tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25728314132704464812024-03-12T16:40:29.587-07:00.:stuart warren:.books, beans, and reformingStuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-28904093991506226582017-08-25T11:49:00.000-07:002017-08-25T11:49:06.246-07:00The Need for True Justice: A Short Essay on Injustice in the American Criminal Justice System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Justice is an important concept to understand for all
persons in all places. Legal systems are theoretically built on that which is
believed to be just by their respective governments. Within the geo-political
borders of states that uphold the belief that all people deserve civil rights
and liberties, a right understanding of justice must be obtained to succeed at
establishing whatever those civil rights and liberties are believed to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For the Christian, justice is particularly important given
the following biblically-based, logical equations:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">If (a) </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">all</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
people are made in the image of God and (b) God is just, then (c) </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">all</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> people reflect the image of God’s
justice. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">If (d) </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">all</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
people inherit original sin and (c), then (e) we </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">all</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> do so imperfectly.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">If (a) + (b) = (c), then we should also (f) seek
to establish God’s justice for </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">all</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
people because being (c) means (g) </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">all</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
people have God-given dignity as image bearers.</span></li>
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<a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-need-for-true-justice-short-essay.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-31719437991249768142017-08-10T10:40:00.000-07:002017-08-10T10:40:25.831-07:00Religion and Politics: Non-Profit Ministry in the Public Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/faithwithwisdom/files/2012/02/crosstreets1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/faithwithwisdom/files/2012/02/crosstreets1.jpg" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="317" height="320" width="281"></a></div>
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<u>Disclaimer</u>: This is a much longer post than what is
typical and resulted in a larger time gap between posts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For those who know me well, you know my interests are pulled
in a thousand directions. I am deeply committed to my Christian faith, I have
worked in government and politics (despite my paradoxical disdain for politics),
I am an academic (despite my lack of trust in academic work), and I am a
musician. However, God in his coolness and sovereignty, has provided me with
the perfect job to fit almost all of my interests as CEO of Transforming Jail
Ministries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In this post, I really want to focus on this intersection of
government and religion. It is an important relationship to understand and
equally important in order that churches are prepared for future changes. After
all, like the Apostle Paul, we are citizens of two kingdoms: the geo-political
state we belong to and the Kingdom of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2017/08/religion-and-politics-non-profit.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-36397752847094779512017-07-19T13:35:00.000-07:002017-07-19T13:35:45.106-07:00Jonah and the Kingdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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“Let them die, they don’t care about you.”<br><br>“These… [people] are hell-bent on killing themselves. Let them do it before they take someone else with them.”<br><br>Perhaps you assume the subject of these two quotes must be terrorists. They aren’t. They are quotes from members of our community here in Cincinnati referencing an individual who overdosed in public recently. <br><br>Online news articles almost always end with a comments section. If you’ve never read through them, or posted yourself, I urge you to avoid the temptation. They are almost always disheartening and the bitterness people feel toward their neighbors is downright terrible. Even worse, you will be tempted to chime in and it doesn’t take long before you are behaving in a manner far from our calling.<br><br>I have to confess that I did make the mistake of reading some comments recently on articles covering heroin overdoses and other crimes. A couple of quotes from that read preface this post. With each comment I read, I felt myself getting angrier and angrier. <br><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2017/07/jonah-and-kingdom.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-25888876564987039982017-07-12T09:23:00.002-07:002017-07-12T09:24:43.405-07:00Welcome Back & Prayer for Police Officers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a long time since my last post. Too long. Nearly three years to the day. I’ve decided to begin writing again due to my current situation. As the new Director and CEO for Transforming Jail Ministries (Hamilton County, Ohio), I feel it is best that I share my experiences and what I learn as I take this journey.<br>
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In the midst of this transitionary period, I have decided to journal privately each day, tracking the greatest moments. My hope is to have a “first 100 days” journal that could potentially be useful for others who are becoming executives for the first time. </div>
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Additionally, this new position has brought about a number of highs and lows. In my first month, I’ve delivered several death notices, gave an invocation and benediction for a sheriff’s deputy academy graduation, and learned that the relationship between faith and government is simpler than I had thought. </div>
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</div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2017/07/welcome-back-prayer-for-police-officers.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-30329808031119279632014-07-16T20:19:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:46.984-07:00We Are All Slaves, Pt. III<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Support and opposition to Citizens United by political id.</div>
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Image is not my own.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How We Exacerbate Our Problems</span></b></span><br>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today’s post reaches both the series climax and midpoint. With that said, it also necessitates a preface. This post is dangerous for my political career because what I am about to state runs contrary to the conventional wisdom of my party. Without further ado, my preface and defense.</span></span><br>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am deeply committed to the orthodox Christian faith, particularly from a Reformed/Calvinist perspective. Labels may not always be desirable, but they are often helpful. At times I have encountered dissonance between my political philosophy/ideology and my faith. This is one of those moments. </span></span><br>
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</div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2014/07/we-are-all-slaves-pt-iii.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-67408206128230457842014-07-15T13:39:00.001-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.073-07:00Wendell Berry: 2012 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities at the Kennedy Center<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We should give ourselves to things that are true, just, and
beautiful. A large machine and a large, toxic, eroded cornfield, subjectively
speaking, is not an affectionate sign.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wendell Berry, a man keenly set on preserving and protecting
creation, has upset many and influenced many more. He is a humble man. A farmer
from Port Royal, Kentucky the Kentucky River just south of it’s opening into
the Ohio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Berry has written much, said much, and done much. He is a
person who does not fold on his words, but rather, has persisted in his effort
towards recovering his plot of land in the rolling hills of Kentucky. That’s
not to say Berry hasn’t made mistakes along the way. He admits as much. But he
is a simple, honest, and a trustworthy man who has been genuine and true in his
pursuits.</span><br>
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</div></div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2014/07/wendell-berry-2012-jefferson-lecture-in.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-87345361942419551752014-07-14T08:48:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.112-07:00We Are All Slaves, Pt. II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.wflegacy.com/uploads/2/6/9/2/2692827/2108930.jpg?385" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.wflegacy.com/uploads/2/6/9/2/2692827/2108930.jpg?385" height="213" width="320"></a><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Addicted to Stuff and Debt</span></b></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Do a quick Google search (“average American debt”) and you will see that 160 million Americans have credit cards, the average credit card holder has three, and the average household credit card debt amounts to $15k. What happens when you total this number? The total U.S. consumer debt is around $11.4 trillion. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As a nation, we are addicted to debt. There are countless stories of Americans committing suicide because they neither understand how they got into such dire straits, nor do they know how to escape. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Turn on your television and you will see ad-after-ad seducing viewers to purchase more stuff. Annually, new lawsuits surface where consumers have purchased products claiming to do “x” and the products fail to follow through. Marketers suggest if we purchase their products we will look better, feel better, live better, and be successful. </span></div>
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</div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2014/07/we-are-all-slaves-pt-ii.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-24112729332338079132014-07-07T19:50:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:46.964-07:00We Are All Slaves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://tentalentscpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Slavery-equals-debt-1024x676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://tentalentscpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Slavery-equals-debt-1024x676.jpg" height="211" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">When I was wee tot, I lived in poverty. Around age six or seven, my mom met her second husband and waved goodbye to the outhouse and stovetop baths.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I left poverty, my mom and dad had racked up debt (mostly because of my dad) and I spent much of my time with my grandmother after their divorce. She was a humble lady content with the little she did and did not have. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several of my family members ordered a lot of “stuff” from Fingerhut, JC Penny, and Sears catalogs. They amassed unnecessary debt and accumulated piles of junk. I wanted the junk too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thank my step-dad who gave me my first wise words of financial advice: most of the people with nice homes, new cars, and lots of stuff aren’t rich, they are in debt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn’t get it. </span></span></div>
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</div></div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2014/07/we-are-all-slaves.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-80509114762613639092012-10-24T17:09:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.101-07:00Revelation 21<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our sinless Savior came to die;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that we might be sanctified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He washed us clean from all our sin,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He broke the curse, He conquered death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/10/revelation-21.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-5869606707359085542012-10-24T07:33:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.045-07:00It Is Not Death to Die<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three months ago my dad passed away. There were a number of us who had shared the Gospel with him throughout his life with increased passion in his last days. On his deathbed, my dad professed faith in Christ, praise be to God. I certainly miss him a lot, there’s not a day that passes that I don’t think of him. His favorite singer-songwriter, John Prine, has been playing nearly every day since my dad was in the ICU for the first time.<br><br>Just days before he went into septic shock, ultimately resulting in cardiac arrest, my dad went from being terrified of the unknown to embracing it. Something in his heart changed. He no longer feared the grave and I am convinced it is because he knew what it would bring.</span><br>
</div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/10/it-is-not-death-to-die.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-66955999784237203782012-10-15T10:26:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.066-07:00BOOK REVIEW: Go+Do<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414361351/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414361351&linkCode=as2&tag=stuwarthebloa-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/images--covers/500%20h/978-1-4143-6135-2.jpg" width="212"></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">GO+DO</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">DARING TO CHANGE THE WORLD ONE STORY AT A TIME</span></b></span><br>
<div>
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jay Milbrandt</b><br>
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tyndale House Publishers, 2012</b><br>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a book I wish I had read
sooner. When I first received “Go+Do” from Tyndale House Publishers I was in an
incredibly busy stage of life. My dad was about to be released from prison and
my spring semester of seminary was coming to an end. Looking back, I would have
been better served by not placing this on my “roundtuit” list. Now that I have actually
read the book, I am grateful.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a forewarning for potential readers,
this is not a book filled with great theology. I would urge you to read
Milbrandt’s work with your theological guard up. At the same time, Milbrandt’s
intention was never to give good theology. On the contrary, the title well
summarizes his purpose. He wants to </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">inspire</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> his audience to “go and do”
the work needed to aid in a hurting world.</span><br>
</div></div></div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/10/godo-daring-to-change-world-one-story.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-36807042846081653402012-09-14T12:08:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:46.991-07:00Why Learn?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1.desktopia.net/wp-content/uploads/walls/thumbs/Narnia-Lion-575x431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://s1.desktopia.net/wp-content/uploads/walls/thumbs/Narnia-Lion-575x431.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The aim of knowledge is to grow more like Christ, giving him all glory. The educational aim for the Christian teacher should be primarily to point to Christ through whom all truth flows. Education institutions are to teach both general revelation (regarding the natural) and special revelation (regarding the supernatural). Because schools design cultures, Christian schools ought to teach both forms of knowledge through a biblical worldview. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If God created the world, then it must be the case that the world reveals something about him. That's not to say that everything perfectly reveals something about God because we do live in a fallen, corrupt state. However, that should not keep us from learning and studying further about the Creator who designed all things. Thus, when we study science, theology, or philosophy, the goal is to reveal something about the glory of God. That is valuable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it comes to reading Scripture, which is the very word of God, we aim to learn about him as well. Unlike the world we live in, the Bible is not corrupt. It is the inerrant, infallible Word of God (original autographs). Thus, when our churches and Christian schools teach, they teach to point to our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. They are to teach both natural revelation and special revelation. It's important to have Christian schools and Christian educators because schools design culture. This is the very reason for the secular takeover of the public education system in the West. </span></div>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-52602195549857624132012-09-14T11:49:00.002-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.010-07:00What is Knowable?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/29015185/7855c6dc06398733ee72ae1700f21fd1_large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/29015185/7855c6dc06398733ee72ae1700f21fd1_large.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are two types of revelation, general and special. All learners can know general revelation because it has been revealed in the natural world. General revelation, therefore, is primarily sensory and discovered through sciences. Only some can know special revelation though. It is revealed by God through his Holy Spirit. The Christian learner should study both as he is able to know both.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going back to the question of "What is Truth?" we learned recognized two kinds of truth: (a) natural; and (b) supernatural. Natural truth is observable by the human eye (or the aided human eye in the case of microscopic things). Supernatural truth, on the other hand, is recognized by experience and special divine revelation. For example, natural revelations are those things we can come to know through the use of empirical science as to where supernatural (special) revelations are those which God reveals to us. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scripture, being the very words of God, explain how God created everything originally good. Thus, it is also good (valuable) for us to study the natural world as well as theology and philosophy. By studying these things we can come to greater knowledge of God. At the same time, not all science, theology, and philosophy is true. Thus, we use the Word of God (the 66 books of the Bible) to discern what is truth. If it is true it will not run contrary to the Word of God.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If something does run contrary to God's Word, then there are three possibilities: (a) we have incorrect truth claims; (b) we have interpreted Scripture wrongly; or (c) we have incorrect truth claims and we have interpreted Scripture wrongly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[Romans 1, 2; Matthew 28]</span></div></div>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-84629163376323002292012-09-14T11:42:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.106-07:00What are Values?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://scottfillmer.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/img_6632.jpg?w=900&h=586" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://scottfillmer.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/img_6632.jpg?w=900&h=586" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Values can only be found in God’s glory. They are determined by God who is the creator of all things. All things were created to glorify him. And all things were originally created good. God is good and defines what is good.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do not live in a dualistic world, meaning, evil is simply a lack of good. Thus, when someone murders an innocent person, evil is not a thing that lives within the murderer, but rather, a lack of good within the murderer. What is good is determined by God. His character is the very definition of good. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When people ask, "Can God logically commit evil?" it's like asking if God can make a rock to heavy for himself to lift or if he can make a squared circle. The answer is no. It's not that he is too powerless to create a rock too heavy even for him to lift, it's that the questioner has given a question that goes against the law of non-contradiction. Therefore, we can conclude, God, being holy and perfect, cannot commit evil because it goes against the law of non-contradiction. If he were able to commit evil (remember this is a lack of good), then he wouldn't be God. One of the requirements of God's character is that he is good.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the God of Scripture exists, and I believe we have ample reason to believe this is the case, then we can expect that only that which he defines as being good is actually good. Those are the things of value.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[Romans 9, 11; Ephesians 1; Proverbs 16:33; 1 John; Genesis 1, 2]</span></div></div>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-57571298406061299832012-09-14T11:37:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.033-07:00What is Truth?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mormonmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dictionary-series-philosophy-truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://mormonmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dictionary-series-philosophy-truth.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truth is objective and determined by God. “All truth is God’s truth,” but not all claimed truths are actually true. Truth does not run contrary to what is spoken by God through his Word. Jesus Christ is knowledge and truth. General revelation tends to be truth that is universally recognized. Knowledge is truth. The truth is everywhere the same. Truth is objective and valued. Some truth and knowledge are so clear cut that issues will be agreed upon by the majority of all peoples.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For starters, truth is not arbitrary. Regardless of whether or not one recognizes truth as such does not change the "reality" of it at the end of the day. That's not to say that if you and I give two contrary sets of truth claims that we are both right. We could both be wrong, but we could not both be right. One of us would have to be wrong by necessity. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore, truth is not like some kind of moral zeitgeist of the day. It does not change from culture-to-culture or time period to time period. For example, today the world exists. That fact will not change tomorrow. It is logically conceivable that the world won't exist tomorrow, but it will not change the fact that the world exists today and it certainly doesn't change if you go to another nation or culture. The world still exists. That is a clear cut issue that no rational being can deny. The world exists.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[Genesis 1, 2; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Peter 1; John 10; Matthew 5; Luke 24]</span></div></div>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-28978560791782340072012-09-14T11:21:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:46.978-07:00What is Reality?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flavoreddelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/black-coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://www.flavoreddelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/black-coffee.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reality is independent of the human knower. There are two distinct, but not separate realities. The natural reality is sensory while the spiritual reality cannot be empirically proven or tested. God is the creator of all things, natural and supernatural, with the exception of himself. God is uncreated. All things were originally created good until the fall when the serpent deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. All of humanity inherited a sinful nature and are fallen. Everyone is need of redemption to be restored.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Reality isn't brought about by experience and it certainly isn't created by human minds. At the same time, there are two aspects of reality: (a) the reality that is; and (b) the reality we experience. The "reality that is" simply means that this is the cold hard fact. It's sometimes empirically provable (natural) and at other times it is not (supernatural/spiritual). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Because God created all things, he is the only one who has exhaustive knowledge about either natural or supernatural reality. He created all things and he created all things originally good. At the fall, man was deceived and sinned against a holy, perfect God. Thus, the first couple (and they are historic) brought sin into this world. All are infected. All are therefore separated from God. All are in need of a Savior.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
[Genesis 1-3; Romans 3, 9; Deuteronomy 39:39; John 1; 1 John 1]</span></div>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-44369677326000832942012-09-01T06:47:00.001-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.004-07:00A Shot of Faith to the Head<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=stuwarthebloa-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=1595554343" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/117980000/117981746.JPG" width="212"></a></div><br>
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A SHOT OF FAITH TO THE HEAD</span> </span></b><br>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BE A CONFIDENT BELIEVER IN AN AGE OF CRANKY ATHEISTS</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>MITCH STOKES</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>THOMAS NELSON, 2012</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br>
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mitch Stokes has studied under some of the greatest Christian thinkers and philosophers alive today. His mentors are some of the most influential philosophers in the world, religious or secular. This book is self-defense training to build confidence for believers in the midst of a world that constantly attacks their faith.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br>
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mitch Stokes has authored a fascinating book on apologetics. <i>A Shot of Faith to the Head</i> makes a wonderful addition to any library. I believe this book will be most suitable for younger generations who are facing the problem of New Atheism and a rise of agnostic friends more so than their parents. But, this is a great book for training up any person in apologetics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br>
</div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-shot-of-faith-to-head.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-27857020213930108562012-08-31T07:46:00.004-07:002021-11-19T13:22:45.949-08:00Never Ever Ever, Like Ever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/01/hitchens-like-201001/_jcr_content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_pagination_contai/cn_image.size.hitchens-like-1001-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/01/hitchens-like-201001/_jcr_content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_pagination_contai/cn_image.size.hitchens-like-1001-01.jpg" width="308"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/01/hitchens-like-201001" target="_blank">Illustration by Tim Sheaffer (Vanity Fair).</a></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;"><b>Never Ever Ever, Like Ever: </b></i><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">What the Billboard Charts are telling us about culture on this day</b><br>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br>
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As of today, Taylor Swift’s “We are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” is the number one song on Billboard’s “Top 100”. In 2012 she became Billboard’s “Woman of the Year”. What’s the message that makes her number one? For starters, the message is clear: <i>grammar don’t matter</i>. Never ever ever, like ever. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br>
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have followed my blog for very long, you know I never ever ever agree with Christopher Hitchens, like ever. But, back in 2010, he wrote an article for Vanity Fair criticizing the new use of the word <i>like</i>. “Since, like, the 60s, and definitely since <i>Clueless</i>, one word has been, like, everywhere.” </span><br>
</div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/08/illustration-by-tim-sheaffer-vanity-fair.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-50557537831749700032012-08-27T08:45:00.001-07:002021-11-19T13:22:45.970-08:00Dad, It's Been a Month Since You've Been Gone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ma3gAU2ETWg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dad, It's Been a Month Since You've Been Gone: </span><span style="font-size: large;">And that puts me on a morning train</span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">
<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today makes it one month since my dad died. He died. He did not pass on, pass away, or move on to the other side. He died and that is the reality of it all. He did profess faith in Jesus in the weeks leading up to his death, but there is no way around the ugly fact that it was death. Too often we skirt around that language to make things more bearable, but I am afraid that when we do so we are trying to cover up reality. Reality tells us that death is real and it is real because of sin. </span>
<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad would not have denied being a sinner. Matter of fact that was the biggest obstacle for him to profess faith in Christ (from his perspective). He feared that he sinned too much, that his offenses were too great to be forgiven. And that very view point is sin as well. Paul says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth (Romans 1:18 ESV).” </span>
<p>
</p></p></p></span></b></span></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/08/today-makes-it-one-month-since-my-dad.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-76498963787226533272012-08-22T19:10:00.000-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.095-07:00Bless the LORD, O my soul!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shakingtheplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.shakingtheplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/11.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has shown his people the power of his works </span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in giving them the inheritance of the nations.</span></i></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Psalm 111:6</span></i></div></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The opening verses of the book of Psalms reads: “Blessed is the man… [whose] delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night,” (1:1a, 2). Recently my small group went through JD Greear’s “Gospel Revolution” study. This is one of the key points Greear brings up throughout the study. Our obedience should not be primarily out of obligation (though we are obligated), but a result of desire, or as the Psalmist says, “delight.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/08/bless-lord-o-my-soul.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-7236558085467264502012-05-10T07:56:00.004-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.089-07:00Same-Sex Marriage and the Basis for Morality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo taken from <a href="http://www.barackobama.com/">www.barackobama.com</a></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">WHAT IS MORALITY ANYWAY?</span></b><br>
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</span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The worldwide webernet is ablaze with discussion regarding same-sex marriage right now. Surely you have noticed that much. President Obama has unveiled his support for it, though it’s a bit late for the North Carolina election and a number of people are torn. Some say the president should have done more while others applaud him for doing more than any other president. Some are accusing North Carolina voters of being bigots while others are commending them for their vote.<o:p></o:p></span><br>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not too long ago Joel Osteen actually revealed his feeling on an issue. Even Joel Osteen says same-sex marriage isn’t “God’s best” for a person. Whatever that means. Evangelicals and political conservatives have taken a verbal beating from the other side. Either way, Christians and supporters of “traditional marriage” are not going to win this debate. I say that hesitantly so let me define that statement. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/05/same-sex-marriage-and-basis-for.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-55388398491402826212012-04-26T19:59:00.004-07:002021-11-19T13:22:45.974-08:00He-Man: Masters of the Universe [1987]<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005MHOD/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=stuwarthebloa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005MHOD" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B00005MHOD&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=stuwarthebloa-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" width="142"></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I have been struggling with some issues. Sometimes it seems as if things are a little hopeless. So I turned to Psalm 88 for some encouragement. Heman, a musician for King David, is the psalmist, but he was in moments of despair. Now, Psalm 88 has absolutely nothing to do with Masters of the Universe, but the psalmist, Heman, made me think back to He-Man. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not saying you or I should seek refuge in movies, but we were made in the image of God so we can enjoy the act of creating because God is the ultimate creator. We get our creative abilities directly from him. And He-Man: Masters of the Universe certainly did a great job of cheering me up tonight. In a way, the movie wraps up a lot of the '80s in general.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
</div></div></div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/04/he-man-masters-of-universe-1987.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-64415479521649045452012-04-25T11:03:00.001-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.060-07:00Book Review: The Necessity of an Enemy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030773028X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=stuwarthebloa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=030773028X" target="_blank" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=030773028X&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=stuwarthebloa-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" width="134"></a><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE NECESSITY OF AN ENEMY</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">HOW THE BATTLE YOU FACE IS YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITY</span></b></span><br>
<div><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ron Carpenter, Jr.</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br>
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<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>WaterBrook Press, 2012</b></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ron Carpenter, Jr.’s book, “The Necessity of an Enemy,” is broken up into eight sections: (1) The Necessity; (2) The Plan; (3) The Target; (4) The Enemy Within; (5) Weapons of Mass Destruction; (6) Prowling Your Neighborhood; (7) How to Fight to Win; and (8) The Spoils of Victory. Carpenter's thesis is that we have an enemy and we need to fight that enemy with all we have because we can, because it's necessary.</span><br>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/04/book-review-necessity-of-enemy.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-67895946955689668182012-04-20T13:10:00.008-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.081-07:00Book Review: 40 Questions About the End Times<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=stuwarthebloa-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=0825438969" style="float: left; height: 240px; padding: 10px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">40 Questions About the End Times</span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">By: Echard Schnabel<br>
Series Editor: Benjamin L. Merkle</span><br>
Kregel Academic and Professional, 2011</b></span><br>
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</span>Thanks to Benjamin Merkle, the Series Editor for Kregel’s “40 Questions” books, evangelicals now have a quick and concise tool for understanding end times. The book’s author, Echard Schnabel, is an evangelical and takes a very conservative look at all end times scripture throughout the Bible.</span><br>
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</span>Perhaps the most helpful thing he has done is not begin with Revelation. I believe folks are guilty of going straight to the end of the Bible to understand what will happen in the end times which is not beneficial unless you have a good idea of the rest of the Bible’s metanarrative. To understand apocalyptic writing in scripture, one must understand the genre in general, but also understand the book of Daniel.</span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></div></div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/04/40-questions-about-end-times-by-echard.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2572831413270446481.post-56749317881377265452012-04-11T08:01:00.002-07:002017-07-12T08:31:47.024-07:00Remaining Confident in the Gospel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/113756491298502615713/TheBloggingApologist?authkey=Gv1sRgCJGDpZTaktGmSw#5730150680039044050"><img align="left" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE3_HHKzK_8RRgFjQbLcGW8eKBoctnziIpLIjJfEJwglgBVwnG82FSauwQ_ZhTRGfz7xuoZdMVEHZ1frt0rLRqUmcMzaZemtwGQUF5HE1-hMYwUu8lmxkvn_tSk2X2Dx2OVaxi6zhdUQ/s288/0.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="267"></a>This morning at T4G, Thabiti Anyabewile is speaking from 1 Timothy 4. I sometimes go through the seasons of doubt he is talking about by losing confidence in the Gospel. Not that I wouldn't affirm the Gospel as a necessity and of first importance, but that even in my thoughts I question whether it is true. <o:p></o:p><br>
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Being a student of Southern Seminary and the leader of a college ministry, you probably think I am an apostate or heretic. No. I am just being honest. We will all go through doubts unlike Jesus who had perfect confidence. When we do go through these doubts, it is important to have your faith community and closest friends with you for support.<br>
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As Anyabewile has said this morning, it is necessary that we have confidence in the Gospel. Those who we witness and minister to need us to be confident and we need the confidence. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4, the Gospel is sufficient. It has everything we need. Going further, the Gospel is trustworthy. And lastly, the Gospel comes to the worst of sinners and has the power to save the least deserving (including myself). <br>
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</div><a href="https://swarren340.blogspot.com/2012/04/remaining-confident-in-gospel.html#more">Read more »</a>Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968264170428713009noreply@blogger.com0