I’m guessing that most of you at one point have had one of those chocolate-a-day advent calendars where you find the date, punch out the window, and enjoy a (usually highly mediocre) chocolate treat. (Ed. note - at least most of us found the date— others among us apparently just wildly open up the next window in sequence without even looking — you know who you are) Well, here’s a grown-up version of an advent calendar that’s much less tasty but certainly a lot more nourishing — providing daily reminders, music and more about what the Christmas season is really all about. Considering how it’s so easy to get sidetracked and distracted during the busyness of the Christmas season, a daily reminder about the peace we are celebrating this season seems like a particularly timely idea.
Where: 118 Victoria Street, Dundas (my new place -I hope to be moved in by then)
Why: Because I love scrapbooking
Details: I will be providing snacks and refreshments. Jenn (a Stampin’ Up demonstrator) will be showing us stamping techniques and giving us detailed instructions on how to make three different greeting cards. There will be a $15 fee to cover the cost of the materials to make the cards. If you can not make it to the party and would like to see a catalog of all of the wonderful stamp sets and supplies please let me know.
The Global Language Monitor has released its list of the Top 10 Most Politically (in)Correct words for 2005 — entertaining and horrifying all at the same time. Check it out here. My favourite has to be “thought shower” - that would be the new term to replace “brainstorming” so as not to offend those with epilepsy or other brain disorders. Nice.
It’s that time of year when we are subjected to people who, in a rush to be tolerant and inclusive, forget that inclusiveness and tolerance actually include celebrating Christian holidays - hence Pittsburgh’s “Happy Sparkle Days” festival in lieu of a Christmas celebration. This article gives a nice overview of some of the truly idiotic ideas some people have had to “replace” Christmas with something more “inclusive” as well as where the current battlelines are drawn. This is one issue that gets me really mad, so perhaps my enjoyment of this article comes principally from the mostly sarcastic writing style describing the “alternate” Christmas events — be warned!
This article builds on something that we have talked about during our small group discussions for the 40 Days of Mercy - our tendency to cocoon ourselves away from others and, not surprisingly, then have trouble identifying their needs. This goes beyond just avoiding your neighbours wherever you live — even when we are out in public and passing literally hundreds of people while walking to work, we now have our iPod and a pair of headphones to ensure we can successfully avoid any person whom we just might (horror of horrors!) have to talk to. This article deals with how the entitlement society we have developed (i.e. it’s OK to do whatever you have a right to do, regardless of any broader social responsibilities) is leading to a lack of consideration for others. My favourite quote: “This is an age of social autism, in which people just can’t see the value of imagining their impact on others”. Good food for thought stemming from the 40 Days of Mercy.
An interesting scholarly viewpoint on the one theory of the origin of life that makes sense to me as both a Christian and a scientist: how an intelligent designer (God) can use natural processes, including natural selection, as creative forces. The scientist is a Nobel laureate famous for his pioneering work with lasers — it’s interesting to see an increasingly large number of scientists with some serious scientific credentials express this opinion publicly.
I just wanted to post the website from which I got the diagrams and some of the information about the tabernacle that I used tonight at the prayer meeting. Everything about the tabernacle is amazingly rich in symbolism, applying to both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Particularly interesting, on the “Holy and the Most Holy” page, is the use of the tabernacle “gate” imagery to describe the different types of believers. Also I’d recommend reading Exodus 25-31 in which the commandment to build the tabernacle and all its specifications are described — based on all the details demanded of the tabernacle construction and all of the rituals which had to be done before the preist could (just once a year) enter directly into God’s presence, it makes what Jesus did for us in giving us direct and continuous access to the Most Holy Place all the more remarkable.
Interesting article from today’s newspaper — my first response was “that’s ridiculous and exploitative”, but after actually reading the article I am now less sure:
Here’s the founder of the Western Wall Prayer Service (interestingly, a North America-trained lawyer) defending her idea of cash-for-prayers:
“It is difficult to see so many (devoutly religious) people in Jerusalem really living hand to mouth, watching every dime. What they need most is material help,” she says. “At the same time, there are all sorts of people in North America who have so much in material wealth, but are in spiritual need. We’re trying to match those needs to each other.”
Although this is certainly a Judiasm-centred service, the article is, if nothing else, an interesting account of the empowering nature of prayer — whether it be truly God-driven answers to our requests or, on a very human level, just knowing that somebody else is petitioning God about our problems on our behalf. Indeed, it was the petitioning nature of this service which I found particularly interesting — not just praying for somebody once and a while when we think about it, but literally petitioning God, constantly and without fail for 40 days, about the worries, problems, and struggles of somebody else. Whether the Western Wall people have it right or not on the economic side of things, it’s interesting to think about how much more strongly we might be able to reflect God’s power and love to those around us if we petitioned God on their behalf — without asking for a “donation” in return. Now that’s a Ministry of Mercy.
Sometimes it’s hard for we as the younger generation to really wrap our minds around what war is like. While Canadians are obviously serving abroad right now in Afghanistan, Haiti, and elsewhere, there has never in our lifetime been what could be called a “global conflict” in which the whole country is mobilized and on guard, when people we know personally leave to fight and never come back. It’s particularly hard when you don’t have a grandfather, uncle, or some sort of relative who was there and can really bring the stories to life concerning how horrific war is and the extent of the sacrifice so many people made. So how can we then truly appreciate what Remembrance Day is all about? Although we may not truly understand war, this interesting article points out that, as Christians, we do understand the concept of sacrifice on the grandest scale ever witnessed — Christ’s ultimate example of laying down His life on our behalf. Our response to Christ’s sacrifice should be awe, gratitude, and remembrance (through our prayer, our worship, and our act of communion). While the sacrifice made by war veterans is obviously not on the same level, they have still poured themselves out under horrible circumstances to protect the freedoms and prosperity we enjoy today — a sacrifice which most certainly also deserves our gratitude and reflection on this Remembrance Day.
So it’s November, the work is piling up, exams are around the corner (or theses defence dates are creeping up in my case), the weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter… sounds like a perfect time for some demotivation! I’m sure you’ve all seen those posters with an artistic picture, an inspirational word in large lettering at the bottom, and some kind of inspirational thought scripted below to help get you through the day. This site turns that concept on its head — it’s really funny stuff (at least I got a kick out of it… perhaps I have a twisted sense of humour though, consider yourself warned!) In the humour though is also embedded some really neat commentary on the “buzzwords” of our time and what we perceive as important and valuable as a society. One of my favourites: “Idiocy: Never Underestimate the Power of Stupid People in Large Groups”.
FYI - for all of those contemplating contacting the “Computer Support” people on our new oXyGEN Service Bank asking for computer help — make sure you’re not one of these people first…. PLEASE!!!!!….
- Todd
Customer: I’m trying to connect to the Internet with your CD, but it just doesn’t work. What am I doing wrong? Tech support: OK, you’ve got the CD in the CD drive, right? Customer: Yeah…. Tech support: And what sort of computer are you using? Customer: Computer? Oh no, I haven’t got a computer. It’s in the CD player and all I get is weird noises. Listen…..
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Tech support: What kind of computer do you have? Customer : A white one…
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Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can’t print. Every time I try, it says ‘Can’t find printer’. I’ve even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can’t find it…
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Customer: I have problems printing in red… Tech support: Do you have a color printer? Customer: Aaaah………………..thank you.
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Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore. Tech support: Are you sure it’s plugged into the computer? Customer: No. I can’t get behind the computer. Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back. Customer: OK Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you? Customer: Yes Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard? Customer: Yes, there’s another one here. Ah…that one does work
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Tech support: Your password is the small letter a as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7. Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?
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Customer: I can’t get on the Internet. Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password? Customer: Yes, I’m sure. I saw my colleague do it. Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was? Customer: Five stars.
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Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.
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Tech support: How may I help you? Customer: I’m writing my first e-mail. Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem? Customer: Well, I have the letter ‘a’ in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?
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A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer. Tech support: Are you running it under windows? Customer: “No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine.”
Sometimes we as Christians have very fixed expectations regarding what it means to worship “properly” in a “Godly” manner (or, for that matter, serve in certain ways which are viewed as more “valuable” than others). As a more reserved kind of person, I am not likely to be dancing down the aisle during the service or preaching from the sidewalk any time soon, even though some people view those things as critically important expression of faith. On the other hand, some people can’t handle spending time by themselves in quiet reflection. Fortunately, I think it’s clear that there are many paths to experiencing God which are all equally valid and equally impactful according to our temperment and our spiritual giftedness. Martha led a large group session on these “Sacred Pathways” over a year ago — the quiz helping you identify the way(s) you best experience God is now online and can be found here. Take the quiz and comment on what your sacred pathways are (it might even help us in coming up with events or group activities which will help you worship God more effectively).
For the record, my top three are:
Intellectual: Intellectuals draw near to God through their minds. Contemplative: Contemplatives draw near to God through personal adoration and heartfelt devotion. Naturalist: Naturalists Draw near to God through nature.
(I am sure all of you who know me are all shocked by these results However, I should mention that “Enthusiast” was only a point behind, so there must be a wild celebratory aspect to my personality somewhere in there too…
Over the past month as we have been asking the question “What’s God Like?” in oXyGEN large group, it has been striking how diverse the various aspects of God’s character are and, specifically, how many of the attributes of God are essentially in tension (i.e. justice and mercy). I found this list relating each of the books of the Bible to revealing a major attribute of the Godhead on Glenn Teal’s blog (a great read on Christian living - check it out) — I think it is a really interesting way to trace how God’s character is revealed through the autobiography He has given us.
- Todd
In Genesis – Christ is the Creator Exodus – Christ is the Deliverer Leviticus – Christ is the Law-giver – revealing the righteousness of God Numbers – Christ is the Passover Lamb — the blood sacrifice to satisfy God’s justice Deuteronomy – Christ is the Covenant keeper – the faithful one when we are not faithful
In Joshua and Judges – Jesus is our Strong Deliverer protects and guides Ruth – Jesus is our kind Relative Samuel/Kings/Chronicles – Jesus is the ultimate King Ezra & Nehemiah (one long story) – Jesus is the Great Rebuilder who puts things back together. Esther — Jesus is the Perfect Protector
In Job – Christ is the ever-living Redeemer Psalms – Christ is the Good Shepherd Proverbs & Ecclesiastes – Christ is the Wisdom of the ages Song of Songs – Jesus is the Lover of my Soul Isaiah – Jesus is the Suffering Servant Jeremiah – Christ is the Perfect Potter shaping and reshaping his people Lamentatians – Christ is the One who hears our cry Ezekiel – Christ is He who puts flesh on dry bones Daniel – Christ shuts the Lion’s mouth Hosea and Joel and Amos – Christ is the Perfectly Straight Line who shows us how crooked we are at times. Obadiah and Jonah and Micah and Nahum – Christ is the God who always prefers repentance over revenge. Habbakkuk & Zephaniah and Haggai– Christ is God who is mighty to save Zechariah and Malachi – Christ is King of Zion – Ruler over all
In Matthew — we see Jesus as the King of Kings – Messiah of the Jews Mark — we see Jesus as the Great I am – God in the Flesh Luke — Jesus is the Son of Man – Friend of sinners John — Jesus is the Light of the World – The Word made Flesh Acts — Jesus is the Ascended Son of God – Empowerer of the Church
In Romans – Jesus is the Righteousness of God 1 & 2 Corinthians – Jesus is Pure Love – the most excellent way Galatians – Jesus is Source of Freedom – sets us truly free Ephesians – Jesus is the Life Giver – makes us alive in God Philippians – Jesus is the Joy-giver – rejoice in all circumstances Colossians – Jesus is the Exact Image of the Invisible God 1 & 2 Thessalonians – Jesus is the Coming one – surprise us when he comes 1 & 2 Timothy — Jesus is the Well-trained Athlete – who helps us fight to the very end Titus & Philemon – Jesus is the Head of the Church – who keeps us together makes sure we win! Hebrews – Jesus is the Great High Priest – who paid the perfect price for his people In James – Jesus is our Practical Older Bother – who keeps it real In 1 & 2 Peter – Jesus is the Holy One of God In 1,2 & 3 John and Jude – Jesus is the Living Word In Revelation — Jesus is the Alpha and Omega – first and last – The Author and the Finisher of our Faith
Just wanted to point out a fantastic website containing free .pdf or .html versions of a huge number of full books which are in the public domain and are freely available for download:
I have a confession: I HATE writing mission statements. Half the time, I get the feeling that the hours required to debate and write out a list of goals and visions which are usually grandiosely stated and in large part self-evident can be better used actually seeking out ways to execute those ideals (probably the engineer in me crying out for help… However, I took it all back when I read the mission statement Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) chose to define his life:
“Present to God; Present to people”
To me, that’s our job as Christians summed up in six beautifully concise words. I particularly like the use of the word “present” in this mission statement. Thinking back to roll call in elementary school, we would always have to yell out “present” to confirm our attendance in the class, not only to indicate we were physically there, rear ends in the seats, but further that we were in the right place at the right time, communicating effectively with those requiring our presence (the teacher in this case) and ready to do what we were asked. That’s the essence of the relationship we need to have with God and those around us: allowing God to teach us and transform our lives while reflecting the hope and care God grants us to our neighbours through meeting real needs. In a world of pithy and empty mission statements, this is one that truly stands out.
Here’s something kind of fun — The Washington Post’s Style Invitational annually asks readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are some of this year’s winners:
Intaxication (n.): Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
Reintarnation (n.): Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.
Giraffiti (n.): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
Sarchasm (n.): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.
Inoculatte (v.): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
Hipatitis (n.): Terminal coolness.
Dopeler effect (n.): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you’ve accidentally walked through a spider web.
Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you’re eating.
I am truly sorry if I offend anyone by this blog. I wrote this one day as I was reflecting on my feelings of the Catholic Church. This is my story.
I see the crosses row by row
Hung on necks with pride to show
Yet, not a soul to know its worth
Of what it truly means…his birth
New life he gave, but not when born
The life he gave when he was torn
On the cross he gave his life
Filled with pain and with strife
In a time when Truth was gone
Here is where he truly shone
He lived with conviction for himself
I wish I could say this for myself
So go to church and say your prayers
Kneel down and watch the stares
Of people praying to and fro
Not to our God, but to below
Their souls they tithe with added glee
Enter now…Monetary Misery
They worship now their treasured dime
And for this, they pay a fine
Their souls have sinned and all in vain
Through this act… they do not gain
A place in heaven shall not be found
Their only place is in the ground
This is where the demons lie
In their hearts they truly die
In this place and all around
Temptation lurks and will be found
Sin they mask with a cross of gold
And their hearts…they are so cold
Yet, I am not…one to say
Who should go or who should stay
In a place of Eternal Life
And this is where I find the strife
Am I this kind? Do I sin?
Yes, I do…and with my kin
Sister dear and I do learn
In a place that is quite stern
Filled with nuns and priests that say
If you falter…do not stay<
Yet girls, they wear their kilts too high
And boys they watch…Oh My! Oh My!
Sin they mask with a cross of gold
Yet, I am so often told
To marry one alike is best
Yes, a Catholic boy is best, is best
Eternally, I am betrothed to One
Or I could become a Nun
But children here, I do not see
What a life of misery
So, up the chapel steps I go
On my daddy’s arm for show
Here a man waits for me
But, has probably lost his virginity
I’ll raise a girl much like me
Who is taught to only see
A life that is filled with sin
And I’ll raise a boy much like him
Who is taught to one be
Someone who must pay a fee
I wore this cross when I was young
Around my little neck was hung
Father Son and Holy Ghost
This, the part I like the most
A place of peace…I did find
A place here…with my kind
I faltered yes, and paid the price
Then I tried to be nice
The guilt was strong and taught me well
That if I fall, I go to hell
I penance once and penance twice
Oh Holy Spirit…save my life
And now I look unto myself
A Hypocrite of wealth
I was taught to worship here
And I did… in fear, in fear
Of a God that hated well
Love was something he could sell
Lord, wake me from this wicked dream
Where in my life, if would not seem
That truth was mixed with lies galore
And in my life, it did not store
Rows of crosses hung in vain
For a God that caused this pain
Another place, I did find
More of like my mother’s kind
A Protestant church I do see
But, where can this be leading me?
So, here I sit…it Purgatory
Yes, it’s the Contemporary English Version of the Bible translated into text message speak… so “In da Bginnin God cre8d da heavens & da earth” and “God so luvd da world”. You can even download it and send verses to selected text messaging buddies here. Can’t wait to see what’s next… perhaps setting Leviticus to a rap beat…
Simon pointed out an interesting article from today’s Toronto Star regarding the debate the Catholic church is having on whether or not to offer Holy Communion to politicians who pass laws opposing the church’s teaching -
Perhaps even more interesting are the reader comments regarding the story on the Star’s website, which are here (it’s a surprisingly intelligent and worthwhile debate given the passions involved in this topic)
This is a tricky issue… obviously the Catholic Church can set any policy it so chooses, but it’s tough to refuse communion to a politician for making a public decision while serving communion to people committing sins of adultery, only in privacy, every night. I guess it boils down to whether the Church believes it is confident enough (and wise enough) to enact God’s judgement on His behalf.
Here’s a guy who has dozens of reasons to be proud, being a former American president and one of the key drivers behind Habitat for Humanity, which even now is among the many aid organizations leading the charge in rebuilding the Gulf Coast. However, each and every Sunday, he’s just the Sunday School teacher and a regular guy in the pews, singing the hymns and worshipping God in a rural Georgia church. It’s refreshing to see that integrity and living out a life based on Micah 6:8 isn’t totally out of fashion.
I’m passing these cute jokes along on behalf of Joy:
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah”. The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?” The little girl replied, “Then you ask him “.
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, “They will in a minute.”
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor” thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, “Thou shall not kill.”
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?” Her mother replied, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?”
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: “Take only ONE. God is watching.” Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.
So, we haven’t done one of these little blog puzzle contests in a while… not coincidentally perhaps, nobody has commented on a blog in roughly the same amount of time. Do I detect a trend? Well, call me nothing if not cheaply pandering to what the people want. Instead of the pictograph puzzles, this time I’ve got some logic puzzles together for your enjoyment… I figure it’s easier to rationalize spending time solving logic riddles since you are “expanding your non-linear thinking ability”, which really sounds quite productive. As usual, for those brilliant enough to induce the solutions, feel free to post your answer as a comment to share your genius with everybody.
- Todd
1) Standing on a one way street, were two highway patrol officers, specifically looking for drivers who were in violation of local traffic laws. A taxi driver was going the wrong way down the street, however, the officers did nothing. What explanation can you offer?
2) You have a barrel, filled to the top with water, which weighs 150 pounds. What can you add to the barrel in order to make it lighter?
3) Whoever makes it, tells it not. Whoever takes it, knows it not. And whoever knows it, wants it not. What is it?
4) If Poland is 44 miles away, Canada is 42 miles away and Mongolia is 56 miles away, how far away is Peru?
5) In the olden days, a man rode into town on his horse. He arrived on Monday, spent six days in town and left on Friday. How is that possible?
6) James recently moved to his first brand new house (really this is a total coincidence). When he arrived there he discovered that the builder had forgotten something. James popped down to the local DIY shop to enquire about the prices. Luckily the items are quite cheap at the shop. 7 cost $1.00, 10 cost $2.00 and 100 cost $3.00. What had the builder forgotten and how much will 210 cost?
7) If you are in a dark room with a candle, a wood stove and a gas lamp. You only have one match, so what do you light first?
8) A donkey is tied to a rope 6 feet long and there is a bale of hay 8 feet away. How can the donkey get to the hay if he does not bite or undo the rope?
9) The local bus driver was telling me that recently he was driving a bus full of people and nobody got off on the way. However, as he was pulling into his last stop, there was not a single person left on the bus. How?
10) What is it that when you need it, you can’t buy it and when you can buy it, you don’t need it?
I was browsing the site I linked to in the previous blog and found this — it’s amazing what some people actually ask (these are apparently all real questions people have submitted to the site)! Anyway, the football question is yet another good reason it’s a good job it’ll be a while until my friend gets to Leviticus Rarely have monkeys on typewriters and football been placed in the same article, let alone one on apologetics, but there’s a first time for everything:
Should we compile a list of links to those members of Oxygen, PMC at large, and perhaps even friends outside the church, with blogs?
Shermeen, for example, can be found here. Kelsey’s might-be-updated blog is here.
Jason Silver, music leader and webmaster extraordinaire, has his available here. Jason has links to several people from Philpott…I’ll leave it to him if he wants to post ‘em over here.
And then, of course, there’s mine. A warning before you plunge headlong into Austin’s Mind - I am very…well, I don’t pull many punches. If I’m posting on my blog (which is not very often of late - too much work!), it’s because I’ve been moved to do so in some way. Usually because I’m irked.
I know you all see me as some kinda lovable roly-poly Pilsbury DoughBoy (ha!) when I’m at Oxygen; but I’m not always that reserved. You’re getting 85% pure Austin on my blog…and you may not like what you see. Just so you’ve been warned. Here’s the link.
I know this has very little to do with anything remotely important, but I thought it was important to bring this incredibly shocking news about Cookie Monster of Sesame Street fame to your attention. They have forever ruined the “C is for Cookie” song for me now At least, as the article attempts to comfort us, “Will he still scarf his food? Yes, plus the occasional object”.
Here are a couple of interesting articles addressing the religious responses to Hurricane Katrina and all the absolutely awful things that have been happening in not only New Orleans but also the entire U.S. Gulf Coast over the last week:
Sodom and Gomorrah by Deborah Caldwell - As usual after a major natural disaster, many people are attempting to equate the ferocity of Katrina to retribution from either Mother Nature or an angry God. This article outlines what the radicals are saying about why Katrina hit New Orleans — it’s good to understand since many people equate this response with the attitude of all Christians toward tragedies such as this, even though that’s clearly not the case.
Where Was God When Katrina Hit? by Dr. Tony Campolo - an interesting, thought-provoking, and very eloquent Christian response to the question on the tips of everybody’s tongues when natural disasters strike down so many innocent people. A beautiful rebuttal to the Sodom and Gomorrah article above.
Why We Place Ourselves in Harm’s Way by Kenneth Cole, Toronto Star 09/04/05 - not too much spiritual content here, but a really interesting look at how we assess risk and the psychology of disasters. It’s truly odd how we dismiss some risks which are incredibly probable while fretting endlessly about things are extremely improbable.
As we prepare to launch our “fall oXyGEN promotional blitz” in the next couple of weeks, I think it’s important to remember exactly what we are promoting to everybody we are going to talk to. It’s really easy to get caught up in “Philpott Fever” if you will, competing against churches for all the “newcomers” and hyping up our “product”, while losing focus of what actually makes for a successful ministry that’s Christ-centred. Check out this thought-provoking essay which outlines many of the pitfalls that churches face in promoting themselves:
I’m not sure I totally agree with everything in the article, but the basic premise of the content is dead on — making sure that we in no way dilute the meaning and truths of our faith in trying to make church and oXyGEN more attractive to people. It’s a really valuable thing to keep in mind over the next couple of weeks.
It’s interesting that scientists are starting to talk about this now after avoiding the issue for so long - the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) actually devoted a session to God and science at its annual meeting this year.
Here’s something anybody who has ever attempted to golf and/or knows somebody who thinks he/she can golf can enjoy… personally, I’m thrilled if I can break 70 (per nine holes of course…
- Todd
———— THE 10 BEST CADDY REPLIES
1) Golfer: “Think I’m going to drown myself in the lake” Caddy: “Think you can keep your head down that long?”
2) Golfer: “I’d move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course” Caddy: “Try heaven, you’ve already moved most of the earth”
3) Golfer: “Do you think my game is improving?” Caddy: “Yes, sir, you miss the ball much closer now”
4) Golfer: “Do you think I can get to the green with a five-iron?” Caddy: “Eventually”
5) Golfer: “You have to be the worst caddy in the world” Caddy: “I don’t think so sir, that would be too much of a coincidence”
6) Golfer: “Please stop checking your watch all the time, it’s too much of a distraction” Caddy: “It’s not a watch, it’s a compass”
7) Golfer: “How do you like my game” Caddy: “Very good sir, but personally I prefer golf”
8) Golfer: “Do you think it’s a sin to play on Sunday?” Caddy: “The way you play, sir, it’s a sin on any day”
9) Golfer: “This is the worst course I’ve ever played on” Caddy: “This isn’t the golf course. We left that an hour ago”
10) Golfer: “This can’t be my ball, it’s too old” Caddy: “It’s been a long time since we teed off, sir”
The language is very secular but it’s not too hard to fill in the blanks converting Jobs’ terms of “faith” and “instinct” to “trusting in God and following the Spirit’s leading” in our own lives. As Jobs writes: “You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something”
If anybody is ever depressed about something truly awful happening in their lives and the trite (although true) response that we tend to give of “God works all things together for good” fails to satisfy, pull out a couple of these stories for a real, famous, and powerful example of exactly that fact. Seriously, even if you never click on the links on this blog, do it just this once to read this speech, it’s worth it. Actually, the whole website on which this speech was posted (Dick Staub) is really interesting reading on many topics involving faith and culture — take a look.
If you missed Dave’s presentation tonight at Dessert with a Mission or wanted to see still more pictures about his work in Tanzania this summer, check out his album:
Also, there’s a few pictures posted from tonight’s event on our PhotoBucket site (which has been sadly neglected since the Amazing Race! We are all so photogenic yet have stopped recording our visual brilliance for our mutual enjoyment! Must fix that… Login is “oxygen” password is “letmein1” — feel free to upload any photos you might have from oXyGEN-related events.
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Well, 
However, I took it all back when I read the mission statement Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) chose to define his life: 