Videos of Life, Pt 1

http://vimeo.com/32397612

I am posting this here to have easy access to this masterful movie.  It is a melancholic expose on the modern economic crisis, at least in my mind anyway.

State of the World, part 4

George Friedman from STRATFOR has published the fourth part of the State of the World series.

This series details the history of the existence of the German state from the geopolitical standpoint, as well as the geopolitical implications of the economic crisis currently gripping the European Union.  Another author has stated in the past that an economic union is not possible without a unified political body also, which in the current state of Europe is unlikely.  So, with the future of the European Union in jeopardy, where can Germany turn to for strategic security?  The answer has global implications for Europe, the UK, and even the US.


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In Defense of Christianity

I found a terribly unsettling article today on Space.com.  I have not yet decided what is most unsettling about it, that people at NASA/JPL would use budgetary constraints as a convenient excuse for firing someone who espouses Intelligent Design, (which is an absolutely valid scientific theory... albeit an unproven one), or that the person fired would bring a lawsuit against them.

Was it unfair for them to fire someone for this?  Absolutely, but if anything David Coppedge should be rejoicing that he lost his job for Christ.  There is no better reason to lose your job for.  He will be honored in heaven for this sacrifice.  The whole idea of the Alliance Defense Fund is unsettling to me, as it seems that one cannot be both Christian and a prosecutor at the same time.  The whole idea of Christianity is that our fundamental worth is founded in Christ; and as such, we can absorb anything that this faithless world throws at us with grace and dignity and still show love to them.

Do we destroy the foundation of Christianity in order to defend it, or do we trust that Christianity will defend itself?  Those who truly espouse it can take anything that this world throws at us, and still love them.

State of the World, part 3

George Friedman from STRATFOR with the third portion of his State of the World series:

I have been convinced by his previous articles that China is not nearly as strong as it seems.  The geopolitical framework that he lays out below further clarifies why.

The soul of Christianity

These verses speak more to the soul of Christianity than John 3:16 ever does. 

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group  and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  The Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"  They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.  When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."  Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"  "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

--  John 8:1-11

Every true Christian, comes to the point of the woman caught in adultery and falls at the feet of God for mercy, with nothing to bring but our sin and our heart.  After that, the struggle not to become the Teacher of the Law begins.

Move over James Bond

Quantum satellites may be replacing your secret phone technology.

State of the World, part 2

I have posted below the second portion of the "State of the World" series by George Friedman from STRATFOR.  It heavily focuses on the US foreign policy after 9/11.  It is a fascinating read.

Burning of the Quran

There was another news article regarding the demonstrator violence in Afghanistan today.  I can understand their anger.  As a religious person, I would be incredibly offended if someone burned the Bible, but I wouldn't go marching out in an armed gang to kill them.  This is the difference between Islam and Christianity.  Islam teaches hatred and death on their enemies, while Christianity teaches to "love your enemies, and do good to them."

Regardless of the motives for the violence though, we cannot simply excuse the actions of American military personnel in Afghanistan.  There is a certain amount of discretion that our military personnel need to use when operating in foreign lands.  Do your First Amendment rights still exist in Afghanistan?  Well, yes, but there is a certain amount of wisdom in a volitional act of your will not to exercise your right to free speech out of respect for other people.  Not only would it avoid inciting a barbaric and insane people group, but it would show love to them with the hope that they would one day see the error of their ways.

Twelve Killed in protests in Afghanistan

STRATFOR: State of the World

Stratfor periodically produces material of astounding insight.  As to the truth of these insights, we cannot really know for certain at this point, but it is fascinating to see how George Friedman views the world through the lens of geopolitics.

Regardless of the veracity of the article, it is brimming with curious ideas and is definitely worth the read.

A prayer to renounce fear

This is a prayer that I stand by.  Few things in this world are worth clinging to with all of your strength, but the hope that is found in Christ is one of those subjects.

DateFebruary 12, 2012

AuthorDr. Erwin W. Lutzer

Father, help me to agree with You that I am not subject to fear, but am a child of Your love.

I reject fear of the future, for I believe that the future is in Your Hands.

I reject fear of evildoers, for Your Word says, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident…For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.” 

I renounce fear of rejection, for David wrote in Your Holy Word, “For my father and mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.”

I renounce fear of witnessing about Christ, because as Your Word warns, “The fear of man brings a snare.”

Therefore, I choose to fear You more than I do any human being. I affirm, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

I renounce the fear of losing my property and possessions, for Your Word says, “I have learned in whatever situation I am, to be content…I know the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need; I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.”

I renounce fear of Satan, for Your Word says he has already been conquered “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.”

I renounce the fear of saying “goodbye” to a terminally ill loved one, for Jesus promised, “Let not your heart be troubled…In my Father’s house are many rooms; I go and prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be also.”

I renounce fear of death, for I affirm with the Apostle Paul, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Thank You for the promise, “Death is swallowed up in Victory.”

I renounce fear of martyrdom, for Your Word declares, “Do not fear those who are able to kill the body, but fear Him rather who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

I renounce fear of loneliness, for we are promised, “Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” And also, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  And again, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

I renounce fear of intimidation, for Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.”

I renounce fear of false accusations. I accept this promise, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  

I renounce the fear of being treated unjustly, for of Jesus we read that, “When He was reviled, He did not revile in return, when he suffered, He did not threaten but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.”

I renounce fear of radical Islam and its desire to intimidate us.

I renounce fear of political correctness.  

I declare that “The truth shall set me free,” and I choose to live as a free person in Christ Jesus.  I shall speak and not be silent.

I renounce fear of curses, either known or unknown, spoken against me and my family.  

I renounce fear of manipulation and control.

I renounce the fear of being involved in public or political activity.

I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.       

I submit to Jesus as Lord of every area of my life. Jesus Christ is Lord of my home. Jesus Christ is Lord of my relationships. Jesus Christ is Lord of my city. Jesus Christ is Lord of my nation. Jesus Christ is Lord, above all false gods and religions. Jesus Christ is Lord over all the nations of the earth.

I commit myself to be a living witness to Jesus Christ as Lord. I am not ashamed of His cross. “God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of Christ.”

I ask now that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and pour upon me all the blessings of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Grant me the grace to understand the truth of Your Word clearly, and to apply it in every area of my life. Give me words of hope and life, as You promised. Open and bless my lips so that I can speak to others with authority and power in Jesus’ name. Give me the boldness to be a faithful witness for Christ. Give me a love for all people, and a passion to share the love of Christ with them.

Grant that I shall carry Your cross as a badge of honor.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The War on Christians

Throughout the Middle East there is a brutal war on Christians going on.  Christians are beginning to be driven from their homes, kidnapped, attacked, and killed in ever greater numbers in Muslim-dominated nations.  Those of us who yet retain the freedom to pray to God, beseech him to grant greater faith and grace to the Christians who suffer at the hands of wicked men.  May God grant them a double portion of faith and grace, showing mercy to them in their suffering, and that they would have the courage to show love to those who persecute them.  May He reveal a way for each of us to help them in some fashion, for they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Voice of the Martyrs News
The Global War on Christians

Russian oligarchy, meet Russian people, Pt 2

The Russian people are still at it.  Protesting the government run gangsterocracy.  This short article from the Associated Press has a fascinating picture of a few of the protesters that braved the -4-deg F temperature to protest in Moscow.

I am still definitely rooting for them; Russia would be better off with a change of government.

Faces of Protest