To a pirate ...it may mean death.
Okay, that may be a result, but it is not a definition. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a verb: to feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or wrong that you did and that you want to do what is right.
A pirate's life begins like any other life. Pirates don't like the term, baby, as it more than implies weakness. But, we all know pirates, like anyone else, are born into this weakness. They begin their life by being provided with everything. They are given milk, nourishment, and a change here and there. They don't remember these things ...and if they did, it would be a huge embarrassment, especially the change.
Pirates don't hate their mothers, they just don't like to talk about it. And it seems like part of why they take things from others ...is to hide the fact of what Mom had given them. No one gives them anything anymore ...they just take it.
Still, it makes no sense ...how anyone could go from an innocent babe, into a wayward child. No amount of psychology can help much, other than perhaps putting a little more wind in the sails. But, it just seems that certain children don't take as well to the word, "No!!" And to the best of their recollection, as soon as they were able to walk, they seemed destined to walk the plank. Most obviously don't understand their parents, and they know they had to have been given nourishment, otherwise they wouldn't be alive ...but, all they can remember is taking orders. The problem is, the parents lay claim to giving them ...and taking them is no sought after treasure.
"I admit that I'm a bit headstrong, but I don't like taking orders. Even when I do what I'm told to do, I get the brunt of everything that goes wrong. No one needs that!"
"With all this thirst for control, controlling me, and carrying this idea that it is for my own good ...just doesn't fly with me."
"Does anyone understand my pain? Do they see what I've had to go through??"
"Yes, I know I'm not the only one who feels alone ...but no one is there for me. I'm just going to have to do as I see fit."
"No one is going to help me fight these problems. I'm going to have to work it all out for myself. I'm going to have to take what I need for myself."
Quickly realized is the lesson that once you take that which someone else had claimed ...you begin to be known for your infamous stories of accomplishment, if you live long enough to tell them.
You kind of develop a reputation of sorts, this being who you now are ...and in your mind there's no turning back.
Defending that longstanding reputation, most pirates advise that you don't turn back ...or turn your back.
But, our mind is not always the pathway to what is true. Turning back, is part of the definition of repenting.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
My whole family went to see the recent Star Wars movie, "The Force Awakens" ...and in the movie there were many characters that had much in common. What they'd been individually, or who they once were ...was not looked at as significant, in light of what they were today (or should I say, in darkness of what they were today). But, in everyone we try to look to the good that may be hiding there ...somewhere. And we feel there is some potential light in everyone.
The common ground has always been found, and too often abused by oppressive groups or governments. This is the worst case scenarios ...and has been a popular theme, as well as a successful one in recent movies ---such as Hunger Games, and now a new series of Star Wars.
Sometimes it is seen as something different ...as opportunities of self-expression, or a sanctuary of sorts. Yet, there is much difference between running away from home to join the circus ...or running away, only to find sanctuary in gangs or drug houses and neighborhoods. Some leave to join terrorist groups, often masquerading as freedom fighters, revolutionaries, or religious organizations. Some don't leave home, as they don't have one to call their own. They don't have a family to claim, and are orphans bounced around from one facility to another. They want to feel they too belong ...and often someone will see that need and aim to fulfill it. Yet, the motivation behind the offered help is not always sincere.
For instance, Sierra Leone, a country in western Africa, the Revolutionary United Front was depicted in the movie, 'Blood Diamond'. At first, the Revolutionary United Front was popular with Sierra Leoneans, many of whom resented a Freetown elite seen as corrupt and looked forward to the promises of free education and health care and equitable sharing of diamond revenues. However, the Revolutionary United Front developed a reputation internationally for its terrible cruelty towards the civilian population during its decade-long struggle, especially its practice of hacking off limbs to intimidate and spread terror among the population, and its widespread use of child soldiers. Most of the children were kidnapped. And if they appeared homesick or weak, and reluctant to fight ...they would set two reluctant children up against one another, with the intent of 'kill or be killed'. The child that lived was the one who killed another child, and became hardened.
This was not isolated to Sierra Leone alone ...and the gist of this type of unthinkable barbaric training gives us sort of a picture of the innumerable legions of Stormtroopers in Star Wars VII, many of them having been orphans through life's regular means and others deliberately forced to become so.
This appeared the case of FN-2187, of the First Order. Having witnessed the shooting of a fellow Stormtrooper, and reaching out to help the bloody hand ...he was smeared with the blood of death. He apparently saw the nonsense behind all the killing, but saw the difference between those pursuing to kill and those attempting to avoid being killed. FN-2187 rescues Poe ...and when Poe asks why he was helping him, he said he felt it was the right thing to do. Poe is abundantly grateful, and befriends him ...calling him Finn, instead of referring to him by a number.
Shanghai ...a term that has been used for many years, refers to forcing someone to join a ship which lacks a full crew, by using means of drugging them or some other underhanded means of rendering them unconscious as the method of kidnapping.
Of course, in other cases, embittered and brainwashed individuals voluntarily join and create certain factions of society ...slightly more involved than like those who join the circus. They leave home to join, or be indoctrinated ...in which case, there is much more than slight involvement.
The common ground has always been found, and too often abused by oppressive groups or governments. This is the worst case scenarios ...and has been a popular theme, as well as a successful one in recent movies ---such as Hunger Games, and now a new series of Star Wars.
Sometimes it is seen as something different ...as opportunities of self-expression, or a sanctuary of sorts. Yet, there is much difference between running away from home to join the circus ...or running away, only to find sanctuary in gangs or drug houses and neighborhoods. Some leave to join terrorist groups, often masquerading as freedom fighters, revolutionaries, or religious organizations. Some don't leave home, as they don't have one to call their own. They don't have a family to claim, and are orphans bounced around from one facility to another. They want to feel they too belong ...and often someone will see that need and aim to fulfill it. Yet, the motivation behind the offered help is not always sincere.
For instance, Sierra Leone, a country in western Africa, the Revolutionary United Front was depicted in the movie, 'Blood Diamond'. At first, the Revolutionary United Front was popular with Sierra Leoneans, many of whom resented a Freetown elite seen as corrupt and looked forward to the promises of free education and health care and equitable sharing of diamond revenues. However, the Revolutionary United Front developed a reputation internationally for its terrible cruelty towards the civilian population during its decade-long struggle, especially its practice of hacking off limbs to intimidate and spread terror among the population, and its widespread use of child soldiers. Most of the children were kidnapped. And if they appeared homesick or weak, and reluctant to fight ...they would set two reluctant children up against one another, with the intent of 'kill or be killed'. The child that lived was the one who killed another child, and became hardened.
This was not isolated to Sierra Leone alone ...and the gist of this type of unthinkable barbaric training gives us sort of a picture of the innumerable legions of Stormtroopers in Star Wars VII, many of them having been orphans through life's regular means and others deliberately forced to become so.
This appeared the case of FN-2187, of the First Order. Having witnessed the shooting of a fellow Stormtrooper, and reaching out to help the bloody hand ...he was smeared with the blood of death. He apparently saw the nonsense behind all the killing, but saw the difference between those pursuing to kill and those attempting to avoid being killed. FN-2187 rescues Poe ...and when Poe asks why he was helping him, he said he felt it was the right thing to do. Poe is abundantly grateful, and befriends him ...calling him Finn, instead of referring to him by a number.
Shanghai ...a term that has been used for many years, refers to forcing someone to join a ship which lacks a full crew, by using means of drugging them or some other underhanded means of rendering them unconscious as the method of kidnapping.
Of course, in other cases, embittered and brainwashed individuals voluntarily join and create certain factions of society ...slightly more involved than like those who join the circus. They leave home to join, or be indoctrinated ...in which case, there is much more than slight involvement.
In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.”
"I admit that I'm a bit headstrong, but I don't like taking orders. Anyway, why should I take orders ...do they care about my feelings?"
El-Shaddai does nourish me and take care of my needs. If I only trust that, it improves the order of things. Even in old age, Abraham and Sarah were shown how old can bring the nourishment experienced in the youth ...by only trusting in Him (Genesis 17).
Jehovah-Jireh does provide for me. When Abraham was faced with one of the most difficult things that anyone could ever be asked to go through ...yes, our God does care and provide. (Genesis 22:1-14)
"With all this thirst for control, controlling me, and carrying this idea that it is for my own good ...just doesn't fly with me."
Jehovah-Rapha heals these feelings of bitterness, anxiety, and anger. Having fled persecution, and feeling the sting of rejection ...they don't seem to realize it is their own anxiety which causes them to be the one who is doing the rejection. They are not trusting the One who can cure their thirst, remedy their dry paths, and bring sweetness back to their lives ...the One who does accept them, and who has saved them. (Exodus 15:26)
"Does anyone understand my pain? Do they see what I've had to go through?? Even when I do what I'm told to do, I get the brunt of everything that goes wrong. No one needs that!"
El-Roi sees my pain and looks to my injustices, letting me know they don't go unnoticed. When Hagar did what she was told, as a servant, she was made out to be the bad one. But, in Genesis 16, Hagar is shown that God has seen the injustice and will provide for her.
"Yes, I know I'm not the only one who feels alone ...but no one is there for me. I'm just going to have to do as I see fit."
Jehovah-Shammah is always there for me. (Ezekiel 48:35 ...our God takes care of details we often are not even aware of.
"No one is going to help me fight these problems. I'm going to have to work it all out for myself. I'm going to have to take what I need for myself."
Jehovah-Nissi carries the banner that waves through the wind of all my problems, and sees me through to victory ...through Him.
Also, Jehovah-Tsidkenu ...speaks of the Righteous One, Jesus.
Exodus 20:5-6, gives us Qanna, jealous out of love for us, and wanting the best for us.
I Samuel 1:3, speaks of Jehovah-Sabaoth, our God of hosts; Judges 6:24 speaks of the realization of peace with the mention of Jehovah-Shalom; Exodus 31:13 stresses the importance of keeping the sanctity, without it being stressful, Jehovah-Mekoddishkem; Psalm 23, as in many of the psalms, shows Jehovah-Raah as our loving shepherd, the Good Shepherd; and many more include: Yaheweh, Adonai, El-Elyon, Elohim, and El-Olam.
All these references are shared with us in the Bible, to let us know more about God ...and it is not a physical description, nor is it actually a set point in time, as God is eternal and not constrained by time, nor does He change with time.
Any change is for us, and because of us ...and any set event in time is for that time, which can be considered significant or can be dismissed by us. How we react to those events, and how we formulate the reasoning of our minds around them ...leads us to prepare for futurre choices we make, as we set our lives by them and build upon them. This is how we seem to learn best, and how we get to know things by events ...but, by themselves, these events of our own personal experience should not guide our lives. Experience of a personal nature may be among the highest and most valued events in our lives ...yet, there must be more than that.
Many experiences may not be understood ...especially if we are upset, and our emotions carry us: "I understand all right! I can see pure and simple what's going on here!"
And often we feel we've heard enough, and don't want anyone trying to explain it to us ...as we feel they are only going to deny what we already know. Trust is diminished, and we are not going to embarrass ourselves anymore ...allowing others to laugh at our naivety or vulnerability.
But, if we think we have problems now, it's beyond belief what can happen if we move beyond belief. Never should we let doubt gain a foothold for the sake of laughter, ridicule, or other forms of embarrassment. Foremost, we should remember the price Jesus paid ...and we can afford to endure an occasional display of public ignorance at our expense.
God is always there ...and He wants to guide and govern our lives. He wants to live with us, and within us. The distance created, or the separation, called sin, which works ill against us living healthy lives ...is of our doing. The beginning Chapters of Ezekiel reveals to us how much it is of our doing, and God does not quickly say He's had enough of us. It would be so great if we could only show such reluctance in creating that separation from Him.
The departure of God's glory from the temple is solemnly narrated by the prophet Ezekiel. Step by step, the glory of God departs slowly from His house, seen in vision by the prophet, manifesting the reluctance of God to leave the midst of His people where He had dwelt. The glory departed to the threshold of the house (Ezekiel 9:3; Ezekiel 10:4), then departed from there to stand over the cherubims . . . at the door of the east gate of the Lord's house (Ezekiel 10:18,10), and the last sight of the divine glory at the time of its departure is when the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city" (Ezekiel 11:23).
El-Shaddai does nourish me and take care of my needs. If I only trust that, it improves the order of things. Even in old age, Abraham and Sarah were shown how old can bring the nourishment experienced in the youth ...by only trusting in Him (Genesis 17).
Jehovah-Jireh does provide for me. When Abraham was faced with one of the most difficult things that anyone could ever be asked to go through ...yes, our God does care and provide. (Genesis 22:1-14)
"With all this thirst for control, controlling me, and carrying this idea that it is for my own good ...just doesn't fly with me."
Jehovah-Rapha heals these feelings of bitterness, anxiety, and anger. Having fled persecution, and feeling the sting of rejection ...they don't seem to realize it is their own anxiety which causes them to be the one who is doing the rejection. They are not trusting the One who can cure their thirst, remedy their dry paths, and bring sweetness back to their lives ...the One who does accept them, and who has saved them. (Exodus 15:26)
"Does anyone understand my pain? Do they see what I've had to go through?? Even when I do what I'm told to do, I get the brunt of everything that goes wrong. No one needs that!"
El-Roi sees my pain and looks to my injustices, letting me know they don't go unnoticed. When Hagar did what she was told, as a servant, she was made out to be the bad one. But, in Genesis 16, Hagar is shown that God has seen the injustice and will provide for her.
"Yes, I know I'm not the only one who feels alone ...but no one is there for me. I'm just going to have to do as I see fit."
Jehovah-Shammah is always there for me. (Ezekiel 48:35 ...our God takes care of details we often are not even aware of.
"No one is going to help me fight these problems. I'm going to have to work it all out for myself. I'm going to have to take what I need for myself."
Jehovah-Nissi carries the banner that waves through the wind of all my problems, and sees me through to victory ...through Him.
Also, Jehovah-Tsidkenu ...speaks of the Righteous One, Jesus.
Exodus 20:5-6, gives us Qanna, jealous out of love for us, and wanting the best for us.
I Samuel 1:3, speaks of Jehovah-Sabaoth, our God of hosts; Judges 6:24 speaks of the realization of peace with the mention of Jehovah-Shalom; Exodus 31:13 stresses the importance of keeping the sanctity, without it being stressful, Jehovah-Mekoddishkem; Psalm 23, as in many of the psalms, shows Jehovah-Raah as our loving shepherd, the Good Shepherd; and many more include: Yaheweh, Adonai, El-Elyon, Elohim, and El-Olam.
All these references are shared with us in the Bible, to let us know more about God ...and it is not a physical description, nor is it actually a set point in time, as God is eternal and not constrained by time, nor does He change with time.
Any change is for us, and because of us ...and any set event in time is for that time, which can be considered significant or can be dismissed by us. How we react to those events, and how we formulate the reasoning of our minds around them ...leads us to prepare for futurre choices we make, as we set our lives by them and build upon them. This is how we seem to learn best, and how we get to know things by events ...but, by themselves, these events of our own personal experience should not guide our lives. Experience of a personal nature may be among the highest and most valued events in our lives ...yet, there must be more than that.
Many experiences may not be understood ...especially if we are upset, and our emotions carry us: "I understand all right! I can see pure and simple what's going on here!"
And often we feel we've heard enough, and don't want anyone trying to explain it to us ...as we feel they are only going to deny what we already know. Trust is diminished, and we are not going to embarrass ourselves anymore ...allowing others to laugh at our naivety or vulnerability.
But, if we think we have problems now, it's beyond belief what can happen if we move beyond belief. Never should we let doubt gain a foothold for the sake of laughter, ridicule, or other forms of embarrassment. Foremost, we should remember the price Jesus paid ...and we can afford to endure an occasional display of public ignorance at our expense.
God is always there ...and He wants to guide and govern our lives. He wants to live with us, and within us. The distance created, or the separation, called sin, which works ill against us living healthy lives ...is of our doing. The beginning Chapters of Ezekiel reveals to us how much it is of our doing, and God does not quickly say He's had enough of us. It would be so great if we could only show such reluctance in creating that separation from Him.
The departure of God's glory from the temple is solemnly narrated by the prophet Ezekiel. Step by step, the glory of God departs slowly from His house, seen in vision by the prophet, manifesting the reluctance of God to leave the midst of His people where He had dwelt. The glory departed to the threshold of the house (Ezekiel 9:3; Ezekiel 10:4), then departed from there to stand over the cherubims . . . at the door of the east gate of the Lord's house (Ezekiel 10:18,10), and the last sight of the divine glory at the time of its departure is when the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city" (Ezekiel 11:23).
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