I am at my wit's end today. Most of you who are on faceboook know about the maddening weekend I had with the electricity getting cut off on the coldest day of the year so far, my mom losing $1200 of the money I was trying to save for an important purpose, and my sister being at Tomball Regional Medical Center during the alleged hostage situation with her father-in-law on the very floor where the situation was taking place. Today, I had further maddening circumstances.
I got up to make coffee today and I don't even want to say what I found under the coffee pot but I will say that it was about a 1/8" layer of black, dead, decaying, compressed insect bodies that took a scouring pad to remove. I had a talk with my mom about kitchen cleanliness... which probably did little good... and had to lay down because the counters are so low in this place that it's very hard on my back to work on the countertops. This place was built for a short person. She further agitated me by trying to say that Diane and I didn't keep our house clean which was CRAP. SHE didn't keep HER house clean. WE DID. Nothing pisses me off more than lying.
The one bright spot in my day today was when a special someone whom I admire talked to me and calmed me down with her sweet, gentle way of texting. It's almost as nice as hearing her voice live on private video chat. Well, that was going well until I mentioned something about some wedding plans that SHE had brought up. Suddenly I'm the bad guy again. WTF??? I remember another woman who did me that way. Most of you remember Jill. Now, this woman is generally much more stable than Jill but this kind of craziness is starting to make me wonder. I am NOT going to spend time on something again where I'm the only one putting any effort into things. I learned from my 15 year 'til death do us part marriage that the only way that anything can work between two people is if both people are committed to the friendship/relationship/marraige, whatever you want to call it. As a matter of fact, that's exactly the order that the relationship with Diane went. We lived together as "friends" then she wanted to call it a "relationship" then, after I had asked her once a year to marry me and had finally given up on asking, she decided that she wanted it to be a marriage. Hell, I didn't care by then. We'd do whatever the fuck she wanted. We were together and we were committed to staying together. That's all that mattered to me, though I really didn't appreciate her cheating when I tried so hard and DID resist temptation throughout the 15 years of our marriage. When someone starts acting like they're not going to hold up their end though, it makes me very, very nervous.
Now, this person to whom I'm referring lights me up like a Christmas tree and has never given me any reason to doubt her. I never even felt that way about Diane, I'm sad to say. This person calms me, helps me, inspires me, and makes me feel better about myself. She brought me back from the edge of death... make that PRIED me back from the edge of death... wanting me to give her a chance. I really believe that she is and will prove to be the best thing that ever happened to me in my life. Her actions today, though, made me very nervous. Hell, I was DONE with love, DONE with relationships, DONE with LIFE! I was ready to die and just get it all over with. When she finally made me take a look at who she was... a long, hard look, I couldn't help but fall in love with her. I have never laughed so hard so often with anyone in my life, never have been so compatible and had so many things in common with anyone in my life, and never had met anyone with so many extremely similar experiences in life as I had. I don't WANT this to go wrong. Am I scared? HELL YES I'M SCARED! You know of my past catastrophies. I really, really, REALLY need this to work. If not, I may need to borrow a 12 gague shotgun shell from someone because I don't think I can take anymore. Haha
Mark
16:15-20 King James Version (KJV) 15 And he said unto them, Go ye
into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow
them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall
speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents;
and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had
spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the
right hand of God. 20 And
they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with
them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
What's
Really Needed In the World?
It's amazing how a
seemingly unrelated post on Facebook can cause an epiphany!
I was reading
a post about Pat Benatar's husband's birthday and someone commented
that if her husband hadn't gotten her to change to rock she would
still be just a lounge singer. JUST A LOUNGE SINGER?
Well, as some of you know, I'm a fan of torch singers so I went on a
search for Pat Benatar singing one of her "lounge singer"
songs to see how she sounded. What I eventually found was this:
If
you haven't seen the film Metropolis to understand what it's about, I
recommend you do so.
I haven't yet seen the 1984 version from which this was taken.
I first saw the pieced together original version in River Oaks at a
theater there. I recently saw it again. When I saw this
clip, I realized what I had been wanting to say all along and how it
fit into my idea of WORLDstock, a vision that God had given me.
What is
WORLDstock?
I
have given my part of a shared vision, the idea of WORLDstock, to
Aliza Hava who has a better location... Jerusalem. After all,
what better place to take this message than the root of where these
things stem from? I feared that I might die before I could get the
vision moving and I just hadn't anticipated running into anyone who
would have access to the area and be able to put on a peace concert
there before I met her. She was working on a similar peace
project so she was perfect to share my part of the vision with.
Anyway, onto the story.
I
always related to Freder because I came from part of both worlds and
had trouble resolving the conflict within when I stepped out of my
life of relative privilege and saw what it was to live and work
amongst the workers. There was a terrible dichotomy inside me.
If only I could find someone to stand by my side to support me into
trying to bring a resolution between the two worlds like Freder did.
I need the love and encouragement to make it happen. I have the
connections. I just need those who have faith enough in my idea to
make it happen.
When
I saw this particular clip of Metropolis with Pat Benatar's song
Here's My Heart, it struck me. I think it shows how true love
can truly bring understanding and lasting peace between opposing
groups. The groups aren't opposing in reality but need each
other to exist. It's just that both groups have forgotten that they
need each other and need to be compassionate toward one another.
I
have seen the tensions forming on both sides. It's like a
repeat of the movie Metropolis. Both sides seem to be warring
with each other and it is about to become a revolution that could
destroy everything on earth. Deep down, the rich know that it's
not right to hoard everything and starve the workers who made their
riches and machinery possible.
Proverbs 11:26 King James Version (KJV)
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
Isaiah 23:18 King James Version (KJV)
18 And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
Proverbs 28:27 King James Version (KJV)
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Deep down, the poor know that
it's not right to kill the rich and to destroy everything that they
created which also supports them and their lifestyle. Instead
of a warring revolution with possible nuclear implications, what is
needed is a meeting of the hearts. Rather than revolution we
need conflict resolution. Though the following song is dated,
its message is what the world really needs right now... not war, not
revolutions, but true love.
James 3:13-18 King James Version (KJV)
13 Who
is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a
good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But
the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Proverbs 13:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 6:34 King James Version (KJV)
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now (with
lyrics)
Now,
it's true that at this point, the technology exists to tell the
corporate masters to go to hell. What people of those groups
don't realize is that it's not something that would happen
overnight. Some people can't afford completely self-sustainable
quarters and don't have the health to go out in search of their own
food. Not everyone can afford to relocate. There are
people living on the streets with no food and no housing. They
have no source of income and there are no jobs out there that they
are capable of performing. The
Venus Project has some great ideas but these ideas take money and
time to implement. If none of the people who support the ideas
have the money to make it happen, the ideas are irrelevant.
Still, a more compassionate view between the working class and the
management class could acheive similar results and there would be no
need for the wars and destruction that are likely to take place in
the very near future if something doesn't change. Don't be
fooled. The working class now has very powerful weapons at its
disposal. They have been stockpiling guns, grenades, missile
launchers, and have even obtained nuclear weapons and support.
Spending your life hiding in an underground bunker, no matter how
elaborate, is no substitute for living among others in a peaceful,
compassionate fashion. Shouldn't we find a way to make peace
rather than revolt? This was Jesus' vision. It was God's
message to mankind. It was why God sent Jesus to the Jews and
to all mankind. Let's make the following verse a reality
everyday as He intended.
Luke
2:14King James Version (KJV)
14 Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Sometimes,
I don't think women realize what an inspiration a woman can be to a
man. She can wake all his hidden talents even if they've lain dormant
for decades. Ladies, don't fear your man's talents and abilities.
Don't suppress them. Help nurture and guide them so that he can make
the most of them and you... And maybe the rest of the world... Will
reap the rewards. The reverse is true as well. Support
your women in their talents and dreams.
John 16:33 New International Version (NIV)
33 “I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world.”
True
love can overcome any barrier whether it be social class, race, sex,
or great distance. As long as we truly open our hearts to one
another, we will be surprised at how much more compatible we are than
we previously thought. I owe this to someone whom I truly
admire, and yes, love.
John 16:33
King James Version (KJV)
33 These
things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world.
I
don't fear the world or what it can do to me. I know that He who is
in me is greater than he who is in the world. I am quite comfortable
being of good cheer in dangerous times because I've been through
dangerous times and I know that He shall see me through until the
end.
1
John 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children,
and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he
that is in the world.
We
should not be afraid of others. We should especially not be afraid
of those who would keep us from doing God's will through threats of
harm. These things will come and these things will pass.
Matthew
24:8-14 King James Version (KJV)
8 All these are the beginning of
sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up
to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all
nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be
offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall
rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall
abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto
the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom
shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
and then shall the end come.
I
know that tougher times are coming, but I've been there too and know
that God will give me the words to say when it is time to say them.
I shall endure unto the end. I shall be here until God calls me
home.
Luke
12:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
11 And when they bring you unto
the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought
how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach
you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
So,
be of good cheer. If you have accepted Jesus into your heart, fear
not. If you have not then I invite you to do it at this time. Here
is a simple prayer you can pray.
Dear
Jesus,
Come
into my heart and teach me the things I need to know. Teach me how
to love God with all of my heart and all of my soul. Teach me how to
love you and to love others as you did. Teach me your ways and teach
me of heavenly things that I might walk in your path until the end.
It's amazing how a seemingly unrelated post on Facebook can cause an epiphany!
I was reading a post about Pat Benatar's husband's birthday and someone commented that if her husband hadn't gotten her to change to rock she would still be just a lounge singer. JUST A LOUNGE SINGER? Well, as some of you know, I'm a fan of torch singers so I went on a search for Pat Benatar singing one of her "lounge singer" songs to see how she sounded. What I eventually found was this:
If you haven't seen the film Metropolis to understand what it's about, I recommend you do so. I haven't yet seen the 1984 version from which this was taken. I first saw the pieced together original version in River Oaks at a theater there. I recently saw it again. When I saw this clip, I realized what I had been wanting to say all along and how it fit into my idea of WORLDstock.
What is WORLDstock?
I have given my part of a shared vision, the idea of WORLDstock, to Aliza Hava who has a better location... Jerusalem. I feared that I might die before I could get the vision moving and I just hadn't anticipated running into anyone who would have access to the area and be able to put on a peace concert there before I met her. She was working on a similar peace project so she was perfect to share my part of the vision with. Anyway, onto the story.
I
always related to Freder because I came from part of both worlds and
had trouble resolving the conflict within when I stepped out of my life
of relative privilege and saw what it was to live and work amongst the
workers. There was a terrible dichotomy inside me. If only I could find someone
to stand by my side to support me into trying to bring a resolution
between the two worlds. I need the love and encouragement to make it
happen. I have the connections. I just need those who have faith
enough in my idea to make it happen.
When I saw this particular clip of Metropolis with Pat Benatar's song Here's My Heart, it struck me. I think it shows how true love can truly bring understanding and lasting peace between opposing groups. The
groups aren't opposing in reality but need each other to exist. It's
just that both groups have forgotten that they need each other and need
to be compassionate toward one another.
I have seen the tensions forming on both sides. It's like a repeat of the movie Metropolis. Both sides seem to be warring with each other and it is about to become a revolution that could destroy everything on earth. Deep down, the rich know that it's not right to hoard everything and starve the workers who made their riches and machinery possible. Deep down, the poor know that it's not right to kill the rich and to destroy everything that they created which also supports them and their lifestyle. Instead of a warring revolution with possible nuclear implications, what is needed is a meeting of the hearts. Rather than revolution we need conflict resolution. Though the following song is dated, its message is what the world really needs right now... not war, not revolutions, but true love.
Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now (with lyrics)
Now, it's true that at this point, the technology exists to tell the corporate masters to go to hell. What people of those groups don't realize is that it's not something that would happen overnight. Some people can't afford completely self-sustainable quarters and don't have the health to go out in search of their own food. Not everyone can afford to relocate. There are people living on the streets with no food and no housing. They have no source of income and there are no jobs out there that they are capable of performing. The Venus Project has some great ideas but these ideas take money and time to implement. If none of the people who support the ideas have the money to make it happen, the ideas are irrelevant. Still, a more compassionate view between the working class and the management class could acheive similar results and there would be no need for the wars and destruction that are likely to take place in the very near future if something doesn't change. Don't be fooled. The working class now has very powerful weapons at its disposal. They have been stockpiling guns, grenades, missile launchers, and have even obtained nuclear weapons and support. Spending your life hiding in an underground bunker, no matter how elaborate, is no substitute for living among others in a peaceful, compassionate fashion. Shouldn't we find a way to make peace rather than revolt? This was Jesus' vision. It was God's message to mankind. It was why God sent Jesus to the Jews and to all mankind. Let's make the following verse a reality everyday as He intended.
Luke 2:14King James Version (KJV)
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Love, Hope, Peace, and Christ be with you,
Cal-el
P.S. Sometimes, I don't think women realize what an inspiration a woman can
be to a man. She can wake all his hidden talents even if they've lain
dormant for decades. Ladies, don't fear your man's talents and
abilities. Don't suppress them. Help nurture and guide them so that he
can make the most of them and you... And maybe the rest of the world...
Will reap the rewards. The reverse is true as well. Support your women in their talents and dreams.
P.P.S. True love can overcome any barrier whether it be social class, race, sex, or great distance. As long as we truly open our hearts to one another, we will be surprised at how much more compatible we are than we previously thought. I owe this to someone whom I truly admire, and yes, love.
These are just some observations I made working both with black communities and police starting after Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech to present. This was written as a comment and is not intended to be a well thought out blog or well researched blog, though I did do some research before writing it besides the observations I made while working in the communities. I may come back to this later, offer statistics and sources in regard to percentage of population if I can find it. I may then offer more suggestions on how to help improve minority / police relations.
Blacks commit more crimes in America than other races in spite of the fact that they're a minority. There used to be a reason for this. Blacks weren't given adequate schooling and were rarely given decent job opportunities so many of them committed crimes to feed their families. Since the 70s though, blacks have had equal opportunity for education and an edge in getting college grants and jobs. In 1975 my grant was revoked to give the grant to a less qualified black person because it was the new law. They've had preferential treat men in getting promotions once they got a job as well. They have no excuse to still be committing a higher number of crimes than whites any longer. In fact, fewer crimes should be being committed by blacks since they are still in the minority of the population. It is this fact that makes police more wary of blacks than whites. No matter what your race, you are more likely to be beaten or killed by police if you are belligerent and disrespectful to police. If you cooperate with them, they generally treat you much better. There is always an exception, but that's basically just common sense. Police are killed with their own weapons frequently so NEVER make a move for an officer's gun. They are shown films on criminals taking a policeman's gun and killing him with it as part of their training. Black people could help change the attitude that police have about them by taking responsibility and being more active in their communities to reduce the percentage of criminals in their race. Their leaders could join with the police in making a difference in their communities instead of making things more hazardous for police officers in their communities. Will it take time for attitudes to change? Yes. Each change starts with a single step though. Promoting more acts of violence against the police is just going to perpetuate the problem.
Good morning, welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries. I
am Elder Cal Jennings. We are normally posted on Sundays for sermons
and Wednesdays for studies. You can find these posted in the
following locations.
Prayer List:We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous,
and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list has
grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.
- Our prayers are with the families and
friends who live up in Ferguson, Missouri after the decision made by the Grand
Jury to not charge the officer involved in the Michael Brown shooting.
- Please pray for a friend Susie Bartholow
as she is in hospice. She is in very grave condition and currently in hospice
with advanced cancer. Hospice care is at her home with her family. They all
need as much support in spirit as we can bring.
- Pray that the tensions ease in the family. Pray also that the actions being
worked out will assist in doing just that and more. Pray that tempers don’t
flare and we don’t reach the breaking point. Pray that those who have suffered
allergies and colds this past week get well once more.
- Pray for Elder Cal Jennings who is in ill health and a quandary regarding all
that has been going on in this world. Pray that God continues to give him strength and blessings. Pray for his friend Lucy and her son that they both regain their health.
- Please pray for another member, Theresa, who is having issues with all sorts
of things, spiritual and physical, financial, and more. She has recently gotten
out of sinus surgery and is still healing. Pray that her healing goes well and
swiftly.
- Keep other friends, families, and even those around us in society in our
thoughts and prayers that they be safe, secure, and well.
- Keep the ministry in your thoughts as well,
that we may continue on even in times that are bad.
- Brother Wayne is still trudging through
the processes of settling his father’s estate. Keep him and his family in your
prayers.
- Our families and friends who have been in
our hearts, keep them in your thoughts and prayers that they be safe, healthy,
and let them know they are always loved.
Prayer:Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here
to share it with us. We thank you for the blessings brought and for those yet
to come. We pray that You can remind us always what we should be thankful for. We
bring prayers for those who have been seriously ill. Help those who are working
to fight serious illnesses the ability to find solutions. We pray for those
lost and those who mourn. We pray for patience and courage for those we love
and care about, and ourselves as well. We pray for peace to reach out from the
heart and be heard, felt, and understood. We pray that Your grace and love
would fill the hearts of the many in this world. We pray all this in Your Holy
Name through the Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and
so it shall be.
1 Timothy 4:1-5 King James Version (KJV)
4 Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding
to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created
to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the
truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Today is a day when we give thanks to God for the things He has blessed us with. If we have a roof over our head to shelter us from the cold and the storms, we have much to be thankful for. There are many who don't have that. If we have clothes on our backs to keep us warm and shelter us from the elements, we also have much to be thankful for. If we have food to eat to sustain us, we have much to be thankful for. No food is bad as long as it is sanctified by prayer.
Nehemiah 12:40-47 King James Version (KJV)
40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: 41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 And
Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and
Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah
their overseer. 43 Also
that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made
them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced:
so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. 44 And
at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures,
for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather
into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for
the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the
Levites that waited. 45 And
both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the
ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of
Solomon his son. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. 47 And
all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave
the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and
they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites
sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.
I am thankful for Covenant of Hope Ministries of which I am an Elder. It has helped me to help many others. I pray for it each day and pray that the lives of others might be touched and helped in some way by our being present. I know that there are many like Rev. Laura and myself who have trouble getting out of bed to go to a church building on many or most days. I am thankful for those things and the many friends I have made online... each and every one of you. You have helped shaped my life and brought me to this point. For that I am very grateful. These things I have always been thankful for. This food I have been thankful for and have sanctified by prayer.
This year I have something extra special to be thankful for. I have the love of a good and beautiful woman who gives me the strength and desire to keep on living. She has been a motivation to try to make things better here. She has motivated me to get up and sit at the computer to help regain my strength. She is motivating me to be more creative and to continue writing. When God let her find me, he gave me the greatest gift a man could ever have. She fills my soul with so much love that I have the strength to take stands for truth and justice even when the stance is unpopular. It still may be draining and wearing to stand for truth and justice in a world gone mad but she does make the struggle seem worthwhile for her child and mine and our descendants to come. I may not yet have the strength to do all of the things I need and want to do but I have faith that I will get there with her help and motivation. I thank God for you, Lucy Aston. You brought me back from the edge of death. You have been the salvation of my life and soul. I have sanctified you by prayer as you have sanctified me. You are the nourishment I have been missing for so long... someone I could love who would love me right back without fear.
Ephesians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
We should give thanks to God and sing songs and hymns and spiritual songs of thanksgiving and praise to God and to one another that we may be whole in His love. So, in demonstration, let me sing our closing song for you. My breath is low today so you'll have to bear with me.
Now let us pray as the Lord instructed us.
Matthew 6:9-13King James Version (KJV)
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries
and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome
all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.
This mission statement speaks of the
rainbow in the darkness. Every time I would have a seriously traumatic thing
happen in my life I would wake in the middle of the night. When I do I see a
rainbow at the end of my bed, or even through the window behind my head. I’ll
see that rainbow in a dark room even during the day. It will hover in the
shadows and reassure me that God is with me.(Rev. Laura)
I
was prepared to write a story that was much harsher than my normal
sermons. It has been a long time since I've written about the things
that are displeasing to God. Just when I was about to start though,
God whispered in my ear to go a different route. I owe part of it to
the inspiration of a good, Christian woman whom I recently met, but
God is the one who told me to change my story. In fact, the woman
almost made me go a harsher route at first. Haha Gotta love fiery
Scottish women. She's a gem, though.
1 Corinthians 13:13 New
International Version (NIV)
13 And now these three remain:
faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
There
are many things in the world. Some good, some bad, some indifferent.
No matter what we run into though, there is nothing more
interesting, more fulfilling, more healing, more uplifting, and more
righteous than love. When everything seems its darkest, the things
that can bring us out of the darkness are faith, hope and love, but
none is more powerful than real, pure, Godly love.
Mark 12:28-31New
International Version (NIV)
The
Greatest Commandment
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them
debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked
him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this:
‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a]
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[b]
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[c]
There is no commandment greater than these.”
'
Note
that the bible refers to love as the GREATEST commandment, whether it
be love of God or love of your neighbor as yourself. Often, the
reason that people commit suicide is that they feel that all of the
love is gone out of their life and there is no hope left. Look at
one of my favorite actors and comedians, Robin Williams for instance.
He, too had a horrible, debilitating disease, evidently felt unloved
by his wife and family, and had run out of hope. He ended his life
at the end of a belt in a closet door. Having faced a much similar
problem, I can tell you that there is NOTHING that could have brought
me back from the edge... not prayer, not faith, not anything without
the prospect of love. I was tired of suffering after having suffered
so much all of these years. I WANTED to die and go on to meet my
maker. I'm a Christian. I've lived life the best I could. I tried
always to be kind to others and do good to even those who hated me,
did me wrong, and caused me grief. I tried to teach God's word, heal
the sick, and raise the dead as Jesus commanded us to do. Yes, I
made mistakes, but I knew that Jesus had died for my sins and would
forgive them since I prayed earnestly for forgiveness and did my best
to repent of those sins. I was ready to move on. I didn't even WANT
to try again. It was far too painful. I didn't want love. I knew
it would likely mean nothing but more suffering and humiliation. Of
course, I had never really had the love of a believer before.
There has been a plethora of articles lately about domestic violence against women but nary a mention of domestic violence against men. Why is that? It happens much more often than people realize and even the statistics don't show as much abuse because of the stigma of a man saying that he was abused by a woman. I am going to show you a couple of clips from a scholarly article by Barbara J. Drijber.
Note that the article also states that identifying men
as victims of domestic abuse is harder because most of the research
about domestic violence is on women abused by men. Why is violence
against men being ignored? Are men less human than women? I'm sure
that some women think so but considering the women I've run into, I'm
starting to believe that the reverse is true. These women have not only been more likely to start a fight but have also been more likely to encourage the man she is with to fight. It's entirely possible that I just happen to live in an area where women are more aggressive than women in other parts of the country but, according to research, that isn't necessarily true. Here is a chart from the above article.
What I found really surprising is that an article of domestic abuse against men in Scotland by David Gadd showed similar figures. The article also states the following:
"Some
of those men who retaliated had, nevertheless, endured physically and
psychologically damaging forms of abuse; being struck, cut, or (more
rarely) stabbed with household items or knives, punched in the face,
and being subject to malicious
allegations.”
While most
U.S. Men probably don't retaliate as often, it's interesting to note
that those who do end up being victims of even more violent attacks
by the women with whom they are living. So why is violence against men being covered up? Could it be that feminists want to paint all men with a dark brush? Are they trying to deliberately create a division between men and women? Shouldn't equal coverage be given to both sexes?
