Over the past days I have heard much about the death of Bin Laden.
Much has disgusted me. Much about him, if not all disgusted me also. He was responsible for the deaths of many, probably not just on 9/11.
I recall video of him celebrating the "successes" of the 19 hijackers and I was shaken by the morbid happiness demonstrated by himself and his co-conspirators.
Now we see many celebrating his death. Are these no different than him?
Where have we come to when we supposedly intelligent and free people are celebrating the death of another human being? Are we, therefore, no better than he? None of us may wear the mantle of perfection, for all have sinned and have fallen short of the Glory of God.
What is next, gladiatorial games. It's not that far a stretch. One of ours against one of yours for all the marbles. When will we begin to adhere to teaching that implores to "love your enemies" and "do good to those who hurt you"?
Is this what we want our children to see and learn and do? Celebrating and chanting at the death of one we hate, how much different is this from the early 1930's style propaganda? Look what that gave us.
Interesting that both Hitler and Bin Laden dies on the same day. Part of Obama's re-election plan, I wonder!
Bin Laden, like all of us will stand before our Maker one day. He is the Judge and vengeance is His alone. We too may be found guilty of our crimes but will any be found fit to stand at a time when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord of all. There will be no celebrating then, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth unless a satisfactory substitute for our death is provided.
Showing posts with label Justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Justice. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Friday, January 22, 2010
Forgiveness or hatred, which would you want to be known for?
I read the CNN account of the widow of the suicide bomber who killed the CIA operatives recently. It was interesting to see the "ethic" of belief of this person and presumably those who fall in line with her. She lied to cover his tracks (the report says she "tricked" his family by saying he was somewhere when he was actually going to kill people, although she says she did not know he was going to kill people). She also says that she "has no remorse" for what her husband did.
What would you want to be known or remembered for? To be considered a martyr by killing yourself and other people is clearly prized by some? Apparently the gift for the martyrs is something sensual with virgins. When are the women of the world going to take offence to the objectification of their sisters in this setting?
Would you rather be remembered for doing "for" someone, rather than doing something "to" someone, like blowing up a mother of three? Seems to me that there are stark differences in the faiths here. One says "turn the cheek", the other says "flip the switch".
How selfish!
And yet, this isn't the end. There will be more. Those who profess to turn the cheek will be hated (aren't we already) and the world is getting more and more anti-christian. Why? Because the christian belief is that there is a right and wrong and people in general do not want to be told that what they have done or are doing is wrong.
How selfish!
At the end of the day, I would rather be known for turning the cheek, for offering a cup of cold water and for feeding the hungry, rather than flipping the switch. I know that the God who loves will determine the difference between the sheep and the goats and since it was His son who said "turn the cheek" I am trusting Him on this one.
How selfless!
What would you want to be known or remembered for? To be considered a martyr by killing yourself and other people is clearly prized by some? Apparently the gift for the martyrs is something sensual with virgins. When are the women of the world going to take offence to the objectification of their sisters in this setting?
Would you rather be remembered for doing "for" someone, rather than doing something "to" someone, like blowing up a mother of three? Seems to me that there are stark differences in the faiths here. One says "turn the cheek", the other says "flip the switch".
How selfish!
And yet, this isn't the end. There will be more. Those who profess to turn the cheek will be hated (aren't we already) and the world is getting more and more anti-christian. Why? Because the christian belief is that there is a right and wrong and people in general do not want to be told that what they have done or are doing is wrong.
How selfish!
At the end of the day, I would rather be known for turning the cheek, for offering a cup of cold water and for feeding the hungry, rather than flipping the switch. I know that the God who loves will determine the difference between the sheep and the goats and since it was His son who said "turn the cheek" I am trusting Him on this one.
How selfless!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Jimmy Carter is misled by all the President's Men
Jimmy Carter finally said what I was waiting to hear. he stated that the opposition to President Obama is because he is an African American. I knew someone would finally say this, they had to, it's their final card, pun completely intended, in this game. So sad, Mr Carter is just another pawn of this administration who so radically want to change that nation, without the will of the people.
I clearly believe that there very well may be people who do not agree with the current US President because of his skin colour, but this grass roots opposition has nothing to do with skin colour. What a small minded notion to call the opposition racism. The opposition is due to the lies, the continuing growth of government and their increased intrusions into the lives of Americans. These folks are offended by the Health Care Bill (with Planned Parenthood in every school as the nurses, giving direction for abortions to be paid for by tax money) as well as end of life panels. The Fairness Doctrine, although it will be named something else with its' attacks on freedom of speech is also offensive to many. Another issue is the continuous lies, yes I said "lies" from the person on top.
No, Mr Carter, it is not the skin colour of the President that people are opposing. It is his ever changing position and his lies. He lied to faith leaders in the conference call when he said that there would be no abortion in the "health care bill". The current "federal conscience laws" will no longer remain in place. The inclusion of abortion and the removal of the conscience laws are examples of direct lying or policy changes that affect his citizens. He hides behind semantics, but so did Mr Clinton, he of the "I did not have sexual relations with her" lie.
What an aberration of the truth, it is clearly a move by the Presidents men and women to distract the American people from their concerns. The people of this great nation are not stupid. They will continue to fight for what they believe in, after all, they are citizens (so clearly called by the President) of a republic who have fought before against another tyrant. This tyrant is home brewed and clearly is hell bent on the destruction of the constitution on which that great country was formed.
I am proud to have lived in this country for almost 40 years. There are times that I wish my family had moved 30 minutes south, then I would have the privilege to speak out against this man and his minions. I will do so from this side of the border as long as I am able.
I clearly believe that there very well may be people who do not agree with the current US President because of his skin colour, but this grass roots opposition has nothing to do with skin colour. What a small minded notion to call the opposition racism. The opposition is due to the lies, the continuing growth of government and their increased intrusions into the lives of Americans. These folks are offended by the Health Care Bill (with Planned Parenthood in every school as the nurses, giving direction for abortions to be paid for by tax money) as well as end of life panels. The Fairness Doctrine, although it will be named something else with its' attacks on freedom of speech is also offensive to many. Another issue is the continuous lies, yes I said "lies" from the person on top.
No, Mr Carter, it is not the skin colour of the President that people are opposing. It is his ever changing position and his lies. He lied to faith leaders in the conference call when he said that there would be no abortion in the "health care bill". The current "federal conscience laws" will no longer remain in place. The inclusion of abortion and the removal of the conscience laws are examples of direct lying or policy changes that affect his citizens. He hides behind semantics, but so did Mr Clinton, he of the "I did not have sexual relations with her" lie.
What an aberration of the truth, it is clearly a move by the Presidents men and women to distract the American people from their concerns. The people of this great nation are not stupid. They will continue to fight for what they believe in, after all, they are citizens (so clearly called by the President) of a republic who have fought before against another tyrant. This tyrant is home brewed and clearly is hell bent on the destruction of the constitution on which that great country was formed.
I am proud to have lived in this country for almost 40 years. There are times that I wish my family had moved 30 minutes south, then I would have the privilege to speak out against this man and his minions. I will do so from this side of the border as long as I am able.
Monday, September 14, 2009
I've been reading this lately a great way to live
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 3I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. 4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. 6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. 9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. 17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." 20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. (Romans 12, The Message)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
"You Lie"
Wow, never have two little words created such a stir.
While the words may have been out of place, maybe a lack of decorum and even inappropriate these two words expressed the truth. A brief review of the things this person has said have shown significant lack of integrity in his ability to maintain the truth. And in the land of the free and the home of the brave where freedom of speech is so firmly ensconced in the national fibre, the attacks on the individual who spoke them is tremendous.
I am not a fan or supporter of either the Republican or Democrat party in the good ole U. S. of A, fortunately. I am also not a citizen of the US, I am Canadian. According to the leader of the US, that country is not a Christian nation, but one made up of citizens.................. duh aren't we all citizens, well maybe all of us except illegal immigrants, but that's another post.
Anyway, with regards to the sacred notion of free speech, I guess it is when you speak things that are approved, or are aligned with the correct group (or the politically correct). Fpr a comparison, what happened when the previous president Bush was booed during the "state of the nation address"? Did the world go into such a a tizzy as this? of course not, this is going to be used as a smoke screen so that Obama care and the fairness doctrine will be passed by the bleating sheep in the house and congress.
One day, there will be a reckoning.
You lie, no kidding, he does, I do and so do all of you. Now as to the lack of decorum, some of the things I have read from those who wish to make Mr. Wilson a saint and those who think he is a demon lack more than decorum, they lack what they themselves have, forgiveness and the freedom of speech.
While the words may have been out of place, maybe a lack of decorum and even inappropriate these two words expressed the truth. A brief review of the things this person has said have shown significant lack of integrity in his ability to maintain the truth. And in the land of the free and the home of the brave where freedom of speech is so firmly ensconced in the national fibre, the attacks on the individual who spoke them is tremendous.
I am not a fan or supporter of either the Republican or Democrat party in the good ole U. S. of A, fortunately. I am also not a citizen of the US, I am Canadian. According to the leader of the US, that country is not a Christian nation, but one made up of citizens.................. duh aren't we all citizens, well maybe all of us except illegal immigrants, but that's another post.
Anyway, with regards to the sacred notion of free speech, I guess it is when you speak things that are approved, or are aligned with the correct group (or the politically correct). Fpr a comparison, what happened when the previous president Bush was booed during the "state of the nation address"? Did the world go into such a a tizzy as this? of course not, this is going to be used as a smoke screen so that Obama care and the fairness doctrine will be passed by the bleating sheep in the house and congress.
One day, there will be a reckoning.
You lie, no kidding, he does, I do and so do all of you. Now as to the lack of decorum, some of the things I have read from those who wish to make Mr. Wilson a saint and those who think he is a demon lack more than decorum, they lack what they themselves have, forgiveness and the freedom of speech.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Insomnia kicking in
I can't sleep. When I do get to sleep I then find myself waking up as many as five times a night. Seems that there's something going on and I can't figure it out. The only time I seem to sleep through the night these days is when I ingest something to make me sleep and that just tiring, I know that's a bad pun.
Apparently there's something funny going on in my blood stream. I went to my local phlebotomist the other day and a few days later received the dreaded call from the health centre that the Dr. wants to see you about the tests. Something to do with letters and numbers and levels and who knows what. I am a man and I don't make a habit of seeing the Dr. real often. Actually they are nice people. They are two doctors who share a practice. And why do they have to practice anyway, shouldn't they be good at it by now? When I started my new job, I had to practice (read role play) for two days and I was off and running, but I don't get to prescribe mind altering drugs, although there are some people who could use them if I could prescribe them. Now I'm way off topic, as usual.
There is something bothering me. That situation about those people who adopted all those kids and then were murdered in Florida is bothering me. You know all the fuss about Michael Jackson dying and what did he do to help humanity? OK maybe he gave a few bucks to some telethon sometime (he might have under an assumed name) and then maybe not, I think he was flat broke when he died. But these folks had done so much to help all those kids and where's the big hullabaloo about them. Oh it will die (another bad pun) down soon and then they will be forgotten except for all those kids who lost the Mommy and Daddy.
Where do people get off just killing someone like that? It's almost unforgivable you know. Just about all this stuff is so bad, I think I could never forgive if it happened to me or my family and then I am reminded about a story that Jesus told in the bible about a man owing the King 10, 000 talents. I heard that a talent was equal to 20 years wages, so someone owing 10, 000 times 20 years of their salary would owe a lot. You think about your salary and determine what it might be if you were owing 20 years salary times 10,000. It's is so large it would be impossible to pay back in many lifetimes and that is the point Jesus is making!
We (the individuals in the human race) are represented by the man who owes Him, the King, the debt. It is unpayable (I doubt that it's a word, but I just made it up) and the King forgives the debt. So no matter what I have done, or will do, if my relationship with the King is right, then my debt is paid as in "forgive us our debts as we forgive those who owe us" my paraphrase. So, no matter what is "owed" to me out there, the hurt, the damage, the disrespect, the failed promises and no matter what else, I must forgive and then set myself free and the debtor free as well.
Those men in Florida will deal with the Florida department of justice and in the words of Dr. Mennan, "someday there will be a reckoning" and someone with greater power than the Florida department of justice will determine who has been forgiven and who has not. Either way, they will face the King and He will "reign for ever and ever".
Apparently there's something funny going on in my blood stream. I went to my local phlebotomist the other day and a few days later received the dreaded call from the health centre that the Dr. wants to see you about the tests. Something to do with letters and numbers and levels and who knows what. I am a man and I don't make a habit of seeing the Dr. real often. Actually they are nice people. They are two doctors who share a practice. And why do they have to practice anyway, shouldn't they be good at it by now? When I started my new job, I had to practice (read role play) for two days and I was off and running, but I don't get to prescribe mind altering drugs, although there are some people who could use them if I could prescribe them. Now I'm way off topic, as usual.
There is something bothering me. That situation about those people who adopted all those kids and then were murdered in Florida is bothering me. You know all the fuss about Michael Jackson dying and what did he do to help humanity? OK maybe he gave a few bucks to some telethon sometime (he might have under an assumed name) and then maybe not, I think he was flat broke when he died. But these folks had done so much to help all those kids and where's the big hullabaloo about them. Oh it will die (another bad pun) down soon and then they will be forgotten except for all those kids who lost the Mommy and Daddy.
Where do people get off just killing someone like that? It's almost unforgivable you know. Just about all this stuff is so bad, I think I could never forgive if it happened to me or my family and then I am reminded about a story that Jesus told in the bible about a man owing the King 10, 000 talents. I heard that a talent was equal to 20 years wages, so someone owing 10, 000 times 20 years of their salary would owe a lot. You think about your salary and determine what it might be if you were owing 20 years salary times 10,000. It's is so large it would be impossible to pay back in many lifetimes and that is the point Jesus is making!
We (the individuals in the human race) are represented by the man who owes Him, the King, the debt. It is unpayable (I doubt that it's a word, but I just made it up) and the King forgives the debt. So no matter what I have done, or will do, if my relationship with the King is right, then my debt is paid as in "forgive us our debts as we forgive those who owe us" my paraphrase. So, no matter what is "owed" to me out there, the hurt, the damage, the disrespect, the failed promises and no matter what else, I must forgive and then set myself free and the debtor free as well.
Those men in Florida will deal with the Florida department of justice and in the words of Dr. Mennan, "someday there will be a reckoning" and someone with greater power than the Florida department of justice will determine who has been forgiven and who has not. Either way, they will face the King and He will "reign for ever and ever".
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