The depravity of man. Sin, in other words.
My brother was home this last week. That is my excuse for not posting. It was great! He's gone now. Sadness. However, in the words of the great authors, "that is neither here nor there."
Speaking of great authors, I was reading recently a contemporary of my favorite author, Charles Dickens. I've read a couple of Wilkie Collins's books before, so last week I read a couple more.
Wilkie Collins by the way, was English. He was the first person to write a highly acclaimed/classic mystery, but he wrote for other genres as well. His most famous book is The Moonstone. His brother, Charles Collins, was also an author and the brother-in-law of Charles Dickens. Dickens is most notable for his books: Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol.
Before last week, I had only read The Moonstone, and one other. Reading those, I wasn't really able to see much past the book. However, as I read more of his books, I was fascinated to see some of the author's personal viewpoints and character as portrayed in his writings. I was struck by several threads I saw among each of his books.
1st: Wilkie Collins was a realist. This was interesting because I am a realist. I hate it when characters in books are perfect and never do anything wrong, which brings me to point number two.
2nd: Wilkie Collins portrayed the depravity of man better than any other author that I've ever read. (Please see footnote at the bottom of this post) In The Legacy of Cain in particular, Collins showed distinctly how through Adam all men sinned. Collins concluded that yes, there are generational sins, but that those sins are not necessarily the sins of the immediately preceding generations, but ultimately are the sins of the first generation, Adam and Eve. This was a fascinating concept. I had never really thought about it either way, so I found it very interesting.
However, all that is not my real point, but merely a precursor, or rather the context of my real point. While thinking through one of the books later in the evening, the phrase 'scandalous sin' came to mind. I don't remember my train of thought leading up to the phrase. But that phrase stopped me.
A scandal, by definition, is a sin. A scandal, by more precise definition, is a secret sin made public. And that is what stopped me. A scandal is something everybody hears about. That is the definition of public in this case. The opposite of public is private. The definition of private is 'confined and intended only for those immediately concerned. Usually one or two people. Something personal.' We normally think of scandals as something at which to be horrified.
Have you ever realized, as I did that evening, that all sins are scandalous? Think about it. There is no such thing as a private, personal, sin involving no one but yourself. All sins, including those we think involve only ourselves, really include at least two persons. A sin involves you, the sinner, and the one or ones you have sinned against. Thus, the sin is no longer private, but public. In a situation where you think you have not effected anyone, you have sinned against God. And in a situation where you think you have only effected one person, you've actually hurt two. God, and the other person. All sins are scandalous. All scandals are things at which to be horrified. Therefore, all sins should be viewed with horror. Do you view all your sins with horror? or to lighten up a hefty subject with a play on words, are you scandalized by your sin?
As Christians, we've probably heard all our lives that God is watching us and He sees our sins and that we'll be held accountable by Him for them. Deep down, we believe all that. But do we live like it?
This is a topic that I've been thinking about a lot lately. It's been brought to my attention through more than one thing. My post is too long already. Next up is part 2: Degrees of Sin?
Here's a little preview:
We say there is no such thing as a little white lie, but do we live it? Do we think of that little lie we told as something about which to be horrified? I'm certainly not anywhere close to perfect in this area. Are you? we say getting a little mad sometimes is good to clear the system. If we say this, though, that means we're only murdering our brother an equally small amount, which must be equally good for clearing the system, right? To quote my brother, "Really, people? Really?"(See Matthew 5: 21-25)
Footnote: I do not recommend all of Wilkie Collins's writings. In most cases the sins central to his story are not described explicitly and are adequately punished before the end of the story. In each book, sin was never upheld as good. However, Collins was not a Christian and, in one of the books I read, I felt that the sins were more explicit than was edifying and that the consequence/punishment of the sin did not adequately convey that the sin was as bad as it was. Since standards are different in every household, I strongly recommend that parents preview books by Wilkie Collins.
(This has been, Fountain of Thoughts: Scandalous Sin. Look in next time to read: A Day in the Life of:__)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tidbits of: Kansas
Most people rarely ever hear anything about Kansas these days. And usually, we associate it with it's most ancient history. I.E., Bloody Kansas. The admission of Kansas to the Union was an additional spark to the Civil War.
The state became known as Bloody Kansas because factions from the North and South converged on Kansas hoping to sway it's admission as a free or slave state respectively. The factions fought each other. While neither side really won anything, an influx of legitmate Northern settlers shortly after caused the territory to be admitted as a free state in 1861.
The above short paragraph is Kansas' only claim to fame. However, in spite of it's negative known history, Kansas actually has some very interesting, but very little-known history. For instance, Kansas, like Texas, is very proud of itself. In April, they will be celebrating their 18th annual Story-Telling Festival. The festival combines fact and fiction set in Kansas to make it a highly successful state pride festival. I haven't been before, but I'm reasonably sure that it would be fun.
In 1889, Lincoln County in Kansas made history. How? William Feldkamp married Louisa Heiser. The wedding was "huge;" double the size of the average wedding. (About four hundred people came from all over the state) The wedding lasted two days! According to ancient tradition, the bride's brother rode a horse on Monday all over the county to invite people. He received a token yard or so of ribbon from the invited guests. By the time he finished he had about an hundred yards of ribbon attached to himself and his horse. (That would have been quite a sight!)
Kansas was the last state in the Union to have a flag. Here again, their individualism was at the root. Kansas wanted to be different, so their previous proposed flags were banners hung vertically rather than flags hung horizontally on a flagpole. However, no one could quite agree, and Washington D.C. refused to hang such an awkward flag in the city. Some people thought that a sunflower should be the dominant symbol on the flag. (Kansas is the Sunflower State) however, others argued that a sunflower is so close to a weed that it would be a disgraceful state symbol. In 1925, Hazel Avery, a seamstress, designed a flag. It was adopted two years later and is the same as it is today except that the word Kansas was added in 1961. Other attempts to alter the flag have been vigorously opposed.
Other Kansasian claims to fame include the fact that one Kansas woman, M.B. Best, witnessed the famous Lincoln assassination at the Ford Theater. Also, Martin Johnson, from Kansas, was the well-known author Jack London's cook. Martin Johnson, a boy with the old I-really-want-to-travel fever, saw Jack London's advertisement for an 'un-known person' who was to be included in a trip around the world. On answering the advertisement, he was asked if he could cook. Martin said, "Yes, a little. I can learn more." And learn he did. He hired on to a restaurant and spent his time there day and night. Jack London and his wife were forced to give up the adventure half-way in, but Martin continued the journey. He returned as Captain of the ship.
(This has been: Tidbits of: Kansas. Look in next time to read Fountain of Thoughts:__)
The state became known as Bloody Kansas because factions from the North and South converged on Kansas hoping to sway it's admission as a free or slave state respectively. The factions fought each other. While neither side really won anything, an influx of legitmate Northern settlers shortly after caused the territory to be admitted as a free state in 1861.
The above short paragraph is Kansas' only claim to fame. However, in spite of it's negative known history, Kansas actually has some very interesting, but very little-known history. For instance, Kansas, like Texas, is very proud of itself. In April, they will be celebrating their 18th annual Story-Telling Festival. The festival combines fact and fiction set in Kansas to make it a highly successful state pride festival. I haven't been before, but I'm reasonably sure that it would be fun.
In 1889, Lincoln County in Kansas made history. How? William Feldkamp married Louisa Heiser. The wedding was "huge;" double the size of the average wedding. (About four hundred people came from all over the state) The wedding lasted two days! According to ancient tradition, the bride's brother rode a horse on Monday all over the county to invite people. He received a token yard or so of ribbon from the invited guests. By the time he finished he had about an hundred yards of ribbon attached to himself and his horse. (That would have been quite a sight!)
Kansas was the last state in the Union to have a flag. Here again, their individualism was at the root. Kansas wanted to be different, so their previous proposed flags were banners hung vertically rather than flags hung horizontally on a flagpole. However, no one could quite agree, and Washington D.C. refused to hang such an awkward flag in the city. Some people thought that a sunflower should be the dominant symbol on the flag. (Kansas is the Sunflower State) however, others argued that a sunflower is so close to a weed that it would be a disgraceful state symbol. In 1925, Hazel Avery, a seamstress, designed a flag. It was adopted two years later and is the same as it is today except that the word Kansas was added in 1961. Other attempts to alter the flag have been vigorously opposed.
Other Kansasian claims to fame include the fact that one Kansas woman, M.B. Best, witnessed the famous Lincoln assassination at the Ford Theater. Also, Martin Johnson, from Kansas, was the well-known author Jack London's cook. Martin Johnson, a boy with the old I-really-want-to-travel fever, saw Jack London's advertisement for an 'un-known person' who was to be included in a trip around the world. On answering the advertisement, he was asked if he could cook. Martin said, "Yes, a little. I can learn more." And learn he did. He hired on to a restaurant and spent his time there day and night. Jack London and his wife were forced to give up the adventure half-way in, but Martin continued the journey. He returned as Captain of the ship.
(This has been: Tidbits of: Kansas. Look in next time to read Fountain of Thoughts:__)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Stories of My Life: My Advice
This is a short post. Not because I have nothing to say, but rather that I haven't decided yet how to say it. So, I decided to change what I was going to say and save the other for later.
This time, I'm going to give you all some random advice based on various and sundry un-named circumstances in my life at the moment. In other words, the advice might sound just a little bit on the cryptic side. Oh, and another thing, some of it is not my advice, it's somebody else's.
1. Never assume. This could be phrased differently as "Don't count your little chick-a-biddy's before they hatch." In fact, it would be even better to not count your eggs before they're eggs.
2. If you do commit the serious mistake of making an assumption, don't tell people about it. It's never fun to have to tell people 'oops, I made a boo-boo. X ___ is not happening after all!'
That completes my random advice. A bit short. Oh well.
(This has been: Stories of My Life: My Advice. Look in next time to read: Tidbits of:__)
This time, I'm going to give you all some random advice based on various and sundry un-named circumstances in my life at the moment. In other words, the advice might sound just a little bit on the cryptic side. Oh, and another thing, some of it is not my advice, it's somebody else's.
1. Never assume. This could be phrased differently as "Don't count your little chick-a-biddy's before they hatch." In fact, it would be even better to not count your eggs before they're eggs.
2. If you do commit the serious mistake of making an assumption, don't tell people about it. It's never fun to have to tell people 'oops, I made a boo-boo. X ___ is not happening after all!'
That completes my random advice. A bit short. Oh well.
(This has been: Stories of My Life: My Advice. Look in next time to read: Tidbits of:__)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Snippets: New York New Year's
New Years' Day has passed already, but it wasn't that long ago, so talking about New York New Year's (say that five times fast) traditions still counts.
New York is the largest city in the United States. It is known as the 'gateway of immigration' and the Big Apple state. It's location on the waterfront is the basis of one of New York's most long-standing New Year's traditions.
The time-ball drop, or the ball-drop occurs at 11:59 p.m. on New Years' Eve. A large lit-up ball is placed on a tall pole located in Times Square. At the appointed time, the ball is lowered until it reaches the bottom of the pole precisely at midnight. In this one short minute, the ball drops over 75 feet. Millions of people gather to watch this short event. And it's probably a good thing that it's short. The average temperature is only one degree above freezing.
The time ball was used in the past to help sailors in the harbor synchronize their chronometers to the correct time. In those days accurate time-keeping was crucial for ocean navigation. At a set time, noon in the U.S., the ball would drop. Five minutes before noon, the ball would be raised half-way up it's pole to alert the sailors that it was almost time. It was raised all the way when there were only two or three minutes remaining. The time was carefully recorded the second the ball began to fall. In this manner, ships would be able to set their chronometers correctly. Time balls were in use for 80 years until the invention of radio time signals in 1924. Nevertheless, the time ball is used in New York each New Year. In keeping with their name as the Big Apple state, the time ball is occasionally not a ball but rather an apple. If you don't want to fight the crowds and pay transportation costs, next year, you can look it up on the Internet and watch it there.
Other New York traditions include the showering of confetti from tall buildings, fireworks, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne. New York is a city rich with history. Perhaps some other time you'll hear some more about it here.
Happy New Year!
(This has been: Snippets of New York. Look in next time to read: Stories of My Life:__)
New York is the largest city in the United States. It is known as the 'gateway of immigration' and the Big Apple state. It's location on the waterfront is the basis of one of New York's most long-standing New Year's traditions.
The time-ball drop, or the ball-drop occurs at 11:59 p.m. on New Years' Eve. A large lit-up ball is placed on a tall pole located in Times Square. At the appointed time, the ball is lowered until it reaches the bottom of the pole precisely at midnight. In this one short minute, the ball drops over 75 feet. Millions of people gather to watch this short event. And it's probably a good thing that it's short. The average temperature is only one degree above freezing.
The time ball was used in the past to help sailors in the harbor synchronize their chronometers to the correct time. In those days accurate time-keeping was crucial for ocean navigation. At a set time, noon in the U.S., the ball would drop. Five minutes before noon, the ball would be raised half-way up it's pole to alert the sailors that it was almost time. It was raised all the way when there were only two or three minutes remaining. The time was carefully recorded the second the ball began to fall. In this manner, ships would be able to set their chronometers correctly. Time balls were in use for 80 years until the invention of radio time signals in 1924. Nevertheless, the time ball is used in New York each New Year. In keeping with their name as the Big Apple state, the time ball is occasionally not a ball but rather an apple. If you don't want to fight the crowds and pay transportation costs, next year, you can look it up on the Internet and watch it there.
Other New York traditions include the showering of confetti from tall buildings, fireworks, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne. New York is a city rich with history. Perhaps some other time you'll hear some more about it here.
Happy New Year!
(This has been: Snippets of New York. Look in next time to read: Stories of My Life:__)
Monday, December 20, 2010
An In-between: Christmas Past Around the World.
I happened to find a website about Christmas around the world. Each blurb appears to be written by a native author. It's very interesting, so I thought I'd share some of the neat, different things that we here in America don't really think about.
For instance, in Australia, (written by a very tongue-in-cheek author) there is no such thing as a 'white' Christmas. For them, Christmas is more like our Fourth of July. Not because it's an Independence Day, but rather it's the biggest summer holiday. And who ever in America would have ice-cream and seafood! Santa Claus is just as big Down Under as it is Up Over Here, but 'Swag Man' is almost as big. The Aussies felt they had to come up with something other than Santa, because they're afraid of Santa 'suffering from heat stroke.' Swag Man does not ride in a sleigh. Instead, he drives a very large four-wheel drive. Christmas is made up of picnics, midnight mass, food, 'mateys', and swimming.
Likewise, in Brazil, Santa Claus is really "Father Noel." Father Noel lives in Greenland, and wears silk when he's visiting Brazil; because of the heat. Instead of Dickens's classic Christmas Carol, a folk play called The Shepherds is featured in which all the shepherds are female and the baby Jesus is kidnapped by a gypsy. The traditional Christmas tree has no greenery, but is rather made of electric lights. Other decorations are usually fresh flowers.
In Czechoslovakia, home of the 'Good King Wenceslas,' Christmas is celebrated by putting a cherry tree in water indoors. The hope is that it will bloom on Christmas thus giving 'good luck' and the 'hope of a short winter.' St. Nicolas lives in Heaven and climbs down on a golden rope with his companions; an angel and a whip-carrying devil. (For the good and bad little boys and girls of course)
In France, Christmas trees are rarely in evidence, and the same goes for a real Yule Log. Instead, a Yule log cake is made. The biggest thing is a nativity scene found in nearly every home. Along with the traditional nativity scene pieces, figures of local dignitaries are made, (called little santons, or saints.) These are also a part of the nativity scene. As in Brazil, it is Father Noel who distributes gifts. Except, he's accompanied only by the 'stern disciplinarian' Pre Fouetarrd, who reminds the forgetful Noel who was good and who was not. Gifts among adults are exchanged on New Years' Day.
I considered making a German joke in favor or France, but, well, perhaps I'd better not, especially since their traditions happen to be rather more 'Christian' than any other country so far. The Germans were those who began the tradition of the Christmas tree. It is especially exciting to the children since they are not allowed to see it until Christmas Eve. Christmas Carols are usually sung, the Christmas Story is read, and sometimes sparklers are lit. Only then are the presents opened. St. Nicholas visits with his little 'book of sins.' if the child has been good, delicious things are placed in the shoe or boot near the fire. If not, the shoe is filled with twigs.
In Japan, Christmas is very American, having been introduced by missionaries. It is the only time that the children ever see a cradle, (in the Nativity scene) since Japanese babies are not put in a cradle. Hoteiosho, a priest or 'god' is the 'all-seeing' Santa Claus.
Christmas in Russia, was once a largely-celebrated holiday. During the Communist regime however, many traditions were crushed. St. Nicholas for instance, became 'godfather frost.' St. Nicholas in former times was not the gift bringer, but rather the miracle worker. Baboushka was the gift bringer, and was also crushed during the Cold War. Baboushka has returned however and the tradition has nearly grown to it's former size. Christmas Trees were banned, but Russians continue to decorate their 'New Year's Tree.'
In Iraq, 'Christians' light a bonfire of thorns on Christmas Eve. When the fire dies, each person jumps over it and makes a wish. Another bonfire is lit in the public square on Christmas. The bishop carries a figurine of the baby Jesus, and touches the person next to him. The touch is passed among all the people until all have received the 'touch of peace.'
In Sweden, a fourth century Sicilian saint, Lucia, is revered. During early Christian persecution, she allegedly brought food to hiding Christians. She has become known as the 'queen of light.' On Christmas, the eldest girl in the household wears a white dress and a wreath on her head with seven lighted candles. She brings coffee and buns to each member of the household in symbolism of Lucia's visit. The Tomte is the gift-bringer.
In Bethlehem, the city is ablaze every year with flags and other decorations. The annual Christmas Eve parade is made up of horsemen and mounted police on Arabian horses, followed by a solitary horseman on a black horse carrying a cross. Other officials and churchmen follow until the procession passes through the doors of the Church of the Nativity. Dark winding stairs lead to a grotto. In the grotto, a silver star marks the place where Jesus was born. Another star is located in the center of town. Christians celebrate by decorating their doors with a cross and each home houses a home-made manger scene.
Merry Christmas!
(This has been: An In-between. Look in next time to read: Snippets of:__)
For instance, in Australia, (written by a very tongue-in-cheek author) there is no such thing as a 'white' Christmas. For them, Christmas is more like our Fourth of July. Not because it's an Independence Day, but rather it's the biggest summer holiday. And who ever in America would have ice-cream and seafood! Santa Claus is just as big Down Under as it is Up Over Here, but 'Swag Man' is almost as big. The Aussies felt they had to come up with something other than Santa, because they're afraid of Santa 'suffering from heat stroke.' Swag Man does not ride in a sleigh. Instead, he drives a very large four-wheel drive. Christmas is made up of picnics, midnight mass, food, 'mateys', and swimming.
Likewise, in Brazil, Santa Claus is really "Father Noel." Father Noel lives in Greenland, and wears silk when he's visiting Brazil; because of the heat. Instead of Dickens's classic Christmas Carol, a folk play called The Shepherds is featured in which all the shepherds are female and the baby Jesus is kidnapped by a gypsy. The traditional Christmas tree has no greenery, but is rather made of electric lights. Other decorations are usually fresh flowers.
In Czechoslovakia, home of the 'Good King Wenceslas,' Christmas is celebrated by putting a cherry tree in water indoors. The hope is that it will bloom on Christmas thus giving 'good luck' and the 'hope of a short winter.' St. Nicolas lives in Heaven and climbs down on a golden rope with his companions; an angel and a whip-carrying devil. (For the good and bad little boys and girls of course)
In France, Christmas trees are rarely in evidence, and the same goes for a real Yule Log. Instead, a Yule log cake is made. The biggest thing is a nativity scene found in nearly every home. Along with the traditional nativity scene pieces, figures of local dignitaries are made, (called little santons, or saints.) These are also a part of the nativity scene. As in Brazil, it is Father Noel who distributes gifts. Except, he's accompanied only by the 'stern disciplinarian' Pre Fouetarrd, who reminds the forgetful Noel who was good and who was not. Gifts among adults are exchanged on New Years' Day.
I considered making a German joke in favor or France, but, well, perhaps I'd better not, especially since their traditions happen to be rather more 'Christian' than any other country so far. The Germans were those who began the tradition of the Christmas tree. It is especially exciting to the children since they are not allowed to see it until Christmas Eve. Christmas Carols are usually sung, the Christmas Story is read, and sometimes sparklers are lit. Only then are the presents opened. St. Nicholas visits with his little 'book of sins.' if the child has been good, delicious things are placed in the shoe or boot near the fire. If not, the shoe is filled with twigs.
In Japan, Christmas is very American, having been introduced by missionaries. It is the only time that the children ever see a cradle, (in the Nativity scene) since Japanese babies are not put in a cradle. Hoteiosho, a priest or 'god' is the 'all-seeing' Santa Claus.
Christmas in Russia, was once a largely-celebrated holiday. During the Communist regime however, many traditions were crushed. St. Nicholas for instance, became 'godfather frost.' St. Nicholas in former times was not the gift bringer, but rather the miracle worker. Baboushka was the gift bringer, and was also crushed during the Cold War. Baboushka has returned however and the tradition has nearly grown to it's former size. Christmas Trees were banned, but Russians continue to decorate their 'New Year's Tree.'
In Iraq, 'Christians' light a bonfire of thorns on Christmas Eve. When the fire dies, each person jumps over it and makes a wish. Another bonfire is lit in the public square on Christmas. The bishop carries a figurine of the baby Jesus, and touches the person next to him. The touch is passed among all the people until all have received the 'touch of peace.'
In Sweden, a fourth century Sicilian saint, Lucia, is revered. During early Christian persecution, she allegedly brought food to hiding Christians. She has become known as the 'queen of light.' On Christmas, the eldest girl in the household wears a white dress and a wreath on her head with seven lighted candles. She brings coffee and buns to each member of the household in symbolism of Lucia's visit. The Tomte is the gift-bringer.
In Bethlehem, the city is ablaze every year with flags and other decorations. The annual Christmas Eve parade is made up of horsemen and mounted police on Arabian horses, followed by a solitary horseman on a black horse carrying a cross. Other officials and churchmen follow until the procession passes through the doors of the Church of the Nativity. Dark winding stairs lead to a grotto. In the grotto, a silver star marks the place where Jesus was born. Another star is located in the center of town. Christians celebrate by decorating their doors with a cross and each home houses a home-made manger scene.
Merry Christmas!
(This has been: An In-between. Look in next time to read: Snippets of:__)
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Day in the Life of: Sgt. R__
One of my favorite people that I actually know is an elderly gentleman in my church. He's like another grandpa. Besides being kindly and intelligent, he's also an excellent story teller. And the great thing is that his stories are true. I considered recording his stories and perhaps I still might sometime. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a tape-recorder. So, while I can't tell his stories with quite the impact that he tells them, I'll do my best, because they're worth telling. His are the stories which can inspire and amuse generations to come, but only if they're written down.
If you knew Mr. R__ today, you would never believe that he could ever have been anything other than a wonderful, gentle and meek man. He was however, when a younger man, a very colorful character with a colorful life that comes with all non-Christian Army drill instructors, Army Sergeants, and Police chiefs.
Sgt. R__ tells this story of his time as an Army Sgt. during WWII. He was a squadron leader of tanks, and they were practicing with the 10th group of something or other. The 10th group of something or other used jeeps with rocket launchers. Sgt. R__ and the tanks under him would practice fighting the 10th group rocket launchers. They used duds for practice, not live rockets.
Each time, after the practice was over, the two groups would leave the field. Usually, the tanks went first. 10th group had a 'twisted' sense of humor. As the Sgt. R__'s tanks would leave the field, the 10th group would launch blank rockets at the tanks. Even a blank rocket is nothing to laugh at. They made huge noises, and packed an even larger wallop.
After a time of enduring this harassment, Sgt. R__ had a fantastic idea. All soldiers were issued cans of pork and beans for their meals. With his fellow soldiers, Sgt. R__ opened these cans and poured them out into a couple of empty shells. Then, they put masking tape over the top of the shells to hold the pork and beans in until it was time.
Then, after practice, they started off the field. As usual, the soldiers in the jeeps launched their duds and then raced off ahead of the tanks laughing. The men in the tanks ducked, the duds hit, the men in the tanks got up, and Sgt. R__ loaded the 'live' cartridges. He cranked the gun on his tank down, waited until the jeeps were in his sights and then...BAM! out of the barrel flew a couple of cans worth of pork and beans! DEAD ON!!! The joke was on the other guys.
The way Mr. R__ tells it, it was worth a million bucks to see the looks on their faces.
"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him." Proverbs 26:27
(This has been: A Day in the Life of: Sgt. R__. Look in next time to read: Snippets of__)
If you knew Mr. R__ today, you would never believe that he could ever have been anything other than a wonderful, gentle and meek man. He was however, when a younger man, a very colorful character with a colorful life that comes with all non-Christian Army drill instructors, Army Sergeants, and Police chiefs.
Sgt. R__ tells this story of his time as an Army Sgt. during WWII. He was a squadron leader of tanks, and they were practicing with the 10th group of something or other. The 10th group of something or other used jeeps with rocket launchers. Sgt. R__ and the tanks under him would practice fighting the 10th group rocket launchers. They used duds for practice, not live rockets.
Each time, after the practice was over, the two groups would leave the field. Usually, the tanks went first. 10th group had a 'twisted' sense of humor. As the Sgt. R__'s tanks would leave the field, the 10th group would launch blank rockets at the tanks. Even a blank rocket is nothing to laugh at. They made huge noises, and packed an even larger wallop.
After a time of enduring this harassment, Sgt. R__ had a fantastic idea. All soldiers were issued cans of pork and beans for their meals. With his fellow soldiers, Sgt. R__ opened these cans and poured them out into a couple of empty shells. Then, they put masking tape over the top of the shells to hold the pork and beans in until it was time.
Then, after practice, they started off the field. As usual, the soldiers in the jeeps launched their duds and then raced off ahead of the tanks laughing. The men in the tanks ducked, the duds hit, the men in the tanks got up, and Sgt. R__ loaded the 'live' cartridges. He cranked the gun on his tank down, waited until the jeeps were in his sights and then...BAM! out of the barrel flew a couple of cans worth of pork and beans! DEAD ON!!! The joke was on the other guys.
The way Mr. R__ tells it, it was worth a million bucks to see the looks on their faces.
"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him." Proverbs 26:27
(This has been: A Day in the Life of: Sgt. R__. Look in next time to read: Snippets of__)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Fountain of Thoughts: Context, Context, Context
I recently posted a list of my goals for the year. Regrettably, I have only completed one of them to date. However, the result of that goal, that is, to read the Bible in three months, was, in my opinion, rather interesting. My main reason for conducting the experiment was because I had heard quite a bit about its benefits. I had heard, specifically, that 'it put the Bible in a whole new perspective.' After having completed the experiment for myself, I must beg to disagree in part with the review. I found, that instead of giving the 'Bible a whole new perspective' it rather put the Bible into perspective.
'Context, context, context' is an oft repeated refrain in my church and house, so, I've always known that the Bible was in context. Nevertheless, I don't believe I have ever seen it for myself so clearly. It is easy in most cases to see the context between individual verses. It is even sometimes easy to see the context between chapters. I have very rarely however been able to see the incredible context between whole books.
While my Bible is not in chronological order according to events per se, reading it in three months pictured the order of events almost as if I was seeing them happen. It was frankly quite fascinating. I was able to 'see' Isaiah prophesying at the same time as King Hezekiah was dealing with the multiple Assyrian invasions. Another thing I noticed was that the Books of Kings, dealt with both the rule of Israel, and the rule of Judah, while Chronicles dealt only with Judah. By reading the four books in a short period of time, I was able to see the correlations between them in context.
Another perhaps benefit I observed was the diminishing of the tediousness of certain sections. I.E., the genealogies and the temple measurements. While I probably like these sections more than the average reader, I still find them, like most people, to be tedious. I found this tediousness nearly if not completely eliminated by reading them in two, or at the most three days. I'm still not sure though, if this is a benefit, or just a general gratefulness for getting to read something else sooner.
I've always had a little bit of a difficult time understanding Paul's longer epistles. I now know why. Each of his chapter's builds upon the other so that it is nearly impossible to read one and understand it without reading the preceding chapters. This time around, I think I have finally discovered why most people love Paul's writings. He is very logical. I must confess however that while I really enjoyed Paul's letters, I still like the writings of John better, even though I found them particularly convicting this time.
When I finished my little experiment, I came to the conclusion that I should highly recommend it to others. It only takes fourteen chapters per day. I was able to do this from between thirty minutes and an hour. And this was yet another benefit: the spending of more time in the Word was really good for me. After you all try it, maybe we can get together and do the other experiment: having a read-aloud Bible marathon!
(This has been: Fountain of Thoughts. Look in next time to read: A Day in the Life of:__)
'Context, context, context' is an oft repeated refrain in my church and house, so, I've always known that the Bible was in context. Nevertheless, I don't believe I have ever seen it for myself so clearly. It is easy in most cases to see the context between individual verses. It is even sometimes easy to see the context between chapters. I have very rarely however been able to see the incredible context between whole books.
While my Bible is not in chronological order according to events per se, reading it in three months pictured the order of events almost as if I was seeing them happen. It was frankly quite fascinating. I was able to 'see' Isaiah prophesying at the same time as King Hezekiah was dealing with the multiple Assyrian invasions. Another thing I noticed was that the Books of Kings, dealt with both the rule of Israel, and the rule of Judah, while Chronicles dealt only with Judah. By reading the four books in a short period of time, I was able to see the correlations between them in context.
Another perhaps benefit I observed was the diminishing of the tediousness of certain sections. I.E., the genealogies and the temple measurements. While I probably like these sections more than the average reader, I still find them, like most people, to be tedious. I found this tediousness nearly if not completely eliminated by reading them in two, or at the most three days. I'm still not sure though, if this is a benefit, or just a general gratefulness for getting to read something else sooner.
I've always had a little bit of a difficult time understanding Paul's longer epistles. I now know why. Each of his chapter's builds upon the other so that it is nearly impossible to read one and understand it without reading the preceding chapters. This time around, I think I have finally discovered why most people love Paul's writings. He is very logical. I must confess however that while I really enjoyed Paul's letters, I still like the writings of John better, even though I found them particularly convicting this time.
When I finished my little experiment, I came to the conclusion that I should highly recommend it to others. It only takes fourteen chapters per day. I was able to do this from between thirty minutes and an hour. And this was yet another benefit: the spending of more time in the Word was really good for me. After you all try it, maybe we can get together and do the other experiment: having a read-aloud Bible marathon!
(This has been: Fountain of Thoughts. Look in next time to read: A Day in the Life of:__)
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