Monday, September 23, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Book Review- Zealot by Reza Aslan
This is going to be just cover a few examples as I do not wish to spend more time than this subject is worth. I read, I thought, I didn't like.
The author is a very well recognized scholar and as such I was prepared to accept his historical facts. I think I do accept them. I have read about zealots in other places as well as the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Masada, etc. etc. I doubt very much that the facts are wrong. I cannot stand however, his own opinions, which he freely expounds upon, concerning the New Testament. He takes a piece of text and puts layers and layers of his own theories and ideas over it, and promotes it a historical fact.
He suggests that Jesus was a disciple of John the Baptist, and worse that the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness was when Jesus was following John with his other disciples. Whatever the 40 days were or meant, there is NO historical evidence that Jesus first followed John. This is pure, or should I say impure, opinion. There is even no historical evidence that Jesus the man of the New Testament even existed ; so where does this author get off.
He suggests that the Kingdom of God, is a call to arms to overthrow the Romans and that he, Jesus, wanted to be the earthly King of the Jews.
I am sick of it. I do not wish to expound on the unhistorical opinions the author holds anymore. He pisses me off. Read the book if you will but this guy is delusional in his theories and opinions and his hubris.
The author is a very well recognized scholar and as such I was prepared to accept his historical facts. I think I do accept them. I have read about zealots in other places as well as the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Masada, etc. etc. I doubt very much that the facts are wrong. I cannot stand however, his own opinions, which he freely expounds upon, concerning the New Testament. He takes a piece of text and puts layers and layers of his own theories and ideas over it, and promotes it a historical fact.
He suggests that Jesus was a disciple of John the Baptist, and worse that the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness was when Jesus was following John with his other disciples. Whatever the 40 days were or meant, there is NO historical evidence that Jesus first followed John. This is pure, or should I say impure, opinion. There is even no historical evidence that Jesus the man of the New Testament even existed ; so where does this author get off.
He suggests that the Kingdom of God, is a call to arms to overthrow the Romans and that he, Jesus, wanted to be the earthly King of the Jews.
I am sick of it. I do not wish to expound on the unhistorical opinions the author holds anymore. He pisses me off. Read the book if you will but this guy is delusional in his theories and opinions and his hubris.
Gotta get rhythm
I got to get in a rhythm for posting. We know with me there is no rhyme or reason, but rhythm is necessary for you all to know when to check blog for something. So I am making a pact with you all to post on Monday and Friday. Anything on other days will be a bonus. I do not know who will think it is a bonus, but as Clay Thompson would say, "there you have it". I just love this guy and hope is back to his usual snarky column soon.
I just want to let you all know that I so much appreciate all of you loyal followers. It is so good to have my crazy voice being heard.
I am posting entirely too much on Face Book. Mostly sharing things or thoughts I see and love. Unfortunately every time I share something to my timeline it gets posted on my homepage also and my friends who have no interest in the things I share are going to get angry at me taking up so much room. Also things stay posted for such a short time that unless you go to my actual timeline you may miss all the profundities. Such a quagmire this places me in. To share or not to share. This is the question. I will have to see about posting more on Pinterest, ISO FB. So this is a short talk as I think about how I handle everything. Are you not amazed by the problems I create for myself. I was told in High School, when I took a test to determine what my interests were and what type of job I should train for; that I was too immature to take the test( don't you just love using semi colons). I had too many diverse interests. This is still unfortunately true today. A single minded focus leads to success in one's field of endeavor. Diverse interests lead for me to a world full of wonder, imagination, love and diversity. I guess I do not mind so much not being successful.
I just want to let you all know that I so much appreciate all of you loyal followers. It is so good to have my crazy voice being heard.
I am posting entirely too much on Face Book. Mostly sharing things or thoughts I see and love. Unfortunately every time I share something to my timeline it gets posted on my homepage also and my friends who have no interest in the things I share are going to get angry at me taking up so much room. Also things stay posted for such a short time that unless you go to my actual timeline you may miss all the profundities. Such a quagmire this places me in. To share or not to share. This is the question. I will have to see about posting more on Pinterest, ISO FB. So this is a short talk as I think about how I handle everything. Are you not amazed by the problems I create for myself. I was told in High School, when I took a test to determine what my interests were and what type of job I should train for; that I was too immature to take the test( don't you just love using semi colons). I had too many diverse interests. This is still unfortunately true today. A single minded focus leads to success in one's field of endeavor. Diverse interests lead for me to a world full of wonder, imagination, love and diversity. I guess I do not mind so much not being successful.
Friday, September 6, 2013
What is most important, right now?
Hello again my friends, it is time for a little game. If you could change just one habit or behavior you have held for more than 5 years, what would it be. For me it used to be smoking. I smoked for 50 years before, through God's grace, I was finally able to stop.
I, however, cannot ever leave well enough alone so I have to try and change something else. Of all my striving towards perfection what key behavior still bothers me most? It is hard to decide because my faults range from the physical, to the mental, to the spiritual and each category needs a lot of work.
First, the physical or health: I need to lose at least 20 lbs.
I need to get more exercise.
These two behaviors are important because with COPD you cannot cure the disease, it is progressive. What you can do is influence the body's ability to take in and more efficiently utilize oxygen.
Secondly, mental or discipline: I tend to put things off and wait until either time or circumstance
force me to act.
I have to organize my paperwork better for my husband and heirs.
I have to dispose of my excess possessions before they create a
problem for the previously mentioned.
Thirdly, Spiritual or Soul: I want to be kinder to others in my thoughts and erase
negative feelings I hold; to eliminate hate from my heart.
I want to better understand and more completely follow
the teachings of Jesus, as they have come down to us.
So given all of the above what should I focus on first. In order of priority I believe the last should be first. Love and kindness and understanding should always be at the forefront of all our activities.
Love your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself, to paraphrase.
A part of loving one's neighbor is taking care of their interests before one's passing. So I believe I should focus on the second, second. Lastly, I should focus on number one. In more ways than One.
Ideally I can do all things in God. With sacred help and guidance I can make progress in several direction as long as I keep my priorities straight, and do not get sucked in to superfluous activities which benefit no one.
So my fellow players, what life changing activities would you like to focus on. Life either is or is not a game. If it is, one needs to move one's pieces in such a way as to win. If it is not, then it is all the more important to get straight with what is most important and create one's own destiny. One's character is one's destiny. Is it not? "To be or not to be, that is the question......"
I apologize for the previous paragraph. I could not help myself. :)
I, however, cannot ever leave well enough alone so I have to try and change something else. Of all my striving towards perfection what key behavior still bothers me most? It is hard to decide because my faults range from the physical, to the mental, to the spiritual and each category needs a lot of work.
First, the physical or health: I need to lose at least 20 lbs.
I need to get more exercise.
These two behaviors are important because with COPD you cannot cure the disease, it is progressive. What you can do is influence the body's ability to take in and more efficiently utilize oxygen.
Secondly, mental or discipline: I tend to put things off and wait until either time or circumstance
force me to act.
I have to organize my paperwork better for my husband and heirs.
I have to dispose of my excess possessions before they create a
problem for the previously mentioned.
Thirdly, Spiritual or Soul: I want to be kinder to others in my thoughts and erase
negative feelings I hold; to eliminate hate from my heart.
I want to better understand and more completely follow
the teachings of Jesus, as they have come down to us.
So given all of the above what should I focus on first. In order of priority I believe the last should be first. Love and kindness and understanding should always be at the forefront of all our activities.
Love your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself, to paraphrase.
A part of loving one's neighbor is taking care of their interests before one's passing. So I believe I should focus on the second, second. Lastly, I should focus on number one. In more ways than One.
Ideally I can do all things in God. With sacred help and guidance I can make progress in several direction as long as I keep my priorities straight, and do not get sucked in to superfluous activities which benefit no one.
So my fellow players, what life changing activities would you like to focus on. Life either is or is not a game. If it is, one needs to move one's pieces in such a way as to win. If it is not, then it is all the more important to get straight with what is most important and create one's own destiny. One's character is one's destiny. Is it not? "To be or not to be, that is the question......"
I apologize for the previous paragraph. I could not help myself. :)
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Rich!
Riches come from all directions and in all times. What made me feel rich in my youth was how many colored neckerchiefs I owned to dress my dolls in, and how many little glass horses and Black Stallion books I had. When Daddy gave me a real horse when I was nine, I felt like the richest girl in the world. All of my dreams had come true.
In high school I felt rich because I had a BFF for the school year, Christa, and a BFF for the summer, Eileen. I felt rich because I had a Public Library with what seemed like all the books in the world. Those books made me feel truly rich because they could carry a poor little girl from Slab City N.Y. to all the places on earth, through whatever historical time I choose. Some of my favorite books in that day were Pearl S. Buck novels. I think I read them all. China, that far off land, fascinated me. I did however, also read Lady Chatterley's Lover, and Payton Place. I had a vociferous appetite to read and learn about everything
I was very slow in beginning to read. Mr. Gant in fourth grade was the one who taught me to read. My first real book was "Polly Kent Rides West". I remember the title because it was such a momentous achievement for me and my family. It was finally decided that, other evidence to the contrary, I wasn't a total dingbat and was in fact teachable. I guess that was a richness of another kind.
I felt really rich when I graduated from high school and Daddy gave me a car. Granted it was a 1950 Chevy in 1961 and cost only $50.00, but I was in Hog heaven. I drove it all summer, but of course it reverted back to Dad when I went to college in the fall of 1961. In the beginning, the first two weeks, at Geneseo, I felt awesome. I was living away from home, I loved the campus and my new roommate, and I felt the world was wide open. Unfortunately that didn't last. I had carried myself along to college with me, and I had a very poor self image. I felt poor, ugly and dumb and my grades and social activities reflected that. I pledged for 4 sororities but was chosen by none. I didn't have the clothes or spending money the others had so I worked in the cafeteria on the breakfast shift. I started skipping classes and drinking at the kegs. My grades were lousy but I hung on the first semester. I had only chosen my major, speech therapy, because it wasn't offered in any of the Potsdam area colleges. So I found I hated the beginning speech classes, and the teachers who taught them. I was crazy, boy crazy by this time, but no nice boys were interested. I did hold to my standards, however, so was mainly dateless my first semester. I had one interesting episode of potential date rape with a beefy young lad from the next town over. When I told him my father was a Deputy Sheriff in Potsdam, and if anything happened to me my Dad would hunt him down and kill him; he promptly backed off. I got out of the car and started to walk back to the dormitories, a distance of about 6 miles, but my date pulled up beside me and reluctantly said he would drive me back. All the way back he sang a take off on the song "Your the Reason I don't sleep at night" but substituted the word screw. Some things you never forget!
The second semester I discover a romantic interest in the drama club, a young man named Berry. He looked a little ape like, long arms and very hairy, but he had a certain charisma and was one of the most popular upper class men at Geneseo. I fell for him hard but he barely knew of my existence. I volunteered for everything surrounding the theater group. Stage painting, makeup, costumes, lighting, you name it. All to just be around my hero. My grades fell like an avalanche and I was flunked out my second semester. I went home to tears and desperation on the part of my mother, and a certain grim acceptance from my father. There was a rainbow and silver lining to all this, however. I was able to finally embark on my richest and most cherished dream. I left with my friend Christa, and her Mom, to New York City.
My riches were just beginning.
In high school I felt rich because I had a BFF for the school year, Christa, and a BFF for the summer, Eileen. I felt rich because I had a Public Library with what seemed like all the books in the world. Those books made me feel truly rich because they could carry a poor little girl from Slab City N.Y. to all the places on earth, through whatever historical time I choose. Some of my favorite books in that day were Pearl S. Buck novels. I think I read them all. China, that far off land, fascinated me. I did however, also read Lady Chatterley's Lover, and Payton Place. I had a vociferous appetite to read and learn about everything
I was very slow in beginning to read. Mr. Gant in fourth grade was the one who taught me to read. My first real book was "Polly Kent Rides West". I remember the title because it was such a momentous achievement for me and my family. It was finally decided that, other evidence to the contrary, I wasn't a total dingbat and was in fact teachable. I guess that was a richness of another kind.
I felt really rich when I graduated from high school and Daddy gave me a car. Granted it was a 1950 Chevy in 1961 and cost only $50.00, but I was in Hog heaven. I drove it all summer, but of course it reverted back to Dad when I went to college in the fall of 1961. In the beginning, the first two weeks, at Geneseo, I felt awesome. I was living away from home, I loved the campus and my new roommate, and I felt the world was wide open. Unfortunately that didn't last. I had carried myself along to college with me, and I had a very poor self image. I felt poor, ugly and dumb and my grades and social activities reflected that. I pledged for 4 sororities but was chosen by none. I didn't have the clothes or spending money the others had so I worked in the cafeteria on the breakfast shift. I started skipping classes and drinking at the kegs. My grades were lousy but I hung on the first semester. I had only chosen my major, speech therapy, because it wasn't offered in any of the Potsdam area colleges. So I found I hated the beginning speech classes, and the teachers who taught them. I was crazy, boy crazy by this time, but no nice boys were interested. I did hold to my standards, however, so was mainly dateless my first semester. I had one interesting episode of potential date rape with a beefy young lad from the next town over. When I told him my father was a Deputy Sheriff in Potsdam, and if anything happened to me my Dad would hunt him down and kill him; he promptly backed off. I got out of the car and started to walk back to the dormitories, a distance of about 6 miles, but my date pulled up beside me and reluctantly said he would drive me back. All the way back he sang a take off on the song "Your the Reason I don't sleep at night" but substituted the word screw. Some things you never forget!
The second semester I discover a romantic interest in the drama club, a young man named Berry. He looked a little ape like, long arms and very hairy, but he had a certain charisma and was one of the most popular upper class men at Geneseo. I fell for him hard but he barely knew of my existence. I volunteered for everything surrounding the theater group. Stage painting, makeup, costumes, lighting, you name it. All to just be around my hero. My grades fell like an avalanche and I was flunked out my second semester. I went home to tears and desperation on the part of my mother, and a certain grim acceptance from my father. There was a rainbow and silver lining to all this, however. I was able to finally embark on my richest and most cherished dream. I left with my friend Christa, and her Mom, to New York City.
My riches were just beginning.
Monday, September 2, 2013
I'm dying to know
I'm really interested, but I do not know how to solve this problem. I frequently find from my stats that I have people following my blog from Germany, the Netherlands and Russia, among the countries I sort of expected. I know it is hard to leave comments on the blog unless you are already signed up for Google +, but I would love to have your feedback. If you have Google + please leave me some comments. Those who access me through face book can leave a comment or message on my timeline. Those who have my email can of course email me. Since I am putting so much of myself out there I would just like to know who is listening(IE. reading). Thanks.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Sunday Morning
It is Sunday morning, September1, 2013 and in a few more minutes I will be going to Church. Why bother, you might ask. You all know me for what I am. Sarcastic, gossipy, lazy, materialistic, irreverent, and very critical of religions in general. So why would this woman be going to church? Does she think a few minutes in a sacred environment will change her? Does she not notice that her pew mates share some of her characteristic's and that in fact some of them may be even worse than she is?
No, I am not silly enough to believe an hour or more in church is going to change the bad habits or thoughts, or actions of me or anyone else. In fact it could be even worse. I might become sanctimonious, believing that because I spend an hour thinking of and worshiping a higher power, I might be better than those who do not, or who worship differently.
I know God, if he exists, and I do believe he does; is too big for any religion or church and he gathers to himself any who wish to be with him anywhere, from gutter to mountaintop, and loves us all equally.
So why am I happy about going to church today? I am happy because I look forward to greeting my friends, with whom I have worked for years, on projects and missions which bring comfort and aid to many others in my community and world. I am happy to sit in my pew and say the old prayers, sing the old hymns and listen to the reading from our ancient texts. I am blessed to listen to a live sermon from our pastor who illuminates with compassion and love the trials we face in our daily life, and offers comfort and support for those who seek it.
I become present in a holy environment, "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
I feel I walk with my God, each day of my life. I am in a holy presence whenever I turn my thoughts to that which is so much greater than I. I cannot hope, in this life, to ever know the answers to all my questions. I do know, however, that I did not create myself and that neither I not anything else is accident or chance or natural selection. Where accident, chance and natural selection play a part in the creator's plan I am unable to fathom. I know in my most present moments, my darkest thoughts, my most destitute moments, I feel the action and presence of God and he sustains me.
Church service is a moment in time where I share with others our belief in the divine and holy being who creates, sustains and destroys each of us in turn in this life; and who one exists in, eternally.
No, I am not silly enough to believe an hour or more in church is going to change the bad habits or thoughts, or actions of me or anyone else. In fact it could be even worse. I might become sanctimonious, believing that because I spend an hour thinking of and worshiping a higher power, I might be better than those who do not, or who worship differently.
I know God, if he exists, and I do believe he does; is too big for any religion or church and he gathers to himself any who wish to be with him anywhere, from gutter to mountaintop, and loves us all equally.
So why am I happy about going to church today? I am happy because I look forward to greeting my friends, with whom I have worked for years, on projects and missions which bring comfort and aid to many others in my community and world. I am happy to sit in my pew and say the old prayers, sing the old hymns and listen to the reading from our ancient texts. I am blessed to listen to a live sermon from our pastor who illuminates with compassion and love the trials we face in our daily life, and offers comfort and support for those who seek it.
I become present in a holy environment, "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
I feel I walk with my God, each day of my life. I am in a holy presence whenever I turn my thoughts to that which is so much greater than I. I cannot hope, in this life, to ever know the answers to all my questions. I do know, however, that I did not create myself and that neither I not anything else is accident or chance or natural selection. Where accident, chance and natural selection play a part in the creator's plan I am unable to fathom. I know in my most present moments, my darkest thoughts, my most destitute moments, I feel the action and presence of God and he sustains me.
Church service is a moment in time where I share with others our belief in the divine and holy being who creates, sustains and destroys each of us in turn in this life; and who one exists in, eternally.
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