Paul Long's Ramblings

I like this ... "You have to disconnect to really connect" - Jorge Cham I need to "disconnect" more often and for a longer time .... http://www.phdcomics.com/comics.php?n=1504

One of many reasons why I enjoy Star Trek ... thought provoking creative and well written stories that explore via fiction important themes from real life Thought his was a good piece ... Taken from http://www.startrek.com/article/there-are-four-lights-free-will-on-tng By  Lindsay Thomas April 23, 2012 There Are Four Lights: Free Will in the Context of Star Trek: The Next Generation Hidden beneath the malevolence of the Borg Collective I always felt, what I can only describe to be, a disjointed sense of innocence. There was no fundamental free will, there was no morality or ethical reasoning; The Collective was merely doing what it was programmed to do – one might even say, it was simply succumbing to its intrinsic nature in the purist sense. The Borg was terrifying in its relentless pursuit – exhibiting no sympathy, no second thoughts, no potential for reasoning or negotiating, just cold industrialized space aged metal grating upon what was once warm, pulsing fles...

A really timely reminder for me ... as "the decadence of civilization" has of late been getting me down ... “It is too easy to find an excuse for inaction by pleading the decadence of civilization, or even the imminent end of the world. This defeatism, whether it be innate or acquired or a mere affection, seems to me the besetting temptation of our time. Defeatism is invariably unhealthy and impotent; can we also prove that it is unjustified? I think so.” - Teilhard de Chardin ,  from  Building the Earth

Been a long time since I blogged. Just been too distracted and in a way unmotivated ... But anyway .... This first cartoon has been on my desktop for weeks. The church I serve as pastor has as part of its name "Community Church", and the community aspect is very important to me. A couple of random thoughts on the word community that has stuck in my mind over the last few years ... 1. A community leader once made a comment to me when I asked him about whether there were churches in the past involved in a local community trust (which I now belong to) He told me that in the past there were pastors who came on board but did not last long - his off the cuff remark was  "they were more interested in helping their own community." Ouch!  So how do Christians (or better still, should Christians) define the term "community"? Is it to be in terms of "Christians" who become part of a local church community? As in church members?  Then another communit...

Took this photo last week. Saw this bird on my church driveway. It didn't fly away when I came near it. Just kept hopping one step out of my reach. So took a photo. Made me smile. Beautiful bird, isn't it? This made me smile too but at the same time sigh! Too many churches in my area which is sad. Not that we are in competition with any but ... the caption says it ... I know it is meant to be humorous but it does make a point, doesn't it? It is only humorous when it reflects reality ... :-( But it also made me glad. Before I left for my course cum short break in  Australia, my church committee told me that the days I was taking to do the course was NOT accepted as part of my annual leave! The course was something done on my own initiative so I was not expecting anything like that. But it was a blessed moment as it reflected my fellow church leaders appreciation.  First day of our course. My wife practicing - and trying to clean up my mess :-) I am n...

In Egypt, many predicted and warned (and showed proof) that the so called pro-democracy uprising was manipulated by radical Islamists. Outsiders formed the bulk of demonstrators and protesters with their Islamic agenda. Egypt is worse off now (not to say it was wonderful before) and the minorities especially the Copts are being blatantly and systematically persecuted with all kinds of horrors and injustice. It is not democracy as they are prevented from even voting (among many other things) for fear of their lives. And I wonder - is Iraq any better now that Saddam Hussein is gone? Not in the eyes of the minorities especially non Muslims. And Afghanistan? Look at the way the reaction of the majority of people the US coalition forces are trying to protect. http://tribune.com.pk/story/341222/quran-burning-in-afghanistan-anti-us-protests-spread-to-pakistan/ Can so few people (especially Americans) see the irony of the situation? I think the third Rambo movie is sad picture of how...

Took these photos a couple of weeks ago. Got a few spare moments so uploading them. My blueberry bush. I bought one a 2.5 years ago but the ground  I planted in  was too harsh for it, so it died (at least that is my excuse :-)) but someone else who is a good gardener had a similar problem so I think this is the reason .... This one is about 1 year old now and I decided to plant it in a pot for better control and it is already fruiting. Did not expect berries so fast! Better cover with some netting soon or the birds will eat them all up I am so happy that my dwarf apple tree is "rebudding"(?) ... It is almost 2 years old and all the leaves died and fell off before winter! The leaves were attacked by insects and were rotting and I made a big error of putting in the wrong fertilizer (same ones I use for my feijoa trees). I checked with the nursery and they told me that that fertilizer was NOT meant for trees in pots at it would be too strong. Leaves fell off ...

Just got back from visiting some church neighbours to invite them to our Christmas BBQ. Met a very nice couple ... friendly and were happy not just to take my invitation leaflet but wanted to chat etc. Told them they made my day as it was so nice to have people willing to chat with me (a stranger). Their response? I also made their day by being willing to actually go door to door and speak with strangers and invite them to a BBQ. And the husband made this comment: "You made my day also. It's so nice to see that neighbours exist!" :-) They were surprised too (and also impressed) that as a church we did not charge people (not even a gold coin donation). It was so refreshing to talk about our jobs, our coming to NZ (they have been in NZ since 2000). our thoughts on community etc. And hobbies too ... did my trademark sponge ball routine which was much appreciated. :-) It is interesting that this couple sees the value of my magic in that it is a great way to break the ice an...

Especially for my Malaysian friends. NZ election day is on 26 November and this is what I received in my mail this morning. IMHO ... Impressive I blanked out some details ... but how cool is this? I have an Easy Vote Card and based on my precious voting experience, the whole process took me about 10 minutes On page 2, overleaf, note that the simple instructions are given in 20 languages!! (19 actually as instructions given in traditional and simplified Chinese) Page 3, the names of the candidates and their parties and the polling places in my area. And I can vote anywhere I choose. The fun part for me is that the nearest one for me a few doors away from where I live.  Next page, (overleaf) which I have not bothered to upload, advanced voting places for those who may find it difficult to vote on voting day!! Next leaflet ... three pages of the Party lists of all the parties Curious to know more? Go to :   http://www.elections.org.nz/

Is this scam supposed to work on me? Got this yesterday and gmail marked it "important" . Had to remark it spam! Hi Just hoping this email reaches you well, I'm sorry for this emergency and for not informing you about my urgent trip to Madrid, Spain but I just have to let you know my present predicament. Everything was fine until I was attacked on my way back to the hotel, I wasn't hurt but I lost my money, bank cards, mobile phone and my bag in the course of this attack. I immediately contacted my bank in order to block my cards and also made a report at the nearest police station. I'm physically ok and fine but I'm urgently in need of some money to pay for my hotel bills and my flight ticket home, will PAY BACK as soon as i get back home. Kindly let me know if you would be able to help me out so I can forward you the details required for a wire transfer via the western union money transfer service. I don't yet have a local phone (still gathering my be...

Have not blogged for quite a while. Usual reason ... busy :-) Busy with responsibilities (especially the period of 2 weeks when my wife was away for her parents 50th wedding anniversary). Busy with ministry ... church is growing, needs are growing and lots of new challenges to add to the mix. Very exciting .... But also that quite a number of things are simply not appropriate to blog about ... And generally my sleep patterns have been terrible and I wake up every day feeling tired and yawning. Then it's just  a lot of effort to get the adrenaline flowing so I can focus on the tasks and responsibilities ... and after each task or meeting, my body kind of crashes. But it is getting better and I have resorted to returning to a morning cup of coffee. But nothing with caffeine from the the late afternoon onward. Still working on my garden - but not much time and energy. Is looking pretty decent - at least the vegetable boxes are ...will post some photos one day ... Anyway bloggi...

Time for a break. Downloaded the photos on my camera ... Andrew's car ... when I first picked it up View from the rear Front seats Back seats Al Ronberg of PSSM and 2nd city Bec Little leading worship - nice touch with a special song and  lesson for the younger ones With us older ones too joining in ... learning the actions And singing along. ... Took this yesterday ... happy that my coriander and galangal made it through winter and thrived too My "dwarf" lemon tree I bought a month ago George Booth - ex OM NZ director and a regular speaker at our church Jin Wan's commissioning service (as a deacon) Did a quick turnover cum weeding of my planter box in preparation for new planting season. No matter what I do, some potato plants will still pop up from a couple of potatoes I planted 2 years ago. Hardy plants so thought I might as well replant them. And my taro plants. Lookin...