Still Running

In my last post, I said I'd either change this blog's name or deactivate it. That was a mistake. I'll probably leave this blog's name alone for now, as I've decided to make a new tumblr. I'm not sure what kinds of privacy measures I should or could take, but no worries--I'll make an announcement if I alter something.

Other things that are out of place will get the same laughter from 2-year-olds, for they are learning that there is an order to the world. Placing a sock on a foot is not funny. Placing it on an ear is hysterical to 2-year-olds because they realize that it does not belong there. They share their mastery of that knowledge through laughter.

To young adolescents, humor is an indirect way of coming to terms with the issues of greatest concern to them.

(I don't know why this is called a compromise. It's more like a summary of a certain way for Christians to interpret the Law, one which I myself adhere to.)

Should the law be divided into three parts—moral, ceremonial, and civil—such that the ceremonial and civil have been fulfilled by Christ, but the moral continues on into today?

The attempt to formulate this special category in order to “save” for NT Christians a handful of apparently universally-applicable laws—particularly the ones quoted in the NT—is an unnecessary effort. There is a more logical, Biblically supported approach to the law that retains for Christians not only the very heart of the so-called “moral” laws but also the underlying moral truths and principles, indeed the very spirit, of every one of the 613 laws.

I love the all your thoughts on this are in the Hashtags! Have you ever looked into Gnostisim? The strong divide between the spirit and the flesh sounds gnostic IMO. There has been much divide over this for thousands of years.

I've only really heard of Gnosticism in the context of them being wrong hahaha. I know 1 John is said to be written to counter Gnosticism.

I don't consider the divide I made to be Gnostic though. I don't actually think that the body is inherently evil or something like that--just that as of now our bodies are the dwelling places of sin (Romans 7 and other texts). I don't know what the Gnostics thought about the resurrection either, but I wholeheartedly believe that we will get new bodies just like Jesus did, and that death is swallowed up in victory. 

Continued from:

http://benshim.tumblr.com/post/106855058184/a-mans-praiseworthy-love

Me: Thanks bro that means a lot. How do we know God believes in us? What does that mean

Harry: Because he has chosen us out of the world for his glory and for his purpose

Me: He believes in us = he chose us for his glory and purpose?

Harry: He would have never picked us if he didn't believe in us

Think about all the value he puts in us

Why he gives up everything to save us

Me: That's true but it wasn't because of us that he picked us right

Harry: The real us is our spirit

Flesh is our enemy since Adam and Eve sinned. What we feed we rule our lives

Me: So if I feed my spirit, I rule my life with the spirit?

Harry: You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God

You are righteous in Christ

You are the salt and light of the world

You are strong and courageous in him

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you

You are blessed and highly favored

God bless you always

How are you

Me: Struggling with sexual temptation but I won't give up

Harry: Father God you see how the enemy uses sexual things to tempt your son Ben

give him power to conquer this in Jesus name thank you amen

Surrender it to God; let him help you

Me: Ok that makes sense

Harry: We fail when we try on our own

I love you

Me: I believe that

Harry: You are a man of God full of grace and truth

Me: I must receive that in faith

Harry: God bless you in everything you do

Stop looking at what you think you're not

look at what God says about you

Me: What do I think I'm not?

Harry: God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind

You doubt yourself a lot bro

God believes in you so start believing in who he made you to be

Guard your heart and mind

For the last couple years, I've written more objectively for Tumblr and subjectively for Blogspot.

When I first joined Tumblr, there was a passionate, unorganized group of Christians posting what they were learning as they followed Christ. I was drawn to that and posted similarly. Recently I decided to focus my tumblr on Scripture, personal illustrations, and the wonder of God, but the lack of wifi at my place has (embarrassingly) slowed my writing pace dramatically.

It's been a while.

Liked her, fell off bike, broke teeth, got rejected, still friends, planned retreat, led worship, something growing, kicked down, getting up, fighting on. 

I realized also that I like writing. I'm going to prioritize it. 

The past 3 days I've been engaging much more deeply with the Scripture I read every day, and God has been faithful to teach me. If only I would listen and obey without hesitating...

This Starbucks is going to close soon. I wish internet was cheaper! (I get it on my phone and can tether, but the signal is really spotty at my place.) Alas, I must go to distant lands to obtain the simultaneous miracles of internet and warmth. It'll be like 4km back home on my bicycle in the cold.