Eternity

what if we understood eternity not so much as an independent existing mode of reality from the temporal as much as understanding eternity as an atemporal mode of reality which produces and sustains the temporal mode – the atemporal first cause of the temporal, saying, ‘eternity is to temporality as the sun is to light or an idea is to a word’?
In this way, what if we came to interpret Boethius’ Definition by speaking of eternity more as sharing essential qualities with time rather than existing independently from time? I think we can do this while still (or especially by) holding to his definition of eternity being “the complete possession all @ once of illimitable life”; to do so we should try not to reduce our consideration of illimitable life to merely infinite duration (calling it “the eternal present”) but rather we must also consider the other essential qualities of illimitable life, being (I will brashly suggest) reality, truth, beauty, creativity, goodness, and others? In this view, the essential qualities of eternity, if necessarily including illimitable life as Boethius’ definition does require, will then also include reality, truth, beauty, creativity, and goodness. From this, it would seem to be clear that eternity may be “simultaneous with” (though I would suggest more accurately stated: “evidenced by means of”) time in those moments where illimitable life flourishes in time with these eternal qualities.  (see Jn. 17:3)
This does not suggest that eternity does not also include infinite duration, I think it does! And I would suggest that the by the infinite duration of time, the temporal state evidences (or if you like, “is simultaneous with”) eternity at that point which gives birth to time’s persistence and on-goingness.
I want to say: Find the origin or cause of time’s flow and there you will find eternity’s mark?

A woman’s smile

I vomit out of me the bashful smile and shy laughter of a woman. It is a detestable bait into vanity’s lair. The stranger female showing of skin to catch my eye and poison me. What violence have I done to you, that you would seek to destroy me? Depart from me Satan, for you do not have in mind the things of God.

Big-C creativity

Occurs when a person solves a problem or creates an object that has a major impact on how other people think, feel and live their lives.

Petrarch to Giovanni Colonna

“Precisely because we are Christians, philosophy must become for us nothing but the love of wisdom; God’s wisdom, however, is his logos – it is Christ; and thus we must love him in order to become true philosophers.” – Petrarch to Giovanni Colonna

Rhetorical Beauty

Inventio – Ideas are to be used as tools, as things to work with. So read, read, and read…but don’t copy those words. Digest, don’t repeat.

The eloquence and wisdom of the glowing rhetor will come only through an appropriate appreciation of the information at hand. There will always be more information to have, but notice that even if someone knows but one truth, s/he can be so inspired by that one fact so as to speak it into the bosoms of thousands.

Seek Wisdom and Eloquence and you will get neither wisdom nor eloquence…if you seek life you will find both.

the virtuous person

Trust: deciding to act on a belief.

Reason: discerning what beliefs are worthy to trust.

Discipline: trusting one’s reason prior to the emotions of the present.

Courage: acting on a belief irrespective of the anticipated degree of associated displeasure.

Humility: the state of shifting one’s framework; such that, the self is no longer the center.

Fearing the Lord: the state of shifting one’s framework; such that, God is at the center.

Wisdom: loving God.

being alive

What does it mean to be alive? It is to of had the Logos speak “Light” into dust and ash; suddenly having been created, made, evolved from a state of unconscious slavery into an open freedom relationally engaging with God, others, ourselves and the earth. It is to be connected and unified with the Divine Spirit which hovered over the primordial darkness. It is to say the name of God with each breath.

The Highest Form of Hatred

Nearly without fail, that which I loathe with ferocious disdain – I become. The highest form of hatred is not violent contempt but disinterested and annoyed apathy.

The Good Speaker

The virtues of a persuader are to appear benevolent, competent and trustworthy to one’s audience.

The virtues of a speaker are to be articulate, eloquent and meaningful.

The virtues of a rhetor are to be wise, humble and relevant.

These are not mutually exclusive.

MLK Jr. is an instance where I would suggest we have an individual who was wise, humble, relevant, articulate, eloquent and meaningful while appearing to his audience competent, trustworthy and benevolent.

Moses is possibly an instance where we have a good rheotor, yet a poor speaker.

Hitler, a great persuader and speaker but a poor rhetor.

Infusing Meaning

Life is the art of infusing things with value.