The Spud Goes to the Dark Side?

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Check this out - a Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head - aka Darth Tater. Hilarious!

What If? Musings on the Tsunami

What if we grasped the moment that is now
(don't ask me when; don't ask me how)
and every person on the street
became the most important one to meet?

What if the Hindu fishermen
(the ones their Muslim neighbors sheltered in a mosque)
called on all Indians of whatever faith
to end sectarian strife?

What if the Tamil Tigers
(who lost so many children in the waves)
decided not to send any more
child soldiers to fight their Sri Lankan war?

What if in the USA
(tell me, why can't it happen today?)
the Christians put their weapons away
and disarmed their enemies with love?

What if the Laskar mujahedeen
(who killed Christians on the Malukus)
called on their brothers and sisters worldwide
to embrace nonviolence and peace?

Why can't it happen now
(while hands are helping and hearts are hurting)
that we remove all obstacles
to make this and much, much more possible?

Or will our hands and hearts and minds
(united now in a common humanity)
trade shovels, grief, and generosity
for guns and greed and animosity?

What if we grasped the moment that is now
(now we know when; now we know how)
and not put off what we can do today
for tomorrow, when all could be washed away?"

---

I think Bill's on to something here... and I have some to add...
What if we didn't hope someone else dealt with the problem in Asia?
What you and I actually got involved in helping out our neighbor?
What if this was an extension of what we were already doing locally?
What if?

How can we pray?

SOUTHERN ASIA. How can Christians pray effectively for the areas of southern Asia hit by the catastrophic tsunami of December 26, 2004?

According to one local missionary, "The most critical prayer is for the survivors, the people of Aceh, and the other countries in Asia that have been hurt by this--but specifically for the people of Aceh. This is an area of Indonesia that has been completely locked down for the last 18 months to outside media and aid workers. For decades it has been embroiled in a civil war with the Indonesian government. So this really represents a phenomenal opportunity for the rest of the world--and for the body of Christ--to step up and make an impact. It's an opportunity to (show them) there are people that love them and want to care for them through this difficult time....This will be a phenomenal time for the people of Aceh to understand who Christ is." (http://www.imb.org/)

Merry New Year

Happy Holidays, everyone! I am excited about 2005 and, well, the future in general. What's up with me? ...A quick update: I'm still looking for a job, still selling stuff on eBay, and still living in Liberty, MO.
I'm working on setting some goals for the new year, and the first one is to find the list of goals I made last year (oops). One goal I have for 2005 is to blog more about what I'm learning each week. I used to journal a lot, and would like to get that started again using this nifty new forum. I'll let you know how it goes. I promise to keep it short...
Along those lines, let me end by wishing everyone a blessed and risky New Year! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers and ongoing friendship.
-Peter.
(View more holiday greetings by clicking on Merry New Year above.)

Where Are You Headed?

"Generally speaking, if you want to know who you really are as distinct from who you like to think you are, keep an eye on where your feet take you."
--Frederick Buechner
Some good words for us to ponder as we enter 2005... Especially for those of us who are waiting diligently for direction for our tired feet. :)
Have a blessed and risky New Year!
~Peter.