tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post2215631411680130801..comments2024-03-28T12:10:26.197-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Sinister Ministers and Reptilian KleptocratsGagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-74262380514489119802011-03-14T14:03:42.053-07:002011-03-14T14:03:42.053-07:00That's alright - subscribers saw it, and they&...That's alright - subscribers saw it, and they're probably the only ones paying attention, anyway. I thought it was a good comment.<br /><br />But as for being eaten, I can sympathize. I've been commenting here for years now, but my comments had never been never dumped until the past couple of weeks; then it happened three times. Seems you can't talk about erecting buildings or earning income anymore without getting the boot...juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-8989006258433400702011-03-14T14:00:33.956-07:002011-03-14T14:00:33.956-07:00It might have been user error. Here it is (my ori...It might have been user error. Here it is (my original speal on it):<br /><br />Well, I don't know that "buying" yourself treasures in heaven is the right way to put it.<br /><br />Compassion is a manifestation of grace. It doesn't create grace -- at least, not in the one showing the compassion. It may spread grace by the example of its manifestation -- to others.<br /><br />So doling out money to people really doesn't gain you anything in the vertical world. Although this is exactly where the left goes with it.<br /><br />If doling out money makes you compassionate, and being compassionate means you're a <a href="http://www.peekinthewell.net/blog/i-made-a-new-word-xxviii/" rel="nofollow">GoodPerson™</a> then it doesn't matter <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2012:41-44&version=ESV" rel="nofollow">how much of a sacrifice</a> it was for you to give what you give. This of course can be extended to "reason" (rationalize) that forcing others to give is a form of said giving and earns you GoodPerson™ points even though what was given wasn't yours to give.<br /><br />This is not to say that one cannot eventually arrive at a point of realization of grace from a starting point of ostentatious giving through the experience (n) one might subsequently encounter via the process and feedback that might stir real compassion in you... but that's really not the same thing as "buying".philmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10385793223534322848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-14101758406483201952011-03-14T13:56:36.723-07:002011-03-14T13:56:36.723-07:00I had put up a previous comment (before the Ephesi...I had put up a previous comment (before the Ephesians comment) where I talked a little more about compassion being a manifestation of grace rather than currency with which to buy it, but it looks like it got spam-filtered out or eaten by an HTML submit form somewhere.philmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10385793223534322848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-12833418525119527592011-03-14T12:50:43.268-07:002011-03-14T12:50:43.268-07:00If I distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and...If I distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.St. Paulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-73010093717699812502011-03-14T12:27:39.222-07:002011-03-14T12:27:39.222-07:00Philmon - agreed. The idea that grace can be bough...Philmon - agreed. The idea that grace can be bought as a commodity reeks of indulgences. I'm not certain what translation Matthew had in mind, but <a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/6-20.htm" rel="nofollow">the passage he seemed to be referencing</a> was about <i>storing</i> treasures in heaven. Not buying.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-9530793966059865612011-03-14T12:05:36.909-07:002011-03-14T12:05:36.909-07:00A friend and I were talking about this on the side...A friend and I were talking about this on the side... he brought up this passage (Eph 2:4-10)<br /><br />Eph 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, <br />Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- <br />Eph 2:6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, <br />Eph 2:7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. <br />Eph 2:8 <b>For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, </b><br />Eph 2:9 <b>not a result of works, so that no one may boast. </b><br />Eph 2:10 <b>For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. </b><br /><br />and commented: <i>Another verse on grace, there is no way to buy grace. It's God's gift to us so we will have nothing to brag about how we "earned" Heaven.</i><br /><br />In Bob terms (if I read his book right), ↑ is a reflection of ↓ . We must be able to make ourselves sufficiently __ to reflect ↓ back ↑.<br /><br />Taking a liberty with Bob's __, perhaps it takes a certain amount of humility to achieve __.<br /><br />Through ↓, we can become more __ and "return" ↓ better as ↑. But it is not the ↑ that gains us "heaven", but maybe more the doing what it takes to be __. For when we're __, we are closer to O. As a consequence, we are better vessels ... er ... mirrors for ↓.<br /><br />I could be totally off on this in Bobinology. But there's a take on it.philmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10385793223534322848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-76576777691046990112011-03-14T09:27:27.795-07:002011-03-14T09:27:27.795-07:00Well, I don't know that "buying" you...Well, I don't know that "buying" yourself treasures in heaven is the right way to put it.<br /><br />Compassion is a manifestation of grace. It doesn't create grace -- at least, not in the one showing the compassion. It may spread grace by the example of its manifestation -- to others.<br /><br />So doling out money to people really doesn't gain you anything in the vertical world. Although this is exactly where the left goes with it.<br /><br />If doling out money <i>makes</i> you compassionate, and being compassionate means you're a <a href="http://www.peekinthewell.net/blog/i-made-a-new-word-xxviii/" rel="nofollow">GoodPerson™</a> then it doesn't matter <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2012:41-44&version=ESV" rel="nofollow">how much of a sacrifice it was for</a> you to give what you give. This of course can be extended to "reason" (rationalize) that forcing others to give is a form of said giving and earns you GoodPerson™ points even though what was given wasn't yours to give.<br /><br />This is not to say that one cannot eventually arrive at a point of realization of grace from a starting point of ostentatious giving through the experience (n) one might subsequently encounter via the process and feedback that might stir real compassion in you... but that's really not the same thing as "buying".philmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10385793223534322848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-24915310579233224042011-03-13T14:42:54.609-07:002011-03-13T14:42:54.609-07:00DaniGirl, that's a good point. After all, one ...DaniGirl, that's a good point. After all, one of the things they're always freaking out about is "peak" [insert favorite resource here]. We're running out of [<i>x</i>], they shriek, when often the reality is just the opposite. Rainforests, spotted owls, polar bears, caribou... Last week I actually saw an article about "peak coffee," the rationale for the fear being that "warming" will result in diminished crops. Apparently, they've dropped the word "global" but they haven't lost their faith. <br /><br />As for peak oil, while I don't doubt it's real I think the earth holds more and that the source is more mysterious than many would have us believe. Also, if they were truly concerned and truly serious about finding alternative energy sources they'd be much more supportive of developing and improving nuclear power.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-86881541552032475722011-03-13T13:07:18.701-07:002011-03-13T13:07:18.701-07:00I have to think that one of the main causes of env...I have to think that one of the main causes of envy, especially envy that runs as deep as that in the heart and mind of the leftist, is being cut off from the divine... or more pointedly, the infinite. To be so cut off is to live in the finite (the base/carnal/purely physical... whatever phrase you like best). They believe that life is a zero-sum game, and that what one person has takes away from the finite amount of money/success/love/notoriety in the world. They take it personally... because they feel it is therefore denied to them. <br /><br />This is of course false. For with God the Infinite there is no limit to what may be brought into the world... since He brought all that there is into it in the first place! <br /><br />But there's the rub for the envious... the vicious cycle they make for themselves. They will not be humble and acknowledge the source of prosperity, thus making their heart and mind and life open to receiving it. Thus all that is left to them is envy. And the more they envy... the further they buy into the zero-sum mindset.<br /><br />This is what our self satisfied and officious do-gooders of the leftist persuasion have been trying so hard to systemetize in our society. And with some success... as we can plainly see from the hysterics in Wisconsin, or at any other time a "sacred cow" comes due for trimming.DaniGirlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-84551833321019026892011-03-11T17:53:00.587-08:002011-03-11T17:53:00.587-08:00Jesus actually taught we could buy grace by giving...Jesus actually taught we could buy grace by giving to those who need it. That's how it seems to read.Matthew C Smallwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08234878138545287306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-7144851385285704732011-03-11T08:28:29.056-08:002011-03-11T08:28:29.056-08:00Matthew - excellent observation. Whatever happened...Matthew - excellent observation. Whatever happened to giving in secret?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-40207207546464836742011-03-11T06:36:08.092-08:002011-03-11T06:36:08.092-08:00I just heard from someone in Maui. He was packing...I just heard from someone in Maui. He was packing and evacuating a few hours ago.<br /><br />Mighty unpleasant event.<br /><br />At least it didn't hit Tokyo itself.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11126071014909954387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-22293428693303903882011-03-11T05:52:54.573-08:002011-03-11T05:52:54.573-08:00Northern Bandit, that idea of working "backwa...Northern Bandit, that idea of working "backwards" to your derivative opposite is intriguing. "Buy yourself treasures in heaven"?Matthew C Smallwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08234878138545287306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-63484470611727607952011-03-11T01:40:02.603-08:002011-03-11T01:40:02.603-08:00Yikes - I hope if there are any low-lying Pacific ...Yikes - I hope if there are any low-lying Pacific Coasters that you folks are getting to high ground this morning.<br /><br />Can't believe the footage from Japan. Devastating.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-28602353796601555822011-03-11T00:56:39.611-08:002011-03-11T00:56:39.611-08:00Philmon said...
Incidentally, if this blog is for...Philmon said... <br />Incidentally, if this blog is for innerattainment purposes only, is Sea World for Entertainment Porpoises only?<br /><br />Ha! :^)<br /><br />I bet they have cross porpoises too.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-24356766701810852342011-03-11T00:54:09.780-08:002011-03-11T00:54:09.780-08:00"And speaking of the left, here is a perennia..."And speaking of the left, here is a perennial truth about them -- their all-purpose excuse for violating the Constitution: Compassion is the best excuse for envy. And envy, of course, is the best excuse for theft. For Envy differs from the other vices by the ease with which it disguises itself as a virtue (DC)."<br /><br />Aye! I would go as far as to say that anyone that is envious, and therefore bitter and ungrateful, cannot possibly be compassionate in any true sense of the word.<br /><br />This is abundantly evident when (inevitably) the so called "good intentions" of the Left hurts (and in many cases kills) people, liberty, jobs, property, etc. (not only the folks they steal from but the folks they say they are gonna help).<br /><br />For the leftist never feels remorse for the destruction they cause, choosing instead to place the blame on someone else rather than themselves, or, if they do manage to admit the truth, feel justified and redeemed by their own murderous "good intentions" regardless of the results.<br /><br />That is not compassion.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-44127872024607096242011-03-10T19:36:28.774-08:002011-03-10T19:36:28.774-08:00Dear Mr. B - thanks for the tour through Hell. In ...Dear Mr. B - thanks for the tour through Hell. In case you want to read a blog dedicated to traditional studies here is a link: http://www.gornahoor.net/?p=1275#comment-8083 (not my blog). The reptilian group-mind is slowly coalescing into something very real, right here in good ole A-Merry-K.Matthew C Smallwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08234878138545287306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-43801428022660835402011-03-10T19:27:59.543-08:002011-03-10T19:27:59.543-08:00Julie said:
Again and again, the left makes the mi...Julie said:<br /><i>Again and again, the left makes the mistake of thinking that if only people are given the trappings of success, they will choose to raise themselves to that level of success. Instead, their failure has been rewarded by the givers, who maintain the delusion that if only the "the poor" are given enough handouts they will eventually wish to succeed.</i><br /><br />This reminds me of a conversation I had some years back with my very moonbat brother-in-law. My stolen car had been recovered down in the projects, and we were driving out there with a trailer to bring home what was left of my Honda. As we drove through increasingly shitty neighborhoods he remarked how sad it was that all these people had to live in such crummy surroundings, while others were so filthy rich.<br />I pointed out that if all the money in the country were taken away, and distributed evenly among all the people that it wouldn't take long before the rich were rich again, and the poor would be right back here where they belonged. He agreed, but said that it still wasn't fair. "Fair", I said, would only happen if everyone were forced to have the same. He didn't think that was such a bad idea.<br /><br />JWMJWMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05564732483476859555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-68986142604380822862011-03-10T17:07:45.180-08:002011-03-10T17:07:45.180-08:00JP -
Ah - good to see you've changed your mi...JP - <br /><br />Ah - good to see you've changed your mind on that one.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-48426283457154086972011-03-10T17:03:37.415-08:002011-03-10T17:03:37.415-08:00Ah, the gentle paring of horizontal men and the se...Ah, the gentle paring of <a href="http://www.publiusforum.com/2011/03/09/atheists-for-islam-happy-to-support-religion/" rel="nofollow">horizontal men and the serpents</a> who would bite their necks and turn them to ash...juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-81363747301942153812011-03-10T17:01:38.774-08:002011-03-10T17:01:38.774-08:00No, I thought it was a good idea.
Although I'...No, I thought it was a good idea. <br /><br />Although I've never been particularly good at enjoying life or having fun, so it's hard to apply.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11126071014909954387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-28100535480228727642011-03-10T16:53:42.576-08:002011-03-10T16:53:42.576-08:00Does it still seem that way to you?Does it still seem that way to you?juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-53155263821189175302011-03-10T16:45:07.378-08:002011-03-10T16:45:07.378-08:00Bob says:
"This is a point Dennis Prager oft...Bob says:<br /><br />"This is a point Dennis Prager often discusses, and which is absolutely central to Judaism, that is, the bright line between man (neshama, the higher self) and animal (nefesh, the lower self), and the intrinsic sin of denying or effacing it. And equally as important, Judaism emphasizes integration, not denial, of the lower self. God very much wants us to have a good time and to partake of all permitted pleasures."<br /><br />I always found this odd about Judaism, since it was so far from what I perceived to be the Christian ideal of poverty, austerity, and suffering.<br /><br />It seemed very hedonistic and non-spiritual when I first found out about it.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11126071014909954387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-32234089772253318162011-03-10T16:25:19.784-08:002011-03-10T16:25:19.784-08:00JWM says:
"As long as they have what they wa...JWM says:<br /><br />"As long as they have what they want, why does it disturb them so that others have more?"<br /><br />Because they they are losing the game.<br /><br />This is why it always bothers me when other people make more money than I do (or, as in college, when they got better grades than I did). Because then I am losing and therefore failing at life.<br /><br />Nope, it's not rational, but that's the problem of adopting the concept of life as a competition to be won. <br /><br />After all, there can be only one winner.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11126071014909954387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-28395000082409502012011-03-10T16:08:38.886-08:002011-03-10T16:08:38.886-08:00The poor man does not envy the rich man for the op...<i>The poor man does not envy the rich man for the opportunities for noble behavior which wealth facilitates, but rather for the degradations which wealth makes possible.</i><br /><br />Bob has written a number of times how -- I'm paraphrasing and may not have it exactly right -- your life seems to come into focus as a coherent and meaningful narrative as you draw closer to O (in my personal case, to Jesus Christ, but all O is good O). When I first started to see some success in business I was very much on the "degradation" side of the equation--think a far less egregious version of Charlie Sheen (at least I hope it was less egregious - memory...ah... parts are missing). During that period I had at least as many setbacks professionally as successes, and the overall road was generally bumpy in all respects.<br /><br />When Bob mentioned public school today it resonated as we've just located the perfect little Christian academy for our little Katie, who isn't even a year old yet. We met the man who single-handedly built the place up from a single room in a basement 20 years ago. You know the type of person I mean--<i>clearly</i> doing God's work and it shows. Anyhow for about a year now I've had this fairly strong desire--it almost feels like a lightness, a gentle tugging from above--to put some serious money into organizations like this (i.e., Judeo-Christian principles, absolute separation from any form of government, small-ish scale, locally controlled). If there can be such a thing as a pleasant, positive obsession I think I'm developing it. I want to give schools like that one fifteen or twenty mil. Which brings me to my latest business venture in big pharma, which is growing like an explosion on rails right now--far more rapidly and successfully than it seems possible to me. Almost like doors are being opened and people put in our path by some... well you get the picture. <br /><br />From O's vantage I suppose strengthening some local Christian schools in Canada and Massachusetts can be accomplished by simply working "backward" with someone who is open to grace, and increasingly indifferent to monetary wealth (as opposed to Love) in order to make it happen. It's a strange but wonderful feeling.Stephen Macdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474300559219020772noreply@blogger.com