My OperaCyber War
Thursday, May 31, 2012 11:37:28 PM
Archive: May 2012
Poem
Thursday, May 31, 2012 7:48:31 AM
Rosellas swoop silently
Arms length ahead
Sun sinks behind
Cycle wheels swish
Legs pump, lungs fill
God's sacred shalom
Seeps through my world.
Arms length ahead
Sun sinks behind
Cycle wheels swish
Legs pump, lungs fill
God's sacred shalom
Seeps through my world.
What I'm Reading
Thursday, May 31, 2012 2:24:02 AM
A couple of months ago, John Alley recommended the book "Younger Next Year" which claims to tell us how to wind back the body clock and "Live strong, fit and sexy- until you're 80 and beyond."
The content of the book revolves around Dr Harry's 7 rules- which actually boil down to just 4- exercise an hour every day, don't eat crap (their words), connect with others and care. They also mention in passing the importance of faith and spirituality but skip quickly over this topic.
This isn't another wacky dieting/ exercise/ live for ever book. Dr Harry is a top specialist in New York and Chris is a retired lawyer. They cover the science of ageing but in a very easy to read way.
Basically, the key to ageing well is to exercise so that your body is constantly in growth mode rather than famine and decay mode. Aerobic exercise with some strength building exercise slows down most of the ailments that afflict older people. We will live longer than previous generations but we can choose to live well or just slide into a slow decline. Obviously we can't prevent accidents and genetic diseases, but for most of us there is a choice about how we live.
The book is inspiring and engages the reader with its genial tone. Some people might be put off by the evolutionary theory underpinning it all, but look past that and see what they are getting at.
I think everyone over 50 needs to read this book and heed its message. A great read!
Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:
- Body Clock Management
- Scientists find 'body clock enzyme'
- exercise without rattling the neighbors
- How to form an exercise habit
Reflection on John 3:1-17
Thursday, May 31, 2012 1:57:04 AM
Scripture
“For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Observation
A high ranking Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to see Jesus at night. He acknowledges Jesus as a teacher sent by God.
Jesus tells him that no one can come to the kingdom of God unless they are born again. This puzzles Nicodemus. Jesus explains that we must be born of the spirit.
Jesus seems amazed at Nicodemus's lack of understanding. This is earthly stuff. How will he understand the mysteries of heaven?
God's love is so great that he sent his Son into the world to bring eternal life and salvation to everyone who trust in him.
Application
To know God we must be born again, born of the spirit. Our natural flesh will not get us right with God, no matter how hard we try to be good. There is nothing in our own natural ability that can reconcile us to God.
Only God can do this.
And God, in his great love, has sent Jesus unto the world to tear down the walls that separate us from him.
All it takes is a heart-decision to receive God's love.
Prayer
What an awesome God you are! Father show me how to receive your love and be born again. Amen.
“For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Observation
A high ranking Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to see Jesus at night. He acknowledges Jesus as a teacher sent by God.
Jesus tells him that no one can come to the kingdom of God unless they are born again. This puzzles Nicodemus. Jesus explains that we must be born of the spirit.
Jesus seems amazed at Nicodemus's lack of understanding. This is earthly stuff. How will he understand the mysteries of heaven?
God's love is so great that he sent his Son into the world to bring eternal life and salvation to everyone who trust in him.
Application
To know God we must be born again, born of the spirit. Our natural flesh will not get us right with God, no matter how hard we try to be good. There is nothing in our own natural ability that can reconcile us to God.
Only God can do this.
And God, in his great love, has sent Jesus unto the world to tear down the walls that separate us from him.
All it takes is a heart-decision to receive God's love.
Prayer
What an awesome God you are! Father show me how to receive your love and be born again. Amen.
The Heart Of The Gospel
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 11:37:02 PM
“The utter uniqueness of the Christian message — the heart of the gospel — is found in the three words of Christ from the cross, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). The message of every other religious system, without exception, is predicated on some variation of another three words, which stand starkly opposed to the gospel’s three words. Religion’s three words are: ‘Get to work.’ And this is the heart of the bad news behind every approach to spirituality, enlightenment, or salvation that is not Christian.”
— Jared C. WilsonGospel Wakefulness
Reflection on Romans 8:12-17
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 1:40:39 AM
Scripture
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.
Observation
In Christ we are given a new nature that liberates us from the power of sin. In the power of the Holy Spirit we can overcome sin and rise to life in Christ.
We have not received a spirit of fear but the spirit of sonship. We call God “Abba Father” because the Spirit affirms we are His children.
Application
The presence of the Holy Spirit changes everything about our lives, He sets us free from sin and enables us to live for Christ.
The Holy Spirit also confirms that we are children of God. We can approach God confident in His love and affection.
As John reminds us, the perfect love of God casts out all fear.
God's love is eternal and the sign of that is the Holy Spirit- God in us.
Prayer
Thank You Father for your great love. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who enables me to overcome sin and to receive your love. Amen.
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.
Observation
In Christ we are given a new nature that liberates us from the power of sin. In the power of the Holy Spirit we can overcome sin and rise to life in Christ.
We have not received a spirit of fear but the spirit of sonship. We call God “Abba Father” because the Spirit affirms we are His children.
Application
The presence of the Holy Spirit changes everything about our lives, He sets us free from sin and enables us to live for Christ.
The Holy Spirit also confirms that we are children of God. We can approach God confident in His love and affection.
As John reminds us, the perfect love of God casts out all fear.
God's love is eternal and the sign of that is the Holy Spirit- God in us.
Prayer
Thank You Father for your great love. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who enables me to overcome sin and to receive your love. Amen.
Today's Photos
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 7:45:51 AM
Today's bike ride set a new record in terms of the distance and the time I covered :thumb: Today I got all the way to Corglen (6 km from my home) before turning around. I was out for about 50 minutes which is the longest I have ridden. I've noticed I am using higher gears than previously so I presume I am riding faster. I also felt for the first time that I could keep on going almost indefinitely, a BIG change from when I first started.
With the shorter days and the longer times on the bike I'm going to have to switch to early morning rides, and that will probably mean going to bed earlier.
Today I neglected to take my camera so I slummed it on the phone. With the sun behind me it was very hard to see what the camera was doing, but here is the proof that I was at Corglen.
With the shorter days and the longer times on the bike I'm going to have to switch to early morning rides, and that will probably mean going to bed earlier.
Today I neglected to take my camera so I slummed it on the phone. With the sun behind me it was very hard to see what the camera was doing, but here is the proof that I was at Corglen.
Reflection on Psalm 29
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 1:14:37 AM
Summer storms
Roaring wind
Thunder booms
Rain pounds down
The voice of the Lord
The awesome voice of God
Roars over the top
“I am your God.”
The people rise in praise
Voices shout out
“Glory to the Lord our God.”
Salvation news carried on our praise
The storm passes
The thunder ceases
God's voice continues
And the people of God-
The servants of Jesus-
Will their voices cease?
Roaring wind
Thunder booms
Rain pounds down
The voice of the Lord
The awesome voice of God
Roars over the top
“I am your God.”
The people rise in praise
Voices shout out
“Glory to the Lord our God.”
Salvation news carried on our praise
The storm passes
The thunder ceases
God's voice continues
And the people of God-
The servants of Jesus-
Will their voices cease?
Reflection on Isaiah 61:1-8
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 1:13:29 AM
It's the Jubilee!
Prisoners are free
Debts are paid
Broken-hearted are comforted
Give me your sadness
In exchange for joy
Give me ashes
In exchange for crowns
This is God's work
Restoring ancient ruins
Bringing life to desolate places
Wealth to the poor
We are God's people
Let us praise Him
We are the redeemed
Share the joy with the world
Prisoners are free
Debts are paid
Broken-hearted are comforted
Give me your sadness
In exchange for joy
Give me ashes
In exchange for crowns
This is God's work
Restoring ancient ruins
Bringing life to desolate places
Wealth to the poor
We are God's people
Let us praise Him
We are the redeemed
Share the joy with the world
Today's Photos
Monday, May 28, 2012 11:11:20 AM
I went to transfer photos from camera to computer and discovered that not only was Shotwell, my photo cataloguer and image processor, unable to copy photos from my camera it had also,lost 95% of my photo collection. After turning various things off and back on again, I realised that this was probably due to the fact that our server, where all my photos are stored, had been rebooting at the time when I started up my computer this morning and the connection to the file systems wasn't happening. I logged out and back in and it was all good again. I was a bit worried that the technology had eaten every digital photo I had ever taken.
Anyway, the other day I looked out the window to discover we had an awesome sunset finishing- the sun was below the horizon but the light lingered. I dashed out and snapped some photos while there was still barely enough light.
Today, I was procrastinating, I mean pottering, in the garden and I noticed that some plants are really enjoying the current weather, even if I think it's a little cool.This miniature rose seems particularly joyful.
Anyway, the other day I looked out the window to discover we had an awesome sunset finishing- the sun was below the horizon but the light lingered. I dashed out and snapped some photos while there was still barely enough light.
Today, I was procrastinating, I mean pottering, in the garden and I noticed that some plants are really enjoying the current weather, even if I think it's a little cool.This miniature rose seems particularly joyful.
The Christian Bookshop- not entirely like ours
Monday, May 28, 2012 7:48:08 AM
Originally posted here
The Great Vodka Experiment A Success
Monday, May 28, 2012 5:08:40 AM
Back in January, my fishtank had got out of balance in its water chemistry. The nitrate levels were way up, causing a huge explosion of green algae.
I was faced with some unpleasant choices. I could buy some very expensive filters to remove the nitrate. Having already bought some expensive live rock for this purpose and had it fail I wasn't keen on that.
Or I could do some massive water changes. This would be expensive as it is a marine tank and the cost of salt can be quite high.
I came across some articles on the internet that suggested that dissolved carbon in the water encourages the growth of bacteria which break down the NO3. The preferred format for this is ethanol in the form of vodka. So I went to the bottle-shop and asked for a bottle of their cheapest vodka with the very lame excuse that it's for the fish, honestly.
The balance in all of this is getting enough in to the water to feed the bacteria without poisoning the fish. On the basis of somebody else's very conservative recommendations, I went even more conservative starting at 0.1 ml per day, increasing it weekly until I started to record measurable reductions in the nitrate.
For months, nothing seemed to be happening. What should happen is that the green algae should start to die and decompose. The first sign of this is not so much that you see a reduction in the algae as an increase in the activity of the protein skimmer- a special filter that uses fine bubbles to remove protein and other organic matter from the water.It wasn't until I was putting about 3 ml of vodka each day that the protein skimmer started to get really active.
At 8 ml I finally started to notice that the NO3 was reducing and that the algae was declining also. I did a bit of a water change and cleaned out the tank.
Today the level is down to zero! Well it probably is closer to 10 ppm as the indicator strips I use are high range indicators that don't show much below 20 ppm.
So after 4 months of daily dosing my fish tank, I can finally claim a victory! I intend to monitor the water for a little while yet and gradually reduce the amount of vodka I am adding. I expect the tank to look much cleaner and the remaining algae to start to disappear.
I was faced with some unpleasant choices. I could buy some very expensive filters to remove the nitrate. Having already bought some expensive live rock for this purpose and had it fail I wasn't keen on that.
Or I could do some massive water changes. This would be expensive as it is a marine tank and the cost of salt can be quite high.
I came across some articles on the internet that suggested that dissolved carbon in the water encourages the growth of bacteria which break down the NO3. The preferred format for this is ethanol in the form of vodka. So I went to the bottle-shop and asked for a bottle of their cheapest vodka with the very lame excuse that it's for the fish, honestly.
The balance in all of this is getting enough in to the water to feed the bacteria without poisoning the fish. On the basis of somebody else's very conservative recommendations, I went even more conservative starting at 0.1 ml per day, increasing it weekly until I started to record measurable reductions in the nitrate.
For months, nothing seemed to be happening. What should happen is that the green algae should start to die and decompose. The first sign of this is not so much that you see a reduction in the algae as an increase in the activity of the protein skimmer- a special filter that uses fine bubbles to remove protein and other organic matter from the water.It wasn't until I was putting about 3 ml of vodka each day that the protein skimmer started to get really active.
At 8 ml I finally started to notice that the NO3 was reducing and that the algae was declining also. I did a bit of a water change and cleaned out the tank.
Today the level is down to zero! Well it probably is closer to 10 ppm as the indicator strips I use are high range indicators that don't show much below 20 ppm.
So after 4 months of daily dosing my fish tank, I can finally claim a victory! I intend to monitor the water for a little while yet and gradually reduce the amount of vodka I am adding. I expect the tank to look much cleaner and the remaining algae to start to disappear.
Today's Sermon
Sunday, May 27, 2012 3:26:34 AM
The sermon for May 27th 2012, Pentecost Sunday, is now available on the New Life web-site.
In this sermon, which is based on Acts 2:1-21, I talk about the power of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.
Click here to download.
In this sermon, which is based on Acts 2:1-21, I talk about the power of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.
Click here to download.
Fraud.You.Are
Thursday, May 24, 2012 4:18:29 AM
Tim Blair writes:
Yet again, it doesn’t count if you’re a celebrity:
Musician Will.I.Am has been criticised for arriving at a climate change debate in a private helicopter, producing the same amount of CO2 most people do in a month …
He even tweeted pictures of the so-called “hip.hop.copter” for fans to admire, after landing at the Oxford’s University Parks.
From there, the singer used a pedal cycle to travel the remaining few hundred yards to the Radcliffe Observatory Weather Centre.
Nice touch.
Reflection on John 16:5-15
Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:28:40 AM
Scripture
“When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will tell you about what he has heard.”
Observation
Jesus tells his disciples that he is shortly to leave them, but he will send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, in his place.
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin because it refuses to believe in Jesus, of righteousness that is available in Christ and of the coming judgement,
The Holy Spirit will guide the disciples into all truth.
Application
The Holy Spirit is available to everybody who puts their trust in Christ.
The Holy Spirit is the witness who brings conviction to the people of the world- conviction of sin and condemnation for those who refuse to receive the righteousness of Christ,
The choice is there for all of us- to accept or to reject the reality of sin and salvation.
Prayer
Holy Spirit convict me of my sin that I can turn away from it and receive forgiveness from the Father. Amen.
“When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will tell you about what he has heard.”
Observation
Jesus tells his disciples that he is shortly to leave them, but he will send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, in his place.
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin because it refuses to believe in Jesus, of righteousness that is available in Christ and of the coming judgement,
The Holy Spirit will guide the disciples into all truth.
Application
The Holy Spirit is available to everybody who puts their trust in Christ.
The Holy Spirit is the witness who brings conviction to the people of the world- conviction of sin and condemnation for those who refuse to receive the righteousness of Christ,
The choice is there for all of us- to accept or to reject the reality of sin and salvation.
Prayer
Holy Spirit convict me of my sin that I can turn away from it and receive forgiveness from the Father. Amen.
Free From Shame
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 11:23:48 PM
“The very essence of the new covenant is that Christ passes over the sins of his bride. His bride is free from shame not because she is perfect, but because she has no fear that her lover will condemn her or shame her because of her sin.
This is why the doctrine of justification by grace through faith is at the very heart of what makes marriage work the way God designed it. Justification creates peace with God vertically, in spite of our sin. And when experienced horizontally, it creates shame-free space between an imperfect man and an imperfect woman.”
— John Piper
This Momentary Marriage
(Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2009), 33-34
Today's Photos
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 8:13:43 AM
A late afternoon bike ride led me to this place out along the Yarrie Lake Road. Shadows are long and the sun is getting low in the sky
Keith Bates
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