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dv8
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dv8
3 years ago

Good morning Gerbils. Getting a late start at sleep this morning. See you all later………………..

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……………….

Just Sven
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8

Good morning and thanks for your prayers. And for the record, jokes about my wayward eyeball are fine.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

I appreciate you saying so. I think I knew that, but, well, you know… sometimes those serious moments can be awkward : )

I’m kinda new to this prayer thing. I think it’s possible that apart from saying grace and other ritualistic prayers, you are the first person, other than Harper, that I’ve gotten down on my knees and prayed for. Maybe not though; my memory is very selective unless it’s in context. That probably means I don’t pray enough, really, but I do have trouble remembering to do things. but … praying for people is definitely a new habit to develop.

Harper, on the other hand, probably has calluses on her knees, at this point.

Just Sven
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8

Again, I thank you for that.

Prayer is tough. It’s hard to always be in the moment and to do this conversation with God in the right and reverent fashion instead of just mouthing the words.

My personal prayer each morning and evening is this: “Lord God, thank you for the blessings of another day. Help me to see the right path and to keep my feet on it so I may become a better servant of your will.” I’ll also run through the usual Catholic prayers and I’ll say Grace before every meal.

I was raised Catholic, but fell away from the Church as a teenager and never looked back until 10 years ago. It was my recognition that I wasnt just a secular asshole, but a sinner that desperately needed forgiveness that took me back to the Church.

dv8
Editor
dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

That is an awesome story. I just read the thread over again and realized I missed your final paragraph up there, somehow.

Maybe it was an ADD thing. “Look! A Helecopter!!!!!”

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8

That’s ADOS -- Attention Deficit Ohhh Shiny!!

Just Sven
Editor
3 years ago

Monday. Yeah. The start of another work week. Yeah. At teh bestest place ever. Yeah.

They need to come out with a Viagra-style drug for work enthusiasm cuz I can’t get it up this morning.

Just Sven
Editor
3 years ago

A free theater production that some of you may enjoy: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-luther-on-trial-a-virtual-presentation-tickets-112677838448

A virtual presentation of this acclaimed production featuring the original cast erupts in an afterlife trial for the soul of Martin Luther…at Lucifer’s request.

This fantastical courtroom drama features Hitler, Freud, MLK Jr and Pope Francis as witnesses, a reenactment of Satan’s rebellion and his failed attempt to enlist Michael the Archangel!

All this along with a thorough examination of Luther’s life and his loving relationship with Katie Von Bora. And did we mention how funny it is?

No FPA production has generated more audience excitement than Martin Luther on Trial. Plus, a live talkback with Max McLean follows the event.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago

Happy Monday, Gerbil Nation!
Good morning, dv8, and Sven!

Sven -- sometimes enthusiasm can be hard to come by.

Just Sven
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3 years ago

Which is EXACTLY why we need pharmaceuticals.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

Sven and Paddy: Maybe I need to pray some more.

--by the way… When I typed “pray” it came out as “play” which I take as God reminding me: “Hey… Didn’t I tell you to play the piano?….”

I have trouble--real trouble--doing what I’m supposed to do, especially when I have to act on faith, and I can see no concrete reason for doing so.

I even think my backyard streams are a kind of avoidance. (I kinda mentioned this in that one video I made) It’s a way of feeling like I’m working when I’m not working at all.

I’m pretty scared too, in some ways. If I actually worked to get a sort of following and managed to make a meager living from being on YouTube, as many tiny creators do, I don’t think I could take the devastation of being deplatformed. Which is kinda why I’ve been looking into Alt Tech, Streaming platforms and other such things.

But in truth, no one is ever safe. People who write and publish their own books on their own platform (or they buy their own printing press and print and sell their own books) can be besieged in other ways.

No one is unassailable.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8

God pretty much has to hit me upside the head with a 2x4, grab me by the lapels and shake me around to get my attention, so I completely understand.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago

dv8 -- my friend lives in a small town in northern Utah, but was born and raised in SoCal. I’ve known him since high school. I remember one story he tells of when he was discussing Palm Sunday with his class. He asked why Jesus was on the main road, headed towards the most desired destination, on a holiday weekend, when the traffic was going to be the worst. The kids had no concept that the events of Palm Sunday occurred during the Passover festival. They also denied that Jesus was Jewish. That was one of the events that lead to his being asked to give someone else a chance to teach.

dv8
Editor
dv8
3 years ago

That’s very interesting. As I mentioned, such talks and discussions are very commonplace in the present day church environment.

Kinda makes you think tho… You take (I take) a positive community environment for granted--but perhaps none of us realizes how hard won they are.

To that subject:

When I was member of an assemblies of God church, they used to point out that people, being imperfect, and having prejudices can and do distort the gospels. At the time, I didn’t see any sign of it happening around me, but it put the thought in my mind. The possibility of it happening. Something to guard against in my own heart.

The LDS church, for example ordained black guys and other races in the early days of the church, but then stopped doing so, until the Prophet specifically addressed the matter and said it was NEVER doctrinal (and never had been) to disallow them.

But personal prejudices can be very powerful forces. And of course that disappoints me, but I acknowledge that it is true. I’m lucky to be in a ward where such things don’t happen. Or at least I haven’t seen it.

When I was an Atheist, I was still always impressed with “Mormons” and how nice they all were, and generous, even given that goody-two-shoes vibe they all seem to have. And that South Park is so good at pointing out to hilarious effect.

But I would despair a bit, when I heard of someone in the church acting in a less than honest way. In the end, we’re all just people, but…

… I dunno… I like my Mormons to be guileless, like they’re (like we’re) suppose to be. I think the church culture does encourage that and certainly does push people in that direction.

Also, Harper tells me (as a 10 generation LDS member, herself) that the Church culture has changed quite a lot over the decades and is much more open and less uptight than it was when she was a little girl.

In any case, I’m grateful that it is … well… the way it is now, rather than some other way I wouldn’t like very much…

Considering how weird I am, These folks have really accepted me in a way I never would have expected them to do.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8

That’s great to hear. My friend is first generation LDS, joining the church in Jr. High to get away from an abusive step-mother. He spent two years in the jungles of Peru and came back with malnutrition, typhus, diphtheria, and a few other conditions. He also came back with lots of questions that his Bishop couldn’t answer. He attended services faithfully, but refused to be baptized until he could work out the issues he had with some practices of the church (and I’m not referring to certain potluck favorites -- shudder). It probably took him 15 years to work through things, although he still has issues with the way missionaries were mistreated in Peru and the lack of concern of higher-ups.

BTW, the issues with his teaching methods only occurred in the small town he now lives in. The kids in SoCal appreciated the more in-depth examination of scripture.

dv8
Editor
dv8
3 years ago

It sounded like more of an isolated incident, but people do mess up.

How did your friend go on a mission before he was baptized? I’m no expert, admittedly, but did they make an exception for him so he could serve a mission, or did he just slip through the cracks? To be a missionary, you have to have the Aaronic Priesthood, so that you can baptize people if the need arises?

On another note. Our Potlucks are Famously GOOD! At least up here. We have many dedicated cooks (including me) who like to contribute. Particularly this one gal. I just love her food. we were lucky enough to be invited to Christmas dinner with her family once. It was glorious. I helped her out in the kitchen and learned a whole slew of new techniques.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8

Not being overly familiar with LDS sacraments, I may be wrong. I do know that they wanted him to become part of the priesthood, or full priesthood, or something and he refused for years. I was present at his baptism many years later. I also know that he did baptize some people during his mission -- which was another point of contention he had. He learned that most of the people he spoke with had been baptized many times by the church. They thought it was the polite thing to do for those nice young men who came by to visit.

You mean to tell me your potlucks don’t include green jello with vegetables, covered in Miracle Whip? They don’t include tater tots mixed with Velveeta cheese? They don’t include any casserole that is topped with corn flakes to simulate actually achieving crunch through the proper use of bread crumbs and broiling? No funeral potatoes?

dv8
Editor
dv8
3 years ago

I’ll just skip to the end: Yes, Paddy, our potlucks are stellar! It’s one of the best things about being LDS, imho. There has to be some perks since everyone hates us and we have quite a history of being murdered in the early days of the church. The Jews (The real ones, not us) have us beat in the being hated and murdered category though.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8

As an aside, my friend found out. sometime when he was sixteen or so, that his late mother was Jewish. So he’s not only LDS, but also Jewish. When the ladies auxiliary -- or whatever it’s called -- meets at his home, he always suggest they leave an empty place setting for Elijah’s wife. Yes, they look at him funny.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago

Good night all…………..

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago

I’m going to go to sleep now…….

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago

I mean… Maybe they just wanted to give someone else a chance to teach, as well. Since we’re all volunteers, we do need some redundancy.

However, I will give you an example of this doctrinal distortion in my own life. I just now thought of this:

When I was still an Atheist, I was actively attending The LDS chuch, as you know, along with Harper. And was very happy to be there, as well.

But since I was not a member, I naturally assumed that I shouldn’t take communion--which we do every week at church. (In fact, the meeting is called “sacrament meeting” because that is actually the primary reason for the gathering--everything else that happens in that hour, is secondary to that purpose)

Now one day, I brought that up to my Brother in Law (who is a convert to the church--but has been a member for quite some time) and he told me that I definitely should NOT be taking the sacrament if I have not been baptized. And my response to that was: Yeah, I kinda thought that too, so that’s why I haven’t been doing it. I just thought I should ask someone.

Well. maybe a year later, the subject came up around the missionaries (because we had them to dinner as often as we could--they need to eat more--now I sound like my great grandmother : )

The missionaries told me that was unequivocally wrong. Given that BIL is a bit of an authoritarian by temperament, I was not at all surprised by that either.

So I asked the Bishop about it. And he said so as well. He basically reiterated the idea that in a public service it would not make sense to disallow someone from taking part fully. Evidently that never was a thing. I think BIL just assumed (as I had done) that it was that way.

It’s interesting to note that not very long after taking my first sacrament, that I had my epiphany and was baptized shortly thereafter. I wonder if the two events are related. Who could have been behind such a misunderstanding which might slow down a man’s spiritual progression? I dunno… could it be…

Sss… Dana Carvey??????

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8
Just Sven
Editor
3 years ago

In the Catholic Church, I’m also not allowed Communion as I was married before in a recognized church and then remarried. Until I get that first marriage annulled, which I don’t see myself doing, I’m on the outside looking in. So it goes.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

I spent one Easter weekend in a small town in NC, off the Appalachian Trail. There was a Jesuit monastery there and I was able to attend Good Friday and Easter services. The priests were very liberal and invited everyone to take communion. I appreciated their openness.

dv8
Editor
dv8
3 years ago

Those Jesuits are kinda known for being good guys. That’s a good story.

Yup. I guess I’m spending my day on the wheel.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  dv8

The eldest priest was sent there as a young man, back in the 1920’s, as punishment. A few years later, one of his seniors came out to see how he was doing. “Things are going really well!”, he said. “They no longer call me that Catholic bastard!”

Just Sven
Editor
3 years ago

Heh. Generally I leave the church during Communion. There’s always 4-5 of us ‘unworthies” departing at the same time.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

And yet I feel like Jesus told all his followers that you should do this thing in remembrance of Him. He didn’t say anything about conditions that needed to be met.

So in retrospect, I should probably have known that It was okay for me to take the Sacrament but at the time I was, ya kno… Making and Ass out of U and Me because I didn’t want to offend anyone.

On a slightly different topic, I will say I always liked Catholicism because it has all that wonderful traditional liturgical stuff. It all seemed very religious to me. I remember really liking it as a young guy.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

Oh I’m certain that is FAR from peak stupid.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

This is why you should avoid living in Democrat ShitHoles though. The government will instruct the authorities to protect the criminals and prosecute the innocent.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago

Since we’re talking religion and politics--and probably that other thing my Dad always told me never to discuss, but I can’t remember what it was now--I wonder if it’s time for people on the far left to demand that Nanci Pelosi renounce her faith?

They are very critical of any religion (except Islam) and many of them are still religious--at least officially.

Perhaps all the ostensibly religious Democrats should convert to Islam?

Just thinking out loud here.

dv8
Editor
dv8
3 years ago

Fatwa: I recently found out, as per our discussion yesterday on the wheel, In some extremist circles I will be subjected to antisemitism as an extra added benefit of my adopted religion. So I feel even more honored to be in your esteemed company than I did before.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Mac

Mac. you warm my own heart more than you could ever know.

Just Sven
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3 years ago

Geez, Mac. Don’t tell me you tripped again -- that’s the only “fallen” I associate with you.

Paddy O'Furnijur
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3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

That and diving out of the range of Cali’s fire pit fire bomb.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Mac

Wish we could have been there to get our eyebrows singed. But it was so nice of you to come up and visit. We will never forget that visit!

Just Sven
Editor
3 years ago

I’ve told the story here a few times about how and why I went back to the Church and won’t bore you again with it. I don’t know if Catholicism is right for me, or even the right path, but it was the way I was raised and old habits die hard. I’m not all that excited about my parish, but again it’s a start -- although it’s been 10 years now so it’s more laziness than anything else.

I do have faith that God exists, but whether He’s the Catholic/Christian version I don’t know. I do know that the more I open myself up to Him, the more likely He is to respond and the happier I am.

It’s a journey I wish I had started 30 years ago -- I fear I’ll die well before I’ve come to understand much.

dv8
Editor
dv8
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sven

I do recall at least one retelling of that story.

dv8
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dv8
3 years ago

And Speaking of ADD:

I just found out (because of Harper telling me) that I left the broiler on after breakfast (which only happened about an hour ago) so Harper reminded me I hadn’t run the cleaning cycle in a while, so it was already nice and hot, so…

Yeah, I turned the cleaning cycle on.

I’m assuming canaries will start dying in the house now.

Actually I’ve always wondered about the exhaust from such a thing, but I’ve recently read that an oven or stove cannot produce enough CO to affect the air quality.

Paddy O'Furnijur
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  Mac

CO is indeed produced in greater quantities when there is insufficient oxygen. If your natural gas flame is always blue, then little carbon monoxide is being produced, but even small amounts can build up in an enclosed space without good airflow. Home CO detectors are good at letting you know that you are about to die, but are really insufficient to detect levels that can lead to headaches and reduced cognitive function. For example, home CO detectors alarm after 3.5 hours of continuous exposure to 50 ppm of CO (8 minutes at 400 ppm). Aircraft CO detectors alarm at an instantaneous CO level of 50 ppm.

Home CO exposure is always greater in the winter when homes are sealed up and are usually related to cracks in a forced air heat exchanger or use of alternate means of warming the home, such as an open oven or a barbecue (usually charcoal).