"The best cure for worry, depression, melancholy, brooding, is
to go deliberately forth and try to lift with one's sympathy
the gloom of somebody else."
-- Arnold Bennett
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Homework 03.24.10
Romans tended to build things that expressed their views, their eye for the future. The Romans were a family-type of culture. The homes that were built, were fashioned in such a way that they could hold large family gatherings (such as extended family). They had a community of family. Their bedrooms were extremely small. Sometime just little caverns in the wall where you would sleep. After all, what else did you need? Most of their life was in public. Accessibility was key. Fasces: (meaning) a bundle of sticks bound together. One stick is easily broken, but together they are impenetrable. (In our culture right now, the government is involved in the binding of those sticks). One way to bind people together is by having public spaces that are accessible and comfortable.
The Romans encouraged competition. This was shown by their gladiators etc. The Romans desired people of the Republic and later the empire, to have a competitive zeal. They even built certain buildings to encourage this.
They created the Colosseum so that there was a little cheering already. This automatically encouraged the rest of the people there to cheer also. Manipulation was the key thing here. They also made the seats to that you could easily stand up. They didn't just want you lounging around and watching...they wanted you to get involved.
They built forums (basically markets) in central places. This is where community flourished most. It was where everyone was brought together. Individuals came together to make a community. this was a model of a perfect culture.
The Pantheons were built also. These were the temples of the Romans. They were mostly dedicated to multiple gods. They were also man-centered. They portrayed glory and magnificence, but were mostly empty. How the idea of gods were reflected upon the people was shown inside these temples. they were mainly built for meditation on Rome. Rome was their god. The temples were a quiet and empty place. This was *very* different than all other cultures' temples. Everything in the churches and temples meant something. And it all reflected the religion being promoted.
Public spaces: administration of the empire. Their most prominent building was placed in the very center of the town. For the Romans, the most important building was the courthouse. What is really should have been the church. In the medieval ages, you would have found a church or cathedral in the center.
If you just look at a church's sanctuary, you can tell if they're truly Christian. Most churches today do not center the pulpit in the church. This is key, because it shows that you are centering God's Word preached. Some churches place the pulpit to the left or to the right, not centered at all. The Roman Catholics tend to place the mass in the center. This is partly religiously correct. They should not only have the table centered, but also the word. The sacrament, and behind it, the Word. Word and sacrament must and do go together.
The Romans encouraged competition. This was shown by their gladiators etc. The Romans desired people of the Republic and later the empire, to have a competitive zeal. They even built certain buildings to encourage this.
They created the Colosseum so that there was a little cheering already. This automatically encouraged the rest of the people there to cheer also. Manipulation was the key thing here. They also made the seats to that you could easily stand up. They didn't just want you lounging around and watching...they wanted you to get involved.
They built forums (basically markets) in central places. This is where community flourished most. It was where everyone was brought together. Individuals came together to make a community. this was a model of a perfect culture.
The Pantheons were built also. These were the temples of the Romans. They were mostly dedicated to multiple gods. They were also man-centered. They portrayed glory and magnificence, but were mostly empty. How the idea of gods were reflected upon the people was shown inside these temples. they were mainly built for meditation on Rome. Rome was their god. The temples were a quiet and empty place. This was *very* different than all other cultures' temples. Everything in the churches and temples meant something. And it all reflected the religion being promoted.
Public spaces: administration of the empire. Their most prominent building was placed in the very center of the town. For the Romans, the most important building was the courthouse. What is really should have been the church. In the medieval ages, you would have found a church or cathedral in the center.
If you just look at a church's sanctuary, you can tell if they're truly Christian. Most churches today do not center the pulpit in the church. This is key, because it shows that you are centering God's Word preached. Some churches place the pulpit to the left or to the right, not centered at all. The Roman Catholics tend to place the mass in the center. This is partly religiously correct. They should not only have the table centered, but also the word. The sacrament, and behind it, the Word. Word and sacrament must and do go together.
Cute Poem I found
The first red rose
Sent out of season
The second red rose
Sent for no reason
The third red rose
Sent for happiness and health
The fourth red rose
Sent for gaining life's wealth
The fifth red rose
Sent for gaining new friends
The sixth red rose
Sent for guiding you through life's bends
The seventh red rose
Sent for praying you never tire
The eighth red rose
Sent for giving you all of your desire's
The ninth red rose
Sent for your happiness in love
The tenth red rose
Sent for hoping I'm your turtledove
The eleventh red rose
Sent for igniting passion and fire
The twelve red rose
Sent for hoping I'm your desire
Sent out of season
The second red rose
Sent for no reason
The third red rose
Sent for happiness and health
The fourth red rose
Sent for gaining life's wealth
The fifth red rose
Sent for gaining new friends
The sixth red rose
Sent for guiding you through life's bends
The seventh red rose
Sent for praying you never tire
The eighth red rose
Sent for giving you all of your desire's
The ninth red rose
Sent for your happiness in love
The tenth red rose
Sent for hoping I'm your turtledove
The eleventh red rose
Sent for igniting passion and fire
The twelve red rose
Sent for hoping I'm your desire
RANDOM!
Live like you are dying, Laugh so hard you cry, Love so much it hurts…Only then can you know what it’s like to live
Life is full of challenges! Being happy shouldn't be one of them!
Live like you're dying and mean it!
Men's best successes come after their disappointments.
First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do.
Dost thou love life?
Then do not squander time,
for that is the stuff life is made of.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Our life's a stage, a comedy: either learn to play and take it lightly, or bear its troubles patiently.
Govern thy life and thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one, and read the other.
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.
Life is short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgment difficult.
Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think.
Life is like a library owned by the author.
In it are a few books which he wrote himself,
but most of them were written for him.
Life is a rich strain of music, suggesting a realm too fair to be.
Life's a voyage that's homeward bound.
To live is like to love--all reason is against it, and all healthy instinct for it.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.
People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest.
In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.
There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you.
The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitessimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.
Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own.
Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.
The rays of happiness, like those of light, are colorless when unbroken.
Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it.
Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.
It is not work that kills men, it is worry. Work is healthy; you can hardly put more on a man than he can bear. But worry is rust upon the blade. It is not movement that destroys the machinery, but friction.
Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature that overawes our little anxieties and doubts; the sight of the deep-blue sky and the clustering stars above seems to impart a quiet to the mind.
The rose is fairest when 't is budding new,
and hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.
In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends.
Just pure randomness!! ENJOY!
Life is full of challenges! Being happy shouldn't be one of them!
Live like you're dying and mean it!
Men's best successes come after their disappointments.
First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do.
Dost thou love life?
Then do not squander time,
for that is the stuff life is made of.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Our life's a stage, a comedy: either learn to play and take it lightly, or bear its troubles patiently.
Govern thy life and thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one, and read the other.
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.
Life is short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgment difficult.
Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think.
Life is like a library owned by the author.
In it are a few books which he wrote himself,
but most of them were written for him.
Life is a rich strain of music, suggesting a realm too fair to be.
Life's a voyage that's homeward bound.
To live is like to love--all reason is against it, and all healthy instinct for it.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.
People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest.
In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.
There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you.
The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitessimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.
Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own.
Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.
The rays of happiness, like those of light, are colorless when unbroken.
Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it.
Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.
It is not work that kills men, it is worry. Work is healthy; you can hardly put more on a man than he can bear. But worry is rust upon the blade. It is not movement that destroys the machinery, but friction.
Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature that overawes our little anxieties and doubts; the sight of the deep-blue sky and the clustering stars above seems to impart a quiet to the mind.
The rose is fairest when 't is budding new,
and hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.
In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends.
Just pure randomness!! ENJOY!
What Easter Means to a Peep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRdT7x4n9KU
An amazing video that my mom, Rachel and I put together for Easter. Just copy and paste into a new browser.
An amazing video that my mom, Rachel and I put together for Easter. Just copy and paste into a new browser.
The Victory Song
At the end of The Return of the King, following the defeat of all the powers of evil, J.R.R. Tolkien records this remarkable scene:
The shadow departed, and the Sun was unveiled, and light leaped forth; and the waters of the Anduin shown like silver, and in all the houses of the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts from what source they could not tell. And before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of the East there came a great Eagle flying, and he bore tidings beyond hope from the Lords of the West, crying:
Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor, for the Realm of Sauron is ended forever, and the Dark Tower is thrown down.
Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard, for your watch hath not been in vain, and the Black Gate is broken, and your King hath passed through, and he is victorious.
Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West, for your King shall come again, and he shall dwell among you all the days of your life.
And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed, and he shall plant it in the high places, and the City shall be blessed. Sing all ye people!
And all the people sang in all the ways of the City. The days that followed were golden.
Of course, Tolkien steadfastly refused to admit that his epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, was an allegory of the Gospel. But he did admit that it was “at least akin to the Gospel.” Thus, may Gondor’s Victory Song be at least akin to our own victory song this Easter.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Sing all ye people, for your King shall come again--and He shall make all things new! All that once was withered shall be renewed! Sing all ye people!
The shadow departed, and the Sun was unveiled, and light leaped forth; and the waters of the Anduin shown like silver, and in all the houses of the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts from what source they could not tell. And before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of the East there came a great Eagle flying, and he bore tidings beyond hope from the Lords of the West, crying:
Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor, for the Realm of Sauron is ended forever, and the Dark Tower is thrown down.
Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard, for your watch hath not been in vain, and the Black Gate is broken, and your King hath passed through, and he is victorious.
Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West, for your King shall come again, and he shall dwell among you all the days of your life.
And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed, and he shall plant it in the high places, and the City shall be blessed. Sing all ye people!
And all the people sang in all the ways of the City. The days that followed were golden.
Of course, Tolkien steadfastly refused to admit that his epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, was an allegory of the Gospel. But he did admit that it was “at least akin to the Gospel.” Thus, may Gondor’s Victory Song be at least akin to our own victory song this Easter.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Sing all ye people, for your King shall come again--and He shall make all things new! All that once was withered shall be renewed! Sing all ye people!
Friday, March 26, 2010
She Walks In Beauty -- Lord Byrom
I love reading some of Lord Byroms poems and came across one that will probably be my favorite!
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Dedication to Erin (I love you!)
A friend is like a flower,
a rose to be exact,
Or maybe like a brand new gate
that never comes unlatched.
A friend is like an owl,
both beautiful and wise.
Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,
whose spirit never dies.
A friend is like a heart that goes
strong until the end.
Where would we be in this world
if we didn't have a friend.
a rose to be exact,
Or maybe like a brand new gate
that never comes unlatched.
A friend is like an owl,
both beautiful and wise.
Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,
whose spirit never dies.
A friend is like a heart that goes
strong until the end.
Where would we be in this world
if we didn't have a friend.
Selections from "Understanding the Times" which I am rereading
Enjoy!
"Faith is critical in every philosophy. The individual developing a philosophy must be extremely careful to base his case on the most turthful assumptions..." God's Word.
"The Supernatural is not remote and abstruse: it is a matter of daily and hourly experiance, as intimate as breathing." -- C.S. Lewis
"In science we have been reading only the notes to a poem; in Christianity we find the poem itself." -- C.S. Lewis
"It can be said that the Christian philosopher and theologian must be acquainted with the contending world-views of his age. Philosophy after all is a way of life, and the Christian believes that he has the true way--the true pattern for living. It is the task of the Christian leader to understand the ideologies of his day so that he may be able to meet their challenge. The task is a never-ending one, for, although the Christian's worldview does not change, the world about him does. Thus the task of showing the relevance of the Christian realistic philosophy to a world in process is one which requires eternal vigilance. To such a task, to such an ideal, the Christian leader must dedicate himself." -- Dr. Warren C. Young
"Faith is critical in every philosophy. The individual developing a philosophy must be extremely careful to base his case on the most turthful assumptions..." God's Word.
"The Supernatural is not remote and abstruse: it is a matter of daily and hourly experiance, as intimate as breathing." -- C.S. Lewis
"In science we have been reading only the notes to a poem; in Christianity we find the poem itself." -- C.S. Lewis
"It can be said that the Christian philosopher and theologian must be acquainted with the contending world-views of his age. Philosophy after all is a way of life, and the Christian believes that he has the true way--the true pattern for living. It is the task of the Christian leader to understand the ideologies of his day so that he may be able to meet their challenge. The task is a never-ending one, for, although the Christian's worldview does not change, the world about him does. Thus the task of showing the relevance of the Christian realistic philosophy to a world in process is one which requires eternal vigilance. To such a task, to such an ideal, the Christian leader must dedicate himself." -- Dr. Warren C. Young
Beautiful Poem I found
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.
--A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.
--A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost
Thursday, March 25, 2010
MY LIFE!
Alright...something new...yes? Wow, I have been busy.
Last Saturday, I had an opportunity to work with another family babysitting. That was fun. They had three kids...twins at 8 years old, and another 11 month old. That went well, but I am happy it wasn't for too much longer. Then we had the church movie night. We watched Night at the Museum 2 (my third time watching that) and then Marley and Me. We knew at the beginning that the dog would die (we were told) and so it wasn't nearly so sad at the end!!
The day before, at HPA, I forgot to stretch and sprained my ankle pretty bad...now I have it in some sort of a brace and it doesn't hurt so bad.
Sunday, hmmm...it was so long ago! I forget...oh yea, Jon had Christian over and they watched movies downstairs. Becca watched a movie upstairs. Rachel, my mom, and Jared all took naps. I made chocolate chip cookies. Lol, as of right now, they are all gone.
Monday, we had orchestra festival at HSMA. I got to be first for "America" and that did nothing to help my nerves! We did well however and got straight 1's. Jr. Orchestra got the same.
Tuesday, I had quartet practice...that went very well, but now I a freaking out about SATURDAY!! Sr. High State S&E!!! At the same time, I am very excited it you couldn't tell. Tuesday night, we went out an played frisbee golf (well, my dad and Becca did...I just walked and Jon was at work). That was very nice.
Yesterday, we had classes. Those went wonderful! Then I went to work, and that was wonderful too!! So nice to get out of the house for once and spend a little "me" time.
Today is interesting. I have a piano lesson and Jon has a horn lesson. And then tonight, there is an ushers meeting for Seussical at CPAC which I am going to go to, cuz I miss it SO MUCH!! I am going to see Katherine today too! Hoping that maybe she'll come over for a bit. Or...idk...it'll be fun. I miss her so much too!
Tomorrow is HPA again! :) I don't really know if I'm really excited. Yea, something like that. Maybe the crew from down here in Charlotte will come, like Caleb, and Jake, and Matt...and AIMEE!
Saturday, we have Sr. High State S&E, which everyone is invited to! I play with my quartet at 10:27 at Okemos High School.
I have been busy lately, as you can see. It has been rather stressful, cuz I haven't been sleeping the greatest either. So! That is the update on my life lately! Tata for now!
<3
Last Saturday, I had an opportunity to work with another family babysitting. That was fun. They had three kids...twins at 8 years old, and another 11 month old. That went well, but I am happy it wasn't for too much longer. Then we had the church movie night. We watched Night at the Museum 2 (my third time watching that) and then Marley and Me. We knew at the beginning that the dog would die (we were told) and so it wasn't nearly so sad at the end!!
The day before, at HPA, I forgot to stretch and sprained my ankle pretty bad...now I have it in some sort of a brace and it doesn't hurt so bad.
Sunday, hmmm...it was so long ago! I forget...oh yea, Jon had Christian over and they watched movies downstairs. Becca watched a movie upstairs. Rachel, my mom, and Jared all took naps. I made chocolate chip cookies. Lol, as of right now, they are all gone.
Monday, we had orchestra festival at HSMA. I got to be first for "America" and that did nothing to help my nerves! We did well however and got straight 1's. Jr. Orchestra got the same.
Tuesday, I had quartet practice...that went very well, but now I a freaking out about SATURDAY!! Sr. High State S&E!!! At the same time, I am very excited it you couldn't tell. Tuesday night, we went out an played frisbee golf (well, my dad and Becca did...I just walked and Jon was at work). That was very nice.
Yesterday, we had classes. Those went wonderful! Then I went to work, and that was wonderful too!! So nice to get out of the house for once and spend a little "me" time.
Today is interesting. I have a piano lesson and Jon has a horn lesson. And then tonight, there is an ushers meeting for Seussical at CPAC which I am going to go to, cuz I miss it SO MUCH!! I am going to see Katherine today too! Hoping that maybe she'll come over for a bit. Or...idk...it'll be fun. I miss her so much too!
Tomorrow is HPA again! :) I don't really know if I'm really excited. Yea, something like that. Maybe the crew from down here in Charlotte will come, like Caleb, and Jake, and Matt...and AIMEE!
Saturday, we have Sr. High State S&E, which everyone is invited to! I play with my quartet at 10:27 at Okemos High School.
I have been busy lately, as you can see. It has been rather stressful, cuz I haven't been sleeping the greatest either. So! That is the update on my life lately! Tata for now!
<3
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
:(
I know I have been neglecting posting about more of my personal life! I will try to find time to do that soon! I have been *REALLY* busy lately and haven't had much "me" time so I will try to get on soon and write about all the busy stuff and then find some time for me! :) Thank you to all my faithful readers (if any!)!
<3
Sarah
<3
Sarah
Monday, March 22, 2010
Deathcare
Last night, something was passed in the White House that most of you know as the Healthcare Bill. To expose all its falsities, I shall refer to it as the Deathcare Bill.
I didn't know what time the votes were to be cast. We were watching a live broadcast of what was going on. I went away and just began to pray...pray so hard that, Lord, you know what is right. You know what is just. It will be only just of you to unleash this upon your people. But I pray that You would in wrath, remember mercy. We don't deserve mercy...but we do wish for it. And I pray, that only Your will be done. You know what my will is, but it is really Your will that will be done. Your will...it will be done on earth, just as it is being done in heaven. Your will is being done everywhere and I beg that your will might be that this does not pass. It will eat away at our lives. It will ultimately destroy us. The government has already begun to take control over our lives. How much farther shall it go before it gains the role of God to us. It shall stand between us and death. It shall give the orders to us on how to live our lives and what to do within them. Lord, that is your role.
Shortly after I prayed this, I went and checked out the votes. It made me so sad that I wanted to cry. Lord, I thought, I know that this is obviously Your will, but why, Lord, why?! Couldn't you have just pushed it off and proved that Obama is not so Messiah-like as so many thought him to be? He is a liar. Joe Wilson was so right when he cried out "Liar!" It was saddening, truly saddening that Mr. Wilson had to go back and apologize for his outburst. Now, I'm not saying so much that I didn't want him to apologize as much as I am saying that he shouldn't have apologized that way. He was right...Obama did lie. He did say, however, that his outburst was "spontaneous" and not planned. For that fact, I think he should have apologized for interrupting Obama's speech. He should NOT have apologized for calling him a liar. He is a liar through and through. There is no way that people cannot see this. Joe Wilson apologized for his "inappropriate and regrettable comments." They were not inappropriate! They were true!
And after that, Republicans were talking about Joe Wilson in such ways that were in and of themselves disrespectful! "totally disrespectful, "no place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately.", "It was crude and disrespectful; I think the person who said it will pay a price.", "I was always taught that the first sign of a good education is good manners. I think that what we saw tonight was really bad manners. And having a spirited debate is one thing, exercising bad manners is another. That was beyond the pale -- and I would hope that he would publicly apologize on that same floor to the president of the United States for that insult.", "engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our commander in chief.". These are mostly Republicans saying this stuff! Traitors!
Anyways, back to the actual topic. It has been clear that Obama is not so high and mighty as most people had assumed when he stepped into office. He has proposed several things which have begun to show his true character. How much longer will it take till everyone realizes how awful he really is? What a liar and a control freak he is? How he dreams of taking over this "great" country till all we dream of is freedom?! He shall run our lives! How much will he do before we realize what he is really doing? He has already taken over the car industry, the banks...now healthcare? Next will be the grocery stores. No joke.
*sigh* The thing that I keep telling myself whenever I find myself too depressed over this, or too angry at the stupid or evil people of the world is this: God is really in control. No matter what it appears to be, He really is over all of us...including the government. As I lay in bed last night and was contemplating what had just happened, I began to cry. And then, just as suddenly as I began to cry, I stopped. I had thought of a verse (I love how my brain brings up a verse the very moment I need it!). It is probably my favorite verse in the whole Bible: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -- Psalm 46:9-11. It just helped me to realize that God is God. He will always be and He will always rule. He shall be the one in control of my life and shall never leave me no matter what. He will be the one who is in control of my healthcare...not Obama. I won't give in to Obama...I won't give him an inch of my life, because it all belongs to my Lord.
So, Lord, deliver us from Obama...save us from ourselves. You are the only One who can do that.
I didn't know what time the votes were to be cast. We were watching a live broadcast of what was going on. I went away and just began to pray...pray so hard that, Lord, you know what is right. You know what is just. It will be only just of you to unleash this upon your people. But I pray that You would in wrath, remember mercy. We don't deserve mercy...but we do wish for it. And I pray, that only Your will be done. You know what my will is, but it is really Your will that will be done. Your will...it will be done on earth, just as it is being done in heaven. Your will is being done everywhere and I beg that your will might be that this does not pass. It will eat away at our lives. It will ultimately destroy us. The government has already begun to take control over our lives. How much farther shall it go before it gains the role of God to us. It shall stand between us and death. It shall give the orders to us on how to live our lives and what to do within them. Lord, that is your role.
Shortly after I prayed this, I went and checked out the votes. It made me so sad that I wanted to cry. Lord, I thought, I know that this is obviously Your will, but why, Lord, why?! Couldn't you have just pushed it off and proved that Obama is not so Messiah-like as so many thought him to be? He is a liar. Joe Wilson was so right when he cried out "Liar!" It was saddening, truly saddening that Mr. Wilson had to go back and apologize for his outburst. Now, I'm not saying so much that I didn't want him to apologize as much as I am saying that he shouldn't have apologized that way. He was right...Obama did lie. He did say, however, that his outburst was "spontaneous" and not planned. For that fact, I think he should have apologized for interrupting Obama's speech. He should NOT have apologized for calling him a liar. He is a liar through and through. There is no way that people cannot see this. Joe Wilson apologized for his "inappropriate and regrettable comments." They were not inappropriate! They were true!
And after that, Republicans were talking about Joe Wilson in such ways that were in and of themselves disrespectful! "totally disrespectful, "no place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately.", "It was crude and disrespectful; I think the person who said it will pay a price.", "I was always taught that the first sign of a good education is good manners. I think that what we saw tonight was really bad manners. And having a spirited debate is one thing, exercising bad manners is another. That was beyond the pale -- and I would hope that he would publicly apologize on that same floor to the president of the United States for that insult.", "engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our commander in chief.". These are mostly Republicans saying this stuff! Traitors!
Anyways, back to the actual topic. It has been clear that Obama is not so high and mighty as most people had assumed when he stepped into office. He has proposed several things which have begun to show his true character. How much longer will it take till everyone realizes how awful he really is? What a liar and a control freak he is? How he dreams of taking over this "great" country till all we dream of is freedom?! He shall run our lives! How much will he do before we realize what he is really doing? He has already taken over the car industry, the banks...now healthcare? Next will be the grocery stores. No joke.
*sigh* The thing that I keep telling myself whenever I find myself too depressed over this, or too angry at the stupid or evil people of the world is this: God is really in control. No matter what it appears to be, He really is over all of us...including the government. As I lay in bed last night and was contemplating what had just happened, I began to cry. And then, just as suddenly as I began to cry, I stopped. I had thought of a verse (I love how my brain brings up a verse the very moment I need it!). It is probably my favorite verse in the whole Bible: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -- Psalm 46:9-11. It just helped me to realize that God is God. He will always be and He will always rule. He shall be the one in control of my life and shall never leave me no matter what. He will be the one who is in control of my healthcare...not Obama. I won't give in to Obama...I won't give him an inch of my life, because it all belongs to my Lord.
So, Lord, deliver us from Obama...save us from ourselves. You are the only One who can do that.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Homework from 3/17
Happy St. Patricks Day!!
We ended with the Pontifix Maximus. That's where we'll begin.
In 12 BC, Octavius was named the people's Pontifix Maximus (meaning "the bridge builder").
He began work on bringing back the Roman Republic. He wanted justice to be administered quickly and more efficiently. And for the first time in a long time, the Republic began to run like a well-oiled machine.
Octavius was a brilliant organizer. He could control very well. He was able to manage many locations and could rule over them all in his head alone. He was an effective person. Several key points about his character we will focus in upon.
First, he was a faithful man. He didn't stray easily and was focused.
Second, he had a certain sense of glory around him. It was also a sense of authority and power just surrounding him...a presence.
Third, he had dignity. Dignity cannot be trained. It is a sign of a bearing of nobility.
And Fourth, he was marked by organization as we mentioned before. It was so natural to him that it seemed ordinary. (I actually found out that the word ordinary actually came from the word organization due to Octavius).
People always either loved him, or hated him. He was a black-and-white type of person. He did not hide his beliefs and therefore everyone knew what he lived by and either hated him or loved him for it. There were no lukewarm feelings for him. But even those who hated him had respect for him.
In 27 AD, he was officially named Augustus.
He was a genius even in his personal life.
He was followed by four men:
Tiberius - a megalo maniac
Caligula - a mad man
Cladius - an utter fool
And Nero - a foul monster
These men, when it came time for them to rule, had complete control. These were cruel half-wits and *still* the empire did not fall apart but grew stronger. This is mainly because these men had relatively short terms. In all, they served not only 10 years. The lesson which we can take from this is that a culture is measured most by its society, not by its government.
When we learn about Pax Romana, we must understand that it took its origin and root from Julius and Augustus Caesar.
Rome was not established so much on the brilliance of rulers. It was more of the stability of a strong society set up by Augustus.
The whole of Rome would have broken down had those four rulers ruled for longer. The damage was only for short-term.
Octavius tied Rome together. Him making decent roads helped do this. He connected the city to itself. He organized it like military legions. Octavius also made it well-designed so that the army could travel unimpeded. It wasn't needed to be repaired often, because it was so well built. This shows us that the Romans were solid and strong builders. Octavius also built aqua-ducts so that the city could have fresh water from the mountain.
And once again, the mainly lesson we must see from all of this is that a strong society does not rely on any government. Government must be irrelevant.
Rome: Cultural Achievement
Social stability overcomes the smothering of a corrupt government.
Weltanschauung is a German word roughly translated as "a life perspective or a way of seeing." I also found something that broke it up a bit more. Weltanschauung is the combination of the German words Welt meaning “world” and anschauen meaning “to view.” So basically a way in how you view the world.
Everyone has a way of seeing. The way you see is based on what you believe. You listen, say, do, or whatever according to whatever it is you believe. All writers write their beliefs. When you sit down to read a book, you need to realize that whatever it is you're reading is based upon someone's worldview and beliefs. And you can't always believe the first source you find. You must go looking for more opinions.
A culture's symoblos show the majority worldview. Any problems within a nation is because of warring worldviews. Immigration does nothing to help this. Then, the government steps in and "helps" fix this warring worldview problem. Of course, here they push whatever worldview they want and they say it will fix everything (which turns out to make the problem worse).
We ended with the Pontifix Maximus. That's where we'll begin.
In 12 BC, Octavius was named the people's Pontifix Maximus (meaning "the bridge builder").
He began work on bringing back the Roman Republic. He wanted justice to be administered quickly and more efficiently. And for the first time in a long time, the Republic began to run like a well-oiled machine.
Octavius was a brilliant organizer. He could control very well. He was able to manage many locations and could rule over them all in his head alone. He was an effective person. Several key points about his character we will focus in upon.
First, he was a faithful man. He didn't stray easily and was focused.
Second, he had a certain sense of glory around him. It was also a sense of authority and power just surrounding him...a presence.
Third, he had dignity. Dignity cannot be trained. It is a sign of a bearing of nobility.
And Fourth, he was marked by organization as we mentioned before. It was so natural to him that it seemed ordinary. (I actually found out that the word ordinary actually came from the word organization due to Octavius).
People always either loved him, or hated him. He was a black-and-white type of person. He did not hide his beliefs and therefore everyone knew what he lived by and either hated him or loved him for it. There were no lukewarm feelings for him. But even those who hated him had respect for him.
In 27 AD, he was officially named Augustus.
He was a genius even in his personal life.
He was followed by four men:
Tiberius - a megalo maniac
Caligula - a mad man
Cladius - an utter fool
And Nero - a foul monster
These men, when it came time for them to rule, had complete control. These were cruel half-wits and *still* the empire did not fall apart but grew stronger. This is mainly because these men had relatively short terms. In all, they served not only 10 years. The lesson which we can take from this is that a culture is measured most by its society, not by its government.
When we learn about Pax Romana, we must understand that it took its origin and root from Julius and Augustus Caesar.
Rome was not established so much on the brilliance of rulers. It was more of the stability of a strong society set up by Augustus.
The whole of Rome would have broken down had those four rulers ruled for longer. The damage was only for short-term.
Octavius tied Rome together. Him making decent roads helped do this. He connected the city to itself. He organized it like military legions. Octavius also made it well-designed so that the army could travel unimpeded. It wasn't needed to be repaired often, because it was so well built. This shows us that the Romans were solid and strong builders. Octavius also built aqua-ducts so that the city could have fresh water from the mountain.
And once again, the mainly lesson we must see from all of this is that a strong society does not rely on any government. Government must be irrelevant.
Rome: Cultural Achievement
Social stability overcomes the smothering of a corrupt government.
Weltanschauung is a German word roughly translated as "a life perspective or a way of seeing." I also found something that broke it up a bit more. Weltanschauung is the combination of the German words Welt meaning “world” and anschauen meaning “to view.” So basically a way in how you view the world.
Everyone has a way of seeing. The way you see is based on what you believe. You listen, say, do, or whatever according to whatever it is you believe. All writers write their beliefs. When you sit down to read a book, you need to realize that whatever it is you're reading is based upon someone's worldview and beliefs. And you can't always believe the first source you find. You must go looking for more opinions.
A culture's symoblos show the majority worldview. Any problems within a nation is because of warring worldviews. Immigration does nothing to help this. Then, the government steps in and "helps" fix this warring worldview problem. Of course, here they push whatever worldview they want and they say it will fix everything (which turns out to make the problem worse).
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Homework 3.10.10
Julius Caesar
Often times, the crown and the altar travel together. This basically means that sometimes the role of king is also played by the role of the priest. Julius Caesar was one example of this. He was not only in place of their king but also of their priest. He was the Roman religion. He became a Praetor and eventually a consul in 59 at a relatively "young" age. He was 42 years old when this happened.
He was sharing power with Pompeii but soon they became in conflict with one another. They were together for political alliances but both still had differences. Their struggle was the struggle for the future of Rome. It turned into a Civil War. Caesar traveled to the West and gained an army which he brought to the edge of Gaul. He knew, if he crossed the river Rubicon (located in northern Italy), that there was not turning back. It was a commitment that would bring about either total glory or total disaster.
In 49 BC, he decided to make that decision and he crossed the Rubicon river and marched to Rome. Absolute glory began. They conquered Rome and Pompeii fled to Illyrica. In 48-46, Caesar chased Pompeii and conquered at last.
"He always found a way to the back door of success" -- said of Caesar. This was because no matter how many times he was defeated or pushed back, he always got back up and tried again until he won. Eventually, in 47 BC, he did defeat Pompeii in a battle that was extremely against him. He was given a 10 year term of dictatorship. One year later, he was asked to take over the crown, but he turned down that offer.
He did however, continue his dictatorship and made some wonderful changes. He reorganized the Providences, rebuilt the docks, refurbished homes etc. He took the legions of Rome and sent them out of the city to stay in the Providences. To the people, it looked like the government wasn't so tyrannical or overpowering. They felt free. Caesar was hailed as a god. This was considered blaspheming of the gods to the patricians and the Senate. But the downside to this great title is that he gained many enemies. Then the people pressed upon him to take the title of Julius Caesar and be their king. He took the name, but not the title.
There was a conspiracy against Julius Caesar. On what would have been March 15, 44 BC, Caesar was killed in an assassination led by his best friend, Brutus. His last words were these, "You have not killed Caesar, for Caesar will live on. Today, you have killed the Republic."
Because of his death, Civil War broke out for the next few years.
There were some really good qualities that Caesar had though:
1) He had real humility; he was a modest man. Now, we must consider that a man with his kind of ranking and degree could not be completely modest. He may have been modest comparatively, but not entirely modest.
2) He was overly generous. Is it possible, though, to be *overly* generous? Maybe he was just very generous. He forgave easily and gave away most of his belongings so that eventually, his heir, Octavius, really didn't inherit anything.
3) He was obviously courageous. This was shown as he stood up to the government. He loved his army very much. It was said that he would risk their love for him to do the right thing.
4) He had a clear vision for the future of Rome. He wanted to remake Rome so that it could be the best.
Caesar had built such a strong empire, that even after several malicious leaders, it only became stronger. It survived for 1,000 years. This shows how much of a tipping point Caesar really was.
Augustus and Pax Romana
Pax Romana means "Rome makes the peace."
Octavius lived from 63 BC - 14 AD. He was born into a powerful and influential family and was the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar. Octavius was in the East in the military when he became aware that Julius had died and had adopted him as his son in his will. Mark Anthony was the expected one to gain the throne. Octavius was not even 19 when he was crowned.
At age 18, he was married for principle, not for political alliance as was common. He was looked at as rather attractive. He was also a brilliant military strategist and was not so concerned with his comfort.
Octavius was with Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon. He would have been very young at that time. Probably around 15; but he was one of Julius Caesar's commanders at that time. Julius saw certain things that he liked in Octavius. Mark Anthony tended to be a hot-shot and a ladies-man...just a little over the top. Whereas Octavius was more simple and "plain"...nothing fancy. What you heard is what you got. Because of these things, Julius Caesar preferred Octavius above Mark Anthony.
When he gained the crown, Octavius was given the name: Augustus Caesar. Augustus was very open and close to the people. He was constantly in physical danger, because he went straight to the people. He raised a rabble in his support. And was "convinced" to begin a trumate (a ruling of three people). One of the rulers was Mark Anthony. He was trying to gain the crown by having the upper hand in this trio. Slowly, and without anyone noticing, Augustus got the upper hand and held on to it tightly before anyone could find out. This way, he got complete control by going under cover and was not the most powerful.
Mark Anthony left for the East and began an alliance with Cleopatra (also an affair). He ultimately helped launch a Civil War by taking Cleopatra and her troops and marching them to wipe out Augustus. He was in for a surprise, because Augustus completely wiped him out. Mark Anthony and Cleopatra escape only to commit suicide.
Octavius began to try to restore the Roman Republic. He gave money to the Senate and other classes. He was in absolute authority.
In 27 BC, he resigned from all power. He gave the power to the Republic. But there were no strong leaders in the Republic and he knew that. It was all a pretense on Augustus's part. Everything was already dependant on him, so he couldn't leave. He had instilled loyalty in the people.
"He knows everything and can do anything, therefore we must yield everything and anything for they have been won." -- said of Augustus.
Several titles given to Augustus: "He who gives the word", "Chief consul for life", and "The Proseph".
There was now an empire with an emperor.
In 31 BC, it really began although he never declared the empire or claimed the emperor role.
In 12 BC, was the Pontifix Maximus. We will explain more of this next week.
Often times, the crown and the altar travel together. This basically means that sometimes the role of king is also played by the role of the priest. Julius Caesar was one example of this. He was not only in place of their king but also of their priest. He was the Roman religion. He became a Praetor and eventually a consul in 59 at a relatively "young" age. He was 42 years old when this happened.
He was sharing power with Pompeii but soon they became in conflict with one another. They were together for political alliances but both still had differences. Their struggle was the struggle for the future of Rome. It turned into a Civil War. Caesar traveled to the West and gained an army which he brought to the edge of Gaul. He knew, if he crossed the river Rubicon (located in northern Italy), that there was not turning back. It was a commitment that would bring about either total glory or total disaster.
In 49 BC, he decided to make that decision and he crossed the Rubicon river and marched to Rome. Absolute glory began. They conquered Rome and Pompeii fled to Illyrica. In 48-46, Caesar chased Pompeii and conquered at last.
"He always found a way to the back door of success" -- said of Caesar. This was because no matter how many times he was defeated or pushed back, he always got back up and tried again until he won. Eventually, in 47 BC, he did defeat Pompeii in a battle that was extremely against him. He was given a 10 year term of dictatorship. One year later, he was asked to take over the crown, but he turned down that offer.
He did however, continue his dictatorship and made some wonderful changes. He reorganized the Providences, rebuilt the docks, refurbished homes etc. He took the legions of Rome and sent them out of the city to stay in the Providences. To the people, it looked like the government wasn't so tyrannical or overpowering. They felt free. Caesar was hailed as a god. This was considered blaspheming of the gods to the patricians and the Senate. But the downside to this great title is that he gained many enemies. Then the people pressed upon him to take the title of Julius Caesar and be their king. He took the name, but not the title.
There was a conspiracy against Julius Caesar. On what would have been March 15, 44 BC, Caesar was killed in an assassination led by his best friend, Brutus. His last words were these, "You have not killed Caesar, for Caesar will live on. Today, you have killed the Republic."
Because of his death, Civil War broke out for the next few years.
There were some really good qualities that Caesar had though:
1) He had real humility; he was a modest man. Now, we must consider that a man with his kind of ranking and degree could not be completely modest. He may have been modest comparatively, but not entirely modest.
2) He was overly generous. Is it possible, though, to be *overly* generous? Maybe he was just very generous. He forgave easily and gave away most of his belongings so that eventually, his heir, Octavius, really didn't inherit anything.
3) He was obviously courageous. This was shown as he stood up to the government. He loved his army very much. It was said that he would risk their love for him to do the right thing.
4) He had a clear vision for the future of Rome. He wanted to remake Rome so that it could be the best.
Caesar had built such a strong empire, that even after several malicious leaders, it only became stronger. It survived for 1,000 years. This shows how much of a tipping point Caesar really was.
Augustus and Pax Romana
Pax Romana means "Rome makes the peace."
Octavius lived from 63 BC - 14 AD. He was born into a powerful and influential family and was the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar. Octavius was in the East in the military when he became aware that Julius had died and had adopted him as his son in his will. Mark Anthony was the expected one to gain the throne. Octavius was not even 19 when he was crowned.
At age 18, he was married for principle, not for political alliance as was common. He was looked at as rather attractive. He was also a brilliant military strategist and was not so concerned with his comfort.
Octavius was with Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon. He would have been very young at that time. Probably around 15; but he was one of Julius Caesar's commanders at that time. Julius saw certain things that he liked in Octavius. Mark Anthony tended to be a hot-shot and a ladies-man...just a little over the top. Whereas Octavius was more simple and "plain"...nothing fancy. What you heard is what you got. Because of these things, Julius Caesar preferred Octavius above Mark Anthony.
When he gained the crown, Octavius was given the name: Augustus Caesar. Augustus was very open and close to the people. He was constantly in physical danger, because he went straight to the people. He raised a rabble in his support. And was "convinced" to begin a trumate (a ruling of three people). One of the rulers was Mark Anthony. He was trying to gain the crown by having the upper hand in this trio. Slowly, and without anyone noticing, Augustus got the upper hand and held on to it tightly before anyone could find out. This way, he got complete control by going under cover and was not the most powerful.
Mark Anthony left for the East and began an alliance with Cleopatra (also an affair). He ultimately helped launch a Civil War by taking Cleopatra and her troops and marching them to wipe out Augustus. He was in for a surprise, because Augustus completely wiped him out. Mark Anthony and Cleopatra escape only to commit suicide.
Octavius began to try to restore the Roman Republic. He gave money to the Senate and other classes. He was in absolute authority.
In 27 BC, he resigned from all power. He gave the power to the Republic. But there were no strong leaders in the Republic and he knew that. It was all a pretense on Augustus's part. Everything was already dependant on him, so he couldn't leave. He had instilled loyalty in the people.
"He knows everything and can do anything, therefore we must yield everything and anything for they have been won." -- said of Augustus.
Several titles given to Augustus: "He who gives the word", "Chief consul for life", and "The Proseph".
There was now an empire with an emperor.
In 31 BC, it really began although he never declared the empire or claimed the emperor role.
In 12 BC, was the Pontifix Maximus. We will explain more of this next week.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Homework 3.03.10
The Continuation of the Rising of Rome
The Etruscan Wars lasted for about 250 years. It all began because Rome was in the middle of flourishing. It was doing very well in the areas of trading and commerce. Other countries took this as rivalry and this caused strife between Rome and all other nearby countries.
325 BC -- The Etruscan people were actually European. They lived in on the small tip of the peninsula off of Italy. It was a very fertile and lush place to live. It was an imperial culture and had a top-down type of government. They were well advanced in literacy, art and music.
500 BC -- As we already stated, Rome was threatening the well-being of other nearby markets. In fact, due to need of expansion, the Romans tried to build a road right through the Etruscan land. They were angered at this and revolted. The last of the Etruscans were overthrown and brought under submission. Surprisingly though, most of the Romans didn't even want the land or to have defeated the Etruscans. They had to take over it although it did nothing economically. This was because they had to make sure that it didn't get too large and out of hand before it really revolted. At this point, the Romans controlled the whole Italian peninsula.
Punic War 1: Hamilcar Barca was the main commander for Carthage during the first Punic War. It lasted from 264-241 BC. The war ends with Carthage believing that they won, when actually, Rome had.
Punic War 2: This was also named the Hannibalic War and (by the Romans) The War against
Hannibal. This one lasted from 218-201 BC and was mainly due to Rome attacking Spain. This ended with Carthage very much destroyed. Scipo Africanus came into the scene at this time. He was mainly known because he was the first person to create a strategy other then just using brute strength.
Punic War 3: This went on from 149-146 and it all started with Carthage attacking Rome's ally Numidia. Rome came to their defense and not only pushed back Carthage, but held it under a 3 year siege, at the end of which they brutally slaughtered every Carthigian. After this, they burned Carthage to the ground.
Rome was now the "policeman" of the whole sea. Lesson: always defeat your enemies to the very end. If you don't, they will come back like Carthage did time and time again until they were finally wiped out.
During the time of the second Punic War, Rome was also fighting against East Illyrium (modern-day Balkans). The time that they spent fighting covered 209-219 BC. These were barbaric tribes, which is not what the Romans were used to fighting. Eventually because of all of this fighting, Greece was absorbed into Rome.
The Roman Republic - it was truly a wonderful and brilliant organization, but it didn't have a moral barometer. It was basically like a hyperactive toddler. It had no discernment about any kind of complexity and it didn't have any moral restraints. It became corrupt and top-heavy.
Julius Caesar
It is believed that Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar were at the center of Rome's cultural changes. But everyone had their own beliefs and views about what their life goals were.
Before these two men, there was a Republic. Rome was transformed by them nearly instantly. They were a huge tipping point. Most people don't like their governments in general. This was very true of Rome. No one agrees even now about how the Caesars changed Rome.
Julius Caesar was born in 101 BC in a patrician home. He was an honest and devote man as shown when he was ordered to divorce his wife and he went into exile rather than doing that. He served in the military at this point. He showed great strategic ideas in war. He was constantly being promoted for this reason. He could also easily inspire the men. In 74 BC, he was able to put down the slave rebellion in Sparta. Slaves there outnumbered the free people 5 to 1. Julius quelled the rebellion with hardly any deaths on either side. Suddenly, he became a great and powerful leader. Part of the reason for this is that he stayed with this mean no matter what happened. He faced the risks right next to him men. The men gained great confidence because of this. He treated them as his equals and they respected him for this. He was a great orator and was constant with his duties.
48 BC: The Pompeii War
73 BC: He was known as the "bridge builder" or the priest of the religion of the state. He was very high in the minds of the people and was an orator of the plebeians. At this point, he was still very young. Julius was very opposed to the corrupt government and was an advocate for old Roman virtues. This gained him great popularity.
The Etruscan Wars lasted for about 250 years. It all began because Rome was in the middle of flourishing. It was doing very well in the areas of trading and commerce. Other countries took this as rivalry and this caused strife between Rome and all other nearby countries.
325 BC -- The Etruscan people were actually European. They lived in on the small tip of the peninsula off of Italy. It was a very fertile and lush place to live. It was an imperial culture and had a top-down type of government. They were well advanced in literacy, art and music.
500 BC -- As we already stated, Rome was threatening the well-being of other nearby markets. In fact, due to need of expansion, the Romans tried to build a road right through the Etruscan land. They were angered at this and revolted. The last of the Etruscans were overthrown and brought under submission. Surprisingly though, most of the Romans didn't even want the land or to have defeated the Etruscans. They had to take over it although it did nothing economically. This was because they had to make sure that it didn't get too large and out of hand before it really revolted. At this point, the Romans controlled the whole Italian peninsula.
Punic War 1: Hamilcar Barca was the main commander for Carthage during the first Punic War. It lasted from 264-241 BC. The war ends with Carthage believing that they won, when actually, Rome had.
Punic War 2: This was also named the Hannibalic War and (by the Romans) The War against
Hannibal. This one lasted from 218-201 BC and was mainly due to Rome attacking Spain. This ended with Carthage very much destroyed. Scipo Africanus came into the scene at this time. He was mainly known because he was the first person to create a strategy other then just using brute strength.
Punic War 3: This went on from 149-146 and it all started with Carthage attacking Rome's ally Numidia. Rome came to their defense and not only pushed back Carthage, but held it under a 3 year siege, at the end of which they brutally slaughtered every Carthigian. After this, they burned Carthage to the ground.
Rome was now the "policeman" of the whole sea. Lesson: always defeat your enemies to the very end. If you don't, they will come back like Carthage did time and time again until they were finally wiped out.
During the time of the second Punic War, Rome was also fighting against East Illyrium (modern-day Balkans). The time that they spent fighting covered 209-219 BC. These were barbaric tribes, which is not what the Romans were used to fighting. Eventually because of all of this fighting, Greece was absorbed into Rome.
The Roman Republic - it was truly a wonderful and brilliant organization, but it didn't have a moral barometer. It was basically like a hyperactive toddler. It had no discernment about any kind of complexity and it didn't have any moral restraints. It became corrupt and top-heavy.
Julius Caesar
It is believed that Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar were at the center of Rome's cultural changes. But everyone had their own beliefs and views about what their life goals were.
Before these two men, there was a Republic. Rome was transformed by them nearly instantly. They were a huge tipping point. Most people don't like their governments in general. This was very true of Rome. No one agrees even now about how the Caesars changed Rome.
Julius Caesar was born in 101 BC in a patrician home. He was an honest and devote man as shown when he was ordered to divorce his wife and he went into exile rather than doing that. He served in the military at this point. He showed great strategic ideas in war. He was constantly being promoted for this reason. He could also easily inspire the men. In 74 BC, he was able to put down the slave rebellion in Sparta. Slaves there outnumbered the free people 5 to 1. Julius quelled the rebellion with hardly any deaths on either side. Suddenly, he became a great and powerful leader. Part of the reason for this is that he stayed with this mean no matter what happened. He faced the risks right next to him men. The men gained great confidence because of this. He treated them as his equals and they respected him for this. He was a great orator and was constant with his duties.
48 BC: The Pompeii War
73 BC: He was known as the "bridge builder" or the priest of the religion of the state. He was very high in the minds of the people and was an orator of the plebeians. At this point, he was still very young. Julius was very opposed to the corrupt government and was an advocate for old Roman virtues. This gained him great popularity.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Chief End of Man
"The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever"
It would be scripturally falso to leave out the second phrase -- "and to enjoy Him forever"
The men who formulated this showed great wisdom and insight in saying, "and to enjoy Him forever" Nevertheless, the first phrase is the first phrase: "the chief end of man is to glorify God." And in Christianity we have a non-determined God who did not need to create because there was love and communication within the Trinity, and yet having been created, we as men can glorify God. But we must feel the force of both sides of the issue.
If we fail to emphasize that we can glorify God, we raise the whole question of whether men are significant at all. We begin to lose our humanity as soon as we begin to lose the emphasis that what we do makes a difference.
We can glorify God, and both the Old and New Testament say that we can even make God sad...that is tremendous.
--Francis A. Schaeffer
It would be scripturally falso to leave out the second phrase -- "and to enjoy Him forever"
The men who formulated this showed great wisdom and insight in saying, "and to enjoy Him forever" Nevertheless, the first phrase is the first phrase: "the chief end of man is to glorify God." And in Christianity we have a non-determined God who did not need to create because there was love and communication within the Trinity, and yet having been created, we as men can glorify God. But we must feel the force of both sides of the issue.
If we fail to emphasize that we can glorify God, we raise the whole question of whether men are significant at all. We begin to lose our humanity as soon as we begin to lose the emphasis that what we do makes a difference.
We can glorify God, and both the Old and New Testament say that we can even make God sad...that is tremendous.
--Francis A. Schaeffer
Homework for last week
Rome: Rising Power
Carthage and Rome were constantly fighting each other. At the time that we begin to follow Rome's journey to fame, Carthage is behind in the war that they are fighting.
Rome (nicknamed the Eternal City) was very much into Shintoism (if you read my last paper on the Japanese you would know what I am talking about). They drew into themselves the best of the world and mastered it. The problem with this is that a lot of the influence that they received was pagan...taken from pagan cultures. From the Greeks they took religions, they had Slavic morality, Egyptian hierarchy, and Parthenogenic military.
280 BC: Rome conquered and took over central Rome.
250 BC: Rome conquered an area in southwest Sicily. A Carthaginian city named Lilybaeum was targeted and taken.
200 BC: Rome defeated the Gauls of Cisalpine in the Battle of Cremone. Greece is also brought under the sway of Rome.
160 BC: Egypt was brought under the sway.
130 BC: Near East was brought under the sway also.
Even after all of this, Rome was not a true and official city. It remained in it's republic stage. In fact, the Roman Republic began in 509 BC and lasted for 450 years. There were 200 years of growth. But today, we will focus on the Republic period of history for the Romans.
Rome was a very freedom-oriented city. Sovereignty came from the people and not any one leader or ruler. There was no king or emperor. They worked together like a household. But there were a couple problems. One was that people were constantly wanted to go to Rome for the freedom. This would, of course, bring about the problem of too many people. And second is that having such a free city would create an ambitious place for expansion, and bring with it better commerce, military, art, etc. This would no longer make it so free. True, it brought about many good changes, but not always for the benefit for everybody.
If you give any small country with few resources the opportunity to have freedom, they could possibly rule the world. It is truly amazing what freedom brings about.
And it is also amazing to see how people are attracted to freedom. Whole territories attached themselves to the little city of Rome, merely for freedom. This is the cause for the expansion and power of Rome. So, if you look at it logically, Rome grew by accident and not by planning at all. When there is freedom like there was in Rome, people and indeed whole countries want it so bad that they will move there or combine themselves to that no matter what the cost. And with that freedom comes prosperity. Of course, it quickly became rather complex and awkward for this little city to rule over these much larger and more powerful cities attached to them.
It was because of this that there arose patricians. The patricians were the rich landowners. They would often have a house in the city and a villa in the country that was run by slaves. Those who were well-off lived in townhouses with central courtyards know as atriums.They would overlook and govern the city.
There was another group called the Plebeians. This was mainly everyone else other than the patricians and the slaves. Plebeians were the working class of Ancient Rome. They typically lived in three-or-four story apartment houses called insulae. The insulae were often crowded where two families would have to share a single room. The apartments were built from wood and often badly constructed. It was not unheard of for a building to collapse or start on fire. Slaves in patrician households often lived in better conditions than was found in plebeian apartments. There were constant wars between the patricians and the plebeians.
Finally, a concession arose between these two distinct people groups. And so the Roman constitution began. The year was 500 BC. They drew up the constitution in order to balance the powers between the plebs and the populous and between the populous and patricians. They did this so that every voice could be heard equally.
Soon after this, they invaded more Italian and Latin countries and even went beyond Italy.
The Constitution assumed shared views and virtues. Their military also had a separate command structure. So the powers were diffused among the people. Populous was the civilian power. You must answer to the Populous and/or the Imperium power. The Imperium power was military power and rulings.
Over the course of 100 BC - 500 BC, there were 60 civil wars fought between the Populous and the Imperium. They could never come to an agreement on anything.
Despite the Roman Republic coming to an end eventually, the Roman citizen's liberties never really dissipated. This is shown clearly if we look at the Apostle Paul's trial. So Roman citizens kept their rights even after Rome becomes an empire.
There were two types of Roman assembly. The first was the committee (The Comitia), which was an assembly of all Roman citizens. Here, Roman citizens gathered to enact laws, elect magistrates, and try judicial cases. The second type of assembly was the council (The Concilium), which was an assembly of a specific group of citizens. For example, the "Plebeian Council" was an assembly where Plebeians gathered to elect Plebeian magistrates, pass laws that applied only to Plebeians, and try judicial cases concerning Plebeians. That is the definition of the assemblies according to Wikipedia.
My definition is that with the Comitia, everyone has a representative for them. All citizens have a voice. Each region elects regularly a new representative for them, and that person goes to the Comitia to present that region's interests and beliefs. If that representative doesn't represent the region well enough for the people's satisfaction, he is kicked out.
They had town militaries too. Every city would have a military and small militias would gather to a commander in dire situations. The commander was chosen by the people and there was no drafting. This was due to every person in the community realizing that every man was a commander, a solider, etc. Every person had a duty to their land and country. In time of war, however, there was an experienced commander chosen. In peace, though, the role of commander was rotated between the men of the town or city. One of the most important things that we must realize is that military was very essential for the Roman empire.
We haven't spoken much about the populous, so we will spend a little while talking about them. There were special offices over the populous. The highest office was drawn form Comitia. These people are given much longer terms then normal. This began as more democratic, but around 200 BC, it turned out to be more elite. Only the best and the smartest got a position. Laws by Comitia were brought to Senate and were altered if it was wanted and then put into place. Sound familiar?
Consuls: the consuls were the highest civil and military magistrates, serving as the heads of government for the Republic. New consuls were elected every year. There were two consuls, and they ruled together. However, after the establishment of the Empire, the consuls were merely a figurative representative of Rome’s republican heritage and held very little power and authority, with the emperor acting as the real supreme leader. Consuls came from the Senate. As many as 5 could be in authority or as few as 2, but normally there was 3. They were an exclusive committee. They stood mainly for the military. They had offices like, president, vice president, treasurer etc.
Under the Senate is the Treasury and the Pro-consuls. Under the regular Consuls were the Practors and Equestrians.
-The Treasury took care of money, budgets, etc
-The Pro-consul took care of lower level bureaucrats, and had guidance in the Providences.
- Practors had the protection of the State. This would be the FBI and the CSI
- Equestrians were the business class and the workhorses (hence the name). They were the local administrations and the merchant class.
Now, keep in mind that this was not an ideal government, but it was a true one of sorts. About 1/4 of the people were actually free. The rest of them were slaves (you do the math!). But it wasn't only here: in Athens it is averaged that 9/10 of the people were slaves and the rest were free. The way to determine whether or not you are a slave or free is easy -- if 50% or more of your income goes to the government, then you are a slave. Hmm...it'd be interesting to do the statistics on America on how many are slaves and how many are free.
Many people look at the economic growth and military stats for the flourishing. But really, it was the stability of the culture that will produce a good military and economics. And even looking farther back from that, it is the religion or theology. The sate doesn't come from society. Society come from a the state and the state comes from theology. A good and strong theology will produce a good state which will produce a good society which will make the whole culture flourish highly.
In 100 BC, the Romans were in possession of the whole Mediterranean areas. Eventually though, this became so expansive that it was a hassle. It was bulky and awkward to try and manage. Nations were not made to be that large. They cannot continue with freedom with that large of a country. You cannot have a shared people that way.
Carthage and Rome were constantly fighting each other. At the time that we begin to follow Rome's journey to fame, Carthage is behind in the war that they are fighting.
Rome (nicknamed the Eternal City) was very much into Shintoism (if you read my last paper on the Japanese you would know what I am talking about). They drew into themselves the best of the world and mastered it. The problem with this is that a lot of the influence that they received was pagan...taken from pagan cultures. From the Greeks they took religions, they had Slavic morality, Egyptian hierarchy, and Parthenogenic military.
280 BC: Rome conquered and took over central Rome.
250 BC: Rome conquered an area in southwest Sicily. A Carthaginian city named Lilybaeum was targeted and taken.
200 BC: Rome defeated the Gauls of Cisalpine in the Battle of Cremone. Greece is also brought under the sway of Rome.
160 BC: Egypt was brought under the sway.
130 BC: Near East was brought under the sway also.
Even after all of this, Rome was not a true and official city. It remained in it's republic stage. In fact, the Roman Republic began in 509 BC and lasted for 450 years. There were 200 years of growth. But today, we will focus on the Republic period of history for the Romans.
Rome was a very freedom-oriented city. Sovereignty came from the people and not any one leader or ruler. There was no king or emperor. They worked together like a household. But there were a couple problems. One was that people were constantly wanted to go to Rome for the freedom. This would, of course, bring about the problem of too many people. And second is that having such a free city would create an ambitious place for expansion, and bring with it better commerce, military, art, etc. This would no longer make it so free. True, it brought about many good changes, but not always for the benefit for everybody.
If you give any small country with few resources the opportunity to have freedom, they could possibly rule the world. It is truly amazing what freedom brings about.
And it is also amazing to see how people are attracted to freedom. Whole territories attached themselves to the little city of Rome, merely for freedom. This is the cause for the expansion and power of Rome. So, if you look at it logically, Rome grew by accident and not by planning at all. When there is freedom like there was in Rome, people and indeed whole countries want it so bad that they will move there or combine themselves to that no matter what the cost. And with that freedom comes prosperity. Of course, it quickly became rather complex and awkward for this little city to rule over these much larger and more powerful cities attached to them.
It was because of this that there arose patricians. The patricians were the rich landowners. They would often have a house in the city and a villa in the country that was run by slaves. Those who were well-off lived in townhouses with central courtyards know as atriums.They would overlook and govern the city.
There was another group called the Plebeians. This was mainly everyone else other than the patricians and the slaves. Plebeians were the working class of Ancient Rome. They typically lived in three-or-four story apartment houses called insulae. The insulae were often crowded where two families would have to share a single room. The apartments were built from wood and often badly constructed. It was not unheard of for a building to collapse or start on fire. Slaves in patrician households often lived in better conditions than was found in plebeian apartments. There were constant wars between the patricians and the plebeians.
Finally, a concession arose between these two distinct people groups. And so the Roman constitution began. The year was 500 BC. They drew up the constitution in order to balance the powers between the plebs and the populous and between the populous and patricians. They did this so that every voice could be heard equally.
Soon after this, they invaded more Italian and Latin countries and even went beyond Italy.
The Constitution assumed shared views and virtues. Their military also had a separate command structure. So the powers were diffused among the people. Populous was the civilian power. You must answer to the Populous and/or the Imperium power. The Imperium power was military power and rulings.
Over the course of 100 BC - 500 BC, there were 60 civil wars fought between the Populous and the Imperium. They could never come to an agreement on anything.
Despite the Roman Republic coming to an end eventually, the Roman citizen's liberties never really dissipated. This is shown clearly if we look at the Apostle Paul's trial. So Roman citizens kept their rights even after Rome becomes an empire.
There were two types of Roman assembly. The first was the committee (The Comitia), which was an assembly of all Roman citizens. Here, Roman citizens gathered to enact laws, elect magistrates, and try judicial cases. The second type of assembly was the council (The Concilium), which was an assembly of a specific group of citizens. For example, the "Plebeian Council" was an assembly where Plebeians gathered to elect Plebeian magistrates, pass laws that applied only to Plebeians, and try judicial cases concerning Plebeians. That is the definition of the assemblies according to Wikipedia.
My definition is that with the Comitia, everyone has a representative for them. All citizens have a voice. Each region elects regularly a new representative for them, and that person goes to the Comitia to present that region's interests and beliefs. If that representative doesn't represent the region well enough for the people's satisfaction, he is kicked out.
They had town militaries too. Every city would have a military and small militias would gather to a commander in dire situations. The commander was chosen by the people and there was no drafting. This was due to every person in the community realizing that every man was a commander, a solider, etc. Every person had a duty to their land and country. In time of war, however, there was an experienced commander chosen. In peace, though, the role of commander was rotated between the men of the town or city. One of the most important things that we must realize is that military was very essential for the Roman empire.
We haven't spoken much about the populous, so we will spend a little while talking about them. There were special offices over the populous. The highest office was drawn form Comitia. These people are given much longer terms then normal. This began as more democratic, but around 200 BC, it turned out to be more elite. Only the best and the smartest got a position. Laws by Comitia were brought to Senate and were altered if it was wanted and then put into place. Sound familiar?
Consuls: the consuls were the highest civil and military magistrates, serving as the heads of government for the Republic. New consuls were elected every year. There were two consuls, and they ruled together. However, after the establishment of the Empire, the consuls were merely a figurative representative of Rome’s republican heritage and held very little power and authority, with the emperor acting as the real supreme leader. Consuls came from the Senate. As many as 5 could be in authority or as few as 2, but normally there was 3. They were an exclusive committee. They stood mainly for the military. They had offices like, president, vice president, treasurer etc.
Under the Senate is the Treasury and the Pro-consuls. Under the regular Consuls were the Practors and Equestrians.
-The Treasury took care of money, budgets, etc
-The Pro-consul took care of lower level bureaucrats, and had guidance in the Providences.
- Practors had the protection of the State. This would be the FBI and the CSI
- Equestrians were the business class and the workhorses (hence the name). They were the local administrations and the merchant class.
Now, keep in mind that this was not an ideal government, but it was a true one of sorts. About 1/4 of the people were actually free. The rest of them were slaves (you do the math!). But it wasn't only here: in Athens it is averaged that 9/10 of the people were slaves and the rest were free. The way to determine whether or not you are a slave or free is easy -- if 50% or more of your income goes to the government, then you are a slave. Hmm...it'd be interesting to do the statistics on America on how many are slaves and how many are free.
Many people look at the economic growth and military stats for the flourishing. But really, it was the stability of the culture that will produce a good military and economics. And even looking farther back from that, it is the religion or theology. The sate doesn't come from society. Society come from a the state and the state comes from theology. A good and strong theology will produce a good state which will produce a good society which will make the whole culture flourish highly.
In 100 BC, the Romans were in possession of the whole Mediterranean areas. Eventually though, this became so expansive that it was a hassle. It was bulky and awkward to try and manage. Nations were not made to be that large. They cannot continue with freedom with that large of a country. You cannot have a shared people that way.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday School
I learned some fascinating things yesterday and thought I'd share them here.
We began by talking about Man's relationship to God...how he relates that to himself and what he does...and how that works itself out in his whole life.
While he was talking about this, my pastor was drawing images on the chalkboard to help illustrate his points. I wish I could do that here, but for now, just imagine two different circles spaced about 4 inches apart. The one on the left is labeled God, and the one on the right is labeled God. We will do several picture images so I ask you to mentally erase everything but those two circles each time we focus on a different belief.
Pantheism -- Ok, for this one, draw an arrow from the God circle to the man circle so that the arrow ends up in the middle of the man circle. This is where man makes God into everything but mainly into man. God is in everything. Pan means all or everything and theism means God. So everything and all is God. This, of course, is false.
Deism -- Deism is basically the worship of one god. For this one, draw an arrow from the man circle to the God circle so that the arrow is in the middle of the God circle. This is a belief where Man becomes god and rule over everything. Once again, this is false.
Islamism -- For this one, you're going to want to separate those two circles as much as possible. They believe that God has no contact whatsoever with man. He is so far apart that we cannot know Him at all. This will lead to something/someone else becoming God (which ultimately leads to man becoming God).
Modernism -- This is a religion similar to Islamism. They put God and man very far apart. God may have contact, but He remains very far apart. Note: Islamism, Modernism and in fact all religions must either be pagan or Christian. Islamism and Modernism both end up being Deism.
Roman Catholic -- For this image, I ask you to mentally draw a church in between the two circles labeled God and man. This is because R.C. tend to see the church as the only means for salvation. This ends up labeling the church as our only means for salvation.
And finally Calvinism -- This puts Christ in between God and man. God is personal and Christ is our means for salvation.
Next post I will have, I will begin to explain Man's relationship to Man.
We began by talking about Man's relationship to God...how he relates that to himself and what he does...and how that works itself out in his whole life.
While he was talking about this, my pastor was drawing images on the chalkboard to help illustrate his points. I wish I could do that here, but for now, just imagine two different circles spaced about 4 inches apart. The one on the left is labeled God, and the one on the right is labeled God. We will do several picture images so I ask you to mentally erase everything but those two circles each time we focus on a different belief.
Pantheism -- Ok, for this one, draw an arrow from the God circle to the man circle so that the arrow ends up in the middle of the man circle. This is where man makes God into everything but mainly into man. God is in everything. Pan means all or everything and theism means God. So everything and all is God. This, of course, is false.
Deism -- Deism is basically the worship of one god. For this one, draw an arrow from the man circle to the God circle so that the arrow is in the middle of the God circle. This is a belief where Man becomes god and rule over everything. Once again, this is false.
Islamism -- For this one, you're going to want to separate those two circles as much as possible. They believe that God has no contact whatsoever with man. He is so far apart that we cannot know Him at all. This will lead to something/someone else becoming God (which ultimately leads to man becoming God).
Modernism -- This is a religion similar to Islamism. They put God and man very far apart. God may have contact, but He remains very far apart. Note: Islamism, Modernism and in fact all religions must either be pagan or Christian. Islamism and Modernism both end up being Deism.
Roman Catholic -- For this image, I ask you to mentally draw a church in between the two circles labeled God and man. This is because R.C. tend to see the church as the only means for salvation. This ends up labeling the church as our only means for salvation.
And finally Calvinism -- This puts Christ in between God and man. God is personal and Christ is our means for salvation.
Next post I will have, I will begin to explain Man's relationship to Man.
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