Cultural Markers, Edition 1

by: MS Quixote - May 29th, 2009   Filed under: Discussion 5 Comments

Congratulations to Kavya Shivashankar for her resent Nashonal Spelling Be viktory. Let’s give her a big hand; this commentary is in no way directed at her achievement. I’m amazed yearly at the spelling abilities on display at this annual contest, so congratulations to every participant, and Kavya in particular.

Cultural markers are events or facets of our society that illustrate or reveal cultural or societal norms, and shifts in those norms. The following is a cultural marker I detected in this contest. Feel free to correct me if I’ve misread this as a significant marker. 

Kavya secured her victory by spelling the word laodicean.  For Christians conversant with their holy text–and all Christians should be–this is a very familiar word. It derives from one of the seven churches in the seven cities in the opening chapters of the Book of Revelation. Specifically, Laodicea was the church to which Christ said “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Christ continues with one of the most reknown passages in the New Testament: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Moreover, many Christians see in the seven churches parallels of the church throughout its history, with the Laodicean church representing an apostate or backsliding church.

What’s the marker, then? It seems to me a bit odd that this word should be the final word of a spelling bee. In times past, it would seem too familiar a word, say, like Ephesus, Theophilus, or Zechariah. Apparently, this is no longer the case, which suggests to me that our culture has shifted to some degree from a thoroughly Christianized, Biblically literate society to a more secularized society with no more than a passing acquaintance with the Bible. If the word had been Thyatiric, perhaps my eyebrows would have risen, but I doubt I’d be writing this post. Laodicea, however, is simply too well known–or at least it used to be.

For you Christians out there, here’s a challenge: name the seven churches of Revelation without looking at the text. I’ve given you three, and you’re on the honor system…

A Bit of Perspective, Part I

by: MS Quixote - May 21st, 2009   Filed under: Discussion 1 Comment

US Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God matter entitles them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal the products of purely natural causes, that they are endowed by their Creator No One and no objective moral standard with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

 

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge gentle indifference of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence Natural Selection through the survival of the fittest, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal the products of purely natural causes.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here but it will forget what they did here because the universe is destined to die of heat loss or else implode upon itself with no one left around to remember. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God a purely naturalistic Darwinism, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

 

Kennedy Inaugural Address

We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God no one with the power, knowledge, and authority to hold me accountable the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe – the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God a social contract we hopefully all agree to.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help our own ingenuity, strength, and moral goodness, but knowing that here on Earth God’s man’s work must truly be our own.

Simply does not ring true, does it?

Biblical Womanhood, Part II: Worship, Not Worry

by: shemaromans - May 9th, 2009   Filed under: Proper Biblical Interpretation 3 Comments

 

Rise up this mornin,

Smiled with the risin sun,

Three little birds

Pitch by my doorstep

Singin sweet songs

Of melodies pure and true,

Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou)

 

Singin: dont worry bout a thing,

cause every little thing gonna be all right.

Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,

cause every little thing gonna be all right!

 

Bob Marley understood about not worrying. The lyrics, the relaxing rhythm, the lyrical melody, and the peaceful harmonies inspire a worry-free attitude.

Should we trust in “Three Little Birds” to provide us with the reminder and the strength to not be anxious about anything? No, we should go to the Word for reassurance, not popular music. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bestow upon us the truth from and the ability through which we derive our comfort and security.

 

Jesus spoke about little birds in Matthew 6 and Luke 12:

 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  (Matthew 6: 25-34)

 

“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?”  (Luke 12: 24-26)

 

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. 

 

Worry signifies a reliance on self instead of on God and His promises. When we worry, we neglect the blessings that come from trusting in him. We fail to be trees firmly planted.

 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

   whose trust is the LORD.

He is like a tree planted by water,

   that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

   for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

   for it does not cease to bear fruit.”  (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

 

Worry also returns us to a state similar to that of Eve in the Garden in that it allows the evil one a foothold. On what would evil prefer us to focus our minds: our troubles or our loving and faithful God? Once we’re focused on our troubles instead of God, we’ve removed (or even neglected to put on) a portion of the whole armor that God’s told us in Ephesians 6 to don daily as protection against the evil one. As his children, we’re to persevere, praying at all times in the Spirit.

 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:4-7)

 

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

We’re to consider it pure joy when we face trials of all kinds (James 1). As well, we know from the book of Romans that these trials sanctify us, incrementally transforming us more and more into the people that God wants us to be. Furthermore, we know that God will work all things for our good. Being assured of this, why should we worry?

 

The life of the Apostle Paul clearly reveals to us the power of God and the peace we have when we believe his comforting will. Paul faced persecution daily. Even while imprisoned, he penned letters that resound with a joy that locates its origin and sustaining power in and through God’s grace.

 

Each day, Paul lived to serve the Lord. He did so with the knowledge that each day possessed the potential to be his last in this world. Through this knowledge and his passion for God, he equipped us with a mantra through which we should live: “For to me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

 

Are we living for Christ or are we spending our time worrying?

 

Are we caring women if we don’t worry? That seems to be the mindset behind many women that I’ve observed, including myself at times. They perhaps aren’t aware of it, but they appear to think that they’re more sensitive and concerned if they’re worrying, as if there’s something wrong with them if they aren’t overly concerned about completing the laundry three days in advance of wear or setting the food on the table by a certain time or creating the VBS decorations just right.

 

Jesus told us not to worry. He told us to seek the kingdom of God first and these things would be added. Seeking the kingdom and living for it transforms us into caring individuals. As we trust in God and diligently read the word and pray, the Holy Spirit develops our fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Through that fruit, we care about how we’re pleasing God—not the world—and it’s through our God-pleasing lives that God, in part, reaches those who do not know Him. That aim should be our focus, rather than our ease of life or accumulation of material possessions or our status in the world.

 

Do we obsess about if we’ll ever marry? Are we worried because we or our husbands have lost our jobs? Do we allow the rising cost of living to chip away at our dependence upon God? Have the recent trends in government activity detracted from the hope that we have in Jesus? Is it more important to present a spotless home to the world if the effort that we exert to do so reduces the amount of time that we spend in the presence of God?

 

“But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:40-42)

 

One thing is necessary in this life. Jesus.

 

Our peace comes from God. Our worries create a barrier that devalues and decreases the effects of that peace—a beautiful, God-given gift.

 

Women, when we observe the godly men in our lives, we more often than not notice that they do not run around babbling about all of the tasks and pressures that challenge them. On the contrary, these men display a quiet countenance that obscures the concerns they harbor. Although we tend to desire conversation about our fears and anxieties, we can learn much from adjusting our behaviors to mirror the practices of these men: speak with someone, if necessary, to satisfy our communicative natures but then follow the behavioral patterns of our brothers. We have no need to scurry about in agitated states when God listens to us and has also provided the examples of godly men for us.

 

Before we can temper our behavior, though, we must control our minds.

 

Psalm 37 illustrates the mindset we should have in this world, regardless of the pressures contained within it and the forces that seek to undermine our peace. Fret not. Trust in the Lord. Delight yourself in the Lord. Commit your way to the Lord. Be still before the Lord. Wait for the Lord.

 

We should take our cares to God in prayer and trust them to be resolved through his power according to his will.

 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

 

Bob Marley was right. We should awake each day, rejoice in the day that God has created, be glad throughout the day that God is God, and not worry about this or that. Every little thing will be all right, thanks to God.

 

I love music and consider it to be a wonderful aspect of life, a component of life that God’s blessed us with as a way to worship him. If we want to seek the kingdom through music as a means of comfort, we can enjoy secular tunes, but let’s not forget that God supplies the truth and our hope through the Bible and Jesus. “Three Little Birds” reinforces what we know as truth, but here’s a biblically-based tune to enjoy taken directly from the truth:

 

If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,

And you have to get along with meager fare,

Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird;

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

Refrain

Leave it there, leave it there,

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

If your body suffers pain and your health you can’t regain,

And your soul is almost sinking in despair,

Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal;

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

Refrain

 

When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail,

Don’t forget that God in Heaven answers prayer;

He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through.

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

Refrain

 

When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on,

And your body bends beneath the weight of care;

He will never leave you then, He’ll go with you to the end.

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

Refrain

Leave it there, leave it there,

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

 

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.