I'll Take What's Mine

Clever got me this far
Then tricky got me in
Eye on what i'm after
I don't need another friend
Smile and drop the cliche
'Till you think I'm listening
I take just what I came for
Then I'm out the door again

Peripheral on the package
Don't care to settle in
Time to feed the monster
I don't need another friend
Comfort is a mystery
Crawling out of my own skin
Just give me what I came for, then I'm out the door again

Lie to get what I came for
Lie to get just what I need
Lie to get what I crave
Lie and smile to get what's mine

Eye on what i'm after
I don't need another friend
Nod and watch your lips move
If you need me to pretend
Because clever got me this far
Then tricky got me in
I'll take just what I came for
Then I'm out the door again

Lie to get what I came for
Lie to get what I need now
Lie to get what I'm craving
Lie and smile to get what's mine

Give this to me
Mine, mine, mine
Take what's mine
Mine, mine, mine
Take what's mine
Mine, mine, mine

Lie to get what I came for
Lie to get what I need now
Lie to get what I'm craving
Lie to smile and get what's mine

Give this to me
Take what's mine
Mine, mine, mine
Take what's mine
Give this to me

Take what's mine, take what's mine, mine...
Take what's mine, take what's mine, take what's mine,
This is mine, mine, mine [whispered]

SOS 2009: June 22-26

Every year, during the third week of June, hundreds of junior and senior high school students flood the Vineyard Community Church for SOS: Summer of Service.

In a nutshell: SOS is not your average summer camp for kids.

Instead, SOS is a MEGA service-oriented camp/conference during which, for one week, hundreds of young people will be loving the people of Cincinnati into a relationship with Jesus, through various daily outreaches/community projects such as free car washes, block parties, water giveaways. Also, the kids experience powerful worship with some pretty cool national acts and great messages from some pretty cool speakers everyday. The whole point of SOS is to give students an opportunity to grow closer to God while developing a heart to serve those around them and instead of just telling people about God's love, getting creative in showing His love in practical ways.

This year, more than 900 students have registered and you better believe it's gonna be a blast.

Needless to say, with all those hyped-up-excited-to-serve-God-and-people teenagers running around...you better believe that TONS of adult supervision is required...about 1,500 adult volunteers to be exact.

I've been involved with SOS throughout the years, working a few days/hours here and there at a couple of block parties and water giveaways, but for the first time this year (I seriously believe that God provided this time in my life when I'm in between jobs, as an excellent serving opportunity), I'll actually be "working" all day, all week! Talk about an alternative...über fun..."full-time job!" Oh! And to top it all off, the sis will be serving along side me since she's off for the summer from UC! (another God sign that we TOTALLY should be doing SOS!)

Everyday, except Thursday, I'll be doing the block parties. Thursday I'll be doing something that's entirely new to SOS this year, serving as a Special Ops Team member. Also, there's a HUGE, special surprise event scheduled on Thursday that's supposed to knock the socks off the kids!

Words can't even describe how excited I am about this leg of the week, during which I will be paired with an awesome cool cat named DaJuan in making sure, that despite his special needs, he'll have an awesome experience! Hopefully, DaJuan won't think I'm an uncool, old lady and he'll get my corny, sarcastic sense of humor! HA! Can't. Friggin. Wait!

If you are interested in serving, there are still spots available throughout the week. Even if you can only do an hour, every bit o' help...helps! So sign up and come be part of a serving experience I guarantee...you'll never forget...or never regret!

So stay tuned for my twitter updates and blog posts regarding all the SOS hoopla. And make sure you're in the loop with all the official SOS updates:

Twitter (as well as all mentions of #summerofservice on Twitter)

and

Facebook

This year's SOS focus/theme is social justice (ha! something that I'm definitely ALL ABOUT! Another God sign?...I certainly think so!), with the scripture, Micah 6:8, serving as inspiration. So all SOS initiatives will be focused on serving the hungry, the poor, the illiterate, the forgotten and the minimized.

Imagine. One week. One week to change your life. To change other people's lives. To join hundreds of other junior and high school students to impact the city of Cincinnati in revolutionary ways.

It's gonna be freakin AWESOME!

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8 (New International Version)

*All photos from SOS Facebook

Joyce Baresel

Joyce Baresel (pictured) and her friend Christa Roenser, just finished a fun night downtown, when they decided to take a cab home early Sunday morning on June 18th.

At exactly 1 a.m., Baresel's life would change forever.

As the cab traveled eastbound on Columbia Parkway, near Torrence Parkway, a rock came through the windshield.

According to reports this is what transpired:

"I heard, like, a loud noise, and thought it was just a rock hitting the windshield," Roenser said.

She looked at her friend and discovered it was much worse.

"She had her head down," Roenser said. "Her head was in her hands, and that's when I saw we were both covered in blood."

Reports say that Baresel - a 23-year-old skin care specialist from New York, residing in Batavia and who works at Mitchell's Salon - suffered a skull fracture, facial nerve damage and brain damage. She is currently listed as "in critical condition" at University Hospital's neuro unit.

Even though doctors say that Baresel will recover, they say it could still take several months and they project that she'll have permanent nerve damage.

Apparently, what happened to Baresel was not just an unfortunate freak accident. According to reports, at least 10 cars have been targeted along Columbia Parkway near Torrence Parkway. Baresel's incident just happened to be the first that ended in horrific results.

The police are labeling the incidents as "pranks."

I can't even begin to fathom that there are individual(s) out there who would be so utterly disgusting to do such things...all in the name of a laugh or as a means to fight boredom or to get their rage out.

Stories like these make my blood boil.

Stories like this make me wanna get all Moses on whoever-did-this' ass.

Stories like this make me ask God, "How can you forgive asshole punks like this?"

If I had it my way, I'd find whoever did this and stone them to death.

That seems like a fair punishment right?

But since I love Jesus, and since I know that the consequences they will face before God will be far-more fitting than a human pelt-down, my anger is waned...slightly.

So all I can do is pray...

...pray for Baresel and her quick recovery and that at the end of everything, she'll be miraculously healed and in better shape before the accident. Yes...that's the definition of a miracle, people.

...pray for Baresel's family and friends that they may experience God's peace and strength and courage during this difficult time. And pray that they aren't discouraged or lose faith in God.

...and lastly, pray for the individual(s) responsible for all of this. Pray that they will stop their so called "pranks" and stop putting the lives of people in jeopardy. Pray for their forgiveness and that they will be so broken with contrition that they will come forward and turn themselves into the police and try to right the horrible wrongs they did.

And another thing I'll do is help...however I can.

Because I realize that Baresel is the same age as my sister and I realize how many times she has driven Columbia Parkway to get to her friend's house or Mt. Lookout or Mt. Adams.

Because I realize how many times both of us...as well as countless others...have driven that route...and we came away unscathed.

Because it could've been ANY. ONE. OF. US.

Since Baresel didn't have any health insurance at the time of the incident (my blood boils at the whole health care system...but that'll be for another post)...and her recovery could take several months - which in turn means immense medical bills and follow-up treatments, coupled with the fact that she'll be out of commission to work - family and friends are asking anyone wanting to make a contribution to help offset her expenses, to make a contribution to the "Joyce Baresel Fund" at any Fifth Third Bank branch.

Also, the Pub Crawl Fundraiser for Joyce Baresel will take place this Saturday, June 27 in Mt. Adams. A $20 wristband and bar specials will surely help start put a dent in Baresel's inevitable expenses.

So, please, show your support for Baresel, either on Saturday or at a Fifth Third location.

And show support through your prayers...

...because Joyce needs them now, more than ever.

***Police are asking that anyone with information about these rock-throwing incidents, to contact Crime Stoppers at (513)352-3040 or text tips to (513)352-3050. Cash compensation may be awarded for pertinent info. ***


***Click here for updates on the investigation**

Happy Father's Day

What Makes a Dad?

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,

He called it...Dad

- Author unknown


"As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him."

- Psalm 103:13

Fool me once, Shame on you; Fool me twice, Shame on me...

Stupid By Sarah Mclachlan


Night lift up the shades
let in the brilliant light of morning
but steady there now
for I am weak and starving for mercy
sleep has left me alone
to carry the weight of unravelling where we went wrong
it's all I can do to hang on
to keep me from falling
into old familiar shoes

[Chorus]

how stupid could I be
a simpleton could see
that you're no good for me
but you're the only one I see

love has made me a fool
it set me on fire and watched as I floundered
unable to speak
except to cry out and wait for your answer
but you come around in your time
speaking of fabulous places
create an oasis
dries up as soon as you're gone
you leave me here burning
in this desert without you

[Chorus]

everything changes
everything falls apart
can't stop to feel myself losing control
but deep in my senses I know

[Chorus]

Go Red Pink and Blue!

Good friend, Candy Silvasy (Art of the Spa and Spa4Diabetes) and Cincy Chic have joined forces for a unique health awareness event for women, starting Thursday 6/25 through Saturday 6/27.

Here's some more info about the event:

"The “Red, Pink and Blue” event series aims to raise awareness about three of the top 10 health risks for women while raising money for three local non-profit organizations. The “Red” represents heart health, the “Pink” represents breast health and the “Blue” represents diabetes health. The three non-profit organizations benefitting from this event series are The American Heart Association, Pink Ribbon Girls and Spa4Diabetes." (Source)

Make sure you check out the main site for further deets on the entire schedule, chock full of fun, fashion, chic and health! And click here for all the media/blogger coverage about the event.

Also, if you're a local blogger or member of the press, you can get a free preview of the event on Tuesday 6/16, between 6-8p, at The McAlpin Condominiums.

So make sure you get out and...

Go Red Pink and Blue!

Show Me What I’m Looking For

“Show Me What I’m Looking For”

CAROLINA LIAR

Wait, I’m wrong
Should have done better than this
Please, I’ll be strong
I’m finding it hard to resist
So show me what I’m looking for

CHORUS

Save me, I’m lost
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you
I’ll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord

Don’t let go
I’ve wanted this far too long
Mistakes become regrets
I’ve learned to love abuse
Please show me what I’m looking for

CHORUS

Save me, I’m lost
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you
I’ll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord

Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for

CHORUS

Save me, I’m lost
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you
I’ll pay any cost
Just save me from being confused
Wait, I’m wrong
I can’t do better than this
I’ll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord

When?

When will ___ be Jesus?

...my time?
...my turn?
...my chance?
...my moment?
...my opportunity?
...my happiness?
...my destiny?
...Your will for me?


When?

Happy Birthday Ingrid Newkirk

Sixty years ago, on this day, Ingrid Newkirk was born in Surrey, England.

As PETA president and cofounder, Newkirk has led the world's largest animal rights organization for more than 25 years. Her passion and dedication to making this world a better place for all living beings has inspired countless others to do what they can to help animals.

Newkirk and PETA believe that animals deserve the most basic rights — in particular, consideration of their own best interests regardless of whether they are useful to humans. Like humans, they are capable of suffering and have interests in living their own lives. Therefore, they are not ours to use — for food, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, or for any other reason.

You can learn more about Newkirk's ongoing legacy here.

I may not agree with a lot of PETA's tactics and antics, but Newkirk is a personal hero of mine, because of her tireless drive and passion in making sure that animals are treated with respect and with compassion.

Because of Newkirk, animals are now treated as God intended they should be.

Because of Newkirk, laws now exist to hold accountable those who abuse and mistreat animals.

Because of Newkirk, laws now exist to protect animals and give them rights that any other sentient being rightfully deserves.

To celebrate her birthday, PETA has set up an electronic group card for everyone to send Newkirk well wishes. (I signed it on page #1209!)

In addition, people can also make a donation to Newkirk's beloved project, Animal Rahat. Newkirk is especially passionate about Animal Rahat because she personally witnessed the sad conditions of working animals in India during her childhood there and even intervened to try to stop the abuse.

As an Indian, I am particularly fond of this cause as well. I have, unfortunately, personally witnessed the hardships that many animals endure on the streets, in my visits to family back in India. It's heart-wrenching and I'm ashamed that my own people are so cruel and heartless. So, I have done my part in making sure I will not condone what my people are doing to donkeys, bullocks and other animals that are regularly seen to be worked to death, malnourished, severely dehydrated and routinely beaten.

If you too would like to make a difference, you can also make a donation to Animal Rahat either here or here.

Whether you love her or hate her, agree or disagree with her organization, one thing's for sure...

Sixty years ago, if Ingrid Newkirk hadn't been born, this world would've been a very, very different place for animals.

A very dark place.

But because she was...at least animals have some hope...and a voice...Ingrid's voice.

Because she was born, an angel of mercy is here on earth, watching over animals.

God bless you Ingrid.

God bless you.

And thank you.

Thanks for all that you do for animals.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

- Mahatma Gandhi


"'...I tell you the truth...whatever you do unto the least of my brothers, you do it unto me.'"

- Matthew 25:40

*UPDATE*

Birthday well-wishers donated more than $12,000 to Animal Rahat!

The folks at Animal Rahat were tickled to be the recipients of such generous gifts, so they made a birthday cake and gave out celebratory fresh grass (a big treat for the animals) and vital nutrition packs along the village roadways.

Click here to see pics of the shindig!

Don't Make Me Lay This One On Ya!

I was a gangsta since I was a wee lass...or...lad?
I was spittin' these rhymes outta my motha's womb.
I was stunnin' my bling like it was gold.
M.I.A. ain't got nothing on me!

Word.

Location: St. John's, Antigua, West Indies.

And special thanks to my Dad, without whom, all these Kodak moments wouldn't have been possible.

Beacuse Cookies Are WAY Better Than Water Boarding. Way.

In the June 8 issue of TIME, one of the articles caught my eye.

"How To Make Terrorists Talk," tells the tale of two American interrogators, hired by the government to do one job: get Osama bin Laden's former chief bodyguard, Abu Jandal, to talk:

The most successful interrogation of an Al-Qaeda operative by U.S. officials required no sleep deprivation, no slapping or "walling" and no waterboarding. All it took to soften up Abu Jandal, who had been closer to Osama bin Laden than any other terrorist ever captured, was a handful of sugar-free cookies.

Abu Jandal had been in a Yemeni prison for nearly a year when Ali Soufan of the FBI and Robert McFadden of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service arrived to interrogate him in the week after 9/11. Although there was already evidence that al-Qaeda was behind the attacks, American authorities needed conclusive proof, not least to satisfy skeptics like Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, whose support was essential for any action against the terrorist organization. U.S. intelligence agencies also needed a better understanding of al-Qaeda's structure and leadership. Abu Jandal was the perfect source: the Yemeni who grew up in Saudi Arabia had been bin Laden's chief bodyguard, trusted not only to protect him but also to put a bullet in his head rather than let him be captured.

Abu Jandal's guards were so intimidated by him, they wore masks to hide their identities and begged visitors not to refer to them by name in his presence. He had no intention of cooperating with the Americans; at their first meetings, he refused even to look at them and ranted about the evils of the West. Far from confirming al-Qaeda's involvement in 9/11, he insisted the attacks had been orchestrated by Israel's Mossad. While Abu Jandal was venting his spleen, Soufan noticed that he didn't touch any of the cookies that had been served with tea: "He was a diabetic and couldn't eat anything with sugar in it." At their next meeting, the Americans brought him some sugar-free cookies, a gesture that took the edge off Abu Jandal's angry demeanor. "We had showed him respect, and we had done this nice thing for him," Soufan recalls. "So he started talking to us instead of giving us lectures."

It took more questioning, and some interrogators' sleight of hand, before the Yemeni gave up a wealth of information about al-Qaeda — including the identities of seven of the 9/11 bombers — but the cookies were the turning point. "After that, he could no longer think of us as evil Americans," Soufan says. "Now he was thinking of us as human beings."

The Tricks of the Trade

Each interrogator has his own idea of how to run an interrogation. Soufan likes to research his captive as thoroughly as possible before entering the interrogation room. "If you can get them to think you know almost everything to know about them — their families, their friends, their movements — then you've got an advantage," he says. "Because then they're thinking, 'Well, this guy already knows so much, there's no point in resisting ... I might as well tell him everything.'" When Abu Zubaydah tried to conceal his identity after his capture, Soufan stunned him by using the nickname given to him by his mother. "Once I called him 'Hani,' he knew the game was up," Soufan says.

To get Abu Jandal's cooperation, Soufan and McFadden laid a trap. After palliating his rage with the sugar-free cookies, they got him to identify a number of al-Qaeda members from an album of photographs, including Mohamed Atta and six other 9/11 hijackers. Next they showed him a local newspaper headline that claimed (erroneously) that more than 200 Yemenis had been killed in the World Trade Center. Abu Jandal agreed that this was a terrible crime and said no Muslim could be behind the attacks. Then Soufan dropped the bombshell: some of the men Abu Jandal had identified in the album had been among the hijackers. Without realizing it, the Yemeni prisoner had admitted that al-Qaeda had been responsible for 9/11: For all his resistance, he had given the Americans what they wanted. "He was broken, completely shattered," Soufan says. From that moment on, Abu Jandal was completely cooperative, giving Soufan and McFadden reams of information — names and descriptions of scores of al-Qaeda operatives, details of training and tactics.

Soufan's "interrogation techniques" remind me of another genius of a man who also had a tremendous impact on history...

Oskar Schindler.

Schindler was able to outwit Hitler and the Nazis, and in the process, saved more Jews from the gas chambers, than any other person, during World War II.

How was he able to do it?

Schindler was the embodiment of the old adage, "You attract more flies with honey than with vinegar."


He dressed like the Nazis, wined, dined and bribed the Nazis (He sent the Nazis bottles of expensive wine, imported chocolates and desserts, fine cigars, expensive clothing, fine jewelry, etc.) He knew how to act, talk, walk and work the part in order to defeat the Nazis at their own game. And for that, he was an absolute genius.

Schindler had many, many flaws...womanizing, lying, cheating, etc....but he also had many strengths...charm, finesse, power, wealth, etc....he was a very manipulative man, but in a very dark time in this world, he still was a good man who wanted to right the bad that was going on around him.

A Schindler survivor, Murray Pantirer, set up a construction firm after the war and has by now dedicated 25 streets in New Jersey to Oscar Schindler's memory. Through all the years the big question always remained: Why? What prompted Schindler to act as he did, at tremendous risk to himself? Pantirer thinks he got the answer:

"He came to my house once, and I put a bottle of cognac in front of him, and he finished it in one sitting. When his eyes were flickering - he wasn't drunk - I said this is the time to ask him the question 'why?' His answer was, 'I was a Nazi, and I believed that the Germans were doing wrong...when they started killing innocent people - and it didn't mean anything to me that they were Jewish, to me they were just human beings, menschen - I decided I am going to work against them and I am going to save as many as I can.' "And I think that Oscar told the truth, because that's the way he worked," Pantirer said.


Was Schnidler a sell out?

Absolutely.

But in Schnidler's case, the end justified the means...because it was for a better good....because of him more than 1,200 Jews were saved.

Today there are more than 7,000 descendants of the Schindler-Jews living in the U.S. and Europe, many in Israel. Before the Second World War, the Jewish population of Poland was 3.5 million. Today there are between 3,000 and 4,000 left.

I wish the Bush administration had taken a lesson from Schindler and Soufan.

They both fed cookies to their enemies.

And guess what?

The enemies ate it all up.

Dear China: Are You Kidding Me?!

What is happening in China today is simply outrageous and sickening.

I personally have so many issues with China.

Not only is it one of the world's leading suppliers of dog and cat fur to the United States and responsible for the horrendous deaths of millions of other defenseless animals, it also still has a strong oppressive hold on its own people.

Can someone please explain to me how is it possible that despite the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989, the Chinese have less freedom today than they did 20 years ago?!

It's outrageous!

Sure China's business front has advanced, but those freedoms haven't translated over to the political freedoms of its people.

The swiftness and deftness that the Chinese government employed in blocking any sort of acknowledgment of the Tiennamen anniversary is downright bone chilling.

Why aren't we, and by we, I mean the United States of America, paying more attention to this Super Power?

Why?

I'll tell you why...because money talks.

China is the U.S.' number one economic ally.

So, why would we bite the hand that feeds us?

We must be extremely weary of a country that is willing to brutally murder its own people and take away their freedoms.

We must be extremely weary of a country that is technologically advanced and uses those advantages in its military and business sectors.

Why?

Because if we don't pay attention to the red flags now...one day it'll be too late.

Because wasn't there another country that rose to Super Power status under a sadistic, controlling, oppressive dictator?

Remember what that cost us?

6 million people.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

- George Santayana

Vigilantism: God's Way

*Caveat: This post tends to ramble a bit, but I make my point...eventually...I promise."



Innately, I am a vigilante.

Merriam Webster describes a vigilante as:

"a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law are viewed as inadequate) ; broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice."

I don' know why it took all of my 29 1/2 years here on earth (turning the Big 3-0 in September! Eek!) to figure this out.

But it all came to me, last year, when the Vineyard did a series called "Fearless" and Dave Workman talked about the spirit and life of Moses.

As I sat there and heard Moses' story, for the millionth time, it was like I had a spiritual realization "a ha" moment: "Hey! I'm A LOT like Moses!" "Moses was a vigilante!"

Now, to those who aren't hip to the story of Moses, I highly recommend checking his story out here: The Brick Testament: Moses Commits Murder. Or you can get the "real" version, here.

Now, I'm not using this post as a means to confess to murder, (how dumb would that be, right?!), but I understand why Moses did what he did.

Here's a man, who upon seeing an injustice being done, i.e., a slave being mistreated/beaten by an Egyptian slave master, instinctively reacted with "justice," or at least his interpretation of "justice."

Now to some, avenging a beating with murder isn't exactly what you'd call "justice." But it's that initial...vigilante...reaction that Moses had that I want to focus on.

Moses could've have done a million different things, other than murdering the slave master. But his initial response was "tit for tat."

Now, obviously God wasn't pleased with Moses' decision and actions. And I'm sure when Moses was hiding the victim's body in the sand, that God's heart was hurting in disappointment and pain at Moses' sinful actions.

I'm not condoning what Moses did, but I can certainly relate to what Moses was feeling.

When I see or hear about a person being discriminated or mistreated, an animal or child being abused, a group of people being slaughtered in a genocide, a homeless man beaten to death, a mentally-challenged person being taunted, a bully tormenting a kid on the playground or a man beating his wife and children...my initial reaction is make the oppressor pay for what they have done. My initial reaction is to come between them and the victim and sock one right in the attacker's kisser. Or probably worse.

That's just how I roll. How I am made. That is my guttural instinct.

Nothing gets my blood boiling than seeing someone pick on someone weaker...and defenseless...than themselves.

IT MAKES ME ABSOLUTELY LIVID.

So would I have reacted the same way that Moses did upon seeing a slave master beat up a defenseless slave?

Absolutely.

Would that make me a good Christian?

Absolutely...not.

But here's where my story differs from Moses.

I made a different choice.

Why?

Because I have the fear of God in me.

I strongly believe that in that enraged moment, Moses, lost sight of God and his fear of Him, and allowed the devil to take over him and hence, committed the murder.

We all have those moments in our lives.

Moses was supposed to be the "chosen" one to deliver the Israelites from 400 years of Egyptian enslavement.

Yet, even as the chosen one, Moses allowed his sinful self to emerge. He didn't channel that innate instinct into something for the glory of God. Instead Moses shamed God with his actions.

But that's the thing about God.

He knew that Moses had this vigilante spirit. He knew that Moses was the only man at the time, who would have a genuine burden and compassion for the Israelites. God knew that vigilante/rageful spirit could be used for the glory of God and ultimately, the birth of a nation.

That's the beauty of God. He takes our innate sinful desires and passions and turns them around for His glory.

Each of us are born with passions that we care about.

I have a passion for justice, just like Moses did.

That's why I became a vegan...to stand up for the countless animals who are being mistreated. I wanted to say that I was making a difference.

That's why I volunteer and help those less fortunate or those shunned and wronged by society.

But unlike Moses, I'm a reformed vigilante of sorts.

Instead of going around and making everyone pay for the wrongs that they've done, I have learned, through God's grace, to channel those feelings into making a difference through love and forgiveness...instead of violence and bloodshed.

If I didn't have God in my life, I would pull a Moses on anyone who abused an animal or child. No question about it.

But BECAUSE I have God in my life, I haven't.

I can honestly say that if it weren't for God's grace in my life, I would be sitting behind prison doors.

Honestly.

During those times of anger about the injustices of the world, I remember that I am a Christian and the whole point of Christianity: dying to your sinful self and giving yourself up to God and committing your new life to love and service.

But I still understand why animal rights militant groups such as ALF...and sometimes PETA...do what they do. I get it.

I understand what their intentions are: avenge those who have been wronged.

And to an extent, I can understand Scott Roeder's motives. Roeder was identified Sunday as a possible suspect in the slaying of prominent Kansas late-term abortion provider Dr. George R. Tiller.

And just as I don't condone Moses' actions, I don't condone the allegations against Roeder.

I understand that these people's ways aren't God's ways.

God is a God of love.

He commanded us, "Thou shalt not kill."

So I take that commandment and apply and interpret it...literally.

That's why I'm a vegan...a Christian vegan. That's why I'm against the death penalty. And that's why I'm against abortion.

Roeder should've channeled his passion for aborted children by praying for the cause and educating people about humane choices, in a non-violent, peaceful way. Instead of killing Tiller, he should've prayed for him that God would make him have a change of heart in performing the abortions.

Roeder obviously put more faith in a phyiscal, man-made weapon and not in the powerful, supernatural weapons of prayer and God's Word.

We humans have this funny way of thinking that somehow we are actually capable of administering adequate justice for all the injustices of the world.

How petty an assumption.

Why can't we - and by we, I also mean myself - learn that God will ALWAYS do it better than us?

There will come a day, where the Egyptian slave master and all the perpetrators of this world's injustices - including "non-perpetrators" - will stand before God, and be held accountable and have to answer for all they have done. One day, Moses will have to be held accountable for his attack, as will Roeder and as will Tiller, for his role in murdering countless babies who were literally, almost about to be born.

Trust me, I'd rather have people stand before God and let them receive His judgment rather than our petty, human judgments. ANY day.

So what's my point with this post?

The point is, no matter how furious we become about something or someone and the wrongs they have committed, let's keep in mind that our petty vigilante ways will accomplish nothing, besides making us look like the hypocritical, un-Christ-like, bad guy.

We all can learn a lesson or two from Jesus, who, despite being the Son of God and possessing the powers to annihilate the persecutors who brutally tormented Him before/during His crucifixion, instead...prayed for them:

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Luke 23:34 (New International Version)

Satan's way and the way of this world is to respond with violence, bloodshed, hate and revenge.

God's way is to respond with prayer, love and forgiveness.

Now, that's vigilantism.