Hunger Games
You knew it was coming….I went in not knowing anything about it, with no expectations, and came out really enjoying it. Even the concept of children having to kill each other for the populations entertainment. I know it sounds so wrong. The truth is it is(wrong, so wrong). However it is a commentary on where we re as a society. Where this is considered even acceptable. Think about it people…. children killing children….blockbuster!
Really????
However because there is a theme of love overcoming all odds, and the person who morally objects to it, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) actually wins, we seem to sweep it under the rug. Let’s look at how far away from God this whole concept is. Even if we take God out of it lets look at how far away from any sense of compassion or humanity it is. We are at our very essence relational beings, and even though some of us feel that the world would be better without some people roaming it, we would never actually take the action of eliminating them (even if we have thought about it, and maybe come up with a plan for it). Such people that do kill for sport, we consider dangerous, insane and criminal. Yet let’s watch a movie about kids killing kids for sport, and its all ok.
We excuse it because it is just a movie, or it is someones fantasy, or plain fiction. Yet it is a huge statement on where we are as a society, that so many people, spent so much money (me included), to participate in the promotion of this, and then condone it too. How far have we gone from love your neighbor, how far have we gone from let’s all work together in love, and take care of each other, as is very human and normal to our nature. Instead we are saying kill the weak, we are promoting a thinking of, if you are not strong enough, wealthy enough, or connected enough (or have an older sister to take your place), you should be eliminated. We felt sorry for the little girl, Rue, that died because she seemed so helpless and cute, but how sad did we feel for any of the others that got murdered, we even cheered and deemed it appropriate that they die. Some of us were even hoping Peeta got taken out, for acting so weak.
I honestly see this as a commentary on the way things are now. After this huge economic downturn, we as a society are not only looking at our diminishing resources and thinking what are we going to do, we are looking at our population, and thinking why should they be consuming these more and more limited resources! We are allowing this thinking to take hold and planting the seeds for a generation that has no care for anyone, or anything that is weak, or seen to be of no use. A generation that will be so selfish, that it will in the midst of it’s selfishness think it is doing someone else good by eliminating them (just along as it is not themselves).
At this time we need more than ever to show the love of God. Why I say the love of God, and not just love, because our love doesn’t cut it, our love is conditional, dependent on circumstances. We need a greater love, a powerful love. A love that in it is no fear of not having enough, a love, that in it is more than enough for everybody, a love that in there is provision, safety, mercy & grace. A love so strong that instead of taking - it gave. We need to stand up and love, we need to take action, not just speak about it. We need to stop the pervasion of this cotton wool wrapped stinking thinking. We need to lift the mindset and thinking of our society, to aspire to something bigger and greater than the individual glory and search and desire the collective glory and well being.
With all the resources we have on this earth, there need not be one man, woman, or child hungry. There need not be one person who does not have access to health care. There need not be one person so desperate that they are prepared to give up their children to traffickers, knowing within themselves that they are being lied too, but so desperate they choose to believe the lie.There is something you can do to make a difference. We need to stand up, come together and purposefully pursue that which is for the betterment of all, not just self.
Some of you have more stuff than others, and you have worked hard for it, and I do not deny that you deserve to be blessed and to enjoy it, however know this it is not what you receive that makes a man, it is what you give. Find it in your hearts to give. Not to take, not to celebrated the elimination of those that are weaker, but look to help, and lift up, look to the ethos of the Olympic Games, peace amongst man, and don’t look to the message of the Hunger Games - kill those that are weaker.
And as we finish that, the next project studios are falling over themselves for is “Fifty Shades of Grey”, an even worse indictment on where we are as a society, but that is for another blog!
So my friends, take a good look at your thinking and your intentions and do they really agree with what you agree with. Or a re they just fantasy’s. Are you being true to yourself, or is your image of yourself based on fantasy, something you think you are but in truth you are not. Step back and invite God to come in, to strengthen you, to guide you, and to help you understand the greater purpose of all this!
Till next time meditate on those things that are good….
PG
Resurrection Sunday!!!
We just celebrated Resurrection Sunday (which I always want to spell with to esses!), something, as a believer we do each and every day. So what exactly was Resurrection Sunday? It is the day of the year that the church commemorates the day that Jesus arose from the grave and ascended to heaven.
In doing so He completed the plan of God for our redemption - Salvation - a gift from God. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
God so loved the world - the world is you and I - God loves you so much that He made a way for you, He made a plan. Some of you will read this and be thinking to yourself if this is God’s plan for my life, it sure is messed up. The truth is, if it’s messed up it probably is not God’s plan, it’s more likely your plan, that you have excluded God from, or made up and asked Him to bless. At the same time He did say there would be difficulty, but also that everything would work out for your good.
God gave! When someone gives, in order to enjoy or partake in what they are giving one has to receive! When one gives it does not mean you have to pay for it, or that you have to jump through any hoops to get it, all you have to do is receive it. That is all we have to do to step into God’s plan is to receive it. What did He give? His only begotten Son - Jesus - God gave us His Son, all we got to do is receive Him, and one receives by believing.
Believing that God did actually give Him, that Jesus was and is who He said He is, and that He did die, and was raised on the third day, and right now is in heaven, at the right hand side of God our Father and creator. It seems like so much to believe. Like really thats all?!?!?!? Yep that’s all! :-) So if I believe I will not persist but have everlasting life. Yep.
What is perishing? In my eyes going through this life without God. Without hope, without knowing what your purpose is, not having anything beyond what your day holds and hoping and having to trust in your own strength, power, knowledge and ability, in order to make it through. But with God, He helps, He guides, He has a plan that is good, that is better than anything you have ever dreamed or imagined. He has a way, that is peaceful, where there is no pain, no suffering, no lack, no disease. Sounds like a perfect world? Yes it is exactly that. That is what God had in mind from the beginning a perfect world and life for you and me. Unfortunately it got messed up right at the get go by us. So He being so good and so loving made another way - His Son Jesus!
Knowing Him makes it so easy to believe, seeing people get healed when we pray for them, seeing families restored because of an understanding of the love of God, seeing provision coming in, seeing God working in so many ways, everyday in everyone’s life, makes it so real. Speak to some believers and ask them what has God done for you lately? I guarantee you will hear some recollection of God’s goodness and him working in their life. Being so real. You know why? Because He can’t help Himself. He is that good!!! He wants to do good all the time!!! Get in on His goodness!!!
So when we celebrate Resurrection Sunday we are celebrating the free gift that God gave us. Jesus. He paid the price so we do not have to, all we have to do is receive it. Know that He loves you, know that He genuinely cares about you, and know that He has a plan for your life. All you got to do is receive, simple as that.
So happy Resurrection Sunday everyday!
He Has Risen!
Till next time…..
PG
a good year
Soooo I didn’t get to the movies - well not to one that inspired me to write anything about it - but I did watch an favorite of mine - “A good year” with Russel Crowe - it is all about remembering who you are. We see flashes of his childhood and then where he is now, caught in the rat race of life with no values and just trying to make money instead of enjoying life as one should. And it got me thinking…..how much we let pass us by because we are too preoccupied with stuff that is not really important at the end of the day. I’m not saying money is not important but that cannot be the reason for your life!!!
We see a little boy full of life, a character being brought up by his uncle on this beautiful estate with a vineyard in France. I love France. I want one of those estates one day! Anyways not to stray…. His uncle teaches him how to enjoy life and we see how they do. He grows up to become not a very nice man, working in London as a stock broker, wheeling and dealing, and doing anyone and everyone in when ever he can. No morals just the victory. His uncle dies and he has to go back to sort out the belongings.
It is a great journey of rediscovery. How often do we let things pass by, how often do choose things that are not good or add quality to our life. Instead we are chasing some big number in the sky, hoping to get it, and hoping even more, after we have spent endless nights awake and days sacrificed, that it will all be worth it. When God has said I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and for peace and to give you an expected end!
I love that God has an expected end planned for each and everyone of us. Think about it if God who is so awesome, caring, loving, good, kind and amazing, has planed your outcome - how good is that outcome going to be!!! To give you a hope and a future!!! WOW!!! God really does care. The thanks about you everyday and He plans with you in mind, for good and not fro evil. For peace and not for stress and strain. He is truly a good God in whom we can trust.
That is the crux right there in whom you can trust. That is how you enter into the God flow by trusting God, by allowing Him access to your life, and basically placing your life in His hands. That does not mean sitting on your behind all day waiting to float from place to place, what it means is knowing Him, knowing His ways, and choosing to walk in them. You might be thinking to yourself who can know the ways of God, who can know God??? You can! It is all about relationship. As with any relationship the more time you spend with someone the better you get to know them. The same is with God. The more time you spend, the better you will know him. Spend time in prayer, spend time in reading the Word, spend time in worship, & spend time with other believers and you will see such a difference and ability to live in the God flow.
As in the movie when this strikes Russell Crowe, he gives up all to go after that which is good. When you choose God, and go after Him, you will be able to rest and not stress, you will see that which is good come your way and life will not pass you by, but you will experience it to the max! It’s not always easy but it is worth it!
Go for it! Choose to have a good year, a good life!!!
L’chaim!!!
Till next time….may it be a good year!
PG
The Cry Hollywood
Today thousands are gathering at the Gibson Theatre at Universal City from 2pm till Midnight, to pray for the industry. If you can make it come on out. If not take a moment today to pray.
In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge.
—Proverbs 14:29 AMP
Safe House
Sooooo I went to watch Safe House the other day, and as these things do, they get me thinking. I started thinking how safe is your house? We are called the house of the Holy Spirit. Do you have a safe house? In the movie Ryan Reynolds worked at this CIA safe house in Cape Town, South Africa - I lived there for a while, and was hoping to see more of Cape Town to be honest, - anyways Denzel is brought into the Safe House for questioning and then the Safe House is breached, not so safe anymore!!! Thus the movie follows the story of who and why.
So before Denzel is brought into the house, it is ho hum, nothing ever happens, every day is same ol’, same ol’ for Ryan. Then Denzel comes in, and BAM the house is attacked by enemies who want to take him out because he has information that can bring down a corrupt, evil ring within the CIA. Hmmmmm, we get the Holy Spirit, He takes up residence in our house - us - and then what happens, the enemy attacks trying to take us out because we are now connected to the kingdom of God and have the authority, ability and power to bring down the principalities and powers of the enemy! The enemy, the devil, is looking for any and every open door he can find to get in and kill you!
I know it sounds dramatic, but it is so true. As a believer that is what you are coming against everyday! The flip side is, that as a believer you have the solution to life living on the inside of you; you are carrying life, and the answer with you. As a result you can have peace, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge - and the power to overcome the plans of the enemy. Unfortunately, all too often, we do not take ourselves seriously and therefore do not take what we carry seriously. All too often it is never activated, used or deployed to any significant good. I want to encourage you to see yourself as who you are. Especially as a believer - you carry the solution. You have endless possibilities available to you.
It is, however, up to you to be a safe house as your house can be breached in a number of ways. For instance, in the movie - spoiler alert - Ryan’s mentor whom he trusted, who had actually placed him at this particular safe house, was working for the enemy and Ryan was consistently feeding him information. Are your relationships taking you closer to God or further away? Are your relationships building you up and helping you grow and become the person you are created to be? Or are they tearing you down, consistently draining you, and you find yourself always doing things you never really want to do? Really think about it….because the enemy will be subtle, the in your face ones that we know are wrong are easy to define and to get rid of (I know sometimes it’s hard to even get rid of those…), however I challenge you, consider every thing and everyone.
The other good thing that helped Ryan was his training. He was a trained, up to date operative. When things got hard he could rely on what he knew and had been practicing to get him through. Do you know your Word, do you know your God, do you practice the presence of God daily, or only when you are in a jam? We need to be walking, talking, living this out all the time, so that when the enemy does come against us - like a flood that which is in us rises up and drowns him out! What is flooding out of you? Anything powerful? Anything life giving? Anything useful to anyone? If you answered no to any of these questions, the choice is yours. You can change if you choose to, if you want to. All you got to do is jump into the God flow!
So, Safe House, eh watch it on DVD, but be it in real life!
Till next time shut down the house!!!
PG
