I've been told by many that I'm always optimistic or positive. It certainly understand this perspective. Personally, however, I consider myself as being more of a, "hopeful realist."
I do not deceive myself of reality by convincing myself of better things. Things which are not necessarily there. Rather I see the evil thereof and permit it to touch me, but only for a moment. I do not allow it to control me, as that is both reckless and illogical. Getting all bummed out, defeated, and discouraged are simply not useful or productive and so I seldom partake. Being human of course, sometimes it just gets to be too much and I, like anyone else, seek out lighter fare.
I do acknowledge that there is often a silver lining in life's troubles and trials because it is a universal truth, not merely positive fiction. The not so good is a plain to me as the good is. It is the good though which often possesses the most value and so it makes sense to take this instead of letting the not good cover me up as the walls close in.
It is neither positive nor optimistic, but rather the most logical thing to do. As well, there is hope. Hope is not at all like wishful thinking. Wishful thinking desires that which is unlikely and impossible. Hope, however, is logical. It sees the writing on the wall and perceives what could very well be. Hope is more like a hypothesis, drawn up only after knowledge. Thus, hope is informed by knowledge what the senses do not yet perceive. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen, is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:24-25)
The good and bad of the past seems to foreshadow the possibilities of the future. So then I can realistically hope, even though I have not yet seen such things.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Evil and God
I originally wrote this on Thursday, December 13, 2012, which many of us know is the day before that fateful shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Needless to say, I haven't really been up to posting a new blog post, especially given this topic. However, after listening to Robbie Parker, loving father of Emilie Parker, I feel like it is going to be okay. So, without further adieu here is the blog post I had written.
Some people look at the evil in the world and proclaim there is no God. I look at the evil in the world and see clearly that there is a God, there must be. For there can be no evil without good, for if there is no good how can we identify something as being evil?
Good is to evil as light is to darkness, for darkness is as light. It's interesting that the Bible (Genesis 1:3-5; Psalm 139:12) would state this because it is actually scientific fact. In truth there is no such thing as darkness - that's just a word we use to describe an absence of light. So what is evil? Evil is simply an absence of good. What then is good? Only God is Good.
How then can evil be the absence of God, if I may, if God is omnipresent? That seems to be a contradiction of terms. He is always with us, always (Psalm 23:4; Matthew 28:20). When one sins - be it a lie or to commit some great atrocity such as genocide - one sort of opts out of loving God. He is still there, and it is precisely that he loves you that he will not contravene your freewill and instead permits you to sin. After all, love not freely given, is not love at all.
Now not contravening your free will is not to say He condones sin, certainly not. In fact, He does all that He can to dissuade us from our sins. He sends us all kinds of graces, people, and circumstances into our lives to convince us otherwise - but, as we can freely choose good and evil, it is up to us to pay attention and choose to agree with Him and not sin. So when there is sin, it is on us, not God. He does everything except removing freewill - which would be contrary to love - and if we reject Him, then we justly deserve the consequence of sin.
What is the ultimate consequence of sin? He removes Himself from us. He loves us, and so when we tell him by our sins that we do not want Him He gives us precisely what we want (Romans 1:26). However, it is as though He is right there in front of you that if you would only stretch out your arm you could touch Him. It is in this way that He is both removed when we sin, and yet still very present.
When we choose sin, it is like loving someone - truly loving them - and yet they cheat on you time and time again. They resist you and they resist all reason to the point that their reason itself becomes corrupted. Yet they continue to go on and on, and you just keep keeping on because you love them. You do this in the hope that they will one day be faithful and choose to love you as well. That distant prodigal day is why it is worth the while. This is what we are to God when we choose sin, when we choose evil.
This is why evil is truly evil - because it is willed and chosen freely in the contrary to God. That's what really gets it when some human tragedy unfolds. It's not so much that evil has happened -rather, it is that someone actually chose to do evil. This is what cries out to the heavens.
Some people look at the evil in the world and proclaim there is no God. I look at the evil in the world and see clearly that there is a God, there must be. For there can be no evil without good, for if there is no good how can we identify something as being evil?
Good is to evil as light is to darkness, for darkness is as light. It's interesting that the Bible (Genesis 1:3-5; Psalm 139:12) would state this because it is actually scientific fact. In truth there is no such thing as darkness - that's just a word we use to describe an absence of light. So what is evil? Evil is simply an absence of good. What then is good? Only God is Good.
How then can evil be the absence of God, if I may, if God is omnipresent? That seems to be a contradiction of terms. He is always with us, always (Psalm 23:4; Matthew 28:20). When one sins - be it a lie or to commit some great atrocity such as genocide - one sort of opts out of loving God. He is still there, and it is precisely that he loves you that he will not contravene your freewill and instead permits you to sin. After all, love not freely given, is not love at all.
Now not contravening your free will is not to say He condones sin, certainly not. In fact, He does all that He can to dissuade us from our sins. He sends us all kinds of graces, people, and circumstances into our lives to convince us otherwise - but, as we can freely choose good and evil, it is up to us to pay attention and choose to agree with Him and not sin. So when there is sin, it is on us, not God. He does everything except removing freewill - which would be contrary to love - and if we reject Him, then we justly deserve the consequence of sin.
What is the ultimate consequence of sin? He removes Himself from us. He loves us, and so when we tell him by our sins that we do not want Him He gives us precisely what we want (Romans 1:26). However, it is as though He is right there in front of you that if you would only stretch out your arm you could touch Him. It is in this way that He is both removed when we sin, and yet still very present.
When we choose sin, it is like loving someone - truly loving them - and yet they cheat on you time and time again. They resist you and they resist all reason to the point that their reason itself becomes corrupted. Yet they continue to go on and on, and you just keep keeping on because you love them. You do this in the hope that they will one day be faithful and choose to love you as well. That distant prodigal day is why it is worth the while. This is what we are to God when we choose sin, when we choose evil.
This is why evil is truly evil - because it is willed and chosen freely in the contrary to God. That's what really gets it when some human tragedy unfolds. It's not so much that evil has happened -rather, it is that someone actually chose to do evil. This is what cries out to the heavens.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Writing Influences
There are many things that influence a writer from the various styles and mediums to the simple experience of life.
As far a literature is concerned I suppose it is no surprise that my greatest influence is the Holy Bible. It is an incredible gold mine as far as subject matter and style go. We've got victory and betrayal, murder, redemption, adultery, and romance. These are conveyed in fables, parables, eye witness accounts, beautiful use of symbolism, imagery, and metaphors, as well as a very unique style of recording history. I like to collect different bible versions and so for me it is fascinating to note how the different versions convey the same Truth. Personally, however, I am most partial to the Douay-Rheims Bible and the 1611 King James Bible.
In addition to that, I really enjoy Shakespeare and own all of his work. Hamlet is my favourite and it really is a brilliant work because you can really go deep into the meanings and I don't really think you can come to the end of them. The same can be said, of course, for many of his works.
As a side note, the two influences above are most likely the source of why when I write or speak I say things in a unique manner. That's just how the old English merges with the modern in my head.
The books of my childhood I would say also had an influence on me. In particular, I read The Hardy Boys, Goosebumps and other works by R.L.Stine, several books from Canadian author Eric Wilson, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Next I would cite the music I grew up listening to as an influence on how and what I write. Gordon Lightfoot, who is probably one of the greatest Canadian songwriters, is one hell of a story teller! Celtic folks songs have influenced me in a similar way with their epic tome on life and love. Then there are the various writers who wrote songs which the band Westlife performed and these taught me about sensitivity, fragility, and vulnerability. Finally, there is Rammstein -a bit of a shocker, I know. Rammstein is sort of like Shakespeare in a way because there is so much said and so many layers to dig through. Unlike Shakespeare, however, there is a bottom to their depth.
There is one film in particular which has had a major impact on me - James Cameron's "Titanic." Don't agree with the man's politics, but the writing and direction of that film is phenomenal and should be a class staple. It offers especially a lesson in how to construct a a real relationship without falling back on things like sex because you're too lazy to spend time on that relationship. Kind of like real life, in a sense. Also in that scene where Jack draws Rose as one of his French girls we are treated to a rare modern example of erotic beauty. It's literally the only modern example that I can think of - you'd have to go back a couple hundred years for more examples of it.
It's harder to cite influences from television because different writers lead on different episodes. If I went by series I would cite in particular Stargate SG-1 and JAG. Stargate SG-1 because it was my first real exposure to sci-fi/fantasy and really helped to develop my creativity. This is the reason why I write in a variety of writing styles. I cite JAG because it showed me how to write persuasively and form coherent arguments which is something I'm currently learning to apply with my short stories.
A few people have asked about some book projects which may or may not be in the works (I've hinted in the blog). The truth is that given some of the dark subject matter I would be working with in some of the hypothetical books, I am simply not ready to write them just yet. If there was a plan it would be to study J.R.R.Tolkien, C.S.Lewis, and G. K. Chesterton so as to learn how to approach what is sinful and evil without glorifying it. If I wrote a book, I do not want the idol worship that possesses some Harry Potter and Twilight fans. A book is just a book. If anything, it should encourage you to live a worthwhile life, not pretend that you live the life of someone else.
As far a literature is concerned I suppose it is no surprise that my greatest influence is the Holy Bible. It is an incredible gold mine as far as subject matter and style go. We've got victory and betrayal, murder, redemption, adultery, and romance. These are conveyed in fables, parables, eye witness accounts, beautiful use of symbolism, imagery, and metaphors, as well as a very unique style of recording history. I like to collect different bible versions and so for me it is fascinating to note how the different versions convey the same Truth. Personally, however, I am most partial to the Douay-Rheims Bible and the 1611 King James Bible.
In addition to that, I really enjoy Shakespeare and own all of his work. Hamlet is my favourite and it really is a brilliant work because you can really go deep into the meanings and I don't really think you can come to the end of them. The same can be said, of course, for many of his works.
As a side note, the two influences above are most likely the source of why when I write or speak I say things in a unique manner. That's just how the old English merges with the modern in my head.
The books of my childhood I would say also had an influence on me. In particular, I read The Hardy Boys, Goosebumps and other works by R.L.Stine, several books from Canadian author Eric Wilson, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Next I would cite the music I grew up listening to as an influence on how and what I write. Gordon Lightfoot, who is probably one of the greatest Canadian songwriters, is one hell of a story teller! Celtic folks songs have influenced me in a similar way with their epic tome on life and love. Then there are the various writers who wrote songs which the band Westlife performed and these taught me about sensitivity, fragility, and vulnerability. Finally, there is Rammstein -a bit of a shocker, I know. Rammstein is sort of like Shakespeare in a way because there is so much said and so many layers to dig through. Unlike Shakespeare, however, there is a bottom to their depth.
There is one film in particular which has had a major impact on me - James Cameron's "Titanic." Don't agree with the man's politics, but the writing and direction of that film is phenomenal and should be a class staple. It offers especially a lesson in how to construct a a real relationship without falling back on things like sex because you're too lazy to spend time on that relationship. Kind of like real life, in a sense. Also in that scene where Jack draws Rose as one of his French girls we are treated to a rare modern example of erotic beauty. It's literally the only modern example that I can think of - you'd have to go back a couple hundred years for more examples of it.
It's harder to cite influences from television because different writers lead on different episodes. If I went by series I would cite in particular Stargate SG-1 and JAG. Stargate SG-1 because it was my first real exposure to sci-fi/fantasy and really helped to develop my creativity. This is the reason why I write in a variety of writing styles. I cite JAG because it showed me how to write persuasively and form coherent arguments which is something I'm currently learning to apply with my short stories.
A few people have asked about some book projects which may or may not be in the works (I've hinted in the blog). The truth is that given some of the dark subject matter I would be working with in some of the hypothetical books, I am simply not ready to write them just yet. If there was a plan it would be to study J.R.R.Tolkien, C.S.Lewis, and G. K. Chesterton so as to learn how to approach what is sinful and evil without glorifying it. If I wrote a book, I do not want the idol worship that possesses some Harry Potter and Twilight fans. A book is just a book. If anything, it should encourage you to live a worthwhile life, not pretend that you live the life of someone else.
Friday, December 7, 2012
The Point Of Life
He calls each one of us, He knows our names. Many will hear His voice, look towards Him, but will not follow. Some will hear His voice, however, and will follow.
I remember it well, those early days, though it really was not so long ago. Many times He called but, I just kept on grazing. I'm pretty stubborn and certain of my own ways. Eventually, He walked over, broke my leg, and place me upon His shoulders. Did I ever make a ruckus at this! I bayed and mourned, dazed and confused. He was gentle in voice, comforting me. Despite the desert I was in, He hadn't hurt me. When I got over myself I began to delight in His voice.
My heart would beat a mile a minute now when I heard Him. You could say it was like a young puppy love, or perhaps like a young child who just made a new best friend. However, I was selfish and saw what I though my life ought to be -easy and perfect- and I wanted it badly. I told Him this was what it would be like, and then a demanded of Him. His patience is amazing; I would have given up on myself a long time ago.
He continues to speak gentle words to me as He lead me out into the wilderness. If it were not for His Grace I would have surely bucked away and done my own thing. It was that young love, that unbreakable connection we had that made me follow Him - curious and trusting as to what He might rather have in mind.
In time that quick and dancing fire eased and cooled into a smooth and constant burn - quiet, but sure. I lapped up the drops of living waters He gave and in this way began to see myself as He saw me. There was dread and shame at first, especially given my earlier demands and ultimatums. My stubbornness seemed to me a never ending tantrum. And the sin... like the wound of a thousand dagger stuffed with salt and lemon. I finally saw clearly my own stinking, rotting flesh.
He held me close, consoling me and imparting the peace that only He can give. I now understood and my loving trust deepened for Him. To me He is a favourite comrade - a dear friend whom I am beginning to truly love.
I can see clearly now that - should He will it - I could fall so completely in love with Him that my every moment is spent with Him, for Him, and in Him. It is this that is the meaning and point of life. No matter our state in life; mother, father, husband, wife, priest, accountant, artist, oilman, politician and so forth. Indeed our Lord has so precisely assigned to us our given state that we are so uniquely and perfectly able to, when our love has been duly deepened, that we spend our every moment with Him, for Him, and in Him.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Christians and Food
"At meals don't speak about food: that's vulgar and unworthy of you. Speak about something noble — of the soul or of the mind — and you will have dignified this physical duty. The day you leave the table without having done some small mortification you have eaten like a pagan." ~St. Josemaria Escriva
This doesn't mean you cannot thank whomever prepared the meal for their service and skill. This ought to left until after the meal and final grace has been completed. Do not comment for the sake of flattery, but rather speak only out of honesty. This alone may take some getting used to.
What should our attitude towards food and drink be? Certainly, we can enjoy what has been set before us with our senses, but these should be used in a higher context. We should be thankful for and enjoy each meal we have received even when our senses tell us otherwise. Those meals we perceive as good then should not be over-enjoyed and should be counted equal with those same meals that do not agree with our senses.
"Never complain of the food, whether it be well or ill dressed; remembering the gall and vinegar of Jesus Christ." ~St. Josemaria Escriva
Meals then, should never be spent focused on the food for this is mere sustenance and not the zest of life. Rather the focus ought to be on God, family, and friends. We should not over serve ourselves so that when we become satiated we have left over food, even if this means that one's plate will not be full. It is not just to waste food and so you should save it and eat it later. Eat the amount that will sustain you, not the amount your eyes and stomach desire. Encourage yourself to try something new, or if at a buffet to try a little bit of everything. By no means should you have a mountain of food on your plate, but rather you should have a morsel of each. It is by eating what you may not like along with what you do like, that you may gain a suffering with which to offer to our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Suffering will never be completely absent from our lives. So don’t be afraid of suffering. Your suffering is a great means of love, if you make use of it, especially if you offer it for peace in the world. Suffering in and of itself is useless, but suffering that is shared with the passion of Christ is a wonderful gift and a sign of love. Christ’s suffering proved to be a gift, the greatest gift of love, because through his suffering our sins were atoned for. Suffering, pains sorrow, humiliation, feelings of loneliness, are nothing but the kiss of Jesus, a sign that you have come so close that He can kiss you." ~Mother Teresa (St. Teresa of Calcutta)
We should be attentive to what we eat and not be simply fill our gullet with garbage. If you're reading this then you have an internet connection which means you have no reason to be ignorant about nutritional science and diet. You can start with Eat to Live and Natural News. However, you ought to be careful not to make an idol of healthy eating or a particular type of eating. Eating healthy will not save you - you are still going to die. You are not even guaranteed length of years so do not put all your stock into being healthy.
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Indeed, do not hold up your way of eating as the only right way to eat. Just because the way you eat works for you does not mean that it will work for others. No way of eating is perfect for everyone, though certainly there are a few ways which come close. Do not think less of those who do not eat he same way you do, and certainly do not think lowly of anyone who tries your way and it simply doesn't work out. Rather take this as an opportunity to be humbled. After all, there is no salvation in health food, dieting, or just being healthy in general.
"And on the next day, whilst they were going on their journey, and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house to pray, about the sixth hour. And being hungry, he was desirous to taste somewhat. And as they were preparing, there came upon him an ecstasy of mind. And he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts, and creeping things of the earth, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said: Far be it from me; for I never did eat any thing that is common and unclean. And the voice spoke to him again the second time: That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call common. And this was done thrice; and presently the vessel was taken up into heaven." (Acts 10:9-16)
What then is the point of being healthy if not in some vain attempt to live forever? Indeed, you should do such for the sake and service of God. You do not know the length of days allotted to you, nor do you know what the Lord may ask of you. Therefore it is right to be aptly prepared; all prayed up, well versed in the Faith, and in the best physical condition possible.
"Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6:31-34)
Monday, December 3, 2012
Why Bad People Live Long Lives And Good People Die Young
Man thinks he is so great. It would be adorable if he were not so repugnant in error. He thinks that he has the power to decide who lives, dies, and when. Only God alone decided when man shall breathe his last. This is why so many on death row die of illnesses like cancer and pneumonia often in old age. Truly I tell you that this same man would die that very hour even were he not in prison!
Some of the unrighteous will live long lives. It is so because these still have the potential of their souls being saved. The righteous will some times also live longs lives simply because in length of years many souls will be saved. We are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise at times the unrighteous will have short lives. It is a great mercy of God that these do not live long, for after a time their souls would never be saved and many others souls could be lost as a result. The righteous will also have short lives as well. At times they are called back home because they have fought the good fight in good time. Other times their death may cause many conversions and many souls to be saved.
Then there are what we call the innocents - children. It is good to get these baptised as soon as possible because they have been born of original sin. Be honest. You know that they are capable of of grave selfishness, and when they have reached the age of reason -6 or 7, indeed they are well aware of their actions and words. Sometimes children die as a mercy to them, and sometimes it is so that the souls of their parents can be saved in which case the child would not have the resentment that adults often do. The same can be said of miscarriages. Those murdered in the womb we are not certain of their final end, but perhaps in their suffering and death they are saved, but we do not know. It is always best to permit the child to live, be baptised, and then given up for adoption if the case may be.
Many people take issue with the deaths of the Old Testament, that perhaps God is hateful or hypocritical for permitting millions to die - even women and children. If one believe this life is all there is, of course one simply wouldn't get it. It is about eternal life. It is rather of love that God permits such death as he continues to this day for to allow man to live with no chance of being saved is no different than allowing an animal -sick, tumorous, unable to walk to live. It is an action only God alone can take for He knows all things and man in his pride, only thinks he knows.
All have sinned, you see, and the wages of sin is death. This is why we die. Length of days is, but vanity and is as a moment to God. Today we are, but tomorrow, like the chaff of wheat, are tossed into the ovens.
Some of the unrighteous will live long lives. It is so because these still have the potential of their souls being saved. The righteous will some times also live longs lives simply because in length of years many souls will be saved. We are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise at times the unrighteous will have short lives. It is a great mercy of God that these do not live long, for after a time their souls would never be saved and many others souls could be lost as a result. The righteous will also have short lives as well. At times they are called back home because they have fought the good fight in good time. Other times their death may cause many conversions and many souls to be saved.
Then there are what we call the innocents - children. It is good to get these baptised as soon as possible because they have been born of original sin. Be honest. You know that they are capable of of grave selfishness, and when they have reached the age of reason -6 or 7, indeed they are well aware of their actions and words. Sometimes children die as a mercy to them, and sometimes it is so that the souls of their parents can be saved in which case the child would not have the resentment that adults often do. The same can be said of miscarriages. Those murdered in the womb we are not certain of their final end, but perhaps in their suffering and death they are saved, but we do not know. It is always best to permit the child to live, be baptised, and then given up for adoption if the case may be.
Many people take issue with the deaths of the Old Testament, that perhaps God is hateful or hypocritical for permitting millions to die - even women and children. If one believe this life is all there is, of course one simply wouldn't get it. It is about eternal life. It is rather of love that God permits such death as he continues to this day for to allow man to live with no chance of being saved is no different than allowing an animal -sick, tumorous, unable to walk to live. It is an action only God alone can take for He knows all things and man in his pride, only thinks he knows.
All have sinned, you see, and the wages of sin is death. This is why we die. Length of days is, but vanity and is as a moment to God. Today we are, but tomorrow, like the chaff of wheat, are tossed into the ovens.
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