Category: Personal

not much …

What is one way you have grown this year?

How have I grown this year? I do not feel I have, There is, however, one thing which I realised that make a difference in my life.

There is no standard for growth. There is no abstraction against which my growth is measured. In fact, there are few standards against which I am measured. Or, to put it another way, there is no institutional answer for a personal question. The last virtue of a modern world is conformity – and the greatest sin. Looking for anything outside of me is going to disappoint. I stand alone before God.

waiting …

There is, for me, a deep difference between longing and expectation.

In expectation, there is a demand – a standing in line, impatiently wondering, When will the line move?

In longing, there is a request – and a willingness to wait.

The waiting itself becomes a connection. When I truly ask – when my longing is genuine – I am open. Open even to pain, open even to disappointment.

This is living in the full force of life.

But when I am in expectation, I am demanding: The experience must come to pass! Do not disturb me now!

Ragen, Akiva ; רגן, עקיבא. The Secret of the Encounter: An existential interpretation of the book ‘I and Thou’ by Martin Buber, 8-9.

a question

So here is a question I was wondering about the other day:

What makes your “church”
different from a cult?

Would the answer be something like, “we are right, they are wrong”? Well, that means ever single individual is someone else’s “cult” or heretic. Maybe, as a general thought, we can dump the concept of “right and wrong”?

Also, as an aside, why do we assume so much about cults? The leaders are manipulative and evl. They know they are wrong and are doing it for some self-serving end. I think most people are honest about their beliefs – members and leaders of cult are no different. Let’s start from this point!!!! While some may have nefaris aims, I believe most cult leaders believe what they preach. And, some clergy do not.

I do not expect answers.

maybe?!

Do you think humans will ever colonize Mars? What would life there actually look like?

All things being equal, yes. But in reality, I have no certainty that there will be a tomorrow. If it does happen, it will be like the world was in the middle ages – lawless and isolated. (I actually have no clue!)

me or generally?

What notable things happened today?

For me or the world generally?

Well, there is some sort of football competition happening. Not sure what it is!? But maybe that is notable for some.

I am thinking about the Prayer Book Crisis of 1928. Reading books, articles, and searching the internet. I am especially interested in “The Red Book Controversy”. So the notable thing for me is that I found some reading material on a topic that I am interested it.