Quick Updates

This post will stray from the serious topics discussed in my last couple writings, and instead will just be a quick update concerning the happenins in my life.

#1: I am now jobless for the summer! (Well, mostly anyway) My pastor has a neighbor who I have been able to assist in yardwork, and make a little money on the side. MCC was unable to keep me on for the summer, so I will now turn to finding odd jobs to make some spending money in preparation for my first semester at ISU, which begins in August.

#2: I am currently in an Intro to Film class, which is interesting. I never knew that so many technical intricacies went into the making of a film, and I definitely had no idea how to analyze them. I'm learning both now. My reason for taking the course is because it is required for my AS degree. In less than two weeks, this class will end and my summer statistics course will begin (turns out not having a steady summer job is a blessing in disguise-I'll need time to study!!!)

#3: I am going to concentrate on a couple of practical skills in preparation for life on campus, such as cooking (which Vanessa has graciously offered to help me with, she's so awesome!), and taking better care of my finances, among other things.

#4: I picked up a number of interesting books from the library that I should finally have time to read, such as: Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, Henry James' The Turn Of The Screw, and Ayn Rand's Fountainhead, among others. Should keep me occupied for the next three weeks, that's for sure! Definitely not your typical light reading, but I view it as a fun challenge. ;-)-

#5: In my personal spiritual journey, I'm focusing on the disciplines of rest and contentment. It's difficult! Trying to learn from the apostle Paul's example.

Otherwise things are pretty uneventful right now. God Bless and have a great day!

Shane

Erasmus' Twenty-two Principles

I found the following list interesting. Though it was originally written for Christian knights of old, I think many of its precepts are worth reading and would greatly benefit us as a society.


Erasmus' Twenty-two Principles on How to Be Strong While Remaining Virtuous in a Dangerous World

(taken from the Enchridion Militis Christiani: A Guide for the Righteous Protector, by Erasmus)

First Rule: INCREASE YOUR FAITH (even if the entire world appears mad)

Second Rule: ACT UPON YOUR FAITH (even if you must undergo the loss of everything)

Third Rule: ANALYZE YOUR FEARS (you will find that things are not bad as they appear)

Fourth Rule: MAKE VIRTUE THE ONLY GOAL OF YOUR LIFE

(dedicate all your enthusiasm, all your effort, your leisure as well as your business)

Fifth Rule: TURN AWAY FROM MATERIAL THINGS

(if you are greatly concerned with money you will be weak of spirit)

Sixth Rule: TRAIN YOUR MIND TO DISTINGUISH GOOD AND EVIL

(let your rule of government be determined by the common good)

Seventh Rule: NEVER LET ANY SETBACK STOP YOU IN YOUR QUEST

(we are not perfect-this only means we should try harder)

Eighth Rule: IF YOU HAVE FREQUENT TEMPTATIONS, DO NOT WORRY

(begin to worry when you do not have temptation, for that is a sure sign that you cannot distinguish good from evil)

Ninth Rule: ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR AN ATTACK

(careful generals set guards even in times of peace)

Tenth Rule: SPIT, AS IT WERE, IN THE FACE OF DANGER

(keep a stirring quotation with you for encouragement)

Eleventh Rule: THERE ARE TWO DANGERS: ONE IS GIVING UP, THE OTHER IS PRIDE

(After you have performed some worthy task, give all the credit to someone else)

Twelfth Rule: TURN YOUR WEAKNESS INTO VIRTUE

(if you are inclined to be selfish, make a deliberate effort to be giving)

Thirteenth Rule: TREAT EACH BATTLE AS THOUGH IT WERE YOUR LAST

(and you will finish, in the end, victorious!)

Fourteenth Rule: DON'T ASSUME THAT DOING GOOD ALLOWS YOU TO KEEP A FEW VICES

(the enemy you ignore the most is the one who conquers you)

Fifteenth Rule: WEIGH YOUR ALTERNATIVES CAREFULLY

(the wrong way will often seem easier than the right way)

Sixteenth Rule: NEVER ADMIT DEFEAT EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN WOUNDED

(the good soldier's painful wounds spur him to gather his strength)

Seventeenth Rule: ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION

(so when the time comes for battle, you will know what to do)

Eighteenth Rule: CALM YOUR PASSIONS BY SEEING HOW LITTLE THERE IS TO GAIN

(we often worry and scheme about trifling matters of little importance)

Nineteenth Rule: SPEAK WITH YOURSELF THIS WAY:

(if I do what I am considering, would I want my family to know about it?)

Twentieth Rule: VIRTUE HAS ITS OWN REWARD

(once a person has it, they would not exchange it for anything)

Twenty-first Rule: LIFE CAN BE SAD, DIFFICULT, AND QUICK: MAKE IT COUNT FOR SOMETHING!

(since we do not know when death will come, act honorably every day)

Twenty-second Rule: REPENT YOUR WRONGS

(those who do not admit their faults have the most to fear)

"The Prison"

This is a poem God blessed me with very early in the morning on May 8th, 2009. It concerns our vices and personal demons, and our tendency as Christians to, often willingly, succumb to the Devil's schemes and deceptions. Yet it ends redemptively, demonstrating God's total omnipotence and authority over evil, while simultaneously showcasing his loving willingness to come to our rescue. It is born out of my own personal struggle, yet I believe it's still universally applicable, and so I include it

here. I hope it comforts you in the trials you endure.

Sincerely,

Shane Latham

"The Prison"

By Shane Latham

It's early morning, I'm still tossing and turning

I've re-entered my mental prison, against my will I'm returning

I see the chains on the walls and the blood on the floor

Everything left just as it was before

I pick up the chains, snap them on with a click

Though part of Me's healthy, part of Me's sick

I bare my back for the whip, prepared for the torture

Though it feels just, it's wrong I'm sure

The accuser of my soul stands momentarily victorious

His demons screech triumphantly, "He actually believed us!"

My enemy draws back the whip, his glare full of hate

I hang my head, resigned to my fate

The lash whistles through the air

I fear the scar I'll bear

I scream to God, "Take this pain from me!"

The faithful prayers of his saints rise around me

With a thunderous cry, with an earsplitting boom

The glorious Lord enters the room

With a single blow He crushes Satan in his glee

As my chains fall to the floor I realize I'm free

With Satan conquered I see his deception

How I let him infiltrate my mind and form the perception

That I needed the counterfeit joys and the lies that he gave

Instead of taking that thought captive, I became its slave

But now I see the Deceiver with new eyes

With God next to me, I have no need for his lies

I fall down before Jesus, and with eyes full of tears

I confess past sins, longings, and fears

With an outstretched arm He lifts me from the dirt where I lay

As I look into His compassionate gaze He wipes my tears away

Afraid of straying again, I cry "O Lord, what must I do?"

He replies, "Remember I am with you always.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you."

Of Armor and Bubblewrap

God gave this to me early on Valentine's Day. I hope it edifies and challenges you.


"We were never told 'Put on the full bubblewrap of God, so that you can sit in a Christian box off to the side and never be jostled or disturbed by anything.' No, instead we are commanded, 'Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the Devil's schemes.' The wearing of armor implies that we are to be in a battle, not against flesh and blood, but against 'the powers of this dark world and the against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:11-12).' So, clothed with divine protection, let us not hesitate to charge into the fight and take what God would have us claim, the territory our enemy has occupied for far too long."