22.7.03
Had a good session with my counselor, yet still was feeling loose when I got home this evening. Don't know what it was, but I was feeling on the edge. Unfortunately, I have substituted smoking for drinking. Sure, I am drinking more tea and less coffee and pop, but the smoking definitely is not a safe thing. But, I eventually calmed down enough to go upstairs and start situating things for the move to my apartment.
Read something awfully disturbing. The two sons of Hussein are reportedly dead. The WHite house issued a statement saying it was "pleased" that the two were confirmed dead. A Christian claiming to be pleased that two people were killed. Regardless what atrocities these two may have committed, I am sorry, but for someone professing to be guided by their faith and asking for prayers and blessings for his war.....I am appalled. Yes, the two sons have been known to be heartless, cold-blooded, and down-right evil. But, to be "pleased" with the death of a human being is not humane. Nor is it Christian. We have no right to pass judgement on someone, much less be happy that someone is dead. Some would say this post is judging President Bush, I don't think so. I pray for him, I really do. I pray that God will guide him in his work and Mr. Bush will do the best for the country. Unfortunately, it seems that he feels the need to finish up his dad's buisness, and continue doing the business on the country. Never mind that unemployment is up; never mind that many of us in lower tax brackets did not get a tax break from the cut (some of us actually paid more!); never mind that there is increasing discontent amongst the people; never mind that when my generation and the generations after me get to retirement, there very well may be no such thing. I'm sure it seems I am just rattling off trite and worn out liberal statements. Maybe I am....but I am reading even some moderate conservatives are getting scared of the new triumverate of Bush, Rumsfeld, and Ashcroft. THere were a couple of Triumverates in Ancient Rome. And we all now how that story ended.....each one degenerated into chaos, and Rome eventually went the way of Greece, the Celts, the Arayans, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Hittites. There is a reason why people say those who do not notice history are doomed to repeat it. I really hope everybody is paying attention: Democrats and Republicans, liberal and conservative, secular and sacred. 'Cause all those listed above.....are gone. Faded into the past. Like dust in the wind. But, currently, it appears everyone in Washington has not cracked open their books.
Read something awfully disturbing. The two sons of Hussein are reportedly dead. The WHite house issued a statement saying it was "pleased" that the two were confirmed dead. A Christian claiming to be pleased that two people were killed. Regardless what atrocities these two may have committed, I am sorry, but for someone professing to be guided by their faith and asking for prayers and blessings for his war.....I am appalled. Yes, the two sons have been known to be heartless, cold-blooded, and down-right evil. But, to be "pleased" with the death of a human being is not humane. Nor is it Christian. We have no right to pass judgement on someone, much less be happy that someone is dead. Some would say this post is judging President Bush, I don't think so. I pray for him, I really do. I pray that God will guide him in his work and Mr. Bush will do the best for the country. Unfortunately, it seems that he feels the need to finish up his dad's buisness, and continue doing the business on the country. Never mind that unemployment is up; never mind that many of us in lower tax brackets did not get a tax break from the cut (some of us actually paid more!); never mind that there is increasing discontent amongst the people; never mind that when my generation and the generations after me get to retirement, there very well may be no such thing. I'm sure it seems I am just rattling off trite and worn out liberal statements. Maybe I am....but I am reading even some moderate conservatives are getting scared of the new triumverate of Bush, Rumsfeld, and Ashcroft. THere were a couple of Triumverates in Ancient Rome. And we all now how that story ended.....each one degenerated into chaos, and Rome eventually went the way of Greece, the Celts, the Arayans, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Hittites. There is a reason why people say those who do not notice history are doomed to repeat it. I really hope everybody is paying attention: Democrats and Republicans, liberal and conservative, secular and sacred. 'Cause all those listed above.....are gone. Faded into the past. Like dust in the wind. But, currently, it appears everyone in Washington has not cracked open their books.
20.7.03
Still trying to get the hang of this dang thing. I've written at least two more items that what is posted, and I have no clue where they went. Still have yet to get cracking on my paper for the class. I know what I am writing on: the Psalms as ideal hymns or sources for hymns. I've got the books for my references out as well. I just don't have a space in the apartment right now I can call the area to homework. Maybe when I finally move into my own place. I'm just having a load of trouble getting my ass moving. I'm hoping it is just the change in medication that is slowing me down and nothing else. Maybe the advent of my surgery is also weighing on me as well. I haven't gotten as much done in research and composition this summer as I was hoping. My time being laid up after surgery might be a good time to give that a try. It is very possible I am putting too much pressure on myself to do something. THe pressure could be restricting my ability to be flexible.
Now, about the Psalms. How could something from the Jewish faith apply to the way that we as Christians sing hymns? Beisides Christianity's roots in the Judaic faith, a good chunk of the "good old hymns" our parents and grandparents enjoy were inspired by or are adaptations of the Psalms. Issac Watts, Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, and the Church Fathers (like Ambrose, Augustine, Basil) used the Psalms or were inspired by the Psalms for their some of their texts. THe Psalms hold a place in history as being a dialogue with God, and a written account of Isreal's history with Him. While tradition holds the entire book was written by King David, the book was likely compiled into the present form in the 6th century BCE for the 2nd Temple (which was completed in 515 BCE). Psalms hold a unique quality of being both corporate and individual. THere is no real distinction between the individual and the worshipping group as a whole. THe hymns of praise, thanksgiving, the cries of distress, pleas for forgiviness all could be prayed and sung by one person, one family, one tribe, one nation. I and we are interchangable because all are children of God. The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of the Old Testament; it is the hymnbook of not only the Isrealite nation, but also of the Christian people.
Now, about the Psalms. How could something from the Jewish faith apply to the way that we as Christians sing hymns? Beisides Christianity's roots in the Judaic faith, a good chunk of the "good old hymns" our parents and grandparents enjoy were inspired by or are adaptations of the Psalms. Issac Watts, Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, and the Church Fathers (like Ambrose, Augustine, Basil) used the Psalms or were inspired by the Psalms for their some of their texts. THe Psalms hold a place in history as being a dialogue with God, and a written account of Isreal's history with Him. While tradition holds the entire book was written by King David, the book was likely compiled into the present form in the 6th century BCE for the 2nd Temple (which was completed in 515 BCE). Psalms hold a unique quality of being both corporate and individual. THere is no real distinction between the individual and the worshipping group as a whole. THe hymns of praise, thanksgiving, the cries of distress, pleas for forgiviness all could be prayed and sung by one person, one family, one tribe, one nation. I and we are interchangable because all are children of God. The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of the Old Testament; it is the hymnbook of not only the Isrealite nation, but also of the Christian people.
