Many people have their own favorite plants and style of gardening. The reason one person appreciates one particular plant versus another is complex and simple, if that's possible.
You can take any genus of plant or group of similar looking/growing plants. Most have several hundred varieties within one species. The Genus Rosa or Rose has over 100 species giving us 1000's of different roses. The same applies to many other groups of flowers and trees. It is amazing that there could arise 100's of different types of red rose, each looking unique and beautiful. It is more amazing and telling that for every rose or plant out there, it is probably somebody's favorite. God and nature and the creative drive in man give us variety of beauty to fill the complex and diverse variety of taste, style, and eye for beauty that all of us have.
So there is purpose in that there is not a developed and discovered rose or other flower that isn't somebody's favorite. In the same way there is purpose in that one rose will not satisfy all. For one, to continue pushing man to be creative in making more, and for two showing us if we see it, that like a rose, we are all unique and we appreciate beauty individually and in a unique way.
Where there is beauty there is also ugliness or another word would be disease. Just as we suffer disease, plants carry and transmit diseases that are deadly. I wouldn't use the word suffer however but it is another reminder of how we are. The most beautiful plant can fall to any number of diseases. Some tougher than others. I think it is something to think about that many times the most beautiful plants are in fact the most sensitive to harmful diseases. Where some of the most boring looking plants can survive in what we would consider dreadful conditions. Why?
I think for two reasons. One, we value what we see is beautiful. There are few things in this life that have value to us, that will be protected and secure without care and nurturing of it (family, friends, etc.) Just a micro metaphor of how God provides beautiful things for the garden that will become ugly without the proper care.
If you look at the entire character of the plant just as in a person there is value in that strong stable character of a pine. There is value in that unique beauty of a rose. You are trading one thing for another most of the time, especially with plants. The fact is even pines will fall to some disease or they will just fall on top of the house. The fact is some roses are resistant to the most prevalent diseases. I think these are the most valued plants objectively; those that are beautiful and strong. This is what we want but is it a bad thing for us to have to care and understand the things that are beautiful to us but. Luckily there will never be an indestructible plant; even if we wanted it, it would not be so great.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The christian hypocrite (older blog)
Category: Religion and Philosophy
I should write something here. Really quick. My point is that we are all hypocrite who stand for something higher than we are. For one Jesus is not someone we can come close to being like. We can try and God helps us, but we are still human inclined to sin. Just look at the sermon on the mount and it is basically a list of rules that could not possibly be achieved. The who point I think was that God wants us to realize that we cannot achieve this. That helps us realize we need Jesus sacrifice and need to be saved.
So There is no perfect christian not even Paul. Of course there are fake christians. God knows his kids. Even as christians we cannot achieve what we seek and so we are hypocrites. But think about something for a moment....
The only way to avoid ever being called a hypocrite is to stand for nothing.Cinderella (older blog)
I listen to a lot of modern christian music. Some of it I don't like, especially the upbeat dance hippity hop type songs. But the songs that really tell you about real life at least the way I see my own life. Steven Curtis Chapman is a musician and he is very successful as Christian artist, very talented. I think he is a real christian, he loves people and his songs tell you that. He also has an adoption organization and he has adopted I think three children. He writes songs about his life and one song is about his five year old girl Maria. That song is Cinderella. This man loves his daughter and treasures the time with her in a way I can relate to. I think I shed a tear the first time I heard that song because I was thinking about my Naomi.
Then I here on the radio yesterday that Maria, the chapman daughter was hit by a car and is dead. I really feel for this man and his family. He is a man of faith and God has given him blessing and talents. God also takes away not just for him but everyone. Why. There is a reason. Either to bring people closer to God or closer to each other, or both. If there is a heaven, it is not a bad thing but it is so sad, because God does want blessings for us in this life.
He does not want pain for us. Sometimes I think he allows us to have pain because we need it to develop strength. Sometimes I think he allows us to have pain because we have strength and he wants us to strengthen others around us and ultimately bring people closer to God. I will pray for this man and his family because he has brought people close to through his music and know he will need to keep God close to him.
A tougher time (older blog)
I decided to learn spanish. Some of the guys at work speak both. The guy I work, adriane doesn’t speak a lick of english and so he will help. I am downloading spanish teachings on my ipod too. The other guys at work are totally going to help. The best part is my Nomo likes to learn so we can do it together. She is fascinated by the music.
Nomo and I both are doing well with lent. I haven’t had a even a coke and don’t plan on energy drinks anymore. I don’t see any difference in energy or work ability. Nomo is so good with her pledge. I accidentally offered her a cookie and she say’s, "dad too much sugar!" It is fun and I feel healthier.
I am starting to get back into working out a bit. Not like my obsessed days at the gym. Just sittups and push-ups. The girls get on my back to make it extra hard. I really don’t have a choice. Anyway I want to keep my back strong so a strong requires a strong stomach. Then right after the family work out we eat ice cream...balance.
Tomorrow is palm sunday and Nomo gets to wave that old palm branch down the isle and sing Hosannah in the Highest.
I want to write about the spring. The best time. The plants are moving and colors are coming. I want to learn the whole picture thing and trying to put pictures on here. Jap maples, etc...
I have been working for something for a long time. A man needs to build, create, live for something important or not. This is basic to all man. I am at a point where I cannot build. I cannot move where I am. It is brick with no mortor, a plant with no water, a beautiful home sitting on a pile of sand right next to the ocean. It is a bit futile to keep building when at best you are merely rienforcing an enexorably unstable foundation. I see things clearly. I cannot build anything where I am. I don’t know where I will be a year from now but I will not be staning in the sand or anywhere close. This is probably why I am finding menial ways of building myself up. They cannot compensate for what I wanted to build, nor for what I have never known for myself. Someday maybe.
God..(older blog)
What happens when your talking with someone and they say, "I understand I had a similar experience and this is how I felf." That is usually when a good friendship begins or connection with someone you feel knows you. Jesus is the only God in the history of the world that can truly say I understand. He was a man and understood what we need.
Just as a child needs discipline and punishment along with love and empathy. Every man/woman needs a God who like a father or mother, can provide both. He is closer than we know.
just some thoughts
Besame Mucho
Well this is the song of the day. I have listen to it with Nomo about 19 times so far today and sung it about 15. Naomi always is there to get me my mic. Usually the crayola marking pen. The blue works best. nnnnnnaomi(she wrote that). So this is starting to be one of my favorites. It is off the live at BBC from the Beattles. Besame(kiss me) mucho. Its your classic Im gonna die without your love baby, so I need some kissen and all that stuff. This is probably my favorite Beattles album even though lesser know and few hits and more covers, etc. But the songs are fun.
Here is the problem. I have taught my girl how to use the ipod/stereo thing so she like a song and is is repeated at least thirty times. Two nights ago it was Blue Angel by Orbison himself, his best song. She actually really likes Johnny Horton so that makes things fun.
Mea likes anything and everything. We love music and I love to sing. I'm glad my girls tolerate it. Sara doesn't tell me to shut up either she just goes in her room. I think its good for the soul and everything else. I don't know if theres a genre and absolutely can't listen to but for us its mostly folk/classic rock/rock/old country/contemp.christian. I have other blogs I need to write but not in the mood. I interupted a two person dance party to write this in order to get folks to hear Besame Mucho. So long.
Me and My Nomo (older blog)
I want to talk about my Nomo
It is lent and I don't think I have ever really participated in this. You are supposed to give something up that you rely on. I asked Nomo if she wanted to try giving something up. I suggested candy and she said shes in. Now I don't drink coffee, in fact never had a cup in my life. I think however I am addicted to energy drinks. The cheap ones at winco. I didn't want to try this because I didn't think I could really. I work six 10s maybe more of pretty much hard labor. So I just asked Nomo what she thought I should give up. Right away she said caffiene. Not just energy drinks. I said I don't know? "What about tea?" and of course she says, does it have caffiene? Long story short Nomo and me are workin on it. Almost a week, wheewwee. We are helping each other live better. She's a strong girl.
Another thing about my Nomo. I get to teach her Sunday school and it is very fun. By teach I mean I get to color and sing silly songs with the kids. I do this every two weeks for two weeks. On the other weeks I go to the service and most of time Nomo wants to come. That fine. You know how some folks put there hands in the air the praise God. I don't do that for whatever reason. Its just not me. Of course Nomo sees them doing this and she forces my hands up and gives me this look, you have to Dad. Cute.
Heres another fun fact about my Nomo. Just about every night at dinner we listen to music. Whatever is playing. I have an Ipod now so I am learning how to do that. Toward the end of dinner we have somewhat of a dance party. There are certain songs that are dance hits. Here are a few. "North to alaska" by Johny Horton, "Dead man" by Jars of Clay, "Gone" switchfoot. So my point is this is something special. There is a certain song I heard on the radio and actually shed a tear. It is called Cinderella by steven curtis chapman. It is about a dad who's daughter is always asking him to practice dancing. Its an awsome some dads. Theres only a couple other songs that I shed tear listening to. Get that song.
So theres a few things about me and my Nomo (Naomi). One more. I just took my bath. After a hard day I prefer a bath since tired of standing. Anyway it lasted about 5 minutes, that the average. If those girls here that tub running. They come. Usually Mea forces her way in first and kinds sits on my tummy cause "its hot", then Nomo follows, then I get out. Its become a standard routine.
Theres a few fun things about my Nomo and Me. I have another little girl. We're building out own traditions. I'll write about my Mea later.
Politics (an older blog)
Politics,
What is the purpose of the government. What are my values. What do I think about the nature of man. That is what I believe determines are own politics. basic...
Its not, who do you think is best for the job, or is he/she going to lead well. I don't really care as much as I did about politics and debate. People like a politician because of a few basic factors and most people are not going to change their minds. So I don't really like talking about it as much unless someone brings it up to me. The way I live my life should explain enough about what I believe.
Politics and Reliegion relate in this way. Religious people and politically impassioned people typically want others to believe what they believe. The difference I think comes when you examine who politically impassioned people happen to be. Usually on the liberal side of the spectrum. People know me and know I am conservative. My views are based mostly on my experience in raising my family up to this point, my faith, and what I think about man. I don't think highly about human nature. Most of us are prone to corruption without regulation and personal responsibility. My faith helps me their. So in politics anything enabling, justifying, victimizing, or rationalizing peoples problems I think is how you make a struggling man weak. When in my mind it is the struggle that makes us stronger.
In other words leave me alone. I think Gov. plays positive role in environment preservation, security, infrastructure, etc. Most people tend to believe the larger the bussiness the more prone to corruption (like man). For this reason I would rather not have a giant corporation called the federal government in charge of things like health, social security, education. It all comes down to what I think about man. Yes he/she does need regulation. But give man incentive and reward and apply those the things like ss, health, edu, I believe that empowers man. There's no better way to weaken someone then the give something to them no strings attatched. Another thing is the transition from voluntary charity to forced charity. I think charity and giving should at all possible be something that people choose to do because they want to help people.
So I don't really think much will change in the next election. I am not excited about the canadates. I think people look for something that is not there. I mentioned the impassioned liberals. I do think it comes close to being some kind of religion. It is just about as persuasive as the street missionaries you run into now and then. I hear about the many people fainting when they hear Obama speak and wonder. Nothing against him he seems sharp as a tack. But he is human. I just think could I ever get so into a politician that I become faint? Staged, or not its sad.
So there is a little political talk. So I am a conservative. and look I don't wear a nice suit and want to take advantage of poor people, I wear carharts and boots and want to go to work and come home to see my girls. I also don't wear Jesus shirts and hand out religious flyers in my driveway, I go to church not because I think Im good enough but because I know I am not. That, I think is how many people are. However I respect people and don't care to try to change with my words. At one time yes it seemed like a fun challenge but I have some other challenges now, not so fun.
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