timbslim

We have freakin cobras over here. Yes, you heard it right. There are cobras in Afghanistan, what wonderful news to hear when you arrive. There is a poster in our building that has the poisonous snakes listed, with pictures. It is a bit disconcerting to see the cobra listed with a visual. There is even a poster that warns that cobras can get into the toilets. Believe it or not, there is a picture of a cobra in a freakin toilet. Seriously? Is someone just messing with me? Because that crap is serious. I mean a cobra in the toilet. It is bad enough that you are going to die quickly once bitten by a cobra. But, do you also have to lose all of your dignity as well. “What happened to Tim in Afghanistan?” “Oh, you didn’t hear? He was bitten by a cobra.” “Really?” “Yeah” “Where?” “Uh, well, he was on the toilet.” “On the what?” “On the toilet.” “He was bitten by a cobra while sitting on a toilet?” “Yeah” “Was the toilet outside?” “No” “I don’t understand.” “He was sitting on a to...

Several years ago, I saw the most beautiful mosaic as I walked into the church from the foyer. The church was near the Sea of Galilee. The mosaic was the first thing I noticed. From a distance, all the pieces formed a harmonious image. I stood at the back for a while, to take it all in. I moved a little closer, about half way. As I approached, the pieces began to stand out. It was still easy to see the intent of the art. But, the pieces were now taking on their own identity. I got even closer. Now, I was only ten feet away. I could easily see each piece of the mosaic. The whole image was more difficult to discern. I got close enough to touch the wall. I saw each piece of the mosaic so individually that I had lost the image that they once made. The pieces of the mosaic were truly unique. None of them possessed shared symmetry. One piece was brown. Another would be blue. One piece might almost be square. Another would be not quite triangular. There were long pieces, ...