My Brain Hurts

I am reading The Great Divorce again. It is a short read that forces my brain to hurt, as most all of Lewis' writings do. This time I am struck by a dialogue about intellectual sin. Let me quote the exact passage.

ghost: "Do you really think people are penalised for their honest opinions? Even assuming, for the sake of argument, that those opinions were mistaken."
solid person: "Do you really think there are no sins of intellect?"
ghost: "There are indeed, Dick. There is hidebound prejudice, and intellectual dishonesty, and timidity, and stagnation. But honest opinions fearlessly followed-they are not sins."

There seems to be agreement between the characters that there is such a thing as intellectual sin. The conversation between the ghost (an apostate) and the solid person (believer in Christ) becomes a discussion about what exactly that means-to commit sins of intellect. There are five items that Lewis reveals starting with simple opinions. These items seem to be talking points to explain what it means to commit this type of sin.

Of course as you read this book for yourself you will see that this particular conversation between these two characters is quite short. Lewis is really good at saying so much in so few lines. For me, this discussion brings up a number of questions. The first one being, "Am I committing an intellectual sin by asking questions?" I think the point Lewis is trying to make is that the knowledge and belief of truth itself is absolute. In other words, if a person believes that the hat I am wearing is red when it is quite clearly blue, then that person is in error and cannot be justified in their thinking as long as that person maintains their erroneous belief.

Specifically to the dialogue that I quoted, the characters are talking about Christianity and the obviously different points of view they own. When it comes to faith, how far is too far in investigating the truth? Is intellectual sin just possessing a believe structure that is flatly untrue? Is that all their is to it or is there more? My brain hurts because as I have been reading I have recalled how my point of view and understanding of spiritual matters has changed. Admittedly, I am questioning my questions.

Presently I am asking new questions, ones that my experiences are prompting. Surely striving to gain greater understanding is not sinful. Is it? There seems to be a fine line. I suppose the journey or route to truth (whether initial search or ongoing excavation) is not how we will be judged in the end but by the possession of the truth itself. And that is where faith comes in because we cannot really possess truth without it.

The pain is stating to get intense. I had better stop before I start questioning the denominational system and the varying theological ideologies. I suppose one could find intellectual sin most anywhere there are thinking people. Why do I feel like I am back where I started?

R.I.P. Oak Tree

Watching our old, broken tree be removed was a sad experience. There have been so many people who have enjoyed that old fellow. It was fascinating to watch Sherdec Tree Service and Lindsey Decker (crane operator) work. Skilled brilliance at it's finest to say the least. If you need tree work these are the guys to call. Here is one of the videos Hilary took as the tree came down. This should give some perspective on how large a project this was and how professional the crew performed. I hope it views well as this is my first video post.

110words #009

Memoir Of A Hero

We were in the best shape of our lives back then. Dick and I thought we knew it all; ready to conquer anything or anybody in our way. We were stationed together when the war broke. The war--it made us feel weak and alone. All we had was a shared responsibility to serve our country and the companionship of one another. Dick was my best friend. I razzed him because he was a slow, bowlegged, son of a German immigrant. If I wasn't so much like my father, Dick would have known how much I loved him. Maybe things would have been different between us.

Legacy: Part 3, The Future

We want our children to flourish, to live well and fare well--to be happy. Happiness, as Aristotle long ago pointed out, resides in activity, both physical and mental. It resides in doing things that one can take pride in doing well, and hence that one can enjoy doing. It is a great mistake to identify enjoyment with mere amusement or relaxing or being entertained. Life's greatest joys are not what one does apart from the work of one's life, but with the work of one's life.

This passage is taken from the The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett. It captures (most likely better) what I want to say about the future generation. The image that is common to us as we consider these ideas is the family tree, and of course we want the tree to grow tall and strong. I am no different. I do not, however, assume that the generational history of the Hensons will be better or stronger just because we have three children. It is up to us as parents to continue that growing process with long range vision and especially a whole hearted commitment to God's growth plan.

For them--that is Lara Leigh, Jack, and Cooper, I think often of what their adult years will be like, especially of their value system, character, and career. As parents we have a strong influence in how these items develop (or not develop). Our contribution becomes merely the fertilization toward extended growth and maturity. As I have argued in the previous parts of this series of posts that there comes a time that the kids will then make life decisions that will either advance the expanse of the family tree or inflict life threatening disease to it.

Our hopes and prayers are that we have created an opportunity for our children to do big things. We have talked about a future that allows our kids to have the resources to dream big and to risk big in order to achieve big. It is in how they (Lara, Jack, and Cooper) use their value system, character, and career choice that the future will be shaped. They will take what they have learned from us, their parents, and make their own decisions about its importance.

Of course I can in no way see the future or make any reasonable predictions about how they will end up. We will do our part then it will be up to them. It's fun but yet scary to wonder about the possibilities. We want the next generation of the Henson family to do more than just adopt our value system; more than just have a character resemblance. We want them to take these taught values and invest them in an ever changing world that they will live. We desire our kids to take the character traits that (hopefully) they have chosen from us and adapt them to meet the needs of those who need a difference maker in their lives. You see, the next generation will operate within a different context due to how much the world will have changed and cannot simply rehearse the same old song and dance of their parents generation. There needs to be fresh growth shooting from established foliage to meet the demands of the the new day.

In terms of what our kids will be when they grow up, our hope is that they will not pursue a career because of money or benefits or how it would position them in the community. Whether a truck driver, farmer, factory worker, attorney, politician, musician, writer, or whatever; the point is to advance the generation, which means our children pursing careers that inspire them and gives them an outlet to exercise the talents that God has given. This has been one of the application points for me as I have gone through the Financial Peace University course. Changing my family tree means passing down these money management principles so that our kids do not ever feel forced to take a job because it pays better or gives better benefits. Our prayer is that the lessons learned in FPU will eliminate that pressure and provide a freedom for immediate and constant obedience to God.

I think that will close my thoughts on legacy for now. I can already see as I proofread that there are a couple of other cans I can open up if I am not careful. There is still so much to understand and so much to learn. Sometimes I wonder if I have advanced at all since my childhood. Have I maintained what the previous generation has laid out for me? Will I be able to know that my life was an extension of a growing family tree and enjoy the blessings of God as He rules over history? Too many questions and not enough answers.

Joe Boyd on the Bailout

I invite you to read Joe Boyd's post titled On Being 'Bailed Out' from his blog Rebel Pilgrim. Joe is a teaching pastor at VCC and this post is an excerpt from this past weekend's message. You can also watch it from the VCC website. This is a message of hope as opposed to the phony positioning of congress or the bankrupt (no pun intended) plan of the feds. Joe wouldn't take credit for it because it's God's plan; His way, method, and purpose. Let it simmer and soak and allow God to transform your thinking.

110words #008

The Plight of a Clown

"That John Denver is full of sh**!"

The comedic line rolls from the TV as it pacifies Ralph with a movie he's seen dozens of times. It reminds him of his initial encounter with the McDonald's people. During the interview it was explained to him rather convincinly that his job would be much better than the one he had at Macy's. With this position he wouldn't have to take silly photographs with squirmy and annoying kids who beg for toys they know their parents will buy them.

Ralph ruminates, "What's worse; working 20 hours a week or eating these cold, leftover fish sandwiches every night?"

Divine Intervention

Thanks to all of you who have been praying about our broken and dangerous tree situation. For those of you who don't know, we have a supremely large oak tree in our back yard that was damaged in the recent Ike storm. This tree is at least 100 years old and stands about 125 feet tall. This mammoth of nature just happens be be within ten feet of our house and poses a significant danger. If you have ever priced tree removal you realize that you have to basically re-finance your house to pay for this service. It is insanely expensive, but I suppose it makes sense because of the equipment and labor involved (50 ton crane, chipper, trucks, and a crew of 4).


Thanks for praying because we cannot afford this service. Hilary and I have been anxiously praying wondering where the money would come. We were mostly anxious hoping that limbs would stop falling randomly while we formulated a plan to to gather resources. Just last week we received an unexpected call from our insurance adjuster who originally wasn't going to come out since the tree didn't fall on the house. Out of the blue he wanted to come to assess the damage.


The end result is that the insurance company agreed to issue a check which happens to be the exact amount of the estimate we received for removal. Repeat....God is not surprised by the daily happenings of our lives. Our whole family is overwhelmingly thankful for the Lord and his masterful plan and his loving relationship.


When the tree comes down we will ask for a "cookie" which is a horizontal slice of the trunk. Grandpa has asked to dry it and preserve it for future generations as a token and symbol of God's promises of hope and care.

Playoff Prognosis

As a baseball junkie the passing from September to October brings much enjoyment as fall baseball begins. The playoffs start today and so I thought it would be fun to analyze the match-ups. Maybe some friendly banter will result from my provocative and expert commentary. Your comments welcome.


Let’s start in the National League (my preferred format). As much as I’d like to see the Dodgers do something (it’s been so long), I think they are overmatched. I’ll take the Cubs in that divisional series. The Dodgers don’t have shut down pitching. The other divisional series between the Phillies and Brewers I think will be the most interesting, although the networks believe this series will have the fewest viewers. I’ll take the Phillies for one reason only. Since the first round is a five game series, pitching match-ups are especially important. Truly, I believe the Brewers have the best 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation; definitely in the NL and maybe in all of MLB. I don’t like the way their rotation is scheduled, which couldn’t be helped because of the tight wild card race. Only because the Phillies have their ace Cole Hamels going in game one and the Brewers have to shift Sabathia and Sheets to games two and three do I think the Phillies have a slight advantage. This series will come down to game four with a possible pitching match-up of Jamie Moyer (Phillies) and Manny Para (Brewers). If this was a 7 game series I’d take Milwaukee because they could use either Sabathia or Sheets twice. The Brewers are a good story and personally I’ll be rooting for them.


So that brings us to the proposed NLCS between the Phillies and Cubs. There are two ways this could go; either the 100 year drought ends with the Cubs advancing to and winning the World Series or it continues with a manifestation of the “goat.” In this series I’ll go along with the build up of rain clouds pouring down victory. The NLCS should be a six or seven game series with the Cubs advancing.


The American League also provides some interesting match-ups. Looking at the Rays and White Sox first it seems apparent that the best team, the Rays (assumption based on the fact they won the AL East division which traditionally is the high powered, big money division) facing a team, the White Sox, with momentum; having won a tie-breaker to win the AL Central. I’ll take the Rays because they have younger talent and a seemingly more balanced team. The divisional series between the Angels and Red Sox will be the prime time series. I believe the winner of this series will be the World Series champion. This series will come down to the health of Josh Beckett. If he is healthy enough to pitch at close to full strength it’s over. If not, then the Angels win; needing the full five games.


The ALCS should see the incumbent champion Red Sox versus the feel good story of the year, Tampa Rays. Half the baseball population will be rooting for the Red Sox and the other half will be rooting for the Rays as the underdog. I’ll be rooting for the Rays but I don’t think they will be able to match the intensity pitch by pitch the Sox are accustomed to this time of year. In fact, I think the ALCS will be a short four to five game series.


If all plays out this way (what makes you doubt it wouldn’t) the World Series will come down to the Cubs and Red Sox. This is where the “goat” makes his appearance. Who knows how or when, but I predict that the curse will continue and the Cubs will have to wait at least 101 years for victory.