Alison Speirs

The thing I can't live without.

2004-04-16T22:52:16Z

Sometimes it seems to me that as human beings we have no idea what makes us happy or gives meaning and depth to our lives.

It can be that the think we crave most is the root of our misery and there is a war that is internal between the thing we crave and the happiness we seek.

It is easily identified in the conflict between a cream bun and the desire for a sylph like figure.

Between the desire for a cigarette and the horror of addition.

That last drink and the yuck of a hangover.

But then there is the more complex issues. Easy and uncommitted sex that makes you feel defeated, perversions that attract and the shame that haunts.

That which I desire most is ruining me. That which I fear most has come upon me.

In this world happiness comes by refusing to indulge our unsanctified desires. A blissful though dawn that in the next happiness will come from the complete indulgence of our every desire. Not that what is wrong here will become right there, but we will be changed and our every desire will be perfect and met in the abundance of the world to come.

Easter

2004-04-12T21:56:18Z

Well Easter came and went again. Sometimes I feel that as a busy, conference Christian I don't have time to reflect on what it all means to me. Maybe I will be more contemplative next year or maybe I can reflect on Easter at another time of year.

This year as I've been reflecting on the enormous claims of Jesus I thing I'm more stunned by the extent and depth of what is available through faith in Christ rather than disappointed in what He can do for our souls. It's nearly too big to comprehend. "That I can know God and share with Him the love He shares with Christ."

Our church was totally full all weekend - we need to expand but plans are in place. I think we need to move quite fast.

more holiday this week. teaching is a great job for money hours and holidays shame it's such a horror when you're there!

Digital Photo

2004-04-06T23:29:51Z

Well I'm mastering iphoto. The merging of apple applications is very impressive and so are my slide shows. Only problem, even in a house of about 12 with 6 pals next door everybody's tired admiring my skills. Never mind soon time for Easter conference with friends rolling in form all over the country to share the great celebration with us. So lots of opportunities to share my new albums, i may even get a few new laughs for some old jokes. Watch out Neil and Kate!

Today I shopped in Braehead. What a bore, no bargains, no charity shops, no discount basements. Give me ebay any old day.

Can I recommend Lomond Shore complex to "Visiting Scotland" buffs. Well worth a visit with things to do if it rains - it always rains.

I shall publish a "Visit Scotland" for indoor bargain hunters who refuse to walk the length of themselves or be more than 100 metres from their car. What do you mean impossible. I've done it for 50 years with complete success.

Braehead *** Good parking. Rubbish bargains

Lomond Shores ***** Good parking. Interesting shops.

Going on holiday tomorrow to my

static caravan******* 3 steps to front door. No charge

House purchase

2004-03-31T16:18:41Z

Every one speaks about the unhappiness caused by the English system of house purchase with its famous gazumping. In comparison the Scottish system of secret offers and closing dates is considered fairer, but I am not convinced this is a good system at all as if you wish to secure a property you must out guess others who may or may not offer for it and the price you pay may not reflect the value of the property but only your guess as to what will outbid others. All property should be sold on ebay

Digital Camera

2004-03-31T11:36:25Z

Well to us Box Brownie old gals what a digital camera. No problem. Once I find where to load the film all I have to do is wait for the grand child to arrive and it hello new photo world

Hair dyeing amongst world leaders

2004-03-26T22:59:01Z

I have been wondering all day why someone in Colonel Gaddafi's position would dye his hair.

Literal interpretation of the Bible

2004-03-24T20:12:51Z

I've been reading through the Gospel of John and I am now happy that the mega theme of the gospel is the attempt of Christ to move the people around him from those who were only involved with what is happening in this world to a place where their major interest was the things happening in the spiritual world. His task was almost impossible and He made little impact on those around him. Christ used figurative language to describe the heavens and the importance of His coming to earth. People then could not, or would not, understand the deeper significance of His remarks and fell back on literal interpretation again and again, to their loss.

Still, today, men do this again and again and the church is as guilty of this folly as any others, So we have the literal interpretation which lead us to doctrinal chains but not to the exquisite beauty of a suffering Messiah who bore the sin of all the world and who transforms us from creatures of this world, to those who have a desire to comprehend the heavens and the God who is Lord of all.

I worry how the figurative is understood by you code buffs who only deal in the concrete operational in your work and who need to explore a deeper concept to embrace the spiritual.

Good luck.

mother's day survived.

2004-03-22T23:13:37Z

Well a beautiful mother/son relationship nearly wounded by the failure of technology. Amazon fail to deliver non-patronising gift voucher from gift donating son. Well shall we sue for emotional damage? or shall we just put it down to a bit of bad luck. Just as well our relationships are deeper founded.

I've been sending emails to the BBC guy dying of a brain tumour. My emails have a strong Christian message and I'm sure the BBC filter out anything with a Christian message. What courage.

So it's mothers day

2004-03-21T17:11:12Z

Friends of fraser speirs have been having a field day on the subject of mothers due to the posted comments of fraser which said that his mother had declared his LJ boring.

It is always worth remembering with mothers that you yourself are exactly half of your mother (genetially speaking) - this is prob harder for boys to take on board than girls - but is nevertheless, objectivly true.

Advice I have often given to young friends - ie - the contemporaries of fraser and lorna - when they are contemplating marriage, is that the young woman in question never considers how the gentleman in question but always looks at how he treats his mother. Your relationship with your mother says more about you than it says about your mother. And Im afraid once the first flush of romantic love has worn off, your wife simply becomes the companion of your increasing years.

Now I have to say, in fairness, the sort of comment that will make fraser blush which is that I have no hesitation what-so-ever in recommending him to his future wife at the point when she was looking for such advice. He has been a good and pleasurable son and as such the adcence of any mothers day affection by 5.07pm is really a very small matter. However, this is going out to the world to mention the aformentiond fraser speirs that time is passing by and the question is being considered of putting lorna_babes to the top of mummy's friends list and despite a lifetime of kindly consideration and affection he better get round here sometime in the near future or else!

Mothers are a hard bunch to deal with and the balance that holds the relationship in check - ie - the mothers knowledge that her children are leafing through the brochures for her retirement home while the childrens knowledge that the division of her inheritance is a constant matter to keep at the front of ones mind, provide the pawns in the game. However, we are of a higher order of people and rely quite simply on love.

GET ROUND WITH THE FLOWERS QUICK!