tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91169227978121942292012-01-17T22:38:33.179ZAn assortment of things that I find interesting, amusing or frustrating on a variety of different subjects. I hope you enjoy it.Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.comBlogger1081100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-42681417493731201872011-10-05T22:49:00.000+01:002011-10-05T22:49:24.059+01:00

Unlucky if you've just bought Mrs Potato Head or Mr Happy.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-9677496972293063152011-05-14T20:32:00.000+01:002011-05-14T20:32:48.954+01:00

Truth — not music, not bare passion, and certainly not ritual — deserves the place of prominence in worship. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) God is spiritual in his very essence and therefore he must be worshipped with spiritual worship: worship in the energy of spirit; worship that engages and employs our entire spirit, not just the motions

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-54312508088919804992011-05-07T22:17:00.001+01:002011-05-07T22:18:26.761+01:00

17. Share it with other believers In the last post in this occasional series (some time ago now!) I recommended seeking Christian fellowship as an antidote to worry, even if this seems counter-intuitive at the time. I could go further: why not share your concerns with other believers and ask them to pray?  As British people we find ourselves very reluctant to do this but it can be a great help

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-82743223789390667582011-04-28T22:43:00.004+01:002011-04-28T23:08:01.838+01:00

I will strengthen them in the LORD and in his name they will walk, declares the LORD. (Zecharaiah 10:12)God will keep his people strong and enable them to carry out the work they do for him without difficultyI will strengthen them in the LORD, strengthen them for their walk and work, as well as for their warfare.It is the God of Israel who gives strength and power to his people. It is he who

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-31786793208184726092011-02-10T12:27:00.003Z2011-02-10T12:32:33.953Z

In our time a considerable number of theories have arisen denying that the creation, as we know it, took place in twenty-four hour days. Common to these theories is the acceptance of the dominant scientific view that the earth and life on it are very old. Many consider the biblical account to be primitive, mythological, and untenable in light of modern scientific knowledge.This crisis has

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-72351645346833527782010-11-30T15:01:00.002Z2010-11-30T15:04:08.475Z

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-35082365738307763392010-10-16T21:30:00.000+01:002010-10-16T21:37:42.733+01:00

I went to an interesting lecture organised by the London Central Branch of the BCS last week, by Ian Price from Grimsdyke Consulting and the Information Overload Research Group.He started off by comparing Churchill's 1953(?) vision of the future work/life balance with the reality now. Apparently Churchill predicted that the "working man" would soon need to work only 4 days a week because of

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-54274779611956440372010-09-15T22:02:00.007+01:002010-09-15T22:53:56.144+01:00

I use rules extensively in Outlook at work to sort and filter emails as they arrive, so it was a bit frustrating that they stopped working a day or two back. They ran OK with the "Run Rules Now..." option, but wouldn't fire automatically. (By the way, we use Microsoft Exchange Server and I use Cached Exchange Mode to reduce the effect of connection problems.)After a fair amount of searching I

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-55503233036478086282010-08-19T22:39:00.003+01:002010-08-19T22:50:33.068+01:00

16. Seek Christian fellowshipAvoid being on your own.  Don’t avoid meeting with other believers.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:25 )There’s a tendency when we’re worried to cut ourselves off from others, especially the people of God.  I don’t know if it’s because

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-76462734813739307782010-06-17T21:28:00.003+01:002010-06-17T21:49:15.729+01:00

15. Recognise Satan’s purpose to divide and weaken the people of GodIn his first letter, Peter says, Cast all your anxiety upon him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7).  It's surely significant that he then immediately goes on to say, Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)We've already seen that we can

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-6650024437454152882010-05-07T18:50:00.005+01:002010-05-07T19:08:48.001+01:00

This was posted in the ACM RISKS Forum a couple of weeks ago:British game retailer *GameStation* has revealed that it legally owns the souls of thousands of online shoppers, thanks to a clause in the terms and conditions agreed to by online shoppers. On April Fools' Day they had added the "immortal soul clause" to the contract that you would sign before making any online purchases. It states

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-5595865494254468342010-04-30T20:48:00.009+01:002010-05-01T11:27:39.830+01:00

Moral and ethical issues are often ignored during election campaigns. The focus is on how to solve the so-called "big issues" – problems with the economy, efficiency in the health service, etc. Yet the moral priorities of those who govern often have a deeper and longer lasting effect: witness the changes during the last decade, for example, in medical ethics, in opinions about marriage and the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-54132633832561180142010-03-08T21:44:00.004Z2010-03-08T22:05:37.803Z

"I can't see God. He doesn't exist."(Holding hands over eyes) "I can't see you!"(The Pyromaniacs did it first and better.)

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-79073594805434722232010-02-26T21:00:00.005Z2010-02-26T21:20:24.550Z

Yesterday the DPP published his guidance about assisted suicide. He doesn't seem to be thinking as clearly as Gordon Brown.The scene: a typical suburban home. The date: a year or two in the future. A man has just murdered his wife with a lethal overdose. The interviewing police officer reviews the DPP's "public interest factors" with him ...The 16 public interest factors in favour of

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-54232622030826720572010-02-24T23:04:00.007Z2010-02-24T23:31:19.440Z

It was good to see that the Prime Minister has written a piece in the Daily Telegraph today against assisted suicide. (And as I write that sentence it strikes me forcibly just how much the country has changed in my life time. In earlier and, at least as far as this is concerned, better, times the subject wouldn't even be discussed; the possibility that such an act could be legalised would have

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-70099270501351799092010-01-25T22:25:00.003Z2010-01-25T22:44:10.249Z

I came across a helpful post today on a mailing list that I subscribe to, which summarizes a good point made by Timothy Keller in a "Reason for God".The Dawkins' argument that religion came about through evolutionary responses to fear of the unknown, etc., assumes on the one hand that the human mind created a "false thing" to understand the world (theism), and so cannot be relied upon. Yet the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-28397764084514917982009-12-05T23:13:00.032Z2009-12-10T21:22:16.821Z

In this post, I want to explain how I created a dll in C#/.NET using Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 that could be accessed from an Excel VBA program.In order for VBA to access it, a dll has to be COM-visible. See Wikipedia; Component Object Model for more details. However, Microsoft's description at Exposing .NET Framework Components to COM is quite hard to understand. I hope this step-by-step

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-7533067843656017472009-11-20T12:18:00.005Z2009-11-20T12:38:26.694Z

14. Pray about itIf we can worry about something then surely we can pray about it. Commit your way to God. Ask God for wisdom and help. Ask that his will be done. But don’t prattle, going over the same things again and again; this can be a particular temptation when one's mind is in a turmoil. When you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-53045092377645439662009-09-18T12:59:00.003+01:002009-09-18T13:07:22.210+01:00

From Professor Edgar Andrews’ forthcoming book Who made God?:It’s a question commonly posed by those who would banish the very ideas of God and "creation". Richard Dawkins asks it repeatedly, in various ways, in his best-selling book The God Delusion. The logic runs something like this.If God exists, then presumably he created everything (why else would we need him?) But if God exists, who made

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-39096409006382057202009-09-06T09:27:00.004+01:002009-09-06T09:48:14.645+01:00

13. Get your thinking straight: See the problem in perspective and be realisticWhat’s the worst that can happen? And what is really likely to happen? I once prepared a Bible study about worrying — and then caught myself worrying about how it would be received! Whether it would be really boring and unhelpful for those attending, whether it would be too short or too long, and so on. Forcing

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-37061049202518757262009-08-23T17:24:00.004+01:002009-08-23T17:38:18.581+01:00

In or around December 26 AD, Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan river. (See, for example, Mark 1:9.)But we know that Jesus was sinless. So why was he baptized – since baptism is a sign of repentance, a symbol of the need to be cleansed from sin? Here are six possible reasons:1. To obey. He submitted himself in perfect obedience to God’s will. When John objected to

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-5066749826009542252009-06-16T19:35:00.001+01:002009-06-16T19:38:58.354+01:00

'Child,' said the Director, 'it is not a question of how you or I look on marriage but how my Masters look on it.''Someone said they were very old-fashioned. But –''That was a joke. They are not old-fashioned; but they are very, very old.''They would never think of finding out first whether Mark and I believed in the ideas of marriage?''Well – no,' said the Director with a curious smile. 'No.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-14990152023421093242009-06-09T21:09:00.003+01:002009-06-09T21:27:34.366+01:00

The Christian Institute is alerting people to the fact that the Government is seeking to remove the free speech clause from the homosexual hatred law via the Coroners and Justice Bill that is currently going through Parliament. The protection that this clause gives was included on the instigation of Lord Waddington, and was approved by Parliament only last year.This law needs free speech

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-56366519867978697712009-05-25T20:50:00.000+01:002009-05-25T19:52:19.152+01:00

I'm not sure why this has become an interest for me in recent weeks. Partly, I think, because I've been (re-)reading Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series of historical novels about the English Navy during the first part of the 19th century.Anyway, it's fairly easy to work out with some basic maths if you know the radius of the earth.Assume the earth is a sphere, with centre C; and imagine

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-88607994873580474342009-05-09T17:24:00.008+01:002009-05-09T17:37:35.533+01:00

Another way for Christians to avoid worry.12. Get your thinking straight: get the facts rightWe need to train our minds to think rationally. Sometimes we worry about impossibilities … things that can never happen. As a simple example, it’s not much use - at least in this country - worrying that our child will meet a stampeding elephant on the way to school. And even if things are not impossible

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-81012813850704205602009-05-04T23:06:00.002+01:002009-05-04T23:14:57.325+01:00

Part of a quote from David Warren by Post-Darwinist. In the same post, she also helpfully refers to Myth of the Flat Earth by Jeffrey Burton Russell.One of the constants in the long clash between Scientism & Christianity has been the repetition & elaboration by the Scienticists of quite incredible myths & lies, that are still used in our public schools, media, &c, to mock & slander Christians &

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-58178007118873216612009-04-24T11:57:00.008+01:002009-05-04T23:16:02.576+01:00

Here's some of what I would have liked to say to the man on the train who asked me what I believed as an "evangelical Christian", instead of the rather lame, "Well, um, er, I try to follow what the Bible says, er, ..."Yes, I do try to follow what the Bible says, but only because I believe it to be the Word of God: that is, God's revelation of himself to man. The words it contains were written

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-39864555353194452332009-03-11T19:07:00.007Z2009-05-09T17:22:08.716+01:00

Are Christians called to forgive everyone who does them wrong?Ben Midgeley addresses this question in a thoughtful piece in this month's Grace Magazine....I think the expectations upon victims can be unreasonable. I think the question we ought to ask is, "If God grants repentance, would you be prepared to forgive?"...Jesus taught us to pray, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-82247311365186685692009-02-06T13:17:00.006Z2009-02-06T18:51:47.403Z

You will probably have seen the result of an "out of office" message appearing on a signpost in Swansea.On a similar theme, this is what happens when you try to speed up the supply line just a bit too much:"We just cut and paste from the e-mail to the program we use for printing the edible images; we are usually in such a hurry that we really don't have time to check, and if we do the customers

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-81209436793666902052008-10-31T20:44:00.005Z2008-10-31T20:55:13.060Z

From the Christian InstituteThe BBC has, finally, taken action over the lewd behaviour of two high-paid presenters. But when lewd remarks were made about Christ and his followers, the BBC didn’t budge an inch.Jerry Springer the OperaIn 2005 the BBC’s decision to broadcast Jerry Springer the Opera sparked national outrage and led to over 60,000 complaints to the Beeb – twice the number received

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-10381523733094856212008-09-25T19:57:00.003+01:002008-09-25T20:10:38.289+01:00

I'm still thinking about why Christians have no need (or right!) to worry, and how they can avoid worrying...11. Get your thinking straight: think about the things that matterFinally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)Don’t

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-37757884931315360322008-09-09T14:03:00.002+01:002008-09-09T14:11:07.148+01:00

In his sermon on Sunday morning, my pastor, Gary Brady, made mention of the rise of secular bigotism.Definitions from Dictionary.com:Secular: (1) Of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests. (2) Not pertaining to or connected with religion.Bigot: A person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed,

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-71603729880571892492008-08-11T12:24:00.003+01:002008-08-11T12:33:02.282+01:00

Those Pyromaniacs have discovered a brilliant new product...

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-85077509621634969302008-07-29T12:18:00.000+01:002008-07-29T12:24:45.914+01:00

It's been a while! Here's another way the Christian can avoid worrying.10. Count your blessingsWhen upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,Count your many blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. (Johnson Oatman)This isn’t one of my favourite hymns, but there is truth in what it says. Concentrating on

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-50080805642825112262008-06-29T15:00:00.003+01:002008-06-29T15:09:27.705+01:00

Here's another suggestion for avoiding worry.9. Be thankful in all circumstancesRejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. ... Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-57711337346664214082008-06-20T16:31:00.000+01:002008-06-20T16:35:28.678+01:00

A couple of days ago I searched the internet in vain for a complete list of the cards used in the traditional London version of the Monopoly board game. So, as a service to the public, here they are:Community Chest CardsMovementAdvance to "Go"Go back to Old Kent RoadGo to jail. Move directly to jail. Do not pass "Go". Do not collect £200Taxes, Fines, etc.Pay hospital £100Doctor's fee. Pay £50Pay

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-43592719262213695032008-06-11T12:36:00.002+01:002009-12-09T23:10:09.978Z

I have rather belatedly come across this perceptive post about the recent debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.This week, Britain's Labour Party made remarkable progress in securing the country's reputation as the most scientifically illiterate and morally obtuse hamlet in the Western world. At the urging of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, both houses of Parliament defeated

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-45148899347972810572008-05-28T16:43:00.003+01:002008-05-28T16:50:18.415+01:00

8. Do what is right however you’re feeling, including your everyday duties.And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-72661196482228589462008-05-23T13:34:00.003+01:002008-05-23T13:50:50.119+01:00

A flood of voracious ants is heading straight for Houston, taking out computers, radios and even vehicles in their path. Even the Johnson Space Center has called in extermination experts to keep the pests out of their sensitive and critical systems.The ants have been causing all kinds of trouble in five Texas counties in and around the Gulf Coast. Because of their sheer numbers, the ants are

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-29497192669699433992008-05-09T12:06:00.006+01:002008-05-09T12:42:34.771+01:00

Being something of a process-geek myself, and knowing something of the charismatic mind-set, I was amused by this piece from Team Tominthebox:ST. LOUIS, MO - Riverside Spirit-Filled Assembly is fairly typical as far as charismatic churches go. If you attend one of their services, you will experience lively worship, Bible reading, testimonies, and a happy church family. You will see a choir,

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-55962558920661201382008-04-30T20:16:00.004+01:002008-04-30T20:26:31.479+01:00

The RSPCA reported this week that some 7,300 pets were abandoned in the UK last year. This made headline news in a number of media outlets.The Daily Mail, reporting on a recent inquest, rightly expressed horror that a baby girl was mauled to death by two Rottweilers.But where are the headlines about the ongoing killing of our nation’s children?Why isn't there more outrage about the way we treat

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-26045205295916326492008-04-27T15:05:00.008+01:002008-04-27T16:07:37.609+01:00

There are 4 people who need to cross a footbridge at night. The bridge can only bear the weight of 2 of them at once. They only have one torch between them and it is too dark to cross without it. If two of them cross together they have to travel at the rate of the slowest person. One of them takes 1 minute to cross, another of them takes 2 minutes, the third takes 7 minutes and the last 10

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-45416298439809291122008-04-18T21:02:00.004+01:002008-04-18T21:10:40.781+01:00

I'm not really sure what this is all about, but I enjoyed it anyway. Go to http://producten.hema.nl for the whole story.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-48023786493815036562008-04-12T17:32:00.006+01:002008-04-12T17:50:10.188+01:00

If you are in the vicinity of Childs Hill Baptist Church next Saturday (19th April), do come to what promises to be an informative and challenging talk by John Ling on recent trends in bioethics.This year sees the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act coming into force in the UK. Is 200,000 abortions each year in England and Wales too many?The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (2008) looks

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-40624368745363042832008-03-31T17:42:00.002+01:002008-03-31T17:45:51.605+01:00

Here's another suggestion to avoid worrying as a Christian.7. Help OthersCarry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-25799306550632335802008-03-15T16:12:00.003Z2008-03-15T16:20:07.119Z

Inspired by Exiled Preacher, I have just written to my MP, Dr Rudi Vis, about the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which is making its way through Parliament:Dear Dr Vis,I am writing to you about the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which I understand is soon to be debated in the House of Commons.Please will you consider voting against the proposals on additional embryo research and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-81082437119367150662008-03-13T21:07:00.004Z2008-03-13T21:23:53.437Z

Since 1967 there have been almost 7 million abortions in the UK, now 200,000 a year, with one in four pregnancies ending in abortion.Please take the time to sign this petition that has been organised by a number of pro-life organisations.The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, now in the House of Commons, provides the first opportunity for 18 years for changing the law on abortion.Please

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-80676271179149653202008-03-13T13:08:00.005Z2008-03-13T13:38:48.456Z

According to a report in today's Daily Mail, Bideford Town Council has been advised to stop opening meetings with prayer.The National Association of Local Councils has advised that the practice might fall foul of the Race Relations Act. It could even attract an action under the Human Rights Act. It said the practice, which is observed at many town halls, was merely an "old custom" which might

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-26151169882188357702008-02-29T13:00:00.007Z2008-02-29T13:25:46.143Z

In a report published yesterday, the Office for National Statistics shows that married people have a substantially lower risk of suicide than non-marrieds.The key findings of the report are (emphasis mine):People who are married still have a substantially lower risk ofsuicide than those who are not, despite changes in marriagepatterns over the last 25 years.Despite an overall reduction in suicide

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-43939089386818347282008-02-25T12:32:00.005Z2008-03-31T17:46:34.735+01:00

Another way of avoiding worry ...6. Be spiritual rather than materialThe present world view is basically existential - live for now and for what pleases you. But the Bible says:(a) Store up heavenly treasureThe verses in Matthew 6:19-6:24 about storing up heavenly treasure act as prelude to the teaching about worry. The juxtaposition of this teaching with the teaching about worrying is surely not

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-85366371729604147752008-02-16T13:58:00.003Z2008-02-16T14:05:26.498Z

I came across a thoughtful post from Exiled Preacher on this question.Some extracts ...... the idea of an established Church is alien to the New Testament. Under the old covenant there was no distinction between the religious and civil aspects of Israel's life. The nation was a theocracy - God's chosen nation, living under the terms of his covenant.But all that changed under the new covenant. Now

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-88100959063381678102008-01-31T17:54:00.004Z2009-12-08T21:53:57.792Z

Peter and Allison are twins. Peter is Allison's older brother because he was born 34 minutes before her. But Allison's birth certificate records that she was born at an earlier time.How is this possible?HintThis really happened — on 4 November 2007 in North Carolina. In Britain it would have had to happen a week earlier.See AnswerPeter was born at 1:32am on 4 November. 28 minutes later the clocks

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-8062142057698426312008-01-29T20:53:00.002Z2008-03-31T17:48:29.032+01:00

Another way that a Christian can avoid worry ...5 Remember God’s characterNot only does God love you but ...(a) He is all powerful, he is the one who created you, and he’s sovereign over the universe. He is able to bring his plans to fruition and nothing can thwart him.(b) He’s also all-knowing and wise. He knows what is best for you.(c) He’s also omnipresent – present everywhere. You cannot

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-33736566022750279462008-01-23T20:05:00.000Z2008-01-23T20:09:54.761Z

A thief in Paris planned to steal some paintings from the Louvre.After careful planning, he got past security, stole the paintings and made it safely to his van.However, he was captured only two blocks away when his van ran out of petrol.When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied,"Monsieur, that is the reason I stole the paintings...I had no

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-26681698084713366022007-12-21T21:53:00.000Z2007-12-21T22:32:48.526Z

I was heartened by two items in yesterday's news.The penalties for using a mobile phone while driving are being increased (BBC News). Motorists now face a jail sentence if their use of a mobile phone causes them to drive dangerously. This has to be good news - even at low speeds the effect of such distractions can be deadly. It would be even more sensible, though, to hammer the message home more

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-13297889463889666142007-12-10T20:48:00.001Z2008-03-31T17:48:09.489+01:00

Another strategy for avoiding worry if you are a Christian ...4 Remember God’s love for youWhen you meditate on God’s love for you in the Lord Jesus Christ: choosing you before the foundation of the world to share in his eternal kingdom; sending his own son to die for you - to deal with your sin and to clothe you with his righteousness … When you think about all these things and the other good

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-79464773017678059512007-12-08T17:30:00.000Z2007-12-10T20:47:35.954Z

This is a public service announcement on behalf of strangers to the capital.One sure way to tell if someone is a visitor to London is to listen to them talking about bus routes. If they refer to the one hundred and eighty six (or - worse! - the one hundred eighty six) or the seven three, they probably haven't been here long.Here are some rules to make you sound like a native (at least here in the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-32458706419073810232007-11-24T16:30:00.001Z2008-03-31T17:49:10.564+01:00

More on avoiding worry...3. Realise its crippling and negative effectStill others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19)Not only is it futile. It can prevent you being productive, and can even make things harder than they would

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-68596387963406442112007-11-24T16:21:00.000Z2007-11-24T16:29:08.060Z

There's a clever post from Tominthebox in response to the recent United Nations "definitive" report on global warming.It includes the Global Warming 10 Commandments (the environment speaking):1. You shall have no other gods before me.2. You shall not make an image out of any piece of wood.3. You shall not speak out against environmental causes.4. Rest weekly from your use of the environment.5.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-84524037804732249762007-11-22T14:45:00.000Z2007-11-22T15:05:29.664Z

The London Metro reports today (so it's probably a story that's been around for a few days!) ...A huge landslide under water produced the longest ever flow of sand and mud. The flow travelled 1,500km before it stopped off the coast of north-west Africa.A researcher from Bristol University is quoted as saying, "The volume of sediment transported is difficult to comprehend. It was one of the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-88326288709109768302007-10-24T12:31:00.001+01:002008-03-31T17:49:38.387+01:00

This continues an earlier post in which I started to outline some ways to avoid being crippled by worry.2. Realise its futilityWho of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27)This is a really powerful argument if we can persuade our minds to recognize it.Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere. (Glenn Turner)It only seems as if

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-91203969490520870272007-10-11T13:03:00.000+01:002007-10-11T13:14:48.449+01:00

This morning on the Today programme there was an item about the 25th anniversary of the raising of the Mary Rose from Portsmouth Sound, where it had sunk in 1545.During the interview, John Humprhrys expressed surprise at the beautiful condition of some 19,000 objects found on the ship, including longbows, domestic equipment, jerkins, nit combs, bowls, shoes, plates, shoes and leather wrist guards

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-77586758379225343062007-10-08T12:38:00.001+01:002008-03-31T17:50:13.782+01:00

Worry is something that affects all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons. Many people throughout history have recognized its power to damage us psychologically, to drain us emotionally, and to prevent us enjoying life as we should.As a rule, what is out of sight disturbs men's minds more seriously than what they see. Julius CaesarGrief has limits, whereas apprehension has none. For we grieve

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-39607199039111750662007-09-21T13:02:00.000+01:002007-09-21T13:09:53.694+01:00

I believe that there is a lot to learn from many in the charismatic movement: their desire to worship God with enthusiasm, using contemporary language; their concern to demonstrate real, practical love to others; and their emphasis on evangelism. I may cringe at some of the methods used, but blanket criticism is not helpful — particularly when I know that so often my worship is cold, my desire to

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-5854924487553547992007-09-18T13:48:00.003+01:002009-12-08T21:58:52.744Z

What is the next digit in this sequence?   1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 1, 7, 2, 3, 5HintThere's a corresponding sequence: 12, 6, 4, 3, 12, 2, 12, 3, 4, 6Answer   11ExplanationStart with 1/12 (one-twelfth), and then keep adding 1/12. You end up with the sequence 1/12, 2/12, 3/12, 4/12, …. Next reduce each term to its simplest form. This results in: 1/12, 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 5/12, 1/2, 7/12, …. The numerators from

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-87569302214478634212007-09-12T12:53:00.000+01:002007-09-12T12:56:40.865+01:00

I have managed to buy a couple of rail tickets that I cannot use. Doh!If anyone would like them, please let me know. The details are:6 October 2007London St Pancras - Leicester 08:55 (arriving 10:04)MML Advance D (can't change date or time)Original price £9.006 October 2007Leicester - London St Pancras 15:56 (arriving 17:17)MML Advance C (can't change date or time)Original price £7.00

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-27936676750354274982007-09-10T21:10:00.000+01:002007-09-10T21:19:51.083+01:00

A while ago (Clever Clocks) I stumbled across the imaginative and strangely relaxing Polar Clock.I'm glad to see that it's now available as a screen saver. Download it from Pixel Breaker.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-67886083366620656222007-08-31T13:10:00.000+01:002007-08-31T13:11:54.181+01:00

1The state of public toilets2The dearth of post boxes3The abundance of "calvaries": roadside crucifixes4Few evangelical churches5Shops shutting for 2 hours at lunch-time6Having to pay for medical treatment7Very public urinals8Inadequate direction signs on roads

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-74072308900874584702007-08-31T12:26:00.000+01:002007-08-31T13:10:09.863+01:00

1Well-maintained, quiet roads2Lots of cycle tracks3Street markets selling local, seasonal produce4Good, inexpensive wine5Frequent (although basic) motorway stopping places6Supermarkets7Baguettes8Cheap(er) petrol9Free car parks at tourist attractions10Camp sites with individual, hedged pitches11The plethora of boulangeries12Patisseries (and their contents!)

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-68025738054130408942007-08-30T12:57:00.000+01:002007-08-30T13:06:31.665+01:00

There are reports today that there was a small earthquake in Manchester this morning, measuring 2.2 on the Richter scale (2.2 ML).This is not uncommon. The British Geological Survey—which operates a network of seismograph monitoring stations around the UK—says that it locates between 300 and 400 earthquakes per year above 1.5 ML. In a typical year, 40 events will have magnitudes greater than 2.0

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-14200831856230684312007-08-22T22:57:00.000+01:002007-08-22T23:05:46.658+01:00

It's been a while!Seen on top of a water tower in Sallertaine, France ...

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-20673217076365528772007-07-19T13:51:00.000+01:002007-07-19T14:17:42.134+01:00

Nature reports (The megaflood that made Britain an island) that a team from Imperial College London have found strong evidence at the bottom of the English Channel that a major flood separated the British Isles from continental Europe.Their survey reveals several distinctive features typical of large-scale flood flows, the team reports in Nature today. The straight shape of the wide underwater

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-83911624363921663322007-07-14T20:13:00.000+01:002007-07-14T20:24:40.596+01:00

A scene in my office. I couldn't find the box for insignificant post.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-39675738617445572872007-07-12T12:21:00.000+01:002007-07-12T13:39:12.737+01:00

How glad I am that my eternal state does not depend on membership of some man-made organisation!According to CBS News, Mr Joseph Ratzinger, aka Pope Benedict XVI, ...... has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches. ..."Christ '

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-41995696076550827392007-07-09T13:51:00.000+01:002007-07-09T12:52:18.117+01:00

The only letter I ever want to address to 'average people' is one that says - I do not care whether you believe in Christianity or not, but I do resent your being so ignorant, lazy, and unintelligent. Why don't you take the trouble to find out what is Christianity and what isn't? Why, when you can bestir yourself to mug up technical terms about electricity, won't you do as much for theology

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-23243828295858826442007-06-27T13:21:00.001+01:002007-06-27T15:37:49.138+01:00

The number of abortions carried out in England and Wales has been steadily increasing from the moment it was legalised 40 years ago.In 1968, the first year after abortion was legalised, just over 22,000 terminations were carried out. In 2006 the figure was a staggering 193,700. (Source: http://www.dh.gov.uk/)The vast majority of abortions - almost 97% - are because of "injury to the physical or

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-24043536851844667732007-06-22T13:00:00.000+01:002007-06-22T22:45:20.721+01:00

From the London Metro, 21 June 2007. (Sorry about the poor image quality.)

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-27061142059960013702007-06-14T12:34:00.000+01:002007-06-14T12:59:22.332+01:00

It is becoming more and more apparent that so-called "junk DNA" is not junk after all.Like so-called vestigial organs, some atheists have claimed that large portions of the human DNA is an evolutionary artefact that serves no present-day purpose.According to a recent BBC News article, new research, part of the Encyclopaedia of DNA Elements (Encode) study, suggests "genes, so called junk DNA and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-19570549838188180222007-06-07T22:36:00.000+01:002007-06-07T23:11:23.078+01:00

In Excel 2003 VBA, you can use GetOpenFileName to display the standard Open dialog box. If you set the MultiSelect parameter to True it is supposed to return an array of file names from the user. It returns False if the dialog is cancelled.One standard way of calling this function is along the following lines:Dim fileNameListDim fileNum As IntegerfileNameList = Application.GetOpenFilename( _

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-66717053466240352982007-05-30T19:03:00.000+01:002007-05-30T19:13:40.804+01:00

Polar ClockTimeline

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-39797870662001515352007-05-24T21:36:00.000+01:002007-05-24T21:52:43.221+01:00

Here's the last set of books recommended by Luke Jenner. These encourage a closer walk with God and have been written to help Christians to follow the King of Books.Now that I've listed the whole set, I must get round to reading them!Pilgrim’s ProgressJohn BunyanVariousLiving the Christian LifeA N MartinBanner of TruthHolinessJoel BeekeBanner of TruthPrecious Remedies against Satan’s

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-26526115577024580402007-05-15T20:56:00.000+01:002007-05-15T21:15:27.569+01:00

Some thoughts about reading newspapers ...God is sovereign. He is in control. Rulers are chosen and appointed by him (The authorities that exist have been established by God, Romans 13:1). All things are working for the good of his church (In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose, Romans 8:28). Even mundane matters are in God’s

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-11598962671699827342007-05-07T13:57:00.000+01:002007-05-07T13:00:37.530+01:00

Paul Brown in the May edition of Grace Magazine draws attention to the Act of Union 300 years ago, commenting that the Union is probably under more strain now than it has ever been since its inception.He points out that it was the gospel that united the nation, while also allowing for cultural divergences. He quotes Linda Colley: "It was their common investment in Protestantism that first allowed

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-37380255582997658312007-04-30T22:27:00.000+01:002007-04-30T22:46:46.601+01:00

The basic philosophical problem that faces us is the fact that something—rather than nothing—is there. Furthermore, it is also clear that this something-that-is-there has two parts: I am there and something in contrast to myself is there. Being is there. But the question immediately arises, “Has it always been there?”There are relatively few answers. In almost any profound question, the number of

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-84109185296325518002007-04-21T19:09:00.000+01:002007-05-24T21:56:58.319+01:00

Here's another set of book recommendations - this time tracing the influence of the King of Books in people's lives and its effect on history - again provided by Luke Jenner. No other book has had such an impact on people and nations, because no other book can show us what we're really like - and show us the remedy.Sketches from Church HistoryS M HoughtonBanner of Truth2,000 Years of Christ’s

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-70561145141504844842007-04-07T18:39:00.000+01:002007-04-07T18:57:18.623+01:00

What is the next letter in this sequence?O, T, T, F, F, S, ...HintTry initialsAnswerSExplanationOne, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven. Easy really!

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-72403963404543777322007-04-03T13:50:00.000+01:002007-05-24T21:56:32.285+01:00

What does the King of Books say about ...? This set of books aim to provide Biblical answers to some issues of current concern to Christians and non-Christians alike. Thanks again to Luke Jenner for the initial list.World ViewsDoes God Believe in Atheists?John BlanchardEvangelical PressEvangelismToday’s Gospel: Authentic or SyntheticWalter J ChantryBanner of TruthEvangelismEvangelism and the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-45996262136205331432007-03-21T22:17:00.000Z2007-05-24T21:56:02.359+01:00

The Bible contains many different types of writing, including history, poetry, law, proverbs and letters. And these were written by many different sorts of people over a period of perhaps 2000 years or so. It can be difficult to track down what it teaches about a given subject. However, there are quite a few books that aim to present what the Bible teaches in a thematic and ordered way. These are

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-15583393942570121052007-03-15T14:54:00.000Z2007-03-15T14:56:43.678Z

Another petition for you to sign.There are various moves afoot to prevent creation being taught in UK schools on the spurious grounds that it is not science. Some of this hostility has been prompted by the recent (September 2006) distribution to secondary schools—by Truth in Science—of a resource pack that disparages the theory of evolution. One manifestation of this opposition is a petition

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-56703164821309917392007-03-09T13:30:00.000Z2007-03-09T16:40:25.133Z

Christian Unions in British universities and colleges often face opposition of one kind or another. Recently, Exeter CU was suspended from the list of official student societies, its student union bank account was frozen, and it was banned from using Student Guild premises for meetings. All this because the Guild claimed the CU's constitution and activities did not conform to its equal

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-3723740514532533952007-03-02T21:00:00.000Z2007-03-09T16:43:25.717Z

There are several web sites that give you the opportunity of taking a quiz to find out if you are an atheist. They have questions along the lines of, "Do you believe in Christ?", "Do you believe in Krishna?", "Do you believe in Allah?", etc. Of course, if you are a religious person, you will probably answer "Yes" to one ore more of these, and "No" to several others. "Ah ha!", the site says when

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-37840015904912896262007-02-23T22:35:00.000Z2007-05-24T21:55:35.283+01:00

Sometimes it can be hard to understand what a particular Bible passage is about. This is where a good commentary can be invaluable. Here are some useful ones. But don't take what they say at face value—always check them against what the King of Books says. Thanks again to Luke Jenner for the initial list.New Bible CommentaryG Wenham, J Motyer, D Carson, R France (editors)IVPNew Bible

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-8565154108109311072007-02-23T21:29:00.000Z2007-05-24T21:54:52.063+01:00

Search for "Bible Introduction" in Amazon and you're presented with a list of several hundred titles. How can you sort out the trivial from the profound, the rubbish from the pearls of wisdom? Well, here's a start at least. Here are a few basic reference works that will help you discover something of the background to the King of Books. With grateful thanks to Luke Jenner.The New Testament: An

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-23464840893135089902007-02-16T22:20:00.000Z2007-02-16T22:24:10.678Z

This is clever. I originally came across it (and more like it) at Mighty Optical Illusions .It's one of a number of hand and body paintings by Italian artist Guido Daniele of Milan.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-23646433496835169542007-02-13T17:10:00.000Z2007-02-13T18:07:08.800Z

Marks and Spencer killed nearly 6,000 children at 9 stores in the UK during January 2007.No, it's not true, but imagine the public outcry there would be if it were.The truth is that Marie Stopes International provided nearly 6,000 (5,992) abortions to women at its nine UK centres last month—the most in its 32-year history, and 13 per cent more than January last year. (See, e.g., the BBC news

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-7233976153124002692007-02-07T17:14:00.000Z2007-02-13T18:09:04.930Z

An earlier post concerned the Sea in Solomon's temple and the value of pi. That got me thinking about whether we can deduce anything about the shape of the Sea from the further description in 1 Kings 7. This says that the Sea was 5 cubits high and 10 cubits in diameter, and that it held 2000 baths. (Incidentally, 2 Chronicles 4:5 says that it held 3000 baths. This may have been a copyist's error

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-50594123942493409462007-02-06T13:04:00.000Z2007-04-07T19:00:46.189+01:00

What is the next number in this sequence?4, 2, 3, 4, 6, 2, 4, ...HintWhat is the next digit in this sequence?4, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2, 4, ...Answer8ExplanationWhat has 4 letters, is has 2, the has 3, etc.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-73785677285380780632007-01-31T22:03:00.000Z2007-02-01T19:40:30.339Z

The otherwise excellent Penguin Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Numbers states that, “In the Old Testament, 1 Kings 7:23 implies that π is equal to 3”. Since I first read that, I have come across several internet sites that say, either implicitly or explicitly, “The Bible says π = 3, therefore it cannot be trusted.”1 Kings 7:23-26 describes the Sea in Solomon’s temple that was used by the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-58052522333305434452007-01-19T22:45:00.000Z2007-01-19T23:02:52.835Z

It's not so long ago that an Australian court found Pastor Daniel Scot and a colleague guilty of religious vilification after he criticised Islam in a church seminar - even though his criticisms appear to have been calm, reasonable and based on his considerable knowledge and experience. After two years that case has now been thrown out and a retrial has been ordered: Free speech victory for

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9116922797812194229.post-88077029559296124662007-01-15T21:59:00.000Z2007-01-15T22:22:26.430Z

According to UK Government statistics, deaths from road accidents are decreasing. For example, in 2002 there were 3,431 deaths of road users in accidents, compared with an annual average figure of 3,578 in 1994-98, and 5,846 in 1981. The number of pedestrians killed each year has fallen steadily since the mid-1990s, although the number of car users killed was little changed over the same

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148646621915287263noreply@blogger.com0