A new way to search my blog

The astute readers amongst you will no doubt have noticed the new "Search my blog / web" panel that has appeared on my blog. The geeks amongst you will notice that I have replaced the standard Google search box with a rather new spiced up jazzy Google AJAX widget... AJAX is a bit of a buzz word in the programming world at the moment and I was keen to get in on the action. So I borrowed this code from the nice people over at Google - thanks to Mark Lucovsky for his post and demonstration here)

Actually he's also enhanced the demo blog with some rather funky map and video searches too. Definately worth checking out and I may well play around with those in due course too!

For those of you that are "not really into that computer programming nonsense" but love to reap the benefits of long hard hours spent by coders. Click the following links and see what happens...

Sri Lanka | Fire | My car is dead | Elephant Orphanage ... and yes ... it's magic!


Programming Links:

• Google AJAX Search API
• Google AJAX Search Blog
  

Earthquake in Hong Kong

Well according to the South China Morning Post (that's a 'newspaper' for the uninitated - one of those classic daily money making schemes - SCMP for short) we had an earthquake last night measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale at 7.53pm to be precise.

Not that I actually noticed it though. I vaguely remember a slight jolt but was out having dinner at the time and was otherwise occupied! :o) And I also had a cold so wasn't really that with it at the time.

So...all this to say that, after having searched through the archives of the mother of all reliable news (aka the BBC - take that with a pinch of salt) in vain the story is nowhere to be found, so I can't even prove it to you. Alas...I fear Hong Kong could disappear into the sea and the whole of the Western World would never know.

** here endeth the sarcasm for the day. exit stage left.

Update: Matt blogged about the quake too and found a news article!

Gazing on Christ

I've started reading a book recently called "Looking Through the Glass" by Kris Lundgaard, recommended to me by a friend of mine at church.

I'm still only in the first chapter but have read this quote over and over again this past week (its on page 11 by the way, if you happen to have the book) ...

Gazing on Christ will give rest, satisfaction and peace to our souls. Our minds tend to be full of countless perplexed thoughts - fears, cares, dangers, distresses, passions and lusts throw us into disorder, darkness, and confusion. But when our best thoughts are fixed on Jesus, our hearts will be kept holy, serene, and spiritual. For "to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6 NKJV) . Reflecting on Christ takes our minds off things below - things that aren't worth comparing to the great worth, beauty, and glory of what we see in Christ (compare Philippians 3:7-11). When we take our eyes off Christ, we become strangers to heavenly life, and live without the spiritual refreshment and satisfaction that God offers in his gospel.

Time to 'stay grounded in steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted." (Colossians 1:21-23, The Message)

Alex Eating Mr Green Man!

Oh dear! Alex paid us a visit in the office the other day and proceeded to 'get to know' all of our toys by eating them! Here is Mr Green Man meeting Alex for the first time...head first! Mr Orange Man and Mr Blue Man have already dived for cover!

I've been in the UK for the past month and now that I'm back here in Hong Kong it's no surprise to see how much Alex has changed. Babies have a habit of doing that! It's very cool to see this little man growing up. He's got such a good baby-attitude, like not being too grumpy when his mum can't pick him up, but happy to sit and play (well most of the time I see him anyway!)

Its just in this case that 'playing' involved the attempted incapactation of a dearly-beloved toy. You'll be pleased to here that he pulled through and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at a secret location!

How many tennis matches can you watch at the same time?

The BBC has finally got its act together and is streaming live video feeds of the World Cup and Wimbledon sporting events.

We still don't have BBC interactive (the 'press the red button' service) at home on the telly so instead I'm having to make do loading the video streams onto my brother's laptop and then placing it next to the TV. Its great fun to play around with. I was just watching 3 Wimbledon matches all at the same time. Hewitt vs Lee, Murray vs Bennetteau and Roddick vs Mayer. Lots of quality tennis and lots of fun experimenting with the different video feeds available.

Its gonna be very useful tomorrow to follow Wimbledon whilst Germany are playing Argentina in the World Cup Quarter Final and then Italy vs Ukraine. Its a shame that Wimbledon officials have refused to show the football on Henman Hill (or Mount Murray as its been newly christened). But instead I shall look forward to watching both from the comfort of my own arm chair!

I love being on holiday!! :o)

Weather Freaks

Well you can tell Wimbledon has started because I woke up and it was raining.

And then I heard that Uncle Phil had returned to Hong Kong and they were expecting a T1 typhoon!!!

Well what can I say... coincidence? I think not! ;o)

Meditation on Joshua 9

Thoughts from Josh 9 taken from Mike Smailes sermon 25/6/2006

Israel, camping at Mt Ebal, had just renewed its covenant with the Lord (jos 8v30-35). The kings to the west of the Jordan river heard about this and formed an alliance to wage war against this threat. The people of Gibeon, an important city in the region (jos 10v2)(map), were afraid that the Israelites would wipe them out, so they disguised themselves as foreigners from a distant country in order to trick the Israelites into accepting a peace agreement with them.

Loaded donkeys, worn out sacks, old wineskins, patched sandals, old clothes, and mouldy bread did the trick. Looking at the evidence, the Israelites judged it to be authentic, but they did not enquire of the Lord (jos 9v14). The peace agreement, however, was made in the Lord’s name. Three days later the ruse was uncovered. The Israelites surrounded the cities of Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim but because of their oath they did not harm them. Upset by their mistake, the Israelites grumbled and made the people woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community.

All this came about, because the Israelites had not enquired of the Lord and sought his wisdom first. You don’t get God’s wisdom if you don’t ask for it.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Ja 1v5

However, the Lord showed mercy and worked his purposes despite the ignorance of his people: In King Solomon’s time, many years later, Gibeon was the most important high place in Israel to worship the Lord, (1 Kings 3v4) as the temple had not yet been built. While Solomon was visiting Gibeon, offering sacrifices, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Ask for whatever you want me to give you” - 1 Kings 3v5

Solomon asked for and received a “wise and discerning heart”.

Despite the history of Gibeon, symbolic of the Israelites failing to seek the Lord’s wisdom, God chooses this place to make his generous offer to Solomon. Was Solomon aware of the past history at Gibeon? We don’t know, but most probably considering his knowledge, making his choice of “discernment in administering justice” even more poignant.

Where God’s wisdom is not sought for or central, life decisions become unclear, the way forward becomes blurry and indecision paralyses his servants. By failing to “enquire of the Lord” mistakes are made and the consequences are painful. But as the Lord’s grace and mercy encompass Solomon, the core centrality of His wisdom in the governance of his people is reinstated.

“With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.” Eph 1v8-9

Christ, the revelation God-image, makes known the plans and purposes of God. He tightly holds our difficult decisions and life-plans. We are fully known by Him (Ps 139) and therefore our way forward is fully known by him. ‘Enquire of the Lord’ to uncover his ways, and in obedience walk in the truth that sets you free.

Australia vs Japan

I was about to blog about the Australia vs Japan match...then found out my friend had already done it - here.

I would like to say that at half time I stuck my neck out and said the Aussies, though they were 1-0 down, would win the game. In the 84th minute they equalised, then scored 2 more just for fun. Brasil are next...sorry Aussie fans but my money is still on the South Americans.

Credit to Gus for changing his name to Guus though. (Guus Hiddink is the current Aussie national football coach)

Remember that Columbian Goalkeeper?

Remember that Columbian Goalkeeper?

Here's a little bit of nostalgia for you...

Remember that Columbian goalkeeper's back-kick in the friendly vs England. Awesome yet incredibly dangerous!

... and remember that amazing curling freekick by Roberto Carlos?


... look no further.

Ah! the memories come flooding back!

Google gets World Cup fever

Google gets World Cup fever

I was highly impressed this morning when I walked into the office, logged in to my computer, and loaded my browser. Google fed last nights world cup results directly into my homepage and I hadn't even asked them to do it! There's only one difference between this being rude and invasive or clever and intelligent...the simple fact that I actually do want to follow the world cup. Its information that I wanted to see, replacing other items on the page that I don't want.

If you haven't come across Interactive Google before then you're in for a treat. Goto http://www.google.com/ig and sign into your Google account. Then you can create your own interactive homepage full of feeds that please you.

As you can see from this image, Eric Cantona adornes the right with his Nike "Joga Bonita" advertising campaign (it means "play beautifully" - in case you don't understand Portugese)

On the left is the lowdown on the Germany vs Costa Rica game (bring on Paulo Wanchope the one-hit wonder from the 90's - was very pleased to watch him play last night) and the sad news that Poland lost to Ecuador (sorry Joe).

Personally I was looking for an upset in the Germany game...but alas...though it could almost have been...it wasn't and the Germans dispatched themselves with their usual methodicy, though their defense was rather shakey, as Wanchope proved on several occasions (ok ok his second goal was offside)

Anyway, the most important match of the World Cup so far is this evening. England take on Paraguay in Munich and our very own Mike Tozer is probably already sitting in the stadium. He was watching last night's game in a betting shop at the airport just before he flew out to Germany. Should be an easy dispatch for England...let's hope this optimism doesn't go to waste!