Speaking of rules, the following article by Gene Healy addresses the unwieldy stack of federal crimes in the U.S. code:
Making criminals out of all Americans @ WashingtonExaminer.com
Lord it over: Addendum
December 17, 2009 at 12:22 pm (Life Observations, Philosophy & Religion)
Tags: crimes, government, laissez-faire, law, regulations, religion, rules
Lord it over
December 15, 2009 at 4:53 pm (Life Observations, Philosophy & Religion)
Tags: government, laissez-faire, law, regulation, religion
Who tends to create more rules: God or government?
Accounting for Time
October 20, 2009 at 5:37 pm (Life Observations, Philosophy & Religion)
Tags: busy, busyness, overcommitment, schedule, scheduling, time management
I was recently talking to a friend who felt like she was being pulled in several different directions, all of them away from her life priorities. For example, she strongly hoped to start a personal project that was close to her heart, but she was entangled in other commitments. It wasn’t merely that she was busy; it was as if all unassigned free time were being usurped by everything else that demanded it — of course leaving little or nothing for what was most important to her.
Her situation reminded me that time is a precious resource that must be carefully guarded. Where are we investing our time? Are we using it to fulfill our own life mission, or squandering it on someone else’s? Do we impose on others in a way that carelessly tramples their time?
One of my favorite books is Gordon MacDonald’s Ordering Your Private World
MacDonald’s Laws of Unseized Time
LAW #1: Unseized Time Flows Toward My Weaknesses
Because I had not adequately defined a sense of mission in the early days of my work, and because I had not been ruthless enough with my weaknesses, I found that I normally invested inordinately large amounts of time doing things I was not good at, while the tasks I should have been able to do with excellence and effectiveness were preempted.
…
LAW #2: Unseized Time Comes Under the Influence of Dominant People in My World
A famous “spiritual law” states that “God loves you and has a plan for your life.” Men and women who do not have control of their time discover that the same can be said about dominating people.
…
LAW #3: Unseized Time Surrenders to the Demands of All Emergencies
Charles Hummel in a small and classic booklet says it best we are governed by the tyranny of the urgent. Those of use with any sort of responsibility for leadership in vocation, in the home, or in our faith will find ourselves continually surrounded by events that cry out for immediate attention.
…
LAW #4: Unseized Time Gets Invested in Things that Gain Public Acclamation
In other words, we are more likely to give our unbudgeted time to events that will bring the most immediate and greatest praise.
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Learn more about Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald
The Power of No
December 3, 2008 at 5:48 pm (Life Observations, Philosophy & Religion)
Tags: busyness, margin, organization, simplicity, time, time management, type A personality
“No” has such unhappy associations. It’s the essence of any toddler’s rebellion. It’s the basis of any personal rejection. But there is so much good to be found it.
I’ve been hearing a lot lately on the subject of simplifying one’s life. Even though I wouldn’t consider my life to be very complicated at all, occasionally I need to be reminded to invoke the power of “no.” Possibly my favorite book (I must have read it through five times) is Ordering Your Private World
Jesus told a parable about a father who gave a command to his two sons. The one said “yes” but did not do what was asked. The other at first said “no” but later decided to comply. In the end, it was the second son that Jesus credited with being truly obedient. When we don’t know how to say “no,” our “yes” becomes worthless when we fail to follow through because we should have said “no” to start.
How can you embrace the power of “no” for a more simple and peaceful life? Here are some suggestions of things that (depending who you are) you might begin saying “no” to today.
- business opportunities
- nominations
- party invitations
- sponsorships
- advice
- stagnant or dysfunctional relationships
- undesired friendships
- store sales
- social networking requests
- other people’s problems
- public appearances and speaking engagements
- volunteer opportunities
- TV shows and other entertainment
- news and information
- family invitations
- gift obligations
- phone calls
- e-mails
- instant/text messages
- club meetings and invitations
- kids’ activities
- people’s expectations
- job offers
- food
- other people’s ideas
- procrastination
- requests for favors
- reading articles
- podcasts
- purchases
- business solicitations
Start saying “no” and make room for the things that should be a “yes” in your life!
Tolerance?
November 19, 2008 at 10:23 pm (Life Observations, Philosophy & Religion)
Tags: california, castro, christians, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, gays, homosexuality, jhop, prop 8, proposition 8, protest, san francisco, tolerance
I was sickened today to watch the video testimony of a young woman who was part of a group of Christians attacked in the Castro district of San Francisco last week for worshiping peaceably in public. Based on the woman’s account and a separate written account by another Christian in the group, the Christians were shouted and cursed at, had objects thrown at them (including hot coffee), were stolen from, were molested, and were threatened with death. The Christians were not evangelizing, only playing music and singing in a predominantly gay part of town that they frequented for this purpose. Police forces were required to protect the Christians from the angry mob as they escorted them out of the area. I also watched several minutes of raw video footage taken at the scene that illustrates the militancy of the protesters as the police intervened.
I heard a Christian comment on this event, and he said that in some respects that the Church at large may be reaping what it’s sown. Sadly, I have to agree with him there. I’m also saddened that a group of people who clamor for public acceptance resorted to violence to express their message. This is not what Martin Luther King, Jr., would have done. I’m hopeful that the gay people I know would condemn these actions in the same way that moderate Muslims would condemn the actions of radicals.
You can probably Google well enough to find the two videos mentioned here. However, if you should find the KTVU article, keep in mind that it contradicts the first-hand accounts. The bent of the article is that the Christians had a political purpose that night, which they said they didn’t. It also fails to include any comment from the Christians involved, which is probably how it manages to omit reporting any of the violence that occurred.
disagreement = hate?
October 23, 2008 at 8:07 pm (Life Observations, Philosophy & Religion, Politics)
Tags: disagreement, diversity, hate, hatred, love, opinions
Why do some people so quickly and broadly attach the label of “hate” to those who disagree with them? It’s kind of a strong word, don’t you think? And very personal. Speaking for myself, there are many people whose opinions are different from mine, but whom I quite like nonetheless. Aren’t we supposed to celebrate this diversity? Granted, hateful people exist; I, myself, regret the many occasions I have been mean to someone in an argument. But I don’t think there’s anyone on this earth that I genuinely hate.
Someone might feel so passionate about an issue that she says, “If you disagree with me on this, then you’re against everything I am.” It would be a shame if she felt that way, because a person is so much more than their opinions.
I would hope that those who believe they are hated because of disagreement would take a chance on being proven wrong.
Goodbye Beijing
August 25, 2008 at 3:24 am (Humor, Life Observations, Philosophy & Religion)
Tags: athletes, couch potato, entertainment, olympics, sports, sportsmanship, television
During these Olympic games in Beijing, America witnessed some of the greatest athletic feats in the world, and drew from them lessons in dignity, discipline, perseverance and sportsmanship. With the games coming to a close, we pause to soberly reflect on what we have learned, and return our attention to new episodes of “America’s Got Talent.”
