I had the weirdest dream last week. Before I get into it, though, a little philosophizing.
I've always had the sneaking suspicion that spirituality and psychology are inter-mixed. I've read a little of Jung's stuff, and that is something I take away from it (whether that's right or wrong, I don't know). I've always had a very active "dream life" -- I don't know that I'm different that others, but I recognize it.
For example, primitive religions believed that if a loved one did not have a proper burial, his/ her soul was restless and would "haunt" you. Nowadays, psychologists say we need "closure." I think it's related; if not the same thing. And I'm not so sure it's not just psychology.
One night last week, I woke up with chills down my spine. It' happened before, too. I felt as if something "evil" (it's the best word I can think of right now) had, literally, touched me. I thought something was in the room.
Recalling Job, I reminded myself that God wouldn't give me something I couldn't handle. I calmed myself and went to sleep about a half-hour later.
The next thing I remember, I was standing on top of a summit -- perhaps near a volcano. Kind of like Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings. I was looking up into the eyes of something ... sinister, and I was praying:
"Yea, though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I fear no evil. The Lord is my shepherd."
When I woke up, I immediately thought of Tarot Cards. In that the "Death" card is seen as change, and not necessarily a negative. Things are changing in my life.
One interpretation is that I am being presented with challenges. I have been challenged to change, to move, to grow. In response, my dream-self chose to put my faith in the Lord. Are your psychological "demons" only in your head? Isn't there an old saying about perception being reality?
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
I'm Offended
I'm offended and it doesn't really happen all that often.
This is the first year of preschool for my first (and, currently, only) child. In a couple of weeks, the preschool is having a "Special Man in My Life" Night. What?! When I was in school, it was "Dad's Night."
I like to think that Dads are important. It's also the title that I take most seriously. Now, I've been relegated to "special man." There aren't many more options. Even for those who may not have chosen a mate of the opposite sex, they're still both "dads" -- I've heard of the books, you know: Why Billy Has Two Daddies (or Mommies). I'm not knocking those guys; in fact, they should be upset, too! Unless there's a kid with a dead dad, there's no reason for this.
Now, instead of being given the respect due to a dad, I've been put on par with that "special" "uncle" who's shacking up with Billy's mom. Fuck him. This is insulting.
This is the first year of preschool for my first (and, currently, only) child. In a couple of weeks, the preschool is having a "Special Man in My Life" Night. What?! When I was in school, it was "Dad's Night."
I like to think that Dads are important. It's also the title that I take most seriously. Now, I've been relegated to "special man." There aren't many more options. Even for those who may not have chosen a mate of the opposite sex, they're still both "dads" -- I've heard of the books, you know: Why Billy Has Two Daddies (or Mommies). I'm not knocking those guys; in fact, they should be upset, too! Unless there's a kid with a dead dad, there's no reason for this.
Now, instead of being given the respect due to a dad, I've been put on par with that "special" "uncle" who's shacking up with Billy's mom. Fuck him. This is insulting.
All I Want is You
First, I need to answer a question. “What does U2 have to do with Abraham?” I’m not exactly sure (well, I’m pretty sure), but let me start with a story.
In early 2001, I surprised my wife with U2 concert tickets. I think it was some time in February. Anyway, while at the concert, Bono introduced The Edge as, “The man with as many children as Abraham.” Abraham had a handful of wives, too, didn’t he? Only Bono would call a player by a biblical name.
Here is one of my favorite passages about living in the moment. I think Abraham knew this to be true, too.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is no life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do no sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is gone tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is it own evil.”
Matthew 6:25-34
Taking this a little further, it applies not only to “today” but to this “moment” – however long the moment may be. A day, a night, an hour, a minute, a week, whatever.
What we’ve got now, what we’re doing right now, is a divine gift. Make no mistake about it.
At our wedding, my wife and I read from this Gospel passage:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
Matthew 13:44-46
We also played a U2 song at our wedding. To date, I don’t have nearly as many children as Abraham, though.
“You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want
Your stories to remain untold
…
All I want is you …”
U2
Rattle and Hum
When you find a treasure, you hold onto it. God gives us valuable treasure in each moment and it's there for the taking.
In early 2001, I surprised my wife with U2 concert tickets. I think it was some time in February. Anyway, while at the concert, Bono introduced The Edge as, “The man with as many children as Abraham.” Abraham had a handful of wives, too, didn’t he? Only Bono would call a player by a biblical name.
Here is one of my favorite passages about living in the moment. I think Abraham knew this to be true, too.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is no life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do no sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is gone tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is it own evil.”
Matthew 6:25-34
Taking this a little further, it applies not only to “today” but to this “moment” – however long the moment may be. A day, a night, an hour, a minute, a week, whatever.
What we’ve got now, what we’re doing right now, is a divine gift. Make no mistake about it.
At our wedding, my wife and I read from this Gospel passage:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
Matthew 13:44-46
We also played a U2 song at our wedding. To date, I don’t have nearly as many children as Abraham, though.
“You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want
Your stories to remain untold
…
All I want is you …”
U2
Rattle and Hum
When you find a treasure, you hold onto it. God gives us valuable treasure in each moment and it's there for the taking.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Stuck in a Moment
I thought I was having a bad day yesterday. I’ve been working my tail off without respite or reward. Yesterday afternoon I went into a mediation session that was nothing more than legalized extortion. My client had been sued, but he truly was not at fault. The plaintiff had legitimate problems with his air conditioning system at his office, but my client was the architect not the engineer who designed the bad plans. The problem? It was cheaper for my client to settle the lawsuit than pay me to fight it – and no one can guarantee success.
He made the proper decision, from a certain point of view. What did he gain? Certainty as to how much he’d pay to get out of the lawsuit. It was the sounder economic decision. It was a good pragmatic decision. Now he does not have to live with the lawsuit for the next 18 months.
Still, it stuck in my craw and I was not proud to be a part of the process. Having a self-regulating bar is kind of like having a Senate Ethics Committee. Just one example of the macrocosm of my world right now.
So, I get home about 7:00 in order to hustle over to my 7:50 soccer game. I had to get over to my Washed-Up World Cup of the Northwest Valley. While getting dressed, I turned on my Virtual DJ (the Bose Lifestyle 48 – so sweet) in my bedroom. On comes an interesting song.
Here is the chorus:
“You’ve got to get yourself together
You’ve got stuck in a moment
And you can’t get out of it.
Don’t say that later will be better
Now you’re stuck in a moment
And you can’t get out of it”
Here is the last line:
“It’s just a moment,
This time will pass”
U2
“Stuck In a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”
All That You Can’t Leave Behind
So, I figure, that seems appropriate. I’ll go to my soccer game and see what happens. I’m the “back up” goaltender on our team, but our first-stringers keep going down to injury. Anyway …
We got walloped. We were down 9 to 1 in the first half. At halftime, I told the team that the other side was better, but not 9 to 1 better. We tied the second half 2 to 2. Minor moral victory, I suppose.
I got a call this morning from another client. His dad had moved in with him about 3 years ago. His dad suffered a spinal cord injury in 1986 and was confined to a wheelchair. His dad moved in with him to help with the family business in about 2003. When he moved in, a contractor was hired to make the house handicapped accessible. In 2004, there was an accident on the ramp. It was our position that the negligent construction of the ramp was the cause of the accident and that the accident caused a severe neurological disorder in the dad’s right shoulder. The poor guy only had two limbs, and then one was taken away.
Last night, the dad died.
The dad didn’t let his situation get the better of him. In the 1990s he was a deep sea fisherman in Hawaii and Florida. When he wasn’t fishing off a boat, he would run up and down the pier with two dozen fishing lines in the water. He’d camp out in his van and fish.
Word is that he was also a pool shark. I suppose he could have been very un-assuming.
When he moved in to help his son run the business, they would go out to rivers and lakes to fish and swim. They’d take the son’s off-road vehicles off the beaten path. Once there, the son would carry his dad into position and the old man would float on the water, play in the sand, and throw out his fishing line. When the son went hunting with his friends, the old man would plink cans his gun.
When he wasn’t out enjoying himself, the old man would work in the motor yard in the family business. He would remove and replace the brakes on the vehicles, change the oil, and make sure the vehicles kept running. He’d go out on jobs and lend his advice to the workers.
When I talked to the son today, he told me, “My dad hasn’t died yet, so I figured he’d never die.” I have to admit, I had the same feelings about the old man. He was an interesting character, and I enjoyed knowing him.
If I remember correctly, that song was written upon the death of Bono’s father. It seems to fit a lot of situations in many ways.
You’re given a finite amount of moments to live. It’s part of life, and life is a good thing. Don’t look to the future and day-dream about what may never happen. When you’re in one of those finite moments – good or bad – that’s simply where you are. Your life is defined is through these discrete moments and what you do in them and not much else. Good or bad, that moment will pass. Then you will receive another moment. It doesn’t do much good to dwell on it or look past it. There’s nothing you can do, and you don’t want to miss out on life.
He made the proper decision, from a certain point of view. What did he gain? Certainty as to how much he’d pay to get out of the lawsuit. It was the sounder economic decision. It was a good pragmatic decision. Now he does not have to live with the lawsuit for the next 18 months.
Still, it stuck in my craw and I was not proud to be a part of the process. Having a self-regulating bar is kind of like having a Senate Ethics Committee. Just one example of the macrocosm of my world right now.
So, I get home about 7:00 in order to hustle over to my 7:50 soccer game. I had to get over to my Washed-Up World Cup of the Northwest Valley. While getting dressed, I turned on my Virtual DJ (the Bose Lifestyle 48 – so sweet) in my bedroom. On comes an interesting song.
Here is the chorus:
“You’ve got to get yourself together
You’ve got stuck in a moment
And you can’t get out of it.
Don’t say that later will be better
Now you’re stuck in a moment
And you can’t get out of it”
Here is the last line:
“It’s just a moment,
This time will pass”
U2
“Stuck In a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”
All That You Can’t Leave Behind
So, I figure, that seems appropriate. I’ll go to my soccer game and see what happens. I’m the “back up” goaltender on our team, but our first-stringers keep going down to injury. Anyway …
We got walloped. We were down 9 to 1 in the first half. At halftime, I told the team that the other side was better, but not 9 to 1 better. We tied the second half 2 to 2. Minor moral victory, I suppose.
I got a call this morning from another client. His dad had moved in with him about 3 years ago. His dad suffered a spinal cord injury in 1986 and was confined to a wheelchair. His dad moved in with him to help with the family business in about 2003. When he moved in, a contractor was hired to make the house handicapped accessible. In 2004, there was an accident on the ramp. It was our position that the negligent construction of the ramp was the cause of the accident and that the accident caused a severe neurological disorder in the dad’s right shoulder. The poor guy only had two limbs, and then one was taken away.
Last night, the dad died.
The dad didn’t let his situation get the better of him. In the 1990s he was a deep sea fisherman in Hawaii and Florida. When he wasn’t fishing off a boat, he would run up and down the pier with two dozen fishing lines in the water. He’d camp out in his van and fish.
Word is that he was also a pool shark. I suppose he could have been very un-assuming.
When he moved in to help his son run the business, they would go out to rivers and lakes to fish and swim. They’d take the son’s off-road vehicles off the beaten path. Once there, the son would carry his dad into position and the old man would float on the water, play in the sand, and throw out his fishing line. When the son went hunting with his friends, the old man would plink cans his gun.
When he wasn’t out enjoying himself, the old man would work in the motor yard in the family business. He would remove and replace the brakes on the vehicles, change the oil, and make sure the vehicles kept running. He’d go out on jobs and lend his advice to the workers.
When I talked to the son today, he told me, “My dad hasn’t died yet, so I figured he’d never die.” I have to admit, I had the same feelings about the old man. He was an interesting character, and I enjoyed knowing him.
If I remember correctly, that song was written upon the death of Bono’s father. It seems to fit a lot of situations in many ways.
You’re given a finite amount of moments to live. It’s part of life, and life is a good thing. Don’t look to the future and day-dream about what may never happen. When you’re in one of those finite moments – good or bad – that’s simply where you are. Your life is defined is through these discrete moments and what you do in them and not much else. Good or bad, that moment will pass. Then you will receive another moment. It doesn’t do much good to dwell on it or look past it. There’s nothing you can do, and you don’t want to miss out on life.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Bad Haggis All Around
I'm going to get more into this later, but I wanted to post what I was thinking at the time. Also, I still owe myself at least two more entries on Abraham.
I've been informed that Bad Haggis will be at the Irish Festival:
http://festival.azirish.org/ Did I spell that right? My favorite band, though, is the Blackwood Band: http://blackwoodband.com/ Maybe they'll show up.
I've always like Bluegrass music -- the banjos, the rhythmic bass, the jug (yes, the one you blow into). The Ulster Irish spread much Irish culture into the colonies before the Catholics came over during the Famine. Growing up, I always thought it was fun music.
Of course, when I told my schoolyard friends it was fun, they did not give me reciprocal good will. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they turned me on to Van Halen (and Van Hagar -- which is better), the Crue, and Ozzy (Ozzy's got some Welsh, or Celtic, in him). Good stuff. For some reason, when I was in junior high, U2 was pretty "cool" too.
I liked that stuff. Without any prompting, and I don't know why.
I also like Guinness. Sometimes it's just good for an afternoon snack. Instead of cookies, have some Guinness -- after all, there's a loaf of bread in every beer. Bushmills, too, is good. Jameson is good, but not as good. Jack Daniels, Cutty Sark, and a lot of these other brown liquors really make me sick. Glenfiddich (or however the hell you spell it) isn't really that good, either. There are some members of the Kelly clan that like Maker's Mark, a good Kentucky bourbon, but the stuff is just too sweet for me.
Whoa, I just wrote a lot about booze.
From day one, I've always been the type of person who "jumps in." I've learned to temper my enthusiasm, but I've still got some impetuousness in me.
In Thomas Cahill's How the Irish Saved Civilization, he explores the Irish mindset. I can relate to it. Something about a lot of sound an fury, with a loud explosion, that really signifies nothing. You only live once, right?
My bones hurt (mainly my knees and ankles), but I'm only 32. I never went into any sort of pro athletics. I was never even close to talented enough. I can hold my own in some "full contact" martial arts (I use quotes because when rules apply, there's not such thing as "full contact") only because my nerve endings don't seem to fully connect. I have had asthma since my pre-teens but never knew it. I never stopped, though. I just kept going. Probably to the detriment of me in the future, if I ever made it into the future.
So what if you live to 90, if you make it to 80 having a lot of fun? 90 years on a planet that's 4.5 billion years old isn't that much time, is it?
I once told someone that you should live like it's your last day, but plan for the future in case it isn't.
What does this rambling mean? I don't know.
I think it has something to do with enjoying your life, enjoying your world. Yesterday I played with jkelly2's new firetruck for almost 2 hours. Last week, we played with play-dough for almost three hours (6 am to 9 am). It sounds crazy to somone who's never had a child, but very soon he's going to be driving and leaving for college.
Enjoy life while you can. Drink beer. Play pool. Dance. Sing. Love.
If this sounds like Hedonism, you're wrong. I'll try to clarify later. In the meantime, remember that Christ's first miracle was to turn water into wine.
I've been informed that Bad Haggis will be at the Irish Festival:
http://festival.azirish.org/ Did I spell that right? My favorite band, though, is the Blackwood Band: http://blackwoodband.com/ Maybe they'll show up.
I've always like Bluegrass music -- the banjos, the rhythmic bass, the jug (yes, the one you blow into). The Ulster Irish spread much Irish culture into the colonies before the Catholics came over during the Famine. Growing up, I always thought it was fun music.
Of course, when I told my schoolyard friends it was fun, they did not give me reciprocal good will. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they turned me on to Van Halen (and Van Hagar -- which is better), the Crue, and Ozzy (Ozzy's got some Welsh, or Celtic, in him). Good stuff. For some reason, when I was in junior high, U2 was pretty "cool" too.
I liked that stuff. Without any prompting, and I don't know why.
I also like Guinness. Sometimes it's just good for an afternoon snack. Instead of cookies, have some Guinness -- after all, there's a loaf of bread in every beer. Bushmills, too, is good. Jameson is good, but not as good. Jack Daniels, Cutty Sark, and a lot of these other brown liquors really make me sick. Glenfiddich (or however the hell you spell it) isn't really that good, either. There are some members of the Kelly clan that like Maker's Mark, a good Kentucky bourbon, but the stuff is just too sweet for me.
Whoa, I just wrote a lot about booze.
From day one, I've always been the type of person who "jumps in." I've learned to temper my enthusiasm, but I've still got some impetuousness in me.
In Thomas Cahill's How the Irish Saved Civilization, he explores the Irish mindset. I can relate to it. Something about a lot of sound an fury, with a loud explosion, that really signifies nothing. You only live once, right?
My bones hurt (mainly my knees and ankles), but I'm only 32. I never went into any sort of pro athletics. I was never even close to talented enough. I can hold my own in some "full contact" martial arts (I use quotes because when rules apply, there's not such thing as "full contact") only because my nerve endings don't seem to fully connect. I have had asthma since my pre-teens but never knew it. I never stopped, though. I just kept going. Probably to the detriment of me in the future, if I ever made it into the future.
So what if you live to 90, if you make it to 80 having a lot of fun? 90 years on a planet that's 4.5 billion years old isn't that much time, is it?
I once told someone that you should live like it's your last day, but plan for the future in case it isn't.
What does this rambling mean? I don't know.
I think it has something to do with enjoying your life, enjoying your world. Yesterday I played with jkelly2's new firetruck for almost 2 hours. Last week, we played with play-dough for almost three hours (6 am to 9 am). It sounds crazy to somone who's never had a child, but very soon he's going to be driving and leaving for college.
Enjoy life while you can. Drink beer. Play pool. Dance. Sing. Love.
If this sounds like Hedonism, you're wrong. I'll try to clarify later. In the meantime, remember that Christ's first miracle was to turn water into wine.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
A Rose By Any Other Name
The name dispute is almost over. It looks like there will be a "jkelly3" because my wife is winning out with Julia. We've been mulling over a middle name.
We have it narrowed down to 2 -- one really, with 2 different spellings.Either Rosaleen or Roisin (pronounced "ro-sheen"). It means "little rose."
Here is a link to the name meaning. You can turn up the volume and hear the meaning read to you: http://www.babynamesofireland.com/pages/girl-names-n-z.html
Also, here is a link to the poem mentioned:
http://www.bartleby.com/101/664.html
I like the Irish pronunciation, so does my wife. However, the concern is pronunciation. How often will she have to correct someone? But then again, how often would she be called by her middle name when not in trouble?
We have it narrowed down to 2 -- one really, with 2 different spellings.Either Rosaleen or Roisin (pronounced "ro-sheen"). It means "little rose."
Here is a link to the name meaning. You can turn up the volume and hear the meaning read to you: http://www.babynamesofireland.com/pages/girl-names-n-z.html
Also, here is a link to the poem mentioned:
http://www.bartleby.com/101/664.html
I like the Irish pronunciation, so does my wife. However, the concern is pronunciation. How often will she have to correct someone? But then again, how often would she be called by her middle name when not in trouble?
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
God's Faith
God doesn't ask us to do anything that God wouldn't do for us. God has shown great faith in humankind. Let's give ourselves a little more credit. If you do that, it will give you sense of empowerment, joy, and love for life.
The Faith of Abraham is a continuing issue here at the E-Tavern. Abraham's faith in the Lord was so great that he agreed to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Recall that Yahweh had told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. However, Abraham had only one son, Isaac, at this point in time. Then, at the last moment, a ram was substituted for Isaac. Tangentially, I read somewhere this was also a mythic re-telling of history where human sacrifice was abandaned.
Sound familiar? Sacrificing your only Son?
God isn't asking us to do anything that wouldn't be done for us. Talk about an incredible amount of faith.
On the one hand, God asks us to believe in an ominpotent and omniscient Creator of the Universe. It is, after all, one valid explanation for the creation of the universe. While some may eventually conclude it is not the "true" explanation, it is at least one which deserves discussion and attention. So, it is something that is at least palatable to humans. Abraham's faith is symbolizes in his willingness to sacrifice his only son.
On the other hand, God actually sacrificed his only Son. And God's faith was not in a "greater" power but in a "lesser" power. This is an incredible amount of faith and love.
Why was God so cocky? Trusting that we would accept the gifts of Grace and Love? How can you trust such flawed creatures? I can only conclude that God was confident in God's handiwork. "Hey, I made these humans, and I think I did a pretty good job. They'll pull through."
You've got God's "seal of approval" so go live your life that way.
The Faith of Abraham is a continuing issue here at the E-Tavern. Abraham's faith in the Lord was so great that he agreed to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Recall that Yahweh had told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. However, Abraham had only one son, Isaac, at this point in time. Then, at the last moment, a ram was substituted for Isaac. Tangentially, I read somewhere this was also a mythic re-telling of history where human sacrifice was abandaned.
Sound familiar? Sacrificing your only Son?
God isn't asking us to do anything that wouldn't be done for us. Talk about an incredible amount of faith.
On the one hand, God asks us to believe in an ominpotent and omniscient Creator of the Universe. It is, after all, one valid explanation for the creation of the universe. While some may eventually conclude it is not the "true" explanation, it is at least one which deserves discussion and attention. So, it is something that is at least palatable to humans. Abraham's faith is symbolizes in his willingness to sacrifice his only son.
On the other hand, God actually sacrificed his only Son. And God's faith was not in a "greater" power but in a "lesser" power. This is an incredible amount of faith and love.
Why was God so cocky? Trusting that we would accept the gifts of Grace and Love? How can you trust such flawed creatures? I can only conclude that God was confident in God's handiwork. "Hey, I made these humans, and I think I did a pretty good job. They'll pull through."
You've got God's "seal of approval" so go live your life that way.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Don't blame Thomas. It wasn't his falt.
I wanted to say something about the Abraham and Isaac story. First, though, I wanted to talk about “Doubting” Thomas. Was Thomas’ faith somehow inadequate? Somehow inferior to Abraham’s faith? I think not.
My next entry will be about Abraham, but first I will address Thomas. Abraham was about to sacrifice his son (more about that later). Is there any indication that Thomas would not have made a similar sacrifice? Weren’t the 12 disciples told that they needed to leave all behind and follow Jesus? Didn’t Thomas do that? Didn’t he sacrifice his family?
He “doubted” Jesus because he didn’t believe that a dead man could roll away a large stone, walk out of a tomb, descend upon the disciples, and talk to them. He probably also didn’t believe that if someone destroyed Herod’s Temple it could be re-built within 3 days. Is that really so shocking?
Probably not.
Now, this is not my explanation, but it’s a good one.
Did you ever stop to think about why Thomas doubted the disciples? How come the other 10 couldn’t convince Thomas? Were they ineloquent? Or were they impassionate?
Ever notice that you tend to believe those who tell their stories with fervor and passion? Have you ever said, “He can’t be lying because he’s so convinced.”? You have.
Why didn’t Thomas think those same things? I submit that it was because the other 10 (and the Mary’s) couldn’t convince him. They lacked faith. Thomas was the only one with the nuts to stand up and question it all. He led them to faith. Sometimes, transgression (here, doubt) is a gift that can lead one to the divine.
My next entry will be about Abraham, but first I will address Thomas. Abraham was about to sacrifice his son (more about that later). Is there any indication that Thomas would not have made a similar sacrifice? Weren’t the 12 disciples told that they needed to leave all behind and follow Jesus? Didn’t Thomas do that? Didn’t he sacrifice his family?
He “doubted” Jesus because he didn’t believe that a dead man could roll away a large stone, walk out of a tomb, descend upon the disciples, and talk to them. He probably also didn’t believe that if someone destroyed Herod’s Temple it could be re-built within 3 days. Is that really so shocking?
Probably not.
Now, this is not my explanation, but it’s a good one.
Did you ever stop to think about why Thomas doubted the disciples? How come the other 10 couldn’t convince Thomas? Were they ineloquent? Or were they impassionate?
Ever notice that you tend to believe those who tell their stories with fervor and passion? Have you ever said, “He can’t be lying because he’s so convinced.”? You have.
Why didn’t Thomas think those same things? I submit that it was because the other 10 (and the Mary’s) couldn’t convince him. They lacked faith. Thomas was the only one with the nuts to stand up and question it all. He led them to faith. Sometimes, transgression (here, doubt) is a gift that can lead one to the divine.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Why I Like Duff
I saw this article http://men.msn.com/articlees.aspx?cp-documentid=760907>1=8572 and had to post it so everyone could take at look at the words of wisdom.
Really, though, the reason I Duff is because he's an Irish soccer player named after Homer's favorite beer. For the latest, go to www.premierleague.com and so who's just paid millions for him.
As you'll see, Duff had a great 2002 World Cup. This was the first time he got on my radar screen. As I understand it, he wasn't a starter until the captain, Keane, was kicked off the team for dissent with the manager.
I have his Irish National jersey (its not the same one now, though). It's got a huge orange Eircom symbol on it that my son thinks is a pumpkin. He often tries to eat the pumpkin and then laughs at his own joke.
This Christmas, I got his Chelsea jersey. It is a good looking shirt. Now that I've taken off almost 30 pounds, it looks pretty good on me.
Now, I suppose I'll need his Newcastle shirt.
Back to the words of wisdom. I think my favorite come from Bart. At a religious revival event, the preacher tells Bart to change his ways. Bart indicates that he's banking on a wild life and a death-bed repetance. The preacher asks him, "What if you die early." Bart is thrilled by the idea of "full coverage," repents and becomes a preacher. Kind of like Ned Flanders staying kosher, just in case.
Really, though, the reason I Duff is because he's an Irish soccer player named after Homer's favorite beer. For the latest, go to www.premierleague.com and so who's just paid millions for him.
As you'll see, Duff had a great 2002 World Cup. This was the first time he got on my radar screen. As I understand it, he wasn't a starter until the captain, Keane, was kicked off the team for dissent with the manager.
I have his Irish National jersey (its not the same one now, though). It's got a huge orange Eircom symbol on it that my son thinks is a pumpkin. He often tries to eat the pumpkin and then laughs at his own joke.
This Christmas, I got his Chelsea jersey. It is a good looking shirt. Now that I've taken off almost 30 pounds, it looks pretty good on me.
Now, I suppose I'll need his Newcastle shirt.
Back to the words of wisdom. I think my favorite come from Bart. At a religious revival event, the preacher tells Bart to change his ways. Bart indicates that he's banking on a wild life and a death-bed repetance. The preacher asks him, "What if you die early." Bart is thrilled by the idea of "full coverage," repents and becomes a preacher. Kind of like Ned Flanders staying kosher, just in case.
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