...a barely thematic journey through my tangentizing mental life...: 07.09

Articles on Laura's Writings

Reactions:

A Bit of Theological Anthropology: describes my position on substance dualism
Dr. Clyde Cook Dies: announcement of the sad news and a re-posting of a tribute from May 2006
Ecclesiology as Missiology: a short post pondering the relationship between the two and which has priority
Lighthouse Trails Takes on JP?: my initial response to finding you LT was after JP
A Response to Lighthouse Trails Criticism of JP Moreland: point by point through LT's critique

I'm starting the nitty-gritty of Talbot's Ph.D. program in a scant few weeks and I'm finding myself stressed about finances (just found out I owe substantial dollars I did not know I owed) and time (I've no clue how long everything will take).

Mind you, my financial situation does not compare with my fellow students (I work at Biola; there are benefits). A bit of careful observation of facts (the "summer class" was really a "fall class") would have headed off the problem and some creative resourcing will help alleviate it. Time is a bigger issue, for it is an unknown. What I can do is determine how much time I have available (a time log will provide the needed data) and then figure out how to do some creative combining and removing.

Anyhow, sorry to complain, but this is the tangent of the day.

Informants
Bones
Starting the Ph.D.

---
Twitter - Facebook

Making Room for Geeks and Tangents

Reactions:

I am a member of a great Bible study; I and my fellow members share two characteristics that make this study a bit different from most I've participated in: we are geeks [1] and we love tangents. Sometimes this combination creates an unfortunate wandering, other times it creates a most amazing synergy of ideas.

So, how can we make more space for synergy and less for wandering?

Two components come into play.

Structure

Have a stated orderliness that front-loads the detailed passage work.
Allow ample space at the end for responsible creativity and tangent riding.

Purposes

Learn subjection to our Lord in all of life, bearing his image well as a people.
Develop wisdom that applies knowledge to the art of living well.

How will we do this? Not sure yet.

[1] I refer here to definition #3 in Merriam-Webster (" an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity"), not the carnival performer with a strange affection for chicken heads.

---
Twitter - Facebook

Speed Bumps on the Primal Journey

Reactions:

My primal journey has two key hindrances right now:

I live in a hostile environment (every food establishment and machine on campus is full of poison junk food and useless carbs).
I'm out of touch with my survival drive.

Some initial thoughts on responding to each:

Hostile environment

Improve information flows (internal and external), seeking better quality and faster delivery.
Make small changes, as larger changes can cause the system to go wonky.

Survival drive

Perform regular praxis, reflecting on chosen inputs and the physical-mental-spiritual responses.
Learn to thoughtfully leverage instinct. (What's behind that yearning for Cool Ranch Doritos?)

Still in progress...

Informants
History of Life: A Very Short Introduction
Primal lifestyle
Thinking in Systems: A Primer

---
Twitter - Facebook

With all due respect to Aunt Sadie's bunions...

Reactions:

it's not that physical health is unimportant.
it's not that life situation is a waste of prayer-effort.

it's that the immaterial self
is a priority.

Informants
Ephesians 3:14-21
Insights on How to Pray

---
Twitter - Facebook

Questions for Gift Giving

Reactions:

Gift giving has both goal and motive and we would do well to check our hearts periodically on each.

Am I giving this gift to honor the other person to because I want something in return?
Is the gift coming from my love for the other or from my love for myself?

Informants
J.P. Moreland on "holiday" and "vacation" in Love Your God With All Your Mind, p 90.
Chef Art Smith on cooking as loving, Top Chef Masters 7/22/09

---
Twitter - Facebook

Teaching for the First Time

Reactions:

This goes out to my friend Prib, who is scheduled to teach a new curriculum for his first full teaching gig in Collegium.

Some hints from Maria Andros (with comment by Laura):

Start with a welcome.

This lays groundwork for relational connections.
It also declares group responsibility for curriculum and learning.

State your authority.

This places you as the leader/teacher.
It also shows you as an expert.

Informants:

Maria Andros
The first run of the reworked Bible Chewing and Beyond

---
Twitter - Facebook

A Christ follower’s view of self--some lessons

Reactions:

Every situation derives its meaning with reference to Christ.
The effective working of God's ability to act works through us in service of his glory.

===
Fodder
A Christ follower’s view of self
Ephesians 3:1-13

---
Twitter - Facebook

Goat Milk Brie and other good stuff

Reactions:

Each element was good beyond words,
so I'll not write anymore.

---
Twitter - Facebook

How can humanity and God be simultaneously free?

Reactions:

On the one hand libertarian freedom
and on the other divine sovereignty:

I believe both are true, without conflict,
though I do not understand how.

===
Resources

---
Twitter - Facebook

Coconut Kefir, pure #primal nom

Reactions:

1-34 oz box of coconut water
1 packet of kefir starter
1/2 c dried, unsweetened coconut meat
enough boiling water to cover the coconut meat

Boil water and pour over coconut meat; let sit until softened. Let cool to ~80 F.
Heat coconut water to ~140 F, then cool to ~80 F.
Using an immersion blender (or standard blender), pulverize the softened coconut meat to release the yummy coconut milk.
Mix a bit of the cooled coconut water with the contents of the starter packet to rehydrate.
Combine all ingredients (I leave the meat in the beverage for use later).
Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for at least 18 hours, or until a desired sourness is attained.
Enjoy.

With a scoop of 100% whey, this makes for a great primal replacement breakfast.

NOTE: After I've consumed the beverage, I drain the remaining coconut meat for use in other recipes...good stuff.

---
Twitter - Facebook

Seven primal websites

Reactions:

Any others?

===
What is primal? See Primal Blueprint 101

---
Twitter - Facebook

"I am Yahweh, and there is no other..."

Reactions:

justice,
clothed in hope
and glory,
comes to deliver,
comes to judge.

Creator,
Owner of all,
Owner of his people,
Lover of his people,

Deliverer.

===
Resource
Isaiah 40-48

---
Twitter - Facebook

Remember that you were...

Reactions:

it's not for the contrast,
as if remembering darkness
made present brighter.

it's for the grace,
God's grace given
in fulfilled requirements
and crucified hostilities.

===
Resources
Ephesians 2:11-22
Imagine...Living Life in Peace

---
Twitter - Facebook

Through incarnation, the Logos voluntarily chose to live without the effects of his own divinity by becoming a servant (/sovereignty) and a human (/non-communicable).

===
Resources
Rom 4:14; 1 Cor 1:17; 9:15; 2 Cor 9:3; Phil 2:7
"Kenosis" in wikipedia

---
Twitter - Facebook