It's Never too Late

Saw this encouraging thought on a bumper sticker recently...
It's never too late to have a happy childhood

Which brought to mind something Jesus said...
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:15)

Do something fun today!

- Jeff

Metacognition (thinking about your thinking)

I’ve been reading The Prepared Mind of a Leader. In it the authors talk about an ongoing cyclical process of good decision making: Sense, Make-Sense, Decide, Act, and then begin the cycle again.

The Deciding chapter contained a wonderfully succinct nugget of wisdom…

Deciding is a process, not an event.
- Paul Nutt

Cymbeline at the Theatricum Botanicum

I enjoyed an outdoor production of Shakespeare’s tragedy-romance Cybeline at the Theatricum Botanicum this weekend.

I especially enjoy Shakespeare at the Theatricum because the productions stick close to the original and the performers do a great job with the Elizabethan English.

My favorite exchange is one of comic relief from Act I that had us laughing out loud...

Cloten: And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me!

First Lord: Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together; she's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her wit.

Second Lord: [Aside] She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her.

May/June ’09 Smithsonian Favorites

Every month I look forward to the wide variety of articles about art, science, culture, and history in Smithsonian Magazine. Here are my favorites from May and June.

The Via Aurelia was a Roman highway that was built between Rome and Pisa circa 241 BC. By the first century AD it extended into what is now Provence, France: Via Aurelia: The Roman Empire's Lost Highway.

A biography of the famous 20th century visionary architect with photographs of his creations ranging from his trademark “Prairie Style” residences, to houses of worship, to commercial workspaces, and the Guggenheim Museum: The Triumph of Frank Lloyd Wright.

A heartfelt story of the children born to Vietnamese women and U.S. soldiers. Abandoned by their fathers and outcasts of Vietnamese society, a story of hope and national responsibility is shared in Children of the Dust.

Less than 20 years after democracy was restored in 1983, Argentina suffered the collapse of its economy in 2001. But new hope is taking hold in Buenos Aires: a City's Power and Promise.

A true spy story of how a key atomic bomb design-secret was stolen for the Soviet Union: Iowa-Born, Soviet-Trained.

Rachel's Tears: Questions for Discussion

Rachel’s Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott

Synopsis
Inspirational biography of Rachel Scott written by her parents. Meet Rachel personally through her journal entries, letters, and poetry. Discover for yourself a true relationship with the God of this young Christian mystic.

Questions for Discussion
1) How would you describe Rachel’s relationship with God? What was her favorite way to communicate with Him? In what ways did she experience God’s love, grace, strength, and comfort? How did she work through her doubts, sins, and struggles?

2) Is there anything specific about Rachel’s story that deeply resonates with you or inspires you?

3) Is there anything in Rachel’s story that personally challenges you?

4) Describe the essence of Rachel’s faith and theology.

5) Rachel extended friendship and compassion to many different kinds of students. How was she able to relate to such a wide variety of people?

6) How did Rachel’s friends at school respond when she decided to unabashedly begin living out her faith at school, i.e., to “walk my talk”?

7) Rachel’s artistic expressions displayed an essential part of her personality. What was the result of the coalescence of her passion for God, people, and artistic creativity?

Scripture passages for personal reflection
Isaiah 55:1-2¸Psalm 103:11-13; John 14:5-6; Matthew 4:18-19; Mark 6:34; John 8:2-11; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:1-12 (free online Bible here)

Questions by Jeffrey Franczak, 2009

Up (2009)

Greatly enjoyed the new Pixar animation film Up at the theater this weekend with friends.

The animation on the big screen is quite a treat. Here’s a clip of the giant South American bird "Kevin" who’s a wonderful excuse for an extravagance of color.

The storyline contains something for every age, weaving together dreams and aspirations, friendship and marriage, laugh-out-loud humor, sadness, compassion, and lots of action.

Trailer at the official site here.

The Gift of Music

Saw Linda Eder in concert this evening at the Canyon Club, a dinner theater in Agoura Hills, California.

It was a wonderful evening featuring Linda’s new pop country album The Other Side of Me. Linda’s live vocals sometimes reminded me of The Judds and I particularly enjoyed the mandolin and fiddle highlights. Listen to music clips at the album link below.

Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded

Pamela is Samuel Richardson’s groundbreaking 1740 epistolary novel about a young servant woman from a poor family who is employed by a respected upper-class man named Mr. B who takes a romantic interest in her and pursues her with immoral designs. Pamela repeatedly refuses to compromise her integrity which offends and angers Mr. B, but Pamela stands her ground.

Favorite Passages
▪ He may condescend, may-hap, to think I may be good enough for his Harlot; and those things don't disgrace Men, that ruin poor Women.
▪ Verses on my going away
▪ The most thoughtful beginnings make the most prudent proceedings.

Outline of Characters
The Andrews Family
Pamela Andrews, the protagonist; the late Lady B’s waiting maid; linen maid under Mr. B
John Andrews, Pamela’s father
Elizabeth Andrews, Pamela’s mother
Pamela’s two unnamed deceased brothers

The “B” and Davers Families
Mr. B, Master of the Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire estates; Englishman of rank; a Bedfordshire Justice of the Peace.
Lady B, Mr. B’s late mother
Lady Barbara Davers, Mr. B’s sister
Lord Davers, Lady Davers’ husband
Jackey (Mr. H.), Lady Davers’ nephew
Beck Worden, Lady Davers’ waiting maid
James, footman for the Davers
John, footman for the Davers
Unnamed footman for the Davers
Woman relative #1, a Stamford relation of Mr. B
Woman relative #2, a Stamford relation of Mr. B
Unnamed servant at the Stamford estate

The Bedfordshire Servants
Mrs. Jervis, housekeeper; friend, advisor, and protector of Pamela
Mr. Longman, steward
Monsieur Colbrand, messenger
Mr. Jonathan, butler
John Arnold, footman
Harry (Henry), footman
Isaac, footman
Benjamin, footman
Robin (Robert), coachman
Unnamed postillion
Rachel, housemaid
Jane, cook
Hannah, maid
Cicely, maid
Tommy, scullion boy
Arthur, gardener
Other unnamed gardeners
Thomas, stable groom
Richard, stable groom
Roger, stable groom
Two unnamed stable helpers

The Lincolnshire Servants
Mrs. Jewkes, housekeeper
Abraham, footman
Robin, coachman
Nan (Ann), housemaid
Cook
Gardener, Mr. Jacob
Thomas, stable groom
Stable Helper

Business Relations of Mr. B
Mr. Shorter, Mr. B’s attorney
Farmer Norton, wife, and daughter, farming family in unknown town; Mr. B is their landlord
Mr. Carlton and family, a mortgagee of Mr. B

Other Bedfordshire Characters
Lord Arthur, Lady Arthur & family, neighborhood friends of Mr. B
Lord Brooks, Lady Brooks & family, neighborhood friends of Mr. B
Lord Towers, Lady Towers & family, neighborhood friends of Mr. B
An unnamed Countess, neighbor of Mr. B
Mr. Martin, friend and hunting companion of Mr. B
Mr. Dormer, friend of Mr. Martin
Mr. & Mrs. Chambers, local friends of Mr. B
Sir Thomas Atkyns, friend of Mr. B
Farmer Nichols
Farmer Nichols’ wife, seller and spinner of inexpensive fabric
Farmer Nichols’ daughter
Farmer Brady
Unnamed Peddler
Unnamed Dean of the local church
Mrs. Dobson, daughter & maid, proprietors of an upscale farm-house inn
Miss Burdoff, Miss Nugent, & Miss Booth, young boarding school students near Mrs. Dobson’s inn
Miss Goodwin, illegitimate daughter of Sally Godfrey and Mr. B

Other Lincolnshire Characters
Mr. Peters, Parish Minister (Parson) & his wife Mrs. Peters
Mr. Fownes, ailing chaplain of the Lincolnshire estate
Mr. Arthur Williams, succeeding chaplain of the Lincolnshire estate
Niece of Mr. & Mrs. Peters
Lady Jones, a gentry window
Sister-in-law of Lady Jones
Sir Simon Darnford & Lady Darnford, a gentry couple
Miss Nanny Darnford, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Darnford
Miss Darnford, unnamed daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Darnford
Miss Nanny Boroughs, a friend in Mr. B’s Lincolnshire circle
Miss Boroughs, a friend in Mr. B’s Lincolnshire circle (first name unknown)
Mr. Perry, friend of Mr. B’s
Brett, Postmaster

Other Characters of Unknown Locale
Widow Mumford, family friend of the Andrews’
Harry Mowlidge, neighbor of the Andrews’
Farmer Jones & family, friends of the Andrews’
Mr. Atkins, an acquaintance of Mr. B who lives near John & Elizabeth Andrews
Sir Charles Hargrove, friend of Mr. B
Unnamed footman for Sir Charles
Unnamed friend #1 of Sir Charles and Mr. B
Unnamed friend #2 of Sir Charles and Mr. B
Sister-in-law of Mrs. Jewkes, innkeeper in an unknown town
Lady Betty, daughter of an Earl; Lady Davers wants to match her with Mr. B
Unnamed Duke, uncle of Lady Betty
Unnamed Widow and several daughters, friends of Mr. B when he was attending Oxford College
Sally Godfrey, daughter of the unnamed widow who attempted to make a match between Mr. B and her
Two unnamed intimate friends of Lady Davers
Miss Tomlins, her parents and Mr. B’s parents had arranged a marriage between them

I've attempted to make this an exhaustive list. Please post any omissions.

Additional Resources
1742 Illustrations
Servants: Their Hierarchy and Duties
Victorian Domestic Servant Hierarchy and Wages
Oxford World's Classics 2008 paperback of the first edition

Character Outline by Jeffrey Franczak, 2009

That's My King!

S.M. Lockridge's presentation of That's My King!

Pilgrim's Progress: Questions for Discussion

Questions for Discussion
The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan, 1688

1) Do you have a favorite character? What was it about them that you enjoyed or found inspiring? Does this character embody the complexity and texture necessary to take on an air of reality? Can you picture yourself in their situation and in their world? Does their experience translate into the times that you live in—your world?

2) How would you describe the story-telling style of The Pilgrim’s Progress? Did the author consistently use a single writing style? Did you enjoy this literary style? What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of this kind of writing?

3) What feelings or responses did this story evoke in you? How do you feel about the way the Christian message was shared? Do you agree with the overall message?

4) What effect, if any, did Faithful’s martyrdom in the town of Vanity have on the people there? Did you expect this response? Was it believable?

5) When Christian strongly disagreed with others did he act with Christlike character and wisdom? Did you find his doctrine to be grounded in a proper interpretation of Scripture? Can you think of any Scripture passages that instruct Christ-followers on how to handle these kinds of situations?

6) Think about Mercy’s early spiritual experience. What is Jesus’ response to Mercy’s early faith when she meets Him at the Wicket Gate? How does her faith grow and/or change during her pilgrimage?

7) How do you feel about the author’s portrayal of Christian women? How does this compare with the prevailing culture when the story was written (seventeenth century England)? In what ways might your culture shape your analysis and feelings?

Read The Pilgrim’s Progress for free online here.
Buy a modern translation here.
Original-text paperback here.

Questions by Jeffrey Franczak, 2009

An Easter Meditation

Agnus Dei—Lamb of God

Extravagant, unfathomable, matchless love

After providing purification for our sins, He was resurrected, seen by many, and ascended into Heaven where He forever intercedes for all who come to God through Him.


Hebrews 1:3, John 20, 1 Corinthians 15:6, Acts 1:9-11, Hebrews 7:25