The Thought That Counts

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

         George Orwell

Passions unguided are for the most part mere madness.          

         Thomas Hobbes-Leviathan

I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.    

            Thoreau-Solitude

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.    Shakespeare-As You Like It, Act V. Sc.1

Neutrality, as a lasting principle, is an evidence of weakness.               

                    Kossuth

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.  George Washington

One, on God’s side, is a majority.    

           Wendell Phillips

Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time.   

           Disraeli

Science is nothing but perception.        

            Plato

“Will you walk into my parlour?”

Said a spider to a fly:

“Tis the prettiest little parlour

That you ever did spy.”

             Mary Howitt-The Spider and the Fly

Trust in God, and keep your powder dry.

                 Cromwell

Call no man happy till he is dead.

             Aeschylus-Agamemnon

If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be without it?

             Ben Franklin

Peace won by compromise is usually a short-lived achievement.

                 Winfield Scott

In solitude, when we are least alone.

             Byron-Childe Harold

Philosophy: A route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing.

              Bierce-The Devil’s Dictionary

It is not alone what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.

              Molie’re

The philosophy of one century is the common sense of the next.

                Henry Ward Beecher

Dad's Dream

“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere….” As the famous song verse indicates, mountains are places of authority, points of proclamation, and as Dad would frequently express-amazing acts of God.

Dad always dreamed of mountains. Every since I can remember he spoke of how it would be everything to him to live in peace among the mountains. As a child, he would describe his dream with vivid words and expression. He wanted to move to Colorado. As he aged and I suppose realized that Colorado was looking less and less likely, he proclaimed his love for the mountains of Arkansas. He just knew he would eventually make it happen. Sadly it never happened.

I always thought the mountains were pretty and even spectacular. But I never fully understood his dream and for that matter why he couldn’t ever live it out. But now I do.

See when someone you love dearly leaves us behind, we tend to go back and examine all of the memories again and again. It’s an effort to ensure we never forget and as I learned this past January, it’s an effort to continue to show our love through expressions of understanding.

So what’s behind Dad’s dream? What was so special about the mountains?

The mountains were a place Dad could escape all of his troubles. They were a place where he could reassure himself of God’s presence in his life.

All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photos from my first trip to Colorado in May 2008; just 4 months after my father’s death.

http://paragon.pnn.com/7255-reason-s-rhythm

Behind The Reason

The best words are those whose truth speak to our souls and confirm our spirit, words alive that evoke passions inescapable. We can all think different thoughts expressed through words, but if that which is conceived does not circulate through us with meaning, then that which is intended becomes invisible and void.

There are those whose words have helped me find meaning and through their light have powered the rhythm of my reason. They are the origins that have helped shaped my being- helped me shape the reason in which my world view rests.

To my father, who has now gone to be with The Father and who was with me from the beginning, I dedicate this page. His words taught me much, but none am I as grateful for as the words in which he spoke to me of Christ.

I’m beginning by posting quotes that I find truth in. However this does not mean I find truth in all of the quotes’ authors. For credit’s sake I include their name, but otherwise would separate them from their words. As time goes on I hope to include photos and stories that are reflections of my reason’s rhythm- imprints from those who have meant so much: Sherbert, Peabo, Doodlebug, and Dad and some extraordinary souls I’ve met along the way.

Quotes that reflect your reason’s rhythm-whether hard or soft, personal or general are welcome.