Subject 710

Got this in the e-mail today:

A few days ago I was having some work done at the local Ford Dealership. A blonde came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten.

We all looked at each other and another customer asked, "What is a seven-hundred-ten?"

She replied, "You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine, I have lost it and need a new one." She said that she did not know what it was but this piece had always been there.

He gave her a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like. She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710. He then took her over to another car, which had its hood up and asked, "Is there a 710 on this car?"

She pointed and said, "Of course, it's right there. (See below)

At Least It's Comfortable

"It's Ohio, but it's comfortable."

Please tell me that there's more to Ohio than that. It's as though the statement is saying, "Ohio is not the best place to live, but at least it's more comfortable than where you are now." Way to promote the state. Geez.

I think I need another cup of coffee.

Don't Push the Red Button

How about a little fun? Don't Push the Red Button

spotted at Bene Diction Blogs On

Speaking the Truth

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

-- Ephesians 4:14-16

Which is better:

1. Speaking the truth, but not necessarily in love, or
2. Not speaking the truth at all?

What if, in an effort to stave off further emotional pain, you speak up - in a way that could be perceived as being not "in love" - is this not better than saying nothing at all? What if an environment of mutual openness and honesty is not present or someone is or comes across as "unapproachable"?

In the past I've noticed that I've been one to stay quiet because it hasn't felt worth it to speak up. I've rationalized that I'm just being too sensitive/emotional/thin-skinned. Suck it up, I've told myself, and be a "man".

I've learned this past week that not being honest about my feelings is not being honest. As I write that previous sentence, it seems rather obvious. Yet I've been in this habit for so long of not being open and honest when my feelings have gotten hurt by someone else.

This realization shows me how subtle lying is. I'm reminded of 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, where the apostle Paul mentions that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" and likewise where Jesus says in John 8:43-45:

Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

I've developed a pattern of holding my hurt feelings inside, and it's done me more emotional harm than good. I've mentioned in earlier posts about my struggles with Compulsive Scab Picking (CSP), and I have come to realize that I engage in this behavior to compensate for not being open and honest about these emotions. I've tended to channel the inner hurt into external harm to myself.

While I've used much of this post to describe how harmful dishonesty is to oneself, I could probably use at least as much space to discuss how harmful dishonesty is to the person who has done the hurting.

If someone has hurt you, especially if by design it's "supposed to be" a close relationship (e.g., family or friend), then it does that person no good to not say anything. In fact, because you don't say anything, he or she will probably continue in the offensive behavior not only with you, but also with others.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

-- Romans 1:28-32 (emphasis added)

I want to develop the practice of "speaking the truth in love", but I'll start with just speaking the truth if that's what it takes.

JIMM 10 - 'Getting Real' (Jennie) - 050904

Show #10 of Journey Inside My Mind is an interview with my wife Jennie about a book she's been reading, called Becoming Real - Defeating the Stories We Tell Ourselves That Hold Us Back by Gail Saltz. Along the way we hear some great podsafe jazz music, too.

Here are the details:

• James Lileks - "Que Sarod Sarod" (second time played on this podcast!)
• My wife Jennie discusses the book Becoming Real - Defeating the Stories We Tell Ourselves That Hold Us Back by Gail Saltz
• KCentric - "Woo Who"

Additionally, the following song was used as background music throughout a portion of this podcast:

• a.b.e. (anthems of a bygone era) - "latin groove"

As usual thanks go out to the folks who help make this possible:

• Audacity
• 
• OurMedia.org and their partnership with the Internet Archive
• Anyone else I may have left out

Please leave me a comment (guidepost) or send me an e-mail to let me know what you think!

JIMM 9 - Hurricane Relief PSA - 050904

I've put together a Public Service Announcement (PSA) related to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort for this podcast. Here is the text of what you hear:

Hello, this is Dan Johnson for Journey Inside My Mind.

The devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina is being called the most catastrophic natural disaster in U.S. history. Mary Landrieu, US Senator from Louisiana, recently said:

Having toured Sri Lanka with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist after the Indian Ocean tsunami in December, it saddens me to report that the devastation I've seen here at home is equal to that which I witnessed half a world away.

Our nation came to the aid of the tsunami victims then, and to hurricane victims in Central America before. I am deeply moved to see us come together with the same love and fellowship today, as millions of Americans have rallied to support their brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast.

I urge everyone listening to this podcast to please support the relief effort by making a monetary donation to the American Red Cross at redcross.org. Hourly news reports from the region affected by Hurricane Katrina are revealing an enormous need for humanitarian assistance for the citizens of the coastal regions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

The Red Cross will accept an online donation as low as $5. You can also call 1-800-HELP-NOW to make a donation by phone.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

This is Dan Johnson, saying, "make it a great day."

The first 30 seconds of "Westerneast" by Scott Helms (Incoherency) was used as background music during this podcast.

20051012 Update: I just posted this to the Hurricane Relief site at Podshow. That means that others can download and use it in their podcasts, too.

8 Reasons Why You Should Listen To Coverville 127!

I've been listening to Brian Ibbott's Coverville for about a month now. I thought I'd recommend his 127th show - it's all a capella - really! Here are my reasons (I could post more):

1. All legal cover tunes of popular songs
2. September marks the one-year anniversary of the show
3. A Capella Intro
4. Pride (In the Name of Love) - a capella!
5. A Capella version of Squeeze's "Tempted"
6. Awesome a capella version of Led Zepplin's "Kashmir" by House Jacks
7. An a capella version of "Walking in Memphis"
8. Toxic Audio doing "Stand By Me" - dedicated to victims of Hurricane Katrina

Keisha - Rise and Shine

Recorded while taking Jake for a walk this morning (warning, it's kind of loud):

JIMM Podcast 8 - NanaCast 2 (Happy Birthday) -050901

Mood: hot and sweaty (humid day)
Listening to: NanaCast 2 - Happy Birthday!

Episode 8 of Journey Inside My Mind is a second NanaCast, to say "Happy Birthday" to my Mom, the Official Mom of Journey Inside My Mind! Friday, September 2, 2005, is her birthday!

It contains part of a phone conversation Keisha had with her Nana (my Mom) last Saturday. You may recall that Mom lives near San Francisco, California. Most of their conversation in this podcast is about being in the second grade - from both Keisha's and Nana's points of view.

Along the way we feature some fantastic selections from the Podsafe Music Network and encourage my Mom for her birthday.

Here's more of the details:

• Keisha's 2nd Grade Teacher
• Adrina Thorpe - "Did You Think?"
• Nana's 2nd Grade Teacher
• Geoffrey Wickham - "Has Anybody Seen My Girl?"
• Other teachers and what makes Keisha's school a great school
• Uncle Seth - "Cloud Song"
• Class rules and being responsible
• Matthew Ebel - "Drive Away"
  By the way, albums are available at http://www.matthewebel.com and at iTunes

The following song was repeatedly used for ambient background music throughout this podcast:

• a.b.e. (anthems of a bygone era) - "string groove"

As always thanks go out to the folks who help make this possible:

• Audacity
• 
• OurMedia.org and their partnership with the Internet Archive
• Anyone else I may have left out

Please leave me a comment (guidepost) or send me an e-mail to let me know what you think!

For Our Troops! Post your fav pet pics!

The Official Mom of this blog e-mailed me this link:

For Our Troops! Post your fav pet pics! - Topic Powered by Groupee Community