Feudalism is a government system based on contracts that started during the 9th century, and lasted up to the 13th Century. It was mainly widespread in Western Europe, and it provided a relative order and security for the time being.
The origins of Feudalism can be traced back to the last days of the old Roman Empire in the 5th Century. Roman Nobles left their cities and moved to the country. There, they offered to protect the people living there in return for land and different services. Feudalism can also be traced back to the German Barbarians who invaded the Western Roman Empire. The fierce German fighters swore allegiance to their chieftains.
The highest authority in a feudal system is the King. The King was the one who owned all the land in his Kingdom (theoretically). Part of the land, he kept for his own use, and the remainder he would allocate to his high nobles, dukes, counts or earls. The land that he kept for himself is called the royal or crown land. In return for the land given to them, the high nobles would promise to provide a certain amount of knights for the King’s protection and use. It was not uncommon to find that the nobles themselves were often knights.
The knights were probably descendants of the Roman nobles or the German barbarians, but whatever it is, they were masters of the medieval warfare. People in various domains who needed security would perform different services for a knight in return for protection. The people were glad to call the knights “lords”.
After the King, the next in the chain of power are the high nobles. Then the noble aristocrats come next. These people owned huge amounts of land, and they had farmers working for them. They worked on the Manors, the estates belonging to the nobles. It ranged from a few hundred to several thousands of acres. In one Manor, there are several different types of people working inside. All of the people inside a Manor had specific duties. The nobility was to administer protection and justice, while the Clergy Men attended to the spiritual needs of all the people. The Freemen and the Farmers were the people who did the hardest labour.
Usually, the Freeman had the easier job than the Farmers. They worked as blacksmiths, millers, carpenters, etc. They had several more rights than the farmers. They were allowed to leave the manor whenever they liked, and they were often excused from working in the fields along with their fellow peasants, the farmers. Although the Freemen had greater privileges, their living conditions did not differ much from the farmers.
The farmers were the actual people who did manual labour in the fields, planting, harvesting, while also caring for the lord’s cattle. More commonly, however, the farmers are called serfs. While it is true that the serfs are the lowest in the chain of “power”, they differ greatly from slaves in 3 different aspects. Serfs are given the right to own property, while slaves are properties of their owners. Serfs could not be sold, but slaves can be put up in the auction house for bargain. Serfs can buy their own freedom, provided that the have the money; whereas, slaves would probably be whipped and scourged, and sent back to the fields to work under the scorching sun; if such an idea was ever mentioned.
The Freemen and the Farmers lived in continual poverty despite the much labour. For, as they had to use the mill and the bakery own by their lord, they had to pay “taxes”. These taxes took form in their production of their crops. Their cheese (for pasturing their cattle in the lord’s field), their flour and grain for using the mill and bakery served as taxes to pay the lord. These peasants lived on the verge of starvation continually.
They had but 2 major holidays in one year- Easter and Christmas. They were then invited to dine in their lord’s house for a feast. During Christmas, they had 2 weeks of vacation. Otherwise they had to work for at least 2-3 days a week, doing the lord’s work.
This is the basic structure of Feudalism in the 9th to the 13th Century. It was prevalent in Western Europe, but there were other countries that practiced it.
Showing posts with label Essay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essay. Show all posts
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Home is where our hearts are
People seek thrills, excitement and adventure, and those are precisely the reasons why activities such as bungee jumping and drag-racing are becoming increasingly popular. People looking for exotic elixirs, or whopping deals haunt the shopping mall. But sadly, society forgets, or rather, discards the idea of home being anything but dull and unexciting, unable to offer new and brilliant things to stir us out of our listlessness. This is not true at all. Home is a place of love, comfort, unity, shelter and refuge.
The modern day’s preconceived notion of home shines the spotlight on all the wrong places, and deliberately belittles the very attributes which make it a home. Home is not dull. If you were to pay my family a visit, you’d agree with that statement. Uproarious noises made at the farthest end, echo through the entire house! Children will play, you know, and whether an accident or mischief turned all wrong, spillage, mess and destruction are sure to occur. Since when were sofas made of boisterous-kids rip-free material? Kids especially love ‘tip-toey’ games, the sort that requires sneaking around parents etc. Unfortunately, they occasionally fail their missions, and crash into parents serving guests with hot coffee or tea! I think my mum might go so far to say that more adventures are to be found at home than elsewhere.
But even in a home where there are no children, adventure may still be found. The thrill of adventure comes from the fact that a rare opportunity is a rare find, each coming of it to be cherished. An everyday occurrence ceases to be an adventure. Old couples look forward to the arrival of their nieces and nephews if not children or grandchildren, because they do not get such a visit every day. The excitement of a visit for them is equivalent to the average adult’s thrill of standing on the verge of a cliff and being told to jump, with a safety rope attached to them. It is probably the most they can manage anyway, at the time of their lives. How can people call home boring? Either anticipating the rush of air the body plunges down, or eagerly awaiting the long dreamed of arrival of grandchildren and drinking in the deep pleasure the smiles and antics those kids bring- causes the familiar head pounding and blood racing sensation. It is no wonder grandparents sink back in exhaustion after a bout of ‘post-visit flu’.
Over-excitement wearies a young body, so how much more will it weary an older person? Home is meant to be a place of relaxation, of rest. No one can possibly rest in a home filled with noise from morning to night. The opposite indeed will happen: the family’s stress level rises. The ideal home is a quiet house, warm, comfortable and friendly. Did you know houses can be friendly? We can step into a house and immediately sense whether we are welcome. A bright, cheery and warm tint to the house enhances the hospitable reception given to a guest. On the other hand, unfriendly homes cause goose bumps to creep along the upper arm. The host/hostess may actually welcome us the best they can, but still, there is this feeling of antagonism about the house, a feeling undefined, but there. The house usually reflects on the owners, too. The furniture arrangement, the mix of colours, whether warm or cool, the layout of the house, and the tidiness, all contribute to defining the owners and the way they live. “See a bear in his own den before you judge of his conditions; come, live with me and you’ll know me.”
Another aspect of home that people take for granted is its comfort. Imagine coming home from work on a wet and blustery cold night, shivering from top to toe, and you turn round the street corner in expectation of seeing the warm glow of a little house with the pretty bit of shrubbery at the front, but instead see nothing, absolute desolation. Well I don’t know about you, but I would certainly value my home a lot more after spending that freezing night out in the streets cold, dirty and lonely. The value of the little dear, quiet nook near the chimney place, albeit so ‘boring’ would inflate sky-high …
There is always a certain sense of security about home, which can never really be done away with. It is our den- the place where we bathe, eat, sleep, and relax, and do the other nitty-gritty details which make it a home. One may stay in a fantastic resort, or indeed even a luxury hotel for 6 months, and yet I guarantee that at the end of those 6 months, the urge to go home will be strong as if you just finished work, weary and hungry. Why? For one thing, a resort, however fantastic it may be, does not have the same security as a home. You own the home. You know it inside out; you arranged the furniture, and everything in the house belongs to you, barring a robber’s den, which gives you a sense of comfort and security. Your home will be there. Its location will not change, and neither will its objects. However, in a resort, you only have what you brought, and even 6 months of familiarity with the place will not change the innate desire for home, the burning sensation which eventually drives you to pack your bags and leave for home.
However, the most important thing about the home is neither the furniture, nor the beauty of the garden, or even the warm fuzzy glow the hearth emits. No. The most valuable thing about home is the relationships you build in it. We share our home with family, children and relatives. To invite someone into a home is to offer protection and care. The host/hostess trusts the guest. To harm the family after partaking with them is treachery of the blackest kind. After a long day with strangers, we like to return home to dwell in the love, protection and care of our family, and have them fuss over us in concern. This sort of attention we can never have enough of. We desire to be close to the people we love, to share our security with them, to help them and care for them. That is what a home is ultimately made of- deeply forged relationships that will last, even beyond the structure of the house.
Home is where our heart is. Probably where our heart is, our future is too. Jesus knew this when He observed, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Our family is our treasure, and our heart naturally follows after what it longs for. Family is home. Home may seem dreary without all the alluring excitement of the outside world, but it is ultimately the best place to be. To be among family, friends, familiar objects, and have our own particular tastes and desires gratified in everyway- isn’t that what we all want? Even in our search for excitement and adventure? Realize the value of your home, for there is nothing quite like home.
The modern day’s preconceived notion of home shines the spotlight on all the wrong places, and deliberately belittles the very attributes which make it a home. Home is not dull. If you were to pay my family a visit, you’d agree with that statement. Uproarious noises made at the farthest end, echo through the entire house! Children will play, you know, and whether an accident or mischief turned all wrong, spillage, mess and destruction are sure to occur. Since when were sofas made of boisterous-kids rip-free material? Kids especially love ‘tip-toey’ games, the sort that requires sneaking around parents etc. Unfortunately, they occasionally fail their missions, and crash into parents serving guests with hot coffee or tea! I think my mum might go so far to say that more adventures are to be found at home than elsewhere.
But even in a home where there are no children, adventure may still be found. The thrill of adventure comes from the fact that a rare opportunity is a rare find, each coming of it to be cherished. An everyday occurrence ceases to be an adventure. Old couples look forward to the arrival of their nieces and nephews if not children or grandchildren, because they do not get such a visit every day. The excitement of a visit for them is equivalent to the average adult’s thrill of standing on the verge of a cliff and being told to jump, with a safety rope attached to them. It is probably the most they can manage anyway, at the time of their lives. How can people call home boring? Either anticipating the rush of air the body plunges down, or eagerly awaiting the long dreamed of arrival of grandchildren and drinking in the deep pleasure the smiles and antics those kids bring- causes the familiar head pounding and blood racing sensation. It is no wonder grandparents sink back in exhaustion after a bout of ‘post-visit flu’.
Over-excitement wearies a young body, so how much more will it weary an older person? Home is meant to be a place of relaxation, of rest. No one can possibly rest in a home filled with noise from morning to night. The opposite indeed will happen: the family’s stress level rises. The ideal home is a quiet house, warm, comfortable and friendly. Did you know houses can be friendly? We can step into a house and immediately sense whether we are welcome. A bright, cheery and warm tint to the house enhances the hospitable reception given to a guest. On the other hand, unfriendly homes cause goose bumps to creep along the upper arm. The host/hostess may actually welcome us the best they can, but still, there is this feeling of antagonism about the house, a feeling undefined, but there. The house usually reflects on the owners, too. The furniture arrangement, the mix of colours, whether warm or cool, the layout of the house, and the tidiness, all contribute to defining the owners and the way they live. “See a bear in his own den before you judge of his conditions; come, live with me and you’ll know me.”
Another aspect of home that people take for granted is its comfort. Imagine coming home from work on a wet and blustery cold night, shivering from top to toe, and you turn round the street corner in expectation of seeing the warm glow of a little house with the pretty bit of shrubbery at the front, but instead see nothing, absolute desolation. Well I don’t know about you, but I would certainly value my home a lot more after spending that freezing night out in the streets cold, dirty and lonely. The value of the little dear, quiet nook near the chimney place, albeit so ‘boring’ would inflate sky-high …
There is always a certain sense of security about home, which can never really be done away with. It is our den- the place where we bathe, eat, sleep, and relax, and do the other nitty-gritty details which make it a home. One may stay in a fantastic resort, or indeed even a luxury hotel for 6 months, and yet I guarantee that at the end of those 6 months, the urge to go home will be strong as if you just finished work, weary and hungry. Why? For one thing, a resort, however fantastic it may be, does not have the same security as a home. You own the home. You know it inside out; you arranged the furniture, and everything in the house belongs to you, barring a robber’s den, which gives you a sense of comfort and security. Your home will be there. Its location will not change, and neither will its objects. However, in a resort, you only have what you brought, and even 6 months of familiarity with the place will not change the innate desire for home, the burning sensation which eventually drives you to pack your bags and leave for home.
However, the most important thing about the home is neither the furniture, nor the beauty of the garden, or even the warm fuzzy glow the hearth emits. No. The most valuable thing about home is the relationships you build in it. We share our home with family, children and relatives. To invite someone into a home is to offer protection and care. The host/hostess trusts the guest. To harm the family after partaking with them is treachery of the blackest kind. After a long day with strangers, we like to return home to dwell in the love, protection and care of our family, and have them fuss over us in concern. This sort of attention we can never have enough of. We desire to be close to the people we love, to share our security with them, to help them and care for them. That is what a home is ultimately made of- deeply forged relationships that will last, even beyond the structure of the house.
Home is where our heart is. Probably where our heart is, our future is too. Jesus knew this when He observed, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Our family is our treasure, and our heart naturally follows after what it longs for. Family is home. Home may seem dreary without all the alluring excitement of the outside world, but it is ultimately the best place to be. To be among family, friends, familiar objects, and have our own particular tastes and desires gratified in everyway- isn’t that what we all want? Even in our search for excitement and adventure? Realize the value of your home, for there is nothing quite like home.
How to bathe a baby
This was written sometime back, so that explains the lapses in the quality of this instructional essay. :D Have fun reading!
Because bathing a baby is an important skill which women, and even men will need to master completely, therefore you will have to pay close attention. We will go through step by step. Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.”
It is vital that the water in the tub is not too hot or not too cold. Test the water with your wrists to see if it’s the right temperature, before filling the tub. Add the amount of soap needed for the amount of water used, (they will usually tell you the amount at the back of the soap bottle). Then, fill the tub with water, so that the tub/sink is about half full. (You don’t want the water to overflow when you put the baby in.) You may like to “throw” in a few toys for the baby to play with, (if he is old enough). Once this is done. Place a dry towel over the changing mat. Lie out the baby’s clothes, and get the diaper ready. You are now set.
After undressing the baby, carry the child over one arm, keeping the other free. Hold the baby over the sink, and rub some soap on his hair. Be really careful NOT to get soap into his/her eyes. The wash it off carefully, making sure it doesn’t get into the baby’s face. Once the head is washed, slowly lower the baby into the water. You must always hold the baby, when he or she is young. Even when they are able to sit up, you must at least watch the child vigilantly.
Begin to rub the body, cleaning away as much dirt as possible. The baby may kick up a fuss at first, because he may not like the water; but after some time, he will get used to it. Be sure to wash under the armpits and under the folds of skin- especially in the neck and above the thighs. Clean the backside of the baby properly. You may let him/her play with the toys while cleaning. It might help to quieten the baby if he or she is crying. Let the baby play in the water a little while, but not too long. Because they lose body heat quickly in the water, and might catch a cold, therefore they shouldn’t be in the water for too long a time.
When you think it’s time for the baby to come out, carry him/her above the water to drip dry for a few seconds. Quickly carry him/her to the towel on the changing mat, and place the child on it. It will be a good idea to have some toys to distract him with. Toys that produce sound will be excellent, especially if the baby starts wailing. Wrap the baby. Dry the child. You must be quick. The diapers or nappy is the first article of clothing that must be put on. After that, put on the other clothing- shirt, pants, dress, rompers, etc. Brush the hair/ comb the hair into a neat and fitting style. Bingo! The baby is fresh, and is ready for adventure!
It is important to master the art of bathing a baby properly. The bath cleanses the baby from dirt, dust and grime, and keeps the baby fresh, happy, comfortable and healthy! By learning the right procedure, you reduce the risk of drowning the child. I hope you find the information useful. Have fun!
Because bathing a baby is an important skill which women, and even men will need to master completely, therefore you will have to pay close attention. We will go through step by step. Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.”
It is vital that the water in the tub is not too hot or not too cold. Test the water with your wrists to see if it’s the right temperature, before filling the tub. Add the amount of soap needed for the amount of water used, (they will usually tell you the amount at the back of the soap bottle). Then, fill the tub with water, so that the tub/sink is about half full. (You don’t want the water to overflow when you put the baby in.) You may like to “throw” in a few toys for the baby to play with, (if he is old enough). Once this is done. Place a dry towel over the changing mat. Lie out the baby’s clothes, and get the diaper ready. You are now set.
After undressing the baby, carry the child over one arm, keeping the other free. Hold the baby over the sink, and rub some soap on his hair. Be really careful NOT to get soap into his/her eyes. The wash it off carefully, making sure it doesn’t get into the baby’s face. Once the head is washed, slowly lower the baby into the water. You must always hold the baby, when he or she is young. Even when they are able to sit up, you must at least watch the child vigilantly.
Begin to rub the body, cleaning away as much dirt as possible. The baby may kick up a fuss at first, because he may not like the water; but after some time, he will get used to it. Be sure to wash under the armpits and under the folds of skin- especially in the neck and above the thighs. Clean the backside of the baby properly. You may let him/her play with the toys while cleaning. It might help to quieten the baby if he or she is crying. Let the baby play in the water a little while, but not too long. Because they lose body heat quickly in the water, and might catch a cold, therefore they shouldn’t be in the water for too long a time.
When you think it’s time for the baby to come out, carry him/her above the water to drip dry for a few seconds. Quickly carry him/her to the towel on the changing mat, and place the child on it. It will be a good idea to have some toys to distract him with. Toys that produce sound will be excellent, especially if the baby starts wailing. Wrap the baby. Dry the child. You must be quick. The diapers or nappy is the first article of clothing that must be put on. After that, put on the other clothing- shirt, pants, dress, rompers, etc. Brush the hair/ comb the hair into a neat and fitting style. Bingo! The baby is fresh, and is ready for adventure!
It is important to master the art of bathing a baby properly. The bath cleanses the baby from dirt, dust and grime, and keeps the baby fresh, happy, comfortable and healthy! By learning the right procedure, you reduce the risk of drowning the child. I hope you find the information useful. Have fun!
Movies vs Books
Movies are certainly not ‘wrong’; depending on the type of movie, they can be ‘good’ too. In fact, watching movies is one of my favourite ways of whiling away free time. I especially enjoy musicals. ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Sound of Music’ are some of my all-time favourites. However, books are an infinitely better way to pass extra time.
Watching a show requires very little effort. The only exertion required is for me to remain awake and to keep breathing- no particular difficulty if the director of the film did a good job, and if my heart is yet strong. However, when I am reading, my eyes have to process the letters, form them into words and then, a sentence. My brain then does the job of unravelling the meaning of the sentences. It muses over the words, twisting them in an attempt to fit the sentence, especially if the words have multiple meanings. Books stimulate; movies promote indolence.
I have often tried ineffectually to shake myself out of a heavy stupor after having watched a long movie, however exciting it may be. I offer no explanation for this, as I do not know the cause of the lethargy. But I do know from experience that this is not the case with books. I am aroused; my mind races to solve the mystery of a novel, my blood rushes, and my heart pounds for the hero/heroine. I am forced to take a stand on a controversial topic and judge for myself; the book has done a good thing. It has stirred up my human body’s insatiable demand for more knowledge, added to its fund of data, and expanded its outlook. Reading also frees the imagination, exercising the mind, allowing it to run wild in a given sphere.
Reading develops the intellect. I remember having a reading session in the assembly hall before lessons began. At that time, I thought it was merely a ruse to keep hundreds of kids quiet; but now I’m not so sure. It was a quiet activity which also benefited us kids. Reading improved my English. Watching authors express themselves, seeing the choice of their vocabulary, and later understanding the reasons of that choice gave me versatility in the language. Writing becomes as natural as speaking to an avid reader, because he has observed the art of an experienced writer, and learned to use his imagination creatively. To him, writing is almost second nature. On the other hand, movies do not expand one’s imagination. Imagination is caged up instead of given free rein, and is left to become stale and dull. In a movie, everything is served in a golden platter. My intellect and my physical body are indulged- there is no thinking done. Solving a mystery requires only my lingering a little longer, whereas in a book, it is usually not possible to devour all its pages in one day, no matter how voracious the reader is. Watching a movie is an unhealthy and inactive activity compared to reading.
A book makes a perfect gift, a timeless present, and an elegant ornament to any home. A fine library is a treasure trove indeed! Each richly bound volume of stories or data will be useful in its turn, either whiling away the hours so pleasantly one never knows where it went, or filling up the gaps in one’s knowledge. Whichever it is, the book will surely be put to good use. I usually read of antiquated books, (like Grandma’s hidden diary or something along that line,) always associated with something precious. But I have yet to hear of an antiquated movie which has increased in value with time. Directors of ‘old’ movies are long forgotten, erased with the new and uprising generation of shows. But names of authors such as Dickens, Austen and Shakespeare ring throughout history, their works always appreciated, and their memory kept sacred. Movies can hardly put up a fight, can they?
A movie interspersed between times can be refreshing, but a book is the master of all trades and the jack of none. It is a companion in solitude, an ornament to the home, and a feast for the intellect. Hooray for books, and a cheer for their creators!!!
Watching a show requires very little effort. The only exertion required is for me to remain awake and to keep breathing- no particular difficulty if the director of the film did a good job, and if my heart is yet strong. However, when I am reading, my eyes have to process the letters, form them into words and then, a sentence. My brain then does the job of unravelling the meaning of the sentences. It muses over the words, twisting them in an attempt to fit the sentence, especially if the words have multiple meanings. Books stimulate; movies promote indolence.
I have often tried ineffectually to shake myself out of a heavy stupor after having watched a long movie, however exciting it may be. I offer no explanation for this, as I do not know the cause of the lethargy. But I do know from experience that this is not the case with books. I am aroused; my mind races to solve the mystery of a novel, my blood rushes, and my heart pounds for the hero/heroine. I am forced to take a stand on a controversial topic and judge for myself; the book has done a good thing. It has stirred up my human body’s insatiable demand for more knowledge, added to its fund of data, and expanded its outlook. Reading also frees the imagination, exercising the mind, allowing it to run wild in a given sphere.
Reading develops the intellect. I remember having a reading session in the assembly hall before lessons began. At that time, I thought it was merely a ruse to keep hundreds of kids quiet; but now I’m not so sure. It was a quiet activity which also benefited us kids. Reading improved my English. Watching authors express themselves, seeing the choice of their vocabulary, and later understanding the reasons of that choice gave me versatility in the language. Writing becomes as natural as speaking to an avid reader, because he has observed the art of an experienced writer, and learned to use his imagination creatively. To him, writing is almost second nature. On the other hand, movies do not expand one’s imagination. Imagination is caged up instead of given free rein, and is left to become stale and dull. In a movie, everything is served in a golden platter. My intellect and my physical body are indulged- there is no thinking done. Solving a mystery requires only my lingering a little longer, whereas in a book, it is usually not possible to devour all its pages in one day, no matter how voracious the reader is. Watching a movie is an unhealthy and inactive activity compared to reading.
A book makes a perfect gift, a timeless present, and an elegant ornament to any home. A fine library is a treasure trove indeed! Each richly bound volume of stories or data will be useful in its turn, either whiling away the hours so pleasantly one never knows where it went, or filling up the gaps in one’s knowledge. Whichever it is, the book will surely be put to good use. I usually read of antiquated books, (like Grandma’s hidden diary or something along that line,) always associated with something precious. But I have yet to hear of an antiquated movie which has increased in value with time. Directors of ‘old’ movies are long forgotten, erased with the new and uprising generation of shows. But names of authors such as Dickens, Austen and Shakespeare ring throughout history, their works always appreciated, and their memory kept sacred. Movies can hardly put up a fight, can they?
A movie interspersed between times can be refreshing, but a book is the master of all trades and the jack of none. It is a companion in solitude, an ornament to the home, and a feast for the intellect. Hooray for books, and a cheer for their creators!!!
Wish not so much to live long as to live well
“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.” Benjamin Franklin might have written this in regret of his long but traitorous life, for he did not grasp this concept well. Beginning as a humble but honest apprentice to a printer, he soon accumulated enough money to begin his own print business, and eventually served as President in the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. He began well. However, later on in his life, during the independence war, he worked as a double spy for both the American and British armies. Pretending to be a friend to both sides, he gathered their secrets and sold them to the other country. John Addams discovered this after the war, but dropped the case and released him scot-free because of the popularity he had with the American citizens. (This popularity began ever since he established his own print business, for Franklin both wrote and spoke well and soon won attention from the American world for his editorials, essays and commentaries. The fact that he rose to the position of Grand Master in a Freemason lodge after only 3 years of initiation, indicated his great fame.) Perhaps looking back in his life, he regretted this treacherous act which not only blackened his hereto spotless reputation, but also probably caused him a few sleepless nights, and thus wrote, “Wish not so much to live long as to live well”, to warn other youths from making the same mistake he made.
We all have many decisions to make in life, and we must beware of making the wrong choices, because every decision has its consequences. At the end of our lives, we may either look back with remorse or regret at our unproductive life, or we may look back with joy and contentment at our satisfied lives. It is better to live a short, fulfilled and happy life, than a long, dissipated and miserable one.
Methuselah, Noah’s grandfather lived long, the longest anyone on earth ever lived; but he did not live well. The Bible says that God saw “the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually,” and that God repented of ever creating mankind. The Bible did not record exactly what Methuselah thought and did, but it did record that everyone else beside Noah and his family perished in the Great Flood. Because Methuselah did not make the right choice to follow Noah’s preaching to repent of his wickedness, he perished in the flood. (You can calculate this by adding the years of Methuselah’s age when he had a son named Lamech, Lamech’s age when he had Noah, and Noah’s age when the flood came. The years you get and the years recorded in the Bible are exact— 969.) In comparison to his grandfather, Noah lived a short life, but he lived well. Noah obeyed God, and was spared the catastrophe of the rest of his world. He also received an unprecedented blessing. Everyone born on the cleansed earth would come from him. He had the special privilege of being the ‘father’ of the nations.
Time never seems to do exactly as we wish. When we want it to stay, it moves at lightning speed, and when we want it to run, it walks. Have you ever found that time seems to fly by when you are occupied with something that you really enjoy? For example, in the morning when the alarm clock goes off, it seems that you’ve only just gone to bed 10 minutes ago, when in reality it has been 8 hours since you went to sleep! Or going out with friends, playing a game, etc—these all pass too soon. Think of one activity that you really enjoy doing. Would you rather live on earth for 2 hours doing that, or spend 12 years doing something you don’t like (chores, homework, errands, dentist visits)? I would pick the first. Why? Because even though it lasts only for a while, you are happy doing your favourite activity whereas you would not enjoy doing chores, homework, errands, or having your teeth drilled. In the same way, a short and happy life is like doing your favourite activity; while a long and tedious (maybe evil) life is drudgery.
Jesus only lived for 33 years on earth, yet because of his 33 years, all mankind can now be reconciled to the Father. He came to die the death we should have died, and take the scourges we should have had. Jesus took our sins upon the cross of Calvary, and paid for it all- with His life. Because of His life, we are now free to go to heaven (provided we make the right choice to believe and confess that He is Christ the Son of God, and that He died, was buried, and rose again by the power of the Father) and spend the rest of eternity with Him. He did that all in thirty-three years! Yes, He lived His short life to the maximum, and He lived it well. Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven, because of what He did. So much cannot be said of King Henry the Eighth. With every material item he could ever want at his fingertips, he should have been happy. No. Instead, a more cantankerous, murderous and cruel king in the whole of England never ruled. He married 6 wives, 2 of whom he decapitated on fictitious grounds of treason because they did not bear him a son. As he grew older, the miserable king did not hesitate to kill anyone who crossed him. By the end of his life, Henry was a sad and lonely person, and he became terrified of getting ill. He lived for 56 years, (a ripe old age in the Tudor times), but by the time he died, everyone feared him and celebrated at his death.
However, not everyone will have to choose between a long and ‘bad’ life and a short but good life. There are people who live long and rich lives. God even promises longer days to those who fear the Lord, “The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” When we live in obedience to God’s commands, not only will we have the inner satisfaction of having lived well, but we will even have longer lives. Wow! What a bonus and blessing!
Earthly blessings should not be our only motivation to live well. After death, each of us will have to give an account of our doings to God, and He will judge us according to what we have done. If we believed and accepted the path Jesus made for us to heaven, then we would be free to enter heaven. But if we didn’t, we will go to hell. If we did well on earth, God will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.” But if we didn’t, He will cast us out into darkness where there are weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is added motivation to live well, isn’t it? No matter how long we get to live on earth, it is only a miniscule fraction of the time we will spend in either Heaven or Hell. We have the whole of eternity to reap the consequences of our acts on earth. We may enjoy ourselves on earth but not make the right decisions, and we will end up spending the rest of eternity reaping our desserts. On the other hand, living well, and obeying God on earth (even if it means persecution and pain) is far preferable to spending forever in hell. Our pain and persecution lasts for awhile on earth, but our not only does the Bible say our pain in hell is far, far worse than the most excruciating pain we’ve ever felt, but that it lasts forever. It never goes away.
We must not take our days on earth for granted. Besides the fact that we never know when we will die, we only have a specific time on earth to fulfil our purpose on earth, so we should not waste our days. We want to hear the welcome words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when we meet God face to face. We want to please God with our doings on earth. That can be accomplished by living well but not necessarily by living long. That is what’s important- living well. “Wish not so much to live long as to live well.”
We all have many decisions to make in life, and we must beware of making the wrong choices, because every decision has its consequences. At the end of our lives, we may either look back with remorse or regret at our unproductive life, or we may look back with joy and contentment at our satisfied lives. It is better to live a short, fulfilled and happy life, than a long, dissipated and miserable one.
Methuselah, Noah’s grandfather lived long, the longest anyone on earth ever lived; but he did not live well. The Bible says that God saw “the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually,” and that God repented of ever creating mankind. The Bible did not record exactly what Methuselah thought and did, but it did record that everyone else beside Noah and his family perished in the Great Flood. Because Methuselah did not make the right choice to follow Noah’s preaching to repent of his wickedness, he perished in the flood. (You can calculate this by adding the years of Methuselah’s age when he had a son named Lamech, Lamech’s age when he had Noah, and Noah’s age when the flood came. The years you get and the years recorded in the Bible are exact— 969.) In comparison to his grandfather, Noah lived a short life, but he lived well. Noah obeyed God, and was spared the catastrophe of the rest of his world. He also received an unprecedented blessing. Everyone born on the cleansed earth would come from him. He had the special privilege of being the ‘father’ of the nations.
Time never seems to do exactly as we wish. When we want it to stay, it moves at lightning speed, and when we want it to run, it walks. Have you ever found that time seems to fly by when you are occupied with something that you really enjoy? For example, in the morning when the alarm clock goes off, it seems that you’ve only just gone to bed 10 minutes ago, when in reality it has been 8 hours since you went to sleep! Or going out with friends, playing a game, etc—these all pass too soon. Think of one activity that you really enjoy doing. Would you rather live on earth for 2 hours doing that, or spend 12 years doing something you don’t like (chores, homework, errands, dentist visits)? I would pick the first. Why? Because even though it lasts only for a while, you are happy doing your favourite activity whereas you would not enjoy doing chores, homework, errands, or having your teeth drilled. In the same way, a short and happy life is like doing your favourite activity; while a long and tedious (maybe evil) life is drudgery.
Jesus only lived for 33 years on earth, yet because of his 33 years, all mankind can now be reconciled to the Father. He came to die the death we should have died, and take the scourges we should have had. Jesus took our sins upon the cross of Calvary, and paid for it all- with His life. Because of His life, we are now free to go to heaven (provided we make the right choice to believe and confess that He is Christ the Son of God, and that He died, was buried, and rose again by the power of the Father) and spend the rest of eternity with Him. He did that all in thirty-three years! Yes, He lived His short life to the maximum, and He lived it well. Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven, because of what He did. So much cannot be said of King Henry the Eighth. With every material item he could ever want at his fingertips, he should have been happy. No. Instead, a more cantankerous, murderous and cruel king in the whole of England never ruled. He married 6 wives, 2 of whom he decapitated on fictitious grounds of treason because they did not bear him a son. As he grew older, the miserable king did not hesitate to kill anyone who crossed him. By the end of his life, Henry was a sad and lonely person, and he became terrified of getting ill. He lived for 56 years, (a ripe old age in the Tudor times), but by the time he died, everyone feared him and celebrated at his death.
However, not everyone will have to choose between a long and ‘bad’ life and a short but good life. There are people who live long and rich lives. God even promises longer days to those who fear the Lord, “The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” When we live in obedience to God’s commands, not only will we have the inner satisfaction of having lived well, but we will even have longer lives. Wow! What a bonus and blessing!
Earthly blessings should not be our only motivation to live well. After death, each of us will have to give an account of our doings to God, and He will judge us according to what we have done. If we believed and accepted the path Jesus made for us to heaven, then we would be free to enter heaven. But if we didn’t, we will go to hell. If we did well on earth, God will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.” But if we didn’t, He will cast us out into darkness where there are weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is added motivation to live well, isn’t it? No matter how long we get to live on earth, it is only a miniscule fraction of the time we will spend in either Heaven or Hell. We have the whole of eternity to reap the consequences of our acts on earth. We may enjoy ourselves on earth but not make the right decisions, and we will end up spending the rest of eternity reaping our desserts. On the other hand, living well, and obeying God on earth (even if it means persecution and pain) is far preferable to spending forever in hell. Our pain and persecution lasts for awhile on earth, but our not only does the Bible say our pain in hell is far, far worse than the most excruciating pain we’ve ever felt, but that it lasts forever. It never goes away.
We must not take our days on earth for granted. Besides the fact that we never know when we will die, we only have a specific time on earth to fulfil our purpose on earth, so we should not waste our days. We want to hear the welcome words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when we meet God face to face. We want to please God with our doings on earth. That can be accomplished by living well but not necessarily by living long. That is what’s important- living well. “Wish not so much to live long as to live well.”
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