Picture Source: http://jesuschrististhetruth.com/tag/cross/
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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Tag: Forgiveness
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#LyricalMonday – Awesome Love
God’s Love is overwhelming…bask in it! ❤
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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A THIN LINE BETWEEN
Wondering about the dividing line between passionate love and intense hatred, I journeyed through the Word to a good example of such as found in 2nd Samuel 13:1-39. The ‘love’ Amnon had for his stepsister Tamar.
Lets look at what love is. 1st Corinthians 13:1-13 talks about the importance of love above other gifts – vs 4-8a,
“Love suffers long (patient); and is kind; envieth not; never boastful, proud or rude. Love isn’t selfish, is not easily provoked (or quick tempered); thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things (is always supportive), believes all things (trusting), love is hopeful and endures all things. Above all, LOVE NEVER FAILS!
Did Amnon have all these? We’ll find out soon enough.
2nd Samuel 13:1-2 opens up telling us that Amnon loved Tamar, David’s daughter and Absalom’s sister to the point that he became upset because she was a virgin and he thought it hard to get her.
How did Amnon know that Tamar was a virgin? Did he go “test-driving” No!!!! In those days, it was required of the king’s daughters (who were usually virgins) to wear a special robe of divers colours. This robe was a symbol of their purity and mark of being chaste to all. It was like an open declaration of what she was – an untouched, uncultivated (as in not used) land, whose nutrients were still intact. It was a sign of freshness and newness of life. Amnon wanted of that freshness.
It’s okay to desire something, but to what purpose is that desire? Why want something so badly if you don’t intend to use it for any good, save to make it desolate and lie wasted? Amnon had a desire and also a friend/cousin (Jonadab) who always knew how to get what he wanted…a friend that was very subtle (cunning or streetwise). A man of God advised us to “be careful who we reveal our needs to, or else a mediocre individual will show up to fulfil them”. It was permitted in those times to marry your sister, why didn’t Amnon do just that! SELAH. Jonadab advised Amnon and that was the genesis of Tamar’s nightmare. There is nothing wrong in letting someone else know what your plans are, but do both of you desire to get the same results? Be careful who you seek advice from.
Looking at vs.5
“And Jonadab saith unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thy self sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.”
Jonadab didn’t say Amnon should rape his sister, but he gave Amnon a plan and that plan was such that put the sense of sight to work. Tamar was to make cakes in front of Amnon. I can imagine the pictures that went through Amnon’s mind, as he beheld Tamar knead the dough and bake them. What he saw would have heightened his frenzy and desire to a boiling point. Hence, he threw all cautions to the wind.
As a king’s son, he was well schooled in the laws of the land, so he knew the consequences of his action. Love is patient, thinks no evil. Why didn’t Amnon take the right steps and wait? Truth is, what he felt was LUST, EROTIC LOVE for his sister that couldn’t and wouldn’t wait. He had so longed for it that he became disgusted after the act. Of course, you weren’t expecting her to respond passionately to him in a state of rape! I’m sure he was disappointed at the fact his 99% desire was met with a 0% response at the other end and a 99% resistance.
Amnon hated Tamar more than he “loved” her because there’s something about the desire to capture, after which you experience diminishing returns because you’ve gotten to the peak of it and there’s nothing else in it for you – especially if you had to go through a lot of aches (heart, body wise) to get it and that of your own compulsion.
There’s something demeaning about #RAPE. It is worse if it’s someone you know and the most terrible part of this story is being kicked out in that state of vulnerability, after your prized possession has been taken from you. I’m sure Tamar would have day-dreamed repeatedly about her knight in shinning armour and the D-day when he gains access into the treasure she has to offer him- her gift to him. Only for it to be forcefully taken from her! What a deep-seated pain. For Tamar remained in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman, sad and lonely!
After she was thrown out, Tamar tore off her symbol of intactness, her divers’ coloured robe. Surprising that Amnon raped Tamar, yet he left her robe still in place. So that he could deceive others that she left his house the way she came in. But like Zara said in William Congreve’s ‘The Mourning Bride’, “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned,” Tamar tore the robe and put ashes on her head.
I checked up the meaning of “ashes” and WEBSTER has this to say “what is left when a fire has burned itself out; the remains of a human body (whether or not cremated)”. Checked up “head” too; this is, “the top part of the human body or foremost part of an animal’s body. It contains the brain, mouth, nose, eyes and ears and its structure protects these organs; the leading person in a community etc. or the position he holds.”
All Tamar was trying to say was “…not only is my virgin land ravaged, lying wasted and desolate, all I have left is the ashes of what used to be a burning fire. My zeal as one devoted solely to God via my body is burnt out and I’m left with only its reminders.” She put the ashes on her head to show that this singular act of rape affected the core of her existence. She was no longer an example (virgin, leader) to others. In other words, she didn’t have a head anymore…because she was no longer a virgin and the man who took it wouldn’t marry her and play his part as her head!
Rape is bad. No matter the sides we try to view it from, it affects so many other people within and outside our circles – not just now, but later on. A husband or wife, daughter or son gets to suffer for what someone else did to another. It spoils clean bonds that would have been formed, rears its ugly head occasionally in the family and breeds friction that people can’t really pin their fingers on, yet know there is unresolved tension somewhere.
At one time or another we’ve all been like Tamar- RAPED!!! Not necessarily the sexual. But something we held on to so tenaciously, something very valuable was taken from us and we were kicked outside for the world to see. Left with nothing, but the quenching embers of what we once treasured.
However, we don’t have to become desolate like Tamar and remain sad and lonely, but rise above the dump and stand. Pick the shreds of our garments, our life and give them back to our Maker not our brother Absalom; because Absalom will definitely (even if it takes 2 years), go for ‘our Amnon’ to destroy it. ‘Your Absalom’ is that silent pain in you that has turned into bitterness and you are nursing him, while waiting the right time to strike Amnon. It’s in the past now, let it go, rid yourself of the burden of bitterness and un-forgiveness. Set your heart free and you will love again.
- Inbetween, seek professional help amongst the many organisation that deals with these matters and come out a survivor. Don’t let the rapist ruin your yesterday, today and the future. It’s time to hit the ground running.
- Report the case and the rapist to appropriate quarters (especially properly establish organisations that will pursue this cause for you), so that he or she cannot do that to someone else. #DontBeSilent, #SpeakUp
- Go to a hospital and get a check-up for all forms of veneral diseases etc and be treated.
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
Another Freedom Friday and yet another interesting topic, as it relates to our society. What's your take?
“Peroh, siddon make we yarn!”
“Bros J, afraid too dey catch me whenever you sey make I siddon, wetin don happen again? Those people for compound find ya trouble for tap? You know sey I no go waste time to arrange person!” he concluded, looking away upset and wondering why Joshua was always this calm. Additionally, since his return from that journey 3 days ago, Bros J had been acting funny. Fine, he is not the loud type, but what kind of leader always allowed the opposition to get away with writing/saying rubbish about him and his ideologies in the press, via BB and Twitter and he won’t bother responding or defending himself.
“Peter! Peter!!” Joshua’s voice brought him back to reality from his dream world. “As I was saying, it is not every battle that you must fight, sometimes you let things go – for peace’s sake. Remember our party is not like the others. We are called to win people to the path of peace.”
“Bros J, abeg abeg, no let me vex with you! Which kain yeye peace? Okay see that BB broadcast wey Romz Party send yesterday, nah true? Oya ansa me, nah true? How will the people be able to believe in what we have to say, when such lies are being traded about us and what we stand for and yet you say not to do anything. They twisted what you had said at the rally for their benefit and you say, ‘Peroh, hold your peace!’”
“Yes, Peter, hold your peace!” Standing up and pacing to the other side of the room, he turns to him, “I could have gotten a bullet-proof car with open roof and ridden like the rest, made Aso-ebi T-shirts and native outfits, sprayed money to sway the people heart towards us, but that is not why we are here. Or is that why you are here?” (Pensively) “I have told you our mandate is different. Yes, I said I have not come to bring Peace but War, you of all people should know how reverse psychology works. My fight is to war against all the wrong and ills of society, thereby bringing peace in the end.”
(Noise and arguments begin outside… )
“You cannot enter this house”
“Officer, get this riff-raff out of the way!” someone barks out the command
(Shuffling and heavy breathing between people outside.)
“You no dey hear? I sey you no go enter here. Period”
Peter pulls back the curtains to see what caused the fracas and he received a slap at the same time which sends him staggering back, Peter tries to steady himself and clear his head before deciding if it was a dream or not.
“Adamu! Adamu!! Show! Point out your leader make me waka from here.”
Adamu walks with uncertainty towards Bros J, stealing side glances at Peter and plotting to duck or make a dive for the door should Peter make any move. It happened as in a split second, by the time Peter got a hold of himself and realised that Adamu had brought the enemy to take Joshua away, Adamu had already hugged him and kissed his cheek as was their customary greeting in the party. Peter made to attack Adamu, but Bros J’s straight back and soft response to Adamu’s gesture stopped him in his track. “Is that all there is to our friendship?”
Forgetting that he was discussing ‘Peace’ earlier with Bros J, he picks the bottle of Fanta on the table and smashes on the wall. “See this Olopa oooo! Dem send you?” and before Joshua could say anything Officer Dim’s ear was on the floor.
Bros J picked the ear, cleaned it and stuck it back and it became as before, except that Officer Dim’s shirt had blood stains, you would not believe something had happened to him. The crowd that had thronged to see what will become of Bros J and his party of so-called peace-seekers gasped in amazement.
“You see, we said it o! This man uses charms. How else did that ear stick back?”
“You don’t know that all these politicians are the same and yet he hides behind the guise of peace”
“Please send me the video, I need to upload it fast fast on Facebook!”
“Peroh, maintain.” And Joshua allowed himself to be led away pending the court-sitting. And Peter followed him from a distance.
Luke 22: 24- 54
Words in Pidgin English:
1) Peter, sit down, let’s talk
2) Bros J, I become afraid whenever you say we should discuss, what has happened again? Did the tenants prevent you from making use of the tap? Tell me and I will deal with them quickly.
3) Bros J, please, please don’t upset me! What kind of silly peace is that? Take for instance, the BB broadcast that the Romz Party sent out yesterday was it true? Go ahead and answer me, was it the truth?
4) Didn’t you hear me? I said no access.
5) Adamu, Adamu, step forward and point out your leader, let’s leave here.
6) See this Policeman, did someone instigate you?
7) Peroh, behave yourself.
Picture courtesy: http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/264375/file-524287786-jpg/images/partnership.jpg
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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Tuesday Thoughts
“Show me! All of my wrong, forgive me and make me strong. Save me! Restore my soul, for You’re the God of a second chance!”
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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Tuesday Thoughts
😦 but I let go…it is better that way 🙂
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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Lyrical Monday
It’s one thing to be accused, another to find One willing to plead your cause. I found Mercy. No! Mercy found me!!! ❤
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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Tuesday Thoughts
Making decisions should be done after careful thinking. My decisions today were taken in the interest of National and World Peace and for sanity’s sake…hehehehehe. But that’s the truth! Not like I made those decisions today o! Deciding to share it with you is what is new. I believe that our daily living should revolve round improving on what we are doing already so in the end …like the onions, there’s another layer waiting to be discovered. I will stop there, if you want more, tell me about your own decision(s). I’m waiting.
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
I woke up this morning thinking about a lot of things and one of the things that dwelt for long in my mind were the things we take for granted or just let slip by, then they become mountains we have to use cranes to uproot and Resentment was one of them. I’m wondering if Resentment and Bitterness are the same, since I’m not too sure, I will search it out. Come along and let’s see what I dug up, it will help you and your relationship for the better.
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” – Nelson Mandela
As people, we tend to readily point fingers at more obvious offences and sins, and quickly determine the kind of judgment such a person will get or deserves. I read something years back and he said “we would readily ask for a God of judgment for others and a God of Mercy for ourselves”. Why on earth do you think you deserve Mercy and the other person deserves your judgment? Here, you alone were the Judge and the Jury and God had no business in that Court – sitting. Just you!
Resentment also known as Bitterness (you see, they mean the same thing!), Pique, Envy, Jealousy or Irritation is the feeling of displeasure or indignation at some act, remark, person, etc., regarded as causing injury or insult.
Resentment starts from an ‘innocent’ remark, probably one that has been said once too often that you could almost call it ‘the truth’ and the person in question feels bad that you won’t let that incident be…you delight in bringing it up at every opportunity. It is a feeling that sinks really deep into one’s soul and makes you become like a foul-smelling creature to the offended person, such that they can’t stand your presence as it reminds them of something they are trying to forget. Other times, it is something you did and didn’t see a need to right the wrong and just because they can’t stand up to you due to your status or affluence, they begin to resent you. Some people can hide resentment with a smile, but it carries with it pure evil…not like evil can ever be pure!
I am almost tempted to say when you resent someone, the feeling that comes is a crawly, irritating one whenever that particular person is around. Talking about resentment, I can almost feel my skin react as if I was witnessing a cluster of worms (that gives me Goosebumps).
It’s really hard to forgive someone when they keep doing the same thing over and over again to you! But the Bible says when Jesus was accused before the Counsel, and subsequently hung on the tree by the people’s refusal, He prayed God to forgive them. That is love! Love can be and is difficult in such situations, but the God that has called us has called us to be beyond normal, be supernatural. Such love is a rare find and if you will be His disciples indeed, you have to prove it by loving, forgiving and moving on.
The rewards for camping Resentment in your yard are not glorious at all. Rather than have the crawlies over me every time I see you, I let go and release myself from that prison. There’s more to gain being free than imprisoned.
To regain your liberty if that act is SUCH AN ISSUE TO YOU,
• Call the mischievous person to order when you are not upset and carefully tell them what they did ‘innocently’ and how that has affected you overtime.
• Do not attack them, but talk about their deeds, if they don’t see anything wrong in it, let it be and move on to better things/people. There will always be nasty people anyway and for no reason.
• Forgive them and yourself for being in that prison for that long. Step out of it and fling the key (and its spares) into the deep sea. Give a crazy shout, do a silly dance and LIVE!
I am not a psychologist, but I know when the mind is affected, productivity is thrown out of the window. We need to watch how we treat people around us before they begin to resent us and then it becomes deep-seated, too in to be plucked out.
Dr. Nelson’s Pix courtesy: http://emotionalobesity.com/how-to-handle-resentment/
© 2015. Imanikingblog. All rights reserved
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Lyrical Mondays
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