More Thoughts from the Cradle, June 14
I was able to go and fly around Northern Iraq the other day. I had been interested in traveling up North for one specific reason. I wanted to go to Mosul. For those who do not know, Mosul is the ancient city of Nineveh. The area is lush with vegetation as the Tigris river runs through the city. This is the city that God called Jonah to go and prophecy to. Jonah did not want to go and instead took to the ocean and was eventually swallowed by a whale. I spoke of this event in a previous Thoughts from the Cradle.
My thoughts now go to why Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh. Next, when he finally went to Nineveh what his attitude was toward the people.
Jonah 1:2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before.” Jonah did not go, we learn later because he did not want God to forgive them. When Jonah eventually made it to Nineveh he proclaimed that God would overturn the city. This caused the city to repent and turn from their evil ways. Jonah 3:10 “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened.” Jonah 4:1 “But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.” Jonah was angry because God showed compassion on Nineveh after they had repented. Jonah did not want them to be forgiven. In the last verse of the book, God explains why he was compassionate, Jonah 4:11 “But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” God of course is talking about those who for whatever reason are unable to understand very simple concepts even right from left: the young, the unintelligent and even the animals.
I think about all of the people in the US that think what we are doing here is not just. It seems that they like Jonah do not want the Iraqis to have the benefits of a society like ours. Much like Jonah did not want the ancient “Iraqis” to benefit from God’s forgiveness and compassion.
What I think about everyday are all the people who are not living in fear of Saddam’s death squads. The children who get to go to school and get immunized. The women who have freedom to vote and further their education. The Olympians who can perform and not fear having body parts cut off if they did not win. All because the US and a few of its allies were willing to stand up and stop the killing and the terror that reigned down from Saddam regime.
We expect a certain level of civility in our country. Are we unwilling to help others in achieving the same level civility in their country?
I am proud to say that I am involved in this effort and I look forward to the day when the Iraqi people will feel free to worship the one true God and to ask for forgiveness just as we are able and just as the people of Nineveh did thousands of years ago.
Soli Deo Gloria,
More thoughts to come
I just returned from a trip to the Texas hill country and was able to catch up on reading Duke's thoughts.
While driving I heard Conserative Talk Radio hosts airing Sen. Durbin's comments about our troops in Guantanamo being like Nazi's, or Pol Pot, or the Russians in the Gulagag.
My blood started to boil and I found myself hitting the steering wheel thinking about how the Arab world would perceive the Number 2 Democratice leader in the Senate saying this and how it would air on Al Jazeera.
Then I thought of how many men Duke would have to care for as a result of this man's mouth. And I had to pull the car over to the side of the road near Waco and cry for a moment.
I realized in a few months he could be treating my son, or some other woman's son, or others. And how far this man's words would reach out to hurt others.
I wept for our nation and its desire for satiation and evil things within, and for those who would fight for their freedom to do these things. And then I prayed and peace swept over me for the first time since I had started the trip.
I pray for all the men and women in harm's way this day and for their safety and that God will bless.
Beverly Gunn
East Texas rancher, mother&mother in law of two that serve
I just returned from a trip to the Texas hill country and was able to catch up on reading Duke's thoughts.
While driving I heard Conserative Talk Radio hosts airing Sen. Durbin's comments about our troops in Guantanamo being like Nazi's, or Pol Pot, or the Russians in the Gulagag.
My blood started to boil and I found myself hitting the steering wheel thinking about how the Arab world would perceive the Number 2 Democratice leader in the Senate saying this and how it would air on Al Jazeera.
Then I thought of how many men Duke would have to care for as a result of this man's mouth. And I had to pull the car over to the side of the road near Waco and cry for a moment.
I realized in a few months he could be treating my son, or some other woman's son, or others. And how far this man's words would reach out to hurt others.
I wept for our nation and its desire for satiation and evil things within, and for those who would fight for their freedom to do these things. And then I prayed and peace swept over me for the first time since I had started the trip.
I pray for all the men and women in harm's way this day and for their safety and that God will bless.
Beverly Gunn
East Texas rancher, mother&mother in law of two that serve
Senator Durbin for his traderous remarks should be censured by the Senate (Fat Chance). Being one of his constitutents I would like for him go to Cook County jail, and poll the prisoners there about inhumane conditions. The result would be a unanimous request to be transferred to Guantanamo once they found out about the private cells, special ethnic food, air conditioning etc. that are accorded these foreign combatents.
Posted by: at July 7, 2005 04:40 AM
