This is a test.

A Mural Dilemma

Although the conversation about Biola's Jesus mural is supposed to encourage unity and racial reconciliation within the Biola community, it may result in further division. If the mural is left up, people will be oppressed, but if it is taken down, others will be angry at the former for destroying a beautiful part of Biola's history. Although this conversation highlights a genuine tension in the Biola community, it is acting as a lightning rod for a much larger conversation. It is that many ethnic groups on Biola's campus are feeling oppressed.

Most chapels I have attended on racial reconciliation at Biola University make me feel sad for being a majority. I often feel guilty and want to think less of myself. I often feel stereotyped. The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is due to a lack of understanding on my part of the issue at hand. It is because I haven't understood what the speakers are really trying to say. Until last semester I thought I (being lumped in with my specific culture) was being accused of hate toward other cultures; this isn't necessarily the case. I think the issue at hand is that, being a very modern and westernized culture, a majority of Biola is being insensitive to other cultures. Rather than accepting them for who they are we expect them to conform to our way of thinking, interacting, eating, worshiping, etc. Although a majority of American is very western, this is pretty arrogant.

This is very different from the hateful racism of previous years (though there are similarities), for it is often insensitivity done out of ignorance. Although it can escalade into blatant racism, most students I talk to want to love our fellow brothers and sisters of Biola. Most of the students I talk to are aware that there is a tension, but can't figure out what it is or how to resolve it. I too would love to learn how to better love my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Although discussions about the Jesus mural are important, Biola must first be informed lovingly and articulately as to what the cultural tension is on campus, otherwise its result will be greater tension. Biola must find a way celebrate the intrinsic beauty of each and every culture together while not discrediting the beauty in the majority culture. Such a community is like a breathtaking symphony. Although its distinct notes are beautiful in and of themselves, when put together they cast an array of beauty that envelopes the soul of the hearer. We must envelope the souls of those who observe our community in the love of Christ through harmonious diversity.

The Battle of Mind and Passion (revised at 4 AM...soo I'll edit it later. haha)

While racing home upon the foam of ocean down below,

two captains share a single ship and on it they must go.

The first steers hard, the other's sparred; the helm's pulled to and fro.

A captain red, a captain blue, upon the sea they go.

Their ship it be a'sailing free across the ocean vast.

And all the while the captains are a'warring near the mast.

The ship a'tossed, the captains lost, the time for peace has past.

A captain red, a captain blue, assailing near the mast.

The man of blue, whom always knew the wildly ways of red,

held up his hands to bid him, "Cease!" or else they'd both be dead.

Their powers clash, their tempers flash, his plea unseen by red.

A captain red, a captain blue, whom always rue the dead

Unsheathing swords they're leaping boards and swearing as they chide.

Each hopes to land the other with a flesh wound in the side.

The helm unmanned, the crew disband, the ship floats with the tide

A captain red, a captain blue, are leaping near the side.

A gentle man, the bluish man; a thinker stark and true.

Maliciously the other has a'run this fellow through.

The sea's received, the man aggrieved, the gentle man in blue.

A captain red, a captain blue, the bluish man run through.

The red man lives and from him gives both passions wild and free

to every man he's come across; and that means you and me.

In every man are captains strong; both blue and red they be.

Control the two, the red and blue, and then you can be free.

My rough draft introduction to, Defining a Hero.

Today I would like to ask the question, "What is it that makes a man a hero?" Is it his actions, his words, his deeds? If so, who determines which actions, words, or deeds are to be considered good? To one man a certain action may be good, whereas to another it may be perilous. For example, if an American soldier had subdued Hitler and consequently ended the war, the Allied forces (America, Britain, etc.) would have hailed him as a hero, whereas the Axis (Germany, Japan, etc.) may have considered this man the world's greatest villain. This is because of cultural perspective. A group of men will call a man a hero if he can uphold the standards and values of the society to an extent that others would or could not be able to do in the same situation. Although this may be an accurate description of a hero, it seems insufficient. His actions may be out of the reach of the ordinary man, but does he merit the title of hero? To be considered a hero, it seems that he must exemplify some sort of self-sacrifice. The man in the example is considered a hero to the Americans not because he was lucky and therefore able to end the war, but put his life in harms way in order to save millions of lives. This self-sacrifice causes him to stand out against other men as a hero. However, he is only a hero to those who share his worldview. Great men are defined in history by the stronger society. If this is true, then heroes are subject to the worldview or moral values of the strongest culture. However, one must ask if this is always the case. Is heroism a relative definition determined by each culture individually or are there objective cross-cultural qualifications that define it?

The Three-Dimensional Bride of Christ (written at 3AM, sooo, will edit later. haha)

If the Church is to manifest Christ to the world at large, then she is charged to exemplify the heart and will of Christ every minute of every day. In her, God's goodness, truth, and beauty is seen in flesh; the Bride of Christ, breathing the gospel of life. She is a beautiful congregation filled with the spectrum of His image. Yet she is slowly becoming like a painting on the wall. As she falls into two-dimension, she becomes more a beauty to behold than the living human being she was meant to be.

Oh beloved of God awake! Step out of your horizontal canvas and walk into the world about you. Have the will to engage your fellowman with a heart of God so that they might hear and be added amongst you. The world is in dying need of the healing breath you breathe. The living breath of God given to you by the will of the Father, the work of the Son, and the Spirit's power. You are the blessed of God; the bride He sanctified out of love.

My heart is so often touched and burdened by the suffering of others and yet my will to act remains unmoved. So often I become more like a two-dimensional picture of Christ, both knowing how to act and having a heart that wants to do so, but I lack the will to share this love with others. When asked for a favor I will often reply, "I don't want to." In saying that, I have said that my wants are more important than my loving that person. Of course there are times where I cannot do a favor that I've been asked and sometimes the person doesn't really need my help, but there are often times of selfishness that cause me to say no. It is so odd to think of the stark contrast when adding a single dimension to a painting; it can make a portrait a sculpture. We, as christians are called to be living sculptures of Christ to the world. By God's perfect grace and the power of the Spirit, we may do so. :)

Oh Lord, help me to set aside my pride and love others in humility. Let me exemplify your heart and your will to love others as you would. May my life be always first and foremost be dedicated to you in everything that I do.






(Picture from: http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/5728-charity-hope-faith-christian-daniel-rauch.html)

A Response to God's Glory in Light of Romans.

O Heavenly Father, protect me from the most wicked speed and haste of this world. Slow my mind so that I may contemplate that which is of you. Captivate me with the revelation of your righteousness, given through the saving power of your gospel. Lord, may I never be ashamed of your almighty word, for it puts to shame the wisdom of the wise. Give me prudence in speech that I may honor you; not to magnify my own worth, but to exalt you in love. This I ask of you, for I am overwhelmed by who you are and what you have done for me despite my wickedness.

O reader, I have done wrong in the presence of one almighty and yet He has sent His Son bearing life everlasting. By His grace I have been saved through faith. What is this, that a king would die for me? Every king of this world would sentence me to death and yet He has adopted me through His Son. He has baptized me into the death and resurrection of His Son by His Spirit and set me free from sin! I have been brought from death to life by Him for I am under grace. When I foresaw death in my bondage to sin, God saw life in my unity with His Son. O glorious day, for I have been restored and made new. Praise be to God Almighty!

O my beautiful savior, be praised forever! Forever may my life be lived in obedience to your word out of love for you. Guide me by your Spirit in the teachings of your holy Scripture, for I am yours. In this I take my greatest comfort, that I am not my own but I belong to you, O God Almighty.

"To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen"

A random allagory in light of this past year that I wrote before I begin re-writing my entire semester. haha. :)

Ah what trials come my way. They boast of their own magnitude and revel in my inadequacy. With shrew hands they grip me. With vigorous strength they attempt to force me on my knees and yet I remain unmoved. Infuriated, they increase their force by magnifying their own weight upon me, but to no avail. Having exerted their strength to it's utmost ability, I stand unfeigned. Foiled, they curse and shriek at me. In hideous voices they call to me demanding to know what great power I possess to stand in defiance to them. They tell me of the pain they see in my eyes and yet scoff at my self-righteous choice to ignore it. I return to them silence.

Enraged and with some ill-gotten attempt to catch me off guard, they cast rocks at me, yet they shatter at my feet. Exhausted, my enemy has fallen to the floor and matched me in my silence. Now I answer them, "What authority have you, that I would answer to such a violent inquiry? What right have you upon my life? I answer none. There is no power or might in your possession that could destroy me or make me obey you. I speak not because of your commands, but to glorify the one in whom I have pledged my life. It is true your burden is heavy and your sting is a pang in my side. I am not self-righteous nor do I ignore the pain you have caused me. You have caused a great lament in my life and I have mourned at my loss. I am vulnerable and I am weak. My defenses would crumble at your slightest brush against me.

But I see you are confused. No doubt these things seem true to you. Do they not? Is my appearance not one of a servant? Am I not a mere man fallen in sin, weak and without strength? Ah but that is where the dichotomy lays. You have not asked of me whom I serve. I tell you the truth, my master and my lord governs the very earth to move. He commands the sun to burn and the moon to reflect its light. The very stars, celestial lights of the universe, are inflamed at the utterance of His mouth. With His breath He has given me life. Through His Son He has given me eternal life. It is true that I had fallen in sin, but I must tell you this, I have been set free by the blood of His Son and in His conquering over the one who sent you. Your master, death, can hold no power over the man who belongs to one Almighty. Ah, you have heard of Him haven't you? I see you tremble at reference to His authority. Kneel and behold the name of Christ Jesus my Lord. He has saved me from your grasp. It is because of Him that your inflictions are only temporal and your abuse not lethal to my soul. It is by His amazing grace that I am found righteous. My loving God has adopted me and made me His son. I am an heir of Christ and belong to Him alone. Yes, you may beat upon me and curse my name, but I will stand in the name of Christ and glorify my Heavenly Father, for I love God Almighty. May all of my worship be His forever.

Lord you sustain me, you empower me by your Spirit to seek your face in the midst of calamity. Because of your Son every affliction upon me shall be redeemed for your glory and your honor. May you be praised in my life today and forevermore. O my worthy Lord of Heaven. Amen.

My morning contemplation. Not perfectly worded, but my morning thoughts nonetheless :) No doubt it'll miss some things too. haha

God Almighty. How wonderful! The God I love is almighty. He governs the universe to spin in perfect harmony. What perfection is this? The very planets move in orbit at His command. The faultless glory of one almighty has been made manifest in His creation. Not that the world is deserving of respect or worthy of His regal honor, but that which my God fabricates out of nothing must resound His splendor! Creation has been given beauty, goodness, complexity and in it's very makeup, the invisible qualities of my Lord are made known. How humble I am, that despite the wonder of all creation, I have been given His Image within me. My God, you have made me wonderful and I turned my face from you, yet you pursued me when I hid myself. You called after me in love and I have heard your voice. I lift my eyes and in beholding you, I cannot stand my own corruption. Tears would fill my own eyes in the very sight of my shame, but still you sit with me and still you talk to me. Who am I that God would love me? Who am I that God would die for me to take my place? Who am I to be welcomed into the very dwelling place of the most high God, to be called His son? I am worthy in Christ and only through Him. The Lord is good and is in no need to bless me, yet He chooses to out of love. How can I ever deserve or hope to earn His love? I cannot, yet He loves me despite my inabilities, for where I am weak, I am strong in Christ. I am His in Christ. A member of His Holy church. A son of the Most High and Almighty God. Creator of Heaven and Earth. My Father. My savior. I choose to love Him and seek to serve Him in all I do. When I look at Him, it is my joy and my honor to love Him. May all honor and glory be His forever. Amen. :)

His Cosmos.

My adoption into Christ

God Almighty. How wonderful! The God I love is almighty. He governs the universe to spin in perfect harmony. What perfection is this? The very planets move in orbit at His command. The faultless glory of one almighty has been made manifest in His creation. Not that the world is deserving of respect or worthy of His regal honor, but that which my God fabricates out of nothing must resound His splendor! Creation has been given beauty, goodness, complexity and in it's very makeup, the invisible qualities of my Lord are made known. How humble I am, that despite the wonder of all creation, I have been given His Image within me. My God, you have made me wonderful and I turned my face from you, yet you pursued me when I hid myself. You called after me in love and I have heard your voice. I lift my eyes and in beholding you, I cannot stand my own corruption. Tears would fill my own eyes in the very sight of my shame, but still you sit with me and still you talk to me. Who am I that God would love me? Who am I that God would die for me to take my place? Who am I to be welcomed into the very dwelling place of the most high God, to be called His son? I am worthy in Christ and only through Him. The Lord is good and is in no need to bless me, yet He chooses to out of love. How can I ever deserve or hope to earn His love? I cannot, yet He loves me despite my inabilities, for where I am weak, I am strong in Christ. I am His in Christ. A member of His Holy church. A son of the Most High and Almighty God. Creator of Heaven and Earth. My Father. My savior. I choose to love Him and seek to serve Him in all I do. When I look at Him, it is my joy and my honor to love Him. May all honor and glory be His forever. Amen. :)

A thought before bed

A man given to pride is as a man lost at sea. Both desire sustentation and are destroyed by what they consume. As saltwater promises hydration and in turn destroys his body, so does the inward focus of pride destroy his soul.

May we turn to our holy and perfect Father, the only good and loving Creator, for our every thirst and need lest we unknowingly destroy ourselves. :) He is our ultimate and perfect end. May His name be praised!

In Christ, †††
-Brian Hinds

May we subsist in humble adoration of Him in His divine, undeniable, and righteous perfection!