I guess it sort of makes more sense to me now.  In my youth there were a few shows on tv that I often watched.  One was “I dream of Jeannie.”
Today is dictionary day and my finger fell on the word “jinnee.” The definition was “(muslim myth) spirit lower than angels able to appear in human and animal forms and having supernatural power over men.”
There are two words very similar that have slightly different meanings.  “Genie” refers to “a spirit of Arabian folklore, frequently depicted as being imprisoned within a bottle or oil lamp and as being capable of granting wishes when summoned.” And jinn which means “(in Arabian and Muslim mythology) an intelligent spirit of lower rank than the angels, able to appear in human and animal forms and to possess humans.”  Jinn is the singular form of jinnee.
It appears to me Wikipedia had the most balanced and informative view.  It showed the jinn were a pre-Islamic concept.  Although abided by the religion Wikipedia says, “These folkloric beliefs and practices, although especially common throughout the Muslim world in the past, have been met with increasing disapproval due to their association with idolatry.”
The reason I mention “I dream of Jeannie” was I can now see where the concept for her came from.  She nearly always appeared in middle eastern get up and exercised her powers by wiggling her nose or folding her arms and stretching them out and then using her head in a fast nod.  To me it seems even the spelling of her name is a combination of the two.
As is so often the case it was seen as “harmless fun” and on one level it was.  Yet to me it was one of many things that made their way into movies and onto tv, that eroded beliefs that made the world a better and safer place than it is today.

I have been flabbergasted by the last couple of books I have been reading.  Normally I like to have a highlighter with me and highlight things that stand out.  I really have refrained for the most part from doing that with these books because as far as I was concerned just about every sentence was amazing and worth highlighting.  I would have had a couple of books almost completely highlighted.
The latest book I am reading is not like that, but as far as I am concerned every now and then it has a sentence I find challenging and potent.  It is called “Change and Growth.”  Concerning change it said something like “sometimes for change to occur, the pain of not changing has to be greater than the pain of changing.”
Like most I imagine, I have seen evidence of this firsthand a number of times.  What immediately comes to mind is someone close to me changing in an instant.  It really never occurred to me that change would happen.  I think they had news from their doctor.  For almost a lifetime they acted one way, and the day after they acted another.
The example from the book was someone who lived on an unhealthy diet.  They were told that unless they changed, they were headed for disaster.  In this instance the pain of an unhealthy diet and lifestyle had to be weighed against the pain of getting off the couch, getting some exercise, and eating differently.
Painful for sure but put against the pain of “the end’ it was seen to be less painful and so worth doing.
Why this has meant so much to me is that I live with a lifetime of mediocre results.  Others may think that I achieve heaps, and I may by some standards, but my standards are not set by the expectation of my contemporaries.  The accolades of others are gratefully received, but there are other accolades I am looking for too.
The point is I want to achieve.  Is the pain of the familiar more than the pain of the unknown?  I reckon a tipping point is at hand.

Well the days have been a little quieter by choice.  I am really starting to wonder if what I experience is just a getting older thing or a stroke thing or a combination of both.  It does not help that I have realized my lack of zest was due in part to not being well.
So yesterday was a quiet day.  It is how I normally like Tuesdays anyway.  I spend time preparing for our Tuesday night get together and doing any other thing that takes my fancy on the day.
The get togethers of a Tuesday night have been really good.  Not long ago we got too big so split into two.  The way things are going it won’t be long until we need to split again.  One person said to me last night how much they love the get togethers.
I really love that.  The focus is very much on the needs of individuals.  I do not want people coming to the get together and thinking “that was a waste of time as I went there needing something and left still needing that same something.”  Of course the supply of the need has to be within our power.
So while our “to do” items have remained the same, the focus recently has been very much on the cares of the individual.
The other thing I am trying to achieve with these get togethers is to give everyone a go.  The whole purpose of the night is encouraging to share.  It is not about whether I feel someone is right or wrong but giving everyone the time to share what they think.  The thought is that when everyone shares often something is said that most feel is correct. It also gives those that do not agree the opportunity to go away and consider it.  I personally do not want anyone to stay away because they feel put down.
The last thing I have introduced lately is a “show and tell” night.  This gives everyone the opportunity to share their interests and hobbies outside of church.  A few weeks ago we had someone bring a display of butterflies as they worked at one point for the CSIRO.
No doubt some things need to be changed to be better, but my thinking is it is easier to change direction than to get started.