Election Day: Why Vote? #election2022 #houseofthedragon #gameofthrones #doctorwho #politics

One Day More #election #2020 #onedaymore #revolution

Do you hear the people sing?

Singing the song of angry men?

It is the music of the people

Who will not be slaves again!

Why are we intrigued by the political strife and machinations in such creative works as Star Wars and the Game of Thrones series and prequel? Why do our hearts swell in uprising solidarity when we hear the Les Miserables songs, One Day More and Do You Hear The People Sing?  Why do we find ourselves on the edge of our seats watching the under-dog hero stand up against the power corrupt oppressor? Why do we rejoice and breathe a sigh of relief when The Doctor from BBC's Doctor Who arrives to save the day and overcome evil?  

The answer lies within the truth that we relate to that which opposes our brave heroes and our desire is alike theirs in that we wish to overcome that which oppresses and threatens to overtake our rights and freedoms.  It may not be as dramatic as the political strivings of the House of The Dragon plotline, but the right we are given at age 18 to vote is an entitlement we must proudly exercise, for there is none other method at present in our society of fighting for, standing up for our rights and overcoming the opposing.  

Indeed, every vote matters, including your own. Furthermore, not casting your ballot is a metophorical slap in the face of those who fought even to have their voices heard.  Not until 1869, with the ratification of the 15th Amendment, after the ardous, bloody battles of the Civil War, were black men afforded the right to vote, yet even that was challenged and made difficult by hurdles such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures.  These would continue until 1964 with the passing of the 24th amendment eliminating poll taxes followed with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which demolished the Jim Crow laws.  Added to that, it was less than 100 years ago, in 1920, after long fought battles against oppression, were women given the right to vote as well.  

Every time you cast your ballot you are ensuring your voice is being heard.  Only by voting in EVERY election are you ensuring that your voice is being heard.  With every blank hole darkened by black ink, ballot signed, and mailed you are standing together with who fought and lost their lives for your right.  Allowing your voice to be heard is ensuring the continuing of the rights and security of yourself, others, and those who may continue to suffer with the marginalization of society and are in constant risk of having their rights and lives stricken from them.

Articles used as reference in this entry:

Why Voting Is Important

5 Reasons Why You Should Vote!

Why do we vote ?

Donna Noble: Super Temp, Doctor Donna! (Oi! Space Boy!)

Who is Donna Noble?  Okay, she is another one of 'The Doctor's companions, in fact, the third of the tenth doctor's reign, the second of the red headed companions (the first being Mel, from the era of the 6th and 7th doctors...the third, well, see Amy Pond and my earlier post, "the girl who waited").

So, tenth doctor seemed to portray a rather James Bond type of doctor, seemingly, undesirable to a few DW diehards, most likely, those of the male persuasion (huh?).  So, up to this point, tenth doctor's companions seem to have a lust factor after him, as in with Martha's infatuation and, of course, the devotion of Rose.  Yet, as we know, only one seemed to be able to crack the hard exterior of his heart and teach him a little of human affection and love, see: Rose Tyler.

But, Donna shared a different relationship with the Doctor, definitely not of attraction or any sort of interest.  She pursued travelling with the Doctor for her own interests, to learn about all that was out there beyond her knowledge or human comprehension.  To be pushed beyond her own understandings, thus developing into the person she needed to be.  Because of this, she was his friend, there to keep him grounded and to insist on his doing the right thing at all costs.  She also could see that he had a purpose in changing her life and helping her to become who she was meant to be. 

In her friendship and travels with the doctor, more and more she became strengthened to use her natural talents to fight the evil approaching, not only those of her heart and compassion but the natural day-to-day abilities afforded to her.  She was, as she quoted, able to do things based on her experience as a "temp"!  Through this, she acquired the experience to forever be known and cherished as "Doctor Donna", in a sense, the Doctor's best friend.  So, too, as we walk with our creator, we can know that we are his best friend and thus will be able to use the gifts he gave us for his glory and the salvation of the world.

Know that our "physician" has given us the talents and gifts to use for his glory and the working of truth and calling in our own lives and the lives of those we love!

What are they? Ask him and he will show you, even more, how to use them.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Goal for the Day: Be a Rose Tyler!

Okay, so here we go again with another entry comparing my love for the Doctor and all things Doctor Who (and if you haven't discovered this show, you have one week to do so!), and comparing it to faith-based realities.

And the love of the Doctor is just what I want to focus on.  Today, I look at one of the best, if not the most loved, companions: Rose Tyler (played by the very talented, Billie Piper!)

Rose, I think, set the standard for the archetype of companion and relationship with the Doctor for those that would come after her.  Billie Piper, who played Rose, played the role in such a way that we, as the viewer, could relate in that we, and perhaps mostly female viewers, would react the same way upon knowing the Doctor so intimately.

Rose could put him in his place yet still be the object of his attention and adoration.  She was the companion who first came close to touching his heart and showing him that he could love, not just objectively, but truly love someone.  He showed her the kind of adoration and affection and connection that he had shown no other companion or traveler.  In addition, she understood him the way no one else could and stood by him even when they were separated.

He burnt up an entire sun just to say good-bye to her; she told him she loved him, he cried, she cried--

He told Martha that she was not replacement for Rose...

She did everything she could to get back to this world, this reality, so she could, yes, help to save the world and the rest of the universe, but be with him again--

And, those she was working with, helped her to get back to him---

The point was, Rose was cherished, loved, and adored by the Doctor.  So, too, we are cherished, loved, and adored by our "Physician", and that is what should inspire and encourage us to do the right thing, stand for truth, fight the good fight, walk the walk He calls us too--

In the face of all adversity, pitfalls, trials, remember we are Roses in God's eyes!

So, too, we should surround ourselves with people who can help us get to our love, remind us of the one who loves us above all, and we, too, should help to encourage them there is one that loves, cherishes, adores them--

Remember, people will let us down, even those closest to us, but there is one, our "Doctor", so to speak, who always will be there and is there, when we need him, who, in truth, loves us, cherishes us, adores us, and will go to great lengths to be with us---

So, in every thing you do, be a Rose Tyler!  Accept the love and adoration of your beloved and let that be your saving grace that empowers you!

"How gracious will you be when pangs come upon  you, Like the pain of a woman in labor?" Jeremiah 22:23

He who has ears, let him hear

Wicked Judges We All Are; Show no partiality

In my quiet time today, I prepared for my Monday Night bible study of James.  I read James 2: 1-13, which talks about showing no partiality.  Now, I just got home from a very busy reunion for my Grandpa's 100th birthday, and got home late because of a mixup with the plane, so I am very tired and hope to God that He speaks through me, because my brain is in such a fog that I don't think I can accurately express what the Lord is speaking to me, and what I hope to impart to you.

It starts out:

"Show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.  For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place" while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there" or "Sit down at my feet", have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" 2:1-4

Now, specifically that idea of being a judge with evil thoughts when Jesus told us specifically not to judge lest we be judged hits me right in the heart.  But, I want to talk about how I have been shown partiality in the church and how I have learned not to, and am still learning.

I hate to slander it again but I was shown partiality my first year at Refuge Christian Fellowship.  I didn't talk the same as them, dress the same, was poorer.  Because I didn't have money, I didn't have a fancy phone, or fancy clothes, or go out to coffee, or anything.  I also felt excluded because I couldn't talk about my bipolar without fear of discrimination (yes, this is true in Calvary Chapels), like being told not to be on medication or go to therapy (they say this without any understanding of recovery or mental illness), or being told that it is demon possession.  I also was going through an amazing experience at Celebrate Recovery, digging into the heart of my own pain and discovering God's truth about his endless love for me.  I wanted them to go through with that, because I saw the pain in their own eyes, what they hid behind the facade of good frozen yogurt restaurants, dress shops, and coffee.

But, I have learned through this bible study that I was being judgmental towards them, for maybe being more spiritual than I am, holding positions above me when I felt that I knew more than them, being married before me, or having kids before me.  So, in my resentment, I lashed out and wrote a few of them angry letters trying to get them to see, and to Corynne and Grace, I deeply apologize to you, I hope that, yes, it did open your eyes to truths about yourself but without any bitterness towards me or without much harm done, and in your own time and your own way, I hope you can find the healing that you need.  As my dear friend, MJ says, "we all have our journeys of recovery".  Please forgive me, Grace, Corynne, and all at Refuge for being so convicted with my own sin that I treated you with such disgrace....but please know that I do believe you are a little superficial in your practices and ways you operate in the church.  That is just my honest opinion and I offer it with humility and grace.

Because of this partiality, I left this church and attended Hope Chapel Healdsburg where we had two homeless people come in and join us on Sunday mornings.  Everyone treated them as equals and they felt comfortable telling their story and talking about their needs.  They were also able to grow spiritually and deepen their faith in the Lord, plus be a blessing of the Lord's faithfulness and provision in hard times to us.

But, I was thinking as it says in James why would we as believers or unbeliever or what have you, show more partiality to a rich person than a poor person.  For as I was thinking, I would do this...for example, if a movie star or famous person, say David Tennant, was in my house, along with my best friend, Stanford, I definitely would defer my attention to David Tennant rather than the one that has been through hell with me and cared deeply for me for the past ten years or so.  So, I am guilty of this sin as well.  Maybe, envy of DT's position would spur on this poor treatment of my dear friend, Stanford. Would you be?

Also, we might, if we look at how the powers that be are treating us, as some are saying we are quickly sliding into a police state, we might be tempted to treat those in power and wealth with deprecation out of fear of persecution, or maybe doubt of the Lord's protection.

But, whatever the reason, as you can see, I am guilty of showing partiality and like the title says, am a wicked judge in the Lord's eyes.  The answer to this, is to pray for a heart like Christ, to love all people, rich, poor, gay, straight, Christian, unChristian, buddhist, etc as children of God and with the same love that God and Christ offers them.  After all, dear believers, aren't we all supposed to be little Christ's?