It's one thing to have faith

but this story is something else. I admittedly don't know many details, but the parents' actions bring up some very important points that are worth thinking about. Namely, is it possible to have too much faith? Or to put it slightly differently, to what extent should we rely on God and his sovereignty?

I was actually going to bring something like this up in a later post, but I might as well pull it out now. To put it bluntly, I think there is a balance that needs to be struck here. I mean, God could have saved the girl, right? Of course, but just because God is omnipotent over every single atom in the universe doesn't excuse us from action. It reminds me a lot of the story of a devout man who, during a terrible flood, resisted all help because he trusted in God to save him and ended up drowning. When he got to heaven he realized that God had provided a way to save him (via rescue workers in boats, helicopters, etc.) , he just didn't see the earthly help.

Now I just realized that that analogy could be incorrectly applied to the salvation process (and probably had been) but that isn't my point here. The idea is that we shouldn't live foolishly while trusting in God to do everything for us. God gave us reason; he wants us to be smart and use wisdom and reason in these things. As my pastor once said: "If I had a deadly brain tumor, I would get my hands on the best available surgeon out there." By all means pray for the sick girl. Pray like nobody's business, but use some common sense. Buckle your seatbelt, wear a life jacket, study for tests, and go to the doctor, all the while knowing that God is working all things together for your good and His glory.

You want application?!?!?!

I'll give you application! Came across this post by Tim Challies (great blog btw), and found it to be a truly exemplary post. Definitely a great reminder and chock full of applicable truth.

If I may be so bold, though, as to add a quick note to Mr. Challies post. Seeing as this is the Easter season, we as Christians must always remember that we can and should forgive others because Christ has first forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). As one blogger whose site and name escapes me said, we must always tie our studies and doctrines back to the cross somehow. Hopefully you can see how forgiving others and repenting of our sin are related to Christ's sacrifice.


Happy Substitutionary Atonement Day and Resurrection Day!

Well, I had something else but...

I just couldn't pass this up. Found this vid on Mr. Turk's blog and ended up spending my first free 90 min. of Easter Vacation watching Dr. Keller's lecture and Q&A at Berkley. All I can say is wow, intellectually challenging, theologically solid (except for some iffy ideas about hell, see the comments on Cent's blog for more), applicable, and even convicting. I know this is probably too formal, complicated, and in depth for some of you to enjoy, I'm sure a few things even went over my head, but as I've said its quality stuff nonetheless. At the very least listen to the first 45 min. or so. The Q&A was good but after the first half I was a little disappointed.

Anyhoo, enjoy:

What is American coming to?

I'm guessing most of you, especially Californians and those in my circle of the Blogosphere, have heard about the new ruling that threatens to ban homeschooling in California. Now before I say anything further, I admit there's some way better evaluations of this in other places, I'd especially recommend Dr. Al Mohler's and Dan Philip's recent posts on the subject.

That said, as a lifelong homeschool student and Californian, it's probably fair for me to put in a word or two of my own thoughts. Admittedly, I'll be graduating this May and my mom has been blessed with a teaching credential, but this decision has some serious ramifications not only in my life but to our nation. The way I see it, this ruling goes against our country's principles of freedom and rights, as well as the biblical mandate for government. I understand our officials' concerns, and every student should certainly have a quality education, but this is taking things way too far. We are beginning to make the state supreme and in charge of the way the next generation thinks. As one blogger put it, we're moving towards the "People's Republic of California" and that is not a good thing. I've recently been studying Communism in my (biblically based) Philosophy class, and, to put it bluntly, it demonstrates some frightening parallels to this state ruling.

The scariest thing of all, though, is not necessarily the fact that our freedoms are being taken away, it's the teaching that the next generation of Californians are going to receive. To summarize in one sentence, the public school system has and will forsake God's Word for the latest notions of post-modernism, multiculturalism, and "science." Children will be founded upon error-filled and man-centered principles, and they will be encouraged to accept and engage in sinful practices. We're talking flat out indoctrination here; the state will be deciding how we think and what we believe. This is all not to mention the fact that parents (and the family unit as a whole) will be gradually stripped of their God-ordained responsibilities and role in modern society. This is a massive step in the wrong direction people.

Granted, I'm just one person and a very sinful one at that, I know that my blog isn't going to change anything. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that all of my personal efforts and deeds, in and of themselves, cannot change anything either. Only God, the sovereign Lord and creator of the universe, is in control and only He can change the hearts, minds, and souls of a nation. In these dark times, we must never forget that God alone is weaving the fabric of events together for His glory and the good of those who love Him. This is not to say, though, that we should sit back and let the world careen off down the path of error and destruction. On the contrary, God often uses imperfect instruments like us to accomplish his purposes. It is this next generation of Christians, even those in the school system, who will be called to serve Christ and stand up for the Truth in an age of deceit, lies, perversion, and injustice. As Christians we can do all things, but only through Jesus Christ who empowers us.

Something to chew on

I was intending sometime this week to post more on our movie, but our chief editor and director, Thomas Harlander, has been pretty much swamped this past week with homework, editing, and the like. I asked him for at least some screen shots, but alas, he hasn't provided me with any just yet. Therefore (since I promised at least one new post every week and will be busy tomorrow), I'll already be resorting to a filler to keep anyone and everyone happy.

This is a vid played to Mainstay's song Mirrors. If there's one band I can safely and wholeheartedly recommend, it's Mainstay. From my very limited experience, these guys have the best lyrics in Christian music today, and, to put in bluntly: they rock! This song in particular is very deep, and the vid only serve to bring out the message even more, so without further ado, enjoy!