Modern Tragedy, Minus the Comedy!

I know I haven't posted for awhile. I see that as a good thing because the whole purpose of this blog was that it would serve as a form of therapy to help me work through certain issues in my life that I was struggling with. It has been very helpful for that so it hasn't been necessary to blog for awhile but I wanted to use it to address something that has really been on my heart & mind lately. Now I know that a lot of you will not agree with me on this issue but keep in mind that this is my blog, it is entirely my own opinion & viewpoint so it's not essential that you agree,  but I hope that it will at least make you think.  I firmly believe that if enough people start thinking for themselves & not just "drink the Kool Aid", then things can change and we can find solutions to these problem. We need to be awakened from this malaise that our society seems to be immersed in. It's seriously disturbing me!

The main issue that I'm referring to is the case that's so prominent in the news lately of the man who left his child in the car all day resulting in the child's death. This just really blows mind! How do you do that??

I'm noticing a lot of people judging, pointing fingers, and saying he should be prosecuted. I also see other people who are compassionate & saying we should be forgiving & understanding, that this is just an accident, a tragic mistake. I'm somewhere in the middle. I don't think he should be prosecuted, unless they were to find out that a criminal action had actually taken place, but I can't be totally forgiving & understanding either. Since when is it ok, to forget your child?? Oops, my bad. Really? If that was my child, you wouldn't have to worry about what you were going to charge him with. I would take care of it!

I keep thinking that if this had been an animal, a dog, that this had happened to, people would be screaming for blood! We're so much more concerned about animals then we are people, particularly our children. I honestly believe that when abortion was legalized it told us that babies were not important, that our priorities were more important, they were an inconvenience that we could just get rid of. It seems like people killing their babies is just a late term abortion in their minds. No biggie.

That's just part of the problems that I'm getting at. I also see this as a problem that we have as a society, this zoning out, not thinking. In our business you see distracted drivers all the time. They get into their cars with their electronics, cell phones, what have you, and go on "automatic pilot". Seriously? I hear people saying that this child died because his father was doing something out of his routine. He didn't normally take him to daycare, it was a different thing for him to do. So what??

And he didn't think about him all day? Not only as a mother, but as a parent, how do you do that? How does his mother not text or call & say "Did you drop the baby at day care?" Something? Anything? This is definitely a modern problem. Can you imagine a 150 years ago, when people had to battle Indians, wild animals, the elements, etc., if they would have zoned out, not been aware of their surroundings and what they were doing at all times? It wouldn't happen.

I've heard people say"let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Have you ever made a mistake as a parent and done something potentially dangerous without thinking? Of course! But I definitely wouldn't compare those things with leaving my child in a hot car for hours. When my children were born they became the most important thing in my life. If anything, I was the obsessive parent that went over every conceivable thing that could happen and tried to prepare for it. If my mind said, "you can run in real quick and pay for your gas, they'll be fine", I would be thinking, what if someone steals my car?, or any number of other possible complications that could arise.  I took them in with me every time. I covered all my bases. I didn't leave anything to chance. I knew that if I cut corners and something happened to them, I would never forgive myself.  If stress or lack of sleep were a potential problem, I found ways to deal with them. I was not willing to take any chances with their health and their lives. It was never an option. It's time we placed our priorities in the proper order and achieved a balance where our lives are concerned. Instead, the government takes over and tells us what we can and can't do, what we can and can't eat & drink, and wants to dictate everything because we've become too stupid to think for ourselves. Please wake up!

I honestly don't know what the solution is, except to say that it's vital that we wake up ,we have to learn to think for ourselves and to not just snooze through life, taking everything for granted. Stop thinking everyone will handle it!  That's ridiculous! Take responsibility for your life and your actions, please!

This has been a Public Service Announcement.

If you are struggling with how to go about doing this, please email me and I will be glad to help. I'm all about not just identifying the problem but coming up with solutions.

They need to come up with an alarm on the car seat that goes off when you get out of your car so that you remember to get the baby out. Did you know that they changed the laws to require you to put the car seats in the back seat because the air bags were potentially dangerous? Prior to that these kinds of deaths were very rare. Hmmm, maybe we should rethink that and figure out a different way to place the air bags. Something has to be done, for God's sake!

 But really, if we train ourselves to be aware & to pay attention, it wouldn't be necessary to regulate everything. I'm just heartsick right now and I'm praying every day that the Lord helps us wake up before something really devastating has to take place. I love you guys! Please leave a comment if you have any ideas, share them. But be respectful, ok? We need to love each other.

What is Karma, really?

We as a society throw the word "Karma" around a lot. The dictionary defines Karma as a  force of law of nature which is cause & effect. In other words, you reap what you sow. I thought this fit with what Christians believe. Now I think it may not.

The following is from a blog on the Proclamation, Invitation & Warning website. See what you think.

"What goes around, comes around" ???

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Why do people say that? Do they know what that phrase is referring to?

Karma.

"Karma" is a concept from eastern mysticism: Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.

In these forms of pagan mysticism it is taught that "karma" is an impersonal force that controls the universe. A person develops "good karma" or "bad karma" through their actions. When a person performs "good" deeds it builds up good karma and that goodness will be returned to them by future good that comes into their lives. And if they do bad... bad things will happen to them.

Karma is an impersonal force, meaning that it is not a person. It's like "the Force" of the movie "Star Wars". What paganism is saying is that the universe is controlled, not by a personal God, but by a "Force"... a "life force". A karmic life force that is in everything and through everything and is in you and me, so that "god" is everywhere in everything and in you and me... so that you and I have the divinity within us... god is within us... so, in a sense we are god. Does this sound like the serpent in the Garden of Eden? It should because it comes from the same source as the occult "wisdom" of the serpent in Genesis 3:5:

"For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Those who believe in Karma also usually believe in reincarnation. They believe that you get a better deal in the "next life" by storing up good karma. Or, through various mystical techniques, one can escape the cycles of reincarnation altogether. Of course, reincarnation is yet another tragic deception, because the Bible says in Hebrews 9:27:

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,"

Some people may try to justify karma from the Bible by saying "A person reaps what he sows." However those words are found in Galatians 6:7-8:

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."

These verses do not justify karma or the phrase, "what goes around, comes around". These verses are not about an impersonal force. This section of scripture is about a God of holiness who is a righteous judge. It's not about a god who mindlessly gives an effect for a certain cause. In the context of the whole Bible, this is about God who is in control, who is sovereign who can do whatever he wants... and he wants to be just and holy and righteous.

And what we ought to be eternally grateful for, is that God is both all powerful AND he loves us! Which is why Romans 8:28 can be true:

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

I recommend rejecting the phrase, "what goes around, comes around"... reject karma... and trust in the God of Romans 8:28!

And the next time you hear someone say, "What goes around comes around!", at least pray the Lord would open their eyes. But consider saying something like, "Don't trust in Karma. Put your trust in the Sovereign God who created you and loves you! Put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What do you think? I like it. I don't mean that I'm going to jump people's case if they say it but it's eye opening. I've never been one to use the term very often. I've always expected God to take care of certain things for me. But if you've read any of my previous blogs, you'll see that I can't seen to understand why it's not happening. Why are people getting away with doing evil to me? Why are people believing their slanderous lies? I've gotten to the point where I was ready to take matters into my own hands, because of my frustration. But the Bible says not to tire of doing good. 

Galatians 6:9

New International Version (NIV)

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

This morning the sermon was on Forgiveness. I always considered myself a very forgiving person but I've come to realize I wasn't living in the full freedom of believing in Him & being patient. The anger & bitterness that I'm harboring is not honoring to God and it's certainly not doing me any good as well.

I do believe that God cannot forgive me if I cannot forgive others. I have forgiven them but I haven't really let it go. He can't use me the way He wants to until I do.

 "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." (Romans 12:19 NIV) 

Jesus said, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28 NIV) In the following verses Jesus gives several specific examples of how to treat those who have hurt you, and He concludes with, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (vs. 36 NIV) Talk about an impossible standard!

Pray for me because it's not an easy thing for me. But I plan on moving forward & living victoriously through this.

Please send me your comments. I'd love to hear what you think.

                                                     God Bless!