Monday, March 31, 2008

Today ...

This is my 1500th posting here ... Recently I have been once again criticised because my postings are at times harsh, confrontational, controversial and irritating ...

My response to such criticism is two fold ...

For starters - if you don't like what you read here, and it ruffles your feathers or rubs you the wrong way, OR makes you uncomfortable - my suggestion is explore the WHY???

What it is about what I'm saying that makes YOU uncomfortable?? Do my words cut too close to the bone for your comfort?? Is there a truth that makes you squirm??

I actually take pride in offering here things that make YOU squirm and feel uncomfortable because in the Christian Church there is LONG and STORIED tradition of being confrontational ... it started with Jesus, then included people with names like Peter, Paul, Augustine, and continues ... today we look back on folks like Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, and modern voices like Jim Wallis, who are heralded for their prophetic visions ...

I don't apologize for being blunt and outspoken, and I will not apologize for being well read and intelligent ... I WILL NO LONGER BE ASHAMED OF BEING CALLED TO A PROPHETIC VOCATION ... YOU need to ask yourself what it is that makes you UNCOMFORTABLE, and spend time exploring that - challenge, growth and change are NEVER a bad thing ... if my words make you angry, maybe the problem lies in YOU not in ME !!!

So if you don't like reading what you find here - GO AWAY !!!

Which brings up the second part of my response to such unreasonable and irrational expectations in regards to my outspokenness - if you can't handle it - Stop reading and go back to your tiny little world and let the rest of us have a mature conversation about what is REALLY going on in the world ... silence is NOT an option. Bowing to your unreasonable and small minded demands is a form of censorship - and I will have NONE of it.

If my words offend you - then go somewhere like Oprah, or Dr Phil where you can live your in insipid Hallmark world unchallenged by the reality around us ...

I WILL NOT BE SILENCED - SO IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE WHAT YOU READ HERE:

DON'T READ IT!!!! Turn off your computer and accept the reality that you are small and close minded and not ready to hear contrary opinions that may find the log in your eye, while you obsess over the speck (one I've dealt with) in MINE ... Go back to being an Ostrich, and hide your head in the sand and pretend the rest of the world isn't here!!!

So, having said ALL of that ... in honour of my 1500th post, and the closing of a sad and ugly chapter filled with tales of immature, insecure and manipulative people and their toxicity that has formed a cesspool no one wants to name, much less clean up - I offer the two horoscopes I encountered this morning ... They speak NOT of the PAST - but of the future ... Recent events in MY life have lead met to the conclusion that something extraordinary is unfolding around me, and the last two years will be a time of transition that helped prepare ME for something wonderful ...

First is my Chinese Horoscope, following it is my Astrology Horoscope:

Your personal charm and attractiveness has a positive effect on your career, reputation, or public image. People see you as a loving and lovable person and as someone who is aware of their needs and feelings, which can benefit you at this time. Others are willing to help and cooperate with your aims. Your interest in the arts or in promoting harmony and good will between people is brought out at this time.
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Figuring things out, spotting the fly in the ointment and separating the sheep from the goats take on special significance now. You are in a learning phase right now and it may be a great benefit to you. Advance your skills, as well as your knowledge. Do not put off an important discussion with someone significant.

4 comments:

laughing pastor said...

I suppose God needs some of us to be angry! Someone needs to expect more from the church and the members in the church.

The church is dying in North America...and that makes me concerned enough to be angry.

Members in the church often don't respect each other....which mean they refuse to do what Jesus taught....love others as you want to be loved. That makes me angry.

Gossip, and criticism are often the only news some in the church are willing to share. That makes me angry.

Suppose God needs some of us to be angry.

Starshine said...

Congratulations on 1500......thank you for your honesty and for staying true to yourself and your inner soul.

fun grannie said...

so, I don't know the whole story, I am an observer who stumbled in.

What keeps me interested is trying to figure out the truth of the underlying story, the what, when and where of the justifying you do.

Plus, you are an interesting person, overall,
oh! and I enjoy the pictures...

SL

shauna said...

Keep posting, Shawn. Keep posting!