The importance of practical wisdom

I have just watched an amazing talk by Barry Schwartz. Not only is it a fine example of good public speaking, he talks a lot of sense on his subject, practical wisdom. you can see his talk below, and what I got out of it after that. I would love to know what you think of his talk...




The things I most noticed in his talk were:

"Moral skill is chipped away by an over reliance on rules"

"Moral will is worn away by incessant appeal to incentives which then destroy our desire to do the right thing"

Schwartz says that by apprealling to rules and incentives we are waging war on wisdom. Now he acknowledges that we need rules, but over dependence on them is sucking the life out of us, while incentives draw us from asking "what is my responsibility" to asking "what's in this for me?"

It leaves me wondering what incentive based youth programmes are doing to our young people.

Sorry guys, this may mean no more doughnuts at Christian Union for a while...

Schwartz's talk reminds me of what the Bible has to say about wisdom: Proverbs talks about how wisdom keeps us safe, and Hebrews 4 explains how God's Spirit penetrates our deepest motives, and calls us to place every effort in going Gods way.

I guess the challenge for all of us is to throw off apathy and a reliance on rules and incentives to keep us on course, and go the more difficult path of practical wisdom, actively submitting ourselves to Gods work in our lives.

Counting the cost of committment

Some of you have mentioned that it would be nice to look again at Bible studies we do in the various groups across Fusion316. So now, you can find them here on the youth worker blog! This first one to go up is about counting the cost of committing to Jesus and is adapted from a study in Susan Sayers book things to do in young peoples worship book 2.


Reading: Luke 14: 25-33
Question: What is Jesus saying in this passage and what is he not saying?

Reading Proverbs 3:1-2
Question: What are some of the ways this passage tells us we can commit to God?

Reading: Hebrews 12:3-11
Questions: In what ways does God discipline us? How can this make us better Christians?


Think: Committing to Jesus is costly. It requires our all. It means that in comparison everything else in our life is of little value. It means choosing a way of life that suits Jesus, even if it means giving up things we done want to give up.

That doesn't mean you have to hate your family, it means that we live our lives in the context of loving God.

Question: What is it about Jesus that makes following Him worth the cost?

Further reading, see what Paul has to say on the matter in Philippians 3

First Thoughts - Steve

Steve's first thoughts:

I was deeply move by the spirit of Rwanda. I arrived not knowing much about Rwanda apart from it's turbulent past.

What I discovered was a truly beautiful country matched by it's people. A place where people have such strong faith that they are able to forgive and move on.

I was truly humbled by this experience, a nation with so little material possessions but rich in so many other ways.

I hope to continue to visit for years to come and strengthen my new friendships and witness first hand the development of this wonderful place.

First Thoughts - Jon

And Jon's contribution...

So, it's just over a week since we got back from Rwanda, and already I'm starting to plan my next trip. Everyone who has asked me about how the trip went has so far been given the one word answer of 'awesome' because in my mind, it is the only word that can describe such a fantastic experience.

Whilst out there I thought that I coped pretty well with the change of culture, the new people, and a new way of life albeit temporary. However, for a country with such a devastating past the sheer volume of faith demonstrated in all the people we met is a true testimony to the power of God's word.

The liveliness and energy of worship, especially with the choir, really showed me how religion is suppressed in the UK. Meeting people in Rwanda who's lives have been changed by God's work has really opened my eyes to how little we express our faith. Its frustrating that we are the home of the Anglican Church, but still struggle to fill our churches week by week.
Part of me will always be with the people we met in Rwanda, and hopefully I will be able to return for longer to make more of a difference to their lives.

Imana yac'irahambaye!!

First Thoughts - Nic

And Nic's first thoughts are:

Having traveled a little in Africa prior to this trip, I was expecting to take Rwanda in my stride - In reality I was completely blown away.

Blown away by the people we met in Kigali, by everyone living and working in hope village, by the children in Remera, by the strength of faith, and by the positivity in the face of such (historic) adversity.

It is an incredibly special and inspiring place and I was humbled and honoured to be there as well as be part of this trip.

The biggest thing on my mind at the moment is working out when I can go back and what I can do for the best when I get there.

First Thoughts - Sam

In next with his first thoughts - Sam

My first thoughts are that Rwanda is an amazing place full of amazing people. Had a great time, such a rewarding and motivating experience.

I think the main thought is that we really could learn a number of lessons from the Rwandans. Its really got me back into church again, which is really good.

Really want to say thanks to everyone who fund raised, prayed and put time and effort in to our experience.

It was also great to spend some real quality time with everyone. My favourite photo isn't one i took but it reminds me of the good time we had together worshiping God.

First Thoughts - Amy

And here are Amy's first thoughts...

I was given the chance to spend two weeks surrounded by some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Whilst at points a swarm of children around you can seem scary and daunting, you stand there, and see how happy they are, and you just get carried away in their smiles and games. This is similar with the thirteen people that I was able to share this experience with, it can seem scary and daunting spending two weeks with the same thirteen people, but again the people that are surrounding you are so amazing, you just get carried away, so that you laugh and cry together. 

My favourite part of the trip had to be the days that we helped to build all day at Hope Village, there really was a sense of teamwork and camaradary that day, despite the language barrier and being covered under a layer of brick dust. 

So all in all, I feel that the trip was a success and even though, "Toyota" and "THE GAME!!" can become annoying, without it, life is a weird and quieter place. Come to mention it, life if also a lot less orange and deety-suncreamish. 

I live in the stone age and so haven't seen most of the photos yet, and also haven't yet gotten mine developed; at the shop, when it comes to you in a lovely little envelope all glossy and special, and so don't as yet have a favourite photograph. I do however encourage look at the photographs that are about as I know that there are some amazing ones.

First Thoughts - Becky

Next with her first thoughts - Becky

Going to Africa was something completely different to anything I had ever done before. Immediately I stepped off the plane I could feel that everything was different, but in a way that made me instantly love Rwanda.

Perhaps, what I saw as, the beauty of the city of night captured my heart, whatever it was didn't let go for the two weeks, and still hasn't.

When asked how the trip was I often say "amazing but really challenging". There were moment's where I felt down, but these shaped my experience just as the high points did.
After all, it wasn't a holiday.
The best moment was when we were first accepted, truly, into Hope village. You just knew they were being sincere when they thanked us, and sincere when they told us we were brothers and sisters to them.

It touched me that they accepted us so quickly into their lives. Our last day there also stands out in my mind, for the villagers once again thanked us. It was only on the last day I truly understood what our trip there meant to them, and how it was we had helped them. My favourite photo from the trip is this one, I think it sums up a lot about why we were there:

First thoughts - Karen

Next in with her first thoughts is Karen:

Having never been anywhere near the continent of Africa, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But what I found was amazing.
This is a country committed to the environment, committed to rebuilding after the war 15 years ago... Their commitment to forgiveness, their continued faith in God, in the face of such an awful tragedy is an inspiration. I was touched by so many amazing people, not least the residents of hope village.

However my personal "moment" was at the Compassion sponsored project in Remera... our meager donations as sponsors are turned into hope, and a future for 350 children. I look forward to our continued connection with Rwanda.

And her photo:

Start of year information

It's that time of year again.

Annual consent forms that is... And something far more exciting!

Fusion316 activities explained.

The first, you need to come to stuff we run, the second explains all the fun things your consent form entitles you to do... there's more than you might realise.

You can now download both of these documents here on the youthworker blog.

If you are reading this on the Route2Rwanda site or Facebook, thats http://fusion316youthworker.blogspot.com

Also to come on this blog, up and coming events such as the 1940's themed Christmas party - watch this blog for more on that.

We look forward to seeing you at events this term!

First Thoughts - Chris

Third in with his first thoughts is Stewie...

The trip was a phenomenal success! We saw, touched and felt Africa in a country which has not only seen such sadness and pain, but one of great joy, happiness and humility!

I was astounded by how different the country looked compared to how I saw it in my research of the Genocide. I am thrilled that Rwanda is doing so well after it's tragic past... it seemed like an entirely different country sometimes and I am honoured to consider myself one of the many people to have visited there!

I would love to go back to Rwanda! I enjoyed meeting the people, trying the local cuisine and seeing the sites. It really hit me hard sometimes but I kept going and I am glad to have done it! It was AWESOME!

My highlight was definately working in Hope Village! I loved working with all the Orphans, they were so genuine and kind despite their awful pasts. If I could, I would go back for another 2 weeks tomorrow!

and his photo:

First Thoughts - Sarah

Second in with her thoughts on the trip, is Sarah:

The trip was all I hoped it would be. Every member of our group reaffirmed their relationship with God - some of us met Him more up close and personal than ever before. We learnt through worship, got to know amazing people, visited incredible places and were truly humbled by the stories and situations to which we were introduced.

I love Rwanda, and am honoured that I got to share this experience with some great people - I really hope that we can all bring back into our every day lives the teachings and experiences from the trip. It would be very easy to sink back into mundane normality, same old problems, same old grumblings, same old priorities - but this would be very disrespectful to the people we met, and to God; not to learn from what we were shown.

The trip was a massive, life-changing opportunity, and I for one, will be grabbing it with both hands and shouting a heartfelt 'Thank You'! This is it - the first day of the rest of our lives with God- let's make it count!


and her photo:

First Thoughts - Dan

First to the post with his initial thoughts on our trip is Dan...

The trip, in my eyes, was a huge success. It was such an awesome experience, we got to do so many things, meet so many amazing people, learn so many new things (for example how to eat Tree Tomatoes properly) and I'm really glad that I went!

My best bit of the whole trip (excluding meeting Russell Howard at Gatwick) would be working in Hope Village, the Orphan headed village. It made me feel like i'd really accomplished something, and I got to meet some really great people too!

If I could go again, I'd do it in a heartbeat...


And his favourite photos: