Jonathots Daily Blog
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That Should Make You Laugh
1. A dog chasing its tail
2. People who are way too serious
3. Your own mistakes
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Jesonian … November 25th, 2017
Jonathots Daily Blog
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Aggressive apathy.
Seems like a contradiction–maybe even what they refer to as an oxymoron. How can apathy be aggressive, when by definition it avoids commitment, conflict or even connection?
But when apathy becomes the path to avoid deeper commitment, it will need to be defended whenever circumstances warrant greater involvement.
Jesus fell victim to aggressive apathy on two nasty occasions–when people chose to disregard and disavow the power of his calling.
Please keep in mind that miracles were a part of Jesus’ ministry. It wasn’t all Biblical text and parables. Yet even though there were certainly signs and wonders that followed him, apathy was still in the works.
The first instance was in Nazareth, when he had the audacity to announce the extent of his calling, the purpose of his message and the power of what was about to ensue to his hometown folks.
What did aggressive apathy do? Personal attacks.
- “Who does he think he is?”
- “He’s just the Carpenter’s son.”
- “He doesn’t even have education.
- “Why should we listen to him?”
When apathy becomes a communal mindset, it will feel the need to defend itself–sometimes violently. For if you remember the rest of the story, they push Jesus to the edge of a cliff, ready to throw him off and kill him–simply because he suggested that present circumstances were going to be changed.
In a second incident at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus asked a crippled man if he wanted to be healed. The fellow launched into a litany of excuses and complaints about why it was just not plausible. Jesus heals him anyway–and the man ends up turning on Jesus, and rats him out to the Pharisees, who were angry about a healing on the Sabbath.
In both cases, Jesus found himself in danger.
Once apathy has become the charter of a community or a segment of people, they will aggressively use whatever is necessary to maintain their autonomy of blandness.
Jesus said we should learn from his life–and that also includes his mistakes.
As Christians, believers and even artists, we need to understand that once we offer our gifts and our message, if they are met with lukewarm response, to further labor in the malaise of nothingness is to risk triggering aggressive apathy, leaving us ridiculed, if not wounded.
Later on in Jesus’ ministry, he learns from these mistakes.
When the Samaritan village doesn’t want to let him in to minister, he just goes to another town. And when the five thousand depart because he offered a perspective they found distasteful, he doesn’t do anything to chase them down.
Apathy by its nature is not violent. But it is alive–and any living thing will fight back if you try to kill it.
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G-Poppers … August 4th, 2017
Jonathots Daily Blog
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During a recent appearance on a talk show, the host asked G-Pop, “If you had one minute of air time to speak to the whole world, what would you say?”
G-Pop took a deep breath and replied:
“Take responsibility for your life. There is no shame in making mistakes. There is great disgrace in lying.
Repent to live. Then you are free to be trusted.
Be a giver, not a receiver. Some receiving is necessary to have something to give. Don’t get used to it. Share what comes your way.
Feel strong because you breathe.
Feel wealthy because you eat.
Don’t judge anyone at any time. Stop listening to gossip.
Find a place to create–then create.
Don’t answer a question that wasn’t asked.
Never give an opinion, even when it’s requested.
Your life is your voice.
In other words, love your neighbor as yourself.”The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity
G-Poppers … October 21st, 2016
Jonathots Daily Blog
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G-Pop’s thought for the day:
Stop explaining.
Don’t do it yourself and certainly quit demanding it of others.
Explaining leads to lying, lying ends up in mistrust and mistrust is the seed that sprouts hate.
It is very important to understand human beings:
- Human beings make mistakes.
- Human beings are selfish.
- Human beings insist they don’t make mistakes and are not selfish.
So if you ask one of your fellow-travelers about a mistake that was made or a piece of selfishness you encountered, they will definitely explain how you misunderstand.
The best way to live this Earthly life is to answer yes and no.
“Who ate the last doughnut?”
I did.
Truthfully, most people won’t leave it at that. They will ask why or sometimes even how it happened. If you give in to the temptation to produce a storyline about your clumsiness or lack of attention, you will probably find yourself, like Brother Adam and Sister Eve, making really lame excuses and eventually pointing fingers at each other.
Because of that profile, Adam and Eve went from being prosperous gardeners to “Paradise Lost.”
The more explaining you do, the more you try to convince yourself that you’re a victim of unusual circumstances.
No one buys it, no one believes it and everyone is quietly thinking to themselves, “Please shut the hell up.”
One of the greatest ways to contribute to the peace and harmony of Earth is to stop explaining and certainly refuse to make others go through the agony of the process.
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PoHymn: A Rustling in the Stagnant … November 25th, 2015
Jonathots Daily Blog
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Little People
Little people, not quite human
Need some time for gentle groomin’
Before they’re ready to take their place
And understand our noble race.
Mistakes aplenty they will need
Sow and reap their furtive seed
Room to grow, things to know
Moments to vent, ways to repent
For the breath of Father is in their flow
Some they sense, so much to blow
Hold them close so they can feel
The power to share is our appeal
Then when it’s time to let them go
Just step away–it’s now their show
The baby is born, the child arrives
The youngster is torn, the teenager drives
Then one day, they bring another
A little sister or a brother
It’s time to walk another soul
To a place where they can reach their goal.
Dedicated to my 16 sons, daughters and grandchildren, with one more due in 2016.
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Three Ways to Make a Friend Last…April 23, 2015
Jonathots Daily Blog
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Merely relying on affection to maintain a relationship will exhaust the closeness.
It takes more than that.
For after all, human passion ebbs and flows. If you want to make sure the person you care deeply for is around for a long time, you need to instill values that incite longevity.
- Remember what your friend says and likes.
The quickest way to terminate a relationship is to stop listening to the preferences of your acquaintance. People make it clear what they like. People make it clear that they want to be heard. If you’re aware of what people enjoy because you listen to what they say instead of assuming that you know better, you greatly increase the potential of maintaining good fellowship.
- Remember to listen for a question before offering your opinion.
Sometimes people want to vent, not hear your sermon. A sounding board does not require a microphone. In other words, often in a friendship you are a pair of ears which purposely has closed up your mouth.
Only when people ask a question and inquire of your insight should you offer an opinion.
This is why our children can never be our friends. We must instruct them even when they don’t want to hear what we have to say. But our friends are not our children. We must grant them the respect of asking instead of being told.
3. Remember to forget.
One of the more beautiful parts of repentance is the ointment of forgetfulness that is served up to complete the healing. No one ever truly heals until they press ahead to new projects which take them further and further away from the pain.
A friend should always let you–or even help you–create distance from your latest stupidity.
Anyone who constantly reminds you of your failures or warns you to be careful all the time is taking you out of the best aspects of your game and sidelining you as second string.
But until we remember what our friend likes, to only offer an opinion when asked, and to forget the mistakes that have crossed the path, we will lurk as an adversary instead of an advocates.
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Three Ways to Make a Difference … September 4, 2014
Jonathots Daily Blog
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Making a difference often requires that you differ from the contemporary rhetoric that passes itself off as conventional wisdom.
This takes cleverness, humor and spunk.
It takes one eye on history, another eye on yourself and if you have a third one, an eye for cracks in the door, to shine in some light.
Can I offer three concepts that might aid you in your task of making that difference?
1. Avoid big ideas.
If the mantra of our generation is “think big,” have the insight to know the error of that way.
For after all, the world is not becoming a better place because large ideas are being chased down. Truthfully, avoid anything that touts itself as “big” and instead, pursue small adventures with lovely borders, time limits and the immediate satisfaction that comes with achievement.
2. Welcome mistakes–they are your best friend.
Mistakes help you avoid two nasty deterrents to accomplishment: (a) being locked into a dead-end project, and (b) making excuses for why you’re still pursuing it.
Mistakes happen because there is a flaw in the original floor plan. Make quick changes, laugh about it and never hide your errors. Then when you have righted the course, you will receive double praise: honor for being cool-headed in the midst of difficulty, and also great regard from others for making an evolution toward excellence.
3. Know when things are done.
Don’t beat a dead horse. It’s cruel, if not stupid. Sometimes things have a season and then they’re over.
It’s important to acknowledge when the work that you have pursued has come to completion. Put out a press release, stick a fork in it and move on.
You can make a difference, but it will require that you have the gumption and passion … to differ.
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