Profound Sense of Peace

Don’t ask me how I got this way, but it’s been following me around for longer than a week.

That’s in spite of some weird behavior from WordPress. I was unable to login for a while, then got the newer version despite specifically setting to keep the classic view. And I got to the posting page almost by accident while trying to logout. I was planning to come back later and try again, but I’ll get this now while I’m here.

Someone gave me a fine older 14″ laptop that runs Linux quite well, so you can guess what I use as my daily machine right now. I had almost forgotten that some sites seem to act strangely when you use Linux.

I got my hands on a copy of Lawrence Wright’s book, Going Clear — engaging reading. He bends over backwards to give Hubbard the benefit of the doubt, but I can see why the Scientology crowd is hostile to the book and now the movie taken from it. I hate movies, but if someone else watches it, I’ll consider posting your review of it here. As long time readers know, I have no vendetta with anyone else’s religion, but the background stories of human experience are always interesting. I used to read tons of Science Fiction, but I don’t recall any of Hubbard’s stuff, just those who associated with him at times (Heinlein, de Camp, Bradbury, etc.).

On the other hand, I’m awfully religious about not taking organized religion seriously. Yeah, you try to make sense of that. At any rate, the net result is that I take faith seriously, but your choice of symbols and organization for working out your faith are of little consequence for me. I’m generally neutral until I come under attack or some other kind of abuse. So my ever popular rant about LifeChurch.tv (still getting a high volume of traffic after these years) is simply my response to abuse I suffered at the hands of some bigshots there. Mostly I reported my impressions and experience and defended the honesty of that report. So far as I can tell, my negative opinion has had no effect on the organization. I’m okay with that.

You can probably guess where this is going. I’m at peace because there are no dragons to slay except inside my own soul and I can’t find any right now. I won’t say they aren’t there, just not bothering me in any noticeable way. I’m not too worked up about my left leg still hurting; I’m old and torn muscle symptoms are slow to fade. I’m trying to walk the tight-rope of avoiding overwork but not letting it all stiffen up from inactivity. Mostly I’m beating the muscles — they call it “massaging” — whenever they hurt. It runs from the hip, most of the thigh, and most of the calf, down to the ankle. I suppose it’s a fair workout for my hands and arms, too. But I’m at peace even with the pain and slow healing.

I’m also at peace with the powerful sense I’ll need to stock up on inner peace before I get busy when things in this world come apart even more than they have already. Get some rest while you can, Brothers and Sisters, because we are in for a rough ride. Keep your eyes on the opportunities to exploit things for God’s glory.