Happy New Year!
Designed performance - 2023 January
Every cell in our bodies is wildly more sophisticated than anything else humans have ever made. Biology is insanely complex, but never needlessly complex. Everything you find in biology is there for a very specific reason. Nature is an amazing designer and manufacturer. - Ralph DiMeo
Touring State Edwards Lodge
2022 Nov 24A decade ago I was able to get a private tour of the St. Edwards Seminary building. In the years ever since then, they were worried that the building would fall into such dis-repair (from water damage) that it would have to be condemned. Finally an arrangement was made for it to be turned into a private hotel. They renovated the building and the work has been completed since the end of last year.
Late this afternoon I was back walking at St. Edwards State Park. I had never gone inside the old seminary building since then, so at the end of my walk I checked it out. Outside the lighting is quite elegant, with gas lanterns along the walkway.
Two Cello Pieces
2022 Nov 6Last night was my cello teacher's studio recital and I played two pieces.
A Solo Cello Recital
2018 Nov 24Today I put on a solo cello recital. It was the culmination of many years of interest and effort. I performed well enough that I was happy with the outcome. And so it was very satisfying.
It also over-extended me enough that I delayed writing this entry four years!
I am motivated to play cello as an adult by deep enjoyment in producing rich and exquisite sound. These vibrations of notes, melodies and harmonies dance in the air between you and me. They create a stream of moments that overlap and linger briefly in our mind. Sometimes the music tells stories made out of feelings - dread, surprise, regret, chaos, calm, grief, joy. Sometimes it reaches into us and grabs our soul, and for a moment we can’t even breathe.
How can wiggling air do this?
Why I am Still a Christian
2022 Sep 14I was born into a Christian family. However, today my view on Christianity is not the same as it was when I was a child.
Often a person remains in the religious belief system they grew up in. If they do leave their belief system it may be for reasons that involve experience, rationales or evidence. I however am still a Christian, and it is because of evidence, reason and experience.
Kayak Camping Ross Lake
2022 Jul 1I kayaked-camped at Ross Lake with an interesting group of guys. We had good company and beautiful scenery.
The Ross, Diablo and Gorge lakes are a series of reservoirs that create hydropower for the city of Seattle. Ross is the longest at about 23 miles and at its north end it crosses about a mile into Canada. There is no road access to Ross from the US side. However, you can drive to Diablo and then travel by boat to Ross. We did this by putting in at Colonial Creek Campground.
I write about things on this website. What agenda do I have?
I promote:
- A simple, coherent, practical and orthodox Christian spirituality: see the Good News.
- A family that works toward good relationships, mental health, maturity with fun, and care for others.
- The scientific theory that certain features of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than a natural process: Intelligent Design.
What is Leadership?
2022 Jan 23When I went to Trinity Western University they had a motto about all their students becoming leaders. However, I did not understand this because it was unclear to me what they meant by a leader. And it seemed obvious that not everybody can be the leader; followers are needed too.
The clarification that was needed here matters substantially. Initially in my view, there were limited openings for leaders. If they were speaking of "elite" leaders, then most people have no part in leadership.
However, I have learned that leadership actually is something that everyone can have a part in. The key is to understand how and why.
Good News: Read all about it!
Find out about
- The Simple Good News
- values that you (and others) can choose that strengthen relationships
- that this makes sense of spiritual things that are otherwise confusing
- and please choose this way of living
This is an approach based on what Jesus taught and is pragmatically useful both for those that follow Jesus or for those that just admire him.
I'm Larry Grove, and my wife is Melanie. We have three adult sons and our family has continued to grow.