To survive you must read!

In Western culture we almost take the ability to read for granted! It is unimaginable failing to educate people to a basic level where they can read and write, among many other skills. The ability to read is such a basic requirement for making your way through life.

The fact you understand what I am talking about in this blog means that you can read! Well, being honest, it means that you can translate the squiggles and strokes on the page or screen into words. If I am incapable of writing well or of expressing my ideas then you may read the words but have no idea what I'm trying to say. So reading with understanding is vital. 

Children in Need

Photos courtesy of Unsplash 

What has Solomon from the Old Testament, the prophet Joel, again from the Old Testament, the late Sir Terry Wogan and Pudsey Bear got in common? Care for children, for ‘Children in Need’ to use the phrase from the BBC’s annual appeal as it raises millions of pounds to fund services for children. 

 

In Psalm 127, which is a song by Solomon for worship, we read that “Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord.” As a comprehensive school teacher, I have had the privilege of working with thousands of youngsters for over 25 years now and also had the privilege of helping out in Sunday school work and Youth work. Children have, and continue to be a very important part of my day-to-day life. 

Digital Storage - will it survive?

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

In a day when many people carry at least two cameras with them wherever they go in the form of a forward and a rearward facing camera on their smartphone, we might hardly know that first digital camera was only invented in 1975. The first camera phone went on sale as recently as the year 2000 but that was only capable of photographs with a resolution of just over a 10th of a megapixel. 

Some people have concerns that due to the pace of advancement in technology, information stored digitally could be lost altogether resulting in a digital black hole. Who knows where we might be in terms of data storage in just 100 years time. I’m about old enough to remember CD’s overtaking cassette tapes in the 90’s but I’m sure that some will be able to go further back than that.

Technology - Good or Bad?

In the past I have spoken to young people about technology and social media. Truthfully, the discussion isn't really limited to young people. Apart from a few exceptions most people use technology.

Is technology having a detrmental effect on the minds of our young people?

Is technology having a detrmental effect on the minds of our young people?

Over the last couple of years I have been speaking to young people about technology and social media. Truthfully, the discussion isn't really limited to young people. Apart from a few exceptions most people use technology. 

At one stage some intellectuals thought that the technology of writing had some major drawbacks. For instance they argued that writing things down reduced your capacity to remember and that wisdom was rapidly being replaced by the mere accumulation of facts! If this is true of writing then there definitely is some truth in it in relation to the many forms of technology we use today. 

Neil Postman (1931-2093) an American author, educator, media theorist and cultural critic wrote a number of books addressing the issues that arise out of the use of technology. In one of his books, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology (1992) he explains that we are in danger of losing our capacity to think through the over use of technology. To quote "the uncontrolled growth of technology destroys the vital sources of our humanity. It creates a culture without a moral foundation. It undermines certain mental processes and social relations that make human life worth living." That would be a tragedy!

It's quite paradoxical that the very thing that was designed to improve social contact, communication, education etc could actually work against us. The aim of this article is not to condemn technology or social media but to appeal for its wise use.

Did you know that we are the sum total of our thoughts! It is significant what we allow into our minds. Technology provides access to both good and bad things. Jesus Christ gave a searching commentary about our hearts and our minds. I don't think that he would have condemned technology outright as he taught that our problems stem back to our character. Technology is only as good and as bad as we are. Listen to his comments - 'the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man.........For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts.....'1 Jesus then proceeded to list sins that are common in society, some you might recoil from (theft, murder, slander) and others a lot of people today think are quite acceptable in our society (fornication, adultery, coveting, deceit, sensuality, pride etc). 

We have become desensitised to our moral state and one of the main causes is corruption through technology. I think Neil Postman's prediction of the effects of technology was pretty accurate.

So where do we go from here? Ditch technology? I don't think so. An awareness of our weakness and sin will cause us to look for the only viable solution that can be found - salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The bible teaches "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"2.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Bible References: 1. Mark 7:15,21, 2. 1 John 1:9

The Pros and Cons of Technology

I have been speaking to young people recently about technology and social media. Truthfully, the discussion isn't really limited to young people. Apart from a few exceptions most people use technology. 

At one stage some intellectuals thought that the technology of writing had some major drawbacks. For instance they argued that writing things down reduced your capacity to remember and that wisdom was rapidly being replaced by the mere accumulation of facts! If this is true of writing then there definitely is some truth in it in relation to the many forms of technology we use today. 

Neil Postman (1931-2093) an American author, educator, media theorist and cultural critic wrote a number of books addressing the issues that arise out of the use of technology. In one of his books, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology (1992) he explains that we are in danger of losing our capacity to think through the over use of technology. To quote "the uncontrolled growth of technology destroys the vital sources of our humanity. It creates a culture without a moral foundation. It undermines certain mental processes and social relations that make human life worth living." That would be a tragedy!

It's quite paradoxical that the very thing that was designed to improve social contact, communication, education etc could actually work against us. The aim of this article is not to condemn technology or social media but to appeal for its wise use.

Did you know that we are the sum total of our thoughts! It is significant what we allow into our minds. Technology provides access to both good and bad things. Jesus Christ gave a searching commentary about our hearts and our minds. I don't think that he would have condemned technology outright as he taught that our problems stem back to our character. Technology is only as good and as bad as we are. Listen to his comments - 'the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man.........For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts.....'1 Jesus then proceeded to list sins that are common in society, some you might recoil from (theft, murder, slander) and others a lot of people today think are quite acceptable in our society (fornication, adultery, coveting, deceit, sensuality, pride etc). 

We have become desensitised to our moral state and one of the main causes is corruption through technology. I think Neil Postman's prediction of the effects of technology was pretty accurate.

So where do we go from here? Ditch technology? I don't think so. An awareness of our weakness and sin will cause us to look for the only viable solution that can be found - salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The bible teaches "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"2.

Bible References:

1. Mark 7:15,21

2. 1 John 1:9

For more information go to www.seekthetruth.org.uk