Driven: [ PANE of it]

Driven by performance,numbed by addiction and broken by experience, I encountered the supernatural at my lowest point yet moments later my highest.

From atheist to --- a theist. That encounter while on mind-altering chemicals producing nirvana,ecstatic vision and [behold] a supernatural experience reshaped my life- journey.

Creating and evolving via elapsed time, reading and transformed  by Love into the new person I am today. 

With my obvious and blind -to- me flaws, mixed attitudes, desperate beliefs and ordinary desires melded into a walking and talking Christian that I hope I am today.

Tho, elapsed time, psychology, psychiatry and helpful parents, friends and work-friends all provided support and relative calm. But all this while the floodgates of new experiences were opened,reality was being reshaped, renewed and revitalised almost monthly.

 

[All methods are candles besides the searchlight that Christianity became.]

 

 As a Uni student,my mind and poor character took existential blows that wrong beliefs, poor choices and wrong ideals produce.

Life  had reached choke- point.

 

My point of existence was broken by-- as summarised-- by performative living, harmful addictions and poorly-thought-out worldviews.

Although I remember where I came from, yet I have not arrived at the final destination.

Belonging,  meaning and purpose according to persons like Os Guinness are the essential pillars of human life. But I suggest that there is a necessary spiritual component as well. Many of you will shut down in disbelief and click away having read that.

Although science and its sister,  technology often lead the way in the world,science can not explain nor cure everything. Many reading this will shut down their interest and break away. Tho neuroscience has reached sparkling heights, scripture was there 2,000 years earlier. Oxytocin may be the hormone the brain releases during loving interaction, however it can not  fully explain all the dimensions of  Love.

The  much vaunted Enlightenment period  summed in one word is "reason"

 

 Life is much more than reason, so it can never be captured and explained by reason alone—crucial and valuable though reason is. Apply reason as carefully and systematically as you like, and there will always be things it cannot explain, things that simply will not fit into its categories, however hard you push, press and pull

            Os Guiness

 

        

    It was von Neumann who conceived the idea of programming that led to the computer—the notion that you can break down a problem into a series of simple steps that can be manipulated as numbers are manipulated. But what works for a machine does not work for a human being. If only we humans were more logical, or were only logical.

            Os Guiness. 

 

 

Well with the advent of BASIC, Ruby and other digital yet plain English programming languages, computers released mankind from analog mediocrity and evolved the western world into a potential Utopian global fiefdom.

But human logic potential isn't enough, other elements predominate regally above reason. Who hasn't felt a unmet need or experienced a broken heart. Or watched a beloved pet slowly die. How  can science comfort a perceived failure? Isn't there a dimension beyond the spacetime continuum? Is a Black Forest Birthday cake just ingredients or is there more to it ? What about a broke gambler whose debt is more than money? Or a girl whose dance dress is "unflattering" and a Mum who needs me time ( to herself) with two little boy toddlers in tow while husband is at work?

 

Knowing that the impossible just might be possible with a benevolent GOD hidden from view but involved, caring and readily supportive cracks open living hope and releases it from its earthy prison. Not just a caring GOD but with all supernatural resources to unleash. That's what i discovered with Christianity. Clear across the divide between earth and heaven is a mighty Being whose clear aim is to help the orphan, the harassed Mum,the homeless woman with a  young girl  living in a car and the team of Netball girls whose flagging spirits need another inspired goal to perhaps win the trophy.

Whether you believe or not, the supra -natural is a heartbeat closer than you dare think. Ask GOD humbly and you'll find that He will not deceive you.

Since the Universe is infinite, then heaven lies somewhere beyond and its not  an address of 42 universal avenue.

By Digital Anvil.

O'h Boy!

In mid-2026, Oh Boy! by Dr Michael Nagel is one of the most important books that people in Australia, the UK, the US and other Western nations could read. As education systems face growing scrutiny over boys' declining academic outcomes, disengagement, behavioural challenges and widening gender gaps, Nagel provides an evidence-based roadmap for understanding what many schools have overlooked...

For more than two decades, Michael Nagel has been one of Australia's leading voices on boys' education. He is our version of America's Michael Gurian. Through Nagel's teaching, research, university work and earlier books on educational neuroscience and learning, he has consistently translated complex scientific evidence into practical strategies that teachers and parents can use. Oh Boy! represents the culmination of that long commitment.

Rather than relying on ideology or stereotypes, Nagel draws on neuroscience, developmental psychology and classroom experience to explain how: boys often learn differently; why movement, purpose, challenge and positive relationships matter; and how schools can better harness boys' strengths instead of constantly focusing on their deficits... He also shows why many behavioural differences are developmentally normal, and why recognising them leads to better outcomes for everyone.

Perhaps the book's greatest strength is its practicality. Teachers gain immediately applicable classroom strategies, parents better understand their sons, and school leaders are challenged to create environments where boys can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Anyone with an interest in boys, or a love for our precious young men, should read this book.

At a time when many countries are finally recognising that boys are falling behind, Oh Boy! deserves to be widely read. I highly recommend it to teachers, principals, education policymakers, parents, university educators and anyone committed to giving boys every opportunity to succeed. It's thoughtful, balanced, compassionate and exactly the kind of evidence-informed conversation that our education systems need right now...

By  Unknown Contributor.

(From Digital Anvil.)

Women: They are the Best- especially if >>>

Many 'now' women exude too focused self- love, subjective superiority and are over- entitled by some feminist ideals.

I know that feminism was necessary but the movement is now going too far.

Men and in particular Western boys are being told that they are unwanted, uninvited and unwelcome! Thus they are being cut loose by some of the female status quo. My essay is motivated and derived from the  sudden knowledge that for males under 35 years old,the leading cause of death is suicide. This is triple and a bit more than the suicide rate of females under 35. What is happening to younger males in AU ? In other western nations, similar statistics are being recorded,

But this is truly so and there is more to address here...

 Their (normal testosterone -inspired) 'advances' are sometimes characterised  or rebuffed as creepy,toxic,unappreciated and "since we Girls are now b-e-tter that males, what a waste of time, even  sex with males is viewed differently while  undergoing changes." I believe that younger males are being unfairly demonised by a loud minority.

 

is there an insistent matriarchy persisting? 

 Men as leaders are under -fire as though they are clueless, too driven, too exultantly minded, short-sighted and poor substitutes --at least in gaga-land. as though such are better trained for elsewhere. Yet males are the almost exclusively firies,armed personnel, mineworkers, rigworkers and police. Vocations dealing with potential injuries,death and destruction. Vocations  which are  being altered in recent years. Salaries and wages,oft viewed as wholly male- centric are not now the norm with many females in traditionally male- dominated roles earning some Ks more than men.

 The glass ceiling has been shattered.

 Now males languish in all metrics in the education pipeline trailing well behind women in many degree necessary jobs.

AI-it would seem - dealing with classic entry- level roles severely and adding to the woes of once male- dominant occupations.

This is a poor situation in the West!

 Where the sexes are  seemingly blaming each other for some of their own issues, instead of  addressing wider social problems.

After centuries of  virtual second class citizenship women that endured,  masculinity had a bad rap sheet! 

But not every male thought or thinks this way, just those  few villains on the extreme - end of the continuum.

Men learn,lead and signify better, but  vocal women sometimes call it empowerment when the girlboss arrives or when mens' health or talent is somehow compromised.

But this is not the overall consensus.

 

Many more traditionally thinking girls and women are re-capturing the lost light of so- called toxic masculinity.

 

 Men,some of the most errantly influential deserved rejection and banishment,even death ( think Hitler, Pol pot, and Idi Amin and other unmentionables )

However the transformation of the unmistakable "social  malaise" had largely been necessary but not-- in my opinion anymore.

Decades of masculinity in decline has been more noticeable in some  circles than in others. Attention has returned its focus onto the demise of masculinity and its role in the home, workplace, education and nation with many speakers, authors and reformers having beaten their warring drums, raised their mics and broken old and new ground.

Christianity, however, strikes a notable balance between males and females.

Hundreds of decades ago,one man challenged social norms and treated children,girls and women with dignity,respect and gentleness.

Rich and poor Women (and visionary men ) flocked to support him with coin, resources and  then spread the good news.

That Man was Jesus.

His moment became a global movement.

By Digital Anvil.

 

I thank Amy for her welcome input and corrections. 

Walk in Fear or Walk in Love

Walk in Fear or Walk in Love

“Perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:18 NIV

Research showing that love mindsets are the norm while fear mindsets are learned is revolutionary for scientists.

 But it’s not new if you look at Scripture: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.”

Over the past several decades, scientists have researched the anatomy and physiology of love and fear. These are two different systems, and at any one conscious moment, we will be operating in one or the other.

Science is showing us that there is a massive “unlearning” of negative toxic thoughts when we operate in love. We can unlearn negative fear—it is not part of our innate natural functioning. Recent neuroscientific research demonstrates that some of the chemicals the brain releases when we are operating in love include oxytocin, which literally melts away the negative toxic thought clusters so that rewiring of new, non-toxic circuits can happen. This chemical also flows when we trust, bond, and reach out to others. So, choosing to operate in love can literally “drive out fear.” 

Research also shows that when we do good things and reach out in love, endorphins and serotonin are also released. These detoxify our brains and increase our motivation and wisdom, helping us handle life more successfully. We see the profound consequences of choosing between love and fear in Scripture: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV). 

In Ecclesiastes 7:29 (NLT) we are told, “God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” 

The choice is yours: walk in fear or walk in love.

SoulFood: Zeph 1–3 Matt 27:45–56 Ps 65 Pro 19:5–8

My gratitude to Vision.org.au

( from Digital Anvil )

Quote of the Week: Surveillance and Knowledge: Shoshana Zuboff:

 

Quote Of the Week:

 

Within the domain of  Surveillance and Knowledge: 

 

 

As Shoshana Zuboff explained to New York in 2019,  the High- tech industry

"was creating predictive knowledge  and they're selling that predictive knowledge:"

The idea is that data collection could make our online experiences more personalised 

 

 "But they 're selling it to others, not to us" she added, " real knowledge about us but not for us."

 

 The essential question of post- modern world:

 

 "When does surveillance cease to keep us safe.?"

 

By Digital Anvil. 

You Do Not Need to Earn Your Value:

You Do Not Need to Earn Your Value

 

One of the hardest beliefs to release is the idea that your value must be earned. 

You may begin to believe you need to achieve more. Perform more. Prove more. Become more. Only then will you finally feel enough. But earned worth has a problem.

The standard keeps moving. 

There is always another goal. Another comparison. Another reason to believe you are not there yet. Performance pressure often promises satisfaction but keeps moving the finish line. This creates exhaustion. Because no matter what you accomplish, there is always another expectation waiting.

Scripture points somewhere different. Your value is not created by achievement. Your worth does not begin when you become more impressive. Psalm 139 reminds us that God’s care and attention toward us existed before accomplishment.

This does not remove the importance of growth. It changes the foundation. Growth becomes something you pursue, not something you use to justify your value.

You can continue becoming. You can continue learning. You can continue improving.

Without treating yourself like a project that must constantly prove itself.

Reflection

What standards have you been using to decide whether you are enough?

Prayer

God, help me stop measuring my value through performance and comparison.

Teach me to see myself through Your perspective.

Help me grow from a place of security rather than pressure.

Amen.

Psalms 139:14 NIV

[14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

From an Unknown Contributor.

Many thanks, anyway enjoy.

( from Digital Anvil)

Blessings beyond your imagination

Monday 20th July 2026

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

God can create something out of nothing. He can seemingly come out of nowhere, and just when you need Him most, give you something you don’t even have a category for. 

God says: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV).

You say, “If God has blessings that I don’t even have categories for, how can I ask for them?” That’s where the Holy Spirit, who dwells within you, comes to your aid: “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27 NIV). And because the Holy Spirit prays in accordance with the will of God, you are blessed with wisdom beyond your knowledge, power beyond your strength, and favour beyond your ability. 

Paul the Apostle put it this way: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV). 

Now you still must do your due diligence, for God cannot bless negligence. But when you know you’ve faithfully done your part and obeyed God, you can trust Him for blessings beyond your imagination.

SoulFood: 1 Tim 4–6 Matt 27:27–32 Ps 146 Pro 18:23–24

My heartfelt thanks to Vision.org.au (From Digital Anvil )