Shag Carpet Elvis

Graceland

Gentlemen--

It seems that after our last meeting there was some confusion regarding how much of Velvet Elvis we should read for this week's meeting. Since I'm facilitating, I'll make a judgement call and say we should read through Movement Four, which is about half of the book. Hope you guys are all enjoying it.

Kevin

Ode to Beer

Of all my favorite things to do,

The utmost is to have a brew.

My love grows for my foamy friend,

with each thirst-quenching elbow bend.

Beer's so frosty, smooth, and cold------
It's paradise----Pure liquid gold

Yes beer means many things to me

that's all for now -------I gotta Pee

March 13th Meeting

I am looking forward to seeing you all this Thursday evening as we conclude our foray into the mind of Chesterton.  This meeting will have, at least for those of us who consider the Emerald Isle to be the mother country, special significance as this is the meeting that is the nearest to St. Patrick's day.  Chesterton, in the last chapter, gives deference to the Irish.  Chesterton says of the Irish:

 "The Irish peasants are the only poor men in these islands who have forced their masters to disgorge.  These people, whom we call priest-ridden, are the only Britons who will not be squire-ridden."  

Even if you are more partial to the Scots or take umbrage with Chesterton's attention paid to the shamrock vice the thistle (and you know who you are) you'll have to admit that the Irish have overcome a lot of adversity.  With that said, see you all Thursday evening at 6:30 at Thompson's.

Erin go Bragh!  

Great Article

Thanks John for putting the link in the left-hand side of the blog to the Wittenburg Door. Our Friends at the Wittenburg Door make light of a theme that has been a part of our discussions; the Evangelical Fundamentalist.  I think that you all will enjoy it.  See the link below for the article:

http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/american-fundamentalists

The next book selected is Rob Bell's, "Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith".  This was Kevin's pick and although he will formally announce this at the next meeting, I wanted to let folks know ahead of time so that we can begin our search.

Chesterton Part 1

I'm convinced now, more than ever, that the Truth (intersection between knowledge and my understanding) will not exist in organizations. Organizations hold missions and statements of belief that represent their motivation-driven outcomes. That is not to say that I believe that all organization is bad or that organizations cannot become smarter or more aligned with the Truth.

Chesterton presents in Orthodoxy - The Ethics of Elfland the arguement that democracy and libralism are the same thing. This challenged my thinking this week about organizational intent and specifically the intention of state agencies that act as regulatory arms of the legislature. Organizations and agencies sometimes present false dogmata and dicotomies that do not fully represent issues they were intended to serve (Practice isn't always what was intended in the Law). I find this interesting when considering concepts of managment and the first priority being getting the right people on the bus (collins, 2001) Inherant in the DNA of a democratic nation should be a suspicion about what is intended and how it is carried out. When you suspect conspiracy, don't rule out incompetence, and for heavens sake be educated and aware (Ohler, 2000).

Looking forward to the next Chesterton conversation and the "ahas" that time will bring.