There is indeed nothing new under the sun, as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes.

Tiger Woods is a world-class golfer, arguably the best to ever play the game. He makes millions of dollars a year from golf salary and endorsements. He has a beautiful, Swedish wife and two kids. Millions look up to him.

It’s hard to imagine that someone like that would cheat on his wife.

The exact details are none of my business, but I have to wonder if Woods is learning what Solomon learned around 3,000 years ago: a life where you have everything you could possibly want, apart from a relationship with God, will leave you absolutely miserable.

Solomon had knowledge, wisdom, wealth, fame, and all the women he could possibly want. What did he say about it? “All is vanity.”

Let me start this post by discussing the Mosaic Covenant. It was given to Moses by God as part of his divine plan for us. That part of His plan being to show that humanity just did not understand God at all. So many of the “heroes” of the Old Testament did not heed the Ten Commandments. They murdered entire cities and peoples for their own glory, worshiped idols (as Solomon did), coveted the wives others (as David did). That is but a few examples. It shows that even the greatest of those times were depraved in their own lusts. They did not have the ability to follow God’s word. If the penalty for this had been carried out, which was death, then all mankind would be dead right now by it’s own hand.

This was the purpose of the coming of the Messiah. God made himself the lowest of men in the flesh in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus was God’s way of communicating in a very earthly way about how the Israelites just did not get the picture of who God is. He taught only messages of love and how to live a better way of life. Jesus did not destroy the law but he fulfilled it. He gave us just two commandments to follow; to love God with everything we are and have and to love one another as He loves us. Made it so easy. This new covenant was made for us because we had not to power to save ourselves from a life of iniquity. This was sealed when Christ died on the cross.

When Christ died on the cross, ALL of humanity died with him to law. When he rose from the dead so did we. We were all born again from above as a people. Lord Jesus even made the Gentiles family with Jews as heirs to the kingdom. God does not dwell on our sins either. All mankind has God in themselves now. We have the chance to act in a likeness to Jesus Christ, to love as he loves. To be givers, not takers, as Christ is. I am so thankful for everything Jesus has done for mankind and myself, that I may also teach this good news to the uninformed. There is a New Covenant and the old one is dead and buried.

Thank you, Lord Jesus! Thank you for your blood which washed away all of our sins! Thank you for loving us so unconditionally! Praise God! Praise Jesus Christ! Forever and ever, amen!

Although it goes against my earlier intention, but because the last post sparked such great conversation, I thought I would also include my exegesis from the same paper. Hopefully, an illustration will be beneficial.

“The pericope I Kings 9:26-11:43 is an apt case-study for the methodology outlined here.  Verse 41, a conclusion to the preceding text, is an obvious example of such support. “Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did as well as his wisdom, are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon?” (NRSV) This explanation reminds the reader that the interest of the text is not historical. There is a more specific, theological purpose accompanying this short and concise history of Solomon.

This text also uniquely evidences the usefulness of a diachronic approach. Chapters 10 and 11 present two contrasting visions of Solomonic rule. On the one hand, Solomon’s commercial success climaxes with a visit from the Queen of Sheba and establishes a vision of an earthly Kingdom which fuels Israelite eschatological hope. Yet, the vision of earthly glory is immediately followed by the Deuteronomic judgment and the impending troubles for Solomon and the house of David. The two together compose a conflicting and perplexing situation for the reader and the prophetic voice which wishes to speak a word for and to the church and the world.

The voice of the text in this pericope begins by relaying the extravagant success of Solomon. When chapter 10 is taken together with 9:26-28 an interesting parenthesis and logical development in the text becomes clear. A short account of Solomon’s shipping activity from Edom to Ophir is immediately followed by what the reader can suppose is the effect of Solomon’s nautical trade—interest from foreign dignitaries. The account of the visit by the Queen of Sheba is then followed by another implication of Solomon’s trading and commercial ventures. Chapter 10, verses 14-29 is completely devoted to the opulence and excess that Solomon brought to the monarchy and Jerusalem. The threefold sequence develops logically.

The three subjects – nautical trade, the visit of the world’s royalty, and a gold-lain capital – become more than the sum of their parts. Within these three components lies the seed for an eschatological hope. Naturally, a community’s hope for the future will be based upon the highest points of its history. Solomon does indeed represent such a point, if not in justice and righteousness then in sheer economic and military power. As Walter Brueggemann points out, the text from verse 14 to 29 in chapter 10 can be summarized as containing the list of Solomon’s accumulation of wealth, wisdom, and power.[1] From these measures, Israel, during the rule of Solomon, has reached her utmost status.

This utmost status can be characterized by the three criteria of nautical trade, visits from foreign dignitaries, and an opulent capital, which becomes the seed for Israel’s imaginative hope while in exile. This hope becomes characterized by restoration and by eschatological features. It is perhaps most poignantly expressed in Isaiah 60.

Verse 5-6

Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Verse 9a

Your gates shall always be open; day and night they shall not be shut, so that nations shall bring you their wealth, with their kings led in procession

Verse 11

For the coastlands shall wait for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from far away, their silver and gold with them, (NRSV)

The gold-lain capital, while hinted at by various other prophets (Ezekiel for instance), as an image of ultimate restoration, is fully employed by the author of the Book of Revelation. The Jerusalem of Solomon’s day is only bested in scripture by this other more complete New Jerusalem. As for the gold and frankincense, Brueggemann relates that the common double reference to gold and spices can be more specifically referred to as “gold and frankincense,” linking the two passages in question further.[2] The ships of Tarshish are also found in the I Kings text, “For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.” (Verse 22, NRSV) It is clear that the memory of Solomonic Israel was alive and well in the exiled Israel. In fact, the opulence and power of that situation has characterized the formula of restoration and of the eschaton for Israel.

However, the culminating text and chapter, which follows chapter 10, is unconcerned with the grand vision surrounding the community’s memory of Solomon. While chapter 10 is celebrative, chapter 11 is a theological judgment on the monarchy.[3] The judgment which follows the tale of Solomon is a characteristic method employed by the narrator in Kings. First, the summary, account, and narrative of their rule, then a short and concise theological judgment follows.[4]

This judgment is Deuternomic. The kings are judged solely by their opting for or against Yahweh based upon their keeping of Torah.[5] This is entirely in keeping with the general attribution of the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, and I-II Samuel and Kings to the “Deuteronomic Historian.”[6] The Deuteronomic perspective, according to Gerhard von Rad, is identifiable by its “standards of judgment found only in Deuteronomy, or predominantly in Deuteronomy, [these standards] are accepted as normative for evaluation of the past.”[7]

The standards of Torah, found in Deuteronomy, indict and convict Solomon. While many examples of Torah breaking occur prior to this final account[8] the final and kingdom-breaking judgment is against Solomon’s idolatry. It is interesting to note that the account of Solomon’s idolatry is preceded by an account of another indissoluble requirement of Torah. By taking foreign wives Solomon seems to have effectively doomed himself to following other gods. The text says “For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods” (11:4).

Two significant implications could be teased out further. First, Solomon seems doomed to idolatry. A terribly powerful relationship between sex and worship is hinted at in the text. Solomon seems destined for idolatry the minute the narrator explains he kept 700 princesses and 300 concubines in his harem. In fact, the close relationship between whom Solomon keeps in his harem and whom Yahweh keeps in his own harem is being carefully explicated by this account. When Solomon marries those “which the Lord had said to the Israelites, ‘You shall not enter into marriage with them,’” (11:2) he is to some degree stepping outside of the Torah guarded harem of Yahweh.

Another implication is found in the purpose of royal marriage. Solomon’s marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter was likely political. It can be assumed without fault that the predominant number of Solomon’s marriages were carried out in the interest of consolidating power. There develops a clear logical line between Solomon’s opulence, excess, and power and the taking of foreign wives and his idolatry. What Brueggemann calls the effects of the “Royal Community” are clearly at work here.[9] Solomon’s failures therefore do not begin in Chapter 11, but can be traced back to 1 Kings 2 and, perhaps to his father David as well. It would seem Jerusalem has been as much a drunken Babylon as it has been the seed for the image of the New Jerusalem.

The theological judgment against Solomon is ambiguous enough to warrant this interpretation. According to Ralph Klein, the Deuteronomic Historian inserts analyses into the text in identifiable speeches or prayers found in the mouths of the narration’s leading figures.[10] One such speech can be found ascribed to Yahweh in I Kings 11:7-13. “Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, ‘Since this has been your mind and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from your hand and give it to your servant.’” However, there remains grace, “Yet for the sake of your father David I will not do it in your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand your son.”

There is a mixed picture present in this judgment. On the one hand, the Deuteronomist perspective condemns Solomon because he violated torah. It does not matter which violations he accrued, any forsaking of the covenant is enough. On the other hand, Royal Theology[11] maintains there is something of especial interest to Yahweh about David, the monarchy, and the city Jerusalem. In fact there is enough interest that for the sake of all three, Yahweh will abide with Israel’s whoring a while longer. The two perspectives – of covenant and torah and of grace – share the same space in the judgment.

The pericope 9:28-11:43 also carry two seemingly conflicting perspectives. Nautical trade and foreign royalty converge centripetally on an opulent and powerful Jerusalem in both the I Kings account and later prophetic visions of restoration, such as that of Isaiah 60. Yet, the majesty and power of Solomon’s rule means not to the Deuteronomist. All the glory and power of Solomon is predicated upon the breaking of Torah and is as the author of Ecclesiastes aptly described it: meaningless. The consolidation of power occurs insidiously – as if to confirm the suspicions the Deuteronomist has always held against an Israelite monarchy. Indeed, there remains a hazy, yet prominent, link between such consolidation and the final undoing of the Solomonic regime.

A heavy task remains for the author of Isaiah. To compile two powerful images, seemingly at odds with each other and with their own significant theological weight and right would not be easy. It is a difficult theological undertaking to understand and incorporate the goodness of Solomon’s opulence with the judgment and source of exile that follows it.

Isaiah does however include such earthly and monarchial glory with the Deuteronomist’s stinging and resounding judgment. “The shepherds also have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, to their own gain, one and all. “Come,” they say, “let us get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink. And tomorrow will be like today, great beyond measure” (Isaiah 56:11-12). “Instead of bronze I [that is Yahweh] will bring gold, instead of iron I will bring silver; instead of wood, bronze, instead of stones, iron. I will appoint Peace as your overseer and Righteousness as your taskmaster” (Isaiah 60:17)

There is a heavy and important difference in the source of Isaiah’s opulence and glory. While it seems unlikely Solomon could have accumulated such wealth and power without breaking Torah, it is through the very keeping of Torah – abstinence from the Technique of Solomon – that the holy community is given the things removed from Solomon. The bringer is Yahweh, who responds to a covenant people, not a regime of wealth, wisdom, and power.

[2] Brueggemann, 1 & 2 Kings, 138.

[3] Ibid., 141.

[4] Ibid., 141.

[5] Gerhard von Rad, The Problem of the Hexateuch, 206.

[6] The term Deuteronomic Historian originates with Martin Noth in 1943. Ralph Klein, Israel in Exile (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1979), 23.

[7] Gerhard von Rad, The Problem of the Hexateuch, 206.

[8] The implementation of forced labor (I Kings 5:13-18) and the accumulation of horses and chariots (I Kings 4:26), compare with the prohibitions against such things (Deuteronomy 24:14 and 17 and 17:16, respectively).

[9] See the Prophetic Imagination. Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001).

[10] Klein, Israel in Exile, 23.

[11] Brueggemann, 1 & 2 Kings, 144.

2 Chronicles 1:6-12

Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.  Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you.  And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

Solomon certainly had his faults, but this he got exactly right…  God gave him the chance to ask for anything he wanted and Solomon chose wisely.  Money, power, fame, comfort, he could’ve had it all with one simple word but he chose “wisdom” instead.

In that instant, God made Himself vulnerable to Solomon.  He promised to give Solomon whatever he asked for and waited to see the heart of His servant revealed.

God’s question seems almost unbelievable to me until I realize that that divine encounter is replayed in the hearts and lives of God’s servants every single day.  I have a hard time wrapping my mind around God’s logic that day and I have an even harder time wrapping my mind around His reasoning behind asking me the same question.

Matthew 7:7 — “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Mark 11:24 — “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

John 16:23-24 — “I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

That’s not, by any means, an exhaustive list of the times God tells me to ask and receive from Him.  There’s something special in the relationship between “asker” and “askee,” isn’t there?  When we, like Solomon, ask for what our heart most desires, we become vulnerable to a God that sees through to the heart.  God looks at our heart and judges the motive behind the ask.

I wonder what would happen if we stopped asking for things like money, popularity and comfort and started asking for things like wisdom, courage and discipline.

I suspect that we would discover a deeper level of integrity.  And with that integrity, we would find a more God-centered ministry.

There’s power in THE ASK.  Check your motives and tap into it.

If things were right in front of your eyes, would you notice them?

Nu cred, realist vorbind, ca mai este cineva care crede ca Traian Basescu mai poate castiga alegerile de duminica viitoare. Nici macar Traian Basescu. Poate EBA, dar nu sunt sigur.

Zilele trecute, pana vineri seara, am fost prin Dolj. Am organizat echipele comune de campanie cu cei de la PSD, am stabilit evenimentele unde participam impreuna, marea majoritate fiind, ca la tara, targurile saptamanale. Apoi am constatat ca nici noi, nici cei de la PSD, nu mai avem niciun fel de materiale electorale. Am dat telefoane, m-am agitat incercand sa mai gasesc cate ceva. Apoi m-am resemnat si am plecat la Bucuresti sa vad meciul de rugby.

Astazi am vorbit cu cei care au participat la aceste actiuni. Noi eram 250 de membri PNL si PSD, iar cei de la PD erau 15, bine dotati cu galeti, pungi de plastic si alte obiecte portocalii. Nu intru in detalii dar va spun ca, in mediul rural, daca ajungi in stadiul in care sa nu ai cui sa imparti ceva pe gratis esti pierdut.

Apoi este Solomon. Autorul celebrei declaratii „sunt gata sa tradez pe oricine pentru Craiova” a si pus aceasta declaratie in practica. A declarat ca nu mai vrea sa coordoneze campania electorala si a disparut. Se zice ca ar fi intr-o delegatie in strainatate dar, asa cum il cunosc eu pe Solomon, este undeva pe a treia luna a lui Jupiter fara semnal la telefon, intrebandu-se daca sa treaca la PSD sau la PNL.

Si inca ceva. Urmariti aparitiile TV. Nu mai ies la bataie decat cei care nu mai au alternative fara Traian Basescu. Macovei, Cristian Preda, Voinescu, Hoara. Baronii stau ascunsi sau dau mesaje cu talc. Cam ca Blaga, care da mesaje nu numai la TV, dar si prin contacte informale. Se pregateste omul si am impresia ca stie ce urmeaza si ce are de facut.

Lichtgeschwindigkeit 90 MERKEL Demokratieschwäche

die ungeschnittene Piraten-Presseschau –

am Freitag, 27. November 2009,

von Dr. Dietmar Moews im Alphons-Silbermann-Zentrum,

Berlin Pankow, Niederschönhausen;

ferner BILD Berlin/Brandenburg, Tageszeitung TAZ,

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung von Freitag, 27. November 2009

sowie Eulenspiegel November 2009.

Piratenthema heute: Merkel zeigt Demokratieschwäche.

Merkels schwarz-gelbe Koalition im Sinkflug – mangels

Integrationsverständnis und mangels Demokratieverständnis

ihrer Selbstverteidigungsminister.. Kanzlerin Merkel hält

Vizekanzler Westerwelle (FDP) für einen geeigneten

Mitspieler und Kanzlerin Merkel hält Hessens Ministerpräsident

Roland Koch (CDU) für einen geeigneten Mitspieler.

Koch hatte Franz Josef Jung in Merkels Kabinett gedrückt,

obgleich Jung zweifellos überfordert, unverlässlich und als

Selbstverteidigungsminister gescheitert war.

Heute musste Jung die Regierung verlassen. Heute verließ

Ministerin Von der Leyen (CDU) ihr Familienressort,

um Jung nachzufolgen, von der Leyen folgt die junge Hessin

Kristina Köhler nach, Kochs neue CDU-Brechstange mit

BND-Kompetenz. Der neue Selbstverteidigungsminister

zu Guttenberg (CSU) hat nun die Aufklärung des

Kunduz-Kriegsunfalles angekündigt. Denn Guttenberg

wackelt selbst. Auch er hat – wie Minister Jung – ungeprüft

die Kunduzfehler wegzuleugnen versucht. Die deutschen

Soldaten in Afghanistan werden infolge solcher Kampfeinsätze

selbst Angriffsziel der Taliban. Herr Selbstverteidungsminister,

was wissen sie über private Blackwater-Soldaten im

Hindukusch-Bündnis?

So wie Merkel die Jung-Personalie zuzurechnen ist, ist ihr

die SWIFT-Sache anzulasten.

Der schwarz-gelbe Broiler scheint gar nicht zu begreifen,

dass solche schwerwiegenden Rechtsstaats- und

Demokratieaussetzungen, die gesamte Staats- und

Gesellschaftsintegration durchlöchert, auf die unsere liberale

Sozialdemokratie aber angewiesen ist. Merkels Politikstil

steigert die Entsolidarisierung in Deutwschland.

Piratenthema SWIFT: Die Bundesländer wehren sich gegen

das geplante Swift-Abkommen zur Weitergabe von Bankdaten

an die USA. Kurz vor der entscheidenden Sitzung der

EU-Minister an diesem Montag forderte der Bundesrat, es

müsse wirksamer Rechtsschutz gewährt werden. Die

Bundesregierung dürfe im Ministerrat weder zustimmen

noch sich enthalten. Über alle Parteigrenzen hinweg

wurde das Abkommen mit den USA als nicht rechtsstaatlich

kritisiert. Zur Terrorabwehr sollen Bankdaten von EU- Bürgern

an amerikanische Sicherheitsbehörden weitergegeben werden.

Dieser Zugriff wird auch von den deutschen Banken abgelehnt.

Es lohnt sich lokal, vor dem eigenen Rathaus,

auf Selbstbestimmung zu pochen und gegen SWIFT

Piratenflagge zu zeigen.

Piratenthema: Piratenpartei Deutschland vermeldet:

Piratenpartei erhält den Politikaward 2009

vergeben von der Zeitschrift im Helios-Verlag Berlin

politik&kommunikation.

Produktion, Performance, Autor, Direktion: Dr. Dietmar Moews,

Piratencrew Berlin,

Musik: Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonate Nr. 32 op. 111,

es spielte Solomon

Lichtgeschwindigkeit 90 PIRATEN EU-Swiftabkommen

die ungeschnittene Piraten-Presseschau – am Donnerstag,

26. November 2009, von Dr. Dietmar Moews im

Alphons-Silbermann-Zentrum, Berlin Pankow, Niederschönhausen;

ferner BILD Berlin/Brandenburg, BILD Berlin/Brandenburg,

Tageszeitung TAZ und Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

von Donnerstag, 26. November 2009.

Piratenthema heute: Burgfrieden in der Innenpolitik zwischen

Union und FDP? Ohne Selbstauflösung der FDP stehen die

Wahlversprechen und die Kautelen des gültigen

Koalitionsvertrages zur Innenpolitik und zur Datensicherheit

zum Thema SWIFT-ABKOMMEN in unversöhnlichen Gegensatz.

SWIFT ist eine Verpflichtung des EU-Ministerrats dazu,

dass amerikanischen Antiterrorbehörden Zugang zu europäischen

Bankdaten gewährt sein sollen. Die FDP will das ablehnen.

Der Bundesinnenminister de Maizière (CDU) der das

deutsche Mandat in Brüssel wahrnimmt, will diesem

SWIFT-Abkommen durch Stimmenthaltung zustimmen.

Im gültigen Koalitionsvertrag wurde hierzu aber vereinbart,

dass vorab die jeweiligen nationalen Parlamente aller

27 EU-Mitgliedstaaten für sich abstimmen sollen,

also auch der Deutsche Bundestag. Da heißt es:

Das Abkommen ist unter Ratifizierungsvorbehalt gestellt.

Das unterschlagen jetzt alle, auch die FDP.

Und im Entwurf der schwedischen EU-Präsidentschaft

sind die nationalen Parlamente gar nicht mehr erwähnt.

INFORMATION: Die EU ist ähnlich dem deutschen

Föderalismus gegliedert: EU-Ministerrat; EU-Kommssion;

EU-Parlament. Der qualitative Unterschied besteht darin,

dass das EU-Parlament den Ministerrat wenig und die

Kommission so gut wie nicht kontrolliert bzw. nicht steuern kann.

Dies geschieht von den nationalen Parlamenten bzw.

im alle SWIFT durch die Bundesregierung.

KURZ: Frau Merkel ist entscheidend für SWIFT:

Die Society for World wide Interbank Financial

Telecommunication (1973 von Banke gegründet; Sitz in Belgien).

Nach Angaben der TAZ vom 26. November 2009, werden

über SWIFT heute alle internationalen Banküberweisungen

abgewickelt. Swift verbindet 8.600 Finanzinstitute

in über 200 Ländern. Die EU behauptet, eigenes

Interesse an der Anwendung des US-Programms TFTP

(Terrorist Financing Tracking Program) – die Daten würden

nach fünf Jahren gelöscht usw.

Die Piraten fragen: Wer finanziert auf welchen Wegen

den Terrorismus und die Kriege?

Eine PIRATEN-Demonstration in Brüssel wäre die

angemessene APO-Reaktion., FORDERUNG:

Vertagung der Abstimmung – denn mit dem 1. Dezember

tritt der Lissabon-Vertrag in kraft und damit wäre das

EU-Parlament für die SWIFT-Entscheidung zuständig.

Hier in Strassbourg sind PIRATEN im Parlament.

Weitere Gegenstimmen kommen aus Italien,

Österreich und Griechenland. (s. a. PM, 26. 11. 2009

Daniel Flachshaar auf Piratenpartei.de).

Produktion, Performance, Autor, Direktion:

Dr. Dietmar Moews, Piratencrew Berlin,

Musik: Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonate Nr. 32 op. 111,

es spielte Solomon

Lichtgeschwindigkeit 90, EU-Swiftabkommen, Globus mit Vorgarten, Berlin Pankow, BILD Berlin/Brandenburg, Tageszeitung TAZ und Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Innenpolitik, Bankdaten, Bundesinnenminister de Maizière (CDU), 27 EU-Mitgliedstaaten, FDP, EU-Präsidentschaft, EU-Kommission; EU-Parlament, EU-Ministerrat, Merkel, Society for World wide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, TAZ, 26. November 2009, Swift, TFTP, Terrorist Financing Tracking Program, Terrorismus, Krieg, PIRATEN-Demonstration, Lissabon-Vertrag, EU-Parlament, Strassbourg, PIRATEN im Parlament, Produktion, Performance, Autor, Direktion, Dr. Dietmar Moews, Piratencrew Berlin, Musik, Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonate Nr. 32 op. 111, Solomon

Lichtgeschwindigkeit 90 PIRATEN EU-Swiftabkommen

die ungeschnittene Piraten-Presseschau – am Donnerstag, 26. November 2009, von Dr. Dietmar Moews im Alphons-Silbermann-Zentrum, Berlin Pankow, Niederschönhausen; ferner BILD Berlin/Brandenburg, BILD Berlin/Brandenburg, Tageszeitung TAZ und Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung von Donnerstag, 26. November 2009.

Piratenthema heute: Burgfrieden in der Innenpolitik zwischen Union und FDP? Ohne Selbstauflösung der FDP stehen die Wahlversprechen und die Kautelen des gültigen Koalitionsvertrages zur Innenpolitik und zur Datensicherheit zum Thema SWIFT-ABKOMMEN in unversöhnlichen Gegensatz. SWIFT ist eine Verpflichtung des EU-Ministerrats dazu, dass amerikanischen Antiterrorbehörden Zugang zu europäischen Bankdaten gewährt sein sollen. Die FDP will das ablehnen. Der Bundesinnenminister de Maizière (CDU) der das deutsche Mandat in Brüssel wahrnimmt, will diesem SWIFT-Abkommen durch Stimmenthaltung zustimmen. Im gültigen Koalitionsvertrag wurde hierzu aber vereinbart, dass vorab die jeweiligen nationalen Parlamente aller 27 EU-Mitgliedstaaten für sich abstimmen sollen, also auch der Deutsche Bundestag. Da heißt es: Das Abkommen ist unter Ratifizierungsvorbehalt gestellt.

Das unterschlagen jetzt alle, auch die FDP. Und im Entwurf der schwedischen EU-Präsidentschaft sind die nationalen Parlamente gar nicht mehr erwähnt.

INFORMATION: Die EU ist ähnlich dem deutschen Föderalismus gegliedert: EU-Ministerrat; EU-Kommssion; EU-Parlament. Der qualitative Unterschied besteht darin, dass das EU-Parlament den Ministerrat wenig und die Kommission so gut wie nicht kontrolliert bzw. nicht steuern kann. Dies geschieht von den nationalen Parlamenten bzw. im alle SWIFT durch die Bundesregierung. KURZ: Frau Merkel ist entscheidend für SWIFT: Die Society for World wide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (1973 von Banke gegründet; Sitz in Belgien).

Nach Angaben der TAZ vom 26. November 2009, werden über SWIFT heute alle internationalen Banküberweisungen abgewickelt. Swift verbindet 8.600 Finanzinstitute

in über 200 Ländern. Die EU behauptet, eigenes Interesse an der Anwendung des US-Programms TFTP (Terrorist Financing Tracking Program) – die Daten würden nach fünf Jahren gelöscht usw.

Die Piraten fragen: Wer finanziert auf welchen Wegen den Terrorismus und die Kriege?

Eine PIRATEN-Demonstration in Brüssel wäre die angemessene APO-Reaktion., FORDERUNG: Vertagung der Abstimmung – denn mit dem 1. Dezember tritt der Lissabon-Vertrag in kraft und damit wäre das EU-Parlament für die SWIFT-Entscheidung zuständig.

Hier in Strassbourg sind PIRATEN im Parlament. Weitere Gegenstimmen kommen aus Italien, Österreich und Griechenland. (s. a. PM, 26. 11. 2009 Daniel Flachshaar auf Piratenpartei.de).

Produktion, Performance, Autor, Direktion, Dr. Dietmar Moews, Piratencrew Berlin, Musik: Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonate Nr. 32 op. 111, es spielte Solomon

My son came home from PreK with a paper pilgrim hat the other day.  After admiring his handiwork, my mind went to the obvious place.  

Pilgrim names.

Spokane’s Spokesman-Review reminds us that back in 1620, first baby born to the Pilgrims in New England was named Peregrine.  Big brother was called Resolved.  

There were, of course, plenty of men called John and William and women named Mary and Anne.  

The more interesting masculine names worn by Plymouth Rock arrivals included:

• Isaac
• Bartholomew
• Love
• Wrestling
• Moses
• Desire
• Degory (though he may have been Gregory.  Or Digory – we don’t know much about him.)
• Giles (brother to Constance, Damaris and Oceanus)
• Oceanus (born en route to Plymouth – see above)
• Solomon
• Jasper
• Myles (Standish, of course)

There were fewer women, but a few stand-out names:

• Remember
• Humility
• Constance (sister to Damaris, Oceanus and Giles) 
• Damaris (see above)
• Priscilla

I’ve read estimates that only around 25% of the Purtians ever had names that would’ve seemed unusual in their day.  If that’s true, then 75% answered to ordinary appellations for their time, like James and Elizabeth.  

It also seems surprisingly consistent with modern day experience.  Around three-quarters of all kids born in the US receive a Top 1000 name.  In the nineteenth century, names ranking in the 900s were only given to a few kids; today, names at those same rankings are worn by a few hundred.  Really unusual names have never been terribly common – but neither was there a moment where every boy was Robert and every girl was Jane. 

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel of scandal amongst the Puritans, The Scarlet Letter, introduced a few unusual names not worn by the original settlers, including Hester and Pearl.  Most of the other names were unremarkable – Arthur and Roger aren’t popular today, but they don’t make you think of the novel, either.  

Even in fiction, not every Puritan was called Flee-Fornication.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Okay, so…yeah.  It’s Thanksgiving weekend.  Are you counting your blessings?  Are you cooking like a mad fiend?  I have to tell you that I am thankful for a lot of things–the health of my family, my crazy/beautiful Family of Choice, the benevolence of the Universe and, right this second, the dudes at Abstract Earth Project.  They keep our lives fun, don’t they?  Take, for instance, tonight:

Should be super yum; grimy, dubsteppy, soul-filled fun.  Let’s all give Keith and Peter hugs when we see them tonight?  kthx.

• If Joker’s not yer bag o’ fun, be sure to stop by Rotture for Fall Brawl.  No cover!  4 DJ teams, playing consecutive 30-minute sets all night long.  Rude Dudes and Holla n’ Oates and Club Crooks are some of my own local faves.  And the FOMO is getting me that I don’t get to check out Dundiggy (vs. Matt Nelkin) before the Rusko show.  Crap!  If you check it out, will you fill me in on all the fun, dancy details later?

I will be in Salem for the holiday, eating and drinking and carousing with my family for a bit.  This means I may have some time to kick it with the old Salem crew for a couple days.  Hit me up on email partymom [at] kerichang [dot] com.  Phone doesn’t work so well down there on Hidden Valley…

And Friday!  Dance those calories off at FUBAR

Everyone’s favorite team of handsome deejays will arise from all tryptophan-induced naps to bring you bangers and fun.  Bring Nathan Detroit some turkey and stuffing–I bet he’d hug you.

Saturday:

Babylon System….awww, yeah.  These are some dudes that know from sex for your ears.  Gonna be HOT.  And Boy Meets Club and BehniBubu just make it that much more appealing.  Have you been to BC’s?  I’ve been there once and I do love this little basement bar.

Should you require options for your Saturday night, there’s also:

• Dr. Adam is playing Massive 13 at The Crown Room.  Big party, great cause, awesome musical guests.

• Looks like there’s something going down at 24ten–LipLocked.  Might be a hot one.  My dear friend, Bryan Zentz, is playing and, well, he is just a magician behind the decks.

Don’t forget about Sonic Jelly on at Mt. Tabor Theater Lounge on Monday
____________________________________________________________

• Solovox-a-Thon still going on.  If you want to help Portland’s favorite electronic madman partake in Black Friday so he can continue to make “phat beatz and dope jamz,” you can hand Mischief some cash at The Vortex on Thursday or PayPal it to me at kerichang7 [at] gmail [dot] com.  Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Your generosity is absolutely heartwarming to me and positively stunning to Solovox himself.
• Huge, huge THANK YOU to Andy Sterling and k8 for helping me with my car this week and props to Beaverton Hyundai for taking care of my sweet Cruella deLuxuryCar!
• UPCOMING…DON’T MISS THIS!

• And just because:

Happy Family Tryptophan Day.  Drive safely this holiday.  I am thankful for you.

According to CNN’s American Morning and the NYT, the cheap, cute Zhu Zhu hamster made in China is the “hottest toy” this holiday season. In fact, American parents are scrambling nationwide to get the popular toy for their little ones in time for Christmas. According to the American toymaker’s founder Russell Hornsby, “zhu zhu” denotes “little pig”: However, babynamescountry.com says that the name “Zhu” means “master or owner.”

Perhaps, Zhu Zhu means both “little pig” and “master master.” If so, it would be a propos. I.e., if American consumers continue to be “little pigs” in their purchases of such Chinese imports (vis-a-vis Chinese consumption of U.S. exports) and America continues to borrow money from China at an ungodly rate, China may well become the “master master.” As Solomon sagely said, “[T]he borrower is servant to the lender.” [Proverbs 22:7] This truth is beginning to sink in for the American people as they see values that their leaders had once clarionly championed, e.g., freedom of religion, human rights, etc., get shorter and shorter shrift in American/Chinese dialogue in tandem with the increase in American indebtedness.

However, even if “Zhu Zhu” merely means “little pigs” as a euphemistic moniker for hamsters as it most probably does, it would do well to remember its other possible meanings. Whether it be a Chinese dig or an ironic name, either (or, in fact, both) can be instructive for Americans and their children as they celebrate this special season and plan for another economically challenging year.

There are times in this life when sorrow rolls over us and peace is far away. There are times when our sin is ever before us. The phrase, “Are we having fun yet?” is a sarcastic remark that permeates pop culture. Usually, when we ask this question, we are feeling the exact opposite. “Are we having fun yet?” may have, in fact, made a good title to some of the chapters in the book of Ecclesiastes. Many of the issues we find in the wisdom literature still exist today.

Solomon recognizes times of trouble, times of sin, times of conflict. He sees much around him that is without endurance and without foundation. He sees that we live in a broken world where bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. We see twisting of justice. We see a lack of fairness. It is not life itself that is unprofitable or vanity. Rather, vanity comes from living to the world’s standards of success and happiness. Successful jobs, praise from others, material possessions, pushing boundaries – none of these things fulfill man’s purpose nor provide enduring contentment.

Seeking the Next Fix

We grow dull and desensitized to those things that give us joy and excitement. Solomon begins looking for pleasure in chapter 2, but that is not enough. He then moves on to building great works – houses, gardens, parks, pools, etc. Verse 7 then transitions to material possessions. He has servants, flocks, silver and gold. It begins with him seeking pleasure, and he moves on time and again to the next fix. By verses 10-12, Solomon indulges in any and every joy he sees – whether wise or foolish.

By chapter 2:17-20, all of this brings him despair and dissatisfaction. He seeks pleasure in this life, regardless of the source. Hebrews 11:24-25, in the context of Moses’ life, speaks of the pleasures of sin, yet the writer calls these pleasures seasonal. They are temporary and transient. Moses recognizes this and chooses God. While we acknowledge the ability of sin to deliver pleasure and satisfaction, but what long-term gains come from it. Romans 6:20 calls sin freedom from righteousness, but verse 21 asks what the point it, though, when the end of that freedom is destruction.

Discovering True Contentment

Can respect, honor, dignity, and love come from living in sin? Paul says no – shame and death come from sin. Are we having fun yet, while we continue to distance ourselves from God? Returning to Ecclesiastes 2, however, Solomon sees hope. In verses 22-24, he sees that one can enjoy life in this broken world while acknowledging God and keeping Him in perspective. Chapter 5:18 reinforces this idea of enjoying our possessions and labors in gratitude to God. Chapter 8:12 reminds us that those who do good will do well before God. He concludes in chapter 12 by admonishing us all to remember our Creator and to live our lives for Him.

Solomon recognizes that striving after fulfillment in this life ultimately results in vanity. No matter how we try to ignore it or run from it, we know eternity awaits us. Many aspects of life lose meaning without God. Without Him, all these pleasures and achievements are mere distractions that will leave voids needing to be filled again and again. Are we having fun yet? Perhaps that is the wrong question altogether. Paul asks of the fruits of sin, but he offers hope in Romans 6:22-23. We are free from sin in Christ’s sacrifice, and he concludes where Solomon concludes: serve God. We can enjoy the things of this life, but we have meaning and contentment when we acknowledge the temporary nature of this world. In serving God and obeying Him, we can enjoy life and find peace in a broken world.

lesson by Tim Smelser

In 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings, we read about the praise Solomon received from the king of Tyre and later by the Queen of Sheba.  God had given Solomon honor and greatness to go with the wisdom God said he would have to judge his people.  Solomon exceeded all kings before him and after him in wealth and honor.  After he had built the temple and his own house  along with another house for his Egyptian wife, he lost some direction in his life and turned away from God to some degree.

What I am going to concentrate on is the way Satan attacked S0lomon.  This honor and this praise built up Solomon’s ego and resulted in him becoming high-minded.  Satan was behind this in getting Solomon to become high-minded.  What were the manifestations that came to fruition in Solomon’s character as a result of this high-mindedness?  He began thinking of himself more highly than he should and as a result, he began seeing himself as always right about all things.  One could not disagree with him or that person would face the consequences of his wrath turning on him or her.

Jereboam was anointed at God’s command to rule 10 tribes of Israel after Solomon’s death.  Jereboam, although not a sterling character had not done anything to stir Solomon’s wrath on him at this time, but Solomon sought his life for being in his mind an adversary to Solomon.  Solomon’s ego had been built up so high and found fertile soil in his heart to grow, that Solomon now could not abide anyone who was not in agreement with him.

Barack Obama has had the same thing happen to him.  So many people have heaped praise on him that it has found fertile soil in his heart.  You cannot disagree with him and thus he has this Solomon or Nebuchadnezzar narcism controlling his thoughts.  People refer to him as the Messiah, and he does not try to dissuade anyone from heaping this praise on him.  Why?  Because, he is in complete agreement with such statements.  This is what we face today.  He will not compromise with his stated goals, and he will not play to the polls to achieve his ambitions.  He will keep trying until he crushes all opposition.  He will attack without mercy all who stand up to him or oppose his policies.

“Jeremiah’s Prophecies: The End of the United States” tells us what the end result will be for this country by having a Nebuchadnezzar personality in charge of this country.  Obama wants to lead us into a communist dictatorship and God will let him if we do not as a nation and especially those in his church repent now for allowing this country to turn so far away from God.  God is more and more everyday being expelled from our nation and society.  God help us if we do not repent now.  Uh oh, I forgot; God will not help us if we do not repent now.

So here we are in San Diego, for the annual Heninger Toyota Partner’s Trip, and so far it is fantastic! What a lovely city. Our flight left on Saturday, and was relatively uneventful. I finally got to watch Julie & Julia on the plane, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Meryl Streep was fabulous, and I had no idea that Julia Child was such a cutie, and that she touched so many people. I also really liked the idea of blogging your way through a cookbook and making every recipe inside of it. I would love to do it with the Art of French Cooking, but I don’t think that  it really goes with my current state of health and vegetarianism. So maybe I will try it with one of my raw cookbooks. You never know!

Once we arrived in San Diego, we hopped a shuttle to the rental car place. I rented our car with Dollar, because it always comes out to be the cheapest price. And we also discovered before we left, that if you confirm you reservation before you leave, the price will drop. So our rental car ended up costing us something like $20 a day. Crazy huh? So we ended up with a Ford Mustang. I HATE MUSTANGS! I always have, but it’s kind of a laugh driving around in one, especially being in California and mostly surrounded by small hybrid, or environmentally conscious cars! Oh well.

We arrived at the Bayfront Hilton, just after 3:30pm and it is beautiful. I know, I know, we always stay at Hiltons. But they are great! And this one is right on the bay and totally gorgeous. Our room wasn’t quite ready, so we left our bags with the bell desk and went off to find something to eat. We ended up at the Fox Sports Grill (in the hotel). John had been to one with Matt in Phoenix and said that it was quite good. There were quite a few people in there watching College Football, which is a huge event down here in the states, more so than NFL and Americans are hugely addicted to NFL. anyways, the food ended up being mediocre, as did the service. Our waitress looked at us as if we had a third-eye when we ordered. I’m not sure what her deal was, and it took her forever to come over and take our order too. John started with the soup of the day which was a chicken gumbo. It turned out to be more like gravy poured over rice, with a few pieces of chicken. And then he had the burger which he said was okay, and I had a Pecan and Blue Cheese salad that was nothing to right home about. Basically a few candied pecans, with a couple little blue cheese crumbles on romaine lettuce with oil and vinegar. Not that spectacular. We probably would have been better off with chicken wings or nachos.

Anyways by the time we finished lunch, our room was ready. So we grabbed our bags and headed up to the 27th floor. Our room is pretty standard. I forgot to take pictures of it while it was all nice and clean, but I will do that and post them later. The view is spectacular though. We have a bay and downtown view. It’s gorgeous!!

Once we were all settled in, we decided to go find a mall and do some shopping. We eneded up at Fashion Valley Mall. It was really nice, a little bit higher end with Nordstrom, JC Penny, Neiman Marcus, J Crew, LuckyBrand, and lots and lots of other stores. We knew that we really wanted to hit Nordstrom, because John was looking for new work shoes and he bought his last pair at a Nordstrom in Portland, so he was hoping to find the same pair. And he did! He ended up finding two pairs that he loved. Then we headed to Keihl’s, where I picked up some fabulous skin care. They just came out with a new Acai, totally natural and organic line that I really wanted to try, so I got that. By the time we had done all of that it was already 8pm and the mall was closing. So we decided to go and find some dinner. There was a PF Chang’s on the property, so we decided to go there.

PF Chang’s was sooooo busy. We had to wait 50 minutes to get a table. Which was fine with us, because there was another store right next door we wanted to look in. The Container Store!!! It’s a store that is all about organizing. It has every container you could imagine. And for a couple of geeks like us, it was heaven. So we browsed around there until it was time to eat. The food was fantastic. It is a China Bistro, so they server their dishes family style and you share everything. The food was really good. Again John had been here before, so he knew he liked it. And I liked it too. We had the pork pot stickers and dynamite shrimp to start. Both were super yummy.

And then we had the Mongolian Beef and the Vegetable Chow Fun. Can you guess who ordered what?

It was really good. PF Chang’s is a chain, so if you ever get a chance to eat at one. I would definitely recommend it. If you like Asian food anyways.

After dinner, we were walking to our car and noticed two suspicious characters walking towards in also. Although once they saw us, they changes direction and backed off. I think they we going to steal our hot Mustang!! Yikes! So we quickly hopped in the car and burned out of there! I don’t think we were in real danger, but I do think had we not come out when we did, we would have lost our car!

So that is pretty much a recap of day 1, now onto Day 2.

Sunday

So we had spa appointments booked for 11:30am. John a massage and a pedicure for me. So we slept in and lounged around until it was time to head to the spa. The spa was dead. I was the only one in the ladies lockeroom, and the only one in the pedicure/manicure area for the whole of my appointment. My pedicure was great. The girl who did it for me was fabulous and she got rid of the cracks in my heels, so in my books she is pretty much a god! Or would it be goddess! She was also a foot ball addict, and when I told her that’s all anyone in my house talks about, she told me that I better get into it. She goes just pick a team whose uniform you like and do your best to cheer them on and follow them, and you will get into it. When I told John this, he agreed and so that’s what I am going to do. I am going to learn to love the NFL! Which would be good. Then I can be included on Sundays!

John really enjoyed his massage too. We didn’t have much planned and we wanted to stay away from the real touristy stuff on the weekend, so we decided to go check out Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods Market is my happy place. It is a market full of natural and organic foods, supplements and snacks. I knew I wanted to go and stock up on my favorite teas. They always have a great selection of teas, that I can’t find at home. I’m sure I could get them off the internet, but this way I don’t have to pay for shipping. Totally justified right? I was also looking forward to trying out there juice bar, but was totally disappointed to find out their juicer was broken. Bummer. But we were able to find some fresh bottled vegetable juices so we settled with those. We had a great time looking at all the food and dreaming about living near Whole Foods someday.

After Whole Foods we decided to head back to the mall and get the shopping over with, as John would say! I ended up finding a fabulous pair of boots, and a couple tops, and John found a couple shirts that he really liked too. So it was a very successful trip for us. And that mall (Fashion Valley) even had an Anthropologie, which is one of my favorite stores! After the mall, we headed to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was really good and the service was great!! Again it was very busy, but this time we only had to wait for about 20 minutes. I had the Portobello Burger with a salad. It was sooooo good. Who knew I like Portobello mushrooms so much, and who knew what a great substitute for meat they are!?!? John had the Cashew Chicken, which he usually really likes but this time not so much. I think he was a little bummed, because his tastes are changing as he gets healthier. Things aren’t tasting quite the same as they used to.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel. (No worries because we parked the Mustang in a much more open spot this time.) And then we just lounged around and watched tv. It was really nice.

John was a keener this morning and went to the gym. I alas did not bring my runners (on purpose? of course not !) So that is how I have time to blog all this. He should be back soon and we are heading to the zoo. I am so excited!!!

Tell you all about it later!

The Bible tells us via the Ten Commandments in Exodus, that we are not to take the Name of the Lord our God in Vain. One day, when we fully comprehend this command, we will seek the Lord’s forgiveness and a Revival will begin.
As for now we will settle for our preachers just hinting around the pulpit about Living for Jesus.
Let me explain: To take something in vain is to render something useless. Even Solomon said, “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” Ecclesiates. It’s useless, everything, read the Book of Ecclesiates and you’ll understand his point.
Now, after the resurrection of Jesus and the work of the early church, we Christians have taken the Name of the Lord in Vain. How? We claim to be Christians, but we don’t live it. We’re saying we are something, but our lives tell a different story. If we will live as Jesus called us to live, then we will be worthy to be called by His name, until then, we need to change our ways or change our name.

If you are a new Creation, What’s new about you? “Your Master is the one you serve, not the one you say you serve.” Beth Moore.

Life is 2 Precious Not 2 live 4 Jesus.

This is part two of my day one blog. Later on in the day, at the Big Room event (the main session where everyone is together), Andy Stanley brought an excellent message about uncertainty that I will not soon forget! Now I know that Andy usually preaches pretty fast, but what he brought was like a machine gun with the trigger held in. It was non-stop goodness. I typed over four pages of notes on my computer and my fingers were aching afterwards.

Andy started off by giving us the following statements: “I may be in charge but I don’t always know what to do. I may be in charge but I don’t have all the answers. If I knew what was going to happen, then I’d know what to do. Every leader to some extent is clueless (we just don’t want the people following us to figure that out). When it comes to leadership, there is so much uncertainty and it never ever ever goes away!” He went on to say that we will always have limited information and we will never know what the future holds. And then he had us repeat the following statement: “I will always be uncertain, I’m certain of it!”

One of Andy’s main points was that we will always face uncertainty as leaders. It is a normal and permanent part of leadership. If everything was predictable then there would be absolutely no need for pastors (leadership). God always got the best mileage out of uncertainty. When God does amazing things, it usually isn’t during a day when nothings is going wrong…it’s usually when there is some degree of uncertainty.

In the midst of uncertainty, Andy said that there are two things we should turn to: clarity and flexibility. In times of uncertainty there is a need for leadership to retreat back to being clear and flexible. Clarity trumps uncertainty in an organization every single time. When times are uncertain in our local church, family, organization, etc…that is the time for the leaders to step up and be absolutely crystal clear about what God has called us to do. Clarity in the time of uncertainty is what positions and surfaces leaders in an organization. An illustration of this comes from the scriptures in the transition between Moses and Joshua. Joshua was good at wondering because his mentor was (Moses). And then God wanted him to lead an army into battle. Talk about uncertainty!

Joshua had no clue what to do so he told the people that there is stuff that he doesn’t know, but in three days they would be crossing the Jordan and taking the land that God has promised them. That’s leadership in uncertain times! It’s the definition of pure leadership! Next, Andy gave us a quote/philosophy/vision from Steve Jobs (former owner of Apple) that said: “We’ve got to focus on what we can be good at and stop everything else…we are going to build easy to use computers.”  Steve Jobs did what every leader has to do in times of uncertainty. He stepped back into what he knew for sure…stepped back from the numbers and chaos of a hurting/dying company and reinvigorated them!

What has God called us to do in our ministries? What has God called our student ministries to do in our communities? What has God called our church to do in our community or our world?

Andy said that clarity in times of uncertainty will move your organization forward. You don’t have to have a cute phrase for your vision, but you also shouldn’t have a huge paragraph. We need to figure out what the one thing that God has called us to do is. For Steve Jobs, it was to build computers that are easy to use! Certainty around the calling of God is extraordinarily powerful, and that’s where we have to retreat. It has to be crystal clear what God has called us to do, in our mind and on our lips!

Next, Andy talked about flexibility. In times of uncertainty, there needs to be incredible flexibility. Plans change, but vision should stay the same. What Andy said next was great. He said: “Fall in love with your vision, but date your plans. Marry your vision and just fool around with your plans. You’ve got to stay extraordinarily committed…plans are going to change!” If we ever confuse our vision with our mission, we are sunk…because plans WILL fail!

Another quote that jumped out at me was: “Fundraising is a plan; church planting is a mission and a vision…if you get them confused, you’re in trouble!” We can’t abandon the mission and vision because of a failed plan.

We must help our leaders, elders, and deacons to understand the difference between vision and approach. Approach may change numerous times…plans change…but vision always remains the same! Andy says we need to be stubborn with our vision and flexible in our plans.

There was so much good content in Andy Stanley’s message to youth workers but one of the most important things that I snagged up from it was what he said about leadership. He said that leadership is not about making decisions on your own, but standing up and owning the decisions as a team. He went on to tell us about the wisest man in the world (Solomon) who had the most to say about seeking counsel from others. Even though he knew the most out of anyone ever, he still saw it wise to seek the teams’ advice on things. Leadership is about owning decisions once you made them with a multitude of wise counselors, not alone!

-          paulg

In my recent studies of Ecclesiastes I have been overwhelmed by the joy and the reasons to have joy that are exuded from a proper understanding of Solomon’s masterful work on man’s purpose. In my own life I can often sense myself not being thankful or content for what God has given me. I often life for tomorrow and reminisce on the past. But God has given us today, and (in a strange way) he implores that we enjoy it. It is our duty, but it is for our own good. I wrote this poem to bring across some of the thoughts that have come to my mind because of Ecclesiastes.

Why are former and latter days

Better than this day?

Truly childhood was better, it seems.

Hindsight brings out the good,

And forgets the monotonous–

The endless hours of boredom;

The unrelenting pain we caused

And the due discipline we received.

For “those days” are always

Better than “these days”.

All men alike live for tomorrow,

For a hope is kindled

Like fire in our bones.

Will some historic event

Change this misery into majesty?

How can a peasant

Become a king?

How can the weak

Become a warrior?

And so we dream of tomorrow.

And yet the rich have

Been given all things abundantly–

Except for the power to

Enjoy life.

Even they long for more,

They dream of better,

And so are restless.

In between the lines

There is a day overcome,

There is one forgotten,

Lost in the chaos.

This day lies between

The beauty of yesterday

And the swift lightning bolts

That are stored for tomorrow.

Today is today,

And it is the most elusive of all,

Yet it is a mirror in our face

Everyday and all-day long.

Why do we life for tomorrow

If one can only live today?

Why not live today in light

Of tomorrow?

Let me unearth a diamond,

A pearl of mysterious wisdom:

Enjoy today

In order to enjoy

The today tomorrow.

Truly life is breaking,

Difficult yet shadow like,

Mysterious yet bleeding.

The lives of mankind

Are open wounds,

Festering and putrid.

We long for healing,

And so we desperately look

And plead for tomorrow.

But when tomorrow comes

It will be today,

And the darkness

May be even greater then.

So what shall we do?

Shall we stay restless?

Is this all hopeless?

Shall we long for death?

No! There is a better way.

We have a Father,

Not as he on earth,

But he is the Creator of all.

He created all things “good”,

And it is his heart’s desire

That we take pleasure

In what he has given us.

For every hunger

A piece of bread is given.

For every cheer

A laugh is given.

For every sorrow,

A tear is given.

One by one

The Father knowingly gives.

Second by second,

Heartbeat by beat,

Breath by breath.

He gives us today

And promises to keep tomorrow,

Why do we fear?

Only God has control,

Only the good Shepherd knows.

So I tell you,

Enjoy the blessings:

One by one.

Enjoy your work,

Work with all your might at it,

For there will be

More work to enjoy tomorrow.

Enjoy your food,

Fill yourself,

God will provide tomorrow.

Enjoy those who love you,

Your friends and your family,

Love them unquenchably,

For there will be love tomorrow.

God has blessed you with today,

Will you not enjoy it with me?

Enjoy today

In order to enjoy

The today tomorrow.

- Christopher R. Mattix

]]> http://thingsthatareabove.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/a-price-will-be-paid-when-you-give-yourself-away/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:02:14 +0000 Jordan http://thingsthatareabove.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/a-price-will-be-paid-when-you-give-yourself-away/

Have you ever listened to a song over and over again, but then you listen to it just for fun one time and a line or two in the song suddenly knocks you down? If so, then you understand what I have recently felt. If you are familiar with Casting Crowns’ song “Slow Fade,” then you may recall the line “A price will be paid when you give yourself away.” I have heard this song many times before, but when I last heard this song just a few days ago, this line hit me like a ton of bricks (as the saying is). If you give yourself away, a price will be paid, namely your life. Ultimately, you will “fade” into nothingness under your sin. This theme of giving yourself into sin is found throughout the Bible and western literature. Adam and Eve gave themselves to sin by eating the forbidden fruit. Faust’s pact with the devil is now a literary archetype that symbolizes any giving oneself away to any vice. And on and on I could go. Instead, I will cut to the chase and come right out with it: when we give ourselves away to any sin, we begin to fade away. Recall Paul’s seemingly harsh language in Romans 14:23:

… For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”

Anything not done in faith is sin! Anything at all, even things that are “good” can be—rather, are—sin when we do not do them out of faith! Specifically, “Slow Fade” by Casting Crowns deals with the sin of adultery (see their music video), a sexual sin. Their song deals with a father’s infidelity to his child’s mother (his wife). In this post, I will branch off for a moment to confront a sin that is in the lives of many young people and has even been a part of my own life in the past: the sin of “giving one’s heart away.” Or to put this in another way, as the Shulamite maiden (Solomon’s betrothed) says in Song of Solomon 3:5:

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem [though this exhortation applies to both men and women], by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.”

“Do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” What admonishing words. The modern dating experience is a joke. People are getting hurt over and over again—for what? A few nice dinners with an attractive person? To feel the exhilaration of “love” only to be thrown down into the deepest pits of despair? I say, enough is enough. I say, let’s stop being carried about by every passing attraction we feel toward another person—however admirable they may really be. I say, let’s give our hearts to God! Let us renew our commitment to Him! Let’s truly believe that He will provide that spouse in the future in His perfect timing. Is it wrong to be proactive in relationships? No, but don’t jump the gun. Am I going to say people need to get married right out of high school? No. Am I going to say people need to get married only after they’ve got a six-figure salary and loads of money in the bank? No. I’m going to say that we need to exercise Biblical wisdom in our lives—and our faith should carry into our “love lives.” Be patient; don’t worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6:34, 1 Pet. 5:6-7). We trust God for salvation, we should trust Him to provide a godly spouse—and to empower us to be godly spouses when the time comes. The world’s wares are fleeting; they do not last, and they are worthless. God, however, has what is best for you as His child in His mind. If he gives you a spouse tomorrow, praise God. If he gives you a spouse in ten years, praise God. If He never blesses you with a spouse, praise God; you are better able to devote more time to Him (1 Cor. 7:17, 10:31).

I am no expert on this subject, but I say these things not on my authority, but on the authority of the Bible, God’s Holy Word: “Do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” If you’re like me, though, it’s too late: you’ve done this before. But the glorious thing about God is that He forgives His people when they confess their sins (1 John 1:9). God’s Holy Spirit that indwells us enables us to repent and to be always reforming and conforming to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). When God first brought this sin to my attention a few months ago, I was appalled. Being impatient with this, as with any other aspect, shows a lack of trust in God, a lack of faith: sin. As Kevin DeYoung writes in Just Do Something:

Worry and anxiety … are sinful fruits that blossom from the root of unbelief.”

Rather than jumping the gun on love, let us exercise Scriptural wisdom. Let’s be patient; let’s trust God. Should we be proactive? Yes. Should we be preparing ourselves for future marriage? Unless God has called us to singleness (both singleness and marriage are ministries), then yes. But we should be doing so in whole dependence upon and faith in God. “A price will be paid when you give yourself away.” Remember, you are not your own; as a Christian, you are God’s.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

“Glorify God in your body.” Do not give yourself to someone who is not your spouse. You hurt not only yourself and your relationship with God, but sins—even forgiven sins—have consequences. God forgave David of committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband, Uriah, but David and Bathsheba’s son still died because of that sin. You will experience pain from giving your heart—even a part of it—away for any length of time. Sometimes, that pain will last. But joy and peace are found in our Lord Jesus Christ. Confessed sins are forgiven sins. Do not go away condemned, fellow Christian, go away renewed in your commitment to the Lord. Go away from this blog rejoicing that your sin is forgiven in Christ, and that by His grace you can do the impossible: by His grace, you (and I) can trust that the Lord will provide a spouse just as He has provided salvation. Jesus’ words on this are most helpful:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness [Christ; Jer. 23:6], and all these things [physical needs] will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” –Matthew 6:33-34

messianic understandings of mothers possesses – unawares

knowing of love yet untouched with her origin nor heritage

contradictory lovings and straightwith despising their charge

love-laced protections daily induced upon some crawling solomon

not overly lean – not too soft – simply prime

a more worthy judge of merchandise none ever found

of measurements – simply direct your gase towards those unshamedely caricature hands

then proceed to observe as he examines the contents and texture

following – consider greatly your approach as any unseemly movement could work to frustrate his spirit

thus only proceed with the greatest caution and care – if at all

now should you rail against his youth or rather infancy – care to understand the following

his ways are alway honeyed with mother over-large loves – he can do no wrong

In the east, mandalas, yantras , and the bindu dot have been used for meditation, healing, protection, and spiritual guidance and the Yin Yang symbol is one of balance. Many of the early Gothic Churches in Europe are known this day for their elaborate circular stained glass windows, as well as the Celtic Cross. The legend of King Arthur and his knights of the round table is one that goes back to 1155 in poet Wace’s “Roman de Brut. King Arthur had the table built to prevent quarrels over sitting status. The fez headress of the Moors is circular on the top with a tassle in the middle that turns 360º which is a full complete circle.

Astronomical Calendars like Stonehenge ,the Mayan Wheel or even Native American Medicine wheels, are all more instances of a sacred circle. Cultures from the continent Africa to the Americas have used drums like the djembe, congo , and bongos to bring music for healing, celebration, and call to arms for battle.
In closing, there are far to many circular images for them to be ignored, like fllying saucers, shields, coins, plates, hoops, records, cd’s rings, and… ARE YOU GETTING TIRED YET??? My point is that the circle is a shape that never seems to go out of purpose. With that I hope you will take a look at my paper art wheels and remember the power of the circle and how it has been a part of your world.

For more of my artwork visit http://fineartamerica.com/artwork/tag/j+kingkajappi