Made in China

Cheap labor for cheap thrills have made China the backyard of post-modern commerce and industry. Toys, gadgets, shoes, paper, tools, etc. sold in the US and the rest of the world are made by the hands of the Chinese people. Do not underestimate, however, the growing presence and the rising power of such a people and nation. Zhang Yimou's Hero and House of Flying Daggers are the best films I have seen this year so far. He is a genius, he throws the story at the audience the way his characters throw their daggers and use their swords: graceful, strong, precise, and horribly beautiful.

These are disturbing times - the white armies who conquer lands and slay innocent lives are approaching their defeat. These are the days of the underdog, the oppressed, and the conquered territories. The superpower is about to drown in weakness and a new Power will arise. This is man's story ruled by shifts of power, not the balance of power. All of us are competing for Ultimate World Super Power title holder. But God has a different story - the Truth. He is Power and He will reign forevermore. We have battles to win and enemies to destroy, while God has souls to save. Man's pen is mightier than his sword. God's Word - the Truth - is also His Sword, double-edged, piercing through marrows and the deep bottomless conscience.

If you are given a gift, you would hope it is something useful, precious, and worth your time and existence. There is a sense of expectation that drives us to open gifts, to uncover the unseen, to receive something new and fresh. Life is a gift, and if there is nothing in it for us when unwrapped, then we are no more than fools wasting our time and lives on this planet. Have you received the gift of life? Are you hoping it is something beautiful, extraordinary, exquisite, and divine? It better be, otherwise what you have received is not a blessing but a curse, a joke that everyone, except you, will laugh at.

The characters in Hero and House of Flying Daggers were burdened by the governments upon their shoulders. They were all fighting for the same cause - the right to rule and reign over the land - avenging the principles and the lives of their predecessors. Jin and Mei came from two opposite camps, both being played as "pawns on a chessboard" by their leaders until they both found each other. In love. Eventually, they both abandon their people, and fight for love and for one another. Their governments didn't care if they died or not, they only wanted the mission accomplished. Jin and Mei lost their people and their lives. They died in each other's arms knowing they have love that is worth dying for.

On any given day, love conquers all.

So will a new Super Power really change the destiny of mankind? Will it finally put an end to persistent struggles with equality, race, wealth, justice, healthcare, employment, etc.? As mentioned earlier, a shift of power, not a balance of power will occur, and the world will just become a more competitive, more vengeful place to live in. It seems that all the gifts we are unwrapping are all empty and making us more discontent, hateful, jealous, greedy, and insecure. Have you received the true gift of life?

Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."