tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26701471246469276042024-03-08T09:10:09.027-05:00Random, Mindless UtteringsNone of the posts below have any common, unifying theme. Just that they happen to be about whatever I'm thinking about. So, jump in, read, and absorb my latest random, mindless uttering.Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-52595878918479658232011-12-14T18:08:00.002-05:002011-12-14T18:08:55.946-05:00The Tea Party and Libertarianism<div class="MsoNormal">The Tea Party would have you believe that they are libertarian. The gospel of Bachmann and Cain sounds like it, and fiscally the two are incredibly similar. Libertarians have long favored small government and limited spending. The Tea Party is primarily a reactive movement to the ballooning national debt, but it is more than that. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is another aspect to the Tea Party, one that has been part of conservatism for decades. The Tea Party is a movement of morals. Which ordinarily wouldn’t be a bad thing, but they want to enforce these morals on others who might not share them. Rick Perry said, and quite appropriately, that he wants to make Washington DC as small a part of our daily lives as possible. But, he, and most other Republican candidates, favor the banning of gay marriage, even if it means amending the constitution.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, I am a Christian, and as such I believe that God intended marriage to be between a man and a woman. That being said, I also think that government shouldn’t be the facilitator of morals. The government attempting this is dangerous in two ways.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First, the government cannot fix people. If the federal government bans gay marriage, that doesn’t fix the problem. A law cannot change people’s hearts, that’s not the way God designed laws to function. Only he can change hearts. No amount of government interference will do that.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Second, a cornerstone of libertarian philosophy is that everyone has civil liberties that the government shouldn’t interfere with. Everyone, conservative Christians included, believe that their own civil liberties shouldn’t be interfered with. It’s the First Amendment. Everyone gets to say what they want and believe what they want. This is America; we have freedom of religion and speech. But the Tea Party only believes in these liberties so far as they agree with them. They want the right to their own beliefs, but don’t want those who disagree with them to have civil liberties. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Tea Party also has built a significant amount of their success on anti-Muslim sensationalism. The birther movement illustrates this well. They have tried, successfully, to paint Obama as a foreign Muslim. They raised significant stink about building a mosque near the World Trade Center.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Tea Party wants to deny equal rights to gays and Muslims. That isn’t libertarian. That’s dangerous.<o:p></o:p></div><script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript">
</script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-59635647503823633822011-12-08T11:05:00.003-05:002011-12-08T11:09:03.147-05:00The Lie<div class="MsoNormal"> Mankind’s chief problem is that it believes the lie. I do not mean a lie, as if the lie were one of many lies told to us. Nor do I mean lies, as if man’s problem were that he is gullible. What I mean is that man believes, and suffers from believing, the lie. We have been told the lie for millennia, each time believing it, realizing from painful experience that it isn’t true, but continuing to fall for the same lie over and over and over.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <br />
The first one to lie this lie was Satan, when he whispered in Eve’s ear that she would gain great knowledge if she only ate the fruit that had been forbidden. She was told to look to creation to find what only the Creator could give.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Now, instead of the serpent, Satan has other agents at his disposal to propagate the lie.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Go to Jared, and your girlfriend will be gorgeous and love you unconditionally forever.<br />
<br />
Buy your kids lots of cheap toys at Walmart and you will make this Christmas the best Christmas ever.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Go to college, get a good job, and live the American dream as if a nice house, a 401k, and a yearly vacation on the family boat could ever bring meaning to life.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
The Dos Equis guy tells us that we aren’t happy because our lives aren’t interesting enough.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <br />
Katy Perry tells us that our lives are somehow less spectacular if we can remember what we did on Friday.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
And it’s all a lie. The lie. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
We look to this world for happiness, but we will never find it here.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Creation was never meant to satisfy us. Creation never can satisfy us. Creation is meant to point to the God who can satisfy us.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Solomon found that out the hard way. He wrote a book about it. Read Ecclesiastes sometime.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
The reason I love the movie <i>Fight Club</i> and the song “Cigarettes” by Fort Minor is that they expose the lie. They tell the truth.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Nothing in this world is permanent. It was designed that way. All the pleasures of this life are flawed and end. Your kids will be sick of their presents by New Years. The girl that diamond got you won’t love you unconditionally. The beer bottle has a bottom and a hangover the next day. You may enjoy your big house and boat now, but in 20 years your kids will be enjoying them for you.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
The lie is that the temporary can give us the eternal. Much like the woman at the well, we keep drawing water every day when God himself is standing right in front of us offering living water. All we have to do is drink, and we’ll never be thirsty again.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Temporary things bring us temporary happiness, but eternal things bring us eternal happiness.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
I’m not saying that creation is a bad thing, because it’s not. I’m just trying to point out the absurdity of playing in the tide pool when there’s an ocean right in front of us.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <br />
Don’t believe the lie. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript">
</script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-47623305852246845552011-08-24T14:53:00.000-04:002011-08-24T14:53:03.937-04:00Fantasy Football Playoff IdeaIf your fantasy league is like most fantasy leagues, it probably (due to the definition of the word "most") has 10 or 12 teams, features a 14 week regular season and a two week playoff to determine the champion. The fantasy league of which I'm commissioner has 10 teams, which means each team will play 4 teams once and 5 teams twice. I have come up with a cool idea for determining what team play each other twice, and which teams play each other once.<div><br />
</div><div>We could have done the traditional method and just let Yahoo choose randomly, or we could have moved into divisions. Choosing randomly seemed too boring, and both ideas seemed like they could get unfair (due to unbalanced schedules) pretty quickly. </div><div><br />
</div><div>My idea was to play a round robin schedule for the first nine games, like any randomized league would do. The next five games are based completely on the previous week's standings, so you won't know until the end of one week who will play who the next week. Beginning in week 10 and ending in week 14, the 1st place team plays the 2nd place team, 3rd plays 4th, and so on. </div><div><br />
</div><div>This accomplishes a few things. First, the teams in playoff position (1-4) will have to prove each week that they deserve to be there. Second, the teams at the bottom of the table won't have to worry getting trashed each week. Because every team is playing the team that is directly above or below them, no game should be out of reach for any team. Third, it works like a real playoff, too, with a winning streak giving you harder games, but getting you closer to the top. Teams aren't rewarded for losing either, as a loss counts as a loss in the standings and the standings are what counts when the regular season ends, and the real playoffs begin.</div>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-44607770761641634632011-08-01T17:32:00.002-04:002011-08-01T17:36:36.398-04:00Someone Worth Dying For?There's a song on the radio right now called "Someone Worth Dying For". While I really enjoy the band that sang the song (they did a song with Lecrae), I have significant issue with message of the song.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>It's "worth it" when the something gained is of greater value than the something that's been given up. In order for us to be worth dying for, it must mean that 1) we have worth apart from God and 2) there's something that God doesn't have.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The fact is that there is nothing God doesn't have. Everything that exists, from wealth to beauty to your soul, was created by God <i>out of nothing. </i>God can't gain anything. In Him is everything. If there was anything that God ever lacked, he could just speak it into existence; he doesn't need to trade his life for it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Also, compared to God we aren't worth anything. The Bible makes it clear that when Christ died, it was in spite of our worthlessness, not because of our worth. Psalm 8:4 says "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Romans 5 talks about how some people would give their lives for a a good man, but only God would give his life for his enemies. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The thing that makes the gospel so incredible is that he died for us when we weren't worth dying for. That's beautiful. I have eternal life, not because I deserve it, but simply because Christ loves me enough to give it to me. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The only reason I have any worth at all is because of Christ.</div>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-70383333691977941632011-07-27T14:59:00.002-04:002011-07-27T15:00:37.700-04:00The Morality of MusicThere are a few people whom I love and respect that believe with all of their hearts that certain types of modern music, such as rock and rap, are in and of themselves morally wrong. I'm writing this in order to explain 1) why I believe that all music is glorifying to God and 2) what kind of music we should use in the church.<br />
<br />
<div>So, is music inherrently wrong?</div><div>1. God created everything that exists, both "visible and invisible". - Colossians 1:16</div><div>2. Nothing else is capable of true creation. - John 1:3</div><div>3. God's creation is meant to glorify Him. - Psalm 19:1</div><div>3. All music is part of God's creation.</div><div>4. All music glorifies God.</div><div><br />
Why does rock and rap seem to go along so well with worldliness?<br />
1. We live in a fallen world, where good things like sex, drugs, and alcohol can be easily twisted and used for things they weren't intended for.<br />
2. It's impossible for any form of music to be performed or written by any person who isn't a sinner.<br />
<br />
What kind of music should we use in the church?<br />
1. As all music was created by God, we should be open to using all music in worship.<br />
2. We should be aware that it's easy for any music in church (from classical to southern gospel to rock) to turn into a performance instead of worship.<br />
3. We should be aware of what causes our brother to fall into sin, and avoid that in public worship.<br />
<br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-36478946933881253232011-07-26T17:05:00.000-04:002011-07-26T17:05:37.019-04:00Things That Irritate Me About The So-Called "Debt Crisis"<div>1. There is absolutely nothing preventing Congress from raising the debt ceiling today. The debates and compromises can happen after that's done. Congress is playing a needless game of chicken with our economy.</div><div><br />
</div><div>2. The government spending more than it makes is, in the short term, good for the economy. It's true that raising taxes will slow the economy, but it's just as true that cutting government spending will do the same thing.</div><div><br />
</div><div>3. If we do something about unemployment, government revenues will increase on their own without any taxes being raised.</div><div><br />
</div><div>4. Congress needs to simply raise the debt ceiling, take steps to create more government jobs in areas like construction that will leave permanent benefits, and create a commission to figure out how we're going to pay off the national debt.</div><div><br />
</div><div>5. I really want there to be a third party focusing on fiscal responsibility through raising taxes and cutting entitlement programs.</div>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-60679480349586875092011-07-25T16:09:00.001-04:002011-07-26T17:06:50.165-04:00My Five Favorite Albums of 2011 (So Far)I say "so far" because the year is far from over. I fully expect Needtobreathe's <i>The Reckoning</i> and Switchfoot's <i>Dark Horses</i> to blow these five out of the water. MercyMe's coming out with <i>The Worship Sessions</i>, which is only available at Family Christian Stores, and Stellar Kart releases their Disney cover EP, <i>A Whole New World</i>, tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to all four.<br />
<br />
Also here are YouTube links to Needtobreathe's single "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj3_ILMM5v0&ob=av2e">Drive All Night</a>" and Switchfoot's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiNmS-ix43M">Dark Horses</a>".<br />
<br />
That being said, here are my favorite albums of 2011, so far.<br />
<br />
5. Third Day - <i>Move</i><br />
I wasn't a fan of this CD until I saw Third Day in concert. They can put on a show, and <i>Move</i> rocks.<br />
Best Song: "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2CJugND_4s">Follow Me There</a>"<br />
<br />
4. Coldplay - <i>Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall EP</i><br />
It's not technically an album, but these three songs are a fantastic taste of what's coming with their next release.<br />
Best Song: "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyMhvkC3A84&ob=av2e">Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall</a>"<br />
<br />
3. Owl City - <i>All Things Bright And Beautiful</i><br />
Much better produced than Ocean Eyes, and Adam Young finally learned to sing out.<br />
Best track: It's really difficult to choose just one, but I'm going to say "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtsX8H7xSek&ob=av2e">Deer In The Headlights</a>".<br />
<br />
2. Parachute - <i>The Way It Was</i><br />
Best CD for cranking and singing along in your car when you're alone. Not that I do that....<br />
Best track: "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyVZ4uVHYRw&ob=av2e">Something to Believe In</a>"<br />
<br />
1. Danen Kane - <i>Love Is Waiting</i><br />
I went to a Lifest, a Christian music festival, and saw quite a few big name Christian artists. Danen Kane was, musically, the best concert I went to the whole week.<br />
Best track: Love Is WaitingAndrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-50832120643436755552011-07-19T00:20:00.001-04:002011-07-26T17:07:08.904-04:00The Knowledge of the HolyI've been doing a study through A.W. Tozer's <i>The Knowledge of the Holy</i> at our local rescue mission. One thing I've been struck with is that God is always the ultimate possessor of any and all good attributes. He isn't just really big; he is infinite. He isn't just loving; love finds its definition in him. He isn't just holy; he can't stand even the smallest sin.<br />
<br />
I realize this might not blow your mind, but right now (12:20 in the morning) it's blowing mine. I can't even come close to the greatness of this God, but he still loves me.Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-22293160498852042532011-07-14T20:58:00.001-04:002011-07-26T17:07:25.109-04:00Legalism and License<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">It’s basic Christian nature to go one of two ways on the issue of questionable things. The first holds that certain things are morally wrong because they aren’t necessarily a good idea. The second recognizes that those same things aren’t morally wrong, but don’t recognize that doing them might not necessarily be a good idea.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">This is why Paul slaps us in the face with 1 Corinthians 6:12.</div><blockquote>“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.</blockquote><div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">Just because something isn’t inherently wrong doesn’t necessarily make it a good idea, and just because something isn’t a good idea doesn’t make it morally wrong.</div>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-56410583431724413072010-01-29T16:37:00.001-05:002010-01-29T16:37:58.829-05:00A Call For A Return To FundamentalismAt Hampton Park Baptist Church this past Sunday, J.D. Crowley preached on being a steward of the gospel. He preached against churches that call themselves Fundamentalist, but instead are just separating from gospel preaching churches because of non-issues. <br> <br>You can download the sermon <a href="http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=128101425563">here</a>, and I highly recommend doing so.<br> Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-62820045653246722222010-01-25T09:07:00.001-05:002010-01-25T09:07:48.984-05:00The Unsaved Giving Two MitesI found <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/opinion/24kristof.html?em">this article</a> this morning on the New York Times. It tells the story of a family who sold their house and gave half the money to the poor. Should we as Christians not be willing to do this and more?<br> Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-45092037291022000452010-01-18T21:42:00.000-05:002010-01-18T21:42:55.901-05:00Martin Luther King on His Funeral<blockquote>"If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don't want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize, that isn't important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards, that's not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. I'd like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day, that martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day, that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day, that I did try to feed the hungry. And I want you to be able to say that day, that I did try, in my life, to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say, on that day, that I did try, in my life, to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity." - Martin Luther King, Jr.<br />
</blockquote>Hat Tip: <a href="http://www.jennysimmons.com/2010/01/words.html">Jenny Simmons</a>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-58726938644484384772010-01-18T21:05:00.000-05:002010-01-18T21:05:44.279-05:00Idolatrous Worship of the BibleThe Armchair Anthropologist on the Book of Eli:<br />
<blockquote>Eli and Carnegie, like the Pharisees, “search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life (<a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/John%205.39-40" target="_blank">John 5:39-40</a>).” Like so many, the Bible is worshiped as an important piece of literature, but they fail to know the One to whom it testifies.<br />
</blockquote>Read the rest <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/creative/?p=1695">here</a>.Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-4777400828612265092010-01-18T08:42:00.001-05:002010-01-18T08:42:44.989-05:00John 1: God's Rejection by His OwnJohn 1:10-13:<br><br><blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="gmail_quote">He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God; children born not of natural descent nor of human decision, or a husband's will, but born of God.<br> </blockquote><div><br>Pretty much every time I hear this passage quoted it's about salvation, which is an excellent application. Everyone who believes on Jesus will be adopted as one of God's own children. <br><br> But the thing that struck me the last time I read this was verse 11. "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." The Messiah had been foretold for years. Isaiah prophesied that he would come and heal the lame and make the blind see. But when Jesus actually showed up on this earth, healing the lame and the blind, he was rejected by Israel. The very people that knew he would be coming, that were even waiting for him to come, murdered him when he did come. He came to his own, but they didn't receive him. <br> <br>I am God's own. I've been bought with a price. I am no longer mine. <br><br>How many times does God try to get my attention, only to have me completely ignore him? How many sermons do I sit through without checking out my own heart? How many times can I read the Bible through without it radically changing my life?<br> <br>So today, this week, I pray that I will not be ignorant or blind. But I pray that I will have my eyes open to receive whatever God has for me.<br></div> Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-54716816199637731782010-01-16T12:19:00.001-05:002010-01-16T12:19:36.666-05:00Al Mohler's Take On HaitiYesterday I posted an article about God's role in the Haiti disaster. Today I ran across something Al Mohler posted on his blog on Thursday. He says it so much better than I do and it's worth checking out. Read the full article on <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/01/14/does-god-hate-haiti/">Al Mohler's website</a>.<br> Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-20382270127094234632010-01-15T10:03:00.001-05:002010-01-15T10:03:11.546-05:00God's Role In the Haiti DisasterIn light of this week's devastating earthquake in Haiti, many have offered up explanations as far as God's role in the disaster. <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/14/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6096806.shtml">Pat Robertson claims</a> it was because the Haitians made a pact with the devil and kicked the French out in Colonial times. Pooja Bhatia, in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/opinion/14bhatia.html?scp=1&sq=pooja&st=cse">New York Times</a> wrote that a God who hides is better than nothing. Some believe the earthquake was a product of chance; some believe God, or the devil caused it.<br> <br>The fact is that I don't know what was going on in heaven in the hours before the quake. The book of Job lets us in on God's sovereignty over bad times. In Job's case God allowed Satan to take everything Job had and loved. <br> <br>Death isn't something that belongs to Haiti. Yes, this week death struck hardest there, but every human being will one day fall to death. It is unavoidable. Romans 5:12 tells us that "death came to all men, because all sinned." We will all die, because we have rebelled against God.<br> <br>We have tried to put God in a box. We over emphasize his love for all people or his justice and hatred of sin. But God cannot be understood, and he will not be held down by our theories.<br> <br>So as politically insensitive as this sounds, the destruction in Haiti was directly or indirectly the work of God. He allowed it to happen. It was part of his sovereign will, just as everyone will one day die. It is our punishment for sin. Because God is just, and we are sinners, we must die.<br> <br>God is a God of justice, but he is also a God of Love. Romans 6:23 tells us that the payment for sin is death, but God gives the gift of eternal life. Just as God has every right to punish sin, he has every right to forgive it. And forgive it he will.<br> <br>So through every bad time we go through, whether it's a Katrina, or a 9-11, or a tsunami, we know there is a God who will punish sin, but who will also give us eternal life if we repent and turn to him. (Romans 10:9)<br> <br> Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-90913156486095431922010-01-13T18:00:00.001-05:002010-01-13T18:00:57.151-05:00Reading Through JohnLast semester I was really lazy as far as updating the blog. This semester I really want to update a few times a week, and not just with things about Bob Jones that make me angry. I want to start blogging the book of John.<br /><br />John has always appealed to me as a book. It's not just an account of the things Jesus did. It's mostly conversations with people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, and all social statuses. It's just Jesus being Jesus, and I'm looking forward to it. <br /><br />#JohnAndrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-14279199347941919412010-01-12T05:51:00.000-05:002010-01-12T05:51:08.688-05:00Time For College, AgainIn about an hour I'm going to be leaving for college and the world of very limited internet that goes along with it. I will have to use a secondary website to post to this blog and I may not find any time at all to do so. But whatever happens I will try to post with the usual stuff I come up with.<br />
<br />
Pray for me while I'm away. I will still be tempted, and probably fall a lot, even at a place like Bob Jones.Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-36226427771586093602010-01-10T00:13:00.000-05:002010-01-10T00:13:29.087-05:00My Side ProjectOne of my passions has always been music. My ipod and headphones are almost always with me. So, I decided to start a music blog. It will probably suck and may eventually get absorbed into this one or deleted altogether, but for now check out <a href="http://themusicblog10.blogspot.com/">The Music Blog</a>.Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-66175019200361675852010-01-08T02:16:00.001-05:002010-01-08T02:18:07.793-05:00Awesomest Remix EVEROk, so this is probably the best YouTube video I've ever seen. Some guy remixed 25 songs together into one song, and he did on awesome job.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iNzrwh2Z2hQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iNzrwh2Z2hQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-31376023539683514062010-01-07T16:48:00.000-05:002010-01-07T16:49:58.879-05:00Isaiah 59 - Sin and Redemption <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18802">1</sup> Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,
<br /> nor his ear too dull to hear. <p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18803">2</sup> But your iniquities have separated
<br /> you from your God;
<br /> your sins have hidden his face from you,
<br /> so that he will not hear. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18804">3</sup> For your hands are stained with blood,
<br /> your fingers with guilt.
<br /> Your lips have spoken lies,
<br /> and your tongue mutters wicked things. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18805">4</sup> No one calls for justice;
<br /> no one pleads his case with integrity.
<br /> They rely on empty arguments and speak lies;
<br /> they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18806">5</sup> They hatch the eggs of vipers
<br /> and spin a spider's web.
<br /> Whoever eats their eggs will die,
<br /> and when one is broken, an adder is hatched. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18807">6</sup> Their cobwebs are useless for clothing;
<br /> they cannot cover themselves with what they make.
<br /> Their deeds are evil deeds,
<br /> and acts of violence are in their hands. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18808">7</sup> Their feet rush into sin;
<br /> they are swift to shed innocent blood.
<br /> Their thoughts are evil thoughts;
<br /> ruin and destruction mark their ways. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18809">8</sup> The way of peace they do not know;
<br /> there is no justice in their paths.
<br /> They have turned them into crooked roads;
<br /> no one who walks in them will know peace. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18810">9</sup> So justice is far from us,
<br /> and righteousness does not reach us.
<br /> We look for light, but all is darkness;
<br /> for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18811">10</sup> Like the blind we grope along the wall,
<br /> feeling our way like men without eyes.
<br /> At midday we stumble as if it were twilight;
<br /> among the strong, we are like the dead. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18812">11</sup> We all growl like bears;
<br /> we moan mournfully like doves.
<br /> We look for justice, but find none;
<br /> for deliverance, but it is far away. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18813">12</sup> For our offenses are many in your sight,
<br /> and our sins testify against us.
<br /> Our offenses are ever with us,
<br /> and we acknowledge our iniquities: </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18814">13</sup> rebellion and treachery against the LORD,
<br /> turning our backs on our God,
<br /> fomenting oppression and revolt,
<br /> uttering lies our hearts have conceived. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18815">14</sup> So justice is driven back,
<br /> and righteousness stands at a distance;
<br /> truth has stumbled in the streets,
<br /> honesty cannot enter. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18816">15</sup> Truth is nowhere to be found,
<br /> and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
<br /> The LORD looked and was displeased
<br /> that there was no justice. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18817">16</sup> He saw that there was no one,
<br /> he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
<br /> so his own arm worked salvation for him,
<br /> and his own righteousness sustained him. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18818">17</sup> He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
<br /> and the helmet of salvation on his head;
<br /> he put on the garments of vengeance
<br /> and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18819">18</sup> According to what they have done,
<br /> so will he repay
<br /> wrath to his enemies
<br /> and retribution to his foes;
<br /> he will repay the islands their due. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18820">19</sup> From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD,
<br /> and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.
<br /> For he will come like a pent-up flood
<br /> that the breath of the LORD drives along. <sup class="footnote" value="" href=""#fen-NIV-18820a"" title=""See">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2059&version=NIV#fen-NIV-18820a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18821">20</sup> "The Redeemer will come to Zion,
<br /> to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,"
<br /> declares the LORD. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18822">21</sup> "As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD.</p>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-56152513928585180902010-01-05T20:52:00.001-05:002010-01-05T20:54:39.503-05:00Until The Whole World HearsLord, I want to feel with Your heart<br />See the world through Your eyes<br />I want to be Your hands and feet<br />I want to live a life that leads<br /><br />Ready yourselves, ready yourselves<br />Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night<br />Ready yourselves, ready yourselves<br />May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise<br /><br />Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out<br />Lifting up Your name for all to hear the sound<br />Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out<br />And as the day draws near, we’ll sing until the whole world hears<br /><br />Lord, let Your sleeping giant rise<br />Catch the demons by surprise<br />Holy nations sanctify<br />Let this be our battle cry<br /><br />Ready yourselves, ready yourselves<br />Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night<br />Ready yourselves, ready yourselves<br />May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise<br /><br />Woah, woah, sing until the whole world hears<br />Woah, woah, sing until the whole world hears<br /><br />I want to be Your hands and feet<br />I want to live a life that leads<br />To see You set the captive free<br />Until the whole world hears<br />And I pray the day will see<br />More of You and less of me<br />Lord, I want my life to be<br />The song You sing<br /><br />Woah, woah, we’ll sing until the whole world hears<br />Woah, woah, we’ll sing until the whole world hears<br /><br />-Casting CrownsAndrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-85736415614836005362010-01-02T20:39:00.002-05:002010-01-02T20:46:36.583-05:00The God That Fails (And The God That Doesn't)<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/opinion/01brooks.html?scp=2&sq=david%20brooks&st=cse">David Brooks:</a><br /><br />I thought this was really unusual. David Brooks, a columnist for the New York Times wrote an article about America's misplaced trust in technology and the government to stop terrorism. <br /><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>Many people seem to be in the middle of a religious crisis of faith. All the gods they believe in — technology, technocracy, centralized government control — have failed them.</blockquote>Brooks doesn't mention the one true God that will never disappoint or fail to protect.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-75220472360902593922010-01-01T22:53:00.002-05:002010-01-01T22:58:44.364-05:00ECU Players Fight Over DessertExactly. Two players for the Eastern Carolina University Pirates were actually suspended from their bowl game for fighting. At a celebratory luncheon. Over dessert. <br /><blockquote>The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that Paulk and Williams scuffled during the AutoZone Liberty Bowl awards luncheon and nearly flipped over a table while fighting over a dessert. According to the paper, one player had the other in a headlock and was hitting him.</blockquote>Read the rest on <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls09/news/story?id=4788897">ESPN</a>.Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670147124646927604.post-39314236770626392692010-01-01T14:34:00.002-05:002010-01-01T14:39:10.673-05:00Bob Kauflin On The ESV Study BibleIn 2009 Bob Kauflin read through the ESV Study Bible. He shares his <a href="http://www.worshipmatters.com/2009/12/31/thoughts-on-the-esv-study-bible-now-that-ive-read-it/">thoughts</a> on his blog. It reminds me that I really need to be in God's word this year. <br /><br />HT: <a href="http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/">Zach Nielsen</a>Andrew Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295500931525672376noreply@blogger.com0