Monday Update, Deluge Edition

 It started raining on Saturday evening and hasn't stopped yet.  Pretty sure the cattle are going to be floating away any time now.

Number One Son has made his list to "S-N" (i.e., Saint Nick).  He gave it to Frisbee, our elf, to take to the North Pole (he, like Piers, is a true believer). His list includes the following items (just as he wrote them):

• skateboard
• iPod
• real guitar
• football uniform
• wings
• remote control robot
• wind controller
• Power gloves

Read an article on Friday of last week that sums up much of what my thinking has been over the past couple of years.  Snip:

The progress Christian and the bank executive share the same heathen thinking about the mechanics of human being.  “If he has will power and guts, he will make the grade.”  Give, get.  Pay, receive.  Hand over, get back.  Work, pay.  Offer, exchange.  Tell the truth, avoid depression and addiction.  The relentless pursuit of perfection.  The process of perfecting ourselves.  You act, and Jesus reacts.  Progress Christendom abides by these rules.

Progress may sneak some language into his lexicon about “relying on God” or “letting go,” but the listener should not be deceived into thinking that progress does not believe that a little prayer and elbow grease will solve the problem.  Progress thinks in a very Hindu way, and his advice bears little relation to the Christian doctrines of justification and whatever it is that we call sanctification.  The progress Christian might wear religious garb, adhere to Christian doctrine, and obey Christian commands.  But he adds fuel to a fire that slowly burns away at the world.

 And sure enough, in Sunday School yesterday, there was an awful lot of talk along these very lines.  Read through to the end of the article.

Our Christmas Tree is a wreck.  Only half the lights work, and as the days go by, more and more ornaments disappear from its lower branches.  Sigh.  It was a nice tree, too.

The Runner finished the Memphis St. Jude half marathon this past Saturday.  She had a great time--so much so, that she'll be running another one in a few weeks.  She and LE, who lives next door with her husband J and little one G, have a great time running together.  Proud of her; glad for her to have this thing she does and loves so much.  Even if it's crazy.