Ok, I don't know how all this posting & copyright stuff works....I didn't write this...but I suppose if I quote the original source of this article....anyway, I am a member of the orginization of who's blog I took this page from. It comes from:
'Live the Creed' a blog by various young missionaries with the Family International (like myself)....
This post was in the section answering the question "Why Would Anyone Want to be a Missionary Anyway?" ENJOY!!--I know I did!
Salvation
Why indeed?
I know of one man who switched careers mid-life and became a missionary. Prior to that he had the success and respect of his community. He gave it all up…and what was the result?
Eight times he was beaten. Three times shipwrecked, once spending a day and night adrift. He spent more nights in jail than I can count. Once he was left for dead by a mob. Once he was saved from another mob in the nick of time by the authorities…who promptly slapped him in jail again. He said:
"I have faced danger from flooded rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, as well as from (others). I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the stormy seas. I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm." (2 Cor. 11:24-27)
Eventually his enemies caught up with him and he died under the executioner’s axe. Long before his death, how did he feel about his new career and the change in circumstances it brought? He is quoted as saying:
"I am quite content with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities." (2 Cor. 12:10).
Fortunately we know why, because he once wrote: "Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes."
Perhaps one of his contemporaries said it best:
"We love Him (Jesus), because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
St. Paul and St. John are generally well-known and well-liked now, but in their time they were just ordinary men whose driving motivation was simply how much Jesus loved them. Whether we as Christians today will ever accomplish a tenth of what they did is irrelevant. It is the same love and the same motivation that now moves us. For no matter who we are, or what we’ve done or haven’t done, Jesus loved us. He loved us so much that He gave His life for us (John 3:16). He endured cruel torture and death so that we might have peace of mind and heart here in this life and no fear of what is to come in the next life. He offered—and offers—this gift to us for free! The gift of eternal life. All we have to do is accept it and thank Him for it.
His offer is for everyone. Why not give Him a try? It’s simple. Just ask Him. There are no right or wrong words to use. Just speak to Him from your heart. If you’re unsure of what to say, you could say something like this:
Dear Jesus, I ask You to come into my heart and life.
I want the love, peace and forgiveness that you offer.
Thank you for this free gift. Thank you that you love me.
Fill me with your Spirit and set my life on the course you know is best.
Amen.
Now what?
to view this blog yourself simply visit www.livethecreed.com
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Biding my time!
Let not regular posting be confused with copying everyone & joining the "online-diary" club.
I told myself I wouldn't put stuff up EVERY DAY, just to say that I've done it, but then I did realize that I've got to put up SOMETHING (of course, that sounds like, put up anything, just so ppl can see something. OOPS!).
Time would fail me to tell of spending the WHOLE ENTIRE DAY inventoring (is it a word?) all the medicines obtained for the clinic that Family Care started here (it was fun actually)....or of some beach visits, or of teaching 12 FS Bible studies, which I absolutely LOVE. It's all enough to keep a man busy, but certainly not the "end of the action" if you will. There's more to come & even though I've already had enough Adventure for a Lifetime already, the sky is just the limit--past the limit is what I hope to reach someday. TYJ!...Getting there....
I told myself I wouldn't put stuff up EVERY DAY, just to say that I've done it, but then I did realize that I've got to put up SOMETHING (of course, that sounds like, put up anything, just so ppl can see something. OOPS!).
Time would fail me to tell of spending the WHOLE ENTIRE DAY inventoring (is it a word?) all the medicines obtained for the clinic that Family Care started here (it was fun actually)....or of some beach visits, or of teaching 12 FS Bible studies, which I absolutely LOVE. It's all enough to keep a man busy, but certainly not the "end of the action" if you will. There's more to come & even though I've already had enough Adventure for a Lifetime already, the sky is just the limit--past the limit is what I hope to reach someday. TYJ!...Getting there....
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
About blogging!
Well, I never really titled it that before, but I have been on about this in the past.
I will not deny it...I neglect this thing....somewhat! Not for long!!! THERE'S HOPE! Really, there is....
I always go on my friends blogs & eagerly anticipate some new story/tidbit/inspirational writing/news, whatever! I guess some are hoping for the same from here, I realized...
So, without further ado, here is this post! That's all of it, actually! The truth is that right now I'm not connecting from my computer & there's a bit of a line to go online with this one. Also, the internet's on & off, so it's a bit of a juggling act...Oh, yeah! I've got a bit of a story about that!
Last night I was on this very computer & trying to connect! My own computer wouldn't stay on & this one wouldn't get online & a bunch of ppl were waiting to hear back from me about stuff & I had some urgent things to send as well & was trying to write my family & had missed a couple B'days & on & on..... So I was starting to get really annoyed with the whole thing & then I remembered my stance to be more praiseful in my last post from the other week (Ta-Dum!). I could hear the Lord telling me that it was a test & that I could either go into negativity about it, or I could actually just praise & wait for the miracle.
So I decided to do the latter & I started singing a praise song to Jesus. I felt better already! Then I really felt better when INSTANTLY after that the thing connected & I sent about 5 messages in about 4 minutes (excellent track-record for this thing) YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!! I was so happy! Praise does it again!
I will not deny it...I neglect this thing....somewhat! Not for long!!! THERE'S HOPE! Really, there is....
I always go on my friends blogs & eagerly anticipate some new story/tidbit/inspirational writing/news, whatever! I guess some are hoping for the same from here, I realized...
So, without further ado, here is this post! That's all of it, actually! The truth is that right now I'm not connecting from my computer & there's a bit of a line to go online with this one. Also, the internet's on & off, so it's a bit of a juggling act...Oh, yeah! I've got a bit of a story about that!
Last night I was on this very computer & trying to connect! My own computer wouldn't stay on & this one wouldn't get online & a bunch of ppl were waiting to hear back from me about stuff & I had some urgent things to send as well & was trying to write my family & had missed a couple B'days & on & on..... So I was starting to get really annoyed with the whole thing & then I remembered my stance to be more praiseful in my last post from the other week (Ta-Dum!). I could hear the Lord telling me that it was a test & that I could either go into negativity about it, or I could actually just praise & wait for the miracle.
So I decided to do the latter & I started singing a praise song to Jesus. I felt better already! Then I really felt better when INSTANTLY after that the thing connected & I sent about 5 messages in about 4 minutes (excellent track-record for this thing) YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!! I was so happy! Praise does it again!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
"Oweboooooooooooooo!".....He couldn't POSSIBLY be talking to me!!
The other part that was so fun about visiting the Subsidized Health Care clinic that Family Care has just set up here, was talking & playing with the little community kids that run around here. How I've missed those areas where on the little "streets" cars, people, "stoves" (more like a big pot on some burning sticks) & chickens all share the road. In other words, this new clinic is in a poor part of town (you already guessed that???...Jee! You're smart!)
We had worked hard chasing accomodation & furniture for the doctor that we've just employed & is pretty new to Lagos....he's from out of town & is used to...well...shall we say, a "different way of doing things". The whole part-time-charity thing (for him--it's full-time for us...)& the "Just-do-it-for-Jesus" concepts are still a bit new to him. But we're working on it!
....Oh, but wait!! I'm veering off from my story (that sentence sounded like something out of a 'Reflections'...)...As I go in & out of the clinic, getting stuff from the car & going back in I see this little group of about 4 or 5 kiddie faces & one little 6 yr old grin that calls out, "Owebo!" with a twinge of sarcasm & a slight chuckle. I'm like "Did he just say that to MEEE!" The reason I'm so shocked is because Owebo is the Nigerian term for foreigner...well, roughly. It's basically used for any "white man". The reason this shocks me is because I'm NOOOOOOOOOOOT WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITE!!!! They're on to me...they reckognize that I'm a foreigner.--Nothing is sacred anymore!
This was the beauty of Uganda!--Well...East Africa in general, really. Although no one could ever place where I was from, they generally thought I was African (at least half of the time). This meant that I could go around &...well, blend in.--I got the whole "Mzungu" thing--the Swahili "Owebo" equivalent--like, 3 or 4 times MAX in the whole 6 years I was in East Africa(slightly exaggarated, but hey). Not being a target for eye-stares/gawking, or hiked up prices, pick-pockets, what have you. (In case you missed my picture at the top of my page, I'm black!--Not Jet black...but..black, nonetheless!) This is the ideal of being a missionary: Being a foreigner in a foreign land, ministering to foreign people...yet being able to BLEND IN. I was enjoying it!
I guess I can kiss that goodbye now...no more getting "African prices" at the market, or "slipping by" unoticed, or getting walked right past by all the beggars who go straight up to the real Mzungu, or "Owebo". I hope I won't be hearing that word again for a while.....hmmmmm...let's see how that goes!--I'll keep you posted!
I really have GOT to get some pictures up here....sigh!!!!
We had worked hard chasing accomodation & furniture for the doctor that we've just employed & is pretty new to Lagos....he's from out of town & is used to...well...shall we say, a "different way of doing things". The whole part-time-charity thing (for him--it's full-time for us...)& the "Just-do-it-for-Jesus" concepts are still a bit new to him. But we're working on it!
....Oh, but wait!! I'm veering off from my story (that sentence sounded like something out of a 'Reflections'...)...As I go in & out of the clinic, getting stuff from the car & going back in I see this little group of about 4 or 5 kiddie faces & one little 6 yr old grin that calls out, "Owebo!" with a twinge of sarcasm & a slight chuckle. I'm like "Did he just say that to MEEE!" The reason I'm so shocked is because Owebo is the Nigerian term for foreigner...well, roughly. It's basically used for any "white man". The reason this shocks me is because I'm NOOOOOOOOOOOT WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITE!!!! They're on to me...they reckognize that I'm a foreigner.--Nothing is sacred anymore!
This was the beauty of Uganda!--Well...East Africa in general, really. Although no one could ever place where I was from, they generally thought I was African (at least half of the time). This meant that I could go around &...well, blend in.--I got the whole "Mzungu" thing--the Swahili "Owebo" equivalent--like, 3 or 4 times MAX in the whole 6 years I was in East Africa(slightly exaggarated, but hey). Not being a target for eye-stares/gawking, or hiked up prices, pick-pockets, what have you. (In case you missed my picture at the top of my page, I'm black!--Not Jet black...but..black, nonetheless!) This is the ideal of being a missionary: Being a foreigner in a foreign land, ministering to foreign people...yet being able to BLEND IN. I was enjoying it!
I guess I can kiss that goodbye now...no more getting "African prices" at the market, or "slipping by" unoticed, or getting walked right past by all the beggars who go straight up to the real Mzungu, or "Owebo". I hope I won't be hearing that word again for a while.....hmmmmm...let's see how that goes!--I'll keep you posted!
I really have GOT to get some pictures up here....sigh!!!!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Nigeria--1st post!
WOW!!!! I’m finally here! It’s good to be back in Africa! The land that has become my home over the last 6 years…
Strangely enough, this is the country where I experienced Africa for the first time in my life at the age of 19. Many of the major experiences of Africa that I still consider “unique” to my whole time here in Africa, happened here in Nigeria—Not all, but many (this partly due to the fact that I was experiencing Africa for the first time, so each event stood was more outstanding)
...Like assisting an eye-surgeon to remove cataracts from about 20 or 30 patients at a medical camp deep in the jungle of Cross-River state(pull out your maps of Nigeria)--This was also, uniquely, where I had my 20th birthday)
...Like experiencing dense humidity & tropical heat for the first time since I lived in India as a child (besides the time I went to New Orleans in the summer.--Next to the Mississippi, humidity like you wouldn’t believe blowing up from the gulf of Mexico—wow. That was even worse than Mombasa (pull out your Africa map again))
...And yes..., like getting 2 consecutive visits from armed robbers two weeks apart from each other, 10 days after I first arrived in Africa. These were to be my first experiences of Nigeria & of Africa in general. Let’s see what it holds for me this time.
The funniest thing & what’s does strike me as odd in one way, but is also a pleasant surprise in another way, is the fact that things that made me feel like I had just landed on an ALIEN PLANET 6 years ago, now--after living this whole time in Africa--seem perfectly normal to me! I was bracing myself to have the same reaction to things that I did back then & upon arriving here, was like, “oh yeah…that’s right...I’m in Africa” & it’s all like “DUH!!" "Of course this is the way things are!” “Of course”, there are potholes all over most of the main roads! “Of course” there are cripples & blind & beggars lining certain streets going begging between the cars! "Of course you need a 4-wheel drive to get most places comfortably here, without wrecking your car engine, your spinal cord & your head...
The same Lekki (a section of Lagos) that looked like Mars to me then, now looks like Dar-Es-Salaam (again--pull out your map of Africa) & the waving “heat” that struck me when I was 19, now seems “the ideal temperature”.
Granted, things have changed in Nigeria in 6 years & VI has developed considerably, with security being more efficient, new buildings & roads thrown up & the whole of the area getting a general “face-lift.” It has experienced tons of improvement—which is good. But at the same time, it’s funny comparing the differences in my outlook/first impressions on Africa, with what is now a whole world that I’ve grown completely accustomed to & feels basically like…..well, home!!!
The pic's not clear, but they're starting to build roads this way...laying bricks, as opposed to asphalt...it stands the rainy season a lot better...
Not a true big blob without traffic....this is nothing compared to how it gets...
Friday, September 29, 2006
A Positive Praise Post!
I was inspired the other day when I read some quotes from several friends blogs on the subject of praise. It made me think....(that's always good)!
Generally, I am a thankful person! I generally post to show the good things that happen in my life that I want to share with others. But I am still not after all these years in the habit of praising for even the "bad" things that happen in my life. I'm also not in the habit of seeing the good in everything, or of having the knack to praise despite (or rather smack in the middle of) "adversity".
But after I read this post I was reminded that the little things that happen every day (a sandwich, a bath, a sunset, an encouraging word from a friend, a walk (yes, working feet is something not to be taken for granted)) are noteworthy & are worth stopping & thanking God for. And what's more, these things have the ability to be enough to catapult me into sheer bliss & overjoyous (I know....I make words up all the time) happiness. That's quite a thought! I think I've always been waiting for the "biggies" in my life before I become ecstatic.--Like when I fly on a jet plane (in a couple days, actually...), or find a wife, or become a father, or strike treaure while digging on a South Sea island, or when I attend Euroc (YEEEESS!). But that's a lot of waiting....and a lot of missing chances to be ecstatic when I could & should just as well be truly & fully satisfied with life--my heart fully thankful to God--with eating breakfast in the morning or receiving an e-mail from my mom.
"This is of course easier said then done!", you might say--& you'd be totally right in saying it. But the cool thing about when I read Ang's post, was that that's when it clicked that I could indeed be grateful for the same things that she was thankful for & instantly adopt the same "gratitude attitude". You see? Once you start, it comes automatically.
So let me remember my own words when I'm walking down-town London tomorrow in gloomy, rainy weather with the majority of people with scowls on their faces. Or when the person I'm trying to share a tract & message of God's love with won't recieve it. Or when I'm sleeping on a mattrass on the living room floor of where I'm temporarily staying until my next mission to Nigeria...All these things won't matter when I insist on seeing the beauty in the little things & "praise the Lord for another day of life".
For more on the grattitude attitude see whackywazzoo.blogspot.com (like 2 or 3 posts down), or missbenino.blogspot.com, August 2005. You'll be duly impressed & will soon be caught with a "song on your own lips". Enjoy!
Generally, I am a thankful person! I generally post to show the good things that happen in my life that I want to share with others. But I am still not after all these years in the habit of praising for even the "bad" things that happen in my life. I'm also not in the habit of seeing the good in everything, or of having the knack to praise despite (or rather smack in the middle of) "adversity".
But after I read this post I was reminded that the little things that happen every day (a sandwich, a bath, a sunset, an encouraging word from a friend, a walk (yes, working feet is something not to be taken for granted)) are noteworthy & are worth stopping & thanking God for. And what's more, these things have the ability to be enough to catapult me into sheer bliss & overjoyous (I know....I make words up all the time) happiness. That's quite a thought! I think I've always been waiting for the "biggies" in my life before I become ecstatic.--Like when I fly on a jet plane (in a couple days, actually...), or find a wife, or become a father, or strike treaure while digging on a South Sea island, or when I attend Euroc (YEEEESS!). But that's a lot of waiting....and a lot of missing chances to be ecstatic when I could & should just as well be truly & fully satisfied with life--my heart fully thankful to God--with eating breakfast in the morning or receiving an e-mail from my mom.
"This is of course easier said then done!", you might say--& you'd be totally right in saying it. But the cool thing about when I read Ang's post, was that that's when it clicked that I could indeed be grateful for the same things that she was thankful for & instantly adopt the same "gratitude attitude". You see? Once you start, it comes automatically.
So let me remember my own words when I'm walking down-town London tomorrow in gloomy, rainy weather with the majority of people with scowls on their faces. Or when the person I'm trying to share a tract & message of God's love with won't recieve it. Or when I'm sleeping on a mattrass on the living room floor of where I'm temporarily staying until my next mission to Nigeria...All these things won't matter when I insist on seeing the beauty in the little things & "praise the Lord for another day of life".
For more on the grattitude attitude see whackywazzoo.blogspot.com (like 2 or 3 posts down), or missbenino.blogspot.com, August 2005. You'll be duly impressed & will soon be caught with a "song on your own lips". Enjoy!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
ONE MORE EUROCK POST!!
Why another Eurock post??? well, since I'm most likely never gonna go to Eurock again (well, maybe I shouldn't say never), & since it was such a monumous (I know, I just made it up now) event.....I gotta! Enjoy!
...a few random shots....
during class
I can't forget to mention 'Metanoya'!--Good friends from Waaaaaaaaay back! They're getting better every year!! GO GUYS!!
Happy fans....
Interviews....
Some of the POA band
...a few random shots....
during class
I can't forget to mention 'Metanoya'!--Good friends from Waaaaaaaaay back! They're getting better every year!! GO GUYS!!
Happy fans....
Interviews....
Some of the POA band
Monday, September 11, 2006
EUROOOOOOOOOOOOOCKK!!!!
Wow! At long last I get a chance to post about this life-changing event.
Without too many words, (a picture is worth so much more)I'll say that this was THE EVENT!!! Some things that helped make this amazing:
--It was a total miracle that I attended (long story--but basically my whole trip was sponsored).
--Saw friends from up to 12 & 14 years ago, as well as others that I hadn't seen in 4, 5 or 6 years. It was also great catching up with good freinds who I've seen off & on over the years.
--Getting euphoric on Jesus via the inspirations, skits, classes, etc as a huge group was awesome!!--Something that I'll keep with me forever.
A few pics:
These next few of arrival day/security check-in, etc.
These of a skit the first skit we did (the pics may explain the story....but maybe not). It was funny, actually...A bit of a surprise when on the second day I'm informed that I'm on the "skit crew". It was a nice surprise, though! I quite enjoyed it, actually!
thrilled to join the army
...For obvious reasons..
tough army seargant
..my "sister" & I deciding to give the army our all..
The happy ending
CONCERTS....
YES!!! THE CONCERTS!!!
Never mind the fact that my voice was hoarse for the next 3 days after shouting for 4 hours straight. Never mind the fact that I didn't have any hair to swing. Never mind the fact that I thought I was going deaf. The concerts were still as a good a way as any to spend our 7-11 evening slots every night during this festival (OOOOOHHH!! So THAT'S why they called it EUROCK). Come to think of it, it would be my first rock-concert....like, EVER!! Each band did excellent, in my opinion (ok, except for like one or two)! And what made it even better was that there were so many bands--and each singing the songs that made the revolution with the fire-power of God in their eyes & half the songs that I'd never heard (that's always good).
Here are some pics of some of my favorite singers--Haven(who was a solo artist) & Salt of the Earth. I also loved Metanoya & Creature.
Haven
Cheering Haven on (the guys on my left had proper "I love Haven" T-shirts & the works...I know...I'm working on it)
Don't even ask me why I posted this one...my sweaty armpits showing & all...
Justin
Some of our "Techies" at work...
Without too many words, (a picture is worth so much more)I'll say that this was THE EVENT!!! Some things that helped make this amazing:
--It was a total miracle that I attended (long story--but basically my whole trip was sponsored).
--Saw friends from up to 12 & 14 years ago, as well as others that I hadn't seen in 4, 5 or 6 years. It was also great catching up with good freinds who I've seen off & on over the years.
--Getting euphoric on Jesus via the inspirations, skits, classes, etc as a huge group was awesome!!--Something that I'll keep with me forever.
A few pics:
These next few of arrival day/security check-in, etc.
These of a skit the first skit we did (the pics may explain the story....but maybe not). It was funny, actually...A bit of a surprise when on the second day I'm informed that I'm on the "skit crew". It was a nice surprise, though! I quite enjoyed it, actually!
thrilled to join the army
...For obvious reasons..
tough army seargant
..my "sister" & I deciding to give the army our all..
The happy ending
CONCERTS....
YES!!! THE CONCERTS!!!
Never mind the fact that my voice was hoarse for the next 3 days after shouting for 4 hours straight. Never mind the fact that I didn't have any hair to swing. Never mind the fact that I thought I was going deaf. The concerts were still as a good a way as any to spend our 7-11 evening slots every night during this festival (OOOOOHHH!! So THAT'S why they called it EUROCK). Come to think of it, it would be my first rock-concert....like, EVER!! Each band did excellent, in my opinion (ok, except for like one or two)! And what made it even better was that there were so many bands--and each singing the songs that made the revolution with the fire-power of God in their eyes & half the songs that I'd never heard (that's always good).
Here are some pics of some of my favorite singers--Haven(who was a solo artist) & Salt of the Earth. I also loved Metanoya & Creature.
Haven
Cheering Haven on (the guys on my left had proper "I love Haven" T-shirts & the works...I know...I'm working on it)
Don't even ask me why I posted this one...my sweaty armpits showing & all...
Justin
Some of our "Techies" at work...
Friday, September 01, 2006
Geysir/Gullfoss/Thingfellir
I understand that I don't post enough! Hmmmm....let's hope this blog wasn't one of those "small beginnings, lesser ends" type ventures.)I think I just have to get in the groove of posting more regularly. This was meant to be a way that friends heard from me all the time all at once. Now friends of mine complain to me that they don't hear from me either way. Ooops! Well you all can encourage me to keep blogging by COMMENTING! Anyway, I shouldn't have to adverstise for myself! This must mean that the postings aren't quality enough, so let's see what we can do about that (I accept the challenge)!
Anyway....this was the most awesome day-trip I had ever been on. You'll see what I mean as you view--although you can't quite tell from the pictures. I guess what was cool was that it could all be done in one day. Several awesome sights within an hour or so's distance from each other.
The vastness of this planet & the awesome things that God has created...I'm still not over it! Amazing that one can't really exhaust the views & sites & all that are to be enjoyed, isn't it?
But really, Iceland is amazing. All that's on this one little island. If you haven't been, I suggest you make this your next holiday spot.
But in any case, I'm gonna try to recap my entire 2 months here in my next post (:)if & when I get around to it) with a sort of "best of" of all the pics I took while here. (Just in case all this Iceland stuff is getting to you by this point)
ENJOY!!
slightly dubios as to what the experience will give me ('O ye of little faith'). That & it was slightly cold!
My first Canyon (I think!)!
You'll never guess what was the topping on this ice-cream! Well if it's not chocolate, it would only figure that it would be........you guessed it= Licorice!
My sis & I at the 'Geyser' section of the day! This is where it started getting real fun! This steamy/spewy place had me momentarily wowed!
The third largest spout in Iceland & the second biggest at that site, about to blow. I love the deep blue in the bubble!
There she goes!
Spraying!--Again!
Magnificence! I had never seen a waterfall like this (Again, that I remember)!
Lisa, Ethan & I with Nic taking the pic! We had momentarily lagged behind some of the others to take pics!
Lola
Anyway....this was the most awesome day-trip I had ever been on. You'll see what I mean as you view--although you can't quite tell from the pictures. I guess what was cool was that it could all be done in one day. Several awesome sights within an hour or so's distance from each other.
The vastness of this planet & the awesome things that God has created...I'm still not over it! Amazing that one can't really exhaust the views & sites & all that are to be enjoyed, isn't it?
But really, Iceland is amazing. All that's on this one little island. If you haven't been, I suggest you make this your next holiday spot.
But in any case, I'm gonna try to recap my entire 2 months here in my next post (:)if & when I get around to it) with a sort of "best of" of all the pics I took while here. (Just in case all this Iceland stuff is getting to you by this point)
ENJOY!!
slightly dubios as to what the experience will give me ('O ye of little faith'). That & it was slightly cold!
My first Canyon (I think!)!
You'll never guess what was the topping on this ice-cream! Well if it's not chocolate, it would only figure that it would be........you guessed it= Licorice!
My sis & I at the 'Geyser' section of the day! This is where it started getting real fun! This steamy/spewy place had me momentarily wowed!
The third largest spout in Iceland & the second biggest at that site, about to blow. I love the deep blue in the bubble!
There she goes!
Spraying!--Again!
Magnificence! I had never seen a waterfall like this (Again, that I remember)!
Lisa, Ethan & I with Nic taking the pic! We had momentarily lagged behind some of the others to take pics!
Lola
Monday, August 07, 2006
State of the planet.....
It's just as well you didn't know that I was on "blogger-strike" for the past 3 weeks due to the Lebanon/Israel clashes (understatment of the century). My sudden silence has no doubt added to & heightened the effect....basically summing up how I feel about the whole situation in general.--No words!!!
Yet--surprise, surprise--I've somehow managed to put my feelings down on paper (blog). I figured there has to be a way to express my concern/disgust at the state this world is seeming to slip (or make that nosedive) into at increasingly alarming speeds. So know what you're up for if you read the rest of this page.
Of course, this is about a month old now (1 week horrified by news + 3 week blog strike = one month)& many poeople are probably even forgetting the severity of the thing due to either having heard about it so many times now, or just the fact that time goes on as it always has....Nonetheless, we need to remember that this is still horrific reality for all those there that are directly involved in this mess.
Never mind the fact that the whole thing sprang out of absolutely nothing, everyone’s still gonna go ahead & say that the thing’s ok??? And what’s just as bad is that the U.N. just sits around & does nothing—absolutely nothing—about the situation. I mean you read headlines about how certain spokespersons of the U.N. say they, or their nations are (get this)…:“outraged”…about the fact that the Israeli’s ignored what was obviously an empty threat, suggesting that they stop what they’re doing.
“Ohhhhhhh!” you say, “So you’re on Lebanon’s side”. "Sides" is not the issue! The issue is that there's killing going on & I’m not talking about a regular armed conflict (which of course we can all at any time accept & understand by this point, especially since the media has spent so much of the last 2 years bombarding us with "heroic tales" of American & British forces in Iraq as they institute "democracy"--a whole 'nother subject in itself, I won't even get started.), I’m talking about regular completely innocent civilians being told by the Israelis that they ought to leave the town where they've been peacefully living due to Hezbollah & then meeting their death via a bomb from the same people who told them to leave on the bridge as they’re leaving town. Don’t tell me you didn’t hear about that! HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?????? Can you believe that s--t????
I also saw on the news about a reporter who was in Lebanon & reported what he saw (some of the same above things I mentioned as well) & was accused of being an anti-semitist (or however you spell that). WHAT THE…..????? Let me tell you right now, that I am anti-religionist, anti-americanist, anti-terrorist, anti-nazist, anti-florist, anti-fascist, anti-nudist, anti-environmentalist, & anti-semitist all in one if any single of the above parties has anything to do with killing innocent people. And you’d like to tell me you’re not?
That’s my next question for people like this….do you actually think that what the Israelis are doing is right? Now don’t get me wrong…I’m not pro-Hezbollah if that’s what you’re thinking. Killing is wrong! But that doesn’t mean that if 2 of your soldiers get arrested you ought to start killing every which civilian in sight.
(Here’s where I remind you that the above question (asking your opinion) was rhetorical. I’m not actually asking for your opinion…..I can find that on YOUR blog. This is where you find out how I feel about the situation (!). That’s all there is to this! (Of course the seemingly contradictory phrase follows: feel free to comment on this post at any time ())
But it is genuinely sad!!! I read this quote on BBC news tonight:
“More than 1,000 Lebanese, most of them civilians, have now been killed in the hostilities, the Lebanese government has said. Some 122 Israelis, most of them soldiers, have also been killed.”
"Well what are you gonna do about it?" you might sarcastically ask! Well to be honest, I don’t speak only out of outrage as to what this world is becoming—make that HAS BECOME—I also speak out of a desire to do my part to change my part of the world (small tongue twister there). To me this used to be “home”, (Belgium or Holland, or the U.S. where I was born (of course “home” is really Heaven, as that’s where I’ll spend eternity)). But then I moved to Africa & have been a missionary there for the last 6 years, so I started changing the world where I was there. Now I’m starting to see that the whole world is where I am. I’m on the planet am I not? Stories that I hear of things that go on make me wish I wasn’t sometimes..…but I am…..I know it’s for a reason. So it should be up to me to do my part to better the lives of all earth-dwellers everywhere, after all Jesus commissioned me to “Go & preach the good news everywhere”.
Perhaps if my prayers are answered (there we go—now it’ll happen for sure) I will one day soon be able to go to one of these places, be it Lebanon or Israel or the Sudan, or Congo, or wherever else where people are suffering injustly, & share a message of peace with the people; A message that God does care even though others do not. A message that He is coming again to change things & that in the mean time the best thing they can do is to hold on, as well as receive His love into their hearts, so that no matter what their earthly fate, their spirits will live on in love forever. This is my mission! This is only way I can think now to change the world.
Yet--surprise, surprise--I've somehow managed to put my feelings down on paper (blog). I figured there has to be a way to express my concern/disgust at the state this world is seeming to slip (or make that nosedive) into at increasingly alarming speeds. So know what you're up for if you read the rest of this page.
Of course, this is about a month old now (1 week horrified by news + 3 week blog strike = one month)& many poeople are probably even forgetting the severity of the thing due to either having heard about it so many times now, or just the fact that time goes on as it always has....Nonetheless, we need to remember that this is still horrific reality for all those there that are directly involved in this mess.
Never mind the fact that the whole thing sprang out of absolutely nothing, everyone’s still gonna go ahead & say that the thing’s ok??? And what’s just as bad is that the U.N. just sits around & does nothing—absolutely nothing—about the situation. I mean you read headlines about how certain spokespersons of the U.N. say they, or their nations are (get this)…:“outraged”…about the fact that the Israeli’s ignored what was obviously an empty threat, suggesting that they stop what they’re doing.
“Ohhhhhhh!” you say, “So you’re on Lebanon’s side”. "Sides" is not the issue! The issue is that there's killing going on & I’m not talking about a regular armed conflict (which of course we can all at any time accept & understand by this point, especially since the media has spent so much of the last 2 years bombarding us with "heroic tales" of American & British forces in Iraq as they institute "democracy"--a whole 'nother subject in itself, I won't even get started.), I’m talking about regular completely innocent civilians being told by the Israelis that they ought to leave the town where they've been peacefully living due to Hezbollah & then meeting their death via a bomb from the same people who told them to leave on the bridge as they’re leaving town. Don’t tell me you didn’t hear about that! HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?????? Can you believe that s--t????
I also saw on the news about a reporter who was in Lebanon & reported what he saw (some of the same above things I mentioned as well) & was accused of being an anti-semitist (or however you spell that). WHAT THE…..????? Let me tell you right now, that I am anti-religionist, anti-americanist, anti-terrorist, anti-nazist, anti-florist, anti-fascist, anti-nudist, anti-environmentalist, & anti-semitist all in one if any single of the above parties has anything to do with killing innocent people. And you’d like to tell me you’re not?
That’s my next question for people like this….do you actually think that what the Israelis are doing is right? Now don’t get me wrong…I’m not pro-Hezbollah if that’s what you’re thinking. Killing is wrong! But that doesn’t mean that if 2 of your soldiers get arrested you ought to start killing every which civilian in sight.
(Here’s where I remind you that the above question (asking your opinion) was rhetorical. I’m not actually asking for your opinion…..I can find that on YOUR blog. This is where you find out how I feel about the situation (!). That’s all there is to this! (Of course the seemingly contradictory phrase follows: feel free to comment on this post at any time ())
But it is genuinely sad!!! I read this quote on BBC news tonight:
“More than 1,000 Lebanese, most of them civilians, have now been killed in the hostilities, the Lebanese government has said. Some 122 Israelis, most of them soldiers, have also been killed.”
"Well what are you gonna do about it?" you might sarcastically ask! Well to be honest, I don’t speak only out of outrage as to what this world is becoming—make that HAS BECOME—I also speak out of a desire to do my part to change my part of the world (small tongue twister there). To me this used to be “home”, (Belgium or Holland, or the U.S. where I was born (of course “home” is really Heaven, as that’s where I’ll spend eternity)). But then I moved to Africa & have been a missionary there for the last 6 years, so I started changing the world where I was there. Now I’m starting to see that the whole world is where I am. I’m on the planet am I not? Stories that I hear of things that go on make me wish I wasn’t sometimes..…but I am…..I know it’s for a reason. So it should be up to me to do my part to better the lives of all earth-dwellers everywhere, after all Jesus commissioned me to “Go & preach the good news everywhere”.
Perhaps if my prayers are answered (there we go—now it’ll happen for sure) I will one day soon be able to go to one of these places, be it Lebanon or Israel or the Sudan, or Congo, or wherever else where people are suffering injustly, & share a message of peace with the people; A message that God does care even though others do not. A message that He is coming again to change things & that in the mean time the best thing they can do is to hold on, as well as receive His love into their hearts, so that no matter what their earthly fate, their spirits will live on in love forever. This is my mission! This is only way I can think now to change the world.
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