Evaluating Encouragement as it Happens - can you tell the difference between those who talk and those who know?

Not much to put down in the text of the post here, because the question is the post. During difficult seasons (I am experiencing my own right now) can you tell the difference between those who understand your struggle, and those who act as thought they understand? Does it make a difference in terms of how much it helps you make it through the tough times? Does a friend offering silence work better than a friend bringing many words when life is at it lowest?

Fortunately I have not had too much of this. My friends have been pretty amazing, and The Gathering is truly like family.

What do you think? What has your experience been?

New header here to join my Twitter change

After changing my Twitter background, I decided it was time to change my header here as well. So there it is above. I decided to use the same sepia toned photo from Avebury on one side and add the steps going up to Castell Dolwyddelan in North Wales.

I had to reverse the photo of the steps going up to the Castle to make this work, but I guess that might fit the problem of being a serial deconstructionist anyway. Once again - photos by Mizumi Graham.

My New Twitter Page Look

I changed the background of my twitter page yesterday. I am actually somewhat happy with it, despite the fact that I did all by my lonesome. Sometimes I can make things like this work, and sometimes it's a bomb. This one works, needs a little adjustment, but it definitely is not a bomb.

The pic is a section of a photo taken by Mizumi Graham at Avebury about 5 years ago. I sepia toned the image in Photoshop and added the text on the left hand side.

Let me know if you think it cool or bogus.

I am reading "Portrait of an Angry Decision Maker." You should too.

I have been this on occasion, but more often have dealt with people who are the angry decision maker. This insightful study by Jennifer S. Lerner and Larissa Z. Tiedens should make you think about the way you make decisions, and about how you perceive those who make angry decisions. For now that is all I will say, because I want you to read it for yourself. The paper is a free pdf download. So that should make you happy.Here

It sure is a good thing pastors and Christian leaders are never angry decision makers. Oh - whoops, I guess we all fall prey to that weakness, don't we?

May we grow beyond it. Amen.

Atheists getting indecent over blasphemy law in Ireland

Yesterday the new Irish blasphemy law went into effect. The Irish Atheist responded immediately with blasphemy on their website - 25 "blasphemous quotes" from people as diverse as Jesus Christ Himself, and George Carlin. Among the 25 quotes are a series of obscene comments about God, and the person of Jesus. (tto read the full article go here)