Sunday, November 29, 2009

Black Friday...on Sunday

 
 
Desperation
(by R.P.Edwards)

Desperation
Moves the feet
When “longing for” and “finding”…meet
When constant torment
Sees the “stop”
When burning thirst
Perceives the…“drop”
But when conditions are unknown
Like silent cancer in the bone
Then desperation has no breath
No urge to move…and foil death
And so, O Lord, help us perceive
Our sinful state
And your heart…grieved
And then…the Christ…on mercy’s seat
Then desperation…move our feet

Black Friday; the day after thanksgiving when shopping deals, bargains, and savings drive untold thousands to the waiting aisles of the formerly placid sellers of things.  Be it the toy shop or the hardware haven, the known reduction of a few bucks…and here they come! 

Now, usually I avoid this feeding frenzy like the plague, but this year there was a personal element as my beloved spouse had garnered needful employment at an establishment known for a giraffe mascot and the universal lament, “I don’t wanna grow up!.”  Anyway, my honey was required to work her first ever midnight shift (doors opened at twelve, Thanksgiving night) and I thought it my least obligation to drop her off, and pick her up.  As we rounded the corner, nearly an hour before the floodgates opened, there they were…the thousands.  Wrapped completely around this not small building was a line, two, or three, or four deep (after all, who wants to go shopping alone?), all waiting to rush upon the prey.  My wife informed me that the flow was steady…all night.

So, I was thinking the obvious; they come because they have a need or desire to save some dough, to purchase a gift for themselves or someone else that they wouldn’t or couldn’t buy…before.  In other words; the perceived need…sends them to…the feed.

And so, since this is a Sunday post, the obvious connection is that we humans are in a terrible state; lost, separated from God, destined for destruction.  However, there is a provided, wonderful solution…Jesus.   If the universal problem were truly perceived, and the remedy understood;  every Bible-based church would experience an influx like the retailers on Black Friday.  May we who believe pray, and work towards this end.  For, brothers and sisters, like the sales after Thanksgiving, there is…a time limit.

That's what I think.  How about you?  Click comments below...and say.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Purpose Driven...Cat

 
 
Purrrposed
(by R.P.Edwards)

Here’s your purpose:
Start off frail
Cute of face
And dancing tail
A tiny fur ball
Soft and sweet
Play with string
And nibble…feet
Then quickly grow
And stake your claim
Never come
When they call your name
Endure the children
Torment the hound
Find a spot
You cannot be found
Look out windows
Take long naps
Sometimes on a human’s lap
Rub the leg
A loving schmooze
Then walk on faces
While they snooze
Receive affection
But give them pause
Will you purr?
Or hiss…with claws?
And rule the house
Till old and fat
That is your purpose,
Household cat


We have a member of our family that I’ve mentioned before;  smallish, charcoal gray, quirky, affectionate (sometimes), independent…the household cat.  I suppose one reason she enters the consciousness and conversation more than usual is that, due to a ground level scavenger (the dog) we had to place the “cat dish” on an elevated plain; which just so happens to be near the computer station.  And, since eating is a primary pastime, it’s not unusual for said feline to block the screen, trample the keys, and do the in your face antics that cats are famous for in order to receive attention.  Anyway, I was looking at this mewing marvel one day and realized that she accomplished her “purpose” beautifully.

Purpose; an oft used word of late.  Indeed, the title of today’s blog is a play on pastor Rick Warren’s popular work, “The Purpose Driven Life.”  I must admit, I haven’t read it.  However, I’m sure it’s insightful and edifying, like so many books I may never get around to.  But, concerning the subject, I am aware, as a Christian, that each of us in the body have a purpose and place.  A distinct niche that we, individually, are designed to fill…designed and placed by the Master himself.  And, although it is our tendency to sometimes place greater importance on the more visible gifts and callings (guilty) when we finally realize that all “ability” is from Him, then, when we fulfill our--though we may consider it inconsequential--individual purpose, well, that pleases…Him.  That’s what I want to do.  Don’t you?

So, here’s to purpose.  May the Lord help us all to discover ours…and to be content therein.  And may he also remind us that in all our “doing,” that sitting at His feet (remember Martha and Mary?) is indeed…the better part.

To leave a comment, click comments below…and say. 

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Moral Equivalency

 
 
Moral Equivalency?
(by R.P.Edwards)

Moral Equivalency
What a Crock
Just listen to the eggheads talk
Dismissing murder
Shifting blame
Calling Day and Night the same
Their blather hinders
Muddies
Slows
Then heroes, first, receive the blows
And some will die from wounds so deep
All because of egghead… “speak”


The political science prof. bristled at the freshman’s assertion that there was somehow a difference in “moral standing” in regards to Israel’s strong reaction to--as the youngster put it--a terrorist attack.  “Mr. Jones,” said the tenured instructor, sitting back in his chair, hands behind his head, “I know you are a freshman, with an emphasis on “fresh” (a slight twittering from the class) but you will discover that here in the University, our level of inquiry and understanding is deeper than you and your Midwestern mind are accustomed to (a few more snickers from the seats).”  “But professor,” interrupted the transplanted farm boy, “the women and children?  The murdered women and children!”  The teacher raised his right hand for quiet.  “Enough, Mr. Jones!”  (there was a moment of silence as all focused on the figure at the front). “You will discover, young man,” continued the elder as he stood and reached for the chalk, “that things are not always as they seem.  In fact, I will show you how this particular incident is not black and white at all, but rather a distinctive shade of gray.”

We’re a few days distant from the Fort Hood massacre where thirteen (twelve soldiers, one civilian) were murdered by a Major Hasan, a Muslim terrorist in army fatigues.  As I discussed the incident with an acquaintance, he reminded me that the fallout was much more than the thirteen (make that “fourteen,” one was pregnant).  For each of these, no doubt, had loved ones and intimate friends that now must deal with a tragedy that could have been…avoided.  And you know, I can’t help feeling that some of the twisted morality, so prevalent in the halls of higher education (and thus the occupations fed by these tainted reservoirs) is partially to blame.  Indeed, the need to be politically correct and irrationally “tolerant” has put chains on our defenders, and blinders on their leadership.  And now…fourteen are dead.  And I wonder, how many more will die before we return to a standard of right and wrong, good and evil?  Yes, how many more will die?

What do you think?  Click comments, below, and expound.

Friday, November 6, 2009

PC'd to Death



PC’d to Death
(by R.P.Edwards)

Now, don’t you dare
Connect the dots
There’s nothing there to see
Coincidence and circumstance
The hallmarks of PC
So just forget the pattern
Where murder is OK
And as your loved one’s laid to rest
You have a pleasant day

My wife greeted me with the information that the shooter was still alive.  Huh?  “Oh,” she continued.  “You didn’t hear about the shooting at Fort Hood?”  The answer: no.  I was doing that work thing.  Well, as everyone knows by now, a disgruntled army major by the name of Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire and killed twelve of his fellow soldiers before he was subdued by four non-lethal rounds.  And, this guy is a Muslim.

Yes, yes, I understand, we must not jump to conclusions.  After all, thousands of the Islamic faith have served honorably (so I’m told), and one bad apple is hardly representative.  But here’s my concern; I am troubled by the thought that in our zeal to be politically correct; in our rush to not offend or possibly “profile,” we may have allowed an already unstable individual to latch on to an outlet for his rage…which just so happens to have a “devout” Muslim label.  In other words, his faith connection may have given him an “out,” a justification for what civilized folk call homicide. 

So, what to do? Well, since we are inextricably tied to a conflict(s) in the Muslim sphere, it is only reasonable that those American servicemen who espouse said faith would undergo closer scrutiny.  The ACLU may balk, but perhaps if a little more unfettered analysis had been done, perhaps the thanksgiving holiday, just weeks away, would be a time of rejoicing…instead of tears.

Comment?  Click "comments"...and do so.