Finished:
Yeah, I know … those last two weren’t even listed on the Reading List. I just got them and read right through them. They were very good and I couldn’t put them down. Of course, I slacked a little on my Galatians study while I was being obsessive. 
That which has been is that which will be,
And that which has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1.9
So I decided to start the year by reading the books of Moses, aka the Torah. Today I read Exodus 21-23. As much as I have read these before, I constantly find new things which give me pause. For instance:
“You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” Exodus 22.28
I’m ok with the first part, but I’m not sure how I reconcile the second clause of this with my recent comments and the many comments in blogs I read.
I wonder if that applies to my wish list at CBD? I got some great books that I am anxious to read. BUT I also found about twelve more that I want to read. It seems that I put more stuff on my wish list than I take off. Does that violate the 10th Commandment? I shall have to ask Pastor Mark!
What is with all the moaning and groaning in the media? And what is with all these noble Republicans rushing to leave the floundering ship G. W. Bush. If it wasn’t so tragic it would be funny. The image of Chuck Hagel standing and saying “this isn’t a monarchy” with a straight face was a little more than I could take. I wanted to ask those sanctimonious persons if they had been in a time warp for the last six years? Or perhaps the devious Dubya had aliens replace them with body doubles who rubber stamped everything Dubya wanted and outshouted and outvoted any attempts to the contrary?
And to keep Karen from thinking I am singling out her senator for ridicule, let me rant a little about one of mine. I find myself really, really irritated by comments in the media such as:
I’m irritated even though I have understood these things for the last 4 years. I’ve actually had my own opinion of Norm going way back to 1998, and it hasn’t improved with time. What I would like to see is my state rise up in revolt and replace the gentleman. (a nice way of saying throw the bum out?)
I find the current media attitude more than a little disingenuous. In fact, I am more and more convinced that the rash of all news/all the time stations is more about disinformation than news. I’ve never been much of a Kucinich fan, but he makes some interesting points about the abandoned Fairness Doctrine though he failed to mention the negative impact it can have.
Lastly, I find all the discussion of Bush’s legacy disgusting beyond measure. There is so much I could say, but I will simply state the obvious … that isn’t what it is supposed to be about.
Once again, Karen drags me into something: The Mayfly Project
2006 in 24 words:
Surgeries: two. Days off work: too many. Death and birth – more joy than sorrow. Studied and learned much. Need to diet, maybe this year.
I haven’t updated this in quite a while. I’ve been reading and reading, though. Here’s the update:
Reading:
Finished:
I also finished my study on The Acts of the Apostles and have started the Pauline Epistles. I’m doing them in the order written, so have started with Galatians and will do Thessalonians next.
These were all interesting books. A few are long and require (for me anyway) checking references for statements made. Others were just for fun. A fair amount of fiction in this list.
I’m not much for resolutions, but I think I need to prioritize the things I do. And stop doing those things which are not productive or don’t contribute to my goals. That said, I have spent two lazy days ending and beginning the year. It didn’t help that the weather was not cooperative. Rain most of the day changed to snow in the late afternoon. It looks like we got about two inches.
Last night I closed out my 2006 journal and a sorry document it is! Mostly a list of stuff like dates of surgery and symptoms … not an inspiring document in any way. I started a new journal for this year and plan to use it as intended. This blog does not take the place of my journal, although I might put some of the same info here as well.
That’s all I know … maybe I will have some great insight to share later. Happy New Year, everyone.