Postmodernism and Arabic

We are always somewhere and we are always going somewhere. Thats the story of our lives. Thats the story of history. What is amazing to me though is how we as the Christians always seem to be a step behind where the now is, and clueless on where the next stop is. Maybe this is because we hold to traditions that are long lasting and timeless. Maybe because we serve a god "who is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore." Maybe it is because we have lost the touch of the prophetic that can see clearly what the signs of the times are and what lies ahead. Jeremiah had this. He saw what was coming. He saw that destruction was coming and spoke honestly to a nation that didnt believe him. But he saw even beyond that, which is why he obeyed when God told him to buy land. He knew that down the road there would peace and therefore he got something that would benefit his family decades later.
I was talking to my dad yesterday and he was telling me about some of our family friends who are studying Arabic in College. They are doing this because they have a heart for the Middle East. It is obvious and doesnt take a rocket scientist or deep spiritual knowledge to state that the Middle East is the center of attention in our world today. But can we say that that will be the case 10-15 years from now? 20 years ago College students were studying Russian because the eyes of the world were focused on the confrontation of the Soviet Union and America. Now we focus on a new world. My point in this is that statistically there are only a few dozen American Soldiers stationed in Baghdad that can understand ANY Arabic. So if we had anticipated that the Middle East would be something important and had learned to speak it 20 years ago, we would be able to communicate far better.
The same goes for postmodernism. Now it is a hot word that people want to study and talk about. But its day is just about to pass and we are not part of the process of understanding what is coming next or better yet of creating what is coming next. My point in all this is that we should be those who understand the times yes. We should study Arabic and postmodernism because that is where our world is RIGHT NOW. BUt why not understand where our world is going and prepare for it, so that when it comes we are completely ready and can speak before Kings and Princes.

Coming out of the dark
Shelter in the cold
Jesting for a tender kiss
Wanting peace
Picking fights with bystanders to be silent
Hiding in the ocean
Blue, vast, and a riddle
Awed by colors of the wind
Greeted by sunny rays of light
Lost and restless
Hearts mystery a game of cards
Prisoner in cavernous immense

Dies Irae recording

There is a very fascinating link here. It is about the Dies Irae, meaning "day of wrath." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_Irae)The theme has been used many many times throughout the history of music, including a piece that i am writing now... BUt anyway it is very fascinating. Take the time to listen to this: http://alanbarnes.net/music/Podies_Irae.mp3

NO Speak, NO see, NO touch...

"Sing to me muse...sing to me of glimpses of true beauty and song of true harmony"
I have decided to do something. I will take three days and try three experiements in order for me to not only appreciate them more but also to better understand the power behind them...
Day 1: I will not be able to speak for 24 hours. This will show me the power in the simple act of being able to speak. I will not write either.
Day 2: I will blind-fold myself for 24 hours. This will show me the power in the simple act of being able to see.
Day 3: I will not be able to touch anyone for 24 hours. This will show me the power in the simple sense of touch. Nor will i allow anyone to touch me for that time.

To war!

Stalin said as he, Roosevelt, and Churchill met at Yalta, "How many divisions does the Pope have?" This was implying that he didnt care what the Pope thought because it was he, Stalin, who had the military power, not the Pope. Teddy Roosevelt said, "Carry a big stick." Clausewitz said, "War is the continuation of politics by other means." War has been with us forever. Maybe it is part of our nature to war. Is it part of the heart of God? When we read the psalms by David, who was one that God said was after his heart, we see that David describes God in very military terms. "Rise oh Warrior," "Destroy my enemy," etc. And we also see that God delighted in those that rose up to wage war on the other countries that God despised.
I remember when i was young, i would always stage "military battles" of all eras. There were the classical age battles, the middle age battles, the early 20th century battles, the modern battles, and future battles acted out. Most boys do this. Why? Maybe war is something thats ingrained in our soul...and thats not a bad thing. Even Jesus said, "the kingdom of god is advanced through Violence." Now i am not taking that out of conctext and saying that we should advance the kingdom through armies and fighting. But why have we tried to kill the warrior inside of people? Why have we tried to say that passive peace is best? Maybe God engineered us to long for war...weird. And i close with one of America's most honorable, ethical, and more godly men, Robert E. Lee, " It is well that war is so terrible - otherwise we would grow too love it." Interesting...we would grow to love it?

Human beings are beautiful...terrible but beautiful

Child molester in your home

I have had some thoughts lately about the issue of sex slavery and the church. These thoughts have left me searching and longing for answers. I know that god has made me a very unique individual that will think about the world in a different way and will cause change within our world. And as i have worked on the issue of slavery there has been a great conviction in me that we must create change within the hearts of men. There are many organizations and groups that help the victims and that is my heart, but what of those who are watching child pornography, molesting children, and visiting brothels? According to the AMA there is no cure for child pedophilia. So ultimately no one has any real answers to how we can change the issue except to make punishments more severe. I believe that the church must be the place that not only is the refuge for the victims, but the place where those with these issues can seek change. I had a conversation with some of my friends recently. They were telling me that they would feel very uncomfortable if they knew that there were people in their church that were dealing with the issue. They would not be able to let their children go anywhere alone, and they would always be afraid that something would happen. Now let me say that i do not have children so i therefore do not know the wait of being a father and protecting my children. But these words made me think: is the church supposed to be a safe place? My heart was saddened, because what we are saying is that we ultimately can never trust someone like that...we dont believe they can really change. I have struggled with addictions my whole life. Its something that may always tempt me. And one of the things that has always made me struggle was the thought that if people knew they would no longer be with me. I pray that the church would be a place where men that are pedophiles and child molesters could come and be set free...and that we would not shut our doors and lives because of fear. Is it scary? Do we need to use wisdom and discernment? Yes, by no means am i saying that we should be careless. But please let us be filled with compassion and not reject them. When we look at the ministry of Jesus, he went to those who were the outcasts of society. They werent just those that society shunned, they were those that society feared. Our sins are just as dark as those raping a child right now. Which is ultimately what Jesus meant when he said, "He who is without sin throw the first stone." We dont want those that have been child molesters in our church? Who do we want then? Are we now like an organization that must look at your backround before you can get in? Would you let a man that was a child molester into your home? We must rise to the occasion and deal with this issue. My heart is broken for the boys and girls whose lives were destroyed by those men. But my heart is also broken for the man who is sitting in his car right now asking whether he should do it or not. I believe that anyone can change, and that he power of god is strong enough to break any chain and any addiction and mindset. Call me ignorant, foolish, unwise, or just a utopian who is just naive and idealistic. Maybe i am, but i believe that god is as well. He has to be in order to believe in me.