So I had a nightmare a few nights ago that will just not leave me. I woke up from it absolutely terrified and it took me a good bit of time to get back to sleep.
To describe the dream, I first have to ask if you have seen "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?" If you have, then do you remember in the opening scene when the one man is being forced to enter the gauntlet/test thing?
Anyway, in my dream, I was that man. Now, this doesn't sound too horrifying, but let me describe what it was that frightened me so much. In my dream, I am being forced to enter this gauntlet that no one has survived, so I am probably going to die doing it. But if I don't do it, I will be shot by the men who are forcing me to do it. And there lies the dilemma, the fact that I am going to die.
Now, again, not to frightening as we all have dreams where we experience dreams with death, but in this one, I felt a deep sense of fear that in my mind could only come from one place, which is a lack of a relationship with Christ. In my dream I was experiencing a near death experience without Christ.
Sitting here now, and thinking about this dream, I still try to figure out exactly why I had it, and the thought that comes to mind is that it was for me to catch a glimpse of what life is like without the hope and assurance of having a savior. I believe this because as you may or may not know, I am planning on entering the missions field after college, and if anything this is just motivation for reaching out to those who don't know Christ.
I can also use this as further motivation to reach out to those on my campus who don't know Christ. I only have one more year of having complete access to those at UNC and I don't want to let the chances that I have here pass me by.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Morality
I know, I know, I know, it has been over two months since I last posted, and for that I am really sorry.
Ok, now, here is what I am going to be basically ranting on.
The idea of the subjectivity of morality.
A popular train of thought that is prevalent right now is that morality, that is right and wrong, it subjective, meaning that what is right and wrong to me may not be right or wrong to you, and as a result there is no such thing as true right or wrong and as such it is wrong for us to judge others actions as they might view what they did as morally right.
Now, I am not going to try to point out how to disprove this thought. I am instead just going to put out why this idea is ridiculous.
First, I want to piggy back off a great mind, C.S. Lewis. In his masterpiece Mere Christianity, Lewis discusses what he calls the "Law of Human Nature," meaning the one moral code that is prevalent throughout every society in history. Lewis argues that morality is essentially a law that every human knows and understands yet still breaks. This is what we know as sin, but that is for another argument.
Lewis goes on to portray the thought that in the whole of human history every culture, though varied in numerous respects, has a pattern of showing the same ideals in many ways. For example, there has never been a culture that cherished those who fled in the face of battle in order to save themselves. Or there has never been a culture that has embraced and uplifted those who swindle their neighbors out of everything for their own gain. Or there has never been a culture that honored the man who was able to abduct and rape the most women. These ideals have been constant throughout history.
Secondly, on a personal level the idea of the subjectivity of morality does not work in that it is easy to say that something is subjective only when it is not affecting you. Case in point, say I am to walk up to you and take your laptop computer. You may think that this is wrong. However, if you have a subjective view of morality, and in my moral view taking things from others is a-ok, then you cannot say anything.
You may protest "You are breaking the law!" But I would like to point out that if morality is subjective, then what are these laws based on? Maybe I view the laws that we live under as being immoral. As such, according to the view of subjective morality, then why follow them if I don't like them?
You may further protest that I cannot take it because it is yours and that means that you keep it. Well then, you are just destroying your own case for subjective morality in that by trying to stop me you are imposing your morality over my morality, and that means that you think that your morality should apply to my morality, and as such you are an objective moralist.
Now, my final point and also my explanation for where this rant came from. I am in a class that is entitled "Ethics of Peace, War and Defense." In this classes discussion session, the idea came up that all morality is subjective depending on the nation and culture. Now, let me point out a few flaws with this train of thought.
First, if we are saying that morality is subjective in warfare, then why should we care to study the ethics of war in the first place? Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines ethics as "the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation." So, taking the definition of the word ethics, why study them as they have to do with morals? If morals are subjective and can mean anything to any one person, group or nation, then why should we care?
Now, taken a step further, if morals are objective, then we cannot judge actions taken by nations in warfare, meaning that war is just fair game and that we can do whatever we want. Canada is weaker than us, and in my morality it is survival of the fittest, so have at them.
My last point on this ties directly into what I said above. If we adhere to an idea of subjective morality, then we are saying that the worst atrocities in the history of humanity are ok because we have no right to pass judgment on the people who perpetrated them.
Under the idea of subjective morality, the Khmer Rouge reign of terror in Cambodia is fine because Pol Pot believed he was being moral and so who am I to impose my morals on him.
Under the idea of subjective morality, the September 11 attacks were fine because that is what the terrorists believed in and who am I to impose my morals on them.
Under the idea of subjective morality, the Holocaust was fine because the Germans felt what they were doing was moral and so who am I to impose my morals on them.
It is only with a view of objective morality that we can pass any form of judgment, and as such when ever one person who claims to be a moral subjectivist passes judgment on another, I hope you will point that out to them.
Ok, now, here is what I am going to be basically ranting on.
The idea of the subjectivity of morality.
A popular train of thought that is prevalent right now is that morality, that is right and wrong, it subjective, meaning that what is right and wrong to me may not be right or wrong to you, and as a result there is no such thing as true right or wrong and as such it is wrong for us to judge others actions as they might view what they did as morally right.
Now, I am not going to try to point out how to disprove this thought. I am instead just going to put out why this idea is ridiculous.
First, I want to piggy back off a great mind, C.S. Lewis. In his masterpiece Mere Christianity, Lewis discusses what he calls the "Law of Human Nature," meaning the one moral code that is prevalent throughout every society in history. Lewis argues that morality is essentially a law that every human knows and understands yet still breaks. This is what we know as sin, but that is for another argument.
Lewis goes on to portray the thought that in the whole of human history every culture, though varied in numerous respects, has a pattern of showing the same ideals in many ways. For example, there has never been a culture that cherished those who fled in the face of battle in order to save themselves. Or there has never been a culture that has embraced and uplifted those who swindle their neighbors out of everything for their own gain. Or there has never been a culture that honored the man who was able to abduct and rape the most women. These ideals have been constant throughout history.
Secondly, on a personal level the idea of the subjectivity of morality does not work in that it is easy to say that something is subjective only when it is not affecting you. Case in point, say I am to walk up to you and take your laptop computer. You may think that this is wrong. However, if you have a subjective view of morality, and in my moral view taking things from others is a-ok, then you cannot say anything.
You may protest "You are breaking the law!" But I would like to point out that if morality is subjective, then what are these laws based on? Maybe I view the laws that we live under as being immoral. As such, according to the view of subjective morality, then why follow them if I don't like them?
You may further protest that I cannot take it because it is yours and that means that you keep it. Well then, you are just destroying your own case for subjective morality in that by trying to stop me you are imposing your morality over my morality, and that means that you think that your morality should apply to my morality, and as such you are an objective moralist.
Now, my final point and also my explanation for where this rant came from. I am in a class that is entitled "Ethics of Peace, War and Defense." In this classes discussion session, the idea came up that all morality is subjective depending on the nation and culture. Now, let me point out a few flaws with this train of thought.
First, if we are saying that morality is subjective in warfare, then why should we care to study the ethics of war in the first place? Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines ethics as "the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation." So, taking the definition of the word ethics, why study them as they have to do with morals? If morals are subjective and can mean anything to any one person, group or nation, then why should we care?
Now, taken a step further, if morals are objective, then we cannot judge actions taken by nations in warfare, meaning that war is just fair game and that we can do whatever we want. Canada is weaker than us, and in my morality it is survival of the fittest, so have at them.
My last point on this ties directly into what I said above. If we adhere to an idea of subjective morality, then we are saying that the worst atrocities in the history of humanity are ok because we have no right to pass judgment on the people who perpetrated them.
Under the idea of subjective morality, the Khmer Rouge reign of terror in Cambodia is fine because Pol Pot believed he was being moral and so who am I to impose my morals on him.
Under the idea of subjective morality, the September 11 attacks were fine because that is what the terrorists believed in and who am I to impose my morals on them.
Under the idea of subjective morality, the Holocaust was fine because the Germans felt what they were doing was moral and so who am I to impose my morals on them.
It is only with a view of objective morality that we can pass any form of judgment, and as such when ever one person who claims to be a moral subjectivist passes judgment on another, I hope you will point that out to them.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Honduras Trip Part 4
Sunday - Day 5
On the Seventh day, God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day.
Genesis 2:2
That pretty much sums up what today was for us as we were able to sleep in, enjoy a local church service, then experience rest at the beach.
But let me first back up and cover the previous two days. Friday was a good day of work which saw us finish nearly four more rows block on the house. I honestly didn't feel much in the way of accomplishing something on Friday, mainly because of the fact that only operating the saw all day meant I wasn't able to interact with the local workers as much or truly see the fruits of my labor.
That changed that afternoon. During the afternoon all block laying ceased in favor of mixing concrete and pouring the floor. This was my first true chance to interact and develop relationships with the locals, and though there was a language barrier, we were able to develop a routine and pattern that allowed us to get our work done.
Saturday morning was the hottest time that we have experienced so far on this trip. The heat was simply oppressive. As the time drew on, it became harder and harder to even pick up the saw, let alone a brick. However, in the time of the most opposition are the best results found. Saturday morning saw us finish the four walls, then Saturday afternoon saw us finish one gable and the roof slats.
Which brings me to today.
Let me start off by just saying how much I truly love going to church in another country. This is true for two reasons. One reason is that even though I may not fully understand what is going on or being said, I know that the worship is genuine.
Secondly and more importantly, worshiping in another country serves as a reminder to me just how awesome and big God truly is. That he is loved and praised no matter where in the world is a great thing to see for it shows that we can't box God in and try to say that he "belongs to us."
The second thing that we did today was to go to the beach. While this may not sound like an act that will result in much praise, for me it truly served as a reminder of the beauty of creation and just how great the world that God has made for us is.
Sitting in the water just off the shore, looking at the mountains that ringed the Pacific Ocean inlet we were in just made me praise God all the more and led to an even greater appreciation for where I was.
Well thats all for this, but there are four more days on this trip, so we will see what God will continue to show me this week.
On the Seventh day, God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day.
Genesis 2:2
That pretty much sums up what today was for us as we were able to sleep in, enjoy a local church service, then experience rest at the beach.
But let me first back up and cover the previous two days. Friday was a good day of work which saw us finish nearly four more rows block on the house. I honestly didn't feel much in the way of accomplishing something on Friday, mainly because of the fact that only operating the saw all day meant I wasn't able to interact with the local workers as much or truly see the fruits of my labor.
That changed that afternoon. During the afternoon all block laying ceased in favor of mixing concrete and pouring the floor. This was my first true chance to interact and develop relationships with the locals, and though there was a language barrier, we were able to develop a routine and pattern that allowed us to get our work done.
Saturday morning was the hottest time that we have experienced so far on this trip. The heat was simply oppressive. As the time drew on, it became harder and harder to even pick up the saw, let alone a brick. However, in the time of the most opposition are the best results found. Saturday morning saw us finish the four walls, then Saturday afternoon saw us finish one gable and the roof slats.
Which brings me to today.
Let me start off by just saying how much I truly love going to church in another country. This is true for two reasons. One reason is that even though I may not fully understand what is going on or being said, I know that the worship is genuine.
Secondly and more importantly, worshiping in another country serves as a reminder to me just how awesome and big God truly is. That he is loved and praised no matter where in the world is a great thing to see for it shows that we can't box God in and try to say that he "belongs to us."
The second thing that we did today was to go to the beach. While this may not sound like an act that will result in much praise, for me it truly served as a reminder of the beauty of creation and just how great the world that God has made for us is.
Sitting in the water just off the shore, looking at the mountains that ringed the Pacific Ocean inlet we were in just made me praise God all the more and led to an even greater appreciation for where I was.
Well thats all for this, but there are four more days on this trip, so we will see what God will continue to show me this week.
Honduras Trip Part 3
So, after too long of a lay over between posts, here is part three.
Thursday - Day 3
So, where to start. How about the beginning? It is a very good place to start.
Wow, did I really just write that? I must be more tired than I realized. Oh well, today was our first day on the work site, and I must say that I am amazed at just how productive we were. While not quite Taylor's "one best way," it was pretty darn close.
All I can do for that is to give all the glory and honor to God. He enabled us to achieve the goals that we set for ourselves, which for today meant getting five layers of brick put down as well as getting a start on putting down a concrete floor.
My main job in getting this done involved working the block saw with my best friend, Nathan. For those of you who don't know what a block saw is, imagine a rotary saw, make the blade 14" wide, attach a two-stroke gas engine, and make it as loud as a rock concert. Oh yeah. If you need a visual, click the link. http://www.transtools.co.uk/store/images/uploads/ts-400.jpg
Anyway, our job was to use this beast of a machine to cut blocks to size. So to sum up, today I was bringing glory to God by using the biggest power tool I have ever seen. That was awesome.
As I was in Brazil and Argentina, I was constantly amazed at the poverty that is rampant in this area. Yest, just as in Argentina and Brazil, I am further overcome by the joy that they people possess. It is truly a beautiful and amazing thing.
Well that is all for now.
Thursday - Day 3
So, where to start. How about the beginning? It is a very good place to start.
Wow, did I really just write that? I must be more tired than I realized. Oh well, today was our first day on the work site, and I must say that I am amazed at just how productive we were. While not quite Taylor's "one best way," it was pretty darn close.
All I can do for that is to give all the glory and honor to God. He enabled us to achieve the goals that we set for ourselves, which for today meant getting five layers of brick put down as well as getting a start on putting down a concrete floor.
My main job in getting this done involved working the block saw with my best friend, Nathan. For those of you who don't know what a block saw is, imagine a rotary saw, make the blade 14" wide, attach a two-stroke gas engine, and make it as loud as a rock concert. Oh yeah. If you need a visual, click the link. http://www.transtools.co.uk/store/images/uploads/ts-400.jpg
Anyway, our job was to use this beast of a machine to cut blocks to size. So to sum up, today I was bringing glory to God by using the biggest power tool I have ever seen. That was awesome.
As I was in Brazil and Argentina, I was constantly amazed at the poverty that is rampant in this area. Yest, just as in Argentina and Brazil, I am further overcome by the joy that they people possess. It is truly a beautiful and amazing thing.
Well that is all for now.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Honduras Trip Part 2
Wednesday - Day 1
So, we're here. That's really the best way to describe today. I must say that I truly love the ironies of flying into the Third World. While inside the airport the nation tries to make itself appear clean and modern and economically well off, two steps outside and this illusion is instantly shattered.
Anyway, we are here. An eventful day of flying, speedily walking (not running) in the Miami airport, lunch at KFC watching Champions League soccer in Tegucigalpa, then the drive and introduction to the city of Choluteca. And all I can think is "Thank you Lord for getting us this far."
Today was the easy day, as tomorrow is when the true work starts. Tomorrow is when we start building the house, which was and is the reason that we are here in the first place.
I have prayed about this trip, and I am greatly anticipating helping another that it might lead to bringing glory to God. What I need to pray about now is that I not let the petty things get in my way and prevent me from being fully able to share the Gospel. Things such as discomfort, heat, laziness, all are things that can sideline me if I let them.
So, as we go out tomorrow, I just need to keep in mind why I am here, who I am here for, and in the end, it will result in the bringing of glory to God.
"For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galations 1:10
So, we're here. That's really the best way to describe today. I must say that I truly love the ironies of flying into the Third World. While inside the airport the nation tries to make itself appear clean and modern and economically well off, two steps outside and this illusion is instantly shattered.
Anyway, we are here. An eventful day of flying, speedily walking (not running) in the Miami airport, lunch at KFC watching Champions League soccer in Tegucigalpa, then the drive and introduction to the city of Choluteca. And all I can think is "Thank you Lord for getting us this far."
Today was the easy day, as tomorrow is when the true work starts. Tomorrow is when we start building the house, which was and is the reason that we are here in the first place.
I have prayed about this trip, and I am greatly anticipating helping another that it might lead to bringing glory to God. What I need to pray about now is that I not let the petty things get in my way and prevent me from being fully able to share the Gospel. Things such as discomfort, heat, laziness, all are things that can sideline me if I let them.
So, as we go out tomorrow, I just need to keep in mind why I am here, who I am here for, and in the end, it will result in the bringing of glory to God.
"For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galations 1:10
Friday, May 30, 2008
Back from Honduras
So, I just got back from my construction mission trip to Honduras and it was a great trip. While I was there I journaled about the trip and am now going to post them here over the next few days. Enjoy.
Pre-Trip
As we prepare to travel to Honduras, I feel that a thing that I need to do to better prepare my heart for the worship that I will be giving through the sharing of the Gospel is to compose a prayer that I will say everyday.
Lord,
I fall on my knees, humbled at the awe of your awesome presence. I praise you for all that you are and all that you have been and all that you will continue to be. Lord, I pray that your will will guide me and my actions as I strive to serve you. I pray that you will bless me and be with me in all things that my works may bring you more glory. Lord be with my friends. Allow us to make a difference in the lives of the people that we will be working with. Allow us to become discouraged in times of hardship, but instead show us the way to overcome and bring you the glory and honor. Lord I pray that you will bless us with safety in our works and that will grant us the ability to finish what it is we will be starting. Thank you Lord for the blessings that you have bestowed upon me, especially the blessing of being able to go out into the world to spread you word. Please bless us and forgive us in all we do, for it is in the name of your son Jesus that I pray,
Amen.
Pre-Trip
As we prepare to travel to Honduras, I feel that a thing that I need to do to better prepare my heart for the worship that I will be giving through the sharing of the Gospel is to compose a prayer that I will say everyday.
Lord,
I fall on my knees, humbled at the awe of your awesome presence. I praise you for all that you are and all that you have been and all that you will continue to be. Lord, I pray that your will will guide me and my actions as I strive to serve you. I pray that you will bless me and be with me in all things that my works may bring you more glory. Lord be with my friends. Allow us to make a difference in the lives of the people that we will be working with. Allow us to become discouraged in times of hardship, but instead show us the way to overcome and bring you the glory and honor. Lord I pray that you will bless us with safety in our works and that will grant us the ability to finish what it is we will be starting. Thank you Lord for the blessings that you have bestowed upon me, especially the blessing of being able to go out into the world to spread you word. Please bless us and forgive us in all we do, for it is in the name of your son Jesus that I pray,
Amen.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Breaing Cross, Will Travel
So I need to update this thing more often...
Anyway, I want to first just send a little bit of praise upwards to the Big Man and just praise Him and thank Him for the blessing that he has bestowed upon me in terms of the ability to lose weight and get healthy. I know that it was He that allowed this change to take place in my life, and I fully intend to use this blessing for the furthering of His kingdom.
This was put into perspective today when I compared three different sets of passport pictures I had, starting with the one that is on my passport (which was taken in December 06), then a set that was taken before my trip to Argentina (which were taken in February 08), then a set that were taken today for me to send to the International Missions Board. Wow, the change is so noticeable, and for me to recognize that in myself allows me to further praise God for this blessing, in that I can see just how far I have come along.
Anyway, now that that is out of the way, the main reason for this post is an announcement of missions, as the title infers. Namely, this post is my request for prayer as tomorrow I will be departing for the Central American nation of Honduras with a group of college students and adults from my home church in Moore County, NC, to build a house with the North Carolina Baptist Men.
This will be my first trip to Honduras and also my first international trip involving construction, so I am a little apprehensive about this trip, but as I wrote about earlier, that is just something that happens to me anytime I about to need my passport. However, I know that I am going to do the work of the Lord, and for that reason I am calm for I know that whatever happens to me on this trip, I am doing the will of the Lord through the Great Commission and that I am putting myself into His hands.
I ask that you all will pray for me and the rest of the team that I will be on. I ask that you will pray for the people that we will be working with in Honduras, that they will have open hearts to the Gospel as we share it with them through the construction of a house.
I will be journaling every day that I am in Honduras, so I will be sure to post those entries when I get back stateside. Until then, just pray for us as we travel and may God bless us all.
Anyway, I want to first just send a little bit of praise upwards to the Big Man and just praise Him and thank Him for the blessing that he has bestowed upon me in terms of the ability to lose weight and get healthy. I know that it was He that allowed this change to take place in my life, and I fully intend to use this blessing for the furthering of His kingdom.
This was put into perspective today when I compared three different sets of passport pictures I had, starting with the one that is on my passport (which was taken in December 06), then a set that was taken before my trip to Argentina (which were taken in February 08), then a set that were taken today for me to send to the International Missions Board. Wow, the change is so noticeable, and for me to recognize that in myself allows me to further praise God for this blessing, in that I can see just how far I have come along.
Anyway, now that that is out of the way, the main reason for this post is an announcement of missions, as the title infers. Namely, this post is my request for prayer as tomorrow I will be departing for the Central American nation of Honduras with a group of college students and adults from my home church in Moore County, NC, to build a house with the North Carolina Baptist Men.
This will be my first trip to Honduras and also my first international trip involving construction, so I am a little apprehensive about this trip, but as I wrote about earlier, that is just something that happens to me anytime I about to need my passport. However, I know that I am going to do the work of the Lord, and for that reason I am calm for I know that whatever happens to me on this trip, I am doing the will of the Lord through the Great Commission and that I am putting myself into His hands.
I ask that you all will pray for me and the rest of the team that I will be on. I ask that you will pray for the people that we will be working with in Honduras, that they will have open hearts to the Gospel as we share it with them through the construction of a house.
I will be journaling every day that I am in Honduras, so I will be sure to post those entries when I get back stateside. Until then, just pray for us as we travel and may God bless us all.
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