I have learned that God provides, not when we want it, but when we need it.

All this talk about wanting to know the truth is gibberish, illusion, and hypocrisy. Every person understands the truth a good deal more than he lives it. Why does he not do more, then? Ah, there’s the rub!

~ Kierkegaard

It is a sad thing indeed, that people are identified as Christians by association with the ecclesiastical institution.
Once, long ago, it wasn't so.

Couldn't we, for once, live as Christ had?
Ah, yes. I'd forgotten. It's too dangerous.

Ravi Zacharias, in his talk "Mind Games in a World of Images",
quoted Fyodor Dostoevsky as prophesying,

First, art would imitate life,
then life would imitate art,
and finally, life would draw the very reason for its existence
from the arts.

Philosophy used to mean a love of wisdom.
It now means a love of sophistry.

Anything to avoid God.

For where your thoughts are, there will your heart be also.

On politics:

A Thai rice farmer is of more concern to God than the state of America.

Sterile not only means clean, it also means dead.

Church is a good antidote for God.

It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.
~ Krishnamurti

But to be forgiven we must first believe in sin.
~Jewel

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.
~ Douglas Adams

quiet desperation

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.

~ Thoreau, Walden

http://simplymerry.blogspot.com/2007/06/price-of-life.html

of modesty

"...Ay, ay," continued he... "M. Frankenstein is modest, an excellent quality in a young man. Young men should be diffident of themselves, you know, M. Cherval: I was myself when young; but that wears out in a very short time."

~ Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

my toes are frozen

and i am enraptured. my world has transformed right before my very eyes. I opened my blinds this morning to be thoroughly thrilled. It's snowing and at least 2 inches thick (3 or 4 now). But this isn't your ordinary snow. This is... goose down.

The flakes are fluffy... and big. Usually a jolly one- or two-inch-er, but up to 4 inches wide ~ as they fall. The snow sits on the trees and roofs like aerated icing. To look up into the sky borders on dangerous, for you are instantaneously mesmerized. You can see the snow falling, each huge flake, from so way up there. It's like the clouds are slowly softly disintegrating.

and this town must be under a spell. like it's suddenly been plunged into Narnia. Or the people are suddenly human. They walk down the street like cars are non-existent, likewise sidewalks (where elsewise they would be prudently plodding), and like streets are made for walking. Which in my opinion is a much better concept, for on the sidewalk, you can't see how beautifully the trees on each side overhang the road. they are quite outdoorsy, nature-appreciating, and athletic here, but rather particular about having things in their place.

the number of people out and about isn't too terribly higher (double at most. roughly a bit more than peak time in the afternoon) But... they're acting strange. abnormal. They stop and talk to each other, while their dogs play with each other unleashed. Completely out of character, you must understand. To be acknowledged as you pass by is a surprise, to be smiled at a delight, to be greeted something to be wondered at. The prevalent attitude, you get the impression, is that if they even noticed your presence, they would be personally affronted.

What on earth happened? How did the people suddenly become human? ...a guy making a snowman on the sidewalk.... a golden retriever running happily around... kid in total heaven... biker trying to go along but just making walking speed (so much for nonchalantly breezing by)... a woman walks by with each hand occupied - one holding the leash of another golden dog, the other pulling a sled with two very happy lil buggers holding on... three kids "walk" along the sidewalk - first dancing, then jumping, then stomping, now bending over, now standing gazing - oop! one down!... a car stops and the driver gets out to remove snow that half-blocks the windshield. ...and! my lands! a nearby pedestrian just comes right up and starts wiping huge drifts off the hood!...people stopping while walking along with their dogs - and standing still - and talking to each other friendly-like!... and someone stops in the middle of the street and takes a huge luxurious gulp of coffee (the coffee is reassuring. still eugene. city of coffeeshops and bakeries)... people saunter four across down the street...a mother sternly and industriously throws snowballs at her girl...people ski along the road... they come out with sleds and tubes and play and laugh and throw snowballs... you actually hear voices... relaxed voices... happy voices, cheerful, not afraid to be heard. ... snowmen grin at you from peoples' lawns... a neighbor industriously sculptures an artistic snow column against her house... people aren't outside to prudently take care of themselves or their lawns or commune with nature. they're sauntering, taking their time, laughing, conversing, smiling, seeing each other. I never thought I'd see people in Eugene.

another lovely quote from western civ...

'Obey those in power.' If this means 'yield to force' the precept is sound, but superfluous; it will never, I suggest, be violated. All power comes from God, I agree; but so does every disease, and no one forbids us to summon a physician.

~Rousseau, The Social Contract