Obama Cliffs notes

I found this quite amusing article at the end of the school year and I loved it. I am not a big fan of President Obama's economic policies, but I think that a bit of dark humor doesn't hurt anyone :)

Here is the Obama Dictionary:

"We are not going to get relief by turning back to the very same policies that for the last eight years doubled the national debt and threw our economy into a tailspin."

Translation: Blame Republicans, and tax cuts

It's time to "make hard choices to bring our deficit down."

Translation: Hello, higher taxes!

"The only way to fully restore America's economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries, and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world."

Translation: Big government.

"We need to make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy."

Translation: Your utility bills are going up.

"If your family earns less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increased a single dime."

Translation: For now

"I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits -- either now or in the future.(Applause.) I will not sign it if it adds one dime to the deficit, now or in the future, period. And to prove that I'm serious, there will be a provision in this plan that requires us to come forward with more spending cuts if the savings we promised don't materialize."

Translation: "I promise to fix the problem. And if I do not fix the problem now, I will fix it later, or some future president will, after I am long gone. I promise he will. Absolutely, positively, I am committed to that future president fixing the problem. You can count on it. Would I lie to you?"

Yes, these things definitely do sound funny, until we realize that the Obama administration is digging a hole out of which it will be very hard to get.

You can find the full article here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123569711858288917.html

http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2009/09/wheres-beef.html

In Better Hands...

Friends, Ethnicity, Body of Christ

Today, Paul Hassle talked at IVCF about Ethnicity - esp. people who come from different culture. I was actually quite happy to hear him say what I have been saying all along - that what is different is not necessarily wrong. 

Words like NORMAL, ACCEPTABLE, and NATURAL, just sort of infiltrated our language that we use them even without thinking. Anything that is 'normal' is good and friendly, makes us comftable, anything that is not is wrong... from my experience, many people (including me on occasion) think like this. 

However, as Christians, Jesus calls us not to judge other people for their differences, He wants us to love others, pray for our enemies, and understand those who come from different cultures. Jesus or the apostles served those who were of different cultures and were reffered to as 'dogs' by the Jews. They knew that the kingdom of God is not just for some selected group of believers. After all, we are all one body of Christ. We can learn from each other how to serve God better and worship him in our friendships. 

Yes, I have to admit that being an international student somewhat made me have many friends who do not come from the same culture as I do... in fact, none of those who do come from the same culture are at Behrend. I agree with Paul, I have learned a lot from all of you, friends, crazy Americans, Asians, or African Americans (all meant in the best sense). Haha, you do indeed surprise me time to time with things, but that makes life more exciting and interesting!

I am thankful that God blessed me with so many friends here at school. Now that I think about it, I could say that all my friends are foreigners to me since none of them are from the Czech Republic, but I don't. They are my family :)

Rom 12:3-21  For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  (4)  For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,  (5)  so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  (6)  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them...  

What do you think about this? Have you ever learned anything from your international friends?

Prayer for a Friend

Whom will you follow, where will he take you?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%204-8;&version=47

Tonight at IVCF we had a speaker come and talk to us about Jesus. First of all, let me say that I do not appreciate young pastors that much because it seems that they try to appeal too much to young people rather than concentrate on their message. Second, thinking back, you don’t really see that many messages/speeches/sermons talking just about Jesus.

Well, this young pastor from Grace church came to talk to us about Jesus and his journey to the other side.

Basically, the situation was that Israel lived on one side of the Sea of Galilee, whereas these 7 nations of Canaan lived on the other side. These 7 nations were the exact opposite of the Israelites – they worshipped pigs, engaged in sex, violence, and other bad stuff in their pagan temples, they worshipped money, and were all but godly people. Also, the Roman legions were placed here. Now, one day, imagine, Jesus decides to go and take a trip to the other side… His disciples must have been afraid quite a lot. Actually the pastor made a point that in the big storm which Jesus stopped, these disciples probably thought it was a sign from God not to go to the other side.

Once there, the only person they meet is this crazy man who lives in tombs (probably didn’t smell or look that well) who had a demon in him whose name was Legion (connection to Romans here). Here Jesus makes the demons go into a herd of pigs that eventually all end up drowning. How cool is that? Amazing! The story goes on…

This man wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus told him to go and tell others about the miracle that happened to him. Now, in all other circumstances, Jesus usually tells people not to tell anyone and to follow Him, here He does the exact opposite (apparently Jesus knew what would work the best here J

Next, Jesus goes back to the east bank (Israel) where He feeds 5 thousand. This is important later.

Then in Mark 7, Jesus decides to go back to the other side (as if once was not enough). This time, He is welcomed by a big crowd of people. Why? Because the one demon-possessed man told them! Imagine how God used this one man to spread the word! Amazing, and he used to be such an outcast… The story goes on up to the point where Jesus feeds the 4 thousand.

Now, the pastor stopped here to compare these feedings:

Feeding 5 thousand

                They were all from the ‘good’ side

Disciples were the ones to remind Jesus of people’s hunger after 1 day

Jesus fed them and 12 baskets were left over (as in 12 tribes of Israel)

Feeding 4 thousand

                They were all from the ‘other side’

                Jesus had to point out to people’s hunger after 3 days!!! Of them following Him

                Jesus fed them and 7 baskets were left over (as in 7 nations of Canaan)

The common theme here is that God cares for all people, no matter which side they came from, Jesus had compassion for them and brings them the good news of salvation.

Now, a lesson learned:

It is great to admire and love Jesus, but… we should follow Him too.

Yes, Jesus is my hero. He was a great leader, knew when to say things, what to do and what not to do. He did not sin. He had compassion and cared for those who did not know Him.  Jesus is my example and teacher. If I could be at least 10% or even 1% as good as Him that would be super amazing (again I’m not really sure about how you calculate that…). Here is the main point though, it is not enough just to admire Him like we admire Sidney Crosby (I doubt that the majority of his fans know how to play hockey), we as Christians should strive to be like Him, even if it means going to the other side and feeling uncomfortable.

What does it mean for us to go to the other side? One example given to us by the pastor was just to talk to people about Jesus. Yeah, scary right? But honestly, what is the worst that can happen?

Would you rather be fruitless, feel admired, but not able to look God in the eyes because of not having enough courage to speak up?

Or would you rather feel a little awkward at times but able to come to God and say ‘I tried’ and go to sleep with peace of mind?

Here is a last thought that sounded sort of important to me, that is how do we start a conversation about God? – it may be quite challenging. One advice that was given to us: Don’t start with

‘Where would you want to go if you died tonight?’ rather ask

‘When you wake up tomorrow, what will your life be? Whom will you follow? Where will he take you?