“Truth” is very beautiful. More so than “justice.” Which easily puts on a false face. In the nearly 70 years I have lived through the world has overflowed with bloodshed and explosion whose dust has never had time to settle before others have erupted. All in perpertedly just causes. The quest for justice continues and the weapons of hatred pile up. But truth was an early casualty. The lies on behalf of which many wars have been fought and peace treaties concluded. The lies of revolution and counterrevolution. The lies of advertising of news or salesmanship of politics. The lies of the priest in his pulpit. The professor at his podium. The journalist at his typewriter. The lies stuck like fishbone in the throat of the microphone. The hand held lies of the prowling cameramen. Ignasius Siloan told me once when he was a member of the old Commenturn. Some strategim was under discussion and a delegate or newcomer who had never attended before made the extraordinary observation that “such and such a remark ought not to be made. Because if were ever made it wouldn’t be true.” There was a moment of dazed stunned silence. Then everyone began to laugh. They laughed and laughed and laughed till tears ran down their cheeks and the Kremlin walls seemed to shake. The same laughter echoes in every council chamber and cabinet room whenever two or more are gathered to exercise authority. It is truth that has died, not God.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Laughter
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
the great firewall of china.
Discussion on "twitter" have never been of significant interest to
me. However, this article got me really excited.
me. However, this article got me really excited.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
separation anxiety
My cat is a doofus. I've been gone for 4 days, so he is sleeping on my bed and he'll reach out with a paw and just touch me for a second and then go back to sleeping.
It's cracking me up!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year
Interesting Ariticle...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
My Christmas Letter
Here is a slice of an idea... (no, it's not a volcano)
Friday, November 7, 2008
to know him
my one desire is to become more intimately acquainted with Him.
-Apostle Paul
so much of christianity has to be an unlearning.
-C.S.Lewis
communication is a miracle
-Chris Rae
-Apostle Paul
so much of christianity has to be an unlearning.
-C.S.Lewis
communication is a miracle
-Chris Rae
I'm reading a really cool book that was popular in the 90's called,
"The man who talks to horses"
What a great true story. this bloke from california at age 13 spent
weeks alone in the nevada desert watching wild horses "talk" to each
other through body language. He now knows over 100 reproducible,
predictable cues to "talk" to horses. He can be riding a completely
wild horse with saddle and bridle within 40 minutes with no whips or
ropes or beatings. An arguable key to his success is that he is
completely color blind. ie. he sees shapes and movements more readily
than colors. Once, he put on contacts that altered his vision to be
able to "see" colors and he took them off b/c "all that color is too
distracting."
anyway, I find it interesting.
oh, and then there's that theological bullshit concept where the
analogy is drawn between "breaking" a wild horse and God training
people. It truly is a juvenile/ screwed-up understanding. But
vindication is near! The horse trainer guy hates the term too! b/c
it drums up all sorts of concepts of crushing the will, physical harm
and indifference for identity and community. The trainer guy "starts"
horses and calls the process of training "joining up." Is this just
symantics or a legitimate different way of relating?
they used to tie cats under horses so that the cat could bite and claw
it's thighs and genitals.
they used to run spiked bars under horses so that the rider could jerk
it up to it's underbelly when it misbehaved.
they used to cripple and tightly tie up horses, smash them on their
heads and beat them silly in a wonderful concept called "bronco
busting." how this analogy could be even loosely attached to God's
relationship to people is beyond me. And I heard it AGAIN not 3
months ago!
Try this analogy...
"The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood."
-Gospel of John
peace yo,
Joel
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
aburningstick sent you a video: "Red State Update: Sarah Palin Picked As McCain's VP"
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| aburningstick has shared a video with you on YouTube: Why not hit that orange button up there and subscribe to look at us on the computer. Thank you kindly. Jackie and Dunlap on John McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as the Vice Presidential nominee. Jackie and Dunlap's first CD "How Freedom Sounds" is available now! Order it here: http://www.dualtonerecords.net/store/product-info.php?pid125.html Or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/How-Freedom-Sounds-State-Update/dp/B001A2B3WQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1217232913&sr=1-1 or iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=284344934&id=284344228&s=143441 Thanks you kindly! http://www.redstateupdate.com | |
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aburningstick sent you a video: "Governor Sarah Palin Vlog #1"
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| aburningstick has shared a video with you on YouTube: Governor Sarah Palin, Republican Vice Presidential candidate, will be vlogging throughout the campaign. Her first vlog was leaked to the press by unknown sources. Dina -- Diana Saez (http://youonmyblog.blogspot.com) Sarah -- Sara Benincasa (http://www.sarabenincasa.com) Lights, Camera, Action -- Francesco Marciuliano (http://www.medium-large.com) Cheerful Endurer of Heat and Boredom: Sam Weston | |
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
the village on our distribution list was hit at 7am. i'd been
distributing food for 3 months when it happened. we returned 3 days
later. burned. we sat under a tree and a sheik told us how many of
the 400 people's houses had been burned. some of the janjaweed had
been killed in the attack and the villagers would sleep in the wadi.
they needed blankets and buckets because it was winter. we did our
best to collect non-food items for them. the sheik talked and heated
a small pot of tea for us because we were guests. as we walked back
to the truck a distinctly un-familiar odor came from beyond the
bushes. if someone had been there from our NGO that morning, perhaps
the attack wouldn't have occurred. Protection By Presence. as it
was, noone of importance was sleeping in _____ that night.
distributing food for 3 months when it happened. we returned 3 days
later. burned. we sat under a tree and a sheik told us how many of
the 400 people's houses had been burned. some of the janjaweed had
been killed in the attack and the villagers would sleep in the wadi.
they needed blankets and buckets because it was winter. we did our
best to collect non-food items for them. the sheik talked and heated
a small pot of tea for us because we were guests. as we walked back
to the truck a distinctly un-familiar odor came from beyond the
bushes. if someone had been there from our NGO that morning, perhaps
the attack wouldn't have occurred. Protection By Presence. as it
was, noone of importance was sleeping in _____ that night.
Monday, August 25, 2008
I keep my ipod charged
>
> I don't think I've sent a mass email in over 2 years. I've written
> them. But just never sent it :-). Sucks to be... somebody.
> So yes, I have a candle lit, am on my sheepskin for this evening and
> am living in anticipation.
>
> most of the time I need an object or goal to anticipate. For now,
> it's just this dull sense that something ought to be that isn't.
> When I find it, I'll let you know.
>
> For now, a brief update.
>
> I'm attending Vanderbilt Divinity School and though prestigious,
> lacks many aspects of the 'otherness'. However, in a moment of post-
> examination wisdom, free pizza and beer was provided by the TA's.
> Truly divine.
>
> My home is a cute 2 bedroom hardwood remodel with a back porch and 2
> hammock trees.
> I have a cat named "Matador" and recently acquired some of my
> grandmothers furniture as she relocated to a retirement community.
> Hello stackable washer/dryer, goodbye coin-op.
>
> Work exempted which always has new facets and a distinctly laser-
> like learning edge, angst remains. And towards this end, is our
> email. I've run out of adventures. Rock-climbing and camping,
> though interesting, lack the luster and sheen of an unpolished
> Subaru. Cool by any standard, mind you. But still unpolished.
>
> In fact, the insides of my car need some work too but my town needs
> one of those octopus car washes with free vacuums because my dirt-
> devil isn't going to suck out the fries between the seats.
>
> It used to be that guys had real challenges to pursue! The glamour
> of the western MAN. There was this one movie, a Sacket remake of a
> L'ouise Lamour where these friends live life together. 3 men. One
> lives for the law and washes his shirts and shaves his beard as does
> the second, while the third drinks his life away on a ranch out of
> town. The three survive harrowing adventures together and their 6-
> shooters are the fastest in the west. But their friendships begin
> to splinter under alcohol, depression and I'm sure there is a story
> of women in there somewhere. One day, the guy who shaves comes to
> the guy who drinks and knocks on his door. They have a frustrated
> conversation about what is important in life. It ends with a cut-to-
> the-quick line by the drinker when he says, "I keep my gun clean
> Tye, that's all that counts. I keep my gun clean."
>
> I think I'm a rehabilitated "drinker-guy." Definitely been there!
> But truly, are shaving or polishing shoes intrinsically valuable?
> If one thing matters then everything matters.
>
> Which is great because my shoes are cool. Made of Yak leather by
> the portuguese, they are urban metro-hikers on crack. Love em'.
>
> Many are wrestless cats until he finds comfort. My cat is all
> white, has only a few flees and drinks from the aquarium. His life
> is amusing and I sometimes anthropomorphize him to astounding levels
> till I notice him scratching the lenolium around the litter box
> which resets the reality gauge.
> Sometimes I think my reality gauge needs tuning. How many scratch
> the lenolium of life while God sits up there and laughs saying
> "Cover it with dirt! It ain't rocket science!"
>
> And that's REALLY funny because lots of my friends in Tullahoma ARE
> rocket scientists. hahahahaha! (yeah AEDC friends!)
>
> Lets take school for instance. I listen to sermons on my ipod, go
> to bible school 3 times a week, am in 1 bible study, teach 3 bible
> lessons each week, read books about the bible, have bible
> discussions with friends, and even read my own bible at home
> sometimes.
>
> I think that's weird only in-so-far-as that dull sense of something
> missing is still missing. Which is ok. I'll still get up tomorrow
> and teach and play and throw the frisbee. But the ache is lousy.
> Scratching the lenolium?
>
> When I get to heaven I'm going to throw a frisbee at God and at the
> same time thank him for the ache because it's a poor substitute, a
> frisbee for heaven that is. Far be it that we would confuse the two.
> I think that's healthy. When you run out of adventures and you say,
> "ok God, what next, cuz' this is boring."
>
> I heard a talk recently by a physician who was talking about 5
> hormones in the brain that are hugely impactful on personhood. and
> I don't recall much except that humans are chemically constructed to
> need new experiences. Something to do with saritonin. Which is a
> good thing because my theology tells me that I will never get bored
> with God. and just b/c I also know it has something to do with
> chemistry reminds me all the more I'm both eternal and dust which
> bolsters my jewish mindset.
>
> anyone angsty about the emptiness of adventure? anyone anticipating
> something more? The difference between these two questions is a
> canyon of eternity but the latter can be rather than the previous.
> A gift of God.
>
> So while one plows the ground and tends to the spaces, my brain
> chemicals inspire pursuit though I can empathize with our unshaven
> alcoholic cowpoke at least in the sense that sometimes I don't shave.
> If for a moment I WAS to be him, my post-industrial, post-modern,
> western, consumer, white, male mind would assess all that is and
> dully slur,
>
> "I keep my ipod charged, Tye. That's all that counts. I keep my
> ipod charged."
>
> Fortunately, I'm not him. and it's late. So I'm going to set my
> alarm and get up, polish my shoes and see what sorts of adventures
> await.
>
> Many thanks to the God of embodied Saritonin,
>
> Peaceout,
> Joel
>
> it's better to have loved and lost because love isn't a self-
> improvement program. It's more of a "let me die for you" sort of
> program which would be a good story if it wasn't actually true.
> awesome! Let the good times roll.
>
> "count it all joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds"
> "the world was not worthy of them"
> "blessed is the day of your death rather than the day of your birth"
> "it is my desire to go and be with him but it is better for you that
> I remain"
> "for the joy set before him, endured the cross"
> "it is a privilege to die in the same manner as my Lord"
> "oh blessed lion"
> "if they hate you, remember that they hated me first"
> "you are aliens in this world"
> "heaven is my home"
> "I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will return to take
> you that you may be where I am"
> "do not grow weary in doing good"
> "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed"
> "you are a holy nation, a peculiar people"
> "set your hearts on things above, not on earthly things, for you
> died and your life is hidden with Christ in God"
> "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"
> "this is true spirituality, to take care of orphan and the widow"
> "blessed are the poor (in spirit) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
> "come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, for I will give
> you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn from me for my yoke is
> easy and my burden is light and you will find rest for your souls"
>
> I don't think I've sent a mass email in over 2 years. I've written
> them. But just never sent it :-). Sucks to be... somebody.
> So yes, I have a candle lit, am on my sheepskin for this evening and
> am living in anticipation.
>
> most of the time I need an object or goal to anticipate. For now,
> it's just this dull sense that something ought to be that isn't.
> When I find it, I'll let you know.
>
> For now, a brief update.
>
> I'm attending Vanderbilt Divinity School and though prestigious,
> lacks many aspects of the 'otherness'. However, in a moment of post-
> examination wisdom, free pizza and beer was provided by the TA's.
> Truly divine.
>
> My home is a cute 2 bedroom hardwood remodel with a back porch and 2
> hammock trees.
> I have a cat named "Matador" and recently acquired some of my
> grandmothers furniture as she relocated to a retirement community.
> Hello stackable washer/dryer, goodbye coin-op.
>
> Work exempted which always has new facets and a distinctly laser-
> like learning edge, angst remains. And towards this end, is our
> email. I've run out of adventures. Rock-climbing and camping,
> though interesting, lack the luster and sheen of an unpolished
> Subaru. Cool by any standard, mind you. But still unpolished.
>
> In fact, the insides of my car need some work too but my town needs
> one of those octopus car washes with free vacuums because my dirt-
> devil isn't going to suck out the fries between the seats.
>
> It used to be that guys had real challenges to pursue! The glamour
> of the western MAN. There was this one movie, a Sacket remake of a
> L'ouise Lamour where these friends live life together. 3 men. One
> lives for the law and washes his shirts and shaves his beard as does
> the second, while the third drinks his life away on a ranch out of
> town. The three survive harrowing adventures together and their 6-
> shooters are the fastest in the west. But their friendships begin
> to splinter under alcohol, depression and I'm sure there is a story
> of women in there somewhere. One day, the guy who shaves comes to
> the guy who drinks and knocks on his door. They have a frustrated
> conversation about what is important in life. It ends with a cut-to-
> the-quick line by the drinker when he says, "I keep my gun clean
> Tye, that's all that counts. I keep my gun clean."
>
> I think I'm a rehabilitated "drinker-guy." Definitely been there!
> But truly, are shaving or polishing shoes intrinsically valuable?
> If one thing matters then everything matters.
>
> Which is great because my shoes are cool. Made of Yak leather by
> the portuguese, they are urban metro-hikers on crack. Love em'.
>
> Many are wrestless cats until he finds comfort. My cat is all
> white, has only a few flees and drinks from the aquarium. His life
> is amusing and I sometimes anthropomorphize him to astounding levels
> till I notice him scratching the lenolium around the litter box
> which resets the reality gauge.
> Sometimes I think my reality gauge needs tuning. How many scratch
> the lenolium of life while God sits up there and laughs saying
> "Cover it with dirt! It ain't rocket science!"
>
> And that's REALLY funny because lots of my friends in Tullahoma ARE
> rocket scientists. hahahahaha! (yeah AEDC friends!)
>
> Lets take school for instance. I listen to sermons on my ipod, go
> to bible school 3 times a week, am in 1 bible study, teach 3 bible
> lessons each week, read books about the bible, have bible
> discussions with friends, and even read my own bible at home
> sometimes.
>
> I think that's weird only in-so-far-as that dull sense of something
> missing is still missing. Which is ok. I'll still get up tomorrow
> and teach and play and throw the frisbee. But the ache is lousy.
> Scratching the lenolium?
>
> When I get to heaven I'm going to throw a frisbee at God and at the
> same time thank him for the ache because it's a poor substitute, a
> frisbee for heaven that is. Far be it that we would confuse the two.
> I think that's healthy. When you run out of adventures and you say,
> "ok God, what next, cuz' this is boring."
>
> I heard a talk recently by a physician who was talking about 5
> hormones in the brain that are hugely impactful on personhood. and
> I don't recall much except that humans are chemically constructed to
> need new experiences. Something to do with saritonin. Which is a
> good thing because my theology tells me that I will never get bored
> with God. and just b/c I also know it has something to do with
> chemistry reminds me all the more I'm both eternal and dust which
> bolsters my jewish mindset.
>
> anyone angsty about the emptiness of adventure? anyone anticipating
> something more? The difference between these two questions is a
> canyon of eternity but the latter can be rather than the previous.
> A gift of God.
>
> So while one plows the ground and tends to the spaces, my brain
> chemicals inspire pursuit though I can empathize with our unshaven
> alcoholic cowpoke at least in the sense that sometimes I don't shave.
> If for a moment I WAS to be him, my post-industrial, post-modern,
> western, consumer, white, male mind would assess all that is and
> dully slur,
>
> "I keep my ipod charged, Tye. That's all that counts. I keep my
> ipod charged."
>
> Fortunately, I'm not him. and it's late. So I'm going to set my
> alarm and get up, polish my shoes and see what sorts of adventures
> await.
>
> Many thanks to the God of embodied Saritonin,
>
> Peaceout,
> Joel
>
> it's better to have loved and lost because love isn't a self-
> improvement program. It's more of a "let me die for you" sort of
> program which would be a good story if it wasn't actually true.
> awesome! Let the good times roll.
>
> "count it all joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds"
> "the world was not worthy of them"
> "blessed is the day of your death rather than the day of your birth"
> "it is my desire to go and be with him but it is better for you that
> I remain"
> "for the joy set before him, endured the cross"
> "it is a privilege to die in the same manner as my Lord"
> "oh blessed lion"
> "if they hate you, remember that they hated me first"
> "you are aliens in this world"
> "heaven is my home"
> "I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will return to take
> you that you may be where I am"
> "do not grow weary in doing good"
> "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed"
> "you are a holy nation, a peculiar people"
> "set your hearts on things above, not on earthly things, for you
> died and your life is hidden with Christ in God"
> "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"
> "this is true spirituality, to take care of orphan and the widow"
> "blessed are the poor (in spirit) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
> "come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, for I will give
> you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn from me for my yoke is
> easy and my burden is light and you will find rest for your souls"
>
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