The Simple Pastor
Simplicity & Generosity
Lifestyle Choices: Here’s a good observation from Gary McMurray after watching some TV. I think he’s right when he... http://bit.ly/aEsQmm 18 hrs ago
Here’s a good observation from Gary McMurray after watching some TV. I think he’s right when he says,
“For the TV channel and its advertisers, really there’s no choice in lifestyle – everyone should be pushing for materialism.”
Which is why as Christians we need to exercise discernment when we watch the box. And why it’s good when Christians all over the world think about things like this
I’m trying to read some of the books that have been hanging around for a while and this one was an old A-Level history text book. So Europe 1815-1945 by Anthony Wood isn’t the most gripping of reads but remains fascinating nonetheless.
Dealing with 130 years of European history inevitably means a big picture approach however the book would have benefited from fleshing out the lives and personalities of the more dominant figures (Metternich, Bismarck, Napoleon III, Tsar Nicholas, Kaiser Wilhelm, Emperor Francis Joseph, Cavour, Wilson, Churchill, Hitler, Lenin and Stalin etc…).
The book regularly deals with social, economic and internal political developments across the various parts of Europe but it comes alive when dealing with the international political scene. So much happens in a relatively short period of history the consequences of which we are still living with.
We enter at the end of the Napoleonic wars and Europe remains under the sway of kings and emperors. The dominant powers are Great Britain, Austria and Russia with a humbled France and the growing power of Prussia. The Ottoman empire is still huge but waning. Revolutions come and go but the industrial revolution takes hold and with it the birth of powerful ideas – socialism, communism, trade unionism, democracy.
By the mid 19th century old nations disappear and new nations arise, the map of Europe is redrawn with the unification of Italy and Germany. The nations of the former Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Finland, Albania, Greece didn’t yet exist in their current form.
Imperialism and the growth of Empire shapes the world map and we begin the descent into the madness of WWI. Never has there been a conflict so pointless, so damaging with the loss of so many lives. If ever you wanted a conflict to illustrate the senselessness of war then the first world war is the place to look.
From there Europe changes all over again as monarchies give way to republics, new nations arise but everything is fragile and fascism offers strength and boldness. The second world war in many ways the opposite of the first mobile, dynamic, unjustified aggression and justified resistance.
I’ve been educated and fascinated simply be becoming freshly acquainted with these events, seeing the growth of globalisation and the intertwining of economies, the struggle for ideas, the drift towards unification in Europe and the willingness to go to war.
I intend to read some more history soon.
There may not be too many of these over the next couple of weeks. I’m on a couple of weeks paternity leave to begin the adjustment to having two kids,…
I promise this blog is not about to turn into a family album despite the fact that I’m now the doting father of a baby girl. However, I’d like to…
Today we give thanks to God for the safe arrival of Anna Grace Whittall. She made her entrance at 9.44am, weighing in at 7lbs 15oz.
It is just amazing…
For those of you interested, if there’s no baby today that will make it three days late.
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I am aware that this could be a rather long series but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I thought that for my own benefit I’d simply look up the…
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I’ve been thinking a little bit more about why being thankful is so important and that without it we will inevitably suffer and struggle, we will remain immature.…
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I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a church pastor, a bookshop owner, a husband, a father, a keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.
*This is the third in my series looking at why consumerism is an issue for Christians – intro, part 1*
The words ‘remember the poor’ ring…
*This is the second (the first is more of an intro here) post into ‘why I think consumerism should be a big deal for Christians*
It’s quite a…
I occasionally get frustrated at the relationship between the church and consumerism. On the one hand lots of our best authors, thinkers and leaders have named it and…
I’m not a scientist. Nowhere even close. I barely passed physics and biology GCSE’s, I’m fairly rubbish at maths beyond mental arithmetic (as long it doesn’t include long division) and…
I’m trying to read some of the books that have been hanging around for a while and this one was an old A-Level history text book. So Europe 1815-1945 by…
I discovered Bill Clinton’s Giving: How each of us can change the world a few months back for the bargain price of £2.50 down at the haven that is
The Trials of Theology: Becoming a ‘proven worker’ in a dangerous business is a collection of essays from voices past and present aimed at keeping the student of theology in…
I recently reviewed Martin Downes book Risking the Truth and Martin has responded with a response to my review which I’m grateful for. This is good…
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There may not be too many of these over the next couple of weeks. I’m on a couple of weeks paternity leave to begin the adjustment to having two kids,…
For those of you interested, if there’s no baby today that will make it three days late.
…
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