Star words

Based upon the script of the Star Wars prequels, George Lucas should probably have enlisted the help of this little one, they might have had more depth.

Thanks to Brigitte for the link.

Sog free

I came across this today, I reckon this could make the perfect gift for a Christian friend who likes to hang out by the sea or in the bath. Genius.

Absolutely

I’m now back at my parents making my final preparations for Aus, but in a short break as I’m suffering from a stinking cold (sorry man-flu whinger), I decided to listen to a Keller sermon in the bath.

I’ve been listening to a lot of sermons recently, but this (iTunes link) one certainly had a profound effect on me.  Speaking on Absolutism, Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, makes the argument that Freedom is not the absence of restrictions, but nor is it necessarily the presence of them, it’s about the conditions that those restrictions present themselves and who ultimately presents them.

He agrees with Nietzsche when he stated that; claiming we know the truth can often be about power plays or control, but he argues that if you keep arguing that truth is mobile, indiscernible, then you end up seeing through everything until there is nothing left to see, we simply must make some statements of truth or we find ourselves totally bound by the absence of anything, drifting in space. Quite the reverse of free.

But perhaps most profoundly he speaks of the original meaning of ‘The Word’ described in John 1. Logos, which is the Greek word that we derive logic from, or truth. Keller states that we are not binding ourselves to an abstract concept when we accept the Bible’s truth, but a person, Jesus. In loving relationship with Him we find true freedom, as we enter into a sacrificial relationship with someone who has already sacrificed everything for us, Jesus gave up his freedom so that we might have it.

This is all brief summary, so go have a listen, Keller speaks with great clarity. I think this sermon pretty much sums up the core of my own beliefs.

Oh yes

This would shave at least 30 seconds off my 15 minute ‘get ready for work’ time.

Handy

These are pretty stunning, but I can’t imagine having a priceless artwork on your hand when you need to change a baby’s nappy is very practical.

Underachievers

I can’t help but think we are underachievers here in the UK.

Confused

I think the iPad is a little confused. I’m just not sure it really knows what it is, if it does, then I don’t think it’s shared that insight particularly effectively. It seems to me that you have to have a whole barrel of spare readies to ever get to the stage of buying one, as it really falls in third place after an iPhone and a MacBook and if you have both of those, then you’ve pretty much got all the functionality of this.

Apple are possibly due a fail, I think it will do them good, to help improve future product efforts.

Sink or Slim?

Update: Here are Stephen Fry’s thoughts, they’re different to mine.

String fellows

This is another fantastic display of musicianship, I particularly like the bit when there are two parts being bowed at the same time, crazyness.

Call yourself a musician

This is a whole barrel of brilliant. I dare you owners of the iPhone to not spend a couple of quid on this fantasticly amusing app, I’m going there right now.

Fancy a snog?

Last night I went out with a mate for dinner and after consuming a very fine bowl of spicy noodles, we both fancied a spot of desert.

A couple of wrong turns later we ended up at Snog, a frozen yoghurteria in Soho. Apparently it’s fat a and sugar free-ish, was good. Trot on over.

They also had some nice lights dangling from the ceiling, spangly.

Soul

I’m listening to some more Soul on Grooveshark, I love it, it’s about all I can manage to not get up and showcase inordinate levels of enthusiasm whilst performing the funky chicken. Music, I have neglected you, my apologies.

Tacky

‘Topless’ is how this particular product is marketed. I’m not sure whether this is the coolest thing since holidays in Reykjavik or a really hideous piece of foot tat, I’ll let you decide. Unbelievable.

Sin in the bin

This is a very good article on Sin. Particularly grabbed by this quote:

The reality of sin is quite simple: Sin separates and sin destroys.

I’d like to add that I believe prayer triplets are brilliantly positioned to help us to deal with sin, whilst we’re all saved by grace, it’s a really positive step to take the darkening power out of sin by holding it up to the light. In a few years of praying in various small groups of men, I can honestly say these have been some of the most light filled times of my life.

Leg it

There are some amusing little creative concepts out there, like taking a stuffed toy everywhere you go on holiday and photographing them in random locations, creating Facebook profiles for vegetables in your home, blogging about funny things you’ve overheard on the bus, but currently this is my fave.

I am particularly amused by the fact that most of the pictures largely capture the exploits of middle to late-middle aged business men and not the young trendy set you might expect would be involved in this sort of tomfoolery. Brilliant.

Arch Bishop Coleface

So last night I went out for chinese with my Dad and another well known blogger and about half way through an exceedingly fine platter of Gourmet Hors D’oeuvres, Papa Coleman remarks ‘You look a lot like a young Rowan Williams’. Yeah I know, my own father!

Anyway, aforementioned blogger said that sounded like prime material for a blog post, so here it is.

Find below the puddoingal proof* with a little help from morphthing.

Rowan and Me

And the result…

Rowan Coleman (Arch Bish)

Glasses have gone a bit squiffy, and I’m clearly experiencing beard envy, but it’s a bit weirdly true I think.

Perhaps more freakish though, was my resemblance to this celebrity morph. Jury’s out.

*Proof: Subject to users opinion/definition of proof.