Geoff's Miscellany

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. (Ecc 7:20-22)

The Bible is clear that death and life are in the power of the tongue and that those who understand it will reap the fruits thereof.

Not much to say about it except that I’ve always liked this song:

In the lives of those who are trying to help others and or trying to be successful there is a sort of unspoken debate about yes and no.

Here’s what I mean:

1. Have Firm Boundaries Learn to say no. If you do too much you'll run yourself ragged, give people unhealthy expectations, be spread too thin to do anything with excellence, and have very little leisure time.
2. Be Helpful Say yes to everything. If you say yes you'll have more opportunities, be sought more often, have more adventures, learn new skills, and meet new people.

More anon.

Michael Spencer, Mere Churchianity: Finding Your Way back to Jesus-Shaped Spirituality (Colorado Springs, Colo.: WaterBrook Press, 2010).

Several years ago, maybe when I was in high school, I came across the blog of Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk. One of Michael’s dreams was to help evangelical Christians find an identity that was simultaneously charitable, Biblical, and centered around the traditional practices of protestant piety in a way that put the spiritual focus of individual evangelicals on Jesus himself.

I went to my first concert in a long time tonight.

It was for an 80s coverband named the Spazmatics. They were pretty good.

Observations:

1. The BMI of the concert demographic has changed tremendously.
2. The energy levels of audience members has had an inverse relationship with the BMI.
3. When I was younger, I loved concerts, but I hated loud sounds. It was a love/hate relationship because I have abnormally good hearing. Now that I'm older, I kid you not, concerts are even louder. I used to go to metal shows. This was much louder.
4. The song "Safety Dance" is still awesome.
5. I also enjoyed "Walk Like an Egyptian."

This is a pretty great song.

It’s essentially about how the lead singer found wholeness with his wife. She’s the “tear in my heart” sounds bad, but what he means is “my heart is my armor, she’s the tear in my heart, she’s a carver, she’s a butcher with a smile.” I think he means this in sense that whatever reservations he has about personal growth or the kind of vulnerability it takes to do courageous things are are aspects of his life that his wife helped him find. Good marriages are like this. You have a helper.

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Mat 7:12)

If, on the basis of this command, you decide that every day at work you will make people excited to work with you because of your efficiency, kindness, humor, and knowledge, then in general your work experience will improve.

Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. (Pro 27:23-27)

Anyway, the Bible teaches that it’s simple wisdom to have a backup plan for money and food. Ignore it at your peril. Or luck out and never need it.

Pro 3:1-5 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, (2) for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (3) Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. (4) So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Another question to ask is this: is the author saying that the young man, “my son,” should never lean on his own understanding?

This week I managed to deadlift 325 and 335. That’s good pos operative progress. The 335 lift was at the end of grueling back workout so my forearms and all my back muscles were exhausted. This tells me that I have significant progress to come on dead lift.

Also, this week I starting thinking about how economic principles could easily be used to make predictions about ecology. Biologists have already known this. So have mathematicians. For all I know, somebody told me about it and it just popped into my head.