God is not a Homicidal Maniac
July 31, 2008
One day on the listserve for my support group it got posted that it was all part of God’s plan that we got HSP, so it was okay because God wills it. Bull! Somewhere along the way the genes got goofed up and that is why we have HSP. A mutation developed and is unfortunately passed on to fifty percent of the offspring of anyone affected.
When I hear someone say, “It must be God’s plan; we just do not understand,” it gets my blood boiling. How could God be involved in possibly giving my beautiful son HSP? What possible benefit could there be to him having HSP? Is God into cruelty? I do not think so. God has much more important business to attend to.
On the evening news I heard a pastor discussing the fact that two of his teenage congregation members were killed in car accidents in the last month. He used the cop-out explanation of the accidents being “God’s plan.” Why does there have to be an answer, why not, it is just a part of life? Sometimes bad things just happen, even to good people. Do you really believe that God needed more angels or maybe these teenagers families needed to toughen up…God was just teaching them to be stronger?
Last Chance to See: Grove Mill, Mitcham
July 30, 2008
Grove Mill, Mitcham; where in 1934 many of the iron wheels from Surrey Iron Railway waggons were still visible in the tail-race, is being given the Ravensbury treatment. All but the central building is being cleared for housing.
In fact, there was already not much to see. The small row of cottages called the Fisheriesthe that were originally built to house the mill workers for the Grove Mill that stood nearby but has now disappeared. In the early 20th century they were used by the Wandle Fisheries Association, an association set up by the local Gentry to stock the river with trout.
However it is a chance to revisit this ancient industrial site. As part of the planning process an Archaeological report was commissioned from Compass Archaeology, who produced an excellent report in 2002, drawing extensively on the resources of the Museum and Merton Historical Society (mostly in the person of Eric Montague, and in the various works produced by him and Peter Harris over the years).
5 Keys to Understanding Why Your Life (probably) Sucks # 4
July 29, 2008
We are in constant competition
If we take evolution seriously, then the reason why we lasted this long (individually and as a race) stems from the fact we have adopted a survivor mentality. Either consciously or unconsciously we subscribe to the “survival of the fittest” mentality. That means we see everyone and everything else as potential competitors. Whether the competition is about which political or religious system offers the best lifestyle or who has right of way in merging traffic, the competitive mind set thrives on proving my way of doing things is better, or my wants are more important, than yours.
As a result we become driven to prove we are bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, richer, more important than everyone else. Even once we achieve that goal, we need to maintain constant vigilance just in case someone else sneaks past our guard and proves themselves to be bigger, stronger etc.
This competitive nature happens on all levels, international, community or individual. It happens between human beings. It happens between the human race and nature.
The first European settlers in my own country (Australia) had the policy: ‘If it moves, shoot it; if it doesn’t move, chop it down.’ Any person who works on the land knows what it’s like to compete with the elements.
Resurrection Faith (Part 3)
July 28, 2008
During His ministry, Jesus often made references to His impending death but the disciples, apparently so consumed with their own agenda for Jesus, missed the meaning of Jesus’ words. Thus, when He was crucified, it caught them totally off guard. They could not comprehend what had happened. They were confused, hurt, utterly discouraged, depressed and defeated. All the Gospels testify to the depressed, unexpectant mood of the disciples after Jesus’ death.
The women who went to the tomb prepared to embalm Jesus’ body were obviously expecting Jesus’ body to be there and were thoroughly discombobulated when they discovered He was not there. Two men appeared to them and reminded them that Jesus had risen just as He had foretold. Luke tells us that when the women told the disciples of their experience at the tomb and that Jesus had risen, the disciples thought they were talking foolishness (24:11). Matthew states that on the occasion of Christ’s meeting with His followers in Galilee, they saw Him and some still doubted (18:17).
Yet, it is exactly because the disciples did not understand Jesus, confused by His death and not expecting the resurrection that we know that something dramatic and earth shattering had to have taken place to create in them a faith that believed Jesus was alive ? resurrection faith.
Seeking after the Knowledge of God
July 28, 2008
As you will see in the Scripture verses I will list in this article, God the Father places an extremely high value on the pursuit of knowledge - especially spiritual knowledge. He says that gaining knowledge is greater than all the silver, gold and material things of this world.
The Bible tells us we have to grow in the knowledge of God. Once you get saved - that is just the beginning. From there, God expects you to grow in the knowledge of Him, His Son Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit and all of Their ways. As I mentioned in the article I did titled “The Power of the Word of God” - the number one way that you grow in spiritual knowledge on this earth is by reading and studying the Bible for yourself. There is no other way.
God has arranged to have all of the spiritual knowledge that we will ever need about Him, His Son and His Spirit to all be contained in this one Book. You also grow in the knowledge of God through your own personal adventures that you have with Him in your own daily walk, along with learning from other Christians - especially those who are anointed and gifted to teach from His Word.
The Wandle Trail - Announced Regeneration Project
July 27, 2008
The River Wandle is sourced from the North Downs above Croydon, surfacing now in Waddon, running west until it meets the secondary source in Carshalton, then via Hackbridge Mitcham, Ravensbury St Helier Morden Wimbledon Colliers Wood, Summerstown and Wandsworth to the Thames passing through the London Boroughs of Croydon Sutton, Merton, and Wandsworth.
The wandle Trail is a 13-mile long route follows the River Wandle from its two sourrces in Sutton and Crodoydon, through Merton to where it enters the Thames in Wandsworth. The route links many little parks and two National Trust properties.
Groundwork Merton have announced the commencement of the project to enhance the existing walking and cycling route along the Wandle to ‘enhance the amenity value of the river and its hinterland’.
This project is in partnership with the London Boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton and Sutton, as well as Sustrans (the National Cycle Network’s campaign name), and has a particular aim to fit it into the National Cycle Network as NCN route 22, but will provide landscaping, seats, information boards, and viewpoints.
A rolling 4 year program is envisaged, with the first 3 sections being Watermead Lane to Bishopsford Road, Plough Lane to Garratt Mills, and Garratt Mills to Rufus Business Centre.
5 Keys to Understanding Why Your Life (probably) Sucks! #3
July 26, 2008
The outcome of Reason # 2 is that you become your own worst enemy. That, in turn, leads on to Reason # 3 where
You place more value on doing than being
If you are at war with yourself, chances are you don’t like yourself very much. How many other people who call you to account, who expect more of you than what you achieve are on your best friends list? That fact is as true in your relationship with yourself as it is in your relationships with other people.
The trouble is, you can distance yourself from others; you have to live with yourself. So, one of the ways to come to terms with that reality is to minimise the focus on who you are (which we have determined you don’t really like) and increase the focus on what you do.
After all, you can’t do much about who you are (or at least so you think) but you can choose what it is you want to do with your life.
There are lots of people who are playing the same game. How often after being introduced to someone does the conversation get around to what you do for a living. In answer to that question, depending on the situation, I often answer “breathe”.
Philippians 2:1-18 — Seek Unity Through Humility
July 25, 2008
This passage begins (2:1-4) with a call to unity that includes basic tenets of Christianity. This passage links with 1:27 and the concern for how the Philippians live. Again, Paul draws on his relationship with them. It is because of that relationship that he can correct their behaviour and attitude.
The questions are rhetorical: among Christians there is, objectively if not subjectively, encouragement, consolation, sharing, etc. If there is any doubt about this, Paul includes the spiritual presence of Christ and the Spirit to tie these together. Where these are present, there should be unity and the same love, which manifest themselves in humility that looks to "the other." This is, in fact, what Christ did.
In saying they should have the same mind as Christ, Paul draws their attention beyond service to Christ. Many serve Christ and boast of making great sacrifices for Christ, but will not bend their knee to sacrifice for a fellow brother or sister. This attitude, which runs contrary to the traits listed in v. 1-4, cannot be held in tandem with the "mind" of Christ.
No Credit is Due: Bad Telemarketing
July 24, 2008
Just a few minutes ago I was debating what to write about this week — something interesting, perhaps, or maybe it was about time to give some credit to snails, I thought. Then, by some random stroke of luck, fate or writer’s lightning (a term I created just now), I received a phone call from a credit card company…
“We are all ready to complete your application,” the woman told me. “We just need to ask you a couple more questions.”
In theory this makes a lot of sense. I mean, hey — when someone applies for a credit card, it’s only logical that questions would follow. It’s like that snail I was going to compliment earlier, whereas I must give credit when — and only when — credit is due. But this theory should not apply to me, as I have not applied for a credit card within the past couple of years, not even to get a free mug or basketball with my favorite baseball team imprinted on it…
“I didn’t apply for a credit card,” I told the woman.
And this was true, of course, because who I am to lie to a person on the other end of the phone without being a politician?
Resurrection Faith (Part 2)
July 23, 2008
Christ died. This is a historical fact not to be denied. But it is the claim of the apostle Paul that God showed His love for us through Christ dying for sinners; this is interesting. It is interesting because we wonder what was it that encouraged Paul to believe that Jesus’ death was for sinners. He could not "see" the love of God at work. Jesus had been stabbed in the back and abandoned by His disciples. His mother and a few women, together with John stood by watching Him die. Near the cross, soldiers gambled. One thief cursed God and man. The other prayed as he died. But who of those around the cross watching Jesus die was suddenly overtaken with a great sense of God’s love? Who testified about how much God loved them?
The crucifixion to all outward appearances (i.e. historically) was a bloody, revolting, cruel disaster. Here was a "good man" who became the pawn of power politics ? who got caught between the millstones of the church and state ? the Sanhedrin and the Roman Prefect ? and was deliberately sent by Pilate to an innocent death. Historically, the death of Jesus can only be described as sheer tragedy.
