A move in the right direction

One of the most interesting outcomes [of the survey] is the different taste of younger pastors... They lean toward books and authors that extol adventure, shared experiences, visionary leadership, supernatural guidance and relational connections. If their choices in reading are any indication, they seem less obsessed with church size and more interested in encounters with the living God. They are also less prone to identifying the most popular books in favor of those that are known for their passionate tone. The fact that less than half as many young pastors considered the Purpose Driven books to be influential in their ministry suggests that the new legion of young pastors may be primed to introduce new ways of thinking about Christianity and church life.

The Barna Group. Survey Reveals the Books and Authors That Have Most Influenced Pastors.

Top way you know you spend too much time in front of the computer

What part of "click" do you not understand?

Tim Gulick to his computer.

Lewis on Democracy

I believe in political equality. But there are two opposite reasons for being a democrat. You may think all men so good that they deserve a share in the government of the commenwealth, and so wise that the commonwealth needs their advice. This is, in my opinion, the false romantic doctrine of democracy. On the other hand you may believe fallen men to be so wicked tht not one of them can be trusted with any irresponsible power over his fellows.

That i believe to be the true ground of democracy.

C.S.Lewis. THE WEIGHT OF GLORY. "Membership."

Tea Story

Arthur Dent had set out from his cabin in search of a cup of tea. It was not a quest he embarked upon with a great deal of optimism, because he knew that the only source of hot drinks on the entire ship was a benighted piece of equipment produced by the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation. It was called a Nutri-Matic Drinks Synthesizer, and he had encountered it before.
It claimed to produce the widest possible range of drinks personally matched to the tastes and metabolism of whoever cared to use it. When put to the test, however, it invariably produced a plastic cup filled with a liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.
He attempted to reason with the thing."Tea," he said.
"Share and Enjoy," the machine replied and provided him with yet another cup of the sickly liquid.
He threw it away.
Share and enjoy," the machine repeated and provided him with another one
Arthur threw away a sixth cup of the liquid.
"Will that be all?"
....
"No," he said, "look, it's very, very simple ... all I want ... is a cup of tea. You are going to make one for me. Keep quiet and listen."
And he sat. He told the Nutri-Matic about India, he told it about China, he told it about Ceylon. He told it about broad leaves drying in the sun. He told it about silver teapots. He told it about summer afternoons on the lawn. He told it about putting in the milk before the tea so it wouldn't get scalded. He even told it (briefly) about the history of the East India Company.
"So that's it, is it?" said the Nutri-Matic when he had finished.
"Yes," said Arthur, "that is what I want."
"You want the taste of dried leaves boiled in water?"
"Er, yes. With milk."
"Squirted out of a cow?"
"Well, in a manner of speaking I suppose ..."
"I'm going to need some help with this one," said the machine tersely.

Douglas Adams. THE HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Chapter 2.