Wow

Word of the Day

15,000 Hits and counting - Yeah!

Proselytism is the practice of attempting to convert people to another opinion, usually another religion. The word proselytism is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix 'pros' (towards) and the verb 'erchomai' (I come)

Two women rang the doorbell this morning. They got the dogs to barking and I was not dressed yet and my case of bed-head had not been attacked yet. I opened the window over the kitchen sink and (semi) politely told them to "get lost" No, I didn't - I wanted to - but I was nicer than that. I just said I wasn't interested. I could see their Bibles and their books of "instructions" in their hands.

I didn't even ask what church they were from. Years ago when we lived in an "old" neighborhood we regularly got Jehovah's Witnesses coming by to sell us the Watchtower publication from their organization (not a church they call it Kingdom's Hall) I got so I would keep some literature from my church by the door and offer to exchange it with them. As I recall one of the "selling points" of their proselytising had something to do with worms eating my body. It was usually a very aged woman dressed all in black who came around. Today they were more middle aged and may not have been from the JW's.

The Mormons send missionaries out to talk to people about their religion. They call themselves "Elders" which I have always found strange because they are all young and they all look like clones of Mitt Romney. I have never let them in either.

I am just not interested in what they have to say because I have watched them in action over the years. Now I am not specifically talking about Witnesses or Mormons here - I have switched to all of the evangelicals, etc.

I can remember seeing some of the literature from the "Campus Crusade for Christ" years and years ago. In it the worksheet encouraged the individual to list all of his (or her) faults and tell all about her (or his) shortcomings. I imagine it was a prelude for them to "suck them into their cult." That is h0w I look at these so-called churches. (Cult typically refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream, with a notably positive or negative popular perception) - First they tell you that you are worthless and "born in sin" and that Jesus came to die for you to "save" you. They depict God as a vengeful deity who will consign you to eternal damnation unless you renounce your sinful ways and accept Jesus personally. I was always looking to see him appear beside me in the car as I was driving. He never did.

Over the years I discovered a different Jesus and a different God. "My God is Love, unchanging Love. Can we ask for more?" As such would He require that His son be nailed to a cross to die a horrible death so that we could be redeemed. Nope! He already redeemed me by love. God showed that he did not require human sacrifice in Genesis. Remember Abraham - prepared to sacrifice his son? Why would God require that Jesus be sacrificed? Jesus came to bring the light of Love to the world.

It is my job to learn to exemplify God's Love by accepting others with all their foibles and problems. I don have to judge them (Judge Not) I don't condemn them (although it is hard not to condemn so called "Christians" who spew hatred instead of Love... The Westboro Baptist church comes to mind with their nasty pronouncements.)

I don't believe in the Bible as the inerrant "word of God." Sorry folks it was written by men. It has parts that should be ignored. (Football players take note - as I recall you are abominations and should be put to death because you touch pigskin.)

I also don't believe that any one person can speak for God. I believe He speaks to us in our hearts when we see a baby smile or a toddler take his first step. The feeling that we have when we experience that is Love and Love is God. I believe he speaks to people who stop by the side of the road to help two ladies in need as I read about in the paper yesterday. They called him an angel in their letter to the editor. I think perhaps he was. He was an angel message from God.

I won't believe in your vengeful God. So, don't come knocking at my door. Jesus has already knocked there and shown me what Love is all about. I don't need to go to church and listen to a preacher tell me how to act (or how to vote) and who is "saved." God isn't going to throw anything away. It is just up to me (in this life or the next) to "work my way up to Him." That is what I think He wants and that is what I try to do. I fall way short. To sin means literally to "miss the mark" We all do that but that does not mean we are bad. We certainly are just human (not infallible - any of us) but we have an example to follow. "The best man that ever walked the planet."

Thomas Jefferson took the Bible and edited out the "stuff" and left in the teachings of Jesus. I think he had the right idea. So, ladies (and gentlemen Elders) please go on your way. I have mine and it is very comforting to me. I hope you can someday live in that comfort instead of fear. In the meantime, leave me alone. Max doesn't like it when you come knocking. Hugs, j
I wrote a poem once that seems to fit in here.

A Word:

(To those "Born Agains" who think
that they are the only ones
who are going to heaven.)

Consider
if you will
who did Jesus scorn
when He was here with us?

Was it the poor, the meek, the sinner?

Or perhaps was it the
Temple priests
the righteous Scribes
and Pharisees who
received the disapproving glance.

So
when you smugly tell me that
you are "Saved"
And I must think and "Be" like
you
Consider who it was that
Jesus scorned -
The folks like me or ?

Word of the Day/Week/Month

ennui - –noun
a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom: The endless lecture produced an unbearable ennui.

n. Listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; boredom: "The servants relieved their ennui with gambling and gossip about their masters" (John Barth).

Word History: Were they alive today, users of Classical Latin might be surprised to find that centuries later a phrase of theirs still survives, although as a single word. The phrase mihi in odiō est (literally translated as "to me in a condition of dislike or hatred is"), meaning "I hate or dislike," gave rise to the Vulgar Latin verb *inodiāre, "to make odious," the source of the Old French verb ennuyer or anoier, "to annoy, bore." This was borrowed into English by around 1275 as anoien, our annoy. From the Old French verb a noun meaning "worry, boredom" was derived, which became ennui in modern French. This noun, with the sense "boredom," was borrowed into English in the 18th century, perhaps filling a need in polite, cultivated society.

It may be because Christmas has been taken down. It may be because of the overcast weather. It could be because I messed up and didn't get down to Acanthus for their Installation (I thought it was on the 9th and it was on the 2nd). It may be because I have sort of gone off my diet and don't feel I am accomplishing anything but I don't seem to feel the passion right now. Perhaps I have learned to subdue my passions (I doubt that) and can go on to improve myself.

For whatever reason I don't much feel like I am doing my blog justice. I woke up this morning with an idea. I was going to blog about a hymn - "Day by day the Manna fell." I was going to talk about how "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." (Mary Baker Eddy) (I always think about that when I am feeling poor) but decided that would be too preachy. Yesterday it was going to be about the Lord's Prayer. I might have been able to write an interesting post about the misuse and use of it but for some reason ennui/apathy/and something else set in and you got sand painting instead.

I originally wrote the "peculiar art" post - published it and then went back half a day later and revised it. I seldom do that. I think perhaps the map at the bottom of the page scares me. When I look at it and see where you all are from and realize that I have little idea of who my audience is it is a little "off putting."

Right now I am looking forward to the vet coming to shoot Bailey and I will have to lock Max up while she is here or he will try to herd her by nipping at her. Such fun Max is - NOT. Well most of the time he is and I love him but he can be a bother. Don't try to sneak in on me. He lets me know when someone is coming.

-- She was just here and it went well. Max spent some time in "his" room. Bailey tried to avoid it but he got his shot and except for needing his teeth cleaned he is in good health. I owe him an apology. Brenda (vet) tells me he is 12 and will turn 13 next August (25) so we got that straightened out. Both dogs will get their teeth cleaned next month (Dental special at the vet clinic in February) - Bailey at the first of the month and Max at the end. Spaces the paying for it out.

Tonight is Eastern Star and it is Installation so I am going. I took a hiatus from Star earlier this year but I will probably go once in awhile this year. We will see how it goes.

Well I guess I have enough on this post. You are probably bored enough. I will take some pictures at Star tonight. Take care and Hugs, j

Word of the Day

The word is traduce

- As in wrongfully traduced.

I am still waiting on palliate.

Myrmidons

On Friday I gave you a word to look for. Those of you who found it raise your hands. Not very many. I would say I was disappointed but really I didn't expect much. I've been doing this sort of thing for years and there aren't very many out there who bother to look things up. Now that we have the Internets it is much easier and faster. Of course you have to be able to spell. (See Bob, I know it is important!) I originally spelled it incorrectly and all I got was a bunch of Dungeons and Dragons "stuff." I didn't like any of the pictures.

I used the word in a conversation the other day and my friend did not know what it was. I believe I was using it in regard to the Jurisprudence Committee report of Grand Lodge. You see, they go through all of the legislation and discuss it and then they vote on it as a committee. Then they report the recommendation out to Grand Lodge and the Myrmadons who are sitting there usually (but not always) accept their recommendation and vote the way they want.

I would much prefer it if they simply reported on whether or not the legislation was in proper form and help get it in proper form and not tell us their judgement on the value of the proposed legislation. Then allow for substantive discussion on the Grand Lodge floor.

Did I mention that the Jurisprudence Committee is made up of the Past Grand Masters? The same ones who meet in April (along with the past elective officers of Grand Lodge) to nominate the next year's elected Grand Officers and approve the new Chairman of Division and Reference (Who will in his time become Grand Master). It is an interesting system. These elected officers will (when elected) become the permanent members members of the Grand Lodge. Theoretically the Craft could out number them and vote in someone other than those nominated but I have never seen it happen. It really is a self-perpetuating system and almost always guarantees that the only Grand Lodge Officers that Iowa has are ritualists. Nothing wrong with that, you say. Well tat leaves out a lot of very talented people who just aren't "into" ritual but who could offer a lot to the fraternity.

I remember one Grand Lodge when there was a move to put the Past Masters into the mix by giving them a vote in Grand Lodge (As it is done in the Grand York Rite Bodies) and the Jurisprudence Committee came out against it. The Grand Secretary came out against it (too much work to keep track of all the past masters, I guess) and once again the Myrmidons followed blindly and voted it down. Thus disenfranchising themselves as they moved out of active office in the Lodge.

So by now you have figured out the meaning: myr·mi·don

Pronunciation: 'm&r-m&-"dän, -d&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English Mirmydon, Latin Myrmidon-, Myrmido, from Greek MyrmidOn
1 capitalized : a member of a legendary Thessalian people who accompanied their king Achilles in the Trojan War
2 : a loyal follower; especially : a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously

So a myrmidon is not "something devoutly to be desired" unless you are one of those in control. Of course, good leaders really prefer subordinates who question them and challenge them and think outside the box and aren't content to think only what the "boss" thinks. But then, how many "good" leaders do you know?

One I think is a good leader (judgement is still out on that but he shows a lot of promise) is this year's Grand Master. He has made some changes in the way we do business. The Grand Officers, this year, are not going to be a "traveling degree team." They have assignments and are expected to get out among the rest of us and help us, thereby helping Iowa Masonry to improve and grow. It is going to be interesting to see how it works.

In the past, I have seen Grand Masters with good ideas who got "shot down" by the PGM's when they wanted to try something. It takes intestinal fortitude to stand up to that powerful force. Somehow I don't think this one will be (shot down). He is knowledgeable, intelligent, forward thinking and he thinks outside the box. I wish him luck! The fact is that I generally like most of the Grand Masters Iowa has had. They are good men and true who operate on the level and by the square. I am just not sure that the "system" is all it could be. I saw an awful lot of talent at Grand Lodge. Young men with young ideas. But I don't think the forum was there for them to be full participants or for us "older" guys to really listen to them. Not sure how to do it but there must be a way.

If not at Grand Lodge, then perhaps at a Warden's Retreat as is done in Texas. Maybe we should rent the 4-H camp at Luther, Iowa and bring the Warden's together for leadership meetings. To actively develop leadership and give them the tools to be full participants in running the business of their Lodge when it is their year. Come to think of it what about a Wardens and Deacons retreat. Bring them in for three days and make it fun, exciting and meaningful. Hands on participation. You could even do some degree practice there. All kinds of possibilities.

Well I have said enough for now. I'm off to find another word to post on here to challenge you. I am glad September ends today. October should be fun. Bear Hugs, jcs

Word of the Day/ Bush Quote

resipiscent (re-si-PIS-uhnt) adjective

Having returned to a saner mind.

I posted this word in July. At that time I stated you need to find out the meaning. Assuming that most of you didn't the definition is now posted.

The next word to look for is Myrmadon. Good hunting.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

George Bush is challenged when he gives a speech. His latest quote found on all of the comic's lips is:

Childrens do learn when standards are high and results are measured.
George W. Bush

at least he didn't say results is measured. It would be funny if it weren't in defense of such a travesty as the No Child Left Behind Act - Which leaves all of them behind.

Have a good Friday! Huge Hugs, jcs

Vocabulary Lesson

I've mentioned before on this Blog that I love words. I've given some examples of words I like and I may wind up repeating some of them here. Some of the words I use because they are obscure and it gives me a false sense of being an intellectual when I use them. Others I like just because of the way they sound.

One of these words comes from our Masonic Ritual. It sounds like hail but it is really hele. The word is used in our ritual. One Brother says, "I hele." and the other Brother answers, "I conceal." Both words mean the same thing. It is a really old word. The Oxford English Dictionary says that it comes from around 825 A.D. It means to, hide, conceal, to keep secret. So we are not saying "Hail fellow, well met." We are talking about keeping our Masonic secrets.

I have asked Past Grand Masters and District Lecturers what the word means and you might be surprised how many are not aware of the masonic meaning of the word. Let alone what the word really is.

Another word I like is palliate. In one of the charges the new brother is told not to aggravate or palliate the offenses of their brothers. I think everyone knows what aggrivate means but palliate? I heard that word for years before I looked it up. It means:

1. to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate.
2. to try to mitigate or conceal the gravity of (an offense) by excuses, apologies, etc.; extenuate.
[Origin: 1540–50;

So, I am being told not to make the offense worse but also not to cover it up. I wonder how many of us know that.

I like the word affluvia and disagreeable affluvia is obviously an obnoxious smell.

Another phrase in Masonry that I like comes from Shakespeare;

But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country, from whose bourn
No traveler returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have,
Than fly to others we know not of.
(3.1.76-82)

Hamlet is contemplating suicide and the undiscovered country is death. Bourn is

an archaic term for a boundary
bourne
boundary, bounds, bound - the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

See how Masonry can increase our knowledge.

There are many other words which may be found in Masonry which are peculiar to us in this day and age. We use them but almost no one else does. Cowans and evesdroppers, due guard, libertine and even token (as we use it). They creep into our day to day language and we can sometimes recognize one another just by our use of language. There is a web site, Curious Masonic Words, if you want to find more.

Now on to some other favorites of mine.

Dearth - A lady we knew had a sister in law who had a cabin at Leech Lake, Minnesota. We used to take Marge up when we went so she could visit them. They were from Huston, Texas and her husband (Marge's brother) worked in the space program. I liked her but the thing I remember most about her was the use of the word dearth. It means "shortage" or "lack" and she used it correctly when she said "There is such a dearth of cultural events up here." There certainly were. The only "cultural event" we went there for was the card playing at the Lodge. But then we were only there for a couple-three weeks during the year. To give her credit she did organize some events during her tenure up there. My dog demonstrated her feelings by "pooping" on her astroturf. She was very nice about it. We were embarrassed.

I used to tell my students "For your information, elucidation and edification ..." and then go on to teach them something (yeah right) and that was fun to say. Probably more for me than for them.

Another word that I like comes from a prayer Deign - it means

deign - do something that one considers to be below one's dignity

I think what I like about it is that it is so often mispronounced. The free on-line dictionary will actually pronounce it for you at this page.

I find that a wonderful service because I am always mispronouncing words.

Penultimate is a fun word. My friend Ferne knows what it means. (She reads New Yorker, also)

pe·nul·ti·mate
–adjective
1. next to the last: the penultimate scene of the play.

Schadenfreude

No direct English translation but basically it means that you get pleasure from others misfortunes. In the prayer on the left of the blog it says "May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. " I really try to do that and sometimes it is difficult. But then I read Eucebius' prayer and it covers a lot for me to strive for.

That is it for now. Hope you enjoyed the vocabulary lesson. If not, that is just the way it is. Huge Hugs! jcs