Redefining Rockel

You know I never discuss female thermodynamics - Lou; Rescue Me

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The Film of the Week

The WORD of the Week

Matthew 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Stupid Fact of the Week

There was only one civilian casualty during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg

06 December, 2005

Parable For A Friend

A tortured soul made his way into the temple to see the Wise Master.

"Oh, Master," he said, "You who are wise and good. I have come to you for help, please do not forsake me."
"You are troubled and weary, my son. Tell me why."
"I long for peace, Master."
"For as there is peace, there shall also be war. And as war, peace. This is how it has been and ever shall be."
"Yes, Master," the man said, "This I know. But I speak of peace within myself."
"Look around you. Look at what you have. Look at what you do not have. Look, and find your peace."
"I have looked, Wise One. But the more I look the more I do not find that which I seek."
"And what is it that you seek?"
"Acceptance. Validation. To cause effect. I wish to change the world."
"Go to your home," the Wise Master said to him, "and remain inside a full week. Do not eat while you are inside. Meditate constantly. Set your mind to the heavens. Consider the vastness of the universe and the complexities of this world. If you do as I have said, you will change the world."

The man did as he was instructed, and one week later he returned.

“Master,” he said, “It is I. He who wished to change the world. I have returned, having done as you commanded.”
“Your soul is heavy. Have you not found your peace?”
“On the contrary, Master, I have fallen deeper into despair, feeling as though all of my efforts in this life may be in vain.”
The Wise One paused and considered.
“How do you find the earth today?”
“How do you mean?”
“Look off at the trees along the edge of town,” the Wise Master said, “and tell me what you see.”
“The leaves are beginning to change their color.”
“And has it not begun to grow colder since you were last here?”
“It has, Master.”
“Than how is it that you consider your meditations fruitless. The world has surely changed.”
“But, Master,” he replied, “these changes were not brought on by anything I have done. The universe has been changing for time past, and shall continue in time to come.”
“How is it, then, that you plan to measure your change?”
“I only wish to effect small change, Wise One. To change the lives of those around me.”
“You can no more change others’ lives with your words and actions than the universe with your meditations.”

At this the troubled soul grew upset and departed. A month later, the Wise Master saw the man approaching the temple.

“You seem well, my son,” the Wise One said, greeting him, “how is this so?”
“I have discovered my peace.”
“Then you have succeeded in changing the world?”
“I have succeeded only in changing that which is within my power to change. May the world continue to change, for I, like it, have changed, and shall continue.”

posted by Rockel @ 8:11 PM

2 Comments:

At 6/12/05 10:13 PM, Anonymous said…

Thank You.
At 9/12/05 7:23 PM, Anonymous said…

'may the world continue to change, for I, like it, have changed'...maybe I won't set it on fire...but I will make a difference to someone. even if that doesn't alter the state of the planet, city, or neighborhood, it's ok. Live your life for God, then just sit back and see what the world makes of you.

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Lyrics of the Week

ON THE NICKEL
by Tom Waits

("I'd like to do a new song here. This is eh, it's about downtown Los Angeles on 5th Street. And eh all the winos affectionately refer to it as The Nickel. So this is kind of a hobo's lullaby.")

sticks and stones will break my bones,
but i always will be true, and when
your mama is dead and gone,
i'll sing this lullabye just for you,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never comb their hair,
well they're lined up all around the block,
on the nickel over there.

so you better bring a bucket,
there is a hole in the pail,
and if you don't get my letter,
then you'll know that i'm in jail,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never say their prayers,
well they're sleepin' like a baby,
on the nickel over there.

and if you chew tobacco, and wish upon a star,
well you'll find out where the scarecrows sit,
just like punchlines between the cars,
and i know a place where a royal flush,
can never beat a pair, and even thomas jefferson,
is on the nickel over there.

so ring around the rosie, you're sleepin' in the rain,
and you're always late for supper,
and man you let me down again,
i thought i heard a mockingbird, roosevelt knows where,
you can skip the light, with grady tuck,
on the nickel over there.

so what becomes of all the little boys,
who run away from home,
well the world just keeps gettin' bigger,
once you get out on your own,
so here's to all the little boys,
the sandman takes you where,
you'll be sleepin' with a pillowman,
on the nickel over there.

so let's climb up through that button hole,
and we'll fall right up the stairs,
and i'll show you where the short dogs grow,
on the nickel over there.