On the difficulty Boomers face in selling their homes, despite sitting on most of the equity in the country. On searching for the church life in the homes in Oberlin. On reading The Gentle Radical: A Biography of Roger Williams by Cyclone Covey. and on his being a seeker and a separatist. A song: "What If God Wrote a Letter". On the church simply being called by the city it was in with just one leadership per city. Paul's word to the Corinthians on division, the Church being one in the New Testament as the Body, the Bride, the family, the temple, etc. Today every believer is a priest; it is no more true that individuals must act as seen in the clergy-laity system of Christianity. The Seven Spirits in the book of Revelation being the Seven Swans in Sufjan Steven's song, and how being targeted by God can also be seen as being sought by Him as His treasure, as depicted in Johnny Flynn's "Detectorists" theme song.
Living in the past... from my life. What it was like living as a kid in the sixties compared to today!
On the recent documentary series "Investigation Alien" by George Knapp and cleaving to love in the midst of uncertainty.
Don't be too comfortable in your sense that all is as it seems... Charles Bonnet Syndrome, coincidences, prophecy, quantum mechanics, etc. It is better to be off balance and seeking than settled and deceived.
John sings his testimony song. On Alan Jacobs' book "How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds" and its mention of the Long Now Foundation's form of debate. Why shouldn't we endeavor to understand the perspective of those who differ? Shouldn't we want the best for ALL people, instead of seeing others merely as a threat to our way of life? Darwin's testimony on how his loss of ability to enjoy certain things after formulating his theory (from Stephen Greenblatt's book "The Rise and Fall of Adam and Eve"), and on Darwin's theory being the source of the key idea of postmodernism. Scientists can give lip service to the wonderment science brings, even though its aim has been to remove the thought of design (God). Reads from Corey S. Powell's article on how a scientists wonders whether a consciousness field might exist in the universe (ala Rupert Sheldrake). On quantum mechanical interpretations (Copenhagen, many worlds, Bohmian/pilot wave, etc.) of the wave collapse and the argument for mind over matter. On discoveries that argue for a designed universe and the dilemma of those dedicated to materialistic/naturalistic explanations. Might not our choice of observations impact not only the present, but also the past?
On being understanding towards those who believe strongly that what they have is of more profit to you than what they think you have. The issue of conflicting beliefs (i.e., the place of a woman in Amish society vs. feminism). Reading an Oberlin Review article re: missionaries of "the Mother God" on campus. On having met co-founder Sarah Barry at Northwestern U and participating briefly in University Bible Fellowship (UBF). On the serpent being lifted up in John 3:15 and its relationship to John 3:16. On the children of Israel's experience in the wilderness, etc. On the construction of the Bible over the experience of 1600 years of writing having the "bookends" of a unique couple and the progression in the romance. On Jesus coming in the likeness of the flesh of sin, and concerning sin, condemning sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3) as was the brass serpent. Flip Wilson's "The devil made me do it!" The inward nature of sin. What Jesus accomplished on the cross with regards to sin, both inwardly and outwardly. What is it about Satan? He challenges the idea that what God has arranged for us is necessary and the best. In this matter, women have been granted a particular privilege.
In a form of audio palimpsest, John talks over a recording of himself playing songs. He wonders why rock bands are given a pass in the "Me Too" era when other celebrities are held feet to the fire, even with a shrine built to them in Cleveland. On an article re: friction between men and women in their competition over jobs. "No gender succeeds at the expense of others?" On inclusion, accommodation and assimilation in American culture. On debate. Wittgenstein and Tolstoy's "Gospel in Brief" and W's realization language couldn't settle certain issues. On James, the brother of Jesus who became leader of the church in Jerusalem, versus Paul who came into play out of Antioch, the first truly "Christian" church. On Peter chickening out when some came from James to Antioch during the meal.
On the All Saved Freak Band and its times (the Jesus Movement). On the case from scientific evidence for mind being above matter from quantum mechanics.
On multiculturalism/pluralism and the freedom of speech and of association. How can one hold all cultures in equal value if one believes in an ultimate truth? How does the Darwinist (of natural selection) square such with one sub-group ceding power to another group in the name of justice? John's sense of equality being Biblically-based rather than rationally-based. On CRISPR and eugenics.
Finding videos on youtube abuot people who claimed to have gone to hell upon death and coming back. On various significant spans (i.e. 70 years) as in Jesus' parable of the fig tree, and the 6000 years based on geneologies in the Old Testament. "Easy believism." How we can have assurance based on who Jesus was and what He accomplished. On comments made by Christians, including Harold Camping, on the date of the Lord's return...but what about what needs to happen in Jerusalem first?
On the impact of forces within and without and a controversy about multiculturalism. On believers being "outsiders."
John on the saga of getting his wedding ring "back," and Myron T. Herrick. John discusses "The Islamic Jesus" by Mustafa Akyol and the relationship between Islam and Jesus.
Based on Psalm 42, John attempts to summon the Kraken. John meets a woman praying for revival at Tappan Square. On Charles Finney's impact on Calivinism, based on a book by Matthew P. Turner. The shift of Malcolm X from Garveyism to the multiculturalistic embrace of Islam. How do we get along as a community? John has an idea that isn't serious... or is it? On hopes for an open atmosphere for dialogue. The postmodernism of the Lego Movie. Some scientists feel the universe is a "put-up job." Are we in a designer universe? On having a mind that answers to the Mind in the universe, and it all having to do with LOVE.
The "Uncertainty Principle" of immersion vs. analyzation. John's appreciation for books and what goes into writing one. The spiritual progression in Clarke's "Childhood's End" and the fate of the Overlord/Watchers. Analysis should lead to ... proper experience! Instead, scientists head away from what should be experienced in a designed (for us) universe to the multiverse of string theory with its anthropic principle. Copenhagen vs. Many Worlds. deBroglie's Pilot Wave Interpretation. Science's goal to fill the universe with human beings who cannot know the meaning of their existence. How every Christian is a hypocrite, and must lean on Jesus. The inability natural senses to bring about a relationship with Jesus. John Wheeler's thought experiment and the Anticipatory Anthropic Principle. Is there a Mind after which our mind is patterned? Jesus: "What do YOU say that I am?"
Saga of John's daughter's 1999 Subaru Outback. Anti-scientism, to John, equals pro-logic. Is the universe we live in both participatory and anticipatory? John thinks yes. The 1972 movie "Thief in the Night". The Elephant in the room of scientific investigation... the CREATOR? Are we more "Chumlee-like" today because of science? See the writings of Phillip E. Johnson! Is there really no place in science for intelligent design theories? What of the serendipity that characterizes so many scientific "discoveries"? Our universe a bubble in a vast quantum foam? Really? It seems to come down to what kind of HEART we have. Your reality will be skewed in the direction your heart leans. The a priori nature of scientific thought. But what if the universe "knew" ahead of time what "evidence" was going to be looked for?
On the comparative simplicity of the 1970s and its Jesus Movement era music. John's struggle with solipsism and his appreciation of Bishop Berkeley. On a universe knowing it is (and in the past that it would be) observed. The multiverse and Boltzmann Brains. Why not simply design? We see what we are predisposed (by language? as per Vygotsky?) to see.
Alarmist weather reporting. The treasure trove of Jesus Movement era music to be found on youtube. On an editorial written in the current Oberlin Review and John's dream of having a "No Fear" dialogue platform. On passing out tracts and on Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island. Going out in Oberlin to ask "Where is the church?" The profundity (in amount) of Christian Music. On accepting the gospel. John 14:6: "No one comes to the Father except by ME (Jesus)".
John's being out of sorts and being brought back to his joy in Christ. On books he "scored" at the Wellington Library Books Sale, including a recent biography of Erwin Schrodinger!!! On meeting Jimmy Saville (yikes!). On the cult of the Church of the Risen Christ Farm and the All Saved Freak Band, and John's own experience of a group (church!) when he became a Christian. Glenn Schwartz salvation experience. Would Oberlin's founding group have been labeled a cult today? How different groups may err while feeling they are following God. On a human being being of THREE parts. On Shel Silverstein's "The Missing Piece." On a book by Paul Davies saying scientists were "embarrassed" by the appearance of design in the universe. On the shift of some to the Pilot Wave Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.
With Dave! Songs by the Joystrings and... mysterious 16-year-old prodigy and harbinger of Contemporary Christian Music, Isabel Baker! On the mystery of faith and on forgiveness. A phone call to someone to give their testimony on how they met Jesus while in the club upon hearing a Lionel Richie song. John trying to hear Glenn Schwartz play in a bar down on the Flats in Cleveland. On God being blessed from His blessing us with so many things (Ephesians 1:3). Taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8)
With Dora! On Dora's Christian experience, and John gives his testimony. On not celebrating holidays (Easter, for instance). On John's research into the All Saved Freak Band and relating some of Joe Markko's tragic life experience. Some of Dora's experiences while caring for her husband in the nursing home. John sings a song! [sorry for technical difficulty with Dora's mic being off!] On the power of the Spirit to heal the heart from within. Honoring our leaders. Being submissive vs. being proactive in our circumstances.
