A difference in cultures

 I couldn't help notice the difference in America, how we view the Iraqi prisoner situation, with how the Muslim nations viewed the Berg situation.

We were appalled at how the Iraqis were treated and are looking to punish the perpetrators. In the Islamic World the executioners of this young American are viewed as heroes, in fact beheading someone is no big deal over there.

This has to do with the influence Christianity has on our worldview in Western culture. In non christian societies life is de-valued.

This difference is brought to light by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount when he says calling your neighbor a fool is equivalent to murder. In most societies when your neighbor hits you, yoiu are expected to retaliate, Christk expects us to turn the other cheek.

While I am not always proud of the things going on in American society, at least we are still appalled at some thing and by feeling this way we show otherss how we value life. Treating all people with compassion is still a goal alive, (yet on life support) in our Western Society.

* This is Lyle's first post on his blog dated Saturday, May 15, 2004

Anger

Reading "The Divine Conspiracy" chapter 5, Dallas Willard had 2 great quotes, "There is nothing that can be done with anger that cannot be done better without it." This is so true. We let our anger affect everything we do some days.

Also, "To cut the root of anger, is to wither the tree of human evil." Think about how many societal problmnes are caused by anger. In America there are 25,000 murders annually.

Think about how our lives would be different if we didn't get angry.

The Bible says, "be angry, but do not sin". So we will all get angry, it is just how long we let it stew or how quickly we can diffuse it in a non violent way.

Are there different types of anger"

*This is Lyle's second  blog post from Wednesday, May 19, 2004 posted at 6:02 AM
** Lyle's older posts are being reproduced as they were. The project may take some time, but good things do. We all find it hard that Lyle met the Divine Conspirator in person 20 years ago.

No Place I'd Rather Be . . .

Live in the present. Maybe that is what Lyle had in mind when he said,

We miss you friend . . . But, we will live right here, right now conspiring goodness for others.

Remembering Not Over . . . Even If Regular Posting May Be

For the last month I took the time to read back through nearly all of Lyle's posts from his blog. I managed to highlight one post a day for nearly every day.

The experience has been enjoyable. Occasionally I fought back tears as I remembered. One of Lyle's younger friends, John Elam, once remarked to me about how our minds work. He said once a person has thought something they cannot erase it. I believe John would say he heard that from someone else or synthesized another's thought.

Whatever the case, once a person has entered our sphere, our world, we do not forget. Our remembering goes on. And, I know not only will my remembering go on but so will all those who shared life with Lyle along his way.

Five Years . . . Hard to Believe

Eleven days from now will mark five years since Lyle suffered a fatal heart attack. Lyle chose the title for his blog after beginning his trek through Dallas Willard's Divine Conspiracy. I am going to re-post some of Lyle's thoughts for at least the next month over on my website. You may expect and "Introduction" to the series tomorrow.

Thinking of Lyle watching Will

We had not been over to Lyle and Evette's many times. I think we went over to watch an OU game. After the game Lyle wanted to watch, The Best of Will Ferrell. Some of the clips made Evette think, "Lyle, this is our pastor and his wife!" We laughed and laughed. I still remember that laugh we reflected on nearly two years ago - that laugh that seemed to emanate from deep in the belly. Lyle's body would shake.

Today I stayed home. Despite telling Patty I did not feel too bad, she thought it unwise to subject everyone that would be in the office today to the high fever I fought last night. On Tuesdays and Thursdays our Children's Day Out meets. We have received numerous calls over the past few weeks noting someone's child was still battling the flu. Whether or not is was the flu may be debatable. What is not is the need to keep from potentially exposing children and workers just because I sometimes feel overly compelled to push it.

I caught up on some reading and writing. I had been slow posting a series on the selected title for my blog. A proposal I noted I would accomplish some time ago. I offered a post on what it was like to feel good and then suddenly be hit with a fever reaching above 104. I remembered the SNL skit with the Blue Oyster Cult and Will Ferrell. The line that came to mind, "I have a fever and the answer is more cowbell." So, in memory of my late friend and his love for laughter I posted a clip on my site.

It would have been funny to watch this one with Lyle.

Providing the Balance

I have been listed as a contributor on this blog for quite a while now, but have not posted anything until now. I am a believer in the old addage "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." I am a believer in it, but not very good at practicing it. I just happen to be extra careful when it comes to group blogs. I have to say that I have been thinking about Lyle the last couple weeks. I have been wondering if I would be where I currently am theologically, if I still had Lyle to bounce things off of. Lyle always provided a good balance for me as I tend to jump in with both feet. He was usually there to offer a hand back out of the deep end and always without making me feel like the "greenhand" that I was. I always respected Lyle's experience. He had "been there and done that" with most of the theological wandering I was / am doing. I wonder if I would be as theologically liberal as I am right now if I still had Lyle to bounce things off of. I also wonder if I am as theologically liberal as I feel like I am. Lyle was often my counterweight on these issues. I hope I can someday help disciple someone in as kind and calm a manner as Lyle helped me.