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Wednesday, 18 February 2009

  • Law Like Love

        Law Like Love
     
     Law, say the gardeners, is the sun,
    Law is the one
    All gardeners obey
    To-morrow, yesterday, to-day.

    Law is the wisdom of the old,
    The impotent grandfathers feebly scold;
    The grandchildren put out a treble tongue,
    Law is the senses of the young.

    Law, says the priest with a priestly look,
    Expounding to an unpriestly people,
    Law is the words in my priestly book,
    Law is my pulpit and my steeple.

    Law, says the judge as he looks down his nose,
    Speaking clearly and most severely,
    Law is as I've told you before,
    Law is as you know I suppose,
    Law is but let me explain it once more,
    Law is The Law.

    Yet law-abiding scholars write:
    Law is neither wrong nor right,
    Law is only crimes
    Punished by places and by times,
    Law is the clothes men wear
    Anytime, anywhere,
    Law is Good morning and Good night.

    Others say, Law is our Fate;
    Others say, Law is our State;
    Others say, others say
    Law is no more,
    Law has gone away.

    And always the loud angry crowd,
    Very angry and very loud,
    Law is We,
    And always the soft idiot softly Me.

    If we, dear, know we know no more
    Than they about the Law,
    If I no more than you
    Know what we should and should not do
    Except that all agree
    Gladly or miserably
    That the Law is
    And that all know this
    If therefore thinking it absurd
    To identify Law with some other word,
    Unlike so many men
    I cannot say Law is again,

    No more than they can we suppress
    The universal wish to guess
    Or slip out of our own position
    Into an unconcerned condition.
    Although I can at least confine
    Your vanity and mine
    To stating timidly
    A timid similarity,
    We shall boast anyway:
    Like love I say.

    Like love we don't know where or why,
    Like love we can't compel or fly,
    Like love we often weep,
    Like love we seldom keep.

    W.H. Auden

Monday, 26 January 2009

  • Why?

    Why is it that Peter Popoff still has a faith-healing "ministry" after his tricks were revealed in the 1980s?

    I happened to be having a sleepless night here in Australia, and so I switched on the telly. I watched this man (whom I've never heard of or seen before) perform these emotional and dramatic "healings" and I felt increasingly uncomfortable. When he started talking about his miracle manna, I turned the telly off and     wiki-ed this guy. So... apparently there is clear evidence this Popoff is a rip-off and a fraud and he is STILL a televangelist?

    Are Christians really that gullible? 

  • A Child's Prayer

       

     A Child's Prayer
     

     For Morn, my dome of blue,
    For Meadows, green and gay,
    And Birds who love the twilight of the leaves,
    Let Jesus keep me joyful when I pray.

    For the big Bees that hum
    And hide in bells of flowers;
    For the winding roads that come
    To Evening’s holy door,
    May Jesus bring me grateful to his arms,
    And guard my innocence for evermore.

    Siegfried Sassoon

Tuesday, 20 January 2009

  • Non-Americans speak English?

    These are the comments on a recent Mancouch post regarding a mispelled notice on Burger King.

    "I just laugh at those kind of signs. It's usually the ones who weren't born in America that makes those mistakes. Or . . .those who just skipped middle school."

    "or, maybe, they could (this may sound like a crazy idea) try learning proper English because they're in America. In case you hadn't heard, the vast majority (about 82%) of people here speak English as their native language."

    When you assume... you make an ASS out of you, and really, you only.

    The comments above speak to me of the xenophobia and arrogance of the writers. 

    The inauguration of Barack Obama as the first African-American President inspired me. It made me feel that the U.S. might be a good place to live, and perhaps someday I would go there and live for a year or two. Then I read the aforementioned comments.

    "Proper English." Really? I've heard more "huh", "like", "totally", "umm" come out of the mouths of American girls than girls from any other English-speaking countries. What about Paris Hilton? "That's hot"?

    Did you see that video on Miss Teen USA South Carolina 2007? Even while immigrants to the U.S. are struggling to learn English as their second, third, or even fourth language, I'm sure they would still be able to come up with a better-informed answer than that American-born lady on stage. I myself have heard plenty of new immigrants in Australia speak intelligently with just a small (and growing) command of English vocabulary.

    Take the arrogance down a notch, and pick up a book to read. You might produce better answers and comments as a result.

Friday, 16 January 2009

  • Picketing Abortion Clinics

    'Former Abortion Escort Returns to Old Battle Lines'

    In the name of saving unborn children, there are people dedicating their time and anger towards picketing abortion clinics. I do not believe that serves any good, neither are their actions done in love.

     Women who had to resort to abortion clinics usually have had to make a very difficult and heart-wrenching decision. Perhaps the father of the foetus has abandoned her when the pregnancy was discovered. Perhaps she was impregnated through rape. Perhaps she feels that bringing her illegitimate child into this world would unfairly burden the child. Perhaps the wrath of her family if they find out about her pregnancy would be catastrophic or even fatal.  Perhaps she needs to get out of an abusive marriage and her pregnancy would only keep her and her other children trapped. Perhaps her husband and her simply cannot cope with another child. The bottom line is, we do not know their situation.

    Instead of giving them their privacy and just secretly pray for them, picketers choose to shame them and make the process even more torturous than it already is. To me, picketing is gathering to throw stones at all who pass, the women going for their abortion procedures, their companion, clinic volunteers, clinic staff. And the picketeers conveniently forget that "Let he who is without sin throw the first stone."

    I'm a single woman who has chosen to abstain from pre-marital sex. I would like to think that I would never have an abortion, for I have a great love for children and to be a mother would be an enormous blessing. Yet, I can never be sure. Perhaps one day, I may be forced by circumstances to consider an abortion. I don't know. And so I feel ill-equipped to judge. And I refuse to judge.

    All I know is, the clinic staff and volunteers have to face this angry crowd every single working day. That is how they start their day. Women have to do a walk of shame to get their procedures done, so in addition to the physical trauma and emotional struggle and whatever other burden they have, there is shame and humiliation thrust at them by the "religious".

    Before abortion was legal, women resorted to drastic measures to remove their unwanted foetuses. Coat hangers, punching their stomachs, violent falls, drinking poison. They suffered and some died because society denied them a safer option. Yes, the unborn child is innocent and a life too. But I choose to support safe, legal abortions as a choice for women who would otherwise be forced into a desperate corner. I choose to support a variety of options for them, adoption and safe homes for them to carry their pregnancies to full-term included, so that women will no longer be the subjugated, repressed, second-class people of the world. So yes, I am pro-choice. I am pro-woman.

    If the intention of these picketeers is to serve the rights/needs of unborn children, surely there are more effective and loving ways. Instead of forming a mob of hatred and anger, wouldn't it be better and more Christian to direct their efforts into services that support women? Into women's shelters that allow the women to carry their baby to full-term then organise for adoptions? Into thinking of new support organisations and systems for women who choose to raise their babies, so that their motherhood does not mean doomsday for them? Into providing pro-life information in a discrete and understanding way to these women without condemning them or forcing them?

    What would Jesus do?

    This is the Jesus I know... "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28

Thursday, 15 January 2009

  • St Vinnies not quite Saintlike

    'St Vinnies puts the cold into charity'

    St Vinnies terminated the services of a dedicated office-holder because she was not Catholic. Instead of retracting their bad decision, they spent money that should have gone to the poor into hiring lawyers for the tribunal. Stubborn in their decision to the end. Even though their decision wrecked the emotional health and life of this woman who had made serving the poor through Vinnies her purpose.

    "The primary function of the society," said St Vincent de Paul's lawyers, "is to inculcate the Catholic faith in its members."

    I thought the function of the society was to serve the poor. Any help that people can offer for this worthy cause should have been received with joy and gratitude, regardless of religious beliefs or denomination affiliations. For it is not only Christians, or Catholics, who can help the weak and helpless.

    Shame.

Friday, 09 January 2009

  • O Justice, where art thou?

    This world is so unjust. Someone can flagrantly steal from me, items of value to me, and there is nothing, absolutely NOTHING to be done about it. Nobody wants to do anything about it, and even the police says nothing can be done, because there is no proof. There is no proof because there is NO investigation. It's as if this offence does not matter because it happened to me, not them.

    I'm not blaming the cops. I understand they have more important things to do. But I'm furious at the lack of justice, and the lack of support from people around me. I'm furious that people can get away with things like this, and they can still flourish in their lives. I'm hurt, outraged, and I want to run the culprit over with a car.

    I prayed that God will exact justice and that the culprit will incur the terrible consequences of his criminal actions, but then I remember that God has commanded us to forgive others as He has forgiven us. And that He will exact to us the same measure we exact out to others. And it makes me madder!

    I'm thinking, hell may not be that bad if I can drag that piece of human waste down with me.

Tuesday, 06 January 2009

  • Pray for Gaza

    The situation in Gaza is desperate due to the latest escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rockets are being fired, children are dying, houses are ruined, and living conditions are deteriorating. While vigorous debates on the issues and nitty-gritty of our faith is good, we must remember that Jesus gave His life for people, for their salvation, and for love. He would hate to see the Gaza situation where there is deep-set hatred and resentment, and people are killing each other recklessly.

    So can we please pray? Can we please pray for a miraculous peaceful resolution? That God will interfere in this terrible situation and that His will be done? Will you pray with me, fervently and frequently, for a God-change in Gaza?

    Dear Lord,

    You are good and merciful, and Your love is great and strong. Please let Your great self-sacrificial love permeate the minds of the Israeli authorities and the Hamas militants. Give them a strong desire to strive for peace and a resolution. Give them a burning desire to spare the lives of the innocent, and give them a way out of this. Show them Your way, and lead them out of this war. I pray for peace in Gaza. And Lord, please protect all the civilians there. Keep them safe, and give them strength to get through this crisis. I pray for Your providence in their lives, that You will improve their living conditions. I pray for the children, that somehow by Your grace and power, that they will be kept safe from trauma and permanent scarring because of this war. I pray for Your protection over their minds and hearts. Please help, Lord. Give these people the miracle they need.

    In Jesus' mighty Name,
    Amen.

  • Be a Better Person Everyday

    On New Year's Eve, I sat down, reflected upon 2008, and thought about what I would like to achieve in 2009. I wrote down a few goals, which I won't share here because they are very personal. However, a few days ago, someone shared a great adage with me, "Become a better person everyday".

    That is essentially my goal for 2009. And I want to remember that everyday. Instead of setting lofty, vague goals, I want to aspire to better myself in some form daily. That way, I am not wasting a single day that God has given me. That way, I may actually be happier to account to God for my life at the end of it.

    It's also like another old saying "Be the change you want to see". Instead of complaining about others and the world, I want to work on the same flaws in me. I want to be a better me.

    I want to be a better Christian everyday. I want to be better at loving God, and better at loving people. On a daily basis, I will seek God, and I will walk closer with Him.

    "Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefor do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

Saturday, 03 January 2009

  • God Fiction

    I quite enjoy the film 'Pulp Fiction' and I watched it again earlier in the evening. The film has this character "Jules" played by the superbly cool Samuel L. Jackson, who loves reciting this passage before killing people. He claims it is from the Bible, Ezekiel 25:17 to be exact.

    "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

    The first time I watched the film, I remember thinking, "I don't think the Bible says that..." And so being the curious cat I am, I immediately searched my Bible for confirmation. Turns out my suspicion was right. Ezekiel 25:17 says "I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I lay My vengeance upon them." The verses before that has no similarities with the passage quoted by Jules.

    I wonder how many people watched the film and happily received as truth that Jules really did quote the Bible.

    I do not know that for sure, but I do know that many Christians believe many cliches/statements/inspirational mumble as biblical truth just because they sound right.

    For example, in a comment on Revelife, "God helps those who helps themselves." That is nowhere to be found in the Bible and is a false representation of God. God does not need us to help ourselves before He can help us. God's will can prevail no matter what, because you know... He's God. In fact, Jesus came for the sick and the weak, not the righteous. He came for those who are needy, who are unable to help themselves.

    Or another misquote that really annoys me. "God will never give you more than you can handle." Many Christians said that to me at a time when I was overwhelmed with disappointments and hurts and stress. Although they were trying to comfort me, they only added annoyance and anger to my burden. I thought, "You cannot be serious. Did you hear what I shared at all?! Do you see me teetering on the brink of breakdown? You reckon I'm actually handling ALL THIS?! You are NOT HELPING!"

    That statement most probably derived from 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says "No temptation has overtaken you except such as in common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

    The verse is clear that it is referring to temptation. It is not referring to everything in life. Also, when we summarise the verse to "God will never give you more than you can handle", we change the meaning of the verse into something unbiblical.

    In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul discusses the thorn in his flesh, an issue that bugged him so much he pleaded with God three times to remove it. Clearly, he was not capable of handling the issue any longer. But God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (verse 9) That is very different from the "more than you can handle" statement. The latter implies personal strength, it states that God will only give us what we can cope with by ourselves. The Bible implies God strength, it states that we need nothing more because God is here for us, and that He is more than enough. It doesn't guarantee against mental breakdowns, it doesn't guarantee absolute resolutions, it simply explains the truth about God's grace.

    When you believe these God fiction despite what the Bible says, you are creating a fictional God. You are creating an idol, an abomination to God. You are also setting yourself up for spiritual setbacks, because you are expecting God to behave in a way that is against His nature. And when you share these God fiction as God fact, you are perpetuating a misunderstanding of God to a world that is often too lazy to check the facts. You may also annoy and anger a stressed, frustrated, exhausted and burdened individual, making things much much worse.

    Are there any other God fiction-- spiritual phrases/statements based on thin air that you know of?

Issie

  • Visit Issie's Revelife Site
    • Name: Issie
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 6/7/2008

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