Archive for the ‘Atrocities’ tag
“God doesn’t give us more than we can handle”
I started this topic because I don't want to hijack another in a different forum.
I read and hear that all the time and bite my tongue, but I won't any longer.
Over time it seems people have taken a verse from the Bible about not giving us more temptation than we can overcome, and turned into one about stress. Having gone to Catholic schools from first grade through high school, studying the Bible every day of the week, I knew better. But I accepted this new translation because of stress.
If I believe this new translation, then I also have to believe my Creator deliberately causes horrific atrocities. That is not good and holy, that is evil. I cannot and will not accept that my Creator causes evil, especially because it contradicts the concept of free will.
I refuse to believe my Creator wanted that woman in CA to be gang raped the other day. I refuse to believe my Creator wanted a child in Somalia last night to die from hunger. I refuse to believe my Creator wanted my daughter to stick needles in her arm.
I believe 100% that with my Creator I am able to find serenity, despite the horrors we humans suffer/witness/perpetuate.
I read and hear that all the time and bite my tongue, but I won't any longer.
Over time it seems people have taken a verse from the Bible about not giving us more temptation than we can overcome, and turned into one about stress. Having gone to Catholic schools from first grade through high school, studying the Bible every day of the week, I knew better. But I accepted this new translation because of stress.
If I believe this new translation, then I also have to believe my Creator deliberately causes horrific atrocities. That is not good and holy, that is evil. I cannot and will not accept that my Creator causes evil, especially because it contradicts the concept of free will.
I refuse to believe my Creator wanted that woman in CA to be gang raped the other day. I refuse to believe my Creator wanted a child in Somalia last night to die from hunger. I refuse to believe my Creator wanted my daughter to stick needles in her arm.
I believe 100% that with my Creator I am able to find serenity, despite the horrors we humans suffer/witness/perpetuate.
Nine twelve o one
It isn't just America under attack -
Other places have felt this fear for years.
Too weary to look forward or turn back,
And drowning in our sympathetic tears.
At war with an enemy we say we do not know.
Why can't we recognize that it is we
Who have the power to heal, and to oppose
The every-day atrocities we see?
The soul would seem the likely place to find
The peace we seek, but do not often reach.
An eye for an eye leaves everybody blind -
Perhaps we do not practice what we preach.
"I love you" seems so small a thing to say,
Considering that we may not be too long
Upon this earth - for ours are numbered days.
Still, love's the only way to right a wrong.
by me, the day after
Other places have felt this fear for years.
Too weary to look forward or turn back,
And drowning in our sympathetic tears.
At war with an enemy we say we do not know.
Why can't we recognize that it is we
Who have the power to heal, and to oppose
The every-day atrocities we see?
The soul would seem the likely place to find
The peace we seek, but do not often reach.
An eye for an eye leaves everybody blind -
Perhaps we do not practice what we preach.
"I love you" seems so small a thing to say,
Considering that we may not be too long
Upon this earth - for ours are numbered days.
Still, love's the only way to right a wrong.
by me, the day after
Please Remember
He was a brave young man, the second youngest of 13 children raised in a family that didn't have much in worldly goods but filled with love.
When the war in Europe broke out, he signed up to fight for what he knew was right...freedom for all, freedom from tyrants, freedom from persecution because of race, religion, colour or beliefs.
He fought in Italy and sweated in the trenches of North Africa. He fought the last days in Holland and the joy of liberation was short lived when he saw his first mass grave uncovered...a grave filled with children. He never forgot this.
Each year he went to Cenotaph to remember those who fought with him, those who never came home and to remember that grave with prayers that this would never happen again.
He was humble in his presence, wearing his medals only when encouraged to do so by family and others who had shared his journey. He never spoke of what he saw until about 20 years after the war had ended, but he never forgot and he never stopped praying.
Today he rests in a home for the aged, no longer able to march with those who served. Today he has lost much of his short term memory, yet still remembers...those he fought with, those who were lost and that grave frilled with children.
Today I will take pause at 11 am, and I will say a prayer of gratitude, for all those who have served and given their lives to ensure that our world remains a place where I can walk in peace.
Today I will say a special thank you for the best father-in-law anyone could ever have the privilege of knowing. Today I will remember his stories, especially the story of the grave, and my heart will weep for the loss many years ago of those who fought to make my world a place where I will never see or know the atrocities that this sweet man endured.
Thank you dad, thank you for sharing your stories and may I never forget or take for granted one moment of my life.
I remember. Please take a moment and honour these men and women with me. The soldiers of wars gone by and those who continue to fight bravely for your freedom and mine.
God bless every one of them.
Hugs
When the war in Europe broke out, he signed up to fight for what he knew was right...freedom for all, freedom from tyrants, freedom from persecution because of race, religion, colour or beliefs.
He fought in Italy and sweated in the trenches of North Africa. He fought the last days in Holland and the joy of liberation was short lived when he saw his first mass grave uncovered...a grave filled with children. He never forgot this.
Each year he went to Cenotaph to remember those who fought with him, those who never came home and to remember that grave with prayers that this would never happen again.
He was humble in his presence, wearing his medals only when encouraged to do so by family and others who had shared his journey. He never spoke of what he saw until about 20 years after the war had ended, but he never forgot and he never stopped praying.
Today he rests in a home for the aged, no longer able to march with those who served. Today he has lost much of his short term memory, yet still remembers...those he fought with, those who were lost and that grave frilled with children.
Today I will take pause at 11 am, and I will say a prayer of gratitude, for all those who have served and given their lives to ensure that our world remains a place where I can walk in peace.
Today I will say a special thank you for the best father-in-law anyone could ever have the privilege of knowing. Today I will remember his stories, especially the story of the grave, and my heart will weep for the loss many years ago of those who fought to make my world a place where I will never see or know the atrocities that this sweet man endured.
Thank you dad, thank you for sharing your stories and may I never forget or take for granted one moment of my life.
I remember. Please take a moment and honour these men and women with me. The soldiers of wars gone by and those who continue to fight bravely for your freedom and mine.
God bless every one of them.
Hugs
