Pilgrim Notes

Reflections along the way.

Category: Uncategorized (page 13 of 22)

Tammuz

Israel just entered a three week period of mourning known as Tammuz. Many of their great tragedies have happened during this season. Tammuz mourns the brokenness and evil present in this world and longs for the day when good will overcome evil and Tammuz will shift from mourning to rejoicing.

I mourn for the anguish all across the Middle East. I am not a foreign policy expert, but I am a human. And I anguish over the suffering among the Jews and Arabs, and long for the day when peace will blanket the region. May both sides find wisdom in the midst of this darkening calamity.

Parallels

Earlier this year, I switched from PC to Macbook Pro at the urging of my brother and friend Gordon. My biggest concern was use of my Bible study software. While there are some Mac programs they are not as robust as the bible research software available for PC. But I switched in hopes that there would soon be support for the new Intel chip. Last week I installed Parallels Desktop for Mac and installed Windows XP. Unlike Boot Camp, Parallels runs alongside the Mac and you can easily switch between systems.

After using my bible software for a week, I must say that I am completely delighted with Parallels. These programs run faster than they did on my old Dell. So if you’re thinking about switching and have some PC programs, I recommend Parallels!

Kidney Update

Some folks have been asking about the new kidney, so I thought I might give a few updates. This Wednesday will be four weeks after the surgery. I’m still home recovering but I’m feeling great. The scar is still a little sore, but I am feeling stronger each day.

I try to walk at least 20 to 30 minutes a day to try and build up my stamina.

I currently go for checkups once a week. So far everything has been going well. One medication keeps my blood sugar elevated but hopefully when they reduce that things will go back to normal. My blood pressure has also been running a little higher than normal but once again I am on so many medications that hopefully as things come down the bp will also go down.

While I feel like doing more, I’ve been trying to stay home and rest, letting my body fully recover. They originally told me to wait at least six weeks to recover. I can go out in public but I’ve avoided large crowds. So I spend most of my day reading, writing and a little arithmatic.

When I first talked to the doctors last summer about transplant options, they explained all the medications and the effects. I wondered if transplant would really be that much better than dialysis. No comparison. This is so much easier on my body. Plus, I have been blessed in that the medications have not caused me to have some of the more uncomfortable side effects.

I am grateful for this new lease on life and am feeling better and better. Izaak went for a checkup, so I’ll post on that later.

Thanks for all the notes, emails and encouraging words.

Superman: Christ or Anti-Christ?

I’ve been looking forward to the new Superman movie because I love the mythic power of comic book movies. As I’ve scanned the various reviews, I’ve noted multiple writers suggesting a link between this new Superman and Jesus Christ. MSNBC calls Superman the “inspiring story of a savior.” NY Times suggests that Superman has come to save mankind from its sins. And in one sense, superheros do reveal some savior characteristics.

02_poster.jpg
But as much as I want to see the film, it is hard for me to see Superman as Christ. I was actually joking to someone yesterday that Superman is just like Jesus except that Superman is strong and Jesus is weak. The mystery and offense of Jesus is the cross. He comes in weakness. He is mocked, rejected and eventually killed. Yes he does demonstrate feats of strength through miracles but his miracles are clearly not the focus of his ministry. The cross is the defining event of his life. Von Balthasar says that Jesus falls so low that all future human falling and failing is falling into him.

In his weakness, we find one who can cover our weakness and failures. And despite our bravado, most realize our frailty and falleness. I hope.

As I was thinking about this, I found an interesting perspective from Acton Institute. Jordan Bailor writes:

Superman, the secular savior-figure, manifests the superlative qualities that the world worships: power, strength, immortality. Jesus Christ embodies mercy, weakness, and suffering. But as Paul also writes, “The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”

I think is interesting that the film is titled “Superman Returns.” Sort of like the return of Christ. And this makes me think of how someitimes Christians like to emphasize Jesus Christ returning in POWER. Sometimes I wonder if we are embarassed of the weakly Jesus and can’t wait to serve a Jesus that busts a few heads.

I guess the message of the cross offends just about everyone.

The darkness within

Looks like the next Spiderman wrestles with the darkness within his own soul. This could be interesting. I sure wish those engaged in political dialogue in this country would have more awareness of their own personal weakness. Maybe the self-righteuos finger-point from left to right and from right to left would slow down. Maybe not.

Would that we all might learn the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian:

Yea, O Lord King, grant me to see mine own failings and not to condemn my brother. For Thou are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen

Twilight Zone Mash-up

Just what I've been waiting for: Planet of the Apes seen as an episde of Twilight Zone.

Floydville

I decided to keep my long meditations over at Floydville and use this blog to send out the interesting developments I am noticing on the web and in our culture so I renamed this blog Doug Watching. I will however notify when a Floydville post pops up.

Transalation lation what's your station?

Here's a game, translate, retranslate, retranslate, and repeat watch how you phrase shifts using this non-human translations software. 

Apple back at Best Buy.

Best Buy is going to start selling Apples again, so I guess CompUsa is going to start selling peaches and cream.

Looks Like Downloadable Movies are Almost Here

Engadget reports that Netflix may release special set top box for downloading films before the end of the year. Rock!

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 Pilgrim Notes

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑