What is the meaning of faith.
We all know that there is one creator of this world and his creation is an absolute joyous one. If we view this creation in a positive light we can definitely see the wonder of it all. But we do have to see it positively. Unfortunately so many people have a negative view of the world and then their view of the world appears to be full of misery and of bad happenings. It does so often seem that only bad news makes news. If we count the headlines in a news program, ninety percent will be depressive or highlighting somebody’s indiscretions. Very rarely does a success story feature as the top headline of a news bulletin.
Is it any wonder then that so many people have such a negative picture of God’s creation?
This last week has seen much, if not all of the United Kingdom covered in snow. There have been record low temperatures, deeper drifts of snow than can be remembered and travelling conditions fraught with danger. Salt to grit the roads are now in short supply and the country is criticized for not being able to cope when such weather conditions arise.
All negative view points.
Today the snow came down heavier than ever. It could have been so easy to lie in bed, stay in front of the fire and basically vegetate. But I didn’t want to do this. Despite the protests of my oldest son Dale, my wife Tonya, Dale, Charlie (my youngest boy) and I donned our thick coats, Wellington boots, hats and gloves and walked into town choosing the scenic route for our walk. We snowballed each other, rolled in the snow and warmed ourselves in one of the cafes in town. Along the way we met numerous people that we knew, all of them enjoying the abundance of the season that is part of God’s creation. The local hillsides were crammed with children sledging and having fun. To crown the day, inspired by the many we had seen on our walk, we all pulled together to make a huge snowman in our garden.
To me, this was seeing and experiencing the wonderful creation of the world. It was such a simple pleasure yet so wonderful a way to spend the day. We could have stayed in doors and bemoaned the bad weather and written off the day. But making the most of what had been put before us was the positive way to spend the day.
If we really want to we can look beyond the bad news that seems to be thrust upon us regularly through the course of a day. Open our eyes and we can see the good things. We take for granted the courteous actions that so many people deliver each day. If we stopped for just one minute we could all recognize these actions and appreciate that this is God’s good grace coming forth. It is hard to remember the good because we take it for granted but when the bad happens it centres on our minds.
I appreciated so much today the wonders of God’s creation. It was with immense gratitude that I had such a joyous time with my family too. Sometimes all it takes is the simple things to appreciate the good in this world.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Faith? Where is the Evidence for Faith?
What is the meaning of faith?
One of the great conundrums of life which places a huge question mark against faith is the phenomenon of natural disasters. Earthquakes, hurricanes and tidal waves seem to be so indiscriminate in their occurrence, causing so much tragedy and human suffering.
Surely a loving, merciful God would not allow such suffering of his people?
With the many thousands of people who die and suffer from such events surely not all these are sinful enough to warrant the consequences of such unforeseen catastrophes?
Questions like these have exercised the minds of many intellectuals over the centuries and undoubtedly their answers have fallen at both ends of the spectrum, proving or disproving the existence of God.
It would be so easy to use natural disasters as indisputable evidence as to the fact that there is no God. A God who truly cares about his creation would not allow for such cataclysms, would not oversee the sufferings from destruction and famine. This surely is not the work of a loving, merciful Father?
Yet there are many scientists, particularly geologists who see the world as a work in progress. The crust of the earth is a movable, floating surface. Plate tectonics proves that there is movement of the different areas of this crust, and friction develops as the plates either rub against each other or slide one under the other, eventually releasing the energy in the form of earthquakes. Constant transference of energy from one part of the globe to another comes in the form of wind, with hurricanes and tornados at the extremities of this process. The conclusion of said scientists is that these are the inevitable changes occurring in the world as Mother Nature heads towards her ultimate creation.
The Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004 would surely be another nail in the coffin of faith?
With many thousands dead in the coastal areas of India, Thailand and Malaysia one would expect the faith of the surviving people to be destroyed.
On the contrary.
Despite the loss of loved ones, despite the loss of homes and property and despite the tremendous suffering after such an awesome display of destructive power, the faith of the survivors was, and still is, remarkably strong. Many saw this as a challenge set by God to test their abilities, to prove the strength of their faith. Others saw it as punishment for the misdemeanors of themselves or their people proving that they still believed in God their creator.
The compassion showed by so many people in the aftermath of this destruction was seen as a demonstration of God’s love with mercy missions coming from all over the globe, desperate to offer aid in whatever capacity they could provide.
We could be forgiven for thinking that negativity would prevail. But as time wore on people became more positive as communities started to rebuild; phoenixes from the ashes. Almost unbelievably it was the religious centres that seemed to stand steadfast against the onslaught of water and today remain the focal point as these villages overcome disaster.
The problem that exists when trying to reason as to why God allows natural disasters to occur is that the arguments are set by the human mind. Taking into account the greatest of minds in the scientific, political and theological fields, the human mind is still limited. The intellect can only go so far. In searching for the answers to the universe we always come up with more questions. We are trying to drain the oceans using a spoon. If computers could understand their creator then the world would surely be in trouble. Likewise it is impossible to understand the intelligence of our creator.
It is not hard for any of us to see back through our lives, that when we believe in God he is there for us. And even when times appeared hard, when we could so easily have questioned our faith, God saw us through the darkness until the light shone again. There is a reason for the pain and suffering that we all experience at different points in our lives; they are just not always apparent at the time. Don’t try to reason it because the human mind has frailties, it is limited in comparison to the truth that is God. Just know that God is there and have absolute faith that he will guide us through to the good times.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
One of the great conundrums of life which places a huge question mark against faith is the phenomenon of natural disasters. Earthquakes, hurricanes and tidal waves seem to be so indiscriminate in their occurrence, causing so much tragedy and human suffering.
Surely a loving, merciful God would not allow such suffering of his people?
With the many thousands of people who die and suffer from such events surely not all these are sinful enough to warrant the consequences of such unforeseen catastrophes?
Questions like these have exercised the minds of many intellectuals over the centuries and undoubtedly their answers have fallen at both ends of the spectrum, proving or disproving the existence of God.
It would be so easy to use natural disasters as indisputable evidence as to the fact that there is no God. A God who truly cares about his creation would not allow for such cataclysms, would not oversee the sufferings from destruction and famine. This surely is not the work of a loving, merciful Father?
Yet there are many scientists, particularly geologists who see the world as a work in progress. The crust of the earth is a movable, floating surface. Plate tectonics proves that there is movement of the different areas of this crust, and friction develops as the plates either rub against each other or slide one under the other, eventually releasing the energy in the form of earthquakes. Constant transference of energy from one part of the globe to another comes in the form of wind, with hurricanes and tornados at the extremities of this process. The conclusion of said scientists is that these are the inevitable changes occurring in the world as Mother Nature heads towards her ultimate creation.
The Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004 would surely be another nail in the coffin of faith?
With many thousands dead in the coastal areas of India, Thailand and Malaysia one would expect the faith of the surviving people to be destroyed.
On the contrary.
Despite the loss of loved ones, despite the loss of homes and property and despite the tremendous suffering after such an awesome display of destructive power, the faith of the survivors was, and still is, remarkably strong. Many saw this as a challenge set by God to test their abilities, to prove the strength of their faith. Others saw it as punishment for the misdemeanors of themselves or their people proving that they still believed in God their creator.
The compassion showed by so many people in the aftermath of this destruction was seen as a demonstration of God’s love with mercy missions coming from all over the globe, desperate to offer aid in whatever capacity they could provide.
We could be forgiven for thinking that negativity would prevail. But as time wore on people became more positive as communities started to rebuild; phoenixes from the ashes. Almost unbelievably it was the religious centres that seemed to stand steadfast against the onslaught of water and today remain the focal point as these villages overcome disaster.
The problem that exists when trying to reason as to why God allows natural disasters to occur is that the arguments are set by the human mind. Taking into account the greatest of minds in the scientific, political and theological fields, the human mind is still limited. The intellect can only go so far. In searching for the answers to the universe we always come up with more questions. We are trying to drain the oceans using a spoon. If computers could understand their creator then the world would surely be in trouble. Likewise it is impossible to understand the intelligence of our creator.
It is not hard for any of us to see back through our lives, that when we believe in God he is there for us. And even when times appeared hard, when we could so easily have questioned our faith, God saw us through the darkness until the light shone again. There is a reason for the pain and suffering that we all experience at different points in our lives; they are just not always apparent at the time. Don’t try to reason it because the human mind has frailties, it is limited in comparison to the truth that is God. Just know that God is there and have absolute faith that he will guide us through to the good times.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Decorate Your Life with Faith
What is the meaning of faith?
The last two or three weeks I have been taken away from my love of blogging about faith and personal development by other rather pressing issues, including that of decorating the landing, stairs and hallway ( at my wife’s insistence ). Decorating is a chore that I neither love nor hate; I just kind of do it. Yet there is a wonderful sense of achievement as one gets towards the end and it all comes together.
When decorating, I have the image in my head of the final product; what the room will look like when my work is finished. It is this image that drives me on during the grotty phase of preparation, the stripping of wallpaper and the sanding of the paintwork. But the preparation is so important, creating strong foundation for the finished work. Although it isn’t always appreciated, each step is a step closer to that ultimate design. Then there comes a phase when it all starts to take shape; as the image becomes reality. The motivation to carry on to the finishing line is high as the fruits of labour become evident.
To create a bonsai tree, its creator goes through the same process, forming bold images of how he wants the tree to look at the end of his efforts. He nurtures the plant, making cuts here and snips there, giving it the right amount of water to thrive. Eventually his creation takes shape, in the form of the image he has so strongly held in his mind.
When we strive for success at whichever endeavour we choose, we need to have strong mental images; bold pictures of the successful end result. These positive paintings we create in our minds give us the drive to succeed and we can then formulate a plan and set goals as we begin to create and achieve that dream.
We reap what we sow; if we have negative thoughts we are planting seeds that become
the weeds that nobody wants. If we think positive thoughts we plant the seeds of fruitfulness and our tree flourishes with an abundance of that fruit, the fruit for which we so strive for.
God helps us achieve those dreams. He holds our hand as we take each step. Sometimes the dream seems far away as the drought sets in and the plant seems to lack water. But God guides us through these difficult patches and he also provide times of plenty with water to spare, creating the opportunity for the seed to grow and develop into the wonderful plant we had so brightly visualized at the start of the dream.
The Law of Attraction states that if we want something then we have to believe; totally believe that we already have what it is that we desire. If we pray to God for his help, then we have to have absolute, unwavering faith that he will provide. When we know that God is by our side, granting us his unconditional help and love, we can rest easy and our mental images of success our so much easier to harvest.
Any one of us can change our thought patterns from negative to positive ones. We all have the ability to control our thoughts if we so desire. Having an unflappable faith in God though makes thinking positively so much easier.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
The last two or three weeks I have been taken away from my love of blogging about faith and personal development by other rather pressing issues, including that of decorating the landing, stairs and hallway ( at my wife’s insistence ). Decorating is a chore that I neither love nor hate; I just kind of do it. Yet there is a wonderful sense of achievement as one gets towards the end and it all comes together.
When decorating, I have the image in my head of the final product; what the room will look like when my work is finished. It is this image that drives me on during the grotty phase of preparation, the stripping of wallpaper and the sanding of the paintwork. But the preparation is so important, creating strong foundation for the finished work. Although it isn’t always appreciated, each step is a step closer to that ultimate design. Then there comes a phase when it all starts to take shape; as the image becomes reality. The motivation to carry on to the finishing line is high as the fruits of labour become evident.
To create a bonsai tree, its creator goes through the same process, forming bold images of how he wants the tree to look at the end of his efforts. He nurtures the plant, making cuts here and snips there, giving it the right amount of water to thrive. Eventually his creation takes shape, in the form of the image he has so strongly held in his mind.
When we strive for success at whichever endeavour we choose, we need to have strong mental images; bold pictures of the successful end result. These positive paintings we create in our minds give us the drive to succeed and we can then formulate a plan and set goals as we begin to create and achieve that dream.
We reap what we sow; if we have negative thoughts we are planting seeds that become
the weeds that nobody wants. If we think positive thoughts we plant the seeds of fruitfulness and our tree flourishes with an abundance of that fruit, the fruit for which we so strive for.
God helps us achieve those dreams. He holds our hand as we take each step. Sometimes the dream seems far away as the drought sets in and the plant seems to lack water. But God guides us through these difficult patches and he also provide times of plenty with water to spare, creating the opportunity for the seed to grow and develop into the wonderful plant we had so brightly visualized at the start of the dream.
The Law of Attraction states that if we want something then we have to believe; totally believe that we already have what it is that we desire. If we pray to God for his help, then we have to have absolute, unwavering faith that he will provide. When we know that God is by our side, granting us his unconditional help and love, we can rest easy and our mental images of success our so much easier to harvest.
Any one of us can change our thought patterns from negative to positive ones. We all have the ability to control our thoughts if we so desire. Having an unflappable faith in God though makes thinking positively so much easier.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
What Do You See?
What is the Meaning of Life?
A candle burns gently, giving a warm glow to dark surroundings. Then a slight breeze blows out that enchanting flame.
Do we see that breeze?
No we don’t. But we may feel the cool softness of the air as the breeze brushes our faces.
The operation of a switch brings light to a room in a fraction of a second. The miracle of physics determines that electricity illuminates darkness through that single light bulb.
Do we see the electricity?
No we don’t. But we see the results of its work.
A television sitting in the corner of a room beams out a mass movement of light. Radio waves carrying digital information through many miles of space creates that picture on the screen.
Do we see those radio waves?
No we don’t. But we can enjoy the stories that they create.
There are so many things that we cannot see yet we feel, see and enjoy the results of.
People doubt God’s existence.
Why?
Because they cannot see him. This means that there is no proof that he exists. Scientists can tell us how energy creates a breeze, causes electricity to flow and allows radio waves to carry signals through the air. But scientists cannot explain Gods love and the energy that this provides to anybody who opens up their hearts to him.
So he can’t exist, can he?
So you want proof!! Look around you.
How did this wonderful creation ever come into being?
Oh!! The whole universe was created by a massive nuclear explosion derived from one small atom. The “Big Bang” theory the scientists call it.
But where did that atom come from?
A mathematician once calculated the odds on life being created on a planet with all the chemicals and atmosphere to sustain that life plus putting the sun, moon and stars in all their corresponding places. It worked out at 1 to the power of billions. Personally I have better things to do with my time, but at least he concluded that life, the world and the universe is too orderly to have been created by such chance.
For those of us in the know, those with faith; we have the knowledge and the wisdom. There is a creator of this beautiful world and all that surrounds it and that creator is God.
We may not be able to see him but we can most definitely feel his presence, see his work and enjoy his love.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
A candle burns gently, giving a warm glow to dark surroundings. Then a slight breeze blows out that enchanting flame.
Do we see that breeze?
No we don’t. But we may feel the cool softness of the air as the breeze brushes our faces.
The operation of a switch brings light to a room in a fraction of a second. The miracle of physics determines that electricity illuminates darkness through that single light bulb.
Do we see the electricity?
No we don’t. But we see the results of its work.
A television sitting in the corner of a room beams out a mass movement of light. Radio waves carrying digital information through many miles of space creates that picture on the screen.
Do we see those radio waves?
No we don’t. But we can enjoy the stories that they create.
There are so many things that we cannot see yet we feel, see and enjoy the results of.
People doubt God’s existence.
Why?
Because they cannot see him. This means that there is no proof that he exists. Scientists can tell us how energy creates a breeze, causes electricity to flow and allows radio waves to carry signals through the air. But scientists cannot explain Gods love and the energy that this provides to anybody who opens up their hearts to him.
So he can’t exist, can he?
So you want proof!! Look around you.
How did this wonderful creation ever come into being?
Oh!! The whole universe was created by a massive nuclear explosion derived from one small atom. The “Big Bang” theory the scientists call it.
But where did that atom come from?
A mathematician once calculated the odds on life being created on a planet with all the chemicals and atmosphere to sustain that life plus putting the sun, moon and stars in all their corresponding places. It worked out at 1 to the power of billions. Personally I have better things to do with my time, but at least he concluded that life, the world and the universe is too orderly to have been created by such chance.
For those of us in the know, those with faith; we have the knowledge and the wisdom. There is a creator of this beautiful world and all that surrounds it and that creator is God.
We may not be able to see him but we can most definitely feel his presence, see his work and enjoy his love.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Friday, 13 November 2009
Give Me Joy in My Heart
What is the meaning of faith?
In visiting other countries doing charitable there are always plenty of opportunities to see Gods work and better understand him. This was much the case when visiting Romania on behalf of the charity Cry in the Dark where, for one week at the end of August through the beginning of September, fourteen of us from Tenterden and the North-East of England faced up to “The Hard Hat Challenge”.
Our task was to help in the building of an extension to Casa Lumina, an orphanage for children with learning difficulties and life limiting illnesses situated in Comanesti. The extension will accommodate the growing needs of the children as they develop into adults.
The sheer fact that a Christian organisation such as Cry in the Dark has achieved so much is just one unbelievable testimony to Gods work.
Throughout our work we had many opportunities to interact with the orphans and it was remarkable, even emotional as to how much love they have and wanted to give. Alan Clover, who in his seventies, was the oldest member of our party had been to Casa Lumina before albeit some two years ago. Yet one of the girls remembered him from his previous visit and embraced him so lovingly. The tears of joy that welled up in him was quite infectious as many of us struggled not to weep alongside him. At the end of the week, Nicholas Cooper, a curate from St. Mildreds Church in Tenterden, offered a communion service on a makeshift alter created from one of the work benches. Two of the orphans attended this service with such quiet respect and dignity that we all felt humbled by their presence. Where we thought we would be ministering to them, in fact truthfully they were ministering to us.
On the Sunday of our week in Romania, we spent the morning in worship at the Biserica Sfanta Trieme Church, a free Christian church in the city of Bacau. This church is a modern, white walled building hidden away behind some houses in one of the back streets. The service was conducted from a stage on the first floor of the church which was back dropped by a magnificent wooden cross. A welcoming warmth and love from the entire Romanian congregation soothed any apprehensions that we may have been feeling.
Lyviu, an operational director for Cry in the Dark in Romania conducted the music and singing along with his wife Anna. The words to the songs were projected onto a screen on the stage, karaoke style, and I’m sure it was with some amusement that we British folk were trying to sing along evangelically in Romanian.
Pastor Marion gave the sermon. Fortunately we had a few very clever members of the congregation who thankfully translated for us. His subject was joy.
Joy comes in many forms. Entertainment gives us joy, so does our favourite football team when it is winning. Such joy is short lived (particularly if you support Gillingham) and we have to keep searching for it time and again. There is a longer lasting joy that comes from things like a loving relationship, marriage and family.
Once discovered though, the joy found through God is everlasting. In order to find this joy we have to repent of all our sins. Sin creates an enormous barrier between us and the joy of knowing God. Therefore we need to seek forgiveness and once given, the hurdles and barriers are removed and we can experience the joy given by God, forever.
During the blessing there were a couple of the congregation who cried. These were not tears of sadness but of gladness, realising that they had come to God and he had spoken to them. Indeed, as I found out later, there was one young, debonair looking lad who had not that long ago been out on the streets, getting into trouble, committing crime. This church had saved him and turned his life around.
Towards the end of the service Lyviu and Anna’s little boy - who must have been two or three years old – made an impromptu and unannounced appearance on the stage. His innocence of face and his unrestricted actions seemed to poignantly demonstrate the presence of joy without barriers.
There were three messages that I took away from this wonderful Sunday morning service.
1. Nicholas Cooper, the curate, offered a prayer which was translated for the benefit of the Romanian congregation. In it he pointed out that language and culture doesn’t have to be a wall built between us. The wooden cross mounted magnificently above the stage unites us all in one common good.
2. As was demonstrated so effectively throughout the service by Pastor Marion, the joy of God is eternal, once we have sought forgiveness from all our sins.
3. During the service some of the children sang a song with the self assurance that only children have. The motif on the tee-shirt of one of the little boys read “Pick noses, not fights”.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
In visiting other countries doing charitable there are always plenty of opportunities to see Gods work and better understand him. This was much the case when visiting Romania on behalf of the charity Cry in the Dark where, for one week at the end of August through the beginning of September, fourteen of us from Tenterden and the North-East of England faced up to “The Hard Hat Challenge”.
Our task was to help in the building of an extension to Casa Lumina, an orphanage for children with learning difficulties and life limiting illnesses situated in Comanesti. The extension will accommodate the growing needs of the children as they develop into adults.
The sheer fact that a Christian organisation such as Cry in the Dark has achieved so much is just one unbelievable testimony to Gods work.
Throughout our work we had many opportunities to interact with the orphans and it was remarkable, even emotional as to how much love they have and wanted to give. Alan Clover, who in his seventies, was the oldest member of our party had been to Casa Lumina before albeit some two years ago. Yet one of the girls remembered him from his previous visit and embraced him so lovingly. The tears of joy that welled up in him was quite infectious as many of us struggled not to weep alongside him. At the end of the week, Nicholas Cooper, a curate from St. Mildreds Church in Tenterden, offered a communion service on a makeshift alter created from one of the work benches. Two of the orphans attended this service with such quiet respect and dignity that we all felt humbled by their presence. Where we thought we would be ministering to them, in fact truthfully they were ministering to us.
On the Sunday of our week in Romania, we spent the morning in worship at the Biserica Sfanta Trieme Church, a free Christian church in the city of Bacau. This church is a modern, white walled building hidden away behind some houses in one of the back streets. The service was conducted from a stage on the first floor of the church which was back dropped by a magnificent wooden cross. A welcoming warmth and love from the entire Romanian congregation soothed any apprehensions that we may have been feeling.
Lyviu, an operational director for Cry in the Dark in Romania conducted the music and singing along with his wife Anna. The words to the songs were projected onto a screen on the stage, karaoke style, and I’m sure it was with some amusement that we British folk were trying to sing along evangelically in Romanian.
Pastor Marion gave the sermon. Fortunately we had a few very clever members of the congregation who thankfully translated for us. His subject was joy.
Joy comes in many forms. Entertainment gives us joy, so does our favourite football team when it is winning. Such joy is short lived (particularly if you support Gillingham) and we have to keep searching for it time and again. There is a longer lasting joy that comes from things like a loving relationship, marriage and family.
Once discovered though, the joy found through God is everlasting. In order to find this joy we have to repent of all our sins. Sin creates an enormous barrier between us and the joy of knowing God. Therefore we need to seek forgiveness and once given, the hurdles and barriers are removed and we can experience the joy given by God, forever.
During the blessing there were a couple of the congregation who cried. These were not tears of sadness but of gladness, realising that they had come to God and he had spoken to them. Indeed, as I found out later, there was one young, debonair looking lad who had not that long ago been out on the streets, getting into trouble, committing crime. This church had saved him and turned his life around.
Towards the end of the service Lyviu and Anna’s little boy - who must have been two or three years old – made an impromptu and unannounced appearance on the stage. His innocence of face and his unrestricted actions seemed to poignantly demonstrate the presence of joy without barriers.
There were three messages that I took away from this wonderful Sunday morning service.
1. Nicholas Cooper, the curate, offered a prayer which was translated for the benefit of the Romanian congregation. In it he pointed out that language and culture doesn’t have to be a wall built between us. The wooden cross mounted magnificently above the stage unites us all in one common good.
2. As was demonstrated so effectively throughout the service by Pastor Marion, the joy of God is eternal, once we have sought forgiveness from all our sins.
3. During the service some of the children sang a song with the self assurance that only children have. The motif on the tee-shirt of one of the little boys read “Pick noses, not fights”.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Good News is Here to Stay
What is the meaning of faith?
I find myself getting more and more deeply into my faith. I have always believed in God and in dark times he has helped me through. But these days I am getting far more involved in the church, doing more charity work and studying faith and personal development with a great deal more intensity.
As I write my blogs I try hard to research faith and personal development thoroughly and also try to put into practice much of what I learn. It is a wonderful fact that there is so much in the way of resources out there for me to call upon.
Of course the internet is one of the largest of these resources. Although we have to be careful to disseminate between what is quality information and what is poor, we can all be guided into so many different directions. One such direction is towards Christian radio. Much of my day is spent travelling in the car and listening to the traditional news based radio programmes can be somewhat depressing. Granted, we need to be in touch with what goes on in the world, but do we need to be constantly bombarded with misery after misery?
Many TV programmes focus on portraying all that is bad in the world. For some reason production companies believe that people’s disasters make for entertainment. They assume that we wallow in other people’s misery. On news programmes, bad news is the only type of news that people are interested in. Even if there is good news, they will still hunt out the negative slant to the story.
The fact is there is so much that is beautiful in this world. Despite the world’s imperfections, there is so much joy we can obtain from this world. God has created so much abundance for us to enjoy if we choose to open our eyes, trust in God and grab those opportunities that he puts before us.
The vast majority of people in this world conduct their lives with good intent. Yes there are some little parts of our make-up that bring out the worst in us but these are well and truly over shadowed by everything that is good inside. Therefore we should be far more uplifted, far more entertained by all the good that happens in the world.
This is why it is so refreshing to come across media such as Christian radio and television. To hear some tremendous lectures, speeches, programmes and music lifts up the heart. There are quite a few out there that can be connected to via the internet. I am currently experimenting with a couple that are of interest to me which are primarily geographically relevant.
If every body was to search for good news perhaps our broadcasters would have to re-evaluate what constitutes news and entertainment. Perhaps then we can live in a world of happiness. The good news is that we don’t have to put up with bad news any longer.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org.com
I find myself getting more and more deeply into my faith. I have always believed in God and in dark times he has helped me through. But these days I am getting far more involved in the church, doing more charity work and studying faith and personal development with a great deal more intensity.
As I write my blogs I try hard to research faith and personal development thoroughly and also try to put into practice much of what I learn. It is a wonderful fact that there is so much in the way of resources out there for me to call upon.
Of course the internet is one of the largest of these resources. Although we have to be careful to disseminate between what is quality information and what is poor, we can all be guided into so many different directions. One such direction is towards Christian radio. Much of my day is spent travelling in the car and listening to the traditional news based radio programmes can be somewhat depressing. Granted, we need to be in touch with what goes on in the world, but do we need to be constantly bombarded with misery after misery?
Many TV programmes focus on portraying all that is bad in the world. For some reason production companies believe that people’s disasters make for entertainment. They assume that we wallow in other people’s misery. On news programmes, bad news is the only type of news that people are interested in. Even if there is good news, they will still hunt out the negative slant to the story.
The fact is there is so much that is beautiful in this world. Despite the world’s imperfections, there is so much joy we can obtain from this world. God has created so much abundance for us to enjoy if we choose to open our eyes, trust in God and grab those opportunities that he puts before us.
The vast majority of people in this world conduct their lives with good intent. Yes there are some little parts of our make-up that bring out the worst in us but these are well and truly over shadowed by everything that is good inside. Therefore we should be far more uplifted, far more entertained by all the good that happens in the world.
This is why it is so refreshing to come across media such as Christian radio and television. To hear some tremendous lectures, speeches, programmes and music lifts up the heart. There are quite a few out there that can be connected to via the internet. I am currently experimenting with a couple that are of interest to me which are primarily geographically relevant.
If every body was to search for good news perhaps our broadcasters would have to re-evaluate what constitutes news and entertainment. Perhaps then we can live in a world of happiness. The good news is that we don’t have to put up with bad news any longer.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org.com
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Nightmares
What is the meaning of faith?
The most recent book that I have just finished reading was Rachel Elnaugh’s “Business Nightmares”. http://www.businessnightmares.co.uk. In this book she at first describes how she took the concept of packaging days out and experiences of a life time into gifts and creating the company Red Letter Days. She worked extremely hard to build this company into a multi-million pound business and became a celebrity as one of the first “Dragons” in the hugely popular British TV show “Dragons Den”. Unfortunately her fortunes took a downturn and Red Letter Days eventually went into administration.
Despite losing everything she had worked hard for over many years she is still positive about her future which includes much demand for her to speak publicly about business and business motivation plus, obviously she has now written the book. The whole idea of the book is to highlight the fact that life can carry on after business failures and disasters of which some can be very publicly announced.
The book recounts many other successful entrepreneurs, all who have suffered their personal business nightmares and yet have managed to rise again like the phoenix from the ashes. Indeed despite the appearance of a Midas touch where everything turns to gold, all the entrepreneurs interviewed had experienced life in the doldrums, periods when finances were tight and in some cases bankruptcy loomed. What appears to many people as failure is really just part of the learning curve in the apprenticeship of entrepreneurship.
Each chapter focuses on a different type of problem which can occur whilst building and sustaining a successful business. In each of these chapters she gives a case study of somebody who has stared that particular problem in the face. At the end of each chapter she also gives a summary of how in her opinion these obstacles can be avoided. The advice given at the end of chapter eleven was of great relevance in my eyes. Subtitled “Here are my observations of being in deep problems in business and dealing with a mountain of debt:” this is my interpretation of her words.
Fear
This emotion is tremendously restrictive. It will lead to panic which in turn makes for bad decision making. Other negative emotions such as anger and resentment cloud judgement and when displayed, can alienate clients and colleagues affected by these emotions. It is much better to try to remain positive, hopeful and optimistic.
Challenges
A positive attitude to any difficult situation will help view this situation not as a problem but as a challenge. By rising to this challenge, strength is gained and valuable lessons can be learned.
Faith
The paragraph on faith really hits home to me. She advises that even if somebody is not particularly religious it helps to call on a “higher power” in order to give strength during crisis. Having absolute faith (the experience is like having a deep sense of calm) creates the opportunities to meet people and recognise the answers as they unfold. At this point keeping an open mind is essential so that every opportunity can be explored.
Life’s Journey
It is good to remember that we are all on a life’s journey. Change is inevitable and is often sent to push us onto the next phase of our journey. Even though this can be downright unpleasant and things don’t go well, this change is likely to be paving the way to something better.
Rachel Elnaugh ends this summary with the poem Desiderata.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace
with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
It is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
The most recent book that I have just finished reading was Rachel Elnaugh’s “Business Nightmares”. http://www.businessnightmares.co.uk. In this book she at first describes how she took the concept of packaging days out and experiences of a life time into gifts and creating the company Red Letter Days. She worked extremely hard to build this company into a multi-million pound business and became a celebrity as one of the first “Dragons” in the hugely popular British TV show “Dragons Den”. Unfortunately her fortunes took a downturn and Red Letter Days eventually went into administration.
Despite losing everything she had worked hard for over many years she is still positive about her future which includes much demand for her to speak publicly about business and business motivation plus, obviously she has now written the book. The whole idea of the book is to highlight the fact that life can carry on after business failures and disasters of which some can be very publicly announced.
The book recounts many other successful entrepreneurs, all who have suffered their personal business nightmares and yet have managed to rise again like the phoenix from the ashes. Indeed despite the appearance of a Midas touch where everything turns to gold, all the entrepreneurs interviewed had experienced life in the doldrums, periods when finances were tight and in some cases bankruptcy loomed. What appears to many people as failure is really just part of the learning curve in the apprenticeship of entrepreneurship.
Each chapter focuses on a different type of problem which can occur whilst building and sustaining a successful business. In each of these chapters she gives a case study of somebody who has stared that particular problem in the face. At the end of each chapter she also gives a summary of how in her opinion these obstacles can be avoided. The advice given at the end of chapter eleven was of great relevance in my eyes. Subtitled “Here are my observations of being in deep problems in business and dealing with a mountain of debt:” this is my interpretation of her words.
Fear
This emotion is tremendously restrictive. It will lead to panic which in turn makes for bad decision making. Other negative emotions such as anger and resentment cloud judgement and when displayed, can alienate clients and colleagues affected by these emotions. It is much better to try to remain positive, hopeful and optimistic.
Challenges
A positive attitude to any difficult situation will help view this situation not as a problem but as a challenge. By rising to this challenge, strength is gained and valuable lessons can be learned.
Faith
The paragraph on faith really hits home to me. She advises that even if somebody is not particularly religious it helps to call on a “higher power” in order to give strength during crisis. Having absolute faith (the experience is like having a deep sense of calm) creates the opportunities to meet people and recognise the answers as they unfold. At this point keeping an open mind is essential so that every opportunity can be explored.
Life’s Journey
It is good to remember that we are all on a life’s journey. Change is inevitable and is often sent to push us onto the next phase of our journey. Even though this can be downright unpleasant and things don’t go well, this change is likely to be paving the way to something better.
Rachel Elnaugh ends this summary with the poem Desiderata.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace
with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
It is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Friday, 23 October 2009
World Peace
What is the meaning of faith?
One of the comments that frustrate me, and I heard it said just the other day, is that religion is the cause of so many wars and problems in the world.
Whilst on the surface this may appear true, it is my argument that it is not religions that are the cause of these problems but people. Wars and terrorist attacks are created by people in the name of religion. These are people with fundamentalist views, intolerant to how anybody else thinks, unmoved but what others believe in.
Any study into the main religions of the world will reveal the peaceful qualities of these religions. Correct following of the words of God, whether it be through the bible, the Qur’an or any other gospel should provide us with the laws to follow harmonious existences with each other. Religions actively promote peace and anybody who commits atrocities in the name of religion in my view has totally missed the point.
It maybe that some people are intent on causing trouble and latch onto religion to justify their actions. This is not the fault of religion or faith; more the result of disturbed minds.
Whilst I consider myself a Christian and feel very comfortable practicing my faith through an Anglican church, I have come to appreciate the fact that everybody has the right to worship the lord in which ever manner they feel most at ease with. Whichever way we practice our faith, there is one undisputable fact; we all recognise that there is a creator. Whatever name we give him, whatever images we have in our heads as to how he may appear, we all have that one common link; a belief and faith in our creator.
This should be the link between us all, the bond that draws us all together. A healthy respect towards each other, a tolerance of faith, race and culture should and can result in world peace if everybody can be of the same mind.
There are other issues with immigration that make it difficult to accept mass migration into different countries. Over population and financial burdens render it difficult to accommodate everybody into any one area. Also, unfortunately, history shows that different ethnic groups cannot live in harmony with their neighbour.
But why not?
Why can’t different tribes, races and religions co-exist next door to each other?
Why does there have to be “no-go” areas?
With tolerance it should be more than possible to love thy neighbour whatever their colour of skin, no matter the way they decide to follow their faith. It’s not rocket science, it just takes the will of the people to live peaceful lives.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
One of the comments that frustrate me, and I heard it said just the other day, is that religion is the cause of so many wars and problems in the world.
Whilst on the surface this may appear true, it is my argument that it is not religions that are the cause of these problems but people. Wars and terrorist attacks are created by people in the name of religion. These are people with fundamentalist views, intolerant to how anybody else thinks, unmoved but what others believe in.
Any study into the main religions of the world will reveal the peaceful qualities of these religions. Correct following of the words of God, whether it be through the bible, the Qur’an or any other gospel should provide us with the laws to follow harmonious existences with each other. Religions actively promote peace and anybody who commits atrocities in the name of religion in my view has totally missed the point.
It maybe that some people are intent on causing trouble and latch onto religion to justify their actions. This is not the fault of religion or faith; more the result of disturbed minds.
Whilst I consider myself a Christian and feel very comfortable practicing my faith through an Anglican church, I have come to appreciate the fact that everybody has the right to worship the lord in which ever manner they feel most at ease with. Whichever way we practice our faith, there is one undisputable fact; we all recognise that there is a creator. Whatever name we give him, whatever images we have in our heads as to how he may appear, we all have that one common link; a belief and faith in our creator.
This should be the link between us all, the bond that draws us all together. A healthy respect towards each other, a tolerance of faith, race and culture should and can result in world peace if everybody can be of the same mind.
There are other issues with immigration that make it difficult to accept mass migration into different countries. Over population and financial burdens render it difficult to accommodate everybody into any one area. Also, unfortunately, history shows that different ethnic groups cannot live in harmony with their neighbour.
But why not?
Why can’t different tribes, races and religions co-exist next door to each other?
Why does there have to be “no-go” areas?
With tolerance it should be more than possible to love thy neighbour whatever their colour of skin, no matter the way they decide to follow their faith. It’s not rocket science, it just takes the will of the people to live peaceful lives.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
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