Crafty

I've been spending some time doing what is possible my favourite past-time -- making t-shirts! I'm doing the designs on Illustrator and they are looking good. So far so good as long as I do not screw up the iron-on transfer.

And speaking of crafts I want to pass along this great concept from MommyCoddle. It's called a "Mini-Swap". The idea is that children from all parts of the world exchange arts and crafts and such with one another. Mina simply loves getting packages in the mail so I think that this would be really fun!

And while we are on the subject I want to draw attention to this great illustrator, Claire Robertson. In a perfect world she would be doing the artwork for the Something Felt album. (In a perfect world we would have a drummer and be able to finish our album.)

Additionally I placed the entire 6a2 album 6a2:SixAfterTwo up for free a download, complete with art. Attention ad agencies: I'm totally ready to sell-out and am eagerly awaiting your call! These are great songs for car commercials!

And while you are busy downloading free music be sure to go over to Band Kids Unite and download a new EP from Nathan Lee: "Nathan is an "Umb"", and if you haven't got it already Reed Sutter's "How I Wasted My Youth".

Weekend Update

On Friday we were invited over to a brother's apartment for pizza. It was a real good time and somehow both Rebekah and I managed to avoid eating the pizza, cookies, and cake. Hurray for will power! The association was good but I have such mixed feelings over it.. On the one hand it is great to be around moral people who don't use profanity and yet on the other hand I just wish that somehow our conversations could be more spiritually upbuilding. We talked about food and cars and sports and weather and work; but, outside of the prayer for the food, Jehovah or Jesus didn't get mentioned. I'm willing to share the blame because though I really enjoy speaking about spiritual things I'm always hesitant to bring it up.

Another cause for worry is the teenage boys in our hall are all into violent activities - first person shooter video games and airsoft weapons are their favourite things it seems. It's pretty sad to me when they get together and they all bring out their guns. So I've been kicking myself about figuring out how to help them. I can relate to them; afterall, it wasn't all that long ago that me and my friends were playing early multi-player shooters like Duke Nukem 3D. Yet at the same time that seems so much more innocent than what is going on now. You take a game like "Medal of Honor" were you are playing the role of US military squadron during WWII walking around realistically shooting Germans. Then I think about how back in the 40's our brothers on both sides suffered considerably for not getting involved in warfare but now in the 21st century it is a fun diversion. And I can't help but to speculate about if/when the draft comes how will these young men be able to claim Christian neutrality and opposition to war if they regularly engage in warefare on their X-Box's or in airsoft arenas. I've requested to give an upcoming talk at the meeting on "violent video games" and I pray that I'll be able to help them out without coming down too harshly or alienating them. I can still remember when me and my friends had to sit through a local needs on violent video games and how unpleasant it was for us at the time.

On Saturday Mina went and stayed overnight with her aunt and uncle. Rebekah and I enjoyed a night alone with a DVD and crispy pork tacos with guacamole along with some tasty chocolate covered strawberries. Then on Sunday we went to the meeting and enjoyed a talk by a brother who had just moved away from our hall. This elder was such an asset to our hall it was so incredibly sad for him to leave. He is one of the few that really seemed to get "it" and when he spoke you could tell that he meant every word and the holy spirit was present. We enjoyed taking his family out to eat along with some other in our hall.

At the present I'm still trucking along on a pretty deep study of Nimrod and Babel and I'm looking forward to sharing that information with you when I'm done. In the meantime you'll have to settle for the mundane little bits of my life. But hey - at least I'm giving you pictures!

Partially Cloudy ... Everyday

Is a clear sky too much to ask for?




Keep looking up.

Funny Little Frog

I spent the weekend watching the video for 'Funny Little Frog', the 1st single from the forthcoming Belle and Sebastian album The Life Pursuit. The song is really, really sweet (in the puppy dog sense) and catchy and the video is pretty fun as well. Best line from the song, "I never forget you in my prayers. I never have a bad thing to report."

Also ran across a little blurb for the next generation LEGO Mindstorms line. Mindstorms are a really techy lego component that allows one to literally build and program robots. The new LEGO Mindstorms NXT unit is all tricked out with improved touch sensors, improved optics (It "sees" in colour), and new sound sensors. Best of all the NXT is Mac compatible! If only they had this sort of thing out when I was a kid. And speaking of LEGO, Mina constructed the LEGO version of the New Heavens and New Earth - funny.

Last night I caught the last half of Central do Brasil (Central Station) on IFC. It was cute story set in Brazil about a woman, Dora, who was helping a boy, Josue, find his father after his mother was killed. The characterizations were sharp and natural and toward the end you get a good inside peek at Maryolatry. Interesting. Rebekah disliked the ending because it was "bittersweet". Of course I like that sort of thing.

This isn't really much of an update - I know. The only thing else I can say is that I must of have been half-asleep this morning when I got dressed. I just noticed that I'm wearing two different shoes.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

I've recently been in a discussion with an individual who questioned my application of 1 Corinthians 2:9 to our respective hopes of a new heaven and new earth. My commentary on this verse from my 12/19/05 entry entitled "Good Gifts" says as follows:

"Certainly we can imagine the splendors of heaven or envision the joys of the new Earth - however the actual beauty of such is incomprehensible to mankind. Take your best picture of the afterlife multiply it by a thousand and you are still nowhere close to the reality of it. It will be THAT good. What a loving Father we have!"

The individual questioned this application in the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and set out to show that instead of applying to future blessings this verse applied to knowledge of Bible truths that Christians have at present. For instance by looking at the very next verse it seems to indicate a state that is enjoyed now: "For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Cor 2:10) He suggested that it here shows that Paul and those to whom he wrote had the knowledge of what had been prepared for them. Too he pointed out verse 7, which speaks about Christians having "God's wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the systems of things for our glory."

I've taken upon myself to examine this and see if I have made a mistake in my exegesis. It is with the purpose of clarification that I submit the following research on this Bible scripture.

I concur that 1 Corinthians 2 taken as whole is eloquently providing testimony of the ability of God's spirit to reveal his purposes to Christians so that they have a knowledge that the world does not have. This was a cause of joy for Jesus who declared “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to babes." (Matthew 11:25)

It is certainly true that when Jesus was on earth he attempted to teach his disciples many things regarding the kingdom and God's purpose. In doing so he taught in such a way that these precious Kingdom secrets would be kept from those who were not receptive. At Matthew 13:10,11, regarding his teachings, Jesus disciples asked him: "Why is it you speak to them by the use of illustrations?” In reply he said: “To YOU it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted."

We see here that use of the term "sacred secrets" in connection with "the kingdom of the heavens". Later on in Matthew 13:44 Jesus again compares the kingdom to something that is hidden. We read, “The kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and for the joy he has he goes and sells what things he has and buys that field."

Did Jesus' disciples comprehend the sacred secrets of the kingdom that Jesus was trying to teach them? Evidentially no. While they were able to understand some of what he was saying they were unable to grasp it in its entirety. In part this was due to their false understanding that Jesus as the Messiah was there to install an earthly kingdom that would rise up and free the Jews from the Romans. (John 18:36) They couldn't understand that Jesus had not come to earth to set up a kingdom but that he had come to give his life as a ransom for all mankind. (1 Timothy 2:5,6)

In Luke 9:44,45 their confusion is plainly evident. Their Jesus says “Give lodgment to these words in YOUR ears, for the Son of man is destined to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they [the Apostles] continued without understanding of this saying. In fact, it was concealed from them that they might not see through it, and they were afraid to question him about this saying."

Too we read the more direct words of Matthew 16:21 as to how "Jesus Christ commenced showing his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the older men and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised up." At that time he was plainly making clear to the Apostles that he was to be killed. Did they grasp what he was saying? No. We read at verse 22 how Peter took Jesus aside and said to him, “Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this [destiny] at all.”

It was not until after Jesus had died that the apostles were able to understand this aspect of God's purpose. When Jesus was raised he helped them to understand these things. At Luke 24:25-27 we read, "So he said to them: “O senseless ones and slow in heart to believe on all the things the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” And commencing at Moses and all the Prophets he interpreted to them things pertaining to himself in all the Scriptures."

What about other aspects of the Kingdom? Did they understand these things? Not at first. For just before he ascended to heaven Jesus' disciples asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?" (Acts 1:6) they were still laboring under false ideas about what the Kingdom was to be. The true understanding of these matters was not to be opened up to them until they received the Holy Spirit. Before his death Jesus made this clear at John 14:25,26 where he said, “While remaining with YOU I have spoken these things to YOU. But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach YOU all things and bring back to YOUR minds all the things I told YOU."

When the Apostles and disciples received Holy Spirit during the festival of Pentecost this was the beginning of their growth of knowledge of the Kingdom. At that time did they know everything there was to know? Not at all, for example at first they did not understand at that the Kingdom inheritance was to be opened up beyond the Jews. However with the calling of Cornelius they began to comprehend that the gentiles would also be a part of this kingdom. (John 10:16) Upon his anointing the Apostle Paul developed additional aspects of the Kingdom. Even down to the last apostle John further revelations regarding the Kingdom through the spirit were being made manifest.

Now with that background we return to the original scripture under consideration as found in 1 Corinthians chapter 2.

Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection was the central message of the 1st century preaching work starting in Pentecost and continuing down through the days of Paul. (Acts 2:21-36; 1 Corinthians 1:17) In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 it is interesting because it appears that people were still stumbling over the death of Jesus, just as the apostles once did. The Jews were stumbled by it and the Greeks thought it was foolish. (1 Cor 1:22,23) This sets up 1 Corinthians chapter 2 where Paul sets out to contrast the wisdom of the world verses the wisdom of God.

At 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Paul states that when he originally came to the Corinthians he did not come with "extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God". His message then was a simple one, Jesus Christ, impaled. This was the basic, fundamental teaching of the Christian congregation from its founding forward.

At verse 6 Paul now begins to speak to "those who are mature" able to understand and comprehend, "God's wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom." Calling attention to the blindness and deafness that was manifest among the world he says, "But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Cor 2:9,10)

Then in verses 11-15 he concludes by elaborating on how "the spirit which is from God" is able to teach "spiritual matters and spiritual words" as well as allowing them to understand what had been given them by God.

So it is indeed true that 1 Corinthians 2 is showing how through the spirit we are able to under the wisdom and sacred secrets of God. But we ask what is the "hidden wisdom" that Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 2? Is it just the overall body of teachings of the Christian Congregation or it something more specific?

As we discussed earlier we see from Jesus that the sacred secret is directly linked to the Kingdom. This is the "hidden wisdom" and "sacred secret" that Paul is addressing. A large part of this is the hope that Christians have of being glorified with Jesus. "But we speak God’s wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the systems of things for our glory. " (1 Cor 2:7)

We compare this to Ephesians 1:8-11 where Paul also talks about wisdom and the sacred secret as it relates to the Kingdom hope of glorification in Christ. "This he caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and good sense, in that he made known to us the sacred secret of his will. ... [Yes,] in him [Jesus], in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs, in that we were foreordained according to the purpose of him who operates all things according to the way his will counsels, that we should serve for the praise of his glory, we who have been first to hope in the Christ."

As well we call attention to Paul’s words to Colossians regarding a sacred secret that is related to the glorification of Christians in the Kingdom "I became a minister of this [congregation] in accordance with the stewardship from God which was given me in YOUR interest to preach the word of God fully, the sacred secret that was hidden from the past systems of things and from the past generations. But now it has been made manifest to his holy ones, to whom God has been pleased to make known what are the glorious riches of this sacred secret among the nations. It is Christ in union with YOU, the hope of [his] glory." (Colossians 1:25-27)

So when Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:9 "But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” Is he talking about the general body of Christian beliefs? No. It would follow that he is talking specifically about the Kingdom hope. Further evidence can be found when we compare the wording of 1 Corinthians 2:9 with other scriptures that talk about what "God has prepared for those who love him."

"When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then will sit down on his glorious throne ... "Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, YOU who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for YOU from the founding of the world. (Matthew 25:31-34)

"At that Jesus said to them: “The cup I am drinking YOU will drink, and with the baptism with which I am being baptized YOU will be baptized. However, this sitting down at my right or at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.” (Mark 10:39,40)

" Jesus said in answer: “YOU men do not know what YOU are asking for. Can YOU drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him: “We can.” He said to them: “YOU will indeed drink my cup, but this sitting down at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Mark 20:22-23)

"If, now, God, although having the will to demonstrate his wrath and to make his power known, tolerated with much long-suffering vessels of wrath made fit for destruction, in order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory, namely, us, whom he called not only from among Jews but also from among nations, [what of it]?" (Romans 9:22)

Listen, my beloved brothers. God chose the ones who are poor respecting the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to those who love him, did he not? (James 2:5)

Thus while the whole of 1 Corinthians chapter 2 is a comparison of the wisdom of God held by Christians with the wisdom of the world, verse 9 is specifically referencing the Kingdom Hope held by Christians. This is both in harmony with the context of the chapter as well as Paul's other letters as well as Jesus words as well as the rest of the Christian scriptures.

Now lets consider the following verse 10, "For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God." Are we to conclude that Paul is stating that the Holy Spirit has revealed every aspect of the Kingdom to us? To put it simply, do we now know everything?

The holy spirit indeed opened the earlier Christian's minds up to the teachings of Jesus and the Scriptures where they were able to understand the Jesus was raised as king of the Kingdom, that Kingdom was to rule from Heaven, that those who die with Christ had the opportunity to be resurrected with Christ, that they would have spiritual bodies, and that they would rule with him. (Acts 2:36, Romans 6:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44) Through the spirit some of the apostles and disciples were given direct visions into the heavenly things. Peter, James, and John witnessed a vision of Jesus in his Kingdom glory. (Matthew 17:1,2) Stephen saw the heavens opened up and Jesus sitting at God's right hand. (Acts 7:56) Paul and John were taken in spirit into heaven and paradise. (2 Corinthians 12:2,4; Revelation 4:1-11; 21:1) In these direct ways the Holy Spirit showed glimpses of what God had prepared for those who love him.

Certainly the spirit had taught them many things concerning the sacred secrets of God as it related to the Kingdom but was their knowledge complete or was it progressive? Well the scriptures certainly show progressive revelation. The book of Revelation, one of the last Bible books written, provides many details of the Kingdom that are not shown in other portions of the Bible - a major one being that those of the first resurrection to heaven will number 144,000. (Revelation 14:1-3)

We must admit that the scriptures provide us with enough knowledge for the here and now. As well we concur that the wisdom of God possessed by Christians is precious indeed and far superior worldly wisdom. We are granted the privilege of knowing about the Heavenly Kingdom that will usher in a righteous new heavens and a new earth. (2 Peter 3:13) We know that there is a resurrection of the dead through Christ Jesus. (John 5:28,29) We know that some are to be raised to the new heavens and some are to be raised to the new earth. We know that in that next age things will be far better than we have now. Revelation 21 and 22 walk us through the goodness of that time, when God will be us and he will wipe out every tear from our eyes and death and pain will be no more. (Revelation 21:3,4) These things are firm and sure and we can put our faith in them. (Hebrews 6:19)

The scriptures lead us right up until at the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ when righteousness exists across the entire heavens and earth and he hands back the Kingdom to his Father. (1 Corinthians 15:24; Revelation 20:4,6) And then what? The scriptures do not provide the answer. So then do we then really know all "that God has prepared for those who love him"? In the light of these things I firmly believe that 1 Corinthians 2:9 still holds true in regards to our everlasting, bright future.

Yes indeed, "Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”

Some Changes

I finally got around to moving away from a standard Blogger template to something a little more original. So this is my blog with a fresh new look. I added a new section with some of my artwork. They are mostly vector drawings of varying qualities. Please don't expect too much. I also updated my links list with some additonal web sites of varying values. Lastly, I changed my profile picture to possibly one of my favorite pictures of me and Mina. Enjoy.

My life right now is a whole lot of eating spinach it seems. Rebekah and I are doing the South Beach diet. It appears to be doing well - maybe not as effective as not eating or pills but certainly more healthy. The good news is that my sugar cravings seem to be null and void. I haven't touched soda, candy, cookies, or donuts in over a week which is new personal best. I'm still hankering for sausage & egg biscuits from Hardee's. It's a diet not a miracle.

Our iMac of 6-years seems to be on its death knell. The screen has been going dim, streaking, and wobbly for few months. Now it is shutting off completing while the power button rapidly changes color - green, yellow, red. I guess it is time for a trade-up. The new Intel Core Duo iMacs have just been released so I guess I know where my tax refund is going this year.

JVC Videosphere

Adobe Illustrator (2005)

Welltron 8-Track Player

Adobe Illustrator (2005)

6a2:Sitar

Adobe Illustrator (2005)

Mizuku

Adobe Illustrator (2001)

Keiko

Adobe Illustrator (2001)

Option Type 1

Adobe Illustrator (2001)

Maki

Adobe Illustrator (2002)

Fat Lady Stout

Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop (2001)

2005 - Looking Back

I take this time to look back at the previous year. It was some wild ride and a year to remember.

I have been "in the truth" since I was born into this world but this was the year that I came to have the truth within me. (2 John 1:2) Possessing the purity of the truth not simply as something I was born into but something that I received as a gift from the Lord. And it has been such a delightful experience having the spirit reside within me. (1 Corinthians 3:16) Sometimes it feels like it is simply too much for this body to bear. Something glorious and electric that wants to explode out of me at times. My skin is but a thin piece of paper and that which dwells within me is a singularity of pure goodness.

2004 was a year of confusion - a big black hole - and a crisis of faith however with God's help I was able to dig myself out of there. In 2005 He took me as his own through adoption. (Romans 8:15) Can I describe what that feels like? The shock and awe gives way to most wonderful hug imaginable.

Technically I always believed in God, more or less. But He was never real to me - never really, real. Now in retrospect I can picture him standing by my side my entire life - patiently and lovingly waiting on me. This, even when I would go weeks, months, years at a time without giving Him any thought. I truly appreciate these last months of getting to know Him better. My Father is good and I love Him.

This year I have tried to quit lying. I'm still a liar as that is the sinful condition of EVERY man. (Romans 3:4) But I'm trying to tell the truth more often - starting with being honest with myself and my Father in Heaven. What a liar I've been - I've ignored things and pretended like they didn't exist. I never ackowledged things openly before God. I recognized that He sees everything - even the darkest corners of our heart - yet I wanted to go about pretending like these shameful things didn't exist. Now whenever they come in my mind I immediately acknowledge them to my Father and beg for forgiveness and relief through Jesus. And it has made a big difference!

"Keep on asking it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking and it will be opened up to YOU." (Matthew 6:7) I tested that scripture out a lot this past year. In fact I've spent a lot of time testing a lot of things. (2 Corinthians 13:5) The difficult thing has been when I knock and Jehovah opens the door a little bit for me - I've gotten scared of what I saw behind. I'm reminded of what Jesus told his Apostles, "I have many things yet to say to YOU, but you are not able to bear them at present." (John 15:16)

But as much as I have been able I've tried to be brave and keep my eyes open - even when sometimes they desperately wanted to shut. I will say that now, sitting here, I am probably less sure about theological things then I have ever been in my life. But I do know this: There is one God, the creator of the entire Universe, who loves us dearly. He loved us so much that he gave up the most precious thing to him in order to prove his love and redeem us back to Him - His son Jesus. (John 3:16)

It seems funny to be typing that. Even a two year old knows about God and His Son. I suppose that I'm a slow learner. But this past year I've come to realise that I've spent a lot of time "taking in knowledge of" but never really coming to "know" God or His Son. As the scripture says "Now this is eternal life – that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent." (John 17:3, NETS)

So even though I admit that I don't know much it was in 2005 that I finally came to know God and Jesus, just a little bit - who really can know the depths of God? (Job 38 - 41) However even with this little bit I'm content that is quite enough to save me. In fact, for the first time in my life I'm confident in my salvation. Even when I was a 16-year-old pioneer, ministerial servant I always had a niggling fear that if Armaggeddon was to suddenly break out that I wouldn't make it. Now I'm nothing in the congregation - sometimes even looked down upon - yet I know that my Father values me greatly. (Matthew 10:29-31) And really, honestly that is enough.

This past year too I've found myself relieved of fear save for the fear of God. The consequence of growing in love is the diminishing of fear. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love throws fear outside." (1 John 4:18) Jesus told us that we have no need to fear those who can only kill us. (Luke 12:4) Part of our Christian heritage is being able to suffer all evil even up to the point of our death. (Philippians 3:10) Doing so we conquer the world. (Revelation 12:11)

Now I recognize that not many people read my blog. But for those few this past year who have let me know that my little ramblings have somehow offered them some measure of encouragement I'm really grateful. I love you. Conversely, I'm also aware that some who read this are at odds with me and are seemingly bent on persecuting me. What can I say? I'm not scared. What can I say? "What you are doing get done more quickly." What else can I say? I love you too.

Now what about 2006?

I walked into the Kingdom Hall this morning and glanced up at the new year text installed the night before.

"We must obey God as ruler rather than men." Acts 5:29

I instantly had a good feeling - now this is a year text to rally behind. Let's see how it goes.

My love to all, particularly my Heavenly Father. I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me.