Sharing a Journey

Update

2011-05-26T21:28:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who has followed this journey. The new one has begun, at another blog. If you're interested, please e-mail me using the link in my profile.

The journey continues, elsewhere

2010-07-24T12:17:00.003-05:00

This will, most likely, be my last post here. Ironically, a few posts previously, I mentioned my desire to continue blogging.

And I will, although not right away. There have been several transformations in my life this year; you can read about a couple of them at Chartreuse Ova's blog. The journey continues, and the destination is coming into sharper focus.

I've decided that I need to focus on getting my novel finished (and outline a few others). It would be great if I could spend all my time on this effort, but there's the minor issue of a day job, and additional consulting work so we can pay the bills and get our house in better shape for an eventual sale. I may start a new blog under my real name, focused on writing (and reading). The blog will be part of an overall effort to develop and promote my writing, once it gets to that stage. There will not be a link from this blog, to maintain some anonymity, but those of you who know me IRL will find it easily enough.

Meanwhile, my spiritual journey continues as well. There are many questions and not enough answers, but seeking the answers is the motivation for the journey.

Thank you to everyone who has shared this journey with me.

A tale of two books

2010-02-15T20:07:00.003-06:00

This month, I finished reading two very different books: The Amber Spyglass (the last book of the His Dark Materials trilogy) by Philip Pullman, and The Hole in Our Gospel, by Rich Stearns.

They were both very good books, although I must admit to enjoying The Amber Spyglass more :) I got to thinking about the contrast in how God and the Church (uppercase "C") are depicted in these books. In Pullman's trilogy, God is a feeble, decrepit "angel" who dissolves into nothingness eventually; the power of God on earth is largely felt through the mighty hand of the ruthless, tyrannical Church. God is "the Authority" and the role of the Church is to make believers conform to their doctrine.

Rich Stearns, currently the president of World Vision USA, sees God in the faces and lives of the world's poor. The Church, in his book, has become more of a social club focusing on the well-being and needs of its members (even ones that are well-intentioned).

Two very different images of God, and two very different images of flawed churches. I've known both kinds of churches, and I also know there are ones that strive to be what Jesus called his church to be.

What kind of church is yours?

Blogger catches up with WordPress--finally!

2010-02-11T20:37:00.002-06:00

While working on our corporate blog, I discovered that Blogger has finally added static pages--the number one requested feature for the past several years! Now I don't have to use a clunky workaround any more: witness the brand new "Pages" section of the sidebar. (Note to self: Need to update the Statement of Faith. May require more energy than is available at the moment.)

It doesn't take much to make me happy, does it?

Renewal

2010-02-08T20:23:00.002-06:00

No, it's not spring as yet. We're facing a big snowstorm tonight and tomorrow, though not as big as the recent one on the east coast. Although the darkness of winter is still very much upon us, the days continue to get longer. And I'm trying, once again, to revive this blog.

Although I've been reading blogs occasionally, I haven't felt like posting for a long while. There has been a lot of darkness in the past couple of months, spiritually and otherwise. I even thought about shutting down this blog altogether, as I did with another blog maintained by my IRL persona, so that I could focus on my (other) writing task: getting a very rough draft of a novel rewritten, polished, and ready for submission.

But I realized that I'd miss the virtual fellowship, which means a lot to me. Perhaps even more than some of my IRL fellowship. My spiritual journey continues, and so must this blog. I may not have a lot of time to post in a month or so, due to consulting work that will start up again, but I'm going to try.

On hope

2010-01-05T20:41:00.002-06:00

Sally writes:

Depression brings strange gifts with it though, I often find that my most creative thinking is done during a bout of depression, I have written things down and when I return to them later I am surprised to find they were written at a time when I felt at my blackest...
Perhaps that is quite simply because hope has never deserted me, even when all has seemed at its darkest and most impossible hope has not been extinguished, it may languish in the shadows, but it is there, and it will not let me go.

I've been thinking about this lately, about how faith sustains us even when we're deep in the clutches of depression and despair. Were it not for the dregs of my faith (my spiritual life has hit some low points lately as well), I don't know how I'd have handled the events that our family has had to deal with over the past couple of weeks.

I don't subscribe to the platitude that "God never gives you more than you can handle." For one thing, I don't think God spends his time plotting and scheming about which bomb he's going to drop next into our lives. The bombs fall as they may, without divine intervention.

What God does promise us is that there is hope, and healing. He didn't say it would be easy. But he's there all the same, helping us muddle through.

Thank you

2010-01-02T21:01:00.001-06:00

D and I would like to thank everyone who has expressed their support for us during this difficult time. Your words of sympathy and encouragement--on this blog, by e-mail, and in person--have helped us remember that we are not alone.

Farewell to F

2009-12-29T19:11:00.009-06:00

Today, we said goodbye to F.

As most of you know, he has been battling cancer for over a year. We owe his survival and quality of life to alternative treatment with artemisinin and Chinese herbs, and a modified diet. However, over the past few days, we noticed a general decline in his condition, and last night, he lost a lot of blood due to disruption of blood vessels by the tumor. He had also stopped showing any interest in his food, which was very unusual for him. We had to make a very difficult decision, but one that we felt would bring him the peace that he needed.

There is a huge hole in our family, one that can never be filled. Yet we are grateful for the time we shared with him, and the love that he gave us. Almost thirteen years of memories...

Farewell, F, and may you walk in peace.

There's a grand and glorious place where we'll meet Him face to face
In a happy land beyond the starry blue

Across the bridge, there's no more sorrow
Across the bridge, theres' no more pain
The Sun will shine across the river
And you'll never be unhappy again

(Jim Reeves, Across the Bridge)

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T21:02:00.003-06:00

From all of us in snowy Wisconsin, and these creatures who inhabit even colder climates!

(Can you tell that M is obsessed with a certain flightless bird?)

Snowed in

2009-12-09T15:36:00.005-06:00

We had 16 inches on the ground this morning, and a few more inches on the way. Just about everything is closed, including hospitals and the local U (which almost never closes).

The table on our deck makes a good snow gauge:

And here's the view from a window:

Winter has definitely arrived!

Celebration

2009-12-07T20:24:00.003-06:00

This Sunday, I got together with some fellow NaNoWriMo participants to celebrate the end of a crazy month. It was good to hear everyone's experiences, and there were even a couple of family members who attended. You know, the family members that had to put up with our absence (both physical and mental) for most of November.

I don't think I would have made it through the month without the support (or at least, the resigned semi-tolerance) of family. Of course, the best way for them to help was to leave me alone, something that wasn't always easy to do.

Thus, I discovered that writing in libraries (with an occasional trip to a coffee shop) was very productive. I even managed to write in the middle of a crowded, noisy mall (while waiting for an appointment at the Apple store). Toward the end, I also found that writing in a small group of people, all intent on reaching the same goal, was somehow more fun and more motivating than writing alone.

There is much, much more work ahead of me. There are plot holes to fix, entire sections to rewrite, dialogue to trim, action to add, research to be done, and settings to be described. Still, I've written more in the past month than I have in the previous 20 years. And it was fun, despite the frequent bouts of writer's block, characters intent on misbehaving, and horribly inconsistent plot that emerged.

I'm already looking forward to next November!

Ich bin ein wiener

2009-11-30T20:58:00.004-06:00

More to come, but this explains my absence in November:

Musical Monday: Seasons

2009-09-21T20:22:00.002-05:00

Today is the last day of summer. In Wisconsin, summer is generally not my favorite season--it's hot, muggy, and filled with mosquitoes. We lucked out a little bit on the temperature this summer, but the mosquitoes were worse than ever. And so, I look forward to crisp fall temperatures, and leaves that will (hopefully) balance out our compost.

My faith journey has been progressing through seasons as well. We are still members of a United Methodist church, but theologically, it's hard to place my beliefs into any existing church framework...maybe somewhere between United Methodist and Unitarian Universalist. UUUMe? More on this to come.

Musically, changing seasons remind me of a masterpiece by a little-known folk rock band called Magna Carta. It's hard to find a single clip that does the album justice, so here is one from another album instead:

Thanksgiving

2009-09-17T20:34:00.005-05:00

It has been exactly 1 year since F's initial diagnosis of cancer. We're thankful that he is still with us, in good spirits on most days, and has a very healthy appetite. There were a couple of times when we weren't sure if he would make it, but prayer and his will to keep going made the difference. We are continuing holistic treatment, and his vet has been amazed at his progress.

I don't know how many more days, weeks, or months we have with him, but we will treasure this gift of life. Thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement.

This picture was taken several years ago, in his more active days. He's slowed down a little since then, but that happy grin hasn't changed!

Musical Monday: Of nothing in particular

2009-08-31T20:22:00.002-05:00

My busy week extended somewhat longer than I had planned. There are many things I wanted to write about, but I'm not particularly inspired at the moment. Instead, here is one of the songs that helps at times like these:

Celebration

2009-08-16T20:39:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, we celebrated India's Independence Day by watching a movie, Chak De! India. It was a great movie if you like sports-themed movies, and is definitely worth watching even if you don't. Although not about the struggle for independence that culminated in the events of August 15, 1947, it deals with the very real aftermath--prejudice and bigotry that still exists in India today (and in many other countries around the world).

This is going to be a busy week, but I'll eventually get back to a more consistent blogging schedule (I hope!).

Musical Monday: Celebrating life

2009-08-10T20:58:00.004-05:00

This weekend, D and I celebrated 16 years of marriage. I was also at a celebration of a different kind, for a life that touched many others. Bitterroot was remembered by family and friends, and what struck me most of all was that she lived more in her 62 years than many of us will do in several lifetimes, if we had them.

Today I found out that another friend had recently said goodbye to her canine companion. And then I read Songbird's post, remembering Molly. There are a lot of mixed emotions when someone we love leaves us. But I'm trying to remember the good times. And so, here is a song that we sang at Bitterroot's memorial service, one that she would have found especially appropriate.

Another update on F

2009-08-05T20:52:00.002-05:00

I've been meaning to post about more profound topics (ha!) but somehow the week has gotten away from me. F was back at the vet today, with his "good" eye swollen shut. We discussed how well he (F, not the vet) was looking, considering he's coming up on a year since his cancer diagnosis, and was given 3-6 months at most, even with radiation and chemo (which we opted not to do).

It turns out that the swelling is due to an infection, not an outgrowth of the tumor, so we'll see how he does on antibiotics. He's still in a lot of discomfort but I hope that will improve as the swelling subsides. Meanwhile, we're still fighting the cancer with artemisinin. It's a slow process, but it's a lot gentler on his system than the alternative.

Set free

2009-08-01T19:04:00.002-05:00

My friend Bitterroot died Thursday morning, surrounded by her family. She was, at various times in my life, an employer, a mentor, an inspiration--and always, a friend. Thanks to her efforts, millions of people around the world with kidney disease have a better quality of life, and are living longer. I was privileged to be a small part of that effort, but what I will remember even more is the timeless beauty captured in the photographs on her blog. She was able to find meaning and wonder in the fallen leaves, the tiniest flower, the rays of sunshine bursting through the clouds after a storm.

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind
and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath
from its restless tides, that it may rise
and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence
shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top,
then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs,
then shall you truly dance.

--Kahlil Gibran

Theological evolution

2009-07-29T21:10:00.004-05:00

I had lunch today with the pastor of our previous church, and enjoyed the discussion, as always. Among other things, I explained how my theology has been evolving (or is it devolving?) over the past 6 months or so.

I'll expand on this theme over a few posts, but the more I examine my beliefs, the more I realize that none of us has all the answers. I think that God is much, much bigger than any human mind can comprehend, and that we're not unlike the old tale of the blind men and the elephant. Some of us can feel a trunk; others, an ear; and still others, a tail. Each religion/belief system (including atheism) has its own idea of what God should or shouldn't look like. Although we've got things partially right, all of us are wrong when it comes to the big picture.

And incredibly, this realization has made my relationship with God grow closer, in a strange, inexplicable way. Many of you probably know what I mean. You've been there.

Closer to normal

2009-07-26T19:50:00.003-05:00

My consulting project will be done tomorrow, after substantially exceeding the timeline and budget projected. Life is slowly returning to what passes for normal, and that means I am easing myself back into Blogdom.

All members of the household are present and accounted for, including one of the canine persuasion. He still has a lesion on his face, but overall is doing well and is in good spirits.

Although much has happened on my journey over the past few months, I'll save that for future posts. Today, I'm going to catch up with what everyone else has been doing. It's good to be back!

Bird rescue

2009-06-20T20:11:00.007-05:00

My project is dragging on (now estimated to end mid-July). Too bad I'm not getting paid by the hour. Meanwhile, our house and car have both voiced their demands for very expensive fixes (so it's good to have extra work).

In the middle of the insanity, we had a welcome break. It's little things like this that help regain our focus. Read on...

Mama and Papa had been building our house for a while, they say, before we hatched. They found this land, real cheeeep, in a fancy 'hood. Me and my sibs thought it was a little shaky, 'specially after we had been bouncing around for a while. A few times, we woke up in the morning and found we had moved over a bit...not sure how that happened.

Then one night, there was a big storm...lots of boom-booms and scary light. Our house came crashing down, and it scared the poop out of us. Sadly, one of my sibs didn't make it....we never saw him again.

Then this great big monster came along and scooped us up. He dumped us into this new, trailer-trash house. Mama wasn't real sure about it at first (kept grumbling about FEMA), but then she and Papa said it was okay, and it would have to do. Once in a while, we take a dive off the edge, and the great big monster will scoop us up again. Somehow, we end up back home.

If that wasn't enough, the great big monster came by again with a big shiny thing that made a bright light. Fortunately, I was able to hide.

I wonder when we get outta here?

Coming up for air

2009-05-19T20:50:00.003-05:00

My project work is dragging on longer than anticipated, but there's a brief break this week. It should now be done by the middle of June. I miss my blogging--both the reading and writing, and the online community. I hope to catch up with reading, at least, over the next few days.

F is doing well these days...still affectionately known as "Mr. Lumpy Head" but he's generally in good spirits. We're continuing treatment with artemisinin but have eliminated some of the other Chinese herbs for now.

I'm looking forward to June--not for the weather, but for a return to a slightly slower pace of life (I hope).

Easter blessings

2009-04-12T15:15:00.002-05:00

As mentioned in my previous post, I won't return to a "normal" blogging routine until the end of April, when my work schedule should ease up a bit. However, I wanted to take a moment today to thank everyone who has been thinking of us and praying for F.

F is still hanging in there; we take two steps forward and one step back. The treatment continues to break down the tumor, but we have to cycle through on and off days, due to the bleeding and other adverse effects. It's a difficult tumor to treat, as the breakdown results in a lot of fluid buildup, which is very uncomfortable for him. We're working with various combinations of Chinese herbal regimens, as well as artemisinin, and standard Western pain relievers. On good days, he's almost his old self, just slower. We hope to have more of the good days and less of the bad.

Once again, thanks for the comments, prayers, and kind thoughts. May your Easter be filled with blessings and peace.

Update

2009-03-15T19:31:00.004-05:00

Coming up for air...

Over the past month or so, two events have collided, requiring that I take a break from various "extracurricular" activities, including blogging. No, I'm not giving it up for Lent.

One of my consulting clients, with whom I have worked for over 10 years, asked me to work on two editing projects whose timelines happened to overlap considerably. Although my plan for consulting work had been to outsource most of it, there's still a lot I have to do myself on these particular projects. So, after my "day job" shift ends, I've been working nights and weekends to get the consulting work done. I'm very grateful for this work, especially in this economic environment. I feel blessed to have it, when several people I know are without jobs. Also, our expenses have been rising lately, as a result of #2 below, so the extra cash is welcome.
F, who was diagnosed with cancer 6 months ago, is hanging in there. I'm pretty sure he would not have been here had we embarked on a conventional therapeutic route of radiation and chemotherapy. However, he has been bleeding out from a lesion a lot more frequently (on bad days, every couple of hours), and copiously. I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say this has been somewhat stressful, both for him and for us. Today, we finally decided to get him an E-collar to prevent him rubbing/scratching the lesion. He's not particularly happy about being a conehead, but we hope it will help.

I will probably remain on a break until things calm down. Please keep all of us in your prayers.

Musical Monday: Dreaming

2009-02-16T21:30:00.003-06:00

I'm a big fan of Star Trek (especially The Next Generation). There are many aspects of humanity's evolution portrayed on the show that are appealing, such as the elimination of the need to work for a living, a monetary system, and poverty along with it.

Yet there's one human characteristic that hasn't changed: man's need to destroy and kill his own and other species. The Bible paints a pretty grim picture of this too; it seems we are destined to continue fighting each other until the world ends. At the moment, I share this view.

What do you think? Will Simon and Garfunkel's dream be realized, some day far into the future?

Happy 200, Mr. Darwin

2009-02-12T18:36:00.003-06:00

I had decided to take a blogging break, due to a consulting project that will be occupying the majority of my nights and weekends. However, this day merits a post. I'm too ~~lazy~~ busy to join in the Blog for Darwin event, but encourage others to do so :)

Today marks 200 years since the birth of Charles Darwin. It is also the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. Two very different men, yet each had to overcome a great deal of prejudice and opposition to do what he believed was right.

I'd like to think we've evolved over the past 200 years. In some ways, we have. As an opinion column today suggested:

Maybe because Madison is a place less torn by the old divides between religion and science, there is an opportunity here for the kinds of dialogues between these two worlds that will enable religious leaders and scientists to find ways to make common cause on some of the most pressing issues of our time...

Yet, judging by the comments on another article, intolerance and prejudice is alive and well today. The antitheists (not atheists) and Biblical literalists are still battling in this centuries-old war.

We still have a long way to go.

Drake revisited

2009-02-05T21:00:00.003-06:00

The Drake equation has made a significant impact in popular science, thanks largely to Carl Sagan. It attempts to predict the number of planets in the Universe that are capable of supporting intelligent life and with whom we might be able to communicate. Although it's a mathematical formula, the variables involved have wide ranges. Thus, the equation has been used both by exobiologists who believe alien life is plentiful (as I do) and by creationists who assert we are alone in the Universe.

Now, an interesting mathematical simulation has been used to make that number more quantifiable for our own galaxy, putting the number between 361 and 38,000. My own nonscientific hypothesis, in support of those numbers, is that God is a pretty smart entity; if he bothered with creating the Universe in the first place, why would he waste all that space?

Musical Monday: Movie time

2009-02-02T20:01:00.002-06:00

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(Mt 18:2-4)

Yesterday, M decided to organize an "alternative Superbowl event," part of which involved watching a movie that she picked out at the library. As it turned out, the movie didn't hold her attention completely, but D and I enjoyed it. It had a depth of meaning that went beyond a kid's movie, yet there was a simple message. Oddly enough, it also strengthened my resolve to write fiction for young adults, which is a completely new genre for me. I have the beginnings of a novel in my head. I still have to find the time to do it, but I'm not giving up (yet).

If you haven't seen the movie as yet, definitely check it out.

Interview

2009-01-31T20:25:00.002-06:00

Christine at Quiet Paths interviewed me recently. If you would like to be interviewed, let me know in the comments, and I'll pass the favor along.

You spent a good deal of your earlier years in India. What do you miss the most about this amazing part of the planet?
The food, and cricket. Unfortunately, I can't eat most of the food now (dairy allergies) but can cook some of it when I get the time. It's just not the same, though. And, of course, live cricket coverage is hard to come by, unless you have satellite service (and then only in some markets).

Do you speak another language and if so what is it?
In school, I had to learn Hindi (spoken in many parts of India) as well as the state language, Marathi. I didn't really like learning either one. Later on, I studied French and enjoyed that. I can speak enough Hindi to get by, but have lost a lot of the vocabulary through lack of use over the years.

What are the five writings you have read in the last 3 years which have spoken to you most?
This is a tough one...going from memory. As you can see, my reading has largely been fiction of late. Not profound, but often inspiring to me as a writer-wannabe.

The Harry Potter series by J K Rowling
A Suitable Boy, by Vikram Seth
The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson
Nemesis, by Isaac Asimov

What three genres of music do you listen to the most each week?
The Christian radio station is always on in the car, so that would be the first. I have a fondness for rock, not just "classic" rock but music that breaks down boundaries. And lastly, I enjoy the nostalgia of 70s and 80s pop (back when there was actually such a thing as good pop music!).

Where is your favorite place to go in the summer and what do you do there?
This is an easy one, because we don't go anywhere for the summer :) So my answer would probably be, "anywhere with air-conditioning"!

Happy silver anniversary!

2009-01-24T01:00:00.001-06:00

Twenty-five years ago, the Macintosh was born. It changed lives then, and it is still the world's best computing platform today. The world was introduced to the Mac through this commercial, which itself is a cultural icon.

There will be no special Macintosh model released to mark the occasion, as there was for the twentieth anniversary. Perhaps it's an indication of how Apple and the Mac have evolved, gaining market- and mind-share along the way. Read more...

Blogging award

2009-01-22T19:46:00.003-06:00

Stratoz very kindly awarded me a "Friends Award" and it's my turn to share the bounty. Here is the citation:

"The Friends Award isn't about being the most popular blogger or having the most read blog. It is just because you consider the author a friend. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Always the nonconformist, I will break the rules by not nominating eight other blogs. If you're among the nominees, feel free to participate, or not, as you choose.

The blogger who encouraged me to create my own blogging space, and whose blog continues to inspire and refresh. She also happens to be a friend IRL (in real life): Bitterroot and Bergamot.
The blog that reminds me that the Holy Spirit is alive and well, and continues to work in our lives, even though I no longer belong to a Pentecostal church: Singing Owl.
This blog makes me laugh, when I most need to: Presbyterian Gal.
Another friend IRL, who shares some of my geek traits, and love of writing: LJ.
A place of inspiring photography, prose, and poetry: Quiet Paths.
A friend who has encouraged me from the early days of blogging, by continuing to visit and comment: mompriest.
And of course, I would be in serious trouble if I omitted this one: Chartreuse Ova.

Update from ONE

2009-01-20T22:03:00.002-06:00

Musical Monday: One person at a time

2009-01-19T20:41:00.004-06:00

Much has been written about today, and much more will be written tomorrow. I'll keep my thoughts brief.

I used to think that one person could not make a difference in the world, for better or worse. Strictly speaking, that's true: it's impossible for one person to change anything, without his or her actions touching and inspiring others. Each person who has changed the world also acknowledges the efforts of others who have gone before, blazing a trail.

Today we celebrate the birthday of one man whose vision inspired generations, and who gave his life in the process of ensuring that his children and grandchildren could look forward to a better world.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

We still have much to do, but tomorrow we will recognize that, as a nation, there is at last a majority who believes in that dream.

In contrast...

2009-01-15T20:01:00.003-06:00

...to my last post, good things happen where you least expect them. The president who has done the most for marine conservation is:

George W. Bush

I guess it's never too late.

We are a country...

2009-01-15T19:29:00.004-06:00

...of sleazeballs. Slimebuckets, too:

Apple could face lawsuits over Jobs' health

Just leave the guy alone, and let him focus on his health. Which, by the way, is no concern of anyone else, shareholder or otherwise. As one commenter said:

Only in America could such ridiculous things occur. Do you find it both a little strange and EXTREMELY obscene that there are people ready to sue Jobs and Apple over what has been quite reasonable disclosure of his poor health, while at the same time no one seems to be pushing to sue Bernanke, Paulsen, Bush, Madoff, Huld and the other criminals who are still bankrupting America and destroying the world economy? I don't see anyone suing Wagoner and GM, Ford, Chrysler etc. Why are we even talking about this non-issue?

Musical Monday: Seeking the light

2009-01-12T01:00:00.000-06:00

It has already been a long winter, with record-breaking snowfall last month. We missed getting to church the last few Sundays, thanks to the weather.

Yesterday, our church began a new series on "Christianity's family tree," which covers some of the history and traditions of various church denominations. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series, but just being there with a group of people in worship was uplifting. Although I enjoy quiet times of prayer, and solitude, there is something about worship in community that feeds the soul. I could write more, but will let the light shine through this song.

Of hedgehogs and passion

2009-01-07T19:24:00.006-06:00

At my boss' urging, I've been reading Good to Great by Jim Collins. It's an interesting book, although I'm not sold on all of it as yet.

One chapter in particular stood out, called the Hedgehog Concept, and it's appeared in numerous other books (although in different form). In a nutshell, the key is determining the intersection of the answers to three questions:

It's a challenging process to go through as a company, but it's equally applicable at a personal level, or even at the church level. The only problem is that I'm having a difficult time finding something that I'm truly passionate about. (Maybe I need a vacation, or a brain transplant.) So I started thinking, "Can I find three things I would do if I didn't have to worry about earning a living?"

The answers surprised me a little:

3. Travel and write (not necessarily about what I experienced while traveling).
2. Not travel, and write.
1. Work for free at the local Apple Store.

I guess #1 requires some explanation. I have been a Mac evangelist for some time now, and have discovered that there's nothing I enjoy more than helping other people discover what I have known for many years: Apple makes the best computers on the planet (and cell phones, and music players). No other company even comes close to the superlative integration of software and hardware that Apple manages to pull off so effortlessly. I'm not a salesperson by any means, but when I am absolutely convinced of something, it doesn't take much work to convince someone else.

I'm not sure how this lines up with what God is calling me to do with my life, though. Maybe I need to add a fourth circle to that diagram...

Edit: Saw this on Michelle's blog, and thought it was perfect timing. So much for that PhD in molecular biology...

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher.

You'd make a talented professor or writer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Looking back, looking forward

2008-12-31T16:52:00.002-06:00

This is the time of year when magazines, websites, and TV shows typically sum up the events of the year gone by. One of my favorite lunchtime reads, Science magazine, presented its list of the top 10 breakthroughs for 2008. The articles require a subscription, so I can't post links here, but the top two stood out for me (and for the editor as well).

#1 was the codiscovery (by scientists in Japan and here at the University of Wisconsin) of the technique for inducing adult human skin cells to step back through time and become stem cells, so-called "induced pluripotent stem cells" or iPS cells. Although I tend to be a little skeptical of the hype surrounding stem-cell research in general, this breakthrough stands out not just because it avoids using embryonic stem cells. It, in theory, opens the door to patient-specific treatment of genetic diseases using stem cells. Much work needs to be done, however, since the process is much less efficient than working with embryonic stem cells.

#2 was the first visual detection (as opposed to previous indirect methods) of planets orbiting stars outside our own solar system. Over 300 "exoplanets" are known to exist, based on various physical measurements that typically measure the effect the planet has on its parent star, but seeing is believing in this case.

Editor Bruce Alberts, commenting on the Top 10 list, says, "A planet 100 light years away is about 10^15 km from Earth, and a cell spans only about 10^-5 meter. Thus, our top two breakthroughs of the year represent a difference of about 10^23 in scale, a breathtaking illustration of the tremendous reach of science."

To that I would add, "and the incredible power and vision of the Creator." I've seen this theme constantly repeated in my own scientific interests, which center on astronomy, cosmology, and molecular biology. Maybe it's also significant that the number Alberts mentioned (10^23) is the same order of magnitude as one of the fundamental constants in chemistry (my former profession): Avogadro's number. Let the numerologists run wild!

On that note, have a very happy New Year! (Yes, I happen to like Abba--it adds to my geekiness quotient).

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T01:00:00.002-06:00

In lieu of anything profound or meditative (like that ever happens on this blog), I offer the following:

(Sung to the tune of Happy Birthday)

Merry Christmas to you
from four-legs and two.
May the peace of the Christ child
and joy be yours, too.

Merry Christmas to you.
May your life start anew
with the hope of the Savior.
Merry Christmas to you!

Snow ho ho!

2008-12-24T15:02:00.003-06:00

In the past week, we've had back-to-back-to-back-to-back snowstorms. We've already broken December's record for snow totals (set last year), and more is on the way. So, this Christmas Eve will find us home, and warm. Well, most of us, anyway:

Shades of gray

2008-12-20T13:37:00.003-06:00

I recently heard a syndicated sound-bite on the local Christian radio station, proclaiming that "tolerance" was a bad word (along with secularism, but that's a topic for another post). Every year, it seems that a season that's supposed to bring peace and joy also ends up sharply dividing us.

Growing up, I celebrated Christmas, as did my Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Parsi friends, even though the holiday obviously had different meanings for each group. In the same way, we celebrated Diwali, Eid, and other non-Christian holidays at our Jesuit school. Today, I would not be offended if someone wished me a happy Kwanzaa any more than I would expect someone to take offense if I wished him or her a merry Christmas. There is such a thing as too much political correctness!

On the subject of religious tolerance, I discovered an interesting website recently. This group of diverse individuals has banded together because they recognize that religion has the power to unite as well as destroy. In their words:

Religion has the capability to generate unselfish love in some people, and vicious, raw hatred in others. The trick is to somehow change religions so that they maximize the former and minimize the latter. This is not a simple task, because most faith groups are extremely resistant to change. The key is religious tolerance.

...We are a multi-faith agency of five volunteers in the U.S. and Canada who follow five different religious beliefs (Agnosticism, Atheism, Christianity, Wicca, and Zen Buddhism). Our group is not affiliated with any other religious organization...

...we do have some beliefs in common:
We view almost all religions as having an overall positive effect on society.
We view most or all religions as having a dark side. They have taken actions which have harmed individuals in the past. Similar actions continue today, and will probably exist into the foreseeable future.
We share a desire that our American and Canadian cultures continue to work towards achieving true "liberty and justice for all."

I think we need more groups like this. I know a few atheists and agnostics, Hindus, Muslims, and maybe a Wiccan. I could probably recruit a Parsi and Buddhist if I tried. Anyone else care to join me?

The end of an era

2008-12-16T20:53:00.006-06:00

There was one event that always set the tone for the rest of the year, at least as far as technology was concerned: MacWorld Expo in January. Years ago, the keynote address was broadcast live to millions around the world; I would do whatever I could to view the event as it was happening. Then Apple stopped the live feed and instead made a video available on their website later in the day. By that time, of course, it was old news: sort of like watching the Superbowl on tape after you knew the outcome.

I had hoped, one day, to scrounge up the cash to attend MacWorld Expo in person, and to hear Steve Jobs deliver the keynote address in person. Sadly, this will never happen now.

Will MacWorld Expo survive without Apple? It may, but it will be a very different event. It will have to change in several ways to continue attracting vendors and geeks like myself.

The king is dead. Long live the king!

Musical Monday: Making exceptions

2008-12-15T19:49:00.004-06:00

This may surprise some of my regular readers, given my somewhat eclectic musical tastes, but I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas music. I don't want to hear about grandmas and reindeer-induced accidents, nor do I care who mommy was kissing. I'm not even particularly fond of bells ringing, sleigh rides, or winter wonderlands.

I do like a few "secular" songs, however (like Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas, one of my favorites). What I don't like is "modern" remakes of classic Christmas music. Or so I thought, until I heard Barlow Girl:

To every rule, there's at least one exception.

Christmas traditions

2008-12-14T20:43:00.003-06:00

Christmas growing up was very different from what it is today. Part of it was due to being in a different cultural environment, and also being in a time when it was more about family gatherings and less about holiday shopping. However, very few of the Christmas traditions have survived my being transplanted into a different culture.

So we've started some "new traditions" over the years. This is one which we enjoy as a family, and M has come to appreciate that Christmas is not just about receiving presents. For some people, it simply means having a warm place to sleep at night.

Poetry party: Illumination

2008-12-10T21:00:00.003-06:00

It's been a while since I've participated in Christine's poetry party:

Mohandas

Red sky at night
must mean that
I left my rose-colored
glasses on again.

Red sky in morning
burns my eyes.
Close the blinds
and let me sleep
some more.

But then, I'm
awakened
by a voice:
You must be
the light
you want to see
in the world.

Old man
you knew a few
things about light.
Darkness
still reigns
in the country
you loved.
Show us how
to banish it
forever.

Nonmusical Monday

2008-12-01T19:20:00.002-06:00

Today, the music is silent. Instead, there is grief, anger, doubt, and maybe just a flicker of hope. I have to cling to that hope.

In Memory

You were the gleam and glitter
of the Jewel in the Crown.
Yet your beauty had flaws,
your contrasts were stark.
Poverty and affluence
forever entwined.
We loved you anyway.

You were raped and beaten,
left to die by soulless machines.
The Queen's necklace ripped apart,
its pearls lie scattered and
turned to red. Life
drained into the sewers.
We loved you anyway.

Now your body lies
on the funeral pyre. Wood
and flesh crackle. Flames rise higher,
fanned by vengeance:
blood for blood. Yet one child
stops to light a candle.
We love you still.

(Thanks to Deepa Krishnan for inspiring this poem.)

Mixed emotions

2008-11-27T21:30:00.003-06:00

Today is a day for giving thanks, for appreciating how much God has blessed us. Over the past 12 months, we have indeed been blessed in many ways.

My thoughts and prayers, however, are in another part of the world: one that is far away but very close. I feel anger, sadness, and I'm struggling with the usual questions. After I read a fellow blogger's post, I was reminded how God calls us, even through dark times:

At the moment I am more angry than anything else at the loss of life and damage to buildings that are familiar and dear to me.

When I step back and think about it, at the reports of daily violence from every corner of the globe, it seems to me that the world is becoming a dark place indeed. My message to myself is simple - the darker it gets, the more candles I will light.

There is much meaningful good I can do and much help I can bring to people in need. Perhaps it will balance out the evil. That sounds very corny, but I believe it is the only way. How else can you and I change the world?

Thanks, Deepa, for the reminder.

Musical Monday: Drought

2008-11-17T21:06:00.004-06:00

At a recent small group discussion, we discovered a common bond: all (three) of us felt a growing distance from God over the past few months. Yet, as the leader said, "I know the distance has increased. The thing is, God hasn't moved."

In my case, the gulf has widened largely due to various life- and work-related changes that seemed to all run together for a while. One of the casualties of this was my regular Bible reading.

It may sound odd for a nonliteralist like myself to place such importance on regular Bible reading. More often than not, when I read the Bible, I find myself taking issue with what is written, or delving into the history of how it was written. Yet it's more than just a discipline; I found that it helped strengthen my often-tenuous connection with the One who inspired the words. Too often, after being pressed for time, I decided to leave it for the last thing in my day. Well, guess what happened then?

So now, I've found a new way to get back into the discipline (and, hopefully, to strengthen the connection once again). I use an electronic Bible on my iPhone, and read during my lunch break at work. So far, it's been working. Baby steps...

...and speaking of baby steps, here is one of my favorite songs. I realize I've posted this once before, but I never grow tired of it.

Like Keith Green, Rich Mullins' time on this earth was too short. Maybe God needed another talented musician in heaven. But Rich was about more than the music, and he left a powerful legacy. Here's an excerpt from one of his concerts that's worth watching (approximately 9 minutes):

Birthday gift

2008-11-15T20:27:00.004-06:00

D and I don't make a big deal about birthdays anymore. Mine was yesterday...an uneventful day, except for the birthday presents:

a wheelbarrow (with about 500 parts that had to be assembled)...

and 8 cubic yards of topsoil in the driveway.

It's a long story.

Musical Monday: In remembrance

2008-11-10T20:23:00.003-06:00

For tomorrow: some messages are best conveyed by closing your eyes and letting the music wash over you. Or, in this case, by a blank screen. The battles change, but humanity remains the same.

Which Simpsons character are you?

2008-11-09T21:33:00.002-06:00

I guess you never know yourself as well as an online quiz does!

I'm Krusty, who are you? by NoHomers.net

A new era?

2008-11-05T19:56:00.004-06:00

I went into work today feeling better about this country than I have felt in the last 8 years. I discovered I was not alone.

There's a lot to be done, and once the euphoria wears off, President-elect Obama will have to deal with the mess that he inherits. As a BBC News report says,

"Mr Obama has made history by winning power. As he attempts to make history in the way he exercises it, he will be weighed down by high expectations. He is going to need all the many gifts--and all the luck --that got him here."

And, I might add, a few prayers.

There is, as expected, a lot of bickering online from both sides of the fence. However, it's heartening to note that a few people can rise above partisanship when it comes to expressing their opinions. Here's a comment posted in one of the local newspaper forums:

Congratulations to our new President elect -- while I did not vote for you - I hope for the best. I trust in you to reach out to the many who did not vote for you like myself and work for changes that we can all unite behind -- it can be done. There is ample opportunity to reform government and bring efficiencies forward that will allow you to help those who need help the most and with a goal to make as many as possible self sufficient and independent and at the same time bring it within a balanced budget and allow us to reduce its size relative to the rest of the economy which hopefully will remain a free market and private sector driven economy. We can strengthen and not limit personal freedoms and liberties (i.e. please don't try and impose the 'Fairness Doctrine' upon our airwaves and other free speech media). We can and must remain a strong nation -- ready to defend our freedoms and democracy and be willing to extend our strengths and offer protection when necessary to others who seek the same freedoms and liberty and protect the weak from those that would seek to enslave and take those freedoms away.

I know........sounds a bit too optimistic....but then that's just me........Once again, congratulations Mr. Obama -- my new President elect - may you govern wisely.

With more opponents like that, I believe change can indeed come to Washington.

Edit: What, no music?

This song inspired me when I came here 22 years ago. Today, once again, I feel like singing.

Recap

2008-11-02T20:27:00.002-06:00

Last week was filled with activity both at home at around the world, and I didn't get much time for blogging. In the style of the ubiquitous "word clouds," here's a quick recap:

back to work eye exam new snowblower Halloween potato chips infomercials earthquake in Pakistan terrorist bombs in Assam children's church World Series ends editing project time change small groups seven-course dog meals happy dog fighting cancer praying for healing

Musical Monday: Sameness in diversity

2008-10-27T20:53:00.002-05:00

With just a week to go, the political ads are gearing up. In general, political ads tend to point out the ways we are different, and to capitalize on those differences. Messages of fear tend to ring louder than those of hope.

Perhaps it's a good time for a reminder that we do have a common thread that binds us.

The future according to Focus on the Family

2008-10-24T21:00:00.002-05:00

I thought I was done with political posts...

Although I disagree with James Dobson's political views on most issues, I had a smattering of respect for his opinions on some family and child psychology issues. I honestly believed that would carry over into the organizations he has founded.

Well, no more. In case you doubt the veracity of the news story, you can read the original letter for yourself on the Focus on the Family Action website.

Friday Five: Location, location, location

2008-10-24T08:16:00.004-05:00

Since I'm on "stay-cation" this week, I actually get to play the RevGals' Friday Five...it's been a while. Appropriately enough, it's about locations:

My husband has lived at 64 addresses in his life so far (16 with me) and he suggested the topic since we have moving trucks on our minds. Therefore, tell us about the five favorite places you have lived in your lifetime. What did you like? What kind of place was it? Anything special happen there?

If you have lived in less than five places, you can tell us a about fantasy location.

Let's see...so far, I have lived in Bombay, India; Boston, MA; West Lafayette/Lafayette, IN; and just outside of Madison, WI. Although I've visited several other cities, towns, and villages, I can't claim them as home.

Bombay: Liked the big city and closeness of family. Hated the crowds, pollution, noise, and hot weather 11.5 months of the year.
Boston: Big-city feel in a small city. Lots of stuff to do. Red Sox and Fenway! Expensive as heck.
West Lafayette: College town with 12 bars. Lafayette: Small town across tracks from college town, rednecks, and Axl Rose.
Madison: Similar to Boston but not as expensive, influenced heavily by the progressive movement, and home for now.
Fantasy location: Smallish cottage or log home in the woods, with a big room with floor-to-ceiling windows, where I can write undisturbed, and not have to worry about this stuff that brings in paychecks.

Edit: Having some problems with Blogger and pictures, so I'll turn it into a game. Here are pictures of four locations, and you can guess which is which:

Another update on F

2008-10-23T21:11:00.002-05:00

As some of you know, our dog F is battling cancer. He has been responding to the Chinese herbal formulas prescribed by his vet, as well as a supplement we researched. The challenge is that, as the tumor cells lyse, fluid builds up and we have to back off the treatment so his system can recover. Two steps forward, one step back.

Yesterday, he had a scheduled appointment at the vet, to check out a lesion on his face. As I got out of the car and walked him over to the vet, I noticed his nose was bleeding. Pretty soon, there was a steady flow of blood, and as much as the vet assistants tried, they couldn't stop the bleeding. We eventually got him into an exam room (so they could clean up the floor) but the bleeding continued and another vet who came in to see him said things were not looking good: I was faced with a choice of taking him to the emergency clinic or euthanasia. I couldn't do much else except pray and wait.

By the time his (holistic) vet arrived, the bleeding had slowed, and after she inserted a couple of acupuncture needles, it stopped. A couple of hours later, we were back home in time to let D into the house (she and M had just arrived home from a road trip and she had locked herself out).

F is doing better today. In the vet's opinion, the bleeding was caused either by the tumor breaking through a blood vessel, or by the tumor breaking up. We are continuing with the herbal treatment, and we continue to pray and hope.

A couple of nights previously, I was introduced to the practice of lectio divina. The leader read a passage from Romans, and the three phrases that stuck with me were:

Hold tight to everything that is good.

Never give up.

Let your hope make you glad.

Musical Monday (belated): I may be ageist

2008-10-21T16:20:00.003-05:00

I hadn't really planned on a series of political posts, it just turned out that way...

There are some fundamental differences between McCain and Obama on issues like health care and taxes. However, for me, there is also a difference that can't quite be defined. When I listen to McCain, I hear an old, tired man with old, tired ideas. In contrast, Obama seems to have energy, enthusiasm, and maybe, just a little bit of genuine hope. (Note: I'm not saying that will translate into how each of them will serve as president, it's just the impression I get of their personalities.)

So, does age make a difference? Early in the nomination process, I voiced my support for a candidate who was even older than McCain, but who had ideas that resonated with me. I think age can be a handicap, but only if you allow it to become one.

Finally, another example. Here's a guy whose talent inspired me as a kid, and here's the reason why he's still doing it at age 67 (with maybe a little less punch, but he can still sing better than I):

Comedy hour

2008-10-18T10:54:00.002-05:00

By now, I guess everyone has seen the video of McCain and Obama trying out a little scripted comedy at a charity fundraiser. In case you haven't, here are the highlights.

Will the real McCain please step forward?

2008-10-12T19:45:00.003-05:00

I was going to write about McCain's self-proclaimed status as a maverick, but realized someone else had already done the work for me :)

The thing is, I actually remember when the label was justified. I haven't seen it much, if at all, lately. I believe the real McCain is a better man than the one we've seen and heard in the last few months. (Not so much better that I'd want to vote for him, but still...) Maybe the real McCain will dump his advisers, turn his back on the extremists in his party, and campaign on his own terms. But that probably isn't the way to win an election.

A better alternative

2008-10-11T09:58:00.003-05:00

In my last post, I discussed my desire for a viable third-party candidate. After much searching, I've finally found one. Take a look at this video.

A tale of two political systems

2008-10-08T20:43:00.004-05:00

I grew up in the world's largest democracy, with a system of government modeled on British parliament, and a Constitution inspired by the U.S. As I became more politically aware, I grew frustrated with the multi-party system, and saw the American two-party presidential system as a solution to the political instability and corruption that was tearing the country apart.

After living in the U.S. for 20+ years, I realize there is no perfect solution. At least in India, bribery was open: here, it's disguised as "lobbying." The two-party system results, in many cases, in a presidential election boiling down to choosing the lesser of two evils. The probability of an independent or third-party candidate winning a presidential election is virtually zero. Even if such a candidate were to win, he/she would accomplish little, thanks to the partisanship which permeates Congress. (As an aside, this guy--pictured at left--is beginning to make more sense to me than either mainline candidate.)

The system is broken. Washington is ruled by lobbyists, PACs, and other special-interest groups. Bills are loaded with irrelevant riders and special-project appropriations to the point where the original intent of the bill is completely lost. Government is no longer by, for, and of the people (if it ever was). Even if we decided to throw out every incumbent in the coming election, and could do it consistently in the next few, we'd still eventually end up with more of the same.

Yes, it's easy to be cynical. It's even easier to decide that nothing we do can make a difference, and to give up on the process of democracy completely. But I believe we have to keep trying, and we have to elect representatives who will at least try to change the system. This month, our local Mac user group is taking a break from our usual technology-related presentations to showcase nonpartisan websites that we hope will help those who are undecided.

And since I'm not eligible to vote (yet), I'm trying to encourage those who are to visit some of these sites. Here's one that helps match you up with a presidential candidate, and another that helps you access your representatives' voting records.

Musical Monday: Layers

2008-10-06T20:48:00.003-05:00

Life would be pretty uninteresting if we lived in a single-layered world. What if everything had only a literal interpretation, and what you saw as what you got? What if scripture was meant only for literal translation?

The other day, I was listening to this variation of an old English folk song. Although I was aware of a couple of layers in the song, I didn't realize there were a few others hidden beneath. That's how I often see the Bible: multiple layers of history, myth, and wisdom, which are revealed one layer at a time.

Steve Winwood (Traffic) with John Barleycorn

Creationism and witch-hunts

2008-10-03T20:38:00.002-05:00

An article in Science recently described the controversy surrounding professor Michael Reiss, who was forced to resign from his position as Director of Education at the Royal Society. Reiss (who is also an ordained clergyman) made an innocuous remark about dealing with creationism in the classroom, which was spun out of control by the media. Some members of the Society saw it as endorsing creationism, which set off a chain reaction of protests that led to Reiss' resignation.

From the transcript of Reiss' speech, it's clear that he was not advocating the teaching of creationism. He was merely stating that science teachers should not dismiss or ridicule a student who professes a belief in creationism, as doing so is often counterproductive. Reiss says:

I do believe in taking seriously and respectfully the concerns of students who do not accept the theory of evolution while still introducing them to it. While it is unlikely that this will help students who have a conflict between science and their religious beliefs to resolve the conflict, good science teaching can help students to manage it - and to learn more science. Creationism can profitably be seen not as a simple misconception that careful science teaching can correct, as careful science teaching might hope to persuade a student that an object continues at uniform velocity unless acted on by a net force, or that most of the mass of a plant comes from air. Rather, a student who believes in creationism can be seen as inhabiting a non-scientific worldview, that is a very different way of seeing the world. One very rarely changes one's worldview as a result of a 50 minute lesson, however well taught.

As someone who believes that creationism (or intelligent design) does not belong in a science curriculum, I have no problem with Reiss' position. What saddens me is the witch hunt that was perpetrated by Reiss' fellow scientists in the Royal Society. It was completely unnecessary and is contrary to the very spirit of the Royal Society itself.

I'm no fan of creationism (especially Young-Earth creationism) but I accept that its proponents have a different worldview than mine, and they are entitled to their beliefs, as I am to mine. Scientists, above all others, should have the open-mindedness to adhere to this principle.

The lighter side

2008-09-25T21:03:00.001-05:00

A friend sent this to me today. If we can't laugh at ourselves, we probably shouldn't laugh at anyone :)

Search for "God particle" on hold

2008-09-24T21:21:00.002-05:00

Earlier this month, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) went online in Switzerland. The 17-mile, circular particle smasher is the largest ever built, and there was hope that researchers would finally be able to confirm or deny the existence of the Higgs boson, the only particle in the Standard Model of particle physics that has not been observed experimentally.

The Higgs boson has also been called the God particle, although the origin of the term is not quite what you might imagine. Nonetheless, if this particle is discovered, it would represent a huge leap in our understanding of the earliest stages of how our universe formed. Unfortunately, the hunt will be delayed until next year.

I sometimes wonder if God finds our feeble attempts to uncover the mysteries of the universe amusing. On the other hand, we've managed to come up with mathematical expressions elegant enough to support string theory. So much further to go, only to realize how little we know.

Not giving up

2008-09-23T20:01:00.002-05:00

2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
(Psalm 18)

You did a lot of stuff back in the day--parting the Red Sea, sending plagues, striking down first-born, raising the dead. You stepped in and rescued Your people from the messes they created (and kept creating). You were intimately involved in their lives, as You are today in ours.

I'm not asking for anything on the scale of parting the Red Sea. In fact, the last time I prayed for healing, it didn't turn out so well. I know You are here, with us and with F, as we muddle our way through. I'm just asking for strength, and persistence. I know that You care about F--after all, he's part of Your creation. He's also part of our family.

Thank You for all the friends here. And I didn't know You were a Peter Gabriel fan, but since this song has been rattling around in my head anyway...

Update on F

2008-09-22T22:24:00.002-05:00

F had a CT scan and biopsy today. The tumor is much larger than we thought and is exerting pressure on his right eye and also the brain. We won't have the biopsy results for a few days but we don't think radiation/chemo is an option at this point. Instead, we hope to try a herbal remedy that has shown good results, both in clinical studies and anecdotal evidence.

He is making a slow recovery from the anesthesia, due to his age, but is otherwise doing okay. Please keep praying.

Prayer request

2008-09-17T21:28:00.003-05:00

Today, F was diagnosed with a tumor in the sinus cavity. Based on the X-rays, it is most likely a form of osteosarcoma. We now have to get an appointment in the veterinary oncology division at our local university hospital to determine if and how the cancer is treatable.

We adopted F from the Humane Society when he was just under a year old, and he has since then shared 11+ wonderful years of life and love with us. Please pray that he will have a few more.

Slowing down

2008-09-16T21:41:00.003-05:00

Our small group started a series on contemplative prayer, called Be Still. It's something I could use a lot more of, especially since both work and home life seem to have grown busier over the past few months.

One of the topics coming up in the series is the difference between Christian meditation (focusing on God) and Eastern meditation (emptying of self). At first glance, they seem diametrically opposed, but I think it would be hard to make room for God if we didn't empty ourselves first. I think each practice can learn from the other.

I'm looking forward to slowing down, even if only for a few minutes.

Book review

2008-09-13T22:02:00.005-05:00

A Suitable Boy, by Vikram Seth

I've previously been captivated by Seth's love of poetry (The Golden Gate) and music (An Equal Music) but had not undertaken what I imagined would be the considerable effort required to read his monumental second novel. Once I started reading, it was difficult to put the book down--all 1,394 (1,488 paperback) pages of it. Although poetry and music do hold an important place in the book, it is, in essence, a love story told in a subtle style with plenty of local color and history.

The novel revolves around the lives of four families--the Mehras, Kapoors, Chatterjis, and Khans--set against the backdrop of post-Independence India. The central theme is Mrs. Rupa Mehra's fierce determination to find "a suitable boy" for her daughter, Lata, who happens to fall in love with a most undesirable Muslim boy.

Seth's devotion to his primary characters is readily apparent. Although they are many, and the relationships complex, family trees are conveniently provided on the inside covers and I found myself referring to them frequently during the early part of the book. Much of the story is set in the fictional city of Brahmpur, with excursions into the real-life cities of Calcutta, Kanpur, and Delhi. Along the way, the reader is drawn into the tangled web of Indian politics (both local and national), the never-ending clash between Hindu and Muslim, the rigidity of the caste system, and the many cultural nuances that make India such a colorful country.

Readers who have no direct experience of India will probably struggle with some of the more subtle nuances of the culture and language. In spite of the size and complexity of the novel, Western readers will still find a great deal to like in this richly woven tapestry of love, life, and death.

Poetry Party: Waiting

2008-09-12T01:00:00.001-05:00

Christine's poetry party this week was a good excuse for me to lighten up what has been a heavy week in many ways.

Time To Go
It's time to go--I want to go
It's time to let me out!

With darkness gone, and dawn anon
I must jump up and shout!

A bladder full does tug and pull
At my restraint just so!

I cannot wait, oh don't be late
I really want to go!

Joining together

2008-09-11T19:56:00.004-05:00

Part of our good consists in the endeavor to do sorrows away, and in the power to sustain them when the endeavor fails,–to bear them nobly, and thus help others to bear them as well.
--Leigh Hunt

Dealing with grief

2008-09-07T20:03:00.004-05:00

The nearest family member I've lost was my dad, when he passed away after a short but progressively worsening illness seven years ago. It was a faraway experience, literally, as he was in India. My brother, sisters, and I were extremely fortunate to have made a trip back home a few months before he died, and while he was still something of his old self.

I cannot imagine the pain of dealing with the death of a son or daughter, as a fellow blogger is struggling with. I know I may face that possibility some day, but honestly don't know how I will handle it. I can only hope that I'll be able to remember these words.

Whom do you hate?

2008-09-04T20:10:00.003-05:00

I still remember a lesson from back in junior college (that's the junior and senior years of high school here in the US). By way of background, I attended a private college run by Jesuits and one of the classes was segregated, after a fashion: the Catholics (there were few, if any, other Christian denominations represented) attended "Religious Studies," and everyone else had a class in "Moral Science," which was a strange term to describe a course essentially centered on philosophy and ethics.

I, being bored with the prescribed Catholic fare, usually sneaked out of my class and attended the Moral Science class (another incentive was that my then girlfriend was in the class). The professor, who didn't seem much older than the students, was an excellent lecturer. The lesson I mentioned earlier had to do with hate. He asked each of us to think of someone we truly hated, and then asked for a volunteer (who happened to be said girlfriend). After questioning her about the object of her hatred, he recounted one of the classical tests of true hatred (except I didn't recognize it as such at the time): If you saw this hated individual hit by a car, would you stop to offer assistance if you were the only person around? If so, you don't truly hate him/her.

I hate mosquitoes, but if I were alive during Hitler's reign, would I have truly hated Hitler? I don't truly hate the current occupant of the White House, but I hate what he's done to this country over the last eight years. I was hoping that, this election season, we'd see more discussion focused on the issues and less that sunk to the level of personal attacks. There are a lot of heated opinions, to be sure, and the word "hate" rolls easily off the tongue. I'd like to think we could hate actions, not actors.

It was easy for Jesus to condemn people for hypocrisy in Matthew 23, but he was perhaps the only person on the planet who could legitimately do so:

27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!
33"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?

Regardless of political affiliation, I hope we can find common issues to hate.

Prayers for victims of violence

2008-09-03T21:39:00.002-05:00

India has, throughout her history, been affected by violence, much of it in the name of religion. Minorities are persecuted in many parts of the country by Hindu extremists. The latest such effort has resulted in 12 Christians being killed and many others displaced from their homes in the state of Orissa.

Please pray for the victims and their families.

Musical Monday: Rainbows

2008-09-01T14:55:00.002-05:00

There were quite a few movies in the 1980s that have now vanished into nothingness--you can't find them in stores or in libraries, and they may or may not have made it to DVD releases. One of these was Tough Enough, starring Dennis Quaid (who also sings, BTW).

The movie isn't an Academy award-winner by any means, but it wasn't bad. Quaid's character has this dream of becoming a country singer, but instead ends up paying the bills by entering "Tough Man" amateur boxing contests. The issue of following a dream is one that most of us can relate to, whether we've been successful or not. I believe that God has given each one of us a dream to pursue, but it's not always the easy path to follow. And for those who've fulfilled a dream, he often sends another one (usually bigger and even more challenging) sooner or later.

So, on this Labor Day, may you continue to chase your rainbows.

YABB

2008-08-25T20:45:00.003-05:00

(Yet Another Blogging Break)

Lots of stuff happening at work (another person left, meaning more work dumped in my lap), and also working on an editing project at home (nights/weekends).

It's not all bad, though...when I do have some free time (!), I'm trying to read Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy, before it's due back at the library. It's only 1,400 pages or so...

Perspectives

2008-08-14T21:11:00.003-05:00

In India, it's already Independence Day, as the country celebrates 61 years of freedom. It's a day of mixed emotions, as many remember the violence that followed as the country was sliced into three pieces: India, (West) Pakistan, and East Pakistan. A quarter century later, India helped East Pakistan gain independence as the country of Bangladesh. I still remember the air-raid sirens and citywide blackouts during the war.

In another part of the globe, a struggle for independence is raging. It's interesting that most of the Western media see Russia as the "bad guy" in this conflict. To the people of South Ossetia, the Russians are heroes, to whom they owe their lives. I don't pretend to understand all the intricate details of the conflict, but a Russian coworker confirmed that the story is portrayed very differently in that part of the world. It all depends on perspective.

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be an immediate end to the conflict in sight. Like so many territorial disputes (India/Pakistan, Israel/Palestine) the coals of the fire are being fanned at the moment between Georgia and South Ossetia, but the embers will continue to smolder even if South Ossetian independence is realized.

Musical Monday: Sing praise

2008-08-11T21:06:00.004-05:00

I've noticed that God seems to be closer at times in my life when things aren't going so well. It's easier to pray for intentions or intercessions, rather than just pray. We cry out to God in a variety of ways, and there's usually enough pain in our lives and those of others close to us that crying out signifies hardship or sorrow.

Then there are times, for no particular reason, that I want to cry out in praise, in amazement at his creation, and the blessings he's bestowed on us. Here's Michael W Smith doing a much better job of it than I could:

Edit: Molly at adventures in mercy is saying much the same thing today, but in a much more profound and meaningful way.

Mark your calendar

2008-08-10T21:06:00.002-05:00

The first major joint public appearance by McCain and Obama will be hosted by...

...Rick Warren. There will be a live webcast on August 16 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. This should be an interesting discussion, to say the least.

Hat tip to Phil Haslanger for news of the event, and also for an interesting commentary titled Evangelicals Outside the Box.

15 Years

2008-08-07T00:01:00.003-05:00

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary, so this song is for D:

Life on Mars

2008-08-05T21:12:00.006-05:00

No, not the David Bowie song :) That takes me back, though, to a story about another celestial body. I still remember this passage:

"Stubbins, look!—A tree! You see that, way over there at the foot of the mountain? I'll swear it's a tree. And if it is, we're all right. It means water, Stubbins, Water! And we can manage to exist here.—Water and Life!"

from Doctor Doolittle's Garden, by Hugh Lofting

Ever since Phoenix landed on Mars (May 25, 2008), the issue of finding evidence of water has been shuttling back and forth. So far, the thinking is that (liquid) water may have existed on Mars at some time in the past, but probably not on the surface. Today, a press conference announced the results of research that's still in progress, and the results are...inconclusive.

The mission deliberately landed in the polar region where it was thought that vast deposits of ice existed. Conventional logic and biochemistry dictate that where there is ice, there may have once been liquid water, and where there is liquid water, there is a possibility of life. Dr. Doolittle had that in reverse, and on the moon, but the idea still holds.

Why are we fascinated by the possibility of life (even microbial life) on another planet? I know I was, from a very early age, but I've always been convinced that God created the Universe such that life would not be confined to an insignificant planet in a nondescript solar system in the outer arms of a conventional spiral galaxy.

For some people, finding evidence of such life is unacceptable, for it destroys their Christian worldview. For me, it would only serve to confirm the power and majesty of the Creator. Some day, I believe we'll have the answer. But not today.

A message to both candidates

2008-07-31T19:59:00.003-05:00

The latest e-mail I received from ONE is worth a read, as it can impact many efforts to reduce poverty in Africa over the next 4 years (and beyond):

I just returned from a trip to Rwanda with my friend Senator Bill Frist, MD and leaders from both political parties. Senator Frist and I went to Rwanda not as politicians, but as students, to learn about people who are rebuilding their country after the unspeakable horror of genocide.

My news from Rwanda is very encouraging. The hard work of the Rwandan people and the generosity of Americans are coming together in partnership to create a model for how we can end poverty in the most desperate countries on earth.

I came home more convinced then ever that we’re all in this together. Rwandans' daily struggle to start anew, even as they deal with poverty and disease, is also our own struggle to build a more prosperous and safer world.

To further the progress in Rwanda and spread that hope, we need to take full advantage of this election year. That’s why Senator Frist and I will be meeting with our respective parties' leaders in the next few weeks, as they’re writing the platforms that will be unveiled at the presidential nominating conventions in Denver and Minneapolis. These platforms contain the policies on which Barack Obama and John McCain will campaign for the presidency.

We're going to ask these committees to make sure that their platforms take on the generational challenge of tackling global poverty, and we need your help to do it.

Click the link to sign the petition seen below*, and I’ll deliver your signature when I meet with representatives from the Democratic Party – and Senator Frist will do the same on the Republican side – to ask these political leaders to include extreme poverty and global disease in their 2008 platforms...

...My late friend Paul Wellstone was fond of saying that, “The poor don’t have a lobbyist. That’s why I went to Washington.” The hope for a better future that Senator Frist and I saw in Rwanda shows what’s possible when two million of us “go to Washington” on behalf of the world’s poorest people. This summer, together, we have the chance to go to Denver and Minneapolis and show that ending global poverty is a priority for both political parties.

Thank you for joining me,

Senator Tom Daschle
ONE Member and National Co-Chair ONE Vote ‘08

*You can read more and sign the petition on ONE's website.

Not mutually exclusive

2008-07-30T21:05:00.002-05:00

Many of the scientists I encounter, either online or in person, hold the opinion that science and faith--specifically, in the context of spiritual or religious belief--are mutually exclusive. Some of them even cast doubts on the credibility of a scientist's work if he/she believes in God.

I've typically found that it's not worthwhile arguing with such people, because they have already made up their minds. On the other side of the coin, I'm sure there are people of faith who don't "believe" in science, although I've been fortunate enough not to have met any personally.

Earlier this year, I mentioned that I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Vatican is interested in an open dialogue on evolutionary theory. And I recently discovered that the AAAS has its own program (since 1995!!--why didn't I hear about it earlier?) to:

Contribute to the level of scientific understanding in religious communities.
Promote multidisciplinary education and scholarship of the ethical and religious implications of advancements in science and technology.

Perhaps there's hope for humanity, after all.

Musical Monday: Balance

2008-07-28T21:17:00.002-05:00

Lest my previous post give you the impression that I'm rabidly anti-Catholic, I'll admit there are several things that I respect and admire about the Catholic church.

One of these is the church's remarkable consistency when it comes to the sacredness of human life. Since the abiding principle is that every human life is sacred, the Catholic church is:

against abortion,
against the death penalty,
against euthanasia (of any kind); and
against the war in Iraq (or any war, for that matter).

I don't necessarily agree with all these positions, and have come to reexamine my own over the years. However, there is a clarity and simplicity with the position above that is extremely appealing.

For my musical selection today, I've chosen one of my favorite Catholic authors and musicians, John Michael Talbot. here he is, singing Only in God.

Authoritarianism in the church

2008-07-27T21:31:00.003-05:00

One of my issues with the Catholic church, when I was a member, was pledging allegiance to Rome. I think having to unquestioningly accept the authority of a human being is a dangerous thing in any church. To be fair, it's not just an issue in the Catholic church; it can happen in any denomination. When one member of the clergy seeks to impose his or her worldview on everyone else, especially when that view is far removed from the reality of the situation, it's a serious problem.

But we don't have to go as far as Rome. For the past couple of years, we've had someone much closer to home who has been determined to build his own empire. A couple of years ago, when Wisconsin had a referendum on same-sex marriage, Bishop Morlino demanded that every church in the diocese play a recorded statement from him that sent a very clear message to the congregation: if anyone voted differently from how Morlino saw the issue, he/she would no longer be considered a Catholic in good standing. Any priest who did not play the recorded message at Sunday masses would likewise run the risk of being defrocked.

This was just one incident in a series of autocratic decrees. Now, Morlino has descended even further, to the point of being laughable. He blames the birth-control pill for sexual abuse caused by Catholic priests.

Today, the message of our sermon was Jesus' command to love our enemies. I don't really see Morlino as an enemy, but it's a mighty hard commandment to keep. I can pray for him, though. Will you join me?

Funding research

2008-07-24T20:51:00.004-05:00

I seem to have hit something of a blogging dry spell the last few weeks. I'm not sure which is cause and which effect, but I've been more active on some discussion boards that I read regularly. One of my favorites is composed of a bunch of scientists who post as much about life in general as they do about research.

Today, there was a lot of discussion about the Specter-Harkin amendment to the FY 2009 Budget, which added $2.1 billion to the NIH budget. NIH funding, adjusted for inflation, has been decreasing over the last 5 years, and this amendment is seen as a way of restoring some of that money.

Most of my colleagues, being researchers funded by NIH grants, applauded the decision. However, it also raised the discussion of whether scientific research in general (or, in the case of the NIH, academic medical research in particular) should be funded by taxpayer money. It's a contentious issue. One the one hand, if the government doesn't fund basic research, who will? Private sector funding of basic research is minimal in comparison, at least in the US. On the other, my personal feeling is that the less the government intrudes into science, the better off we'll be.

Maybe a better way to put this into perspective is to look at these numbers:

Total NIH budget for FY 2009: $30 billion
Budget authority for Iraq war, 2008: $600 billion

That's your money and mine.

Musical Monday: Fusion

2008-07-21T20:22:00.005-05:00

Sally, at the RevGalsBlogPals, recently posted music from a fusion group called Aradhna. It reminded me of one of my favorite groups, Indian Ocean. In contrast to Aradhna, Indian Ocean consists of Indian musicians who build on a base of traditional Indian and develop a Western flavor and rhythm.

Like Sally, I believe we can learn from other religions and spiritual practices around the world. There is no right or wrong way to connect with God; the connection transcends all boundaries that we, as humans, seek to impose on it. It's also why music is so important to me--I don't think I'd do well as a contemplative monk under a vow of silence (although there are times when I'm tempted to try...).

This song illustrates the point. Called Kandisa (and the title of Indian Ocean's most successful album), it's based on an ancient Aramaic prayer. The word kandisa is translated as "holy praise." If the idea of an Indian band playing Western-tinged music with Aramaic lyrics intrigues you, I encourage you to check out the rest of the album. Enjoy the song (and its translation).

(Note: Due to problems with YouTube, I had to post this on Photobucket, which cut off the last minute of the video. I'll update the post with the full video when YouTube is back in action.)

Light and truth

2008-07-19T16:21:00.008-05:00

"Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. Outside the curtain of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening till morning, continually. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD must be tended continually.

Leviticus 24:2-4

Manufactured light is something we humans have depended on since we discovered fire (perhaps even earlier, if you include chemiluminescence). Without it, we wouldn't be able to get much done after sundown. The lamp is mentioned often in the Bible, both literally as a source of light, and as a metaphorical means of casting aside the darkness of ignorance, doubt, and fear. The passage from Leviticus above stresses the importance of keeping the lamp lit continuously.

Most of us learned in school that Thomas Edison invented the (incandescent) light bulb. That's an easy answer to a very simple question. The truth, as is often the case with inventions, is far more complicated (and involves a fascinating series of developments).

I also learned some very simple answers, from the Bible, early in my spiritual journey. Further along the way, though, I've come to question many of them. I think that's what light helps us do: re-examine the lessons of scripture, and ask questions that evolve from generation to generation and culture to culture. If we accept every word in the Bible as literal truth, and make scripture a rigid document, we miss both its intent and its purpose.

That's why we need to keep the lamp (or light bulb) burning continually.

More books

2008-07-12T21:44:00.002-05:00

My recent post on books got me thinking that there were several I would add to the list of all-time great novels, possibly replacing others on it. In no particular order, here are my nominees:

The Lone Pine Series by Malcolm Saville
The Golden Gate by Vikram Seth
The (original) Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov
Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C Clarke
The Robot Series by Isaac Asimov
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K Dick
The Neuromancer by William Gibson
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
Of Human Bondage by W Somerset Maugham
The Road to Bithynia by Frank G Slaughter

I'm pretty sure I've missed more than I've included, but it's been a long day. Feel free to add your own nominations in the comments!

Deja vu

2008-07-11T20:51:00.003-05:00

We watched Chariots of Fire (again) recently, one of my favorite movies. It reminded me of a sermon a couple of years ago, at our previous church, where a scene from the movie was featured. In this scene, Eric Liddell is talking to his sister and trying to convince her that he has to keep running (she wants him to devote full-time attention to his missionary work). His words have been quoted often, I'm sure: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure." The sermon focused on the theme of how God has given each one of us a dream to follow, and that, in pursuing our dream, we are glorifying him.

I've been struggling with this whole issue of a calling, and whether my need to focus on writing is a selfish one. Watching the movie reminded me that maybe I should have been listening to the guy who gave that sermon.

I'll give you three guesses as to who it was :)

Books

2008-07-10T22:03:00.005-05:00

I haven't had much time for blogging lately (again!) but couldn't resist stealing this idea from Singing Owl:

This is from something called "The Big Read" from the NEA. They came up with a list of their top 100 books, and they estimate that the average adult has only read 6 of these books. I will highlight the ones I've read. Cut and paste into your blog and let us know which you've read. And then maybe hop over to Amazon or take a trip to Barnes and Noble for some summer reading material. (Edit: Sonja reminded me of a much better alternative, one that our entire family follows. Use your local library instead!).

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks1
8 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

I guess I've read more than the average, although it should be noted that several of those marked here are collections, not single books.

Called...to what?

2008-07-01T21:05:00.003-05:00

I meant to post this Sunday, but other events intervened.

Our pastor was away on a mission trip, so we got to hear the first sermon from our associate pastor (AP). It struck a nerve, as most good sermons do. The theme was following our calling. In our AP's case, she mentioned how she had been called to ministry and had run away (the background story was that of Jonah) several times but God finally caught up with her.

The problem is, I don't really have a good sense of my own "calling." I think being called to ordained ministry is probably a pretty clear call: you either know you're being called or you don't. If you respond to the call, you can see how God is using you to transform lives.

But if all of us were ordained ministers, there wouldn't be anyone to minister to. If we all became missionaries, the same would apply. Obviously, these are extreme and purely hypothetical examples, but what about other professions? It's easy to see how you could be called to certain professions where you would directly impact the lives of others; perhaps the two most obvious examples are nursing and teaching. Are people called to be truckers, or sanitation workers, or administrative assistants, or (even) Directors of Marketing? What happens when your calling doesn't coincide with a means to pay the bills?

I'm pretty sure I wasn't called to my current job, even though I have no doubt that God led me there. When it comes to my calling, either I'm not hearing very well, or God is whispering too softly. The closest and most consistent "calling" I've experienced is to be a writer, but I question whether that's just my own selfish desire. At any rate, I haven't made much progress in that direction so far.

So what do you think? Do all of us have a calling that takes us beyond the mere need to earn a living? I'd be especially interested in hearing from those of you who aren't currently in ordained ministry, but all reflections are welcome.

As a follow-up, and because I missed Musical Monday yesterday, here's a song (from Sunday's service) that drove the point of the sermon home:

Drawing the line

2008-06-25T21:00:00.002-05:00

In the past few days, I've been running into a lot of issues regarding pornography (no, it's not what you think). First, there was a BBC news story about cops who have the unenviable job of deciding what's porn and what isn't. Then Sonja reviewed a book about a man's addiction to porn. Finally, there was another story (which I won't link) about a Belgian photographer who had an exhibit of pictures that (tastefully?) depicted the pubic area of various women, with the theme that every woman is unique and beautiful. As you might imagine, this stirred up a lot of controversy.

What defines what is and isn't pornography? In extreme cases, it seems to be pretty clear (for example, most people would agree that a naked female in a Rubens or Botticelli painting is art, while one in a girly magazine isn't). But where do we draw the line when it comes to issues like the Belgian photography exhibit? Does the majority opinion rule on whether something represents glorification of the female form, or denigration?

I guess for me, a significant part of this issue ties into the free-speech argument. I believe, for example, that the Belgian photographer had the right to exhibit his work, and that others had the right to refuse to see it. I believe it was Voltaire who said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Yes, that applies even to those Christians who judge and condemn others who are different from them, but perhaps that's a topic for another post :)

Early Musical Monday: Getting back into the World of Blog

2008-06-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Still fighting the URTI, and now D and M have it, too. I may not get a chance to do much blogging this week, due to a major editing project that's due, but I thought I'd crawl back in, slowly.

Music helps everything. This time, I'll present a song that you can just sit back and enjoy (even if you're not from Edinburgh)--no analysis, no theological parallels, no scripture references. It just is...what it is.

What's up with me lately?

2008-06-11T20:34:00.004-05:00

[image removed because it was skewing my web traffic]

Phlegm. Plenty of it. 'Nuff said.

Blogging break

2008-06-08T21:11:00.003-05:00

I've been away on a business trip and am catching up with stuff at home and at work this week. Eventually, I'll catch up with blogging as well. The trip was both productive and fun...as a bonus, I got to spend some time with family and enjoy a ball game. If you recognize this park, you'll know where I was :)

Musical Monday: In remembrance

2008-05-26T19:09:00.001-05:00

On this day of remembrance, this song seems very appropriate. Here are the Notting Hillbillies, with Weapon of Prayer: