Bible Lesson 1/1/17

BIBLE, GOD, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

God:

Now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not:  for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine (Isaiah 43).

Spirit--Moses advanced a nation to the worship of God in Spirit (Eddy, p. 200, 1906).  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure (Isaiah 46).

infinite--Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:  for I am God, and there is none else (Isaiah 45).

eternal--I am the Lord, I change not; . . . Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you (Malachi 3; Jeremiah 29).

healer--With God all things are possible (Matthew 19).  The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God (Eddy, 1906, p. 1).

All--Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.  Amen (I Timothy 1).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 12/25/16

BIBLE, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Christian Science:

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon his shoulder:  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9).

wise men--Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. . . .  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy (Matthew 2).

Mary--And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1).

Joseph--And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left (Isaiah 30).

shepherds--The shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us (Luke 2).

Jesus--And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:  and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him (Matthew 3).

Comforter--The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14).

References

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 12/18/16

BIBLE, ATOMIC FORCE, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Is the Universe, Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?

He commanded, and they were created.  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever:  he hath made a decree which shall not pass (Psalms 148).

stillness--Be still, and know that I am God:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalms 46).

power--O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: . . .  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary (Psalms 63).

glad tidings--Divine Love blesses its own ideas, and causes them to multiply,--to manifest His power (Eddy, 1906, p. 517).

earthly spell--To break this earthly spell, mortals must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and governs the universe harmoniously (Eddy, 1906, p. 39).

peace--And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4).

thanks--We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty . . . ; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned (Revelation 11).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 12/11/16

BIBLE, PRESERVATION, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

God the Preserver of Man:

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7).

Love--Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance (Psalms 32).

spiritual understanding--By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went (Hebrews 11).

prayer--And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces:  and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them (Numbers 20).

age--Thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning (Job 11).

children--Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray (Matthew 19).

light--I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. . . .  Before Abraham was, I am (John 8).

fear not--O man greatly beloved, fear not:  peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong (Daniel 10).

References

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 12/4/16

BIBLE, CREATOR, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

God the Only Cause and Creator:

I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being (Psalms 146).

Word--In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God (John 1).

witness--Ye are my witnesses saith the Lord . . . :  that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he (Isaiah 43).

Jesus--Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel (Matthew 1).

the perfect gift--Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1).

sustenance--Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? . . . But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6).

the way--Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee (Psalms 143).

References

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 11/27/16

BIBLE, NECROMANCY, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Ancient and Modern Necromancy, Alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced:

I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil (Romans 16).

omnipotence--The king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee:  thou shalt not see evil any more (Zephaniah 3).

light--The night is far spent, the day is at hand:  let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light (Romans 13).

resistance--Get thee hence Satan:  for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (Matthew 4).

authority--What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out (Luke 4).

darkness--Let the lying lips be put to silence (Psalm 31).

victory--The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing (Zephaniah 3).

References

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 11/20/16

BIBLE, SOUL, BODY, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Soul and Body:

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God (Psalms 42).

Zion--Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined (Psalms 50).

heritage--The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places (Psalms 16).  Soul, or God, is the only truth-giver to man (Eddy, 1906, p. 72).

food--Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink (Daniel 1).

salvation--Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.  And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked (John 5).

perfection--O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together (Psalms 34).

new man--The divine Mind is the Soul of man, and gives man dominion over all things (Eddy, 1906, p. 307).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 11/13/16

BIBLE, IMMORTALS, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Mortals and Immortals:

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been (Ecclesiastes 3).

discernment--For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edge sword, . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4).

power--The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength (I Samuel 2).

peace--The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace (Eddy, 1906, p. 506).

Christ--The Christ-element in the Messiah made him the Way-shower, Truth and Life (Eddy, 1906, p. 288).

freedom--Man is immortal and lives by divine authority (Eddy, 1906, p. 76).

rest--Man in the likeness of God as revealed in Science cannot help being immortal (Eddy, 1906, p. 81).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 11/6/16

BIBLE, ADAM, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Adam and Fallen Man:

God hath made man upright (Ecclesiastes 7).

peace--Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:  for the end of that man is peace (Psalms 37).

knowledge--But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it (Genesis 2).

disobedience--She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat (Genesis 3).

hands--And he laid his hands on her:  and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God (Luke 13).

righteousness--The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life (Proverbs 11).

light--Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us (Psalms 4).

References

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 10/30/16

BIBLE, PUNISHMENT, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Everlasting Punishment:

With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer (Isaiah 54).

God--The Christian Science God is universal, eternal, divine Love, which changeth not and causeth no evil, disease, nor death (Eddy, 1906, p. 140).

man--Divine Love corrects and governs man.  Men may pardon, but this divine Principle alone reforms the sinner (Eddy, 1906, p. 6).

reformation--Justice requires reformation of the sinner.  Mercy cancels the debt only when justice approves (Eddy, 1906, p. 22).

purification--Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (Psalms 51).

recompense--Practice not profession, understanding not belief, gain the ear and right hand of omnipotence and they assuredly call down infinite blessings (Eddy, 1906, p. 15).

forgiveness--Thou, Lord, art good and ready to forgive (Psalms 86).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Coming to Grips

HOMOSEX, REALITY, WRITING

What’s my reality? What do I want to write about? I have never wanted to be a fiction or play writer. I don’t want to play with writing, or with communication. I do want to write. I want to write my vision of reality, my understanding of reality. If I could communicate reality to you, I would. If I knew how to, I would tell you the truth about the world we live in. Or, maybe I will simply communicate my truth to you, with the understanding that it is mine and not necessarily yours. I understand that you have your own truth to live. I also understand that we have to live together in this world, like it or not. Us living together is the nature of things. Us living together is a kind of reality too. How we manage to live together in this limited time and space is our reality.

I am a homosexual. I took the stand a long time ago that, if I were to be sexual, I would be homosexual. This is not some noble pose. Nobility’s got nothing to do with it. Pride’s got nothing to do with it. I’m not necessarily proud to be a homosexual. I like homosexual sex. I find men and boys very sexually attractive and I always have done. Homosexuality is not a recent discovery, epiphany, or conversion for me. I have lived with it for most of my life. I didn’t turn 22 and decide that I wanted to have sex with men. I learned about sex from Rusty Barnes when I was 10 years old, and I’ve been interested in doing it with other males ever since.  Homosexuality came easily to me. It was not a mystery. It was one of the early facts of my life. It was not a moral issue for me, unless being true to oneself is considered a virtue. I don’t want to make more out of being a big homo than it deserves. I do kind of want to keep my homosexuality in its place. I don’t want to be overwhelmed by it, and I don’t want to exaggerate it. It’s just sex after all. Everybody needs to calm down about this whole sexual thing. But, I do want for you to explore its significance with me.




Photo:  Morkel Erasmus/Shutterstock.com

Bible Lesson 10/23/16

BIBLE, PROBATION, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Probation After Death:

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8).

Enoch--By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; . . .  For before his translation he had this testimony, the he pleased God (Hebrews 11).  Universal salvation rests on progression and probation, and is unattainable without them (Eddy, 1906, p. 291).

crucifixion--There is a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith (Eddy, 1906, p. 9).

resurrection--If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain (I Corinthians 15).

ascension--After the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God (Mark 16).

demonstration--Be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12).  Every step towards goodness is a departure from materiality, and is a tendency towards God, Spirit (Eddy, 1906, p. 213).

enlightenment--Now are ye light in the Lord:  walk as children of light (Ephesians 5).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 10/16/16

BIBLE, ATONEMENT, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Doctrine of Atonement:

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1).

unity--Atonement is the exemplification of man's unity with God. . . .  What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds (Eddy, 1906, pp. 18, 4).

Christ Jesus--Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, . . . that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? (Isaiah 51).  The atonement requires constant self-immolation on the sinners part (Eddy, 1906, p. 23).

crucifixion--The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners (Matthew 26).

resurrection--God hath quickened us together with Christ (Ephesians 2).

life-practice--The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice, and God's will must be universally done (Eddy, 1906, p. 202).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 10/9/16

BIBLE; DISASTER; CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?

The word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him (Psalms 18).

prayer--As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me (Psalms 55).

sin--Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies (Psalms 40).

disease--Go, wash in the pool of Siloam. . . .  He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing (John 9).

death--And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: . . .  Now I know of a surety, that the Lord . . . hath delivered me (Acts 12).

angels--He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways (Psalms 91).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

When Worlds Collide

POLITICS, SUCCESS, VIRTUE, HEALTH

When worlds collide, when worlds fall apart, what does one do?  I pray.  I strive to see myself and others in Spirit.  I strive to see the spiritual idea.  The only realities are the divine Mind and idea (Eddy, 1906, p. 109).  Science, disciple, mankind.  Insight, pray, act.  God rests in action (Eddy, 1906, p. 519).  Ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace (Isaiah 55).  Human life is action.  Death is inaction.  While we live, we act rightly or wrongly.  While we live, we turn to Divine Science to show us how to act.  It isn’t always immediately clear what needs to be done humanly.  Life and its choices are not always clear-cut and trouble free.  During difficult times, we reach out for divine guidance, we reach out for light (enlightenment), and we continue to act humanly to the best of our ability and understanding.

Divine Science and the way of wisdom are not political.  The highest value is not politics.  Human government is not the be all and end all.  Human government is not the truth of being.  It is a charade.  It is a fool’s paradise.  Human power is fleeting and uncertain.  Popularity is a sham.  We do our civic duty and go on with our lives.  Life goes on regardless of political processes, transitions, and power plays.  One continues to find the right way to live in spite of political and cultural aberrations and obstacles.  We don’t have to be fooled by the world’s foolishness and self-importance.  We can live and work as we should, whatever else the world is up to.  The political stage is rife with patent fools and charlatans clambering for success and power over others’ lives.  Maybe it is the general public’s contempt and disregard for politics that has degraded it to the dangerous position it now holds.  Political power is a potential threat to individual liberty and the success of society.  One succeeds in spite of political machinations, not because of them.

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 10/2/16

BIBLE, UNREALITY, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Unreality:

Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away (II Corinthians 3).

satisfaction—I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness (Psalms 17).  Evil can only seem to be real by giving reality to the unreal (Eddy, 1906, p. 470).

action—Ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace (Isaiah 55).  God rests in action (Eddy, 1906, p. 519).

comfort—As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you (Isaiah 66).

mercy—Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (Psalms 51).

brotherly love—Owe no man any thing, but to love one another (Romans 13).

obedience—This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments (I John 5).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 9/25/16

BIBLE, REALITY, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Reality:

Bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8).

spiritual reality—The spiritual reality is the scientific fact in all things. . . .  When the substance of Spirit appears in Christian Science, the nothingness of matter is recognized (Eddy, 1906, pp. 207, 480).

Elijah—The hand of the Lord was on Elijah (I Kings 18).  Spiritual sense, contradicting the material senses, involves intuition, hope, faith, understanding, fruition, reality (Eddy, 1906, p. 298).

try the spirits—Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God (I John 4).

Christian healing—Mentally insist that harmony is the fact, and that sickness is a temporal dream (Eddy, 1906, p. 412).

enlightenment—The only realities are the divine Mind and idea (Eddy, 1906, p. 109).

write the vision—Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it (Habakkuk 2).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 9/18/16

BIBLE, MATTER, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Matter:

graven images—Thou shalt not raise a false report (Exodus 23).

Daniel—Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian (Daniel 6).  The opponents of Christian Science believe substance to be matter. . . .  Christian Science takes exactly the opposite view (Eddy, 1906, pp. 349-350).

Hezekiah—The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5).  Deny the existence of matter, and you can destroy the belief in material conditions (Eddy, 1906, p. 368).

tares and wheat—God, good, being ever present, it follows in divine logic that evil, the suppositional opposite of good, is never present (Eddy, 1906, p. 72).

walking on the water—Great peace have they which love thy law (Psalms 119).

withering grass—The word of the Lord endureth forever (I Peter 1).  The conventional firm, called matter and mind, God never formed (Eddy, 1906, p. 274).

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Bible Lesson 9/11/16

BIBLE, SUBSTANCE, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Substance:

Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh (Luke 6).

Spirit, the synonym of Mind, Soul, or God, is the only real substance (Eddy, 1906, p. 468).

Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11).

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering (Colossians 3).

The corner-stone of all spiritual building is purity. . . .  The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress (Eddy, 1906, pp. 241, 324).

Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5).  One’s consecration to Christ is more on the ground of demonstration than of profession (Eddy, 1906, p. 28).

The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27).

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. . . .  Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet (Proverbs 3).

[emphasis added]

I don’t know what God will do for me.  I don’t know what God will do with my life.  I have my own plans.  I make my own efforts at various things, most of which fail.  I am not good at the world’s way of doing things.  I would like to be better at it.  I would like to achieve more.  I would like to be more successful and prosperous.  I try to put God first in my life, don’t I?  I try to be a good man.  What do I want my life to be?  What am I capable of accomplishing in the world?  What is a realistic expectation for me to have about my life?  To what should I be directing my thoughts and efforts?  What can I do to avoid wasting time and energy?

References

Eddy, M. B.  (1906).  Science and health with key to the scriptures.  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Holy bible (King James version).  (n. d.).  Boston, MA:  The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Self-defense

We need to form groups to defend ourselves against the marauding hordes of Obama supporters.

Making Time

TIME, STYLE, KORS, MEN

A man at Pain D’Avignon commented on my watch yesterday morning. He liked it and wanted to know what kind it was. I told him it was a Michael Kors designer watch that Dad bought shortly before he died. When Mom first showed it to me, I said, “What did he buy this for?” It wasn’t his style at all. Too flashy. Did he buy it for me? We’ll never know, but I enjoy wearing it every day. It's more my style. I have gotten numerous compliments on it from other men. Funny. The guy at Pain was good looking with a slight accent. Brazilian-Portuguese maybe, in his forties. Let’s get acquainted. Let’s be friends. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. I’d like to add you to my social calendar. Please don't pull a Nicholas Willoughby on me. I spotted Nicholas once or twice at Pain, but he won't be remodeling my house.

I’m always flattered when a handsome guy or young man chats me up. Even at this late date, guys still show interest in me. I have never been very good at fielding the interest and curiosity of attractive guys. What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to respond? "Wanna come over to my house to make out and jerk off? Let's do it." What’s a man like I doing in a place like Chaturbate or Bate Nation*? Getting my rocks off with horny, good-looking guys who like me. Look for the watch.

Michael Kors Ritz Chronograph Watch. Retrieved April 5, 2016, from http://www.zlatarmalisa.com/slike/proizvodi/original/mk5057.jpg

*Bate Nation free jo phone line: 712-832-8320 (401315).

Working Happy

WORK, COWORKERS, COOPERATION, ACCOMPLISHMENT

I’m too old to fight over little things. You win! I don’t care. You do it. I have nothing to add. I have nothing to prove to you or myself. Give me something menial that no one else wants to do. Give me something to do that I don’t have to fight over. Most things aren’t worth fighting over, but there are people who want to fight over everything. There is no task more difficult than the fight that ensues over how to get it done and who should do it. The politics of getting things done is more daunting than the doing. It is the relationships, rather than the work, that challenge us most in the workplace. That’s why cooperation has always been at the top of my list of workplace values. If coworkers cooperate with each other, it improves the quality of their work and their enjoyment of it.

Coffee: The Key to Workplace Harmony. (Susan Nicholas, 2014). Retrieved April 2, 2016, from http://www.slideshare.net/sanicholas/coffee-40852842/7

Happy Easter!

EASTER, LAMB OF GOD, LOVE, WORSHIP

Beautiful boy with a bright, smiling face, having dinner with his brother and parents at Café Soleil in Wareham. I love a beautiful boy. I always have. There’s a game I’ve played all my life: When I enter a space full of people, I pick out the most beautiful boys in the room, and try to narrow it down to the most beautiful one of them all. I look and I look and I look until it’s time for him or I to go. One of life’s greatest pleasures has been for me to look at and admire beautiful boys. I may go down and die in ignominy and shame, but I will have had the pleasure of loving boys.

I wrote once to Steve Price, my erstwhile friend and handsome, blonde boy, about dying with grace and good humor. Life doesn’t always give one the chance to die a classic, romantic death. Death is often crude and inconvenient. "The senses represent birth as untimely and death as irresistible" (Eddy, 1906, p. 265). Life can be messy, and some of us simply live messy lives. Our poor lives are simply messy all the time. We never do recover from disaster sufficiently to live an orderly life. We struggle on and limp along until it’s over. It isn’t pretty. One of the best things a man can do in his lifetime is to love others more than himself. That’s grace. It blesses the other and oneself, enveloping all in uplifting, life-giving Spirit. I don’t lead a model life. I try to do well, but I don’t excel. I lead the life I’m inclined to lead.

I can’t save you. If I knew how to, I would, but I don’t. I simply do what I can to affirm, support, and encourage you. I do what I can. It isn’t everything, but I know that it makes a difference. I know that it makes a positive difference in another’s life to love him. If I were self-centered, I might have a neat, polished life. But, I have chosen to share the joys and sorrows of others as the form of my own enjoyment. I like to think that my life has been God and man centered. I have lived an imperfect life of worship and service, worshiping God and loving man.

Eddy, Mary Baker. Science and health with key to the scriptures. (1906). Boston, MA: The Christian Science Board of Directors.

Photo: The Lamb of God. Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta. Torccello (Venezia, Italy). late 11th century. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from https://03varvara.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/unknown-artist-the-lamb-of-god-cattedrale-di-santa-maria-assunta-torccello-venezia-italy-late-11th-century1.jpg

Election 2016

PUSSIES, PERVERTS, AMERICAN WAY

(whack jobs + pussies) x popular culture = Trump²






Trump Photo: Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock.com

Kick Ass Self Defense

REALITY, NORMALITY, DISAGREEMENT, DEFENSE

Part of popular culture is the idea that there is no normal. There are a lot of different normals living in the same objective reality. Popular culture suggests that one cannot know what normal is, and that it is politically and socially incorrect to think that one can. We are supposed to think that all realities are valid, and it is expected that we will tolerate, defer to, and nurture them, even at the expense of our own health, happiness, and prosperity. The other’s reality is of equal or greater value to mine, and the nice thing to do is to defer to the other. It is mean and stupid for me to insist on the superiority of my reality, and defend it against your encroachment on it. When, where, and how did you earn the right to promote yourself at my expense? What makes you think that I will cooperate with you? What makes you think that I will not turn on you, and rend you limb from limb in defense of myself? Reality isn’t what you say it is. Reality is what I am willing to do to you in defense of myself. It doesn’t matter what you say. It only matters what I do.

Muhammad Ali photo. ©2014 Judo Minnesota. Retrieved March 1, 2016, from http://judomn.org/boxing.html.

Spirituality and the Sexual Man

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE, CELIBACY, SEX

If I thought that I could do any good by being celibate, I would be. And, I would be so busy doing good that I wouldn’t miss the tawdry appeal of sex. What if I gave a party and no one came? I don't want to develop and promote an idea only to discover that I am the only one on the planet who cares about it. I don't want to be sentenced to solitary confinement by celibacy. If sex connects me more intimately to others, I might want it to be part of my life.

I understand that homosexuality and Christian Science are mutually exclusive. Aren’t they? I have no desire to reform Christian Science. I’m happy with it the way Mrs. Eddy founded it. I am neither qualified nor motivated to take on the task of reforming a great, worldwide religious movement. However, even as a homosexual, I have always thought that there must be a place for the likes of me in Christian Science. I am by no means an exemplar, healer, or teacher. But, I have gotten a lot of good from the teachings of Christian Science and its Church all my life. I'm in.

As a young man, I began to understand that, even if I did everything by the book, I would not be received into the Christian Science community of healers and religious teachers. I began to understand that my yearning to serve God and man was not enough to qualify me for that exalted company. So be it. I was disappointed. But, it may have been for the best. I still love Christian Science and Christian Scientists. I’m a member of The Mother Church. I read the Lesson every day. Christian Science is my healer and guide. I wouldn’t want to live without it.

Write About It

HOMOSEX, MASTURBATION, ART

I want to have sex with attractive men, but I’ve never been good at making those sexual connections. I don’t know what it takes. I don’t know how to do it. That’s why I hang out on Chaturbate or call Bate Nation (712-832-8320 [401315]). I want guys to know that I’m available for sex. I want guys to know that I want it. Not that I’m willing to do it with anyone, but there are guys out there I’m very willing to do it with, and I want them to know that I’m interested. The sexual marketplace. The homosexual marketplace. Cut to the chase. Get down to business.

I don’t want to play games. I don’t want to go through the process of making friends with a guy only to find out that he has no sexual interest in me. Not that all of my friendships have to be sexual. That’s not the point. That would be exhausting. But, I would rather start off knowing that a guy wants to have sex with me, and that friendship is a possibility. I don’t want to have to marry a guy to have sex with him. I don’t want sex with guys to be a big fucking deal. I want to hook up with the guys I like. If fun sex with guys leads to friendship, that’s a welcome bonus.

I like masturbating and writing about it and the guys I masturbate with. I like talking and writing about guys jerking off together. It’s not religion, but I like it a lot. I want to find attractive guys to masturbate with, and live to tell the tale.

There are other things I’m interested in. I have lots of interests, some of which are worth writing about and others not. Sex is almost always worth writing about. Everyone is interested in sex. Almost everyone is curious about others’ sexuality. It’s a human trait. Have you got a minute? Let me share a thing or two with you. I might even tell you more than you want to know.

Photograph from Can We Talk About This, DV8 Physical Theatre, retrieved January 19, 2016, from https://kenanmalik.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dv8-7.jpg.

Intelligence Alliance

BUSINESS, INTELLIGENCE, POWER, CULTURE

Steve Jurvetson is a partner in the venture capital firm DFJ (Draper Fisher Jurveston). Elon Musk is the CEO of the space transport company SpaceX and Tesla Motors. They are men with brains, or a certain type of brain, who have acquired lots of money and power. They represent the silicon culture elite. Combinations and cliques. Groups. Organizations. Corporations. Intelligence alliances. Venture capital. Capital venture. Money power. Culture.

Wealthy, powerful men can afford to support and promote bad ideas. Having one kind of intelligence doesn’t necessarily translate into having other kinds of intelligence. The success of one venture doesn’t guarantee the success of every venture taken by the same intelligence alliance. What happens to the rest of us? What happens to those of us who are not recognized or included in the ruling alliance? What is our value? Who fights for us? What is my place and purpose in a world run by intellectual, political, and financial alliances to which I don’t belong? Is there anything I can do to gain acceptance and participation in the ruling class? Do I want to belong to the ruling class? Is the goal of my little life to rule the world? What do I want to do? What do I want to accomplish with my little life?

We are not all geniuses. We do not all want to be geniuses. We cannot all qualify to belong to an intelligence alliance of geniuses. Intelligence alliances rule the world, but they are neither omniscient nor omnipotent. Can I rule my little corner of the world with my limited intelligence? Do I have the power to rule my own life, even though I will never participate in a ruling alliance? Do I want to be a power broker? No. Do I qualify to be a power broker? No. What can powerless men and women do to have happy, healthy lives?






Photograph of businessmen shaking hands by OPOLJA/Shutterstock.com.