daily life as life goes on . . .

As I was waking – or perhaps as I was sleeping . . . a phrase kept ringing in my head.  . . “Oh, words with heavenly comfort fraught” – a phrase from the song, He Leadeth Me.

Now, I’m not aware that we use the word fraught much – in conversation or in literature.  I have always had this scary sense about the word.  Something is fraught with danger – a heightened sense of danger.

So why are the words – “He leadeth me” – so exceptionally dangerous?  Especially since these words are said to be a blessed thought.

Maybe this is a recognition that roses have thorns or wood has slivers.  Both of these carry beauty that attracts the eye.  Both can adorn a portrait of life that is winsome.  And both can sting!

If we use heaven to attract others, we had better include suffering and shame and discomfort and gloom and trouble.   All can be found in our approach landing to the bliss we call heaven!!

I’ve been listening a bit to Kevin Kelly, a founder of Wired Magazine.  In 1979 he a conversion experience to Christianity.  Most of us who claim to be Christian would find him always on the edge of boundaries we have set.

So, here is a thought that relates to technology.  Many think that technology has benefitted our lives while providing a dark side. 

Kelly thinks that the giftedness of Christians (their talents) are left wanting.  The greater gift of new technology can create a way in which they can more fully express themselves as Christians.

Here is a quote taken from an interview with Christianity Today-  web only version in 2002:

There are people born today that will never really be able to develop their full set of talents God has given them because technology does not exist yet. We have a moral obligation to increase the amount of technology in the world. 

Walking with others in a journey of spiritual discovery can be disconcerting!

I just finished singing in a concert with a dedicated community choir.  As good a choir as many of the choirs I have sung with over the years.  Our conductor took his cue from the written music – crescendos, pianissimo, timing, harmonies, etc.  Between the original writer of the music, and the interpretation of the conductor, we painted a beautiful aural picture.

That picture was invented by the writer and filtered through the conductor.

Many of us nowadays want to be the writer and make up truth and beauty all on our own.  When I watch those types of people, I often find sadness in my observations.  Our usual propensity is to move towards selfishness – which always ends badly.  The melody is distorted and creates anguish, sorrow and destruction.

Now, if we take another tack, we start with truth and beauty as authored by the creator of truth and beauty.  The melody line is not up for grabs – although there can be great embellishments which highlight the beauty of the notes.  Then we put our own little twists on the recommended harmonies and emphases.

An open pilgrimage starts with the same author and melody.  After that the theatre in which I perform may be slightly larger than yours.  The harmonies may sound slightly different and the rhythmical flow takes us into different streams of beauty.

We may not always be in concert together (thus the disconcerting part).  But our concerts are all to the glory of the same author.

For decades, and even centuries, knowledge and information were considered trustworthy through a process called peer review.

A scientist would push through research and development and come to a conclusion.  That conclusion was then forwarded to others knowledgeable in the field.  These reviewers would then consider the findings and pronounce their judgment.  Whole journals would then be called upon to publish these findings for the larger community. 

If your findings could not be substantiated – or, heaven forbid, some reviewers just didn’t like you – your work was dead in the water (which would not be great if you were talking about propulsion of a sea-faring craft!!).

With the internet, we are placed in a whole new world.

Peer review can quite literally happen on your Facebook or LinkedIn page.  Verification might end up being rather scanty and scary, but you could claim victory if enough of your comments were favourable. 

So, my question is, how do we differentiate various opinions?  Are new quality review channels arising?  Or are the old channels still applicable?  Are these tried and tested channels able to accommodate a strong internet presence and quick response rates?