Crossing the line of uncertainty

As we count the days until this year is over and the next one begins, adding a different number to its end, it brings to surface interesting feelings. At least in me. It's time of holidays, of cozy nights at home with good music and food (for the lucky ones), of family and friends and it's great. But there is this funny feeling that makes me want to stay in this year, like some kind of uncertainty and fear from the future in the face of the next year. Like things will be very different from the morning of the 1st of January, like I will feel alone and insecure. I wonder why is that cause I'm not a person who wants to dwell in the past, but wants to see what the future holds. And not just in a human existentialist manner, but because I know who holds my future and I feel confident in him, namely God. I wonder if it's familiarity, feeling confident in the things that we know, the places, the faces, the voices, the streets, the smells, that makes us feel afraid and threatened by the future. I'm just guessing. I know that this is in the area of feelings and not of fundamental beliefs, but there are so many people that don't look up to the future, that can't see any possible good happening and for them I just offer a humble and small prayer, that the hope will be born in their hearts, Jesus Christ, my Lord and my love.

p.s. Few years ago someone connected my blog to facebook and made it that every post goes directly to facebook as a note and now I don't know how to change it. The point is that my blog is almost like my diary and not everyone would want to read it. But be patient, I will find a way. Peace.

Hope for Dignity

God gave man dignity by giving him free will, freedom of choice. Through that, He gave him honor and respect. God didn't create humans as numbers, as machines who can think. Humans are not cosmic accidents. He created them with honor. He gave them respect. He gave them to be like him.

The rest of the story we all know. We all know it too well, I would say. We know it by looking at the world we live in. We know it by looking at the faces of the people around us. Those tired eyes, those empty looks. The sadness and despair, the pain of a hope killed. Signs that something went wrong long ago. Perhaps, we know it by looking in the mirror.

And in the attempt to win back their dignity, to gain back their real, their lost self, people fight against each other. They fight physically and they fight mentally. Those who are stronger control the ones that are weaker, thinking that through that they become something special, that they have their dignity. Those who are smarter manipulate the ones that are simpler, not knowing that they are in the same boat. The boat that floats on the river called hopelessness.

But the road to dignity is not the road of achievement. Is not the road of success or people saying good things about you or applauding you. It's the road of honesty. Being honest that you don't have it all together. That you need help. Honest to yourself and honest to God. Then he will start a process, then he will do what he knows how to do best. There is hope for dignity.

"Heaven on Earth, we need it now, I'm sick of all this hangin' around" (U2)

To hope for a better future in this world - for the poor, the sick, the lonely and depressed, for the slaves, the refugees, the hungry and homeless, for the abused, the paranoid, the downtrodden and despairing, and in fact for the whole wide, wonderful and wounded world - is not something else, something extra, something tacked on to the gospel as an afterthought. And to work for that intermediate hope, the surprising hope that comes forward from God's ultimate future into God's urgent present, is not a distraction from the task of mission and evangelism in the present. It is a central, essential, vital, and life-giving part of it. Mostly, Jesus himself got a hearing from his contemporaries because of what He was doing. They saw him saving people from sickness and death, and they heard Him talking about a salvation, the message for which they had longed, that would go beyond the immediate into the ultimate future. But the two were not unrelated, the present one a mere visual aid of the future, one or a trick to gain peoples attention. The whole point of what Jesus was up to was that he was doing, close up, in the present, what He was promising - long term, in the future. And what He was promising for the future, and doing in that present, was not saving souls for a disembodied eternity but rescuing people from the corruption and decay of the way the world presently is so they could enjoy, already in the present that renewal of creation which is God's ultimate purpose - and so they could thus become colleagues and partners in that large project. (Taken from "Surprised by Hope" by N.T.Wright)

From the desk of the Urban Mystic

These are just few random things that go through my mind lately. Maybe someone finds something inspiring.

When babies are born they are cool. But as they start growing they steal your heart and you end up loving them more and more. The other night I was putting Nathan to bed and praying for him and asking God for dreams from him when I stopped and wondered. "Who knows what kind of dreams the Lord gives to little children?" Immediately I started thinking, trying to find a theological answer or explanation, but then I thought that I shouldn't, cause only God know that, and whatever it is, it must be beautiful. Why should I try to limit by logic the limitless, colorful and spacious spirit of imagination that flows wherever he wishes.

These are the last days of us being three people family. In a little while (it can be even tonight) another member of our family will arrive. We don't know what's he going to look like, we don't know much about him (almost nothing), but he is welcomed. He is part of the family. Just recently I started walking with Nathan by my side, holding him by the hand, and the feeling is amazing. Or I would rather say quietly fulfilling. And walking with two sons, one at each side...I can't wait.

For a long time I want to write an article about the love that produces new life being the highest love that humans can know and I think I will soon. People might disagree on that one but that is my conviction.

Intentional growth. Organic and spontaneous growth is ok, but there is an element of intentional growth that people need. You can grow by spending time with God, or listening to sermons, or reading the Bible, but you also need other people that will challenge you, that will impart to you. So if you want to change and grow, put some intention to it, find someone, be teachable, be ready to receive, ask questions, be humble, be hungry to learn. And if you think that you know it...I feel sorry for you.

The other day I saw an artistic movie called "Baraka" which portrays the world we live in, and the people in it, without words, just with picture and music. After that I just felt a confirmation that I want to spend the rest of my life helping people to be free and find their lost dignity in God through Jesus Christ. That is my passion, that is my life.

Џејмс Вилијам Хакет за хаику

Животот е извор на хаику доживувањето. Затоа согледај го овој, сегашниов миг.

Запомни дека хаику е поезија на секојдневието, и дека секојдневието е неговото подрачје.

Внимателно набљудувај ги нештата од природата...ќе ти се откријат невидени чуда.

Идентификувај се (толкувај се преку) со својот субјект, што и да е тоа: Тоа си ти – “Тат твам аси”.

Размислувај во самотија и во спокој за своите белешки за природата.

Не издавај го Качеството на нештата- природата треба да биде предадена токму онаква каква што е.





Изрази го своето чувство преку синтакса природна за англискиот јазик. Не пишувај се во јапонскиот 5, 7, 5 облик, оти тоа на англиски честопати предизвикува подметнување и вештачко дотерување.

Настојувај да пишуваш во три стиха, со приближно седумнаесет слога.

Употребувај само обичен јазик.

Сугерирај, ама погрижи се на читателот да му дадеш доволно, оти хаику што заматува е промашено.

Кога-годе можеш спомени го годишното време, оти тоа додава димензии. Запомни дека годишното време може да биде одредено со предмет или со знаци на песната.

Никогаш не употребувај нејасни алузии – хаику се интуитивни, не се интелектуални.

Не превидувај го хуморот, ама избегнувај обична шега.

Римата и другите поетски средства никогаш не треба да бидат толку очигледни што ќе го засенуваат градивото.

Живодарноста, не убавината, тоа е вистинското својство на хаику.

Никогаш не жртвувај си ја јаснотијата на твојата интуиција за извештаченост: изборот на зборови треба да биде насочуван од значењето.

Читај ја секоја песна на глас, оти незабележаното вештачко дотерување секогаш ќе се чуе.

Имај го на ум советот на Торо – “Поедностави! Поедностави! Поедностави!”

Остани при секоја песна додека не го задоволи она што сакаш да го изразиш.

Запомни го предупредувањето на Р.Х.Блајт дека е хаику прст што покажува кон месечнината, и ако е дланката украсена со скапоцености, веќе не го гледаме она што го покажува прстот.

From "Son of Thunder" to...

The following is a story about St. John, taken from the church history of Eusebius, and it really touched me when I read it for the first time. It might look long but it's definitely worth reading. The man on the picture is Polycarp, a disciple of St. John and possibly the guy from the story. Read it and tell me what you think.

Listen to a story that is not a story but a true account of John the Apostle preserved in memory. After the tyrant's death (the emperor), he returned from the island of Patmos to Ephesus and used to go, when asked, to the neighboring Gentile districts to appoint bishops, reconcile churches, or ordain someone designated by the Spirit. Arriving at a city near by (Smyrna), he settled disputes among the brethren and then, noticing a spirited youth of superior physique and handsome appearance, commended him to the appointed bishop with the words, "I leave this young man in your keeping, with Christ as my witness".

When John returned to Ephesus, the churchman brought home the youth entrusted to his care, raised him, and finally baptized him. After this he relaxed his oversight, having put the seal of the Lord on him as the perfect safeguard. But some idle and dissolute youths corrupted him with lavish entertainment and then took him with them when they went out at night to commit robbery or worse crimes. Soon he joined them and, like a stallion taking the bit in mouth, he dashed off the straight road and down the precipice. Renouncing God's salvation, he went from petty offenses to major crimes and formed the young renegades into a gang of bandits with himself as chief, surpassing them all in violence and bloody cruelty.

Time passed, and John paid another visit. When he had finished his mission, John said, "Come now, Bishop, return the deposit that Christ and I left in your keeping with the church as witness". At first the bishop was dumbfounded, thinking that he was being dunned for funds he had never received. But John said, "I am asking for the young man and his soul".

"He is dead", groaned the old man, in tears.
"How did he die?"
"He is dead to God. He turned out vile and debauched: an outlaw. Now he is in the mountains, not the church, with an armed gang of men like himself".

The apostle tore his clothing, beat his head, and groaned, "A fine guardian I left for our brother's soul! But get me a horse and someone to show me the way". He rode off from the church, just as he was. When he arrived at the hideout and was seized by the outlaws' sentries, he shouted, "This is what I have come for: take me to your leader!" When John approached and the young leader recognized him, he turned and fled in shame. But John ran after him as hard as he could, forgetting his age, and calling out, "Why are you running away from me, child - from your own father, unarmed and old? Pity me, child, don't fear me! I will give account to Christ for you and, if necessary, gladly suffer death and give my life for yours as the Lord suffered death for us. Stop! Believe! Christ sent me".

The young man stopped, stared at the ground, threw down his weapons, and wept bitterly. Flinging his arms around the old man, he begged forgiveness, baptized a second time with his own tears, but keeping his right hand hidden* (*As unworthy of forgiveness for all the bloodshed it had caused). John, however, assured him that he had found forgiveness for him from the Savior. He prayed, knelt down, and kissed that right hand as being cleansed through repentance. Then he led him back and did not leave him until - through prayer, fasting, and instruction - he had restored him to the church: a great example of true repentance and regeneration, the trophy of a visible ressurection.

O Brother, where is thine prayer?

(The following material is classified "spiritual" and may disturb the ones that don't believe in God.) :)

Many people pray and many people pray for stupid things. Why? Cause they don't know the One they are praying to? In prayer, the key thing is to know who do you pray to. Your picture of the One you pray to will define how you pray and what you ask in your prayers. My theory is this. You pray for what is important to you. Those things that you ask for, in prayer, expose what is important for you and what you value in life. Many prayers are selfish. Does that mean that we are selfish? Oh, yes, we are.

Prayer is important. Or better said, prayer is essential. Prayer is not a technicality, prayer is a breath. Prayer is not a duty, it's not an obligation, it's not something that you have to do. Prayer should be something you want to do. Prayer is a safe place, a hiding place when you are afraid, but prayer is also a place of passion, of tears, of pain, of loud cries, of expectation and strong desire...

So let's get to know the One that we pray to more, let's allow him to change our hearts which will change our prayers. And then...let's pray.

Edinburgh Part 2 ("Jesus")

Thessaloniki (the view, the friends, the burgers at Cosmos) was great, Guildford (staying with our dear friends Scot and Misty) was great, London ("I like the market in Camden Town!") was great, Edinburgh was great. I guess it should be expected that I write about Edinburgh and Scotland and that is cool. Probably I should, cause it's a beautiful city and I really loved it. But if I have to choose one thing, one significant thing, then I will have to write about the ending of the Magnify gathering, when Pete Greig shared a message about where 24-7Prayer has been and where it is going. This is how the message began and this is all I have to say for now...


"Let’s be absolutely clear about this, 10 years on, we are here to change the world. We are that naïve, we are that idealistic and the reason that we want to change the world it’s the same reason why we started. The vision is Jesus. And until he is the most loved, most listened to, most respected person on earth, until heaven comes to earth, until we are living in the very dream for which he created us, we gonna keep fighting. We gonna keep praying, we gonna keep serving, we gonna keep binding up our broken bones, and mopping up our tears, and caring for people. The vision is Jesus, 10 years on. I’m so thrilled that that hasn’t changed. There could be no greater vision, there could be no one else on whom to spend your life, there could be no one else worth your life than Jesus Christ who laid his life down for us. So, if you can find a greater cause, go follow it, but if you can not, I urge you, don’t waist your life just playing games but give your life to the greatest cause of all, who is the greatest name of all, Jesus Christ. So if you are with me, let’s change the world for his glory. That’s what it’s about".

Edinburgh Part 1 ("Hot Chocolate")

The candle-lit table that we have it's just few meters from the sea. The weather is perfect on this September night and across the bay are the shimmering lights of Thessaloniki. Probably bustling with people, cars and sounds. But we don't hear them. All we hear at the moment is Johnny Cash singing U2's "One" from the radio in the bar behind. The hot chocolate (orange&cinnamon flavor) tastes great, but it tastes even better with friends. Much better. You won't be sorry if this moment lasts just for a while. Actually, it's not about how long it will last. The moment is made by the people that are with you, they are the "soul" of the moment. You know you can be at the same place, having the same drink, looking at the same view, smelling the same aromas, sitting there alone and it won't be the same. No, it won't be the same. It is then you say that it's not about the money you have or how much you know but about the people. Not that Nick Cave was wrong when he sang, "People they ain't no good" but you know that you are also one of them. And the Teacher said that we please him when we love people.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008)

I heard the name of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn few years ago but I never had the chance (or maybe the interest) to read some of his works. After an increased interest to learn more about the Soviet regime and Stalinism, I couldn't ask for better teacher than him. First I read his book called "In The First Circle" which is a book that talks about the life in one of the labor camps, or better, in one of the institutions where the prisoners are scientists and intellectuals and they work in the field of science while serving their sentence.

My point is not to comment about the book (which is great) or retell it, but about the way he writes about such a serious and painful subject. What struck me is that there is not a judging and condemning tone in his writing. No, he is writing with a hidden irony and sarcasm that you don't see and on the surface he just describes the lives and the backgrounds of the prisoners, but inside there is something happening in you when you read that. You are hit by the reality that they serve their 10 or 25 years (mostly for offenses they "intended" to commit) knowing that at any moment they could get 10 or 25 more and spend their whole life in prison. I guess that's the mastery of his writing which I really admire.

After that I read his first novel which first drew the attention of the public called "One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich" which is much shorter and not so complex. And again, when I read the book I felt that there is nothing special about it but when I finished it, it hit me. The reality of the life in the labor camps. Here are the closing lines of that book.

He covered his head with the skimpy, grubby blanket and stopped listening to the zeks from the other half crowding in between the bunks to be counted.

Shukhov felt pleased with life as he went to sleep. A lot of good things had happened that day. He hadn't been thrown in the hole. The gang hadn't been dragged off to Sotsgorodok. He'd swiped the extra gruel at dinnertime. The foreman had got a good rate for the job. He'd enjoyed working on the wall. He hadn't been caught with the blade at the search point. He'd earned a bit from Tsezar that evening. And he'd bought his tobacco.

The end of an unclouded day. Almost a happy one. Just one of the 3,653 days of his sentence, from bell to bell.

The extra three were for leap years.

Ole! (Can I have a steak please?)

The other day I saw couple of photos of a korida and the bull bleeding and then afterwards being dragged out of the arena dead. I'm not someone who is very loud about animal rights and stuff but seeing this is kind of upsetting. All the people around watching and the poor animal being killed. I heard some time ago that before they let the bull go out into the arena they stab him so he starts bleeding and as the fight progresses he becomes weaker and weaker and in the end he can be killed easier. But that is not a fair fight. (Some time ago I saw on the news a bull jumping in the crowd and hurting a bunch of people. I know it's wrong but something in me said "Yes! Do it!") So, I join all those who are against this kind of entertainment.

But as I walked on the street few days ago a thought came to me. How different this is from killing the same kind of animal in the factory and then eat it as a hamburger or a steak? I will not give an answer, I'm just asking.

Is God a banker?

We read in the Old Testament that God created a nation that was supposed to be different from other nations and be his representative on the Earth. Part of the plan for that nation was to give them laws and regulations through which they should live and there is nothing unusual in that, every nation had laws. What is interesting and unusual is the countercultural nature of those laws.

For example, God told them that every seventh year they should cancel the debts of the debtors, let the captives go free, not glean the fruits of the harvest so the poor can eat and so on. Basically God wanted everyone to be provided for. Not the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. If that was ever worked out practically it's another question.

Also, all through the Bible God speaks against usury, taking financial advantage of those who are in bad situation and need to borrow money, meaning giving them money that needs to be payed back with interest.

But what about the banks in our modern society? What about the way they work and the foundations they are built upon? They are such a normal part of our urban life that we fail to see on which foundations they are built. Their basic function is to lend people money and take it back with interest.

Christians would say that some jobs are not suited for those who follow Jesus. Let's say that christians should not work in sex-shops, casinos, strip-clubs, and that's ok. But what about banks? When we hear that someone works in a bank do we see him as an achieving person, a person with a good job, or a person who serves the spirit of money and greed? I'm not giving any conclusions here, I'm just asking.

On creativity: David Eugene Vs. Francis of Asissi

Listening to David Eugene's band Wovenhand and his previous band 16 Horsepower, you can not but notice that they are pretty unique (in my opinion), if we can talk about something being possibly unique under the sun. I think they managed to find their sound and be recognized among the critics and the fans as one of the founders of the gothic americana style. My impression is he doesn't try to make music just to please those who listen to it, but create something that comes out deep from his soul. His faith in God is definitely an inspiration and influence.

Recently, during an international gathering I attended, one canadian guy commented something about St. Francis of Assisi. He said that when people tried to judge his works they couldn't trace them to any previous source of inspiration like artists or writers that worked before him. He was unique in his own way. He was also considered as the forerunner of the Renaissance, which is no small thing. About his inspiration being found in God there is no need to talk.

Of course we are all influenced by the things around us and it's hard to say that someone is completely unique and that creates something which no one has seen before. That's not the point. I think that there is something when you just want to create to glorify God and you are free from the pressure to impress people. It's like the creativity (that comes from the Creator himself) can easily flow through you. I think it's a real challenge to spend time with God and let him be the primary source of our inspiration and not the opinions of others. True creativity is found in your real self, your real self that only God can reveal to you.

President Obama in "Kill Bill 3"

I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer" - Benjamin Franklin

The text that you are about to read are the author's personal thoughts and opinions so don't get upset if you don't like it.

Yesterday the Health Care Reform Bill that the president Obama pushed very sternly was passed in the US House of Representatives and now it is a big deal in the US about this. Some are happy and supporting this act and some are protesting and are very much against it. Now, I'm not a very political person, and I'm not American, so I don't care so much about Democrats or Republicans or things like that, but I must comment about one thing that bothers me.

As I understand, very simply, one of the main things is that the new healthcare system will cover extra 35 millions Americans with health insurance. That means that the taxes will go up and that the wealthy will have to pay bigger taxes. And suddenly a lot of people are going crazy and are protesting against this. And among this people are millions of middle/upper class Christians raising their voice against this reform.

But there is one thing that I don't understand. Why are people so upset if more people are covered with healthcare insurance? Is it because they feel that they have earned hard their own money and they don't want their taxes to go for people who don't work and live from the social help? Or is it maybe because most of those 35 million people will be black and hispanic? Just asking. Are their brains so washed by the merciless capitalistic mindset? Americans are paranoid when it comes to Socialism, a system they have never experienced, and think that Obama is trying to make USA a socialist country. Is that maybe a mindset inbuilt in their minds from the cold war? What is wrong with the western european countries who are also in some way socialist, especially Scandinavia? Are they aware that USA has one of the cruelest healthcare systems in the world? Just asking. Or is it just because it's Obama, and he is bad cause he is a democrat?

And in Benjamin Franklin's statement, however good it sounds for human ears, I just don't see the God that I follow.

Шехерезад, прости ни за нашето лицемерие

Пред две недели бев во "Канела" да купам торта и додека се распрашував за тоа какви торти имаат, во фрижидерот видов една со голема слика од Шехерезад. Се насмеав и дадов коментар дека сигурно имаат многу нарачки со нејзина слика. Девојката, сериозна, ми рече, "Па и да ти кажам, типка е!" Ме фати на препад. Не очекував дека ќе добијам толку сериозен одговор и морав да се согласам, "Да, типка е". Знаев дека луѓето ја сакаат серијата 1001 ноќ и барем таа си беше искрена.

А знам дека има многу луѓе кои не ја гледаат 1001 ноќ (а би ја гледале) затоа што се срамат од нивните пријатели и затоа што нема да бидат некакви си кул уметнички типови, затоа што таа серија е плитка и без везе и нема никаква уметничка вредност, но истите тие луѓе ќе одат на некаква уметничка изложба со уметност што не ја разбираат (ако воопшто може да се разбере) и ќе тупат околу тоа колку се сликите длабоки а всушност се жива глупост.

Од такви лицемери ми се гади.

Somewhere deep in us

In moments like this I want to write. When everything is white outside and the snow keeps on falling through the night. Just looking through the window at the scene behind my building and sensing the quiet outside. The huge maple tree, my friend in all seasons, is surrounded by some pine trees and all are with branches bended from the heavy snow. And I can tell that it's still snowing just by the yellow street lights. The sky is beautiful, it's kind of orange-gray.

I feel I want to freeze the moment. I wanted to go to bed but I want to do something. I can't just leave this moment go by unnoticed. I want to write a haiku, but I don't dare. I don't want to describe details, no, I want to paint the whole scene. But I'm afraid I can't, or maybe I just don't dare thinking I would destroy it. I'm no able to describe such beauty.

And that leads me to the question why I want to make this scene eternal by putting it on paper. What is it that makes us want to freeze some moments, through words, through paintings, through photos, through music? Do we want to have something to hold on to? Something that will give us a moment of eternity? Maybe something of heaven here on earth? Or maybe that is just a sign of a longing for a place we don't see but it exists somewhere deep in us? Somewhere deep in us...

Инвестирај во Македонија

Неодамна нашата влада беше многу гласна за тоа дека прави се за да охрабри странски компании, потенцијални инвеститори, да инвестираат во Македонија и ја започна огромната кампања наречена "Инвестирај во Македонија". Кога очигледно дека дојдоа далеку помалку инвестиции, ако воопшто ги имаше, тие ја обвинија светската економска криза, што до некаде и го разбирам.

Но денес разговарав со еден пријател-странец и ми рече дека пратил имејл на веб-страната на "Инвестирај во Македонија" и објаснил дека сака да отвори бизнис во земјава. Човекот воопшто не добил одговор. Во имејлот не кажал колку финансии би се вложиле, колку луѓе би се вработиле, затоа што, на пример, можат да бидат огромни суми. Но не, луѓето од владата не нашле за сходно да го удостојат со одговор. Или можеби блокиран им е мејлот.

Така ли се привлекуваат инвеститори драга владо на Република Македонија? Така ли се привлекуваат инвеститори вие приучени курсисти по маркетинг? Не! Секако дека не!

Исто така владата ни вели дека секој треба да има трето дете. Но јас само сакам да поставам едно прашање. Каде да го раѓа? На гинекологија? Кој бил таму, особено на приземје, знае за што зборувам. На гинекологија ли се пораѓаше сопругата на премиерот? Не! Се пораѓаше во приватна болница. Така што, тие приказни да му ги продавате на друг.

A serious end for "A serious man"

Yesterday I saw the new Coen brothers movie called "A serious man" cause after seeing some of their movies like "O brother where art thou" or "No country for old man" I was really waiting to see what will they make next. And after my friend Shea told me that it's a weird movie I was even more eager to see it.

Well, I liked the movie, I think it's great, and I really admire how the brothers can create a certain mood that stays for the whole movie. I won't retell the movie now (you will have to see it for yourselves) but I must say that it has an amazing opening scene and few good great moments. I especially liked the guy in the synagogue ceremony lifting the heavy scrolls and going, "Jesus Christ!"

And the end of the movie. I mean what was that? Maybe even better that than the end of "No country for old man". We are so used to top-of-the-roof-happy-end-kissing-couple that gives you a good feeling for the moment. But this is an ending that at first disappoints you and makes you feel like it shouldn't end like that, but then it stays with you, and makes you ask questions. And I simply love that.

Well, to come to the ending you need to see the movie first.

Did God punish Haiti?

Few days ago there was an disastrous earthquake in Haiti which most people heard about. Many people died and the estimates go up to 100.000 and the country is in chaos. The world reacted quick and a lot of help is coming to that island at the moment. I heard on the news that Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and now with this happening, it's totally devastated.

The well known evangelical Pat Robertson said in an interview that when the french used to rule Haiti, the local people made a pact with the devil so the french will leave and that after that they have been suffering badly. He made a comparison with the Dominican Republic which is on the same island and is a totally different story, attracting a lot of tourists and being in a totally different situation than Haiti. After that statement, everyone is reacting very strongly against Pat Robertson and what he said.

I don't know much about Pat Robertson and I don't really care much about him, but what provoked me was the reaction of the people. Now everyone says that his statement is nonsense and I understand that, is's logical. When people suffer and things like this happen nobody wants to judge and condemn anyone but wants to show compassion and love. Everyone wants to be humane. And that's ok.

But what if something like that really happened? What if they really made a pact with the devil? Is something, just because we don't like to hear it, automatically wrong? I'm not an expert in Haiti but I have at least few times heard that there is a lot of witchcraft, voo-doo and that it is a very dark place spiritually. Yes, God is merciful and he wants to save people but there are some principals that even He wouldn't break.

There is lot to be said about this, but I will keep it short. All I wanted to say is that we can't dismiss anything that we can't understand and that opposes our humanistic worldview. And plus there is a great movie on tv about a group of blind kids from Tibet that are climbing a summit very close to Everest and I really like to watch it.