Inspiration

Instead of trying to define "inspiration," why not define it for yourselves? So here's the question: what does inspiration mean to you? And where do you seek your inspiration?

In a general perspective, I seek my inspirations - usually - through science, running and astronomy. I simply love to conduct experiments and to take many hours just staring at the sky sometimes, and too did I enjoy running to the point that I could keel over. I also am in love with worldly culture, and whatever chance I'd get at traveling the world I would take it. And too am I in love with music. Although my favorite song changes often, as of now my favorite bands are Life in Your Way, Hillsong, Skillet, Newsboys, DC Talk and Sanctus Real, in which every one of these band's message's bring me closer to God as I listen to their songs.

So now it's your turn. What are your inspirations? Do you seek God in them? They're not easy questions always, but the point is that God [inspires] people to do good for his name. "He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.' [Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.] He told them, 'This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [You are witnesses of these things.]'" - Luke 24:44-48.

Here is an example of inspiration. It may not be a super-clear-and-evident message, but it stands as an example for what God calls us to do with our inspirations. And emphasizing the phrases with [blocks] around them stand as messages in which how inspiration can be applied to our lives. God does this: He opens our eyes to the things we love, and then He asks of us that we stand as a witness of His workmanship, we stand as a living inspiration of Christ. Now the real question for you to ask yourself is this: How can I use my inspiration to serve God?

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." - Eric Liddell; Olympic Gold Medal Winner in the 1924 Olympics in Paris and a Christian missionary in China.

Genghis Khan Comparison - Part I

I apologize to everyone for not posting anything for an elongated period of time. I've been real busy lately and I know that is no excuse but I'll try to be more consistent from now on.

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I just got done watching this movie called "Mongol." I got interested in it merely because it had an Academy Award Nomination. But after looking at it from a more logical and spiritual viewpoint, I think the movie turned out to be a great one when comparing to our lives as Christians.

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With a story alike Braveheart, it portrays the historical biography of the legendary and violent Genghis Khan. Words such as "legendary" and "violent" are most likely what comes to mind to the average-knowledged person on Khan - that's what I thought of anyways. But after seeing the movie, Khan could be described more as "blessed," "merciful," or "determined." The biography displays his life events that led up to his power, beginning with his father allowing him to choose his wife - at age 9 - and from there, Khan - who at first was called Temudgin - became an enemy of other Mongol tribes through the tragic death of his father. This was the reason why Temudgin spent most of his childhood simply running through mountains and deserts escaping the savage Mongols - because at the time there were many rival tribes. After years of running, he went through a series of captures and escapes from certain tribes, and all he would do was run either to family or the Sacred Mountain of Prayer, where he would pray to his God, Tengri. He eventually returned to his soon-to-be wife and lived with her, all for getting captured two more times until he rose to power through a series of battles, sacrifices and movements. One other important part of Khan's life was his informal brother, Jamukha, in which they shared a special friendship for most of their lives, until the mid-part of their lives when tension became of them, creating a rivalry between Khan and Jamukha. [Spoiler Alert] The ending of the movie though has a very redemptive message which I think we can apply to our lives as Christians. Temudgin - who then is named Khan - has the opportunity to execute his brother, but he not only lets him live but also lets him go. This displays the mercy Khan truly had.

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So what I'm going to do with a few more posts is put up ideas and messages that were presented in this movie and relate to how we can apply them to our lives, because even though there is a huge cultural difference between then and now, God never changes and that is why righteousness will never alter from what is good and bad.

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"...But You remain the same, and Your years will never end."

- Hebrews 1:12 b.

Genghis Khan Comparison - Part II (Trust)

One thing I noticed in the movie "Mongol" is that the Mongolians seem to have a lot of self respect. That may come as shocking considering their historical reputation, but through their actions it seemed that they were overall well-mannered, well respected and they limited themselves from law-breaking.

For one, they Mongolians showed various traits of [trust.] As we do have this in society today, I feel that it is so much more limited than it used to be. For example, the only way of communication back then was through words. Events would happen and months later secluded a tribe might find out that there is conflict through a messenger or tribesman, meaning that the tribe must put their trust in this messenger that what he says is true. Another aspect of trust that was in the movie had to do with hiding the truth. Throughout the film, various accidents and deaths occur, and when someone asks "who did it?," usually the person who did it stands even though he could face consequences.

That is what I fear happens in society too much. For one, lying is a subject matter that everyone does, and some say it is good because it hides shame and the disappointing truth. Here's what I say: Lying is used to make something or someone look better than it, he or she really is. So if you are lying about how you did in a sports match, or how your work life is, or how much time you spend with God, in the end that won't matter to anyone but yourself, and you'll have to look back on it, realizing you were bringing yourself down by showing others who you weren't as if it was you. Lying holds people back from who they really are, and that is why I think we should apply honesty to our lives because it is the only way a true friendship can become greater than it was, and that is the only way you can have trust from others because they already have trust from you.

Mongolians applied honesty to their lives, will you?

"Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." - Proverbs 12:19.

Genghis Khan Comparison - Part III (Religion)

Although "Mongol" - in terms of religion - violates the first commandment of the Bible, it actually provides a good example for how Christ followers should live out for God. "'You shall have no there gods before me." - Exodus 20:3.

In the beginning of the movie, it has many instances where the religion of the Mongols is shown. For one, there is the belief that the Mongolian God - Tengri - forces lightning upon the Earth when he is angry, and that phrase and section of the movie is used throughout as it eventually made Temudgin fearless of the thunder.

Another aspect of their religion that was honestly striking to me was the Sacred Mountain prayer. When Temudgin was around 10 years old, he was held captive by rival tribes, and by night he escaped, travelling thousands of miles to reach that one location so he could pray that he'd be set free. The reason this was so striking to me was that as I compared Christianity to their religion, I noticed how they seemed to go [far] for their god. In some ways it is sad to think they have to travel so far to worship and pray, when we know God is everywhere at all times, and He hears our prayers no matter where we are. But the thing that made me question my faith was this: "Would I travel thousands of miles while walking in chains just for God's will?"

And I know it is easier said than done, because of course we could say "Yes, I would go for you," but I'm sure with the American culture, we'd rather sit and watch TV rather take a thousand-mile hike for Christ. I don't want to discourage anyone reading this, but just think about how strong your faith is - in all areas.

Do you read your Bible - often? Do you pray - often? Are you willing to apply a resemblance of Jesus into your life? Are you willing to follow God's laws and principles? Would you travel one thousand miles if God told you to? Consider this in a real perspective, because even if you said yes to every subject area, there is always improvement that can be made, and that goes for me too. We can always go further in our faith, there is no end, because God is endless.

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." - 1 Peter 2:21.

Genghis Khan Comparison - Part IV (Devotion)

My last point I want to make about the portrayal of Genghis Khan has to do with [devotion.] As devoted as Temudgin was to walk thousands of miles merely to worship, so he went even further too. One instance in the movie shows how Temudgin returned - though many years later - to find his wife, in which she had waited for him, displaying their devotion as a soon-to-be husband and wife. Devotion comes through [love.]

Another instance of devotion in the movie shows a small clan of warriors that are about to be attacked by a larger army and some of the men suggest that they should flee and leave the families behind, but Temudgin declines, putting up the idea that they let the families flee and they stay and fight, and from this, Temudgin gets captured and most of his men die in battle. Devotion comes through [sacrifice.]

Another part that displays devotion shows an old monk who travels for a far distance to deliver a relic - which happens to be a lucky charm between Temudgin and his wife. The monk travels through the desert, giving much of his time, all in the fate of death and not making it all the way. Devotion comes through [giving.]

And last but not least, devotion comes through [self-respect.] One aspect of the movie that actually opposes my thoughts has to do with one of the quotes. A father says to his son, "...because finding a good woman is the hardest thing." (Referring to marriage.) But I think with all of the inappropriate subject matter in our media, influence and society; to find a pure person for marriage [could] be a hard thing. I want to emphasize the word "could" in a form that it is through self-decision making and self-respect that will take away the "could" and replace it with "won't." That's the point, to be devoted is simply to deny yourself. That's why all of the key words have to do with sacrifice, giving and self-respect, and those are the only ways love is truly achieved. "Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases." - Song of Songs 3:5.

That's the point, don't give someone love who you really don't love. Remain devoted and know that God has a plan for you and your future, and that maybe if we can be devoted and trustworthy like Genghis Khan, maybe we can discover an entirely new perspective on God, because although He never changes, He changes us everyday.

So remember this: remain [devoted] from this point on - in whatever God is calling you to be devoted in; marriage, a sports team, a friendship, etc. Always be [honest.] And assure yourself that you are truly in relation to God. Be sure that if God called you to travel one thousand miles, you would.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:20.