Thursday, September 1, 2016

Troll Once, Troll Twice, Troll....



"Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured." - Mark Twain


Troll dolls were a huge toy fad in the 60's and then made a comeback in the mid- seventies which would last into the 90's. They were created by a Danish woodcutter named Thomas Dam.
 
 


 Even though I never had one as a kid, both my sisters had them and they never had to worry about me wanting one or taking theirs because I thought they were ugly. Which reminds me of the actual definition for these weird looking fellas:
 
Troll dolls are defined as a mythical, cave dwelling being depicted in folklore as a giant or dwarf and typically having a very ugly appearance.
 
With the advancement of technology and social media today we are now amused or abused by a different kind of troll, the internet troll which is defined as:
 
A person who sows discord on the internet by starting arguments or upsetting people by posting inflammatory messages with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response.
 
And that response may be one of anger or hostility, which is why it's best to neglect those trolls who may comment in a negative way to what you post on social media.
 
My guess as to why they are referred to as trolls is not necessarily the portrayal of ugly on the outside, but on the inside which can be more damaging. And yes, they are cave dwellers seeking refuge from the outside world as they scope the internet to find a victim to harass, which in turn makes them feel better. But it only makes them feel better on the outside while that anger builds up on the inside and eventually explodes.
 
It's unfortunate of all the anger and hostility bottled up within people today. And there is no shortage of expressing that anger and hatred toward others as we see here in America.
 
Here in Chicago there have been 400 shootings and 78 killed just in the month of August. That is more than New York and LA combined. Chicago is on pace for over 500 deaths by year's end just from shootings alone. Most of the deaths are due to rapid gang violence with many innocent victims in the crossfire. In the US alone 58 percent of young African-American men are unemployed.
 
While our Compassion in Action team at my church serve within the city on a weekly basis, we see first-hand not just the violence but the need. And the need is great. One of the reasons why there is so much violence in the city is because some feel they have no future and no hope as jobs are scarce and the way of life is disappointing to them and they feel there is no way out.
 
For the past month my Pastor (Pastor Freddie Steel @Mercy Gate) has been teaching on church culture:
 
"Many curse the darkness but don't do anything about it. It is a Church of authenticity (real or genuine) that is missing in America. The Church is not an occupying force."
 
The opportunity exists for The Church like never before. If we are to be a light within the darkness The Church needs to go out beyond it's four walls and simply be the church. To thirds of God's name is go as my Pastor aptly puts it and it's an opportune time to do that!
 
On my home page you will find a link to "The Night Ministry". They are a great organization that travels 5 nights a week throughout the city of Chicago feeding and helping the homeless and the needy. They have two buses that house a doctor's office with medical staff on board along with volunteer chaplains. Today they have a need of more churches or small groups who are willing to partner with them on any given night during the week. You would be participating by providing food  within a certain neighborhood on a certain evening.
 
 If you live in a different area of the United States and feel led to help, checkout my home page link to Mercy Gate and on there you can donate financially to help as our team continues to serve and provide to those in need within the city of Chicago.
 
Many Christians hate the darkness but fail to bring the light. Now is a good a chance as any to be a beacon within that darkness.
 
"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost it's flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
 
"You are light of the world- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father." - Mathew 5: 13-16
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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