Holidays

After going to Wales and getting the car we've been planning loads of things we want to do and places to go. Suddenly we have holiday plans for the next three years!

Italy is top of my list - I'd love to soak up some sun, stay in a Tuscan villa and see some culture and art. But this will have to wait until 2010.

For 2009 Ben fancies climbing Ben Nevis and I need to catch up with family (especially my ancient Grandpa), so Scotland it is. We'd like to experience some Celtic spirituality so I'm thinking a trip to Iona would be good.

Make me a Christian #2

After dubious beginnings the third (final) episode was really encouraging to watch. I recommend it!

My recent web wanderings

online church


housewife forum


napkin folding guide


maps for walking and holidaying



yoga postures and how to do them


Cornwall

And the best one...

The Great Idea of our Faith

I've been watching Make me a Christian on 4OD with interest, especially after Make me a Muslim was on not so long ago. The concept is to get a group of people to live like Christians for three weeks in the hope that they will experience God and maybe convert.

I think the programme causes more questions than it answers. It seems a pretty backwards way to explore Christianity. The people seem to be expected to give up some entrenched habits immediately, like Kevin who has slept with loads of girls behind his girlfiend's back. It emphasises the stereotypical view of Christians as people who don't do certain things, rather than using their experience as an opportunity to delve into why they feel drawn to finding out about Christianity.

For some, like lap dancer Faye, stripping away the ungodly habits seemed a good way for her to reassess her life and think about her self-image etc, but it seemed to leave more dispair and emptiness than joy and completeness. I can't see the sense in asking people to give up things when they haven't yet asked God to help them. I think faith leads to actions, actions don't necessarily lead to faith.

Make me a Muslim was insteresting (although you have to wonder how accurate these reality things are!) There are similarities which always make me think maye the two religions aren't so different in essentials after all. But I wonder if this is because people will always find at least a degree of peace when they actually make the effort to seek something and find meaning in it. Taking timeout to pray/meditate in whatever form is probably always going to strengthen the soul in some way because it encourages you to be still and silent and practise things like forgiveness and humility. Sharpening the saw is one of the Seven Habits!

This bit of an article I read in Relevant Magazine today sums it up:

Imagine for a moment that you have no recollection of the life and message of Jesus Christ. And imagine that someone who knows this message well comes to tell you about the Christian faith. They say to you:

Jesus came to earth and died so that you could attend weekly meetings and give Him a slice of your income. You should, therefore, modify your behavior so as to fit in and believe exactly like we tell you to believe and resist getting too excited, for that would be in bad taste. Then you will fulfill your duty and rid yourself of guilt.

Would that be something you would accept? Probably not. Would those sentiments be true to the life and message of Jesus Christ? No, they wouldn’t. And yet that is where many of us find ourselves today.

Now imagine again that you know nothing of the life and message of Jesus Christ, and someone who knows this message well comes to share it with you. Their life is compelling and authentic. Perhaps they don’t fit all the Christian stereotypes, but they are driven by an otherworldly passion and commitment. They say to you:

The reason we don’t do things so well and there exists so much sorrow, death and injustice is that our sin permeates this world. Yet, this great God became like us because of His great love and, amazing as it seems, sacrificed our sin and guilt on the cross. If only we will accept his gift of salvation and surrender to His leadership, God will ignite a new passion inside of you.

Would you be more likely to connect with that message? Probably. Would those sentiments be truer to the life and message of Jesus Christ? Yes, they would. They comprise the great idea of our faith.

Our Welsh holiday

Thought I'd blog about what we've been up to recently. Back in July we had a week off and went to Wales, our first road trip and camping trip together!



We drove to Brecon for the first few days and got close to nature at Priory Mill Farm where we camped. The silence was bliss - apart from the roar of the River Honddu a few metres from our tent! The Welsh name for Brecon is Aberhonddu - on the Honddu.



We made friends with the guy in the next tent who was on a fishing trip with his dog. He caught us a brown trout one night. We had a real campfire every night and toasted marshmallows. It was really nice to enjoy the peace and be away from the busyness of life.



We visited Brecon Cathedral and climbed Pen Y Fan -the tallest mountain in the Brecons:



We didn't take in any scenery because we were shrouded in mist bt the time we were on the ridge and couldn't see a single thing over the edge when we got to the summit! It was a nice gentle walk despite the horrid weather, only took about 4 hours to get up and down.


For the next few days we went to Cardiff to see brother-in-law and fiance in their new house. Ben turned 21 and we had a barbeque with our new extended family. We also had our first ever trip to IKEA which was AWESOME!

Dear Alfredo

Dear Alfredo

I was so excited to hear about your offer!

I wonder if you can help. You see, I have a very great problem in that (I'm a little ashamed to say it - you might have guessed by my name though) I'm a girl. I don't have a penis at all at the moment! Are you able to help? I might need a bulk order - do you think 10 would do it?

I await your advice

Many thanks

Laura

Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:48:32 +0200
From: dwthomerm@thomer.com
To: lbehe@msn.com
Subject: From Alfredo Elliott

The Pe ktk n uo is Patch
Pen qfe is Patch will help you expand,
lengthen and en ild lar fm ge your pen wts is and
experience several major changes in your se qks x life! l

Dear Patrick

Hello Patrick

What an interesting name - a joining of the Chinese and Irish heritages - wonderful!

You have been randomly selected to be given Fives Millions Pounds Stirling as part of my benefactress programme for people of Irish/Chinese heritage. To qualify you need to reply confirming that you are of Irish/Chinese heritage and give me your bank details. The funds will be transferred immediately and will take 3-5 working days (African time) to clear.

Please reply very urgently - it is imperative that I get your response.

If you are the first of my five choices to reply I will also give you my bank details and you can drain my account for all it's worth - all completely legal and free!!!!

Please reply VERY urgently!!!!!!!!

Yours with love and affection for the Irish/Chinese heritage

Laura Erin Gok Wan Brown

---

> To: laurabrown17@msn.com
> Subject: KINDLY CONSIDER MY PROPOSAL
> From: wangquin@yahoo.co.uk
> Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:07:55 -0400
>
> Good Day,
>
> Let me start by introducing myself.I am Mr. Patrick Chan director of operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd Hong Kong.
>
> I will need you to assist me in executing this Business Project from Hong Kong to your country.
>
> Five millions Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch.Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall
> then share in the ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you.Should you be interested please send me your,
>
> Full names,private phone number,current residential address to my private (Email: mail2.patrickchan@yahoo.com.hk)
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Mr. Patrick Chan
> mail2.patrickchan@yahoo.com.hk
>
>
> I need your response on this

Tree people in Thetford Forrest

George Orwell's diary

Starting from today George Orwell's diary entries from 70 years ago are going to be posted as a blog. Will probably be an interesting read.

http://orwelldiaries.wordpress.com/