Quick Help Reference

Hello, Araken here. Have you ever been trying to share your faith with someone and run up against a wall? I have, and it is so frustrating.

What sort of experiences have you had? What questions have you been stumped by? Please let me know. I want to try to help, although I have not encountered every viewpoint on the globe. I think this could be a great opportunity to build our own faith and to better equip ourselves to carry out Jesus' command to bring entire nations into discipleship.

Drop a comment!

God Bless

If you have read the post directly below, you know of the horrors going on in central Africa. I say, let's do what we can to help rescue the child soldiers used by Joseph Kony.

Invisible Children Inc. is trying to get 250,000 signatures on a petition to send to Obama in order to effect the capture of Kony.

Sign your name on the petition here: www.invisiblechildren.com/obama.

Some of you might be thinking this will do no good. After all, Obama has not been prompt in keeping his pre-election promises. But which is better: Complaining and doing nothing, or trying? Even if trying results in absolutely nothing, we will have tried.

Please try.

God Bless

Will You See Them?

In 1986, a new monster walked out of the forest, what is now known as the Lord's Resistance Army. It's head was a man named Joseph Kony. His soldiers are children. More than 10,000 have been abducted by him to serve in his army. Those who resist are mutilated and killed.

However, few knew of the unspeakable acts which Kony was committing in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Sudan until 2003, when three young filmmakers went to Uganda and came back horrified.

Peace talks have failed. Five times. Whenever armies close in, Kony asks for peace until he can regain his strength. Then, he strikes again.

Massacre after massacre. Hundreds killed. What can be done?

As a result of the 2003 visit, the three young men formed an organization, Invisible Children Inc. Their goal is to bring the child soldiers home and see Joseph Kony brought to justice for more than thirty counts of war crimes.

When I learned of this atrocity, I wanted to go out into the jungle and drag out Kony myself. The film shows the horrors he has wrought upon the people of Africa in the longest war in the continent's history. It churned me up inside. Some of the other kids made jokes, trying to make themselves feel better, trying to make their sense of responsibility go away.

During lunch, I signed a petition. Invisible Children Inc. is seeking for 250,000 signatures to stir Barack Obama to action against Joseph Kony. To sign the petition go here: http://www.invisiblechildren.com/obama

If you want to help, check out http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php. Help fund the building of homes and schools in central Africa. Help support this cause.

Will you see the invisible children freed?

Be Blessed

Why the Church Has Been on Crutches for 75 Years

People are killing babies, killing each other, and killing the planet. Ever wonder why the church hasn't stood up and done something about it?

Trouble is, the church has been backed into a corner for the past 75 years. Pastors, hoping to keep their congregations, did not challenge their flocks. In turn, the flocks did not challenge culture. People were told to stay out of government, that politics is full of sin and that Christians should have no part of it.

Stop, take a moment, and think about that.

Doesn't it stand to reason that if Christians stay out of government, politics will only become more corrupt? Yes, Jesus is coming, but since Genesis 3 He told His people to take dominion of the Earth. Until He comes, it is up to us to rule the planet.

The idea that Christians should stay out of government is unbiblical. David was a king. Esther was a queen. The Book of JUDGES is about JUDGES who JUDGED. The majority of major figures in the Bible were those who ruled and influenced nations.

Take a look at the prophets. John the Baptist spoke out against the king's actions. Daniel was the adviser to four kings. Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obediah, Micah, Nahum, and just about every prophet mentioned in the Bible influenced the government. They got involved.

In the New Testament, Paul talked to governors and kings about Jesus. When he was sick of the persecution, he went to see Caesar, the head of the mightiest of all the ancient empires. The apostles went throughout the Earth to the heads of various nations. Phillip indirectly brought the Gospel to Ethiopia through a government official.

So where did we get the idea that we're supposed to stay out of government?

By the way, Jesus is the KING of all kings.

And now it's our turn to make disciples out of entire nations, and I'm sick of hearing crickets chirping at roll call. I vote we stand up, because if we don't stand up for something, we will fall for anything.

Think about it.

God Bless

I Can't Wait!

Is anyone else as excited as I am that Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel is coming out in two months? Talk about a great Christmas gift!

What I loved about the first film was the relationship between Dave and the Chipmunks. Though Dave was reluctant to form any relationship with them, he eventually softened and became part of their family.

I think that is similar to some peoples' relationship with God, at least mine, anyway. I started out not wanting anything to do with Him. Then, I saw the potential benefits of cooperating with Him. Now, I want to know Him for His sake. And even though there are bumps in the road, it's all going to work out fine.

So, who's going to go see the Squeakquel?

God Bless

Some Thoughts

So sorry it has been so long. However, I have not been idle. Here are some thoughts I had yesterday as I wrote my entrance essay to NHS (National Honor Society):

One of my favorite people in the Bible is the little-known Jashobeam, the mightiest of King David’s men. In 2 Samuel 23, during a battle against the Philistines to retake Bethlehem, David remarked to his men about how much he would love some of the water from a well in enemy territory. Jashobeam and two others, hearing this, took up their weapons and marched unaided against the entire Philistine army, simply for a cup of water for David.

I find the most striking aspect of this account is how dedicated Jashobeam was to fulfilling his master’s wish—not even a need, for there were other wells held by David’s men—even at the cost of his life. Instead of drawing water from a Hebrew well, Jashobeam chose the hard path; three men against an army maintaining a fortified position without backup.

Repeatedly throughout the Bible, God emphasizes His desire for a relationship with His creations. I want to have such a close bond with God that I would be willing to risk my life for the least desire of His heart.

Even more amazing, when Jashobeam had returned successfully with the water, David poured it out, saying that it was too precious to drink. All the danger that Jashobeam had undergone and all the work he had put into retrieving the water resulted in a damp spot on the ground. That passage once frustrated me, but I did learn something from it; we are God’s to waste if He so desires. If all our hard work and energy ends up seemingly for naught, that is perfectly fine. I have learned that God always has a better plan in mind than I do, and I hope to be a tool He uses in that plan, no matter what the results appear to be, success or waste.

What do you think?

The Truth About Truth

Is truth true? Does it exist?

Here's what I think:

If there is no truth, how can the belief that there is no truth be true? Is it true that there is no truth?

I think that argument fails because it cuts its feet out from under itself. What do you think?

I've heard some people say that truth is relative, that what you believe is truth is truth, that there is no universal, absolute truth that applies to everyone (i.e. one way to salvation, morality, etc).

Here's what I think:

Is relativity absolute? If there is no universal truth, how can relativity be applied to everything? If relativity is true, then it is nothing more than an opinion. What if I think my truth is better than yours? Wouldn't that lead us back to the Middle Ages and might is right?

Again, I think that this argument destroys itself, because when a relativist tries to advocate their belief, they support universal relativism. (I believe what I want to, and I'm fine that others believe different things. Everyone else should be a relativist.)

More to come...

God Bless

OK...

To all those still reading my blog, I thank you. I know, it's been a while since last I posted, but school has been school. However, I have finally found the time to post.

First, Caleb. I think you'll like the design (I hope, anyway) that I created for your blog. You can collect it by following the amazing LINK OF DOOM. Let me know what you think. There IS a guitar fret or two in the background...

Tomorrow is SYATP, or See You At The Pole (clever, eh?). For all ye who don't know, it is a day when students all across America gather around their school's flagpole and pray for the nation. I hope everyone who reads this participates, even latecomers. Remember, every little prayer counts.

God Bless

Still Striving

Hail, friends. I have not posted for wellnigh two weeks, as my time has been spent amid that grinding chaos known as school. We're gettin' there...

But before I get caught up in all I have to say, Caleb--I have been working on several designs for a banner for your blog. I am somewhat stuck. Have you any suggestions as to what you would like to see on your banner?

So I need to get some homework done, but before I go, quick question:

Which is better, in twenty-five words: aardvarks or apples?

God Bless

Ahhhhhhhhhh....

The first week of school is ended, at long last, and the second is begun. How is my blogger family?

Violinist4Christ- The banner is all done! To collect it, please go to my photobucket account. Here be the link--make sure you get it in its fullest size, 724x171 (it is at 83%--click the image to get it to fully-size):

THE LINK OF DOOM (THE HAPPY KIND OF DOOM)

More to come soon.

God Bless