I ever so briefly alluded to internet privacy and security issues in this blag, but since then have ponderized and dug around to find info a little more.
I'm ever so slightly concerned I am becoming PARANOID! When I first had a computer and went on line around ten years or so ago now, the only thing one had any security issues over as far as I recall were cookies. First time I heard that term, I thought YUM! But, finding out this was computer lingo, I still never really took any notice of it. But the Internet over time has evolved, and now you can leave traces of your computer plus whole lots of other what should remain personal info. Its not that its THAT personal or intrusive its the whole principle of the thing. I have a programe that will decrease the chances of Identity theft occurring dramatically. But, I have always maintained a certain amount of anonymity on line, except with those I know in a more personal way, but I find this whole trend of tracking us very George Orwell'ish and very disconcerting.
So, am I paranoid? Should this intrusion/invasion bother me? Well, I don't know the answer to those questions, but its the whole principle that unless one takes steps, you can do nothing to protect oneself against it. The only plus side for me personally in this invasion, is that I am attemptinng to write my own browswer security certificates, which is pretty dead boring, but on the other hand, when cognitively challenged, learning new things like that stops things going pear shaped more than they may otherwise. Its the one thing I LOVE about technology. For someone who has brain impairment, fiddling around with it, can keep things ticking much longer much better in some cases.
Long term readers will know of my battle against sleeplessness, that goes on and on, tied in with various and multiple ways with my illlness making sleep hard to come by much of the time. A good night I normally sleep arouond five am, for a few hours if I'm fortunate. I think at some times, everyone experiences inability to sleep or being unable for one reason or another. I used to struggle through the nights often in tears, often in torment of Spirit, often with dark thoughts that seemed to keep yesterday alive in the here and now. But I have felt the last year or two, that night times in particular can be times for deep spiritual reflection and mediations, that can have interuptions or distractions during the day, whereas at night, it doesn't happen. I spend my nights reading, and praying, and when praying doesn't seem very doable, (I confess to struggling to be able to pray well at all, and its a constant battle against the flesh, I'm wretchedly poor but keep keeping on) but then I listen to sermons, when the other two are not doable to any extent. And the nights of a thousand terrors which can so exist in my soul in the most destructive way, become nights of a thousand delights or joys. A sense of my redeemer redeeming me not just despite the struggle through affliction but to a large extent because of it in many ways. The visions and what often seems like cries of the devil that exist in my world still more than I care to admit, when my brain misfires and conjures up "other voices" lose their power to torment, lose the hold on my emotions as the peace that passes all understanding takes grip, and tho the reader can only imagine what living this life is like as a reality just as I may only imagine any of yours, when you experience it first hand, you know something supernatural and outside of human reason or logic, or understanding is tending one and caring for one, and the horrors that can at times seem forever just below the surface get smothered in a feeling of goodness, and power. Not power to do anything or make anything of any worth, but to know the extent of ones often torment and angst, to feel it lose its grip and for goodness and delight and joy to take its place, you know that it has to be power outside of our understanding. So, yes, sleepless nights can be hard and long, and weary making. Yet, on the flip side, they can be times of spiritual treasure, where you unearth what seems a distant memory of feeling human, or not trapped in a mind and body that is holding one prisoner, and you experience some real liberty in Christ, even whilst still locked up in ones prison.
|
In your own sense and experience you will find, that although, while you are assaulted with wordly cares and fears, your thoughts may somewhat trouble you; yet at other times, when upon seeking God in private or public, as in the evening of a well spent Sabbath, your disposition is more spiritual, and leaving the world behind you, you have found access u nto God through Jesus Christ, the bent of your hearts will be strongest to go through with this work. It is a good testimony that our designs and ways are agreeable to God, if we affect them most when our hearts are farthest from the world, and our temper is most spiritual and heavenly, and least carnal and earthly. As the Word of God, so the prayers of the people of God in all the reformed churches are for us and on our side. [Alexander Henderson]
Is the 6th of June this year, I.E 666 going to fulfil Bible Prophecy?
Name that tune:This site supposedly recognizes a tune you know by sound but can't remember the title. You tap out the toon on your space-bar and it will give you the title!! Neat huh? Do let me know how you get on!!
This site is a flash animated quiz to find out if you are an angry person? Can ya believe that I answered all the questions honestly and it came up with, "YOu do't seem to know what the word angry means" Again, report back on your anger gygocounter in the comments those who wish to!
It was the local government elections here yesterday, where local councillors and civil authorities in local borroughs are elected. I didn't vote. But these elections always reflect on central government in how popular they may be at any given time. Tony Blair and his merry men apparently lost over 200 seats, so alot of folks in central government have got fired or moved to other positions this morning! A desperate leader, hanging on? Well, he will not be Prime Minister for the next general election but doubt he wants to go out on a note of unpopularity.
|
I saw Kenny Rogers on my TV last nite. It was a commercial. but I used to have a soft spot for ole Kenny. but on seeing him last nite, after not seeing him for years, my question is, who turned Kenny Rogers plastic? And if he's as plastic as he looked, then its not real he man cowboy thing to do!!
On a personal note its strange. I've always been quite pleased that I look nowhere near my real age. Even my closest friends are normally shocked when I disclose it. but now its just feeling strange and weird. As I see men I used to like years ago, (not talking about Kenny Rogers)or you see women you thought had it, and they were the same age as you, and now, they just look old, and time has caught up with them, and I look in the mirror and are stuck in a time warp, you get to a certain age where it just starts to be downright strange in one sense, tho doubt anyone would choose to age.
For those on dial up or other slow connections I empathise, but please don't whinge about my videos or other media slowing down your page load, as entertainment always comes with a price!
With so many false prophets around today, wayward or generally less than faithful teachers, the lives of the puritans have many lessons for us even today. As it not only applies to pastors of course, but the below was said of Samuel Rutherford:
"He never fails to be found at the sick-beds of his people. Men said of him, "he is always praying, always preaching, always visiting the sick, always catechising, always writing and studying." He was known to fall asleep at night talking of Christ, and even to speak of Him during his sleep. Indeed, himself speaks of his dreams being of Christ" From a sketch of Samuel Rutherford
Bob Dylan said: Ramblin' outa the wild West, Leavin' the towns I love the best. Thought I'd seen some ups and down, "Til I come into New York town. People goin' down to the ground, Buildings goin' up to the sky.
Wintertime in New York town, The wind blowin' snow around. Walk around with nowhere to go, Somebody could freeze right to the bone. I froze right to the bone. New York Times said it was the coldest winter in seventeen years; I didn't feel so cold then. [Full Lyrics and audio]
But THIS is just scary, if you live in or around New York City. |
I was indeed sorrowful at my departure from you, especially since ye were in such heaviness after your daughters death. Yet, I do persuade myself, ye know that the weightiest end of the cross of Christ that is laid upon you lieth upon your strong Saviour; for Isaiah saith, "In all your afflictions, He is afflicted." (Isa 1xiii. 9). O blessed Second who suffereth with you! and glad may your soul be even to walk in the fiery furnace with one like unto the Son of Man, who is also the Son of God. Courage up your heart! When ye do tire, He will bear both you and your burden. (Ps 1v. 22). Yet a little while and ye shall see the salvation of God. [Samuel Rutherford to a Christian gentlewoman on the death of her daughter]
Is this the kind of mental capacity we want for someone to have who has control over nuclear buttons? What a difference 10 years can make! Ronald Regan late in life succumbed to alzheimers, but Bush sure looks like he's on the downward slope prematurely.
As some readers may have noticed I've been having bother hosting my videos on my own space so have joined a video hosting place to store them which should fix the problem.
Originally these pictures were on Jeff renses site. If searching thru the archives they may still be there, but I cannot easily access them to post a direct link right now.
Julian Beever is an English artist who is famous for his art on the pavements of England, France, Germany, USA, Australia and Belgium. Its peculiarity? Beever gives his drawings an anamorphosis view, his images are drawn in such a way which gives them three dimensionality when viewing from the correct angle. It's amazing !!!
One of these figures is art and not real
Below is an example of how the a drawing would look viewed from the wrong angle
Below, same work of art, viewed from the proper angle
As noted in THIS blag, I tend to stick with what I like, and with bog standard stuff like email clients or web browsers that tends to be MS programmes, as they are what I know and so feel comfortable with them. (Not big on change) HOWEVER!! I have recently again, (I have tried before but still favoured MS) tried, Firefox browser. Again I've tried the whole spectrum over the years, MS, NS, Opera, all the well known ones, but I have to say I could ALMOST rave about firefox. Its awesome as far as web browsers go. You can protect your identity with the privacy function much easier than with MS, and it seems to be much quicker browsing too. Over all I'm pretty impressed and now have it as my default browser. And for me, that is a mammoth step to leave the comfort of Bill Gates and a browser I am used to and know behind!
My blog is evolving I think. In that there will likely be more fun elements here than anything else. (video's, pics, etc) and I will keep on with my Puritan at heart for those of more sober mind. Here tho, I think I want to stick mostly to sharp, funny and punchy, unless I have something important to say which likely won't be very often, or unless suchas the above, something that seems useful to put out for others benefit.
|
I was in the local shopping area yesterday, and was approached by two folks apparently evanglizing and spreading the good news of the Gospel, and yet personally they would have done more to turn me off if a few years ago, that this little blue guy below would have. (The bush video link (below)is now fixed as I saw it had become broken)
And on an entirely seperate note, apparently if you are born between April and June, you are more likely to have suicidal tendencies!! YIKES.
|
A workout like this before! Could be the new keep-fit guru in the making!!
SIT UP'S WALRUS
Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision." Neh 2:17
Do you ever notice how during any given day, you can kind of sit wherever you are, kind of in expectation of something to happen? Of course, you may be fully aware it is unlikely to, or even a dead cert that it won't, but quietly, somewhere inside, you are full of quiet expectation? What of? I don't have a clue!! But, I think I maybe have more of these days than perhaps most, simply from the sedentary, solitary lifestyle I lead. You're kind of filled with don't think its a longing, but something bigger or better to come along, that will ease the bordeom? Don't know if its boredom or not. But sometimes that quiet expectation or hope maybe is there, even when you are not consciously thinking of it. I always used to use the saying, if Mohammed won't go to the mountain, then the mountain must go to Mohammed. And think the thought behind that can be true. In that we can wait, and wait and wait, or long and long and long, or numerous other emotions, yet, sometimes you just have to go get what you want, which may in the end be for all of us, right within the spectrum we sit now, and nothing outside of it. I probably have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, but if I could get it out better, it would make more sense!
In the meanwhile, (very wonder womanish) I have always been a microsoft freak. Not cos I neccessarily thought Bill Gates software was better than anyone elses. But software is a bit like food to me, stick with what you know. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! (Tho are sure some would argue that MS software is beyond broke) but that means I have almost always stayed with internet explorer, Microsoft outlook or outlook express as my email client. Tho have tried numerous other ones over the years but always went back to MS in the end. I've tried Eudora, Pico, (a particuarly nice one I thought) and theres others whose names have been long forgotten. But, I thought I would give Thunderbird a whirl. And while I still don't like it as much as MS its adquate at least. And what I do like about it, which with MS you have to buy an additional proggie to be able to do it, is it has a fascility to write your emails and send them later even if on an always on connection. That can be very handy for drafting emails and also if you don't want to spend a certain part of the day writing mails, but want them to be recieved at such a time. And for me, changing anything and getting used to it, is not easy. But, I may just hang onto thunderbird a while and keep MS outlook running in the background as a security blanket belt and braces job. As for some reason, (and I know tis odd!) I actually distrust other email clients, simply because I have used MS the greater majority of the time, and found little bother with them. I used to like the ding dong noise of Eudora when mail arrived, so I stuck with that for a while, but mails has come on lots since those days. And Thunderbird tho in my view less than perfect, (tho could be I just not figured it all out yet) will stay as second or substute client for as and when I feel the need or it has some particular function that MS lacks.
|
I have been reading one of Christopher Love's sermons on hell's terror. and it was excellent in itself. Yet he was also not quite right on some things, as he indicated in the below that this can only happen in hell. And yet its pretty much a description of my every moment, and tho obviously not eternal or maybe lacking the severity, its still an accurate description of my every moment on this earth. So, that's why I thought to post it. As its easy for us all to stand in judgement of something we may not understand in reality. But, when reading this, rather than feeling sad, it confirmed really how much I think satan must hate me, and for someone who so lacks assurance, he would not hate me so, if I wasn't of God's kingdom.
First the variety of these torments. there is not one way but a hundred,athousand, ten thousand ways to torment you. Indeed, were you sick here, it may be you should have but one kind of desease upon you at once, but you have no variety. Had you plague, stone or gout, and fever concurring in one to afflict your body, how miserable would you be withal. but in hell there is not one kind but a variety to torment you. There is unquenchable fire to burn you, a lake of brimstone to choke you, eternal chains to tie you, utter darkness to frighten you, and a worm of conscience everlasting to gnaw you. a variety of torments has the Lord made to meet upon one man, and this makes the torments of hell to be very dismal indeed.
Second, there is not only a variety, but a universality of torments; not only many kinds, but these torments shall universally afflict both body and soul, all the parts o the body and all the powers of the soul. and this makes the torments of hell more dreadful. Upon earth you have deseases haply; but though some parts are afflicted other parts are free. though you are ill i n your body, yet your h ead may be free; though ill in your vitals, yet arms and legs free. there is no disease that puts the whole body in pain at once, but in hell it is not so. In hell all the parts of your bodies and the powers of your souls shall be tormented, if ever you go into that dismal place.
All the parts of the body. the eyes shall be tormented with the sight of devils. the ear shall be tormented with the yellings and hiedous outcries of the damned in falmes. the nostrils shall be tormented with brimstone to choke you, the tongue with a flame. the whole body (in a word) shall be tormented in flames of fire. there is no part of the body, neither hand, foot, tongue, nor eye--but shall be subjects of those flames.
All the powers of the soul. Nay, no only the body, but the powers of the soul also shall be tormented with the thoughts of what a heaven and happiness you have lost, what opportnnities you had to be saved, that you lived under the gospel, that you heard the ministers of Jesus Christ often and again warn you to amend, and yet you would not be persuaded. Your minds shall to rment you to consider what time you have abused. In a word, your understanding shall turment in the thoughts of past pleasures, present pains, and future sorrows wich are to last forever and your conscience shall be tormented wit a conitnal gnawing of worms. Not onlyl thebody, but thesld shall be tormented with these flames. [Christopher Love--sermon 3 on hells terrors]
Its the most intrusive thing I know. It can hack into your computer and steal your identity! If anyone wishes to swap places with me, all you have to do is ask, for heavens sake! But seriously, I wasn't aware of much about it till a year or two ago when some malicious software attached itself to my browswer and every time I rebooted my computer without me touching anything, my browser opened and it heades straight for a porn site. (Eww!) But today I have actually bought a spyware proggie. As the free ones are often fairly adequate but they do not go the whole hog as far as protecting ones details and identity goes. I had one bit of spware when I ran the scan after downloading the proggie, that could monitor my keystrokes, and so therefore any passwords, it could easily store them. Considering I do online banking and also shop fairly frequently for groceries online which all involve using debit cards or stuff its pretty scary stuff. But, my proggie got rid of that, and also other spware and bots it found. But technology can be great! But there's always one or two, who exploit the system.
|
I used to love doing this walk as a kid!! Okay, so I was a strange kid too! But never fear, not all Brits are like moi, Mr Bean, Monty Python and Hyacinth Bucket, being only a few of the remaining others! I'm sure The Queen of England would be classed as "normal" by alot of folks! (Sheesh!)
its a bank holiday here today. A government imposed holiday I may add. And agreed if I was at work, I may have a different view, but its just one of those holidays I find somewhat silly. May Day, Labour Day, (used to be) now its just "spring bank holiday" where everyone is off work, the schools are out, some tomorrow too, and folks go places and do things.
The video maybe a bit jittery, depending on ones connection and connection speed.
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." [Neh 1:11]
There are probably more if I could bring them to mind. But 5 major points of disagreement, with caused the remoteness, with brothers and sisters in Christ in my local hemisphere have been:
Not celebrating X-mass and Easter, as they are man made holy days rather than God ordained ones.
EP. Most folks think I'm out of my tree on this one.
Not voting. This got me some very sharp opinions, (none complimentary I may add!) and again out of my tree is the general concensus.
Sanctifying the Sabbath.
Not believing a little evil for the greater good is a Biblical concept.
Richard Cameron when fired for speaking against the indulgences was thought to be somewhat of an upstart, cos he was a young man. I have had similar said because I am not a mature Christian, but I have had wise teachers. And this quote from the bio of Richard Cameron, Lion of the Covenant by Maurice Grant, speaks well to things I share with Richard Cameron, which tho a different kind of fire, is by nature very similar: Its a letter from his teacher John Welwood:
"The Lord hath been training you in the high court to Heaven, which is through many tribulations. I know a little of it through my own experience, that a Christian's life is a warfare, and he that standeth need to take heed lest he fall. We have need often to sit down and to count the cost; and heaven will cost us no small toil, and no few crosses, and many ups and downs and many ups and downs will we ere meet with. Oh but it takes much to humble us many a day, yet the very second that he lifts us up, we are ready to miscarry. Oh but it takes a long time and much pains to teach us wisdom, for we are at first as a wild ass's colt. But in this we may comfort ourselves; all our springs are in him; the fountain is full."
Samuel Rutherford in his letters, during his confinement spoke of how hard he found Lord's Day in his prison and separated from God's people, and I find all these inner conflicts stir in me too almost every Lord's Day without exception
"Let me speak to you, how kind a fellow-prisoner is Christ to me! Believe me, this kind of cross (that would not go by my door, but would needs visit me) is still the longer the more welcome to me. It is true, my silent, Sabbaths have been, and still are, as glassy ice whereon my faith can scarce hold its feet, and I am often blown on my back and off my feet with a storm of doubting. Yet truly, my bonds all this time cast a mighty and rank smell of high and deep love in Christ. I cannot, indeed, see through my cross to the far-end; yet I believe I am in Christ's books, and in his decree (not yet unfolded to me), a man triumphing, dancing and singing on the other side of the Red Sea, and laughing and praising the Lamb, over beyond time, sorrow, deprivation, prelates indignation, losses, want of friends, and death. Heaven is not a fowl flying in the air (as men used to speak of things that are uncertain); nay, it is well paid for. Christ's comprisement lieth on glory for all the mourners in Zion, and shall never be loosed. Let us be glad and rejoice that we have blood, losses and wounds to show our Master and Captain at his appearance, and what we suffered for his cause."
But sometimes you would just like a bit of comfort, or ease, or relief from such a hard existence, and the road can be very tempting at times. But, like Doc Martin who was a lone voice in his Reformation battle cry, and like Richard Cameron who endured persecution rather than compromise, and of course, most of all like our Lord, Christ, who was persecuted more than anyone else ever has been or will be. Standing out from the crowd, or being seen as none conformist, or even at times mad, (folks thought Christ was mad, or demon posessed) has an eternal weight of glory, for sticking to the truths now, even tho they cost us dearly, and make what would already be a difficult or hard existence, seem at times, almost intolerable.
The Sabbath should be sanctified, yet in my personal experience this means different things to different people. Yet, the Bible is explicit about this. So, whether worshipping at home, alone or with others, or whether attending corporate worship, lets seek to sanctify the day, and rid ourselves of vain excuses to do as we please, and justify it in our consciences. No one gets it perfect of course, I wish I could do better, yet, I also know God knows what every Lord's Day brings and the degree of emotional affliction that goes along with it, and I don't think for a minute He doesn't understand or know I try my best to keep it hallowed, even allowing like most folks, there is always some falling short. Yet,vain excuses can be made one upon another week after week. And though God doesn't promise to bless us if we keep it Holy, in this life, do think many Christians could be more blessed if they at least gave a heart felt attempt to.
|
'Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8 - 11.
This commandment was engraven in stone by God's own finger, and it will be our comfort to have it engraven in our hearts. The Sabbath-day is set apart for God's solemn worship; it is his own enclosure, and must not be alienated to common uses. As a preface to this commandment, he has put a memento to it, 'Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy.' This word, 'remember,' shows that we are apt to forget Sabbath holiness; therefore we need a memorandum to put us in mind of sanctifying the day. [Thomas Watson]
|
