Books

Books have been published and produced for hundreds of years. Some people predicted their demise with the advent of modern technology, such as Kindles and other electronic devices for reading. 

However, as a visit to a bookshop makes clear, books are still being produced in large quantities in hard copy, both hardback and paperback. There are still vast numbers of people who love to hold a book and turn the pages, and many also find looking at a screen a numbing and difficult experience.  

Reading is vital for education and the gaining of information. The Apostle Paul, right up to the end of his life, maintained his reading regime as he asked, in the last letter he wrote addressed to Timothy, that books be forwarded to him and also the parchments (2 Timothy 4.13). The Apostle John, in a statement of hyperbole or exaggeration to make a point, said, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." (John 21.25). He indicates that we only have a sample in the Gospel accounts of the wonders and miracles performed by Jesus.  

To survive you must read!

In Western culture we almost take the ability to read for granted! It is unimaginable failing to educate people to a basic level where they can read and write, among many other skills. The ability to read is such a basic requirement for making your way through life.

The fact you understand what I am talking about in this blog means that you can read! Well, being honest, it means that you can translate the squiggles and strokes on the page or screen into words. If I am incapable of writing well or of expressing my ideas then you may read the words but have no idea what I'm trying to say. So reading with understanding is vital. 

Robert Burns and all that

During this last week of January many Scots people go out of their way to remember Rabbie Burns, the 18th century Ayrshire poet, writes Bert Cargill of St Monans Gospel Hall. His life and his old Scots poems are remembered fondly on his birthday, withBurns’ competitions in schools and Burns’ Suppers in the evenings giving him and his poems publicity once again. There are hundreds of them - my favourite is “The Cottar’s Saturday Night”, and from “To a Mouse” I often quote “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley”.

 

Other famous writers from previous centuries are of course worth reading and remembering, such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Sir Walter Scott for example. Some contemporary authors are also widely read, according to people’s choice. But what you read and how it affects you is important, whether fiction or history, poetry or prose.

 

It's also important to remember that authors write for many different reasons. Some write to entertain and amuse, others to educate, inform and inspire, while others may write to deceive, mislead and spoil. So it is wise to choose your reading carefully!

Five areas of your life that need a clean up!

Around the House

It's funny but true that most of us like to get things cleaned up regularly. Maybe some of us leave it a little longer than others but eventually we feel the need to get into action. It might be washing the car, tidying the garden or cleaning the house.