Monday, February 27, 2006
excellent biblical resources
Here are some excellent biblical resouce websites: http://www.biblegateway.com/, http://www.studylight.org/, http://www.bible.org. If there are any you recommend please let me know.
learning online
This came across my desk today and I thought it was worth checking out so click on the link to find out how you can do 100 course for US$100. It's worth a look. Some really really interesting courses available to do online.
Friday, February 24, 2006
philosophy of Charles Schutz, the creator of "Peanuts"
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Melbourne Cup trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss Australia.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Melbourne Cup trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss Australia.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
the cross
The cross is the way of the lost. The cross is the staff of the lame. The cross is the guide of the blind. The cross the strength of the weak. The cross is the hope of the hopeless. The cross is the freedom of the slaves. The cross the water of the seeds. The cross is the consolation of the labourers. The cross is the source of those who seek water. The cross is the cloth of the naked" - African Hymn
online community for post-moderns
One of the best online communities related to post-modern ministry is found at www.theooze.com
fear impossible
An interesting quote worth thinking about.
"It is impossible ... to experience or feel either fear, anger, or anxiety, while completely relaxed, quiet and composed." (The New Psycho-Cybernetics, Maltz, P.238)
"It is impossible ... to experience or feel either fear, anger, or anxiety, while completely relaxed, quiet and composed." (The New Psycho-Cybernetics, Maltz, P.238)
changing feelings
What do you think about the following quote. It is a bit of a challenge to my current thinking.
"A bad feeling is not dispelled by conscious effort or willpower. It can be dispelled, however, by another feeling. If we cannot drive out a negative feeling by making a frontal assault on it, we can accomplish the same result by substituting a positive feeling. Remember that FEELINGS FOLLOW IMAGERY. Feeling coincides with, and is appropriate to, what our nervous system accepts as real or the truth about environment. Whenever we find ourselves experiencing undesireable feelings, we should not concentrate on the undesireable feeling, event to the extent of driving it out. INSTEAD, we should immediately concentrate on positive imagery, on filling the mind with wholesome, positive, desireable images, imaginations, and memories. If we do this, the negative feelings take care of themselves. They simply evaporate. We develop new feeling-tones appropriate to the new imagery." (The New Psycho-Cybernetics, Maltz, p.275-276)
"A bad feeling is not dispelled by conscious effort or willpower. It can be dispelled, however, by another feeling. If we cannot drive out a negative feeling by making a frontal assault on it, we can accomplish the same result by substituting a positive feeling. Remember that FEELINGS FOLLOW IMAGERY. Feeling coincides with, and is appropriate to, what our nervous system accepts as real or the truth about environment. Whenever we find ourselves experiencing undesireable feelings, we should not concentrate on the undesireable feeling, event to the extent of driving it out. INSTEAD, we should immediately concentrate on positive imagery, on filling the mind with wholesome, positive, desireable images, imaginations, and memories. If we do this, the negative feelings take care of themselves. They simply evaporate. We develop new feeling-tones appropriate to the new imagery." (The New Psycho-Cybernetics, Maltz, p.275-276)
changing feelings
What do you think about the following quote. It is a bit of a challenge to my current thinking.
"A bad feeling is not dispelled by conscious effort or willpower. It can be dispelled, however, by another feeling. If we cannot drive out a negative feeling by making a frontal assault on it, we can accomplish the same result by substituting a positive feeling. Remember that FEELINGS FOLLOW IMAGERY. Feeling coincides with, and is appropriate to, what our nervous system accepts as real or the truth about environment. Whenever we find ourselves experiencing undesireable feelings, we should not concentrate on the undesireable feeling, event to the extent of driving it out. INSTEAD, we should immediately concentrate on positive imagery, on filling the mind with wholesome, positive, desireable images, imaginations, and memories. If we do this, the negative feelings take care of themselves. They simply evaporate. We develop new feeling-tones appropriate to the new imagery." (The New Psycho-Cybernetices, Matz, p.275-276)
"A bad feeling is not dispelled by conscious effort or willpower. It can be dispelled, however, by another feeling. If we cannot drive out a negative feeling by making a frontal assault on it, we can accomplish the same result by substituting a positive feeling. Remember that FEELINGS FOLLOW IMAGERY. Feeling coincides with, and is appropriate to, what our nervous system accepts as real or the truth about environment. Whenever we find ourselves experiencing undesireable feelings, we should not concentrate on the undesireable feeling, event to the extent of driving it out. INSTEAD, we should immediately concentrate on positive imagery, on filling the mind with wholesome, positive, desireable images, imaginations, and memories. If we do this, the negative feelings take care of themselves. They simply evaporate. We develop new feeling-tones appropriate to the new imagery." (The New Psycho-Cybernetices, Matz, p.275-276)
christian leadership
If you are interested in Jesus as a leadership model then check out "Lead Like Jesus" written by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Here's a really interesting article on postmodernism by Brian McLaren. It's a bit of a tough read but well worth the effort. I think he does a great job at defining postmodernism. Put your thinking cap on and enjoy the read.
http://www.anewkindofchristian.com/archives/000071.html
http://www.anewkindofchristian.com/archives/000071.html
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
what would you do?
What would you do?
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?"
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. "I believe, that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child. "Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball.
Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."
Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart.
The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!"
Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base.
He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay" Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!
Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home!
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team. That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.
Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?"
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. "I believe, that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child. "Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball.
Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."
Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart.
The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!"
Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base.
He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay" Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!
Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home!
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team. That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.
Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
funny
Interesting Year 1981
1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool was crowned soccer Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament.
4. Pope Died
Interesting Year 2005
1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool was crowned soccer Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament
4. Pope Died
Lesson Learned? The next time Charles gets married, someone warn the Pope!!!
1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool was crowned soccer Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament.
4. Pope Died
Interesting Year 2005
1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool was crowned soccer Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament
4. Pope Died
Lesson Learned? The next time Charles gets married, someone warn the Pope!!!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
in my view (for 12 Feb 2006)
In my view one of the hardest things I've had to learn to do is receive a compliment. In the past I would be embarrassed and tend to downplay what the person was saying, but then I heard a wise person make the following comment. "When you put down a compliment you are putting down the person who made the compliment."
I had to learn to accept compliments, not for my sake, but so that I respected and honoured the person who had made it.
These days I always try and appreciate the compliment and then I do something else as well. I take the compliment and consider what the person was saying. If what they were saying was genuine then I thank God for having used me. If I think the compliment was just flattery then I ask God to help me not get a big head.
So next time someone gives you a compliment be appreciative about it. I know it can be hard to receive a compliment, but receiving a compliment is as important as giving genuine compliments to others for the bible says "And let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24)
I had to learn to accept compliments, not for my sake, but so that I respected and honoured the person who had made it.
These days I always try and appreciate the compliment and then I do something else as well. I take the compliment and consider what the person was saying. If what they were saying was genuine then I thank God for having used me. If I think the compliment was just flattery then I ask God to help me not get a big head.
So next time someone gives you a compliment be appreciative about it. I know it can be hard to receive a compliment, but receiving a compliment is as important as giving genuine compliments to others for the bible says "And let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24)
turn the other cheek
There are times I get confused about what to do. Yesterday I was in court testifying against a man who assaulted me about a year ago. He was found guilty and looks like he will go to jail.
Should I have testified?
I think in this case it was right to because he apparently has a long record of doing this sort of thing.
So in what situations should 'turn the other cheek'? I'm not sure about that one, guess I'll have to think more about that.
Should I have testified?
I think in this case it was right to because he apparently has a long record of doing this sort of thing.
So in what situations should 'turn the other cheek'? I'm not sure about that one, guess I'll have to think more about that.
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