Self-giving in marriage
What a good articel this is by Jennifer Morse, considering with such gentleness and sensitivity the dynamics of self-giving in marriage and how that impinges on the specific issues of couples who seem unable to conceive. Good writing. Good reading.
Jennifer Roback Morse on Marriage on National Review Online
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Science thoughts
OK, so I won't bang on again like last time. But once again here is a great example of some good science having been done, and then used as a springboard for some, frankly massive, interpretations. Just one question for you: Who has the more credible approach to the interpretation of the data: Bickle or Buick?
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Oldest evidence of photosynthesis
OK, so I won't bang on again like last time. But once again here is a great example of some good science having been done, and then used as a springboard for some, frankly massive, interpretations. Just one question for you: Who has the more credible approach to the interpretation of the data: Bickle or Buick?
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Oldest evidence of photosynthesis
Friday, December 12, 2003
Prayers for Peace by the Police
I normally think of the Beeb as being very anti-Christian, but just occaisionally they prove me wrong, happily! Here is nice article about a London bobby who 'acknowledeges the Lord in all his ways' (Proverbs 3.6)
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | The new weapon in crimefighting... prayer
I normally think of the Beeb as being very anti-Christian, but just occaisionally they prove me wrong, happily! Here is nice article about a London bobby who 'acknowledeges the Lord in all his ways' (Proverbs 3.6)
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | The new weapon in crimefighting... prayer
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Science Eats Itself....Again
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | No fiery extinction for dinosaurs
So, for the past 20 years we have had to sit through pop-science programs shoved at us with tiresome regularity by the pop-science media that told us with unwavering certainty that the dinosaurs died as the result of a meteor strike which cause cataclismic climate change around the world. Dozens of editions of the National Geographic proclaimed this 'fact'. Dozens of aminated 'documentaries' from the Discovery Channel, The BBC and WGBH trumpeted the 'fact'. All with skimpy and incomplete scientific evidence that had not been thoroughly tested.
Basically, it was bad science, dressed up and called good science, and then used by an atheistic media industry to tell us all where we came from. I SO wish that thinking Cristians would see bad science for what it is - propaganda from pseudo-scientists to underpin their data driven philosphies. Good science is focussed on carefully researched and tested facts, not conjecture, and because God is the creator of all there is, good science inevitably leads to a sense of awe at the wonder of the natural order.
Did dinosaurs live? Sure. Did they die our? Sure. How? We dont know yet - not enough evidence to say for certain. Conclusions we can draw from this that inform us about ourselves? None, except that life is uncertain.
Thought for scientists: If a meteor did cause massive extinction, how come 40% of the mammalian life carried on just fine - both small and large animals - both herbivores and carnivores? If dinosaurs died out due to lack of vegetaion to eat how come there is not even a hiccup in the fossil record for plants? There is no doubt that a large meteor did strike in Chicxulub. There is much doubt that it caused the failure of the dinosaurs.
Thought for the day: If the body of people who consider themselves to be 'Science' can this so very wrong - what else is it that is currently being taught as fact that will be overturned in time? Keep a very close eye on areas of pop-science that clash with Christianity such as - the origins of man.
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | No fiery extinction for dinosaurs
So, for the past 20 years we have had to sit through pop-science programs shoved at us with tiresome regularity by the pop-science media that told us with unwavering certainty that the dinosaurs died as the result of a meteor strike which cause cataclismic climate change around the world. Dozens of editions of the National Geographic proclaimed this 'fact'. Dozens of aminated 'documentaries' from the Discovery Channel, The BBC and WGBH trumpeted the 'fact'. All with skimpy and incomplete scientific evidence that had not been thoroughly tested.
Basically, it was bad science, dressed up and called good science, and then used by an atheistic media industry to tell us all where we came from. I SO wish that thinking Cristians would see bad science for what it is - propaganda from pseudo-scientists to underpin their data driven philosphies. Good science is focussed on carefully researched and tested facts, not conjecture, and because God is the creator of all there is, good science inevitably leads to a sense of awe at the wonder of the natural order.
Did dinosaurs live? Sure. Did they die our? Sure. How? We dont know yet - not enough evidence to say for certain. Conclusions we can draw from this that inform us about ourselves? None, except that life is uncertain.
Thought for scientists: If a meteor did cause massive extinction, how come 40% of the mammalian life carried on just fine - both small and large animals - both herbivores and carnivores? If dinosaurs died out due to lack of vegetaion to eat how come there is not even a hiccup in the fossil record for plants? There is no doubt that a large meteor did strike in Chicxulub. There is much doubt that it caused the failure of the dinosaurs.
Thought for the day: If the body of people who consider themselves to be 'Science' can this so very wrong - what else is it that is currently being taught as fact that will be overturned in time? Keep a very close eye on areas of pop-science that clash with Christianity such as - the origins of man.
Friday, October 24, 2003
The debate on homosexuality, and the Bible as the battleground
This debate continues to rage of course. Following my sermon on this topic 2 months ago, the Bible continues to be the 'political football' which each party kicks around for their own advantage. This summary shows the ways in which the homosexual lobby uses un-scholarly techniques to extract meaning from scripture. I hope my sermon made clear that the Bible (therefore God) clearly considers homosexuality a fallen corruption of the mutually sacrificial self-giving that sexuality was designed to be - a delightful and profound act between a man and a women celebrating a lifetime no-turning-back marriage commitment to one another. This is God's design for the expression of our sexuality. Anything else - heterosexual or homosexual - is less than God's design.
Should we love the sinner while sensitively declaring the sin? Emphatically Yes! That is how God, through Christ, has accepted each and every one of us who are born-again.
Also fascinating are the opinion of those who chose to comment on this article. Note carefully the various views of the worth of scripture. Which commentators do you think have met Jesus?
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | What does the Bible actually say about being gay?
This debate continues to rage of course. Following my sermon on this topic 2 months ago, the Bible continues to be the 'political football' which each party kicks around for their own advantage. This summary shows the ways in which the homosexual lobby uses un-scholarly techniques to extract meaning from scripture. I hope my sermon made clear that the Bible (therefore God) clearly considers homosexuality a fallen corruption of the mutually sacrificial self-giving that sexuality was designed to be - a delightful and profound act between a man and a women celebrating a lifetime no-turning-back marriage commitment to one another. This is God's design for the expression of our sexuality. Anything else - heterosexual or homosexual - is less than God's design.
Should we love the sinner while sensitively declaring the sin? Emphatically Yes! That is how God, through Christ, has accepted each and every one of us who are born-again.
Also fascinating are the opinion of those who chose to comment on this article. Note carefully the various views of the worth of scripture. Which commentators do you think have met Jesus?
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | What does the Bible actually say about being gay?
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Night thoughts
It's 4:00 AM and I'm awake - so what better time to reflect on the blog? I've been blogging an eclectic mix of web pages that tell me something about ourselves. Some amusing, some outrageous, some pitiful. In a way, this blog is an extended prayer to Father God, who alone is wise, good, knowledgeable and who alone really understands our frailties and our needs. I am a Christian, not because I became convinced of a set of ideas, but because a living Person - Christ - convicted me. Even me! Having come to life from the pages of human-kind's most extraodinary book - The Bible, He whispered sweet love into my mind, my heart, my body, my deepest being.
Over the years I have come to understand rather better how Lord Jesus Christ works with us. I now understand theological phrases like 'substitutionary atonement' which we use to help us talk about God. I also understand that I really don't understand at all. It's all so amazing - so far outside of our little frames of reference - how can we be expected to comprehend mercy, grace, justice and love? No matter. It's 4 in the morning and I don't want to understand God intellectually. I just want to know Him - and be known by Him. I just want to spend long moments at His feet, leaning against Him, listening to His voice speak to me (with and without words), and to sense His unconditional acceptance of me. Even me.
Thank You, my Father for loving me, for knowing me, for accepting me just as I am. Thank You Father for sending Jesus to live a unique life on planet earth so that we might see You, that we might live like this with You. Please Father - I would like so many others to know You this way - to be able to have You to speak to at 4 in the morning when the whole world seems crazy and out of control. Father, would You call to Yourself so many more people, please. Would You awaken those people that I love and who do not yet know You. Would you save those people that I don't yet care about but will one day, and for that matter, all those I should care about but don't. Will You call to You all those who will one day find themselves awake in the early hours of the morning wondering what on earth they are doing here. Will You call to you people like me, who read blogs when normal people are fast asleep. I ask these things of You, my Father, because You love me, and because You sent Jesus to save me. It's in His name - in His presence I pray.
Amen. So be it.
It's 4:00 AM and I'm awake - so what better time to reflect on the blog? I've been blogging an eclectic mix of web pages that tell me something about ourselves. Some amusing, some outrageous, some pitiful. In a way, this blog is an extended prayer to Father God, who alone is wise, good, knowledgeable and who alone really understands our frailties and our needs. I am a Christian, not because I became convinced of a set of ideas, but because a living Person - Christ - convicted me. Even me! Having come to life from the pages of human-kind's most extraodinary book - The Bible, He whispered sweet love into my mind, my heart, my body, my deepest being.
Over the years I have come to understand rather better how Lord Jesus Christ works with us. I now understand theological phrases like 'substitutionary atonement' which we use to help us talk about God. I also understand that I really don't understand at all. It's all so amazing - so far outside of our little frames of reference - how can we be expected to comprehend mercy, grace, justice and love? No matter. It's 4 in the morning and I don't want to understand God intellectually. I just want to know Him - and be known by Him. I just want to spend long moments at His feet, leaning against Him, listening to His voice speak to me (with and without words), and to sense His unconditional acceptance of me. Even me.
Thank You, my Father for loving me, for knowing me, for accepting me just as I am. Thank You Father for sending Jesus to live a unique life on planet earth so that we might see You, that we might live like this with You. Please Father - I would like so many others to know You this way - to be able to have You to speak to at 4 in the morning when the whole world seems crazy and out of control. Father, would You call to Yourself so many more people, please. Would You awaken those people that I love and who do not yet know You. Would you save those people that I don't yet care about but will one day, and for that matter, all those I should care about but don't. Will You call to You all those who will one day find themselves awake in the early hours of the morning wondering what on earth they are doing here. Will You call to you people like me, who read blogs when normal people are fast asleep. I ask these things of You, my Father, because You love me, and because You sent Jesus to save me. It's in His name - in His presence I pray.
Amen. So be it.
Friday, October 17, 2003
Canine capers
BBC NEWS | Europe | Charges dropped in 'Nazi' dog case
What can I say about this news article? I think I'll include it in the funny but bizarre but actually tragically sad category. It's a strange world. What would Catholics do? Train their dogs to genuflect? How about neo-communist soviets training their dogs to goose-step? Perhaps Nazarenes would train there dogs to play Rook and do eat-overs?
BBC NEWS | Europe | Charges dropped in 'Nazi' dog case
What can I say about this news article? I think I'll include it in the funny but bizarre but actually tragically sad category. It's a strange world. What would Catholics do? Train their dogs to genuflect? How about neo-communist soviets training their dogs to goose-step? Perhaps Nazarenes would train there dogs to play Rook and do eat-overs?
Friday, October 10, 2003
Cockney Rhyming Slang
cockney rhyming slang dictionary
There are some things about Britain that I struggle to explain because they are simply inexplicable. One such phenomenon is cockney rhyming slang. Cockney people are those born in central London (strictly speaking - within the sound of the bells in Bow church). They have a rich history and a culture all their own - one aspect of which is a cheerful and amusing habit of swapping everyday words for a phrase which rhymes with it. My darling Linda will be able to demonstrate - being a cockney. Examples in common usage is 'whistle' for suit (abbreviating the phrase 'whistle and flute') or 'plates' for feet (abbreviating 'plates of meat'). The above link will take you to the best web translator/dictionary I've found.
I hope it'll help you to appreciate my trouble-and-strife.
cockney rhyming slang dictionary
There are some things about Britain that I struggle to explain because they are simply inexplicable. One such phenomenon is cockney rhyming slang. Cockney people are those born in central London (strictly speaking - within the sound of the bells in Bow church). They have a rich history and a culture all their own - one aspect of which is a cheerful and amusing habit of swapping everyday words for a phrase which rhymes with it. My darling Linda will be able to demonstrate - being a cockney. Examples in common usage is 'whistle' for suit (abbreviating the phrase 'whistle and flute') or 'plates' for feet (abbreviating 'plates of meat'). The above link will take you to the best web translator/dictionary I've found.
I hope it'll help you to appreciate my trouble-and-strife.
Forget kindergarten - man-garten is here!
I just couldn't resisty blogging this story - it's a "why didn't I think of this idea" idea: A place where shop-a-holic women can park their men-folk so they can shop in peace, and then collect them later - assuming they haven't lost their man-check-ticket. Meanwhile the guys get to watch sports on TV, play with boy-toys and even get a couple of beers (for non-Nazarene's of course). Genius! Wow - just think of it - this could be the key to making our first million!
BBC NEWS | Europe | German creche for male shopaphobics
I just couldn't resisty blogging this story - it's a "why didn't I think of this idea" idea: A place where shop-a-holic women can park their men-folk so they can shop in peace, and then collect them later - assuming they haven't lost their man-check-ticket. Meanwhile the guys get to watch sports on TV, play with boy-toys and even get a couple of beers (for non-Nazarene's of course). Genius! Wow - just think of it - this could be the key to making our first million!
BBC NEWS | Europe | German creche for male shopaphobics
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Born again and brilliant!
If Soccer is a gentleman's game played by hooligans, then Rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen. It's a wonderful sport which I played throughout my school days. The World Cup is starting soon in Australia, and England are in with a chance! This link is to the personal profile of one of England's finest - brilliant in the game, and born again Christian, to boot.
BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Rugby World Cup | Team Pages | England | Players to Watch | Jason Robinson
If Soccer is a gentleman's game played by hooligans, then Rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen. It's a wonderful sport which I played throughout my school days. The World Cup is starting soon in Australia, and England are in with a chance! This link is to the personal profile of one of England's finest - brilliant in the game, and born again Christian, to boot.
BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Rugby World Cup | Team Pages | England | Players to Watch | Jason Robinson
Monday, October 06, 2003
Confluencing
Searching for a new way to pass a quiet Saturday afternoon?. Grab your digital camera and your GPS monitor and head for the hills!
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | A unique picture of the world, in 16,146 frames
Searching for a new way to pass a quiet Saturday afternoon?. Grab your digital camera and your GPS monitor and head for the hills!
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | A unique picture of the world, in 16,146 frames
Monday, September 15, 2003
Real Forgiveness
There are times when a little story made of pure gold sneaks its way through the volumes of garbage and makes it to our attention. This is one such example - detailing a hero of the family of Christ. Pray for India.
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Missionary killers convicted
There are times when a little story made of pure gold sneaks its way through the volumes of garbage and makes it to our attention. This is one such example - detailing a hero of the family of Christ. Pray for India.
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Missionary killers convicted
Thursday, September 04, 2003
Leviticus causes a stir
The story below is interesting for several reasons, I think. Firstly, I'm not sure that what this pastor is doing is going to have th effect I think he wishes. Secondly,it would be interestein to see the same local judge retry the issue that she has already once ruled on (is that even fair?) but mostly I'm amused that the secular government is hostile to any hint of hostility.
I'm not sure the whole affair advances the Good News about Christ. Perhaps we ought to be putting billboards up that say READ YOUR BIBLE! IT'LL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
NY Daily News - front - Anti-gay billboard suit back in court
The story below is interesting for several reasons, I think. Firstly, I'm not sure that what this pastor is doing is going to have th effect I think he wishes. Secondly,it would be interestein to see the same local judge retry the issue that she has already once ruled on (is that even fair?) but mostly I'm amused that the secular government is hostile to any hint of hostility.
I'm not sure the whole affair advances the Good News about Christ. Perhaps we ought to be putting billboards up that say READ YOUR BIBLE! IT'LL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
NY Daily News - front - Anti-gay billboard suit back in court
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
Lingo Woes
Just thought I'd blog this very useful web site. It will translate text from common European languages to or from English, for free. It's a mechanical translation so don't expect it to be perfect. However, it's enough to find out what your Italian pen pal is trying to say. What's more, it's a New Hampshire company that writes the software. Very cool.
FreeTranslation.com - Free Translation from English to Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Norwegian
Just thought I'd blog this very useful web site. It will translate text from common European languages to or from English, for free. It's a mechanical translation so don't expect it to be perfect. However, it's enough to find out what your Italian pen pal is trying to say. What's more, it's a New Hampshire company that writes the software. Very cool.
FreeTranslation.com - Free Translation from English to Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Norwegian
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Wesley's Commentary on the Web
Every now and then I'll stumble across some web site that is wonderfully useful. This is one. GodRules.net allows free access to several translations of the Bible - which is nothing unusual - but also several good commentaries. It's a site that I use to supplement the commentaries I own when doing my sermon prep. The Bible and the Holy Spirit are all you need to read the Bible devotionally. To really study the Bible it also helps to equip yourself with the thoughts and meditations that the Holy Spirit has given to our brothers and sisters across the centuries.
Enjoy!
Commentary - Wesley's Bible Notes
Every now and then I'll stumble across some web site that is wonderfully useful. This is one. GodRules.net allows free access to several translations of the Bible - which is nothing unusual - but also several good commentaries. It's a site that I use to supplement the commentaries I own when doing my sermon prep. The Bible and the Holy Spirit are all you need to read the Bible devotionally. To really study the Bible it also helps to equip yourself with the thoughts and meditations that the Holy Spirit has given to our brothers and sisters across the centuries.
Enjoy!
Commentary - Wesley's Bible Notes
BIG MAC Economic Indicator
Yes, It's true. Along with the Dow Jones Index, the Hang Seng and the NASDAQ a new economic indicator has finally started to be taken seriously after several years of being published: The Big Mac Index. This seeks to compare the prices of a Big Mac around the world, comparing one country's purchasing power with another. Also it is possible to work out how long the average worker must work to buy a Big Mac. Seriously. In the USA it is 10 minutes. In the UK it is 16 minutes (so NOW you know the real reason why I moved!) and in Columbia it is 3 hours.
The Big Mac Indicator was invented by the staid magazine The Economist as a jokey excercise in 'Burgernomics' but actually turned out to be really useful!
Here is a link to one site that tracks the Big Mac Indicator:
FXBigMac - World economics based on the hamburger standard
Yes, It's true. Along with the Dow Jones Index, the Hang Seng and the NASDAQ a new economic indicator has finally started to be taken seriously after several years of being published: The Big Mac Index. This seeks to compare the prices of a Big Mac around the world, comparing one country's purchasing power with another. Also it is possible to work out how long the average worker must work to buy a Big Mac. Seriously. In the USA it is 10 minutes. In the UK it is 16 minutes (so NOW you know the real reason why I moved!) and in Columbia it is 3 hours.
The Big Mac Indicator was invented by the staid magazine The Economist as a jokey excercise in 'Burgernomics' but actually turned out to be really useful!
Here is a link to one site that tracks the Big Mac Indicator:
FXBigMac - World economics based on the hamburger standard
Friday, August 22, 2003
Flaming Text!
Simon tells me that this is a cool site for text effects to add to web pages. Try it and see if you agree!
FlamingText: Free online tool for generating custom webpage graphics and animations.
Simon tells me that this is a cool site for text effects to add to web pages. Try it and see if you agree!
FlamingText: Free online tool for generating custom webpage graphics and animations.
Thursday, August 14, 2003
KNEE LIKE NEW
SCOI Presents ACL Reconstruction
Hi Gang,
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your kind thoughts, prayers, calls, cards and cookies over the last week. My kneee surgery seems to have gone really well. I am up on my feet and walking around without crutches only 6 days after the op - which is amazing - Praise God! I post a link above which tells you more about ham-string graft ACL replacement, which is the specific surgery I had. No more softball for me! Instead, quite a bit of physical therapy. Sigh!
SCOI Presents ACL Reconstruction
Hi Gang,
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your kind thoughts, prayers, calls, cards and cookies over the last week. My kneee surgery seems to have gone really well. I am up on my feet and walking around without crutches only 6 days after the op - which is amazing - Praise God! I post a link above which tells you more about ham-string graft ACL replacement, which is the specific surgery I had. No more softball for me! Instead, quite a bit of physical therapy. Sigh!
Gay woes
Here is a link to the report on the BBC (herinafter affectionately known as the Beeb) about the scandal in New Hampshire on the Episcopal Church voting in an openly gay man as Bishop. The objections to Gene Robinson becoming Bishop are not so much that he is homosexual, but that he is in an active gay relationship - and is completely unrepentent.
It's a bad day for Biblical Christianity in our own back yard.
BBC NEWS | Americas | US Church approves gay bishop
Here is a link to the report on the BBC (herinafter affectionately known as the Beeb) about the scandal in New Hampshire on the Episcopal Church voting in an openly gay man as Bishop. The objections to Gene Robinson becoming Bishop are not so much that he is homosexual, but that he is in an active gay relationship - and is completely unrepentent.
It's a bad day for Biblical Christianity in our own back yard.
BBC NEWS | Americas | US Church approves gay bishop
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