In spite of all of the distractions and trials entering my life now, I've remained faithful in my commitment to get my prayer life back in order. Ephesians 6:12 says the following:
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Satan is very real, and so are his demons. Anytime that you try to get right with God, you can expect opposition from them. Now, obviously, this does not mean that a bunch of men in red leotards with pitch forks will start chasing you around outside your house. However, they will find ways to make your schedule more hectic, your relationships with people more difficult, and your vices more appealing. In spite of this, you need to remain firm, for Christ is stronger than the whole demonic kingdom put together and will give you victory.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phillipians 4:12-14)
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
God Works Out All Things For Good
So far, I have been praying consistently for two days. I start off with praise, then I pray for someone else's salvation, then I pray for myself and my needs. If I still have time left, I just vent. Respectfully, of course. Since Jesus is the creator of the universe, it's best not to be rude and use expletives and insults. Acts 5:1-11 chronicles how Ananias and Sapphira were struck down for disrespecting God by lying to Him. Unlike the "smiting by lightning bolt" stereotype (which actually comes from Greek mythology and is not biblical), God didn't bother with anything flashy. He just made them drop dead. So you have to be careful.
That being said, God knows what is on your heart and wants to hear how you really feel. The Psalms is evidence for that, where its authors pour out every fear and grievance that they have at God's feet. Then, after they do that, they come to a deeper faith with God and understand that, although not everything will go their way, God will work it all out for their good. As I follow their example, I am rediscovering that, in my trials, God will do the same.
That being said, God knows what is on your heart and wants to hear how you really feel. The Psalms is evidence for that, where its authors pour out every fear and grievance that they have at God's feet. Then, after they do that, they come to a deeper faith with God and understand that, although not everything will go their way, God will work it all out for their good. As I follow their example, I am rediscovering that, in my trials, God will do the same.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Head Like A Hole!
Today, I am making a really tough decision. I decided to stop listening to my favorite musician: Trent Reznor. I first heard his songs in college and fell in love with his gritty, dark style immediately. I tried listening to other industrial rock bands, but they all sound like cheap knockoffs of him. He was blessed with an enormous amount of talent and is a musical genius. However, after listening to "Terrible Lie" and "Heresy", I knew I had an issue. Both songs attack the Christian faith, in particular the latter. I struggled, wondering if I could simply listen to my favorite song of all time, "Head Like A Hole", as well as "Hurt", and ignore the blasphemous songs. I did that for a long time, however, a question kept nagging me at the back of my mind. I was being asked who my God was: Jesus Christ, or Trent Reznor?
Tonight, I finally made the decision to stop worshipping my musical idol. I will continue to pray for Trent's salvation. However, in an act of faith and repentance, I will bow down before the One I serve and stop listening to anything by NIN.
Tonight, I finally made the decision to stop worshipping my musical idol. I will continue to pray for Trent's salvation. However, in an act of faith and repentance, I will bow down before the One I serve and stop listening to anything by NIN.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Getting Off My Blessed Assurance!
As I pondered about what I was going to write next on this blog, the following passage from the Bible came to mind:
"Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord." (Haggai 1:2-8)
Now, in context, God was rebuking the Israelites for being slackers. They were putting off rebuilding His temple and were focusing on pampering themselves with luxurious homes. However, in my situation, He was reprimanding me for not paying enough attention to this blog. I was off having fun with my other one, talking about my novels, stories, and UFC, while completely ignoring my spiritual blog. So now I am back, and am going to update this blog every day to describe how I am putting my spiritual life back together and getting right with God. The number one thing I will fix is my prayer life. Right now, it's nonexistent, except for the occasional outburst which I have when I get into a bind. Making it a daily activity is now my top priority and I will do it every single morning. The second thing I will fix is getting back into God's Word. Yep, I said it. The Bible is God's Word. It's not a myth, a fable, or a highly exaggerated historical account. It was written by God. That's the only way that can explain why all of its books have the same message, even though it was written over a 2,000 year period, on three different continents, by about 40 different authors from every caste and way of life. It has changed my life and I need to start using it more frequently so that it continues to change my life. The third thing to fix is putting it into practice. To read the Bible and not to obey what it says is like going to war and leaving your sword in its scabbard. I'm tired of being a spiritual slacker and am getting back to work. This blog will chronicle my transformation from the spiritual version of Marty McFly to a warrior of Christ.
"Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord." (Haggai 1:2-8)
Now, in context, God was rebuking the Israelites for being slackers. They were putting off rebuilding His temple and were focusing on pampering themselves with luxurious homes. However, in my situation, He was reprimanding me for not paying enough attention to this blog. I was off having fun with my other one, talking about my novels, stories, and UFC, while completely ignoring my spiritual blog. So now I am back, and am going to update this blog every day to describe how I am putting my spiritual life back together and getting right with God. The number one thing I will fix is my prayer life. Right now, it's nonexistent, except for the occasional outburst which I have when I get into a bind. Making it a daily activity is now my top priority and I will do it every single morning. The second thing I will fix is getting back into God's Word. Yep, I said it. The Bible is God's Word. It's not a myth, a fable, or a highly exaggerated historical account. It was written by God. That's the only way that can explain why all of its books have the same message, even though it was written over a 2,000 year period, on three different continents, by about 40 different authors from every caste and way of life. It has changed my life and I need to start using it more frequently so that it continues to change my life. The third thing to fix is putting it into practice. To read the Bible and not to obey what it says is like going to war and leaving your sword in its scabbard. I'm tired of being a spiritual slacker and am getting back to work. This blog will chronicle my transformation from the spiritual version of Marty McFly to a warrior of Christ.
Friday, May 11, 2012
New Writing Blog!
Hi everyone!
I decided to create a new blog focusing on my writing. You can see it at this link:
http://blackprincerising.blogspot.com
The "Revenge of the Nazarite" blog will focus on my spiritual thoughts and musings from now on. The title would be a better fit for that sort of thing.
I decided to create a new blog focusing on my writing. You can see it at this link:
http://blackprincerising.blogspot.com
The "Revenge of the Nazarite" blog will focus on my spiritual thoughts and musings from now on. The title would be a better fit for that sort of thing.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Hunger Games FREAKING ROCKED!!!
I went in to see "The Hunger Games" with high expectations. Although I wasn't particularly impressed by the book (I gave it a B-), the movie looked phenomenal. However, I never thought that it would be the first film in which an actress would do such a good job that she would make me wish that her character was a real person. That actress is Jennifer Lawrence, and her character is Katniss Everdeen.
Abstract: Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in a televised tournament to the death.
Pros:
-The acting was beyond good in this film. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are the best as the two leads. However, even the minor characters blew me away. This cast did not just bring the characters to life; they transformed them and made them much better than they were portrayed in the book.
-The movie made some improvements to the plot which made it flow better and eliminated a ludicrous twist which made me roll my eyes when I read it. It also provided background information to make the world of Panem more real and vivid.
-The movie had great action sequences, the best of which was the final showdown with Cato, the villain played expertly by Alexander Ludwig. There was also one involving Clove, a villain play by Isabelle Fuhrman, in which the character gave me chills reminiscent of those given by Heath Ledger's Joker, but on a smaller scale.
-The movie also had beautiful scenery and special effects. The former were most vivid in the capital and the later in the control center where they planned the games.
Cons:
-The only real con I saw was that the relationship between Katniss and Rue (Amandla Stenberg) wasn't given the attention that it deserved. However, it was still strong enough to nearly bring me to tears.
-There were too many flashbacks to the time when Katniss and Peeta first met. They would have been better off with just one.
-Spoiler alert! Peeta should have discovered that Katniss was faking her love for him to get them sponsors, like in the book. End of spoiler.
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars doesn't give this film enough credit. It was FREAKING SICK! The only film I can see which could possibly challenge it is "Dark Knight Rises."
Abstract: Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in a televised tournament to the death.
Pros:
-The acting was beyond good in this film. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are the best as the two leads. However, even the minor characters blew me away. This cast did not just bring the characters to life; they transformed them and made them much better than they were portrayed in the book.
-The movie made some improvements to the plot which made it flow better and eliminated a ludicrous twist which made me roll my eyes when I read it. It also provided background information to make the world of Panem more real and vivid.
-The movie had great action sequences, the best of which was the final showdown with Cato, the villain played expertly by Alexander Ludwig. There was also one involving Clove, a villain play by Isabelle Fuhrman, in which the character gave me chills reminiscent of those given by Heath Ledger's Joker, but on a smaller scale.
-The movie also had beautiful scenery and special effects. The former were most vivid in the capital and the later in the control center where they planned the games.
Cons:
-The only real con I saw was that the relationship between Katniss and Rue (Amandla Stenberg) wasn't given the attention that it deserved. However, it was still strong enough to nearly bring me to tears.
-There were too many flashbacks to the time when Katniss and Peeta first met. They would have been better off with just one.
-Spoiler alert! Peeta should have discovered that Katniss was faking her love for him to get them sponsors, like in the book. End of spoiler.
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars doesn't give this film enough credit. It was FREAKING SICK! The only film I can see which could possibly challenge it is "Dark Knight Rises."
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