Volume 1

“The history of meaning is not in books or encyclopedias. It does not reside on the walls of caves walls in hieroglyphics or the scrolls hidden in the clefts of the earth or in statues of men who once lived. The history of meaning begins at the beginning, with God. Meaning is purpose, in disguise. Purpose is meaning in solitude.” - R. Henry

Meaning, according to its etymology, comes from “meninge, “sense, that which is intended to be expressed,” also “act of remembering”… The sense of “significance, import.” Mean, etymologically and across cultures, points to enjoyment, opinion, thought, and intent - the Old Saxon word menian being defined as “to intend, signify, make known”. (Source Etymonline)

As we see, the word “meaning” signifies intentional reflection and expression of what is important, but one cannot express or remember what is not revealed. To see is to understood; and understanding comes from vision with perspective.

This truth calls to mind The Word of God and The Name of God found in Genesis, the 22nd chapter of the King James Version of God’s written Word. Here, we see the story of Abraham’s sacrifice. Abraham is instructed by God to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, whom he loved, who God gave him as a promise in his old age. We see Abraham does not fight the commandment of God but walks swiftly forward in obedience, first, and faith.

Traces of his trust in God are left along the path that leads to the mountain of sacrifice. In the 7th verse of the 22nd chapter, he tells the men who accompanied them, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” In the 8th verse, when Isaac asks where the lamb is, Abraham says, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:” and they continue on the journey.

In the 9th through the 12th verse, we see the angel of the Lord speak out of heaven and stop Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, his only son. The Angel says, in the 12th verse (KJV), “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do, thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” In 13, Abraham sees a ram in the thicket and used it for the burnt offering. In 14, Abraham calls “the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.” The angel saw Abraham obey in faith. Abraham understood God to be The Provider.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 KJV)

Just like one looks through a lorgnette, my faith is the lens through which I see. God’s wisdom gives me understanding, which is honed through experience, taste, and curiosity. Life is the path I walk, and every day that I have been provided life by God, I strive to pursue and craft enjoyment, more knowledge and meaning in the moments I am given. As I strive to obey and trust God in faith, as Abraham did, my understanding will increase. And as it does, such as I have, I freely intend to express to you.

The best movies are those that make you ponder where life has you, who you are, and what you will become. This is The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, a beautiful and challenging telling of the complexities that life brings. One after another, whether “good” or “bad,” we are all met with circumstances, most outside of our control. But it is the choices we make in those moments that define our outcomes…

… If only people appreciated, as I do, lamb more than beef. Lamb is an undervalued delicacy. When people want a fancy dinner or a hearty meal, they go to steak. I much prefer lamb to steak any day, and I have always felt that was a rarity among people. The data proves it in the Americas, and much to my surprise, even the rest of the world.

Taste is refinement matured by standards and experiences. We seek the allure or avoid the repulse of good and bad tastes daily. In food, we base enjoyment on experience centered on what is on the plate, the emotions we feel, and the environment that holds them. The quality of all of the above, is what matters. Will standards be met in each instance? Well, we shall see, it is only a matter of taste…

If I walked up to you in a coffee shop and asked for the time, would you give it to me? If I said, "I love your purse" or your jacket or your outfit, would you tell me thank you. If you would, what is the difference between doing the same online and doing it in person? What makes the number of followers or voices that support you a pedestal to sit or stand on? Have you lost your humanity because people like what you have to say, the pictures you take, the videos you make, and the stories you tell? Why have we lost the art of conversation, appreciation, of exchange? Besides all the creeps on the airwaves.