Ed Parton Blog http://www.edparton.com/blog Eclectic meanderings of nonsense, spiritual musings and the road less traveled Thu, 17 May 2012 22:30:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 My Modern Met http://www.edparton.com/blog/my-modern-met/ http://www.edparton.com/blog/my-modern-met/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 22:30:57 +0000 ed http://www.edparton.com/blog/?p=5591  

My Modern Met is where art enthusiasts and trendspotters connect over creative ideas.

A community of intelligent people who want to be in the know. A destination that serves as an indispensable source of information for not only what’s cool but what’s relevant.

What makes My Modern Met so special? The members of the site. They’re a collage – their very foundation is made by the people, for the people. A hub to gather and share the little, intricate things that we find creative and inspiring in this world. And, as they bring together all the little pieces together, people see that My Modern Met is a beautiful place. That the fabric comes from us all featuring over 1,000 posting people, 4,000 photos and over 10,000 blog topics.

john mattos modernized classic art

]]> http://www.edparton.com/blog/my-modern-met/feed/ 0 Great Day Every Day http://www.edparton.com/blog/great-day-every-day/ http://www.edparton.com/blog/great-day-every-day/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:33:23 +0000 ed http://www.edparton.com/blog/?p=5834

What to say for a book that is so good. No really. This book could gather all the adjectives you could think of and then some.

Max Lucado’s “Great Day, Every Day” is jam packed with practicals on how you should appreciate each day. Even if you weren’t spiritually inclined, this short book would be invaluable to you.

Speech and Yolanda

Now-a-days bookshelves at the store are filled with “how-to” books from people who claim to know what they are talking about. Some of them undoubtably are speaking from experience and their stories are more than likely able to spur you on in whatever pursuit you have picked up their book to read.

Lucado is master here. His extensive background in asking the tough questions about life shine through in his sparklingly truthful language as you read about his advice. Tough advice assuredly…sometimes deceptively so. Max draws from admittedly broad resources as he focuses on the question, “navigating life’s challenges with purpose and promise.”

Max takes the reader on a spiritual, scripture filled journey into the everyday mundane that most people experience…well, everyday. What Mr. Lucado brings across brilliantly is how to approach each day with Gratitude, Fortitude and Grit. Old fashioned concepts that seem to escape the modern adult in today’s troubled world. Every day is a challenge and how you think and react to the circumstances that approach you is the main focus of “Great Day, Every Day.”

Mr. Lucado teaches in very clear language and forthright concepts how to live each day as if it were truly in your command. Catasrophe, loneliness, bitterness over your past, fear, shame and purposelessness are addressed in very practical means. His chapters are jam packed with helpful advise, experiencial concepts…basic ways in which the very troubled person can explain their reactions to the everyday “ankle biters” that plague each of us.

I cannot speak well enough of Max’s approach. This book practically leaks wisdom. He shows you how to have peace and hope amidst the most awlful circumstances… death, cancer, failure, dispair, confusion, etc. All these are given their place and Mr. Lucado finds hope, light and reason amongst them all.

Max includes a very extensive question and answer section for each chapter. These questions will steer you closer to the answers you are looking for. In the back, there is a complete section, one for each day, that will challenge you to use the concepts he expresses in the book…one for each “day changer.”

You will not be disapointed in finding yourself a copy of this wonderful book. You will refer to it multiple times as you seek to find answers to some of your most difficult questions. I am amazed at the advice, answers and practical ways Max has gathered to help you along your way.

A huge thank you to BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review copy. The opinions here are all mine and I was not paid to give any type of review – positive or negative.

I review for BookSneeze®

]]> http://www.edparton.com/blog/great-day-every-day/feed/ 0 My Rabbit Hole Of Knowledge http://www.edparton.com/blog/my-rabbit-hole-of-knowledge/ http://www.edparton.com/blog/my-rabbit-hole-of-knowledge/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:50:56 +0000 ed http://www.edparton.com/blog/?p=5789

One of the most magical things about the Internet is that it’s a whimsical rabbit hole of discovery – we start somewhere familiar and click our way to a wonderland of curiosity and fascination we never knew existed. What makes this contagion of semi-serendipity possible is an intricate ecosystem of “link love” – a via-chain of attribution that allows us to discover new wonderlands through those we already know and trust.

Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.

It’s one of my theories that when people give advice, they’re really just talking to themselves in the past.

             

We now know enough to know that we will never know everything. This is why we need art: it teaches us how to live with mystery. Only the artist can explore the ineffable without offering us an answer, for sometimes there is no answer. John Keats called this romantic impulse ‘negative capability.’ He said that certain poets, like Shakespeare, had ‘the ability to remain in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason.’ Keats realized that just because something can’t be solved, or reduced into the laws of physics, doesn’t mean it isn’t real. When we venture beyond the edge of our knowledge, all we have is art.

When I look up at the night sky and I know that, yes, we are part of this Universe, we are in this Universe, but perhaps more important than most of those facts is that the Universe is in us. When I reflect on that fact, I look up – many people feel small, because they’re small, the Universe is big – but I feel big, because my atoms came from those stars. There’s a level of connectivity – that’s really what you want in life. You want to feel connected, you want to feel relevant. You want to feel like you’re a participant in the goings on and activities and events around you. That’s precisely what we are, just by being alive.

john mattos modernized classic art

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Music & Video

Family & Kids

Sports

News & Info

Financial & Productivity

Shopping & Travel

Health & Fitness

Social Media

Games

Education

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Speech pulled me from the fire

As you become convinced of the importance and necessity of spiritual fellowship with other believers on a close personal level, you will begin to ask: “Who can I have this kind of relationship with?”

It is obvious that mutual commitment, openness of sharing and willingness to give and receive both encouragement and admonishment, that you are not going to enter into this kind of relationship with just anyone in the body of Christ.

Speech and Yolanda

There are certain qualifications that both of you must meet. Here are some qualities to look for as you ask God for your disciple partner:

  • A desire, backed up by action, to grow in the Lord, both in personal character and in ministry to others.
  • An ability to understand and identify with your needs, frustrations, and temptations, but in an objective way. We need understanding, not pity.
  • An ability to absolutely keep confidences so that you can share your inmost heart.
  • A willingness to make a commitment toward your spiritual welfare.
  • A mature recognition that he or she does not have all the answers for your life; a willingness to agonize, pray, and search the Scriptures with you for answers.
  • A willingness to be honest with you, not allowing you to continue unchallenged in a wrong attitude or action.

I made the comment in church the other day that Speech “saved my life.” There is no way around it. Speech is my brother, my friend, my mentor, my hero. We have the same struggles, fight the same battles and pray for the same people. I got his back and he has got mine. There are other heroes in my life. They know who they are. But, I just had to mention Speech. How he finds time for me, to help me get to Heaven…only the Lord knows.

And Speech’s best friend and motivator? His wife Yolanda. May I find half the woman as a wife that she is to the Kingdom.

]]> http://www.edparton.com/blog/speech-saved-my-life/feed/ 1 God’s Word Lifts You Up http://www.edparton.com/blog/gods-word-lifts-you-up/ http://www.edparton.com/blog/gods-word-lifts-you-up/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:09:18 +0000 ed http://www.edparton.com/blog/?p=5763

“For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.”
–1 Peter 1:24-25

What does it mean to get a word from the Lord? It means that God in His infinite wisdom personalizes His principles for each of His children. The Bible is an individualized love letter delivered to each disciple of Jesus for his or her unique situation. A word from the Lord gives hope in the face of discouragement, wisdom for understanding, and courage to confront injustice. Scriptures planted in the human heart are seeds of faith for the soul.

We are blessed when we seek counsel from the wise, but when we receive direction from Almighty God in His word, we can rest secure. The Bible is the baseline for our beliefs and behavior. It is the first and the final say for faith-based living. A day without scriptural intake for our spirit is like missing three meals for our body. God’s word nourishes our soul, is a trailblazer for truth, and leads us into His very best for our life.

“Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”
— Isaiah 8:20

You endure, as you learn and apply to your life the enduring word of the Lord. Have you encountered a roadblock in parenting? If so, scripture has insight into how to see exactly how to love your child at their point of need. Are you experiencing an unreasonable individual at work or in your family? The Bible gives instructions in how to unselfishly serve those who are full of themselves. Come to Christ and listen to His voice, as He speaks to you through His word. Stillness before Holy Scripture brings it alive for you.

Hide in your humble heart the life giving word of God and you will be able to give life to others. What does God think? This is the first question for followers of Jesus Christ. And fortunately for His children, His Holy Spirit brings to life the pages of His word in prayer. Study to know the truth, and listen to apply the truth. Scripture gives stamina to your faith.

“He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
— Luke 8:21

 

Read, read. Study. Ponder. Then choose.

More… Genesis 15:1; 1 Samuel 3:1-7; Luke 7:29; 2 Timothy 2:9

]]> http://www.edparton.com/blog/gods-word-lifts-you-up/feed/ 0 Think before you speak http://www.edparton.com/blog/think-before-you-speak/ http://www.edparton.com/blog/think-before-you-speak/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:40:21 +0000 ed http://www.edparton.com/blog/?p=5759

Think before you speak is always a good idea. Before you do anything, these little questions will be most helpful in building somebody up and taking care of yourself.
Is it true?
Is it helpful?
Is it inspiring?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?

These will take you a long way on your journey to the Light…

]]> http://www.edparton.com/blog/think-before-you-speak/feed/ 0 Hail to the misfits… http://www.edparton.com/blog/hail-to-the-misfits/ http://www.edparton.com/blog/hail-to-the-misfits/#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:50:16 +0000 ed http://www.edparton.com/blog/?p=5742

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.

–Steve Jobs

]]> http://www.edparton.com/blog/hail-to-the-misfits/feed/ 0 Right Motives http://www.edparton.com/blog/right-motives/ http://www.edparton.com/blog/right-motives/#comments Sat, 17 Mar 2012 10:31:55 +0000 ed http://www.edparton.com/blog/?p=5704

“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?” Zechariah 7:5-6

Right motives can be illusive. One minute you can be as pure as the driven snow in why you do what you do yet in the next you can subtly slip into suspect behavior. Therefore, you need to be relentless and honest in reviewing your motives. No, you can never shake self-preservation and some level of pride, but you can ask the Lord to cleanse your motives and mark them with His purposes. You can make faith in Jesus a filter for right motives. “Why would Jesus do this?” is a wise question that helps you get to the heart of the matter. The “why” question reveals intent and encourages honesty.

Regularly asking “why?” addresses your motives. You may want to give to someone, but why? I may want to serve someone, but why? You may want to sacrifice an opportunity, but why? You may want to perform a religious duty, but why? Where does your devotion reside? What drives you to do good things? If your reasons are self-serving, then you have missed managing your motives for eternal purposes. Your motive may be to use religion and the church to promote your profession. God does not like to be used for anything other than His glory.

If you serve because it makes you feel better or to feed your ego, your motives are dysfunctional. If you are trying to make up for your shady past or you are driven by guilt, then you are operating out of bounds. As a consequence, your misguided motives will cause others to feel or act strangely. Wrong motives have a ripple effect on relationships and organizational dynamics. Unhealthy motivation that seeks attention and credit will compromise principles and values in an effort to reach its desired results. Misguided motives are driven by whatever means it takes to justify worthy results, but lasting fruit results from the seeds of pure motives.

Moreover, dishonest motives are a recipe for rejection. Neither people nor God accept those with sinful motives. Spiritual people can discern inauthentic living a mile away. Therefore, do an audit of your authenticity, and stop performing acts of righteousness that draw people to yourself instead of to your Savior. Fast and pray with discretion and give anonymously (Matthew 6:5-6). Serve when no one else is watching and you are guaranteed to not get the credit. Ask about others instead of talking about yourself. Help make other people successful, instead of using them for your success. Focus on the Almighty’s accomplishments and not your own.

Furthermore, do not default to fear as the driving force of your life. Fear may be the worst motive of all, for it causes you to believe lies and to act on them. Fear leads you into out-of-balance living as it races to be right. So substitute faith for fear. Faith keeps you focused on your heavenly Father, and He replaces your fears with peace and contentment. He can be trusted; so do not force things to happen in your own strength. Instead, do everything for the glory of God. Let your love of the Lord and people lift your motives to a more noble level. Continually allow the Holy Spirit to scrub your motivations. Ask often, “Why would Jesus do this?” Then mirror your Master’s motives, for right motives reap God’s rewards.

]]> http://www.edparton.com/blog/right-motives/feed/ 0 Bookstove 100 Science Fiction http://www.edparton.com/blog/bookstove-100-science-fiction/ http://www.edparton.com/blog/bookstove-100-science-fiction/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:47:11 +0000 ed http://www.edparton.com/blog/?p=5269

While the science fiction genre might not be for everyone, readers who pass on it are missing some excellent literature. Below are 100 science fiction novels that are important works of literature, downright excellent or both.

For purposes of classification and simplification, the term “science fiction” is sometimes used quite loosely for some of these titles. While some specific titles might not be hardcore science fiction, the titles were produced by authors traditionally known as science fiction authors. The authors’ names will follow the titles.

  • The Postman –
    David Brin
  • The Uplift War –
    David Brin
  • Neuromancer –
    William Gibson
  • Foundation –
    Isaac Asimov
  • Foundation and Empire –
    Isaac Asimov
  • Second Foundation –
    Isaac Asimov
  • I, Robot –
    Isaac Asimov
  • The Long Tomorrow –
    Leigh Brackett
  • Rogue Moon –
    Algis Budrys
  • The Martian Chronicles –
    Ray Bradbury
  • Fahrenheit 451 –
    Ray Bradbury
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes –
    Ray Bradbury
  • Childhood’s End –
    Arthur C. Clarke
  • The City and the Stars –
    Arthur C. Clarke
  • 2001: A Space Odyssey –
    Arthur C. Clarke
  • Armor –
    John Steakley
  • Imperial Stars –
    E. E. Smith
  • Frankenstein –
    Mary Shelley
  • Ender’s Game –
    Orson Scott Card
  • Speaker for the Dead –
    Orson Scott Card
  • Dune –
    Frank Herbert
  • The Dosadi Experiment –
    Frank Herbert
  • Journey Beyond Tomorrow –
    Robert Sheckley
  • The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy –
    Douglas Adams
  • Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? –
    Philip K. Dick
  • Valis –
    Philip K. Dick
  • A Scanner Darkly –
    Philip K. Dick
  • The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch –
    Philip K. Dick
  • 1984 –
    George Orwell
  • Slaughterhouse Five –
    Kurt Vonnegut
  • Cat’s Cradle –
    Kurt Vonnegut
  • The War of the Worlds –
    H. G. Wells
  • The Time Machine –
    H. G. Wells
  • The Island of Doctor Moreau –
    H. G. Wells
  • The Invisible Man –
    H. G. Wells
  • A Canticle for Leibowitz –
    Walter M. Miller, Jr.
  • Alas, Babylon –
    Pat Frank
  • A Clockwork Orange –
    Anthony Burgess
  • A Journey to the Center of the Earth –
    Jules Verne
  • From the Earth to the Moon –
    Jules Verne
  • Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea –
    Jules Verne
  • Old Man’s War –
    John Scalzi
  • Nova Express –
    William S. Burroughs
  • Ringworld –
    Larry Niven
  • The Mote in God’s Eye –
    Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
  • The Unreasoning Mask –
    Philip Jose Farmer
  • To Your Scattered Bodies Go –
    Philip Jose Farmer
  • Eon –
    Greg Bear
  • Jurassic Park –
    Michael Crichton
  • The Andromeda Strain –
    Michael Crichton
  • Lightning –
    Dean Koontz
  • The Stainless Steel Rat –
    Harry Harrison
  • The Fifth Head of Cerebus –
    Gene Wolfe
  • Nightside of the Long Sun –
    Gene Wolfe
  • A Princess of Mars –
    Edgar Rice Burroughs
  • Cryptonomicon –
    Neal Stephenson
  • Snow Crash –
    Neal Stephenson
  • The Stars My Destination –
    Alfred Bester
  • Solaris –
    Stanislaw Lem
  • Doomsday Book –
    Connie Wills
  • Beserker –
    Fred Saberhagen
  • Time Traveler’s Wife –
    Audrey Niffenegger
  • The Word for World is Forest –
    Ursula K. LeGuin
  • The Dispossessed –
    Ursula K. LeGuin
  • Babel-17 –
    Samuel R. Delany
  • Dhalgren –
    Samuel R. Delany
  • Flowers for Algernon –
    Daniel Keyes
  • The Forever War –
    Joe Haldeman
  • Star King –
    Jack Vance
  • The Killing Machine –
    Jack Vance
  • Trullion: Alastor 2262 –
    Jack Vance
  • Hyperion –
    Dan Simmons
  • Starship Troopers –
    Robert A. Heinlein
  • Stranger in a Strange Land –
    Robert A. Heinlein
  • The Moon is a Harsh Mistress –
    Robert A. Heinlein
  • A Wrinkle in Time –
    Madeleine L’Engle
  • More Than Human –
    Theodore Sturgeon
  • A Time of Changes –
    Robert Silverberg
  • Gateway –
    Frederick Pohl
  • Man Plus - Frederick Pohl
  • The Day of the Triffids –
    John Wyndham
  • Mission of Gravity –
    Hal Clement
  • The Execution Channel –
    Ken Macleod
  • Last and First Men –
    W. Olaf Stapledon
  • Slan –
    A. E. van Vogt
  • Out of the Silent Planet –
    C. S. Lewis
  • They Shall Have Stars –
    James Blish
  • Marooned in Realtime –
    Vernor Vinge
  • A Fire Upon the Deep –
    Vernor Vinge
  • The People Maker –
    Damon Knight
  • The Giver –
    Lois Lowry
  • The Handmaid’s Tale –
    Margaret Atwood
  • Contact –
    Carl Sagan
  • Atlas Shrugged –
    Ayn Rand
  • The Fountainhead –
    Ayn Rand
  • Battlefield Earth –
    L. Ron Hubbard
  • A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court –
    Mark Twain
  • Little Brother –
    Cory Doctorow
  • Invasion of the Body Snatchers –
    Jack Finney
  • Planet of the Apes –
    Pierre Boulle
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