What I Do and Don't Know

A cursory look at the news or any social media may cause instant fear and depression. The fact is, that any one of a number of catastrophes both happen and are within the realm of possibility. Bad things happen, and the news of them spreads like wildfire.

Honestly, none of us knows tomorrow's events with any degree of certainty. Focusing on the imaginary unknown, by linking it with some current event is like making movies in your own mind and then watching them in real time.

I would guess that I am average in that I spend equal amounts of time thinking about what could go wrong as I do wildly fantasizing about what could go right. Neither are efficiently productive. You could argue that focusing on the positive is what causes good vibes and energy. I couldn't agree more. Still, it is action that gets things moving. Thinking about a steak dinner will not cook it, though it may be more likely to lead to my cooking it. In the same way, thinking about social anarchy may not cause social anarchy, but it will certainly cause me to be more sensitive to any form of it, and lead me to an abnormal distrust of my neighbor. We often play 'telephone' with our own thoughts, jumping to conclusions that are a product of our imagination, and not reality. It is said that many of the radical facebook posts that proclaim outlandish conclusions are based on a sense of public fear and cause readers to be gullible enough to swallow outright lies, simply because they contain a small amount of truth. Any post that gets your goat may fall in this category.

The more analytical among us may argue that gathering information helps us to understand the times, and a knowledge of history informs the future. All true, and yet, to what end?

The only realm in which I have true influence is more than likely the space around me for ten to twenty yards or so in either direction. In this age of instant information, we maybe lulled into thinking of ourselves as 'omnipowerful' as we are  'artificially omniscient'. Why, then, do I find it so hard to focus on that space and seek to live in an imaginary world of my own making?

I find it far easier to blame the current administration than to walk a few feet and give some love to my neighbor or family member when giving love would make a small but real difference.

Yes, tomorrow is uncertain. Today's moment is the only one that is stone concrete and crystal clear. I must not reject it or flee from it to some other ethereal place out of either fear or laziness. To do this is not to truly live the gift of my own life.

I must remember that tomorrow's uncertainty includes a certainty. God. That is what I know.

What I Wish the Church Would Change Part 3

Now that's what I'm talking about! The unique re-purposing of an old organ. I'm a keyboard player from way back. Piano, however, is my specialty - not that I have anything against organs. If they did this to a piano (I've seen it) my stomach would lurch a little. 

Speaking of stomach lurching, as I have surfed the representation of the church in cyber pages from around the world, all too often I've observed that those who call themselves believers use the internet to spread a doctrine of judgmental jabs and frankly, pure hate, masked as faith. Sadly, facebook or twitter may be the only Jesus some people ever see. As I see it, it is not our job to morally reform the masses online. The missing element  involves the most desperately needed commodity on the planet. The thing I wish would change involves the face of Christianity that  the world perceives.

What then is the essence of the church? If it was boiled down, what would be left in concentrate?The people that make up the global church are unique in many ways, but there is one defining core characteristic that has the power to rivet the attention of almost anyone. It transcends methodology, style, and all other outward signs of religious activity. What is it? I thought you'd never ask.They will know we are Christians by our doctrinal statement? By our strict adherence to a set of social issues? By our political party policies or affiliation? No, by our love. Period.

What would happen if, instead of wowing the world with our ability to be culturally attractive, or morally correct, or politically moderate, we re-purposed our outward 'shell' to be the equivalent of a coffee sharing center of hope, comfort and grace?

I received so many thoughtful responses to my last post. Many of you echoed my feeling of being stuck in a rut, and some shared experiences of new and interesting ideas that remind me of this poor old organ - refitted for a new purpose. It's my hope that you personally may be revitalized with courage to spread everywhere the hope and love of God. All the other stuff may just be bauble.

How To Write the Perfect Blog

There's a statement floating around that says blogging is dead, that it reached it's heyday.


Maybe. But who has stopped blogging? Not me. And if you're reading this, well that's good news!

I give this information not because I write the perfect blog, but because I've read them. I've also read the not-so-perfect ones!


First and foremost ( I feel so pompous-don't be pompous) The first thing your readers should see is a picture. After all, we LOVE pictures, don't we? There are several sites that let bloggers grab pics for free (no royalties, or copyright issues) The one I use now is stock.xchng-blog posts. The very best thing would be to use pictures you have taken yourself, but then you'd have to become a part-time photographer, and you'd lose blogging time. (don't be afraid to edit unimportant sentences) A blog without a picture is boring. And with most posting sites the picture shows up along with a tag-line from your post. It's impressive. 


Next, I recommend starting with an attention grabbing sentence. I deplore blogs that start out something like this,"Well, I was taking a drive the other day..." I feel like I'm sitting on your porch and the story is going to be a bit too long for my liking. 


And speaking of length, don't allow your blog to be one run-on paragraph.


Readers on the internet like small bites.


Period.

 Where do you get material for a blog? Examine your own thoughts and the comments and incidents around you, and material will come.  Listen to people, read widely. Be an interested person, and you will develop into an interesting person. If you appreciate humor, by all means, add some. If you don't, you should probably switch to writing cell phone manuals.

Correct your grammar, spelling and punctuation before posting. The only reason I offer this advice is that I am usually in too big a hurry to check, and often have embarrassed myself.  Thank goodness for the edit button!

Conclude your blog with a question if possible. Even if your readers don't comment (mine often comment on facebook instead of on my blog) it will give them a chance to turn over your ideas in their own way. You may get a good conversation started.  After all, isn't that what a good blog is? a conversation starter? 


What do you think makes a blog worth reading?

Bundle 4 of 4: Day 23 of the Count Your Blessings Challenge

Bundle 4 came in a hurry. More like a cannonball.

We nestled her among the nest of other females, and again, secretly I was glad to have another girl! I was right. It is my lot in life to raise girls! 

If only this frame was big enough to capture all her friends!

Twenty two months after the third girl it was almost like having twins.  However, our fourth daughter is definitely her own person and is a force to be reckoned with. She doesn't take much lying down.  She has opinions, and she will give them to you in whatever dramatic character catches her fancy at the moment.Capturing her in a blog post is most challenging!

Always the social butterfly, she makes friends easily and lives by the motto that you can never have too many friends. She has a creative flair for putting an outfit together (and accessorizing) for next to nothing. Her purse collection is taking over her room as I write.

She can be seen in front of the mirror either doing her own hair or someone else's (usually mine) much of the time. When she's not in front of the mirror, she's probably on facebook or watching some sappy show about people giving away houses and stuff. For all her outward strength, she's a sucker for that sort of thing. The sound of her singing through the house is a common delight.

She has too many interests to pick just one, but someday, she might just change your world. Goodness knows she has enough determination!