November

1. hired a gigolo
2. flirted at the office
3. had an emotional affair
4. actually bought a pair of Jimmy Choos
5. or Manolo Blahniks
6. had a Brazilian wax
7. wear no pantyhose
8. wear no underwear
9. had a facelift
10. cheated on Jondude

Hideous, awful, and plain hilarious.

So sweet. Love her eyes.

A Very Special Girl felt the love of a Very Special Man.

Here's something to ponder. The deity of Father/Son/Holy Spirit is a community of beings that are also "one". It is stated many times in both the Old + New Testaments that it is a mystery. The error of mankind is focusing on trying to solve it. It isn't meant to be solved but to create in us a seed of faith that grows over time.

I've known scholars and theologians who ask the same questions that you've posted and their interpretations always seem to land them in a place of
humility and acceptance of that mystery which is confounding, and choosing to believe in something intangible.

Part of man's fallen nature is to want to be "more". Knowledge, intelligence, athletic prowess, beauty, etc - all describe the physical man. But man was created with intangible parts too. The mind and soul cannot be physically seen as it can be understood. Make sense?

We each are mysteries as is the universe. Not everything in creation has been physically explained by man and that confounds and upsets man.

People aren't "prepared" for losses in life. Especially deep loss. We need to blame. If we believed in God, we blame. It is at this very point that our faith is tested. We begin to sour by our own soul's losses... of hope and all its confident expectation.

Loss is often random and unexplainable. Very few are untouched by it. For every person who suffered greatly through loss and who allowed their faith to germinate, there is some sense of acceptance - a key word.

We don't like to accept that fact that we're hurting. That's just one aspect of acceptance. Sometimes we need help but our pride stands in the way so we don't seek it. Again, the souring of our souls.

Over time, that little seed germinates too. Over time, we become more cynical, resentful, more doubtful - especially about faith issues. We can see the hypocrisy in a Sunday service and experience its followers as sinful. But the other side of the coin is that they realize their sinfulness and all the more reason why they continue to go to church...

For me, there aren't easy answers to your posted questions. Interpretation of the bible truly requires scholarly attention. For decades, theologians have debated over several issues in both testaments - which brings me back to a previous point - that the plight of mankind is to search for a solution to the problem of "mystery". Science cannot always explain the intangible and unseen. This is where faith takes over.

Each of us has a seed that germinates something. I don't attend church services nor adhere to a body of members either. I hope that my daily living is a reflection of something spiritual. I disdain "religion" but I delight in aspects of spirituality. Instead of lining the pockets of some pastoral administration, I prefer to serve in a capacity that cares for the needy. Orienting myself toward faith in God is not a giant effort but like a gardener, I like to water it everyday.

Has Jackson every said anything worth pondering?

Steve for President!!!

You wascally wabbit!

Amazing story!

Guess we've worked out the living easy thing in our lives. No expectations. Tell each other what we'd like to do. Freedom to say yes/no. Interject spontaneity once in awhile. Fine to do absolutely nothing. Hey - it takes practice to learn how to do just that... so yeah, we did nothing on the 4th either. Unless you count watching a dvd and eating Haagen Dazs something.

interesting list! takehiko inoue - i can't stand anime either!

Aw. Freedom means SO MUCH, doesn't it?

Will be sitting in my midcentury modern chair, watching a dvd, sipping a glass of pinot grigio next to the air conditioner. [Rolling Rock?] You seem more like a Sam Adams kind-of-guy.