I recently heard this phrase a podcaster applied to himself—promiscuous overcommitment.
A great phrase.
I recently wrote about what “yes” is powerful enough to override the default “no”.
Think on this phrase.
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Are you the product—that which is sold?
Many (most?) technologists are amoral. Without morals. They design most products to exploit human weaknesses to capture and sell our attention to advertisers. That attention can also be given (sold?) to governments who wish to track people.
When we allow ourselves to be immersed those created worlds of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and now all the gambling apps, we need to consider the value we receive versus time lost to mindless provocations. What’s lost in the emotional upheaval of negative posts. What value to our life is gained? How much money do we throw at the gamblers?
Let’s face it. Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t need any more money.
And us? What value could we add to the world through living rather than scrolling.
These thoughts were prompted while watching the only commercial TV programs in our house—Premier League soccer. I can’t believe the gambling apps. You can bet on anything—instantaneously. Talk about getting sucked in.
This isn’t an old man telling you young people not to have fun. It’s an old man who has lived through many things attempting to point to better ways to live. After all, Jesus had fun. He was often the life of the party. He didn’t get sucked in to addictions.
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“What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.” ― Maya Angelou
This thought is similar to the Serenity Prayer attributed to theologian Reinhold Niebuhr: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
My professor in graduate school hated that last part about accepting things you cannot change. But that is ancient wisdom. I use this thought when accosted by the daily deluge of news (which I mostly ignore). If I can’t do anything about it, why dwell on it? Live in the present moment.
I also like the tag that Angelou puts on the thought—Don’t complain. Once again, why waste that energy?
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Sometimes people cross my path who discourage me. So many seem to think that God is an idea. Or a proposition to agree with and/or argue. Certainly many people get their kicks thinking about God. Playing with ideas applying rationality to deduce who or what God is. I even remember the “God is dead” movement, members who looked at culture and deduced if people no longer believe in God, perhaps God no longer exists.
Carl Jung, the pioneering psychologist, was asked toward the end of his life if he believed in God. “Believe?” he pondered. “No, I don’t believe; I know.”
I’m with him. If you have experienced God even in the briefest of encounters, you know that God exists. Perhaps there are things you still need to believe (or not), such as healing an individual or creating the universe.
Jesus said (recorded in John) that God is Spirit and must be worshipped in Spirit. When you feel the experience of the spirit and employ discernment to assure that wasn’t just gas (or some false feeling), then you know.
The reason to develop spiritual practices is to cultivate the embracing of the spirit. Just like when I sit down to write and haven’t an idea, just the sitting with my pad or computer forces my thinking. Sitting in mediation or study (reading, listening, writing) starts me on the path of experience.
A children’t song, quoted by the theologian Karl Barth, goes, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Actually, people knew that for 360 years before there was a Bible. And many people know it in all the centuries since even unto today because of the experience of the Spirit.
It’s open to you. Just open yourself to it.
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That question may have brought to mind Jesus’s observation about deciding between money/possessions and God.
I another decision. This from Epictetus. “Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.”
When I realize someone is great at pulling my chain, I avoid them if at all possible. Perhaps that person (or anonymous social media poster) is that person. Another reason to avoid social media.
Realize what holds mastery over you. Focus on what’s important.
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What do you notice upon meeting someone? What about that triggers an emotional response? That could be favorable—you like someone instantly; it could be unfavorable—you feel an instant revulsion or dislike.
My wife and I serve on the hospitality team at church. Sometimes we are positioned at an entrance welcoming people into the building. Sometimes these are people new to us. We may need to direct them to facilities and meeting places.
These words of James occur to me when I’m working:
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
We could judge people while entering trying to discern if they are appropriate for our gathering. I think we don’t. But this was obviously a problem with the new ekklesias that gathered in the wake of the new Jesus movement following the resurrection and then Pentecost. James was not happy. But I think I understand. I can give a little grace as they learn a new way of life. Up until the Jesus revolution, their world was defined from birth as distinctly segregated.
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
You may say, well it’s only one little “law” that I broke. James tells us the same thing we hear elsewhere in the New Testament:
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
I take in people at a glance and form a preliminary opinion. I pray that I’m open for re-evaluation after speaking for a moment.
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I have called myself a follower of Jesus for decades. Preparing myself for Christmas and the idea of entering anew into a relationship with him, I’ve been researching and reflecting on obstacles. After today’s thoughts, I’ll take a look at Evagrius’s list of eight “evil passions” reflecting on how they impact me (and probably you).
I am reflecting today on an ancient poem that I first saw perhaps some 62 years ago. I am still reflecting on the meaning of this for me. Which of these am I? I hope for four. Maybe realistically one? I know that it took years to wake up in the following sense.
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool…shun him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student…teach him.
He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep…wake him.
He who knows and knows that he knows is wise…follow him.
Life seems to give us many in category one who think they are in category four. Learn discernment. I hope that we (you and I) are not a fool. I consider myself a continuing student. Who among my readers need to awaken? There is surely one who is wise.
John Fischer wrote recently in his The Catch newsletter, “Your job is not to shout louder. But to see clearer… Eyes wide open. Heart tuned in.”
People trying to communicate with someone who speaks a different language invariably speak more loudly as if volume would overcome the language barrier.
People living within different political or religious systems also have this trait. If you don’t seem to understand me, I’ll just scream louder.
Hot tip: that does’t work.
Fischer talks of seeing clearer. That is part of the equation. Better is seeing the other more clearly. And listening. And deciding not to assume the other is simply stupid or ignorant or cynical.
Reminds me of this wonderful song from Godspell, Day by Day.
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day
This post is a bit off my main topics, bit I thought it perhaps relevant to many of you. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its derivatives Generative AI, aka Large Language Models (LLM)—which is a real thing—, and hyped buzz words superintelligence and artificial general intelligence—not real things— are all over the news with loads of hype. Over at my technology blog The Manufacturing Connection, I try to get behind the hype diving into real-world applications (in manufacturing, of course).
Those of you who might have your mental and emotional equilibrium knocked a bit off center by the AI hype might find something in the tips I just shared. Consider this as a Public Service Announcement.
I’ve published a podcast both on my podcast app (available in Apple, Overcast, or wherever you download them) and on YouTube. You can subscribe on any.
Why pursue AI? As a tool to help entrepreneurs add value to their companies. The appropriate roll out entails organizing small “pirate ships” empowered to experiment and implement with a budget and air cover. Many concerns about AI’s impact on employment and organization are over blown. History shows that new technology winds up creating more jobs than it destroys. This podcast is sponsored by Inductive Automation.
Humans have developed and used technology for millennia. It has provided longer and better lives. It has also created great destruction (check out current photos from Gaza). It’s up to humans to decide how to use it.
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I guess I enjoy poking at logical inconsistencies of people. Or times when people do a series of things putting themselves in difficult situations and are surprised. I know I’m not immune myself. I just appreciate the humanness of such things.
Like the politician I recently read about who used a logic for a new edict that directly opposes the logic that the politician uses for another position. I can leave it vague. Think of your favorite politician—or your favorite political punching bag.
I like to look to Jesus for guidance. I found upon reflection that he also enjoyed poking at people—especially self-important people. Think of all his comments to the Pharisees and Temple big wigs while he was in a crowd of ordinary people. “You clean the cup on the outside, but inside it is filthy.” “You declare your wealth dedicated to God, so that you don’t have to take care of your aged parents.”
Reflecting on Jesus’ guidance, I think that I had better become aware of my own inconsistencies cleaning them up.
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 