Alice in Wonderland, Gmail + macs, and some thoughts on clarity

a)

I am currently reading Alice in Wonderland, available on gutenberg.org, an excellent place to find free e-books (well, pdf files or html pages with books).

Ponder these treasured words of English literature:

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'
'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
'I don't much care where--' said Alice.
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
'--so long as I get SOMEWHERE,' Alice added as an explanation.
'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, 'if you only walk long enough.'

b)

Why doesn't gmail have folders? Yahoo and Hotmail and probably everyone else have folders. Do I just not see them? Is there some logical reason for their absence?

My hypothesis - a stubborn desire to be different. The same frustrating drive that produces results like Apple's still-only-one-button mouse (just admit the two buttons is a good idea!!).

c)

You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently - Psalm 119:4

Note that it does not say "You have commanded your precepts to be half-understood, because we are finite beings dealing with language that was embedded in a culture that had different assumptions and values than we currently do", nor does it say "You have commanded your precepts to be applied with limited attention to detail, especially given that the proper application of them has been debated amongst the greatest of scholars for centuries past".

We can walk in the law of the Lord (v. 1), keep His testimonies (v. 2), be steadfast in keeping His statutes (v. 5), and keep our way pure (v. 9). We aren't there now, but we can press onwards towards more certain knowledge of God's Word!

Also, regarding the difference between being unclear and being difficult to understand: The Bible is always clear, but its sometimes difficult to understand. It varies in difficulty, but not in clarity (eg. Peter's comments about Paul's writing in 2 Pet 3:16). Here is Wayne Grudem:

" The main idea here is not that it is easy to understand, but that it is free of unnecessary complications. There is nothing to obscure what is being taught, nothing to cloud the issue or hinder the understanding.

With these definitions in mind, we can properly talk about someone giving a clear presentation of quantum electrodynamics, even though most people would not be able to understand a word of what was being said. Why wouldn’t most people understand a wonderfully clear and precise presentation on quantum electrodynamics? Because they don’t have the necessary prerequisites." (please read the rest if you are interested)

Don't give up, or give in to the temptation to settle for confusion where God offers clarity. That's something that I need to be reminded of every day as I open up the Book.