Mockingjay (Book 17/50)

Wow! I was not expecting the ending of this book. For the first two, they were intense and constant action. I was a little saddened about the ending; parts of it seemed sloppy. When reading about the part where Katniss is on the battlefield, close to President Snow's home, it seems that she's going to go in and kill him off. However, the part that does not get cleared up is the ending. The bombs were made by people who did not understand the ramifications of creating a weapon. But who's idea was it to rally up children in front of the President's home?

I cannot imagine what the pain must have been when she saw her sister run in there to help the wounded children. Since the beginning of this book, Katniss has done everything she possibly could in order to save her family, particularly her sister. At the end of the book, however when the second bomb detonates, she cannot help her sister and watches her die. I think that this is relevant to how we view life. Sometimes we try so desperately hard to control things that are out of our control. We are human beings, living in (what some peeopl call a "rat race") world that we are infallible and not omniscient. For us, that's scary. This is what Katniss tries to fight in the Hunger Games and during the war.

This book also shows two sides of humanity: Peeta, who continues to show compassion, even though he's deranged at times; and Gabe, who thinks like a soldier, showing at times a lack of compassion and mercy towards others (especially the "enemy"). This book was well written on the personalities of the character. It showed humanity as it is, broken and constantly striving to fix itself.

Not quite sure how this became a children's book. There are themes in these books about death and morality that I think would go too far over anyone under the age of 15. Not to mention some of the scenes described are graphic; parents should consider whether or not their child has the capacity to understand what's going on and not have to worry about giving them nightmares.

Forgiveness

In the earlier months of this year, I read C.S. Lewis Readings and Meditations, and it struck me when I was reading the "Forgiveness" section that I have been still harbouring harsh feelings towards those who have done wrong to me. It's not something that can be easily forgotten, especially by me. Reminds me of, "you can receive 100 compliments, but you'll always remember the one insult." Maybe it's our dependency as humans to live in society, and not just live but to be liked as well. No one wants to live in a society that doesn't approve of them, right? The Pilgrims set sail for a new country altogether. If I chose to sail away, where could I go?

This weekend, I joined friends and family up in New Hampshire for a little bit of camping and learning more about God. It was a great weekend that was needed, especially after the final week of summer camp I endured with minion children. What surprised me was Saturday morning when we picked out verses of the Bible that had to deal with fellow believers being one body, sharing the common link of Christ and also forgiveness towards one another.
It's one thing when you try to subdue those feelings of hurt and anger, but God does not let you keep them for long. He shines light on them, through everyday encounters or even with unexpected circumstances, tries to drag you out of the cocoon you've made for yourself of anger, depression, guilt, etc. For the sin inside of us, we want to stay in bed or ignore the responsiblities that lie ahead. "It's human nature!", society says. Does that excuse you? Does this mean that we can keep on going along in life? Paul asks these questions to Christians in Romans about the sacrifice of Christ's blood doesn't give us a "free pass" to sin, but rather to fight against it. To continue on in the race, the battle over sin.

For my 50/50 challenge, I just finished reading Not Easily Broken by T.D. Jakes. Didn't know that he was a famous preacher till my pastor told me about him. But his book was helpful because while reading it, I became more aware of the challenges that the characters faces, they were hard. Lots of times the husband and wife could have thrown up their hands and say "It's over!" But there was something that caused both of them to return back to their marriage, something that looked like it had no pulse and revived it. The verses that kept being repeated was Ecclesiastes 4:8-12,

 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; netiher saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good?                                                   Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to himm that is aone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.                                                                                    Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not [easily] broken.

This verse was repeated because, between the two of them, there wasn't much to go on. Both were successful when it came to their individual desires and work ethic. However, as a couple, there were faults between them that needed to be addressed. And it was only by the grace of God that they came together to work on their marriage instead of leaving it on the side of the road.