I'm Back

Finally back in Louisiana and looking forward to getting back into the classroom. I do not know if I missed being a teacher or student more. I guess it really does not matter because I am back for both.

More later

The best bet

I was thinking about my post and remembered Pascal’s wager.

God exists (G) God does not exist (~G)
Living as if God exists (B) Heaven None

Living as if God does not exist (~B) Not specified perhaps None
Limbo/purgatory/spiritual
death or hell

Ok so it is the best bet to believe in God, but the dilemma of which God still exists. Unfortunately Pascal did not have a matrix to narrow down the field of deities. I think I will stay with my original thought, I believe in a supreme being

What happens next??????

I guess it’s my age or maybe I am just getting more curious who knows, I have started thinking about my own mortality lately. I don’t know if it was all the tests the doctor sent me for, watching Randy Pausch http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/beyond/2008/summer/an-enduring-legacy.shtml give his last lecture, or possibly the passing of my Uncle. Dr. Pausch really effected me, he and I are the same age. Thinking about as Dr. Pausch put it “My family will be falling off a cliff and I won’t be there for them” Because of his diagnosis he was able to make some nets (arrangements) for his family. I have not planned as I should have I guess I kept telling myself, “that happens to them not me.”

What does happen when the lights finally go out? Is there a heaven or a hell? Was my Buddhist friend right when she said “If there is a heaven wouldn’t it be getting pretty full by now?” Are the Christians right Jesus is the only way to heaven? If so; why are the people who have never heard of Jesus (through no fault of their own) condemned to an eternity of damnation? Isn’t the Christian God all loving, forgiving, and all knowing? If he is all knowing; he knows who will and will not hear his word, does he just write off a certain percentage of the population?

I was raised as a southern Baptist, a member of a Mormon Boy Scout Troop, and studied both Native American religions traditions and Eastern religions and so far none of them have the answers I am looking for. I do believe in a supreme being, my favorite book is “Illusions: The adventures of a reluctant messiah” by Richard Bach. A friend once said “I believe in God I just get confused by all his fan clubs.” I guess that is a good way to put it, his fan clubs all the different religions competing for the number one spot.

So for now I will focus on building nets incase I depart before my wife, I want to make sure she has nothing to worry about. My children are off to a good start on their own and I want to have a few nets just to help them along if they need it. I will also concentrate on getting my PhD and hopefully become one the professors I respect for their authenticity and caring.

I would like to be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather, a good brother and son, a soldier and NCO who was there for his troops, a teacher who cared, and a friend who was true. Only time will tell about how I am remembered and by whom. I will strive to meet my goals, but will never really know if I did or not.

First Blog

I don't know where this will take me , but as Frost wrote:

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Granted this road may not be the least traveled in a technological society, but it is a new path for me to follow, and only time will tell how this endeavor will end.

All I know is this will be a place for my thoughts can be expressed. I don't know who will see it or if it will ever matter to anyone but me, but I think it will be good for me to have a place to contemplate and express my version of reality.