Pity or Compassion?

Have you ever thought about the difference between pity and compassion? Here's the Merriam-Webster definition of both:

PITY implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress

COMPASSION implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare

In other words, pity means you feel sorry for someone. Compassion, on the other hand, is when you get down and get your hands a little dirty. Imagine if God only felt pity, "Oh those poor disgusting wretches." We'd have no hope. Instead, God Incarnate, the Christ, set up camp in this fallen world. He got down and dirty. He not only endured the suffering of the physical world, but also the weight of the sin of humankind.

How does your interaction with the world around you weigh up against that humility and love? Do you pity or do you have compassion? Think about it.

Euthanasia in Canada Part 2

Toronto Star — Ottawa man plans to kill himself tonight (Jan 27th)

Above is another example that the euthanasia debate will be heating up over the next few weeks and months. Marcel Tremblay suffers from a lung condition that leaves him unable to breathe properly. So tonight he's going to kill himself.

"I can't think of a worse death than not being able to breathe." said Tramblay.

That's kind of ironic considering that he's going to put a plastic bag over his head and suffocate himself.

greg.

The Hours

Last night I watched the film The Hours. It's a beautifully crafted film based on the novel by Michael Cunningham. It boasts a star-studded cast, was well-scored, and a pleasure to watch; however, it was also deeply troubling.

For our filmmakers, relationships and human connections are oppressive and caustic to freedom, and devoting yourself to another is for dimwitted empty people. Happiness is but a fleeting moment and any solace that the characters may seek in another are rebuffed. There is an encouragement to throw off the shackles of society, whether it be family ties and interconnectedness, or sexual taboos in order to experience freedom and happiness in one's self. What's more, the immoral choices of the characters are deemed heroic (suicide, abanding one's family). There is no room for moral absolutes in this film and secular humanism is tightly woven throughout the plot.

Salvation now comes from within. We are islands unto ourselves and any connections we form destroy our being. There is no external salvation, no external absolute in the form of an infinite and holy God in Michael Cunningham's world. Sadly, it is what our world is becoming

Success

I have finally figured out how to write a comment for the "Voices" section of the Toronto Star that they will actually include online.

The Toronto Star — Voices: Liquor laws

Scroll down a bit and you'll see it.

g.

Euthanasia in Canada

Toronto Star — "46% of severe preemies are disabled, study says"

This is a chilling article and probably good evidence that the euthanasia debate will be rearing it head in the coming weeks and month. Christians should be well informed on this subject. A humanistic worldview (ie. a worldview that begins with ourselves "I" and moves outward) is dangerous to our society. Operating without absolutes leaves the value of human dignity and human life to the whims of the Canadian illuminati. That is a frightening thought.

Learning to Fly

When a young bird reached a certain age of maturity his mother told him that it was time to leap from the nest high on the cliff and learn to fly. "The wind will carry you", she said.

"Why, that's suicide!", exclaimed the bird. "There is nothing but darkness below. How could you ask me to do such a thing mother? "

"Because I love you", she replied.

The young bird was having none of it. How could his mother simultaneously love him, but also desire to push him over the edge of their safe and comfortable nest? She was clearly wrong. "I shall make a nice home here for myself", he thought. "What could possibly be out there beyond this nest that I need?"

Hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks. His mother continued to feed and care for her son. He grew fat and content. Then one day she said, "I am going to leave you now. If you decide to fly I will meet you in the sky."

"But mother!", he cried. "How can you do this to me?"

"Because I love you", she replied.

Hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks. The young bird was desperate. He had not eaten for some time and his only source of water was the occasional raindrop. He fell into great despair. "If only my mother were here to take care of me", he lamented. "I will soon die if she doesn't come back."

She did not come back.

On the verge of death the young bird realized that his nest; his safe haven would soon be his grave. "I have nothing to lose so I will leap from this nest!", he exclaimed. So he spread his wings and leapt to certain death in the great unknown below. The wind rushed past his face and he prepared for the end.

But no end came.

The rushing wind flowed under his outstretched wings and lifted him to new heights. He soared through the air. The darkness below was replaced by a lush valley full of life. "It is beautiful", he breathed. He saw his mother in the distance.

She flew to him, her heart overjoyed. He then realized that she had not wanted to hurt him. She had only wanted him to experience life soaring through the air—not a safe life, but a glorious life worth living.

Disaster Relief - A Christian's Responsibility

Hello all. I'm back after a great Christmas and a happy new year. Unfortunately it hasn't been a great new year for all. There is a crisis in Southeast Asia with more than 160,000 people dead, homes and livelihoods washed away, and the terrible threat of disease looming. If you need anymore reason to donate to a relief fund for this area you should know that the Canadian goverment will be matching all donations up until January 11th. Those donations will also be tax deductible on your 2004 income tax.

World Vision Canada is a very responsible organization. I would highly recommend them. While you're there, why not sponsor a child. I don't think I know anyone who can't afford $30 a month...maybe you only need basic cable.
World Vision Canada

The Canadian Red Cross is another good organization to donate through.
Canadian Red Cross

So make sure you got off your bourgeois butt and give!

cheers,
greg.