What happened to all the "challenging" posts?

I admit, I've fallen away from the big, somewhat argumentative, challenging posts. Does that mean there will never be another one? Hell no. In fact, I know there will be more. But life isn't about long, tedious platitudes. It's the small details where true wisdom and enlightenment lies (or is it lays?).

I also think a blog clogged with longer posts tends to wear out the author and alienate the reader. It seems the discussions in the comments have been more stimulating than anything else going on here. I love that people are participating and thank everyone for reading and chiming in!

So, in summation, the State of the Blog is strong and growing. ;)

Mr Wizard Goes to the Big Lab in the Sky

Mr. Wizard (1917-2007)

Dang, I Missed Pig Day!

I can't believe I missed a national (to the U.S.) event as critical and notworthy as National Pig Day! Oh well. I'll look forward to next March 1. The site claims that pigs are "our most intelligent domesticated creature." I wonder if this person has seen the first episode of Deadwood.

Oh, and Father's Day comes up on the 17th!

Simple Question #006a: What Makes a Word "Cursed"?

I know there is a long list of "forbidden" words in today's world. In English alone there are dozens. Some of them are really fun to say, but what exactly is it about then that makes them less than acceptable to say in mixed company?

Would Jesus use some of these words? If not, then why? Methinks He might not avoid them just because he's supposed to. There must be an underlying reason beyond avoiding offense.

What do you think?

Jesus Wants You to Quit Smoking!

I know He does... He told me so. If you just need a little encouragement, check out this smoking cessation info-porn:

Dream Thoughts

I'm not a big "dream interpretation" kind of person. My general theory is that dreams are the brain's attempt to work through the experiences you don't, can't, or won't address during your waking hours. Some are just garbage and some can seem amazingly relevant. Either way, it's your brain and your "Stuff" it's rifling through, so at least occasionally the "messages" from your dreams are going to be (or seem) important.

The other day, had a dream where I was being reprimanded by someone with religious authority who was holding a Bible over his head as he took me down a couple of notches. My response was one that only comes from the clarity of a dream where your ego is turned off and the inspiration can flow evenly. As soon as I had finished the thought, I bolted up out of bed, and scuffled into the other room, and wrote this down:

The weight of the responsibility for truly knowing God's loving forgivenes is great.

I wonder, as you hold that Bible over your head as if to beat someone down with it, how you do not feel the heavy wisdom of God's forgiving love within its pages for it is there if only you would listen and accept it... And yet obviously you do not.

I have no idea why this came to me the way it did. When I try to compose things like this, they always come out too wordy. I've even (in my more pretentious moments) tried to write in parables, only to be left with lots of words and little wisdom on the written page. I'm much better with the quick, one-off metaphor.

Does this really mean anything?