For Laughing Purposes Only

As I browse the internet, I often discover the funniest pictures. Please laugh with me :-)

Aid to the Oppressed: my Thoughts

Lately, there has been a viral video floating around Kony 2012. It brings to light an issue that I have been blind to for most of my life: the oppression of many young African children by one of the world's most evil criminals - Joseph Kony. However, the efforts of Invisible Children have become quite a controversial topic. Today, I watched the movie, because I heard and saw all of the hype on my various social media outlets. I want to speak a little bit about my thoughts on Kony 2012, and I want to do it in light of 1 John 3:17-18.

Here is what that verse says, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 

So here is what I have to say - are you for Kony 2012? Great. Are you against Kony 2012? Great. You have seen the video and/or all of the hype and you have fallen on one side of the fence or the other. But you have seen it, and the issues brought to light by this recent viral video and the implications thereof are real. They are provable. So the real question is, now that you know about these terrible deeds committed by this man and his army, what are you going to do about it? 

Maybe you do not agree with how Invisible Children runs their program, or maybe you think it is one of the best ways to deal with this topic - either way, 1 John 3:17-18 says to stop talking about it and start doing something. Stop arguing about how posting that video on facebook is just the cool thing to do, and people don't really care. Stop getting into meaningless discussions about the inner workings of Kony 2012, and start loving in deed and truth. And, you know what? Please stop posting about Kony 2012 if you intend to do nothing about it. 

When I watched that video, my heart was moved. Was it the awesome presentation and creative graphics that caught my attention? Perhaps, but I cannot really say. What I do know is that it was the truth of the message that really held me there at a gunpoint (figuratively speaking). I saw something, the Holy Spirit convicted me about it, and I chose to act. I am not saying this to set myself as an example, because I am not. But I am hoping that this may stop some of the hostility I am seeing. 

I do not know about whether or not Invisible Children and Kony 2012 are using their funds in the absolute best way, but what I do know is that they are effectively getting the message against Kony out into the world. I am praying that God uses them to stop one of the world's most evil criminals from killing and hurting people. If you do not agree with my take on the efforts of Kony 2012 to stop Joseph Kony, you still have a moral obligation to do something about it in some other way.

Why must you do something about it? Because according to Psalm 82:3 God wants you to "give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute." So, if like me, you cannot give a great amount of money, then pray and raise awareness. Years ago the Holy Spirit called me to live out my Christian life by opening my mouth to defend the rights of the oppressed. And, if you are a Christian, then he has called you to do the same. So, live out you Christian life in deeds, and use your words wisely, so as to further the cause of the oppressed and hurting. And please stop the hostility towards each other, when your attentions should be focused elsewhere: on the problem, not the various (all valid) solutions to fixing it. I chose to support Kony 2012 - you do as your conscience and the Holy Spirit dictates, but do SOMETHING.

And if you have no idea what it is I am talking about, here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc&feature=g-all-s&context=G2e7967dFAAAAAAAAAAA

1. Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
2. Romans 12:15-18 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
3. Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
4. Psalm 82:3 "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute."
5. Proverbs 31:8-9 "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."
6. James 1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
7. Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
8. 1 John 3:17-18 "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
9. Proverbs 28:27 "Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse."

To Brighten Your Day!

Over the past few years, I have put quotes and stories of my younger sister Daphne on facebook. These anecdotes always crack people up, and they really brighten my day. Being that I have not written on my blog for a while, I thought it would be fun to start up again with a compilation of these stories and quotes (with a few from my brother Calvin thrown in).


1. Getting goodnight kisses from Daphne...she kisses me on the right cheek and says, "West." She kisses my chin, "East." My left cheek, "South." Then my forehead, calling it "North." At least she got the north part right. She will always get on the wrong highway.

2.I overheard an imaginary conversation Daphne was having on my phone, and it went something like this: "Hello? Oh Sorry I couldn't hear you. My horse was going jiggily-jiggily. Oh, that noise? That's the bad guys and the wolf. They're all right now. I'll have to call you back on my walkie-talkie."

3. Me: (while Daphne was giving me a backrub) "You're so strong, Daphne."
   Daphne: (with a sad face) "My stuffed animals are stronger than me."

 4.  Daphne: "You'll never marry me, you know, Jenny."
   Me: (teasing her) "You never know, I might."
   Daphne: *gulp*

5. I took Daphne to the store and the bank. Numerous people thought I was her mother. Instead of telling them I am her sister, Daphne just gives them a knowing look. Later, when we were alone she says, “That is so unflattering.” Me: “I don’t mind it.” Daphne: “Not for you, for me! You’re kind of old, Jenny; you should be married.”

6. ((I am going to throw a Calvin quote in here as well)) Calvin: Mom, who is prince Charming?
   Mom: You might be someone's prince Charming someday.
   Calvin: Oh no!

7. During devotions tonight, I harmonized with a song we were singing. Daphne, who was on my lap, scowled    at me and put her hand over my mouth. Apparently, she's not a fan of harmony :-)

8. Calvin: I'm going to go beserk!
   Me: Well. please go beserk quietly while folding th laundry.
   Calvin: Okay.
   (He's currently twitching silently while folding...good boy lol)

 9. Daphne: You can wear the new gloves I got you at school and all the girls will envy you.
   Be very envious of my spiffy new gloves!

10. Daphne (gets down to the paper of her McDonald's ice cream cone): "Have I been eating paper this whole time? Not good!"
   You know something is yummy when you wonder if it's paper.

11. Daphne: (at the store today): "Uh-oh. Those corns have beards. This is NOT good!"
 
12. Daphne: (to Calvin) "When I was your age I didn't know that."
   Calvin: "You've never been my age."
   Daphne:"Yes I have. You've never been my age, though."
   Calvin: "Yes, I have - I'm 10, you're 6."
   Daphne is still not convinced...

 13. Me: (talking to Calvin and Daphne) Kids, a monumental thing happened yesterday: the world's   population reached 7 billion.
   Kids: (unimpressed) Oh.
   Me: (frustrated at their anticlimactic response) Kids, you don't understand! This never happened in MY lifetime!
   Calvin: Yes it did...unless you're dead.

14. Went to the store with Daphne and she got her poor little finger pinched. She insisted we call mom and tell her that she had an inch deep cut in her finger. I said, "But your finger isn't even that deep." "I know," she said, "That's the problem."

15. Calvin and Daphne are watching a science documentary that shows the details of the human eye....and they are laughing their heads off. Never thought of that as funny before.

16. Daphne: Mom, can I not eat this apple? It's too big and it's biting me back.

17. Daphne: (tugs on my shirt) I don't want to complain, but I'm feeling like the five thousand right now.
   Me: Why?
   Daphne: I am hungry and it seems like you need a miracle to get me breakfast.

18.  Daphne: "Close your eyes and follow me. I'll tell you if you bump into anything."
   Thanks, D, my sense of feeling is working just fine today.

19. I was talking with Daphne about weddings. Me: "What do you want your husband to be like?" Daphne: "Well...He has to have hair." Me: "That's all?" Daphne: "Oh, and feet." :-)

20. Daphne needs to take hugging lessons! I was stretched out on the couch, sleeping, when behold, I have been pounced upon by a smiling Daphne. "What was that for?" I asked her. She said, "It was a nice hug, wasn't it?" "I love you, but that hurt!"

21. Calvin: I am not getting married because it is illegal.
   Mom: How is that?
   Calvin: It is illegal to marry your relatives, and everybody is related through Adam and Eve.
   Nice try, Calvin.

 22. Daphne: "I'm allergic to everything but wine....actually I can eat candy, too."

23. Me: you are very good at making up songs, Calvin.
   Calvin: Only if I've heard them before.

24.Calvin ate too many peas before dinner and spoiled it. What is wrong with this picture? PEAS?!!

 25. Daphne: "When my doll grows up I am going to name him 'Wrinkles,' because it's gonna be old."

 26. Daphne: "I can always trust the toilet."

27. Me: Good morning, Daphne. How are you feeling?
   Daphne: Oh...cheerful, because I am nice and plump.
   Me: Do you know what plump means?
   Daphne: No...but I AM plump.

 28. Me: "I love you, Daphne." Daphne: "I love you mucher than that!"

Your Circles

I have never been much of a football fan, I just don't have the time to follow my favorite teams, but lately I have been following the Tim Tebow stories, and I find them fascinating. My dad read me a humorous article about Tebow a few days ago, and keeps bringing up Tebow facts and statistics. But the article he read today moved me in a way I have not been moved in a long time.

Rick Reilly, a notoriously critical sportswriter, said, "There's not an ounce of artifice or phoniness or Hollywood in this kid Tebow and I've looked everywhere for it." I say that Tebow reminds me of a modern-day Daniel - a man who lives in the public eye, like Daniel did, and who makes decisions (like spending the last few minutes before kick-off and the hour after the game with his honored guests - people he sponsors because of injuries or diseases) that few people understand. He stands up, or rather, takes a knee for what truly matters, and his life is a testimony for people in general, but especially for Christians.

I have sung Tim's praises, but the fact that he is praised and counted genuine by staunchly anti-faith journalists is what really speaks for the validity of his accreditation. I'm not going to preach a sermon here, but I want to tell you the thoughts I had after reading the aforementioned article (which can be found here: http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7455943/believing-tim-tebow). My first reaction was that we need more Christians who are "in the public eye" - celebrities who are willing to live their lives for the approval of God. As you can see in Tim's case, God blesses obedience and non-conformity to the world - yet another connection between Tebow and Daniel (Daniel refused to eat the contaminated food, and against all odds, was better fitted for the palace than those who went the normal route). Think of the influence actors, singers, artists, athletes, politicians, etc. could have if they would be willing to take a stand for what is right and leave the results up to God.

But, while the reform of popular culture by Christian celebrities is an inspiring topic to contemplate, I realize that not many of us are aspiring to, or will ever be, famous. So, how can Tim Tebow's example effect our lives? Well, think of it this way: Tebow is an athlete who takes every opportunity to bring glory to God through his life and draws others to saving knowledge of the Lord. The athlete "thing" is his calling in life, and while yours is almost certainly different (I doubt any professional athletes will read this article), you do share a calling with him if you are a Christian. You are called to take every opportunity to give a reason for the hope that you have, bringing glory to the Father through proclaiming the name of the Son, and living, as Tebow consistently does, in such a way as to baffle non-Christian onlookers. You may be called to be a teacher or car mechanic, mother or father, student, artist, musician, trash collector, or who knows what, but your primary calling is to use your life to bring glory to God. That is why you're here after all.

Think about that person who cut you off while driving. The one with whom you got mad and at which you made horrible faces. Oh, believe me, I've done my fair share of that. Think about the cashier at the grocery store with who you really connected - talking about the weather and such. That literally happened for me today. Or the little boy or girl at your church who thinks you are the most interesting person alive. Or your family members, who seem to spend as much time blessing you as they do getting on your nerves (of course this never happens at my house, you know). These people are part of your circle of influence. Sometimes you miss opportunities that you will never have again. Dear Lord, let me never miss another one, with your help. So often my head is completely filled with my own petty troubles that I forget that there are other people all around me. I have chances all day every day, to shine God's light to the world around me.

I have often complained that I just don't have enough opportunities to influence people for good. Well, I sure seem to have time to influence for evil. How many times have I woken up in a bad mood, just to see it "rub off" on someone else? I think you can probably relate. Well, all of this passionate rambling is to challenge you to put as much care into shining the light of God's glory into your own circle of influence as people like Tim Tebow have. Praise the Lord for examples of the Christian life in today's world. Why not be one of those examples yourself?

I highly recommend reading the article I mentioned (here's the link again: http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7455943/believing-tim-tebow) as an interesting view into the bemusement that living a real Christian life gives non-Christians.