Friday, December 02, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Optimal Foraging Theory
If you care anything about the formation of American culture, you'll read this:
Hence, Americans do not eat insects, not because they taste bad but because the amount of energy required to gather them is high and the return in protein is relatively low. Our perception that they "taste Bad" follows their undesirability as a source of food.
Hence, Americans do not eat insects, not because they taste bad but because the amount of energy required to gather them is high and the return in protein is relatively low. Our perception that they "taste Bad" follows their undesirability as a source of food.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Spoiling the whole bunch
"What ultimately led to the demise in the popularity of apple cider consumption was the Temperance movement. Because the Temperance movement was religiously based, many of the church going farmers gave up their drinking of apple cider. Many of them even went so far as to chop down the apple trees on their farms."
"During the Colonial Era, hard apple cider was the most popular alcoholic beverage in America"...read this or this
A Real Store
Yes, Abby lives in NY
"During the Colonial Era, hard apple cider was the most popular alcoholic beverage in America"...read this or this
A Real Store
Yes, Abby lives in NY
Niews and Vews
After reading this article, I came away with one disturbing question. A question that speaks volumes about our current (a) ignorance of everything historic and (b) our position of arrogance.
Piracy or Terror?
I'm really at a loss as to what the essential difference between piracy and terror is. I mean, isn't piracy a form of terrorism and aren't terrorist acutually pirates? The title alone supports an idea that if one had to chose, piracy is the best way to go. As if pirates are some sort of Robin Hood hero. In the epitome of seafaring Navies, pirates were shot first and hanged later. If I wasn't so lazy and persuaded of my point I could quickly dig up some British Naval document or law mandating the death of pirates.
Granted, technically pirates and terrorist are two different classes of disturbances, but only in academia. They both aim to cripple governments, have political greviences, are generally unorganized with limited monies, but are highly motivated, largely communal, and don't shave. Obviously though, in order to be branded a terrorist you have to have 'an American target'.
Piracy or Terror?
I'm really at a loss as to what the essential difference between piracy and terror is. I mean, isn't piracy a form of terrorism and aren't terrorist acutually pirates? The title alone supports an idea that if one had to chose, piracy is the best way to go. As if pirates are some sort of Robin Hood hero. In the epitome of seafaring Navies, pirates were shot first and hanged later. If I wasn't so lazy and persuaded of my point I could quickly dig up some British Naval document or law mandating the death of pirates.
Granted, technically pirates and terrorist are two different classes of disturbances, but only in academia. They both aim to cripple governments, have political greviences, are generally unorganized with limited monies, but are highly motivated, largely communal, and don't shave. Obviously though, in order to be branded a terrorist you have to have 'an American target'.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Desired Effects
Everything we as Americans have is a result of our cravings for efficiency. Nobody, and I mean niguno, is exempt from it's tentacles. While some of us hate the very word, we still benefit from it's effects.
Even the most separte people of our nation freely enjoy the result of the industrial revolution and beyond. Whereas the Amish are not allowed to own most modern equipment, they can use small gas engines to power tedders, discbines, balers etc. All these implements are horse drawn but gas powered.
So where does that leave the average 'english' farmer? Right in the clutches of modernity. Producing (usually) a single commodity on a large scale (not necessarily mega-farms) as efficiently as possible. Which in order to survive, they must play by certain rules. These rules are usually unspoken, but widely known. The most important dictate, however, is produce efficiently.
Example:
Let's talk about milking parlor efficiency. There is more jargon created to describe parlor efficiency than you can shake a stick at. Cows/hr, cows/man hr, turns/hr, pounds of milk/man hr, prep time, prep lag time, and my favorite, fall-offs/hr.
All these numbers are indecies trying to make concrete out of abstract events. Of course these numbers all have an end. And that end is to make management decisions. Hire/fire Joe Blow, cull/treat cow#1234, implement automation etc. This is where my point starts to develop (in case you wondered where I was going with this). In order for efficiency to be maximized, little by little inputs must be purchased. For example, in order to milk 100 cows/hr in a double 8 parlor automation is explicitly required. Automatic take-offs, rapid exit, crowd gates, plate cooler, large claws, two recievers, and the list continues. None of these technologies can easily be produced on farm. Farms today are entirely too dependant on outside inputs, and they have been silently coerced in order to produce efficiently. Mind you though, there was never a time when farms were self sustaining islands. Farms always were and always will be needful of inputs; the quantity of inputs per output is my scruffle. Notice now I'm not eliminating efficiency entirely (the previous sentence includes a measure of efficiency), to do so would be an impossibility.
Take now for instance a farm that produces many products. Wool, milk, meat, apples, corn etc. There always needs to be a larger production of a 'safe' product to fall back on in hard times, but diversity nonetheless. Farms back in the hill country are closest to this paradigm. They burn wood, make maple syrup, sell timber, own a sawmill, and do much of the work themselves. BUT, they still need rubber tires, gasoline, diesel, oil, machinery, wire fencing, etc.
Back to our amish friends:
They still have a heads up on most of us because of two things. Food and electricity.
A co-worker of mine canned 50 jars of tomatoes, 60 jars of pickles, and that again of applesauce. I dare say canning food has become an incovienince. And thinking in terms of modern efficiency, it's uneconomical to preserve food you've grown. Our economy is driven by purchasing inputs. Our farms especially should be net providers, not break-even.
Electricity is the epitome of purchased inputs. We all would be helpless without it. I think we'd give up gasoline before the the mighty electron. Heck, electricity was harnessed before internal combustion. True, the Amish use generators and propane appliances but they're still MORE self sufficient than any of us.
I'm not endorsing a retreatism that's more than popular in the ag community. I'm only attempting to pursuade individuals to consider their dependancy on inputs. There must needs be a compromise. To become Amish really isn't a solution, they're just dependant on us. The farm as a net production center with limited inputs, is closer to sustainability.
Here's an ole' time example. In the olden days pork lard was used like we use crisco. A tub was kept next to the wood oven. In order to retrieve a desired amount, the cook would use a pig's tail as a spatula. Now a days, we'd just buy a plastic spatula.
Even the most separte people of our nation freely enjoy the result of the industrial revolution and beyond. Whereas the Amish are not allowed to own most modern equipment, they can use small gas engines to power tedders, discbines, balers etc. All these implements are horse drawn but gas powered.
So where does that leave the average 'english' farmer? Right in the clutches of modernity. Producing (usually) a single commodity on a large scale (not necessarily mega-farms) as efficiently as possible. Which in order to survive, they must play by certain rules. These rules are usually unspoken, but widely known. The most important dictate, however, is produce efficiently.
Example:
Let's talk about milking parlor efficiency. There is more jargon created to describe parlor efficiency than you can shake a stick at. Cows/hr, cows/man hr, turns/hr, pounds of milk/man hr, prep time, prep lag time, and my favorite, fall-offs/hr.
All these numbers are indecies trying to make concrete out of abstract events. Of course these numbers all have an end. And that end is to make management decisions. Hire/fire Joe Blow, cull/treat cow#1234, implement automation etc. This is where my point starts to develop (in case you wondered where I was going with this). In order for efficiency to be maximized, little by little inputs must be purchased. For example, in order to milk 100 cows/hr in a double 8 parlor automation is explicitly required. Automatic take-offs, rapid exit, crowd gates, plate cooler, large claws, two recievers, and the list continues. None of these technologies can easily be produced on farm. Farms today are entirely too dependant on outside inputs, and they have been silently coerced in order to produce efficiently. Mind you though, there was never a time when farms were self sustaining islands. Farms always were and always will be needful of inputs; the quantity of inputs per output is my scruffle. Notice now I'm not eliminating efficiency entirely (the previous sentence includes a measure of efficiency), to do so would be an impossibility.
Take now for instance a farm that produces many products. Wool, milk, meat, apples, corn etc. There always needs to be a larger production of a 'safe' product to fall back on in hard times, but diversity nonetheless. Farms back in the hill country are closest to this paradigm. They burn wood, make maple syrup, sell timber, own a sawmill, and do much of the work themselves. BUT, they still need rubber tires, gasoline, diesel, oil, machinery, wire fencing, etc.
Back to our amish friends:
They still have a heads up on most of us because of two things. Food and electricity.
A co-worker of mine canned 50 jars of tomatoes, 60 jars of pickles, and that again of applesauce. I dare say canning food has become an incovienince. And thinking in terms of modern efficiency, it's uneconomical to preserve food you've grown. Our economy is driven by purchasing inputs. Our farms especially should be net providers, not break-even.
Electricity is the epitome of purchased inputs. We all would be helpless without it. I think we'd give up gasoline before the the mighty electron. Heck, electricity was harnessed before internal combustion. True, the Amish use generators and propane appliances but they're still MORE self sufficient than any of us.
I'm not endorsing a retreatism that's more than popular in the ag community. I'm only attempting to pursuade individuals to consider their dependancy on inputs. There must needs be a compromise. To become Amish really isn't a solution, they're just dependant on us. The farm as a net production center with limited inputs, is closer to sustainability.
Here's an ole' time example. In the olden days pork lard was used like we use crisco. A tub was kept next to the wood oven. In order to retrieve a desired amount, the cook would use a pig's tail as a spatula. Now a days, we'd just buy a plastic spatula.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Open Doors
Here's an open door to evangelize your heathen friends while enjoying your heathen holiday.
12 is only a number
12 is only a number
Monday, October 24, 2005
PA Beginnings
if you would thrive, be up by five;
for there is health, and certain wealth
when at the plough, or milking a cow.
pork and beans make muscles strong
something farmers seek.
it is a dish to make life long,
when cooked but once a week.
a smokey chimney may be cured,
a scolding woman not endured;
a farmer’s wife, like cream or curd,
is to be seen but seldom heard.
of all the crops a farmer raises,
or capital employs,
none can bring back such comforts and praises,
as a crop of girls and boys.
Because regular wagoners liked their whiskey and habitated the many taverns and inns along the freight routes, it was customary to drink evenings after a hard day on the road. Regulars often charged drinks at taverns and innkepers kept the record on a sheet of paper or a slate at the bar. If the teamster bought a pint, he would record the letter ”P" after the driver’s name, if it happened to be a quart, he wrote “Q”. when several “P’s” and “Q’s” were after a person’s name the barkeeper would remind him to “mind your P’s and Q’s.”
Wagoners not only enjoyed strong drink but also strong tobacco, mostly cheap cigars, which resulted in the creation and production of a roll-up cigar which sold at four or five for a penny and became know as the Conestoga cigars or “Stogies.”. H.L. Fisher’s poem Wagoning aptly describes the Pittsburgh Stogie, “Mid clouds of cheap tobacco smoke’ think, dark and strong enough to choke.”
Taken from: Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore, 1965
for there is health, and certain wealth
when at the plough, or milking a cow.
pork and beans make muscles strong
something farmers seek.
it is a dish to make life long,
when cooked but once a week.
a smokey chimney may be cured,
a scolding woman not endured;
a farmer’s wife, like cream or curd,
is to be seen but seldom heard.
of all the crops a farmer raises,
or capital employs,
none can bring back such comforts and praises,
as a crop of girls and boys.
Because regular wagoners liked their whiskey and habitated the many taverns and inns along the freight routes, it was customary to drink evenings after a hard day on the road. Regulars often charged drinks at taverns and innkepers kept the record on a sheet of paper or a slate at the bar. If the teamster bought a pint, he would record the letter ”P" after the driver’s name, if it happened to be a quart, he wrote “Q”. when several “P’s” and “Q’s” were after a person’s name the barkeeper would remind him to “mind your P’s and Q’s.”
Wagoners not only enjoyed strong drink but also strong tobacco, mostly cheap cigars, which resulted in the creation and production of a roll-up cigar which sold at four or five for a penny and became know as the Conestoga cigars or “Stogies.”. H.L. Fisher’s poem Wagoning aptly describes the Pittsburgh Stogie, “Mid clouds of cheap tobacco smoke’ think, dark and strong enough to choke.”
Taken from: Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore, 1965
Friday, October 14, 2005
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Columbusland?
From whence cometh the name of our continent, dear friend? Dost thou knowest? I shall grant that Sr. Columbus was anticipating the discovery of a western route to India, not an entirely new continent.
Ah, the power of Mr Gutenburg.
Ah, the power of Mr Gutenburg.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Real Horsepower
It is of interest to compare the efficiency of horses, in converting into useful work the nutrients they consume, with the efficiency of farm tractors or other engines. In Missouri experiments when horses worked at the usual rates, they converted into actual work about 20 to 25% of the energy they expended during the time they were working. The rest of the energy is converted into heat and is lost, so far as useful work is concerned.
However, to gain a true idea of the efficiency of the horse as a source of power, we must compute his over-all efficiency for the entire day of 24 hours. this is the percentage of the total or gross energy in his daily feed, which he is able to convert into useful work. Based on the amount of feed required per day, a 1500 lb horse working 8 hours a day at a rate of 1 horse power will have an over all efficiency of about 8.9%.
However, farm horses do not work every day, though they must eat every day. There fore the over all efficiency for the entire year is much lower than for a 24 hour period in which the horse does a good day’s work. On the average, the yearly over all efficiency of farm horses, which usually work only about 800 to 1000 hours a year, is about 2 to 3%.
In tests of farm tractors by the University of Nebraska, gasoline tractors converted 13%, on the average, of th4e energy of the gasoline into the work of draft. This is probably higher than the efficiency of the average tractor, for these tractors were handled by experts and were in ideal mechanical condition for these tests. (Diesel tractors have a considerably higher mechanical efficiency than gasoline tractors.)
In comparing this efficiency of 13% for tractors with the efficiency of 8.9% for horses in converting the energy of their feed into draft when working a full day, we must consider the following: The horse is supplied with feed in crude form, and a considerable part of it is indigestible and therefore of no value in the production of work. The gasoline or kerosene tractor, however, is not supplied with crude fuel, but with highly refined fuel from which the waste portions have been removed. Moreover, the horse repairs his body continuously, while the tractor cannot replace the daily wear of its parts.
Feeds and Feeding (1954) by Frank B. Morrison
However, to gain a true idea of the efficiency of the horse as a source of power, we must compute his over-all efficiency for the entire day of 24 hours. this is the percentage of the total or gross energy in his daily feed, which he is able to convert into useful work. Based on the amount of feed required per day, a 1500 lb horse working 8 hours a day at a rate of 1 horse power will have an over all efficiency of about 8.9%.
However, farm horses do not work every day, though they must eat every day. There fore the over all efficiency for the entire year is much lower than for a 24 hour period in which the horse does a good day’s work. On the average, the yearly over all efficiency of farm horses, which usually work only about 800 to 1000 hours a year, is about 2 to 3%.
In tests of farm tractors by the University of Nebraska, gasoline tractors converted 13%, on the average, of th4e energy of the gasoline into the work of draft. This is probably higher than the efficiency of the average tractor, for these tractors were handled by experts and were in ideal mechanical condition for these tests. (Diesel tractors have a considerably higher mechanical efficiency than gasoline tractors.)
In comparing this efficiency of 13% for tractors with the efficiency of 8.9% for horses in converting the energy of their feed into draft when working a full day, we must consider the following: The horse is supplied with feed in crude form, and a considerable part of it is indigestible and therefore of no value in the production of work. The gasoline or kerosene tractor, however, is not supplied with crude fuel, but with highly refined fuel from which the waste portions have been removed. Moreover, the horse repairs his body continuously, while the tractor cannot replace the daily wear of its parts.
Feeds and Feeding (1954) by Frank B. Morrison
Stricly American
About half of all the American weather books start out with “that famous Mark Twain saying” that “everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” Actually this was not a Twainism at all, but was said by a man named C.D. Warner. Twain quoted Warner in a speech, and the saying became known as one of mark Twain’s form the time on. Twain did, however, say, “If you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes,” and that proverb is most typical of American weather talk. Benjamin Franklin, who said, “some are weatherwise, some are otherwise,” also said, “Know the signs of the sky and you will for the happier be.” There seems to be something typically rural American about weather observation: here, instead of hello, one most often nods and says, “Nice day today.” It has been said that the average American can’t start a conversation without referring to the weather first. It is natural, then , that there should also be a good store of American weather folklore.
Being aware that most early-American customs were brought intact from overseas, a student of folklore might wonder how much genuine American folklore there can be. To answer this, I quote from a letter written in 1762 from a father to his son wo was preparing a trip to these shores.
“The greatest differences here,” he wrote, “ you shall find in the weather. You shall need the stoutest of clothing. The sky and its signs are the seasonal changes are most unlike those to which we are accustomed.”
Folklore of American Weather by Eric Sloane
Being aware that most early-American customs were brought intact from overseas, a student of folklore might wonder how much genuine American folklore there can be. To answer this, I quote from a letter written in 1762 from a father to his son wo was preparing a trip to these shores.
“The greatest differences here,” he wrote, “ you shall find in the weather. You shall need the stoutest of clothing. The sky and its signs are the seasonal changes are most unlike those to which we are accustomed.”
Folklore of American Weather by Eric Sloane
Give and Take
It was Desmond Tutu who said, "When the missionaries came to Africa, they had the Bible and we had the land. They said, 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible and they had the land."
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Ya ain't much if ya ain't Dutch
"From an objective point of view, you can say now that the lives of babies are in danger,"
If you really want to know the context, go here on an empty stomach.
If you really want to know the context, go here on an empty stomach.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Quoteums
To:
Those who are weak,
To climates unknown did courageously steer
Through oceans to deserts, for freedom they came
And dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame
Heart of oak are our ships. Heart of oak are our men.
-Unknown
My fellow Brothers who choose to send their seed to be instructed by heathens,
From these truths it would appear that the soul cannot be successfully cultivated by patches. We cannot have the intellectual workman polish it at one place, and the spiritual workman at another. A succession of objects may be presented to the soul, to evoke and discipline its several powers; yet the unity of the being would seem to necessitate a unity in its successful education.
- R.L. Dabney
My fellow Brothers who allow their daughters to leave the house naked,
A fair text deserves a fair margin.
-Thomas Watson
Mr. Starch,
In short, pietism leads directly and inexorably to impiety. But we have to take care; pietism should not be defined as having tight standards, but rather a problem of having inverted standards.
-Doug Wilson
Mr. Terry,
If a person can't tolerate wine, omit (the Sacrament) altogether in order that no innovation may be made or introduced.
-Martin Luther
Mr. Owen,
Life without industry is guilt, and industry without art is brutality.
-Unknown
Mr. John(son),
The goodness of God only remains, in all storms, the sure foundation to the afflicted, against which the devil is never able to prevail.
-John Knox
Mr. Marble,
E pluribus unum
Those who are weak,
To climates unknown did courageously steer
Through oceans to deserts, for freedom they came
And dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame
Heart of oak are our ships. Heart of oak are our men.
-Unknown
My fellow Brothers who choose to send their seed to be instructed by heathens,
From these truths it would appear that the soul cannot be successfully cultivated by patches. We cannot have the intellectual workman polish it at one place, and the spiritual workman at another. A succession of objects may be presented to the soul, to evoke and discipline its several powers; yet the unity of the being would seem to necessitate a unity in its successful education.
- R.L. Dabney
My fellow Brothers who allow their daughters to leave the house naked,
A fair text deserves a fair margin.
-Thomas Watson
Mr. Starch,
In short, pietism leads directly and inexorably to impiety. But we have to take care; pietism should not be defined as having tight standards, but rather a problem of having inverted standards.
-Doug Wilson
Mr. Terry,
If a person can't tolerate wine, omit (the Sacrament) altogether in order that no innovation may be made or introduced.
-Martin Luther
Mr. Owen,
Life without industry is guilt, and industry without art is brutality.
-Unknown
Mr. John(son),
The goodness of God only remains, in all storms, the sure foundation to the afflicted, against which the devil is never able to prevail.
-John Knox
Mr. Marble,
E pluribus unum
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
The many faces of Ag
Probably 25% of my work is collecting data for research projects. Currently I’m in the field working on two projects (amongst my other work); one is classified pending and the other is monitoring milk composition of farms that switch from ‘conventional’ to organic. These farms are known as transitional dairies.
Tuesday morning I went to one of the transitional farms participating in the study. They are a 50 cow seasonal herd incorporating rotational pasture. As an aside, transitional dairies really bite the bullet (which is a good screening mechanism) in that they must produce (for the most part) organic milk while selling to a conventional market. The cows are to be managed using organic standards for 1 year before they become organic. In the same way, 3 years must pass for the land to be organic.
Being a congenial fella, after milking was done he took me on a tour of the place. He has a greenhouse that he raises calves in, and clear back in the corner were a few pigs. I’m always happy to see animals other than cows. It gets redundant seeing only bovines. So upon seeing the pigs I mentioned something about chickens fertilizing pasture, eating grubs, etc. Quickly he retorted back “have you heard of Joel Salatin?”
Saying to myself sarcastically “have I heard of Who!!!” I couldn’t believe my ears. I thought only wing nut Presbyterians were associated with that department of heresy.
After I picked myself up off the ground I said that I’m familiar with that name. I told him my friend just got back from Polyface last month.
This fella seems quite encouraged by Joel. He has several of his books and he is considering running chickens in the pasture next year. It made my week to know Joel’s stuff isn’t just in certain circles.
Tuesday morning I went to one of the transitional farms participating in the study. They are a 50 cow seasonal herd incorporating rotational pasture. As an aside, transitional dairies really bite the bullet (which is a good screening mechanism) in that they must produce (for the most part) organic milk while selling to a conventional market. The cows are to be managed using organic standards for 1 year before they become organic. In the same way, 3 years must pass for the land to be organic.
Being a congenial fella, after milking was done he took me on a tour of the place. He has a greenhouse that he raises calves in, and clear back in the corner were a few pigs. I’m always happy to see animals other than cows. It gets redundant seeing only bovines. So upon seeing the pigs I mentioned something about chickens fertilizing pasture, eating grubs, etc. Quickly he retorted back “have you heard of Joel Salatin?”
Saying to myself sarcastically “have I heard of Who!!!” I couldn’t believe my ears. I thought only wing nut Presbyterians were associated with that department of heresy.
After I picked myself up off the ground I said that I’m familiar with that name. I told him my friend just got back from Polyface last month.
This fella seems quite encouraged by Joel. He has several of his books and he is considering running chickens in the pasture next year. It made my week to know Joel’s stuff isn’t just in certain circles.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Mindlessness
"This Shining Moment in the Now"
by David Budbill
When I work outdoors all day, every day, as I do now, in the fall,
getting ready for winter, tearing up the garden, digging potatoes,
gathering the squash, cutting firewood, making kindling, repairing
bridges over the brook, clearing trails in the woods, doing the last of
the fall mowing, pruning apple trees, taking down the screens,
putting up the storm windows, banking the house—all these things,
as preparation for the coming cold...
when I am every day all day all body and no mind, when I am
physically, wholly and completely, in this world with the birds,
the deer, the sky, the wind, the trees...
when day after day I think of nothing but what the next chore is,
when I go from clearing woods roads, to sharpening a chain saw,
to changing the oil in a mower, to stacking wood, when I am
all body and no mind...
when I am only here and now and nowhere else—then, and only
then, do I see the crippling power of mind, the curse of thought,
and I pause and wonder why I so seldom find
this shining moment in the now.
by David Budbill
When I work outdoors all day, every day, as I do now, in the fall,
getting ready for winter, tearing up the garden, digging potatoes,
gathering the squash, cutting firewood, making kindling, repairing
bridges over the brook, clearing trails in the woods, doing the last of
the fall mowing, pruning apple trees, taking down the screens,
putting up the storm windows, banking the house—all these things,
as preparation for the coming cold...
when I am every day all day all body and no mind, when I am
physically, wholly and completely, in this world with the birds,
the deer, the sky, the wind, the trees...
when day after day I think of nothing but what the next chore is,
when I go from clearing woods roads, to sharpening a chain saw,
to changing the oil in a mower, to stacking wood, when I am
all body and no mind...
when I am only here and now and nowhere else—then, and only
then, do I see the crippling power of mind, the curse of thought,
and I pause and wonder why I so seldom find
this shining moment in the now.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Hide-n-Seek and other childish games
Nay, the same Solomon the king, although he excelled in the glory of treasure and magnificent buildings, of shipping and navigation, of service and attendance, of fame and renown, and the like, yet he maketh no claim to any of those glories, but only to the glory of inquisition of truth; for so he saith expressly, “The glory of God is to conceal a thing, but the glory of the king is to find it out;" as if according to the innocent play of children, the Divine Majesty took delight to hide his works, to the end to have them found out, and as if kings could not obtain a greater honour than to be God’s play-fellows in that game.
Francis Bacon, The Advancement of Learning (1603)
I’m about 200 pages into reading a 700 page book by Daniel Boorstin called The Discovers. As the title partially reveals, it’s a compendium of ‘firsts’. Being such a large and daunting work to read let alone publish, you can only imagine how captivating a book it is that I’m nearly half done (ok, just over a quarter) and not wanting it to end.
I like his writing style and his approach seems to be compassionate, yet truthful, towards Judeo-Christian thinking. He first set the stage on the discovery of the clock. (Which, in a weird way reminded me of Watson’s quote about how he felt that there would never be a need for a household to own a PC) The clock is something which we can’t even imagine there being a time without. That is to say I can’t even think about thinking about being clockless. I have no reference point. I know what it was like to be single because I was once single. Also, I’m not old but I know old people and I can at least put myself in their shoes. But being separate from knowing what time it is or time specific appointments, I’m clueless.
Next Boorstin writes about the invention of the clock in relation to navigation. This section in particular interests me. He reveals the discovery of latitude and how that logically lead to Columbus’ voyage (which the author comments against being everything but heroic or daunting). He also parenthetically served justice to one of my longest unanswered questions in a chapter called ‘The Prison of Christian Dogma’.
Because of the Medieval Church after the takeover of Rome, the work of the Greeks was pridefully ignored. Needing biblical warrant and actual passages the church basically started from scratch in the 4th century. The study of geography did not fit into the then current learning programs, ex. the seven liberal arts, quadrivium, trivium, or linguistic disciplines. The author states, “For a thousand years of the Middle Ages no common synonym for “geography” was in ordinary usage, and the word did not enter the English language until the mid-sixteenth century.” (pg 100 emphasis mine) With Jerusalem being the center of the earth (umbilicus terrae) as per an anemic literal translation of Eze 5:5, all cartographers who wished to stay within the graces of the Church (and stay with the living) would comply with stated beliefs. All in all, Boorstin does an excellent job of unearthing the issues and politics behind flat vs spherical earth.
Ptolemy (A.D. 90-168) had calculations to prove a spherical earth and so did Erastosthenes (276?-195 B.C.?) along with many others.
Summarily, Boorstin tries to convey that the largest blockade to discoveries is an ‘illusion of knowledge’. Believing the earth to be flat is a classic example. If only the church was smart enough to use the sweat equity of Greek geeks, who knows where we’d be (maybe Mars, John). In reference to the first quote, I wonder if we Christians what to play our own game and make our own rules (even more so that heathens)?
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Act Accordingly
This post was taken from Doug Wilson.
Worship is not to be thought of primarily as an experience, after which we can say that we felt worshipful. Rather, worship is an act, after which we can say, or not, that we were obedient.
When experience is sought after in worship, we destroy the very thing we mistakenly exalt. When obedience is rendered in worship, we do have an experience -- the experience of obeying.
When you shoot at a target, you look at it afterwards to see if you hit it. If after a worship service, you look at your heart to see if you "hit it," you are aiming, shooting, and checking in almost complete covenant confusion.
But this does not mean that you should receive nothing from the worship, or that you should try to worship like a Stoic. Much of what passes for Reformed "God-centered" worship is actually nothing more than a proud stoicism. This pride says, "I come to give glory to God, and not to receive. I expect to be promoted to the ranks of the seraphim any day now."
No. Worship is a service in which actions are exchanged -- God calls us, we come, we confess, He forgives, He teaches, we listen, He invites, we sit down and eat, He blesses, and we go forth. Should we feel good about this? Of course. Is feeling good the point? Of course not. Glad obedience to the Word is the point.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Rolling Relief
The hills, they comfort my eyes.
They beckon for me to call them my home.
Trees attempt to reach the sky
They pull the earth as they grow.
The water, it tickles my ears.
It finds it’s way through the woods
(hills are sad when you see the tears)
being pulled by a force misunderstood.
The rocks, they complete my hands;
As if my hands need the work.
The fence is hanging to the land,
a bygone wonder which only to lurk.
The smell, my nose rejoices!
Sweet bliss of rotting trees.
You chuckle, I hear your voices.
Ignorant of smells pointing heavenly.
They beckon for me to call them my home.
Trees attempt to reach the sky
They pull the earth as they grow.
The water, it tickles my ears.
It finds it’s way through the woods
(hills are sad when you see the tears)
being pulled by a force misunderstood.
The rocks, they complete my hands;
As if my hands need the work.
The fence is hanging to the land,
a bygone wonder which only to lurk.
The smell, my nose rejoices!
Sweet bliss of rotting trees.
You chuckle, I hear your voices.
Ignorant of smells pointing heavenly.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Shivering Timbers
The following are a list of nautically derived sayings that deserve to be described. I'm sure you, like me, have used these divorced of their true meaning. Now you know mate.
By and Large - By means into the wind, while large means with the wind. By and large is used to indicate all possible situations "the ship handles well both by and large".
Bitter end - the anchor cable is tied to the bitts, when the cable is fully paid out, the bitter end has been reached. The last part of a rope or cable.
Clean slate - At the helm, the watch keeper would record details of speed, distances, headings, etc. on a slate. At the beginning of a new watch the slate would be wiped clean.
Devil to pay(and no pitch hot) - 'Paying' the Devil is sealing the devil seam (qv). It is a difficult and unpleasant job (with no resources) because of the shape of the seam (closest to the hull).
(Devil seam - The curved seam in the deck planking closest to the side of the ship, next to the scuppers. A sailor slipping on the deck would be "between the Devil and the deep blue sea".)
Fly by night - A large sail used only for sailing downwind, requiring little attention.
Know the ropes - A sailor who 'knows the ropes' is familiar with the miles of cordage and ropes involved in running a ship.
Let the cat out of the bag - To break bad news (the "cat o' nine tails" being taken out of the bag by the bosun was bad news).
Loggerhead - An iron ball attached to a long handle, used for driving caulking into seams and (occasionally) in a fight. Hence: 'at loggerheads'.
Over the barrel - Adult sailors were flogged tied to a grating, but boys were beaten instead with a cane, while tied down over the barrel of a gun.
Pipe down - A signal on the bosun's pipe to signal the end of the day, requiring lights to be extinguished and silence from the crew.
Rummage sale - A sale of damaged cargo (from French arrimage).
Slush fund - The money obtained by the cook selling slush(qv) ashore. Used for the benefit of the crew (or the cook).
Slush - Greasy substance obtained by boiling or scraping the fat from empty salted meat storage barrels, or the floating fat residue after boiling the crew's meal. In the Royal Navy the perquisite of the cook who could sell it or exchange it (usually for alcohol) with other members of the crew. Used for greasing parts of the running rigging of the ship and therefore valuable to the master and bosun.
Son of a gun - The space between the guns was used as a semi-private place for trysts with prostitutes and wives, which sometimes lead to pregnancies.
By and Large - By means into the wind, while large means with the wind. By and large is used to indicate all possible situations "the ship handles well both by and large".
Bitter end - the anchor cable is tied to the bitts, when the cable is fully paid out, the bitter end has been reached. The last part of a rope or cable.
Clean slate - At the helm, the watch keeper would record details of speed, distances, headings, etc. on a slate. At the beginning of a new watch the slate would be wiped clean.
Devil to pay(and no pitch hot) - 'Paying' the Devil is sealing the devil seam (qv). It is a difficult and unpleasant job (with no resources) because of the shape of the seam (closest to the hull).
(Devil seam - The curved seam in the deck planking closest to the side of the ship, next to the scuppers. A sailor slipping on the deck would be "between the Devil and the deep blue sea".)
Fly by night - A large sail used only for sailing downwind, requiring little attention.
Know the ropes - A sailor who 'knows the ropes' is familiar with the miles of cordage and ropes involved in running a ship.
Let the cat out of the bag - To break bad news (the "cat o' nine tails" being taken out of the bag by the bosun was bad news).
Loggerhead - An iron ball attached to a long handle, used for driving caulking into seams and (occasionally) in a fight. Hence: 'at loggerheads'.
Over the barrel - Adult sailors were flogged tied to a grating, but boys were beaten instead with a cane, while tied down over the barrel of a gun.
Pipe down - A signal on the bosun's pipe to signal the end of the day, requiring lights to be extinguished and silence from the crew.
Rummage sale - A sale of damaged cargo (from French arrimage).
Slush fund - The money obtained by the cook selling slush(qv) ashore. Used for the benefit of the crew (or the cook).
Slush - Greasy substance obtained by boiling or scraping the fat from empty salted meat storage barrels, or the floating fat residue after boiling the crew's meal. In the Royal Navy the perquisite of the cook who could sell it or exchange it (usually for alcohol) with other members of the crew. Used for greasing parts of the running rigging of the ship and therefore valuable to the master and bosun.
Son of a gun - The space between the guns was used as a semi-private place for trysts with prostitutes and wives, which sometimes lead to pregnancies.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Cues are Sticks
Dr. Leithhart has an interesting post on slavery. I've been wanting to read up a little bit on that considering all the 'hubbub' on the issue lately. However, as I'm sure Leithart would agree, America did get it's cues from ancient history. Unfortunately, though, it's too easy to be cruel.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Pleasant Destinations
The following is an article I wrote for our church newsletter a few months ago. Thought I'd post it here for all to read.
Just a Word
I don’t know where the phrase ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’ came from, but it’s obviously not correct. To be sure, it’s a playground mantra used to squirm out of a bad situation by youngsters ever since playgrounds have been around. But what’s interesting about this phrase is that we want it to be true. We only wish words didn’t hurt.
How is it that such a thing as mere words, movements of vocal cords, can be so powerful? Treaties signed and broken, friendships started and ended, marriages happy and divorced, all by words. God used words to speak to Abraham and Moses, Pastors employ words to encourage and admonish congregants, we use words to speak to each other and we teach our children words as a primary means of communication. As a matter of fact, God spoke before he wrote.
As sure as water is wet, everyone has said words they wish to take back. Impossible. Never. Too late. Fools are quick to speak says Proverbs. What is there about speaking quickly that the Bible calls foolish? I believe there are two major areas where what we say gets us into trouble. First, we say things we shouldn’t, and second we don’t say what we should.
Do you know anybody who has an opinion on everything, and isn’t afraid to let you know it? The self-proclaimed expert is really everything but that. It is said that the Greek painter Apelles was one day painting a warrior but he was uncertain on how to render his sandals. He asked the advice of a cobbler, but after a time the cobbler started offering advice on other parts of the painting and was rebuked by Apelles with this phrase: Sutor, ne ultra crepidam "Cobbler, no further than (your competence on) the sandal". The simple question is, ‘why do we talk so much!’. Partly, it’s because we want to appear smarter than we really are. We want to impress people with our supposed intelligence and wisdom. Although the Bible says, ‘…he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.’.
We can also say things we don’t mean when we employ the age-old tactic of flattery. Flattery should be despised by Christians everywhere. This insincere praise to further one’s agenda was first used by the Devil in the Garden. ‘You shall be as gods’ he said while wringing his hands. Surely, he was more subtle than any creature. Those who flatter actually hate the recipient of such talk. (Pr 26:28) Flattery will get you nowhere pleasant.
However, saying what should be said is also wrong. Moses refused to say what God commanded based on an assessment of his own skills. We haughtily look at Moses’ disobedience and exclaim we would do whatever God equipped us for. Do we? Or do we stutter and stammer and make excuses for ourselves? Are we swift to spread the Gospel of peace to those who are dead in sins?
James says that mere words are so powerful they can be likened to the rudder on a large ship. Or a like a small bit in a horses mouth. It’s no coincidence that horses and ships are images of both conquest and peaceful commerce. In the same way, our tongue can be harmful or helpful. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Pr 25:11
Si decem habeas linguas, mutum esse addecet. -- "Even if you had ten tongues, you should hold them all."’
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Jms 3:9
Just a Word
I don’t know where the phrase ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’ came from, but it’s obviously not correct. To be sure, it’s a playground mantra used to squirm out of a bad situation by youngsters ever since playgrounds have been around. But what’s interesting about this phrase is that we want it to be true. We only wish words didn’t hurt.
How is it that such a thing as mere words, movements of vocal cords, can be so powerful? Treaties signed and broken, friendships started and ended, marriages happy and divorced, all by words. God used words to speak to Abraham and Moses, Pastors employ words to encourage and admonish congregants, we use words to speak to each other and we teach our children words as a primary means of communication. As a matter of fact, God spoke before he wrote.
As sure as water is wet, everyone has said words they wish to take back. Impossible. Never. Too late. Fools are quick to speak says Proverbs. What is there about speaking quickly that the Bible calls foolish? I believe there are two major areas where what we say gets us into trouble. First, we say things we shouldn’t, and second we don’t say what we should.
Do you know anybody who has an opinion on everything, and isn’t afraid to let you know it? The self-proclaimed expert is really everything but that. It is said that the Greek painter Apelles was one day painting a warrior but he was uncertain on how to render his sandals. He asked the advice of a cobbler, but after a time the cobbler started offering advice on other parts of the painting and was rebuked by Apelles with this phrase: Sutor, ne ultra crepidam "Cobbler, no further than (your competence on) the sandal". The simple question is, ‘why do we talk so much!’. Partly, it’s because we want to appear smarter than we really are. We want to impress people with our supposed intelligence and wisdom. Although the Bible says, ‘…he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.’.
We can also say things we don’t mean when we employ the age-old tactic of flattery. Flattery should be despised by Christians everywhere. This insincere praise to further one’s agenda was first used by the Devil in the Garden. ‘You shall be as gods’ he said while wringing his hands. Surely, he was more subtle than any creature. Those who flatter actually hate the recipient of such talk. (Pr 26:28) Flattery will get you nowhere pleasant.
However, saying what should be said is also wrong. Moses refused to say what God commanded based on an assessment of his own skills. We haughtily look at Moses’ disobedience and exclaim we would do whatever God equipped us for. Do we? Or do we stutter and stammer and make excuses for ourselves? Are we swift to spread the Gospel of peace to those who are dead in sins?
James says that mere words are so powerful they can be likened to the rudder on a large ship. Or a like a small bit in a horses mouth. It’s no coincidence that horses and ships are images of both conquest and peaceful commerce. In the same way, our tongue can be harmful or helpful. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Pr 25:11
Si decem habeas linguas, mutum esse addecet. -- "Even if you had ten tongues, you should hold them all."’
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Jms 3:9
Thursday, August 11, 2005
A Hairy Subject
I was out to a farm this morning over in Newark Valley. The farmer was an older fella with two bad knees. He has a herd of 25 cows and was selling out to a farmer up north, contingent upon low SCC. So I was there taking individual milk samples of all the cows for analysis.
When I go to farms, the mostest funnest part is the first 15 minutes. Usually neither of us know each other, so both the farmer and myself ask quite open ended questions. This morning we talked about Iraq, Molson Ice, DHIA, and bST.
When he was talking about bST, I was quite alarmed. He milks with 3-65# DeLaval buckets (most of which were full) and I've never know a bucket milked herd to use bST. Well this fella says he uses it all winter long. Just then he pointed over to a curry comb hanging on the wall and said, "there it is now, my Back Scratching Tool! I use it on every cow."
When I go to farms, the mostest funnest part is the first 15 minutes. Usually neither of us know each other, so both the farmer and myself ask quite open ended questions. This morning we talked about Iraq, Molson Ice, DHIA, and bST.
When he was talking about bST, I was quite alarmed. He milks with 3-65# DeLaval buckets (most of which were full) and I've never know a bucket milked herd to use bST. Well this fella says he uses it all winter long. Just then he pointed over to a curry comb hanging on the wall and said, "there it is now, my Back Scratching Tool! I use it on every cow."
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Hodge Podge and doesn't Dodge
Dear Heathen:
The Lord Jesus Christ hath promised that the time shall come when all the ends of the earth shall be His kingdom. And God is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He should repent. And if this was promised by a Being who cannot lie, why do you not help it to come sooner by reading the Bible, and attending to the words of your teachers, and loving God, and, renouncing your idols, take Christianity into your temples? And soon there will not be a Nation, no, not a space of ground as large as a footstep, that will want a missionary. My sister and myself have, by small self-denials, procured two dollars which are enclosed in this letter to buy tracts and Bibles to teach you.
Archibald Alexander Hodge, and Mary Eliz. Hodge,
Friends of the Heathen.
(June 23, 1833. A letter to the "heathen" from ten-year-old A.A. Hodge and his sister Mary Elizabeth, given to J.R. Eckard, a Princeton Seminary graduate who was to go to Ceylon. Quoted in Princeton Seminary: Faith and learning 1812-1868, v. 1, p. 193).
The Lord Jesus Christ hath promised that the time shall come when all the ends of the earth shall be His kingdom. And God is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He should repent. And if this was promised by a Being who cannot lie, why do you not help it to come sooner by reading the Bible, and attending to the words of your teachers, and loving God, and, renouncing your idols, take Christianity into your temples? And soon there will not be a Nation, no, not a space of ground as large as a footstep, that will want a missionary. My sister and myself have, by small self-denials, procured two dollars which are enclosed in this letter to buy tracts and Bibles to teach you.
Archibald Alexander Hodge, and Mary Eliz. Hodge,
Friends of the Heathen.
(June 23, 1833. A letter to the "heathen" from ten-year-old A.A. Hodge and his sister Mary Elizabeth, given to J.R. Eckard, a Princeton Seminary graduate who was to go to Ceylon. Quoted in Princeton Seminary: Faith and learning 1812-1868, v. 1, p. 193).
Friday, July 29, 2005
"yup"
So Great is the regard of the law for private property; that it will not authorize the least violation of it; no, not even for the common good of the whole community.
-Blackstone’s Commentaries
The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do.
-John Holt
Since I am neither eloquent or patient, I tend not to write anything provacative. Lately, however, I've been thinking a lot about kirk membership vs. adherants, biblical warrant, etc. Someday I'll get to responding to John's post (which is next on my 'to-think-about' list).
It's easy to get infected with the virulence of 'this church isn't meeting my needs' bug. Granted most everybody denies that there exists a perfect church. A perfect church in doctrine and unity is something to be aimed at. With all this talk of a perfect church, why isn't there much talk of becoming the perfect church-goer?
What qualities would the perfect church-goes possess? Maturity, prudence, wisdom, slow to anger, quick to forgive, submissive, and a good psalm singer are only a few. Just becuase I hate being taxed an ungodly amout doesn't mean that I'm un-American or that I should leave. Virtually everyone believes that, which only proves we value our citizenship more highly than our local church membership (when we leave on piddly personal issues).
-Blackstone’s Commentaries
The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do.
-John Holt
Since I am neither eloquent or patient, I tend not to write anything provacative. Lately, however, I've been thinking a lot about kirk membership vs. adherants, biblical warrant, etc. Someday I'll get to responding to John's post (which is next on my 'to-think-about' list).
It's easy to get infected with the virulence of 'this church isn't meeting my needs' bug. Granted most everybody denies that there exists a perfect church. A perfect church in doctrine and unity is something to be aimed at. With all this talk of a perfect church, why isn't there much talk of becoming the perfect church-goer?
What qualities would the perfect church-goes possess? Maturity, prudence, wisdom, slow to anger, quick to forgive, submissive, and a good psalm singer are only a few. Just becuase I hate being taxed an ungodly amout doesn't mean that I'm un-American or that I should leave. Virtually everyone believes that, which only proves we value our citizenship more highly than our local church membership (when we leave on piddly personal issues).
Thursday, July 14, 2005
It's a Gem
Table 1 and 2 below represent a study done by D.E. Kerr from the University of Vermont and others from the USDA in Beltsville, MA. This study was presented at the Regional NMC Meeting earlier this week. Basically transgenic science involves the duplication of one gene in an organism and the successful relocation into another animal. For instance, lysostaphin is an antibacterial enzyme normally found in Staphlococcus simulans that has been incorporated into a bovine.
The first table below list 13 cows that were inoculated with a Staphlococcus aureus in all four quarters with 80 colony forming units (cfu). The column to the far right represents the days in milk of the challenge.
Remarkably, regardless of your views on transgenic science, cow number 101 (table 2) successfully defeated S.aureus (the other two transgenic cows were S.aureus free soon after the time dictates of the study). Not only that,
The first table below list 13 cows that were inoculated with a Staphlococcus aureus in all four quarters with 80 colony forming units (cfu). The column to the far right represents the days in milk of the challenge.
Remarkably, regardless of your views on transgenic science, cow number 101 (table 2) successfully defeated S.aureus (the other two transgenic cows were S.aureus free soon after the time dictates of the study). Not only that,
“…the somatic cell response to the challenge was dramatically different between transgenic and control cows. Thus, in all of the non-transgenic cows, somatic cell counts rose to peak values of 30,000,000 cl/ml [4x the legal limit] within 24 to 30 hr post-challenge. In sharp contrast, the cell count was virtually unchanged in the challenged transgenic cows.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Outstanding in the Field
I'm off to NMC for the next 3 days. I'm trying to contain my excitement. I'll be involved in one of the pre-conference short courses.
While I was taking a shower this morning I though of these two things:
Being least in the kingdom of heaven doesn't equal having the least. This reductionism is unfortunately part of worship so it stands to reason that some adopt is as part of everyday life.
Attempting to separate 'thought's ' from 'the arrangement of words' is nothing less than gnosticism. Thought's don't live in some ethereal place whereas arrangement of words are tangible property. You can show me an arrangement of words but to divide that from the thoughts generated is an impossibility.
While I was taking a shower this morning I though of these two things:
Being least in the kingdom of heaven doesn't equal having the least. This reductionism is unfortunately part of worship so it stands to reason that some adopt is as part of everyday life.
Attempting to separate 'thought's ' from 'the arrangement of words' is nothing less than gnosticism. Thought's don't live in some ethereal place whereas arrangement of words are tangible property. You can show me an arrangement of words but to divide that from the thoughts generated is an impossibility.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Numero Uno
Baylyblog and this from Mablog land:
"Web loggers, or bloggers as they are called, set up nifty web sites, with cool graphics and interactive gee-whizzery, all of calculated to . . . let us read their diaries. This is occasionally interesting when an interesting or challenging person does it--but in many cases the only people who want to read the diaries are those who want to have their own diaries read. This is the same reason why Hollywood actors or Nashville recording artists, when talking about one another, always use the word "genius." What goes around comes around. Asinus asinum fricat. So chalk up another one to technological capacity driving what we do before we understand it.". D.Wilson
"Web loggers, or bloggers as they are called, set up nifty web sites, with cool graphics and interactive gee-whizzery, all of calculated to . . . let us read their diaries. This is occasionally interesting when an interesting or challenging person does it--but in many cases the only people who want to read the diaries are those who want to have their own diaries read. This is the same reason why Hollywood actors or Nashville recording artists, when talking about one another, always use the word "genius." What goes around comes around. Asinus asinum fricat. So chalk up another one to technological capacity driving what we do before we understand it.". D.Wilson
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Street Smartz
“Although sea fighting made complex demands on senior officers, the transmission of the professional knowledge and understanding that are the basis of war at sea, usually termed ‘doctrine’, was still on a personal basis. This reflected the fact that admirals had to be experienced seamen before they could be effective commanders. In the Royal Navy each generation learnt the art of command from their elders and the hard experience of war. In the absenc3 of formal naval education this practical teaching produced a succession of able commanders. In France a more scientific approach was adopted, and from the late seventeenth century naval tactics were analyzed and reduced to theory. However, theory was no substitute for development and transition of an effective, practical, naval doctrine.”
War at Sea in the Age of Sail, by Andrew Lambert
“How does medicine change behavior? It doesn’t. That’s right. Medicine doesn’t change behavior! Instead, a drug affects the biology of the body. If a behavior grows out of the body’s chemistry and the drug changes that chemistry, the behavior may change as a result. That’s a biological chain reaction, not a pill’s direct signal to the brain that changes one, and only one, behavior. If medicine could really change behavior, no one would be overweight, no one would have problems quitting smoking or overcoming substance abuse. We would all take drugs to improve our lives. If medicine would really change behavior, we would try ‘neat pills’ and ‘polite pills’ on typical children.”
A Parent’s Guide to Autism, by Charles A. Hart
War at Sea in the Age of Sail, by Andrew Lambert
“How does medicine change behavior? It doesn’t. That’s right. Medicine doesn’t change behavior! Instead, a drug affects the biology of the body. If a behavior grows out of the body’s chemistry and the drug changes that chemistry, the behavior may change as a result. That’s a biological chain reaction, not a pill’s direct signal to the brain that changes one, and only one, behavior. If medicine could really change behavior, no one would be overweight, no one would have problems quitting smoking or overcoming substance abuse. We would all take drugs to improve our lives. If medicine would really change behavior, we would try ‘neat pills’ and ‘polite pills’ on typical children.”
A Parent’s Guide to Autism, by Charles A. Hart
Friday, July 01, 2005
Mutiny in the Pews
I suppose if we were a seafaring culture we would better appreciate (read: loathe) mutiny. Even now while we are engaged in an unconstitutional 'war' we are mutinous about mutiny. For instance, when you join the miltary you have the option to fight via contientious objector status. To me that's an indescribable irony.
Historically all naval world powers treated mutiny equally. If convicted through a miltary court marital, you were hanged. As follows:
Mutiny is generally a nautical term. Order on a ship was paramount and heirarchy was intergral. Much was on the line: men's lives, the respective government's money or territory, etc. High were the emotions: at sea for years couped up with hundreds of men, isolated from everything concrete, the capt as the focal point for inevitable problems (usu beyond his control, eg weather, food, work load) etc. Becuase of the experience of naval officers there were safegaurds in place to prevent or squander such seditious attempts on the open seas. Death upon conviction being the most signifigant.
Mutiny is a two way street though. Petty officers and crews that aren't properly trained will inevitably grumble. They don't know what to expect, are unsure of their duties or don't understand the fluid dependance on each other to perform their respective tasks well, aren't prepared for the hard life of sailing, etc. A sailing vessel must be run in unity and a have a thorough understanding of the importance and function of leadership. The rudder can't say to the mainmast 'I have no need of you'.
If an officer dissagreed with the captain, the ship was not the place to dispute it. Said officer would duly log the greivance in his journal and take action once back on terra firma. This proper form doesn't deny the existing problem, rather it is delt with properly and in the best manner.
Mutiny is essentially a contempt for selected and schooled leadership regardless of our assesment. Governments are in power because they are ordained of God; for there is no power but of God. To despise Government as an authority is to despise God as the ultimate authority.
To look upon your local church membership as little more than a feather in your cap, is incredulous. I think it's time we start having serious trials for Christians who float around from church to church shopping for the best McChurch. Unfortunately we hold our American citizenship in higher regard that our Church membership.
Historically all naval world powers treated mutiny equally. If convicted through a miltary court marital, you were hanged. As follows:
The Royal Navy's Articles of War have changed slightly over the centuries they have been in force, but the 1757 version is representative – except that the death penalty no longer exists – and defines mutiny thus:So, then, mutiny could summarily be surmised as contempt of authourity. Heck, even talking about mutiny was chargeable. Obviously Americans are suspicous of authourity at best; it's bred into us. We prove that by saying our entire nation was founded on sedition. Well, that's another post.
Article 19: If any person in or belonging to the fleet shall make or endeavor to make any mutinous assembly upon any pretence whatsoever, every person offending herein, and being convicted thereof by the sentence of the court martial, shall suffer death: and if any person in or belonging to the fleet shall utter any words of sedition or mutiny, he shall suffer death, or such other punishment as a court martial shall deem him to deserve: and if any officer, mariner, or soldier on or belonging to the fleet, shall behave himself with contempt to his superior officer, being in the execution of his office, he shall be punished according to the nature of his offence by the judgment of a court martial.
Article 20: If any person in the fleet shall conceal any traitorous or mutinous practice or design, being convicted thereof by the sentence of a court martial, he shall suffer death, or any other punishment as a court martial shall think fit; and if any person, in or belonging to the fleet, shall conceal any traitorous or mutinous words spoken by any, to the prejudice of His Majesty or government, or any words, practice, or design, tending to the hindrance of the service, and shall not forthwith reveal the same to the commanding officer, or being present at any mutiny or sedition, shall not use his utmost endeavours to suppress the same, he shall be punished as a court martial shall think he deserves.
The United States's Uniform Code of Military Justice defines mutiny thus:
Article 94: Mutiny or Sedition. A member who, with intent to usurp or override lawful military authority, refuses in concert with any other person, to obey orders or otherwise do his or her duty or creates any violence or disturbance, is guilty of mutiny. A person who, with intent to cause the overthrow or destruction of lawful civil authority, creates, in concert with any other person, revolt, violence, or other disturbance against that authority, is guilty of sedition. Furthermore, a member who fails to do his or her utmost to prevent and suppress a mutiny or sedition being committed in his or her presence, or fails to take all reasonable means to inform his or her superior commissioned officer or commanding officer of a mutiny or sedition which he or she knows or has reason to believe is taking place, is guilty of a failure to suppress or report a mutiny or sedition. Violations of this article can be punished by death.
Mutiny is generally a nautical term. Order on a ship was paramount and heirarchy was intergral. Much was on the line: men's lives, the respective government's money or territory, etc. High were the emotions: at sea for years couped up with hundreds of men, isolated from everything concrete, the capt as the focal point for inevitable problems (usu beyond his control, eg weather, food, work load) etc. Becuase of the experience of naval officers there were safegaurds in place to prevent or squander such seditious attempts on the open seas. Death upon conviction being the most signifigant.
Mutiny is a two way street though. Petty officers and crews that aren't properly trained will inevitably grumble. They don't know what to expect, are unsure of their duties or don't understand the fluid dependance on each other to perform their respective tasks well, aren't prepared for the hard life of sailing, etc. A sailing vessel must be run in unity and a have a thorough understanding of the importance and function of leadership. The rudder can't say to the mainmast 'I have no need of you'.
If an officer dissagreed with the captain, the ship was not the place to dispute it. Said officer would duly log the greivance in his journal and take action once back on terra firma. This proper form doesn't deny the existing problem, rather it is delt with properly and in the best manner.
Mutiny is essentially a contempt for selected and schooled leadership regardless of our assesment. Governments are in power because they are ordained of God; for there is no power but of God. To despise Government as an authority is to despise God as the ultimate authority.
To look upon your local church membership as little more than a feather in your cap, is incredulous. I think it's time we start having serious trials for Christians who float around from church to church shopping for the best McChurch. Unfortunately we hold our American citizenship in higher regard that our Church membership.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
a Rime
Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Disappearing Act
After a long and intentional time away from blogdom, I post this.
Part of the purpose of this blog was to express modern ag issues and highlights. So this post will follow suit.
The 'family farm' is disappearing. Not really a debate unless you disagree on what the term 'family farm' means. Many, if not all, blame technology on this disappeance, but I think that arguement is trivial and superficial.
First, because 'nonfamily farms' don't have the corner on technology. It's accessible to everybody. Tractors, milking equipment, refrigeration, cell phones, computers, and software are only quick examples of on-farm technology.
The REAL issue with the disappearance of 'family farms' is...hold your hat...kids don't want to farm! I know that's quite revolutionary, but bear with me. Like any business, if little Billy doesn't want to own a widget factory, he'll find something else to do. The failure then to keep farms is with farmers themselves, not politcians, bankers, coops, inspectors, or anyone else you can gripe to. To blame technology is like stating that my car ran out of gas, not becuase I didn't fill it up, but because there wasn't a gas station right where I stalled.
Inevitiably when someone says 'family farm' we all think of bib overalls and 20 or 30 cows; farming the old fashion way (whatever that is). Why can't a family farm be 200 cows? or 3000? Really, what's at odds here? If you think about it objectively, nothing is contrary. Unless we accuse Job of not being a 'family farmer' with 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, and 1,000 donkeys. In my opinion family farming has become a buzz word at best and an idol at worst.
Part of the purpose of this blog was to express modern ag issues and highlights. So this post will follow suit.
The 'family farm' is disappearing. Not really a debate unless you disagree on what the term 'family farm' means. Many, if not all, blame technology on this disappeance, but I think that arguement is trivial and superficial.
First, because 'nonfamily farms' don't have the corner on technology. It's accessible to everybody. Tractors, milking equipment, refrigeration, cell phones, computers, and software are only quick examples of on-farm technology.
The REAL issue with the disappearance of 'family farms' is...hold your hat...kids don't want to farm! I know that's quite revolutionary, but bear with me. Like any business, if little Billy doesn't want to own a widget factory, he'll find something else to do. The failure then to keep farms is with farmers themselves, not politcians, bankers, coops, inspectors, or anyone else you can gripe to. To blame technology is like stating that my car ran out of gas, not becuase I didn't fill it up, but because there wasn't a gas station right where I stalled.
Inevitiably when someone says 'family farm' we all think of bib overalls and 20 or 30 cows; farming the old fashion way (whatever that is). Why can't a family farm be 200 cows? or 3000? Really, what's at odds here? If you think about it objectively, nothing is contrary. Unless we accuse Job of not being a 'family farmer' with 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, and 1,000 donkeys. In my opinion family farming has become a buzz word at best and an idol at worst.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Saturday, May 14, 2005
*&#@$ (why even bother)
Put bluntly, a Christian worldview is not an excuse for compromised sinning. A Christian worldview is not an all-purpose disinfectant.
My babbling frustrates even me, so I enlist someone who writes better than myself. Like most people who haven't been trained in the art of writing, there exist a great gulf fixed between the brain and the right write hand. Any of you who get the Veritas Press magazine, read the article on page 50 to understand my position (the article is called 'A shield and a sword' by D.Wilson). Notice the word 'limit'. I'd post that here too, but I can't find where it lives in cyberspace.
I've probably put way too much thought into this whole discussion, a common side-effect when talking to pot-stirring Buffalonians, but I offer an anology. Words are like tools in the garden of life (deep, I know). Most people use rakes, hoes, and shovels. Some uppercrust affluent individuals use rottotillers, tractors, and other people's sweat. Others use only sharp steely knives, which are unfit for gardening, that glissen in the sunlight anoying all onlookers. I suppose everbody uses knives from 'temp de temp'. It reminds us of where and what we don't want to be.
"If a book does not have a wicked character in it, it is a wicked book." G.K.Chesterton
My babbling frustrates even me, so I enlist someone who writes better than myself. Like most people who haven't been trained in the art of writing, there exist a great gulf fixed between the brain and the right write hand. Any of you who get the Veritas Press magazine, read the article on page 50 to understand my position (the article is called 'A shield and a sword' by D.Wilson). Notice the word 'limit'. I'd post that here too, but I can't find where it lives in cyberspace.
I've probably put way too much thought into this whole discussion, a common side-effect when talking to pot-stirring Buffalonians, but I offer an anology. Words are like tools in the garden of life (deep, I know). Most people use rakes, hoes, and shovels. Some uppercrust affluent individuals use rottotillers, tractors, and other people's sweat. Others use only sharp steely knives, which are unfit for gardening, that glissen in the sunlight anoying all onlookers. I suppose everbody uses knives from 'temp de temp'. It reminds us of where and what we don't want to be.
"If a book does not have a wicked character in it, it is a wicked book." G.K.Chesterton
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Blogic
Have you ever had a discussion with someone and used term 'illogical'? Or heard a biased speech and summed it up as horse manure? Well, I have. Until recently, though I've been weaponless.
This was all spurred by the book The Well Trained Mind. I was reviewing some stuff to get ready for our wee-one. Long story short, I got distracted. Sure enough I was in the Logic section. While learning scads of info and some cool latin terms, I also will never read Snow White the same way (read: cute story).
I'm also one chapter short of being done with Tearing Down Strongholds by R.C. Jr. This book is a good primer on apologetics and logic too. To those of you who equate Logic with God, it's a must read. I'm pretty devoid of any logical (as in subject) training. So when R.C. said logic was amoral and void of content, I was picking up stones. Little did I know, little did I know.
So the only thing I have to offer is links. One to Canon Press and the other to Logical Fallacies. After reading and studying just a little bit, I offer my magnus opus:
People today are illogical
Today I'm a person
Today is illogical.
This was all spurred by the book The Well Trained Mind. I was reviewing some stuff to get ready for our wee-one. Long story short, I got distracted. Sure enough I was in the Logic section. While learning scads of info and some cool latin terms, I also will never read Snow White the same way (read: cute story).
I'm also one chapter short of being done with Tearing Down Strongholds by R.C. Jr. This book is a good primer on apologetics and logic too. To those of you who equate Logic with God, it's a must read. I'm pretty devoid of any logical (as in subject) training. So when R.C. said logic was amoral and void of content, I was picking up stones. Little did I know, little did I know.
So the only thing I have to offer is links. One to Canon Press and the other to Logical Fallacies. After reading and studying just a little bit, I offer my magnus opus:
People today are illogical
Today I'm a person
Today is illogical.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
View of Point
Winston Churchill once said something like: 'the vice of Capitalism was that very few shared in the riches and the vice of Socialism was that everyone shared the same misery.'
Much to my continued dismay, I'm still reading the book 'A People's History of the United States' by H.Zinn. Reader beware. He's not only overtly a Socialist, but he's such a feminist I'm suprised he's still a man. However much I dislike his point of view (humanist to the core), he records quite a bit of facts. I should note in the preface he spends quite a bit of time showing that history is only a person selecting facts that support their case.
I've also been listening to Rushdoony's history of the Americas (1492-1865) on MP3. Needless to say, Zinn and Rushdoony don't have much in common.
Unbeknowst to government school educated me, there was not a little unrest in America in the 1800s. Primarly revolving around worker's rights, wages, sufferage, etc. We all know that but only the tip of the iceberg. So I got thinking about it and where America is now (in my estimation, principally, not much different than 1800s or earlier) is scary.
I think Zinn is one of those purist who want to return to the old primative ways. I get a lot of that working in Ithaca. Well, news is, that ain't happenin'. But the desire behind returning to old times is provacative. The reason all has to do with...you guessed it money. We view primative cultures as free from the burden of earning money. Free from taxes. Free from auto insurance. Free from denistry, or whatever. Let's just barter and work with our hands, and make due with what we have today. Nothing wrong with that.
However the Bible speaks of laying up an inheritance for our childrens' children. I haven't quite figured out how to barter inheritances. Like the strikers of the 1800s, we're between a rock and hard place. We are married to the dollar whether we like it or not. Politicians have a strangle hold on all of us. They've got us cornered from every angle, womb to tomb.
Gotta wrap it up, time for suppah.
Let us work with our hands that we may have something to give to those in need.
Much to my continued dismay, I'm still reading the book 'A People's History of the United States' by H.Zinn. Reader beware. He's not only overtly a Socialist, but he's such a feminist I'm suprised he's still a man. However much I dislike his point of view (humanist to the core), he records quite a bit of facts. I should note in the preface he spends quite a bit of time showing that history is only a person selecting facts that support their case.
I've also been listening to Rushdoony's history of the Americas (1492-1865) on MP3. Needless to say, Zinn and Rushdoony don't have much in common.
Unbeknowst to government school educated me, there was not a little unrest in America in the 1800s. Primarly revolving around worker's rights, wages, sufferage, etc. We all know that but only the tip of the iceberg. So I got thinking about it and where America is now (in my estimation, principally, not much different than 1800s or earlier) is scary.
I think Zinn is one of those purist who want to return to the old primative ways. I get a lot of that working in Ithaca. Well, news is, that ain't happenin'. But the desire behind returning to old times is provacative. The reason all has to do with...you guessed it money. We view primative cultures as free from the burden of earning money. Free from taxes. Free from auto insurance. Free from denistry, or whatever. Let's just barter and work with our hands, and make due with what we have today. Nothing wrong with that.
However the Bible speaks of laying up an inheritance for our childrens' children. I haven't quite figured out how to barter inheritances. Like the strikers of the 1800s, we're between a rock and hard place. We are married to the dollar whether we like it or not. Politicians have a strangle hold on all of us. They've got us cornered from every angle, womb to tomb.
Gotta wrap it up, time for suppah.
Let us work with our hands that we may have something to give to those in need.
Friday, April 22, 2005
From these truths it would appear that the soul cannot be successfully cultivated by patches. We cannot have the intellectual workman polish it at one place, and the spiritual workman at another. A succession of objects may be presented to the soul, to evoke and discipline its several powers; yet the unity of the being would seem to necessitate a unity in its successful education.
- R.L. Dabney
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Monday, April 11, 2005
Medium Message
Someone much more eloquent than I should be writing this, but, alas 'tis only me.
Have you ever thought about email. I mean really thought about it; it's wonderful capabilities and terrible shortcomings. As hackneyed as it sounds, we haven't quite figured out how to use this whole 'e' thing yet. Email, Econnect, Ebooks (how is that possible?) Eserver, Ewaiter, Efood ad nauseum. I'm not aware of any precendent of such debauchery of the English language.
What ever happened to the quill and parchment? What have we accomplished, what have we given up, by using email and other sorted gadgets, i.e. weblogs?
I've been keeping a journal on and off ever since I graduated high school. And like most boys in high school, I took mechanical drawing. In this class you must write in all capital letter, which I loved to do. My dad writes this way so naturally I wanted to. Recently however, in my journal writings I've made the executive decision to write in cursive. You wouldn't believe what came to follow! Instead of quickly writing according to custom, I had to think about what I wanted to write and how to write it. In essence, I had to think. Cursive by definition is superfluous. Heck, I suppose writing in general is too. But cursive trumps everything. Totally unnecessary, totally time consuming for our 'on demand' Egeneration.
I know certain individuals who wait with eager anticipation for snail (I bet the USPS didn't come up with that) mail correspondance. Like lil' kids around Christmas. Now we've reduced conversation to who knows what.
Neil Postman, who is (I believe he died a couple years ago) one of my favorite social critics, wrote this in Amusing Ourselves to Death concerning the boob tube:
He asked questions that nobody even thought of or bothered to think about. So I ask, why even bother with this computer thing?
Again, Mr Postman:
Have you ever thought about email. I mean really thought about it; it's wonderful capabilities and terrible shortcomings. As hackneyed as it sounds, we haven't quite figured out how to use this whole 'e' thing yet. Email, Econnect, Ebooks (how is that possible?) Eserver, Ewaiter, Efood ad nauseum. I'm not aware of any precendent of such debauchery of the English language.
What ever happened to the quill and parchment? What have we accomplished, what have we given up, by using email and other sorted gadgets, i.e. weblogs?
I've been keeping a journal on and off ever since I graduated high school. And like most boys in high school, I took mechanical drawing. In this class you must write in all capital letter, which I loved to do. My dad writes this way so naturally I wanted to. Recently however, in my journal writings I've made the executive decision to write in cursive. You wouldn't believe what came to follow! Instead of quickly writing according to custom, I had to think about what I wanted to write and how to write it. In essence, I had to think. Cursive by definition is superfluous. Heck, I suppose writing in general is too. But cursive trumps everything. Totally unnecessary, totally time consuming for our 'on demand' Egeneration.
I know certain individuals who wait with eager anticipation for snail (I bet the USPS didn't come up with that) mail correspondance. Like lil' kids around Christmas. Now we've reduced conversation to who knows what.
Neil Postman, who is (I believe he died a couple years ago) one of my favorite social critics, wrote this in Amusing Ourselves to Death concerning the boob tube:
What is television? What kind of conversations does it permit? What are the intellectual tendencies does it encourage? What sort of culture does it produce?...Thus, in answering the question, What is television?, we must understand as a first point that we are not talking about television as a technology but television as a medium.
He asked questions that nobody even thought of or bothered to think about. So I ask, why even bother with this computer thing?
Again, Mr Postman:
Although I believe the computer to be a vastly overrated technology, I mention it here because, clearly, Americans have accorded it their customary mindless inattention; which means they will use it as they are told, without a whimper. Thus, a central thesis of computer technology--that the principal difficulty we have in solving problems stems from insufficient data--will go unexamined.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Delectable Quotables
I just recently learned that my mother has a book full of quotes by famous people. Needless to say, I’m not in it (yet). So, I spent a little time going through it’s pages in search of the following gems:
For everyone (meatlovers, at least):
For our President:
For Mr.Terry:
For Mr.Owen:
For all of you who think nothing good has come from a Baptist:
For Papist Pete:
For all you Elders out there:
For those who act like money is more important than children:
For everyone (meatlovers, at least):
Alfred Emanuel Smith (1873-1944)
No matter how you slice it, it’s still baloney.
For our President:
Thomas Jefferson (1734-1826)
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to tome with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
For Mr.Terry:
William Cowper (1731-1800)
He likes the country, but in truth must own
Most likes it, when he studies it in town.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Who loves not women, wine, and song
Remains a fool his whole life long.
For Mr.Owen:
G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
And they think we’re burning witches when we’re only burning weeds.
Because it is only Christian men that guard even heathen things.
Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
There is a superstition in avoiding superstitions.
For all of you who think nothing good has come from a Baptist:
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
He who does not write, will never be written of; he who does not read, will never be read; and he that refuses to use other men’s brains proves that he has no brain of his own.
For Papist Pete:
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
For all you Elders out there:
Revenons a ces moutons. Let us return to our sheep.
For those who act like money is more important than children:
Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
There is no finer investment for any community than putting milk in babies.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Week Thots
This week was the craziest in a long time. At work I might be getting a promotion, but then again, maybe not. It's a long story. To boot, things at church are always interesting, too.
Which brings me to Scott's post.
I've been thinking this week (well, maybe every week) about how Christians look. We should be radically different and unmistakable from our heathen counterparts. Not in the sense of a snooty, holy roller, but rather distinguishable. I too, hope some day have what is being dubed ' a Christian community'. But that's just a fancy word for 'Christians living like they should'. Historically, people of a particular conviction always want to literally have a city on a hill. I'm not entirely convinced that in the long run it's a good idea (or biblical). It's difficult to convince heathens that we love them as neighbors if we're consumed with ourselves.
So, to solve all the aforementioned problemos, I submit the following. We need to return to a culture of Shoes and Hats. Allow me to explain.
Shoes distinguish a people. For example, if I said 'Dutch', you would say klompen (wooden shoes for you non-Dutchers). Now that you get the idea, you can be creative. Shoes represent the bare utility of a people and the resources that are given them. The footwear defines their everyday need. We as Christians need to develop unique footwear that shows our dominion over creation and our willingness to work in it. I like muck boots.
Secondly, and more flamboyant, Hats. Hats represent the shear luxury or imagination of a people. It represents what you really believe about the world and life. Amish don simple hats because they believe the world to be simple; black and white you might say. I have no suggestions for what kind of hats to wear but this topic is one that should be taken up in some sort of seminar.
Although the current Christian climate in America should be easy to see if you use my formula of 'Shoes and Hats'. We're a bunch of immature babies running around without our hats and barefoot, all against our Father's wishes.
After we get the Hat and Shoes thing down, then we can start to talk pipe tobacco.
Which brings me to Scott's post.
I've been thinking this week (well, maybe every week) about how Christians look. We should be radically different and unmistakable from our heathen counterparts. Not in the sense of a snooty, holy roller, but rather distinguishable. I too, hope some day have what is being dubed ' a Christian community'. But that's just a fancy word for 'Christians living like they should'. Historically, people of a particular conviction always want to literally have a city on a hill. I'm not entirely convinced that in the long run it's a good idea (or biblical). It's difficult to convince heathens that we love them as neighbors if we're consumed with ourselves.
So, to solve all the aforementioned problemos, I submit the following. We need to return to a culture of Shoes and Hats. Allow me to explain.
Shoes distinguish a people. For example, if I said 'Dutch', you would say klompen (wooden shoes for you non-Dutchers). Now that you get the idea, you can be creative. Shoes represent the bare utility of a people and the resources that are given them. The footwear defines their everyday need. We as Christians need to develop unique footwear that shows our dominion over creation and our willingness to work in it. I like muck boots.
Secondly, and more flamboyant, Hats. Hats represent the shear luxury or imagination of a people. It represents what you really believe about the world and life. Amish don simple hats because they believe the world to be simple; black and white you might say. I have no suggestions for what kind of hats to wear but this topic is one that should be taken up in some sort of seminar.
Although the current Christian climate in America should be easy to see if you use my formula of 'Shoes and Hats'. We're a bunch of immature babies running around without our hats and barefoot, all against our Father's wishes.
After we get the Hat and Shoes thing down, then we can start to talk pipe tobacco.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Tombs of Granite
Risen is our Saviour this day,
Exactly like the Prophets say!
Risen I say again aloud,
He has gone up through the clouds!
Risen He is just like He said,
He has crushed the Serpent’s head!
Risen is Christ the Immanuel,
He alone will save you from Hell!
Risen our Saviour He is Lord,
The Three in One, with sharp edged sword!
Risen for His People free,
Sinners like you and me!
Rejoice, and again I say REJOICE!
Exactly like the Prophets say!
Risen I say again aloud,
He has gone up through the clouds!
Risen He is just like He said,
He has crushed the Serpent’s head!
Risen is Christ the Immanuel,
He alone will save you from Hell!
Risen our Saviour He is Lord,
The Three in One, with sharp edged sword!
Risen for His People free,
Sinners like you and me!
Rejoice, and again I say REJOICE!
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Med Student meets Theologian
The Word of God is a living and active sword, not a cadaver awaiting dissection.
-Steve Schlissel
I find myself doing this all the time. In order to understand something, I take it apart, mentally or otherwise. Pulsator isn’t working right. Take it apart. Brakes wore out on the family jalopy; take it apart and fix it. Fellow Christian doesn’t believe rightly on the Decree of Providence; dismantle him… Right?
There are some things you just can’t take apart. One thing we’ve dissected ad nauseum is the Bible. For instance, who came up with the idea of Testaments? (ie, the page break between Malachi and Matthew) Chapters? Verses? References? Notes? Are they necessarily helpful? Quite simply, yes. Quite honestly, I’m not so sure.
Let’s revert back to our erring brother. We go to our handy concordance and look up all the verses with key words in it. Volia! He’s put right. So he walks down to see his Dispy friend and they start talking about the Church vs Israel. Get out the same handy concordance and, Volia! Instant Dispy. Why? Because there was no organic connection between God’s people thousands of years ago with God’s people today. All saved by Christ, all benefits of his salvation.
Another subtle overtone is the phrase ‘take it apart’. I may be stretching things here but I want to write it down whether it fits or not. If you take something apart, you do just that. You ‘take’ it.
“What if we start with the radical idea that God has given us [as his people] grace, or even the more radical idea that He’s given it to our children!”
Steve Schlissel spoke that at a Conference clarifying the Federal Vision. God has revealed and given everything He wants us to know. To us and our children.
I think many leaders in the Reformed church have the wrong (in practice) metaphor of the church. We are Christ’s bride growing and maturing, waiting for the supper of the Lamb. Not a cadaver to take apart and examine. It starts to get a little hairy when you want to put everything back together; the rigor mortis part makes it troublesome.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Holocaust and the Final Cost
Human life does not provide the standard. We must recognize God as God, and honor His law as the standard. This is the trap that many pro-lifers have fallen into, talking about the sanctity of human life. We ought to have been talking about the sanctity of God's law, and the consequent dignity of human life. If human life is sacred, then human life is the standard. But if God's law is the standard, then we must give ourselves to the study of it. Read more here.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Thursday, March 10, 2005
trains and dragons
As Owen Barfield once said to me, “The trouble about insects is that they are like French locomotives-they have all the works on the outside.” The works-that’s the trouble. Their angular limbs, their jerky movements, their dry, metallic noises, all suggest either machines that have comet to life or life degenerating into mechanism. You may add that in the hive and the anthill we see fully realized the two things that some of us most dread for our own species-the dominance of the female and the dominance of the collective. -CS Lewis, from Surprised by Joy
Must say I never thought of bugs that hard before.
Imagination is a vague word and I must make some distinctions. It may mean the world of reverie,daydream, wishfulfilling fantasy. Of that I knew more than enough. I often pictured myself cutting a fine figure. But I must insist that this was a totally different activity from the invention of Animal-Land. Animal-Land was not (in that sense) a fantasy at all. I was not one of the characters it contained. I was its creator, not a candidate for admission to it. Invention is essentially different from reverie; if some fail to recognize the difference that is because they have not themselves experienced both. Anyone who has will understand me. In my daydreams I was training myself to be a fool; in mapping and chronicling Animal-Land I was training myself to be a novelist. -ibid
When raising kids I think we make a false dichotomy between imaginative (read: free spirits) and disciplined (read: yes-man) children. We assume you have either one or the other. The former, though, we try to reprimand incessantly and the end product is rebellion. The latter we pat ourselves on the back and are happy of our lil’ Westminster Seminarian.
On a positive note we at least recognize that every aspect of imagination isn’t always good. I’ll use the word daydreaming. We know that’s destructive. Why? It has no creative by-product other than lazy escapism. (I wonder if our eschatological views reflect our ‘imagination’?) So in order to get rid of daydreaming we throw the baby out with the bath water. The exact type of thinking that is contrary to wisdom. How do we foster good imagination in children? Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve really only started to think about this. I suppose reading is a good start.
By the same token, because our little ones don’t draw fairies, castles, and dragons doesn’t mean they’re not imaginative. The product that’s sought after (in my estimation) is creation. Building forts, looking after rabbits, mowing the lawn, driving tractors etc can be ‘creative’.
Our Westminster Seminarians grow up to be fuss budgets. Anxious to define everything in terms of prepositions; as if life fit into a nice box.
I have long learned by experience, and that over and over again, that those who contend thus pertinaciously about terms, are really cherishing a secret poison.
-John Calvin
Monday, March 07, 2005
Jeeks and Grews
While listening to D.Wilson’s talk on Hellenization, he brought up a good question. Why was the New Testament written in Greek? Well, for the simple reason that God wanted his people to wrestle with Gnosticism. Essentially if Gnosticism is in the church, it’s because God wanted it there. We are the better for it and a sort of tertium quid develops. A people who aren’t really Hebraic or Grecian.
That last sentence is what struck me. With the call to return to a Hebraic society on the lips of most reformed, especially credenda folk, I was really taken back when he mentioned that.
Although returning coldly (or otherwise) to a hebraic form of society isn’t the answer either. You could say, “look how they turned out”. As a maturing church, I conclude, God want’s us to develop a better way to live. OT Hebrew society wasn’t the epitome of culture. It can’t be.
That last sentence is what struck me. With the call to return to a Hebraic society on the lips of most reformed, especially credenda folk, I was really taken back when he mentioned that.
Although returning coldly (or otherwise) to a hebraic form of society isn’t the answer either. You could say, “look how they turned out”. As a maturing church, I conclude, God want’s us to develop a better way to live. OT Hebrew society wasn’t the epitome of culture. It can’t be.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Smoking Squared
Spurgeon said to a Methodist critic, "If I ever find myself smoking to excess, I promise I shall quit entirely."
"What would you call smoking to excess?" the man asked.
"Why,smoking two cigars at the same time!" was the answer.
"What would you call smoking to excess?" the man asked.
"Why,smoking two cigars at the same time!" was the answer.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Weekend
Wisdom is presented in Proverbs as a woman: a schoolmarm, a wife, a wealthy patroness. "Many modern men do not understand women because they do not understand wisdom, and they do not understand wisdom because they do not approach her as a woman."One more reason to like him. (as if it was needed)
-Douglas Wilson
Christ triumphed over the principalities and powers, humiliating them deeply. Christ is the archtype of all dragon-slayers, the archtype of all giant killers. As He put it, when He bound the strong man, He stripped him of all his panoply. Christ defeated the devil and made off with his armor.-ibidAnother reason.
I'm now listening to the Community Evangelical Fellowship Ministerial Conference 1999 on Poetic Ministry. You don't realize how much Greek thought pervades everything until you really sit and think. (Trying to imagine yourself separte from all things material will help) For a person as unimaginative as me, I hardly understand what these guys are saying. In a wierd way, I agree. I think. Naturally, everyone 'Reformed' comes out with guns blazin'. I've got more to say on this, but I'm too lazy to type.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
It's all Greek to me!
Páter hêmôn, ho 'en toîs 'ouranoîs: hagiasthêtô tò 'ónomá sou. 'Elthétô hê basileÃa sou. Genethétô tò thélêmá sou, hôs 'en 'ouranõi, kaì 'epì tês gês. Tòn 'árton hêmôn tòn 'epioúsion dòs hêmîn sêmeron. Kaì 'áphes hêmîn tà 'opheilêmata hêmõn, hôs kaì hêmeîs 'aphÃemen toîs 'opheilétais hêmõn. Kaì mê 'eisenénkêis hêmãs 'eis peirasmón, 'allà rhûsai hêmãs 'apò toû ponêroû. Hóti soû 'estin hê basileÃa, kaì hê dúnamis, kaì hê dóxa 'eis toùs 'aiõnas. 'Amên.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Who's kidding who
Technology presents some interesting debates. But call it what YOU want, Murder is murder. I ask, where is your pro-life president now? We’ll he’s busy with Social Security (unconstitutional) and Congress is busy with personal bankruptcy chatter. Wow! Real earth shattering stuff!
Unfortunately, the church is basically quiet on this issue. You say 'no'. Well, who heard a sermon on murder this past Sunday?
Are we so hardened as to give up hope when our fancy-pants technology is run out?
America, land of the free, murdering babies and persons in 'vegatative states'. Maybe you'll be next!!
Unfortunately, the church is basically quiet on this issue. You say 'no'. Well, who heard a sermon on murder this past Sunday?
Are we so hardened as to give up hope when our fancy-pants technology is run out?
America, land of the free, murdering babies and persons in 'vegatative states'. Maybe you'll be next!!
Times they are a changin', Mabye
“July 6, 1822.
“…at one o’clock a number of Officers dined at Patton’s Tavern, and then drank the following
“TOASTS.
1. THE PATRIOTS OF ’76—May we ever cherish their principles and imitate their virtues.
2. THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES—The laurels acquired by them in honorable war have never been sullied by outrageous like those of our enemies at Hampton and Frenchtown.
3. OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE—A beacon to the friends of liberty and a terror to monarchs.
4. INDEPENDENCE—May we not loose it’s substance and court it’s shadow.
5. THE NEXT CONGRESS—May they encourage Domestic Manufacturers and be contented with forty-two dollars a week
6. THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES—May they think less about the next presidency and more of our national concern.
“A prayer by the Chaplain of the First Regiment followed, then a volley of gunshot from the common, and the diner commenced.”
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Consider This
Right now I’m reading several books covering the same time period in American history, The War for Independence. A good thing about reading several books on identical subjects is that they hold each others’ biases in check. What one left out the other includes, making for a more historical account. A bad thing is that I forget which author said what.
One of the books I’m reading is A Peoples History of the United States by H.Zinn the other is What They Didn’t Teach You About the American Revolution by M.Wright. At the same time I’m sorting through a stack of old Christian Statesman and Christian Reconstruction magazines. So you will forgive me if I mess up my citations.
Having only read a hundred pages or so of each said book, I’ve got some pretty enlightening morsels to chew on. First though, scripture.
H.Zinn purports that America has been run by the elite few ever since it’s conception, and to think otherwise is ignorance. Pre-Revolutionary War rebellions weren’t aimed so much at England as they were Colonial Governments run by…Colonials!
As much as I think Zinn is a socialist, he’s got some good points. So far, his book is more like a complaint. However, I’ve been taught to view American history as free of defects.
To be fair to Zinn he’s only thinking how he’s been taught. Attack the fruit and not the tree. He hates capitalism because it makes people poor. So instead of considering greed and pride, he thinks about money and equality.
One of the books I’m reading is A Peoples History of the United States by H.Zinn the other is What They Didn’t Teach You About the American Revolution by M.Wright. At the same time I’m sorting through a stack of old Christian Statesman and Christian Reconstruction magazines. So you will forgive me if I mess up my citations.
Having only read a hundred pages or so of each said book, I’ve got some pretty enlightening morsels to chew on. First though, scripture.
If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, do not marvel at the matter. For He who is higher than the highest watches; and thee are some higher than they. Moreover the profit of the earth is for all; the king himself is served by the field. Eccl 5:8-9As is obvious from H.Zinn’s book title, he’s attempting what, I believe, has not been accomplished before. Or at least in this comprehensive manner. Our history books are usually written from the perspective of upper-middle class authors, with upper-middle class influences and presuppositions. Not that it’s wrong, just biased. I would even say that some Christian historians don’t dig deep enough and are actually trying to fit history into a box they’ve created. Let’s face it, our founding fathers were not common folk like you and me. They were politicians with more money than we’ll ever have. They had family connections to each other and to many in England. The phrase apples don’t fall too far from the tree is an accurate description of politicians too. History has a way of idealizing everything from wars to conquest. For example, living in a soddie sounds like quite an adventure to us in 21st century New England. But before you pack up the kids, do a little reading about life on the Prairie. There’s a reason why people don’t live in soddies anymore, it sucks! I digress.
H.Zinn purports that America has been run by the elite few ever since it’s conception, and to think otherwise is ignorance. Pre-Revolutionary War rebellions weren’t aimed so much at England as they were Colonial Governments run by…Colonials!
Starting with Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia, by 1760, there had been eighteen uprisings aimed at overthrowing colonial governments. There had also bee six black rebellions, form South Carolina to New York, and forty riots of various origins.pg 59 ZinnBacon’s Rebellion was an uprising of poor whites and some black slaves. After this rebellion, two things happened. More English troops were sent to America because of the perceived threat to governance, and, laws were made to keep black slaves from fraternizing with poor whites. The politicians realized the inertia that ensued when these two disgruntled groups united. So, whites were promised government bennies and perks, in the hopes of creating a class division and too see the government as “a powerful protector of their common interests”. Here is where, the author purports, ‘racism’ in America really takes root. He argues that racism wasn’t specifically about black and white as much as it was about poor and poorer. A competition between the classes. Everyone’s after a piece of the pie. In order to climb the ladder to success, step on everyone below you. Zinn’s main thesis so far is that Colonial America ran on the oppression of the working class in order to continue to fill the pockets of the elite rich.
As much as I think Zinn is a socialist, he’s got some good points. So far, his book is more like a complaint. However, I’ve been taught to view American history as free of defects.
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life on thy vanity, which he hat viven thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity; for that is thy portion in this life, and in they labour which thou takes under the sun.
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.Eccl 9:9,11
To be fair to Zinn he’s only thinking how he’s been taught. Attack the fruit and not the tree. He hates capitalism because it makes people poor. So instead of considering greed and pride, he thinks about money and equality.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Here No Evil
While we are called to tear down strongholds, the lost are not kept from the kingdom merely by wrong thinking. The devil, after all, is a Calvinist.
-R.C. Sproul Jr.
The lost are not merely wrong, but dead. Unfortunately the aim of modern day evangelism is misplaced in two major areas. One, they assume that the gospel is that lil’ tidbit of cosmic information needed to make the right ‘decision’. It’s brutally obvious. Just pay attention to the words that are employed. It’s sickening to listen to someone preach and try to convince another person to accept their gospel. The gospel is not information.
Secondly, we Christians speak a different language. We go in with a whole list of presuppositions and expect, nay often assume, that the recipient will answer in the affirmative. Words often used are ‘God, sin, and Decision’ and they hear ‘Santa Claus, mistake, and I’m a god. The modern evangelism movement is working off the capital of our grandparents with the same assumptions getting the same results. Legalism and rebellion. We can no longer assume that the Average American Joe (or Josephine) knows what we mean when we say ‘God’.
Also, my fellow churchmen, think on this. An excerpt from a series of sermons on 1 Corinthians by Harold Harrington.
-R.C. Sproul Jr.
The lost are not merely wrong, but dead. Unfortunately the aim of modern day evangelism is misplaced in two major areas. One, they assume that the gospel is that lil’ tidbit of cosmic information needed to make the right ‘decision’. It’s brutally obvious. Just pay attention to the words that are employed. It’s sickening to listen to someone preach and try to convince another person to accept their gospel. The gospel is not information.
Secondly, we Christians speak a different language. We go in with a whole list of presuppositions and expect, nay often assume, that the recipient will answer in the affirmative. Words often used are ‘God, sin, and Decision’ and they hear ‘Santa Claus, mistake, and I’m a god. The modern evangelism movement is working off the capital of our grandparents with the same assumptions getting the same results. Legalism and rebellion. We can no longer assume that the Average American Joe (or Josephine) knows what we mean when we say ‘God’.
Also, my fellow churchmen, think on this. An excerpt from a series of sermons on 1 Corinthians by Harold Harrington.
They did not need another invitation to receive Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. What they needed was a call to live that life of godliness which is expected and which must be evident in all who make the claim of belonging to Christ. Every sermon is not about “getting saved”. Most sermons in the church must be about living a moral and obedient life in this world under the Lordship of Christ. In the assembly of the saints a major concern is saintly living. As a pastor I have become more and more dissatisfied with the preaching of the so-called evangelical churches even to the point of exasperation.
It’s high time reformed, evangelical, protestant preaching, call it what you like, returned to the example of Paul found in First Corinthians. It’s time it stopped assuming that the audience each week needs to be converted. Yes, some individuals may be unconverted. In fact it is likely. The free gospel of God’s saving grace must be evident always. And it will be evident if we are instructing Christians in the saintly life in the light of God’s saving grace. However, if conversions do take place in the weekly assembly of the saints, they will be incidental. We correctly assume that people assembled for worship each week in sound Christian churches, bearing the marks of a true church, are for the most part saints. It’s really slanderous to assume otherwise.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Do you use 'em?
Between my wife and I, I’m really not sure how many books we own. A fair statement would be more than average. A humble library. In a way a personal library is a stairway that leads to that specific persons' ideas.
When company comes over, inevitably books are, at one point or another, a topic of conversation. We all sit down in the living room next to approximately three acres of rain forest reincarnated as books. Sip our coffee. Stare at each other for a while. Then as a ‘conversation starter’, I brace myself for the hackneyed question. “Do you use all these books? Have you read them all, I mean?”
So I’m sideswiped with a formidable question. At first I thought a discussion on the use of books, some important authors, concepts of medium vs. content etc, would weigh heavy in the air. But no, I get sideswiped. Unable to hold it in any longer, I think my expression contorts to something between cross-eyed and bitter beer face. “What”, I ask myself, “ are the presuppositions to such a question?” It almost strikes at one’s manhood. But those are thoughts for another time.
Finally I have a question to answer a question. Simply ask, “Do you own a TV set?” If the answer is affirmative (which it will be for a person who asks such queries as aforementioned); ask “Do you use all those channels, I mean is it useful?”
When company comes over, inevitably books are, at one point or another, a topic of conversation. We all sit down in the living room next to approximately three acres of rain forest reincarnated as books. Sip our coffee. Stare at each other for a while. Then as a ‘conversation starter’, I brace myself for the hackneyed question. “Do you use all these books? Have you read them all, I mean?”
So I’m sideswiped with a formidable question. At first I thought a discussion on the use of books, some important authors, concepts of medium vs. content etc, would weigh heavy in the air. But no, I get sideswiped. Unable to hold it in any longer, I think my expression contorts to something between cross-eyed and bitter beer face. “What”, I ask myself, “ are the presuppositions to such a question?” It almost strikes at one’s manhood. But those are thoughts for another time.
Finally I have a question to answer a question. Simply ask, “Do you own a TV set?” If the answer is affirmative (which it will be for a person who asks such queries as aforementioned); ask “Do you use all those channels, I mean is it useful?”
Sunday, February 06, 2005
For the Birds
Just when you think that Toucan's are only associated with breakfast cereal.
I'm thinking 'roadtrip'.
I'm thinking 'roadtrip'.
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