Vicky Beeching - Latest Comments

Re: “Return To Mystery” – Doubt, God Unknown & A More Honest Faith

procstar — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:36:51 -0000

"He who knows not, but knows not that he knows not, is a fool. Shun him.

He who knows not, but knows he knows not, is simple. Teach him.

He who knows, but knows not he knows, is asleep. Awaken him.

He who knows, and knows he knows, is a wise man. Follow him."

~ Unknown

and I like the part about the cathedral. That explains so much of why I am drawn to them and love to recreate a glimpse of that visual experience through environmental projection.
So much mystery can be re-introduced when we learn to see the Unseen.

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Beth — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:31:46 -0000

I should have written "Social media has made us game for deceptive shortcuts." You see how eaily I am representing my opinion to you as truth

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Beth — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:09:49 -0000

I can certainly empathise with the Goldilocks syndrome. Interestingly we could argue society has pushed this change upon us rather than the technology. We may have been responding en masse to a pre-existing paradox. For example the paradoxes of Democracy or Capitalism. Secondly, from a Philosophical rather than a Physcological perspective, it has been argued the physical body and not the mind is the place we 'feel' our 'feelings' and live our emotions: sensing them, and then perceiving them. I may need to take a refreshing walk round the room following an email or text which has made me feel an emotion I'd like to confirm and reciprocate (or challenge), but without access to the evolutionary human interface, can I be sure my feelings are correct? I must respond intellectually, and decide based upon what else I know about the person with whom I'm communicating.

A smart phone and a pair of eye glasses do not invoke the same philosophical technologies. I enjoy participating in the online world but I believe it is possible we are using enhanced imaginative capabilities while interacting in a way which is removed from our presence. It's very difficult to fix on a definition of what imagination actually is. There is a presumption that to imagine successfully one must first have thought or felt, and be able to 'make believe,' and harness memories and emotions in a new way. Imagination not a sub human characteristic. No species can imagine like the human being can: imagining is a base characteristic of activities which make Nations, People groups, Ethnicities and Faith groups, what they are. Is the World Wide Web leeching our capacity to imagine while giving us more opportunities to exercise the gift? I heard an interesting perspective on reality TV the other day. What is real is not automatically true. True lies. We've reframed truth to some extent when we present it as real. And I'd agree both connective technologies and our emotions can be false friends. We need practice to identify subjective reality. Social media makes us game for deceptive for shortcuts
As an additional layer of complication I believe it is natural and fundamental to humankind, when faced with external stress, to desire to take back control.

Re: My site is now 100% hack free

Phil Petty — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:50:10 -0000

Hi Vicky, Really love your site which Wordpress Theme do you use?

Re: Could a blindfolded monkey write some of our worship songs?!

Dean — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:31:46 -0000

I'll throw in my two cents worth...cha-ching! I’m probably one of those monkeys.

Okay, okay...we all have to make a living. Songwriting is a wonderful art and for Christians, a wonderful way to give back to God. Unfortunately, all too many follow the fame and fortune trail which is the catalyst for weak lyrical and musical compositions in the "Christian" market. Why? Because, the bar is set too high in the secular industry and many Christian compositions are kindly accepted and deemed by the believing public as great music. I’ll agree with you Vicky if the LYRICS are just plain ridiculous, but if the LYRICS provide a modicum of truth, teaching, praise, charity, exhortation, etc., then the LYRIC should go unrebuked. If a community of followers deem much of today’s MUSIC a quality product, then so be it ---if it helps them with their worship. However, when one reads the comments through this blog, a savvy person (and that ain't me folks) can quickly assess the vast disparity of conscientiousness regarding what makes a good song; mixing Biblical scholastic sermons and simple chanted/repetitious phrases to something the Christian community calls music. I mean Hallelujah for that...or is it --- Al-[G/B] leh-[D2]lu-[Em7]-jah? That’s like trying to recite war and peace to meter in less than three minutes to a 1-4-5 chord progression. Whatever gets the point across I guess. To heck with the music.

Follow my rabbit trail for a moment.  In the secular world, lyrics are quite nuts...yep, we can all agree. In the Christian realm, lyrics are the all important grail ---right? IT'S GOD'S WORD we're trying to exhibit ---correct? As believers, are we trying to write incredible sermons and put them to music?  Or ---are we trying to simply help and teach, encourage, comfort, strengthen, nurture, compel, and basically be a tool for God for the goal of reaching out to others? Let's break it down. Praise music...or is it worship music? We don't praise and worship people (firm grasp) but, our triune God. King David didn't need an audience of believers, or a copyright, or a lucrative music industry contract to write the Psalms ---and if I recall; God was rather pleased. So how does a believing songwriter convey God's Gospels; God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ His son? How can that be done while at the same time evoke a desire of praise and thankfulness. That's the magic of the Holy Spirit!

Are we just unhappy with "Christian" music because we're unhappy with ourselves ---discouraged in our ability to make great song writes while others appear to appear to be successful at it because of industry standards? You and others here are awesome and amazingly smart. The only problem I have with all this is how can some of us stupid songwriters expect to glorify God if we don't own a degree in Biblical theology?  God knows each one of us at different levels in our walk. If an alleged praise song transmits to the listener that our triune God is the true Jehovah/Yahweh of the Bible, that He deserves all of our puny praise and worship, that Jesus took all responsibility in the endeavor to save our meager existence from that rotten place we all deserve ---then I'd say the writer is getting the job done, especially if the writer incorporates charity. Without love ---it's all a waste of time anyway.
Assuming we are trying to praise God then let our worship guide us. Rebuke the songs that are pithy to those beginning their walk. I've had to do this with my three sons and their girl friends. Now, as a songwriter build one that you'd want them to learn from (a song that your congregation would appreciate)   ---who gives a rip about presenting it to some Meta church for approval.
One more thing in my opinion, much of what I don't like about the "Christian" music today is the lack of melody and rhythm. Many of the musical expressions suffer from originality ---every song sounds the same. What happened to the grooves, the hooks? As believers, are we supposed to condemn our partners in the calling ---those gifted, talented secular geniuses that pool from unending resources for our benefit? They are responsible for creating the most memorable compositions? Do you believe they have inspired your musical talents? I'd like to say yes to that myself.

Loving inspiration comes from God. Talents may be used for the wrong goals but music is gift from our Father. In Job 38 the Bible says that when God laid the foundations of the earth, the Angels sang and shouted for joy; this before God created people. Colossians 1:16 says, "For by Him all things were created..."

Okay, since all music and talents are a gift from a God (who obviously appreciates it)...then I believe if a song promotes love and kindness, it can't be all bad. Sure our work is to write love songs to God, but why not do it with a song built like..."I want to know what love is" by Foreigner. Talk about a great piece of music ---and a great message; one that could easily be used for the sake of finding Jesus.
God, created music to: Defeat the enemy, Help us enter God's presence, Glorify God - proclaiming who He is and our awe of Him, Praise God - thank Him for what He has done, Worship God - bow down and surrender our lives to Him, Sacrifice of Praise - as a gift to God, Relax and Heal the emotions, Teach God's word and learn Bible verses, Celebrate the works of our triune God and Jesus, Love songs, Prophecy.

Get 'er done, themeager1

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Andy Chard — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:41:52 -0000

I totally agree with this. I get fed up with people that have to interrupt a conversation I am having with them to read and respond to a text while I am talking with them or in a meeting with them. It's as if people are incapable of leaving a text (or email) until after they have finished speaking with me, which I find very disrespectful.

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Angela Chard — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:40:22 -0000

I totally agree, I get fed up with people that have to interrupt a conversation I am having with them to read and respond to a text while I am talking with them or in a meeting with them. It's as if people are incapable of leaving a text (or email) until after they have finished speaking with me, which I find very disrespectful.

Re: “Return To Mystery” – Doubt, God Unknown & A More Honest Faith

chris — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:08:04 -0000

Revealer, Concealer
of day and of night
grant that we children
....might walk in Thy Light !

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Luke Leadbetter — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:54:38 -0000

Interesting premise. I completely understand where she is coming from in this video, but I'm not sure I agree with it. I get that technology is making us 'lonely' as she puts it (I think separated is a better word), but we're never really 'alone' online. I know that online relationships of varying levels are seen as 'bad' and unhealthy, but is that really so?

Yes technology is removing conversation, but not completely, it's making twice as much conversation online, and is tackling far more things (Through the things that wouldn't normally be said face to face, which could also be seen as a negative) than normal conversing has done. Online communications have the ability to inspire, teach and reward; it's more than just conversing.

Sherry does make points that are becoming more and more apparent with each generation of digital natives, we have a preference now to technology over any other form of entertainment and socialising; some people seem lost without a gadget in their hand. But I wouldn't say it's always a bad thing. Her change of heart seems to be centered on the way in which she is left behind a bit with technology. Not in keeping up with the new smart phones available, or having the latest OS, but in the way that social technology is now applied in society. It's all changed very quickly, if you think back you realise that Facebook was previously considering an optional extra to your life, now it's a optional opt out, where those that aren't 'facebooking' are the odd ones out. They don't fit into the technological zeitgeist.

Whilst this change in lifestyle is somewhat intimidating, there isn't too much we can do about it right now. Social media is too accessible to prevent, and too desirable to dissuade, particularly among the younger generations whose peers are all part of it.

Generally I disagree. It's thought provoking, but I believe that the benefits of digital communication far outweigh the lack of physical communication, that seems to be Shelly's main concern. I couldn't live without Twitter - And it's a great way to spread the good news!

Thanks for the blog Vicky!

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Renee Grigorian — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:38:39 -0000

Very interesting. Now, we should put it in relation with our communication with God. Vicky you wrote if God had a mobile phone....It is fine, but if we listen to Him, we are never alone, we will as well have the need to have conversation, human relationship and share the love He gives with others. Technology helps to keep contacts, but sharing love need us to meet other people (with the mobile phone turned off, for me it is not difficult, I always let the battery go flat!).

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Phill Sacre — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:23:05 -0000

I think she makes an interesting point. I was thinking the other day, is it good for my phone to alert me every time I get an email, for example? It doesn't really help matters at all! And I seemed to get on fine before I had a smartphone, when I just checked email at a computer.

I wrote an essay on smartphones and relationships back at the start of last term, I read an interesting book by Jaron Lanier called 'You are not a Gadget'. Also there was a good book called 'The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture' by Shane Hipps, I think. Essentially it's about being wise in the way we use technology, not hiding away from it but being masters of it rather than letting it master us.

Which is pretty much what I think Sherry Turkle was saying!

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Graeme Mark — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:58:41 -0000

She doesn't get to the heart of the matter though- If it wasn't technology it could be something else couldn't it?

Re: Sherry Turkle: ‘Alone Together?’ – is digital technology a friend or foe?

Neil Chappell — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:00:15 -0000

Vicky, why are you posting a video 19 minutes long? Don't you know I have emails and Tweets to look at? No time...
As Dave Cameron would say, LOL.

Re: “Return To Mystery” – Doubt, God Unknown & A More Honest Faith

Abi Partridge — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:39:53 -0000

Thanks Vicky, this is so very true.

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

Luke Leadbetter — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:18:49 -0000

I keep seeing the picture at the beginning and getting cookie cravings...

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

Tanya Marlow — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:58:30 -0000

I've read it twice. I'm grateful for this post as I'm certain that it's very important and that I am going to have to do something about it, but my mind keeps glazing over with the technical stuff and right now all I can think of is... cOOKIES! REAL ones! With chocolate chips and everything.
Yummmmm...

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

Luke Leadbetter — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:30:55 -0000

Hah! That metaphor is brilliant, and perfect for the situation! The whole thing is a bit bizarre really, and it is most likely a step towards policing the web (Which is nigh on impossible with current technologies and government competence)

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

Luke Leadbetter — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:28:21 -0000

I can imagine! I'm quite glad that I have no sites of my own to look after! (Thank you Web 2.0, for providing lazy services!)

I had no idea - but it doesn't surprise me. I really think that an all age 'Surf Safely & Securely' type scheme would be much more beneficial.

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

James Cooper — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:46:20 -0000

It doesn't matter whether it's a site for a business, a church or a personal blog with pictures of dancing cats - the key is if the site sets cookies or not...

And yep, it's crazy and won't set out to do what intends to in pretty much any shape or form!

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

Phill Sacre — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:23:56 -0000

To what extent does the law apply to churches, given that a church is not a business? And surely personal blogs are even less applicable than churches?

It seems bizarre if that is the case that the EU would be trying to police the entire internet, particularly (as others have pointed out) there are other ways of accomplishing it.

Personally I'd be happier if they cracked down on information security. What they're doing here is like trying to dam a river by throwing a pebble into it.

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

James Cooper — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:01:22 -0000

Yep, very difficult (and in-practical) to 'police', but if some legal happy person starts suing sites for breach or privacy, etc. then every site (no matter how small) will be potentially be held to account...

You mention in your first comment that the main thing needed for safe browsing is common sense - sadly that's something that seems to be lacking from most EU legislation!!! (Did you know that the EU internal accounts haven't been signed off by their auditors for the past 15+ years because they can't get their own house in order!!!)

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

Luke Leadbetter — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:14:44 -0000

It makes it seem like a bit of a redundant scheme really, considering how few sites will be using it in comparison to the amount of sites available

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

James Cooper — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:14:23 -0000

Probably not very, but it will only take a test case or two to make everyone very jumpy! Although it's nasty, I'd rather be ahead of the game!

Also the UK is about the only country in Europe that's really got any 'law' in-place to enforce it! Most EU countries haven't even thought how to enforce it yet!

Re: EU Cookie Law & half a million pound fines – will you be ready for it by May 26th?

Beth — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:59:47 -0000

As a matter of interest, do you think this rule will be well policed?

Re: “Return To Mystery” – Doubt, God Unknown & A More Honest Faith

Benjamin Horvat — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:54:22 -0000

I agree that Thomas can be a mirror to those who doubt, and eventually Thomas’s response was to bring the gospel to modern day Iraq, for one.

I’ve heard sermons on the John 20:24 passage three or four times in the past few years, and actually have grown a little doubtful as to the spin of contemporary exposition on the passage. It is as if Christ’s words are the most under-emphasized portion of the sermon, since the preacher is aiming to be empathetic.

So long as we have doubt, we can sit back another 10 years and say: “Well, I’m not ready to go into the harvest field and work just yet…I still have doubts, see?” Whereas, I see Christ’s bias being one of: “OK, if you have doubts about my resurrection, get the answers you need and then quit doubting and believe.” I’m glad that in the case of Thomas, he believed. Then he powerfully worshiped Jesus as his Lord and God, not only right then and there, but also as a stout (and relationally intelligent) missionary, till he was stabbed by a spear while praying in India, 70 years later.

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed". (...) "These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." There are a variety of 'doubts'. Where I doubt my understanding rather than Christ's legitimacy--there is a lot of room for that. It might just promote an awareness of how great He is.