Category Archives: Pre WP

The posts that were imported from my previous blog. I would encourage you to check them out as well!

Trolley

A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are five people who are standing on the track unaware of the on-coming trolley. Fortunately, you could flip a switch, which will lead the trolley down a different track to safety. Unfortunately, there is a single person standing unaware on that track. Should you flip the switch or do nothing?


Don’t answer that question yet. Just stay with me and take a second to think about that.


Now what if the story goes like this…


A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are five drunks who have passed out on the track. Fortunately, you could flip a switch, which will lead the trolley down a different track to safety. Unfortunately, there is a single maintenance man working unaware on that track. Should you flip the switch or do nothing?


Now that the situation is slightly different, does that affect your decision-making process? If it does (or even if it doesn’t) keep reading, this post is for you.


The purpose of the post is not to put you in a situation in which you must measure the value of life compared to another. My intent is not to have you choose whether the lives of five drunkards is worth the life of one hardworking man just doing his job.  


In fact, the purpose of this post is just the opposite.


That’s right, I am telling you that there is no need to try to assign a value system of their worth to different human individuals based on your personal opinion of them.


The Bible calls us to love our neighbor as our self. Romans 13:8 says this, “…for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” We are called to love everyone, and that means giving the same respect to someone who might be homeless as you would to the President of the United States.


Did you hear me? The same respect to a homeless person begging for money on the street as you would to the President of the United States. Sure, it sounds great in print, but this is more than just a good idea to make you feel good. This is a lifestyle! Basically, if you are treating a homeless person with less Respect than the President, you are enforcing your own personal measurement on who deserves your Respect. And the Bible tells us to respect everyone (1 Peter 2:17). So when you choose who to Respect, you are in direct disobedience of what God commanded for us.


I’ll end with this, no one is expecting you to be perfect. We have a God who forgives a repentant heart (Hallelujah!). But we can all put more effort in treating other people (who are also God’s creation) with Respect as demonstrated for us in the Holy Bible.

Soli Deo Gloria

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Pre WP

Do You Hear It?

Today I decided to start tweeting a daily “Tweets 2 Live By” (follow me here: http://twitter.com/FCShultz ) This is how it read: 
“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” 
Pretty straightforward stuff right? I feel like this is a Proverb that especially applies to our consumer culture because honestly we have a lot that we can give.  

The vast majority of us can spare SOMETHING.  Whether it’s a couple extra bucks to a charity that  is fighting poverty, to sponsoring a child that needs help in another country, or just giving your time to volunteer at a homeless shelter.  The possibilities are endless.  Please just do something.

There are people crying out for your help everyday.  This Proverb does not limit it to crying out for financial help, people are also poor in spirit and they need to know that you care for them and value them, both people you know and some that you don’t.  

Here is just a couple of ways out of millions that you can get involved and start making a difference in the lives of the poor, click the link and check them out, they won’t bite I promise:
Sit down and think about what you can do to help, and then do it.  And never shut your ears to the cry. 
Soli Deo Gloria



Leave a Comment

Filed under Pre WP

Bad Words

You’ve heard them.  You know them.  Maybe you’ve said them.  Here is my take on them.  Let me know where you agree or disagree.  I know I don’t know everything and I’d like to hear your opinion.

Let’s start by a running definition.  For the sake of clarity, the term “bad words” will cover all cussing, cursing, and profane or vulgar language.  That being said, the only way words can actually become “bad” is the derogatory status a society puts on them.  Plain and simple, one society might associate a certain word as taboo, and another society might use the same word (or close relative) as a commonplace term.  Therefore, the reason we use these “bad words” is because we know the strong feelings our society associates with them and we want to arouse a strong sentiment by applying these words to whatever situation we are in.

“Yeah? So what is your point?”

I’m glad you asked.  My point is actually twofold.  First, personally, I see the use of “bad words” as an excuse for not using a different arrangement of words, or using more words, to get the same sort of reaction.  These “bad words” are like taking the easy way out when speaking.  Think of it like this, every time you are about to use a “bad word”, stop and think of a different word you could use to substitute for the “bad word.”  This might mean using more words, but most likely it will also mean the message you are trying to convey will be understood much clearer.  Also, when using substitute words, try changing the inflection and tone of your voice to emphasize the most important words.

My second and most important point comes from Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  There are other verses which speak about unwholesome talk, I encourage you do to your own little study on what the Bible has to say about speaking “bad words.”

That seems to be pretty straightforward, right from the Bible.  I don’t know about you, but if I get cussed at I don’t feel like it was “helpful for building me up according to my needs.”

One final thought from the words of Jesus Himself in Luke 6:45, “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

What kind of speech is your heart overflowing?

Soli Deo Gloria

3 Comments

Filed under Pre WP

A Simple Request

Alarm. Snooze. Alarm. Snooze. Maybe one more time if you’re like me. Get up. Shower to wake up. Brush teeth. Change. Breakfast. Out the door.

We are often guilty of falling into routine, and inside that routine we don’t often think about what’s really going on around us, and when we stop thinking about what’s going on around us we start taking things for granted.

I just want to focus on one thing. The shower.  Most of us turn the water on warm or hot, and then hop right in without thinking that we are blessed to have running water AND running hot water AND running hot water that is clean.  That’s huge.

So my request to you is simple: next time you take a shower, turn it on as cold as it gets, and take a shower as usual.  And while you’re in there think about all those who are going without, and pray for them that they would be blessed as well and God’s Will would be done in their lives.  I guarantee that a nice Cold Shower of Prayer and Appreciation will wake you up to maybe get a little more concerned about the water condition for the rest of our brothers and sisters around the world.

If you would like more information about the water crisis here are a couple websites to get you started:

http://www.charitywater.org/

http://water.org/

Soli Deo Gloria

Leave a Comment

Filed under Pre WP

Prayer to Scratch the Itch

I’ve got this new concept whirling around in my mind as of late.  There’s really no way to introduce it other than to jump right in.  

You know when you are just sitting at the dinner table and you feel a sort of “itch” on your arm or head or leg or wherever?  The kind of itch that does not hurt, not like a rash, but rather just a slight irritation that can be relieved with the simple “scratch” of a finger or fingers.  It is this sort of event, even as small as an itch, that has got me thinking about the Power of Prayer on a large scale.  
I know what you’re thinking, “Wait, that’s quite a leap from itch to the power of prayer.”  Allow me to build the bridge for you.
When I felt that little itch on my head, a thought occurred to me that I believe without a doubt was nothing less than a gift from the Holy Spirit.  The thought was this, “What if every time I got an ‘itch’ that it was actually a way of the Holy Spirit telling me to stop and take a second and pray for someone, anyone, or anything at all. Just take a second and pray.”
I stopped an weighed the options (which is now quite comical looking back), and decided that there is nothing to lose and as a believer of Christ I am called to pray!  The Bible exudes the importance of prayer.  It is truly an idea that is so simple but the repercussions would be so incredibly powerful.  Here are just ten extraordinary verses about the Power of Prayer: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-awesome-bible-verses-about-the-power-of-prayer/
Needless to say, I have applied the Prayer to Scratch the Itch to my own life. I want to hear your comments!  It is pretty simple, so why not give it a try as well? 
Soli Deo Gloria

1 Comment

Filed under Pre WP

Your Brain’s Full Potential.

Okay, let me start by saying this…I’m no Megamind. I do not have it all figured out. This concept just came to light when having a discussion with a dear friend (Represent) and the idea sounds so simple that it just might work.

It’s like this. The Human brain is a complex machine if you will. The age old question is “As humans, do we fully utilize our entire brain’s potential?” Here’s my take, no we don’t, but yes we definitely could.

The reason I say no, is because there are times when I’m not fully applying my brain, say when watching a movie, and if i were spending that time learning a new language or memorizing something that was important to me, then that would boost my brain power. But instead, watching a movie uses time that I can never get back. Therefore every deed I’ve done that used time is time that I could have used to “exercise” my brain. And since that time is gone, I am forever behind in the full capabilities of my mind as compared to if I would have spend all that miscellaneous time applying my brain.

Awfully depressing I’d say. But there’s Hope.

Try this. God is the creator of everything correct?  That includes all knowledge and wisdom.  Therefore, if we seek God, He can so easily bestow us with knowledge and wisdom that we would have never been able to get even if we did study our whole entire lives! Without Him, there’s no other way to get that potential knowledge that we missed out on.  So really it’s quite simple then, if we seek God and live our lives fully devoted to Him the way He says, then He will certainly give us all the knowledge we need.

DISCLAIMER: That doesn’t mean you never have to study again or try to learn. Nice try. I mean, God could definitely choose to impart all knowledge to you, I’m not saying He couldn’t do that.  But I am saying He has already blessed many of us with the means to learn very much, we just have to choose to make the time to do it. So really its a beautiful cycle. We put the time in to seek God and to apply ourselves to learning, and then God gives us as much knowledge that we need and the opportunity (i.e. books, schooling, teachers, mentors) to learn much more. The main thing is focus on God, and I guarantee the rest will fall into line.

Soli Deo Gloria

Leave a Comment

Filed under Pre WP

Simply Remember…

There is always Hope.

Soli Deo Gloria

Leave a Comment

Filed under Pre WP

Seven Ate Nine: The Story Never Told


I’m sure you’ve heard the old tale of why the number six was afraid of seven. Simply put, “because seven ate nine.” Although this is true, and everyone knows its factual, there is little detail in this story. In the next two volumes I will share with you information that has never been known to man. Information revealing the true reason that Seven ate Nine and the true reason why Six was afraid of Seven. Please enjoy and be educated.
I. Why Seven Ate Nine
Seven has always been given the bad rep for eating Nine, but no one inquires why in fact Seven did this. It all starts with Seven’s psychological level. Seven was an only number growing up, and being a single digit, he was naturally very lonely. Unlike most of the other numbers, the doubles and triples, he had no one else to keep by his side. No one taught him how to react to his problems, he knew no right from wrong or wrong from left. He was alone, and this lead to poor decision making skills. These skills showcased themselves when Nine came onto the scene. This is the part where everyone turns a blind eye. No one knows, or cares to know, what kind of personality Nine had. He was one of the nastiest numbers around. Sure he was only a single digit like Seven, but he was the biggest single digit, and that thought had gone all to his head. Nine was the bully in school who would get more pleasure out of smashing his ice cream cone in your hair than actually eating the ice cream. He got his high by making other digits feel low. He felt like he owned the Single Digit realm. And he owned it with an iron fist. An iron fist that gave Seven’s psychological stability a firm beating, daily. Seven couldn’t take it, he had no one. No one to confide in or share how he felt inside. No one to help carry some of the physical and mental pain the he received from Nine. Seven could not take it any longer. He knew no other way. He saw no other options. He knew no concept of right and wrong. He did what made sense, and what made sense to Seven forever changed the way he would be viewed for the rest of time. Seven did the unthinkable. He waited for the time to be right, when Nine was picking on the little Five and Unders. The time was opportune. And as quick as the idea had conceived in Seven’s head, Nine was gone forever. Seven ate Nine. It was not bloody nor violent, but it did not have to be, for the damage was already done. The Five and Unders were all witnesses, all with their own view, but none showing Seven in good light. Before long everyone knew of the event that had occurred, even some Quadruples heard the news. Seven was finished. He sealed his fate that he would be alone forever because now everyone was afraid of him. Afraid of him although he solved their problem with Nine and ended his reign. The tragedy had out outweighed the good news, as it often does. Seven was sad. He was just doing what he felt was right, what he believed in. But now he lives alone, because all the other digits are afraid. Well, almost all.
I.I. Why Six was Afraid of Seven
Six had been away on a trip to a closed numbers convention and just returned. He had wondered why Nine had not attended since he was the only other digit with a closed off circle to represent the Single Digits. But before he could even get his luggage from the airport, the word about Nine’s death was all over the news.
BEWARE
SEVEN EATS NINE
MAJOR THREAT
DO NOT ATTEPMT TO INTERACT
Confused, Six called his lower digit friends and they confirmed the news story. Nine was dead, and Seven had eaten him. For years the story was passed on and elaborations were made. Almost every digit that Six had even heard of knew the story. All the way up to the elders, the 7-Digits. All of Six’s friends told him he better be extra careful because at some angles he looked like Nine. And Seven might snap again and find the next best thing that looked like Nine. That best thing being Six. Six ended up being the best thing for Seven, but in a different sort of way. Despite all the hype and warnings that Six received, he truly was not scared of Seven the way you and I are lead to believe. He did not live in fear that Seven would show up one day ready for the second course of digit dinner. No, Six was afraid that Seven would never have his life back. He was afraid that this would never blow over and that Seven would be alone forever. Six could not let that happen. He needed a plan. A good plan. Because like it or not, Seven was still unstable and was still a threat. A threat capable of feasting on digits again. Six needed a way to be sure that this would not happen. He needed to find a reason for Seven not to eat. A reason Seven would not want to eat him. A reason that was without margin for error, because Six knew if he didn’t make a difference, no one would. So he came up with a plan guaranteed to work, it would just take time. But time Six had, especially the time compared to Seven being isolated for the rest of his existence. Six started out by writing letters to Seven. First weekly, then daily. It was three months before Seven returned a single letter, and even then he was skeptical. Seven was curious to why someone would want anything to do with him. He felt like he was being tricked into some kind of set up. He would not let his guard down. Not for anyone. Not for a very long time at least. Five years passed with Six writing letters back and forth with Seven until finally it hit him. Seven had started to break down inside. He came to the realization that someone else cared for him, and cared significantly. Seven began opening up to Six. Sharing all of the hurt that he held onto for his whole life. Six was there, spending time with Seven. And people began to take notice. Talk spread that Six and Seven were becoming even closer than ever. So close that they did everything together. The other digits were confused. So Six held an interdigit realm conference to explain everything to all of the digits in every realm. He said:
“ I appreciate all of you digits gathering here today and my wish is that what I am about to say will spread twice as fast as when The Tragedy of Nine took place sometime ago. What I am about to say is important to me and to all of you. Seven and I have always been close, naturally. But when I heard the news of him ingesting Nine I was appalled. I was unaware that Seven was capable of such a heinous action. But it was true, and for years I ran from it. Ignored it, said it wasn’t my problem. But not until the last five years was I afraid of Seven. But not the fear that kept me awake at night or the fear that you all felt as you thought Seven would eat you all as well. No, it was a different fear. A fear that Seven would never again be the same. The fear that the life he knew was over, and his legacy would be forever tarnished. What Seven did was wrong, but he has learned from the past to improve his future. And he needs all of us, all of you, to help him. I took the first step by showing what it takes. Seven needs friendship, from all of us. And if we all give him sincere friendship, there should be no worry about being eaten. After all, Nine was a bully so Seven Ate Nine. But friends have nothing to worry about because as everyone knows, friends do not eat friends.”
Soli Deo Gloria

Leave a Comment

Filed under Pre WP

This Blog Will Effect Your Life

Recently, my mind has been tossing around the concept of the Ripple Effect (also known as the Butterfly Effect or Domino Effect.)  The short version of this is that every action that you do, will cause a reaction, and that reaction will cause another action and so on for all of time.  Essentially since the beginning of the very first event in time, this cause and reaction has been taking place. Let me apply this to you.

Since you are reading this, that means you are not doing something else, say mowing your yard.
Therefore, the thing (mowing your yard) you are not doing is the effect of you reading this.
So lets play the hypothetical game and I will show you how this blog has effected your life.

If you had not chosen to read this blog, then you could have spent this time getting a ten minute head start on mowing your yard.  Then you would be done ten minutes earlier and might have been able to get ten more minutes of sleep.  Which in turn might have been exactly what you needed so you did not feel tired the next day.  And since you were tired you were not in as good of mood as you could have been, therefore you might have said something to someone that had an effect of their opinion of you. So make sure if you’re reading this blog that you get enough sleep tonight!

Now that may not be the best example, but you get the idea. Try some experiments yourself and see what happens.  The possibilities are truly endless.  There will probably be more posts on this subject in the future.  But remember, everything that you do and do not do has an effect on the world today, so why not try to make it a positive one?

Soli Deo Gloria

Leave a Comment

Filed under Pre WP

Everything in life you need is free.

I was listening to some good old tunes when this line passed through my speakers.  It made me wonder if everything that you NEED in life is really free.  Here goes.

Let’s start with defining what a NEED is.

According to the school of “Human Scale Development”, there are nine fundamental human needs. 



subsistence
protection
affection
understanding
participation
leisure
creation

identity 
freedom
You can find the more detailed table Here:

I’m not so sure about all of these though. I think food, water, and shelter are obvious.  And each of these you can find in our natural world.  But in our modern society, a majority of the land is “owned” by people or businesses.  Therefore, say, if you got your fruit from someones orchard, it would be free, but it might be illegal according to the laws of the land.  Technically still free.  The same principles apply to water and finding shelter in the natural world.

As for some of the other “fundamentals”, they seem questionable when determining what is necessary for sustaining life.  Protection, affection, understanding, participation, leisure, creation, identity, freedom are all very important things and I do not discredit that. The real question that lingers is can these remaining eight fundamentals also be free. I believe the answer is yes.


All of these nine fundamentals (and more) can be found is the most essential thing in the universe; God.

  • He can provide food most definitely because He created all
  • Protection most certainly because He Rules all
  • Affection that is incomparable to any Human affections, He Loves us although we do not deserve it
  • He can impart as much or as less Understanding as He chooses since He is the Wisest of all
  • He has given everyone a responsibility to Participate in the advancing of the Kingdom
  • He can be the source of true leisure and tranquility because nothing escapes Him
  • He is the one who has given each human his/her unique skill and creative gift
  • The only true identity of each person can be found in knowing that everyone is a Child of God
  • And the Freedom that we can only find when we come to know that God is the Protector of all and that He wants us to Live and Eternal Life with Him.  

There is much Freedom in that. 


So I would agree, Everything you need in life is free.  But I feel the world has yet to see anyone live their whole life that was 100% dependent on God, with the exception of one man, and He was Perfect.


Here’s the challenge: Live every aspect of you life with the mindset that God will give you everything you need, and much much more.

Soli Deo Gloria 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Pre WP