So the first time I posted this it messed up my blog for some reason, so I'm going to try again.
Paul and Barnabas, at the point when the epistle to the Galatians was written, had already been to Galatia preaching the gospel unto all the people in the land (Gentiles). After they left, however, troublemakers came into the land preaching that the people needed to be circumcised of they could not be saved. they stuck to Jewish custom, teaching that a man must first be circumcised before he can come unto Christ. This angered Paul greatly.
The main problem was not in the actual act of circumcision, however, it was in the "pervert[ing] of the gospel of Christ" (1:7). Which gospel of Christ is the "good news" that Jesus Christ atoned for each and every one of us and that He has the power to save us, even with all our insufficiencies. What angered Paul most about these troublemakers was the fact that they preached that the gospel alone was insufficient, that the Gentiles had to become Jews first, through circumcision, before they could become followers of Christ. In essence, they taught that Christ, alone, was not sufficient to save them.
They perverted the gospel and the good news of it. They basically said, "Christ is not enough to save you. Only with the addition of circumcision can you be saved." WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?! That's not the gospel at all! That is why Paul was angry with them.
The equivalent today might be something like: "You cannot e Christ's if you do not pay your pastor," "I can never be forgiven of this sin," "I can never forgive you for what you did to me," or some other statement that has the underlying perversion that says, "Christ cannot save you."
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of hte law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" (2:16).
"For if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain" (2:21).
I testify, as Paul does, that Christ is sufficient to save us!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thoughts on Disabilities.....
I'm taking a wonderful class this semester entitled Inclusive Recreation. It is a great class all about why and how to include people with disabilities in recreation. But what qualifies as a disability?? According to the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (such as walking, breathing, or learning), has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. That's pretty vague if you ask me. I mean, regarded as having a disability? So if I say my child has a learning disability, he or she does? Hmmm...well, I guess that's a form of self-fulfilling prophesy for ya.
Why does a law have to regulate what constitutes as a disability and what does not? And what exactly is a disability for that matter? The simple fact that someone cannot do something like a "normal person" would? I don't believe it. What the heck is "normal" anyways? A social norm or standard? The average way of doing things? Some of what the ADA calls 'a disability' is no more than a different way of doing something.
For instance, my professor, Brother Barney, is in a wheelchair. Looking at him, I would never associate him with the word "disabled." There's just no way.
He's a happy guy with a wife and kids.
He has dreams and goals, and he works towards them to accomplish them.
He's working on his PhD and he loves to bike across the country.
He's a fit guy who's made the best of his situation.
He can do whatever he wants.
And he's in a wheelchair. So what?! He rolls where ever he goes instead of walking? When he travels via wheeled vehicle (car), he takes his wheels with him where ever he goes instead of leaving them out in the parking lot?
No, that, to me, is no disability whatsoever.
Maybe it's a more individual thing? We all have our strengths and our weaknesses and we all have our different ways of doing things. We all have our differing levels of potential in certain areas (in this life). We can all choose to live up to our potential, or be that bum who could have bee. Granted, people with disabilities don't often choose to be that way (in a wheelchair, without eyesight, with limited motor skills, etc), but they can choose what to do with their situation. If they mope around, feeling sorry for themselves and not going anywhere in life, they've let their situation control them, and that is a disability in my mind; they let themselves become disabled. If they focus on what they cannot do, what they cannot accomplish, and where they cannot go in life, where can they ever go?
Furthermore, I do not think a disability is limited only to the physical or mental spectrums as the ADA has it, but can be emotional, social, and spiritual as well. We can all be disabled if we submit to the plentiful cannot's in our lives.
Why don't we be abled and not disabled. I believe it's a choice; a choice to overcome our circumstances, a choice to focus on what we can do, a choice to live and not just exist. It's your choice to make just as it's mine. The great thing is, we can make that choice everyday.
Why does a law have to regulate what constitutes as a disability and what does not? And what exactly is a disability for that matter? The simple fact that someone cannot do something like a "normal person" would? I don't believe it. What the heck is "normal" anyways? A social norm or standard? The average way of doing things? Some of what the ADA calls 'a disability' is no more than a different way of doing something.
For instance, my professor, Brother Barney, is in a wheelchair. Looking at him, I would never associate him with the word "disabled." There's just no way.
He's a happy guy with a wife and kids.
He has dreams and goals, and he works towards them to accomplish them.
He's working on his PhD and he loves to bike across the country.
He's a fit guy who's made the best of his situation.
He can do whatever he wants.
And he's in a wheelchair. So what?! He rolls where ever he goes instead of walking? When he travels via wheeled vehicle (car), he takes his wheels with him where ever he goes instead of leaving them out in the parking lot?
No, that, to me, is no disability whatsoever.
Maybe it's a more individual thing? We all have our strengths and our weaknesses and we all have our different ways of doing things. We all have our differing levels of potential in certain areas (in this life). We can all choose to live up to our potential, or be that bum who could have bee. Granted, people with disabilities don't often choose to be that way (in a wheelchair, without eyesight, with limited motor skills, etc), but they can choose what to do with their situation. If they mope around, feeling sorry for themselves and not going anywhere in life, they've let their situation control them, and that is a disability in my mind; they let themselves become disabled. If they focus on what they cannot do, what they cannot accomplish, and where they cannot go in life, where can they ever go?
Furthermore, I do not think a disability is limited only to the physical or mental spectrums as the ADA has it, but can be emotional, social, and spiritual as well. We can all be disabled if we submit to the plentiful cannot's in our lives.
Why don't we be abled and not disabled. I believe it's a choice; a choice to overcome our circumstances, a choice to focus on what we can do, a choice to live and not just exist. It's your choice to make just as it's mine. The great thing is, we can make that choice everyday.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
NT - Acts Chapter 2
Alright all you avid readers (I know there are so many of you :) ) This semester I have an assignment in my Honors New Testament class to post a blog each week on a given prompt. I will start all these blogs with "NT - ..." so just keep in mind these blogs are for a class assignment. Here we go!
Since the scriptures are given us for our benefit and learning as a gift from God, we ought to try to learn something from them right? But what ought we to learn? The most important and significant things of course! Since we have recently read the first few chapters of Acts for class, I want to try to find the two points that are most important to me which are imbedded in Acts Chapter 2 (that's a book in the New Testament, specifically in the second half of the King James Version of the Bible for those of you who are not familiar with it).
1. Verses 23 and 24 state, "[Christ], being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain; Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."
I think the strongest point here is that God's will always comes to pass, and no manner of wickedness of man can thwart that. I did not know this before, but apparently the Jews believed that if a person was crucified he was cursed of God. So, the idea that Christ was the Messiah would have been absurd to them. However, God "hath raised up" Christ and brought His will to pass despite the will of the wicked. God has the power to reverse death if He so desires. I have never thought about it like that until now. Somebody wicked could come up and slaughter me tomorrow, but if God's will was to keep me on the earth for His own purpose, He could bring me back to life (I don't really think He would, but if He wanted to He could).
2. Verse 38 is especially meaningful to me, it states, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Right off the bat, this didn't really mean anything to me, however, after continuing on to the verses that follow, a new idea began to form in my mind. Peter was telling the people that they cannot be saved simply by calling upon God, or saying they believe in God. They have to know who it is they are calling upon and believing in. To know that person, you must first know the name, which is Jesus Christ. After that come the mighty miracles that arise from the power of the NAME of JESUS CHRIST. After the people understand this, they receive His word and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, they continue stedfastly in the doctrine in the name of Jesus Christ, they "continued daily with one accord (vs. 46)" and did many great things because they had been changed by the name of Jesus Christ. Now I know why we, as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, use the name of Jesus Christ in our title. His name has power. That is why we pray in his name, give blessings in his name, take upon us his name, and are changed by his name.
Since the scriptures are given us for our benefit and learning as a gift from God, we ought to try to learn something from them right? But what ought we to learn? The most important and significant things of course! Since we have recently read the first few chapters of Acts for class, I want to try to find the two points that are most important to me which are imbedded in Acts Chapter 2 (that's a book in the New Testament, specifically in the second half of the King James Version of the Bible for those of you who are not familiar with it).
1. Verses 23 and 24 state, "[Christ], being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain; Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."
I think the strongest point here is that God's will always comes to pass, and no manner of wickedness of man can thwart that. I did not know this before, but apparently the Jews believed that if a person was crucified he was cursed of God. So, the idea that Christ was the Messiah would have been absurd to them. However, God "hath raised up" Christ and brought His will to pass despite the will of the wicked. God has the power to reverse death if He so desires. I have never thought about it like that until now. Somebody wicked could come up and slaughter me tomorrow, but if God's will was to keep me on the earth for His own purpose, He could bring me back to life (I don't really think He would, but if He wanted to He could).
2. Verse 38 is especially meaningful to me, it states, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Right off the bat, this didn't really mean anything to me, however, after continuing on to the verses that follow, a new idea began to form in my mind. Peter was telling the people that they cannot be saved simply by calling upon God, or saying they believe in God. They have to know who it is they are calling upon and believing in. To know that person, you must first know the name, which is Jesus Christ. After that come the mighty miracles that arise from the power of the NAME of JESUS CHRIST. After the people understand this, they receive His word and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, they continue stedfastly in the doctrine in the name of Jesus Christ, they "continued daily with one accord (vs. 46)" and did many great things because they had been changed by the name of Jesus Christ. Now I know why we, as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, use the name of Jesus Christ in our title. His name has power. That is why we pray in his name, give blessings in his name, take upon us his name, and are changed by his name.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Quot-a-licious!
Ok, I'm a total sucker for a good quote, and I came upon some today in my internet wanderings that I really liked:
“Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy.”
Robert Anthony
Robert Anthony
This one's interesting to me, because who honestly tells themselves to be miserable and not happy? No one I know of! But a lot of the things we do in life, or the things we hold on to, make us miserable. I don't know about you, but when I'm irritated, or angry if I really take a step back in my head and say "Woah, there's really no need for this, it's ok" another part of me is screaming "But I deserve to be angry." Then the battle commences between what I know I should do (calm down, let it go, and replace the hurt, anger, irritation, or whatever it is with love and respect) and what my body wants to do (be hurt, angry, irritated, etc). rISks
When am I happiest? Usually when I'm taking a chance, learning something new, swallowing my pride, sitting on my selfishness, or risking embarrassing myself. Maybe happiness is the risk; the risk of believing someone else, the chance of trusting others and letting them in.
“Nothing is miserable unless you think it so;
on the other hand, nothing brings happiness unless you are content with it.”
Boethius
on the other hand, nothing brings happiness unless you are content with it.”
Boethius
Am I in control of myself? I mean, really in control? Can I go through something sad and yet make myself see the good and not the bad in it? Do I control every move and action I make or do I let the "natural man" take over sometimes? I guess the real question is: Who controls me? My body or my spirit? It's an interesting thought. I honestly do not believe that happiness comes in the form of nice cars, decorated houses, fashionable clothing, or money in the bank. Sure, those things are nice and make life more comfortable, but they don't make us happy. Nothing can make me happy, I must choose to be happy. AgENcY.
Clearly, I'm not perfect, so I will mess up. I will allow my situation or environment to get the better of me sometimes. I think the point is though, to keep trying. Not ignore the emotion, but control how I react to it.
Clearly, I'm not perfect, so I will mess up. I will allow my situation or environment to get the better of me sometimes. I think the point is though, to keep trying. Not ignore the emotion, but control how I react to it.
If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.
-- Maya Angelou
-- Maya Angelou
I believe that success in life is measured by the number of people you truly care about. The number of people you would willingly take a bullet for, give your last bit of food to, give your blanket to in the freezing winter, carry across a frozen stream, to die for, to risk being hurt so they can learn, and to live for. lOvE.
Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.
-- Don Wilder
-- Don Wilder
Making excuses for not doing something I know I should, sets me up for failure. I should say "hi" to so-and-so, but what if so-and-so doesn't know who I am? BOOM! Did not make a friend. I should go to ward 'stare,' but what's the point, I have a boy? BOOM! Did not do my part in sustaining the leaders who run it. I should tell so-and-so she looks great today, but what if she thinks I'm retarded or something? BOOM! Lost a chance to help lift someone up. I could go on and on, but really, I think I've made my point. One of the best examples I can think of comes from the account of King David in the Bible. He was the king, and he was at war with another nation. He should have been on the battlefield leading his troops, but he found some excuse to stay in his comfortable palace. It may have been a great excuse too, like I have to serve my people here, or I have my kingly duties that need to be done. But, the fact of the matter is, no matter how good of an excuse he gave for staying in his palace, he was not where he should have been. Then a whole series of temptations hit him, and he gave in. He committed adultery then murder. He lost his place in the Kingdom of God.
We never know what chain of events will be started by our decision to not do something we know we should. So I am going to make that a focus for this month, don't make excuses and do what I know I should be doing. nO EXcuSeS.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
So I'm Procrastinating My Homework....
Ok, at work, nothing to do really. I mean, I guess I could find something, but I really should be doing homework. Haha rigggghhhhttt. Homework. At work. Yeah, not very motivated to do that. So instead I decided to take a look at what the 'perfect,' organized, balanced person should be doing everyday. Take a look:
I think that about sums the basics up, so if we add it all up we come up with.....168.5 hrs a week.
There are only 168 hours a week!
Hmmm....seems to me that there's no way on earth to ever accomplish everything like we are supposed to. There's no way anybody could do everything with the amount of time we're given. I guess that's where prioritizing comes in. Do what's most important, and do what you can, then let go of the rest.
Sleep 8 hrs a night x 7 nights - 56 hrs.
Work - 20 hrs.
School 15 credit hours - roughly 14 hrs.
Homework 3 hrs. per every hour in class - 45 hrs.
Eating and food prep. at least 30 min. 3 times a day - 10.5
Exercise at least 1 hr. a day - 7 hrs.
Transportation - we all gotta get where we need to go right? - maybe an hr. a day - 7 hrs.
Church attendance, activities, and calling responsibilities - 6 hrs.
Service hours - 3 hrs.
I think that about sums the basics up, so if we add it all up we come up with.....168.5 hrs a week.
BUT WAIT!!!
There are only 168 hours a week!
And what about my getting ready for the day time....
And that time I need to run errands...
And my showering time....
And time to clean my apartment.....
And wind down time.....
And time for scripture study....
And time to talk with my roommates...
And time for weekend (or weekday) parties...
And time to call/visit/socialize with a friend...
And what about time for "wholesome recreational activities"...
And time to relax...
Hmmm....seems to me that there's no way on earth to ever accomplish everything like we are supposed to. There's no way anybody could do everything with the amount of time we're given. I guess that's where prioritizing comes in. Do what's most important, and do what you can, then let go of the rest.
Monday, January 11, 2010
I Want To Thank You
This will be brief, but I really just want to say that I really do have wonderful friends and family. Throughout my life I have always been surrounded by wonderful people. I am so so grateful to each and everyone of them who has influenced my life for the better. I honestly don't think I have ever had to make that hard decision to change my group of friends, and I believe that is because I have been so blessed in my life to have such amazing people surround me.
I love you all. I truly do.
I wish I knew how to express that to you.
I guess the best I can do now is just say, "Thank You!!"
I love you all. I truly do.
I wish I knew how to express that to you.
I guess the best I can do now is just say, "Thank You!!"
If you are reading this, you are one of these friends who has been an influence for good in my life.
So again, I want to thank you.
Thank you for always being willing to try in life. Thank you for having a good attitude about things. Thank you for sharing your hardships as well as your goodships with me. Thank you for making this wonderful gospel a part of your life. Thank you for being you.
Please, please, please let me know if there is anything I can ever do, anything that would even make up a small part for what you have done for me.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Oh confusion...just means I'm ready to learn right?
Relationships are great areas for learning, and I've learned a lot about myself over the past month and a half. The time's been filled with a lot of new experiences, new emotions, and new situations. It's been a period of learning, growth, and new realizations. I think I have reached a point where, for the first time in my life, I need to make a decision for myself and no one else. I've never done this before because I've always kind of lived off of the expectations of my parents and family, which was not bad then. I wanted to do what they wanted me to do because I knew they wanted what was best for me in their hearts.
Beyond my parents, I always tried to do what God wanted me to do. I don't think I really understood the concept though. What I wanted was for God to tell me what to do, and then I knew I would do it. The problem with that though, is that I now think that part of this life is learning to make our own decisions that are in accordance with God's will, and not do things because God gives us specific directions in everything we need to do. I think that God has given each of us the tools we need to make decisions (He gave us agency as well as the Light of Christ). In addition to that, He has given me the Gift of the Holy Ghost to have with me at all times if I am righteous. Thus He has given me everything I need to make my own decisions.
This is a new concept for me, I am not sure if I have ever asked myself what I want. So, what do I want? I'm not entirely sure. How can I make a decision if I don't know what I want? I mean, I could make a good decision based off of what I know my parents, God, or other people want. But what is the best decision? I guess that's what I want; to make the best decision I can, and in order to do so I need to know what I truly desire.
How?
I love this journey and everything in it. So much. Life is filled with so many wonderful experiences and learning opportunities. Some may be hard, some may hurt, some may tear me apart, but God changes me in each situation so I come out of it stronger. He knows the perfect balance I need so that the joyous experiences which promote little learning always balance out the difficult experiences of much growth so that I can go on in life with a hope for the future.
Beyond my parents, I always tried to do what God wanted me to do. I don't think I really understood the concept though. What I wanted was for God to tell me what to do, and then I knew I would do it. The problem with that though, is that I now think that part of this life is learning to make our own decisions that are in accordance with God's will, and not do things because God gives us specific directions in everything we need to do. I think that God has given each of us the tools we need to make decisions (He gave us agency as well as the Light of Christ). In addition to that, He has given me the Gift of the Holy Ghost to have with me at all times if I am righteous. Thus He has given me everything I need to make my own decisions.
This is a new concept for me, I am not sure if I have ever asked myself what I want. So, what do I want? I'm not entirely sure. How can I make a decision if I don't know what I want? I mean, I could make a good decision based off of what I know my parents, God, or other people want. But what is the best decision? I guess that's what I want; to make the best decision I can, and in order to do so I need to know what I truly desire.
I need to find out where my heart is.
How?
I honestly do not know, but I am going to find out...somehow.
I love this journey and everything in it. So much. Life is filled with so many wonderful experiences and learning opportunities. Some may be hard, some may hurt, some may tear me apart, but God changes me in each situation so I come out of it stronger. He knows the perfect balance I need so that the joyous experiences which promote little learning always balance out the difficult experiences of much growth so that I can go on in life with a hope for the future.
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