Liberated Rest

In the last post we saw how the promised liberation of Eros and Bacchus was really the perpetually search for identity and fulfillment. Something I think most people find themselves doing at any particular stage in life. But what we saw with these two is the bondage that can easily be found in trying to "discover" ones self in sex and intoxication. Moreover the destruction of the truth of your identity and who God created you to be. Eros and Bacchus will no doubt leave you sexually confused, drunk and stoned on the floor crawling to find your identity.

Sounds exhausting doesn't it? Not very liberating in the least. I always thought it interesting that "bondage" was a name for kinky sex. Or that being "stoned" was a good thing. Or how about "Let's get sh**faced drunk". It's funny how words with obvious negative connotations are things that people seek out. I bet you didn't know the word orgy means "more work". Or that a Libertine is defined as someone with no moral restraint. Such is the deception and so are the lost. The devil has such a hold that the person knowingly slanders themselves but they don't even care. In the words of the famous libertine and sex addict the Marquis de Sade "Destruction, hence, like creation, is one of Nature's mandates." Spoken like the devil himself.

Running On Empty

Been thinking a little more on what drives us to seek pleasure. As I said before pleasure in and of itself is not wrong unless it is outside the principles and truth of God. Otherwise God is a God of pleasure. He meant for our lives here on this planet to be enjoyable. So why is it that so many people are unhappy? A Christian would say "Well it is because you don't have the Lord in your life." But when I look around I seem to see just as many Christians "Holding out for heaven. " and completely miserable. Is this our testimony? Is this the joy and contentment of a life in Christ?

One of the most difficult things I have found raising my 6 and 3 year old is teaching them how to be content. In this day and age with the constant barrage of consumerism it has proven to be challenge. Not only that but also the non stop stimulation. Television, computers, cell phones, portable DVD players in the car, video games, portable video games, ballet practice, girl scouts, PTA meetings, field trips, potlucks, karate practice, swim team, gymnastics...aaahhh!!! It's no wonder that kids don't know how to sit still anymore! Or just sit and play with blocks or something simple.

Instant Gradification Gradifies Only for an Instant

Building on what we discussed in the last couple of posts about desire and lust. How do we know the difference between righteous desire and violent desire{lust, coveting}? I think we first need to define the difference between desire and need. Need is something that is a necessity or requirement. What is it that man absolutely needs for survival? We often hear of hikers lost in the woods or mountain climbers losing their way in a blizzard. So if you were one of these people what would you do? Find food, water and shelter; right? Really with those three things man can last for quite some time. On the other hand desire is a wishing or longing for something beyond necessity. These are the things that we often define as pleasures. Pleasures are things that we don't need to survive but are also things that can enhance or make life more rich.