The Tango Center (194 W Broadway, Eugene OR)
7pm: Intermediate Lesson, 8pm: Beginning Lesson
$7, or $5 with student ID
7pm: Intermediate Lesson, 8pm: Beginning Lesson
$7, or $5 with student ID
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Blue Skies Soon!
The Blue Skies Big Band is playing at the ELLA weekly swing dance on Wednesday, March 7th from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. They are very talented and also easy to dance to!
Local Synagogue Attacked
Usually my lack of reading the mainstream news is okay. But occasionally I miss out on information that actually should affect me promptly.
I just found out this morning that last Thursday Eugene's Orthodox congregation, Ahavas Torah, suffered a break-in. Its Torah scrolls and prayerbooks were targeted and badly damaged. A second article (an editorial) is here.
The Eugene Police have since those articles decided to investigate the crime as an Oregon law bias crime.
The local Jewish community is sending supportive letters to Ahavas Torah, and rallying together to help with with fundraising to replace the Torah scrolls.
Some of the local Jewish community is alarmed and fearful because the two suspects who had been arrested have been released. Officials have explained the two men were transients with no known connection with any hate groups, and not a danger to people.
They may not be much the local Messianic Jewish community can do to help. Some of the same Talmudic passages that give such honor and value to Torah scrolls would disqualify any fundraising we contribute for use in purchasing a Torah scroll since we are Messianic Jews.
I just found out this morning that last Thursday Eugene's Orthodox congregation, Ahavas Torah, suffered a break-in. Its Torah scrolls and prayerbooks were targeted and badly damaged. A second article (an editorial) is here.
The Eugene Police have since those articles decided to investigate the crime as an Oregon law bias crime.
The local Jewish community is sending supportive letters to Ahavas Torah, and rallying together to help with with fundraising to replace the Torah scrolls.
Some of the local Jewish community is alarmed and fearful because the two suspects who had been arrested have been released. Officials have explained the two men were transients with no known connection with any hate groups, and not a danger to people.
They may not be much the local Messianic Jewish community can do to help. Some of the same Talmudic passages that give such honor and value to Torah scrolls would disqualify any fundraising we contribute for use in purchasing a Torah scroll since we are Messianic Jews.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Purpose Changes
I'm back to blogging, after almost being gone a month. I was occupied with other matters.
(Yes, I now have a backlog of silly things to blog about. But this post is mostly serious. It's also about my ministry work: the math teaching has also been taking a lot of time as I improve my teaching by using the Starboard system and Moodle.)
During the past month P'nei Adonai has had a lot of internal change, which kept me very busy.
We were led by God to change our purpose statement items, which are also how we organize our congregation's ministries.
(If your purposes are "worship" and "prayer" but your committees are "building and grounds" and "finances", you'll wind up doing poorly at worship and prayer. Purposes and committees need to match.)
Now we have five purposes:
Consider these questions:
After a month, P'nei Adonai has some worthwhile answers. But I've been processing them for an entire month, quite thoroughly, and am not going to write about them here. For partial answers you can explore our new website.
(I also put together the new website. I had to learn some new CSS and Javascript, but am so far able to avoid Perl and other more complicated computer tricks.)
(Yes, I now have a backlog of silly things to blog about. But this post is mostly serious. It's also about my ministry work: the math teaching has also been taking a lot of time as I improve my teaching by using the Starboard system and Moodle.)
During the past month P'nei Adonai has had a lot of internal change, which kept me very busy.
We were led by God to change our purpose statement items, which are also how we organize our congregation's ministries.
(If your purposes are "worship" and "prayer" but your committees are "building and grounds" and "finances", you'll wind up doing poorly at worship and prayer. Purposes and committees need to match.)
Now we have five purposes:
- Yirat Adonai (fear/awe of the Lord)
- Teshuvah (repentance)
- Ol Yeshua (discipling)
- Avodah (laboring for God)
- Mishpochah (family-like community)
Consider these questions:
- How does this ministry affect the weekly service?
- How does it affect special events? Which special events are centered on this purpose?
- How does this ministry help disciple congregants to be better at this purpose?
- What responsibilities resources does this ministry need to succeed?
After a month, P'nei Adonai has some worthwhile answers. But I've been processing them for an entire month, quite thoroughly, and am not going to write about them here. For partial answers you can explore our new website.
(I also put together the new website. I had to learn some new CSS and Javascript, but am so far able to avoid Perl and other more complicated computer tricks.)
Personal Update
I should share a bit of personal news, for those who have been following my hobbies and afflictions.
I still can't ollie, but am slightly better at a manual (wheelie). The skateboard and LCC bus pass combination is wonderful, even in winter. I'm not sure if in Spring Term I'll take another P.E. class at LCC to be a student and get the free bus pass; my teaching schedule does not fit well with any P.E. classes that interest me.
I'm still enjoying Tai Chi. This term the class is Yang 55-move sword form, which requires much more balance and fitness than the Chen 18-move unarmed form I did last term.
I'm still enjoying a monthly accupuncture visit. It may be helping my joint oddness, but I cannot say for sure as my joints are also for these same months (since last August) helped by the Tai Chi exercise. The most measureable benefit of the accupuncture is that I now fall asleep quickly instead of after 40-60 minutes, and I have many fewer distrubing dreams.
(Last night was the first night in a very long time I did not fall asleep quickly, because I was so excited about finally getting things done: the P'nei Adonai purpose changes, which allowed me to finish its new website, which allowed an afternoon for just blogging, which will allow me tomorrow to catch up on e-mail.)
The math teaching has been a lot of work, primarily because I am preparing PowerPoint slideshows for every lesson. You can see them by going to the class Moodle site and logging in as a guest.
Besides playing with moss for a few minutes, there has been a lot of yard work too. This is the best time of year to climb up in all the fruit trees and prune them. Then all those pruned "runners"/"shooters" that go striaght up, and a few real branches, needed to be cut into pieces that could fit into the yard waste bit. That was most of two weekends' worth of yard work. Also, the local squirrels and racoons are out again: last year we moved 15 squirrels with our live traps, along with quite a few opossums and raccoons. We'll see what this year brings.
My wife and I also needed more firewood, and purchased two cords, which once delivered needed to be stacked. That was my outdoor time on the Presidents' Day three-day weekend.
I've found out that a few of my friends occasionally do go target shooting, and even know the locations of the best local BLM Land for such endeavors. But they do not go frequently enough to prompt me to do any NAA shopping. I still am happy not owning any guns, since I frankly don't desire any more responsibility.
Regarding baking, my wife has found out how to make gluten-free challah, and I discovered that my Belgian waffle recipe works even better without any butter. I've been having waffles more often, and have been baking my spice cookies as bar cookies for afternoon snacking. I also may have found out why I like garlic bread.
The science-fiction role-playing game has also had a breakthrough. My wife and I played one session, which led to a great excuse to nearly but not completely isolate the main planet from the rest of colonized space. This, in turn, allows me many opportunities for political coruption and rivalries (my favorite plots) since now it BridgeCo's motto of "Now There is Enough" is no longer true of local resources and social mobility.
I still can't ollie, but am slightly better at a manual (wheelie). The skateboard and LCC bus pass combination is wonderful, even in winter. I'm not sure if in Spring Term I'll take another P.E. class at LCC to be a student and get the free bus pass; my teaching schedule does not fit well with any P.E. classes that interest me.
I'm still enjoying Tai Chi. This term the class is Yang 55-move sword form, which requires much more balance and fitness than the Chen 18-move unarmed form I did last term.
I'm still enjoying a monthly accupuncture visit. It may be helping my joint oddness, but I cannot say for sure as my joints are also for these same months (since last August) helped by the Tai Chi exercise. The most measureable benefit of the accupuncture is that I now fall asleep quickly instead of after 40-60 minutes, and I have many fewer distrubing dreams.
(Last night was the first night in a very long time I did not fall asleep quickly, because I was so excited about finally getting things done: the P'nei Adonai purpose changes, which allowed me to finish its new website, which allowed an afternoon for just blogging, which will allow me tomorrow to catch up on e-mail.)
The math teaching has been a lot of work, primarily because I am preparing PowerPoint slideshows for every lesson. You can see them by going to the class Moodle site and logging in as a guest.
Besides playing with moss for a few minutes, there has been a lot of yard work too. This is the best time of year to climb up in all the fruit trees and prune them. Then all those pruned "runners"/"shooters" that go striaght up, and a few real branches, needed to be cut into pieces that could fit into the yard waste bit. That was most of two weekends' worth of yard work. Also, the local squirrels and racoons are out again: last year we moved 15 squirrels with our live traps, along with quite a few opossums and raccoons. We'll see what this year brings.
My wife and I also needed more firewood, and purchased two cords, which once delivered needed to be stacked. That was my outdoor time on the Presidents' Day three-day weekend.
I've found out that a few of my friends occasionally do go target shooting, and even know the locations of the best local BLM Land for such endeavors. But they do not go frequently enough to prompt me to do any NAA shopping. I still am happy not owning any guns, since I frankly don't desire any more responsibility.
Regarding baking, my wife has found out how to make gluten-free challah, and I discovered that my Belgian waffle recipe works even better without any butter. I've been having waffles more often, and have been baking my spice cookies as bar cookies for afternoon snacking. I also may have found out why I like garlic bread.
The science-fiction role-playing game has also had a breakthrough. My wife and I played one session, which led to a great excuse to nearly but not completely isolate the main planet from the rest of colonized space. This, in turn, allows me many opportunities for political coruption and rivalries (my favorite plots) since now it BridgeCo's motto of "Now There is Enough" is no longer true of local resources and social mobility.
Tao of Yeshua: Chapter 44
44
Which is more important, your name or your body?
Which is more prized, your body or your possessions?
Which is more destructive, your gain or your loss?
The more you spend on others, the more you will spend on yourself.
The more you store up, the more you will lose.
One who is content is safe from disgrace.
One who knows where to abide is safe from danger.
He will last long.
Which is more important, your name or your body?
Which is more prized, your body or your possessions?
Which is more destructive, your gain or your loss?
The more you spend on others, the more you will spend on yourself.
The more you store up, the more you will lose.
One who is content is safe from disgrace.
One who knows where to abide is safe from danger.
He will last long.
We cannot buy safety or happiness
for ourselves or for others.
Instead nurture your virtue;
in integrity help others have virtue.
This help can make an eternal difference.
Abide in Yeshua.
for ourselves or for others.
Instead nurture your virtue;
in integrity help others have virtue.
This help can make an eternal difference.
Abide in Yeshua.
Once More Ninjas are Cool
The cool ninja fad has a new product: NinjaWords, the speedy online dictionary that allows you to crush your definitions, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their synonyms.
(For a comparison of the quotations of Genghis Khan and Conan, refer to the final section of this page.)
(For a comparison of the quotations of Genghis Khan and Conan, refer to the final section of this page.)
Mad Science
I have a friend who is interested in memes. The concept interests me, as do some others that form the border between information processing, psychology, and technology.
For him, here is a link to a fun webcomic named A Miracle of Science set in a science-fiction world where a special police force attempts keeping the "Mad Scientist Meme" in check.
In somewhat related mad science non-news, the Badges of the OOTSSOERAAAP, why Indiana Jones was denied tenure, and a problem with retractable claws.
Hm. I wonder if Foamhedge counts as mad science?
Clearly an south-upward map doesn't. Because I find that interesting. ;-)
For him, here is a link to a fun webcomic named A Miracle of Science set in a science-fiction world where a special police force attempts keeping the "Mad Scientist Meme" in check.
In somewhat related mad science non-news, the Badges of the OOTSSOERAAAP, why Indiana Jones was denied tenure, and a problem with retractable claws.
Hm. I wonder if Foamhedge counts as mad science?
Clearly an south-upward map doesn't. Because I find that interesting. ;-)
More Microsoft versus Apple Humor
Microsoft vs Apple.
(If you don't know why people are having renewed efforts to make fun of Microsoft, read this.)
More gems from xkcd: WWED? and Binary Sudoku. (The last reminds me of Q-Tetris.)
UPDATE: I move a picture of an X-wing Honda to this post.
(If you don't know why people are having renewed efforts to make fun of Microsoft, read this.)
More gems from xkcd: WWED? and Binary Sudoku. (The last reminds me of Q-Tetris.)
UPDATE: I move a picture of an X-wing Honda to this post.
Baby Animal Pictures
Apparently nearly anything can be unbearably cute as an infant. Consider a handful of hedgehogs, octopus, or penguin.
Penguins, being mysterious birds, can when grown up can be scary. Hamsters stay cute, especially when in love.
Cuteness acquired by being a stuffed animal is cheating. Cuteness when fighting snakes counts extra.
Also, there is apparently some sort of new fad about annotating photos of cats. For example, happy cat, monrail cat, hubcat cats, trash cat, apology cat, voices cat, and the pair known as invisible sandwich and invisible bike.
UPDATE: Now two sites are trying to be the definitive collection annotated cat photos.
Penguins, being mysterious birds, can when grown up can be scary. Hamsters stay cute, especially when in love.
Cuteness acquired by being a stuffed animal is cheating. Cuteness when fighting snakes counts extra.
Also, there is apparently some sort of new fad about annotating photos of cats. For example, happy cat, monrail cat, hubcat cats, trash cat, apology cat, voices cat, and the pair known as invisible sandwich and invisible bike.
UPDATE: Now two sites are trying to be the definitive collection annotated cat photos.
Scenic Pictures
Here is an interesting web page with a photography shoot comissioned by Microsoft, of which two entries were selected to be new official wallpapers.
Moss in a Blender
Late February in Eugene is the beginning of crocouses, daffodils, and resuming having to mow the lawn now and then.
My wife and I actually don't want lawn. We would rather have moss, as in a Japanese garden, since that is equally pretty and I am not allergic to it. Not having to mow would be nice also.
Since our back yard has a few bare spots (where I let leaf piles sit too long) we found out how to promote moss growth with a "moss smoothie." Here is a summary of what many websites instruct...
Put into a blender a handful of moss from the kind of place you want to grow moss (i.e., moss from dirt to make more moss on dirt, moss from a rock to make more moss on rock).
If collecting from the lawn, try to minimze the amount of dirt and grass you collect.
Add 1/2 teaspoon sugar and enough water so it will blend nicely. If you need stickines for applying it to rock or clay, add 1 egg or some buttermilk.
Blend the mixture, and then spread with a paintbrush or spatula on the desired surfaces.
Be careful it doesn't wash away. If the weather is not rainy, keep it wet. Moss should be growing within five weeks.
You can also make patterns.
My wife and I actually don't want lawn. We would rather have moss, as in a Japanese garden, since that is equally pretty and I am not allergic to it. Not having to mow would be nice also.
Since our back yard has a few bare spots (where I let leaf piles sit too long) we found out how to promote moss growth with a "moss smoothie." Here is a summary of what many websites instruct...
Put into a blender a handful of moss from the kind of place you want to grow moss (i.e., moss from dirt to make more moss on dirt, moss from a rock to make more moss on rock).
If collecting from the lawn, try to minimze the amount of dirt and grass you collect.
Add 1/2 teaspoon sugar and enough water so it will blend nicely. If you need stickines for applying it to rock or clay, add 1 egg or some buttermilk.
Blend the mixture, and then spread with a paintbrush or spatula on the desired surfaces.
Be careful it doesn't wash away. If the weather is not rainy, keep it wet. Moss should be growing within five weeks.
You can also make patterns.
Dice Wars
Here's a fun game named Dice Wars (link, rules and review) that apparently has been around for a while, but I only discovered two days ago. I've played it three times so far, and enjoyed it a lot, but expect it will get old very fast because the computer AI is so poor. At this point it is already down to "mindless and soothing".
There is a multiplayer version named kDice (link, rules and review). Apparently it requires Internet Explorer to run smoothly (on Firefox the game's map does not update). I do not currently have time play a game that a requires actual diplomacy and negotiations, and would hesitate to use IE on my home computer. But it's nice to see someone made this game for others to play.
Another soothing game I've tried once and had enough of, but others might enjoy more, is a game were colors spread across a grid, named Virus. The game is single-player, and the objective is to minimize the number of turns it takes to spread the color, sort of like solitaire Chinese Checkers.
If I had played more Doom in my youth, the new Doom rogue-like would be quite entertaining. As it is, I'm curious how well a rogue-like with sounds creates a mental narrative, but am not about to try that game. Currently soothing games are all I desire.
There is a multiplayer version named kDice (link, rules and review). Apparently it requires Internet Explorer to run smoothly (on Firefox the game's map does not update). I do not currently have time play a game that a requires actual diplomacy and negotiations, and would hesitate to use IE on my home computer. But it's nice to see someone made this game for others to play.
Another soothing game I've tried once and had enough of, but others might enjoy more, is a game were colors spread across a grid, named Virus. The game is single-player, and the objective is to minimize the number of turns it takes to spread the color, sort of like solitaire Chinese Checkers.
If I had played more Doom in my youth, the new Doom rogue-like would be quite entertaining. As it is, I'm curious how well a rogue-like with sounds creates a mental narrative, but am not about to try that game. Currently soothing games are all I desire.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Main Dish Menu
On Sundays my wife and I do a lot of cooking. Since she is vegetarian and so very gluten-intolerant we can use very few prepared main dishes, and Sunday is our day to get cooking done for the upcoming week.
I thought other people avoiding gluten might be interested in knowing what main dishes we commonly make. Here is a moderately exhaustive listing.
4 Quart Pot
Macaroni and Cheese
Greens and Garlic Soup
Potato, Onion and Garlic Soup
Vegetable Soup (various)
Risotto
Polenta
Quinoa Salad
Corn on the Cob
Artichokes
Stuffing (with gluten-free bread)
3 Quart Sauce Pan
Tomato Basil Soup
Pasta (Italian or Thai)
Boon Sen
Dal (various)
Sambar
Indian or Thai Curry
Saffron Rice
Masala Potatoes
Palak Paneer
Every Day Pan
Stir Fry Vegetables
Mu Shu Vegetables
Skillet Pancake (apple, berry, carrot, potato, sweet potato, or beet)
Fried Rice with Egg and Vegetables
Frying Pan/Omelette Pan
Scrambled Eggs or Omelettes
Sauted Vegetables
Japanese Omelette
Blintz Wrappers and Filling
Frittata
Latkes (various)
Green Beans and Mushroom Sauce
Pancakes
Nine by Thirteen Pan
Potatoes and Cheese
Mina
Strata
Apples and Yams
Masa Harena Casserole
Crisps and Cobblers
Indian Baked Cauliflower
Roasted Vegetables
Braised Eggplant
Tomatoes Stuffed with Eggs
Potato, Turnip and Broccoli Kugel
Blintz Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole
Saffron Rice and Artichoke Heart Casserole
Quinoa Casseroles (Basil and Greens, Savory Vegetables)
Jelly Roll Pan
Pizza
Bread
Crackers
Squash
Power Bars
Baba Ganoush
Crock Pot
Beans (with tortillas or rice)
Soups
Chili
Garbanzo Beans/Falafels
Rice Pudding
Black Coconut Rice
Apple Cider
Other Pots and Pans
Souffle
Quiche
Fondue
Artichoke Dip
Filled Bread (savory or sweet)
Corn Bread
Special Salads
Charoset
Caesar Salad
I thought other people avoiding gluten might be interested in knowing what main dishes we commonly make. Here is a moderately exhaustive listing.
4 Quart Pot
Macaroni and Cheese
Greens and Garlic Soup
Potato, Onion and Garlic Soup
Vegetable Soup (various)
Risotto
Polenta
Quinoa Salad
Corn on the Cob
Artichokes
Stuffing (with gluten-free bread)
3 Quart Sauce Pan
Tomato Basil Soup
Pasta (Italian or Thai)
Boon Sen
Dal (various)
Sambar
Indian or Thai Curry
Saffron Rice
Masala Potatoes
Palak Paneer
Every Day Pan
Stir Fry Vegetables
Mu Shu Vegetables
Skillet Pancake (apple, berry, carrot, potato, sweet potato, or beet)
Fried Rice with Egg and Vegetables
Frying Pan/Omelette Pan
Scrambled Eggs or Omelettes
Sauted Vegetables
Japanese Omelette
Blintz Wrappers and Filling
Frittata
Latkes (various)
Green Beans and Mushroom Sauce
Pancakes
Nine by Thirteen Pan
Potatoes and Cheese
Mina
Strata
Apples and Yams
Masa Harena Casserole
Crisps and Cobblers
Indian Baked Cauliflower
Roasted Vegetables
Braised Eggplant
Tomatoes Stuffed with Eggs
Potato, Turnip and Broccoli Kugel
Blintz Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole
Saffron Rice and Artichoke Heart Casserole
Quinoa Casseroles (Basil and Greens, Savory Vegetables)
Jelly Roll Pan
Pizza
Bread
Crackers
Squash
Power Bars
Baba Ganoush
Crock Pot
Beans (with tortillas or rice)
Soups
Chili
Garbanzo Beans/Falafels
Rice Pudding
Black Coconut Rice
Apple Cider
Other Pots and Pans
Souffle
Quiche
Fondue
Artichoke Dip
Filled Bread (savory or sweet)
Corn Bread
Special Salads
Charoset
Caesar Salad
Tao of Yeshua: Chapter 43
43
The softest of things overcomes the hardest of things.
That which has no substance enters where there is no space.
Few things in the world are as instructive as wordless teaching,
or as beneficial as the fruits of Non-Ado.
The softest of things overcomes the hardest of things.
That which has no substance enters where there is no space.
Few things in the world are as instructive as wordless teaching,
or as beneficial as the fruits of Non-Ado.
The Spirit can rule the body.
It does so subtly, without ado.
What instruction is comparable
to being taught directly by the Spirit of Adonai?
What virtues are comparable
to the fruits of the Spirit of Adonai?
It does so subtly, without ado.
What instruction is comparable
to being taught directly by the Spirit of Adonai?
What virtues are comparable
to the fruits of the Spirit of Adonai?
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Tongues at a High Place
God asked me to pray on top of Skinner Butte, a large hill in the middle of this town of Eugene, Oregon. Today I went and did so.
I do not understand much about why scripture talks about "high places", or how they affect the spiritual. From stories shared by friends in Israel I know that praying on a high place can somehow "reclaim" it for God if it has used by the Adversary, and this can remove some of the Adversary's ability to spread lies. There must be more than that, but I am ignorant.
However, I can go and pray if God asks me to do so. Sometimes God will simply tell me what to pray when I get there. Other times what I should pray about is apparently none of my business, and God's Spirit will use me to pray "in tongues". (To be specific, I do not understand what I say, but from sound qualitiess and words that are sometimes repeated I seem to use two languages in such situations: not at the same time, and I have no idea why one or another language happens a situation.)
When I pray in tongues it's definitely a miraculous activity. At one time I was completely skeptical of the phenomenon, for I had only met the kind of people who claimed to speak in tongues but were only repeating a few syllables over and over. I eventually met followers of Yeshua who genuinely had this spiritual gift from God, and years later agreed to let someone with this gift pray that I might receive it. (I immediately did, which startled me for in my skepticism I had tried in privacy to speak random syllables and could not do so.)
When people speak normally there is a different cadence and tone when speaking a train of thought versus repeating an idea in multiple ways, when talking to someone versus talking about someone, when sharing joys or worries, when offering help or asking for help. Similarly, when I pray in tongues not only am I speaking words that I can tell have grammar (and sometimes even poetry) but I can glean a little about what I am praying about.
I went to Skinner's Butte with a congreant. Even once we arrived neither of us were told what to say, so I prayed in tongues. It was interesting, as always, to experience how it was somewhat of a diagnostic tool in the way I just described. Especially because the Butte is not a simply spherical hill. (It has a lower, western part of the "top" with the best view and a look-out area. It has a highest part with many trees and not much view. It has an eastern part with a less built-up look-out area and a decent view.) Each of its parts seemed to be receiving a different kind of prayer.
In the past I have (infrequently) experienced another kind of "praying in tongues", when God just took over my mouth and I found myself praying in English words I was not expecting, which later on in retrospect turned out to be perfect for that occasion.
Only once have I been part of a congregation's service in which the dynamic of First Corinthians 14:26-28 happened, with one person praying in tongues and someone else interpreting. I know of no congregations where this happens regularly.
Only once have I encountered the kind of speaking in tongues where someone miraculously gains fluency in a language they did not know.
At one point God asked me to practice praying in tongues. That seemed a bit comical since I had no idea how to practice. How could I know if I was pronouncing words correctly in a language I didn't know? But I did my best to be obedient to the task asked of me.
Anyway, that's what little I know about praying in tongues and the significance of "high places". Since that's more than most people blog about, I thought I'd share.
I do not understand much about why scripture talks about "high places", or how they affect the spiritual. From stories shared by friends in Israel I know that praying on a high place can somehow "reclaim" it for God if it has used by the Adversary, and this can remove some of the Adversary's ability to spread lies. There must be more than that, but I am ignorant.
However, I can go and pray if God asks me to do so. Sometimes God will simply tell me what to pray when I get there. Other times what I should pray about is apparently none of my business, and God's Spirit will use me to pray "in tongues". (To be specific, I do not understand what I say, but from sound qualitiess and words that are sometimes repeated I seem to use two languages in such situations: not at the same time, and I have no idea why one or another language happens a situation.)
When I pray in tongues it's definitely a miraculous activity. At one time I was completely skeptical of the phenomenon, for I had only met the kind of people who claimed to speak in tongues but were only repeating a few syllables over and over. I eventually met followers of Yeshua who genuinely had this spiritual gift from God, and years later agreed to let someone with this gift pray that I might receive it. (I immediately did, which startled me for in my skepticism I had tried in privacy to speak random syllables and could not do so.)
When people speak normally there is a different cadence and tone when speaking a train of thought versus repeating an idea in multiple ways, when talking to someone versus talking about someone, when sharing joys or worries, when offering help or asking for help. Similarly, when I pray in tongues not only am I speaking words that I can tell have grammar (and sometimes even poetry) but I can glean a little about what I am praying about.
I went to Skinner's Butte with a congreant. Even once we arrived neither of us were told what to say, so I prayed in tongues. It was interesting, as always, to experience how it was somewhat of a diagnostic tool in the way I just described. Especially because the Butte is not a simply spherical hill. (It has a lower, western part of the "top" with the best view and a look-out area. It has a highest part with many trees and not much view. It has an eastern part with a less built-up look-out area and a decent view.) Each of its parts seemed to be receiving a different kind of prayer.
In the past I have (infrequently) experienced another kind of "praying in tongues", when God just took over my mouth and I found myself praying in English words I was not expecting, which later on in retrospect turned out to be perfect for that occasion.
Only once have I been part of a congregation's service in which the dynamic of First Corinthians 14:26-28 happened, with one person praying in tongues and someone else interpreting. I know of no congregations where this happens regularly.
Only once have I encountered the kind of speaking in tongues where someone miraculously gains fluency in a language they did not know.
At one point God asked me to practice praying in tongues. That seemed a bit comical since I had no idea how to practice. How could I know if I was pronouncing words correctly in a language I didn't know? But I did my best to be obedient to the task asked of me.
Anyway, that's what little I know about praying in tongues and the significance of "high places". Since that's more than most people blog about, I thought I'd share.
Tao of Yeshua: Chapter 42
42
One produced two.
Two produced three
Three produce all other things.
These other things carry the dark but embrace the light.
The breath rises softly to produce harmoniously.
People loathe being orphaned, widowed, or poor,
yet kings and dukes call themselves thus
for things may gain by decrease or decrease by gain.
What others have taught I repeat:
men of violence will not reach their natural death.
The father's doctrine is my teacher.
One produced two.
Two produced three
Three produce all other things.
These other things carry the dark but embrace the light.
The breath rises softly to produce harmoniously.
People loathe being orphaned, widowed, or poor,
yet kings and dukes call themselves thus
for things may gain by decrease or decrease by gain.
What others have taught I repeat:
men of violence will not reach their natural death.
The father's doctrine is my teacher.
The world was created by three.
The divine Spirit gives freedom.
Rising within us, it frees us from serving darkness
so that we may succeed in embracing light.
The divine son gives mercy.
In unity with his humility may we gain through decrease.
The divine Father gives justice.
Greed and violence lead to ruin;
His teachings are the laws for life.
So is the world sustained by these three that are divine,
or by their freedom, mercy, and justice?
The divine Spirit gives freedom.
Rising within us, it frees us from serving darkness
so that we may succeed in embracing light.
The divine son gives mercy.
In unity with his humility may we gain through decrease.
The divine Father gives justice.
Greed and violence lead to ruin;
His teachings are the laws for life.
So is the world sustained by these three that are divine,
or by their freedom, mercy, and justice?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Bwahahahahaha
I just found out that Firefox knows how to accept "all current tabs" as the new home page setting.
I have a few icons in my "Quick Launch" that open my browser to a certain website. Now I can have an unspecified Firefox startup create a browser with five tabs for the pages I use most: my bookmarks page, gmail, calendar, blog, and LCC moodle class website.
I have a few icons in my "Quick Launch" that open my browser to a certain website. Now I can have an unspecified Firefox startup create a browser with five tabs for the pages I use most: my bookmarks page, gmail, calendar, blog, and LCC moodle class website.
Tao of Yeshua: Chapter 41
41
When a wise man hears about the Way he diligently follows it.
When a mediocre man hears about the Way he wavers between belief and unbelief.
When a foolish man hears about the Way he laughs loudly at it.
If it such a man did not laugh at, it would not be worth regarding as the Way.
For there is an established saying:
The Way's brightness can seem dim
The Way's advances can seem retreats;
The Way's smoothness can seem rough;
Our highest efforts are empty;
Our best purity are stained;
Our strongest efforts are inadequate;
Our established virtues are feeble;
The greatest solid is pierced;
The greatest square has no corners;
The greatest vessel is the last completed;
The greatest music has the rarest sound;
The greatest Image has no form.
The Way is hidden and nameless.
Indeed, because the Way is able to lend of itself it is able to provide completion.
When a wise man hears about the Way he diligently follows it.
When a mediocre man hears about the Way he wavers between belief and unbelief.
When a foolish man hears about the Way he laughs loudly at it.
If it such a man did not laugh at, it would not be worth regarding as the Way.
For there is an established saying:
The Way's brightness can seem dim
The Way's advances can seem retreats;
The Way's smoothness can seem rough;
Our highest efforts are empty;
Our best purity are stained;
Our strongest efforts are inadequate;
Our established virtues are feeble;
The greatest solid is pierced;
The greatest square has no corners;
The greatest vessel is the last completed;
The greatest music has the rarest sound;
The greatest Image has no form.
The Way is hidden and nameless.
Indeed, because the Way is able to lend of itself it is able to provide completion.
Yeshua, as creator, is nameless
because he contributes anonymously to all creation.
Yeshua fits none of our categories
because he creator, not part of this world.
His best can seem backwards,
but lasts eternally.
But our best is not eternal
and thus comparatively worthless.
The last part of creation will be
when our creator finishes establishing himself.
because he contributes anonymously to all creation.
Yeshua fits none of our categories
because he creator, not part of this world.
His best can seem backwards,
but lasts eternally.
But our best is not eternal
and thus comparatively worthless.
The last part of creation will be
when our creator finishes establishing himself.
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