Musings of a peripatetic wannabe-sage: 08.09

Isaiah 44-45: Tentative Flow of Thought

44:1-8 No Fear

44:1-5 Yahweh, Creator of Jacob, commands his chosen servant Jacob not to fear, for he will bless and restore the nation and the earth.
44:6-7 Yahweh, King, Redeemer, and Lord of armies, the only God, commands not to fear, for he declared them his witnesses from of old.

44:9-23 Creator God

44:9-20 Isaiah describes, in humorous detail, the utter foolishness of trusting a god you've made yourself.
44:21-22 The Creator and Chooser of Israel calls Israel to remember and return, for he has redeemed.
44:23 Isaiah calls the heavens, depths, and forest to sing and shout, Yahweh has redeemed Israel.

44:24-45:13 Chosen Blesser

44:24-28 Yahweh, Redeemer, former of Israel, Creator of everything, and the one who frustrates the prophets of the idols, confirms his prophets, and will restore Israel through Cyrus.
45:1-7 Yahweh, who anointed Cyrus, proves to Cyrus that he is Yahweh by breaking Cyrus' enemies and he proves himself to Israel by calling Cyrus by name before the events occur, so that Israel (all?) may know there is only one true God, Yahweh.
45:8 Yahweh calls the heavens to shower the earth so that righteousness will spring up.
45:9-10 Isaiah (Yahweh?) pronounces a woe upon all who question their maker, comparing them to those who question an in-process-of-birth parent.
45:11-13 Yahweh, Holy One and Maker of Israel, confronts Israel's questioning, reminding the them he is Creator of all and Caller of Cyrus, who is the rebuilder.

45:14-25

45:14 Yahweh gives Yahweh-honoring Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Sabeans to Israel.
45:15-17 Isaiah praises God, who hides himself from idolaters, but saves Israel.
45:18-19 Yahweh, Creator and Former of an orderly earth, declares himself to Israel, reminding his people that he called them openly and clearly and that he is not hidden in chaos.
45:20-23 Those from the ends of the earth are called to assemble, to take counsel with Yahweh, and to turn to him and be saved, for he is the only God and he will be worshiped.
45:24-28 Yahweh declares the conclusion: righteousness and strength are in him, all against him will be put to shame, and all Israel's children shall triumph and glory in him.

Resources
Isaiah 44-45
Prone to Wander
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Holy Time Has Begun: Fall 2009

For the first time since the spring term in 2008, I have once again entered holy time as of 8/26/09. In keeping with Biola requirement and personal conviction (truth-telling and promise-keeping), I abstain from alcoholic beverages during the school term. My last glass for regular time was a lovely smoked porter from Stone (a beautiful thing).

Agreement with the requirement is irrelevant: this school is worth at least this small sacrifice. Despite my desire for policy change (in case you missed the subtle hint in the last sentence), I have found the discipline to be helpful, as it experientially reminds me that my academic life is an offering to God.

If they ever change the rule for grad students, I can honestly say I don't know how I will respond.

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Don't Jump to Conclusions. You'll Hurt Someone.

Assumptions can filter truth out of the evidence, so we must expose our reasoning to our fellows and to known truth. In this relational context, the guidance of wise ones and the foundation of truth can steer us away from unwarranted and/or erroneous conclusions.

Informants

Tribes, by Seth Godin: one another, a leader, and an idea, p. 3
Judgmentalism rears its ugly head, making decisions using insufficient evidence.

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Cabbage-Broccoli Slaw

#primal slaw: cabbage, broccoli, radish, with cider vinegar a... on Twitpic

1 small head, green cabbage, fine slice
1 bunch radishes, sliced
2 small heads, broccoli, steamed and fine chop (you can also use raw broccoli; I steam it because it causes unfortunate digestive issues :-))
~ 1/4 c cider vinegar
to taste, extra virgin olive oil

Prepare all the vegetables.
Put in a covered container with the vinegar and allow to marinate overnight (or at least for a couple hours, I'd guess).
Add olive oil before serving/eating and toss to mix.
Enjoy!

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Primal Lamb Meatloaf

Meatloaf

3 lbs, ground grass-fed lamb
1/4 c, coconut milk
2 ea, ruby sweet potato, baked

Bake sweet potatoes (I put mine in the micro until soft).
Skin and rough chop sweet potatoes
Add coconut milk to sweet potatoes and mix (I use my hands; it's glorious).
Add the ground lamb and mix thoroughly (again, hands are best).
Form mixture into loaf or ring.
Bake at 350 F until the internal temp reaches 150 F.

Sauce

remaining coconut milk from can
1 ea, Bermuda onion, medium dice
2 ea, ripe jalapenos, fine dice
meatloaf drippings

While the meatloaf is baking, caramelize the onions (medium heat, don't rush!).
Once the onion is nicely caramelized, add the diced pepper and saute for a few more minutes.
Add the coconut milk and simmer on low until reduced by about one quarter.
Your meatloaf should have produced some drippings by now (mine produced about a cup). Retrieve these from the pan and add to the sauce. Simmer until it reaches a pleasant sauce consistency.
Serve meatloaf piping hot and covered in the sauce.
Enjoy.

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A Walk Load Discovery

I have discovered that carrying my book bag and food bag (holding food for the day) is about the same workload as 5000 feet. Good to know.

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Isaiah 43--Tentative Flow of Thought

context: 42:21-25 Yahweh exercises just wrath against sinning, rebellious, disobedient Israel.
43:1-7 Yahweh commands Israel to not fear despite impending judgment, for he is their present, redemptive God and he will restore his people.
43:8-13 Yahweh, the only God and Savior, chose Israel to be his witnesses and chosen servant. [1]
43:14-21 Yahweh, Redeemer, Israel's Holy One, Lord of all, Creator and King of Israel, overthrows Babylon, commands Israel to think in a new way, forgetting the old and looking toward the new thing Yahweh is doing.
43:22-24 Despite promised redemption, chosen status, and the new thing Yahweh is doing, Israel burdens Yahweh with sins and iniquities rather than blessing him with sacrifices and offerings.
43:25-28 Yahweh, Israel's Redeemer, calls Israel to take him to court and let the evidence of corporate sin show the punishment as just.

Related:

Isaiah 43

Chosen, Called, and Loved–but Stubborn

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Pondering (Definition)

carefully weighing related ideas using intentional intuition; deliberating with a seemingly unrelated idea-matrix, drawing reasonable inferences; arriving at the best option(s) among the revealed possibilities.

Informants:

definition of "ponder" in Merriam-Webster 7.0 for Windows Mobile, (c) 2004-2007.
definition of "tangent" in Merriam-Webster 7.0 for Windows Mobile, (c) 2004-2007.

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The Mountain Walk in Pictures

During my vacation, I've been doing my morning walk in the mountain neighborhood. It's not like I'm walking a trail or anything, but there are a couple good inclines and the effects of 5000 feet on a flat-lander. All in all, it's been a good week, primal wise.

Here's the walk, turn by turn, with times (AM).

8:36

8:37

8:37 a few seconds later