tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71717634482529588952011-04-21T19:07:08.806-07:00i worship, therfore i am: Musings on Scripture, Culture, News, and The World offered as a fragrant offering to the Lord Jesus ChristGabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.comBlogger471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-65654431697432923582008-10-17T07:01:00.000-07:002008-10-17T07:25:53.584-07:00

John Mark Reynolds explains why political candidates try to incite panic in the public. He also warns us to worry about things we can actually change.When the public, and the candidates, begin to panic, we "should resolutely mind our own business in this crisis, act charitably toward neighbors in need, comfort the fearful, and resolutely vote against those who would use this crisis to expand

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-53420918377400237622008-10-10T10:43:00.001-07:002008-10-10T10:44:34.307-07:00

I believe Independents should vote for McCain. A few good reasons for this can be found here.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-42759726795070115562008-10-10T09:13:00.000-07:002008-10-10T09:28:56.182-07:00

I am astounded by how much both Candidates seem to be pushing socialist policies. When we take from some to give to others this is a socialist ideal. There are three main problems with socialism. First, it teaches those who work they will not be benefited by working hard. Why work hard if the things you work for will be taken from you.Second, it teaches those who do not work they do not need

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-71239554223466670982008-09-24T06:46:00.000-07:002008-09-26T07:23:09.652-07:00

C. Michael Patton captures my thoughts on the "green" movement perfectly on his blog. He (like I) does not have a problem with helping the environment, in fact it is one of the duties of a Christian to be a good steward of the environment...But the "green" movement seems to come with some other baggage...He writes:"I think that it is important to distinguish here the difference between “going

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-33371337231232194182008-09-17T12:20:00.000-07:002008-09-18T06:47:43.735-07:00

Here is california new legislation is being considered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill is AB 2567. This bill would make May 22nd Harvey Milk Day. Harvey Milk will be honored in schools every May 22nd. Who is Harvey Milk you might ask? Wikipedia describes Milk as "an American politician who was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States, as a city

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-62540381494588650942008-09-17T07:15:00.000-07:002008-09-17T07:20:56.985-07:00

I have been reading Herbert Schlossberg's Idols for Destruction recently. I cannot recommend this book too much. This book is by far the best treatment of our American culture and the idols we worship through our assumption of ideas against God's word. Schlossberg is unparalleled in his analysis and ability to cut through our untried worldview assumptions. If you want to engage our culture

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-47060853713669643002008-09-12T06:56:00.001-07:002008-09-12T07:18:04.677-07:00

I am not registered to any party the last time I checked. As a Christian, I don't feel I should affiliate myself to anything but God's party. I am no theocrat, but I do serve a King.That being said, I do find myself consistently voting for one party over another. (Although I have voted Dem in the past, the Pubs do grab my vote probably 80-85% of the time.) After a lot of thought I think I have

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-33031239973170664922008-09-12T06:54:00.000-07:002008-09-12T06:56:03.500-07:00

I can now post again. I am now working again and this means I have Internet access. Hopefully I can get back into the habit.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-52740052236554337032008-08-05T09:01:00.001-07:002008-08-05T09:01:58.847-07:00

Sorry about not posting for a while, we have recently bought a home and do not have the internet yet. We should have it up and running soon.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-39583122903368098222008-07-10T06:53:00.000-07:002008-07-16T22:53:13.311-07:00

There is something peculiar about truth... it is true no matter what. Truth from any source is still true.In this, the election year, you will probably hear many attacks against the candidates character. Although these kind of things can help to establish patterns (like honesty, or overall laziness), they cannot however speak to the truth the candidates might be speaking.For example, assuming

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-86788443317834213252008-07-08T22:05:00.000-07:002008-07-08T23:37:11.963-07:00

I sat in a lecture hall tonight while one of my theological/philosophical heroes lectured to my apologetics program. I have to say J.P. Moreland has always astounded me, but tonight he was phenomenal.The nature of the lecture focused on the Kingdom of God.Moreland started by asserting that the Kingdom of God might be the central theme of the scriptures. The OT was the unfolding of the Kingdom;

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-12777931000531623242008-07-04T08:28:00.000-07:002008-07-04T09:24:44.446-07:00

If you haven't read the Declaration of Independence you should. Pay special attention to the reasons given for leaving the crown. Notice its mentions of God.One of my greatest ongoing frustrations is the misinformation given to students regarding the reasons we seceded from the English. It all sounds well and good. If you ask anyone who paid any kind of attention in 11 grade US History, they

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-4650285330402358322008-07-03T09:37:00.000-07:002008-07-03T09:48:11.032-07:00

Sorry I have been out, but I am back. My adventure into God's holy word brings me to my favorite chapter in all the Bible: Psalm 100. I am not kidding, this is the first chapter of the Bible my dad had me memorize. It has stuck with me all these years. It has a special place in my heart.The psalmist begins by urging us to praise God, and he continues this beautifully through all 5 verses.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-68582952630986340382008-06-22T14:24:00.000-07:002008-06-22T14:26:15.711-07:00

I will be "on assignment" at Wheatstone Academy this week. Just kidding... I am really there to observe. But I do not know if and when I might be able to post. We shall see!

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-27977021647904186492008-06-20T10:35:00.000-07:002008-06-20T10:39:58.194-07:00

I am almost a month into my no-TV experiment. We have not had any kind of TV signal in our house for a little while.It has not been as tough as I had originally thought it was. I have spent a lot more time reading and preparing my curriculum for next year. Also, there has been a lot of time for blogging (which I thoroughly enjoy and think is much more worthwhile.)The one thing I have not been

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-6937808880149173472008-06-20T10:15:00.000-07:002008-06-20T10:35:07.324-07:00

Psalm 79 is written during a low point in the history of the Israelites. The temple has been destroyed, as well as Jerusalem. The Psalmist pleads with God to be vengeful, retributive against the enemies who destroy.This Psalm begins, very graphically, by explaining what has happened: Enemies have, invaded your chosen land, polluted your holy temple, they have made blood flow like water, and no

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-26996423225823456622008-06-17T14:43:00.000-07:002008-06-17T14:47:18.736-07:00

Tonight is the night. Tonight we see if the Lackers... sorry the Lakers have anything left in the tank. Tonight we see if the Celtics are everything and the Lakers are nothing. Tonight Laker fans either look to next year (what a front line that will be, and with Kobe too) or they look to Thursday.Tonight is huge for a sports fan like me. But Thursday would be bigger.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-55042249704687467642008-06-17T13:46:00.000-07:002008-06-17T14:05:56.443-07:00

My exploration of scripture has led me to Psalm 72.Psalm 72 is a prayer for the leader of Israel. Most likely this was Solomon at the time. This prayer is so the king will lead well. If the king leads well the people will prosper.This psalm is a perfect example of the If-then principle. This means there is a correlation referenced in the Psalm. In other words... the psalmist says... if this

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-2285743511932016082008-06-16T14:13:00.000-07:002008-06-19T06:24:11.256-07:00

An article on planet wisdom calls for women to dress more modestly during the summer.Josh Wiehagen explains even though girls want to fashionable, "I can’t say I’m always completely impressed with the . . . coverage."He goes on to write about how Christians are called to a very tall standard. We are called be completely pure. We are to flee sexual immorality.Wiehagen's point is that its hard

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-81431066764090366222008-06-16T13:37:00.000-07:002008-06-16T14:01:53.608-07:00

A few days ago I wrote about reading the Bible well. I have noticed people have not been taught how to read the Bible for everything it gives. Instead we are stuck in a world of privatization, where the only application from scripture is for the individual. The problem with this is God revealed the Bible for everyone. Scripture has an original meaning, and we need to understand what God's

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-10086880892864817692008-06-16T13:30:00.000-07:002008-06-16T13:37:23.962-07:00

Ah, today we have a short chapter: Psalm 67.This song is an urging to thank the Lord for all he has done. I am struck most by the fact the Psalmist asks for God's blessing on his people. God loves to give His people good gifts and we should ask for them.It often seems we tip toe around asking for great things from God. Why is this? God is a loving Father; what loving Father doesn't love to give

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-63018990703703920012008-06-13T10:15:00.000-07:002008-06-13T10:23:32.411-07:00

I am in the middle of a bunch of Psalms which cry out for the mercy of God.Psalm 62 is no exception to this. In this Psalm the writer calls for God's protection, he has enemies plotting against him.David warns men not to trust in their evil ways, or the ways they try to gain apart from God. David knows if we live apart from God, all the wealth in the world will not produce what it promises to

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-4103155096394905982008-06-12T09:21:00.001-07:002008-06-16T14:03:28.451-07:00

Too many of my students have no idea how to read the Bible (well). Unfortunately, this is not limited to younger students, but most people don't read the Bible for all it is worth.We have privatized our religion so much we do not understand the principles in the Bible are meant for everyone, not just a subjective interpretation. We explain what the Bible means in light of what we already believe,

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-67481781445061075942008-06-12T07:32:00.000-07:002008-06-12T07:41:35.173-07:00

Today's adventure in scripture was provided by Psalm 57.This Psalm is a plea for God's protection.I am always amazed at the things David will make songs about. You could almost say David is one of the first people to make angry, almost hard-core-like lyrics.I lie down among those who want to devour me;men whose teeth are spears and arrows,whose tongues are a sharp sword.Yep, David has a way with

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-34519623647480378202008-06-11T03:19:00.000-07:002008-06-11T04:06:49.698-07:00

A couple days ago STR linked to a Todd Bentley video.Here are some highlights of the post, New Movement of the Spirit. So What?Melinda begins by wondering why so many people who call themselves Christians have acquired a taste for the weird. "A lot of Christians have a taste for the weird, as though the weirder something is the more likely that the Holy Spirit is behind it. The Spirit could be

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-51652636454784266302008-06-10T15:53:00.001-07:002008-06-10T15:55:27.472-07:00

Tonight might be (in actuality) the last chance for the Good Guys.The Lakers need to play desperate ball tonight. If they go down 3-0, we can smooch them goodbye.But on to something you don't know.Being a young 'un, my only memory of the Magic-Bird era, is a sweet memory. Magic's hook shot... need I say more?

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-58040153869232716822008-06-10T13:45:00.000-07:002008-06-10T13:46:57.080-07:00

This is a cool story.It is always nice to see history unearthed.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-9882759921152549042008-06-10T12:34:00.000-07:002008-06-10T12:45:45.141-07:00

Mark Matlock has posted an article about TV. This article is enlightening and encouraging to me in light of my ongoing escapade to see what happens without a constant TV source in my life.He bigins by telling of a realization he had. He has watched over a months worth of ER! He has seen every episode, and has watched over 300 hours. Unfortunately, this is not the only show he watches. The TV

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-26127711187155668172008-06-10T12:08:00.000-07:002008-06-10T12:22:29.543-07:00

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Psalm 51.David is repenting of the sin he has committed against God. He has been confronted by Nathan as to his sin with Bathsheba, not to mention the murder of Uriah. Psalm 51 is the natural outpouring of a guilty man who has realized his filthy heart compared to the perfect God.I think this passage is a great example of our reaction if we

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-79311253382548263092008-06-09T11:01:00.000-07:002008-06-09T11:36:45.065-07:00

A gay pastor has been united with his partner for the first time in the U.S.Reverend Gene Robinson decided to be united to his partner of 20 years over a year ago. The ceremony was kept small and private because of security concerns.New Hampshire's law grants gay couples the "rights and responsibilities of marriage, which includes inheritance and other rights enjoyed by married couples."Doesn't

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-27626956687023274782008-06-09T10:59:00.001-07:002008-06-09T11:00:24.096-07:00

McDonalds has stopped serving raw tomatoes because of a link to salmonella.Does anyone go to McDonalds for the tomatoes?

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-20985867359177829202008-06-09T10:53:00.000-07:002008-06-09T10:57:53.374-07:00

So, we are on our second week of No-TV! I have not found it hard, but only frustrating. I have only watched two things in the past two weeks. I visited my parents to watch both NBA finals games.I have found more time to read, but I am realizing how much time I really did fill up with the BOOB-TOOB. After a little while in the day I run out of things to do. I really am quite pathetic if I

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-42954886445821395332008-06-09T07:24:00.000-07:002008-06-09T07:30:36.599-07:00

My ongoing adventure into the scripture has brought me to Psalm 47 today.This is a Psalm made to praise God and thank Him for what He has done. (By the way, thanking and praising are two different things. You praise God for who He is, but you thank Him for what He has done.)I am struck by the specificity of the ways God thinks about His people. Verse 4 says God picked out their land

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-7177505348812939312008-06-06T09:55:00.000-07:002008-06-06T10:19:57.030-07:00

Psalm 39 caught my attention today.This is a song of sorrow and pleading. David is realizing the darkness of his heart and how his life is far too short to make up for the problem.David cries out to the only being who can truly understand his plight.“O Lord, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass. Look, you make my days short-lived,

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-86356120264198962092008-06-06T06:00:00.000-07:002008-06-06T06:25:12.245-07:00

On this day in 1944, allied troops invaded a European beaches, forever changing the worst war this world has yet seen.The courage of men sent by their countries to fight has never ceased to amaze me. No matter your stance on the war in Iraq, a quick prayer for those in service is always appropriate.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-67038682254103833392008-06-05T21:05:00.000-07:002008-06-05T21:09:27.258-07:00

Pierce is a faker. Brilliant move, but I am sure most people who are carried, and then wheelchaired, are usually hurt and don't come bouncing back. Really got the gullible Boston crowd into it though, and a win is a win.Pau disapeared a little near the end. He can't do that... he needs to be a cog in the offense.Even though the Lakers couldn't pull it off tonight, I think they showed sunday's

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-59269042772742671212008-06-05T18:08:00.001-07:002008-06-05T18:51:33.103-07:00

A man climbed a 52 story building today. What some people will do just to get attention to their cause.Once at the top of the building the man brandished a banner stating "Global Warming kills more people than a 9/11 every week."How, exactly, do you quantify how many people global warming kills? I am not against the cause to "save the environment," but I don't think it is possible to quantify

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-84849482220881445502008-06-05T09:43:00.000-07:002008-06-05T10:13:09.503-07:00

Today's venture into Scripture brought me Psalm 34.This is an amazing Psalm of praise to the Lord. The introductory sentence suggests this was written by David after his encounter with King Achish of Gath in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. There is some speculation because Achish is not named; instead the word Abimelech is used. This may just be a title (like King, or Majesty).David exudes oodles of

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-25131825119617565082008-06-04T21:29:00.000-07:002008-06-04T21:34:59.867-07:00

I have been contending the current atmosphere in the Democratic Party is truly giving the Reps a fighters chance.This should be an easy race for the Dems, but with the speculation floating around, and the earlier (and current) backbiting within party lines, I do believe they are leaving the door open for McCain.We will see what happens if Hilary really does concede on Saturday.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-31322982775390954682008-06-04T14:51:00.000-07:002008-06-04T14:55:45.517-07:00

More urges to attack Isreal by militant people.Things have really been coming to a point.Prayer is important right now.This can't be good for either Isreal or peaceloving muslims.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-25126772089120505572008-06-04T09:36:00.000-07:002008-06-04T09:46:23.529-07:00

STR has opened a discussion on how the so called New Atheists are actually helping Christianity in a blog post called The Four Horsemen.These men are complaining about the privatization of religion. People often will not even let their religious ideas be questioned which is a product of the separation of the realm of knowledge and the realm of religion. Because of this separation, religious

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-71281883873705684072008-06-04T09:12:00.001-07:002008-06-04T09:48:42.215-07:00

A friend of mine has blogged about the possibility of an Obama/Clinton ticket.I see the Democratic party as increasing in suspicion and infighting. Can this be good for the general election?As I blogged yesterday, I am not sure this level of speculation is good.This should be a landslide year for the Dems, but they seem to be more and more wanting to make it close. As John Mark Reynolds has

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-58504114251413695562008-06-04T08:52:00.000-07:002008-06-04T09:03:59.365-07:00

Today brought me to Psalm 33.This passage is to be a reminder to us to praise the Lord. We must remember what He has done. We should sing a new song (3). This is awesome. God wants us to be creative and praise in new ways. This is because He is always giving new mercies and new levels of grace.In order, this Psalm reminds us God has: done only fair and just things; stayed faithful; created

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-54563908599981879572008-06-03T15:55:00.000-07:002008-06-03T15:58:44.075-07:00

This last week my wife and I decided we will not be recieving any Television Signals in our home for quite some time. We have canceled our cable, and do not have rabbit ears. I wonder how this will go.I hope this turns out to better me as a person, but I honestly do not know what will happen. I love TV and Movies, but I think I will be better able to experience real life without the

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-75988708665782153362008-06-03T11:50:00.000-07:002008-06-03T11:53:28.720-07:00

Clinton will not concede today.This kind of back and forth can only marginalize the party base right?I don't know. I am really curious.

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-20633501338238545272008-06-03T09:49:00.000-07:002008-06-03T09:54:48.530-07:00

Today the President of Iran predicted the future.He has said the Nation of Israel will be destroyed, even if his own country is not able to perform the task.I don't know if this makes anyone else scared at the audacity of someone like this, but for someone to be this bold takes a very seared conscience.This reminds me of the stories of KKK leaders openly calling for the destruction of darker

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171763448252958895.post-15599573443331608562008-06-03T09:14:00.000-07:002008-06-03T09:42:56.875-07:00

Today I read Psalm 30.This Psalm begins with David praising the Lord. He is singing of the wonderful things God has done. This culminates in David declaring, "For his anger lasts only a brief moment,and his good favor restores one’s life"Next David tells of the terror of God's wrath. "Then you rejected me and I was terrified." For a man who was a shepherd and fought lions and bears with only a

Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309706645558095233noreply@blogger.com0