It has been almost twenty-five years since I was last in Phoenix, AZ. Obviously, a lot has changed in the past quarter-century, both in the city, the world, and for all of us. Heck, quite a lot has changed for me evenover thepast two weeks.
I have been attempting to fathom my response to being here, this highly improbable city in the desert. Other than Las Vegas, it is surely the most artificial place I have ever laid eyes on. The megasystem, it seems, has had free reign to build as it pleases. This is revealing. In Phoenix there is no illusion about the illusion, if one can only learn to have the eyes to see it.
Hopefully, I will have a post up about it in the next week or so.
Authenticity has all but disappeared from American life. An American life where pride is paramount and celebrated as the highest virtue…”look at me!”
While the physical deserts of old have all disappeared in the modern age, perhaps God in His great mercy and love has created new deserts for us. They are our own hearts. Christ is found in these new deserts, and there’s nothing more authentic than remaining in His presence as much as possible.
It's little different in the UK. We are living with the inevitable consequences of a time where the "Cult of Me" and self aggrandizement carry more weight than anything else and where "personal freedom" trumps anyone else's concerns.
I do find it hugely ironic that this "freedom" comes at great serfdom to "the man" (and hence to Mammon), which the majority refuse to see. Until recently I would have ridiculed them for it, now I just feel sympathy for them.
Thank you for your supportive interest, Jack. I'm a bit deflated but my faith is not shaken: The farm was breathtakingly beautiful but while we were there looking our realtor got a call that they had accepted an offer for above asking price. After 3 days on the market.
The three best places we have seen were all available due to the elderly owners dying. The children who inherit don't give a darn for their parent's homestead. So tragic.
May 15, 2023·edited May 15, 2023Liked by Jack Leahy
Tragic in one sense, but surely better it passes into the hands of someone keen to keep it going as a farmstead, I'd have thought, than let it go to ruin.
I pray the next one is "the one", Clara, but whenever it comes it will be God's will.
Your article cued up this search term for me “Babylon Ishtar Gate” and I summoned up an image of a reconstruction of Babylon featuring the Ishtar Gate in the foreground with Babylon in the background, an ancient Phoenix, Arizona in the desert. This stuff has been going on for a long time.
I will look into that. I find it interesting that we never want to give up on this illusion. In that sense I am glad I am here to meditate on it for a time.
Authenticity has all but disappeared from American life. An American life where pride is paramount and celebrated as the highest virtue…”look at me!”
While the physical deserts of old have all disappeared in the modern age, perhaps God in His great mercy and love has created new deserts for us. They are our own hearts. Christ is found in these new deserts, and there’s nothing more authentic than remaining in His presence as much as possible.
It's little different in the UK. We are living with the inevitable consequences of a time where the "Cult of Me" and self aggrandizement carry more weight than anything else and where "personal freedom" trumps anyone else's concerns.
I do find it hugely ironic that this "freedom" comes at great serfdom to "the man" (and hence to Mammon), which the majority refuse to see. Until recently I would have ridiculed them for it, now I just feel sympathy for them.
There's none so blind, etc...
I'm off to look at a beautiful historic farmhouse in Maine. Stone walls, a little stream running through. The exact opposite! I pray it's "the one".
Clara
I pray that it is as well. Let us know how it goes!
Thank you for your supportive interest, Jack. I'm a bit deflated but my faith is not shaken: The farm was breathtakingly beautiful but while we were there looking our realtor got a call that they had accepted an offer for above asking price. After 3 days on the market.
We're not the only ones trying to do this!!
I hear that the Italian countryside is emptying out and you can't get castles on the cheap. Maybe we all need to learn Italian...
I am sorry this one didn't work out. Hopefully soon.
I imagine there probably are a lot of people trying to "get out". I wonder where the people selling are going?
The three best places we have seen were all available due to the elderly owners dying. The children who inherit don't give a darn for their parent's homestead. So tragic.
Tragic, but unfortunately not surprising. Here's to the beginning of many generations of McClardy Farms. May it begin soon!
Tragic in one sense, but surely better it passes into the hands of someone keen to keep it going as a farmstead, I'd have thought, than let it go to ruin.
I pray the next one is "the one", Clara, but whenever it comes it will be God's will.
Amen.
Your article cued up this search term for me “Babylon Ishtar Gate” and I summoned up an image of a reconstruction of Babylon featuring the Ishtar Gate in the foreground with Babylon in the background, an ancient Phoenix, Arizona in the desert. This stuff has been going on for a long time.
I will look into that. I find it interesting that we never want to give up on this illusion. In that sense I am glad I am here to meditate on it for a time.
Here it is - https://www.dkfindout.com/us/history/mesopotamia/babylon/