Battles Blog

I am finding there is both good and bad with blogging, the good being that the writer (aka: me) learns a lot from writing. The bad being that “a fool’s voice [comes with] many words” (Ecc 5:3 ESV). I am doing my best not do the later, basically rambling and gossiping, rather promoting wholesome and spiritual conversations (albeit internet text conversations) and intellectual growth.

I don’t have a perfect percentage or formula, but I do know this: no person should be blogging or discussing anything Biblical if the person is not first seeking the Lord for himself, and reading as much as he can on books about the Bible. For me, that means, I will not let myself post anything, unless I have been reading Christian living books. While I will admit that men are but men, and are not infallible, they certainly do have a lot better things to say than I do. So at very least, at this point in my game, I should be learning more than I should talking. Yeah, I know….sounds oxymoronic at this point….

Back to the subject: I want blogging to be a place where people like me, unlearned, young preacher boys, can humbly express what they are thinking. May I make myself clear: there are many a young men out there who do speak as a fool with many words; this is not the blog for you. I want this to be a place where [young] students of God’s Word can voice their opinion and not be taken to the slaughterhouse by those who are older and wiser. That is also an admonition to you older and wiser: take it easy!! (both here and on bigger blogs like sharperiron.org and other places). Treat us as we should be treated.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (I Tim 4:12 ESV)

Older men: set an example for us to follow. Let us talk your ear off, and have a gentle and kind rebuke by way of example. Think of your youth: when someone chewed you out, did you learn from it, or did you seethe up with resentment? (please tell me I was not the only one!) We all learn best when carefully explained, or taught by example. I will address at a later time my thoughts on preaching and its clarity and directness.

So for now, young men and old men alike, watch your speech. Be careful in what you say. I should include myself in that statement. My subordinates at work know that I am not the best at helping people grow. It is my own fault, but I continue to work at it. Yet at the same time, I cannot help but wonder if part of that is not because I have not had very many role models over the years who have exemplified careful and thoughtful help in maturity.

So how ‘bout this: you and I both work on it….

Listening to: Symphonic Metamorphosis

Well, I am going to see if this works. I dont know if I will have time, or even access to this site in the future, but I might as well give it a try. Oh, I am talking about blogging if you didnt get my hint. I will try to put some of my posts that I put on my blogspot on here. I no longer have access to that because the BJU filter blocks all blogspots. Bummer.

I am totally hating myself right now. I just spent probably 20 minute that I shouldnt have spent in the first place writing a response to what is going on over at SharperIron.org (http://www.sharperiron.org/showthread.php?t=2807&page=1&pp=7) and was going to copy my quick reply (which wasnt really quick into the real reply box and accidently hit the copy command again and totally lost my text. And I do not have to to retype it, so I aint gunna.
Man talk about feeling like you just got kicked in the stomach! Good thing it wasnt for class! (FYI, I hit command-S every other second when writing a paper; if only I was that smart a couple minutes ago!

Listening to: A Quiet Heart

If you dont know me at all, I am Sophomore Pastoral Studies major (music minor) at Bob Jones University. As my campus job, I work at the music company BJU owns called SoundForth. We yearly put out a CD featuring students, former students, staff, and faculty of BJU. This year's is called A Quiet Heart (SoundForth Singers and Orchestra). It is supposed to be supplement to Dr. Berg's new DVD series called Quieting A Noisy Soul (check out quietinganoisysoul.com for more details). A 30-second preview can be listened to at SacredAudio.com of all the songs on A Quiet Heart, and many many more CDs.

Here is the text from one of my favorite songs on the CD called

I Could Not Do Without Thee

Words by Francis R. Havergal
Music by Craig Curry
Orchestration by Dan Forrest
Kristin Alexander, soloist

© Copyright 1997 by Beckenhorst Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

I could not do without Thee,
O Savior of the lost,
Whose precious blood redeemed me,
at such tremendous cost.
Thy righteousness, Thy pardon,
Thy precious blood must be
My only hope and comfort,
my glory and my plea.

I could not do without Thee,
I cannot stand alone.
I have no strength or goodness,
no wisdom of my own.
But Thou, beloved Savior,
Art all in all to me,
And weakness will be power
If leaning hard on Thee.

I could not do without Thee,
O Jesus, Savior, dear;
E’en when my eyes are ‘holden,
I know that Thou art near.
How dreary and how lonely
This changeful life would be
Without the sweet communion,
the secret rest with Thee.

I could not do without Thee,
For years are fleeting fast,
And soon in solemn loneness,
The river must be passed.
But Thou wilt never leave me,
And though the waves roll high,
I know Thou wilt be near me,
And whisper, “It is I.”