Today, again, the papers are championing the enforcement of restrictions on the internet providers so that our children will be protected from porn filth. Good.
Labour have jumped on the band wagon and why not? Cameron can and should do something now.
For the sake of those who are vulnerable, I hope we will soon read of strong action and that change is afoot.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Hear, hear.
Reading the paper and listening to radio 4 could leave you believing we are on the brink. Europe will implode in 10, 9, 8 ....... . The end is nigh! That kind of thing. I read today Europe speaks German and Merkel and Cammeron don't agree. My paper was in English.
Politicians and economists espouse different views and routes to salvation. The wonder Euro must be saved. More importantly, it is heralded from Brussels and elsewhere that the great Europian Experiment must not be allowed to fail.
Oh the vanity of it all.
Doubtless, the Euro will fail one day. Some think that there will be a refined eurozone of 10 nations. Time will show. Have a look at the news in the Bible in Daniel chapter 7. What do you think?
We have no need to fear; for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"(NIV) Rom 10:13-15
The great thing is that there are many who have been sent to proclaim the good news.
In these days of doom and gloom, I say, "Find a lively church and hear the good news every week. Start this Sunday."
Politicians and economists espouse different views and routes to salvation. The wonder Euro must be saved. More importantly, it is heralded from Brussels and elsewhere that the great Europian Experiment must not be allowed to fail.
Oh the vanity of it all.
Doubtless, the Euro will fail one day. Some think that there will be a refined eurozone of 10 nations. Time will show. Have a look at the news in the Bible in Daniel chapter 7. What do you think?
We have no need to fear; for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"(NIV) Rom 10:13-15
The great thing is that there are many who have been sent to proclaim the good news.
In these days of doom and gloom, I say, "Find a lively church and hear the good news every week. Start this Sunday."
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Looters are scum
On a T shirt staring back at me from my paper last week, I read, "Looters are scum." I don't accept that "scum," is the right word.
If we ran with the OED., scum can be: "a layer of dirt, froth, impurities, or other matter, forming on the surface of a liquid," or, "Dross rising to the surface in the purifying of a metal," or "Worthless despicable people," etc. etc.
Are the looters a layer of dirt? I don't think so. Were the looters going through some sort of purification by fire? I don't think so. Is anyone worthless? I don't think so. Can we more accurately define them? For sure.
Here is my starting point. All humans are fearfully and wonderfully made. Looters included. All humans have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Looters too. All humans can be forgiven and made new through Jesus Christ. Looters also.
So I define looters as, "Humans who have done wrong but for whom there is still hope of redemption through Jesus Christ."
Do I approve of what they did? No. Do I excuse them? No. Can I justify their behaviour from any view? No. They did wrong and properly face punishment.
I just don't accept they are scum.
If we ran with the OED., scum can be: "a layer of dirt, froth, impurities, or other matter, forming on the surface of a liquid," or, "Dross rising to the surface in the purifying of a metal," or "Worthless despicable people," etc. etc.
Are the looters a layer of dirt? I don't think so. Were the looters going through some sort of purification by fire? I don't think so. Is anyone worthless? I don't think so. Can we more accurately define them? For sure.
Here is my starting point. All humans are fearfully and wonderfully made. Looters included. All humans have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Looters too. All humans can be forgiven and made new through Jesus Christ. Looters also.
So I define looters as, "Humans who have done wrong but for whom there is still hope of redemption through Jesus Christ."
Do I approve of what they did? No. Do I excuse them? No. Can I justify their behaviour from any view? No. They did wrong and properly face punishment.
I just don't accept they are scum.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Secrets?
Emblazoned accross the front page of my paper today was news that a judge has extended the secrecy laws protecting aTV star.
I am broadly in favour of the English legal system and common law in particular. Judges have been extending the boundaries of our common law for many years and often with great results in terms of justice and common sense. Yet today I think we see a judgment too far.
Doubtless for the shamed culprit, secrecy brings some sense of thankfulness. May I indulge in a little conjecture? Can you see someone possibly thinking, "Phew, that was close. I got away with it. Hope the gagging order works."
Of course for now, the pressure is off for him. One big problem. What happens in time will be exposed in eternity, unless the record is expunged.
One old time prophet said, "Be sure your sin will find you out." Still, we know that sin can be forgiven and in eternity the slate can be wiped clean.
I also remembered this old but current news: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." Revelation 20:12 (NIV)
For now the TV stars identity is secret, apart of course to the select circle who are cognizant of the facts because of involvement as participant, lawer or judge.
This side of the grave the facts may stay well and truly "gagged" away. We shall see. More importantly, will the offence be forgiven and removed from the eternal record? I hope so.
I am broadly in favour of the English legal system and common law in particular. Judges have been extending the boundaries of our common law for many years and often with great results in terms of justice and common sense. Yet today I think we see a judgment too far.
Doubtless for the shamed culprit, secrecy brings some sense of thankfulness. May I indulge in a little conjecture? Can you see someone possibly thinking, "Phew, that was close. I got away with it. Hope the gagging order works."
Of course for now, the pressure is off for him. One big problem. What happens in time will be exposed in eternity, unless the record is expunged.
One old time prophet said, "Be sure your sin will find you out." Still, we know that sin can be forgiven and in eternity the slate can be wiped clean.
I also remembered this old but current news: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." Revelation 20:12 (NIV)
For now the TV stars identity is secret, apart of course to the select circle who are cognizant of the facts because of involvement as participant, lawer or judge.
This side of the grave the facts may stay well and truly "gagged" away. We shall see. More importantly, will the offence be forgiven and removed from the eternal record? I hope so.
Monday, 4 April 2011
Sunshine
According to the weather forecast I have just read, it's going to be wet or dry tomorrow (don't you just love precision?) and sunny on Wednesday. Great. I love the sunshine.
I worked with a guy once who, after leaving the firm we were at, was made redundant by his new employers in no time at all. His attitude was good and he was a hard working accurate chap. No fault on his part, just the way it was at the time.
We met up for lunch in town one day when he was looking for work and he introduced me to a soup he regarded highly. Honestly? It was good.
Afterwards, we walked along the Strand heading for Trafalgar Square and chatted about things in general and his situation in particular. The sun was shinning and it was warm but not too hot. Frank (his given name), waxed lyrical about the way the sunshine made everything seem better. Like some beneficial intoxicant, it had a soothing and encouraging effect on his mood. I disticntly recall being amazed at his optimisim and buoyant demeanour and hardly credited the sunshine for his frame of mind. I was about 21 at the time and Frank was in his 50's.
Well, now I'm older. There's no doubt, the sunshine doth perk some folk up! Trouble is that if our inner man is lifted by the sun, that same inner man will fare poorly when the sky is overcast.
You will have heard of SAD. A condition some are diagnosed as having and that is countered with the aid of a sun lamp.
I read some old news that is releveant today and that, although old, is new to the first time hearer, viz. Paul the apostle prayed for the Ephesian believers in terms that related to the inner man but had nothing to do with sunshine:-
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (NKJ)
Since the sunshine is here today and gone tomorrow, or the next day or the next (at least in the UK) it is preferable to rely on the Holy Spirit to lift us and keep us from gloom.
That's the way to do it.
I worked with a guy once who, after leaving the firm we were at, was made redundant by his new employers in no time at all. His attitude was good and he was a hard working accurate chap. No fault on his part, just the way it was at the time.
We met up for lunch in town one day when he was looking for work and he introduced me to a soup he regarded highly. Honestly? It was good.
Afterwards, we walked along the Strand heading for Trafalgar Square and chatted about things in general and his situation in particular. The sun was shinning and it was warm but not too hot. Frank (his given name), waxed lyrical about the way the sunshine made everything seem better. Like some beneficial intoxicant, it had a soothing and encouraging effect on his mood. I disticntly recall being amazed at his optimisim and buoyant demeanour and hardly credited the sunshine for his frame of mind. I was about 21 at the time and Frank was in his 50's.
Well, now I'm older. There's no doubt, the sunshine doth perk some folk up! Trouble is that if our inner man is lifted by the sun, that same inner man will fare poorly when the sky is overcast.
You will have heard of SAD. A condition some are diagnosed as having and that is countered with the aid of a sun lamp.
I read some old news that is releveant today and that, although old, is new to the first time hearer, viz. Paul the apostle prayed for the Ephesian believers in terms that related to the inner man but had nothing to do with sunshine:-
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (NKJ)
Since the sunshine is here today and gone tomorrow, or the next day or the next (at least in the UK) it is preferable to rely on the Holy Spirit to lift us and keep us from gloom.
That's the way to do it.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Hand-me-downs?
England beat Scotland at rugby last weekend. Great. Tindall was injured so came off. I expect Zara was concerned as she was at the match and would have known he was hurt.
Today I read that an acquaintance of Zara P's was wearing a coat identicl to one that Zara wore in 2007. The article intimated that maybe she had loaned or even given the coat to her chum. Suppose she had, I can't see the problem.
It's a great thing to be able to pass on a perfectly good piece of clothing to a friend or relative. I am sure that when I was small I wore clothes that had been my older brother's and I distinctly recall my younger brother passing on several good suits to me a few years ago.
Charity shops thrive on the basis that generous folk give good clothing to be sold, whilst wise others shop and buy bargains galore. Maybe not hand-me-downs but for sure give-em-aways! I recall John the Baptist gave this advice, " John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."Luke 3:11 (NIV)
I suppose Zara is watched closely by the fashionistas because she is of royal lineage and maybe especially so at the moment since she is soon to be married. May she be able to ride the media interest as ably as she manages her horses.
Handing things down is a fact of life. Without this activity we would be impoverished. For example, I was handed down details of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Receiving that information transformed my life and world view. In turn I hand that news down as often as I can and I have seen how different ones have been helped by it.
The activity of handing things down or passing them on, is so widespread, we might even say it's universal. Many hand down advice and practical aid in all sorts of spheres of concern and need. Passing on information, instruction or material goods can be of great benefit to the recipients. Where we can help, let's do so without any strings.
Today I read that an acquaintance of Zara P's was wearing a coat identicl to one that Zara wore in 2007. The article intimated that maybe she had loaned or even given the coat to her chum. Suppose she had, I can't see the problem.
It's a great thing to be able to pass on a perfectly good piece of clothing to a friend or relative. I am sure that when I was small I wore clothes that had been my older brother's and I distinctly recall my younger brother passing on several good suits to me a few years ago.
Charity shops thrive on the basis that generous folk give good clothing to be sold, whilst wise others shop and buy bargains galore. Maybe not hand-me-downs but for sure give-em-aways! I recall John the Baptist gave this advice, " John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."Luke 3:11 (NIV)
I suppose Zara is watched closely by the fashionistas because she is of royal lineage and maybe especially so at the moment since she is soon to be married. May she be able to ride the media interest as ably as she manages her horses.
Handing things down is a fact of life. Without this activity we would be impoverished. For example, I was handed down details of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Receiving that information transformed my life and world view. In turn I hand that news down as often as I can and I have seen how different ones have been helped by it.
The activity of handing things down or passing them on, is so widespread, we might even say it's universal. Many hand down advice and practical aid in all sorts of spheres of concern and need. Passing on information, instruction or material goods can be of great benefit to the recipients. Where we can help, let's do so without any strings.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
What's important?
I read some things today that caused me to consider what's important? Mountains out of molehills. You know what I mean. Majoring on the minors. Why does it happen?
Well, I guess it's to do with an individual's perception of what's important. For some, the time of the last bus is very important, and for others it's the lack of an ethnic presence in Midsomer Murders.
I own up. At times I find appalling some of the views publicised through the major media outlets. We seem to be losing our way. I think we need to get real. Is our society really without clarity of vision or do we just allow the latest loudest voice to hold court?
Let me give you some examples of matters that are worth addressing urgently.
Today thousands are grieving in Japan. Tonight millions will go to bed hungry. This month in some nations, many girl babies will be destroyed because girls are not regarded as valuable as boys. In our own country, people are losing jobs, companies are going into bankruptcy and plenty of children are being deprived of the loving input of a responsible father or mother. Our A&E departments are overwhelmed at weekends because of the increasingly high numbers of alcohol related injuries and accidents calling for immediate attention. Prisons are bursting at the seams and we have created a welfare monster that nutures the work-shy and irresponsible, on an equal footing with the deserving needy.
Thankfully there are folk who have dedicated their lives to helping those in need and various bodies and individulas do speak up for the oppressed. Meantime, and in stark contrast, there are plenty of voices straining to be heard as they utter a deluge of molehill sized complaints and expend adrenalin on minor issues.
Anyway, must dash, got to catch the last bus.
Well, I guess it's to do with an individual's perception of what's important. For some, the time of the last bus is very important, and for others it's the lack of an ethnic presence in Midsomer Murders.
I own up. At times I find appalling some of the views publicised through the major media outlets. We seem to be losing our way. I think we need to get real. Is our society really without clarity of vision or do we just allow the latest loudest voice to hold court?
Let me give you some examples of matters that are worth addressing urgently.
Today thousands are grieving in Japan. Tonight millions will go to bed hungry. This month in some nations, many girl babies will be destroyed because girls are not regarded as valuable as boys. In our own country, people are losing jobs, companies are going into bankruptcy and plenty of children are being deprived of the loving input of a responsible father or mother. Our A&E departments are overwhelmed at weekends because of the increasingly high numbers of alcohol related injuries and accidents calling for immediate attention. Prisons are bursting at the seams and we have created a welfare monster that nutures the work-shy and irresponsible, on an equal footing with the deserving needy.
Thankfully there are folk who have dedicated their lives to helping those in need and various bodies and individulas do speak up for the oppressed. Meantime, and in stark contrast, there are plenty of voices straining to be heard as they utter a deluge of molehill sized complaints and expend adrenalin on minor issues.
Anyway, must dash, got to catch the last bus.
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