Yesterday our evening service theme was Finding Balance in Wealth, one of our Living Today series. I spoke of the dangers of money, remembering Jesus' warning about not being able to serve both God and Money. He is saying that we can 'promote' wealth to godlike status in our lives and worship it. And when we do, we demote God because we can't serve both.
That was yesterday, and today I read that the Vatican has announced seven more 'deadly sins' of which "accumulating excessive wealth" is one. As far as I know, there were no Cardinals listening in to my sermon, but, hey, when Eric preaches, the Catholic Church responds!
Actually there were other interesting new sins in their list including social injustice and environmental pollution. Maybe some more topics in our Living Today series ...
Monday, 10 March 2008
I think, at least I think I do
In my sermon yesterday I quoted Rene Descartes' famous line, "I think, therefore I am". Then I went on to tell the following joke I heard on Terry Wogan last week.
Descartes is in a bar and has had a few drinks when he says he's going home. The barman says, "One for the road, Rene?" to which Rene replies, "I think not," and then disappears.
It took a few moments for some to get the joke and I even noticed someone explaining it to the person next to them! What interests me is, given that the Descartes' quote was not given as a preamble to the joke on Radio 2, how many listeners got the joke?
Descartes is in a bar and has had a few drinks when he says he's going home. The barman says, "One for the road, Rene?" to which Rene replies, "I think not," and then disappears.
It took a few moments for some to get the joke and I even noticed someone explaining it to the person next to them! What interests me is, given that the Descartes' quote was not given as a preamble to the joke on Radio 2, how many listeners got the joke?
Monk is back!
The television detective Monk is back on BBC2 Saturday afternoons! This "defective detective" as he has been billed has OCD, but that helps him to solve crimes. It's been a great series (well, it appeals to us, anyway!), let's hope the latest run is as good.
It's normally on BBC2 at varying times on Saturday afternoons. But now we have a HD recorder we have set the "series link" so we won't miss any! What did we do before all this technology? Oh, I remember, we bought something called Radio Times each week.
It's normally on BBC2 at varying times on Saturday afternoons. But now we have a HD recorder we have set the "series link" so we won't miss any! What did we do before all this technology? Oh, I remember, we bought something called Radio Times each week.
Friday, 7 March 2008
Another proverb ...
IN my reading a proverb or two a day - from the book of the same name in the Bible, that is - I came across this one:
Disregarding another person's faults preserves love;
telling about them separates close friends.
It's interesting to read the idea that, instead of 'going on' about someone else's shortcomings, we're told to ignore them. It's what our American friends might call 'counter intuitive'. We think we ought to point out the other person's faults! "It's for their greater good!" we think. But is it? Is it rather to make us feel better?
We want to change those we love. Why? If we're honest, because it makes for an easier life for us! We don't have to live with those niggling faults! But disregarding them 'preserves love', rather than trying to change the other person. And maybe, if I disregard other people's faults, they might disregard mine!
Disregarding another person's faults preserves love;
telling about them separates close friends.
It's interesting to read the idea that, instead of 'going on' about someone else's shortcomings, we're told to ignore them. It's what our American friends might call 'counter intuitive'. We think we ought to point out the other person's faults! "It's for their greater good!" we think. But is it? Is it rather to make us feel better?
We want to change those we love. Why? If we're honest, because it makes for an easier life for us! We don't have to live with those niggling faults! But disregarding them 'preserves love', rather than trying to change the other person. And maybe, if I disregard other people's faults, they might disregard mine!
Friday, 29 February 2008
Around the House
My daughter and son-in-law define jobs around the house as either "blue jobs" or "pink jobs" and that (if you haven't already worked it out) defines who is responsible to do that job. For instance, cleaning the house is a pink job because the lady of the house would find fault if anyone else did it!
I don't know whether putting out the bin is a blue or pink job, but when I was there last I ended up putting it out, so maybe it's a grey job ...
I don't know whether putting out the bin is a blue or pink job, but when I was there last I ended up putting it out, so maybe it's a grey job ...
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Proud Grandparents ...
Part of my reading the Bible is to read one or two verses from Proverbs each morning in the office. I found this morning that I was up to Proverbs 17:6 which begins, "Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged". I thought it was a really great verse to read when our latest grandchild is but two days old. Except, of course, for the "aged" bit!
Monday, 25 February 2008
Great News!
We are very pleased to announce the birth of our latest granddaughter, Ruby May, who came into this world yesterday weighing 8 lb 9 oz. Mum and baby are at home and doing well! My profile spoke of an increasing number of grandchildren; well that has come to (maybe temporary) end! We now are very proud to have 3 grandchildren, all girls. In the picture she is about five hours old.
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