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| Sam)(ael | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 4 2009, 03:37 AM (636 Views) | |
| Sam)(ael | Apr 20 2009, 08:20 PM Post #91 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Knight Assignment 10
I am choosing to do my assignment between starwars and 'the wheel of time' by Robert Jordan. Introduction The Wheel of time is a series of books long hailed as a world itself almost as realistic and certainly as detailed as starwars. A story easy to become immersed in and one which wisdom and foolishness can be drawn from. While this series is very strong on tactics, realism, and fate all twisted into a world where every part of the animal called 'assets' is used. It has a similar emphasis on swordplay and even somewhat similar advances in the sword as some are unbreakable and forged by the one power much like a lightsaber in it's advantage. Starwars is a series that originated in movies and then made its way in huge volumes to books, novels, and other artistic expressions including a cartoon show. The universe was quite a bit larger than the Wheel of time universe as it spanned an entire galaxy and hosted thousands of different races and the promise of more on both of those wonders. However, Starwars while seeming compelling never achieved quite the depth of reality the wheel of time did. Though starwars was more spiritual in it's vague way and more accessible to the general populace, the fans of the wheel of time were stronger and generally smarter as the book was tedious for those not engaged in politics, battles of influence, intriuges played out over years and culminating in a single days events and other tight circles of human device and intelect. Conflicting fate and mythos One great difference between the two stories is the seriousness of the setting. In the Wheel of time your heroes are vulnerable and so many people die (people not covered in inhuman starwars masks) who are realistically portrayed and even likable or disgusting that you feel at any moment the hand of the enemy can take it's toll and claim your favorite character. It is serious enough that no vague feelings of spiritual similarity will save you and even the voice in your head (or especially the voice in your own head should be questioned). Wheel of time was darker and spared less of the reality while also yielding intelligent lessons in tactics and a fascinating story and world into which you could not help but fall. On the other hand, starwars could be considered comical or at least light-hearted in comparison. The evils, the deaths, the characters were all less developed (obviously not hard since Robert Jordan spent over 8,000 pages creating his world and even both the starwars trilogies don't half that in book form). The morals were less valuable when the cost of not learning them didn't threaten to claim victims at every turn. Even the odds the characters were faced with were nothing compared to the insurmountable and veritable endless legions of compelling evil the characters in wheel of time faced. The contrast of serousness certainly changes the audience and the morals. Starwars gives you the feeling like you will always get another chance. Somehow even if you die. In the Wheel of time the stakes are high and the tolls are grevous to behold. Morals are vaguely spiritual in starwars and entirely analytical in the wheel of time though both can be useful they could never coexist. Even a Jedi would perish in the wheel of time within a few pages and with little interest. The Story does have one equally similar fixture made of opposites. A chosen one. Though they do not resemble each other in almost any manner worth relating (Obviously they both breathe air and both are male but thats about where the simularity departs rapidly). These Chosen ones are chosen by different worlds and different fates. In Starwars a vague spiritual force which is the sum of all life and acts mysteriously yet with purpose has chosen the chosen one for some great reason which no one seems to understand till its too late. In the Wheel of time the Chosen one is a reincarnation of a great leader who is 'spun' into each age in a cycle pattern to champion the light (and sometimes the dark) in a battle between a god-figure refered to as the creator and a satan replica which is very analagous to satan called Shai'tan. Instead of a focal point for some action that tips the scale (mysterious to all involved) the chosen one in the wheel of time is a pivotal peice in a sort of super-tactical chess game between god and satan. If he can be killed or corrupted (which has happened sometimes in various cycles of the ages) the battle becomes easier. Several such pieces (heroes called by a name I forget at the moment) get re-entered into the current age regularly and some are permanent evils though most are good. Both the magical forces of the universe that operate the grande scheme and settings of chance and reality are different beings, different constructs, and fully different animals to the point where even the simularity of having a chosen and key story figure is rendered moot in providing simularities worth anything. Powers beyond take many shapes The force is the spiritual and 'special' element in Starwars. It provides the edge, the direction, and the distinction between main characters in the starwars universe. For the most part anyone not specially sensitive to the force is crowded off-screen. Even han solo and leia are found to be force sensitive if you take the accounts in the expanded galaxy into account. Jar-Jar was considered to be a retarded force user in many circles because of his nack for turning situations as a focal point (and devastating droid armies while desperately trying to surrender). Heck, I am sure even Chewbacca is force sensitive. Its just the way it seems to run. The special few are those the force is strong with and the rest are tools used to pull a classic greek trick of making a drama huge and galaxy encompassing. The trick makes people feel at once awed and yet more accessible to the story when relating their own problems and in a sense glorifies and vindicates their own small drama as they see it unfold in epic purportions accross a galaxy. Amazing what faceless clones and a million robots can do to a story line that essentially involves primarily less than fifty people of any repute. The force is reclusive in who it selects which is similar between the special powers in the two stories but opposite the wheel of time it is innate or passive. The force just doesn't work much if it isn't trained. In the wheel of time men and women attempting to 'channel' their special powers frequently cut themselves in half, disappear and are never heard of again, drive themselves permanently insane, or literally burn their own abilities permanently. Its a different world. its a different galaxy. The Force is also a heart-power. It is less a trick of the mind but a trick of the heart. More motivated people are the ones that have the most power. Every time a Jedi beats a Sith its because they are feeling something deeply and rarely vice versa. Jedi and sith do supposedly discapline their minds (though apparently all characters in the whole story don't really look like they have ever been properly discaplined to seriousness unless you count Darth maul who is the lone credability to this supposed discipline). A Jedi can feel their way into a force power somehow innately figuring out how to do it through insight or feel alone. There are no sets of instructions or solid methods. Period. The perfect ridiculous science with no formula possible. In large contrast, the 'one power' in the wheel of time is mental. It is a precise science which can destroy you if you take in too much power or loose focus even once. It can be shown to others with precise instructions and can be recreated. It also contains more explanation on the process. If there was much real power in our current humans it would be a better book to learn from than star wars. In general it pleases and fascinates the audience because it offers a reasonable-sounding process (not entirely alien to magic principles). Starwars leaves curiosity but it gets a little hard to just accept that people feel their way into everything and to just trust in a hazy power. As a story device the contrast comes off poorly for starwars in comparison. Fate selecting persons When fate Selects Anakin Skywalker he is given priviledge and extra chances not to mention he is closely watched like an adult form of preschool. When Rand Al'thor is selected by fate his friends die, his life it repeatedly close to cut short, his status is dangerous to him and he is always burdened by the fate of the world and no allies but a few friends he grew up with. Anakin is like a weed that was allowed to grow and everyone wondered what flower would bloom. Red or Blue was the question on everyone else's mind. Rand al'thor was a plant forced to grow, kill others, make it through deserts, change it's appearance many times and regularly toughen and heal from near-death. Difference? Fate seemed to smile on Anakin. He was allowed to make all of his own mistakes. Fate (Pardon my language) screwed Rand al'thor over and then backed over him with a semi till he became strong enough to toss it off. Darkness within Anakin's darkness was a pathetic thing compared to Rand's. Anakin let a simple thing like love make and break him. He was fully capable of ending the temptation the second he realized Palpatine's identity and at several other key points. Sure the pressure was great. But you ought to hear what happens to the other guy and then pick a wuss. Rand had an insane split personality that had murdered his most beloved treasure (his wife) and then hunted every last trace of his own bloodline to extinction ravaging the whole world in a time so horrible that the face of the earth was changed in appearance and the time was rendered 'the breaking'. Rand had things called Myrdraal and worse which dwarf your sith lords in powers and evil on a regular basis. He had basically satan personally interested in either killing or converting him but certainly not letting him enjoy any of the good things in life. Every major organization that was not trying to kill him was trying to manipulate him like a mascot and he had 13 of the most powerful channelers in all history against him. Oh did I mention they were the most fearsome tactitions ever to grace the world and each had a particular talent of some kind that rendered them deadly with it alone? Oh right and the 13 were all against him alone with his manipulators and two friends. The darkness within was very different. Anakin at least had his own mind. Rand had to fight for control of his own body periodically while desperately wicking information from the tactically gifted and insane legend. Darkness is so different it is incomparable between the two. Many Faces Evil looks different between the two as well. In Star wars you have these faceless clones, the mindless droids, the spineless nemoidians and CIS, you have a few cold plotting villains with extreme power. Ok. Its good. In Wheel of time you have what they call dark friends. These are secret members of Satan's clan who exist everywhere (since they are common peaple all the way up to high lords with armies) and no one knows who they are but the darkness who uses them periodically where no one could imagine corruption would leak. The evil side has a special Ajah of black women-Channelers and 13 veritable demons in human's clothing with their own armies and plans wound so tightly round that space for air is not present for miles of weaving and twisting. You have abberations 12 feet tall bred from man and beasts called trollocs which are fearsom evils naturally equivilent to 2 and 1/2 men (and that serves as the basic evil unit for darkness besides darkfriends which are spies assassins etc.). Now enter some of the worse assassins. Myrdraal. These are the creepy throwbacks from trollocs. They are 9 foot tall humans but they are pale as death, they move like a snake and actually seem to have muscle instead of bone (making them smoother and stronger like a snake). They wield blades that kill quickly with infection. They have the ability to instantly teleport in some form from shadow to shadow and they are silent and dextrous beyond belief. They terrify even trollocs and they are smart. Myrdraal are supposed to be able to keep a torture victim alive with a lung, their heart and skull and certain nerves only. they can remove the rest at great pain to the victim. How bout hell-hounds? These are bigger than horses and kin to wolves and actual hounds but strnger. Their drool is poison beyond most healing. Their teel than shave bronze, they leave footprints nowhere except on solid stone of all things and as many as 13 packs of them prowl. They can outrun a horse and never seem to tire by the way. Other things exist to. Worse horrors or strange chance happenings turned more ugly than any purposely made creation could be designed even by satan's standards. Plenty of problems. The faces of evil in star wars are just ideas that mean 'oh, I am supposed to be daunted by this' and maybe a vague alegorical comprehension dawns n the adept viewer showing them their own problems symbolized. The faces of evil terrorize without actually becoming real fears outside of the book. Even though the seperation is clear and neat its done so that you respect the level of terror you should and do feel in the character's position. Nothing makes you feel like tomorrow will be better wwithout hopelessness setting in. Nothing would seem comical in remotely the same circumstances yet these people live lives you have to admire as the core characters are solidly good despite their various abnormalities and challenges. Nothing makes you think they have a chance except that they survive or win somehow and often at anguishing costs to themselves point by point until the score vaguely begins to show hope and finally the war escallates to armies, powers, and principalities instead of barnyard assassination attempts. A Great enemy and a poor shadow In the end we look at the evils faced and one looks comical in comparison. Sidious holds nothing compared to a good representation of Satan. Closing moral Perhaps the different nemesis allow the lighthearted and the serious reader to coexist in stories that allow for morals and a possible analogy to life. Certainly there is a different twang to the two styles and the writing styles themselves. Both address in many ways the human condition in it's severity and it's ever-present returning to balance from a bad situation. It is for you yourself to judge which is best for you. For a Christian Jedi Star wars (obviously) has been shown to have some good analogous moralteaching qualities. It also provides a character model reasonably worth exemplifying in the Jedi and a story line and galaxy compelling enough to maintain a lifetime of interest for many. Starwars teaches the basics of emotions and feelings and some good wisdom in a manner that allows people of all ages to absorb. The wheel of time is for those of a mentally super-engaged nature. Those interested in strategy and the finer workings of plot and tact. Diplomacy especially and social pressures are shown in many models. This story and world for that matter are suited to someone who wants a very serious look at playing the game of life so to speak. In some ways it is the adult portion and eliminates kiddie illusions. There are no doubts that death is a part of war for instance. In starwars you can lose that with all of the masks and the fact that in the end some of the people who died really didn't so you are even let off the hook there. In the Wheel of time you also get to see common people making a difference almost periodically against exponentially more powerful forces. You rarely get that in starwars if at all. It has secluded battles between force users and the rest of the people aren't considered the real battle most of the time. Just good action sequences (if boring in comparison) between the 'real' conflict. In the wheel of time the risks are far higher than in star wars. Sure the galaxy is on the line but you get this vague feeling like the pressure isn't quite on and you always had leia as a backup plan I guess. In the wheel of time every person participates in the fate of eternity and every action is weighed in the battle between God and Satan. We just take it from some very influential perspectives so that the story functions. The end point I suppose is that both stories are good. Both are compeling. The major difference (and I would encourage all Jedi to learn from both texts) is in the age group and skills taught. For myself I would say that the people who want to engage in mere benevolence (I say that with no disrespect) should work with starwars, but those who are interested in playing a more serious part should take lessons from the wheel of time at least n a complimentary relationship with starwars. |
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| Silmerion Skywalker | Apr 21 2009, 02:57 AM Post #92 |
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Master Consular/Scholar/Healer
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I don't know much about politics and I would never want to be paid not to work. I WANT to work, the point is- at least here- if you aren't friend to some influent person, or if you don't accept their conditions (which are often impossible to accept for a Christian), then they rather take someone else that doesn't know the work as well as you, but is ready to do anything, or is friend to some powerful person, or his parent... As I said above I think that no political system can perfectly work because power can corrupt people. In the History of France, I'm convinced that the Revolution was based on very valid concepts of freedom, brotherhood and equality, but with time, the result became only other powerful men ruling over people and becoming dictators in new ways... I believe that only following Jesus we can be united. I think that love is the answer to any political question, but I also know that it is very difficult to love fully as Jesus taught us, we are sinners and the more power we have the more temptations we have to face...not a lot of people in History and today were/are strong enough... Master Silmerion |
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| Kai Stormwalker | Apr 21 2009, 07:11 AM Post #93 |
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Master Sentinel/Scholar/Healer
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I have to admit that I have never read the "Wheel of Time" series. Although I have tried because it has been so popular - I just couldn't get into it. But you have written an interesting and very thorough essay about it. However, I don't really see your thoughts on what can learn from it as Christian Jedi. As for your previous post, the LDS church could very likely have changed since I left it back in 1974. But at that time they made it very clear where they stood politicly and what candidate members were expected to vote for. Of course that probably had to change since it is illegal now - at least if they want to keep their tax exempt status. And God's economics cannot work without divine intervention. That is people can only make them work if they allow themselves to have their hearts changed by God. And when you allow your heart to be changed by God that often means taking a stand against unjust laws that are aimed at homeless people and the poor. No government is perfect and no government will ever function according to God's laws, but that doesn't mean that those of us who are called to follow God shouldn't do all we can to live his laws ourselves. And change things that are unjust. I am editing my post as I just ran across something that reflects these sentiments. It is from a book that we are using as something of a blueprint for our house church:
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 21 2009, 02:56 PM Post #94 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Wow Master Kai. That does present a serious problem. Either your particular ward or branch (or maybe it was a false group claiming to be LDS) was breaking strict policy that has been in effect for close to two hundred years. I am sorry it happened. The church isn't usually supposed to do that unless its a vital issue of clear and moral importance. Like you said, its because politics of men are a sinking ship. I can't wait until we beat our swords into plow shares and the whole thing. No doubt the day will come and I am excited for it. Master Silmerion its good you want to work. I think thats so healthy and a lot of people could use it. I also have touble finding jobs sometimes even though we don't have some of the difficulties as you in America. People from my church work very hard to keep the sabbath day holy. We try not to go to work or hang out or go out more than we must on sundays so amy availability is skewered by some people's standards. I am pretty strict but I have been lucky enough to find and keep jobs through the years with some hard work. I hope things work out for you in that area. I would hire you. Are you kidding? A person like you would be and employee-and-a-half. Maybe employers are forgetting that the other employees can often be found dishonest or of a low work standard. Christians arent perfect but I think in general they are a better bet if they live what they preach. Master Kai I will add to my report. You are right. It has no real conclusion except that the worlds when compared are lighthearted or very serious. Also, I have completed all of the knight assignments. I am going to start on the Knight Missions now. |
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| Silmerion Skywalker | Apr 22 2009, 02:42 AM Post #95 |
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Master Consular/Scholar/Healer
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I'm sorry not to have read your Assignment 10 yesterday, I don't know how but I missed it. Anyway you made a good job, I agree with Master Kai though, you could write some more details about what you learnt from it as a Christian Jedi. "The Force is also a heart-power. It is less a trick of the mind but a trick of the heart." I like very much this thought and I completely share it, even because I think that we can understand much more about spirituality with our heart than with our mind. I haven't read "Wheel of time" either but it seems interesting. Master Silmerion |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 22 2009, 08:00 AM Post #96 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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It was a great series with a following easily comparable to lord of the rings and more serious by far. Sadly the author died a year or so back at book 9 I think and the series isn't finished. I guess thats what you get for living on cigars. Shame. |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 22 2009, 08:12 AM Post #97 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Knight Mission Humility
As C.S. Lewis writes in the screwtape novels, humility is not a pretty girl thinking herself ugly as protection from pride, but a pretty girl who does not treat people differently than if she were ugly, and who can appreciate another pretty girl just as personally as if it were herself. I had a recent experience learning from that specific passage recently. I am getting ready to leave on a mission (as you are probably bored to tears of hearing) and my cousin left just a few days ago. In the Church we have what we call a farewell. Its after the church service just before the missionary leaves and their family comes over after the meeting and eats and talks and basically spends time together before the missionary leaves. Kind of a farewell as it says it is. Anyway, my own family is stressed to death and my own ward is being difficult. My family is full of singers and they won't let us sing at church before I leave, and among other things they pretty much threw a wrench in the few plans that were working because other members abused the privilege. My cousin did not encounter such impediments. I could have been jealous as his best friend played a (spelling) ukilaylay and sang a duet with his sister which was tear-jerkingly beautiful or for several other reasons (nothing with the cousin mind you, we do great together its just a sleight on what I wanted and has nothing to do with him). Anyway I remembered that passage early in the day and I enjoyed the whole thing as if it was for me. I was happy for him, impressed with him and them (he did an amazing talk), and I was excited once again to go on a mission because its such a great thing! That humility is a blessing in my life. |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 22 2009, 08:16 AM Post #98 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Knight Mission Service
Service is a daily thing for anyone who is willing. You don't even have to make opportunities for service. Often they just come to you if you are open to them. One example was a day my mother needed me to spend a day driving errands and people all over. You bet I was not happy about the whole day gone in a blink, but I did it without a word or (harder) a sigh as precious moments of relaxation vanished. Its small but if you are willing to extend yourself past your comfort zone and past the law of fairness you can really bless others. |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 22 2009, 08:25 AM Post #99 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Knight Mission Self-Discipline
I am not gonna lie. I have an addiction to ice cream. I always knew from experience with pain that if I were ever to even sample liquor of any kind I would be a drunk in a heartbeat. I have never had an alchoholic drink in my life but the way I eat ice cream you will see what I mean. When I really feel pressure I turn to comfort food and nothing is close to ice cream. When I went through one of my lowest periods in life I was going through a little over a gallon of ice cream a week. I am really skinny and I drink and eat healthy so it wasn't a health problem so much as a serious habit. Habits with me always linger no matter how far behind. Long story short I resist daily and replace the need to release tension and pressure with healthy eating and good living. Its a daily struggle and I know it may seem small but I have been seriously addicted to worse things. Things people don't come back from much and let me tell you, the struggle is tough no matter how you slice it. Discipline is not something you can skip out of. |
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| Silmerion Skywalker | Apr 23 2009, 03:16 AM Post #100 |
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Master Consular/Scholar/Healer
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Humility, Service and Self-Discipline are essential for a Jedi, it is indeed a struggle, it is good you understood it. With time, you will surely become always better with this. Master Silmerion |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 23 2009, 03:28 PM Post #101 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Knight Mission Patience
Patience is usually a strong point. I am sure there are days when its just tough but I usually have the ability to wait till rocks erode for something I have decided to wait for. At twelve I used to have a regular appointment with the bishop. Bishops are notoriously busy so sometimes I would wait as much as an hour without reading material or anything really to do. Never cracked a sweat though. These days I am always instructing my siblings in awareness and patience. Let me tell you that instructing anyone in awareness takes patience. A lot of it. |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 23 2009, 03:36 PM Post #102 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Knight Mission Forgiveness
I don't want to seem prideful but I have a good hand of cards on this one to. It comes from personal understanding. I have had to use the atonement daily for years. Somehow, no matter how far I fall, Jesus offers forgiveness without hesitance. Not a split second if I will just repent and turn a new page and start over. I would never deny someone that. Think of how many times Jesus told peter to forgive. I think even after 7 X 70 forgiveness is still a must. God is the Judge. We are people in danger of judgement ourselves. The only judgement we are supposed to make is FOR ourselves. What is right, what is wrong, and how best to serve the Lord. |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 23 2009, 03:44 PM Post #103 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Knight Mission Leadership
My philosophy on leadership is simple. Principle one: Find the right place to be and stand there. Principle two: Help others. Principle three: Remember who you are and who they are. Its pretty simple to put into action and I do it daily. This was something I was blessed with already. I feel really blessed going through these missions because of how much came naturally to me. God must have really put in some hours creating me with so many of these virtues. The problems are there mind you, but its nice to have some solid strengths to fall back on. Anyway, at work I kept getting advanced about every six months because of the principles above and I was able to set such a good example that I believe all of my beloved friends there who I care about so much will be open to the Gospel when it comes to them. I only wish I had been a better missionary with them. How could I not share the most precious thing I have with some of the people I love most? |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 23 2009, 03:51 PM Post #104 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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Knight Mission Evangelism
I have done so about four times (though I never suggested COJK). I also share my faith whenever people show how impressed they are with me. I work hard and I am usually very kind and helpful (believe me the suffering it took to learn these things is something to shudder at) and I am happy. Thats the killer. People wonder what makes us so happy and its pretty amazing how much of an understatement it is. I AM JOYOUS!!!! life is good because I have been saved and may lay all my cares at the feet of Him who has power to save! I have the greatest reason to rejoice!!! So whan people wonder out loud at what makes me so happy I tell them. And usually it produces some serious thought on their part. People want to be happy. Man is that he might have joy. God designed us to be happy. People may notrealize how hungry and acheing they are for happiness but when they see it on us thay are instantly attracted and curious. Its something they want very badly. A precious treasure we all desire and from birth are heirs to. |
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| Sam)(ael | Apr 23 2009, 03:54 PM Post #105 |
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Jedi Knight Scholar
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So... Provided that I have done good work with the missions and all of the knight assignments I have now completed all of the knight materials. I am not really interested in another Mastery title as much as in the Master's training. Do you have assignments for Masters? |
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