Perfect Balance

Ironbridge, Shropshire
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Sometimes I get a sense of guilt that I dont do more to highlight the injustices of this world.

Besides merely writing about things, the effort to actually get up and do something physically, often passes me by. It is not there inside. I am like a lazy bystander, an observer I suppose to many. Standing on a bridge as a lookout. Yet, there are most certainly times, when I would risk losing everything, for that which I know is true.

Where the world once seemed silent to me on the hypocrisy, the persecution, and the unfairness, that those in power had over us lesser mortals; these days I now see a host of people coming forward to speak up and expose that which is unfair and unjust on a whole range of subjects. There are millions of lies, inflicting themselves upon us. Though refreshing to hear people speak up, and the more the better, there is also a danger I think of becoming part of an identity, which can also act as a distraction to our own personal shortcomings. A sense of being a crusader, and a speaker, and activisit, can also act as a windshield and protector for our own ugly shortcomings, unless we are very careful.

There are many in the public eye, who can say and do the right things. They have the words, and they have the passion. They see. Yet behind closed doors there are many large and smaller lies that are covered. A life the public doesnt see. There is denial.

Often when these heros die, we wonder why. Were they good and genuine in heart, or were they distracted by their very own words and ideals. Thinking they had it, when really they hadn't. Conditioned by what is right, and understanding the words, rather than deeply loving with all their heart, what is right. Who is Who, in this mad crazy world we live in.

We suffer in the same way when we see preachers speak of Gods love. They know it, they speak it passionately. Yet, that small detection of them being caught up in image can be very confusing for searchers of truth. It can lead others astray.

And then there are the religious and contemplatives who have completely removed themselves from all physical existence and concerns of the world to devote themselves entirely to a life of quietness and prayer. Do they love God more?

Am I a hypcrite. Yes, at times. The relief of getting something out and on to paper, and the peace of seeing truth, sometimes distracts me from the little things, whilst I'm talking on the big things. But its those little things that really matter I think.

Times when I spend just 20 minutes in the morning, being still in prayer. And times when I fall into bed without prayer at all. Small instances when I see myself talking of another. Assumptions I sometimes take too much notice of. And times when I laugh at jokes on TV when really I shouldn't. Shortcuts I make when I'm pushed for time. Times when I dont listen to my conscience. Times when I sit and write, whilst being late for work - I can justify my actions when I do that one!!

So there seems to be a very strange pull between wordly affairs and a place of nothingness and stillness. The importance of being active and the importance of being still. How much do we lose about ourselves until we become a really genuine authentic born again person.

Are there many people who could live without an identity at all whilst udergoing a transformation. Die to an indetity, rather than add on to an identity.

There must be times we have to completely come out of the world altogether and not be concerned for what is happening too much, if only for short times. A vanishing. Is there a silent group of people undergoing this change

Surely we must love this place, more than the world. Is it a matter of perfect balance?

Saved Alone

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There are not many hymns that I like, and I dont sing much, but now and then, quite by accident, I do take note of the words of a hymn that I happen to hear. Some of the old hymns seen to convey a deeper message....

'Saved Alone' are the words sent by telegram to Horatio Spafford from his wife, after the ship she were sailing on from America to Britian, SS Ville du Havre, sank in 1873. On board had also been their four daughters.

Horatio Spafford had not been meant to set sail with his wife and daughters that fateful day. He had been called away at the very last moment.

Prior to the trip Horatio Spafford had lost his business through a fire that had devasted the city of Chicago. And prior to that fire, Horatio and his wife had lost their only son too. The trip to England was meant to be a new start. A short reprieve from their terrible misfortune.

After the survivors were finally landed somewhere at Cardiff, Wales, Spafford's wife had cabled her husband with those two simple words, "Saved alone." Shortly after, Spafford left by ship on his way where his beloved four daughters had drowned, and pen at hand, wrote this most poignant text so significantly descriptive of his own personal grief – "When sorrows like sea billows roll..." The hymn "It is Well with My Soul" was born.

The poignancy of the telegram maybe indicates that we overcome our own personal griefs alone, but only with the help of someone who can save us, which no other man can do for us during such terrible times.

Often I will hear the words All is Well.

If we could bear grief with the same faith, to really know that it is well, we would indeed be free.

His story makes you think about being saved, and faith through terrible trajedies. There are not many people who could overcome such terrible loss. The inspiration to write this hymn at that particular time must have came from somewhere deep inside, where he knew he would have to go to rely upon to survive.


http://christianmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/hymn_it_is_well_with_my_soul

Quotes by A W Tozer

Constantly practice the habit of inwardly gazing upon God. You know that something inside your heart sees God. Even when you are compelled to withdraw your conscious attention in order to engage in earthly affairs, there is within you a secret communion always going on. A W Tozer.

Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and bring Him nearer to our own image. Religion today is not transforming people; rather it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society; it is descending to society's own level, and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smilingly accepting its surrender.

A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar. The tragic results of this spirit are all about us. Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul.

Because We Believe

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Andrea Bocelli: ****Despite the fact that I live in a fast-paced world, I live my life with a calm vision: I enjoy life's simple pleasures and face every challenge with passion. I try to always be optimistic by interpreting the real meaning of a quotation from the French novelist Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "You see clearly only through your heart. The essential is invisible to your eyes."****

16 - Track 16.mp3

What Will Tomorrow's Mothers Be Like? > The Good News : November/December 2004

What Will Tomorrow's Mothers Be Like? > The Good News : November/December 2004

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The Battle for Your Mind > The Good News : March/April 1997

The Battle for Your Mind > The Good News : March/April 1997

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This is Bravery - It Matters How You Finish

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I've heard a lot recently of Dignitas. The swiss clinic where people go to die. And I've listened to a lot of excuses being made that people should have a right to choose to take their own life. Much of this is based on the idea of compassion, and dying with dignity, without being a burden on society and family. The clinic has assisted 840 suicides.

People will always take this option to take their own lives, but legalising it is wrong. Further, the laws that are now being persued so that prosecution cannot be made against those who assist those who wish to take their own life, will open the doors for further abuse of the weak and vulnerable. Not only by friends and family, but those in the medical profession, who see euthansia as a way out of suffering. It will be a law to ease their conscience.

It is worth remembering that prior to the holocaust, it is reported that the Nazis legalized volutary euthanasia killing thousands of mentally ill patients. Also, the Dutch commenced with assisted suicide to voluntary euthanisa and now a doctor can kill a patient without their consent.

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/h-euthanasia.htm

http://www.ccfon.org/view.php?id=816

In order to win sympathy for their cause, supporters of euthanasia highlight the agony of suffering, the lack of quality of life and purpose, and also portray euthanasia as being a very brave choice. They have a different outlook to those who choose to overcome suffering in the correct way. They do not possess faith.
I am concerned for those who whilst suffering from severe depression, may succumb to the thought of assisted suicide and be talked into taking this option. Also those who think they are a burden, and the elderly who may have choice taken away from them. Society has a distorted view of caring. Legalisation of euthanasia will distort that view even further.

I also think that there is a side to suffering which gives us the opportunity to look within ourselves, to realize things about our lives, and to make peace with God. Dignity and Grace results from the bravery of doing this. Something beautiful can come out of darkness. The soul could be robbed of that. Killing someone, out of what we believe is compassion, is a cover up for convenience for some. What could be considered as compassion will be used as the ultimate excuse for many misdemeanours.
Dignitas was also recently approached by the wife of a dying patient, who decided she did not want to live without her husband. They were prepared to assist her. The incident was remanticized, when in reality this person was mearly fearful.

Dignitas are also being investigated for giving a lethal dose to a healthy person. This is evidence that the organisation and some of its supporters believe that assisted suicide should not just be confined to the terminally ill or severely disabled.

The founder, Ludwig Minelli, blames monotheistic religions, particularly christianity for the prohibition against suicide. He has written "what if there is no God" Suicide should be an option for those who do not believe

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08102704.html

The Daily Mail reported earlier this year that the Dignitas facility was pioneering new suicide methods apart from drugs. In March, the Mail said that a helium-filled plastic bag is put over a client's head until he suffocates. Juerg Vollenweider, deputy head of the Zurich Oberland Crown Prosecution, confirmed that Dignitas used the new method for the first time on February 18.

In contrast, I recently came across the ministry of Nick Vujicic, a young man who has no arms and legs, but works as an inspirational speaker. From the video below, I will say, So here is bravery. And here is his beauty. A reason for living. After you watch him for a while you see past the obvious. He has a wonderful smile.

But at 8 years old he wanted to take his own life. He saw no purpose, and believed that God had abandoned him. Watching him, one may say that he is like a circus sideshow, that he uses his disability to bring out emotional reactions. He does make fun of himself. But this man, has a love about him that chooses not to focus on himself, but chooses to help others see that it is not impossible to overcome severe disability and dissapointments, and have a purposeful life. He has faith. He also admits he still hopes that God may grow him arms and legs. He does not deny he would like that. He does not deny that God can do anything. Despite his infirmities. He chooses life. It could not have been easy for him or his family.

The finality of his bodily life will end like everyone elses at an appointed time. Some of us will die painless deaths, others will not. Some people die in terrible accidents.

In the meantime, true freedom can come whilst we are still here. We can learn to overcome our resentments and dissapointments in life, and our sufferings. The way is to have faith in God, Be Still, and to realize the example of Christ and the suffering he endured. He was resurrected.

I also think we must try and overcome to the end of our days. The gift of time has been given to us. We must not cut it short. This is Bravery to me. Because, like Nick Vujicic I think it really matters how you finish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MslbhDZoniY


And the words of Terry Waite..................
I have to confess that in this bleakest moment of despair, I did think that death might be preferable to the life I was enduring. After all, within the grim walls of that Beirut block, my own failing body had become yet another place of torment. The end of my life, I mused, might be a merciful release.
But then the power of the human spirit prevailed - and Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1204861/I-longed-death-dungeons-Beirut--Im-proof-life.html#ixzz0OEQhGGQh