TED Community » Ramon West JR

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I'm passionate about

Loving people, Jesus Christ, Oil & Gas, Nature, Helping other

An idea worth spreading

The story of redemption, love, and mercy. A hero who comes from far away to a lowly place filled with pain and strife, to lift up and save a dying people. Indiscriminate in his action, Just in his judgement and able to accomplish all that he set out to do. A hero who chooses to love rather than seek revenge, who heals rather than hurts. Who displays his power through humility and service rather than strength and force. A hero who lays down his life in place of those who deserve justice, he gives forgiveness and a second chance to those who are his enemies.

Comments

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  A comment on Conversation: Science is a religion

  Apr 4 2012: Can you really compare the two? They both shape how you view the world. Both are based on Faith or hypothesis and experience or measurement. But they are utterly different. They are not mutually exclusive. I believe Science is valid and I believe God is real. Why do science followers always try to disprove religion or the existence of God? Because they desire to be the their own master. There is a very twisted view of religion, rightly so, because in man's attempt to know and serve God (let's call it religion) our sin has caused us to go astray. We live in an ordered universe. There is a creator. Even Carl Sagan admits it is at least possible.
  For those who lack relationship with God and the holy spirit they cannot see or perceive the things of God. So how could they understand? It is a battle of world view and kingship. It is just the latest version of an age old story. Oh, I always laugh when people make science out to be the victim of religion as if we were living in the age of Galileo. No matter what you're stance we are a slave to something either our sin nature or God. I choose the one that is all powerful, good and loving.

• A comment on Conversation: To use every bit of land that is fertile and use the food as to barter for In example: oil,cars,anything of value that our country needs.

  Apr 4 2012: True but with the global economy us first worlders can get whatever we want with money aka oil. I vote for more self sufficiency which would include agriculture as well as energy. The problem is environmentalists that limit land usage, water usage, policy etc. I come from a small town that grows Potatoes and Beats, the Federal Govt. Shut off our water for a sucker fish that was suddenly endangered. Talk about an uproar. That was 10 years ago. Things seem to have been worked out. since then.

• A comment on Conversation: Is History an important subject in school? Or should we be focusing on the future?

  Apr 4 2012: How can you know where you are going if you don't know where you've come from. History is a fundamental.
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  A comment on Conversation: Why has "green consumption" of sustainable products (e.g. Whole Foods, Toyota Prius) not permeated electricity consumption?

  Apr 4 2012: Infrastructure! Hey nice house that you own. I need you to go ahead and burn it down and build a new on that will be smaller and more expensive. Oh by the way you don't get any compensation for the old one. That is what we would be asking the energy industry to do. Billions or trillions of dollars and millions of jobs. I vote for converting electricity and cars to Natural gas. 50% cleaner burning, Abundant, Cheap, and a great "transition" fuel.
  Money will drive us to alternative energy. or scarcity of resources. Taxing and cap and trade only hurt our industries. Oil is the economic driver of our economy and the world. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" figure out how to change that mindset and you'll figure out how to usher in alternative energy. (it is coming along but it is just an appeasement in my view)

• A comment on Conversation: What is the difference between a sermon and TED Talk?

  Apr 4 2012: I would say they are similar. Both address issues that are relevant to the audience and cultural context. A sermon is just an exposition on the written, living word of God. Or a testimony to the working of God in ones life. Ted talks are expositions of some thing someone has expertize on or believes in. I would argue in some talks the subject is an Idol to the presenter. A false God in which they put all their hope, meaning, worth, time, money, energy into. One other difference is that Ted speakers achieve their result through their own power while a pastor giving a sermon SHOULD be intent on getting out of the way and letting the holy spirit use him to bring a message to those listening. Ultimately it is the spirit that "changes peoples' lives" not the speaker. He is just a tool. (in a good sense of the word)

• A reply on Conversation: Extraordinary wealth of pastors in developing countries and the congregation that support them.

  Apr 4 2012: I agree about the football players and birth control, But I would say The church generally holds the stance of abstinence before marriage, (the original birth control) The whole no condoms thing is, to my best understanding, a Catholic thing. Although there are many Catholic Christians, I disagree with much of the Catholic structure, and emphasis on works based salvation over Grace. (that isn't biblical and the opposite of Jesus teaching) It is a bummer that Christians get all lumped in together defiling the name of Christ to kind people like you and so many others. But I guess that is what happens when we sinners do things. This African pastor may or may not be a True Biblical Christian. But if he is laying up treasure for himself at the expense of his congregation he is no different that the war lords, that is evil, and God WILL deal with him. (it's just hard to be patient sometimes right?) Ultimately God knows his heart and motives.

• A comment on Conversation: Extraordinary wealth of pastors in developing countries and the congregation that support them.

  Apr 4 2012: It is biblical that a pastor receive his living from his work.
  
  However the ultimate aim is to serve Jesus and bring others salvation through him. Paul gave up his rights so that it would not cause those he served to stumble or fall away. It was an issue for them. Contextually it was common for Greek orators to be paid to speak. Paul states that even THEY would have received pay, and he has also brought them spiritual understanding so how much more should be be able to reap material things from them. BUT again Paul denied himself for the sake of the gospel and the truth of Christ.
  1 Corinthians 9:7-12
  "Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? 8Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?
  Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ."
  
  Jesus talks a TON about material possessions because it is a sure way to separate us from him. He himself had nothing, but gave everything. He was a humble servant, He came for our sake and good not his own. He endured the ultimate pain, suffering and humiliation unto death.
  
  How this African pastor is walking in the ways of Christ I don't know. Based on what I read it sounds pretty sad. But again I don't know the context. Jesus never said it was bad to be rich, but certainly HE should be our aim not $. God gives us all things.

• A comment on Conversation: Should high school football be cut out of every high school, or still be offered to students?

  Apr 4 2012: Life is dangerous, life is hard, life is painful, life is difficult. Athletics teach values and work ethic that prepare individuals for life. Athletics are healthy, individuals have the right to choose to put themselves at risk or not. We don't need a generation of coddled baby boys, but one of strong men. (strength isn't everything but ethics, morals, and humility as well) It is all a balance, but Football or any sport should be offered and encouraged. Maybe childhood obesity would be less of an issue.

• A comment on Conversation: Why countries have less money than companies?

  Apr 4 2012: Government is trying to "manage" every aspect of a nation and the needs of it's people. It holds to core values, the constitution, But it's purpose is utterly different than that of a company. A country is an union of people banded together for the common good. The purpose of a country is to allow people the freedom to live out their lives and prosper. A company has razor focus and looks after the bottom line. If a company was pulled in as many directions with such indecision and inefficiency as the US Govt. It would fail. Govt is meant to enable the people to live free independent lives, not rule over them and take from them. Lastly, the government would have plenty of money if it controlled and managed it's growth and spent less. It's called fiscal responsibility. The American people have lost their protestant work ethic, and backbone. People are more concerned about not offending one another and entertainment than they are about truth and reality.