Don't cut off the branch on which you are sitting...

Many thinkers offer great philosophies and explanations for various challenges that come along.

Here is a simple tip for assessing thought options that are brought to you.

The first step you must follow is this:  determine if the train of thought has logical consistency or if it is full of self-contradictions.

There are several tactics to achieve this goal.  I would venture to guess that most folks that are offering explanations and rules for thought have yet to consider if their own arguments hold sway against the skepticism they hold towards others.

An example would be this:  "Do not trust your mind", or "you cannot trust your thoughts".. These sound all well and good, but fail to pass the test they have given.  Meaning, they have used their minds, and thoughts to arrive at these conclusions and want you to trust them.  Its is fundamentally flawed.

Or this: There is no absolute truth
or: you cannot trust reason

The fallacy of these arguments should be quite evident.

Yet the same inconsistencies arise in most thought explanations, especially those skeptical of others ideas and doubtful of any type of concrete and absolute answers.

These most often are rife with self-contradiction and error primarily because the rules they use to exclude other explanations from being able to arrive at truthful conclusions almost always end up excluding themselves as well.

Most of these thinkers are subtle and smooth operators but cannot withstand the assault of their own skepticism.  In essence they have committed intellectual suicide because they reject the very ground on which they claim to stand.

And for the most part, the thought has not even crossed their mind because they are so convinced of their own opinions.

This is true of so many veins of thought:  athiesm (it is philosophically impossible to affirm a negative in the absolute)  Post-modernism:  A great meta-narrative, that doubts that meta-narratives can help us arrive at truth.  Logical Positivism: Ayers has a eloquent definition of what constitutes "meaningful" yet fails to realize his definition of what it takes for a statement to be meaningful fails his own test!

I could go on.  But know this:  if you propose rules for thinking and are skeptical of others explanations--you had better examine your own criteria and see if your own ideas qualify!  

Do not let anyone to say "it is impossible to arrive at truth"  because they have just proposed a truth at which they think they have arrived!

Be skeptical, but only to a point, skepticism can be helpful but dangerous.

The purpose of an open mind is to clamp down upon something solid, there is no virtue in remaining open forever but many have come to value an open mind as an end itself.  The end is to find an answer, the means is an open mind. Dont confuse the end with the means!

By the way, this is not a professional post, or something I have even proof read just stuff that comes across my mind and I want to get written. 

Discipline

I have interesting irony to expose to some. 

Here is the modern parental mantra: less discipline is better!  More negotiation, explanation, and peer type friendly relationships are recommended for successful parenting.   Spanking is certainly out of the question!

(I will verify to you that I have never met a person who was spanked by loving parents who thinks it was wrong, in fact they all testify that it saved them from becoming spoiled little brats!)


Modern philosophy has engaged in the subtle art of personal liberty and youthful expression!
 
Yet, as society loosens its grip on punishment of its offspring its generations become more and more violent, immoral and out of control than ever... yet we still believe the lie! 

I propose that an economic analogy might suffice:

As the supply of punishment and discipline decreases the demand for early funerals and jails will increase...

Consider the wisdom of the Proverbs: Spare the rod, spoil the child!

Coming soon: my take on short term missions...

We recently had a discussion in our fellowship about the topic of a short term mission trip for one of our 18 year old kids.  I opined that I was completely against it but we had not the time to discuss the motivation for my negativity.  I was asked by a half a dozen or so people to explain, and I said I would blog my response so I didnt have to repeat it several times.  I will do so soon.

Sincerely
J.

"I LOVE YOU"

Try this. 
Instead of arrogantly stating "I love you" to a dear one (which is quite a presumptuous statement if you think about it.)
Ask them: "Do I love you?"  and listen to the answer with humility and believe them.
The object of your 'love' has a much better idea whether or not you are truly loving them than you do!
When you hold a job you dont write your own evaluation.  Your boss does it: "He is late, lazy, and is fairly mediocre in performance."  Although you are likely to quip: "I love my job!"
Let someone else write your evaluation on the status of your love!
So often when we say "I Love you" the reality of that statement is "I possess a benevolent warm happy feeling towards you"  It is a statement about you, not actuality.
It would be like a person saying "I hate Beethoven"- this would most likely be a statement about the person saying it rather than it would be about the real nature and quality of Beethoven's music.
It is not practically speaking accurate.
Try it:
Ask, don't tell!  And you might find the real answer.

  

Discerning what is important in your life...

I have often observed people make claims about certain things that are important to them in the course of life.
I also have a list of things that I deem significant to my own existence. 
You have certain things that you consider important in your own life.

I will offer two suggestions for telling if the claims are true.

1.   What you TALK ABOUT is what is important to you!
People (you and me as well) talk frequently about what is important to us!
               I would say this is a universal truth and a superb litmus test for determination of what REALLY matters to a given person.  Consider this: if you encounter a dog lover, you cannot get them to shut up about the stupid mutt. (Please don't be offended, I love dogs, and have two pound puppies!)  If you come across a grandma, you will be subject to a litany of photos and stories of the 'little darlings'.  Be careful, what you talk about betrays what is truly paramount in your life and you cannot avoid this indictment.  Of course, I am not talking about lip service, because it is easy enough to promote that you care for a certain topic.  I am referring to the time when your guard is down, when you are not trying so hard to impress someone.  Your casual speak reveals your heart, not your practiced speeches.

2.  What you MAKE SURE HAPPENS, is important to you!
         Exercise addicts do not fail to hit the gym.  Avid photographers never miss an opportunity to capture an event on film.  Yet, one frequently encounters people who claim a certain thing is central to his or her existence, however they fail to ensure its happening.  "I love God"  but I do not pray regularly, or read my bible.  It becomes obvious at that point that God is not that important to you because you probably never miss an episode of American Idol- and if you do, you surely tivo it to watch later!  What you make sure happens is  important to you, plain and simple.

There it is, two easy ways to evaluate what is really important to you and others. 

And remember, you can use this yardstick to condemn others and deceive yourself!

-J.