
A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.
There again, I find a solution for argument in Proverbs 20:3 -
It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.
My eyes read these as well, of which I am guilty:
Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
1 Cor. 13
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
I long to be taught by the Spirit of Wisdom. That I could be silent to my own desires enough to know what is the right way in everything.
But He is faithful to give His children what they ask for in His name. So I ask, and so I continue to receive, stepping over my broken heart and broken pride to really really be alive beyond what i can imagine.
"Try to see it my way
Do I have to keep on shouting til I can't go on?
Why d'you see it your way,
At the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone?
We can work it out
We can work it out."
That's a pretty accurate secular way to express how I feel about arguments sometimes. The same type people who will speak most about their feelings are often the ones who will avoid trying to understand the other person's feelings. This is an interesting paradox, and it's also a keen frustration.
Is it possible to express the complete contents of one's heart and still not understand the situation? The Bible tells me, "So."
Proverbs 18:2 -
A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.
There again, I find a solution for argument in Proverbs 20:3 -
It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.
My eyes read these as well, of which I am guilty:
Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
1 Cor. 13
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
I long to be taught by the Spirit of Wisdom. That I could be silent to my own desires enough to know what is the right way in everything.
But He is faithful to give His children what they ask for in His name. So I ask, and so I continue to receive, stepping over my broken heart and broken pride to really really be alive beyond what i can imagine.
The Father's Pleasure
What does the Lord take pleasure in?
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in UPRIGHTNESS.
Psalm 35:27 ...and let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in THE PROSPERITY OF HIS SERVANT."
Psalm 147:11 The Lord takes pleasure in THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, in THOSE WHO HOPE IN HIS MERCY.
Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in HIS PEOPLE; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM
Ephesians 1:5 HAVING PREDESTINED US TO ADOPTION AS SONS BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, according to the good pleasure of His will
Ephesians 1:9 HAVING MADE KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL, according to the good pleasure which He purposed in Himself
Hebrews 11:6 But without FAITH it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
1 Samuel 15:22 ..."Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in OBEYING THE VOICE OF THE LORD? Behold, TO OBEY is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
Psalms 16:3 As for THE SAINTS WHO ARE ON THE EARTH, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."
Proverbs 11:1 A JUST WEIGHT is His delight.
Proverbs 11:20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, But THOSE WHO DEAL TRUTHFULLY are His delight.
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But THE PRAYER OF THE UPRIGHT is His delight.
Isaiah 11:3 HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears.
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, EXERCISING LOVINGKINDNESS, JUDGMENT, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE EARTH. For in these I delight," says the Lord.
What does the Lord take no pleasure in?
The death of the wicked (Eze 18 and 33)
Sacrifices and offering, burnt offerings and offerings for sin. (Heb 10:8)
Believers who draw back (Heb 10:38)
Fools; those who break vows (Ec 5:4)
Those who are in the flesh (Ro 8:8)
Evil (all over scripture)
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in UPRIGHTNESS.
Psalm 35:27 ...and let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in THE PROSPERITY OF HIS SERVANT."
Psalm 147:11 The Lord takes pleasure in THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, in THOSE WHO HOPE IN HIS MERCY.
Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in HIS PEOPLE; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM
Ephesians 1:5 HAVING PREDESTINED US TO ADOPTION AS SONS BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, according to the good pleasure of His will
Ephesians 1:9 HAVING MADE KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL, according to the good pleasure which He purposed in Himself
Hebrews 11:6 But without FAITH it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
1 Samuel 15:22 ..."Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in OBEYING THE VOICE OF THE LORD? Behold, TO OBEY is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
Psalms 16:3 As for THE SAINTS WHO ARE ON THE EARTH, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."
Proverbs 11:1 A JUST WEIGHT is His delight.
Proverbs 11:20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, But THOSE WHO DEAL TRUTHFULLY are His delight.
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But THE PRAYER OF THE UPRIGHT is His delight.
Isaiah 11:3 HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears.
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, EXERCISING LOVINGKINDNESS, JUDGMENT, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE EARTH. For in these I delight," says the Lord.
What does the Lord take no pleasure in?
The death of the wicked (Eze 18 and 33)
Sacrifices and offering, burnt offerings and offerings for sin. (Heb 10:8)
Believers who draw back (Heb 10:38)
Fools; those who break vows (Ec 5:4)
Those who are in the flesh (Ro 8:8)
Evil (all over scripture)
Monday, October 13, 2003
What we've all been waiting for
The Washingon Post reported Monday on research conducted by Duke University scientists that seeks to finally do what I've been asking science to give me for years.
Every couple of times science and I hang out, I say, "Science, we've been pals for a while now, and I think it's about time you did something for me. How's about figuring out a way to give me remote control in my brain?"
It looks like Science is finally making good on this request, because these Duke dudes have figured out a way to get monkeys to control robotic devices using only their thoughts.
Sound crazy? It totally is! I'm so excited.
These scientists implanted wires in certain areas of these monkeys' brains. The wires were attached to a machine that monitored their brain patterns while they were taught to control a robotic arm with a joystick?
Ya following?
The monkeys learned to use the joystick to reach for and grasp objects, requiring the primates to accommodate motion, distance and grip.
When they had gotten the hang of it, the scientists programmed the brain activity patterns into the robotic arm, and attached the wires from the monkeys' brains directly to the robot. They then gave the monkeys unplugged joysticks, and let them try again.
When the monkeys thought about what they wanted the robotic arm to do, the brain patterns alone caused the robotic arm to move like it had when the little furry fellers were using joysticks.
Next step, scientists say, is making the brain connectors transmit wirelessly.
This study is remarkable. At the very least, it has the potential to make family television programming disputes much more interesting in the distant future.
I would rather like to have a wireless transmittor in my brain that would allow me to drive my car, do my laundry or change the station without having to find the remote. I could think the lights on or off, or the garage door closed, or the coffeemaker off if I accidentally forgot them before I left for work.
Ideally, I would like to just be telekinetic.
Actually, all this is really just substitute for a juvenile desire to wield the Force. I always secretly harbored childhood desire to be a Jedi, if only for the sole purpose of being able to turn off the lights once I was in bed.
That desire passed before the advent of the Clapper, unfortunately.
But while they're at it, maybe these Duke scientists could figure out how to make light sabres too.
With advances like these, I have a new lease on irrational technological expectations.
But let us pause for a moment and consider the more grave possible consequences to this study. Supposing these scientists get slap-happy over their discoveries and start implanting such devices in many monkeys' brains. We could quickly be faced with an uprising of supermonkeys that have telekinetic links to powerful machinery.
Before long, our streets and government offices would be overrun by unstoppable banana-seeking robots controlled by an elite group of supermonkeys in a protected bunker somewhere in the hills of North Carolina.
I hope these scientists realize this possibility and take the necessary precautions.
For example, if they could develop the light sabre before they go further with this monkey project, I for one would enthusiastically agree to battle the monkeys' robot army, provided they would allow me to use a light sabre for the job.
I'd give it back when I was through, of course.
If any of you scientists wish to contact me to further discuss monkey robot armies, personal telekinesis or light sabres, feel free to email me at mariongooding@cox.net
Every couple of times science and I hang out, I say, "Science, we've been pals for a while now, and I think it's about time you did something for me. How's about figuring out a way to give me remote control in my brain?"
It looks like Science is finally making good on this request, because these Duke dudes have figured out a way to get monkeys to control robotic devices using only their thoughts.
Sound crazy? It totally is! I'm so excited.
These scientists implanted wires in certain areas of these monkeys' brains. The wires were attached to a machine that monitored their brain patterns while they were taught to control a robotic arm with a joystick?
Ya following?
The monkeys learned to use the joystick to reach for and grasp objects, requiring the primates to accommodate motion, distance and grip.
When they had gotten the hang of it, the scientists programmed the brain activity patterns into the robotic arm, and attached the wires from the monkeys' brains directly to the robot. They then gave the monkeys unplugged joysticks, and let them try again.
When the monkeys thought about what they wanted the robotic arm to do, the brain patterns alone caused the robotic arm to move like it had when the little furry fellers were using joysticks.
Next step, scientists say, is making the brain connectors transmit wirelessly.
This study is remarkable. At the very least, it has the potential to make family television programming disputes much more interesting in the distant future.
I would rather like to have a wireless transmittor in my brain that would allow me to drive my car, do my laundry or change the station without having to find the remote. I could think the lights on or off, or the garage door closed, or the coffeemaker off if I accidentally forgot them before I left for work.
Ideally, I would like to just be telekinetic.
Actually, all this is really just substitute for a juvenile desire to wield the Force. I always secretly harbored childhood desire to be a Jedi, if only for the sole purpose of being able to turn off the lights once I was in bed.
That desire passed before the advent of the Clapper, unfortunately.
But while they're at it, maybe these Duke scientists could figure out how to make light sabres too.
With advances like these, I have a new lease on irrational technological expectations.
But let us pause for a moment and consider the more grave possible consequences to this study. Supposing these scientists get slap-happy over their discoveries and start implanting such devices in many monkeys' brains. We could quickly be faced with an uprising of supermonkeys that have telekinetic links to powerful machinery.
Before long, our streets and government offices would be overrun by unstoppable banana-seeking robots controlled by an elite group of supermonkeys in a protected bunker somewhere in the hills of North Carolina.
I hope these scientists realize this possibility and take the necessary precautions.
For example, if they could develop the light sabre before they go further with this monkey project, I for one would enthusiastically agree to battle the monkeys' robot army, provided they would allow me to use a light sabre for the job.
I'd give it back when I was through, of course.
If any of you scientists wish to contact me to further discuss monkey robot armies, personal telekinesis or light sabres, feel free to email me at mariongooding@cox.net
Friday, October 10, 2003
Rest
n.
1. Cessation of work, exertion, or activity.
2. Peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity.
3. Sleep or quiet relaxation.
4. The repose of death: eternal rest.
5. Relief or freedom from disquiet or disturbance.
6. Mental or emotional tranquillity.
7. Termination or absence of motion.
v. rest·ed, rest·ing, rests
v. intr.
1. To cease motion, work, or activity.
2. To lie down, especially to sleep.
3. To be at peace or ease; be tranquil.
4. To be, become, or remain temporarily still, quiet, or inactive: Let the issue rest here.
5. To be supported or based; lie, lean, or sit: The ladder rests firmly against the tree.
6. To be imposed or vested, as a responsibility or burden: The final decision rests with the chairperson.
7. To depend or rely: That argument rests on a false assumption.
8. To be located or be in a specified place: The original manuscript rests in the museum.
9. To be fixed or directed on something: "His brown eyes rested on her for a moment" (John le Carr).
10. To remain; linger.
Hebrews 4
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, F18 not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " F19 although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; F20 5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." F21 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." F22 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
I'm striving with a concept here concerning the meaning of the word rest.
I'm trying to understand the meaning of the rest that Christians are meant to inhabit as spoken of in Hebrews.
The primary definition of rest as stated by the American Heritage Dictionary is "cessation of work, exertion or activity."
I believe that meaning is exactly what the Christian must pursue to glorify God in his life.
I know many Christians who believe that in order to be a display of God's power and glory, they need to be active in one way or another, maybe many ways at once. Maybe if they spent more time in prayer, or maybe if they restructured their lives...
I'm not suggesting that the Christian disregard prayer, nor do I think one should maintain a stumbling block that he knows he should remove. Those actions draw the believer close to the Lord.
But those actions in themselves do not present or manifest the glory of the Lord.
However, when a believer rests in submissive faith to the will of the Father, the power of the Spirit has a wide conduit through which to flow.
If Christ acted once for all, there is no longer any action required on the part of the believer. To place onesself in that Rest is to submit to the knowledge that no human action can achieve the salvation of the soul, the healing of the body or the productive revelation of a human destiny.
This is not to say that the Lord will not place us in situations where we are required to act.
But it is to say that the more responsible a human thinks he is, the less of the glorious rest he may inhabit. The false expectation of human work and responsibility is a prideful enemy, bent on glorifying man while depriving him of the awesome display of God's power to work through his servants.
Jesus acted so that we, the rest of us, may have ready access to God's rest.
When a nation is at war, the soldiers fight and the rest of the people stay behind protected. It's not the responsibility of the rest to fight. If all the rest did fight, it would render the services of the military pointless. Not only would the battle be easily won at the front, but there would be nobody at home for the soldiers to be defending. The enemy could walk right into the cities and take them over if the rest tried to leave its rest.
When bombarded with attack or change, the human reaction is to act, or at least to react, but the Spirit of the Lord says "rest."
In as many things as we assume human responsibility, we close off to receiving God's provision. In as many things as we proclaim our inability and exalt God's ability, we become lightning rods for the glorious provision that He died to give us access to.
That's His Rest.
We must be weak in our idea of ourselves, and strong in boldness of faith in confidence, not in ourselves, but in our King.
2 Cor. 12:10 "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
1. Cessation of work, exertion, or activity.
2. Peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity.
3. Sleep or quiet relaxation.
4. The repose of death: eternal rest.
5. Relief or freedom from disquiet or disturbance.
6. Mental or emotional tranquillity.
7. Termination or absence of motion.
v. rest·ed, rest·ing, rests
v. intr.
1. To cease motion, work, or activity.
2. To lie down, especially to sleep.
3. To be at peace or ease; be tranquil.
4. To be, become, or remain temporarily still, quiet, or inactive: Let the issue rest here.
5. To be supported or based; lie, lean, or sit: The ladder rests firmly against the tree.
6. To be imposed or vested, as a responsibility or burden: The final decision rests with the chairperson.
7. To depend or rely: That argument rests on a false assumption.
8. To be located or be in a specified place: The original manuscript rests in the museum.
9. To be fixed or directed on something: "His brown eyes rested on her for a moment" (John le Carr).
10. To remain; linger.
Hebrews 4
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, F18 not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " F19 although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; F20 5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." F21 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." F22 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
I'm striving with a concept here concerning the meaning of the word rest.
I'm trying to understand the meaning of the rest that Christians are meant to inhabit as spoken of in Hebrews.
The primary definition of rest as stated by the American Heritage Dictionary is "cessation of work, exertion or activity."
I believe that meaning is exactly what the Christian must pursue to glorify God in his life.
I know many Christians who believe that in order to be a display of God's power and glory, they need to be active in one way or another, maybe many ways at once. Maybe if they spent more time in prayer, or maybe if they restructured their lives...
I'm not suggesting that the Christian disregard prayer, nor do I think one should maintain a stumbling block that he knows he should remove. Those actions draw the believer close to the Lord.
But those actions in themselves do not present or manifest the glory of the Lord.
However, when a believer rests in submissive faith to the will of the Father, the power of the Spirit has a wide conduit through which to flow.
If Christ acted once for all, there is no longer any action required on the part of the believer. To place onesself in that Rest is to submit to the knowledge that no human action can achieve the salvation of the soul, the healing of the body or the productive revelation of a human destiny.
This is not to say that the Lord will not place us in situations where we are required to act.
But it is to say that the more responsible a human thinks he is, the less of the glorious rest he may inhabit. The false expectation of human work and responsibility is a prideful enemy, bent on glorifying man while depriving him of the awesome display of God's power to work through his servants.
Jesus acted so that we, the rest of us, may have ready access to God's rest.
When a nation is at war, the soldiers fight and the rest of the people stay behind protected. It's not the responsibility of the rest to fight. If all the rest did fight, it would render the services of the military pointless. Not only would the battle be easily won at the front, but there would be nobody at home for the soldiers to be defending. The enemy could walk right into the cities and take them over if the rest tried to leave its rest.
When bombarded with attack or change, the human reaction is to act, or at least to react, but the Spirit of the Lord says "rest."
In as many things as we assume human responsibility, we close off to receiving God's provision. In as many things as we proclaim our inability and exalt God's ability, we become lightning rods for the glorious provision that He died to give us access to.
That's His Rest.
We must be weak in our idea of ourselves, and strong in boldness of faith in confidence, not in ourselves, but in our King.
2 Cor. 12:10 "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
It's impossible to truly love and stay the way you are
It's impossible to get there if you won't go that far
It's impossible to get there if you won't go that far
