(seen at Abyssal Mind)

Perhaps the purpose of the web, and particularly blogging, is to share clues to the solution of the Enigma. By interbroadcasting our special clues -- our unique ideas, questions, and ways of seeing the world -- we may provide each other, and our union, with the missing pieces of the Puzzle. The more quickly, completely, honestly and directly we share these pieces, it encourages others to do the same, and the sooner we will complete what we've come here to do.

The Struggle of Graciousness...

Words: top- from Jordon Cooper
bottom- Sunny by The Choir

Grace sucks most of the time. So many people talk about how wonderful it is and how they need it everyday. It is wonderful to get but horrible to give out. It comes with a really high cost. We extend grace to others after they have hurt us and often in the middle of our pain with the hope of something better. In those cases where it is accidental it is a lot easier. In those cases where the pain is intentional, it isn't very much fun.

---

I know how it feels to be humiliated
How it burns to feel small
I wish all your giants to be capitulated
Every demon to crawl

But I can't do anymore than kneel and pray
I can't say any more than "Sure is sunny"
Sure is sunny today

I know how it feels to be humiliated
How it burns to feel small
I wish all your giants to be decapitated
Every demon to crawl

Sure is sunny today...

Find something for someone that we all need: food, shelter, clothes...perhaps you.

(seen at Jordon Cooper)

There's an enormous amount of our rage in the world that's converted into angry plans of attack and destruction. A great deal of social action and political reform is fueled by anger; the results are nearly always worse then the conditions that provoked the action. If we're going to do something about what's wrong with the world--the spectrum of wrongs stretches from marital fights to world wars, from disobedient children to the destruction of the rain forests--we have to acquire a better base to work from then our anger.

from Leap Over a Wall : Earthy Spirituality for Everyday Christians
by Eugene H. Peterson

What if...?

(seen at The Holy Observer in this article)

TIKRIT, IRAQ – In another shocking development in the unfolding story of Saddam Hussein's capture, sources in Iraq have informed The Holy Observer that the former Iraqi dictator converted to Christianity shortly after being taken into custody.

Numerous accounts of the raid that led to Hussein's capture corroborate the story that upon being removed from the "spider hole" in which he was hiding, Hussein spotted a WWJD bracelet on the wrist of a 4th Infantry Division soldier and began pointing at it and yelling excitedly. Witnesses relate that the soldier then walked Hussein through the four spiritual laws with the help of an interpreter and a pocket-sized Arabic translation of the New Testament on the way to the undisclosed location where Hussein is being interrogated.

Sources tell THO that Hussein then prayed the prayer of salvation and related to the soldier that he first became interested in Christianity when members of his regime presented him with materials being circulated by Southern Baptist missionaries who were expelled from the country for proselytizing. The materials were specifically targeted to Muslim men, and they explained the many similarities between the Southern Baptist and Muslim views on the role of women, abortion, homosexuality and other social issues. Sources say Hussein was fascinated by these materials, and expressed interest in becoming a member of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Insecure

[from The soliloquist's kvetch-log]

Isn’t this the same man who had made a claim that he would never be caught alive? I really wished he had shot himself before reduced to such a ridicule…some shards of dignity would still have remained to his credit…I am all for Human Rights, and believe him to be the worst of transgressor. All the same, isn’t he too a human, why was his humiliation relayed live to the world?

---

[from Smile at Me]

If Iraqis were waiting for Hussein to return as a triumphant hero, they are missing the true heros. The ordinary citizen of Iraq who has to pick up the pieces now and rebuild his country, live with the loss of loved ones, perhaps move because his or her home was destroyed, these are the heros in Iraq today. Lets salute them. And then lets get out of their way and let them live self directed lives in peace.

(seen at Mind's Eye)

This love that exists for us to experience acts as a double edged sword. Love cuts deep, and it doesn't make sense. To continually love something that, at times, appears unlovely, or has no love to offer, is illogical and irrational. It isn't easy for me to wrap my brain around this kind of love . . . .I don't think I can. I can't understand a love that invites me and loves me when I run from it. One that runs after me, and begs to hold me, kicking and screaming, cussing and running.

A Reason for the Season
(seen in this post at the dimly lit room, emphasis mine)

To point the finger at marketers and corporations is a cop-out. It’s too easy. Christmas is commercialized. To that, I say "who cares?" If you don’t like all of the commercialization, don’t participate in it. Don’t buy excessive gifts for people. Tell your friends and family that you took the money for their gifts and fed some people that were hungry. Give your winter coat to a teenage girl that spends each night shivering cold on the street. Invite those with no homes into your home for turkey dinner on Christmas day. If you truly care about the meaning of Christmas, do something about it.

Then, perhaps, one can complain about a commercial Christmas. But until then, it is probably best to keep quiet.

(seen in this post at Doc-Martens.net)

I find that even if I am not the least bit excited about a certain issue, if I spend time with someone who is truly passionate about it, excitement begins to build within me as I hear their vision and their dreams. Passion is contagious....

Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark. (Henri Frederic Amiel)

(seen at Clay.Humanclay.ca)

What is it that seems to corrupt kids? Why is it as they get older, they seem to enjoy everything less? Seriously, grade sixers are still stinking young. They should be able to still jump up and down singing a song and have fun with it. But kids these days seem to worry too much about self-image at such a young age. When I see those little grade one kids I can't help but notice how much life they have inside them. Most of them had no clue what they were singing, but they didn't care. They were jumping and making noise. What would happen if we, as adults, would look at life the same way.