Judging Myself

Yea, I'm Christian. Yea, I love.

Yea, rite!

That's what I'd like to think, that I'm a good Christian. But oh no. I am so far from being 'good'. Reflection on my behavior has caused me to wince and cringe in embarrassment.

There was a particular acquaintance of mine who was extremely irritating - or rather, more accurately, I found him irritating. Every time he spoke, I was annoyed. Annoyed by his views and his comments. I thought to myself - You think you're such a hotshot perfect Christian? With the way you're behaving?

Of course, it applied to myself, but I didn't see it that way. I was too busy focusing on that speck of dust in his eye, without realizing that a huge freakin' plank was in my own. Scratch that. Not a plank. A huge piece of wood the size of gates of ancient city walls!

Then I got to know him better. We went out for dinner and stayed up quite late (for me!). I found that he's a pretty nice person, that all the antagonism and arrogance was actually a mask.

Then one day he asked me a question which really struck me, and revealed what lay beneath the mask. I felt so bad for disliking him because I let appearances and impressions affect the way I felt towards him!

Suffice to say, he wasn't irritating or arrogant. It was just me being a jerk.

I'm glad to say, though, that we're friends now.

So don't repeat what I did. Don't judge others or let other people's behavior control your own.

God taught me to look beneath the surface, to love others as God loves them no matter how they seem at first. Because even the (seemingly) most annoying person needs a friend; the most arrogant are the ones who need God's love and grace in their lives the most!

Joy in Sorrow

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance...Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:2-3,12.

This, I think, is one thing among others which mark Christians as different from others - the fact that we can laugh in the face of trouble. Not recklessly, no. Rather, our laughter stems from pure joy. We can even welcome trouble with uplifted arms and a joyful heart.

No, we're not a bunch of sadists, masochists, or sadomasochists.

It's just that whenever we face trials, we know God is going to manifest powerfully. That no matter what kind of trouble we're in, God is always there with us and for us, waiting for the right time to rescue us in wonderful, miraculous ways so that His Name will be glorified!

Trouble is also God's gentle reminder that it's time once more to turn to Him, and learn a new lesson. It's God's way of saying, 'Hey, it's time for you to grow wiser and develop a stronger relationship with Me!'

Unfortunately, some 'Christians' don't see it this way. They buckle under pressure; they rail against God, and sulk like spoilt brats. Finally, they turn away from Him. Sadly, they forget God's promise that He will give us grace and the strength to go through whatever trials we're facing. These 'Christians' are no different than other non-Christians, because they have not known who God truly is.

To them, God is just like some genie, to cater to their every whim. A God to pray to only when they need something, a God who can make them richer.

While God does want us to rely wholly on Him for everything, this does not mean that we are to forget Him once our needs are met. Christianity is not a religion - it's a relationship with Jesus, a lifestyle of love, living wholly for Him.

It's something Christians should take to heart and remember always. Our lives are already His, bought by His blood. Our lives are His to spend as He wills - but thankfully He is a loving and merciful Master.

Masterpiece of Madness

She was his muse
his living work of art
upon which he painted
blooming bruises
of nightmare-flavored blossoms.
He painted her colorful;
blues and blacks,
yellows and greens,
adding a dash of crimson here
a ribbon of red there
whenever it suited his mood.
He sculpted her soft body,
ruthlessly reworking
its natural contours,
and carved her spirit
until she became
a broken mannequin;
a canvas for his twisted soul,
Masterpiece of Madness

Symbols - Innocent or Evil?

Innocent looking symbol, huh? It's called a caduceus. The caduceus is used as a symbol for medical practice, and is widely identified - and accepted - as such. But behind this innocent facade is a much darker story. The caduceus actually originated from the Greek 'god' Hermes, who carried it around. As Hermes came to be linked with alchemy, this symbol was adopted. The caduceus is also an occultic symbol.


And then there's the 'peace' sign. It's also demonic in origins, as it is a perversion of the Cross of the Christ - a broken cross which mocks Christ. And it symbolizes 'peace'.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ~ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.


Then there's also a certain international organization, whose logo/symbol is of the globe, our planet Earth. BUT the viewpoint is from the top - the 'north' - looking downwards. What does the Bible say about the fall of Satan?

Isaiah 14:12-14 ~ How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart,"I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the north. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."

Mere coincidence? This writer's own fancies and delusions?

Or dark deception masquerading as light and righteousness?

Weird Masquerade

sifting through smiles

words

actions

like sand through my fingers

all the pretty lies

shining

(a blinding light)

to strip you bare

of the lovely mask

and raiment of illusion,

to see truth

behind that

weird masquerade.

what lies beneath

the perfect facade

of beauty and love?

a monster?

a beast?

that strange creature

is

only human.