(*crickets*)
It has been a couple of weeks since my last entry. I want to do my best with writing an entry at least once a week or once a month. I mean, I don't want to lie to myself and think I have a large group of readers who actually care about what I have to say, so I think it's best to imagine I have a group of readers who are so enamored with my thoughts and writing. ;-)
When I was a kid, I used to LOVE to read books. I'm a huge fan of books about Civil Rights and the Holocaust, fiction or nonfictional stories. My favorite past time was reading outside on our front porch, especially when it would rain. During my high school years, I slipped away from myself and stopped reading entirely. Don't ask me why I stopped....
It has been a couple of weeks since my last entry. I want to do my best with writing an entry at least once a week or once a month. I mean, I don't want to lie to myself and think I have a large group of readers who actually care about what I have to say, so I think it's best to imagine I have a group of readers who are so enamored with my thoughts and writing. ;-)
When I was a kid, I used to LOVE to read books. I'm a huge fan of books about Civil Rights and the Holocaust, fiction or nonfictional stories. My favorite past time was reading outside on our front porch, especially when it would rain. During my high school years, I slipped away from myself and stopped reading entirely. Don't ask me why I stopped....
I refused the idea of picking up a book and getting lost in it.
My father loves history. In my opinion, he is one of the smartest men I know of when it comes to any type of history. He has always encouraged me to READ, to LEARN, to RESEARCH, if I want to know how to do something or learn the truth. When I was a teenager, he recommended that I read "Night" by Elie Wiesel. I read it once and didn't remember it. Recently, this summer I read a book called, "Carry On, Warrior" by Glennon Melton. (I highly recommend her book too) She mentions, Night, in her book, which prompted me to read it again. PLEASE, if you've never read, "the diary of Anne Frank" or "Night", please read it. It's a true story based on Jews that survived and experienced the atrocities of the Holocaust. These books withhold nothing back when it comes to pain and suffering. They will cause you to put your life and experience into perspective. You might be able to relate to certain situations they faced, and with insane courage and such bravery.
My father loves history. In my opinion, he is one of the smartest men I know of when it comes to any type of history. He has always encouraged me to READ, to LEARN, to RESEARCH, if I want to know how to do something or learn the truth. When I was a teenager, he recommended that I read "Night" by Elie Wiesel. I read it once and didn't remember it. Recently, this summer I read a book called, "Carry On, Warrior" by Glennon Melton. (I highly recommend her book too) She mentions, Night, in her book, which prompted me to read it again. PLEASE, if you've never read, "the diary of Anne Frank" or "Night", please read it. It's a true story based on Jews that survived and experienced the atrocities of the Holocaust. These books withhold nothing back when it comes to pain and suffering. They will cause you to put your life and experience into perspective. You might be able to relate to certain situations they faced, and with insane courage and such bravery.
What Night taught me
While I won't reveal the book in its entirety. I wanted to share my thoughts on a specific part in the book that stood out to me. Elie writes that, most Jews were not entirely convinced that the extermination of Jews was upon them. Most Jews were convinced that Russia was on the verge of winning the war against Germany. "Hitler couldn't touch us, even if he wanted to", Jews would say. Many Jews grew complacent and indifferent to Hitler's propaganda against the Jews. Jews concerned themselves with just about everything except their own safety.
Right now, in the United States, some would say we are on the verge of turmoil, to other's we're already facing turmoil. I don't know that I entirely agree that we are in turmoil. Yet, battles are raging across the world. U.S Soldiers are dying for us. Innocent people are being murdered. Christians are being beheaded by terrorist, including the beheading of small children. Ebola virus has made its way upon American soil. People are worried, some are panicking, and some think there is absolutely NOTHING to panic over.
This post isn't toward leftist or rightist, it is a plea for "midist" or whatever we label people who don't pick a side when it comes to political or moral issues. Please, don't think you're safe by standing in the middle of these issues thinking that you're safe by not picking a side. Don't grow complacent or too comfortable thinking you're untouchable where you're at in life. There is an enemy, your enemy, who "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8)
My greatest concern for you, my friends, my family, who stand in the middle. Those who remain indifferent to the battles we face. It is for you all to suffer or experience extreme harm, whether it is physical or emotional. Perhaps I should be telling you to do the right thing, to vote a certain way, or believe a certain way. But if I am being honest, there are certain issues that I am conflicted with myself at times. Nevertheless, my faith in God always brings me to choose side that is more aligned with Him and His Word. That's the personal choice I make, it may not be your's. My mission is to just love you and hope that you do the right thing...I just want to encourage you to stand for something, serve someone, answer to something, FIGHT for a cause. In the end, we will be rewarded or reprimanded for what we did here on earth anyhow.
Revelation 3:15-16 ESV
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
One of my church favorite sermons was on a Bob Dylan song:
"You may be an ambassador to England or France
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls.
Might be a rock'n' roll adict prancing on the stage
Might have money and drugs at your commands, women in a cage
You may be a business man or some high degree thief
They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief.
You may be a state trooper, you might be an young turk
You may be the head of some big TV network
You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame
You may be living in another country under another name.
You may be a construction worker working on a home
You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome
You might own guns and you might even own tanks
You might be somebody's landlord you might even own banks.
You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride
You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side
You may be working in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair
You may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir.
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody"
I'll never forget this song/sermon and the powerful lesson behind it. It molded me into who I am today. Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever you do.... just stand firmly and faithfully. Never waiver and never let adversity allow you to be shaken from your camp.
I love you!
Take care,
-Neah
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