Week of Christian Unity

Was struck by a comment our visiting preacher made in his sermon yesterday regarding the idea of the Week for Christian Unity. In Welsh, the term used for the CTBI is 'Cytun' - which means 'Agree' or 'Agreeing Together' . The English version is 'Churches Together ...' . Doesn't the plural form of 'church' almost negate the concept of togetherness? Would it not be better for the umbrella organisation to be know as 'The Church Together in Britain and Ireland' or something of that ilk? After all, isn't the main idea all about the unity of Christians, rather than church institutions and 'buildings'?

Learning to be happy

This week, the BBC Breakfast TV programme is running a challenge using ideas from 'Action for Happiness'. It involves a routine of 10 minutes of 'mindfulness' meditation (whatever that might be), writing a letter of gratitude to someone, and 3 random acts of kindness - all on a daily basis. Details can be found here, or via the programme's Facebook page.

Do others have similar routines for developing happiness in their lives - or is happiness the thing that we need to be looking for anyway?

what criteria on what to blog about and what not to?

Following a post I made earlier this year, someone made the comment "what criteria do you use to decide on what to blog about and what not to?". So what is/are your criteria?

Well, where has he been?

Have been lazy about this over recent months, but also find that I'm perhaps not quite as bothered as I used to be. Whether that has anything to do with my being unemployed catching up with me and quenching my motivation, or whether it has more to do with my increased 'workload' with Tools With A Mission, I'm not sure.

Spring sprung?!

Was out at a meeting this morning, and when I drove back into the drive could hear a massive racket from the bush alongside the drive. When I turned the radio and then the engine off, I could hear it even better!! Could see a lot of movement from within the bush, and sat and watched a while. Over the next 30/40 secs, 3 or 4 robins and 6 or 8 sparrows hopped out onto some of the more exposed branches, all prattling away. Only as I opened the car door did they go in any way quiet, and only one flew away as I emerged from the car, closed the door and walked into the house!!

Spring has sprung - most definitely!!

Age of criminal responsibility

The Children's Commissioner for England has suggested that the age of criminal responsibility ought to be raised from 10 to 12. In view of the move in society generally to reduce benchmark ages should we really be looking to move the age of criminal responsibility down (perhaps to 8) rather than up (to 12)?

I would, however, agree with the commissioner that the focus of any such change should be restorative as opposed to simply punitive.

Internet - a fundamental right?

Following a survey of 27,000 people in 26 countries, the BBC World Service has come to the conclusion that 4 out of 5 people believe internet access to be a 'fundamental right'.

Just what does this say about our thinking about what is a right and what is a need? Surely the fact that huge numbers of the global population are still without even basic healthcare provision - let alone safe, clean (potable) water sources or basic education suggests that there is a serious mismatch of expectations and funding possibiloities?

By the way, I wonder whether the 27K interviewed were all from the educated classes of their respective nations?