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Thanks for reading.
- Joseph
- I am a contributor to NXT-Progs.blogspot.com. My YouTube Channel is www.youtube.com/user/YoungerDykstras
11/21/2015
2/21/2014
Change pt. 2
People tend not to welcome change, even good change. (Think about every time facebook updates its interface.)
People don't want to change themselves, they like routine, they like order.
In football, the successful teams get into a routine, (a rhythm, as some announcers call it,) and move the ball down the field methodically.
I like my current bedroom. It might not be in the most convenient place, but I would not want to get used to sleeping in a different room.
People don't want to change themselves, and do not like it when outside change requires them to.
I did not like it when my church switched tunes on 2 songs I liked. On one, I liked the new tune better, but I had gotten used to the old tune, and didn't like switching. On the other, I didn't like the new tune as well.
-----
Sometimes people do like change. They want a different job, just because it is different. They are tired of being slaves of routine. They don't like repeating the same task 2000 hours each year. (50 weeks * 5 days * 8 hours, 2 weeks vacation.)
This is why some people like going on vacation, and like coming home from vacation.
-----
If you are in a routine of serving the Lord, do not get tired of it!
If you are in a routine of not serving the Lord, do get tired of it!
People don't want to change themselves, they like routine, they like order.
In football, the successful teams get into a routine, (a rhythm, as some announcers call it,) and move the ball down the field methodically.
I like my current bedroom. It might not be in the most convenient place, but I would not want to get used to sleeping in a different room.
People don't want to change themselves, and do not like it when outside change requires them to.
I did not like it when my church switched tunes on 2 songs I liked. On one, I liked the new tune better, but I had gotten used to the old tune, and didn't like switching. On the other, I didn't like the new tune as well.
-----
Sometimes people do like change. They want a different job, just because it is different. They are tired of being slaves of routine. They don't like repeating the same task 2000 hours each year. (50 weeks * 5 days * 8 hours, 2 weeks vacation.)
This is why some people like going on vacation, and like coming home from vacation.
-----
If you are in a routine of serving the Lord, do not get tired of it!
If you are in a routine of not serving the Lord, do get tired of it!
2/17/2014
Change
For the most part, people detest equal change. What I mean by equal change is a change that doesn't hurt you or benefit you.
When I first heard we were moving down to Omaha, I didn't like the idea. Now, I am so glad we did, I can't imagine if we would have stayed.
I think that the main reason people want change when they do want it, is because they want to undo a change that happened previously, or want something better. People nostalgically want to live back in the "Glory Days".
News Flash: Things don't go back to exactly the way they were.
Even when the millennium comes, (assuming you believe in post-millennial-ism,) things won't go back to the way they were before the fall. There'll still be sin.
When I first heard we were moving down to Omaha, I didn't like the idea. Now, I am so glad we did, I can't imagine if we would have stayed.
I think that the main reason people want change when they do want it, is because they want to undo a change that happened previously, or want something better. People nostalgically want to live back in the "Glory Days".
News Flash: Things don't go back to exactly the way they were.
Even when the millennium comes, (assuming you believe in post-millennial-ism,) things won't go back to the way they were before the fall. There'll still be sin.
Predestination
Predestination
Romans 8:30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Ephesians 1:4-5
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will
Ephesians 1:9-11
having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will
Psalm 33:10-12
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
2 Timothy 1:9
[God,] who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Isaiah 6:8-10 (John 12:40 quotes this passage)
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' "Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed."
John 12:37-40
But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."
Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Total Depravity
Ecclesiastes 7:29Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes."
I have not come across a better proof text; this one is not very clear-cut.
Biblical Inerrancy
In case you need proof of it now.2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
9/22/2013
3rd Commandment
I figured it is better to write a short post twice a month that a long one twice a year.
So I might start writing posts again, but shorter posts this time. :D
Exodus 20:7
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
What this commandment is saying, is: Don't misuse God's name.
This included exclaiming "Lord", "God", "Jesus" and their euphemisms; including (but not limited to) "gosh", "geez", and "gee". Also, prefixing these words does not help. ("Oh my [bleep]".)
One more thing:
Cursing may or may not be included under this commandment, but Paul says:
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Saying "damn it" is cursing the object, asking for it to be sent to the lake of fire. "Darn it" is a euphemism of the aforementioned phrase and it is also asking for the object to be damned.
Let me end in the words of James, who is speaking about the tongue;
James 3:9-10
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
So I might start writing posts again, but shorter posts this time. :D
Exodus 20:7
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
What this commandment is saying, is: Don't misuse God's name.
This included exclaiming "Lord", "God", "Jesus" and their euphemisms; including (but not limited to) "gosh", "geez", and "gee". Also, prefixing these words does not help. ("Oh my [bleep]".)
One more thing:
Cursing may or may not be included under this commandment, but Paul says:
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Saying "damn it" is cursing the object, asking for it to be sent to the lake of fire. "Darn it" is a euphemism of the aforementioned phrase and it is also asking for the object to be damned.
Let me end in the words of James, who is speaking about the tongue;
James 3:9-10
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
6/18/2012
Perspective
You may remember some time when you were younger, and you lost a quarter in the grass. You may have searched for 15 minutes, half of an hour, maybe a whole hour. Chances are, you did not find your pursued prized possession. (If this never happened to you then think of a small toy you lost and looked for...)
If you searched for 15 minutes, and found it, you aquired $1/hr. The national minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Basically: It probably was not worth your time looking for it.
Basically: It probably was not worth your time looking for it.
Now you look back, and probably do not care that you lost a quarter.
If, when we're 80, we look back on some of our biggest disappointments in life, (totaled car, dead dog, etc.), they're such a minuscule things! We should see them as small things, and the sooner we see that after it happens, the better (in most cases).
Easy to say, and hard to do.
It's hard to keep the right focus when you feel that the situation is hopeless, but if you remember that in a few years, it won't matter much (depending on what it is), it can help to keep in focus
But we should not be passive on earth. Our primary purpose here is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
The last half of the last verse of This is My Father's World ends this post quite nicely...
This is my Father's world,
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!
God reigns, let the earth be glad!
If, when we're 80, we look back on some of our biggest disappointments in life, (totaled car, dead dog, etc.), they're such a minuscule things! We should see them as small things, and the sooner we see that after it happens, the better (in most cases).
Easy to say, and hard to do.
It's hard to keep the right focus when you feel that the situation is hopeless, but if you remember that in a few years, it won't matter much (depending on what it is), it can help to keep in focus
But we should not be passive on earth. Our primary purpose here is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
The last half of the last verse of This is My Father's World ends this post quite nicely...
This is my Father's world,
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!
God reigns, let the earth be glad!
5/05/2012
Thoughts on Psalm 1
Psalm 1 (Italicized words are not part of the text; they are notes.)
Righteous:
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Wicked:
4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Both: 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Verse 6 is about both.
I think that Psalm 1 is like a Hebrew Chiasm, (ki-as-um). A chiasm is when you go through a list of things and then again in reverse order. The beatitudes are a great example...
Verses 1-2 are opposite of Verse 5.
Verse 3 is the opposite of Verse 4.
Verse 6 is the conclusion.
3/18/2012
3 Topics of Ethics Pt. 2
This is expounding on my previous post.
Again, the three topics are:
1. Law
2. Motive
3. Situation
I will only add mostly to 2 and 3 since I don't like how they're mixed in the previous post.
1. Law
Killing an abortionist who has not been on trial would still be breaking the 6th commandment.
Executing the wrong action, for the right motives, in the right situation, (if such a scenario exists,) is still sin.
2. Motive:
If someone reads Matt. 20:16 and takes it literally (which it probably should), then they might always try to be the last in line for things. Trying to be last in line is fine, but it can be done for the wrong motive; E.G., always being first later (in Heaven, maybe). That would be the right action, for the wrong motive, in the right situation is still sin.
3. Situation
Situation is really broad, and I can think of a few examples, but here is one I like: Matt. 5:23-24.
Bringing a gift to the altar was a great thing to do... unless you had a brother (in Christ) who had something against you. The right action, with the right motive, in the wrong situation, is still sin. [Depending on your definition of "wrong situation"]
Thanks for reading. Hope this helps.
Again, the three topics are:
1. Law
2. Motive
3. Situation
I will only add mostly to 2 and 3 since I don't like how they're mixed in the previous post.
1. Law
Killing an abortionist who has not been on trial would still be breaking the 6th commandment.
Executing the wrong action, for the right motives, in the right situation, (if such a scenario exists,) is still sin.
2. Motive:
If someone reads Matt. 20:16 and takes it literally (which it probably should), then they might always try to be the last in line for things. Trying to be last in line is fine, but it can be done for the wrong motive; E.G., always being first later (in Heaven, maybe). That would be the right action, for the wrong motive, in the right situation is still sin.
3. Situation
Situation is really broad, and I can think of a few examples, but here is one I like: Matt. 5:23-24.
Bringing a gift to the altar was a great thing to do... unless you had a brother (in Christ) who had something against you. The right action, with the right motive, in the wrong situation, is still sin. [Depending on your definition of "wrong situation"]
Thanks for reading. Hope this helps.
3/14/2012
3 Topics of Ethics
There are three different areas that you have to consider when analyzing if something is right or wrong. I will expound on them later.
1. Law
2. Motive
3. Situation
First is law:
The 1st commandment is 'You shall have no other gods before me.' This is a great example of law, there are no exceptions in this commandment. If you have a god before God, then you're sinning.
Second is Motive, Third is Situation
Executing a good deed for the wrong motive, or in the wrong situation can be sin. I am going to merge these last two because I have an example that'll fit both.
There is a fiction book that we have where a boy is supposed to learn Mozart's 'Moonlight Sonata'. His mom tells him to practice until the newly-lit candles burn down. After she leaves to go to the store, he opens a window so that the candles burn down faster. His motive was to evade the spirit of the law, thus opening the window was, in my opinion, wrong. (If it was real. I remember that it's fiction.) If it was any other night, opening the window would have been fine, but in this situation, (and with the knowledge the boy presumably had,) this is inexcusable dodging of the rule.
Sorry if the examples aren't fitting. :)
There is a fiction book that we have where a boy is supposed to learn Mozart's 'Moonlight Sonata'. His mom tells him to practice until the newly-lit candles burn down. After she leaves to go to the store, he opens a window so that the candles burn down faster. His motive was to evade the spirit of the law, thus opening the window was, in my opinion, wrong. (If it was real. I remember that it's fiction.) If it was any other night, opening the window would have been fine, but in this situation, (and with the knowledge the boy presumably had,) this is inexcusable dodging of the rule.
Sorry if the examples aren't fitting. :)
1/28/2012
Attitudes matter
Disclaimer: This post may contain blanket statements not suitable for literalists.
If I have a good attitude, my algebra takes less than an hour. If I don't, then it can take 3-4 hours (Yeah, I know, it's bad).
Sometimes I will do all of the easy problems, and then the hard ones, because it feels like I am making good progress, and my attitude improves. If I get stuck on a hard problem toward the beginning, then it feels like I am making no progress. When my good attitude decreases, so does my motivation to work.
Some people, after making a mistake/something bad happens to them, they get depressed. Then their motivation to live drops proportionately to their attitude toward life, and they kill themselves. :(
If someone strives to be cheerful all the time, then their bread sometimes lands butter-side-up, they see the light at the end of the tunnel, and their attitude toward life is better. They also don't end up committing suicide as quick.
A cheerful attitude is absorbed slowly, but a bad attitude is quite contagious.
Spread the cheer; be happy. :D
If I have a good attitude, my algebra takes less than an hour. If I don't, then it can take 3-4 hours (Yeah, I know, it's bad).
Sometimes I will do all of the easy problems, and then the hard ones, because it feels like I am making good progress, and my attitude improves. If I get stuck on a hard problem toward the beginning, then it feels like I am making no progress. When my good attitude decreases, so does my motivation to work.
Some people, after making a mistake/something bad happens to them, they get depressed. Then their motivation to live drops proportionately to their attitude toward life, and they kill themselves. :(
If someone strives to be cheerful all the time, then their bread sometimes lands butter-side-up, they see the light at the end of the tunnel, and their attitude toward life is better. They also don't end up committing suicide as quick.
A cheerful attitude is absorbed slowly, but a bad attitude is quite contagious.
Spread the cheer; be happy. :D
11/26/2011
When I'm Older
"That will come easier when I'm older." How many times do we think that? Waving to neighbors, witnessing, raising hands during church, being nice to girls, and diminishing usage of sarcasm don't come easily with age. If I never waved to my neighbors, and then tomorrow I started, it would be hard to persevere because it wouldn't be a habit. Also, the neighbors might notice, that "the dude that lives in the first house down the road is acting really weird." But a change like that is not very notable, and is much easier then suddenly starting to talk about the Lord to co-workers, neighbors, and even Christian friends, or raising hands during church.
A habit that is formed is not usually easily stopped.
A habit that's not formed is not usually easily started.
But due to total depravity, good habits seem hard to make, and bad ones hard to break.
Make good habits before you die.
A habit that is formed is not usually easily stopped.
A habit that's not formed is not usually easily started.
But due to total depravity, good habits seem hard to make, and bad ones hard to break.
Make good habits before you die.
10/08/2011
ECD Part 2: Kilts
Deuteronomy 22:5
A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.
In the US, skirts, dresses, and the like, are considered a woman's garments.
A kilt probably is not cross-dressing. I feel that it is somewhat border lined.
Why I would not wear one:
1. I don't know if it is morally ok.
2. They look silly.
3. I'm Dutch, not Scottish.
A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.
In the US, skirts, dresses, and the like, are considered a woman's garments.
A kilt probably is not cross-dressing. I feel that it is somewhat border lined.
Why I would not wear one:
1. I don't know if it is morally ok.
2. They look silly.
3. I'm Dutch, not Scottish.
ECD Part 1: Searching
This is the first of a series on English Country Dancing. My thoughts on ECD, on the people attending, and the thoughts about ECD of those who I've talked to.
First off, I probably need to clarify that, yes, I am fine with dancing. I like dancing with my sister best though, it's much easier to talk.
The first thing I think is weird about the English Country Dances is that some people's motives are solely for acquiring a soul mate. Finding a spouse based on what can be seen at a dance seems like a bad idea.
I talked to someone who told me that that is their reason for attending. They said that they didn't really care for dancing but they came to the dances get to know girls, by dancing, and they wished that they could go to more of their church's social gatherings for the same reason.
The other thing I don't like about ECD is the ridiculous attire.
I there to dance or hang out; not to reenact the 1600s. If others want to, that's cool with me.
Also, kilts feel like cross dressing, even though they might not be.
I don't mean to offend anyone.
If you believe I am wrong, please expound. I am not a fountain of knowledge of this topic.
First off, I probably need to clarify that, yes, I am fine with dancing. I like dancing with my sister best though, it's much easier to talk.
The first thing I think is weird about the English Country Dances is that some people's motives are solely for acquiring a soul mate. Finding a spouse based on what can be seen at a dance seems like a bad idea.
I talked to someone who told me that that is their reason for attending. They said that they didn't really care for dancing but they came to the dances get to know girls, by dancing, and they wished that they could go to more of their church's social gatherings for the same reason.
The other thing I don't like about ECD is the ridiculous attire.
I there to dance or hang out; not to reenact the 1600s. If others want to, that's cool with me.
Also, kilts feel like cross dressing, even though they might not be.
I don't mean to offend anyone.
If you believe I am wrong, please expound. I am not a fountain of knowledge of this topic.
Sundown - Sundown Day
Bible Passages:
Genesis 1:5,8,13,19,23,31
Nehemiah 13:19
Psalms 55:17
Matthew 27:45-46,57
This could be the most controversial blog post that I will write for years.
I believe a day begins at sundown. The reason this matters is because: what is usually considered a Saturday night, is actually part of the Sabbath. These views are all in accordance to the aforementioned passages of the Bible.
Some believe that a day is from 6 PM - 6 PM. According to the following sources, the Jewish calendar was timed so that the 12th hour was right at sundown.
Genesis 1:5,8,13,19,23,31
Nehemiah 13:19
Psalms 55:17
Matthew 27:45-46,57
This could be the most controversial blog post that I will write for years.
I believe a day begins at sundown. The reason this matters is because: what is usually considered a Saturday night, is actually part of the Sabbath. These views are all in accordance to the aforementioned passages of the Bible.
Some believe that a day is from 6 PM - 6 PM. According to the following sources, the Jewish calendar was timed so that the 12th hour was right at sundown.
"Sunset marks the start of the 12 night hours, whereas sunrise marks the start of the 12 day hours. This means that night hours may be longer or shorter than day hours, depending on the season.
A Jewish-calendar day does not begin at midnight, but at either sunset or when three medium-sized stars should be visible, depending on the religious circumstance." (From http://www.webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-jewish.html)
The Bible does not tell us that a day beginnings at midnight, and it never implies a change.
If you have argument for or against this, I would love to hear them in the comments, in an email, or in person. Thanks!
10/06/2011
Jokes
Disclaimer: I am not referencing Batman: The Dark Knight in this post.
One thing I have noted with many unkind jokes, is that they are based on something mean that the joker thinks.
What if I thought Seth's hair was awful when he dyed it? (My bro, for a play, 2012)
I could have said "Seth, your hair is horrendous. Just kidding." The "joke" would have been based on truth.
Bob is pitching to Tom who is batting, and Tom thinks, "he is not very good at pitching." It could be easy for Tom to say, "you should take pitching lessons from me... Kidding!" Or Tom might sarcastically say "You're good at pitching."
The previous insults are based on truth, which not only hurts the receiver more, but also tells what the joker is thinking. In the case of sarcasm though, usually the statement is opposite of the thought. When I see it, I wonder how often I do the same.
If our lives were fully centered around following in Christ's footsteps, then how different would our jokes be?
One thing I have noted with many unkind jokes, is that they are based on something mean that the joker thinks.
What if I thought Seth's hair was awful when he dyed it? (My bro, for a play, 2012)
I could have said "Seth, your hair is horrendous. Just kidding." The "joke" would have been based on truth.
Bob is pitching to Tom who is batting, and Tom thinks, "he is not very good at pitching." It could be easy for Tom to say, "you should take pitching lessons from me... Kidding!" Or Tom might sarcastically say "You're good at pitching."
The previous insults are based on truth, which not only hurts the receiver more, but also tells what the joker is thinking. In the case of sarcasm though, usually the statement is opposite of the thought. When I see it, I wonder how often I do the same.
If our lives were fully centered around following in Christ's footsteps, then how different would our jokes be?
9/29/2011
Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property is the philosophy that thoughts, ideas, sounds, sights, etc. are owned by the person who first conceived/made them. Intellectual property is non-physical including, but is not limited to: musical, literary, and artistic works, discoveries, inventions, and words, phrases, symbols, and designs.
The aforementioned intangible objects are protected under copyrights, trademarks, patents, and more.
Infringements on copyrights, etc. is often, and incorrectly, considered stealing, partially due to propaganda spread by video marketing companies, like this video:
The Christian's (and the movie's) main argument against "piracy" that it "is stealing". If I go to wal-mart, take a CD and run out with out paying I am stealing the CD. If I go onto the internet and torrent the data from the CD, then I am not taking a tangible object, therefore, I am not stealing it. If I paint a picture, and someone takes it from my house, he's stealing. Imagine he saw the painted picture, and he takes a photograph of it, and then prints it. By doing so, he is not stealing, unless he previously signed a contract that says that "I, the undersigned will not photograph, scan, create, or distribute any digital representation of the beautimous painting." Since no one who is buying a painting, ever, to the best of my knowledge, signs a contract like the one above, it belongs exclusively to the them.
The Christian's second argument is sometimes "A worker is worthy of his wages." Just because I paint a picture that is, to my perspective, very beautimous, does not mean that I am entitled to someone's buying it. If someone does buy it though, it belongs to them. Imagine that I buy a car. After the deal is made, the money transfer is complete, and I am about to climb into the car, the bold dealer says "By using, driving, or touching this car, you agree to the End User License Agreement, which is: No taking photographs of this vehicle, and you may not ever let any person, except for yourself, drive this vehicle." I would be aghast at his audacity, defy his command, and start arguing that the car is now solely, only, and exclusively mine, belonging to none other but me, and that "My logic is undeniable".
And if you are and atheist or the like, then I don't see why you would have any conscience issues doing anything, because you have no reason for performing morality, except the government's laws and social peer pressure.
But I am not saying to go and "pirate 'Cars'", or "download some TobyMac". I am stating the belief that intellectual property is bogus, and "pirating" is not wrong. It is great to support a good cause, but don't buy things like "Human" (Song), "Gunsmoke"(Old TV Show), "Pirates of the Caribbean 2"(Movie), and "Star Wars"(Movies/Books/Ebooks). Buy things like "Hoodwinked"(Movie), and "Lecrae"(Artist).
I regret to announce — this is The End. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell.
The aforementioned intangible objects are protected under copyrights, trademarks, patents, and more.
Infringements on copyrights, etc. is often, and incorrectly, considered stealing, partially due to propaganda spread by video marketing companies, like this video:
The Christian's (and the movie's) main argument against "piracy" that it "is stealing". If I go to wal-mart, take a CD and run out with out paying I am stealing the CD. If I go onto the internet and torrent the data from the CD, then I am not taking a tangible object, therefore, I am not stealing it. If I paint a picture, and someone takes it from my house, he's stealing. Imagine he saw the painted picture, and he takes a photograph of it, and then prints it. By doing so, he is not stealing, unless he previously signed a contract that says that "I, the undersigned will not photograph, scan, create, or distribute any digital representation of the beautimous painting." Since no one who is buying a painting, ever, to the best of my knowledge, signs a contract like the one above, it belongs exclusively to the them.
The Christian's second argument is sometimes "A worker is worthy of his wages." Just because I paint a picture that is, to my perspective, very beautimous, does not mean that I am entitled to someone's buying it. If someone does buy it though, it belongs to them. Imagine that I buy a car. After the deal is made, the money transfer is complete, and I am about to climb into the car, the bold dealer says "By using, driving, or touching this car, you agree to the End User License Agreement, which is: No taking photographs of this vehicle, and you may not ever let any person, except for yourself, drive this vehicle." I would be aghast at his audacity, defy his command, and start arguing that the car is now solely, only, and exclusively mine, belonging to none other but me, and that "My logic is undeniable".
And if you are and atheist or the like, then I don't see why you would have any conscience issues doing anything, because you have no reason for performing morality, except the government's laws and social peer pressure.
But I am not saying to go and "pirate 'Cars'", or "download some TobyMac". I am stating the belief that intellectual property is bogus, and "pirating" is not wrong. It is great to support a good cause, but don't buy things like "Human" (Song), "Gunsmoke"(Old TV Show), "Pirates of the Caribbean 2"(Movie), and "Star Wars"(Movies/Books/Ebooks). Buy things like "Hoodwinked"(Movie), and "Lecrae"(Artist).
I regret to announce — this is The End. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell.
9/23/2011
Music
Music. We are surrounded by it; MP3 Players, Radios, Bands, Silence. Music played at public places is usually pagan except around Christmas time. The first time you hear anything about music is, I believe, Genesis 4:21. The people at my orthodontist's office were playing the most horrendous screeching-singing music that I've heard for a long time.
I mainly listen to Christian (and instrumental) music. But I don't really care much for, Casting Crowns, even though what they say is (mostly) great. I personally like Christian Hip Hop (CHH) like 116 Clique, Lecrae, Flame, etc.
Casting Crowns and Lecrae are both Christian, but have different styles. They both reference the same faults/needs of today's culture. For example: environmentalism.
Casting Crowns in While You were Sleeping says "United States of America ... save[s] the trees and kill[s] the children..."
Lecrae in Blow your High says "... worshiping a tree instead of worshiping the King..."
I like the style of rap, but I like rock too, some other styles are cool too.
Music can be something people listen to way too much, or not the right kind. It shapes how you feel as you listen, and maybe for long periods of time; sort of how certain lighting makes a movie creepy, and if you watch too many creepy movies it does not help how you act.
If I listen to Relient K, Sanctus Real, Switchfoot, Skillet, and the like, for about 0.75 hours or more, I start getting a bit depressed, dreary, and quite sick of it. If I listen to one style for 1.5 hours or more I get really sick of it.
I think the music you hear might change you more than you'd think.
I mainly listen to Christian (and instrumental) music. But I don't really care much for, Casting Crowns, even though what they say is (mostly) great. I personally like Christian Hip Hop (CHH) like 116 Clique, Lecrae, Flame, etc.
Casting Crowns and Lecrae are both Christian, but have different styles. They both reference the same faults/needs of today's culture. For example: environmentalism.
Casting Crowns in While You were Sleeping says "United States of America ... save[s] the trees and kill[s] the children..."
Lecrae in Blow your High says "... worshiping a tree instead of worshiping the King..."
I like the style of rap, but I like rock too, some other styles are cool too.
Music can be something people listen to way too much, or not the right kind. It shapes how you feel as you listen, and maybe for long periods of time; sort of how certain lighting makes a movie creepy, and if you watch too many creepy movies it does not help how you act.
If I listen to Relient K, Sanctus Real, Switchfoot, Skillet, and the like, for about 0.75 hours or more, I start getting a bit depressed, dreary, and quite sick of it. If I listen to one style for 1.5 hours or more I get really sick of it.
I think the music you hear might change you more than you'd think.
9/20/2011
My First Post
First post.
You can put this blog on Feedly or another RSS feed reader. Feed Readers are the best things since the interwebs. (OK, maybe not.)
I will probably express feelings on what I believe on somewhat controversial topics. I hope to post my opinions on Music, Dancing, What Time a Day Begins, and anything else that I feel is worthy. Hopefully I am able to present you with a logical and biblical perspective.
If you like my blog, you will probably will also like Rebecca's Blog, Laura's Blog, Josh's Blog, Jarrod's Blog, and probably hundreds more. If you don't like my blog, you might still like the ones listed above.
I might post twice a day, or twice a year, and that is why feed readers are so nice. You add 10 blogs, it gathers the data, you read it on your own schedule, you don't need 10 bookmarks for your 10 favorite blogs.
I might post twice a day, or twice a year, and that is why feed readers are so nice. You add 10 blogs, it gathers the data, you read it on your own schedule, you don't need 10 bookmarks for your 10 favorite blogs.
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