Take Every Thought Captive

Hello Again, Everybody!

2011-05-25T22:35:00.003-05:00

Hey, everyone! I'm debating whether or not I'm going to revive my blog(as you can see it's been dead for over a year!). I've got a lot going on now; I'm 19 and about to start College Plus in a few weeks :) I'm super excited about that! I'll keep you updated more in the weeks and months to come. Feel free to look around the site. If you're from CP Forums, welcome! Don't hesitate to contact me :) Have a blessed day, Ahlaischa

Not Ashamed

2010-03-01T15:04:00.002-06:00

Romans Review wk. 2

The Power of the Gospel

2010-02-24T11:26:00.000-06:00

Essay

History of Valentine's Day

2010-02-12T17:05:00.008-06:00

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look at the famed holiday. As with many American holidays, Valentine's Day has a Christian background. St. Valentine was believed to be a priest who served during the third century in Rome. Many stories suggest that Valentine was martyred for helping Christians escape from harsh Roman prisons. Much of what we see today; fluffy nonsense and Cupid, are perversions of the meaning of this holiday. For Christians, love takes on a completely different meaning. Love is more than just a feeling or a thing that "just happens". Love is a choice we make daily, regardless of what we feel like.

Deutoronomy 6:5 tells us to, "Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

In many other passages, throughout God's Word, we are commanded to love our neighbors, our spouses, and Scripture. As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let us all remeber the true biblical meaning of love.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Weekly Romans Review

2010-02-01T14:33:00.003-06:00

At church, we are taking a break from the Genesis account and going through the book of Romans. I have read Romans on my own several times, but I am eager to learn and soak up more. Sound doctrine is an invaluable thing, and too under appreciated.

"Thoughts From Romans" to come soon; stay posted!

Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Truth For Life Devotional: Tested Faith

2009-11-12T21:10:00.002-06:00

Here is an e-mail I recieved that was really encouraging. It's by Mr. Alistiar Begg, a preacher and excellent man of God, whom I have come to admire. "Tested Faith" 1 Peter 1 "Untested faith may be true faith, but it is sure to be small faith, and it is likely to remain little as long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: Tempests are her trainers, and bolts of lightning are her illuminators. When a calm reigns on the sea, spread the sails as you will, the ship does not move to its harbor; for on a slumbering ocean the keel sleeps too. Let the winds rush and howl, and let the waters lift themselves, though the vessel may rock and her deck may be washed with waves and her mast may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway toward her desired haven. No flowers are as lovely a blue as those that grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam as brightly as those that glisten in the midnight sky; no water tastes as sweet as that which springs up in the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity. Tested faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness if you had not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God's strength if you had not been supported in the flood. Faith increases in quality, assurance, and intensity the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too. Do not let this, however, discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials enough without seeking them: The full portion will be measured out to you in due course. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have; praise Him for that degree of holy confidence you have now attained: Walk according to that rule, and you will still have more and more of the blessing of God, until your faith will remove mountains and conquer impossibilities."

Tidings of a New Book!

2009-10-15T22:13:00.003-05:00

Author, Nathaniel Darnell has come out with a new book which is now available through the Vision Forum! " When adversity strikes, boys must act like men. This story traces one boy’s journey as he stands beside his father to defend the life of a helpless young woman. Fourteen-year-old Thomas witnesses his father, John Richards, put his congressional race at risk to do the right thing. As a legislative aide, Thomas helps his dad navigate the legal challenges so that the life of this coma-stricken woman does not end as Terri Schiavo’s did. But will efforts to save her destroy Rep. Richards’ political campaign? This high-octane adventure story digs deep, exploring important lessons related to law, civics, medical ethics, and discipleship. (Due to mature medical ethics-related issues, this book is recommended for ages 14 and up.) " Check it out!!! Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

The Narrow Gate and The Wide Gate

2009-08-04T12:11:00.003-05:00

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14 I have been thinking about these verses as we have been going over them in church. These verses are both convicting amd encouraging. Only through Christ, will we find the narrow gate, or even begin to look for it. It is His incredible grace that gives us a desire to seek Him. The narrow road is a hard one with few friends. This is the life of a Christian. When we are being discouraged or persecuted, we can be encouraged to know that we are on the right path, and that His grace is sufficient for us. Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Will Preborn Lives Be Endangered By Healthcare Reform?

2009-07-21T12:45:00.003-05:00

There has been a lot of talk lately of what President Obama is planning to do with the the healthcare bill, and when he's going to implement it. The question is how will this affect us, as Christians? Right now, the healthcare plan that is before Congress will mandate taxpayer- funded abortion coverage. Focus on the Family's analysts currently believe that "the healthcare reform plan--as currently written--would result in the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade." This is a dangerous plan with many repurcussions, that our government is discussing. It wouldn't protect the right of conscience for those medical professionals who choose not to perform abortions. We must pray for our leaders and the government, that either way, God would use this for His purposes and His glory. Here is a video from Focus on the Family, explaining how this healthcare plan will endanger unborn lives. http://www.citizenlink.org/videofeatures/A000010516.cfm

College?

2009-07-10T15:37:00.003-05:00

As summer comes to a close (can you believe it!), and the school year approaches; I've been thinking about the prospect of going off to college, and what implications that may have; especially for young women. Obviously everyone's opinion on the matter is different, and neither is it something so serious that we must break faith or felowship with others. Nevertheless, it is interesting to hear others thoughts on the matter, and see how they choose to handle this issue. Here is one girls' thoughts on the matter. ( Please note : This is merely here as food for thought, and does not mean that I necessarily agree with or condone the things talked about in this post.) Sarah's Site Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Interesting Post

2009-06-29T09:59:00.002-05:00

Here is a intriguing post I found on Boundless Line.

It's called "The Effects of Loud Music" by Ted Slater

Check it out!

Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Dichotomy or Trichotomy?

2009-06-18T19:40:00.001-05:00

The issue of Christian dichotomy versus trichotomy is one widely debated, and one that I hve just recently looked into. Here are some links to sites, where people with opposing views, give their opinions and reasons. I thought these were quite interesting. - Hank Hanegraff - Parchment and Pen - Spiritual Deviations Obviously, this isn't a life or death, lose your salvation kind of issue, but it's interesting to note what people think and why, based on Scritpure. Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Thought For Today

2009-06-10T13:28:00.002-05:00

God deserves all the glory, all the time. We know this, in our heads, but do we confirm this with our actions? We should guard and defend God's glory and His name. When others speak falsely against Him, we should be the ones to stand up, and speak the truth in love. Let us not seek to take His glory for ourselves. Everything that we have, our talents, our livelihood, our gifts, our salvation, is all because of Him. We would do well to remember that, and praise Him for it. Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Beware, Hypocrisy!

2009-06-05T20:03:00.004-05:00

I have been thinking lately about this issue of hypocrisy. One of the elders at our church recently prepared a message dealing with hypocrisy.(We were going through Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18). I think many of us don't realize how hypocritical we can be. Obviously it's widely known that hypocrites are in essence, fake people, but what does that truly mean, and are we, even as Christians, guilty of this? I learned that there are different kinds of hypocrisy. A hypocrite who fakes it to cover up a bad choice as well as one who fakes it to present an image of themselves that is far from reality. If we are honest with ourselves, even the best of us still deal with pride and self-image. I know for myself, that it's only by God's grace that I've been able to move away from that. Our human nature wants men's good opinion and praise. We care too much about our reputation and what people think about us. As a result, we are prime targets for the enemy. He can tempt us in our weakness, to compromise our convictions and beliefs. Let us be accountble to each other and stand strong. The truth, not lies, will set us free. Just an encouragement! :) Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T11:46:00.002-05:00

Here's a link to the Vision Forum website. It has some great thoughts and sayings related to this special holiday. Hope you enjoy! Vision Forum Memorial Day Celebration

Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Pro Ecclesia: The Lord of the Church

2009-05-15T13:42:00.003-05:00

This is a wonderful article posted by John MacArthur, whom I respect greatly, through Ligonier Ministries. The truth that Christ is Lord of His church may sound somewhat benign to a casual listener in our generation, but the struggle for Christ's authority in the church has come to us through the ages on a sea of blood. Thankfully, literal bloodshed over the issue is no longer very common. But faithful Christians are still waging a fierce moral and intellectual battle for Christ's lordship over the church. One of the major early catalysts in the Protestant Reformation was a book by Jan Hus, a Bohemian Christian who preceded Martin Luther by a full century. The book was De Ecclesia (The Church), and one of Hus' most profound points was proclaimed in the title of his fourth chapter: "Christ the Only Head of the Church." Hus wrote, "Neither is the pope the head nor are the cardinals the whole body of the [true] holy, universal, catholic church. For Christ alone is the head of that church." Pointing out that most church leaders in his era actually despised the lordship of Christ, Hus said, "To such a low pitch is the clergy come that they hate those who preach often and call Jesus Christ Lord." Hus' candor cost him his life. He was declared a heretic and burnt at the stake in 1415. More than a hundred years later, already at odds with the papal establishment, Martin Luther read De Ecclesia. After finishing the book, he wrote to a friend, "I have hitherto taught and held all the opinions of Jan Hus unawares; so did John Staupitz. In short, we are all Hussites without knowing it." Emboldened by his reading of Hus, the reformer took up the fight for Christ's honor as true head of His church. Luther wrote, "I am persuaded that if at this time, St. Peter, in person, should preach all the articles of Holy Scripture, and only deny the pope's authority, power, and primacy, and say, that the pope is not the head of all Christendom, they would cause him to be hanged. Yea, if Christ himself were again on earth, and should preach, without all doubt the pope would crucify him again." In many ways, the question, who is Lord of the church? was the over-arching issue of the Protestant Reformation from the start. (That's what Luther was tacitly acknowledging when he said "we are all Hussites.") Of course, Roman Catholic canon law still insists that the pope is her supreme earthly head and the ruling vicar of Christ in that capacity. But the historic Protestant commitment to Christ's lordship over the church has also subtly eroded, and that is a trend that deeply concerns me. It's an issue I have written much about over the years. For example, some evangelical leaders aggressively teach that it is not even necessary to confess Jesus as Lord in order to be saved. That's what the so-called "lordship controversy" is about. It would be hard to imagine a more obvious attack against the lordship of Christ over His church, but "no-lordship theology" has thrived for years and seems to be gaining strength. Evangelicals also gave birth to the "seeker-sensitive" movement wherein church services are tailored to please trend-savvy unbelievers. Novelties ranging from circus acts to slapstick are deliberately injected into corporate "worship" in order to keep worldly minds entertained. That is a practical denial of Christ's lordship over His church, relegating His Word and ordinances to secondary status while granting hedonistic fashions the right to determine even the order of worship. Feminists want to redefine the idea of headship, eliminating the idea of authority from the concept altogether. That, too, is a frontal attack on Christ's lordship over His church. Bible translators and paraphrasers who tamper with the true sense of God's Word; emergent church leaders who question the clarity of everything Christ has said; and above all, preachers who seem to talk about everything but Scripture -- all of them do what they do in direct defiance of Christ's rightful authority over His church. One thing would do more than anything else to answer every challenge to Christ's authority: the restoration of clear, powerful, expository preaching to its rightful place at the center of all the church's activities. If we truly believe Christ is Lord of the church, then the church needs to hear His voice. His Word must be proclaimed and its content taught accurately, systematically, and unrelentingly whenever the church comes together. Jan Hus said the same thing. Declaring that the lordship of Christ over His church means emphatically "that the Christian ought to follow the commandments of Christ," Hus then cited Acts 10:42 ("[Christ] commanded us to preach to the people") and called on church leaders of his day to preach the Word of God at every opportunity -- even though a papal bull was then in force, strictly limiting how and where the Scriptures could be proclaimed. The church today is badly in need of reformation again. And Christ's lordship over His church is still the central truth we must recover, which requires the unleashing of His Word among His people again. We cannot merely float along with the latest evangelical trends and expect things to get better. Like Jan Hus and Martin Luther, we need to fight for the honor and authority of Christ as Lord of His church. Tell me what you think of it :) Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

The Child Catcher of Vulgaria

2009-04-29T14:42:00.002-05:00

Here is an eye-opening post by Doug Phillips of Vision Forum. Read and beware!

http://www.visionforumministries.org/issues/news_and_reports/the_return_of_the_child_catche.aspx

Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

The Law Or Grace?

2009-04-15T22:03:00.003-05:00

Here is a paper I wrote for school, that talks about the issue of law and grace.

The Law versus Grace What is the difference between the law and grace? Can we have both? Does one enslave and the other liberate? These are some of the questions that arise when one thinks about this great controversy. This topic is widely debated and disagreed on, nevertheless, let us carefully observe this topic, and seek to come to accurate, biblical conclusions. The definition of law according to the 1828 Noah Webster’s dictionary is as follows. “A rule, particularly an established or permanent rule, prescribed by the supreme power of a state to its subjects, for regulating their actions, particularly their social actions.” Webster goes on to explain, “Laws are imperative or mandatory, commanding what shall be done; prohibitory, restraining from what is to be forborne; or permissive, declaring what may be done without incurring a penalty. The laws which enjoin the duties of piety and morality are prescribed by God and found in the Scriptures.” In contrast the definition for grace is, “Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.” Also, “The application of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner.” In the Old Testament, God had a covenant with His chosen people. After the Israelites were delivered out of Egypt, God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments through Moses. In addition to that, He also gave them specific laws on how to govern every area of their lives. These are covered in the last half of Exodus, as well as all through Leviticus and Numbers. Israel continuously failed in keeping all of God’s commands; nevertheless the numerous laws and regulations, such as circumcision, became part of their culture and lifestyle, and it was passed down from generation to generation. These laws served as symbols as well as reminders of their relationship with Almighty God. In Genesis 3:15, God first speaks of the new covenant, and reveals His grand plan for mankind. In many different parts of the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah, prophecy is spoken of the coming Messiah. Jeremiah 31:31 says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” The Israelites were not given any specifics, but it would suffice to say, they were taught to believe that a Messiah was coming to save them; from what it was not clear. As time went by with no sign of the Messiah, the Israelites became more and more entrenched in and attached to their traditions. By the time of the New Testament and the birth of John the Baptist, the Jews were hardened to change. A group of synagogue leaders rose up and over time created new rules on top of the long established commandments of God. These were created out of selfish motives and a desire to boast. These were, in turn, forced on the Jews. As a result, the Jews were taught to make their own conclusions about Scripture, instead of taking God at His word. Many of the new generations grew up believing that Messiah was coming as a king to deliver them from the oppression of the Roman rule. They also were persuaded that, by keeping all the laws created by the religious leaders, they would have access to Christ’s kingdom. In Matthew 5:17, Christ stated that He hadn’t come to abolish the law, but fulfill it. The new covenant was about God making a way for Jews, and later Gentiles, to come to Him, apart from the sacrifice of animals and such. By the shed blood of The Spotless Lamb, God’s wrath would be satisfied, atonement would be made, and we could be made right with God. Jesus came to fulfill every aspect of the law and prophecies, by His ministry, death, and resurrection. Nevertheless, the Jews were blind to this truth, and were set in their own ways. As we see in the gospels, the Jews persecuted Christ, and ultimately sentenced Him to death, for not being and doing what they expected. This stubborn mindset continued into the early church. The Jews had a hard time excepting that the gospel was intended for the Gentiles as well as themselves. They tried to come to a compromise, saying that the Gentiles could only be believers if they were circumcised. As a result, Paul and others had to address this issue head on. In order to be justified by God, you must have faith and be born again. Justification is brought about by faith; the faith that is given us by Christ. Christ awakens us and gives us the faith to trust in Him; in addition He gives us grace every day to do what He commands. Now, once we are saved, God’s grace does not give us a license to disobey continuously. We are still punished and judged for the sins we commit against God and against our brother. Now that Christ has come, we are no longer under the law but under grace. The law was given through Moses, but grace and the gospel was given through Christ Jesus. Jesus came to show a new way. In Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus tells the Jews about what they have previously been doing, explaining that their works are not enough and will never be enough to get them to heaven. Our righteousness doesn’t measure up to Christ. As Romans 3:23 states: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one does good, according to God, even though it may look that way. You must have a right action, paired with a right motive and a right goal, for that action to be considered “good”, by God. In our state of unbelief, no one can do good. The gospel is set up, so that no man can boast. There is nothing we contribute to our regeneration. Christ gives us the grace, the faith, and the ability to choose Him. If the gospel, were about works righteousness, then we would have reason to boast. We would then be able to say, because I have done all these good things, and you haven’t, I get to go to heaven and you don’t. Both the law and gospel have a purpose in a person’s life. The law is like a mirror, where we can get a glimpse of just how depraved we are. Even if we tried our hardest, there is no possible way that we could keep all of the law. The ceremonial law doesn’t apply to the Gentile, and although it is wise to implement aspects of the civil law, that is not required by non-Jews, either. The Ten Commandments and the moral laws, however, are for everyone. Once we see the state of our human nature, the gospel then drives us to Christ. We need both, to see Christ. Without the gospel we would have no knowledge or way to come to God, without the law we would never see our need for God. We must be careful, as we understand this. As with many principles, there is a ditch on both sides of the road. We must teach both the law and grace. We must not believe the lie, that there is nothing relevant to us in the Old Testament, and we shouldn’t solely teach about God’s grace and love. God is love, but He is also wrath; God gives grace, but He also gives judgment. It is necessary for the sinner to come to the end of himself and see is need for a Savior. On the other hand, we must not become like the Pharisees and be legalistic. We must not elevate the law to a place that Christ did not give it. We must not force our man-made laws on others, or give a false hope. We are justified because God declared us so, not because we managed to keep the whole law; we can do nothing to justify ourselves. Galatians 2:21 says: “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” Once we are justified, that does not mean we can go on sinning. We act out of who we are. Previously, we were sinful creatures, incapable of anything else, therefore sinning continuously. When we are regenerated, Christ gives a new nature; we are new creatures in Him. He also gives us the grace, to choose right, instead of sin; to choose to love by the Spirit instead of in our flesh. The act of Christ making us holy, and like His son, Jesus, is called sanctification. Sanctification is the fruit of justification. We are being sanctified, only because we have first been justified. In closing, we can see that the law and gospel both serve a purpose, and have a part in bringing a person to Christ. We must guard ourselves, so that we don’t fall into either ditch. So it’s not necessarily the law versus grace, but the law and grace.

Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

A Wonderful Article

2009-03-23T22:42:00.002-05:00

These are the thoughts of a very focused and godly young woman. I would encourage all to read her regular posts and articles on the Boundless website. www.boundless.org

Here is the link:

http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001998.cfm#share

Enjoy! Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

In This Manner, Therefore Pray

2009-03-16T22:46:00.003-05:00

"In Jesus' name we pray, Amen." Is this just habit, a formal closing in public prayer? Or, is it a powerful declaration that we who pray in that name are in him to whom that name belongs? Well, Christians from the time of Christ onward have prayed in the name of God's Son. But only for the past two-hundred years or so has that name been relegated to the end of every prayer. Even though in many prayers it may be added as an afterthought, a nice closing that informs others in the room the prayer is about to end, the practice itself became popular during this modern era when the deity of the Son was being everywhere challenged. Ending petitions to the Father in the name of Jesus was a way for orthodox Christians to defend his divinity. Nonetheless, praying in his name -- whether at the beginning, middle, or end of a prayer -- has much scriptural warrant. The apostle John records Jesus saying, "In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you" (16:23). Far from a how-to lesson on "name-it-and-claim-it" prayer, Jesus is preparing his disciples for a time when he would not be present with them in the body. After his ascension, the disciples will not be able to ask Jesus anything at all to his face; but at the same time, after his ascension, they will have the Holy Spirit revealing truth to them. Thus, they will be able to petition the Father directly in the name of the Messiah, that is, in a spirit of full agreement with the will and purposes of Jesus, whose will was, of course, always in accord with his Father's. Praying in his name, then, simply means that we are privileged to implore the Father boldly through the authority of his Son. In the name of the Logos, our Lord, we express praise and adoration of the sovereign God. In the name of Christ, our Messiah, we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. In the name of the Savior, our Shepherd and Overseer, we give thanks to God for his great goodness and profound love. In the name of the Son of Man, we petition God for ourselves and others, entreating him to show mercy and grace by virtue of our union with the Suffering Servant, who, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." Instead, Jesus gave up his power and glory, becoming like one of us (Phil. 2:6-8). So, then, may we become like him, and may our praying in the name of Jesus be more than a mood-setting formal ending.

These wonderful thoughts are reflected through, Chris Donato. Here is the link.

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/2009/03/all-hail-the-power.html

Great Vision Forum Deals!

2009-03-05T14:18:00.005-06:00

Some great sales are going on at Vision Forum. I would encourage all to take advantage of them, before it's too late :)

The Moody Science DVD's are at a greatly discounted price; but this deal ends March 11th. These DVD's are great tools for adults and children to see the the wonderful things God has created in our world, and they help anchor our biblical worldview.

You should also check out "The Little Boy Down The Road" by Doug Phillips.

The Little Boy Down the Road is a collection of humorous and thought-provoking short stories and essays on family and fatherhood that reveal the beauty of the Christian household. It is a book about the nobility of the commonplace events in life and the special epiphanies of parenthood—the moments of supreme clarity where parents realize, as if coming out of a slumber—the inexpressible preciousness of the Christian family and the unbounding love of Christ to shower sinful men with such earthly joys.

Here is an excerpt from the book.

http://vf.sparklist.com/t/3380660/6154304/160654/0/

http://vf.sparklist.com/t/3380660/6154304/161416/0/

Blessings, Ahlaischa

Charles Darwin: The Man, The Legend

2009-02-16T16:48:00.002-06:00

This being the bicenntenial month of Charles Darwin's birth, I thought it appropriate to post something about this well-known man.

Here is an article about Darwin, from Vision Forum titled " What I Teach My Children About Charles Darwin".

http://www.visionforum.com/hottopics/newsletters/newsletter.aspx?id=02-12-09

I would enourage you to read it, and consider any past assumptions you may have had about Darwin, and evaluate his work, through the lens of Scripture.

P.S. As this is the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, it is also the 500th birthday of John Calvin, a equally influential and visionary man.

Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

The Myth of Objectivity

2009-01-26T21:53:00.002-06:00

“One of the first duties of man is not to be duped, to be aware of his world; and to derive the significance of human experience from events that never occurred is surely an enterprise of doubtful value. To establish the facts is always in order, and is indeed the first duty of the historian; but to suppose that the facts, once established in all their fullness, will ‘speak for themselves’ is an illusion. It was perhaps peculiarly the illusion of those historians of the last century who found some special magic in the word ‘scientific.’ The scientific historian, it seems, was one who set forth the facts without injecting any extraneous meaning into them.”[1] —Carl Becker (1873–1945) This statement by Carl Becker does indeed speak for it self. As we look at the myth of so called objectivity, let us remember those words. The winners of any contest, whether intellectual, political, or military, work very hard to formulate the history of the conflict so their side of the story is told in the best possible light. As one might expect, there is a great deal of bias in the way history is reported. In order to put the historical accounting in the best possible light for those who are reading the history for the first time, sometimes the facts are manipulated just enough to reinforce the impression that the right side did indeed win the contest and left the opposition in the dust. There are some cases where contrary facts are never brought into the discussion so as not to raise questions and doubts in the mind of readers that there might have been a good reason why there was a debate in the first place. And it isn’t beyond some historians to manufacture their own versions of historical events and then hope that no one notices or checks the original sources. Facts are never neutral, and they do not speak for themselves.[2] Facts are lined up in defense of a position and then interpreted. Some facts never make it to the interpreter’s table. Too many people believe that newscasters, journalists, and scientists simply “report the facts” devoid of biases, preconceived assumptions, or political agendas. This is hardly the case as James Davison Hunter points out in his book Culture Wars: In the very act of selecting the stories to cover, the books to publish and review, the film and music to air, and the art to exhibit, these institutions effectively define what topics are important and which issues are relevant—worthy of public consideration. Moreover, in the substance of the stories covered, books published and reviewed, art exhibited, and so on, the mass media act as a filter through which our perceptions of the world around us take shape. Thus, by virtue of the decisions made by those who control the mass media—seemingly innocuous decisions made day to day and year to year—those who work within these institutions cumulatively wield enormous power.[3] The fact that a story even gets on a thirtyminute news slot should make all of us question the notion of neutrality in reporting or in anything else. There is no such thing as pure, unfiltered, pristine news or history. All news and historical accounting is bias, whether liberal or conservative. It’s the result of how we want the world to be seen.[4] Of course, the way we see the world is the right way to see the world. Anyone who sees the world in a different way is seeing it the wrong way. “Network anchor David Brinkley once admitted, ‘News is what I say it is—it’s something worth knowing by my standards!”[5] William Proctor, a veteran reporter and author who has worked for the New York Daily News, explains that the “[media] gospel is rooted in a kind of secular theology that purports to convey infallible social, moral, and political truth—a truth that the paper [The New York Times] fervently promotes with all the zeal of the fieriest proselytizer.”[6] Proctor describes the editorial and news-gathering policy at the Times as “Manhattan Fundamentalism,” “a well-defined but also rather rigid package of viewpoints which the paper disseminates widely to influence political, social, and personal beliefs and behaviors.”[7] Even the choice of a story shows bias. Marvin Olasky writes: “Since only an omniscient God can be truly objective, man’s “objectivity” is inherently biased, TIME staffers, recognizing that, increasingly emphasize subjectivity, but that’s no solution either.”[8] In 1986, Robert Bazell of NBC, admitted that “Objectivity is a fallacy. . . . There are different opinions, but you don’t have to give them equal weight.” Linda Ellerbee wrote that “There is no such thing as objectivity. Any reporter who tells you he’s objective is lying to you.”[9] The coldly objective, rationalistic, and materialistic field of science claims to be immune from presuppositional bias. At least that’s what scientists want non-scientists like us to believe. Science is not an objective field of study, and it doesn’t operate independent of certain non-empirical starting assumptions, as Paul Davies, Professor of Mathematical Physics, points out: However successful our scientific explanations may be, they always have certain starting assumptions built in. For example, an explanation of some phenomenon in terms of physics presupposes the validity of the laws of physics, which are taken as given. But one may ask where these laws come from in the first place. One could even question the origin of logic upon which all scientific reasoning is founded. Sooner or later we all have to accept something as given, whether is God, or logic, or a set of laws, or some other foundation for existence. Thus “ultimate” questions will always lie beyond the scope of empirical science as it is usually defined.[10] Beyond these “ultimate” questions, there are certain presuppositions that prevail among materialist philosophers and scientists that color the facts. How is it possible to reason with Lawrence Lerner, professor emeritus at California State University in Long Beach, when he claims, “There are no alternatives to evolution that are science,” and that all the “alternatives are religious”?[11] Any piece of evidence that is put forth that might contradict the evolutionary model will be dismissed out of hand as non-factual, creating an interpretive “Catch-22.” At the same time, Lerner and other evolutionists will claim that they are being scientifically objective when they evaluate the facts. Evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould has written: “The stereotype of a fully rational and objective ‘scientific method,’ with individual scientists as logical (and interchangeable) robots, is self-serving mythology.”[12] Objectivity and neutrality, as they relate to the defense of one’s worldview, are myths. Beware of the man who tells you that he will explain—fully explain—any complex human action or event by resort to “coldly objective,” “empirically verifiable,” “statistical data.” He is deceiving himself, and perhaps seeking to deceive you. For in the first place we do not all see the same event in exactly the same way, let alone interpret it the same way—not even events which do not involve the complicating factor of human purpose.[13] While the study of the facts of history is of the utmost importance, we must never forget that someone is always choosing what facts will go in textbook and how they should be interpreted. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Footnotes:[1] Carl Becker, “Everyman His Own Historian,” American Historical Association.[2] Roy A. Clouser, The Myth of Religious Neutrality: An Essay on the Hidden Role of Religious Belief in Theories (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1991), 26–27.[3] James Davison Hunter, Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America (New York: Basic Books, 1991), 225.[4] Bernard Goldberg, Bias: CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News (Washington, D.C.: Regnery, 2002), 5.[5] David Brinkley, quoted by Edith Efron, “Why Speech on Television Is Not Rally Free,” TV Guide (April 11, 1964), 7. Quoted in Colleen Cook, All That Glitters: A News-Person Explores the World of Television (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 32.[6] William Proctor, The Gospel According to the New York Times: How the World’s Most Powerful News Organization Shapes Your Mind and Values (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2000), 11–12[7] Proctor, The Gospel According to the New York Times, 31.[8] Marvin Olasky, “Progress Report: A Changing WORLD amid a subjective TIME,” World (October 14, 2006), 40.[9] Dinesh D’Souza, “Mr. Donaldson Goes to Washington,” Policy Review (Summer 1986), 24–31. Quoted in Marvin Olasky, Prodigal Press: The AntiChristian Bias of the American News Media (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1988), 59.[10] Paul Davies, The Mind of God: The Scientific Basis for a Rational World (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992), 15.[11] Mary MacDonald, “A textbook case in Cobb County,” Atlanta-Journal Constitution (April 14, 2002), F1.[12] Stephen Jay Gould, “In the Mind of the Beholder,” Natural History (February 1994), 103:14.[13] Silvester Petro,The Kingsport Strike (New Rochelle, NY: Arlington House, 1967), 27–28.ill Courtesy of American Vision Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

No More Posts

2008-12-18T22:32:00.002-06:00

Due to the business of my current schedule, I am choosing not to write any more blog posts, until after the New Year's holiday. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas; may God's grace and mercy be with you into 2009! In Christ, Ahlaischa

The Demographic Winter

2008-11-28T20:41:00.002-06:00

I have recently watched a documentary with my family called "The Demographic Winter". It is quite thought-provoking; and you sit down and think about it, it can be very frightening as well. I would encourage all to get a hold of a copy, and view it. Now, I do not agree with everything that is said in this documentary, nor am I encouraging anyone to do so. This is simply something interesting to get you thinking about where we, as a nation, could be headed.

Here is the website with all the information about it, as well as a trailer.

http://www.demographicwinter.com/index.html

In Christ, Ahlaischa

A Wonderful Post By American Vision

2008-11-14T21:28:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to post this interesting and thought provoking post that I found. It's written by Gary DeMar, the President of American Vision.

“You can’t change just one thing” and “You can’t beat something with nothing” are foundational to American Vision’s mission. While American Vision has been working for 30 years to set the intellectual and apologetic foundation for the development of a comprehensive Christian worldview, there has always been a missing element. I’ve been having conversations with lots of people who have no idea what’s going on in the realm of colliding worldviews. What you and I argue instinctively, there are tens of millions of Americans who don’t even know the categories of the ongoing debate over the existence of God, the role of the State in society, church-state issues, eschatology, economics, and morality. I’ll mention some books and authors in conversations with people I meet that are familiar to most people who frequent this site. I get blank stares. Nothing registers. Why? We’ve been speaking to the Christian choir. Of course, this has been necessary since the majority of Christians are as ignorant as the general public on these same issues. You should read some of my emails if you think I’m exaggerating.

One way to reach the general public is to travel on Roman roads and use the Koine(common) language of the day. Rome built roads for commercial and political (military) reasons. Christians used these same roads to convert the Empire. Koine Greek unified the Greek Empire and became the common language of subsequent empires. This common language helped spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire before the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 (Rom. 1:8; 10:18; 16:25-26; Col. 1:6, 23).

Latin replaced Greek, and Jerome’s 5th-century Vulgate was the new language bridge to those who could read. The church resisted new vernacular translations. Wycliffe and Tyndale were persecuted for their translation efforts. Can you imagine the church fighting to stop people from translating the Bible so the common people could read it and know their Savior? There is a church near my house that has a sign out front that reads “We sing old hymns” and “We use the KJV.” I suspect that those who attend the church are also old, and the church is having a difficult time reaching the generations that will replace the old-hymn singers. This and future generations will be reached by a new set of roads and common language. . . . To Be Directed to the Full Article Click Here

For discussions on a variety of worldview topics visit the FREE Worldview Forums Here.Don't forget to check out the discussion of the day!

Gary DeMar is the President of American Vision

"In the State We Trustt"

by Gary DeMar

I’ve been watching the debate over privatizing some parts of Social Security and have been amazed at the reaction of liberals. The head of NOW does not support any type of privatization. When she was asked to explain her position in light of her pro-abortion stance of “choice,” she offered a smile and said the government is needed to protect citizens in their retirement years. But what of “choice”? Why not give people a choice to do what they want with their own money? It’s OK for a woman in her child-bearing years to exercise unfettered choice in the killing of her preborn child, but when it comes to real choice about a person’s own money, the government should play a significant role. While government should stay out of our bedroom, it has a vested interest in our wallets.

A certain segment of the population is afraid of freedom. The side you take in the presentSocial Security debate says a lot about your view of economic and political freedom. While tyrrany is often forced upon a population from the muzzle of a gun, it can also be imposed gradually on a savior-starved people. The history of socialism and communism is the history of how people prefer slavery-in the name of security-over freedom. . . . To Be Directed to the Full Article Click Here

For discussions on a variety of worldview topics visit the FREE Worldview Forums Here.

Gary DeMar is the President of American Vision

Reformation!

2008-11-10T21:29:00.004-06:00

The events surrounding the Reformation have always interested me, and caused me to be passionate about reformation in our day. As you look back in history at the key events and people, you can't help but be " set on fire". During the month of October, my family did studies from a book called Family Worship For the Reformation Season by Ray Rhodes Jr. We learned about devoted and faithful people such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, George Whitfield, the Puritan leaders, and John Bunyan. In each of these mens' lives, God showed incredible grace to them and their work and caused them to see the truth about Him, His Word, and His people. Through God's providence they were able to speak that truth that had been revealed to them, to all those around them who were stuck; stuck in their rituals, false beliefs, and practices. As I read through this history, and thought about it, I realized that the Reformation of 1509 isn't much different than the reformation that is happening right now.

People are essentially the same; throughout all times and circumstances, we have the same wicked natures and inclinations, and are still prone to the same things. Just as the people of the sixteenth century desperately needed a reformation, or revival if you will, so do we in this perilous twenty-first century. True Christians will never be the majority, but God has shown throughout His Word, that he is all about preserving His elect. From Adam to Seth, from Abram(nation of Israel) to Joseph, from David to our beloved Messiah, Jesus Christ is faithful to His people. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!

Let us live reformed lives, boldly, and let us embrace the history of the Reformation and learn from it. Our day is undeniably wicked, but let us not lose heart. As I have been so encouraged, allow me to encourage you. Whatever the state of the economy, politics, or the heart of man, God is still sovereign over all the affairs of men; He is actively involved with His creation. Press on! Consciously choose to do, say, and think things that are pleasing to Him. Through Christ we can do anything, for His glory. Reform hearts! Reform homes! Reform families! Reform churches!

This is a huge task that we can not possibly accomplish on our own. It was at many times overwhelming and discouraging for Calvin, Spurgeon, and Brewster. Nevertheless, the pressed on, all the time with the ultimate goal in mind; to bring people back to the truth of the Word of God.

This year is at a close, and next year will mark the 500th anniversary of The Reformation. I would encourage anyone to read up on the events, places, and heroes of that time, and glean all they can from it. The significance of it all, in addition to noting that reformation is desperately needed now, should penetrate your min and cause you to be passionate about the true gospel.

Semper Reformanda!!

Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

P.S.

Speaking of the Reformation, Vision Forum Ministries, is putting on a History of The World Mega-Conference, Reformation 500 Celebration. I would encourage all who are able, to consider making the trip as a family. It promises to be a wonderful and enlightening experience for everyone. Details about schedules, speakers, dated, costs, etc. can be found at this link.http://www.visionforumministries.org/events/r500/

Choosing God's Will

2008-10-27T22:33:00.002-05:00

A major goal of wholesome, healthy Christians is the hope of reaching maturity before death overtakes us. I will tell you without hesitation that one of my major goals in life is to grow up as I grow older. A commendable etching on a gravestone would be: "Here lies a man who kept growing as he kept aging." Growing up and growing old need to walk hand in hand. Never doubt it: maturing is a slow, arduous process. Job accomplished it; he reached that goal. Small wonder we read that he died an old man and full of days. He lived the rest of his 140 years full of enthusiasm and passion. What an enviable way to finish life. When trouble comes we have two options. We can view it as an intrusion, an outrage, or we can see it as an opportunity to respond in specific obedience to God's will---that rugged virtue James calls "endurance." Endurance is not jaw-clenched resignation, nor is it passive acquiescence. It's "a long obedience in the same direction." It's staying on the path of obedience despite counter-indications. It's a dogged determination to pursue holiness when the conditions of holiness are not favorable. It's a choice in the midst of our suffering to do what God has asked us to do, whatever it is, and for as long as He asks us to do it. As Oswald Chambers wrote, "To choose suffering makes no sense at all; to choose God's will in the midst of our suffering makes all the sense in the world." Where are you today? Where is your journey leading you? More importantly, which option have you chosen? Are you viewing your trial as an outrage or an opportunity? Try hard not to forget the lessons Job teaches us about ourselves. It will make an enormous difference. As you grow older, keep growing up. And, instead of simply reading about the life of Job, begin living that kind of life. That makes all the sense in the world, doesn't it? ~ Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa ~

Tagged!

2008-10-21T17:33:00.005-05:00

Well ,I've been tagged! I have been meaning to do these, and find that I now have the time. They all look so fun and enjoyable. I was tagged by Jasmine for this one; so here goes!! 1) Fav smell: cinnamon sweet bread 2) Fav food: cheese, eggs, avacados, guacamole, and anything Mexican :) 3) Fav color: Blue, blue, beautiful blue 4) Fav drink: root beer, vitamin water 5) Fav treat : eggnog, ice cream 6) Fav place to visit: my family's 60+ acre farm in Crockett, Tx 7) Fav candy: starburst, yum! 8) Fav movie to watch: Gladiator, or anything with Russell Crowe in it ;) 9) Fav clothing to wear: I love wearing fall and winter stuff, like cute sweaters, turtlenecks ,and most definitley boots! 10) Fav outdoor activity: walking in the fall time 11) Fav football team : New England Patriots!!! You can't go wrong with Tom Brady, Wes Welkner, Randy Moss, and Laurence Mahroney.( I also love the Colts, and NY Giants; I love football :) 12) Fav Fall Holiday: well, I'm going to have to say Thanksgiving 13) Fav Haunted Place(haunted as in frequently visited) : my mom's cushy reclining chair in the den 14) Fav Food@ Thanksgiving: my meemaw's dressing(I think I hear it calling my name) 15) Fav Pie: definitely sweet potato pie 16) Fav Fall Hobby: decorating for fall time! 17) Fav Fall Memory: ah, the memories of family get-togethers for Thanksgiving dinner...... 18) Fav Fall Sight: oh, the leaves turning red, yellow, and brown 19) Overall Fav Fall Thing: probably Thanksgiving holiday 20) Fav Season: what do you know, it happens to be fall! Ah, I'm so glad that fall and daylight savings time is upon us! I tag whoever hasn't done this one already, and whoever wants to do it! Blessings, Ahlaischa

Behemoth is Here!

2008-10-15T22:18:00.003-05:00

A new branch of Vision Forum Ministies is finally here! Behemoth is an excellent resource for downloadable media for the entire family. I would encourage all to go see the new website and to sign up for the e-mail list so you can recieve special offers. So here is the website; go check it out!!! http://behemoth.com/ Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Changes!

2008-10-14T14:02:00.002-05:00

It's been a while, and I've been thinking(a noble practice:). I have decided to change the name and theme of my blog. The topics I blog about are the things that I have been meditating on. I strive to glorify God in everything, and that translates into making sure that my thoughts are and written works are pleasing to Him. We are commanded in Scripture to "take every thought captive to the glory of God the Father". This is my goal in everyday life, as well as the theme of my blog. I have been blessed with parents who know the gravity of the thought life, and teach their children to discipline their minds.(See the blog post called: "Wanted:Thinkers".) P.S. I have also simplified the address to blog: www.think-godly.blogspot.com Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa :)

Solitude, Peacefulness, and All Things Calm

2008-09-08T20:15:00.001-05:00

I've been recently contemplating the importance of "quiet time". A time where there are no other distractions, and you can clearly think. This is relevant when considering quiet time with the Lord. How much time, out of our busy days, do we take to think upon the things of God? To think about how gracious and merciful He is to us every day, to think about the principles and commandments that are so clearly laid out in His Word, to think upon His holiness. It goes without saying, that we have quite enough things to fill our day with, as well as our mind. There are meals to be prepared, school to be done, places to go, people to talk to, cleaning to be done, and little ones that need help. In spite of the business of our lives, we must see the value in setting aside time to meditate on God, to pray, and to read the Scriptures. We are to give our heart's affection to Him! During these times of solitude, God can convict us and speak to us through His Word. We have time to examine our heart's motives to see whether they are pure. The specific time of day does not take priority, so much as the fact that we discipline our minds to rest, and think on godliness and all that applies. I find that it is helpful at the beginning of the day, to have my mind set on pure, righteous ,and holy things as I step into the tumult of the demands within the day. With the school year progressing and the holidays soon upon us, we all should keep this in the forefront of our minds. It is a discpline and it's by no means easy, but the benefits exceed the work in every way, fleshed out in how we deal with those around us, from day to day. When we are drowning in the load of each day, when we are tired and unfocused, when we are busying ourselves to the brink, take time to" be still and know that He is God". Soli Deo Gloria, -Ahlaischa

Politics.... Yikes!

2008-08-30T21:14:00.002-05:00

I believe that this is the first post that I've done on politics. It can be a touchy subject, but it's a great interest of mine. I enjoy evaluating things in the political realm, and then discerning by means of God's Word. I am conservative in my views, but I do not wish to be in any way obnoxious. The presidential campaign of 2008 has been a whirlwind and quite a show and has, as a result, brought on many unlearned viewers who impulsively say things that they "feel in their gut", based in no part on reason. I seek to be sensible and diplomatic through the whirlwind. I will not say specific things that I have discerned about all that are involved, as I do not wish to make this more than it was meant to be. I believe that the fact that we have a young, black man running for the Democrats, and a liberal Republican with a inexperienced, young woman as his VP, just goes to show that we are near the end times. We should not be surprised as this unfolds knowing that we have been rightly warned in the Scriptures of the days when evil will prevail. We all should be on our guard, using discernment and wisdom as we pray for this election process. Our trust is fully in Christ's sovereignty and power. Many others have written wonderful posts about this issue, that I would wholeheartedly recommend to you. These are a few select ones.

www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/Blog

www.joyfullyathome.blogspot.com

www.visionforum.com/hottopics/blogs/dwp

As my "Meemaw" would say; it's all in God's hands!

Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

The Love of Learning

2008-08-04T20:48:00.003-05:00

Wow, time slips by so quickly;it never ceases to amaze me. It seems like summer just started and here it is already August, and nearly time for school to start again! As I get back in routine, and start thinking about academics, I'm reminded about the kind of attitude we should have about learning. When you're young, school can so many times seem to be a drudgery,and quite pointless. You just want to get the minimal amount of work done, so that you can go off and play. I've been guilty of this many times. As I grow older though, academics has taken on a different meaning. The priority is now cultivating my relationship with Christ, and everything comes secondary to that. The same way that we should be maturing in our walk with Christ, we should be maturing in our attitude towards schooling. No one should have to tell us what to research, or create a schedule for us. I'm not saying that teachers or parents can't provide direction and advice, but we should be self- motivated. I've had to come to the place where I re-evalute some things, and ask myself some hard questions. Learning should be a joy, and it shouldn't stop with formal academic schoolwork. As we move into the high school and/or college years, we should be taking charge of our own education, and realizing the importance and long- lasting results that it will have. For example, when I started high school, my mother stopped printing assignment sheets each week for me. She simply told me what needed to happen within the day, and I was responsible for figuring out how to get it all done in a timely manner. This transition teaches much needed responsiblity and time management. What are you passionate about? What are you interested in? Take those things and find ways to research and learn more about them. If music practice and excerise is important to you, then find a way to integrate it into your daily schedule. In all things, we must seek God's guidance and obey His word. Learning to be a homemaker can be a part of your every day life. Walk alongside your mother, ask questions, and learn things from her. If you plan to go off to college, find out the prerequisites for geting there, make wise descisions, and apply good work ethic. Cultivate a love for reading, and you will surely cultivate a love of learning. The majority of things can be discovered, and learned in a book, or in an article somewhere. Any passion, talent, interest, or hobby can be turned into a business. Take certain opportunities. Most important of all, we must all love to learn about God's Word. We can never exhaust it, and never know everything about it. Delight in His commands and choose to obey them. Honor God with your life, choose to let Him work through you; make it count. Take the time every day to learn something new! Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

A Helpful Vision Forum Article

2008-07-21T21:46:00.002-05:00

I just stumbled upon a thought provoking article by Vision Forum, about biomedical ethics. I recommend all to read it, and contemplate. http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download/ShowLetter/file.html?box=Inbox&MsgId=7266_39263_1308_2111_12431_0_689_38799_863007692&bodyPart=2.1&filename=file.html&download=1&YY=34647&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b&Idx=2 Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Interesting Article

2008-07-21T21:31:00.002-05:00

Hey, everyone! I found this to be an intriuging article, and confirmation towards the depravity of man. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49074 When you read it, just be sure to contemplate. Soli Deo Gloria, Ahlaischa

Wanted:Thinkers!

2008-06-16T20:52:00.002-05:00

As Christians, in this culture, it is absolutely crucial to think. Our world is centered around entertainment. Media in general, has desensitized us as people. We no longer take the time to think things through; we are no longer encouraged or challenged to question and test. My parents lovingly have taken the time to explain the importance of thinking. Without this practice, destruction is sure to come, unsuspectingly. There is a valid reason that we are likened to sheep in the Scriptures. When you really think about it, we act as one with the masses. If everyone else is doing, saying, or wearing it, why shouldn't I? I would definetely recommend a book called Amusing Ourselves To Death written by Neil Postman. It explains the plight we are in, in understandable terms. We as children of God, should be well practiced in thinking before we do or say something, and we should be consistent in holding our standards up to The Bible. I believe in knowing what you believe in why. My hope, in this vile culture, rests in the remnant of Christians who still believe in thinking, who have an insatiable hunger for learning ,who appreciates the hard work that goes into knowing where they stand theologically. As Tedd Koppel states" We communicate with everyone, yet say nothing". For America, it's all about the superficial, shallow and meaningless. Thinking is hard work, and therfore requires discipline, but it is immensely rewarding. It is essential for survival.

Musically Inclined

2008-06-02T21:13:00.002-05:00

I've been told that I am musically inclined, whether or not that is really true, I'm not sure(I have been playing piano for about ten years). As I think about the "realm" of music, I realize that this area is a "slippery slope". It is all to easy to fall into sin in this area, and to be naive about certain aspects of music. I believe that when you decide to listen to something, you must examine your motives for wanting to listen to that particular song, or buy that exact CD. Music, because it is an emotion based part of media as a whole, has a way of seeping into your heart and dwelling there. You hear a catchy tune or like the style or beat, and soon find yourself memorizing the words to that song. You are saying things that you may not believe in or that goes completely against your worldview, without even realizing it. An excuse could be" Well, it's not like I will actually do or believe what the song says, I just like the tune." At this point, we need to be especially careful, remebering what Paul says in 1 Cor. 10:12, " Therefore let himwho thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall."(NASB) It's like I stated earlier, this is a slippery slope, and we all need to be aware of it and take heed, especially those who may be musically inclined.

Leaving a Legacy Pt.2

2008-05-29T21:34:00.002-05:00

Another note on leaving legacies. I just recently linked to the site of two teenage brothers who are committed to being radical for Christ. Their site is THE REBELUTION, and the name itself suggests that they are passionate about rebelling against the world's ways, in order to revolutionize the culture around them. Great site, excellent content, dedicated Christian teens(dislike using that worldly term;). Wholeheartedly recommend site, if looking to leave a legacy in your own life.

Vulnerability and Transparency

2008-05-29T21:19:00.002-05:00

Just been thinking lately of what it means to be transparent/real with others. I was reading in my quiet time earlier this morning, about how its always better to air on the side of authenticity. I believe that we should definetely be accountable and true with those trusted members in our church body. Being accountable to not only your family, but to the church body as well, requires that people, at the very least respect you for being real. No one can trust you if you always put on a fake image to please people, and are never the same person twice. I do believe that we should do what we can to promote a good name and reputation for ourselves in our circles. Also, for those of us who are daughters in their father's household, we should definetely be seeking to do and say things that will build him and his vision up, in the eyes of others. On the other hand we should not care desperately of what others think of us or what they might say about us; our main focus needs to be furthering God's kingdom and obeying Him completely. That might require terms such as "radical", or "weird" to be said of us. On the note of transparency and accountability, hidden sin always finds you out, so be willing to be vulnerable to a select, few, trusted people.

Leaving a Legacy

2008-05-19T20:36:00.005-05:00

I am blessed to have parents who believe that "to be one of the herd, is to be nothing". They've passed that mentality on to me. I've been thinking lately of what it is to leave a legacy. To be noticeably different for the right reasons. I believe that we should know what we believe and why we believe it. I think that even if someone had very wrong views about something, I would respect them for standing up and speaking out confidently. We shouldn't care what others may say or think about us. Now, don't get me wrong, I do believe that we need to cultivate a noble view of our reputation, but our focus should be God and His glory. This means not being influenced so easily, if you are one to lean in that direction. You must be able and willling to filter everything you see, hear, and observe in general through the lens of God's Holy Word. When we die ,as we all will, what will we be primarily remembered for? Will it be for always being a "pretty easygoing, compliant person" who just sort of went with the flow? Or will it be for standing firm on the principles and commands in God's Word? I pray that one day people will be able to say of me, " That Ahlaischa girl was really strange and she didn't put up with a lot of nonsense, but I respected her because she always spoke the truth in love, no matter the outcome. And she never allowed herself to be swayed by the things of this world, but she trusted in her God and depended on Him for her very livelihood, which she used to serve and glorify Him." That would be a legacy worth living for. P.S. This is completely off subject, but just in case anyone is wondering how to pronounce my name, here it is. It's like Asia, the continent, but uh-l- and then asia. uh-lasia :)

BLOGGING NOVICE

2008-05-06T18:40:00.002-05:00

That's me. I'd probably be what you'd call a blogging novice. This is my first attempt at a blog. I've gotten some good advice though, so hopefully it will be a success. This blog has a twofold purpose. One, to be able to express myself freely through my writing and two, to practice my writing skills. I am a sophmore in high school, who just recently realized the value of communicating your thoughts in written or verbalized words. It really is an essential skill for life. My goal is that over time anyone who reads the content of this blog will 1) Understand in essence who I am and 2) be either challenged or encouraged in their relationship with Christ. I would appriciate any helpful comments from those of you who are more experieneced at this then I am. Be patient with the newbie! Until next time, tripleA

Hello Everyone!

2008-05-06T17:57:00.000-05:00

wow, I'm finally blogging!