Onward, Upward, and Further In

When harmed or threatened by another, the most human response is to hate, curse and/or avenge oneself. I grew up learning about Corrie Ten Boom, and God’s call on her life to forgive the Nazi prison guard who had perpetrated so much evil. I grew up learning about Elisabeth Elliot, who stayed and ministered to the tribe that killed her beloved husband. And I rejected their responses of forgiveness and grace.  I was consumed by anger, and I wanted to be consumed by my anger. I did not want to let that anger go. I did not think that was fair or just. I wanted to rage and hate and devour those who harmed me. I could not understand Corrie or Elisabeth. But in God’s kindness, He kept setting Corrie Ten Boom and Elisabeth Elliot before me. He showed me their very real struggle to bless and not curse, and how He was with them as the Spirit sanctified their hearts on this matter. They needed to wrestle with this too. I learned of other Christians who blessed and did not curse. I l...

Something I try to talk about a lot with my daughter is the Cambodian genocide. It is something that deeply impacts her family tree (much of it obliterated). The tragedy is horrific. Beyond comprehension. The consequences will last for many generations to come. A whole culture was destroyed...music, art, stories. I don't know what can be recovered. We seem to be living in some weird times. I am not sure any political party is completely benign. We need to be watchful and discerning, with much prayer, as various things are happening throughout the world. There are very serious dangers on all spectrums of the political range. Neither right or left is safe. From Britannica on the Cambodian Genocide: "Cambodian genocide, systematic murder of up to three million people in Cambodia from 1976 to 1978 that was carried out by the Khmer Rouge government under Pol Pot. Immediately after World War II, the Americans and the French fought wars against communism in Korea and Vietnam, respect...