This morning we all slept in and therefore went to the reformed (ie Grace) Presbyterian: a group who are relentlessly Evangelical (read Calvinist) in their theology and practice. The sermon was on Philippians 3: that all the good things that we have done are but dung in God's sight. The preacher was trying to explain … Continue reading The world will choose your tribe.
Month: August 2014
Check the quality of your enemies.
I am very worried when all those around me call me good, and wise, and say that they are proud of me. When I am praised. This normally happens when I compromise, when I get along with others, when I let my flesh be weak, and the spirit becomes less willing. I am far more … Continue reading Check the quality of your enemies.
Rotherham brings out the rage.
The conversation in the car was about social media. The son pointed out that facebook is only useful to remind him of things, and I suggested that twitter was useful for writing haikus and trolling. He replied that trolling is what 4chan was made for. But in NZ an election is being trolled, and the … Continue reading Rotherham brings out the rage.
The cathedral and the light of this world.
WHen I was a kid one of the things we were taught was Christ is the light of the world. And he is. But I missed the context and the implication. “America was founded on Christianity but instead of reverence we get a To Kill a Mockingbird trial for every page of the Bible.”— Fred … Continue reading The cathedral and the light of this world.
Human biodiversity is not within the gospel.
Last night the first leader's debate for the main parties happened on TV. Son one (who is on mid semester break) left his study desk -- full of the detritus of his preparation of revision notes -- to watch it. The post debate "results" were so contradictory to be a statistics lesson in itself about … Continue reading Human biodiversity is not within the gospel.
A CV is to a life what a map is to the territory.
One of the things that people often look at, in the academic game, is your qualifications, when they should be looking elsewhere. They look to see if you have a doctorate, from what university, and who you studied under. At the beginning of your career this is wise, but after about five years of work … Continue reading A CV is to a life what a map is to the territory.
Ferguson and the 4th turning.
Yesterday I was waiting for my music lesson (the son goes first) and the news was on. I normally do not watch the Mainstream News: my blood pressure can only handle so much. Yesterday they were showing the funeral of the young man who died when shot by the police in Ferguson, a suburb of … Continue reading Ferguson and the 4th turning.
Salvation is a mystery: Emotions are a phase.
Last night the programme I had travelled to Aussie to participate in was screened. As part of this, I was on Twitter, using my professional hat, and discussing issues around management, particularly access. But one of the things that the patients with the disorder talked about was how exhausting this was: how they despaired, how … Continue reading Salvation is a mystery: Emotions are a phase.
Evanjellyfish, or against growth ministries.
One of more noxious movements among the evangelicals has been the development of growth ministries. These people use the tools of public relations and marketing to encourage people into church. To do this, they tone down the message, make everything seeker friendly and eschew controversy. Mike Scruggs described them better than I can. The first … Continue reading Evanjellyfish, or against growth ministries.
Projective theology.
Yesteday we walked a fair distance: longer than is our habit on a Sunday. Our Sundays generally start with church, and we then go into the country. This photo was taken yesterday, and yes, we live in a wonderful part of the world, and yes, those spiky things are native plants. Some Sundays are wonderful. … Continue reading Projective theology.