*Be warned* This post will reveal you!

Living a life embedded in social media I've decided it's time to rewrite the Bible. It was written way before the modern marvels of Facebook and Google+. Surely if God had given us the Bible now it would be written in a new way, in a way appropriate to how we engage. So here's my attempt at retranslating some key passages. Let's start with the greatest commandment redone so we can do it. 

There we have it. That's a lot easier for us to understand and for us to do. Just login to Google+, Facebook and Twitter and click those buttons and we're done. I can do this. The great commands clicked and done. 

This is sounding reasonable so let's see how our new translation works in action. Here's what Jesus did, rewritten to make modern sense. 

Yeah, that sounds good - I can do that. Sign up for some charity group and click Like. Too easy. 

Oh yes! Next time I see someone post about their needs I +1 their comment and win them as a follower. 

What a way to build deep and meaningful relationships. When I see people post and share their needs and thoughts and journey, I'll +1 and Like their comments and they will feel my compassion. 

And so now we have it. We now know what pure religion is about - 

Too easy? Yes "too easy" indeed. We would be horrified if this is what Jesus did. And equally we would be horrified by the greatest command being reduced to a click. Love is so much more than this. Love is about acts of service, it's about us connecting with people, reaching out and impacting lives. It is not the superficial clicking of buttons. 

Yet sadly this is what our modern world is creating - and I'm not talking about non-Christians but about us. It is creating a superficial generation that connects through clicks and who express love through Likes. It's so easy to read and +1 a post as though this digital "Amen" carries great value. We are hardly bothered to even type "Amen", let alone type a comment. What has happened to us? Relationships are not established in +1s but in discussion, in reading and meaningful engagement. Yet this takes time, effort, energy - and that is what love is after all. There is no shortcut to love. Just because we live in the super fast digital world does not mean that all of a sudden superficial tokens of acknowledgement are now substitutes for love and relationship. 

Relationships were once developed through hours of discussion around camp fires. Then it was through letters and long conversations on the telephone. Then it was through emails and text messages. Then it was through +1s and Likes. From hours and real involvement, relationships have moved to seconds and superficial tokens.

So what does this mean?  Well pick up the digital mirror in front of you and take a look at yourself. Have your relationships been replaced by reads, and love by likes? How often do you read and reply to your brothers and sisters posts? How often do you just click +1 or maybe do nothing? How often do you simply post and not even read what others have to say? Just because we are in the digital world does not mean we can substitute real relationship with shallow shows of love. Let's be different to the rest of the digital world, let's engage, listen, develop relationships - let's live the great command - Love. 

No, that is not how it was written or should be written or should be lived. Rather...

Now for the big test, what will you do next?

I must say I was somewhat surprised that a genie appeared when I rubbed the old oil lamp. I thought that was just the stuff of fairytales. Yet there he was - rainbow colored, another surprise. But I only had 30 seconds to ask one wish that would positively impact others. "What happened to 3 wishes and why can't it benefit me?" I wondered  wasting more of my 30 seconds. 

"OK, I would like riches to be able to improve any persons life I wish," I said. 
"Clever," I was thinking to myself. "It fulfills the condition but if I have the riches then I can benefit me too. Very clever."

The genie looked at me with his yellow eyes. "Surely they should not be yellow, that's just weird," I thought.  "But then nothing was normal about this genie experience. But then again I suppose genie experiences are not normal."

"Your wish granted it is," he said in a deep baritone voice. 
"At least that part is authentic genie," I thought,  "but what's with the Yoda dialect?"
"Great," I replied. "So where's the cash? In my account or is it like gold and jewels?" 

Ignoring my question he continued, "And also your riches decrease never will, but increase with spending they will."

"Oh yeah Genie dude," I exclaimed in glee. "You are rocking awesome." Not sure if he got my praise as he stared unblinkingly at me. "So where's the cash G-man?" I asked repeating my question. 

"Within it lies," he replied. 
"Yeah Genie. That's cool. But like within what? A treasure chest? Safety deposit box? Where dude?"

"Within you it lies," he repeated fixing me with his unnerving, unblinking eyes. 

"Whatcha mean man? Whatcha mean 'within me'? I'm gonna spew out gold coins or something?" I asked getting a little tired of this Yoda Genie thing. "Come on genie, just give me the cash!"

He fixed me with his yellow eyes and said, "Your wish granted it is. It kind words is," and then with a sparkle, and a strange irritating beep he simply vanished. 

"You gotta be kidding me," I called out to empty space as the beeping continued. "Kind words is what I get to improve others lives? And how do my riches increase in all this? Stupid genie," I muttered, "No wonder I never believed in them." The beeping sound continued becoming more persistent. 

"Oh No," I groaned as I fumbled to silence my phone next to my bed. Slowly vision retuned to my sleepy eyes and the prospect of a Monday and a whole week stretched before me. "What I way to start with crazy dreams!"

It was a really miserable, cold day as I walked the busy street heading towards the subway. Everything was gray, including my mood and those around me. Spotting a street vendor selling roasted nuts I decided I'd grab a bag to help color the dreary day. Yet it seemed that three other people had the same idea as me as I began to weave through the river of gray humanity towards the vendor. Forced to wait in the cold was doing little to improve my mood. The three other patrons gloomily placed their orders and grabbed the proffered bags of steaming nuts without any response. I don't suppose I would normally have even noticed, but when the third person did not even make eye contact with the old vendor hunched next to his wagon, I became irritated. 

"Thanks old timer," I said taking the warm bag from him while beaming my best impression of a happy person at him. "We are all a little nuts today. Thanks for adding some flavor to us nuts!" It seemed he was somewhat caught by surprise by my jovial thanks but a moment later a hithertofor unseen smile cracked across his weathered face causing his watery eyes to sparkle. "You're welcome," he replied as he turned to another customer who had just arrived. Just then a slither of sun broke through the gray clouds. 

The turnstiles leading to the subway were faulty, adding additional delays to my day. Two were closed and the remaining two were being manually operated, causing long lines. "Just my luck," I thought sourly. 

"This is typical," a large guy with a huge tattoo of a spider on his face, was shouting at the turnstile operator. "You guys can never get this place to operate smoothly," he said jabbing his ticket under the man's face like a knife. A ripple of mumbled agreements rumbled along the line. Reaching the front I noticed the stolid, expressionless look on the operator's face as though his demeanor were chiseled in stone. 

Handing my ticket to him I said, "What a way to start a week," but realized my attempt at empathy might have been misconstrued as a gripe, as he totally ignored me. As he thrust the ticket back at me I quickly added, "Thanks! At least when the tech fails we have people prepared to do these tough jobs. Much appreciated. Have a great day." He looked up making eye contact with me for the first time and nodded at me with a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I walked hurriedly towards my platform. Somehow the crowd seemed less dark, less oppressive. 

The final dash towards the 22-story glass edifice that marked my destination was proceeding well. The sun seemed to be making a conserted effort to warm the day and it looked like I might not be late after all. However as I rounded the corner near my building my phone buzzed. Wresting it free from inside my coat pocket I saw it was Mom. "Oh no!" I thought. "Not now." Yet I knew if I did not answer I would not be able to speak to her until late this afternoon and that would stress her. 

"Hi Mom," I said coming to a halt just outside the ornate doors that granted access to the building. "What's up?" I would be late now for sure. Before I could say any more a flood of stories about her work at the local charity shop assaulted my ears. Only the occasional "yeah" and "really" from me punctuated the monologue. Anxiously I glanced at my watch. It was getting tight. Eventually she paused for a moment, sucking in air as she gathered strength to mount the next episode. Immediately  I  said, "Mom. You are awesome! I don't know if I've ever told you, but your selfless work for charity is an unbelievable gift not only to the less fortunate but to your whole family. I hope one day I can show your selfless kindness." 

There was silence on the other end. For a moment I thought she had been cut off. And then she said, "Really? I...I...I didn't realize. Thank you my boy. Thank you. Really? Um...Thank you. I better go. People need me. I love you," and with that she was gone.  Why was I wearing a jacket? It really was turning into a beautiful warm day. 

Despite needing to get to the 7th floor I took the stairs, knowing it would be quicker. Out of breath I flew into the office, discarding my bulky overcoat on Jen's desk as I landed in my rolling chair with a thump, skidding across the studio. 

"Where have you been?" Jen said. "I was so worried." Suddenly she regained her composure and raising one finger and pointing to the light above me she calmly said, "30 seconds to air," as I adjusted the headset and microphone in front of me. 

As my breathing steadied I turned and looked at Jen behind the glass panel in the control booth. So calm. So professional. I pressed the mute button in front of me activating the link to her. "Jen. Thank you. If it weren't for you I don't think I could do this show." A look of surprise was quickly chased away by her sunny smile. "10 seconds," she said beaming at me. "Thanks." I felt warm. 

"Goooood morning KLCA 107, this is your morning treat. What an amazing day it is. Cold, you say! No way. That aint cold, that's just places that haven't been warmed by your smiles yet. So today I'm going to grant you a wish...Yes you heard right. I'm your genie and today you get a wish. You've got 30 seconds to make one wish to positively impact others lives. So...what your wish is?" 

It is amazing that many times in the Bible God asks us to "give thanks". For example,

"O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people." (Psalms 105:1)

Why does God want us to do this? Is he so desperate for affirmation that he needs us, less than bug-sized beings, to shower him with praise? No, but God knows what thanking and praising does for us. This free gift, a gift that costs us nothing in giving, yet leaves us feeling enriched and happy. It is truly amazing. 

Yet why is it that we give out praise and thanks and kind words so grudgingly?  Why is it that we measure it out like it costs us? Why is it that we only bestow it upon those we consider exceedingly worthy. Yet if we thanked and praised, not only God, but every one of God's children whenever we got a chance, how rich we would be - how full of good things.

"From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things." (Proverbs 12:14)

Let's get rich, lets praise, let's thank without ceasing, let's change lives - our own too!

"Give, and it will be given to you." (Luke 6:38)

There are moments in life when things just seem to go right - not just right, but better than we would have expected - and sometimes a lot better. It's almost as if the planets have aligned. Yet what is amazing is that often in these moments we do not rejoice in our awesome God of grace, and the blessings we have received, but rather we forget the source…and maybe even consider it luck.

It is not difficult to remember God when things are hard, but it is when things are good. Somehow when we are content, or even being truly blessed from above, we seem to forget God. Maybe the unexpected windfall comes our way. Maybe it's a job promotion we never applied for. Maybe it's good news we never expected. Maybe it's simply a motivating affirmation that was unexpected. Whatever the situation, do we stop and rejoice in the source of this gift or do we simply wallow in the joy of receiving it?

How would you feel if as you were marvelling about your good gift, and a stranger, a non-believer, said to you that it was from God? I think I would be a little chagrined for not having realized this myself. But this is exactly what happens in this story in Genesis.

The brothers of Joseph on their return to Egypt are concerned about the money that was returned into their sacks. And on enquiring the Egyptian official says - "Your God...has given you treasure in your sacks."

How amazing is that!

When we look into the sacks of our lives what do we see? Sometimes the sack is empty and then we undoubtedly pray to God to fill it. We pray for his help, his abundance, knowing Jesus says he will...

And then when we look again, amazingly there is not only a sack filled to the brim, there is silver in our sack. Blessings we did not even ask for. Blessings we never expected. There is unexpected treasure in the sacks of our lives. BUT, what do we then do?

Do we fall before our God and give Him thanks for his awesome dealings with us - blessing us with more than we would expect, or do we forget that author of all good gifts, keeping our communication with him to petitions rather than praise, to asking rather than adoration. 

May it be then that we give God thanks, for without doubt, he will, and does give us treasure in our sacks. Look into the sack of your life again, look carefully and see the silver that God has placed there, that all too often we forget to acknowledge, or worse - fail to even see! 

The latest book review of Four Given by Stacey Louiso.

"I had no idea what to expect upon opening the virtual cover of Four Given by Malo Bel. What I found, from the first paragraph, compelled me forth until the very last syllable.  In fact when I read the last line, I kept trying to scroll the page to find more text! But alas, every good book concludes and most good authors, know where and how to end it.  Mr. Bel, did this well.

I read Four Given in one sitting, despite having a few qualms with it, which were probably (hopefully) ebook, formatting issues such as missing or forgotten quotes, omitted words and the lack of page numbers. But otherwise, I was hooked! Mr. Bel’s ability to spin this tale was astonishing.  I am going to say this out loud because I have experienced it and because I believe a lot of my audience consists of fellow Christians: this work was an anointing. The story resonates something very special on a spiritual level. I found that prospect, exciting!

Vibrant isn’t a strong enough word to describe the illustrations depicted of the main character’s experiences of meeting and walking with Yesh (who is actually…well, Yesh is a good clue as to who…).  His descriptive allusions of place, whether real or in Bel’s mind, were vivid yet tranquil; joyful yet full of parables, as Yesh put Bel to the test, so to speak, in order to teach him the important lessons needed, in order to further his scope and walk toward a God centered life.

At first, I was unable to decipher if this work is fiction or non-fiction and perhaps it is meant to be as such. No matter the genre, the plot twists and outcomes are cryptic, gripping and the ending, unexpected yet realistic. There is a truth in the emotional portrayals playing out, from betrayal to forgiveness to understanding, hence all roads leading to God. The book reads so well, so quickly that it was like a film reel for me, with the action leading from scene to scene.

To not give away much more, I shall stop with this statement: Malo Bel, whomever you are, I pray you’re anointed fingers keep tapping away at the keyboard and that God keeps moving stories through you, for years to come. You have gained a fan…and I’m probably not alone!  Kudos, sir!

To learn more about Malo Bel and find out how to obtain Four Given, visit his website: http://www.malobel.com/

If you read the book and would like to review it as well, you can do so here, via amazon.com"

- See more at: http://www.writingdownlife.com/2013/06/12/book-review-four-given-by-malo-bel/

"Open wide," the dentist says as I sit there nervously awaiting his proclamation. We've all been there. Gripping the plastic covered chair, staring at the end-of-the-tunnel light, jaws unnaturally wide open like a wannabe hippo, and a body tense in anticipation of impeding pain. It's just not natural. But it's not just about the unnatural place and position, it's also about the fact that you can't hide anything. If you haven't brushed and flossed and buffed and glossed, he's going to know. No hiding anything as he stares over the face mask intently into your mouth. No amount of teeth whitener, lipstick or smiles can hide what he will see when we open our mouth. 

But...it's not really dentists we are talking about, it's the great Physician and our dark hearts. He too warns what's happens when he looks into our wide open mouths.

It's a simple yet profound principle. What we speak is a window into our hearts. So if you talk a lot about sports then sports is what really fills your heart. If you talk a lot about politics then maybe politics is what you care most about. If you talk a lot about possessions - clothing, new cars, phones - then these are the things you most desire and worship. 

It's not really that difficult, Jesus is saying. As the great Physician he is telling us he, and in fact anyone, can look straight into our heart just by listening to what we are talking about. No amount of moral makeup, teeth whitening platitudes will hide the secrets within. For as soon as we relax, as soon as we are with friends and family, we will talk and reveal our heart. 

So what does your heart reveal? 
This is a sobering question. We need to consider what our heart reveals about ourselves, as this is one of the most useful insights we can ever get. 

In life it's easy to have an opinion of others. And that is simply because we don't live their life. So we have some sense of perspective. Some sense of objectivity. We can see what their issues are. 

However when it comes to ourselves there is a problem. We can never escape our own lives. We can never really be objective. And so when it comes to ourselves we can never really be insightful. And how useful it would be if we could really see ourselves as other "objective" people see us. Can we?

Jesus suggests that we can - that we can see ourselves for who we are. 

In another place Jesus says; 

He is encouraging us to take a look at what is inside. So how do we get objective? How do we take a look at our heart?

Grab a pen/keyboard/phone...whatever and answer these questions. 

1. Write down three things you have criticized others of in the past week or so. If you can't remember then think about each of your friends/acquaintances, one at a time, and what you think they are doing wrong...even if you have not vocalized it. Write that down. 
2. Now take each of these and think of Jesus speaking to you. For each one he is saying this your weakness. 
   
3. Ponder how this could be your weakness and how you could improve.
   
4. Pray over your list asking Jesus to help you. 
   

It's a startling reality that we do criticise others of the things that are or were our issues. Why? Well quite simply we are aware and sensitized to these things. So it is no surprise that we notice them in others. What is the surprise is that they are actually a reflection of our own inner weakness and issues that we are often unaware of. 

So what do you criticise others of?
Being too loving?
Being too legalistic?
Being too hard?
Being too soft?
Being in the dark?
Being ignorant of important truths?

And so Jesus concludes his warning about our open mouths being a mirror into our hearts...

So next time before we open our mouths to flash our pearly whites let's be aware of what is seen in the dark cavity inside when we speak. Let's not be among those who...

but rather let us speak...

Sordid bedroom scene, prostitutes, attempted murder, deceit...An X-rated film? No...Genesis 38. Wow! 

When you read this chapter you are left wondering why God included it. Was it mistakenly included?

Here's the summary version - The story revolves around Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar. Tamar has no children when her husband dies, and according to Jewish law is promised children by Judah through his other sons. However this does not happen and so ehe eventually decides to trick her father-in-law Judah into sleeping with her by posing as a prostitute. 

Tamar then gets security from Judah against a future payment but is not found when he attempts to send payment later on. A few months later Tamar is found to be pregnant and condemned by Judah to be executed. 

However just before being executed Tamar sends Judah the three items she had received from him as security 

Then Judah realizes he has been caught out. He slept with someone he thought was a prostitute. It was his daughter-in-law! And so he says,

And so ends the story! Judah condemns his daughter-in-law for being a prostitute, after he himself has slept with a "prostitute". Then when he is caught he backtracks and proclaims her innocent! 

Now, if you ask me this is a twisted tale. A tale of sex, deceit, and nearly murder too. And at the end of it Judah the main character is as twisted as the story. He should have been punished! Where's the justice?

So is there any purpose to this twisted, dark tale? With God, everything is in His Word for a reason. He presents us the unsanitised, dark reality of human nature. No whitewashing. No hiding. The purpose of the story comes out in the verse when Judah is presented with three items that belonged to him and he finally sees his guilt.

“See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.” (Genesis 38:25)

Judah suddenly realizes he is guilty of exactly what he accused Tamar of.  And herein lies the lesson. Is it not amazing that we accuse people most vociferously of the things we are guilty of?

It reminds me of the quote based on a Shakespeare play -  "Methinks thou dost protest too much."

When we accuse others we are opening a window into our own dark issues. We betray our sins, our weaknesses. Just like the older son in the parable of the Prodigal Son reveals his heart when he accuses his brother - without knowing anything of what his younger brother had been dong...

"But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!" (Lk 15:30)

And so the lesson is that Judah is caught by his own words. In this dark story he reveals his dark sins by what he accuses others of. Justice is done! We now know why the Twisted Tale is in the Bible. 

But there's a twist to this twisted tale. If you left the story here you would miss the twist - the most important twist. 

If we leave this story with a distaste at Judah's behaviour, glad that he was caught out, we have just become the twist. We stand "innocent" pointing an accusing finger at this man. Calling for justice. And then we look in the mirror and realize the twist - WE ARE JUDAH! 

Three things bring Judah face to face with his guilt - his seal, cord and staff. The things that define who he is. His self-esteem, appearance, and power. 

What are our seal and cord and staff? What shocks us back to the reality of our guilt? What are the things that bring us face-to-face with our guilt as the words leave our mouth, as the accusing thoughts tumble through our mind. 

And so Jesus says..

If we point the accusing finger at Judah we immediately become the central figure in this story. 

So what do you accuse others of? Stealing? Lying? Selfishness? Lack of love? What does this say about you?

Indeed a twisted tale, but the twist is that it's a story about everyone one of us who points the accusing finger.