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| FEATURE ARTICLES |
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Casting Crowns
by Ryan T. Richardson
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Why is the World Consuming the Church?
by Christian Stonehouse
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Out of Hate
by Quinn McFarlane
Read... |
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7 Effective Ways to Share Your Faith In One Week
by Andrew Chamberlin
Read... |
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Modern Discipleship (Being a Disciple In the Modern Day)
by Justin Taylor
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Media Mess
by David Chipp-Smith
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Tooth and Nail Concert Review
by Justin Taylor
Read... |
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| COMMENTARIES |
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Viva La Revolucion
by Ryan T. Richardson
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b : a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of
one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed
"Go away and never come back."
Gollum
"You try to take the best of me, go away."
Linkin Park, A Place For My Head
Let me preface this by saying, "I firmly believe in peaceful resolution of conflict". After
spending some time watching (and helping) people take their battles to court, I became even more
convinced in the power of peaceful resolution. The system allows us to take our case before a
judge, who makes an enforceable decision after viewing only a Polaroid snapshot of the situation at
hand. And that's the way it works. Or doesn't work, depending on your perspective.
In my own life, dealing with things peacefully has brought resolution to less-than-ideal situations.
But sometimes, Resolution only comes from Revolution, and there are times when violent upheaval is
absolutely necessary.
Dictators need to be removed. (Got that, Pinochet?)
Restraining orders are necessary to stop domestic abuse.
Interventions have to be staged to save friends' lives.
Rulers have to be replaced.
When I started writing this, I really wanted to stay away from the harsh image that "Revolution"
invokes.
The reality is the definition above describes how my salvation took place: I, the governed, took a
very small part in the overthrow of one government/ruler and asked for the substitution of another
ruler in my life. In the middle of my self-made trap, I cried to God for help.
What was God's response? He sent His army to come and rescue me. He threw out my old dictator and
took over not only as The King, but as My King. He took His best purple robe and covered my broken
body. It cost His Son's blood, and He thought I was worth that.
As I write, the entire world is talking about that blood, thanks to Mad Max. (This more than makes up
for Lethal Weapon 4.)
Ask Gollum, does the old dictator come back for his throne? All the time. He sits behind me and on
each side waiting for the seat to open up again.
Can he have it back? My King leaves the choice in my hand - daily.
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more
gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
2 Corinthians 12:8-9, NIV
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Ryan T. Richardson is a lawyer and wannabe musician that hangs out with artists until all hours of the night. He welcomes your comments at ryan@moderndisciplemag.com |
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