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While the internet may promise one of the most open societies ever, restrictions and censorship will constantly arise.

If all were good, then we would only use the language and the power of our connectedness for the benefit of others.  But each country finds that it must regulate the binary data that passes back and forth — child pornography, viruses, worms and trojan horses to name a few of the attacks upon people.

Now, we are also finding that sports teams are restricting access to the reach of the internet.  NBA, NFL and possibly the NHL will restrict the use of Twitter.  The instant messaging of this social network means that a competitive edge can be destroyed.  A fan watching a practice can literally inform another team of the “secret play” that is being developed.  Players watching from the sidelines can mention this to a friend.  Fiends can intercept these messages.  Or they can deceive others into thinking their messages are helpful.

Whatever is true, right and pure can be twisted.

So, is the answer greater defenses?  More restrictions?  As a realist, I know that God himself gave ten commandments – restrictions!  As an idealist, I desire for the day that God’s kingdom would come here on earth as it is in heaven.  Perhaps the answer lies in the balance.  Live to protect others while at the same time seeking to present Jesus as the heart changer so that what is true, right and pure will be their desire.

Well, a few days ago we got our first snow.  Today there was more and I expect it will stay for a few days.  The whiteness of the morning shone through the bleakness of this reminder of winter.  Inside at the church building  display is taking shape. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s Thanksgiving service – 11:00 am if you want to join us at the Kindersley Alliance Church, 74 West Road!

Thanksgiving is this weekend.   I’m thankful that my daughter and her children, Christopher and Hannah can join us.  They’ll travel down tomorrow and we’ll enjoy sausages and perogies together.  What a great way to start the weekend.

I’m mindful of family these days.  With my father’s death, I’m reminded that life in itself is sweet when shared with those who share your life history.  So, for the next few days we’ll hang out together and create more shared history.

Sweet!

I met another kindred spirit.  He told of writing his essays while sitting on a tractor.   I write while I am driving.  Such was my experience today as I travelled to Rosetown and Eston and back home!

If you are ever on a trip with me and I go quiet, it’s not that I don’t like  you.  It may simply be that I am writing to the hard drive of my brain.  I may put it on paper or into electronic form later, but at that point a laser is inscribing the words into my brain cells.

This can be frustrating for others around me.  They may realize I’m in another world, but there are no ways to enter that world.   Until the sermon forms, or the essay congeals. 

The most frustrating part for others?  In a matter of an hour I will write a sermon that needs little revision.  Or I will write a draft report that is effective and forceful and needs no further additions. 

All seemingly out of nowhere!

Of course, you have to check out the scraps of paper that I’ve jotted little notes on and then pitched.  Or check out the web browser history to see the sites I’ve visited.  Or check out my early morning Bible reading times to see how many times I’ve read a passage.  Or check out the books I’ve skimmed and the paragraphs I’ve meditated upon.  Or check out the radio news reports I’ve heard.  Or check out the dinner table discussions I’ve participated in.

I’m learning to take those pieces, carry the puzzle with me, and let my brain, both consciously and unconsciously sort out their sizes and shapes, and where they best fit.  Sometimes an afternoon rest produces amazing results.  An outline emerges, sentences form and a conclusion arises.

OK, not every time.  Sometimes the slogging is like wandering through a bog trying to find the gold nugget you know is there but you can’t see.  But, sometimes the puzzle puts itself together. 

Those days I smile, pump my fist and yell (quietly, of course) – YES!