If we have no peace,
it is because we have forgotten
that we belong to each other.
– Mother Teresa
Monthly Archives: December 2011
Faith amid persecution
Can you imagine being persecuted for your faith and belief in these modern times? It happened to Christians in Gojra Pakistan in 2009. Please read the incredible My Take: Looking for faith amid persecution story by Vivian Padilla-Chapman at CNN that details the incident and her feelings about it.
Per Matthew 5:11, Jesus said “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” But, I think it is more than that. People persecute others because of their beliefs, faith, country of origin, color of their skin, height, hair color, eye color, income, social status, and many other reasons to separate “us” from “them”. But, that is the crux of the matter, “us and them” thinking is the only concept keeping us from everlasting peace. I believe there is no “us” and “them”, there is only “we”, we the people of the world. Maybe someday we will learn. I pray it is before a common world threat occurs, which is likely the only way we will unite.
Jesus gives us the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1-12)
Bible Summary:
Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
– From the English Standard Version Bible at Bible.com which is how I know it.
My Thoughts:
Doing right can be hard, but rewarding: In less than 150 words, Jesus touches each person’s heart, since they had experienced at least one of the characteristics – poor in spirit, mourning, meek, and hunger or thirst; teaches them how to behave – merciful, pure of heart, peaceful, and righteous; and warns them that doing right can cause others to revile and persecute them, but they will be rewarded in heaven.
Foreshadowing: the last part about persecuted prophets describes the past but also foreshadows what will happen to Jesus and the apostles.
Anger passes away in time
Like fragile ice
anger passes away in time.
– Ovid
Retailers Stay Open 24/7
Retailers like Macy’s and Best Buy are staying open 24 hours as we approach Christmas Day so last-minute shoppers have all the opportunities to get the gift they want for their loved ones. Glad to hear about the good gesture, even though the retailers may not make any extra money. Read the full Retailers’ graveyard shift wins over shoppers, analysts story at Reuters.
Second Ten Commandment Tablets (Exodus 34)
Bible Summary:
God tells Moses to cut two new stones tablets and bring them up Mount Sinai so He can rewrite the Ten Commandments. Moses pleads for Him to come with the people of Israel, so God renews His covenant and says He will clear the way for them. He tells Moses not to make any treaties because it could be a fatal trap. They are to destroy the other people’s religious objects and not worship their goddess Asherah. God reminds Moses to keep all the commandments. Moses stays forty days and nights, eating and drinking nothing, while rewriting the Ten Commandments on the tablets. Moses returns from Mount Sinai with a shining face from speaking to God and the people are afraid to go near him.
My Thoughts:
Anger: Moses took another forty days to create a second pair of Ten Commandment tablets after he broke the first in a fit of anger because the people of Israel worshiped the gold calf.
Most of the time, anger is triggered by something that happens different from what we expect. And, even grown-ups can have tantrums and break things. If you feel anger coming on, just walk away from the situation until you cool down. Then, take time to think about what caused the anger. What expectation was not met and is that expectation really important enough that you are willing to ruin a relationship over it? After you calm down, talk to the person you were getting angry with. Communication can only help you both move toward common expectations, or at least acceptance of each other’s differences.
Peace be with you.
Diseases of the soul are more dangerous
Diseases of the soul
are more dangerous
and more numerous
than those of the body.
– Cicero
Space Station Cooperation Continues
I am so glad to see the countries continuing to cooperate with the International Space Station as Russia sends astronauts from Russia, Europe and the U.S. into space again, especially given all the unrest and rioting around the world these days. I sure wish there could be peace everywhere. Read the Multinational crew blasts off for space station story at Reuters for more details.
Jesus calls, preaches, and heals (Matthew 4: 18-25)
Bible Summary:
Jesus walks along Lake Galilee, sees two brothers Simon Peter and Andrew catching fish, and tells them to join him so they can catch men. They leave at once with Jesus. Later, they meet James and John readying their nets in a boat with their father Zebedee. Jesus calls them and they too leave with him.
Jesus preaches the Good News all over Galilee and heals people of many diseases. News spreads throughout Syria and people bring him all who are sick – and Jesus heals them all. Large crowds follow him around the ten towns near Jerusalem.
My Thoughts:
When God Calls: Jesus calls these four men and they drop everything to join him. When God calls we need to drop everything and follow Him. The challenge today is hearing Him above all the other choices.
Whole Healing: Jesus heals both body and soul of the people around Jerusalem. He shows us that wellness is related as much to mental wellbeing as physical health. Lifting people’s spirits likely touched more people and did more good than the physical healing, though the latter gets more press because “proof” is in seeing.
Going green with Edison’s DC over AC
Thomas Edison, best known for inventing the light bulb, pushed for DC current for transmitting electricity, but we went with AC since it could transmit better across distance. AC has been used heavily for over 100 years, but now green requirements and data center demand are forcing people to look at DC again.
Edison told associates Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” Read the full Insight: How renewable energy may be Edison’s revenge story at Reuters.