my big little brother

This is my big little brother. He's tied for 1st place in the coolest little brother contest, and he's a Marine.

He's twice as big as me, which is why he's my big little brother.  And he drives a really big armored vehicle.

In the deserts of Afghanistan.

He shoots one of these:

And while he stays very busy, he still finds time to ponder the good things in life.

So while the "99%" are busy having sex on sidewalks:

and crapping on cop cars:

my big little brother got himself a job. And works hard for his paycheck. And sacrifices everything on a daily basis. He's a self-made man, just like the rest of his group:

So blessed to have a family that labors sacrificially for the good, as best as they are able and of their own volition. 

Virtue over folly.

B

"180" the movie

'What do you know about Adolf Hitler?'

'How do you feel about abortion?'

'It's not something I've really thought about much...."

*contains images that may be disturbing*

B

the whistle-blower

While most everyone (including me) has been watching this clip from Jon Stewart's The Daily Show, I thought I'd pass it along for my not so Facebook savvy readers.

I realize that may only be a few of you, but it shouldn't be missed. Chuckles all around.

Stewart hits home with spot-on analysis - cheers to Crazy Uncle Ron!
He's not unelectable if people vote for him.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Indecision 2012 - Corn Polled Edition - Ron Paul & the Top Tier
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Also, while we're loving on technology (because I got fancy and inserted a video):
check out spotify.com . I do believe it's a game changer.

B

heroism

Our hearts break for the people of Japan--tragedy upon tragedy with no end in near sight.  Oh Lord be merciful.

We know there are many opinions being thrown around--the who, where, what's, when's and why's.  The consequences may be massive.

Yet hope remains when there is bravery and sacrifice.  Out of the East pours the spirit of the West.

We trust that the sacrifices made by these 180 workers will have tremendous results.  May their valor ripple through our world with more power than any earthquake and tsunami.  Single events such as this, where individuals choose to deny themselves, have turned the tide of history.

May the rest of us'continue to live well' indeed.

T&B

Frodo, fairies and faith

 1. We've had Tolkien's Lord of the Rings on our minds (as we've been rereading The Hobbit and the trilogy AND trying to figure out when the extended version films are being released on BluRay)


2. The Imaginative Conservative blog is a conglomerate of essays by some wonderfully true conservative thinkers (Dr Brad Birzer esp).  A fantastic piece was recently posted and has since given us reason for much meditation.  St. Augustine and (hopefully, someday "St.") J.R.R. Tolkien is the name of the piece...we highly recommend taking the time to thoroughly read it--it has our world-view beautifully condensed.


3. We finally got around to watching this gem and our only disappointment is that it took us so long to find.  We've watched it 3 times in 3 days and are contemplating a 4th tonight.


Here's the trailer:



The movie retells (fantastically, in the typical Irish blending of myth, fairy and truth) the making of the Book of Kells.  This is an actual book, handwritten by Celtic monks, containing the four gospels.  The illustrations are truly illuminated.


So our week was full of points 1 + 2 + 3. Which leads us to these rough conclusions (rough because we hope to be sharpening these thoughts for the rest of our lives).

Our world has obviously been broken since the fall.  However we fear that, even in our short 20+ years, it has grown more mechanized and cruel (with world wars and genocides filling the 20th century).  Technology is increasing our capacity for evil.  Despite living in an evermore globalized society we are becoming more removed and more anonymous.  It is in this society that we have grown detached from the atrocities happening all around us:  senseless massacres, 50 million US abortions  factory farming, dog fighting etc etc etc.  'We are the hollow men, we are the stuffed men.'   

Fight it.  Pore over the Book of Kell's illustrations.  Wonder at the beauty and detail given to the Word so many years ago.  

Watch the movie.  Notice that nature has a face (Aisling).  Quite a pagan concept.  'Modern' man had done its best to debunk this concept, defining nature in terms of laws and psychology and utility.  We have relinquished our heritage as heirs and guardians of Mystery, and coldly proclaimed ourselves to be its conquerors.  

With that in mind, we resonate with C.S. Lewis (from aforementioned Imaginative Conservative's article):

"I sometimes wonder whether we shall not have to re-convert men to real Paganism as a preliminary to converting them to Christianity."  

Read some Tolkien (or CS Lewis fiction).  Marvel in the majesty of myth and the mystery of creation within the pages.  Sit in the sunshine that streams through cold winter windows.  Watch the seasons change.  Live a simple, honest and hearty life.  Love your neighbor and feed the sheep.  

We'll raise a pint to that.

Come Lord Jesus

T & B