Just because people mess things up doesn't mean everything is messed up

Just because wars and mayhem (followed by junehem and julyhem if you will) doesn't mean peace and tranquility and order have ceased to exist. After the Nazis, the Japanese and Italians did WWII and the allies fixed 'em up good and proper, a few years passed and we are all driving Japanese cars and having holidays in Rome, and the Wall came down anyway. God's grace prevails.

Just because people overspend and borrow too much and lend too much and get greedy on the stock exchange doesn't mean that frugality, savings and judicious spending cease to exist. God's grace prevails.

Just because journalists hack phones and tell lies and write rubbish on every page of the newspaper  doesn't mean that truth ceases to mean anything. Journalists are not the bastions of truth even though one of their untruths is to tell you that they are the guardians of the world. God's grace prevails.


Just because people separate and divorce doesn't mean marriage is outmoded nor does it negate the existence of wisdom in pre-marriage choice and commitment. God's grace prevails.

Just because some "welfare desperados" who are just bright enough to rort the welfare system – they feed their dogs, buy their cigarettes, buy their lotto tickets and then come to the Salvos for a food basket or rent relief – doesn't mean charity toward the genuine poor people in Somalia need not exist. Hats off to K.Rudd and the Australian people for getting in there and making a dent. God's grace prevails.

Anyway

To infinity and beyond.

Live long and prosper.


Everyone's been talking about "the wedding"

P.S. If you don't see your first name above, please use this link and tell me what it is so I can alter the database.

Everyone's been talking about "the wedding".  I think most people only focussed on the dress and the veil and whether Harry has a chance with Pippa. Here's what I thought was worth writing about:



Firstly I have to say, any similarity between the Jesus, the Man of Galilee and the pomp of the Church of England seems to have escaped the chaps in charge. Nevertheless, it's quite a thing that they've got a costume and a hat and a ribbon and a gown and a set patter for everything. Quite amazing. Terribly British and most impressive. What about the voices and perfect diction of the officiating ministers? I could listen to them all day. 

Secondly, the service made a profound and simple statement to the watching world, "This is marriage. It's how things are set out for human society. It's between a man and a woman,  it's God's plan and it's forever." The orthodoxy and the power of its being so for hundreds of years was the star of the show for me.

Wasn't James Middleton's rendition of Romans 12 the most stunning thing you've heard in a long time? He was never going to appear before millions of people again and he made the most of it. He presented himself and the Holy Scriptures with perfect dignity.

And lastly, the prayer William and Catherine composed for the Bishop of London to read for them is worth printing out and sticky taping to the back of the bathroom door.

God our Father, we thank you for our families; for th elove that we share and for the joy of our marriage.

In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important  in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.

Strengthened by our union, help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Amen

No, no, two more things. 

I loved how Catherine knew the words of the hymns and sang without looking at the program. I really did.

And I've never seen the likes of him saluting his colours, the cenotaphs and the regiments as they drove past them and her averting her eyes in respect as he did so – and with what natural ease she did it!

Granny used to say: "Goodness must be taught," and this was a wonderful lesson on what is right and good.

Anyway, live long and prosper.

To infinity and beyond.

Colin