Things I Think…
1. Maybe it’s just me, but this is the least festive holiday season in my memory…on the other hand, I’m not exactly a reliable thermometer for things “festive’…
2. A few years ago the town I lived in burned down in a forest fire. The thing that has always stuck with me from that day came from when I was evacuating myself and my mother…the thought that “this can’t happen here’…yet, it was happening indeed. I feel the same way in the aftermath of the election…
3. Some want to stop polio vaccinations…because nobody remembers what an iron lung is….because history sucks, I guess…
4. All the cool kids are preaching on the Magnificat this year…I think I will too…
“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.””
(Luke 1:46-55 NLT-SE)
5. My developer friends tell me the latest use of AI is to make your own girl friend…and I think I need to start drinking again…I wonder how long it will take for “creators” to demand legal personhood for their cyber friends…
6. “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”―
7. One of the hardest things about getting old is that for most of your life you’ve planned for a long term future…and now you’re only dealing with today and the immediate future…perhaps that’s a blessing very well disguised…
8. I think audio books are a form of reading…but how do you underline or highlight something you found important in the book? Convenience has its drawbacks…
9. It’s become evident that the one thing technology can’t teach us is how to be fully human…
10. Instead of doomscrolling into depression, I’m reading about art and poetry…here is a favorite…
Yay art! Art is not a secondary pursuit nor should it be treated utilized for something (utilitarian). Art brings life and wonder to our lives.
Love your comment on Twain.
Have to agree with #7. Kind of a double-edge sword. Hard to see some things in our life go, but also good to let go of a lot of baggage and simplify.
Dan from GA,
I’ve had to be really intentional about finding things beautiful…that inspire wonder.
It’s a way of staying human and staying alive…
Great list as always. I had to smile at your #4. I am studying to teach The Song of Mary next Sunday. It just seems like the right thing to do at this time of year.
Covered,
Sometimes, it’s ok to hang with the cool kids…this is a rich text…
I love VanGogh’s work.
“And though no hope was left in sight
On that starry starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you Vincent
This world was never meant for someone as beautiful as you”
Don Mclean — 1972 —
Gordy,
I will not allow anything posted concerning Doug Wilson.
Sorry.
Absolutely agree Michael!
I’m hooked on Audiobooks because I can be involved in passive activities and still be putting stuff into my brain. I keep a legal pad next to me and jot down any important thoughts or insights in order to keep a record.
I cannot read without a pencil and/or highlighter in my hand.
I, too find little to celebrate this Holiday Season. We lost my 44 year old daughter in law a few months ago and this is the first Christmas without her. My twin grandchildren just started a new high school with all that that entails. We are trying to keep it together for my son and kids, but it’s hard, even though we know she is with our Gracious Heavenly Father and we know we’ll see her again one day.
As to number 2), in my 68 years on this earth there have been many elections, all of which I have voted in. Some of these men turned out to be good, even exceptional Presidents and some were scoundrels.
Whether you are dissatisfied with the results or not, he will be gone in 4 years, fading into the dustbin of history as we all will do. So with that, I wish you a wonderful Christmas filled with Joy and Wonder and even possibly a Happy 2025!
Pi,
I fall asleep every night listening to them…been a habit for a long time.
Melody J,
Our condolences on your loss and the families loss.
May you have some joy despite it all this Christmas and in the coming year.
This idea to do away with the polio vaccine requirement in public schools really has me concerned. My husband had polio at age 2 -luckily, it was a mild case but still very traumatic for him as he was put in quarantine in a hosptal for two weeks with out any family allowed to see him . My best friend’s older brother had polio as a child and he had a paralyzed eye for his entire life. They were among the luckiest survivors of polio in the U.S.
Years ago I wrote a short tune from the song of Miriam. Maybe I should begin to write songs again, the Magnificat might be a springboard. Something to get me motivated at least.
Michael,
So much to comment on:
#3 I had two friends, a bit older than me, growing up who had suffered from polio. Both were in wheelchairs. The older boy was in an iron lung at night, and died from pneumonia when he was 15 (f0r some reason, his parents never had him vaccinated). The younger one, just a year older than me, was in a chair because his mom didn’t want to see him cry when he got a shot. I’ve always remembered that, and thankful that my parents dragged me to the doctor for those shots when I was screaming (I was not fond of needles as a toddler, probably because of multiple hospitalizations and hip surgery).
#4 Yesterday I heard a wonderful sermon in Spanish about the Magnificat. It covered Mary and Joseph’s ability to trust in God and His Word instead of worrying about the circumstances surrounding the coming baby and their marriage. In a room full of immigrants, many of “iffy” paper status, it was very welcome as we go into the New Year.
#7 I’ve recently lost 3 good friends, all older than me (mentor-types) who I loved dearly. My Christmas card list is shorter every year. I miss them , although I truly know they are in a better place.
As far as being festive, I do love the holiday season, but I tend to focus on the miracle of the Incarnation (John 1:1-14), and service to others. It keeps my heart in the right place. Jesus came to serve others, and I want to do that, too.
JD,
Do so if you can…creativity eases the pains a bit…
Linn,
It’s inconcievable to me that we would allow polio and measles to come back…but that is what happens when expertise is despised.
Constant loss is a part of growing older until we’re the loss someone suffers.
‘No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens
https://theonion.com/no-way-to-prevent-this-says-only-nation-where-this-regularly-happens-2/
Please pray for the victims at Abundant Life Christian School and for
all victims of gun violence.
#7 – I applied for Social Securty earlier this month and have been approved. Just waiting on something in the mail. I chose “now” because I’m also eligible for MediCare when I turn 65 in June. That these words are tapping off my fingertips seems like a weird dream.
I’ve also spent the last 2 months helping my in-laws move into and get settled in an assisted living facility. They are 95 and 92 years old. I’m still the young buck carrying their boxes up the elevator and moving furniture around.
I hope this gets less disorienting.
My brother contracted polio when he was 18 months old during the epidemic in the early 50’s. The trauma he endured in the quarantine hospital for the next several months has emotionally and physically affected him profoundly. To disregard the clear veracity of this vaccine is the epitome of foolishness. Anyone who supports it should be required to sign an affidavit of personal liability in the event that someone is afflicted with this disease.
We can do better when it comes to gun control at an individual, parental level as well as a community and national level. Rights are afforded and recinded by the government, not by nature or God. Perhaps it’s time for a reset when the right has become a step in the ladder to disaster.
#6 is way too true…regardless of the cat connection. 🙂
Terry,
Disorientation will be the new norm…trust me on this…
fil,
The cat connection was just proof of its veracity…
Ironically, the holidays aren’t and will never be festive for me, but thankfully and mercifully, it’s become easier to avoid the Galatians who try to enforce the “joy.”
Why don’t I partake?
Well, I’ll share this illustration of bravery.
https://youtu.be/dSQztnwdg3I?si=akgjDQhiD7VkLTUj
This season I’m thankful:
1) These teenagers (at the time) seem to have a higher standards for protecting other children than many churches.
2) Their teacher didn’t use “touch not the Lords annointed,” but showed true leadership. Thank God!!! The teacher doesn’t live by any extra-Biblical papal-esque model.
3) Other school officials and parents didn’t attempt any cowardly silencing techniques, and in fact encourage exposing evil.
4) The image or $ of the school wasn’t deemed more important.
UnCCed,
Great story…I hope they do pursue journalism.