Dear Theophilus

Recently I have been really thinking about the idea of violence... or rather, non-violence. I am no where near being absolutely positive about certain aspects of this subject. The reason I bring it up is because people don't think about it; at all. I am not asking people to be plagues by the Lord with thoughts that would keep them up all hours of the night (like myself). I am asking for the words to wash over you, even if it is just a water balloon breaking. This subject goes very deep. Two conversations have stirred this desire in me. The first was at camp with my youth. We were laying in our beds at night discussing every nerd topic under the sun. But every once in a while, one would blurt out something absurd about our president. I ignored it until it got to much and then, without lecture, asked questions. "Why do you think that?" "Where did you get these ideas?" In a moment of truthfulness (which was hard to come by this week as my boys broke everything ...

Here are some awesome quotes about how the early church (90 ad - 500 ad) viewed and was viewed in regards to wealth and related topics. I tried to personally research these so you can be sure that they are legit. Also, I put links to biographies and original works. Hope this blesses you! “Share everything with your brother. Do not say, ‘It is private property.’ If you share what is everlasting, you should be that much more willing to share things which do not last.” - The Didache , c. 90 AD, (Did. 4:8) Christians "...they love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly . And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God.” – Aristides , early 2nd century ( Apology 15 ) “We who once to...

The following is a verse I have been thinking about and the CA budget: Isaiah 1: 16-18, 23 Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. 'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them.'" " Details of Calif.'s proposed social service cuts By The Associated Press Posted: 06/07/2009 11:56:07 AM PDT (http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12541022) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating or severely cutting spending for non-federally mandated social programs for the poor, elderly and disabled. These are among the proposals that would have...

I just got done watching the classic "Red Dawn" that I have been told is just the best. I figure I will review to break from the heavy blogs I usually lay done. First, what a conservative propaganda piece of junk. This movie comes out in the height of Cold War and smack dab ( who says "smack dab?" ) in the middle of Reagan's administration. Not to mention in the midst of a million other movies and shows that demonstrated the same thing (just in a way cooler and smarter way, ie. War Games, Rocky IV, and like 4 James Bonds). Second, within the first 5 minutes the Russians and Cubans show up into Who Cares Back Hills, Colorado and blow away the boring history teacher in middle of a lecture on the mongols. BTW, the teacher gets shot at point blank range, but his paint charges go off like seconds later. Thirdly, the kids show up to their dad's gas station that has more food in it than Railey's and more guns, ammo, arrows, and knifes than a pawn shop. ...

We will first look at three common wealth passages of Jesus, look at the justified interpretations, then the contextual interpretation with Scriptural and early church quote support. There are three passages that the church argues over when it comes to wealth and accumulation. Many men have justified these passages but I have seen a revelatory connection. The first passage comes from Matthew 6:19-21 & 24: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also... No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." There are generally two interpretations of this passage; sell everything or do not over-value w...