It was magical, the plain and simple kind of magic. The kind a quiet evening can bestow. Just sitting there, tea in hand, cat beside, and the sky dripping a soft, steady drip. The light dripping grew faster for a moment, then subsided once more. A few seconds later, the fresh scent of mint wafted on the breeze, with that wonderful wet earth smell hard on its heels. Both were swallowed up as the rain again fell harder. Ebbing and flowing, the sound was nature's lullaby. Small bits of thunder and lightning would make their presence known here and there, but not enough to frighten.
Watching the rain splash upon the pavement was almost like watching a dance. A waltz turning into a swing, a quick spin out to be next met with a moment of quiet intimacy. The dancers spinning and swirling again, movement everywhere, building to a crescendo. At its peek, the dancers slow to a loving waltz again, catching their breath, enjoying each other's company.
It was an invitation to join the dance; I nearly did, but my unfinished mug held me back. The wind accepted the invitation, however, adding to the dance its orchestra music. Excited by this new development, the dancers quickened their pace. All thought of a quiet waltz was abandoned, as the the speed was ever increased.
Soon it was no longer a dance but a wild frenzy. The sight before me looked very much like our own personal Midwestern hurricane had come to spoil the dance. Thunder and lightning crashed and cracked, louder and more frequent than it had been before.
That, and my now-empty mug of tea, were my cues to go back inside, and off the front porch. The cat stayed where he was, and presently the rain stopped. The orchestra ceased their playing, and the dancers all went home. As the darkness of night fell upon their stage, they promised to come and dance again.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
The Marketplace of Free Ideas
"I have an opinion. It's a valid opinion too, because all opinions deserve equality in their acceptance. So I want you to listen to my opinion, accept it, and hey--I expect you to automatically love everything about it. What's that? You have an opinion you want to share with the Marketplace of Free ideas too? Great! Wait--your opinion is a traditional one that goes completely against my opinion? Then sit down and shut up. You're not allowed to have an opinion. We don't want to have any bigots or haters here."
I see scenarios like this happening day after day in our society. True, it's never stated as bluntly as that, but in essence, the above is what it boils down to. This argument has been used for centuries and for many different topics. One of the most current issues is that of an acceptance and embracing of a gay lifestyle.
I personally cannot support a LGBT life choice/style. I hold to a traditional view of marriage, one that has its roots in the Bible and a Christian faith in God. Plain and simple. That's how I view relationships. But a view like that is met with such hostility now. "It's people like you who would have us living in the Dark Ages! You're just full of hate, and you're teaching your children to be full of hate too!" That's the general response to a view like mine. The only reason this response holds any clout is because it works from a lot of misconceptions.
Misconception # 1: Tolerance. Society's acting definition of tolerance is that only the popular, mainstream ideas can be accepted and encouraged. Anything else has no place, and must be shut down immediately. True tolerance is recognizing differences, and working together peacefully despite those differences. It's like we tell our young children: You may not agree, but share/work together/play nicely anyway.
Misconception # 2: People ARE their actions. The two can't be separated. But we know that's not true. An occasional beer does not an alcoholic make. Nor is smoking or drug abuse necessarily life-long difficulties. A night owl may still have to wake up early for work. Bottom line--our actions are the results of our choices, and as such can be modified.
Misconception # 3: Faith is for those who lack reason. To say that there are no intelligent people who have a saving faith in Christ is ridiculous. I know a lot of smart people who not only believe in the message of the Bible but have also put in quite a few hours into the study of what they believe. Yes, sometimes it appears like science and the Bible are at odds, but science still has many unsolved mysteries to it. We really DON'T know everything.
There are other misconceptions involved, but many can be tied back to these three. And after (or sometimes even before) these misconceptions can be dealt with, someone always tries using the argument that claims truth is relative. "What's right for you isn't what's right for me." This argument, again ages old, is idiotic.
Nothing in this world actually works in a 'relative truth' fashion. For instance, the average workday goes from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and employers expect their employees to comply to that. Imagine this scenario: "Mr. Boss, sir, I know that you pay me to come in at 8:00 and work till 5:00, but I feel like that's just not right for me. So from now on, I'll come to work at noon and leave around 3:00. But you can still pay me the same." "Well, Mr. Employee, you are no longer required to come to work at all. You're fired."
No matter how one might wish to live in a world where truth is relative, one cannot get away from absolute truth in this world. (And for the record, there's no colonies of humans on other planets. That's still science fiction. Sorry.) We see absolute truth in how our society works, and even in how the earth itself functions. Math, for instance, is a major component of human life that is always absolute truth. Under relative truth, I could argue that all grass always appears pink. But science has told us that is impossible because of how the chloroplasts function in plant cells. So no matter how you slice and dice it, truth is always absolute.
My general point to all of this is to highlight how the Marketplace of Free Ideas has become a huge joke, and maybe provide a little insight as to what the problems are and how they can be fixed. Call me traditional and idealistic, but I'd like to see FREEDOM of speech restored to all before it's gone for good.
I see scenarios like this happening day after day in our society. True, it's never stated as bluntly as that, but in essence, the above is what it boils down to. This argument has been used for centuries and for many different topics. One of the most current issues is that of an acceptance and embracing of a gay lifestyle.
I personally cannot support a LGBT life choice/style. I hold to a traditional view of marriage, one that has its roots in the Bible and a Christian faith in God. Plain and simple. That's how I view relationships. But a view like that is met with such hostility now. "It's people like you who would have us living in the Dark Ages! You're just full of hate, and you're teaching your children to be full of hate too!" That's the general response to a view like mine. The only reason this response holds any clout is because it works from a lot of misconceptions.
Misconception # 1: Tolerance. Society's acting definition of tolerance is that only the popular, mainstream ideas can be accepted and encouraged. Anything else has no place, and must be shut down immediately. True tolerance is recognizing differences, and working together peacefully despite those differences. It's like we tell our young children: You may not agree, but share/work together/play nicely anyway.
Misconception # 2: People ARE their actions. The two can't be separated. But we know that's not true. An occasional beer does not an alcoholic make. Nor is smoking or drug abuse necessarily life-long difficulties. A night owl may still have to wake up early for work. Bottom line--our actions are the results of our choices, and as such can be modified.
Misconception # 3: Faith is for those who lack reason. To say that there are no intelligent people who have a saving faith in Christ is ridiculous. I know a lot of smart people who not only believe in the message of the Bible but have also put in quite a few hours into the study of what they believe. Yes, sometimes it appears like science and the Bible are at odds, but science still has many unsolved mysteries to it. We really DON'T know everything.
There are other misconceptions involved, but many can be tied back to these three. And after (or sometimes even before) these misconceptions can be dealt with, someone always tries using the argument that claims truth is relative. "What's right for you isn't what's right for me." This argument, again ages old, is idiotic.
Nothing in this world actually works in a 'relative truth' fashion. For instance, the average workday goes from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and employers expect their employees to comply to that. Imagine this scenario: "Mr. Boss, sir, I know that you pay me to come in at 8:00 and work till 5:00, but I feel like that's just not right for me. So from now on, I'll come to work at noon and leave around 3:00. But you can still pay me the same." "Well, Mr. Employee, you are no longer required to come to work at all. You're fired."
No matter how one might wish to live in a world where truth is relative, one cannot get away from absolute truth in this world. (And for the record, there's no colonies of humans on other planets. That's still science fiction. Sorry.) We see absolute truth in how our society works, and even in how the earth itself functions. Math, for instance, is a major component of human life that is always absolute truth. Under relative truth, I could argue that all grass always appears pink. But science has told us that is impossible because of how the chloroplasts function in plant cells. So no matter how you slice and dice it, truth is always absolute.
My general point to all of this is to highlight how the Marketplace of Free Ideas has become a huge joke, and maybe provide a little insight as to what the problems are and how they can be fixed. Call me traditional and idealistic, but I'd like to see FREEDOM of speech restored to all before it's gone for good.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
The Pain Family
There's a family that came to visit
Nay, they came to stay.
Their presence follows me around sometimes
Their touch invading the every day.
There's Father Pain, a big strong man, who carries a crushing weight.
Mother Pain, a quiet woman, who permeates everything with melancholy.
Then Child Pain, so young yet, who comes on hot and fast, energy spiking and fading quickly.
They come 'round one by one, sometimes in pairs, sometimes by their three.
Their presence is unwelcomed, but how can they be asked to leave?
How can these hospitable responsibilities be relieved?
They need another invitation, but not from this poor soul.
But that offer's already extended, I just need to let them go.
Nay, they came to stay.
Their presence follows me around sometimes
Their touch invading the every day.
There's Father Pain, a big strong man, who carries a crushing weight.
Mother Pain, a quiet woman, who permeates everything with melancholy.
Then Child Pain, so young yet, who comes on hot and fast, energy spiking and fading quickly.
They come 'round one by one, sometimes in pairs, sometimes by their three.
Their presence is unwelcomed, but how can they be asked to leave?
How can these hospitable responsibilities be relieved?
They need another invitation, but not from this poor soul.
But that offer's already extended, I just need to let them go.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Vacant
I've been thinking a lot lately about friendships lost. Here's the current results:
Vacant
You're dealing with a memory,
The friend you hug is not fully me.
The chains are loose, my heart's now free
To remember who you used to be.
I've let go, I've moved on
The bond we shared is no longer strong.
This plays out like a bad love song.
To stay the same just feels so wrong.
I've checked out, I can't wait forever.
Attached heartstrings I had to sever.
My endurance of the pain would last? Never.
My emotions just aren't that clever.
I'll still be around, I'll still care
But the friendship we had won't be there.
I'm not being mean, I try to be fair,
But now you'll know why when you don't find me there.
Vacant
You're dealing with a memory,
The friend you hug is not fully me.
The chains are loose, my heart's now free
To remember who you used to be.
I've let go, I've moved on
The bond we shared is no longer strong.
This plays out like a bad love song.
To stay the same just feels so wrong.
I've checked out, I can't wait forever.
Attached heartstrings I had to sever.
My endurance of the pain would last? Never.
My emotions just aren't that clever.
I'll still be around, I'll still care
But the friendship we had won't be there.
I'm not being mean, I try to be fair,
But now you'll know why when you don't find me there.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Balancing the Equation
Time together used to be golden but has since faded to a tarnish. Neglect has let the dust settle, hiding the beauty of what had been. Empty talk and promises do nothing to restore the shine. Will this friendship see its splendor once again? I don't know, but it takes two to make a pair.
This endeavor takes equal effort: tipped scales do not a balance make. Nor does a dry gas tank see the journey to its end. Likewise, a few gallons will see the journey cut short when the tank runs out. The question is Will you fill the tank before the journey is no longer there to take?
Do you remember it? That friendship, sitting there as it gathers dust? Will you let it fade away? Or will it see the light of day?
This endeavor takes equal effort: tipped scales do not a balance make. Nor does a dry gas tank see the journey to its end. Likewise, a few gallons will see the journey cut short when the tank runs out. The question is Will you fill the tank before the journey is no longer there to take?
Do you remember it? That friendship, sitting there as it gathers dust? Will you let it fade away? Or will it see the light of day?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Weird Waters
Weird waters we are wading now,
worries thick and fast.
Will the current wash us by?
Would footing stay at last?
When will we stand upon the shore?
Where is the solid ground?
Winds of change, you stir us up,
why muddle answers we have found?
We wonder if the river narrows,
wonder when it calms.
When worldly wisdom meets its end
we look then to the Psalms.
With waters deep and waters cold
we call upon the Lord.
Weird waters wash around us,
but HE is our Eternal Shore.
worries thick and fast.
Will the current wash us by?
Would footing stay at last?
When will we stand upon the shore?
Where is the solid ground?
Winds of change, you stir us up,
why muddle answers we have found?
We wonder if the river narrows,
wonder when it calms.
When worldly wisdom meets its end
we look then to the Psalms.
With waters deep and waters cold
we call upon the Lord.
Weird waters wash around us,
but HE is our Eternal Shore.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Beautiful
You are beautiful, like the morning light in a little girl's eyes. Your joy at life bubbling up, infecting those around you with its warm golden light, eradicating any trace of gloom. Your laugh is melodious, harmonizing with every good thing in the world. A sonnet couldn't do you justice, nor could Shakespeare himself capture your radiance. You are cut from a cloth whose artistry is unfathomable, and your love and faith do well to show the glory of your Maker. Yes you are beautiful, but the mere word is but a frail shadow of that which no tongue can describe.
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