Made in Heaven, Revised

I was just listening to a song that said that, "I was made to love you." I remember thinking that. I remember when I thought that this was my purpose. I also remember the time when I thought that I was made in order to be loved by Him, because he had to meet his needs, too. Now, I'm kind of thinking that he made me because he loves me.

Wouldn't that be pretty neat? No strings attached, no justification needed as to why. The very fact that you exist could be the fact that God loves you.

And some people live in some very sucky situations and constantly have to deal with things that life throws at them. For them, the love of God must seem so far away. I wonder if he is? I wonder if he isn't suffering right along with them, going through it with them on the cross as they live it in the moment, protecting them from the worst of it. All to deliver them to another life where the trials of this world will seem so small and insignificant.

And when life seems at its worst and you feel like you'd rather die than go one more step. He is there, he feels that pain, it hurts him as deeply as it does you. He hasn't left you to suffer alone, he has stayed and suffered with you, and in some way you have suffered with him as well.

Previous Comments:

Some days, I write something and have no idea, "Why the hell did I write that?" Today must be one of those days!

Posted by HarryTick on September 27, 2003 at 10:22:38 PM

The Speed of Life

Sometimes the pace of life seems to remind me of a river. Sometimes it is smooth and easygoing, just drifting along. Other times it is angry and turbulent, like rapids, and still other times are just swift. Right now I'm in the rapids. It can't be helped. In order to get downriver, I have to pass through these rapids.

Funny thing about "shooting the rapids", you never get to choose exactly how you get through, but like the tour guides for the whitewater rafting companies, you learn how to try and set yourself up so that the rapids have the least negative effect while giving you the best ride.

The summer before my family moved to Hawaii, I took my wife and kids to a family reunion on my dad's side of the family. While we were up in Idaho, we went on a river trip with my dad's cousin who is a Whitewater Rafting guide. The thing we were looking forward to wasn't the calm, smooth part of the river, but rather the adventure of challenging nature in the rapids of the Snake River.

And it was, it was every bit as exciting as we had hoped. The water crashing over the bow of the raft and soaking us; the anticipation and sense of urgency as we set up our approach to go through the rapids at an angle that would assure us of the best ride through to the other side!

There are a lot of up and downs in the rapids, but once we got into the calm, I found myself looking back at the rapids. I found myself defining my experience in the river by the rapids. Face it, one river bend looks exactly like another, but each stage of rapids is new and exciting.

Now, I find myself in another of life's rapids as I get ready for deployment, I must make sure that a ton of personal matters are taken care of, the nearest of which is clearing housing, which also includes moving out, getting storage space, and integrating myself into a friend's life who has offered to take me in during my time of transition.

I don't see the rapids ending anytime real soon, and sometimes the distance between the rapids isn't or doesn't seem very long at all, but I am confident that one way or another, there is always an other side to them! At the times of stark terror and fear in the midst of a wild ride, thats the one thing that brings peace, regardless of the ups and downs.

Fear Factor

This past week, on the TV show Fear Factor, the competitors battled their fears and each other for $1,000,000. The gentleman who won, happened to be a Christian, a fact that was fairly evident by his reaction from the first event I saw him complete. When he won, I remarked to my wife, "Well, the Christians will now feel justified, and they will virtually have parties in celebration." I also commented on how, had he not won, the comments would've remarked how God was protecting this man from some sin associated with the money.

How wrong could I have been, because I have just witnessed an online discussion which began as I described; a celebration that a man who "trusts" in God, had acquired filthy, worldly lucre "by his faith". :::eyeroll::: As the discussion progressed the very same argument I had supposed would've happened if he had lost began to appear and take on a different shape. Instead of claiming that God had protected this openly christian man from a sin somehow associated with money, these people were anticipating sin from this man!!

I'm reminded of James' comment about praise and cursing coming forth from the same mouth! On the one hand, all these Christians were claiming a victory for God and Christian faith, but on the other hand, they were only waiting for their "fellow Christian" to fall flat on his face. Actually, actively anticipating the event! I swear, you can't get ahead for trying with some people. On top of all that, they were debating what "righteous" use he should put his money to, and whether or not he should pay tithing on what "God" had provided for him.

I wonder what light that casts the last female to be eliminated in, whose desire for the money was to spend most of it on extended family members living in poverty in Vietnam?

I just hope that he does something fun and enjoys the money. He did some gross, nasty stuff to earn it. Meanwhile, I think I'm gonna go sin and covet the gentleman's winnings!! :::biggrin:::

Previous Comments:

I saw that episode. Todd says, if there is a God, he just watches, does not interact for good or ill, and enjoys his creation for the heck of it. Well, I don't believe that, but, what if all the contestants were Christian? Oh, then it would be the MOST righteous man (or woman) the winner. Come on. Rain falls on the just and the unjust; likewise, winning one million dollars because you ate a bunch of bugs and crashed a bike (or whatever) is just that; you ate a bunch of bugs and crashed the bike better than the other guy. There are lots of what would be considered evil people who have a lot more millions than you or I (hence, Todd's philosophy). How did that happen? I just visited a Mormon uncle who two years ago sold his house in Californina and bought 30 wooded acres with two houses on it in Oregon with the proceeds. He has other properties that he is selling and is pretty well off. He and his wife both made comments that suggested their worthiness for these "blessings" where as the implication was that others less blessed were less deserving. They failed to see the implication of their comments to those of us in the "less blessed" category listening to them. I agree every good thing comes from God, but, that does not mean we deserve it. It is wonderful to think that God is so interested in us that not a hair on our head can fall without his knowledge and ludicrous to think in light of all the evidence that he enables us to eat more bugs and crash perfectly good equipment because we deserve it more than the next guy because we are Christians. I am not saying he can't, He wouldn't, or doesn't ever; it is up to Him. We have no way of knowing. Let's not be arrogant and think we are deserving because we are Christians (or Mormons) or that we can figure out God's mind. Let's just watch the game and enjoy it and let the chips fall where they may (or the rain).

Posted by Mom on September 26, 2003 at 07:21:56 PM


I stumbled on another discussion where the Christians were berating Jews for the use of a service where they can text message their prayers to be placed at the Wailing Wall by a rabbi. The comments were along the lines of, why would God bother to read a piece of paper when he could read their minds easier, and if he really had enough time to read their "junk mail", or, how spiritual/prayerful can you be typing a text message on your cell phone?

There's a million ways we can judge each other.

Posted by HarryTick on September 26, 2003 at 11:24:37 PM


I saw that show too, Mom ;)

That situation kind of reminds me of the guy here in West Virginia that won that huge powerball recently and tried to give a considerable chunk to several chueches in the area, but they turned it down because it was the 'devils" money.

Anyway, the recent talk was how this same gentleman was at a strip club and someone stole a large sum of cash from his car, (or something like that) but they later found it in the dumpster.
The religious verdicts that I overheard were "that he was getting what was coming to him for being in a strip club."

It made me wonder why they couldn't see the story in the light that the attempt to steal his money was thwarted and that he recovered it.

Posted by Vinnie on September 26, 2003 at 11:40:23 PM

Broken Pieces

Today five of the biggest pieces of my heart drove away. I so want to numb this pain of loss. My wife and kids are moving in preparation for my deployment and in order to be close to family during the duration. "Life" sucks!

Today wasn't even the worst part. The worst part was yesterday, knowing that this moment would come. Every poignant moment becoming an equally painful one with the realization that the long dreaded day was finally here:

Holding my baby boy and wishing I could relay to him just how much I love him.

Putting the kids to bed and trying to let them know that, "Daddy loves you!" Only to fight back tears as my daughter starts to cry, because she understands the import of that simple statement.

Laying down next to the two older boys who refuse to fall asleep, trying to be a reassuring presence even though it won't last past the night.

Trying to calm and reassure my wife who is constantly becoming frustrated because her flurry of activity fails to suppress the realization of what is happening, with the move and with the deployment.

Enjoying their smiles, their laughs, trying to soak in enough for a year's worth.

Dad asked to give me a blessing. Despite the differences in our philosophies, it is an extremely touching gesture. The form is really immaterial, as he reaches for every bit of strength and love and hope that he wants to share with me, everything within his power, including an appeal to a higher power, before it might ever be too late. Dad, message received. I love you, too!

Every time that I talk to those of you that I love and care so much about, our farewells have a bit more of a note of finality to them. As if to say, "Say what you need to. Now is the time." I'm reminded of how my brother called, after he had found out that I was going to be deployed, to say how upset he was with himself that he didn't stay the night the last time he was here. A wasted last chance? Well, at least a missed opportunity.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."
- 2 Cor 4:7-11

Previous Comments:

Dear Bill,

All I know is that along with all the other cookies you'll be getting in the mail from those who love you, you'll be getting some from here, too!

God bless you! (many hugs)

McMary

Posted by McMary on September 25, 2003 at 11:25:21 AM


McMary,

What? You mean you guys don't love me?!?!

:::big, silly grin:::

Posted by HarryTick on September 25, 2003 at 04:02:29 PM


Hey Bill,

Mary is napping but i can speak for the both of us.OF COURSE WE LOVE YOU:) i was touched by your last post and can only guess at how much this deployment is costing you and your family.God Bless you my brother,i know He will redeem those days you are giving up to go so that we might all be safer here at home.thank you is not enough so i guess we'll be sending those cookies;)

Posted by mcdave on September 25, 2003 at 04:25:02 PM


Bill, thank you so much for the transparency of your heart in this post! Your wife and kids have a wonderful husband and father!

Love, Jim

Posted by the Shovel on September 25, 2003 at 06:41:54 PM


I know that's got to be tough, Bill. i wish you the very best throughout the entire ordeal, and hope that the time passes very quickly for you.

Love, vinnie

Posted by Vinnie on September 26, 2003 at 11:47:27 PM


I've been keeping up with you, but haven't felt like I had words to say... and still don't other then encouragements.
You see, I have a hard time with realities... seeing the real in the midst of so much clutter that is packed into days. So much of what you share and have shared falls into very real situations. You share your heart, your life. Could be fears, philosophy, etc.etc. but it is awesomely vacant of drama.
I so appreciate and have been blessed by your willingness to share yourself so freely. I know God is with you and will be always. My heart is opened to Him on your behalf.
Thanks so much.

Posted by Michael on September 28, 2003 at 02:23:47 AM


Bill,

Not really knowing what to write but knowing that this last piece of yours is... well... really something...

Know that you've touched (again) a deeper part of me man...

Hoping and praying this deployment flies by and that you'll be back in the arms of your loved ones safe and sound...

Keep in touch buddy.

Posted by RickinVa on September 28, 2003 at 09:41:06 PM

Leading the Witness

From TV Court Dramas, I've learned that to ask a question in a way that suggests the answer I am looking for is called "leading the witness". In other words, I'm just trying to get the person to say what i want them to. It reminds me of the evangelical form of "witnessing" or "getting saved", where the christian follows a formula or script designed to lead a nonbeliever to certain answers and conclusions about themselves, God, and that relationship between them.

I had a discussion with my 10 year old daughter today. I asked her, "How do we know God loves us?"

Now, my daughter really hates these discussions with me because she still sees everything in a right or wrong answer format. She's in the fifth grade, it's her whole worldview right now. But I ask her because I don't want her witness to be led by what she hears me or her mother say, or what she knows about our beliefs. I ask her because I want her to know it is okay to challenge and question what we might consider to be the source of our faith.

Her answer today was an unsure, "Because the bible says so?" She SO wants to be "right". It is a good answer, though. Not because of the answer but because the hesitation behind it suggests that even she thinks there should be something more, something more real, something more substantive behind it than a mere book.

Her answer to the question, "Does God love you?" is even more reassuring. It is an emphatic, "YES!"

Applying Life

A practical approach is always based on a theological philosophy. In other words it is the idea on how to make that theological philosophy apply to your own life.

I believe thats what the scripture is there for - for practical life issues - it seems to me that philosophy sets scriptures against each other - spirtuality links them together.

The problem I have with that is, to me, life validates scripture, not the other way around. The idea that scripture validates life reminds me of the whole "God in a Box"® concept of doctrine, which is merely the attempt of the finite to define the undefinable infinite.

I'm reminded of the movie Jurassic Park. Jeff Goldblum's character, Dr. Ian Malcolm, is astonished at the audacity of the park's creator who has assured him that they engineered out any possibility for the dinosaurs to reproduce.

Dr. Ian Malcolm: "God help us; we're in the hands of engineers."...

Then, shortly after:

Henry Wu: "You are saying that a group of animals, entirely composed of females, will breed?"
Dr. Ian Malcolm: "No, I am merely stating that uhh... life finds a way."

Life happens and the more you try to control it, the more "out of hand" it gets. Practical approaches aren't based on living life, but rather, controlling it. You may say that you need a practical approach and live by it, but I am suggesting that it is your theological philosophy that has created the practical necessity and not God.

To me, Life is awareness and realization and not an application of knowledge; that would be a job (work).

Previous Comments:

Most excellent!!

Posted by the Shovel on September 20, 2003 at 10:42:13 AM


Harry, I miss you already :(

love,
Vinnie

Posted by Vinnie on September 21, 2003 at 01:29:51 AM

Going Offline

My wife is taking the computer as she moves home with her family. Yep, it's really happening. We're getting closer and closer to the deployment time. Kind of feels like all the "Rapture Frantic" that occurs with each new spiritual teacher that comes along with their timeline for Christ's return and God's final justice. During the break, however long it is, I would like to thank you all for taking small moments out of your life to read here. Whether it was known or acknowledged or not, you have fulfilled my purpose of writing, that the words be read.

More in a little bit...several days or so.

Previous Comments:

It goes without saying that you will be in my prayers. And it also goes without saying so will your family. I know you don't go alone - I know He goes with you. God's blessings upon you, brother (and your family). I do hope that you or your wife will keep us abreast of how you all are doing.

Thank you for your sacrifice - thank you for your sharing your heart - thank you.

One for whom He died.....

Posted by lillium on September 20, 2003 at 9:11 AM


Bill, I'll be constantly checking in for updates and looking forward to hearing from you as regularly as possible! You will be severely missed. Love, Jim

Posted by the Shovel on September 20, 2003 at 10:40:18 AM

Lifeless Expressions

The lifeless expressions are our demands that others must meet our standards in order for us to find them acceptable (that includes our perceptions about what they think and believe).

In the face of a God who loves all of us with our various imperfections, my demand that you present yourself as perfect to me based on my own requirements, I find to be the ultimate lifeless expression.

Maintaining Freedom, Part 2

Maintaining Freedom

I've wanted to revisit this many times after posing the question that comprises the original entry above. For some people, they feel and believe that it is the military that preserves the freedom in America. To others they believe that the Laws protect our freedoms and still others feel that it is the Courts. Speaking religiously, these same people might make some correlation between the secular and the spiritual to express their thoughts as to who protects our freedoms.

But who really maintains freedom available to everyone? The one who offers it with no strings attached. The military and government require support, which takes the form of taxes, and acts of obeisance and obedience. Churches often offer what is considered a spiritual freedom but only if those things considered as "spiritual" are honored above those things that are considered as "worldly" or secular and profane, much in the same way the secular world does.

As I said before, the true freedom is that which is offered without strings. Who maintains it? Is it we who attempt to define it by what we can and can't or should and shouldn't do? Or is it the One who is willing to overlook and forgive our shortcomings to allow us to explore and even test the depths of His love?

Previous Comments:

Hi Bill,

Thanks for answering my question.

Re: what you shared here, I'm forwarding an excerpt from this link (not you Link) http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~ppp/bth/bth2.html

I don't enjoy his use of the word 'religion', but I do understand what he is saying.
Just wondering if this might somehow tie in with what you are banging around?

Rich-man

We can enjoy true "freedom of religion", therefore, only if it comes as a gift from God to men who recognize their total poverty when it comes to the issue of rights. In this sense, democracy is the very opposite of religious freedom. For it asks people to insist on grasping freedom as a possession, an inalienable right. And in so doing, true religious freedom slips through the fingers of the unsuspecting citizens.[14] It slips through their fingers because the selfish insistence upon our right to life is diametrically opposed to the Christian principle of self-giving love; the selfish insistence upon our right to individual liberty is likewise opposed to the principle of absolute commitment to God; and worst of all, the sel­fish insistence upon our own right to pursue happiness is the root of all evil.[15] Satan deceived Eve by fooling her into believing she had a right to possess life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness [Gen. 3:1-6]; but her reward for grasping this supposed right was death, bondage to her desires, and unavoidable suffer­ing [3:16].

Posted by Richard on September 14, 2003 at 9:26:48 AM


Richard,

I would think that where this ties in to what I'm banging around is when I said:

"Churches often offer what is considered a spiritual freedom but only if those things considered as 'spiritual' are honored above those things that are considered as 'worldly' or secular and profane, much in the same way the secular world does."

I guess what I'm saying is that if freedom doesn't come from you, then it isn't up to you to maintain it. I see that as different than what the author was saying at your link.

Posted by HarryTick on September 14, 2003 at 3:17:29 PM

Deployment News

Well, since it has been officially released to the news, my Army unit will be deploying to Iraq this fall. Some of you already knew that, others didn't.

It is amazing how much of a change has occurred in me. Before, I would have sought some "greater" spiritual purpose for this in order to answer the question, "Why me?", but now I just know that it is rain, falling on the good and evil alike. I can take the possibility of death and not just hope that I might be forgiven, but I can face it with a hope of real expectation of continuing this life with God after this body is gone.

I guess that will be enough of that before Mom calls me and tells me to stop talking like that (about death and dying....moms [rolls eyes and grins]).

Love to you all,
Bill
the HarryTick™

Previous Comments:

Prayers for you & your family. (((Hugs)))

Posted by Dub on September 13, 2003 at 1:53:36 PM


Gosh. You will be in my thoughts and prayers and of course, we hope you will be able to get to a computer from time to time to let us know how you are. We will miss you awfully. I know God is with you always and forever.

diane

Posted by DianeA on September 13, 2003 at 5:06:52 PM


You know we'll be praying for you, Bill!

You better come back soon, lest we all become legalists without you here to keep us.........GRACEFUL!!

Love and blessings to you and your family!

Mickey

Posted by Mickey on September 3, 2003 at 6:32:36 PM


Mickey,

As if I was the one keeping anyone graceful! It is grace that is graceful. However, I am pleased to serve as a reminder of his grace to you, and thankful for those times that you all have served as reminders to me as well! Thank you.

Love,
the HarryTick™

Posted by HarryTick on September 3, 2003 at 10:08:11 PM

The Value of a Thing

I just paid $320 dollars for something I've not seen, never handled, never tried in the store. It's a digital camera that I'm buying to take on my upcoming deployment. I knew I was going to spend the money, but I wanted to make sure that my money went the farthest. I wanted to make sure that I was getting the best bang for my buck. I just don't know...you look and read reviews and in the end, unless you have actual experience, you just have to make the best guess. I just hope that I'm getting something worth what I paid for it.

I wonder if this is anything like the Garden of Gethsemane?

Previous Comments:

Deployment?! What do you do? Where are you going? I can't post on XN for some strange reason so I had to write you here. How long will you be away? :(

Posted by Diane A on September 12, 2003 at 11:38:14 PM

The Assumption

Am I a Christian?

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"

Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"

They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'--we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."

So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
-Matt 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8, NIV

Today I found myself dealing with this issue addressed by my friend John (click the link above). I really had no interest to engage the gentleman asking me in that type of conversation. However, when I expressed this thought to him, he continued to press the issue believing that he had found some sort of weakness in me.

I confronted him about his behavior and he instantly retreated to the, "It's not what I think or what you think, but rather what God's word says." and then he quoted some scripture which was obviously supposed to prove that what he thought really was what mattered after all. The more plaintive he got in trying to get me to respond to his game, the less inclined I became to discuss anything with him.

It finally degraded into him trying to project his ideas about what he thought I believed onto me, which was really where he was going in the first place.

I am not the sum of my beliefs. I have been made into something much more than anything any doctrine could ever hope to aspire to. I am a child of God and this has nothing to do with which scriptures I've linked together to "prove" my beliefs, it has nothing to do with whether or not I say the name of "Jesus Christ" out loud as a confession, and it has nothing to do with my refusal to engage in a "What do you base your faith on?" debate with those who are already ready to condemn me.

On what do I base my faith? On nothing that can be proven by mere statements of men, it is totally miraculous in nature. So, I really don't expect those who are looking for a mere logical "proof" to understand my hope.

Previous Comments:

Bill,

Grandma Peggy and my step dad, Ron, visited me for a couple of days on their move from Arizona to Oregon. They are formerly raised as Catholics, now, searching. Grandma belongs to Science of Mind, and Ron, not sure. Discussion went to "spiritual" realms, they asking me about my beliefs, explaining to me that my Uncle Mike's girl friend, Christine, believes in reincarnation. I have been searching, although, unsuccessfully to this point for a one line answer to explain what I am, what I stand for, and, at the spur of the moment, when they asked me, not wanting to throw out the old cliche' or represent myself or Jesus in a negative light, as a bigot, or judgemental either because of negative press about Christians or simply because of associating myself with Him [myself being the negative factor], or their interpretation of what I meant by what I said with, "I am a Christian.", or, "I am a born again Christian.", I came out with, "I am a Bible believing Christian." (soo much better); and then, some explanation and experiences followed. We had a friendly discussion and I felt the conversation went well, but, I felt the, "I am a Bible believing Christian.", just didn't cut it. I have yet to, "once and for all", tackle this and come up with an adequate answer. I am a follower of Jesus. I am a believer. I believe and it changed my whole life. In the absence of a "good answer", my idea is that my life will show what I am; I don't think I'm really very good at that, showing what I am ... in Jesus. My hope is that I get better; and, you know WHO my Hope is.

Love,

Mom

Posted by Mom on September 6, 2003 at 5:03:26 PM

Passing Thought

Someone said something nice to me and I thought, "That was sweet!" as in sweet thing to say to me....

Man, I am sooo getting old!! :)

Previous Comments

Yeah, I say things like that a lot. "Old" you say? ... nah, just getting closer to our destination. Glory!

Louis

Posted by Louiswin on September 4, 2003 at 1:32:56 PM

Update and Backup Plan

Just letting you know that some of the layout on the right side was adjusted and some of the color scheme was modified slightly.

Oh, and I dumped almost the whole thing but was able to recreate the last months posts from the archive files.

Note to self: Backup, backup, backup.

Speaking of which, I think I'm gonna get this entry posted and go backup the blog entries. Inspirational point from this bit of life?

When I first was a Christian after leaving the LDS faith as a teen, I learned a lot about the current methods at the time to evangelize Mormons, thinking that I was the perfect candidate to witness to those I used to agree with. As time went on, I figured that I had put myself in a pretty good spot. According to those I spoke with from the LDS church, while I thought I would've been cast into their version of Hell (Outer Darkness), they assured me that I would most likely be relegated to one of the lower kingdoms. [Note: Joseph Smith was claimed to have said that if we knew what awaited us in the lowest kingdom, we would kill ourselves just to get there.]

Meanwhile, as a Christian, I had learned that anything but the "truth" automatically condemned you to Hell. Now, I understand that certain denominations are less fundamentalistic about this than others, so, if I was in one of the strictest sects, I thought I had myself sitting pretty. If I died and the Mormons were right, yeah, sure, I wouldn't get to be a god and have my own world, but I could still enjoy eternity in the third kingdom. After all, how bad can beating yourself up for eternity be if the place was so awesome you'd commit hari kari just to get there?

And if I died as a Christian, I felt certain that I had met the requirements to assure my salvation in some of the more strict interpretations of what that meant, even "salvation by faith through grace". Yep, my backup plan was looking pretty sweet until a few years ago when the whole thing started looking kind of hokie. I mean, one thing was said and read all the time, meanwhile a whole other set of standards seemed to be applied as the REAL status quo.

What do you do when the primary plan goes to shit? All of a sudden that backup plan didn't look too realistic, especially since that experience of the LDS faith was now mirrored by my experience in this new faith.

Well, when the dust settled I found that I no longer needed a plan of action. With the grace of God, there is no need to put into motion a plan, nor to have a backup option in case the first one fails. God had his plan, he put it in action, he made sure that it was accomplished. It is done.

Previous Comments:

Like the way the site looks. I gave up on going to the hosting it on a server where I'd download the Moveable Type (even though you graciously offered to help). I decided to go with Typepad - the site developed by the MT people. I'm pretty much pleased by what they have to offer and they plan on expanding their services. Not in expensive though. Give it a view when you have the time.

Posted by lillium on September 3, 2003 at 10:25:18 AM


Lillium,

Thanks for dropping by again! Yeah, I have another friend that went with TypePad as well (I have a link to his blog on the front page). It definitely is a lot less hassle than messing with the software yourself on your own server.

Posted by HarryTick on September 3, 2003 at 2:04:07 PM

Hey Billy ... guess what I just did this morning? I downloaded FeedDemon (RSS aggregator) and now have you in my Blog channels. It's pretty cool. I'll probably be setting up my own RSS feed sooner or later.

Jim

Posted by the shovel on September 3, 2003 at 12:55:01 PM


William,

Did your mother teach you to use that kind of language?

Your brother thinks heaven is here on earth (by his own making) and to an extent, that is true if we tweek the word for our own purposes from the biblical definition. I mean, we can, by the way we think, act, SPEAK, treat others, create a pseudoheaven of sorts, create our own reality or illusion of reality as we want to see it, ignoring wordly influences (good luck). Unfortunately, we don't have complete control of those other influences and they can pop up unexpectedly at any time, as troubling and catestrophic as 911 or as inconsequential as reading a single word in your son's (who is "not a Christian anymore") blog. I suppose everyone's definition of their own heaven would be different. Mine would not have those words in it; I would guess God's would not either. I could be wrong.

That being said, keep up the good work. I love you.

Mom

Posted by Mom on September 3, 2003 at 3:57:12 PM


"Did your mother teach you to use that kind of language?"<

Are you really sure you want me to answer that? :) Rest assured, I'll be sure not to use it in conversation with you.

Love,
Bill

Posted by HarryTick on September 6, 2003 at 4:18:14 PM


Hi Bill,

Just curious as to what this is....RSS aggregator

Richard

Posted by Richard on September 12, 2003 at 5:03:30 AM


Richard,

FeedDemon is like an email client or news reader that looks up webpages that display links to recent articles. For instance, Walking the Dogma has an rss feed at the following address: http://www.thelincolns.org/harrytick/index.rdf

It doesn't look like much but a bunch of gobbledy-gook to the untrained eye, but if you look at http://www.thelincolns.org

Posted by HarryTick on September 12, 2003 at 7:39:34 PM