Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
SELFISM AND STUDENTS ...Excerpts of Ruggiero
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS READ THIS FROM "AMERICAN EDUCATOR"
http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/summer2000/BadSummer2000.pdf
SELFISM AND STUDENTS, BY RUGGERIO
The negative attitudes we see in our students can be traced to ideas of “selfism” advanced by modern philosophers and/or psychologists throughout this century and,
in some cases, in previous centuries.
Of course, very few students are familiar with the original expression of these
ideas, but many are familiar with popularized (and sometimes distorted) versions of the original ideas. And virtually all students have been exposed to the advertising industry’s and the entertainment and communications media’s glamorization of the self-help message.This glamorization may have a more powerful effect than reading
because it occurs when the mind is essentially at rest.
The concept of self-improvement has undergone dramatic change since 1911, when Ambrose Bierce mockingly defined self-esteem as “an erroneous appraisement.”
Good and bad character are now known as “personality
differences.” Rights have replaced responsibilities. The research on egocentrism and ethnocentrism that informed discussion of human growth and development in the mid-
20th century is ignored; indeed, the terms themselves are considered politically incorrect.
A revolution has taken place in the vocabulary of self.Words that imply responsibility or accountability—
self-criticism,
self-denial,
self-discipline,
self-control,
self-effacement,
self-mastery,
self-reproach, and
self-sacrifice—are no longer in fashion.
The language most in favor is that which exalts the self—
self-expression,
self-assertion,
self-indulgence,
self-realization,
self-approval,
self-acceptance,
self-love, and the ubiquitous self-esteem.
Not content with self-adulation, many psyche-strokers
have escalated their message.They now urge self-worship!...
In opposition to active living, mass culture promotes a spectator mentality and a desire to be entertained.
In opposition to objective truth, mass culture extols subjective, design-it-yourself reality—“If I believe it, then it is true for me.”
In opposition to achievement through effort, mass culture promotes achievement through proclamation—“I am good, I am talented, I am wonderful.”
In opposition to informed opinion, mass culture suggests that all opinions are equally meritorious.
In opposition to a demanding moral standard, mass culture extols doing whatever feels good.
In opposition to intellectual activities, mass culture teaches that the only satisfying activities are those that dazzle the senses.
In opposition to improvement through constructive change, mass culture promotes accepting and asserting one’s self and inflicting self on others.
In opposition to thinking, mass culture (particularly the advertising industry) plays on the public’s needs and desires and prompts people to suspend critical judgment and accept biased testimony as fact.
In opposition to self-discipline, mass culture lauds immoderation and lack of restraint.
http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/summer2000/BadSummer2000.pdf
SELFISM AND STUDENTS, BY RUGGERIO
The negative attitudes we see in our students can be traced to ideas of “selfism” advanced by modern philosophers and/or psychologists throughout this century and,
in some cases, in previous centuries.
Of course, very few students are familiar with the original expression of these
ideas, but many are familiar with popularized (and sometimes distorted) versions of the original ideas. And virtually all students have been exposed to the advertising industry’s and the entertainment and communications media’s glamorization of the self-help message.This glamorization may have a more powerful effect than reading
because it occurs when the mind is essentially at rest.
The concept of self-improvement has undergone dramatic change since 1911, when Ambrose Bierce mockingly defined self-esteem as “an erroneous appraisement.”
Good and bad character are now known as “personality
differences.” Rights have replaced responsibilities. The research on egocentrism and ethnocentrism that informed discussion of human growth and development in the mid-
20th century is ignored; indeed, the terms themselves are considered politically incorrect.
A revolution has taken place in the vocabulary of self.Words that imply responsibility or accountability—
self-criticism,
self-denial,
self-discipline,
self-control,
self-effacement,
self-mastery,
self-reproach, and
self-sacrifice—are no longer in fashion.
The language most in favor is that which exalts the self—
self-expression,
self-assertion,
self-indulgence,
self-realization,
self-approval,
self-acceptance,
self-love, and the ubiquitous self-esteem.
Not content with self-adulation, many psyche-strokers
have escalated their message.They now urge self-worship!...
In opposition to active living, mass culture promotes a spectator mentality and a desire to be entertained.
In opposition to objective truth, mass culture extols subjective, design-it-yourself reality—“If I believe it, then it is true for me.”
In opposition to achievement through effort, mass culture promotes achievement through proclamation—“I am good, I am talented, I am wonderful.”
In opposition to informed opinion, mass culture suggests that all opinions are equally meritorious.
In opposition to a demanding moral standard, mass culture extols doing whatever feels good.
In opposition to intellectual activities, mass culture teaches that the only satisfying activities are those that dazzle the senses.
In opposition to improvement through constructive change, mass culture promotes accepting and asserting one’s self and inflicting self on others.
In opposition to thinking, mass culture (particularly the advertising industry) plays on the public’s needs and desires and prompts people to suspend critical judgment and accept biased testimony as fact.
In opposition to self-discipline, mass culture lauds immoderation and lack of restraint.
Monday, August 19, 2013
LESSONS FROM THE MARTYRS
1. TRUTH IS FEARLESS OF ERROR…BUT ERROR IS FEARFUL OF TRUTH
2. TRUTH IS DESPISED BY ERROR…BUT ERROR IS PITIED BY TRUTH
3. TRUTH REVEALS OUR FIRST LOVE…THE MARTYRS LOVE CHRIST MORE THAN LIFE, TRUTH MORE THAN DECEPTION, HEAVEN MORE THAN EARTH.
4. HOLY HEARTS WILL NOT…ACTUALLY THEY CANNOT DENY THE POWER THAT MADE THEM HOLY.
5. THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS IS THE SEED OF THE CHURCH
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
21 REASONS I'M GLAD I'M A CHRISTIAN!
WHY I’M GLAD THAT I’M A CHRISTIAN!
1. Because of all the ideas and philosophies and religions in the
world, it is the Christian message that exalts the highest virtues, examples
the greatest love, and has done the most good.
There have been those who have tried to use and abuse the truth of Christianity,
but their vice and hypocrisy have always been exposed as illegitimate.
2. Because the Founder of Christianity was just perfect.
Here is a
man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew
up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then
for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never
owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a
family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He
never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one
of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but
Himself...
While
still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends
ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went
through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He
had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave
through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen
long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human
race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far
within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the
navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the
kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon
this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life. This essay
was adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis
3. Because the Salvation offered through Christ is what I
needed. I needed more than the
understanding of a Buddha. I needed more
than the enlightenment of Hare Krishna.
I needed more than the struggle/jihad of Muhammed. I needed more than
the Hindu notion of annihilation of my personhood. I needed more than the philosophies of Plato
and Socrates—who said “Know yourself”—I need a new self!
4. Because Salvation was free.
I couldn’t have paid the debt I owe!
I am redeemed!
5. Because Salvation was full. In Christ I found grace that was
greater than all my sin! I am delivered!
6. Because I needed a fresh start.
I am born again! “Ye must be born again…”
7.
Because
I longed to be delivered from the guilt of sin.
There is now no condemnation!
8. Because I needed liberty.
He whom the Son sets free is free indeed! Free from the law of sin and
death…
9. Because I needed a new family. And in Christ I’ve been adopted into the Family of God. “Being then adopted
10. I needed to know I was right with God and know that I was
saved. “His Spirit bears witness”
11.
My
deprived nature, which caused me to have a depraved nature, needed more than a
salve! I needed salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth!
12.
The
fruit of the Spirit is delicious! GALATIANS 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
13.
The
gifts of the Spirit are delightful!
1 Corinthians 12 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God
which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another
the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of
healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to
another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another
the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing
to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members
of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
14.
The
life in the Spirit is victorious!
Rejoicing evermore. Praying
without ceasing. In everything giving thanks!
15.
The
Love of God shed abroad in our hearts is so satisfying. (1 Cor. 13)
16.
The
homes that are ordered according to God’s Word are the happiest! The husbands
and wives who are Christ’s are blessed. The children of Christian parents are
blessed.
17.
In
Christ my life has found purpose and meaning.
18.
In
Christ I have found supply for all that I need.
19.
The
Church of Jesus Christ is glorious Church!
20. The Hope of the Christian is not vain, but grounded in God’s
promise!
21. The Day of Christ’s return is at hand!
MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF OUR DAY
This week many of our students and teachers will be returning to the classroom. We are praying that each one will do their best. I remember my father encouraged us, “Do your best for Jesus! Let the teachers and other students know that Christians are good students.” Of course he meant “good” in the fullest extent--good in behavior, good in study habits, and good in scholarship. Dad had ways to encourage us along those lines if we were slacking!
A generation ago American culture was still strongly influenced by Christian principles and practices. Students began their day with prayer, (usually “The Lord’s Prayer,”) and Christian morality was respected, if not required by the school staff and administration. That, of course, is no longer the case.
Yet today the truths, the virtues, and the values of Christ not only stand up to every opponent and challenge--their excellence shines as a bright and shining alternative to the depressing, disheartening, and destructive wisdom of this world. Our faith does not rest on fables--it is grounded on the fact of God’s Word written and incarnate! Our hope is not placed in frail humanity--it rests on our unshakable confidence in the risen Christ! Our love is not sensual and self-centered--it is Godly, sacrificial, and eternal! Our joy is not transient, circumstancial, nor dependant on others--it is eternal, substantial, and like an artesian well flowing from within. Our understanding of God and God’s will is not based on what others have told us --it is directly impressed upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit of God!
We have absolutely nothing to fear from this deceived, depraved, and dis-spirited culture. We are HIS WITNESSES! We have tasted and seen that the LORD is good! We are HIS ambassadors! Filled with God’s Spirit, indwelt with God’s Love, let’s bring others to God’s Truth!
IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT - YOUTUBE VIDEO SERIES
THEN JESUS CAME!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS9CJMTb270&feature=c4-overview&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw
A generation ago American culture was still strongly influenced by Christian principles and practices. Students began their day with prayer, (usually “The Lord’s Prayer,”) and Christian morality was respected, if not required by the school staff and administration. That, of course, is no longer the case.
Yet today the truths, the virtues, and the values of Christ not only stand up to every opponent and challenge--their excellence shines as a bright and shining alternative to the depressing, disheartening, and destructive wisdom of this world. Our faith does not rest on fables--it is grounded on the fact of God’s Word written and incarnate! Our hope is not placed in frail humanity--it rests on our unshakable confidence in the risen Christ! Our love is not sensual and self-centered--it is Godly, sacrificial, and eternal! Our joy is not transient, circumstancial, nor dependant on others--it is eternal, substantial, and like an artesian well flowing from within. Our understanding of God and God’s will is not based on what others have told us --it is directly impressed upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit of God!
We have absolutely nothing to fear from this deceived, depraved, and dis-spirited culture. We are HIS WITNESSES! We have tasted and seen that the LORD is good! We are HIS ambassadors! Filled with God’s Spirit, indwelt with God’s Love, let’s bring others to God’s Truth!
IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT - YOUTUBE VIDEO SERIES
THEN JESUS CAME!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS9CJMTb270&feature=c4-overview&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw
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