My Niece had to write a school paper entitled, “Why I am an American Patriot”. She keyed in on something many of us may not have, given the same assignment.
“I don’t think that you have to serve in the military to become a Patriot. My definition of an American Patriot is someone who cares about their country and others enough to give up their time or life for someone else. It doesn’t have to be extreme like fighting over seas; it could be something simple like picking up trash in a park.”
Yeah . . . definition time:
Patriot - a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
Did you catch that last part? . . . ‘and its interests’ . . . DEFENDS its interests WITH DEVOTION.
We often forget to read to the period. There are so many great people who live out the most common understanding of this word. Let us never forget the many who live out the greater understanding of this word.
Thanks Elle . . . may your eyes be forever fine-tuned as you continue to grow into an exceptional young woman.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
‘SIDESBAR, please . . . '
Those closest to me know that my original career move, fresh out of college was feature film work. I had gone back and forth from theatre to film and finally concentrated on film eventually getting lucky to work a few years in the local industry in Illinois. Looking back, one of my college projects had been to create a short black/white, silent narrative. With a budget next to nothing, old college camera gear and lighting, the assistance of my friends and a few starving actor wannabes, I created a short film that transitions from what appeared to be real life in the first story to that of a TV show in the second story. The second story now had it’s characters viewing the TV show of the first story and that story eventually becomes a film for the third story which had the TV show of the first with the story line of the second on the screen for the characters of the third . . . you get the idea. I entitled it, “Real to Reel”. It was actually very fun and while I honestly thought up the concept all by myself, I later discovered the idea itself was not really a new one – nothing under this sun, you know.
All this to say, I have always been a very visual person and because of this, so many of my analogies revolve around the visual . . . I see TRUTH in ALL things . . . but films are by far, one of my most fun to look at because they are created with a specific idea from the get-go. God presents Himself in ALL things whether the writer intends it or not – it’s an over-riding factor. He’s just waiting for someone to take notice.
It never stops amazing me that what we begin with often stays with us, but the nuances may shift some for now I, more often than not, will see the REAL out of the REEL for the WORD becomes a living, breathing Spirit that ignites insights in the most unusual things.
Sometimes, my head almost hurts at all that I see these days. But I hope it never stops . . . because, trust me . . . nothing compares.
All this to say, I have always been a very visual person and because of this, so many of my analogies revolve around the visual . . . I see TRUTH in ALL things . . . but films are by far, one of my most fun to look at because they are created with a specific idea from the get-go. God presents Himself in ALL things whether the writer intends it or not – it’s an over-riding factor. He’s just waiting for someone to take notice.
It never stops amazing me that what we begin with often stays with us, but the nuances may shift some for now I, more often than not, will see the REAL out of the REEL for the WORD becomes a living, breathing Spirit that ignites insights in the most unusual things.
Sometimes, my head almost hurts at all that I see these days. But I hope it never stops . . . because, trust me . . . nothing compares.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
‘Run Forest . . . Run’
My 11 year old son has recently gotten very interested in ‘Forest Gump’. If you know anything about that movie, you know that it is VERY long. My son seems to turn the channel at precisely the right moment when the re-run is showing. Oddly enough, though, he seems to catch it right at the same spot in the movie and never gets to see the beginning when the line, “Run Forest . . .’ is actually shared. Guess I’ll be caving to rent it if his luck doesn’t change here soon.
I am forever amazed at what can be revealed from things that we FEEL we are so familiar with. I could probably have rattled things off from that movie thinking I know a thing or two, but sitting there with my son for a while I saw something I had never seen before. Coming out of the part where Forest had been running for three years straight and wiped his face on that yellow tee-shirt, my son began to ask me if this was a true story, “did this guy really do all these things mom?” I kind of chuckled, and said, ‘No, I see it as just a sweet movie about a simple man who is blessed because he is so simple and loving.’ Many have commentaries on what the movie is mainly about and most hit upon the negative that while he accomplishes all these great things with his simple mind, his true love always eludes him. But there is actually something quite inspiring that many may not see.
Forest, was blessed by so much because he walked in PEACE. Aside from the moments he was sad for Jenny, he was generally happy – and let’s not forget he ended up getting her in the end. While he appeared to have only a small time with Jenny, he actually had a life time with her in his heart and he had a piece of her that lived on in their son. Forest Gump was CONTENT with his life. Something you don’t see much in our society.
Realizing all this, it made me wonder even more . . . do most people ever stop their lives long enough to consider HOW they are living their life?
Now, I’m not suggesting that we all become simple-minded in the manner he was, but I AM suggesting we become more , well . . . ‘simple-minded’. We are taught to THINK too much. We WORRY ourselves with many of the things we were never meant to worry about and we ultimately end up grumbling through life (been there, done that).
It finally makes sense to me . . . ‘Refinement’, that is. We are so often tossed into a life that brings about trials and what often feels like unbearable heart-ache at times . . . only to find ourselves on the other side walking in a little more peace or perhaps patience. Over the years of maturity, we are lucky to fall into several of these attributes . . . which is the main goal of the refinement process, you see.
Galatians 5 spells it out pretty clearly – esp. 5:22-23(a) ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . . ‘
Forest Gump – displayed ALL of these. Nine simple attributes that, BECAUSE of his simple-mind, he never had to TRAIN for or be put through the refining fires that many of us find our self’s in . . . he just DID. And because of this, he walked in peace and he was continually blessed. And the greatest of these is LOVE . . . above all else . . . he loved . . . unconditionally.
Hmmmmmmm . . . one might still bulk that this is ONLY a movie, based on a book . . . but think again. There’s one book with this same story that’s been around longer.
Before you turn another calendar page, you might want to consider pushing that STOP BUTTON and really think about this: “Is WHAT you are striving for and HOW you are going about it bearing any fruit?” Please do not misinterpret this as meaning a measure of financial success – for it has nothing to do with money and EVERYTHING to do with what is becoming successful IN YOU.
So, just as Jenny says to Forest and just as Paul suggests to us in Hebrews 12:1 – “Run, Forest . . . Run . . .”
I am forever amazed at what can be revealed from things that we FEEL we are so familiar with. I could probably have rattled things off from that movie thinking I know a thing or two, but sitting there with my son for a while I saw something I had never seen before. Coming out of the part where Forest had been running for three years straight and wiped his face on that yellow tee-shirt, my son began to ask me if this was a true story, “did this guy really do all these things mom?” I kind of chuckled, and said, ‘No, I see it as just a sweet movie about a simple man who is blessed because he is so simple and loving.’ Many have commentaries on what the movie is mainly about and most hit upon the negative that while he accomplishes all these great things with his simple mind, his true love always eludes him. But there is actually something quite inspiring that many may not see.
Forest, was blessed by so much because he walked in PEACE. Aside from the moments he was sad for Jenny, he was generally happy – and let’s not forget he ended up getting her in the end. While he appeared to have only a small time with Jenny, he actually had a life time with her in his heart and he had a piece of her that lived on in their son. Forest Gump was CONTENT with his life. Something you don’t see much in our society.
Realizing all this, it made me wonder even more . . . do most people ever stop their lives long enough to consider HOW they are living their life?
Now, I’m not suggesting that we all become simple-minded in the manner he was, but I AM suggesting we become more , well . . . ‘simple-minded’. We are taught to THINK too much. We WORRY ourselves with many of the things we were never meant to worry about and we ultimately end up grumbling through life (been there, done that).
It finally makes sense to me . . . ‘Refinement’, that is. We are so often tossed into a life that brings about trials and what often feels like unbearable heart-ache at times . . . only to find ourselves on the other side walking in a little more peace or perhaps patience. Over the years of maturity, we are lucky to fall into several of these attributes . . . which is the main goal of the refinement process, you see.
Galatians 5 spells it out pretty clearly – esp. 5:22-23(a) ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . . ‘
Forest Gump – displayed ALL of these. Nine simple attributes that, BECAUSE of his simple-mind, he never had to TRAIN for or be put through the refining fires that many of us find our self’s in . . . he just DID. And because of this, he walked in peace and he was continually blessed. And the greatest of these is LOVE . . . above all else . . . he loved . . . unconditionally.
Hmmmmmmm . . . one might still bulk that this is ONLY a movie, based on a book . . . but think again. There’s one book with this same story that’s been around longer.
Before you turn another calendar page, you might want to consider pushing that STOP BUTTON and really think about this: “Is WHAT you are striving for and HOW you are going about it bearing any fruit?” Please do not misinterpret this as meaning a measure of financial success – for it has nothing to do with money and EVERYTHING to do with what is becoming successful IN YOU.
So, just as Jenny says to Forest and just as Paul suggests to us in Hebrews 12:1 – “Run, Forest . . . Run . . .”
Sunday, January 13, 2008
‘Instructions need not Apply’
‘Giftings’ . . . we all claim to have them. Most of us actually WANT them, although I know a few who have grown weary because of them.
Gifting – (one of the definitions) - A talent, endowment, aptitude, or inclination.
Talent – (one def.) a power of mind or body considered as given to a person for use and improvement: so called from the parable in Matt. 25:14–30.
Endowment- (one def.) an attribute of mind or body; a gift of nature
Aptitude – (one def.) readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence
Inclination – (one def.) a disposition or bent, esp. of the mind or will; a liking or preference.
Wow – never took the time to look into this definition until now. I could go on a rant with just this definition alone. It amazes me how so many of us never take the time to really SEE the way something is presented. The WAY something is presented is most times an indication of a deeper meaning. It is often the main reason for misinterpretations of scripture.
The definition above has a very important clue if you care to see it. ‘a talent, endowment, aptitude OR inclination. The use of the word ‘OR’ is meant to point out that this word can mean one of these OR the other – but not together – not a whole.
Inclination is the defining word that I will focus on for this entry – because, yep, you guessed it – it points out a ‘preference’ – a preferred choice to lean one way in particular.
Many who CLAIM to have a specific ‘Gift’ will most likely ACT in a manner that is understood solely by the guided understanding of that gift. A teacher will see only through the eyes of one who teaches, an administrator with only the eyes of one who administers . . . and so on.
Again, I could write several pages on this understanding alone. However, the purpose of this entry is to point out something all together different. When one decides to work in the parameters of their ‘gifting’, there is all together a whole other issue and that is of understanding the LIMITATIONS of that gifting. If only it would come with an ‘Owner’s Manual’ – oh, that’s right – it does, but – once again - many fail to READ IT.
Perhaps some churches do this already – after the last entry, I will be the first to admit I have not taken the time to look into this – providing an owner’s manual, that is - in addition to the Word.
Now, as with all things, I hope you realize by now that I WILL NOT speak on ANYTHING that I have not had the chance to personally fumble through. It is because I have errored in these areas that I speak so passionately about them.
I specifically went to the owner’s manual of one of my TOOLS. Because that is what a gifting really is, is it not – a tool to being effective in change ????
Under Operator’s Manual, I found several notations but will focus on just a few:
Installation and Operating – sounds pretty obvious – with a gifting, we FEEL it has been installed in us and we therefore OPERATE in our own understanding of this gifting – hopefully we seek COUNSEL in this area.
Maintenance and Repair – wow, possibly an area we fail to oversee. Any sound service group understands that one needs to CONTINUE to maintain and repair through regular check-ups. Again – could spend several pages on this one alone.
Safety Warnings – What may appear as the obvious is often times overlooked and many an accident has come from improper USE of the gifting.
Which brings me to the KEY point of this whole entry.
‘Intended Use’- Again, this often appears as an obvious, but many SELDOM take the time to really look into this part. Rather than take the time to understand what each gifting is, we often rip open our new tool and start using it before we find out anything about it’s INTENDED USE. I have found the hard way, that there are definite times these gifts SHOULD NOT be used. Perhaps if I had taken the time to thoroughly READ the 'intended useage', some of the my fender-benders may not have happened.
As you continue in your own digging, please be mindful to read the instructions BEFORE beginning anything . . . and don’t forget to go back and read the instructions on those tools you’ve been using for quite some time . . . you might be surprised by what you’ve forgotten or perhaps never knew.
Gifting – (one of the definitions) - A talent, endowment, aptitude, or inclination.
Talent – (one def.) a power of mind or body considered as given to a person for use and improvement: so called from the parable in Matt. 25:14–30.
Endowment- (one def.) an attribute of mind or body; a gift of nature
Aptitude – (one def.) readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence
Inclination – (one def.) a disposition or bent, esp. of the mind or will; a liking or preference.
Wow – never took the time to look into this definition until now. I could go on a rant with just this definition alone. It amazes me how so many of us never take the time to really SEE the way something is presented. The WAY something is presented is most times an indication of a deeper meaning. It is often the main reason for misinterpretations of scripture.
The definition above has a very important clue if you care to see it. ‘a talent, endowment, aptitude OR inclination. The use of the word ‘OR’ is meant to point out that this word can mean one of these OR the other – but not together – not a whole.
Inclination is the defining word that I will focus on for this entry – because, yep, you guessed it – it points out a ‘preference’ – a preferred choice to lean one way in particular.
Many who CLAIM to have a specific ‘Gift’ will most likely ACT in a manner that is understood solely by the guided understanding of that gift. A teacher will see only through the eyes of one who teaches, an administrator with only the eyes of one who administers . . . and so on.
Again, I could write several pages on this understanding alone. However, the purpose of this entry is to point out something all together different. When one decides to work in the parameters of their ‘gifting’, there is all together a whole other issue and that is of understanding the LIMITATIONS of that gifting. If only it would come with an ‘Owner’s Manual’ – oh, that’s right – it does, but – once again - many fail to READ IT.
Perhaps some churches do this already – after the last entry, I will be the first to admit I have not taken the time to look into this – providing an owner’s manual, that is - in addition to the Word.
Now, as with all things, I hope you realize by now that I WILL NOT speak on ANYTHING that I have not had the chance to personally fumble through. It is because I have errored in these areas that I speak so passionately about them.
I specifically went to the owner’s manual of one of my TOOLS. Because that is what a gifting really is, is it not – a tool to being effective in change ????
Under Operator’s Manual, I found several notations but will focus on just a few:
Installation and Operating – sounds pretty obvious – with a gifting, we FEEL it has been installed in us and we therefore OPERATE in our own understanding of this gifting – hopefully we seek COUNSEL in this area.
Maintenance and Repair – wow, possibly an area we fail to oversee. Any sound service group understands that one needs to CONTINUE to maintain and repair through regular check-ups. Again – could spend several pages on this one alone.
Safety Warnings – What may appear as the obvious is often times overlooked and many an accident has come from improper USE of the gifting.
Which brings me to the KEY point of this whole entry.
‘Intended Use’- Again, this often appears as an obvious, but many SELDOM take the time to really look into this part. Rather than take the time to understand what each gifting is, we often rip open our new tool and start using it before we find out anything about it’s INTENDED USE. I have found the hard way, that there are definite times these gifts SHOULD NOT be used. Perhaps if I had taken the time to thoroughly READ the 'intended useage', some of the my fender-benders may not have happened.
As you continue in your own digging, please be mindful to read the instructions BEFORE beginning anything . . . and don’t forget to go back and read the instructions on those tools you’ve been using for quite some time . . . you might be surprised by what you’ve forgotten or perhaps never knew.
'Sound Sources'
Ok, just for the record – for those of you keeping track - football players are NOT the only ones who FUMBLE. I did it again, just recently with something that I, one would think, should have known better not to.
Recently, I received that very popular email that is going around about Barack Obama. I received it from a friend whom I have grown to love and respect. A day or so later, I received another email – from someone on this person’s list who, very gently, reminded us all of the need to take these emails to another source to seek FACTS before we hit ‘forward’.
Now, I have known about these fact-seeking websites and have used them before – but did not do so with this particular email. In fact, I had had a discussion on this email before not agreeing but not disputing and failed to see the great fumble that I had gotten myself into. I say that I should have known to check out facts because this – of all things – has, yes, once again, been that soapbox of mine over these last few years (people will perceive what they want – without looking into the facts of something). Because my life has changed so much, I have been under much scrutiny for making certain changes in my life - for the way I now live my life – not many have come to me to find out the WHY’s of these things bit instead, have made their judgements based on the way they believe things should be rather than what they really are.
While I did not forward this email, I STILL fell back on old habits with even the smallest thing – like the LACK of looking into the SOURCE for my own knowledge. I took something at face value. I had done so, because a few weeks earlier – another friend of mine, someone who takes pride in finding out FACTS, had also passed this along. Because, again, I knew the character of this other person, I did not feel the need to check it out further and so my fumble really began back then – my how long a football field can really be.
We often place SO MUCH TRUST in a person or THING that we often become lazy in our efforts to seek TRUTH.
The kicker in all this (hey, just analogizing in the spirit of the football season) is that we don’t even know if those fact-finding sources are indeed factual.
So the question remains . . . WHO and WHAT do we ultimately believe?
I choose to accept certain pieces of information that I – MYSELF – have uncovered as truth, applying the principles that Scripture reveals and to do so with another underlying truth that there is ALWAYS more than meets the eye – there are always two sides to every story. And then, I need to continually REMIND myself to do these very things in each and every situation . . . perhaps the hardest part of all.
By the way, if you are interested, when I went to one of those sources – it paralleled Claims with Facts – ironically enough, most of the claims had included many of the facts. But the FINE DETAILS were different (we twist truths to SEE and HEAR what we want to see and hear in every situation).
Many of the facts used are slated as being quotes from Mr. Obama’s own book – his own words. Now the question is, ‘is that really what his book quotes?’ . . . I don’t know, I never read his book . . .
May your tools remain sound as you continue to dig . . .
Recently, I received that very popular email that is going around about Barack Obama. I received it from a friend whom I have grown to love and respect. A day or so later, I received another email – from someone on this person’s list who, very gently, reminded us all of the need to take these emails to another source to seek FACTS before we hit ‘forward’.
Now, I have known about these fact-seeking websites and have used them before – but did not do so with this particular email. In fact, I had had a discussion on this email before not agreeing but not disputing and failed to see the great fumble that I had gotten myself into. I say that I should have known to check out facts because this – of all things – has, yes, once again, been that soapbox of mine over these last few years (people will perceive what they want – without looking into the facts of something). Because my life has changed so much, I have been under much scrutiny for making certain changes in my life - for the way I now live my life – not many have come to me to find out the WHY’s of these things bit instead, have made their judgements based on the way they believe things should be rather than what they really are.
While I did not forward this email, I STILL fell back on old habits with even the smallest thing – like the LACK of looking into the SOURCE for my own knowledge. I took something at face value. I had done so, because a few weeks earlier – another friend of mine, someone who takes pride in finding out FACTS, had also passed this along. Because, again, I knew the character of this other person, I did not feel the need to check it out further and so my fumble really began back then – my how long a football field can really be.
We often place SO MUCH TRUST in a person or THING that we often become lazy in our efforts to seek TRUTH.
The kicker in all this (hey, just analogizing in the spirit of the football season) is that we don’t even know if those fact-finding sources are indeed factual.
So the question remains . . . WHO and WHAT do we ultimately believe?
I choose to accept certain pieces of information that I – MYSELF – have uncovered as truth, applying the principles that Scripture reveals and to do so with another underlying truth that there is ALWAYS more than meets the eye – there are always two sides to every story. And then, I need to continually REMIND myself to do these very things in each and every situation . . . perhaps the hardest part of all.
By the way, if you are interested, when I went to one of those sources – it paralleled Claims with Facts – ironically enough, most of the claims had included many of the facts. But the FINE DETAILS were different (we twist truths to SEE and HEAR what we want to see and hear in every situation).
Many of the facts used are slated as being quotes from Mr. Obama’s own book – his own words. Now the question is, ‘is that really what his book quotes?’ . . . I don’t know, I never read his book . . .
May your tools remain sound as you continue to dig . . .
Sunday, January 6, 2008
'Boldness'
A friend of mine confessed that she hoped for more boldness in the upcoming year. A seeker of the same, she tends to walk through life a little more quietly than I do. If one were to put the two of us together and just watch as we communicated, one would gather right off the bat that I was by far the bolder of the two just by the manner in which I conduct myself. But this isn’t always the case, for just today, I have decided to release the address of this blog to a few select and I have felt sheepish as this decision comes with MUCH hesitation . . . vulnerability is now at hand.
We often CONFUSE the nature of the word with a set of perceived ideas that surround the definition of the word, for BOLDNESS does not necessarily mean LOUD and DIRECT. Yes – loud and ‘in your face’ is mostly recognized as being bold – but many a quiet soul, has been recognized for boldness.
Boldness - the very first definition is: not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff.
. . . NOT HESITATING or FEARFUL in the face of . . . .rebuff. Let me just say . . . I can tell you a few things about being rebuffed . . .
When I think of Ghandi . . . I think of quiet boldness – I have witnessed his character from the confines of my couch . . . quiet boldness. It’s the character of one’s spirit.
I shared with my friend that I have already witnessed boldness in her . . . and quite honestly hope to attain that same quiet boldness . . . a quiet confidence in the abilities that I am bestowed.
May you find your boldness in this new year . . .
We often CONFUSE the nature of the word with a set of perceived ideas that surround the definition of the word, for BOLDNESS does not necessarily mean LOUD and DIRECT. Yes – loud and ‘in your face’ is mostly recognized as being bold – but many a quiet soul, has been recognized for boldness.
Boldness - the very first definition is: not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff.
. . . NOT HESITATING or FEARFUL in the face of . . . .rebuff. Let me just say . . . I can tell you a few things about being rebuffed . . .
When I think of Ghandi . . . I think of quiet boldness – I have witnessed his character from the confines of my couch . . . quiet boldness. It’s the character of one’s spirit.
I shared with my friend that I have already witnessed boldness in her . . . and quite honestly hope to attain that same quiet boldness . . . a quiet confidence in the abilities that I am bestowed.
May you find your boldness in this new year . . .
'-------- Trusts and ---- Currents'
A somewhat amusing derailment from the ‘usuality’ (just made that up) of this blog. I have stated that I purpose myself to finding out the definitions of many words in order to find an understanding in most things – especially communications. Over the last couple of years, I have found some rather amusing twists that have given me an initial chuckle and an overall relief from situations that inadvertently might have brought heaviness to my days.
While I don’t usually like to name names, at the risk of getting somewhat personal, this one is just too good to not include. I have reposted this EDITED version deleting the actual names from the original as it is pressing on my heart to remove them. I figure if you really have extra time on your hands, you will find a way to retrieve the actual names, but I do not want the intended purpose of this entry to be replaced by a focus on the people – only the message.
Of the two significant men in my life these last 15 years, ironically enough – I have discovered specific definitions that have included their names. More significant than that, though is the unusual connection to the personal heartaches I have ‘allowed’ because of the relationships I have had with these two men. I will step out of the box of my overall amusement enough, however, to take it a step further – because most often than not, what initially APPEARS as a NEGATIVE, is often times MORE POSITIVE when viewed through Healed Eyes.
I begin with the -------- Trust – a simple definition for a simple man (yet another strange truth): a fixed-term, irrevocable trust account usually opened as a means of reducing the income taxes of the grantor (the person who opens the account and deposits funds in the account). The trust must last for a minimum of 10 years. (in it’s original form – exactly 10 years and one day) During that time, income from the account is paid to a named beneficiary, and thus is not taxable to the grantor. At the end of the term of the trust, the principal, or property placed in trust, reverts to the grantor.
*** NOW - I was married to this man for a little over 13 years. Up through the 10th year, I can honestly say that, even through some rather tough times, we had a pretty good marriage. But it was the later years that seem to take us down. Our marriage had ended as he optioned out. Time heals all wounds and squinting to see through those new eyes, I have come to have an understanding by the use of this definition. I have come to understand that in the big scheme of things, perhaps he really didn’t have a ‘choice’ in the matter. Perhaps BECAUSE things were laid out the way they were, a temporary trust was given to me for a time – but that was all he was actually CAPABLE of granting – for I have come to believe that he is literally INCAPABLE, by his genetic nature, of giving more. It was almost an ordained, pre-set limitation. All TRUSTS reverted back to him at the end of the designated time. In simpler terms, “It is what it is so move on – I can tell you right now that I am certainly not interested in renewing this type of TRUST” in the future. But I can also tell you that I can now SEE that every THING, every PERSON that comes into one’s life is PURPOSED, whether it be for a long time, or a short time. It is up to us to choose what we eventually DO with our RETURN on INVESTMENT.
Now, for the later – the ---- Currents – a rather complicated definition for a rather complicated man (I’m telling you, the truths are too scary with these – if you wish to not read through this whole part - really, only my brother would do that, I am hoping that you will at least recognize some key words so when you finally read my personal side of things it will connect for you somewhat.): (also known as Foucault current) is an electrical phenomenon discovered by French physicist Léon Foucault in 1851. It is caused when a moving (or changing) magnetic field intersects a conductor, or vice-versa. The relative motion causes a circulating flow of electrons, or current, within the conductor. These circulating ------ of current create electromagnets with magnetic fields that oppose the effect of the applied magnetic field (see Lenz's law). The stronger the applied magnetic field, or greater the electrical conductivity of the conductor, or greater the relative velocity of motion, the greater the currents developed and the greater the opposing field.
It is important to appreciate that ---- currents are created when a moving conductor experiences changes in the magnetic field generated by a stationary object, as well as when a stationary conductor encounters a varying magnetic field. Both effects are present when a conductor moves through a varying magnetic field, as is the case at the top and bottom edges of the magnetized region shown in the diagram. ---- currents will be generated wherever a conducting object experiences a change in the intensity or direction of the magnetic field at any point within it, and not just at the boundaries. The swirling current set up in the conductor is due to electrons experiencing a Lorentz force that is perpendicular to their motion. Hence, they veer to their right, or left, depending on the direction of the applied field and whether the strength of the field is increasing or declining. The resistivity of the conductor acts to damp the amplitude of the eddy currents, as well as straighten their paths. Lenz's law encapsulates the fact that the current swirls in such a way as to create an induced magnetic field that opposes the phenomenon that created it. In the case of a varying applied field, the induced field will always be in the opposite direction to that applied. The same will be true when a varying external field is increasing in strength. However, when a varying field is falling in strength, the induced field will be in the same direction as that originally applied, in order to oppose the decline. Sometimes an object or part of an object experiences steady fields where there is still relative motion (for example in the center of the field in the diagram), or unsteady fields where the currents cannot circulate due to the geometry of the conductor. In these situations charges collect on or within the object and these charges then produce static electric potentials that oppose any further flow of current. Currents may be initially associated with the creation of static potentials, but these may be transitory and small. ---- currents create losses through Joule heating. More accurately, ---- currents transform useful forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, into heat, which is generally much less useful. Hence they reduce the efficiency of many devices that use changing magnetic fields, such as iron-core transformers and electric motors. They are minimized by selecting magnetic core materials that have low electrical conductivity (e.g., ferrites) or by using thin sheets of magnetic material, known as laminations. Electrons cannot cross the insulating gap between the laminations and so are unable to circulate on wide arcs. Charges gather at the lamination boundaries, in a process analogous to the Hall effect, producing electric fields that oppose any further accumulation of charge and hence suppressing the flow of ---- currents. The shorter the distance between adjacent laminations (i.e., the greater the number of laminations per unit area, perpendicular to the applied field), the greater the suppression of ---- currents. The loss of useful energy is not always undesirable, however, as there are some practical applications. One is in the brakes of some trains known as an ---- current brake. During braking, the metal wheels are exposed to a magnetic field from an electromagnet, generating ---- currents in the wheels. The ---- currents meet resistance as they flow through the metal, thus dissipating energy as heat, and this acts to slow the wheels down. The faster the wheels are spinning, the stronger the effect, meaning that as the train slows the braking force is reduced, producing a smooth stopping motion. The term ---- current comes from analogous currents seen in water when dragging an oar: localised areas of turbulence known as ------ give rise to persistent vortices.
*** NOW - here’s the thing with ----, I met him just shortly after my marriage fell apart. He was and still is a force to be reckoned with – one that continually goes AGAINST the natural flow of things. I resisted as best I could – trying to set boundaries around me but the charge that was created was almost too powerful. With our relationship there was always a stronger outer force – everything about us revolved around God. Together, we are passionate about all things – but in order to create the many POSITIVES in our lives– we are forever repelling each other. Something that has been very hard for me to understand.
This new job has me as an Education Coordinator for a recycling center. During a tour of the plant where I am working, I walked through the system and took a special PAUSE at the section that utilizes the “---- CURRENT”. As I stood there for a moment – I realized something. The section that used this current was the aluminum section. As the conveyor belt passed through this section, the materials that were on this belt were SEPARATED. The Aluminum was ‘repelled’ out from the other materials – literally PUSHED AWAY by this ‘force’ so that it landed in a specific drum that would ‘mold’ the aluminum into a form that was to be shipped off as it was ‘worth’ something to the buyer of the materials.
Ironically enough – one of the main purposes that ---- seems to have in my life is to PUSH ME in directions that eventually mold me – directions that REMOVE me from the things that I am not to be a part of - ultimately REFINING me, recycling the good that is already in me by removing the impurities that I have aloud to surround me. Oddly enough, whenever we would work too hard – the friction becomes too hot (we are both hot-headed) and we both become less effective. Repelling is sometimes the only way to create the positive force – a re-direction, if you will to the things we are BOTH supposed to be doing at this time. While hard to understand at times, all and all, a good thing to have in my life.
Pretty freaky, when you stop to look into the definitions around you. Pretty amazing what you will SEE if you set your gaze to find truth in ALL things. Until next time . . . make choices to see your defining lessons . . .
While I don’t usually like to name names, at the risk of getting somewhat personal, this one is just too good to not include. I have reposted this EDITED version deleting the actual names from the original as it is pressing on my heart to remove them. I figure if you really have extra time on your hands, you will find a way to retrieve the actual names, but I do not want the intended purpose of this entry to be replaced by a focus on the people – only the message.
Of the two significant men in my life these last 15 years, ironically enough – I have discovered specific definitions that have included their names. More significant than that, though is the unusual connection to the personal heartaches I have ‘allowed’ because of the relationships I have had with these two men. I will step out of the box of my overall amusement enough, however, to take it a step further – because most often than not, what initially APPEARS as a NEGATIVE, is often times MORE POSITIVE when viewed through Healed Eyes.
I begin with the -------- Trust – a simple definition for a simple man (yet another strange truth): a fixed-term, irrevocable trust account usually opened as a means of reducing the income taxes of the grantor (the person who opens the account and deposits funds in the account). The trust must last for a minimum of 10 years. (in it’s original form – exactly 10 years and one day) During that time, income from the account is paid to a named beneficiary, and thus is not taxable to the grantor. At the end of the term of the trust, the principal, or property placed in trust, reverts to the grantor.
*** NOW - I was married to this man for a little over 13 years. Up through the 10th year, I can honestly say that, even through some rather tough times, we had a pretty good marriage. But it was the later years that seem to take us down. Our marriage had ended as he optioned out. Time heals all wounds and squinting to see through those new eyes, I have come to have an understanding by the use of this definition. I have come to understand that in the big scheme of things, perhaps he really didn’t have a ‘choice’ in the matter. Perhaps BECAUSE things were laid out the way they were, a temporary trust was given to me for a time – but that was all he was actually CAPABLE of granting – for I have come to believe that he is literally INCAPABLE, by his genetic nature, of giving more. It was almost an ordained, pre-set limitation. All TRUSTS reverted back to him at the end of the designated time. In simpler terms, “It is what it is so move on – I can tell you right now that I am certainly not interested in renewing this type of TRUST” in the future. But I can also tell you that I can now SEE that every THING, every PERSON that comes into one’s life is PURPOSED, whether it be for a long time, or a short time. It is up to us to choose what we eventually DO with our RETURN on INVESTMENT.
Now, for the later – the ---- Currents – a rather complicated definition for a rather complicated man (I’m telling you, the truths are too scary with these – if you wish to not read through this whole part - really, only my brother would do that, I am hoping that you will at least recognize some key words so when you finally read my personal side of things it will connect for you somewhat.): (also known as Foucault current) is an electrical phenomenon discovered by French physicist Léon Foucault in 1851. It is caused when a moving (or changing) magnetic field intersects a conductor, or vice-versa. The relative motion causes a circulating flow of electrons, or current, within the conductor. These circulating ------ of current create electromagnets with magnetic fields that oppose the effect of the applied magnetic field (see Lenz's law). The stronger the applied magnetic field, or greater the electrical conductivity of the conductor, or greater the relative velocity of motion, the greater the currents developed and the greater the opposing field.
It is important to appreciate that ---- currents are created when a moving conductor experiences changes in the magnetic field generated by a stationary object, as well as when a stationary conductor encounters a varying magnetic field. Both effects are present when a conductor moves through a varying magnetic field, as is the case at the top and bottom edges of the magnetized region shown in the diagram. ---- currents will be generated wherever a conducting object experiences a change in the intensity or direction of the magnetic field at any point within it, and not just at the boundaries. The swirling current set up in the conductor is due to electrons experiencing a Lorentz force that is perpendicular to their motion. Hence, they veer to their right, or left, depending on the direction of the applied field and whether the strength of the field is increasing or declining. The resistivity of the conductor acts to damp the amplitude of the eddy currents, as well as straighten their paths. Lenz's law encapsulates the fact that the current swirls in such a way as to create an induced magnetic field that opposes the phenomenon that created it. In the case of a varying applied field, the induced field will always be in the opposite direction to that applied. The same will be true when a varying external field is increasing in strength. However, when a varying field is falling in strength, the induced field will be in the same direction as that originally applied, in order to oppose the decline. Sometimes an object or part of an object experiences steady fields where there is still relative motion (for example in the center of the field in the diagram), or unsteady fields where the currents cannot circulate due to the geometry of the conductor. In these situations charges collect on or within the object and these charges then produce static electric potentials that oppose any further flow of current. Currents may be initially associated with the creation of static potentials, but these may be transitory and small. ---- currents create losses through Joule heating. More accurately, ---- currents transform useful forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, into heat, which is generally much less useful. Hence they reduce the efficiency of many devices that use changing magnetic fields, such as iron-core transformers and electric motors. They are minimized by selecting magnetic core materials that have low electrical conductivity (e.g., ferrites) or by using thin sheets of magnetic material, known as laminations. Electrons cannot cross the insulating gap between the laminations and so are unable to circulate on wide arcs. Charges gather at the lamination boundaries, in a process analogous to the Hall effect, producing electric fields that oppose any further accumulation of charge and hence suppressing the flow of ---- currents. The shorter the distance between adjacent laminations (i.e., the greater the number of laminations per unit area, perpendicular to the applied field), the greater the suppression of ---- currents. The loss of useful energy is not always undesirable, however, as there are some practical applications. One is in the brakes of some trains known as an ---- current brake. During braking, the metal wheels are exposed to a magnetic field from an electromagnet, generating ---- currents in the wheels. The ---- currents meet resistance as they flow through the metal, thus dissipating energy as heat, and this acts to slow the wheels down. The faster the wheels are spinning, the stronger the effect, meaning that as the train slows the braking force is reduced, producing a smooth stopping motion. The term ---- current comes from analogous currents seen in water when dragging an oar: localised areas of turbulence known as ------ give rise to persistent vortices.
*** NOW - here’s the thing with ----, I met him just shortly after my marriage fell apart. He was and still is a force to be reckoned with – one that continually goes AGAINST the natural flow of things. I resisted as best I could – trying to set boundaries around me but the charge that was created was almost too powerful. With our relationship there was always a stronger outer force – everything about us revolved around God. Together, we are passionate about all things – but in order to create the many POSITIVES in our lives– we are forever repelling each other. Something that has been very hard for me to understand.
This new job has me as an Education Coordinator for a recycling center. During a tour of the plant where I am working, I walked through the system and took a special PAUSE at the section that utilizes the “---- CURRENT”. As I stood there for a moment – I realized something. The section that used this current was the aluminum section. As the conveyor belt passed through this section, the materials that were on this belt were SEPARATED. The Aluminum was ‘repelled’ out from the other materials – literally PUSHED AWAY by this ‘force’ so that it landed in a specific drum that would ‘mold’ the aluminum into a form that was to be shipped off as it was ‘worth’ something to the buyer of the materials.
Ironically enough – one of the main purposes that ---- seems to have in my life is to PUSH ME in directions that eventually mold me – directions that REMOVE me from the things that I am not to be a part of - ultimately REFINING me, recycling the good that is already in me by removing the impurities that I have aloud to surround me. Oddly enough, whenever we would work too hard – the friction becomes too hot (we are both hot-headed) and we both become less effective. Repelling is sometimes the only way to create the positive force – a re-direction, if you will to the things we are BOTH supposed to be doing at this time. While hard to understand at times, all and all, a good thing to have in my life.
Pretty freaky, when you stop to look into the definitions around you. Pretty amazing what you will SEE if you set your gaze to find truth in ALL things. Until next time . . . make choices to see your defining lessons . . .
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