Fables & Parables

fa·ble (fā'bəl) pronunciation n.

1. A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.
2. A story about legendary persons and exploits.
3. A falsehood; a lie.

par·a·ble (păr'ə-bəl) pronunciation n.
A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson. (other definitions say a parable points to a moral, religious, or philosophical point)

[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin parabola, from Greek parabolē, from paraballein, to compare : para-, beside; see para–1 + ballein, to throw.]
[from www.answers.com]


Been thinking about this ::

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts will they multiply to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they will turn away their ears from the truth, and will be turned to fables.

I have attended several fan cons of the fantasy/sci-fi genre, and while I enjoyed them very much, I've sometimes wondered where the line is as far as God is concerned. Its very evident in such circles that many people are focusing on imaginary worlds in preference to thinking about the real mysteries and wonders in life. On one level, this makes sense to me, as I like to 'escape' this way too sometimes. But I still wonder why I should want to escape so completely? Sure, you might not want to think about this month's bills or next month's elections. But what's wrong with contemplating waterfalls or flying birds about then? Even on days when sun isn't shining here, it is somewhere. Why isn't that good enough?

So...what makes it so wonderful when anachronistic or imaginary cultural details are added? [I am asking myself too]. What fascinates me in a fable?

Seriously, we live in an age of wonder. Nature is full of beauty, and even here and there mankind makes decent additions to the inherited wealth we have from our Maker. Even when we, as a race, have stamped it out for a bit, beauty will come sneaking back in the most unexpected places-- in an accidental collage of strange skyward angles between shop and scraper and in the concentrated understanding of the beauty of a single blade of grass, where it has forced back life into breathless concrete. ..and that's just the background of our lives. We are surrounded by, in fact we use many objects that are as magic to most of us. What Robert Louis Stevenson said is still true::

'THE WORLD is so full of a number of things,
I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.'

We don't lack for dramatic tension either. Our world is already at the point where people's hearts have failed them for fear of those things that may be coming upon the earth. Although I acknowledge this is a reason people might want to distract themselves, it seems odd to me that so many then end up enjoying imaginary worlds where the problems are written to be as bad as anything they're avoiding.

I think its because there is a hero who can set things right in those stories. There is an answer, a hopeful conclusion. Its not the problems that scare us as much as the lack of certain answers to them. In the fables we enjoy most ~ in all our books, games, and movies ~ answers are generally part of the package. We identify with the characters and, in our dreams, we become that hero (or sidekick or whatever).

My hope has always been that the heroism we attempt in our favorite dreams will give us the courage to face the real dragons of our existence, but that doesn't seem to happen very often. So then I began pondering that reality. I try to be as good in life as I try to be in my own stories (don't always succeed, of course). Doesn't everyone? If not, then why wouldn't you try?

Why are we not as good as our dreams? Christians have an answer for that one, but the rest of you, why doesn't it seem odd that you can never achieve the altruistic h eighths your best inner self aspires to? Why don't we try more often to live the values and courage that sound so great in our fantasies? Because we are safer in our stories if we screw up? Because we can't really screw up? We just hit the 'rewind' and re imagine the scene... That has to be part of it. I can deal with the idea of a little practicing in the padded training arena of our minds, but... when do we graduate?

& What about the wwwaaayyy out there stuff... vampires, Jedis, elves, and octarine fire ~If our hero selves win in such dreams will our necessarily fictional answers make our own life's concerns seem less real or the fictional solutions so appealing we spend all our time longing to apply an unavailable answer?

Perhaps this frustration is why so many seem to be content with Walter Mitter-ing their lives, promising themselves that if they only WERE an all powerful...whatever..they'd make everything go right. I suspect, however, that the reason our internal hero so rarely steps off the pages of the dream book of our lives in any guise is because we know only to well we are not fit to receive a true hero.

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Campbell's work on the eternal hero, but I was astonished to realize when I read it how much every heart aches for the return of the true hero. It seems we all long to be the good guy who wins the day! But then we desire to succeed and suspect they would not hire our hero. You wake feeling at one with the world but then fly into a petty fit of temper... Even our heroes have come to share many of our failings. Writers will say this makes them more 'real.' It does. It also makes them less heroic. Why? We seem to have a very high standard from which all our story heroes vary. We need the hope they provide.

There was one story of a perfect hero.

Most people in the west know the story of the perfect man. We are told of his loving heart, amazing gifts, and his courageous stand against the hypocrisy and venality of his day. We are told this hero sacrificed his own life, not only to save those he knew and loved, but those who did not even know him. He literally gave his sinless life to save the world.

As soon as I said "sinless" most of you knew who I meant. Jesus' sinlessness is something that starts many growling, but wouldn't be great if we, like he, could honestly say that we never hurt another living soul (without excellent cause) or dishonored the real God (so many of us are still trying to be sure who that is!)

Even if you feel Christ's rebukes to those he said were going the wrong way were 'unnecessarily hurtful to their person hoods' (personally I think hell is likely to hurt a lot worse!), you cannot deny that he helped many people and inspired all those around him to do and be much more than they had ever imagined. Under Jesus' leadership they changed the world.

....unless, of course, you refuse to believe that Jesus ever really existed. Failing that, you might claim that the 'real' story has been lost or that we do not know who Jesus 'really' was. Perhaps you'll dredge up some old heresies fomented by someone like ole Diotrephes trying to wrest leadership away from the apostles by inventing a new tale that besmirches the role Christ gave them....

And so the power of the story is used to turn the tide of mankind into another channel. Some are more than entertained by Brown's fable, they are thoroughly beguiled because they wish to be. A recent survey about summed it up:: People said after seeing the movie that they came out confirmed in whatever beliefs they had going in. In truth, however, a fiction-based novel cannot 'confirm' anything. Besides, the best stories inspire you to think for yourself, not sell you on a conclusion, especially a provably wrong one.

Perhaps this turning from truth & truthful allegories to the answers made up in books & movies is part of what Paul referred to? Stories are not, in and of themselves, wrong. Jesus used stories to teach those around him.

Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables,

I have long held that the best stories taught people real lessons about life around them, essentially serving as modern parables. For example: Star Wars III had me thinking hopefully that certain youngsters would 'get it' when they saw how the Emperor deceived Anakin by a combination of directed enticements, offers of direct promotion, 'professional' charm, and by smearing his opposition with his own behaviors. Why did it work? Materially, the 'good guys' seemed to offer a lot less. Poor ole Obi Wan had already given his best gifts to Anakin. His ward knew he should be grateful, and mouths such sentiments, but we watch him continually complaining that the Jedi masters aren't doing 'enough.' They aren't competing for his favor, aren't promoting Anakin in every way that he wants. Mace & Yoda offered him the consolation of truth, loyalty, friendship and discipline. They offered a way of life worth living, not more power, grist for further ambitions. They offered him a way to cope with life's changes, but Anakin desired power over it, sure everything would be better if he got his own way. The truth became inconvenient to Anakin, he was drawn away by his own lusts to become Darth Vader, shedding his old values and friends along the way. Yet Darth Vader realized little of what he'd hoped to gain by his betrayals.

This truly happens. Bad choices often lead to bad outcomes. Call it Karma or Jesus (you know who I chose), there is a force for justice in our universe.

Unfortunately many decided to identify with obvious power Anakin held as he fell from grace. They remembered his youth and beauty in the ominous black robed figure who gained the limited power of fear over worlds - at the cost of his own soul. They choose to believe they could have all he gained, without paying the same price. According to what I have read about the online communities associated with Lucas' saga, this was not an unusual response.

I had hoped they would see. But your eyes must be open to see what is in front of you. Watching what people choose to glorify in the Star Wars, Myst, Star Trek, Harry Potter etc has been very enlightening as to why people don't seem to get proper parables out of them ( the point of fables re: def 1) in the same way everyone understand's Aesop's, Chinese philosophical writings, or many of Christ's teachings. When the text doesn't tell you what the value reference is, when the worldview context is indirect, people tend to interpret what remains in terms of their own wishes...what they'd like to be true.


I see Atrus wanting to help all those he meets and balancing, imperfectly, his love of wonder with his dedication to his own family. I see Harry Potter trying to do his best and be his best from a bad starting point. Sometimes he is seen as a hero, sometimes he gets blamed as part of the problem. OOohh Can I relate to that! I see Obi Wan doing his best against impossible odds, holding on to his faith that a balancing force will fight with him for the right and make his sacrifices, even his losses, worthwhile in the end. I see the Ent, holding on to the ancient ways, the paths that bring peace, but ready to fight to save what they hold most dear.

We see what we desire but we cannot take it by force. But, if we will seek to do the best we can for those around us, we may find one day that its already in our pocket.

As Christ said:

Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Take the quiz: "What Star Wars Character Are You?"

Obi-Wan Kenobi
You are a level headed person who uses the Force to compliment your natural talent



Entish


To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?
brought to you by Quizilla

May the Force Be With You....always

Hello again :)

Yes, I'm still alive & well.

Meantime... The good word is the last surgery went reasonably well. Tom is recovering steadily, making good progress, and looking forward to the end of all this nonsense, as you can imagine! I was gone to Richmond to stay with him while he was in the hospital and I am still very busy, so I'll just leave you with my usual meditation for this time of year::

People are unreasonable, illogical, self-centered
... love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish,
ulterior motives
... do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies
... be sucessful anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow
... do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable
... be honest and frank anyway.

People love underdogs but follow only top dogs
... follow some underdog anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight
... build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if
you try to help
... help people anyway.

If you give the world the best you have,
you may get kicked in the teeth
... but give the world the best you have
... ANYWAY.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

~ and ~

Lord make me an instrument of thy peace ...
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

St. Francis of Assisi

Merry Christmas!

Don't have time to do much for Christmas this year, but we Hope you have a Merry Holiday!

Shushan / Susan / Susa

>may i ask why your name is 'shushan' now?

It always was. Shushan is merely a variant spelling of my first name.

Susan/Shushan/Susa is an ancient name whose original meaning is unknown. The current definition given for it is 'lily of the valley.' However, this is a guess at which flower grew in the valley of the first city of Shushan. That flower was said to be a small, delicate, star-like flower which was either white or blue. It may have been an astor, edelweiss, a daisy (maybe they weren't everywhere back in the day!), or lily of the valley. The flower grew well in unlikely spots but didn't always respond well to cultivation. Merchants and travelers took it back with them all over the ancient world, and the name went with it. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the city precedes the flower as the source of the name "Susan.'

I read a very interesting account of this ancient history in a university library as a teen. Apparantly the most famous Susa/Susan/Shushan known now was a capital city under the Persions/Medes..but this may have been the third city of that name.

According to a falling apart tome I found in Wake Forest University's rare book section...Shushan was a legendary city built in a green valley at the crossroads of the world. The inhabitants, or at least their rulers, dedicated themselves to the principles of hospitality, simplicity, and learning. It was said that for long periods the founders limited the amount of wealth that could be held inside the city, in order to discourage pride...and robbers. They were said to have been great stone masons and teachers, but eventually the merchants took over. Once wealth began to accumulate within the city-state, the fame of the place insured invaders. The city was rebuilt with walls at least once on the same location before a change in climate caused the people to migrate away.

That's the legend.

What is known for certain is that Susa / Susan was a capital city of Persia for many centuries. Esther's beautiful story is supposed to have taken place in the great city of Susan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susa

http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/txt/ah/Persia/Susa.html

http://www.ou.org/chagim/purim/when.htm

I strongly identified with the virtues mentioned...hospitality, humility, and learning. The only reason I didnt use Shushan as a screenname to begin with is...well, its my name. It is just an unusual spelling of my name. I consider it a family reference, as every toddler I have ever known pronounced my name as "Shushan." It tickles me to think they may be right.

Not so tasty cookies

Many of you know I love to share sweet baked treats with my family & friends, but I didnt arrange these. Some not so tasty cookies from a not very nice person seemed to have been attached to my site in the last couple of days. I contacted blogger about it immediately, giving the technical data my security returned to me, and they seem to be gone already. Hopefully I gave blogger enough info to chase down the culprit.

The SSL is false. They were not the usual session cookies. I've been told that MANY sites (especially blogs) of people who have been related to the Myst community have been hosting these precise cookies (they are actually pretty distinctive).

So please clear your browser cookie cache, if you don't usually do so on a regular basis already. It is a good idea to clear them everyday, as too many will slow down your computer on and, eventually, even off the 'net.

Now here's a sweeter idea for your perusal:



mmmmmmm....good

Brk!Brk! Brk!

You are the the Swedish Chef.
You are a talented individual, nobody understands
you. Perhaps it's because you talk funny.

FAVORITE EXPRESSION:
"Brk! Brk! Brk!"
HOBBIES:
Kokin' der yummee-yummers

FAVORITE MOVIE:
"Wild Strawberries...and Creme"

LAST BOOK READ:
"Der Swedish Chef Kokin' Bokin'"

QUOTE:
"Vergoofin der flicke stoobin mit der brk-brk
yubetcha!"


What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Intelligent Design

People are still talking about the tentative gains toward public recognition Intelligent Design has achieved in a few places. The most common attack is to call it all unscientific, by which they usually mean one of the following:

1 the faith of the scientists in question means they can't be good scientists because scientists should have no framework drawn from any source other than that allowed by NSF (or other currently governing scientific guilds)


Your position on the relative position of the universe to yourself is part of your belief system (aka religion, with or without a God. Atheists must also have faith, because you can't truly disprove God)

I have read any number of quotes and refs that have established beyond doubt that many who push(ed) the evolutionary framework have had their own humanistic faith (bias) to guide them. This included Darwin, though he may or may not have repented of it at the end.

They did NOT leave their faith at the laboratory door, Sir. They left everybody else's there.


2. No good scientists are involved in this effort.

Actually MANY good scientists have questioned evolution. Many of these were not believers in the Bible at the time, but being pilloried for daring to hold a 'religious' view, when they were only (initially) questioning a detail in the evolutionary framework, opened their eyes. Not all became believers then, but they ceased to be blind followers of Darwin.

Some were actually trying to improve upon evolution in a new direction, but found themselves on the receiving end of demonic attack, at last understood that there WAS a battle going on, that it did concern faith in God, and that they had been deceived by the system.

The pilloring itself, (ie the sort of garbage thats currently aimed at Behe), is part of what has become a standard process to demonize and discredit anyone not following the party line. Behe was recognized as a leading scientific light before his 'defection.'

Please understand that not all those who have given some credence to ID, or who question the Darwinian framework, are Christians, let alone conservative believers. The common identification made by the media/establishment is for two reasons 1) evangelical believers have been the quickest to recognize the importance of the debate. 2) These believers were already being demonized and there are those who see tarring all dissenters with this label as a way to discourage other defections. Its an implicit threat. Anyone NOT a believer would prefer not to have to seek conservative Christian support in order to continue their scientific studies. Once you are portrayed in this manner, it is likely to be very difficult to receive grants or gain tenure.


If the evolutionists truly believe they are correct, why do they feel the need for so many political dirty tricks ? The truth should be self-evident. If they truly value all searchers for truth, why be so hostile to those exploring another paradigm?

Currently those who do not already hold very strong positions or very strong beliefs are going to be discouraged to speak of any doubts they may have in such a charged atmosphere. At its base, this shrill cry is persecution, plain and simple because it doesnt respect any other point of view than its own. Worse, it insults people of faith as being incapable of logic. (They teach that at some colleges too, but its a different course).

Bluntly, our society is becoming increasingly intolerant of monotheists/dissenters from the current media-drenched culture. It just hasnt gotten down to the level of concentration camps and gas chambers...yet.


3. Mixing science and scientific study with elements of one's faith will produce not produce 'pure' science. The results should not be treated as though they were equal to purely scientific studies

Most people have yet to realize that their view of science reflects a taught bias most received from their earliest years in education. One of my children's textbooks, purchased from a public school, cheerfully informed them that scientists are impartial beings who set up studies purely for the love of knowledge or to solve a problem. They were assured that all real science is based on laboratory results and theories based in impeccable logic. T'ain't necessarily so.

I've already mentioned the current bias against monotheism, but there are other issues.



First off, science, as defined by that textbook, has overstepped its bounds. If only that which is reproduceable in a laboratory is good science, then most of what I see, hear, and read from the scientific establishment is the worst sort of charlatanism. They can not reproduce fossils by a slow process over millions of years. They cannot make a universe with a big bang in one. They cannot show a slow change, unaided by intelligent agents, even within a species, let alone a change from one to another. Closest they can get is to show single cell organisms using their amazing, built-in adaptive mechanisms to defeat the challenges we put in their way. Adaption within a species is designed into the creature. It is not 'progress' in the evolutionary sense.

Most think science and worldview can be separate at all levels. On some levels it can, as per chemistry and most Mythbusters experiments. But when you get into the age of the world and other BIG questions you start accepting some other unproven (and unprovable) hypothesis in order to move forward. Evolution is one of those uber-theories. Its a belief framework under which other hypothesis can be framed and tested, but the results will likely be interpreted ONLY in terms of the base belief/theory. Unless another truly different paradigm is substituted, you will probably never know if the results of your test/study could have a different meaning than the one you assigned to it.

The interesting thing to me is how many results of known studies change so drastically in significance when the ID framework is adopted.


Evolution has been billed to young children (and the general public) as the only good theory that covers all the facts, despites its many contradictions and failures. Students, being younglings, usually believe what they are told. Even by college days, they are still highly influenceable. They follow their professor's lead and continue to frame all questions in light of what they were told. They wish to look good to their elders. They wish to be recognized in the world. They are told evolution is the one ring of science that rules all others. One day, some of them become professors themselves...and Mordor's influence grows. (Sadly, I believe this West-dominated, scientific monoculture has not been wholly wonderful for the advancement of mankind.)

Imperfect humans rarely engage in perfect activities of any sort. Most logical constructs of any complexity develop flaws that may or may not be readily apparant to reviewers. They may or may not recognize their own prejudices. Some quite racist studies at late 19th/early 20thC held many societal and prejudicial errors in both the framing of the questions and in how the scientists in the experiments sought their answers. Those studies stood for decades. It was not pure science that budged those 'laboratory results' in the end. It was social pressure and a change in public attitudes. The mistakes are fairly obvious to any educated modern audience ~ who does not share their views. So much for 'pure' science. :P

The world doesn't have to get saved to recognize intelligent design as an alternative. The recognition for the catastrophic framework need not be religious per se. There are several possibilities that could account for their discoveries. The Bible's account would do so but so would the transplanting of species from elsewhere to this planet, once a catastrophically unstable world (that eventually settled down). Direct intervention of the Arthur C. Clarke variety, but earlier in the day, would have the ID effect. Cyclical quantum effects, especially between universes, might also produce dramatic effects that could account for an ID framework. Who knows?

*I* believe God is the cause, true. All I ask is that you recognize that He is a possibility and show me respect as a fellow, thinking human. Anything else is between you and Him.

Yes, the results do encourage Christians...and Hindus and ufologists and certain New Age sects. Christian ID scientists have found that allowing the words they believe came from the Maker of the universe to guide their searches has an illuminating effect.

but that doesn't make their work based on this alternative framework non-scientific.

Besides, its about time somebody else got a word in edgewise.

Humility

The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does
not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself
from it.

- St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Susan's addendum: The enemy's servants don't recognize humility when they see it practiced either, invariably mistaking meekness for weakness or deception. They don't do any better recognizing forbearance, forgiveness, unselfish affection.....

So let us practice the virtues of Christ and confuse 'em all!

Pat Robertson & the latest brouhaha

It never surprises me to find unkind comments and anger aimed at believers and other dissenters to mainstream dogma. People usually believe whatever they are raised with, and whatever they hear most often. Repetition from enough quarters sounds like well established fact to the average person.

I am most saddened, however, when I hear similar things from fellow believers. I don't usually say much about it, but in the last 24 hours, I have felt pressed to speak up.

Pat Robertson has often been a focus of late because of the attention of mainstream media. Pat has said some unpopular but true things, but is often reported lately saying unkind things I could never agree with doctrinally or any other way. [Strange that I never seem to hear him say these shocking things when I am listening.]

I understand perfectly why Robertson's reported words anger people. To be blunt, I'm not too damn happy about it myself. Our wonderful media isn't into repecting opinions not their own, and because his views are harsher than what many believers hold, we feel his comments reflect badly on our witness. Still, I am not gonna blast him for it. Some people really believe as Pat does. I imagine Pat believes what he is saying or he wouldnt bother. Irritating or not, only God is fit to judge this servant.

So, while I realize Pat is a tempting target for our anger considering the demonization believers consistently receive, because he sounds so judgmental in these quotes, I ask you to consider that is exactly what this is...a temptation to judge a brother in Christ.

Pat's show isn't blasted on every channel. He's being asked for comments. He's being watched closely for anything that can be used. They don't talk about the good things they say and do over there, just the unkind bits.

You'll note how few ministers of any sort aside from Robertson get mainstream airtime. Its like a blackout.

In this way, some in the media are both nominating Pat as spokesperson for protestant Christians and then picking apart his comments to denigrate all those they can associate with him. They never report him praying for everyone in America. They never mention all the good mission work they do over there. Its not a balanced account.

No, this is a triple-prong attack. It seeks to convince many living 'on the fence' that we are much less loving as a group than many of us actually are. This negative image promotes division within the body of Christ over one of the only visible leaders. This garbage encourages believers to play the "more liberal than thou" with one another and in front of unbelievers (who, if they believe you, wonder why they should consider Jesus if you are just like everybody else. After all if being like everyone else is what makes you better than those 'fundamentalists'...). This clever trap encourages even strong believers to judgementalism, pride, and hostility. None of this honors Christ.

If we fall for it, our walk with Christ and the very witness of our life will be impaired.

thanks for listening.

I am:

(from Jennifer's blog)

I am: redeemed
I miss: hanging out with some of you
I want: many things that could make a differrence!
I have: an amazing family
I fear: very little
I play: adventure games
I never: seem to get to the end of my to-do list
I hear: a history documentary on Sparta
I care: about people
I smile: because I am happy
I wonder: how long until Christ returns
I poke: pillows to see the dent
I love: my family
I mess: up my typing
I think: about which project to work on next
I always: dream up stories
I am not: a bigot
I wish: I knew how to play musical instruments
I keep: a great many notes
I can't: do every thing I'd like to
I write: often
I lose: well, I'm trying to lose weight
I smell: leaves on the damp wind
I confuse: positive and negatives in my writing sometimes
I dance: only near soft surfaces (I B klutzy)
I sing: along with Lamb
I laugh: at Pat's jokes
I cry: "please think for yourself!"
I talk: freely, only to friends
I am: wondering what you will say...

Bookshelf quiz

I wrote this post but it could still be considered a cheat of sorts because its lifted from my replies to a webboard forum questionnare. I figured it could do for today. Wouldnt mind hearing some of your answers to it. yes, emails are still okay.

I *am* still writing but will have to finish 10 talents later. Sorry to say, I've been fighting my usual fall flu bug of late. Praise God for His healing & deliverance!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What books you read as a child still linger in the memory in later years?

There are so many in that catagory!

I grew up reading Tolkein, C.S. Lewis (not just Narnia), S. Cooper, Asimov, Silverberg, R. L. Stevenson, Frank L. Baum, Jules Verne, Madeleine L'Engle, Mark Twain, Rudyard Kipling (have they really banned him? Thats very sad indeed), Ray Bradbury, a few by Oscar Wilde when mother wasnt looking....

As I got older, my mother shared more and more of her collection of classics, including the Great Books series (Plato, Bacon, Shakespeare...) as well.

As the grandpa said in Princess Bride, "in my day t.v. was called books"



Has a book forced you to re-think your opinion on a subject?

often! Latest being Hancock's Underworld book (on ancient ruins underwater)

The most important being the Bible. That work reshapes my opinions on a regular basis. Though I do enjoy studying other belief systems Tao and Zen.




Have you a favourite author and grab every book they have written?

Or as many as I can find anyway! Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ellis Peters, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, George MacDonald, Jules Verne, G.K. Chesterton, Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis, Rand Miller...



Do you tend to stick to a single genre or do you read books on many topics?

I have favorite subjects, especially history, but I read a variety of things. I think most bibliophiles do.

Do you recommend books you have enjoyed to your friends?

yep! which ones depend on the interests of the friends. -


Has a film adaptation of a favourite book pleased or disappointed you?

I'd be very surprised if anyone answered this question with a 'no.' The delight is when they don't disappoint. I have hopes for a couple of movies coming out this holiday season.

For Veteran's Day ~ TAPS

(read this on Gameboomers and thought I'd pass it along. Never knew all the verses to TAPS either)

Taps (complete lyrics on this page)

This is a gentle reminder to each of us that "So much is owed to so few by so many." Well, I guess history has never stopped amazing us. About Taps, a gallant story. If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it. Here is something Every Canadian and American should know.

We in Canada and the USA have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison 's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock.

In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals was born. The words are : Day is done..Gone the sun. From the sea. From the hills. From the sky. All is well. Safely rest.God is nigh.

Fading light. Dims the sight. And a star. Gems the sky.Gleaming bright. From afar. Drawing nigh. Falls the night.

Thanks and praise. For our days. Neath the sun. Neath the stars. Neath the sky. As we go. This we know. God is nigh.

I too have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song. I didn't know if you had either, so I thought I'd pass it along.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before. Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country, and also those presently serving in the Armed Forces. Please send this on after a short prayer. Make this a Prayer wheel for all soldiers.

(My Thanks to Blondie_BC)

Because He's Mine, I walk the Line

We like fun around here. We believe in God and would not do what displeases him for the world, but we love fantasy books, movies, and games. For a time there we deliberately gave many of them up while we worked out if we were being led to drop our 'toys.' Finally came to the conclusion we weren't, as long as we stayed in bounds. We have taught our children what scripture says about witchcraft and, in detail, why 'magic' as opposed to petitioned 'miracles' may not be sought by saints. [May cover this in more detail later] We also covered the theories of unusual natural gifts from God. (the Harry Potter series uses this grey area a lot, but also incorporates other worldview elements making this bit of fun fruitful ground for discussion of what is and isn't in bounds according to scripture.) Such a perspective makes us a little weird to many serious brothers and sisters in faith, as well as to the mainstream who don't understand the scruples we live by. For us, even playing video games involves a few limits and several discussions of what is and isn't wise to pretend. We seek not to cross our interpretation of Christian ethics, the lines set by our beliefs.

For example, we see nothing wrong in dressing up in neat costumes any time of year. We see Halloween as an excuse to share one or two , but we don't celebrate Halloween as such. We'd be just as happy dressing up for a sci-con or Renaissance fair.

Granted Becka's starry tunic this year looked kinda 'wizardly,' especially when she added a star-covered medieval hat going to Busch Gardens, but she'll be able to wear it all year (at home). Its a combination of several 'historic' patterns she liked done 'fantasy.' We still hope to make a dress in a more expensive fabric sometime this winter. William wanted (& got) a proper cowboy hat this year and dressed western most wherever he went this October. He has Jedi pjs in winter & summer fabrics that we made him, but these ARE regular night wear for him so he didnt want to wear them outside.



They didn't go trick or treating in their neat outfits, though they got offered candy when we went grocery shopping etc. I didnt make a fuss about that, though people got the honest answer when asked what we intended to do on Halloween. (nothing). We sent a few cards, drank hot chocolate, & ate some candy. We just didn't make a big fuss over the day. That was the line.

The fuss we saved for Becka's big day, which happens to be about the same time of year. I am happy to report she loved her dolphin cake, cds, perfumes, mirror, and Celtic tissue box.



We do acknowledge Reformation Day, All Hallow's Eve, & All Saints Day but we haven't worked out what we ought to do with these occasions. Right now we've chosen to remember these times by praying regularly through these days for Christ's persecuted church, unity for those of us in Christ's body, wisdom for us all to choose His ways in these decadent times, & mercy upon the good souls who have passed ahead of us.

Reformation day has my attention lately.

Another blogger described Reformation day (aka Halloween) as a success of evil against the true church because of the great division created that day. I am sorry about the division too but I don't honestly believe it was the enemy who won the war over Reformation (though he certainly got some battles).

I truly believe many of the Protestant sects, and the populations they influenced, got a lot closer to God than they would have had the errors that were building in Martin Luther's day continued unchallenged. For good and ill, reformation changed the world & a church that needed changing.

I also believe the Catholic church benefitted greatly from the free discussion that followed the break. Reformation brought real change to the original body too as the apologists and thinkers of both sides studied the views of the other. Reformation encouraged a fresh look at old practices and a substantial purging of ungodly elements. Believers like John Hus are better understood and much more appreciated since these changes.

If only ths growth hadn't been accompanied by so many persecutions of believers of both stripes. Jews and pagans also suffered once the idea of permantly 'purifying' the world of 'wrong believers' took hold in Europe, for it went in all directions. That was not Biblical, and it was not a good witness for our loving Lord.



Jesus loves sinners, He just hates sin. This make sense given how much He loves us. Sin kills. Sin destroys. He gave Himself to cure of us of that awful disease in all its forms.

Since it is still the Halloween season, its fair to mention that Christ loves actual witches. He just hates the witchcraft and other sins that keep them apart from fellowship with Him. Witchcraft is actually a form of idolatry as well as paganism. Followers of it look to their own knowledge, skills, or cleverness to gain what they want and need, instead of looking to God. This is why it is a serious sin, but also why being too greedy for gain & depending on material possessions/people of influence/your own schemes to gain what you want was called just as bad.

Since Christ loves sinners, we should all understand that Christ loves 'heretic' believers too. (whatever variety you think that is) They may not be heretics to Him. Or, to put it another way, we may all be. None of us follow perfectly even in what we think we know. Many of us likely hold incorrect ideas about His purpose in our lives, His divinity, and so on. It is not wise to judge others walk with Christ, though fair to teach what we believe to be the truth, as long as it is done in love. Hey, we might be wrong about 'an important doctrinal point' too! If they are wrong, but put Jesus first, Christ will take care of the serious errors in His own good time.

The books of martyrs, both Protestant and Catholic, hold some very sad entries of believers killing one another over doctrinal differences. May it never happen again! There are plenty willing to kill us all (and the Jews too, come to that). May such never be able to shelter behind our doctrinal differences and pretend to be one of the disciples of Love Incarnate!

Paul speaks only of exiling(excommunicating) those from the church who will not not follow the gospel. Jesus warned that we would be persecuted and betrayed as we followed our Shepherd. He didn't give any orders about persecuting back. Quite the contrary, in fact.



Jesus Christ did not kill when He came 2000 years ago. Judgement will come but He didnt tell us to do it. He told us NOT to judge, let alone carry out sentence. Our orders are to share and live the gospel we have chosen to believe. We are not called to jihad or to judge unbelievers in any manner. That is God's job and the Almighty is well able to do it!

Where do I stand?

I love unity but can't bring myself to plump for Catholicism or Protestantism in its entirety. [Which makes me a Protestant by default, I'm told.] I love Christ's Holy church in all her forms but how can I choose between family? Even in all love, I would have to think that one side or the other had all the important doctrines right. I don't. I believe there is a purgatory and in the sanctity of sacraments, but I also believe in personal salvation as taught by Messianics and Evangelic sects. I believe we should study God's word daily, prayerfully, for ourselves, rather than having it interpreted first according to tradition. Nevertheless, we should study the lives and sayings of known saints when we can. I think immersion baptism gets the point across better than sprinkles. I don't think we should worship Mary. I do believe we can ask saints in heaven to pray with and for us, including Mary. I believe there is an understanding God has given of himself to every people, and therefore we can learn from other faith's understanding of Him. However, I am convinced Christ is the perfect fufilment of all those partials. He is the Great Spirit, The only Ascended One, The Tao, The Truth. We should seek to empty our limited lives of selfish desires that we may be filled by the excellence of God, the Infinite Almighty One, and wonder at the love that allows His perfection to put up with our frailties.I agree with the Nicene creed. I don't accept the Book of the Mormon...and, yes, I have read it. I think there are true believers who are officially Mormons though. I also have respect for Eastern Orthodox believers, the Coptic Egyptians, and other variations that I know even less about. There are a lot of ways to appreciate God. I don't think unity can come until the Holy Spirit gives further insight to the Bride of what is and isn't critical to faith. All believers must follow their conscience to live properly before God.

and, in practice, this means.......

I think I am right in being hospitable to all those who claim to love Jesus, whether I think their doctrines are right or not. However, the NT epistles say I should cease speaking to those who claim to be believers who continually show bad fruit, plainly do not follow even the most obvious reading of the Holy Scriptures, and refuse counsel on it (at least as believers).

I seek to be hospitable & peaceable with unbelievers too but do not 'hang' with them when I know they are engaging in active sin. I do not 'party' with them, but I might share dinner or a chat. I like people generally. I don't believe God is unhappy with this. He cares too. Besides, if I never spoke with nonbelievers how should I ever witness with my life?

Yet, I must not shun family for non-family. I should seek fellowship of fellow believers when I can...so there's another balancing act.

Lines, lines and more lines not to cross.

How much discernment is needed to live as a Christian!

No, I do not believe I should judge you whatever you are or do. An affectionate temperament helps, but this isn't always easy for me either. I ask you not to judge me. If you don't think I'm right about something, speak in love or not at all.


Meantime, I'll keep walking that strait and narrow line ~ hanging on to Love's hand.

quagmired in quizes

I have plenty or 'real' blogging to do, but I just gotta share the latest round of silly quizes first. I've been having too much fun for my own good.



What candy am I? hmm a favorite! excellent

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Very popular, one of you is not enough.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

=====================================================================

What part of fall am I?

You Are Apple Cider

Smooth and comforting. But downright nasty when cold.

What Part of Fall Are You?

Yum! I loved warm, spiced cider! Apparantly this person hasnt had MY mulled cider. Its best warm but still pretty good at other temps...

=======================================================================

Veggie Pizza

Upscale and trendy. You're the most likely to go for a gourmet pizza. You have impeccable taste in everything. You truly enjoy the finer things in life.

What's Your Pizza Personality?

Trendy? no. Its just that I have working taste buds, pal. Thats why I make my own pizza.

=======================================================================

Your Personality Is

Idealist (NF) You are a passionate, caring, and unique person. You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals. You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily. Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings. You seek out other empathetic people to befriend. Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships. In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily. At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career. With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone. As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style. On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

The Three Question Personality Test

Yet another tests says I am an idealist. If by this they mean I have ethics and vision, then they are on the right track. My family felt this one was fairly accutrate but objected to the 'heart ruling' thing. I think they have a point. I care, but my decisions are more likely to be made in favor of what I consider or believe to be right than what I feel.

==============================================================

All American Kid

Popular but not plastic. Athletic but not a jock. Smart but not a brain. You were well rounded and well liked in high school.

Who Were You In High School?

I was well-liked, mostly because I liked everybody. I hung with the brains, for preference. I like an intelligent conversation! My personal style was nearly unique, as opposed to fashionable, but nobody minded.

==============================================================

Your Haloween Costume Should Be

Jesus

What Should You Be For Halloween?

Have to admit, I deliberate chose this response by tweaking my replies. (the 'real' response was candy corn LOL) Hey, God owns every day. All Hallows Eve is His too!

=========================================================================

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 9 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Nice! Which one did I miss? (ggrrr... should've got'em all)


==================================================================================

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead... But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself. You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place. You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to!

How Machiavellian Are You?

I understand Machiavelli. I STUDIED Machiavelli. I just won't BE Machiavelli.

=======================================================================

You Are Likely an Only Child

At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated. At work and school, you do best when you're organizing. When you love someone, you tend to worry about them. In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic. Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management. You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books.

The Birth Order Predictor

Yes, I grew up as an only child, but am I one? I had two half brothers who I rarely saw before they died young. My main frustration is that I didn't get to be their big sister. Despite the convoluted circumstances, I cared about both of them very much.

Requiescat in pace

I will never forget you.

On a lighter note, I've decided my next self-help book will be how to escape from the grip of fun little mini-quizzes...

======================================================

Your World View

You are a fairly broadminded romantic and reasonably content. You value kindness and try to live by your ideals. You have strong need for security, which may be either emotional or material. You respect truth and are flexible. You like people, and they can readily make friends with you. You are not very adventurous, but this does not bother you.

What Is Your World View?

All this from one question? hhmmm.....

==============================================================================

What Your Sleeping Position Says

You are calm and rational. You are also giving and kind - a great friend. You are easy going and trusting. However, you are too sensible to fall for mind games.

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

...or it could just be that I enjoy my body pillow. (another one question test)



==============================================================================

Your Inner Child Is Happy

You see life as simple, and simple is a very good thing. You're cheerful and upbeat, taking everything as it comes. And you decide not to worry, even when things look bad. You figure there's just so many great things to look forward to.

How Is Your Inner Child?

My inner child has candy..... 'nuff said


=============================================================

Your Hidden Talent

You have the power to persuade and influence others. You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around. The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think!

What's Your Hidden Talent?

...if you say so


and, apparantly, I am also 40% weird, would get the most from learning French (okay, I should brush up), am exceptional in mathmatic/general knowledge/verbal usage, and still a 'true believer.'

but of course!

Cool result

Proverbs is one of my favorite books of the Bible, right behind Psalms and ahead of Isaiah and the epistles of Paul. This one is so complimentary I regard it as a goal to strive for rather than a level achieved. nice



You are Proverbs.


Which book of the Bible are you?
brought to you by Quizilla