Is It Just Me?

I've been realizing more and more, lately, that I am not the most important voice in the room. There are so many wiser people than I and I feel increasingly thankful and glad for that.

That said, however, it somehow doesn't stop me from expressing my opinion about ... well ... just about anything. This has, often, gotten me in more trouble than it's worth so ... why take the risk? I should want to shut up, be quiet and live a life in peace and tranquility. That makes sense, doesn't it?

But being someone with often little of that, I've been thinking. Since I have this big mouth ...

Years ago I watched a movie titled, "Machine Gun Preacher" (2011). It stars Gerard Butler but is based on the true story of Sam Childers, a former drug dealer turned protector-and-fighter for children in the South Sudan. It is a raw but real film about someone who is not afraid of fighting for what he believes in. It is said that his "Machine Gun Preacher" nickname was coined by the children who saw him with a bible on one side and a machine gun on the other.

That movie has stuck with me over the years, not in so much detail but because of the premise.

Is it just me or is anyone else suffering from a feeling of "what just happened"?!

I doubt I'm the only one seeing that our world is plummeting in a downward spiral, at an alarming rate.

If not, you may choose to quit reading because I'm going to begin using my big oral cavity to say what I REALLY think. Today is just the beginning ...

Although I don't believe in mythical gods, the first "Thor" movie held my attention because I saw "good" winning over evil. Dare I say, there was some substance to the writing. In the last instalment, however, Hollywood made a joke out of the continuing saga within a very weak storyline. The violence, as well, was ridiculous but I guess throwing in a light-hearted tune, as fifty seven people are murdered, is supposed to make us feel that it's all okay. This, BTW, is something Hollywood is doing more and more of. As we all know, music sets the emotion and I can only think they're trying to treat murder and mayhem as "no big deal" by playing something cheerful in the background.

The sad thing is we sit and laugh at that because it's not "real", so it must be okay to watch. It won't affect anyone ... right? Well, maybe not older and more cynical people like myself as much, but young and impressionable minds? Our world's ever-increasing murders, assaults and mass shootings can't possibly have anything to do with what people are watching on a screen. Nah. Couldn't be.

Really? Ask the people who endanger their lives every day by trying to enforce the law. They might carry another perspective.

Recently, the powers-that-be in North America blew up things no one could, with certainty, identify in the sky above us. I find that mysterious and suspect and ... a tad frightening.

And don't get me started on the agenda of confusing perversion that is now upon the heads of our youngsters. (My opinion of that will be very clear in a blog to come.)

I think most of us can see that the world is in chaos. BUT ... is God?

Thankfully, He is the same yesterday, today and He will be tomorrow!

That is what you and I can not only cling to but feel resounding JOY and solace in knowing!

He has never left our side and He won't now, because HE IS GOOD and He loves us, come what may.

But we've got to fight a "good" fight too. We cannot be afraid to say what we KNOW to be truth, even if there are political agendas and Bills that wish to censor our beliefs.

It's actually an exciting day ... because we know the BEST is yet to come and God is with us!!

Have a lovely weekend and ... know that I've prayed for you ... for health, for safety and for strength to carry on!!

Pattie Janzen