Da Vinci and the Bible (without the Code)
We have a tendency to perceive our view as right, and others’ views as wrong. We are very quick to say, “can you believe the things those people actually think”, when truthfully, our view may be just as off base.
Maybe the majority of views hold elements of truth.
We have no perfect view that captures everything. Some are more reliable than others, and one may appeal to us over another. In all likelihoods they each have some truth to them and by looking at them collectively we may get a more rounded, healthier picture. We have to stay humble, willing to admit that our view may be messed up, and similarly willing to admit that a view that does not appeal to us may hold some truth as well. Neither shunning nor totally embracing everything that comes our way.
The famous Last Super painting by Da Vinci, because of his experimental technique, was falling apart from the time it was painted. As a result it has been retouched, fixed and edited repeatedly over the years. In the latter part of the 20th century it was restored, removing subsequent additions and touch ups made by other artists. This restoration brought the painting closer to its original form than it had been for centuries.
Ironically, many people were upset by this.
They preferred the painting in the way they always knew it. They preferred their IDEA of what the painting was over what the painting actually looked like when originally painted.
They didn’t want authentic, they wanted comfortable, they wanted familiar. We hold onto our view of life in the same way. We want to cling to comfortable and familiar. Sometimes, although we claim to love the ‘original’, we really love our IDEA of what things should be. We think of God in a certain light and we reject any ideas about him that don’t fit our view. We judge people who think differently. We judge people that see the bible in a different light.
Like so many things we need to be willing to throw away our idea of how things are in order to gain a hint of what things really may be.
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I just came across this sentiment in some notes I wrote at a conference/seminar 3 years ago. Somehow it seems just as timely now as it was then.
Made with Paper
Made with Paper
10 things that inspire me.
in·spire/inˈspī(ə)r/: To fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.
Inspiration is sometimes an elusive, phantom. Other times an ocean to swim in. Either way it comes, it goes, it’s here and there, but it is always needed. When I gathered this list I was in a particularly uninspired mood, floating along in the doldrums but ironically (or perhaps to be expected) the very act of putting together an ‘inspiration list’, was a uniquely inspiring process.
Here it goes…
1. Pinterest!
To start off on a light note - Pinterest is the latest place I go on a frequent basis for immediate inspiration of many kinds. From inspiration for what to make for dinner, ideas to spruce up our house cheaply, gift ideas, design ideas…I love scouring through the visual smorgasbord that pinterest creates.
2. Children being carefree.
(photo by: Adam Taylor)
Seeing children when they are in their glee, cackling at random things, playing (peacefully) is the perfect example, to me, of something that truly inspires life. It’s a reminder that not all things are wrong in the world, that imaginations do run free and joy can be found.
Love your enemies…even if your enemy is a wreckless taxi driver who drives into the side of your car.
new old stuff
originally posted by my husband jamtaylor
We went to an auction and got this old steam trunk for $23 (USD). It’s a bit beat up, and it’s not TOO sturdy, but it’s nice. Tiff cleaned it up a bit and it’s now a coffee table.
Don’t find fault, find a remedy. Anybody can complain.- Henry Ford
I’ve had this poster lined up to write something about for a long long time and for some reason have always held out on posting it. However, it seems timely now considering the discussions going on online pertaining to the Kony 2012 campaign that has gone viral, and the critiques it has received.
I believe there lies an elusive sweet-spot between naively accepting everything the world sets before us, and being the eternal cynic that only ever opposes and complains. Both extremes have their serious drawbacks and, unfortunately, both extremes are probably the norm. That is, more people stand on one side or the other, than do those in the middle.
But the truth is (if there is such a thing) that the middle ground between blind acceptance, and contrary opposition is the only place where remedies are found. The elusive, complex landscape where we can piece together the truth from the fragments kicked around on both sides of an issue and then, putting aside our ‘right to be right’ instead focus our energy on something outside ourselves.
The solution.
In the case of Kony2012 (and other things such as terrorism, starvation and many of the dire problems people fight over) , the solution may not be immediately apparent. But the discussion stirred up by both the viral video and it’s surrounding controversy will hopefully open the doors to something more than just mere awareness.
Hopefully, we will find the creativity and strength in numbers to find remedy.
You got to love being born on a dot on the globe…
The Kingdom of God is… | Involuntary-Guest-Post
Ever so often I read a blog post, a chapter in a book, a line in a song that makes my heart leap and my soul swell with a resounding YES. This post by Sara at her blog Emerging Mummy is one of those.
Here is an Involuntary-Guest-Post. Read the entire post including the introduction at her blog.
All good and perfect gifts come from the Father. The same Father watching a road for a wayward son, the same Father that gave everything to the older son too. The same Father that cured sin throws the doors open, parties with prostitutes and thieves.
(Photo by joe miller)
Whenever I find myself judging another, may I choose instead to extend love.
Whenever I am given the choice to treat people different from myself with fear, prejudice or contempt, may I choose instead to extend love.
Forgive me for thinking of myself more highly than others, for I do not know anyone’s heart but my own. And indeed, my own heart is in need of repair.
Don’t you ever just feel exhausted in your soul?
Ash Wednesday - a preparation to rejoice in His love
Today is the beginning of Lent in the West.
I’ve never observed Lent, having grown up in ‘non-denominational’ Christianity. I probably first discovered lent when, at around 11 years old having just entered public school, I arrived one day to the sight of half the other students sporting ashen smudges across their foreheads. At the time, I’m sure I got an 11 year old explanation that I didn’t fully understand, and perhaps a vague mention of it in that mornings assembly.
How do you let it go?
This is so so sooooo true.
As much as I understand the need for it, and I’ve used it myself, ‘let it go’ is probably one of the most infuriatingly frustrating phrases a person can utter. Even worse, is when people innocently tag on the word ‘just’ before hand.
“JUST let it go.”
As though it’s easy, simple, elementary really. How foolish of me not to have thought of that. Just let it go.
It’s never as though these things we need to ‘let go’ are tangible things we can just gather up in our fists and dump into the trash. They are abstract and haunting and there.
Perhaps, some part of this mysterious ‘letting go’, is no longer claiming the hurt as our own. No longer owning it, rolling in it, re-inflicting it on ourselves. Letting go is staring the squiggle monster in the face, saying ‘I know you’re there’, and then saying ‘I don’t want you here, I’m not going to talk to you anymore..even if you stay.’
And somehow, bored without our conversation, the squiggle monsters wander off…even if just for a short beautiful while.
For the first time in my life I’m going to take part in lent this year. I feel drawn to it. We shall see what adventure this will be.
God we are broken people.
Separated from you, isolated from each other, disconnected from creation.
Lead us to repentance that we may pass from death to eternal life.
God our bond with you is broken.
We have hidden ourselves from the all loving, all caring, all embracing one.
Lead us to repentance that we may pass from death to eternal life.Our bond with each other is broken.
We are indifferent to the cries of dying children, pain of the oppressed, loneliness of widows.Lead us to repentance that we may pass from death to eternal life.
Our bond with God’s creation is broken.
We have destroyed and polluted what we should have preservedLead us to repentance that we may pass from death to eternal life.
God in your mercy come to us.Forgive our sins, heal our spirits, redeem our lives.Lead us to repentance that we may pass from death to eternal life.Amen
