Heroism or Terrorism? Which is it?

So, another suicide bomber has attacked, I read in the paper this morning. 25 Iraqis killed, as one man-bombs strapped to his chest-walks among them and the clock ticking...the headline in an Al Quaida publication hailed him as a hero. Our headlines marked him as a terrorist. It seems there is some confusion over what is considered heroism and what is terrorism depending on what side of the mirror you're looking at....
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terrorism: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion

ter·ror
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French terreur, from Latin terror, from terrEre to frighten; akin to Greek trein to be afraid, flee, tremein to tremble -- more at TREMBLE
1 : a state of intense fear
2 a : one that inspires fear : SCOURGE b : a frightening aspect c : a cause of anxiety : WORRY d : an appalling person or thing; especially : BRAT
3 : REIGN OF TERROR
4 : violence (as bombing) committed by groups in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands
synonym see FEAR
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heroism: heroic conduct especially as exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end

1he·ro·ic
Pronunciation: hi-'rO-ik also her-'O- or hE-'rO-
Variant(s): also he·ro·ical /-i-k&l/
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or resembling heroes especially of antiquity
2 a : exhibiting or marked by courage and daring b : supremely noble or self-sacrificing
3 a : of impressive size, power, extent, or effect : POTENT (heroic doses) (a heroic voice) b (1) : of great intensity : EXTREME, DRASTIC (2) : of a kind that is likely only to be undertaken to save a life
4 : of, relating to, or constituting drama written during the Restoration in heroic couplets and concerned with a conflict between love and honor
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....when I consider the life of this anonymous man responsible for the deaths of 26 people, I wonder whether he truly fits either definition. I can't see him as either hero or terrorist, but rather a victim of fear (terror) himself...Who ever came up with the idea that destruction was better than creation, anyway?

This means WAR!!!!

So, I've been accused of stealing other people's blog ideas (ahem, TARA-HHH ....I know there is no H in her name, but I use it in friendly spite!) Oh, so now it's apparently 'scooping'....WOOP WOOP on you!! This is now a BLOG WAR!!!! I doth bequeath to thou, miss Tarah of Vancouver to embark in such said Blog War that will begin as of ten minutes ago...(man I wish these fingers would type faster....apparently I'm UNDISCIPLINED!!! Yeah, thanks for telling me something I already knew) So I tell you now, in full view of the general public...IT IS ON, BABY!!

Ambition...none but the Lord's!

I just got into this question of ambition on another blog, and it's something that's probably really good to get into here, too....
"When do you put personal ambition ahead of your family? Do you ever? What if your personal ambition is God-related and you know in your heart that's what He has for you, but you don't know when?"

After re-reading the question, I'm starting to wonder whether it was more of a hypothetical one. Still, I don't think personal ambition should ever EVER come before your family, even if it's God-related. The Church (and by that I mean the people who make up the Body of Christ) has brought a lot of crap into the world "in the name of" God. It seems we would rather try to make God fit into our agenda than learning how to fit our life into God's agenda for the salvation of the world. (Give credit to Steve here...your thought, I adopted it! Thanks, by the way!) I don't want to make any decisions that are merely God-related. I want God to be so much a part of my life that it's HIM doing the directing me, and me learning how to follow Him better.

Take Bangor, for instance. God put me here, and is keeping me here. I don't really have all the reasons sorted out, but I'm trusting Him that this is good, and He's assuring me that it is. At the moment I don't have anything fixed to keep me here, no firm job offers, no apartment, no family, no roommate, no visa even, but I'm trusting Him that this will be another step to grow my faith and another opportunity for God to remind me of His faithfulness....I'm stretching my faith muscle, so to speak! (Thanks, Danielle!)

righteous unity vs. division

2 Chronicles 21
Jehoram was a bad king. He slaughtered his brothers so there would be no one to take over his throne but himself. He rebelled against the Lord and followed in the ways of Ahab and the prophets of Baal. There was war in the land and Edom (one of the other tribes of Israel) rebelled against Judah because of Jehorams' unrighteous rule. V.10 says that Edom has been in rebellion ever since.

This hits a strong cord with me, especially when looking at other denominations of the church. How many divides have there been in the church that began with some form of unrighteous practice, and a small group of pioneers seeking to correct the wrong. But even in seeking out a new form of 'right' worship, what we have too easily held strong was the things that divide rather than the Person who brings us all together.

How easy is it to nurse a grudge, and how difficult is it to say "I'm sorry"...too often it seems we'd rather be right than unified, and would rather bolster our way than seek out God's way together.

I've been nursing a grudge towards Tarah this week, and it stunk. We couldn't talk to eachother without our words jabbing into eachother like arrows. We couldn't eat in the same room, or have a civil conversation because of the Grudge that was stewing under the surface of everything we were doing. She tried to adress it with me, but I was still stewing, trying to hide in some comfortable place within the misery...doesn't work, so I learned! Grudge stew just kept bubbling and stewing, and boiling over and getting yucky grudge mess all over both of us and anyone standing near enough to get slopped on...finally, God was like, "Okay, Aurora, how long are you going to live with this junk?? You tired yet? You sick of it yet? You ready to hear the truth now?" Funny thing, getting things out in the open was a whole lot less painful than I was afraid it would be. The Grudge monster has lost his bite, praise the Lord!

A hero's battle

Yesterday something hit me from the movie Fantastic Four we watched last night...The 'heroes' biggest battle throughout the movie was actually with eachother. How many times have you noticed that the majority of your christian struggles come from WITHIN the Body of Christ in learning how to get along as a brotherhood than from outside influences??

On holiness....

The issue of holiness has come up a lot during this week, and we started praying for Tara that she would receive her 'second blessing'. We ARE a holiness movement, we HAVE holiness meetings, do we not? So why does it seem so frazzling when someone (aka Tara) starts asking simple direct questions? All of a sudden she's met with attack, and the simple question "so are you holy?" gets sidetracked by everyone praying over her like she's somehow missed the boat on some secret knowledge that everyone else has a firm grasp of. But if we all have a firm grasp on the experience, shouldn't there be a plethora of God-honoring testimony after the question??

Jesus says "Be holy as I am holy." Why would He say that- COMMAND, actually- if it were impossible? We are a holiness movement, are we not?

As far as I'm concerned, as a teacher, if you're not prepared to explain your experience in more than one way, than you're only speaking in theory and not from authority. Everyone learns in school that E=MC2 but could you explain how that works unless you are passionate about science, or are Einstein himself?

CS Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity; "As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you."

We cannot be God, but He has given us opportunity through Holy Spirit to get to know Him intimately. I was challenged a few days ago that I am afraid to get intimate with God. I thought I was getting intimate with God, but maybe I'm not. Have we turned into a movement that only theorizes about God rather than letting go of our pride in order to excperience Him in the fullness that He describes in the scriptures.

Jesus' disciples did the same miracles Jesus did.
Why do we so often settle for less??

Obedience, confession, transparency....freedom!

Have you ever had one of those dreams where you go to school naked, or go to work and forget your pants or some other important piece of clothing? The past few nights, I've been having really disturbing dreams about being naked and trying to shop for clothes, only because I'm naked I don't have any money (or any pockets to put money) and I'm in these stores packed with people and trying to find something that will cover me up without giving me away that I've got nothing to buy these clothes with. It stinks. It's uncomfortable, embarrassing, and there's no way to hide behind anyone, so I just keep walking around the store, trying to look oblivious to the fact of my situation, and hoping no one around me will notice either. The only problem is that nakedness is glaringly obvious to a clothed culture.
It's true in every culture that there are certain attributes to the human figure that are considered beautiful, and are therefore accentuated by the way they dress; lips, ears, eyes, ankles, neck, hips, hair.... There are also areas that we hide; rolls, fat, scars, skin 'defects', pimples, warts, fungus, dandruff, poop, etc...the truth is, however, that everyone has their good side and their bum side. Nakedness is the leveling ground.

Sometimes 'getting naked' in a spiritual sense means letting people see the not-so-nice parts of our personality as well as the good points. I've always appreciated the raw honesty of people who are not afraid to say "You know what? I'm mad at you right now. That was really annoying. When you said this, it really hurt me." Not speaking to hurt other people, but in order to get truth out, and cut the crap.

"Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place." Psalm 51:6

"SEARCH me O god, and know my heart; TEST me and know my anxious thoughts. SEE if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23,24

today

I preached today. I don't think I'm a preacher. But God is good, and the people of Bangor are forgiving and gracious, or at least they'd better be!! I don't live to please man but God. I think the problem with my preach was that I haven't lived up to it yet. It was about hearing from God and making excuses not to follow Him. Most days I'm still making excuses. Today I was making excuses. Once in a blue moon I'll obey what I'm thinking is from God, and it turns out to be good, but I still have trouble TRUSTING that He will DO WHAT HE SAYS...why is that, I wonder??

What the Hell?

Read a good article on Heaven and Hell today. There's a shout out to Wesley in it, so you might want to check it out!


Here's the bit that I liked particularly (all in quotes, of course!):
Currently there is a good deal of discussion among Christians about the morality of hell: it is said that a good God would not condemn people to an eternity of torture. However that has been the belief of most Christians through most of Christian history. It seems to be supported by the Biblical account. The alternative seems about as bad: that God will force himself on people who do not want him.

Note that it is not necessary to say that God imposes hell as punishment. It may be the automatic (indeed logically unavoidable) consequence of rejecting God. It is not clear that God makes it intentionally unpleasant. It may be the nature of the people who are there, and the fact that they are finally given what they want: freedom from God.

Many criticisms of judgement suggest that it is arrogant to say that Christian ideas are true and others are false. "How can you be so arrogant to believe that Christians will go to heaven and everyone else will go to hell." As we will see below, most Christians don't believe this. However the idea that this is arrogant seems odd. We do not criticize mathematics teachers for saying that 2 + 2 is always 4, and that believing sincerely in 5 is not acceptable. Either there is a God or there isn't. Either Christ died to save us or he didn't. If he did, it's hard to see how it can be arrogant to say so. If he didn't, then Christians are wrong, but not arrogant.

What's the big diff?

SO I had a nice chat with my buddy Charlie last night. He's this incredible guy with a flare for connecting people with other people, and constantly looking for opportunities to hang out with teens and youth, and get them active in social justice opportunities. Thing is, He's not saved. Now, you're wondering, what's the difference between someone who's saved and someone who's not saved? Really, now. What's the difference? Some people might say not a whole lot, and that I think is very telling on the state of the Church today.
If we look at what was going on with the Early Church (a group of ragtag Jewish fishermen), we see blind people seeing, deaf people hearing, dead people walking (anyone see that movie? Dead Man Walking? it's excellent- but I digress), religious people raging, people dying brutal deaths all the while praying for the forgiveness of their murderers staring them in the face. Where did all the power go?
Where is God moving today? Where are the used-to-be-blind people? Where are the used-to-be-deaf people? There are plenty testimonies to God's saving power, but for some reason most of them are in areas of the world where there is either extreme poverty, extreme disease, or extreme persecution.
When Danielle came back from Africa, she told us of a poll they were taking of the community to assess their needs. The survey question was, "What do you hope for this community?" The resounding response was, "that Jesus comes back." All their hope rested on Jesus' return, because they knew that that was the only permanent solution they had. They didn't rest their hopes on a shipment of fresh water that would last a month, or a certain type of vaccine that would last a year, but all their hope rested on the only thing that would last forever...Jesus.
We live in a world of quick fixes where we don't have to wait for much....but when it comes down to it, where does your hope come from? Does your hope come from some little pill that can only treat symptoms, or some investment that could crash unexpectedly, or does your hope come from God, the Creator Preserver and Governor of the universe?
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul tells the believers they have not moved on in their faith, and are still depending on milk rather than solid spiritual food. He calls them "worldly" and scolds them for acting "like mere men". We claim to have Christ dwelling in us, do we not? God, who created the whole universe, dwells in you if you believe it. Do you believe it? Then how do you walk it? What makes a saved person different from an unsaved person? Your thoughts...

covenant

There's been a lot of talk about covenant I've been following on a few blogs, and I found something my good friend Jaime put on her blog that I'd like to quote;


I believe that God wrote the Bible.

I believe that there is one God, who created EVERYTHING, and is the only One worthy to be worshipped.

I believe there are 3 pieces to the Trinity. Why else would it be called a trinity? Each part is equally perfect, important, and powerful.

I believe that Jesus is God, and was man.

I believe that Adam and Eve wre made perfect and sinless, but screwed up and as a consequence so do we.

I believe that Jesus' death and resurrection is my only way to Heaven.

I believe that I must ask to be forgiven, so that I may be forgiven and receive Salvation.

I believe that I am not under law, but under grace. And it is only through this grace that I am saved.

I believe that once I am saved I must continue to walk with God and obey Him so that I may be always saved.

I believe that I can be perfect, just as He is perfect.

I believe there is a heaven and there is a hell. Heaven is where you go if you believe, and act accordingly. Hell is where you go if you don't.

Because I believe these things:

I will listen to God, and grow closer to Him every day.

I will be in the world, but not of the world.

I will not crowd my life with impure thoughts, unclean words, or dishonest actions.

I will keep my relationships God-centered.

I will help to revive marriage, and remind people what it means. That it is a covenant...to the death.

I will give all of myself, holding back no part, give it all freely to God, my church, and people I come in contact with.

I will not drink. I will not smoke. I will not do drugs. I will not gamble. I will not watch pornography. I will not do anything that can come between myself and God. Ever. Never ever.

I will win souls for Christ, and remain faithful to the Salvation Army.

I will be involved in activities at my corps. I will tithe and give as much as I can afford to give.

I will stand by what I have written here, and what I claim to believe, even when it's not such a popular thing to do.

If any of this sounds familiar to anyone, It's the Articles of War. It's my signed covenant with God that I will uphold until I die. And then for eternity. I am a Soldier in the Salvation Army.

I AM THE SALVATION ARMY.

God at the movies...

Sunday night we watched Coach Carter together, and one of the climactic moments in the movie, was quoted Nelson Mandella's inaugural speech, minus the God bits. It was a really powerful and emotional moment, but I think that says a lot about our society. We have not simply forgotten God, but we live in a society that has literally editted God out. Junk.

A biblical perspective on marriage...

Saturday morning, excellent devo time in Genesis...a few thoughts hit me as I read,
1. Jacob was the first male prostitute in history (his wife 'hired' him for a night from his other wife with a bunch of mandrakes)
2. Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac all married barren women...hmmmm....
3. Deceit and lies carry heavy consequences with them...
4. Jacob was a good guy. He gave his first wife a week before marrying her sister.

And you thought the Bible was full of perfect people? HA!!
But, for some reason, God chose to redeem a family line of liars, cheaters and thieves to bring salvation to the world. All things are possible with God, and there are no lost causes in His sight. Praise the Lord!

SO, I'm learning how to use powerpoint, now. It's kind of fun! I forgot how much I enjoyed computers some time ago. It's kind of like riding a bike...you never forget the basic motions, although it takes a bit of time to get back into practice....now I bet some of you are offended at me comparing a computer to physical excercise...too bad! I need to start excercising again. Some day...

what's with all the missionaries??

Went to a different church last night, just down the road from the Mackay's house. They had a guest preacher that night, who's whole family (including himself) are missionaries. It seems every time I visit another denomination lately, they're having missionaries guest-preach...cool! I tell you this man was dynamic in his preaching! I couldn't get over how animated this guy was! But he could testify to the power of Yahweh moving in his life, and gave the glory to Christ, so all the power to him!

On the way home, I was offered rides by three separate people, but chose to walk anyway. Why is it that I expect strangers to accept love from me, but I don't seem to be able to accept love from them?? Hmm, maybe some more of that martyr/mothering complex coming through!!

HAPPY DOMINION DAY

Friday was Canada Day, and my Grandfather's 83rd, and my nephew's 5th birthdays, and I was in Maine for all of them. (It's okay, I got to talk to them- my grandfather and my nephew, don't know who I'd call for 'Canada'- over the phone, and sang them Happy Birthday, so that was good.)

Friday also wrapped up our VBS week...I was soooo exhausted, had no idea it would be that taxing, because the kids were actually a blast to be around. We had about 30 kids altogether, one I met at the soup kitchen, and another kid who joined us one day because he saw us playing outside while he was walking his dog. (His name's John, and we've seen him every morning this week since....Holy Spirit, open up doors for him and his parents...) One thing about taking on leadership, is that you also take on other peoples' criticism, bitterness, and basically anything else they choose to heap on you. Control and bitterness are definitely some spiritual strongholds in Bangor, but we are overcomers, and are learning to fight through it. Today was especially good in PTB. It started out rough, but then we joined together in prayer, and Christ had the victory!
Monday was my first ever fourth of July (don't ask me where I was for the other 24 of them I lived through, my mind is drawing a blank...haha!) At least, it was my first time ever CELEBRATING the fourth of July. We spent the whole day with Mary's clan, over in Deer Isle, and the sun was lovely. The guys and I played ultimate frisbee, and Michael showed himself to be just as good as the big kids, which was great! Of course, after all that running, I needed to cool off, so had a bit of fun splashing about with Brianna, Megan, and Nicole in the kiddie pool!

Yesterday back to the Family Store, sorting out the toy room...who'da thunk it would take four hours to sort through a room full of toys? (Seriously, someone should be enforcing that parents stay in that room with their kids...then again, maybe that soemone should be me, since I was the one standing there at the time!!) That brings me to today again, and God is Good, as always, but he likes to hear it, so I'll keep saying it...God is good!