Mellow's Corner

I’m going to talk about the 10 commandments for a bit. These can be found in Exodus 20. I’m going to use the ESV.

Disclaimer: Please note that these are my opinions. Reading them may produce an unwanted spiritual burden for you; there may be some liberation in them for you as well. The law was not meant for redemption, and none of us are perfect. Through Christ, we have been redeemed and are no longer under the consequences of the law (or under the law as Paul put it) but under the liberty of God’s forgiveness and purpose (or under grace Romans 6:14). If you have the remotest fear that what I am about to say could become a burden to you, please do not read the rest of this.

“1 And God spoke all these words, saying,

2 ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

3 You shall have no other gods before me.’ “

God starts off telling the Jews who He is. ‘Remember me, I brought you out of Egypt. I am your God and you will put me first.’ That is command one.

“4 ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.’ “

Now the way I read this is that verse 4 is the second commandment. Do no make a physical object that represents or symbolizes something spiritual. This in it’s essence leads back to the first commandment; a physical symbol takes our gaze away from an invisible God. The physical things of this world will be gone forever, but God is eternal and everlasting. Do not pour in worship over the things of this world. In my opinion, Christians fall a little short in this area. Cross jewelry, Jesus fish, pictures/paintings, rosary necklaces, and saint pendants— these are all graven images. I think it is in bad spiritual taste to have these. Verse 5 and 6 seem to modify both of the first two commandments. God is first, and we are not to worship those inanimate objects.

“7 ‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.’ “

I believe this verse is commonly misunderstood. Without taking time to consider this verse, it might appear that God is saying not to say his name in a swearing sort of situation. While I don’t believe saying “Oh God” is a good idea, I don’t believe that’s what He’s saying here. The word is “take.” That word is the same in the KJV. The word is not “use.” The word “take” implies apprehending it against the will of the one who holds it. It seems to me taking God’s name in vain refers to saying that you’re doing something for God when God really has no part in it. The hate church, Jim Jones, that guy that wanted to burn the Qur’an, manifest destiny, the Crusades, and the inquisition are prime examples of this (the reason those are all linked to wikipedia articles is because they are further linked to other sites for more in depth research). Though I am a human just the same as those that performed the actions above, I don’t personally believe that God was behind any of that, and yet his name was attached to all of those acts. In comparison, saying “Oh my God” looks a little weak, don’t you think?

“8 ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,

10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.

11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.’ “

Pretty self explanatory. 1 day a week, we should not do any work. Pick a day. It’s not saying don’t go anywhere, it’s saying clearly, do no work (job, homework, side work, home projects, work out). I think this is another one of those commands that does not get followed the way it should. We as Americans wonder why we’re tired all the time. Our fast paced lives lead us to becoming addicted to accomplishment; however, we need to remember that God created the entire world in 6 days and still took a rest on the 7th. The world will keep spinning one day without our work.

“12 ‘Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.’ “

There is a lot here in a few short words. Not only is this the 5th commandment, but this also includes a promise. Dictionary.com defines honor(remember it’s used as a transitive verb here) with many particulars, but the overall concept is to show a courteous regard for and to hold in high respect. This can be hard sometimes especially when having non-biological parents, apathetic parents, or largely absent parents; however, I believe that is why God gave us a promise. Parents can see how important their role is in this commandment as well.

“13 ‘You shall not murder.’ “

Dictionary.com defines murder as killing another human as specified by law. God later talks about murder and cities of refuge in Numbers 35 clarifying the types of murder, but war is not included in the realm of murder.

“14 ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ “

Dictionary.com defines adultery as a married person having sex with someone who is not their spouse (both individuals are committing adultery in that scenario). This commandment does not include those who are not married having sex with each other.  The barrier (if you will) is marriage.

“15 ‘You shall not steal.’ “

Yeah… taking something that belongs to someone else. A good practice is to not take something if it doesn’t belong to you.

“16 ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.’ “

This is a good one! Often people think this commandment says do no lie and then question how Rahab made it into the Hebrews 11 hall of faith list (verse 31). God says not to tell someone a lie falsely incriminating someone else. A key word in this passage is “against.” This of course implies that there is negative consequences for the person being lied about. Hopefully this puts a rest to that age old conundrum about lying to a lady about her cooking. Honesty is almost always the best policy; however, lying as a whole is not condemned by this commandment.

“17 ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’ “

Dictionary.com defines covet as a wrongful desire for something without regard to the person who owns it. This 10th and final commandment could easily go hand in hand with 8 and 9. The premise of this verse seems to be simple, work honestly for what you get. Is it wrong to think, “Man, Jim’s got a nice tv,” or “I love Sara’s shoes.” The answer is no; those are perfectly acceptable thoughts. However, when it moves towards, “I want to take Jim’s tv,” or “Sara’s shoes,” the line has been crossed. This is the only command that deals with intentions or thought life, which is interesting to note.

Well, I’m through talking about the 10 commandments for now. Thanks for sticking around. I hope you found this helpful/informational/revealing/enlightening/etc.

My textbook says the mind is a process, not an object. This led me to think about one losing his mind; which by that definition would imply an interruption in that continual process. This got me to thinking about how people change over time which also made me think about how people refuse to change over time.

That brings me to why I actually wanted to write this. Paul said:

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. to those outside the law, I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak, I became weak that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel that I may share with them in its blessings.” -1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

Paul never had a problem adjusting and growing in touch with people. He understood the cause of Christ and the fact that it crosses all barriers. God is for the hipsters, the Bible thumpers, the ignorant, the intelligent, the dancers, the celebrities, the apostles, the Catholic, the Baptists, the writers, the readers, the tv watchers, the young, the old, the in touch, and the out of touch. As Christians, we should strive to hold true to God’s word, but adjust with the time so that we may become all things to all people for their salvation!

DISCLAIMER: The section labeled plot will include spoilers to the story. If you have any interest in reading the story, please do not read that section of the review. The rating system is based on the relative value of the book: Buy at full price (Go buy and read this book now), Buy discounted (You could wait till it’s on sale or can be bought from a used bookstore), Borrow (Good enough to read, but not to spend money on), Blow off (Not good enough to read). These ratings are based on my opinion of the story in many merits including re-read value, plot development, details, and overall enjoyability.

About: This is a 12 book series written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins about events predicted in the Bible for the apocalypse. The publication spans from 1995-2007.

Rating: Borrow/buy discounted: these books can be bought for $1 each at a half priced books store; however, I wouldn’t spend more than $3 on a book. Borrow if you can.

Additional Comments: This book series appeals primarily to a wide Christian audience, and may be offensive to those of other faiths. The intended audience appears to be a religious protestant crowd who has separated themselves from the world (so to speak).

Plot: A LOT happens in this series so I’ll try to stick to bullet points. The story primarily follows one man (Rayford Steele) though we get to see several characters’ perspectives throughout the series. The story begins before a global event known as the Rapture takes place (thousands-millions of people are said to disappear in an instant). Among the people who disappear, Rayford’s wife and son vanish leaving him and his daughter together. Rayford knows instinctively what has occurred and makes the decision to become a Christian rather quickly and from there begins to witness and grow a group of believers that call themselves the Tribulation Force. This group of believers waxes and wanes as some are converted and others are martyred throughout the series.

The story effectively covers all of the judgements and major events of the tribulation and glorious appearing prophesied in the Bible (to my knowledge) ranging from the beast and antichrist and the false prophet, to the two witnesses and the temple desecration and so forth. By the end of the Tribulation, Rayford and some of the friends he’s made later in the tribulation are there for the glorious appearing.

Impressions: I enjoyed this book series from an eschatological standpoint. I felt that information was great and specific. Most of what was described from a Biblical angle seemed realistic and accurate.

I felt that much of the book was written simply which destroyed the sense of realism for me. As an open minded individual I found it difficult to see things from the narrator’s perspective often-times.

Though I always felt that sense of lacking, I was engrossed in the story for the first half of the series. It became a more cerebral effort from there escalating to the last book which was a labor of obsessive-compulsion to finish.

I do have nice things to say about the last book! The nature of the subject matter and the events that take place make one consider much more than present circumstances. I found that encouraging.

DISCLAIMER: The two sections labeled “Plot” and “Impressions” are the only two sections that include spoilers. If you have any interest in reading the story objectively, please do not read those sections of the review. The rating system is based on the relative value of the book: Buy at full price (Go buy and read this book now), Buy discounted (You could wait till it’s on sale or can be bought from a used bookstore), Borrow (Good enough to read, but not to spend money on), Blow off (Not good enough to read). These ratings are based on my opinion of the story in many merits including re-read value, plot development, details, and overall enjoyability. (All factual information that cannot be learned by reading the book has been retrieved from wikipedia)


About: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published in 1925 and it set in New York during the “Roaring Twenties.” I found no offensive content in this book.

Rating: Buy discounted (this book has been out for 85 years, and is not flying off the shelves, but is still a great read)

Additional Comments: I would recommend this book to intelligent people, to those who enjoy classic literature, and to those that are seeking to improve their writing. The events, descriptions, and dialogue are very clear but possesses a level of depth simple readers might not grasp as easily, and thus become bored.

Plot: The story is told from the perspective of Nick Carraway, Neighbor to Jay Gatsby. It effectively covers his entire relationship with Mr. Gatsby as well as impressions and things he was able to find out about him and his story after he experienced them. Nick first goes to a dinner party with his friend Tom Buchannan, his wife Daisy, a woman named Jordan Baker. During this party, Gatsby’s name is mentioned and Nick confesses that though he’s lived next to the man, he does not know who Mr. Gatsby is. It is also rumored that Tom, who steps out to take a phone call, has a mistress. Over the course of a couple weeks, he goes to one or two of Mr. Gatsby’s lavish parties he throws every weekend (I think more than that). Many people come to his parties including well-known, influential people and poorly-behaved, loose people. At one of these parties, Nick sought to find Mr. Gatsby and when he finally gave up and stopped looking, he happened to sit right next to the man. Mr. Gatsby had a lot of mystery and rumors surrounding him such as he went to oxford, he had a chest full of rubies, and he had killed a man. Some of these rumors had elements of truth to them, but during that summer, Nick learned which elements were true and which were not. Mr. Gatsby confided most of his history with Nick and said that Jordan Baker (now being courted by Nick) would give him the rest of the details. Over dinner Jordan told him that Jay and Daisy were engaged before Jay had to go into the military. When he returned, he didn’t find Daisy, but found she was in New York, and married. Jordan then asked Nick to invite Daisy over for tea at the request of Mr. Gatsby. Nick obliged, and Jay and Daisy were reunited. They both seemed mostly happy together. Nick went out with Tom, and showed off his mistress, Myrtle, who was married to a gas station owner whom she despised. Mr. Gatsby had Tom, Nick, and Daisy over to one of his parties which Nick recalled as having an oppressive feel. Tom’s dislike of Mr. Gatsby was formed quickly and was unrelenting. Daisy invited Mr. Gatsby, Nick, and Jordan over for tea. The tension was thick, and it was the hottest day of the summer. After some strong tension at their house, the group went in to town in two separate cars, Jay and Daisy in Tom’s car and the other three in Jay’s outlandish yellow car. Tom had to stop for gas at the husband of his mistress’s station. They all met up and spent some time in a hotel suite before a full blown argument erupted. Tom spilled his investigations in to Jay’s business affairs and implied that he had done something terrible; Jay said that Daisy had always love him and never loved Tom, and that she was leaving Tom. Crying, she corroborated Jay’s claims. Full of rage, Tom suggested Jay and Daisy drive back in Jay’s car; Tom drove Nick and Jordan back. On the way they came across an accident scene. Tom’s mistress had been run over. They said a yellow car (they didn’t know it was Gatsby’s) had run her over and kept going. The gas station owner had her trapped in the bedroom and was keeping watch. He stepped away to make some food and she ran out into the street. He mourned her all night before he went to find out who was driving that yellow car. Daisy was driving when they left the apartment, and after she intentionally ran Myrtle over. Jay stopped her down the road and took the wheel over. 3 hours of the gas station owner’s investigation were unaccounted for, but he ended up at Gatsby’s and killed Jay with a revolver in his swimming pool before turning the gun on himself. Nick took care of all of Jay’s funeral affairs and met his father in the process. Nobody besides Jay’s father, and one character came to the funeral though Nick made strong efforts to get those closest to Jay to come (including Daisy, and one of Jay’s close friends and business partners). Later he came across Tom in Chicago where Tom revealed he had sent the gas station owner to Jay’s house. He felt justified and said he probably had it coming anyway. Nick’s relationship with Jordan was over as well. That was basically the end of the story.

Impressions: Jay Gatsby was a very interesting and complex character. Even after he had been explained, there was still much more left to be understood. I felt overall that his intentions were primarily good.

Tom quickly became one of the most hated characters for me in the book. He’s described early on as the type to bear down on others to make himself look like more of a man. His actions throughout the book are selfish and rude.

I thought early on, that Daisy and Nick would end up together. This conclusion came from the fact that A) Tom was cheating and B) Nick described her voice quite beautifully. Even when Gatsby’s love was revealed, my opinion did not change. After the halfway point, one comment was made about her voice that completely changed my opinion. Nick made a comment about the mystery and beauty of her voice, and Gatsby said “It’s money.” Instantly that resonated with Nick that her voice had the chimes and appeal of money, and that she was born into it and always lived with it. I couldn’t look at her the same way, nor did I think her and Nick ending up together was a good thing. In some ways, I wonder if that was a turning point for him or if he was never truly attracted to her in the first place.

The tragedy of Mr. Wilson (gas station owner) runs deep. He was a good man who married the wrong woman. In the end, she was killed and he was left with nothing. In the last chapters Nick describes how sick the man looks. His emotional struggle was taking a physical toll on his body. Very sad indeed.

Nick does a great job describing Jordan and why he falls apart from her. She is not unlike Tom in some ways, but the end of the story implies that she holds a grudge against Nick.

I enjoyed the descriptions he used of the people, incidents and reactions. I felt it was quite easy to read and visualize what was going on with the exception of the first half chapter and a small portion of the last chapter.

DISCLAIMER: The section labeled plot will include spoilers to the story. If you have any interest in reading the story, please do not read that section of the review. The rating system is based on the relative value of the book: Buy at full price (Go buy and read this book now), Buy discounted (You could wait till it’s on sale or can be bought from a used bookstore), Borrow (Good enough to read, but not to spend money on), Blow off (Not good enough to read). These ratings are based on my opinion of the story in many merits including re-read value, plot development, details, and overall enjoyability.

About:

Rating:

Additional Comments: 

Plot:

Impressions:

2009 was a year of things ending throughout most of that year. In contrast 2010 was a year of beginnings. This will cover most of those beginnings. I made two resolutions at the beginning of last year, and one of them I accomplished quickly so I don’t remember what it was. The other was to finish writing a specific short story I had started. Throughout the year I built the story up to the climax well, but I’m not quite sure what I’d like to put in the climax so I didn’t accomplish that resolution. However, that was the first time I made serious resolutions, and thus is a beginning to something I’ll likely continue.

Other things I started:
Nursing school
A relationship (lasted about 2 months)
I started seeking resolution
I stopped holding things in by creating this tumblr
I started using foursquare
I started going to church again
I started getting involved in a group at church (20 somethings)
I started a group of which I am the editor
I started branching out into other interests
I started using a particular writing format for a world/book series I’ve been working on for years
I started making lots of new friends

I’m sure I started other things as well, but these were all monumental moves which have positively shaped me into who I am right now. Overall, I’m very happy with 2010. I have many much fonder memories for it than the previous year.

For 2011, I will resolve the following:
I will finish my short story (It’s called “Runaway”)
I will read a book a month (I got a nook! ^_^)
I will budget myself to save enough money to put a down payment on a house

I’ll be interested to see where I’m at a year from now. God-willing, I’ll grow as much as I did last year.