Book Review, The Name Quest, by John Avery

My Book Review, The Name Quest, by John Avery

Overall I felt the information in the book was very insightful and dove deeply into the varying aspects of God in relation to the names or descriptions that have been used to describe him throughout the Bible.  There were plenty of Biblical references, commentary, and anecdotal compliments to expand on each point.

Unfortunately, I felt the presentation to be a little chaotic.  It seemed at times that the information was being poured down my throat without any recognizable organization.  However, that may be just the way I absorb information.  For example, I expected the names to be neatly packaged into broader compartments that shared common characteristics – instead what I discovered was a continual exposure to information that I found hard to digest and retain.

In all fairness to the author, I believe the book would serve a reader with a more distinct purpose (research or study guide) than it did me, reading for pleasure.  Even though I do find the subject matter intriguing and helpful, the organization caused me to have difficulty navigating my way through it.

If someone were doing research or specifically focused on the subject I would recommend this book, but if you just searching for casual reading this book may not be for you.

I received this book from the publisher through BookCrash. I am not being compensated for my review. If you are interested in purchasing this book you can do so at http://www.amazon.com/review/R13URWVUY2W0CL/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R13URWVUY2W0CL

God Bless,

Rob

www.starvt.com

Too much, too much, too much...

I've been away - I didn't go anywhere physically, but mentally I think I may have checked out for a while.  Actually, I might have just been overwhelmed.  Let me explain.

First, with all the "normal" issues affecting our country, there was already so much to comment on.  So much that divides our time and attention.  So much to be worried about and so many causes to champion. Then pile on Ebola scares, immigration amnesty, the Ferguson shooting and riots, and the protests trickling through the country I just got overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts and didn't know which way to turn or where to focus my attention.

I trolled Facebook for a month.  Reading everyone's thoughts and ideas on what is right and wrong.  You know what I discovered?  Hate.  A lot of hate.

People hated on those who want same sex marriage.  People hated on people who want gun control. People hated the guy who brought Ebola into the U.S. and then subsequently died from it.  People hated the hospital and those who cared for him and were unable to save him.  People hated the immigrants who just want a better life.  People hated the people who want to focus on legals.  People hated on Michael Brown.  People hated on Darren Wilson.  People hated cops. People hated the Democrats, and people hated the Republicans.  People just hated on each other.

As Taylor Swift sings, "Haters gonna hate, hate, hate."

I don't know if you were guilty of any of that hate.  I didn't keep score or write down names.  But I did note a few things.

1) People who several months ago were calling pro-choice supporters 'killers' were now calling Michael Brown a 'thug'. My own thoughts are conflicted on the whole ordeal.  I don't have an answer to balance a police officer's safety yet still ensure he is able to perform his duties.  I don't have an answer to the killing of a suspect, armed or unarmed.  For some reason, every time I tried to figure out what I thought was right in this situation, this particular Bible verse came to mind, Luke 15.  The parable of the lost sheep.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this parable:  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Jesus was trying to illustrate to the 'law abiders' that he came for the sinners.  That he loved them as much as he did the righteous.  He died for the sinners. And that every lost soul hurt him dearly. Oddly enough, we forget that we are the sinners he died for.  We're quick to point out other's sins - yet each one of us guilty of our own.  We should remember those nails pierced his skin for all sins, ours included.  The sin we should worry about most is our own...

2) Amnesty for immigrants, health care, giving aid to foreign countries - those are tough ones.  We have poverty and hunger already in this country.  Americans are homeless at alarming rates.  Many of the homeless are veterans who proudly served in the defense of this country.  We've got a huge problem that doesn't appear to have a solution.  Piling on millions of more people into this system of support doesn't make any sense, but every time I try to get a grasp of how I feel about it, this Bible verse comes to mind, Luke 10, the Good Samaritan.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denari and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Now, neither one of these parables solve the immediate problems we face as a nation.  Or do they? The first one shows God's love for us - deserving or not.  The second one shows we should love others - deserving or not.

Imagine you are faced with Jesus after your death and he asks you these questions.

What did you think of Michael Brown's death?  What is your solution to the immigration issues?  What is your stance on gay marriage?

Will you answer Jesus with the same tone and stance of your Facebook posts?

I came across this video the other day.  I wasn't familiar with this young man, his ministry or anything about him when I watched it.  But his words hit home with me.  He very eloquently expressed so many of the thoughts I have been having recently.

Please watch it.  Listen to the words.  See beyond the hate that society wants to promote.  See into Jesus eye's and truly ask yourself, what would Jesus want you to do?  The next time you get ready to comment on some post or share your opinion of what would 'fix' the problem - ask yourself this - is it God's solution to the problem, or my own selfish solution to the problem?

This particular video focuses on homosexuality - but the premise and message could apply to any thing we deal with.  Let this resonate with you during the Christmas season this year.  Many of you have boldly claimed you want to put CHRIST back in Christmas.  You can do that by just following what Christ declared as the Greatest Commandment.  Love God and Love your neighbor.


Clayton Jennings Video on YouTube.


Peace and Love,
Rob
www.starvt.com

Hindsight is 50/50

"Hindsight is 50/50," Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers said after a tough loss several weeks ago - sounds like a Yogi Berra quote, doesn't it?  I first heard the phrase many years ago when a guy I worked with said it mistakenly.  I'm not sure he knew what he was talking about... I don't think Cam did either. The real phrase is "Hindsight is 20/20".  It means everything is more clear when looking back on it.  You can see all the things you should have done, should have said, etc.  The best choices are obvious once you know the outcome.

Cam Newton

But recently I've begun to think that Cam may be on to something here.  I don't think hindsight is 20/20 anymore.  At least not in this country.

I've had a theory for some while now that America has become a 50/50 nation.  We are split evenly on just about every topic - it doesn't seem to matter what the subject is;  immigration, abortion, gay marriage, legalized pot, healthcare, Ebola, gun control, the budget, the economy, elections, the war on terrorism, and the list goes on and on and on and on...

And now it seems that even when an event is over or comes to completion, we are still split 50/50.  We can't even look back at the facts and decide collectively what should have been done.  Take for example Mr. Duncan, who died of Ebola in Texas.  People are still split on what could have been done and should have been done and when it should have been done. Everyone wants to lay blame rather than just define the right thing to do.

In a speech Lincoln gave after being chosen as the Republican Party nomination for one of the Illinois Senate seats in 1858 he said:

"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free."

It is one of the most famous lines from his speeches.  I believe he got the line from the book of Matthew, chapter 12, where Jesus said:

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (NIV)

Either way, the point is clear.  Being divided like this is not a good thing.  I blame politics and political parties for the current state of affairs in this country.  I'm definitely not opposed to political parties.  As a matter of record I think they are absolutely necessary.  But in this country we have moved from this traditional definition...

A political party is an organization of people which seeks to achieve goals common to its members through the acquisition and exercise of political office.

... to something more akin to...

"It's us against them!  Dam the torpedoes and prepare for battle."

Debate and discussion on issues is a must.  We need to explore the other side's views and ideas so that we can ensure we know the whole story and make decisions that are best for everyone, not just ourselves.  But that is not what we do anymore.  The Interweb is full of hate speech, slander, and outright attempts to keep both sides at each other's throats.

We have to be open to new ideas and we have to sometime concede that we don't know everything or have all the right answers. We have to lose gracefully every once in a while without getting our panties in twist and letting it fuel hate.  I'm amazed at how much evil I see on the web for political candidates.  I'm also amazed at how every single person with a Twitter account, Facebook page, or blog is somehow elevated to the level of supreme knowledge holder with the answer to all the country's problems.

Is it a need for power? To be right? To win?  Do we somehow feel like a lesser citizen if our party or candidate did not get elected?  Does this void within us cause the need to strike out viciously at others?

General Colin Powell said;

"Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it."

That is good advice.  Lose gracefully.

Daniel Day Lewis, as Lincoln

The singular issue Lincoln spoke about was slavery.  There were some pretty distinct lines dividing the country then; the north and the south and that distinction eventually led to the Civil War.  There are no distinct dividing lines on the issues we face today.  Nor is there a single issue.

Where are our divisions going to take us?  If we can't intelligently and rationally come to consensus on things what will be our outcome?

Don't get me wrong, we can be a 50/50 nation when it comes to where we stand on the issues we face.  But we cannot (absolutely cannot) continue to be a 50/50 nation when it comes to how we treat and behave with our fellow Americans who have differing views.  Republican or Democrat - it doesn't matter who wins.  In the end we must all feel we are on the same team, America.

As a country we should strive for the unity that followed 9/11, without the need of a catastrophe as a catalyst.

God Bless,
Rob
www.starvt.com

We're men! We're men in tights...

We're men, we're men in tights.
We roam around the forest looking for fights.
We're men, we're men in tights.
We rob from the rich and give to the poor, that's right!
We may look like sissies, but watch what you say or else we'll put out your lights!
We're men, we're men in tights,
Always on guard defending the people's rights…

Hopefully you've seen the movie, “Robin Hood, Men in Tights”, with Cary Ewes. If not, then the above song lyrics will have no meaning for you at all. If you have seen it, then I apologize because now that tune is going to be stuck in your head all day.

I wanted to start with this because this scene in the movie was a humorous attempt to make Robin Hood’s band of Merry men seem tougher, since they wore tights all through the movie. It was a parody, of course, and only added jest to their already unmanly attire as they pranced around in a dance routine.

Dana Carvey as the Church Lady

But the scene does paint an interesting picture and raises a common question within the church today.  What is a manly man, specifically, a Christian manly man?

When I was probably ten years old my Grandma took me to a small Pentecostal church. That was quite an experience for a first timer at church. I realized real quick I didn't want any part of that. I didn't go back. I wasn't interested in what the “Church Lady” had to offer.

Later, during my high school years, a local church (the one right across from our high school) hired a youth pastor that was in his mid-twenties. I had never heard of anything like this. A young man of position in a church. My curiosity was piqued. I met the new pastor after one night when me and several friends were not being very good boys. We did some donuts in the front lawn of the school. The new youth pastor happened to be in his office at the time and saw it all. (We were probably in my truck).

He caught up to us a few days later and made a deal with us. Come to the “Christian Rock Band” concert next week at the auditorium and he’d keep our little secret from the authorities. We went. It was good. I began to see Christianity in a new light that contrasted the Pentecostal church by leaps and bounds.

It also just so happened that this girl I had a crush on went to his church. So I decided to go. Once there I was captivated by the ideals of this Savior they spoke about. I eventually got saved and was baptized. But, the men I saw in this church still puzzled me. None really looked like they wanted to be there. They all looked uncomfortable as if they had been dressed up by their wives and drug there against their will. That may not have been what was in their minds, but it looked it like to me. Even though I had been saved, it didn't stick very well, I didn't want to be one of those guys “drug” to church. I guess you could say I was the seed sown on rocky ground (Matthew 13:20-21). I drifted on the fringe for a time after that.

It wasn't until many years later that I experienced what I now define as real Christian men. I was in the military and one of my co-workers invited me to his church. It was the “big church” in town. I went, hesitantly I’ll admit. They actually got me there by inviting my oldest son as friend of their child’s. It was a good ploy, I’m glad they did it.

I met many men there. They were the most genuine and loving men I’d ever encountered. It was weird to me (no offense meant by this next remark, but it’s what I felt…). They were like women. Caring, understanding, and sincere-very foreign to me at the time. They really cared about me and as near as I could tell, they loved me in a brotherly way and I had just met them! Problem was, this scared me a little too. They didn't seem like manly men. I wasn't sure I wanted to be this kind of guy either.

Over time I got to know them. They hunted and fished. Rode motorcycles and worked on race cars. There were cops, football coaches and even a fighter pilot. There were military men of all sorts. Softball players and weight lifters. The leader of this group was a former Major League Baseball pitcher. These were manly men! I was dumbfounded.

That was where I learned the most important lesson of my spiritual life. Being a Christian man doesn't take away any of your manly qualities, it only adds more to them.

Manly Man

I think a lot of those stereotypes I had early on have slowly waned over the years. People like Mike Singletary, Reggie White, and this guy on the right have shown you can be both manly and Christian.  That message is getting to the youth of today much easier and clearer than it did to my generation.

But there are problems still out there. Many Christian men still struggle with this balance. Many non-Christian men still see it as losing something rather than gaining something.  The balance of being tough and no-nonsense, lean-mean-fighting-machines and displaying the love Christ commands to us to display is on an intricate scale.

But know that balance can be accomplished. Jesus was the perfect example of this. He was the most loving man ever to walk the earth, but also the mostly manly man as well.

A future post will provide more insight into this Christian manliness, but for now I leave you with this.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14:
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Do everything in love.

God Bless,
Rob
www.starvt.com

Kristen Stewart said what??? I can't believe it... and you shouldn't either.

Bear with me.  Read all of this...

First,
1) I am a military veteran.
2) My family is full of military veterans.
3) I have a son currently serving in the Marines.
4) I love the military.

Next,
A) I'm not a Kristen Stewart fan.
B) I don't think she is a very good actress.
C) I disagree with her having an affair.
D) I only liked the fight scenes in Twilight.

Now that we have that established my baseline for this article, let's get to the crux of this post.  There is a Facebook article circulating with a headline reading this. "IDIOT: Kristen Stewart Trashes the Military And Defends 9/11 Terrorists."

This article is an example of many like it you will see floating around the Interweb - especially Facebook.  I caution everyone before they share these articles, comment on them, or "like" them and here is why.

90% of these types of articles are complete crap.  Their only intention is to rile your emotions and get you to share or comment on the article so it can drum up "visits" to their blog or website.    The hacks that call themselves journalists have no regard for proper journalistic etiquette or publishing the truth.  They only want site visits to drive revenue for the ads.  And unfortunately I see these types of articles bleeding over into what once was more prestigious news sources.  Their second most absurd tactic is that they know most people won't read their article (much less the original) and will only respond based on the title.

Case in point on this article.  If you dig deep enough into the trash being thrown, you'll find that the original quoted source is an interview done of Kristen (The full interview can be found at the Daily Beast.) about her new movie, Camp X-Ray (which I haven't seen and know only what I've read).  The movie is about a girl who joins the Army and is a guard at Guantanamo Bay.

Here is my problem with what is being done with these 'hate' articles (as I call them).  Kristen is describing her character when she says, "she's not very smart..."  She is not describing the military in general.  Her character is looking for an identity and thinks she'll find it in the Army.  She goes on further to describe the characters plight with what she is confronted with at the detention center - she can't handle it and begins to have doubts about what she is doing.  Again, this is the CHARACTER in the movie.

One of the things Kristen does state as her own opinion is quoted below from the original article- first the question and then her response (please forgive the language).

Q: Right. The mistake we make is not viewing these detainees down there as people, too. We’re all people. 

A: That is essentially so f***ing evil, it’s crazy. It’s a ridiculous idea for you to think that you know anything for sure in life—other than to take care of your fellow people. Where the f**k do you get off thinking otherwise? These two people couldn't be from more different worlds and perspectives, and probably disagree fundamentally on most things, but there’s a through-line for all of us—and that’s what people forget, and that’s what makes people capable of doing terrible things to each other. What makes you different from any other person that walks the earth?

Go back to items 1) and A) above.  I love the military and I'm not a Kristen Stewart fan.  But what she says there is pretty darned profound.  I'll admit that I want to see every terrorist punished to the ends of the earth.  I've also felt hate in my heart towards them.  But what she is saying here is that underneath all that hate her character has for the terrorist and below all the hate that the terrorist character has for her character - it is just two people.

She is not bashing the military or sympathizing with terrorist.  She is simply describing what her character goes through in a movie - and draws a parallel to a lesson we should all remember.  And probably without her even knowing, it is a lesson Jesus taught us.

Mark 12:31- Love your neighbor as yourself.
Luke 6:27- Love your enemies

As a matter of fact, the interviewer tries to get her to expand on current topics and she artfully declines.

Q: This is a pretty ripped-from-the-headlines film. What issues are you passionate about in the news? 

A: I don’t want to talk about that s**t at all. Trust me, I’m only asking for it. When it comes time to stand up and affect change, I’m not the type of person to shout from the rooftops. Just because you’re an actor and in the public eye, people think that’s how you must be. But there are other ways to do that. That’s not me.

So before you go bashing her on Facebook or sharing any of those hate producing articles - go a step further and do your own research.  Get to the truth.  And if the truth is something that fires you up - then by all means sound off.  But do it according to how we were commanded - don't contribute to the hate.

God Bless
Rob
www.starvt.com

Slow down there Baba Looey...

We've heard it said that "patience is a virtue".  What an un-virtuous society we must be then...  We want everything and we want it now.  We want to do everything as well.  This mentality consumes both our home and work life.  We have so much on our plate, it seems nothing ever gets done and it is quite overwhelming at times.  I blame all this on multitasking.

There is much myth and confusion about “multitasking” in the human realm.  So first, let me define multitasking so we can establish a baseline.

Doing more than one task at a time. Simple enough, right?

Lt. Aldo Raine

BTW - not only does the quote from the movie above fit today's blog, but it seems Kevin Bacon in last weeks post drove up readership, so I thought I'd see how Brad Pitt does...  Pop-quiz: does anyone know the rest of the quote?

Computers multitask, (sort of).  That is one of the great selling points of most operating systems.  They let us do multiple tasks at once, such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.  However, what computers really do is switch from one task to the other at such an alarming speed, it seems that they are doing both at the same time. They even perform background tasks while you whittle away on the keyboard.  Until of course you get to many things going at once and your system freezes up.  

Humans multitask in the same manner; your brain rapidly switches from one task to the other.  You are reading this and breathing (I hope you are breathing).  You may even be drinking a cup of coffee and listening to the radio (and reading this). Some of you can walk and chew gum (some of you can’t).  The key component in multitasking is the difficulty of the task.  As the tasks become more difficult, the harder it is for you to multitask (or not to be able to multitask).

Studies have shown that as you switch from one task to the other, your brain has to “change gears” for each of the different … (Sorry, I was sending an email, um, where was I, oh, yes…) For instance, if you are listening to a telephone call and reading emails – those two functions require different brain abilities and therefore as you switch back and forth, the other task loses processing power.  How many times have you heard someone on a business call state, “I’m sorry, can you repeat that, I was multitasking?”  Well let me tell you, they were NOT multitasking. They were single-tasking, since obviously their brain had completely shut off the part that was listening to the call.

We all multitask to some degree and there are acceptable levels.  But then there are unacceptable levels as well.

We multitask when we drive.  We are looking, listening, handling the steering wheel, and working the gas pedal.  A lot of hand-eye coordinating efforts.  The reason texting and driving is so dangerous is that both requires the same portions of the brain and body to compete for the most critical resources – your eyes and your brain functions usually succumb to the text, and your driving suffers.  

DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE.  You are not good at it !!!!

It is also important to point out the myth that multitasking is more productive.  People think doing two things at once saves half the time – Wrong.  Every time your brain changes gears, there is additional time added to the task to spool your brain back up on the task at hand.  The more difficult the task, the longer the spool up will be.  Let’s say you have to do two things.  One; write a blog to all your loyal readers.  Two; call your insurance agent to figure out how they messed up your last billing cycle.  Now on the surface it seems if you did those two things together and it took an hour to finish, it probably would have taken almost two hours if you did them separately, right?  What studies have shown is that if you focused directly on one task at a time, it would have actually taken less time.  In this scenario if you focused directly on the blog, you may have completed it in about 30 minutes.  Then if you focused directly on the phone call, you could complete it in about 15 minutes (hypothetically).  Not only would you have completed the two tasks faster by doing them separately, but the quality of each task would have been better.

This is not a new concept, in the 1700’s Lord Chesterfield was quoted as saying,

 “There is enough time for everything in the course of a day, if you do but one thing at once, but there is not enough time in the year, if you do two things at a time.”

So, by now you are asking, “What’s the point?” (or at least you were thinking that unless you have wandered away and are answering emails or checking your Facebook already).  It is imperative that you give each task your direct attention.  You would be surprised how often you have to repeat things (making them longer) or having to answer the same questions later via email (redundancy of work).  It reminds me of an adage I heard long ago, “it takes less time to do it right the first time.” Additionally, whatever it is that is taking your attention away from the current task, the quality of that product suffer as well.

It also helps your sanity.  Let's say for example you have a few things to do today; write a blog, send agent queries, help you child with homework, cook dinner, mow the lawn, attend you child's school event, prepare the PTO flyer, do the laundry and balance the checkbook.  Plus there are things you'd like to do; watch Fallon, read a book, exercise, and play a game of Scrabble.  There may not be enough time in the evening for all those activities and your brain will feel overwhelmed and want to shut down.  You'll probably end up just watching Fallon and whatever else happens to be on TV and get nothing done.  But it is not hopeless.  Prioritize those items (both the need to do and the want to do - the wants can be just important for your mental health sometimes).  Once the priority list is established, do them one at a time.  It is an amazing feeling to look back and see all the completed tasks as opposed to looking back at all the half-completed tasks that usually come with multitasking.

This is a critical lesson that we must learn in this time of media overload.  Our children are already immersed in the social media blitz and it’s only going to get worse as they get older.    Our children may not even know what prioritize an focus means by the time they reach working age – imagine the stress they’ll put on their selves.

Take this week to practice.  Try focusing on only one thing at a time.  If reading, then read.  If writing, then write.  If listening, then listen.  You get the idea.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3 we are told: "There is a time for everything,  and a season for every activity under the heavens:"  It goes on to list several items as examples.  In today's world those examples could easily be "a time to blog", "a time to do laundry", "a time to watch TV"

You may be saying, "Easy for you to say.  You don't have my deadlines, and you don't know what all I have to do tomorrow, and you don't..."  And your right, I don't know what all "you have to do", but don't think we are so different you and I.

Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I leave you with this today.  The one thing I haven't pointed out in all of the examples above is your need for "a time with God."  We get so consumed in the here and now, we sometimes put Him aside because He is not banging on our door or sending us emails, or demanding our attention.  It's easy to lose sight of that.  So make time for God today too - and when you do... don't make Him share your time with some other activity.

God Bless,

Rob

www.starvt.com

New title, new focus...

Hello loyal blog followers (yes, both of you...),

As I embarked to kindle up this little blog about life, my first posts were basically about whatever was on my mind at the time - which was fine with me, but I thought the site needed a little direction.

I didn't want to pound on political pundits.  I can barely keep myself healthy much less tell anyone else too much about it (that is what my son's blog is for, EndunamoomeChristoo).  So what should be the niche of this blog - meaning what is the area of focus?

I reviewed past posts (links to them are to your right if interested in some back stories), and I noticed somewhat of a recurring theme.  It seems little life hacks and advice for sustaining sanity in this crazy, jacked-up world which we all live was a recurring theme.

And then I thought, "Rob, wouldn't that make a good theme.  Stuff I've learned that can help people amongst all the chaos?  Life hacks of some sort?"  (I often converse with myself in third person.  It helps when you need to talk and no one is around - or no one wants to listen.  Hey, maybe I'll blog about that one day...)

Thus, I have changed the title of the blog to "I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane."  (some of you may recognize that as lyrics to a Waylon Jennings song.  Basically my theme song of life. You can check out the video on YouTube here.)

I'm going to feature various things that you may encounter and some of my own tips and tricks for not letting them make you completely bonkers.  To give you an idea, here are some areas I may focus (I may narrow this a bit as time goes on...);

Attacking daily problems from a Christian slant (seeing what the Bible says about issues we all face)

Becoming a Christian Manly Man (Loving Jesus, but remaining a lean, mean, fighting machine.)

Living in our small part of this crazy world (what to do when the headlines are so depressing)

How stupid can people be? (highlight current events with the premise of pointing out how stupid people can be.  That seems a little harsh, but I'll try to make sure there is content there to keep you and me from making the same stupid mistakes.)

Life Hacks for the common man (physical things you can do to make life easier or better.  DIY type of stuff.)

Leadership and Management tips and help for common problems at the workplace (I have over 20 years of leadership experience in the Federal Government - no jokes about that being an oxymoron please - well, I guess if you want to, go ahead I won't mind.)

The point of all this is that it doesn't matter what problems we face, the way we approach them mentally can make all the difference in the world.

I hope you find this shift in focus useful.  If you do, I'd appreciate any comments you might have in the comments section below, share the blog with your friends or anything else you can do to promote it.  Also, feel free to leave any requests, suggestions, or other comments you'd like.



Thanks,
God Bless,
Rob
www.starvt.com

Burn those books! Or iPads... or Kindles...

Not really, do not burn any books, your iPad, laptop, or eReader (at least not until you finish reading this…). 

Although there have been times when I wanted to burn my laptop (such as when I got the blue screen of death after a month's worth of writing and no backup!), I've never wanted to burn it because of what it displayed or what I chose to have on it.  Where am I going with this?  Stick with me for minute…

I was thinking about social media again this week and the impacts it has and could have on society.  In my meanderings I thought about the printing press. (I’m not a historian – so don’t dissect my facts here.)  The printing press was invented in the mid 1400’s.  One of the key early inventors was Johannes Gutenberg (Gutenberg Bible).  His techniques revolutionized the printing industry and soon books were being made in mass quantities and spreading all over Europe.  It is considered one of the greatest inventions in man’s history, and its impact on society was enormous.  It allowed knowledge and learning to be mass produced and made available to the common man.  No longer was it only the rich or well off that had access to information.  No longer were the commoners at a disadvantage based on what information they had direct access to.  And very importantly, it allowed for God’s word to be mass produced so that it could reach millions, and not just to those who had access to people, who had access to people, who had access to people, who had access to people, who knew what the Bible said.

Let's Dance!

Skip forward several hundred years.  Not only were good books still being printed, but obviously this technology was also being used by those who wanted to do harm by spreading bad and evil thoughts through the use of books.  So people decided to put a stop to all that by burning the books they felt contradicted their thinking (this is actually called libricide, no kidding).  Most notably in our history were the Nazi book burning during WWII. Second most notably was outside the library in the movie Footloose when the townsfolk started losing their control over those wild teens (that is a joke, I just wanted a reason to use this picture.)

Now, book burning did not arrive after the printing press, they burned books long before that.  But I wanted to tie the two together to make a point.  Book burning were attempts (both physically and symbolically) to show unhappiness with the material.  However, you never hear anyone state that the printing press was the root of all this evil!  Even the book burners (who were idiots) knew it was the material and the ones who thought of the material they didn't like!

So this brings us full circle to where we are today.  The internet (and other social media outlets) is our printing press.  It allows us an opportunity to share information and knowledge at rate and in areas never before imagined.  And yes, there are people out there that take advantage of this and flood the Interweb with garbage.  

But we can’t become book burners – or hate all social media because of the bad seeds.  We have to work harder to get the good words out and not be overrun by the bad words.  We have to be diligent to let our children and brethren know what the garbage is and where to find good information.  We have to ensure that we support what is good (share, like, retweet, etc.).  And we have a responsibility to inject good words and inspirations of God into these social networks so that they don’t become completely overrun with trash.

So write something good today and put it out there (and if you don't have anything to say, then re-share one of my blogs!)

God Bless,
Rob
www.starvt.com

Book Review, Scions of the Aegean C: Descent into the Wilds

My Book Review, Scions of the Aegean C: Descent into the Wilds, by Terry L. Craig

Overall I thought the story was very good.  The beginning was a little difficult to traverse, but after a while (about chapter 4) the characters became familiar enough to keep straight and I grew to like them (or dislike them as the case may be).  I thought the author did a nice job of introducing information about them and the new culture in a way that flowed very nicely throughout the rest of the book.

I found the premise of this world very exciting; a society of the future forced to survive on a strange planet and their quest to establish a new civilization.  I enjoyed the hints of the society’s previous culture (passed down through the generations) and trying to parallel those to my modern day knowledge and see the similarities of ancient rituals and customs reborn again.  Seeing things in our society that popped up again in one started from scratch, shows the human nature that we just might not be able to escape.  I feel the author did an excellent job of creating this new society and all the rules and customs that come with it.  The references to God make me think that He’ll play a larger role in future books, which has me intrigued to how that will all play out.

The book is the first in a series, thus the title is slightly confusing in that the series name has more prominence than the book title.  I must also confess, I had to look up “Scions”, which now makes perfect sense.

Having said all that, the author has me hooked.  I will read the second in the series as I now must know what happens to Shaye and if Ty will do the right thing.

I received this book from the publisher through BookCrash. I am not being compensated for my review. If you are interested in purchasing this book you can do so at http://www.amazon.com/Scions-Aegean-Descent-into-Wilds-ebook/dp/B00L1VRUQY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top.

God Bless,

Rob

www.starvt.com

Refs are people too...

"Guilty!" said the judge as he bashed his gavel from up high.  It'll make sense a few paragraphs later...

Monday morning I got up and put my clothes on.  I think I put on my shorts first, then my shirt.  Probably followed by my socks.  I'm not really sure, I hadn't had any coffee yet.  I brushed my teeth, had some breakfast.  Took the kids to school.

I went to work each day.  Put my time in like everyone else.  Solved a few problems; probably created a few of my own on the way.  The weekend came just like always.  Friday night I did the public address at the local high school football game.  Saturday I mowed the lawn.  Sunday I went to church and then watched football.

Nothing special about any of that.  Just a regular guy doing regular things.


See the guys in this picture.  The one on the right is Dave.  Dave's mom recently passed away.  He's been struggling with her loss.

The guy on the far left is Sam.  Sam's doctor told him his blood work did not look good.  He has to go back next week for more tests.

The guy with his arms folded is going through a divorce.  The other guy just lost his full time job.  He doesn't know how he's going to be able to pay the bills.

Not really.  I don't know anything about the guys in this picture.  But all that could be true, you don't from your seat in the bleachers.  One thing I do know, I'm pretty sure the referees at Friday's football game probably had a very similar week to mine.  The major difference between them and me, is that during the football game they get yelled at for their mistakes, I just get to laugh and move on from mine.

I'm sure all referees know this by now.  Don't take any of your family with you when you work a game.  I can't imagine if one of their kids was in the stands watching.  Proud of her father out there doing his best.  Doing it because he loves the game.  Because he loves the atmosphere of the Friday night lights.

Then someone behind starts calling him names.  Shouting obscenities.  Sad.  If they miss a call or don't make one they should, the fans yell at them.  If they did make a call that went against our team, the fans yell at them.

Then again, I guess its understandable, right?  I mean, we never make mistakes ourselves and we shouldn't tolerate mistakes from others.  And I'm sure the real reasons the referees are making those mistakes is some deep rooted attempt to thwart our team's chance at victory.  Right?  They deserve to be harassed and yelled at.  Its only fair.  I mean if we don't get justice in this game... well heck, that just might be the launch point to Armageddon.

Sarcasm.  Thick sarcasm. (for those of you not adept and reading between the lines.)

Here are some questions for you.  Would we yell at them if one was our next door neighbor?  Our Pastor?  Our boss?  I doubt it.  We yell at them because they are a nameless entity that is robbing our poor youth of a fair shake at winning this doggone ball game!  Right.

I'd like to describe an interesting dynamic that I witness from my place in the booth at football games.  One person can sway the mood of an entire crowd.  I've seen this multiple times play out before my eyes.  Last week I saw scientific proof of this human trait on the television show Brain Games.  The show put up some ropes and a sign at a mall.  The sign said, "Line starts here."  Many people looked at the sign, but everyone walked on by.  Then the show had one guy go stand at the front of the imaginary line. Shortly thereafter, two people joined him.  Before long the line had thirty-something people waiting in a line they had no idea the purpose of.  Then, amazingly, the guy at the front led those thirty people around the mall, conga dancing, jumping over obstacles and singing.  Why?  The show said there are natural traits in our brain that like to follow.  We cling to the "accepted" norm of society and jump right in; sometimes without rational thoughts of our own.

So at a sporting event, one person can sway the mood and actions of the crowd (or at least those within a certain proximity).  Normally calm people can suddenly become irate, yelling, belligerent fans because the person near them seems pretty irate that the referee didn't call interference on a particular play.

It's horrible.  I know.  But I'm not preaching at you.  I'm not just pointing out your horrible ways because I'm so perfect.  (reference the first line in the blog) "Guilty!" said the judge to me!  I'm pointing it out because I've been there and done that.  I myself at one time was that ignorant, belligerent fan.  Yes, I said ignorant and belligerent.  Don't try to rationalize it with words of passion, spirit, and support for your team.

But it clicked for me one day the problem I was creating for myself and others.  First, I finally realized the sheer lack of importance of the event itself.  I know you may scoff at that, but what is the real significance of a high school football or basketball game?  College or Pro for that matter as well?  Do small starving children suddenly receive food if your team wins?  Are the homeless suddenly provided shelter with a local victory on the gridiron?  Does tyranny fall apart in defeat if the if we are victorious on the gridiron (or hardwood, or diamond)?  NO.

As a matter of fact, the high school players in the game probably get more out of adversity of bad calls as life lessons than they do anything else to begin with.  "It was a bad call.  Let's overcome it."  Folks, life is tough and it gets a lot harder than high school as you grow older. You are going to get wronged in every aspect.  Your job.  Traffic on the interstate.  Dealing with your insurance agency.  How are you going to react to those things.  Hopefully not like we might do at a football game.  (Can you say road rage or violence in the workplace.)

I also realized the anguish my own actions caused me internally and the cause my actions had on those around me.  I left games angry if it went wrong, happy if it went well.  My mood was controlled by the outcome of a high school game.  When did I allow my emotional stability to be controlled by the athletic prowess of high school kids and men I didn't know wearing zebra outfits?  Was I letting that happen in other aspects of my life?  Were events totally outside my control driving the flavor of my mood?  I think they were.  I had lost control of myself - and yourself is actually the only thing in this world you can control.  Eeek!

I finally conceded that they aren't Spartans fighting for our very existence.  So I made a conscious effort to change my behavior.  It took a while.  I started wearing headphones to games and just listening to music while I watched.  I couldn't hear the other ignorance going on around me.  I just watched the plays and let what I thought were bad calls slide - gritting my teeth of course.  I even let great plays by my team go without response as well.  I tried to remove my emotions from the event.  I told myself it doesn't matter what happens during the game.  The sun will rise tomorrow.  The wind will blow in Texas.  God will still love you.

Eventually I created a calmer behavior in myself during sporting events.  I can watch without getting all emotionally wrapped up in them.  I can recognize a bad call without it ripping my guts apart as some form of global injustice.  I see it as it truly is.  Part of life.  Sure bad calls still bother me, but when I'm faced with them I try to look at the referee as a person with a family that might be in the stands, or with his/her own personal problems to deal with.

Here is a point for you to ponder...  I'm sure all of you have seen some of the videos and things pushing the anti-bullying campaigns.  Bullying sucks.  Plain and simple.  But what is the difference between yelling and harassing a referee and bullying?  (remember, don't rationalize.  Look at the core problem with both).

I hope this perspective will bleed into other parts of your life as well.  Being stuck in traffic will just be time to reflect on your thoughts.  Having to constantly battle with the insurance company will be just another task that day.  Your mood will improve.  You might even find your acid reflux subsides a bit.

Treat others as you would like to be treated.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  Remember, refs are people too.

God Bless,
Rob
www.starvt.com

Part II - Satan's final trick...

Welcome back!  Last week I discussed Satan's tricks and deception and focused on my belief that the Rapture will not occur until after the Tribulation, meaning Christians will not be taken up beforehand, but will have to endure it like everyone else.

On the surface, this may just seem like an unfavorable circumstance and that the outcome will still be the same, but I fear there is another issue to address to ensure you are ready, should I be correct.

Today's discussion is on whether you can lose your salvation.  I've had many discussions on this topic before, and I'd like to first just clear the air on some of the arguments I have been presented.


1) It is a gift, you can't earn it or lose it.  You can only accept it, therefore you can do nothing to lose it.

Yes it is a gift.  But, I don't totally agree with the "earn it" statement.  I agree you cannot earn it by doing good deeds, donating money, or working in a ministry.  None of those things will grant you salvation.  But that statement has morphed into something akin to "you don't have to do anything for salvation".  Totally untrue.  You do have to do something.  You have to believe that Christ is your Savior.  You have to have faith that His death paid for your sins.  You have to accept that gift.  And we know full well you can deny this gift.  You can refuse to accept Christ as your savior.  Why do we draw the line there and refuse to believe you can give the gift back?  Why do we refuse to believe you can lose faith?

2) It diminishes God's power/sovereignty if you can lose your salvation.

Not in the remoteness is that true.  Why would turning your back on Christ diminish his power any more than you denying him in the first place?  From the beginning of all time, God has known your path.  Whether that path would be full belief and salvation, full denial and damnation, or wishy-washy flopping back and forth.  He knows already.   He's not going to make you love Him and he's not going make you stay faithful to Him.  It is your choice He has given to you to make.

3) Well, then those people didn't really have faith to begin with.

This one drives me the most crazy.  I tell people this answer.  Never try to see into someone else's heart.  Only Jesus can do that and it is a poor defense to claim someone's faith or belief wasn't real to begin with in order to try and protect yourself.  It can happen, see Matthew 13;21 - the parable of the seeds. "they quickly fall away."

Now that I've commented on some of those arguments, let's look at the root of Salvation.  There are two distinct verses that set the ground work of establishing what you must do.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)  (underlined for emphasis).

Acts 16:31 - "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (NIV) (underlined for emphasis)

I feel belief and faith go hand in hand regarding salvation.  Both verses clearly state believing in Christ is the foundation.  The Greek translation of  'believe' is 'pisteuo', which means to commit to and trust.  Faith is commonly and frequently used to describe one's internal dedication to that belief that Christ is your Savior.  The Greek for 'faith' is 'pistus', which means to have conviction towards God and his truth.

The two words are not interchangeable and I will concede that faith is not a synonym for salvation.  However, I will not concede that the loss of faith is completely separated from your salvation.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV) 

Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

So how does this all play into my opinion that one can lose their salvation?

In the previous blog you learned I believe Christians will endure the Tribulation which means we will go through the most horrific events the earth has ever, or will ever experience.  We know that Satan will not stop trying to deceive us until his final defeat.  He will try to do everything in his power to sway us into not believing Christ is the Savior.  In the last blog I also asked what the mindset of people might be who have waited to be Raptured, yet suddenly find that didn't happen.  They could feel betrayed, confused, lost and afraid.  And who is going to be there filling their minds with answers?  Satan.  And Jesus strictly warns of this in Matthew 24:4, "Watch out that no one deceives you."

Why do I believe one can lose their faith and thus their salvation?  Below are some verses that have led me to this belief.  Each one is just a portion, but the reference is there for you to look up the whole verse and read for yourself.

John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life
Matthew 10:22 - but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved
Matthew 12:31 - blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Matthew 13:21 - When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away
Mark 3:29 - whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.
2 Peter 3:17 - be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
Revelation 13:10 - This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people
Matthew 24:10 - many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other
Matthew 24:13 - but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved
Matthew 24:22 - If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Here's the tie between the two points.  If (I'm still letting you doubt...) the Christians are not raptured before the tribulation, then all of Revelation and Matthew 24 is referencing the 'already' Christians and it is clear that some will fall from the faith.  It is clear that sins against the Spirit are not forgiven.  And it is clear that 'standing firm' is a requirement, not a suggestion.

Let's wrap this up and I pray you seriously consider what I've laid before you. If this does nothing else for you but strengthen your resolve to remain faithful to Christ, then it has accomplished its purpose.  If you get nothing out of this except a memory that comes to you during the Tribulation and you remain faithful, then it has accomplished its purpose.  And if I'm wrong about these things, then I will gladly concede my ignorance as we make our way to the Lord!

Peace and Love,
Rob
www.starvt.com

Satan's final trick...

Many of you have probably heard about the quote (or have at least heard the theory) of Satan's greatest trick.  Satan's greatest trick is deceiving people into believing he doesn't exist.  Deception is his specialty.  It started in the garden with Adam and Eve and he's been hard at work on it ever since.

Some examples of his deceptions can be found within the various religions across the world.  There are similarities in each and every one.  Each one contains elements that make it seem plausible.  Each one contains history that makes it seem legitimate.  Each follower believes so heavily in their religion, they feel it is the one true way towards eternal life.  Each one is just close enough to the real thing to gain followers, but just far enough away to fail at the ultimate goal of eternity with God.  Think of the analogy of a fake Rolex.  It looks like it, feels like it, and acts like it.  But it isn't a Rolex.

So consider this.  If Satan's greatest trick is making people believe he doesn't exist and his greatest tool is deception, which religious set of beliefs is he going to focus the majority of his attention on in trying to "debunk"?  The answer in this writer's opinion is that he is going to focus on the one that is the biggest threat to his plans. There is no reason why he would attempt to thwart those that he placed in play to begin with.

But his tricks are not limited to breaking people into various faith groups.  He is hard at work inside the Christian community as well.  Christians often disagree on elements within the Bible among the various denominations such as the Baptists, Methodist and so on.  Why the strife here?  You would think that if each holds the core values leading to eternal life, the differences wouldn't be important.  And I'll tell you most of the churches hold to that theory.  "We can disagree on the minor things as long as we agree on the major ones."

That might be true, but I feel that also might be where Satan is his trickiest.  Specifically in two main areas that are the focus of this blog.

A) The timing of the Rapture.
B) The belief that you can not lose your salvation.

A) THE RAPTURE

First, let's level set on what sometimes becomes the focal point of this argument. The word "rapture" does not appear in the Bible.  It is a synonym for the phrase "being caught up".   The fact that the actual term is not in the Bible is irrelevant.  It is a term to describe an event, which  does occur in the Bible.  The rapture itself is very vividly described by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. (KJV)

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

There are varying views within the Christian community on when the Rapture will occur (and each of those views come with some pretty hefty names - don't get bogged down by the names...).  I'm going to keep it simple and focus on just two.

1) The Pre-Tribulation Rapture (Dispensational Premillennial)
2) The Post-Tribulation Rapture (Historical Premillenial)

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Your first question might be, "What is the Tribulation?" To quote the movie Armageddon, imagine "the worst parts of the Bible."  It is the time described in the book of Revelation where God pours out his wrath on the earth and leads right up to the time of Jesus's return for his thousand year reign (which people also debate when the reign will be, but that's a topic for another day) on earth and the defeat of Satan forever.

Of the two, you are probably more familiar with the Pre-Trib Rapture.  It is the premise of the "Left Behind" novel series.  In the Pre-Trib Rapture, all the saved Christians are "caught up" and brought to Jesus in Heaven before the Tribulation period begins.  The Pre-Trib theory holds that God doesn't want the Christians to have to endure or go through the horrific events of the Tribulation and/or Apocalypse, and therefore they are raptured before it happens.  After the Pre-Trib Rapture, those remaining have the opportunity to redeem themselves and receive salvation.  But it isn't going to be easy.

The arguments and Biblical references for a Pre-Trib Rapture are sound and many.  Just as the arguments and references for a Post-Trib Rapture are sound and many.  I'm not going to attempt to spell all those out for you in this blog (search the internet and read your Bible on these subjects - you'll be occupied for the next year or more...).

I personally believe it will be a post tribulation rapture. I hope I'm wrong.   I mean who would want to endure the tribulation.  Not me, but that doesn't change my opinion that we will endure it if we're alive when it kicks off.

As Russell Moore (president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention) is quoted as saying, "This author (Moore) certainly hopes he is wrong about the timing of the rapture and will gladly concede this point to his pretribulational friends while flying through the atmosphere."

Here is a short list of some of the reasons I believe we will endure the Tribulation (it isn't the full list)

• Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (preceding and following) doesn't specifically say when it will happen.
• I believe Revelation 19:11-18 paints a distinctly similar description of the rapture, and Revelation 19 occurs after the Tribulation.
• Revelation repeatedly refers to "saints", "the elect", "holy ones".  These terms throughout the rest of the New Testament refer to Christians.  (I don't buy the argument that in Revelation it is only referring to those who weren't raptured and have converted).
• Matthew 24 (Mark 13, Luke 21) - the Olivet Discourse.  Jesus specifically declares the things will happen to "you".  "You will be persecuted and put to death." Jesus doesn't refer to those experiencing it will be someone else.  He says "you".
• Matthew 24:30-31 - After Jesus tells of the woes of the end of time and the Tribulation being completed, he states this; (KJV)

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

So now you ask, "So what difference does it make which theory I hold as truthful?"

The answer; it could make all the difference in the world.

What will the mark be?

Imagine if you've gone your whole life waiting for Jesus to call you home and save you from the misery on earth and that doesn't happen...  And if suddenly you find yourself in the midst of the Apocalypse being persecuted and faced with choices like "the mark of the beast" or starving, what is your mindset going to be?  What choices will you make?

You might feel abandoned or betrayed. You might look for some form of comfort or aid in your time of need. You may even question the validity of all you know.  And who'll be there ready to help you out during your time of distress? Satan, through the Antichrist.

"Not me!" you shout and I commend you!  I hope I have that same resolve and strength.

But, go read Revelation and Matthew 24 again. Study it. I know you're tough, but really read it.  Read it from the point of view of someone who will have to go through it.  Don't read it like some fairy tale Sunday School lesson that glosses over it.  "Don't worry children, we'll all be gone when this happens".  Read like its your own future biography.  Then ask yourself again, "can I endure it?"

Another thing to remember, it won't be just you having to endure it. Your family and loved ones will be enduring it as well.  How strong will your resolve be then?

Now that I've thoroughly ruined your day or at least opened your eyes to the possibility...

You are now saying, "Well even if I have to endure it, it doesn't matter.  I've been saved and the Tribulation only last seven years.  I'll make it or if I die, then so be it."

Sounds like a logical approach.  So long as your belief that you can't lose your salvation is as sound as your belief was that the rapture occurs before the Tribulation.

Which brings me to the next topic, "Can you lose your salvation?"

But you're going to have to wait for that.  Stay tuned and look for Part II of this series next week.

Rob
www.starvt.com

Read Part II of this series.

Ray Rice and the disappearance of moral fiber...

Where has the moral fiber of this country gone?  I know, there are many answers to that question. There are many reasons it has degraded.

But in regards to sports teams, where has it gone?

Not everyone in pro sports is corrupt.  Shoot, I don't even believe the ones who are all do it conscientiously either.  I believe many may fall victim to the world of "succeed or else" and it causes them to deviate from their own moral compass.  And I'm not just talking about the millionaire players and billionaire owners of the NFL either. Those folks sometimes look the other way when the offending player is vital to the team. It makes them money. But why are the fans and media caught in this same tolerant behavior?

The fans and media are okay with criminals, dope fiends, and wife beaters so long as it gives their team (of which they have no real connection) a better shot at winning. That's what it seems like.

We don't know for sure who knew what, and when they knew it about the Ray Rice incident. But we did know he hit a woman and knocked her unconscious. And the NFL slapped his wrist. The DA basically gave him a lecture.  Did you know the Raven fans cheered him when he came to practice the first time after the incident?  Cheered him?  For what? See that image to the right?  That man hit his wife and then was cheered when he came to practice.  Unbelievable.

But that all came unglued this morning when the TMZ full video (watch it if you want to be sick to your stomach) was released and no one could hide from how awful an act Ray Rice committed.

Now many are lauding the Ravens and the NFL for their quick action.  The Ravens cut him from the team and the NFL suspended him indefinitely.  Bull Crud! They only acted because it got too big and ugly for them to hide anymore.  And it's quite possible they've been hiding it all along. I find it unimaginable that the DA, the NFL and the Ravens couldn't get that video, but TMZ could. They were covering it up and then the covers blew up.

So why is this behavior tolerated?  And don't tell me it isn't tolerated, and they are just trying to give the players a second chance!

Ya, ya I believe in second chances. So How's this for a second chance. Mr. NFL player you hit your wife (smoked crack, got a DUI, fill in the blank). We aren't going to pay you 9 million dollars. We are going to send you to rehab, pay you the equivalent to someone in the military makes while in you are in rehab, and then help you find a regular job to finish out your life.  You are done with the NFL.  There are over 129 Division I college teams, each with 90 plus players all waiting to take to your place.  We don't need you.  We don't want you.  Have you heard fast food workers are trying to get $15 an hour?  Here's an application.  Good luck.

That is a second chance.

Ray Rice should never take another snap in the  NFL. His second chance is that he's not going to prison.  His second chance is that his wife's father doesn't plant him in the backyard.  Those are his second chances.  He doesn't deserve a second chance to make millions of dollars to play a game.  We need to seriously look at our definition of what a second chance is.

I keep hearing sports announcers say things like "this is bigger than the NFL", "It is a society issue, not just a locker room issue."  News Flash announcers - everything is bigger than the NFL.  It is a game.  Kids all over America play it for free.  They play it for fun.

And the saddest part of all of this is that if TMZ hadn't released the video, Ray would have been on the field playing in a couple of weeks.  No more penalty.  No repercussions. And who knows when it would have happened again - and it still may.

Rob
www.starvt.com

Planned Parenthood

Just reading the title probably got your full attention. 

Before you begin licking your chops in anticipation of either attacking my position or lauding praises upon me, throttle back. I don't want to declare who is right or who is wrong. I don't want a heated debate (unless it occurs solely within the confines of your own noggin).  I don't want to have an argument over which Bible verses condemn abortion.  I don't want to hear about a woman's right to do what she pleases with her body. I don't want to try and determine when life starts. Instead, I merely want to ask you, "what if?" and give you a multiple choice test (don't worry it will be a short one).

I've contemplated  about this post for a long while. I have often thought about what to say, whether to quote Bible verses, which political stance to take, or whether I should just leave my big trap shut.  However, I feel the time has come to share some thoughts. Just some. 

First, have you seen any of those "ice bucket" challenges for ALS awareness? I know, silly question right? They are all over the Interweb and the news.  While those viral types of promotions are good, (and I even did it myself) if all they do is raise awareness, what really has been accomplished? Not much. Sure, everyone is now more aware of ALS, but what has been done to really help the cause. The point is, there has to be donations or other tangible acts of support for real change to take effect.

I see a similarity to that ALS challenge and the abortion and Planned Parenthood debate. I hear many passionate people talking and writing about how wrong it is or how right it is.  The line seems to be drawn equally across society, just like every other major issue in this country (guns, immigration, gay marriage, take your pick).  "Spreading the word," they say.  "Letting people know what the Bible says," they say. "Protecting women's rights," they say. 

Awareness. That's all we are really doing. Trying to raise awareness.  Both sides are equally guilty.  But is awareness what Jesus wants?

I'll ask you to look up this entire verse, Luke 10:25-37. It is the Good Samaritan parable that also contains the Love Commandment (that's what I call it). 

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

[SIDEBAR: In Matthew 22, Jesus refers to this as the first and great commandment.  It is also in Mark and Deuteronomy.  There are several in John that are similar.  1 John has many verses around Love. Paul said "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."  (Do you see the pattern?)]

But please don't assume you know the story, go read it. In the parable Jesus leads the lawyer to answer his own question regarding what makes a 'neighbor'?  The lawyer confesses that it is the one who actually helped the person who had been mugged. Regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity, nationality, or even political beliefs. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor. So again, I ask, is that what Jesus wants?  Awareness? 

Can you imagine if the Samaritan said, "Oh look innkeeper!  Are you aware that this poor man has been beaten and lie dying in the street?"

On your own judgement day, what will you say?  "Jesus, I tried to tell them that they were disobeying God.  They just didn't listen."  

What if he asks you, "But what did you actually do?"

You'll reply, "I tried to save the unborn children."

He may answer, "And what did you do to save my child who stood directly before you?" 

(Note that the word "save" in the previous two sentences has a different meaning in each.)

What if each side, instead of voicing their opinions and claiming the other to be wrong, did something out of pure love for the other?

What if, instead of  a person protesting Planned Parenthood by waving signs and shouting so that they could so desperately try to convince others they are wrong, that person instead volunteered to pay the hospital bills and take in the newborn baby as their own?

What if Planned Parenthood was flooded by Christian families and churches that were willing to take on the costs and responsibilities of raising the child.  Every child. 

What if the Christian community started their own organization called "Unplanned Parenthood"?  And the goal was to offer services that help these women, provided healthcare and support, and ensured that the mother felt the love of Christ. It could make sure, beyond a doubt, that the mother would have every opportunity afforded her to make a sound choice. 

There are some people and groups who try to do just that. And I wish I was more like them.  But Jesus didn't say some should. He said everyone should. He said to love your neighbor. He told the lawyer that was the path to eternal life (along with loving God). He didn't tell the lawyer the path to eternal life was making others obey His commands. I know we are to spread the Gospel and make disciples, but are we accomplishing that by banging people over the head?  Are we supposed to force our beliefs on others?  I've heard hundreds of people say "I led someone to Christ". I've never heard anyone say "I forced someone to Christ"

I modified this tweet from a friend of mine (which does not mean he endorses this blog - but I thought it fit), "Our goal is not to prove the world wrong or to prove ourselves right, but to love others and make Jesus famous. Not infamous."

A prominent DFW Baptist Pastor said, "We can not fight secular battles with Biblical principles."

Both are absolutely right. I can not take the Texas Drivers Handbook to London and prove to them they drive on the wrong side of the road. It doesn't work. And Jesus didn't tell us to do that. He told us to Love our neighbor first. Are we doing that? How many people look at the Christian side of the debate and say, "they are so chocked full of love."

Now before you start on me, I am a realist. Will we all love like that? Probably not. If we all did love like that, would it solve all the problems? No it wouldn't. But remember, Jesus didn't say to solve all the problems. He told us each to love one another.

So I promised you some "what if?" questions.  Check. 
And I promised you a multiple choice test.  Here's your test.

When faced on judgement day, and asked, "What did you do?" Will your answer be;

a) I raised awareness 
     or 
b) I took action out of love

Check.

Till next week folks! Feel free to comment, but do so out of love!

Rob
www.starvt.com