A Christian Viewpoint

Dune: House Harkonnen by Brian Herbert w/ Kevin J Anderson
Published by: Bantam Books
Science Fiction

Dune House Harkonnen is the second book in a trilogy. Although this book continues in the tradition of the others it does spend a bit more time covering the characters and history of house Harkonnen. If there is to be evil in the Dune saga you can always count on the Harkonnen’s to lead the way. Though I did find that Abulard, the Baron’s relative, to be the only example in the family line that was nice. Wouldn’t mind having them as neighbours. The torture, the treachery, the total disregard for human life, by the rest of this family cannot be equalled by anyone else.

The trilogy covers a period of about forty years. This book covers the middle twenty plus years. It is interesting how quickly paced the book covers history. Quite a few characters found in the first book die in this book. Since I have read the other two books in the trilogy I might as well say here that I found the saga of the early years, from old Duke Paulas to the birth of his grandson Paul, to be a highly interesting read for those who love sci-fi.

Unlike me, you should read the books in sequence. The order of this Dune trilogy is:

1. House Atreides
2. House Harkonnen
3. House Corrino

Enjoy!

Reprinted from: RunningPastor: Volunteering

Joe said…

I have been in churches where the pastor talks about a need in the church and asks for volunteers. I have been in churches where someone believes that something should be done and decide to do it… and enjoy the control.

Personally, I find volunteering for ministry a bit difficult. I suffer from depression and know that I may be up one time (so much so that I feel normal) and down the next (you don’t want to go there). Yet I find the need to do something for God and his people. When I am brave I ask God to open a door for ministry. He has always been faithful to provide an opening. Though I seem reluctant to get involved and take time to warm up… I do appreciate the gift of ministry that God gives me. When I feel normal it is a somewhat pleasant task… when down, my mind groans but my spirit is encouraged.

Crossfire? Everytime I pray, either Roy or Patti, mysterioulsy, create an opportunity for me to minister. I am grateful to God that he moves when I pray and I am thankful that our pastors have ears to hear what God tells them. Sometimes it is a struggle to do the work but I always remember that it is a gift and deep down, in my spirit, I thank God.

…from a reluctant volunteer who desires and needs to minister.

There should be no surprises that the Ontario Liberals have won tonight. It can be put down to the biggest electoral gaff done by John Tory and his Conservatives. What was the gaff? To extend educational moneys to religious/private grade schools.

I remember back when Ontario was called the big blue province. It was simply a matter of calling an election and watch the Bill Davis government win again. Then Bill decided to dust off a promise he once made. He decided to extend funding separate schools from grade ten to grade twelve. This was Bill’s parting gift as he was about to step down as leader. It passed.

Shortly thereafter a election was called. The Big Blue machine was soundly trounced… by the NDP. Voter backlash for extending money to separate schools was the death knell that sounded riding after riding.

When John Tory promised to extend money to religious/private schools I heard the same tolling of the bell that defeated the PC’s the last time around. I was shocked that he didn’t think that it would be much of an issue.

So what really happened? From my perspective the Conservatives lost election because of this faux pas. What could have been done after an election was to bring the issue up and have an open debate and an open vote… near the end of the mandate. To give people plenty of time to discuss the issue.

I believe it is only fair that if you tax people to educate children then the tax money should go to the schools those children attend. That would be the fair thing to do. But then who said Ontario politics was fair.

Liberals for four more years…

🙁

Reprinting my post from another location.

I like the mixed member option for the referendum. I have been hoping for some form of implementation for decades. At least now we have a chance to vote for its existence. I doubt though that it will pass. There has been enough bad reporting about what it actually is that most will stick to the “tried and true” of first past the post. It would be tougher to get a majority with the mixed but unlike the past, my vote would actually count, everytime. It would give me representation. It would also give everyone else who votes representation no matter who gets elected in a riding. It would also better reflect the will of the people. Would it make it tougher to govern? You bet it would. But it should be hard for governments to turn our world upside down. It may even inspire people to get involved in party politics so they may have a voice in who gets on the published list for the 39 seats.

May God give you
Of the dew of heaven,
Of the fatness of the earth,
And plenty of grain and wine.

Happy Thanksgiving to One and All.

I was checking some of my log statistics for my site and discovered that many people have tried to leave a comment. Sadly over the past week there have been attempts to crash part of the internet. It affected not only my site but everyone from the backbone carrier down to individual sites.

I want to apologize to those who became as frustrated as I have been over the past week due to this problem. My server host, as well as the backbone carrier,  are taking steps to remedy the problem but some delays can still be experienced.

Sooo… it is the Labour Day Weekend. It was nice to spend a bit of time with Linda. We managed to get out a couple of times. On our travels we went to the beach strip for a walk. Parked by Hutch’s and didn’t go in to eat. They are a far cry from what they were. We have another favourite fish place these days.

So, went down the beach breathing in the air and soaking in the sun. We almost played at the water’s edge. It was a good walk but it was a bit far (for us). Our bit far is probably your just getting started. 😉

The next day we drove north on the #6 highway. Again, didn’t go too far but enjoyed the sites. It has been a few years since we drove out of town for leisure. One hour out and one hour back and that was about as much travelling as my bones and butt could take. It surprised me how much the area changed in the last five years. I got to get out more. Overall, a rather enjoyable time.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

ERAGON by Christopher Paolini
published by Alfred A Knopf
Fantasy: for young readers

Ah, Christmas time, when you reap what your mouth has spoken. I remember mentioning seeing this book at Costgo. What drew me was the title since it was close to Aragorn, one of the heroes of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. I knew immediately that it was a fantasy. Unlike Tolkien’s work, this book has as its main readership older children to young teens, aimed more at males. Little did I ever expect to find this book hidden in the toe of my Christmas stocking.

Ever since J.K. Rowling wrote her first story about Harry Potter children have been picking up full fledged novels and reading them with a voracious appetite. This has opened the door for others to write novels aimed at a younger audience. Christopher Paolini has done a very good job creating his own fantasy world. It does however lean heavily on the current ideas of what are: witchcraft, sorcery, dragon lore, elves and of course dwarves.

The main character is a mid teen from a rural community. By circumstance and a bit of magic he comes into possession of a strange rock. Later, lo and behold… it was an egg with a dragon inside. At this point you can understand that this teen is going to become the “messiah” of the story. There are many characters introduced into the story. Most of them are good and of course some are evil. I won’t get into the story because some will want to read it I am sure. At the end of this book good eventually triumphs over a sinister evil but leaves the central bad guy fully intact. That is probably the subject of book two of the series.

Like many fantasy books this story portrays an alternate reality. Characters that were once associated with evil have, in this version, become the good guys. God is never mentioned in the book. If you thought that J.K. Rowling’s book was a primer to educate young children into the darkness that surrounds Satan… well I believe you will come to the same conclusion with Eragon. Having the book I read it. I found it a light read and enjoyed the telling of the story. I can however see the propaganda of the enemy weaving its way through the telling of the story to influence young minds. I have no idea whether Paolini intended it to be this way… perhaps he simply wrote a good story to make some money. We know however the enemy of Christ will use whatever and whoever he can to take the darkness and make it appear as light.

This book has been released as a movie. I have no idea how well it has been received. Though I personally enjoyed the book I do not recommend reading this tale. This goes specially for easily influenced children.

I remember the previous church I attended. Once a month we would have a love meal. Everyone would bring something to share. After the service, when it was time to dine, everyone bunched around the tables to get the good eats. The rose photo, which reminded me of those meals, is an exageration of that event… but not by much.

Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
published by Warner FaithThis particular book has been kicking around the house for about a year or more. My wife bought it when our church decided to have the women go through it together. They bought the study guide as well and away they went. The meetings were every week. My wife enjoyed the study and found it beneficial. Since that time the Lord has been putting it on my heart to read the book for myself. Last month I finally picked it up and read through the book. A section a day until I was through it. Personally I have many struggles and problems. It was my hope that it would help me. I would not say that the book was an eye opener. It did however bring to my memory a lot of what the Lord has shown me over more than a twenty five year period.

Anyone who has listened to Joyce Meyer on television will not be surprised by what she has written. Much of what has been covered in the book has been repeated on her program. What is good about the book though is that it brings all of the related material together and puts it into a form that is easy to read and quite handy since now it is at your fingertips. The book is broken down into three parts.

Part one is about preparation. What the battlefield is. To encourage you too start and continue on this path of discovery and renewal. That change comes over time. It also discuses the enemy and some of his tactics. Part two describes some of the conditions of the mind. Part three covers mental attitudes. It is more than a book explaining the problem. It is written to give you scripture and how that scripture when properly applied can be used to overcome guilt, faults and depression. It is a practical book.

Not having read the companion study guide I cannot comment on how the two would compliment each other. I will say however that the book alone is worth the time it takes to read. In many ways it can be a life changing study. The end result is to have the mind of Christ. You should not rush through the book. Time should be taken to understand and reflect on the material and how it would apply to your life.

www.joycemeyer.org