What can you say about tragedy occuring around the world - specifically acts of ultimately deamonic violence against innocent people... Nazi campaigns against jews, Rwandan genocide against the tutsi's, and gun related massacres in the US (to name but a few).
To me what is sad is to say that the loss of life is due to God's wrath because of peoples sin - and unfortunately this was said about Sandy Hook... For me this statement, regardless of who made it, looks to entirely remove the redemptive powers of Jesus and what happened on the cross. The statement that God is angry and is therefore punishing us, seems to me to be contradictory to what it says in the bible about Jesus taking God's entire wrath on the cross, for our past present and future sins. So for me the whole statement is not only sad because it makes God look angry and willing to sacrifice kids to prove a point, but it also removes the power of the cross! I did find this blog by a local pastor to be a greater indepth study about around the discussion, and something which connected much more with my spirit.
http://johnpavlovitz.wordpress.com/2012/12/18/mike-huckabee-james-dobson-and-a-pastors-apology/
In closing, I cannot look into the situation and begin to even try understand what it is like for those who have been affected by this terribly tragedy. All that I can do for is hope and pray that Jesus love and grace continues to pour down open them, and the rest of the world, restoring hearts to him for eternity.
Showing posts with label Judgement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judgement. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 January 2013
Friday, 19 October 2012
An Unkindness of Ravens
My wife and I were recently at the Grand Canyon, and we had the opportunity to watch a presentation by a park ranger on Ravens. She talked about the family of birds, the vast area in the world where their species live, their heightened intelligence, and also the human culture of fear or hatred against them.
What I found remarkable is how we as humans can very quickly label something as positive or negative. How through media (films and books specifically, in the case of animals/insects) can create such a dark and evil view of something (e.g. Jaws, Arachnophobia, The Birds etc.). But also how simply the colour of something can give us a view of something bad (e.g. black cat, black bird). She remarked that if we simply painted the Raven (or crow) our favourite colour, we probably would not regard it with as much disdain as if it were it's normal black colour.
Having grown up in South Africa, I know how quickly judgement can be passed onto someone based purely on the colour... So where/when do I judge something too quickly?
The essence for me of the judgement wash caught up nicely in the collective nouns given to Crows and Ravens: A murder of Crows, An unkindness of Ravens
What I found remarkable is how we as humans can very quickly label something as positive or negative. How through media (films and books specifically, in the case of animals/insects) can create such a dark and evil view of something (e.g. Jaws, Arachnophobia, The Birds etc.). But also how simply the colour of something can give us a view of something bad (e.g. black cat, black bird). She remarked that if we simply painted the Raven (or crow) our favourite colour, we probably would not regard it with as much disdain as if it were it's normal black colour.
Having grown up in South Africa, I know how quickly judgement can be passed onto someone based purely on the colour... So where/when do I judge something too quickly?
The essence for me of the judgement wash caught up nicely in the collective nouns given to Crows and Ravens: A murder of Crows, An unkindness of Ravens
Monday, 8 October 2012
Throwing Stones (breaking) or Lifting Stones (building)
My wife and I recently listened to Laura Bush's book, Spoken from the Heart, which provides an interesting personal look at her life and her time as first lady of the USA. It was a great book, something I would recomend to folks, especially those who are incredibly synical and judgemental (like myself) of people in seats of authority.
Whilst listening to her speak about her time, and her husband's, whilst they led the country, I was completely humbled about the responsibility and weight these people shoulder as they lead a nation. I looked back as she shared about decisions she or her husband had made, and how I had judged them at that time, and ultimately felt stupid, ignorant and foolish at having been so willing, possibly even eager, to throw over my own bombs of accusation, judgement and supposed wisdom at what decisions and actions should have been made but were not.
Next time I will try and not be so eager to throw stones, as breaking down a house is easy. I hope to rather see which stones I can carry and work with the leaders to build a stronger house together.
Whilst listening to her speak about her time, and her husband's, whilst they led the country, I was completely humbled about the responsibility and weight these people shoulder as they lead a nation. I looked back as she shared about decisions she or her husband had made, and how I had judged them at that time, and ultimately felt stupid, ignorant and foolish at having been so willing, possibly even eager, to throw over my own bombs of accusation, judgement and supposed wisdom at what decisions and actions should have been made but were not.
Next time I will try and not be so eager to throw stones, as breaking down a house is easy. I hope to rather see which stones I can carry and work with the leaders to build a stronger house together.
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