THE NAIVETE OF ADVOCACY

The naïveté of advocacy consists of thinking that if people just “see” something they’ll change.

There are two problems with that view.

1. The majority NEVER “see” it.

2. The majority of those who do “SEE” it think that seeing is enough.

Advocacy must persuade. In the world this is done through manipulation. In the spiritual realm this is accomplished, not by our rhetoric, but by the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart.

THE BLESSINGS OF COFFEE

I did not grow up in a coffee drinking home, but as an adult I learned to appreciate this wonderful adult beverage when I went to work at an office where they served gourmet coffee every day. It is a gift from God through the hands of the growers and roasters. I’d like to share with you briefly about my five favorite coffees of all time.

1. Andersen’s: this is the best restaurant coffee I have ever tasted, and may be my favorite of all time, although I haven’t tasted any in over ten years. I once drank so much of it that I could not sleep at all. I’d do it again, but the Buellton, California restaurant is some 2000 miles from where I live now.

2. Volcano: a rich coffee available from Trader Joe’s. This coffee just kind of fills up all your senses with alertness and joy.

3. Texas Pinon: a New Mexico Coffee Company product. I loved the unique taste of the original Pinon, but this is even more vibrant.

4. Manzano Italiano: another New Mexico Coffee Company product. This coffee is filled with well-being.

5. Human Being: a Coffee People product. You have to go to the Portland, Oregon airport to get this one, but it’s worth it.

By the way, Kona coffee is undoubtedly the best coffee in the world, but it’s beyond my normal budgetary reach.

Maybe you have your own favorites.

ILLINOIS AUTUMN: The Rustle

THE RUSTLE

She thought
The rains
Had come
Again
But
It was
Only
The Rustle
Of the leaves
Across the roof
I've heard them
Myself
Across the pavement
Carried
By the wind
And they
Remind
That even
The Dead
Can testify
When moved
By the Breath
Of God

-28 October 2000

FROM THE BOOK OF OPINIONS

The "BOOK OF OPINIONS" is an actual book which exists. It contains, as of today's date, 5,745 of my opinions.

Here is opinion number 2 from chapter 1.

THE TRUTH CANNOT BE DEBATED, ONLY OBEYED.

JUST A THOUGHT

JESUS always laid the responsibility for having faith on the disciples.

TWO WAYS OF READING THE BIBLE

Since 1966 I have read through the entire Bible 120 times. I’ve read it in 27 different translations so far. Right now I’m reading my 28th translation. Over the years I’ve learned much. I’d like to recommend two different ways of reading the Bible which each produce different results.

The first time I read through the Bible it took almost two full years. It was hard, even as a teenager, to learn the discipline of reading something every day. So many times we are daunted by such a large book as the Bible. One way of reading is just to do as much as you can each day and not worry about meeting any kind of deadline. There is no virtue in either the speed or amount of reading.

On the other hand, there is a time and place for a fast read, if you’re able to do it. Almost by accident in 1995 I did my first “Bible Dash”. In 16 days I read through the entire Bible. I set aside other reading, and television viewing, etc. to do it. This was amazing because for the first time I saw the entire flow of the scriptures in a way I’d never seen it before. Since then I’ve done at least one Bible Dash every year.

The slower method is like sipping. The faster one is like a big gulp. The slower gives depth and hand holds for living. The faster gives the Big Picture and the context of the scripture. However you choose to read, I’d encourage you to make a start and not quit until you’ve done it all. And then, of course, it’s a good idea to start it again because fast or slow you don’t get it all on one time or even 121 times.

ILLINOIS AUTUMN: The Flight

THE FLIGHT

Already
They've started
Their flight
What was
Rooted
Yesterday
Has
Cut its
Brilliance
By maybe
Half
I thought
We'd surely
Have them
For
Weeks to come
But
The Flight
It seems
Has begun
The canopy
Is weaving
A carpet

- 19 October 2000