Descartes is hard to understand at times but this conclusion on the argument for the existence God really seemed to make a lot of sense and really resounds within me.
"And, in truth, it is not to be wondered at that God, at my creation, implanted this idea in me, that it might serve, as it were, for the mark of the workman impressed on his work; and it is not also necessary that the mark should be something different from the work itself; but considering only that God is my creator, it is highly probable that he in some way fashioned me after his own image and likeness, and that I perceive this likeness, in which is contained the idea of God, by the same faculty by which I apprehend myself, in other words, when I make myself the object of reflection, I not only find that I am an incomplete, [imperfect] and dependent being, and one who unceasingly aspires after something better and greater than he is; but, at the same time, I am assured likewise that he upon whom I am dependent possesses in himself all the goods after which I aspire [and the ideas of which I find in my mind], and that not merely indefinitely and potentially, but infinitely and actually, and that he is thus God. And the whole force of the argument of which I have here availed myself to establish the existence of God, consists in this, that I perceive I could not possibly be of such a nature as I am, and yet have in my mind the idea of a God, if God did not in reality exist--this same God, I say, whose idea is in my mind--that is, a being who possesses all those lofty perfections, of which the mind may have some slight conception, without, however, being able fully to comprehend them, and who is wholly superior to all defect [ and has nothing that marks imperfection]: whence it is sufficiently manifest that he cannot be a deceiver, since it is a dictate of the natural light that all fraud and deception spring from some defect.[ L][ F]
39. But before I examine this with more attention, and pass on to the consideration of other truths that may be evolved out of it, I think it proper to remain here for some time in the contemplation of God himself--that I may ponder at leisure his marvelous attributes--and behold, admire, and adore the beauty of this light so unspeakably great, as far, at least, as the strength of my mind, which is to some degree dazzled by the sight, will permit. For just as we learn by faith that the supreme felicity of another life consists in the contemplation of the Divine majesty alone, so even now we learn from experience that a like meditation, though incomparably less perfect, is the source of the highest satisfaction of which we are susceptible in this life
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Peoples places and things. (My one night as a roadie)
The places you go, and the people you meet, where you find yourself at the end of the day, blows my mind.
Wednesday night I had never heard about Concordia University. It's only a 5 minute drive but it's a small university that has nestled itself in the hills nearby yet is simply over-powed by the much larger UC Irvine which I attend. But, last night I was asked to join some of the IC Roadies for the SoCAL/Hawaii group at a screening there last night mainly to hang out with one close growing friend, Hailey Mitsui, who originally worked with my brother in Seattle.
For the night, I was an "honorary roadie" and what that meant was I joined Hailey and Josh (another roadie) to present the story of invisible children to a small group of followers at Concordia. I know enough about invisible children to carry my own weight and answer a number of the common questions. My experience has been centered mainly on the Rescue from last year, Rescue Riding, and Lobby Days, and yet my passion is to see the war end. Invisible Children is campaigning the rescue and recovery act and in concordance to what i'm learning in my social problems class I found myself explaining why I have chosen invisible children, and subsequently, why it's important for others as well. I felt like a roadie in all the logistical sense of the word. As an outsider, as a informant, as a activist, the night was about getting to know people, share stories, and inspire others to join this cause.
But, It was more than that. For me, my conversations centered on Jesus. I was able to recognize simple truths about what Invisible Children is doing and how they are sharing the love of Christ, bringing restoration, and one of my favorite words, reconciliation to a destitute and needy area.
My favorite part of the night was getting to know some of the coolest people. Partly because I had no idea that I was going to go visit Hailey and Josh until about 5, It blew my mind to see God bring new friends into my life. Maybe the roadies feel like this all the time, meeting passionate idealists and inspired youth, but I realized that God was over it all. God had his hand over the whole situation and when I stayed for a worship service I was so encouraged by my opportunity to share with a new friend, Blaze McEntee, a sophmore, theology and english major, at Concordia. I'm so stoked to continue to know this guy, but It was clear to him and myself that God was moving in his life and opening the doors to a missions trip next semester. We were able to pray about God's will, praying thankfully that God has good plans for us, and he has a purpose for us. Blaze was rad, and I'm just so excited to know that I was able to make an impact on him that quickly.
I can only imagine what the roadies at IC are doing. For example, I remember instantly connecting with Chad Stauton, a roadie for the Cal-Vegas group and being so encouraged by him. Now I have seen both sides of the coin, I have been in both sets of shoes and it's just awesome to sit back and wonder at God's amazing plans for all of us.
My night continued with a video chat with my brother and one of my best friends ben. we just spent time sharing stories about where we were. There is no clear explanation other than this, by sharing how God was working in our lives, we were recognizing the power of our awesome God, and what else is that but Worship.
I fell asleep last night with a smile on my face. I'm excited to see where my connections with Concordia will go. You never know. My life changed last year because of one class, one screening, one girl, one opportunity, one plane trip, and 3 weeks in tanzania.
I'm encouraged by this: Jeremiah 29:11, "Thus says the Lord, 'For I know the plans that I have for you, Not for evil but for good, so that you may have a future and a hope."
Wednesday night I had never heard about Concordia University. It's only a 5 minute drive but it's a small university that has nestled itself in the hills nearby yet is simply over-powed by the much larger UC Irvine which I attend. But, last night I was asked to join some of the IC Roadies for the SoCAL/Hawaii group at a screening there last night mainly to hang out with one close growing friend, Hailey Mitsui, who originally worked with my brother in Seattle.
For the night, I was an "honorary roadie" and what that meant was I joined Hailey and Josh (another roadie) to present the story of invisible children to a small group of followers at Concordia. I know enough about invisible children to carry my own weight and answer a number of the common questions. My experience has been centered mainly on the Rescue from last year, Rescue Riding, and Lobby Days, and yet my passion is to see the war end. Invisible Children is campaigning the rescue and recovery act and in concordance to what i'm learning in my social problems class I found myself explaining why I have chosen invisible children, and subsequently, why it's important for others as well. I felt like a roadie in all the logistical sense of the word. As an outsider, as a informant, as a activist, the night was about getting to know people, share stories, and inspire others to join this cause.
But, It was more than that. For me, my conversations centered on Jesus. I was able to recognize simple truths about what Invisible Children is doing and how they are sharing the love of Christ, bringing restoration, and one of my favorite words, reconciliation to a destitute and needy area.
My favorite part of the night was getting to know some of the coolest people. Partly because I had no idea that I was going to go visit Hailey and Josh until about 5, It blew my mind to see God bring new friends into my life. Maybe the roadies feel like this all the time, meeting passionate idealists and inspired youth, but I realized that God was over it all. God had his hand over the whole situation and when I stayed for a worship service I was so encouraged by my opportunity to share with a new friend, Blaze McEntee, a sophmore, theology and english major, at Concordia. I'm so stoked to continue to know this guy, but It was clear to him and myself that God was moving in his life and opening the doors to a missions trip next semester. We were able to pray about God's will, praying thankfully that God has good plans for us, and he has a purpose for us. Blaze was rad, and I'm just so excited to know that I was able to make an impact on him that quickly.
I can only imagine what the roadies at IC are doing. For example, I remember instantly connecting with Chad Stauton, a roadie for the Cal-Vegas group and being so encouraged by him. Now I have seen both sides of the coin, I have been in both sets of shoes and it's just awesome to sit back and wonder at God's amazing plans for all of us.
My night continued with a video chat with my brother and one of my best friends ben. we just spent time sharing stories about where we were. There is no clear explanation other than this, by sharing how God was working in our lives, we were recognizing the power of our awesome God, and what else is that but Worship.
I fell asleep last night with a smile on my face. I'm excited to see where my connections with Concordia will go. You never know. My life changed last year because of one class, one screening, one girl, one opportunity, one plane trip, and 3 weeks in tanzania.
I'm encouraged by this: Jeremiah 29:11, "Thus says the Lord, 'For I know the plans that I have for you, Not for evil but for good, so that you may have a future and a hope."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Shouldn't this be easier?
Sometimes I think this should come easy...
Teaching that is. I feel like like it shouldn't be this hard.
Jono, the high school pastor at Kingsfield church, has asked me to teach this week on Romans 14. The title in my bible is, "The Law of Liberty." which seemed at first glance to be an easy topic. My quick assessment was on Romans 14:1-13 and its topic of Gray matters within the church ( drinking, speaking in tongues and even playing drums in church etc) was something I've heard multiple times myself and so I thought I could easily hammer out a 20-25 minute study on it myself. I've been wrestling with this text since yesterday, reading commentaries, reading a greater part of the book of Romans over and over again, and still had no headway whatsoever.
I thought this was supposed to be easy, yet the amount of time I'd spent on assessing the text at hand just seemed to mean absolutely nothing.
Yet in my anxiety, frustrations and confusion, God reminded me of this verse,
Teaching that is. I feel like like it shouldn't be this hard.
Jono, the high school pastor at Kingsfield church, has asked me to teach this week on Romans 14. The title in my bible is, "The Law of Liberty." which seemed at first glance to be an easy topic. My quick assessment was on Romans 14:1-13 and its topic of Gray matters within the church ( drinking, speaking in tongues and even playing drums in church etc) was something I've heard multiple times myself and so I thought I could easily hammer out a 20-25 minute study on it myself. I've been wrestling with this text since yesterday, reading commentaries, reading a greater part of the book of Romans over and over again, and still had no headway whatsoever.
I thought this was supposed to be easy, yet the amount of time I'd spent on assessing the text at hand just seemed to mean absolutely nothing.
Yet in my anxiety, frustrations and confusion, God reminded me of this verse,
"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, than in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:11.
1 Peter 4:11.
When I first read this verse I was in tanzania and in a similar dilemma, and the truth of this verse shouted out to me the confidence I needed to stand up and preach.
So here I am.
My notes are just about done after about another 2 hours since I read 1 Peter and to say the least I'm really excited about tomorrow. I feel as though things have really started to fall into place. I changed a lot of what I was going to say, but I feel like this is where God wants it.
I once heard that the best of novelists start living out their stories in their head, and that's what makes a really great read. I know for myself, as a reader, I oftentimes enjoy stories the most once I write myself into the story at hand as one of the characters. For tomorrow, I feel like I've already been preached to by the Word, as if it's hit home, and so maybe, I'll be able to properly and adequately preach the message at hand.
Be praying.
So here I am.
My notes are just about done after about another 2 hours since I read 1 Peter and to say the least I'm really excited about tomorrow. I feel as though things have really started to fall into place. I changed a lot of what I was going to say, but I feel like this is where God wants it.
I once heard that the best of novelists start living out their stories in their head, and that's what makes a really great read. I know for myself, as a reader, I oftentimes enjoy stories the most once I write myself into the story at hand as one of the characters. For tomorrow, I feel like I've already been preached to by the Word, as if it's hit home, and so maybe, I'll be able to properly and adequately preach the message at hand.
Be praying.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The explanation: The Mystery of Love
A few years ago...
when I found myself reading the bible, one of the most perplexing things I kept reading was "behold the mystery", and it drove me nuts. In my ineptitude, I read over passages from Ephesians and Galatians that mentioned a great mystery and yet, what was this mystery? I had no idea.
Even though I had grown up in the church, I had been exposed to private christian schools and I had parents that loved God, when it really came down to it, I needed to come to a spot in my life where I could understand love on my own. The Great Mystery that Paul alludes to specifically in Ephesians was one of the first major themes of the bible that blew my mind.
I'm not perfect, and never will be; yet, I feel as though I'm learning, growing, and changing daily. Because of that, I want to open up a little bit of my life to the world wide web and whomever feels so inclined to partake into this growing trend of transparency.
The Great mystery of Christ, that he came to this world and as hebrews states, "who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." so that we might be saved from the power of sin and be in communion with a God that loves us, changed my life once, and continues to change my life more every day. But, I have also realized that I'm bound to His love. It's simply because of His great love for me, that today I stand in his grace and am able to worship him for who He is.
With that, I begin my blog.
when I found myself reading the bible, one of the most perplexing things I kept reading was "behold the mystery", and it drove me nuts. In my ineptitude, I read over passages from Ephesians and Galatians that mentioned a great mystery and yet, what was this mystery? I had no idea.
Even though I had grown up in the church, I had been exposed to private christian schools and I had parents that loved God, when it really came down to it, I needed to come to a spot in my life where I could understand love on my own. The Great Mystery that Paul alludes to specifically in Ephesians was one of the first major themes of the bible that blew my mind.
I'm not perfect, and never will be; yet, I feel as though I'm learning, growing, and changing daily. Because of that, I want to open up a little bit of my life to the world wide web and whomever feels so inclined to partake into this growing trend of transparency.
The Great mystery of Christ, that he came to this world and as hebrews states, "who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." so that we might be saved from the power of sin and be in communion with a God that loves us, changed my life once, and continues to change my life more every day. But, I have also realized that I'm bound to His love. It's simply because of His great love for me, that today I stand in his grace and am able to worship him for who He is.
With that, I begin my blog.
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