Thursday, October 17, 2002
Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Commercialized God
from an email received on 10/16/02 from my aunt...
A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results:
* God is like Bayer Asprin; he works miracles.
* God is like a Ford; he's got a better idea.
* God is like Coke; he's the real thing.
* God is like Halmark Cards; he cares enough to send His very best.
* God is like Tide; he gets out the stains that others leave behind.
* God is like General Electric; he brings good things to life.
* God is like Sears; he has everything.
* God is like Alka-seltzer; try Him, you'll like him.
* God is like Scotch Tape; you can't see Him, but you know He's there.
* God is like Delta; he's ready when you are.
* God is like Allstate; you're in good hands with Him.
* God is like VO-5 Hairspray; he holds through all kinds of weather.
* God is like Dial Soap; aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
* God is like the US Post Office; neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
from an email received on 10/16/02 from my aunt...
A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results:
* God is like Bayer Asprin; he works miracles.
* God is like a Ford; he's got a better idea.
* God is like Coke; he's the real thing.
* God is like Halmark Cards; he cares enough to send His very best.
* God is like Tide; he gets out the stains that others leave behind.
* God is like General Electric; he brings good things to life.
* God is like Sears; he has everything.
* God is like Alka-seltzer; try Him, you'll like him.
* God is like Scotch Tape; you can't see Him, but you know He's there.
* God is like Delta; he's ready when you are.
* God is like Allstate; you're in good hands with Him.
* God is like VO-5 Hairspray; he holds through all kinds of weather.
* God is like Dial Soap; aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
* God is like the US Post Office; neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Drinking...
College has been incredible. I grew up in a small town, however, and never saw alcohol aside from in the refrigerated aisles in Kroger, so coming to college has been a cultural experience for me... The Marching Virginians (the band here) is highly into the drinking scene. In fact at one point, there were 3 of us in the horn section that did not drink. But, despite having gone to many parties since I've been here, I have yet to have a drink of alcohol. And, honestly, the only time I even had a sliver of temptation to give in and try some was at the horn social on Thursday when they offered hard raspberry lemonade (and even then I really didn't want to)... but this week after hearing some good friends of mine discuss their desire to drink, I began to question some things... These two guys are juniors here at Tech and are very strong Christians... they both will be turning 21, leagal drinking age, this year and are looking forward to being allowed to drink... though they don't yet.
Honestly, I don't see the point in drinking... it seems like a waste to me. So I began to wonder... what is the extent of this not drinking thing? Is it really okay for Christians to drink the government says its allowed for us to do so?? Each year in our country there is an astounding loss of life and property that is directly related to alcohol. The social problems associated with the abuse of alcohol are tragic. But, what does the Bible say on this issue? Is it compatible with a Christian's beliefs to drink?
The Christian’s highest priority in life should be to glorify God (Matthew 5:16). The greatest commandment is to love God (Matthew 22:37-38). The public expression of these values must come from the heart and manifest in our choices. For the Christian the ultimate authority for making choices comes from God’s Word. When we make our choices on the principles of God’s Word it honors Him and it is an expression of our love for Him (John 15:10).
The Bible contains numorous passages that say that drunkenness is a sin. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul commands that we are not to be drunk with wine but filled with the Holy Spirit. God calls us to be controlled by Him rather than alcohol or any other substance. We are commanded to be sober or free from any intoxicating influence. In our quest to glorify God our minds should be clear and our senses should be sharp as we apply the principles of God’s word to our daily experiences. Romans 13:13 says that we are to “behave properly as in the day not in carousing and drunkenness.” Unfortunately if we do drink, having a clear mind becomes more and more difficult...
Not only are we not to get drunk but we are also not to associate with a so-called brother if he should be a drunkard (1 Corinthians 5:11). It is clear from these passages and others that the Lord wants for us to stay away from the damaging abuses of alcohol. This is somewhere I believe that I should work on. I guess this means that I don't need to be going to these parties that I know are drinking parties. Because, even though I am not partaking in the drinking, I am exposing myself to the bad sides of these people as they are becoming drunk.
Although drunkenness is denounced as sin in the Bible, drinking is not. Since the Bible does not teach that drinking alcohol is a sin, it should not be condemned from the pulpit nor erroneously defined as sin. It is not necessary for us to break fellowship with a so-called brother that drinks alcohol. We may fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Europe and other parts of the world that do not view the use of alcohol the same as the abuse of alcohol.
It should be noted that John the Baptist glorified God by fasting and abstaining from drinking alcohol while Jesus glorified His Father and went to parties and drank alcohol (Matthew 11:18-19). Jesus drank wine with His disciples at the Passover (Luke 22:15-18) and He even turned the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana (John 2:1-11). If we try to lead others to believe that the Bible teaches drinking is a sin we are embellishing the Scriptures no matter how sincere our concerns are about the abuses of alcohol. However, the trend between these occasions when Jesus did drink are that they seem to be special occasions and dinners... and most importantly, he did not drink to excess.
Having said that drinking is not declared sin in Scripture, it should be added that there are many warnings and examples of the dangers of alcohol. There are certainly enough warnings to merit total abstinence for any believer who would decide to put aside any hindrances in his personal pursuit of the glory of God.
The pursuit of the glory of God requires a sober mind controlled by God’s indwelling Spirit. There are numerous warnings concerning the deceitfulness of sin and the tendencies of our fleshly nature. Understanding that our fleshly natures will war against the Spirit
brings us to the role of wisdom in decision-making.
We make many decisions that are based upon the principle of wisdom yet are not supported with a direct command from Scripture. For instance, in the Old Testament they practiced both polygamy and slavery but today we do not. The decision is made not because of a direct prohibition from the Bible but on the principle of wisdom.
The Bible warns that drinking can impair our soberness of mind. Priests were warned not to drink wine or strong drink and come into the temple (Leviticus 10:9). King Lemuel was instructed by his mother, “it is not for kings to drink wine” (Proverbs 23:29-35). The
Nazarite vow required abstinence from wine and strong drink (Numbers 6:3). The Rechabites were commended for obeying their father’s command not to drink wine (Jeremiah 35:2-8). Cloudy judgment may replace the pursuit of the glory of God with the pursuit of pleasure. And since the amount of drink to the point of impaired judgment is undetermined it is always a risk.
The Bible also warns against the addictive nature of alcohol. Wine goes down smoothly but at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper. Despite the ordeal when the person awakes they seek another drink (Proverbs 23:29-35). In the book of Isaiah it is declared that the drunkards of Ephraim had been overcome with wine (Isaiah 28:1).
These are just a few of the numerous warnings in Scripture against the potential for abuse of alcohol. While there is no direct command for abstinence from drink in Scripture there are principles of wisdom that we should apply. Drinking is not cited as sin but it may be detrimental to your physical and spiritual health. Be careful about the decisions you make and determine that nothing will distract you from the pursuit of God’s glory.
College has been incredible. I grew up in a small town, however, and never saw alcohol aside from in the refrigerated aisles in Kroger, so coming to college has been a cultural experience for me... The Marching Virginians (the band here) is highly into the drinking scene. In fact at one point, there were 3 of us in the horn section that did not drink. But, despite having gone to many parties since I've been here, I have yet to have a drink of alcohol. And, honestly, the only time I even had a sliver of temptation to give in and try some was at the horn social on Thursday when they offered hard raspberry lemonade (and even then I really didn't want to)... but this week after hearing some good friends of mine discuss their desire to drink, I began to question some things... These two guys are juniors here at Tech and are very strong Christians... they both will be turning 21, leagal drinking age, this year and are looking forward to being allowed to drink... though they don't yet.
Honestly, I don't see the point in drinking... it seems like a waste to me. So I began to wonder... what is the extent of this not drinking thing? Is it really okay for Christians to drink the government says its allowed for us to do so?? Each year in our country there is an astounding loss of life and property that is directly related to alcohol. The social problems associated with the abuse of alcohol are tragic. But, what does the Bible say on this issue? Is it compatible with a Christian's beliefs to drink?
The Christian’s highest priority in life should be to glorify God (Matthew 5:16). The greatest commandment is to love God (Matthew 22:37-38). The public expression of these values must come from the heart and manifest in our choices. For the Christian the ultimate authority for making choices comes from God’s Word. When we make our choices on the principles of God’s Word it honors Him and it is an expression of our love for Him (John 15:10).
The Bible contains numorous passages that say that drunkenness is a sin. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul commands that we are not to be drunk with wine but filled with the Holy Spirit. God calls us to be controlled by Him rather than alcohol or any other substance. We are commanded to be sober or free from any intoxicating influence. In our quest to glorify God our minds should be clear and our senses should be sharp as we apply the principles of God’s word to our daily experiences. Romans 13:13 says that we are to “behave properly as in the day not in carousing and drunkenness.” Unfortunately if we do drink, having a clear mind becomes more and more difficult...
Not only are we not to get drunk but we are also not to associate with a so-called brother if he should be a drunkard (1 Corinthians 5:11). It is clear from these passages and others that the Lord wants for us to stay away from the damaging abuses of alcohol. This is somewhere I believe that I should work on. I guess this means that I don't need to be going to these parties that I know are drinking parties. Because, even though I am not partaking in the drinking, I am exposing myself to the bad sides of these people as they are becoming drunk.
Although drunkenness is denounced as sin in the Bible, drinking is not. Since the Bible does not teach that drinking alcohol is a sin, it should not be condemned from the pulpit nor erroneously defined as sin. It is not necessary for us to break fellowship with a so-called brother that drinks alcohol. We may fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Europe and other parts of the world that do not view the use of alcohol the same as the abuse of alcohol.
It should be noted that John the Baptist glorified God by fasting and abstaining from drinking alcohol while Jesus glorified His Father and went to parties and drank alcohol (Matthew 11:18-19). Jesus drank wine with His disciples at the Passover (Luke 22:15-18) and He even turned the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana (John 2:1-11). If we try to lead others to believe that the Bible teaches drinking is a sin we are embellishing the Scriptures no matter how sincere our concerns are about the abuses of alcohol. However, the trend between these occasions when Jesus did drink are that they seem to be special occasions and dinners... and most importantly, he did not drink to excess.
Having said that drinking is not declared sin in Scripture, it should be added that there are many warnings and examples of the dangers of alcohol. There are certainly enough warnings to merit total abstinence for any believer who would decide to put aside any hindrances in his personal pursuit of the glory of God.
The pursuit of the glory of God requires a sober mind controlled by God’s indwelling Spirit. There are numerous warnings concerning the deceitfulness of sin and the tendencies of our fleshly nature. Understanding that our fleshly natures will war against the Spirit
brings us to the role of wisdom in decision-making.
We make many decisions that are based upon the principle of wisdom yet are not supported with a direct command from Scripture. For instance, in the Old Testament they practiced both polygamy and slavery but today we do not. The decision is made not because of a direct prohibition from the Bible but on the principle of wisdom.
The Bible warns that drinking can impair our soberness of mind. Priests were warned not to drink wine or strong drink and come into the temple (Leviticus 10:9). King Lemuel was instructed by his mother, “it is not for kings to drink wine” (Proverbs 23:29-35). The
Nazarite vow required abstinence from wine and strong drink (Numbers 6:3). The Rechabites were commended for obeying their father’s command not to drink wine (Jeremiah 35:2-8). Cloudy judgment may replace the pursuit of the glory of God with the pursuit of pleasure. And since the amount of drink to the point of impaired judgment is undetermined it is always a risk.
The Bible also warns against the addictive nature of alcohol. Wine goes down smoothly but at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper. Despite the ordeal when the person awakes they seek another drink (Proverbs 23:29-35). In the book of Isaiah it is declared that the drunkards of Ephraim had been overcome with wine (Isaiah 28:1).
These are just a few of the numerous warnings in Scripture against the potential for abuse of alcohol. While there is no direct command for abstinence from drink in Scripture there are principles of wisdom that we should apply. Drinking is not cited as sin but it may be detrimental to your physical and spiritual health. Be careful about the decisions you make and determine that nothing will distract you from the pursuit of God’s glory.
Let's Get it On Event on Campus
Being at a large public university allows for many opportunities... including a certain program I was informed of through an email from my RA today:
There's going to be a great program on Tuesday, October 15th, at 8:00 in the third floor Prichard cross-over lounge. The program is called "Lets Get it On." We will be giving out free condoms and there will be free food, too. We're also gonna play some fun sex games and provide lots of useful information. It should be a blast, so please come out if you can. Also, Im getting graded for this program based partly on attendance, so I would really appreciate if if some of you could come out and support it. I guarantee you will have a good time. You will also be getting a phone mail message about the program.
Now, the first time I saw the signs for the "Let's Get it On" program in my dorm... I couldn't make out what the lettering was supposed to be... (I admit, I wasn't' wearing my glasses at the time...) I acutally thought they were screwdrivers and other random tools, but the next time I looked and these letters that I had once seen as tools were actually "wearing" (if you will) condoms. Well, I suppose if you're going to have sex using condoms is a good idea, but that's not exactly how it should be.
Sex within marriage is a beautiful and acceptable thing... I'm not condoning that at all... As I said before, I am a Conservative Christian and this should probably imply to you that, as most Conservative Christians are, I am opposed to premarital sex. But Why??
God tells us NOT to commit adultry (adultry = voluntary sexual intercourse with someone other than the spouse... this includes pre-marital sex because the sex partner is not the spouse, obviously). You shall not commit adultery. ~ Exodus 20:14.... pretty blunt, eh?? As Christians, whatever God says carries much more weight in our lives (or at least should if we are on a good walk with God) that our wants and desires... As Christians are called to spread the word of God to others, thus we oppose premarital sex. And in America, we have the right to publicly oppose these matters just as anyone has the right to oppose bills or taxes being made... that's what Freedom is!
Even beyond my religious beliefs on the subject, I have basic moral values that also go against premarital sex. For one, it is hurtful to society as a whole, causing the spread of diseases such as AIDS. It hurts the bond of marriage.... you've had sex with people other than your husband/wife when you get married and so it is no longer the ultimate intimate act demonstrating the love you have for your significant other. This also weakens the way people view marriage... because sex is not something shared between a husband and a wife, there is no longer that strong bond holding them together.... people don't take it as seriously anymore...
This brings me back to the condoms thing. By not giving out condoms, sex outside of marriage should reduce (hopefully) because of fear people have of sdiesease and pregnancy But even if there were a 100% safe method of birth control and protection against disease, conservatives, myself included, would oppose it. We would have no veneral diseases if everyone just stopped having sexual relations. No illigitimate children. No single-parent households, or at least at a minimal number...
This is why I was disturbed by this email... No I will not be seen near this... I do not think that people should just get people to come to these things by handing out condoms and ice cream... Rather, having a meeting to talk about why premarital sex should be unacceptable to them and serving ice cream... that's good enough.. you have your item of interest for the college student (ice cream = nourishment) and you're discussing a crucial topic... that's the way to do it.. but as I've said, I am opposed to condoms and think its rather disturbing that they would just give out these condoms.
Being at a large public university allows for many opportunities... including a certain program I was informed of through an email from my RA today:
There's going to be a great program on Tuesday, October 15th, at 8:00 in the third floor Prichard cross-over lounge. The program is called "Lets Get it On." We will be giving out free condoms and there will be free food, too. We're also gonna play some fun sex games and provide lots of useful information. It should be a blast, so please come out if you can. Also, Im getting graded for this program based partly on attendance, so I would really appreciate if if some of you could come out and support it. I guarantee you will have a good time. You will also be getting a phone mail message about the program.
Now, the first time I saw the signs for the "Let's Get it On" program in my dorm... I couldn't make out what the lettering was supposed to be... (I admit, I wasn't' wearing my glasses at the time...) I acutally thought they were screwdrivers and other random tools, but the next time I looked and these letters that I had once seen as tools were actually "wearing" (if you will) condoms. Well, I suppose if you're going to have sex using condoms is a good idea, but that's not exactly how it should be.
Sex within marriage is a beautiful and acceptable thing... I'm not condoning that at all... As I said before, I am a Conservative Christian and this should probably imply to you that, as most Conservative Christians are, I am opposed to premarital sex. But Why??
God tells us NOT to commit adultry (adultry = voluntary sexual intercourse with someone other than the spouse... this includes pre-marital sex because the sex partner is not the spouse, obviously). You shall not commit adultery. ~ Exodus 20:14.... pretty blunt, eh?? As Christians, whatever God says carries much more weight in our lives (or at least should if we are on a good walk with God) that our wants and desires... As Christians are called to spread the word of God to others, thus we oppose premarital sex. And in America, we have the right to publicly oppose these matters just as anyone has the right to oppose bills or taxes being made... that's what Freedom is!
Even beyond my religious beliefs on the subject, I have basic moral values that also go against premarital sex. For one, it is hurtful to society as a whole, causing the spread of diseases such as AIDS. It hurts the bond of marriage.... you've had sex with people other than your husband/wife when you get married and so it is no longer the ultimate intimate act demonstrating the love you have for your significant other. This also weakens the way people view marriage... because sex is not something shared between a husband and a wife, there is no longer that strong bond holding them together.... people don't take it as seriously anymore...
This brings me back to the condoms thing. By not giving out condoms, sex outside of marriage should reduce (hopefully) because of fear people have of sdiesease and pregnancy But even if there were a 100% safe method of birth control and protection against disease, conservatives, myself included, would oppose it. We would have no veneral diseases if everyone just stopped having sexual relations. No illigitimate children. No single-parent households, or at least at a minimal number...
This is why I was disturbed by this email... No I will not be seen near this... I do not think that people should just get people to come to these things by handing out condoms and ice cream... Rather, having a meeting to talk about why premarital sex should be unacceptable to them and serving ice cream... that's good enough.. you have your item of interest for the college student (ice cream = nourishment) and you're discussing a crucial topic... that's the way to do it.. but as I've said, I am opposed to condoms and think its rather disturbing that they would just give out these condoms.
Monday, October 14, 2002
Sunday, October 13, 2002
song of the day:
"In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness You are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour I pray
'Cause I want to know You more
'Cause I want to know You more
I want to know You
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more
I want to touch You
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more
I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward
Pushing every hindrance aside
'Cause I want to know You more
'Cause I want to know You more."
~In The Secret~
"In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness You are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour I pray
'Cause I want to know You more
'Cause I want to know You more
I want to know You
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more
I want to touch You
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more
I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward
Pushing every hindrance aside
'Cause I want to know You more
'Cause I want to know You more."
~In The Secret~
Hello Blogworld!
I have given into the world of intellectual blogging, and thus have created this, Super Crazy Stefie Thinkin' Time! (The name is halfway attributed to LESLIE WAHLGREN, who has begun the rally to change the name of our new pregame tradition from "Hokie Pokie Bandemonium" to "Super Crazy Band Time"... ) Also, I want to say that I was partly inspired to start this new blog by my dear friend HokiePundit. But, as a first entry, I'll give a little background on me....
My name is Stefie (technically Stefanie, but everyone calls me Stefie) and I'm a freshman at VIRGNINIA TECH. I'm currently in studying general engineering because that's what they make all the freshmen engineer students do, but I plan on majoring in aerospace engineering. I'm also in the HORNiest section in the Marching Virginians... 330 strong! :) I'm a somewhat vertically challenged, blonde haired, blue-eyed 18 year-old girl. Having grown up in the little town of Vinton (part of Roanoke County) in SOUTHERN Virginia, I've led a rather normal life.... no gang violence or busy NOVA traffic. Apparently I'm rather conservative (according to my high school government teacher, the most conservative person in my senior class) and I'm not ashamed of that either. I'm a Christian... raised Southern Baptist, but I am proud to say that I claim to believe what God says to me through the Word. And that's me in a nutshell....
Which brings me to my blog... As of now, the plan is for this to be my place to comment on anything I deem necessary... SpacyPundit will not be a summary of my day-to-day life. But of course what I encounter in my life will generally be the inspiration for my comments but I plan not to just jabber on about every little detail of my life... for that we have the already existing XANGA PAGE. But this will be my place to say anything I feel led to about religion, politics, current events, etc... Topics of depth and breadth (beyond just the one-dimensional, where I went to socialize at 8 pm on Thursday October 3rd...). Okay.. well, until I have a real post... Over-and-out.
I have given into the world of intellectual blogging, and thus have created this, Super Crazy Stefie Thinkin' Time! (The name is halfway attributed to LESLIE WAHLGREN, who has begun the rally to change the name of our new pregame tradition from "Hokie Pokie Bandemonium" to "Super Crazy Band Time"... ) Also, I want to say that I was partly inspired to start this new blog by my dear friend HokiePundit. But, as a first entry, I'll give a little background on me....
My name is Stefie (technically Stefanie, but everyone calls me Stefie) and I'm a freshman at VIRGNINIA TECH. I'm currently in studying general engineering because that's what they make all the freshmen engineer students do, but I plan on majoring in aerospace engineering. I'm also in the HORNiest section in the Marching Virginians... 330 strong! :) I'm a somewhat vertically challenged, blonde haired, blue-eyed 18 year-old girl. Having grown up in the little town of Vinton (part of Roanoke County) in SOUTHERN Virginia, I've led a rather normal life.... no gang violence or busy NOVA traffic. Apparently I'm rather conservative (according to my high school government teacher, the most conservative person in my senior class) and I'm not ashamed of that either. I'm a Christian... raised Southern Baptist, but I am proud to say that I claim to believe what God says to me through the Word. And that's me in a nutshell....
Which brings me to my blog... As of now, the plan is for this to be my place to comment on anything I deem necessary... SpacyPundit will not be a summary of my day-to-day life. But of course what I encounter in my life will generally be the inspiration for my comments but I plan not to just jabber on about every little detail of my life... for that we have the already existing XANGA PAGE. But this will be my place to say anything I feel led to about religion, politics, current events, etc... Topics of depth and breadth (beyond just the one-dimensional, where I went to socialize at 8 pm on Thursday October 3rd...). Okay.. well, until I have a real post... Over-and-out.
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