Viewpoint

 

In times like these especially, what a difference it would make…

If those who are very wealthy, be they pop stars, actors, entertainers, business men/women, etc, were to refrain from spending their wealth on lavishly indulging themselves, be that on over-the-top parties, outrageously priced cars, jets, super yachts, chattels, mansions here and there, regular extravagant country to country jaunts, etc, and instead, used their wealth to alleviate suffering and poverty at home and abroad, be that via providing equipment, food, medical supplies, clinics, housing, education, clothing, opportunities, etc. It could be said, that how much one has left, after they’ve given, indicates the true state of their generosity. Yes, how much is still sitting in their bank account? Assets? You might like to read my poem, or view the power point, “I’ve A Duty, I’ve A Reason.”

If governments, local councils, etc, refrained from spending money on the likes of trips to the moon (that’ll never work for us, can’t), the proliferation of weapons, fire works, extravagant buildings, unnecessary and expensive statues, memorials, events, or titivations, and instead, spent it on animal welfare/protection, food banks, refuge centres, cheaper public transport, recycling, mental health services, free or cheaper medical care and aids (such as crutches, spectacles, dentures, artificial limbs, hearing aids), etc.

If the likes of heads of state, members of parliament, chief executives, refused to accept and justify unacceptable (some would say obscene), unwarranted salaries, bonuses.

If those in the medical profession, be they doctors, dentists, surgeons, optometrists, etc, cut their charges, accepted lower profits, and particularly helped those on low incomes, benefits, be it via free services from time to time, or be it via reduced costs.

If those with skills, be they an electrician, computer whiz, builder, mechanic, lawyer, etc, volunteered their service/ability from time to time, without charge, in an effort to help those in difficulty and struggling financially, and also cut their charges in general so that their services were more affordable to all.

If those who own businesses showed more concern over their staff and the community than their profits, improved wages and conditions (certainly where warranted), sought to produce quality products at a price that showed generosity and thought, rather than possible greed.

If husbands and wives put all their effort into trying to make their partner happy, putting them first, loving and caring for them (self-sacrificially), displaying affection, compassion, sensitivity, building them up, supporting them, being their for them, being faithful, transparent, non-violent, nor manipulative, and not placing unfair expectations on them.

If both parents and children made a greater effort to understand each other, worked together for the greater good of each other, showed mutual respect, were more tolerant and forgiving towards each other, and more sensitive to each others needs, less judgmental.

If you and I lived more humbly, focusing on needs rather than wants, not the indulgent or unnecessary, and instead, used that money (that we might have wasted) to help those in the community who are poorer, struggling, or by giving it to food banks, charities, sponsoring children overseas, doing our bit to halt poverty and suffering around the world, etc.

If Christians truly lived according to their Bible, displayed tolerance, love, compassion, and a non-judgmental, nor self-righteous attitude, allowed others to respectfully challenge their beliefs and actions without responding negatively or showing a bias. Let me add that there’s a difference between self-righteously judging and the necessary evaluation, rebuke, come discipline. You might like to read my poem, “To Judge Or Not To Judge.”

If all, whether Christian, Muslim, or atheist, put self last, insisted upon a higher standard within society, appreciated and respected values, morals, etiquette, showed tolerance, fairness, and compassion, sought peace, valued the sacredness of life, upheld law and order, freedom of speech, civil/religious liberty, non-violence.

If all in authority humbly sought to serve rather than dominate, to aid rather than hinder, to improve rather than worsen, to give rather than take, to protect rather than injure.

If no one killed creatures for sport, cruelly experimented on them, confined them to cages for self gratification, or mistreated them in general.

If all acted responsibly towards the environment, took pride in themselves and their surroundings, took care of their health to the best of their ability.

Could you add to or improve upon this? Are you in agreement or not? Tell me.



By Degree


Surely you wouldn’t take a life, not deliberately,
No, not knowingly, willingly, nor calculatedly?
Surely you wouldn’t kill someone, let them die painfully,
Miserably, horribly, lingeringly, callously?

But tell me, friend, might you, would you, have you indirectly,
Thoughtlessly, carelessly, insensitively, ignorantly?
That is, via selfishly using, wasting, withholding money,
Money needed to keep folk from starving, dying, daily.

And surely you wouldn’t aid poverty? Not consciously,
Not intentionally, voluntarily, readily.
But could it be, friend, that you’re aiding such indirectly,
Thoughtlessly, carelessly, insensitively, ignorantly?

“It’s my money,” you say. Well, no one’s disputing that, friend,
But isn’t it sad that folk die while pleasures we defend?
Yes, thrills, luxuries, wants, even demands — material things,
Things that excite, but that indirectly, death for many brings.

Or if not death, prolonged poverty, daily misery,
That could be halted, lessened greatly, very easily.
How, you say? Via all that money that’s spent so wastefully,
Unnecessarily, recklessly, self indulgently.

Money that annually runs into many billions,
Depriving of food and life the starving, dying, millions.
Money that could bring changes for the better, everywhere,
Yes, at home or abroad, but only when we choose to care.

Care enough, that is, to respond self sacrificially,
Rather than saying, “I can do as I wish, it’s my money.”
After all, who would put money before humanity?
Surely only a criminal, or us perhaps, by degree.

By Lance Landall




Reasons


Ten Reasons For Caring

1) Caring shows that we have a heart and a conscience.
2) The greatest happiness and satisfaction comes from losing ourselves in others.
3) Every human via their very being is precious, and worthy of time, effort and love.
4) We’re all linked by origin and lineage; we’re one big family.
5) We’re all suffering in one way or another.
6) We all know how easy it is to err, and that many are paying terribly for their error.
7) Caring will place us on the side of right, light, and hope.
8) What goes around comes around. In other words: If we don’t show care towards others, care may not come our way when we need it.
9) Pulling together is the only way we can improve the lot of humanity, cut back the damage we’ve done to our planet, and lessen damage in future.
10) We’re all in the same boat (earth), are facing the same apocalyptic scenario, and time wise have the same narrow window.

Ten Reasons For Taking Care

1) Our lives are only capable of lasting a certain length of time. By not taking care of ourselves we might decrease that period.
2) By not taking care of ourselves we might suffer from health problems at an earlier age, and as a consequence, no doubt for a longer period of time.
3) By not taking care of ourselves we might create unnecessary problems or misery for ourselves, and for our loved ones too, affecting quality of life.
4) By not taking care of ourselves we might add to the already overtaxed medical system and budget blowouts depriving others (even ourselves) of assistance when it’s needed.
5) By not taking care of ourselves we might add to the already stretched and under funded organisations (and resources) involved in attending to us, such as search and rescue.
6) Overusing and mistreating any organ or member unnecessarily, or sustaining unnecessary injuries (via the likes of certain sports, fun activities, etc), might see us pay a price that may well out weigh the pleasure we get. Pain just for a buzz?
7) By not taking care of ourselves we might be less well off financially due to certain expenses incurred, be that due to doctor or dentist visits, travel expenses, etc.
8) By not taking care of ourselves we might influence others who’ll possibly suffer similar woes, adding to the burdens their loved ones and society has to bear.
9) By not taking care of ourselves, or in general, we might display a lack of wisdom and common sense, even a recklessness and disregard for others.
10) By not taking care of ourselves, or in general, we might even inadvertently harm someone else.

Ten Reasons For Being Yourself

1) It’s being yourself that makes you very special, the unique person that you are.
2) The world will be all the less for you hiding behind someone else. Such stifles your individuality.
3) We can never be someone else no matter how hard we try.
4) Trying to be someone else may upset that person you’re trying to be.
5) Everyone is human, faulty, has their own issues, uses the bathroom! So don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re no better or worse.
6) Trying to be someone else leads to confusion, emotional illness and stress.
7) Trying to be someone else is somewhat acting dishonestly, deceitfully.
8) You might disappoint those who like you the way you are.
9) Not being yourself holds you back from contributing in your own unique way.
10) No matter how little you think of yourself it won’t alter your value. Your worth is based on your very existence.

Twelve Reasons For Speaking Out

1) Where freedom of expression or civil/religious liberty is under threat.
2) Where others may be endangered.
3) Wherever there is prejudice and bigotry of any kind.
4) Where someone is being wrongly maligned, as one day that someone could well be you.
5) Where truth is under attack or lies injured.
6) Where an injustice is occurring. Every injustice ignored sees injustice grow.
7) Where there are those who need us to speak on their behalf.
8) Where it’s cowardly to not speak out.
9) You may not get another opportunity than the one that comes your way.
10) Speaking out shows that you have a mind and will of your own, an inner strength.
11) It builds character, courageous muscles.
12) It encourages others, sets a valuable example.






Your Hearing's Precious


Seems sad but true that most have to lose their hearing, or suffer damage to their hearing, before they truly appreciate it, or appreciate it as much as they should.
So how do we lose or damage our hearing, including ending up suffering from tinnitus (noises within the ear), a miserable thing on its own?
Well, other than via some misfortune (certain antibiotics and other medications, ear infections, explosions, etc.), or a general deterioration due to age, there are two ways in which hearing loss occurs:
1) Via conscious exposure to noise, willingly or unwillingly.
2) Via unconscious exposure to noise.
The latter occurs due to ignorance, or due to what we think are benign noises — in other words, noises that we don’t think are harmful when they actually are, especially accumulatively.
Our hearing deteriorates over time not just due to specific occurrences but due to accumulative exposure to noises in general throughout our lifetime. Therefore, if we truly value our hearing, the idea is to lessen such exposure.
The following is a list of noise damaging examples that can result in immediate damage or accumulative damage (wear and tear on one’s hearing), and bearing in mind that while we can’t always get away from such noises we can limit exposure to them, and take precautions.
Here we go:
1) Remaining in a room where there’s a loud babble of noise. The longer one remains the more likely and worse the damage will be. Examples: General gatherings which would include wedding receptions, parties and other such functions, church luncheons; and venues would include bars, night clubs, airport terminals and the likes.
2) Machinery. Examples: Lawnmowers (better to use a push mower), electric power tools, electric kitchen equipment (food mixers, blenders), electric household equipment (vacuum cleaners), hand drying machines in public places (some excessively noisy).
3) Guns, explosives, crackers.
4) Screaming children (worse if they’re being held), classrooms where yelling children are present, childcare centres, kindergartens, playcentres.
5) The unnecessary slamming of doors, windows, cupboards, the loud shuffling of pots and pans, crockery and cutlery, which near one’s ears can do damage instantly or accumulatively. Also, the whacking or throwing of things, or the dropping of things that can result in a loud noise — thus, we need to be more aware, cautious, careful.
6) Hammering.
7) Alarms, sirens, whistles, horns.
8) Music volume, and especially from stereo headphones sitting over or in the ear. Best not to enjoy music at all via this means.
9) Fax machines and the likes via the telephone receiver.
10) Sports events, general events, shows, where there’s loud noise due to people either yelling, whistling out, or even singing in mass, loud music, fireworks, hailers, starting guns, motor racing, revving, acoustic feedback, etc.
11) Shopping malls where there are many people and an accumulation of surrounding noises in general.
12) Transport. Example: General traffic noise, riding on motorbikes, being in or near noisy cars and trucks. Bus, train, boat, and plane travel. Airports where shrill engines are running.
13) Noises coming from work being done nearby, or machines that are stationed nearby.
14) The low frequency noises coming from amplified sound (woofers).
16) People shouting near your ear.
17) Driving any reasonable distance with the window down. Such will wear the hearing quicker in the ear that’s closer to the open window and road.
Perhaps you can think of more.
If you value your hearing, I would recommend that where you are exposed to even moderate noise, that you insert, where practical, some kind of noise dampening device into or over your ears. And don’t be afraid to put your hands over your ears in public regarding certain loud noises that go past you or that you pass by. Don’t worry what others might think — you’re hearing isn’t worth damaging for the sake of pride. If your hearing is already damaged then that’s all the more reason to take care of it.
Our ears can be damaged easier than we think! Its not until the damage becomes noticeable that we finally register and become regretful — in other words, the damage can be slow and subtle, hence the danger. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Too many don’t take action until it’s too late. As long as we think we’re hearing well we don’t concern ourselves too much — therein lies a major problem. Remember, we only hear as good as we’re hearing.
Hear today, gone tomorrow. It can be that quick. Take care — you’ll miss it badly!



NOTE: The following articles contain Christian content.


Questions for the Christian

(In no particular order)

What activates your humour? Could it be racism, sexism, misfortune, cruelty, discrimination, weirdness, crudity?

What affects your choice of clothing, car, house, décor, etc? Could it be pride, vanity, ego, the “Jones” mentality?

Does the way you treat your spouse, family, friends, workmates, neighbours, relations, and even strangers, reflect and please God? Are you quick to apologise, reconcile, make good? Do you keep your promises, stick to your word, and display loyalty?

Do you look after your possessions, thus showing gratitude to God for what you have? Do you take pride in your surroundings, reflecting order, cleanliness, thought, and care?

Do you prolong the life of all that you own, thus refraining as much as possible from contributing to the stockpile of rubbish contaminating our planet and the extra pollution that is caused by producing more?

Do you recycle? Do you pass on to others (who’re less fortunate) what you no longer need, or do you sell it unnecessarily to increase your already ample supply of needs? Do you use contaminants carefully with the environment in mind, and do you avoid using contaminants wherever possible?

Does what you read, watch, attend, and listen to, reflect discernment, and a strong spiritual accent and goal?

Does the way you think, speak, and act, truly reflect God? Who else might it be reflecting? Does the way you dress reflect God, or place a stumbling block in the way of another, either via temptation (sexual) or wrongful influence? Does it vainly say, “Admire me?”

How do you respond to those of a different faith? When they want to share their beliefs with you, do you display indifference, reticence, impatience, a bias, prejudice? Are you tolerant and respectful towards other faiths and those who disagree with you? Do you give what they say fair consideration?

Does the way you treat your body show gratitude to God (the Creator) and thought for your spouse and family? Do you harm your body via wrong substances, thrash it, deprive it, overindulge, put yourself at risk?

How ethically do you run your business? Do you inflate prices, do dodgy deals, indulge in tax evasion, cross acceptable advertising standards for the Christian, put profit before staff (inadequate wages), become too absorbed with it to the detriment of family, friends, and God Himself?

Do you covet more than an already adequate wage, house, car, etc? Do you secretly covet a prestigious church office, religious position, even secular one?

How much time, effort, money, and support do you give to others’ needs? How does it compare with what you’re doing for yourself? Do you grumble about how often humanitarian agencies request money, yet, happily purchase your 29 inch television, mag wheels for your car, designer clothing, spa pool, invest in the share market, regularly trip overseas, etc?

How much of your time does God get? As much time as you give to your own pursuits and pleasures? How much time is spent in deeply studying His Word, being about His business?

Do you misuse God’s name by uttering it carelessly? Do you bring dishonour to His name via hypocrisy?

Do you shoot God’s creatures for sport? Do you justify doing so when alternative and adequate food is available?

Do you patronise certain unnecessary events that waste dwindling and needed resources, pollute the environment, and that use money desperately needed to alleviate suffering and death? Motorcar racing, fireworks displays, etc?

How much of your money supports the spread of the Gospel to a dying world? Only what you feel you must give? How much is spent on your own comforts and desires in comparison? What’s the state of repair of God’s house in comparison to yours?

How much importance do you give to attending church, and how much time do you spend there? Does the way you dress for church display how much importance you attach to the One you’ve come to worship, meet with? Do you begrudge giving Him one day of worship (total presence), even though He has generously given you six days for yourself? Have you chosen to worship where the focus is on God-centred adoration or where the focus is on self-centred gratification?

If someone tells you that they can’t meet their needs, do you reach into your pocket, or do you tell them you’ll remember them in prayer and look for justification for not parting with your money? Do you say that you’re struggling financially too, when what you’re talking about is maintaining your desired standard of living as opposed to their difficult or struggling existence?

Do you tell so-called little white lies, trick (deceive) others for a laugh, gossip behind someone’s back?

Have you happily accepted God’s grace, yet, are somewhat indifferent or antagonistic to His will for you? Are you careless regarding the standard He has set for Christian conduct (the Ten Commandments, by which He judges us)? We are His ambassadors, don’t forget.

Are you stealing by doing your own things in your employer’s time; by not putting money in the parking meter when you use it; and by not giving your spouse or family the time or support that they are due?

How do you react to those who offer you constructive criticism, disagree with you, or who have a problem with you?

Would you, via legislation, seek to encroach upon another’s freedom of expression, civil/religious liberty?



Regarding Suffering

By J. H. Jowett

"The range of our possible sufferings is determined by the largeness and nobility of our aims. It is possible to evade a multitude of sorrows by the cultivation of an insignificant life. Indeed, if it be a man's ambition to avoid the troubles of life, the recipe is perfectly simple -- let him shed his ambitions in every direction, let him cut the wings of every soaring purpose, and let him assiduously cultivate a little life, with the fewest correspondences and relations.

By this means a whole continent of afflictions will be escaped and will remain unknown. Cultivate negations, and large tracts of the universe will cease to exist. For instance, cultivate deafness, and you are saved from the horrors of discords. Cultivate blindness, and you are saved from the assault of the ugly. Stupefy a sense, and you shut out a world. And, therefore, it is literally true that if you want to get through the world with the smallest trouble you must reduce yourself to the smallest compass.

And, indeed, that is why so many people, and even so many professedly Christian people get through life so easily, and with a minimum acquaintance with tribulation. It is because they have reduced their souls to a minimum, that their course through the years is not so much the transit of a man as the passage of an amoeba.

They have no finely organized nervous system, or they have deadened and arrested the growth of one nerve after another; they have cut the sensitive wires which bind the individual to the race, and they are cosily self-contained, and the shuddering sorrow of the world never disturbs their seclusion. Tiny souls can dodge through life; bigger souls are blocked on every side.

As soon, therefore, as a man begins to enlarge his life, his resistances are multiplied. Let a man tear out of his soul the petty selfish purpose and enthrone a world purpose, the Christ purpose, and his sufferings will be increased on every side. Every addition to spiritual ambition widens the exposure of the soul, and sharpens its perception of the world's infirmity and the sense of its own restraints."



FAME

By John Fischer

Fame is no blessing

She mounts the platform for yet another award. The picture at the conclusion of the music award ceremonies will show her struggling to hold the arm-load of trophies she has received this night. But as she approaches the podium for the last time to a standing ovation, there is a seriousness of purpose dimly visible behind her gracious, winning smile.

"I know you are probably expecting me to give God the credit for all these awards tonight, but I'm not sure He wants any part of this." She lets the shock settle in for a moment before continuing. "In fact, it occurs to me as I stand here, that God may not have had anything to do with these awards at all. It wasn't God who came up with a great production, it was my producer. It wasn't God who made me famous, it was my marketing company. It isn't God who is even remotely interested in my popularity, it's my manager. Business is business, ladies and gentlemen, and I'm fortunate to have some of the best around me, but when it comes to God, He's far more concerned with how I live my life than He is acting as my promoter or the reason for my success. For all I know, He might be fighting against my success right now. So thank you, all of you, for acknowledging the hard work of the people around me, and now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back home to my life as it really is, and right now - to tell you the truth - that life needs a bit of attention. You see, I've sacrificed my family for these awards, and I need to get home and made sure I still have one."

No this didn't actually happen-outside my imagination, that is-but it is a way to dramatize a point. When we think of success and fame, the tendency has been to think that these things come as the result of some kind of blessing from God.

I wonder.

Why would we think of giving God credit for personal fame? What would lead us to believe that He is interested in such a thing? Isn't it more that we have bought into fame, and we think that since it is so important to us, it must be important to God? For all we know, God might be the most disinterested party of all when it comes to celebrity status.

What if it's quite the opposite? What if fame is a curse? Or worse: What if it's idolatry? Are we rewarding the idol and thanking God for helping us create it? At worse, fame is idolatry; at best, it is a huge responsibility. Nowhere do I see it as a blessing - certainly nothing anyone would want to be glibly thanking God for in front of cameras. Fame is no blessing. That much has been made clear through the failure of those who have treated it as such.

Fame carries a responsibility to tell the truth because the spotlight will not tell it for you. Fame works against the truth. It deals in myth, and those who have had any real impact on society from a celebrity role are those who have been strong enough to shatter the myth - politicians who have actually served their community, movie stars who have taken up causes away from the camera, or rock stars who have been quick to parody their own image.

Now that Christian artists are cast in similar celebrity molds as the world, where they are set apart as more highly desirable than others, can we expect them to somehow be exempt from the lie of fame just because they are Christians involved in "ministry?"

The light of the spotlight will always be a bent one, regardless of who it's shining on. This is true not only of those who shine the light and stand in it, but of those who watch as well. The general public wants an image to worship. It's us who have bought into this fame thing; I doubt God is involved. When He sent His own Son into the world, He shunned fame. At one point the god of this world offered Him the highest pinnacle of worldly praise, and He rejected it. And when it came time to seize the day in front of all creation, God has His Son humiliated on a cross.

It is truly dangerous to think that one has been awarded some kind of special compensation from God due to a certain success in the world. It is equally dangerous to think that because of success, a different set of rules applies.

Fame carries a responsibility - a mine field to be carefully and prayerfully navigated. It is far from being a blessing.