Pain And Suffering Are Not the Same

If you broke your arm, you’d be in pain. After receiving medical attention (pain relievers, cast, maybe a sling), you’d be in much less pain, but suffering might come next.

You’d suffer because the cast will get in the way of many things you take for granted. Your arm will itch, and satisfaction will be difficult to find. People will constantly be asking what happened. Sleeping positions become awkward and will require accommodation for this newly wrapped appendage. 

In this scenario, pain comes first, then suffering begins. All this comes to an end when the cast is removed. Pain and the inconvenience and challenges of suffering expire with the reinstatement of what we call normal.

The Squishy Stuff

If you have yet to see Season 1, Episode 15 of the new Matlock television series, maybe save this article for a later time. This is a lot of words to say, “Warning. Spoiler Alert!”

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Attorney Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates) is working undercover to find out which of the law firm’s partners destroyed evidence in a litigated opioid trial against a drug manufacturer. Matty believes that (1) the acquittal in this case resulted from the destruction of this evidence and (2) the acquittal was the reason that her daughter overdosed on this medication. 

A secret whistleblower is in the shadows. 

Created in His Image

A common thread in the work of Sandals and a Stick is the gathering of opinions from various sources. It is true, that although some secular trails severely divert from the spiritual paths, many times they follow a similar route with a difference that is mainly focus driven.

The titles of these two short articles that graced my inbox this week seem to lack any similarity, yet they were not divergent.

When This Happens, I Stop Everything

I was thinking yesterday that I have nothing to write this week.  I confess to being a bit depleted.  The pandemic has isolated me as well as most of you.  The goal of these offerings is shortchanged for lack of environment. How can one ‘EXPLORE what it means to live in Christ’ when the only thing noticeable is the matted pathways of the worn-down living room carpet?  (Ok - I could probably make something out of that.  Another day, perhaps.)

Even though we are beginning to circulate more, it’s clearly not the same.  Public expeditions are stiff and uncomfortable.  We back-off rather than embrace. Hesitation conquers advancement.  Yesterday’s full-steam-ahead is vanquished as we now tread lightly. 

But, as often happens, something happens!  

And Then Comes the Turn

SoulPancake - "We make stuff that matters."

You've might have heard of this company.  The videos published are, more often than not, extremely creative.  Some are hysterical and some are quite deep.  Some - well, nobody manages to make a splash every time!

But on a number of occasions, they make you stop in your tracks and think. These thought provoking videos delve into cultural questions, psychological experiments and even discussions of death.

This particular 2014 SoulPancake video is based on a movement to encourage government sponsored preschool.  Of course, like absolutely everything in our culture today, voices are loud and angry on both sides of the issue.

I'm not advocating any political position.  This is a personal blog about living in Christ and as such, no political opinions are offered. I'm including it here because this one cut deep for some reason.

The kids are all excited.  They're smiling and bubbly and are more than happy to discuss their favorite activities.  And then comes the turn. It shows up at one minute ten seconds into this 2 minute video called, The View From 3 Feet Up.