Don't fight the power!

Boy, writer’s block already. Just for the record, I’m writing this up at 9:38pm. But the site is down for database maintenance, so I can’t add anything till tomorrow. Just to let you know, that this isn’t my fault. *Update* Woohoo! I tried logging in again, and now the post is up at 11:15p! Still 45 minutes to spare!

Now what to talk about. I could always be lazy and just do some best-of article. Problem is I don’t have any best-of caliber writing. I suppose I could just randomly copy and paste some passages and slap on a best-of, but I’m pretty sure that’s going to fool no one. Ya’ll too smart for that. Not to mention, I’m telling you my plans so that’s out the window… Hrm…

You can’t tell, but I’ve been staring at this blank sheet in front of me, trying in vain to think up something to write that would only take up one day’s worth of stuff. I have lots of ideas to write, but those are all 2-or-4-parters, and I only need to fill Thursday’s quota. I suppose I could post half of the 2-parter, but like Monk, I like some order. Things have to end on Thurs. It’s like a rule. I know, I’ll try something new… I’m going to look at the Bible for inspiration! Nobody’s done that before! Hold on, while I catch up on my Bible Study. You can discuss amongst yourselves whether Faith No More is considered a “One Hit Wonder”.

Ok, I’m back. Let’s see… I just finished studying 1 Peter. I like it. He’s not my favorite Biblical figure (that’s reserved for David), but I like his style of writing. Sure he’s not as prolific as Paul, but his ideas are easier to understand than the latter apostle. One of his commandments, I’m sure is a stickler for many Christians. Submit yourself to the government. A lot of people don’t do that. They try to change or flat out disobey their rulers. I think Peter was like that initially. I’m sure He saw Jesus initially as the Messiah, the Warrior King who would overthrow the Roman government. Of course, as we all know, Jesus didn’t do that. In fact, he obeyed Roman law and even went so far as to pay the temple tax as well! I have to believe that when the disciples saw that, they either got on Jesus’ bandwagon or left him. I mean, what kind of revolutionary tells his people, “Let’s overthrow the government! But first, don’t forget to pay your taxes! Oh and if you own a house, you can get a mortgage tax writeoff. Remember that, you can get major refund back” Some disciples left Jesus when He wasn’t who they thought he’d be, others plotted against him, while others, like Peter, stood by Jesus’ side, and even began to see things from his Master’s point of view.

Therefore, it’s a much older and wiser Peter who writes, “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” (1Pe 2:13-14) It’s hard to do that when you feel that the government is clearly wrong. Yeah, I’m looking at you China and any Muslim country! How can as God-fearing Christians obey a country that actively encourages people to kill/ imprison Christians? Well, Peter answers that. Again, taking a page from Jesus’ book, if you suffer for your religion unjustly, God will see it and love you for it. In fact, it is all God’s will. He wants you to suffer, because quite frankly He suffered as well. Don’t you want to follow someone who leads by example? And if your all-powerful leader is willing to undergo torture for his beliefs, who are you to shirk away from your faith?

Of course, it’s easy to say this, it’s another thing to do it. I’ve been blessed in the fact that I’m here in America, where religion is free. All I can do is admire those who are willing to die for God, because quite frankly I’m not sure if I can do that. I am perfectly willing to support people from afar, kinda like those Roman spectators that shouts to the Christians being eaten by lions, “I’m soo with you guys! Go Christians!” However, whatever the government decides, whether it’s legalizing gay marriage or banning school prayer, I will follow Jesus and Peter’s example. And I pray, and dear readers I hope you pray for me as well, that should the time come, when someone points a gun at me and asks me calmly, whether I believe in God, I can say confidently, “Yes I believe in God” while I do a kung-fu kick and knock the gun out of the guy’s hand. Hiiiyah!