Humanity - Lampyridae - Lightening Bugs in a Jar

My Dad was always strict regarding good manners and especially being thankful for blessings. Good manners demonstrated respect for human life and table manners demonstrated our gratitude for precious food. 

Dad was born in Appalachian poverty during the 1930's, and very offended when I didn't want to eat what was on my plate or using slang to describe another culture group. In our Wesleyan holiness home, slang idioms were never tolerated especially referring to people. The 1960's social awareness not only brought awaking respect for human life, but new television technology in every home brought mature, ethnic humor that Mom and Dad strictly taught against. 

One summer we visited Dad's childhood Appalachian home, and I saw the house where he was born and the movie theater he lived, ate and worked as a child. 

Across the street was a laundromat and an elderly, African-American lady was waiting on a bench outside looking at newspaper sales advertisements. Dad introduced her and told me she and her husband lived in a small one-room cabin by the river and fed him fish when he was little. They never had children but showed him kindness. 


Dad's lesson was fully understood when he saw me catching lighting bugs in a jar and said, "Oh no, I am so glad I'm not one of those bugs." I learned in that second that we all are shining ones created and loved perfectly by God.

Immediately the Lampyridae, or shining ones (1), were set free and the jar was thrown in the trash, and I never again had any thought of catching any living thing. I tried fishing only to pity the precious little bait and poor fish. I tend to prefer vegetables and try to eat only Kosher meat. 

Isn't it time we all trashed the jars? 

After all, we are created in the Creators image. 

Humanity shines because the Creator of the universe shines.  


1. https://www.dispatch.com/article/20090726/news/307269696

Humanity - A Wesleyan Holiness and First Communion Dress

It was Sunday afternoon, I was seven and riding my bike, and one of my German playmates down the street was dressed in a white wedding dress with a lace veil. 

All I could think of was, 'Can I have one? Can I go with you?' My dear friend said she was going to church and her first communion. She was beautiful in her long lace crinoline dress, white leotards, white patent leather shoes, gold cross necklace, white rosary and white missal, and her blond ring curls. 

I went home and asked my mother when I would have my first communion? Not only did I learn simply to wait until adulthood, but Mother sat down and explained that God has allowed all people a faith in which to believe greater than themselves.  I learned from Mother's life lessons that Creator is a Great Painter who gave us the joy of diversity...cultures, ideas, languages, all so we can create as He has done...create the joy of learning from humanity. 

God help us enjoy differences. 

Humanity - Silk Voices on a Silk Road - Fun with Korean Hallyu

Here are some reasons I admire Korean Pop Music with all respect to technical/digital requirements, other Asian popular music, and Western influences. I love unique Asian cultures and their arts and pray Asian popular art will always be their own and less Western in time. A respect to SM Entertainment and Lee So Man who seems to be the initial visionary.

• Discipline: Korean culture has respect for discipline, work ethic, and standards of perfection that show in their performances. I appreciate their males serving in the military; their work seems to be more focused and more disciplined which makes them all the more successful.
• traditional elements - costume, musical instruments, historical themes
• I hear Pansori vocal styles in some of their songs (Taeyang from Big Bang is my favorite)
• Vocals: The Korean language lends an anatomical exercise for the respiratory system, especially the vocal chords.
• Arrangements: The compositions seem to have a balance in melody, rhythm, and harmony, as well as incorporating traditional Korean elements such as unique singing style, instrumentation, as well as a long history of complex stories. Asian rhythms and scales actually make sense when I read the stories/lyrics. 
• Dance: The choreography is very well trained, prepared, and seasoned. Performers are already professionals when they begin their career after years preparing through formal performing arts education. Commonly performers begin in middle school to train for performing arts.
• Relative: I find my own taste of classical dance forms, traditional elements in set designs, even stories I can relate. I especially like the set designs, makeup, and costumes ranging from fine business suits to casual that is modest, and the very dramatic. 
• Modesty: One reason I shy from female entertainers (globally) is the immodest dress and behavior. Nothing makes a female more beautiful than a refined, modest character and dress.
• Male Vocals: I have always been a fan of the male singers/dancers since birth; male Gospel quartets, acapella groups, male counter classical singers. Male voices have a particular balance in color and texture. 
• Asian Traditional Themes: I have always dreamt of learning Asian musical forms and cultures in general. In God's time, the study privilege will be worth the wait. 
• Modest Lyrics: Modest lyrics with very familiar stories and experiences. Yes, I am very selective (my own choice to be 'too young') and find works that are modest than those with adult content. 

I say thank you to performers who have made my life so much fun through their culture such as:

• Topp Dogg, Arario, very hip hop using traditional props...very exciting
• Taeyong, Eyes, Nose, Lips, Ringa Linga, he makes me cry every time; stunning vocals
• Tiger JK/Yoonmirae, Bang Ditty, Bang, Bang, reminds me of India's Holi festival
• Tiger JK/Yoonmirae/Bizzy, Fly Like an Eagle
• Exo, Growl/Beauty and Beast performance at Moma 2013, was thrilling ballet, jazz, opera. Total package.
• NCT U, 7th Sense, totally every element making this a classic piece.
• Block B, Nilli Mambo, clever encouragement to excel
• Big Bang, Babe Babe, complete with hanboks
• Kim Hyun Joong and Jay Park, Unbreakable, featuring traditional drums, costume
• VIXX, Shangri-La

I've been watching Asian dramas via DramaFever and Viki for five years and still trying to pick up/learn languages. God help me improve and thank God for such privilege.

KAMSAHAMNIDA (감사합니다) 
http://kimchicloud.com/thank-you-in-korean-kamsahamnida/

God - Heart, Mind, Soul, Strength - Defense of Human Dignity

O the Beauty of the human heart: Our loves, prides, joys, repulsion, disappointments, and sorrows are all God given and God permitted. He asks us, 'please give me all your repulsion, disappointments, and all your sorrows, for My burdens are light and I will gladly take your ashes of pain, and give you My oil of gladness.' He has given us the beauty of submission to His Perfect Design for our lives...expressed through our prayers...shown by a human smile, hug, wave, hand shake, even a nod, and ultimately acceptance though a helping hand defending Human Dignity.

O the Beauty of the human mind: Our intellect, reason, study, learning, thinking; a storehouse of the most valuable of God's free ability to use information. Freely God has allowed us Holy Wisdom just for the asking. He has given us the beauty of submission to His Perfect Design for our lives...expressed through our prayers...shown by kippah, hijab, mantilla, and Grandma's Sunday hat in hopes that we will always preserve and defend Human Dignity.

O the Beauty of the human Soul: Our acceptance of a power greater than ourselves and how we define our relationship with such power. What is the reason we get out of bed? Why do we live? What is our purpose? God has given us the beauty of submission to His Perfect Design for our lives...expressed through our prayers...shown by our own actions and reactions to Human Dignity.

O the Beauty of human Strength: Our own internal will and external force combine to accomplish all that God has called us to do...get out of bed, move to help others, and determine, recon ourselves to submit to the Blessed Creator's plan for our lives.  He has given us the beauty of submission to His Perfect Design for our lives...expressed through our determination...shown by the radiant smile on every human face where Human Dignity is upheld.

God - What we live for...What we die for. God Watched the Children Learn.

One of the factors that define human beings is a reason to live and die. My faith has given me God for whom I live and die.

Our precious youth seems to lack this understanding and they are looking for a reason to live and die. What has their community taught them? How did our youth miss the most important lesson that would save their lives?

I still weep for our lost youth who have been led by evil. I still remember their names as I've seen their picture on the cover of popular magazines, newspapers, on the television; sweet, precious young people with acne who bombs child care centers, public outdoor events, and runs to join Isis. These children come from good communities of family, education, worship, and friends, yet, missed the most urgent of lessons: their lives are for God's use and all faiths know that Creator is benevolent, kind, good, and wants the best for His creation.

I still weep for the elementary children who takes their own lives or the lives of others, prepubescent children diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, even children who want to be another gender/someone else.

We thought we gave them:

Good Society

Right Side of the Tracks

Religious training

Nice clothes

Nice house

Popular, important parents

But we didn't give them a Loving God.

We didn't tell them God wants them in His Life, God wants them to be His Friend.

They were sweet, precious youth, who desperately needed a cause to make life better for the people they loved, but they missed the most important guide: God loved them and is in control of their lives. They believed they were alone in their desperation to make their world better for their family.

As an adult, it is terrifying to feel alone when consumed with questions and problems. I can't understand why our children would feel this way. Children who have families, community, school, worship; what has happened to their security?

We have sacrificed innocent children on the altar of idolatry, evil humanism, and evil narcissism, when we as God-fearing adults were supposed to raise them to know the One True God...the One True God they could trust and obey.

The One God, Creator of the Universe who wanted them and gave them life

The One God, Almighty, who they can always trust

The One God, All Powerful, who can and will protect them 

The One God, All Loving, who loves them unconditionaly and delights in them

The One God, God of Salvation, who will deliver them from all destruction 

Repent and wash our hands from the innocent blood of our children. Elders, family, friends, teachers, worship family, turn from the evil of hate and teach the children that God loves them and wants their good. It is never God's will to destroy, but to always build up His creation. After all, isn't the Creator the Ruler of the Universe? Do we not claim to preach the One True God Almighty, Perfect in Love and Justice?

God have mercy on us, we never taught our children to know God.