Hate Dishonest Gain

Exodus 18 documents an important development in tribal government. Advice given to Moses, "... choose trustworthy leaders who hate dishonest gain" - wisdom for those wanting to advance nations.

Barack Obama - inauguration

Yesterday was a good day. I'm not very political - kind of lost hope along the way. But now I feel a bit hopeful for my fatherland. President Barack Obama called the nation to grow up, mature, and take a new stance while asking us to embrace America's original values. A beautiful mix of the old and new.

Kyrgyzstan has become my home; my friends and I are watching Obama and America very closely. May God's light shine on both nations.

Risbek (Richard)

George W. Bush

Today is the last day of George W. Bush's presidency. I don't want to jump on the ban wagon of criticism. But I do think he was very similar to Pharaoh; both were patriotic but proud. Like Pharaoh I believe Bush did not listen to God and consequently brought destruction to his nation and people: the terrorist attacks of 9-11, the war in Iraq, Katrina, global warming, fires & freezing, droughts & floods, the housing crisis, the banking crisis, the financial crisis, classrooms packed to 40 plus, loss of international prestige, etc, etc. God is good.

Egyptians surly blamed Pharaoh for his hard hearted response to God and the ensuing destruction. Bush will be blamed for what he did to America. I personally saw clearly that Bush would not catch his enemies unless he clearly asked Native Americans for forgiveness for the acts of terrorism the United States Government committed against them. A little humility would have gone a long way.

Richard (Risbek)

Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King is one of my heroes. Thank God he changed my fatherland. Today we commemorate his heroic life. Tomorrow we eat the fruit of his sacrifice. May such nonviolent courage arise from the populations of Central Asia. We must change!

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." Martin Luther King. I borrowed this quote from Rachel Epstein's blog.

Joseph

17 years old. Mocked. Hated. Thrown in a pit. Waiting execution, but sold for silver. Torn from family. Bought by foreigners. Slavery, prison, accusation. Then one day it all turns around. A son named Manasseh, 'cause the old perpetrators were forgiven.  But the heart is tested; the mockers come and it is Joseph's turn to mock, hate, and execute...  or tell them instead, "What you meant for evil God meant for good." If only we could all understand Joseph a little better.

Magnetic:

I'm still enjoying the sacred texts. Once again, I'm drawn to Jesus (Yeshua, Isa). He is truly magnetic. I have found that there are all types who stick to him; Hindus who call him the ultimate guru, Jews from the 1st and 21st centuries who call him "King of the Jews", Muslims who acknowledge the Qur'an's confirmation of his unique Messianic role, healing power, and miraculous conception, and Kyrgyz who recognize him as superior to mortal prophets on the order of the eternal Kydyr. We're all from different lands, different cultures, different religions, and speak different languages, but we're drawn to one individual who captures our highest aspirations and fulfills our truest religious and spiritual sentiments. I do not believe he asks us to change cultural or religious communities. He accepts us just as we are and "converts" us to a heavenly perspective often called "kingdom of heaven", not to a new culture or religion.

There have not been enough books written or movies produced about this amazing magnetic character.

Racism tarnishes our world and is spreading its fungus to Central Asia. I am forever thankful for all the wonderful Jews I grew up with in Santa Monica. Yes, I know some terrible Jews. I also know terrible Americans, Russians, Iranians, Arabs, Uzbeks, and Kyrgyz. I want to see nations as God sees them.

I also want to know what has God revealed to the nations. What did he promise the Jews? What has he shown the Americans? What did he tell the Russians? What did he plant in the Iranians? What has God said to the Arabs? What did he plan for the Uzbeks? How are the Kyrgyz supposed to bring peace to others? Every nation has a binding responsibility to do what God has shown them. Nations that move contrary to that "calling" start decaying.

Risbek (Richard)

Adultery:

I believe Sulaiman's (Solomon's) wisdom was given to preserve Kyrgyzstan's happiness. You pray at Sulaiman's Mountain. His words were translated into Kyrgyz in the 1990s:

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will learn to be discreet and will store up knowledge.
The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But the result is as bitter as poison, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. For she does not care about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t even realize where it leads.
So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: Run from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! If you do, you will lose your honor and hand over to merciless people everything you have achieved in life. Strangers will obtain your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. Afterward you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body, and you will say, “How I hated discipline! If only I had not demanded my own way! Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to those who gave me instruction? I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.”
Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Don’t share it with strangers.
Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, with an immoral woman, or embrace the breasts of an adulterous woman?
For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly.
(NLT Proverbs 5)

Adultery is robbing Kyrgyz of happiness, productivity, and success. In the 1990s joy and contentment was one of your greatest treasures. Now you Kyrgyz seem lifeless. I join Sulaiman and ask you to listen to his wisdom.

Happy New Year Kyrgyzstan - 2009

You know my love for the ancient writings. This year I want to read through the Chaar Kiteb (a.k.a the holy library or bibliotecha) and deepen my relationship with my Maker. I also want to learn Kyrgyz better as an act of love to the nation I care for immensely. I cannot do this without God's help. May the Creator bless Kyrgyzstan and use this nation for his international honor.