Driving to work this morning, I was listening to a book on tape about the battle of Waterloo. The narrator used the word "host" to describe one of the armies, and that got me thinking about the different meanings of that word. The three I came up with in the car were:
1. Army or group
2. Consecrated bread, in the Eucharist
3. A person who heads up a party or has guests over
Curious as to why one word had such wildly differing meanings, I looked it up on www.dictionary.com.
Evidently, all three different meanings come from different Latin roots.
1. hostis, enemy
2. hostia, sacrifice
3. hospes, guest
So there's your random word fact for the day.
--DJ
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
What's in a Name? IV
Your friendly neighborhood name fanatic is back with another list of Real Actual Names for your enjoyment. This list is courtesy of babycenter.com. Amy, Rose, and QOC, I expect you to give these names due consideration:
Herbs and spices: Curry, Nutmeg, Sorel
Ethnic food: Tahini, Farfalla, Sushi
Drinks: Chianti, Chardonnay, Hennessey
Military: Commander, Jeneral, Appomattox
Repeat after me: YouYou, LooLoo, ChiChi
Brands: Ikea, Disney, Infiniti
Kreativ classics: Kathwren, Aeryk, Maksymilian
Long: Breighanna, Kwynncey, Ayreeanna
Star power: Charysma, Mysteek, Zenith
Peaceful: Zurrenity, Phaith, Ohm
Rambunctious: Reynger, Wrangler, Blazer
Celebrities: Brandeau, Madawna, Bryttanni
Royalty: Umajesty, Quena, Royale
Musical: Tymphani, Symphaney, Lyrick
-- SJ (with most of the work done by babycenter.com)
P.S. Currently my page isn't letting me post comments. So to answer QOC's question on the post below, the two Hyman Kaplan books were written by (if I remember correctly) Leo Rosten or Leonard Q. Ross (same person).
Herbs and spices: Curry, Nutmeg, Sorel
Ethnic food: Tahini, Farfalla, Sushi
Drinks: Chianti, Chardonnay, Hennessey
Military: Commander, Jeneral, Appomattox
Repeat after me: YouYou, LooLoo, ChiChi
Brands: Ikea, Disney, Infiniti
Kreativ classics: Kathwren, Aeryk, Maksymilian
Long: Breighanna, Kwynncey, Ayreeanna
Star power: Charysma, Mysteek, Zenith
Peaceful: Zurrenity, Phaith, Ohm
Rambunctious: Reynger, Wrangler, Blazer
Celebrities: Brandeau, Madawna, Bryttanni
Royalty: Umajesty, Quena, Royale
Musical: Tymphani, Symphaney, Lyrick
-- SJ (with most of the work done by babycenter.com)
P.S. Currently my page isn't letting me post comments. So to answer QOC's question on the post below, the two Hyman Kaplan books were written by (if I remember correctly) Leo Rosten or Leonard Q. Ross (same person).
Lenten Reading
As well as giving up blogging, I decided to spend time reading more
spiritual books for Lent this year. As Rachelle mentioned, Lent isn't supposed to be about just giving something up; it's also pursuing virtue.
So I started by getting "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster and "Rise, Let Us Be Going" by Pope John Paul II. I really like Foster's writing, and I got a lot of benefit from his book, although I didn't finish it. The Pope's book was, as usual, profound, but since it was written to fellow bishops, a lot of it didn't apply to me. I'm satisfied with being a deacon, thanks; I have discerned no call to the higher Holy Orders. I'll leave that to people with a more pastoral gift, like my Dad and my brother (both of whom are pastors and both of whom I'm immensely proud of!)
The next book I got was N.T. Wright's "What Did St. Paul Really Say?"
Again, I'm not quite finished with this one yet, but so far it's 5 stars. I have been studying Romans in my New Testament Theology class at Holy Trinity Seminary, and I've been confused as anything. The study questions from the professor were more confusing than helpful, and I was feeling completely lost when a friend tagged me on IM out of the blue and recommended this book. (Thanks, Isaac; you were a definite agent of the Holy Spirit, whether you knew it or not!) Looking at Romans from Wright's perspective has helped. A lot more focus on covenant, a lot more focus on the immediate problem in Rome that Paul was addressing (Jews and Gentiles not getting along), and looking at Romans as a letter explaining what God's covenant people look like rather than a theological treatise on how individuals "get saved." Good stuff that I'm still chewing on.
I was down at Christendom College raiding its library for my paper on
Hebrews, and I picked a book off the shelf at random because I thought the title looked interesting. "The Body Broken: Answering God's Call to Love One Another" by Robert Benson is a book about the heart of ecumenism: a desire to see Jesus' prayer for the unity of His Body answered. The chapter on the Nicene Creed as a uniting force was excellent, and the chapter called "Table Manners" on the Eucharist made me cry, mostly because Benson and I both feel the same pain when we attend a Roman Catholic Mass or Orthodox Divine Liturgy and are not allowed to partake. All in all, a wonderful book. (Note: if you get it to read, skip the chapter on why homosexual behavior isn't a sin. It's an annoying fly in the ointment.)
For listening to in the car, I chose a book by Kathleen Norris, a
phenomenally good writer who grew up as a nominal Christian, lived her young adult life as an atheist, and has now come back to Christ. "Amazing Grace" is a compilation of over 80 short chapters dealing with the "scary words" of Christianity, such as "predestination," "judgment," and "the Word of God." Awesome stuff, and very inspiring to see how God can work even in a church that I consider quite astray (Presbyterian Church-USA).
But the book that was the best reminder to me of Jesus' love and sacrifice was the autobiography of Sting that I read, called Broken Music: A Memoir. His life is so completely messed up because his priorities are so wrong, and yet he was never taught any better. It made me more grateful than I have been for a long time that I had wonderful parents who taught me to know and love Jesus. Thanks Mom and Dad, and thank you God for granting me the grace of a Christian home.
--DJ
spiritual books for Lent this year. As Rachelle mentioned, Lent isn't supposed to be about just giving something up; it's also pursuing virtue.
So I started by getting "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster and "Rise, Let Us Be Going" by Pope John Paul II. I really like Foster's writing, and I got a lot of benefit from his book, although I didn't finish it. The Pope's book was, as usual, profound, but since it was written to fellow bishops, a lot of it didn't apply to me. I'm satisfied with being a deacon, thanks; I have discerned no call to the higher Holy Orders. I'll leave that to people with a more pastoral gift, like my Dad and my brother (both of whom are pastors and both of whom I'm immensely proud of!)
The next book I got was N.T. Wright's "What Did St. Paul Really Say?"
Again, I'm not quite finished with this one yet, but so far it's 5 stars. I have been studying Romans in my New Testament Theology class at Holy Trinity Seminary, and I've been confused as anything. The study questions from the professor were more confusing than helpful, and I was feeling completely lost when a friend tagged me on IM out of the blue and recommended this book. (Thanks, Isaac; you were a definite agent of the Holy Spirit, whether you knew it or not!) Looking at Romans from Wright's perspective has helped. A lot more focus on covenant, a lot more focus on the immediate problem in Rome that Paul was addressing (Jews and Gentiles not getting along), and looking at Romans as a letter explaining what God's covenant people look like rather than a theological treatise on how individuals "get saved." Good stuff that I'm still chewing on.
I was down at Christendom College raiding its library for my paper on
Hebrews, and I picked a book off the shelf at random because I thought the title looked interesting. "The Body Broken: Answering God's Call to Love One Another" by Robert Benson is a book about the heart of ecumenism: a desire to see Jesus' prayer for the unity of His Body answered. The chapter on the Nicene Creed as a uniting force was excellent, and the chapter called "Table Manners" on the Eucharist made me cry, mostly because Benson and I both feel the same pain when we attend a Roman Catholic Mass or Orthodox Divine Liturgy and are not allowed to partake. All in all, a wonderful book. (Note: if you get it to read, skip the chapter on why homosexual behavior isn't a sin. It's an annoying fly in the ointment.)
For listening to in the car, I chose a book by Kathleen Norris, a
phenomenally good writer who grew up as a nominal Christian, lived her young adult life as an atheist, and has now come back to Christ. "Amazing Grace" is a compilation of over 80 short chapters dealing with the "scary words" of Christianity, such as "predestination," "judgment," and "the Word of God." Awesome stuff, and very inspiring to see how God can work even in a church that I consider quite astray (Presbyterian Church-USA).
But the book that was the best reminder to me of Jesus' love and sacrifice was the autobiography of Sting that I read, called Broken Music: A Memoir. His life is so completely messed up because his priorities are so wrong, and yet he was never taught any better. It made me more grateful than I have been for a long time that I had wonderful parents who taught me to know and love Jesus. Thanks Mom and Dad, and thank you God for granting me the grace of a Christian home.
--DJ
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Return of the Bloggers
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
A few years ago we learned that this is the traditional greeting for Easter. I wonder why it's never really caught on in the mainstream?
At long last: we've forged through Lent (which always turns out to be longer than it should be), and emerged through a terrific bustle to Easter evening. In the past forty-eight hours, Darren and I have driven over 100 miles, been received into the Charismatic Episcopal Church, participated our mission church's first local service, and spent the day with two excited, over-tired, and over-chocolated children. We plan to sleep until Tuesday.
It's good to be back in the blogosphere -- I've missed being in regular touch with my "neighbors." All that extra time I was supposed to gain by not blogging... Somehow my life has expanded to fill up the vacuum. I'll update once or twice a week these days.
Ah, nice to be back. As Hyman Kaplan, bursting through the classroom door, announced to his teacher: "Valcome! Valcome!"
-- SJ
(You haven't read Hyman Kaplan?! Stop what you are doing immediately and go get a copy. Go, go. Now.)
He is risen indeed!
A few years ago we learned that this is the traditional greeting for Easter. I wonder why it's never really caught on in the mainstream?
At long last: we've forged through Lent (which always turns out to be longer than it should be), and emerged through a terrific bustle to Easter evening. In the past forty-eight hours, Darren and I have driven over 100 miles, been received into the Charismatic Episcopal Church, participated our mission church's first local service, and spent the day with two excited, over-tired, and over-chocolated children. We plan to sleep until Tuesday.
It's good to be back in the blogosphere -- I've missed being in regular touch with my "neighbors." All that extra time I was supposed to gain by not blogging... Somehow my life has expanded to fill up the vacuum. I'll update once or twice a week these days.
Ah, nice to be back. As Hyman Kaplan, bursting through the classroom door, announced to his teacher: "Valcome! Valcome!"
-- SJ
(You haven't read Hyman Kaplan?! Stop what you are doing immediately and go get a copy. Go, go. Now.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
