“U2″…Just those 2 characters, a letter and a number, are pretty well-recognized world-wide for being the ‘name’ of the Rock Band from Ireland…To say they have fame Internationally for their music would clearly be a huge understatement, but also their notoriety for speaking out against social injustice, political corruption and ineffectiveness, and even chastising many a ‘religious institution’, are very well-known and publicised.
Tonight in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, they are performing at the now popular outdoor concert site, for this their last show on their ’360 degree World Tour’, with many a special musical guest and celebrity also to be in attendance their big finale. Bono and the Boys have brought much to not only the world of music, but to even our social conscience as well; their often-times zealous outpouring of their ‘change the world’ ideals.
But, as some may or may not know, this same ‘beloved’ group of well-meaning guys, had a major scandal about a year ago, concerning their ‘Charity’ Organization, named “ONE”. It was supposed to have been to feed hungry children world-wide; sounds like a great concept and ideal, right? Well, when the news became public, that about only 1% of the contributions actually went towards said children in need, and that the majority of the money went for staff salaries, self-promotion and ‘infrastructure’, well, the very credibility of U2, with their long-standing position ‘Against’ such tactics, left a very bitter taste indeed in the mouths of their fans.
Now, I am not here to belittle U2, or their musical career, or even hype this scandal, but perhaps what I am thinking about, is the way we often view such celebrities as beyond reproach; even though what with the latest news of the death of Amy Winehouse, and then more sordid details of others like her who have passed on because of a destructive lifestyle, we still far too often, raise up on pedestals, those who really, are not setting great examples, even if for our children?
They are all human…flawed, imperfect, and yes, mistakes, poor decisions and choices get made…
Perhaps, one should consider the ‘worship’ of them, and the inevitable falls that often do happen, even with those constantly in the spotlight?
Just…Thoughts…
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Attacks vs. Apathy
Shock…Disbelief…Shaken Complacency…The endless adjectives are, and continue to be spoken over the recent ‘Terrorist’ attacks in Norway; one that some tourists lamented on, was that it reminded them of ’9/11′ all over again. Yes, once again many innocent lives were lost, at the hands of a very few, in what was a very tragic incident indeed.
Not only was the car bomb a shock in itself, right downtown by several key government buildings, but to then witness the aftermath of dozens of children of various government officials being shot en mass was even more horrific.
Of course, the initial reports and various analysis are showing that it was not the doings of any Al Qaeda sect, but that of a couple (so far) of Norwegian Citizens themselves; This would be akin to if the 9/11 attacks were by some ‘good ol’ American Boys’, instead of the ones that committed those Terrorist Attacks almost 10 years ago.
Did anyone in Norway, a normally peaceful and somewhat neutral country, see this coming? Most likely not. Then again, did most American citizens, unaware of the constant CIA, NSA, and various other covert organizations workings, see 9/11 coming? Sadly, no…
We react in shock, disbelief and horror, when we see such things happening lately in our world, but really, should we be ‘surprised’ over all of them? We also see now as well, wide-spread famine in several countries in Africa, and thankfully, the Canadian Government has taken measures, in millions of dollars worth, to aid the starving ‘over there’. But, we are sitting in front of our Televisions, radios, and computers with online news media access, shake our heads, wring our hands, and even pray for ‘them’…But…then what do we do?
What do we do…what CAN we do? Well, as my wife and I lamented even today, sadly, we can not save them all, as much as our hearts would love to…We do currently sponsor 2 children in need, one in India, the other in Uganda, but, to save all children world-wide, well, of course logistically and financially, no one person could ever hope to accomplish such a noble feat.
But, not to take a stand on a soapbox, but one wonders, if every family in North America, sponsored but one child, heck, if even every church sponsored but ONE CHILD, what a difference could that then make on this ever wildly spinning globe we call ‘Home’? (The average cost by the way, is less than a Medium cup of coffee a day at Tim Horton’s…)
Just…Thoughts…
Not only was the car bomb a shock in itself, right downtown by several key government buildings, but to then witness the aftermath of dozens of children of various government officials being shot en mass was even more horrific.
Of course, the initial reports and various analysis are showing that it was not the doings of any Al Qaeda sect, but that of a couple (so far) of Norwegian Citizens themselves; This would be akin to if the 9/11 attacks were by some ‘good ol’ American Boys’, instead of the ones that committed those Terrorist Attacks almost 10 years ago.
Did anyone in Norway, a normally peaceful and somewhat neutral country, see this coming? Most likely not. Then again, did most American citizens, unaware of the constant CIA, NSA, and various other covert organizations workings, see 9/11 coming? Sadly, no…
We react in shock, disbelief and horror, when we see such things happening lately in our world, but really, should we be ‘surprised’ over all of them? We also see now as well, wide-spread famine in several countries in Africa, and thankfully, the Canadian Government has taken measures, in millions of dollars worth, to aid the starving ‘over there’. But, we are sitting in front of our Televisions, radios, and computers with online news media access, shake our heads, wring our hands, and even pray for ‘them’…But…then what do we do?
What do we do…what CAN we do? Well, as my wife and I lamented even today, sadly, we can not save them all, as much as our hearts would love to…We do currently sponsor 2 children in need, one in India, the other in Uganda, but, to save all children world-wide, well, of course logistically and financially, no one person could ever hope to accomplish such a noble feat.
But, not to take a stand on a soapbox, but one wonders, if every family in North America, sponsored but one child, heck, if even every church sponsored but ONE CHILD, what a difference could that then make on this ever wildly spinning globe we call ‘Home’? (The average cost by the way, is less than a Medium cup of coffee a day at Tim Horton’s…)
Just…Thoughts…
Friday, 15 July 2011
Failure vs. Recall
In reading through a few newsworthy items this week on a variety of websites, in the 15 to 20 minutes I can endure at a keyboard at any given time, one particular item caught my eye...well, BOTH eyes actually ;-)
It was that of a new recall of 280,000 Ram & Dodge Pickup trucks, relating to a possible steering failure; which, left unattended, may lead to loss of steering control...Yes, LOSS of steering control. Having a 2009 Ram (Dodge) 4x4 Hemi pickup truck myself, naturally this immediately had me take notice and read the details. Needless to say, I will be trusting the actual official notification of said recall will soon be appearing in my mailbox; well, as fast as our Dear Canada Post folks can deliver it...
But I also could not help but think, of how we are, all steering through life, one way or another, and especially what with this being summertime, aka, road work season, and the myriad of detours and waits, etc, we often encounter. How then are we 'steering' along our life's journey? Have we taken the odd detour, for whatever reason? Have we stopped, for whatever reason, to examine said path, and review where we have come from, and where we are going to, or at least, WANT to go to?
I for one, have had a sudden stop in my life, as some of you know; what with a car accident February 9th of this year, that not only caused whiplash, but some discs in my back to now be affecting the spinal cord, and then an emergency gall bladder operation February 11th. Yes, that was a "Fun" week, which has resulted in me being off work since then...Some would say, "wow, lots of time off, eh?" While the reality is, my 'life' as it were, is limited, frustrating, and 24/7 nerve/muscle pain, and now walking many a time needing the aid of a cane...
But, again, being me, I am still with a smile and a laugh, because, the alternative, curling up in a ball and whimpering like a wimp, is just not ME. LOL. But, what IS at 'the end' of our life's journey? How are we preparing for it? I say some of the above, because, needless to say, it certainly gives one time to think...Think...and THINK...Yes, as you all know, I do believe in God, and all that "Real" Christianity encompasses; but, to really REALLY evaluate my whole life, what I have done, where I have 'come from', and too, where I am 'going' has been even more on my mind, and heart and soul...
As I write this, I have thought of literally everyone I am related to, Great Friends with, and acquainted with in my life, and I also quite literally, Thank God for my every remembrance of you all (To paraphrase the Apostle Paul) Without even one of you, I would not be "The Guy" that I am today...Oh, I know, I certainly not perfect; ask my wife LOL. But, I do feel God has Blessed me with Family and Friends, that have been with me at the "Perfect Time" in many a low point along my 'Journey'.
I can say, in spite of my 'woes', that I am truly a Blessed man, for having such souls as you all in my life; And too, not to lament, but as we all progress along our individual roads, we should take care to avoid too many 'failures' if we can, learn from the ones we have gone through, and also help a friend in need.
As my Good Friend Ron Duffy once said to me, "Bill, for a guy that has gone through so many falls in your life, you always seem to bounce back and rise up even higher each time." Ron is right; but I certainly have not done it all alone...Yes, there have been some 'recalls', aka 'alerts/warnings', which also sometimes there were 'failures/wrong choices', but with God and YOU ALL, my deepest gratitude is expressed...
"Be Prepared", the good old Scouting Adage, is what I wish for each and every one of you for what is ahead...
Just...Thoughts...
It was that of a new recall of 280,000 Ram & Dodge Pickup trucks, relating to a possible steering failure; which, left unattended, may lead to loss of steering control...Yes, LOSS of steering control. Having a 2009 Ram (Dodge) 4x4 Hemi pickup truck myself, naturally this immediately had me take notice and read the details. Needless to say, I will be trusting the actual official notification of said recall will soon be appearing in my mailbox; well, as fast as our Dear Canada Post folks can deliver it...
But I also could not help but think, of how we are, all steering through life, one way or another, and especially what with this being summertime, aka, road work season, and the myriad of detours and waits, etc, we often encounter. How then are we 'steering' along our life's journey? Have we taken the odd detour, for whatever reason? Have we stopped, for whatever reason, to examine said path, and review where we have come from, and where we are going to, or at least, WANT to go to?
I for one, have had a sudden stop in my life, as some of you know; what with a car accident February 9th of this year, that not only caused whiplash, but some discs in my back to now be affecting the spinal cord, and then an emergency gall bladder operation February 11th. Yes, that was a "Fun" week, which has resulted in me being off work since then...Some would say, "wow, lots of time off, eh?" While the reality is, my 'life' as it were, is limited, frustrating, and 24/7 nerve/muscle pain, and now walking many a time needing the aid of a cane...
But, again, being me, I am still with a smile and a laugh, because, the alternative, curling up in a ball and whimpering like a wimp, is just not ME. LOL. But, what IS at 'the end' of our life's journey? How are we preparing for it? I say some of the above, because, needless to say, it certainly gives one time to think...Think...and THINK...Yes, as you all know, I do believe in God, and all that "Real" Christianity encompasses; but, to really REALLY evaluate my whole life, what I have done, where I have 'come from', and too, where I am 'going' has been even more on my mind, and heart and soul...
As I write this, I have thought of literally everyone I am related to, Great Friends with, and acquainted with in my life, and I also quite literally, Thank God for my every remembrance of you all (To paraphrase the Apostle Paul) Without even one of you, I would not be "The Guy" that I am today...Oh, I know, I certainly not perfect; ask my wife LOL. But, I do feel God has Blessed me with Family and Friends, that have been with me at the "Perfect Time" in many a low point along my 'Journey'.
I can say, in spite of my 'woes', that I am truly a Blessed man, for having such souls as you all in my life; And too, not to lament, but as we all progress along our individual roads, we should take care to avoid too many 'failures' if we can, learn from the ones we have gone through, and also help a friend in need.
As my Good Friend Ron Duffy once said to me, "Bill, for a guy that has gone through so many falls in your life, you always seem to bounce back and rise up even higher each time." Ron is right; but I certainly have not done it all alone...Yes, there have been some 'recalls', aka 'alerts/warnings', which also sometimes there were 'failures/wrong choices', but with God and YOU ALL, my deepest gratitude is expressed...
"Be Prepared", the good old Scouting Adage, is what I wish for each and every one of you for what is ahead...
Just...Thoughts...
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Royalty vs. Reality?
Well, as the world watched, (for the most part, except a few ‘Nationalistic Quebecers’) with excitement, enthusiasm, and adoration, the visit by William (Great name, lol) and Kate to Canada, the outpouring of ‘their’ souls to us was very much felt. As they toured this ‘bigger than the USA’ country of ours and took part in a myriad of activities and openings, etc, one could not help but take a great liking to the Royal Couple; they certainly did personify, what many think the ultimate Royal image should be, that of being in touch with the masses.
While their parents and grandparents and those before them certainly have been respected by most, they did have that image more of having an invisible barrier from being ‘in touch’ with the common man/woman. With countless cameras clicking and videos running, Will and Kate took quite a few unscheduled walkabouts to the admiring crowds to take individual time and effort in speaking to so many. One could say, especially with the Slave Lake visit, that they were truly a couple that cared…
How too is the relationship we hope, or should have, with the very one who created us…the one that, while maintaining somewhat in the Old Testament, a ‘Royal Distance’, so to speak, in dealing with we mere mortals, it was when He sent His only Begotten Son, the King of Kings, the ultimate in ‘Royalty’ as it were, to live directly among us here on good ol’ Planet Earth…
And live among us He did…to the indignant response of the ‘Religious Powers’ of the day, that scorned his mingling and interaction with prostitutes, thieves, murderers, etc. Yes, Jesus did that, and so much more…Sadly, over the years, many a ‘Religious Denomination’ has slowly turned the ‘image’ of Jesus from that of one who lived among us, ate with us, worked along side of us, rejoiced with us, grieved with us, and yes, died FOR us, to that of an unreachable, ‘Royal’, that is out of our grasp, touch, and even ‘mere mortal’ comprehension…
Not to get on the soapbox here, but, how many ‘Religious Leaders’ have we seen over history since Jesus walked among us, that we can really say, “Now THERE is a person with reality, substance, and caring.”…Yes, we can name a few, like Mother Theresa, David Wilkerson, and a few more, but so many ‘Religious Leaders’, while perhaps started out as maybe somewhat caring, etc, have turned into images of idolatry themselves…
I will not start a list; you all can think of a great many, that are no doubt coming to your minds already…
In summary, always examine, always even test, those with ‘Royal’ attitudes…because, in the end, it is the ones with ‘Reality’ showing, that we should really be watching for…
Just…Thoughts…
While their parents and grandparents and those before them certainly have been respected by most, they did have that image more of having an invisible barrier from being ‘in touch’ with the common man/woman. With countless cameras clicking and videos running, Will and Kate took quite a few unscheduled walkabouts to the admiring crowds to take individual time and effort in speaking to so many. One could say, especially with the Slave Lake visit, that they were truly a couple that cared…
How too is the relationship we hope, or should have, with the very one who created us…the one that, while maintaining somewhat in the Old Testament, a ‘Royal Distance’, so to speak, in dealing with we mere mortals, it was when He sent His only Begotten Son, the King of Kings, the ultimate in ‘Royalty’ as it were, to live directly among us here on good ol’ Planet Earth…
And live among us He did…to the indignant response of the ‘Religious Powers’ of the day, that scorned his mingling and interaction with prostitutes, thieves, murderers, etc. Yes, Jesus did that, and so much more…Sadly, over the years, many a ‘Religious Denomination’ has slowly turned the ‘image’ of Jesus from that of one who lived among us, ate with us, worked along side of us, rejoiced with us, grieved with us, and yes, died FOR us, to that of an unreachable, ‘Royal’, that is out of our grasp, touch, and even ‘mere mortal’ comprehension…
Not to get on the soapbox here, but, how many ‘Religious Leaders’ have we seen over history since Jesus walked among us, that we can really say, “Now THERE is a person with reality, substance, and caring.”…Yes, we can name a few, like Mother Theresa, David Wilkerson, and a few more, but so many ‘Religious Leaders’, while perhaps started out as maybe somewhat caring, etc, have turned into images of idolatry themselves…
I will not start a list; you all can think of a great many, that are no doubt coming to your minds already…
In summary, always examine, always even test, those with ‘Royal’ attitudes…because, in the end, it is the ones with ‘Reality’ showing, that we should really be watching for…
Just…Thoughts…
Friday, 1 July 2011
Changes?
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Yes, on this day, our 144th ‘National Birthday’ in Canada, many of us have sung this, or will be singing this, our National Anthem; which as most are aware, has been under fire, trial, and tribulation over the years, for it’s very words. It has either been certain special interest groups wanting the ‘sexist’ (“…in all thy SONS command…’) words changed to gender neutral wording, or, worse yet, various ‘secularist’ groups (Read: Atheists/Agnostics) wanting the word “God” taken out all together…
Well, Bless their legal and political hearts, even the Canadian Cabinet a few years ago, after 3/4 of the Canadian population responded, decided to just leave it alone; the Canadian National Anthem is fine just the way it is. Great news actually, when most of us realize the gender inclusive wording, does include all, (Mankind = both males & females) and “God” does still have a place today in our society.
Even when sometimes we feel North American society as a whole is on a slippery slope downward in its morals, ideologies and beliefs, at least a poll of 3/4 (75%) of Canadians still want “God” in our cherished, beloved song of National Pride, to be kept in it.
Far be it for me to speak out against the other 1/4 (25%) of Canadians ‘against’ God, or at least the naming of Him, but, one wonders, in 10, 20, 30 years or more, will there be yet another poll taken, and what would those results be?
At least for today, most of us still believe, if even in spoken word only, in a ‘Higher being/power/deity’…How has your belief in Him been lately?
Just…Thoughts…
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Yes, on this day, our 144th ‘National Birthday’ in Canada, many of us have sung this, or will be singing this, our National Anthem; which as most are aware, has been under fire, trial, and tribulation over the years, for it’s very words. It has either been certain special interest groups wanting the ‘sexist’ (“…in all thy SONS command…’) words changed to gender neutral wording, or, worse yet, various ‘secularist’ groups (Read: Atheists/Agnostics) wanting the word “God” taken out all together…
Well, Bless their legal and political hearts, even the Canadian Cabinet a few years ago, after 3/4 of the Canadian population responded, decided to just leave it alone; the Canadian National Anthem is fine just the way it is. Great news actually, when most of us realize the gender inclusive wording, does include all, (Mankind = both males & females) and “God” does still have a place today in our society.
Even when sometimes we feel North American society as a whole is on a slippery slope downward in its morals, ideologies and beliefs, at least a poll of 3/4 (75%) of Canadians still want “God” in our cherished, beloved song of National Pride, to be kept in it.
Far be it for me to speak out against the other 1/4 (25%) of Canadians ‘against’ God, or at least the naming of Him, but, one wonders, in 10, 20, 30 years or more, will there be yet another poll taken, and what would those results be?
At least for today, most of us still believe, if even in spoken word only, in a ‘Higher being/power/deity’…How has your belief in Him been lately?
Just…Thoughts…
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