It's interesting to think what the practical implications are of a world without God. If God does not exist than what is the logical conclusion? Atheists and Christians alike have pondered this very question over history, and the answer that keeps coming back is not a happy one. According to Big Bang cosmology, the universe sprang into existence uncaused out of nothing. At the beginning there was an almost infinite amount of energy that exploded into our universe. As the universe expanded, the heavier matter collected and formed planets, and lighter matter was thrust further into space. Science tells us that the universe is still expanding, but according to the second law of thermodynamics, this energy will one day run out. The universe will burn out leaving it cold and empty. At this point our universe will return to where it started. Nothing.
So what does this mean for the Atheist? In the Christian world view both Christians and non Christians will end up living an eternity in Heaven or Hell, however, such a thing as immortality can never exist in the Atheist world view. This means that life is utterly without significance, value or meaning without God providing immortality.
Without God providing immortality there cannot be significance to this life. As the universe expands and dies out, and we will end passing into non-being. We will start from nothing and end in nothing. People might counter that this doesn't mean that life is insignificant as by doing good and helping others we can make a difference in their lives. This is true on a relative level, but we are talking about an ultimate significance to our being. These relative changes only matter for a short time, but in the end those we help will suffer the same fate anyways. It will be as if they never existed. The same is true of a person that affects for the better every subsequent generation until the end of time. Even such a person is without ultimate significance because in the end, when the universe dies out we are still thrust into oblivion. Essentially, no actions we take here on earth will ever change the inevitable heat death of our universe and our race.
This also means that there is not real value to life as our destiny is completely segregated from our behavior. It the grand scheme of life, it makes no difference if a person lived like Hitler or Mother Teresa, as there are no objective moral values that exist in such a universe. Morals are only the product of socio-biological evolution, which means that no one set of morals can be considered as better than another as there is no objective standard. There could not be right or wrong, but just preferences due to evolution, conditioning or herd instinct. As such, there is no accountability for the way people live their lives. There is no ultimate judge in right or wrong, and the evil will die the same as the good. Logically one should conclude from this that life should be lived in 100% self interest. To do otherwise is completely illogical as it provides no benefit to your existence. This kind of life has no measure of value because we all end in non-being.
Based on the first two points one must ask: "What is the purpose of life?" For if we have no objective morals and life should be lived out of pure self interest, and in the end we will all become nothing, life is purposeless. Doing good or perpetuating DNA over time does no more then prolong the inevitable end in nothing. We live our lives trying to do good, make money, have kids, retire early and extend our legacy. All of which is in vain as it will all be destroyed in the end.
It should also be noted that immortality alone does not grant significance, value or purpose. We would still live without objective moral truths without God, and as such people are accountable to no one. This does not give much value to our existence as the evil and the good are on equal footing. There is not real purpose in this eternal life except for the propagation of DNA. Even if by doing good and making life easier on others, we still don't have a real purpose. Duration of life doesn't add any real meaning to that life. We wouldn't consider someone who lives to be 100 years versus some who lived to 50 has having more meaning or value. What should we think an infinite amount of time would be any different? We still would not possess any meaning as we are still a random by product of matter plus time plus chance.
When looking at the logical implications of life without God, we paint a very bleak picture. But the even more interesting thing is that people in general do not live happily or consistently with this world view. If people in fact lived completely out of self interest, we would find people who cannot live happily. It's truly a depressing lifestyle to consistently live with the life style described above. However, what we see of most people are attempts to identify meaning in a meaningless life. This is in the form of service, hobbies, fighting for a cause...etc. These forms of identity directly contradict a world view without God.
For more information on this topic take a look at William Lane Craig's book Reasonable Faith.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
I have no kids, but here's my view on discipline
Proverbs 22:15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 13:24
Whoever spares the rod hates his son,but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Hebrews 12:5-7
5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."
7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
------
See the kid in the store who is screaming at the top of her lungs for the doll she absolutely must have or she will die? That is me.
How about the girl that threw down the lamp because she didn't get her way? Or the girl who sat underneath the dining table when the family wouldn't open Christmas gifts RIGHT THEN? Me.
In God's grace, He has saved me from who I could've become and has made me His Child, a New Creation. However, as a natural part of life, there are consequences. I wasn't disciplined as a child basically at all ..and there are consequences for that. I've been seeing that progressively more and more as I've grown older. While I plead no innocence for my sins of anger and control (other than in Christ paying for the penalty of my sin), I can't help but feel some pangs of the consequences.
Oh how I wish I was disciplined! Oh, how I wish I didn't have to struggle as mightily as I do now against this sin! How terribly humbling and depressing when I step back and see myself acting as childishly as I do. I don't mean to say that disciplined children don't struggle with sin (or sins of anger and control for that matter), but as Proverbs so clearly states, the rod drives folly far from the heart of a child. Folly is bound up in my heart and I thank God for the discipline He has so lovingly given me in various ways. Yet, many times, I feel so "far behind" because of the discipline I wasn't given as a child.
But this makes me think a few things. Wow, what an amazing blessing you've been given if you have been disciplined well by your parents! I know you may not understand how beautiful it is, but it is indeed wonderful.
Secondly, what a high calling for parents to be instruments of God by administering discipline for the sanctification of their child. What love that a parent, for a period of time, takes responsibility as God's instrument in sanctifying this little image bearer of God.
The calling is beyond my comprehension as I do not have my own children. But I am burdened beyond belief for any children that God may give me.. to not cultivate folly in their hearts.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 13:24
Whoever spares the rod hates his son,but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Hebrews 12:5-7
5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."
7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
------
See the kid in the store who is screaming at the top of her lungs for the doll she absolutely must have or she will die? That is me.
How about the girl that threw down the lamp because she didn't get her way? Or the girl who sat underneath the dining table when the family wouldn't open Christmas gifts RIGHT THEN? Me.
In God's grace, He has saved me from who I could've become and has made me His Child, a New Creation. However, as a natural part of life, there are consequences. I wasn't disciplined as a child basically at all ..and there are consequences for that. I've been seeing that progressively more and more as I've grown older. While I plead no innocence for my sins of anger and control (other than in Christ paying for the penalty of my sin), I can't help but feel some pangs of the consequences.
Oh how I wish I was disciplined! Oh, how I wish I didn't have to struggle as mightily as I do now against this sin! How terribly humbling and depressing when I step back and see myself acting as childishly as I do. I don't mean to say that disciplined children don't struggle with sin (or sins of anger and control for that matter), but as Proverbs so clearly states, the rod drives folly far from the heart of a child. Folly is bound up in my heart and I thank God for the discipline He has so lovingly given me in various ways. Yet, many times, I feel so "far behind" because of the discipline I wasn't given as a child.
But this makes me think a few things. Wow, what an amazing blessing you've been given if you have been disciplined well by your parents! I know you may not understand how beautiful it is, but it is indeed wonderful.
Secondly, what a high calling for parents to be instruments of God by administering discipline for the sanctification of their child. What love that a parent, for a period of time, takes responsibility as God's instrument in sanctifying this little image bearer of God.
The calling is beyond my comprehension as I do not have my own children. But I am burdened beyond belief for any children that God may give me.. to not cultivate folly in their hearts.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
If God Created the Universe then Who Created God?
This is a question I've heard many times in the past years, and have often wondered myself how Christians can answer. I had for a while thought that both Christianity and atheism boiled down to one basic belief that something had to exist before everything. This thing was either God in the Christian view, or an infinitely tiny and dense particle of mass that exploded into life in the atheist view. The conflict then becomes which scenario is more plausible? But now that I've done some reading I've learned that there is more to the issue than I first thought.
The question "Who made God?" has actually been around for some time. Bertrand Russel, a well known atheist concluded, "If everything must have a cause, then God must have a cause." Stephen Hawking begs the same question. Atheists have been attempting to explain away the necessity of God in the creation of the world as long as atheism has existed. The Steady State Theory suggests that the earth has always existed in eternity past, where as the Oscillatory model posits that the universe has been expanding and contracting continuously into eternity past. Some even believe that the universe came into existence uncaused out of nothing.
Many issues arise with this understanding of the universe, and from scientific discovery we have uncovered a number of things that refute these claims. The observations that the universe is expanding points to some beginning of the earth such as in the Big Bang theory. We also know that the universe cannot exist in eternity past because we know that an actual infinite amount of time is not possible. If you can imagine that if the universe existed in eternity past, then an infinite number of events must have existed prior to the present. But if an infinite number of past events have taken place, it is impossible to ever arrive at the present.
The second law of thermodynamics tells us that things cannot spontaneously come into existence out of nothing. In fact, this was even refuted by one of the most noted atheists, David Hume. What we can say is that whatever begins to exist must have a cause. This is consistent with what we know about our universe. If everything that begins must have a cause and we know that the universe began, then what caused the universe? Some atheists might posit that the universe caused itself into existence, but we know that the cause of any one thing cannot be the thing itself. We also know that an actually infinite number of events cannot exist, and as such there cannot be an infinite regress of causes going into eternity past. The logical conclusion is that some thing that is uncaused and eternal must be the reason behind the universe. Something that trancends time and space. But then what is this eternal and uncaused entity? In Christian understanding, this is God.
I think William Lane Craig sums this up well in a conversation he had with a student when asked "If God created the universe then who created God?" To which he replied, "God didn't come from anywhere. He has eternal and has always existed. So he doesn't need a cause. But now let me ask you something. The universe has not always existed but had a beginning. So where did the universe come from?"
It then comes down to a an understanding that God is, in fact, the best explanation as to the beginning of the universe.
The question "Who made God?" has actually been around for some time. Bertrand Russel, a well known atheist concluded, "If everything must have a cause, then God must have a cause." Stephen Hawking begs the same question. Atheists have been attempting to explain away the necessity of God in the creation of the world as long as atheism has existed. The Steady State Theory suggests that the earth has always existed in eternity past, where as the Oscillatory model posits that the universe has been expanding and contracting continuously into eternity past. Some even believe that the universe came into existence uncaused out of nothing.
Many issues arise with this understanding of the universe, and from scientific discovery we have uncovered a number of things that refute these claims. The observations that the universe is expanding points to some beginning of the earth such as in the Big Bang theory. We also know that the universe cannot exist in eternity past because we know that an actual infinite amount of time is not possible. If you can imagine that if the universe existed in eternity past, then an infinite number of events must have existed prior to the present. But if an infinite number of past events have taken place, it is impossible to ever arrive at the present.
The second law of thermodynamics tells us that things cannot spontaneously come into existence out of nothing. In fact, this was even refuted by one of the most noted atheists, David Hume. What we can say is that whatever begins to exist must have a cause. This is consistent with what we know about our universe. If everything that begins must have a cause and we know that the universe began, then what caused the universe? Some atheists might posit that the universe caused itself into existence, but we know that the cause of any one thing cannot be the thing itself. We also know that an actually infinite number of events cannot exist, and as such there cannot be an infinite regress of causes going into eternity past. The logical conclusion is that some thing that is uncaused and eternal must be the reason behind the universe. Something that trancends time and space. But then what is this eternal and uncaused entity? In Christian understanding, this is God.
I think William Lane Craig sums this up well in a conversation he had with a student when asked "If God created the universe then who created God?" To which he replied, "God didn't come from anywhere. He has eternal and has always existed. So he doesn't need a cause. But now let me ask you something. The universe has not always existed but had a beginning. So where did the universe come from?"
It then comes down to a an understanding that God is, in fact, the best explanation as to the beginning of the universe.
Friday, August 14, 2009
control freak
This is how I felt until about noon: everything went wrong today!
This is what I realized at about noon: everything just didn't go how I wanted it to go
A tidbit of my day:
I woke up to the blaring alarm clock
I am a Snooze Addict
Admittedly, I was probably going for my 10th or so Snooze
Well, boy did I get a wake up call
I reach for the Snooze, and instead, knock over the glass of water
it spills partially on my head and on the bed
woo hoo! GOOD MORNING!
I go to the car dealership with Eric's car to redeem repairs on the recall notice we got.
No worries - just to replace the door handles since the material has been peeling off and cutting people. I thought they could take care of it right away, but apparently they have to see if you qualify for the recall first and then they order the part, and then you make another appointment.
apparently it took them over an hour to find out whether we qualified (when they said it would be half an hour).
Yesterday, Eric asked me if I thought I have "control" issues. Well, it's kind of obvious when your hubby asks you that, the answer is YES.
Then all I could think as the day seemed to be going really really TERRIBLY was: "wow, if I need to learn how to trust God more and not be such a cranky pants when things don't go my way, and actually have faith that God is always at work, does that mean that He is going to give me a lots of opportunities to work on that?" Oh God, please no.
This is what I realized at about noon: everything just didn't go how I wanted it to go
A tidbit of my day:
I woke up to the blaring alarm clock
I am a Snooze Addict
Admittedly, I was probably going for my 10th or so Snooze
Well, boy did I get a wake up call
I reach for the Snooze, and instead, knock over the glass of water
it spills partially on my head and on the bed
woo hoo! GOOD MORNING!
I go to the car dealership with Eric's car to redeem repairs on the recall notice we got.
No worries - just to replace the door handles since the material has been peeling off and cutting people. I thought they could take care of it right away, but apparently they have to see if you qualify for the recall first and then they order the part, and then you make another appointment.
apparently it took them over an hour to find out whether we qualified (when they said it would be half an hour).
***
Yesterday, Eric asked me if I thought I have "control" issues. Well, it's kind of obvious when your hubby asks you that, the answer is YES.
Then all I could think as the day seemed to be going really really TERRIBLY was: "wow, if I need to learn how to trust God more and not be such a cranky pants when things don't go my way, and actually have faith that God is always at work, does that mean that He is going to give me a lots of opportunities to work on that?" Oh God, please no.
***
truly, today wasn't bad at all. It was actually a pretty good day after I talked to God about it. But honestly, all my examples are different things that didn't go my way. and I have days where I get mad about the dumbest things. I used to be the really chill customer, oh no problem, I understand, I used to be in retail. Now I feel like I'm the psycho bitch that says things like, "Um I think it would be advisable if..." and rolls her eyes.
Believe it or not, I really love sanctification. that's all I have to say for now. Oh and Jesus is awesome.
Believe it or not, I really love sanctification. that's all I have to say for now. Oh and Jesus is awesome.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
identity crisis
how timely, in light of this week's sermon!
many thoughts and emotions have been running through my mind regarding identity since graduating. and even more so since transitioning to PT work.
when it all comes down to it, i suppose it may always be a struggle.
- in school, it's the grades that maybe you find identity in. oh, and extracurriculars give you extra points, too.
- in singlehood, it's if you have a boyfriend or not
- in the social world, it's who are you friends, what do they do, what do you do together?
- in the working world, it's what kind of job you have and how much it pays
- in the church world, it's how active you are in serving and to what capacity (leadership roles give you extra points btw)
- in the church/wife world, it can be how well can you cook, clean, encourage, help, and maintain great sex with your hubs?
- in the parenting world, it's what are you kids like?!
the list can go on, i'm sure. currently, i'm at the 4th-6th. it SUCKS!
basically, all that i want to do i know is not practical for me to do because it is not what i'm called to do. did you catch that?
i've been conflicted for a while now and even toying around with ideas that don't make sense to toy around with.
*i want to do more schooling - but God has called us to pay off our debt
*i want to take ministry opportunities that have been offered to me - but God has called me to focus on growing in what it means to be a wife
*i want to take career opportunities that i know are available at my job - but God has called me homeward
you can be sure that what God has called me to, i certainly want to do at the same time as how i want to do things that conflict or "stretch myself thin."
All this conflict brewing inside of me has kept me up tonight. so i'm writing it out.
i read Ephesians 1 - how wonderful and refreshing. here's some to share with you:
v 3-14
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5hec]">[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And hed]">[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
many thoughts and emotions have been running through my mind regarding identity since graduating. and even more so since transitioning to PT work.
when it all comes down to it, i suppose it may always be a struggle.
- in school, it's the grades that maybe you find identity in. oh, and extracurriculars give you extra points, too.
- in singlehood, it's if you have a boyfriend or not
- in the social world, it's who are you friends, what do they do, what do you do together?
- in the working world, it's what kind of job you have and how much it pays
- in the church world, it's how active you are in serving and to what capacity (leadership roles give you extra points btw)
- in the church/wife world, it can be how well can you cook, clean, encourage, help, and maintain great sex with your hubs?
- in the parenting world, it's what are you kids like?!
the list can go on, i'm sure. currently, i'm at the 4th-6th. it SUCKS!
basically, all that i want to do i know is not practical for me to do because it is not what i'm called to do. did you catch that?
i've been conflicted for a while now and even toying around with ideas that don't make sense to toy around with.
*i want to do more schooling - but God has called us to pay off our debt
*i want to take ministry opportunities that have been offered to me - but God has called me to focus on growing in what it means to be a wife
*i want to take career opportunities that i know are available at my job - but God has called me homeward
you can be sure that what God has called me to, i certainly want to do at the same time as how i want to do things that conflict or "stretch myself thin."
All this conflict brewing inside of me has kept me up tonight. so i'm writing it out.
i read Ephesians 1 - how wonderful and refreshing. here's some to share with you:
v 3-14
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5hec]">[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And hed]">[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen,e]">[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
OK, i thought i'd share some of it, but truly.. all of it is very good! WOW! this is wonderful. Praise Him indeed!
v 15-23
5For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritf]">[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
1 Jn 3:1 comes to mind:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
...now i can sleep...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Zeitgeist the Movie
Me and Linn recently received a request from a friend of ours who was quite concerned about a movie she watched recently. The movie, Zeitgeist, is film created by Peter Joseph that presents, at first glance, a compelling argument that religions, specifically Christianity, are in fact based upon ancient Egyptian mythology. Zeitgeist first debuted in 2007 and since has had a large impact on both believers and non believers alike.
Linn and I decided to see what the movie was all about. I must admit that the movie presents its case in a convincing manner, however, upon closer examination of the facts it has proven to be another cleverly devised myth that has been targeted to cause confusion and doubt among those who are new to their faith or unfamiliar with the historical claims they are making. We decided to do a bit of research to see how some of the top scholars refute the claims of Peter Joseph. See the following links to view the movie and a good apologetic response.
The Movie (see part 1 on religion):
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
A Response:
http://www.alwaysbeready.com/index.php?Itemid=107&id=124&option=com_content&task=view
The majority of the mysticism claims that Peter Joseph makes in this movie is actually not anything new. The ideas that Christianity could have been taken or influenced by pagan mythology was first introduced by the German Religionsgeschictliche Schule around the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Some notable names to come from this school of thought were Richard Reitzenstein, and Sir James Frazer. Even at that time, scholars rose up to debunk the claims that Christianity was taken from other ancient pagan religions. In recent years, these ideas have seen a comeback of sorts in the form of books and movies (such as the DaVinci Code). However, just as before, scholars have pointed out all the major historical and scientific errors that are purported in these claims. As it is, the majority of scholars consider this parallel between Christianity and ancient Egyptian mysticism as a non-issue since there has been a wealth of research done to refute the claims. Personally, I find it interesting to see to what lengths people will go to try and refute Christianity and as Christians, we ought to be familiar with the views of the surrounding culture such that we can engage others and present a sound case for our faith. If you look at the response to zeitgeist you will find a long list of scholars and sources for further investigation.
Linn and I decided to see what the movie was all about. I must admit that the movie presents its case in a convincing manner, however, upon closer examination of the facts it has proven to be another cleverly devised myth that has been targeted to cause confusion and doubt among those who are new to their faith or unfamiliar with the historical claims they are making. We decided to do a bit of research to see how some of the top scholars refute the claims of Peter Joseph. See the following links to view the movie and a good apologetic response.
The Movie (see part 1 on religion):
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
A Response:
http://www.alwaysbeready.com/index.php?Itemid=107&id=124&option=com_content&task=view
The majority of the mysticism claims that Peter Joseph makes in this movie is actually not anything new. The ideas that Christianity could have been taken or influenced by pagan mythology was first introduced by the German Religionsgeschictliche Schule around the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Some notable names to come from this school of thought were Richard Reitzenstein, and Sir James Frazer. Even at that time, scholars rose up to debunk the claims that Christianity was taken from other ancient pagan religions. In recent years, these ideas have seen a comeback of sorts in the form of books and movies (such as the DaVinci Code). However, just as before, scholars have pointed out all the major historical and scientific errors that are purported in these claims. As it is, the majority of scholars consider this parallel between Christianity and ancient Egyptian mysticism as a non-issue since there has been a wealth of research done to refute the claims. Personally, I find it interesting to see to what lengths people will go to try and refute Christianity and as Christians, we ought to be familiar with the views of the surrounding culture such that we can engage others and present a sound case for our faith. If you look at the response to zeitgeist you will find a long list of scholars and sources for further investigation.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Word
I oftentimes finding myself wondering what I'm actually good at...
What I could spend more time doing...
Basically, how I can up the value of who I am...
vain. I read the Word, and it reminds me of the joy I can have in Christ - if I claim it. Reminds me of the value I have in Him - because He's given it to me...The Word - haven't been in it enough!
I read 2nd Timothy. Whenever I read Paul, I get all excited inside. He is very passionate, and it rubs off! Some of my faves would be:
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season" (4:2) - that is, when it is convenient, when it is not convenient!
"Always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry"(4:5) - are we fulfilling our ministry? what is it?
"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (2:21) - for me, this is anger (a newsflash for me believe it or not) and laziness to name a few.
"Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2:1)
"fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (1:6,7). - don't be afraid to grow and excercise the gifts that God has given us, with our confidence rooted in Him
and of course (I say, "of course," because it is a typically memorized verse that we can sometimes become numb to...which is sad),
"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (3:16)
It is funny how we can forget some of these verses, or even PARTS of these verses, and what a difference it can make! Basically, what I love about Paul, is his fear of God, and not of man. Throughout it all, I hear, "Worship God! Serve God! Love God! Draw closer to Him! Don't let the world take you away from that!"
And I think, Paul is CRAZY! He is a Jesus-freak! Guess what, it's really OKAY for people to think that you are one...it's okay. In fact, if you are Christian, someone in your life probably should think you are crazy...
I generally don't like that idea, and I think there is a lot of us out there...
What I could spend more time doing...
Basically, how I can up the value of who I am...
vain. I read the Word, and it reminds me of the joy I can have in Christ - if I claim it. Reminds me of the value I have in Him - because He's given it to me...The Word - haven't been in it enough!
I read 2nd Timothy. Whenever I read Paul, I get all excited inside. He is very passionate, and it rubs off! Some of my faves would be:
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season" (4:2) - that is, when it is convenient, when it is not convenient!
"Always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry"(4:5) - are we fulfilling our ministry? what is it?
"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (2:21) - for me, this is anger (a newsflash for me believe it or not) and laziness to name a few.
"Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2:1)
"fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (1:6,7). - don't be afraid to grow and excercise the gifts that God has given us, with our confidence rooted in Him
and of course (I say, "of course," because it is a typically memorized verse that we can sometimes become numb to...which is sad),
"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (3:16)
It is funny how we can forget some of these verses, or even PARTS of these verses, and what a difference it can make! Basically, what I love about Paul, is his fear of God, and not of man. Throughout it all, I hear, "Worship God! Serve God! Love God! Draw closer to Him! Don't let the world take you away from that!"
And I think, Paul is CRAZY! He is a Jesus-freak! Guess what, it's really OKAY for people to think that you are one...it's okay. In fact, if you are Christian, someone in your life probably should think you are crazy...
I generally don't like that idea, and I think there is a lot of us out there...
Friday, July 24, 2009
Welcome, back!
Well, we're married now :). It's been almost 3 months - and it has been wonderful and difficult, too :)!
Eric wanted to resurrect the blog so we could update people on our lives and share what we're learning (this'll help us reinforce what we're learning, too).
Hope you enjoy!
Eric wanted to resurrect the blog so we could update people on our lives and share what we're learning (this'll help us reinforce what we're learning, too).
Hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
OK we have been unfaithful posters, and probably, now, no one reads this...
ANYWAY, I was thinking about it and realized that many of our family and faraway friends don't know much about one of us....
So, here's a little post I want to write about Eric (in no particular order):
1- Eric works at Boeing as a Loads Engineer. The most I understand about Eric's job is that he goes to wind tunnels sometimes and does testing there. He also is really good at excel.
2- Eric loves nature - he enjoys hiking and snowboarding.
3- Eric plays the guitar and sings.
4- Eric is currently leading a church Community Group.
5- Eric a lot less emotional than I am.
6- Eric is very patient. He is humble, slow to anger, considerate, and kind.
7- Eric isn't outgoing, but he is good at starting a conversation with someone he doesn't know.
8- Eric likes to be clean - his house, etc.
9- Eric is thorough and detail-oriented.
10- Eric is very funny, but in a non-annoying way :).
11- Eric reads slowly, but enjoys reading.
The end ...maybe more later..
So, here's a little post I want to write about Eric (in no particular order):
1- Eric works at Boeing as a Loads Engineer. The most I understand about Eric's job is that he goes to wind tunnels sometimes and does testing there. He also is really good at excel.
2- Eric loves nature - he enjoys hiking and snowboarding.
3- Eric plays the guitar and sings.
4- Eric is currently leading a church Community Group.
5- Eric a lot less emotional than I am.
6- Eric is very patient. He is humble, slow to anger, considerate, and kind.
7- Eric isn't outgoing, but he is good at starting a conversation with someone he doesn't know.
8- Eric likes to be clean - his house, etc.
9- Eric is thorough and detail-oriented.
10- Eric is very funny, but in a non-annoying way :).
11- Eric reads slowly, but enjoys reading.
The end ...maybe more later..
Friday, January 30, 2009
Hi-Life
http://www.chowfoods.com/hilife/menu.aspx?id=28
This place has great happy hour and a really cool environment. The building used to be an old fire station. It's located in Ballard- about 5 minutes away from our church. Speaking of Ballard- a very cute little area to visit. Cupcake Royale http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/ is also located right in the heart of Ballard and so is the Matador http://matadorseattle.com/ - a very hip and trendy place to eat and get drinks!
This place has great happy hour and a really cool environment. The building used to be an old fire station. It's located in Ballard- about 5 minutes away from our church. Speaking of Ballard- a very cute little area to visit. Cupcake Royale http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/ is also located right in the heart of Ballard and so is the Matador http://matadorseattle.com/ - a very hip and trendy place to eat and get drinks!
Pho Than Brothers
http://www.thanbrothers.com/
Do you like Pho? This is a pho chain that serves ONLY pho. It is yummy and cheap and there are several locations. Check it out! It's only $4.25 for a "small" bowl of pho. And you get a yummy cream puff (that they bake themselves)!
Do you like Pho? This is a pho chain that serves ONLY pho. It is yummy and cheap and there are several locations. Check it out! It's only $4.25 for a "small" bowl of pho. And you get a yummy cream puff (that they bake themselves)!
The Pink Door
http://www.thepinkdoor.net/
This is a great Italian place tucked away in Pike Place Market. Super yummy food, and if it is warm enough out in May, I'd highly encourage eating on their rooftop. Sorry, I don't have any pictures. They also have some entertainment options, as well. A pretty cool Happy Hour menu - albeit short...
This is a great Italian place tucked away in Pike Place Market. Super yummy food, and if it is warm enough out in May, I'd highly encourage eating on their rooftop. Sorry, I don't have any pictures. They also have some entertainment options, as well. A pretty cool Happy Hour menu - albeit short...
Monday, January 26, 2009
Crab Pot
http://www.pier57seattle.com/restaurants.html
1301 Alaskan Way (Pier 57)
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 623-8600
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Top 3 Places
I usually take people when they're on a short trip to Seattle
no, not the Space Needle - maybe selfishly because I'm sick of it and think it's not that great. But maybe going 4 x now does that to you...
1) University of Washington - I'm slightly biased I guess, but the campus is beautiful with all the green! and great architecture. If you go, check out the Suzallo Library's Reading Room. Also, I think by the time you're here, the quad may be in full bloom - hopefully!
3) Alki Beach - so the sand isn't like the most smoothest or cleanest in the world, but this beach is sensational. Just go.... Also, really great great (but pretty pricey) chowder served at Duke's right across the beach.
(I dont usually take out of towners to #4, but Eric wanted me to add it)
no, not the Space Needle - maybe selfishly because I'm sick of it and think it's not that great. But maybe going 4 x now does that to you...
1) University of Washington - I'm slightly biased I guess, but the campus is beautiful with all the green! and great architecture. If you go, check out the Suzallo Library's Reading Room. Also, I think by the time you're here, the quad may be in full bloom - hopefully!
2) Gasworks park - want a great Seattle skyline picture? Come here. Also, just fun to come and play here.
3) Alki Beach - so the sand isn't like the most smoothest or cleanest in the world, but this beach is sensational. Just go.... Also, really great great (but pretty pricey) chowder served at Duke's right across the beach.
(I dont usually take out of towners to #4, but Eric wanted me to add it)
4) Washington Park Arboretum - sorry, blogger is confusing me, so I won't add a picture for this one. But as you can imagine, lots of trees...:) and flowers and it's pretty awesome. There's also a little Japanese Garden there - admission is $5 for the Japanese Garden.
k out
Friday, January 23, 2009
Oh the Places You Should Go!!!!
(clearly not a picture of me, or anyone that I know for that matter)I was trying to think of what place I should post about first. After starting and deleting a bunch of posts that were about various parks and such, I decided the place that Eric and I really want you to visit the most is our church :). There's a good chance that many of you won't be able to go because you're flying in later in the week and then flying out on Sunday, but if you're around - check it out marshillchurch.org.
We love our church! The teaching is real, practical, and keeps us grounded in the Lord. We like the music, too :). Eric and I actually met at a Community Group through Mars Hill. You may have seen my church in the media, but uhm just don't get so distracted by the hype (or the name - if you really want to know, I can tell you later or you can just look it up on their website). I started going to MH 5 years go and Eric has been going for 3 years.
We're not sure if we'll be able to make it to service on the Sunday after our wedding, but if we do, we'll let you know and then we could go together. We attend the Ballard campus.
Why aren't we getting married here? Well, the auditorium is ginormous and really really black inside.
kbye!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Public Transportation
It ain't so pretty over here - there is no mass transit train - but there are buses.
How are they? Eh...
But they do have a ride-free zone shown here within the red border lines:
How are they? Eh...
But they do have a ride-free zone shown here within the red border lines:
If you do go the bus way, there is also this handy website that gives you the route you need to take:
http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl?resptype=U
http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl?resptype=U
k peace out
bridezilla
One Really Good Reason Why You Should Book Lodging
Maybe we should've checked the Washington State Convention and Trade Center's calendar when choosing our wedding date, but we didn't.
And now, alas, here we are....
SO, the weekend of our wedding just so happens to fall on a huge American Academy of Neurology meeting - http://www.aan.com/go/am. They are expecting about 12,000 people - I know for some of you that sounds weak sauce, but now you're starting to get how small Seattle is :).
And then if you're wondering why we didn't book with a Marriott or a Hilton or something more commonly known - it's because they were already full when we tried to get room blocks in October.
So, that is why you should book your hotel room - especially if you want the Silver Cloud Inn - everyone is into that one ;P.
K bye.
And now, alas, here we are....
SO, the weekend of our wedding just so happens to fall on a huge American Academy of Neurology meeting - http://www.aan.com/go/am. They are expecting about 12,000 people - I know for some of you that sounds weak sauce, but now you're starting to get how small Seattle is :).
And then if you're wondering why we didn't book with a Marriott or a Hilton or something more commonly known - it's because they were already full when we tried to get room blocks in October.
So, that is why you should book your hotel room - especially if you want the Silver Cloud Inn - everyone is into that one ;P.
K bye.
FLYING
Check out SWA's 3-day sale to come to Seattle! Hurry because the sale ends TODAY!
http://southwest.com/landing/seattle50off.html?ref=fo1_hp_090120
I've also heard rumor that AA and United are having good deals to Seattle, as well.
http://southwest.com/landing/seattle50off.html?ref=fo1_hp_090120
I've also heard rumor that AA and United are having good deals to Seattle, as well.
LODGING
We have a room block for 10 rooms/hotel for 4/30-5/2 at the following places:
Silver Cloud Inn- Lake Union (closest to Ceremony site)
1150 Fairview Ave N
Seattle, WA, United States
206.447.9500
http://www.silvercloud.com/11location.htm
rates are between $139-159 with Suites available
Amenities include complimentary parking, breakfast, and local shuttle (takes you to 3 hot spots in DT)
Quality Inn & Suites
225 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA, United States
206.728.7666
http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-seattle-washington-WA155
rates are between $102-136
Amenities include complimentary parking and breakfast.
Extended StayAmerica (close to Jean and Chiyang- but about 45-1h away from Seattle)
3021 196th St SW
Lynnwood, WA, United States
425.670.2520
http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/seattle-lynnwood.html
rate are between $90-110
These are Suites with kitchens in each room.
To see these on a map, go to http://www.weddingmapper.com/seattle/wa/visit/0z2888.
**We thought that people would stay up in Lynnwood, but it doesn't seem to be the case, so we may put in another room block about 10 minutes away from DT Seattle near the University of Washington - will keep you posted.
Silver Cloud Inn- Lake Union (closest to Ceremony site)
1150 Fairview Ave N
Seattle, WA, United States
206.447.9500
http://www.silvercloud.com/11location.htm
rates are between $139-159 with Suites available
Amenities include complimentary parking, breakfast, and local shuttle (takes you to 3 hot spots in DT)
Quality Inn & Suites
225 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA, United States
206.728.7666
http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-seattle-washington-WA155
rates are between $102-136
Amenities include complimentary parking and breakfast.
Extended StayAmerica (close to Jean and Chiyang- but about 45-1h away from Seattle)
3021 196th St SW
Lynnwood, WA, United States
425.670.2520
http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/seattle-lynnwood.html
rate are between $90-110
These are Suites with kitchens in each room.
To see these on a map, go to http://www.weddingmapper.com/seattle/wa/visit/0z2888.
**We thought that people would stay up in Lynnwood, but it doesn't seem to be the case, so we may put in another room block about 10 minutes away from DT Seattle near the University of Washington - will keep you posted.
Welcome
Hi! This site is temporarily for all you out-of-towners coming to Seattle for our wedding :)!
We're so excited to see you and glad that you're coming!!!
More to come...
We're so excited to see you and glad that you're coming!!!
More to come...
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