Indagatio Veri

This is an interesting 'poem' that my uncle shared with me.   Do you believe that what you believe is really real?  And what would happen if you did believe what you claimed to? Totally like whatever, you know? By Taylor Mali www.taylormali.com In case you hadn't noticed, it has somehow become uncool to sound like you know what you're talking about? Or believe strongly in what you're saying? Invisible question marks and parenthetical (you know?)'s have been attaching themselves to the ends of our sentences? Even when those sentences aren't, like, questions? You know? Declarative sentences - so-called because they used to, like, DECLARE things to be true as opposed to other things which were, like, not - have been infected by a totally hip and tragically cool interrogative tone? You know? Like, don't think I'm uncool just because I've noticed this; this is just like the word on the street, you know? It's like what I...

      There is another transition occurring within the church; and at a time like this it is important to look at scripture to try and understand God's intended purpose for it.  This understanding has become very important for me.  Here at Concordia College I witness a strange dichotomy when it comes to ministries on campus.  The campus ministry itself, led by the pastors on campus, has become very bland.  Sermons and teachings revolve around us instead of around God.  This 'church' seems to be more influenced by the World then it does  God, and it is reflected in where they search to find truth and how this changes the interworkings of the community.          On the other hand there is an 'emergent' church on campus as well.  These student led bible studies and worship services, have a different character then the more common 'Campus Ministry.'  Here it seems the students are more...

My Mom and Dad just showed me an article by Jaynan Clark, the president of the Word Alone Network.  Rather than speak for her, I will just copy down what I consider to be the 'meat' of what she has to say. { "We are living in a time that publicly despises such a proclamation ( referencing the Gospel message ).  We have denied our sinful state to the point of not even wanting to talk about "sin" anymore because it is such a "downer".  Our refusal to acknowledge its dominion over us has resulted in a context that inhales and exhales as hedonistic, narcissistic, defiant spoiled children.  Some of these "children" are in their sixties and seventies, and have never put the lessons of the 1960's into perspective. The free love, self-gratification, "I'm OK--You're OK, so get out of my face, who are you to tell me how to live, slaves to the self and the pursuit of personal happiness folks are running the show.  They are in positions...

"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the World.  That is why the world hates you." John 16:21 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." John 17:16-19 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11 "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a savior from there, The Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20 So I have had this idea going through my head for quite a while.  I do not assert that it is a unique idea to the world; but this past year it has been a unique idea for myself.  It is the idea of detachment.  It is my belief that being detached/disconnected t...

I probably should not be spending time on this now with finals going on, but it has been on my mind.  Being at Concordia I am very exposed to the 'liberal' side of Christianity.  However, I'm slowly coming to think it may not be Christianity after all.  Our country is moving towards a relativistic view of God.  I would like to look at just a few 'lies' that are being spread. 1.  Using our talents, in general, is glorifying to God.  God just wants us to utilize what he has given us. This is a lie.  It says in 1 Peter 4:10-11 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."   Therefore when we us...

During this time of campaigning and voting I have come to notice a very disturbing thing; the devotion, dedication, and radical support that we give to a political belief we have.  This in itself is not what troubles me, but the contrast between one's political support and the support one gives  to God's Kingdom is astounding.  Regarding political beliefs and candidates, supporters go to extreme measures to spread that belief and encourage others to cast their vote in accordance to it.  In the past couple days I have seen political supporters going room to room 'Evangelizing' to others.  They know they will get snubbed in some instances, and persecuted in others; but because they hold so tenaciously to their beliefs, they spread it anyway.  When it comes to politics, we want to get everyone involved, we push for truth, and we are taken back when we are met with ignorance.  Why don't we do the same thing, or even more so, in spreading the Kingdom of God...

Change is inevitable, growth is intentional.(unknown)  "Have the courage to say no.  Have the courage to face the truth.  Do the right thing because it is right.  These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity." - W. Clement Stone "Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do." -Don Galer  "Integrity is telling myself the truth.  And honesty is telling the truth to other people." -Spencer Johnson Simply let your 'yes' be 'yes', and 'no' 'no'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:37   Integrity is a very important trait to have; but even more important to practice.  In my opinion integrity has a lot to do with being intentional.  Being intentional means knowing what you are doing, and why you are doing it.  Another way to look at it is 'know thyself'.  Life is much more vibrant when we say what we mean and we mean what we say. They way we express ourselves ...