Law

What is law?
Law is a system of rules a society sets to maintain order and protect harm to persons and property.

I usually have my notebook with me to help me pinpoint the important points so that I could incorporate them into my blog, but since I don't have it, I'm going to do my best to recall what we've talked about and what I've thought about the discussions.

We've discussed in class how whether one believes it or not, he or she has broken the law, if it may be through downloading music illegally, over-speeding in a car, cutting class, or even something as simple as jaywalking. As a civilian, it is our duty to obey the law. What causes us to break laws is that the benefit of the action oversees the consequence or maybe because we believe that it infringes on our rights. Sometimes we break the law because we may believe that the consequences are miniscule compared to the long run.

For example, man's law v. the gods' law. Would one choose to follow man's law because it results in death? Or would one choose to follow the gods' because gods' consequences are bigger than man's law?
I feel that what made Antigone defy man's law is because of this reason: the gods' law is an eternal law, and because it is an eternal law, the consequences would be an eternal consequence. Also, does man's law not come from the gods' laws?

Another example was in class in a discussion about law in regards to Martin Luther King Jr.
Everyone has a definition of right and everyone has a definition of wrong. Although two ideas may be similar, there is still room for disagreements. We have our own morals, which are learned through trial and errors. The choice that leads to civil disobedience is initiated by the cause and effect being bigger than the consequence.

I, myself, could see myself breaking the law if it is something I am passionate about, for example my faith. If the government were to keep me from practicing and growing in my faith, I would defy the law because I feel that my faith stands for something greater and cannot be defined by rules and regulations. The earth is temporary where as my God is eternal.
Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

Choice: Ours or Not?

Choice: Although being a simple six letter word, this word has the ability to stir up plenty of controversy. Many may argue that the choices that we make in life are our own. Others may argue that we, as humans, are incapable of making choices for ourselves and therefore have some divine hand or supernatural being guiding our decisions.
This week in class, we discussed how Oedipus's decisions affected his fulfilling of the prophecy. The way I saw it, was that Oedipus had no real choice. The prophecy was that he would kill his father and marry his mother and by 'choosing' to advert the prophecy, he was one step closer to fulfilling what he strove to avoid. From birth, Oedipus's world was being governed by the ancient gods above to establish justice.
From Paul Roche's Forward on "The Great Encounter" in relation to Sophocles's Oedipus, he expresses that "[t]hough we may be innocent, we are all potentially guilty, because of the germ of self-sufficiency and arrogance in our nature." Also, according to the Romans 3:10-12, "[n]one is righteous, no, not one; no one understand; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." From both these passages, we see that human nature is depraved and deprived. Roche concludes his paragraph saying that "both choice and destiny are ours." However, the Bible disagrees. As mentioned before, "no one does good..." meaning because of our sinful nature, we have the tendency to do wrong because it feels good. When one chooses to do the right thing, we may not notice why at first, but we "chose" the right thing because of consequence or benefit. We make our choices based on how we would benefit from these choices. Romans 8:28-30 continues to say, "And we know that for those who love God and all things work together for good; for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many borthers. and thos whom He predestined, He also called, and those whom He called He also Justified, and those whome He justified He also glorified."
To sum this all up, whatever we do, say, or think, its already been planned. Although what we do may be the most henious thing on earth, but believe it or not, God planned it out just the be the way it was. (Romans 9:18, "So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.") The henious act glorifies God and magnifies Him showing that we as humans are evil at our core and in order for us to be redeemed from this crime, which is punishable through death, God sent Jesus as a proptiation for our sins.
As for chosing whether one wants to be a Christian or not, I believe it is by God intervening in our lives and the grace that he gives us, allows us to follow Him. Being wretched and sinful as I am, there is no way in my human nature that I would have the ability to chose Him; He called me to Himself and through this he was glorified.
As for terms of justice, I would argue that God's way of establishing justice on earth is through people who want to live in denial; knowing the truth, but chosing to ignore it because the alternative sounds better. Allowing those who want to be deceived to have the selfish desires of their hearts. Being a Christian does not mean that one's life is going to be prosperous or easy. Becoming a Christian does not guarantee one a huge house, riches, a nice car, or his or her best life now.
Being a Christian means that one is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of giving back to God and glorifying him in all that one does. Again, without God's grace and intervention, we would not have the ability to do this.

Growth and Development

When does it stop?
They say junior year of high school is the hardest. I believe it. It's the year where everyone expects the most out of you and more.

Junior year: SATs, Reviewing Colleges, AP Classes, Honor Roll, Volunteering, Sports, Leadership, Long Sleepless Nights, Community Involvement.


Senior year: it's all very much the same, but with the stressful additions of college applications. Whoever said senior year was easy was lying because I do not feel like it is so. I feel as it is the most stressful and overwhelming semester than I've ever had. I do recognize the fact that it would get easier as time progresses (probably because I'm still trying to get back into the gist of being back in school).
What ever happened to going to school to get an education? To learn? Because I'm definitely not learning in school anymore. It's all memorization to just pass the next test. The next thing I know, I don't remember what I "learned." When is enough enough?

According to America, enough is never enough. Standard bars for college acceptances are constantly rising and the pressure is on. Students have become more stressed and have taken on more than they can handle, me being one of them. After graduating from college for a bachelors, then it's masters, moving on to doctoral and if that isn't enough, a double doctoral... is that even possible? Well, at the rate that America's moving at, I say they'll push it to a triple. When does it end?

With all this hustling and bustling of trying to get my future figured out, looking at college requirements, I begin to question, "Am I good enough?" My answer every time, "Of course not. What makes you more special than the next person? Why should this college accept you? How am I supposed to get into the college of my choice? How can I stand out so my chances are just a little bit better?" I become more and more discouraged every time I see that the next student performing exceptionally better than I am. My frustration and annoyance continually grows each day I walk into the classroom. I can't keep up with the world's expectations anymore. I just hate it how the world sets up standards that very few people can reach. It kills me.

In class we discussed how although having a masters in some field doesn't automatically mean you qualify for any given position. We see Crawford as an example of this. Here, we saw a man with a masters degree in law, but wound up in an office writing a numerous amount of articles each day. We also see Bartleby's example. Perhaps Bartleby worked so hard only to end up as a scrivener. Maybe he only replied, "I would prefer not to," because he knew he deserved better because he worked harder or was knowledgeable. Now that I look at it, Crawford and Bartleby went through the same thing. They both worked hard for something (assuming that Bartleby had a masters in something), but wound up in a place where they deserved better.
My honest opinion of it all? "Forget school. Let me concentrate what matters most: My walk with Christ."
Yes, I have the right thought, but the wrong attitude at coming at it. Of course I have to complete my education and I have to do my best at everything I do, but I shouldn't be doing it to keep up with the world's standards or for myself, but rather doing it all for God's glory. And my attitude towards schoolwork is definitely not glorifying to God. (Note that I was using God as a reason to get out of school work... Repent? Yes.)

Today was church day followed by homework day. I've never been so frustrated and fed up in my life (with homework that is). But as frustrating and difficult my day was, I remember what we talked about in church. I shouldn't be frustrated and down on myself about getting into college and unsatisfied with my best performance. Although I am greatly discontent with myself and felt like I can no longer do it by myself. My pride took a step off the pedestal.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when i am weak, then I am strong.

And with this:

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

I can't even express how stupid I feel. "I can do it by myself. I'm on my own, with no one to help me." Umm negatory... pride sucks. I was doing it all for myself and by myself. Wrong attitude. So sad.

Yes junior year is over, but senior year has just begun, but I can say that I look forward to the help and support I'll receive from my Lord. As for my future of college and schoolwork. I lay it all in God's hands. He is sovereign and whatever plans he has for me will surely bring glory to Him. This does not mean I leave everything in God's hands and not do anything about it. This means that I have been given responsibilities to fulfill what I need to fulfill and the Lord will aid me in these overwhelming tasks.

1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

And although this was meant for Jeremiah, it is still encouraging knowing that God is in control:Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

AP Classes, college applications, volunteering, athletics, and more.... watch out because here I come.