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Last Notes

2026-08-04 05:01:10 GMT

A Long Shadow
Praya’s house lay in the eastern part of the City of Babel with its famous tower in the center. Today, the tower’s shadow fell on her house just after the 12th hour. That was noticeably earlier than the day before. The dark was enough that Praya considered lighting a lamp so she could finish preparing dinner.
She lived about a league away from the tower. As the city built the tower higher, the unnatural darkness cast by the tower came earlier each day for more people.
Unnatural and dark. That increasingly described Praya’s thoughts about Babel these days. She vaguely understood the massive effort to build the tower had made her city great. Her own family stood to gain, as her father and husband were part of the growing bureaucracy. Praya’s mood did not fit everyone else’s relentless optimism.
The city’s builders and merchants were exuberant. Engineers had designed ingenious and marvelous machines. Great kilns, canals, and roads were built. Tribes and nations from far away were coming to take part, albeit some more willingly than others.
The council of Babel represented different constituencies. Their brilliant orators spoke to the people about humanity in lofty terms. Crowds assembled each week to hear again about how they would change the world. Babel was a beacon and would lift humanity up. The tower was only a symbol of what was possible when all people were brought together under one system. A single standard of measurement and a single currency. Trade routes opened. Knowledge increased. And once all people were gathered to civilization, no more war. These were all noble ends. More than enough to justify regrettable means.
Praya kept her unease to herself. Indeed, she was uncertain how to articulate it. She knew from her husband about the incredible amount of materials and suppliers that were necessary to build the tower. She knew most of the workforce had little choice and were in fact slaves although the official term was different. More ominously, she implicitly knew it was dangerous to speak her thoughts aloud.
She didn’t understand how a tower to reach heaven would actually benefit people. Would it cure the sick? Would it remove evil from the human heart?
Praya stopped what she was doing and stood silent for a long moment. Then she closed her eyes, bowed her head, and breathed deeply.
What would happen when men were like gods and what it would mean for her children and their children?
Praya only knew the tower’s shadow would lengthen. Each day, the darkness would come earlier.
#biblemicrofiction

2026-06-30 18:51:46 GMT

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This is amazing! Will it be displayed in the new library?

2026-06-26 01:09:03 GMT

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I laughed out loud and also shook my head at this line: "Longevity creates problems. Those who live over 90 and still have two brain cells to rub together find that their friends and most of their offspring have already passed. It is lonely at the top."
This is a really good insight. How long do you really want to live? I think 90 would be great, but probably not 100. I reserve the right to change my mind!

2026-01-29 18:13:15 GMT

One of the people who made a big impression on me is Keith Green. He was a hippie in the 70s, found Jesus in the Jesus movement, had a tremendous Christian music career, then tragically died in a plane crash at age 28.
I discovered him when I was in university and was really touched by his "sold out for Jesus" attitude. He sometimes offended people in his concerts with songs like "Asleep at the Light" that criticized spiritual complacency.
Sometimes I wonder why God allowed him to die so soon, but then I think what a tragedy it would have been if he somehow went sideways. Like, what if he survived till today and was a big MAGA supporter?
One of my favorite Keith Green songs: https://youtu.be/eyy89AtwEHU?si=CsZfcKt7TY2ni5oE
https://uploads.deacon.social/media_attachments/files/115/979/733/730/924/420/original/0bcec910cdcf9190.png

2026-01-12 16:00:29 GMT

Good morning, friends. I have good news: The Lord is on His throne.
Jesus said, "Take heart, for I have overcome the world."

2025-11-21 22:46:25 GMT

Do things get better? Yes, they can and will.
Will things get worse? Yes, they can and will.
We each are small motes in the overall scheme of things, but God has placed us where we are and when to do the best we can with what circumstances we're given. Be a good steward.
Love your family, your friends, your neighbors, and yes even your enemies. Use the gifts that He's given you to bless others.

2025-06-14 22:04:29 GMT

Them: "America is a Christian nation!"
Me: "Ok" *makes protest sign*
Them: "No, not like that!"
+++++
I usually don't like mixing the flag and scripture, but in this case I'll do it. You want Christian nationalism? Then read your bible and practice it.
This sign was a hit btw. A lot of people asked to take a photo of it. I like to think that I taught more of the Bible today outside the church than I have in a while.
https://uploads.deacon.social/media_attachments/files/114/683/970/568/351/928/original/cb980605991bd38a.jpeg

2025-04-22 17:27:24 GMT

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There's a bronze statue outside the Josephinum Catholic church in downtown Seattle. It's a bench with a figure sleeping on it. It looks like a homeless person—a common sight downtown. When you get closer and look at the uncovered feet, you see that they have holes in them. Then you realize they are the nail-pierced feet of our Lord.
"Whatever you do unto the least of these brothers of mine, you do unto me."
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https://uploads.deacon.social/media_attachments/files/114/382/781/781/490/089/original/3ac5f362e6f1c8f0.jpeg
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2024-11-26 16:05:31 GMT

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I imagine the software/firmware part was trickier. ;-)

2024-11-23 00:58:29 GMT

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Love it! I've been thinking of the same thing. I was hoping to build one together with one of my daughters as a summer project.

2024-08-07 19:50:03 GMT

In Pentecostal/Charismatic circles and less so in broader evangelical Christianity, there is a focus on "doing big things" for God: making disciples, having a healing ministry, planting churches, going overseas as a missionary.
But as I've grown as a Christian, I feel that the most impressive accomplishments are those that others won't see: living a holy life, treating your family members well, encouraging the timid, helping the weak, developing the spiritual fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
I guess that's why I am drawn towards Christians who been faithful in obscure ministry (Corrie Ten Boom quietly ministered to mentally handicapped children for decades before WWII) or have suffered well (Watchman Nee spent 20+ years in prison; Corrie spent the last years of her life partially paralyzed by a stroke and unable to talk).
One of my favorite scenes from Brother Sun, Sister Moon—a biographical movie of St Francis (very hippie)—is where Francis is rebuilding a countryside chapel stone by stone. He's not interested in famous deeds, though later in life he reportedly preached the gospel to the Sultan Malek al-Kamil.
In the end, God knows our quiet victories and those will be celebrated in heaven where the first are last and the last first. If He chooses to use us in a public way, then that's beside the point.