More Of That Sweet, Sweet Music

What can I say? Great singing coupled with a great sound. That’s what we got from The Fugees. I sure hope they make more music together.

Btw, the video also contains a touching tribute to the late, great Bob Marley.

The Fugees–No Woman No Cry

OSAMA BIN “LONG FORGOTTEN”

The “distraction” (aka, the war) in Iraq has caused me, and probably many Americans (and perhaps our president) to erase Osama Bin Laden from our memories. I guess the reason is that he appears to be impossible to capture. Lo and behold, Osama is determined to remind us that he is still in the land of the living. And now, it…err… I mean he has a message for the nations of Europe: Bin Laden: Europeans should end US help - Yahoo! News

I’d like to believe that if European nations withdraw their troops, it would have nothing to do with Bin Laden, but a matter of principle. Personally, I feel that withdrawals are warranted in Iraq rather than Afghanistan. But that’s just me, LOL.

British Teacher May Be Flogged Over The Name Of A Toy

Newsflash…Muhammed cannot be blasphemed since he is not a deity. Some even deny that he was a prophet, but that’s another blog. Check it out:Briton faces lashes in Sudan over teddy named Muhammed - Telegraph

Even if she made insulting remarks against Islam, she does not deserve to be lashed or jailed. The best way to handle that is to simply challenge what she believes (assuming one disagrees with insulting Islam).

Fact or Science Fiction?

I will be the first to say that the bible has some pretty outrageous and even fairy tale like “occurences”. But is it the only book (or even worldview) that contains such a connection to the “can’t be true?” Lately, I have been pondering the concept of shapeshifting. Here is a definition from Wikipedia:

Shapeshifting is a common theme in folklore, as well as in science fiction and fantasy. In its broadest sense, it is a change in the physical form or shape of a person or animal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapeshifting

The concept of evolution contains the theory that humans evolved from some type of creature to what we are today. It’s a sort of shapeshifting that took millions of years. If we are to accept that theory, should we also accept that fantasy or even a fairy tale like theme has its place in evolution (or science in general) just like it does in the bible? Just a thought.

Close the Borders!!! Not so fast…

Illegal immigrants are just that, illegal. We know that already.  I often see what I know are illegals crowding around street corners each morning. But  you know what? They’re often standing there waiting for work.  Why are we so quick to throw hatred their way?

If it weren’t for an illegal immigrant, a 9-year old boy would be dead right now. Take a look:

Illegal immigrant rescues boy in desert - Yahoo! News

If we search the net, we could find articles on crimes committed by illegals. No argument there. But we should be more compassionate on people who simply want a better life.

What could you possibly like about the bible?

People often speak of biblical passages that they find offensive (like some of the actions of God in the OT).  However, there are many, many things to like about the bible. Contrary to what some may believe, the bible can actually make you feel good, almost like therapy, LOL. Here are a some of my favorite bible passages:

 Psalm 139:14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Philippians 4

 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Luke 10:19 (King James Version)

19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

That’s all for now….

Can one have peace without Jesus?

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with people who have left the Christian faith for other paths. Some consider themselves to be atheists, others became Buddhists, Taoists, Wiccans, etc. Back then, I could never understand how a person could claim happiness or peace outside of Christianity. Now, I can certainly understand why.  However, and there is a big however…when people mention why they left the faith, it almost never has to do with the person of Christ. It usually has to do with issues surrounding the faith. But is it possible to find peace outside of Christ? I would say yes. Then again, I believe that there are degrees on peace. Some people have more peace than others.

What does peace apart from Christianity mean to me? Free from the anxiety or frustration that comes with not measuring up to the standards of a deity. Or freedom from believing that the bad experiences in your life are deliberately placed there by a God for some higher purpose. I guess that’s why I still can’t stand the story of Job, LOL.

I would be amiss if I didn’t admit that there are so many great things about the bible. That’s for a later post.  No matter how I feel about Christ or Christianity in general, there are people who declare to have found happiness elsewhere. It isn’t for me or anyone else to argue them down.

Here is a short testimony from Katherine, of ExChristian.net,  that covers her feelings on the topic:

My name’s Katherine. I just noticed your discussion about peace outside of Christianity and your invitation to share any other POV besides Christianity — at least the fire and brimstone sort — that yields inner peace.Lets try this for starters: I have spent the majority of my life denying a basic component of my identity — of who I really am — and recently dropped that denial. When I did so, along with my acceptance of this aspect of myself I also embraced the traditional role of such a person in indigenous cultures: Shaman. Um … so far so good. A lot more peace. Deep fulfillment. A powerful sense that there’s MUCH MORE to existence than we remotely have a clue about.

Definitely not boring.

Katie

The first thing a fundamentalist might do is deny that she is experiencing any real peace. But the fact is, you really don’t know how a person feels until you walk in their shoes. 

As far as I am concerned, wherever you find true inner peace, stay there.

Music, Sweet Music…

I  just finished listening to “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” by Alicia Keys. What I find amazing is that I’ve never heard a song of hers that I didn’t like.  Her style brings you back to the 70’s when music got personal and a bit more serious than the “cotton candy like” music from earlier generations.  Another hot song from her new album is No One. BUT, I must admit that her voice shocked me when I first heard this song. In other words, it isn’t the best vocal that I’ve heard from her.  Don’t get the wrong idea, she does NOT sound horrible…just a bit forced.

I’m sure you heard the latest single from Fergie. She is apparently falling all over herself, other people, and various objects due to her love interest. Haven’t we all had that experience? Check it out…”Clumsy“.   I didn’t suspect for one moment that she was the singer when I first heard it. 

It’s rare that I like every single song from a particular artist. Some are just that talented, I guess. So if you don’t mind waiting for the short ads before the videos, click on the links and enjoy.

Marriage One Day at a Time…Literally

Ya know, I once heard about these pleasure (temporary marriages) once before. It made me laugh then. Now, it’s offending me deeply. Apparently such marriages may be on the rise in Iraq according to an article I read recently:McClatchy Washington Bureau | 11/15/2007 | In Shiite Iraq, temporary marriages may be rising

Young women with no means of supporting themselves endure what I would call marital prostitution by marrying men (usually older) in order to meet day to day living needs for herself and/or her children. So does that mean an number of Shiite men are knowingly taking on temporary wives in order to care for these women? I’m sure their motives relate to “something else” entirely. Ok, I’ll just say it. The men’s motives are purely sexual.

One shocking detail (again, according to the article) Mutaas have been around, at least among Shiite traditions, since the early spread of Islam. Should I be surprised? Whether I am surprised or not, this doesn’t do much for the image of Islam.

Should Single Parents Remain Single?

A few years ago, a co-worker told me that she would never remarry unless her children were 18 or over. Her words puzzled me at the time and branded her as a bit paranoid. Years later, I discovered that her words ring true. I firmly believe that a single parent should strongly consider remaining single without cohabitation.  The fact is, children who live with one biological parent and his/her cohabitant are at a higher risk for abuse than those who live with two biological parents. I will freely admit that there are some unmarried couples who beautifully raise their partner’s children. That does not mean that the risks for children should be ignored. Take a look:  ABC News: ‘Dark Underbelly of Cohabitation’: Abuse More Likely as Kids Miss Biological Parents

I would also like to add that the risks are not limited to the unmarried. There have been cases where step-parents have abused their spouse’s children.  I guess the thing to remember is to put your children first. They don’t deserve abuse because you want a boyfriend or girlfriend.

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