Wednesday, May 30, 2007

For the Best

I found a small booklet that I picked up in London at a small deli, Pret. We went in and we had a cinnamon danish and coffee. It was very good. The deli was on the street where we stood waiting for Evan Evans tour bus to pick up a bunch of us scheduled to see the Queen's official residence, Windsor Castle, Bath, and Stonehenge that day.

This booklet is all about their food, ingredients, goals. When I saw it I thought it looked interesting and I stuck it into my purse (it was free) to read later. Today I found the little booklet "Good Stuff." I sat down to look through it.

"Home Truths, Menus and Stuff."

It has quotes in it. Quotes are fun. One of them was by Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks.

"The idols of today are unmistakable - self-esteem without effort, fame without achievement, sex without consequences, wealth without responsibility, pleasure without struggle and experience without commitment."

Interesting.

I have not heard about this Rabbi, so I decided to look him up tonight. I read one of his speeches, "London Rally." He ended that speech with this prayer.

"Ribbono shel olam: Be with your people Israel now.
Hear their cry
Heed their tears
Listen to this, our prayer on their behalf.
Grant peace to all your children, Jew, Christian, and Muslim alike.
Help us live together, respecting one another.
Help us cherish life.
Help us to use the powers You gave us, to heal, to mend, to build.
We ask of You, Almighty God, just one thing:
You who make peace in high places,
Help us to make peace down here on earth."

It's hard to know what to do about our men and women fighting over in Iraq. I want them to come home, yet, will terrorism get worse if they do leave? We are where we are because terrorism came right to our doorstep with 9-11. Sometimes for the best outcome we have to do things we would rather not do. I wish we didn't have to be there and I pray we can leave sooner than planned. We have a nephew in Iraq, my brother's son. When you pray for our troops, remember Aaron. Thanks.

One more quote from Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks.

"Friends, let me tell you what is wrong with terror. It is not just that it murders the innocent: the young, the old, the defenceless, the uninvolved. It is that it murders innocence itself. It turns virtue into weakness, decency into vulnerability. And if we, if Israel, if Europe, if America do not take a stand against terror, if we ignore it as the world ignored it for so long, then it will leave a stain on the human future that no tears, no regrets, will ever remove."

To read or listen to more speeches by Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, visit his website.

I did get around to making rhubarb pie even if I didn't feel like it. I am glad that I went out and picked the rhubarb and made the pie because it was a big hit tonight.

Day 156, Millie? You want to come over for coffee and pie?

4 comments:

Constance said...

I'll bet Millie would be there in an instant! Doug sure seems to be enjoying it! I saw ice cream with that pie so count me in too! Tee Hee

Those were some really good quotes! The first one really struck a chord with me!

Iraq...Sometimes I think in this instant gratification world we live in, we've lost the ability to be involved in things for the long haul. This junk didn't happen overnight, it went on, under our noses but we as a nation, have been too self-absorbed or focused on other things. For those who say we shouldn't be there, because that's their problem going on a half a world away have forgotten 2 very important things.

Israel is the most hated nation in the world! Since its' conception, someone has been trying to eradicate the Jews, God's favored nation. We Believers, know the importance of the nation of Israel and also know that being an ally of Israel is a good thing when it comes to God's wrath & judgment!

Secondly, we no longer live in a world where there's an us vs them mentality. We are all interconnected and dependent on each other. We can watch on our TV's l;ive images from the other side of the world. America has vested interests all over this world!

Lastly, I remember something my mother told me about growing up during the war under the Nazi's in WW2. She said,

"I thank God every day that America got involved in the war. Because they cared enough to stop what was going on, innocent people, like our family had a chance for a better life, free from dictatorship."

Connie

Connie Marie said...

Good morning BBF!

Thanks for your very good comments.

I actually don't want to be involved "for the long haul" when it comes to Iraq. Like most of USA, I want our troops to come home now. But my heart knows that for the sake of Mom's like your Mom, we should not just leave.

When I read Revelation I wonder what my prayers can do to avert all that is predicted there. It seems that all of this hatred and negativity Israel encounters needs to be lived out and gotten overwith so that God can restore the Earth to what He intended it to be when He created it. (Wild animals co-existing with the tame, no wars, peace.) But my thoughts are not even one iota like God's thoughts are.

Your Mom's statement brings tears to my eyes just thinking of all the Mom's in Iraq that are comforted by knowing we are still there helping/protecting - today.

I wish all nations could just go straight into the life promised without all the awful stuff the world will see before. But, I am trusting in God and I say with Apostle John after God showed him images from the future (Revelation)... "even so, come Lord Jesus."

Kerri said...

I keep changing what I think about the war. I want "someone" to fight terrorism but feel selfish at times that I think it should be someone else. Not my relatives and friends. For such a small community, we have seen quite a lot of young men go to Iraq. Thankfully, they are all coming back alive.

Your pie looks delicious! I love rhubarb pie. An elderly lady here makes the best rhubarb and strawberry-rhubarb pie! Of course, I haven't tasted yours yet. *wink*

Connie Marie said...

((((((Kerrie)))))))),

I am glad that your relatives are coming back safe. May God continue to bless our troops with safety. I always pray too that all the terrorists plans will be found out before they can hurt others.

I would not even compete with an elderly lady's baking expertise. She deserves every compliment and accolade for her rhubarb-strawberry pie.

I love rhubarb/strawberry too--- have to have ice cream with it though otherwise it is too tart.

I hope you have a beautiful day today.