"To obey is better than sacrifice" I Samuel 15:22
Who are we to obey? God.
Why? Why should we do what God tells us to do? Isn't it much more fun when I don't have to worry about "don't do this, don't do that..." Our duty to obey God is not because He is God, but because His commands are in our best interests (see Matthew 7: 7-11) -- because God is good.
Since we are to obey God, what is it that He tells us to do? He says: "Love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength...and love thy neighbor as thyself." We cannot just "believe"- for without works, faith is dead (James 2:14) Jesus' death is only for us if we are His friends, and as He said, "ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." How is it with us? Are we Jesus' friends? Have we and are we doing what He has commanded? Do you treat others as we would want to be treated? If not, beware, for you are in danger of hellfire! However, if God will say "well done, good and faithful servant"...glory to God! He is glorified in our obedience.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Rebelution Conference (Part 2)
Back to the Rebelution conference – Portland 2008......
So for the first full session, Alex delivered the message.
He began by saying that an elephant was the pet that he had always wanted when he was younger (I mean…what other kid can say “yeah, I just got an elephant the other day”…you would totally rule the playground!)…but then as he grew more mature, he began to think about how you would keep an elephant from running off – they’re so strong that they are used to pull trees right out of the ground! But the owners of elephants never have a problem with their elephants running off…why? Because they tie some twine around their leg, and fasten it to a stake in the ground – the elephants never run away. What’s so special about the twine?...nothing, because the twine is not what is really keeping the elephant from breaking it and running away; the farmer, when the elephant is young, takes a chain and shackles the elephant to a tree – no matter how hard the little elephant tries, he cannot break the chain, or uproot the tree – the elephant learns that when it has something tied around it’s leg, it can’t get away…when it is tied with the twine, the shackles are not around its leg, they are around its mind. Thus, because it does not expect to be able to break free, it doesn’t even try, and thus never breaks the twine and runs away.
In many ways, we are like the elephant – we have much strength, potential, and energy – yet we are often controlled by culture’s shackles…low expectations. So what went wrong? Why do we have these low expectations, these “shackles”?
What does the Bible say about teenagers? Nothing. The Bible talks about children, and then about men – adults – there is no in-between stage ever mentioned, no mention of a time when responsibility is light and goofing off is okay – so what was it like being a teenager before the current concept of “teenager” came into being (“teenager” was first used in 1941)?
Alex gave three examples of teenagers – George (Washington), David (Farragut), and Clarissa (Clara Barton)…all three accomplished amazing things while still in their teenage years, because they had high expectations and were held to a high standard of responsibility.
So what changed between then and now?
One of the major changes was that in the early 1900s, partly because of the abusive child labour practices, it was made mandatory that children attend school through high school level – this greatly alleviated the child labour problem, but had a side-effect of causing many young people to be idle (rather than actively engaged in productive activities, as George, David, and Clarissa were)…due to this idleness, very gradually youth became consumers, rather than producers, thus creating the expectation that youth would simply be consumers (lowered expectations), and then because they were idle, youth had the opportunity to “goof off” and thus furthering the lowered expectations…so the cycle went on.
Alex quoted somebody [I don’t remember who…argh] as saying that “the current ceiling [of expectations] is where the floor should be” – our culture’s expectations for youth are so low, that “high expectations” are really only the basics!
For example, when Alex and Brett looked up “teens” and “expectations” on Google, they found a website that was for parents who wanted help raising teenagers – and they saw that there was a section about expectations, they decided to take a look, just to see what people were saying. The author first made some general comments which were pretty good, along the lines of “always encourage your teen to push himself,” etc….and then they saw some specific recommendations that parents might take as examples: for early teens (13-15) – they should be expected to make their bed every day, know how to take a message on the telephone, and clean their room (with some help from Mom and Dad); for older teens, the expectations are higher – they should be expected to do a daily chore, keep the gas tank above ¼ full, and clean their room (all by themselves!). Alex and Brett were shocked that this is all that teens are expected to do – quite a contrast when compared to what George, David, and Clarissa were expected to accomplish! Rather than simply live “up” to the current expectations, we should instead “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (I Timothy 4:12).
We are not called to fit in, but to be exemplary! (Romans 12:1-2) We need to wake up to the fact that the low expectations are robbing us!! We are like the elephant, and we need to realize that we can (and should) break the twine of low expectations, so that we can freely and effectively live for God.
So what does a “rebelution” look like? It is where teens take advantage of their teen years, as George, David, and Clarissa did, redeeming that time, and using it for what it is – critical training for adulthood. So the question we must ask ourselves is this: are we doing things now that will prepare us for adult, productive life? Are we doing what we need to do?…or are we doing what we want to do?
Forthcoming sometime in the future will be session #2, with Brett Harris…
So for the first full session, Alex delivered the message.
He began by saying that an elephant was the pet that he had always wanted when he was younger (I mean…what other kid can say “yeah, I just got an elephant the other day”…you would totally rule the playground!)…but then as he grew more mature, he began to think about how you would keep an elephant from running off – they’re so strong that they are used to pull trees right out of the ground! But the owners of elephants never have a problem with their elephants running off…why? Because they tie some twine around their leg, and fasten it to a stake in the ground – the elephants never run away. What’s so special about the twine?...nothing, because the twine is not what is really keeping the elephant from breaking it and running away; the farmer, when the elephant is young, takes a chain and shackles the elephant to a tree – no matter how hard the little elephant tries, he cannot break the chain, or uproot the tree – the elephant learns that when it has something tied around it’s leg, it can’t get away…when it is tied with the twine, the shackles are not around its leg, they are around its mind. Thus, because it does not expect to be able to break free, it doesn’t even try, and thus never breaks the twine and runs away.
In many ways, we are like the elephant – we have much strength, potential, and energy – yet we are often controlled by culture’s shackles…low expectations. So what went wrong? Why do we have these low expectations, these “shackles”?
What does the Bible say about teenagers? Nothing. The Bible talks about children, and then about men – adults – there is no in-between stage ever mentioned, no mention of a time when responsibility is light and goofing off is okay – so what was it like being a teenager before the current concept of “teenager” came into being (“teenager” was first used in 1941)?
Alex gave three examples of teenagers – George (Washington), David (Farragut), and Clarissa (Clara Barton)…all three accomplished amazing things while still in their teenage years, because they had high expectations and were held to a high standard of responsibility.
So what changed between then and now?
One of the major changes was that in the early 1900s, partly because of the abusive child labour practices, it was made mandatory that children attend school through high school level – this greatly alleviated the child labour problem, but had a side-effect of causing many young people to be idle (rather than actively engaged in productive activities, as George, David, and Clarissa were)…due to this idleness, very gradually youth became consumers, rather than producers, thus creating the expectation that youth would simply be consumers (lowered expectations), and then because they were idle, youth had the opportunity to “goof off” and thus furthering the lowered expectations…so the cycle went on.
Alex quoted somebody [I don’t remember who…argh] as saying that “the current ceiling [of expectations] is where the floor should be” – our culture’s expectations for youth are so low, that “high expectations” are really only the basics!
For example, when Alex and Brett looked up “teens” and “expectations” on Google, they found a website that was for parents who wanted help raising teenagers – and they saw that there was a section about expectations, they decided to take a look, just to see what people were saying. The author first made some general comments which were pretty good, along the lines of “always encourage your teen to push himself,” etc….and then they saw some specific recommendations that parents might take as examples: for early teens (13-15) – they should be expected to make their bed every day, know how to take a message on the telephone, and clean their room (with some help from Mom and Dad); for older teens, the expectations are higher – they should be expected to do a daily chore, keep the gas tank above ¼ full, and clean their room (all by themselves!). Alex and Brett were shocked that this is all that teens are expected to do – quite a contrast when compared to what George, David, and Clarissa were expected to accomplish! Rather than simply live “up” to the current expectations, we should instead “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (I Timothy 4:12).
We are not called to fit in, but to be exemplary! (Romans 12:1-2) We need to wake up to the fact that the low expectations are robbing us!! We are like the elephant, and we need to realize that we can (and should) break the twine of low expectations, so that we can freely and effectively live for God.
So what does a “rebelution” look like? It is where teens take advantage of their teen years, as George, David, and Clarissa did, redeeming that time, and using it for what it is – critical training for adulthood. So the question we must ask ourselves is this: are we doing things now that will prepare us for adult, productive life? Are we doing what we need to do?…or are we doing what we want to do?
Forthcoming sometime in the future will be session #2, with Brett Harris…
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Modesty (From a Woman's Perspective)
I was discussing the topic of modesty with some of my friends a while ago, and then just recently it resurfaced, and I believe that their perspective is valuable, so I have attempted to refine the ideas expressed (instant messenger conversations are kind of hard to work with) – and here they are.
Andrew: Andrew Powers (me)
Sarah: Sarah Ganzhorn
Hannah: Hannah Ganzhorn
Nalani: Nalani Brisco
Alicia: Alicia Powers
Sarah: Have you ever noticed that articles talking about modesty are normally focused on women being modest and most of the time don't even mention the fact that men also should be modest?
Andrew: Sometimes it bothers me...but I think it's probably because guys think about it more.
What were your thoughts on the "modesty for guys" topic?
Sarah: Men may be visually oriented... but girls also are – maybe not to such an extent but it is still there, and it still causes problems.
Andrew: So what ways should men be modest?
Sarah: I don't want to get on a soapbox or anything but I think that men can be modest in pretty much all the same ways women should be. For example, men are always saying that when women wear really tight pants it causes them problems – well, men wearing rather tight pants cause women to have problems as well.
Nalani: A guy can be immodest by being vulgar (either in his self-representation or his speech [like if he swears a lot or makes a lot of sexual innuendos (being pervy!)])....ummm....hmmm....being arrogant and proud to a fault...
Hannah: In speech, behavior, and appearance…specifically, immodesty in speech and behavior pretty much equals flirting, which can include ridiculously outrageous compliments, being smart or witty with the sole intent of attracting, showing off strength, etc.
Modesty of dress is not using one's body to attract, modest clothing would not be too loose (as in descending pants), too tight (as in bicycling tights), or too skimpy.
Alicia: I think the modesty for guys probably comes in character. Arrogant and proud or humble.
Andrew: To me it seems that a lot of times immodesty in a guy exhibits itself in different forms than girls (where clothing is the major issue)...with guys, immodesty can be not in the clothes so much as in, say, the muscular body, or the fast/loud car, etc.
Sarah: Mmm, yes that’s true, also, girls' immodesty is not limited to clothes – she can dress modestly and not behave modestly.
Andrew: Right. So what is modesty, then?
Nalani: Well, there's modesty as being humble, and then there's physical modesty--wearing clothes that aren't terribly revealing
Sarah: The definition for modest would be the opposite of immodest, and my opinion of immodest would be intentionally attracting the attention of the opposite gender in a way that would cause them to lust, etc.
Basically, anything that is immodest for a girl, the male version of it is also immodest. So, just like girls being immodest because they are wearing really tight pants, it is the same with guys wearing really tight pants.
Hannah: Immodesty is dressing or behaving in a way that encourages impure thoughts or actions….modesty is dressing and behaving in a way that is above reproach.
Andrew: Ok....so immodest actions for a girl can be flirting, acting provocatively (body postures, shoe choice, etc.), etc......so what do guys do (or wear, or say) etc., that fits into the "immodest" category?
Nalani: It kind of depends on what you think of as indecent. I'm not too fond of the way baggy pants some guys wear... and lots of older folks don't appreciate all of the holes in pants (or other clothing) that reveal all that skin. And unless it's swimwear, I would say no really short shorts either, and no rips/holes in the clothing that could potentially expose their privates…
Hannah: I think guys are as guilty as flirting of girls.... they do a lot of showing off... so far as what they wear... pants can easily be to big, or too tight ( as in bicycling shorts) and I really would rather they keep their shirts on.
Sarah: You want specifics? Well, guys can also have provocative body postures, guys can also flirt...I guess you could say the big guy thing is to show off to get all the girls attention, you know, to show that he is the strongest or whatever
I would say that guys' shirts should meet their pants at all times – same as for girls.
The saggy pants business is so bad, and tight shirts aren't that great either.
Andrew: So then, does immodesty have something to do with "showing off"....and if so, what is it that guys do to "show off" that "intentionally attracts the attention of the opposite gender in a way that would cause them to lust"?
Sarah: I think showing off is a good example of immodest behavior, well, girls are attracted to strong men, so I guess when a guy goes out of his way to seem strong in front of a girl then that would be immodest behavior indeed.
Hannah: In my experience, it's mostly body, brains, and personality… I don't really notice the showing off of stuff... except maybe having a 'hot' car, but so far as intentionally attracting, a lot of guys will be gentlemanly just as a chance to show off how strong they are or whatever, I've heard a lot of girls oohing and ahhing over how buff some guy is.
They’ll pay me outrageous compliments, or try to be really smart because they think I am. Usually that's accompanied by asking me out.
It's not so much what they do but what they say.
Andrew: So would you say that a lot of the "immodest" actions are efforts on the guy's part to make you prefer him over others --- so really anything that flows from that motivation is truly "immodest"?
Hannah: Yes... I guess you could say that... there are exceptions though…
Such as… you can't really call a guy who wants his wife to like him better than other guys immodest
So I would say it's only immodest if the guy hasn't the right .
___________________
I could probably write a wordy conclusion to this “interview”…but Hannah’s paraphrase of Paul is perfectly apt; she says it is really about how “guys should concern themselves not only with keeping their own thoughts pure but also the thoughts of their sisters in Christ.”
I completely agree. This is the true attitude of charity – not using our liberty as a cloak for selfishness (I Peter 2:16), not destroying others through our actions (Romans 14:13-15), and taking heed that our liberty does not become a stumblingblock to those that are weak (I Cor. 8:9). “Let every one of us please his [sister] for [her] good to edification” (Romans 15:2)…. “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (I Cor. 10:24).
Andrew: Andrew Powers (me)
Sarah: Sarah Ganzhorn
Hannah: Hannah Ganzhorn
Nalani: Nalani Brisco
Alicia: Alicia Powers
Sarah: Have you ever noticed that articles talking about modesty are normally focused on women being modest and most of the time don't even mention the fact that men also should be modest?
Andrew: Sometimes it bothers me...but I think it's probably because guys think about it more.
What were your thoughts on the "modesty for guys" topic?
Sarah: Men may be visually oriented... but girls also are – maybe not to such an extent but it is still there, and it still causes problems.
Andrew: So what ways should men be modest?
Sarah: I don't want to get on a soapbox or anything but I think that men can be modest in pretty much all the same ways women should be. For example, men are always saying that when women wear really tight pants it causes them problems – well, men wearing rather tight pants cause women to have problems as well.
Nalani: A guy can be immodest by being vulgar (either in his self-representation or his speech [like if he swears a lot or makes a lot of sexual innuendos (being pervy!)])....ummm....hmmm....being arrogant and proud to a fault...
Hannah: In speech, behavior, and appearance…specifically, immodesty in speech and behavior pretty much equals flirting, which can include ridiculously outrageous compliments, being smart or witty with the sole intent of attracting, showing off strength, etc.
Modesty of dress is not using one's body to attract, modest clothing would not be too loose (as in descending pants), too tight (as in bicycling tights), or too skimpy.
Alicia: I think the modesty for guys probably comes in character. Arrogant and proud or humble.
Andrew: To me it seems that a lot of times immodesty in a guy exhibits itself in different forms than girls (where clothing is the major issue)...with guys, immodesty can be not in the clothes so much as in, say, the muscular body, or the fast/loud car, etc.
Sarah: Mmm, yes that’s true, also, girls' immodesty is not limited to clothes – she can dress modestly and not behave modestly.
Andrew: Right. So what is modesty, then?
Nalani: Well, there's modesty as being humble, and then there's physical modesty--wearing clothes that aren't terribly revealing
Sarah: The definition for modest would be the opposite of immodest, and my opinion of immodest would be intentionally attracting the attention of the opposite gender in a way that would cause them to lust, etc.
Basically, anything that is immodest for a girl, the male version of it is also immodest. So, just like girls being immodest because they are wearing really tight pants, it is the same with guys wearing really tight pants.
Hannah: Immodesty is dressing or behaving in a way that encourages impure thoughts or actions….modesty is dressing and behaving in a way that is above reproach.
Andrew: Ok....so immodest actions for a girl can be flirting, acting provocatively (body postures, shoe choice, etc.), etc......so what do guys do (or wear, or say) etc., that fits into the "immodest" category?
Nalani: It kind of depends on what you think of as indecent. I'm not too fond of the way baggy pants some guys wear... and lots of older folks don't appreciate all of the holes in pants (or other clothing) that reveal all that skin. And unless it's swimwear, I would say no really short shorts either, and no rips/holes in the clothing that could potentially expose their privates…
Hannah: I think guys are as guilty as flirting of girls.... they do a lot of showing off... so far as what they wear... pants can easily be to big, or too tight ( as in bicycling shorts) and I really would rather they keep their shirts on.
Sarah: You want specifics? Well, guys can also have provocative body postures, guys can also flirt...I guess you could say the big guy thing is to show off to get all the girls attention, you know, to show that he is the strongest or whatever
I would say that guys' shirts should meet their pants at all times – same as for girls.
The saggy pants business is so bad, and tight shirts aren't that great either.
Andrew: So then, does immodesty have something to do with "showing off"....and if so, what is it that guys do to "show off" that "intentionally attracts the attention of the opposite gender in a way that would cause them to lust"?
Sarah: I think showing off is a good example of immodest behavior, well, girls are attracted to strong men, so I guess when a guy goes out of his way to seem strong in front of a girl then that would be immodest behavior indeed.
Hannah: In my experience, it's mostly body, brains, and personality… I don't really notice the showing off of stuff... except maybe having a 'hot' car, but so far as intentionally attracting, a lot of guys will be gentlemanly just as a chance to show off how strong they are or whatever, I've heard a lot of girls oohing and ahhing over how buff some guy is.
They’ll pay me outrageous compliments, or try to be really smart because they think I am. Usually that's accompanied by asking me out.
It's not so much what they do but what they say.
Andrew: So would you say that a lot of the "immodest" actions are efforts on the guy's part to make you prefer him over others --- so really anything that flows from that motivation is truly "immodest"?
Hannah: Yes... I guess you could say that... there are exceptions though…
Such as… you can't really call a guy who wants his wife to like him better than other guys immodest
So I would say it's only immodest if the guy hasn't the right .
___________________
I could probably write a wordy conclusion to this “interview”…but Hannah’s paraphrase of Paul is perfectly apt; she says it is really about how “guys should concern themselves not only with keeping their own thoughts pure but also the thoughts of their sisters in Christ.”
I completely agree. This is the true attitude of charity – not using our liberty as a cloak for selfishness (I Peter 2:16), not destroying others through our actions (Romans 14:13-15), and taking heed that our liberty does not become a stumblingblock to those that are weak (I Cor. 8:9). “Let every one of us please his [sister] for [her] good to edification” (Romans 15:2)…. “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (I Cor. 10:24).
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Rebelution Conference (Part 1)
I promised a review of the Rebelution conference, so as I have time, I will be writing a full report -- to begin with, I have the introductory remarks.
Last Saturday, I attended the Rebelution conference – Portland 2008...
Alex & Brett Harris with their father, Gregg Harris
There were four sessions:
1. Alex
2. Brett
3. Gregg
4. Alex/Gregg/Brett
Before launching into the first session, Alex and Brett introduce themselves and explain how the idea for the Rebelution began, and pose the question: “why are we here? – why are you here?”
They explained that they came to the realization that while culture says “it doesn’t matter how we spend our teen years”….it really DOES matter! So they found themselves in the same kind of position as Jeremiah, when God began to use him:
“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” (Jer. 1:4-8)
Seeing that the culture was saying to those who “cannot speak, for they are but children” that it was okay, they didn’t really need the responsibility – they decided that this message was totally contradictory to the true, biblical purpose of not only the teenage years, but of living at all! So they began writing about “doing hard things” on their blog, and that was the beginning of the Rebelution.
....coming at some point will be the first session with Alex Harris.
Last Saturday, I attended the Rebelution conference – Portland 2008...
Alex & Brett Harris with their father, Gregg Harris
There were four sessions:
1. Alex
2. Brett
3. Gregg
4. Alex/Gregg/Brett
Before launching into the first session, Alex and Brett introduce themselves and explain how the idea for the Rebelution began, and pose the question: “why are we here? – why are you here?”
They explained that they came to the realization that while culture says “it doesn’t matter how we spend our teen years”….it really DOES matter! So they found themselves in the same kind of position as Jeremiah, when God began to use him:
“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” (Jer. 1:4-8)
Seeing that the culture was saying to those who “cannot speak, for they are but children” that it was okay, they didn’t really need the responsibility – they decided that this message was totally contradictory to the true, biblical purpose of not only the teenage years, but of living at all! So they began writing about “doing hard things” on their blog, and that was the beginning of the Rebelution.
....coming at some point will be the first session with Alex Harris.
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