The Primary Strongholds

             3, a number that is used far more often than you might care to know. For instance, is it a coincidence that Jesus Christ died when he was 33 and rose from the dead 3 days later? That he is part of the trinity? What about the primary colors? They come in three as well.  I have been greatly fascinated by the number for some undistinguishable reason, and I tend to notice it fairly often. I'm sure if anyone pays a certain amount of attention to something, they begin to notice patterns. Most everything random, when paid attention to long enough is realized to be perfectly routine.
    Well, regarding this number, I was reflecting on sins. Namely the spiritual warfare behind sins such as core strongholds etc. As well as the many sins that are in the world today, drunkeness, foolishness of the tongue, etc. And I noticed a trend, when traced entirely back to their orgins, all of these things appeared to root from 3 specific, and large, sins. They are:

               
       Now all of these things, as well as causing other sins, they can cause each other. Anger and fear can be caused by selfishness, fear and selfishness by anger etc.
     Think about it, Getting drunk? If you are not being mindful of how it will affect those around you you are being selfish, if you are being mindful but do it any way...you're in a lot of trouble and you're still being selfish. Coveting is selfish. Not moving forward in your walk with Christ it is a result of fear or anger.  
      I can't help but think of 1 Cor 13:13, where it tells us of 3 spiritual benefactors: "faith, hope and love," but goes on to explian that "the greatest of these is love."
    If anyone has seen the powerpuff girls, you might think of these counterparts:

    I love the powerpuff girls, and again, they come in 3;) The ones, on the left, the Rowdeyruff boys were in some of my favorite episodes.
    In return, it might be said, "There are three main strongholds that are anger, fear, and selfishness, but the greatest of these is selfishness."
    In giving freely, and not questioning things in the perspective of, "will this hinder my life?" You can follow Jesus's command to love your neighbor almost fully. I think, what to get out of this is, that when you are praying during the day, when praying against strongholds etc, you could pray against these three, and replace them, or ask in turn for faith, hope, and love.

This is not law, it was just one of the many things I was curious about and was reflecting on. If you notice anything flawed with this, or have something you might like to add, please write them in the comment box, I would love to hear what you have to say on this, and/or edit this (for lack of a better word) "philosophy."

A Problem with the Public schools?

      I know what you're thinking: WHAT!? How on earth could there possibly be something wrong with a governemnt run, created by communists (seriously, Howard Mann, a Marxist, issued required public school attendance. As well as Hitler and Benito Marcellini, a facist, who made them required in Italy,) system!
   First off, in case you can't tell already, I have been a diehard homeschool fan for many years for many philisophical and logical reasons. For instance, homeschoolers always take it to the next level: Pajama day? Nah, try wear street clothes day. School inside when it's nice out? Nah, we crazy ones like to get stuff done outside. Socialization? Who needs people!? People are the ones who started WWII, WWI, The Peloponesian War, and...well all the others too, except perhaps those in the Redwall series. Anyways, I can't help but be a little biased when I talk the comparisons of these, so keep that in mind.
          One thing that has been brought to my attention, is the public school's constant "Encouragement Policy." Kids must be told that every thing they do regarding school is going to be worth something someday. They will probably all become president too in fact. A good policy at first glance, after all, we need to be encouraged. But like everything government, or human for that matter (believe it or not, Obama is a sinner too,) it is taken a bit too far. Kids grow up without facing the harsh reality that they are in fact sinners. And as Christians, this is something we need to not hide from kids. It is a harsh reality, but a necessary one.
     Now I'm not saying you need to tell your child anything vaguely along the lines of:
Child: Look Mommy! I made a picture of you
Mom: I'm afraid that's a but out of proportion, you see I don't have sticks for arms, and my nose has a bit more of an oval shape rather than a triangle. I'm sorry dear, but I'm afraid you'll just never be good enough.

or:

Child: Look Mommy! Mrs. Dekker gave me a star on my picture!
Mother: *Sighs* That's nice, but what does it matter? Without Jesus you are going to Hell. What Mrs. Dekker thinks is good isn't really important now is it?

    If you have a normal 6th grade and under child, they will probably not respond with some philisophical, biblically based remark. They will most likely, either, stare blankly at you and then walk off. Or cry, realize nothing will ever be good enough for you, grow a complete and utter loathing for you and/or Christ and runaway at about 14. Not exactly what you want to happen.
     Instead, a better approach may be just to let your kid know, when they perhaps hurt someone, or show signs of rebellion, let them know they are not being nice in a gentler manner. Slowly introduce the fact that no one is perfect, and that Jesus will always love them.
    Because they do not do this in the public schools, where kids get most of their influence if they go, when they hit junior high and face the cruel realization that they aren't perfect and there are people better than they are at art etc, they don't handle it as well. They go into a bit of a shock and can begin to hate themselves, the not perfect versions.
   They only encouragement approach I have also seen in churches as well. I have only ever seen it result in conceited, better than you children.
   The Bible greatly emphasizes humility. Humility is really just the understanding that without Christ, you could never be good enough. That you killed an innocent man that you can go to Heaven. It's not condemnation either (there is a fine line between condemnation and conceit that marks humility.) Just letting kids (and even yourself) know that you make mistakes, but it doesn't matter, because Jesus loves you and forgives you.

    In the end then, the public schools try to emphasize something good, and in their attempts on keeping kids from becoming depressed and such, they really cause it. Because everyone comes to the realization (some better at ignoring it than others....some WAAY better) that they are "sinners." Or in some cases, not good enough.

Video of the Weekish

This one I just had to put as my video of the weekish, being a NIntendo fanatic and a (less talented less devoted) domino stacker myself. This had to have taken forever, so take the time to appreciate it: