03
Feb
10

Snowy snow snow

Hey hey. Not too much to talk about heh, just felt like updating this joint.

Classes going well… very well actually haha! Im seriously enjoying all my classes… although dread Greek O_o

(Hopefully, I do well in that class!)

Also… started playing Maple again O_o. I know, I know… what a retard am I, correct?

Heh, well here’s what I say to that! …. That I am…. that I am….

(I really gotta cut it out tho! That game is a mad waste of life haha)

Anywho, got much work to do! Much work, indeed… hopefully my time offa school cuzza all this snow will help me work ahead in my classes a bit heh. Enjoyed this update! Off I go then!

~Peace!

PS. In accordance to the theme of the previous post, heres something funny I stumbled upon haha! =P

02
Jan
10

Avatar: Initial thoughts on an artistically brilliant piece…

Just watched James Cameron’s newly released film, Avatar, in 3D yesterday.

My verdict on the movie? It is a MUST SEE! Most likely one of the best movies I’ve seen recently (and I’ve been watching a WHOLE lot of movies recently heh).

It was cool on multiple fronts… first off, I (of course) was most intrigued by the artistic vision and design of the whole Avatar universe. The vibrant plantlife, the lush terrain, and… heh, just really wild lookin’ animal life allows the viewer to, not only see Cameron’s world as a very functional one, but provides an interactively vibrant view within every scene. Haha, to me, it was pretty much like sitting in a room filled with the best candy, that I enjoyed for 3 hours O_o. But, of course… this isnt something I can simply describe. Go see it for yourself haha!

Narratively, it was very engaging and well written. Wont say more, lest I spoil hehe… but, let just say that I dont have a full analysis on it, on account of me visually enjoying it a bit too much heh. (I may actually watch it again heh. Would be worth the money =P )

Now, although I am boosting the heck outta this movie (cause it was amazing heh), I do have problems with the worldview presented within the movie. Like in all narratives, there were some good things supported by it and also some bad. Again, I didnt have the opportunity to completely analyze the narrative portion and even principles of the movie, but there was definitely huge support of a spiritual oneness in the universe. Very Pantheistic, actually. God is the trees, nature, in us, etc. In light of Biblical truth, we see that God is holy, set apart from creation… which means that He isnt the trees, the sun, or a dead rat.

Heh, that being said… i’ll prolly look more into this after I rewatch the movie… but “Avatar” is definitely a must see! Amazing artistic design. Amazing choreographed fight scenes. Amazing characterization. Amazing storylining.  Amazing presentation of themes. Altogether an excellent movie!

5/5! (Not that im a pro movie critic er anything hehe =P )

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Sidenote: In a world where everything is god, then there exists no plausible concept of good or evil. If one is wronged or suffering due to an evil act… then one cant call it “evil”… one can only say that the act happened. In a Pantheistic worldview, if your wronged, then the logical conclusion to it is… deal with it.

29
Dec
09

Men

Listened to a striking sermon a few seconds ago by Pastor Mark Driscoll on Biblical manhood. It was actually a sermon on the life of John the Baptist, but within it he speaks alot about the state of the men in our nation today… and the things he’s said are not only scary cause they’re true… but, very convicting as well cause alot of the stuff he says I see present in myself. (He touched on quite a bit, so I’ll try my best to reiterate what he said)

Driscoll on the State of Men in this Nation

Driscoll points our gaze towards the guys of this nation (and he deliberately does not call them men) pointing out that alot of guys, although physically growing in age, are very childish in their conduct and thought. He addresses a key element as to why men are this way, and I quote,

We’ve created this thing called adolescence. It’s a new 3rd life stage in the middle, between boy and man. We dont know what to call it, so we just call em guys. Boys who can shave. That’s the clinical definition of adolescence. Adolescence starts somewhere in your teen years and it continues indefinitely… there is no potential end! What kills young men is this worldly thinking that this indefinite period of adolescence in acceptable, natural, and unavoidable

He then points out that John did not go through adolescence. He was a boy who then grew in the Holy Spirit and conviction into the greatest man that ever lived (besides Jesus of course). He then asserts that adolescence is a secular idea that results in guys who are physically grown men but who act like immature irresponsible boys, yet it be perfectly culturally acceptable. It develops men who seek to avoid responsibility, but instead seek to live like “Peter Pan” for the rest of their lives… playing all day and not aspiring to do or become anything.

We see it everywhere. Guys dont know what it means to be a man or when one becomes a man. Is it 16? Is it 18? 21? So as a result, they do a variety of things. On of which is following the marketing companies guidance of “Drink this beer and you’ll be a man!” “Drive this truck and you’ll be a man!”… alot of our men have become consumers, rather than producers, takers rather than givers, with the ridiculous idea that your more of a man because of what toys you have… or what X-box games you play, or what level you are in some game. There’s also the existence of guys try to be men by seeking to proove themselves as men to their friends. Some examples of this are men who wish to join fraternitys, or gangs, or just guys in general who do some insane initiation rite to proove to others that “they are men”. So… many men of this nation are being “killed” (figuratively speaking) by consumerism and by relying on the opinions of other dumb guys, and as a result, we hav many children running around calling themselves men.

Heh, but its not only prevelant in the secular world! Now lets turn to the church. Sad to say it… but even Driscoll points out the fact that alot of men in the church have their own issues. Many of them are either complainers, or cowards. We’re too busy complaining about people doing stuff, but arent actually DOING ANYTHING ourselves. And why? Cause we’re either too lazy or too cowardly to act. We seek to live the most easiest, non-conflicting life and are too afraid to speak up about something or do something (too much work, or cost I suppose). Us men within the church, although I realize that we are growing in grace… we need to wake up and grow up.

Driscoll on the Spirit-Filled Man

After pointing all this stuff out, and more (Driscoll cracked down hardcore on men! I couldnt even put it all up), Driscoll then refers back to what a “Spirit-filled” man is… he points us back to, who Christ called, the greatest man who ever lived. John the Baptist. A Spirit filled man… a man who is, simply put, like Christ and who is being humbly led by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist did not remain childish but, as I mentioned, grew in the Spirit and conviction… and so did Jesus Christ. Paul states in an epistle that when he became a man he put away childish things. We need to consider doing the same.

Jesus did not judge His success as a man according to the things He possessed, His status in society, or the opinion of other men. He lived the life of a man before God and by judged His actions by God’s standards of success… not the world’s. Jesus and John were also not lazy cowards, who sat around doing nothing but complaining. They were men who acted, speaking out against the hypocrisy of the age, calling people to repentance and even GOING TO THEIR DEATHS in service to the Lord, and for His glory. These are not cowards who went the easiest route nor mere complainers, but are real men who sacrificed themselves and stood up for their Lord! These men are what we should strive to be more like…

Thoughts on Myself

Although I seek to be more of a man like Christ and even John… I see my many shortcomings. I will, however, not sit down and conform to the culture’s idea of what an acceptable guy my age should be like. By God’s grace… I will strive to be further transformed by God into the likeness of His Son, being a light to the nation, and will be humble as His Spirit leads me.

It can be hard because of many things… influence from culture, from people… but is that not the Christian struggle? To be more like Christ… in spite of the world’s influences around you? Christ states that we are Sons of God… I have not lost hope in His power. He can further transform the lives of myself and of my other brothers… growing us into the men He wants us to be. Cause remember, we Christian men… no matter what kinda messed up state we’re in… we are the glory of God, we are His children, and He will never abandon us. We have sin to repent of… so lets humbly repent, trust in God’s Spirit, and let Jesus’ word transform our hearts.

In Conclusion…

I love my Christian brothers, and the men of this nation… I pray that God moves to raise up men who, like John, grow in the Spirit and in conviction, as I seek to do so myself. Be in prayer! There’s a battle to be won… peoples very lives and God’s glory is at stake. Until next time…

~Grace and Peace!

(I, by no means did any justice to Driscoll’s sermon… I’ll prolly post up a link er something of the sermon, if I can find one heh)

(Catch anything weird? Comment up a correction, if you wish! =P )

26
Dec
09

Some time away

Heya! Sup y’all! =D

I’ve just recently finished this semester of school, and might I say… it was prolly the roughest semester yet, for multiple reasons heh. At least I knocked the mess outta all my finals haha!

So, for much of this semester, I’ve actually been waiting for the opportunity to get refocused and some rest . To isolate myself for a short time and, not only rest, but to read the Word and refocus myself on what’s important. Namely, Christ. (Thought this up cause theres a few examples of stuff like this happening in Scripture) This is part of the reason why this semester was exceptionally hard, come to think of it heh… simply cause I lacked the time to do such things heh.

But anyways, the semester is over, and it’s been a week! I’ve been spending this past week with my mother which has been great. Not only have I had the chance to disconnect from all the action happening back at home, but I’ve also had the time to rest, read, and meditate of God’s Word. I’m reading through the book of Luke and am following a sermon series of Luke being taught by Mark Driscoll (EXCELLENT series! I recommend it to ANYONE!). It’s… definitely been an extremely humbling and illuminating time. My relationship with the Lord has been doing alot better since prioritizing the word and increasing my time in prayer. Hey… I’m even having opportunities to minister heh.

All in all, if there’s one thing that I’ve come to realize as a “TA DAH!” kinda thing, through reading the book of Luke… it’s that what I think we’ve been lacking (at least from my point of view) is the important element of worship. Joyfully worshiping Christ through living out our lives… analyzing and conforming each deed to Jesus’ life… dedicating the things we do to Him, giving Him glory, worshipfully! Worship! Personally singing to the Lord with JOY because of who He is and what He’s done! These are the things that I feel have been lacking… but, by God’s grace, He’s helped me regain a bit of this through this time spent away (and I pray God will do the same for many others).

Ahh… well hey, just a few words on what I’ve been up to. Being distracted by a movie right now tho haha, so I’ll write more at a later time! Im bout to go read some Luke and work on the comic (which is going well, speaking of which heh). I’ve totally been miss everyone, and am awaiting seein’ everyone again! (in due time heh)

~Grace and Peace!

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“Our hearts are restless until we find our rest in thee” ~Augustine

20
Nov
09

Home Stretch

Hey all!

Tomorrow is my final day of school, till thanksgiving break. I’ll be off all next week hehe =P. I also have a mere 4 weeks left in school. 1 more month?! This semester has gone by so fast, although it has definitely been my hardest one! I’m behind in work in a few classes… but if I soldier up and do the work I gotta do, then I can still redeem my status within those classes hehe. The most difficult part of school, I think, is doing my schoolwork while maintaining my relationship with the Lord. There always seems to be a whole mess load of things that distract me from that… whether it be schoolwork, games, life situations, family, etc. , it never ceases to amaze me how quick I can stray away from the Lord.

So, im currently trying to set aside some time once again to just sit back… meditate on God’s word and pray. An hour or so a day seems good… not too big a commitment for me, I dont think (I mean, I aint workin’ or anything so… yeah hehe). Yeah! It’s definitely a worthwhile commitment! To complete all my school tasks, yet lessen in my relationship with the Lord is a situation I’m all to familiar with… and am not too fond of heh. Rather, I should grow in my communion with the Lord so I can be a more successful student… nay, live a more successful life! (Success in the eyes of the Lord, that is heh) Heh, so I think that a timely read through of the gospels is in order. =P

A very unorganized post, but im not necessarily writing this to share with people… but, that in the future, I can look back and see a bit of the past… and maybe learn  a thing or 2 heh.

A few tasks im currently up to

-Finishing up Greek studying! Dont understand anything we’re currently on… and that must change

-Preparing to write papers and do projects for other classes. Heh, shouldnt be too hard…

-Beating away the temptation to research character development, storylining, artistic designing, etc. for the comic in development haha! That joint can be such a distraction at times… must be careful

-Keeping in prayer my family, friends, and personal walk with the Lord; among other things heh

-Will be reading through the gospels! Cant wait to apply PBI to the texts! =D

-Evaluating current position with the church, in general, Hehe…

04
Nov
09

Mid-Semester mark

Heya!

So, its mid-semester for me… and I’ve been realizing alot of things. It’s been a bit of a slump for me the past month or so… but I’ve decided to once again repent from my dumb ways and start trusting in the Lord heh. Theres aot of work to be done…

Anywho, I’ve got far too much hw to blog any more than that! (Although I feel like doing so heh…) I’ll prolly add something new on my other blog, “Servant/Student: Aaron” sometime soon. Till then…

~Grace and Peace!

26
Oct
09

“Through the deepest of pain, God is enough”

John Piper speaking out against the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel; and speaking on what knowledge of the true gospel of Christ produces. Good stuff, I say. (Now off I head to school)

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

~2 Corin 12:7-10

20
Oct
09

New Blog! Servant/Student: Aaron

Hey everyone! I havent been blogging for quite a bit… and, although this one has been fun, I’ve decided to start a new blog!

Not to say that I’ll never use this one again… but, for this school semester at least, I’m going to blog about alot of stuff discussed in my classes! The things discussed in the classes of Aaron… interesting stuff indeed! (Or not… depending on what ur into hehe)

Here’s a list of the courses I’m taking. I’ll discuss, weekly, an interesting topic raised in each class:

-Intro to Psychology (Christian Psychology)

-Pauline Epistles 2

-Principles of Biblical Interpretation: Narrative

-Greek Grammar  1

-Apologetics

-Science of Creation

Each an interesting class… with amazing professors! Im excited to post up what they’ve taught me! Hopefully it can be a blessing to y’all =D

Anywho, here’s the link to the blog:

http://doulosaaron.wordpress.com/

This should be intense! Get ready for a bit of reading hehe! I pray that it serves y’all well. =P

~Truth and Grace

02
Sep
09

Amidst the busyness of school, some impacting thoughts.

Hello all!

I’ve started school and am totally loving it! That bein said… alot of reading and such has been required of me, and its only gonna grow haha! Amidst school stuff, I’ve been listening to some Mark Driscoll. This guy’s vids have humbled me and set me back on course… hopefully they will be a blessing to any who listen, as well! They’re very worthwhile to listen to, and I strongly encourage y’all to check these vids out and think on what he says. They’ve def impacted me.

Anywho, please pray for me, as I balance school with the struggles of the Cchan life! off I go to do some homework hehe =P.

24
Aug
09

Fun stuff! Superpower naming

Heya everyone! =D

List out as many superpowers as you can!

Generic ones are good… but if you got some creative ones in mind, then go for it haha! =D

(They may be used in the comic I actually started haha!)