Random Thoughts

This will be a bit unusual in that, just like the title states, this post will consist of random thoughts.  In thinking about writing down the ruminations swirling through my head of late, I was reminded of a term from a psych class I took as a college freshman – flight of ideas.  I’ve been convinced for some time now that everyone is afflicted with some amount of mental illness, though it’s A Question of Degree.[1]  I don’t mean to come off as flippant about mental illness, though this is only a tad tongue in cheek.  In part, given the constant war between flesh and spirit (Rom 7:21-25; Gal 5:17), I can sometimes identify with these lines in David Bowie’s song “All the Madmen,” written from the perspective of a ‘sane’ person visiting an insane asylum (said to be inspired by Bowie’s half-brother Terry Burns, who was committed):

‘Cause I’d rather stay here with all the madmen
Than perish with the sad men roaming free
And I’d rather play here with all the madmen
For I’m quite content they’re all as sane as me

I don’t believe I can adequately express my extreme disappointment in the lack of response to the request for help in my last post.  There were a grand total of four individuals who responded, one of whom I know has given in the past (I originally found out about this need from this individual).  To those who did give, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks – not that you need either my thanks or my approval.

In an article titled Are There Any Christians Left?, dated August 10, 2015, Dr. Dennis Cuddy expressed his own dismay at the lack of assistance he received:

Not long ago at the beginning of one of my NewsWithViews columns, I mentioned a desperate need my mother had and still has. Outside of those who already knew us, there were only 2 responses.

I’d not seen Cuddy’s post before I published my own; but, I find it interesting that each of us referenced Matthew 25. I chose to use it in a positive manner; in Cuddy’s apparent frustration, he used it negatively.

I’ve noticed that decorations for Halloween, and events in general supporting All Hallows’ Eve, are coming out earlier and earlier and getting more and more evil-looking.  And they seem to be increasing in size (in terms of overall display), coming close to rivalling Christmas decorations.  Sign of the times, I suppose.

[1] The song at the hyperlink (click on “SHOW MORE” under the short bit of info under the video to see lyrics), by the band Wire, was initially released as a single in 1978, then re-released, appended to the CD version of the long-player titled Chairs Missing, the title of which is British slang for someone with some sort of mild mental disorder. In the US we might say ‘a few bricks shy of a full load’ or some similar such expression. Interestingly, the next song in the queue on YouTube – at least on my computer – is a similarly-themed track (though lyric content is somewhat ambiguous) by the same band (titled “40 Versions”, the last track on their ’79 release 154). Check out lyrics here (scroll to bottom): http://www.pinkflag.com/read/discography/154.php.