TRUE Justice.......

May 1st, 2011 –
Cause: The death of Osama Bin Laden.
Effect: Millions cried out “Justice has been served!”

July 5th, 2011 –
Cause: Casey Anthony is acquitted of the murder charges.
Effect: Millions cried out “Where is the justice!?!”

Although these two events seem very different in content, I submit that they both are brought to a conclusion when it is all said and done. That conclusion is this…We as Christians have very limited knowledge of what TRUE JUSTICE really is. If you have five minutes free, I would suggest reading a blog by my good brother in Christ, Dakota Zook, and what his thoughts were concerning the death of Osama Bin Laden to help lay a foundation for this blog. It can be found here:

http://dakotazook.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/who-does-justice-belong-to/

Let me begin by stating a few things that need to be known before reading what I have to say:

I understand that many people are upset with the verdict in this case.

I have not followed this case as close as others have, therefore I do not claim to be an expert on it.

My heart is broken for the Christian family; not because their view of abortion isn’t being seen as the same as this murder but rather because they aren’t understanding TRUE JUSTICE.

It is very easy to be outraged by this case for obvious reasons, but I hold firm to the thought that ranting on facebook/wordpress/twitter/ect. about there being “no justice” is childish and far from the truth.

I know that the Christian world is not rejoicing now as it did over Osama’s death, yet we are still as far from knowing the truth as if it were the case. What needs to be understood is that TRUE JUSTICE will be served for the horrible events (and again know that that justice is not of man.)

My prayers have gone out to the family that is involved and for this young women. I know not the condition of their souls and with that I know where my prayers must be focused for them. My heart right now is hurting because of the response of some Christians.* My prayer for them is that they would come to the true knowledge of justice and that they would rejoice in that; whatever form it may come in.

I am still processing this all, so if there are thoughts you have to give me I would be more than open to speak cordially to you about them.


* - this is not directed towards all Christians out there.

Final Stages of Student Teaching

I am sitting here in my last, I think, could be one more, class of student teaching.  There are a lot of things going on concerning the future that I can't help but be excited about.  I sit here thinking about the beginning of the next stage of life...that being Seminary.  I don't know what exactly God has in store for my life in the coming years, or even months for that fact, but I know that just thinking about the possibilities gets me going!!

While in my brothers small group this past he talked about Psalm 112 and pointed out a few verses in reference to what we will be study next semester.  The verses are as follows...

6 For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered forever.

7 He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,

until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

With everything that has been going on, there has been a small fear with what could not happen.  I see the Lord doing great things through me and it's awesome just to think about that.  However, the thought sticks in the back of my mind that says "What if you see what could happen....doesn't".  These verses have done nothing but comforted me the past 24 hours or so.  


It's somewhat ironic that my hall theme 2 years ago was Pslam 112:6.  And now, the comfort that is brought if from two verses after.  I see that a righteous man, has a heart that is STEADY.  He is NOT AFRAID of what is going on until the victory is his.  Which upon that point there is no need for fear of any situation.  After seeing and meditating on these verses I understand that I have no reason to fear or be discouraged if I don't see these amazing things come to fruition.  


With this being the case I went to Hebrews 11.  The latter part of that chapter talks about a handful of men who did many great things for the Lord.  These men were able to partake in these amazing things while they were here on earth.  However it continues to talk about other people who did not seeing these amazing things happen to them.  Rather the went through trials and tribulations that would cause many to lose their faith.  But the testimonies of these people are AWESOME.  They CONTINUED to praise God for that which He was doing.  They were still declaring that He is worthy at all times.  


I want to be someone who could be considered a part of Hebrews 11.  Who wouldn't love to say that they did amazing things for the Lord and the people who surround them can visible see and experience these fruits??  But then the question has to be asked, what if God counts you worthy enough to praise Him during the times that a so difficult you don't even know what to do.  I know that now I say yes to this question.  I say "God, deem me worthy enough to praise Your name when the times aren't just bad, but terrible".  And that is all well in good.  But it is my prayer that when these times come...even if it is a life time full of "disappointments" or "downs" that I would continually praise His name and call Him worthy!!!

The Question that is Always asked........why??

No matter what you do there is always the question of "why".  I would believe that it is safe to assume that no matter what action you may have taken, someone along the line has asked you why.


So to begin......why the name "The Denial of Dormancy"??


Unfortunately for you, it is not answered in a short response.  However, for me that is a great thing.  Seeing that I want to write :D


To begin, my life verse for now (I say "for now" because I am always finding a new Scripture verse that I seem to ABSOLUTELY love over the previous one) is Isaiah 61:3.  The latter part of this verse states...

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, 

   a planting of the LORD 

   for the display of His splendor."

With this being said, my sole purpose for living on this earth is to be an "oak of righteouness...on display for His splendor/glory".  I can't express how the Lord has made this verse real to me; how He made these words jumps off the page and begin a thought process that has revolutionized my approach to living for Him.  I have yet to read it but I assume that my thought process is that which is mentioned in the book "Think" by John Piper.  To ask yourself in every circumstance, "Is this something that I'm doing to glorify God"? Or maybe something along these lines, "Is this something that will point every other person I come in contact with to the Cross of Jesus Christ?"

Now knowing that this is my life verse and this verse calls/exhorts/insists I be this oak of righteousness, my nerd side of Brandon kicks in.  In the life cycle of a tree a certain process called DORMANCY occurs. The world wide web defines this process in many ways and here is just a few...

*A biological process in which a plant ceases most growth activities and simply maintains existing tissue.

*Period of rest exhibited by no growth or flowering. Dormancy usually takes place during colder periods.

*Non-growing condition of a plant, caused by internal factors (as in endodormancy) or environmental factors (as in ectodormancy).

*Dormancy is a period in an organism's life cycle when growth, development, and (in animals) physical activity is temporarily stopped

((or my favorite because it is plain and simple))

*Inactive, asleep, suspended

Therefore, knowing that plants can enter into a state or dormancy, or basically stagnation, it is plain to see the connection I make.  As an "oak of righteousness" (which an oak is a tree, hope we got that by now) I myself could also fall into this state of "inactiveness, being asleep, or being suspended in my walk with the Lord".  My prayer is that this never happens!!  I prayer that I never enter a state of dormancy, that my fervere and passion for the Lord is a flame that is continuously burning in a rage.  I submit that even a flicker is evidence of a passion that has been lost.  I want nothing less than the most, my all, to be given to the Lord.

Therefore, the answer to "why this name" is that which is written above.  It is my life goal to active pursue "The Denial of Dormancy".

By Grace and In Love,

Brandon

The Beginning....Clithe?? YEPPER!!

So I am not sure what to expect from writing a blog.  I know that there is a ton of things that I think about throughout the day and I find that writing about them helps me think through them, somewhat therapeutical if you will.  I want to continue to learn and I love reading other people's blogs, so I figured that if I wrote my own, others would hopefully comment and help me understand things better, or in a different light.  I don't care about popularity, or anything of the sort.  I just want to grow in my relationship with the Lord and I foresee blogging as a way to do so.  

For now though, I am tired and it is WAY past my bedtime! haha! Therefore I must retire for the night, but know this that tomorrow I plan on explaining the reason my blog is called what it is and maybe even get my first thought/query out there!! Ambitious, I know!! :D

By Grace and In Love,

Brandon