Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The twin that was in her head.

Hardly believable, but last week a Californian surgeon removed a Siamese twin from inside the brain of his patient. 
Yamini Karanam was a doctorate student in Washington university and began experiencing severe headaches. These developed into slips and misses. On examination a growth was found deep inside her brain.
Upon extraction this tumor proved to be an undeveloped embryo that had suddenly decided to grow.
Pretty gruesome, eh!
Fortunately the young lady in question will make a full recovery and be able to proceed with her own career in medicine.
What struck me about this strange phenomenon is that the Bible speaks of an "old Nature" that is resident inside everyman.
The one that is trying to sabotage the best of our intentions and counteract the plans that God has for our lives.
The Siamese twin within.
He cannot be detected with an X-Ray but, be sure, he is alive and well and active within every Christian.
What is the solution?
A wonderful verse in Galatians 2:20 tells us. Where Saint Paul writes:
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live and yet not I but Christ lives within me and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
And that, my friend, takes care of the "Siamese Twin" within.
Ian

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Gallipoli a Hundred Years Ago.

It seems a  long time ago 1915. But it isn't, because a lot has happened in the last century that has transformed the world in which we now live.
The Gallipoli fiasco was the first of those events.
The plan to quickly end the first World war was brilliantly conceived in the mind of Winston Churchill. A naval fleet would force the Dardanelles and bombard Istanbul while a ground attack would support across the Gallipoli peninsular. 
Unfortunately the lead ships in the  convoy were damaged by sea-mines, the Commander in charge lost his nerve and retreated. The whole operation should have been called off. 
But the land attack was launched any way and over the next 15 months 130,000 good men lost their lives in a fruitless cause.
Gallipoli was a turning point in how men and nations looked upon the leadership of their generals. No longer were they founts of all wisdom but fallible men who could sometimes make brainless decisions.
I am not a pacifist nor a conscientious objector, but I would think long and hard before committing my life to a struggle that a little foresight and diplomacy could have avoided in the first place.
Since Gallipoli left 200,000 widows and mothers grieving over the senseless sacrifice of their sons, perhaps wisdom is asking us to consult with our womenfolk before the buglers sound the next "CHARGE"?

Ian