tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56209727788060819632024-03-14T20:45:00.792-04:00Thinking About ItReflections on life, faith, and creationDavid Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06157887404120823139noreply@blogger.comBlogger803125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-33807959363556685932024-03-14T20:44:00.000-04:002024-03-14T20:44:29.287-04:00Rethinking RighteousnessJesus talks a lot about righteousness in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). But what's he talking about? <div><br /></div><div>I have always thought that righteousness was pretty simple. It's me doing the right thing, keeping the rules, being obedient. The checklist includes things like Bible reading, prayer, helping people, keeping promises, being honest, staying in Christian fellowship. </div><div><br /></div><div>In short, righteousness is about me being good. For the most part, it feels like righteousness is just between me and God.</div><div><br /></div><div>But thanks to the Bible Project's study of the Sermon, I have a clearer understanding of righteousness. It's not just about me being good. It is about me being in right relationship with others. As Tim Mackie says, righteousness is "doing right by you." </div><div><br /></div><div>This understanding better captures the meaning of the original words. And we can clearly see that emphasis in other parts of the Sermon. Jesus goes on to say that if there is a problem between you and someone else, you need to chase the person down and make it right. You need to repair the relationship before you even worship. Don't murder, but don't even be angry. Don't commit adultery, but don't even lust. It's all about relationship.</div><div><br /></div><div>And this tracks well with the second part of the Great Commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, yes, be righteous. But know that it means making relationships right. It's not just between me and God. We are all in this together. It's the kingdom of heaven.</div>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-29373684973295091912024-03-13T22:17:00.000-04:002024-03-13T22:17:02.877-04:00More Confessions<p>OK, so my Lent idea of confessing something every day sounded good. But here's my confession today. I haven't been confessing as much as I had planned or expected. </p><p>I'm not quite sure what went wrong. Maybe it was not a great idea to start with. Maybe I just failed to make confession a priority. But God has still been at work. </p><p>Even when we don't follow through, even when we have wrong priorities, even when we get distracted--even then, God is at work. He is at work behind the scenes. He is at work to reveal his love to us, as we discover our own imperfections.</p><p>And that's what Lent is about. </p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-23710521815775760642024-03-12T21:28:00.000-04:002024-03-12T21:28:32.794-04:00Book review: Devout<p>Today I picked up Anna Gazmarian's new book <i>Devout: A Memoir of Doubt</i>. I began by reading the foreword, just to get a sense of the work. And it was good. It was so good that I read the whole book today. Learn more about the book <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/a-new-memoir-examines-how-to-reclaim-faith-after-a-bipolar-diagnosis/ar-BB1jzAIA" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>(Full disclosure: Anna is my daughter's sister-in-law. I have known her for years, and I knew a good bit of her story already. And I want to cheer her on.)</p><p>This book shows one young woman's struggle with church culture and her deep desire to honor God. For some, the Christian life at least appears to be easy, but for Anna it felt all but impossible. She notes how shallow some Christian communities can be, how she tried so hard to fit in. But her own experience did not fit the mold. </p><p>Many churches and Christians could not grasp Anna's challenges with mental health. Well-meaning people urged her to try more prayer, more faith, more Bible reading. But easy answers were simplistic. </p><p>As she tells her story, Anna shares insights from the scripture, showing struggles of faith in the heroes of the faith. Her depth of understanding inspires people like me to keep digging into the riches of relationship with God. </p><p>As a gifted story-teller, Anna takes us with her on her journey. She leans on the Christian community as well as the world of psychiatry. In both spheres she finds those who can help and those who just don't get it. She shows how creativity can connect us with the work of the Spirit in us. She shows us the pain and the rewards of addressing mental health. </p><p>I can think of dozens of people I want to give this book to. It's a real story about a real struggle. It calls out Christian cliches and calls us to take mental health seriously. </p><p>Anna, your story gives us permission to live with doubt and to face our own struggles with mental health. For many, reading your story will be a game-changer.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSnPzdW3UL6vmgp526NT6BoED4frnIE9xVZIlmrrRbQrcCMdtJ7I6B6SgGz-tgUASsywBXbmOwUgyjfek-nnKSCk9Gwj6djReD6BMQfB5rLVrDvwlkktDk52LhZ8SZ4mh-mwH0Xb2E7lsJZcgxEpxK3vnzBT5gyuZHoYd3HgWxwLSzhuGG_ddD0FXUD0En" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="105" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSnPzdW3UL6vmgp526NT6BoED4frnIE9xVZIlmrrRbQrcCMdtJ7I6B6SgGz-tgUASsywBXbmOwUgyjfek-nnKSCk9Gwj6djReD6BMQfB5rLVrDvwlkktDk52LhZ8SZ4mh-mwH0Xb2E7lsJZcgxEpxK3vnzBT5gyuZHoYd3HgWxwLSzhuGG_ddD0FXUD0En" width="156" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-51450012972348715372024-03-11T20:34:00.000-04:002024-03-11T20:34:31.588-04:00Change your mind<p>About something. Change your mind. You "know" some things that are not true. </p><p>So do I. </p><p>So change your mind. I don't know where you are wrong, but I know it's somewhere. I am (cautiously) on the lookout for places where I'm wrong. I do not hold the same opinions at 61 that I held 31. I have learned. And I'm learning.</p><p>Just knowing that I have some wrong opinions helps me hold my opinions more loosely. When I encounter people who see the world differently from me, I remind myself that their experiences are far different from mine. I might (probably would) share their opinions if I had walked in their shoes.</p><p>Being willing to see things from another perspective softens my heart. It helps me not be so dogmatic or judgmental. I do agree that there are absolute truths. I think I have found some of them. But I try to give myself the freedom to rethink, to take into account new information, to consider another point of view. Even about those absolutes, I want to hold those perspectives graciously.</p><p>And that's the most important thing about dialing back the dogmatism: It allows for kindness. Even when we disagree, we can be kind. Maybe even when we are angry we can be kind.</p><p>So today I encourage you: Change your mind. About something. Maybe something small, like "People who drive Chevrolets are idiots." Just start changing your mind. It might open up a whole new world.</p><p>And yeah, this is my Chevy and my rooster.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhynDqj3z0MLdKPjQBL8lE5cSRbag6EVUOjWTS6Jr_Zo_8vWbHToJSPU7TyDhzdOFd4bRfn_3NmNq6kijzVtsgmMS0AUX-qwim2ZuWp7KjkTSTTo0B-p-GL068nsKovSLSLIQtfm_TeO5LaDMUuMLGfwXrYfEvWAMtknwbw-s9TghHJJOaZC4iYHfOY7OfH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhynDqj3z0MLdKPjQBL8lE5cSRbag6EVUOjWTS6Jr_Zo_8vWbHToJSPU7TyDhzdOFd4bRfn_3NmNq6kijzVtsgmMS0AUX-qwim2ZuWp7KjkTSTTo0B-p-GL068nsKovSLSLIQtfm_TeO5LaDMUuMLGfwXrYfEvWAMtknwbw-s9TghHJJOaZC4iYHfOY7OfH" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-92159342552620227482024-03-10T20:24:00.000-04:002024-03-10T20:24:02.515-04:00Oscar tone<p>I have been cynical about the Oscars. A bunch of self-important people live out a popularity contest while the little people fawn all over them. At least that's how it has so often seemed to me. And obviously I have not gone out of my way to see every Oscar moment every year.</p><p>But this year's Academy Awards show has a different vibe to it. OK, it's only an hour into the show, but the attitudes of the actors has been so refreshing. They seem to be more humble, more interested in other people. They just seem more sincere to me.</p><p>I did watch the red carpet segment before the show, where they interview the stars, and that's where I first noticed a hint of humility. Maybe a hint is all they can risk, but I still find it refreshing.</p><p>There is still more time for pride and vanity, but thanks, Hollywood, for reminding us that you are real people.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJnW_drGTXZZ0uNcAqA-bZQaey8Cg2WEvE3dHD5Oz0LR87QF3RCm_hHVzO0ZpNuKP0yNZfMrLNf-usqVAI5ok5cSDbQNTpX10jWt4MSzR-YXSq8XRhb6NdfZYk47VdjYgQKUFSElO0vBO2LfIQBncIfGLEXYthbAUYODxuI3w4_r06mCXnZYQF15DyA-uL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1273" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJnW_drGTXZZ0uNcAqA-bZQaey8Cg2WEvE3dHD5Oz0LR87QF3RCm_hHVzO0ZpNuKP0yNZfMrLNf-usqVAI5ok5cSDbQNTpX10jWt4MSzR-YXSq8XRhb6NdfZYk47VdjYgQKUFSElO0vBO2LfIQBncIfGLEXYthbAUYODxuI3w4_r06mCXnZYQF15DyA-uL" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-35430986296277013192024-03-09T15:52:00.002-05:002024-03-09T15:52:58.163-05:00Deep Lent<p>During the season of Lent, we are encouraged to contemplate Jesus's journey leading to the cross. It is 40 days long, helping us think about his time of temptation in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry. We also recall his suffering as encountered all kinds of opposition. </p><p>As Richard Rohr notes in <i>Falling Upward</i>, Jesus did seem to find the most pushback from the rich and the religious. The rich could not reach a place of actually needing God's help, and the religious believed that they were doing just fine, thank you, without Jesus's rocking the boat. </p><p>Lent is a good time to look in the mirror and see if I am like the rich or religious. They were the ones for whom the system was working. They had all their material needs taken care of, and they had their spiritual needs covered with their religious practices. Yet they were the ones who often resented Jesus. </p><p>Jesus reached out to the poor and the non-religious. Jesus found that they were more receptive to his message. They could see their need. The system was not working for them. They were desperate. They were poor in spirit and marginalized. </p><p>So during this season, I need to recognize my own complacency, my own satisfaction with the status quo. I need to see that I am surely missing out on something deeper. I need to recognize my reluctance to enter the kingdom of God, my reluctance to love my enemies and restore relationships and make peace. </p><p>This is a time to go deeper. I need it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKWSFStYLF2AUGQCYCwo41GLfQbMpffA7cJWB2rlC-bM5bUJF3w0ZIeI0ewE8PAF0xFX7pXFL3pdytQzjkrM49ZMUPYrYCMOejfoqFfHzN3sv7kVY5uQLK--ayeurRuOx3SDAay4IomGWSzK2dMmH2nk7zJynwMUAhk-Pqss-YW3-kkx5aO0LL0w_KwY04" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKWSFStYLF2AUGQCYCwo41GLfQbMpffA7cJWB2rlC-bM5bUJF3w0ZIeI0ewE8PAF0xFX7pXFL3pdytQzjkrM49ZMUPYrYCMOejfoqFfHzN3sv7kVY5uQLK--ayeurRuOx3SDAay4IomGWSzK2dMmH2nk7zJynwMUAhk-Pqss-YW3-kkx5aO0LL0w_KwY04" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-14522019036917569422024-03-08T22:19:00.001-05:002024-03-08T22:19:54.630-05:00Lunar Bad Luck<p>On February 22, 2024 a spacecraft landed on the moon. This was the first moon landing of an American craft since Apollo 17 in 1972. There was lots of celebration for the mission. The craft Odysseus was sent to the moon in a cooperative effort of NASA and Intuitive Machines, a Texas-based company.</p><p>But unfortunately, one of the legs of the lander failed, and the machine toppled over. The craft's solar panels could not be turned to face the sun, and the batteries failed all too quickly. A few images were beamed back to earth, but that was all the mission could do. The lander had six legs, which seems like more than enough for the job, but alas, it was not.</p><p>The mission was a success in that it did land on the moon, but certainly a disappointment because of its short life on the lunar surface.</p><p>They say that you learn more through failure than success. I don't enjoy failure, but I do like to learn. Seems like I have had plenty of small successes, followed by significant failures. </p><p>I should be learning a lot.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOGiRdQqB5lWTvTalFi21AWWHgv_5j8IMxUPQ9tWZAO33IMvsrOSksfgXXncWQsMaSB5G1QlhFFmY8qGNYqyyfZv1U3CgYdg-HCHl6VNyxmwJTGRcspFG2z6Rghmh3UzmtuObcZbkGMU1Uo0eK-6FrolbtgsPuMQSKUu_E5GUh75phhxWVEWYkTIDKqcvk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOGiRdQqB5lWTvTalFi21AWWHgv_5j8IMxUPQ9tWZAO33IMvsrOSksfgXXncWQsMaSB5G1QlhFFmY8qGNYqyyfZv1U3CgYdg-HCHl6VNyxmwJTGRcspFG2z6Rghmh3UzmtuObcZbkGMU1Uo0eK-6FrolbtgsPuMQSKUu_E5GUh75phhxWVEWYkTIDKqcvk" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-29208294693673877102024-03-07T21:38:00.000-05:002024-03-07T21:38:55.675-05:00Prayers for Gaza<p>After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, the world felt the horror of what that nation suffered. In the weeks that followed, we learned about Israel's harsh treatment of the people of Gaza; Israel felt that they had to control Gaza as much as possible after Hamas was elected to power in about 2006. </p><p>And in the months since Hamas's attack, we have seen the brutal response of Israel. They have determined to eradicate Hamas from Gaza, even if it means harming innocent civilians in the process. The relentless assault on this small region has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis.</p><p>While the U.S. may desire to support Israel, we cannot accept all their military action uncritically. The goal of eliminating Hamas cannot realistically be achieved. And even if it could, the brutality of the Israeli Defense Force will cause more opposition to rise.</p><p>It is time for a cease-fire. It is time for hostages to be released. It is time for a serious effort for meaningful peace, with Palestine and Israel on equal footing.</p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-20170210962275413432024-03-06T20:40:00.000-05:002024-03-06T20:40:05.274-05:00You Bet<p>Not too long ago professional sports shunned gambling on their games. But with the emergence of digital apps for sports betting, pro sports have a whole new world of sponsors. Fantasy football lured fans into the deep statistics, but sports betting hits at a whole other level.</p><p>It's one thing to beat your friends in a fantasy league, but when you put serious dollar signs on your picks, fans have a lot more at stake. And it looks so easy. Download an app, enter some personal information, and boom! You're all set.</p><p>I have pretty much tuned out all the FanDuel ads, but a news report got my attention tonight. A psychology professor noted that young men who are drawn into sports betting are highly likely to become gambling addicts. The brain's formation does not recognize certain dangers before age 25. Gambling can etch destructive thought patterns in young brains. And so we could be setting up society for a new wave of addicts.</p><p>Some people may actually make money with sports betting, but most will lose. Some will lose fortunes. Some will lose gas money. Some will lose jobs. Some will lose families. Some will borrow from everyone they can think of. I expect there will be lots more losers than winners.</p><p>But the gaming companies will certainly win. Therapists will have new clients. If pharmaceutical companies can create a pill to control gambling, then they will get rich too. </p><p>But many children will be losers. And relationships will suffer. And many (most?) of the users of gambling apps will wish they had never downloaded.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfXJz99GZefHMhXoHiELNWlshwcuY9jiirUAtzyYr-zaKOPu3NCqCcCMCyltGG0uQMq1j7OBuXjtAp9UPwfvjbgJyBt0h5y7qridwIHneIrEdkXMA-gbAjWygfXqiUN9sZbz5FnkM6EaSrSFujgLPNfdhR_n5uw1NBouBZrQ6OIUKtg6vAGatzAWYXk2oY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1269" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfXJz99GZefHMhXoHiELNWlshwcuY9jiirUAtzyYr-zaKOPu3NCqCcCMCyltGG0uQMq1j7OBuXjtAp9UPwfvjbgJyBt0h5y7qridwIHneIrEdkXMA-gbAjWygfXqiUN9sZbz5FnkM6EaSrSFujgLPNfdhR_n5uw1NBouBZrQ6OIUKtg6vAGatzAWYXk2oY" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-30008452475999346082024-03-05T20:49:00.001-05:002024-03-05T20:49:37.925-05:00New Home for LOT<p>At the polls today I ran into an old friend who always works the polls. As we talked, she asked me where LOT 2540 is moving. I don't have all the inside information, but here is what has been shared publicly.</p><p>LOT could not renew their lease on their current property.</p><p>LOT has made an offer to purchase a suitable property in Western Rockingham County, which would be the Madison/Mayodan/Stoneville area. I have not heard if the offer was accepted, and I don't know exactly where the property is.</p><p>LOT is also pursuing a lease on retail space which would house the Thrift Store part of the ministry. Again, I don't know if the lease worked out, or where it is. The location LOT is seeking to purchase is not large enough to house the Thrift Store.</p><p>Now, here's some information that is definite. During this season of transition, our lunches and classes will be held at First Baptist Church in Mayodan. We will begin serving there on March 13. </p><p>We serve lunch Wednesday through Saturday. Our times will shift one hour later when we move to FBC. Lunch will be served 12:30 to 2 p.m. and classes will be 1 to 2 p.m. Hope to see you there!</p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-15874559639882660502024-03-04T20:17:00.000-05:002024-03-04T20:17:05.331-05:00Time to vote<p>Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, and NC is part of the fun. </p><p>I have had a hard time this year, figuring out who to vote for. It seems like the whole world of politics has gone crazy. </p><p>And frankly, I don't feel like I belong anywhere politically. In many cases I just want to vote for "none of the above." So many candidates want to align themselves with national figures who are trouble. I prefer a candidate who can stand on his/her own. </p><p>In so many races, no one has really impressed me as worthy of my vote.</p><p>I do plan to vote against all the incumbent Rockingham County commissioners. They truly betrayed their constituents when they cleared the way for a casino here. At least for now the NC legislature has not made casinos legal. But our commissioners unanimously sold out to the big gambling interests, offering to transform the whole culture of our community for dollars.</p><p>So, I'll go do my civic duty tomorrow. And for the most part, I'll be hoping all the candidates lose.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqnGZCwXzgInDoNI_t9Ks0eMLFjy91Je4D1WUbzDzGD_MO0IJh7XPfJ5LyBhntAwccf0LR3Q6XYTTFCnehCC5ePcsbFFsyZFqIxVILDHtIRJfspT4AN4Lil8DA_VS8as-gjufMOSrz62200K6zwPM2S3_yEbs7dQ6Ydo4X9GHKi5egXKNAhjtZuMUiPngV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1269" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqnGZCwXzgInDoNI_t9Ks0eMLFjy91Je4D1WUbzDzGD_MO0IJh7XPfJ5LyBhntAwccf0LR3Q6XYTTFCnehCC5ePcsbFFsyZFqIxVILDHtIRJfspT4AN4Lil8DA_VS8as-gjufMOSrz62200K6zwPM2S3_yEbs7dQ6Ydo4X9GHKi5egXKNAhjtZuMUiPngV" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-73705009089121182052024-03-03T20:49:00.001-05:002024-03-03T20:49:31.952-05:00Crossing Myself<p>Some gestures mean a lot. A gesture can affirm or insult, welcome or frighten. The hand over the heart indicates reverence when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. A one-finger salute can tell another driver exactly how you feel.</p><p>Christian tradition includes the gesture of crossing oneself. It is a way to invoke God's grace and blessing. It's a way to acknowledge with your body that your body belongs to God. It reminds the faithful that God is with us in life's journey.</p><p>Actually, I know far too little about the significance of crossing yourself. I grew up as a Protestant, and we just don't do that thing. We know that the Catholic Church went off the rails way back centuries ago, and we know we are not Catholics. If only Catholics cross themselves, then we won't do that. </p><p>I failed to realize that Christians used this gesture in the early centuries of the Church. This was a helpful, reverent practice, a physical way to surrender one's attitude to the Lord. </p><p>I still feel really weird and awkward when I cross myself. In fact, I have never done it in public. I have only crossed myself while alone. It still feels too Catholic. And I'm not Catholic. But I am a believer in Jesus. I do want to remind myself that his death on the cross gives life to me. I want to use my body to indicate my surrender to him. I know that Jesus willingly received all the horror of humanity in himself on the cross. And by the cross he brings healing, restoration, reconciliation, redemption, forgiveness, hope.</p><p>Maybe someday my appreciation for Jesus's death for me will outweigh my desire not to appear Catholic. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWjUvcUwCTlVaPbX-VagYAvQ5dC9cLVICHeppvjNjaI-xPh5al7ACQMfrNQMc-wSylUgmz3lcf-WPpT_uiTYUxNqVE0uOcxXmA4pV6wNvWgjp7VxNOKRFXJLXkAwmqnbZgRg--IS3-jBnsV9Vbj5J34OZPtVLSficpBE6HO7yUszRF3Blx5FCLiTCWi-yd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="563" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWjUvcUwCTlVaPbX-VagYAvQ5dC9cLVICHeppvjNjaI-xPh5al7ACQMfrNQMc-wSylUgmz3lcf-WPpT_uiTYUxNqVE0uOcxXmA4pV6wNvWgjp7VxNOKRFXJLXkAwmqnbZgRg--IS3-jBnsV9Vbj5J34OZPtVLSficpBE6HO7yUszRF3Blx5FCLiTCWi-yd" width="160" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-755541510021884442024-03-02T17:26:00.001-05:002024-03-02T17:26:04.786-05:00Protecting my hens<p>My chickens are having a hard time. They apparently taste good to the predators. I have lost two of them in the past few days.</p><p>I'm not sure what kind of critter is getting my birds, but I need to find a solution. I have an electric mesh fence, which is not always on. Sigh. Clearly I need to make sure the fence stays on more. Sometimes the solar battery gets low and it needs to recharge. I could also close the henhouse door at night, and then open every morning. But that's a lot of effort.</p><p>We can try to trap the culprit, too. </p><p>Oh, and maybe we need a farm dog.</p><p>I want my hens to be able to trust me to take care of them. That's a lot of responsibility.</p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-59775884648665203622024-03-01T16:41:00.002-05:002024-03-01T16:41:39.980-05:00Sick Politics<p>The American experiment has endured almost 250 years now. We began in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence, and we put our current rules in place with the Constitution in 1787. Over the centuries we have amended the Constitution only 27 times, beginning with the first 10, known as the Bill of Rights. Only 17 measures have become formal amendments, and two of those cancel out each other. Amendment 18 introduced Prohibition of alcohol, and Amendment 21 repealed that ban. </p><p>So we really have only added to the Constitution 15 times since the Bill of Rights. That's quite a record. But the world of United States government is showing some weaknesses, particularly with the two party system. In his Farewell Address, George Washington warned of the dangers of two parties battling with each other in government. He saw the strife in his own cabinet and anticipated the kinds of problems we see today.</p><p>Our system of selecting candidates for President seems particularly troubling today. We have two 80-year-old men as the likely nominees, both of whom seem unfit to serve as leaders of the free world. We are left to wonder about American politics: Is this the best we can do?</p><p>The two major parties are pulled so hard to the extremes that their candidates look like caricatures. The mainstream voter can't get behind either nominee. We are perpetually required to choose the-lesser-of-two-evils. </p><p>I believe that the American people should not be doomed to such choices in every election.</p><p>Sadly the party leaders seem to lack common sense and common decency. The candidates are so clearly disqualified to serve, and no one has the courage to stand up and speak the truth. And those who do speak up are summarily canceled and silenced.</p><p>In this culture, good, respectable states-people cannot find political traction. Some are scared away by the vitriol that comes with campaigns. Some cannot stir up enough support because they will not play into voters' fears.</p><p>And so we are left with candidates who sow political and cultural division. The division works to put them in power. But division does not work to lead and inspire our nation.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkZt8caGAMbDO2T0xPwQwJcY3uvSyjUq_mmIjaiH0wytKEE_0AMEpllcTK4OKXGyvTQ6k48qDDGO0um1vkCfOnv5XFawrP4U-LSLKmwP03XAJEzNIYX1wjlHHrqMP3HDFy7xwunRAj9f8cLcg7Arul4bGBVWPJI6y3Q53kIEKzcPQGHKK5lYqj1udPjExu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1269" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkZt8caGAMbDO2T0xPwQwJcY3uvSyjUq_mmIjaiH0wytKEE_0AMEpllcTK4OKXGyvTQ6k48qDDGO0um1vkCfOnv5XFawrP4U-LSLKmwP03XAJEzNIYX1wjlHHrqMP3HDFy7xwunRAj9f8cLcg7Arul4bGBVWPJI6y3Q53kIEKzcPQGHKK5lYqj1udPjExu" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-87376264466885074592024-02-29T16:37:00.000-05:002024-02-29T16:37:30.070-05:00Leap Day!<p>How are you celebrating Leap Day?</p><p>Will you jump to conclusions?</p><p>Take a leap of faith?</p><p>Turn over a new leap? (Sorry)</p><p>You can clear your biggest hurdles.</p><p>You can try the decaffeinated version and just take it one step at a time.</p><p>Some Leap Day traditions include women proposing marriage to men, playing Leap Frog, or planning for the next leap year (2028).</p><p>I looked up a list of Leap Day celebration ideas, but most of them were quite lame. Which seems sadly ironic for a day of leaping. I saw ideas like cook a meal, take some pictures, make a Leap Day T-shirt, prepare for spring. </p><p>Seriously, "prepare for spring"? I need an extra day in February to inspire me to prepare for spring?</p><p>Well for me, I happen to be a the beach today, so I went for a walk and found lots of sea biscuits! We have never before found any of those shells at the shore, and today we saw dozens!</p><p>Whatever you do today, lame or not, I hope your Leap Day springs forth with joyful irony and fun memories! </p><p>And as I think of it, I don't really remember any Leap Days from years past. Hmmm.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZRXr0o3_VyYaMQHBtCyPslBkbTZAEqrWcvi6y9axI53abBZnwieU1D-JMosM5VGrAjDx1-Ra03qkZlDMFrNElV-2US4yrWheda2fN-gDd7qmPuvnO-_hKES11bJKiW2IwwGiD9cUonwx2AE4bQc1n_TZ2LyIxyYsxX7w2xWjdWJFrHIHKVboUWJRFQDIe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZRXr0o3_VyYaMQHBtCyPslBkbTZAEqrWcvi6y9axI53abBZnwieU1D-JMosM5VGrAjDx1-Ra03qkZlDMFrNElV-2US4yrWheda2fN-gDd7qmPuvnO-_hKES11bJKiW2IwwGiD9cUonwx2AE4bQc1n_TZ2LyIxyYsxX7w2xWjdWJFrHIHKVboUWJRFQDIe" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-46468579799198202082024-02-28T18:06:00.000-05:002024-02-28T18:06:03.109-05:00Steel-Man<p>I have been disappointed with the way some Christian thinkers engage in conversation about important subjects. I have noticed the tone used in dialogue tends to be far too polemical.</p><p>Too many Christians will state a point of view on, say, abortion or immigration or education. Then they will construct a straw-man version of the opposing point of view and proceed to dismantle and ridicule that position. </p><p>So here are my concerns and observations.</p><p>First, Jesus told us to love our enemies, as well as our neighbors. These diatribes by Christians do not indicate a loving attitude toward anyone, especially anyone who disagrees.</p><p>Second, personal attacks and calling others stupid has never been very persuasive. If their goal is to persuade, they should find some commonality with those who disagree.</p><p>Third, the attacks on a straw-man don't prove much at all. They may energize those in agreement, but that doesn't really change anyone's mind.</p><p>Fourth, straw-man attacks tend to weaken the position they intend to affirm. When I hear a straw-man attack, I realize that the attacker has such a weak understanding of the issue that he/she cannot refute the true position of the opposition. </p><p>Finally, in a straw-man attack I see someone who is actually afraid of dealing with truth. He/she would rather look good to a particular audience than actually convince someone to change his/her position.</p><p>Why not actually construct a robust, persuasive argument as the opposition would actually state it? Why not try to understand that position and make a case that sounds intellectually honest? Then you can seek truth with the opposition, raising actual points of disagreement. </p><p>Seems to me that too many people are afraid to construct a steel-man for the sake of honest argument. We are more interested in ridiculing others and putting them down, than we are in actually seeking truth together.</p><p>No wonder we are so divided.</p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-50789684490960646662024-02-27T21:44:00.000-05:002024-02-27T21:44:43.375-05:00Troublesome King<p>In Matthew 2 we see the story of the Magi coming to visit Jesus. As they looked for the newborn king, they went to the capital, Jerusalem. When Herod the Great heard about this inquiry, he was troubled, Matthew tells us. I guess so. If a new king was born, the current king would certainly expect to know about it.</p><p>But Matthew notes that "all Jerusalem" was also troubled. I have always thought that the citizens were worried about King Herod's reaction to the news. But maybe these citizens were worried about the possibility of a new king upsetting the status quo.</p><p>In any society there are people who want to keep things as they are. They want to conserve the current systems. If the system works for me, why would I want it to change? Sure there are people who are struggling, but they can thrive too if they will get with the program.</p><p>But when this newborn king grew up, he turned things upside down, declaring that the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek -- these were the blessed people. This message would really challenge the status quo. </p><p>So, yeah, Herod and the powerful people in Jerusalem were right to be troubled.</p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-22857560763297225582024-02-26T20:52:00.001-05:002024-02-26T20:52:43.579-05:00Prophets and criticism<p>Israel was supposed to be God's chosen people to show God's goodness to the world. Israel had a few moments of faithfulness, but generally they were about as corrupt as the rest of the world. They oppressed foreigners and their own people. They failed to carry out justice. They set up systems to prop up the elite at the expense of the ordinary people. They worshiped other gods.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: black;">The prophets noted all these
failures and called the kings to account. They called out the failures of
diplomacy, failures of leadership, failures of worship. They criticized the
government relentlessly. And this did not improve the popularity of the prophets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">The prophets stood up to the
powerful, often at great cost. They were often hated. Their reports in the
Bible were actually a minority report. They would have lost all the opinion
polls in their day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Their main job was to criticize
and call God's people back to faith. They usually failed. But they did it
anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">We need some prophets today.
Not that we are God's chosen people. But there is so much to criticize in
government and society today. Somebody needs to speak the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">People who should know better
are falling under the spell of loud politicians. Somebody needs to call this
out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Bring on the prophets.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-75207643960073337342024-02-25T21:27:00.000-05:002024-02-25T21:27:02.262-05:00Come to your senses<p>Our guest speaker at Crossroads this morning, Guy Andrews, led us into the story of the Prodigal Son. The story is so familiar. I've heard so many sermons and Bible studies on this famous parable. But the story keeps yielding more profound truth.</p><p>You probably know the story, and you can find it in Luke 15. Jesus tells three stories there, and the last one is about three men. There's a father, an older son, and a younger son. The younger son wants to cash out of the family, so the father allows him to take his inheritance and walk away. This son has a great time partying, until the money runs out. His life gets pitiful. Then he comes to his senses.</p><p>He decides to go back home and beg to be let in the house. </p><p>The father sees him coming, and runs out to meet him. The father forgives him and calls for a celebration.</p><p>Meanwhile, the older brother has stayed home, slaving away in the family fields. When he hears about his brother's return and the impending party, he can stand it. The father goes to see his older son and tries to explain why they had to celebrate. But older brother will have none of it. It's not fair for him to slave away and not ever have a party. "Everything I have is yours," the father tells him. </p><p>The younger brother brought shame to the family and wasted all his wealth. Then he came to his senses. The father rejoiced because this son finally understood the value of relationship.</p><p>The older brother apparently brought respect to the family and never wasted wealth. But he never came to his senses. The father was sad because this son thought that honor, wealth, and obedience were more important than relationship.</p><p>Here's the point. The father rejoices when his sons come to their senses. Every day I need to come to my senses because every day I get things mixed up.</p><p>Coming to my senses brings me life.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFKPqMcpX0uMAcOZeTZvDNV_ldZ4shyF0-yFD9MCvFJYrZ0Cc3NVtcgRp7o4Xat8ZnLtrSumXI_QV-ixzdXyI1yrkIinCGeMaaxYOXiUN7Qk5HLDcGCnuDer8bz9ztEYuxYLMqefHqg7yVrcO1AKC1gWr7s_R6MxT5Q9xGP_jZpJglG5D4HO3uDpIneVq8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="627" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFKPqMcpX0uMAcOZeTZvDNV_ldZ4shyF0-yFD9MCvFJYrZ0Cc3NVtcgRp7o4Xat8ZnLtrSumXI_QV-ixzdXyI1yrkIinCGeMaaxYOXiUN7Qk5HLDcGCnuDer8bz9ztEYuxYLMqefHqg7yVrcO1AKC1gWr7s_R6MxT5Q9xGP_jZpJglG5D4HO3uDpIneVq8" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-52043985376359542302024-02-24T20:47:00.000-05:002024-02-24T20:47:19.708-05:00Better than goody-goody<p>Jesus pronounces as "blessed" those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. (See Matthew 5:6.) When we think of righteousness, we think of good behavior, doing the right thing. It's a personal matter. You make sure that you follow all the rules. You check the boxes.</p><p>Those who hunger and thirst for that may seem, well, not much fun. They may come across as goody-goody, or self-righteous, or judgmental. They are so caught up with their rule following that they miss out on the joys of life. Maybe they think it's worth it, after all, they are promised future reward.</p><p>But Jesus does not say, "Blessed are the rule followers." </p><p>We get tripped up by the word "righteousness." It's not about following rules and polishing your sterling reputation. It really means "right relationships." </p><p>"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for right relationships." That puts a whole different spin on the saying. And notice what Jesus goes on to talk about in Matthew 5--settling disputes, not hating people, not objectifying people, serving those who oppress you. It really is about being in good relationship with other people.</p><p>If you hunger and thirst for right relationships, you can make your own world more peaceful, and you can surprise others by not being selfish. This is the kind of attitude that will make your world a better place. When lots of people live like that, you have a movement.</p><p>If you choose to live like that, Jesus says you will be filled. That's the kind of world I want to live in.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDiwtLDGNMxkrr-YaGUc3H6wNnnDIDz3c7zWDqV_XRBwf3l2CxjvgjZpc3gfKjLwMAAKU31j59RqiozGs5m4JqyaKXHiCm6nov5YMvIbqxVDE17QmouoAu7a1DWBxwirwxRFco2KG5n_qrimf6gmEeECn1J5fh5rIOsQznC11jNzeiDG0z3KBtA2GEFt5D" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1254" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDiwtLDGNMxkrr-YaGUc3H6wNnnDIDz3c7zWDqV_XRBwf3l2CxjvgjZpc3gfKjLwMAAKU31j59RqiozGs5m4JqyaKXHiCm6nov5YMvIbqxVDE17QmouoAu7a1DWBxwirwxRFco2KG5n_qrimf6gmEeECn1J5fh5rIOsQznC11jNzeiDG0z3KBtA2GEFt5D" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-19154495218868901162024-02-23T22:42:00.000-05:002024-02-23T22:42:05.398-05:00Checking on the Experiment<p>The New York Times daily email today noted the trouble with teens and smartphones. They found that the earlier children receive a smartphone, the more likely they are to struggle with mental health. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YcLWNpui5B2ioPqcooqoEe555Vs41dSZIBNLlg2jkK4pinUsIuuOpwoXZn83pe1wesrE09tjH1Gu0Sn1jNpVlKWw_q38z5BLbKjgNhKl-IniNehkgYPZcypepbKvVrRK_ymLjbIrN2DpW65c3Tkq0AFEu7uEzEtP6kJyQmXuNsELUzW0YYtLEvKreo6E/s1024/NYT%20graph.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1024" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YcLWNpui5B2ioPqcooqoEe555Vs41dSZIBNLlg2jkK4pinUsIuuOpwoXZn83pe1wesrE09tjH1Gu0Sn1jNpVlKWw_q38z5BLbKjgNhKl-IniNehkgYPZcypepbKvVrRK_ymLjbIrN2DpW65c3Tkq0AFEu7uEzEtP6kJyQmXuNsELUzW0YYtLEvKreo6E/w407-h276/NYT%20graph.png" width="407" /></a></div>A girl receiving her first phone at age 6 has over a 70% chance of experiencing mental health problems. <div><br /></div><div>We are all part of a grand experiment, a study of what happens to humanity when it has unlimited access to every connection all the time. I blogged about this grand experiment nearly 11 years ago. You can read that post <a href="https://dkbailey.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-humantechnology-experiment.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The experiment was just beginning then. The results of the experiment are disturbing.<br /><p>Back then, we didn't realize how addictive electronic screens could be. Now we see the addiction and the depression, disconnection, bullying, shaming, distraction, insomnia, and loneliness that this technology has facilitated.</p><p>We are all lab rats. It's nearly impossible to opt out of the experiment. Those who do opt out look like kooks. But maybe we can at least dial it back. We can realize that our social media apps are actively working to keep us hooked. We can put limits on our screen time. We can turn off our phones.</p><p>Maybe you could try one of these ways of disconnecting.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Turn off your phone at night.</li><li>Make a habit of not looking at your phone first thing in the morning. Wait until after your workout or your first cup of coffee.</li><li>Leave your phone in the car when you go out to eat.</li><li>Turn off your phone for a couple of hours every Sunday afternoon. And take a nap or take a walk.</li><li>Remember that the social media companies want to use you to make money. Limit their access to you.</li><li>Say a prayer whenever scroll through your social media feed. Pray for someone you care about, pray for wisdom, pray for restraint.</li></ul><p></p><p>We can't stop this experiment, but we can limit our participation. Looks like our mental health depends on it.</p></div>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-16197764284742462792024-02-22T22:33:00.001-05:002024-02-22T22:33:26.699-05:00Oppenheimer <p>I just watched the movie. Wow. A great story told powerfully.</p><p>There was so much I did not know about the Manhattan Project and the politics behind it. </p><p>We are faced with moral choices every day, but I can't imagine the incongruity of building a weapon like this. You need the weapon to stop evil, before that evil makes that awful weapon itself.</p><p>And when the evil is waning, soon to collapse, should you use that weapon? Should you use it a second time?</p><p>The world has never been the same since that first explosion in Los Alamos.</p><p>We do well consider the evil and destruction of violence, even as a means of stopping violence.</p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-60516230682920673012024-02-21T19:43:00.000-05:002024-02-21T19:43:39.277-05:00Feeding AI<p>I have a subscription to Microsoft's Office 365. It's a bummer to pay for it every year, but at least I know that I stay updated.</p><p>What I did not realize is that all my documents are available to Microsoft to feed into their Artificial Intelligence machine, "Copilot." More and more I see suggestions about next words or phrases in the things I type. Sometimes the suggestions are helpful, sometimes they are just annoying.</p><p>Many AI programs are based on a "large language model." These programs are designed to predict the next word in any word combination. With simply next word prediction, these AI models can build very complex "thoughts" or ideas. </p><p>And people are now using AI for all kinds of tasks. You can get AI to help you organize thoughts, suggest creative solutions, or mimic a specific style. </p><p>These are all things that I have heard AI can do. I have never done more than pull up the website for Chat GPT. I'm still a little skeptical of the whole concept. I like to do my own thinking, thank you. But I do like to save time and effort. </p><p>One day maybe I'll ask some AI for ideas on yardwork, or vacation activities, or ways to fill out a March Madness bracket. I'm not quite there yet.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1zpEw-3rnkj68aEX2oK7GDcEyemM1FuOnt6aJQmJ7LbsC9_htRaYGS9pDf-kzPvZvztc88123Y7hekGyMGFDVKW3BeW3Ng8GacLLNBk5sazlq1OfLrATHwQEIjcGF0ycGQhH6ZulQPBAsBaAEI6ceQcekL1gtJYE2y3X4aQKtX8-_mrms2a5L96WS0X9w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="619" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1zpEw-3rnkj68aEX2oK7GDcEyemM1FuOnt6aJQmJ7LbsC9_htRaYGS9pDf-kzPvZvztc88123Y7hekGyMGFDVKW3BeW3Ng8GacLLNBk5sazlq1OfLrATHwQEIjcGF0ycGQhH6ZulQPBAsBaAEI6ceQcekL1gtJYE2y3X4aQKtX8-_mrms2a5L96WS0X9w" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-37541188376193652442024-02-20T20:32:00.000-05:002024-02-20T20:32:16.136-05:00Tech No<p>I remember as a teenager watching my parents who were unable to keep up with the latest trends. They were so lame. Now it's my turn. </p><p>I just want to share some of my attitudes and experiences with technology. I got my first computer in 1987, and I was so excited. It was so amazing to write my grad school papers on a word processor. Printing was tricky, but it was so much better than a typewriter.</p><p>Now I have apps on my phone for important things like Chic-fil-A. I have thousands of points. I also have some social media apps. I check Facebook about every day. I have never really gotten into Instagram. I have an account, but, well, it just doesn't hook me. </p><p>When I'm scrolling on social media, I feel like I'm holding my breath. This is something that I can only do for so long. It feels like a guilty pleasure without a whole lot of pleasure.</p><p>I had a Twitter account, which of course has become X. Here again, I have never been hooked. Usually it feels like a waste of time. I hear podcasters talk about engaging and enraging people on X. I find it easy to shut it down.</p><p>Now, I do love me some podcasts. I think this might be the best use of the smart phone ever. Except maybe taking pictures of my grandson.</p><p>I Snap Chat with only three people, my wife and two daughters. That can be fun.</p><p>I have never downloaded Tiktok. I think it's just something else to figure out, and it seems mostly like teenagers giggling. Plus, I don't trust those Chinese people with my data.</p><p>Yeah, I'm out of touch, maybe. But I do love to dig in the dirt. There's no app for that.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAH2r62cjj3oyS0AFpH74GYlXJMuQrdHWsCwOKegw4iGb4YxHQ4qgsvl5yZMgWSoMI112EohkMNqskR4tvh_XDKR_VcVAW0FRk07lXbE8NF603ET0PqSFlAR_uW7d7wVna5iOJUATu2lqVBincGzfJQ_I0NSK2jMTjxGDHzw4u9hykvmuggEN1YAJUruiy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1238" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAH2r62cjj3oyS0AFpH74GYlXJMuQrdHWsCwOKegw4iGb4YxHQ4qgsvl5yZMgWSoMI112EohkMNqskR4tvh_XDKR_VcVAW0FRk07lXbE8NF603ET0PqSFlAR_uW7d7wVna5iOJUATu2lqVBincGzfJQ_I0NSK2jMTjxGDHzw4u9hykvmuggEN1YAJUruiy" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620972778806081963.post-53151710735635483362024-02-19T19:48:00.000-05:002024-02-19T19:48:24.347-05:00Garden plans<p>I'm working to plan my garden now. I've got a few plants growing now, some lettuce and spinach. I have done some soil prep in the other beds, so I am ready to put some seeds in the ground. You wouldn't think that planning a garden is that complicated, but I find it to be.</p><p>You need to consider the obvious things, like the hardiness of the plant. Some seeds can't be sown until after the last frost. But then you need to consider what was in that garden bed previously. You want to rotate crops so that you don't deplete the soil. You also have think about the life cycle of the plant. Some veggies will bolt when the weather gets hot. Others just get going when the weather warms up. This means that some garden beds will be available for new crops in the middle of the season. Need to plan for that too.</p><p>Last year I had pumpkins that ripened too early. I picked them in August, not when you want them in October. So I'll be sowing my pumpkin seeds later this year.</p><p>Another consideration is wildlife. My garden fence is pretty good at keeping the varmints out. But one year my corn was just ready to pick, when I saw that racoons had climbed in and helped themselves. So now I try to hide the corn patch behind other plants, so the racoons can't see it so well. That strategy has worked for a couple of seasons.</p><p>So, I'm learning by trial and error. But I do enjoy the taste of garden fresh veggies!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl60OZkuBgzfhUSDO5SqjLxppUKbB-aENRPIZVRnP9PTH4j7jcyMv1RZJ1jcKauTkz8vqciShPhx0h3LJ21kdIM3uAM1WKETSvfftJRxLjlA4G4elb0zfUPNu9z_jtV9VKEccu-DOhhsW2hcmbzoxEeUMpLPma_5YQO0wdgnik8fg0wfz00nOgDHgr5kMX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="619" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl60OZkuBgzfhUSDO5SqjLxppUKbB-aENRPIZVRnP9PTH4j7jcyMv1RZJ1jcKauTkz8vqciShPhx0h3LJ21kdIM3uAM1WKETSvfftJRxLjlA4G4elb0zfUPNu9z_jtV9VKEccu-DOhhsW2hcmbzoxEeUMpLPma_5YQO0wdgnik8fg0wfz00nOgDHgr5kMX" width="180" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>David Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527776902761942597noreply@blogger.com