I, the author of "My Writing Place", being of sound and disposing mind, do hereby make, publish and declare the following to be my last blog post on this blog.
I give, devise and bequeath this and all other posts on this blog, of whatever kind and character, and wherever located to the reading pleasure of all those who find them and declare my intent to continue to receive and respond to comments.
To those who have faithfully read and commented (herafter referred to as my "friends") I give my thanks for their time and interest.
To those of my friends who own blogs upon which I have commented, I give my assurances that I shall continue to read, comment and generally "keep in touch" as long as my health sustains me and assure them that as of this eighteenth day of September, two thousand and nine my health is in excellent condition.
-
I started this blog as a "writing place" where I could have fun with words....and I did have a heap of fun. However, what with all responsibilities and passtimes considered, it's more of a drain than anything to blog at the moment. I wrote this post a few months back and decided to wait and see if it was just a mood swing. It wasn't. :) So I shall take my leave of this place!
18 September 2009
16 September 2009
Vampires
I haven't read Twilight yet and so have no moral high ground from which to send poisonous attacks on its moral value (or lack thereof) but ethical issues aside, I really don't get the whole vampire romance thing.
Not to be superficial or anything but "razor-sharp teeth filled with venom" (rough quote from New Moon) is a bit of a deal-breaker for me when it comes to guys. Of course, I know I don't deserve any guy (venomed or otherwise), I know that I have my own set of defects, I know that a good character is better than non-toxin-laced teeth and I know that if I want to get married I mustn't be horribly picky.
It's just that there are some things that are really petrifying, nausea-inducing and disgusting...and dying an old maid is not one of them.
(Sorry if I offended or upset any guys with teeth filled with venom. Please let me assure you that this is merely a personal thing, and there are 10000+ girls available dreaming for a guy with exactly this attribute. Tip: If you changed your name to Edward and worked on getting skin as cold and hard as granite which sparkles like a rainbow in the sun, it might help.)
Not to be superficial or anything but "razor-sharp teeth filled with venom" (rough quote from New Moon) is a bit of a deal-breaker for me when it comes to guys. Of course, I know I don't deserve any guy (venomed or otherwise), I know that I have my own set of defects, I know that a good character is better than non-toxin-laced teeth and I know that if I want to get married I mustn't be horribly picky.
It's just that there are some things that are really petrifying, nausea-inducing and disgusting...and dying an old maid is not one of them.
(Sorry if I offended or upset any guys with teeth filled with venom. Please let me assure you that this is merely a personal thing, and there are 10000+ girls available dreaming for a guy with exactly this attribute. Tip: If you changed your name to Edward and worked on getting skin as cold and hard as granite which sparkles like a rainbow in the sun, it might help.)
02 September 2009
Discernment
Discernment is not an easy thing. To use the evaluation of a book as an example, to be discerning...
- You have to work out what the Bible says about the issue.
- You have to identify what the book says about the issue.
- You have to judge the individual concepts of the book's message in their own right rather than making sweeping judgments about the entire contents on the basis that one concept is incorrect. On a related point, just because you believe that a concept comes from a faulty foundation or logically implies something that is faulty, this does not necessarily mean that the author holds to either the faulty foundation or the logical implication.
- You have to work out how all the concepts work together to make a whole, without neglecting to do the work in point 3.
- You have to work out what the Bible says about the importance of the issue.
30 August 2009
If you want a link, just ask
I lost all my links when I changed templates (I had to change - the old one stopped working). Instead of me running around trying to remember who I linked to before (and probably forgetting a few and causing annoyance to those I forget), please ask for to be re-linked (or linked for the first time) in the comments.
(I need to stop over-using parenthetical remarks. I've managed to stop over-using ellipses (ellipsi?) and now must move on to the next stage in writing improvement.)
(I need to stop over-using parenthetical remarks. I've managed to stop over-using ellipses (ellipsi?) and now must move on to the next stage in writing improvement.)
29 August 2009
(Theology of) Work in Progress
It seems to be generally accepted among Christians that the view that work is subservient to evangelism is fundamentally flawed. So we hear something like this:
“Evangelism is important, but it is not the sum-total of Christian kingdom work. Cultural transformation is equally important. Instead of viewing their work as merely something that makes evangelism possible, Christians should see their work as having a direct impact on culture. In this way, we will have Christians doing their work according to the Christian world-view and therefore effecting cultural transformation in their particular sectors. No longer should full-time ministry be seen as the only way to serve Christ directly and no longer should we feel compelled to awkwardly “fit” personal evangelism into our work lives.”
There is a lot there that I agree with whole-heartedly there: evangelism should be placed in its proper perspective, we can serve Christ directly in work and cultural transformation is something that will often come about when Christians live faithfully for Christ. But…shouldn’t cultural transformation be put in its proper perspective, too?
A lot of concern arises around the evangelism-first mentality to Christian life because it tends to degrade the lives of those not called to full-time ministry. Could not a similar concern be raised in regards to the cultural-transformation mentality in that it can tend to degrade the lives of those who are in lines of work that simply do not offer any scope for impacting the culture? When it comes to the Christian sitting in a lonely cubicle in a secular company doing impersonal data entry, it is frankly silly to talk about waging a cultural war. Persist in the idea that a Christian’s work is for “cultural transformation” and you encourage him to believe that he is being disobedient or lazy to work in such a capacity – even “unmanly” for not following the “dominion mandate”.
Both conversions and cultural transformation are to be sought after with tears. We must care about sharing the gospel with humanity on the road to destruction and about changing the culture for the better. But ultimately, the results of these things are in God’s hands. I don’t think we should run about trying to be “important” in the sense of engaging the culture any more than we should try to be “important” in the sense of having brought hundreds to Christ. From what I can see, the sum of the matter is that we should be obedient to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. His kingdom comes; His will is done. We work, because He tells us to:
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Yes, this verse does mention evangelism and cultural transformation (you win the respect of outsiders; you revolt against lazy/thieving cultural practices). But the point is that God knows what is best for His glory, so we can be quietly obedient to Him without stressing over how large a "difference" we're making in being so.
“Evangelism is important, but it is not the sum-total of Christian kingdom work. Cultural transformation is equally important. Instead of viewing their work as merely something that makes evangelism possible, Christians should see their work as having a direct impact on culture. In this way, we will have Christians doing their work according to the Christian world-view and therefore effecting cultural transformation in their particular sectors. No longer should full-time ministry be seen as the only way to serve Christ directly and no longer should we feel compelled to awkwardly “fit” personal evangelism into our work lives.”
There is a lot there that I agree with whole-heartedly there: evangelism should be placed in its proper perspective, we can serve Christ directly in work and cultural transformation is something that will often come about when Christians live faithfully for Christ. But…shouldn’t cultural transformation be put in its proper perspective, too?
A lot of concern arises around the evangelism-first mentality to Christian life because it tends to degrade the lives of those not called to full-time ministry. Could not a similar concern be raised in regards to the cultural-transformation mentality in that it can tend to degrade the lives of those who are in lines of work that simply do not offer any scope for impacting the culture? When it comes to the Christian sitting in a lonely cubicle in a secular company doing impersonal data entry, it is frankly silly to talk about waging a cultural war. Persist in the idea that a Christian’s work is for “cultural transformation” and you encourage him to believe that he is being disobedient or lazy to work in such a capacity – even “unmanly” for not following the “dominion mandate”.
Both conversions and cultural transformation are to be sought after with tears. We must care about sharing the gospel with humanity on the road to destruction and about changing the culture for the better. But ultimately, the results of these things are in God’s hands. I don’t think we should run about trying to be “important” in the sense of engaging the culture any more than we should try to be “important” in the sense of having brought hundreds to Christ. From what I can see, the sum of the matter is that we should be obedient to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. His kingdom comes; His will is done. We work, because He tells us to:
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Yes, this verse does mention evangelism and cultural transformation (you win the respect of outsiders; you revolt against lazy/thieving cultural practices). But the point is that God knows what is best for His glory, so we can be quietly obedient to Him without stressing over how large a "difference" we're making in being so.
27 August 2009
Too often we believe that because we have finally become reconciled to a particular way of stating a truth that we are reconciled to the truth itself. In reality, this is far from being the case. Whether consciously or subconsciously we often redefine the terms used in order to "make" the statement say what we want it to say. Then, we proudly state that we have engaged in rigorous soul-searching and come around to the truth that lies behind the words, when all we have really engaged in is a game that enables us to stand where we have always stood.What happens when we come across a less avoidable way of stating the truth we're rebelling against?
What happened when the Pharisees met Jesus?
25 August 2009
Um...sorry.
I was deleting drafts around and I deleted Felicity's post, along with all your comments. And in all honesty, I didn't intend to.
*sobs*
To sum up: Felicity posted on my blog. She posted about what we had been doing - primarily talking about the internet (at that stage). The celebrity who never comments on my blog commented. I was cranky in the comment section. Everyone else was cheerful.
*sigh*
I want my post back!
*sobs*
To sum up: Felicity posted on my blog. She posted about what we had been doing - primarily talking about the internet (at that stage). The celebrity who never comments on my blog commented. I was cranky in the comment section. Everyone else was cheerful.
*sigh*
I want my post back!
13 August 2009
The right type of introspection
I've given up on doing the Myers-Briggs personality tests, primarily because deep down I know that the only reason I'm doing them is because I have a lingering longing to not be the personality that I know that I am.
So, instead, I've been reading some forums dedicated to my personality type. It was frightening to read the comments of people who also classify similarly. I don't know whether I like having so much self-revelation in one day.
But there is a reason why it's probably not too good to spend too much time on such forums. (Illuminating though they may be!) Quite simply, the prevailing view seems to be that "This is my personality. Certain temptations are particularly strong for this personality. Therefore, I am not really to blame for succumbing to said temptations. Hey, it's my personality. To try to change in this areas would be pointless, not to mention dangerous and life-denying." Which, as we know, is not the case.
"This is my personality."
True. God gave it to you. This is good in so far as diversity is good. (And diversity is good!) You can use it powerfully in His service. Or not.
"Certain temptations are particularly strong for this personality."
True. But on the flip side, certain aspects of holiness are easier for this personality.
"...I am not really to blame for succumbing to said temptations."
False. You are to blame. You don't have to succumb to temptation, however strong. It's simply that you want to succumb to temptation.
"To try to change in this area would be pointless..."
Not at all! "His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men" (Annie J. Flint).
"...dangerous and life-denying."
No. For, "...this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3). The result of knowing God is holiness and His commands are not burdensome. The point is that our personalities reach their full potential in serving Christ - in all areas.
You see, forums and personality tests can act as a "sort of" mirror. But they are not like the mirror of God's Word. (Obviously.) Personality tests tell you what is the case and don't expect that you will want to, or be able to change in the areas where you typically fail. God's Word expects you to believe unreservedly what it says about who you are and who Christ is, and to act accordingly:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James 1:22-24).
So, instead, I've been reading some forums dedicated to my personality type. It was frightening to read the comments of people who also classify similarly. I don't know whether I like having so much self-revelation in one day.
But there is a reason why it's probably not too good to spend too much time on such forums. (Illuminating though they may be!) Quite simply, the prevailing view seems to be that "This is my personality. Certain temptations are particularly strong for this personality. Therefore, I am not really to blame for succumbing to said temptations. Hey, it's my personality. To try to change in this areas would be pointless, not to mention dangerous and life-denying." Which, as we know, is not the case.
"This is my personality."
True. God gave it to you. This is good in so far as diversity is good. (And diversity is good!) You can use it powerfully in His service. Or not.
"Certain temptations are particularly strong for this personality."
True. But on the flip side, certain aspects of holiness are easier for this personality.
"...I am not really to blame for succumbing to said temptations."
False. You are to blame. You don't have to succumb to temptation, however strong. It's simply that you want to succumb to temptation.
"To try to change in this area would be pointless..."
Not at all! "His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men" (Annie J. Flint).
"...dangerous and life-denying."
No. For, "...this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3). The result of knowing God is holiness and His commands are not burdensome. The point is that our personalities reach their full potential in serving Christ - in all areas.
You see, forums and personality tests can act as a "sort of" mirror. But they are not like the mirror of God's Word. (Obviously.) Personality tests tell you what is the case and don't expect that you will want to, or be able to change in the areas where you typically fail. God's Word expects you to believe unreservedly what it says about who you are and who Christ is, and to act accordingly:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James 1:22-24).
02 August 2009
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