The Nature of Man

The Chinese philosopher Mencius believed that man's nature was ultimately good. He believed that when a man sinned it was not the fault of his nature, but rather it was something else. Here is a quote from, "The Book of Mencius" where he applies this but also makes an interesting critique on men in doing so.

"Mencius said, 'Humanity is man's mind and righteousness is man's path. Pity the man who abandons the path and does not follow it, and who has lost his heart and does not know how to recover it. When people's dogs and fowls are lost, they go look for them, and yet, when they have lost their hearts, they do not go to look for them. The way of learning is none other than finding the lost mind." (Mencius, from: "A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy. Translated and Compiled by Wing-Tsit Chan. Princeton University Press: Princeton, 1973)

While I cannot agree with his view on the nature of man- I do find it interesting that he thinks that a lack of self-examination is absurd. I couldn't agree more. I know that my own priorities may have a way to go- but I just do not understand how people can not look into so many important things. Let me know what you think.

The Presence of the Lord

What do you think of when you see the sunrise? Do you see new possibilities? Do you see new chances? Do you see hope? I know that everymorning when the sun rises the Lord is present with me. I know that every noonday when the sun is high overhead (I have a good memory) baking the life out of everything on the ground- I know the Lord is present with me there too. I know that when the sun slips low below the horizon and sets the clouds on fire- then also is the Lord with me. I know in the dark watches of the long cold nights that brook no talk of happiness- I know that then, too, the Lord is with me. I know He is present in the lifting and present in the laying low. I know that He is present in the joining and present in the sundering. I know that He is present when I wake and present when I lie down to sleep at night. I know that God who is my Lord is ever-present with me. Do you remember He is there when you hurt? Do you remember He is there when you rejoice? Do you remember that He is there when you sin against Him? You cannot escape the creator. He is always here; He is always present.

Abort73

If you think that abortion is a choice, you should visit this site. If you think that abortion is wrong, you should also visit this site. If you are about to eat lunch and you think it is wrong, perhaps you should not visit this site (until after lunch). Avoid defending things that you have not seen.

The Divine Art of Meditation

On This page you can download and listen or read four sermons by Dr. Peter Toon on meditation given at St Thomas' Episcopal Church in Houston, TX. I feel that the art of meditation has been lost on me and much of the American church. I think you will find these four sermons quite enlightening. Unfortunately, I fear that meditation is not the only thing that has been lost by the Church at large in America. This should be another reminder of why history matters, and as Dr. John Piper has said, "the study of biography is mandated in scripture." Let us not forget what has gone before.

The Morning He Heard The Voice of God

Here is a brief piece on the Word of God and Extra Biblical revelation by John Piper that I thought you would all like to hear. Just click on the title of this post.

My Father's Son

I am my father's son
And every day I wake to find him gone
And every time I think of him it hurts
Just like it did at first.

I am my father's son
And he will never see me grow
And he can never tell me what to do
And everyday he's gone.

I am my father's son
And though I wish that he were here
And though I wish that he would know
It was said to be.

I am my father's son
I wish that I could know him now
I wish that he could read my words
For everyday forevermore I am my father's son.

Remembering Francis Schaeffer.

An article for you to read courtesy of Christianity Today (via CT Direct).

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/april/13.40.html

Is Autonomy a Lie? Is Relation eternal?

I have been told something for most of my life that I have never actually meditated or thought much upon. I have been told that love exists and always has existed in the Trinity. So the Father loves the Son who loves the Father who loves the Holy Spirit who loves the Father, etc... More recently I heard submission alluded to in the Trinity. The gospel of John attests to this last one in great detail and with frequent repetition. Jesus is forever doing the will of the father and not doing his own will. What has hit me hard, however, is the recent assertion by an Anglican priest named Dr. Peter Toon, that the individual as a noun does not exist. He said that Jesus most certainly was not an autonomous individual and that we as members of the Body of Christ- as members of the Church- were always just that. He said we are always our Father's sons. He said we were always our Lord's servants. He said we were always our brother's brothers. His assertion was that although there are individual persons, that those persons always exist in relation to someone and often in relation to some thing (as in a body or polotic). I, as an American, have believed my whole life that I was not these things. I have always believed that I was alone and independant. This has often in dark times underscored my belief that I was alone. I have not felt connected to family or other people most all my life. Dr. Toon's assertions on the nature of man as man in relation strikes a sharp blow that cuts deep into my American soul. I do not know how to respond, but I know that I have no good response from the Bible to contradict him. May the Lord grant mercy to us His servants and upon that clarity and discernment and trust in His word.

The Lion Inside

Shield me oh Lord from the wicked that surround me
And from my enemies within protect me oh my God
The truth of your Word lies heavy in the vault
The lion paces in the cage
Unleash my defender oh Lord and let him fight.

Forgive me oh Lord for I have sinned
Have mercy upon me in my hour of distress
My sins consume me
Let loose the Lion inside
Fight for me my Lord.

I am tired from the hiding
And all the running has made me weak
Let me stand in thy holy presence
Gird my loins with righteousness.
Make a path for me to walk upon oh Lord
Go before and clear the way.

Make me to stand in thy Word
Cause me to see what the world has hidden
Raise my broken body up
And fill me with thy strength.

To you, oh Lord, who saved my soul
To you I give my blessing
Let the praise from my lips flow from within
From the heart that you have made.

On Terrorism

There is less than a week left before the movie "300" comes out in theatres. Mostly shot with blue screen, there is a whole lot of to do about the fantastic look of the film. The story is one we all learned in highschool and has a strong emotional kick to it. Whenever the few take on the many and are willing to fight to the death... it can have a teary heart-rousing impact on all of us.

That impact is less strong, however, if the few are believed to be terrorists. They too are few and take on the many. What do you think?