I spent this weekend in a cemetery. The Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Boston, to be exact. America’s first garden cemetery. It is a beautiful place - a gardener’s delight. But amongst the exquisite natural beauty are planted numerous monuments marking the sites of people who once walked the earth like all of us reading today’s Substack. It is sobering. The grave of the young man who volunteered and died fighting for the Union in October 1861. And his daughter’s grave next to his, born November 1861. Luckily she lived to adulthood, unlike so many others resting there. Whole family plots where none of the children lived to adulthood. This country exists due to the soldiers who fought and died for us. For us. Memorial Day is a time to remember that, to be grateful for all the blessings we have, and to work on being the kind of people worth fighting for.
A great example of true evangelism. Just being honest about how we feel and why. I think I am so used to holding back my faith, living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, there is so much disgust about Christianity everywhere you look. But, between Andrew teaching us to speak up and you giving us this small example, I am learning how to be real in my own life, and not cowering to others beliefs, be bold in my own way. I wasn't even aware of how much I hold back who I am. Thanks!
Yes, work as an ER physician or as a surgical resident and you see the same tragedies as in war. One must build a wall to cope, especially when children die. The hedonistic options are "babes and beer" to escape death and experience life. The consequences are a profound soul sickness that takes years of celibacy, discipline, and piety to remedy the problem. For me it has taken 17 years. I recommend Jesus not hedonism. I'm just sayin'.
It’s a matter of contrast. Like the predators we are, our minds are made to spot the differences. We see movement among the stillness; we see the good among the bad. Even in our plates of food, we want contrast, not all mushy like mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are fine, as long as they’re slathered with butter and well salted, but we want some crunch in our vegetables, and sometning to chew, like a nice steak or corned beef. I’ll take corned beef and mashed potatoes whenever I can get it. You can leave out the cabbage. I’m from Queens, after all, not my father’s home of Coillte Mach.
I spent this weekend in a cemetery. The Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Boston, to be exact. America’s first garden cemetery. It is a beautiful place - a gardener’s delight. But amongst the exquisite natural beauty are planted numerous monuments marking the sites of people who once walked the earth like all of us reading today’s Substack. It is sobering. The grave of the young man who volunteered and died fighting for the Union in October 1861. And his daughter’s grave next to his, born November 1861. Luckily she lived to adulthood, unlike so many others resting there. Whole family plots where none of the children lived to adulthood. This country exists due to the soldiers who fought and died for us. For us. Memorial Day is a time to remember that, to be grateful for all the blessings we have, and to work on being the kind of people worth fighting for.
Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem”
Do we yet know from whence we came
What coronation
In Whose name
The blood, the wilderness of yore
What came before, What came before?
Is dust still dust, or does it so
Infuse the air
We sleeping go?
The Crown, The Sceptre, things of nought?
Have we forgot, Have we forgot?
The bough has blossomed! Fruit Divine!
Consumed, enjoyed - most fruitful vine…
The Root, or the immediate?
Did we forget, Did we forget?
Inflection point -- A choice awaits
Look up? Ascend through Mountain Gate?
A hand outstretched
My soul does yearn
Will I return, will I return?
A great example of true evangelism. Just being honest about how we feel and why. I think I am so used to holding back my faith, living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, there is so much disgust about Christianity everywhere you look. But, between Andrew teaching us to speak up and you giving us this small example, I am learning how to be real in my own life, and not cowering to others beliefs, be bold in my own way. I wasn't even aware of how much I hold back who I am. Thanks!
What a poignant entry to start another week at The New Jerusalem. Thank you both for these beautiful reminders.
Yes, work as an ER physician or as a surgical resident and you see the same tragedies as in war. One must build a wall to cope, especially when children die. The hedonistic options are "babes and beer" to escape death and experience life. The consequences are a profound soul sickness that takes years of celibacy, discipline, and piety to remedy the problem. For me it has taken 17 years. I recommend Jesus not hedonism. I'm just sayin'.
It’s a matter of contrast. Like the predators we are, our minds are made to spot the differences. We see movement among the stillness; we see the good among the bad. Even in our plates of food, we want contrast, not all mushy like mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are fine, as long as they’re slathered with butter and well salted, but we want some crunch in our vegetables, and sometning to chew, like a nice steak or corned beef. I’ll take corned beef and mashed potatoes whenever I can get it. You can leave out the cabbage. I’m from Queens, after all, not my father’s home of Coillte Mach.
I am sorry but I have to ask, Spencer, are you named after Spencer Tracy?