I'm Not Like Everybody Else

He always shakes you by the hand...

2012-02-14T12:39:00.001-08:00

No prizes for guessing what the theme of this post is but after this I will move away from the theme of football related issues, I promise!

This weekend saw the farce of Luis Suarez refusing to shake Patrice Evra’s hand, then Rio Ferdinand withdrawing his hand in retaliation, then Evra celebrating the win in Suarez’s face, then Ferguson labelling it a disgrace, then Dalglish’s outburst… The end result? Apologies all round and then we’ll do it all the next time they play each other.

In the last few months/years we have also had Wayne Bridge refusing to shake hands with John Terry, Raymond Domenech and Carlos Parreira and even the pre-match handshakes dispensed with altogether over fears that Anton Ferdinand would refuse to shake John Terry’s hand.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has followed Mark Hughes (amongst others) by this week saying that he thinks the ritual should be scrapped and I have to say that I agree with him. I wish I didn’t, but I do. As (IMHO) a respectable and polite man there is something almost British about the idea of shaking hands before a contest that I like, but in the cases above and indeed many others it seems to be just a charade. These people clearly don’t like each other, don’t respect each other and admittedly some have good reason for not wanting to shake hands with certain players, so why force them to? It’s only been in recent years that it’s been happening in more than the cup final and as Mackay said “It certainly never happened in my day”.

In fairness, I don't remember this game!

Remembering football matches from when I was younger the captains would shake hands in the centre circle with the referee and each other at the coin toss and that was it. It’s generally accepted that the managers will shake hands at the final whistle, regardless of the result and Mackay suggests letting the players do that as well, if they so choose. Whenever I’ve played football I’ve shaken hands with ref’s, managers and opposition players with whom I have no problem (thankfully, the vast majority) but I’ve also refused to shake hands with those who seem to think that a handshake at the end papers over the transgressions of the previous 90 minutes.

It is, in my opinion, a shame that all players cannot respect and treat each other fairly, but if they can’t why force them into pretending? Surely that just cheapens the value of the genuine shake between men who have played well and enjoyed the contest?

He is the captain of the team?

2012-02-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

Given my previous piece describing my views on the whole John Terry / England Captain issue it seemed only right that I should continue in this vein after today’s news, that Terry has been stripped of the captains armband without any reason (see previous post for justification).

Fabio Capello, for his part, has come out on TV to express that he was totally against this and since the FA made the wrong decision and is now being lambasted for doing so. For a positive view on this visit here but for my part here is why I think David Bond and Capello’s other detractors are wrong.

As previously said – there is no proof of what John Terry is alleged to have said and done and there is certainly no guilty verdict which I think is the only justification for the FA to intervene in the matter.

The FA are arguing that Capello is wrong to denounce their decision in public and are even claiming that it breaches his contract as manager. Now, it may well breach the contract, I don’t know, but it surely says something about the level of the FA that they need to right into a contract “must agree with us when we make decisions that are nothing to do with us”. Capello is being paid a lot of money to make team decisions for England and has already made public his intention not to change his captain until a verdict was reached. Is it any wonder that he feels slightly aggrieved at what the FA have done? If anyone has undermined a previously stated opinion from the man in charge it’s them.

Capello wanted Terry to remain captain

There has also been a lot of self congratulatory applause for David Bernstein and the FA for being willing to take a strong stance on an important issue and making the decision that everyone knows is the right one. I’m afraid I have to disagree here as well, because the allegations about Terry stem from a match three months ago! If the FA had a policy (which as far as I’m aware it doesn’t) saying that a player under investigation for racial abuse and other like offences will be removed from captaincy until the investigation is complete AND the FA had then immediately stripped Terry of his position then it would make sense (though to my mind, still be completely unjust). By doing what they have done Bernstein and his colleagues have shown once again that the FA are completely clueless about how to deal with big issues and instead have dithered for 3 months before making a decisions the manager didn’t want because they thought it was what the people wanted. The people may have wanted it, but that is far from a compelling reason to do it and does not make it the right call.

Finally, there is also the comment that I made in the previous post that if Terry is not fit to lead the country because of allegations and pending court cases, how then he fit to represent the country at all? But wait I forgot – that’s the manager’s decision picking the players! Unless of course the public makes a clear compelling case in which case watch this space is about 3 months time….

Guilty until you're proven innocent?

2012-02-02T05:14:00.000-08:00

"John Terry should stand aside as captain until the case is resolved, and any doubt either way removed,"
This is the opinion of Damian Collins MP, a member of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and an opinion shared by many according to various internet sources.

Piara Powar, the executive director of European football's anti-discrimination body (FARE) said “…should John Terry remain as England capt through the Euros? I can't see how he can." Reading striker and radio pundit Jason Roberts Tweeted: "Believe me...the Dressing room at the Euros will be TOXIC unless the correct decision is made..!!!

But is this the only opinion on the matter? I have struggled to find anything to suggest people disagreeing with this view so thought I would have a go at it myself by way of a series of points.

1. John Terry has denied these allegations vociferously ever since being charged and no-one to my knowledge can prove that he is guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

2. Far from being proved, there has not been a trial and a presenting of evidence from either side to allow people to form an (informed) opinion.

3. John Terry has not faced any sanctions at either club or national level from the sport’s governing body to prevent him taking the field.

If he is to be considered innocent until proven guilty, what are the grounds for stripping him of the captaincy? If he is not considered fit to captain the national team, should he be allowed to represent the team at all? On this basis Fabio Capello promised to assess the captaincy situation after the trial, which I trust he will do – if that happens to be after the European championships, so be it.

The problem of removing him from captaincy now comes if he is found not guilty of the charges. We would be punishing a man, who from outward appearances, loves playing for and captaining his country on someone else’s say so. Don't get me wrong here, if Terry is found guilty then I think there is no defense and he should lose the captaincy, but until then this just looks like a witch hunt.

I like my football on a saturday...

2012-01-31T12:45:00.000-08:00

What exactly is it that makes someone a fan of a particular team? There are lots of different ones I’ve heard over the years, from born and raised (usually a family devotion to the team) to they were winning (or challenging for) the league when I first followed them. There are many other reasons in between these extremes as well – a good example of which being an old school friend who had an unnatural love for Les Ferdinand and so became a devoted Newcastle United fan.

True Fans?

All very well you ask, but why do I question this in blog form? I want to know whether the reasons behind following a team affect the strength of that devotion and indeed the likelihood of abandoning the club in dire times (the word relegation is not to be uttered as we approach the business end of the season!).

As many will know I am a Nottingham Forest fan. As we appear to be staring down the barrel of the ‘R’ word yet again it saddens me to think that we are not fighting to be restored to the top flight of domestic football, it pains me slightly that we may be destined to be the only former European champions in their countries third division (for the second time!) and it is a bitter reminder that we are unlikely to regain the glory days of the past without handing over ownership to Sheikh somethingorother. BUT, I cannot imagine not being a fan. I would not dream of abandoning the team no matter what depth they sank to. Am I though an exception to the general rule as a follower of non-league football – a habit inherited from my dad, also a forest fan and season ticket holder of 30+ years, who can regularly be seen at local non-league games when the reds are not at home.

Would others continue to follow a club into the 1^st, 2^nd even 3^rd division (Championship, League 1 and League 2 for those unfortunate enough not to remember the times of sensible names for the divisions). And if ‘fans’ would abandon their team is that because they were never really true fans, merely glory supporters? Can you then adopt another team, perhaps performing better? Or is the measure of a fan how long they would continue to follow a team (honourable mention for Darlington fans here given current circumstances).

If you support a team, is the reason you do strong enough to keep you there through thick and thin, or like my friend, would the movements of Les Ferdinand cause you to decide maybe the team wasn’t right for you after all?

Look at all the busy people this way, that way, everywhere

2011-09-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

Review: The Busy Christians guide to busyness by Tim Chester

The first thing you notice about this book is the cover, it’s awful, but if we let that slide it’s a good book. The first thing I thought when I read the title of the book was something like, with great sarcasm, “great, a book that is going to tell me how if I was more organized or even more holy I be able to do all the things that have to get done.”

My hopes weren’t high, but actually the book turned out to be less about how not to be too busy or deal with being busy than the attitudes that being busy creates and even the attitudes that lead to us becoming so busy in the first place. The first few chapters admittedly are a bit of a social comment on how life has got more and more hectic and how the idea of a work/life balance has also changed with time and then there’s a chapter looking at what I dreaded – How to be time efficient, full of techniques and tips to manage your time and workload, but then the book takes a different tack.

Rather than just assume people who are busy, should be less busy because that easier and more fun the next few chapters explore what it is that makes Christians busy and whether or not that’s a good thing. Chester looks at the things we do and what their purpose is before settling on the helpful definition for life that, whatever we are doing, we should be looking to glorify God all the time. In one chapter he concludes that both Jesus and Paul could say at the end of their lives that they had completed the job. Not because they had done everything that could be done, but because they had worked faithfully in the time they had. They had put the kingdom of God first in their lives, in whatever they were doing.

The second section of the book then looks at 6 “lies” as Chester terms them. The reasons people give for why they are busy. Things such as “I’m busy because I need to prove myself” and “I’m busy because otherwise things get out of control”. As you read the chapters it’s easy to see the different elements we all combine to explain why we do things.

The problem with that for the reader, is that it’s equally easy to see how those reasons translate to our attitude to God, or more often, the attitude we impose on Him and his expectations of us.Chester’s one sentence summary, if he had one, is that the heart of busyness, and the answer to all our reasons and excuses, is that God doesn’t expect us to do more than we can do.

I’d really recommend this book to anyone, whatever stage of life you’re at, whether you are busy or not, because we all face different issues with regards to time and work and busyness, but they all come from wrong thinking about God. I was really challenged when I read this book, that even though I didn’t think I was too busy – It was all too easy to end up doing the things we do, for the wrong reasons. That however much time we spend doing things, whether its too much or even too little, it’s the attitude behind that that is important.

In the conclusion of the book Tim Chester gives what could be an answer to the title of the book when he says “In the end, neither doing more or doing less is ever going to be the answer – the only answer is faith in God”.

There ain't time to read it?

2011-02-21T02:40:00.000-08:00

Scandalous: The cross and Resurrection of Jesus (D. A. Carson)

“Nothing is more central to the bible than Jesus’ death and resurrection, over one weekend in Jerusalem about two thousand years ago.”

It is from this opening statement that Don Carson examines various passages of the bible seeking not only to show the reader that they are historical fact but also that they have hugely important meaning, one that is important for us to understand.

Moving through passages from Matthew (27), Romans (3), Revelation (12) and John (11 & 20) Carson deals with the necessity, effect and triumph of the Cross and how it should affect our lives as well as the Ironies of the cross and reasons for doubting the resurrection, the latter of these especially helpful to see what exactly doubt is and what causes it. With useful digressions into Millennialism, Propitiation, Evangelism and Forgiveness it is hard to imagine anyone not gaining from the insight Carson offers.

Taking what was originally a series of expositions at a conference Carson explains the meaning of the death and resurrection in a straightforward and accessible way to aid both the non-Christian and the Christian to see beyond the surface level of the most pivotal event in human history.

PS - I have returned to Kinks song lyrics as titles, but I hope you will find the time to read it!

Wish I could fly like Superman

2011-02-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

Aside from a waste of a couple of hours the most recent (loosely recent, it was 5 years ago) installment of the superman franchise offers this quote from Superman's (Kal-El's) father, Jor-El

"Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son."

At first glance it's a rather cliche voiceover to introduce the concept of a comic book/sci-fi film, but if you look closer you may see something that seems familiar: "I have sent them you... my only son". Could it be that this film is an allegory for Christianity?

To put it bluntly....No!

What it does appear to be though (IMHO) is a rather apt allegory for how people view themselves, and may think this is how they would be described by some far off alien being.

"They can be a great people Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way" Mankind can be great, we can live up to our potential, and be good. All we lack is someone to go before us and show us how it's done. Give us a role model, someone that will show us how we should act, behave and live and we'll be that great people. We have the capacity to do good, we just sort of need a few hints to get us started and we'll be away.

Sadly, this just doesn't match up with our experience in the real world. We have all followed the example of the first man, Adam, and have the capacity for failure, sin and evil. We are fundamentally bad and no amount of effort, wanting to be good or guiding lights can change the state of our hearts. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no-one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:12).

What we need is a quote of "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly"... "For this reason above all, I have sent them you... my only son".

Time goes by so slowly....

2011-01-25T00:47:00.000-08:00

What is the importance of time in the world today? When did it begin? When will it end? Is it just a human construct or was it always there?

Yesterday I went to a philosophy debate in a local pub to discuss questions just such as these, but if I'm honest thinking, I'm not sure that this is the most important thing to discuss and not really expecting anything interesting, much less miraculous, to come from the conversations.

Now, I know what you're thinking. It's the classic I didn't expect this to happen, but then it did opening. Well, yes and no. For the vast majority of the time it was a scientific debate that I felt went way over my head as everything from quantum mechanics and the meta-verse (apparently universe is now an outdated term and way of thinking in the science world nowadays) was discussed. But, during the briefest of pauses, the question was raised "Does time, ultimately linked to life and the passing of it, have any connection with the idea of God?" After a few more comments on this subject another question was posed "Does anyone hear hold the view that there is a God?".

At this point I ventured further into the conversation, mindful of two things. 1. I didn't want to be accused of hijacking the debate and making it all about God and 2. I was still a little unsure what I would say.

But, with much assistance (from both those who questioned me and Him who gave me the answers) a debate about time covered in quick pace.

Is God in time or outside of it?

So did God create time?

So what about the big bang creating time?

Was there a literal Adam and Eve?

So when (how long ago) did this happen?

What about neanderthal man?

True, at one level, the debate skewed off into a questioning of me about my beliefs in God (not that I'm complaining).

So, what are my conclusions about time and it's relevance to life, the universe and everything? I still am not all that sure.

So what's the point of this post? To encourage everyone that regardless of the situation, God will present you with opportunities to talk about Him and the Gospel; and that He will help you to answer the questions of whoever is talking to you.

I don't know everything (despite what I thought in my teenage years), In fact I know relatively little, but the great news is that I don't need to know everything in order to defend God and His gospel, Time itself has proven that He is quite capable of doing that Himself.

The New Old Blog

2011-01-22T06:14:00.000-08:00

I don't know why, but I have decided to return to blogging. The following posts may not be particularly interesting but they well appear in due course.

Please note, I cannot find a way to remove the several year old blogs below and o would advise not reading them! I will also not be naming all my posts after Ray Davies lyrics anymore, mainly because it's too much effort.

The word of mouth gets my message through

2007-02-16T02:42:00.000-08:00

The second in a series of exciting newsletter about that guy called magnum from Liverpool

A lot has happened since my last letter, and as I can’t remember when that was I hope you’ll forgive any oversights in my writing. The main event of the last few months has been the Christian Union house party. This was a great time for the C.U. to spend time together and focus on God and getting to know each other better. We had some excellent teaching on “the Cross” and as relay workers, Sarah and I ran a seminar on “Using the Bible in Evangelism”. The clear highlight was however the North vs. South annual football match, and I’m pleased to report that the north regained the title 18-7 after a hard fought game that saw everything, except skilful football. If anyone doubts just how much this game means to people I included a couple of photos from after the final whistle.

Probably the next biggest thing I have been involved in was going to help out at St Martins College, Lancaster’s Mission Week. Despite only having small numbers the Christian Union put on a series of lunchtime and evening events that saw most if not all the students given the chance to hear and ask questions about Christianity. It was really encouraging to see people really caring that students on their campus be given this opportunity.

Since my last letter I have given several talks, including one about the Beatles and Christianity (A level music coming in useful for once!). This is something I have really enjoyed doing and hope to have the opportunity to do more of in the future. We also had the Liverpool CU annual carol service at the end of last year which was attended by about 500 people and was a great chance for people to hear the gospel at one of the few times many people go to church.

After the new year I went on a study week in north Wales with the rest of the north-west

team and then a mere two weeks later went to the second relay conference for the year. Both of these provided great opportunities to spend time as a team whilst also learning lots of great stuff. We also looked into the little known book of Zephaniah for our bible studies giving me at least some preparation for helping to lead a cu small group, which was short of leaders for this year. Something I hadn’t done much of before I am now really enjoying it.

We are now very close to the C.U.’s annual mission week, this year entitled “Truth” and to that end we had a fund raising auction last week, which raised about £1,800. Mission week is a week of outreach events, on the campuses of all 3 universities in Liverpool, when we really try to get anyone who is interested to be able to hear and ask questions. I will be at the week as a guest to help out. Finally, this weekend is the training weekend for all the new leaders for the CU next year. I’ve somehow managed to end up playing guitar and leading a seminar so it should be fun!

Logo - for the Truth mission week

Prayer points . . . .

* Pray for the mission week, that students will be bold in inviting people and the events will go well

* Pray for the new leaders as they take over next month

* Pray for me, that I continue to grow through study and work for the rest of the year.

Please do stay in touch with me:

Magnum, 5 Hereford Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15 9HJ.

thomas__magnum@hotmail.com

07870 841 620 0151 283 0508

www.uccf.org.uk/relay

A photograph of a smiling face

2006-09-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

Greetings, one and all, and welcome to todays post, one which I personally find highly amusing. I have been hearing a lot about an internet face recognition site in recent weeks (www.myheritage.com/FP/Company/tryFaceRecognition.php should any of you care to visit after reading this) and the hilarious consequences of its "matching" of your face with celebrities. The idea that Jack Sykes should have the same face as Britney Spears is one of those things that just shouldn't be thought about to deeply!

Anyway, I found the website and so submited a picture of myself. The first matches were, how can I put it, not what I expected!.
Calista Flockhart, known only to me as "the girl who's going out with Harrison Ford" and Pavel Nedved, the Czech midfielder who should be admired for his hair if nothing else!

Then came the middle range of matches, and whilst I have always thought I bore a resemblance to Tom Cruise I was rather surprised that my face can apparently belong to both Gladiator Russell Crowe and that girl from Pirates of the Carribean et al.

Moving into the upper echelons of matching now with 70% was Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum, a man who I always admired for the immortal line "that is one big pile of . . . . " and my second most likely match, Country Star Willie Nelson!?. Hmmm, I definately did not see that one coming, however he certainly looks like a very happy man with a beard so I guess I can live with it.

So now, I'm guessing, you're all on the edge of your seats pondering the questuion of who my face most resembles. I had several guesses and even a few wild hopes of who I may secretly look like (according to the massive authority of this random website at least).

Well . . . . I was wrong.

You, if you had a guess . . . . . .are also wrong

The man my face resembles with 76% accuracy is in fact . . . .

Yes, the Top Gear presented affectionately refered to as the Hamster!

Well I dare say it could have been worse . . . . Imagine how impressed Britney must have felt when she was matched with the one and only Jack Sykes . . . . .

How 'bout talking about yourself?

2006-09-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

I haven’t posted for ages so I thought I’d post this survey someone emailed to me!

Name; Magnum

Birthday: 14^th April

Birthplace: Nottingham

Current Location: Liverpool

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Color: Brown

Height: 5ft 7in

Right Handed or Left Handed: Left

Your Heritage: British

The Shoes You Wore Today: Rapid fading white Trainers

Your Weakness: I’m terrible at communicating with people

Your Fears: None

Your Perfect Pizza: Ham and Pinapple

Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: To understand where God wants me next year!

Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: So, How are you?

Thoughts First Waking Up: Do I really want to go running. . . . .really?

Your Best Physical Feature: I have no idea

Your Bedtime: Generally pretty late

Your Most Missed Memory: The view over Lough Erne and my sudden desire to move to Ireland

Pepsi or Coke: Neither – I don’t like fizzy drinks

MacDonalds or Burger King: Neither, I find both quite nasty – ask Cathy Midmer!

Single or Group Dates: Single

Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Neither

Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla

Cappuccino or Coffee: Proper Coffee, far too many cups a day if possible

Do you Smoke: Cigars, occassionally

Do you Swear: No

Do you Sing: Yes, though not very well

Do you Shower Daily: Yes

Have you Been in Love: Pass

Do you want to go to College: No, though I would like to be called Doctor, so maybe an online university thing you can buy!!!

Do you want to get Married: I would like to, but you never know what lies ahead

Do you believe in yourself: Yes

Do you get Motion Sickness: No

Are you a Health Freak: Not at all

Do you get along with your Parents: Yes

Do you like Thunderstorms: Yes, they are truly amazing

Do you play an Instrument: Yes – Guitar, keyboards and occasionally trombone

In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: Yes

In the past month have you Smoked: No

In the past month have you been on Drugs: No

In the past month have you gone on a Date: No – (U.C.C.F. rules)

In the past month have you gone to a Mall: No

In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: No

In the past month have you eaten Sushi: Yes

In the past month have you been on Stage: Yes – at a church youth event as guest guitarist and talk about relay

In the past month have you been Dumped: No

In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: No

In the past month have you Stolen Anything: No

Ever been Drunk: Yes

Ever been called a Tease: I really doubt it

Ever been Beaten up: Yes

Ever Shoplifted: No

How do you want to Die: Good question – I’d like know it was coming, maybe diagnosed with cancer or something so I could say all my last goodbyes etc

What do you want to be when you Grow Up: Honoring to God (ooooh that’s cheesy)

What country would you most like to Visit: Ireland (again, and again) – I love it

In a Boy/Girl..

Favourite Eye Color: Don’t really mind

Favourite Hair Color: Depends on the person – I don’t have a preference

Short or Long Hair: Long

Height: No great preference though not 6 inches taller than me if possible!

Weight: Depends . . . .

Best Clothing Style: Again, depends on the person – it wouldn’t take much to look cooler than me

Number of Drugs I have taken: None

Number of CDs I own: Far too many

Number of Piercings: Depends really – I’m not a massive fan

Number of Tattoos: Hmmmm, not a fan but probably depends on the person again

Number of things in my Past I Regret: To many – but “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15) one of my favourite verses!

People take pictures of each other . . .

2006-07-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

I apologise for the lack of posting recently and also that this is such a small and strange post, but I felt that I should share this news with the world.

I have discovered that "Big Phil Scolari", coach of the Portuguese and Brazilian football teams of recent years has a secret identity and submit the pictures below as evidence. . . . enjoy!

Philosophers philosophise, but rarely look you in the eyes

2006-05-09T05:57:00.000-07:00

I have been accused of using this blog to write bitter diatribes about women; well actually I have been accused of using this blog to recreate the style of Ike Graham the lead character from the film Runaway Bride. In any case today’s column will, I hope, be a stinging criticism of a form of government and lifestyle whose appeal, to be entirely honest, escapes me.

That form is Marxism.

Only last week I was bombarded with endless leaflets bemoaning capitalism and vigorously advocating Marx as the saviour of the world. I was presented with multiple copies of the socialist worker newspaper (refused on the grounds that we have real toilet paper in our house at the moment) and generally harassed by people who normally wouldn’t have looked at me, never mind spoken.

By Wednesday I felt I had suffered enough and politely enquired what was so great about Marxism anyway? A question that, I have to tell you, remains unanswered despite the vast swathes of students claim to follow him.

To all students out there, please help me out here, what is the attraction? Is it truly that you and he have seen through the corporate red tape that divides and conquers our society? Or is it merely a last desperate attempt at anarchistic rebellion before graduation and a life in the real world? Maybe it is even overwhelming respect and admiration of that towering symbol of communism, the beard, which in Marx’s case and indeed his accomplice Friedrich Engels surely belongs somewhere on Salisbury Plain rather than attached to a person?

Whatever it may be; let us take a look at a few facts of communism, the only surviving form of Government based on Marxism. Firstly it’s worth pointing out that Marx’s critique: Das Kapital, where he outlines many of the beliefs adhered to by communists was never even finished. The first volume was published in 1867 and yet Marx didn’t manage to have the other volumes published before his death in 1883. Could it be that, despite claiming to have them ready at the time of the first publication Marx did not in fact now the conclusions of his own work? The other volumes were “edited” and published by his colleagues Friedrich Engels and Karl Kautsky between 1893 and 1910. Now if in 1867 Marx claimed the books were ready, how come it took him and two friends over 40 years to produce them?

Secondly, we have the mass of evidence presented by the former USSR and its complete failure to make communism work for 50 years before the people, or die Leute as Marx termed them, the very ones who were supposed to want and benefit from the system overthrew there leaders.

And finally, my most damning evidence for the failure of the system comes from Marx himself. One of the few opinions myself and Marx share is this; “After a period of time the state control of production and income for the benefit of the people will end”. Sadly however this agreement was to be short lived as Marx thought that it would end because the state would cease to exist having handed “power to the people” to quote the second most well known Marxist, Wolfie Smith of BBC comedy Citizen Smith. This however I’m afraid to say is nothing more than an idealistic dream as we see that the divide between those with the power, namely the government, and those without, namely everyone else, grow ever wider until their ultimate end when corruption and theft have reduced so many to so little and those remaining finally break free from their oppressors to retake what’s left of there country. The classless society will never come about this way, if at all. In the “people’s republic of China” the private sector accounts for 50% of their economy, whilst in Vietnam the figure is even more anti-Marxist. This leaves the little known country of Laos and Cuba as the only true exponents of Marxist Communism in the world today, and you only have to look in the seas around America to see how desperate Die Leute are to escape, sailing for freedom on anything bigger or drier than a Ryvita biscuit.

If all this has failed to dissuade you from picking up the baton or indeed beard of Karl Marx then I fear there is no hope left. Head for an army surplus store, consign your career to the scrap heap and be prepared for a big I told you so from, well, every one else. Still you’ll save money on razor blades . . . .

You even mystify me by the way you talk

2006-03-29T05:49:00.000-08:00

This blog is based on a real conversation this lunchtime; only the names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

What follows is a series of quotes that I found particularly amusing

Cathy: I asked for tap water at the café and they wouldn’t give it me
Magnum: Why didn’t you try the bar?
(points to bar the length of the room about 20 yards away)
Cathy: Ah

On viewing a picture that looked strangely like herself (mainly because it was)
Cathy: It can’t be me, I don’t own that top!

On feeling a banana to see if it was soft
Cathy: I could do an obstetrics test to see which way the baby is
Magnum: You do know that’s a banana?
Cathy: Sorry, I’ve been doing obstetrics for too long, everything feels like a foetus
Magnum: And we’re done with the muffin (which up till that point I had been enjoying)

Disclaimer: The more astute amongst you will have realised that, in fact, the names were not changed at all.

I also include news of a legalise cannabis march in London last week. According to one member, it started as a march but ended up as more of a wander! And of course the times managed to run with the headline that the turnout for the march was High!

When work is over. . . .

2006-03-23T05:37:00.000-08:00

Todays post is somewhat of a cheat. I read this story in the times today and thought it was wonderful and should be shared with all of you. It's long but worth reading. . . . . this is Arthur

IF THE US economy had more workers like Arthur Winston then George Bush would not fret so much about spiralling social security and medicare bills.
Mr Winston retired from his job as a bus maintenance worker in Los Angeles yesterday. It was his 100th birthday and, in a 90-year working career, he has had only one day off — when his wife died in 1988.

Nine years ago, he received a Congressional citation from President Clinton as America’s “Employee of the Century”. In the same year LA’s transport authority renamed its South Bay bus depot the “Arthur Winston division”.
But still he carried on working, reporting at 6am each day to supervise cleaning and refuelling of the city’s buses, so that he could support his family. His wife and four children are now all dead. “It wasn’t heavy work, that’s the main thing,” Mr Winston said yesterday.

Sergio Rubalcava, a fellow worker, said that Mr Winston began each work day by bending over to touch his toes to demonstrate that he was fit: “He’s incredible”.
Mr Winston’s story is one of black America over the past century. Born in Oklahoma, he began picking cotton when he was 10. When droughts and storms ruined several crop seasons, his family headed west and in 1924 he found work as a janitor with a railway company.

Apart from a four-year stint parking cars, he has been working in public transport in the city ever since. The job he had really wanted was driving a bus, not cleaning it. But black people were not allowed such careers in the 1920s.
Dana Coffey, a bus service manager, said that Mr Winston had shown what hard work and dedication could accomplish. “Whenever someone complains the work is too hard, the hours too long, I tell them to go see Arthur,” she said. “No one has ever heard Arthur complain.”

Mr Winston said: “Don’t get me wrong. I had my bad days, but there was no use just laying around the house, so I came in.” How will he cope with retirement? “I’m kind of nervous,” he replied. “But I won’t be sitting down, no sir. Man my age sits down, he might not get up. I’m too smart to sit down..”

You kept reminding me of what I am

2006-03-08T05:11:00.000-08:00

The title of todays blog is taken from a song called "once a thief". The lyrics go something like ; Once a thief, always a suspect. Once a liar, never be believed.

The song then centres around the idea that because the protagonist was once a thief he will never be allowed to forget it and as my title has it, people keep reminding me of what I am. This then somehow lead me to start thinking of what we are as christians, and what we once were and how it is very easy to forget that. (It is difficult to follow my thought patterns sometimes, I know!)

Being entirely honest with you all, I know I frequently think about how good it is being a christian and make the distinction between myself and secular people. Obviously a Christian there are some differences but I often get caught in the trap of thinking or saying "why would you do that" or "what sort of people are interested in that". Then later on I think about it some more and realise I know exactly, what sort of people.....people like me. Without the grace of God I would be in exactly the same position as the people I condemn, even if I don't mean to do it, when I think how I am now better than them, having been saved.

I feel that I am rambling slightly and not making myself very clear so I will end by letting God (through Paul) explain. The following verse is from 1 Timothy 1:15-16 and somes up pretty neatly that God saves us when we are just as bad, if not worse, than everyone else.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners— of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

To this end I pray that everyone I know will keep reminding me of exactly what I am!

That's why I remain yours truly, confused N10

2006-03-01T03:40:00.000-08:00

O.K.... . .I'm gonna post today purely to avoid the continual barracking of "when are you going to update your blog?", despite the fact that I don't have a whole lot to say.
The title of my post today comes from a song on the new album by Ray Davies, a man who I talk about continually as the greatest songwriter in the world, period. His new solo album came out last week and debuted on chart at number 36, not bad for a dude in his sixties most famous in THE sixties!
Anyhow, it also makes a good title for my post as yesterday after having been up and working on my dissertation project for far too many hours straight, I attempted to leave a message as my msn sign in name asking for prayer for a meeting with my supervisor. It was only when I returned to this message after the meeting and some coffee that I realised it made no sense at all, it read

"please pray for me, dissertation dude at 3, work is hard, lost in santa fe, ants everywhere!"

If anyone can guess as to what that message means (imagine you read it on msn yesterday) please do let me know.

until then, I remain yours truly, confused, N10

There are so many lies around

2006-01-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

Firstly I have to apologise for the complete lack of posting for about a month but with one thing and another I haven’t really had time.

Today’s post will concern mainly a question arising from last night hall group bible study on Joshua 2. The question being “Is it ever right to lie?” The background to this being that Rahab lies to the king in order to protect two Israelites spies. This then ensures that she is kept safe when the Israelites later take control of the land. Initially, the question was raised that by her lying she was serving God’s purpose because in Matthew 1 we discover she is in fact an ancestor of Jesus. I think it is important to say that I don’t think God ever wants us to lie to serve him; he was simply using the fact that she lied and was then spared. It is also true that had she not lied and had been killed God would have brought about Jesus’ coming to earth in another way; it would not have made it impossible to happen. Anyway, the debate “Is it ever right to lie” is what I’m going to talk about if I haven’t bored you all to death already.

Disclaimer: the following is my opinion so please feel free to comment and disagree as you see fit.

I think the first thing to say is that lying is wrong, always. God does not want us to lie to people and I think that is quite clear, it’s up there with things like murder that most people would agree we just shouldn’t do. My opinion from this point is that although lying is wrong, there are circumstances in which we all do it. The fact that I think something is wrong does not mean that I wouldn’t do it at some point.

The cliché Hollywood example would be, someone is pointing a gun at the person I love and is going to kill her, I have a gun and can therefore take out the “bad guy” first, if I want to. Others may disagree but I am almost 100% certain that I would take the chance and shoot the other man, in order to protect the person I loved. This means that although I know killing is wrong, it would not prevent me from doing it if I thought it was necessary. This then effectively makes all situations like this a “means to an end” type scenario. If we value the end result highly enough then we will sacrifice principles and go against what we know is right to achieve them.
This ties in nicely with a point from a film I watched the other day, namely Batman Begins.

Liam Neeson’s character, Ducard, is intent on stopping the crime wave that is Gotham City. His means is by simply destroying it so that there is no trace of the evil remaining. Although you are meant to side with Batman, that this is not good, I can easily see how Ducard’s approach is reached and justified. The end, that the crime and evil in the city is ended for good, is so important to the man that he is willing to do something seemingly horrific and evil in order to achieve it.

I think that this lead to a sort of “everyone has there price” situation where it becomes simply a question of what we value highly enough to make us go against our beliefs. This would no doubt be different for everyone although there may well be some things that would affect many people.

Well there we go, that was a lot more than I intended to say, I hope I haven’t offended anyone and may have inspired some debate!
Moving to less deep subjects I was keenly watching the championship play-offs this weekend where Seattle beat Carolina and then Pittsburgh Steelers beat Denver Broncos. This deserves special mention as Denver have not been beaten at home all season and previously knocked out the N.E. Patriots, winners for the last two years.

So there it is, Pittsburgh Steelers Vs Seattle Seahawks – Sunday 5th Feb, about 11o’clock in England and sadly only available on Sky Sports 3 – I’m backing the Steelers!

Oh and one last thing especially for Angie

Detroit Tigers Rule!

Two guys called Magnum can’t be wrong!

It's really good to see you rocking out and having fun

2005-12-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

Well, its been an eventful few weeks since my last post and if it were not for my own incompetence I would have some entertaining and amusing pictures to post. However I have not yet managed to get them from my camara to the computer so todays post will be "text-only"

As the title may suggest not only am I having a great time at the moment I'm now even enjoying seeing other people having fun. Recent events including an open mic night, carol service and international christmas events have given me that feeling inside usually only read about in books. I've sort of had the time to take a step back and watch everyone else and think, isn't life great?

And then following on from that observation I've had the chance in my quiet times to relect on who makes life so great. If it wasn't for God's amazing gifts to us we wouldn't even be alive, never mind enjoying singing, playing football, dancing and all the other great things we do! With the situations in other countries and regions of the world at the moment it makes me realise just how priveledged I am to live where I do and I hope that I never take that for granted.

Anyway, future events for my 3 readers to note!

Mossley Hill carol service, tonight, 7:30pm

Is the Bible Valid? - Lunchbar, Mountford Hall, Thursday, 1pm

and for all those who I don't see again before the big day (though I suspect there may be an early morning post on the 25th)

Merry Christmas!

I'm oh so happy, so glad to be alive

2005-11-29T07:16:00.000-08:00

I nearly killed a small child today.

Having told this story to KC I was told I had to begin my blog with that opening.
Well I have to say that since returning from house party I am in a remarkably relaxed happy feeling. I was challenged along with many others to review my priorities and more importantly God’s priorities and I feel that I am getting a clearer understanding of what God wants me to be doing. I thought I was passionate about evangelism before but now I know I am. I will finish by saying that yesterday was our halls “go-week” event and at about twenty after nine, Rick and I went to talk to a guy. We were cautiously worried having been warned that he may throw a buddha at us, but he was actually a nice guy! He was open and actually interested in what we were saying and despite an obvious desire not to be converted by what we were saying it was good to talk to him for a while. And when I say a while, by the time we got done talking it was about eleven and I was feeling very tired, but very happy.

p.s. I didn’t kill the child – she ran in front of my bike but I managed to stop without hitting it!

This is Captain America Calling

2005-11-24T01:38:00.000-08:00

Well finally the day of thanksgiving is upon us and in my quest to avoid becoming Americanised I am failing miserably. I have therefore decided, in a true British way, to pretend it isn't happening and hope that i'm not too Americanised when i go home at christmas. Try as I might to be British and Ignorant of thanksgiving I took the suggested quiz by KC and well see my score below, but I swear I guessed at some of them!

And so today I stand, a former typically awkward Englishman who is celebrating Thanksgiving, knows the words to "star spangled banner" and can recite the "Pledge of Allegiance" (anybody remember July 4th in Russia?)

Because the summer's all gone

2005-11-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

No todays title is not in reference to the recent weather, although having been thoroughly soaked several times over the last few days i was seriously tempted to post critising the weather of this country.

Though the summer may be gone for this year there is always next year and with summer there is also . . .summer project!!! Yes these exciting evangelical extravaganza's will be back so i will take this opportunity to encourage everybody who is . . .actually no just everbody to consider going on a project. They are absolutely amazing times when you can learn so much about yourself and about God and his will for your life.

Failing that you can always get to know the Agape team in Liverpool and evangelise here in this very city!

"Students have begun to catch the vision for reaching their campus with the gospel and a desire to multiply their lives" say Ryan Hawkins, who has stepped up to lead this years team. "The most exciting thing has been seeing believers get to grips with what making disciples really means"

In other news, summer projects 05 beloved football team Zenit St Petersburg lost 1-0 to Bolton last night. Hopefully though we will all still be wearing those shirts with pride (we paid at least 4 pounds for them!!)

And finally, having gone to the doctors for about the zillienth time in recent months i was told they had screwed up my appointment and couldn't change my dressing, despite the fact that they also told me it needed changing. As a nurse (who couldn't help me, but could apparantly spend 10 minutes telling me why she couldnt help me without an appointment) explained that it needed doing, but they couldn't do it, i decided to make my point by saying "oh give me the dressing, i'll do it myself!"

And so i now find myself sitting here, with a dressing on the desk next to me wondering why oh why i made such a foolish offer? fortunately living opposite a staff nurse and church worker has its advantages! Thanks Kath (in advance)

Everone's got different views

2005-10-31T06:46:00.000-08:00

I have to apologise profusely to all those people who said "I can't leave feedback on your blog because i don't have a blog and can't leave comments anonymously"
It turns out you were right . . . you couldn't leave comments!
but hopefully now that has been resolved so i hope to hear the views of "non-bloggers" on a regular basis.

And rest assured despite my hectic timetable, there will be something new to comment on in the next few days

As they say . . . .watch this space . . . . . . .

'Cause we're all Gods children

2005-10-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

The titles are getting even more strained now, but this is still a song lyric so I'm not doing too badly.

I was walking down Smithdown Road the other day and passed one of those church billboards that display various gospel messages against a lurid fluorescent background. This one was different though, and despite the fact that I was too far away to know what the writing said I was strangely drawn to it and crossed the road to investigate further.

on it was the opening of Psalm 19 and for some reason, in a very cheesy cliche Christian sense, it just seemed really true. So I decided to share it with anyone who happens to read my blog.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands"

Wouldn't it be great to remember this passage next time we look out of the window and complain that its raining and cold and miserable. It's an amazing blessing from God that we're here at all so lets rejoice and give him the praise he deserves!

And now for the shameless plug now that I have everyones attention.

"24/7 Prayer!"

I can't help feeling that there is a lack of prayer around at the moment. I know everyone has work to do and even within Christian circles we have meetings to plan and events to co-ordinate and run but - in a similar theme to the verse above - its only by God's grace and blessing that any of these things can happen, let alone be a success.

So, please consider calling in a the Anglican Chaplaincy for this week of God centered prayer and I pray that we all come out of it with a renewed enthusiasm and passion for prayer.

When he feels down he puts some rock and roll on . . .

2005-10-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the strained title of todays Blog but I decided that all my titles would be borrowed from song lyrics and that was the most appropriate I could think of!

After a hard day yesterday I realised that I retreat into a musical haven by playing certain songs or bands that somehow just make me feel relaxed and put me in a good mood.

Do other people do the same? and if so, what is your music of choice? Do you have that song or maybe that band that puts you in a better frame of mind?

As a starting point I'll tell you that I listened to a relatively unknown band called The Kinks who I'm sure people are fed up of me talking about - they were big in the sixties but then transformed into a stadium rock act in america in the 70's - 80's.

Disillusioned by the promises they made?

2005-10-13T02:16:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, despite much advise not to begin debate on this subject the topic of blog today will be "who should be the next leader of the conservative party . . . .place bet now!"
It doesn't matter whether you are a political genius or you just like the name of one of the candidates, whoever you are and whatever your reasons i'd like to know your choice as leader. I'll also add now that i'll try to be objective in my comments and that i'm not trying to support or decry the conservatives and do not want a debate about how good or bad they are compared to other parties etc etc. The question is love them or hate them, who should be the next leader?

The Candidates

David Cameron - At 39 a young pretender to the throne and a very accomplished speaker and politician but can he lead the party with policy decisions?
Liam Fox - Frankly, doesnt stand much chance. campaigning for the same supporters a david davis, and there aren't too many of them
David Davis - Has proved he could do the job but is unknown. Could he hold the party together?
Ken Clarke - A bruiser from the Thatcher years he has the populist appeal, the experience and could certainly take on Blair, Brown et al. At 65 may be considered to old and his previous Europhile views will haunt him for a while

There you go, thats them all . . . . doesnt look too good does it! Feel free to include your own suggestions although i have already checked and Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street will not be entering the race!

For what its worth my backing goes to the Big Beast, Ken Clarke, anyone else?

Hello, Good Afternoon and Welcome

2005-10-12T03:03:00.000-07:00

This is my inaugural posting on my very own blog. I don't intend to write much but heres a question. . . .where does the term "blog" originate from?