had a very rough year. Supreme Court candidate Harriet Miers
imploded, Hurricane Katrina ravaged and killed and embarrassed
the federal government, & Iraq became an albatross around his
neck. The rebound is in full swing, though. And he’ll keep
rebounding, though, in the coming weeks and months. He is,
fundamentally, a fighterwho doesn’t give overly
much consideration to the opinions of others – that’s good ole
stubbornness for you. Just what you need in a wartime leader.
We came into 2005 struck by the sheer horror and enormity of the
Asian Tsunami,
which killed over 200,000 people. And then we had an
unforgettable hurricane season in America, climaxing in the
submersion of New Orleans, an old city with much lore and
cultural richness (jazz, Cajun food, blues).
Iran
elected a truly
ghoulish, frightful president
who publicly called for Israel to be wiped off the map and who
alarmed the world further by stating that the Holocaust was
fiction. It is tragically ironic that such a person would rise
to power,
right next door to the country
where another Scary Madman had been hauled out of a spider hole
and thrown in prison.
Ariel Sharon,
the “bulldozer” of Israeli Politics, shocked the world by
leaving Likud – the conservative party he helped to found
decades ago and whose standard-bearer he had become. He
doggedly moves forward now, in the elusive pursuit of peace for
his people. May God help him.
both had very good years. But especially Condi, the Madame
Secretary of State who has taken the world by force and made
things happen. I think, though, that she will stick by her
oft-repeated refusals to run for the Presidency. But oh the
press that these 2 ladies would get, if they duel for the
highest job in the Land.
In closing, the verse that’s blessed me lately and which I am
reflecting on here at year-end is: As
we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we
need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his
own glory and goodness!” II
Peter 1:3
It’s my prayer
that I will get to know the Lord better in 2006, because that’s
really the main activity of life. Everything else falls into
place when knowing the Lord is my chief Aim.
Tis almost here.
Another glorious Christmas. Have you heard the old
argument that Christmas is a pagan holiday? Well, then,
check this out. Pagan or not, I love how this time of
year focuses my own heart on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I love the emphasis on spending time with family and friends. And, yes, I enjoy
the presents and the decadent food!
Then there’s the roaring
blaze in the stone fireplace at my parents’ home.
Sitting there hearthside, on a couch with a good book and mug of hot something
or other, knowing that the cold snow-laden winds are swirling around outside and
the temps are freezing. And I’m warm and relaxed inside. Maybe chatting with
friends or family instead of reading, maybe
watching the niece totter around. It doesn’t get
much better...
This year, I am reflecting anew on the experiences that
Mary must have
endured while she was expecting. The long, tiring trip to Bethlehem. Did she
have to walk that long road, so late in her pregnancy? Ride on the back of a
donkey? Then, overnighting in a stable!
And givingbirth there! Being visited by shepherds and mysterious
wise men bearing kingly gifts, wondering about this babe and what He would
become.
And, lo, that night. The Greatest Gift arrived,
and continually gives to those who believe. The Gift that is available to each
and every one, regardless of background, sins committed, race, gender, wealth,
education. The Gift that leads, in the present, to abundant life. And leads,
finally, to eternal life. Embrace it.
Blessings to you, your families,
and those you cherish. Abundant life in Christ – may it be yours this season,
in the year to come, and always!
Our
little baby seems to like music. The best way to get him/her to start kicking at mommy’s tummy is
to bellow a fast-paced tune. And then come the pitter-patter
kicks. And they keep going. “You wanna drumset?!?!” I yelled
after this amazing discovery the other night.
J Nice trick, eh?
·I was intrigued by
Anne’s recent update on trusting God for the
number of children that you have, and not trying to plan it all
out yourself.
Talk about counter-cultural! Especially for us injuns. I love it. Now let’s see, suppose you
lived in days of old, and you were headed to battle – how many
arrows would you put in your quiver? 2, 3, 4, or even 5? No
way! You’d stuff that thing to the max! Then how about this
Bible verse: “Children born to a young man are like sharp
arrows in a warrior’s hands. How happy is the man whose
quiver is full of them!“ – Psalm 127. There you have it,
straight from the Good Book.
·A related issue, probably worth exploring in some detail in a
future update:
Why are so many so-called “pro life” Christians opposed to
adoption? Being pro-life and pro-adoption go hand in hand. This doesn’t
mean that every pro-life person has to adopt. But if you
are not willing, as a believer, to even consider adoption
– does that weaken your pro-life stance?
·The “
torture
terrorists?” issue is front & center in the national debate these days. An
excellent article is
posted here
on the subject. It’s worth the read.
·I just finished re-reading
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. It has a “fairy tale” feel to it, and hearkens me back to days
of early childhood when such tales held my rapt attention. The
White Witch has to be one of the greatest literary
villains ever. Beautiful, compelling, charming, and ever so
evil. Just like Satan.
·This past weekend, we completed the 3rd and final module
of the
biblical counseling class that we started in August. Twas a very insightful and
content-rich class – we learned a lot.
·Something we learned:
Children are not born morally neutral. If they were, they’d simply need direction. What they
need is instruction and correction, because of the sin
nature that is in their little hearts from a wee age. Temper
tantrums, wanting their own way most of the time, rebelling when
told ‘no’ –
if it’s not dealt with from early on, the cute little kid grows into a big ugly monster.
Illuminating.
·On Tuesday, it was near-balmy weather with strong, warm winds and
70degree+ weather. One day later, the winds had turned harshly
cold and temps dropped all the way down into the twenties. And
now it’s snowing! The local saying holds true: If you don’t
like the weather, just wait a day.
J
·
A moment of tribute.
The patriarch of the Arthungal House has gone to be with the
Lord. My dad’s oldest brother (aged 86) passed away almost two
weeks ago. Though I only saw him a few times (he lived in
Kerala, India), I have fond memories of his kindness and
smiles. His legacy lives on through his kids and grandkids,
most of whom live in NY or TX.
·I
stand corrected. Canada has
first-rate coffee.
Just not at Tim Horton’s. Some of the best I’ve ever had was in Toronto at
Timothy’s World Coffee.
My wife’s banana flavored hot chocolate was pretty amazing too.
·Thankfully,
a
fellow-rapper has
taken issue with Kanye West’s racist remarks.
·Judge
Samuel Alito
was a brilliant pick for the Supreme Court. Harriet Miers was not. Though I
wouldn’t have minded if she went through the confirmation process, so the rest
of America could have seen what she was really like. Oh well.
·Everyone
in my church is buying
minivans.
What’s up with that!!! Get one or two kids in your brood, and a minivan is the
next automatic purchase??? Why do I have this vague feeling that I’m headed
down that same road?
·I
have had a longstanding fascination with all things
Scandinavian, probably
due to some church connections years ago with several Norwegian Christians. My
interest has been rekindled of late, due to conversations with a guy at church
whose grandparents immigrated to the Michigan Upper Peninsula from Finland. Did
you know that Finland has the
most competitive economy in
the world?
·Despite my pleadings and general
groveling, my wife would not agree to find out the
baby’s gender at the recent Ultrasound. BLAST! On a happier note, the
baby seems to be fine and dandy, Thanks Be To God. 24 weeks down, another 16
weeks or so to go. Today’s calendar entry at
www.pregnancy.org says “Your baby is almost fully formed about now -- and
finally looks like a miniature human instead of other-worldly.” Cool.
·
Someone
told me recently to brace myself for the “knock knock”
joke
period that kids go through, sooner or later. Brace myself, yeah right.
“Knock knock you upside ya head and shut yer mouth”,
oughta do it right? J/K.
A better solution will be to just say “go ask your mother.” :)
·At the Blue Moon bistro last
week, my wife ordered a dessert despite the large meal we had just consumed.
“Good grief, woman!”, I uttered amusedly or
something along those lines. Her response was to pretend at shame by burying
her face in her hands. And it got me thinking, why do some people do that
face-in-hands thing when they feel “embarrassed”? Do they feel it somehow
removes them, momentarily, from the guilt of the moment?
·The
Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Just a few weeks away, can’t wait.
C.S. Lewis is another way-up-there author, and
this book was a great opening start to the 7-book series. Wonder how the movies
will do.
7My
beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God.
Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. 8The
person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God
is love--so you can't know him if you don't love.
The
phrase "Once
in a blue moon"
took on new meaning for us, Tuesday evening. The owners of a
fabulous local restaurant,
the Blue Moon,
used that phrase as the launching point for their opening
several years ago - i.e. eating there is a rare venture into
fine dining, "once in a blue moon". And the food lived up to
the hype. Excellent dinner, capped off by an outstanding
mango creme brulet.
·
Ontario,
Canada is a wonderful place
to spend a few days. From the raw, rugged beauty of Algonquin, to the city
sights of Toronto, to the magnificence of Niagara Falls - all constant reminders
of God's marvelous creation and man's so-called achievement. The story of the
rise-and-fall of the man who built Toronto's
Casa Loma
is kind of intriguing; maybe I'll tell it in a future update.
Algonquin
was definitely the highlight for both of us, and God willing
we'll go again some day - fellow travelers would be welcome!
·
And for you adventurous souls
who might head to up-province Ontario, may I recommend a truly outstanding
restaurant in Huntsville?
Superb food and incredible blues/jazz:
3 Guys and a Stove.
·
Tolkien
Fans: Read this
great article
about The Man and his Masterpiece. If you haven’t
read Tolkien (Heathen! Loser!),
you iz missin out, lemme tell ya.
·
This is old news, but hey I’m
the one writing, so I’ll post it: We have a new Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of the USA. Here he is, exiting his minivan. Regular
guy, right?
·
I would be remiss if I
didn’t congratulate
Lakshmi
on her third-born. So Congrats!!! Tell the hubby that he has
to straighten up his act now!
And your baby better be nice to my
baby!
J
·KANYE
WEST’s recent
idiocy
stands apart from the criticisms that have been
leveled in recent days at President Bush and his
administration. Need proof?
Read the transcript
of his remarks. This is yet another case
of a non-thinking liberal using the latest
tragedy to unload racial invective. This
is as bad as Jesse Jackson-speak.
·We
bought a Hummer
H2!
For $9.99 from Sam’s Club.
Muahahahaha.
·“The
best part of waking up is Folger’s in your
cup.”
Folger’s got its start in the California gold
rush when a very young Mr. Folger figured out
that miners would pay money for a hot cup of joe
which didn’t involve them roasting and grinding
the beans themselves. It’s my favorite
inexpensive instant coffee. If you
want to spend a little more, try the Indian
coffee Bru.
·I
like coffee a lot more than I should, so here’s
a 2nd bullet on the topic. For
the first time ever, I tried Dunkin Donuts
coffee on a recent Chicago trip. I have
been to DD in past years, but only for the
obvious menu item. DD’s
coffee is superb,
and reasonably priced too. Rich, hearty,
woodsy kind of taste. Much, much better
than Tim Horton’s. Yes, I should insert a
crack here on Canadians, but I’ll be nice
(
GOSH! They can’t even make
good coffee!).
;-)
·China
tree:
Our Bradford
Pear tree was smashed down by the
strong wind and rain storm that we had a few
weeks ago. Made me sad, I must
admit. Soft-wood trees just aren’t up to
the task of robust Midwestern winds.
·Chinese
part 2:
Have you ever tried the fruit known as lychee,
the “King of Fruits”? I was introduced to
it on a recent east coast trip, and have had it
again a couple times since. Not
up to mango status,
yet still very good. Has a light,
refreshing taste. But it ain’t cheap like
red delicious.
Thursday,
August 25,
2005 - Benj
Some More Bullets
·Wise
men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh
insights.Proverbs 18:15,
The Message. Now that’s a thought-provoking
verse. On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you fall in terms of
listening and being open to fresh insights? Hopefully as we
grow and mature in life, we are getting ever closer to the 10
side of the scale. Sometimes, fresh insights come in the form
of rebuke and correction. How good are you at
receiving insights this way? Here’s another relevant verse:
A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack
on the head of a fool. – Proverbs 17:10.
·Sonia and I have enrolled in a three-part course on
nouthetic (biblical) counseling.
The first module is this weekend. Should be interesting.
·I saw a picture last week of a guy that I haven’t seen for 5+
years. Let’s just say that he is not the skinny sapling that he used to be, but
more like a muscle-bound oak. I recently read that for every extra pound of
muscle that you put on, your body burns another 50 calories per day
because of that muscle. So if you put on, say, 6 pounds of muscle, you’re
burning an extra 300 calories per day.
Lift!
·Does your lawn mowing look a little jagged and ragged? Try getting
the blades sharpened, genius. This is another lesson-learned-the-hard-way by my non-technical
dumkoff self.
·I love that word, dumkoff, introduced to me by my MD cuzzins. It is a strong and gentle
word, and is both mildly insulting and endearing. Gotta love nuanced words like
that. Think “pavum” for another example.
·To those who don’t know what pavum means, ask your nearest Indian
Malayalee friend. And then watch your friend get stumped. J It’s one of those words that defies proper
translation into English.
