"No Sense in Pretense": a poem from a readers

This shows us how to know other people's character and also how people can "judge" us. This shows us areas in which we can work on in our lives so that we may improve our character. Also, if you want to see if your character has changed, look at these areas. (from Grade 5 readers, America I)

No Sense in Pretense

Author Unknown

You tell what you are by the friends you seek, 

By the manner in which you speak. 

By the way you employ your leisure time, 

By the use you make of dollar and dime. 

You tell what you are by the things you wear, 

By the spirit in which you burdens bear, 

By the sense of humor that you display

By the music that your stereo plays

You tell what you are by the way you walk, 

By the things of which you delight to talk, 

By the manner in which you bear defeat, 

By so simple a thing as how you eat. 

By the books you choose from the well-filled shelf; 

In these ways and more, you tell on yourself. 

So there's really no particle of sense in any effort at pretense. 

"Freedom": a Poem from a readers

This poem came from a Grade 5 readers "America I". This "dare to proclaim the truth, be right" theme really reminds me of TTP. We have the truth, we know the truth, we have the answers, we know the answers, we have a responsibility to tell the truth to others despite scoffing and persecution. We must press on to fight the greatest battle of all time, the cosmic battle. Outsiders are like captives, chained and bound by deceits of the world, lies. We must be the light to the world around us, pointing them to the source of truth, that they may be FREE!

Freedom 

James Russell Lowell

They are slaves who fear to speak

For the fallen and the weak; 

Thy are slaves who will not choose 

Hatred, scoffing and abuse, 

Rather than in silence shrink

From the truth they needs must think. 

They are slaves who dare not be 

In the right with two or three. 

(we mustn't be afraid of truth, truth shall set you free.) 

Important Questions to ask

These are some important questions to ask when deciding whether somethings worldview is in-line with Scriptural worldview or not. Also use them to think through tough questions posed by the outsiders.

1. What is the source? Trace even the seemingly "neutral" techniques to it's source, even Buzan mindmapping.

2. What is the implication? This weeds out assumptive language. "The cosmos is all that is, and ever was, and ever will be." implies that there is no God, man is just a product of the cosmos. This also is what you're actually buying. WATCH OUT!!!!

3. What is the impact? This shows how people respond if they thing such a thing is correct. It shows how wrong things can get if you're captive by a lie. It can also be used in the good sense: if I believe that this is really true what will I do about it?

4. Is the issue itself logical or does it contradicting itself? Eg, God is Almighty, can He create a rock so big he couldn't lift? Truth is not absolute. Also watch out to see if the person is escaping even at the very end: Dr. Provine "no ultimate meaning in life but can have proximate meaning;" Ethics doesn't have a foundation but can still be robust. (to that effect).

5. Why are you even bothered about evil/good/....etc. Remember that evil needs to have a reference point, error has to have a reference point (which is Truth)--like a parasite

Always go back to the source of truth--God. Remember the world's worldview is always opposite to what the truth is. Beware of "half-lies" which are still lies.

"Wielding the Sword"--Dong Yi

Actually, I thought that having lessons through watching shows, I mean, real shows, movies, was a novel idea. However, I just found out that Potters School actually has a course called "Worldview in Film." Well, I can't go for it as it is during BSF time, but I decided to "learn by myself". I want to pry shows apart myself and see the underlying issue behind the assumptive language. Anyways, this post is about Dong Yi.

Question: In Dong Yi's show, it shows that there are things that are worth fighting for. In other words, according the Dong Yi (the show) there are something things for which it is "righteous" to wield the sword about. And yet there are constrains to "wielding" the sword. In the Bible, we are told to be peacemakers. We also are told not to compromise. In the biblical worldview, should military force be used as a solution to problems? What does the Bible say about fighting and not compromising?

Answer should include:
1. "Principles" or ideas that DY says are worth spilling blood for, and yet is not evil. (eg, protect family, rightness of things, use power to help people lower than you, justice?, rights?, etc.)
2. Constrains--cannot use skill to kill innocent people, what applies to them also applies to us, not kill, etc. (especially Gae-do-Ra part)
3. Verses that say we should be peacemaker; verses that say we are not to compromise, but to fight a battle, howbeit a spiritual one.
4. Verses about might (strength) military forces. Bible characters such as David and his mighty men, and other kings or fighters (eg. Judges)
5. What are some noncompromisable things? Support with verses. Pray over them. Be steadfast in your conviction.
6. Since those things in (5) are noncompromisable, what will you do about it? Eg. be aware of laws passed around us, not just Singapore, and try to prevent things; influence others, etc.