Imagine if you lived your life inside a painting.
Imagine if the painting where you live is 25,000 miles from the bottom to the top and 15,000 miles wide. It's a beautiful painting, full of colors ... and because you have imagination and curiosity, for as long as you live you're entirely free to walk, drive or swim from one end of the canvas to the other, or from the top to the bottom if you choose, as many times as you like.
But because you live inside a painting you live in a 2D world, and cannot ever leave its surface.
-- -- --
Flying is out: not only is it impossible for you to move even one brush stroke up from the canvas surface, it's also impossible for you to imagine, much less explain, what a 3D world might be like.
Your brain simply isn't wired to think in three dimensions
Scientists living alongside you in the painting are no better off, because their perceptions are also limited by what they can see, test and explain around them ... in two dimensions. They'll argue that three dimensions cannot exist ... because no experiment can be conceived, much less performed, in 2D that will prove three dimensions exist.
Three dimensions can't fit inside a 2D world. Or be described by 2D brainpans.
-- -- --
If you lived inside a painting would you argue that God, the creator of the painting and the universe, had to live within two dimensions as well ... the two you're familiar with ... restrained by the same physical limits as you, otherwise he couldn't possibly exist?
Or could God simply be too awesome and big ... that's what infinite means ... to fit inside our 3D box?
Friday, July 25, 2008
The 3D God Box - pt. 1
Will science ever prove God exists? Or, Can science prove God exists?
For believers the answer might be, Who cares?
-- -- --
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
- Isaiah 52:1 (52:1-3)
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
- John 20:28
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
- John 20:29
For believers the answer might be, Who cares?
-- -- --
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
- Isaiah 52:1 (52:1-3)
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
- John 20:28
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
- John 20:29
A brief history of sunglasses
Ever wondered where sunglasses came from, who invented them and how they got here?
"It is said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights with emeralds. These, however, appear to have worked rather like mirrors. Flat panes of smoky quartz which offered no corrective powers but did protect the eyes from glare were used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier. Contemporary documents describe the use of such crystals by judges in Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses.
"It is said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights with emeralds. These, however, appear to have worked rather like mirrors. Flat panes of smoky quartz which offered no corrective powers but did protect the eyes from glare were used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier. Contemporary documents describe the use of such crystals by judges in Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses.
"James Ayscough began experimenting with tinted lenses in spectacles in the mid-18th century. These were not "sunglasses" as such; Ayscough believed blue- or green-tinted glass could correct for specific vision impairments. Protection from the sun's rays was not a concern of his.
"Yellow/Amber and brown-tinted spectacles were also a commonly-prescribed item for people with syphilis in the 19th and early 20th centuries because of the sensitivity to light that was one of the symptoms of the disease.
"Modern developments
"In the early 1900s, the use of sunglasses started to become more widespread, especially among the pioneering stars of silent movies. It is commonly believed that this was to avoid recognition by fans, but the real reason was they often had perennially sore eyes from the powerful arc lights that were needed due to the extremely slow speed film stocks used." [emphasis added]
-from Wikipedia
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
fear is a lie
Fear preaches, You're going to hell ... unless you get hold of yourself and stop sinning.
But Christ proclaims, You are loved ... and born again without sin.
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
- 1 John 3:9
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
-Romans 6:11
But Christ proclaims, You are loved ... and born again without sin.
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
- 1 John 3:9
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
-Romans 6:11
Monday, July 21, 2008
Pastor Reginald
Up with insomnia, I e-mailed this observation to a friend:
"I think it would be difficult for any man named "Reginald" to be a preacher.
"Because any time someone came up to him after a service and said, "Way to preach one outta the park, Reginald" or "You really have a way of bringing the congregation together, Reginald" the poor guy couldn't tell if the comment was sarcastic, or meant as a compliment."
:-)
Have an awesome Monday!
"I think it would be difficult for any man named "Reginald" to be a preacher.
"Because any time someone came up to him after a service and said, "Way to preach one outta the park, Reginald" or "You really have a way of bringing the congregation together, Reginald" the poor guy couldn't tell if the comment was sarcastic, or meant as a compliment."
:-)
Have an awesome Monday!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
totALy pUre inNerGy
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40:31
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40:31
Saturday, July 19, 2008
I hate sinners and wouldn't lift a hand to help them
Are you better than Christ ... who lifted both hands to nail sin to the cross?
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
-Colossians 2:13-15
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
-Colossians 2:13-15
I'm going to straighten my life out and get myself turned around
No, you're not.
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
- Ephesians 2:14-16 (NIV)
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
- John 15:19 (NIV)
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
- Ephesians 2:14-16 (NIV)
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
- John 15:19 (NIV)
But it's more fun during the week pointing fingers at sinners!
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human being,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
-Philippians 2:1-8 (TNIV)
Is religion the answer?
No. But a Relationship is.
Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
- Romans 5:18 (NLT)
Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
- Romans 5:18 (NLT)
Friday, July 18, 2008
Time to Rededicate?
Rededicate is a great word, isn't it? Trouble is, I couldn't find "rededicate" in Webster's Dictionary. Or anywhere in scripture (NIV). Not even in the KJV.
John the Baptist did not say, "Rededicate, for the kingdom of God is near." Christ never said, "The kingdom of God is near. Rededicate and believe the good news!"
Nor did Jesus say, "For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not rededicate and believe him."
Instead, the word was Repent.
-- -- --
Repent means to turn away from sin. Repent means to become dedicated, or set apart, to changing one's life ... permanently.
Repenting doesn't mean looking the other way when it's convenient ... trusting that salvation is permanent but the wages of sin are not ... then going forth to sin some more.
-- -- --
Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
John the Baptist did not say, "Rededicate, for the kingdom of God is near." Christ never said, "The kingdom of God is near. Rededicate and believe the good news!"
Nor did Jesus say, "For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not rededicate and believe him."
Instead, the word was Repent.
-- -- --
Repent means to turn away from sin. Repent means to become dedicated, or set apart, to changing one's life ... permanently.
Repenting doesn't mean looking the other way when it's convenient ... trusting that salvation is permanent but the wages of sin are not ... then going forth to sin some more.
-- -- --
Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
- John 8:10-11
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Who's the happiest with a stagnant church?
-The folks who've been members for 4 generations, and have their names splashed across the stained glass windows?
-The folks who like being recognized for their financial contributions?
-The folks who expect the pastor to notice their absence and drop by the house "just to make sure they're OK"?
- The elders who expect to be consulted on every decision?
-The folks who expect everyone else to know their names?
-The folks who like "Doing things the same way we've always done things"?
-The folks who insist "Let those other people go to their own churches"?
-The members who're afraid "We'll lose control if a bunch of new people start traipsing through the door"?
Or is it the enemy who's happiest when a church becomes stagnant, loses its vision and stops reaching people for Christ?
The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
-Matthew 13:38-29
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
-Luke 10:19
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
-2 Corintians 9:13
-The folks who like being recognized for their financial contributions?
-The folks who expect the pastor to notice their absence and drop by the house "just to make sure they're OK"?
- The elders who expect to be consulted on every decision?
-The folks who expect everyone else to know their names?
-The folks who like "Doing things the same way we've always done things"?
-The folks who insist "Let those other people go to their own churches"?
-The members who're afraid "We'll lose control if a bunch of new people start traipsing through the door"?
Or is it the enemy who's happiest when a church becomes stagnant, loses its vision and stops reaching people for Christ?
The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
-Matthew 13:38-29
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
-Luke 10:19
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
-2 Corintians 9:13
Am I A Moron?
Recently mentioned that I'm reading Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon by Daniel C. Dennett. On Tuesday I came to this:
"According to a recent survey, only about a quarter of the population of the United States understands that evolution is about as well established as the fact that water is H20."
"What about the Scientific Creationists and Intelligent Deign proponents who are so vocal and visible in well-publicized campaigns? They have all been carefully and patiently rebutted by conscientious scientists who have taken the trouble to penetrate their smoke screens of propaganda and expose their shifty arguments and their apparently deliberate misrepresentations and evasions."
In other words, you're a dope unless you think like a "bright."
-- -- --
Here's an example of "scientific evidence" that human beings are descended, via evolution, from apes:
"Chromosome 2 is widely accepted to be a result of an end-to-end fusion of two ancestral chromosomes. [3][4] The evidence for this includes: -Wiki source
Do I understand one iota of what that means? Nope ... and I can't responsibly comment on this article either.
But it does sound to me like genomic instability is more likely to create runaway cell divisions (like cancer) than to cause apes to evolve into human beings.
Post Hoc is the logical fallacy "If X follows Y, then X was caused by Y." In other words, it's false to assume that the sequence of events proves cause.
-- -- --
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts."
-Albert Einstein
It's ironic that astro-physicists peer through their telescopes across the vastness of the universe and have little trouble admitting, "We don't know all the answers." As their knowledge increases, physicists are constantly exploring and developing new theories about how the universe began.
But evolutionists can point to fossils and angrily claim "We do know all the answers ... since 1859! You're descended from apes --- and dumb as dirt if you don't believe it."
"According to a recent survey, only about a quarter of the population of the United States understands that evolution is about as well established as the fact that water is H20."
"What about the Scientific Creationists and Intelligent Deign proponents who are so vocal and visible in well-publicized campaigns? They have all been carefully and patiently rebutted by conscientious scientists who have taken the trouble to penetrate their smoke screens of propaganda and expose their shifty arguments and their apparently deliberate misrepresentations and evasions."
In other words, you're a dope unless you think like a "bright."
-- -- --
Here's an example of "scientific evidence" that human beings are descended, via evolution, from apes:
"Chromosome 2 is widely accepted to be a result of an end-to-end fusion of two ancestral chromosomes. [3][4] The evidence for this includes:
- The correspondence of chromosome 2 to two ape chromosomes. The closest human relative, the chimpanzee, has near-identical DNA sequences to human chromosome 2, but they are found in two separate chromosomes. The same is true of the more distant gorilla and orangutan. [5][6]
- The presence of a vestigial centromere. Normally a chromosome has just one centromere, but in chromosome 2 we see remnants of a second. [7]
- The presence of vestigial telomeres. These are normally found only at the ends of a chromosome, but in chromosome 2 we see additional telomere sequences in the middle. [8]
- Chromosome 2 is thus strong evidence in favour of the common descent of humans and other apes. According to researcher J. W. IJdo, "We conclude that the locus cloned in cosmids c8.1 and c29B is the relic of an ancient telomere-telomere fusion and marks the point at which two ancestral ape chromosomes fused to give rise to human chromosome."
Do I understand one iota of what that means? Nope ... and I can't responsibly comment on this article either.
But it does sound to me like genomic instability is more likely to create runaway cell divisions (like cancer) than to cause apes to evolve into human beings.
Post Hoc is the logical fallacy "If X follows Y, then X was caused by Y." In other words, it's false to assume that the sequence of events proves cause.
-- -- --
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts."
-Albert Einstein
It's ironic that astro-physicists peer through their telescopes across the vastness of the universe and have little trouble admitting, "We don't know all the answers." As their knowledge increases, physicists are constantly exploring and developing new theories about how the universe began.
But evolutionists can point to fossils and angrily claim "We do know all the answers ... since 1859! You're descended from apes --- and dumb as dirt if you don't believe it."
Monday, July 14, 2008
Big Sin Round-Up
What sins are the worst sins? The sins so bad that everyone can agree, "Now that's a big sin" ... the sins that are likely to get you noticed, or even kicked out of church?
Should we include Dancing? Drinking alcohol? What about going to movies or football games on Sunday, listening to country music ... or wearing jeans to church?
Some denominations (proudly) define themselves by prohibiting those behaviors, and committing those activities might violate their covenants and earn you a stern warning, but reasonable folks could argue whether they're even sins in the first place.
I Define Myself As A Christian By Condemning Others For Their Sins
What about swearing? Lying? Stealing? Gossiping ... or speeding? Now there's some real sins- 4 of them are specifically enjoined in scripture- but the only transgression likely to get you booted through the church door is stealing (and that's if you're caught stealing from them).
Sin's Not A Sin Unless I Say So
Then there's the red-letter sins, like lust, adultery and coveting. No argument that those are some of the "worst" sins, right? Thing is, none of them will get you kicked out of church either ... not unless you're caught or found out.
If It Walks Like A Deacon, Talks Like A Deacon, And Prays Using Thee and Thou
What's happening here? Man-made rules are created to prohibit public behaviors, acts that might not even be sins in the first place, ostensibly to define what makes Christians different from sinners ... while public behaviors that are clearly sinful, like wrath, arrogance, pride, gossip and coveting- fly by without once raising an eyebrow.
Going To God Looking Our Best ... but keeping the rest in the closet
Traditionally, churches have been preoccupied with outward appearances as a measure of righteousness or "spiritual success":
Teen-aged girls wearing dresses, ribbons, long sleeves (and flat heels) to church are "nice girls" who obviously aren't having sex. Teen-aged boys who show up on Sunday mornings with a tie and neatly-combed hair aren't doing drugs, getting fall-down drunk the night before or cheating in school.
"Family men" who drag their kids to church three times a week can't possibly be addicted to gambling or porn. Mothers who volunteer in the church nursery and serve on the Benevolence committee can't be having affairs, struggling with alcohol or suffering with a dependence on prescription drugs.
Appearance Counts For Lots
It's just, lots of Not Too Much.
Should we include Dancing? Drinking alcohol? What about going to movies or football games on Sunday, listening to country music ... or wearing jeans to church?
Some denominations (proudly) define themselves by prohibiting those behaviors, and committing those activities might violate their covenants and earn you a stern warning, but reasonable folks could argue whether they're even sins in the first place.
I Define Myself As A Christian By Condemning Others For Their Sins
What about swearing? Lying? Stealing? Gossiping ... or speeding? Now there's some real sins- 4 of them are specifically enjoined in scripture- but the only transgression likely to get you booted through the church door is stealing (and that's if you're caught stealing from them).
Sin's Not A Sin Unless I Say So
Then there's the red-letter sins, like lust, adultery and coveting. No argument that those are some of the "worst" sins, right? Thing is, none of them will get you kicked out of church either ... not unless you're caught or found out.
If It Walks Like A Deacon, Talks Like A Deacon, And Prays Using Thee and Thou
What's happening here? Man-made rules are created to prohibit public behaviors, acts that might not even be sins in the first place, ostensibly to define what makes Christians different from sinners ... while public behaviors that are clearly sinful, like wrath, arrogance, pride, gossip and coveting- fly by without once raising an eyebrow.
Going To God Looking Our Best ... but keeping the rest in the closet
Traditionally, churches have been preoccupied with outward appearances as a measure of righteousness or "spiritual success":
Teen-aged girls wearing dresses, ribbons, long sleeves (and flat heels) to church are "nice girls" who obviously aren't having sex. Teen-aged boys who show up on Sunday mornings with a tie and neatly-combed hair aren't doing drugs, getting fall-down drunk the night before or cheating in school.
"Family men" who drag their kids to church three times a week can't possibly be addicted to gambling or porn. Mothers who volunteer in the church nursery and serve on the Benevolence committee can't be having affairs, struggling with alcohol or suffering with a dependence on prescription drugs.
Appearance Counts For Lots
It's just, lots of Not Too Much.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Why did Christ die on the cross? (updated)
Not to teach us to wear a suit and tie to church on Sundays, or to wear choir robes or sing cantatas at Easter.
Not to define church as a building with a steeple.
Not so believers could embrace candidates or political action committees.
Not to allow his followers to pursue retribution, personal agendas or vengeance.
Not so Christians can feel superior, ridicule the less fortunate ... or point fingers at sinners.
Not to put God "on my side," do us supernatural favors, or make our lives happy and comfortable.
Not so you could act like a big shot at your church.
-- -- --
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
- John 3:17
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
- Galatians 6:14
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:7
Not to define church as a building with a steeple.
Not so believers could embrace candidates or political action committees.
Not to allow his followers to pursue retribution, personal agendas or vengeance.
Not so Christians can feel superior, ridicule the less fortunate ... or point fingers at sinners.
Not to put God "on my side," do us supernatural favors, or make our lives happy and comfortable.
Not so you could act like a big shot at your church.
-- -- --
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
- John 3:17
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
- Galatians 6:14
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:7
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Van Rooyen's Lion Dog
Rhodesian Ridgeback a/ka/ "the African Lion Hound or African Lion Dog—Simba Inja in Ndebele, Shumba Imbwa in Shona." -wiki
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
why?
Lukundo is a short story written in 1927 by Edward Lucas White. Like several of White's stories, Lukundo is based on one of the author's nightmares.
This afternoon while surfing I found out that Edward Lucas White lived, and wrote Lukundo, in Baltimore.
In a generation of iPods, CG special-FX popcorn movies and presidential elections driven by sound bites, you might read Lukundo ... just to try your hand at figuring out what's really going on. Underneath the veil and disguise of words.
I also learned that White committed suicide seven years to the day after the death of his wife, Agnes.
-- -- --
While trying to learn more about the author, a Google search spat out the name of Carl H. Meyers. I have no idea who he was; all I know is that he's buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
The on-line record indicates, "First Lieutenant, Air Service, 1 1923 Suicide Victim In Hawaii."
-- -- --
1923 was 85 years ago. Such a long, long time in the past. So?
So what was happening in Meyers' life that made suicide seem the best solution? What series of circumstances combined to make his life seem unbearable? What was the final lever that broke his grip ... and ultimately pushed Myers over the edge?
85 years later, do any of the problems he faced still seem so painfully insurmountable?
We don't know, and Myers isn't here to tell us.
The tragedy is a life lost to itself.
-- -- --
There are approximately 750,000 suicide attempts each year.
- On average, a young person (age 15-24) dies by suicide every 2 hours and 12 minutes.
- More people die from suicide than from homicide.
Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people. (estimate)
http://www.suicide.org/suicide-statistics.html
This afternoon while surfing I found out that Edward Lucas White lived, and wrote Lukundo, in Baltimore.
In a generation of iPods, CG special-FX popcorn movies and presidential elections driven by sound bites, you might read Lukundo ... just to try your hand at figuring out what's really going on. Underneath the veil and disguise of words.
I also learned that White committed suicide seven years to the day after the death of his wife, Agnes.
-- -- --
While trying to learn more about the author, a Google search spat out the name of Carl H. Meyers. I have no idea who he was; all I know is that he's buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
The on-line record indicates, "First Lieutenant, Air Service, 1 1923 Suicide Victim In Hawaii."
-- -- --
1923 was 85 years ago. Such a long, long time in the past. So?
So what was happening in Meyers' life that made suicide seem the best solution? What series of circumstances combined to make his life seem unbearable? What was the final lever that broke his grip ... and ultimately pushed Myers over the edge?
85 years later, do any of the problems he faced still seem so painfully insurmountable?
We don't know, and Myers isn't here to tell us.
The tragedy is a life lost to itself.
-- -- --
There are approximately 750,000 suicide attempts each year.
An estimated 5 million living Americans have attempted suicide.
- On average, one suicide occurs every 17 minutes.- On average, a young person (age 15-24) dies by suicide every 2 hours and 12 minutes.
- More people die from suicide than from homicide.
Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people. (estimate)
http://www.suicide.org/suicide-statistics.html
Like my leftovers?
I got a friend who's looking for boat speakers. I just happen to have a pair I'm willing to part with ... at no charge.
I was just about to apply the screwdriver to the grilles when my real motivation became apparent ... and much uglier.
I was killing two birds with one stone: by graciously donating my 23 year old speakers to someone in need, I was depicting myself as a generous, unselfish friend. But by giving up my ancient speakers I was subconsciously giving myself a self-righteous reason to buy what I actually wanted ... a brand new pair ... for myself.
Giving away my leftovers or anything else that's second best, and then buying something much nicer & better for myself, says something about misunderstanding what Generosity means.
But it gets even worse. Giving others second best - and then expecting them to sing praises of gratitude and act indebted to me for my generosity - reveals lots about my selfishness. Putting my material greed first also points to a shameful condescension and arrogance toward folks less fortunate than me.
When did God ever give us less than his best?
-- -- --
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
- Proverbs 11:25
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
- Matthew 7:12
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
- Luke 14:11
I was just about to apply the screwdriver to the grilles when my real motivation became apparent ... and much uglier.
I was killing two birds with one stone: by graciously donating my 23 year old speakers to someone in need, I was depicting myself as a generous, unselfish friend. But by giving up my ancient speakers I was subconsciously giving myself a self-righteous reason to buy what I actually wanted ... a brand new pair ... for myself.
Giving away my leftovers or anything else that's second best, and then buying something much nicer & better for myself, says something about misunderstanding what Generosity means.
But it gets even worse. Giving others second best - and then expecting them to sing praises of gratitude and act indebted to me for my generosity - reveals lots about my selfishness. Putting my material greed first also points to a shameful condescension and arrogance toward folks less fortunate than me.
When did God ever give us less than his best?
-- -- --
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
- Proverbs 11:25
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
- Matthew 7:12
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
- Luke 14:11
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Oye, Chicos y Chicas: an easy home-made Cuban sandwich - actualizado
So this morning I went to the grocery store and bought a pork loin. Then covered it with olive oil and spice, and stuck it in the oven. About 100 minutes later, it came out looking like this:
Then I slapped some mustard on both sides of a day-old French loaf. I was so excited to be having a Cuban sandwich, I forgot to cut the bread diagonally:
Next came a slice of Swiss cheese, some ham, the roast pork ... and a slice of dill pickle:
I don't have a Cuban sandwich press, so I used two skillets. The one on bottom was set to medium heat:
The second skillet was used to press down each side for about a minute:
This is what a Cubano Joe tastes like:
Not bad indeed.
Maybe tomorrow I'll cook up some plaintanos, or frijoles negros y arroz blanco.
Then I slapped some mustard on both sides of a day-old French loaf. I was so excited to be having a Cuban sandwich, I forgot to cut the bread diagonally:
Next came a slice of Swiss cheese, some ham, the roast pork ... and a slice of dill pickle:
I don't have a Cuban sandwich press, so I used two skillets. The one on bottom was set to medium heat:
The second skillet was used to press down each side for about a minute:
This is what a Cubano Joe tastes like:
Not bad indeed.
Maybe tomorrow I'll cook up some plaintanos, or frijoles negros y arroz blanco.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Two more of life's biggest dilemmas solved
Now that I've found a place that actually sells fresh Cuban bread on-line, I'd love having this Cuban sandwich press, really I would.
But it's commercial/restaurant quality and costs $489. Wonder if a brick wrapped in aluminum foil could really work as well?
Do It Yourself Cubanos
What's a Cuban sandwich anyway?
What's a Medianoche?
But it's commercial/restaurant quality and costs $489. Wonder if a brick wrapped in aluminum foil could really work as well?Do It Yourself Cubanos
What's a Cuban sandwich anyway?
What's a Medianoche?
Monday, July 07, 2008
Knowing God's will and purpose
Ever noticed that so long as "things are exciting" and "going according to plan"; when the money's rolling in and we're "confident" or "happy" with our lives ... that we also feel "in touch with God" and confident of his will ... and stimulated by our purpose and effectiveness?
We feel like God's right there at our shoulder ... so long as the future appears bright and unfettered on the horizon.
We feel like God's right there at our shoulder ... so long as the future appears bright and unfettered on the horizon.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Tithing? The way things are now? Are you kidding me?
"Aw man, last year I was making way too much money to even think about tithing. But now that the economy is slowing down and gas prices are outta control, well, we're having real trouble just trying to make ends meet!"
Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.
- Deuteronomy 28-47-48
God is not a man, that he should lie,
nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
- Numbers 23:19
Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.
- Deuteronomy 28-47-48
God is not a man, that he should lie,
nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
- Numbers 23:19
Independence Day
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
- Galatians 5:1
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
- Romans 6:18
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
- Romans 6:22
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
- Galatians 5:13
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
- Romans 6:7
- Galatians 5:1
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
- Romans 6:18
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
- Romans 6:22
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
- Galatians 5:13
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
- Romans 6:7
Whatcha reading right now?
Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
by Daniel C. Dennett
"Until now few books have tried to investigate [religion] in a scientific manner." (from the cover)
I'm just 27 pages in; more as it develops.
-- -- --
Do you know the laws of the heavens?
Can you set up God's dominion over the earth?
- Job 38:33
by Daniel C. Dennett
"Until now few books have tried to investigate [religion] in a scientific manner." (from the cover)
I'm just 27 pages in; more as it develops.
-- -- --
Do you know the laws of the heavens?
Can you set up God's dominion over the earth?
- Job 38:33
These two come first
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
-Matthew 22:35-39
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
-Matthew 22:35-39
Who is your God?
"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."
- 1 Kings 8:23
"And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul"
- Deuteronomy 10:12
"You must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul."
-Deuteronomy 13:3
"Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said:
"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."
-1 Kings 8:22-23
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
- Micah 6:8
"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
-Zephaniah 3:17
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
- 1 John 3:1
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."
- 1 John 4:9
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
- 1 John 4:8
- 1 Kings 8:23
"And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul"
- Deuteronomy 10:12
"You must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul."
-Deuteronomy 13:3
"Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said:
"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."
-1 Kings 8:22-23
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
- Micah 6:8
"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
-Zephaniah 3:17
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
- 1 John 3:1
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."
- 1 John 4:9
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
- 1 John 4:8
Friday, July 04, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Totally Exposed!
-from Tuesday's "Grin and Bear It" Department:
Remember the "men's" magazines that featured glossy centerfold photos? Usually the flip-side included an "About Me" section wherein the model inevitably admitted, "I'll try anything once."
I always wanted to blurt out, "Oh, really? Would ya?"
Would ya try grabbing the wrong bottle from the back of your pickup ... and washing your clothes in motor oil?
(hint: you can skip the Rinse cycle ... forever)
Would ya try buying a frozen pizza because it looks delicious in the grocery freezer, knowing there's No Way it's gonna fit inside your fridge?
Would ya try positioning $50 worth of groceries on your boat, knowing the boat leans mightily to that side soon as you start climbing on board?
Shoot, I'd try all those things ... and did.
Guess you could say I'm also willing to try anything once ... I just don't always know what I'm about to try for the first time ... before it happens.
Be Nice to someone who's "trying something once" today ... life's little aggravations will likely seem outrageously funny once they've passed.
Have an awesome Tuesday!
Remember the "men's" magazines that featured glossy centerfold photos? Usually the flip-side included an "About Me" section wherein the model inevitably admitted, "I'll try anything once."
I always wanted to blurt out, "Oh, really? Would ya?"
Would ya try grabbing the wrong bottle from the back of your pickup ... and washing your clothes in motor oil?
(hint: you can skip the Rinse cycle ... forever)Would ya try buying a frozen pizza because it looks delicious in the grocery freezer, knowing there's No Way it's gonna fit inside your fridge?
Would ya try positioning $50 worth of groceries on your boat, knowing the boat leans mightily to that side soon as you start climbing on board?
Shoot, I'd try all those things ... and did.
Guess you could say I'm also willing to try anything once ... I just don't always know what I'm about to try for the first time ... before it happens.
Be Nice to someone who's "trying something once" today ... life's little aggravations will likely seem outrageously funny once they've passed.
Have an awesome Tuesday!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Standing amazed in the presence of evolution. Not. (updated)
This guy made an appearance this morning just outside my window (hatch).
My little 8-meg digital camera doesn't do the contours and subtle shadings of his/her feathers justice ... he was amazing to watch, even though he wasn't doing anything.
Update: "Bird Family Tree Gets Re-write"
My little 8-meg digital camera doesn't do the contours and subtle shadings of his/her feathers justice ... he was amazing to watch, even though he wasn't doing anything.
Update: "Bird Family Tree Gets Re-write"
June 26, 2008 -- A five-year project has revolutionized scientific thought on the evolution of birds and the results are so surprising that now even the textbooks will have to be rewritten, a study said Thursday.
"With this study, we learned two major things," said Sushma Reddy, lead author and a fellow at The Field Museum in Chicago, Ill.
"First, appearances can be deceiving. Birds that look or act similar are not necessarily related. Second, much of bird classification and conventional wisdom on the evolutionary relationships of birds is wrong."
The results of the largest ever study of bird genetics are so widespread that the names of dozens of birds will now have to be changed, says the study to be published in Science magazine.
"Everything that money can buy and everything that Science knows"
Saw this ancient print ad yesterday and thought its perspective was worth sharing ...
Sunday, June 29, 2008
what's wrong with my life?
It's not just spiraling gas prices or the unbearably hot weather or even the upcoming election that's on folks' minds. Sure seems like there's more than enough malaise to go around ...
I wish gas prices would go down.
I wish I made more money.
I wish I could find my perfect someone.
I wish I knew what to do about school.
I wish I had a nicer house ... a newer car ... a bigger boat.
I wish I had more friends/more people liked me.
I wish I was thinner/more muscular/better-looking.
I wish I was happier.
I wish I could take time out to breath.
I wish I knew where I'd be 5/10/20 years from now.
I wish I knew why I wasn't happy.
But not, I wish I could witness to more people about Christ ?
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
-2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)
I wish gas prices would go down.
I wish I made more money.
I wish I could find my perfect someone.
I wish I knew what to do about school.
I wish I had a nicer house ... a newer car ... a bigger boat.
I wish I had more friends/more people liked me.
I wish I was thinner/more muscular/better-looking.
I wish I was happier.
I wish I could take time out to breath.
I wish I knew where I'd be 5/10/20 years from now.
I wish I knew why I wasn't happy.
But not, I wish I could witness to more people about Christ ?
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
-2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
not by might nor by power
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
- 2 Peter 3:9
-- --
So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty."
- Zechariah 4:6
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57
- 2 Peter 3:9
-- --
So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty."
- Zechariah 4:6
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57
Friday, June 27, 2008
It's always hotter on the other side of the fence
One of the things I've craved & missed enjoying on Calypso was pizza.
Builders didn't install electric ovens on "weekender" boats back in 1985 when my tub first floated, so I made do with frozen "microwaveable pizza" (another oxymoron) whenever the urge struck.
That is, until yesterday ... when I installed this 120-volt Princess (why oh why couldn't it be called a Pirate instead?) range.
But remember what they say about the grass always looking greener ...
All I'm saying is, try running the oven for 45 minutes inside a boat- one that's no larger than a minivan- when it's 95 F degrees outside.
Pizza? Who needs it.
:-)
Have a Great Weekend!
Builders didn't install electric ovens on "weekender" boats back in 1985 when my tub first floated, so I made do with frozen "microwaveable pizza" (another oxymoron) whenever the urge struck.
That is, until yesterday ... when I installed this 120-volt Princess (why oh why couldn't it be called a Pirate instead?) range.
But remember what they say about the grass always looking greener ...
All I'm saying is, try running the oven for 45 minutes inside a boat- one that's no larger than a minivan- when it's 95 F degrees outside.
Pizza? Who needs it.
:-)
Have a Great Weekend!
My Favorite Song
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
CHORUS:
Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
VERSE 2:
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
BRIDGE:
Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The greatest news ever
"I believe the message of Jesus Christ exchanging places with me and paying for my sin is THE single greatest news on the planet–and I absolutely REFUSE to allow non passionate people to quench the fire God has placed inside of me." - Perry Noble
Monday, June 23, 2008
Ancient Salad Dressing
Shipwreck Yields World's Oldest Salad Dressing
"June 20, 2008 -- Olive oil infused with fragrant herbs has been identified in an ancient Greek ceramic transport jar ..." read more here
Don't tell me ... they're all outta Ranch?!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Vile
If you're interested, you can read more about Westboro Baptist Church's latest protest here.
-- -- --
When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
- John 8: 7
How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
- Luke 6: 42
-- -- --
When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin"?
Differing weights and differing measures—
the LORD detests them both.
- Proverbs 20: 8-10
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
- John 8: 7
How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
- Luke 6: 42
License to Learn
I remember the Saturday morning I completed my oral exam and check ride and proudly showed Rob, the flying instructor, my brand new private pilot's license.
He glanced down at my license and handed it right back to me. "Remember, it says Pilot License - but it's actually a Learner's License."
-- -- --
Having a Pilot's License doesn't mean you've got the experience to have learned all there is to know about flying. A license doesn't keep you from crashing or making mistakes. Having a license doesn't entitle you to sit back in the cockpit and watch the clouds drift by under your wings.
Having a license has little to do with excellence or decision-making skills; only time and experience builds good judgment.
A license merely means you've met the minimum requirements ... and the best way to stay alive in the air is by applying what little you've learned.
And never stop learning.
He glanced down at my license and handed it right back to me. "Remember, it says Pilot License - but it's actually a Learner's License."
-- -- --
Having a Pilot's License doesn't mean you've got the experience to have learned all there is to know about flying. A license doesn't keep you from crashing or making mistakes. Having a license doesn't entitle you to sit back in the cockpit and watch the clouds drift by under your wings.
Having a license has little to do with excellence or decision-making skills; only time and experience builds good judgment.
A license merely means you've met the minimum requirements ... and the best way to stay alive in the air is by applying what little you've learned.
And never stop learning.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Now is NOT the time to give up
Come to think of it, there's never a good time to quit.
Much less let go ... and throw your hands up in the air.
Much less let go ... and throw your hands up in the air.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Oye Como Va
Almost immediately after this morning's post I was walking across the HH parking lot when a minivan pulled up beside me.
The driver, a middle-aged man in his late 30s, opened his door and asked me, "Habla Espanol?" The woman in the passenger seat seemed distracted and paid no attention.
I looked back and shrugged, "Poquito." His face broadened into a smile of relief that hinted Ah, finally!
-- --
They were lost. He knew his destination, but insisted upon driving a specific road neither of us could find on the map.
My Spanish is only what's left over from grade school ... but what if I'd told him, "Mi hermano, pero todos los caminos va a su destino!" My brother, but every road goes to your destination!
He woulda thought I was crazy.
Claro.
The driver, a middle-aged man in his late 30s, opened his door and asked me, "Habla Espanol?" The woman in the passenger seat seemed distracted and paid no attention.
I looked back and shrugged, "Poquito." His face broadened into a smile of relief that hinted Ah, finally!
-- --
They were lost. He knew his destination, but insisted upon driving a specific road neither of us could find on the map.
My Spanish is only what's left over from grade school ... but what if I'd told him, "Mi hermano, pero todos los caminos va a su destino!" My brother, but every road goes to your destination!
He woulda thought I was crazy.
Claro.
You sinners see what I got? Look who I am - and be impressed
"Hey waitress! Don't you know who I are!?"
My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
-Psalm 131:1
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
-Romans 12:16
The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
-Proverbs 16:5
My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
-Psalm 131:1
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
-Romans 12:16
The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
-Proverbs 16:5
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Georgia Guidestones
Since they are, after all, located in Georgia, the Georgia Guidestones need one more message for future generations:
You Can't Get There From Here.
haw haw, ya'll
Friday, June 13, 2008
Dead Letter Faith: no forwarding address
Dead Letter:
1. A law, ordinance, etc., that has lost its force but has not been formally repealed or abolished.
2. A letter that cannot reach the addressee or be returned to the sender, usually because of incorrect address, and that is sent to and handled in a special division or department (dead-letter office) of a general post office.
1. A law, ordinance, etc., that has lost its force but has not been formally repealed or abolished.
2. A letter that cannot reach the addressee or be returned to the sender, usually because of incorrect address, and that is sent to and handled in a special division or department (dead-letter office) of a general post office.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Snittering (updated)
"The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." -Archilochus
Maybe, but the ridgeback doesn't know what Archilochus is talking about.
-- ---
What's Snittering? Snittering would be a blog post consisting of news snippets.
Snittering occurs when a blogger lists several topics of relevance or interest, and presents them with a minimum of discussion or further detail.
-- -- Thursday's Snitters:
Oxymorons include Military Intelligence. Jumbo Shrimp. Legally Drunk. Exact Estimate. New York Culture. Rap Music.
Can we finally add "Safe Sex"" to the list, please?
-from today's "Death by Plastic" Department:
"WASHINGTON — The credit crisis triggered by bad home loans is spreading to other areas, forcing banks to tighten credit and probably extending the credit crisis that's dragging down the economy well into next year, and perhaps beyond.
""In fact, we believe that what lies ahead will be worse than what is behind us," Whitney and colleagues at Oppenheimer & Co. wrote in a lengthy report last month about threats faced by big national banks, including Bank of America, Wachovia and others." - source
-from todays "Gas is Still Cheap, I'm tellin' ya!" Department:
Just read this.
I think my CD player has a bug:
No idea what it is, but I found this guy riding one of the speaker grilles in the helm the other morning. Poor thing looks like he evolved from a cotton swab and a toothpick; Darwin said it could happen.
Bless his heart.
Maybe, but the ridgeback doesn't know what Archilochus is talking about.
-- ---
What's Snittering? Snittering would be a blog post consisting of news snippets.
Snittering occurs when a blogger lists several topics of relevance or interest, and presents them with a minimum of discussion or further detail.
-- -- Thursday's Snitters:
Oxymorons include Military Intelligence. Jumbo Shrimp. Legally Drunk. Exact Estimate. New York Culture. Rap Music.
Can we finally add "Safe Sex"" to the list, please?
-from today's "Death by Plastic" Department:
"WASHINGTON — The credit crisis triggered by bad home loans is spreading to other areas, forcing banks to tighten credit and probably extending the credit crisis that's dragging down the economy well into next year, and perhaps beyond.
""In fact, we believe that what lies ahead will be worse than what is behind us," Whitney and colleagues at Oppenheimer & Co. wrote in a lengthy report last month about threats faced by big national banks, including Bank of America, Wachovia and others." - source
-from todays "Gas is Still Cheap, I'm tellin' ya!" Department:
Just read this.
I think my CD player has a bug:
No idea what it is, but I found this guy riding one of the speaker grilles in the helm the other morning. Poor thing looks like he evolved from a cotton swab and a toothpick; Darwin said it could happen.
Bless his heart.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Is it Wednesday already?
Ok, time to smile. Again. It won't hurt, I promise.
"There is not enough time to do all the nothing we want to do." - Bill Watterson "
Uh, like getting up at 4 AM and watching Miami Vice?
"There is not enough time to do all the nothing we want to do." - Bill Watterson "
Uh, like getting up at 4 AM and watching Miami Vice?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Whatcha watching?
Miami Vice (2006)
The HD-DVD version (not the theatrical release) from NetFlix came last week; I've probably watched the entire movie 8 times in the past 5 days. Here's someone else's review from epinions:
"Despite the snazzy previews and hottie stars Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, Miami Vice turned out to be heavy-handed, pretentious, and generally no fun. By taking itself too seriously, Miami Vice ruined a perfectly good series of action scenes. Cheesy lines of dialogue abound. Think: “Why do I get the feeling everyone knows we're here 15 blocks out?” “'Cause everyone knows we're here 15 blocks out.” The “love scenes” feel like low-budget porn or bad music videos. Mr_chelledun and I actually laughed out loud several times at the corniness and absurdity of it all."
Maybe the author was expecting either a corny send-off to the 80s TV show, or a fast & furious shoot-'em-up action film, which Miami Vice is definitely not. Unless lack of use has caused your brain to atrophy to the size of a wart, movies should be more than fun and a perfectly good series of action scenes.
So why have I watched so many times?
I had to watch Miami Vice four times just to start getting a handle on what was going on. Seriously. And each time I watched, I saw & learned things I'd totally missed the last time around. Things that, added together, made for a BIGGER picture. Subtleties that leave an impression you can still feel the morning after.
I'm just not a big fan of movies that show like a slap in the face & shout, "Here I am, sport. What you see is all there is ... take it or leave it."
The kind of movie you've forgotten before you leave the theater.
-- -- --
Best lines from Miami Vice, imho:
Isabella: Would you find me?
Det. James 'Sonny' Crockett: Yes, I would.
Det. James 'Sonny' Crockett: Hola, chica.
Isabella: Hola, chico.
The HD-DVD version (not the theatrical release) from NetFlix came last week; I've probably watched the entire movie 8 times in the past 5 days. Here's someone else's review from epinions:
"Despite the snazzy previews and hottie stars Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, Miami Vice turned out to be heavy-handed, pretentious, and generally no fun. By taking itself too seriously, Miami Vice ruined a perfectly good series of action scenes. Cheesy lines of dialogue abound. Think: “Why do I get the feeling everyone knows we're here 15 blocks out?” “'Cause everyone knows we're here 15 blocks out.” The “love scenes” feel like low-budget porn or bad music videos. Mr_chelledun and I actually laughed out loud several times at the corniness and absurdity of it all."
Maybe the author was expecting either a corny send-off to the 80s TV show, or a fast & furious shoot-'em-up action film, which Miami Vice is definitely not. Unless lack of use has caused your brain to atrophy to the size of a wart, movies should be more than fun and a perfectly good series of action scenes.
So why have I watched so many times?
I had to watch Miami Vice four times just to start getting a handle on what was going on. Seriously. And each time I watched, I saw & learned things I'd totally missed the last time around. Things that, added together, made for a BIGGER picture. Subtleties that leave an impression you can still feel the morning after.
I'm just not a big fan of movies that show like a slap in the face & shout, "Here I am, sport. What you see is all there is ... take it or leave it."
The kind of movie you've forgotten before you leave the theater.
-- -- --
Best lines from Miami Vice, imho:
Isabella: Would you find me?
Det. James 'Sonny' Crockett: Yes, I would.
Det. James 'Sonny' Crockett: Hola, chica.
Isabella: Hola, chico.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Oh yeah, it's "THEIR GOD" again (updated)
Must be a fad; seems like hardly a week goes by without someone telling me that "Their God" is different. Meaning, "Their God" is better. Or that "Their God" is new and improved.
I think what they're trying to say is that "Their God" is custom-made ... with a new model coming out each fall of every year.
--
See, "Their God" is cooler than the old God because "Their God" approves of and smiles down on everything they (and their friends) do in their lives. Without any promise or hint of consequences.
"Their God" tells them it's OK to lie, cheat, steal, fornicate, lose their temper, get fall-down drunk, consult astrologers, commit adultery, smoke pot, curse, hate, watch porn ... the list of approved behavior is as large as "Their God" has the imagination to make it.
People who worship "Their God" believe "Their God" is all about feeling comfy and having fun, because "Their God" only wants them to be happy. That's why "Their God" exists, after all.
Folks who've discovered "Their God" never tire of explaining that believing in the old God wouldn't let them do all the things they really, really wanted in their lives.
Now, I don't doubt that one for a minute.
-- -- --
One day, maybe, someone will explain to me how they came to know so much about "Their God." Maybe their knowledge about "Their God" came from Oprah, Dr. Phil or the latest book on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Maybe Uncle Rusty has a talking dog that reveals things to them in their dreams.
But one thing's certain and absolute: "Their God" sure doesn't have much at all to do with how God describes himself in scripture.
I think what they're trying to say is that "Their God" is custom-made ... with a new model coming out each fall of every year.
--
See, "Their God" is cooler than the old God because "Their God" approves of and smiles down on everything they (and their friends) do in their lives. Without any promise or hint of consequences.
"Their God" tells them it's OK to lie, cheat, steal, fornicate, lose their temper, get fall-down drunk, consult astrologers, commit adultery, smoke pot, curse, hate, watch porn ... the list of approved behavior is as large as "Their God" has the imagination to make it.
People who worship "Their God" believe "Their God" is all about feeling comfy and having fun, because "Their God" only wants them to be happy. That's why "Their God" exists, after all.
Folks who've discovered "Their God" never tire of explaining that believing in the old God wouldn't let them do all the things they really, really wanted in their lives.
Now, I don't doubt that one for a minute.
-- -- --
One day, maybe, someone will explain to me how they came to know so much about "Their God." Maybe their knowledge about "Their God" came from Oprah, Dr. Phil or the latest book on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Maybe Uncle Rusty has a talking dog that reveals things to them in their dreams.
But one thing's certain and absolute: "Their God" sure doesn't have much at all to do with how God describes himself in scripture.
Tom Harpur: blindly falling
You can find out who Tom Harpur is somewhere else.
But I'll paraphrase one of Tom Harpur's critical points; you decide the merits of his argument for yourself.
"Look at all the things recorded in the gospels following Christ's crucifixion that are never mentioned in secular sources from the same period.
"Like, the temple curtain was allegedly ripped open. A solar eclipse took place. There was an earthquake that opened tombs, and dead people were walking around. Those should all be obvious things, yet somehow none of that is recorded or mentioned during those times anywhere outside of the gospels."
Ok, so the Isis/Horace myth allegedly pre-dates Christ's resurrection by 2500 years. That should be an obvious thing, yet somehow none of those well-known 2500-year old "similarities to Christ" were recorded or mentioned during that period by the Romans or the temple leaders, who woulda loved any excuse to discredit the thousands of pesky new Christians running around the countryside proclaiming "HE IS RISEN."
Just saying ... and neither could the Romans or the temple priests produce Christ's body to contradict the gospel accounts.
But I'll paraphrase one of Tom Harpur's critical points; you decide the merits of his argument for yourself.
"Look at all the things recorded in the gospels following Christ's crucifixion that are never mentioned in secular sources from the same period.
"Like, the temple curtain was allegedly ripped open. A solar eclipse took place. There was an earthquake that opened tombs, and dead people were walking around. Those should all be obvious things, yet somehow none of that is recorded or mentioned during those times anywhere outside of the gospels."
Ok, so the Isis/Horace myth allegedly pre-dates Christ's resurrection by 2500 years. That should be an obvious thing, yet somehow none of those well-known 2500-year old "similarities to Christ" were recorded or mentioned during that period by the Romans or the temple leaders, who woulda loved any excuse to discredit the thousands of pesky new Christians running around the countryside proclaiming "HE IS RISEN."
Just saying ... and neither could the Romans or the temple priests produce Christ's body to contradict the gospel accounts.
Too hard to handle
This morning I went shopping for a shirt & started thinking about how the material wealth American believers enjoy compares to what folks living in Third World countries can expect.
A majority of Americans expect a job with a 40-hour work week, a new car every 3 years, the chance to buy and own a house, safe food, prompt health care, a comfortable pension for retirement and a life expectancy approaching almost 80 years.
Third World Citizens work whatever job they can get, have never seen a new car or made a telephone call.
Seems hard to understand why we were born into so much, while believers in the Third World were born into so little.
Maybe we shrug and think, "Wow that's gotta be pretty hard, living with so little."
With so many blessings it's sometimes easy to forget where our wealth came from ... and what about the suggestion that we keep God's commandments and honor him with our offerings?
Naaaah that's just too hard, living with so much.
A majority of Americans expect a job with a 40-hour work week, a new car every 3 years, the chance to buy and own a house, safe food, prompt health care, a comfortable pension for retirement and a life expectancy approaching almost 80 years.
Third World Citizens work whatever job they can get, have never seen a new car or made a telephone call.
Seems hard to understand why we were born into so much, while believers in the Third World were born into so little.
Maybe we shrug and think, "Wow that's gotta be pretty hard, living with so little."
With so many blessings it's sometimes easy to forget where our wealth came from ... and what about the suggestion that we keep God's commandments and honor him with our offerings?
Naaaah that's just too hard, living with so much.
Isn't there one thing we can all agree on?
There are a few things we can all agree are true.
The sun is yellow.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
The sun is directly overhead at noon.
The moon comes out at night.
The North Star is the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
A compass needle points north.
Heavy objects fall faster than light objects.
The shortest distance between two points is always a straight line.
Days get shorter in winter and longer in summer.
There is no gravity in outer space.
But all of those things are FALSE, so we'll have to agree on something else.
The sun is yellow.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
The sun is directly overhead at noon.
The moon comes out at night.
The North Star is the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
A compass needle points north.
Heavy objects fall faster than light objects.
The shortest distance between two points is always a straight line.
Days get shorter in winter and longer in summer.
There is no gravity in outer space.
But all of those things are FALSE, so we'll have to agree on something else.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Blithering
What's Blithering? Blithering means "Blogging on Friday."
I'm still a big Gator fan ...
The SC Department of Natural Resources will issue 1000 alligator hunting permits for this year's Sept 13- Oct 11 season. Hunters will be allowed to kill just one gator, which must be more than 4 feet in length.
www.dnrsc.gov
Wow. Wish that could be incorporated into Fox's new Lake Hartwell reality TV show.
Pitcher this
Analogies are illustrations. Analogies are not postulates, facts or truths. Finding fault with an analogy only dismisses the analogy, not the point:
Let's say you're trying to explain the concept of "water pitcher" to a visitor from another planet. Since you're having trouble communicating in Xkrueg, it seems like a good idea to draw a picture of a water pitcher and suggest, "A water pitcher looks like this."
Then an earthly critic comes along and shrugs, "But YOUR picture doesn't hold water."
Moral: You can't prove (or disprove) a point using analogies. Duh.
Super Bowl Insider
You know the scenario: It's fourth and goal on the One with :06 left on the Super Bowl clock and your team is trailing by 5. So you grab your ball cap because twisting it around backward virtually guarantees victory.
Or you cross and un-cross your legs six times during the final time-out (because your team needs six points to win). Come on, we all do it. Don't we?
In the meantime, ever wondered what the QB is saying in the huddle? Probably something like this:
"OK guys, we trained in the off-season, sacrificed during spring training, played hard during the season and fought our hearts out during the play-offs to finally get to this point.
"Now let's all give 110% ... and just hope our lucky slob sitting in his recliner in Des Moines is watching and remembers to rub his belly counter-clockwise 3 times so we can take this one to the bank. OK on three, break."
I'm quite sure.
Any point asking why?
I woke up around 1:30 AM the other night and couldn't get back to sleep. So I turned on the TV and surfed through the satellite sky until I found a documentary that caught my attention.
In a nutshell, the show's premise was that Christ was a fictional creation and never actually existed: that everything we know about Christ from the gospels was "borrowed" directly from Egyptian myths (some dude named Horace) that have been traced back to 2500 BC.
Is it me, or does it seem like suddenly there's tons of documentaries and "scholarship" coming out to "prove" that either the gospels are fiction, or worse, that Christ himself was a liar.
Wonder why I haven't been seeing as much attention and "scholarship" devoted to Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, Krishna, Joseph Smith, L. Ron Hubbard or the Dali Lama.
I'm still a big Gator fan ...
The SC Department of Natural Resources will issue 1000 alligator hunting permits for this year's Sept 13- Oct 11 season. Hunters will be allowed to kill just one gator, which must be more than 4 feet in length.
www.dnrsc.gov
Wow. Wish that could be incorporated into Fox's new Lake Hartwell reality TV show.
Pitcher this
Analogies are illustrations. Analogies are not postulates, facts or truths. Finding fault with an analogy only dismisses the analogy, not the point:
Let's say you're trying to explain the concept of "water pitcher" to a visitor from another planet. Since you're having trouble communicating in Xkrueg, it seems like a good idea to draw a picture of a water pitcher and suggest, "A water pitcher looks like this."
Then an earthly critic comes along and shrugs, "But YOUR picture doesn't hold water."
Moral: You can't prove (or disprove) a point using analogies. Duh.
Super Bowl Insider
You know the scenario: It's fourth and goal on the One with :06 left on the Super Bowl clock and your team is trailing by 5. So you grab your ball cap because twisting it around backward virtually guarantees victory.
Or you cross and un-cross your legs six times during the final time-out (because your team needs six points to win). Come on, we all do it. Don't we?
In the meantime, ever wondered what the QB is saying in the huddle? Probably something like this:
"OK guys, we trained in the off-season, sacrificed during spring training, played hard during the season and fought our hearts out during the play-offs to finally get to this point.
"Now let's all give 110% ... and just hope our lucky slob sitting in his recliner in Des Moines is watching and remembers to rub his belly counter-clockwise 3 times so we can take this one to the bank. OK on three, break."
I'm quite sure.
Any point asking why?
I woke up around 1:30 AM the other night and couldn't get back to sleep. So I turned on the TV and surfed through the satellite sky until I found a documentary that caught my attention.
In a nutshell, the show's premise was that Christ was a fictional creation and never actually existed: that everything we know about Christ from the gospels was "borrowed" directly from Egyptian myths (some dude named Horace) that have been traced back to 2500 BC.
Is it me, or does it seem like suddenly there's tons of documentaries and "scholarship" coming out to "prove" that either the gospels are fiction, or worse, that Christ himself was a liar.
Wonder why I haven't been seeing as much attention and "scholarship" devoted to Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, Krishna, Joseph Smith, L. Ron Hubbard or the Dali Lama.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
the largest number in the universe
-from Wiki:
"Graham's number, named after Ronald Graham, is a large number often described as the largest finite number that has ever been seriously used in a mathematical proof.
"Guinness World Records even listed Graham's number as the World Champion largest number. Graham's number is much larger than other well known large numbers such as a googol and a googolplex, and even larger than Skewes' number and Moser's number, other well-known large numbers.
"Indeed, there is no concise way to write Graham's number, or any reasonable approximation using conventional mathematical operators. Even power towers (of the form
) are useless for this purpose. It can be most easily notated by recursive means using Knuth's up-arrow notation or the Hyper operator.
-- --- --
Hmmm. Thought I'd seen several church covenants that tacked on enough man-made rules and legalisms to make Graham's Number pale in comparison.
"Graham's number, named after Ronald Graham, is a large number often described as the largest finite number that has ever been seriously used in a mathematical proof.
"Guinness World Records even listed Graham's number as the World Champion largest number. Graham's number is much larger than other well known large numbers such as a googol and a googolplex, and even larger than Skewes' number and Moser's number, other well-known large numbers.
"Indeed, there is no concise way to write Graham's number, or any reasonable approximation using conventional mathematical operators. Even power towers (of the form
) are useless for this purpose. It can be most easily notated by recursive means using Knuth's up-arrow notation or the Hyper operator.- G = g64 where
,
-- --- --
Hmmm. Thought I'd seen several church covenants that tacked on enough man-made rules and legalisms to make Graham's Number pale in comparison.
Blittering?
Has anybody already come up with the idea of "Blittering"?
Blittering would be limiting blog posts to 140 words or less. Instead of 140 paragraphs (or pages) per post; guilty.
There, I did it in thirty-six. (104 remaining)
Blittering would be limiting blog posts to 140 words or less. Instead of 140 paragraphs (or pages) per post; guilty.
There, I did it in thirty-six. (104 remaining)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
"... and Lord, please help all those other people, too."
"Lord, before I forget, please help all the Christians living in those poor other countries. Please help them not to die of diseases or starve to death or be killed in wars.
"Please help them have clothes and be strong in their suffering. And if it's your will, let please let their children be OK but if they get sick, please don't let them suffer too much before they die.
"Lord I know they don't speak English or look like I do, but that's not their fault. That doesn't make any difference to me so if you get a chance, please do what you can. It wouldn't take very much.
"I guess that's all I can think of for now. Amen.
"Oh PS. You already know this but please get our pastor straightened out. Make sure he keeps both feet on the ground and quits getting the church fathers riled up. Maybe it'd help if the deacons knocked him down a peg or two so he can see how we've always done things, I dunno.
"OK, that's it for me. Amen."
"Please help them have clothes and be strong in their suffering. And if it's your will, let please let their children be OK but if they get sick, please don't let them suffer too much before they die.
"Lord I know they don't speak English or look like I do, but that's not their fault. That doesn't make any difference to me so if you get a chance, please do what you can. It wouldn't take very much.
"I guess that's all I can think of for now. Amen.
"Oh PS. You already know this but please get our pastor straightened out. Make sure he keeps both feet on the ground and quits getting the church fathers riled up. Maybe it'd help if the deacons knocked him down a peg or two so he can see how we've always done things, I dunno.
"OK, that's it for me. Amen."
What is an Optimist?
-from today's Take Time to Laugh Department:
An optimist is someone who, regardless of their situation or circumstances, can't help but smile and announce to the world, "So far so good."
:-) Enjoy .....
An optimist is someone who, regardless of their situation or circumstances, can't help but smile and announce to the world, "So far so good."
:-) Enjoy .....
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Are you a Southern Baptist, or what?
My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? - 1 Corinthians 1:11-13
What's wrong with kids now days?
John King was the world's youngest pirate.
According to Wiki, King "joined the crew of Samuel "Black Sam" Bellamy while still a juvenile, and is the youngest known pirate on record.
Remains Identified as a boy pirate - Boston.com
The Littlest Pirate - unmuseum.org
According to Wiki, King "joined the crew of Samuel "Black Sam" Bellamy while still a juvenile, and is the youngest known pirate on record.
"On November 9, 1716, Bellamy and his crew, sailing the sloop Mary Anne (or Marianne), attacked and captured the Antiguan sloop Bonetta, which was then en route from Antigua to Jamaica. John King, then aged between eight and eleven, was a passenger on the Bonetta. According to Abijah Savage, the Bonetta's commander, the pirates looted the ship for 15 days, during which time King demanded to join Bellamy's crew. "(F)ar from being forced or compelled (to join)," Savage wrote in his report, "he declared he would kill himself if he was restrained, and even threatened his Mother, who was then on board as a passenger."
Related:Remains Identified as a boy pirate - Boston.com
The Littlest Pirate - unmuseum.org
Monday, June 02, 2008
On Woooooo! Tube
-from Reuters.com
Underground Drinks Party Ends in Mayhem
Underground Drinks Party Ends in Mayhem
By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - Police arrested 17 people and had to close six London Underground stations after a party involving thousands of revelers to mark the last day of drinking alcohol on the tube turned ugly.
Six assaults were reported on underground rail staff and police. Several damaged trains had to be withdrawn from service on a night of mayhem that had been dubbed "Last Round on the Underground" by revelers.
The festivities were at first good-natured with partygoers wearing fancy dress as they swigged beer and wine, dancing and singing in the railway carriages.
But police moved in when the mood turned sour and fighting erupted, spoiling what officers had called "a fun event."
The London transport ban on alcohol is designed to make buses, tubes and trains safer for the public but unions fear staff could be put in greater danger when they have to confront those breaking the ban.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
tvitter
I tried twittering, really I did, but never managed to quite get a "feel" for what the essence of twittering is all about. (But then I felt supremely confident that HD DVD was gonna triumph all over Blu-Ray, and we see how that turned out. So there.)
-- -- --
But ... but when no one's twittering, don't you wonder what all your friends are watching- at that instant- on TV? See that's what we need tvitter for.
Here's my week at a glance:
Keen Eddie Today 2:30PM 307 SLTH
Faces of Earth Mon 6/2 8:00PM 284 SCI
Extreme Marksmen Mon 6/2 9:00PM 269 HIST
Ancient Asteroid Mon 6/2 11:00PM 276 NGC
Manual Tune Wed 6/4 9:00 PM 269 HIST
If tvitter really existed, I'd likely call mine Notes from the Blue Screen.
-- -- --
But ... but when no one's twittering, don't you wonder what all your friends are watching- at that instant- on TV? See that's what we need tvitter for.
Here's my week at a glance:
Keen Eddie Today 2:30PM 307 SLTH
Faces of Earth Mon 6/2 8:00PM 284 SCI
Extreme Marksmen Mon 6/2 9:00PM 269 HIST
Ancient Asteroid Mon 6/2 11:00PM 276 NGC
Manual Tune Wed 6/4 9:00 PM 269 HIST
If tvitter really existed, I'd likely call mine Notes from the Blue Screen.
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