~Brandon James Scott Scholl
People pray for all sorts of things in their lives. Whether it’s to win the lottery, to heal a sick child, or help a friend or family member get out of a hard time. Other people pray for things like “Is he/she the one for me?” or “Can I buy this really nice sports car?” What people pray for doesn’t always get answered however.
There are things we want or wish for that don’t always have to happen. Our plans, wants, and what we think are necessities aren’t what God has for us in His plan. This is something that people don’t always comprehend. There are things we ask God to give us in our lives or we think would help us live our lives. What you have to keep in mind though is that God doesn’t work around what we think we need. God knows what is best for us. I mean, think about it, you can’t argue with omniscience. Have you ever tried to argue with God? You will never win.
There are reasons why there are prayers that we have that go unanswered. Maybe it’s not the right time for that to happen. Maybe it’s not something you should have right now in your life with everything going on. Perhaps if you did get that nice brand new, shiny Mustang Convertible you wouldn’t be in the Bible that often or talking to God because you’ll be too busy making sure it’s shiny and driving it around for other people to see. God is the one that created us and He knows us better than we know ourselves. So, He knows how you are going to react to whatever event comes your way or to something you’re given.
What we have to realize and understand is that we don’t know everything. We don’t necessarily know what’s best for us and what would be good or bad to have in our lives. We have to be able to trust that God is going to take care of us. He does promise that He will take care of us and that we should not worry: ” 25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” ~Matthew 6:25-26.
So, God takes care of us and knows what’s best for us. Maybe you don’t need that nice Mustang huh? And ladies, you really don’t need that accessory or pair of shoes, do you?
Sunday, August 1, 2010
What Do We Put Our Faith In?
~Brandon James Scott Scholl
Faith is something that we used every day whether you notice it or not. There are times that we don’t even think about it. A good example of this is walking into a dark room and flipping on the light switch. We have faith in that light switch that it will turn on the light to elluminate the room. Webster’s dictionary defines faith as, “belief and trust in someone or something.” Not only, as a Christian, do I have faith in God and that He is in charge of all things and that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow but also that my alarm clock will go off at 8 A.M. if I set it. Most of the time when people think of the word faith they go straight into thinking religion or philosophy. Faith is something that is constant in our lives that we don’t realize. Whether it’s the alarm going off to wake you up in the morning or if it’s that your alarm system on your house will go off if someone tries to get into your house in the middle of the night.
Here’s a thought I have on top of all of that. Are human beings the only ones that have faith? Can a dog, for example, have faith that you are going to feed it in the morning? Can a pet have faith that you are going to keep it safe and healthy? Just a random thought to consider.
Just think about what you put your faith in everyday such as that alarm clock or that light switch. All of those things we take for granted or don’t think about them much. What do you think?
Faith is something that we used every day whether you notice it or not. There are times that we don’t even think about it. A good example of this is walking into a dark room and flipping on the light switch. We have faith in that light switch that it will turn on the light to elluminate the room. Webster’s dictionary defines faith as, “belief and trust in someone or something.” Not only, as a Christian, do I have faith in God and that He is in charge of all things and that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow but also that my alarm clock will go off at 8 A.M. if I set it. Most of the time when people think of the word faith they go straight into thinking religion or philosophy. Faith is something that is constant in our lives that we don’t realize. Whether it’s the alarm going off to wake you up in the morning or if it’s that your alarm system on your house will go off if someone tries to get into your house in the middle of the night.
Here’s a thought I have on top of all of that. Are human beings the only ones that have faith? Can a dog, for example, have faith that you are going to feed it in the morning? Can a pet have faith that you are going to keep it safe and healthy? Just a random thought to consider.
Just think about what you put your faith in everyday such as that alarm clock or that light switch. All of those things we take for granted or don’t think about them much. What do you think?
Death Penalty
~Brandon James Scott Scholl
Capital punishment is a touchy subject not only among everyone throughout the world but also throughout Christianity. There are individuals who claim that the Death Penalty is wrong because you’re murdering, which is breaking one of the Ten Commandments? Others believe that the death penalty is wrong and that we shouldn’t have anything to do with it because we should not be the ones judging. However, regardless of the debates, what does the bible say about it? First, let’s see what each side holds to in their arguments.
Let’s start with the argument against the Death Penalty. In a Supreme Court case, Furman V. Georgia in 1972, the Death Penalty was viewed as going against the eighth and fourteenth Amendment as “Cruel and Unusual” punishment. However, four years later the case was looked over again and the Supreme Court put the Death Penalty back on the table. There are numerous states that do not have the Death Penalty but there are other states that have it. Various organizations such as the ACLU claim that it is not a deterrent to stop people from murder. The ACLU claims that we shouldn’t have the Death Penalty because it is disturbing to those who value human life. Other claims are that there is the possibility that the individuals working on the case can have errors in the case and convict someone who is innocent.
The case for the Death Penalty is a bit different. When you commit murder you do not do it because someone makes you. You, by your own will, commit the crime. The claim that innocent people will be executed has yet to ever happen. In all of the years that there have been executions not one has been an innocent victim to the Justice System. Also, people view life as a sacred thing, especially when it is their own. If the people who had the death penalty had used it appropriately there would be fewer problems with murder. The bible also believes in the Death Penalty. In fact, the Bible says the death penalty: “21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” ~Deuteronomy 19:21. Also, the Ten Commandments say not to commit murder. Otherwise, God is contradictory to Himself and when He told civilizations and armies to attack other cities and nations He was breaking His own code of conduct. Murder is seen as both a premediated action or an unlawfully sanctioned action of taking life. Killing, however is something that can be lawfully sanctioned such as war.
So, between the two I have to go with being for the Death Penalty. Regardless of what the ACLU says or claims the Bible tells us that if a life is taken, that life that took it should be taken as well. If you’re just going to put people in jail and they get out later then what is the point in the first place? If they understand that the only punishment that they’re going to get is some time spent in jail then they won’t be deterred all that much later. However, if you use the threat that you will take their life for a crime they’ll be less likely to do it. The other thing is, if you have the Death Penalty, USE IT! Otherwise, what is the point of having it? Bottom line is this: God is all for the Death Penalty.
There are Christians who will say that God is the only one that is allowed to judge and it’s not our place. Here’s something to consider: 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ~Romans 13:1. This scripture speaks for itself. Everyone that is put in points of leadership were put there by God. So, with God putting them there he knows what choices they’re going to make in situations that will come up. Those of you who claim that God is the only one to judge then those in positions of authority, who were put there by God, are able to judge. Also the bible says something about this as well: “ 3”Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” ~Matthew 7: 3-5. This scripture would be brought up to people who make a claim about judging because it has before, but think about it. The speck is something that someone is dealing with, a fault. You can’t help them with that fault or problem until you get the log out of your own eye. That means you would be dealing with the same issue when telling them how to take care of the same problem you’re having in your own life. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t judge people because everybody has faults.So, if God is for it and you claim to be a Christian, what do you think?
Capital punishment is a touchy subject not only among everyone throughout the world but also throughout Christianity. There are individuals who claim that the Death Penalty is wrong because you’re murdering, which is breaking one of the Ten Commandments? Others believe that the death penalty is wrong and that we shouldn’t have anything to do with it because we should not be the ones judging. However, regardless of the debates, what does the bible say about it? First, let’s see what each side holds to in their arguments.
Let’s start with the argument against the Death Penalty. In a Supreme Court case, Furman V. Georgia in 1972, the Death Penalty was viewed as going against the eighth and fourteenth Amendment as “Cruel and Unusual” punishment. However, four years later the case was looked over again and the Supreme Court put the Death Penalty back on the table. There are numerous states that do not have the Death Penalty but there are other states that have it. Various organizations such as the ACLU claim that it is not a deterrent to stop people from murder. The ACLU claims that we shouldn’t have the Death Penalty because it is disturbing to those who value human life. Other claims are that there is the possibility that the individuals working on the case can have errors in the case and convict someone who is innocent.
The case for the Death Penalty is a bit different. When you commit murder you do not do it because someone makes you. You, by your own will, commit the crime. The claim that innocent people will be executed has yet to ever happen. In all of the years that there have been executions not one has been an innocent victim to the Justice System. Also, people view life as a sacred thing, especially when it is their own. If the people who had the death penalty had used it appropriately there would be fewer problems with murder. The bible also believes in the Death Penalty. In fact, the Bible says the death penalty: “21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” ~Deuteronomy 19:21. Also, the Ten Commandments say not to commit murder. Otherwise, God is contradictory to Himself and when He told civilizations and armies to attack other cities and nations He was breaking His own code of conduct. Murder is seen as both a premediated action or an unlawfully sanctioned action of taking life. Killing, however is something that can be lawfully sanctioned such as war.
So, between the two I have to go with being for the Death Penalty. Regardless of what the ACLU says or claims the Bible tells us that if a life is taken, that life that took it should be taken as well. If you’re just going to put people in jail and they get out later then what is the point in the first place? If they understand that the only punishment that they’re going to get is some time spent in jail then they won’t be deterred all that much later. However, if you use the threat that you will take their life for a crime they’ll be less likely to do it. The other thing is, if you have the Death Penalty, USE IT! Otherwise, what is the point of having it? Bottom line is this: God is all for the Death Penalty.
There are Christians who will say that God is the only one that is allowed to judge and it’s not our place. Here’s something to consider: 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ~Romans 13:1. This scripture speaks for itself. Everyone that is put in points of leadership were put there by God. So, with God putting them there he knows what choices they’re going to make in situations that will come up. Those of you who claim that God is the only one to judge then those in positions of authority, who were put there by God, are able to judge. Also the bible says something about this as well: “ 3”Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” ~Matthew 7: 3-5. This scripture would be brought up to people who make a claim about judging because it has before, but think about it. The speck is something that someone is dealing with, a fault. You can’t help them with that fault or problem until you get the log out of your own eye. That means you would be dealing with the same issue when telling them how to take care of the same problem you’re having in your own life. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t judge people because everybody has faults.So, if God is for it and you claim to be a Christian, what do you think?
Live Without Regrets
~Brandon James Scott Scholl
When people ask you if you could go back into your past and change something you did what do you think about? Do you think about a time when you did something that you had gotten punished for when you were a child? Do you think about something that completely changed the way you live your life? Here’s something to consider before you give those people an answer. When we go through something it transforms us into something. Everything that is in our past turned us into the person we are today. However, those of you who are reading this and think that you are nothing special I want you to think about something. Whether it’s depression, anger, guilt, or just feeling stone cold that doesn’t necessarily mean everything you’ve gone through, either good or bad, turned you into that. You are in control of who you are. I have had my own share thus far of ups and downs that have, at times, made me feel worthless, inconvienient, and even a burden. It’s the time in your life when it seems like the entire world has decided to rain down hell on you and there’s nothing you can do about it except take it with tears. When things like that happen you must remember that we were not meant to take on the world ourselves. We were not created to stand alone against it all. Friends and family help us feel better but that’s not what I’m referring to. There’s an almighty individual that created you and willingly holds out his hand to you so you can lean on Him. So, whether it’s being abused when you were little, having your heart broken, or making a choice that feels like it left your life in shambles life can and will go on and you will become even greater than you once were. So, the next time you’re asked if you would ever change anything from your past, you can honesly smile and say that you wouldn’t change a thing.
When people ask you if you could go back into your past and change something you did what do you think about? Do you think about a time when you did something that you had gotten punished for when you were a child? Do you think about something that completely changed the way you live your life? Here’s something to consider before you give those people an answer. When we go through something it transforms us into something. Everything that is in our past turned us into the person we are today. However, those of you who are reading this and think that you are nothing special I want you to think about something. Whether it’s depression, anger, guilt, or just feeling stone cold that doesn’t necessarily mean everything you’ve gone through, either good or bad, turned you into that. You are in control of who you are. I have had my own share thus far of ups and downs that have, at times, made me feel worthless, inconvienient, and even a burden. It’s the time in your life when it seems like the entire world has decided to rain down hell on you and there’s nothing you can do about it except take it with tears. When things like that happen you must remember that we were not meant to take on the world ourselves. We were not created to stand alone against it all. Friends and family help us feel better but that’s not what I’m referring to. There’s an almighty individual that created you and willingly holds out his hand to you so you can lean on Him. So, whether it’s being abused when you were little, having your heart broken, or making a choice that feels like it left your life in shambles life can and will go on and you will become even greater than you once were. So, the next time you’re asked if you would ever change anything from your past, you can honesly smile and say that you wouldn’t change a thing.
Predestination
~Brandon James Scott Scholl
For the past couple of days I’ve been debating, dialoguing, and chatting with Christians about the belief of predestination. What I don’t understand is how many people are against this belief because it contradicts something that they have previously set up in their mind to deal with a personal experience they dealt with. For example, an person who knew someone who professed to be a Christian, went out witnessing and seemed on fire for the Lord, and then years later totally left his Christianity behind. There are people who have watched experiences like this and claim that he “lost his faith.” That is a load of crap. See, what people don’t seem to understand is that if your faith was dependent on what your actions were then what was the point of Christ dying on the cross? The bible says we all fall short of the glory of God. That means that whatever ‘Work’ we do or action we take isn’t going to get us saved. Ultimately it’s God who saves us. Ephesians 1:11 puts it into perspective.
” 11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,”
This explains that everything is in accordance with His will. God can use someone who seems to be on fire for the Lord and be able to quote scripture like it’s lyrics to their favorite song and have them save someone but the original person not be saved. We have to remember that just because we’re uncomfortable with a certain topic or theology or doctrine doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It should be based on what the bible says instead of what our emotions tell us.
God's Hand & Education
~Brandon James Scott Scholl
Five years ago I left the regular brick and mortar public school system and was homeschooled from that point on. There were many influences that had a hold of me back then that controlled both my thoughts and actions. There were numerous times I realized that I was a prisoner trapped within myself and had no control. That someone or something was manipulating the strings. Even after I left that kind of schooling it took me about two years to detox and realize not only what the problems were but I was given the chance to become the person that I am today and have the opportunities and events that have molded me into the strong leader I am today. Earlier this evening I went to a turkey bowl football thing and meet some of the people that I used to go to school with back then. I’m not saying that every person I had gone to school with was a horrible influence. In fact, there are quite a few people I’m meeting now that were actually good people that could have kept me out of trouble but I threw them off to the side and didn’t see their example. To those people that I treated like that, I am truly sorry and I had to live with the consequences of those actions. However, there are other people who I did hang around with or did go to school with that were people that I should have seriously stayed away from. These people that I meet today have not grown up like I thought they would as far as their maturity. Instead, they seem to have dropped quite a bit in their maturity and have also dropped quite a bit in their intelligence. I’m not saying I’m smarter than everyone because there are things that I don’t know. Although, it seems like all of these not so great people from my previous schooling choices have been educated at all. There is a possibility that because who I’ve been around in recent years and how much I’ve had to change to get in place with where God wants me that I shot farther ahead in life, intelligence, and maturity than any of these people did. Now that I completely realize this I have one thing to say: Thank you God for blessing me with a way to get out of that lifestyle and into the current place where I am now. I will also say another things that scares me is the fact that some of these people will be in charge of various things later whether it’s politics, businesses, or any other position of authority.
With that said I am currently working on something else. After saying all of that about some of the people I used to go to school with I am attempting to dual-enroll with one of the local high schools so that I can take a speech and debate class. This is something that I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time now and haven’t had the opportunity or been in a place in my life to pursue this. It’s hard to take a speech class through an online high school because I believe half of speech and debate is body language and voice tone. It’s hard to pull those two elements out of simple text when talking to someone. My mother has voiced a hint of concern about this decision because of what my history is like in public school and I know she doesn’t want me to fall back into my old lifestyle. What she would prefer I do is wait another year and gets funding together to take the class and College of Western Idaho. This is a good idea but I don’t want to jump into a college class like speech and debate with no previous experience on the subject. I won’t be able to get in touch with the local high schools until next week because of Thanksgiving.
Those of you that read this blog please let me know. I will continue to post regardless but it’s nice to know that there are people out there reading what you write. I know that Arlene, Will, and Rachael are the only ones that have looked at it thus far and I know that Will is the only one that’s following. I hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving. God Bless.
Life and Times
~Brandon James Scott Scholl
Something came up today and I was asked why I insist on being so confrontational or do things that seem dangerous. I believe there are times when things need to be addressed regardless of the possibility of people not wanting to be around you. There are also many times that if we don’t take care of events or something in this way that it won’t be taken care of. I’m sure that there are people that don’t necessarily agree with this and that’s fine. Not everyone is the type of person to be able to do that but for me I’ve noticed that handling situations in this form is the best course of action.
Today is my English class we were asked to write about irony in our life. It was the first time I thought about it but I noticed something today, my whole life is ironic. From the time I was a baby up until about two years ago I was easily embarrassed and only wanted to sink into the crowd. Didn’t want to be noticed or stick out because it was something that I was extremely uncomfortable with. Today, however, I’m the type of person that despises slipping into the crowd. My personality has not only changed to the extent of I naturally just get noticed in the crowd but it’s impossible to get embarrassed. A good example of the latter is that every time my mother and I go shopping at Costco I walk in slow motion at the entrance and then pretend to throw my hair back. There are other times that my mom will ask the greeters at Sam’s Club to give me a hard time if I try to meet up with her when I try to go in or come out. The last time my mom had done this she asked a somewhat large and older man to give me hard time when I tried exiting Sam’s Club with a bag of groceries in my hand. I didn’t have the receipt because my mom had walked off with it and he stopped me. I immediately asked him if a woman had just walked by and asked him to give me a hard time. He had a micro-expression that showed a smile and then it was gone the next second. He then told me that I wasn’t able to leave the store without the receipt. I smiled and told him that I could probably outrun him. He laughed and then told me that my mom had asked him to treat me this way and then he let me pass. As I walked to the car I noticed that my mom was nowhere in sight. I thought it was weird because she not only had the keys to the car but she had enough time. As I walked away from the car and started looking for her in the parking lot I found her at the other end of the store. She had forgotten where we had parked. See what happens when you try to mess with your children?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)