Navigating Faith: Laws of Detachment and Syllogism in Our Connection to God

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of
Jesus.” Hebrews 10:19
In the intricate landscape of faith, the Laws of Detachment and Syllogism weave a tapestry that unfolds the profound nature of our connection to God. The Law of Detachment, which posits that if our statement about God is true and our hypothesis holds, then our conclusion is also true, resonates deeply in the spiritual realm.
Building upon this, the Law of Syllogism introduces a transference of truths. In the Old Testament, the Israelites approached God through a high priest, a relationship bound by certain rules but not a true syllogism. However, with Jesus, a transformative shift occurs. If we accept the truth that we have a direct line to Jesus and another truth that through Jesus, we boldly go before God, then, by the Law of
Syllogism, we can conclude that without Jesus, we have no relationship with God.
The connection deepens as we realize that the transference from a system of intermediaries to a direct line through Jesus reshapes our spiritual equation. The profound truth that a relationship with God is only possible through Jesus becomes the cornerstone of our faith. So, in this spiritual journey, let us embrace the Laws of Detachment and Syllogism, understanding that our connection to God is not only rooted in truth but also transferred and strengthened through the transformative power of Jesus. With Him as our mediator, we navigate the complexities of faith with the assurance that our relationship with God is not just a hypothesis but a profound reality.

Line Segments: Embracing the Short Journey

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
Our lives are akin to finite line segments, fleeting compared to the vast expanse of eternity. In this brief existence, we hold the opportunity to make the most of our time, for it passes in the blink of an eye. Amid the whirlwind of our fast-paced lives, it’s crucial to pause and reflect. Serving God and aligning with His Will gives us purpose in our fleeting moments. In the rush, we must remember the timeless
wisdom to; be still and know that He is God. Brevity emphasizes the importance of intentional living. As line segments intersect and create patterns, our interactions and choices leave an imprint. By embracing the call to serve God and finding stillness amidst life’s chaos, we infuse our short journey with depth and meaning, realizing that in the blink of an eye, the line segment of our life draws to a close.

Math in Words: God’s Instructional Language

“This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high” Genesis 6:15. God utilizes His Word to impart wisdom about life, even delving into the language of math. Consider Noah, entrusted with building an ark – not just any boat but one large enough for all the animals. God conveyed dimensions not through equations or blueprints but in words. Throughout the Bible, God frequently provides directions in words, creating ultimate word problems for His people. Reflect on the challenge posed to Noah: What are the dimensions of the ark? Here, math transcends numbers, becoming a lesson intricately woven into the fabric of God’s teachings. In life, God employs words as His instructional tool. He presents real-life challenges requiring understanding and application. The dimensions of the ark become not just a math problem but a testament to the richness of God’s communication, reminding us that His lessons, whether in life or math, are crafted with precision and purpose. God created math. It is the most talked about subject in the Bible.

Second Generation of Homeschooling – The Miracle of a Woman who Persevered with her Headstrong Daughter

I am so excited!! My daughter came to me last year and told me she was going to homeschool her children. Do you know I cried my eyes out?  I still tear up when I think of God’s blessings and the full circle He leads our children. Now, let me tell you the back story of this miracle, especially for those parents who are having a rough time with homeschooling.

Wind back the clock to almost 15 years earlier.  My daughter told me how horrible I was for homeschooling her.  How she missed out on so many things.  She told me she would NEVER homeschool her kids and didn’t understand how I could do it.  Now, she didn’t hate homeschooling, but she didn’t like it either.  She was social and didn’t really understand the real reasons a parent homeschools their children.  Now, this was in the 90s, and I homeschooled, and as some of you older homeschool moms can attest to, it was hard!  We didn’t have all your choices in curriculum or opportunities with online programs.  We created most of our own lessons unless we went with Abeka or BJU.  I remember my first conversion, and I thought it was overwhelming.  Now I go to them, and I really know what overwhelming is.  So I want to encourage you younger women that have those teenagers that just don’t get it.  Keep going!! it is so worth seeing my grandchildren protected from this world for a few more years because I persevered so many years ago with my headstrong teenage daughter.

We have such a faithful God, and if He is telling you to homeschool, you go girl!!

Radical for Christ: Beyond Face Paint and Cheers

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
In a world that often associates radicalism with fervent cheers at a football game, the concept takes on a different hue in the realm of faith. Must we paint our faces or shout endlessly for Jesus? Perhaps not. True radicalism, in God’s eyes, transcends external displays. Being radical for Christ involves responding to God’s radical call – forgiving those who’ve wronged us and loving those who harbor hatred. This, in the eyes of the world, is a radical departure from the norm. It’s not about loud cheers or vibrant face paint but about embodying the radical love and forgiveness Christ exemplified. While cheering at a game may be deemed radical in one context, the true essence of radicalism lies in embracing God’s radical teachings. It’s a call to be counter-cultural, responding to offenses with forgiveness and meeting hatred with love. So, in the grand tapestry of faith, being radical for Christ may not mirror the exuberance of a sporting event, but it transforms lives in a way that resonates far beyond the cheers of a crowd.

Reflecting God’s Likeness: Embracing Our Identity as His Children

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, Our faith in Jesus Christ confirms our identity as a child of God.”  Galatians 3:26

In the grand tapestry of creation, we are intricately woven as God’s children, each unique yet destined to reflect His characteristics. Much like similar triangles, we share the same angles with our Heavenly Father, mirroring His love, compassion, and grace. However, our finite existence means our sides may differ, yet they remain proportionate, displaying the godly qualities inherent in our spiritual DNA.

Scripture, in Galatians 3:26, reminds us that through faith in Christ Jesus, we are unequivocally declared as children of God. Our faith becomes the compass guiding us in the journey of aligning our lives with the likeness of Jesus. Just as corresponding angles in similar triangles mirror one another, our lives should mirror the attributes of our Savior.

As we venture into the world, let us carry the assurance of our God-given heritage. Through faith, we affirm our identity as God’s beloved children, striving to embody Christ’s love, kindness, and forgiveness. In this reflection, we illuminate the world with God’s glory, fulfilling our purpose as His vessels of transformative grace.

Growing in God’s Grace: The Slope of Faith and Obedience

In our journey of faith, we encounter various slopes that influence our relationship with God. Just like lines in mathematics have slopes, our spiritual path also has slopes. These slopes indicate how our connection with God is either rising or falling, depending on our choices and actions. Today, we’ll explore the concept of spiritual growth through the lens of slopes and how obedience is the key to deepening our relationship with God.

In mathematics, a line with a constant or steady slope climbs or descends at a uniform rate. In our spiritual journey, this slope represents our continuous growth in Christ. The Bible tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). This growth is not sporadic but constant. As believers, we are encouraged to consistently draw closer to God, increasing our faith and understanding of His love and teachings.

The Positive Slope:

Just as in math, a positive slope goes upward, signifying progress and improvement. In our faith journey, a positive slope indicates that we are moving closer to God. Our relationship with Him is deepening, and we are becoming more Christlike. Obedience to His Word and faith in His never-failing love is like a positive slope, as it leads us to a life of righteousness.

The Negative Slope:

Conversely, a negative slope in mathematics represents a downward trend. In our spiritual life, a negative slope signifies moving away from God. This can occur when we drift from our faith, allow sin to take hold, or neglect our relationship with Him. Recognizing a negative slope is a call to realign our lives with God and seek His forgiveness and guidance.

The Zero Slope:

A zero slope indicates a line with no resistance, neither climbing nor descending. In our faith journey, a zero slope can symbolize complacency or a lack of growth. It’s important to remember that God calls us to be active in our faith and to continually seek Him. Complacency can lead to stagnation, so it’s essential to avoid a zero slope and keep pursuing a growing relationship with God.

The Undefined Slope:

An undefined slope in math is associated with a vertical line, suggesting an impossible climb without God’s assistance. In our spiritual journey, an undefined slope represents the challenges and trials we face that seem insurmountable without God’s help. When we encounter these undefined slopes, we must rely on our faith and trust in God to guide us through them.

JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE, SO YOU COULD RUN THE RACE.

Just as in mathematics, where the slope is calculated as the rise divided by the run, our faith journey involves rising with Jesus and running the race set before us. The Bible encourages us to “run the race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Jesus’s resurrection enables us to run the race of faith with hope and endurance, keeping our focus on Him as the author and finisher of our faith.

Unwavering Love: The Congruence of God’s Love and the Essence of Triangles

The quote from Isaiah 54:10, “Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,” serves as a poignant reminder of the unwavering nature of God’s love. In contemplating this verse, one is drawn to reflect on the concept of congruence in geometry and how it parallels the consistency of God’s love in the world.

In the realm of geometry, the term ‘congruent’ refers to two figures that are identical in shape and size. When discussing triangles, the concept of congruence implies that all corresponding sides and angles are equal. Similarly, when we look at God’s love, it transcends human limitations, remaining steadfast and unchanging regardless of our actions or beliefs.

Congruent triangles exemplify an essential aspect of God’s love—that it remains constant, unaltered by external circumstances. Just as the sides and angles of congruent triangles perfectly align, so does God’s infinite love envelop us, embracing us with peace and consistency.

Where Is Your Focus?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5 – 6

In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, it’s all too easy to find ourselves pulled in multiple directions, our attention fragmented by a constant stream of distractions. It’s as if we are constantly in search of our center, a point of balance that seems increasingly elusive. In the realm of mathematics, there’s a concept known as the parent graph, which serves as the foundation for various functions and equations. This parent graph is centered precisely at the origin of the graph, serving as its focal point. In our lives, just like in math, we need a center,  that center is God.

Picture a simple circle on a graph with its center point at (0, 0). This circle is centered at the origin, undistracted by circumstances. But life is seldom as straightforward as mathematics. Distractions, challenges, and temptations continually enter our lives, shifting our center of focus away from where it should be: God. Our lives can easily be compared to that circle on the graph, where external factors pull our center of attention in different directions.

When our center shifts from God to worldly distractions, we start to feel adrift, lost in the chaos of life. The more we allow these distractions to consume us, the farther we drift from God. It’s a pattern familiar to many, as the pressures of daily life, ambitions, and desires lure us away from what truly matters.

But here’s the key: just as in mathematics, where we can recalibrate our graphs and equations to return them to the origin, God has the power to reset our focus and realign our lives with Him at the center. It’s a conscious choice to eliminate the distractions that have crept in and to reevaluate our priorities.

Returning to God as our central focus isn’t about ignoring our circumstances or situations. It’s about viewing them through a different lens, one that acknowledges His presence and guidance in our lives. When God is our center, we gain clarity of purpose, a sense of peace, and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. We become less swayed by the ever-changing currents of the world and more anchored in our faith.

The journey back to God as our focus is a personal and ongoing one. It involves regular self-examination, prayer, and reflection. It means making choices that prioritize our spiritual well-being and nurture our relationship with God. It’s about recognizing that the distractions and temptations of the world will always be there but understanding that we have the power to choose where we anchor our focus.

In a world filled with endless distractions, it’s crucial to pause and ask yourself: “Where is my focus?” Is it on the fleeting pleasures and worries of the world, or is it on something greater, something eternal? Much like recalibrating a graph to its origin, shifting our focus back to God can bring clarity, purpose, and a deep sense of fulfillment to our lives. It’s a choice worth making, for in God, we find our true center, our unwavering focal point amidst the chaos of life.

Order vs. Random: Unraveling God’s Pattern in Permutations and Combinations

“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make yourself a carved image – 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. You shall not bow down to them or serve them…”  Exodus 20:3 – 4

 

This commandment unveils the profound significance of order. As we explore the realms of permutations and combinations, we discover the meticulous design inherent to His plan. 

Delving into the realm of probability, we encounter two fascinating facets: permutations and combinations. Permutations reflect instances where order holds significance.  On the other hand, combinations are where the order is inconsequential. We see the order in God’s creation all the time.  We might see things as random, but God has a reason for everything that happens.  

An example of permutations is the Ten Commandments; we might think order does not matter until we realize it does.  At first glance, one might think of them as a collection of moral guidelines, seemingly interchangeable in order. However, a closer examination reveals the first two commandments had to do with us serving God and making sure we did not put anyone or anything ahead of Him.  Here, order matters – a deliberate sequence to establish a foundation, urging us to prioritize our relationship with Him. Without this fundamental order, the Commandments risk becoming mere moral guidelines, lacking a firm foundation.

Conversely, the apostles listed in various books of the Bible offer a glimpse into the realm of combinations. Throughout the New Testament, the list of apostles is different showing Jesus did not stress a particular order for the apostles.  The different orderings in these texts highlight that, in this context, the sequence of apostles is secondary. God gave them each an important part of His plan, and each one fulfilled it.  Just as God created you “for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)

   In both permutations and combinations, God’s design is apparent in the meticulous arrangement of creation. As we navigate the probabilities of life, we need to focus on Jesus’ greatest commandment.  “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your soul.  This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37 – 38)