Things that inspire me. Things that provoke me.
Money is a natural byproduct of doing something valuable – so why not focus on doing something you love, that is valuable to you, and I think you’ll be surprised to see how valuable it is to others.
— http://blog.kylemeyer.com/post/20139494197/kill-the-blockbuster
When relief from physical disease and the provision of physical comfort tend to be treated as the primary Christian objectives, we need the reminder that holiness matters more, and that all who would follow Christ must be prepared to suffer for righteousness’ sake.
— from an introduction to 1 Peter by Alan M. Stibbs (Tyndale commentaries, 1974)
Komtiedan:
De evolutietheorie is de grootste wetenschappelijke dwaling die er bestaat.
Zo, dat is eruit.. Dat moest ik gewoon even opschrijven. Vier jaar natuurkunde (HBO) in Enschede is misschien niet heel indrukwekkend. Toch moet ik even wat reflecteren op de wetenschap van deze tijd.
De evolutietheorie verklaart het bestaan van het universum door een aaneenschakeling van toevalligheden: Wij bestaan omdat de afstand tussen de aarde en de zon ‘toevallig’ precies goed is, zodat het niet te warm en niet te koud is om te overleven. De eerste levende cel is ‘toevallig’ ontstaan en heeft zich vervolgens ‘toevallig’ ontwikkeld tot vogels, vissen, etc. En ga zo maar door.
Logica
Ik heb lang genoeg met programmeurs gewerkt om te weten dat het erg moeilijk is een goed werkende applicatie te schrijven. Vele uren denkwerk worden besteed voordat men überhaupt begint om code te schrijven. Stel je voor dat iemand zijn baby van 10 maanden achter een computer zet en deze willekeurig op de toetsen laat drukken. Denk je dat die geniale applicatie er ooit gaat komen?
De logica en complexiteit van deze wereld gaan die applicatie zo ver te boven dat alle slimme mensen van de wereld het niet eens kunnen begrijpen. En nog beweren we met elkaar dat dit meesterwerk is ontstaan door toeval?
Schoonheid
Stel je eens voor dat je diezelfde baby achter een piano zet met een pen en een papier. Denk je dat die baby zomaar een klassiek pianoconcert van beethoven uit z’n mouw schud? Dat zou niet bepaald een compliment zijn voor de componist.
Die prachtige zonsopgang, die indrukwekkende bergpartij, de fantastische hemel op een heldere avond. Denk je echt dat die zomaar zijn ontstaan?
Als God bestaat, waarom zou Hij zich moeten bewijzen? Dat doet Hij al in de complexiteit en de schoonheid van de wereld om ons heen. Zijn handtekening staat overal. Hij is het geniale brein achter dit alles. En als we dit blijven ontkennen, dan hebben we volgens mij een groot probleem.
Here’s an idea that’s both aesthetically beautiful and ecologically sound. Cutting along the grain line, rather than in straight lines, “allows more floors per forest.” The result is stunning. Check out the gallery for additional samples.
/via @buildllc & @mikeindustries
Source: cameronmoll
Niemand zal God ooit met eerbied vrezen, dan wie vertrouwt, dat Hij hem genadig is.
— Johannes Calvijn
Cornelius said, “It was about this time three days ago that I was praying in my house at three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly a man dressed in shining clothes stood in front of me and said: ‘Cornelius! God has heard your prayer [and fasting] and has taken notice of your works of charity.
Prayer, fasting and giving attracts the presence of God. Do you want to experience more of Him? Get hungry and give yourself to these things. More on this is found in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5,6,7). Build your life on the rock through obedience to God in living holy, forgiving others, fasting, praying and giving. Your life will be filled with His light (Mat 6:22).
Elisabeth Gilbert on creativity
Let me introduce myself. I am a designer, living in Holland. I do not consider myself a wealthy person, but I earn a suitable income. I have a home. I have plenty of food. I have family and friends. I even have time and money to spend on luxury and entertainment.
However, this is not reality for everyone. According to the UN [1] an estimated 1.4 billion people live below the poverty line. Today the world population is around 6.86 billion people [2]. That means that approxemately 1 out of 5 people on this planet does not have enough money to feed themselves or their family, don’t have a healthy place to live and don’t have the resource for medical expenses. 1 out of 5 doesn’t have education. 1 out of 5 doesn’t have anything.
This year an estimated 8.8 million children younger than 5 years old will die because of causes that could easily be prevented [3]. That is 24,000 children every day.
Let’s compare this to the events on September 11th, 2001. The death toll of that violent attack was 2,995 people [4], including the 19 hijackers. Because of that attack the United States, along with other countries, engaged in a war with both Iraq and Afganistan. According to the NPP the costs of the Iraq war is now 737 billion dollar [5]. The death toll of this war (Iraq) is now at least 97,000 innocent civillians [6].
At first the war against Iraq seemed just because of the cruel attack on September 11th. But in light of the poverty statistics mentioned earlier, the war only reveals how utterly selfish we are in the way we spend our resources. We are willing to pay the price of 737 billion dollar and 97,000 innocent lives to take vengeance for an attack that killed just 3000 people.
I noticed that this selfishness is not only notible in our politics. It is clearly visible everywhere around us, rooted deeply in our culture. Even though I know that this world is a mess, I am still persuaded to look at fancy cars and buy expensive clothing. Many of us work years to be able to afford an expensive house. We are willing to give up everything, just so we can fulfill our own selfish dreams.
This can no longer be. The fact that I live in the west, the fact that I earn an income, proves that I have been given the opportunity, but also the responsibility, to fight injustice and poverty. I must take action. We have been fighting the wrong battles for a long time. Now it is time to rise up and fight against injustice.
I do not now how much impact a single person could have in this battle. I know that significant change only comes when many people work together. However, I find it a great honor to participate in the war against injustice. I’m the only one who can change me so I will do my very best. In the meanwhile I’ll be thinking/writing/speaking a lot on this subject so keep an eye on this space!
Goodnight,
- LK
ps Editorial feedback is welcome. Also if you have questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
References:
[1] The Millennium Development Goals Report 2010.
[2] U.S. Census Bureau - link.
[3] One.org - link
[4] Wikipedia on the September 11th attacks - link
[5] National Priorities Project (see www.costsofwar.com)
[6] Iraq body count - link
We watched the movie “Precious” tonight. I am speechless.
