WHO GIFTED STEVE JOBS?

Steve Jobs and iPad

Why were Steve Jobs and Apple so successful? My suspicion is that they looked at problems differently to others and thought "What do people need?".  For example when a digital camera, mobile phone were stuffing peoples pockets they merged them and added an internet and email device in the first iPhone. When desks were cluttered with monitors computers and modems they put them in one device, the first iMac. When computers required much knowledge of code to operate they invented the "point and shoot device" called the Mouse. Mac followers can be a bit "cultish" and nerdy but good design is always attractive ( I would say that as an architect!) . A seamless marriage of form and function  can prove irresistable at times. There is however much irony in the fact that Jobs is, reportedly, a buddhist, and not a spirit filled believer in Jesus. The irony is this: Buddhists believe that the ultimate goal, following all the reincarnations, is ...wait for it..."Blowing out" (Nirvana). It's hard to square this up with a man who reflected so much of his Maker's creativity. It's also sad that one could be bestowed with so much gifting and never acknowledge the Giver. I'm only judging him by what I read and I may of course be wrong, sorry Steve! but the same might be said of many others who have no time for the Father, Son nor Holy Spirit. All that said I do wish him well and that he  turns to meet my ressurrected and glorified friend Jesus.

God's Corrupted Book: Nature

King Bird of Paradise photographed by Tim Laman  

I have heard it said that God has two books: The Bible and Nature. This was said in the context of a seminar which was trying to reconcile Evolution with God the creator. God does indeed have these 2 books but one of them (nature) is corrupted while the other isn't. The corruption entered with sin and rebellion and so reading God in nature has now become a hazardous occupation. Computers leaving factories are quality checked and in one sense "perfect". Yet after a bit of use and internet activity they can before infected with virus' and be less than perfect. It would be wrong to struggle with  a virus ridden computer and then ring the manufacturers to complain...It simply wasn't their fault. Many however blame God for the mess of this planet, be it the savagery in nature or humanity or the cruelty of painful illnesses and death. This is wrong. Mankind is to blame. I am to blame. You are to blame. The perfect Book said that when God created everything it was "Very Good".

RIOTS: PROOF OF NEED FOR REVIVAL

An iconic image of the recent riots

The recent London riots were a stark reminder about (fallen) human nature. On  a normal day a normal person behaves himself ( or herself). But on those rare occasions where it enters peoples heads that they can "get away with" getting something (like a telly) for nothing then all hell breaks loose. A few years ago there was some ugly violence when some hooligans ripped up the old Lansdowne Road stadium. Months later when they appeared in the Dublin courts they turned out to be neatly dressed professionals, a far cry from the thugs caught on camera on the night. It was the mob dynamic that made them feel invincible (and uncatchable) on the night. 

True character is what you do when nobody is looking. Few have good character. The humanists who have been arguing about the "goodness of man" really haven't a clue. Pull away the restraint and see what happens! Many middle class people might have abhorred the street violence (rightly so) but are happy to cheat taxes (steal).  For most the external policeman keeps them under control but God's ultimate plan was that HIs Spirit would be within us and instead of sweating to try and keep His law we would have a "new heart" and want nothing else but to please Him at all times. David Cameron was right when he spoke of slow breakdown of society. The ground is ripe for revival and reformation according to God's ways, not ours.

AN END TO DEATH...WOW!

As a family we are suffering a pet bereavement. Of course it's different to the loss of a loved person but it remains painful. Why? Some well meaning but not well informed people say that death is part of life but as regenerated followers of Jesus we have a different conviction and it's like this: Our wonderful Creator made life while death is no less than an obscene enemy. It entered when our first ancesters defied their Creator and it will be the last enemy thrown into the lake of fire at the end of time as we know it. Death is painful to those left behind as they feel loss and separation, not the original design. I seriously worry about the implications of the belief that death is simply part of the "circle of life" process. It implies that the Creator made death...perish the thought! My God is not a cruel monster who designed flesh ripping savage animals, no, he made peaceable pet like animals without fear who suffered a corruption along with the rest of creation once man broke fellowship with God. Thank God that He restores the original order and soon the lion will lie down with the lamb and death will be no more...What a thought...and all because He took on Himself my death (and yours) at Golgotha not that long ago...All that said we do miss Rosie our dog!