Tuesday, July 05, 2022

Scored 3X

My chronological odometer rolls over today.

There is now a zero at the end of my age.

Which means the first number has changed as well.

(And, yes, I have no problem saying it.)

I am always grateful to see my natal anniversary. It means I still "live and move and have my being" on earth. Deo gratias.

I also take it as a sign God is not done with me, yet. And while I do not know the time or place when I will see Him face to face, it means I must continue to seek and find Him. Being sanctified, becoming holy, remaining redeemed is not a "one and done" proposition.

Believe me, there is much work to be done. I am nowhere near being the rich young man (cf. Matthew 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30). You want identity politics? The tax collector (cf. Luke 18:9-14) and the Centurion (cf. Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10) are the people with whom I relate. And they have a step on me because of their humility.

I do believe, Lord; help my unbelief.

Then there are some lines to the horizontal beam of my "cross" which are asking for my attention:

1. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

2. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

3. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

4. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

There may be a bit of "rage, rage against the dying of the light." But that is only because I still want to proceed in this journey called living. I'm nowhere near ready to throw in the towel.

Let's see where the next 365 days lead.

Hopefully, with another post like this.

And, therefore, another change in the chronological odometer.

Saturday, July 02, 2022

Halftime Speech

This is the 183rd. day of the calendar year (184th., if it is a leap year).

We are half-way through.

Go back to your New Year's resolutions, if you made them. How are you doing with them? Which ones have you successfully completed? Which ones are still a work in progress but moving steadily toward your goal? Which ones have faltered, even though they still are worthy of your effort?

Take an honest look at where you were, where you are, and where you would like to be. Have you seen a change, even though it may seem imperceptible? Perhaps now is the time to renew your resolve and commitment, whether with what you are striving to accomplish or some new challenge.

As Theodore Roosevelt stated, humanity is at its best when it is in striving for something:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
Go Forward.

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Originally posted 7/3/2006, including the year and this {UPDATE (7/5): I goofed. July 2 is the half-way point of the year. The message still stands.}
Re-posted 7/2/2021.

Resolutely Free

There are claims that today should be our Independence Day, based on the approval of this resolution present by Richard Henry Lee to the Continental Congress this day in 1776:
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
While eloquent enough, what followed two days later is certainly more edifying.


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Originally posted 7/2/2011.
Re-posted 7/2/2013.
Re-posted 7/2/2019.
Re-posted 7/2/2020.
Re-posted 7/2/2021.

Friday, July 01, 2022

July 2022 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when prayer the Morning Offering:
For the elderly. We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility.
A reflection for this intention is found here