so many times, i want to say, is it really that bad.. so many people or Christians seem to be depressed and sad. so they put on 'faces' during sundays? or we just didnt notice the sadness in their eyes and didnt bother to ask. is it really that bad?

i guess it is. then the devil must be really doing his job, working very hard. that even Christians seem to be more depressed than non-believers. that we're ALWAYS so oppressed. fight back people! dont fall into depression. dont give in to the evil one. i know i know, easier said than done. but.. you know.

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anyway today the church bulletin included a letter from the elders about the repainting of our church buildings.
quoting: "can we seriously claim to be that beacon on a hill, or that burning piece of coal that glows atop the Bukit, when all we can show the world is a sullied face?"

at that instant i was reminded of a scene in the The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. i'm not too crazy about that movie but i DO remember parts.. the steward of Minas Tirith didnt want to ask for help even though the capital was about to be attacked soon. but Gandalf somehow managed to light the beacons anyway to ask for help from King Theoden's men. i remembered the scene where beacons after beacons were lighted until the message reached its destination.
so, that's how the message was sent. if one beacon was too dim, it might have been interrupted. kinda made me think about our church then, as a beacon. are we reliable? do we shine bright enough? spiritually and physically. yep, now pay me a penny for my thoughts.