Let's start at the very beginning

And now we have a motive too … ISIS felt that Parisians had to die because “that city is a place of infidels and prostitution”, but probably more because of its "crusade" against them.

Of course it didn’t mention the captured women that ISIS regularly sells or the children they feed to its leaders. You don’t need more details – it is sordid, but I do wonder why they don’t sort out their backyard mess before sorting out everyone else’s?

However, it’s not limited to them. Although long-forgotten, Catholicism was as pernicious in the dark ages. Other groups around the world are as intolerant and brutal.

He 'aint heavy

Sir Isaac Newton argued that to every cause there is an equal and opposite effect. It is empirically valid for the physical world, but I contend that it is also valid for the social world.

Let me ask. If you did some good for someone today, would it have a good or bad effect? Maybe not 100% good as in Newton’s world, but in more than 90% of cases the effect would be commensurate with the good first done.

Likewise, do someone in or spit on them as Antonio did to Shylock and see how that comes back to you. It almost cost Antonio a pound of his flesh.

There will be no more, tears in heaven

In 1991 Connor, Eric's Clapton's 5 year old son, accidently crawled through a 53rd floor apartment window and fell to his death on the streets below. Clapton arrived shortly after his son fell and for a long time his performances were deeply haunted and distracted by the tragedy.

Out of the crisis came the haunting ballad, "Tears in Heaven", which I am trying to master. It presents challenges for voice and for guitar, but it is such a rewardingly beautiful song. Sadly Clapton rarely sings the song anymore, because he has moved on and feels too detached to do the song justice.

He rightfully argues that there will be no more tears in heaven. Sadness sure can tear us apart down on the streets below and it can lead to untold sorrow. But there are still no tears in heaven.

Abide with me

A good friend in a time of great need, recently observed that "when days are dark, friends are few". Whilst I can testify to that, it is not something I like to talk about. However, the theme kept knocking at my heart until I turned over a piece of paper and saw the words of that great hymn, "Abide with me". It has been sung on battlefields and in great sports gatherings: a stirring piece of music that is more prayer than hymn.

"Abide with me fast falls the eventide: the darkness deepens, Lord with me abide,

When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, oh abide with me." 

Keep Bleeding

Leona Lewis' hit, "Bleeding heart", shot her to global reknown. It is really quite a simple song, even sentimental, not every one's cup of tea. What caught me was her great voice and the haunting strains of the song. It had a repetitive rhythm, like a wave crashing against the shorebreak. It reminded me of the great vein of love that was opened on the hill of Calvary and still bleeds so much for humanity today.

Of course I speak metaphorically. His blood dried up that day and at best only stained the hill with crimson, but the compassion Jesus felt for humanity then still courses through His being today. He sees and intimately knows what we are up against. He battled our ultimate enemy and saw into the heart of darkness. He felt the wretchedness of those around Him. He witnessed unfairness everywhere. That's why He keeps bleeding:

You cut me open and I Keep bleeding, keep, keep bleeding love

I keep bleeding, I keep, keep bleeding love

Keep bleeding, keep, keep bleeding love

You cut me open

(c) Peter Eleazar @ www.4u2live.net

Image courtesy of starlight87.spaces.live.com/