Continuing the study… Endurance comes
May 29, 2003 Uncategorized
Continuing the study…
- Endurance comes from Him.
- He came into the world to save sinners.
- He is the one mediator who can reconcile God and people.
- He appeared in the flesh.
- He was shown righteous by the Spirit.
- He was seen by angels and announced to the nations.
- He was believed on in the world.
- He was taken up into heaven.
- At the right time, He will be revealed from heaven.
So we spent the Memorial
May 28, 2003 Uncategorized
So we spent the Memorial Day weekend in Chicago hanging out with family, going to the zoo, getting food poisoning; you know, fun stuff. But now I am so behind on work. Ugh. When I come up for air, I will post pictures of the weekend (except the food poisoning part).
Until then, enjoy this latest installment of things we can know about Christ:
- We continually anticipate His return.
- He will make our hearts strong when we stand before God.
- He will make our hearts blameless when we stand before God.
- He will make our hearts holy when we stand before God.
- God decided to save us through Him instead of pouring out His anger on us.
- When He comes again, we will be gathered together to meet Him.
- He called us to salvation when we heard the Good News.
- We can share in His glory.
Click here for a
May 20, 2003 Uncategorized
Click here for a larger view of each of these images:
Emma | Jesse | Ethan
Alright, folks, I finally saw Matrix: Reloaded. People have been asking for my opinions on this, so I am going to hit you with them now. If you are one of those people who hate to have a movie ruined by someone else, please don’t read on. Go see the movie and read my thoughts later. Oh, and BTW, I found this interesting site you may be interested in. It is a compilation of Matrix Essays. Also, make sure you read my friend Pavi’s thoughts.
OK, here we go. Most of this will be random, but I will do my best to consolidate it into bullet points for you psycho Modernists and left brained weirdos.
- The Sex Scene We were planning on hosting a Matrix party at Riverview but didn’t because of some “intense sensuality.” People told us of some partial nudity and an “orgy” scene. In fact, several people used the word “orgy.” That almost ruined a great scene for me. The scene, which incorporates Neo & Trinity’s sex and the dancing of the citizens of Zion, was amazing. Here is what struck me so much. What separates us from machines? Our humanity, of course. Our humanity was displayed so clearly in several elements in this scene (Where Morpheus wanted the machines “to hear that we are still here” or something like that). First, the music was a beautiful fusion of tribal and techno music (a nice allusion to humanity vs. machines). Second, the set itself seemed to be transformed (with the lava and the red / orange / flesh tones) in a way that caused you to forget that they were in a man made city deep under ground; it seemed so “organic.” Third, the sensual dancing / sex scene displayed something that is uniquely human. Sure, machines can think. But can they experience the passion of sex or dance? Can they experience the blend of all 5 senses that comes together in an experience like that? Then there was the close of the scene, when Neo & Trinity were embracing each other and they looked as if they were one (it was really hard to tell where one person ended and the other began. And in the middle of that sculpture of flesh was the row of stark metal discs along Neo’s back reminding us of the machines that loomed outside of Zion. Brilliant.
- Metaphor People have been commenting on whether Matrix: Reloaded is a good Christian metaphor or not. Here’s my position on that. It is. Now, yes, there are sprinklings (or huge heaping spoonfuls) of Buddhism and other eastern mysticisms thrown into the mix, but that is to be expected. Can we expect something created by the world to be anything other than a flawed metaphor? Even the best of metaphors created by Jesus Himself (good and bad soils, a dishonest manager) are not perfect. But they carry the point in a wonderful package. In addition, I believe a lot of art is a reflection of God, merely because the artist is an “image bearer.” For instance, I have found a lot of music by unbelievers draws me into the presence of God. Did they intend that? Certainly not. But a great many people would be surprised at the songs I worship my creator with.
- Effects Amazing. I was surprised that even after seeing the trailers, I found a lot to say “wow” to. Bravo.
I suppose I could write a lot more, but I won’t.
So I have been talking
May 18, 2003 Uncategorized
So I have been talking a lot lately about getting into shape. You see, I am not very happy with my current weight (as my wife recently reminded me, my pant size keeps going up…it was a sad day when my waist size passed my age and my inseam). And so, I have been making a moderate attempt at exercise and eating better. I say this having just had a huge buffet lunch. Why do I talk about it but not change my lifestyle? Why do I play lip service to getting in shape, but I keep indulging myself in one more big meal or hour in front of the TV eating corn chips? I have a lot of answers to this, but I am not going to write them down (if you have some, please let me know). I can only say that I see this giant parallel to my spirtual life and the spiritual lives of many people I know.
Well, I’m an uncle
May 16, 2003 Uncategorized
Well, I’m an uncle again. My sister Heidi and her hubby Patrick just had their second girl. Here are the vitals:
Her name is SARENNA KATHERINE KELLEY.
8lb 10oz
19 inches long
Born on 6/10/03 @ 1:56pm
I have always had issue
May 16, 2003 Uncategorized
I have always had issue with modern evangelism. It seems to me that the “threat of hell” (while real and sometimes a valid conversation piece) ought not be the primary method of sharing our faith. For years, I have seen people use a little booklet called “Are you certain?” or something like that. I found when I asked people that question, they would answer with “I don’t care.” It just did not resonate with where they were at. On that note, I just read a great quote that I connected with in
“Note that life after death…was itself a late revelation. God trained the Hebrews for centuries to believe in Him without promising them an after-life…It is like the disguised prince in the fairy tale who wins the heroine’s love before she knows he is anything more than a woodcutter. What would be a bribe if it came first had better come last.”
C.S. Lewis
And now, back by popular
May 15, 2003 Uncategorized
And now, back by popular demand: THE CAPTION CONTEST! What caption would you give this picture?
Continuing on about Jesus: He
May 15, 2003 Uncategorized
Continuing on about Jesus:
- He is the lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.
- When we come to Him, we are “spiritually circumcised” (the sinful nature is cut away).
- We are buried with Him and raised to new life because we trusted in the mighty power of God.
- We are made alive in Him.
- We died with Him.
- He set us free from the evil powers of this world.
- We have been raised to new life with Him.
- He sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.
- Our real life is hidden with Him.
- When He is revealed to the whole world, we will share in His glory.
- He created a new nature within us.
- He is all that matters.
- He lives in all of us.
I got on a roll
May 14, 2003 Uncategorized
I got on a roll today. Check out this pile of stuff we can know about Christ:
- We boast in what He has done, not in our human effort.
- Because of what He has done, all the things we once thought were important are worthless.
- Everything is worthless compared with the priceless gain of knowing Him.
- He can save us.
- We can really know Him.
- We can experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead.
- We can learn what it means to suffer with Him.
- Our conduct can show if we are enemies of His cross.
- We are citizens of heaven with Him.
- We eagerly wait for His return.
- His peace can guard our hearts and minds.
- We can live in Him.
- We can do everything with His help.
- He will give us the strength we need.
- He has given us glorious riches.
- He is the visible image of the invisible God.
- He existed before God made anything.
- He is supreme over all creation.
- He is the one through whom God created everything.
- He made the things we can see and the things we cannot.
- Everything has been created through Him and for Him.
- He is the head of the church.
- He is the first of all who will rise from the dead.
- He lives in us.
- He is the fullness of God in a human body.
Here we go: He will
May 12, 2003 Uncategorized
Here we go:
- He will give us light.
- He is the head of the church.
- We submit to Him.
- He loved the church so much He gave up His life for her.
- He cares for the church.
- He and the church are one.
- As His slaves, we should do the will of God with all our hearts.
- He is coming back again.
- Living is for Christ.
- We have been given the privilege of trusting in Him.
- We have been given the privilege of suffering for Him.
- Our attitude should be the same as His.
It just occured to me
May 11, 2003 Uncategorized
It just occured to me that many of the great heroes of the faith spell their names with this format: DL Moody, CS Lewis, AW Tozer, SR Sommerlot. From now on, I shall be known as NJ Heikkinen. That just sounds more distinguished!
Man. I have been out
May 11, 2003 Uncategorized
Man. I have been out of town for a couple weeks. It’s great to be back. I will be picking up my Jesus study on Monday, so I will make sure I post my thoughts here. For now, here is a great quote I read in a great book this week:
“The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians. When they are sombre and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.”
Sheldon VanAuken
Well..I am hanging out at
May 6, 2003 Uncategorized
Well..I am hanging out at the Pastor’s Conference in Cinnscinnattie (probably spelled that wrong). I’ll tell you what. I am very eager to get home. I miss my family and my ministry. Who knew? Good luck to JD who is teaching Bob Wednesday. Make sure you go check it out and heckle him.
Alright already. The link to
May 3, 2003 Uncategorized
Alright already. The link to the “Small Animal Day” pictures didn’t work.
Try this on for size.
