Time plays an important part in our culture. We speak of it as a living, breathing object, "Time marches on" or "the march of time." We speak of it, as a possession, "I wish I had the time," "I'm out of time," "Will please give me some of your time." We use it like a trader's commodity— money, "I bought some time," "My time was spent foolishly," or "Time well spent."
Time seems to fluctuate as our need or usefulness increases. Time never changes; it is still sixty seconds in a minute, sixty minutes in an hour, twenty-four hours in a day. Although it doesn't change, our perception of it does; from the prisoner sentenced to twenty years to the father seeing his twenty year old daughter on her wedding day, that same period is an eternity for one but a short time for the other. To a person trying to beat a deadline time is fleeting, to the employee starting the last day of work before his vacation, it is an eternity. It is unyielding, timeless and as in from the dawn of time yet relentless as in, "Time will tell."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 tells it all for us:
"1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live."
K
Showing posts with label Religion and Philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion and Philosophy. Show all posts
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Golden What?
Well I did it; I borrowed my wife's computer and crashed it. You have to understand, my wife is very possessive of her property and doesn't want anyone borrowing it without her permission or worse, wrecking it. An that is exactly what I did, I screwed it up and it took hours, several phone calls to my IT employed son and a network download to get it back into operation. You'd think that by now I would have learned.
Since we all make mistakes you would assume that we would have learned by them. The smart ones of us do, the rest of us keep making the same mistakes over and over again. What is it with us and why do we do this? To the alcoholic, it requires intervention via Alcoholic Anonymous, a sponsor and meeting attendance to make it work or they'll keep getting into trouble. The chemically dependent they have a similar organization and for the minor criminal, its jail time and /or shock probation. Some how we just don't learn until it's too late.
Of course the best idea is to never do the incorrect thing in the first place. By now, as adults, we should have learned to treat others, as we would like to be treated. It's called the Golden Rule. Most of us ignore it completely, we're looking for that instant response, that short cut, the get rich quick scheme, or that idea that rules are for other people and not really for us. We are our own worst enemies and the trouble is we haven't caught on to the consequences of our actions. Well, practice makes perfect, and perfection would be to put ourselves in that other person's position each and every time we're about to do something—outrageous or stupid.
K.
Since we all make mistakes you would assume that we would have learned by them. The smart ones of us do, the rest of us keep making the same mistakes over and over again. What is it with us and why do we do this? To the alcoholic, it requires intervention via Alcoholic Anonymous, a sponsor and meeting attendance to make it work or they'll keep getting into trouble. The chemically dependent they have a similar organization and for the minor criminal, its jail time and /or shock probation. Some how we just don't learn until it's too late.
Of course the best idea is to never do the incorrect thing in the first place. By now, as adults, we should have learned to treat others, as we would like to be treated. It's called the Golden Rule. Most of us ignore it completely, we're looking for that instant response, that short cut, the get rich quick scheme, or that idea that rules are for other people and not really for us. We are our own worst enemies and the trouble is we haven't caught on to the consequences of our actions. Well, practice makes perfect, and perfection would be to put ourselves in that other person's position each and every time we're about to do something—outrageous or stupid.
K.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Christmas--"Blah humbug" or "God bless us everyone?"
Have you started writing your Christmas cards yet? I'm sure you know which of your friends will be the first to have a card in your mailbox. You know which one will send you the long detailed list of things they've done during the past year—called the Christmas Letter. You may wish to call it "Sing your own praises." Mrs. K and I are procrastinators. We send ours out so late they're into the beginning into the New Year; they're called "Epiphany Epistles."
The Christmas card started out in Victorian England in 1843. It was helped along by the development of the public penny post and the speed with which the new railroads could deliver mail. They started out as a kind of stationery. Sir Henry Cole, a British Postal Service employee, together with John Callcott Horsley, an artist, created the first card. This early card showed Christmas scenes in three panels. The center panel had children, parents and grandparents seated at a table, with some raising their glasses for a toast. It caused controversy because it showed a small child drinking wine. The side panels showed acts of Christmas charity: the left panel feeding the hungry; the right, clothing the naked. Underneath was the familiar phrase " A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."
Early English cards rarely showed winter or religious themes, instead were pictures of flowers, fairies and other fanciful designs to reminded us of the approach of Spring. Humorous and sentimental images of children and animals were popular, as were increasingly elaborate shapes, decorations and materials
In Germany, manufactured Christmas cards boomed in the 1860s. The earliest known Christmas card posted in Finland dates from 1871. In 1875, Louis Prang became the first printer to offer cards in America. Advances in printing techniques added to the popularity of Christmas cards as they made their real breakthrough in the 1920s.
So you really don't need to mail out Christmas Cards, as the tradition is not that old. You can call up your friends and wish them Season Greetings or you can Email them—like I just did. From Mrs. K. and I to you and your household "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."
K.
The Christmas card started out in Victorian England in 1843. It was helped along by the development of the public penny post and the speed with which the new railroads could deliver mail. They started out as a kind of stationery. Sir Henry Cole, a British Postal Service employee, together with John Callcott Horsley, an artist, created the first card. This early card showed Christmas scenes in three panels. The center panel had children, parents and grandparents seated at a table, with some raising their glasses for a toast. It caused controversy because it showed a small child drinking wine. The side panels showed acts of Christmas charity: the left panel feeding the hungry; the right, clothing the naked. Underneath was the familiar phrase " A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."
Early English cards rarely showed winter or religious themes, instead were pictures of flowers, fairies and other fanciful designs to reminded us of the approach of Spring. Humorous and sentimental images of children and animals were popular, as were increasingly elaborate shapes, decorations and materials
In Germany, manufactured Christmas cards boomed in the 1860s. The earliest known Christmas card posted in Finland dates from 1871. In 1875, Louis Prang became the first printer to offer cards in America. Advances in printing techniques added to the popularity of Christmas cards as they made their real breakthrough in the 1920s.
So you really don't need to mail out Christmas Cards, as the tradition is not that old. You can call up your friends and wish them Season Greetings or you can Email them—like I just did. From Mrs. K. and I to you and your household "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."
K.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Father forgive me for I have sinned.
We have heard the expressions; "I'll never forgive you for that stunt, not as long as I live." We've heard the axiom, "Forgive and forget." We've even heard the plea. "Please forgive me, I'll never do it again, I promise." Asking for forgiveness and being willing to forgive are two of the strongest emotions in our Western civilization. Being forgiven cleanses the soul and makes us complete—we feel that all is OK again and everything is right with the world. Withholding forgiveness can be thought of a power play, giving us a deadly edge as well as imagined leverage.
Just what is the right, err change that to proper way to forgive anyone? Simon Peter was also vexed with this same question and comes up to Jesus: "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21). The may have been an Old Testament adage; forgive seven times. The number seven is important in the bible, it is a prim number but it also shows completeness such as seven days of the week, seven deadly sins, the seventh son of the seventh son, or in the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
In verse 22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven." If you thought you were keeping track of the number of times your brother sinned against you Simon Peter, try keeping track of 490 times of forgiveness. You would loose count and find the task impossible. Jesus elaborates this again. "If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." (Luke 17:4) In essence we say forgive and forget—difficult but a very important aspect of our society.
K.
Just what is the right, err change that to proper way to forgive anyone? Simon Peter was also vexed with this same question and comes up to Jesus: "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21). The may have been an Old Testament adage; forgive seven times. The number seven is important in the bible, it is a prim number but it also shows completeness such as seven days of the week, seven deadly sins, the seventh son of the seventh son, or in the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
In verse 22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven." If you thought you were keeping track of the number of times your brother sinned against you Simon Peter, try keeping track of 490 times of forgiveness. You would loose count and find the task impossible. Jesus elaborates this again. "If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." (Luke 17:4) In essence we say forgive and forget—difficult but a very important aspect of our society.
K.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Lord, when did we see you hungry, or naked or in prison?
I really couldn't believe what he was asking me to do, "I'll buy him a pizza slice and you give it to him." I emphatically refused, first thinking he was joking and then realized he was dead serious. "I'll buy him something to eat and you just take it to him" He was serious. Why would I get up out my comfortable seat, leave my friends and take food out to a homeless person, a derelict, a bum. "You got to be kidding," I mumbled.
He called over the waitress, "I'll buy that guy outside something to eat; can you take it to him?" Her response wasn't much better, "We used to give them the leftovers but then we couldn't have them lining up blocking the way (for the paying customers)." "I'll take it to him," she said. My head turned to the young woman coworker that had been sitting next to me all this while. I was amazed, surprised and just plain shocked. Then she did just that—got up out of her seat, stood in line, got the food and when we walked out of the restaurant together gave it to him. She returned back to where we were waiting. It was a very simple act for both of my coworkers, required very little effort and made someone very happy and grateful. While people all around him people were enjoying their lunch, he had something to eat as well.
I learned something that bright, sunny, September Tuesday during lunch. I learned that I'm a closet Christian; when I hang up my suit after church I put away everything else I've been taught. I had forgotten the story of the Good Samaritan, giving to the poor and treating others the same way, as I would expect them to treat me. Christianity is more than a Sunday morning event left in the church parking lot as you drive away; it's a 24/7 event. I had not passed the test, I had failed miserably. "What you have done to the least of these my brethren, you have done unto me." Lord, help me to understand what you have done for us, your love and your grace. Help me to understand Lord that compassion is more than just a word but requires action as well.
K.
He called over the waitress, "I'll buy that guy outside something to eat; can you take it to him?" Her response wasn't much better, "We used to give them the leftovers but then we couldn't have them lining up blocking the way (for the paying customers)." "I'll take it to him," she said. My head turned to the young woman coworker that had been sitting next to me all this while. I was amazed, surprised and just plain shocked. Then she did just that—got up out of her seat, stood in line, got the food and when we walked out of the restaurant together gave it to him. She returned back to where we were waiting. It was a very simple act for both of my coworkers, required very little effort and made someone very happy and grateful. While people all around him people were enjoying their lunch, he had something to eat as well.
I learned something that bright, sunny, September Tuesday during lunch. I learned that I'm a closet Christian; when I hang up my suit after church I put away everything else I've been taught. I had forgotten the story of the Good Samaritan, giving to the poor and treating others the same way, as I would expect them to treat me. Christianity is more than a Sunday morning event left in the church parking lot as you drive away; it's a 24/7 event. I had not passed the test, I had failed miserably. "What you have done to the least of these my brethren, you have done unto me." Lord, help me to understand what you have done for us, your love and your grace. Help me to understand Lord that compassion is more than just a word but requires action as well.
K.
Friday, August 24, 2007
“Wherever an altar is found, there civilization exists.” Joseph De Maistre 1753-1821, diplomat
If you think back one just one hundred years ago, we were very much an agricultural, agrarian styled culture. People worked their farms and stayed much closer together. The extended family was an important part of a young mother's base of operations where she could turn to help should the need arise.
The second leg of our illustrated triangle was the church. Religion played an important part in moral training that told children, in no uncertain terms, what was expected of them in God's plan of life. They were told the Ten Commandments and expected to memorize them and observe them. There was no question in anyone mind where they would be spending Sunday mornings. If they weren't in church, they were on their deathbeds.
The third leg of a mother's operational triangle was her husband, who was by his own religious training, was expected to be considerate to his wife, and treat her with respect (1 Peter 3:7). Failure to do so would "hinder your prayers." Now, remember I'm speaking of one hundred years ago.
Today, we have single mothers, who seldom have time for church and don't depend upon their extended family because they live miles away. There is a deep-set belief in this country about the separation of church and state; children receive no moral training in the school or home. Children do not know how to act, and given a period of time like this for the child to mature, a mother could become fearful of her child's value judgments. The cliché "boys will be boys" is a lame excuse for the actions a lot of young teenage men.
So what can we do? We can't turn back the clock. There has been a "back to the Bible" moment that could help both mothers and children. Morality has to be an important part of today's instruction. Children should be allowed to receive, during a structured timetable, instruction in the religion of their choice as part of their school curriculum. Failure to do so will only cause the downfall of the American system as we head toward a godless society.
K.
The second leg of our illustrated triangle was the church. Religion played an important part in moral training that told children, in no uncertain terms, what was expected of them in God's plan of life. They were told the Ten Commandments and expected to memorize them and observe them. There was no question in anyone mind where they would be spending Sunday mornings. If they weren't in church, they were on their deathbeds.
The third leg of a mother's operational triangle was her husband, who was by his own religious training, was expected to be considerate to his wife, and treat her with respect (1 Peter 3:7). Failure to do so would "hinder your prayers." Now, remember I'm speaking of one hundred years ago.
Today, we have single mothers, who seldom have time for church and don't depend upon their extended family because they live miles away. There is a deep-set belief in this country about the separation of church and state; children receive no moral training in the school or home. Children do not know how to act, and given a period of time like this for the child to mature, a mother could become fearful of her child's value judgments. The cliché "boys will be boys" is a lame excuse for the actions a lot of young teenage men.
So what can we do? We can't turn back the clock. There has been a "back to the Bible" moment that could help both mothers and children. Morality has to be an important part of today's instruction. Children should be allowed to receive, during a structured timetable, instruction in the religion of their choice as part of their school curriculum. Failure to do so will only cause the downfall of the American system as we head toward a godless society.
K.
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