Everybody’s interested in narrative. We love to tell stories; we love to listen to and read stories. We read the world as one big story-puzzle about reality. But stories are difficult to grasp when we fail to begin at the beginning — like walking into a movie late.

                        WARNING!    SPEED BUMP AHEAD.   TOPE ALERT!  

THIS POST MIGHT MISTAKENLY BE READ AS RELIGIOUS (but really, it’s well beyond that). This is a timely topic, what, with the Mayan long-count calendar about to flip. Grappling with new beginnings is bold and engaging, if we’re up for it. So, if/then/click — to do some deep pondering, please visit here to consider what my friend Wayne, who teaches philosophy in WV, sent me today: http://jeshua21.wordpress.com/additional-essays/the-beginning-is-near/

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NASA scientists confirm that home-scale fusion energy production is now possible:

Cold fusion rears its head as ‘E-Cat’ research promises to change the world (Wired UK)

Chief Scientist at NASA Langley Acknowledges Andrea Rossi E-cat « nickel+hydrogen=energy

Why isn’t this in the news?

Some fascinating images here, very cleverly seen in the mind’s eye before being rendered, BY Jean Paul Bourdier [dot] com /and at Hufpo

Here are some speculative words put into the mouths of Charles Schulz’s PEANUTS characters,  “re-blogged” here from a book by Shalom Auslander, titled BEWARE of GOD: stories.

[I tried to upload a Peanuts cartoon under Fair Use, but it is nearly impossible. Sorry.]

<transcribed by me from Auslander’s book>

Charlie Brown, sitting in his beanbag chair.

He is watching TV. Sally stands behind him.

Sally asks, “Are we Schulzian, or Pumpkinite?”

Charlie Brown says, “We’re Schulzian.”

Charlie Brown says, “Schulzians believe in a Creator who writes and draws every single day . . .”

Charlie Brown says, “. . . while Pumpkinites, like Linus and Lucy, believe in the Great Pumpkin who flies around and rewards his believers on Halloween.”

Charlie Brown says, “But ultimately, belief should be a personal choice.”

“Which one gets more vacation?” asks Sally.

Charlie Brown rolls his eyes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ next ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Charlie Brown, slumped down in his beanbag chair. He is watching TV. Sally stands behind him.

Charlie Brown says, “I give up. Maybe we should just stay apart. Maybe we should all just build our walls and fences and defend them night and day with our barbed wire and guard dogs. Why should I be the only one who cares? So what if I never see or speak to another Pumpkinite for the rest of my life? What do I care?”

Sally asks, “All the Pumpkinites?”

Charlie Brown says, “All the Pumpkinites.”

¿”Even the little Red Haired Pumpkinites?” asks Sally

“Aauugghh!” screams Charlie Brown.  

<end>

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Down towards Tulum there has been a recent discovery of a 1300 year old prince’s burial:

Mayan Prince’s Tomb Found In Uxul, Ancient City In Mexico

My good friend Gordon crossed over “to the other side” yesterday, suddenly. On Saturday I chatted with him briefly in the driveway of the Glauser homestead on Broadway, where his dad and brother live, which he frequented as an office and shop for his home-improvement business. He was very chipper and alive in his tie-dyed T-shirt and bib overalls, saying that he was “back, and even had work” having had some health issues earlier this year. It was good talking with him. 

We discussed many things, including weekly prison ministry which he did for more than 13 years, inviting me along and handing it off to me a few years ago. He especially delighted in telling me about singing his step-granddaughter, Alyssa, to sleep each night. He and his “replacement bride,” Lynda, are raising Alyssa at their home in Depew.

Gordon’s son, Aaron, called me this morning to mention that there would be a memorial wake at Meyer Funeral Home on Broadway in Alden, on Wednesday morning (tomorrow! so, please PASS THE WORD). After the service there will be a cookout at the homestead.

Gordon was one of the most direct and focused Christians I’ve ever met. He was utterly without brand, and was ever considering kingdom life here on planet Earth. He ministered to people in their turmoil: in basements, in floods of sewage, and all the perils and hardships of daily life. This morning, while praying for insight on his departure, I came upon this comforting verse from the words of Jesus, which may awaken us all as to how God’s river of saints flows through our lives: “Of them which you gave me, I have lost none.” (John 18:9).
I’ve also inserted this into our virtual hometown newsletter, which can be seen here: 

https://sw-alden.nextdoor.com/invite/8a86b128e662806cc941  (What a great way to get the word out instantly!)

I’m happy to report that the painting we bought in Merida is now framed and hung in our home. We’re nearly out of wall space, so it’s a relief to have the art safely installed on the wall. (As we both studied art, we’ve got too much stuff in drawers!) But Lobo’s work deserves to be seen.