Opening up

Like petals of a flower we open to the possibilities of God changing us as we show ourselves to him, and in the same way our hearts can be open to others. This susceptibility both reveals who we really are and exposes us in our fragility. We are --Just flowers where the bees can get in, and all else. Are aren't the rocks we hope to be, strong, sure, immovable. We are after all organic. We can grow and change. WE can give ourselves over and be made new.

Meaning

All things being equal, if this is truth, then what is truth?

When values have become mutually equal you reach something. . .

Not equal value, but ironically, meaninglessness.

To find meaning it seems you need an assertion.

A truth assertion.

But of course more than that, you need the real reality.

Creator

Chaos comes out of order

Once clean dishes pile up -- dirty

Dust accumulates -- on clear counter tops

But we never find it happens the other way around.

Order does not come out of chaos. We never witness that.

Clothing does not come out folded from the tumble dryer.

We force that assumption. By forcing it, we create it.

We create it. We order it. Then chaos comes.

Short lecture worth seeing

"http://video.stumbleupon.com/?s=ithct48cqw&i=ufcchmyxqsuj9vwsemax"
Above should be a link of Randy Pausch reprising his Last Lecture. It is a short and potent lesson and legacy he leaves for his children and for the world from which he will soon leave.

Knowing

Knowing what we believe must always be preceded by asking "What is real?" If what is real is up for grabs so is everything we believe. First we have to discern how we can best know how to find out what is real. Do we do this from a movable point or a fixed point? It may workout the same way for finding a store in a multi-floor shopping plaza. Does the store exist at all? How can we know? How would we find it?

Can we know anything at all?

Yes.

Not everything, but more than we've been "de-constructing".

On becoming a Hero or a Villain

It's coming to me that if we attempt to meet our own ends or be self-satisfied those ends find us to eventually be the villain of our own story, and far worse--the greater story. But on the other hand when we make our lives about what is outside our selves, about others, about the greater good, or greatest good, God, and so on, we become the hero of both stories.

So many times we look at the means rather than the end. We think of happiness as the end, for instance. Some of us do. I have. Various means are sought to find that end. Isn't it odd that it is the pursuit of happiness, the journey, which brings the reward? But it is. We may think that is a gyp, but life is about growing wise, not about constant amusement, no matter what TV tells us.

It is the virtue, the noble things, the selfless things that when pursued bring a lasting contentment no quantity of money could ever buy this, and no other thing can bring it to us. (Seldom are the rich content by just richness alone. Momentarily are they happy. The poorest countries have the lowest suicide rates and the richest have the highest says the research.) The good traits aren't pursued as much as grown into along the way and fulfilled when our minds have been righted by goodness and we get better at goodness toward others. The pursuit can right us or make us all wrong. From the inside out. Indeed, I think our hearts--our true hearts are revealed from the journey, by what we turn into and what contents us or turns us one day malcontent. By a sort of path we become Frodo or Gollum.

Where do we look for our satisfaction? Do we look toward the material? Money, houses, clothes, cars, thrilling vacations, fine food, wine, women, song. Do we look in status or prestige of some kind? Climbing corporate rungs, education degrees, political advancements, accolades. These falter and crumble.

It is in spite of these and beyond them where we may become the heroes of the greater story, which will in turn grant that our story come out best in the end. It doesn't work the other way around. Trying so hard to get our story right while neglecting the greater story of greater good, the story God is writing, clouds our destiny, and may make an antagonist of each one of us. Slowly, before we are wiser. God wants the players, if you don't mind, to love his children--the other players. In every story there are villains, but take care that you aren't one of them.

Short Review of U2 3D, the movie experience

I saw U2 3D in the IMAX in Harrisburg on Saturday with my husband. I thought it might be like watching a documentary complete with a narrator and behind the scenes footage, but was happily surprised it was really like being at a real concert with value added features of up-close views and flying graphics-- and no ringing in your ears for days afterwards. They played about 20 songs and if you enjoy rock and roll with driving guitar riffs, a good drum core to it, and firm backbone bass with a haunting tenor lead vocal you'll like it. This music uncharacteristically isn't about the typic sex, drugs, and violence of just about all the other rock and roll bands since God knows when and you might like it too-- or you might not. U2 is famous for writing songs about unity, love, and peace. Bono regularly uses in fame and platform to promote causes to end poverty, 3rd world indebtedness, war, disease and injustice. He probably has a Jesus complex, but I think it's endearing, even noble, if you don't end up growing tired of it. It's lasted 27 plus years now.

You can see more about it all at u2.com.

This is a really thrilling and unique movie and concert 3D experience. If you get a chance to see and hear it for yourself, I doubt you'll be disappointed.