partsofspeaking

Spoiler alerts, I think. Thanks to streaming services like Netflix, we now can watch, or binge watch, as the young people call it, television shows we have wanted to watch but missed.   For me this was Person of Interest .   I watched the first season in 2011-2012, but starting doctoral work in 2012 meant expunging certain practices from my life, mainly watching TV.   Person of Interest was the only show I really had any interest in (other than PBS programming and old movies, which sounds pretentious), so when it became available this fall on Netflix, I figured now I could slowly get caught up to speed on the story. Let me first say that binge watching is not my style.   I grew up with television shows coming in small bites—once a week, or if in syndication, once a day.   So I didn’t watch more than two or three at a time at most, and usually only one.   On the other hand, it is really no different from reading a whole novel at...

For those who might happen on this blog or who come a bit more regularly, I will confess to this being a web blog in the truest sense.  Although I have an agenda and boundaries about what I post (getting away from politics except when something or someone seems particularly egregious), the overall goal is to keep a record of my writing and thoughts and let you enter in, if you so desire.  I admit this may seem idiosyncratic and even egotistic, but you will notice I don't post reviews of my books or photos of myself,   only things that I think others will benefit from educationally or spiritually.  If you don't benefit from a particular post, then I apologize, but keep going back--you will probably find a lot here, since there are over 1450 posts.  If you are offended by something I write, well, I don't apologize, because today it's impossible not to offend someone just by one's simple existence.  I offend somebody just because I blog, or ...

--> I was asked to teach this a few weeks ago.    The book of Matthew is like a bookshelf with stories of Jesus life and records of his teaching, and it has two bookends.   As we look at the verses known as the Great Commission, we will see that the first chapter and the last five verses or so are like bookends to what is in between. The Great Commission is a passage you have probably heard a lot of sermons on, especially at Missions Conferences, but to be honest, there is a whole lot more there than a command to do missions, although that is of course the main takeaway as Jesus is ending his time on earth after the resurrection. Read passage. 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all n...

I had never heard this one before today.  The basic metaphor is thrilling. Some of the middle stanzas may seem anti-semitic, but I post it here in its entirety Tomorrow shall be my dancing day; I would my true love did so chance To see the legend of my play, To call my true love to my dance; Chorus Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love, This have I done for my true love Then was I born of a virgin pure, Of her I took fleshly substance Thus was I knit to man's nature To call my true love to my dance. Chorus In a manger laid, and wrapped I was So very poor, this was my chance Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass To call my true love to my dance. Chorus Then afterwards baptized I was; The Holy Ghost on me did glance, My Father’s voice heard from above, To call my true love to my dance. Chorus Into the desert I was led, Where I fasted without substance; The Devil bade me make stones my bread, To have me break my true love's dance. Chorus The Jews on me they made g...

The British and Canadians observe Boxing Day, a day of charity (boxing food for the poor).  In the U.S. we have our own version. It is called that because we take our boxes that Christmas presents come in to the landfill or recycling center.  I celebrated it myself, and our center was having a hard time handling all of it.

C.S. Lewis on writing fairy tales. http://apilgriminnarnia.com/2014/07/02/saybest/

--> Last of my posts, for Advent is tomorrow.   I do minimal Christmas preparations, compared to some women.   One tree.   Reasonable amount of baking because the three of us don’t need all these sweets.   Small number of gifts because we need nothing, really.   I am trying to simplify and lighten the load of belongings rather than make them greater.   But I do have my traditions.   Ham and potato salad and such for lunch.   Attending the church’s Christmas Eve candle light service.   Traditions should pull something from us but not be onerous.   That one is heartwarming and reassuring. Perhaps one day we will have grandchildren to spoil at Christmas.   For now we are thankful for the miracles around us.      Merry Christmas to all.  This will end my posts for a while, but I will be working on a series about C.S. Lewis (based on the online course I am taking from Hillsdale College) and oth...