I've just set up a new web page for Colin & Bron's book - The Siberian Six. The subtitle to the book is 'Six remarkable stories of God's grace in action'. The book is 62 pages, and we are selling it at www.siberiansix.co.uk for £2.50 a copy.
Though I say it myself, it is well written an an exciting read.
Colin & Bron and the children left Heathrow this morning to return to Novosibirsk, leaving a stock of the books with me at Hazell Road. Although we are not seeking to make money from the book, any surplus after postage, etc. with be given towards the completion of the Discipleship Centre in Novosibirsk. They have already covered their printing costs, so the aim now is to get as many copies out as possible so that people can see how God is at work in present-day Russia, and with people for whom most would think there is no hope.
22 July, 2010
19 July, 2010
Repealing legislation
I had a look at the Government website, where they are asking for ideas about legislation the public would like to see repealed. My interest was under the heading education, as I wanted to say something about the current rules for teachers to obey when they remove an dangerous object from a pupil. At present the staff at Sheena's school appear to be breaking the law when removing a stone from a naughty boy in the playground. If they are unable to call a constable (!) then the weapon can only be removed by two staff, who have been authorised by the head,, and they must be the same gender as the child.
Clearly it is impractical to call the police, and as there is only one male teacher in the school (who may not be on the premises at the time) they resort to two female staff tackling a naughty boy.
I never got as far as writing on the Government website, because I started to read through the existing suggestions on education,and there are a lot, including a lot of duplication where the same point appears under different headings.
The main thing that struck me was the number of requests to (a) ban faith schools and (b) ban Christian school assemblies. many of the comments are abusive, and often show a lack of understanding of (a) Christianity and (b)what school assemblies are actually like!
Frequently writers refer to 'indoctrination of children with fairy stories'. It does not seem to have occurred to the writers that if children were indeed indoctrinated then the churches of the land would be overflowing! Often the writer adds a comment in support of his desire to ban Christianity to the effect that it is no longer a religion that carries any weight in the UK!
There is also the very common suggestion that 'children should be left to make up their own mind', although without some teaching of the alternatives from which they can choose it is difficult to see how they can decide!
What can we do about this tide of aethiest argument on sites such as the government one? I did add some counter comments on the site, but doubt whether the original writer ever comes back to consider counter arguments that have been linked to his suggestion.
Following this experience, I now read the on-line Telegraph Comment section more carefully, and seek to put the Christian viewpoint whenever possible.
Recently there was a correspondence about the consecration of women bishops, and homosexual clergy, in the CofE. One writer asked what the Bible said about this, so I had a go at putting the biblical position. It was gratifying that the correspondent wrote back thanking me for my contribution.
As there is often ignorance of the Christian position, and of Christian belief, I feel we must make more efforts to use these correspondence facilities in places like the Telegraph, but it does take time!
Clearly it is impractical to call the police, and as there is only one male teacher in the school (who may not be on the premises at the time) they resort to two female staff tackling a naughty boy.
I never got as far as writing on the Government website, because I started to read through the existing suggestions on education,and there are a lot, including a lot of duplication where the same point appears under different headings.
The main thing that struck me was the number of requests to (a) ban faith schools and (b) ban Christian school assemblies. many of the comments are abusive, and often show a lack of understanding of (a) Christianity and (b)what school assemblies are actually like!
Frequently writers refer to 'indoctrination of children with fairy stories'. It does not seem to have occurred to the writers that if children were indeed indoctrinated then the churches of the land would be overflowing! Often the writer adds a comment in support of his desire to ban Christianity to the effect that it is no longer a religion that carries any weight in the UK!
There is also the very common suggestion that 'children should be left to make up their own mind', although without some teaching of the alternatives from which they can choose it is difficult to see how they can decide!
What can we do about this tide of aethiest argument on sites such as the government one? I did add some counter comments on the site, but doubt whether the original writer ever comes back to consider counter arguments that have been linked to his suggestion.
Following this experience, I now read the on-line Telegraph Comment section more carefully, and seek to put the Christian viewpoint whenever possible.
Recently there was a correspondence about the consecration of women bishops, and homosexual clergy, in the CofE. One writer asked what the Bible said about this, so I had a go at putting the biblical position. It was gratifying that the correspondent wrote back thanking me for my contribution.
As there is often ignorance of the Christian position, and of Christian belief, I feel we must make more efforts to use these correspondence facilities in places like the Telegraph, but it does take time!
14 May, 2009
Website for husbands
Since Abigail died in January 2009, I have written a website that tries to pass on my experience to other husbands of cancer patients.
I have been invited to talk about the site, which is also accessible via www.mywifehascancer.info , on Woman's Hour on Radio 4 on Monday 18th May.
Later in the month I expect to be speaking on the same subject on BBC Southern Counties Radio, our local radio station based in Guildford.
I have been invited to talk about the site, which is also accessible via www.mywifehascancer.info , on Woman's Hour on Radio 4 on Monday 18th May.
Later in the month I expect to be speaking on the same subject on BBC Southern Counties Radio, our local radio station based in Guildford.
30 November, 2008
Starting off
This is the start of a blog which, it seems, links up with a Facebook entry. No doubt I will find out how this works in due course!
Abigail's cancer consultant has just stopped her chemotherapy to give her body a chance to recover from the onslaught which it has been having for a long time. He has been able to do this because her liver function as again improved a bit, and it will be good to have a break over Christmas. There will be a new scan at the end of January, and then a new treatment plan will be developed in the light of those results.
In the meantime there will be a course of radiotherapy on the chest wall, where there are a few problems that may explain the loss of power in her right arm.
We look forward to a better Christmas than has been the case for the last couple of years, during both of which Abigail has been very low due to the liver being in bad shape.
Abigail's cancer consultant has just stopped her chemotherapy to give her body a chance to recover from the onslaught which it has been having for a long time. He has been able to do this because her liver function as again improved a bit, and it will be good to have a break over Christmas. There will be a new scan at the end of January, and then a new treatment plan will be developed in the light of those results.
In the meantime there will be a course of radiotherapy on the chest wall, where there are a few problems that may explain the loss of power in her right arm.
We look forward to a better Christmas than has been the case for the last couple of years, during both of which Abigail has been very low due to the liver being in bad shape.
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