The Father's Eyes

"The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." Psalm 145:9


What could be seen as tragic is now given the power of redemption.
While researching events in the Mideast, I came across this such redemption.
Now, some may see this as quite a controversial take, but I see it as God's unique sight into the heart of all his creation.


"Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so."
Hebrews 13:9


This scripture, I believe, could not be more true in the life of 14-year-old Umar Fida captured in this article on redemption. 
In what Umar thought were words of truth, was actually the truth that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. On the very day that Umar and his friend Ismail strapped suicide jackets to their chests, they had been deceived to believe that their cause was good and for it they would be going to Heaven.
Ironic how the enemy works to twist things- simply because he has no power to create. 
In an effort and ancient teaching of lies to turn a community against one another, the term "un-Islamic" has developed. Of course, for no other purpose does this word serve other than to divide.
Umar and Ismail, barely of teenage years, had been recruited by the deception of the Taliban they initially resisted saying that if they wanted to kill people they should do it there self, not ask children.
Unfortunately, they kept coming back to them during their classes at school feeding them lies that studies would do nothing for them and then finally grabbing them with the lie that the Sufi's worship was "un-Islamic."
An example of the ongoing brainwashing is stated here by Umar upon arriving at one the Sufi shrines for his first and only mission saying, "But when we travelled by bus to the place of our attack, I saw it was still Pakistan so I questioned them. They said the people who pray to the dead at shrines are even bigger infidels, and I believed them." 
Insanely enough, upon commencing their suicide where they said they had all peace as they prayed for one another believing they were going to Heaven, the mission failed as Umar lay on the ground unconscious missing an arm and his torso ripped open. 
It was here, on the teeter of life and death that Umar had a revelation.

Umar said it was only when the police were trying to defuse his explosives and when he saw the care the doctors were giving him, that he started to realize he had been wrong.

"I am so grateful, because I have been saved from going to hell. I am in a lot of pain, but I know there are many people in hospital even more severely injured than me and I am so sorry for what I did and for what Ismail did.

"We did a very bad thing by killing children and old men and women. I now realise suicide bombing is un-Islamic. I hope people will forgive me."

Upon being carried away by strange teachings (lies), Umar's heart was strengthened because He received grace to see the. 

Now, it does not end here for Umar as the article states. He may still be fighting for his life and even more against the Taliban seeing as he failed his mission.

But he has seen the truth and I pray that this truth set him free.

The Father is jealous for ALL his creation and I believe he saw that Umar's heart was good with a desire for Heaven.

I cannot judge, for am I no judge, but may God judge Him according to his knowledge of His heart. For it is by His compassion and kindness that we are led to repentance.

The enemy has been defeated and even in His attempts in the Earth today, Christ is alive and at work for the cause of redemption.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good."
Psalm 34:8

Peacemakers

On May 1st 2011, President Obama announced the death of al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden with the words "Justice has been done." Unfortunate to my observation, an eruption of boisterous celebration took place in front of the U.S. Capitol building. Now, I understand the worldwide relief that has spread like a blanket due to this event, but I do not believe that such celebration is the right response.
While doing some research and contemplating my thoughts in relation to this monumental event, I found this article and it began to work in my train of processing. This report, instead of describing the conditions of his death, covered the conditions of his life leading up to his death. What hooked me was that it mentioned these two devoted men who dwelled with and defended their comrade to death.
Now, once again hear me, their lives were ones leaking hatred and leaving disillusionment, but I believe this truth to be a result of true delusion.
Following a faith from a divided book, I believe that the Islamic community is oppressed by their devotion to the Koran- a book that in one half preaches peace and the other advocating peace solely with followers of Allah, therefore leading to war and ultimately terrorism. Discern for yourselves, "[4.74] Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this world's life for the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward." While this verse mentions peace, it is under the condition of giving your life in a fight for the "way of Allah," which is not a way of peace.
Carol Lutker, resident teacher of the Maitreya Kadampa Buddhist Center in Atlantic Beach encapsulates the truth in the power of our reactions and responses by stating (in a different article), "The real enemy is not a particular individual, it's that the delusion ... and fear that caused him to do what he did causes us to do what we do." This, to me, even proves that when I do not share the same belief with another individual, they may share a truth even if they do not believe in the Source of all Truth- God.
It is for this reason, that I can separate these men from a category of hate by viewing them as men who were human and exemplified human devotion, unfortunately through a veil of confusion and deception.
These men are not separate from the human race making them an exception for celebration upon death.
I support the response from the Vatican on this issue where Vatican spokeman Fr. Frederico Lombardi states, “Faced with the death of a man, a Christian does not rejoice in anything, but reflects on the serious responsibility of everyone before God and man, and hopes and pledges that every event is not an opportunity for a further growth of hatred, but of peace.” 
Further responses on faith have surfaced labeling this as not a time for celebration, but a time of solemn remembrance of his (Osama's) victims. Others supportively respond saying, "Violence is always... an occasion for deeper reflection." If we, the one's capable of making a change, do not seek the cause or the truth behind such violence then this can lead to the danger in vengeance. 
Hatred cannot be fought with hatred. 
With reports on the controversy of such celebration, Lutker further stated, "Gloating distracts those celebrating from seeing their own faults." 
We must look into the tragedy of this situation on a human level through a lens of Belief in Redemption. Truth is- a girl lost her father and is wounded, her mother is also wounded and is now a widow, multiple families have to live with the absence of their fathers and the conditions of a single-parent home, and  three men may have lived their entire lives empty of the Truth and a relationship with their Heavenly Father, God.
With people of the Christian faith taking this opportunity to make their voices heard, Krish Kandiah of the Evangelical Alliance encourages Christians to follow Christ's example and be Peacemakers by declaring, "In these difficult days its time for Christians to get busy doing the family business – seeking peace."
Matthew 5:9 proclaims, "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they are the Children of God."
It is this truth they declares this role as not a deed, but rather wrapped in an identity. Peace flows not simply from actions, but the heart of individual. We must make peace so that those oppressed with fear, confusion, and deception may Know the Truth and the Truth set them Free.
This is an opportunity for growth of Peace, take it and make a change.