Traces of Polaris

I have moved...

2008-08-04T16:42:00.000-04:00

to www.makabasa.org. See you there. :)

Tales, not Fairy Tales

2008-05-28T18:08:00.004-04:00

“When we are very young children we do not need fairy tales: we only need tales. Mere life is interesting enough. A child of seven is excited by being told that Tommy opened the door and saw a dragon. But a child of three is excited by being told that Tommy opened a door.” from p.54 of "Orthodoxy" by GK Chesterton, found through the latest DG Taste and See email.

Help me fight the rebel sigh

2008-05-11T20:04:00.006-04:00

help me fight the rebel sighand trust in You, not to ask whyfor You've been proven good above allthough reasons are concealed, none of them fallshort of your wise and generous planto receive glory and bring joy to manmay Your will be fulfilled, Your Name lifted highto You may my thoughts and affections flyand when pain accompanies uncertain thingsand tears fall for what the trial bringsmay my

Die a thousand deaths

2008-05-07T09:51:00.000-04:00

Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake. -Martin Luther

Gladly make others glad in God

2008-05-05T09:28:00.001-04:00

Reading a friend's blog (Thanks, Taracenas!) I found this quote:If you live gladly to make others glad in God,your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full. - John Piper, "Don't Waste Your Life"

Innovation is seldom hindered by platform.

2008-04-23T10:37:00.003-04:00

Uh, yeah, it's kind of a different quote from all the others I've posted before...but it was sooo refreshing to read this on wordpress.org.Why not the latest, greatest, bleeding edge versions?We’re very aware that the latest versions of PHP and MySQL aren’t right for everyone, and that sometimes hosts can be slow or hesitant to upgrade their customers since upgrades to PHP and MySQL historically

Praise not merely expresses

2008-04-16T09:42:00.000-04:00

C.S. Lewis says, “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation” (Reflections on the Psalms).Found the quote here

Time for Non Sequitur #4

2008-04-02T13:31:00.002-04:00

So I'm really struggling with this "segmented" blog (I generally try to post in the four categories you see in the sidebar) because my life isn't segmented, but I didn't really want to blog about my life, so oh well. Let's see if this blog ever arrives at a v1.4.Anyhoo, I felt cool today (operative word is "felt")because I totally enjoyed this presentation on Coda by Cabel Sasser. (Thanks for the

"Dude indexes this stance of cool solidarity"

2008-03-07T13:06:00.005-05:00

Check out the research done by Scott Kiesling on the word "dude" hereIndeed, the data presented here confirm that dude is an address term that is used mostly by young men to address other young men; however, its use has expanded so that it is now used as a general address term for a group (same or mixed gender), and by and to women. Dude is developing into a discourse marker that need not

If you had to sweep a crossing

2008-03-02T20:20:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine emailed me this quote from CH Spurgeon:"We must never think, because the particular work we have in hand seems to be insignificant, that therefore we cannot do it, or should not do it, thoroughly well. We need Divine help to preach aright to a congregation of one. If a thing is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well. If you and to sweep a crossing, it were well to sweep it

Time for Non Sequitur #3

2008-02-25T22:55:00.003-05:00

I mostly ramble these days.So it seems like keeping myself subscribed to dormant blogs through Bloglines has paid off. Three friends have recently resurfaced.Who's heard of the Hotel Cafe Tour before? Why didn't you tell me that such a thing exists?!Traffic on Spout Run on the Parkway = < 20mph average on the drive to work.Turns out, he's witty on (digital) paper too. This excerpt from a post

Time for Non Sequitur #2

2008-02-14T00:28:00.002-05:00

This is my obligatory valentines post.Well, there's actually no obligation whatsoever.I just couldn't think of anything witty.I really need to go to bed.

Writers and critics who prophesize with your pen

2008-02-13T23:33:00.005-05:00

I've talked about Bob Dylan here a couple times but I don't think I've quoted any of his work. Not the easiest one to listen to, but he has a way of getting to the point that will make you want to keep straining to listen. I want to say more, but why would I want to suffer the fate of those who've tried to deconstruct Dylan in times past? :)Come writers and criticsWho prophesize with your penAnd

This conversation is a mountainside

2008-01-21T13:39:00.000-05:00

Sigh. Without saying it (pun not intended, unbelievably), I think I know what Mason Jennings was writing about in "Fourteen Pictures":This conversation is a mountainsideIt's a long way down and there's no place to hideWhen we started up it didn't look this highWhat are you saying, what are you sayingStuck in a dream, is it the only oneForever ending, never doneWe're still talking but it's a

the half-heart's dilemma

2008-01-15T00:14:00.000-05:00

still in progress. tried a more consistent meter for this one. i can't explain why on some lines it seems like it needs another syllable. hm.in search for passion,the half-heart leavesand packs his bagsturns away and heaves.the hollow burdenon his weak back;he tells himself,"it's the price of lack."so The Weary scalesto peaks of cruel heights;looks for passionthrough the day and night.atop the

But it doesn't do much for Mondays.

2008-01-06T23:54:00.000-05:00

I am glad for adrenaline; I suspect it gets me through lots of Sundays. But it doesn't do much for Mondays. I am more thankful for my heart. It just keeps on serving – during good days and bad days, happy and sad, high and low, appreciated and unappreciated. It never lets me down. It never says, "I don't like your attitude, Piper, I'm taking a day off." It just keeps humbly lubb-dubbing along.

Cascade on through; the room still looks like you

2007-12-11T00:04:00.000-05:00

"Stairs escalate, sidewalks promenade, as we cascade on through..." - at least that's what I think Graig Markel says in Cascadia. Very clever. Not only did he use a beautiful sounding word as the title, but also, he didn't use it in the song.Can I use a negative in the "but also" part of the previous paired conjunction?Then there's William Fitzsimmons. There are times when I appreciate the lyrics

Time for Non Sequitur #1

2007-11-18T21:53:00.000-05:00

you know it's an interesting day when one of your favorite singer/songwriters recommends another singer/songwriter that absolutely reminds you of the former. meet sylvie lewis, recommended by sondre lerche. i'm waiting for her jazz album. or the day i become sondre and the faces down's roadie. maybe the jazz album.my brother is wondering where i got the word "za." i played it a few times in

I become a thousand men and yet remain myself

2007-11-05T22:58:00.000-05:00

Found another gem from C.S. Lewis' writings on the DGM blog post on reading: Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realise the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors. We realise it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is

Soul's spoliarium

2007-10-07T23:11:00.001-04:00

The spoliation of the soul comes uninvitedon days past midnight when energies leakthrough tired frames and minds stretched vapidbare, it is laid, revealed as weakPlunder strewn across the scape now displaythe once warriors now chaff-like at bestNo cortege to wail distress, dismayonly God stands as witnessTo strength drawn from drying wells of mortalitythat is wielded with no medallionsforgetting

Older than Rome and all of this sorrow

2007-10-03T22:46:00.000-04:00

A friend once mentioned that Bright Eyes would be right up my musical alley. I think she's right, but it's been a slow process of determination. "Cleanse," which I came across recently stuck out.Interesting how references to locations can call concepts to mind:Hear the chimes, did you know that the wind when it blowsIt is older than Rome and all of this sorrowSee the new pyramids down in old

These words devise their own ploys

2007-09-30T22:36:00.000-04:00

My thoughts resonateBut the pen hesitatesFor fear of irrevocable voiceDesire to be honestAbout the surrounding tempestYet these words devise their own ploys - Scavenged from April 8, 2007 (potentially unfinished).

Tomorrow, I weep; Forever I will praise Him

2007-09-03T18:39:00.000-04:00

(for Madonna)Tomorrow I weepFor a stark reminder will be before me.That your face I will miss,Your smile I won't see(But only for a while.)Tomorrow I weepFor the bittersweet day,The letter will become certaintyThe Savior took you away(To His loving arms.)Tomorrow I weepAs memories fill our minds,Stories of your joy, your loveAnd of Christ who is so kind(He gave you so much peace.)But forever I

It's a hard hand to hold that is looking for control

2007-09-03T17:06:00.000-04:00

A song that reminds me of Bob Dylan. Here's the chorus.It's a hard hand to holdthat is looking for controlIt is tempting to fightwhen you know that you're rightIt's hard to lie downwhen you don't trust the groundIt is hard to hold onit is hard to hold on.Willy Mason, "It's a Hard Hand to Hold"

Joy is come with shouts of praise

2007-08-28T01:42:00.000-04:00

Death before me laid sublime,Its path I followed blindly.Excruciating regret with no reprieve,The wrath of God awaited me.Until my Savior stopped my tracks!Oh what undeserved mercy!That He instead walked death's pathTo make a sinner holy.Lifted up for helpless man,The Christ took a stead so lowly.Indignation that was surely mineHe bore on the Cross of Calv'ry.My soul, let tears flowAnd bottle

Constellations in my mind

2007-08-12T00:08:00.000-04:00

perseid showers waving,coming out tonight;hidden by my eyesthat can't see through the night.flying unnoticedby folks below roofs;can i keep you in a bottle?stream with my moods?streaks come fallingripping arcadia quietly;the shadowed phenomenonmoves hearts slightly.stay for much longerlet nature be so kind;for perseid showers are invadingconstellations in my mind.-August 12, 2007

Oh, loveless yawning has poured out

2007-08-02T14:46:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I'm not sure what this song means just yet, except that the words exude melancholy. I was really intrigued by the song composition - an almost entrancing mix of vocals and piano. The artists have generously posted the song on their website."Haze"Essie JainOh, loveless yawning has poured outWhile their understanding is not aroundWe've no way of asking the reason (the reason is not clear)They

Compass

2007-07-05T15:33:00.000-04:00

Liking the patterned freeverse. :) Here's another one.Bubbling upWells insideof me the unusualebb and flowDiving downFalls withinmy being the unwelcomesink and swimHeading eastTugs recessedparts that are unawarestay or goStaying westSettling heartlandsof mine the unwillingcrash and burn

Where I was

2007-06-13T23:37:00.000-04:00

i think this is missing a third verse, but here it is for now.---------------on a moving trainwith jazz swirling in my headpeople slowly filing out, some inwatching the worldfrom a 5'x4' windowas it passes bywith many mysterieson a stiff chairwith my feet hanging off the edgewriting words down, some upwondering about wonderfrom a 5-inch penas it scribbles onwith no particular direction-March 8,

Only this, and nothing more

2007-06-07T18:58:00.001-04:00

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -Only this, and nothing more.' Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,And each

Bored future generations

2007-06-06T11:33:00.000-04:00

At first I agreed, then said "Hey, wait a minute..." :)"An author is a fool who, not content with boring those he lives with, insists on boring future generations." - Charles de Montesquieu

Firefly to the hurricane

2007-06-04T11:38:00.001-04:00

It's been a while huh?Well, I think by now you guys know how much I like imagery in words. Here's one I recently found. Have you ever had a hurricane in your pocket?Well, the hobos watch stopped at five o clock,I feel I'll never find him.Oh Dear John, where are you? I know you're out there somewhere.Well I got a hurricane in my pocket,though no one will believe me.They poured a bucket of tar on

Sow then the precious seeds of hope

2007-04-09T19:22:00.000-04:00

Here is a poem I really like by one of the fathers at my local church, Mr. Hartnett. I've been so blessed by his skill in writing.Sow then the precious seeds of hope,And water them with tears;You soon will come rejoicing whenHis faithfulness appears. He notes that these four lines quoted here are a paraphrase from Psalm 126:5,6. Read "Sow then the precious seeds of hope" in its entirety on

The average's excellency

2007-04-02T15:24:00.000-04:00

Can't compose music like Dylan's bucketsOr paint empyrean skies on paper packets.Words to me have no Shakespearean flow;My feet usually dance too fast, too slow.Don't hold your breath for Galilean theories;I can give you a fix of childish stories.No Platonic arguments from my cognition;My profile doesn't hold newsworthy recognition.Is it a failure to be so average?What if I told you I have some

Human beans (Quote from "The BFG")

2007-01-31T15:39:00.000-05:00

"The BFG" by Roald Dahl is one of my favorite books. Here's one reason (a quote from the Big Friendly Giant):"The matter with human beans is that they is absolutely refusing to believe in anything unless they is actually seeing it right in front of their own schnozzles." :)

The ocean in a paper cup

2007-01-24T12:01:00.000-05:00

and don't fool yourself into thinking things are simple nobody's lying still the stories don't line up why do you try to hold on to what you'll never get a hold on you wouldn't try to put the ocean in a paper cup -Ani di FrancoI admire people who can say things succinctly yet dive into the trenches of common experience. Searching for something you can't grasp is something I

Drop by drop upon the heart

2007-01-18T15:33:00.000-05:00

Watching a documentary on the life of RFK, I came across what is now one of my favorite quotes. This one is from Aeschylus, and RFK used it as part of his speech that he gave upon hearing news of MLK's assasination.“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”

Year end post

2006-12-31T16:51:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everybody! May 2007 bring much glory to God.

Occupied with Joy

2006-11-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

I am so amazed how alive God's Word is. There is always a jewel of truth that suddenly resonates in your heart every time you read it. Here's one that pleasantly surprised me. It felt like seeing an old friend and making a new one at the same time. 18Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment[g] in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few

Put on the day and wear it till the night comes

2006-10-27T00:21:00.000-04:00

Woke up, it was a chelsea morning,and the first thing that I heardWas a song outside my window, and the traffic wrote the wordsIt came a-reeling up like christmas bells, and rapping up like pipes and drumsOh, wont you stayWell put on the dayAnd well wear it till the night comes-From "Chelsea Morning", Joni MitchellIt's been really hard waking up the last few days - the weather is definitely

Simple Pleasures

2006-09-22T00:57:00.000-04:00

Normally I don't respond to quizzes, but since one of my good friends asked, I will gladly comply. I thought it would be a good way for me to recount God's everyday graces.So here was my friend's challenge: Name ten (10) of life's simple pleasures that you like the most, then pick ten (10) people to do the same. Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already

Prone to Wander

2006-08-25T23:23:00.000-04:00

The newly installed rss reader on my desktop makes a ding! sound and pops up a small rectangular box at the bottom right corner of my monitor. Ding!"File transfer notice: Uploaded file."Ding!"Message notice: Meeting rescheduled."Given that I have the distraction level of a goldfish, if I reacted to every single notice on my screen, I'd have 20 windows open in 20 seconds.My heart is much like my

Series of (Un)fortunate Events

2006-07-23T00:08:00.000-04:00

Initial TakeFriday 10pm, previous self-inflicted pain (aka exercise), has finally settled and chooses to reveal itself during a serving opportunity at church, causing inability to walk fast.1:30pm Saturday, glass platter slips and shatters into hundreds of pieces, a few of them landing on my left lower extremity (aka foot) causing an abrasion and a minor cut.Same day, 2:45pm, almost did not make

Compelled

2006-07-20T22:27:00.000-04:00

I'm contemplating the fact that there is only one provider of high speed internet in my neighborhood, and the price is such a scam; the penalty for not living near the phone company headquarters. Looks like I will have to postpone the decision to switch to DSL until one of the major providers decide they want to give our humble cul de sac some attention.In the meantime, my 56k modem churns

Coming Needy

2006-07-19T23:08:00.000-04:00

I can approach Scripture sometimes in such a way that I have already concluded for myself what I am going to learn--looking for more validation than illumination. The truth has become common it is no longer yearned for.Quite ironic, since all the world is searching for truth. It is the quintessential quest of mankind. Elusive as it may seem, the key to knowledge has been found. Yet for those to

The Man who gave His life away

2006-06-09T09:30:00.000-04:00

The Man who gave His life awayand laid His glory downUp on the cross, desired to staywith future joy His crown.The Man who gave His life awaySo I could keep my ownThe Father's wrath on Him did weighNow grace can be made known.The Man who gave His life awayThough innocent and guiltless heBore my punishment on Calvary that dayFrom sin-shackles I've been made freeThe Man who gave His life

Hannah's Prayer

2006-06-07T20:04:00.000-04:00

A passage I've been studying recently, from 1 Samuel 2. 1And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD.My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2"There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.3Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth;for the LORD

The Priority of Joy

2006-05-31T15:50:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to share a quote from CJ Mahaney that I really got encouraged by:And speaking of joy, I just now glanced at a Spurgeon quote displayed on my desk. It’s my daily reminder about the importance and priority of joy:“Moreover, labor is easy to those of a cheerful spirit (rhea added emphasis); success waits on cheerfulness. The ones who work while rejoicing in God and believing with all

Do you not yet understand?

2006-05-10T13:43:00.000-04:00

From Mark 814Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15And he cautioned them, saying, "Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."[b] 16And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you

Christ the Sweetest (an excerpt)

2006-05-04T10:36:00.000-04:00

But if we have this for a foundational truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us, there can be no danger in thorough dealing. It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell. Therefore let us not take off ourselves too soon, nor pull off the plaster before the cure be wrought, but keep ourselves under this work until sin be sourest, and Christ the sweetest, of all things.

An Encounter with Cowper

2006-04-30T22:54:00.000-04:00

Didn't realize that the Cowper Elizabeth Barrett-Browning writes her poem to is a hymn writer. One of his hymns was recently put to new music by Bob Kauflin, and we've been singing it at church. Here are the words to "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"--words that lift the eyes of the heart from the world's troubles to the sure promises of God.God moves in a mysterious wayHis wonders to perform;He

Far Better

2006-04-29T08:23:00.000-04:00

From Philippians 121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.Was listening recently to Mark Dever's overview sermon on the book of Revelation, and it is such a good reminder to be

Words with a Purpose

2006-04-03T12:39:00.000-04:00

Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood. William Penn (1644 - 1718)

Untitled

2006-03-24T23:12:00.000-05:00

my pen is somewhat dryand the words dont comeas eagerly, only shy,but write, I must.the seconds go byand the speed is undoingthe faltering fly,so slow down, I must.the stack is highbut the stilts are rottenshoes are untiedkneel, i must.the circle is smallyet the key is hiddenthe lock I cannot pry surrender, i must.the path will trythe strong, will fadebut because of Calvary's crynow able, I trust.

Never Deserted (Excerpt from Cowper's Grave)

2006-03-05T23:47:00.000-05:00

XIIIDeserted! God could separate from his own essence rather;And Adam's sins have swept between the righteous Son and Father:Yea, once, Immanuel's orphaned cry his universe hath shaken--It went up single, echoless, "My God, I am forsaken!"XIVIt went up from the Holy's lips amid his lost creation,That, of the lost, no son should use those words of desolation!by Elizabeth

Filling Eternity

2006-02-16T13:16:00.000-05:00

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11"He has also set eternity in the hearts of men"--this is why we long for so much. There's always an aching desire, a quest for satiation, a nirvana that the inner man searches for.We see our feet planted on the ground, so we

Does it really matter?

2006-02-14T17:19:00.000-05:00

The Little Prince is one of my favorite books. Here's one reason: it's a line the Little Prince blurts out in one of his conversations with the narrator."I know a planet where there is a certain red-faced gentleman. He has never smelled a flower. He has never looked at a star. He has never loved any one. He has never done anything in his life but add up figures. And all day he says over and over,

Rest for the People of God

2006-02-01T00:59:00.000-05:00

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God - Hebrews 4:9I was recently reading this passage and was filled with much joy. Amidst the 377 emails in my work inbox (each representing a task I needed to work on) , the increasing number of to-dos of everyday life, and serving at my local church, this is a welcome reminder. For every believer, there is God-given work, and I look

Moving

2006-01-29T19:15:00.000-05:00

Sherlock, I've moved blog-homes. :) I thought freeloading on Google is not a bad idea, given their endless supply (I assume) of developers. Time to change some old blogging habits as well. Let's see if you can spot 'em.In the meantime, I recommend you read the January 28 morning entry from "Morning and Evening" by Spurgeon. Here's an excerpt:Is it not delightful to look forward to the time when