Browsed by
Month: May 2022

Standing Watch

Standing Watch

Most anyone who has read war novels or seen films with military themes, is familiar with some version of the following scene.  It features a soldier who has drawn guard duty, and hears a noise while on watch, betraying the approach of another person. Sentry: “Halt!  Who goes there?” [The challenge is answered by the potential intruder.] Sentry: “Are you friend or foe?” Intruder: “Friend.” Sentry: “Approach and be recognized.” [Intruder emerges from the shadows and presents himself/herself to the guard.]  Sentry:…

Read More Read More

Both Here & Now and There & Then

Both Here & Now and There & Then

Toddlers are not generally known for their ability to delay gratification.  There is no incentive for them to do so, when a little loud screaming does the trick.  The lack of motivation, may explain the lack of inclination.  The question is, as they grow older (note that I did not say, “as they mature…”) do the adolescents and adults into which they grow, do a good deal better? They should.  Even the least patient among us can see rather steep social downsides to voicing one’s every need…

Read More Read More

Strolling La Strada della Vita

Strolling La Strada della Vita

Advertisers are paid to tout the features and benefits of someone else’s products.  Most folks would concede that their claims are at least occasionally truthful, but even so, their promises are greeted with skepticism.  The lack of trust in marketers stems in part from critics’ and customers’ reviews revealing wide and troubling gaps between what the buyer expected—based on ‘pop-up’ ads, TV commercials and  public relations—and the consumer’s personal experience.  The sales wizards’ more specious claims range in apparent truthfulness from somewhat dubious to clearly…

Read More Read More

The Door Marked, “Christ”

The Door Marked, “Christ”

Doors are everywhere in the modern-day civilized world.  Some are pushed, some pulled, some lifted or lowered, and some are self-operating.  Doors may open (or close) right-to-left, left-to right, upward, downward, inward, outward—they may even revolve.  Some doors open but partway at a time.  Still others slide or pivot and fold.  Some, spring-loaded, pop out of hiding in a wall, with a touch.  Some are equipped with automatic closers. Doors are often fashioned with ‘peepholes,’ in case of a need to know who is on the…

Read More Read More

Mockery Most Mysterious and Malign

Mockery Most Mysterious and Malign

Sometime around the middle of the first century, less than twenty years after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, the Apostle Paul confidently declared that there is an appointed “…day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”  (Romans 2:16) Paul happened to be in ancient Athens when he amplified on this theme, saying that in times past, God made allowance for ignorance of His will, “…but now [that Christ has come], God commandeth all…

Read More Read More