So we got hit with snow again this week – late April in the foothills of the Rockies. More than a foot of the wet, heavy variety piled on the driveway, leaving no greenery untouched in all directions. The day before, I’d been to the grocery store wearing capris and a lightweight, button-up shirt. It had been a 60-degree day. That evening, the wind blew in, temperatures dropped, and the making of a snow day was in the offing.
It was so bad, my husband got stuck having to sleep overnight at his office, south of here where it only rained. It’s amazing how much difference being just 12 miles away makes. However, there is a 1000-foot difference in elevation from here to there. Obviously, we live above the freeze line. He arrived home the morning after the storm to fire up the snowblower and clear a path for us to get in and out. Today the sun blazes a bright white across the landscape. The snow turns to water and seeps into the ground. Spring is coming.
I spent a few minutes during the height of the blowing storm with my gaze focused through a bay window on a tiny bird in an aspen tree outside. It was the only one in sight. It showed no fear of the elements as it bit at the bark, changed branches now and then, unaware of the cold and storm. I am amazed at God’s design of such a creature – not much meat on its bones, a few tiny feathers for clothing, fragile as porcelain Chinaware in its structure – and there it was, content to be living in nature and getting on with life. Perhaps it knows instinctively in whose hands it resides.
I am reminded of what Jesus said to his disciples about how God cares for each one of us. Luke 12:24 says, “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”
Jesus reminds us not to worry about things in life, as the chapter continues: Luke 12: 27-31 reads, “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father know that you need them. But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.”
In His wisdom, his display of weather says though the unexpected storms come, we just need to go on with life as usual, trust that it will blow over, and we’ll be safe until the sun shines again.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Seung-Hui Cho Chose Evil to Solve His Problems
Another senseless massacre of innocent people. More families whose hearts are broken now cry over the loss of a child, sibling, or parent after the shootings at Virginia Tech’s campus. Another tragedy that puts our nation on pause while we watch the images of horror and ask why the 23-year-old senior did it. How do we make sense of it?
President Bush said in today’s speech at the Virginia Tech convocation ceremony the victims were “simply in the wrong place at the wrong time…” It doesn’t explain why Seung-Hui Cho certain classrooms on that one particular day to vent his torment and anger.
Why did Cho feel killing would solve his problems? Why did he not seek a healthy way to deal with any anxiety, anger, loneliness or depression? Where did Seung-Hui Cho get the idea that is okay to slay others whom he may never have had a word with? Was his internal world so confused and removed from his fellow students that he viewed them as nothing more than moving targets as in a gallery game at a carnival midway? Did he score points for himself each time a bullet pierced flesh and poured forth its life-giving blood? And not care that his actions would, if no one else, hurt his own family? What of the effect on his sister and parents?
Apparently the Virginia Tech senior did not believe in the sanctity of life. Not his nor anyone else’s. Something in Cho's world did not convince him that he had value and reasons for living. Someone did not teach him that the lives of others hold worth and the goal of life is to love one another as well as himself. And if he was taught this, he didn’t believe it. His actions demonstrated a pure lack of respect and caring for his fellow man.
We see the killings in Iraq—a war rages on. We read of suicide/homicide bombers in the Middle East whose sole purposes are to kill others, believing they will have rewards in heaven. This week is the 8-year anniversary of the killings at Columbine High School in Littleon, Colorado. The list goes on: murder at a Bailey, CO, school in 2006. Lives lost the same year at the Amish school in Nickel Mines, PA. Hundreds of young children were murdered in Beslan, Russia, in 2004. School children were knifed to death in Osaka, Japan, in 2001. In Sanaa, Yemen, in 1997. It happened in Dunblane, Scotland, in 1996.
Hollywood movies and best-selling novels glorify killing and violence. The debate about the effects of such is endless. We look for the “why” of what moves one person to take the life of another. Is there ever an answer?
We live in a country that no longer upholds prayer in school and faith in God. Another perspective to find reasons for killing and violence—an endless debate that itself is shot down in the public arena when prayerful people try to turn these United States back to God.
Almost every third baby conceived in America is killed by abortion, according to information on the AbortionFacts.com web site, interpreting morbidity and mortality figures from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA. It’s been said that this, this daily occurrence, contributes to today’s generation believing human life is an expendable commodity. A newly-formed life can get in the way of what you want for yourself, so get rid of it—is what abortion says today.
Did Seung-Hui Cho think these things? “No God exists, my life is worthless, and I’ll kill others because they are in my way.” Any and all of our culture’s dismissal of the value of life must have had its effects.
In the end, it’s always a battle between good and evil. Between love and hate. When will we, as a collective society, realize there’s no glory, but sickness, in seeking darkness? That there is no value in reveling in destruction and death?
When will we stop putting our money into the hands of those who promote evil, gore, and violence—but instead, uphold good, honor life and God’s creation, and reward those who demonstrate love and caring for another human being? We should put our focus on positive movies, life-giving novels, non-violent video games, uplifting music, a noble career, and speak out in public against those who promote distaste and hate.
We must turn around the evil in the world. Our lives depend on it. Unfortunately, it’s too late for the victims at Virginia Tech today.
President Bush said in today’s speech at the Virginia Tech convocation ceremony the victims were “simply in the wrong place at the wrong time…” It doesn’t explain why Seung-Hui Cho certain classrooms on that one particular day to vent his torment and anger.
Why did Cho feel killing would solve his problems? Why did he not seek a healthy way to deal with any anxiety, anger, loneliness or depression? Where did Seung-Hui Cho get the idea that is okay to slay others whom he may never have had a word with? Was his internal world so confused and removed from his fellow students that he viewed them as nothing more than moving targets as in a gallery game at a carnival midway? Did he score points for himself each time a bullet pierced flesh and poured forth its life-giving blood? And not care that his actions would, if no one else, hurt his own family? What of the effect on his sister and parents?
Apparently the Virginia Tech senior did not believe in the sanctity of life. Not his nor anyone else’s. Something in Cho's world did not convince him that he had value and reasons for living. Someone did not teach him that the lives of others hold worth and the goal of life is to love one another as well as himself. And if he was taught this, he didn’t believe it. His actions demonstrated a pure lack of respect and caring for his fellow man.
We see the killings in Iraq—a war rages on. We read of suicide/homicide bombers in the Middle East whose sole purposes are to kill others, believing they will have rewards in heaven. This week is the 8-year anniversary of the killings at Columbine High School in Littleon, Colorado. The list goes on: murder at a Bailey, CO, school in 2006. Lives lost the same year at the Amish school in Nickel Mines, PA. Hundreds of young children were murdered in Beslan, Russia, in 2004. School children were knifed to death in Osaka, Japan, in 2001. In Sanaa, Yemen, in 1997. It happened in Dunblane, Scotland, in 1996.
Hollywood movies and best-selling novels glorify killing and violence. The debate about the effects of such is endless. We look for the “why” of what moves one person to take the life of another. Is there ever an answer?
We live in a country that no longer upholds prayer in school and faith in God. Another perspective to find reasons for killing and violence—an endless debate that itself is shot down in the public arena when prayerful people try to turn these United States back to God.
Almost every third baby conceived in America is killed by abortion, according to information on the AbortionFacts.com web site, interpreting morbidity and mortality figures from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA. It’s been said that this, this daily occurrence, contributes to today’s generation believing human life is an expendable commodity. A newly-formed life can get in the way of what you want for yourself, so get rid of it—is what abortion says today.
Did Seung-Hui Cho think these things? “No God exists, my life is worthless, and I’ll kill others because they are in my way.” Any and all of our culture’s dismissal of the value of life must have had its effects.
In the end, it’s always a battle between good and evil. Between love and hate. When will we, as a collective society, realize there’s no glory, but sickness, in seeking darkness? That there is no value in reveling in destruction and death?
When will we stop putting our money into the hands of those who promote evil, gore, and violence—but instead, uphold good, honor life and God’s creation, and reward those who demonstrate love and caring for another human being? We should put our focus on positive movies, life-giving novels, non-violent video games, uplifting music, a noble career, and speak out in public against those who promote distaste and hate.
We must turn around the evil in the world. Our lives depend on it. Unfortunately, it’s too late for the victims at Virginia Tech today.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Three Little Words: Don Imus, 0 – Jesus Christ, Won
Three little words are what got Don Imus in trouble this past week. By Friday, he had lost his radio job, as most of the country knows by now. His remarks caused outrage across the board, from New York newscasters to California executives. Blacks called for his firing, while women’s groups demanded an apology. Not since Rosie O’Donnell mimicked on “The View” Donald Trump’s puckered personality has a media person’s comments enflamed passions on all sides. Only this time, it’s worse. Imus degraded women.
When I first heard media reports about Imus calling the Rutgers University black women basketball players “nappy-headed ho’s”, it wasn’t the racist degradation that so deeply disturbed me. It was the put-down and verbal abuse of women that lit my feminine fire.
Here again is an example of a man viewing women as less-than-honorable, stereotyping the team members simply because of their gender. Referring to them as “ho’s” – using the black culture slang so often heard in the rap music of this generation – blatantly states a woman is defined by her purpose to a man: to be used intimately and physically, when he wants, how he wants, where he wants. At the same time he needs her for his own masculine pleasure, he’s in no way respecting her as the beautiful creation God made her to be.
That’s how I hear the word “ho.” And I’m angered.
I find it ironic that this incident occurred just after Easter Sunday and the previous Holy Week. This being a time when much of the world honors the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for each one of us when he willingly gave his life and died on the cross, to take on the world’s burden and atone before His Father in heaven for mankind’s sins—past and future. His blood covered for us our mistakes, while He, innocent of wrongdoing, took our place, and was the sacrificial lamb.
The three little words that Jesus uttered were, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Jesus didn’t say, “I’m only dying for the rich, white men of the world.” His purpose for living on Earth was concluded and mankind saved because Jesus did the honorable thing. While on Earth, he respected each individual created and yet to be. He died for everyone. No matter the color of a person’s skin or gender. No matter if young or old—his death was for each of us, past and future.
My point is, Jesus didn’t look down his nose at the women of the world and say, “You’re nothing to me but a ‘ho’.”
In Luke 7:37-48, he accepts, respects and forgives a sinful woman, upholding her personhood before his dinner hosts. In John 4:7-27, he speaks with a Samaritan woman at a well, reveals truths to her about God the Father, and ignores the admonitions of his peers who criticized Him for talking with a woman.
And when He arose alive again after being crucified and sealed, dead, in a tomb, it was a woman to whom the resurrected Christ first appeared, not to a man. (John 20:10-17)
This blog has focused much on books that I’ve read or sold through my business. No book is more important in that regard than the Bible. It might do Don Imus and the rap artists some good to choose their moral guidelines and outlook from this book. Instead of saying hurtful, degrading things about women, they might learn from Jesus’s example of how he treated and viewed the feminine gender.
Imus is said to have contributed to charitable causes. That’s great and I respect him for that. I’m sorry his on-air remarks ended with the loss of his job. Don Imus made a mistake, as we all do in life. That’s why Father God made the Word flesh and created His Son by way of birth to a woman, crossing the veil between Earth and heaven, to live here as we do, in the form of a human being. We are not perfect. But Jesus was.
Jesus Christ set an example of how we should love one another.
Perhaps rap artists should read the Psalms for inspiration and direction as they compose lyrics about their world—looking beyond oppression, hate and anger. Looking instead to uplift and respect another.
Perhaps Don Imus will take time now (after all, he doesn’t have a job to report to) and read his Bible. There he will learn of the forgiveness for his verbal sin and understand that, despite his mistake, Jesus loves him anyway.
I don’t know of Imus’s faith beliefs. Despite my own anger at his comments, I do believe he should be allowed to say his apologies and move on. As much as his remarks about the Rutgers basketball team were inappropriate and unnecessary, he should be permitted a second chance (…after all, if Donald Trump can dish that out…). Let Imus show the world he has changed and is a better man, as he has said he would do.
And just maybe we’re all so angry because we see a bit of ourselves in Imus for the times we too have said the wrong thing.
Perhaps this incident last week was meant to be a lesson learned. By all of us.
When I first heard media reports about Imus calling the Rutgers University black women basketball players “nappy-headed ho’s”, it wasn’t the racist degradation that so deeply disturbed me. It was the put-down and verbal abuse of women that lit my feminine fire.
Here again is an example of a man viewing women as less-than-honorable, stereotyping the team members simply because of their gender. Referring to them as “ho’s” – using the black culture slang so often heard in the rap music of this generation – blatantly states a woman is defined by her purpose to a man: to be used intimately and physically, when he wants, how he wants, where he wants. At the same time he needs her for his own masculine pleasure, he’s in no way respecting her as the beautiful creation God made her to be.
That’s how I hear the word “ho.” And I’m angered.
I find it ironic that this incident occurred just after Easter Sunday and the previous Holy Week. This being a time when much of the world honors the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for each one of us when he willingly gave his life and died on the cross, to take on the world’s burden and atone before His Father in heaven for mankind’s sins—past and future. His blood covered for us our mistakes, while He, innocent of wrongdoing, took our place, and was the sacrificial lamb.
The three little words that Jesus uttered were, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Jesus didn’t say, “I’m only dying for the rich, white men of the world.” His purpose for living on Earth was concluded and mankind saved because Jesus did the honorable thing. While on Earth, he respected each individual created and yet to be. He died for everyone. No matter the color of a person’s skin or gender. No matter if young or old—his death was for each of us, past and future.
My point is, Jesus didn’t look down his nose at the women of the world and say, “You’re nothing to me but a ‘ho’.”
In Luke 7:37-48, he accepts, respects and forgives a sinful woman, upholding her personhood before his dinner hosts. In John 4:7-27, he speaks with a Samaritan woman at a well, reveals truths to her about God the Father, and ignores the admonitions of his peers who criticized Him for talking with a woman.
And when He arose alive again after being crucified and sealed, dead, in a tomb, it was a woman to whom the resurrected Christ first appeared, not to a man. (John 20:10-17)
This blog has focused much on books that I’ve read or sold through my business. No book is more important in that regard than the Bible. It might do Don Imus and the rap artists some good to choose their moral guidelines and outlook from this book. Instead of saying hurtful, degrading things about women, they might learn from Jesus’s example of how he treated and viewed the feminine gender.
Imus is said to have contributed to charitable causes. That’s great and I respect him for that. I’m sorry his on-air remarks ended with the loss of his job. Don Imus made a mistake, as we all do in life. That’s why Father God made the Word flesh and created His Son by way of birth to a woman, crossing the veil between Earth and heaven, to live here as we do, in the form of a human being. We are not perfect. But Jesus was.
Jesus Christ set an example of how we should love one another.
Perhaps rap artists should read the Psalms for inspiration and direction as they compose lyrics about their world—looking beyond oppression, hate and anger. Looking instead to uplift and respect another.
Perhaps Don Imus will take time now (after all, he doesn’t have a job to report to) and read his Bible. There he will learn of the forgiveness for his verbal sin and understand that, despite his mistake, Jesus loves him anyway.
I don’t know of Imus’s faith beliefs. Despite my own anger at his comments, I do believe he should be allowed to say his apologies and move on. As much as his remarks about the Rutgers basketball team were inappropriate and unnecessary, he should be permitted a second chance (…after all, if Donald Trump can dish that out…). Let Imus show the world he has changed and is a better man, as he has said he would do.
And just maybe we’re all so angry because we see a bit of ourselves in Imus for the times we too have said the wrong thing.
Perhaps this incident last week was meant to be a lesson learned. By all of us.
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