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| Have We Become Desensitized to Evil? |
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1:17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 1:18 they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." 1:19 It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 1:20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 1:22 And convince some, who doubt; 1:23 save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 1:25 to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.
Every day on the news, you hear story after story of unthinkable acts. Crime shows keep pace with the news, or perhaps it is the other way around…Newspapers, magazines, radio, all add to the picture of horror happening in the world. We sit and watch or read about these atrocities, and barely flinch.
I remember the day that the airplanes were used as rockets and plowed into the World Trade Centers in New York. I can imagine you all do, and you probably know what you were doing when you first heard about it. Of course, the first thing I did when I heard was turn on the tv…isn’t that what we all do when there is some tragedy that happens? Why do we flock to destruction? Why do we gobble up the details of heinous crimes? I watched the first plane fly into the tower, on tape, as they replayed it over and over and over again, and then I saw the second plane hit when it actually happened. I saw the first tower crumble, and that was all I could take. I didn’t sleep well for a long, long time after that. I can’t imagine people who knew someone who died there and how they dealt with that horror. To this day, I cannot watch any shows commemorating it, or read any books about it, because it is just more than my mind can handle. It seems as though at some point I just turn off. I can’t take the horror…is anyone else like this? It isn’t that I don’t care, it is more because I care too much.
Unfortunately, I think I might be in the minority. Many people who watch things like this happen, feed off of the frenzy and the destruction. The lives of people involved in that destruction take on an unrealistic tone, and it is as if we are watching a fiction crime show, or thriller movie. Not unless you are actually there, can you even begin to fathom that it is reality.
I don’t want to shut down my feelings when I see something bad happen, but yet, I want to minimize the hurt and anger that I feel towards an event or tragedy or the people responsible. I want to be able to sleep at night, and keep going with my life without being turned upside down by someone else’s misfortune. Yet I am called to share in others burdens, and help to strengthen those who need help.
Lord, let me be compassionate like you were, trying to help others when I can, but also protect me from the evil of this world. Protect me from becoming too insensitive, but help me to not be hurt irreparably by the things that happen in this life. And help me to seek you first when something horrific happens. Amen.
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Yeah, I have found this verse "interesting." I think it also deals with ppl "in" the church. Divisive, etc. I am no Bible scholar, but I think that Jude talks about that, where they slip in and are "one of the folk." We see much of that even now. We must keep our hearts pure so we won't become "desensitized." You made another really awesome point here, Deb. Love ya. |
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HI Deb
blessings,we realize the strength of the anchor,[JESUS]when we feel the stress of the storm!
God bless
Have a blessed weekend and a blessed week |
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There's always been the terrible things we hear about on the news...the early Christians and the martyrdom of those early believers, the middle ages, the crusades, war atrocities...it's always been there and will be due to our sinful nature. I don't think it's that we're DESENSITIZED to violence...it's that it's glorified/sensationalized in a weird way. The news gets ratings because they promise a story about something horrendous, and guess what? People tune in. It reminds me of someone that's supposedly 'watching their diet' still going for the dessert tray and complaining the whole time "oh no, this'll go right to my hips" "oh, I really shouldnt!" Best thing you can do is turn it off and not take part, because unfortunately, it's a part of this flawed world. |
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Deb |
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February 08, 2008 at 3:34pm |
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Lara, thank you, again for your comments. I agree that we should keep our hearts pure, by staying in the Word, and by staying close to Him.
blessings, isn't it wonderful that we have Jesus as our anchor in the storms! What a great word picture that is!
GrowingInFaith, you have stated a lot of great points. I do believe that the atrocities that happen have always been a part of this fallen world, and always will be. Perhaps we are more aware of them now because of all the media attention things get. And yes, news ratings go up with the more in depth reporting on horrible events. I like to stay informed of what is going on, but a lot of it I just can't take. |
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Sara |
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February 08, 2008 at 3:46pm |
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| hey deb, great blog. i can't watch anything that has to do with 9/11 either. it freaks me out. i went to ground zero and was beside myself! we always need to be sensitive to the pain of this world! |
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Deb |
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February 08, 2008 at 3:50pm |
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| Sara, I don't know if I could go to ground zero or not. I never saw the Twin Towers before they were destroyed, but just the thought of all that went on there, wow. We do need to be sensitive to the pain of this world, but we should take comfort in the Lord so that it doesn't destroy us. |
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Deb,
I can relate to everything you wrote. I unfortunately, remember all too well that very day, I was there. I saw, and smelled, and relived the horror as did many people here in NYC for far too long. I also made a decision a very long time ago, about how much of the horror stories from the daily news I will allow myself to participate in (I believe that when we watch we also participate in it, just by watching). I have to stay current because of the type of work that I do, yet, I like you just can't handle it, so I don't watch the news or read the papers very often.
Because I interact with so many people, when something really important happens someone will bring it to my attention, and when there is something I have to know about, that's when I watch the news or research it on the internet. I feel more in control this way.
The reason why this affects you so is because of your heart. It shows that you do care about people, you couldn't feel they way you do if you didn't care. I thank God for your heart.
Pastor Aminata |
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Joey |
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February 08, 2008 at 4:39pm |
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Deb,
I can't bear to watch the things that go on minute by minute in our world. I pray when I hear sirens, or see a wreck, and I do try to keep informed so that I can pray or try to do something to help. I watched the news and read the newspapers until it came to a point where I couldn't sleep. My doctor told me to stay away from things that are negative, and he's been right. I sleep more soundly and I feel a smile on my face as my nose snuggles down into the pillow at night.
So, I try to stay on the positive track, because I truly believe that is where Jesus wants to be. Ready to help ease the burdens of those who need me. I can't do that if if I'm a downer.
You wrote an excellent blog, as usual! |
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Deb, good thoughts all. Makes us evaluate what we do and how we react. I would go so far as to say we hardly understand evil anymore. However, there are things that are evil, and few will argue.
Yes, I remember where I was. I was just a mile from the Pentagon. The windows of my office rattled when the plane hit. I sent everybody in my office home as soon as I realized we were under some sort of attack. Then, I closed my door and prayed. Not much else I could do...couldn't get home because I was blocked in by the disaster, so I prayed. I will never forget that evil. |
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Deb |
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February 09, 2008 at 4:44pm |
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Pastor Aminata, thank you for your kind words. I can't imagine having been there when it happened...my heart goes out to everyone there that took part in it in some way. I have always said I way too sensitive for my own good, but then again, I would rather be sensitive than insensitive.
Joey, thank you as well, for your kind words. Some people might say that we are avoiding reality, but I say I am coping in the only way I know how. Like you said, I can't let myself get down and watching the news and reading the paper can definitely keep us down. I used to work at a senior citizens center, and this lady told me one time that whenever she heard a siren, she said a prayer, and I thought that was a good idea, so I try to do that now.
Doyle, thank you!
DC, I can imagine that you won't forget that day or the things that happened. I know I won't and I wasn't there in the thick of it like you. I too prayed...I don't think it left much else for us to do but pray. Those that don't have a relationship with the Lord, I don't know how they dealt with that day.
restore, that day did seem like something out of the movies, didn't it? I think God does let us know when we have reached our limits. Thank God He does.
Gene, wow, there seems to be a lot of that happening these days, people going into public places opening fire on innocent victims. Makes a person not want to go out in public anymore, but we can't stop living. Thanks for your comments. |
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| Yes, Deb, I think we have become desensitized to a lot of the stuff we've seen constantly on news and tv shows. I've gotten so that I really don't like to watch news or tv that much. I do watch some. I do like to know current events but it's sad that most of the current events have taken the turn they have--with all these things you mentioned in your blog. Great blog, Deb! |
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Deb |
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February 10, 2008 at 1:39pm |
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| Yahschild, I like to watch the local news, but even that can get to me at times. I mostly watch to get the weather, and the most important news events. Fortunately, the station that we have here to watch has a couple of people on it that usually have a lighthearted look at things, there is a lot of joking going on too. They are serious when the occasion warrants it, but they make it more interesting with the camaraderie they have. |
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Donna S |
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February 12, 2008 at 12:20pm |
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I was teaching in a day care center that day..we felt the inpack...sad some of the kids lost relaitives, one mother was running late and Thank God she never made it there. She went into a deep depression.....I will never forget that day!!!!!!!!!!
My husband is my news , he alwasy tells me what is going on...I try not to watch the news or read it..I just PRAY!!!
Thanks God Bless
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Deb |
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February 12, 2008 at 4:08pm |
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| ds13099, my husband is a "news junkie" so he keeps me up to date on things if I miss out. Like you, I would rather just pray! Thanks for your comments. |
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Deb |
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February 21, 2008 at 3:31pm |
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| jairah20, this is so true. There are some things that years ago would have been unacceptable, but now are commonplace. Take another example, what is allowed on television these days compared to years ago. Even in my lifetime, it has gotten so much more "R" rated than when I was a kid. |
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