Walk It Off

Besides pigeons, there was only one other species in a park today.

Thought (from a distance - they were skittish) I saw some sparrows.

They could be finches just as well. Made themselves scarce fast.

Settled on a study of building materials; out of season of course.

Christmas coming and just might print some up.
The "series" I did today would be just right.

I'd like to do portraiture after running out of "things" locally.

I see many interesting faces, sometimes startling.

Question of exploitation; not even considering the 4th Amendment.
Then again, given adequate gear, a possibility. Complicated.
Another question: sign them off and expect to be paid? The cheek!

Anyway, goodly sunshine today compensated the inadequacy.

Just Any Old Tree

Another sunset.
Making do.

Be Nice

Coincidental reading today that this Dürer piece has been recently restored and my having had a awkward experience in Bible study yesterday. I'm in a "singles" ministry where the majority of the members are women. I'm the sole man participating in a particular discussion group.

There was an argument as to whether Adam and Eve, explicitly told to eat not of the Tree of Knowledge, were at liberty to partake of the Tree of Life prior to their expulsion from the garden. A close reading indicates that they were but evidently never had the opportunity. Banished, they were prohibited from that as well and destined for travail.

Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

The controversy arose over this citation:

Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

Upon redemption, our freedom to eat of the Tree of Life is restored.

The curse removed, by grace we proceed in blessed assurance. Amen.

I've no idea how they got to argue about this... it's all poesy to me. As they went back and forth and called upon an elderly authority to resolve the matter, I was caught up in the metaphorical as opposed to the literal and turned to the woman next to me.

"Words are the source of misunderstanding."

"I know." she said as I'd an inkling she'd know the source of that.

I find these conflicts stressful. No Bible scholar, I do know that Adam and Eve are archaic Hebrew words for man and woman. Many cultures have indigenous genesis stories - this one served the Hebrews quite well, obedience being a precursor to an ordered society. It still "works" on account of the nature of human relationships; with each other and with property. "Do as you're told." and "Don't take what doesn't belong to you." perennially functional. Sexual dynamics seem part of the drama, but certainly aren't the only thing involved.

With regard to enmity between men and women, well, that ought to be alleviated by our Christian experience pursuant to this. And "No Trespassing" means exactly that - thanks; we'll see whether the educational purpose flies.

Not Hungry

Need to work up an appetite toward Thanksgiving repast.
Will be going for a walk real soon. Not too far.

Would like to go to White Tanks; sometimes waterfalls after a rain.
But truck needs work hence range diminished. Close by, then dinner.

Truth to Tell

I should add that I was privileged to do the reading below.
Frankly, already read Dylan's book... completely forgotten.

Read this quite a while ago too. Not so much forgotten.
Wow... looks like a free review... how fortunate.

Exercising Great Care

Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.

Given an opportunity to read aloud in a LTC facility at a hymn-sing,
you've got to consider that the residents there need to be protected.
Hence the regulators; my own direct experience with these folks.
When came time to knock off, something to look forward too.

I'd wanted to go into hospital chaplaincy...
went as far as I could without a support system.
Can't lift anymore. Am wary of clinical people.
Something will come along, I hope. Meanwhile.

Step right up...

Quite the coincidence.

Very grateful to be able to attend church yesterday after a period of schedule conflict, that's what the pastor preached on. Really.. going out the door on the way to coffee prior, I was most glad. Got there on time, more or less, and enjoyed the Bible study too.

He cited Charles Dickens on how we should be thankful every day:

There is always something for which to be thankful.

There is something in every season, in every day,
to celebrate with thanksgiving.

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many--
not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

It's God's will that we be like this, no matter what the conditions.
The scripture here shows us how to prioritize that.
Thence to count our many blessings.

It takes some doing to incorporate this into our being.
Hence prayer and an indigenous "glad to be here."