karma

The philosophical explanation of karma can differ slightly between traditions, but the general concept is basically the same. It is usually understood as a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. The results or 'fruits' of actions are called karma-phala. Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward; karma simply deals with what is. The effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to them and others.- wikipedia

i've been thinking about karma the past few days. i find that when something bad happens to someone who is not a good person then i'm quick to say 'it's karma'. and i'm totally cool with that explanation, you know, if you're a bad person then the universe will conspire and probably not so good things will happen in your life. but what if you're a good person and bad things happen to you? and this happens ALL THE TIME. one of our high school kids had his house burn down, he's a good kid, his family is a good family, so why? that's not karma. i think i need the universe to make some sort of sense. there is so much pain and sadness in this world and there needs to be a reason. is it growth? to produce strength? to teach someone a lesson? make us pay more attention to what's going on in our life? i just don't know. i think that's where faith comes in, that's where my belief in a loving god helps me to make sense of it. or at least make peace with what i cannot make sense of.

for those christians out there it's the season of lent, and i get a devotional emailed to me every day. today's message was about having the strength to talk about god in every day life. to every day people.

"These days, speaking truth about God may not get you killed, but it sure will earn you some funny looks. In some crowds, they call you names like "religious fanatic," "Jesus freak," "ignorant." In others, saying true things gets you called "heretic," "unbeliever," "sinner." But as in Jesus' time, in every crowd--in every crowd--there will be those for whom your words will be like living water. Those who have been waiting for a long, parched time. Those for whom the things you say will be cool, and clear, and will go down like a long swig of salvation.

Some things never change: true things about God are always dangerous. Saying them is not easy. It will almost always get you in trouble. And the world is full of thirsty people."

i talk about god and my faith a lot on this blog. it's very much a part of who i am, more so today than at any point in past. i appreciate those who may disagree with me or who just think i'm wrong about some things reading anyway.

this post really didn't make any sense. there are two things weighing heavy on my mind right now, one would be the bad person/bad things the other a good person/bad things. trying to make it all make sense in my head.