Gone with the . . . ?

The movie “Gone with the Wind” celebrates 75 years this month. Probably number two only to The Sound of Music, most of the older generation and many of the younger will have seen it, or at least be aware of its risqué start—quite tame by today’s low standards.

But few know that both the Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek use the same word for wind or breath and spirit, context determining which word is meant. This leads to some interesting word play in both Testaments.

In the Old Testament’s story of the valley of dry bones , Ezekiel 37:4–14, the “breath” of new life for the dry bones, could be translated “Spirit” as it is in the last verse. The breath of God is His Spirit. In the New Testament, Jesus uses a similar wordplay in John 3:8 with Nicodemus

 

This led me to parody the film title for my latest book, “Gone with the Spirit,” a trek through Scripture observing the Spirit of God “breathing” over the world and on its human inhabitants. I used a similar technique for the title of my previous book, “Guess Who’s Coming to Reign” from the film: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”

Information about these books is on our website, www.norfords-writings.com/books and the books are available on line and in bookstores. I trust you find either book informative and enjoyable.

Life’s priorities will determine whether you find our books as enjoyable as “Gone with the Wind.” Earthly resources, as pleasant as they can be, provide only a shadow of the joy and meaning for life that daily living and future expectations with our Creator provide.

Them and Us

I’m sure we are all glad that Ratko Mladic has joined his erstwhile leader Radovan Karadzic in being brought to justice for Serbian crimes. But Mladic only joins a line of vicious leaders that span the last century and since time began. I’ll leave you to name many of them—they are household words.

Unfortunately, Mladic’s capture only leaves the field open for other aspiring stars to fill the vacancy, Gaddafi in Libya and Assad of Syria currently vying for top honours. I assume that these men at some point will face justice for the evil they perpetrate.

Naturally, oppression and atrocities are committed for positive reasons, forced French in Quebec preserves the French culture, abortion preserves a woman’s right to her body, and like Hitler preserving the German race, Mladic was preserving the Serbs—and plenty call him a hero for doing so.

It’s too easy to place ourselves in the “them and us” category. We’re not perfect, but cannot be compared with “them.” And. of course, we still belong in the “us” category when it comes to interpersonal relationships. We are adept at perceiving the evil in others closer to home.

Unfortunately, Jesus saw the thought as the deed (Matthew 5:22–23). Our anger and hidden wish against the welfare of “them” is different only in degree from Mladic and the violent expression of his wishes; it is no different in substance.

That is why Jesus said: “The world . . . hates me because I testify that what it does is evil” (John 7:7). No wonder so many of us reject Him—we reject His judgment of them. It is only as we recognize our sinfulness that we hear His voice, become His friends, and love Him.

Skill or Luck?

I guess the Canucks aren't going to the Grey Cup after all! Sorry Stanley. This probably won't help my relationship with Canuck fans. (added Thursday).

I’ll probably raise the ire of Canuck fans to say that the outcome of last night’s game was a stroke of luck. The stroke was the last swipe at the puck, and the luck was getting it through the few inches between the goalie and the side post.

If there was any skill in the game, the Sharks should have won with more than double Vancouver’s shots on goal. The fact that Vancouver won was primarily due to the skill of their goalie. Frankly, the goalie makes the game, however skilful his teammates are.

A similar stroke of luck made a Campbell River man 37 million dollars richer. His stroke was with his pen, and luck came against odds of more than 37 million to one. No one would claim his win was by skill of any sort. Which raises the question of how much luck is needed in the game of life.

The Bible recognizes much of life is chance. “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” Ecclesiastes 9:11.

But as we have noted with hockey, some skill can alter the outcome; a fatalistic attitude will generally—except for the odd chance—lead to a diminishing result. But even taking responsibility for what life brings us, chance may still rob us of the results we desire.

The only certainty we have in this life is found in the words of Him who created us: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5.

Perhaps we can’t take that to the bank, but we can take it to bed with us—even if we are Sharks’ fans.

Queen Victoria Day

I suppose we have to thank Queen Victoria for today’s holiday. That’s assuming she established it, or did someone do it in her remembrance? I guess either way, we have today off. But it begs the question, why don’t we have a day off for every sovereign’s birthday?

And it raises the next question, Why do we have a holiday just because it is, or was her birthday. And why a birthday for a king or queen anyway; I’d rather have a holiday on my birthday to celebrate—on second thoughts, at my age I don’t particularly want to count birthdays, thank you!

Eventually, I suppose it’s any excuse for a holiday. Alberta had given us “Family Day” in February to round out approximately a holiday every month of the year. But what’s a family to do in February? Why not a family week in July?

It reminds me of the crazy Quebecers where the construction industry shuts down for two weeks every summer for vacation—during the best building weather in this winterized climate. Or the crazy Canadians generally who have new year’s day off for no particular reason—let’s give that one to the Quebec building industry!

But probably the more relevant question is what we are going to do with today’s break? Well for one, I’m going to rejoice that Harold’s prediction was off again, and look forward to his next one. For you it may be resting up After THE GAME and gaining strength for the next one!

What about the rest of life: Is it going to count for something? But we only have one day at a time. We can’t count on tomorrow and yesterday has gone. What are you going to do today that leaves a worthwhile memory for tomorrow, and what will you do if you have tomorrow? And most relevant—are you prepared if you don’t?

Judgment Day Tomorrow?!

I suppose I can’t let this blog go without some comment about Harold Camping’s prediction for the world to end tomorrow. I’m already a day late with this blog; let’s hope I’m not a day behind tomorrow. Fortunately, I’ll be in Vancouver tomorrow, probably the most beautiful place on earth to witness the world’s end.

I hope Camping is preparing his next date for judgment day. His last one was out by more than a decade, so despite his denial, he will need a plan B, or is it C, D, . . . He obviously missed plan A: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36.)

Unfortunately, wild predictions, such as Camping’s, based on conjectural parallels with past events of uncertain dates, bring disrepute to the seriousness of the Gospel. We may not know when, but the day will come when everyone will be held accountable for their response to Jesus Christ. (John 3:18)

Israeli Border Violence

The border clashes between Arab demonstrators from countries surrounding Israel erupted as forecast in my blog last Thursday. Israel was forced to defend its borders with Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and against demonstrators from the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Jordan.

Read the story at http://www.canada.com/news/Israel+Palestinian+violence+erupts+three+borders/4786716/story.html  

The result was more than a dozen protestors dead and over 100 injured in the biggest demonstrations for years. Is this the beginning of a new Intifada against Israel? The signs are menacing.

The intifadas against Israel in the past have been by terrorism and bombings within Israel. In many ways, this has worked to Israel’s advantage as the carnage inflicted by these means were discredited by most nations. However, the demonstrations yesterday suggest a new tactic to gain sympathy for the Palestinian cause.

The uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, have generally received world approval on the basis of the people of those countries desiring a cessation of ruthless dictatorships and a change to democratic reform. The ongoing unrest in Syria and Yemen and attempts in other Arab states suggest there is an area wide reformation taking place.

If the Palestinians can identify themselves with other popular uprisings in the Middle East, their claims appear more reasonable and attract greater sympathy than previous terrorism and bombing of Israel. Now Israel is faced with defending against unarmed crowds, when shear numbers will provoke a violent response to repel invaders across the borders. Yesterday’s incidents have already provided martyrs for the Palestinian cause.

In addition, those seeking a return of the Palestinians from land given to Israel in 1948 are not those who were dispossessed. They would all be aged around 70 to 90 years of age. Later generations, taught hatred of Israel, continue the demand for repatriation. Arab nations surrounding Israel foster this by maintaining their refugee camps for the last 60+ years, using the squalid conditions to sustain anger against Israel.

Furthermore, despite ongoing attempts to broker a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, it is clear that the populations are not interested—they want restoration of their lands. Hamas and Arab nations, still technically at war with Israel, may exploit this opportunity to “liberate” Israel’s “occupied” lands.

For prophecy buffs, the scene is set for Zechariah 14:1–9.

A Third Intifada?

A facebook page called The Third Intifada has been inviting all Muslims in countries surrounding Israel to march into Israel on May 15, 2011. Exactly how this will be carried out and how the Israeli defence force will respond are unknown.

The fear is that women and children will form the front line of this march across borders into Israel, creating a difficult defence problem for Israel.

But whatever the tactic used, according to reports on the facebook page—in Arabic, I can’t read it!—has continually posted messages inciting violence, which facebook reviews and removes periodically. The problem for facebook is that messages are often encoded in language that appears innocuous.

The page, which seeks the liberation of Palestine from the Jews by this march into Israel, has attracted 330,000 likes. It seems clear that the sentiment to destroy Israel has a large following. The Palestinian group Fatah in Gaza continues to maintain its stance to destroy Israel.

The United Nations provided a home for Israel in their present location in 1948. The way to peace in the Middle East has been intractable ever since, resulted in misery on both sides of the borders, and continued menacing threats from Arab militants.

Psalm 122:6-7 requests us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’”

The wall erected by Israel as a protection against terrorists, may also help to reduce the threatened confrontation. Let’s pray for a peaceful outcome of this proposed march this weekend, and equitable peace in the longer term for both Israelis and Palestinians.