modern bullfighting

It is 1:07 PM Thursday afternoon, the last day of November 2023. Tomorrow will be December 1, 2023 the last month of Year 2023.

I got up this morning around 7:45 AM. I have to be at my dentist appointment tomorrow at 8 o’clock AM. I will be relieved when my dentist appointment is history. I hate appointments! I want to be left alone to wait for the Second Coming of Christ.

Outside this afternoon it is 47 degrees and sunny, which is nice. I did leave the house this morning to drive my old car around so as to keep the battery recharged. I visited thrift stores while driving around to look for used books to add to my book collection. I found these used books-

‘Claudius The God’ historical fiction by Robert Graves

‘White Noise’ A Novel by Don DeLillo

‘Tales From Firozsha Baag’ short stories by Rohinton Mistry

‘Matadors: A Journey into the Heart of Modern Bullfighting’ Spanish bullfighting by Eamonn O’Neill

‘John Kenneth Galbraith: His Life, His Politics, His Economics’ by Richard Parker

‘Remembering Paris’ Text by Denis Tillinac Paintings by Andre Renoux

When I got home it was around 11:32 AM. When I got home I found Carol reading a book, she is sick with a cold presently. I am slowly recovering from some kind of lung inflection. I am still cold and feel weak, but I am still standing. All one can do is keep going to the finish line.

I will close since I am weary. This morning I did not read anything, but just sat and left the house around 9:47 AM.

terrors of conscience

It is 2:23 PM Wednesday afternoon here in Western Michigan. It is 37 degrees, cold, and cloudy gray skies.

I got up this morning around 8 o’clock AM. When I came upstairs Carol was dressed and ready to go. She left this morning to meet up with some of her cousins around 9:30 AM. I spent the morning writing in my paper diary, reading from a book titled, ‘Regeneration, Faith, and Repentance’ by Thomas Cole and I filmed a video for my Youtube channel saintonfire777.

I did leave the house to drive my car around so it’s battery could recharge. I drove up to Goodwill Thrift Store and bought some used books I saw the other day-‘Dr. Kookie, You’re Right!’ Journalism by Mike Royka, ‘The Conservative Sensibility’ Essays by George F. Will, and ‘Twelve Views from the Distance’ A Memoir by Mutsuo Takahashi Translated By Jeffrey Angles.

I spent the afternoon writing in my paper diary and drifting through Time Span. Carol got home around 1:30 PM.

Last night I read before going to bed from a book titled, ‘None But Christ’ by John Wall a Puritan reprint. I also read last night, ‘Sonic Life’ A Memoir by Thurston Moore and ‘Letters Of Gustave Flaubert’ Edited And Translated By Francis Steegmuller.

Carol goes this evening to a Woman’s Bible Study. I am going nowhere. I will close to drift.

“Saints now, though they have experience of a divine power touching their heart and drawing them to Christ, yet cannot so clearly discern this conquering, subduing power of God in themselves as they may in Christ their Head because they are under many infirmities not yet moved. They don’t see sin and death and the Devil and the world quite overcome in themselves; but they see all overcome in Christ. His resurrection proves all and they are eager to reflect upon that to strengthen their faith and assurance of victory in their own persons at last. They know that Christ did not die for Himself or rise for Himself, but for them. They see Christ crowned with glory and honor (Hebrews 2:9). He suffers no more in His person, though He still suffers in His members. But ere long they shall be as free from suffering as the glorified person of Christ is now in heaven. Thus it will be when Christ mystical shall have all things put under His feet. Then Christ and His saints will reign gloriously to all eternity. All tears shall be wiped from their eyes then and this will as surely come to pass as Christ Himself is risen from the dead. “Be of good cheer,” says Christ, “I have overcome the world I have and you shall over come it also. In me you already are more than conquerors and you shall be in your own person when I come again.”” pg. 161 Thomas Cole ‘Regeneration, Faith, and Repentance’

divine power in the resurrection of Christ

It is 4:45 PM late Tuesday afternoon or some would say early Tuesday evening here in Western Michigan. It is 26 degrees and cloudy. It snowed most of the day, but now it is just bitter cold and icy. The roads are covered with ice this evening, dangerous driving conditions.

I got up this morning around 8:15 AM. Once again I had to force myself to get out of bed and face Life Span. When I came upstairs I found Carol dressed and eating yogurt. I ate for breakfast a slice of corn bread with a glass of water. Due to feeling not well food does not interest me.

Carol and I had devotions and then the day went by like all our days. I had at 1 o’clock PM a Session with my Psychologist. I was home from that Therapy Session around 2:20 PM. I had car problems but had it fixed by AAA and then drove to our local library to look at their used books. I found two used books to buy, one I had and the other I didn’t have. I had this biography already in my library, ‘Aldous Huxley: A Biography’ by Nicholas Murray and this used book I didn’t have titled, ‘G.K. Chesterton’ a biography by Michael Ffinch. While at the local library I ran into friends/library friends and caught up with them. I have missed the library folks.

This morning I mainly read till Noon from a book titled, ‘Regeneration, Faith, and Repentance’ by Thomas Cole a Puritan reprint. I left for my Session around 12:45 PM. Now is 4:57 PM and it seems like midnight.

Last night I read before going to bed some more of the biography, ‘Flaubert: A Life’ by Geoffrey Wall. I also read yesterday, ‘Sonic Life: A Memoir’ by Thurston Moore, ‘The Letters Of Gustave Flaubert’ Edited And Translated By Francis Steegmuller, and ‘Lies And Sorcery’ A Novel by Elsa Morante Translated by Jenny McPhee.

I suppose I will close to feel slightly sick. Tomorrow will be a Wednesday.

“[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
[22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
[23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:16-23

an unknown city, apparently full of cannibals

It is 2:49 PM Monday afternoon and it is 27 degrees outside. It has been snowing today off and on. The sky looks deadly today.

I got up this morning around 8:35 AM. I got up late because I am not feeling on top of the world lately. I am still not well. But I am slowly being healed. One day I will be glorified, so I pray for grace to keep going down the Narrow Way that leads to eternal life.

When I came upstairs this morning I found Carol dressed wrapping a book that was mailing to her sister. Carol does not know her sister, because Carol’s sister has separated herself from her family/Carol. It has only been lately that I have gotten into contact with my siblings (I am the oldest of five siblings there is me, then Mike, Robin, Robert, and then Danielle.). What got me and my four siblings back in contact was that my sister Robin has been inflicted with brain cancer. Robin and Robert grew up together whereas me, Mike and Danielle grew up separately. Mike and I had never knew our birth fathers, so when our Mother was killed in a car wreck in December 1968 we were on our own. Danielle had a birth father and was raised by her father’s sister. I have been on my own since I was 16 years old, I am five years older than my four siblings, so I am of another reality world. I am of another world, especially being an Intellectual type Evangelical Reformed Christian. I am also highly educated whereas my siblings are not. I do not know for sure if Mike and Robert would consider themselves “educated”?

Anyway, I have always seen myself as alone-no family except Carol, our children and grandchildren-having no real vital connection to this fallen world. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

Carol left this morning to do errands and I spent the morning writing in my paper diary and reading from a book titled, ‘New Testament Theology’ by Eckhard J. Schnabel. This afternoon I have been watching videos in Booktube and drifting.

Carol came home from doing errands, ate lunch and did stuff around the house and then left to do some more errands. Do not know when she will become visible again.

Last night the last book I read before going to bed was, ‘The Letters of Gustave Flaubert’ Edited And Translated By Francis Steegmuller. I also read last night while watching Professional Football on mute, ‘Lies And Sorcery’ A Novel by Elsa Morante Translated By Jenny McPhee.

I will close to face a snow storm.

every rational soul is an image of God

It is 2:06 PM Sunday afternoon here in Western Michigan. It is 34 degrees and snowing this afternoon. I knew it was bound to snow before the end of November.

I got up this morning around 7:47 AM. I did not want to get up, but I also did not want to lay in my bed. It is better to get up and pray for grace to face Time Span. Who knows when the house will fall down. Nothing lasts forever except our souls. So I got up came upstairs to find my wife eating yogurt and dressed for church.

I took my morning pills and sat waking up as Carol read from the Gospel of Matthew and ‘The Valley of Vision’. Carol and I prayed before she left for church around 8:35 AM. I spent the morning writing in my paper diary and reading from a book titled, ‘New Testament Theology’ by Eckhard J. Schnabel. I also filmed a short video for my Youtube channel this morning.

Carol got home from church around 12:35 PM. So has gone by Existence thus far today. I have been watching Professional Football on mute and reading, ‘The Letters of Gustave Flaubert’ this afternoon. For some unknown reason I keep falling asleep. This sickness I have must be draining my energy level. Last night I read a large chunk from the novel, ‘Lies And Sorcery’ by Elsa Morante Translated By Jenny McPhee.

humanity, glorified, shall shine like the sun

It is 2:13 PM Saturday afternoon here in Western Michigan. It is 36 degrees and very cold this afternoon. It feels like it should be snowing, but thus far no snow has become visible. Hopefully we won’t see snowfall this month.

I got up this morning around 7:35 AM. When I came upstairs Carol had been up for two hours. I made for us a pot of oatmeal for breakfast. After breakfast Carol and I had devotions.

I spent the rest of the morning writing in my paper diary and reading from a book titled, ‘New Testament Theology’ by Eckhard J. Schnabel.

At 12 o’clock Noon I turned on our TV to watch some College Football. Caleb and Emily this afternoon dropped Josie, Cora, and their pet dog Ollie for us to babysit while they go a movie and then out for dinner.

While watching College Football on mute I have been reading, ‘Lies And Sorcery’ A Novel by Elsa Morante Translated By Jenny McPhee.

Last night I read before going to bed, ‘Sonic Life: A Memoir’ by Thurston Moore and ‘The Letters Of Gustave Flaubert’ Edited And Translated By Francis Steegmuller.

I will close to wait. Tomorrow will be a Sunday. We can not escape Time. Next week we will be entering December 2023 the last month.

the pleasure of the contemplative life

It is 1:53 PM Friday afternoon here in Western Michigan. It is 32 degrees and mostly sunny presently.

I got up this morning around 7:45 AM. When I came upstairs Carol was gone, she left this morning to have breakfast with a friend and then help fold church bulletins. I spent the morning writing in my paper diary, reading my books and praying.

I have been reading off and on today from a book titled, ‘The Very Devout Meditations Attributed To Bernard of Clairvaux: A Translation With Introduction And Notes Of The Meditationes pissimae de cognitione humanae conditionis’ David N. Bell

I left the house around 10 o’clock AM to visit local thrift stores in search of used books and to pick up a prescription at Family Fare Pharmacy.

I found two used books this morning at Legacy Thrift Store, ‘Moving Kings’ A Novel by Joshua Cohen and ‘The Book Of Marvels: An Explorer’s Miscellany’ by Mark Collins Jenkins.

I was home by Noon from running around this absolutely insane world. This afternoon I ate some food and wrote in my paper diary. Around 1 o’clock PM Carol came home and is now messing with her cell phone and watching college football. She told me she got up this morning around 3:15 AM and I expect her to go to bed early this evening.

Last night I read late into the night from a novel titled, ‘Lies And Sorcery’ A Novel by Elsa Morante Translated By Jenny McPhee.

I will close to wait. Tomorrow will be a Saturday.

Jesus’ glorification happened at the Cross

It is 9:42 PM Thursday night here in Western Michigan. This day got away from me that is why I am writing in my online diaries so late in the day. I must have been out of it due to this lingering sickness.

I got up this morning around 7:35 AM. Carol left for church around 9:42 AM a Thanksgiving Service. I spent the morning writing in my paper diary and reading once again, ‘New Testament Theology’ by Eckhard J. Schnabel. Carol got home around 10:40 AM I was still reading, ‘New Testament Theology’ when she got home.

Around Noon I turned on the television to watch Professional Football. I watched the football game on mute and read most of the day from a novel titled, ‘Lies And Sorcery’ A Novel by Elsa Morante Translated By Jenny McPhee.

Carol and I did go down the street around 2:30 PM to spent Thanksgiving with Caleb, Emily, the girls, Emily’s Parents, and Ollie pet dog.

We got home from that family experience around 7 o’clock PM and watched football till 9 o’clock PM. Carol went to bed and I have been reading, ‘Lies And Sorcery’. Carol and I did have a four way face time conversation on Carol’s phone with my four siblings, brother Mike, sister Robin, sister Danielle, and brother Robert. My two sisters Robin and Danielle have undergone lately serious health issues.

Tomorrow is a Friday. Carol goes in the morning to have breakfast with a friend from her church/they fold church bulletins together on Friday’s. I plan to do nothing tomorrow but write, read, and pray. I am still sick with this lung sickness.

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Refrain

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine,
And bathed in its own blood,
While all exposed to wrath divine,
The glorious Sufferer stood!

Refrain

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Refrain

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

Refrain

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

Refrain

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.

Refrain

he is the Son of Man

It is 2:24 PM Wednesday afternoon here in Western Michigan. It is 44 degrees and partly sunny presently. This morning I woke up to wet gray dark skies. I got up early because Carol and I were planning to go to de Boers Bakery for breakfast and then do errands afterwards.

We were home from these morning activities by 9:04 AM. I spent the rest of the morning into the afternoon hours writing in my paper diary and reading from a book titled, ‘New Testament Theology’ by Eckhard J. Schnabel. So has gone by Time today. Now I am writing in my online diaries so as to keep myself awake.

Last night I mainly read till I went to bed, ‘Alone’ A Novel by Carlota Gurt Translated from the Catalan by Adrian Nathan West.

There is not much else to report right now. The day goes by normal thus far. We never know though when death will strike.

“[18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
[19] Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
[20] For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
[21] For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
[22] For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
[23] That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
[25] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
[26] For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
[27] And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” John 5:18-27

the power of Jesus as the power of God to transform lives

It is 3:11 PM Tuesday afternoon here in Western Michigan. It is a cold dark rainy day today.

I got up this morning around 8 o’clock AM. When I came upstairs I found my wife baking bran muffins. I made myself a portion of oatmeal for breakfast this morning. After breakfast Carol and I read from the Gospel of Matthew, and then read from the book, ‘The Valley of Vision’ and then we prayed. I have spent the day reading, ‘New Testament Theology’ by Eckhard J. Schnabel.

The girls Josie and Cora have been here since late morning. Carol is about to take the girls home presently.

This afternoon Amazon delivered a novel I had recently ordered titled, ‘The House On Via Gemito’ A Novel by Domenico Starnone Translated from the Italian by Oonagh Stransky.

Last night I read before going to bed from these two books, ‘The Letters Of Gustave Flaubert’ Edited And Translated By Francis Steegmuller and ‘Flaubert: A Life’ biography by Geoffrey Wall. I did film a video last night from my Youtube channel in my Study-Monday Reads video. In this video I showed these books to my my subscribers-

‘New Testament Theology’ by Eckhard J. Schnabel

‘The New Testament: A Historical and Theological Introduction’ by Donald A. Hagner

‘Biblical Theology: The God of the Christian Scriptures’ by John Goldingay

‘In the Fullness of Time: An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of Acts and Paul’ by Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

‘Union with the Resurrection Christ: Eschatological New Creation and New Testament Biblical Theology’ by G. K. Beale

‘Biblical Theology of the New Testament’ by Peter Stuhlmacher translated and edited by Daniel P. Bailey foreword by G. K. Beale

In this Monday Reads video I showed folks along with the above books the commentaries I had in my Study on The Gospel of Matthew (which my wife and I are currently reading during our morning devotional time)-

‘Matthew’ New Testament I [Reformation Commentary On Scripture] Edited By Jason K. Lee And William M. Marsh

‘Matthew 1-13’ New Testament Ia [Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture] Edited By Manlio Simonetti

‘Matthew 14-28’ New Testament Ib [Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture] Edited By Manlio Simonetti

‘Incomplete Commentary On Matthew (Opus imperfectum)’ Volume 1 Translated By James A. Kellerman Edited By Thomas C. Oden

‘Incomplete Commentary On Matthew (Opus imperfectum)’ Volume 2 Translated By James A. Kellerman Edited By Thomas C. Oden

‘Matthew’ Interpreted by Early Christian Commentators [The Church’s Bible] D. H. Williams

‘The Gospel Of Matthew’ [The New International Commentary on the New Testament] by R. T. France

In this brief video I also showed folks what I had read on this Monday, basically these two books-‘Sonic Life: A Memoir’ by Thurston Moore and ‘The Paper: The Life and Death of the New York Herald Tribune’ by Richard Kluger.

It is now in Time Flow 3:46 PM Carol just took the girls home (down the street from us). It is once again somewhat quiet. Carol goes tonight to a Woman’s Ministry meeting at her church. Tomorrow will be a Wednesday. I will close to write and read. I am slowly getting over the sickness.