24 July 2012
Rambling Journal Entry 120724
So, this sludge-butt couch-potato just
wants to admit how surprising and relatively easy it has been to drag
his carcass out of bed in the dark morning and head to a gym for cardio
and weight training. And surprise, surprise, surprise. I feel different,
I feel good in many realms, I feel less sludgy. Dufus me, waiting until
the start of the latter half of my planetary existence. Uff da. A'yup.
09 June 2012
My rose-colored glasses got bumped...
Yeah, well, so I am 46 and gay and out and authentic. I have experienced the gamut of reactions from family and friends. However, last evening, I received a FB message from my niece's husband that kind of shook me up.
03 March 2012
Social Gadfly Ponder Ramble
"HATE", it's just a word. The verb's
definition is powerful: "to dislike intensely or passionately; feel
extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest". However,
consider it next time. Do we really have "intense dislike; extreme
aversion or hostility" towards the recipient of our hate? For what
reason do we want to pollute our heart with hatred?
11 February 2012
Simple Facts Passive Aggressive Ramble.
I live paycheck to paycheck
paying off bills and $44K in debts, along with those necessities to
maintain a sense of living. Occasionally I do lapse and splurge on
something, as a night out or such. My debts are my own fault. I own
that. One negative fact about being in debt that grates on me personally
-- the inability to be able to donate to worthy causes. If I had not
gotten myself in debt, oh the number of causes I would love to support.
That is life.
06 February 2012
Passive Agressive, Forever Lonely, Selfish Rambling Rant:
I've traveled this sod 45 years. I have seen tons of "best-friends" movies.
20 November 2011
How Silent Was That Night?
A Look Back at The Nativity Story...
It was an intriguing story worth investigating. A young married couple, the wife in hard throes of labor, had been rejected admission to a hotel. They were forced to lodge in a barn where the young woman gave birth to their first-born child. It is difficult to imagine a hotel manager being so cruel and heartless as to deny the basic comforts necessitated for such a situation. Fortunately for us Americans, this happened in a foreign culture, a culture we could consider base.
After careful studying and living in the culture of this young couple, and learning from those more educated in this area*, I discovered Western tradition has influenced the telling of this story. From these studies I hereby submit a synopsis closer to what may have actually occurred on a night that may not have been so silent.
This young couple began their journey in the small town of Nazaret. Yoseph and Miryam had been recently wed when the Governor of Judea called a census for all residents of the small nation. It was required for each male to return to his ancestral home for this census. For Yoseph and Miryam, it would be in Beth Lechem some 75 miles south. Yoseph, though young, knew that it would be wiser to begin this trip early in Miryam’s pregnancy.
The arduous journey would be approximately a week or so. Fortunately they would not have to travel alone as there were other residents of the Nazaret region who also had to return southward to Beth Lechem for this census. Traveling in a caravan would offer security from bandits; and it would provide comfort for Miryam as there would be several mother-figures to dote over her being with child.
The easier route would be to travel eastward through the Yizreel Valley to reach the Jordan Valley and follow the river down to Yericho. After a period of repose, they would turn southwest and begin the exhausting ascent to Yerushalaim. A stop in Yerushalaim would allow them to visit with Miryam’s relatives, Zekaryah and Elisheba; and a required yet cherished pilgrimage to the Holy Temple overlooking the Eastern Hill. After a time of warm hospitality, they would continue their journey southeasterly to Beth Lechem, a trek of only five miles.
Once in Beth Lechem, they would lodge with Yoseph’s relatives. According to the account written by Luke, they stayed at an inn. A bit of clarification for the “no room in the inn” part of the story – the original Greek word that the author Luke used in this passage is “kataluma”, which is used elsewhere in the Last Supper stories (Luke 22:11 and Mark 14:14). “Kataluma” in its original context refers to an upper room or to a guestroom. When Luke refers to an inn as in the Good Samaritan parable, he uses the Greek word, “pandocheion”, which is a word that refers to a public place where all are received.
In the days of Yoseph and Miryam, inns were located along the well-traveled routes such as up near Yerushalaim or Yericho. As well, these inns were frequented more often than not by the wealthy, especially Romans or other foreigners. This couple was of quite modest means and they had family in town. For this culture it is an honor to offer hospitality; and it is considered an insult to reject such an offer, especially for the women who knew Miryam was pregnant with her first child.
Sometime after their arrival in Beth Lechem, it was the celebration of the autumnal Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths. This was a time for the Jews to celebrate the harvest and to remember their ancestors’ journey from Egypt to Canaan. During this week of celebration, on their rooftops they crafted booths made of branches and boughs of trees. They would dwell in these temporary shelters to remember how their ancestors dwelt in the wilderness for those forty years of wandering. This may have been the upper room where “there was no room”.
The home of Yoseph’s relatives had to have been a maddening chaos what with this crazy census gathering many distant relatives to this humble abode. But it was a joyous time for them as they began many preparations to celebrate the Feast of Booths. The home was small, built in a typical split-level style. The main level was the family’s living area and usually in this upper level was an area considered to be the guestroom of sorts. The lower level would have housed the livestock. Stables, as we have come to know them, were not in use in Judea. Flocks of sheep were protected in sheepfolds made of stone walls. Other animals were brought into a section of the house for safety and to provide warmth. Being Yoseph was undoubtedly the younger of the relatives, the elder guests were given priority to the guestroom, or to the booth crafted on the rooftop.
So amidst this impromptu family reunion, “the time came for the baby to be born.” This phrase indicates that Yoseph and Miryam chose not to return immediately back to Nazaret after the census as she was entering the third trimester. It was not an opportune time to be traveling the rugged terrain. In this culture, women of the family would never leave a young mother alone to deliver a firstborn child. The house was abuzz with excitement for the birth of this firstborn baby. Add to this excitement, the anticipation for the birth of their long awaited messiah, a message promised to Yoseph and Miryam by the angel.
When Miryam entered the first stages of labor, the women helped her down to the lower level as there was more room and privacy in the stable. The men paced the floors while one of the elder women helped usher this child into the world. It was God donning human flesh coming to live among them. They were struck with awe when they gained their first glimpse of this innocent baby boy. He looked just like them—black curly hair and shining dark eyes, so perfect and full of life.
Meanwhile in the rocky hills along Beth Lechem were a group of shepherds watching their flock of sheep. Shepherds were considered the lower end of the social scale; after all they did smell like sheep. But it was to this group disdained by society that God sent his angelic messengers to announce the birth of his son here on earth. Some speculations as to why God chose this group of lowlife: Yeshuah’s ancestor David had kept his father’s sheep on the same hills near Beth Lechem; and these shepherds may have been tending sheep destined for Temple sacrifices, so their relating news received by angels would be quite credible.
What are the implications of understanding the culture and the background of this much-heralded birth? For one, Yeshuah was born, grew up, worked, lived and died in a cultural context quite similar to that of the majority of people in the world today. Imposing a “Western” worldview on the circumstances of his birth tends to distort the depth of the event for ourselves. As well, it deprives non-Western people of an opportunity to identify with the people of the Bible. Through an understanding of the circumstances of this birth, they are afforded this chance.
The linguistic and cultural backgrounds of Scripture indicate that the Messiah was born in a home that reflects the simplicity of a majority of homes today. He was born in the context of an “extended” family and was cherished as a firstborn male child. Yeshua was born as the result of a supernatural conception, but according to normal physical processes.
The humble circumstances of the birth scene was quite appropriate for the One “who for our sakes became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). God was demonstrating true, eternal values in his arrangements for the incarnation of his Son, values that emphasized family relationships and being culturally relevant. As well, the circumstances of his birth imply that Yeshuah understands and identifies with the poverty in which most of the world lives today and always has lived. Finally, the simplicity of Yeshuah’s birth demonstrated the fact that though He was God in human body, He could be approached by anyone and would welcome all who would come to Him. Will we go to the Messiah this Holy Season and allow Him to dwell in our lives all year through?
--by KRTengesdal
*These thoughts have been gleaned from studies under Dr. Fr. Madros and Prof. Lancaster of Jerusalem University College; from studies and lectures under Dr. Hulbert, Dr. Beyer and Dr. Williams of Columbia International University; and from www.ChristianAnswers.net.
Originally published in the Minot Daily News, December 1999.
It was an intriguing story worth investigating. A young married couple, the wife in hard throes of labor, had been rejected admission to a hotel. They were forced to lodge in a barn where the young woman gave birth to their first-born child. It is difficult to imagine a hotel manager being so cruel and heartless as to deny the basic comforts necessitated for such a situation. Fortunately for us Americans, this happened in a foreign culture, a culture we could consider base.
After careful studying and living in the culture of this young couple, and learning from those more educated in this area*, I discovered Western tradition has influenced the telling of this story. From these studies I hereby submit a synopsis closer to what may have actually occurred on a night that may not have been so silent.
 | |
| Beth Lechem Suq |
The arduous journey would be approximately a week or so. Fortunately they would not have to travel alone as there were other residents of the Nazaret region who also had to return southward to Beth Lechem for this census. Traveling in a caravan would offer security from bandits; and it would provide comfort for Miryam as there would be several mother-figures to dote over her being with child.
The easier route would be to travel eastward through the Yizreel Valley to reach the Jordan Valley and follow the river down to Yericho. After a period of repose, they would turn southwest and begin the exhausting ascent to Yerushalaim. A stop in Yerushalaim would allow them to visit with Miryam’s relatives, Zekaryah and Elisheba; and a required yet cherished pilgrimage to the Holy Temple overlooking the Eastern Hill. After a time of warm hospitality, they would continue their journey southeasterly to Beth Lechem, a trek of only five miles.
Once in Beth Lechem, they would lodge with Yoseph’s relatives. According to the account written by Luke, they stayed at an inn. A bit of clarification for the “no room in the inn” part of the story – the original Greek word that the author Luke used in this passage is “kataluma”, which is used elsewhere in the Last Supper stories (Luke 22:11 and Mark 14:14). “Kataluma” in its original context refers to an upper room or to a guestroom. When Luke refers to an inn as in the Good Samaritan parable, he uses the Greek word, “pandocheion”, which is a word that refers to a public place where all are received.
In the days of Yoseph and Miryam, inns were located along the well-traveled routes such as up near Yerushalaim or Yericho. As well, these inns were frequented more often than not by the wealthy, especially Romans or other foreigners. This couple was of quite modest means and they had family in town. For this culture it is an honor to offer hospitality; and it is considered an insult to reject such an offer, especially for the women who knew Miryam was pregnant with her first child.
Sometime after their arrival in Beth Lechem, it was the celebration of the autumnal Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths. This was a time for the Jews to celebrate the harvest and to remember their ancestors’ journey from Egypt to Canaan. During this week of celebration, on their rooftops they crafted booths made of branches and boughs of trees. They would dwell in these temporary shelters to remember how their ancestors dwelt in the wilderness for those forty years of wandering. This may have been the upper room where “there was no room”.
The home of Yoseph’s relatives had to have been a maddening chaos what with this crazy census gathering many distant relatives to this humble abode. But it was a joyous time for them as they began many preparations to celebrate the Feast of Booths. The home was small, built in a typical split-level style. The main level was the family’s living area and usually in this upper level was an area considered to be the guestroom of sorts. The lower level would have housed the livestock. Stables, as we have come to know them, were not in use in Judea. Flocks of sheep were protected in sheepfolds made of stone walls. Other animals were brought into a section of the house for safety and to provide warmth. Being Yoseph was undoubtedly the younger of the relatives, the elder guests were given priority to the guestroom, or to the booth crafted on the rooftop.
So amidst this impromptu family reunion, “the time came for the baby to be born.” This phrase indicates that Yoseph and Miryam chose not to return immediately back to Nazaret after the census as she was entering the third trimester. It was not an opportune time to be traveling the rugged terrain. In this culture, women of the family would never leave a young mother alone to deliver a firstborn child. The house was abuzz with excitement for the birth of this firstborn baby. Add to this excitement, the anticipation for the birth of their long awaited messiah, a message promised to Yoseph and Miryam by the angel.
When Miryam entered the first stages of labor, the women helped her down to the lower level as there was more room and privacy in the stable. The men paced the floors while one of the elder women helped usher this child into the world. It was God donning human flesh coming to live among them. They were struck with awe when they gained their first glimpse of this innocent baby boy. He looked just like them—black curly hair and shining dark eyes, so perfect and full of life.
Meanwhile in the rocky hills along Beth Lechem were a group of shepherds watching their flock of sheep. Shepherds were considered the lower end of the social scale; after all they did smell like sheep. But it was to this group disdained by society that God sent his angelic messengers to announce the birth of his son here on earth. Some speculations as to why God chose this group of lowlife: Yeshuah’s ancestor David had kept his father’s sheep on the same hills near Beth Lechem; and these shepherds may have been tending sheep destined for Temple sacrifices, so their relating news received by angels would be quite credible.
What are the implications of understanding the culture and the background of this much-heralded birth? For one, Yeshuah was born, grew up, worked, lived and died in a cultural context quite similar to that of the majority of people in the world today. Imposing a “Western” worldview on the circumstances of his birth tends to distort the depth of the event for ourselves. As well, it deprives non-Western people of an opportunity to identify with the people of the Bible. Through an understanding of the circumstances of this birth, they are afforded this chance.
The linguistic and cultural backgrounds of Scripture indicate that the Messiah was born in a home that reflects the simplicity of a majority of homes today. He was born in the context of an “extended” family and was cherished as a firstborn male child. Yeshua was born as the result of a supernatural conception, but according to normal physical processes.
The humble circumstances of the birth scene was quite appropriate for the One “who for our sakes became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). God was demonstrating true, eternal values in his arrangements for the incarnation of his Son, values that emphasized family relationships and being culturally relevant. As well, the circumstances of his birth imply that Yeshuah understands and identifies with the poverty in which most of the world lives today and always has lived. Finally, the simplicity of Yeshuah’s birth demonstrated the fact that though He was God in human body, He could be approached by anyone and would welcome all who would come to Him. Will we go to the Messiah this Holy Season and allow Him to dwell in our lives all year through?
--by KRTengesdal
*These thoughts have been gleaned from studies under Dr. Fr. Madros and Prof. Lancaster of Jerusalem University College; from studies and lectures under Dr. Hulbert, Dr. Beyer and Dr. Williams of Columbia International University; and from www.ChristianAnswers.net.
Originally published in the Minot Daily News, December 1999.
18 August 2011
Theatrically Speaking
My biggest passion is community theatre, getting the chance to act out and be someone else...
Here's my theatre bio, and I will keep this updated as new roles occur:
 |
| TheatrePics |
Here's my theatre bio, and I will keep this updated as new roles occur:
08 August 2011
Disconnect
In this day and age, it is so easy for a person to disconnect from life. All they need do is to not answer their phone, emails or such. And those concerned for said person oftentimes are left in the dark. We try desperately to reach out. Due to the fact that today's society-at-large just doesn't connect one-on-one with genuine friendship much anymore, it is easy to disappear. We don't know our next door neighbor. We don't drop in on a friend and knock on their door unannounced. We are connected via cyber, but the human contact disappears. Can we take the blame for someone escaping? Or can we honestly believe that we are their solution? Is it safer to hide behind our prayers, behind our cyber defenses, for fear of stepping on someone's toes or crossing the line of concern? There really isn't any easy question, or answers for that matter.
19 April 2011
I've Put Myself There...
You know how when you are pre middle age and you travel physically alone through a few life changing events and you discover how lonely that it can be by not having a human body next to you to let you know with a simple human touch or kindness that it will as always work out? I've put myself there. Tiring.
The whole apartment hunting thing. This whole sorting and purging and packing and moving stuff. Trying to get friends lined up to help with moving, or to respond. Tiring.
Basically pertenearly almost all the major life changing events. On my own. I survived. Tiring.
So, yeah.
The whole apartment hunting thing. This whole sorting and purging and packing and moving stuff. Trying to get friends lined up to help with moving, or to respond. Tiring.
Basically pertenearly almost all the major life changing events. On my own. I survived. Tiring.
So, yeah.
25 March 2011
The Drama Queen Bellers
Well. This is where I am. Yes, I am at work. In Bismarck. Mentally, emotionally, I haven't the clue where I am.
22 February 2011
Life Instigators
Here I sit, the morning after my 45th Birthday. Where do I sit. Where am I. I am here. I work. I act. I believe. I live. Where are you. Last night I discovered the truth about Life Instigators. Those who want to instigate life with me. Those who goad or urge forward. Those who enjoy life. Those who share a mutual, two-way, continued, viable, living and breathing interest in life and all that it entails.
27 December 2010
The Neuropathy Buzz
Friday, June 19, 2009
Where do I start? The current is that they've discovered I have some sort of poly(?)neuropathy in all four appendages. Continued at http://krten1966buzzing.blogspot.com/12 October 2010
A Snowball
A good friend shared with me their financial story and asked about mine. Here is the reply:
29 September 2010
Dear Politicians
Dear Campaigning Politician, Greetings.
Please stop the negative attack ads against your opponent. We know they are crazy. Please return to focusing on and promoting how you propose to help us common folk. In addition to DADT and Fair Labor and Housing laws for the GLBT citizens, I'd like to share some other concerns of mine.
Please stop the negative attack ads against your opponent. We know they are crazy. Please return to focusing on and promoting how you propose to help us common folk. In addition to DADT and Fair Labor and Housing laws for the GLBT citizens, I'd like to share some other concerns of mine.
09 January 2010
29 November 2009
20 October 2009
The Testimony -- Oct 20, 2009
I would like to share with you a story of God's grace. His deep, mysterious grace, mercy and compassion. I would like to share a story of how His grace collided with my world.
09 October 2009
i'll leave the light on...
Re: REUNION
01 June 2009
Greetings.
My decision not to attend this gathering for the most part has to do with the kind of environment I've tried to silently endure in the past. Even though it has been made undeniably clear that folk don't agree with who I am, I wish y'all could set it aside and try to begin understanding things from my vantage point. What is usually meant to be a fun, social occasion for our whole family has become a burden, an especially painful one.
01 June 2009
Greetings.
My decision not to attend this gathering for the most part has to do with the kind of environment I've tried to silently endure in the past. Even though it has been made undeniably clear that folk don't agree with who I am, I wish y'all could set it aside and try to begin understanding things from my vantage point. What is usually meant to be a fun, social occasion for our whole family has become a burden, an especially painful one.
07 October 2009
Quoted, On Stage
A selection of quotes from characters I've done on stage, dedicated to those who have made the craft most enjoyable...
30 September 2009
enhanced buzzing
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Here's a proof that some people can't navigate a jet ski along the Missouri...
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