Category Archives: Life Purpose

Jesus Said:

Posted on June 16, 2018 by paulyr2

One thing about the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas, which has some crazy content:  almost all its sayings of Jesus begin with the simple introductory formula, “Jesus said” (in Coptic, the word order is, “said Jesus”).  This implies that Jesus was … Continue reading →

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Remember Lin Zhao

Posted on April 15, 2018 by paulyr2

Lin Zhao, 1932-1968, was a Chinese dissident, executed for her loudly expressed views against the corruption and injustice of Chairman Mao’s communist regime.  She was a convert to Christianity after attending a Methodist school and joined the Communist Party as … Continue reading →

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The Star Spangled Banner – an Appreciation

Posted on October 28, 2017 by paulyr2

The ‘Star Spangled Banner’ is a patriotic song consisting of words and music about the United States of America.  It is the national anthem and thus played and/or sung at important public events.  It comes at the beginning of an … Continue reading →

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Transmission of Enlightenment in Buddhism

Posted on July 29, 2017 by paulyr2

The Buddha held up a flower before his circle of disciples.  All were confused except one, M. (I abbreviate the name), who smiled.  Buddha was happy and announced that M. had received enlightenment and wisdom.  M. alone understood. ‘The Flower … Continue reading →

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Writing from Experience

Posted on May 28, 2017 by paulyr2

An old man got up from his decrepit chair – watching the Yankee game – to venture upstairs to the computer, his back sore from years of hard physical labor.  He stopped at the back door because it was a … Continue reading →

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The World in which We Live

Posted on March 13, 2017 by paulyr2

The world in which we live is big and yet small/ We know our place or do we? We walk and rest and then we’re walking [yet] again/ Are we not lost? Really, where are we from and [to] where are … Continue reading →

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1 Reason Not to Look Back

Posted on February 8, 2017 by paulyr2

Jesus of Nazareth said, “one who puts hand to plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk 9.62).  A person working for God looks ahead to the goal of the mission, not behind which is … Continue reading →

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“Maybe Someday” or ‘How Long, Lord?’

Posted on January 13, 2017 by paulyr2

I want to go on record about the special feeling I get when I hear Stevie Wonder sing his ballad, ‘My Cherie Amour,’ especially the phrase – “maybe someday” (…”you’ll see my face among the crowd” or “I’ll share your … Continue reading →

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Funeral Dirge: Form and Function

Posted on October 29, 2016 by paulyr2

A dirge is a hymn, lament or poem about the death of someone.  A funeral dirge would be such within an actual funeral.  Etymology of the word starts with Latin verb dirigere (English, ponder-direct, guide) used in Catholic church ‘Office … Continue reading →

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Musing on VanGogh

Posted on August 4, 2011 by paulyr2

I just viewed a short film document on the work of painter Vincent VanGogh, VanGogh: Brush with Genius, only 39 minutes long, and at its end, my eyes produced tears, my upper cheeks, right and left, became wet.  You see, … Continue reading →

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