My Sincerist Apologies

I have been supremely busy in the past few days –> weeks due to school and other projects/activities. BUT I have good news!!!!!!!! My posting will return!

I recently went to the Nashville Conference on the Church and Theology, where John MacArthur and Bruce Were (pronounced “wear”) were speaking. I learned many things there and will posting on what I learned. But until then…

|Mike|

Losing a Loved One

I was watching an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation recently.  In this episode, one of the main cast dies, Warrick Brown.  At the end, when the head of the team, Gill Grissom, is giving the eulogy, it saddened me.  I know that it is just a TV show, but one can’t help but get attached to a character.  Especially when they have been a part of the show for nine years.  This is why I have written this post.

The phrase, “I’m sorry for your loss,” doesn’t offer very much.  If you have lost a loved one, that phrase is not very comforting.  When you go to a funeral, a piece of the family’s heart is gone.   And sometimes it will never be filled again.  I myself have not lost someone dear to me.  My friend at church did lose his dad.  I remember how sad it was.  My friend’s name is Andrew Robinson.  His dad was a police officer.  The day he was killed, he had a flight.  He hated flights.  This led to him being nervous.  Instead of sitting down and reading a book, he decided to clean his gun.  I remember my mom giving me some advice: “Think of his best attributes, then you will feel better.”  At the funeral, there was a man there who played “Amazing Grace” on the bag-pipes.  It was so beautiful.  Another thing I remember so clearly was the demonstration of the doves.  They released a large group of doves.  A few seconds later, they released a lone dove that flew to join the group.  At the very end, the police radios crackled saying, “[Officer Robinson's Police Badge Number] come in.  [Officer Robinson's Police Badge Number] come in.  Rest in peace, Office Robinson.”  At this point, most people lost the grip they had on their emotions.  I was ten or eleven at the time, so I don’t remember everything very well.  While my friend’s dad may be gone for now, all those who are true-Christians will one day be reunited with him.  I know most of you have heard this sort of thing before, but it doesn’t make it any less true.  I cannot imagine what it feels like to lose a close loved one.  I know I will eventually experience it, but I resolve myself to remain in Christ’s loving hands.

|Mike|

The Cellular Phone Catastrophe

The problem I have is when students will take out their cell phone during school and text someone (most likely another student).  But what really gets under my fingernails is when you confront them in a nice, Christianly way and they deny it your face!  Today, one of my friends had a decent ‘excuse’ to why he was texting.  He is usually not one to lie and he gets a guilty look on his face when you confront him, which is good and bad.  While he requested me not to divulge exactly why he was texting during class, I will give you the jist of it.  One of his friend’s heart is failing.  They opted for a heart-transfer and found out that her kidneys are failing.  There is a medicine that can either prolong her life for five years or she won’t even make it past the end of this year.

Since I attend a Christian school, everyone is sometimes assumed to be a Christian, but certain actions  done by my piers obviously lead to the conclusion that in fact they are not Christians.  Some of the topics of conversation are not at all godly.  While I do disagree with the assumption that just because the name of our school has the name “Christian” in it.  But I do think that because of that very reason, we should act differently than the public schools.  We should have a better attitude.  This includes having our cell phones off duirng school.  Technically, we aren’t even supposed to have them at school anyway!  Another misuse of a good piece of technology.

If one claims to be a Christian, they need to start acting like it.  A few good starters for doing this is: 1. Keeping your shirt tucked in (another problem my male schoolmates seem to have) 2. Keeping the cell phone off.  O-F-F OFF!  3. Learning to not complain would be another nice addition.  These are just a few of the pet-peeves I have regarding this subject.  It really ticks me off, but I have learned to cope with this.

|Mike|

Giving Respect

It occurred to me earlier today (January 5th, 2009) that when one complains, one is usually upset about something (don’t worry, this is not what became prominent to me earlier today). To give you an example, there is a teacher at my school who also attends my church. She is a kind, middle-aged lady who is very dear to me, considering that I have known her my entire life. Her son is my youth pastor as well. Anyway, some of my classmates complain about the work she gives us. The worksheets are pretty much the soul of their complaining. As I have sat in class after class (not just in my teacher’s class, but in other classes) about how hard the worksheets are. They are though-provoking, sure, but it has led me to the question: “Are you afraid to think?” When I stand up for my English teacher, there is the peer-pressure beginning to weigh down on me. To bend to their argument. I as well have some trouble with the more thought-provoking questions, but I persevere, unlike my friends who read the question, give one second of thought, and give up. As Ephesians 5:1-21 says, we are to do what is pleasing to the Lord and imitate Him to the best of our abilities. Inevitably, we will do something that displeases Him. When this happens, we are to pick right back up where we left off (before our displeasing action) by asking for His forgiveness and for His help in not doing it again.

|Mike|

The End Times

As in my previous post on my Eschatology, I respect and know that some will disagree with me.  That is fine.

I want to first make a statement regarding the “end of the world in 2012.”  I did see a commercial about a show that was going to talk about it.  When they showed the name of the show, under it, it said, “Hindsight 20/20.  Foresight 20/12.”  I kinda found that funny, but I disagree that the world will end in 2012.  For one, the Tribulation has not started yet.  For those of you who don’t know, the Tribulation, also known as ‘The Reign of the Antichrist,” lasts seven years.  At the end of the seven years, Christ will return to overthrow the Antichrist, also known as ‘The False Prophet’ and ‘The Beast,’ and set up His Millennial Kingdom.  This kingdom will last for one thousand years, which gives it its name ‘millennial.’  During the Millennial Kingdom, Satan will be bound in a bottomless pit.  At the end of the Millennial Kingdom, Satan will be released.  Of course, he will make one last offensive to try to take God’s place.  To put it bluntly, he fails.  Only then, after the Millennial Kingdom, does God make a new earth and a new heaven.  If the Tribulation started today, it would be one thousand and seven years before the end of the world came.  In case some of ya’ll want more information on the Tribulation, I am going to write a separate post on it.

I’ll just leave it at that for now.  Sorry it has taken me so long to get this up.  I have not been really prioritizing during my Christmas break.  But anyway, hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year!

|Mike|

Monthly Quote – January/Yearly Quote – 2009

As all of you know, we are entering into a new year.  It is a time of new-year resolutions that consist of things like: weight loss, less time on the computer, more excercise, reading your Bible more, becoming more active in the community, etc.  The idea of resolutions just should not be taken up at the beginning of the new year, but should be done anytime of the year.  If you see something wrong with your life, why wait for the first of the year to address it.

Yealy Quote:

Where peace is, we see light in the darkest places, and peace in the midst of the storm.

Monthly Quote:

Our lives are not like ships being tossed helplessly upon the rough seas of life.  Jesus is the Lord over every circumstance we face.

|Mike|

Daily Quote – December

Jesus saves the Hell out of you.

William Gilley

|Mike|

Eschatology

Before I begin discussing my eschatology, I want to make clear that I respect everyone’s opinion and realize that you may disagree with me.

Instead of writing all about my eschatology, I would like to get a few opinions about what I should discuss more, not discuss, etc.  I am planning on explaining my view of the Antichrist, when the Rapture will occur, the Millennial Kingdom, and the Tribulation, among other things.

|Mike|

Christmas Time Post

Well, it is that time of year again!
     The hustle and bustle of the mothers and fathers begin!
Presents are wrapped and children await,
     The morning when their waiting shall cease and they will go through the gate.
Their momentary happiness shall begin
     And then the children start wanting again.

This is the cycle that most, if not all, parents go through every year.  They spend time and hard-earned money searching for good gifts for their kids only for the children to become unhappy and begin wanting again after their new gifts have been worn out.  In our day and age, people have lost the true meaning of Christmas.  People give gifts and expect gifts in return.  Most often, they see no problem with this.

Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Johnny.  Every day this little child would go to school and learn about different things (obviously).  Johnny’s favorite subject was Science.  He loved learning about different kinds of animals, especially elephants.  One day, the teacher told the students that a circus was coming to town.  Johnny, because he had never seen or hear of a circus, asked the teacher what it was.  She told him all about it and gave several good examples of what would be there, including elephants.  This sparked the boy’s interest immediately.  This was his chance to see a real elephant up close and in person!  That night, he literally begged his parents to let him go.  Reluctantly, they consented.  While he slept, Johnny dreamt about elephants.  On Saturday, Johnny woke up early and eagerly because he couldn’t wait for lunchtime to come.  About a half-hour before noon, he ran with the ticket his parents had purchased for him to Main Street where the circus parade would come down before they temporarily set up camp.  When the parade finally came into view, the elephants were surrounded by clowns on stilts.  Johnny was ecstatic.  When the clown that was passing out candy passed little Johnny, the child held up his ticket for the clown to take.  When Johnny arrived back at his house and told his parents all that had happened, his parents told him that the parade was just the sideshow to the main event.

Little children like Johnny are more common than you think.  Children nowadays are more interested in the presents and the excitement of Christmas than what it is really representing.

|Mike|

Monthly Quote – December

I have had some difficulty finding a good quote for December.  I wanted it to be Christmas-related but still be q good Christian quote, but there wasn’t very much that I liked.  So instead, I am going to let anyone who wants to put Christmas-related quote in a comment.  I may eventually find a quote and put it up here.

|Mike|