I think sometimes of people who have been mean to me like Father xxx or K.H. When I do this I hardly think of people who have been good to me like Mr. Toland or Mr. McManus from High School. A good technique for the mind would be to put out the bad people and immediately replace the thought with the good people.
When I was first on board the USS Ponchatoula I was placed in the Engineering division as an Electrician Mate. I was to stand watch in front of the ship’s generators. The controls included some gauges, dials and levers. I was to watch the gauges and turn this thing and flip that thing when it looked like things were going crazy. No one told be what these things meant or how they worked so as a result, things went crazy. When “things went crazy” it put the ship in danger of “losing the load” meaning all electrical power. “Losing the Load” is a pretty serious condition. Because no one rally cared to explain the procedures and meanings of things to me to me I failed at that job.
When I transferred up to the Operations division in the Radio Shack as a Radioman I was put on watch by the receivers and transmitters which had many more gauges, dials and switches, but the other radiomen were willing to tell me what they meant and how to use them. Because the others cared I succeeded very well at that job.
Others have an effect on us. We should try to center our thoughts on those have had a positive affect.
[[I have no idea if I have used the words “affect” and “effect” correctly]]
Monday, March 19, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
EXTENDED BRAINS - 2
I read a concept in a book about the brain which explained that other things are extensions of the brain. For example writing extends the brain’s memory. Telephones (via the ears) extends the brain’s hearing. Television (via the eyes) extends the brain’s sight. One might argue these things don’t extend the brain, they extend the sense (hearing, sight, etc.) In any case these make the reach of the brain go beyond the physical space it occupies - - even to distant places and different times, even non-existent places and times.
The written word might be different because it doesn’t effect the brain until it is read. Books are on the shelves of the library but my mind is not engaged by the content until I read them. What about photographs, recordings, movies? When we engage these are we in some way in the presence of another’s brain?
Is a picture of nerve cells transmitting a signal from one to the other comparable to brains of individuals passing along information from one to the other? Perhaps a country is comparable to a brain, the various states or provenances exciting each other - - a collection of cells “exciting” one another. How about a corporation, is it a brain? Is the Earth a brain?
The written word might be different because it doesn’t effect the brain until it is read. Books are on the shelves of the library but my mind is not engaged by the content until I read them. What about photographs, recordings, movies? When we engage these are we in some way in the presence of another’s brain?
Is a picture of nerve cells transmitting a signal from one to the other comparable to brains of individuals passing along information from one to the other? Perhaps a country is comparable to a brain, the various states or provenances exciting each other - - a collection of cells “exciting” one another. How about a corporation, is it a brain? Is the Earth a brain?
Monday, March 5, 2018
BOOK VS iPOD
When I use a book I have much more control over it than an iPhone. It feels good when I hold it. I can turn the pages forward and backward. I have some sense in terms of “distance”, i.e. number of pages, paragraphs, sentences when I want to go back to a previous point. When I look at it I know its contents will not have changed between the times I read from it.
I can do the same stuff similarly on a computer or an iPad, but it’s cold and plastic. It has advantages like bookmarking and searching but pieces of paper and a pen can do the same in a book.
A book will not loose batters or power. A book will not update itself. A book in simple and does not have menus and functions you have to learn and remember just to use it.
A book does not beckon you away to something else like a software machine does: you have to put the book down to go to something else, it’s not as easy as a mouse button and a menu.
When I am reading for pleasure I think I will stick with a book.
I can do the same stuff similarly on a computer or an iPad, but it’s cold and plastic. It has advantages like bookmarking and searching but pieces of paper and a pen can do the same in a book.
A book will not loose batters or power. A book will not update itself. A book in simple and does not have menus and functions you have to learn and remember just to use it.
A book does not beckon you away to something else like a software machine does: you have to put the book down to go to something else, it’s not as easy as a mouse button and a menu.
When I am reading for pleasure I think I will stick with a book.
Monday, February 26, 2018
THE TREE AND ME
The tree is often used as an analogy for ancestry, as in a family tree. Think of the trunk as yourself: the ground level; and the roots as your ancestors: basement level one, two, etc. The branches are your descendants, your children and grandchildren; second floor, third floor, etc.
The problem with the analogy is that the roots under the trunk (you) grow unseen, ever spreading, ever larger. There are your parents, your grandparents, your great grandparents, and so on. But it is impossible for the tree to represent humankind because the system can not increase forever. At some point it must begin to shrink down to just two ancestors: Adam and Eve. Even the theory of evolution must start decreasing down to the original “evolved” humans or set of “evolved” humans.
I wonder what the mathematics behind all that process is? Some factors would be: average reproductive age, average life span, development of medical science, development of farming technology.
Another interesting view using a tree trunk to represent yourself is: where I stand (ground level) I see many other trees. They each have roots and branches. At my children's’ level (first floor) they are trunks with roots (my wife and I) and branches (my grandchildren). They can see many other trunks, each of those with roots and branches.
When we see other trunks like ourselves this is called a “generation”.
The problem with the analogy is that the roots under the trunk (you) grow unseen, ever spreading, ever larger. There are your parents, your grandparents, your great grandparents, and so on. But it is impossible for the tree to represent humankind because the system can not increase forever. At some point it must begin to shrink down to just two ancestors: Adam and Eve. Even the theory of evolution must start decreasing down to the original “evolved” humans or set of “evolved” humans.
I wonder what the mathematics behind all that process is? Some factors would be: average reproductive age, average life span, development of medical science, development of farming technology.
Another interesting view using a tree trunk to represent yourself is: where I stand (ground level) I see many other trees. They each have roots and branches. At my children's’ level (first floor) they are trunks with roots (my wife and I) and branches (my grandchildren). They can see many other trunks, each of those with roots and branches.
When we see other trunks like ourselves this is called a “generation”.
Monday, February 19, 2018
ON JOURNALING
Transcribing my old journal produces several things:
- - An exercise of the ego
- - A recollection of history
- - A re-opening of things learned or developed in the past.
- - A means of transmitting who I was and who I am to my family:
- Wife
- children
- daughters-in-law
- grandchildren
- - An exercise of writing, communication
I think the act of writing helps my think better. It gives a feeling of some solidarity, somewhere to stick, somewhere to materialize and become visible. It takes physical a form.
In materializing what seemed wise in thought now looks foolish – OR – what seemed foolish now looks wise.
When I remember an event and write it down it becomes available to my family whereas I might never think of it in a conversation. The conversation of a group goes as the group wants at the speed the group wants; it might be rude to run it the way I want. It can be better thought out in a written form and it can have more detail written. It can be better phrased.
- - An exercise of the ego
- - A recollection of history
- - A re-opening of things learned or developed in the past.
- - A means of transmitting who I was and who I am to my family:
- Wife
- children
- daughters-in-law
- grandchildren
- - An exercise of writing, communication
I think the act of writing helps my think better. It gives a feeling of some solidarity, somewhere to stick, somewhere to materialize and become visible. It takes physical a form.
In materializing what seemed wise in thought now looks foolish – OR – what seemed foolish now looks wise.
When I remember an event and write it down it becomes available to my family whereas I might never think of it in a conversation. The conversation of a group goes as the group wants at the speed the group wants; it might be rude to run it the way I want. It can be better thought out in a written form and it can have more detail written. It can be better phrased.
Friday, February 16, 2018
ARGUMENT WITH AN EVOLUTIONIST
A few years ago (2014, in fact) I had an email discussion with a man who had changed his mind and decided to become an atheist. He therefore adopted evolution as a world view. I made the following points to him in a couple emails. He never responded after email number two.
(Radioactive isotope half life proof of age.) Why is it not possible for God to have created radioactive isotopes with a portion of their half lives already expended? If he created the world he certainly could have done that. G. Brent Dalrymple, an atheist advocate, and others can not create something from nothing. Indeed, no man, or group of men can without using resources already in the creation. No, not a single speck of dust.
The debate is about a difference between two worldviews - - Creationist vs Evolutionist. Each must start by making basic assumptions. They take these assumptions by faith. One view takes the position that creation took place in six days, the other takes the view that creation is a process that has been on-going for billions of years. It takes faith - assumptions - to hold to either view (perhaps much more faith to hold the evolutionist view).
Once you have the faith you can use whatever evidence you find to support your view, or abandon one view for the other.
I take the view that God created the world in six days to include the sedimentary layering of the Grand Canyon and the presence of radioactive isotopes that have apparently expended some portion of their half-lives.
Evidence is simply the presence of observable facts such as the half-life of isotopes or layering of geologic sediments. The difference in world views determines what we do with the evidence. What we do with that evidence requires assumptions and reasoning. The reasoning part is easy, it either stands up to the scrutiny of other (responsible and honest) peers, or it doesn't.
But, try as you may, there are always assumptions. A good scientific paper lists the assumptions. It then presents the evidence and draws conclusions about the evidence. Some scientists have drawn the conclusion that isotopic half-life proves millions of years of evolution. Other scientists do not accept the conclusion.
(The Scientific Method) I understand what the Scientific Method is. I never meant to imply that scientists do not work hard and they are not honest with their results. I believe most evolutionists and creationists hold their beliefs sincerely, though some from each camp have resorted to bickering and name-calling.
Man has free will and can decide to believe either the evolutionist or creationist view. When pressed a person must eventually choose between: “Did God create what we see and experience?” - - or - - “Is all part of natural processes that have no particular meaning?”
The creation is either old (trillions of years), or new (7000 to 8000 years). Some scientists personally choose to believe that there is a God and that he is the creator of what we see and experience. other scientists reject that notion. At some point every scientist chose what group he/she would belong to, and he/she did it through faith. They chose: “I believe there is a creator” or they chose: “I do not believe in a creator”. This is why I say it's a matter of faith: some choose to see the evidence as pointing to a creator and others do not.
As for transitional forms - - evidence from the fossil record showing a transition from one species to another - - there are none. To my knowledge there is no uncontested evidence of transitional forms. The fossils show only discrete species and none that demonstrate a transition from one type to another. Apes are always apes, and men are always men. If evolution is true - - and the earth is millions of years old - - there should be lots of them. They should be all through the fossil record. They should be existent today.
Some might say, “the transitional form only exists for a short period before the more permanent form takes hold.” On an evolutionary time scale this transition would be a sort of a “flash in the pan”. Why do we not see “flashes in the pan” today? We do not see them. It takes faith to believe the “flash in the pan” exists.
(Radioactive isotope half life proof of age.) Why is it not possible for God to have created radioactive isotopes with a portion of their half lives already expended? If he created the world he certainly could have done that. G. Brent Dalrymple, an atheist advocate, and others can not create something from nothing. Indeed, no man, or group of men can without using resources already in the creation. No, not a single speck of dust.
The debate is about a difference between two worldviews - - Creationist vs Evolutionist. Each must start by making basic assumptions. They take these assumptions by faith. One view takes the position that creation took place in six days, the other takes the view that creation is a process that has been on-going for billions of years. It takes faith - assumptions - to hold to either view (perhaps much more faith to hold the evolutionist view).
Once you have the faith you can use whatever evidence you find to support your view, or abandon one view for the other.
I take the view that God created the world in six days to include the sedimentary layering of the Grand Canyon and the presence of radioactive isotopes that have apparently expended some portion of their half-lives.
Evidence is simply the presence of observable facts such as the half-life of isotopes or layering of geologic sediments. The difference in world views determines what we do with the evidence. What we do with that evidence requires assumptions and reasoning. The reasoning part is easy, it either stands up to the scrutiny of other (responsible and honest) peers, or it doesn't.
But, try as you may, there are always assumptions. A good scientific paper lists the assumptions. It then presents the evidence and draws conclusions about the evidence. Some scientists have drawn the conclusion that isotopic half-life proves millions of years of evolution. Other scientists do not accept the conclusion.
(The Scientific Method) I understand what the Scientific Method is. I never meant to imply that scientists do not work hard and they are not honest with their results. I believe most evolutionists and creationists hold their beliefs sincerely, though some from each camp have resorted to bickering and name-calling.
Man has free will and can decide to believe either the evolutionist or creationist view. When pressed a person must eventually choose between: “Did God create what we see and experience?” - - or - - “Is all part of natural processes that have no particular meaning?”
The creation is either old (trillions of years), or new (7000 to 8000 years). Some scientists personally choose to believe that there is a God and that he is the creator of what we see and experience. other scientists reject that notion. At some point every scientist chose what group he/she would belong to, and he/she did it through faith. They chose: “I believe there is a creator” or they chose: “I do not believe in a creator”. This is why I say it's a matter of faith: some choose to see the evidence as pointing to a creator and others do not.
As for transitional forms - - evidence from the fossil record showing a transition from one species to another - - there are none. To my knowledge there is no uncontested evidence of transitional forms. The fossils show only discrete species and none that demonstrate a transition from one type to another. Apes are always apes, and men are always men. If evolution is true - - and the earth is millions of years old - - there should be lots of them. They should be all through the fossil record. They should be existent today.
Some might say, “the transitional form only exists for a short period before the more permanent form takes hold.” On an evolutionary time scale this transition would be a sort of a “flash in the pan”. Why do we not see “flashes in the pan” today? We do not see them. It takes faith to believe the “flash in the pan” exists.
Monday, February 5, 2018
THE HEARING VACUUM
My hearing has the affect of making me a person alone though amid a group of people.
HIGH VOLUME - - Oddly when the volume is high it grates on me rather than making it easier for me to hear. It is difficult for me to to filter out what is noise and what is being sung or played or spoken. This is true particularly if there is any reverberation, as being in a large room or when (as in church music) the audio man adds reverberation because he has a fondness for the affect. When this happens in church I find myself in a fit of negativity. I must endure it while all the others enjoy it. If I can not endure I must stand outside until it ends. The effect is to isolate me, to make me alone in the room, apart from the experience of the others.
IN A GROUP - - It’s the same way at a small group or with the family. If I can not catch on to the subject, or make out what they are saying, I just have to wait until they are done and try to catch on to what comes next. I am just taking up space. I am not invisible because they can see me, I am physical because they can not pass through the space I am occupying, but otherwise I am just not there. I have to wait until they are through. They think I am participating but I am not. They think I am having a similar experience as they, but I am not. This is exacerbated when many are talking at once and I am not standing close to the talker or the talker is not talking directly to me. Functionally I am alone in the room, all by myself, until the others get through.
HIGH VOLUME - - Oddly when the volume is high it grates on me rather than making it easier for me to hear. It is difficult for me to to filter out what is noise and what is being sung or played or spoken. This is true particularly if there is any reverberation, as being in a large room or when (as in church music) the audio man adds reverberation because he has a fondness for the affect. When this happens in church I find myself in a fit of negativity. I must endure it while all the others enjoy it. If I can not endure I must stand outside until it ends. The effect is to isolate me, to make me alone in the room, apart from the experience of the others.
IN A GROUP - - It’s the same way at a small group or with the family. If I can not catch on to the subject, or make out what they are saying, I just have to wait until they are done and try to catch on to what comes next. I am just taking up space. I am not invisible because they can see me, I am physical because they can not pass through the space I am occupying, but otherwise I am just not there. I have to wait until they are through. They think I am participating but I am not. They think I am having a similar experience as they, but I am not. This is exacerbated when many are talking at once and I am not standing close to the talker or the talker is not talking directly to me. Functionally I am alone in the room, all by myself, until the others get through.
Monday, January 29, 2018
THE COFFEE MAN
As I was sitting on the front porch one morning the man in the Coffee Truck drove by. He had a lot of stops to make there being a lot of construction sites in the area at that time. He had more to do than I because he was driving a route to sell the coffee. He has to earn money, he had to make a schedule. I don’t have to earn money because I have already spent decades earning money and had funded a retirement.
I could drive a coffee truck too. I could either own one, or work for someone. In a way it is easier to work for someone because he, not I, would have to responsibility of the ownership of the truck and the provisioning of the merchandise and all the ancillary expenses and responsibilities like insurance, registration, maintenance, proper business paperwork and taxes (for starters).
If I worked for him he would put a demand on me to show up on a regular basis and he would be in trouble if I didn’t. But I did not work for him. I could have bought a coffee from him, but I didn’t. I already had my coffee and the freedom to drink it. I didn’t even make it, my wife did.
Like him, I once had work obligations and a schedule. All that do have them have built this country. Everything rests on the backs of the laborers, farmers, craftsmen, professionals . . .
Thank you Coffee Man.
I could drive a coffee truck too. I could either own one, or work for someone. In a way it is easier to work for someone because he, not I, would have to responsibility of the ownership of the truck and the provisioning of the merchandise and all the ancillary expenses and responsibilities like insurance, registration, maintenance, proper business paperwork and taxes (for starters).
If I worked for him he would put a demand on me to show up on a regular basis and he would be in trouble if I didn’t. But I did not work for him. I could have bought a coffee from him, but I didn’t. I already had my coffee and the freedom to drink it. I didn’t even make it, my wife did.
Like him, I once had work obligations and a schedule. All that do have them have built this country. Everything rests on the backs of the laborers, farmers, craftsmen, professionals . . .
Thank you Coffee Man.
Monday, January 22, 2018
PRESENT DAY WRONG DOERS
Since men are sinners we have been doing wrong for all of our existence. We look back to Adam’s son, Cain. He became angry that God did not value his sacrifice at the same (or greater) level than his brother Abel's. He was so enraged that he murdered Abel. Cane considered his works as a sacrifice, a sacrifice of works rather than blood. There was more labor in growing crops than raising animals. When he saw Abel's gift preferred before his own he became insanely jealous. Maybe he thought, “I have to plow, sow, reap, and transport this stuff. All Abel has to do is watch his sheep feed themselves and reproduce. God’s not fair; I worked and Abel skated. God should value me more than Abel.”
Are we in a figure murdering each other for jealousy over God’s gift to another and over the blessing of God for another? Are we troubling our own souls and spoiling the life of another?
The Moabites hired Balaam to curse the Israelites as they came to the Promised Land. But God prevented him from doing it, though he tried several different ways to get around the prohibition. He was doing this because he was being paid. He was seeking profit for doing some kind of spiritual work.
Do we seek riches in the doing of God's work? If not in money are we doing it to achieve some sort of advantage? We should do God's work because it is right. We should do God's work for God's profit, not our own. What are our real reasons for what we do in the church? Is it to worship God: or is it to “put our hands together” and jump up and down in some sort of hype?
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram sought to take the place of God's appointed men, Moses and Aaron. We forget that God positions the ones he wants to be leaders in the church. We should seek a church position to benefit God's work, not for self status. Are we seeking a position within the church body for the sake of our status?
Are we in a figure murdering each other for jealousy over God’s gift to another and over the blessing of God for another? Are we troubling our own souls and spoiling the life of another?
The Moabites hired Balaam to curse the Israelites as they came to the Promised Land. But God prevented him from doing it, though he tried several different ways to get around the prohibition. He was doing this because he was being paid. He was seeking profit for doing some kind of spiritual work.
Do we seek riches in the doing of God's work? If not in money are we doing it to achieve some sort of advantage? We should do God's work because it is right. We should do God's work for God's profit, not our own. What are our real reasons for what we do in the church? Is it to worship God: or is it to “put our hands together” and jump up and down in some sort of hype?
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram sought to take the place of God's appointed men, Moses and Aaron. We forget that God positions the ones he wants to be leaders in the church. We should seek a church position to benefit God's work, not for self status. Are we seeking a position within the church body for the sake of our status?
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN
Do you ever think of the easy life we have?
So you are standing there out in the woods while it’s raining. You really do not like the idea of staying that way and would like shelter of some sort. If you are going to have one it will take some thinking, materials and a schedule to build it. You will need some sort of plan in your mind of how it should be constructed. You could build a lean-to using a tarp (if you had one), or of branches. Whether or not you are aware of it you will have to schedule time to erect the shelter. You should do it when you can, where you can and do it before it rains.
More permanence than a lean-to requires either a cave or a log cabin. You must schedule again: a time to locate a cave or to clear a site and gather trees. Set aside hunting for now, find and gather the materials, then spend time building.
Want the convenience of more rooms? You must schedule gathering yet more lumber, or stones, and set aside time for the construction. Remember that time will include making a detailed construction plan and scheduling effort. Arrange other activities, like food gathering around building the structure.
Want an inside bathroom? Kitchen? More planing, scheduling and gathering of materials required. Have you thought of the tools you will need?
It’s nice to have other people around to grow our food, transport it to market, provide building materials and assemble it into housing, to generate and distribute electricity, to keep us safe from the few men who are criminally dangerous.
We rarely think of those things, or thank God for those things. We should.
So you are standing there out in the woods while it’s raining. You really do not like the idea of staying that way and would like shelter of some sort. If you are going to have one it will take some thinking, materials and a schedule to build it. You will need some sort of plan in your mind of how it should be constructed. You could build a lean-to using a tarp (if you had one), or of branches. Whether or not you are aware of it you will have to schedule time to erect the shelter. You should do it when you can, where you can and do it before it rains.
More permanence than a lean-to requires either a cave or a log cabin. You must schedule again: a time to locate a cave or to clear a site and gather trees. Set aside hunting for now, find and gather the materials, then spend time building.
Want the convenience of more rooms? You must schedule gathering yet more lumber, or stones, and set aside time for the construction. Remember that time will include making a detailed construction plan and scheduling effort. Arrange other activities, like food gathering around building the structure.
Want an inside bathroom? Kitchen? More planing, scheduling and gathering of materials required. Have you thought of the tools you will need?
It’s nice to have other people around to grow our food, transport it to market, provide building materials and assemble it into housing, to generate and distribute electricity, to keep us safe from the few men who are criminally dangerous.
We rarely think of those things, or thank God for those things. We should.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
AVOIDING THE SANCTUARY
A few months ago I was sitting outside from a Saturday evening church service in the church’s cafe. We were trying yet another new place. I was using the cafe because I anticipated the music was going to be TOO LOUD. Sure enough, it was. Sitting out here the music, though softer, seemed loud enough to sing along with, the way it should have been inside. The LOUD MUSIC in so many of these churches makes me want to avoid worship altogether. I decided I would not enter the “sanctuary” for the sermon once the “music” stopped.
Does this have to do with my age? Yet I see lots of people near my age sitting and listening in these places. Is it just me and my particular set of ears?
Are the people (musicians[?]) behind the microphones subjected to the same levels of volume? When these people reach my age will they have hearing difficulties similar to mine?
Out here even the voices seem TOO LOUD. Are they really?
Whatever the case - - whether it’s them, or me - - I am clearly not of their group.
The voice that came out later, which I assumed to be the sermon speaker, seemed completely out of character with all that came before. At the start it compared to Garison Keeler from “The Prairie Home Companion”. But wait - - he picked up steam, like a train leaving a station.
Does this have to do with my age? Yet I see lots of people near my age sitting and listening in these places. Is it just me and my particular set of ears?
Are the people (musicians[?]) behind the microphones subjected to the same levels of volume? When these people reach my age will they have hearing difficulties similar to mine?
Out here even the voices seem TOO LOUD. Are they really?
Whatever the case - - whether it’s them, or me - - I am clearly not of their group.
The voice that came out later, which I assumed to be the sermon speaker, seemed completely out of character with all that came before. At the start it compared to Garison Keeler from “The Prairie Home Companion”. But wait - - he picked up steam, like a train leaving a station.
Monday, January 1, 2018
FEET WASHING
Jesus set an example by washing the disciples’ feet. In those days it was necessary to have the servant wash your guests’ feet clean from all the horse and donkey poo they would get as a normal part of traveling from one place to another. The washing meant that the guest would not mess up your clean house. Our house must be kept clean. Imagine reclining at table in the ancient Roman fashion and smelling your neighbor’s dog-poo feet.
The significance is that Jesus cleaned the feet: his actions made them worthy of entering the house. Peter had to allow Jesus to wash his feet; he was not wanting the Lord to lower himself to the task. Similarly we have to be willing to allow our feet to be washed, to be helped to be better through others’ advice, aid, etc. And we must wash our brothers’ feet: be willing to help them. But before everything we must allow Jesus to wash out feet. If we go to someone’s house (and heaven is Jesus’ house) we must respect the wishes of the owner; it’s only polite.
The significance is that Jesus cleaned the feet: his actions made them worthy of entering the house. Peter had to allow Jesus to wash his feet; he was not wanting the Lord to lower himself to the task. Similarly we have to be willing to allow our feet to be washed, to be helped to be better through others’ advice, aid, etc. And we must wash our brothers’ feet: be willing to help them. But before everything we must allow Jesus to wash out feet. If we go to someone’s house (and heaven is Jesus’ house) we must respect the wishes of the owner; it’s only polite.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
GOING ONTO A SIDING
One day I wanted to write in my Journal. I had the beginning of a thought about what I might write but as soon as I opened the Journal I became distracted by a place I with a paperclip. When I turned to a blank page I no longer remembered the subject.
I wonder how much I should worry about incidences like this. Is it a sign that I am progressing into dementia? Is it old age? Is it merely a normal thing”
Every once and a while I will loose my train of thought. I will start talking or writing about a subject, briefly think of something else, and then have a blank mind about the subject I started. Often I can struggle back to it, but for a while it just doesn’t seem to be there - - an apparent blank space. Sometimes I need someone to remind me.
Later that day a younger person said that the same thing happens to them. Should this comfort me or are we both a little off?
I get irritated at the way “old folks” drive and react on the road. Though It surprises me when I realize that I am also an “old folk”. My night vision is not as good and my reactions are slower. Maybe I too drive slower than I used to. I once read that a sign of old age is that they no longer see speed limit signs to be challenges.
I wonder how much I should worry about incidences like this. Is it a sign that I am progressing into dementia? Is it old age? Is it merely a normal thing”
Every once and a while I will loose my train of thought. I will start talking or writing about a subject, briefly think of something else, and then have a blank mind about the subject I started. Often I can struggle back to it, but for a while it just doesn’t seem to be there - - an apparent blank space. Sometimes I need someone to remind me.
Later that day a younger person said that the same thing happens to them. Should this comfort me or are we both a little off?
I get irritated at the way “old folks” drive and react on the road. Though It surprises me when I realize that I am also an “old folk”. My night vision is not as good and my reactions are slower. Maybe I too drive slower than I used to. I once read that a sign of old age is that they no longer see speed limit signs to be challenges.
Monday, December 18, 2017
MAN VS WOMAN
One night Lizzie had an opportunity to speak at a Church about her book, SUBMISSION IS NOT SILENCE. I was tasked to say something but I did not know what to speak. I thought perhaps I should address how men should react to women. As I remember I said something generally along these lines:
I believe men generally may be more direct and task oriented than women. Many women do not seem as forceful in nature. We as men must be careful not to over-express male characteristics so that we override women. We risk making them feel abused and purposeless. We can isolate ourselves from them and loose their constructive input.
The truth is that men need subtlety to temper their directness and they need to take thought of how the achievement of their tasks effect other relationships surrounding them.
Conversely, women need to keep the task in mind and not get lost in emotion and details. They need to realize that sometimes people’s feelings have to take second place to the achievement of a goal.
To me it is obvious that men and women need each other, hence:
- - God saw it was not good for the man to be alone.
- - They shall be joined together and shall become one flesh.
- - Male and Female made he them, in the image of God made he them.
The way men think:
- - Marshaling
- - ordering
- - instructing
- - coaching
- - directing
The way women think:
- - relationships
- - Feelings of others
- - Comfort and beauty of the nest
- - Proper direction and nurture for the family
In the end we will take no earthly accomplishments out of this world: no money, no status and no fame. As we present ourselves in heaven we will carry with us only the relationships we have built.
I believe men generally may be more direct and task oriented than women. Many women do not seem as forceful in nature. We as men must be careful not to over-express male characteristics so that we override women. We risk making them feel abused and purposeless. We can isolate ourselves from them and loose their constructive input.
The truth is that men need subtlety to temper their directness and they need to take thought of how the achievement of their tasks effect other relationships surrounding them.
Conversely, women need to keep the task in mind and not get lost in emotion and details. They need to realize that sometimes people’s feelings have to take second place to the achievement of a goal.
To me it is obvious that men and women need each other, hence:
- - God saw it was not good for the man to be alone.
- - They shall be joined together and shall become one flesh.
- - Male and Female made he them, in the image of God made he them.
The way men think:
- - Marshaling
- - ordering
- - instructing
- - coaching
- - directing
The way women think:
- - relationships
- - Feelings of others
- - Comfort and beauty of the nest
- - Proper direction and nurture for the family
In the end we will take no earthly accomplishments out of this world: no money, no status and no fame. As we present ourselves in heaven we will carry with us only the relationships we have built.
Monday, December 11, 2017
WHAT I LIKE TO DO
Some guy said I could discover my passion in 30 minutes if I listed everything I could think of:
- I don’t know if I’m passionate or just crazy but I will work at a software problem until I either get it fixed, or dissolve in frustration.
- I like to design things
- I like two draw out the designs figuring out the nuances and potential strategies as I go.
- I like to build things.
- I like to finish things (as in applying stain and varnish).
- I like to polish the website.
- I like to travel.
- I like to help someone to solve a problem, specially if I know how to do what they are having a problem with.
- I like to imagine things.
- I like to manipulate data - - without caring what the data represents.
- I like to observe scenery (to include nature and man made places like cities, industry or construction).
- I like to play drum set and percussion.
- I like to get finished packages together, thorough packages: as in reports, websiets, assembled items.
- I like to learn about endeavors that others do: how they do t, why they do it, how they developed it, how they adapt it to different situations, what is the process.
- I like to be part of a team that functions well together.
- I like to act and do things the correct and moral way.
- I would like to protect and deliver others from suffering wrong.
- I like to discover more efficient ways to do things and write things.
- I like large construction projects: bridges, ships, buildings, civil engineering projects (dams, roads, tunnels).
- I like to discover or develop better, more robust methods.
- I like to devise and construct things that benefit others (and myself).
- I like thinking type projects.
- I like railroads and trains.
- I like large machinery.
- I like being in the woods, country, seaside, mountains.
- I like boating.
- I like playing in music ensembles.
- I like geology.
- I like technical drawings, explanatory drawings in books, etc.
- I like to diagram things or ideas.
After all that, I still don't feel particularly passionate. I guess passion comes in the moment, not as some sort of continual burning.
- I don’t know if I’m passionate or just crazy but I will work at a software problem until I either get it fixed, or dissolve in frustration.
- I like to design things
- I like two draw out the designs figuring out the nuances and potential strategies as I go.
- I like to build things.
- I like to finish things (as in applying stain and varnish).
- I like to polish the website.
- I like to travel.
- I like to help someone to solve a problem, specially if I know how to do what they are having a problem with.
- I like to imagine things.
- I like to manipulate data - - without caring what the data represents.
- I like to observe scenery (to include nature and man made places like cities, industry or construction).
- I like to play drum set and percussion.
- I like to get finished packages together, thorough packages: as in reports, websiets, assembled items.
- I like to learn about endeavors that others do: how they do t, why they do it, how they developed it, how they adapt it to different situations, what is the process.
- I like to be part of a team that functions well together.
- I like to act and do things the correct and moral way.
- I would like to protect and deliver others from suffering wrong.
- I like to discover more efficient ways to do things and write things.
- I like large construction projects: bridges, ships, buildings, civil engineering projects (dams, roads, tunnels).
- I like to discover or develop better, more robust methods.
- I like to devise and construct things that benefit others (and myself).
- I like thinking type projects.
- I like railroads and trains.
- I like large machinery.
- I like being in the woods, country, seaside, mountains.
- I like boating.
- I like playing in music ensembles.
- I like geology.
- I like technical drawings, explanatory drawings in books, etc.
- I like to diagram things or ideas.
After all that, I still don't feel particularly passionate. I guess passion comes in the moment, not as some sort of continual burning.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
HAVE INFLUENCE?
I wonder how far my influence really reaches. It’s difficult for me to think it reaches beyond my fingertips. I suppose this is a very negative way to look at it. Surely it does not reach if I am not among other people, either physically or verbally (phone), visually (YouTube), or other ways (in writing like internet, email or letters).
If I do not seek these things out - - the ways of being among people - - I can not waste my time bemoaning that I have no influence. If I do not try to make myself of consequence, then I will be of no consequence. If I look in the mirror I should smile at myself because I am the only one who’s going to get it done.
I am a very valuable man: Jesus thought so - - thinks so - - so don’t waste it.
Small dreams bring small results. Big dreams bring big results. No dreams bring no results.
If I do not seek these things out - - the ways of being among people - - I can not waste my time bemoaning that I have no influence. If I do not try to make myself of consequence, then I will be of no consequence. If I look in the mirror I should smile at myself because I am the only one who’s going to get it done.
I am a very valuable man: Jesus thought so - - thinks so - - so don’t waste it.
Small dreams bring small results. Big dreams bring big results. No dreams bring no results.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
CALLING TO READ
Have you ever seen a book on a bookshelf which is calling you saying, "Read me! Read me!" If there is any book like that surely it is the Bible. It does actually do that. There are many, many passages that call a person to read or hear its words.
When an individual regards the Bible as the word of God -- and reads it -- he forever becomes a different person. Such individuals are catalysts of change for everyone about them. The readers unavoidably influence even those who have no regard for the Bible as special.
Those cultures that have seriously regarded the Bible were changed at their roots by it. As a result of that, every other culture in the world has been forever changed.
Even the ones who hold to the view "there is no God" have been solidly and unquestionably influenced by the book about God -- the Bible. If the no-god believers were to attempt to reverse the influence the Bible they would have to undo thousands of years of history.
Each man and woman has at their fingertips access to a huge bank account. It is a mountain of wealth -- the wealth of God's wisdom, instructions, and wishes for us. Yet not many have tapped this tremendous source of God-given wealth provided via his written word, the Bible. In it we can know who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. Few, however, actually read the whole book. Of those who have, not many have read it more than once or twice. Yet through the pages of the Bible God urges us to read. The Bible speaks in many places of man's need put in the time to read its words.
When an individual regards the Bible as the word of God -- and reads it -- he forever becomes a different person. Such individuals are catalysts of change for everyone about them. The readers unavoidably influence even those who have no regard for the Bible as special.
Those cultures that have seriously regarded the Bible were changed at their roots by it. As a result of that, every other culture in the world has been forever changed.
Even the ones who hold to the view "there is no God" have been solidly and unquestionably influenced by the book about God -- the Bible. If the no-god believers were to attempt to reverse the influence the Bible they would have to undo thousands of years of history.
Each man and woman has at their fingertips access to a huge bank account. It is a mountain of wealth -- the wealth of God's wisdom, instructions, and wishes for us. Yet not many have tapped this tremendous source of God-given wealth provided via his written word, the Bible. In it we can know who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. Few, however, actually read the whole book. Of those who have, not many have read it more than once or twice. Yet through the pages of the Bible God urges us to read. The Bible speaks in many places of man's need put in the time to read its words.
Monday, November 20, 2017
FOR RICHER OR POORER
Here are my ideas about why sometimes the rich get richer:
.
RICH GET RICHER - - - But POOR GET POORER.
.. Comes from wealthy family - - - But poor comes from poor family.
.. Taught how to handle money, assets - - - But poor not taught how to handle money, assets.
.. Has education, specially advanced education - - - But poor has No or little education.
.. Thinks of the future - - - But poor thinks only in the present.
.. Has positive attitude - - - But poor has negative attitude.
.. Keeps good company (i.e moral and like-minded friends and associates) - - - But poor keeps bad company.
.. Seeks competent advisers - - - But poor does not seek advice.
.. Has supportive, uplifting family - - - But poor has a non-supportive family.
.. Comes from stable community - - - But poor comes from unstable community.
.. Has some money or position from which to start and the vision to use it - - - But poor has nothing to start with and no idea of how to change.
.. From a community that seeks to advance it’s own (there are many good communities, but the Mafia would also qualify) - - - But poor from a community that seeks to keep it’s members at the same level.
.. Has helped and is willing to help others - - - But poor restrains self from offering help to others.
.. Willing to accept help - - - But poor will not accept help.
.. Thinks about wealth a lot (perhaps to the exclusion of more important life/family issues) - - - But poor gives no thought to wealth.
.. Has fortunate time and chance - - - But poor has no luck (Not just the excuse, “I’m not lucky”, but actually is not in the right place at the right time..
.. Recognizes opportunity - - - But poor does not recognize opportunity.
.
RICH GET RICHER - - - But POOR GET POORER.
.. Comes from wealthy family - - - But poor comes from poor family.
.. Taught how to handle money, assets - - - But poor not taught how to handle money, assets.
.. Has education, specially advanced education - - - But poor has No or little education.
.. Thinks of the future - - - But poor thinks only in the present.
.. Has positive attitude - - - But poor has negative attitude.
.. Keeps good company (i.e moral and like-minded friends and associates) - - - But poor keeps bad company.
.. Seeks competent advisers - - - But poor does not seek advice.
.. Has supportive, uplifting family - - - But poor has a non-supportive family.
.. Comes from stable community - - - But poor comes from unstable community.
.. Has some money or position from which to start and the vision to use it - - - But poor has nothing to start with and no idea of how to change.
.. From a community that seeks to advance it’s own (there are many good communities, but the Mafia would also qualify) - - - But poor from a community that seeks to keep it’s members at the same level.
.. Has helped and is willing to help others - - - But poor restrains self from offering help to others.
.. Willing to accept help - - - But poor will not accept help.
.. Thinks about wealth a lot (perhaps to the exclusion of more important life/family issues) - - - But poor gives no thought to wealth.
.. Has fortunate time and chance - - - But poor has no luck (Not just the excuse, “I’m not lucky”, but actually is not in the right place at the right time..
.. Recognizes opportunity - - - But poor does not recognize opportunity.
Monday, November 13, 2017
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT
Star light, star bright, I don’t know what I think I might . . .
I wondered today if the part of God’s attention toward us and the creation is not a very small part of the total of all that God pays attention to. We think of his attention toward us as if that is all he has to do. In fact, whatever part of his “time” he spends on us, however small, is 100% of all the time we have. We have our being in him, not he in us. How can we hope to comprehend the boundaries of God? Can we say things about him the way we so confidently say we know about distant stars? We say how big they and how far they are and how hot they are and what they are made of by using only an infinitesimal speck of light gathered through a telescope and processed through a spectrometer. We start with what we have in front of us on earth (as in helium gas and a prism) and presume the same rules apply uniformly throughout the universe.
Starting with Copernicus it takes a large highly educated group of us many decades and millions of dollars to do it.
Unlike the stars, which hardly give us anything, God has given us the Bible which provides us much more than a few bands of differing color.
I wondered today if the part of God’s attention toward us and the creation is not a very small part of the total of all that God pays attention to. We think of his attention toward us as if that is all he has to do. In fact, whatever part of his “time” he spends on us, however small, is 100% of all the time we have. We have our being in him, not he in us. How can we hope to comprehend the boundaries of God? Can we say things about him the way we so confidently say we know about distant stars? We say how big they and how far they are and how hot they are and what they are made of by using only an infinitesimal speck of light gathered through a telescope and processed through a spectrometer. We start with what we have in front of us on earth (as in helium gas and a prism) and presume the same rules apply uniformly throughout the universe.
Starting with Copernicus it takes a large highly educated group of us many decades and millions of dollars to do it.
Unlike the stars, which hardly give us anything, God has given us the Bible which provides us much more than a few bands of differing color.
Monday, November 6, 2017
GOD'S DIRECTIVES
There are several words that repeat in Psalm 119 that refer to how God provides us direction:
WORD . . . What God says to us either through writing (the Bible) or through someone else (an evangelist, pastor, friend, a book).
WAY . . . What we observe from what God says or how he acts.
PRECEPT . . . A principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct.
COMMANDMENT . . . A direct instruction from God. This can be in writing, as in the Old and New Testaments. This can be spoken to an individual human or group.
LAW . . . A set of rules of conduct or procedures established by God or an authority.
STATUTE . . . A particular rule, perhaps part of a body of law.
ORDINANCE . . . A more refined part of a statute perhaps specific to an activity or a certain group of people.
JUDGMENT . . . An opinion that is expressed to further refine an interpretation of a law, statute or ordnance. This also might be rendered by a judge in a courtroom or by a legislative body.
TESTIMONY . . . A declaration by an entity or witness about the meaning or effect of a law, statute or ordinance. This can be given by God about what he himself has said or done. Or it might be given by those who have been affected by a law, statute or ordinance.
WORD . . . What God says to us either through writing (the Bible) or through someone else (an evangelist, pastor, friend, a book).
WAY . . . What we observe from what God says or how he acts.
PRECEPT . . . A principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct.
COMMANDMENT . . . A direct instruction from God. This can be in writing, as in the Old and New Testaments. This can be spoken to an individual human or group.
LAW . . . A set of rules of conduct or procedures established by God or an authority.
STATUTE . . . A particular rule, perhaps part of a body of law.
ORDINANCE . . . A more refined part of a statute perhaps specific to an activity or a certain group of people.
JUDGMENT . . . An opinion that is expressed to further refine an interpretation of a law, statute or ordnance. This also might be rendered by a judge in a courtroom or by a legislative body.
TESTIMONY . . . A declaration by an entity or witness about the meaning or effect of a law, statute or ordinance. This can be given by God about what he himself has said or done. Or it might be given by those who have been affected by a law, statute or ordinance.
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