Catching bugs with the Amish

I work a boring job, long 12 hour shifts in a military communications centre, and weekends are very quiet. As a result I have lots of time to think...to ponder, question and wonder. Here's a thought that just started rattling around in my addled little human brain.

Does anyone remember the awe and wonder they experienced as a child catching an insect? I remember being fascinated with the Praying Mantis, the angular body, the wings, their serated knife like claws. Although it wasn't a consideration at the time, now I cannot fathom the absolute perfection and design of this incredible creation. And this is just one example. Like us the Praying Mantis exists in a beautifully complex world....along with millions of other wonderful creations.

Its impossible to pinpoint a precise moment when this child like wonder stopped taking place, I'm sure it was something of a process. But if I did have to pick one moment I guess the Christmas when I was 11 would be as good as any. That Christmas Santa in his infinite wisdom decided I had been good enough for my holy grail of presents, Matel Electronic Football. Its nothing by today's standards but when I was eleven it was the most amazing toy imaginable. I controlled one dark red blip and had to navigate my way through (I think) five dimmer blips across the football field shaped screen, if you made it over 10 yards it looped back...a tackle resulted in a whistle like noise, a touchdown or field goal brought an electronic cheer like song. Oh Rapture....I jumped up and down like a monkey screaming "I GOT IT, I GOT IT....I CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT IT".

For anyone still reading who's wondering "what the heck is this stupid game" here's a short youtube video of it in action:


So what does this have to do with the Amish? Nothing really, and maybe everything. I don't know much about the Amish, aside from the fact that the old order sects turn away from almost all modern conveyances and technology. I visited St. Jacob's Ontario where there is a large Mennonite community, and they have 'old order' types who also live a life that harkens back to the 19th century. Horse and buggies, no TVs or other entertainment...no electronics of any kind actually I don't believe.

I went to the Mennonite information centre there and it was explained that the common view of "if it twern't in the Bible we don't use it" is not the reason for them shunning modern conveniences. Its not that modern technology isn't in the Bible, nor that technology is "the devil".....it was explained that our modern world leads us away from God, and that our mechanized and electronic creations lead us to putting ourselves on an equal footing with God in our eyes.

Hard to argue with that line of thinking.....I'm not saying everyone worships technology, but our society sure does. How many people want the latest smart TV, the newest Cell Phone, the most up to date Tablet, FitBit....or whatever. Consumerism defines the culture of the broader western world in its entirety.

I don't have any answers. I couldn't imagine living like one of these old order denominations. But I do have a lot of respect for them and I can't help but think they're more in awe of the beauty of God's creation than I am.

I never got one...…… All I could do was wish and hope for years, until my dreams turned elsewhere.

How absolutely beautiful is your thought!
The simplicity of God,so simple a child can find it!
It is not in the fancy today's " Christian " terminology slinging but if "Whosoever will......."

Thank you, I had given up on here thinking no one recognized how " BEAUTIFUL are the feet of those who carry the gospel

You have made my heart warm with this beautiful wonderful insight!💖💖💖💖💖💖

I work a boring job, long 12 hour shifts in a military communications centre, and weekends are very quiet. As a result I have lots of time to think...to ponder, question and wonder. Here's a thought that just started rattling around in my addled little human brain.

Does anyone remember the awe and wonder they experienced as a child catching an insect? I remember being fascinated with the Praying Mantis, the angular body, the wings, their serated knife like claws. Although it wasn't a consideration at the time, now I cannot fathom the absolute perfection and design of this incredible creation. And this is just one example. Like us the Praying Mantis exists in a beautifully complex world....along with millions of other wonderful creations.

Its impossible to pinpoint a precise moment when this child like wonder stopped taking place, I'm sure it was something of a process. But if I did have to pick one moment I guess the Christmas when I was 11 would be as good as any. That Christmas Santa in his infinite wisdom decided I had been good enough for my holy grail of presents, Matel Electronic Football. Its nothing by today's standards but when I was eleven it was the most amazing toy imaginable. I controlled one dark red blip and had to navigate my way through (I think) five dimmer blips across the football field shaped screen, if you made it over 10 yards it looped back...a tackle resulted in a whistle like noise, a touchdown or field goal brought an electronic cheer like song. Oh Rapture....I jumped up and down like a monkey screaming "I GOT IT, I GOT IT....I CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT IT".

For anyone still reading who's wondering "what the heck is this stupid game" here's a short youtube video of it in action:


So what does this have to do with the Amish? Nothing really, and maybe everything. I don't know much about the Amish, aside from the fact that the old order sects turn away from almost all modern conveyances and technology. I visited St. Jacob's Ontario where there is a large Mennonite community, and they have 'old order' types who also live a life that harkens back to the 19th century. Horse and buggies, no TVs or other entertainment...no electronics of any kind actually I don't believe.

I went to the Mennonite information centre there and it was explained that the common view of "if it twern't in the Bible we don't use it" is not the reason for them shunning modern conveniences. Its not that modern technology isn't in the Bible, nor that technology is "the devil".....it was explained that our modern world leads us away from God, and that our mechanized and electronic creations lead us to putting ourselves on an equal footing with God in our eyes.

Hard to argue with that line of thinking.....I'm not saying everyone worships technology, but our society sure does. How many people want the latest smart TV, the newest Cell Phone, the most up to date Tablet, FitBit....or whatever. Consumerism defines the culture of the broader western world in its entirety.

I don't have any answers. I couldn't imagine living like one of these old order denominations. But I do have a lot of respect for them and I can't help but think they're more in awe of the beauty of God's creation than I am.

I work a boring job, long 12 hour shifts in a military communications centre, and weekends are very quiet. As a result I have lots of time to think...to ponder, question and wonder. Here's a thought that just started rattling around in my addled little human brain.

Does anyone remember the awe and wonder they experienced as a child catching an insect? I remember being fascinated with the Praying Mantis, the angular body, the wings, their serated knife like claws. Although it wasn't a consideration at the time, now I cannot fathom the absolute perfection and design of this incredible creation. And this is just one example. Like us the Praying Mantis exists in a beautifully complex world....along with millions of other wonderful creations.

Its impossible to pinpoint a precise moment when this child like wonder stopped taking place, I'm sure it was something of a process. But if I did have to pick one moment I guess the Christmas when I was 11 would be as good as any. That Christmas Santa in his infinite wisdom decided I had been good enough for my holy grail of presents, Matel Electronic Football. Its nothing by today's standards but when I was eleven it was the most amazing toy imaginable. I controlled one dark red blip and had to navigate my way through (I think) five dimmer blips across the football field shaped screen, if you made it over 10 yards it looped back...a tackle resulted in a whistle like noise, a touchdown or field goal brought an electronic cheer like song. Oh Rapture....I jumped up and down like a monkey screaming "I GOT IT, I GOT IT....I CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT IT".

For anyone still reading who's wondering "what the heck is this stupid game" here's a short youtube video of it in action:


So what does this have to do with the Amish? Nothing really, and maybe everything. I don't know much about the Amish, aside from the fact that the old order sects turn away from almost all modern conveyances and technology. I visited St. Jacob's Ontario where there is a large Mennonite community, and they have 'old order' types who also live a life that harkens back to the 19th century. Horse and buggies, no TVs or other entertainment...no electronics of any kind actually I don't believe.

I went to the Mennonite information centre there and it was explained that the common view of "if it twern't in the Bible we don't use it" is not the reason for them shunning modern conveniences. Its not that modern technology isn't in the Bible, nor that technology is "the devil".....it was explained that our modern world leads us away from God, and that our mechanized and electronic creations lead us to putting ourselves on an equal footing with God in our eyes.

Hard to argue with that line of thinking.....I'm not saying everyone worships technology, but our society sure does. How many people want the latest smart TV, the newest Cell Phone, the most up to date Tablet, FitBit....or whatever. Consumerism defines the culture of the broader western world in its entirety.

I don't have any answers. I couldn't imagine living like one of these old order denominations. But I do have a lot of respect for them and I can't help but think they're more in awe of the beauty of God's creation than I am.

its good for us to write. get our thoughts down where we can see them. sometimes our thoughts are childish or dumb or cliched. especially cliched. look at that tired old negative thinking.
i write because I need to write for my sanity.
just occasionally i say something useful to myself and others. and fresh too. The gems come and its worth waiting for them.

I think the Bible says love not the world or the things in it.
1 John 2:15

'things' being man made creations.

They cannot compare to what God has made. I suggest getting out more and appreciating nature, including the insects. Lots of people seem to hate insects, and use all sorts of insecticides, but God has us look closer. He tells us to look to the ant who is very busy and doesnt have a boss, but still goes about its business.

see Proverbs 6:6-11

It said something like 90 minutes spent in nature every two weeks was shown to have enormous benefits

that is a brilliant thread/blog title by the way. I might steal that idea. of mix and match topics I mean