Question of the century

I hear you, Professor Sowell.

Quote of the day, Or the decade

Describing sex as “casual” is like describing the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as a “nice little doodle.” That’s what I can’t stand — the people who diminish and cheapen sex are the ones who get to pass themselves off as “sexually enlightened.”  Matt Walsh

Out with the old

Not necessarily.  We often think that all things new are best.  Let's take, for example, an iPhone.  I like my 3GS and have no desire to upgrade to the latest 5C.  Doubtless, the new and improved version offers many more options and is superior.  This is often true of technology.  But is it true of everything?

 Truth only seems old fashioned nowadays because we’ve grown so accustomed to deceit and manipulation. But Truth is eternal, so it can never be old or new. It never ‘was’ or ‘will be.’ It just ‘is.’ It always ‘is.’ Truth never grows old, and if you believe in it and try to live by it, you will always be, in some ways — the only ways that matter — the youngest, freshest, most energetic rebel on the block.  Matt Walsh

Let's look at music, art and literature, and ask this question:  Should the old be discarded or up-staged by the new?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cifOZOwQJ84

Is there any music more beautiful than classical?

Michelangelo's David

                           Michelangelo's Pieta 

Is there comparable art being created today?

Allison's artwork

Allie MacKinney recalls me
offering this timeless word of counsel
as she headed to Greeley, CO for college.

Shut-up & Take this medicine, it's good for ya

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. 

C. S. Lewis  

Alan Jackson - When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder

Too much to ask?

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/356900/obama-and-art-phoniness-thomas-sowell

Why do so many American politicians weave webs of deception for the express purpose of deceiving the very people they are supposed to serve?  How much wool can I pull over your eyes today?  How much smoke can I blow up your endzone today?

Is it too much to ask that servant leaders of integrity govern by the consent of the people?  The Founding Fathers did not think so.
Is it too much to ask that the "What's good for thee but not for me" 'leaders' of our exceptionally conceived nation, at the very least, love America?  Is it too much to ask that the president and his cohorts spend the lion's share of their time serving "We the People" rather than plotting to deceive?

I would far prefer to be me rather than thee when the roll is called up yonder.

The wedding in Fargo

Laura and Ben's wedding.
The ten High School Friends together again.

Still crazy after all these years

Cuttin' a rug
or
whip lash?

Danielle in FarGO

My gorgeous girls together

Mid-day refreshment with her favorite brother-in-law.

The GrandBabes wishing a HaPPy bday to Gramma Care

Morgan's idiom references had me rolling:
"Sure hoping you don't have 'fish to fry.'"
"Goodnight!"  Wink.  

Hilarious.

Auntie and Niece reunion

As Robert would say, "Mother and child reunion."
Danielley is the aunt - not the mother - meeting her beautiful niece for the
first time.

Deadwood or bust!
Good times in South Dakota, Sept 2013.  

Who knows where Morgan is.
Probably on the Red Slide.

At the risk of neglecting MJ & Isaiah Robert,

Danielle is bonding with her niece.  

Amelia Margaret helping Danielle
check her email.

Saddle up, Partner.  I've got these reins.  

Clearing brain clutter

Jennifer Fulwiler of Conversion Diary fame, wrote the most insightful article - The Mental Neat Freak - on the varying activities that reboot mental stability.  She was flummoxed and dismayed that two hours getting a massage or haircut did not calm her in the long run.  Short term, yes, the activity was fun and enjoyable.  But she discovered, after some introspection, that writing and reading are the activities that center her knowledge that "All is Well."  It's fun and productive to figure out what settles the soul.

For me, biking and quiet contemplation, do the deed.  I am an idea person, so time to ponder and wander is crucial for a sense of peace.  As extroverted as I am by nature, renewal comes with the balance between people interaction and time with the still, small Voice.

Here's the link to Jennifer's article:  http://www.conversiondiary.com

Sometimes the truth is funny as a crutch

http://youtu.be/hfP6LmJiSec

A day at the zoo

Thomas Sowell's wisdom strikes again

http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell073013.php3#.UfgFcxafcy4

MacMurchy family, circa summer '13

This would be the perfect MacMurchy family photo
if Mama MacMurchy was front and center.
But somebody has to click the pic, for crying out loud!

Amelia Mimi Margaret.
Doll baby

Morgan loves her brother.
Isaiah Robert loves his sister.

As Elissa says, "Who doesn't love a boy in a fedora?"

Elbert Guillory: "Why I Am a Republican"

Come unto Jesus. And rest.

http://andyunedited.ivpress.com/2013/05/remembering_dallas_willard.

Dallas Willard went to be with his Lord this morning. Many people will miss his strong, gentle wisdom, remembering him as someone who was soaked in the presence of Christ. He was a beloved friend and writer to many. We enjoyed publishing a number of titles by Dallas (1935-2013), especially one of his signature books, Hearing God.

Perhaps twenty years ago I was with Dallas as he led a two-day retreat for a dozen or so of us. In particular I remember his talking about practicing the disciplines of solitude and silence, something he tried to do for thirty minutes a day. I asked him what he meant by that. And he told us.

"And do you pray?" I asked.

"No."

"Or meditate or read the Scriptures?"

"No."

"Then what?"

"Nothing. I just sit. In the presence of Christ."

What made very little sense to me then has come to mean more and more to me as the years have gone by. As the pace of life has become more abuzz with activity and stimulation and distraction, I have more and more craved time to just sit, and do nothing, except be in Christ's presence. It has become a centering, still point in a topsy-turvy world. It reminds me what is important and who is important, what is a crisis and what is not.

As Dallas taught so many, the Sabbath and Sabbath moments like the ones he described are ways of acknowledging who is in charge of the world and who is not. It reminds us that we are dependent on God and not ourselves. Our activity, our work, our intensity are not god. And by resting from those things, we acknowledge who is.

By giving away money we at once blaspheme the god of Mammon and worship the true God. By giving away time we at once blaspheme the god of Activity and worship the true One.

These I gratefully carry with me, gifts from Dallas Willard.

Posted by Andy Le Peau at May 8, 2013 11:36 AM

Early morning, we will rise up and seek You

THE LORD's PRAYER

Dear Father always near us,
May Your name be treasured and loved,
May your rule be completed in us-
May Your will be done here on earth
In just the way it is done in Heaven.
Give us today the things we need today,
And forgive us our sins and impositions on You
As we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.
Please don't put us through trials,
but deliver us from everything bad.
Because You are the one in charge,
And You have all the power,
And the glory too is all yours - forever -
Which is just the way we want it!
Dallas's rendition