Gandhi has always inspired me. Often the inspiration comes in the form of a knock right between the eyes.
Like this one…
“You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside-down, and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of good literature.”
I don’t know what to say after that, so I’ll just leave it hanging there for you.
In 1990, a book called “The Ragamuffin Gospel” was published.
In 1995, I was given a copy of this book and introduced to its author, Brennan Manning.
And something was never the same again.
Recently, I downloaded a free lecture that Manning gave in 1992-93 at an American college. I listened to it as I mowed my lawn last week.
And that same “something” was re-touched, perhaps never to be the same again… again.
If you’re going to be at a computer or near an MP3 player for 20 minutes in the next couple days, take THIS TRACK with you. The grace of God will touch your life anew as you listen, I have no doubt.
Our little girl is one!
A year’s worth of photos have claimed their lot of space on our computer. A quick scan through brought more than a few favourites. Can a Dad who’s taken with his daughter post a dozen or so on his blog?
I suspect so.
Happy birthday, my little girl!
We’ll never forget the first time we met you.
You’re the sweetest little thing…
Most of the time.
I love the way you look at me…
And at yourself.
I love the way you look in Photo Booth too.
You strike your Mom and me as the sweetest thing we’ve ever known.
Your first trip to China was a smashing success!
And you nearly flipped over our favourite Chinese drinks!
Before you sent your Dad off for a month, you helped him pack his bags…
We tried some crazy stunts…
And played in the bath…
In fact, we did so much together that you started to look like your Dad!
We were so excited to see summer come!
And you quickly came to love being outside.
You’ve been helping Dad weed… or just sitting there looking cute.
But for all your cuteness, I have no idea where you get all your goofy faces!
In the past few days, you’ve learned to eat birthday cake…
And brush your 6 little teeth.
I know you’ll keep learning everyday as the world slowly opens up before you…
Just make sure you always remember how loved you are, our girl!
I just started a book.
The author unapologetically warned me in the preface that this is no devotional piece and will require “considerable mental effort to understand”. The subject matter is the relationship between faith and knowledge. Many say there is hardly any relationship at all, that the two are actually in opposition to each other.
But I don’t buy that.
The author then wrapped up his opening section with a C.S. Lewis quote that made me smile…
“God has room for people with very little sense, but He wants everyone to use what sense they have. The proper motto is not, ‘Be good, sweet maid, and let who can be clever,’ but ‘Be good, sweet maid, and don’t forget that this involves being as clever as you can.’ God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than of any other slackers. If you are thinking of becoming a Christian, I warn you you are embarking on something which is going to take the whole of you, brains and all…. One reason why it needs no special education to be a Christian is that Christianity is an education itself.”
I’ll amen that last line, that’s for sure–I hope you’re in the midst of a fascinating education these days.
A tough loss but a great game. As a football fan, I don’t see any way that you couldn’t like that one. Sure, a Rider win would have been better, but an entertaining game is worth plenty to this fan.
Some observations…
As I said, all in all a good game. Most of us would be happy to split these two games with Edmonton. I’d expected us to win at home and lose next week. Guess we’ll have to go steal one on the road now.
That’s it. Live from the Queen City, this is me signing off.