Do not let your hearts be troubled…

Some personal thoughts about the economic crisis, the end of the world, and my response as a Christian believer.

I am writing this short article with a Christian Adventist audience in mind, but I hope this is relevant to non-Adventist readers as well.

I recently listened to a friend of mine, a grown man leading a successful business predict the end of this time with tremendous fear in his heart.

Our conversation about the economic downturn led him to open up with me about his imminent end-of-the-world scenario.  You may know people, like my friend, who understandably feel vulnerable before events they cannot control and I encourage you to be there for them.

I took my friend’s concern very seriously, I listened carefully, and I gave him my most responsible answer.  I tried to re-channel his sentiment of fear into a sentiment of hope. I believe that the mandate for the people of the advent is to share the joy and hope of Jesus coming back, not fear.

The economic downturn may cause feelings of resentment towards some distant entities that we, as individuals, have no power to control, such as political figures, Wall Street, greedy people, Banks, scammers… all these become the rationale for our feelings of disappointment, anger, and anxieties. Some people’s anxieties may be fueled by the grand-scale natural disasters we have been witnessing in recent times. Some may be overwhelmed by ideas revolving around the Mayan civilization, claiming that the world is will end in 2012…

It is important to point out that disasters and wars are not a sign that the world is coming to an end. In Matthew 24 Jesus teaches about this. He says that there will be rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines… I think if Jesus was to have a ‘Matthew 24′ type of speech today, he would list  tsunamis, hurricane Katrina, the economic crisis, the earthquakes in Italy, Haiti, and Chile. Then he says:  “Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”  Another way to say  “The world will panic before these events, but you don’t need to. I am in control at all times, trust me.”

Jesus’ teachings about the end times were accompanied by a great dose of peace, not fear. John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me”

In the few verses following this statement, he talks about how he is preparing a home for us. Then he will return to take us home. Jesus wants us to associate the end of the world with his return, not with fear and desperation.

Trust is at the bases of Jesus’ message. He invites us to trust God and trust him, to trust the one who was daring enough to put his life on the line for the sake of a broken relationship.

my recent trip to Israel microblogged

I microblogged through my recent trip to Israel, see the posts below:

1. it’s been a long 48-hr day.. drove to the region of galilee. we’r spending the night in a kibbutz. 2morrow: nazareth and other cool places. 1:03 PM Jan 20th from PockeTwit

2. walking to the hotel cafeteria this AM and saw a random guy hanging out in front of the hotel.. holding a k47. now driving to Nazareth 10:25 PM Jan 20th from PockeTwit

3. http://twitpic.com/z1u5r – Tipical talapia fish straight from the see of galilee 3:33 AM Jan 21st from TwitPic

4. http://twitpic.com/z1xyt – At Capernaum – Sea of Galilee in the background 4:18 AM Jan 21st from TwitPic

5. http://twitpic.com/z2osu – Boat ride on the sea of galilee – city of tiberias in the background 8:08 AM Jan 21st from TwitPic

6. just ended a tour of the kibbutz we stayed at the past couple of days. very interesting way of living. next: jordan river, then jerusalem 10:25 PM Jan 21st from PockeTwit

7. http://twitpic.com/z6irg – Jordan river valley. used to be swamp. Today nice green livable area 12:18 AM Jan 22nd from TwitPic

8. http://twitpic.com/z6jup – Mount Tabor. Remember judge Deborah? Also center point of 4tribes:asher naftali zebulon issacar 12:32 AM Jan 22nd from TwitPic

9. at Mt. Carmel, where the prophet Elijah ministered. next stop: cesarea 4:20 AM Jan 22nd from PockeTwit

10. http://twitpic.com/z7gm8 – Caesarea – Roman city on the mediterranean coast where Paul asked to appeal to Cesar (acts 25:11,12,23) 6:32 AM Jan 22nd from TwitPic

11. http://twitpic.com/zcq3w – On Mt. Of Olives – Jerusalem in the background 3:48 AM Jan 23rd from TwitPic

12. http://twitpic.com/zjt2x – spent AM in Bethlehem. our tour guide wasnt allowed to come w/us in the palestinian area. PM in Jerusalem 6:25 AM Jan 24th from TwitPic

13. driving to dead sea. a rainbow peaks thru the clouds over the hills of israeli n palestinian territories. most appropriate reminder of peace 11:23 PM Jan 24th from PockeTwit

14. http://twitpic.com/zozy2 – Having a walk in downtown Jerusalem 4:39 AM Jan 25th from TwitPic

15. http://twitpic.com/zp01l – Spent the day visiting along the dead sea. Looking forward to dive in it! Masada was a high point of this trip 4:40 AM Jan 25th from TwitPic

16. Masada: check. floting in the dead sea: check. Qumran: check. that was last stop of our israel tour. can’t believe its over already 7:51 AM Jan 25th from PockeTwit

17. http://twitpic.com/zq59h – our group has the “last supper” with a representative of israel’s ministry of turism 9:55 AM Jan 25th from TwitPic

it’s been a long 48-hr day.. drove to the region of galilee. we’r spending the night in a kibbutz. 2morrow: nazareth and other cool places. 1:03 PM Jan 20th from PockeTwit

moblog test

testing freeware moblog

David Plotz’ new book “Good Book”

You may have seen David Plotz interviewed on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart promoting his new book. I haven’t read the book but it seems to me that it would be an interesting read for critical thinkers. I have a shelf full of books that I am trying to read before this one, if any of you gets to read it before me, feel free to post a comment.

A friend sent me an interview with the author that I posted below.

My center

[Some thoughts I jot down while in the car on my last day in Italy]

Here we are. Last day of our trip. We are driving back from my cousin’s restaurant where we had lunch with relatives. The rainy, gray Milan is conducive to thinking. It makes me realize how therapeutic and essential it is for me, to remain in touch with my origins.

I am becoming aware of my center.

I call my center “the place” from which I draw energy, which gives me balance and reminds me who I am. “The place” is not just a physical space, it is an ensemble of elements such as my grandfather’s wisdom, humor, and the history he represents. It is the love of dear ones who is shown in such a simple and eternal manner. “The place” is made of friendships that are so rooted into my life that reach farther than my memory. It is made of sweet memories, as well as bitter ones. It is made of caring parents and a little brother who have exemplified Love in my life. It is made of familiar places that have remained the same and some that have changed over time.

It is so powerful to come back to my birth place because all these elements happen to be or gravitate around this physical place. I realize that I am very fortunate. I gave it for granted. It is true that often we do not realize how essential something is, until it is not at hand’s reach anymore.

I need “the place” more than I’ve ever thought, it is my personal sanctuary. It is a spiritual place to me, it is my Bethel. I need it to keep centered, balanced, and to know who I am, who I have been, and who I have become. I’m just enjoying this epiphany.

11/04/08 The Historical Election of President Obama

I am still in awe. It’s real. America has elected its first black president.

Only a few decades ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared a dream.  A vision for a world where the color of someone’s skin would not be a basis for discrimination.  Doctor King’s vision is a compelling picture that inspired many. A vision big enough to potentially inspire us forever, because discrimination could be part of our social DNA, indefinitely.

It is undeniable that our society reached achievements in many scientific areas that were once considered unthinkable.  Although we are going through some rough times at the moment, America’s economy is innovative, free, and flexible enough to accommodate a vast array of businesses and enterprises.  Our government is not perfect, however it is proven to be stable and fair, to a large degree.

Still, the social baggage we are dragging since the slavery years is heavy.  That baggage has not made it easy for our nation to move forward in terms of social equality and racial reconciliation.

On Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Dr. King’s vision became more real, achievable, at hand’s reach…  America voted and elected its first “non-white” president. Racial reconciliation does not happen overnight. There is a lot more to do, more fighting for justice, and more healing. But Obama’s election is without a doubt a major step forward in the battle against discrimination.

Obama’s theme throughout his presidential campaign was “change.”  On November 4, Obama’s political and partisan message translated into a message of social significance.  We, as a people, made history. We are changing our social DNA.  We are allowing that change to happen in our community in the way we think about each other.

I have been thinking about that election day on and off in the past few days. The unfolding of the results, the blue and red colors on the screen of my TV, the analysis…  then in my mind, politics take place in the background, together with the economy and the many achievements of our society.

In the foreground, history unfolding and hope for a better society.

Death penalty and morals

Monte Sahlin has recently posted an entry on his blog on death penalty titled: Why Capital Punishment is a Moral Mistake

Here is my comment to his blog entry:

Monte thank you for your post. It seems to me that death penalty is one of those brutal, immoral, and primitive provisions that is refraining our society to advance.FOR GOODNESS SAKE IT IS THE YEAR 2009!!! This is the future, death penalty is such a drag back to the dark ages. How can the United States, which in so many ways is symbol of innovation, progress, and human achievement be one of the few “developed” countries that still associates with such a practice!

I think there should be more talk about this topic.

I posted an entry on my blog on this topic, some time last year. Here is the link:

http://gianlucabruno.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/death-penalty-time-to-end-it/