QamiQazi

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Originally posted by Rafael 1969:I don't know what gave you the impression that I'm not a native English speaker, but for your information, it is my first language and also my college major.

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Scripture says, "by his stripes we are healed."

What does that mean? We may hold a guilt within us so deep and intractable that nothing can dislodge it. That guilt, for lack of a better word, is "sin." It might also be called shame.

Whatever it is, few among us believe it is deserved, yet there it is. This darkness, this deadness, our most internal and private shame and sorrow dwell there as if they were a stain or a scar, a wound that never heals, sealed within the deepest chambers of our heart.

Something within us demands punishment, demands justice for this guilt. We have a powerful sense of right and wrong, don't we? Of good and of evil? Where did we get that? Animals don't think about evil. Evil goes to motive. We invent motives, for ourselves and others. We assign to them "good" or "evil."

Where we see good, it should be rewarded. Where we see evil, it should be rectified. Even when we see evil in ourselves, if we have any conscience at all, the remedy is rectification, and it requires retribution. We therefore must suffer, and at our own hands. And we do.

So then our conscience is our judge, and it is far deeper and more powerful within us than we might ever suspect. Our judge must be satisfied that the judgement is paid before the stain of guilt, the scar is removed, the wound is healed. But it's never enough. Who are we kidding? It could never be enough.

What is great enough to pay the price? What is punishment enough to satisfy the most demanding conscience?

If you might allow yourself to watch "his stripes," and allow yourself to imagine your punishment is taking place (which is your "sentence," deserved or NOT), assumed by this one without guilt, then maybe that darkness can be released. Isn't that the message?

Could seeing those stripes lacerate his back, the spikes pierce his hands and feet, the spearhead stab beneath his ribcage drawing water and blood, could it satisfy your conscience, and make you willing to part with your deepest, most closely guarded personal convictions of shame and guilt? I don't know. But I think that's the idea.

[This message was edited by QamiQazi on August 09, 2003 at 1:30.]

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Originally posted by Rafael 1969:

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Words without meaning are very much like meaningless words, Rafael. You should know that, being a journalist, sort of.

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First, the fact that you don't know the meaning of certain words does not make those words meaningless. It makes you unaware of their meaning.

Second, what's with the personal attack, dummy?

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Rafael, not being a native English speaker (I presume), you may be unaware that "meaningless" means "without meaning."

Now, Rafael, a word might be meaningless to you, but not to me. Take the word "meaningless." Obviously, I know what it means, but to you, it's meaningless, or, without meaning. Ironically, you may believe otherwise. What fun!

Now, to the English and/or Spanish speaking audiences of The Passion, the Aramaic dialog, or "words," will be "meaning-less," or without meaning, and as such they are called "meaningless."

The apprehension of meaning is often a subjective experience, and not a universal experience, as I am certain there are many who speak Aramaic quite well. What a wonderful coincidence that "art" is created to evoke a subjective experience as well. What fun, again, what fun!

Second - now, Rafael, I would never call you a "dummy" there, knucklehead, as you have indisputably and undeniably called me. But I just might cast light-hearted aspersions upon your secular calling, since you have made of it no secret, and since your recent posts have called your language skills into question. All in fun, Rafael. Cope, dude. Cope.

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Originally posted by Rafael 1969:

QQ,

That's like a non-Italian speaker reading an untranslated script of La Boheme and saying, "Beautiful, huh?"

The beauty is in the music and the performances, not merely in the language.

The Passion seeks to transcend our inability to understand the words being spoken, communicating its message through powerful images and a story with which we are all familiar.

Now, you strike me as the kind of guy who would b-and moan about the script to a silent movie.

Fascinating, huh?

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Your analogy is incorrect. You are comparing apples to horses of a different color, pal.

The point, Rafael, is that dialog adds something. I like the idea of the Aramaic, and I might like to see it first without subtitles. But I would also like to know what is being said. Words without meaning are very much like meaningless words, Rafael. You should know that, being a journalist, sort of.

You strike me as the kind of guy who would call somebody else the kind of guy who would b- and moan, without the faintest understanding of what he is TALKING ABOUT!

:P-->

And thanks for the lecture on beauty. I'll file it under "P" for profound thoughts to ponder, when I run out of my own.

Here is an example of Aramaic, transliterated for your reading enjoyment:

wplmlw dbeml axysm ewsy nrm yr?d nylya nyhlk le alypwat wa tbtk aymdq abtk 1

a?dwqd axwrb abgd nylya axyl?l nwna awh dqpd rtb nm qltsa hbd wh amwyl amde 2

ahlad atwklm le rmaw nwhl awh azxtm dk nyebra nymwyb ataygs atwtab ?xd rtb nm yx dk h?pn nwhl ywx pad nwnh 3

ynm nwtem?d wh abad hydww?l nwwqnd ala nwqrpn al ml?rwa nmd nwna dqp amxl nwhme lka dkw 4

aaygs atmwy rtb al a?dwqd axwrb nwdmet nwtnaw aymb dmea nnxwyd 5

lyrsyal atwklm tna anpm anbz anhb na nrm hl nyrmaw yhwla? ny?ynk dk nyd nwnh 6

h?pnd anjlw?b nwna ms abad nylya anbz wa anbz edml adh nwklyd twh al wh nwhl rma 7

aerad hypwsl amdew ayrm? tyb paw dwhy hlkbw ml?rwab adhs yl nwwhtw alyx nwlbqt nwkyle a?dwqd axwr atat dk ala 8

nwhynye nm ysktaw htlbq annew qltsa hl nyzx dk rma nylh dkw 9

arwx a?wblb nwhtwl nymyq nyrbg nyrt wxkt?a awh lza wh dk aym?b wwh nyryx dkw 10

ankh aym?l nwknm qltsad ew?y anh aym?b nyryxw nwtna nymyq anm aylylg arbg nwhl nyrmaw 11

aym?l qlsd yhynwtyzxd am kya atan

nwdjsa aeb? kya hnm qyrpw ml?rwa bng le yhwtyad atyz tybd arqtmd arwj nm ml?rwal nwhl wkph nkrtb nmw 12

amwatw swpylypw swardnaw bwqeyw nnxwyw swrjp hb wwh nywhd yh atylel nwhl wqls wled rtb nmw 13

bwqey rb adwhyw annj nwem?w yplx rb bwqeyw ymlwt-rbw ytmw

yhwxa mew ew?yd hma myrm mew a?n me ?pn adxb atwlsb wwh nynyma adxka nwhlk nylh 14

rmaw nyrsew aam kya a?nad a?nk nmt nyd awh tya adymlt tesm apak nwem? mq nwnh atmwyb nwhbw 15

nwnhl anrbdm awhd wh adwhy le dywdd hmwpb a?dwqd axwr rma mdqd anya abtk almtnd awh qdz nyxa arbg 16

ew?yl wdxad

adh at?m?tb asp hl awh tyaw nme awh anmd ljm 17

hywg hlk d?ataw htesm nm trptaw aera le yhwpa le lpnw atyjxd arga nm atyrq hl anqd wnh 18

md tyrwq hmgrwt yhwtyad amd lqx artad hn?lb yh atyrq tyrqta ankhw ml?rwab nyrmed nwhlkl tedyta adh yhw 19

nyrxa bsn ht?m?tw hb awhn al rwmew abrx awht hrydd arwmzmd arpsb ryg bytk 20

ew?y nrm nyle qpnw le hbd hlk anbz anhb nme wwhd arbg nylh nm dxl lykh yh aylw 21

htmyqd adhs nme awhn whd ntwl nm qltsad amwyl amde nnxwyd htydwmem nm pqad 22

aytmlw swjswy ymt?ad ab?rb arqtmd pswyl nyrt wmyqaw 23

nwhyrt nylh nm tna abgd anya dx awx lkd atwblbd edy ayrm tna wrma wyls dkw 24

hrtal hl lzand adwhy qrp hnmd atwxyl?w at?m?td asp lbqn whd 25

axyl? rsedx me ynmtaw aytml tqlsw asp wymraw 26

The numbers at the end of each line are verse numbers. This is Acts, chapter one. Pretty exciting, huh?

Tease.

Condolences here to the family and friends of someone who must have been a truly bright light in the world. Though I didn't know her, we are all still diminished by a sad and untimely death of a loving and warm-hearted soul.

I liked Joe. Remember that old-fashioned bicycle horn thing he always did? Just a good-natured guy. He was the real deal, as Way Corps (what it should have been, he was), and as a pastor. He was always a little on the heavy side when I knew him, and he'd joke about it. Stuff catches up with us, people. You can't pretend it won't. Joe seemed indestructible. None of us are. Rest in peace Joe.

Ohhhhhh.

Now laleo, you know what you meant when you wrote that, but couldn't it be interpreted to mean that both movies were playing at the L&G festival, and you opted for playful, innocent, and amusing fare?

On the other hand, I don't think I described Swimming Pool in those terms you've quoted, only the espresso. What we have here is confusion! In fact, I've yet to see an "aromatic" movie. Pungent, yes. Stinky ones? Absolutely. Aromatic, not yet.

None of those things are worth exploring. Some are worth seeing and/or drinking.

By the way, I'm still trying to figure out what Swimming Pool had to offer that particular festival. Any ideas? Uh. Never mind. I figured it out, and it's not what people might think. More to do with murder, of whom, by whom.

Kit, here is a fine website for those who would approach the temple of espresso, with a thirst for knowledge.

laleo, how was BILB?

I acknowledge there is more to life than espresso, and chai may be just what the doctor ordered. Not for me, though.

Also, while attending the G&L film festival, you "headed straight for the chai?" Is this bit of subtlety a playful paradox, an expression of ambivalence, or a testimony to the "curative" powers of chai?

Kit, no they aren't all steam. Like yours, my Krups is a steam version

The method makes a big difference, according to the experts. You will find higher-end espresso makers use a variety of "pumps" which create high pressure - anywhere from 8 to 19 times atmospheric pressure. The result is a better taste. It also contains fewer particulates, or at least, finer.

The other factor is steam-pressure makers heat the water -obviously- to boiling, or 212 degrees. The best espresso is made at 20 to 30 degrees cooler temperature - roughly, anyway. My memory fails right now.

But good question.

Now I did it too. laleo, I answered you, after a fashion, on the other thread.

Espresso is a richly rewarding experience, stimulating, powerful, sensuously earthy and aromatic, much like good sex can be. It's too strong for a lot of people, but for those who love it, it's a gradually acquired awareness and appreciation, much like good sex can become.

I don't recommend it, really. My coffee is too strong for most people. Espresso would probably knock them over. (Any similar claims regarding the other topic would be much exaggerated.)

But we do reach an age, or a stage, where we come to appreciate things for which we once had no taste, things once too strong for us, and now, just right.

laleo, not only do you have a good memory, I hadn't realized that you're also good with figures too, or they with you. With all of the talk about Mars ascending lately, nobody noticed Venus rising in Aphrodite.

Calling an espresso machine a "kitchen appliance" is like calling nipp1e ring "hardware." It somehow misses the point, don't you think?

Let me get back to you on the convergence, or is it conjunction, or commingling? of topics.

Don't all of you post at once, please.

Anybody out there have an espresso machine? My Krups steam espresso maker is okay for company, but I'm looking at pumps. What about pods? You like pods?

Looking at the Barista, a few Nespressos (pods only), Gaggia, maybe a better Krups. I don't need a status-conscious Capresso or Jura for the price of a small, used car. Good is good enough.

The Nespresso wasn't bad. Just not sure about the pods thing. Kind of limiting, pods. Right? Am I right? Pods limit your choices. After a couple espressos, you need choices. The more the better.

And what's with the modified leather thong? Or is it a kind of jock? Might be useful in combat, I suppose, but it looks mighty uncomfortable. I can see that it probably keeps the holster from riding up, which might slow her down on the draw. Avoids, "Whoops! Sorry, I grabbed the wrong pistol, fella."

Inexcusable!

Do they think we don't know what they're up to??

I'm insulted that these Hollywood types would try to manipulate the movie-going public with cheap, carnal appeals like this one.

By the way, her gun looks like an electric toothbrush, or maybe, could it be a? How dare they!

I for one will boycott this trash for as long as I have to wait to see it.

[This message was edited by QamiQazi on July 25, 2003 at 20:27.]

[This message was edited by Kit Sober on October 20, 2003 at 11:34.]

The Way taught us how to walk with power by believing God's Word.

Well..., they didn't exactly teach us, because if they did, people would actually "walk with power." They don't. If they did, The Way would not be a cult, and the Word would have moved like we haven't seen since the 1st century. Boy, that rings a bell. But, they don't.

As a substitute for spiritual power (which nobody really had), The Way "operated" spiritual intimidation. Whatever we did, whatever class we took, The Way moved the bar just beyond our reach, to explain why we didn't walk with power, and to keep us coming back for more.

Didn't give enough. Didn't believe big enough. Blew it on this principle, or that one. Need to work the foundational materials better.

The Way leaders let us believe that they DID walk with power, but just not when we were around. We know that Jesus once put the unbelievers out of the room. If the leaders didn't impress much in our presence ("spiritually," as opposed to verbally), it was our unbelief.

We were supposed to "operate" the manifestations - wisdom, knowledge, discerning, faith, miracles, healing. Tongues was never a problem, was it? Not for 99.999% of us. And interpretation and prophecy, both of which sounded awfully cliched, repetitive and dull to be inspired by God Himself. "Yea verily I say unto you..."

Operate, huh? The first 3 were easy as pie, to "operate," and maybe, just maybe baby, to fake.

What a lot of people just don't see is how this pretense, this living lie, of "walking with power" dishonors Christ, dishonors God. If there is no power, there is no power. Forget "potential." Forget "promises," as you presume to understand them, and don't, can't if it's really God's Word, since it would "have to come to pass," and of course, it doesn't. Forget rumors, memories, stories of deliverance, all the rest that reinforces this fakery. When we believed, and claimed, to walk with "power," we were (or are) imposters.

The denominations really have it right. They know that for all intents and purposes, the miracle stories are mythology. The miracles in the bible are mythology. This does not deny their truth, but it affirms their irrelevance to life as we know and live it. That was then. This is now. One two buckle your shoe. Three four, make a break for the door.

Where is Harry Potter in all of this? Simple. When Harry sets his mind to "operate" power, something always happens. His skills may be a little rough, but something happens. The inherent power inside of him is always ready, always there, to be used. And he uses it. Too bad he's a fictional character, huh?

If all we were ever taught about "Christ in us," the incorruptible seed, and especially the power of God there at our finger tips, if all of that were true, Harry Potter wouldn't impress anyone, even if he were real. Even if magic were real, nobody would care. Why? Well, of course, the power of God we all thought we had would make Harry look pretty weak "spiritually."

Ironically, this little work of fiction, so skillful on many levels, points to the glaring lack of power in lives of those who profess faith of all kinds, most of all present and former Way believers who live out their faith as imposters, with this difference. Great imposters will fool everyone, but themselves. Our kind of imposters fool nobody but themselves.

It's an odd little irony, consistent with wonderfully wacky ways of human belief, that Harry Potter, fictional boy wizard, is in this way more real than you and I ever were, in our misbegotten conceits of possessing God's almighty power for ourselves.

PFAL. "Reparo!" Dang, didn't work.

"Lo shanta!" Nope

"Check please!" That's better. Now that always gets results.

[This message was edited by QamiQazi on July 25, 2003 at 14:50.]

What some of you people don't seem to understand is that an insurance company is nothing but a glorified casino, not a buyer's club for discounted health care, and not a government welfare program. It is a business, the odds must favor the house or the house would not exist, and nobody at all would get to "win."

Insurance companies bet (with statistics, very scientifically) on your health, and you bet against it. Depending on how you see a half-full/empty glass of water, you'll win, or lose, either way. Stay well, you're out the money, but have your health. Get sick, you're out your health, but you don't go broke.

The reason costs are going up, and service is going down, is that insurance has become a health "maintenance" business. The maintenance concept is becoming more and more pervasive. We're all taking something to feel better, not to be "cured," and we want insurance to pay. We also believe it should entitle us to a blank check for any and all medical care. Maybe that's why premiums are rising?

Insurance was once for catastrophic health coverage. They didn't always pay for our stuffy noses. Now that they do, there's a cost. If you think the government can do better, just look at the Canadian system. Would you want to wait 5 weeks for surgery you desparately need now?

The government has no magic wand for health care. It produces no wealth to pay for it. Whatever it gives you, it must first take from you, or from someone else. What will that do to our taxes? What will that do to our economy? Same thing socialism does to any economy - cripples it.

In at least one respect, insurance companies are the same as government. They cannot pay out what they do not take in, except they must compete for your business. They cannot tax you without your consent. Yes, they invest the money they receive and use their profits to underwrite their expenses. (Market down, premiums up. Market up, premiums back down.) But they are not managing your money. They are managing their money.

The more dependent we become on head-to-foot, womb-to-tomb health care, the more it will expand and absorb every last dollar we earn. Maybe that's why Hillary Clinton was so eager to create a national health care system.

Socialism always looks good from the outside. The comparison to our own system suffers from the inside. Our press gives little notice to the doctor strikes in Canada (they were protesting low wages and long hours) that make our own recent "doctor strikes" (they were protesting high malpractice insurance rates) insignificant. Why the virtual silence? Could it be the left-leaning media would rather we didn't hear about it?

Dear ____

Would love to hear from you some time. I miss your face. Here's a recent picture of me with my: new BMW / new house / family / hubby / kids / dog / Greasespot t-shirt on / Greasespot t-shirt off / homies / attendants / guards / mullah / pimp / exorcist / crack house buddies...

Wish you were here.

God bless,

MTG

[This message was edited by QamiQazi on July 17, 2003 at 17:30.]

This is an herbal supplement used by women to ease menopausal symptoms, among other uses.

A report by Reuters HealthNews states research by the Yale University School of Medicine found evidence that black cohosh either caused existing cancer to spread faster, and/or made anti-cancer drugs ("chemo") more toxic to healthy cells.

http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/HealthNews/r...y0407200320.htm

It will probably require more studies, but anyone using the stuff might want to check with a doctor, or at least do a little more reading and research on it.

Happy birthday to you Chatty Kathy. The world is a better place on account of you.

QQ

Happy birthday, shazdancer!

Happy Birthday, Ralphy-boy!

- your pal Norton

One man's baby is another man's bathwater.