Well Folks, what with the ongoing reports of Hurricane Irene, and her spiraling path of destruction that continues onwards up the Eastern Seaboard of the USA and soon to reach our Canadian Soils, most of us are bracing, just in case, for what may or may not be 'The Storm of the Summer'.
But I could not help but think, that what with said hasty preparations many of us are taking, and cities, etc, being evacuated no less, How do we prepare for other 'storms' in our lives? While some may very well be 'Hurricane-proof' in our homes, are we jobless-proof? Are we terminal illness-proof? Are we divorce-proof? Well, the list could go on of course...How we 'survive' from said storms in our lives, and/or how we seek help in such instances, now there is often the 'measure' of what we are...
But, on a lighter note, in also seeing the continual reports of Libya's 'former' hostile dictator, I can not help but think now that perhaps said storms should be renamed, for notorious, hostile dictators and the like?
Hurricane Gaddafi? Earthquake Hussein? Tropical Storm Mubarak? Tsunami Hitler? ;-)
Just...Thoughts...
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Friday, 19 August 2011
Right vs Might
Well Folks, as you all have been reading these past few weeks, I have been commenting, sometimes wryly, sometimes tongue in cheek, about the rather sad, sordid state of affairs in our ever wildly spinning world of ours. What with protests gone bad, horribly bad, to countries in chaos and despair, and even individual stories of shame and sorrow.
But, as most of you all know me so well, I am also one to find the proverbial glass half full; so instead of finding stories about what all IS going wrong with things currently, (And really, you do not have to look too far!) I decided to make an effort to seek out news-worthy items that are GOOD.
Well, believe it or not, of all places to be a light of hope for humanity and our very morals, was none other than Japan…yes, you read that right…Japan; where not that long ago, unimaginable horrors were happening with several earthquakes and the various aftermath of such.
So, what could possible be happening ‘over there’ to have even a glimmer of hope for us? Well, I will place in here a quote from one of the news agencies writings:
“The earthquake and tsunami that walloped Japan left much of its coastline ravaged, but left one thing intact: the Japanese reputation for honesty.
In the five months since the disaster struck, people have turned in thousands of wallets found in the debris, containing $48 million in cash.
More than 5,700 safes that washed ashore along Japan’s tsunami-ravaged coast have also been hauled to police centers by volunteers and search and rescue crews. Inside those safes officials found $30 million in cash. One safe alone, contained the equivalent of $1 million.”
Is that possible? Can that be real? Yes, it is…I have checked various sources, and only to find the same thing; this actually has happened…
Think about that…the total now stands at over 78 MILLION dollars worth of CASH returned…
What would YOU do, if you found a safe containing One Million Dollars in CASH?
Would you honestly return it? No questions asked, no hesitations, no lingering doubts?
How any of your friends that you know, would do such a thing? Untraceable, undetectable, cold hard cash of one million dollars?…Well, it seems that even in ‘Secular Japan’, doing the RIGHT thing, still does exist…
Perhaps we can all learn a valuable lesson from this?
Just…Thoughts…
But, as most of you all know me so well, I am also one to find the proverbial glass half full; so instead of finding stories about what all IS going wrong with things currently, (And really, you do not have to look too far!) I decided to make an effort to seek out news-worthy items that are GOOD.
Well, believe it or not, of all places to be a light of hope for humanity and our very morals, was none other than Japan…yes, you read that right…Japan; where not that long ago, unimaginable horrors were happening with several earthquakes and the various aftermath of such.
So, what could possible be happening ‘over there’ to have even a glimmer of hope for us? Well, I will place in here a quote from one of the news agencies writings:
“The earthquake and tsunami that walloped Japan left much of its coastline ravaged, but left one thing intact: the Japanese reputation for honesty.
In the five months since the disaster struck, people have turned in thousands of wallets found in the debris, containing $48 million in cash.
More than 5,700 safes that washed ashore along Japan’s tsunami-ravaged coast have also been hauled to police centers by volunteers and search and rescue crews. Inside those safes officials found $30 million in cash. One safe alone, contained the equivalent of $1 million.”
Is that possible? Can that be real? Yes, it is…I have checked various sources, and only to find the same thing; this actually has happened…
Think about that…the total now stands at over 78 MILLION dollars worth of CASH returned…
What would YOU do, if you found a safe containing One Million Dollars in CASH?
Would you honestly return it? No questions asked, no hesitations, no lingering doubts?
How any of your friends that you know, would do such a thing? Untraceable, undetectable, cold hard cash of one million dollars?…Well, it seems that even in ‘Secular Japan’, doing the RIGHT thing, still does exist…
Perhaps we can all learn a valuable lesson from this?
Just…Thoughts…
Friday, 12 August 2011
Peace vs. Protest
“Peaceful Protest”…
Sadly, those words over the past few years, really have lost their meaning, or at least, their intent. Having been glued to our TV screens this past week watching in shock as the rioting, looting, and even murders happen in London, England, some have even wryly commented, ‘Well, at least Vancouver wasn’t so bad’…
To say things got out of control, in what was originally supposed to be a simple ‘protest’, would certainly be a major understatement. Most of the civilized world, is shaking its head in dismay, for what most of us had perceived as a peaceful country, now run wild with those intent purely on wide-scale criminal acts.
It has also been brought to light, that, as with Vancouver, there are the poorest of poor committing the crimes along side sons and daughters of millionaires. What common thread could have caused such a thing? Many ask this, but also many are without answers. Even those caught and captured so far, are almost at a loss to explain even their own wanton acts of criminal behaviour; ‘It wasn’t like me’, many have said or even lamented.
At the risk of repetition from some of my other posts, take a look at the big picture in our world folks; pick a country, anywhere on the globe, and you will find almost daily as of late, unrest, war, rumours of war, violent protests, civil disobedience…well, the list could go on with various descriptive adjectives…
Should we run for the hills and hide away like hermits?
Should we start counting down the Doomsday Clock already?
Not to sound simplistic, but, how many of us have even thought to pray for the ones ‘over there’?
London, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Greece, and countless other cities and countries ‘under siege’ have so many who are NOT involved with all the carnage that we see daily displayed for our ever watchful eyes to see…
But, maybe instead, just be at peace tonight, knowing ‘us over here’ are safe…well…for today…?
Just…Thoughts…
Sadly, those words over the past few years, really have lost their meaning, or at least, their intent. Having been glued to our TV screens this past week watching in shock as the rioting, looting, and even murders happen in London, England, some have even wryly commented, ‘Well, at least Vancouver wasn’t so bad’…
To say things got out of control, in what was originally supposed to be a simple ‘protest’, would certainly be a major understatement. Most of the civilized world, is shaking its head in dismay, for what most of us had perceived as a peaceful country, now run wild with those intent purely on wide-scale criminal acts.
It has also been brought to light, that, as with Vancouver, there are the poorest of poor committing the crimes along side sons and daughters of millionaires. What common thread could have caused such a thing? Many ask this, but also many are without answers. Even those caught and captured so far, are almost at a loss to explain even their own wanton acts of criminal behaviour; ‘It wasn’t like me’, many have said or even lamented.
At the risk of repetition from some of my other posts, take a look at the big picture in our world folks; pick a country, anywhere on the globe, and you will find almost daily as of late, unrest, war, rumours of war, violent protests, civil disobedience…well, the list could go on with various descriptive adjectives…
Should we run for the hills and hide away like hermits?
Should we start counting down the Doomsday Clock already?
Not to sound simplistic, but, how many of us have even thought to pray for the ones ‘over there’?
London, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Greece, and countless other cities and countries ‘under siege’ have so many who are NOT involved with all the carnage that we see daily displayed for our ever watchful eyes to see…
But, maybe instead, just be at peace tonight, knowing ‘us over here’ are safe…well…for today…?
Just…Thoughts…
Friday, 5 August 2011
Left vs Right?
And so, the U2 concert has come and gone from Moncton NB, in what many have said, was “THE” Greatest music concert Moncton, well, The Maritimes, has ever seen. And too, the whole tour broke records for being the highest money-maker of all rock tours previously. If Greater Moncton was not on the world map before, it sure is now…
So, now that the proverbial dust has settled, the grounds cleaned up, and the last echoes of songs still in the minds of many a concert-goer, there are a myriad of thoughts, opinions, and even beliefs as to what, or “who” U2 is; as a band, and individuals…
As I touched upon last week, U2, like any entity and as individuals, have made some mistakes; what with the afore-mentioned ”ONE” Scandal, and its subsequent fall out, many had for a time, cast a skeptical eye at the Boys from Ireland. But, rally they did, explained the actual purpose and motives and directives of the “ONE” Campaign, and their message of bringing awareness to the plight those desperately in need…
For some however, they are just another rock and roll band; satanic worshipping, youth corrupting hooligans… without of course, even listening to their music, their words, and their countless quotes about their Christian Faith and deep-rooted beliefs.
Others of course have followed their paths for years, and have seen their ups and downs, and also their publically declared admittance to having ‘fallen’ at times, but, as Jesus does with ALL of us, they too are forgiven for their transgressions…Even the very famous Television evangelist Bill Hybels did an in-depth interview with lead singer Bono awhile back, and his challenge to the Christian Community as a whole, and also professed openly his faith.
Also, U2′s newer songs are also reflecting a ‘Return to God’ and repentance…
Can we do any less, as Jesus would in forgiving them, also be as forgiving? There are some, sadly, that still operate under a Pharisee mindset, in that they see sin ‘everywhere’, and are, excuse the expression, hell-bent on extreme persecution of ‘the sinner’, instead of loving them into The Kingdom…
Is U2 ‘perfect’? No; are all the band members ‘perfect’? No; Are WE all ‘perfect’? Well, I think all of us can look in our individual mirrors and honestly answer that question…
John 8: 7 to 11, is but only one example of Christ’s Love, Forgiveness, and call to Redemption; or, as I have often recited, and borrowed from a Great Friend, Karl Ingersoll from years ago, Jesus came with arms wide open to all; He DIED with arms wide open to all; He rose again with arms open to all…He did not point an accusing finger at ‘sinners’…He did not condemn those of us trudging through life, and yes, sinning as we have; no, his condemnation was for the ‘Religious Leaders’ of the day, and their harsh stance with those ‘beneath them’.
I would challenge these ‘Pharisees’ still living among us today, whether they be Christian, Jew, or any other faith, to let go of the self-imposed power, to let go of hateful retribution against those that they feel are ‘worse than them’, and maybe, just maybe, do as Jesus commanded, and yes, even Bono reminds us, and have compassion, love and caring for all those who need our help…
Condemnation or Love? Well, it is a choice after all, isn’t it?
Just…Thoughts…
So, now that the proverbial dust has settled, the grounds cleaned up, and the last echoes of songs still in the minds of many a concert-goer, there are a myriad of thoughts, opinions, and even beliefs as to what, or “who” U2 is; as a band, and individuals…
As I touched upon last week, U2, like any entity and as individuals, have made some mistakes; what with the afore-mentioned ”ONE” Scandal, and its subsequent fall out, many had for a time, cast a skeptical eye at the Boys from Ireland. But, rally they did, explained the actual purpose and motives and directives of the “ONE” Campaign, and their message of bringing awareness to the plight those desperately in need…
For some however, they are just another rock and roll band; satanic worshipping, youth corrupting hooligans… without of course, even listening to their music, their words, and their countless quotes about their Christian Faith and deep-rooted beliefs.
Others of course have followed their paths for years, and have seen their ups and downs, and also their publically declared admittance to having ‘fallen’ at times, but, as Jesus does with ALL of us, they too are forgiven for their transgressions…Even the very famous Television evangelist Bill Hybels did an in-depth interview with lead singer Bono awhile back, and his challenge to the Christian Community as a whole, and also professed openly his faith.
Also, U2′s newer songs are also reflecting a ‘Return to God’ and repentance…
Can we do any less, as Jesus would in forgiving them, also be as forgiving? There are some, sadly, that still operate under a Pharisee mindset, in that they see sin ‘everywhere’, and are, excuse the expression, hell-bent on extreme persecution of ‘the sinner’, instead of loving them into The Kingdom…
Is U2 ‘perfect’? No; are all the band members ‘perfect’? No; Are WE all ‘perfect’? Well, I think all of us can look in our individual mirrors and honestly answer that question…
John 8: 7 to 11, is but only one example of Christ’s Love, Forgiveness, and call to Redemption; or, as I have often recited, and borrowed from a Great Friend, Karl Ingersoll from years ago, Jesus came with arms wide open to all; He DIED with arms wide open to all; He rose again with arms open to all…He did not point an accusing finger at ‘sinners’…He did not condemn those of us trudging through life, and yes, sinning as we have; no, his condemnation was for the ‘Religious Leaders’ of the day, and their harsh stance with those ‘beneath them’.
I would challenge these ‘Pharisees’ still living among us today, whether they be Christian, Jew, or any other faith, to let go of the self-imposed power, to let go of hateful retribution against those that they feel are ‘worse than them’, and maybe, just maybe, do as Jesus commanded, and yes, even Bono reminds us, and have compassion, love and caring for all those who need our help…
Condemnation or Love? Well, it is a choice after all, isn’t it?
Just…Thoughts…
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