That's a well thought out essay. I don't agree that this "lion that roars" is a literal enemy roaming 'out there' (as you seem to imply) but is simply an internal fight, in a mind that lacks love and acceptance. So, in the end, whatever you believe on the devil (whether he's out there or just a deranged mind), we come to the same point: such people (really all people) need love and acceptance, compassion and kindness. If you see it as Jesus, that's fine, but hopefully that love is real in the world, not just something existing in one's mind; that is, hopefully we humans are loving each other. I think one must remember, that to give love is to get love. Open up and be a little vulnerable, and people will respond in kind. Just don't be that weird guy in the supermarket who tells you his whole life story, haha. That'll just scare people away
Libertine, I laughed for like 10 minutes over your post.... trystn, I enjoyed your post. There are so many people out there worrying about how others are acting - you remind us that more important is our responsibility to be conscience of our own actions and interactions with others.
Hey thanks Sera and Brandon for the profs! You know, you've got a good perspective on the lion thing there. Point well taken. (I may have to adjust my sermon for Sunday! :sunglasse) Just goes to prove that "I haven't thought of everything yet.", even though I am an oldster. ehhhhhhh? I may be 45, but one thing is for sure, no moss grows on this stone. Libertine - hehe, nice try but I'm sure pure evil incarnate is even more hideous than that. I've seen some things in the mirror that would make even your skin crawl. Peace-Love-Togetherness Trystn
Enjoyed your post, Trystn, and personally, the Christians who actually live their lives this way, that radiate the tenants that you've expressed, are the ones that make me admire Christianity. It's sad that I've met so few.
Great post, as usual, Trystn. And Libertine... I never thought I'd say this... but that was actually funny.
Hey there girl! Nice to see you out and about. I been bouncin' today. Wish I could get paid..... (hehe - pay day is coming and the eagle will fly!)
Making Monsters “Today I'm a Schmo. Just an average Joe. Some days a diamond, but today I'm just a stone. I’m an ole chunk of coal. Just a slob on the bus trying to make my way home. An insignificant grain of sand on the beach of insignificance. I'm purposeless, un-enthused, disenchanted, jaded and of no consequence. I am a bottom feeder. I am a parasite and dreg on humanity. Nothing I think, do or say is of any value to any person, place or thing. Only to hear my self speaking, see myself writing, I only spend my life living without notice. No one hears, no one sees, and no life is growing in me. I am death in it's final stages beyond restoration. I'm wasting your oxygen, burdening your system. I'm a misshapen cog, a fly in the ointment, a stumbling block and hindrance to humanity. I am every good reason to not be me! I hate me and everyone around me.” Have you ever wondered how real monsters are created? Have you ever wondered how living human beings are able to function without a conscience and commit atrocities upon others that seem straight out of a Wes Craven horror flick? It all starts with the lack of love in their lives. I give glory today to my Father who allows me to empathize with such individuals without the repercussions of actually being one! But sometimes uncaring, unloving people have pushed me to such depths that without God, I could easily become one. The fact is, we, humanity can create such people by not loving or caring enough. Parents do it by rejecting their children. Other children do it by rejecting class mates. Adults do it out of prejudice and high mindedness, and churches even do it by turning people away who don't "fit in". We create these monsters, and we turn them over to an evil that has been around for a long, long time. What? You think they are born that way? Scripture says that the enemy is like a roaring lion who goes about seeking those he may devour. Think that's happening somewhere else? No. If he is roaring, than he is close enough for you to hear. And let me tell you something, the enemy is more horrible than any creature Wes Craven can imagine! The enemy is constantly seeking, and will attack at the most opportune moment. For those individuals the world has rejected, the enemies call may sound like a call to be loved and accepted. It may sound like hope, or it may sound like the promise of peace. Consider those mass murderers who report hearing voices convincing them to commit evil acts, and persuading them that it is the right thing to do. I want to ask you this. We’ve all been guilty of it, but did you really know the person you rejected? Do you really know the person you treat with contempt, or become angry with. Do you truly understand how your words and actions may affect another? Do you understand how, by ignoring someone who seeks your notice, you may hurt them irrevocably? Do you care? Friends, each of us bear a great responsibility to treat others with love, compassion, and care. There are those around you, at your job, on your block and in your midst who exist on a precipice between salvation and damnation. You may be the one to pull them from the danger zone, or you may be the one to push them right into hell. A simple word of kindness, an action of caring, an opportunity to belong may be all it takes to give someone life. That's why Jesus said that all the law and prophets hang on one thing. Love. To love your neighbor (Your neighbor is anyone who you may come into contact with on a day to day basis) as you would want to be loved. I agree, there are those who seem unlovable, but that doesn't mean they don't need, or desire your love. I hope you will consider my words, even if you’ve never felt like the schmo in the first paragraph of this article. I pray you never will feel such misery. But if you do, consider this. I have a friend who loves me no matter what I think of the world around me, or how that world treats me. He's there to rescue me from the darkest of moments. Indeed, Jesus has loved me when I felt no one else in the world did. This is the answer. Beyond all medication, therapy, self-help programs and good advice... a simple call to Jesus is the cure. "Please Jesus, show me love, teach me love, allow me to feel love. Then God I pray I will be able to show that love to those who need it most" :sunglasse
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not." John, the Apostle of Christ Libertine - Here's a poem I wrote just for you man. Though you attempt to move through the shadows unnoticed, while committing offense against God, the light of Jesus has revealed you, I pray you will know his love. You may think that your spells are effective, that they spoil the work of my Lord, but your soul is the thing that's infected, By his stripes I pray you are healed. I don't know who it was that has hurt you, I can see, I can feel your pain, but I know that our God will restore you, when you stop defileing His name. Bro - You may slide past others unnoticed, but you are quite transparent to me. I know your intent and I know your heart. You should understand that the primary intent of the dark forces you attempt to weild against others, is to ultimately result in your own destruction. I pray that your eyes will be open, and that you will see that the intent of the love of Jesus is to free you from the chains of darkness. Forget about heaven or hell for a moment. Why do you continue to deny and degrade the very thing that desires only the best for you in this life. I've found that most people who reject the notion that God really loves them is because they've been hurt by someone who claimed to be a Christian, or they blame some tragedy in their life on him. I know religion and the self-righteous attitudes of many these days are a poor example of our faith, but in this case, one bad apple does not spoil the whole bunch. I want you to know that my post about showing kindness and caring to others is not something I just wrote for the fun of it. I've lived in the dark, in depression, in self loathing, pain anger and regret also. There have been times when I reached out for someone to love me and got spit in my face in return. I promise you this, I will never intentionally turn away from someone in need. If you want to pm me and talk about it please feel free to do so. I think you'll find that I ain't cut from the same mold of those you show contempt for. In Jesus name and in His Love Trystn
