This past year has been a good one in a material sense for
me, intellectually and spiritually quiet if not diminished; actually static.
Instead of resolutions, that I gave up years ago, I select the most influential
moments of the past year, then reflect on what was experienced or done, and see
what can be built on or needs to be taken away. Then at the macro level,
there's the reflection of what's happened socio-economically and politically.
Materially I have new computer\monitor\printer, home theater
system, iPhone player\speaker unit, fancy Cusinart coffee maker, Kindle Fire
HD, and new luxury car. Things that make my life more enjoyable and
comfortable, and for which I'm so grateful. These came about because of a
combination of a good job and gifts. A nice combination to be sure.
Spiritually I've not challenged myself. Part of that is my
reduced religious prayer and study time. Part of it is I've been on sabbatical
from the Elders in my church. What has kept me connected is the Bible study group I attend
and choir. I'm back from sabbatical and am ready to re-engage in church. Being
an introvert and not so much a social person it's always a bit of a challenge,
and I recognize the benefits and growth that come about because of it. I have,
over this past year, bought a few religious books, read three or four of them,
and recognize it's time to immerse myself in the rest. It's also time to get
back to increasing prayer and devotions.
Intellectually I've been pretty lazy. I've read only sixteen
books this year, mostly fiction, and much of my free time has been watching
vids or TV. Having streaming movies and missed TV shows constantly available
can be a great time waster (as enjoyable as it is) and mind numbing. It's time
to exercise some self discipline and increase my reading and study time. Best non-fiction book of the year was Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics by
Ross Gregory Douthat. Best fiction The Road Home by Jim
Harrison.
While we're on best of...best movie, well, I can't make up
my mind. Looking at my little blurbs I put here in my blog it must have been a
pretty good movie year. I saw 26 movies. Six I gave four out of five stars in
my little rating system. One I gave five stars, and that was "For
Greater Glory" about the Cristero War of 1926 to 1929 in Mexico
My blog posts too have fallen off, and writing so much
clarifies thinking, organizes it, and puts things in perspective. It also lends
itself to learning and expanding how we view things. So more writing.
Out of my sphere of influence, other than my vote, was the election,. I viewed it as a tipping point; the solidification of a majority of
citizens rejecting God, religion, Church, the traditional family, traditional
values; the belief system that was the foundation of America
All I can do is continue with my religious and intellectual
life, influence and be influenced by my sphere of family, friends, associates. A line from
Gandalf in the latest Hobbit movie, he said the powerful are not so much the difference,
but how ordinary people act, especially in difficult or dangerous times. Said
many times before, and I pray in these troubled times enough individuals take
that idea to heart.
What I take to heart is my love for, and being loved by so
many. What I pray for are those that have never heard of Jesus hear of Him and that
those that have put Christ out of their lives let Him back in. What I take to heart is love of my church. What I take to heart is love of our military. What I take to heart is love of my country and liberty.
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