“THE old order has been reversed. The people, instead of surveying the world from their doorsteps, survey their mortgaged doorsteps through a vague and hazy mental screen compounded by international misunderstanding and national mistrust…. The disintegration of rational society started in the drift from the hearth and the family; the solution must be a drift back.” ~GKC: ‘G.K.’s Weekly,’ 30 March 1933.
From the GK Chesterton page on Facebook today. It struck me as this also came up in the morning devotional with Becky. Fight for the family. Viva la resistance.
It is overwhelming to see the "state of the world". You feel powerless to change any of it. Although I'm pretty sure every age has said - "kids these days", "in my day we .............., not like today". And (as my wife pointed out) every generation has its issues.
"Nostalgia ain't what it used to be"
I think the key thing is the "drift back" to the hearth and the family. Be the force moving back. Not just standing where you are but steadily moving back to where we should be. Don't worry about fighting every battle, certainly support your friends and those who are fighting their battles, and also focus on your own. Working through the PC-USA issues is a current battlefront for me and our church. I appreciate friend's support, but I do not expect them to become members of our church if they aren't already. They have their own battles also. Support them so that they do not fall without being absent to your own home (there's my struggle).
Not immediately obvious, this trend away from family and hearth is also making us more isolated. That we can do all things within our own house is a lie. We have an exchange of date night & babysitting with some friends. I like that. I enjoy the date night, I enjoy being able to let them get a night away and keep the strength in their marriage.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Itch'n for a Kitchen
We survived a kitchen remodel.
The selection process and debate. Cabinet arrangement, wood type, color/stain, hardware, counter, flooring, dishwasher, and wall paint. Done.
Living with a pseudo-kitchenette in our dining room. Becky did an awesome job with family meals with not much in the toolbox. And doing dishes in a tiny bathroom sink. She rocks.
Here's the kitchen from our move-in up to pics from early this week (plus a few cute kids here and there).
("Little by Little" by Eric Peters)
The selection process and debate. Cabinet arrangement, wood type, color/stain, hardware, counter, flooring, dishwasher, and wall paint. Done.
Living with a pseudo-kitchenette in our dining room. Becky did an awesome job with family meals with not much in the toolbox. And doing dishes in a tiny bathroom sink. She rocks.
Here's the kitchen from our move-in up to pics from early this week (plus a few cute kids here and there).
("Little by Little" by Eric Peters)
Friday, November 11, 2011
P S Ewww
The Penn State scandal is bothersome. Not just like a flat tire delaying a trip, but soul shaking at the ugliness. The allegations are disgusting beyond words. A monster is being drug out into the light. It also bothers me for many other reasons beyond the horrific monster. Mostly the loss of knowing the right thing to do. Whether you want to say the "right" comes from basic decency, general human good, a Biblical view, or being religious - this is something that says these crimes are evil.
There are some atrocious crimes that have been committed. Legally they are currently alleged. the ugliness and volume of the charges is sickening; I'd like to push Sandusky off of a ledge.
1. JoePa
I think JoePa should have been fired. It was a complete lack of the honor he worked so hard to build upon. I have argued with 2 PSU alumni over this. For me it boils down to one simple thing - could you be friends with someone who did what Sandusky did? Even at allegations, and an underling reporting such things I'd call the cops. I'd call the cops on my brother over such allegations. The things need investigated and they'll sort out innocent/guilty.
JoePa picked PSU over right. He turned a blind eye. I couldn't look someone in the face with such an ugly cloud looming - it would need to be resolved.
Look at JoePa's "retirement" statement prior to being fired - he closed with saying he will "live the rest of his life doing what's good for the University". He is still seeing PSU or its honor as the highest aim.
He's the head of the program and easy to pick on. It is also easy to dump all the anger over the crimes onto him. He didn't commit them. He isn't that monster. He isn't a monster. He just allowed a monster to live in the dark and refused to shine the light.
2. The Church of Penn State
I have seen the religious ferver that drives many of the fans. I've seen it in alumni too. Not just PSU but also Pitt and any strong sports school. The zealots are especially crushed by this scandal because they are so invested.
If you lose sight of a higher good than living for the University (or its honor) nothing is permitted to interrupt that. Not a pesky scandal - "we have football to play". The students (I know, not all) were rioting of coach being fired and risking the game on Saturday. "We're ranked, we're a contender, we can't be bothered by this". Yeah they're students with too much time and would riot over pizza not being available in the cafeteria. They're choosing mob "fun" or football over standing for what is right. I was glad to see the candlelight vigil on Friday night. That's how it should have been on day 1.
Up the chain from janitor to the u.president people chose the University over what is right.
3. The Game
Actually I'm glad the game is being played, there is a blue out, Bradley is the coach. I think it will be part of the healing process. Sports can play such a vital part in healing; they can also provide a platform for huge statements of humanity and decency.
The risk of the game and starting the healing process; the wound isn't clean. There are more allegations floating. There is likely more ugliness to follow, more reasons to lose your lunch.
I hope healing does happen. Get all the dirt out first.
There are some atrocious crimes that have been committed. Legally they are currently alleged. the ugliness and volume of the charges is sickening; I'd like to push Sandusky off of a ledge.
1. JoePa
I think JoePa should have been fired. It was a complete lack of the honor he worked so hard to build upon. I have argued with 2 PSU alumni over this. For me it boils down to one simple thing - could you be friends with someone who did what Sandusky did? Even at allegations, and an underling reporting such things I'd call the cops. I'd call the cops on my brother over such allegations. The things need investigated and they'll sort out innocent/guilty.
JoePa picked PSU over right. He turned a blind eye. I couldn't look someone in the face with such an ugly cloud looming - it would need to be resolved.
Look at JoePa's "retirement" statement prior to being fired - he closed with saying he will "live the rest of his life doing what's good for the University". He is still seeing PSU or its honor as the highest aim.
He's the head of the program and easy to pick on. It is also easy to dump all the anger over the crimes onto him. He didn't commit them. He isn't that monster. He isn't a monster. He just allowed a monster to live in the dark and refused to shine the light.
2. The Church of Penn State
I have seen the religious ferver that drives many of the fans. I've seen it in alumni too. Not just PSU but also Pitt and any strong sports school. The zealots are especially crushed by this scandal because they are so invested.
If you lose sight of a higher good than living for the University (or its honor) nothing is permitted to interrupt that. Not a pesky scandal - "we have football to play". The students (I know, not all) were rioting of coach being fired and risking the game on Saturday. "We're ranked, we're a contender, we can't be bothered by this". Yeah they're students with too much time and would riot over pizza not being available in the cafeteria. They're choosing mob "fun" or football over standing for what is right. I was glad to see the candlelight vigil on Friday night. That's how it should have been on day 1.
Up the chain from janitor to the u.president people chose the University over what is right.
3. The Game
Actually I'm glad the game is being played, there is a blue out, Bradley is the coach. I think it will be part of the healing process. Sports can play such a vital part in healing; they can also provide a platform for huge statements of humanity and decency.
The risk of the game and starting the healing process; the wound isn't clean. There are more allegations floating. There is likely more ugliness to follow, more reasons to lose your lunch.
I hope healing does happen. Get all the dirt out first.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Judging books
We recently did the annual begging for candy. The three kids played vagabonds in the search for loading up their goody bag. This year I was escorting a "sleepy girl" (pajamas), a knight, and Scooby Doo.
I enjoy Halloween for a few reasons:
1. Candy tastes good, it's like...candy.
2. The kids and community enjoy it.
3. I can wear the Mr. Incredible muscle suit.
For the previous two years our family went as The Incredibles. It was awesome! I knew it was a limited time gig as a family theme, but I can still wear my costume. This year I was the lone Incredible.
sniffle.
There is something extremely funny and fun about putting on the muscle suit. It causes reactions. (duh, it's supposed to). Some comments are fun, some kind of cutting, some people stare, some people laugh at the costume, and some laugh at me.
I remember having a moment of annoyance at a comment. Then I had an epiphany - I asked for it?
I didn't literally say "hey, pick on me" but I did dress up as a freak for other people to see.
I am struck by the irony of the "freaks" (in looks) that want to just be treated "like everyone else". They have chosen to stand out via strange piercings (lip, eyebrow, nose, ear expansions), tattoos, strange hair, or costumes (deliberate and otherwise). Yet do not want to be judged just because they stand out.
I guess you can't help judging books by the cover. Fair enough. I just need to not assume every book is only a cover. There's a story inside each one.
I enjoy Halloween for a few reasons:
1. Candy tastes good, it's like...candy.
2. The kids and community enjoy it.
3. I can wear the Mr. Incredible muscle suit.
For the previous two years our family went as The Incredibles. It was awesome! I knew it was a limited time gig as a family theme, but I can still wear my costume. This year I was the lone Incredible.
sniffle.
There is something extremely funny and fun about putting on the muscle suit. It causes reactions. (duh, it's supposed to). Some comments are fun, some kind of cutting, some people stare, some people laugh at the costume, and some laugh at me.
I remember having a moment of annoyance at a comment. Then I had an epiphany - I asked for it?
I didn't literally say "hey, pick on me" but I did dress up as a freak for other people to see.
I am struck by the irony of the "freaks" (in looks) that want to just be treated "like everyone else". They have chosen to stand out via strange piercings (lip, eyebrow, nose, ear expansions), tattoos, strange hair, or costumes (deliberate and otherwise). Yet do not want to be judged just because they stand out.
I guess you can't help judging books by the cover. Fair enough. I just need to not assume every book is only a cover. There's a story inside each one.
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