A STUNTED ECCLESIOLOGY?
The Theory & Practice of Evangelical Churchliness
There is a fine article by J.I. Packer in the December issue of Touchstone Magazine. Packer defines evangelicalism and provides a bit of an insider's critique. It's not a brief USA TODAY style piece but it's worth plowing thru it -- even if you aren't a natural born theologian.
Jim Packer is a unique person -- Brit turned Canuck -- irenic but firm -- brilliant but engaged at the populist level. I remember once attending a Packer lecture at North Park Seminary and asking him what I now know was a fairly dumb question. But it didn't phase him and he graciously worked with my issue.
Tuesday, December 31
DAVEY & GOLIATH NEED CASH
The ELCA is trying to get Davey & Goliath back onto the tube and they need $5 million to do it. They've raised some of that by hocking Mountain Dew (whatever!). And they're hoping to raise a bunch more by selling D & G gear.
I loved D & G as a kid and am looking forward to having them back. However, I have this gnawing fear that they'll no longer be preaching the gospel but a bunch of pc morality tales. A press release sent out a couple of weeks ago regarding the first new episode is feeding my fear.
"'The basic story outline is about tolerance, understanding and respect. Davey learns about the religious and cultural practices of his friends Benji, who is Jewish, and Yasmeen, who is Muslim. The story takes place just before Christmas and includes material about Hanukkah and Ramadan. The story's action is centered around what happens when Davey and his friends go snow boarding and, of course, get into trouble. As always, Goliath ends up saving the day,' said Kristi S. Bangert, director for marketing and interpretation, ELCA Department for Communication."
I'm going to hold off on buying my D & G gear until I see whether I'll be embarrassed to carry my lunch in the official D & G lunch box. I don't want to get hosed.
The ELCA is trying to get Davey & Goliath back onto the tube and they need $5 million to do it. They've raised some of that by hocking Mountain Dew (whatever!). And they're hoping to raise a bunch more by selling D & G gear.
I loved D & G as a kid and am looking forward to having them back. However, I have this gnawing fear that they'll no longer be preaching the gospel but a bunch of pc morality tales. A press release sent out a couple of weeks ago regarding the first new episode is feeding my fear.
"'The basic story outline is about tolerance, understanding and respect. Davey learns about the religious and cultural practices of his friends Benji, who is Jewish, and Yasmeen, who is Muslim. The story takes place just before Christmas and includes material about Hanukkah and Ramadan. The story's action is centered around what happens when Davey and his friends go snow boarding and, of course, get into trouble. As always, Goliath ends up saving the day,' said Kristi S. Bangert, director for marketing and interpretation, ELCA Department for Communication."
I'm going to hold off on buying my D & G gear until I see whether I'll be embarrassed to carry my lunch in the official D & G lunch box. I don't want to get hosed.
TURKS WANT SANTA BACK
"The Santa Claus Foundation, based in mainly Muslim Turkey, wants Italy to return the bones of St. Nicholas - the 4th century bishop in the Greek city now called Demre on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. Muammer Karabulut, the group's chairman, told The Associated Press that the remains of St. Nicholas, from whom the Santa Claus myth emerged, were stolen from what is now Turkey by pirates in the 11th century and taken to Italy."
Do they seriously think that's going to happen? I suspect that they're just looking for a little media attention. They have succeeded.
"The Santa Claus Foundation, based in mainly Muslim Turkey, wants Italy to return the bones of St. Nicholas - the 4th century bishop in the Greek city now called Demre on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. Muammer Karabulut, the group's chairman, told The Associated Press that the remains of St. Nicholas, from whom the Santa Claus myth emerged, were stolen from what is now Turkey by pirates in the 11th century and taken to Italy."
Do they seriously think that's going to happen? I suspect that they're just looking for a little media attention. They have succeeded.
A MUSLIM ALTERNATIVE TO COCA-COLA...AND MORE
Tawfik Mathlouthi, the inventor of Mecca-Cola, sees it as an alternative to violence. "'Some choose violence; I am against it,' he said, adding that 'the Arabs have behaved like imbeciles...We have to bring the United States to be a partner, and not a guardian,' he said. 'America is the foster parent of the Arab world, and the Arab peoples are like minors under the guardianship of the United States.'"
Tawfik Mathlouthi, the inventor of Mecca-Cola, sees it as an alternative to violence. "'Some choose violence; I am against it,' he said, adding that 'the Arabs have behaved like imbeciles...We have to bring the United States to be a partner, and not a guardian,' he said. 'America is the foster parent of the Arab world, and the Arab peoples are like minors under the guardianship of the United States.'"
LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR SLAIN MISSIONARIES
"It's their own fault. They were trying to impose their religion and values on another culture. That inevitably leads to conflict. They should have known better." Such seems to be the underlying assumptions of an article in this morning's NY Times. Pomo strikes again!
"It's their own fault. They were trying to impose their religion and values on another culture. That inevitably leads to conflict. They should have known better." Such seems to be the underlying assumptions of an article in this morning's NY Times. Pomo strikes again!
Monday, December 30
REPUBLICANS & TORIES
Why are the Republicans cornering the political market in the US while their British counterparts are floundering like fresh fish out of water? The Economist has a theory in their expose comparing London and Colorado Springs. "Crucially, the Republican Party's base is united by culture, not class. The best predictor of Republicanism among whites is not income, but church attendance. In 2000, Mr Bush lost nearly half the votes of people who earned more than $100,000 a year. The Republican Party is also populist. The archetypal Tory activist reads the establishment Daily Telegraph; the archetypal Republican listens to Rush Limbaugh howling against Washington (and is shocked to find that conservative talk-shows do not exist in Europe)."
Why are the Republicans cornering the political market in the US while their British counterparts are floundering like fresh fish out of water? The Economist has a theory in their expose comparing London and Colorado Springs. "Crucially, the Republican Party's base is united by culture, not class. The best predictor of Republicanism among whites is not income, but church attendance. In 2000, Mr Bush lost nearly half the votes of people who earned more than $100,000 a year. The Republican Party is also populist. The archetypal Tory activist reads the establishment Daily Telegraph; the archetypal Republican listens to Rush Limbaugh howling against Washington (and is shocked to find that conservative talk-shows do not exist in Europe)."
SIMPLE PLEASURES
We opened the box of Sees that we got for Christmas tongiht. The dark chocolate scothmellow was calling to me.
We opened the box of Sees that we got for Christmas tongiht. The dark chocolate scothmellow was calling to me.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Ted Olsen, CT's main blogger and webreporter has a set of quotes today. Among them: "'Punishment from hell is vivid and clear-cut and apparently has more effect on behavior than the idea of heaven.'" -- Robert Barro, Harvard University economist, who found that countries where belief in hell is strong have a gross domestic product growth 0.5 percent higher than average."
Ted Olsen, CT's main blogger and webreporter has a set of quotes today. Among them: "'Punishment from hell is vivid and clear-cut and apparently has more effect on behavior than the idea of heaven.'" -- Robert Barro, Harvard University economist, who found that countries where belief in hell is strong have a gross domestic product growth 0.5 percent higher than average."
MISSIONARIES KILLED
Karl came into our 6 a.m. prayer group this morning and the first thing he wanted to know was whether I had seen the news about the shooting in Yemen. My first response was, I didn't know there were any missionaries in Yemen (a tight, pretty closed Muslim country). But in fact they are there. Southern Baptists -- "preaching" by actions through a hospital ministry. Even the most extreme Muslim should be able to recognize the evil inherent in returning this kind of practical love with hatred. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of faith.
Australian Rowan Forster has some good thoughts on martyrdom.
Karl came into our 6 a.m. prayer group this morning and the first thing he wanted to know was whether I had seen the news about the shooting in Yemen. My first response was, I didn't know there were any missionaries in Yemen (a tight, pretty closed Muslim country). But in fact they are there. Southern Baptists -- "preaching" by actions through a hospital ministry. Even the most extreme Muslim should be able to recognize the evil inherent in returning this kind of practical love with hatred. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of faith.
Australian Rowan Forster has some good thoughts on martyrdom.
Sunday, December 29
SAFEWAY CLOSING BANKS
It's not unusual for a grocery store to contain a bank branch these days. But it was unusual when the Safeway food chain opened their own bank. Now it appears that Safeway is retreating from the banking business. An Arizona Republic article states: "The company posted a statement on the Safeway Select Bank Web site, www.safewayselectbank.com, to assure customers their money is "'secure and remains FDIC insured up to the applicable limits.'" When I attempt to visit the website I got an error message. That's reassuring. [grin]
It's not unusual for a grocery store to contain a bank branch these days. But it was unusual when the Safeway food chain opened their own bank. Now it appears that Safeway is retreating from the banking business. An Arizona Republic article states: "The company posted a statement on the Safeway Select Bank Web site, www.safewayselectbank.com, to assure customers their money is "'secure and remains FDIC insured up to the applicable limits.'" When I attempt to visit the website I got an error message. That's reassuring. [grin]
Saturday, December 28
MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY
The Economist carries an article on the gym movement as an attempt at puritanical religious experience.
"To anthropologists of the future, however, the gym boom may look as much like a sinister cult as a commercial triumph. Gym-going, after all, has all the basic lineaments of a religion. Its adherents are motivated by feelings of guilt, and the urge to atone for fleshly sins. Many visit their places of worship with a fanatical regularity: a third of LA Fitness members, for instance, go virtually every day. Once there, believers are led by sacerdotal instructors, who either goad them into mass ecstasy during aerobics classes, or preside over the confessional tête-à -tête of personal training. Each devotee has his own rituals, though most rely on the principles of self-mortification and delayed gratification. The extremist cult of body-building, whose Mecca is Gold's Gym in Venice, California, has become a mass movement."
Speaking of religious aerobics -- I spent the morning cutting the grass around our church building. No need to visit the gym.
The Economist carries an article on the gym movement as an attempt at puritanical religious experience.
"To anthropologists of the future, however, the gym boom may look as much like a sinister cult as a commercial triumph. Gym-going, after all, has all the basic lineaments of a religion. Its adherents are motivated by feelings of guilt, and the urge to atone for fleshly sins. Many visit their places of worship with a fanatical regularity: a third of LA Fitness members, for instance, go virtually every day. Once there, believers are led by sacerdotal instructors, who either goad them into mass ecstasy during aerobics classes, or preside over the confessional tête-à -tête of personal training. Each devotee has his own rituals, though most rely on the principles of self-mortification and delayed gratification. The extremist cult of body-building, whose Mecca is Gold's Gym in Venice, California, has become a mass movement."
Speaking of religious aerobics -- I spent the morning cutting the grass around our church building. No need to visit the gym.
TESTING
The current in infatuation with standardized testing as the measure of educational success is counterproductive according to a new study from my alma mater, Arizona State University. The NY Times reports that with the institution of standardized testing comes a drop in the number of graduates and a decline in SAT and ACT scores.
The way I figure it, students and teachers have to spend so much time honing their test-taking skills that no one has time left over to learn anything. "'Teachers are focusing so intently on the high-stakes tests that they are neglecting other things that are ultimately more important,'" said Audrey Amrein, the study's lead author, who says she supported high-stakes tests before conducting her research. "'In theory, high-stakes tests should work, because they advance the notions of high standards and accountability. But students are being trained so narrowly because of it, they are having a hard time branching out and understanding general problem-solving.'"
The current in infatuation with standardized testing as the measure of educational success is counterproductive according to a new study from my alma mater, Arizona State University. The NY Times reports that with the institution of standardized testing comes a drop in the number of graduates and a decline in SAT and ACT scores.
The way I figure it, students and teachers have to spend so much time honing their test-taking skills that no one has time left over to learn anything. "'Teachers are focusing so intently on the high-stakes tests that they are neglecting other things that are ultimately more important,'" said Audrey Amrein, the study's lead author, who says she supported high-stakes tests before conducting her research. "'In theory, high-stakes tests should work, because they advance the notions of high standards and accountability. But students are being trained so narrowly because of it, they are having a hard time branching out and understanding general problem-solving.'"
Friday, December 27
BENNY HINN
I watched NBC's Dateline expose of Benny Hinn tonight. And all I can say is, tell us something we didn't already know!
I watched NBC's Dateline expose of Benny Hinn tonight. And all I can say is, tell us something we didn't already know!
PLAGIARIZING PASTORS
Christianity Today's editoral on pastoral plagiarism makes good sense. "The solution is simple. Congregations should allow, even encourage, their pastors to use the best material from books, magazines, and the Internet. Pastors who rely on these sources are not lazy, inept, or irresponsible. Pastors, for their part, should always credit their sources." Anyone who wants to plagiarize my sermons can find them archived on SermonCentral.com.
Christianity Today's editoral on pastoral plagiarism makes good sense. "The solution is simple. Congregations should allow, even encourage, their pastors to use the best material from books, magazines, and the Internet. Pastors who rely on these sources are not lazy, inept, or irresponsible. Pastors, for their part, should always credit their sources." Anyone who wants to plagiarize my sermons can find them archived on SermonCentral.com.
ANCIENT-FUTURE NEWSLETTER
Rumor has it that Robert Webber will launch a monthly newsletter off his Ancient-Future Worship website sometime in January.
Rumor has it that Robert Webber will launch a monthly newsletter off his Ancient-Future Worship website sometime in January.
GIVING DOWN
The Salvation Army reports that giving is down 40% this Christmas. This is consistent with reports earlier this month that suggest over-all giving to churches is down by 10-20% across the board.
This is a ripple effect of all the saber rattling in the Middle East as well as the down-turn in the stock market. People are feeling insecure. But they are not reluctant across the board. The carts in Costco still seem pretty full. And the sale of houses continues to be strong. These areas are seen as "essentials." But in less-than-essential areas like charitable giving people are a lot more reluctant. This is indicative of two things -- our priorities (what we see as important) and just how much of the charitable giving in our country is asset (rather than income) based. That is, people tend to give out of the dividends of their investments. If there is some left-over then we are very very generous. And we ought to be extremely generous if we have excess. But this is not the first-fruits kind of giving indicative of biblically-molded people. See for example, Leviticus 23:17, ...they will be an offering to the LORD from the first of your crops.
The Salvation Army reports that giving is down 40% this Christmas. This is consistent with reports earlier this month that suggest over-all giving to churches is down by 10-20% across the board.
This is a ripple effect of all the saber rattling in the Middle East as well as the down-turn in the stock market. People are feeling insecure. But they are not reluctant across the board. The carts in Costco still seem pretty full. And the sale of houses continues to be strong. These areas are seen as "essentials." But in less-than-essential areas like charitable giving people are a lot more reluctant. This is indicative of two things -- our priorities (what we see as important) and just how much of the charitable giving in our country is asset (rather than income) based. That is, people tend to give out of the dividends of their investments. If there is some left-over then we are very very generous. And we ought to be extremely generous if we have excess. But this is not the first-fruits kind of giving indicative of biblically-molded people. See for example, Leviticus 23:17, ...they will be an offering to the LORD from the first of your crops.
FIRST CLONED BABY (IN 25,000 YEARS)
The NY Times article on the apparent cloning of a human is particularly good. The group behind this scientific "break-thru" is called the Raëlians.
"Raëlians are followers of Raël, a French-born former race-car driver who has said he met a four-foot space alien atop a volcano in southern France in 1973 and went aboard his ship, where he was entertained by voluptuous female robots and learned that the first humans were created 25,000 years ago by space travelers called Elohim, who cloned themselves."
The NY Times article on the apparent cloning of a human is particularly good. The group behind this scientific "break-thru" is called the Raëlians.
"Raëlians are followers of Raël, a French-born former race-car driver who has said he met a four-foot space alien atop a volcano in southern France in 1973 and went aboard his ship, where he was entertained by voluptuous female robots and learned that the first humans were created 25,000 years ago by space travelers called Elohim, who cloned themselves."
Thursday, December 26
PAY BY FINGERPRINT IS HERE
Well, not exactly here in Desultory land -- but it's making a debut in our society. Three Kroeger grocery stores in Texas now allow their customers to skip cash and credit cards by simply providing a fingerprint scan to debit their accounts. Check it out here.
Well, not exactly here in Desultory land -- but it's making a debut in our society. Three Kroeger grocery stores in Texas now allow their customers to skip cash and credit cards by simply providing a fingerprint scan to debit their accounts. Check it out here.
WE'VE BECOME THEM!
The Washington Post is reporting that the US is practicing torture against captured al Qaeda operatives and Taliban commanders. CIA George J. Tenet indicates that many of our recent successes in the war on terrorism have come as a result of information gained during such interrogations. (The ends justify the means).
"For what shall it profit a nation, if it shall gain the whole world, and lose its own soul?" (See Mark 8:36) How can we be moral leaders in the world if we lack morals?
The Washington Post is reporting that the US is practicing torture against captured al Qaeda operatives and Taliban commanders. CIA George J. Tenet indicates that many of our recent successes in the war on terrorism have come as a result of information gained during such interrogations. (The ends justify the means).
"For what shall it profit a nation, if it shall gain the whole world, and lose its own soul?" (See Mark 8:36) How can we be moral leaders in the world if we lack morals?
HAPPY BOXING DAY
The second day of Christmas, December 26th, is known as Boxing Day throughout most of the English speaking world (except the US where December 26th has no particular significance). Boxing Day is the day when we are encouraged to remember to poor.
The second day of Christmas, December 26th, is known as Boxing Day throughout most of the English speaking world (except the US where December 26th has no particular significance). Boxing Day is the day when we are encouraged to remember to poor.
Wednesday, December 25
Tuesday, December 24
AWAY FROM THE MANGER
Eric Bangeman sent this note along with the following link:
Eric Bangeman sent this note along with the following link:
A good friend of my from my old church is hosting this exhibit in his front yard this year, and I wanted to share it with you. The image is here.
From an e-mail he sent: "I met this artist from Minneapolis recently who does a lot of art installations involving television sets. His name is Brian Christensen and he was gracious enough to do this installation in my front yard for the holidays. It's a statement I really like about how our focus has shifted in this society. It's caused quite the uproar in the neighborhood with people constantly stopping to talk about it or just stare at it for a while. Alderman Mell (Father-In-Law to our next governor) asked if I was a communist. The Chicago Reader came out and took a picture of it and published it in the current issue. A limousine pulled up and sat there for a while. (I think it was Governor-elect Rod Blagoyevich because he lives just around the corner from me. ) We've gotten notes on our door and sometimes we sit at night in the living room with the lights off watching people drive past... slam on their brakes... then back up for another look.
It's been a lot of fun and it just once again demonstrates the power of art to engage culture with meaningful dialogue.
Depending on your screen size you may or may not be able to tell that's a TV set they're gathered around. The TV is running 24 hours a day with whatever it can get on the antenna. Fox comes in the best so they watch a lot of the Simpsons.... The baby Jesus is in the manger in front of the house.... alone.
TELL ME IT AIN'T SO!
Stop the presses! The Ottawa Citizen is reporting that Coca-Cola DID NOT invent Santa Claus. If there are small children in the room send them away before clicking on the story.
Stop the presses! The Ottawa Citizen is reporting that Coca-Cola DID NOT invent Santa Claus. If there are small children in the room send them away before clicking on the story.
Monday, December 23
FRESH AIR
It started out as a crystal clear morning in the Central Valley of California -- one of those mornings when if you look east down Turlock's Tuolumne Rd you see right up to Half Dome in Yosemite Valley. However, by noon a brown smoky haze will cover our valley. It's pruning time in the orchards and all those cuttings have got to go somewhere. So they will go up in smoke. At times the air-quality in the Valley is worse than LA. Of course, the locals will tell you that it's all automobile pollution blown over the mountain from the San Francisco Bay Area. And some of it may be. However, we generate the bulk of it ourselves and we can do something about a lot of it.
The orchardists have been burning here for over 100 years. But the fact is that a lot of what we've been doing for 100 years is unhealthy. We no longer spray with lead and DDT -- both of which were at one time seen as absolutely essential. "We'll be driven out of business if we have to give it up..." Change in the agri-business is slow and painful. But there are already reasonable alternatives -- most notably mulching. I'm not saying that this is the perfect answer to the burn problem but at some point we've got to be willing to pay a little more for food so that it can be produced cleanly.
Nor am I suggesting that all the pollution in the Valley is agriculturally related. The fact is that there are a lot more people living here (They've all got to live somewhere!). And people by nature pollute. So some pollution is unavoidable. But we can do better. And as God-ordained stewards of the planet we must do better -- not just for our children but as a fulfillment of our call.
It started out as a crystal clear morning in the Central Valley of California -- one of those mornings when if you look east down Turlock's Tuolumne Rd you see right up to Half Dome in Yosemite Valley. However, by noon a brown smoky haze will cover our valley. It's pruning time in the orchards and all those cuttings have got to go somewhere. So they will go up in smoke. At times the air-quality in the Valley is worse than LA. Of course, the locals will tell you that it's all automobile pollution blown over the mountain from the San Francisco Bay Area. And some of it may be. However, we generate the bulk of it ourselves and we can do something about a lot of it.
The orchardists have been burning here for over 100 years. But the fact is that a lot of what we've been doing for 100 years is unhealthy. We no longer spray with lead and DDT -- both of which were at one time seen as absolutely essential. "We'll be driven out of business if we have to give it up..." Change in the agri-business is slow and painful. But there are already reasonable alternatives -- most notably mulching. I'm not saying that this is the perfect answer to the burn problem but at some point we've got to be willing to pay a little more for food so that it can be produced cleanly.
Nor am I suggesting that all the pollution in the Valley is agriculturally related. The fact is that there are a lot more people living here (They've all got to live somewhere!). And people by nature pollute. So some pollution is unavoidable. But we can do better. And as God-ordained stewards of the planet we must do better -- not just for our children but as a fulfillment of our call.
"Then God said, 'Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life — the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals.' So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them. God blessed them and told them, 'Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals.'" Genesis 1:26-28 (NLT)
Sunday, December 22
IMing
Who said there are no great writers left? Ted Anthony has a terrifc article on instant messaging -- tight, colorful, personal, and it's AP (wonders never cease!). Here's a classic paragraph describing IMing: "It's like e-mail jacked on Mountain Dew: Capital letters disappear. Typos are made and instantly forgotten. New shorthand is born. Caffeinated typists can two-time, even three-time friends and family, toggling from screen to screen, continent to continent like prattling air-traffic controllers."
Who said there are no great writers left? Ted Anthony has a terrifc article on instant messaging -- tight, colorful, personal, and it's AP (wonders never cease!). Here's a classic paragraph describing IMing: "It's like e-mail jacked on Mountain Dew: Capital letters disappear. Typos are made and instantly forgotten. New shorthand is born. Caffeinated typists can two-time, even three-time friends and family, toggling from screen to screen, continent to continent like prattling air-traffic controllers."
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER
I came across the site of a new AMiA church in Chicago and it made me nostalgic for church planting. Cornerstone is in its 8th year and we have a wonderful building and a great congregation. But it’s not quite the same as meeting in a school or a theater.
I came across the site of a new AMiA church in Chicago and it made me nostalgic for church planting. Cornerstone is in its 8th year and we have a wonderful building and a great congregation. But it’s not quite the same as meeting in a school or a theater.
JOSHUA TREE II
Another Joshua Tree seed sprouted today. We’re batting 1000 so far. I planted a few more last week when the first seed came up. We’ll see what the next two weeks hold. They’re all inside on a window sill. It’s a sunny beautiful day in Turlock so they’re getting plenty of light. And now that the days are starting to get longer they should do quite well. Yesterday was nice enough to take a bike ride. I may still squeeze one in this afternoon.
Another Joshua Tree seed sprouted today. We’re batting 1000 so far. I planted a few more last week when the first seed came up. We’ll see what the next two weeks hold. They’re all inside on a window sill. It’s a sunny beautiful day in Turlock so they’re getting plenty of light. And now that the days are starting to get longer
MYWAY.COM
I previously subscribed to a portal service called myway.com. It went belly up a couple of years ago. Much to my surprise it showed up again a few months ago – except with a new owner and a whole new system. This portal is sure to give my.yahoo.com a run for their money – especially since myway.com doesn’t have any advertising.
I’ve been playing with the customization for the past couple of months and have now switched my home/start page from my.yahoo. As much as I like yahoo, myway has a nice feel to it and is ad free. They don’t yet have a calendar so I’m linking back into the yahoo calendar – but the myway people say they’ve got their own coming soon.
I was a bit concerned about investing much time into the customization since I’m not sure how the myway people intend to stay afloat without advertising. But they say that they are already profitable. Here’s their pitch: “Myway makes money through clearly identified sponsored listings and text links. We also keep our expenses low by partnering with the best and most trusted providers in the business instead of doing everything ourselves.” So, I’m giving it a try.
I previously subscribed to a portal service called myway.com. It went belly up a couple of years ago. Much to my surprise it showed up again a few months ago – except with a new owner and a whole new system. This portal is sure to give my.yahoo.com a run for their money – especially since myway.com doesn’t have any advertising.
I’ve been playing with the customization for the past couple of months and have now switched my home/start page from my.yahoo. As much as I like yahoo, myway has a nice feel to it and is ad free. They don’t yet have a calendar so I’m linking back into the yahoo calendar – but the myway people say they’ve got their own coming soon.
I was a bit concerned about investing much time into the customization since I’m not sure how the myway people intend to stay afloat without advertising. But they say that they are already profitable. Here’s their pitch: “Myway makes money through clearly identified sponsored listings and text links. We also keep our expenses low by partnering with the best and most trusted providers in the business instead of doing everything ourselves.” So, I’m giving it a try.
Friday, December 20
LEWIS SMEDES
Lew Smedes died yesterday after a brain hemorrhage and fall. Dr Smedes was a professor of ethics and theology at Fuller Seminary when I was a student. I tried hard to arrange my schedule to take his classes -- but it never worked out. So I made sure that I was always at chapel when he spoke and went to other lectures where he was a featured speaker. I'm glad that he was able to speak at the Covenant Midwinter Conference on a few occasions. Lew was absolutely brilliant -- and at the same time totally fresh and down-to-earth. He was an incredibly gifted preacher and author. I understand that the memorial service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, December 28 at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church.
Lew Smedes died yesterday after a brain hemorrhage and fall. Dr Smedes was a professor of ethics and theology at Fuller Seminary when I was a student. I tried hard to arrange my schedule to take his classes -- but it never worked out. So I made sure that I was always at chapel when he spoke and went to other lectures where he was a featured speaker. I'm glad that he was able to speak at the Covenant Midwinter Conference on a few occasions. Lew was absolutely brilliant -- and at the same time totally fresh and down-to-earth. He was an incredibly gifted preacher and author. I understand that the memorial service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, December 28 at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church.
Wednesday, December 18
JOSHUA TREE SPROUTING
One of the two Joshua Tree seeds that I planted on December 11th has sprouted! (Okay, it doesn't take much to get me excited.). According to the seed people they will typically sprout between "3 and 360+ days" after planting. So I suppose 7 isn't too bad. I'm sure that in about 18,250 days my tree will look a lot like the one in the picture.
One of the two Joshua Tree seeds that I planted on December 11th has sprouted! (Okay, it doesn't take much to get me excited.). According to the seed people they will typically sprout between "3 and 360+ days" after planting. So I suppose 7 isn't too bad. I'm sure that in about 18,250 days my tree will look a lot like the one in the picture.
Tuesday, December 17
VI'S 100TH BIRTHDAY TODAY
Today is Vi Martinson's 100th birthday. She's a member of our church and lives at Covenant Village. She is the oldest person I know ("older than dirt" as she describes herself) and the sharpest spunkiest senior citizen you can imagine.
Today is Vi Martinson's 100th birthday. She's a member of our church and lives at Covenant Village. She is the oldest person I know ("older than dirt" as she describes herself) and the sharpest spunkiest senior citizen you can imagine.
DAY OFF
Tuesdays are my regular day off. Today, in addition to sleeping in until 7:30, I did a little work on the Cornerstone website, a little laundry, a little trip to Safeway, a little trip to the post office (amazingly short lines) and only two runs to Wal-Mart. I finally got my bike tire changed (after too much frustration involving Slime clogging the valve stem.) AND I saw a spectacular cloud formation which framed the moon.
On Sunday we gave away redwood seedlings at church (“baby Christmas trees”). There were 40 trees leftover. I took them home and found pots for five, which I transplanted today. Only 35 to go. We’ll eventually plant them along the west side of the church property.
Cheryl and I went to dinner at a local Chinese hole-in-the-wall.
CHRISTMAS RAMBLING
Our Sikh neighbors were the first people on the street to put up their Christmas decorations. They’re good neighbors and work hard to fit in and are striving with the rest of us to bring down the Western Grid this holiday season.
Of course, the irony in this is that Sikhs aren’t Christians. They don’t buy into the Christmas story. But then again, I’m not sure that they are all that different from the rest of the neighbors. When you think about it, Christmas, as it exists today is mostly an American cultural phenomena with only a slight historical connection to the Christian Feast of the Nativity. And as American culture is quickly engulfing the rest of the world American Christmas traditions are making a strong showing in Europe and Asia. The extravagant gift-giving and related holiday frenzy is now almost as strong in England as it is in the US. Even Father Christmas is conceding to his jollier, over-weight, red-suited American counterpart.
While many Christians react negatively to the demise of Christmas it is even more ironic that early American Christians, mostly of the Puritan persuasion, worked hard to outlaw the celebration of Christmas in the new World. Christmas was illegal in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681. There was a five shilling fine for anyone who did Christmas. They didn't think you could keep "Keep Christ in Christmas" because as far as they were concerned he had never been there! Christmas was too “Catholic” and there were too many ungodly associations with the standard holiday paraphernalia – yule logs, gift giving, and even the late December date all had roots in pagan lore.
Missionary-minded Christians in the fourth century and beyond had “baptized” these pagan elements – taking them captive to the cause of Christ. It was a very strategic move on their part back then.
However, I suppose the question that modern Christians face is whether those pagan elements were truly baptized enough or if they all need to go back down for another dip in the river? Or is it really possible to save Christmas? Maybe it’s too far gone. Perhaps we should simply accept that it is a secular commercial holiday, enjoy it to whatever degree is possible, and quit whining about our lost holiday.
Sometimes I envy my Eastern Orthodox friends who celebrate the Feast of the Nativity on January 7th (They use the Julian calendar and their December 25th falls on our January 7th). When they gather for worship on that morning Christ isn’t in competition with family obligations or the toys left by Santa the night before. They just have to explain to their baffled bosses that they can’t come into work because they’re having Christmas. And maybe that’s not so bad.
Tuesdays are my regular day off. Today, in addition to sleeping in until 7:30, I did a little work on the Cornerstone website, a little laundry, a little trip to Safeway, a little trip to the post office (amazingly short lines) and only two runs to Wal-Mart. I finally got my bike tire changed (after too much frustration involving Slime clogging the valve stem.) AND I saw a spectacular cloud formation which framed the moon.
On Sunday we gave away redwood seedlings at church (“baby Christmas trees”). There were 40 trees leftover. I took them home and found pots for five, which I transplanted today. Only 35 to go. We’ll eventually plant them along the west side of the church property.
Cheryl and I went to dinner at a local Chinese hole-in-the-wall.
CHRISTMAS RAMBLING
Our Sikh neighbors were the first people on the street to put up their Christmas decorations. They’re good neighbors and work hard to fit in and are striving with the rest of us to bring down the Western Grid this holiday season.
Of course, the irony in this is that Sikhs aren’t Christians. They don’t buy into the Christmas story. But then again, I’m not sure that they are all that different from the rest of the neighbors. When you think about it, Christmas, as it exists today is mostly an American cultural phenomena with only a slight historical connection to the Christian Feast of the Nativity. And as American culture is quickly engulfing the rest of the world American Christmas traditions are making a strong showing in Europe and Asia. The extravagant gift-giving and related holiday frenzy is now almost as strong in England as it is in the US. Even Father Christmas is conceding to his jollier, over-weight, red-suited American counterpart.
While many Christians react negatively to the demise of Christmas it is even more ironic that early American Christians, mostly of the Puritan persuasion, worked hard to outlaw the celebration of Christmas in the new World. Christmas was illegal in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681. There was a five shilling fine for anyone who did Christmas. They didn't think you could keep "Keep Christ in Christmas" because as far as they were concerned he had never been there! Christmas was too “Catholic” and there were too many ungodly associations with the standard holiday paraphernalia – yule logs, gift giving, and even the late December date all had roots in pagan lore.
Missionary-minded Christians in the fourth century and beyond had “baptized” these pagan elements – taking them captive to the cause of Christ. It was a very strategic move on their part back then.
However, I suppose the question that modern Christians face is whether those pagan elements were truly baptized enough or if they all need to go back down for another dip in the river? Or is it really possible to save Christmas? Maybe it’s too far gone. Perhaps we should simply accept that it is a secular commercial holiday, enjoy it to whatever degree is possible, and quit whining about our lost holiday.
Sometimes I envy my Eastern Orthodox friends who celebrate the Feast of the Nativity on January 7th (They use the Julian calendar and their December 25th falls on our January 7th). When they gather for worship on that morning Christ isn’t in competition with family obligations or the toys left by Santa the night before. They just have to explain to their baffled bosses that they can’t come into work because they’re having Christmas. And maybe that’s not so bad.
Monday, December 16
WEIRD STUFF ON BLOGGER
I've been having trouble posting to Blogger -- software errors.
POSTMODERNISM
There has been a bit of a discussion on covnet regarding the definition of postmodernism. So I've taken a stab at it -- although it's received absolutely no response.
When talking about postmodernism it is important to distinguish between the philosophy and the popular culture movement.
As a philosophy postmodernism has its origins in the likes of thinkers like Nietzsche, Foucault, and Derrida. Postmodernism says that there is no single meaning -- only numerous perceptions ("stories"). Therefore we're wasting our time trying to peg things down too tightly. Instead we should embrace diversity and revel in paradox.
On the other hand, modernism as a movement essentially says that there is an objective meaning in the universe. We may argue over the nature of that meaning but we are optimists in finding and building on that meaning.
While modernist is busy trying to solve the puzzle -- the postmodernist is asking, "Why? There is no single definitive answer to the puzzle of life so why not just enjoy the puzzle itself?" -- "Nihilism with a smile."
On a philosophical level postmodernism (like modernism before it) is incompatible with Christianity.
However, postmodernism is also a popular cultural movement. The idea being that those in their 20's and early 30's are the first generation of Americans to live in a culture where postmodern values are stronger than modern values. (Of course, no one is really a pure modernist or postmodernist -- we're just talking tendencies.)
As a popular cultural movement pomos are inclined to enjoy paradoxes and mysteries. They like to talk about beauty before function (beauty is a lot more subjective). They are skeptical of systematic approaches to thinking and despise anything that appears to be a smug answer. Thus they aren't purely conservative or purely liberal. They pick and choose more so than any pervious generation -- and believe that choice is some kind of inherent right (the ultimate in cosmic consumerism). Community is a high value (although it's also a source of frustration because they are unable to live up to the ideals they have created). Spirituality is important -- as long as there's nothing like dogma attached to it. Pomos are not as ahistorical as moderns and Christian pomos gladly embrace some of the historical symbols and forms that the boomer generation jettisoned as not functional enough.
I've been having trouble posting to Blogger -- software errors.
POSTMODERNISM
There has been a bit of a discussion on covnet regarding the definition of postmodernism. So I've taken a stab at it -- although it's received absolutely no response.
When talking about postmodernism it is important to distinguish between the philosophy and the popular culture movement.
As a philosophy postmodernism has its origins in the likes of thinkers like Nietzsche, Foucault, and Derrida. Postmodernism says that there is no single meaning -- only numerous perceptions ("stories"). Therefore we're wasting our time trying to peg things down too tightly. Instead we should embrace diversity and revel in paradox.
On the other hand, modernism as a movement essentially says that there is an objective meaning in the universe. We may argue over the nature of that meaning but we are optimists in finding and building on that meaning.
While modernist is busy trying to solve the puzzle -- the postmodernist is asking, "Why? There is no single definitive answer to the puzzle of life so why not just enjoy the puzzle itself?" -- "Nihilism with a smile."
On a philosophical level postmodernism (like modernism before it) is incompatible with Christianity.
However, postmodernism is also a popular cultural movement. The idea being that those in their 20's and early 30's are the first generation of Americans to live in a culture where postmodern values are stronger than modern values. (Of course, no one is really a pure modernist or postmodernist -- we're just talking tendencies.)
As a popular cultural movement pomos are inclined to enjoy paradoxes and mysteries. They like to talk about beauty before function (beauty is a lot more subjective). They are skeptical of systematic approaches to thinking and despise anything that appears to be a smug answer. Thus they aren't purely conservative or purely liberal. They pick and choose more so than any pervious generation -- and believe that choice is some kind of inherent right (the ultimate in cosmic consumerism). Community is a high value (although it's also a source of frustration because they are unable to live up to the ideals they have created). Spirituality is important -- as long as there's nothing like dogma attached to it. Pomos are not as ahistorical as moderns and Christian pomos gladly embrace some of the historical symbols and forms that the boomer generation jettisoned as not functional enough.
Friday, December 13
WHERE WOULD JESUS SHOP?
There is a fine article in the conservative Weekly Standard on Christian merchandising. A quote:
There is a fine article in the conservative Weekly Standard on Christian merchandising. A quote:
Maybe this parallel world is just the latest manifestation of a tendency that sociologist Will Herberg observed half a century ago: Many American Christians don't like to let faith get in the way of pride, prosperity, leisure-time diversions, or, indeed, much of anything. What some observers termed cultural Christianity, a watered-down version of the real thing, now has been diluted a bit more. The result: pop-culture Christianity. When a 20-year-old woman delights in discovering "music that fit my personality and was also God-related," as a P.O.D. fan tells YM magazine, you suspect that the personality fit held top priority, followed, perhaps distantly, by God.
Thursday, December 12
ECUMENICAL DICTIONARY
As someone with a general interest in the various ecumenical movements I took note when the World Council of Churches sent a press release this morning announcing publication of "the long-awaited revised and expanded second edition of the Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement." This is a book "produced by the World Council of Churches (WCC)..." And "...this volume is an essential tool for study and research on the movement and for passing the ecumenical memory on to a new generation."
I'm no particular WCC fan -- although they've got some strengths -- and what they are doing in ecumenics is a lot better than what the rest of us aren't doing. Still you have to wonder about an organization which makes a big splash about this new tool (with some pretty good editors -- including Geoffrey Wainwright) yet they don't include any kind of information in the release about how to get the book. No publisher. No ISBN. No nothing.
So I went to the WCC website and hunted around for information. Nothing. Fortunately amazon.com came through. But they would have to special order it and it costs $80. I suppose the price doesn't matter if you're not really expecting anyone to order it anyway. I'm wondering about just how capable they are of "passing the ecumenical memory on to a new generation" if it's such an ordeal to pass along a book.
As someone with a general interest in the various ecumenical movements I took note when the World Council of Churches sent a press release this morning announcing publication of "the long-awaited revised and expanded second edition of the Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement." This is a book "produced by the World Council of Churches (WCC)..." And "...this volume is an essential tool for study and research on the movement and for passing the ecumenical memory on to a new generation."
I'm no particular WCC fan -- although they've got some strengths -- and what they are doing in ecumenics is a lot better than what the rest of us aren't doing. Still you have to wonder about an organization which makes a big splash about this new tool (with some pretty good editors -- including Geoffrey Wainwright) yet they don't include any kind of information in the release about how to get the book. No publisher. No ISBN. No nothing.
So I went to the WCC website and hunted around for information. Nothing. Fortunately amazon.com came through. But they would have to special order it and it costs $80. I suppose the price doesn't matter if you're not really expecting anyone to order it anyway. I'm wondering about just how capable they are of "passing the ecumenical memory on to a new generation" if it's such an ordeal to pass along a book.
Tuesday, December 10
Monday, December 9
POMO RANT
Josh Dulaney has a great rant on popular postmodernism in the December issue of Next-Wave. In some ways this self-criticism is a sign of maturation in the "emerging generation". (I think they are learning faster than the previous generation). Maybe, just maybe, the young can learn something from the old -- to say nothing of the fact that the old can certainly learn from the young. Hey, how about a cross-paradigm ministry? In Christ there are neither Jews nor Greeks, males nor females, moderns nor postmoderns. For we are all one in Christ Jesus.
Josh Dulaney has a great rant on popular postmodernism in the December issue of Next-Wave. In some ways this self-criticism is a sign of maturation in the "emerging generation". (I think they are learning faster than the previous generation). Maybe, just maybe, the young can learn something from the old -- to say nothing of the fact that the old can certainly learn from the young. Hey, how about a cross-paradigm ministry? In Christ there are neither Jews nor Greeks, males nor females, moderns nor postmoderns. For we are all one in Christ Jesus.
LITURGY WITHOUT MUSIC
Mike Bishop says that they aren't singing much in their church these days. See the December 5th What Is Church? blog. Read as well the responses. Another sign that the pendulum is swinging again? Will the "real worship = singing 45 minutes of protracted choruses" made popular by boomers in the 80's disappear with the emerging generation?
Mike Bishop says that they aren't singing much in their church these days. See the December 5th What Is Church? blog. Read as well the responses. Another sign that the pendulum is swinging again? Will the "real worship = singing 45 minutes of protracted choruses" made popular by boomers in the 80's disappear with the emerging generation?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Father of a party-goer celebrating a 6-year-old's birthday at the dump: "It's not like you're saying, `Oh no, not another birthday at the landfill,'" Krause said. "I mean, how many times can you go to Chuck E. Cheese's?" See the story.
Father of a party-goer celebrating a 6-year-old's birthday at the dump: "It's not like you're saying, `Oh no, not another birthday at the landfill,'" Krause said. "I mean, how many times can you go to Chuck E. Cheese's?" See the story.
Sunday, December 8
COLD
The Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings are playing tonight in Green Bay. It's 11 degrees (f) out there. Aren't there public safety laws back there? I used to live in a place which got that cold. It just doesn't make any sense to go outside. My body says warm is the norm -- hot is better (which sounds strange to people who associate humidity with heat).
The Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings are playing tonight in Green Bay. It's 11 degrees (f) out there. Aren't there public safety laws back there? I used to live in a place which got that cold. It just doesn't make any sense to go outside. My body says warm is the norm -- hot is better (which sounds strange to people who associate humidity with heat).
DAILY TEXT
I ordered coplies of the 2003 Daily Text for the church today. This is a devotional tool that is based on the Moravian daily text which has been published since 1731. The version from the folks at Mt Carmel Ministries contains additional devotional resources. The Moravian Church offers a daily email version, too.
I ordered coplies of the 2003 Daily Text for the church today. This is a devotional tool that is based on the Moravian daily text which has been published since 1731. The version from the folks at Mt Carmel Ministries contains additional devotional resources. The Moravian Church offers a daily email version, too.
Saturday, December 7
STOLEN ART
I just received word that the following Vincent van Gogh paintings have been stolen from the Van Gogh Museum of Amsterdam. I know that all of the Desultory readers will want to be on the look-out for the "View of the Sea at Scheveningen" and the "Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen".
I just received word that the following Vincent van Gogh paintings have been stolen from the Van Gogh Museum of Amsterdam. I know that all of the Desultory readers will want to be on the look-out for the "View of the Sea at Scheveningen" and the "Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen".
BEN LOMOND
I could never get a really straight answer from my Orthodox friends about what became of the group that left Ss Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Ben Lomond when they split about four years ago (I think they were as confused as I). It was a nasty deal. But now a few years down the road it appears that the church has grown in numbers through the unplanned multiplication. The group that was forced out became a part of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which until a few days ago, I didn't realize had any presence in the US. They are now known as St Lawrence Orthodox Church and are located in Felton.
I could never get a really straight answer from my Orthodox friends about what became of the group that left Ss Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Ben Lomond when they split about four years ago (I think they were as confused as I). It was a nasty deal. But now a few years down the road it appears that the church has grown in numbers through the unplanned multiplication. The group that was forced out became a part of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which until a few days ago, I didn't realize had any presence in the US. They are now known as St Lawrence Orthodox Church and are located in Felton.
SANDWICH GENERATION
Rebecca Vorwerk has written a fine article on the pressures facing people in their late 40's and early 50's.
Rebecca Vorwerk has written a fine article on the pressures facing people in their late 40's and early 50's.
The changes my parents have experienced are typical of a growing slice of the American population known as the "Sandwich Generation," wedged between the demands of their children and their aging parents. The term has been bandied about in the social sciences and the media for more than a decade. According to one study from the National Alliance for Caregiving, there are more than 9 million Americans in the Sandwich Generation. Most of them are baby boomers, but they can range in age from the 30s to the 60s. All struggle with the challenges of caring for aging parents while helping their own children grow up. Although caring simultaneously for children and parents is not unique to this generation, it is more common for two reasons: Couples are waiting longer to have children and senior adults are living longer.
Friday, December 6
Wednesday, December 4
RE: CONTINUITY
My friend and pastoral colleague, Sean Meade, takes issue with my assessment of the "paradigm shift":
I certainly don't deny that there are major changes in process and that the impact is far reaching. My contention, though, is that we tend to overstate change at the expense of continuity. In our culture we so emphasize change that we don't see how much is also staying the same. And I suspect that there is a bit of cultural arrogance in it because it empowers each new generation to believe that they are in a better place than all previous generations and that they much therefore reinvent the culture and all of its institutions. I've heard the "paradigm shift" rhetoric throughout my entire 47 years (albeit each generation uses different terminology to describe the phenomena).
Again, I am in no way denying that we're in the midst of some major changes -- including globalization and multiculturalism. And I believe that "we ain't seen nothin' yet" in those areas. But I also believe that modernism started to unravel years ago and that what we're seeing today is merely the next stage in this unraveling. On a philosophical level we have replaced modernism with a sort of happy-nihilism. On a practical level we're just taking a few more steps down the road to life being defined exclusively in consumeristic terms. And as Sean points out, we're getting pretty good at exporting these values.
All I'm asking is that we approach the current changes with a little more humility and a little less hype about our own place in history.
My friend and pastoral colleague, Sean Meade, takes issue with my assessment of the "paradigm shift":
...However, the international perspective actually supports the paradigm shift theory, in part. It at least brings a valuable observation. Multiculturalism and globalism are part of the world worldview in ways they have never been before. Add to that the export of USAmerican pop culture (much of which is bad and harmful) and I see a new, emerging global reality. Time is 'speeding' up. The pace of change is accelerating. The amount of person hours available for the cranking out of scientific and cultural developments is expanding rapidly.
I certainly don't deny that there are major changes in process and that the impact is far reaching. My contention, though, is that we tend to overstate change at the expense of continuity. In our culture we so emphasize change that we don't see how much is also staying the same. And I suspect that there is a bit of cultural arrogance in it because it empowers each new generation to believe that they are in a better place than all previous generations and that they much therefore reinvent the culture and all of its institutions. I've heard the "paradigm shift" rhetoric throughout my entire 47 years (albeit each generation uses different terminology to describe the phenomena).
Again, I am in no way denying that we're in the midst of some major changes -- including globalization and multiculturalism. And I believe that "we ain't seen nothin' yet" in those areas. But I also believe that modernism started to unravel years ago and that what we're seeing today is merely the next stage in this unraveling. On a philosophical level we have replaced modernism with a sort of happy-nihilism. On a practical level we're just taking a few more steps down the road to life being defined exclusively in consumeristic terms. And as Sean points out, we're getting pretty good at exporting these values.
All I'm asking is that we approach the current changes with a little more humility and a little less hype about our own place in history.
THE FLOOD
This morning, listening to my Bible CD, I heard a line in the flood story that slipped by me whenever I read the text myself. Genesis 7:11 -- "...the underground waters burst forth on the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torents from the sky." (NLT) It's interesting that the water came from below as well as from above. I suspect the emphasis is on the fact that God was doing a total job. He let things rip from all possible sources. Talk about a complete paradigm shift.
This morning, listening to my Bible CD, I heard a line in the flood story that slipped by me whenever I read the text myself. Genesis 7:11 -- "...the underground waters burst forth on the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torents from the sky." (NLT) It's interesting that the water came from below as well as from above. I suspect the emphasis is on the fact that God was doing a total job. He let things rip from all possible sources. Talk about a complete paradigm shift.
CONTINUITY
It seems to me that a lot of the current talk about a post modern paradigm shift are over stated. No doubt that our culture has bought into a lot of the post modern values but in retrospect that has been happening for decades. The emerging generation is just a little more vocal about it.
Claims of a new paradigm point to an American cultural bias -- to over-emphasize discontinuity with the past. We're culturally bias toward the new and each new generation is prone to convince themselves that they are extremely important because they are totally reinventing the culture. In the 60's we were implementing a "revolution" -- the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. In the 80's we were bringing in a new conservatism. I’m not saying that there were not significant changes -- only that the over-all importance of those changes tends to be overstated -- or overestimated by those involved.
Indeed the pace of change has accelerated. But if you step back and listen to our rhetoric it sounds as though we think that we've reinvented human nature.
It seems to me that a lot of the current talk about a post modern paradigm shift are over stated. No doubt that our culture has bought into a lot of the post modern values but in retrospect that has been happening for decades. The emerging generation is just a little more vocal about it.
Claims of a new paradigm point to an American cultural bias -- to over-emphasize discontinuity with the past. We're culturally bias toward the new and each new generation is prone to convince themselves that they are extremely important because they are totally reinventing the culture. In the 60's we were implementing a "revolution" -- the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. In the 80's we were bringing in a new conservatism. I’m not saying that there were not significant changes -- only that the over-all importance of those changes tends to be overstated -- or overestimated by those involved.
Indeed the pace of change has accelerated. But if you step back and listen to our rhetoric it sounds as though we think that we've reinvented human nature.
FOGGY MORNING
It's pretty soupy out there this morning. However, when I started out it was just a bit hazy. But three blocks from the house it started to thicken considerably. I got onto Hwy 99 to go a mile or two and found that the CHP was pacing the traffic. The joys of the Central Valley in December!
It's pretty soupy out there this morning. However, when I started out it was just a bit hazy. But three blocks from the house it started to thicken considerably. I got onto Hwy 99 to go a mile or two and found that the CHP was pacing the traffic. The joys of the Central Valley in December!
Tuesday, December 3
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Our Sikh neighbors were busy putting up their Christmas lights so I figured it was time to join in the neighborhood festivities. I went to the cabinet in the laundry room and quickly found the two green light bulbs which have constituted our holiday lights for the past few years. (I used to use a red and a green bulb but someone stole the red one. I figure that green is less tempting.) I then went to the fixtures on both sides of the garage and changed out the bulbs with the Christmas colors. It took two minutes! And wow they look as good as last year. This should hold us until Kirk gets home from UC San Diego. He'll probably want to drape a bunch of little white lights all over the trees.
Speaking of trees, the Satsumas in the front yard are now tasting pretty sweet.
Our Sikh neighbors were busy putting up their Christmas lights so I figured it was time to join in the neighborhood festivities. I went to the cabinet in the laundry room and quickly found the two green light bulbs which have constituted our holiday lights for the past few years. (I used to use a red and a green bulb but someone stole the red one. I figure that green is less tempting.) I then went to the fixtures on both sides of the garage and changed out the bulbs with the Christmas colors. It took two minutes! And wow they look as good as last year. This should hold us until Kirk gets home from UC San Diego. He'll probably want to drape a bunch of little white lights all over the trees.
Speaking of trees, the Satsumas in the front yard are now tasting pretty sweet.
Monday, December 2
LEFT BEHIND
I couldn't resist signing up for the Left Behind email list -- being that I'm such a big fan....
I couldn't resist signing up for the Left Behind email list -- being that I'm such a big fan...
JOSHUA TREES
We got home from Phoenix late last night after getting stuck in LA bound traffic and detouring thru the high desert. Our detour took us through Yucca Valley -- a new place for me -- great Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia) all over the town -- those spiky trees which look like they were invented by Dr. Seuss. Actually I heard that they are really giant members of the lily family. Funky -- very funky.
We got home from Phoenix late last night after getting stuck in LA bound traffic and detouring thru the high desert. Our detour took us through Yucca Valley -- a new place for me -- great Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia) all over the town -- those spiky trees which look like they were invented by Dr. Seuss. Actually I heard that they are really giant members of the lily family. Funky -- very funky.
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