MISSING: certain old friends
I was checking up on Facebook. (Always a dangerous thing. My sister mentioned just this past week what a terrible time sink it can be.) Happened to notice the graduation of the son of a friend. This friend is someone I haven't seen in a while ... a long while. Time flies. Kids grow!
Trying not to sink too much time, I did happen to notice a few links. Links lead to links ... I came across an older friend, someone I haven't seen in a longer while.
Life takes you to various places and you can lose touch with friends. It's natural to miss your old friends, especially those who you were particularly close to. I miss these old friends. But with respect to the latter, it's more than just miss.
Somewhere in there we seem to have had a falling out. I think I did something to tick him off, but I'm not sure what. I suspect it may have had to do with a certain sideline business he was into (something I didn't really respect, but common and culturally accepted; he did nothing wrong).
Careful What You Say
I said something. It probably wasn't all that harsh, but it surely wasn't supportive (of my friend). Maybe that was it - it's the only thing that makes sense. (A sizable chunk of my circle at the time was involved in this business.) All I know for sure is that he and I lost touch. We lost touch in a way that my feeble attempts to reconnect were never reciprocated.
Part of my desire to reconnect is to apologize if that is needed. If I did offend this guy, I'd like to know. But as it stands, I'm in the dark.
Maybe I've misread the situation. Maybe someday I'll know.
-- R; <><
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Monday, December 23, 2013
Our Father, Please Help
Our Father, Please Help
It's vital for Christians to spend time with God. In my circles, we call it "quiet time".
Any relationship needs one-to-one time. The Lord has promised that He would never leave us. But do we leave Him? Sometimes we do. (Even if not by way of some sin.)
For me, it's a struggle to make that time. Probably partly my natural disorganized psyche. Partly surely the crunch of circumstances.
I thank God for "the Lord's Prayer". Some days, that's all I can manage. On most days, that's how I start anyway: consciously repeating the words from Matthew 6 and Luke 11. And listen.
Not fond of ritual, I avoided repetition in my own life for many years. But now, for the sake of consistency, I do it, almost daily. I need it. If I can do more, cover a list of things to talk with Him about, spend a little time reading His Word, so much the better. But I gotta have something. I don't need a liturgy, I just need Him.
-- R; <><
It's vital for Christians to spend time with God. In my circles, we call it "quiet time".
Any relationship needs one-to-one time. The Lord has promised that He would never leave us. But do we leave Him? Sometimes we do. (Even if not by way of some sin.)
For me, it's a struggle to make that time. Probably partly my natural disorganized psyche. Partly surely the crunch of circumstances.
I thank God for "the Lord's Prayer". Some days, that's all I can manage. On most days, that's how I start anyway: consciously repeating the words from Matthew 6 and Luke 11. And listen.
Not fond of ritual, I avoided repetition in my own life for many years. But now, for the sake of consistency, I do it, almost daily. I need it. If I can do more, cover a list of things to talk with Him about, spend a little time reading His Word, so much the better. But I gotta have something. I don't need a liturgy, I just need Him.
-- R; <><
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Father's Faithfulness
Father's Faithfulness
In Luke chapter 16 and verse 10, Jesus said, "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.". So ... be faithful in the small things, even things that seem humiliating.
When I was in college, my dad was in grad school. He and Mom had many jobs to make ends meet. I remember for one job, dad worked the graveyard shift. I also remember that I was impressed with his assignment. But later I learned that he dreaded it. But he did it.
One night, I was home from school, I went out to the site to hang out with Dad for a while. I remember very little of what we said, but I remember the time. I especially remember how proud I was of him.
My parents grew up in church. As is typical in our culture, they didn't "get it". Then a friend introduced them to another friend who took the time to explain the Gospel, they were sinners, apart from God, and needed redemption. When they understood, they believed! They wanted my sister and me to understand too. We did (I took longer), and we also believed! They shared this revelation with friends and family, even employees. My dad and his business partner (also a believer) got so active sharing Christ with colleagues and clients that Dad considered getting formally into ministry. That's how he wound up in grad school: seminary.
After graduating, Dad held a number of ministerial jobs, including pastoring the church where my wife's family attended. That's how we met. My dad's faithfulness in small things led to bigger things and eventually blessed me in a really big way.
So there we were, visiting briefly at his late night / early morning job. Later I learned how insignificant he felt in that place. I was shocked, because I was so impressed, and I let him know.
Thanks, Dad, for sticking with it.
The time will come when your Heavenly Father will say "well done".
-- R; <><
In Luke chapter 16 and verse 10, Jesus said, "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.". So ... be faithful in the small things, even things that seem humiliating.
When I was in college, my dad was in grad school. He and Mom had many jobs to make ends meet. I remember for one job, dad worked the graveyard shift. I also remember that I was impressed with his assignment. But later I learned that he dreaded it. But he did it.
One night, I was home from school, I went out to the site to hang out with Dad for a while. I remember very little of what we said, but I remember the time. I especially remember how proud I was of him.
My parents grew up in church. As is typical in our culture, they didn't "get it". Then a friend introduced them to another friend who took the time to explain the Gospel, they were sinners, apart from God, and needed redemption. When they understood, they believed! They wanted my sister and me to understand too. We did (I took longer), and we also believed! They shared this revelation with friends and family, even employees. My dad and his business partner (also a believer) got so active sharing Christ with colleagues and clients that Dad considered getting formally into ministry. That's how he wound up in grad school: seminary.
After graduating, Dad held a number of ministerial jobs, including pastoring the church where my wife's family attended. That's how we met. My dad's faithfulness in small things led to bigger things and eventually blessed me in a really big way.
So there we were, visiting briefly at his late night / early morning job. Later I learned how insignificant he felt in that place. I was shocked, because I was so impressed, and I let him know.
Thanks, Dad, for sticking with it.
The time will come when your Heavenly Father will say "well done".
-- R; <><
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Heartbeat of Heaven
Heartbeat of Heaven
I found the lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's "Heartbeat of Heaven" in several places, notably at his own web site. Cool! It's a great song ... lyrically, musically, ... theologically.
The fruit of the Spirit; scripture in song. I love this stuff. Galatians 5:22,23 on CD ... and on the web. Then to the following verse, many of us can relate directly. For me, another brush happened this past Friday.
There was a man I had seen before standing at an intersection near my office, the corner of the Wendy's lot, taking handouts as they were given. Last time I saw him, weeks ago, I looped around with the intention of offering him a burger. But he was gone. This time, I just drove on back to the office.
When I saw the beggar again, this song came to mind. I'm a musically driven guy (and very emotive), and this piece hits home ... er, uh ... "resonates" with me.
The "thoughts and dreams / plans and problems" part has invaded my focus lately. I have a good job and comfortable home, but what of my daily effort matters for eternity? Too little. It's hard to believe that God bought my salvation with His own life. And why? To show His love. Wow.
When we were visiting New York City years ago, I had lunch with my sister and my parents. In front of the place was a man asking for a handout, so my sister went back into the restaurant and bought him some fries. As I recall, he slapped them out of her hand. (Guessing he didn't really want to eat as much as something else. Who knows?) This fosters my skepticism. Thankfully, God continues to provide us food, and something way better, even after we reject Him. It's pretty humbling.
Some people are in truly dire straits. I KNOW that, so I'm not slamming the homeless. I'm simply using this journal as a place to express embarrassment at my own bad attitude.
Mr. Chapman and his team were kind enough to put the complete lyrics on his web site. There's a sample of the tune too. It's good! Probably could have made the point with only part of that text, but could not bring myself to cut any of it.
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/node/341
-- R; <><
I found the lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's "Heartbeat of Heaven" in several places, notably at his own web site. Cool! It's a great song ... lyrically, musically, ... theologically.
Loving, joyful, peaceful, patient
Kind and good and full of faith
Self-controlled and gentle
Oh the heart of heaven beats this way
The fruit of the Spirit; scripture in song. I love this stuff. Galatians 5:22,23 on CD ... and on the web. Then to the following verse, many of us can relate directly. For me, another brush happened this past Friday.
I pulled up to the stop sign and I saw him standing there
The cardboard sign he held said he was hungry
I looked the other way and waited for the light to change
As if to say, I'd help but I'm in such a hurry
These are the moments of truth
What would love have me do
There was a man I had seen before standing at an intersection near my office, the corner of the Wendy's lot, taking handouts as they were given. Last time I saw him, weeks ago, I looped around with the intention of offering him a burger. But he was gone. This time, I just drove on back to the office.
Oh, heartbeat of heaven, I want you to be my own
Oh, heartbeat of heaven, I want my life to show
The kind of love that comes and goes
With the heartbeat of heaven
When I saw the beggar again, this song came to mind. I'm a musically driven guy (and very emotive), and this piece hits home ... er, uh ... "resonates" with me.
I know at times this heart of mine beats only for itself
Full of thoughts and dreams, plans and problems
But this heart beating here in me belongs to someone else
He bought it with His life to show His love
This is my prayer, Lord, today
Let this heart beat away
The "thoughts and dreams / plans and problems" part has invaded my focus lately. I have a good job and comfortable home, but what of my daily effort matters for eternity? Too little. It's hard to believe that God bought my salvation with His own life. And why? To show His love. Wow.
Oh, heartbeat of heaven, I want you to be my own
Oh, heartbeat of heaven, I want my life to show
The kind of love that comes and goes
With the heartbeat of heaven
When we were visiting New York City years ago, I had lunch with my sister and my parents. In front of the place was a man asking for a handout, so my sister went back into the restaurant and bought him some fries. As I recall, he slapped them out of her hand. (Guessing he didn't really want to eat as much as something else. Who knows?) This fosters my skepticism. Thankfully, God continues to provide us food, and something way better, even after we reject Him. It's pretty humbling.
Some people are in truly dire straits. I KNOW that, so I'm not slamming the homeless. I'm simply using this journal as a place to express embarrassment at my own bad attitude.
Loving, joyful, peaceful, patient
Kind and good and full of faith
Self-controlled and gentle
Oh the heart of heaven beats this way
Mr. Chapman and his team were kind enough to put the complete lyrics on his web site. There's a sample of the tune too. It's good! Probably could have made the point with only part of that text, but could not bring myself to cut any of it.
Oh, heartbeat of heaven, I want you to be my own
Oh, heartbeat of heaven, I want my life to show
Oh, heartbeat of heaven, I want you to be my own
Oh, heartbeat of heaven, I want my life, I want my life to show
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/node/341
-- R; <><
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Litmus Leadership
Got the following from a friend of a friend via FB ...
It led me to this ...
Wow ... I had feared that we Christians had abandoned the donkey division (in favor of the elephant in the living room, to cast aspersions equally). How refreshing to find genuine Believers staunchly in the blue camp. Both sides of the US political turf desperately need salt and light.
From all I can tell, Graves and Mills are "real" Christians. It appears that they recognize their need for a Savior, and Jesus is IT and they believe it. That's the definition of "real Christian". Since publishing their surprising essay, they have been taking a beating from the rest of us.
I will vote mostly Republican. I categorically refuse to vote straight ticket.
Mrs. Dollar hears the claim that "real Christians vote Republican" and challenges it. Good for her! It boggles the mind how someone claiming to be a Christian can turn a blind eye to the social agenda driven via the Democrats. But the Republicans have faults too. Mills and Graves are no less Christian because they're voting for Obama.
Real Christians vote Republican
horse feces!
Real Christians believe in Jesus.
Real Christians presumably then follow Jesus, which means taking up your cross daily. And in this country, real Christians are obligated to vote because it is a civic responsibility.
Mitt Romney is not a Christian. He's a Mormon; Mormonism is not Christianity; ergo ... Romney is not a Christian. Mr. Romney publicly recognized that his faith is different from mine.
The venerable indicator, litmus, turns red for the acidic test and turns blue under caustic conditions. How fitting to this discussion ... red and blue.
As humans, we need indicators. In democratic nations, we vote. Which way should we cast that valuable token? So we look for cues. Some issues are clear.
As a Christian, I know that what really matters are the matters of the heart. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders." (Matt 15:19) I want to support (and vote for) leaders who oppose evil, stand against murder, oppose fornication and adultery, and fight against theft and lies.
In 2012, my indicators tell me we have a bigger problem with government overspending and taxing than with business overspending and overcharging. Big business overspends! Big companies overcharge! Just not as much. Just not today. I see red.
War is hell. (quoth Sherman, a soldier) I won't argue that our wars are allways "just". That's a whole nutha discussion. I do wish that back home we could agree to support life, the life of the innocent. A child is not a soldier. A child is not a criminal. A child is not a choice. If the unborn were unhuman, I would not hold this position. But all indications are that they are human, they are individual, they are ... alive! I see red, like blood spilled over the past 39 years.
From the indicators, I'm seeing red.
It would perhaps be better if government and/or the health industry left marriage undefined. But there are a ship load of other issues than medical coverage. Marriage is more than cohabitation. Relationships are more than what consenting adults carry on. Family is for fostering young and old alike. Kids don't simply need stability, they need models. This in no way slams single parents. Nor does it say that children of immoral parents are bad apples. Nor does it demean the infertile. We simply must try for the best: husband and wife, mother and father, family for life.
It is getting more and more difficult to read the cues. The indicators are sometimes painted. (You might get blue when you thought you picked red, or vice versa.) Just today, I got a "he's a liar" comment about one of the candidates, without citation or substantiation. When I asked for pointers, that guy responded that I could/should go find the details on my own. Not a way to strengthen his argument.
I would have voted Republican this time for POTUS because of the other issues. (I listed three. There are more. And I disagree with the GOP on many things.) But Mormonism is a real problem. I have been struggling. Not the same struggle as Dollar, Graves, and Mills, but personal and painful.
Some Christians have articulated ... choosing a non-Christian is frequently a reasonable thing. In my case, there are plenty of times and places where I would explicitly choose a non-Christian. Even where the choice is between a Christian and the non-Christian, sometimes I would go with the latter. (Family is good; nepotism not so much.)
If I had cancer, I would seek the best physician I could find, regardless his religion. When I need the car fixed, I want it done right, no matter if the guy doing it knows the Lord yet. (As it happens, my mechanic is a Christian. And he does excellent work; he's not cheap.) In my job, whether I'm looking for help or looking to hire, some of the candidates are atheists, homosexuals, even Mormons. I consider these people friends. (They do excellent work; they're not cheap.)
At this moment, there is one specific Mormon I would very much like to hire. (Not meaning Mitt. Different situation than the election.)
When choosing leadership, voting for president or representative or judge, the heart of the matter begins to matter all the more. I have to give an account before God. How will I justify my vote?
I will probably vote for Mitt Romney. He aligns well on a number of indicators. But I am having a very difficult time with the decision. Ironically, some Mormons don't like him either. Maybe they're Democrats.
What issues should "real Christians" care about?
When I class Mills and Graves and Dollar as Brethren, what should I expect them to do and say in this treasured American process?
Which way should I cast my own vote?
In the booth, it's up/down for the candiate. But arriving at that binary selection we have to digest a dozen other pro/con indicators. The reduction is increasingly difficult, but come Tuesday we must have boiled it down.
Honor God: The rejection of God by one of the two major parties pushes me hard toward the other. God is not on the ballot, but the "why" behind the actions of the candidates is motivated by their attitude toward Him, and they are on the ballot.
Choose Life: God created us in His image. We value all of God's creation. How much more should we then value the part which is "in His image"? Both of the headliners support abortion, one more strongly. Abortion is not on the ballot, but the office with veto power is.
Support Marriage: Without slamming friends and family who make wrong choices, you should still defend right choices. This is not hate.
Financial Accountability: Budgets and money are not immediately spiritual concerns, and they don't carry the weight of Eternity. (You can't take it with you.) So this is fourth on my list. But I am compelled to include it since it represents an impending storm. And Christians can have opposing views about how to act responsibly, as we see from our Democrat Christian friends.
Shawn, David, Ellen, please get your party to return to a Godly position regarding life and living.
-- R; <><
It led me to this ...
Wow ... I had feared that we Christians had abandoned the donkey division (in favor of the elephant in the living room, to cast aspersions equally). How refreshing to find genuine Believers staunchly in the blue camp. Both sides of the US political turf desperately need salt and light.
From all I can tell, Graves and Mills are "real" Christians. It appears that they recognize their need for a Savior, and Jesus is IT and they believe it. That's the definition of "real Christian". Since publishing their surprising essay, they have been taking a beating from the rest of us.
Republican != Christian
I will vote mostly Republican. I categorically refuse to vote straight ticket.
Mrs. Dollar hears the claim that "real Christians vote Republican" and challenges it. Good for her! It boggles the mind how someone claiming to be a Christian can turn a blind eye to the social agenda driven via the Democrats. But the Republicans have faults too. Mills and Graves are no less Christian because they're voting for Obama.
Real Christians vote Republican
horse feces!
Real Christians believe in Jesus.
Real Christians presumably then follow Jesus, which means taking up your cross daily. And in this country, real Christians are obligated to vote because it is a civic responsibility.
Mitt Romney is not a Christian. He's a Mormon; Mormonism is not Christianity; ergo ... Romney is not a Christian. Mr. Romney publicly recognized that his faith is different from mine.
Red or Blue
The venerable indicator, litmus, turns red for the acidic test and turns blue under caustic conditions. How fitting to this discussion ... red and blue.
As humans, we need indicators. In democratic nations, we vote. Which way should we cast that valuable token? So we look for cues. Some issues are clear.
As a Christian, I know that what really matters are the matters of the heart. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders." (Matt 15:19) I want to support (and vote for) leaders who oppose evil, stand against murder, oppose fornication and adultery, and fight against theft and lies.
- Candidates who indicate blue might stand against theft of big companies from the little guy.
- Candidates who indicate red might stand against theft of big government from the tax payer.
In 2012, my indicators tell me we have a bigger problem with government overspending and taxing than with business overspending and overcharging. Big business overspends! Big companies overcharge! Just not as much. Just not today. I see red.
- Candidates who indicate blue might oppose killing by their stated opposition to war.
- Candidates who indicate red might oppose killing of unborn children.
War is hell. (quoth Sherman, a soldier) I won't argue that our wars are allways "just". That's a whole nutha discussion. I do wish that back home we could agree to support life, the life of the innocent. A child is not a soldier. A child is not a criminal. A child is not a choice. If the unborn were unhuman, I would not hold this position. But all indications are that they are human, they are individual, they are ... alive! I see red, like blood spilled over the past 39 years.
- Candidates who indicate blue might protect us from government intrusion into lifestyle choices.
- Candidates who indicate red might protect us from government sanctioned immorality.
From the indicators, I'm seeing red.
It would perhaps be better if government and/or the health industry left marriage undefined. But there are a ship load of other issues than medical coverage. Marriage is more than cohabitation. Relationships are more than what consenting adults carry on. Family is for fostering young and old alike. Kids don't simply need stability, they need models. This in no way slams single parents. Nor does it say that children of immoral parents are bad apples. Nor does it demean the infertile. We simply must try for the best: husband and wife, mother and father, family for life.
No Easy Choice
It is getting more and more difficult to read the cues. The indicators are sometimes painted. (You might get blue when you thought you picked red, or vice versa.) Just today, I got a "he's a liar" comment about one of the candidates, without citation or substantiation. When I asked for pointers, that guy responded that I could/should go find the details on my own. Not a way to strengthen his argument.
I would have voted Republican this time for POTUS because of the other issues. (I listed three. There are more. And I disagree with the GOP on many things.) But Mormonism is a real problem. I have been struggling. Not the same struggle as Dollar, Graves, and Mills, but personal and painful.
Some Christians have articulated ... choosing a non-Christian is frequently a reasonable thing. In my case, there are plenty of times and places where I would explicitly choose a non-Christian. Even where the choice is between a Christian and the non-Christian, sometimes I would go with the latter. (Family is good; nepotism not so much.)
If I had cancer, I would seek the best physician I could find, regardless his religion. When I need the car fixed, I want it done right, no matter if the guy doing it knows the Lord yet. (As it happens, my mechanic is a Christian. And he does excellent work; he's not cheap.) In my job, whether I'm looking for help or looking to hire, some of the candidates are atheists, homosexuals, even Mormons. I consider these people friends. (They do excellent work; they're not cheap.)
At this moment, there is one specific Mormon I would very much like to hire. (Not meaning Mitt. Different situation than the election.)
When choosing leadership, voting for president or representative or judge, the heart of the matter begins to matter all the more. I have to give an account before God. How will I justify my vote?
I will probably vote for Mitt Romney. He aligns well on a number of indicators. But I am having a very difficult time with the decision. Ironically, some Mormons don't like him either. Maybe they're Democrats.
Real Christians Vote How?
What issues should "real Christians" care about?
When I class Mills and Graves and Dollar as Brethren, what should I expect them to do and say in this treasured American process?
Which way should I cast my own vote?
In the booth, it's up/down for the candiate. But arriving at that binary selection we have to digest a dozen other pro/con indicators. The reduction is increasingly difficult, but come Tuesday we must have boiled it down.
Honor God: The rejection of God by one of the two major parties pushes me hard toward the other. God is not on the ballot, but the "why" behind the actions of the candidates is motivated by their attitude toward Him, and they are on the ballot.
Choose Life: God created us in His image. We value all of God's creation. How much more should we then value the part which is "in His image"? Both of the headliners support abortion, one more strongly. Abortion is not on the ballot, but the office with veto power is.
Support Marriage: Without slamming friends and family who make wrong choices, you should still defend right choices. This is not hate.
Financial Accountability: Budgets and money are not immediately spiritual concerns, and they don't carry the weight of Eternity. (You can't take it with you.) So this is fourth on my list. But I am compelled to include it since it represents an impending storm. And Christians can have opposing views about how to act responsibly, as we see from our Democrat Christian friends.
Shawn, David, Ellen, please get your party to return to a Godly position regarding life and living.
-- R; <><
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Losing Face(book) over Time(line)
... or "to leave or not to leave".
I got the following notice late Tuesday (August 9):
Welcome to Your Timeline — Preview
Timeline is your collection of the photos, posts and experiences that help tell your story.
People won't start seeing your timeline until August 14. This gives you a chance to:
1. Review what's on your timeline now.
2. Add or hide whatever you want.
...
I immediately posted a knee jerk scream, which drew some follow-up from "friends". One said get over it. (Gee, thanks for the support, bro.) Another spoke up that she likes the new format. (Credit to her for that because I accuse the majority of silent acceptance.) A third thought he had angered me with his jab: why should a free service support two interfaces? But I was not angry (at him). I said that I should follow my plan and leave. Both he and a fourth asked me to stay.
Guessing it is obvious ... I really don't like Timeline.
So ... to stay or not to stay?
I have less than five days to decide.
If I do leave, I have less than five days to complete the other arrangements.
(Which have been in development for years anyway.)
And what is the problem?
I have always found the new format more difficult to follow (as others have switched). While I like the idea of "telling my story", I feel even more exposed because I distrust Facebook's handling of "my story", and this is a further step in me organizing the data for them. But most significantly, I hate being told what to with my own stuff. I despise being forced into a framework I find unwieldy.There is at least a learning curve, which burns up time I don't have.
There is more to it.
The jab from that third friend (mentioned beforehand) was ... in the Facebook economy, users are not the customer, they are the product. Users are "sold" to advertisers. This is widely recognized by computer professionals. (Probably clearly seen also by economists, certainly by advertisers.) It is not understood by lay people (normal users, consumers, most of your family and friends). The majority are lambs ... silently sold to the sellers.
If that last sentence seems senseless, that is the point. The US economy, even the world economy, has turned into one massive TV broadcast, paid for by advertising. So it's all free, right? Not! Advertisers want you to buy something. They will fund the "free show" (television, radio, and now internet) in hopes that you will spend real money on other things. But many of us would happily pay for programming and services if we could get relief from the mind numbing drone of commercials. (And why is it that so many of the subscription channels on cable and satellite also run ads? Someone is double-dipping. Ewww...)
Granted, I don't pay for this service either. But it is backed by one that I do pay for.
That's more than I wanted to say about advertising, and probably less than I should say about Facebook. And now I have 45 minutes less time to figure out what I will do about Timeline.
-- R; <><
Guessing it is obvious ... I really don't like Timeline.
So ... to stay or not to stay?
I have less than five days to decide.
If I do leave, I have less than five days to complete the other arrangements.
(Which have been in development for years anyway.)
And what is the problem?
I have always found the new format more difficult to follow (as others have switched). While I like the idea of "telling my story", I feel even more exposed because I distrust Facebook's handling of "my story", and this is a further step in me organizing the data for them. But most significantly, I hate being told what to with my own stuff. I despise being forced into a framework I find unwieldy.There is at least a learning curve, which burns up time I don't have.
There is more to it.
The jab from that third friend (mentioned beforehand) was ... in the Facebook economy, users are not the customer, they are the product. Users are "sold" to advertisers. This is widely recognized by computer professionals. (Probably clearly seen also by economists, certainly by advertisers.) It is not understood by lay people (normal users, consumers, most of your family and friends). The majority are lambs ... silently sold to the sellers.
If that last sentence seems senseless, that is the point. The US economy, even the world economy, has turned into one massive TV broadcast, paid for by advertising. So it's all free, right? Not! Advertisers want you to buy something. They will fund the "free show" (television, radio, and now internet) in hopes that you will spend real money on other things. But many of us would happily pay for programming and services if we could get relief from the mind numbing drone of commercials. (And why is it that so many of the subscription channels on cable and satellite also run ads? Someone is double-dipping. Ewww...)
Granted, I don't pay for this service either. But it is backed by one that I do pay for.
That's more than I wanted to say about advertising, and probably less than I should say about Facebook. And now I have 45 minutes less time to figure out what I will do about Timeline.
-- R; <><
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Pro-Family != Hate
It's time to remove the verbal veil ... see what is really happening.
There are people campaigning to blot out hate speech.
If it were truly hate speech that they were blotting, I would join them. I'd bring my own ink!
But it's not.
"They" have an agenda.
Their agenda is to normalize their own way of life. One of their tactics is to label any detractions or objections as "hate speech". Such a cute trick: If you disagree with another group, come up with a label everyone hates and stick it to them.
The label "hate speech" is a rhetorical device that is used to shut down dialogue. It should serve as its own warning label, "someone doesn't actually want to talk about it". And they don't want you to talk ... at all.
We are pro-family. I say "we" because my wife and kids and most of our nearest relatives and close friends are pro-family. To be clear, by pro-family, I mean that we support traditional marriage: one man, one woman, "til death do us part". There's no hate in that arrangement.
Several alternative lifestyles, one in particular, define marriage differently. But some of us don't want to swallow this redefinition. A large number of people, many of them Christians, disagree with the idea and disapprove of the agenda. Doesn't mean we hate anyone. Frankly, just the opposite. But to say that "gay marriage is wrong" is flagged as hate speech.
To be fair, there certainly are some in the anti-gay-marriage camp who do hate. But life is not boolean logic and two wrongs don't make a right, so the hate of some does not render the "gay marriage is wrong" statement hate verbiage. The anger of some straights is worth discussing ... in a different post.
If I said smoking was bad for you, would that be hate speech? I don't hate smokers. Would it be wrong to say that I "hate" breathing second hand tobacco smoke? Hate is a four-letter word.
If I said getting drunk is usually not smart, would you call it hate speech? Most of us "hate" drunk driving. Most of us recognize that drunkenness, even "safe" when you're not driving, makes you look bad. (YouTube is everywhere.)
If I said that divorce hurts everyone, would that be hate? All of my friends who have gone through it have expressed pain. God said, "I hate divorce.", so do you censor Him?
Scared of Losing Something? Sure, I'm scared of losing something.
I'm scared, as an American, of losing the heritage that made this country great. Historically, the US did many things well, though we made mistakes. I have always said that the best of America was rooted in Reformation Christianity. (But I'll save defending that position for another post.) A cornerstone of that legacy is "traditional marriage".
As a Christian, I know that I have made mistakes. No no ... let's be clear ... not "mistakes", I have done wrong, harmful and hurtful things. I am no better than drunkards or cheaters or ... or homosexuals. (If we lived under sharia law, I might have lost fingers by now, maybe worse.) I am thankful that Jesus took it for me.
Getting it right, in the Old Testament, is tedious. No one makes it. And there is a constant reminder, "sin must be dealt with". Every other culture (around the Jews in the BC days) would change the rules, either make it relative or say it doesn't matter. (We still do that today.)
Getting it right, in the New Testament, means take the offer. Believe and receive. Then live. And remember you're "a new creation". So don't go back to your old ways. As a Christian, I have nothing to lose. So I'm not scared of the homosexual agenda. But it still hurts.
So ... without fear ... without being shrill or frantic ... and without hate ... gay marriage is wrong. Not to say that some friends don't disagree. (I will not "out" those near and dear to me who are stuck in it. They are loved!)
But "they" (the movement) have an agenda.
They want to make their lifestyle "okay", but it is not victimless. no more than cutting. Their "orientation" is about as real as a nicotine fit. It's a choice.
Their agenda is to normalize their way of life, but they cannot do that without destroying another way of life. I hate that.
-- R; <><
There are people campaigning to blot out hate speech.
If it were truly hate speech that they were blotting, I would join them. I'd bring my own ink!
But it's not.
"They" have an agenda.
Their agenda is to normalize their own way of life. One of their tactics is to label any detractions or objections as "hate speech". Such a cute trick: If you disagree with another group, come up with a label everyone hates and stick it to them.
The label "hate speech" is a rhetorical device that is used to shut down dialogue. It should serve as its own warning label, "someone doesn't actually want to talk about it". And they don't want you to talk ... at all.
We are pro-family. I say "we" because my wife and kids and most of our nearest relatives and close friends are pro-family. To be clear, by pro-family, I mean that we support traditional marriage: one man, one woman, "til death do us part". There's no hate in that arrangement.
Several alternative lifestyles, one in particular, define marriage differently. But some of us don't want to swallow this redefinition. A large number of people, many of them Christians, disagree with the idea and disapprove of the agenda. Doesn't mean we hate anyone. Frankly, just the opposite. But to say that "gay marriage is wrong" is flagged as hate speech.
To be fair, there certainly are some in the anti-gay-marriage camp who do hate. But life is not boolean logic and two wrongs don't make a right, so the hate of some does not render the "gay marriage is wrong" statement hate verbiage. The anger of some straights is worth discussing ... in a different post.
If I said smoking was bad for you, would that be hate speech? I don't hate smokers. Would it be wrong to say that I "hate" breathing second hand tobacco smoke? Hate is a four-letter word.
If I said getting drunk is usually not smart, would you call it hate speech? Most of us "hate" drunk driving. Most of us recognize that drunkenness, even "safe" when you're not driving, makes you look bad. (YouTube is everywhere.)
If I said that divorce hurts everyone, would that be hate? All of my friends who have gone through it have expressed pain. God said, "I hate divorce.", so do you censor Him?
Scared of Losing Something? Sure, I'm scared of losing something.
"Those who are scared of losing something are those who seem frantic or shrill or outraged."
-- Russell Moore
-- Russell Moore
I'm scared, as an American, of losing the heritage that made this country great. Historically, the US did many things well, though we made mistakes. I have always said that the best of America was rooted in Reformation Christianity. (But I'll save defending that position for another post.) A cornerstone of that legacy is "traditional marriage".
As a Christian, I know that I have made mistakes. No no ... let's be clear ... not "mistakes", I have done wrong, harmful and hurtful things. I am no better than drunkards or cheaters or ... or homosexuals. (If we lived under sharia law, I might have lost fingers by now, maybe worse.) I am thankful that Jesus took it for me.
- The Jewish law tells us how to live.
- The Jewish Messiah redeems us with His Own Life.
Getting it right, in the Old Testament, is tedious. No one makes it. And there is a constant reminder, "sin must be dealt with". Every other culture (around the Jews in the BC days) would change the rules, either make it relative or say it doesn't matter. (We still do that today.)
Getting it right, in the New Testament, means take the offer. Believe and receive. Then live. And remember you're "a new creation". So don't go back to your old ways. As a Christian, I have nothing to lose. So I'm not scared of the homosexual agenda. But it still hurts.
So ... without fear ... without being shrill or frantic ... and without hate ... gay marriage is wrong. Not to say that some friends don't disagree. (I will not "out" those near and dear to me who are stuck in it. They are loved!)
But "they" (the movement) have an agenda.
They want to make their lifestyle "okay", but it is not victimless. no more than cutting. Their "orientation" is about as real as a nicotine fit. It's a choice.
Their agenda is to normalize their way of life, but they cannot do that without destroying another way of life. I hate that.
-- R; <><
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