Each day God gives us 84,400 seconds of life.
What a gift! What a wonderful Giver!
There is no guarantee we will get a refill tomorrow.
Time is passing like the jet in this picture of Big Ben.
Let us be grateful to God and make sure we don’t waste one second.today.
Click here for the same message expressed in timeless poetry: “The Salutation of the Dawn”. It is a poem treasured for generations.It is a poem to be remembered forever. Keep safe.
According to Wikipedia,
“Telos (/ˈtɛ.lɒs/; Greek: τέλος, translit.télos, lit. “end, ‘purpose’, or ‘goal”)[1] is a term used by philosopher Aristotle to refer to the full potential or inherent purpose or objective of a person or thing,[2] similar to the notion of an ‘end goal’ or ‘raison d’être‘. Moreover, it can be understood as the “supreme end of man’s endeavour”.[3]“
So we can and should ask ourselves: What is the inherent purpose or chief end of my life?
If we don’t know, then we could be living our lives going in the wrong direction. What a tragic waste!
Here is a clue about our telos from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
As the Book of Common Prayer advises, may we “Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest.”
Keep safe.
I
Lozenzo Scupoli suggests that after praying and seeking God’s will, we should, with full dependence on God, labor more diligently to become worthy of receiving what we pray for. This means that the work of prayer should be followed by us applying all our strength to obtain what we pray for. If we fail to work hard and just sit back after praying, we are testing God, not praying.
Just something to think about ….Comments would be helpful.
Reflections on reading an expanded version “Unseen Warfare: The Spiritual Combat and Path to Paradise” by Lorenzo Scupoli (1530-1610).
You and I don’t just exist. We are always deciding what our existence will be and what we will become the next moment. Why is this true for me and for you? Why is it true for all people? The reason is because we all have free will. As Victor Frankl wrote: “…every human being has the freedom to change at any instant.” The answer to the question? We each decide. No buck passing!
Based on the writing of Victor Frankl
Omar Khayyam
“Read mark and inwardly digest” – The Book of Common Prayer
Thank you Alex
What do guns and cooking pots have in common when it comes to kitchen safety? As it turns out, plenty. Growing up half a century ago as a young boy in a beautiful country in Africa, it was drummed into me by my amazing hunting grandmother that you never point a gun at a person even if the gun is not loaded. Break that rule, get the unloaded assumption wrong. and you are heading for tragedy.
I think the rule should apply to toy guns as well.
The same rule applies to cooking pots. Always put cooking pots on genuine heat resistant surfaces, even when the pots are cold. It is a good habit to get into. Never assume that the pot is not hot . Have a look at the picture to see what happens if you get the assumption wrong!
See? Guns and cooking pots have plenty to teach us.
John
This really works. Tear off two sheets of kitchen paper toweling. Fold it double. Saturate it with water. As soon as you take the toasted sandwich out of the snackwich maker, put in the saturated towel. Shut the lid. There will be all sorts of hissing and steaming noises. A short while later when you remove the paper, it will leave the snackwich maker very clean/
John
The secret is to start with toast. Toast two pieces of bread. Cover 100% of one side of both pieces of toast with butter. Cover the unbuttered side of one piece of toast with plenty of chutney. On top of the chutney put a generous amount of grated cheese. Place the other piece of toast, unbuttered side down, on top of the cheese. The sandwich is ready to go into the hot sandwich toaster. Remember, the butter is on the outside – top and bottom. Toast the sandwich and enjoy.
Why does it taste so good? If you like fried bread I don’t have to tell you why!
John
Perhaps Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, might consider awarding the George Cross to the gallant health and caring services as a whole, for their acts of great heroism and conspicuous courage in serving others during the extreme danger of Covid19.
With respect, the award could be made now. Remember that the award of the George Cross to Malta was made in April 1942, during the Second World War.
Thank you.
If you agree with this idea please pass it on.
John Bartels, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 31 December 2020
johnbartels.com 