Lise's Blog
I would like people to see and to have posted before them some loving words from the Good Book in order to encourage. There is so much commotion in the world today, so much activity and bad news, personal and nonpersonal. So much torment of mind. Yet of little effect, it seems, are steps towards freedom for others and for ourselves. This is untrue, I know, but we sometimes feel that way and then can become weary in well-doing. I hope my blog (my very first!) will comfort you, especially those of you who regularly comfort the afflicted.
Bashir and Putin. Is there any better picture of defiance than on the faces of these two autocrats? So, I've been asking myself, "how did good, fair rulers of history past deal with impossible tyrants? When people of this ilk bullied and got away with it, how were things handled?"
The first picture which came to mind was, "What if their killing is seen by these two despots as a distraction? Obviously, these dictators are feeling pretty good right now --- they've gotten their killing accomplished and are still running their countries without any threats --- but they were obviously feeling pretty good BEFORE annihilating residents of Darfur or dropping missiles on civilian cars leaving Gori, Georgia. They were confident of victory....before their victory. No one is confident of victory until it happens. That they were emboldened prior is suspect..."
So, it made me realize the likelihood that Bashir and Putin have based some of their men as clandestine plants, using politics as their "trench", within the innocent party's government, hunkering below the radar and appearing oh-so helpful to the governments of Sudan and Georgia. Spying, in other words. A good-hearted, honest and decent leader is rarely the suspicious type, but fierce caution he or she will have! It's a handy trait to have when millions of citizens are under your care. Winston Churchill was a perfect leader with that fierce caution. He didn't act intent on being friendly with an enemy. He understood the word "boundary".
Secondly, and as usual, I went to the Bible for answers. I love history. Oh, to find good ol' lessons in ancient history. Surely, the leaders of ancient Israel ran into despots all of the time.
Here is one story I found in the Old Testament which gave me vast insights. It begins in the Book of Judges, chapter 11, with Jephthah, a mighty Jewish warrior who understood how to be subtle in the game of negotiating:
Verses 17-18:
"Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Give us permission to go through your country,' but the king of Edom would not listen...they [Israel] traveled through the desert, skirted the lands of Edom...they did not enter the territory..."
The full story shows that other kings became completely unreasonable and combatant with Israel with no motive, even though Israel was being peaceful and respectful towards them. Jephthah always sent messengers to lands he wished to cross, he didn't start petty wars or silly debates like the surrounding kings did, he fully relied on God never missing a lick, and when a leader did come against Jephthah, he was always prepared militarily -- so there's no question he was peaceful, yet prepared for battle, knowing how bullies are.
In the next verses, we read that, in self-defense, Israel had to go to war: they captured ALL of the land of the aggressors who had started the war. After Jephthah's victory, he went back to the bullies and continued reasoning and negotiating. Still, the aggressors paid him no heed. Does all of this sound like something you've learned recently in the news?
So, in just eight verses, we can learn from history the following:
-be peaceful with all men, as much as it is within your power, showing common courtesy
-communicate with leaders when you're not certain of what is expected of you, regardless of whether they accept you
-stay strong, never let your guard down; you never know when you'll need to defend yourself and protect those you love
-after you finish defending yourself, make sure you leave no stone unturned and finish the battle completely
-after a victory, still try to negotiate terms of fairness and reason
If we are to see true changes in Darfur, we need to do more than run to the rescue of its victims, though that is perfect. Our Darfurian brothers and sisters hope we will give them assistance for the long-haul. After they are protected, assured, strengthened, we must encourage them to learn the best way to lead, to guard, to negotiate, and to win. We can do this while delivering them from the hand of the sick aggressor. Let's agree to do this, joining our efforts together. We can, when we believe the attack is really on us.
The first picture which came to mind was, "What if their killing is seen by these two despots as a distraction? Obviously, these dictators are feeling pretty good right now --- they've gotten their killing accomplished and are still running their countries without any threats --- but they were obviously feeling pretty good BEFORE annihilating residents of Darfur or dropping missiles on civilian cars leaving Gori, Georgia. They were confident of victory....before their victory. No one is confident of victory until it happens. That they were emboldened prior is suspect..."
So, it made me realize the likelihood that Bashir and Putin have based some of their men as clandestine plants, using politics as their "trench", within the innocent party's government, hunkering below the radar and appearing oh-so helpful to the governments of Sudan and Georgia. Spying, in other words. A good-hearted, honest and decent leader is rarely the suspicious type, but fierce caution he or she will have! It's a handy trait to have when millions of citizens are under your care. Winston Churchill was a perfect leader with that fierce caution. He didn't act intent on being friendly with an enemy. He understood the word "boundary".
Secondly, and as usual, I went to the Bible for answers. I love history. Oh, to find good ol' lessons in ancient history. Surely, the leaders of ancient Israel ran into despots all of the time.
Here is one story I found in the Old Testament which gave me vast insights. It begins in the Book of Judges, chapter 11, with Jephthah, a mighty Jewish warrior who understood how to be subtle in the game of negotiating:
Verses 17-18:
"Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Give us permission to go through your country,' but the king of Edom would not listen...they [Israel] traveled through the desert, skirted the lands of Edom...they did not enter the territory..."
The full story shows that other kings became completely unreasonable and combatant with Israel with no motive, even though Israel was being peaceful and respectful towards them. Jephthah always sent messengers to lands he wished to cross, he didn't start petty wars or silly debates like the surrounding kings did, he fully relied on God never missing a lick, and when a leader did come against Jephthah, he was always prepared militarily -- so there's no question he was peaceful, yet prepared for battle, knowing how bullies are.
In the next verses, we read that, in self-defense, Israel had to go to war: they captured ALL of the land of the aggressors who had started the war. After Jephthah's victory, he went back to the bullies and continued reasoning and negotiating. Still, the aggressors paid him no heed. Does all of this sound like something you've learned recently in the news?
So, in just eight verses, we can learn from history the following:
-be peaceful with all men, as much as it is within your power, showing common courtesy
-communicate with leaders when you're not certain of what is expected of you, regardless of whether they accept you
-stay strong, never let your guard down; you never know when you'll need to defend yourself and protect those you love
-after you finish defending yourself, make sure you leave no stone unturned and finish the battle completely
-after a victory, still try to negotiate terms of fairness and reason
If we are to see true changes in Darfur, we need to do more than run to the rescue of its victims, though that is perfect. Our Darfurian brothers and sisters hope we will give them assistance for the long-haul. After they are protected, assured, strengthened, we must encourage them to learn the best way to lead, to guard, to negotiate, and to win. We can do this while delivering them from the hand of the sick aggressor. Let's agree to do this, joining our efforts together. We can, when we believe the attack is really on us.
As mentioned in my blog profile, I wished to use the Bible to comfort those groups, teams, individuals who are assisting the suffering in Darfur as well as those who live much closer to the tragedy and pain over there.
My favorite writer in the Bible is Isaiah, "The Jewish Shakespeare", as he has been called. May these words bring comfort:
Chapter 59:14 and following:
Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
FOR TRUTH IS FALLEN IN THE STREET,
And equity cannot enter.
So truth fails,
And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him,
That there was no justice.
He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay,
Fury to His adversaries,
Recompense to His enemies;
The coastlands He will fully repay.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
"The Redeemer will come to Zion (Darfur).
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,"
Says the Lord.
"As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with them: My
Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your
mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth
of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants'
descendants," says the Lord, "from this time and forevermore."
Chapter 60, verse 1:
Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
*************
God is not against or for nations, as some or many throughout history have suggested. Or, another example, if your quarterback son is praying his team wins next Saturday, could God take the side of one football team and be against the other? It's a weird image.
If that were the case, that would make His divinity something puny, petty and human. Rather, He places His attention on the side of righteousness, truth, innocence.
With the historical exception of Israel, God has never limited Himself to being solely on one nation's side: whether of this nation or that nation. However, He IS exclusive when it comes to right living and righteousness - whether hidden in the individual heart of one soul within one nation or hidden in the populus of another -- or hidden in both.
Nations dwell in human hearts more than within borders. So, that is where God looks…first...and last.
My favorite writer in the Bible is Isaiah, "The Jewish Shakespeare", as he has been called. May these words bring comfort:
Chapter 59:14 and following:
Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
FOR TRUTH IS FALLEN IN THE STREET,
And equity cannot enter.
So truth fails,
And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him,
That there was no justice.
He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay,
Fury to His adversaries,
Recompense to His enemies;
The coastlands He will fully repay.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
"The Redeemer will come to Zion (Darfur).
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,"
Says the Lord.
"As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with them: My
Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your
mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth
of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants'
descendants," says the Lord, "from this time and forevermore."
Chapter 60, verse 1:
Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
*************
God is not against or for nations, as some or many throughout history have suggested. Or, another example, if your quarterback son is praying his team wins next Saturday, could God take the side of one football team and be against the other? It's a weird image.
If that were the case, that would make His divinity something puny, petty and human. Rather, He places His attention on the side of righteousness, truth, innocence.
With the historical exception of Israel, God has never limited Himself to being solely on one nation's side: whether of this nation or that nation. However, He IS exclusive when it comes to right living and righteousness - whether hidden in the individual heart of one soul within one nation or hidden in the populus of another -- or hidden in both.
Nations dwell in human hearts more than within borders. So, that is where God looks…first...and last.
Throughout my existence I have met the blamers. These blame God for that which they despise, personally. They blame God when things go wrong for others or for strangers. Many of these people loudly proclaim that there IS no such thing as absolute right and wrong. Yet, when something upsets them personally, suddenly there is right and wrong.
A few years ago I learned something about pain.
I learned that if I was to go on believing I am made in the image of the Most High God, I would have to hold on tight while flying through the madness of troubles here on earth. Therefore, I would have to stop being so surprised that horrible things were occurring, while, at the same time, despise their opprobrium. THAT means shove off ambivalent feelings and opinions altogether!
Recently, I heard from a minister in New Orleans these words: bad things don't happen to good people. Good people happen to bad things.
It was the same lesson. The same one from the magic carpet ride through the world's insanity.
The dark forces of evil will always come up with clever tactics. Something "new" will spur and empower these forces. They will act as catalyst even. Such cruel tactics will be called inspiration.
But when will dullards in the West realize there truly is a very P E R S O N A L presence called evil? It is not some vacuous objective force. It is extremely personal and subjective. It has every intention of destroying you and me.
A few years ago I learned something about pain.
I learned that if I was to go on believing I am made in the image of the Most High God, I would have to hold on tight while flying through the madness of troubles here on earth. Therefore, I would have to stop being so surprised that horrible things were occurring, while, at the same time, despise their opprobrium. THAT means shove off ambivalent feelings and opinions altogether!
Recently, I heard from a minister in New Orleans these words: bad things don't happen to good people. Good people happen to bad things.
It was the same lesson. The same one from the magic carpet ride through the world's insanity.
The dark forces of evil will always come up with clever tactics. Something "new" will spur and empower these forces. They will act as catalyst even. Such cruel tactics will be called inspiration.
But when will dullards in the West realize there truly is a very P E R S O N A L presence called evil? It is not some vacuous objective force. It is extremely personal and subjective. It has every intention of destroying you and me.
Psalm 68, a song of David, King of Israel, 11th Century B.C.
1 God is already beginning to arise and His enemies (the dark forces at work behind the LRA and corrupt & cowardly government officials) to scatter.
Let them also who hate Him flee before Him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away, as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked [dark forces] perish before the presence of God.
3 But let the just [humble Sudanese] be glad; let them be in high spirits and glory before God.....
5 A Father to the fatherless, and a judge and protector of widows, is God in His holy habitation.
6 God places the lonely in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity; but the rebellious [LRA and dark forces] dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when You went forth before Your people [and the lovely people of Sudan], when You marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth trembled, the heavens also poured down rain at the presence of God, and Sinai [Darfur] quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel [Sudan].
9 You, O God, did send a plentiful rain, You did restore and confirm Your heritage when it languished and was weary.
10 Your flock found a dwelling place; You, O God, in Your goodness did provide for the poor and needy.
11 The Lord gives the word of power; the women who bear and publish the news are a great host.
12 Kings of the enemies' [dark forces'] armies, they flee, they flee! She who tarries at home divides the spoil left behind;
13 though you slackers may lie among the sheepfolds in slothful ease, yet for Israel [Sudan] the wings of a dove covered w/ silver are trophies taken from the enemy....
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands. The Lord is among them, as He was in Sinai [Darfur] in the holy place - the sanctuary of Israel [Sudan].
18 You have ascended on high. You have led captivity captive....
19 Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation!
20 God is to us a God of deliverances and salvation, and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death, setting us free.
21 But God will shatter the head of His enemies [the dark forces at work], those who go on still in their trespasses and guilty ways...
26 Bless God in the congregation...
28 God has commanded your strength, your might...O God, display Your might and strengthen what You have achieved for us! ....
30 ...trample under foot those who lust for tribute money; scatter the peoples [LRA & corruption] who delight in war.
31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands with offerings of submission to God.
32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord!
33 Sing praises to Him Who rides upon the heavens, the ancient heavens; He sends forth His voice, His mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power and strength to God; His majesty is over Israel (Sudan, Africa), and His strength and might are in the skies.
35 O God, awe inspiring, profoundly impressive and terrible are You out of Your holy places; the God of Israel [Sudan], He gives strength and fullness of might to His people [humble people of Darfur]. Blessed be God!
(Read Isaiah 57 & 58 to continue this thought.)
1 God is already beginning to arise and His enemies (the dark forces at work behind the LRA and corrupt & cowardly government officials) to scatter.
Let them also who hate Him flee before Him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away, as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked [dark forces] perish before the presence of God.
3 But let the just [humble Sudanese] be glad; let them be in high spirits and glory before God.....
5 A Father to the fatherless, and a judge and protector of widows, is God in His holy habitation.
6 God places the lonely in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity; but the rebellious [LRA and dark forces] dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when You went forth before Your people [and the lovely people of Sudan], when You marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth trembled, the heavens also poured down rain at the presence of God, and Sinai [Darfur] quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel [Sudan].
9 You, O God, did send a plentiful rain, You did restore and confirm Your heritage when it languished and was weary.
10 Your flock found a dwelling place; You, O God, in Your goodness did provide for the poor and needy.
11 The Lord gives the word of power; the women who bear and publish the news are a great host.
12 Kings of the enemies' [dark forces'] armies, they flee, they flee! She who tarries at home divides the spoil left behind;
13 though you slackers may lie among the sheepfolds in slothful ease, yet for Israel [Sudan] the wings of a dove covered w/ silver are trophies taken from the enemy....
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands. The Lord is among them, as He was in Sinai [Darfur] in the holy place - the sanctuary of Israel [Sudan].
18 You have ascended on high. You have led captivity captive....
19 Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation!
20 God is to us a God of deliverances and salvation, and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death, setting us free.
21 But God will shatter the head of His enemies [the dark forces at work], those who go on still in their trespasses and guilty ways...
26 Bless God in the congregation...
28 God has commanded your strength, your might...O God, display Your might and strengthen what You have achieved for us! ....
30 ...trample under foot those who lust for tribute money; scatter the peoples [LRA & corruption] who delight in war.
31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands with offerings of submission to God.
32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord!
33 Sing praises to Him Who rides upon the heavens, the ancient heavens; He sends forth His voice, His mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power and strength to God; His majesty is over Israel (Sudan, Africa), and His strength and might are in the skies.
35 O God, awe inspiring, profoundly impressive and terrible are You out of Your holy places; the God of Israel [Sudan], He gives strength and fullness of might to His people [humble people of Darfur]. Blessed be God!
(Read Isaiah 57 & 58 to continue this thought.)
"Le monde ne nous connaît pas, parce qu'il ne l'a pas connu." Translation: The world does not know us, because it did not know Him. The Bible, I John 3:1. Are you aware that the God of Abraham loves you profoundly? Well, okay. What does this have to do with Darfur? Jesus once reminded those around Him that his sheep "hear my voice and will not listen to a stranger", and He continued by saying they will in fact RUN from that stranger because they don't recognize that fake shepherd's voice. For you aid workers strengthening the hearts of Sudanese Christians persecuted for their faith and the hearts of Sudanese who have been on the run seemingly endlessly, I would like to encourage you, as well. As you move on in your good work, be encouraged as you strengthen the hands of the feeble and the hearts of the lonely and shattered. Know that everything is a piece of cake for God to fix. That is why He would like to see us doing it. We do it visibly. He, invisibly. And in world locales where there is true childlike faith, the way a little lamb might follow, God's hand is actually quite visible. (Just speak for any length of time with locals. They will gladly give testimonies of God's faithfulness - - and of incredible, astounding miracles.).
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