Our Bible says, ‘The Lord loves a cheerful giver…’
Now, many of course presume to take this simply as one’s tithing to their choice of place of worship, etc…But, what about at Christmas? While we are all frantically trying to beat the clock ticking ever faster towards the 25th, what motivates us? What reactions there will be for those we have given gifts to? Or perhaps there is some latent feelings of obligation, towards perhaps an estranged friend, or even a family member?
Yes, most of us North Americans pretty well take it for granted, that someone will give us at least one present…The ‘Occupy’ Movement, that started out as a plea for changes for better distributions of wealth among the proverbial have-nots, was indeed a noble, worthy cause; but like it, has the very celebration of ‘Christmas’ gotten bogged down and over crowded with so many add-ons and tales and myths, been lost for its original intended celebration?
As I type this, there are literally hundreds all over this world of ours, dying of starvation, malnutrition, or revolts, protests and wars…But, I wish to not bring pessimism to this always Festive Season, but rather, maybe a little message of hope and peace…Earlier Blogs of mine have referenced ideals for what one person can do, to make effective and notable changes within our society…far too often, we shrug, reassure ourselves that ‘someone else’ can rise to the challenge and cause of shining even a glimmer of light into someone else’s darkened world…
But, what if we ALL thought and felt that way? Well, sadly, BECAUSE so much IS happening internationally, it is far too painfully obvious, that so much more is needed to be done and accomplished. When is the last time you happened upon someone begging for some spare change? And then lowered your eyes, stepping up your pace just a little faster to avoid their out-stretched hand? One person connecting with one other person…that all it takes really…
Jesus when on Earth knew that for thousands of years to come, said the declaration, “The poor will be among you always…” Yep, someone elses problem, if they only just got a job, well, then all their problems would be solved, right? Well, perhaps a much smaller degree of noticing this in Canada than in the USA, there ARE the poor and destitute among us today…If we will even look back over the past few years, what with recessions, etc, thousands…think about that, THOUSANDS of people who had good paying careers, are now unemployed, and yes, homeless…
We ‘sheltered Canadians’ are somewhat well off for the most part…but, even more so, what would some spare change a month do? What would you like it to do? What could you do with it tomorrow…or even today?
I wish for one and all, a truly Very Merry Christmas, and a Joyous, Hopeful 2012…
Just…Thoughts…
Friday, 23 December 2011
Monday, 19 December 2011
Peace vs Prosperity?
Christmas Day 2011 will soon be upon us…with Billions of fellow humans around the world in celebrating either The Saviour’s Birth, and/or at least another day off work…This year has been marked in great detail with the deaths of many a harsh dictator, and now, recent news of North Korea’s leader now gone as well.
What with all the ever-increasing unrest, strife, conflict, wars and famines all over our globe, one wonders if ‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men’, is something now to be only dreamt of…something unatainable…something impossible?
Well, one person did tell us, that it can be possible…one person shared of how His Father’s Love for everyone, can help us to also realise, that in sharing that very love with others, whether friend or foe, can truly make the world a better place. But, sadly, the very religious leaders of His day, those that He spoke out against, those that he pointed out that ‘their’ ways only led to a life filled with guilt, burden and grief, were then to be the instigators of His eventual cruel torture and subsequent death. Yes, His message of Peace, Love, and Hope, was to be quashed, eradicated and dismissed…but, as most of us know, His message, His life, His Love and His conquering of death, left us all to have that very Peace, Love and Hope…all it takes is a decision, a committment, a heart-felt wanting of it all.
He never promised ‘Life’ would be then spent on ‘Easy Street’ and full of prosperity; in spite of what some erroneous ones even on so-called ‘Christian’ TV programs would have you think…No, He did say, even the rain will fall on the just and the unjust…even ‘the world’ will hate you for wanting to just simply live a life of sharing with others, the very Peace, Love and Hope, that we ALL can have…
But yes, many of us get lured into a false hope of ‘Riches and Prosperity’ here on earth; no wonder so many at THIS time of year, are far more depressed and in sorrow that ever before during the year; no wonder this year brings an even higher number of suicides…He even spoke to us all, with a reminder of ‘Blessed be the poor…’ And He also had a strong message for the ‘rich’ all around us…
‘What can we do?’ some would ask in lament…well, it really doesn’t take much you know; a Christmas card sent to a family member that has been estranged from you, and simply signed ‘Love Always’; an email sent to a long-lost friend, a smile, and yes a cup of coffee shared with a friend that is hurting and/or ‘in need’…
What can make ‘the world’ a better place? Can one person really make a difference?
Well, one person came to our ever wildly spinning ol’ world, and look at the difference HE made for us all…
Share a smile, send a card, click on ‘Send’ for even a brief email…even strangers will usually smile back in return…
Which would you rather have, Contented Peace? Or Selfish Prosperity?
Just…Thoughts…
What with all the ever-increasing unrest, strife, conflict, wars and famines all over our globe, one wonders if ‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men’, is something now to be only dreamt of…something unatainable…something impossible?
Well, one person did tell us, that it can be possible…one person shared of how His Father’s Love for everyone, can help us to also realise, that in sharing that very love with others, whether friend or foe, can truly make the world a better place. But, sadly, the very religious leaders of His day, those that He spoke out against, those that he pointed out that ‘their’ ways only led to a life filled with guilt, burden and grief, were then to be the instigators of His eventual cruel torture and subsequent death. Yes, His message of Peace, Love, and Hope, was to be quashed, eradicated and dismissed…but, as most of us know, His message, His life, His Love and His conquering of death, left us all to have that very Peace, Love and Hope…all it takes is a decision, a committment, a heart-felt wanting of it all.
He never promised ‘Life’ would be then spent on ‘Easy Street’ and full of prosperity; in spite of what some erroneous ones even on so-called ‘Christian’ TV programs would have you think…No, He did say, even the rain will fall on the just and the unjust…even ‘the world’ will hate you for wanting to just simply live a life of sharing with others, the very Peace, Love and Hope, that we ALL can have…
But yes, many of us get lured into a false hope of ‘Riches and Prosperity’ here on earth; no wonder so many at THIS time of year, are far more depressed and in sorrow that ever before during the year; no wonder this year brings an even higher number of suicides…He even spoke to us all, with a reminder of ‘Blessed be the poor…’ And He also had a strong message for the ‘rich’ all around us…
‘What can we do?’ some would ask in lament…well, it really doesn’t take much you know; a Christmas card sent to a family member that has been estranged from you, and simply signed ‘Love Always’; an email sent to a long-lost friend, a smile, and yes a cup of coffee shared with a friend that is hurting and/or ‘in need’…
What can make ‘the world’ a better place? Can one person really make a difference?
Well, one person came to our ever wildly spinning ol’ world, and look at the difference HE made for us all…
Share a smile, send a card, click on ‘Send’ for even a brief email…even strangers will usually smile back in return…
Which would you rather have, Contented Peace? Or Selfish Prosperity?
Just…Thoughts…
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