Optical Allusionist

August 19, 2006

In the song "Some People Change", originally sung by Kenny Chesney (but I prefer Montgomery Gentry's version), it addresses a racist and an alcoholic, but I think change goes deeper than the obvious situations. The verses are intriguing in the song, but it's the chorus that sparks my interest the most:

"Here's to the strong! Thanks to the brave!
Don't give up hope- Some people change!
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way- Some people change!"

It particularly makes me think of an old friend. When he was young he got mixed up in something he knew he ought not to do. And now, years later, I'm discovering that people can change. He's not perfect, and sometimes the imperfect parts of him frustrate me completely, but as I learn patience, (sheesh, that's hard) I learn what a sensitive young man he is. It's hard to change ideologies that have been deeply embedded into the heart and mind about him, but I try to be patient with myself and with him. Both are hard. A house divided can not stand. We are told to love everyone, and that can be really, really hard. I don't think God looks at us when we say "it is a hard thing you ask us to do" and say "Jerk, why dontcha do them anyways. I don't care if it's hard. It's what I asked you to do!" He understands that it's hard, but he still expects it of us. He takes us in His arms and helps (if we allow Him to) us work out our problem.

In the new Joseph Smith movie, there's a point where Brother Joseph is playing a stick pull with an "unbeatable", boastful neighbor. Before the stick pull begins, Joseph winks and says something like "Sometimes we must be put low before the Lord can pull us higher." I've experienced both. And I try not to underestimate either- the tremendous struggle, and the tremendous blessing. ... And, y'know, I know the two are separate, but the struggle can be the blessing, and the blessing can be the struggle. But I originally meant the two to be quite seperate. I know I spelled "seperate" twice two different ways- Oh well. ?: )

0 Comment

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen

0 Comment

In Alma 34:22, we are told to pray against the "power of our enemies", and in 3 Nephi 12:44, we're told to "love your enemies." This way we can pray for both ourselves and our enemies- protecting us, and protecting them.

If we pray for our enemies, do we eventually not consider them our enemies anymore? They might consider you an enemy, but that doesn't mean have you to consider them one, does it? Also, if there is no present/past/future for God, if we were to pray for someone in the past, wouldn't he have known that at the time they were going through whatever, and bless them?

2 Comments