Dogs are a man's best fried - so we're told.
That is certainly true when I am working on an essay or whatever at my desk in my study. He comes and sits on my feet, thus keeping them warm and he being guaranteed of no disturbance by any person. He is not a large dog, but is perfect for this task to which Providence has fitted him. He also has a coat sufficient for this task and the proportions of his body are just right to fit over and around my feet. When he has to move, my feet are left with a wonderfully warm glow which ensures that he is very welcome to return to that occupation whenever he wishes to.
I would, therefore, recommend to all who have such tasks to perform as I have from time to time at a desk, to have the services of a dog; one that is not too small and one that is not too large. It would also be advantageous for you to watch episodes of The Dog Whisperer.
Friday, 14 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
The power of books!
"Men of power have no time to read. Those who do not read are unfit for power"; Michael Foot.
How clear this is. By reading we have the opportunity of learning something of what happened in history, and are thereby warned regarding repeating the very same thing.
Do our financial wizards have no time to read? If they did would they not have learned of what they ought to avoid? They obviously didn't and they obviously didn't.
Do our political masters read? It does not seem as though they do. If they did would they repeat mistakes that were made years ago? Would they not learn how foolish it is to keep on pushing an agenda that is clearly leaking and without credence? Would they not have learned how foolish it is to support a dictator like Saddam Hussein for they eventually turn and bite them, which in turn means the power of Western armies have to go and crush him, which in turn means that they get caught up in an interminable war that achieves very little.
If nothing else buy books, read books, give books as gifts along with bookmarks especially to those who are in power.
How clear this is. By reading we have the opportunity of learning something of what happened in history, and are thereby warned regarding repeating the very same thing.
Do our financial wizards have no time to read? If they did would they not have learned of what they ought to avoid? They obviously didn't and they obviously didn't.
Do our political masters read? It does not seem as though they do. If they did would they repeat mistakes that were made years ago? Would they not learn how foolish it is to keep on pushing an agenda that is clearly leaking and without credence? Would they not have learned how foolish it is to support a dictator like Saddam Hussein for they eventually turn and bite them, which in turn means the power of Western armies have to go and crush him, which in turn means that they get caught up in an interminable war that achieves very little.
If nothing else buy books, read books, give books as gifts along with bookmarks especially to those who are in power.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Normal!?!?
Normality; being normal. Now there's a thing.
If it is defined in a very specific manner it can then include very few people; such as blue-eyed, blond-haired Aryans. If it is defined in a very broad manner it is then worthless as a classificatory term; such as human beings. The first example is of course very well known, especially in terms of the evil perpetrated in its name. But then, when we say that to be normal one has to have a certain level of IQ, or that one is able to cope with abstract concepts, we are in danger of going down the same slippery slope as the National Socialists of Germany in the 1930s. For we are then saying that to be different is dangerous and divisive.
In his wisdom, God made us all different. Who are we to determine otherwise? Perhaps it is because we have decided that we do not wish to have God rule over us that we fear differentness. In our rebellion we love to control. However we cannot control those who are different, and therefore, we devise means of ensuring there is no problem.
In abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia we give vent to such fear of differentness and practise such control. God save us from it!
If it is defined in a very specific manner it can then include very few people; such as blue-eyed, blond-haired Aryans. If it is defined in a very broad manner it is then worthless as a classificatory term; such as human beings. The first example is of course very well known, especially in terms of the evil perpetrated in its name. But then, when we say that to be normal one has to have a certain level of IQ, or that one is able to cope with abstract concepts, we are in danger of going down the same slippery slope as the National Socialists of Germany in the 1930s. For we are then saying that to be different is dangerous and divisive.
In his wisdom, God made us all different. Who are we to determine otherwise? Perhaps it is because we have decided that we do not wish to have God rule over us that we fear differentness. In our rebellion we love to control. However we cannot control those who are different, and therefore, we devise means of ensuring there is no problem.
In abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia we give vent to such fear of differentness and practise such control. God save us from it!
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Stranger
'What is this world, so full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?' - W H Davies (Supertramp)
Do you have time to stare?
I suppose if we did so today somebody would bash us in the face.
Do you have time to stare?
I suppose if we did so today somebody would bash us in the face.
Strange?
Collision between the mind and thinking can have strange results, such as two blog posts in one day from a Road less travelled. It can be a relief to allow this to happen sometimes, since it then can open the juice sluices of creativity. A pity it has not happened in this case yet!!!!!!!!!
Strange...
Do you ever feel like a stranger?
Do you ever feel like a stranger in the church you attend?
What makes you feel like a stranger?
What helps to dissipate those feelings of being a stranger?
Are these things ever linked to strangeness?
Does ignorance contribute? - I don't know.
Do you ever feel like a stranger in the church you attend?
What makes you feel like a stranger?
What helps to dissipate those feelings of being a stranger?
Are these things ever linked to strangeness?
Does ignorance contribute? - I don't know.
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Image of God
One road that is less travelled than most in theology is that dealing with people who have learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities). There seems to be some difficulty in accepting that there exist various implications when we say that 'man' (to use the generic term) is made in the image of God.
How many of you think that 'image of God' equals being 'rational'?
If we think that 'image of God' equals being 'rational' we then need to define what being 'rational' means. Do we meekly accept the Greek view of rational, and link it to the intellectual capacity of the human brain? Does that mean, therefore, that a person who has learning disabilities is not made in the 'image of God'? I hope we would say a loud No!
If persons who have learning disabilities are made in the image of God we have a responsibility to encourage them to learn what that means in all its fulness. What does that mean in relation to sin? What does that mean in relation to redemption? What does that mean in relation to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? What does that mean in relation to living in heaven?
To some extent the above may not be very problematic for those of us who are Reformed, or at least evangelical. However, what about the implications of helping those with learning disabilities to learn what being made in the image of God is in relation to their place within the Christian church today here on earth, and not just the church worldwide as some amorphous body, but the local church wherever you live, the church that you attend.
How do you relate to them on a Sunday?
How do you relate to them on every other day of the week?
What place do they have within the sacramental life of the church?
Do you recognise that those with learning disabilities have a need to be taught the Gospel, that the Good News needs to be introduced to them, and to be cared for through the various ministries of the church?
Do you recognise that they have a responsibility to be part of the evangelistic and ministry work of the church, that they have something to give and a responsibility to give it?
I would really be interested to know what you think.
I would not be surprised if you disagree with what you think my beliefs are. All I would ask is that you think and submit your thinking to God's Word, helping me to do the same. It is essential we apply ourselves to this. What will be asked of us when we are called home, or when Jesus Christ returns to this world?
How many of you think that 'image of God' equals being 'rational'?
If we think that 'image of God' equals being 'rational' we then need to define what being 'rational' means. Do we meekly accept the Greek view of rational, and link it to the intellectual capacity of the human brain? Does that mean, therefore, that a person who has learning disabilities is not made in the 'image of God'? I hope we would say a loud No!
If persons who have learning disabilities are made in the image of God we have a responsibility to encourage them to learn what that means in all its fulness. What does that mean in relation to sin? What does that mean in relation to redemption? What does that mean in relation to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? What does that mean in relation to living in heaven?
To some extent the above may not be very problematic for those of us who are Reformed, or at least evangelical. However, what about the implications of helping those with learning disabilities to learn what being made in the image of God is in relation to their place within the Christian church today here on earth, and not just the church worldwide as some amorphous body, but the local church wherever you live, the church that you attend.
How do you relate to them on a Sunday?
How do you relate to them on every other day of the week?
What place do they have within the sacramental life of the church?
Do you recognise that those with learning disabilities have a need to be taught the Gospel, that the Good News needs to be introduced to them, and to be cared for through the various ministries of the church?
Do you recognise that they have a responsibility to be part of the evangelistic and ministry work of the church, that they have something to give and a responsibility to give it?
I would really be interested to know what you think.
I would not be surprised if you disagree with what you think my beliefs are. All I would ask is that you think and submit your thinking to God's Word, helping me to do the same. It is essential we apply ourselves to this. What will be asked of us when we are called home, or when Jesus Christ returns to this world?
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