Racism and the Law of the Old Testament

So, I had an assignment for my class in college that I just finished. I REALLY didn't want to do it, but am so thankful I did. I now have more an understanding of the Gospel!

Okay, so remember Jim Crow laws? Blacks were separated from whites, and if they broke any of those laws, they could be lynched. The Jim Crow laws ended legally in 1965; however, in 1998, a black man (James Byrd, Jr.) was dragged behind a truck, decapitated along the way, and thrown into a black cemetery. The three murderers were white supremacists. The link to the story is attached.

For my class, I had to find a modern (within the past 20 years) lynching of a black person. This horrible story (which I remember hearing about as a little girl) came to mind, so I looked it up. As I was reflecting on the story and following the rubric for my short essay, I began to think about the "law".

My introduction was this (sorry it is lame, I am not a very good writer):

"The injustices and prejudices of the past do not escape our common era simply because they are illegal. The law cannot regulate beliefs. The law also cannot persuade someone to think a black person is equal to a white person: the white person simply must obey the law, or else suffer legal consequences. It has become more obvious that racial discrimination is still alive and well today, even though it has become illegal to act on such a belief."

So what became profound to me is this: the law cannot regulate a person's beliefs. Or we could say: the Law cannot regulate a person's heart toward God.

If you were to obey the Law of the Old Testament, you could wash your hands a certain way and eat certain meats and think you were okay in the eyes of God (Pharisee, anyone?). The white supremacists could (but didn't in the murder of Mr. Byrd) have obeyed the law and not hurt Mr. Byrd, but have still hated him because he was black (like many people still do today).

The New Testament describes (I've been reading in Hebrews):

"But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second." -Hebrews 8:6-7

So, the Law had faults, which was it could not regulate a person's heart toward God. The New Covenant had to come. Christ was crucified so God could deal with our hearts. He does this by giving us the faith to believe the promise that we are cleansed by Christ's blood. Also, He gives us the HOLY SPIRIT to sanctify us (in easier words: to change our hearts and beliefs toward God). Cool huh?

I never really understood why the Law was insufficient, until now, I guess. Anyways, I hope you learned something too!

Make Good Choices!

-Sarah T.

I Want To Bake!

Im just saying. If I had a "second life", I would bake cakes. I really like buttercream, but I like the way fondant looks. Plus everybody likes the way fondant looks, but I would prefer to bake with buttercream. I even have a menu and a name for my bake shop. I know what kind of cakes I want to make, and I think I even know my own style- I just need practice! I need TIME to practice. And Money! But mainly, I need my creative bug to explode out from inside and land in my cake pans..... Also I need matching cake pans hehehehe. I have a wedding tier set, but no pan that is the same size as another. So much for layer cakes.... They will just take longer.

Anyways, if you want a cake for an occassion, nothing fancy, but beginner, it will be free for right now. Let me know what you would want, lets try to keep it simple! I need places to give away my test cakes too, since we have a strict NO CAKE policy in our organic pregnant home. But don't worry, I definitely try everything before I give it away to ensure quality : ) Don't tell hubby ; )

Make Good Choices!

-Sarah T.

Busy! What to do???

We got news that the class Aaron was attempting to have waived at Fresno State will not be. This means he will be taking 18 units. Our schedule is ridiculous now! Monday is a bible study, Tuesday is a bible study, Wednesday Aaron now has a night class, Thursday he has a night class, and Friday he has a men's bible study!!! Way too much! We are going to have to trim somewhere, so we shall see where to make the snip : ( 

It sounds easy, since we are in so many studies; however, when friends are involved, it becomes more complicated. The choice to snip out a "study" is more like snipping out those friends on that night. Not what I want to do!!!! But maybe it is necessary.....

Pray for us that we can decide what will be best in this season of life for us, and that our friends will graciously understand! 

Life is good though- we are having a great time learning in college- after all, we are finally out of the general ed and onto the interesting stuff we are passionate about- except for that feminist class of mine...... : ) Aaron and I are both in racism classes, which has been fascinating to hear about the origins of racism in America. I had no idea what was out there! I am totally ignorant to racism, it seems!

On another note...

I got to visit with my brother and momma last night. Mainly my brother was telling horrific stories of saving 14 year old boyscouts lost at night in the woods and homeless guys trying to sell drugs to 14 year old girls. It is tough being 14 these days! I love my brother, and he is a great storyteller. Every time I see him, he tells these epic stories that make me wish I could be in his shoes, at least some times : ) My babies are gonna love going to Uncle Jack's house to sit at his feet listening to his epic adventures.

No, not my brother, but you get the idea....

My mom (who I still call Momma : )) is always cringing at the dangerous situations her children are always in- from cops and swat swarming our neighborhood, to my brother boldly confronting a man abusing his wife, to my sister being chased in a parking lot. Our family is full of thrills! No wonder we all carry mace- Ye be warned!!!! Another prayer request: Pray for Momma that all her hair doesn't fall out from her children's crazy lives! She is so great though 

Okie dokie- Make Good Choices!

-Sarah T.