Yum?

This was NOT on the menu at my daughter's wedding at Sugar Hollow!

Our dreams

In fact, were it given to our eye of flesh to see into the consciences of others, we should judge a man much more surely from what he dreams than from what he thinks. There is will in the thought, there is none in the dream. The dream, which is completely spontaneous, takes and keeps, even in the gigantic and the ideal, the form of our mind. Nothing springs more directly and more sincerely from the very bottom of our souls than our unreflected and indefinite aspirations towards the splendours of destiny. In these aspirations, much more than in ideas which are combined, studied, and compared, we can find the true character of each man. Our chimeras are what most resemble ourselves. Each one dreams the unknown and the impossible according to his own nature.

- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (Charles Wilbour translation 1862, p. 585)

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a delightful story. It is a hybrid of historical fiction and satirical comedy. The writing is fresh, funny, and at the same time, respectful and serious. The author researched the history and culture well, and spun a thoughtful and fun tale of the Gospel According to Biff. This story should be included in everyone's New Testament Canon. I loved it, and highly recommend it. Thanks Amy for loaning me this copy to read!!!!

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Review: Same Kind of Different as Me

Same Kind of Different as Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together by Ron Hall
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is a heartwarming memoir about, as the subtitle says, "A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together". It contains some eye-opening details about the reality of poverty and homelessness. It also shares an inspiring story of some folks who made a difference. A wholesome story that is ripe to be made into a "Christian" movie or a TV movie. I liked the dual point of view method of telling the story.

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Book: Neuromancer

Neuromancer by William Gibson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I regret not having taken the time to read this brilliant tale before now. Gibson tells an excellent story with skill, creativity and intellect. Reading it so late in the game revealed to me just how much influence it has had since 1984 when it was first published. Neuromancer deserves the classic status that it has been awarded. I'm looking forward to reading it again and highly recommend it.

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Book: The Rise of Christianity

The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries by Rodney Stark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is fascinating. It is academic, well researched and thorough, yet very accessible. I highly recommend this to anyone even casually interested in the subject. Sheds much light on the validity (or lack thereof) of the "Christian" church we experience in Western culture today.

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NO on NC amendment one!

On Tuesday, I am voting against North Carolina amendment one. The purpose of government and the constitution is to protect the rights of ALL people, NOT to force the religious or sociological opinions of some people upon everyone. I will not support an amendment that allows the views of some to be forced upon others.

ps. an earlier NC amendment regarding marriage... Wake up people, let's not do this again!
http://www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/ncm/index.php/2012/01/17/an-earlier-constitutional-amendment-on-marriage/

Technical civilization

"Technical civilization is the product of labor, of man's exertion of power for the sake of gain, for the sake of producing goods. It begins when man, dissatisfied with what is available in nature, becomes engaged in a struggle with the forces of nature in order to enhance his safety and to increase his comfort. To use the language of the Bible, the task of civilization is to subdue the earth, to have dominion over the beast."

"How proud we often are of our victories in the war with nature, proud of the multitude of instruments we have succeeded in inventing, of the abundance of commodities we have been able to produce. Yet our victories have come to resemble defeats. In spite of our triumphs, we have fallen victims to the work of our hands; it is as if the forces we had conquered have conquered us."

Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath, page 27

The Sabbath

The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel is one of the most beautifully articulated books I've read. The depth and breadth of Heschel's insight flow in almost poetic prose. His thorough understanding and personal embrace of Sabbath unwrap for the reader a concept that for many has been merely a source of legalistic obligation, or a much elusive time of rest. The philosophical separation of time and space as described in this book is mind opening, and provides a worldview that has the power to transform one's life. One can feel the peace of Sabbath while reading! I'll definitely be re-reading this book many times

Noah's Ark

well worth the listen. Listen carefully and think about it... really think.

Brendan: A Novel

An enchanting story about one man's search for Faith. There are lessons for all, especially for those whose search is over (or so they think).

Adam's Gift

Adam's Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor’s Calling to Defy the Church’s Persecution of Lesbians and Gays
by Jimmy Creech

This is an inspiring story of faith and courage. Having had the opportunity to meet Jimmy Creech this past summer, and hear him tell his story, I wanted to read more about it. I am so thankful for people like Jimmy Creech who are providing leadership and examples of how to follow Jesus and bring the love and grace of the kingdom of God to ALL those in our lives. I hope that the organized church will leave their petty pious legalism and prejudice behind in favor of true Gospel of love and grace. I highly recommend this well written memoir of one of our generation's giants of faith.

Durham Men's Group

"This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes." - Morpheus

the gates of hell?

I would love to hear the story behind this gate! I know there must be one.

Calvary Baptist Church 

10310 Chapel Hill Road,

Morrisville, NC 27560

Matthew 16:18

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

TechRepublic: Steve Jobs' 100-year legacy: Humanizing technology

Check out this great article by Tech Republic's Jason Hiner. Lots to think about, and act upon. Read entire article here

Steve Jobs NeXT computer...

I fell in love with the NeXT computer after reading the review in Byte Magazine all those years ago. It was out of my price range, but oh I wanted one so bad. Thank you Steve, for imagining, and then making it so.

Dawes!!!

My musically astute and very clever wife scored us 2 tickets to see Dawes at Cat's Cradle!!! WOO-HOO! Dawes opened for Alison Krauss at Koko Booth. Check them out on YouTube, they are fantastic!

Readnponder review of The Soul of a Soldier

I read this book earlier in the summer. It is written by one of my book club buddies. The author's presentation of the letters gives a peek into the mind and heart of a man serving in the Civil War. this is one of several books i've read recently that have piqued my interest in history. I should have paid more attention when I was in school!!!


Read the review here...


http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/187302964

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

When Patents Attack

Something is very wrong with our nation's technology innovation process. Legal does not equal moral. Check out this enlightening yet disturbing story from "This American Life" 

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/441/when-patents-attack