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Post by dgriffin on Nov 16, 2009 10:04:23 GMT -5
We choose our own hell. Though it's been years since I read it, I remember C.S. Lewis in "The Great Divorce" allegorically portraying our journey as a bus ride with other souls, most of whom when they got to heaven foolishly chose to go back to hell. They felt things in heaven were "unfair," because those deserving punishment were instead redeemed.
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Post by lovinglife on Nov 16, 2009 10:24:12 GMT -5
We choose our own hell. Though it's been years since I read it, I remember C.S. Lewis in "The Great Divorce" allegorically portraying our journey as a bus ride with other souls, most of whom when they got to heaven foolishly chose to go back to hell. They felt things in heaven were "unfair," because those deserving punishment were instead redeemed. CS Lewis is right at the top of my favorite authors. Mere Christianity is an amazing read. I have read "The Great Divorce" and again, CS Lewis just has the most amazing mind. I don't think he necessarily meant it to be "theology" but rather fiction with some interesting thoughts. His book "Mere Christianity" would probably debate the theology in his book "The Great Divorce" if it were indeed theology. CS Lewis, an atheist turned Christian, said: "A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading." Other quotes by C.S. Lewis include: "A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." "Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite." "Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." "Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn." "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." "It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad." "Let's pray that the human race never escapes from Earth to spread its iniquity elsewhere." *** Oh, how I would love to sit down with C.S. Lewis and have a large cup of tea and a lengthy conversation. |
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Post by Clipper on Nov 16, 2009 11:56:37 GMT -5
Lovinglife wrote"I don't mind sharing heaven with them if their hearts were changed. I also know that if their hearts were changed, they would be truly sorry for all they have done - they would feel the pain they have caused. Maybe that is why people so hesitate to come - they can't face all the damage they've done - but God wipes away every tear and brings healing and restoration. I know - I've hurt people in my life. There is nothing more painful than realizing that truth, and facing up to it. But God does forgive, and He heals and restores." "
As a recovered alcoholic whose drinking brought unhappiness and hurt to those around him, I can provide a testament to the statement that "there is nothing more painful than realizing that truth." Some call it a "spiritual awakening". It is a very sad day in the life of the addicted person, but that is all made better when one realizes that there is help to be found in places like CAR and with people like Ole Petterson. People like Ole are truly a gift, and they serve without greed or ulterior motives.
God does forgive, and victims of addiction CAN put together a life without substance abuse. All made possible by a strength that can only come from a higher power, and guidance from God given people like Ole.
One can only hope that somewhere along the line, those responsible for the whole Insight House debacle and the railroading of Ole Petterson will realize their horrible sin in the name of greed, financial gain and political gain. One hopes that they will realize how many lives they affected by causing the closing of CAR and dumping those being treated and counseled there onto the streets without their programs and support network to help them through their days.
We will never know the numbers of people that may have died as a result of the closing of CAR, but the fate of any addict that went back to drugs and suffered, is on the backs of those that played the game of greed and deception for personal gain and political favor.
Lovinglife, don't worry about the "book thing". I do it all the time, and I figure that if I have something to say, I will say it, and those that don't have the time to read it probably wouldn't read it if it were only a paragraph, haha.
PS: All of the quotes from CS Lewis have grabbed my interest. I will have to further research and read some of those works.
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Post by dgriffin on Nov 16, 2009 12:04:13 GMT -5
Have you read "Surprised By Joy"? I began it on a friend's recommendation, but for one reason or another never got back to it.
Re Lewis' quotes, here's one I like: "I live in a managerial age - in a world of 'Admin'. Evil is conceived and ordered ... in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails."
At one time, I was reading Lewis, Belloc and Chesterton (not Father Brown), though only at a surface level. If you have an interest in them, I've posted a new thread in The Book Nook section of the forum, "The Boozy Apologists."
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Post by Clipper on Nov 16, 2009 12:31:22 GMT -5
Thanks Dave. I will check that out. I have to go to the bookstore today as a matter of fact. I will check and see what they have on hand. I frequent a used book store that gives me credit for the books I have read and trades them for others. It is a way by which I can afford to read my books in a hard cover edition, without spending a fortune.
Believe it or not, I seem to be reading about a book a week, and purchase them a half a dozen at a time. I read mostly fiction and mysteries, but often will pick up a book that is recommended by a friend that captures my curiosity.
Hard covers seem to be more inclined to have a little larger print, and that is a good thing for these old eyes. To be honest, I have been waiting for Campbell's to come out with alphabet soup in large print, so that I can see what I am eating, haha.
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Post by dgriffin on Nov 16, 2009 12:44:59 GMT -5
"Hard covers seem to be more inclined to have a little larger print, ..."
And often the paper is a little better, too, Clip. The resulting improvement in contrast is easier on these old eyes. You often see old paperbacks with yellowing pages, while many hardcovers editions don't do that.
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Post by lovinglife on Nov 18, 2009 7:04:30 GMT -5
Lovinglife wrote"I don't mind sharing heaven with them if their hearts were changed. I also know that if their hearts were changed, they would be truly sorry for all they have done - they would feel the pain they have caused. Maybe that is why people so hesitate to come - they can't face all the damage they've done - but God wipes away every tear and brings healing and restoration. I know - I've hurt people in my life. There is nothing more painful than realizing that truth, and facing up to it. But God does forgive, and He heals and restores." " As a recovered alcoholic whose drinking brought unhappiness and hurt to those around him, I can provide a testament to the statement that "there is nothing more painful than realizing that truth." Some call it a "spiritual awakening". It is a very sad day in the life of the addicted person, but that is all made better when one realizes that there is help to be found in places like CAR and with people like Ole Petterson. People like Ole are truly a gift, and they serve without greed or ulterior motives. God does forgive, and victims of addiction CAN put together a life without substance abuse. All made possible by a strength that can only come from a higher power, and guidance from God given people like Ole. One can only hope that somewhere along the line, those responsible for the whole Insight House debacle and the railroading of Ole Petterson will realize their horrible sin in the name of greed, financial gain and political gain. One hopes that they will realize how many lives they affected by causing the closing of CAR and dumping those being treated and counseled there onto the streets without their programs and support network to help them through their days. We will never know the numbers of people that may have died as a result of the closing of CAR, but the fate of any addict that went back to drugs and suffered, is on the backs of those that played the game of greed and deception for personal gain and political favor. Lovinglife, don't worry about the "book thing". I do it all the time, and I figure that if I have something to say, I will say it, and those that don't have the time to read it probably wouldn't read it if it were only a paragraph, haha. PS: All of the quotes from CS Lewis have grabbed my interest. I will have to further research and read some of those works. I think that if any dared to admit it, like you have Clipper, we'd all have to admit to hurting others at one time or another. Deciding what we wanted at the moment was more important that what was right, even if it meant stepping on someone else. Mankind - we all have our own "thing" don't we - maybe greed is an addiction of sorts. The need for power and money at any expense. These people are lost. Those who can realize what they've done, turn it around with the help of God, and find that healing are the truly rich. One thing that bothers me, is that besides those who have done the deeds, there are other who know. Who saw. Who have information. They need to come forward - and not to anybody within the NYS gov't agencies. They need to take it to a federal level. I believe it was the FBI that was involved in the takedown of this corruption: www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,491326,00.html I do believe that several state agencies are in the pocket of - not Insight House, they are in the pocket also - of whoever is at the top of this, getting paid, if indeed such a thing is going on here. Actually, several people would be enjoying the kickbacks. But someone is getting "the most" out of this. Insight House cannot be investigated by our DA, the AG's office, their overseer OASAS - it must be investigated on a federal level. Somebody out there knows something. Somebody has hard evidence. They need to get it into the right hands, and be willing to stand up and say "This is wrong, and I will testify." What a hero that person would be. Who has the guts? To know what is happening, and to stand quiet, is almost as bad as being the perpetrator. Like standing by and watching a gang rape while the victim screams for help, and doing nothing to help. These state agencies will continue to see the weak destroyed for their own personal gain. People will die, children will lose parents that could have been helped. It is serious. Clipper, one thing you said earlier - I think of this often - imagine this world without the corruption. Imagine having leadership that actually wanted to do something good, and not for their personal gain. They WOULD gain, but it would be a legitimate gain - because it would be everyone's gain if that were the case. Or businesses coming in with jobs without being undermined by the state, because of people in place in the state who are friends with competitors, kickbacks, whatever. This whole area would blossom. I hope someone is willing to come forward, and do the right thing. |
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Post by lovinglife on Nov 18, 2009 7:20:20 GMT -5
Have you read "Surprised By Joy"? I began it on a friend's recommendation, but for one reason or another never got back to it. Re Lewis' quotes, here's one I like: "I live in a managerial age - in a world of 'Admin'. Evil is conceived and ordered ... in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails." At one time, I was reading Lewis, Belloc and Chesterton (not Father Brown), though only at a surface level. If you have an interest in them, I've posted a new thread in The Book Nook section of the forum, "The Boozy Apologists." I have not read "Surprised by Joy" and very much want to. I know I have it here somewhere - I inherited a lot of my mother's books and I think that was one of them. Considering how I love C.S. Lewis, it is kind of weird that I have not read that one - though once I start reading it I may say to myself "I did too read this! I remember now!" My son was recently reading The Screwtape Letters by Lewis - we have special copy of Mere Christianity with The Screwtape Letters, that also has bio info and the like at the beginning. Love the managerial quote! I had not seen that one. |
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Post by dgriffin on Nov 18, 2009 15:29:06 GMT -5
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Post by tanouryjr on Nov 21, 2009 1:02:04 GMT -5
Hello everyone! Sorry I've been gone for a while. I just wanted to thank everyone here for the kind remarks and encouragement. Not only during these past few weeks, but for the past few years. This is the one online forum that people can come to and be treated with respect, even in disagreement. I definitely plan on staying around and joining in on the conversation. Actually, now that I'm leaving office, I think this will be a lot more fun. I'll be able to be a little more open and less reserved about my opinions.
Along with getting back to "normal" life and going back to work full-time, I have a few projects in the works. You know I can't stay away from politics entirely, but I plan on focusing on educating the public more and continuing working in the community. I also am finally going back to school to finish my degree. It will probably take a little longer but I think I finally know what I want to do - Media/Journalism.
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Post by dgriffin on Nov 21, 2009 9:43:22 GMT -5
Good to see you back, Larry. I think you would do very well in a news career. You have a penchant for the real story and a sensitivity to people. After all, the most interesting news is about people. I hope you pursue your dream. Meanwhile, why not begin with a blog!
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Post by corner on Nov 21, 2009 13:53:52 GMT -5
you need to give destito a run for her money
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Post by clarencebunsen on Nov 21, 2009 16:47:55 GMT -5
Now that is a race which could make one consider moving to Utica.
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Post by Clipper on Nov 21, 2009 16:56:16 GMT -5
You are right about that Clarence. Either that or Mayor of Utica. Larry's ambition and passion hopefully will be funneled into a worthwhile run at one or the other. He is a great guy and his heart is in working only to improve life in the area.
Whether we agree with everything he says or does is irrelevant when you think about the fire he has burning in his belly, and the desire to make things more honest and forthright in government.
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Post by clarencebunsen on Nov 22, 2009 7:24:05 GMT -5
A small disagreement:
I don't believe Larry has developed the management skills yet be an effective executive. That's no impediment to being elected (look at the present mayor) but a successful administration needs knowledge & experience managing people & resources. The potential is there but development is needed. I speak as someone who has both failed and succeeded as a manager.
Larry,
I hope you don't mind us discussing you in the third person.
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