Carols in the Domain

Last night, with another 90 odd thousand I was in the Domain for the traditional Carols. When we began by singing O Come all Ye Faithful, I was struck. How many of the performers, and crowd, actually knew what they were singing?

There was a generation of people in the crowd who were simply singing words. For most people the Carols are a tradition of Christmas. But it doesn’t highlight thoughts of Jesus. To me, sadly, the carols seem to highlight the secularised Christmas, that Christmas is a time to be together, together singing, laughing, dancing and holding candles; together with loved ones.

It brought to my mind the words of Jesus, as he looked out on another crowd, his words are recorded in Matthew 9:36

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a Shepard.

Postscript: I've just caught the following story via AMS: 'Anti-religious' fervour makes for a muted celebration

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I was really moved by the songs, O Holy Night, and The Prayer as well.

The Prayer
I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

I pray we'll find your light, and hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night, remind us where you are
Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day
Help us find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that's broken will be mended
And we'll remember we are all God's children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky

We ask that life be kind, and watch us from above
We hope each soul will find another soul to love
Let this be our prayer, just like every child
Who needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

(Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster)

O Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Words: Placide Clappeau
Music: Adolphe C. Adam

Miss Sarajevo

Is there a time for keeping your distance
A time to turn your eyes away
Is there a time for keeping your head down
For getting on with your day

Is there a time for kohl and lipstick
A time for cutting hair
Is there a time for high street shopping
To find the right dress to wear

Here she comes
Heads turn around
Here she comes
To take her crown

Is there a time to run for cover
A time for kiss and tell
Is there a time for different colours
Different names you find it hard to spell

Is there a time for first communion
A time for East 17
Is there a time to turn to Mecca
Is there time to be a beauty queen

Here she comes
Beauty plays the clown
Here she comes
Surreal in her crown

Dici che il fiume You say that the river
Trova la via al mare Finds the way to the sea
E come il fiume And like the river
Giungerai a me You shall come to me
Oltre i confine Beyond the borders
E le terre assetate And the thirsty lands
Dici che come fiume You say that as a river
Come fiume... Like a river...
L'amore giunger Love shall come
L'amore... Love...
E non so più pregare And I'm not able to pray anymore
E nell'amore non so più sperare And I cannot hope in love anymore
E quell'amore non so più aspettare And I cannot wait for that love anymore

Is there a time for tying ribbons
A time for Christmas trees
Is there a time for laying tables
And the night is set to freeze

Miss Sarajevo
Music by: Passengers (U2, Brian Eno) featuring Luciano Pavarotti

Another weekend and another Wedding…

Well, for every season there is a time, and it seems that it is marriage season for my friends. I’ve recently posted my thoughts on marriage. So I’m not going to do that again but what I do want to leave is two thoughts from yesterday.

Firstly, the wedding yesterday was rather non-traditional, no flower girls, no groomsman, no rain shelter (read Church Building). The wedding may have been different, but it was typical Pete and Gabby. They wrote most of the service themselves; and then they spoke to God, each other, and also us. It was beautiful, because it did nothing but speak of their frailty and God’s strength. It spoke of how though the vows they made were amazing, and seemingly impossible to keep, God would be with them, and empower them. The rings would be a symbol for them, and to us, of not simply the promises they made, but the God who will enable them to keep these promises, and who keeps His.

But at the same time, part of me wondered why it is that some ministers are not able to conduct wedding ceremonies outdoors. For it is the people inside the rain shelter that consecrate the building, so they consecrated people gathering outside, are also part of the church? What are other people’s views on this?

The other thing I wanted to share is just how much I love Christian “weddings”. You catch up with people you may not see regularly. But on top of that, yesterday God taught me so much through conversation with other Christians, and that was a really blessing, being able to meet people for the first time, or the first time in a long time, and being able to just talk about God, Christ, and what that means for us. And that’s a beautiful thing – I guess it’s not surprising, in the sense that Christian’s have so much in common in one sense, our life goal, purpose and direction is determined by Christ.

It’s actually interesting, but I’ve learnt a whole lot about what to think about marriage from my friends who are now married. The last three weeks, have taught me so much about marriage, and more fundamentally, God’s love for his bride, the church.

Growing up in the 21st Century

Reading the newspaper today has convinced me that I would not want to be a child these days

For a start as Karen posted, there is the way our nation has been treating children. The Age today published an article tackling the mandatory detention of children with reference to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and Through the Looking glass.

The article particularly mentions the ‘double bind’ (best illustrated by a sign labelled ‘Ignore this sign’), and the classic dialogue in which the character Humpty Dumpty claims ‘When I use a word – I say what it means’ or its not about the meaning of the words, but who is in control.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with the government’s stance on border control, again the point is made; how we treat those who are the weakest amongst us; or those at the dawn of there life shows our humanity. This Christmas, there’s a sense in which I am embarrassed by Australia’s lack of Humanity, (and its’ inability to keep promises it has made). The treatment of asylum seekers, and as the article highlights, the manipulation of communication with asylum seekers goes beyond what is moral or defensible.

However one also needs to say, its not simply these children our nation has failed. A Canadian Educational Developmental index highlights, that over one third of Australia’s Children are either vulnerable or high risk of not achieving their educational potential.

The article claims: that the most protective factor – in any socio-economic circumstance - whether their mother works, or not, whether they go to child care, or not, whether they are black, white, immigrant or native born, whether they are clever or not - is an intact family. Children need both mother and father.

In this age of human liberty, it is adult needs and wants that are having a lasting impact on children. According to another article in the Australian, 90 per cent of respondents to a Relationships Australia survey believe that the trend toward dual career households was jeopardising relationships as neither partner would compromise individual goals for the sake of relationship, or family.

As I read these stories I grieve. Our papers, seemingly more each day highlight for us man’s total depravity. We desire rights, yet will not be accept our responsibility. We want the right to carry, bear, adopt or abort children, yet are unwilling to reconsider, sacrifice, or put on hold our desires, and think through the costs of raising and teaching our offspring.

Yet, there is hope, in the offspring of a virgin born over 2000 years ago, hope for restoration was fulfilled. Though sometimes, the certain hope, is hard to see.

Human Rights Day - December 10

The world speaks of rights. I have the right to an education; I have the right to believe what I can. I have rights for what I can do; and what can not be done to me. Perhaps its time for a change lets no longer talk of our rights, rather our responsibilities; that is what we should do, with what has been entrusted to us.

Our world ignores responsibility; when my team loses, it was the referee’s call; If I spill coffee, it’s someone else’s fault, or "my life is ruined because of my parents"; we fail to take responsibility for ourselves.

As a Christian, I am responsible for the way I live my life, I am responsible for every idle and considered word; I am accountable before God. I am accountable for how I respond to the responsibilities he has given to me.

What are my responsibilities as a citizen, as a son, as an employee, as a brother, my responsibilities to those who are weaker than I, to those who are come, and to those who have passed?

20 000 000

The ABS have told us on Thursday, or Friday last week, the Twenty-Millionth Australian was born.

This projection is based on the estimated resident population at 31 March 2003 and assumes growth since then of:

* one birth every 2 minutes and 6 seconds,
* one death every 3 minutes and 56 seconds,
* a net gain of one international migrant every 3 minutes and 51 seconds leading to
* an overall total population increase of one person every 2 minutes and 4 seconds.

Each of these souls are valuable to God, He knows all their names, he has numbered their days, they are all made in His image.

May God have mercy on us all.

Human Myth: A Hero with a thousand faces

I’ve read a number of Sydney Morning Herald articles with have made reference to A Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, and have been fascinated by it.

The book builds on Jungian Psychology – Jung has argued that humans are programmed to respond to particular symbols or archetypes. The symbols occur in every tribe, and are a frame of reference by which the world is viewed – Jung claims these may be wired into our brain, or taught to us by our parents. Campbell’s book claims that it’s not only symbols that we are wired to respond to, but plot-lines as well. The major argument of the book is the myths of all human society follow the same path. There is a common story or an archetypal human myth.

David Dale writes Jung had spoken of the Magician, the Earth Mother, the Philosopher King, the Trickster, the Demon, the Temptress and the Mentor and Campbell spoke of The Call To Adventure, Crossing The Threshold, The Road of Trials, Atonement With The Father, and the Rescue From Within. (SMH, Jung at Heart, 30 January 1999)

The impact of this book on Cinema is noticeable: a Disney script-writer Christopher Vogler wrote a memo suggesting elements of that classic tale could be discerned in every successful movie, the memo was headed: A Practical Guide to The Hero With a Thousand Faces, and later expanded into a book: The Writer's Journey - Mythic Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters. Earlier George Lucas' Star Wars was the most notable cinematic example.

First we find our Hero in The Ordinary World (Luke on Tatooine). Then he or she receives a Call to Adventure (the finding of the message in R2D2) to seek someone or something, usually from a surprising messenger. Often he Refuses the Call and has to be pushed into the quest. (Obi Wan reminding Luke there is nothing left for him on Tatioone)

Then a wise old Mentor offers help (Obi Wan) and the hero crosses The First Threshold (Getting off Tatooine; rescuing Leia). On the journey, the Hero encounters Tests, Allies and Enemies and is allowed to have a bit of fun with Tricksters and Shapeshifters. (Han Solo and Chewie perhaps fulfil the role as Trickster)

Then he must make The Approach To The Inmost Cave (The Death Star) via various Threshold Guardians, and in it he must face The Supreme Ordeal (the Death of Obi Wan, the trash compactor). He overcomes his deepest fear (an evil usually labelled The Shadow), and seizes The Reward which may be love, knowledge or a sacred stone. (The Battle plans of the Death Star)

Then he starts on The Road Back (to the Death Star), often chased by minions of The Shadow, and must go through another ordeal which will lead to a form of Resurrection (the destruction of the Death Star) so that he can finally make a triumphant Return With The Elixir (freedom - and peace for the rebels).

Another example, Four Weddings And A Funeral, explained by a Disney scriptwriter Christopher Vogler: (1). Charles (Hugh Grant - a classic Trickster Hero) is in his Ordinary World, sleeping in when he should be at a wedding. (2). The call to adventure is the appearance of Carrie (Andie MacDowell), to whom Charles is attracted. (3). He does not respond quickly enough to her question, "I was just wondering where you're staying tonight", but sets off to find her, encountering various Mentors (4) and outsmarting a Threshold Guardian to reach her room (5). In the morning he fails a Test of his sense of humour (she is a Shapeshifter) and so must continue the quest to win her love, via various Allies and Enemies (6). The Approach to the Cave (7) is the shopping trip to buy Carrie's wedding dress, and The Supreme Ordeal (8) is her wedding. At the funeral of his Mentor, Gareth, Charles finds greater self-awareness (9) and begins a Road Back (10) in the form of his own wedding plans. But at his wedding, he goes through a Resurrection (11) and over the end credits we see his Return with the Elixir in the form of a happy relationship and a baby with Carrie.

But the idea that there is one narrative that we are wired for is an intriguing one. Since there is one narrative for history; beginning with the author of History creating the world, then revealing himself to this world and becoming a character in the story, being killed by His creation, to redeem them for as a people for himself.

Leave the shotgun at home. It’s their day.

I went to a wedding on Saturday. That’s not unusual. The majority of Australian’s still want to or desire to get married at some point. But it was a different wedding. Weddings today are more about achievement than showing or defining relationship. Adele Horin in the Sydney Morning Herald this weekend explained the new trend - couples after surviving birthing classes, crying, sick babies, are ready to get married, because of what they have achieved together. Weddings are now because of what has been achieved, and no longer idealistic, optimistic, and hopeful.

Yet on this weekend: dear friends of mine made a statement; their relationship is one that will end with death. They are now making a courageous step, that for better or worse, in health through sickness they will love, cherish, respect and honour each other. As the minister said, it’s a love that asks, ‘how can I show my love now’.

They don’t know what their love will cost them, but they will find out. They haven’t lived together, but from Saturday afternoon, they are husband and wife. The wedding was not about legitimising what they have achieved together, it is about what is to come. At a wedding we see people write a blank cheque, promising to love each other whatever the cost. Life is better and worse, life is filled with sickness and health, wealth and poverty. The bride and the groom promise that through all that life has to put before them they will remain faithful and true to each other, they will continue to put each other above themselves, they will spur each other to grow, and later raise their children in a faithful committed and loving relationship.

Though old taboos have fallen; the substantial majority of people live together before they are married (72%); almost one-third of children are born to mothers who are not married, and 18% are born to cohabiting couples, marriage as instituted by God is a beautiful thing. It declares, to all, the relationship between two people. And it is not about what is achieved or earned.

Marriage says to the world filled with divorce, and growing singleness, that the relationship will not simply last through these trails, but will continue to grow and thrive, in good times, and through bad.

Marriage for the Christian is not about the Bride and the Groom alone per say, it is about showing or witnessing to the world, the Love of God for his people. The Love of a God who loved before time, loved in spite of our enmity; who loved faithfully; and loved sacrificially taking Jesus to the Cross: that sinful people would be saved.

I Cannot Tell

by W Y Fullerton; to the tune of Danny Boy.

I cannot tell why He whom angels worship
Should set His love upon the sons of men
Or why, as shepherd, He should seek the
wanderers
To bring them back, they know not how
or when
But this I know, that He was born of Mary
When Bethlehem's manger was His only
home
And that He lived at Nazareth and
laboured
And so the Saviour, Saviour of the world
is come.

I cannot tell how silently He suffered
As with His peace He graced this place
of tears
Or how His heart upon the cross was
broken
The crown of pain to three and thirty
years
But this I know, He heals the
broken-hearted
And stays our sin and calms our lurking
fear
And lifts the burden from the heavy
laden
For yet the Saviour, Saviour of the world
is here.

I cannot tell how all the lands shall
worship
When at His bidding every storm is stilled
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love
are filled
But this I know, the skies will thrill with
rapture
And myriad, myriad human voices sing
And earth to heaven, and heaven to
earth will answer
At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world
is King!

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness – Thanksgiving 2003.

November 27th, is celebrated in the US, as thanksgiving. Here is a snipets from an editorial of the New York Times about thanksgiving, making the point that it is only through darkness we see the brightness of the light. In adversity we often see the best of humanity.

But today, Thanksgiving has been rendered harmless - all triumph, no adversity - which is fitting, now that we have become a nation that refuses to admit the hardships we face, and the sacrifices required, (and) Roosevelt appreciated that only by confronting our biggest challenges head-on can we defeat them, and have something to be truly thankful for. (Cohen, A., A Celebration With Darker Currents, NYT Editorial, Nov. 27. You will need to register to read this article)

I also wanted to include some comments from an email that I receive called Slice of Infinity. In this particular email Jill Carattini talks about reciprocation (that is repaying kindness for kindness, and compliment for compliment). For this reason, Cialdini argues that much obliged has become synonym for thank you. (Robert Cialdini, Influence: Science and Practice, 20)

Today, we often reciprocate mindlessly, take this psychology experiment for example: a professor sent Christmas cards to a large list of strangers to test the Rule of Reciprocation. The response was astounding. Cards came pouring back to him, all from people he had never met, the vast majority never even inquiring into the identity of the unknown sender! They simply received his card, and automatically sent one in return (Slice of Infinity, November 27 2003)

But there is another sense, when you can’t reciprocate the gift, for example when another person saves your life. Or for as us Christians, we are changed by the gift. The gift that came when Christ willingly took the death that was ours. These words from Watt’s Hymn truly sum up our response to this awesome act of Grace, and Mercy)

Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head,
For such a worm as I?
Thus might I hide my blushing face,
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay,
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away,
’Tis all that I can do.
Isaac Watts, Alas and Did my Savior Bleed? 1707.)

This thanksgiving I was reminded of a comment by Philip Jensen, printed in the Southern Cross, a while back. Thanksgiving is something that would be good to import into Australia. Especially for Christians, as the bible commands us to be a people of thankfulness In the article he mentions a man he met through church who spends thanksgiving work out whom they should be thanking – and actually writing notes to these people and thanking God for them.

I want to end here with a list of thank you’s, for I have much to be thankful to God for this year. I am deeply thankful for the love, friendship and support of my family; my parents, my brother Matt, and my sister Lynley (in the UK now).

This year I left my church this year and moved to Sydney, I am thankful to God for the pastor, Peter de Salis, his family, and the wider church family, for their faithful teaching, their faithful example, which has truly encouraged, and strengthened me. They truly hold me in their hearts, and I hold them all in mine.

Thirdly God’s blessing on my move. God’s blessed me with two awesome Godly Christian flatmates, Gary, and Greg. He has also blessed me with a faithful mission minded church, and God has continued to reveal Christ to me through Paul Grimmond’s faithful teaching.

Fourthly, the friendship and encouragement of my bible study group. Guan, Matt, Bek, Jami, Viv, Kate, and assorted visitors have truly encouraged me as we together have wrestled over the passages, and seen Christ reveal His truth. Meeting with Matt and Guan to pray with and for each other has been a great blessing. Their Godly example has been a true encouragement to me.

God’s blessing of work, has been amazing, after my teaching job ended, I didn’t really know what I was going to do. Through Karen I found work at UNSW. Once that ended I started working at SPRC in October 2001 on a temporary basis, I’ve now been there over two years, and that’s been simply God’s provision, and, though I could go on, finally, the overseas trip I had in July-August, was awesome it taught me a fair bit about myself.

But above all these, I thank my Lord, for the death of His son, through whom all things were made that have been made, and through whom salvation was bought for all, who turn to Him as LORD.

Two Quizzes ... one slow morning ...

[Via Rach]


You are Linus. Sure, you're just a kid who carries
around a security blanket, but you're pretty
intelligent, and you know the true meaning of
Christmas.


Peanuts Quiz
brought to you by Quizilla


You believe in doing the right thing, but aren't
always sure what that is.


What is Your Shakespearian Tragic Flaw?
brought to you by Quizilla

Humanity..

Humanity is our common lot. All men are made of the same clay. There is no difference, at least here on earth, in the fate assigned to us. We come of the same void, inhabit the same flesh, are dissolved in the same ashes. But ignorance infecting the human substance turns it black, and that incurable blackness, gaining possession of the soul, becomes Evil.
Hugo, V., Les Miserables p 622.

It is a striking paragraph to read, referring to ignorance as evil. If we look at James (2:15-16), and 1 John (3:16-18) we see that true love is an active love; true love sees a need a meets it.

The above quote caused me to reflect on my life, and Australia. It seems to me that we are wealthier than we have ever been before, but we are less willing to share. Australia has much it can offer those unfortunate souls who are forced to leave their home. Fate deals some people cruel blows, and we say thanks that their fate is not mine. We have no idea what it is like to flee your home. We have no idea what it is like to fear for your life. We simply don’t know. Yet it seems to me that our society takes the blessings we have as birthrights, and these blessings are not to be shared, they are to be earned.

We live in a society that largely is ignorant of those in need. It is seen in the way we dehumanise those who seek asylum on our shores. We lock them up, men, women, and children, we lock them up indefinitely. Our papers have carried stories in the past week about how locking children up impacts them, and clearly these voices are ignored.

But its also for me about the lack of leadership. The need for a bold, courageous leader, who stands against the trend and brings the offer of better times.

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Twenty-Second November Nineteen-Sixty-three

I realised yesterday that its 40 years since the death of President Kennedy. I’m not American, and I wasn’t alive when he was president, but I’ve always been fascinated by his Presidency, which ended with his assassination in 1963.

Now, I think if I was alive, or if Kennedy has been President in my lifetime I may have a different opinion of him. But I’ve been spending time reading his Inaugural address from 1961, and there is a lot about it that speaks to me, and speaks to, or of, our society today.

Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need--not as a call to battle, though embattled we are-- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.

To me 21st Century Australia, needs to listen to these words. We are still battling poverty, though our government denies it exists, we are still battling for the recognition of Human Rights, though our nation, and others, claim these rights can be forfeit. We fight the same apathy, we fight the same indifference. But;

the times are too grave, the challenge too urgent, and the stakes too high--to permit the customary passions of political debate. We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future. As Winston Churchill said on taking office some twenty years ago: if we open a quarrel between the present and the past, we shall be in danger of losing the future.

Today our concern must be with that future. For the world is changing. The old era is ending. The old ways will not do.

Our need is courageous leadership, a leadership that seeks to do what is right, not expedient. The voices that say the world has changed, are the voices of the past, the voices that cry the battle is new, are speaking retreat, not progress. The future is ours to seize should we take hold of the torch that has been passed to us.

Beach Mission

Been down in Wollongong this weekend for a beach mission house party, for those who are not familiar with Beach Mission – Beach Mission are run by Scripture Union, on a large number of sites on the coast of Australia, and also inland. The aim is to reach families on holidays with the Gospel.

The weekend has taught me a lot about the grace and faithfulness of God. You see this year will be different on the surface, this year we have a team of about 25, not the 40 or more we are used to. But this year is not different. God does not change. God is faithful. It is the same God who used a stuttering man, who worked through an unwilling servant, through whom the mouths of Lions were stopped, through whom 300 men defeated a host.

Our God does not change. Our God is a surprising God, and through weakness, He is shown to be strong, in defeat comes victory. God’s word will go forth. God’s word will return. Souls will be changed. Not in, through, or because of us. But because our God is slow to anger, abounding in love and compassion, who desires that all will turn and live, that all would bow their knee’s to Jesus.

And this is the Gospel that we preach on Mission. Please pray, that God will continue to fulfill his promises, and that throughout all these missions, the gospel will be proclaimed faithfully, and that God’s work would be done, that in God’s mercy, the lives of all would be changed, they lives of the team-members, as they see God act, and that those who hear the message would come to know Our Maker, as their Saviour.

Church and Family can save kids ..

I read this article in the Sun Herald this morning, an American study Hardwired to connect: The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities recently released has claimed that the "brain is biologically hardwired for enduring attachments to other people, and for moral and spiritual meaning."

The study comes up with some interesting conclusions: that we are not captive to our genes anymore than we are clay in the hands of social engineers; they also claim, the human brain is designed to seek answers to life's purpose and meaning. And in relation to health and well being - religion has a protective effect against depression and loneliness. "Personal devotion" or a "direct personal relationship with the Divine" is associated with reduced risk-taking and better mental health.

The other comment the article makes is that what contributes to negative health outcomes is the decline of the "Authoritative communities". By authoritative community they refer to groups that live out the types of connectedness that our children increasingly lack. They are groups of people who are committed to one another over time and who model and pass on at least part of what it means to be a good person and live a good life. Renewing and building them is the key to improving the lives of U.S. children and adolescents. (from Hardwired to Connect, Exceutive Summary)

Unsurprisingly further conclusions of the report were: "surrounding kids with a richly nurturing environment from birth through adolescence is critical to promoting their healthy physical, emotional, moral, and spiritual development." and, "Positive social, moral, and spiritual development is integral to the healthy overall development of children and youth, and, consistent and effective nurture from committed and caring adults."

So our social fabric is in trouble as the place of religion in Australian society is shrinking ... glancing at the Census figures we see, those who claim to have no religion increase from 3% (1911), to 27% (2001), and in 2001, 10% of Australians claim to be in church on Sunday.

The study for me highlights that God's way is the best way, after all, He did make us in His Image.

Language

I read this interesting article in the Australian this week, Don Watson, (the former speech writer for Paul Keating, and author of Recollections of a Bleeding Heart, and Death Sentence: The Decay of Public Language)

In the article he talks of the decay of language from our leaders, and the vision statements of our blue chip companies. The language we have left is the;

language of management – for which read the language of virtually all corporations and companies, large and small, public service departments, government agencies, libraries, galleries and universities, the military, intelligence organisations and, increasingly, politics – this language that cannot describe or convey any human emotion, including the most basic ones such as happiness, sympathy, greed, envy, love or lust. You cannot tell a joke in this language, or write a poem, or sing a song. It is language without human provenance or possibility.

In the article he talks about the importance of language, and how, language unites us to the world, and to each other; its mangling always means those tethers are broken.

The paragraph with which he closes his article is quite striking, its constructed from John 1…

In the beginning was the Word. And in the Word was the truth – and the heart and the mind. And if you take it away from us, we are poorer and the democracy is weaker. If anyone else feels that this country is not the home it was, I think they should go to the words, before we lose the power of sensible speech altogether.

The political-speak we see, with Bush, Blair, and Howard, is not inspiring, is not active.. it does not provoke us like we speeches of yester-year, for example, Lincoln, Kennedy or King.

I really want to spend some time reading and reflecting on it. Is it Orwell who talks about our freedom, and ideas are tied into to our language, and to take our ability to express is to begin to take our freedoms??

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It has been a lovely week … I turned 26 this Tuesday, November 11. It was a different birthday, for starters, it’s the first birthday since I’ve moved out, but on top of that my parents were having a much deserved holiday in Tasmania, and my sister is over in London, as I mentioned earlier.

It was really nice to come down and have dinner with Karen and Ben. I remember meeting Karen, the first year I was at Uni, and we were paying to go to MYC in 1996. Karen’s birthday fell during the week, and I remember spending the last night chatting with her. Which was really awesome. I really treasure the friendship of both Karen and Ben, that have always been there to lend an ear, and above all, they are true examples of what it means to follow Jesus.

I’m down in Wollongong again now, spending the day with my parents, and brother, celebrating my birthday. Tomorrow, I’m heading back to Sydney, to farewell a couple of friends from England, who will be flying back to England on Tuesday.

Sport and Religion, Chapter and Verse

The below is some reflections that I have been having on the place of sport in Australian life, more particularly my own... but it seems symptomatic of Australian society (Melbourne Cup day was mooted for a public holiday again .. Anzac Day, has a game of football - AFL, New Years Day has the Cricket test.. and I go on....)

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For our nation, Sunday comes, and it is time to head to the cathedral again not with stained glass windows but towers of light, not with bibles, but the Record or the Big League we sing the club song instead of Hymns, and we chant, shout and sledge.

This is the cathedral of the 21st Century, the Australian Church, as we worship mortals chasing leather, reading their scripts, and watching them act, in the theatre of dreams, rather than singing praises to the mighty and living creator.

We dress for the occasion wearing our colours as we see good, wrestle evil. For a season, our dreams are their dreams, we unite with colleagues discussing the common dream, a grand final win, a semi final birth, and the great robbery under lights, our fate, united to theirs, as we read their scripts, and dread that the off season will be long once again.

The stadiums of today, are theatres of dreams, idols of weary souls, as we find fulfillment in two numbers after 90mins, rejoiced for days, confined to history, and remembered by few. The promises it offers as we see heroes run around writing a script we wish was from ourselves. We join with them seeing our place in the sun come, as they to the battle field go.

Football, (or whatever sport you run with) is a major distraction from removing us from worshipping the living Creator, as it drags us all to easily away from our church family, and away from the Creator God.

Our nation won't see a ticker tape parade without a World Cup, without gold medals, a ticker tape parade will not come for harmony, melody, and unity, for poetry, for dance, for success in science. We do not value the word, woven into music, painted into art, and spun into a story.

And as our heroes fade, their achievements seemingly etched in time; these figures and achievements become folklore, and players are deified as God, the greatest Australian, or Australian of the year - anyone stating other, slandered, or ignored, or even called un-Australian.

Armistice Day

Today we commemorate the end of World War One, which ended at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th Month.
In that light, I thought it would be appropriate to spend a moment, not just thinking or reflecting on, what they died for, but also to pray for those in active service across the globe, from Australia and all other nations.

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces, and most especially those whose mission places them in harm's way. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (adapted from prayer 25, Book of Common Prayer page 823)

And likewise, today we should also pray for peace..

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. (Prayer 4, Book of Common Prayer page 815).

In memory of those who died in war, and in the firm and fervent hope
of a just and lasting peace for all people, we ask that you pour your gift of healing grace upon us.
Comfort and strengthen those who suffer from oppression and natural disaster,
from hunger and isolation, from illness and sorrow.
And keep us all ever mindful of the peace that is more than the absence of war
the peace that is the presence of compassion and understanding,
faith and hope, justice and love, throughout all creation.
Help us to build a world that has no room for hatred, no place for violence,
a world in which love can live
God, be in our hearts and thinking as we bring our memories into the light of your love..
(the full service sheet can be found here)

Thoughts for a Sunday.

O, for a heart to praise my God
A heart from sin set free
A heart that always feels they blood
So freely shed for me

A heart resigned, submissive, meek
My great redeemers throne
Where only Christ is heard to speak
Where Jesus reigns alone

A heart in every thought renewed
And full of love divine
Perfect and right and pure and gold
A copy, Lord of thine.

Charles Wesley, (cited in Packer, J.I. A Passion for Holiness, 24)

Aussies's top 100 Books

[Thanks to Deb, and Errantry]

I was reading a few entries on the top 100 books and I thought I’d join in..

Books I’ve Read
The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien J R R
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets - Rowling J K
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Rowling J K
Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone -Rowling J K
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Rowling J K
The Power of One - Courtenay Bryce
The Hobbit - Tolkien J R R
Pride & Prejudice - Austen Jane
The Bible - GOD
To Kill A Mockingbird - Lee Harper
Tomorrow, When The War Began - Marsden John
Narnia Chronicles - Lewis C S
Clan of the Cave Bear - Auel Jean
Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy - Adams Douglas
Bourne Identity - Ludlum Robert
IT - King Stephen
The Firm - Grisham John
Circle of Friends - Binchy Maeve
Emma - Austen Jane
Tandia - Courtenay Bryce

Books I own and intend to read:
True History Of the Kelly Gang Carey Peter

Books I love.
For me a books that I love is a book that I can just read … I can open at any page and just read. A book whose characters jump fluidly from the page into my mind leaving a lasting impression of care in my mind. They are also books with rich dialogue, and often also a lasting point, or message, that makes me think.

On that list, for me… Ender’s Game, (and the other books in the Ender Saga, and Shadow Saga). Orson Scott Card is a beaut Science Fiction writer, who has really written some beaut stories that leave you thinking, and who’s dialogue leaves an impression on your mind, and brings the characters to life in your mind. I also really love Hugo’s Les Miserables. I was reading that last night before I went to bed, and the vividness with which he describes Valjean, Javert, Fantine, and the Thenardier’s are wonderful. You really know, and come to love the richness, realness, of the characters.

Just when you thought it safe to cross the ditch . . .

Was reading the SMH over lunch, and found this - Look after your purse and mind the wobbling. It seems that DFAT have put out new travel advice for New Zealand.

CS Lewis on Prayer

Master, they say that when I seem
To be in speech with you,
Since you make no replies, it's all a dream
-One talker aping two.

They are half right, but not as they
Imagine; rather, I
Seek in myself the things I meant to say,
And lo! The wells are dry.

Then, seeing my empty, you forsake
The Listener's role, and through
My dead lips breathe and into utterance wake
The thoughts I never knew.

And thus you neither need reply
Nor can; thus, while we seem
Two talking, thou are One forever, and I
No dreamer, but thy dream.

(C.S. Lewis, 'Poems', Ed. Walter Hooper (New York: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, 1964), 122-123.)

Some more reflections on the Rugby

With the pool stage of the World Cup now finished, attention has wandered to the Quarter Finals which will begin on Saturday November 8.

But before I get all swept up in that, there's a memory or two that I wanted to share. On Saturday, during the South Africa v Samoa game, we all saw the spectator, run on to the field and try to tackle the South African goal kicker as he converted the final try.

What we all didn't see was after the tackle, all of the Samoan and South African teams, swapped jerseys, then formed a circle, and then prayed together. It was awesome to see.

It brings back for me, memories of the Springbok side of 1995, who after beating New Zealand in the final knelt down and prayed. What a way to celebrate!

Pokarekere Ana

I just thought, for those who read this who are not Kiwi's I'd post the words of the traditional Maori song.

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Pokarekere Ana
(Trad. Arr. Sarah Cass; George Martin Music Ltd./Universial Publishing Limited)

Pokarekere ana
Nga wai o waiapu
Whiti atu koe hine
Marino ana e

E hine e
Hoki maira
Kamate au
- i te aroha e

Tuhituhi taku rita
taku ata taku ringi
Kia kiti to iwi
Raru raru ana e

E hine e
Hoki maira
Kamate au
- i te aroha e

E hine e
Hoki maira
Kamate au
- i te aroha e

Kamate au
- i te aroha e

Translation:

Stormy are the waters
of restless Waiapu
If you cross them, girl
They will be calmed

Oh girl
Come back to me
I could die
Of love for you

I write you my letter
I send you my ring
So your people can see
How troubled I am

Oh girl
Come back to me
I could die
Of love for you

Oh girl
Come back to me
I could die
Of love for you

I could die
Of love for you
===

Rugby and 'Rain shelters'

As I told you all in my last entry I was heading down to Melbourne for the World Cup game between New Zealand and Canada. It was a great weekend, great to get away, with little pressure on my time for two days..

The game itself was a great spectacle. My seat was on the halfway line, in the third tier of the stand. I enjoyed seeing the teams run onto the field… maybe my heart really is in New Zealand, because a chill really did run down my spine, as the New Zealand National Anthem was sung, and also the song Pokarekere Ana, (sung by Hayley Westenra).

The Canadian’s played really well, but the result was pretty much as predicted – New Zealand winning 68-6.

I had a really lazy Saturday, it was nice to enjoy the sun, and sit on the banks of the Yarra, watching the rowing crews going through their strokes.

But with the rugby there has come some guilt. To go to the New Zealand v Canada game, I missed Bible Study, and (if, when) I go to the New Zealand v Wales game I will also be missing church. (Going to church in the morning, as I am going to do, is not really the same).

It’s quite a hard one really, because I don’t really want to miss church, and when I bought the tickets I was not sure that it was a Sunday. I know the ‘heretic’ comment is a joke, and a joke in part I’ve taken on, but it is painful … painful because I don’t know that there is anything wrong with it and also because I also feel there is an element of truth in it.

But what’s everyone’s line of thought here? – I am not looking for justification, if rebuke is appropriate, then even if my ears don’t really want to hear, they need to hear it.

I know that the church is not the rain-shelter, but the people, having said that it’s still a break of fellowship, a break from fellowship, and fellowship is important, to deny fellowship with them is to keep the gifts that God has given me (the gift of faith, of hope and of love, expressed through service), to myself.

ABs

Today, I am heading down to Melbourne to watch the New Zealand All Blacks play Canada. While its true that Canada would have to do a Bradbury to win... It still should be a great spectacle.

It's also pretty amazing to read the Umaga, may be fit for the Quarter Finals. (most likely versus South Africa, or England).

The biggest game to date will be England v South Africa, to be played 10pm Satruday night AEST. This will pretty much determine if New Zealand plays England or South Africa in the quarters.

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In bible study last week we looked through Zephaniah 3. It has really struck me as I read Zephaniah how when the Bible speaks of God's judgement, it is tied into his love.

In showing wrath, God displays his love and mercy. This chapter also has what are my favourite verses (Zeph 3:17) (Ever since Karen showed it to me; thanks Karen!)

And, I want to post here the words of a Rebecca St. James song (incidently Karen also introduced me to her music), written from these verses.

Quiet You With My Love

Come to me, all who are weary
And I will give you rest
Come to me, all who are weary
And I will give you rest
Lay your head down
On my shoulders
Be Still My Child
rest a while.

I'll Quiet you with my Love
Rejoice over you with my song
I'll Quiet you with my Love
Rejoice over you with my song

Come to me all who are weary
And take My yoke upon you
Come to me all who are weary
My burden is easy and light
Lay your head down
On my shoulders
Be Still My Child
rest a while.

*Written by Rebeccc St. James and Matt Bronleewe
(c) 2002 Up In The Mix Music (BMI)

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The other news I have is that tomorrow morning, my sister is flying out of the country. She will be spending a year or thereabouts overseas, in the UK, and firstly Japan. Wishing you all the best for your trip, and praying that you'll stay safe. Take care LJ.

Legacy

I have really been struck by Nichole Nordeman's song Legacy ....

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I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

(by Nichole Nordeman 2002 Ariose Music)

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20 Nations, 6 Weeks, 1 Winner ..... (380)

Well, the circus has come to town... The Rugby World Cup has started... For the next six weeks, Australia will be wrapped up in the World Cup.

But before I go on about that - Friday afternoon the sporting record books re-written. Australia played Zimbabwe in the First Cricket Test, and on the Second Day the Australian opening batsmen, Matthew Hayden made history with the highest indivdual score ever recorded. Hayden finished on 380.

He started the day 183*, and in the following two sessions added 197 more runs, in the process passed Don Bradman and Mark Taylor's mark of 334, then Lara's mark at 375. It was an amazing innings. As was the Australian teams. Australia made 730, in less than 6 sessions. (And lost in Hayden's innings was Adam Gilchrist, who scored 113, off about 100 balls.

The Australian Cricket team are a truly amazing (with a keen sense of spirit, and history).

And the World Cup; well tonight all of the favourites would have played. It will be interesting seeing how England go agaist Georgia ... as its a game they should win easily, but these games are never easy to mentally prepare for.

Australia were rusty, but Larkham, and David Lyons had great games, Sailor and Rogers were also impressive.

The All Blacks were also impressive. The first half and bits of the second were rusty as well, and time will tell how much of an impact the injuries will have. Ma'a Nonu was a revlation. Carter was also brilliant. I have to admit, that we need Carter kicking, not Spencer. Spencer may be a vital cog with has passing and running in the midfeild, Carter's better record with the boot means we will need him for the tight games.

Club 5

Over the long weekend I went to Club 5, which is a weekend, were people meet and think through the issues around Ministry – such as What it is?, and why we should all be doing it? This is the second year I have attended this conference, and I think that it is one of the more valuable conferences that I have attend.

On of the really great things about the conference is that you get to spend time with a mature Christian who has been involved in Christian (paid) ministry, and talk about your situation. The other really awesome thing is the chance to take the time to meet up with other people who are thinking through largely the same questions you are.

For me, I think I left the weekend with more questions than answers. I left with a lot to think about, which has been helpful. In terms of decision-making, I think that I am working towards starting MTS in 2005-2006. But I think that I need to pray, think, and talk through the decision a little more.

In the talks we looked at 1 Thessalonians with David Cook (The Principle of Sydney Missionary Bible College), and Phillip Jensen challenged us from 2 Corinthians 5. Through Thessalonians I was challenged about what it means to imitate and model Christ. The question that was on my heart through David's talk was are we getting fat on Gospel Ministry in Sydney. We do have so many opportunites in Sydney, but of those whom much is given, much is demanded.

One of the things that was mentioned during the weekend were SUS-Groups. Now I think these are a really great idea. A SUS Group basically means meeting with like-minded Christians who are concerned for world mission. Meeting with other Christians - finding out more about mission work in another country, or area, and praying for that country specifically. (And who knows, you may end up going to the country that you are SUS'ing out).

Lastly the conference reminded me that I need a correct understanding of Ministry. Ministry is laying down your cross and following Jesus, living with Jesus as LORD, bowing your knee and being Godly.

For some, this command means leaving paid work behind;
for some it means working in the job they are, living a Godly live, being active in church, and committed to mission;
for others it means jumping on a plane and leaving Australia behind and being a doctor, teacher or engineer on the mission field.

For all of us, it means living each day in the light of God’s word and the return of the King, which is a challenge!!

And, there’s always next year …

Its been a hard weekend on my throat, though screaming myself hoarse didn’t really help the Swans get over the line against the Lions. At Three Quarter time the margin was just three points, and it seemed, with a good last quarter we’d be in the final.

But you don’t win back to back premierships on nothing, and the Lion’s class and experience shone through. Sydney struggled in the final quarter and scored a behind, while the Lions kicked 6.6, or thereabouts.

The final score: Brisbane 14.16 (100) to Sydney’s 8.8 (56).

And as I watched the Swans - Canberra’s season also disappeared, 16-17 at the hands of the Warriors.

But the season was top of nicely with Sydney’s Adam Goodes, jointly with Mark Riccuito (Adelaide) and Nathan Buckley (Collingwood) winning the Brownlow Medal. For those who don’t know, the Brownlow Medal is awarded to the best and fairest player each year. The Officials allocate votes to the players over the 22 rounds – giving 3, 2, and 1, votes.

This year, with a round to go anyone of 10 players could still have won it. It was gripping, as the final rounds votes were read out.

It was also really sweet seeing Adam Goodes take his mum. He, like all of the players actually, was stunned to win it. It was beaut. He was asked what it felt like to win the Brownlow, and he said “I don’t know”. It was a great night.

And it all but topped of a great year for the Swans.

The Stillness

In the stillness of these festive streets
Light our hearts
Tear down this tinsel
Light our hearts

In the stillness of that stable
You let your glory shine
In the business of our lives
We cover your glory with our stubborn wills
Our busy lives, and weary souls
Still our hearts

In the stillness of Gethsemane
The disciples slept, as their cup
Was past to another
May my tears flow
May tears stain my silent heart

In the silence of my heart
Melt away my fears
Light my timid heart
To burn for you

In this silent weary world.

March 2003

Song Writers

The SMH posted on their website an article about song-writers. The article begins,
"the Dylans and Lennons of our age are out there, but they'll never be household names.

It sounded easy enough really: tell us who today are the great songwriters of the age, titles once held by the likes of Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. However, working out how to work that out is more than half the battle."

So, let me pose the question, is there a Lennon, McCartney, or Dylan out in the wide world of music today, or is the song writing "formulaic, emotionally empty songs."

I think the next paragraph in his article really sums it all up:

To my mind, the distance between Warren and Martin and their songs takes them out of the realm of great songs and places them in the category of great pieces of craft and skill. They are the workaday architects of music - they can tailor a song to your needs but they can never give you something that comes from their heart and enters yours. In other words, they are artisans not artists.

I guess for me... I think, and time will tell of their influence, I think of Michael Stipe (REM), Bono and the Edge (U2), and Thom Yorke (Radiohead). The article also in terms of influence mentions Kurt Corbain of Nirvana.

Okay, over to you all. Who are the "artists" of song writing today. Does anyone have the craft of Lennon / McCartney, the protest voice of Dylan, who amongst the throng of musicians has the craft to enter our soul and hit the very core of our being?

Listening: Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen.

Footy Fever...

The AFL now has decided the Preliminary Finalists. There will be at least one interstate team in the final, and a distinct possiblity, that there will be two interstate teams in the Grand Final (for the first time?). However, I'm hoping for a Sydney v Collingwood Grand Final.
I am really looking forward to seeing the Swans take the field next weekend, and make their first Grand Final since 1996.

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A good win by the Warriors yesterday, and Canberra are closer to elimination. Newcastle did the right thing, and lost to the Roosters.

Listening to: Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel)

So Canberra will play the Warriors next weekend, if Penrith win. If Penrith lose.. then bye bye Canberra, and I'll be cheering the Warriors all the way. :)

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Teaching …

I wanted to take some time to comment on Rachel’s question, how I knew that God was telling me that teaching was not for me.

I think that I learnt through the experience, and through the comments that my colleagues made to me.

I learnt that God has made me, to be me. He gave me specific gifts, my personality, my strengths, and my weaknesses. Likewise, he has not given me other gifts, other abilities. He has determined my steps, God brought me to Australia, and He brought me to UNSW.

Having said that I don’t always know at the time, why God has brought particular circumstances to bear on my life. But I do know that in all things, God is changing me, to be more like Christ. (Romans 8:28, paraphrase).

Through the time I spent teaching I came to realise that I am quite a timid person, and the role I would need to play to teach a class of 32 students, who don’t always recognise that you are in the room, is one that would come at a great cost.

I do sometimes think that of going back into High School, and I think the motivation is mostly out of pride - the thought that I have failed - I trained for the job, and in less than a year, I’ve moved on. But nine days out of ten I would say that I did the right thing. I am a better person because of the experience, I definitely know myself a little better because of the experience, as God has used the experience to teach me.

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In other news, Sydney's opponent for next weekends Preliminary Final will be the Brisbane Lions. In the NRL Canberra lost last night, and wait to see if the play next weekend. (If two of, Brisbane, Auckland and Newcastle win - Canberra's season is over. )

Cheer Cheer the Red and the White

September in Australia means one thing. Footy finals. This year has been a great year for my AFL team the Sydney Swans, who have befuddled all the commentators with a brilliant season, finishing fourth in the regular season. And even more remarkably pulling off one of the upsets of the year in beating the minor premiers, Port Adelaide, with an injury list including key players, Jason Ball, Michael O'Loughlin and Jason Saddington, to move directly to the Prelminary Final where they play the winner of the Brisbane - Adelaide match.

And lets not forget the League ... my team, the Canberra Raiders, have also made the eight. On Friday night, they host Melbourne. It should be a close game..

So the next four weekends will be filled with great stories, surprises, and possibly two new champions. Oh boy, I love September.

More on Rachel's Question....

One of the questions below from Rach, really made me think. Rachel asked "What event in your life has been the most profound and why is that? How did God speak to you through it?".

I thought about this question, and as I wrote in my previous post the three biggest things that God has used to shape my life are firstly, the move accross the ditch to Australia, secondly a MYC (Mid Year Conference) I attended during university, and finally the experience in 2001 of being a high school teacher.

Firstly the move to Australia moving countries is a pretty big thing. One of the many results of this move was that i began to go to the church that I have spent 13 years at in Bulli (St. Augustines Anglican church). I often think of the people of this church as the people who brought me to the faith. In the people of this "church" I met people who live out the gospel. I saw it in the love they showed me, and in the time and energy they invested in me.

I was also blessed in being able to watch some of the younger people grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord, be baptised, and confirmed - was, for me an amazing thing.

The second profound event in my life was MYC. For those of you who are reading and do not know what MYC is. MYC stands for "Mid Year Conference". Like the name suggests it is a conference held in the middle of each year, for christian university students. In 1998 I attended the conference, and I remember, i think it was the Thursday night talk. Pihlip Jensen, the preacher was challenging us with the call of the gospel - recognising him as LORD, meant living with Him as LORD. Which put simply means that our priorities must be His. Our plans, melded and shaped by His.

I think it was at this point that I learnt that I my life was to be lived in service to him. Ministry was not an option. My whole life needed to be a testimony to Jesus. What that would mean for me, I didn't know then, and I still don't know now. I may be in paid ministry, I may not. I may witness for Jesus, in Sydney or overseas. But whatever I ended up doing, I would be in Ministry, testifying to the work of Christ in the World, and more personally the marvellous work of redemption in my own life.

The final thing I wanted to mention was my time teaching. This was not a rosey experience. I learnt a lot in the first six months of 2001. I have found, and grown to accept, that I am not a high school teacher. I learnt that God made me the way he did for a reason. And that God brings both the good and the bad to us, and he teaches us through everything.

Though it was a hard experience realising that the career you trained for is not the one God has planned for you, I have learnt to rely and trust on Him for everything.

And if the last 13 years in Australia are anything to go by, I know that God has so much more in store for me, both good and bad, both laughter and tears. And through all of the laughter, pain, tears, and joy, He will slowly patiently shape me to become like His Son Jesus. And that is a beautiful thing.

Questions from Life Being Beautiful

1. What is the most romantic/loving thing you have done in the name of love?

Oh golly... I think it is still to be done... But maybe God's got other ideas. I think I've done a few romantic things, flowers, calls.. and the like..

2. If you could star in any movie/broadway show/musical what would it be, who would you play and why?

Hmm this is tough. It's a preview of a later answer, but probably "Jean Valjean" from Les Miserables. The musical has such a rich tapestry of stories running through it. But in a sense the thread that holds that together is the story of Valjean (24601), and his response to the mercy that was shown to him.

3. What event in your life has been the most profound and why is that? How did God speak to you through it?

I think there are probably three big events that have shaped my life, that have challenged me as I seek to live for God. The first was when my family moved from Lower Hutt, the second was my time going into teaching, and the third was a conference I attended while at University, called Mid Year Conference. (I think I'll use this question as the heading for a seperate post).

4. What piece of literature do you wish you'd written and why?

I think the book that I wish that I wrote is Victor Hugo's classic "Les Miserables". It's a beautiful tale of mercy, justice and redemption, set with the backdrop of 19th Century Europe, in the midst of revolution.

The characters are beautifully constructed. (If you've seen the musical, you'll have a taste of what I mean).

5. What are you buying me for my birthday and what am I buying you?

I'm going to buy you a book. Not sure what however, but I think it would be something by C.S. Lewis, or J.I. Packer. You'd also probably buy me a book. a Christian book, not sure what though :)

These are the rules ...

1. If you want to participate, leave a comment saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions—each person's will be different.
3. You will update your journal or blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions

So ... as I type this, my mind is thinking of some questions to ask you all :)

Questions... courtesy of Jess

1. Easy one first - you recently went overseas - where did you go, and what was the best part about the places you went to?

That's a tougher question that you realise, but I'll live :) Well I spent for weeks, wandering around the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. I really loved seeing parts of the world that were new to me. I'd been in London before, when I was about 7. But this was the first time that these places would leave more than an small impression.

Various things stood out. I went to the Arsenal v Manchester United (Charity Sheild Final). I spent a morning at Lord's. At the moment the one that really stands out was the Giant's Causeway. I was overwhelmed while I was there. It's simply unique.

Belfast really intrigued me. I felt while I was there it was two cities. There was the city which you and I are familar with, as we live in one - a normal city, going about its normal business - people going to work, university or school. But below that, it's not a normal city ... it's a city that's torn in two. It's a city filled with violence, and deep hatred. On the day I arrived I was told to not go into a certain pub. The night before I left I drank in an Loyalist Pub. So they city is divided.. but most of the people I met, were just trying to get on with their lives.

Edinburgh is my favourite city though. It's just such a romantic city. As for the time I spent in the highlands, both words, and photo's fail to do justice to it.


2. If you were stranded on a desert island (and it's a pretty sophisticated one!) what five things would you not be able to do without?

Hmm. I would take both paper, and a pen. (one item or two) ;) I'd need to take music. My Bible would be important too.

As for the last items. I'm not really sure.

3. What is your favourite music/artist? and why?

Toughie. The two artists that I really love at the moment are U2, and Nichole Nordemann.

Nichole is a brilliant christian singer, her latest CD has been living in my cd player pretty much since I bought it. It's mainly the words - she writes from the heart, with a refreshing honesty, and they challenge me.

U2 are a band that I have listened to for ages. Bono, to me, is one of the greatest lyricists. He writes beautiful and challenging songs, that really speak to the world in which we live. And whether he is a Christian or not, some of his songs have impacted the way I think about God.

4. How does a Kiwi guy survive in Australia?!

I guess pretty much the same way an Australian does... although somewhat more mocked.... (thank goodness the Bledisloe Cup is back home)

5. Has God been telling you anything profound lately? (I know, I know, I had to ask ONE spiritual one, didn't I?!)

Well. I've been really challenged to think about what I should do with my life. God has measured my days, and I need to redeem that time, in service to Him.

Holiday Reflection ...

During my holiday, God gave me a number of chances to share the gospel with people as I travelled. During a period of 24 hours, I twice heard that "Religion was to blame for all the trouble in the world".

I had difficulty commenting on that. Upon reflection, I think that there's an element of truth to that. Religion has left a mark on the world... The cartoon from yesterday's SMH was quite confronting, in a picture titled "How to Make an Explosive Device", Phillip Moir included as ingredients; poverty, intolerance, envy, martyrdom, self righteousness, and three parts religion. So obivously to the "world" religion has a large part in creating tension, and violent conflict.

Islam has often been referred to as the "violent religion", but if you look at Christianity, we too have much to be ashamed of. Much has been done in the name of Christ that ought not to be done. The examples shamefully come too easily too mind.

Which brings me to my point ... much harm has been done in the name of religion, but is it the source of the mess the world is in?

An understanding of the "troubles" in Ireland, of the American position on the Middle East, particularly America's "blind" support for Israel is due to a Zionist theology, and elements of the Islamic population are filled with a desire to convert the world to their faith and wage a holy war. The are also Christian's examples here beginning with the Crusades, the inquistion, and the age of colonialism, when converting or shooting the noble savage was a sport.

Maybe I could have told my friends that "don't follow the followers' of Christ, follow Christ himself". But as I utter that there is the bitter taste in my mouth that we are salt and light to this world, yet, we've left a foul taste in the mouth of so many. Particular hard to swallow is the taste of pedophilia in the church that those who pastor congregations could commit such vile things to those under their care, and bitter still, that those in authority could cover it up.. as so often has been the case.

I need to stop here, as I criticise, I also need to keep my own house in order I need to look at the life I live. Realising that I am an ambassador for Christ in this world, and my life must reflect the love God showed the world he created, and will redeem. But more than that I need to pray that God will show his mercy to all. He has shown grace to all, and who knows, but for the grace of God, that could be me. No, it is me I am a sinner too.

But at the same time We are challenged on some of the commands of scripture as well, commands that leave women as “different (or unequal?), commands that condemn homosexuality.

I can tell them that I believe this is the way the God that created the universe wants us to live. But in some sense, that puts us, to many, in the category of fundamental fanatics, who care more for a old dogged book than people.

I know that I want to, and have, put my trust in the God who created the universe, the God who loved his creation so much that He sent His Son to die, for a creation that mocks, that despises, and that ignores Him, and offers us freely the chance to be His Children.

Let's pray that in God's mercy many more will bow their knee to Jesus, as His Child, not unwillingly when every knee will bow, and every tongue confesses that Jesus is LORD.

I'm ... [home]

Well, I'm back in Sydney, Australia. Sydney, the wind-swept, winter, wonderland. It is a beautiful sight Sydney at night, after three breakfasts, two two hour lay-overs, and one aborted landing attempt... (those reading from Sydney, would know why ... *wind*)

But it is with mixed feelings that I'm home ... yes I loved landing and knowing that I was heading to my bed, going back to my church family is also great feeling, and well there is the feeling of going back to work as well ...

I've really had a blast ... its been an eye-opening experience, and while I have a lot to share .... I'm going to leave it at this thought for the moment.

I really value the time I have with my bible study, and at church ... the encouragement, the rebukes, ad genuine love ... It's awesome. I was struck by this as it was truly difficult to get to church while I was away. In fact I actually didn't get to church while I was away. Partly because I was actually travelling on all three Sundays that I was away for... but also because I hadn't thought much about it before I left. And had I my time again thats something I would put high on my list of things to do before I left.

Anyway, Stay Safe, and I'll write more soon.

Dunc.

Holiday Update #3

Dear all,

Grace be with you, I hope that you are blessed. Well, heading in the final weel of the trip, and its been quite a blast ...

I've enjoyed experiencing a variety of different cities, and landscapes... I have to admit I was quite taken by Scotland, the Highlands, and Edinburgh ... It was a beaut city,

The festival gave the city a vibrant life. I didn't get to much of the festival, but there were some great street buskers ...

I went to the Edinburgh Tatoo while I was there... It was quite a fun day ... I qued up in the morning for the tickets ... and it was the morning of the Bledisloe Cup game between Australia and New Zealand .. I was across the road from a Cafe that was showing the game live ... I could here the cheers and shouts, but couldn't work out who the cheers were for ... in the end, I got the tickets to the Tatoo, and also found out once I had got the tickets that it was New Zealand who had won ... as I went into the cafe with my All Blacks jumper on ... It was quite an experience ...

The tatoo was amazing too, I really love the sound of the Bagpipes, and it was amzaing hearing them play some classics I could recognise, and others ... there was some amazing drumming from the Swiss as well... if you get the chance to watch it .. on TV do :)

I was sad to leave Ediinburgh, but Ireland is beaut as well ... I've been out to the giants causeway today... which if you believe the legend was built by a Gant trying to get to Scotland, and if you believe the scientists was formed 40 000 years ago (or there abouts) by cooling lava .. Don't know about you, but I would rather believe the Irish Story :)

Anyway, I am going to explore Belfast tomorrow, then on Wednesday I head to Dublin. I'm looking forward to seeing Belfast, it is a beautiful city, the people are really warm and friendly ...

I hope all is well with you all ..

God Bless and keep you all,

Love,
Dunc -

Holiday Update #2

Dear All,

I hope life is treating you well ...

Just thought that I'd take the time to drop you a line. I know that a group email is not As You Like It, but hey.

I've been having a blast, DC was awesome, it has such a rich history ... and standing on the Lincoln Memorial was amazing ... as you looked toward the Capital Building ... you could see the thousands marching to end the Vietnam War, for Civil Rights ... and the Promise Keepers...

the vietnam memorial was amazing too ...

I went and saw the Ashes while I was in London ... and am now spending my midsummer night's dream near Stratford....

The weekend I'm in London, and Cardiff before I head up to scotland...

Anyway... parrting is such sweet sorrow ...that I say good night til next time...


Duncan

Holiday Update..

Dunc has now started off on his great Adventure!! He will be attempting to post occasionally, but I think somehow he might be having too much fun!!! Please check in to be updated if he does get the time...

What a Night ....

Last night, I had the pleasure of watching my beloved All Blacks put the Wallabies to the sword. 50-21 ... It was a bigger victory than I'd dared to hope for.

It was an awesome experience being there. It was "spine-tingling" singing the New Zealand National Anthem... and it was awesome hearing the roar as the Kiwi's ran out ... and as they scored.

We were virtually in the back row on the Western Side of the ground ... I couldn't quite believe how far from the field we were... how many steps we had to climb to get to our seats... But it is an impressive stadia, and an impressive athmosphere ... hearing the joyous Kiwi's break out in renditions of "Pokekere Ana" after the game is a memory I'll cherish...

But there's nothing more dangerous in sport than a wounded Australian. Australia has a knack of leaving its best for the back-to-wall-moments, which it is certainly in now... so we can't be too complacent for the return in Auckland.

Some Good News

I've got some good news to share with you all. It is such a great thing to be able to say that ...

As you all know, I applied for the position as Office Manager at the Social Policy Research Centre, well I was told that I did not get it. The whole experience however was good. I was told that my application was good, I have now had experience being interviewed by people I work with, which is a really strange experience.

I have always been under the impression that I was going to have to apply for my job immediately after I came back from my trip, so it was with great delight that I found out from my supervisor on Wednesday, that although I may not have got the Office Manager's position, and I didn't get my own job, I got the next best thing.. I have had my position's contract extended by 5 months ... Now, my contract will extend until December this year, at which point I do need to apply for the position. It is such a relief being able to leave the country knowing that I will have work when I get back from my trip :)

Incidently here's a brief layout of my trip.

July 28 - August 3: Washington
August 3 - August 4: New York
August 5 - August 11: England, (I will be heading out to the Community Sheild (Manchester Utd v Arsenal)
August 11 - August 17: Scotland
August 17- August 20: Belfast
August 20 - August 23: Dublin
August 24: Arrive back in Sydney.

It's kinda 'whistle-stop-esque', but it will be fun....

Anyway, I do hope to write reflections while I am away. I am still working on my reflections on the Christian and Government and hope to finish that before I leave... but we'll see, it does depend on how crazy it gets here before I leave.

Social Involvement ..

I am reading John Stott's Issues Facing Christians Today, as I thnk about Christian's response to the government, and more generally how we live in this world. The following words were written by a homeless women, after the country vicar she turned to for help, went to the chapel to pray for her. Food for thought.

I was hungry
... and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned,
... and you crept of quietly to your chapel and prayed for my
release.
I was naked,
... and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick,
... and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless,
... and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God
I was lonely
... and you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
... but I am still very hungry - and lonely - and cold.

+++

Too much of our world is hungry, lonely and cold.

It's Been a While ...

I've been a little bit busy over the last few weeks with travel planing, applying for a job, and with work's 'biennial conference'. I've not really been able to do much else. This is sort of a random assortment of thoughts that have been running through my head over the last little while.

I mentioned on here before about Refugee Sunday. The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) has a speech by Julian Burnside QC 'Australia's Crimes Against Humanity' regarding the detention of Asylum Seekers in Australia. The issue has hit the news again as we have one boat that has breached our waters.

Yet, the government, the Australian government, my representatives want to overturn the High Court's decision that indefinite detention of children is illegal. Can someone explain that to me?

There is alot about the Australian nation that we can, and should be proud of; but its awfully hard to see at the moment. (There's another great piece in the Sydney Morning Herald by Hugh Mackay this weekend)

Yet, the front pages of our newspaper are not howling in protest, the majority of the public is in favour of our governments actions. So I ask, where to from here? Is this the Australia I am want to be a citizen of?

The other thing that has been on my mind lately has been related to the conference, a few of the sessions that I heard where on about the media, and its role in social policy issues. How can we get the media to re-examine the policy trends in our society, for example the Community's attitude to those on welfare payments and 'asylum seekers', our governments' (both State and Federal, both Liberal and Labour) attitude to education.

What's our role as members of our society in this?

And ... the subject for another post - as a Christian, how do we, or should we, register disapproval of our government.

Gratitude ...

(Words: Nichole Nordemann, from Woven and Spun, 2002).

Send some rain, would you send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high, and we are sinking in the shade
Would you send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learnt in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If you never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
wrap us up
and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to you
With Gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if thats the case

We'll give thanks to you
With Gratitude
For lessons learnt in how to trust in You

That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus would You please ...

+++

I was listening to Nichole Nordemann's CD "Woven and Spun" this morning, and this song really hit me...

Some Reflections on the Psalms

I’ve been reading the Psalms over the last little while, and wanted to spend some time reflecting on the Psalms.

I’ve previously posted asking a question about Psalm 109, and how we should read it. After talking to my flatmates and reading a little bit more I realise that the Psalms are not sermons, they are not major theological discourses. Instead we learn a lot about the experience of God’s people from the Psalms, we learn a lot of about God, and we learn about the Psalmists, and Israel's relationship with God. The Psalms were poems, and were meant to be sung. (See C.S. Lewis – Reflections on the Psalms).

As a quick aside, how often do our churches read a Psalm together as part of their service? I think that we do lose a lot when we stop reading and reflecting on the Psalms in our Sunday gatherings). Just a thought.

I like this quote about the Psalms, (from the New Bible Dictionary, p981)

“Here (in the Psalms) are mirrored the ideals of religious piety and communion with God, of sorrow for sin, and the search for perfection, of walking in darkness, unafraid, by the lamp of faith, obedient to the law of God, delight in the worship of God, fellowship with the friends of God, reverence for the Word of God; humility under the chasetening rod, trust when evil triumph and wickedness prospers, serenity in the midst of the storm."

The Psalms is often my answer when people ask me what my favourite book of the bible is. Why do I like the Psalms? I think it is largely because it is a book which details how people experience their relationship with God. And it is not always “happy-clappy”. As life moves from joy to sadness and back to joy, so the Psalmist moves from praise through doubt to joy, with faith and trust in God always on view.

Each time I read it, there’s always a new Psalm or verse that strikes a chord with me. This time was no different. Not completely sure about this, so feel free to comment. There is a sense if we take the Psalms as an entity or take many Psalms in isolation; we see the Psalmist, move from orientation with God, through disorientation, and back to orientation.

Then there’s always verses that stick out. We used this one last year in our mission program with the theme “Road”:

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Some of the images are awesome too, the attitude of the Psalmist to the Law in Psalm 119; (the Psalmist clings to the law, and mourns that it is not kept); the magery of the Psalmist “thirsting for God”, an image picked up by Jesus in John 4?

Anyway, just some of my random thoughts as I finish reading the book of the Psalms, and let me commend it to you.

Ps 116:12-14; Psalm 115:1

Waiting for a train

Well, you've got to love the weekend. A time to let the week and its many cares dissappear, while preparing for the next wave to break ...

It's been a good day so far. I caught the train down to see my family, and celebrate my sister's birthday.

I had an interesting experience on the way down. If you know Sydney's trains at all, you know in the morning commuters communicate with silent growls, grrs and hmphs. Any attempt at conversation is seen as an invasion of privacy and met with a polite grr, and raised eyebrows.

Today I was sitting at Sydney's Central Station, reading the Lonely Planet's guide to Ireland when a guy sat next to me, and we talked all the way back home. He shared his plans, and I shared mine.

He told me, he was going to read the bible through from Genesis, and objectively look at it, then he was going to read the Koran and the Jewish bible. Please pray for him. That as he reads the Bible God would show him mercy and open his eyes.

And speaking of eyes, I looked into the eyes of my workmates newborn - Grace, 2weeks old. today.

That is a remarkable experience. Sometimes it makes me grieve, as I look out in the world into which they are born. A world torn by greed, wrecked by hate, yet in God's Grace a world to which mercy will come.

The Rustling Breeze

One of the passages I have loved ever since I first read it, is Ezekiel 37. In the text it is given the heading the "Valley of Dry Bones". The poem below is my reflections on those verses.

The Rustling Breeze

A freshening wind, stirs within
my dryness consumed
the breath fills my flesh

A voice sitrs; commands
and stiff joints feel life creak in
the voice whispers before I form

My soul captive to the voice
carried by the wind
the word fulfills my call

A word of love, undeserved, unearned
a word before time, before my life
A word that knits me together, that holds life to my bones

A word, stirrs me into being
The word, carried on the breeze.

March 20, 2003.

Had some good news today too - I was told today that I have an interview for the Office Manager's position at the Social Policy Research Centre were I currently work.