EGValentino

"If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk about their weak points in contrast perhaps with..."

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:16:00 -0500

““If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk about their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points…then I know nothing of Calvary love.””

- Amy Carmichael

As He [God] gives being unto all things that are, by communicating the effects of His being with...

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:54:20 -0600

As He [God] gives being unto all things that are, by communicating the effects of His being with them; so, is there nothing either so casual, in regard of men, as that He directs it not; or so voluntary, as that He determines it not; nothing so firm, but He sustains it; nor so small, but He regards it; nor so great, but He rules it; nor so evil, but He overrules it. ~John Robinson, Puritan

"Thus, patience, or long-suffering, is just that: suffering our everything to be sacrificed to the..."

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 13:55:22 -0500

“Thus, patience, or long-suffering, is just that: suffering our everything to be sacrificed to the one adored—not with the melodrama of a play-actor, but rather with the ardor of a worshiper.”

- Valentino Copu

"Essentially, if virtue is not maintained in the oath of any public office, or in the security of..."

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:19:14 -0500

“Essentially, if virtue is not maintained in the oath of any public office, or in the security of property, reputation, or life, it presupposes that bad men will be checked by the intentions of good ideals—a presupposition in which dupes believe, and for which tyrants hope.”

- Valentino Copu—

"The trouble with making others fear you is that soon you begin to fear others."

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:41:05 -0600

““The trouble with making others fear you is that soon you begin to fear others.””

- In thinking about Saddam Hussein and his elaborate network of assassination avoidances.

"A returner is someone who is willing to go back to those who enabled them to move forward."

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:57:04 -0600

““A returner is someone who is willing to go back to those who enabled them to move forward.””

- This quote was taken from a sermon by Paster Andy Stanley of North Point Community Church, Atlanta, GA. The sermon title is “I Owe Who?” of November 28, 2010.

This song is a little improvisation that I undertook on a theme...

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 22:00:44 -0500

This song is a little improvisation that I undertook on a theme that I’ve simply called “Jobie.” Forgive the mistakes—it is improvisation.

Also, pardon the whistling…

Victor Copu drew this picture with inspiration from a character...

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:08:00 -0500

Victor Copu drew this picture with inspiration from a character of Charles Dickens.

"I stand in need, of more than this - Of two more legs than none -"

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:42:00 -0500

“I stand in need, of more than this -
Of two more legs than none -”

- Quoted from Ben Ko’s blog, LETTUCEROLL.

|ˈlēdərˌ sh ip| n.

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:42:00 -0500

Throughout the corridors of time and its ballast of scrutiny, leadership is always apparent. However, through these hallowed halls there appears several locked doors, barred by confusion and question. “Is a leader to shout or whisper?” “What advantage does the position carry?”

These and other questions have confused the minds of men and women in the midst of their own quandary. The shuffling motion that is so prone in moments of decision making, the wide-eyed terror that heaves on one, is truly frightening.

What is a leader?

Of all the questions that are forever asked and answered, this one is the most answered yet the least adhered.

The word leadership occupies two differing, though succeeding, thoughts.

The first thought that leadership congers up is the principle of guiding. The sage’s phrase, “Blind leading the blind,” is applicable to ignorance. However, its semi-logical inverse would be, “Sight leading the blind,” which emphasizes this principle of guidance, is applicable to knowledge.

This principle has a certain responsibility that it carries: one, however, which is tied to the power that it wields. If the sight leads the blind, the accountability of direction is solely tied to sight. Thus, sight itself must be guided by a moral compass, for until the blind sees, the responsibility of guiding is too great for any one man.

The second thought that leadership invokes is the practice of commanding. The wise man’s maxim, “Action speaks louder than words,” is a sure foundation. Though the voice of this maxim seems to give passivity to the action of the word command, yet it is not so. The full force of a command is set firmly and squarely behind the commander.

It is this practice of influence that brings man to man; and influence that is unwieldily wielded will warp a worm into a roach; that is, it will turn an influential wimp into an incorrigible knave. Thus, here, too, morality must reign supreme in order that right influence commands the presence leadership.

In light of these, when faced with decision—all the while, confusion baring its nasty head—ask the question: Is this a time for guidance or command?

The mere question may untie the quandary and produce an answer.

"If there is one thing worse than the modern weakening of major morals, it is the modern..."

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:26:00 -0500

“If there is one thing worse than the modern weakening of major morals, it is the modern strengthening of minor morals.”

- Taken from G. K. Chesterton’s, Tremendous Trifles, “On Lying in Bed.”

"O, Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; To be understood..."

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:15:00 -0500

“

O, Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

”

- Taken (and attributed) from St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226).

"A conundrum in the nature of love: While it can endlessly grow, yet love’s first hold is..."

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:43:00 -0500

“

A conundrum in the nature of love:

While it can endlessly grow, yet love’s first hold is hardest held.

”

- Taken from a margin in my notebook.

"When hope itself closes its eyes, When life bores its meaning and bares its shame, And there seems..."

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:14:00 -0500

“When hope itself closes its eyes,
When life bores its meaning and bares its shame,
And there seems to be no Then to these When—
A simple whisper suffices, and a common touch completes.”

- Taken from a margin in my notebook.

Dandelion

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:39:00 -0500

“Through what fierce incarnations, furled In fire and darkness, did I go, Ere I was worthy in the world To see a dandelion grow?” ~ G. K. Chesterton

The common dandelion (otherwise known as Genus Taraxacum) could be considered a scapegrace or wannabe of the daisy family, for it is indeed part of that family, as repugnant as that might sound. Yet for all of its gold-like splendor, man spurns it, forgetting that it was forged in the divine mint of a Creator’s mind as currency for joy. Nevertheless, in all of its hated existence, it does stand out as being an example of the command, “Be fruitful and multiply,” and the process with which the dandelion carries this out is through a process of drying and striking.

The drying of the dandelion comes after the flower (yes flower: I will call it a flower, for that is what is) has been properly pollinated and flowered for its fruit (or in this case, parachutes) to mature. The drying process takes a couple of days, usually one to two, after which the folds come off, revealing the cotton sphere of seeds tied like soldiers to their parachutes. This globe has been referred to as “dandelion snow.”

Upon reaching this stage, the next begins: the striking. This epoch in the existence of every dandelion is carried about by you, me, the wind, grass, falling leaves, and any object that finds itself convenient enough to disturb this happy summer snow-globe. Upon blowing, or being struck, parachute and seed disperse with speed and purpose, even as the soldiers of D-Day, to the ground where they will be planted in order to start the process over again in a matter of days.

Thus, the process is complete: from summer golden-sunshine to winter cotton-snow, the dandelion has filled its existence with more flourish than all the others of his family. Though it may be a wannabe or a scapegrace, to be met with the sight of a dandelion after the trials of “fire and darkness,” or emotions high and low, or tempers often hot, or shoulders often cold, one comes to the conclusion that it, like a lions tooth as its name suggests, bites and devours the cobwebs of tomorrow and ushers in the light of the sun—the sun, as yellow as its peddles. It is indeed God’s currency for joy!

Photo taken from www.fiftyfootshadows.net. A website that I love muchly.

"Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art… Great heart of my own heart, whatever befalls,..."

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:28:00 -0500

“Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art… Great heart of my own heart, whatever befalls, still be Thou my vision, O Ruler of all.”

- Taken from Be Thou My Vision, (Irish, c. 8th century; tr. Mary Byrne, 1880-1931; Versified, Eleanor Hull, 1860-1935).

I’ve always liked making album covers to the albums in my...

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:17:00 -0500

I’ve always liked making album covers to the albums in my iTunes library that don’t otherwise have one. These are two of my latest and greatest. Enjoy.

The Relentless Beast

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:23:00 -0500

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

There is a spectre and demon that haunts the good man. This demon screams loudest when good men stand tallest. He pushes and drives and urges towards weakness and depression. He presses and drones to destruction and passivity. Hold! Yes: his destructive purpose is passivity, for gray twilight makes bats blindest.

He is a tedious beast who never rests until you give in—he is the cousin to busyness, only differing in tactic and style. When you rise to speak for a worthy cause he shouts you down, when you walk to carry out a plan and purpose he whispers your inadequacies, and when you set your face like a flint he laughs at you and causes you to doubt.

He always stands on the mid-cliff, calling you down from the heights and up from the depths; never desiring either your joy or sorrow, but only sharing in your boredom.

He was there before Adam’s fall, and he urges you towards yours. He is the younger weakness to an older strength, purpose, but lulls it to sleep through half-baked dreams and cockeyed schemes. He is relentless when you are tenacious, and he never stops until you ever cease. He is busiest until you are laziest. He is life’s paradox, its worst paraclete, and its greatest para-dink.

He advises the causes to life’s greatest sorrows, and is present to all their births. He himself is neither life’s greatest wrong nor right, vice nor blessing. He stands taler than the others but shorter than the rest. He is only just so-so.

When you walk slow he tells you to walk fast, and when you walk fast he tells you to stop. When you take the lead, he shouts that the back is best. When you slouch in the back, he says the front is better. When you whisper in gentle counsel, he softly says, “Harder!” When you point out another’s weakness, he screams, “Softer!” All is better elsewhere, and everything is nothing unless you have something else.

He is Mediocrity and Malcontent: a two-faced and double-minded fiend. When you point the finger at him, he points it at someone else. When he is to blame, another carries the shame. He is man’s first sin before his first fall, and the cause of man’s first great divorce.

Gratefulness Leading to Joy

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 12:39:00 -0500

I have yet another Chestertonian quote, from his book, Tremendous Triffels,the chapter entitled, ”The Advantages of Having One Leg.”

“All pessimism has a secret optimism for its object. All surrender of life, all denial of pleasure, all darkness, all austerity, all desolation has for its real aim this separation of something so that it may be poignantly and perfectly enjoyed. I feel grateful for the slight sprain which as introduced this mysterious and fascinating division between one of my feet and the other. The way to love anything is to realise that it might be lost. In one of my feet I can feel how strong and splendid a foot is; in the other I can realise how very much otherwise it might have been. The moral of the thing is wholly exhilarating. This world and all our powers in it are far more awful and beautiful than even we know until some accident reminds us. If you wish to perceive that limitless felicity, limit yourself if only for a moment. If you wish to realise how fearfully and wonderfully God’s image is made, stand on one leg. If you want to realise the splendid vision of all visible things— wink the other eye.”

An Interesting Notion…

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 14:26:00 -0500

I found this today: some thoughts by Milton’s on free-will. From Paradise Lost, Book V, §519-543.

 To whom the Angel.  Son of Heav'n and Earth,
Attend: That thou art happie, owe to God; 
That thou continu'st such, owe to thy self, 
That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. 
This was that caution giv'n thee; be advis'd. 
God made thee perfet, not immutable; 
And good he made thee, but to persevere 
He left it in thy power, ordaind thy will 
By nature free, not over-rul'd by Fate 
Inextricable, or strict necessity; 
Our voluntarie service he requires, 
Not our necessitated, such with him 
Findes no acceptance, nor can find, for how 
Can hearts, not free, be tri'd whether they serve 
Willing or no, who will but what they must 
By Destinie, and can no other choose? 
My self and all th' Angelic Host that stand 
In sight of God enthron'd, our happie state 
Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; 
On other surety none; freely we serve. 
Because wee freely love, as in our will 
To love or not; in this we stand or fall: 
And som are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n, 
And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell; O fall 
From what high state of bliss into what woe!