Deduction vs Induction:

The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC ) described ways in which we infer answers:

Deduction, which is a process of reasoning from some statement to reach a logical conclusion: and

Induction, where a set of observations are synthesised to reach a general conclusion.

In deduction the answer is certain, because it is based on some known facts and the decision can follow a clear, logical process. For induction the answer is probable, because you are basing your decision on some information. but you don't necessarily have all the information that you need. You cannot make a completely logical decision from induction.

(From Digital Anvil.)

Masculinity: Are We in Danger ?

Masculinity: Are We in Danger ?

A culture that cannot name and value

Masculinity will atruggle to produce it.

When it disappears, it is not only men who are diminished, but the society that depends on them.

Child Psychologist: Claire Rowe.

Bible - Best Seller:

Bible - Best Seller.

Do you know the best-selling book of all time? It's the Bible. 

According to Guinness World Records the Bible is the best-selling book with an estimated 5 billion copies sold and distributed. Each year 100 million copies are sold.

Sales of the Bible in Western countries actually soared during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet at the same time as the growing sales, pollster George Gallup suggested that engagement with the Bible actually declined. 

Gallup observed “We revere the Bible but don’t read it, it is the best-selling and least-read book in America”.

There is probably a Bible in your home, or it’s in an app on your smartphone. Take some time to read it today. It is a worthwhile habit to start.

Share this daily- reading.

Our thanks to Karl Faase.

( Agreed: Digital Anvil )

The Pure Heart ?

The Pure Heart ?

How do you and I obtain one ?

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” ( Matthew 5:8 KJV)

The Greek word for “pure” is katharos, from which we get our English word “catharsis.” Psychiatrists talk about catharsis as the cleansing of a person’s destructive attitudes.

 The biblical word refers to a cleansing of all impurities from your inner spirit–impurities that include evil tendencies, evil thoughts, evil desires, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life (see 1 John 2:16).

To be pure is to have all these impurities removed so that you might reflect the character of Christ Jesus.

(Not  just a better version of oneself.)

 One of the main plagues in our society today, and even in many churches is double mindedness. We have mixed motives, a divided mind and heart. We must put an end to segregating our lives, which causes us to speak and act one way around fellow Christians and another way around those who don’t know Christ. 

To be pure in heart is to have integrity—to have your heart, your head, and your hands fully integrated and aligned with the commands of God. To be a person of integrity is to say what you believe, and then do what you say. 

Jesus said very plainly, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24 KJV). “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” The pure in heart see God’s loving heart and mercy in every passage of Scripture. They see God in every event of history, shaping and moulding circumstances to serve His higher purposes. And they see God in the midst of their own difficulties, pain, and suffering. 

This isnt just about achieving a better version of yourself but a truly transformative experience of an integration of desire,volition and with the vastly under-estimated support of the Bible.

When your heart’s desire is to see and know God  and people better, He will fulfill that circumstance.

Much thankfulness to Vision.org.au.

( Agreed and Reworked: Digital Anvil )

 

 Kill All Jews:

  

“Kill all Jews” was graffitied on a wall in Germany, 80 years after the Holocaust.

This week, a synagogue in Cottbus was defaced with a swastika. Just one day earlier, graffiti calling for the murder of Jews was found in Berlin.

These were not isolated incidents. They were part of a wave of antisemitic attacks plaguing Germany.

Remember when they said “globalize the intifada” wasn’t a call for violence against Jews? Remember when they said BDS was just about boycotting “apartheid”? Remember when they swore it was only about Zionists, Palestinians, or freedom?

It wasn’t. It never was.

It was always about hating Jews.

 

(Agreed: Digital Anvil) 

Grief and Grieving-- a Cloudy Reflection:

 

 

Grief and Grieving- a Cloudy Reflection:

Grief is not just normal, it's necessary.

Grief is both intensely personal and vastly cosmic in nature.

The first months after my Zina passing into heaven were a wordless agony of tears and the anguish of private howls.

(At around that time, families and friends were getting married,babies were being born.  Friends were fashioned into life- partners.)

 

Renewed beauty in one's life-journey is exchanged for ugliness of death glacially.

 

Comfort was haltingly exchanged for loss.

 

Time passes while empathy declines recognition, but warmth of true love escalated healing. Affection via touch and hugs is magnificent especially when one least expects it. An understanding smile reaps rewards for each occasion. A bright smile lights dark hurts away. Consistency is worth heaps.

While time partially heals, love continues the process more effectively.

Strength of mind avails a little but stalls the process of healing- unfortunately.

 

Almost everything changes, eventually everything is questioned. 

 

What satisfied both easily becomes obsolete. While the months reel by, life for oneself picks a new pace. Oneself gets a new outlook on things which were previously set in stone. What had been troublesome becomes as easy as smearing butter on a piece of toast.  Vice Versa.

 

Regrets surface all the time, but healing happens with setting one's mind on things above, not on the things of this errant world. Revenge seems natural but destroys the soul. ( the only harm happens is to oneself ) One discovers all manner of truth but they seem false under the light of love's conviction. 

 

Lies and selfishness burn holes in one's trust of others.

 

One lies on one's bed and consistently searches one's own heart and shines the light of  one's beliefs onto other's actions and beliefs.

 

Fortunately the truth reveals and prevails over deceptive practices.

 

If one is a follower of Christ, love finds a way through the inevitable strata of confused emotions after many shocking discoveries. 

 

But an ultimate truth is that all  have sinned including oneself, leaves revengeful thoughts in the dust. Rebuke and admonish others with truth, compassion and wisdom. 

 

 

By Digital Anvil.

 

 

 

The cosmic part:

 

"The act of grieving is both an appropriate response to a world that is out of alignment with God's original design and a longing for the day when the world will be made right again." 

                                                                                                            -Unknown. 

 

Cheap Grace, Little Comfort:

Cheap Grace, Little Comfort:

Many want grace that comforts—

few want grace that transforms.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned of a faith that loves forgiveness, yet refuses repentance.

A Christianity that wants heaven, yet resists surrender.

Blessing, yet no obedience.

Mercy, yet no cross.

That kind of grace costs nothing—

because it changes nothing.

Real grace does not excuse sin.

It breaks chains.

Real grace does not leave a person where it found them.

It teaches hearts to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Christ.

The cross was never cheap.

Why should following Jesus be?

Many ask for pardon.

Few ask to be made holy.

Grace is free to receive—

yet it cost Jesus everything.

Anonymous Contributor:

A Hero of mine: D B.

(From Digital Anvil)