The Marketing of Self

It's no secret that we live in a world where image is important. But if this article is to be understood as truth, we now seem to be moving into an arena where what people think is the definitive factor in shaping personality.

"Treating our personalities as products reflects an increasingly competitive society in which the best way to stand out is to develop an engaging--and easily defined--image. Companies and celebrities have been doing it for years. Now it's the average guy's turn. 'For a long time, parents discouraged their children from worrying about what others think. They didn't realize how shortsighted and stupid that was,' says Mark Leary, a social psychology professor at Duke University who studies impression management. 'We need other people to think well of us.'"

From Time.com - "It's a Brand-You World"

I have to interpret this from my own bias - In a sense, as a Christian, people do need to think well of me... but on what basis? My personal greatness? And for what reasons? Self glory? For the world, the fear of man has become standard procedure. But listen to the words of Scripture:

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
[2 Cor 2:14-17]

I love my Country

Part of our National Pledge (which I used to recite every week in school) goes like this:

"I love my country
and I am proud of it's rich and varied heritage.
I shall always strive to be worthy of it"

Dude, how can I even begin to strive to be worthy of THIS rich heritage? Monkeys!
TIME.com: Monkey See, Monkey Do

Edit: So let me preempt smart comments connecting me and monkeys and India... Danny, you know who you are.

Joke of the Day

From the British BlackAdder series (the millenium special) starring Rowan Atkinson as BlackAdder:

George: This has to be some kind of practical joke, surely...?

BlackAdder (standing beside his newly constructed "time machine"): Certainly not... when was the last time I played a practical joke?

Darling: Well, there was the time time you said you were dying of kidney failure, and I donated one of my kidneys to save your life, and then you said it was an (sic) April fool and we had to throw my kidney away (holds back sobs)

(all but Darling laugh at the obviously happy memories)

BlackAdder: Well, yes, there has been the odd HILARIOUS practical joke, but not this time...

Jesus Camp

Don't want to say much - but this video says a lot about many things. And I'm not going to comment.

Joke of the Day

Humor from that respected comedian of our time, John MacArthur.

Question: "Is there any room for dinosaurs in the Bible?"

Answer (from JM): "I guess it depends on how big your Bible is."

Drumroll please.

Prosperity Gospel hits the mainstream

TIME.com: Does God Want You to Be Rich? A Holy Controversy

When Time covers something like this, you know it's hit the bigtime. According to the article,

"17% of Christians surveyed said they considered themselves part of such a movement, while a full 61% believed that God wants people to be prosperous. And 31%—a far higher percentage than there are Pentecostals in America—agreed that if you give your money to God, God will bless you with more money."

And what about Jesus' words in the Gospels? Well the article leaves the contradiction between this doctrine and scripture without real answer. Instead:

But for a growing number of Christians like George Adams, the question is better restated, 'Why not gain the whole world plus my soul?' For several decades, a philosophy has been percolating in the 10 million-strong Pentecostal wing of Christianity that seems to turn the Gospels' passage on its head: certainly, it allows, Christians should keep one eye on heaven.

No real surprises about how popular all this is, though I was surprised to see Rick Warren listed as a major detractor to this doctrine.

In trying to be "balanced", the article ends up being vague and clouding the issue... and you end up left with the idea that there is no clarity in scripture on this topic and that the Church has not really addressed the issue clearly. Not true, even in my limited personal experience.

The crisis to me is singular: The view of God that is being propounded here is idolatory. In fact, on probing further it seems that the real God here is self. Maybe it's a reflection on a peculiarly American mindset that "I" is the beginning and end of all things.

Tozer warned his generation that the Church needed a high view of God--So much more urgent is this call today.
Some verses come to mind.

About Christ:
[Colossians 1:16]
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

From Paul:
[Acts: 20:22-24]
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Let's understand who God is as he has revealed himself to us, not as we want him to be, and tailor our lives and purpose in life to a right view of God.

Endless Heavenly Fun

This site will humor my little peabrain for hours and hours. So many sound clips, so little time. From the site:

Here are 101 versions of the song that doesn't remain the same, depending on whether it's the the Australian music hall version, the Gilligan's Island version, the backwards version, the backwards splice-and-dice quarter note version, the glass harmonica version, the Doors version, the reggae version and on and on (all MP3s). Much of this came from former FMU DJ KBC's CD of the same name, which took much of it's content from this 1992 LP.

The reggae rendering is pretty fascinating actually (Elvis?!)... as is the Doors version... remarkable parody. And the Australian music hall one is plain funny. And DOLLY PARTON? What in the world.

How could you not visit? It's something to do about heaven.
Site Link

You HAVE to be kidding me!

It seems to me I just posted about Mel Gibson only a few days ago, and called HIM nuts for his drunken ramblings. But Here's something that just takes the cake.

Now I am aware that there is a minority in India who are fascinated by Adolf Hitler, and idolize him as a great man - the niavete and idiocy of the entire thing has always made it seem ridiculous to me. This however, is a whole new level of ridiculous. Gotta admit, we Indians too can be pretty darn nuts.

Link: BBC NEWS | South Asia | Climb down by 'Hitler' restaurant

Because I need Him - Always.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

About Being Born Late

Most people who know me have this funny idea that I'm a closet hippie. Well, I guess they're right. I found a song about it too, and that makes me happy. Here's to all those closet hippies out there in the world.

I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker
-Sandi Thom

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In 77 and 69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

When the head of state didn't play guitar,
Not everybody drove a car,
When music really mattered and when radio was king,
When accountants didn't have control
And the media couldn't buy your soul
And computers were still scary and we didn’t know everything

[Chorus]

When pop-stars still remained a myth
And ignorance could still be bliss
And when God Saved the Queen she turned a whiter shade of pale
When my mom and dad were in their teens
And anarchy was still a dream
And the only way to stay in touch was a letter in the mail

[Chorus]

When record shops were still on top
And vinyl was all that they stocked
And the super info highway was still drifting out in space
Kids were wearing hand me downs,
And playing games meant kick around
And footballers still had long hair and dirt across their face

[Chorus]

I was born too late to a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

(I'd take the punk rocker thing figuratively, of course)

Al D'oh

Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between satire and reality, but ladies and gents, this one is apparently the truth: Homer Simpson has converted to Arab. I don't need to say anything, the link is funny enough.

Badr Shamshoon anyone?!

[Danny, if you still read this blog, this one's for you. Will either disgust you or make you shoot soda out of your nose - either way someone will be disgusted]

[THIS UPDATE DEDICATED TO DANNY]

Mel Gibson is nuts.

Some of This article by TIME magazine's (jewish) Joel Stein cracks me up.

Excerpt:

Until Gibson told his arresting officers that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," I didn't realize that was our thing. If it is, let's drop it. I would have thought that the guy who made Braveheart, The Patriot, Gallipoli and When We Were Soldiers and has directed some of the most violent, angry scenes in cinema would love war. But I guess he doesn't.

And most of all, we have to stop this finger wagging at Gibson. Endeavor agent Ari Emanuel has written that no studio should work with him anymore. Bad call. We don't want to get in a battle here. In a popularity contest between Mel Gibson and Jews, it doesn't look good for the Jews. Better we laugh this off, maybe respond with a gibe at the Australians, like how they make simplistic, overly fruit-forward red wines. Then we all have a chuckle and subtly suggest another dead language for him to teach himself for his next movie. We've got to give that guy as much busywork as possible.

At first I couldn't care less, but after some reading I honestly think the uproar over someone like Gibson's remarks is justified.

In all seriousness, I truly believe that whatever your political view of Israel, anti-semitism in any form cannot be tolerated. The history of the matter has forever settled that. Read through documents relating to the holocaust, and any living breathing human being should see why.
http://remember.org/
http://www.jewishgen.org/Forgottencamps/Camps/
Nazi Experiments & Doctors

Guess the Psalm

OK, so I know it's a tiny bunch of people who read this blog, but here's something for entertainment. I am posting 5 different verses from 5 different Psalms, and they're from "The Message" one of the most terrifyingly hilarious translations ever.

Without googling, guess what Psalm the verse might be from - (I've only chosen from the first 25 Psalms) Each verse is from a different Psalm. Extra credit for which verse it might be:

1: An easy one

God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.

2: Not so easy

Please, God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed. Treat me nice for a change; I'm so starved for affection.

3: I promise, its a verse:

How well God must like you— you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.

4: Think a little

See those people polishing their chariots, and those others grooming their horses?
But we're making garlands for God our God.The chariots will rust, those horses pull up lame— and we'll be on our feet, standing tall.

5: One last one, maybe I'm being a little tricky here

True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

Thoughts on Joy

If there is one place or person you can go to to discover and learn about the importance of Joy in the christian life, John Piper would be that kneejerk resource. I've been listening to a series of sermons by him from Desiring God radio titled "when I don't desire God". In the message I am listening to today Piper referenced a statement by CS Lewis, wherein Lewis emphasised the fact that our pursuit is not for the emotion of Joy. It is a pursuit of joy in God. Otherwise joy would be an idol. There is no value in joy by itself. The object is not a state of our own mind, but something outside ourself.

However, Piper reemphasised this, and this is the point of this blogpost, that our pursuit is of God does not remove the necessity for our pursuit being joy in God.

Three reasons why we should pursue not just God, but joy in God:

1. It's God's Idea.

Deuteronomy 28:47,48
Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.

What a terrifying verse to come to grips with. God is not just earnest about people serving him, he wants people to come to him with joy and gladness - which is found in Him. He commands joy, and holds out wrath for those who are not joyful in Him.


2. God is glorified not merely by how we think about Him, but our experiential relationship with him.

Doctrine alone is not glorifying to God - "even the demons believe and tremble", James says. All the right thinking about God is not as good as Satan's thinking, yet he hates God. Doctrine is important, but not without delight.


3. People don't awaken to how desperate their condition is before God until they measure their hearts condition by their delight for God.

We tend to function by a "do" benchmark. Steal, lie, gossip, read, look, think. Instead we should be probing hearts about delight and desire. This section was the what inspired me to make this posting, so let me quote Piper from the sermon itself:

What is your default activity when there's no pressure on you? What is your heart reflexively drawn to? Those are the things that damn us! It isn't adultery... I mean, good grief it does not take a lot of will power to stay out of bed with another woman! But, not to have a desire to look at a picture - desire: that's damning.

To know that my heart has to change, my whole structure of motivation has to change, my whole priority of treasuring things in the world has to change: I'm damned! There's nothing I can do - I feel totally devastated by this inditement.
[direct quote]

Brothers and sisters - far be it from us to think that we have arrived in any sense. It is ironic but essential for us to realise that we are debtors to the Grace of God even in this. Without his help we cannot and will not delight in Him as we should. So let us run, flee to heaven and beg in broken contriteness: Lord, help us delight in you alone. May He touch not just our lives, but our hearts.

How to Be Invisible

TIME.com: Eye on Science - Science Blog Archives - How to Be Invisible

Seriously? What? Like, we're in technological territory that defies the imagination. Someone has actually worked out the theory for an invisibility cloak! Of course, actual invisibility is a little ways away, but still... the fact that it's theoretcially possible? Actually a little disappointing.

You see, at this rate there's going to be nothing left to the imagination! If these people keep inventing, we'll have no fantasies left!

Not really. The human imagination is quite, um, imaginative - we'll find something to fill out fantasies with. I'm just happy to be blogging after so long, so excuse me. The article however is 100% real. I checked the date and it ain't April 1.

More Bollywood Based Bounties

Lads and ladies, help. Is there a twelve step program? I'm hooked. Here's another keeper.

Bollyhood

It speaks for itself. This stuff is hilarious. Because it what it says we know is true.

The Rise of India

ABCNews did a feature on India when Bush visited, and I just found it. It's a great balanced outsiders view of where India is today, and what India can be in 50 years. It's more complicated, sure, but this guy doesn't have the usual bias.

Snippet:
"You see an explosion of 50 years of pent up aspirations. If you want to know what India feels like today, it's very simple. Pull out a Champagne bottle, shake it for an hour, then take the cork off. You don't want to get in the way of that cork."

Mallu Humor of the Day

There's a state in India, down south, called Kerala. It is known as God's own country. The language they speak (they claim) is The Heavenly Language. Well their accents are heavenly too. We lovingly call these folks "Mallus" (short for malayalis, their language is called malayalam)

This clip takes the cake. Don't listen if you have respiratory trouble or heart problems, The laughing might kill you. (So... is that a lie? lol)


Mallu Hot Stepper

*thanks Sarah!

Lying and the Bible - Part 1/3

In a recent conversation with a good friend, the age old issue of whether lying is ever justified was raised, and later I felt like I needed to do a systematic approach in the understanding of the matter.

In addition, I don't want to trust just my own intellect, which is my tendency. Where spiritual matters are concerned, as much as I can I want to rely on the Word of God. If it is undogmatic, I want to be undogmatic. If it is clear, there I want to take a stand.

Outright, I am of the opinion that lying is not justified. But rather than start from that presupposition and give a list of proofs, I want to try and use scripture to gain an understanding. Scripture first, then hypotheses. Of course, my biases probably will show through, but I hope as a whole the logic will be unblemised.

Some Fundamentals

What does the Bible say about lying?

A few passages come to mind.

Exodus 20:16 - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Titus 1:2 - in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.

Heb 6:18 - so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Rev 21:8 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

There are a lot more passages about this throughout scripture, but I think these are sufficient to get an idea that we are commanded not to lie, and that lying is s sin.
God is a God of truth. But as His children, we we are urged to imitate God.

1 Cor 11:1 - Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 Peter 1:16 - since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

God is our standard for morality. If he is perfectly holy, then we are called to be perfectly holy (whether we can be is not the issue, what we are commanded is). Our sanctification is the process of us becoming like Christ in all his perfection.

The standard is very high. Immediately I realize I cannot attain it. But the difficulty does not mean I stop working out my salvation with fear and trembling. Why? Because it is GOD who is at work in me, not my own effort, so that I can will and act for his good pleasure. I'm not alone in this endeavour (Phil 2:12,13), This is a wonderful manifestation of Grace.

Hang on you say, what about the exceptions? Well, I'm trying to do this a step at a time, and exceptions or complications, however you want to call it, will come later.

So what is a lie? Starting with the bare bone definition, a lie is an active action. You lie simply when you speak what is not true. Even when we speak of "not telling the truth" we are usually not talking about a passive witholding of information, but of untruth being spoken. This is the first aspect of the issue that I want to deal with.

So far, my simple mind is devoid of further issue and I'm happy to submit to scripture - speaking untruth is forbidden. I want to be like Jesus, and this is his demand. I cannot lie. the issue is so far uncomplicated.