5:34 AM
Did the Pharisees get the short end of the spiritual stick? I mean, just think about it for a minute.
In the New Testament the Pharisees were a strict sect of Rabis whose compulsive devotion to rules and traditions might be politely described as obsessive.
But the Pharisees grew up religiously going to temple and "only doing the best they could," staying busy trying to be very strict and religious, to earn God's favor. Then, through no earthly fault of their own, Christ arrived on the scene ... and overturned their legalistic apple cart.
So how were they to know God made His own plans instead?
Oh my ... here they'd devoted their entire lives to publicly proving their piety, but still somehow managed to get it all wrong. How were the poor Pharisees, who loved rules SO MUCH, to know the rules had changed? How had their hard work, Legalism and traditions managed to fail them?
----
The Pharisees rejected Christ because they loved & worshiped what was safe and familiar, Legalism, instead of the living God. Which caused the Pharisees to miss recognizing the Messiah when he stood in the flesh before them. Their laws had become legal bars wedged so tightly together that their own rules kept them from seeing outside the cells of their spiritual captivity.
The Pharisees didn't love the Spirit; they loved their self-importance. They also loved emphasizing their OBLIGATION to force others to respect their self-righteousness.
Shoot, not even the light got inside the Pharisees' man-made reformatory.
Here's a story-book ending to the story ...
The best part for 21st-century believers is that after witnessing the Resurrection the Pharisees realized their man-made errors, apologized for all the confusion, Rules n' Traditions they'd created, and went voluntarily extinct (taking their R n' T music with them).
I mean, can you imagine what churches would be like today if the Pharisees had quietly escaped from the temples ... and slipped into modern-day pews, committees and the blog-o-sphere instead?
Friday, February 08, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
more annoying add-ons
"Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow."
-But blog to put off doing all three, haha.
"To achieve lasting literature, fictional or factual, a writer needs perceptive vision, absorptive capacity, and creative strength. "
-I'd settle for remembering "Righty tighty, lefty loosey."
"We are the children of a technological age. We have found streamlined ways of doing much of our routine work. Printing is no longer the only way of reproducing books. Reading them, however, has not changed. "
-And reading will remain the easiest part of writing.
(all quotes from Lawrence Clark Powell)
-But blog to put off doing all three, haha.
"To achieve lasting literature, fictional or factual, a writer needs perceptive vision, absorptive capacity, and creative strength. "
-I'd settle for remembering "Righty tighty, lefty loosey."
"We are the children of a technological age. We have found streamlined ways of doing much of our routine work. Printing is no longer the only way of reproducing books. Reading them, however, has not changed. "
-And reading will remain the easiest part of writing.
(all quotes from Lawrence Clark Powell)
the post I almost wrote ...
was gonna be about the nerve of some people.
See, there was a new guy here at The Breakfast Place who talks way too loud and has way too much fun to be taking his job seriously (which, as you know, can be disruptive and distracting when you're online and trying to eat ... while buried under the crushing burden of trying to stay caught up on Facebook).
This dude had the audacity to call his daughter on the phone, in front of everybody, and sing her a roof-shaking Happy Birthday for her sixth birthday.
Then, cringe, he had the nerve to come over and actually start talking to me. One on one. Telling me about his life and goals and stuff. I could hardly get a word in edge-wise.
Turns out he goes to Redemption. Turns out their message last night came from Galatians.
Turns out new friends can show up when you're least expecting it ... and I learn a lot from posts that don't get written.
See, there was a new guy here at The Breakfast Place who talks way too loud and has way too much fun to be taking his job seriously (which, as you know, can be disruptive and distracting when you're online and trying to eat ... while buried under the crushing burden of trying to stay caught up on Facebook).
This dude had the audacity to call his daughter on the phone, in front of everybody, and sing her a roof-shaking Happy Birthday for her sixth birthday.
Then, cringe, he had the nerve to come over and actually start talking to me. One on one. Telling me about his life and goals and stuff. I could hardly get a word in edge-wise.
Turns out he goes to Redemption. Turns out their message last night came from Galatians.
Turns out new friends can show up when you're least expecting it ... and I learn a lot from posts that don't get written.
borrowed
-from the "Humor, Hopefully" Department:
Yesterday a friend's blog included a post titled 5 Weird Facts. Here's 5 of my own ...
- Sometimes I still count using my fingers
- I watch movies without ever knowing the characters' names (I gotta see faces to follow the plot)
- I get uneasy every time something familiar becomes "New & Improved! or Updated"
- Everything tastes better with Texas Pete
- I can't decide whether I'd rather have:
cat whiskers, or compound eyes
grasshopper legs, or twin USB ports for nostrils
my hair replaced with outdoor carpet, or feathers
Yesterday a friend's blog included a post titled 5 Weird Facts. Here's 5 of my own ...
- Sometimes I still count using my fingers
- I watch movies without ever knowing the characters' names (I gotta see faces to follow the plot)
- I get uneasy every time something familiar becomes "New & Improved! or Updated"
- Everything tastes better with Texas Pete
- I can't decide whether I'd rather have:
cat whiskers, or compound eyes
grasshopper legs, or twin USB ports for nostrils
my hair replaced with outdoor carpet, or feathers
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Pickfordese
"It would have been more logical if silent pictures had grown out of the talkies instead of the other way around."
"Adding sound to movies would be like putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo."
"If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down."
-Mary Pickford
Hey ... can I get some answers about my life, please?
"Prayer is fine for some people, but other times I need advice from a living person with a face about what to do and where to go with my life."
You mean like ...
and least of all ...
You mean like ...
and least of all ...
Start acting like a Christian!
8:56 AM
Gimme that Old Time Religion--- It's Good Enough For me*
"Accepting Christ is just the first part of salvation, but you gotta do YOUR part by being obedient. Being obedient means following the rules ... and acting like a Christian.
"So what are the basic rules about being Religious and ACTING Like A Christian?
1. That means going to church 3 times in a week (one with stained glass windows and a steeple)
2. That means worshiping (with 18th century hymns, choir robes, an organ & cantatas)
3. That means being reverent (by dressing up in your best coat n' tie)
4. That means praying (especially when others are within ear shot)
5. That means witnessing to others (except when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient)
6. That means abstaining from alcohol and sexual sins (in public)
7. That means walking upright (so it's easier to look down on others)
8. That means not swearing (but cursing with words that rhyme with profanity is legally OK)
9. That means being religious and living apart from the world (by being pious, self-righteous, arrogant and condescending)
10. That means reading the Bible (assumed when you're spotted toting one around in the vestibule on Sunday mornings)
11. That means sharing freely with others (especially your anger, opinions and advice)
12. That means serving (publicly for acclaim, and on committees)
13. That means standing by your principles (and waiting for others to apologize & ask for forgiveness first)
14. That means not seeking revenge (unless the opportunity presents itself)
15. That means creating more n' more rules (so others can be inspired & follow your example)."
-and that's what counts
Gimme that Old Time Religion--- It's Good Enough For me*
"Accepting Christ is just the first part of salvation, but you gotta do YOUR part by being obedient. Being obedient means following the rules ... and acting like a Christian.
"So what are the basic rules about being Religious and ACTING Like A Christian?
1. That means going to church 3 times in a week (one with stained glass windows and a steeple)
2. That means worshiping (with 18th century hymns, choir robes, an organ & cantatas)
3. That means being reverent (by dressing up in your best coat n' tie)
4. That means praying (especially when others are within ear shot)
5. That means witnessing to others (except when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient)
6. That means abstaining from alcohol and sexual sins (in public)
7. That means walking upright (so it's easier to look down on others)
8. That means not swearing (but cursing with words that rhyme with profanity is legally OK)
9. That means being religious and living apart from the world (by being pious, self-righteous, arrogant and condescending)
10. That means reading the Bible (assumed when you're spotted toting one around in the vestibule on Sunday mornings)
11. That means sharing freely with others (especially your anger, opinions and advice)
12. That means serving (publicly for acclaim, and on committees)
13. That means standing by your principles (and waiting for others to apologize & ask for forgiveness first)
14. That means not seeking revenge (unless the opportunity presents itself)
15. That means creating more n' more rules (so others can be inspired & follow your example)."
-and that's what counts
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Urgency vs Heaven can wait
Funny how prayers for the things I want can be riddled with wide-eyed urgency ... like "Heavenly Father, I can't wait ... let my will be done!"
Because my time-scale becomes much more laid-back & patient when it comes to answering "Your will be done."
Because my time-scale becomes much more laid-back & patient when it comes to answering "Your will be done."
Exactly
The other day I heard that the minister at a local community outreach program had serious misgivings about "recommending" our church to the folks he served.
His explanation was that "Their pastor doesn't take religion seriously."
Ah ... wasn't that the key point of Christ's message, after all?
- - -
"I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" - Galatians 3:2-3
His explanation was that "Their pastor doesn't take religion seriously."
Ah ... wasn't that the key point of Christ's message, after all?
- - -
"I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" - Galatians 3:2-3
Monday, February 04, 2008
Blood Sucking Leeches
If you feel safe, comfortable and satisfied at your church then give this message a listen.
ps. Where did the "feel good church" thing come from anyway?
ps. Where did the "feel good church" thing come from anyway?
What's that in the lake, a duck?
Are ya tired of reading my long-winded boat stories?
You should be there when they're happening in real-life: I'm especially tired of living them.
I pulled up the anchor this morning and decided to circle the unfamiliar little island before heading back, so I'd be more familiar next time out.
So then I see a duck about thirty feet ahead, slightly off to the right. But as I get closer the duck shows no indication of moving. When I'm about 20 feet away I realize it ain't no duck.
It's the top of a tree.
Never mind that the depth finder indicated there was 35 feet of water underneath me: the lake's down almost 20 feet and all sorts of stuff that's been submerged for 40 years has started rearing up from the bottom. I jerked both engines into reverse and crept backwards like a blind mouse right outta there.
Well, I'm sure I had a point when I started ... I'm just glad it's not protruding through the bottom of the hull.
You should be there when they're happening in real-life: I'm especially tired of living them.
I pulled up the anchor this morning and decided to circle the unfamiliar little island before heading back, so I'd be more familiar next time out.
So then I see a duck about thirty feet ahead, slightly off to the right. But as I get closer the duck shows no indication of moving. When I'm about 20 feet away I realize it ain't no duck.
It's the top of a tree.
Never mind that the depth finder indicated there was 35 feet of water underneath me: the lake's down almost 20 feet and all sorts of stuff that's been submerged for 40 years has started rearing up from the bottom. I jerked both engines into reverse and crept backwards like a blind mouse right outta there.
Well, I'm sure I had a point when I started ... I'm just glad it's not protruding through the bottom of the hull.
Seems like there's always seams somewhere
8:23 AM
-same GPS coordinates
It's raining hard right now and I'm pleasantly surprised Calypso's 24-year old canvas top is keeping 99% of the water out.
A 99% success rate sounds pretty good ... except that it's 47 degrees outside and a 47 degree body-bath don't feel good.
Funny how leaks seem to show up most often near seams in the fabric, hmmm.
-same GPS coordinates
It's raining hard right now and I'm pleasantly surprised Calypso's 24-year old canvas top is keeping 99% of the water out.
A 99% success rate sounds pretty good ... except that it's 47 degrees outside and a 47 degree body-bath don't feel good.
Funny how leaks seem to show up most often near seams in the fabric, hmmm.
UFO over Lake Hartwell
7:05 am
N 34 29.65
W 082 48.471
Ok that was weird.
I anchored out last night near an unnamed island. Then a few minutes before dawn this morning I glanced out Calypso's port port (left window) just in time to see a bright, pulsing white light streak across the sky.
It's impossible to estimate an object's size and speed without knowing its distance, but what I saw was too low and way too fast to be an airplane: it moved through a 90-degree field of view in about 6 seconds ... in other words it would've appeared at one horizon and disappeared at the other in about 12 seconds.
Whoa.
I jumped to the helm for a better look before the light totally disappeared from sight ... and immediately encountered the unexpected: the light was attached to a radio tower on shore and towers don't fly,
The light appeared to be moving at an incredible speed because Calypso was pivoting counter-clockwise on her anchor line.
So there ya go. Boats move; radio towers not so much. End of mystery.
Sorry to report there were no flying saucers diving to their secret base at the bottom of Lake Hartwell, no little green men in silver suits stealing cattle, no lurid tale of abduction by extraterrestrials, not even a telepathic robot instructing me to "Take me to your leader."
But I'm still pretty sure I did see Oprah's face in an oatmeal cookie once.
From Monday's "What's that got to do with anything?" Department
Last night when I arrived the lake was smooth as glass. Shoot, conditions were so calm that once I was on course I literally didn't have to touch the wheel the whole way out.
Well, the weather forecast said conditions would change overnight and they did: right now there's a combination of wind and current trying to push Calypso backwards toward the shallows.
Precisely where I don't want her to go because rocks, stumps, jagged roots and who knows what other nasties lurking down there would eagerly disrespect her integrity and thoughtlessly punch unwelcome holes in her bottom.
Thank goodness her anchor is solid. Thank goodness her anchor's still holding.
Why are boats named after women anyway?
Calypso would rather be GOING than sitting still and she's letting me know she's restless & morose by twisting n' groaning against her anchor. That's her way of pouting & saying she'd rather be making waves in public with her throttles open and the wind in her face and she thinks her anchor is weighing her down.
She can't grasp that her anchor's there for a reason: to keep her safe and afloat in the worst possible conditions.
At least from my perspective that means Calypso's anchor is also her most dependable friend.
N 34 29.65
W 082 48.471
Ok that was weird.
I anchored out last night near an unnamed island. Then a few minutes before dawn this morning I glanced out Calypso's port port (left window) just in time to see a bright, pulsing white light streak across the sky.
It's impossible to estimate an object's size and speed without knowing its distance, but what I saw was too low and way too fast to be an airplane: it moved through a 90-degree field of view in about 6 seconds ... in other words it would've appeared at one horizon and disappeared at the other in about 12 seconds.
Whoa.
I jumped to the helm for a better look before the light totally disappeared from sight ... and immediately encountered the unexpected: the light was attached to a radio tower on shore and towers don't fly,
The light appeared to be moving at an incredible speed because Calypso was pivoting counter-clockwise on her anchor line.
So there ya go. Boats move; radio towers not so much. End of mystery.
Sorry to report there were no flying saucers diving to their secret base at the bottom of Lake Hartwell, no little green men in silver suits stealing cattle, no lurid tale of abduction by extraterrestrials, not even a telepathic robot instructing me to "Take me to your leader."
But I'm still pretty sure I did see Oprah's face in an oatmeal cookie once.
From Monday's "What's that got to do with anything?" Department
Last night when I arrived the lake was smooth as glass. Shoot, conditions were so calm that once I was on course I literally didn't have to touch the wheel the whole way out.
Well, the weather forecast said conditions would change overnight and they did: right now there's a combination of wind and current trying to push Calypso backwards toward the shallows.
Precisely where I don't want her to go because rocks, stumps, jagged roots and who knows what other nasties lurking down there would eagerly disrespect her integrity and thoughtlessly punch unwelcome holes in her bottom.
Thank goodness her anchor is solid. Thank goodness her anchor's still holding.
Why are boats named after women anyway?
Calypso would rather be GOING than sitting still and she's letting me know she's restless & morose by twisting n' groaning against her anchor. That's her way of pouting & saying she'd rather be making waves in public with her throttles open and the wind in her face and she thinks her anchor is weighing her down.
She can't grasp that her anchor's there for a reason: to keep her safe and afloat in the worst possible conditions.
At least from my perspective that means Calypso's anchor is also her most dependable friend.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Luke-Warm Coffeewalker
"Starbucks said it will close 100 underperforming U.S. stores, or roughly 1% of its current coffee shops, by the end of September. It also cut the pace of new store openings by 425 outlets for fiscal 2008. Starbucks currently operates more than 11,160 U.S. stores.
“By reducing the number of openings, we expect to optimize our resources and potentially reduce cannibalization of our existing stores,” founder and CEO Howard Schultz said.
McDonald’s has moved onto Starbucks’ turf in the past year, selling new coffee, undercutting Starbucks on price, and installing coffee baristas. Recently, Starbucks started testing $1 coffee and free refills at a few of its locations in Seattle." - source
OK so I still buy mine at the grocery store, by the 1-lb pre-ground bag.
The Runaway Baptist?
"Novelist John Grisham said it is time for Baptists to stop reading the Bible with so-called narrow literalness and celebrate diversity."
-source
-source
Locard's exchange principle
"Locard was the director of the very first crime laboratory in existence, located in Lyon, France.
" Locard's exchange principle states that 'with contact between two items, there will be an exchange' (Thornton, 1997).
"Essentially Locard's principle is applied to crime scenes in which the perpetrator(s) of a crime comes into contact with the scene, so he will both bring something into the scene and leave with something from the scene. Every contact leaves a trace.
"An easier way to remember this is that 'Every Contact Leaves a Trace.'"
-wiki
" Locard's exchange principle states that 'with contact between two items, there will be an exchange' (Thornton, 1997).
"Essentially Locard's principle is applied to crime scenes in which the perpetrator(s) of a crime comes into contact with the scene, so he will both bring something into the scene and leave with something from the scene. Every contact leaves a trace.
"An easier way to remember this is that 'Every Contact Leaves a Trace.'"
-wiki
Friday, February 01, 2008
word up
fac·ile \'fa-səl\ adj [MF, fr. L facilis, fr. facere to do — more at do] (15c)
1 a (1): easily accomplished or attained ‹a ~ victory› (2): shallow simplistic‹b : used or comprehended with ease c : readily manifested and often lacking sincerity or depth
-from Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus
Rules, traditions and legalism are much more facile than faith.
1 a (1): easily accomplished or attained ‹a ~ victory› (2): shallow simplistic‹b : used or comprehended with ease c : readily manifested and often lacking sincerity or depth
-from Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus
Rules, traditions and legalism are much more facile than faith.
boldly going, etc etc
From the "Friday Fone Fun" iDepartment:
So it's not really a Tricorder - but don't tell iSpock.
Just beam me up before the ibattery runs down.
Disclaimer: Some of my best friends use Macs.
So it's not really a Tricorder - but don't tell iSpock.
Just beam me up before the ibattery runs down.
Disclaimer: Some of my best friends use Macs.
words count
This morning I did a search through the New Testament (NIV) for the word "Encourage" and counted 36 hits.
The Book of Acts contained the most instances with 10. Then I looked for "Joy" too and found about 70 hits.
But "Love" was the clear & inevitable winner, with about 257.
Then I searched for "Scold" but Scold wasn't there. Not in either the Old or the New Testament. Neither was "Retaliation," "Sarcastic," "Demean," "Browbeat" or "Condescend." Not anywhere.
Hmmm. Can't find those words anywhere in Scripture ... so what're they doing written inside my heart?
The Book of Acts contained the most instances with 10. Then I looked for "Joy" too and found about 70 hits.
But "Love" was the clear & inevitable winner, with about 257.
Then I searched for "Scold" but Scold wasn't there. Not in either the Old or the New Testament. Neither was "Retaliation," "Sarcastic," "Demean," "Browbeat" or "Condescend." Not anywhere.
Hmmm. Can't find those words anywhere in Scripture ... so what're they doing written inside my heart?
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