Water carriers

I hears this story recently:

There was a water collector from a small village who had two clay pots for collecting the water. Each day he would pick up his pots, put the carry bar on his shoulders and go to the water hole and collect the water for his village. Now, one of the pot was fine and in good condition and spilt little if any water, and the other was a little old and a bit cracked and leaked some water. For many days on the way back the good pot said to the other old pot, you are useless, "you cant do anything right, you spill and leak more water than you deliver". Each day the good pot would have a go and complain about the old pot. One day the old pot had had enough and said to his owner, "Look, I'm old and cracked and dont do my job properly and spill more water than I deliver, why don't you get rid of me and get a new pot for your water?" But the water collector said to the pot, when we come back from the water hole, have a look at the path. So, the following day the old pot looked at the path on the way back. Along the path, one side was dry and dusty, but on the side of the old pot was lush with grasses and beautiful flowers. "See", said the boy, "you bring beauty to this path, without you this path would be dry and dusty, I wouldn't get rid of you, you do a job no one else can do".

Technorati Tags: life

The weekend

What a wonderful weekend. I spent Saturday afternoon and evening with my wife. Cooked us a meal and watched When Harry met Sally. A really good time. On Sunday at the church meeting, another person gave their life to Christ. What a wonderful day!
Adrian Warnock (Doctor) gave a really good sermon on Jacob. Talked about his (Jacobs) life and his attitude, always grabbing and cheating others wealth and processions from them. Buying his wife, then ending up with two because his was cheated. After he fought with an angel (or God) he ended up with a sore hip for the rest of his life as a reminder of his battle, and that God was sovereign and still is. But at the end of it all, God was graceful, and forgave and blessed Jacob, and we are here, able to tell this truthful story because Jacob was humbled by God, gave over to Him and became obedient to God. Is there something you are battling with God about? You should know that God always wins. What He has planned for you is better than you could do, why? Because He loves you.

Have a good week.

Exam results trrough

No, not mine, I haven't taken any exams recently. I talking about the release of the 'A' level results. I was amazed but not surprised that one in four students received an 'A' grade. This has again raised the same old questions of just how hard are the exams and how relevant are the results? Well, I would suggest from the evidence I've seen, which hasn't been much, but I think its possibly enough, that the value of 'A' levels has reduced. I don't doubt the hard work put in by students to pass the exams. My questions are just how valid are the results? Can the students use the information they've learnt? Or were they just taught how to pass an exam? (so the school can remain or raise in the league tables etc). I saw a program a little while ago which caught my eye because it involved modern day students being taught and taking the old 'O' level. The majority of the students didn't do well at all. Admittedly the students had to 'live' the time as well, with the discipline and food and life style of the time. What was interesting was that some of the students enjoyed some of the subjects because they could see what was going on, especially in chemistry and physics.
With the 'O' level the student were taught subjects in a way that they could be taught. I was taught how to learn at a young age which I have found invaluable. Now though I think students are taught how to pass an exam, with defeats the object.

Technorati Tags: life, work

A change of direction

I have been thinking for a while about a new career. So i had a good long hard look at what I've done and what I'd like to do and where I' like my career to go. I applied for more info on wed design courses. Over the last few days I've been chatting with the reps of three. Last night I met with one, for the Home Learning College. A pleasant lady with a rumbustious and lively personality. Very helpful. And what she told us was also backed-up by a quick search on the internet, which is something that I'd failed to do and should of done earlier. Done some more research on forums and review sites which again I should of done earlier and found a lot of information which I am still going through.... a decision will be made soon.... watch this space....

The Silly Season

The holiday season is upon us. I also consider it to be the silly season too, and possibly the dangerous season. I was driving to work this morning and the M25 had less traffic on it. "Wonderful" I thought "I'll be able to get to work in good time and with a slightly more relaxed drive". How wrong could I be. I did get to work in good time, but slightly more relaxed... no way. Other drivers decided to take advantage of this situation by driving at break-neck speed. Dangerous would be an under-statement. If a policeman had been there with a speed camera, he'd have had a field day. It makes me wonder that when a opportunity arises to take things easy people don't, they speed up! Myself, if it come to it, I'd prefer to be 10 minutes late in this life than 10 minutes early in the next. But then I have this thing about leaving early so I don't have to rush. Everyone seems to be in a rush so they can stop. Rush, rush, rush, stop. Rush rush, rush, stop. Relentless. Pointless. Do they actually enjoy rushing to a stop, or it a compulsion?

The passing of a friend

It was with sadness I heard that a friend, Pauline Spencer, who had been battling with cancer had died on Monday. She was a wonderful God fearing lady, mother and wife and friend to many. She will be missed. What is our loss is the Lords gain.

The Purpose Driven Life

What a good book. Anyway, previously I mentioned I would be setting up a blog to write my journey through this book. This is now at planning stage and although a start time hasn't been set, it will be soon. It will also be longer than the 40 days recommended because I intend to do a summary after the 6 main sections Rick Warren mentions.