My THREES meme.:
1. –things that scare me:
a. terrorists
b. media people who make excuses for terrorist while happy to believe the worse about our soldiers.
c. Politicians who care more about their politics than they do their country.
2. –people who make me laugh:
a. My great grandchildren
b. Friends like Jeanne,Wallace, Marlene and Warren
c. The memory of my fun loving brothers in law.
3. –things I hate the most:
a. terrorism
b. Vandalism
c. hypocracy
4. –things I don’t understand:
a. child abuse
b. terrorism
c. most technology
5. –things I’m doing right now:
a. typing.
b. wondering if I “ really” want to take a mini vacation with a friend?
c. Wondering what is causing me to see spots before my right eye?
6. –things I want to do before I die:
a. See all my children and grandchildren happy Christians.
b. Have a corrected version of my book, Recipes, Rhymes and Reflections published
c. Finish getting all my sermons notes in my study in order
7. –things I can do:
a. Preach...though the amazing Grace of God.
b. cook a good meal
c. Love people just the way they are
8. –ways to describe my personality:
a. Introspective
b. love to laugh
c. Christian (this does not means I am “good,” only expresses what I believe. Some people are good Christians and some are not so good Christians. I am among the latter.
9. –things I can’t do:
a. Type
b. Dance
c. get caught up with paperwork
10. –things I think you should listen to:
a. Sermons
b. Gospel and Classic music
c. the wisdom of Augustine, John Wesley, GK Chesterson , C.S. Lewis, John Calvin, Elton Trueblood. Etc.
11. –things you should never listen to:
a. Much TV
b. soap opera
c. most rap and rock music
12. –absolute favorite foods
a. Fresh vegetables and fruits
b. milk chocolate
c. Kroger Deluxe Black Walnut Ice cream
13. –things I’d like to learn (see above)
a. how to type
b. how to dance
c. how to get caught up on paperwork
1
4. –beverages I drink regularly:
a. Water
b. unsweetened ice tea and green tea
c. coffee
15. –shows I watched as a kid:
a. No TV when I was a child.
b. Played with the children in the neighborhood
c. Lay in the grass on a Summer day, Looked up at the sky and wondered how it all began.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Quotations.
Themediansib Blog had a great post about quotations she is saving. I tend to write quotations that appeal to me in notebooks and everywhere, even on my calendar. Just looking back a few months on my calendar, I found these:
"Life is an adventure in Forgiveness", (Norman Cousins 1915-1990)
"The age factor means nothing to me. I'm old enough to know my limitations, and I'm young enough to exceed them." (Mary Levy , age 80)
"There is room on a rational universe for incomprehensible wonders. The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious, It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true science. He who knows it not and can no longer wonder, no longer feel amazement, is as good as dead." (Albert Einstein)
"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." -Helen Adams Keller, lecturer and author (1880-1968)
"Life is an adventure in Forgiveness", (Norman Cousins 1915-1990)
"The age factor means nothing to me. I'm old enough to know my limitations, and I'm young enough to exceed them." (Mary Levy , age 80)
"There is room on a rational universe for incomprehensible wonders. The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious, It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true science. He who knows it not and can no longer wonder, no longer feel amazement, is as good as dead." (Albert Einstein)
"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." -Helen Adams Keller, lecturer and author (1880-1968)
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Living in a Church Parsonage.
One of my daughter's wrote; "This is absolutely fascinating for me to read about your life as a child and a young girl, wife, mother. However, don't stop there. Tell us about later times, too - living in Griffin, Ellijay, Rome..."
In reply to the above, let me start with our February move to Trinity Methodist Church in Rome in 1962. We were in our fourth year in Ellijay (in the early 60's when Methodist pastors often moved after four years) a church in our North Georgia Methodist Conference.
Rev. Rudisell, our District Superintendent called Charles and told him the Church Cabinet were having to make a mid-year change of pastor's which would include him. Of course when one pastor is moved, it means a series of moves is made so "every church has a pastor and every pastor has a church."
In those days, every Methodist church supplied a furnished house for their pastor. Trinity's parsonage was a lovely new brick home, beautifully furnished. Soon after we arrived with our boxes and bags at the Trinty parsonage late in the adternoon, the parsonage committee came over with food and served us dinner. They were most gracious and respectful. They told me they would bring in another bed the nest day so that each of our daughters would have a comfortable room.
When they were showing me around, one of the women told me, "Our pastor's wife is sick. We had to come over and pack for her, even her underwear."
We were then and are now blessed with seven children. Our youngest, David was not quite four years old. Beth was seven. Deborah was 9, Carol was 12 and Terrell was 14. Joan was in college and Janice had graduated from college and was newly married.
As you can imagine, this is a larger than average family so some who had not meet us, considered us "careless" since they knew we were not Catholic. Apparently the wife of the pastor of Trinity at the time took this approach. Her reaction to our appointment was "they are sending "all these children to tear up this new parsonage,"
But I was surprised a few days later to come home from talking our children to school to find this lady standing on a stool taking down a wall clock she had left behind.
In reply to the above, let me start with our February move to Trinity Methodist Church in Rome in 1962. We were in our fourth year in Ellijay (in the early 60's when Methodist pastors often moved after four years) a church in our North Georgia Methodist Conference.
Rev. Rudisell, our District Superintendent called Charles and told him the Church Cabinet were having to make a mid-year change of pastor's which would include him. Of course when one pastor is moved, it means a series of moves is made so "every church has a pastor and every pastor has a church."
In those days, every Methodist church supplied a furnished house for their pastor. Trinity's parsonage was a lovely new brick home, beautifully furnished. Soon after we arrived with our boxes and bags at the Trinty parsonage late in the adternoon, the parsonage committee came over with food and served us dinner. They were most gracious and respectful. They told me they would bring in another bed the nest day so that each of our daughters would have a comfortable room.
When they were showing me around, one of the women told me, "Our pastor's wife is sick. We had to come over and pack for her, even her underwear."
We were then and are now blessed with seven children. Our youngest, David was not quite four years old. Beth was seven. Deborah was 9, Carol was 12 and Terrell was 14. Joan was in college and Janice had graduated from college and was newly married.
As you can imagine, this is a larger than average family so some who had not meet us, considered us "careless" since they knew we were not Catholic. Apparently the wife of the pastor of Trinity at the time took this approach. Her reaction to our appointment was "they are sending "all these children to tear up this new parsonage,"
But I was surprised a few days later to come home from talking our children to school to find this lady standing on a stool taking down a wall clock she had left behind.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Skin Cancer Surgery
I have always said, "one of the benefits of getting old is our eyesight dims so we cannot see all our blemishes and wrinkles."
But then I had cataract surgery a few months ago and was absolutely shocked at how I had aged overnight. But that has been taken care of. Today my left eye is bandaged.
After a partial adjustment to senior citizenship, a couple of little blemishes appeared on my once beautiful face. Beautiful? My teen aged bridegrown told me so on our wedding day, wrote beautiful love letters declaring the same for the two years he served as a Marine in World War II and keep up the same line down to his fatal heart attack 47 years after our wedding day. This member of "The Greatest Generation" knew how to talk to a woman." God bless his memory! (Let me add, my husband did not claim to be, nor was he a saint. And he soon knew for sure his bride was not always "beautiful" in appearance nor behavior.)
Yesterday, as I lay on my back at Emory Clinic with two doctors carving on my face, one of the doctors said, " I hope you have a a good story ready to explain how you got this black eye." The only black eyed story I have heard is a man explaining to his co-workers, "It is my wife and my firewood so it is none of your business."
Forgive me dear feminist friends? How far we have come. Only my generation of women would dare to repeat the story above. So I need the help on anyone still reading. Does anyone out there know a better story about black eyes that I can tell in church Sunday morning?
But then I had cataract surgery a few months ago and was absolutely shocked at how I had aged overnight. But that has been taken care of. Today my left eye is bandaged.
After a partial adjustment to senior citizenship, a couple of little blemishes appeared on my once beautiful face. Beautiful? My teen aged bridegrown told me so on our wedding day, wrote beautiful love letters declaring the same for the two years he served as a Marine in World War II and keep up the same line down to his fatal heart attack 47 years after our wedding day. This member of "The Greatest Generation" knew how to talk to a woman." God bless his memory! (Let me add, my husband did not claim to be, nor was he a saint. And he soon knew for sure his bride was not always "beautiful" in appearance nor behavior.)
Yesterday, as I lay on my back at Emory Clinic with two doctors carving on my face, one of the doctors said, " I hope you have a a good story ready to explain how you got this black eye." The only black eyed story I have heard is a man explaining to his co-workers, "It is my wife and my firewood so it is none of your business."
Forgive me dear feminist friends? How far we have come. Only my generation of women would dare to repeat the story above. So I need the help on anyone still reading. Does anyone out there know a better story about black eyes that I can tell in church Sunday morning?
CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
Friday, July 14, 2006
Atlanta
The article below was , no doubt, written by an Atlanta import from "up North."And i quote:
This is for anyone who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, has ever lived in Atlanta, has ever visited Atlanta, ever plans to visit Atlanta, knows
anyone who already lives in Atlanta, or knows anyone who has ever heard of Atlanta.
Atlanta is composed mostly of one-way streets. The only way to get out of
downtown Atlanta is to turn around and start over when you reach
Greenville, South Carolina.
All directions start with, "Go down Peachtree" and include the phrase,
"When you see the Waffle House." Except that in Cobb County, where all
directions begin with, "Go to the Big Chicken."
Peachtree Street has no beginning and no end and is not to be confused
with: Peachtree Circle
>>Peachtree Place
>>Peachtree Lane
>>Peachtree Road
>>Peachtree Parkway
>>Peachtree Run
>>Peachtree Terrace
>>Peachtree Avenue
>>Peachtree Commons
>>Peachtree Battle
>>Peachtree Corners
>>New Peachtree
>>Old Peachtree
>>West Peachtree
>>Peachtree-Dunwoody
>>Peachtree-Chamblee
>>Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Atlantans only know their way to work and their way home. If you ask
anyone for directions, they will always send you down Peachtree.
Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola. Coke's all they drink there, so don't
ask for any other soft drink unless it's made by Coca-Cola.
The gates at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport are about 32 miles away from the Main Concourse, so wear sneakers and pack a lunch.
The 8 am rush hour is from 6:30 to 10:30 AM. The 5pm rush hour is fro 3:00 to 7:30 PM.
Friday's rush hour starts Thursday afternoon and lasts through
2am Saturday.
Only a native can pronounce Ponce De Leon Avenue, so do not attempt the Spanish pronunciation. People will simply tilt their heads to the right
and stare at you. The Atlanta pronunciation is "pawntz duh LEE-awn."
And yes, they have a street named simply, "Boulevard."
The falling of one raindrop causes all drivers to immediately forget all
traffic rules.
If a single snowflake falls, the city is paralyzed for three days and it's
on all the channels as a news flash every 15 minutes for a week.
Overnight, all grocery stores will be sold out of milk, bread, bottled water and toilet paper.
I-285, the loop that encircles Atlanta, which has a posted speed limit of
55 mph (but you have to maintain 80 mph just to keep from getting run
over), is known to truckers as "The Watermelon 500."
Don't believe the directional markers on highways. I-285 is marked "East" and "West" but you may be going North or South. The locals identify the direction by referring to the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop."
If you travel on Hwy 92 North, you will actually be going southeast.
Never buy a ladder or mattress in Atlanta. Just go to one of the
interstates and you will soon find one in the middle of the road.
Possums sleep in the middle of the road with their feet in the air.
There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in Georgia.
There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Georgia, plus a
couple no one has seen before.
If it grows, it sticks. If it crawls, it bites. If you notice a vine
trying to wrap itself around your leg, you have about 20 seconds to
escape, before you are completely captured and covered with Kudzu, another ill-advised "import," like the carp, starling, English sparrow, and other "exotic wonders."
It's not a shopping cart, it's a buggy.
"Fixinto" is one word (I'm fixinto go to the store).
Sweet Tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're 2 years old.
"Jeet?" is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat?"
This is for anyone who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, has ever lived in Atlanta, has ever visited Atlanta, ever plans to visit Atlanta, knows
anyone who already lives in Atlanta, or knows anyone who has ever heard of Atlanta.
Atlanta is composed mostly of one-way streets. The only way to get out of
downtown Atlanta is to turn around and start over when you reach
Greenville, South Carolina.
All directions start with, "Go down Peachtree" and include the phrase,
"When you see the Waffle House." Except that in Cobb County, where all
directions begin with, "Go to the Big Chicken."
Peachtree Street has no beginning and no end and is not to be confused
with: Peachtree Circle
>>Peachtree Place
>>Peachtree Lane
>>Peachtree Road
>>Peachtree Parkway
>>Peachtree Run
>>Peachtree Terrace
>>Peachtree Avenue
>>Peachtree Commons
>>Peachtree Battle
>>Peachtree Corners
>>New Peachtree
>>Old Peachtree
>>West Peachtree
>>Peachtree-Dunwoody
>>Peachtree-Chamblee
>>Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Atlantans only know their way to work and their way home. If you ask
anyone for directions, they will always send you down Peachtree.
Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola. Coke's all they drink there, so don't
ask for any other soft drink unless it's made by Coca-Cola.
The gates at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport are about 32 miles away from the Main Concourse, so wear sneakers and pack a lunch.
The 8 am rush hour is from 6:30 to 10:30 AM. The 5pm rush hour is fro 3:00 to 7:30 PM.
Friday's rush hour starts Thursday afternoon and lasts through
2am Saturday.
Only a native can pronounce Ponce De Leon Avenue, so do not attempt the Spanish pronunciation. People will simply tilt their heads to the right
and stare at you. The Atlanta pronunciation is "pawntz duh LEE-awn."
And yes, they have a street named simply, "Boulevard."
The falling of one raindrop causes all drivers to immediately forget all
traffic rules.
If a single snowflake falls, the city is paralyzed for three days and it's
on all the channels as a news flash every 15 minutes for a week.
Overnight, all grocery stores will be sold out of milk, bread, bottled water and toilet paper.
I-285, the loop that encircles Atlanta, which has a posted speed limit of
55 mph (but you have to maintain 80 mph just to keep from getting run
over), is known to truckers as "The Watermelon 500."
Don't believe the directional markers on highways. I-285 is marked "East" and "West" but you may be going North or South. The locals identify the direction by referring to the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop."
If you travel on Hwy 92 North, you will actually be going southeast.
Never buy a ladder or mattress in Atlanta. Just go to one of the
interstates and you will soon find one in the middle of the road.
Possums sleep in the middle of the road with their feet in the air.
There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in Georgia.
There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Georgia, plus a
couple no one has seen before.
If it grows, it sticks. If it crawls, it bites. If you notice a vine
trying to wrap itself around your leg, you have about 20 seconds to
escape, before you are completely captured and covered with Kudzu, another ill-advised "import," like the carp, starling, English sparrow, and other "exotic wonders."
It's not a shopping cart, it's a buggy.
"Fixinto" is one word (I'm fixinto go to the store).
Sweet Tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're 2 years old.
"Jeet?" is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat?"
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
'The Star Spangled Banner'
1. O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
4. Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust!”
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
Written by Lawyer Francis Scott Key During War of 1812
1. O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
4. Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust!”
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
Written by Lawyer Francis Scott Key During War of 1812
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Blonde Jokes
Two blondes living in Oklahoma were sitting on a bench talking, and one blonde says to the other, 'Which do you think is farther away. ... Florida or the moon?' The other blonde turns and says 'Helloooooooooo, can you see Florida ?????'CAR TROUBLE: A blonde pushes her BMW into a gas station. She tells the mechanic it died. After he works on it for a few minutes, it is idling smoothly. She says, 'What's the story?' He replies, 'Just crap in the carburetor' She asks, 'How often do I have to do that?'
SPEEDING TICKET: A police officer stops a blonde for speeding and asks her very nicely if he could see her license. She replied in a huff, 'I wish you guys would get your act together. Just yesterday you take away my license and then today you expect me to show it to you!'
RIVER WALK :There's this blonde out for a walk. She comes to a river and sees another blonde on the opposite bank. 'Yoo-hoo!' she shouts, 'How can I get to the other side?' The second looks and shouts, "You are already on the other side."
AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE: A gorgeous young redhead goes into the doctor's office and said that her body hurt wherever she touched it. 'Impossible!' says the doctor. 'Show me.' =0 A The redhead took her finger, pushed on her left shoulder and screamed, then she pushed her elbow and screamed even more. She pushed her knee and screamed; likewise she pushed her ankle and screamed. Everywhere she touched made her scream. The doctor said, 'You're not really a redhead, are you? 'Well, no' she said, 'I'm actually a blonde.' 'I thought so,' the doctor said. 'Your finger is broken.'
KNITTING: A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel was knitting! Realizing that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled, 'PULL OVER !' 'NO!' the blonde yelled back, 'IT'S A SCARF!'
BLONDE ON THE SUN: A Russian, an American, and a Blonde were talking one day. The Russian said, 'We were the first in space!' The American said, 'We were the first on the moon!' The Blonde said, 'So what? We're going to be the first on the sun!' The Russian and the American looked at each other and shook their heads. 'You can't land on the sun, you idiot! You'll burn up!' said the Russian. To which the Blonde replied, 'We're not stupid, you know. We're going at night!'
IN A VACUUM: A blonde was playing Trivial Pursuit one night. It was her turn. She rolled the dice and she landed on Science & Nature. Her question was, 'If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your n ame, can you hear it?' She thought for a time and then asked, 'Is it on or off?'
FINALLY, THE BLONDE JOKE TO END ALL BLONDE JOKES! A girl was visiting her blonde friend, who had acquired two new dogs, and asked her what their names were. The blonde responded by saying that one was named Rolex and one was named Timex. Her friend said, 'Whoever heard of someone naming dogs like that?' 'HELLLOOOOOOO......,' answered the blond. 'They're watch dogs!'
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Tower of Babel
When I was in high school, we were required to prepare a deck of vocabulary words. On the 3 by 5 cards we wrote a word on the front and the definition of the word on the back.These cards we carried with us to study new words and to make them a part of our vocabulary.
As adults our stacks of vocabulary cards kept growing as got into jobs, married or moved into college and perhaps into graduate school.
My husband and I married as teen agers, and raised seven children I finally graduated from college after our children were grown and went to Seminary as a middle aged widow. Those of us who enrolled in Candler School of Theology (Emory University) remember our first class when Dr. William Mallard said, “When you go home today and you are asked
what you learned in seminary you can say, 'uh Hermeneutics.’" So were added “hermeneutics” (without the “uh” )and other theological words to or vocabulary. Mallard defined the word as “the science of the interpretation of Scripture or method of exegesis.”
Let us to imagine that each word in our vocabulary… is on a 3 by 5 card and the cards are stacked in rows on a table. As we write and/or as we speak…even as I am writing…words are selected and combinations of words are used…to communicate…to convince…to tell a story…to relay a message.
All the words in our English language use only 26 letters. Everything we need to know…all the words used to express all meaning can be said or written using only 26 letters. Yet it takes a thick dictionary to hold them all.
And we are sometimes speechless…inadequate when it comes to selecting the right word or combination of words and putting the words together to communicate effectively with one another.
I suppose all of us who have an interest in writing or speaking or in any communication, struggle with finding the right word…the correct combination of words…and with putting meaning into ”words.”
If we are a writer or a teacher, or a minister we might say, “words are the tools of our trade. Churchill said, “short words are best and old words are best of all.” It was said of Churchill, “He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”
Recently I had occasion to go to Fort McPherson.I stopped at the gate to get a pass. Two young soldiers, a man and a woman were in the gatehouse.They were talking loudly in sounds that sounded like serious argument. The young man came overto see my drivers license. As he was filling out my pass, I decided to ask about it. I asked if they ere fighting or just clowning around. He said,“Oh we were just talking.” Just taking?
It got me to thinking about language…words…rhetoric.
Which comes first, language or thoughts?
Do words form or belief systems or do concepts?
Do concepts (from the depths of our subconscious)
give birth to our language…our rhetoric.
Words! In these few minutes…as I have been writing, I have taken a stack …a pile of words…short words…old words…words that tend variety…and arranged them as prose.
Prose is words which tend toward variety.
Poetry or verse in our culture is words arranged with repetition in their accent rhythm and which tend toward uniformity rather than variety.
The value of poetry is not confined to what is said. Equally as important is the language used …the words! Not just the meaning but being “surrounded by the words.”
In the Old Testament book of Ruth, we might say "Ruth was homesick. But it is not the same as saying with Keats, “She stood in tears amid the alien corn”.
We could say “the surise was beautiful” but we catch our breath when Emily Dickinson
wrote, “I’ll tell you how the sun rose…A ribbon at a time.”
I close this meditation with some words, some theology vocabulary words…arranged as verse. And I suppose it goes back to our society being inundated with words.
The first verse in the book of John tells us the prophets of old came generation after generation with words about God and many did not "get it." Then one day in the city of Bethlehem the Word was made flesh and we beheld his glory.
Could it be.., “what we are sometimes building” is not a brave new world but a Tower of Babel .
I pile my poetry words… Up high
Theology words …Up to the sky.
And higher…High as eye can see
Hermeneutics, Exergesis,…Theodicy!
Early on…Diversity…
The “cutting edge.”…Plurality.
We add Process…Theology,
Post-Structuralist…Eschatology.
I clap my hands…My words have power,
I dance around…My poetry tower.
Confusion…Babel tumbles down.
My words lie silent…On the ground.
And kneeling there…in wordless loss,
I find the”WORD” ...Beneath a cross!
by Ruth Baird Shaw
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