The thing that impresses me the most about America is the way parents obey their children.
- King Edward VIII
What a wonderful quote...
And another...
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.
- Soren Kierkegaard
Makes you think, n'est pas?
Friday 22 June 2007
Tuesday 19 June 2007
Anguish
This morning on the radio I heard that the was going to be about 2000 prisoners released early to relieve the overcrowding. The conservatives are saying this is typical of a government who can't manage anything.
My view is that the prisons are so full because there are 400 plus more laws to break (since Labour came to be government). This government has got into the habit of "if we can't control it, we'll legislate for it". So, if you are doing something that there isn't a law letting do it or a law not letting you do it, then if the government doesn't like what you are doing, they will legislate against it so there will be a law for you to break (and you'll go to prison), and if they do like what you are doing they will legislate so you can only do it their way, which is often not the way you were doing it in the first place and so you'll break the law and go to prison. Either way, you can on doing it your way, you are likely to end up in prison.
This may seem a bit of an exaggeration, but take motorcycle helmets for example. Back in 19?? it was fine to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, or with a helmet, the choice was yours. Then because there were a few bad accidents, the government decided that the motorcyclist should ALWAYS wear a helmet, now no choice. They decided from a study done in the USA which showed that a motorcyclist involved in an accident had a better chance of survival if he/she was wearing a helmet. The problem comes when the accidents in the test study doesn't really happen in the UK. Don't get me wrong, the study was good, just its application to create legislation I find abhorrent. In small incidents and accidents, the helmet itself can cause more injury. Consider the average helmet weighs about 5kgs. Thats an extra 5kgs the neck has to deal with in keeping the head attached to the body. In some accidents the neck has been snapped because the rider was wearing a helmet. Now I could go on and debate the reason for and against wearing helmets on motorcycles, but this isn't the time or place. What I am trying to put across is the fact that these people that the minority of the population elect to govern us don't really know what they are doing.... surprised?
I feel strongly that if people are educated or informed of the relavent facts about whatever they are interested in, so they can make an informed choice. The leaders and politicians harp on about choice, but then dont give us any! Another example. There has been a steady increase in accident of motorcycles. Solution, make the test harder to create a better motorcyclist. But, the over accident rate has been going up. Why not educate drivers of all vehicles how other road users use the road. How many car driver know that a lorry or bus will pull over to the left to turn right, at a roundabout for example? How many road users know that motorcyclist are allowed by law to go down the outside of a traffic cue, if the way is clear? I was taught these when I took a motorcycle training course, but wasn't taught these for driving my car. Need I say more...
My view is that the prisons are so full because there are 400 plus more laws to break (since Labour came to be government). This government has got into the habit of "if we can't control it, we'll legislate for it". So, if you are doing something that there isn't a law letting do it or a law not letting you do it, then if the government doesn't like what you are doing, they will legislate against it so there will be a law for you to break (and you'll go to prison), and if they do like what you are doing they will legislate so you can only do it their way, which is often not the way you were doing it in the first place and so you'll break the law and go to prison. Either way, you can on doing it your way, you are likely to end up in prison.
This may seem a bit of an exaggeration, but take motorcycle helmets for example. Back in 19?? it was fine to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, or with a helmet, the choice was yours. Then because there were a few bad accidents, the government decided that the motorcyclist should ALWAYS wear a helmet, now no choice. They decided from a study done in the USA which showed that a motorcyclist involved in an accident had a better chance of survival if he/she was wearing a helmet. The problem comes when the accidents in the test study doesn't really happen in the UK. Don't get me wrong, the study was good, just its application to create legislation I find abhorrent. In small incidents and accidents, the helmet itself can cause more injury. Consider the average helmet weighs about 5kgs. Thats an extra 5kgs the neck has to deal with in keeping the head attached to the body. In some accidents the neck has been snapped because the rider was wearing a helmet. Now I could go on and debate the reason for and against wearing helmets on motorcycles, but this isn't the time or place. What I am trying to put across is the fact that these people that the minority of the population elect to govern us don't really know what they are doing.... surprised?
I feel strongly that if people are educated or informed of the relavent facts about whatever they are interested in, so they can make an informed choice. The leaders and politicians harp on about choice, but then dont give us any! Another example. There has been a steady increase in accident of motorcycles. Solution, make the test harder to create a better motorcyclist. But, the over accident rate has been going up. Why not educate drivers of all vehicles how other road users use the road. How many car driver know that a lorry or bus will pull over to the left to turn right, at a roundabout for example? How many road users know that motorcyclist are allowed by law to go down the outside of a traffic cue, if the way is clear? I was taught these when I took a motorcycle training course, but wasn't taught these for driving my car. Need I say more...
Monday 18 June 2007
Marriage
What a wonderful weekend. Most of this weekend was spent celebrating the 50th (Golden) wedding anniversary of Mike and Daphne Taverner. I first met Mike and Daphne in 2001 when I came from Kent to Enfield/ Chingford to do a "Year Team" with Jubilee Church. They very kindly and graciously put me up for the year. They looked after me (and still do) with God given humble hearts. It was a joy and a privilege to stay with them and still is to know them.
They are a testimony and an inspiration to all marriages.
PICTURE
They are a testimony and an inspiration to all marriages.
PICTURE
Friday 15 June 2007
The heart of mission - Compassion
On Sunday Tope preached on mission and compassion. An inspirational talk, which can be downloaded here. The compassion of God is shown to good effect in the book of Jonah. Although this is a short book of only 4 chapters, there is a lot in it. In chapter 4, God demonstrates his compassion for the lost, the gentiles even, to Jonah, by sparing them, and although God isn't accountable, He showed Jonah the reason why through the use of a plant and a worm! Why? because Jonah was angry that God hadn't punished the people of Nineveh for being wicked, but gave them the option of repenting and turning away from the evil ways.
Bringing this to today, Jesus demonstrated a compassion for the lost all through his ministry (????? ), and as Jesus said "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20) we are to follow in similar ways...
Biblical Missions: The starting point is a heart of compassion, compassion for the lost.
Rewards: 1. Co-labourers with God (1Cor 3:9) 2. Peace from God as you go (Matt 28:20) 3. Cultivate a heart for people, loving like Jesus 4. Cultivate a heart of gratitude.
Bringing this to today, Jesus demonstrated a compassion for the lost all through his ministry (????? ), and as Jesus said "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20) we are to follow in similar ways...
Biblical Missions: The starting point is a heart of compassion, compassion for the lost.
Rewards: 1. Co-labourers with God (1Cor 3:9) 2. Peace from God as you go (Matt 28:20) 3. Cultivate a heart for people, loving like Jesus 4. Cultivate a heart of gratitude.
The Purpose Driven Life
By Rick Warren.
A great book, worth reading more then once. Charles Spurgeon read Pilgrims Progress by Bunyon once a year as it reminded him of the Christian life. Although I am no Charles Spurgeon, I do have on thing in common with the great preacher, we both welcome guidance to remain on the path. And I would consider this book to be in that category of "to be read often".
At the outset, Rick makes no apologies for stating that this book will guide you on a spiritual journey, where by the end you will now Gods purpose for your life, and you'll understand the big picture - how it all fits together.
In a short time from now I will be going through A Purpose Driven Life. I have set up a blog so I can publish my thoughts and consequences of this book. You can follow my journey HERE and I would welcome your comments (so long as they are publishable!).
UPDATE
It will now be slightly longer than a short while due to other commitments....
Watch this space....
A great book, worth reading more then once. Charles Spurgeon read Pilgrims Progress by Bunyon once a year as it reminded him of the Christian life. Although I am no Charles Spurgeon, I do have on thing in common with the great preacher, we both welcome guidance to remain on the path. And I would consider this book to be in that category of "to be read often".
At the outset, Rick makes no apologies for stating that this book will guide you on a spiritual journey, where by the end you will now Gods purpose for your life, and you'll understand the big picture - how it all fits together.
In a short time from now I will be going through A Purpose Driven Life. I have set up a blog so I can publish my thoughts and consequences of this book. You can follow my journey HERE and I would welcome your comments (so long as they are publishable!).
UPDATE
It will now be slightly longer than a short while due to other commitments....
Watch this space....
Technorati Tags: life, Purpose driven life, Rick Warren
Wednesday 6 June 2007
A New Job
Since we were married, Jules and I have been praying for a baby... no, no, sorry, that's for later, we've been praying that Jules would find a day job to replace the shift work she's doing now. Over the last couple of days, the place where she works has come up trumps and offered her a job in a different section in the same department, and on days, sort of 9-5.
Gods provision for us has been beyond what we deserve. How richly we feel blessed. God deserves all the praise for this. This has come so quickly, and everyone at Jules work are happy with it. Totally out of the blue. As a friend recently reminded us, this is a situation of "God suddenly..." Amen.
Jules also passed her approval assessment.
Gods provision for us has been beyond what we deserve. How richly we feel blessed. God deserves all the praise for this. This has come so quickly, and everyone at Jules work are happy with it. Totally out of the blue. As a friend recently reminded us, this is a situation of "God suddenly..." Amen.
Jules also passed her approval assessment.
Tuesday 5 June 2007
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle is in Kent, just outside Maidstone. It is a beautiful place. Here are some photos for you to view:
Technorati Tags: Leeds Castle
Friday 1 June 2007
Ashburnham Place (the weekend away)
What a weekend. Jules and I went to Ashburnham Place with Jubilee church for the weekend. This was a weekend organised and (gratefully) subsidised by the church for the purpose of getting to know each other. I think it was a great success. Jules and I had time not only to meet new poeple and friends, but also to have "time out" because both of us felt that we hadn't stopped since before we were married 80 days ago (as of 29th May). Ashburnham Place is a wonderful place. Situated near Battle in East sussex in 200 acres of beautiful open and wooded land.
We set off on Friday morning and negotiated the QE2 bridge (traffic) and went on to Leeds Castle for lunch. I had lived near the castle for a year some time ago but never visited, so this was new for me and Jules. We didn't have too much time, but enough to have a brief look round the grounds, have some lunch and take a few pictures. It is a beautiful place to visit and we will be returning. We had lunch on a lawn overlooking the moat and the castle. Chocolate box picture! Then onto Battle where we wondered round the Battlefield where Harold and William fought with their troops, Harold was killed and William became king. The rest is as they say is history... On the site William had built a large church with the alter stone positioned where Harold fell, and in commemoration of those who fell at the battle. An interesting place. There is now a school on the site, but you can still walk round.
Ashburnham Place is a stunning place. The drive seems to go on for ages through woodland and then over an old stone bridge spanning a narrow section of the lake, up to the house. A large impressive building. One of the buildings was built by Capability Brown. The time there was wonderful. Jules and I had a comfortable room with basin and shared shower/bath/toilet and tea/coffee making facilities. The staff there went the extra mile to welcome us all and to make our stay wonderful and being in the background was just perfect.
Our time there was spent making new friends, and getting to know old friends better. Having this amount of time and knowing you didn't have to rush off somewhere was really helpful. Time is one of those valuable commodities that here had no real value because the pressures of the world were no-where to be seen. Wonderful. The times of worship and prayer was stunning. There was also time for fun games and football, crafts for the kids (and parents) or just "time out" to reflect on "life" or whatever. Saturday evening consisted of a quiz. Great fun.
The church is growing at such a rate (praise God) that another weekend like this is unlikely as there doesn't seem to be anywhere that could accommodate such numbers in such a setting. Shame. Maybe we should all go camping! or do a small "Stoneleigh"?
We set off on Friday morning and negotiated the QE2 bridge (traffic) and went on to Leeds Castle for lunch. I had lived near the castle for a year some time ago but never visited, so this was new for me and Jules. We didn't have too much time, but enough to have a brief look round the grounds, have some lunch and take a few pictures. It is a beautiful place to visit and we will be returning. We had lunch on a lawn overlooking the moat and the castle. Chocolate box picture! Then onto Battle where we wondered round the Battlefield where Harold and William fought with their troops, Harold was killed and William became king. The rest is as they say is history... On the site William had built a large church with the alter stone positioned where Harold fell, and in commemoration of those who fell at the battle. An interesting place. There is now a school on the site, but you can still walk round.
Ashburnham Place is a stunning place. The drive seems to go on for ages through woodland and then over an old stone bridge spanning a narrow section of the lake, up to the house. A large impressive building. One of the buildings was built by Capability Brown. The time there was wonderful. Jules and I had a comfortable room with basin and shared shower/bath/toilet and tea/coffee making facilities. The staff there went the extra mile to welcome us all and to make our stay wonderful and being in the background was just perfect.
Our time there was spent making new friends, and getting to know old friends better. Having this amount of time and knowing you didn't have to rush off somewhere was really helpful. Time is one of those valuable commodities that here had no real value because the pressures of the world were no-where to be seen. Wonderful. The times of worship and prayer was stunning. There was also time for fun games and football, crafts for the kids (and parents) or just "time out" to reflect on "life" or whatever. Saturday evening consisted of a quiz. Great fun.
The church is growing at such a rate (praise God) that another weekend like this is unlikely as there doesn't seem to be anywhere that could accommodate such numbers in such a setting. Shame. Maybe we should all go camping! or do a small "Stoneleigh"?
Technorati Tags: Ashburnham, Church, life
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