Matilda (a Children’s Book by Roald Dahl)

Posted on by frankwmcarr

In the summer of 1996, an American movie, Matilda, debuted in theaters. However, it was based on the children’s chapter book by Norwegian-British author Roald Dahl. I watched the movie so many times I have virtually memorized it. I have twice attempted to read the book, but due to struggling with it, I never finished it. But as an adult now, I could absorb it with no problem. It was a very light read, maybe too much so! After all, it’s a children’s book, not to mention with drawings!

But finally, I bought a copy, so I could compare the two. People often recommend to read the book first, then the movie, as books are usually better than their film adaptations.

And it sure was. Now, off we go. Matilda Wormwood, a child prodigy, was not understood by her sleazy parents. She finally went to school. Her teacher, Miss Jenny Honey, a sweet yet serious young woman who was extremely impressed by her brainpower. On the other hand, Miss Agatha Trunchbull (or “the Trunchbull”), her principal, was an atrocious child hater. However, Matilda discovers a power that is astounding: she can move items without touching them! Matilda and Miss Honey discuss highlights of her life. Her mother died when she was two, and her father, Dr. Magnus Honey, later died, possibly by suicide. The only person left was her aunt, who was none other than, yes, the Trunchbull!

Matilda trains herself further with this power, so she will be ready for the ultimate showdown against the Trunchbull. Using her power, writes a message on the board, directing her to give Miss Honey the house that her father owed to her in his will. The Trunchbull then fainted, and she went missing ever since. Then a lawyer approved the mansion that Miss Honey grew up, where she was raised by the Trunchbull. Despite the Wormwoods’ move to Spain, Matilda would not move with them. So Miss Honey was willing to stay with her. “The End”

I’m not here to describe the movie, as this post is focused on the book, suffice it to say that the film, as you would expect, showed a less whimsical nature than this book and others characteristic of Roald Dahl. Despite its intended juvenile audience, adults will love it too. Definitely a great read!

Pies and Pizzas Boom in Popularity on this Special Day

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Why are pizzas and “pies” have their own day?

It’s Pi(e) day.

Pi (the Greek letter π) the constant roughly about 3.14, is used in certain mathematical contexts (geometry, trigonometry, calculus, etc.)

But stores interpret that in a new day and age added to the have popularized it (especially pizzerias and bakeries) as a price tag of 3.14, which resonates with the laymen better.

Greek is probably one of the most well-known alphabets outside the Latin.  It is also the parent of the Cyrillic alphabet, found in languages like Russian and many others.  The Greek is also used as the New Testament Scripture, and the Septuagint translation of Old Testament.

Flow Chart Evangelism

Posted on by frankwmcarr

I did some study of the OT book of Ezekiel. And I was extracting the theme of the Christian responsibility of “sharing the Good News.”

But an even more ingenious addition to Bible studies is the concept of flow charts. While they are a secular tool and are generally used in software development, flow charts are a reasoning aid that can helps organizing Scripture study, especially when observing multiple decisions.

Alright, back to Ezekiel. God commanded Ezekiel to warn the people of the sin they commit. Here’s the lineup:

1). No warning, no change among the people–Ezekiel will be held responsible for their judgment

2). Warning, no change–sinners will be judged, but Ezekiel is not responsible for such.

3). Warning, repentance–both Ezekiel and the public are safe.

If made into a flow chart, you can get a visual to help you grasp the idea. This is useful for me and other brothers and sisters in the Lord who are mainly visual learners. And no worries if you don’t know about flow charts. You can organize Scripture understanding when you study your Bible using any method appropriate.

Remember, I’m not trying to preach, whether about Scripture or this method of studying it. It’s just a handy guide.

Today’s Way to Research

Posted on by frankwmcarr

As regular passengers on the information superhighway, we see the beauty and splendor of many things, by viewing pictures and video, learning about our natural and man made world right at our fingertips.

Unlike print reference books (e.g., encyclopedias), which are limited in scope, websites come in all shapes and sizes, as well as different levels, from stuff for children to highly scholarly works (which even many adults can’t get!)

At one time, only college students themselves had access to the much of this material. The internet has opened the floodgates of quality knowledge.

One particular source of knowledge I capitalize on is websites from actual college courses, especially scientific ones. Such sites are perfect for those who may have already out of college for many years. So go ahead, google them! Need to review (or even first learn) more basic concepts prior to them? No problem! Google them as well. Among the most common issues among readers are math in articles.

By the way, I happen to be an adult college student myself, and hopefully want to transfer from community college to a university soon. I plan to study Biology there, and probably will know quite a bit.

Also, a disclaimer: keep Wikipedia use to a minimum. Many writers are unqualified in their topics. While Wikipedia allows easy cross-reference power among pages, it is often more noble to scour the web to get more genuine information.

As for domains, I’m not going to belabor the quality (or lack thereof) of each one. You probably know that stuff from other sources. Judge for yourself.

And finally, glorify God in all you learn. Of course, if perhaps God is calling you to more schooling, consider it. Otherwise you have a globe of knowledge at your fingertips. And of course, people have different standards of intellectual satiety, so the web will serve to satisfy that easily.

And don’t forget regular Scripture study! That leads to better discernment on seeing what is true or not. Secular knowledge alone is not enough, we need wisdom from God to focus on what we’re geared to and what we aren’t.

Anyway, keep exploring our world in whatever areas of knowledge you please (and is possible) before God calls you home. Then you’ll see God for who He really is, and the exact truth that human endeavors have approximated!

May God bless your googling!

Jigsaw Geography

Posted on by frankwmcarr

Jigsaw Geography
In December 2017, I completed an old puzzle obtained from a thrift store, mapping things out, literally.

Geography is hard to define accurately yet concisely.  Of course, maps are at its very heart.  But making maps is the business of cartographers.  Likewise geologists, not geographers, study the earth proper, and thus is a whole different domain with its own specialization.  Yet another field, demography, concerns populations and their statistically detailed properties.  For example, this is important for a country’s census.  “Geography” could merely mean how close things are from one another.  However you define it, people at least conceptually know it means.

The puzzle, has some neat odds and ends, perhaps due to its age.  That gets interesting.  This map depicts various defunct state borders (or lack thereof!). Among those are the Soviet Union (USSR), Czechoslovakia, East & West Germany, Yugoslavia, and yes, Korea!  Given that, the undivided Korea attests to this map being designed (but probably not made) before 1950.

Moreover, within continents, it was regionally divided (and beyond).  You can see historical changes in this when compared against maps of older or newer publication.

And, if you know (at least the basics of) geology, throw that info in there.  The Pacific “ring of fire,” along its shores, allows heavy duty mountainous activity, including volcanic forms.  Among these mountain ranges and belts (i.e., compounds of ranges) include the Andes of South America, some smaller ranges in Mexico/Central America, the Rockies of the US and Canada, etc. And their windward slopes, which catch the ocean’s moisture, are far more fertile than the opposite slope, or the leeward.

Mr. Rogers, Neighbor Extraordinaire

Posted on by frankwmcarr

Mr. Rogers, while a Presbyterian minister, didn’t discuss religious topics on his show, but he invited kids across the country to be their “neighbor.” Yet if you can subtly observe, Christians like Rogers are actually engaging in Jesus’ Great Commission! Mr. Rogers showed a robust example of kindness and typical Christian love nationwide over the airwaves without descent into proselytism. And this “neighbor” concept may be derived from the very parable of the Good Samaritan, when Jesus defined as one who shows mercy to another, regardless of religion, etc.A link to some of his best achievements. Rogers ended his show in 2001 and died in 2004.Rest In Peace, neighbor.

Serving My Town with God’s Gift of Food

Posted on by frankwmcarr
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.  (James 2:26 ESV)
In my town of Pottstown, Pennsylvania (United States), several churches are networked in a “Community Meal” program. One of the sites, First Presbyterian, is sponsored by Kiwanis. Today I shared in the rewarding joy of serving people who may not be looking for anything gourmet, but just nourishing and modestly enjoyable. Among them are some of the poor of Pottstown, and a few of them perhaps homeless. Whatever their socioeconomic status, that would not be that relevant, and indeed none of my business.  My role in the Community Meal is to serve, period.
 
Now on to the nitty-gritty.  I arrived at 3:45 pm, started preparing the meal with fellow Kiwanians in my club, and then by 5pm, the meal started and the guests were welcomed.      We wore red hats with the words “Community Meal.”  The pastor said the grace.  I served an option of a chicken breast or one or two pork chops, placing the pork or chicken on their plate in my jolly and whimsical way (e.g., chicken or pork…okay pork, and a one, and a two…my pleasure, enjoy!).  Or, if they opted for chicken, they may ask for a certain piece, and I am delighted to honor their request.  Neighboring me was one serving vegetables, namely whole potatoes, string beans, and carrots.
When all attendants were served, the volunteers (in this case, me and the other Kiwanians) could finally eat the leftovers.  Since I don’t like bone-in chicken breast, all I ate was white potatoes (mediocre) and bread and butter (much tastier).  Other tasty perks were a piece of cake (the literal dessert food, not the idiom), plus icing from both the chocolate and vanilla cakes. Talk about some sweet rewards!
Kiwanis International is a global civic service club with a special focus on children.  While adults obviously also reap their benefits (and this Community Meal is doubtless one of them), remember, all adults are “ex-children” and what you do for children will impact what their do later in life.
And as a Christian, I believe volunteering is a wonderful way to express love for your neighbor.

Why Faith Goes Beyond Mere Reason

Posted on by frankwmcarr

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  – Matt. 6:34 ESV

I spent some of last night’s wee hours struggling with such cares concerning what are the best subjects (if any) to learn.  Since my chief interests are in the sciences, but include many other areas as well, I thought, concerning the ideas of practicality and usefulness of such knowledge, could be totally beyond use.

But as I have observed many times in the past, much of my knowledge will pay good dividends.  For example, why does bird excrement contain white and dark portions?  (Urinary products, primarily uric acid, are excreted in a combination with the actual feces.) Or, speaking of white and dark, the “white” breasts and the other, “dark” poultry portions (i.e., drum, thigh, and wing) represent differing rates of metabolism in the muscles (which, basically, is the meat before slaughter).

Physics is the reason why a Volvo commercial is false if it was to stop suddenly in the face of an obstacle.  Good for the rescued kid crossing the streets, bad for the driver with her inertia paced on her by a sudden stop.  And another ill-advised product I actually own:  an alarm clock that projects on the ceiling in the dark.  But here’s the catch:  in dark enough conditions, the center of the retina dominated by cones, will not respond in darkness.  The certain portions of the alarm clock numbers cannot be seen directly, so unless you skim around, you may get the wrong picture.  Likewise, you can’t see a dim star looking directly at it,  but you can when you look next to it.

I could go on and on about these things, but knowledge of any kind is a good investment no matter what it is used for.  After all, may come in handy in various situations.  For example, two botanical words:  “pinnate” and “palmate” refer to leaves concerning the veins of the leaf, compounding (when leaflets, while isolated, are really one subdivided leaf), and even the pattern of lobes on certain leaf margins.  (Thank you, Britannica.  But sorry, I can’t infringe your copyright, so no picture here!) Together with many other traits that are useful for identification, it may led a nice hobby to observe properties of plants.

And reason is a gift from God, despite many secular claims otherwise.  But all these unbelievers:  atheists, agnostics, deists, secular humanists, freethinkers, whatever, consider reason superior to religious doctrine (which is obvious by their disbelief of God).  Reason is good, but if it gets to an excess, it could take it into a powerhouse of planning and worrying about what could happen, rather than trusting a loving God and His providence.

And that was my very antidote, around 2:30 this morning, I put such matters in the hands of God, and immediately saw a better insight of the information.  Now I am much happier, and was asleep just after about 3 AM (and slept till 8 or even 8:30)

So, if you get anxious or frustrated from excessive reasoning, especially when it deals with personal problems (as opposed to appropriate uses of reason, such as asking questions and observing what happens as say, in scientific research or financial planning), turn it to prayer!

Bottom line:  Focus on learning for now, then you’ll have a arsenal of knowledge to use for different needs.  As always, one day at a time!

Putting Technology Where it (Could) Belong

Posted on by frankwmcarr

Tonight, I moved the computer to a strategically better place, which happens to be the, yes, dinette set in my apartment!

Bedroom Desk
My bedroom desk, that has now become low-tech.

 

Computer On the DInette
The computer’s home now, where it has been previously placed.

 

Let’s do a “SWOT” analysis:

Strengths:  The computer is now nearby my 1981 print Britannica set (as well as a useful supplement to the modern Britannica internet service) and many other great books.  It also serves as further discipline for the lust issues (sparing the gory details, of course!) which has been, thanks to faith in God, plummeting.  And of course, many other great websites.  My room without the computer allows for quality study without the cares of the internet or other computer applications (the king of them, in my opinion, is most likely Facebook).

Weaknesses:  Many other books are in my own room, so both sites can mutually could be “lending libraries.”  In other words, not only does a book taken from the bedroom need to be returned, but a material taken to the bedroom must also be returned.

Opportunities:  Move as many books as possible from my room to this “information station,” as well as obtaining more bookcases as appropriate.  This allows one library per my apartment.  When I want to get down and dirty with such a reading or study, I shall take it to my room until I’m finished, and thus return them to the (single) home library.Threats:  While there is no loan period (after all, it’s not a true lending library, it’s hyperbole), they should be put back when I am done using them.   The key enemy here is laziness, an trait that makes the autism spectrum a liability.  Also, I put so much debt (not in money, but progress) toward books when the earlier portions are attacked by others.  Therefore, willpower aided by God and His Word will get me success.

Interestingly enough, this SWOT analysis was done after the move.  I must be a good strategic planner already!  Yet, a SWOT analysis is a very helpful tool!

Cheers!

Cracking the “Cuss Code”

Posted on by frankwmcarr
 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:7-10, ESV)
Eureka! I now have figured out why kids aren’t good candidates to curse.  There is a hierarchy involved, consisting of three groups of source meanings.
 
1). The “negative divine words”: hell, damn. These are not true curse words, as long as they are used in their context (i.e., a religious one).
2). The “butt words”: a*s, s**t. The former originally was used for a donkey. If used that way (which is rare nowadays), it’s not a swearword. It’s often used in many idioms, as well as compounded with “smart” or “dumb.”  The latter is synonymous with feces. (It is often used either symbolizing meaning “junk” or “stuff”, or as an expression of anger)
3). And finally, the “f-bomb.” Literally it refers to sexual activity, but it has been a widespread swearword used for many applications.
 
About children and their “innocence:” the first category will work its way through the preacher’s sermon. The second category, pertaining to the butt and excrement, is just goofy. And the third, final, and most serious swearword, the “f-bomb,” for obvious reasons, should NEVER be used before the parents share “the birds and the bees” with them.  Once they get into the nitty gritty, by secular standards, the floodgates open.  Swearwords are often a tool to emphasize and deepen the message one is delivering.

Now this may apply to adults in the secular world, but what about Christian adults?  In the above Scripture, from the Epistle of James, a unique NT book that applies the faith discourses of the Pauline epistles.  (James was supposedly a relative of Jesus, perhaps a half-brother, namely, conceived by both Mary and Joseph. His epistle is probably one of the oldest in the NT. ). Since God is the Great Author of all Scripture, it still applies even if it was pre-Pauline.

As seen in the above passage, the tongue has enormous power.  You can bless or curse with the same mouth.  So, whatever you do, I hope you understand the truth about swearing, at least someday.  Adults, with their sophistication, may no longer be “innocent,” but they still can be virtuous, kindly, and good citizens both in their earthly country, and the Kingdom of God (given that they are Christian, but again, only God can choose who gets salvation or not.)