“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

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.

• Why doesn’t God always heal? A great question…
• How do you cope when God hasn’t healed?
• How do you move on when life has been incredibly hard?
• How do you pray when you love to be first?
• How should a church love one another?
• How following has changed its meaning

OK, it may be just me but do they look alike? Poor kids, the midwife said they looked liked me. My church decided that grumpy, wrinkly and purple is not a good look, for them or me!

Anyway, the point is that they (at least I think so) carry the family likeness. The father should be able to look at them and know ‘they’re my kids.’ Simple observation really, but the punch hit home. Am I carrying the father’s likeness? Do I act, think, speak, love like the Father?

It is just amazing to think that God would choose to enter the world this way and begin life so helpless and so weak. Amazing to think that this little girl is made in the image of God and He already knows how many hairs are on her head (quite a few!).

So, here is one more reason I have to give thanks to God.

• Jubilee blog are having awards for ‘blogs that demonstrate the continued relevance of the Bible to the world today or otherwise give a Christian perspective on social and political concerns.’
• Some interesting graphics on social networking. Average time on Facebook in the UK 7 hours a month
• Talking of interesting graphics this one on men’s thoughts on work is fascinating (although not always in a good way)
• Another cracking post by Mark Heath this time Esther and Modesty

Reason 1: Because God has done great things

“Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He is the LORD our God; his judgements are in all the earth.”
(1Ch 16:8-14)

There are quite  a number of reasons to give thanks to God here, His holiness, His strength, His wise judgement but the main reason is because God has done great things. The context for this song is the arrival of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem followed by wild celebrations. The ark was a physical reminder of all that God had done for His people, He had done wondrous things.

I don’t have the opportunity to often be in the presence of great power and strength, I’ve not met too many people that have done astonishing things. In my house I’m the strongest person by quite some way and I’m tired by 7pm. If I’m not careful God becomes reduced to the limits of my horizons.

Remembering that God has done great things is good for me. Awe and amazement are appropriate responses to the one who knows the stars by name, who knows the molecules that make up the mountains. Romans 1:20 tells me that if I have eyes to see, God’s creative attributes are on display everywhere I look. Creation is a great accomplishment, it is a reason to give thanks.

Of course to list God’s great achievements would be a fairly time consuming exercise but not a waste of time. Remembering them reminds me that God’s ability to do great things is part of what makes him great. Great athletes, scientists, pioneers and artists are great because they do what no one else has done or can do.

God can do what no one else can do, He can do far more than me and while this is obvious it is also easily forgotten. But why should I be grateful to God for His great power and astonishing miracles? I think the answer lies at the end of verse 14, because ‘He is the Lord our God’. He is not someone else’s God, He is not remote or unknown. He is not distant that I should simply be impressed but He is known to me that I should be grateful that the God I follow has power like no other, has greatness ascribed to Him for His marvellous deeds.

I thank God for He has done great things.

• Tim Chester has reviewed Soul DVD & CY evangelistic courses
• Matt Hosier has read Wired for Intimacy: How pornography hijacks the male brain, by William M. Struthers and Cycling home from Siberia by Rob Lilwall
• Gary McMurray has read Bible Delight by Christopher Ash, which he says has ‘exceptional exegesis’!
• Jeremy has reviewed The Economics of Abundance by Wolfgang Hoeschele, Jeremy reckons it’s ‘a bold thought experiment that opens up new possibilities at a time when we desperately need them.’
• Mark Meynell has read Remaking a Broken World: The Heart of the Bible Story by Christopher Ash, a book he thinks is ‘a wonderful read – stimulating, engaging, passionate, credible. I’m going to be recommending it left right and centre.’
• Tim Challies has read Hello I love you: Adventures in adoptive fatherhood by Ted Kluck
• Ed Stetzer profiles four new books on church planting

Reading

• I’ve never thought about my reading really, I just read and would like to read more. But this analysis from Liam Thatcher on his reading is pretty thorough. I might break it down a bit more

Bookshelves

• You’ve got to have somewhere to put them right? How about these?

Books

• Justin Taylor on why he thinks e-books are here for good
• The Shack is a bestseller making millions for the authors and now making large sums for the lawyers as the author and publishers sue each other
• This seems like a great idea, convert old cigarette machines to dispense books instead

Writing

• Apparently I write like David Foster Wallace. Who do you write like? (HT: Challies)