Title: The Day the Pigs Drowned

I had never seen anything like it in all my years.

The morning had been just like any other. The sun hung low over the hills, the scent of the sea drifting in with the breeze. My herdsmen were watching over the pigs—nearly two thousand of them, a fortune in swine. I had spent years building up that herd, making deals, hiring strong hands to tend to them. We weren’t rich, but we were getting there. Pigs were money, and money meant security.

Then, in an instant, it was all gone.

I was at the edge of town when I first heard the shouting. One of my herdsmen ran toward me, his face pale, his words tumbling over themselves.

"They're gone!" he gasped. "The whole herd! Into the sea!"

At first, I thought he’d gone mad. But others soon followed, and before I knew it, I was sprinting down the hill, my heart pounding. When I reached the cliffs, the sight below turned my stomach.

The sea was restless, foaming and writhing, littered with the floating bodies of my pigs. Their pink hides bobbed in the water, lifeless. My men stood at the edge, some staring in shock, others whispering among themselves. I felt like throwing up.

I wheeled around, looking for an answer. That’s when I saw him.

The man from across the sea.

He stood among the people, calm as if he hadn’t just bankrupted me in a single breath. Around him was a group of his followers, their faces a mix of awe and fear. And then there was the other man—the wild one. Or at least, he had been wild. I recognized him immediately. He was the madman who lived among the tombs, the one no chain could hold. The one whose screams haunted the night. But now, he was clothed. Sitting. Clear-eyed. Sane.

A miracle, they said.

I barely heard them. All I saw was the sea swallowing my livelihood.

I stepped forward, my fists clenched. "You!" I shouted; my voice raw. "What have you done?"

The man—Jesus, they called him—turned his gaze to me. There was no arrogance in his eyes, no defense. Just... something I couldn't name.

"The demons begged to go into the pigs," one of his followers spoke up. "He cast them out, and they—"

"And they drowned!" I snapped. "My pigs! Do you know what this means for me? Do you have any idea the loss you’ve caused?"

Jesus said nothing. He only looked at me. And for a moment, I faltered. There was something unsettling in his gaze. Not cruelty, not anger—just knowing. As if he saw something in me that I didn’t even see myself.

And then, beneath all my anger, something else stirred—something I didn’t want to admit. I was awed. I had seen that madman, heard him screaming night after night. And yet, here he was, whole, sane, human again. The power to do that? It was terrifying.

The crowd murmured. People whispered of power, of spirits, of miracles. Some rejoiced, some cowered. But I felt only the weight of what I had lost.

I turned to the other men of the town. "He needs to leave. Now."

Others nodded. Fear lingered in their eyes. Fear of what else this man might do, of what else he might take. And yet, as we asked—no, begged—him to leave, the healed man clung to him. He wanted to go with Jesus, to follow him across the sea. But Jesus shook his head.

"Go home to your people," he told him. "Tell them what the Lord has done for you."

And then, just like that, he left.

I stood there long after the boat had vanished beyond the horizon. The pigs were gone. My business ruined. And yet, something lingered in my mind, an unshakable question that I could not voice, no matter how much I wanted to:

If he could do that to a demon, what could he do to a man like me?

NOTE: It makes me wonder why this story is so important that it got mentioned in the three synoptic Gospel**Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39, and Matthew 8:28-34 

"The Goodness of Creation: A Christian Response to Platonic Dualism"

Plato viewed the material world as inherently flawed and inferior to the realm of Forms or Ideas—a higher, perfect reality beyond physical existence. In his philosophy, the material world is merely a shadow or imperfect copy of the true, unchanging ideals that exist in the realm of Forms. Because of this, Plato de-emphasized the physical and encouraged a pursuit of intellectual and spiritual enlightenment, believing that true knowledge and goodness could only be attained by transcending the material world.

In contrast, Christianity affirms the goodness of the material world. From the very beginning, God declares creation to be "good" (Genesis 1:31), affirming the inherent value of the physical universe. Unlike Plato, who saw the material as a lesser reality, Jesus Christ validated the material world by taking on human flesh in the Incarnation. By becoming fully human while remaining fully divine, Jesus demonstrated that the physical world is not something to be escaped but something that can be redeemed and sanctified. His bodily resurrection further confirms this idea, as it signifies not the abandonment of the material but its restoration and glorification.

Christianity teaches that matter and spirit are not in opposition but are both part of God's good creation. While sin has corrupted the world, God's plan is not to discard it but to redeem and renew it (Romans 8:19-21). This contrasts sharply with Plato’s dualism, which views the material world as something to be left behind in favor of a purely intellectual or spiritual existence.

Thus, while Plato sought liberation from the material world, Christianity teaches that God Himself entered into it, affirming its goodness and redeeming it through Christ. This fundamental difference shapes Christian thought, emphasizing that both the physical and spiritual are part of God's divine plan for humanity.

The Danger of Rising Religious Extremism

Religious extremism has emerged as a significant global challenge, threatening social harmony, political stability, and human dignity. While religion has historically served as a source of moral guidance and communal unity, its radicalization often leads to violence, discrimination, and division. The increasing prevalence of religious extremism demands critical attention, as it undermines democracy, fosters intolerance, and perpetuates cycles of fear and repression.

Violence Rooted in Absolutism

One of the primary dangers of religious extremism is its potential to incite violence. Extremist ideologies often promote the belief that their interpretation of faith is the only valid one, leading followers to perceive outsiders as enemies. This absolutism has fueled terrorism, sectarian conflict, and hate crimes across the globe. Groups like ISIS and Boko Haram have justified mass violence through distorted religious narratives, leaving behind not only casualties but communities trapped in cycles of retaliation and unrest.

Erosion of Democratic Values

Religious extremism also erodes democratic principles by suppressing freedom of expression, belief, and conscience. Extremist factions often advocate for rigid theocratic governance that silences dissent and disregards pluralism. In such societies, individuals of different faiths—or those who choose secular paths—face persecution and discrimination. When religion is manipulated for political gain, the result is often repression and the silencing of diverse voices.

Division and Intolerance

Extremism deepens societal divides by fueling prejudice and marginalization. When religious identity is weaponized as a marker of superiority, those who do not conform are pushed to the margins. This fractures interfaith relations and makes peaceful coexistence increasingly difficult. In contrast, societies that uphold religious tolerance and open dialogue tend to thrive—culturally, politically, and spiritually.

Economic Consequences

The impact of religious extremism extends to economic stability. Nations affected by extremist violence often suffer declining investments, disrupted trade, and weakened infrastructure. Human capital is lost, productivity drops, and tourism—a vital source of revenue for many countries—dwindles. Extremism hinders development and perpetuates poverty, making recovery painfully slow.

A Call to Response

To counteract the rise of religious extremism, we must promote education, critical thinking, and interfaith engagement. Educational systems should emphasize the value of religious tolerance and the dangers of fundamentalism. Governments and religious leaders must work together to deconstruct extremist narratives and promote moderate, life-affirming interpretations of faith.

Clarifying the Path Forward

This is not a call for religious pluralism in the sense that all religions are equally true. As a Christian, I believe that Jesus is the only way to God—a conviction that naturally implies other religious claims are mistaken. But this belief does not justify intolerance. In fact, it demands love, humility, and respect for others. Tolerance means allowing space for disagreement, dialogue, and freedom of belief, without coercion or violence.

Toward a More Peaceful World

Recognizing the shared values of compassion, justice, and peace across religious traditions can help build bridges. By fostering a culture of dialogue and mutual respect—without compromising truth—societies can resist the lure of extremism and move toward a more peaceful and inclusive future.

               Image: A painter deeply engrossed in his art.

You ask for a loving God—well, congratulations, you have one! But let’s be clear: He’s not some sleepy old grandfather in the sky, nodding off in His rocking chair, vaguely hoping you’ll have a nice day. No, He is the consuming fire Himself—fierce, unrelenting, and deeply invested in you. His love isn’t the passive kind that pats you on the head and lets you run wild; it’s the kind that shapes, refines, and, yes, sometimes downright wrestles with you.

Think of Him like an artist obsessed with His masterpiece. He doesn’t just slap some paint on the canvas and call it a day. No, He painstakingly layers, scrapes, and reworks every detail, perfecting it with a love so persistent it would make even the most passionate painter look lazy. He sees what you’re meant to be, and He won’t stop until you shine with the brilliance He intended. Sure, it might feel like you’re being smudged, stretched, and occasionally dunked in turpentine, but trust me—it’s all part of the process.

The Covenant keeping God

 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.” – Psalm 89:14

The God of justice moves like a roaring storm, shaking the foundations of the earth. His voice thunders against the wicked, and His judgment rolls forth like the mighty ocean, unrelenting and sure. The cries of the oppressed rise like incense before Him, and He does not turn away. With eyes like flames of fire, He sees every injustice, every hidden sin, and every broken heart longing for redemption.

The fragrance of His righteousness fills the air, and His footsteps leave trails of truth wherever He walks. The proud tremble at His coming, while the weary find shelter beneath the shadow of His wings. His justice is not distant—it is alive, moving, breathing, shaping the world into His perfect order.

And one day, the heavens will split, the earth will bow, and His kingdom of justice will stand forever, bathed in unending light.

Note to Self

Lately, my brain feels like it's been on a steady diet of social media junk food—a never-ending stream of cat videos, pointless memes, and clickbait articles. It's as if I've been feeding it nothing but mental potato chips, and now it's crying out for some real nutrients.

But fear not, dear brain! Today marks a new chapter. Inspired by the wise words of Philippians 4:8, I’m determined to give you a feast of mental delicacies; veritable banquet of truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, and admiration. Forget the fast food of the internet; it's time for a five-course meal of enriching content.

Sure, there may be days when I falter and find myself falling into the black hole of "just one more scroll," but I promise to make a conscious effort to steer clear of the garbage. Instead, I'll fill my synapses with knowledge and inspiration. Books, podcasts, documentaries, and classical music will become our (me and my brain) new best friends. Meditation and mindfulness will be our guiding lights.

So, here’s to feeding our brains with "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable." If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, let's devour it with gusto.

Because let’s be honest, brain—you deserve better than the digital equivalent of a deep-fried Twinkie.