An Answer to "Lions, Tigers and Bears"

Endangered Species

Blowing through the Jazmine on my mind…
Blowing through the Jazmine on my mind…

Lions and tigers and bears
Sounds like a jungle out there
Machetes mow through the bushes
In a push to find something rare

So what does the pursuit of flawless
Cost us?
Only seeing through the canopy
Not aware of the ecology
Traipsing through like immature tourists
We ripped through the rainforest

Now our circumstances are porous
Poor us
For not appreciating the resources before us
Now restoration’s the new destination
Trying to find a way like a Tribe Called Quest
Who can heal a child distressed?
A tribe called blessed
Except

She’s caught in a web
Still cravin’ the hunter
Yet at the same time
Running away from the predator
That’s trying to confront her
The lies she’s had to bear
She’s tired
Going around in circles
She’s mired
In a heart of darkness
She’s expired
Thinking that love’s retired

[Bruce Wayne/Batman: “That bandit … in the forest at Burma … did you catch him?”
Alfred: “Yes.”
Bruce Wayne/Batman: “How?”
Alfred: “We burned the forest down.”]

Forgive my Tony Toni Tone of voice
Lay your head on my pillow
Never thought in this wasteland
I’d find a weeping willow…

Maybe Hell Froze Over

It snowed Tuesday morning.

One would think that being home in my native Carolinas, that on an annual basis, the winter ground would be covered with snow.

For the most part, that’s the case, save for my county. Two hours north? It snows and snows and snows. Here, though, I think it’s only showed thrice in the years that I can remember.

Of course, Tuesday was a day for history; Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, was sworn into office. For many, the occasion was long-overdue - a powerful occasion filled with emotion.

Where was I during the inauguration? Getting ready to make a lengthy drive to see my girlfriend. Truthfully, my thoughts weren’t on the inauguration and the subsequent parties, but rather on what would happen the days, the weeks, the months and the years after.

I thought to compare the reactions of those blissfully happy with Tuesday’s events to a child in my hometown that sees snow – somewhat ironic, considering Obama’s mention of I Corinthians 13:11:

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

I thought about those words in conjunction with my comparison, and then simply thought of how fitting it would be that the change of leadership from what some might consider a hellish regime would be accompanied with rare snow.

Maybe Hell froze over.

My racing, insatiable mind wouldn’t have it.
You see, I have this habit of not just reading or listening to a bible verse, but wanting to read the entire chapter in the hopes of a better understanding.

I Corinthians 13 also has a significant nickname - the Love Chapter.(For starters, I challenge you all to click the "Bible On the Web" link to the left of you and read it in its entirety.

Another verse that captured my eye –(v. 10) "But when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.”

Then, I remembered back to the snow that fell earlier Tuesday. How it didn’t stick; how, even if it had, the sunlight would’ve eventually melted it.

And that hell hasn’t frozen over just yet.

John 16:33 – “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."