This past week I came across two separate things that made me stop and think about the way we (we as in, American society) educate our teenagers. Before I get started, I want to be clear about something. I hate the public education system here in the United States. I have hated it since jr. high (which has been replaced by middle school in most places now). With that in mind, I must say that I love it when I come across articles/research/lectures/etc that support my feelings that public school, middle and high school in particular, is woefully inefficient and ineffective.
Apr
8
‘All sins are equal’
It’s a phrase that’s real easy for Christians to quote when they’re talking about something that doesn’t hit home. But let someone’s sin interfere with their life and all the sudden it’s a major sin. Of course I’m generalizing here. But you get my point.
Recently a family member of my wife’s was accused of breaking a law. When word of this reached us, it greatly distressed my Amanda. For several days she was tense, couldn’t sleep, and all she seemed to be able to talk about what this situation and how she couldn’t believe this person broke this law again. At first I tried to stay out of it as best I could while still providing Amanda with some emotional support. After a couple days I started distancing myself from the situation as all the emotions from Amanda’s family seemed to be spiraling out of control. At the center of all the emotion was disbelief and the disgust. They couldn’t believe their relative did THAT. Because THAT was such a great sin.
Before I go any further, let me give a few facts. The law that this person is accused of breaking is not minor at all. And most people would describe it as sick.
But the point I’m trying to make here is that a sin is a sin. And that the revulsion that we feel when confronted with a situation such as the one Amanda’s family has been dealing with… well, God doesn’t see it any different than when you said that last curse word. It’s on par with that ‘little white lie’ you told your boss last week. There’s no difference from His perspective. We humans try to make these things difficult, but it really isn’t. Sin is sin. And no matter the sin, it all does the same thing. It separates you from and hinders your walk with, God.
So, I challenge you, and I challenge myself, to stop grading sins. Stop comparing your sins to the sins of those around you. Instead, put that effort into making changes to your life so that you can walk even closer to God.
Apr
7
In the culture of modern day America, intellect is valued over faith and quite often those with one are believed to be without the other. However, I very much consider myself a learned man and I do possess an above average IQ; yet I also have faith.
How can that be?
A religious, intelligent person?
Has not science rid us of such?
Hardly. For while science has taught us much, for all it’s glimmer and political power, it still fails to explain everything. And while I look forward to seeing what other scientific advances will come about in my lifetime, there are things I’ve seen that I honestly don’t think science will ever be able to explain. And no matter how many times I hold scientific advancements up in front of my Bible, I can still read the scriptures quite well through all those holes in our current knowledge. History tells me that this has always been the case and I believe that it will always remain that way.
