June 10, 2018

Charity

By Joe

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (KJV) ( 1 Corinthians 13:2 )

We often think if only I were more witty, if I had more intelligence, if I were more attractive, my life would be much different.  If we actually matched our ideal qualities but failed to grow a love for others, it would all be pointless.  Paul even says if he had all the faith in the world, he would be nothing if he didn’t love others.  Do you spend more time thinking about self-improvement or on growing your love for others more?

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June 9, 2018

Moment of Zen: Pooltime

By Joe

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June 7, 2018

Pride Month Cuteness

By Joe

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June 5, 2018

Experience

By Joe

Experience
Carl Sandburg, 1878 – 1967

This morning I looked at the map of the day
And said to myself, “This is the way! This is the way I will go;
Thus shall I range on the roads of achievement,
The way is so clear—it shall all be a joy on the lines marked out.”
And then as I went came a place that was strange,—
’Twas a place not down on the map!
And I stumbled and fell and lay in the weeds,
And looked on the day with rue.

I am learning a little—never to be sure—
To be positive only with what is past,
And to peer sometimes at the things to come
As a wanderer treading the night
When the mazy stars neither point nor beckon,
And of all the roads, no road is sure.

I see those men with maps and talk
Who tell how to go and where and why;
I hear with my ears the words of their mouths,
As they finger with ease the marks on the maps;
And only as one looks robust, lonely, and querulous,
As if he had gone to a country far
And made for himself a map,
Do I cry to him, “I would see your map!
I would heed that map you have!”

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June 4, 2018

Sick

By Joe

I was sick yesterday and forgot to write a post for today.

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June 3, 2018

Spirit Renew

By Joe

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (KJV) ( Ephesians 4:23 )

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in your thoughts, they seem to be cyclical returning to the same point?  Perhaps you are battling anxiety that chokes, or building an argument in your head to justify your anger, or you are stuck in the rut of self-victimization.  Each of these are attitudes do not reflect our identity as a cherished child of God.  He has the power, through the Spirit, to change the way you think and feel.  Call on Him in prayer to renew your mind.

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June 2, 2018

Moment of Zen: Horses

By Joe

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June 1, 2018

Quote of the Day

By Joe

“And then, one fairy night, May became June.”

—The Beautiful and the Damned, F. Scott Fitzgerald

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May 30, 2018

A Room with a View

By Joe

As I said yesterday, I’m in Boston for work until Thursday. I’m staying in Cambridge, and I have a beautiful view from my 7th floor room. My room overlooks the Charles River, and it also as a view of downtown Boston. The Charles River is my favorite view because of the boats going down the river and the hot men running or bicycling by the river. The last time I was in Boston for any length of time for 10-12 years ago when I was in graduate school and came to Boston for dissertation research. Back then I also stayed in Cambridge near the Charles River, though I was closer to Harvard then. Also, it was February and the river was frozen over. I remember just how cold it was that year.

Today, I have an interview scheduled with a prominent business man in Boston who is an alumni of the university where I work. I then have another interview this evening with a young teacher who is also an alumni. I was able to look the younger guy up in the yearbooks and back when he graduated a few years ago, he was quite good looking. I hope both of these interviews go well. Then on Thursday, I will head home, though I may do a little sightseeing before I go.

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May 29, 2018

Boston

By Joe

Boston
Aaron Smith

I’ve been meaning to tell
you how the sky is pink
here sometimes like the roof
of a mouth that’s about to chomp
down on the crooked steel teeth
of the city,

I remember the desperate
things we did
and that I stumble
down sidewalks listening
to the buzz of street lamps
at dusk and the crush
of leaves on the pavement,

Without you here I’m viciously lonely

and I can’t remember
the last time I felt holy,
the last time I offered
myself as sanctuary

*

I watched two men
press hard into
each other, their bodies
caught in the club’s
bass drum swell,
and I couldn’t remember
when I knew I’d never
be beautiful, but it must
have been quick
and subtle, the way
the holy ghost can pass
in and out of a room.
I want so desperately
to be finished with desire,
the rushing wind, the still
small voice.

I will be in Boston most of this week for work, and I thought this was an appropriate poem to use. The imagery in this poem is quite interesting to me, especially the last stanza about the two men and the poets perception of self beauty, or lack there of.

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