cognitive dissonance.
i am told: man is good,
but i look, and it does not seem so.
i hear of his creativity, his ingenuity,
but i witness a mind prone to destruction,
diabolical plans behind seductive eyes.
i hear of man’s skillful hands,
but i see fists clenched
thrown to the Sky.
i have read of the beauty of man’s laughter—
the joke is often another’s pain,
and i do not find it so funny.
i have been told that man is a healer,
but i witness assisted suicide.
where is this great man?
i have seen no such one.
i
just
see
pieces.
on resemblances.
what is this question
that breaks my bones day and night?
it finds me in reflections,
and questions all my sight.
it sings me to sleep
and greets me when i rise:
i know i have my mother’s laugh,
do i have my Father’s eyes?
2010 bible-reading challenge update #1
today is day #21 of my read-the-bible-in-a-year challenge [nevermind the fact that i had to make up for a few forgotten days!]. if you have been following along, you should know that today’s reading was psalm 20, genesis 20, 1 chronicles 23-24, and luke 12:49-13:9. a passage in luke stood out to me today:
Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. (Luke 12:51-53)
while this is certainly not an instruction to pick battles with those around us, i think it serves as an important reminder…there is, indeed, “a time for war” [ecclesiastes 3:8]. too often, christians will avoid any type of division, violence, or battle, but the bible teaches again and again about taking a stand for Truth, despite the costs.
in the meantime, peace be with you all.
on self-entitlement [expanded].
do not let pride wake you in its early light
singing sweet temptations through birds’ songs.
for i tell you, it has been done before.
do not retire to your bed with satisfaction
in the still night of contentment,
lest your dreams deceive you,
for it will be made better.
in this great waiting line, you are neither first nor last.
on exchange rates.
& i am not quite sure if i am ready to trade orange leaves for blue skies, but i do know that each season has its own unique wake-up call for the soul.
