So, let it be known that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love spending time with friends and family, and it's just so much more relaxed during this time than at Christmas.
This Thanksgiving is the first time I've ever had to travel home for a holiday. At first, I wasn't really excited to go across the country again, but as soon as I landed in the Grand Rapids airport my opinions about it changed. Without getting into all the separate stories, I'll say that my friends have given me a royal welcome back to Michigan. Some people have expressed jealousy at what I'M doing with my life, but after hearing how things are going here...I'm pretty envious of them in return. It's all made me very homesick.
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE where I'm at in life. My several previous posts about how happy I am...I'm not saying any of that is untrue. I'm really living my own dream. But damn, I've missed my friends and family here.
I spent some time verbally processing all of this in depth with one of my close friends tonight. For a lot of selfish reasons, staying in New Mexico for a while would be absolutely phenomenal. For a lot of less selfish (but still personally appealing) reasons, moving back to Grand Rapids is also a great idea. Either way, I know I would be very happy with my decision. I'm in a rather hard spot right now, and I know both Thanksgiving celebrations I'm going to tomorrow are only going to make it harder. At least I'm having this crisis right now, when I have time to think about it. Anyway, I'd appreciate any wisdom, thoughts, and prayers you can offer.
Really didn't think coming back to Michigan was going to be this hard on me.
Peace.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Too good
So, I know I've talked before about how nice my new living situation is, but seriously. I can't emphasize enough how happy I am living here. This is the happiest I have been with my life in a very long time. I spent a lot of time thinking about it this week, and realized I have the basic elements I want in life: a house with a fireplace, a job I love, and a home in the mountains. Those seem pretty simple, and probably lame to some people, but it's legitimately all I want. I was trying to tell this to my roommate tonight and couldn't even do it without crying. I'm trying to make healthier decisions in my life: physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. Things are going so well, I can hardly believe it. Sure, maybe some details aren't exactly how I want them to be, but in general, I can't ask for anything more than what I have here at Glorieta.
Short post, but I just had to say that.
Peace.
Short post, but I just had to say that.
Peace.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Nighttime
The sun has set long ago; now the moon dominates the sky, bathing the whole landscape in a silvery glow. A massive Ponderosa pine shimmers in the moonlight, its needles glazed with lunar hoarfrost. An ocean roars through the treetops all around, and the trees respond almost deliberately: swaying, undulating, waving. During the quieter moments, crickets chirp their own muffled soundtrack of the night in a nearby meadow.
While man sleeps, the earth sings its natural rhythms. Its music is neither uplifting nor melancholy; it merely is.
Moonlight glowing
Fall wind blowing
In the middle of the night
Pine trees swaying
Now I am weighing
The merits of the light
For life and death
Are but a breath
Held in, and then let out
This silent peace
This strange release
I knew nothing about
'Til I stared stark
Into the dark
And heard a whisper and a shout
While man sleeps, the earth sings its natural rhythms. Its music is neither uplifting nor melancholy; it merely is.
Moonlight glowing
Fall wind blowing
In the middle of the night
Pine trees swaying
Now I am weighing
The merits of the light
For life and death
Are but a breath
Held in, and then let out
This silent peace
This strange release
I knew nothing about
'Til I stared stark
Into the dark
And heard a whisper and a shout
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Have and Hold
Twang! Ring! Pluck the string
And sing those blues in time
Slap! Crack! Now pass it back
You're so pretty it's a crime
C: And I want to travel south this year
Cuz girl, you know it gets so cold up here
But as long as we got each other
To have and to hold, we'll be alright
We'll be alright
Look at that bling! Now here's the thing
Those pearls sure do look nice
You don't need jewels to turn me the fool
Your love's my sweet, sweet spice
C2: And I want to get out west this year
Cuz there's just too many people here
But as long as we got each other
To have and to hold, we'll be alright
And sing those blues in time
Slap! Crack! Now pass it back
You're so pretty it's a crime
C: And I want to travel south this year
Cuz girl, you know it gets so cold up here
But as long as we got each other
To have and to hold, we'll be alright
We'll be alright
Look at that bling! Now here's the thing
Those pearls sure do look nice
You don't need jewels to turn me the fool
Your love's my sweet, sweet spice
C2: And I want to get out west this year
Cuz there's just too many people here
But as long as we got each other
To have and to hold, we'll be alright
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Silence, the desert, and an apology to Edward Abbey
This post is composed of two journal entries and some current thoughts.
March 2015:
"The smell of manure spread on fields
Will always, always remind me of home
Spring peepers singing from dusk 'til dawn
Silent night, holy night
I am about to leave this behind
These sacred moments become all the more so
Ah! But the earth has more to offer!
Soon I shall discover the sacred places of the deserts and mountains
The wild places of solitude
The great silence of sand and stone
Silent night, holy night"
-
At the time I wrote this, I had just recently read "Desert Solitaire" by Edward Abbey. He spent several years as a park ranger at Arches National Park in Utah. He loved the place, and wished for people to experience it, but on its own terms. It was a hard place to spend time in back then: few amenities, difficult dirt roads, and far from much civilization. He fought the Park Service as best he could to keep them from making it easily accessible. One of his greatest fears was that someday you could drive through the park and see everything without even leaving your car.
This summer, a bunch of my co-workers organized a weekend trip to that same park, among other places. I initially expressed my concern that we wouldn't be able to spend enough time in each place in one weekend, and I was told, "Oh, it's ok, we can drive all the way through Arches and it only takes an hour and a half!"
Oh Edward, what have we done!
I admit I was a bit of a downer while we were in the park, as it truly hurt me to see all the things he feared had come to pass. Even some of my best friends were confused by my actions.
"You're reading a book about wilderness right now, why aren't you coming out here to enjoy this?"
Well, it's no longer wilderness when you can drive right up to the damned rock.
Here is the journal entry I wrote in the park:
7-26-15, Arches:
"For a while I felt as though Edward Abbey understood me. Being here at Arches, I finally understand him. There is no wilderness here. You can drive anywhere you want to go, and see everything without leaving the car. His worst fears confirmed. There's barely a difference between such a drive and staring at a painting (or even worse, glossing over someone's Facebook pictures!).
I almost had a moment of real silence today. I told a couple of others if we stopped talking, it would be one of the few moments in life where everything could be truly, truly silent. They laughed at me as if I was joking. It wasn't hurtful, but it was eye-opening.
Through these things, I'm also starting to understand Thoreau a bit better."
-
Silence and true wilderness are things I am starting to really embrace, and the more I do, the more I have realized how very little of them exist in our world today. I can't even climb a mountain in the heart of a designated wilderness area without hearing airplanes pass overhead. True wilderness is not something you can drive to, and it's not something you can be entertained with for a moment and then leave behind quickly. The Wilderness Act of 1964 actually has a beautiful definition:
"A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."
It doesn't stop there, but I'll let you go read it yourself if you want a better idea.
I urge you to enjoy the silence you can get. Get away from the sounds of computers humming, fans whirring, televisions blaring, and find a true moment of silence. Sunrise is a wonderful silence when you can find it, sunset as well. Find a park and spend some time there and listen for silence. It is beautiful, but usually brief.
I'm starting to get preachy. I'll leave you with this quote from Abbey:
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds."
Peace.
March 2015:
"The smell of manure spread on fields
Will always, always remind me of home
Spring peepers singing from dusk 'til dawn
Silent night, holy night
I am about to leave this behind
These sacred moments become all the more so
Ah! But the earth has more to offer!
Soon I shall discover the sacred places of the deserts and mountains
The wild places of solitude
The great silence of sand and stone
Silent night, holy night"
-
At the time I wrote this, I had just recently read "Desert Solitaire" by Edward Abbey. He spent several years as a park ranger at Arches National Park in Utah. He loved the place, and wished for people to experience it, but on its own terms. It was a hard place to spend time in back then: few amenities, difficult dirt roads, and far from much civilization. He fought the Park Service as best he could to keep them from making it easily accessible. One of his greatest fears was that someday you could drive through the park and see everything without even leaving your car.
This summer, a bunch of my co-workers organized a weekend trip to that same park, among other places. I initially expressed my concern that we wouldn't be able to spend enough time in each place in one weekend, and I was told, "Oh, it's ok, we can drive all the way through Arches and it only takes an hour and a half!"
Oh Edward, what have we done!
I admit I was a bit of a downer while we were in the park, as it truly hurt me to see all the things he feared had come to pass. Even some of my best friends were confused by my actions.
"You're reading a book about wilderness right now, why aren't you coming out here to enjoy this?"
Well, it's no longer wilderness when you can drive right up to the damned rock.
Here is the journal entry I wrote in the park:
7-26-15, Arches:
"For a while I felt as though Edward Abbey understood me. Being here at Arches, I finally understand him. There is no wilderness here. You can drive anywhere you want to go, and see everything without leaving the car. His worst fears confirmed. There's barely a difference between such a drive and staring at a painting (or even worse, glossing over someone's Facebook pictures!).
I almost had a moment of real silence today. I told a couple of others if we stopped talking, it would be one of the few moments in life where everything could be truly, truly silent. They laughed at me as if I was joking. It wasn't hurtful, but it was eye-opening.
Through these things, I'm also starting to understand Thoreau a bit better."
-
Silence and true wilderness are things I am starting to really embrace, and the more I do, the more I have realized how very little of them exist in our world today. I can't even climb a mountain in the heart of a designated wilderness area without hearing airplanes pass overhead. True wilderness is not something you can drive to, and it's not something you can be entertained with for a moment and then leave behind quickly. The Wilderness Act of 1964 actually has a beautiful definition:
"A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."
It doesn't stop there, but I'll let you go read it yourself if you want a better idea.
I urge you to enjoy the silence you can get. Get away from the sounds of computers humming, fans whirring, televisions blaring, and find a true moment of silence. Sunrise is a wonderful silence when you can find it, sunset as well. Find a park and spend some time there and listen for silence. It is beautiful, but usually brief.
I'm starting to get preachy. I'll leave you with this quote from Abbey:
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds."
Peace.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
New Home
"You really love your job, don't you?"
My roommates caught me landscaping our front yard after I got of work today. I'm trying to clean things up around the outside of our house, maybe get some native flowers growing on top of the retaining walls by the stairs.
But yeah, I do love my job as a grounds worker here at Glorieta Camps. This is the sort of work I like: working outside all day with my hands. Even on the hard days (like today, when we were chipping branches all day), I would take this over just about anything else.
People here ask me often how I like working here, and I find myself giving them more and more positive answers every time I hear the question.
I am so happy here!
Seriously, let me tell you some of the reasons why. First, I've been actively trying to move out West from Michigan for several years now (as many of my friends there know), and it's been a lifelong dream of mine to live near the mountains. Second, my work situation here is fantastic. I have my first salary, free housing, a job I love, great supervisors, and it's stable.
That's the key right there. I haven't felt real stability in my life in sooo long. I'll get a job I love, but it's a temporary position; maybe I'll get a job I really don't like and I'll be looking for different work; maybe I'll get a good, stable job, but I know I won't be living in the area for long. It was often some combination of those. Now I feel like I can finally sit down and rest in life. I don't need to run around looking for jobs or try to figure out how I'm going to move somewhere else. It's a great feeling.
Another reason I'm happy: I finally live in a place where I can do the things I love. We are surrounded by mountains, close to national forests and wilderness areas, and not very close to any big city. There's great hiking and camping both on camp property and just off it. Rock climbing and mountaineering abound. It's almost like a dream to me.
Sometimes I feel like I'm overwhelming people when they ask how I like it, but I feel overwhelmed myself. I don't know if I'll be at Glorieta Camps for life, or for more than a few years. I don't necessarily feel like this is "it" for me. It's just...everything seems to finally be going right for a change, and I haven't felt this way in a very, very long time.
That's why I'm so happy.
Peace.
My roommates caught me landscaping our front yard after I got of work today. I'm trying to clean things up around the outside of our house, maybe get some native flowers growing on top of the retaining walls by the stairs.
But yeah, I do love my job as a grounds worker here at Glorieta Camps. This is the sort of work I like: working outside all day with my hands. Even on the hard days (like today, when we were chipping branches all day), I would take this over just about anything else.
People here ask me often how I like working here, and I find myself giving them more and more positive answers every time I hear the question.
I am so happy here!
Seriously, let me tell you some of the reasons why. First, I've been actively trying to move out West from Michigan for several years now (as many of my friends there know), and it's been a lifelong dream of mine to live near the mountains. Second, my work situation here is fantastic. I have my first salary, free housing, a job I love, great supervisors, and it's stable.
That's the key right there. I haven't felt real stability in my life in sooo long. I'll get a job I love, but it's a temporary position; maybe I'll get a job I really don't like and I'll be looking for different work; maybe I'll get a good, stable job, but I know I won't be living in the area for long. It was often some combination of those. Now I feel like I can finally sit down and rest in life. I don't need to run around looking for jobs or try to figure out how I'm going to move somewhere else. It's a great feeling.
Another reason I'm happy: I finally live in a place where I can do the things I love. We are surrounded by mountains, close to national forests and wilderness areas, and not very close to any big city. There's great hiking and camping both on camp property and just off it. Rock climbing and mountaineering abound. It's almost like a dream to me.
Sometimes I feel like I'm overwhelming people when they ask how I like it, but I feel overwhelmed myself. I don't know if I'll be at Glorieta Camps for life, or for more than a few years. I don't necessarily feel like this is "it" for me. It's just...everything seems to finally be going right for a change, and I haven't felt this way in a very, very long time.
That's why I'm so happy.
Peace.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Get outside
I firmly believe a little experience in nature on a daily basis is one of the healthiest things you can give yourself. Looking at pictures of beautiful scenery, reading books about the wilderness and conservation, listening to recordings of rainstorms and spring mornings...these are fine things, but are not a replacement for being out in nature.
Standing at the waterfront this evening, the lake was ablaze with golden light from the sun. Gulls were crying, robins singing, frogs peeping, doves cooing. There is no mimicking a moment like this. Even explaining it in detail cannot bring it to life and soothe a soul.
Yesterday I hiked probably about five or six miles, and today was a long day of high-ropes training at work. Needless to say, I'm tired. A few minutes listening to the animals and sitting quietly at the lake completely rejuvenated me, though. My body is still tired, but my spirit is calm and at peace now. Just being able to be present for a sunset outdoors can completely change my mood in a positive way.
Standing at the waterfront this evening, the lake was ablaze with golden light from the sun. Gulls were crying, robins singing, frogs peeping, doves cooing. There is no mimicking a moment like this. Even explaining it in detail cannot bring it to life and soothe a soul.
Yesterday I hiked probably about five or six miles, and today was a long day of high-ropes training at work. Needless to say, I'm tired. A few minutes listening to the animals and sitting quietly at the lake completely rejuvenated me, though. My body is still tired, but my spirit is calm and at peace now. Just being able to be present for a sunset outdoors can completely change my mood in a positive way.
Intentionally spend some time outside every day near water, wild plants, or some other unaltered natural setting, and see how much better you feel afterward. If you're not close to such a setting, watch the sunrise or sunset. If you're willing, try leaving the city you live in for the sole purpose of spending a half-hour (or more) in a quiet park. Going out of your way to relax in nature is something which can have a profound effect on your mind and emotions, especially if it's not easy to get away. It is worth all the effort you can put into it.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Barlow Sunset
Walking down the path tonight
The lake aglow with day's last light
Drops from trees ahead are gleaming
While seagulls overhead are screaming
Fogbanks rolling, slowly creeping
While frogs abundant start their peeping
And all my thoughts are now congealing
My heart is heavy, full of feeling
Now this is all I ever wanted:
Mother Nature's beauty flaunted
A silence natural yet concrete
With all of nature's speech replete
The lake aglow with day's last light
Drops from trees ahead are gleaming
While seagulls overhead are screaming
Fogbanks rolling, slowly creeping
While frogs abundant start their peeping
And all my thoughts are now congealing
My heart is heavy, full of feeling
Now this is all I ever wanted:
Mother Nature's beauty flaunted
A silence natural yet concrete
With all of nature's speech replete
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Old Ottawa
Moon's the brightest light tonight
Orion's out as well
My headlights shine on Old Ottawa
I've missed this place like hell
The crickets chirp and dead leaves blow
As I approach this lonely shack
The door opens easily, as if to say
"It's been awhile; welcome back"
I step inside and the room wakes up
As I turn on the light
And my mind is stirred with memories
Like shadows in the night
The Christmas lights, the wooden bunks
The marks on the wall: still there
I grin to myself as I drop my things
And step out to the cool night air
It's good to have a quiet place
A getaway you hold dear
Once again, mine is Old Ottawa
And I wish you all were here
Orion's out as well
My headlights shine on Old Ottawa
I've missed this place like hell
The crickets chirp and dead leaves blow
As I approach this lonely shack
The door opens easily, as if to say
"It's been awhile; welcome back"
I step inside and the room wakes up
As I turn on the light
And my mind is stirred with memories
Like shadows in the night
The Christmas lights, the wooden bunks
The marks on the wall: still there
I grin to myself as I drop my things
And step out to the cool night air
It's good to have a quiet place
A getaway you hold dear
Once again, mine is Old Ottawa
And I wish you all were here
Monday, March 16, 2015
Springtime in Michigan
Gray and brown
Both in drab concert
A bleakness has come down
Duller than the desert
The robins sing its praise
Through early morning haze
As mankind bats an eye
And sees not what is nigh
So rise up in delight
At your self-wrought blight
Prepare your choicest mode of slaughter
While winged dunes take flight
Voices rolling in meaningless laughter
And now proclaim your victory
Over Mother Nature, see
How humbly, on her bended knee
She worships you sarcastically
Both in drab concert
A bleakness has come down
Duller than the desert
The robins sing its praise
Through early morning haze
As mankind bats an eye
And sees not what is nigh
So rise up in delight
At your self-wrought blight
Prepare your choicest mode of slaughter
While winged dunes take flight
Voices rolling in meaningless laughter
And now proclaim your victory
Over Mother Nature, see
How humbly, on her bended knee
She worships you sarcastically
Monday, March 2, 2015
Knowledge
So, I am most of the way through the collected works of Poe, and I have noticed many of his cultural criticisms still hold weight today. Currently, I am reading through "The Colloquy of Monos and Una," and one character is in a monologue describing man's thirst for knowledge. Here is a selection:
"Occasionally the poetic intellect - that intellect which we now feel to have been the most exalted of all...occasionally did this poetic intellect proceed a step farther in the evolving of the vague idea of the philosophic, and find in the mystic parable that tells of the tree of knowledge, and of its forbidden fruit, death-producing, a distinct intimation that knowledge was not meet for man in the infant condition of his soul. And these men - the poets - living and perishing amid the scorn of the 'utilitarians'...these men, the poets, pondered piningly, yet not unwisely, upon the ancient days when out wants were not more simple than our enjoyments keen - days when mirth was a word unknown, so solemnly deep-toned was happiness - holy, august and blissful days, when blue rivers ran undammed, between hills unhewn, into far forest solitudes, primaeval, odorous, and unexplored."
He goes on to describe "knowledge" as "the leading evil." Reading this is astonishing to me, as his words seem only to have gained application and wisdom after all this time. Man's thirst for knowledge has been at an unhealthy level for a long time, and our power over the earth far outscales our discretion.
This would be an appropriate time to say, "It's not that I don't like progress," but I can't actually bring myself to say those words. What we view as "progress" only occurs at great cost to our planet. All of our inventions and great strides, while rapidly increasing our knowledge and capabilities as a race, are destroying the planet right now. We take too much, and often what we do give back is even more destructive. Even as I write against these things, I am using coal-powered electricity and thus supporting the destruction of the mountains which I claim to love so dearly.
We cannot live without causing at least some sort of small-scale destruction (just the act of walking is technically destroying one thing or another underfoot), but the effects of our "progress" on earth are now far beyond a small scale. Modern culture needs a new perspective on what makes real progress. I applaud those people who are now living simple lives, consuming less of the world's resources, and giving back in positive ways to both their communities and the world at large. We need more of those people. I hope myself to begin living such a lifestyle, as soon as I find the faith to let go of the system I rail against.
Here is an applicable movie scene. Take a moment to listen and glean the important principles.
Jurassic Park - Lunch
If you know me well enough, you probably know about my obsession with Jurassic Park. Here's something you may not know: my love of this story runs deeper than just loving dinosaurs. The previous scene is, in my opinion, the pivotal scene of the whole movie and contains the central message. Yet even after hearing it, how many of us would wildly support a real-life Jurassic Park? We agree for a moment with Malcolm, but when it comes to real application in the world, we can usually find ourselves siding with Hammond.
I'll leave you with the most poignant quote of the scene:
"What you call science...I call the rape of the natural world."
Peace.
"Occasionally the poetic intellect - that intellect which we now feel to have been the most exalted of all...occasionally did this poetic intellect proceed a step farther in the evolving of the vague idea of the philosophic, and find in the mystic parable that tells of the tree of knowledge, and of its forbidden fruit, death-producing, a distinct intimation that knowledge was not meet for man in the infant condition of his soul. And these men - the poets - living and perishing amid the scorn of the 'utilitarians'...these men, the poets, pondered piningly, yet not unwisely, upon the ancient days when out wants were not more simple than our enjoyments keen - days when mirth was a word unknown, so solemnly deep-toned was happiness - holy, august and blissful days, when blue rivers ran undammed, between hills unhewn, into far forest solitudes, primaeval, odorous, and unexplored."
He goes on to describe "knowledge" as "the leading evil." Reading this is astonishing to me, as his words seem only to have gained application and wisdom after all this time. Man's thirst for knowledge has been at an unhealthy level for a long time, and our power over the earth far outscales our discretion.
This would be an appropriate time to say, "It's not that I don't like progress," but I can't actually bring myself to say those words. What we view as "progress" only occurs at great cost to our planet. All of our inventions and great strides, while rapidly increasing our knowledge and capabilities as a race, are destroying the planet right now. We take too much, and often what we do give back is even more destructive. Even as I write against these things, I am using coal-powered electricity and thus supporting the destruction of the mountains which I claim to love so dearly.
We cannot live without causing at least some sort of small-scale destruction (just the act of walking is technically destroying one thing or another underfoot), but the effects of our "progress" on earth are now far beyond a small scale. Modern culture needs a new perspective on what makes real progress. I applaud those people who are now living simple lives, consuming less of the world's resources, and giving back in positive ways to both their communities and the world at large. We need more of those people. I hope myself to begin living such a lifestyle, as soon as I find the faith to let go of the system I rail against.
Here is an applicable movie scene. Take a moment to listen and glean the important principles.
Jurassic Park - Lunch
If you know me well enough, you probably know about my obsession with Jurassic Park. Here's something you may not know: my love of this story runs deeper than just loving dinosaurs. The previous scene is, in my opinion, the pivotal scene of the whole movie and contains the central message. Yet even after hearing it, how many of us would wildly support a real-life Jurassic Park? We agree for a moment with Malcolm, but when it comes to real application in the world, we can usually find ourselves siding with Hammond.
I'll leave you with the most poignant quote of the scene:
"What you call science...I call the rape of the natural world."
Peace.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Home is where the heart is
I long for a simple life; a peaceful life. Living in the city has its perks, but it is not for me. Do not mistake me: by "simple" I do not mean convenient. If I wanted a life of convenience, the city would indeed be a good home...but it is not my home, and never will be. If, as they say, home is where the heart is, then my home is across a whole range of mountains, and spans nations' borders. My heart lies in the desert canyons of New Mexico, the rugged wildness of Durango, the grand splendour of Jackson Hole, the friendly simplicity of Moyie Springs, and the silent beauty of Kootenay Lake. These places are more my home than almost anywhere else I have lived. The day now fast approaches when I can finally leave Michigan and follow the setting sun.
Peace.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
God and Poe
So, I have been reading the works of Poe, and just tonight I read a story of his entitled, "Mesmeric Revelation." Although I do not agree with all of Poe's ideas, this was one of many instances where I was struck by his brilliance. Allow me to just leave a few quotes and a thought.
"V: There are two bodies - the rudimental and the complete; corresponding with the two conditions of the worm and the butterfly. What we call 'death,' is but the painful metamorphosis. Our present incarnation is progressive, preparatory, temporary. Our future is perfected, ultimate, immortal. The ultimate life is the full design.
P: But of the worm's metamorphosis we are palpably cognizant.
V: We, certainly - but not the worm. The matter of which our rudimental body is composed, is within the ken of the organs of that body; or, more distinctly, our rudimental organs are adapted to the matter of which is formed the rudimental body; but not to that of which the ultimate is composed. The ultimate body thus escapes our rudimental senses, and we perceive only the shell which falls, in decaying, from the inner form; not that inner form itself; but this inner form, as well as the shell, is appreciable by those who have already acquired the ultimate life."
"V: ... The pain of the primitive life of Earth, is the sole basis of the bliss of the ultimate life in Heaven."
"V: But to the inorganic beings - to the angels - the whole of the unparticled matter is substance - that is to say, the whole of what we term 'space' is to them the truest substantiality; - the stars, meantime, through what we consider their materiality, escaping the angelic sense, just in proportion as the unparticled matter, through what we consider its immateriality, eludes the organic."
Now, imagine this; close your eyes if necessary. Empty space, the areas we generally consider free of physical matter...the space between planets, the space between electrons...this is where God resides. All things physical reside within God, and are God's thoughts.
"In him we live and move and have our being." Acts of the Apostles
I would highly recommend reading Poe, and this particular story, if you have not.
Peace.
"V: There are two bodies - the rudimental and the complete; corresponding with the two conditions of the worm and the butterfly. What we call 'death,' is but the painful metamorphosis. Our present incarnation is progressive, preparatory, temporary. Our future is perfected, ultimate, immortal. The ultimate life is the full design.
P: But of the worm's metamorphosis we are palpably cognizant.
V: We, certainly - but not the worm. The matter of which our rudimental body is composed, is within the ken of the organs of that body; or, more distinctly, our rudimental organs are adapted to the matter of which is formed the rudimental body; but not to that of which the ultimate is composed. The ultimate body thus escapes our rudimental senses, and we perceive only the shell which falls, in decaying, from the inner form; not that inner form itself; but this inner form, as well as the shell, is appreciable by those who have already acquired the ultimate life."
"V: ... The pain of the primitive life of Earth, is the sole basis of the bliss of the ultimate life in Heaven."
"V: But to the inorganic beings - to the angels - the whole of the unparticled matter is substance - that is to say, the whole of what we term 'space' is to them the truest substantiality; - the stars, meantime, through what we consider their materiality, escaping the angelic sense, just in proportion as the unparticled matter, through what we consider its immateriality, eludes the organic."
Now, imagine this; close your eyes if necessary. Empty space, the areas we generally consider free of physical matter...the space between planets, the space between electrons...this is where God resides. All things physical reside within God, and are God's thoughts.
"In him we live and move and have our being." Acts of the Apostles
I would highly recommend reading Poe, and this particular story, if you have not.
Peace.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Avoid deceit
7-29-14, #2
Strive to be pure and righteous in your dealings with all, human and/or otherwise. Avoid deceit at all costs. Being a fool with right motives is better than being a cunning wicked man. The pure and the righteous will be taken advantage of sometimes, but theirs is the right path.
1-6-15
Regarding the above, I have come to believe it is a great thing to be honest and open. I would like my life to be above reproach. Great kindness, undeserved, has been afforded me for honesty, and although I know it will not always turn out as well, the freedom I experienced with it makes me want to cultivate a lifestyle of more full openness. I would not call myself a liar, but I do keep much to myself in fear of others. This fear has crippled me before, but I cannot let it continue to control my actions.
Strive to be pure and righteous in your dealings with all, human and/or otherwise. Avoid deceit at all costs. Being a fool with right motives is better than being a cunning wicked man. The pure and the righteous will be taken advantage of sometimes, but theirs is the right path.
1-6-15
Regarding the above, I have come to believe it is a great thing to be honest and open. I would like my life to be above reproach. Great kindness, undeserved, has been afforded me for honesty, and although I know it will not always turn out as well, the freedom I experienced with it makes me want to cultivate a lifestyle of more full openness. I would not call myself a liar, but I do keep much to myself in fear of others. This fear has crippled me before, but I cannot let it continue to control my actions.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Flowering Tree
On a hill I saw a flowering tree
Nestled in a forest so subtly
Though all its brethren were still asleep
The flowering tree refused to keep
Its silence for a moment more
Nestled in a forest so subtly
Though all its brethren were still asleep
The flowering tree refused to keep
Its silence for a moment more
Sword
So, although I have been having a great time in Grand Rapids this past year, it has been somewhat at the expense of my journey after Jesus. I have been realising more and more (as you know if you read my last post) how far I have wandered from truly following Christ. Let me state just some of my beliefs here clearly, for my own benefit and so you my readers know where I believe the path to God lies:
I believe Jesus was and is the promised Messiah of the Jews.
I believe Jesus was and is the Son of God, the Word of God, and God incarnate.
I believe Jesus died on the cross in order to bear the sins of mankind.
I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is now with God.
I believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Re-affirming these is important to me right now, as I have found myself adrift in a sea of spirituality which was carrying me away from Jesus. Being back in Lansing for a little while over the holidays has helped me to look more intently at my actions, thoughts, and motives. It has also reminded me of the visions and truths I have received from God here in the past. One of these visions was of me holding out my hands to God, and receiving a sword. This sword, as far as I have been able to determine through words given to me by others and other images, is prayer. It represents not just speaking to God, but prayers of intercession and spiritual warfare. I have taken it back up tonight, and do not intend to lay it down again. Jesus' seal is on my arm, and I can no longer ignore the fight to which He has called me.
Peace.
I believe Jesus was and is the promised Messiah of the Jews.
I believe Jesus was and is the Son of God, the Word of God, and God incarnate.
I believe Jesus died on the cross in order to bear the sins of mankind.
I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is now with God.
I believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Re-affirming these is important to me right now, as I have found myself adrift in a sea of spirituality which was carrying me away from Jesus. Being back in Lansing for a little while over the holidays has helped me to look more intently at my actions, thoughts, and motives. It has also reminded me of the visions and truths I have received from God here in the past. One of these visions was of me holding out my hands to God, and receiving a sword. This sword, as far as I have been able to determine through words given to me by others and other images, is prayer. It represents not just speaking to God, but prayers of intercession and spiritual warfare. I have taken it back up tonight, and do not intend to lay it down again. Jesus' seal is on my arm, and I can no longer ignore the fight to which He has called me.
Peace.
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