Singing Along the Journey

Istanbul

Guilty pleasures…

I think, perhaps, that I might have given a wrong impression of myself in these writings.  Yes, I am a nerd in so many ways, and I am a pretty serious person (although I have a mighty free laugh for someone who is so serious), but I really don't work or think lofty thoughts every minute of the day.  Well, at least I try not to view everything with a deeply philosophical eye. One of my favorite guilty pleasures is realized most often when I'm travelling. And that pleasure is -- reading mystery novels.  Before I go any further, I should be specific, because I don't read just ANY mystery novels…
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Groupies…

This morning, as I began to work my way through the introductory readings assigned for my course about the Epistles, I came to a sudden realization -- I have an obsession with the Apostle Paul.  Odd choice considering who I am, and an obsession that has been until now completely in the buried regions of my subconscious, but an obsession none the less.  And after reading my first assignment, the article by Robert Wright, "One World Under God", from The Atlantic (April 2009), I understand. Paul and I have a lot in common.  No, I've not gone off the rails -- Paul and I have a lot in common.  Well, maybe the…
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Standing on the edge…

I've been standing on the edge for the past few days...the edge of space between cultures, the edge of spirit between faiths, the edge of history at a time when the whole world changed (a couple of times).  I just returned from 5 days in Istanbul. Oh, yes, I've heard (and made) the jokes about spending Turkey Day in Turkey.  And frankly, I wasn't really certain about why I wanted to go to Istanbul until I returned home (so typical).  But truth be told, no description, no guide book or digital slide show can tell you the power of  the place.  You just have to be there. How could I know…
Read More

Guilty pleasures…

I think, perhaps, that I might have given a wrong impression of myself in these writings.  Yes, I am a nerd in so many ways, and I am a pretty serious person (although I have a mighty free laugh for someone who is so serious), but I really don't work or think lofty thoughts every minute of the day.  Well, at least I try not to view everything with a deeply philosophical eye. One of my favorite guilty pleasures is realized most often when I'm travelling. And that pleasure is -- reading mystery novels.  Before I go any further, I should be specific, because I don't read just ANY mystery novels…
Read More

Groupies…

This morning, as I began to work my way through the introductory readings assigned for my course about the Epistles, I came to a sudden realization -- I have an obsession with the Apostle Paul.  Odd choice considering who I am, and an obsession that has been until now completely in the buried regions of my subconscious, but an obsession none the less.  And after reading my first assignment, the article by Robert Wright, "One World Under God", from The Atlantic (April 2009), I understand. Paul and I have a lot in common.  No, I've not gone off the rails -- Paul and I have a lot in common.  Well, maybe the…
Read More

Standing on the edge…

I've been standing on the edge for the past few days...the edge of space between cultures, the edge of spirit between faiths, the edge of history at a time when the whole world changed (a couple of times).  I just returned from 5 days in Istanbul. Oh, yes, I've heard (and made) the jokes about spending Turkey Day in Turkey.  And frankly, I wasn't really certain about why I wanted to go to Istanbul until I returned home (so typical).  But truth be told, no description, no guide book or digital slide show can tell you the power of  the place.  You just have to be there. How could I know…
Read More

Guilty pleasures…

I think, perhaps, that I might have given a wrong impression of myself in these writings.  Yes, I am a nerd in so many ways, and I am a pretty serious person (although I have a mighty free laugh for someone who is so serious), but I really don't work or think lofty thoughts every minute of the day.  Well, at least I try not to view everything with a deeply philosophical eye. One of my favorite guilty pleasures is realized most often when I'm travelling. And that pleasure is -- reading mystery novels.  Before I go any further, I should be specific, because I don't read just ANY mystery novels…
Read More

Groupies…

This morning, as I began to work my way through the introductory readings assigned for my course about the Epistles, I came to a sudden realization -- I have an obsession with the Apostle Paul.  Odd choice considering who I am, and an obsession that has been until now completely in the buried regions of my subconscious, but an obsession none the less.  And after reading my first assignment, the article by Robert Wright, "One World Under God", from The Atlantic (April 2009), I understand. Paul and I have a lot in common.  No, I've not gone off the rails -- Paul and I have a lot in common.  Well, maybe the…
Read More

Standing on the edge…

I've been standing on the edge for the past few days...the edge of space between cultures, the edge of spirit between faiths, the edge of history at a time when the whole world changed (a couple of times).  I just returned from 5 days in Istanbul. Oh, yes, I've heard (and made) the jokes about spending Turkey Day in Turkey.  And frankly, I wasn't really certain about why I wanted to go to Istanbul until I returned home (so typical).  But truth be told, no description, no guide book or digital slide show can tell you the power of  the place.  You just have to be there. How could I know…
Read More