The war in Iraq got me thinking.
One of my old church's members has a blog, and in the blog it featured a YOUTUBE video of images of Middle Eastern kids crying. I don't know if the images are the result of the conflict by American troops, or even Israeli. The images are disturbing, and heart breaking.
Which raises the question of war. Is it ethical?
I believe war is ethical when it comes to self defense. I wish war wasn't a part of the human experience but it is. There's always an enemy out there, but I also don't believe we are a war-mongering country either. As the result of war, there will be innocent casualties...and do I grieve over that? Yes I do.
Most people like to give an ethical basis of war, or conflict, but not many of us would like to be in the position of making such huge decisions. For all the critics of Bush, what would you feel like if YOU WERE PRESIDENT after 9/11? Would you have ordered the attack knowing that the attack demanded a response? Would you order a 9/11 response if you knew kids, husbands, brothers, and fathers would die? Not too many people think that Bush doesn't carry the burden that he ordered alot of people to fight and die and he will carry that the rest of his life.
The president faces daily decisions that he must decide certain actions to PROTECT this country and it's people. If there was a threat, and if he waffles on it, American lives are at stake. THAT IS A POSITION I don't envy and glad I don't have. Being a president is the most thankless job sometimes be you Democratic or Republican.
It didn't have to be like this: God intended Himself to be our King. But it all started in Samuel, when the nation of Israel wanted a leader just like the rest of the world. So they got a king, and a king with flaws. Any leader today other than Jesus will make mistakes. BUT the sad thing is: doesn't matter who is leader, people will judge you even IF YOU ARE GOD.
Israel rejected God, and there's not solution to world peace until Jesus comes back.
For the idealistic, (imagine this world without war)...it'll happen after Jesus comes back to war with the devil.
War, the soldier in us - is part of the human experience. No one sits on the sidelines and just rolls over like a wimp. You battle the bottle. You battle your sin. You battle self-pity. You battle the odds. There's a child/warriro in each of us.
Apr 26, 2007
Apr 24, 2007
New Blog Banner
You might have noticed a new blogging banner with dog tags and the idea of REMEMBER OUR TROOPS.
I was sadden to recognize the truth of a Marine's comment that the students and VTECH seem to get more national recognition than our troops. Yes, the lives of the students were indeed valuable, but US troops die many times, and Americans just go about their day as if nothing happened. I sometimes do, and I've been active in supporting our troops with fundraising events.
I hope we didn't lose the sadness of our troops dying. Yes, it's war and that's part of the situation, but our support for the young men and women who defend this country should be held with sacred remembrance.
May God watch over them, and bring them back safely. May America also support their mission even when politically differences come into play. The troops don't make policies, but we need to give them the support, money, and backing they RIGHTFULLY deserve.
I was sadden to recognize the truth of a Marine's comment that the students and VTECH seem to get more national recognition than our troops. Yes, the lives of the students were indeed valuable, but US troops die many times, and Americans just go about their day as if nothing happened. I sometimes do, and I've been active in supporting our troops with fundraising events.
I hope we didn't lose the sadness of our troops dying. Yes, it's war and that's part of the situation, but our support for the young men and women who defend this country should be held with sacred remembrance.
May God watch over them, and bring them back safely. May America also support their mission even when politically differences come into play. The troops don't make policies, but we need to give them the support, money, and backing they RIGHTFULLY deserve.
Apr 23, 2007
Face to Face
Michele gave me one of those looks that just cannot be described as anything, but a glimpse into something etheral or sublime.
It was the look of absolute love. It affected me on a level where I was momentarily awestruck.
Intense, lovely, unforgettable and like GLORY of a person's soul breathing into my own.
***
I cannot help but think of the glory of God's face. Moses was so enchanted, so curious, so wanting to know God he wanted to see him FACE TO FACE. The request was denied but later when Jesus came, we saw God face to face.
• Saw him staring at us, when we are at our lowest state - and seeing those eyes of compassion
• Face to face with God, when the weakness of our faith hold us only to be broken with wide-eyed saucer eyes: this is no ordinary man!
• Face to face with God looking at us with sweet love as John stared into the eyes of the Savior while his head is in the bosom of the Lord of Lord
• The staredown of all time - Christ and Satan.....for those who didn't remember: Satan blinked.
I need those 'face to face' encounters with Michele, I also need those encounters with the person of God.
It restores the thirst to know Him. It restores our desire to chase after him in the wildnerness.
It inspires us to follow him and to make such bold requests: I need to see you FACE TO FACE.
Many times we toy with the pleasures of this world because we don't desire God enough. It's ironic it's that DESIRE FOR GOD is the thing we seek: FACE TO FACE WITH GOD and His Presence.
Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
It was the look of absolute love. It affected me on a level where I was momentarily awestruck.
Intense, lovely, unforgettable and like GLORY of a person's soul breathing into my own.
***
I cannot help but think of the glory of God's face. Moses was so enchanted, so curious, so wanting to know God he wanted to see him FACE TO FACE. The request was denied but later when Jesus came, we saw God face to face.
• Saw him staring at us, when we are at our lowest state - and seeing those eyes of compassion
• Face to face with God, when the weakness of our faith hold us only to be broken with wide-eyed saucer eyes: this is no ordinary man!
• Face to face with God looking at us with sweet love as John stared into the eyes of the Savior while his head is in the bosom of the Lord of Lord
• The staredown of all time - Christ and Satan.....for those who didn't remember: Satan blinked.
I need those 'face to face' encounters with Michele, I also need those encounters with the person of God.
It restores the thirst to know Him. It restores our desire to chase after him in the wildnerness.
It inspires us to follow him and to make such bold requests: I need to see you FACE TO FACE.
Many times we toy with the pleasures of this world because we don't desire God enough. It's ironic it's that DESIRE FOR GOD is the thing we seek: FACE TO FACE WITH GOD and His Presence.
Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
Apr 17, 2007
V-Tech
It's like 9/11.
You will always remember what your life was about, or what you were doing when you found out about the massacre at V Tech University. Insane, senseless, tragic, and maddening are words that might come across your mind.
The greatest question that will always come is "Why?".
The greatest robbery of this is the loss of a family member, the loss of a dream, the loss of an academic mind and ultimately the loss of life.
I find great comfort that God will reveal the answers to our questions, and I duly know without a doubt the grief we share is inkling of the grief that God has in his heart: you were always meant for so much more than this. It wasn't every suppose to be like this.
The mystery of free will is the ability to choose. The beauty of it is for hearts to come back to God and say like Christ, "Not my will but thine."
Makes me wonder what the day might have turned if the killer didn't act upon his own anger, and bitterness, if he surrender his free will to respecting life instead of taking it.
SOURCES TO COMFORT
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2001/1516_How_Shall_We_Minister_to_People_After_the_World_Trade_Tower_Terrorism_of_September_11_2001/
You will always remember what your life was about, or what you were doing when you found out about the massacre at V Tech University. Insane, senseless, tragic, and maddening are words that might come across your mind.
The greatest question that will always come is "Why?".
The greatest robbery of this is the loss of a family member, the loss of a dream, the loss of an academic mind and ultimately the loss of life.
I find great comfort that God will reveal the answers to our questions, and I duly know without a doubt the grief we share is inkling of the grief that God has in his heart: you were always meant for so much more than this. It wasn't every suppose to be like this.
The mystery of free will is the ability to choose. The beauty of it is for hearts to come back to God and say like Christ, "Not my will but thine."
Makes me wonder what the day might have turned if the killer didn't act upon his own anger, and bitterness, if he surrender his free will to respecting life instead of taking it.
SOURCES TO COMFORT
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2001/1516_How_Shall_We_Minister_to_People_After_the_World_Trade_Tower_Terrorism_of_September_11_2001/
Apr 4, 2007
God is awesome
Michele and I have "experiemented" a bit with prayer.
It's been nothing short of remarkable.
We've seen miracle after miracle.
• People with mental illness turned around
• Holes in organs mysteriously healed
• People who were depressed finding victory and ending up at the White House
• Health being restored
• People pulled out the the brink and back
Michele and I know without a doubt, beginning our day in prayer is without a doubt the most important way to start off our marriage.
If you read this - you've been prayed for.
It's been nothing short of remarkable.
We've seen miracle after miracle.
• People with mental illness turned around
• Holes in organs mysteriously healed
• People who were depressed finding victory and ending up at the White House
• Health being restored
• People pulled out the the brink and back
Michele and I know without a doubt, beginning our day in prayer is without a doubt the most important way to start off our marriage.
If you read this - you've been prayed for.