I am going to be writing a book. I have a few ideas in my head for different books that I want to write in the future, but I want to get some input as to what people would like to read. Perhaps, I'll get an idea that I didn't have before. I am hoping that I can get input from a lot of different sources. Here is the deal. I'm going to write a spiritual book and I am curious to see what would be most helpful to people on their spiritual walk. Now I know not everyone is in the same place as me, but that's OK. I'm going for more mainstream anyway. I'd like to eventually make a living from writing, so I'd like the book (and probably most of the books I'd write) to have a broad audience. Not necessarily all-inclusive, but broad enough that it can be helpful across denominational lines. I'm sure I'll write some books that are more specific to my family of churches in the future, but for now, I'm looking at a broader audience. That's my goal, and any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Nestor
28 June 2008
18 June 2008
T.R.
Theodore Roosevelt is probably my favorite president of all time. I don't think he was the best, that would probably be either Washington or Lincoln. However, he is right up there. He led the nation in a time of relative peace, even though he served honorably in the Army. He was a young Governor, Vice President, and President. Though conservative, he cared about the environment. (in a true sense, unlike hypocrites like Al Gore) He believed in the free-market, yet didn't allow big business to run amok. While I believe that Winston Churchill was more important in the grand scheme of the 20th century, America needs a President much like T.R. today. Here are a few quotes from T.R. that I enjoy.
A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.
Theodore Roosevelt
A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues.
Theodore Roosevelt
A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.
Theodore Roosevelt
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country.
Theodore Roosevelt
Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.
Theodore Roosevelt
Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive.
Theodore Roosevelt
Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big.
Theodore Roosevelt
The pacifist is as surely a traitor to his country and to humanity as is the most brutal wrongdoer.
Theodore Roosevelt
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
Theodore Roosevelt
There can be no fifty-fifty Americanism in this country. There is room here for only 100% Americanism, only for those who are Americans and nothing else.
Theodore Roosevelt
11 June 2008
On the Meez bandwagon
OK, I was finally able to get this to work. I can't say I'll do this again, but I won't say I won't either.
09 June 2008
Slavery
This post is a response to Diana's question about the slavery portion of Exodus directly preceding the scripture I quoted in response to Reck's question on my Personhood Colorado post. The scipture she referred to was; Exodus 21:20-21. I will start by saying this: I don't believe it is God's desire for men to own slaves, however, it is not sinful. It is not God's desire for a man to have more than one wife, however that is not sinful either. Everyone in the bible I can think of who had more than one wife had issues because of it. Similarly, slavery was permitted, yet probably wasn't a good idea.
I would argue however, that Israel took far better care of their slaves than most other (if not all) ancient peoples because of scriptures like that one (Exodus 21:20-21) as well as:
"If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free. And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today." (Deuteronomy 15:12-15)
"If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand him over to his master. Let him live among you wherever he likes and in whatever town he chooses. Do not oppress him." (Deuteronomy 23:16)
"Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this." (Deuteronomy 24:17-18)
Now there are many, many more scriptures which refer to how Israel was to treat slaves, foreigners, servants, etc. The heart of God was that all people should be treated well. Were slaves property? Yes. The Israelites were reminded MANY times that at one time, THEY were the property of the Egyptians, and that they needed to remember that when they dealt with their own slaves.
Where does this go to? A better question may be, what is the point of the Old Testament and its teachings? The purpose of the Old Testament was to proclaim the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. It is also the story of God's relationship with his Kingdom, primarily the physical kingdom of Israel. I would have to write many books to go into all of the intricacies of the Old Testament and how they play out into God's Spiritual Kingdom that began around 33 AD. (Indeed, many have been written)
Actual slavery is a metaphor for our slavery to sin. When we are not in a relationship with God, we are slaves to Satan and this world. When we ARE in a relationship with God, when we have been washed of our sins through the blood of Christ, then we are no longer in slavery. Just as Israel's captors were washed away and defeated in the waters of the Red Sea, so is Satan defeated and our sin washed away in the waters of baptism. When Israel crossed through the Red Sea they were freed from slavery, but had a new perspective on slavery that they needed to be reminded of. A Christian needs to be reminded of his/her former life of slavery to sin, and look compassionately on those still in sin. However, those in sin are not God's people, as their sins separate them from God. This doesn't mean that God doesn't love them. It does mean that they are lost in sin, and need salvation. They need to be set free.
Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy have the rules that God set out for His physical Kingdom on Earth; Israel. Because they were his chosen people, sin could not be among them, and the penalties for sin had to be swift and harsh. Sin not only separates the individual from God, but unchecked can destroy the entire Kingdom. Because the physical Kingdom of Israel no longer exists today, things have changed, slightly. We are not under law, but under grace. That does not mean, however that we can 'sin it up'. (Romans 6:1-2) We need to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. We need to rid our lives of all sin. To bring this to a close, as this has gotten longer than I intended (it was intended to be a comment) those in slavery to sin are separated from God, and will not see heaven. Those who have been freed from slavery WILL see heaven. If God chooses to reward and treat as better those who are not slaves in this more perfect Spiritual Kingdom, then why would he have not treated his chosen people Israel, better than those who were their slaves?
I would argue however, that Israel took far better care of their slaves than most other (if not all) ancient peoples because of scriptures like that one (Exodus 21:20-21) as well as:
"If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free. And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today." (Deuteronomy 15:12-15)
"If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand him over to his master. Let him live among you wherever he likes and in whatever town he chooses. Do not oppress him." (Deuteronomy 23:16)
"Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this." (Deuteronomy 24:17-18)
Now there are many, many more scriptures which refer to how Israel was to treat slaves, foreigners, servants, etc. The heart of God was that all people should be treated well. Were slaves property? Yes. The Israelites were reminded MANY times that at one time, THEY were the property of the Egyptians, and that they needed to remember that when they dealt with their own slaves.
Where does this go to? A better question may be, what is the point of the Old Testament and its teachings? The purpose of the Old Testament was to proclaim the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. It is also the story of God's relationship with his Kingdom, primarily the physical kingdom of Israel. I would have to write many books to go into all of the intricacies of the Old Testament and how they play out into God's Spiritual Kingdom that began around 33 AD. (Indeed, many have been written)
Actual slavery is a metaphor for our slavery to sin. When we are not in a relationship with God, we are slaves to Satan and this world. When we ARE in a relationship with God, when we have been washed of our sins through the blood of Christ, then we are no longer in slavery. Just as Israel's captors were washed away and defeated in the waters of the Red Sea, so is Satan defeated and our sin washed away in the waters of baptism. When Israel crossed through the Red Sea they were freed from slavery, but had a new perspective on slavery that they needed to be reminded of. A Christian needs to be reminded of his/her former life of slavery to sin, and look compassionately on those still in sin. However, those in sin are not God's people, as their sins separate them from God. This doesn't mean that God doesn't love them. It does mean that they are lost in sin, and need salvation. They need to be set free.
Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy have the rules that God set out for His physical Kingdom on Earth; Israel. Because they were his chosen people, sin could not be among them, and the penalties for sin had to be swift and harsh. Sin not only separates the individual from God, but unchecked can destroy the entire Kingdom. Because the physical Kingdom of Israel no longer exists today, things have changed, slightly. We are not under law, but under grace. That does not mean, however that we can 'sin it up'. (Romans 6:1-2) We need to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. We need to rid our lives of all sin. To bring this to a close, as this has gotten longer than I intended (it was intended to be a comment) those in slavery to sin are separated from God, and will not see heaven. Those who have been freed from slavery WILL see heaven. If God chooses to reward and treat as better those who are not slaves in this more perfect Spiritual Kingdom, then why would he have not treated his chosen people Israel, better than those who were their slaves?
07 June 2008
Personhood Colorado
People are finally taking on the bogus ruling in Roe v. Wade. Personhood Colorado, has added an amendment up for vote on the November ballot that would state; "The term "Person" or "Persons" shall include any human from the time of fertilization." This would rule out all abortions in the state of Colorado and while it will certainly be challenged by some activist judge, there is a conservative majority on the US Supreme Court. Let's pray and hope that the Colorado voters don't give in to the inevitable bombardment by the pro-abortion lobby which is estimated to be spending $10,000,000 to sway Colorado voters on this amendment. (Far more than Personhood Colorado has) If this goes through, more and more states are likely pursue similar amendments and appeals to the Supreme Court may eventually overturn Roe v. Wade. The website is: http://www.coloradoforequalrights.com/
05 June 2008
From the mouth of the man who saved Western Civilisation
Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has no heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains.
Sir Winston Churchill
A love for tradition has never weakened a nation, indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril.
Sir Winston Churchill
However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.
Sir Winston Churchill
It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
Sir Winston Churchill
It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.
Sir Winston Churchill
One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half.
Sir Winston Churchill
The price of greatness is responsibility.
Sir Winston Churchill
An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
Sir Winston Churchill
The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.
Sir Winston Churchill
But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age.... Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say, This was their finest hour.
Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill
A love for tradition has never weakened a nation, indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril.
Sir Winston Churchill
However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.
Sir Winston Churchill
It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
Sir Winston Churchill
It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.
Sir Winston Churchill
One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half.
Sir Winston Churchill
The price of greatness is responsibility.
Sir Winston Churchill
An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
Sir Winston Churchill
The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.
Sir Winston Churchill
But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age.... Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say, This was their finest hour.
Sir Winston Churchill
04 June 2008
Are you kidding me?
I've linked to a 'Yahoo!' News story that really got under my skin. I think I will have to do research on the writer because she is either working for Obama, or she bumped her head, or she is taking some serious psychedelic medications.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080604/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_analysis_6
John McCain and Barack Obama are polar opposites? What planet does this woman live on? John McCain is as liberal as you can be and still be considered a 'moderate'. He isn't a moderate, he's a liberal. Since we keep changing the definition of the terms moderate and conservative however, I guess by the new (but not improved) American definition of 'moderate', McCain fits.
McCain has the liberal view of immigration, global warming, energy policy, freedom of speech (or lack thereof) etc., etc. The only thing he has a somewhat conservative viewpoint on is the war on Islamic Terrorists. I don't believe that he is a true believer on taxes, but he knows he needs to throw a little bone to true conservatives. How about throwing a REAL bone, like changing your liberal viewpoints, and also picking a conservative running mate. How about after picking your running mate, throwing out conservatives for cabinet positions as well. Conservatives are not buying that McCain is the second coming of Ronald Reagan, and please stop using Reagan's name in your speeches. This is what we want Senator McCain:
OR
OR
EVEN
These men may not be perfect, but they are far better than you Senator, and if you want conservatives to trust you, we need to know that the next in line IS a conservative, and will stand up for conservative principles.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080604/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_analysis_6
John McCain and Barack Obama are polar opposites? What planet does this woman live on? John McCain is as liberal as you can be and still be considered a 'moderate'. He isn't a moderate, he's a liberal. Since we keep changing the definition of the terms moderate and conservative however, I guess by the new (but not improved) American definition of 'moderate', McCain fits.
McCain has the liberal view of immigration, global warming, energy policy, freedom of speech (or lack thereof) etc., etc. The only thing he has a somewhat conservative viewpoint on is the war on Islamic Terrorists. I don't believe that he is a true believer on taxes, but he knows he needs to throw a little bone to true conservatives. How about throwing a REAL bone, like changing your liberal viewpoints, and also picking a conservative running mate. How about after picking your running mate, throwing out conservatives for cabinet positions as well. Conservatives are not buying that McCain is the second coming of Ronald Reagan, and please stop using Reagan's name in your speeches. This is what we want Senator McCain:
OR
OR
EVEN
These men may not be perfect, but they are far better than you Senator, and if you want conservatives to trust you, we need to know that the next in line IS a conservative, and will stand up for conservative principles.
02 June 2008
Who is this Jesus?
See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him-
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
This Jesus bore the sin of the world so that we do not have to die an eternal death. He paid the price though we did not deserve it. Still, to those called by God, we are worth the sacrifice of Jesus in the eyes of God the Father. Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, persecuted, beaten beyond recognition as anything human and tortured to death on a cross while bearing the pain of being separated from Our Father at his weakest moment. He was fully human and fully God. Because of His love for us, he suffered a pain that no one can imagine, and did it willingly for our sakes. Praise be to God through Jesus Christ his Son!
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him-
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
This Jesus bore the sin of the world so that we do not have to die an eternal death. He paid the price though we did not deserve it. Still, to those called by God, we are worth the sacrifice of Jesus in the eyes of God the Father. Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, persecuted, beaten beyond recognition as anything human and tortured to death on a cross while bearing the pain of being separated from Our Father at his weakest moment. He was fully human and fully God. Because of His love for us, he suffered a pain that no one can imagine, and did it willingly for our sakes. Praise be to God through Jesus Christ his Son!
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