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The Human Condition
I've been reading through the beginning of the bible this week with Genesis. It's an ancient text with references to a way of life that seems far removed from our modern world today, but in many ways it isn't that different. The same feuding, wars, disagreements, pride and other things that continue to limit the human race are as present and real then as they are now. One of the interesting things I find about the human condition is that affects everyone, but as individuals we struggle to accept it. This video may provoke you as you watch it, but it shows how it doesn't take a lot of self analysis to realise that we are inherently flawed as people. The main presenter in the video gives both a diagnosis but more importantly a prognosis for a solution. Have a great weekend... |
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Liberal Democracy?
If you're a news junkie you may, like me have found the recent news difficult to digest. Not because the news about the economy is a sorry tale, but mainly because I find the financial system so hard to navigate. One of the main stories that seems to have emerged is the fact that irresponsible banking has played a significant role in the downfall of the global economy. Bankers have been playing the market like it's a pinball machine; directors and partners have been pocketing huge bonuses in full knowledge that the home lending was out of control. It's too early to evaluate the bigger picture, but the scenario proves a theory that the state, and not the City should manage the flow of these huge sums of money. Thatcher believed that by allowing money to accummulate at the top of the tree, it would eventually trickle down through philanthropy and charity, but it rarely ever happens. Critics of the Brown government (and socialism in general) have stated that there has been too much interference from the treasurary. In my opinion there hasn't been enough. Cameron wouldn't change anything, and Clegg would sit on his hands because his values of a liberal democracy. If Labour is responsible for the credit crunch, its because they havent utilsed their socialist values in the City. Unfortunately the Republican approach in the States which affects the rest of us has proved to be Thatcherite and costly, and Bush is only now getting into gear when he knows the heat is off him personally. |
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Weakness
Anna and I have been gearing up for our move next April to Macedonia. It feels like things are very slowly starting to come together regarding the nature of our calling in Skopje, although the majority of this will be evident once we've arrived and settled in the Balkans. We had dinner with Scot and Misty and a German couple last week who have been church planting in Albania for several years. It was extremely interesting to hear their perspective on the mindset of people in Albania from their time in the country. Albania has a strong link with Islam, which has led the people of that nation to follow in the islamic tradition of honour and shame. As a result our friends told us how Albanian people are slow or seemingly backward at admitting weakness. In their culture it is seen as a sign of strength to be strong - on the reverse its seen as a HUGE weakness to admit or show you are lacking in a certain area. Our friends told of their frustration that even amongst the Christians in the church, they have noticed that this trait has crippled people in their growth as followers of Jesus aswell as walking in forgiveness and reconciliation. The culture amongst Albanian people is a universal issue for human beings; pride denies us to give due attention to things in our lives that we know exist, but pretend that they don't. It causes us to avoid apology because it shows us as weak, it discourages relationship becuase we see ourselves as self sufficient. In my experience I have know the admittance of weakness to be a strength, but what makes it critical to life on this planet is not that it denies people growth, peace and harmony. Most of all, it denies them Jesus Christ. The 2 thieves either side of the cross were crucified for their crimes - one of them came to a point of understanding that he was deserving of this death, but that Jesus was innocent and worthy. It was this revelation that caused Jesus to provide him access to eternity. Weakness is inherent in the human race - the fruit of its admittance is eternal. |
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Significance
I've been spending most of my spare moments recently following on from my holiday experience of watching The West Wing. Rarely has a television drama kept my attention for such a long period of time. Thanks to Dave Lindsell for lending me Seasons 1-6. I have a confession to make - watching The West Wing has somehow affected how I relate to the world. I'm hoping someone else can relate to what I'm talking about, but I'm finding myself employing conservational style from the Oval office in my dialogue with housemates about what they're planning for the day. It's really quite sad, but there is something attractive about delivering every line of speech as if it relates to a major policy on gun crime or how we relate to totalitarian governments. In my case its about who finished a certain box of cereal or talking to my collegaue about an error in our database at work. I'm rather enjoying myself in this mode, but there is something a little unhealthy about it. Before we broke for a summer of rest in the Boiler Room we met to talk about the importance of time out and restoration. Pete Greig was sharing with us, and in a throw away line he said that every human being has 2 desires - for security and/or significance. I'm still working out the first one, but the second is speaking to me through my devotion to the political drama by Aaron Sorkin. I think I must crave significance - there is something inside of me that wants to make everything I do have something weighty about it. I guess its linked with the ancient human longing to dominate or succeed that has made a number of people ruthless for power and status. How do you sync this desire with a relationship with Jesus Christ? As John Ortberg puts it so succinctly, the only person who was actually the Messiah chose not to live like it was his true identity.Leo Mcgarry, the White House Chief of Staff precedes every sentence to his Commander-in-Chief with the words, 'Mr President'. When I sit with Jesus, he calls me 'his child'. Why do we go looking for the very significance we've already been given from the moment we took shape in the womb? The West Wing ran its course from 1999 to 2006 - in 2008 we await 3 months of fierce competition as Obama and McCain fight it out for the 'hottest seat' in politics. In the words of Billy Bragg, 'Let's have Christ for President. All significance is found in him, all significance comes from him. Note to self. |
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Greenpeace have released this table based on each Tuna providers sustainaibilty when it comes to fishing for Tuna. Most households have one of these tins in the their kitchen cupboard, but some of the bigger well know companies are still threatning the existence of other species such as turtles and sharks when it comes to the way they source their Tuna. |
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