Links

:: On news coverage and when images of disasters are shown.

:: On the impact of playing sport as kids.

:: On the “need” for role models.

:: On church and faith in Britain [and a response]

:: On Global Politics:

We are living in a dangerous world, and that will remain true for the indefinite future. Yet to a surprising extent, political debate in this country fails to reflect this. In consequence, our efforts to secure our own future are doubly impeded. We underestimate the urgency of the need to take crucial steps to improve our long-term prospects. We overestimate our influence on global problems. (and perhaps this is true, of Australia too)

:: Military intervention – does it work?.

:: Foreign aid – does it work?

:: On Apologetics

A starting point for taking on the responsibility of the work of Christian apologetics is recognizing the role that living out a disciplined Christian life plays.

I remember well in the early days of my Christian faith talking to a Hindu. He was questioning the strident claims of the followers of Christ as being something supernatural. He absolutely insisted "conversion was nothing more than a decision to lead a more ethical life and that in most cases it was not any different to those claims of other 'ethical' religions." So far, his argument was not anything new.

But then he said something that I have never forgotten, and often reflect upon: "If this conversion is truly supernatural, why is it not more evident in the lives of so many Christians that I know?" His question is a troublesome one. After all, no Buddhist claims a supernatural life but frequently lives a more consistent one. The same pertains to many of other faiths. Yet, how often the so-called Christian, even while proclaiming some of the loftiest truths one could ever express, lives a life bereft of that beauty and character. [Ravi Zacharias]

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Sportsmanship

Stories likes this, should be collated and given to every professional sportsman, or women. It reminded me about what sport is all about.

With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence. But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.

Given the rules, she would be out if her teammates assisted her (and a replacement runner, would reduce it to a single). What happened next was:

members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count — an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

I'm sure we could find many more stories like this, the Sydney Morning Herald occasionally prints a few in "The Fitz Files" (in the sports section).

Updated: Here's a link about this story from the New York Times. (including a video).

Other links:
The Wall St Journal writes about eating our national emblem.

Heroes

Hero is an word that I've seen most often on the sports pages, or in the letters page complaining about its place, and usage on the sports pages. I saw this article in today's Sydney Morning Herald after the death of Rosa Park, who came to attention through refusing to give up her seat on the bus.

I thought the article raised interesting questions about who our hero's should be.

After watching Hotel Rwanda recently, a hero not on their list perhaps could be Paul Rusesabagina.

Any thoughts?