Because “No” is a Full Sentence: When Values Guide Decisions
I’ve always been intrigued by Jesus’ instruction, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matt 5:37). It’s refreshingly simple, and an invitation to engage in straightforward speech and make promises that can be trusted. If I say ‘Yes, I will do that’ I should do it. If I need to add 25 qualifiers (provided the weather is good, or I don’t get a better offer, or…), I am in real danger of becoming untrustworthy – someone whose word...
Read MoreRefresh: Because Lost Direction is Worse than Lost Time…
“Being before doing” – it’s an important life principle. What we do should flow out of who we are, and when the two are inconsistent, heartache and confusion awaits. I thought this post from Oct 2023 worth highlighting as this weeks “Refresh”… Refresh: Because Lost Direction is Worse than Lost Time… Have you heard the one in sixty rule? Pilots are taught it. If you are one degree off course, after sixty miles you will be one mile off course. That might not sound like much, but it is a big deal if it turns out the wheat field you thought you...
Read MoreWhy the Bible?
I don’t know what you think of the new fad of bringing old authors to life. It’s pretty widespread, and you can now read new Poirot or Miss Marple mysteries written not by Agatha Christie but by her fans, or dive into a new Ian Fleming novel (Anthony Horowitz of Foyle’s War fame is taking this on) or read a fresh take on Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Some fictional characters are able to capture the imagination of multiple generations, and become a permanent fixture in our collective consciousness – after all, most of us have heard of James Bond or Poirot or...
Read MoreRefresh: Blending Amish and 21st Century
I was doubtful about this post when I wrote it back in Jan 2022, but I’m not sure why. The case for “doing an Amish” or at least trying it for at least one day each week, seems to me to have strengthened. What do you think? Refresh: Blending Amish and 21st Century OK, so I accept some will think this is one of my sillier blog posts, but I recently wondered if it might be possible to navigate life part Amish, part 21st century. Of course a whole lot of qualifiers need to be thrown in, and I realise the thesis would never stand up to serious scrutiny, and those in the know...
Read MoreJudge Not! But Judge…
Colliding truths are always fascinating. Try this one. We are not supposed to judge others, but exercising good judgment is a crucial part of living a good life. Should we be moral watchdogs, evaluating the behaviour and lifestyles of others, or should we simply adopt a live and let live attitude, generously passing off differences with “it takes all sorts to make a world” or “if it works for you, it works for you – so that’s fine”? Those in favour of disinterest in the behaviour of others might quickly quote the words of Jesus from Matt 7:1-2 “Do...
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