Do you trust your instincts?
Both the humble and the proud know that trust can be misplaced and fulfilled. My nth degree is the territory of my limited humanity
Unrestrained wickedness! Abraham averts his eyes
The corruption and shamelessness of leaders in the Middle East are about to be placarded across the globe. Think of how many people were aware of the thefts and innocent killings in Jerusalem during the days of the Davidide Kings, when God became so incensed at the violation of the basic benchmarks of humanity – love justice, love mercy and walk humbly – that he decided to empty the land of Canaan of Abraham’s descendants; then think of how many people will be aware of what is happening today November 2023 in that same land. Of course it’s unprecedented and unique, because the powers that seem to be able to ensure the victory of either side of the conflict has a basic tenet, namely, no negotiation with terrorists, are supporting a deal with an entity practically everyone on the planet has to regard as inhumane and capable of utter depravity.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, NASB)
The right to be right even when convicted by the authorized entities
“Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and attack me and I will be destroyed, I and my household.”” (Genesis 34:30, NASB)
I suppose there is no shame involved when the guardians of democracy and justice are negotiating with the country that openly houses the leadership of Hamas. I suppose too that Palestinian lives only have value when hostage-taking is involved. Israel-Jacob is incensed and Abraham, everybody’s pop, cannot look!
No part!
What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?
I do not persistently try to skip parts of my routine. If I did, it would not be done. None of my fellow activists, none of my sisters or brothers in faith can do what is on my agenda. Every part of my routine is part of a whole. Even those things that get onto my routine that are not my responsibility get a fair shot.
From honourable defence to despicable infanticide
Like a hungry lion recognizing a juvenile antelope the Israeli Prime Minister declared war when 50-plus years of occupation exposed the failure of Israel’s Defence Force and the government’s settler policy. It is a wonder, is it not, that Hamas was allowed to exist in the occupied territory. Israel has been known to be ready to strike Iran. Why not Hamas?
The headlines tell an unintended truth. The Gulf War was “Showdown in the Gulf” and we were left wondering “Where are the closely matched fast guns?”. Flattening Gaza is not a war. Since the declaration there is no firefight, no pitched battle, no artillery duel, repeated air strikes and no counterstrike. There was short-lived rocket fire from Hamas shortly after the declaration of war. Israel cannot say it did not know that its planned operation in Gaza would violate international law and morality.
Mourning as Goliath flexes, and the world was wakes
October 24, 2023
Just over two weeks ago a horrific homicidal plot played out in Israel. The pretzel factory went into full swing in Canada and the United States, and people who hate the Jewish people are out in the open pretending to be on the side of the Palestinian people. People who cared about nothing but White European colonialism are pretending to weep with the Jewish people. Canada and the United States, with their own atrocities unresolved are insisting that citizens twist themselves into pretzels to condemn terrorist Hamas and justify Israel’s right to defend itself. Fifty-six years of oppressing the Palestinian people is enough evidence to elicit a balanced statement of support. Make no mistake. Israel has been turning into a fascist state with the major powers looking the other way and with the United Nations resolutions stymied by veto. I mourn with the people of Israel over their loss at the hands of brutal homicidal maniacs, and I condemn the Jewish state that has blamed the victims of its terrorism and occupation for fighting back.
A lamentation is heard
Governments expect people to weep on cue for Jewish lives, pledge support to a state that rejoices in brutal oppression, but I do not need a government to tell me what I see on the ground in Israel, in the West Bank or in East Jerusalem. The theft of land and the bloodshed of innocent people continues, and needs to be addressed. I have been weeping for a long time, long before Sabra and Shatila.
People who can proudly and repeatedly hide their crimes behind a United Nations veto are far from noble.
Dr. E.E. Joseph
I expect nothing more than hypocritical years and prayers for Jerusalem’s peace from Christians who have built their faith on an emotional trip to the holy land. They never hear the lament of Palestinian mothers. I am not surprised that Canadian cities have put their police forces on heightened vigilance. There are no doubt many people in the world who think that there are very fine people on both sides of the fence when Jew-haters and Jew-lovers are under the spotlight. There are no fine terrorists, no fine brutal and hateful occupiers of other people’s lands.
Life is too short
Do we treat people kindly because we have little time or because God treats us kindly
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NASB) A video came to my message app not long ago with a story about an elderly lady explaining her calm demeanor to a younger woman (see the video below). The elder said she did not respond to the younger hitting her with her many bags as she took a seat beside her on public transit because LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO SPEND SEEKING REDRESS or displaying bad attitudes. Christian do not have a forgiving spirit because they reason that life is too short.
Christians forgive because of their experience of divine forgiveness. The video tends to cause people to forget the supernatural nature of forgiveness and just chalk it up to wisdom.
I thought this question about the famous or infamous would stump me, but the man Jimmy Cliff stands apart for famous impresario.
Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican sage and songster, took the time to walk from his hotel to my village, where he chatted with a small group of young men. He may have had a day off from his shows in the capital. I remember thinking “What a gentle looking soul he is”. I know I was struck with awe to the extent that I don’t remember what I asked him, but he was all positive encouragement for aspiring musicians and young people in general. I was definitely budding with my own guitar strumming and songwriting, and he was showing me the path. I swore “On my life”! Look up the song “On my life”.
Undoing the Balfour error
1545 Monday November 23
A moment for moral clarity had better undo the mistake of Lord Balfour and the abuse of the United Nations Security Resolutions.
Enough with the speeches
The British prime minister will have a lot to say but his speech will be judged against the high moral ground and courage which has been severely lacking on the international scene. We have had enough speechifying!
