Saturday, June 28, 2014

Saturday Idiom: Wild Oats

Ticino, Switzerland, Travel+Leisure, Facebook






















The concept of sowing one's wild oats is in my mind primarily secular.

According to 'The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms it is usually in regard to young men that live a life of enjoyment before settling down to quieter, more respectable life. Wordsworth (1993: 420).

The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms (1993), Cumberland House, Hertfordshire. 

The New Testament would not support a wild oats view in a prescriptive sense certainly...

Ephesians 6:4

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

This concept reminds me of my former pastor and his concept that I have heard in more than one sermon.

The concept being that at 60 years of age one will have more regrets than at 40 years of age and that 40 years of age one will have more regrets than at 20 years of age.

At 35+ years of age I can testify that it is a reasonable view and I wonder why with human finitude and sinfulness, or at least imperfection from a secular worldview, one would willingly want to spend years of life being stupid and foolish?

At any age?

This is bad secular advice to give to anyone, by the way (parents family and friends).

To be clear, I am not at any point in life against having fun.

I always want to have fun.

I mean look at this blog.

I even have fun at work. Even while being professional.

I believe in being youthful. Not old, not tired, not unwise, not stupid.

There is also the issue of 'tracks' which I discussed on a previous post. This a theological concept from a theology professor from Trinity Western University that sin becomes habitual in a person as in tracks.

Therefore while a person in sowing wild oats sin and sinful activity can become set in tracks and could last for a lifetime. Similar issues and problems repeat.

Sound familiar?

Tracks are there for everyone unfortunately.

However:

Romans 3: 23-28 23 for all [a]have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a [b]propitiation [c]in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, [d]because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who [e]has faith in Jesus.

Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Or one could just use common sense...from Facebook























'Daily Mail, June 28, 2014 Oh, dear, was that an error?': Awkward moment CNBC co-host accidentally OUTS Apple CEO Tim Cook as homosexual live on-air



Special moment?

Buff fire:Ten to one score with me in goal and Lightning Lucky Luke /Bobby Buff Jr. v. Mr. Buff and Chucky with me scoring two rockets... Of course we use ball hockey nets.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

World Cup Follies: This Bites

Rio De Janeniro, Travel+Leisure, Facebook
The Independent.co.uk on June 24, 2014

Cited

'Luis Suarez bite: Uruguay striker accused of biting Giorgio Chiellini in latest controversy during World Cup clash'

'Suarez headbutted the Italy defender before going to ground, where Chiellini then accused him of biting his shoulder'

'Uruguay could be without their most influential player for the rest of the World Cup after Luis Suarez was accused of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.'

'Suarez clashed with the Italian as the two competed for a free-kick, when Suarez clearly threw his head in the direction of Chiellini. The centre-back fell to the floor in agony, immediately followed by the Liverpool striker who was attempting to play the victim of the clash. However, an incensed Chiellini got up and confronted the forward, before pulling down his shirt in an attempt to show the referee what he believed to be teeth marks on his shoulder.'

CBC video of possible bite

This is the most incredible part of the story...

Cited

'Suarez does of course have previous when it comes to biting, having been banned twice before for similar acts. During his time with Ajax, Suarez was given a seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal. He was then handed a 10-match ban in 2013 for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, in which he was allowed to stay on the pitch and score the equalising goal soon after.'

The Independent: June 24, 2014
The Independent: June 24, 2014
The Independent: June 24, 2014 
Express.co.uk in 2013
Daily Mail
The hedender.com

This player has served seventeen matches in ban and perhaps bites again...

Zombies or Cannibals do not have a team in the World Cup and so that is not an option for this player and so he will need to serve his suspension as part of team Uruguay.

Luke 6: 31 NASB 31 [a]Treat others the same way you want [b]them to treat you.

Having played some team sports in my lifetime I can fully acknowledge that there can be pressure to win and not to lose.

Situational ethics can be a temptation. Lowered ethics due to intense temporary pressures that would not be followed in everyday life.

Obviously biting follows in that category...

Thursday, June 19, 2014

World Cup Follies/Commitment

UK Eurosport: Was this Mexican player imitating how distraught Brasil supporters were with the fact that Brasil could only manage a 0-0 draw with Mexico? I reason a European team should be favoured to win this tourney, even in Brasil; Brasil to get to the semi-finals. 

Concord Monitor: 'Fred' from the Brasil-Croatia match, with the first name outdated in North America about thirty years ago (Fred Flintstone as cartoon legend did not help the matter),  but I suppose perhaps a popular first name in young Latin circles? Look at me, states Fred, obviously I am being fouled right now and yet in such a balanced position that I can sit so symmetrically at this very moment. And yes I use anti-antiperspirant.
Reuters-Here we can see Fred, obviously being taken down with a total loss of control no ability to dive or play act whatsoever. On a side note, on Facebook, a male friend, a Brasil fan, once compared me to Fred Flintstone, I had a checkered shirt on, but then a young woman quickly disagreed. I will go with her opinion. every time...
Timesunion-One would think there was a double shooting in the South Korea versus Russia match and draw.


Reformed ex-convict saves one-year-old girl crawling alone on side of highway as her father is arrested for child cruelty

Cited

'Bryant Collins was traveling along Highway 72 in Carlton, Georgia on Friday when he spotted the baby girl and pulled over

The girl's father, 37-year-old Timothy Pickens, has been charged with child cruelty, reckless conduct and obstruction, according to authorities'

Cited:

'The girl's father, 37-year-old Timothy Pickens, has been charged with child cruelty, reckless conduct and obstruction, according to authorities.

Madison County sheriff's officials said the girl's father approached while deputies were investigating and was arrested after a scuffle.

The girl's mother told authorities she and her husband left the house and their other children, ages 13, nine and five, were supposed to be watching the baby.

The Department of Family and Children Services was brought in but decided to release the child to the mother's care so that she could be taken for medical treatment. Authorities said charges also could be filed against the girl's mother.

It's unclear if Pickens has an attorney, and a number listed for him is out'

The Stir CafeMom














The impression from the one photo, anyway, is that the little redhead girl is of course very cute and perhaps tough. If she is tough because of a tough beginning, it would be understandable.

I reason the following at times takes place in Western society and in other societies:

The man desires sex and a casual, non-committal relationship from the woman.

The woman requires requires a committed relationship, perhaps eventually marriage.

The man submits to this in order to meet his desires.

Children occur.

The man is not very committed to his children.

Perhaps I am slightly more sensitive in this area having been adopted at ten days but to me there is no excuse for this type of fathering.

I could do far better easily, and the Biblical mandate for committed relations leading to family stand true as in 1 Timothy 1-3.

Bristol-Google+

Saturday, June 14, 2014

World Cup Follies/Race

Egypt-trekearth

















Paraphrased:

A fellow Christian Corporate Security Officer originally from Uganda, working with me, recently in regard to the Vancouver area stated semi- seriously: 'So what is it like to see white people disappear? '

Me: 'Not really concerned, there will be more brown people'....

Interestingly, he is not white, but black African, but he has issues with the Vancouver area becoming predominantly non-ethnically white.

As I explained from a blog article in 2013, I am subscribed to the 'Reasons To Believe' Newsletter. A publication and ministry dedicated to assisting those interested in faith and science.

Fazale Rana writes an interesting article: 'Where Did The Races Come From?'

He states that the Bible doesn't explain how racial diversity arose, although it is implied that humanity was scattered after the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11: 1-9. 11. September/October (2013:1)

The newsletter notes that the Biblical account may not seem to square with the commonly held scientific concept by anthropologists of 'regional differences' explaining human racial diversity. September/October (2013:1).

It is explained that the many more years of the evolutionary model (as in Darwinian Evolution) assumed human regional differences occurred approximately two million years ago. September/October (2013:1).

A model of 'multiregionalism' being assumed, the idea that a primitive type of human being migrated from Africa into Eurasia and then independently evolved. September/October (2013:1). The regional differences assumed to occur because persons on different continents had 'separate evolutionary trajectories' which would require a vast amount of time to take place. September/October (2013:1). However, recent 'genetic variability studies' have demonstrated that multiregionalism is incorrect. September/October (2013:1). Instead data indicates humanity likely originated earlier as in approximately 100, 000 years ago and dispersed 50, 000 years ago.

Therefore tens of thousands of years as opposed to millions. September/October (2013:1). The newsletter explains that within a microevolutionary (not macroevolutionary model) migrating humanity can be explained through 'natural selection', 'sexual selection', and 'genetic drift'. September/October (2013:1).

Very interestingly with the data it indicates that original humanity likely appeared very much in appearance like African people groups today. September/October (2013:1). The idea being that as human beings moved to northern latitudes this caused 'lightening of the skin pigmentation' and this allowed for increased and productive Vitamin D synthesis which would require exposure to UV radiation from the sun. September/October (2013:1). Changes in body type, from the original African type, would assist with heat retention in colder Northern climates. A change from a broader to narrower nose would assist in moving warm air before reaching the lungs. September/October (2013:1). The view based on the data is that the regional differences can occur quite rapidly. September/October (2013:1).

By this I reason in comparison to a Darwinian Evolutionary model. Academically there is crossover when dealing with Biblical concepts of origins and scientific date and theory. In light of racism, I find it fascinating that perhaps based on data mentioned, and I have read and heard similar, that original humanity may have been darker skinned as in African types and therefore Caucasians would have evolved, via microevolution from Africans.

Reasons To Believe Newsletter, September/October 2013, Glendora, California.

Scientifically, based on evidence, humanity may have very well come from a common source. And of course Biblically humanity has arrived from a common source, male and female in the image of God, Genesis 1: 26-27.

I reason if persons, regardless of ethnic background develop in similar cultures and background they will typically develop (evolve in a micro sense) in a similar way.

I reason ethnic background is likely less of a factor than cultural and related issues in how persons develop.

This is in no way works against Reformed and Biblical concepts within compatibilism of corrupt human nature due to the fall. This nature is still inherited biologically and will be demonstrated in any culture and society. The work of the Holy Spirit through regeneration in a person is the counter to this nature and results.

Therefore skin colour is not a concern for me.



Genius?

Facebook : I love redheads!
Fox News: Japanese referee is being soundly criticized for falling for the obvious Brazilian dive versus Croatia. I mean, I did not see the match, but just viewed the low lights and it is obvious from this photo...
Fox News: 'Well, you know Brasil is the home side and they play pretty football, they need to win and play Argentina in the final. Perhaps I will receive a bonus from FIFA.'  

Monday, June 09, 2014

Genesis 3: 16 Short & Brief

Portugal,Travel+Leisure, Facebook

White Rock, June 8, 2014: I went to the beach  Sunday with Dean, Anjela and family. Dean put on his Sunday Coast Guard Man costume at some local county like fair while somehow at the same time patrolled the water for potential drowning victims? Anjela has a purse, like a stereotypical Eastern European diva, so big and heavy it is as if she is carrying around  the near priceless engagement ring required in order for her to marry him...She then of course calls him on the cell phone more than once stating 'Deaan', 'We are hungry'. People were looking at the four of us as if we might be a couple with two children and I told Dean no problem I would just tell people that this is my wife 'Transylvania'. By the way, once again, sweet Anjela is going to make the Chocolate Coffee cake for my birthday party at theirs in early July...











































At the Village Church on Sunday the Pastor preached on Genesis 3: 16 and I will add brief non-exhaustive commentary in basic agreement with the sermon.

Genesis 3:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

16 To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain [a]in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.”

Genesis 3:16 English Standard Version (ESV)

16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for[a] your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

The Pastor noted that many Biblical commentators avoid 'Your desire shall be for[a] your husband, and he shall rule over you.”' verse as too controversial.

I would add, especially in a modern age of feminism.

He noted this is an era when many men do not 'man up'. Many males are interested in online methods of checking into females such as Facebook or even pornography and therefore sometimes women seeking men and family, give up, avoid men and seek artificial, scientific means for family.

Reasonable, good points.

My reasoning is the Hebrew Bible text has likely a clear meaning from the Hebrew to English:

8669 Strong's Original Word: תְּשׁוּקַת

Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration: teshuqah

Phonetic Spelling: (tesh-oo-kaw')

Short Definition: desire Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

desire

From shuwq in the original sense of stretching out after; a longing -- desire. see HEBREW shuwq

Biblehub

The Pastor reasons women at times 'worship' men in a romantic relationship. This is because of the fall and the curse and because both sexes are effected. A man cannot meet all the expectations of a woman and the relationship in some ways at least turns negative.

God should be sought primarily by a woman.

I am not certain if 'worship' over desire is a correct universal or better understanding as there any many women today that are avoiding men for relationships. Perhaps if desire is not fulfilled at times some in our present age in the West move on to celibacy, other women, career or combination? Worship could stop, but desire is more likely to be translated into something else. Worship seems less likely to be essentially from the female nature for a male in this context.

But, the fall and curse can be applied in the sense that men in general have a very significant impact on women in regards to desire.

I have noted studying relationships psychologically from secular and Christian perspectives the idea that a young woman when she reaches teen ages, or puberty, typically in the Western world, 'has to' have a boyfriend.

From an outsider philosophically view, this strikes me as, within a Christian framework, placing God in a box and very much from a social construct.

This risks God's permissible will over God's perfect will in regard to a romantic relationship for the young person.

I remember when I was given via Howard's friend a free account on Christian Cafe and I would review these profiles from these supposedly dedicated, I cannot judge the heart, Christian women and what they stated time and time again. So many would state they wanted a Biblical, strong, leader that put God first, and I was all those things.

But the unsaid I reasoned after research, was that sought after (a) Christian man had to be under thirty, be thin with a six pack, not too theological, philosophical or an egghead, not too different from the typical Christian evangelical.

A Christianized version of the secular version.

So in other words, not really all that Biblical of an individual is being sought at all, but just one Biblical enough to go to church on Sunday and to raise Christian children.

As the Pastor noted, paraphrased: 'You are going to marry this jerk this summer and he still is not taking spiritual leadership in your relationship?'

Is this really a surprise?

Yes, but he probably has the right look, is the right age, has the right job, dresses the right way, states the right things, and is acceptable to family, friends, Church and society...

Genesis 16: 3

There needs to be desire for a Godly man in Christ in God's perfect will to oppose this curse.

My take:

STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.

Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Proverbs 14

Versailles, France, trekearth

















As I have written on this blog previously, although I will not provide a full recommendation for the program whatsoever, I do watch Game of Thrones. It is sort of an interesting fictional historical review of the problem of evil in my view.

Here is a review of a the most recent bombastic episode from Fox News...

Mountain v Viper

Cited

'The long awaited battle between Oberyn Martell and Gregor Clegane finally took place, and the results were some of the most gruesome scenes ever seen on "Game of Thrones". It begins with a performance, Oberyn showing off for the crowd. He’s quick on his feet, moving around briskly and easily. He's a stark contrast from the hulking Gregor, who barely seems to notice the spectators, his brute strength evident. Oberyn makes it clear he isn’t just fighting for Tyrion, he’s fighting for a confession.

“You raped my sister, you murdered her and you killed her children,”

Oberyn repeats like a mantra throughout.

The Mountain is undeterred and the two continue to spar.

Gregor appears to have the initial edge before Oberyn stabs him in the stomach, much to Jaime Lannister’s delight. A few more blows and The Mountain is on the ground. Tyrion looks like he’s finally breathing again, sure the Red Viper will be victorious.

Only, Oberyn isn’t interested in just winning, he wants a confession.

The smirk he wore taunting his opponent disappears.

He demands that Gregor not only confess to the crime, but confess that it was Tywin who ordered him to do so.

He’s so hellbent on revenge that he never even sees the punch coming.

With just one hit, all of Oberyn’s teeth come flying out of his mouth before The Mountain slams him to the ground.

Tyrion watches in horror as Gregor puts his thumbs over Oberyn’s eyes and confesses “I killed her children, I raped her and then I smashed her head like this.”

What happens next is easily the most gruesome visual in “Game of Thrones” (and maybe television) history.

The Mountain crushes Oberyn’s head like a grape, blood and brain matter splattering everywhere.

The Mountain falls back, laying down next to his now unrecognizable dead opponent as reality begins to set in for Tyrion: He’s next.

Oberyn was so close to victory, but laying all his cards on the table cost him his life.'

End citations

I sort of viewed this on HBO Canada as Bobby Buff called me on the cell phone right as the ending of the show in an attempt to fit me into his buff schedule.

I then later watched the gruesome ending on You Tube.

Even though it is fiction, I have no desire to watch the ending again or to share it on this blog.

And let us remember that such like events were in the Bible...

I do however wish to connect concepts with Proverbs 14.

Proverbs 14:15-35

English Standard Version (ESV)

14

15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

16 One who is wise is cautious[d] and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.

21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet[e] steadfast love and faithfulness.

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

30 A tranquil[f] heart gives life to the flesh, but envy[g] makes the bones rot.

31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

32 The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[h]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Footnotes:

a. Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the LORD]

b. Proverbs 14:22 Or show

c. Proverbs 14:30 Or healing

d. Proverbs 14:30 Or jealousy

e. Proverbs 14:33 Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools

Oberyn was not wise and cautious, he did not turn away from the evil of the much larger destructive man that could seriously and nearly fatally hurt him with one strike. Instead he foolishly, recklessly and carelessly sought a confession for crimes which were horrible crimes, which he already apparently had reasonable evidence had been committed by the Mountain.

One has to know when a certain degree of victory is enough.

These are metaphors...

When a 6-5 victory shall suffice and a 11-0 victory is not likely to occur.

When a victory by decision is preferable over attempting a victory of knockout.

In the case of the Mountain versus the Viper this foolishness and lack of wisdom cost the Viper his life in a gruesome public way.

Not to mention the foolishness of risking one's life in a death match in the first place...

Puppy put her paws on the pedals and ends up driving car into Massachusetts pond

Cited

'Rosie, the puppy, was excited and accidentally knocked the shift stick from park into drive

Car rolled forward into the pond with Rosie still scampering around inside

Owner, John Costello, ran after his dog to pull her out'

Mail Online: Yes I had a dog like that once..