Month: September 2006

Go out into the world in peace

I went to a very sad funeral last week. A bishop is a family friend and he took the service.

He ended with the following benediction:

Go out into the world in peace, have courage.
Hold onto what is good.
Return no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the faint-hearted.
Support the weak, help the suffering.
Honour all people.
Love and serve the Lord,
Rejoicing in the love of God,
The communion of the Holy Spirit
Be with your all, now and forever.
Amen.

As I heard these words I found myself thinking, ‘I couldn’t agree more’. I am not a Christian and have no faith, but instinctively agree with the sentiments and philosophy behind those words.

If I were to articulate my life philosophy, there would be no better way of doing so than saying, “Go out into the world in peace, have courage. Hold onto what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted. Support the weak, help the suffering. Honour all people.“.

I have always believed in the wisdom and values of the Christian faith and, despite my atheism, have lived according to Christian principles. I see them as universal values, rather than exclusively Christian ideals.

I don’t do God.

But, I do do the simple, lasting values of Christianity.

Who doesn’t ?

Is the digital revolution changing kid’s brains… ? Well, that’s a helluva question and a brainy guy called Marc Prensky has had a stab at answering it. Here’s his intro…

“It is amazing to me how in all the hoopla and debate these days about the decline of education in the US we ignore the most fundamental of its causes. Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.

Today’s students have not just changed incrementally from those of the past, nor simply changed their slang, clothes, body adornments, or styles, as has happened between generations previously. A really big discontinuity has taken place. One might even call it a “singularity

Dogs and Cats

A Dog’s Diary

7 am – Oh boy! A walk! My favorite!

8 am – Oh boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9 am – Oh boy! The kids! My favorite!
Noon – Oh boy! The yard! My favorite!
2 pm – Oh boy! A car ride! My favorite!
3 pm – Oh boy! The kids! My favorite!
4 pm – Oh boy! Playing ball! My favorite!
6 pm – Oh boy! Welcome home Mom! My favorite!
7 pm – Oh boy! Welcome home Dad! My favorite!
8 pm – Oh boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9 pm – Oh boy! Tummy rubs on the couch! My favorite!
11 pm – Oh boy! Sleeping in my people’s bed! My favorite!

A Cat’s Diary

Day 183 of my captivity.

My captors continued to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal.

The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from clawing the furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another house plant.

Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded. Maybe I should try this at the top of the stairs.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair. I must try this on their bed.

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little kitty cat I was. This is not working according to plan.

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary confinement throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More important, I overheard that my confinement was due to my powers of inducing something called “allergies.” Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit.

The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant. He speaks with them regularly, and I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait… It’s only a matter of time.