Penultimatology
The study of next-to-last things—and the beginning of a home for ideas, biography, software, essays, and work worth sharing.
The blog
Notes, observations,
and work in progress.
A record of new ideas and additions as Penultimatology grows from a single word into a working library.
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Last Things
Last Things Commentary on Revelation 1:1 The key to unlock the meaning of Revelation is found in its first verse. Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he…
A Crisp, Cool Autumn Night
It was a crisp, cool autumn night, the last day in October. She hurried down the moonlit trail, unconcerned about the events of late. Ben had asked her to meet him in the park where they could be alone. Oh, Ben! The very thought of Ben sent shivers down her…
First Sunday After Pentecost – The Sunday of All Saints
The Epistle for the Sunday of All Saints is Hebrews 11:33-12:2 (WEB): 33who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,* 34quenched the power of fire,* escaped the edge of the sword,* from…
Pentecost
The Gospel for Pentecost is John 7:37-52, 8:12: (Jn 7:37-52) 37Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 38He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him…
Seventh Sunday of Pascha – Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
The Epistle for the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council is Acts 20:16-18, 28-36: 16For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in…
Sixth Sunday of Pascha – Sunday of the Blind Man
The Epistle for the Sunday of the Blind Man is Acts 16:16-34: 16It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. 17Following Paul and us, she cried out,…
Flowers for Mother's Day
Tear after tear streamed down her face; she probably wouldn’t make it in time. It was late, almost dark, and the rain had started falling faster. She was tired, had hardly slept in days, but she didn’t care and started pedaling even harder than she already…
Fifth Sunday of Pascha -- The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Epistle for the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman is Acts 11:19-26, 29-30: 19They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews…
High School Football and Christian Living
Note: This is a slightly revised version of an article I wrote for my Sunday School newsletter in the fall of 2005. I am a member of a different church now (St. Innocent Orthodox Church), but the principals remain the same. As I write this [in the fall of…
Fourth Sunday of Pascha – Sunday of the Paralytic
The Epistle for the Sunday of the Paralytic is Acts 9:32-42: 32It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years,…
Third Sunday of Pascha -- The Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women
The Epistle for the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women is Acts 6:1-7: 1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.…
Second Sunday of Pascha – Thomas Sunday
The Epistle for Thomas Sunday is Acts 5:12-20: 12By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. 14More…
Synopsis of My Daughter, Alyssa Davis's, First Novel
Lacey and her younger sister, Emma, have had a rough few weeks. When they find themselves thrust into a world filled with magic, Lacey feels like things couldn't possibly get any weirder. But when an odd mutation is added to the mix, she realizes that…
Palm Sunday
The Epistle for Palm Sunday is Philippians 4:4-9. 4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let…
Fifth Sunday of Lent
The Epistle for the Fifth Sunday of Lent is Hebrews 9:11-14. However, the first part of Hebrews 9 provides a good summary description of the tabernacle, which in turn provided the pattern for the two temples; we can better understand the Epistle if we start…
2015 Orthodox Sunday Epistles
Date Sunday Scripture Feb 1, 2015 Publican and Pharisee 2 Timothy 3:10-1 Feb 8, 2015 Prodigal Son 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Feb 15, 2015 Last Judgment 1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2 Feb 22, 2015 Forgiveness Sunday Romans 13:11-14:4 Mar 1, 2015 First Sunday of Lent –…
Fourth Sunday of Lent
The Epistle for the Fourth Sunday of Lent is Hebrews 6:13-20 (WEB): Hebrews 6: 13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself, 14saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply…
Third Sunday of Lent – Adoration of the Holy Cross
The Epistle for the Third Sunday of Lent is Hebrews 4:14-5:6 (WEB): Hebrews 4: 14Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 15For we don't have a high priest who can't be…
Second Sunday of Lent
The Epistle for the Second Sunday of Lent is Hebrews 1:10-2:3 (WEB): Hebrews 1: 10And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands. 11They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like…
Dumb and Dumber
Earlier in the week, I read that the movie "Dumb and Dumber" would be removed from Netflix today. I had never seen the movie, an iconic comedy, so I decided to watch it. I am glad I have seen it now, but I have no desire to see it again. It was okay, with a…
The Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Epistle for the Sunday of Orthodoxy is Hebrews 11:24-28, 32-12:2 (WEB): 24By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to share ill treatment with God's people, than to enjoy the pleasures…
Shooting from the Hip
"Shooting from the hip" can mean, literally, shooting a handgun from near the hip, presumably after it is drawn from a holster, without taking time to properly grasp the handgun with both hands and aim it at the target. While it is quicker than the proper…
Forgiveness Sunday
The Epistle for Forgiveness Sunday is Romans 13:11-14:4 (WEB): 11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. 12The night is far gone, and the day is near.…
Sunday of the Last Judgment
The Epistle for the Sunday of the Last Judgment is 1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2 (WEB): 8But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don't eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. 9But be careful that by no means does this liberty of…
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Epistle for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son is 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (WEB): 12"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything. 13"Foods for the belly,…
Comments on Our First Sunday School Class Meeting
Overall, I thought our first Sunday School class meeting went well. We went past Father Theophan's decreed ending time -- 9:50 -- so I will have to do a better job of bringing the class to a close in a timely manner. My choice of the King James Version (KJV)…
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
The Epistle for the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee is 2 Timothy 3:10-15 (KJV): 10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at…
Six Facts That Most People Would Not Know About Me
I was watching a film at the Chrysler exhibit at the 1964 New York World’s Fair when I decided to go to Georgia Tech, become a mechanical engineer, and design cars at Ford (we were a Ford family; Chrysler would never do!). I worked at a grocery store in…
"The Whole World's High School" - My Speech for the Mary Persons Class of '74 Reunion, May 3, 2014
We are all familiar with the William Shakespeare line, “All the world’s a stage.” There is a lot of truth to that metaphor, but tonight, I want to discuss another line from another age. In an episode of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” Molly…
The Great Flood of '94
It’s hard to believe it was 20 years ago when we in Middle Georgia suffered The Great Flood of ’94. For most of us in the area, it was a short term inconvenience — with roads and bridges flooded, it was difficult or impossible to get from here to there for a…
Praying to Smoke???
Since I began attending an Orthodox Church in 2009, I have encountered a number of misunderstandings of Orthodox Christianity -- that we worship Mary (we do not), that icons are idols (they are not), that we substitute Scripture with tradition (we…
Confession
The Apostle John wrote, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)." This does not address to whom we are to confess our sins; this could be satisfied by confessing our…
Being "Good"
Our pastor at New City Church downtown, Keith Watson, frequently says that it does not hurt God when we are evil, and does not benefit God when we are "good"; that, since God is perfect and complete in himself, he gains or looses nothing due to our action or…
Job's Soliloquy on Wisdom
I have been reading the book of Job; Job 28:28 is one of the most profound verses in the entire Bible.Job 28:1 “Surely there is a mine for silver,and a place for gold which they refine.(2) Iron is taken out of the earth,and copper is smelted out of the…
NCCd -- What We Believe, Part 3: The Godhead
"What We Believe"the Godhead We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections.Supporting…
NCCd -- What We Believe, Part 2: The Scriptures
"What We Believe" the Scriptures We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed. Supporting…
Psalm 1
My favorite Psalm is the first.1 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked,nor stand in the way of sinners,nor sit in the seat of scoffers;2 but his delight is in Yahweh’s law.On his law he meditates day and night.3 He will be like a…
NCCd -- What We Believe, Part 1
[The following is from the NCCd web site, under "About New City."]the ScripturesWe believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings,…
New City Church downtown
I am a very traditional person. My preference is a church where the men all wear coats and ties and the women wear skirts or dresses. The congregation sings three or four hymns, accompanied by the piano and organ; we "pass the plate;" listen to the "special…
Antichrist
[Unless otherwise specified, all scripture is from the World English Bible (WEB), since it is the only modern English translation of the Bible that is in the public domain and, therefore, is free for use without restriction regardless of how much I quote.]…
Another Blog
You may have noticed that I have started another blog, Yellow Jacket, even though I had only posted one entry to this blog. Why? One of my interests is Georgia Tech football; I plan to devote that blog to football in general and GT football in particular. It…
My first entry....
So, this is my first entry in my new blog, i am an engineer. "What's that about?" you may ask. It's just that my being an engineer explains a lot about me: I am shy, quiet, introverted, and analyze everything. I wait for people to speak to me, not because I…
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