The Floodgates of Your Mind
In recent years we have taken the two characteristic traits of open-minded and narrow-minded and we have portrayed one as being positive and the other as negative. This portrayal is a strong indicator that we really have no clue what the two terms realistically mean and it is one reason we easily make poor decisions based in part upon our false concept. Our first error is in assuming they are polar opposites! The truth is that the opposite of open-minded is close-minded, and the opposite of narrow-minded is wide-minded.
A good way of understanding these terms is in comparing them to floodgates. When the gates are totally open, they let all of the water out... with the realistic possibility of actually flooding what doesn't need to be so harshly watered. What could be a positive is in reality a negative! The gates are so open they bring about ruin and destruction. In contrast, the closed gates are also doing no good. The farmland needs the water but since the water is being unnecessarily held back it isn't helping anybody in the process. Life-giving water is close at hand but is totally inaccessible. The crops die from lack of water.
Now the two better options are the narrow gates and the wide gates! By opening the gates either narrowly, or if needed, opening them quite wide, the water is controlled and the proper amount goes to where it is needed and can do some good. Harm has been avoided; the fields receive beneficial irrigation; everyone benefits, and progress has been made!
Society assumes that being open-minded is a good trait and narrow-minded is a negative trait. As clearly shown from the examples, this is wrong on both counts... the fully open has far more potential for harm than does the slightly narrow. It is only the fully closed-minded option that can do as much harm as the completely open-minded option does! If you have been wondering why so many bad and questionable decisions have been made in the last half-a-century, this will help you put things in proper perspective. We have our gates producing far too many floods and are refusing to control them in a wise and thoughtful manner!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
No, You're Not a Christian
It's interesting how many (somewhat) professing "christians" have absolutely no clue what actually being a Christian means. And if you're not a Christian, you probably have an even less accurate idea since you've seen some professing christians with very un-christian actions (not that you're an expert on what Christian actions actually are).
Lithographic Harbor
I've devoloped a set of filters to give the appearance of the ancient lithographic postcards which were quite popular over a century ago. A little antiquing was also added to make it appear old as well.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Our Headstrong Will
No, this is not the way God made you, and no, this is not the way He wants you to be. Don't make excuses.
What's Important to You
Do you love the things that God loves and hate the things that God hates, or do you even care? And if you don't care, then that accurately answers the question.
What's Your Frankenstein?
We all have those Frankensteins that we've created. Problem is, we have to put up with the results no matter if we like the end product or not. Sometimes the final monster turns on us and brings about our ruin or downfall. When we mess with fire, a burn shouldn't be some big surprise when it eventually happens.
Compliment or Criticize
Compliments
Compliments are freely received but a critic must earn the right to critique or criticize.
Compliments are freely received but a critic must earn the right to critique or criticize.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Faith and Prayer
If God hasn't answered prayers in your life, evaluate your prayers, your motives, and what you've asked for... He's most definitely answered prayers for many others. What barriers and/or blinders have you unintentionally set in place? You should seek out His will for you and how you can align to it. God provides, and honors faith.
Don't make excuses
No, this is not the way God made you, and no, this is not the way He wants you to be. Don't make excuses.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Accept no Substitute
We take those very important areas of our life and we put much lesser substitutes where the genuine thing should go. It wouldn't be quite so bad if we didn't play a game of pretend and claim our substitute is as good or better than the real thing.
Since you are dishonest to your self in this area and are not able to recognize where you've accepted a lesser substitute, you need to heed the advice and vision of one who clearly can see yours and you should listen to what they tell you. Your very life could depend on it.
Since you are dishonest to your self in this area and are not able to recognize where you've accepted a lesser substitute, you need to heed the advice and vision of one who clearly can see yours and you should listen to what they tell you. Your very life could depend on it.
Tim Jordan, First Baseman
Tim Jordan, First Baseman
Pictured while with Toronto (1911-12) after seven seasons with the Washington Senators, New York Highlanders and Brooklyn Supurbas. Painted from a 100 year old glass negative belonging to the Library of Congress.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Too Proud
Pride is one of our currently popular words and concepts that gets much abuse and perverting of it's meaning. It is used so widely and in such a diverse way that it has practically taken on a reversal of meaning where it's very usage is a proclamation of the worst in us declared for all to see.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The Winds Flows Through When It's Open
We are told that being open minded is supposed to be a good thing, but when I see some of the areas that people are open minded in, I have to question whether it's a virtue or a vice.
Actions
If you are doing something or going somewhere which would make your parents shocked and ashamed, there's about a 100% chance that you really shouldn't be doing what you are.
(Art from 'Return of the Prodigal' video)
Monday, July 22, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Inflation
I was standing in the music store listening to a couple discussing an upcoming concert by the Eagles. They weren't sure how much the good seats would sell for but had already heard the lowest priced tickets would start at $150. While they talked, I looked on the wall at old concert ads dating back several decades and there was one from the 1970s when the Eagles were at their peak. Incredibly, the prices were also listed... $4, $5, and $6!!! Yep, you heard me right.
Sometimes we tend to forget just how out of control inflation has been, especially in certain areas and venues. It's a wonder that anyone attends concerts anymore.
Sometimes we tend to forget just how out of control inflation has been, especially in certain areas and venues. It's a wonder that anyone attends concerts anymore.
Who's Knocking?
We were too busy knockin' on heaven's door to realize He had been standing at our door knocking... but we wouldn't let Him in.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
It's All Where You Look
If you want to see the very best of bold pen-and-ink and brushed-ink art, you don't go to a museum to look at the fine art on display. Superb art of that type is seldom on display there. Where you look is at the place where artists are churning inked art out 24/7... in comic books and graphic novels! It's just like anything else, the more you do it the better you get, and few artists spend as much time creating inked art than comic artists do. If you can find a gallery displaying original comic art which doesn't have the printed colors added, you are in for a black and white treat! Inked art techniques just "don't get any better than this".
Monday, July 15, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Not a Google Fan
What's up with Google?.? Today they're treating my established Google friends as if they don't exist. They've taken people who already are google contacts and have put them in the "people you might know" list. They've done this so many times this past year that I question whether I'm not smart enough to be a part of the google network or whether they just need to get their act together. They sure can learn from other social networks and learn how to sync all the contact lists together properly.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Life is...
Life is much like a game of pool... it is not always the one who is playing the best who wins in the end.
Misinformed Experts
At one time societies got much of their incorrect misinformation from parents handing down wrong info from one generation to the next. Not anymore! Now we get our misinformation from the experts, authorities, and media.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
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