Tuesday 31 July 2012

My Raspberry Pi came today

So after many weeks of waiting my Raspberry Pi has arrived.




More videos will follow as I start to use it more with Philip.


Check out home.uktechreviews.com for more reviews and reports

Monday 30 July 2012

My favourite piece of technology

I love technology (which you may have gathered from this blog!)


My favourite piece is my iMac G3 wich I bought for £1.




For more check out home.uktechreviews.com


What is your favourite piece of kit? Leave a comment below

Friday 27 July 2012

Why I think Mitt Romney is wrong about the Olympics

Being an avid fan of all things American (except George Bush) I was really disappointed to hear the report that Mitt Romney (US Presidential Candidate) was being down and negative about the start of the Olympics.






Hosting the Olympics is a mega logistical and organisation task and while some things have become a little stressed at the end (for example the fiasco caused by G4S) I think we are a country who can be really proud of what we have achieved so far.



Earlier, in an interview with US network NBC, Mr Romney said London's difficulties with security guards and threats of border staff strikes were "obviously... not something which is encouraging".
"It's hard to know just how well it will turn out," Mr Romney said, referring to the Olympic Games that kick off in London on Friday.

Who will come to our defence against this slander? 




BORIS!


Boris comes across as such a buffoon when you see on him TV but we all know that he is deeply committed to London and his comments last night were brilliant!


Boris Johnson fired up a large crowd in Hyde Park, saying: "There's a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we're ready. Are we ready?"


I am really excited about the Olympics and we should be really proud of our country.


Well done Boris.




Doesn't he remind you of Michael Macintyre?


Thursday 26 July 2012

Help - the weeds are taking over the garden

We have just had our garden cleared and landscaped by a local gardening firm and it looks really lovely.  We have gained about 15 feet of useable garden for my boys to play on.  It was a long process and the guys must have done about 5 full days work, digging, pruning etc.


This has got me thinking about my life and the weeds that grow up in our life and walk with God.  In the garden weeds are manageable if you keep on top of them, even ivy and bramble if cut back every week won't be able to take hold.


The weeds in our lives include negative thoughts, low self esteem, lack of self worth, bad ideas or sinful habits and practices.  These can often start out small and with self examination, prayer and determination can be overcome.  Sometimes if we are not careful the weeds can grow and take hold and like the back of my garden our lives can become swamped and consumed by the weeds.  


When your garden gets to this stage you have a problem because you know deep down that you will never get it back again unless you take drastic action.  Even a little bit of pruning will seem like an impossible task!  I couldn't do it - I didn't have the tools or the resources needed to remove the forest of weeds from my garden.


We may get to a point in our lives where we have to simply cry out to God and say "I can't do it, my life has become over grown with these destructive weeds and habits - help me".  God longs for us to return and will remove all the dangerous growth from our lives and unlike my gardner there is no charge!


Just like in the real garden the weeds do come back and we have to be on our guard to not let them take over.


Having my garden cleared has been a really clear picture of how my own life had become overgrown with these weeds and it is only through the power of God that they can be removed.  Of course once the weeds are gone there is very fertile and empty ground for new growth!

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Mountain Lion Installation


July 25th 2012

A very important day for me - it is my Wedding Anniversary and also the release day of Mountain Lion to the public.






The download only took 20 minutes and installation only took another 34 minutes.

I will post my first review really soon.

Check out home.uktechreviews.com for more reviews, videos and geeky tech stuff.

Tuesday 24 July 2012

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature


Listened to a really good talk tonight.

Galatians 5:16-26 (NIV)So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. [17] For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. [19] The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 6:1-5 (NIV)Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [3] If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [4] Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, [5] for each one should carry his own load.

Galatians 6:6-10 (NIV)Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. [7] Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. [9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Paul's argument throughout Galatians - there is a problem and that is sin. The first treatment is the law but the correct treatment is faith in Jesus. Don't keep applying the first fix as it won't work.

The underlying problem is real - there is real sin which causes separation from God and causes pain in others and in God. The initial treatment (the law) didn't make it go away.

If we believe and trust in Jesus we are already Justified and we don't have to try harder to be right with him. God has made us right with Him but the other immediate consequence still has to be taken care of.

Life by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 (NIV)So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

The Spirit will work in you to profoundly change your character, 

Galatians 5:17-18 (NIV)For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

When we live by the Spirit we will begin to want what God wants rather than what we want to do.

Ezekiel 36:36-37

Law was not meant to be an external medication. God puts His Spirit in our hearts and works from the inside out.

The Spirit is the source of power in our lives.

Why are the gifts given?

It is always for the same purpose - for the common good in building up the church and to bring people together. They are not given for individualistic reasons - to serve one and other not self. 

Tools to develop fruit.

We need tools to enable fruit to  grow - tools are needed to dig out, to plant, to tend and water.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Notice how many of them are about pulling people apart. They are about destroying relationships.

Galatians 5:26 (NIV)Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Again these actions harm or destroy relationships and community.

But look at the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

These really are done with others, you can't be kind on your own. Faithfulness - who are you being faithful to? Love is about other people.

God isn't so worried about the gifts but the fruit - the change in character.

This is developed in chapter 6.

Galatians 6:2-5 (NIV)Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [3] If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [4] Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, [5] for each one should carry his own load.

Check ourself - carry your own load and then be willing to help, support and encourage.

Galatians 6:4 (NIV)Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,

Teamwork - carry one and others burdens. Work together, protect one and other.

When we compare one and other we start to destroy relationships. We mustn't do that in a church context. It is Jesus decision if we have different gifts but wants us to grow.

Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

It is not - if you do good works you will get good results.

What do we pursue:

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Or

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control.

Monday 16 July 2012

Free to love and serve


Listened to a great talk a church tonight on Galatians 5

Freedom and Love

Galatians 5:1-15 (NIV)It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [2] Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. [3] Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. [4] You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [5] But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. [7] You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? [8] That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. [9] "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." [10] I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. [11] Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. [12] As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! [13] You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. [14] The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." [15] If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

We don't have to try really hard to be in a relationship with God. We don't have to beat everyone else to be in relationship with God.  We just have to believe,

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

What does freedom mean?

The power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints.

Is this a good definition for Christians?

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 

The job has been done - we have freedom already. We don't need to worry about the things we have done wrong in the past.

There is no more penalty - we are not condemned by what we have done.

We can feel  released by feelings f condemnation.

If we are feeling condemned or judged as a Christian we have been freed......

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
......... Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

We can stand firm on God's promises. We can live a life that is free. We don't have to be burdened again.

There are three important warnings about what freedom isn't.

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.

We are not just allowed to do anything and live to excess. It is not freedom from sin so we can do anything. God knows that it is hard and wants to help us.

If we live the selfish way of the world we will think the world revolves around us. We will need to be better than those around us.

We have freedom to not worry about that.

We don't have freedom to exploit others.

Galatians 5:15 (NIV)
If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

How do we treat people around us? Do we actually abuse people in the way we act, think and speak about them. 

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.

To serve is an advantage - to be able to serve others in our community is an advantage. Jesus came into the world to serve others. We find it hard to serve rather than to be served.

Freedom is not to break laws.

Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

We can do it right by treating others the right way!

Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
.......... "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Why is it so hard?

If we stand firm in the knowledge of God we can help each other to serve each other.

What stops us?

- we have never asked for it
- we have never taken what God has given us
- pride
- fear of the risk
- fear of failure
- lack of trust in God
- not grasping what God thinks of us

Have we accepted that freedom for ourselves?

Who are we going to serve in the next few days?

Sunday 15 July 2012

Friends with God or friends with the world?


Listened to a great talk today
James 4:4-17 (NIV)You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? [6] But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." [7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. [11] Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you---who are you to judge your neighbor? [13] Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. [15] Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." [16] As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. [17] Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Lots of different themes here in this final part of James 4. There is one underlying theme: wisdom

Proverbs 9:10

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 

Should we live our life in fear of God?

The basis of life is living in fear of God?

Here we think of fear in the sense of awe and respect for who God is.

When we get our view of who God is we can get the rest of our life right.

Getting God in the right place in our life is the start of James' passage.

James 4:11 (NIV)Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

We don't know about he future, we submit and trust in God's rule.

James 4:12-17 (NIV)There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you---who are you to judge your neighbor? [13] Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. [15] Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." [16] As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. [17] Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Focusing on verse 4-10

James 4:4 (NIV)You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

We can't be a friend of the world and a friend of God.

This is not just friendship but more a relationship like a marriage. You can't have two marriages at the same time.

Friendship with the world has a certain way of living which is not compatible with a relationship with God.

This is reflected in verses 1-3

James 4:1-3 (NIV)What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? [2] You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. [3] When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Going along with the normal way of the world is profoundly opposite to a relationship with God.

James 4:4 (NIV)You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

God does not want to share us.

Friendship with the world is easy.

We can choose to submit ourself to God but we can easily slip back.

James 4:6 (NIV)But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Humble - we put God at the centre (in His rightful) place.

James 4:9 (NIV)
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Doesn't sound very positive about God and our relationship.

Think about the parable of the Prodigal Son.

The son is left utterly destitute and decides to return to the father. How does he come back to the father? He approaches in trepidation ready to throw himself on his fathers mercy. The son knows he needs to be forgiven.

James 4:9 (NIV)
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

The father in contrast comes with joy at his return.

James 4:10 (NIV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

How is your friendship with God? 

Like a marriage the relationship starts with dating (finding out) but this has to move on to be a committed choice and fundamental relationship.

We have to make the choice?

James 4:8-9 (NIV)Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

But ....

James 4:10 .... he will lift you up.

Are we in relationship with God or friendship with the world.

Godly wisdom


Listened to a really good talk at church today on Godly wisdom

James 3:13-18 (NIV)Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [14] But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [15] Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. [16] For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. [17] But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Wisdom - to make the best use of knowledge

In the book of proverbs wisdom is described as 

Proverbs 4:7-9 (NIV)Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. [8] Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. [9] She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor. "

Wisdom is referred to in the feminine.

- to make the  best use of knowledge

Research, finding things out about the things that matter. As a Christian we should seek a knowledge of what God wants for us and start this by reading the Bible. A source of knowledge, examples of teaching.

Knowledge in itself does not necessarily promote the right sort of wisdom.

James 3:14-15 (NIV)But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [15] Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

We can see this in business, sound knowledge can promote 'sound wisdom' but not always with the right motives.

James 3:16 (NIV)For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

At the moment it is very easy to point to city bankers but can easily be applied to ourselves.

How do we make sure that mam-made model is not what we go to?

What about God's wisdom?

James 3:17-18 (NIV)But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

That is the benchmark that we measure our wise decisions against.

James 3:17 (NIV)
....... pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

We often have wise choices go make, at work, at home in the community. These should all be grounded in knowledge.

But the Bible doesn't help when deciding on a new IT infrastructure for example,  it we can come to God and ask for guidance for the right things.

Prayer can help us base our decision on knowledge but also is it ...

pure; 
then peace-loving, 
considerate, 
submissive, 
full of mercy and good fruit, 
impartial and sincere.

Monday 9 July 2012

I got hit by an Internet scam today


I don’t believe it!

I got hit by a scam this week through an email and actually downloaded a virus onto my wife’s PC.

I’m waiting for my Raspberry Pi and I know that it will be delivered by DHL.  When I got an email from DHL saying that it had been dispatched I got very excited.  The only problem was that the tracking code was not recognised? Attached to the email was an attachment which pretended to be a text document - it wasn’t.  It was actually an executable which infected the PC.  A quick bit of virus eradication later and it was gone.

The moral of this story is that even tech savvy geeks like me can easily fall for a scam when you are excited about something being delivered!

Take care out there and watch out for malicious emails pretending to be from DHL.

More details are available here from DHL. 

Monday 2 July 2012

The Olympic Torch in Solihull

I took my family to see the Olympic torch yesterday in Solihull.  It was actually quite exciting - we had to get up early and leave home to be in Solihull for about 7.30 am.  We waited quite a while before it went past and there it was gone in less than a blink of an eye.


It was great - the atmosphere was really positive and people genuinely seemed really excited about the Olympic torch relay.


I think the Olympics is great and although I wont get to see any of it live I will enjoy watching it on TV.


So if you missed it (or are interested) here is my video of the torch coming through Solihull.




This second video is quite funny, a driver clearly confused tried to drive down the torch route just before it came through!