partsofspeaking

Yes, this is my 2000th post to this blog since its inception in 2006. I know that I need to use more visuals in this blog, so I'm posting a cartoon below. If you visit, please look in the archives. Two thousands posts give one a lot to work with. If I ever run for public office . . . I will not be ashamed of my writing, despite what others might think. You'll find everything from movie and book reviews to political rants to theology to life observations to parodies of Hallmark Movies.  For thoughts on Higher Education, visit my other blog, Higher Education Observer.

I am reading through the book of John, a couple of verses at a time, with a long term view to 1. be transformed by it and 2. write a year-long devotional book on it. That might take a while. It's number 15 in the list of books I want to write. Today I came to John 14:23 and following. Beautiful, exclusionary, demanding words. Jesus uses no ambiguity here; to be accepted by God, you love Me and follow my doctrinal (truth) and practical (action) teaching. I was thinking about the Persecuted Church. There is an important article on Christianity Today's website about the persecution of the Kachins, Baptist believers, in Burma/Myanmar. This is of interest to me because the first play I ever wrote and produced was about Adoniram Judson, the first American missionary and first missionary to Burma. (He's my hero and To the Golden Shore is required reading.)  These folks are his legacy and they are oppressed, and I mean real oppression, not this slight marginalization we call

I have been sick this week, a strep infection, which meant I only worked one day and that because of absolute necessity. As an administrator I had some papers to sign and fires to stamp out Thursday, but otherwise I was resting. The headache, cough, fatigue, muscular pain, throat burning, and congestion were miserable. Today, Sunday, I feel human. Reflections: Ricolas are amazing. Cefuroxime works, I guess, but doesn't like my disgestive tract or taste buds. I am not a good sick person, at all, and pray God will protect me from another bout like this one throughout the year. However, one thing being sick means is that I can read a lot. I finished Crime and Punishment (had read it before but understood it better this time, which proves my point that literature is written for people who have a life of experience. It is brilliant, but very Russian! In Russian novels every character has three names. I've read several scholarly articles on gratitude, a research interest; it'

I teach a "life group" at the church I attend (careful choice of words; it is not "my" church, and we don't call the classes "Sunday School" any more).  We follow a study manual, that I still call a "quarterly." I therefore date myself. The class is adult women of varying ages, some married, widowed, divorced, and never married. I think the American church as a whole wants to ignore women--especially unattached ones--once they get past 50 even though the church depends on them for various programs. But that is a post for another day. The point of this post is that we follow a quarterly and I rotate teaching with two other women. This particular study book is about Genesis, a book I have some, let's say, different views about, which would probably keep me from ever being hired by a conservative church. Two weeks ago it was my turn and I had to teach on Noah. I was not enthused about that, but I did it as a focus on the text rather than

Since Sunday (today is Friday) I have been sick. At first I thought it was just allergies and too much heat and sun, then Tuesday I went to the doctor with a splitting headache and burning throat; I was diagnosed with strep. Now I'm taking an obnoxious antibiotic and still feel horrible, but I put in a whole day at work yesterday and am probably paying the price. I don't sleep well due to the cough and pain. I am a horrible sick person and get depressed and despairing that I will ever get better. God bless my patient husband who slept on the couch to avoid getting infected. (He could have slept in the other bedroom but didn't want to take his guns off the bed.) I can definitely see that being in my 60s has an effect on my ability to bounce back from these things. Generally I feel well and strong but this week I feel older than my years. I would appreciate comments.

Like this, although the short paragraph thing is too clever by half. https://medium.com/@benjaminhardy/to-have-freedom-in-your-life-you-must-stop-avoiding-this-one-thing-78cf4d77ec1c I try uncertainty in writing. I put it out there and see if anyone reads it. Not much. But . . .  it keeps me from thinking that jumping out of an airplane or quitting my job will satisfy me. He alludes to the principle that our "higher power" (oh, I hate that term!) is what gives us stability that allows us to be uncertain in other areas.

I'm beginning to use this blog as a hub for links. I like this one: https://qz.com/work/1409056/the-downside-of-generous-company-perks-and-benefits/ Not that I work for a company with a lot of perks (quite the contrary) but the temptation to work at home, in a coffee shop, everywhere, more than one should, is too real for those of us in the "knowledge economy." On the other hand, some of us have the freedom, by dint of education and profession, to work when we want, albeit a lot. I had to take some personal time off yesterday but ended up starting work at 5:00 a.m. today. 

In line with one of my last posts, I like what this fellow says about choice. My choice is to only look at the accounts for my notifications and then leave, immediately. So I have them but spend no time on them. It works for me.  https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/sep/28/should-you-delete-social-media-oliver-burkeman

This morning on Christian radio someone quoted the 23rd Psalm as "Even though I walk through a dark valley." Uh, that doesn't really match up to "the valley of the shadow of death."

http://www.breakpoint.org/2018/10/breakpoint-the-new-fall-tv-season/ This is the morning Breakpoint talk from the Colson Center. I like these and often share. I agree with what he says except I think he's missing the basic point. Seriously, why watch television at all? Just because it has good production values? (yes, it does). So that we can relate to our culture (how much do we have to watch to understand the values of the culture?) When people at work ask me about a tv show, I just say I don't watch TV. And I don't. The last show I watched faithfully was Person of Interest. Nothing since. I have so much to do that I hope will matter in ten or twenty years, or longer, that I just don't. That said, last night I regaled my family by singing all the words to "Mr. Ed themesong," "Gilligan's Island themesong, ""Beverly Hillbillies themesong," and "Green Acres themesong." This is after over 50 years. So I think I've