Freedom vs What is right

These days I look around and it seems clear that the world values "freedom" rather than what is right.
We look at things like abortion and homosexuality and they both have messages similar to: "We want freedom to live our own way". A lot of the time people will try and tell you they are in the right because they're fighting for freedom. It sounds correct because ain't freedom good? Well, that all depends. Freedom is not always good.

Should we tell a person with murderous intentions, "You are free to do what you like". No, because what they want to do it wrong. Had someone revealed their intentions to do someone harm, you would probably call the cops and stop their "freedom" to do what they like. So, while freedom is important, what is right is even more so.

You are free to do whatever you want, but not everything is good for you.
Yet, most people will be offended by this because they don't clearly know where their own morals come from. Well, you should really spend some time thinking this over. Are they really relative, or is it absolute. Where does your wrong and right come from? We need to consider this because all kinds of decisions are being made based on someones idea of what is wrong and right.

Japanese worship

So, I've been living in Nagasaki, Japan for the last few months and been really trying to become a part of the Japanese church family here. Anyway, here is 2 videos of a Japanese worship service held for the 26 Martyrs of Japan. These 26 Saints died because they put their faith in Jesus the Christ. They sang hymns to the moment of death. So these 2 videos are songs sang at the anniversary service. Enjoy :)

Coming closer

The challenges of coming closer to God...

In the darkness we can't realize we are spotted with imperfection. But, coming closer to the light we realize the extent. What do we do then?

But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matt 6:23

We can approach God because of Jesus sacrifice. However, as we get closer we become more aware of our sin, don't we? This is because God is pure, and we realize the great contrast between us, because we are sinners. Now we can go either way at this junction. Either, our realization of sin serves to condemn us, and we strive for perfection by our own works. The other way, is realizing that Jesus has taken our sin, and cleansed us if we trust in him. We can either condemn ourselves, or trust in Jesus the Christ. We can't do both. Realizing God's grace is greater than our sin will allow us to move even closer. Even though we sin, Jesus serves to make us righteous before God. Then, as we again realize the contrast of God's righteousness to our sinfulness, we will be thankful to Jesus who we trust and not burden ourselves in our own condemnation. As we trust him more, our roots will go down into his love. Amen.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery....
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
Galatians 5:1,4-5

Living a life to the full -- it ain't so easy

So, I've been a Christian for about 3 years. I'm now 23. I have come sooo far from the day I decided to put my faith in Jesus.
Up to this point I've enjoyed studying the faith, the science, the bible, and how it all works out. I've seen miracles, gone to far countries, all by God's provision.
But now, while reflecting, I realize that most of the time, in "normal life", I've just been trying to get by day to day. This blog is about seeking after the life that Jesus promises:

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly." John 10:10

I'm not saying that I feel i'll be condemned if I don't do it, but life is richer and fuller when one lives with God. The challenge is to overcome fear of what may happen if I put my faith fully in him. Yet, I have seen his goodness when I've trusted him. The goal is to trust him in everyday life. Giving thanks for everything (long ago I read about the "Heavenly man", the way he gave thanks to God changed peoples lives).

At the moment I'm interested in going through the prophets (major/minor). I'm starting in Isaiah. My goal is to understand the end times. With all that is happening in Egypt at the moment (and the middle east in general) it is a great time to understand the times we live in.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

...

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.

Matthew 24: 6-8, 32-33 

What do you think? Any advice?
Soon, I'll post more about Isaiah, and revelations about relationship with God.