Far From the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy

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"Thomas Hardy"

I have to admit, this is my second attempt at this book. The extensive vocabulary from a by-gone time and culture and Thomas Hardy's intense grammatical structure made this a challenge for bed-time reading. However, I did appreciate this well-written and witty classic. Though unfamiliar with the society of British rural, agricultural life, I resonate with the author's effort, as expressed in his original Preface, to preserve a portrait of the disappearing close-knit, rural community.

Hardy's observation and communication of thought processes and behaviour that are strictly male and female are insightful and charming. The book closes with a beautiful picture of what a love within a marriage is capable of yet so seldom achieved.

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"He accompanied her up the hill...They spoke very little of their mutual feelings; pretty phrases and warm expressions being probably unnecessary between such tried friends. Theirs was that substantial affection which arises (if any arises at all) when the two who are thrown together begin first by knowing the rougher sides of each other's character, and not the best till further on, the romance growing up in the interstices of a mass of hard prosaic reality. This good-fellowship -- camaraderie -- usually occurring through similarity of pursuits, is unfortunately seldom super-added to love between the sexes, because men and women associate, not in their labours, but in their pleasures merely. Where, however, happy circumstance permits its development, the compounded feeling proves itself to be the only love which is strong as death--that love which many waters cannot quench, nor the floods drown, beside which the passion usually called by the name is evanescent as steam."

A classic tale of love lost and gained and a convicting message of remaining steady and true as an Oak.
 

See also Wikipedia: Far from the Madding Crowd

Far from the Madding Crowd, Amazon

Far from the Madding Crowd, Kindle Edition, 2008

A Spiritual Lesson from American Idol - Believe it or Not!

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What in the world does American Idol have to do with one's spiritual journey?

As I mentioned in a previous post, you can learn a lot  about life (not just about our culture) 
reflecting on this cultural phenomenon. I rarely get through a whole season, to be honest, but I have a love-hate relationship with the audition shows.

I love to see people stepping out of the shadow of obscurity to the fame their incredible voices and talent deserve. However, I hate to see the severely deceived embarrass themselves on television.
Walking in with complete confidence, they have the look, the charismatic personality, a swagger that is incorrigible, boasting of talent and even victory...and then they open their mouths...Wow! Unbelievable! "Are these people even serious?" I think to myself. Sadly, they are serious. I am always floored by their persistence. As they sing, if you could call it that, the judges are trying to be gracious, trying to be kind but sometimes it is dreadful. At times a giggle slips out, even a laugh. The contestant finishes what seems to have been a comedy routine by the ensuing laughter and what do they do - despite the laughter? They start singing again!! Amazing! They beg for another chance to humiliate themselves - they honestly, wholeheartedly believe they can sing and not only sing but deserve their voice to be heard by the world! The shame is that the rest of the world painfully understands the truth.

The first lesson I take from this is that I can choose to believe whatever I want to believe. If I tell myself something often and long enough, I can alter what I perceive as reality. Proven every season as we agonizingly endure the American Idol auditions we clearly understand - what I believe does NOT alter reality!

Will I learn to believe what is really true?

I blame parents and friends. What do you tell a 4 year old that runs to you with a page of scribbles? "Wow, that is great! Keep it up buddy!"  If a 20 year old is still running to you with a page of scribbles it's not cute any more. if you are someone that keeps telling people it's great when it's not, you should be slapped. Seriously, there comes a time when reality has to be revealed. If they can't sing, tell them to stick to family and friend karaoke time, please! It's not rude, demeaning, or destructive to someone's self-esteem to gently encourage them to find a career in something other than what they are awful at! It saves people the crushing defeat and emotional scarring of making a fool of themselves before an internationally, televised audience!!

In all seriousness I believe everyone CAN sing. The Bible exhorts us to, "make a joyful noise unto the Lord," and sing our praise to God no matter how it sounds. I just don't believe everyone deserves a professional recording contract. I believe everyone can sing but I don't believe everyone should sing on National Television!

The second lesson I learn is that I need to hear the truth. Even when it may not make me 'feel' good. Truth is true whether I like it or not. Truth is still true whether I believe it or not. 

Gravity is true, electricity is true, morality is true whether I choose to believe them or not. However, when I choose to ignore the truth there are always consequences.

It really doesn't matter how much faith you have...

...When the faith is in the wrong thing.

I can choose to believe that inertia is not true or that I can fly but if I tie my pillow case around my neck and jump from the arm of the couch onto the couch, the couch will slide and destroy my Mom's favourite pole-lamp.

The truth is: she's still never forgiven me for that one.

Will I listen to the Voice of Truth?

Read Part 1 - American Idol and Absolute Truth!

These illustrations were used as a part of the message "The Game of Life" at Recharge 2011 on the campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute, Owen Sound campus. Check out the rough notes blog post.

A Spiritual Lesson from American Idol - Truth

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What in the world does American Idol have to do with one's spiritual journey?

Well, you can learn a lot  about life (not just about our culture) reflecting on this cultural phenomenon. I rarely get through a whole season, to be honest, but I have a love-hate relationship with the audition shows.

I am absolutely amazed at the masses that try-out for this show. I find myself in awe as a lowly, backward, and sometimes slightly awkward, contestant steps up and delivers the vocals of a pop megastar. I am also absolutely intrigued by the other extreme of the equation. I find myself watching people who seem to have all the confidence, looks, charisma, and everything it will take to be the next American Idol and then it happens...they open their mouth...and what comes out isn't pretty. In fact, it is downright painful! It becomes instantly and abundantly clear to the judges and the entire watching world that this person CANNOT sing! They sing, and sing, and sing. Will it ever stop? In front of the TV, I'm curled up in the fetal position, rocking back and forth, my ears are bleeding, I'm crying out, "Make it stop, make it stop, Mommy, please!" and there is simply no relief until they decide to be done. 

But I keep watching, why? 

Because I am spellbound watching these people who believe they can sing.

Then the most fascinating of realizations dawns on me - American Idol has shown me, that despite the post-modern anti-absolutes campaign, there is absolute truth in our world. There is a real right and a real wrong.

Even those watching the show who have no sense of rhythm, pitch, or as is said "Can't carry a tune in a bucket" understand something "just ain't right" with what is coming out of the mouths of the most terrible of contestants. 

Why? Simply put, it's because A=440.

What in the world does that mean? Well, the more specific equation is A4 = 440 Hz (Hertz - basically, for our discussion, is the unit of measurement given to sound vibration. It's also the musical note of North American telephone dial tones.) and the truth is, whether your voice can reproduce this proper note or not, your ear and mind can understand that anything that is supposed to be the musical note A and is anything but 440Hz just sounds bad! (See Wikipedia for a more detailed discussion of Music and Mathematics.)

All that to illustrate this - There is absolute truth in music and just like 2+2 is always 4 mathematically, there is absolute truth in our world today.

Cover of C.S. LewisA great Christian philosopher of the past relates the same truth this way, "Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you try breaking one to him he will be complaining "It's not fair" ... It seems, then, we are forced to believe in a real Right and Wrong... they are not a matter of mere taste and opinion any more than the multiplication table." 

~C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Also author of "Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

 So I would suggest, whether we choose to believe it or not, there is absolute moral truth in the world today. 

Read Part 2 - American Idol and Absolute Truth - Believe it or Not! 

These illustrations were used as a part of the message "The Game of Life" at Recharge 2011 on the campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute, Owen Sound campus. Check out the rough notes blog post.