Respect
You know... I have a TREMENDOUS amount of respect for the military. I was going to be a part of the Air Force, after all. And, I still am around the military every day here at Tech, since Tech is one of the 2 schools in the nation with a Corps of Cadets within the civilian school.
I am, as you may know, a member of the Marching Virginians... the 330+ person marching band, that is the CIVILIAN marching band. Virginia Tech also has a 'regimental band' known as the Highty Tighties. I'll have to admit that the Highty Tighties aren't the best sounding band in the world. In fact many bands I heard throughout high school sound better than they do... But, they do have several things working against them.... 1) The Highty Tighties are rather small... the Corps of Cadets is only 3% of the entire population at Tech, so with that in mind... they can't really be that large.. (appx. 80 people are in the HT's) 2) They not only have to balance band and academics... but also military training.
The MV's constantly are making fun of the HTs. Their marching is really not bad at all, but yet the MVs criticise them for that too.. Just because it is military style marching doesn't mean its bad... Besides these people have done something the rest of us should have done... they're training in order that they can serve the United States and protect every American's freedoms... I RESPECT THAT ENORMOUSLY... we all should have some commitment to protecting America and all it stands for.... and these Cadets are doing just that.. they're the future of the military... we need them... and they just need some respect... we're all in the band... band is about enjoying what you're doing... entertaining the crowd.... etc... that's what we're doing in the MV's and that's what they're doing in the HT's, but we both have our ways of doing things... I don't think its right or fair for us to be so critical of them... and it really bothers me... like sincerely bothers me that the MV's treat the HTs this way...
There's my soapbox.
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Friday, October 25, 2002
Insight for The day
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men, since you know that you'll receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward ~ Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." ~ Eclesiastes 9:10
God creates the heavens and the earth... God creates man... God gives man work to do.... Its been there since the beginning of time. Sometimes, when we're overloaded with tasks that we don't necessarily find the most appealing, we tend to take on a negative attitude and complain... boredom creeps in along with a lack of interest, which sparks rude actions... mockery, not paying attention, etc... I know I get this way... I've been this way for the past few days.... and it doesn't help when the people you're around act this way either - it just brings you down as well.
Tests can be rather stressful, especially along with all the other things we have to complete on our normal day-to-day schedule.... and they're certainly not something we all just want to go do in our spare time, with the exception of little personality type tests (such as the ones found at thespark.com). I definitely have been rather pessimistic and have taken complaining about it... which isn't the thing to do...
I was working on my Bible study for the Navigators group that I'm in. This week's study is on Wholeheartedness, and I came across the verses I quoted above. If we could regard our work as an act of worship or service to God, no matter the task, such an attitude would take some of the drudgery and boredom out of it. We could work without complaining or resentment if we would treat our problems as teh cost of discipleship. Also, by not letting the inequities and less than desirable aspects of life bring us down, we probably could be much more content with our status in life...
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men, since you know that you'll receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward ~ Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." ~ Eclesiastes 9:10
God creates the heavens and the earth... God creates man... God gives man work to do.... Its been there since the beginning of time. Sometimes, when we're overloaded with tasks that we don't necessarily find the most appealing, we tend to take on a negative attitude and complain... boredom creeps in along with a lack of interest, which sparks rude actions... mockery, not paying attention, etc... I know I get this way... I've been this way for the past few days.... and it doesn't help when the people you're around act this way either - it just brings you down as well.
Tests can be rather stressful, especially along with all the other things we have to complete on our normal day-to-day schedule.... and they're certainly not something we all just want to go do in our spare time, with the exception of little personality type tests (such as the ones found at thespark.com). I definitely have been rather pessimistic and have taken complaining about it... which isn't the thing to do...
I was working on my Bible study for the Navigators group that I'm in. This week's study is on Wholeheartedness, and I came across the verses I quoted above. If we could regard our work as an act of worship or service to God, no matter the task, such an attitude would take some of the drudgery and boredom out of it. We could work without complaining or resentment if we would treat our problems as teh cost of discipleship. Also, by not letting the inequities and less than desirable aspects of life bring us down, we probably could be much more content with our status in life...
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Monday, October 21, 2002
The Song...
The song I posted last night, When Love Takes You In, is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The first time I heard the song was at the 2002 Concert in Roanoke in February or March. I'm a rather stoic person in that I don't cry very often. In fact, I believe that when I heard this song at the concert last year it was the first time and only time I've ever cried due to a movie, song, etc. He said that he was inspired to write it after he and his wife adopted a child. The song has meaning both in the secular sense, relating to adoption, and in the spiritual sense, relating to our relationship with God.
The song refers to love taking you in... this is like the act a couple takes when they adopt a child... They're taking a child in with love, just as they would love a child of their own flesh and blood. I think that the most powerful part of this song is "When love takes you home and says you belong here / The loneliness ends and a new life begins / When love takes you in." Adopting an orphan doesn't mean that you love him/her any less than you would a child that you 'made' (for lack of a better term)... These children are brought into a home that loves them (or so it should be)... This is the life they know and will grow up knowing... Love has taken them in and given them a new life full of hope.
But this song is not only about physical adoption. The song has basis in three key verses:
* 1 John 3:1 - "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
* John 14:18 - "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
* Psalm 68:5-6 - "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."
Just because God is not our physical father does not mean that he doesn't love us the same. Its hard to imagine a love so pure, so deep, so true... In the first stanza of the song, he talks about feeling as if noone is there for you - loneliness... That's what Psalm 68:5-6 refers to: God is there for the lonely... He has given us protection and provision, just as any loving parent would give their child. The loneliness ends... and our new life IN HIM begins when he took us in. God will NEVER stop loving us and there is not a thing that could cause his love to fail. "And this love will never let you go / There is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose its hold."
This is what Steven Curtis Chapman says about adoption (taken from the website of Shaohannah's Hope, the adoption 'agency' he and his wife founded):
Recognizing that adoption is a perfect picture of what God has done for each of us in making us His children through Christ, Shaohannah's Hope has been established to present and encourage adoption as a response to the Gospel. Psalm 68:5-6 tells us that as the Father to the fatherless, God delights in setting the lonely in families. It has been our experience that the scriptural mandate of caring for orphans, such as the one found in James 1:27, is really a wonderful invitation to experience God in a profound way by being a part of His sovereign plan for His precious children.
Working from these foundational truths, Shaohannah's Hope exists to enable children living without the love and hope of an earthly family to be adopted into "covenant homes." These families can provide not only love and support needed for this life, but also provide a child with the knowledge of God’s plan for his or her eternal life with a forever family called The Body of Christ.
"That's what God does, and it's His favorite thing to do," Steven says, "to take the lonely, the homeless, and put them in families."
Now, I'm far from being settled down and ready to start a family... trust me... I've never even been on a date before.... But, Adoption is such a miraculous and wonderful process that I want to adopt a child when I get ready to have a family once I'm married. God is like an adopted parent to us. He was always our Father in Heaven... before we became a Christian it was as if He was awaiting the adoption papers to go through. God has love for every human being... its just that once we become Christians - once "our adoption papers go through" - His love for us is INSURMOUNTABLE!!!
The song I posted last night, When Love Takes You In, is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The first time I heard the song was at the 2002 Concert in Roanoke in February or March. I'm a rather stoic person in that I don't cry very often. In fact, I believe that when I heard this song at the concert last year it was the first time and only time I've ever cried due to a movie, song, etc. He said that he was inspired to write it after he and his wife adopted a child. The song has meaning both in the secular sense, relating to adoption, and in the spiritual sense, relating to our relationship with God.
The song refers to love taking you in... this is like the act a couple takes when they adopt a child... They're taking a child in with love, just as they would love a child of their own flesh and blood. I think that the most powerful part of this song is "When love takes you home and says you belong here / The loneliness ends and a new life begins / When love takes you in." Adopting an orphan doesn't mean that you love him/her any less than you would a child that you 'made' (for lack of a better term)... These children are brought into a home that loves them (or so it should be)... This is the life they know and will grow up knowing... Love has taken them in and given them a new life full of hope.
But this song is not only about physical adoption. The song has basis in three key verses:
* 1 John 3:1 - "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
* John 14:18 - "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
* Psalm 68:5-6 - "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."
Just because God is not our physical father does not mean that he doesn't love us the same. Its hard to imagine a love so pure, so deep, so true... In the first stanza of the song, he talks about feeling as if noone is there for you - loneliness... That's what Psalm 68:5-6 refers to: God is there for the lonely... He has given us protection and provision, just as any loving parent would give their child. The loneliness ends... and our new life IN HIM begins when he took us in. God will NEVER stop loving us and there is not a thing that could cause his love to fail. "And this love will never let you go / There is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose its hold."
This is what Steven Curtis Chapman says about adoption (taken from the website of Shaohannah's Hope, the adoption 'agency' he and his wife founded):
Recognizing that adoption is a perfect picture of what God has done for each of us in making us His children through Christ, Shaohannah's Hope has been established to present and encourage adoption as a response to the Gospel. Psalm 68:5-6 tells us that as the Father to the fatherless, God delights in setting the lonely in families. It has been our experience that the scriptural mandate of caring for orphans, such as the one found in James 1:27, is really a wonderful invitation to experience God in a profound way by being a part of His sovereign plan for His precious children.
Working from these foundational truths, Shaohannah's Hope exists to enable children living without the love and hope of an earthly family to be adopted into "covenant homes." These families can provide not only love and support needed for this life, but also provide a child with the knowledge of God’s plan for his or her eternal life with a forever family called The Body of Christ.
"That's what God does, and it's His favorite thing to do," Steven says, "to take the lonely, the homeless, and put them in families."
Now, I'm far from being settled down and ready to start a family... trust me... I've never even been on a date before.... But, Adoption is such a miraculous and wonderful process that I want to adopt a child when I get ready to have a family once I'm married. God is like an adopted parent to us. He was always our Father in Heaven... before we became a Christian it was as if He was awaiting the adoption papers to go through. God has love for every human being... its just that once we become Christians - once "our adoption papers go through" - His love for us is INSURMOUNTABLE!!!
Sunday, October 20, 2002
Song of the Week
When Love Takes You In
I know you’ve heard the stories
But they all sound too good to be true
You’ve heard about a place called home
But there doesn’t seem to be one for you
So one more night you cry yourself to sleep
And drift off to a distant dream
Where love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in
And somewhere while you’re sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be
When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
And this love will never let you go
There is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose its hold
When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
When love takes you in
~Steven Curtis Chapman
When Love Takes You In
I know you’ve heard the stories
But they all sound too good to be true
You’ve heard about a place called home
But there doesn’t seem to be one for you
So one more night you cry yourself to sleep
And drift off to a distant dream
Where love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in
And somewhere while you’re sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be
When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
And this love will never let you go
There is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose its hold
When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
When love takes you in
~Steven Curtis Chapman
"I waited until I was married. My virginity was an honor that I was bestowing on a man - he had to be worthy of it."
-Lisa Kudrow, in an interview with People magazine
from HokiePundit
-Lisa Kudrow, in an interview with People magazine
from HokiePundit
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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