Note: Actual date written is unknown, my best guess is sometime in the Summer of '06 since other accurately dated blogs referring to this one start as early as Sept 06.
It is true. Never in my life have I ever dated and it is likely for the next few years I will yet to date. I think I should start with what I mean by dating because as many of the relationships I have seen with friends at church, they did not follow traditional dating as American society has portrayed it to be. Based on observations and talking to people around me, society as a whole believes dating is appropriate and initiated when an attractive person clicks or finds a minor connection, most likely physical connection to start. From that point a series of dates takes place and a couple's relationship carries on from there. Some win, most don't. I think you all understand what I mean by that form of courting. Through seeing its holes is how I have come to my beliefs about this topic.
The primary problems with the way dating is conducted is it lacks knowledge about the each other, focuses too much on the physical, and it is usually done too quickly. Mind you this is the initiation phase. Whether there is communication, trust, or other issues are more generalized once the relationship has some time to develop. I am tempted to say that dating people you don't know is the wrong course of action to getting to know someone.
I think it is best to get to know people in social environments such as parties, activities, classes, and the casual “hanging out”. Through those interactions a familiarity could build and turn to friendship. This is where many people go whoa; hold on, are you saying to date only friends? Well, yea. Friends are people who know you for who you are. They are not people who know about you or have seen you around, they have direct knowledge about you. With such a foundation of understanding we can know enough about each other and assess who we are compatible with.
I think society has a problem with this because friends are too hard to make and take too long to find. Mind you I am not talking about a common acquaintance I am talking to an actual friend. At the very least someone who shares similar values, beliefs, and interests. After all, who do people most often end up talking about their relationship issues with and why? It is always a friend. Now if relationships were built on a friendship which entailed knowing each other, perhaps certain issues could be better worked out when they come up. Maybe, this is the rougher areas of my theory because most people I present this theory to are so flustered that I am still talking about friends being the best candidates to date. At the very least someone should know more than the basics of a person, such knowledge requires moderate effort of being interested in a person as another human being. I have not yet decided if this will overflow into another blog which might be closer to a rant about how people are too preoccupied over physical attraction.
Another red flag usually rises when I tell people my stance is with the whole “what if you break up and then you can't be friends anymore or you lost a friend?” Well, this theory doesn't exactly allot for failure, that's one of the main points for knowing someone very well before you start a special part of human interaction. I believe the more honest someone is as a friend the better the probable success if a relationship is to start. At the very least the other major factor is how one's behavior changes once the "dating" starts to occur. After all so far this has explained the initiation circumstances. For the most part I think the people involved should conduct themselves the same way they did while they were friends. Those details are much sketchier mainly because I have never needed to think that far into the situation. Granted you have probably already thought I put way too much thought into this.
Jul 1, 2006
Jun 28, 2006
A 5-Minute Attempt to Address the Problem of Evil
The problem of evil as stated in most philosophy classes is one of the greatest counter arguments to the existence of a good God, namely the God Christians believe in. This was the primary topic of Lee Strobel's "Case for Faith", but the book had a better explanation to my systematic mind was I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, the final contributing source to this blog is Switchfoot's The Shadow Proves the Sunshine. Ravi Zacharias very well argues peoples’ true reservations for philosophically denying God's existence is their own will to not want to have to answer for their behavior or submit to something much greater than themselves in The Real Face of Atheism, the presence and problem of evil is still one of the most popular topics of discussion.
I am writing this with an entirely different spin on the point, the "presence" of evil exists. For several years at my current point of maturity I am hard-pressed to say that I actually regret anything that I did. Not because I think I am some perfect being whose sins have not hurt or offended anyone, but because through my failures I have developed to be the person that I am today. If I had never experienced hardships, failure, and trials I suspect I would have a paper thin faith if any at all, at least on the personal level with Christ.
As I have read from several sources in addition to a number of sermons the most common answer to the problem of evil is that evil in itself does not exist. Instead evil is a description much like hot and cold. Cold is not tangible, cold by its very definition is the absence of heat. Just as the definition of darkness is an absence of light, evil is the definition of an absence of good. Philosophically it addresses the problem very well because one of the premises of the Problem of Evil as it is stated in philosophy is that evil exists. By defeating the premise, the argument is void. I think it also has the benefit of showing how we must promote and behave "good" to best combat evil. Although this reason philosophically by technicality is satisfying to some, to the majority of the population that has experienced evil, it is very unsatisfying to the heart.
My next point about the problem of evil, and why I think its feeling confirms the existence of God. People admit to themselves and others that they believe in absolute morals and therefore an absolute moral lawgiver by ones reaction to evil and pain. The best example I have is from a story about a college student and his professor. The student’s final paper was to argue for a point, any point. The student decided to argue against moral absolutism. When the student turned in the paper he was very disappointed with the grade. On the front of the paper it said "F, I don't like blue folders." The folder happened to be blue. Upset the student argued with the professor and claimed that the grade was not fair nor did it merit the F based on the color of the folder. The professor simply smiled and pointed out that, "you argued that there is no such thing as fair, moral, or right, therefore I don't like blue folders so you grade remains an F!" The moral of the story is that by the student’s reaction to injustice, his absolute belief in justice, fairness, and morality was confirmed. It is by people’s reaction to evil that they confirm what good should be.
Most people will argue that because evil exists that God doesn't exist, after all why wouldn't he stop it? Well the Christian answer to why evil is in the world is because sin is in the world. Sinful people commit evil deeds on people. Even more, natural disasters are also the result of sin, perhaps not as directly as a sinful person murdering another person as being evil, but because sin entered the world at the Garden of Eden. All of creation was rocked, the world was no longer as it was meant to be, and that is the world we currently reside.
To further elaborate people confirm what right and wrong is by our reactions to wrong, is the song I mentioned earlier. The Shadow proves the Sunshine I don't think I need to go further than the title of the song for the point to be made. Without the darkness we can't appreciate the good and justness of God. After all, if there was no light how would one recognize it is dark? We wouldn't because that is all that there would be. In the same way, the existence of the shadow proves that sunshine does exist.
I am writing this with an entirely different spin on the point, the "presence" of evil exists. For several years at my current point of maturity I am hard-pressed to say that I actually regret anything that I did. Not because I think I am some perfect being whose sins have not hurt or offended anyone, but because through my failures I have developed to be the person that I am today. If I had never experienced hardships, failure, and trials I suspect I would have a paper thin faith if any at all, at least on the personal level with Christ.
As I have read from several sources in addition to a number of sermons the most common answer to the problem of evil is that evil in itself does not exist. Instead evil is a description much like hot and cold. Cold is not tangible, cold by its very definition is the absence of heat. Just as the definition of darkness is an absence of light, evil is the definition of an absence of good. Philosophically it addresses the problem very well because one of the premises of the Problem of Evil as it is stated in philosophy is that evil exists. By defeating the premise, the argument is void. I think it also has the benefit of showing how we must promote and behave "good" to best combat evil. Although this reason philosophically by technicality is satisfying to some, to the majority of the population that has experienced evil, it is very unsatisfying to the heart.
My next point about the problem of evil, and why I think its feeling confirms the existence of God. People admit to themselves and others that they believe in absolute morals and therefore an absolute moral lawgiver by ones reaction to evil and pain. The best example I have is from a story about a college student and his professor. The student’s final paper was to argue for a point, any point. The student decided to argue against moral absolutism. When the student turned in the paper he was very disappointed with the grade. On the front of the paper it said "F, I don't like blue folders." The folder happened to be blue. Upset the student argued with the professor and claimed that the grade was not fair nor did it merit the F based on the color of the folder. The professor simply smiled and pointed out that, "you argued that there is no such thing as fair, moral, or right, therefore I don't like blue folders so you grade remains an F!" The moral of the story is that by the student’s reaction to injustice, his absolute belief in justice, fairness, and morality was confirmed. It is by people’s reaction to evil that they confirm what good should be.
Most people will argue that because evil exists that God doesn't exist, after all why wouldn't he stop it? Well the Christian answer to why evil is in the world is because sin is in the world. Sinful people commit evil deeds on people. Even more, natural disasters are also the result of sin, perhaps not as directly as a sinful person murdering another person as being evil, but because sin entered the world at the Garden of Eden. All of creation was rocked, the world was no longer as it was meant to be, and that is the world we currently reside.
To further elaborate people confirm what right and wrong is by our reactions to wrong, is the song I mentioned earlier. The Shadow proves the Sunshine I don't think I need to go further than the title of the song for the point to be made. Without the darkness we can't appreciate the good and justness of God. After all, if there was no light how would one recognize it is dark? We wouldn't because that is all that there would be. In the same way, the existence of the shadow proves that sunshine does exist.
A Theory In Crisis, Intelligent Design vs. Evolution
Many of you know how I like to argue things; I have a more distinct fervor for arguing things that I think have a connection with our faith but do not require our faith for the explanation to make complete sense. Something that occurred to me either this morning or sometime yesterday while I was almost a lone ranger on the Hard Core Christians Living Hardcore MySpace forums arguing for Creation against several advocates of evolution. I found it entertaining and somewhat challenging, not so much because they came up with new arguments that I have never seen before, but because I had to explain and come up with examples of evolution's incompleteness. It is not often that an entire debate will end in one sitting in a forum atmosphere but this one did.
I don’t want to keep this blog unreasonably long because I noticed from my previous blog I got a little too excited to dump all the arguments on the table and it only resulted in a really long blog that intellectually vomited on the reader with so many points and arguments. I found as I got to the last several points to fully elaborate would be simply too long. I suppose that is what happens when I try to summarize points made from several books and journals into such a small place like a single blog. So let's see how this one goes.
Oh before I get on with it I also want to through a shout out to Michael Behe's "Darwin's Black Box". This is a very interesting book so far, I am about 1/6 of the way through it, it is through Dr. Behe's style of this read that this blog has really come to be. He does not claim to believe in Intelligent Design or Young Earth theory (the earth is 6k-10k years old) like most authors of material that question evolutionary theory as it stands today. On one hand I feel as though he is arguing for something he doesn't fully believe in, but then it hit me, he isn't really arguing for Creationism as his quotes are being used throughout the world in creation vs. evolution debates. All Dr. Behe is doing in this book, so far, is pointing out that evolution as it stands has issues that need to be addressed.
As simply as I see it in my mind right now it is that evolutionary theory has many problems within itself. So far Dr. Behe has not gotten on a soap box after exposing difficulties with the theory; he has just shown how the current theory is inadequate for what it is. These problems range from: the origin of life, benefits through mutation, irreducible complexity, explanation of the Cambrian explosion, and overall age of the earth in respect to what mutations must exhibit, and the list goes on. Each of these problems I can write a mouthful about it with my limited knowledge on the subject. I know full well I can't explain the complete difficulties and failings of the theory but I can give a good summarization of each of those issues. To get a full explanation the kind that should be the satisfying standard of the scientific world would require some serious post-graduate level explanations.
I am not saying that only people with doctorates can understand or explain the problems, just that the bases of those problems need to be explained at such a level that it takes an expert in that field of science. For example, as a micro-biologist Dr Behe listed on the molecular level a very "basic" version of how sight functions in our eyes. I know I am more current with remembering my college biology and chemistry and even that "basic" explanation had me struggling to get the gist of it. This example of the eye is just one of the many problems found within biology that will need micro-biologists to fully explain the function and possibly its origins.
I am greatly tempted to break out some of the evidence in support of creationism but that would be to miss the point that I want to really elaborate upon. Often within a debate over a controversial issue it comes down to two sides, the majority verses the minority. This is present in every debate setting, but as I pointed out in my abortion blog, there is actually a core issue within the debate. It is not given the attention it deserves instead the arguments dance all around the core topic. Abortion for example is "Is the unborn human?" simple as that. What is the core issue within the creation vs. evolution or ID (Intelligent Design) vs. Evolution argument?
In the midst of the "us vs. them", feel of this debate I think many people over look the true stance of the ID community. It is not so much that we are pointing to evolutionists and saying "you're wrong", we are pointing to evolutionists and saying, “you got problems and contradictions within your theory." In addition we like to add "our explanation through ID fits like this..." That is the heart of the issues as I see it. I think special attention needs to be made to keep this idea in mind because it is so easy to get bogged down in so many arguments which turn into an intellectual shouting match, sometimes not always involving intellect or shouting.
I don’t want to keep this blog unreasonably long because I noticed from my previous blog I got a little too excited to dump all the arguments on the table and it only resulted in a really long blog that intellectually vomited on the reader with so many points and arguments. I found as I got to the last several points to fully elaborate would be simply too long. I suppose that is what happens when I try to summarize points made from several books and journals into such a small place like a single blog. So let's see how this one goes.
Oh before I get on with it I also want to through a shout out to Michael Behe's "Darwin's Black Box". This is a very interesting book so far, I am about 1/6 of the way through it, it is through Dr. Behe's style of this read that this blog has really come to be. He does not claim to believe in Intelligent Design or Young Earth theory (the earth is 6k-10k years old) like most authors of material that question evolutionary theory as it stands today. On one hand I feel as though he is arguing for something he doesn't fully believe in, but then it hit me, he isn't really arguing for Creationism as his quotes are being used throughout the world in creation vs. evolution debates. All Dr. Behe is doing in this book, so far, is pointing out that evolution as it stands has issues that need to be addressed.
As simply as I see it in my mind right now it is that evolutionary theory has many problems within itself. So far Dr. Behe has not gotten on a soap box after exposing difficulties with the theory; he has just shown how the current theory is inadequate for what it is. These problems range from: the origin of life, benefits through mutation, irreducible complexity, explanation of the Cambrian explosion, and overall age of the earth in respect to what mutations must exhibit, and the list goes on. Each of these problems I can write a mouthful about it with my limited knowledge on the subject. I know full well I can't explain the complete difficulties and failings of the theory but I can give a good summarization of each of those issues. To get a full explanation the kind that should be the satisfying standard of the scientific world would require some serious post-graduate level explanations.
I am not saying that only people with doctorates can understand or explain the problems, just that the bases of those problems need to be explained at such a level that it takes an expert in that field of science. For example, as a micro-biologist Dr Behe listed on the molecular level a very "basic" version of how sight functions in our eyes. I know I am more current with remembering my college biology and chemistry and even that "basic" explanation had me struggling to get the gist of it. This example of the eye is just one of the many problems found within biology that will need micro-biologists to fully explain the function and possibly its origins.
I am greatly tempted to break out some of the evidence in support of creationism but that would be to miss the point that I want to really elaborate upon. Often within a debate over a controversial issue it comes down to two sides, the majority verses the minority. This is present in every debate setting, but as I pointed out in my abortion blog, there is actually a core issue within the debate. It is not given the attention it deserves instead the arguments dance all around the core topic. Abortion for example is "Is the unborn human?" simple as that. What is the core issue within the creation vs. evolution or ID (Intelligent Design) vs. Evolution argument?
In the midst of the "us vs. them", feel of this debate I think many people over look the true stance of the ID community. It is not so much that we are pointing to evolutionists and saying "you're wrong", we are pointing to evolutionists and saying, “you got problems and contradictions within your theory." In addition we like to add "our explanation through ID fits like this..." That is the heart of the issues as I see it. I think special attention needs to be made to keep this idea in mind because it is so easy to get bogged down in so many arguments which turn into an intellectual shouting match, sometimes not always involving intellect or shouting.
Jun 6, 2006
Odd Assumptions and Practical Atheism
I had a fun morning today; we were destroying a big display board so we could throw it away. The best part was the conversations we had while we were working on the easy project. I found it profoundly interesting how different I really think from other people and how little faith they have in the power of faith.
It seems every time we get a chance to chat as a group of friends the subject of interest seems to always be relationships or something along those lines. I know I am naive about certain subjects and rather inexperienced in many areas of relationships but I think I am greatly underestimated in many factors of how my future will turn out. I also must say they believe far too much in human nature. According to them as soon as I am de-virginized, I will become some form of man which resembles the rest of the male population whose sole goal in life is to seek anything in a skirt. In addition, any temptation I have will eventually be given into. The most encouraging thing I heard was that the expected length of my "first" marriage was 2 years from one of my friends. I quoted "first" because I do not plan nor do I think it is a wise plan to think of marriages as first or any numerical count. The one semi-accurate thing I think is fair at the very least to consider is that I will be heart broken if/when my first relationship fails.
Oh yea, this weekend I went to a R&R resort hosted by the chaplains. We had a lesson time on Friday (it was thurs-sat), for the single soldiers we watch a few sermons out of Song of Solomon. It was a rather exhaustive approach going through each verse at a time, thus in the three hours we got to the middle of chapter two. So far I must say I that it wasn't that hot'n heavy as I have heard, then again that was just the choosing and courting parts of the book. The one bit that I really agreed with was how to find a Christian mate. The pastor in the videos said “we simply run whole heartedly for Christ and look to our right and left to see who is running next to us, at some point see if they want to run with you”. Many of the other details in the sermons mentioned stuff I have heard and or applied appropriately already, I think.
This was one of those conversations I found both entertaining and sad at the same time. It was quiet funny how they think that everyone has to through life in an aimless search to find what their looking for. Sad because I know exactly what they were searching for at points in their lives and they didn't look in the right place. I have a delicate time with deep conversations like this cause one of my friends is really sensitive to anything almost alluding to a spiritual discussion. I hope in my efforts to love and not shove the Gospel down her throat that I have not been too subtle about it. I think I valued or gave slightly more credit to this conversation for a couple reasons, first they are some of my closest non-Christian friends here, second they are all married, and third it had a certain tone of seriousness that I found rather eerie from some of the stuff they were saying.
A part of me still feels like I am not doing so good at shining bright that others will praise God (1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 5:16). That verse has been such a source of influence in the way I constantly attempt to conduct myself but yet those that verbally notice so often refer to me as being a "good" guy. It irks me so much because being seen as "good" is the exact opposite in my purpose. I know it is up to the individual to see the good works and praise our Father in Heaven, but I can't help but think that they have seen so few earnest Christians that they don't recognize that it is God in me that is so good. There is so much that I have seen that is frustrating, so many people going about their lives in search of what I have found. Yet, since I have not lived through their life I cannot know the solution to their issues.
I have been reading perhaps the best apologetic book yet, called I Don't Have Enough Faith to be An Atheist. I am almost completed reading it, somewhere one of the common themes in the apologetics I have been reading is the true answer to why most people deny God's existence. They do not wish to admit nor submit their life to God, simple as that. I have found a new conundrum, as most apologetics are addressed to atheists; what about those that calls themselves Christians. I think the world is far more populated with people that think they are Christians but live without him as an active part of their life. Not to say they are all immoral heathens that live in terrible debauchery, but take their faith to a point similar to Agnostics. The whole "big guy way up there that doesn't really care" ideology seems to me to be far more common than declared atheists. Then when they see the difference that God makes in our lives it doesn't click that our faith is what makes so much difference.
Then again what apologetics are there to logically show more about God than what is revealed through the persuasive arguments and debates? I don't think that form of ministry is a practical use of apologetics. I think conveying the personality and the express uniqueness of our God is something that only we can accomplish both by words but more by lifestyle. I am reminded of the intro to What if Stumble every time I think about that. The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and deny him by their lifestyle. Then to add a bit more, because there are so few Christians that acknowledge Jesus in our lifestyle it is alien to those that see it.
It seems every time we get a chance to chat as a group of friends the subject of interest seems to always be relationships or something along those lines. I know I am naive about certain subjects and rather inexperienced in many areas of relationships but I think I am greatly underestimated in many factors of how my future will turn out. I also must say they believe far too much in human nature. According to them as soon as I am de-virginized, I will become some form of man which resembles the rest of the male population whose sole goal in life is to seek anything in a skirt. In addition, any temptation I have will eventually be given into. The most encouraging thing I heard was that the expected length of my "first" marriage was 2 years from one of my friends. I quoted "first" because I do not plan nor do I think it is a wise plan to think of marriages as first or any numerical count. The one semi-accurate thing I think is fair at the very least to consider is that I will be heart broken if/when my first relationship fails.
Oh yea, this weekend I went to a R&R resort hosted by the chaplains. We had a lesson time on Friday (it was thurs-sat), for the single soldiers we watch a few sermons out of Song of Solomon. It was a rather exhaustive approach going through each verse at a time, thus in the three hours we got to the middle of chapter two. So far I must say I that it wasn't that hot'n heavy as I have heard, then again that was just the choosing and courting parts of the book. The one bit that I really agreed with was how to find a Christian mate. The pastor in the videos said “we simply run whole heartedly for Christ and look to our right and left to see who is running next to us, at some point see if they want to run with you”. Many of the other details in the sermons mentioned stuff I have heard and or applied appropriately already, I think.
This was one of those conversations I found both entertaining and sad at the same time. It was quiet funny how they think that everyone has to through life in an aimless search to find what their looking for. Sad because I know exactly what they were searching for at points in their lives and they didn't look in the right place. I have a delicate time with deep conversations like this cause one of my friends is really sensitive to anything almost alluding to a spiritual discussion. I hope in my efforts to love and not shove the Gospel down her throat that I have not been too subtle about it. I think I valued or gave slightly more credit to this conversation for a couple reasons, first they are some of my closest non-Christian friends here, second they are all married, and third it had a certain tone of seriousness that I found rather eerie from some of the stuff they were saying.
A part of me still feels like I am not doing so good at shining bright that others will praise God (1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 5:16). That verse has been such a source of influence in the way I constantly attempt to conduct myself but yet those that verbally notice so often refer to me as being a "good" guy. It irks me so much because being seen as "good" is the exact opposite in my purpose. I know it is up to the individual to see the good works and praise our Father in Heaven, but I can't help but think that they have seen so few earnest Christians that they don't recognize that it is God in me that is so good. There is so much that I have seen that is frustrating, so many people going about their lives in search of what I have found. Yet, since I have not lived through their life I cannot know the solution to their issues.
I have been reading perhaps the best apologetic book yet, called I Don't Have Enough Faith to be An Atheist. I am almost completed reading it, somewhere one of the common themes in the apologetics I have been reading is the true answer to why most people deny God's existence. They do not wish to admit nor submit their life to God, simple as that. I have found a new conundrum, as most apologetics are addressed to atheists; what about those that calls themselves Christians. I think the world is far more populated with people that think they are Christians but live without him as an active part of their life. Not to say they are all immoral heathens that live in terrible debauchery, but take their faith to a point similar to Agnostics. The whole "big guy way up there that doesn't really care" ideology seems to me to be far more common than declared atheists. Then when they see the difference that God makes in our lives it doesn't click that our faith is what makes so much difference.
Then again what apologetics are there to logically show more about God than what is revealed through the persuasive arguments and debates? I don't think that form of ministry is a practical use of apologetics. I think conveying the personality and the express uniqueness of our God is something that only we can accomplish both by words but more by lifestyle. I am reminded of the intro to What if Stumble every time I think about that. The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and deny him by their lifestyle. Then to add a bit more, because there are so few Christians that acknowledge Jesus in our lifestyle it is alien to those that see it.
May 16, 2006
Feeling Stagnant
I have no idea where this will take me; I just am somewhat bored and feel like I haven't thought out loud for too long. Now that everything at work has slowed down so much there is a lot of free time everywhere. Most of the time we are doing details just to do something but with all the supplies packed up even that much is difficult. I am anxious to receive my passport so I can travel, even though some country's have open borders in order to get a mileage pass I still have to have a passport. I hope the Spain trip works out. I feel like I am at a real loss, and this hasn't been the first time where I really have no idea what to talk about.
Maybe that could be the topic. Yea, I think I can go with that. What does it mean when I have nothing significant happening. Well, that is a bit of an understatement, one of the other people in the barracks has recently started going to chapel. It is a huge source of encouragement to know I am not so alone. When I think about the blankness of thought for the time I question how healthy it could be. I know I haven't let up in my pursuit to stand for something righteous. I have made greater attempts and so far so good reading again. My gaming has definitely sub-sided and I have had more motivation to hit the gym again. The overall balance of life I had before the busy period is re-establishing itself. The thing that concerns me though is the lack of serious thoughts.
In my typical blogs I have some spiritual lesson or major event that has hit me and there is a part of me that is worried that I haven't had anything come up in almost a month that I have been compelled enough to write about. I am thinking that can't be a good thing, if I am not growing then what else is there? Surviving, kind of, falling away or not doing so well, I hope not. Am I just worrying that I have written about so much already that I am at a loss about what more to write. I have thought about writing some blogs about my take on the War, current events I have seen in the news and things of that nature might be interesting from a soldier's perspective.
I think that by my lack of spiritual passion for the weeks that I might be at a lukewarm period, I say that and think "How can that be?" Am I compromising more? Am I devoted to the same principles that I have been fighting to hold to for these several months? I think those questions can be answered that I am in a good position. I know there is always growth, but when I can hardly sense anything going on or bouncing in my head, I have a serious “what the heck” moment. The scary thing is this moment is lasting entirely too long in my opinion...
I am reminded of an adage that I heard a while ago and much agrees with. It was something along the lines of "If you are not being persecuted for your beliefs you're doing something wrong", in reference to how faithful we are to living out our faith. I was encouraged in a moment I don't think was meant to really be encouraging. In my most recent sit-down with my supervisors they were saying that I need to tone done on how seriously I take my faith.
They were suggesting I socialize more with people other than from church. I have nothing against that but between general vibes and straight out telling me, the others in my platoon don't want to take me anywhere because I am such a killjoy. I suppose my very presence prevents them from having as much fun. I thought the best part about the discussion is they said I need to stop approaching people like "Hi I am Joseph, and I am a Christian". I really don't think I come across that strong nor do I attempt to bible-thump those around me for living as they please. My next best guess as to why people are so uncomfortable around me is that I actually stand for something and refuse to budge.
I know that sit-down was meant to be helpful suggestions for me to get out more; I found it encouraging that my life message is clear. I know I don't come across like a lunatic or attempt to be a holier-than-thou, the only times I ever get to discuss spiritual issues most of the time is when I am chatting with Adam, a friend from church and in my platoon. So when I regularly hear people say I am a bible thumper or something of that sort I simply wonder that is my lifestyle preaching that much without my words? If so, awesome!
Maybe that could be the topic. Yea, I think I can go with that. What does it mean when I have nothing significant happening. Well, that is a bit of an understatement, one of the other people in the barracks has recently started going to chapel. It is a huge source of encouragement to know I am not so alone. When I think about the blankness of thought for the time I question how healthy it could be. I know I haven't let up in my pursuit to stand for something righteous. I have made greater attempts and so far so good reading again. My gaming has definitely sub-sided and I have had more motivation to hit the gym again. The overall balance of life I had before the busy period is re-establishing itself. The thing that concerns me though is the lack of serious thoughts.
In my typical blogs I have some spiritual lesson or major event that has hit me and there is a part of me that is worried that I haven't had anything come up in almost a month that I have been compelled enough to write about. I am thinking that can't be a good thing, if I am not growing then what else is there? Surviving, kind of, falling away or not doing so well, I hope not. Am I just worrying that I have written about so much already that I am at a loss about what more to write. I have thought about writing some blogs about my take on the War, current events I have seen in the news and things of that nature might be interesting from a soldier's perspective.
I think that by my lack of spiritual passion for the weeks that I might be at a lukewarm period, I say that and think "How can that be?" Am I compromising more? Am I devoted to the same principles that I have been fighting to hold to for these several months? I think those questions can be answered that I am in a good position. I know there is always growth, but when I can hardly sense anything going on or bouncing in my head, I have a serious “what the heck” moment. The scary thing is this moment is lasting entirely too long in my opinion...
I am reminded of an adage that I heard a while ago and much agrees with. It was something along the lines of "If you are not being persecuted for your beliefs you're doing something wrong", in reference to how faithful we are to living out our faith. I was encouraged in a moment I don't think was meant to really be encouraging. In my most recent sit-down with my supervisors they were saying that I need to tone done on how seriously I take my faith.
They were suggesting I socialize more with people other than from church. I have nothing against that but between general vibes and straight out telling me, the others in my platoon don't want to take me anywhere because I am such a killjoy. I suppose my very presence prevents them from having as much fun. I thought the best part about the discussion is they said I need to stop approaching people like "Hi I am Joseph, and I am a Christian". I really don't think I come across that strong nor do I attempt to bible-thump those around me for living as they please. My next best guess as to why people are so uncomfortable around me is that I actually stand for something and refuse to budge.
I know that sit-down was meant to be helpful suggestions for me to get out more; I found it encouraging that my life message is clear. I know I don't come across like a lunatic or attempt to be a holier-than-thou, the only times I ever get to discuss spiritual issues most of the time is when I am chatting with Adam, a friend from church and in my platoon. So when I regularly hear people say I am a bible thumper or something of that sort I simply wonder that is my lifestyle preaching that much without my words? If so, awesome!
Apr 29, 2006
Let The Grass Cutting Begin!
An Example of Army Efficiency
So yea this one is more an update of what has been going on because I have been so busy with work and the internet looks to be numbered. So how has this last month been spent? Well as you may see cause I have thought this over too, it really isn't that much. The time efficiency/usage is wasted so often it is rather sad. Let's see here, I believe the first week we took care of tents. Oh yea, we started working from 0730 until about 1900 or later (7pm) and as the working progressed the hours grew. So the deal with the tents we'd pull them out, count them and put them back, day 1. Then we'd start to clean them and put them back again, day 2. Really repetitive work like that, it was a very mentally stimulating week *yawn*. I believe I actually calculated the total man-hours we spent on actually cleaning the tents and it worked out to somewhere around 20 hours per tent. I was not irked about that figure until I was sent to do a tent solo and cleaned it all in about 4 hours. Why it took so much more time? Well that is a fine example of Army efficiency.
The following week we spent washing trucks, the Humvees as civilians call them, and 5 ton trucks, those are basically big flatbed trucks. We had to clean them to get all the dirt off for Custom's guys to okay them for our sterile yard, part of the whole unit move process. What did I learn from that experience? Well pressure washers are really fun but after 4 days straight of using them, they are no longer fun. I also noticed that if there were more appropriate or adequate cleaning areas for each vehicle it would likely have taken half the time we spent on the trucks. That and it is not very easy to punch hole into a HMMWV without a hammer. That was a fun part though, punching holes in the trucks for drainage.
The following week was all about milvans; think really big storage containers the size of a CONEX. This was one of the best parts. We had to pull the stuff out of storage and clean it. Then we would load it into the milvan to make sure it all fits. The next day we'd unload it, lay it out to be checked, and then we'd reload the milvan. There is something about repetitive lifting that made this event somewhat fun. I felt lazy not going to the gym after truck washing but after a day of milvans I felt like I had been to the gym. It is a nice feeling to get work done and feel tired from it; a part of me actually thinks I did something constructive.
The final week and weekend we worked all the way through was the most trying period. Aside from starting at 0630 and going until about 2000 or later it was more truck washing. We were really confused at first cause the Customs people had to re-inspect the vehicles before they were sent to port. We ended up spending 3 really intense days re-washing every vehicle we had. Apparently grease now counted as dirt so we had to keep rewashing the vehicles until they passed. The best part was the standard for a passing vehicles' cleanliness really depended on how the inspector felt. It was really frustrating.
So now we are at the end of the hard part. The next 4 months or more will be spent mowing grass, painting buildings and other important tasks like that. Looking back on the crazy schedule that we had I don't entirely regret it. I did get to test my mental resolve of being motivated. The conversations I had while moving the things and just working together side beside my friends were at times very encouraging and fulfilling. I don't know what is honestly going to happen to me in the coming months. The paperwork for the units that I would have the potential to do something really significant has been submitted but word on the street is that is getting disregarded, more or less. I don't want to really disclose what I have heard as far as "word on the street" accuracy about my recent future. To me it really means nothing substantiated until I have orders in hand. I suppose the best way to say my recent future is that if it takes the course as it is currently foreseen I probably won't be coming home for Christmas...I would much appreciate your prayers that I am able to go to Heidelberg.
The following week we spent washing trucks, the Humvees as civilians call them, and 5 ton trucks, those are basically big flatbed trucks. We had to clean them to get all the dirt off for Custom's guys to okay them for our sterile yard, part of the whole unit move process. What did I learn from that experience? Well pressure washers are really fun but after 4 days straight of using them, they are no longer fun. I also noticed that if there were more appropriate or adequate cleaning areas for each vehicle it would likely have taken half the time we spent on the trucks. That and it is not very easy to punch hole into a HMMWV without a hammer. That was a fun part though, punching holes in the trucks for drainage.
The following week was all about milvans; think really big storage containers the size of a CONEX. This was one of the best parts. We had to pull the stuff out of storage and clean it. Then we would load it into the milvan to make sure it all fits. The next day we'd unload it, lay it out to be checked, and then we'd reload the milvan. There is something about repetitive lifting that made this event somewhat fun. I felt lazy not going to the gym after truck washing but after a day of milvans I felt like I had been to the gym. It is a nice feeling to get work done and feel tired from it; a part of me actually thinks I did something constructive.
The final week and weekend we worked all the way through was the most trying period. Aside from starting at 0630 and going until about 2000 or later it was more truck washing. We were really confused at first cause the Customs people had to re-inspect the vehicles before they were sent to port. We ended up spending 3 really intense days re-washing every vehicle we had. Apparently grease now counted as dirt so we had to keep rewashing the vehicles until they passed. The best part was the standard for a passing vehicles' cleanliness really depended on how the inspector felt. It was really frustrating.
So now we are at the end of the hard part. The next 4 months or more will be spent mowing grass, painting buildings and other important tasks like that. Looking back on the crazy schedule that we had I don't entirely regret it. I did get to test my mental resolve of being motivated. The conversations I had while moving the things and just working together side beside my friends were at times very encouraging and fulfilling. I don't know what is honestly going to happen to me in the coming months. The paperwork for the units that I would have the potential to do something really significant has been submitted but word on the street is that is getting disregarded, more or less. I don't want to really disclose what I have heard as far as "word on the street" accuracy about my recent future. To me it really means nothing substantiated until I have orders in hand. I suppose the best way to say my recent future is that if it takes the course as it is currently foreseen I probably won't be coming home for Christmas...I would much appreciate your prayers that I am able to go to Heidelberg.
Apr 6, 2006
Save The Children
The recent weeks of many boring details and monkey-work has lead to some interesting chats as well as lots of time for me to think. So let's see where this one takes me. One of the topics of discussion was that of how our parents raised us. I think that is very important aspect of one's overall development and certain aspects of which I noticed common patterns from people I have known and observed throughout my experiences here and home. The way I tend to explain my raising was that Mom tried to shelter me and Dad laid it out to us when we were in Jr High that we were on our path to define ourselves. From about that point on I think I made the best efforts I can and continue to do so to be aware of things that are around me. I think my general personality and desire to understand what I do not understand also added to my experiences and thoughts compiled in this blog.
The main topic I found seems rather sad that I have noticed in people around here, that I think directly relates to their raising was if they were "sheltered" or not. From talking to a number of people, in addition to seeing how they react when left to behave on their own, it is rather apparent as to how they were raised in that aspect. I think I have room to relate because after all, mom tried to shelter me. This was manifested in restricting the TV shows, movies, & video games I watched and played. I do not disagree that she meant well in trying to protect us from those topics, and how certain aspects of humanity are displayed, namely sex, drugs, alcohol and violence. I think often when a parent takes an interest in what their child is watching and playing it shows how they care and value what their child experiences.
From my point of view by the time I was 16 I was pretty well set in what games and TV shows would influence me and how. I am not aiming to say that sheltering a child is harmful in the long run, but I do believe it should be done for a rather short period in one's development. How long that period lasts like the manner in which the child will be exposed to certain things are in the hands of the parents. I would comfortably say until about Jr High when other people and things have a greater influence in defining one's self.
What I have observed from others, who have been raised in the sheltered environment, tends to be rather sad. I know their parents wanted to protect them from what the world is really like, because I think for anyone who has spent a year in the real world can agree it is not pretty out there. My own analysis tends to think that because the person was protected and did not experience what the world was like but kept in a bit of a bubble, once they get the sense of all the things there are to experience they get rather crazy. They are confronted with so many decisions about so many things that they have no idea about, they often go with the crowd on decisions that usually don't benefit one's self.
The sheltering feeling is known by the child. The definition of child is not a person under 12 years of age. I suppose teenager would also suffice as the proper subject of this. I knew my Mom was trying to shelter me; I didn't like it at all, when I was with Dad I was free to explore and learn more. That usually meant hearing things & seeing things that would be risqué or downright crude and inappropriate, but I was able to define those things for myself. The way I interpreted my Mom's efforts at that time was that she was in a little dream world and figured if we didn't know about wrong we could not do wrong. At this point I think is was how my Mom thought she could best encourage us to live a Christian lifestyle. I often interpreted it as a lack of trust or a non-belief in my own competence to know what is right and what is wrong.
When I phrased that last sentence in my mind, the idea of Free Will instantly popped into my head, after all, at the Garden of Eden it was that Adam and Eve used their Free Will to sin and separate us from God. Through the blood of Christ are we able to get with God again as Adam and Eve once knew him. I am a strong believer in using Free Will and I think I understand why Free Will exists, I am pretty sure I have blogged about that before. God as our Father, has given each of us free will and in a way I think a parent that shelters their child temporarily removes some of the free will until the supervision of the parent is no longer over the child. I am tempted to say that might be the case in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, although it was a parable, I know similar stories of people doing their own thing and having experiences of life and learning has come back to God in repentance. Actually, that is every one of us; at some point I know we have all left God and returned to Him so maybe it applies for more than I see at the moment.
I have found that many people who were raised in what they describe a rather "religious" atmosphere the majority by now have turned their back on that aspect of life and at best leaves God in terms of a guy way up there with little or no practical application of daily life. It pains me to see because I truly believe that their parents meant well in doing what they could to protect their child, and in a way it was that very protection that set them up for a very rocky trip that often doesn't work out too well. Hopefully somewhere down the road they might return to God or be introduced to him on a personal level. It is sadly a very common thing to see in my current atmosphere.
There a many young adults with regular paychecks left to do whatever they want within the limits of the law. When the law of man is the limit, I think I want to get into a duck and cover position and hope no one gets hurt in the process. I know it is up to a person to do what they want and live how they want to. However, from my point of view and my over analysis of every single thing I do and think about, I am at a unique position to observe those around me and because of my relationship with Christ I know there is so much more to life than people live out. I often pray that me being here is useful for more than writing interesting blogs and having things to think about.
My Dad prepared me for the world I was about to enter. I know I still have much to learn, but the most important things, such as "Who Am I", and "What Am I Here On Earth For?" I am confident in the answers. I have seen and continue to see the vast majority of people not having any idea to the answer to those questions; I think that is the reason why peer pressure so easily influences people. I was talking to Adam, a Christian in my platoon, after one of the long work days and he was commenting about how different I am because I have defined myself before I got to this place and from that I have been able to stand firm against much more pressure than some people he has known.
I believe a parent's task is to prepare their child for life away from them. The best way to go about it is to help them define who they are and want to be, once that is established and held firmly, all other aspects of life are mere details. I greatly value being raised in the church atmosphere, but I do credit much of my grown passion and sprouted desire to known God on the personal level from the Christian influences around me in the early teens. I think that is why I have a passion for youth ministry because I know how much it encouraged my own relationship with Christ and I hope to share it with people at very pivotal points in their lives.
I do find it rather comedic that a 21 year old single guy is writing about raising children in this one, I suppose it may also mean I am thinking a little bit ahead. I don't think I have a place to try to tell any parent how to raise their child. I write this to put my own thoughts on how I have noticed people react to how they were raised. I hope that when my time comes, I will be able to figure out more than what not to do but what to do.
Epilogue: The meat of this blog is still true. I do have a much different view of free will than I did at the time of this writing.
The main topic I found seems rather sad that I have noticed in people around here, that I think directly relates to their raising was if they were "sheltered" or not. From talking to a number of people, in addition to seeing how they react when left to behave on their own, it is rather apparent as to how they were raised in that aspect. I think I have room to relate because after all, mom tried to shelter me. This was manifested in restricting the TV shows, movies, & video games I watched and played. I do not disagree that she meant well in trying to protect us from those topics, and how certain aspects of humanity are displayed, namely sex, drugs, alcohol and violence. I think often when a parent takes an interest in what their child is watching and playing it shows how they care and value what their child experiences.
From my point of view by the time I was 16 I was pretty well set in what games and TV shows would influence me and how. I am not aiming to say that sheltering a child is harmful in the long run, but I do believe it should be done for a rather short period in one's development. How long that period lasts like the manner in which the child will be exposed to certain things are in the hands of the parents. I would comfortably say until about Jr High when other people and things have a greater influence in defining one's self.
What I have observed from others, who have been raised in the sheltered environment, tends to be rather sad. I know their parents wanted to protect them from what the world is really like, because I think for anyone who has spent a year in the real world can agree it is not pretty out there. My own analysis tends to think that because the person was protected and did not experience what the world was like but kept in a bit of a bubble, once they get the sense of all the things there are to experience they get rather crazy. They are confronted with so many decisions about so many things that they have no idea about, they often go with the crowd on decisions that usually don't benefit one's self.
The sheltering feeling is known by the child. The definition of child is not a person under 12 years of age. I suppose teenager would also suffice as the proper subject of this. I knew my Mom was trying to shelter me; I didn't like it at all, when I was with Dad I was free to explore and learn more. That usually meant hearing things & seeing things that would be risqué or downright crude and inappropriate, but I was able to define those things for myself. The way I interpreted my Mom's efforts at that time was that she was in a little dream world and figured if we didn't know about wrong we could not do wrong. At this point I think is was how my Mom thought she could best encourage us to live a Christian lifestyle. I often interpreted it as a lack of trust or a non-belief in my own competence to know what is right and what is wrong.
When I phrased that last sentence in my mind, the idea of Free Will instantly popped into my head, after all, at the Garden of Eden it was that Adam and Eve used their Free Will to sin and separate us from God. Through the blood of Christ are we able to get with God again as Adam and Eve once knew him. I am a strong believer in using Free Will and I think I understand why Free Will exists, I am pretty sure I have blogged about that before. God as our Father, has given each of us free will and in a way I think a parent that shelters their child temporarily removes some of the free will until the supervision of the parent is no longer over the child. I am tempted to say that might be the case in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, although it was a parable, I know similar stories of people doing their own thing and having experiences of life and learning has come back to God in repentance. Actually, that is every one of us; at some point I know we have all left God and returned to Him so maybe it applies for more than I see at the moment.
I have found that many people who were raised in what they describe a rather "religious" atmosphere the majority by now have turned their back on that aspect of life and at best leaves God in terms of a guy way up there with little or no practical application of daily life. It pains me to see because I truly believe that their parents meant well in doing what they could to protect their child, and in a way it was that very protection that set them up for a very rocky trip that often doesn't work out too well. Hopefully somewhere down the road they might return to God or be introduced to him on a personal level. It is sadly a very common thing to see in my current atmosphere.
There a many young adults with regular paychecks left to do whatever they want within the limits of the law. When the law of man is the limit, I think I want to get into a duck and cover position and hope no one gets hurt in the process. I know it is up to a person to do what they want and live how they want to. However, from my point of view and my over analysis of every single thing I do and think about, I am at a unique position to observe those around me and because of my relationship with Christ I know there is so much more to life than people live out. I often pray that me being here is useful for more than writing interesting blogs and having things to think about.
My Dad prepared me for the world I was about to enter. I know I still have much to learn, but the most important things, such as "Who Am I", and "What Am I Here On Earth For?" I am confident in the answers. I have seen and continue to see the vast majority of people not having any idea to the answer to those questions; I think that is the reason why peer pressure so easily influences people. I was talking to Adam, a Christian in my platoon, after one of the long work days and he was commenting about how different I am because I have defined myself before I got to this place and from that I have been able to stand firm against much more pressure than some people he has known.
I believe a parent's task is to prepare their child for life away from them. The best way to go about it is to help them define who they are and want to be, once that is established and held firmly, all other aspects of life are mere details. I greatly value being raised in the church atmosphere, but I do credit much of my grown passion and sprouted desire to known God on the personal level from the Christian influences around me in the early teens. I think that is why I have a passion for youth ministry because I know how much it encouraged my own relationship with Christ and I hope to share it with people at very pivotal points in their lives.
I do find it rather comedic that a 21 year old single guy is writing about raising children in this one, I suppose it may also mean I am thinking a little bit ahead. I don't think I have a place to try to tell any parent how to raise their child. I write this to put my own thoughts on how I have noticed people react to how they were raised. I hope that when my time comes, I will be able to figure out more than what not to do but what to do.
Epilogue: The meat of this blog is still true. I do have a much different view of free will than I did at the time of this writing.
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