It's sad that the clinical part of the MRCPath (Haematology) exam has all but departed. It enabled examiner and examinee to engage in an enjoyable competition of exposing each other's ignorance. It was perhaps unfair of us to put up a case with cerebellar secondaries, but, in truth, the signs were so gross that even a haematologist could spot them. The intention tremor as she undid the buttons on her cardigan fair shook the building. I asked the candidate what tests he knew for demonstrating cerebellar dysfunction. He volunteered Romberg and dysdiadokokinesis. One tip for examiners is always to ask what the candidate does not suggest, so I requested a demonstration of the finger nose test. At first he did this very well, getting the patient to follow his moving finger with increasing inaccuracy and overshoot.
“Anything else?” I asked.
“Would you close your eyes, please?” The patient complied. “Now, touch your nose and then my finger.”
But instead of keeping his finger in the same place he proceeded to make it wander in a wide arc in front of the patient’s face.
“And what precisely are you testing now?” I enquired. “Extrasensory perception?”
~
In the same year my co-examiner introduced a patient as “one of our colleagues”. He was, in fact a local GP with polycythemia.
“Would you examine the abdomen?” There was an easily palpable spleen to feel.
Now this candidate was behind on points, having already missed acanthosis nigricans while making a vain search for lymph nodes when asked to examine the axilla, and this time was determined to leave nothing out. She drew back the sheet and stood staring at the man’s belly for fully sixty seconds. Then, with a sudden lunge, like an eagle swooping on its prey, she leaned forwards, grabbed the GP’s testicles and squeezed. Hard.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Galatians 6:6. Better pay for pastors?
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor
The way some ministers are treated is disgraceful. Theoretically 10 people should be able to support a pastor on their average wage. That we fail to do so is a disgrace. Of course there are other uses for a church's money, but paying the pastor well is a priority.
The way some ministers are treated is disgraceful. Theoretically 10 people should be able to support a pastor on their average wage. That we fail to do so is a disgrace. Of course there are other uses for a church's money, but paying the pastor well is a priority.
John 4:34
This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.
Other 'signs' in John's gospel are not enumerated, so is there some reason for linking this 'sign' to the water into wine? There obviously is and these chapters 2-4 do form a coherent section of the Gospel. We first have the picture of the dead (or nearly dead) coming into life, then the teaching to Nicodemus of the new birth, then the spelling out to the Samaritan woman of the Spirit's invigorating and now the actual raising up of the dying son to life.
In both instances it was the command of Jesus that worked the miracle; in this instance it took place 16 miles away in Capernaum. Faith comes from hearing, not from seeing.
Other 'signs' in John's gospel are not enumerated, so is there some reason for linking this 'sign' to the water into wine? There obviously is and these chapters 2-4 do form a coherent section of the Gospel. We first have the picture of the dead (or nearly dead) coming into life, then the teaching to Nicodemus of the new birth, then the spelling out to the Samaritan woman of the Spirit's invigorating and now the actual raising up of the dying son to life.
In both instances it was the command of Jesus that worked the miracle; in this instance it took place 16 miles away in Capernaum. Faith comes from hearing, not from seeing.
13 elements: Hafnium
Hafnium
Transition metal
Atomic number: 72
Used in: computer chips
Criticality rating: not rated
Hafnium's peerless heat resistance has taken it to the moon and back as part of the alloy used in the nozzle of rocket thrusters fitted to the Apollo lunar module. Since 2007, though, it has also been found much closer to home, in the minuscule transistors of powerful computer chips.
That's because hafnium oxide is a highly effective electrical insulator. Compared with silicon dioxide, which is conventionally used to switch transistors on and off, it is much less likely to let unwanted currents seep through. It also switches 20 per cent faster, allowing more information to pass. This has enabled transistor size to shrink from 65 nanometres with silicon dioxide first to 45 nm and now to 32 nm.
Such innovations keep our smartphones smart and small. And hafnium will probably not be the thing that slows that progress: despite its low profile, it is a relatively abundant element. Making up several parts per million of the Earth's crust, it is distributed widely around the globe.
Transition metal
Atomic number: 72
Used in: computer chips
Criticality rating: not rated
Hafnium's peerless heat resistance has taken it to the moon and back as part of the alloy used in the nozzle of rocket thrusters fitted to the Apollo lunar module. Since 2007, though, it has also been found much closer to home, in the minuscule transistors of powerful computer chips.
That's because hafnium oxide is a highly effective electrical insulator. Compared with silicon dioxide, which is conventionally used to switch transistors on and off, it is much less likely to let unwanted currents seep through. It also switches 20 per cent faster, allowing more information to pass. This has enabled transistor size to shrink from 65 nanometres with silicon dioxide first to 45 nm and now to 32 nm.
Such innovations keep our smartphones smart and small. And hafnium will probably not be the thing that slows that progress: despite its low profile, it is a relatively abundant element. Making up several parts per million of the Earth's crust, it is distributed widely around the globe.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The most toxic toad in America
Where do you keep your pet? Keep him by your bed, under the sideboard or in a kennel, but take care if you let him wander at night, and especially don’t keep him in your mouth. That was the whimsical sojourning place that a young lad from Arizona kept his pet amphibian. This bundle of fun would frighten his friends by opening his mouth and going, “Bleh!” It landed him in a lot of trouble.
He was brought into the hospital emergency room with uncontrollable epilepsy. He had been suffering seizures for more than an hour and when these were subjected by drugs he was left paralysed down one side with slurred speech, excessive salivation, a rapid pulse and breathing rate and a blue skin from lack of oxygen.
After a week the child recovered but he was lucky. His pet was the Colarado River toad, Bufo avarlua, the most toxic toad in North America. His symptoms – drooling, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias and cyanosis – are classically those of Bufo toxin, which causes sporadic deaths of children in America and of small dogs and other mammals in Britain. Even a kiss has been known to kill. So be careful the next time you are dining out. You may well know your mushrooms from your toadstools, but can you be sure that your cuisse de grenouille aren’t toad’s legs?
He was brought into the hospital emergency room with uncontrollable epilepsy. He had been suffering seizures for more than an hour and when these were subjected by drugs he was left paralysed down one side with slurred speech, excessive salivation, a rapid pulse and breathing rate and a blue skin from lack of oxygen.
After a week the child recovered but he was lucky. His pet was the Colarado River toad, Bufo avarlua, the most toxic toad in North America. His symptoms – drooling, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias and cyanosis – are classically those of Bufo toxin, which causes sporadic deaths of children in America and of small dogs and other mammals in Britain. Even a kiss has been known to kill. So be careful the next time you are dining out. You may well know your mushrooms from your toadstools, but can you be sure that your cuisse de grenouille aren’t toad’s legs?
Illegal immigration
Most of us are against illegal immigration. In America there is a huge migration over the southern border and many states have a large Latin-American population. In the UK we have an increasing Muslim population from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Iraq, and Somalia. What upsets us is not so much the numbers (our aging population welcomes new taxpayers) as the multiculturalism; incomers have different core values than us.
Last week we watched an interesting TV program that looked at illegal immigration from the point of view of the illegal immigrant. The routes from Afghanistan and Nigeria were followed by reporters.
Afghanistan is the poorest country in the world. The trek from there to here is onerous, crossing Iran, Turkey, Greece, The Adriatic, Italy, France and The Channel. Most people don't make it. One man stranded in France for the past 4 years had left Afghanistan aged 14 and had made 150 failed attempts to cross the Channel.
Nigeria is an oil rich country corrupt beyond measure. The local currency has has devalued many times by rampant inflation. Nigerians seeking to come to Britain must cross Niger and then the Sahara Desert. Women trying to cross are often raped by local tribesmen. Once into Libya they may get recruited as mercenaries into the Libyan army and then must cross the Mediterranean in open boats. Many are drowned. Even if they get into Italy there is a long trek to the Channel coast.
But as one Nigerian said, however high they build a wall, some will climb over it.
After watching the program one could not help but feels sorry for these poor people. But England is already the most densely populated country in the world, apart from city states like Singapore. There is no more room. Most against more immigration are recent immigrants who have managed to get here. Greater London is a mega city of 13 million people. Its Victorian sewers are barely able to cope. Its transport system is straining under the pressure. Schools in London have to cope with over 900 different languages.
Ideally help should be given in the home countries of the illegal immigrants, but in Afghanistan that looks like a 100 year project and failed states like Nigeria seem devoid of hope. Indeed the whole of Africa looks like a lost cause. We are already spending more than we can afford in Afghanistan in blowing things up. In Nigeria there has been a huge investment in the oil yet the Delta is leaking into the water where pirates have tapped into the pipelines. Natural gas is just heating the atmosphere. Kidnapping is rife.
Is there a country in Africa where the government is not corrupt and autocratic? Is Asia any better? I despair.
Last week we watched an interesting TV program that looked at illegal immigration from the point of view of the illegal immigrant. The routes from Afghanistan and Nigeria were followed by reporters.
Afghanistan is the poorest country in the world. The trek from there to here is onerous, crossing Iran, Turkey, Greece, The Adriatic, Italy, France and The Channel. Most people don't make it. One man stranded in France for the past 4 years had left Afghanistan aged 14 and had made 150 failed attempts to cross the Channel.
Nigeria is an oil rich country corrupt beyond measure. The local currency has has devalued many times by rampant inflation. Nigerians seeking to come to Britain must cross Niger and then the Sahara Desert. Women trying to cross are often raped by local tribesmen. Once into Libya they may get recruited as mercenaries into the Libyan army and then must cross the Mediterranean in open boats. Many are drowned. Even if they get into Italy there is a long trek to the Channel coast.
But as one Nigerian said, however high they build a wall, some will climb over it.
After watching the program one could not help but feels sorry for these poor people. But England is already the most densely populated country in the world, apart from city states like Singapore. There is no more room. Most against more immigration are recent immigrants who have managed to get here. Greater London is a mega city of 13 million people. Its Victorian sewers are barely able to cope. Its transport system is straining under the pressure. Schools in London have to cope with over 900 different languages.
Ideally help should be given in the home countries of the illegal immigrants, but in Afghanistan that looks like a 100 year project and failed states like Nigeria seem devoid of hope. Indeed the whole of Africa looks like a lost cause. We are already spending more than we can afford in Afghanistan in blowing things up. In Nigeria there has been a huge investment in the oil yet the Delta is leaking into the water where pirates have tapped into the pipelines. Natural gas is just heating the atmosphere. Kidnapping is rife.
Is there a country in Africa where the government is not corrupt and autocratic? Is Asia any better? I despair.
Galatians 6:2-5. Burdens
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry his own load.
Whose burdens should you carry then? Your own or everybody else's?
In fulfilling the Law of Christ we should not be spongers nor lacking in generosity. We must also be willing to accept help when it is needed.
The Christian life is not a race against other people. The Olympic athelete will often tell you that he has beaten his 'personal best'. And that is how it should be. Not many of us will compete with Hussain Bolt; we don't have his build, his long levers, his muscles. But most of us can do better than we did last week.
The average is the average. The average IQ is 100. Those with higher IQs should help those with lower, but not by putting them down or embarrassing them. Those who are securely employed should help those who are unemployed. It doesn't need government to get involved; this should come from acts of individual generosity. There will come a time when we will not be able to carry our own burdens; even the cleverest and strongest among us. Perhaps our eyesight will fail or we will have a stroke, or our strength will fail us. We should not be too proud to accept the help we need.
Whose burdens should you carry then? Your own or everybody else's?
In fulfilling the Law of Christ we should not be spongers nor lacking in generosity. We must also be willing to accept help when it is needed.
The Christian life is not a race against other people. The Olympic athelete will often tell you that he has beaten his 'personal best'. And that is how it should be. Not many of us will compete with Hussain Bolt; we don't have his build, his long levers, his muscles. But most of us can do better than we did last week.
The average is the average. The average IQ is 100. Those with higher IQs should help those with lower, but not by putting them down or embarrassing them. Those who are securely employed should help those who are unemployed. It doesn't need government to get involved; this should come from acts of individual generosity. There will come a time when we will not be able to carry our own burdens; even the cleverest and strongest among us. Perhaps our eyesight will fail or we will have a stroke, or our strength will fail us. We should not be too proud to accept the help we need.
John 4:49-53. Pleading for a son.
The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.
This is very reminiscent of the healing of the Centurion's servant, but differs in that it was the Centurion who suggested that Jesus need not come, only give an order. Here it was Jesus who took the initiative.
It illustrates that it is Jesus' word that is powerful; it does not take his physical presence for his will to be obeyed. He's the master of the Universe, as the hymn says.
This is another example of a whole household believing. Would that we saw more of that. How sad it is that one member of a household should remain unconvinced. How we must pray for our families. Yet even among the 'household' of the disciples, Thomas was unconvinced. He had a special revelation. Should we ask for such for our sons and daughters? The Nobleman came to Jesus for his son.
This is very reminiscent of the healing of the Centurion's servant, but differs in that it was the Centurion who suggested that Jesus need not come, only give an order. Here it was Jesus who took the initiative.
It illustrates that it is Jesus' word that is powerful; it does not take his physical presence for his will to be obeyed. He's the master of the Universe, as the hymn says.
This is another example of a whole household believing. Would that we saw more of that. How sad it is that one member of a household should remain unconvinced. How we must pray for our families. Yet even among the 'household' of the disciples, Thomas was unconvinced. He had a special revelation. Should we ask for such for our sons and daughters? The Nobleman came to Jesus for his son.
13 elements: Indium
Indium
Post-transition metal
Atomic number: 49
Used in: touchscreens, solar cells, medicine
Criticality rating: critical
We spend a lot of time looking at indium, yet rarely see it. The alloy indium tin oxide (ITO) possesses the rare combination of being both electrically conductive and optically transparent. That makes it essential for flat screen displays and televisions, where it forms the see-through front electrode controlling each pixel. A layer of ITO on a smartphone's screen gives it touch-sensitive conductivity, enabling the device to detect taps, swipes and pinches.
When mixed with other metals, indium loses its transparency and instead becomes a light-collector. Alongside cadmium telluride cells, solar cells made of copper, indium and selenium, sometimes with a sprinkle of gallium, are starting to challenge silicon's pre-eminence.
And that's not all. When medics need to follow what happens to blood platelets or neutrophils they label them with 111 Indium (a slightly radioactive form) and follow them with a gamma camera. In the same way they can image the pancreas, a very difficult organ to visualize.
Post-transition metal
Atomic number: 49
Used in: touchscreens, solar cells, medicine
Criticality rating: critical
We spend a lot of time looking at indium, yet rarely see it. The alloy indium tin oxide (ITO) possesses the rare combination of being both electrically conductive and optically transparent. That makes it essential for flat screen displays and televisions, where it forms the see-through front electrode controlling each pixel. A layer of ITO on a smartphone's screen gives it touch-sensitive conductivity, enabling the device to detect taps, swipes and pinches.
When mixed with other metals, indium loses its transparency and instead becomes a light-collector. Alongside cadmium telluride cells, solar cells made of copper, indium and selenium, sometimes with a sprinkle of gallium, are starting to challenge silicon's pre-eminence.
And that's not all. When medics need to follow what happens to blood platelets or neutrophils they label them with 111 Indium (a slightly radioactive form) and follow them with a gamma camera. In the same way they can image the pancreas, a very difficult organ to visualize.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Black side of the Arab Spring
The so-called Arab Spring has been welcomed in the West as being the means of removing malignant dictators. However, there are certainly problems with it and extremist Islamists are making use of it for their own ends. This from Open Doors:
Christians in Syria, have been living in peace for a long period of time. The evangelical church including other Christian denominations have been practicing their faith under the current government without any threats or danger. The Christian community has been blessed and protected in the majority Muslim nation of Syria under the current secular regime. It has been our prayer and thanksgiving for the past years where we were able to flourish and live in prosperity and peace with our neighbours and other religious sects.
Since the situation in the Middle East erupted, many small and other self interest groups have been exploiting the situation to achieve their agenda in the region. For example, many extremist foreign fighters have travelled to Iraq and killed innocent Iraqis, Shiites, Sunnis and Christians. These same extremist groups have turned their Jihad to neighbour Syria, exploiting the situation to establish their Islamic Emirate. These groups have been living and operating in Syria during the past three months. They have been entering houses and threatening many Christians and minority groups. They even entered government buildings and murdered men and women for no reason other than working in a government building.
Many of the "peaceful" demonstrations have been shouting, "Christians, your men belong to our sword and your women belong to our pleasure." Other extremist Muslim clerics, who belong to the opposition overseas, are calling the Muslim in Syria to shed the blood of more than one million Christians and Allawits in Syria to make up for the past years where the Christians and other minorities were living in peace.
Other peaceful Muslims in the region are suggesting that Christians in Syria should run away to Lebanon or other nations; however, it is the desire of the Christians to remain living in Syria and never leave their home nation.
We want the people to know that Christians in Syria do exist and we do not want what happened in Iraq to the Christians to happen in Syria to the Christian community. This is not a war for freedom, this is not a war for democracy, it is a sectarian war and if people do not realize what is happening, it will be too late for many minorities group, including the Christian community. Please pray for the Christians in Syria.
Source: Open Doors Middle East
Christians in Syria, have been living in peace for a long period of time. The evangelical church including other Christian denominations have been practicing their faith under the current government without any threats or danger. The Christian community has been blessed and protected in the majority Muslim nation of Syria under the current secular regime. It has been our prayer and thanksgiving for the past years where we were able to flourish and live in prosperity and peace with our neighbours and other religious sects.
Since the situation in the Middle East erupted, many small and other self interest groups have been exploiting the situation to achieve their agenda in the region. For example, many extremist foreign fighters have travelled to Iraq and killed innocent Iraqis, Shiites, Sunnis and Christians. These same extremist groups have turned their Jihad to neighbour Syria, exploiting the situation to establish their Islamic Emirate. These groups have been living and operating in Syria during the past three months. They have been entering houses and threatening many Christians and minority groups. They even entered government buildings and murdered men and women for no reason other than working in a government building.
Many of the "peaceful" demonstrations have been shouting, "Christians, your men belong to our sword and your women belong to our pleasure." Other extremist Muslim clerics, who belong to the opposition overseas, are calling the Muslim in Syria to shed the blood of more than one million Christians and Allawits in Syria to make up for the past years where the Christians and other minorities were living in peace.
Other peaceful Muslims in the region are suggesting that Christians in Syria should run away to Lebanon or other nations; however, it is the desire of the Christians to remain living in Syria and never leave their home nation.
We want the people to know that Christians in Syria do exist and we do not want what happened in Iraq to the Christians to happen in Syria to the Christian community. This is not a war for freedom, this is not a war for democracy, it is a sectarian war and if people do not realize what is happening, it will be too late for many minorities group, including the Christian community. Please pray for the Christians in Syria.
Source: Open Doors Middle East
John 4:48 Seeing is believing
“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
We could read this as Jesus getting tetchy and impatient but this would be contrary to the Lord’s character. No, he is teaching the Nobleman. Faith does not depend on miracles, except the miracle of making the dead live. I once, when I was newly converted, attended a service at a church with a reputation for the miraculous. The pastor called for people to come to the front and report on any miracles they had witnessed that day. Several people went forward and reported supposed healings. Then it was my turn and I reported a man who was dead who had been brought back to life.
There was a gasp in the congregation. That I, a doctor, should testify to such a thing! “Yes,” I said, “He was dead in trespasses and sins, but now he has heard the gospel he is alive in Christ!”
It was not the sort of miracle that they wanted to hear.
The nobleman had been attracted by the water into wine, without seeing the inner message of such a transformation. The dead ritual of purification was being replaced by the live manifestation of life in the Spirit. He would now see a further illustration of death into life.
We could read this as Jesus getting tetchy and impatient but this would be contrary to the Lord’s character. No, he is teaching the Nobleman. Faith does not depend on miracles, except the miracle of making the dead live. I once, when I was newly converted, attended a service at a church with a reputation for the miraculous. The pastor called for people to come to the front and report on any miracles they had witnessed that day. Several people went forward and reported supposed healings. Then it was my turn and I reported a man who was dead who had been brought back to life.
There was a gasp in the congregation. That I, a doctor, should testify to such a thing! “Yes,” I said, “He was dead in trespasses and sins, but now he has heard the gospel he is alive in Christ!”
It was not the sort of miracle that they wanted to hear.
The nobleman had been attracted by the water into wine, without seeing the inner message of such a transformation. The dead ritual of purification was being replaced by the live manifestation of life in the Spirit. He would now see a further illustration of death into life.
Galatians 6:1 Restoration
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
We should remember that we are all sinners. Recently the news media have been filled with stories of rich men who have obtained ‘super-injunctions’ to stop the press from revealing their sexual indiscretions to the wider public. Most of us have no interest in what they have been doing, but it certainly sells newspapers.
When we are faced with church members who have strayed, our watchword should be compassion. We are not interested in punishing them but in restoring them. I was once given the task of counselling a Pastor who was having an affair. At the time we weren’t sure about it – the evidence only emerged later – but to my face he denied it and persisted in the lie. I found it a very distressing experience and today he is far from the Lord.
Should I have been more forthright and threatening? My advice was that should the allegations be true then his right course was to admit them and ask for forgiveness, but he was unwilling to humble (he would say humiliate) himself in this way. I guess that this revealed his true state of mind.
We should remember that we are all sinners. Recently the news media have been filled with stories of rich men who have obtained ‘super-injunctions’ to stop the press from revealing their sexual indiscretions to the wider public. Most of us have no interest in what they have been doing, but it certainly sells newspapers.
When we are faced with church members who have strayed, our watchword should be compassion. We are not interested in punishing them but in restoring them. I was once given the task of counselling a Pastor who was having an affair. At the time we weren’t sure about it – the evidence only emerged later – but to my face he denied it and persisted in the lie. I found it a very distressing experience and today he is far from the Lord.
Should I have been more forthright and threatening? My advice was that should the allegations be true then his right course was to admit them and ask for forgiveness, but he was unwilling to humble (he would say humiliate) himself in this way. I guess that this revealed his true state of mind.
13 elements: Technetium
Technetium
Transition metal
Atomic number: 43
Used in: medical imaging
Criticality rating: not rated
Technetium is exceedingly rare. Until 1937, it was just a hole in the periodic table. When element 43 was finally isolated, it was by the then-innovative expedient of synthesising it, rather than by digging it out of the ground.
That is because technetium, though present within uranium ores in Earth's crust, quickly falls apart through radioactive decay. What frustrated early element hunters is a boon for medical imaging. One of the element's forms, the isomer technetium-99m, has a half-life of just 6 hours – long enough for it to be injected into a patient and light up the body part of interest, but short enough to minimise radiation exposure.
Globally, around 30 million medical procedures involving technetium are performed each year. But two new Canadian reactors which were to secure supplies of technetium and other medical isotopes have been mothballed. So it questionable whether these procedures can continue at the same rate. For now, a handful of ageing reactors supplies the world's hospitals.
Transition metal
Atomic number: 43
Used in: medical imaging
Criticality rating: not rated
Technetium is exceedingly rare. Until 1937, it was just a hole in the periodic table. When element 43 was finally isolated, it was by the then-innovative expedient of synthesising it, rather than by digging it out of the ground.
That is because technetium, though present within uranium ores in Earth's crust, quickly falls apart through radioactive decay. What frustrated early element hunters is a boon for medical imaging. One of the element's forms, the isomer technetium-99m, has a half-life of just 6 hours – long enough for it to be injected into a patient and light up the body part of interest, but short enough to minimise radiation exposure.
Globally, around 30 million medical procedures involving technetium are performed each year. But two new Canadian reactors which were to secure supplies of technetium and other medical isotopes have been mothballed. So it questionable whether these procedures can continue at the same rate. For now, a handful of ageing reactors supplies the world's hospitals.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Brief Encounter
Last night we watched Brief Encounter again. It is one of the classics of British Cinema. David Lean directed and Noel Coward produced. It was made during the last year of the war, just before the return of the troops and it embodied the pre-war attitude of right and wrong. It was perhaps the last film which displayed the idea of adultery as wrong. Here was a couple, each married to someone else, who fell in love with each other. The passion was strong, but the guilt was stronger. In the end it was circumstance that prevented the consummation, but the betrayal was there despite it's lack of a physical manifestation.
Trevor Howard was 7 years younger than Celia Johnson, and in his first big part, but it is really her film rather than his, although Carnforth station is the real star.
A film like that could no longer be made. Such consummate actors capable of showing real emotion could not be employed and the theme would seem trite today. How corrupt we have become!
Trevor Howard was 7 years younger than Celia Johnson, and in his first big part, but it is really her film rather than his, although Carnforth station is the real star.
A film like that could no longer be made. Such consummate actors capable of showing real emotion could not be employed and the theme would seem trite today. How corrupt we have become!
Galatians 5:24-26. Standing out from the crowd
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
When I was first converted I went to a Christian conference and sat next to a Church of England minister and challenged him about infant baptism. He replied, "Why are you trying to pick a fight?"
He was quite right. I was immature and the Holy Spirit had hardly begun to work in my life on the task of sanctification. Again it should be emphasized that this is not a passive osmosis, We must work out our own salvation in company with the Spirit. We need to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires and this can take a lifetime. Especially in the most passionate! Keeping in step with the Spirit is pretty hard too. The picture is of a squad of men marching in the army. I remember my time in the Combined Cadet Force at school. Not only was it difficult to get the rhythm right, but there was always some joker who insisted on getting it wrong as a bit of a lark. Sometimes it was me. Yet when I see an army parade, like the Trooping of the Color last week on the Queen's Birthday parade, it really is a magnificent sight.
At its heart we are talking about a matter of will. We don't do it because we can't do it; it's because we want to stand out from the crowd. Hence Paul writes, "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
We belong to the "ME" generation. Everyone thinks he is due his five minutes of fame. Ask a child what he wants to be when he grows up and the answer is often, "Famous." Famous for what? you might ask but then you find it doesn't matter. Far better to be loved by God than be famous.
When I was first converted I went to a Christian conference and sat next to a Church of England minister and challenged him about infant baptism. He replied, "Why are you trying to pick a fight?"
He was quite right. I was immature and the Holy Spirit had hardly begun to work in my life on the task of sanctification. Again it should be emphasized that this is not a passive osmosis, We must work out our own salvation in company with the Spirit. We need to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires and this can take a lifetime. Especially in the most passionate! Keeping in step with the Spirit is pretty hard too. The picture is of a squad of men marching in the army. I remember my time in the Combined Cadet Force at school. Not only was it difficult to get the rhythm right, but there was always some joker who insisted on getting it wrong as a bit of a lark. Sometimes it was me. Yet when I see an army parade, like the Trooping of the Color last week on the Queen's Birthday parade, it really is a magnificent sight.
At its heart we are talking about a matter of will. We don't do it because we can't do it; it's because we want to stand out from the crowd. Hence Paul writes, "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
We belong to the "ME" generation. Everyone thinks he is due his five minutes of fame. Ask a child what he wants to be when he grows up and the answer is often, "Famous." Famous for what? you might ask but then you find it doesn't matter. Far better to be loved by God than be famous.
John 4: 46-47. Jesus hounded for healing
Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
As I said last time, Jesus was quite famous already and his fame was as a miracle worker. The 'water into wine' incident would have really well known in Cana. We also know that John was quite sparing in his recount of Jesus' Miracles. In Mark's gospel we learn that Jesus, early in his ministry, was overrun with people seeking healing, so much so that he got up early the next day and went off to a solitary place to pray. When his disciples found him they told him that everyone was looking for him and his reply was "Let's go somewhere else." He was reminding them and us that his main purpose wasn't to be a mere doctor but to salvage men's souls.
The previous miracle and Cana was a Jewish thing. A Jewish wedding reminds us of Topol and Fiddler on the Roof, - very Jewish, but this second miracle at Cana is perhaps a Gentile thing. The Royal Official may well have been, like Herod Antipas, an Edomite or even a Roman. however, this cannot be certain, though it would be wrong to identify him with the Centurion in Matthew 8 or with Chuza or Menaen of Herod's household is without any foundation.
As I said last time, Jesus was quite famous already and his fame was as a miracle worker. The 'water into wine' incident would have really well known in Cana. We also know that John was quite sparing in his recount of Jesus' Miracles. In Mark's gospel we learn that Jesus, early in his ministry, was overrun with people seeking healing, so much so that he got up early the next day and went off to a solitary place to pray. When his disciples found him they told him that everyone was looking for him and his reply was "Let's go somewhere else." He was reminding them and us that his main purpose wasn't to be a mere doctor but to salvage men's souls.
The previous miracle and Cana was a Jewish thing. A Jewish wedding reminds us of Topol and Fiddler on the Roof, - very Jewish, but this second miracle at Cana is perhaps a Gentile thing. The Royal Official may well have been, like Herod Antipas, an Edomite or even a Roman. however, this cannot be certain, though it would be wrong to identify him with the Centurion in Matthew 8 or with Chuza or Menaen of Herod's household is without any foundation.
13 elements - Erbium
Erbium
Rare earth element
Atomic number: 68
Used in: optical fibres
Criticality rating: not rated
Reading this article online? Or keeping half an eye on your email while you read? If so you are probably doing it with erbium.
Erbium is a crucial ingredient in the optical fibres used to transport light-encoded information around the world. These cables are remarkably good at keeping light bouncing along, easily outperforming a copper cable transporting an electrical signal. Even so, the light signal slowly fades as it racks up the kilometres, making amplification necessary.
Excitable ions of erbium are just the ticket. Embedded every so often within short sections of the optical fibre wall, they are pushed into a high-energy state by irradiating them with a laser. Light signals coming in along the fibre then stimulate the excited erbium ions to release their stored energy as more light of precisely the right wavelength, giving the signals a boost.
The good news is that while supplies of erbium are relatively tight, demand for optical fibres is not skyrocketing as it is for other technologies. On current trends, this is one element we will continue to be able to live with.
Rare earth element
Atomic number: 68
Used in: optical fibres
Criticality rating: not rated
Reading this article online? Or keeping half an eye on your email while you read? If so you are probably doing it with erbium.
Erbium is a crucial ingredient in the optical fibres used to transport light-encoded information around the world. These cables are remarkably good at keeping light bouncing along, easily outperforming a copper cable transporting an electrical signal. Even so, the light signal slowly fades as it racks up the kilometres, making amplification necessary.
Excitable ions of erbium are just the ticket. Embedded every so often within short sections of the optical fibre wall, they are pushed into a high-energy state by irradiating them with a laser. Light signals coming in along the fibre then stimulate the excited erbium ions to release their stored energy as more light of precisely the right wavelength, giving the signals a boost.
The good news is that while supplies of erbium are relatively tight, demand for optical fibres is not skyrocketing as it is for other technologies. On current trends, this is one element we will continue to be able to live with.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
John 4:43-45. Back to Galilee
After the two days he left for Galilee. For Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country. When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.
This transitional; passage has been surprisingly controversial. JC Ryle offers six different explanations and later commentators still more.
It seems strange that Jesus would return to Galilee where he would expect not to be well received. However, it was really only in Nazareth that this was so; he was well received in Cana, and this passage tells us that the Galileans welcomed him (at least at first). Perhaps he returned because the adulation in Jerusalem was too heady and he was not yet ready for the blaze of publicity. He had much yet to teach his disciples.
It was quite common at that time for people from Galilee to travel up to the major feasts in Jerusalem, (remember Jesus' family going up when he was 12) and there were plenty of people in Galilee who would have seen Jesus there. Jesus must have been a quite famous person in his time so that it could be said by St Paul in Acts that these things were not done in a corner. (ACTS 25:26)
This transitional; passage has been surprisingly controversial. JC Ryle offers six different explanations and later commentators still more.
It seems strange that Jesus would return to Galilee where he would expect not to be well received. However, it was really only in Nazareth that this was so; he was well received in Cana, and this passage tells us that the Galileans welcomed him (at least at first). Perhaps he returned because the adulation in Jerusalem was too heady and he was not yet ready for the blaze of publicity. He had much yet to teach his disciples.
It was quite common at that time for people from Galilee to travel up to the major feasts in Jerusalem, (remember Jesus' family going up when he was 12) and there were plenty of people in Galilee who would have seen Jesus there. Jesus must have been a quite famous person in his time so that it could be said by St Paul in Acts that these things were not done in a corner. (ACTS 25:26)
Galatians 5:23 No law against it
Against such things there is no law
Paul returns to his theme of the law and grace. I think the point he is making here is how those who rely on the law tend to become spoilsports. I have told the story before of the Scottish Presbyterian minister who when the loch was frozen and the roads impassable decided to skate to the kirk on a Sunday morning. The Elders carpeted him for 'playing' on the Sabbath. After the interview they retired to consider his excuse that it was the only way he had of getting to the morning service.
"Och, well," they said, "as long as ye can assure us that ye didna' enjoy yourself!"
But one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. To be a Christian is to be happy in Christ. The Law is to restrain people from bad things not to straitjacket them so that they dare not do good things. But unfortunately, that is the effect it has.
Paul returns to his theme of the law and grace. I think the point he is making here is how those who rely on the law tend to become spoilsports. I have told the story before of the Scottish Presbyterian minister who when the loch was frozen and the roads impassable decided to skate to the kirk on a Sunday morning. The Elders carpeted him for 'playing' on the Sabbath. After the interview they retired to consider his excuse that it was the only way he had of getting to the morning service.
"Och, well," they said, "as long as ye can assure us that ye didna' enjoy yourself!"
But one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. To be a Christian is to be happy in Christ. The Law is to restrain people from bad things not to straitjacket them so that they dare not do good things. But unfortunately, that is the effect it has.
Elements you can't manage without.
I like reading New Scientist. You have to disregard its anti-religious bias, but it does come out with some remarkable facts from scientific esoterica. like today's article on 13 elements you can't live without I shall be posting on som,e of them over the next few days.
Neodymium
Rare earth element
Atomic number: 60
Used in: high-performance magnets
DoE Criticality rating: critical
Neodymium is the epitome of green, having been first harnessed to generate the light in green laser pointers. Fittingly, it has found a place at the heart of more than one green energy technology: in the magnets that keep the motors of both wind turbines and electric cars turning.
When mixed with iron and boron, neodymium makes magnets that are, weight for weight, 12 times stronger than conventional iron magnets. That's one reason your latest laptop is so compact and lightweight: the magnets allow finer control in the motors that spin the hard disc and the arm that writes and reads data to and from it, allowing much more information to be stored in the same area.
These numerous uses make for a perfect storm threatening future supplies. In its Critical Materials Strategy, which assesses elements crucial for future green-energy technologies, the US Department of Energy estimates that wind turbines and electric cars could make up 40 per cent of neodymium demand in an already overstretched market. Together with increasing demand for the element in personal electronic devices, that makes for a clear “critical” rating.
Neodymium
Rare earth element
Atomic number: 60
Used in: high-performance magnets
DoE Criticality rating: critical
Neodymium is the epitome of green, having been first harnessed to generate the light in green laser pointers. Fittingly, it has found a place at the heart of more than one green energy technology: in the magnets that keep the motors of both wind turbines and electric cars turning.
When mixed with iron and boron, neodymium makes magnets that are, weight for weight, 12 times stronger than conventional iron magnets. That's one reason your latest laptop is so compact and lightweight: the magnets allow finer control in the motors that spin the hard disc and the arm that writes and reads data to and from it, allowing much more information to be stored in the same area.
These numerous uses make for a perfect storm threatening future supplies. In its Critical Materials Strategy, which assesses elements crucial for future green-energy technologies, the US Department of Energy estimates that wind turbines and electric cars could make up 40 per cent of neodymium demand in an already overstretched market. Together with increasing demand for the element in personal electronic devices, that makes for a clear “critical” rating.
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