Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:4-5, 7, 10 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
John 13:34 (ESV)
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said ( to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:28-30 (ESV)
Behold the man upon the cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer,
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
Some reflections on the Path to Life. "You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence" (Psalm 16:11)
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Monday, February 23, 2004
Jewel: Live and Acoustic
Last Thursday night, I went to the Opera House to hear Jewel. It was the first time that I’ve actually been up to the Opera House.
Jewel: Solo, and Acoustic, Feb 19, 2004, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House.
Support: Shane Nicholson
Everything Breaks Sometimes / 1000 Miles Away / Near You Always / Morning Song / Little Sister / Stand / Carnivore / Life Uncommon / Hands / Sometimes it be that Way / 2 Become 1 / Foolish Games / Yodel Song / You Were Meant For Me / Down So Long / Who Will Save Your Soul.
Enc: Intuition / Angel Standing By
NB: the setlist is as best I recall, and is not complete.
+++
I saw Jewel in 1997 or 1998, on her ‘Spirit Tour’. The main reason for my interest this time was because it was advertised as a Solo and Acoustic tour, which nicely recaptured the sound and feel of her first CD Pieces of You, which for mine is still her best. While the other CD’s are sprinkled with a few standout tracks, Pieces of You has about 6-7 tracks that haven’t aged. (Foolish Games, Little Sister, Who Will Save Your Soul, You Were Meant For Me, Don’t, Angel Standing By, and Amen).
The songs she performed this time, probably for this reason, were mostly from her first CD, with a sprinkling from 0304 and Spirit, with one other song from This Way, and a number that I was not familiar with (though the some in the crowd did seem to be).
I was surprised that the show featured just three songs from the new CD: the singles Stand, Intuition; and another song 2 Become 1. Stand being the most political of the songs on the new album. The following references highlighted that for me: So much violence ends in silences, It’s a shame there’s no-one to blame for all the pain that life brings – you wonder if she’s pointing the finger about the war – as the other line On TV DC is selling lies, and the reference to What’s Going’ On by Martin Gaye).
Jewel did speak a little bit – not reading her poetry, which was a little disappointing but telling us stories, about her photo shoot that morning, about the 94 verses of Who Will Save Your Soul written as she wandered through to Mexico, how she toured with Bob Dylan, and wrote, Sometimes it be that Way. Sometimes it be that Way; has one of the phrases that I laugh almost every time I hear it - “And I’m sorry Jesus died for all my sins / I swear to God it won’t happen again”.
Though there were not many moments were Jewel would say, “This song I wrote at this point”, and “it is about this”. (I think she may have done it for WWSYS, and also SIBTW. She did invite requests, and played some of them, reminding us of the truth just because someone writes a song, doesn’t mean they can play it.
The new album, 0304, was for me, somewhat disappointing. The CD contains songs mostly about love; Stand, (as mentioned) and America (about living in America) are notable exceptions. Haunted is a novel take on a familiar theme. There’s nothing again in any of these songs that leaps out at you, and make you say wow. It is Jewel’s voice, but the ideas are not refreshingly different. The highlights are a line here and a verse there.
Summing up it was nice to have been to the Opera House for a concert, the hall was beautiful. I thought Shane Nicholson was great – he had a very similar feel to his music. All things considered it was reasonably good. But nothing really stood out. Nothing leaped out grabbed you, or demanded to be noticed, and left you with the impression you were at something special. The acoustic feel was good, just one person on stage, with her guitar. The crowd were mostly into it, some girls in front were particularly rowdy in their support. Other fans helpfully called out what they wanted to hear, Jewel did ask; reminding us she’d decide, that our ramblings helped her to think, and she would play something she remembered.
In general though, the gems of Jewel are not really her complete songs, though some do particularly stand out, instead I think it is smaller phrases in her songs. An illustration of this is perhaps her song the New Wild West from This Way. In The New Wild West she refers to our bleeding pens responded to by movie tickets. Politicians respond to our fears, by sending us to the movies (reminiscent of Soma from A Brave New World, subdue the masses with their escapism).
So we write to our congressmen with bleeding pens of the sorrow within
And in return, they just send tickets to the latest Tom Hanks show
In the song she then goes on to comment about (the lack of) leadership: and concludes by reminding us, that it begins with us resolving to be better each, every day.
And since it seems clear there’s no one leading us here
The only thing left it seems is to task ourselves
to be better each time than those before us.
And I think that’s a helpful reminder – to be looking at beginning with action, not complaint.
+++
Since the concert, it has been a fun week. There’s been a little more news about the job, MYC on the weekend, which was quite fun. I couldn’t tell you much about the talks. See Ben's site for his comments. Once I have had a chance to hear the talks I'll post something here. I'm looking forward to going up in a couple of weeks time.
It was good to met Ben in the flesh, albeit across a till, selling copies of the Briefing. Ben: I do look forward to talking with you at the next Word by Word meeting.
After MKC, I went to a friend’s 18th. Over the last five or so years it has been awesome to actually get to know one of the campers and her family who visit our mission. God has been gracious, and the family has kept coming to Mission. It is awesome as now these “kids” are at University, and we will be able to keep in contact.
The final point that has resonated through the weekend was the amazing Grace of God, that in the death of Jesus we are saved. Dependence, reliance on this truth is what matters. Yes, we may waver, we will struggle in the trials of life, but the work, the word, of God endures forever. I pray that I never tire of hearing the Good news of the Gospel of grace. I pray that the God of mercy and the mercy of God continue to startle my ears.
+ + +
Jewel: Solo, and Acoustic, Feb 19, 2004, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House.
Support: Shane Nicholson
Everything Breaks Sometimes / 1000 Miles Away / Near You Always / Morning Song / Little Sister / Stand / Carnivore / Life Uncommon / Hands / Sometimes it be that Way / 2 Become 1 / Foolish Games / Yodel Song / You Were Meant For Me / Down So Long / Who Will Save Your Soul.
Enc: Intuition / Angel Standing By
NB: the setlist is as best I recall, and is not complete.
+++
I saw Jewel in 1997 or 1998, on her ‘Spirit Tour’. The main reason for my interest this time was because it was advertised as a Solo and Acoustic tour, which nicely recaptured the sound and feel of her first CD Pieces of You, which for mine is still her best. While the other CD’s are sprinkled with a few standout tracks, Pieces of You has about 6-7 tracks that haven’t aged. (Foolish Games, Little Sister, Who Will Save Your Soul, You Were Meant For Me, Don’t, Angel Standing By, and Amen).
The songs she performed this time, probably for this reason, were mostly from her first CD, with a sprinkling from 0304 and Spirit, with one other song from This Way, and a number that I was not familiar with (though the some in the crowd did seem to be).
I was surprised that the show featured just three songs from the new CD: the singles Stand, Intuition; and another song 2 Become 1. Stand being the most political of the songs on the new album. The following references highlighted that for me: So much violence ends in silences, It’s a shame there’s no-one to blame for all the pain that life brings – you wonder if she’s pointing the finger about the war – as the other line On TV DC is selling lies, and the reference to What’s Going’ On by Martin Gaye).
Jewel did speak a little bit – not reading her poetry, which was a little disappointing but telling us stories, about her photo shoot that morning, about the 94 verses of Who Will Save Your Soul written as she wandered through to Mexico, how she toured with Bob Dylan, and wrote, Sometimes it be that Way. Sometimes it be that Way; has one of the phrases that I laugh almost every time I hear it - “And I’m sorry Jesus died for all my sins / I swear to God it won’t happen again”.
Though there were not many moments were Jewel would say, “This song I wrote at this point”, and “it is about this”. (I think she may have done it for WWSYS, and also SIBTW. She did invite requests, and played some of them, reminding us of the truth just because someone writes a song, doesn’t mean they can play it.
The new album, 0304, was for me, somewhat disappointing. The CD contains songs mostly about love; Stand, (as mentioned) and America (about living in America) are notable exceptions. Haunted is a novel take on a familiar theme. There’s nothing again in any of these songs that leaps out at you, and make you say wow. It is Jewel’s voice, but the ideas are not refreshingly different. The highlights are a line here and a verse there.
Summing up it was nice to have been to the Opera House for a concert, the hall was beautiful. I thought Shane Nicholson was great – he had a very similar feel to his music. All things considered it was reasonably good. But nothing really stood out. Nothing leaped out grabbed you, or demanded to be noticed, and left you with the impression you were at something special. The acoustic feel was good, just one person on stage, with her guitar. The crowd were mostly into it, some girls in front were particularly rowdy in their support. Other fans helpfully called out what they wanted to hear, Jewel did ask; reminding us she’d decide, that our ramblings helped her to think, and she would play something she remembered.
In general though, the gems of Jewel are not really her complete songs, though some do particularly stand out, instead I think it is smaller phrases in her songs. An illustration of this is perhaps her song the New Wild West from This Way. In The New Wild West she refers to our bleeding pens responded to by movie tickets. Politicians respond to our fears, by sending us to the movies (reminiscent of Soma from A Brave New World, subdue the masses with their escapism).
So we write to our congressmen with bleeding pens of the sorrow within
And in return, they just send tickets to the latest Tom Hanks show
In the song she then goes on to comment about (the lack of) leadership: and concludes by reminding us, that it begins with us resolving to be better each, every day.
And since it seems clear there’s no one leading us here
The only thing left it seems is to task ourselves
to be better each time than those before us.
And I think that’s a helpful reminder – to be looking at beginning with action, not complaint.
+++
Since the concert, it has been a fun week. There’s been a little more news about the job, MYC on the weekend, which was quite fun. I couldn’t tell you much about the talks. See Ben's site for his comments. Once I have had a chance to hear the talks I'll post something here. I'm looking forward to going up in a couple of weeks time.
It was good to met Ben in the flesh, albeit across a till, selling copies of the Briefing. Ben: I do look forward to talking with you at the next Word by Word meeting.
After MKC, I went to a friend’s 18th. Over the last five or so years it has been awesome to actually get to know one of the campers and her family who visit our mission. God has been gracious, and the family has kept coming to Mission. It is awesome as now these “kids” are at University, and we will be able to keep in contact.
The final point that has resonated through the weekend was the amazing Grace of God, that in the death of Jesus we are saved. Dependence, reliance on this truth is what matters. Yes, we may waver, we will struggle in the trials of life, but the work, the word, of God endures forever. I pray that I never tire of hearing the Good news of the Gospel of grace. I pray that the God of mercy and the mercy of God continue to startle my ears.
+ + +
Thursday, February 12, 2004
KYC Reflection .. Part I
During KYC, we heard a number of really great sermons, expounding the Sermon on the Mount. What made them great? Sure they had some great illustrations, sure they spoke clearly, but I think the lasting imprint from the talks was how confronting, and how challenging God’s word is. They didn’t bend or distort it, because it said something they didn’t want to hear. The speakers had integrity, they illustrated, illuminated how they are wrestling with the passage in their own lives. After they finished we applauded. The MC then made a comment that has stuck in my mind.
Our applause for these speakers is our desire to continue to work out our salvation, with fear and trembling. Our applause for the speakers is living whole heartedly for God now. For if we don’t seek to change our lives, they have laboured in vain. If we do not hold fast to the gospel, our applause is meaningless. Our applause is keeping on keeping on, our applause is wrestling with the scripture, wrestling with God in prayer for each other, that we all would hold fast, and stand firm until the end.
Our applause for these speakers is our desire to continue to work out our salvation, with fear and trembling. Our applause for the speakers is living whole heartedly for God now. For if we don’t seek to change our lives, they have laboured in vain. If we do not hold fast to the gospel, our applause is meaningless. Our applause is keeping on keeping on, our applause is wrestling with the scripture, wrestling with God in prayer for each other, that we all would hold fast, and stand firm until the end.
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
In America
+++Spoilers Below+++
Time enough for hard questions
Time enough for all our fears
Time is tougher than we both know yet
Time enough for tears
Time enough for being braver
Time enough I love this time of year,
Time is tough, its running away from us,
Time enough for tears
(Time Enough for Tears – written by Gavin Friday, and Bono, from the In America Soundtrack – performed by Andrea Corr)
In America beautifully and movingly translates the experience of grief to screen, Johnny and Sarah with their two kids, move from Ireland, through Canada, into America, they are clearly struggling with the loss of their son, who died in tragic circumstances.
We see that as they cross the border into America, we see that as they try to settle in to a new apartment. We see that Johnny is unable to get work as an actor, because he cannot feel - He cannot act, even for his kids.
As he cannot feel it makes sense that it is through the eyes of the children, the eyes of Christy, and her camcorder, we hear and see the story be told. The children also struggle in their own way, seeing America as a new beginning, a new playground. A playground stained by pain, a pain, they try to distract their parents from.
As they explore their new home, an apartment block, filled with junkies and other social outcasts, hope comes, through knocking on a door. The two kids Christy and Ariel at Halloween knock on the door of the man who screams, a recluse, with his own story, and his own grief.
Matteo (the man who screams) is a painter, who is dealing with the knowledge he is dying. There’s a natural bond between the family who is dying, with life, and the man who would love to live but instead deals with the reality of his imminent death. He offers the family faith; he is the catalyst to awaken them from their grief. And as he dies, we see their new child be born.
The relationships are real. The grief is clear. We do see both parents show their grief, for Sarah, who cannot look into Johnny’s eyes for they remind her of Frankie. Johnny, after a night at the fair, starts playing a game with the kids, and then as he realises he is looking for Frankie he stops, as he stops his wife urges him to continue playing for the sake of the kids.
We too feel the loss of Frankie. And the kids feeling the loss of their parents is highlighted by the scene in Heaven (an Ice Cream parlour), were Ariel says – you don’t play with us as you used to.
Another standout moment is when Christy (Sarah Bolger) sings Desperado. She has a beautiful voice. And that song speaks her heart. Christy later admits that she lost something, and has been holding the family together.
The last scene is one that stays in my mind, we see Christy, turn off her camcorder, and tell us, this is not how she wants to remember her brother; she wants to remember his face, and she asks if he can see her.
I don’t think I’ve been as moved by a film in a long time. The story engages with you, at times, you feel like you are watching someone else’s home movies. The acting of Sarah and Emma Bolger is also brilliant, it is so natural, and the natural joy, naivety, and at times maturity Sarah and Emma bring add to the films impact.
Time enough for hard questions
Time enough for all our fears
Time is tougher than we both know yet
Time enough for tears
Time enough for being braver
Time enough I love this time of year,
Time is tough, its running away from us,
Time enough for tears
(Time Enough for Tears – written by Gavin Friday, and Bono, from the In America Soundtrack – performed by Andrea Corr)
In America beautifully and movingly translates the experience of grief to screen, Johnny and Sarah with their two kids, move from Ireland, through Canada, into America, they are clearly struggling with the loss of their son, who died in tragic circumstances.
We see that as they cross the border into America, we see that as they try to settle in to a new apartment. We see that Johnny is unable to get work as an actor, because he cannot feel - He cannot act, even for his kids.
As he cannot feel it makes sense that it is through the eyes of the children, the eyes of Christy, and her camcorder, we hear and see the story be told. The children also struggle in their own way, seeing America as a new beginning, a new playground. A playground stained by pain, a pain, they try to distract their parents from.
As they explore their new home, an apartment block, filled with junkies and other social outcasts, hope comes, through knocking on a door. The two kids Christy and Ariel at Halloween knock on the door of the man who screams, a recluse, with his own story, and his own grief.
Matteo (the man who screams) is a painter, who is dealing with the knowledge he is dying. There’s a natural bond between the family who is dying, with life, and the man who would love to live but instead deals with the reality of his imminent death. He offers the family faith; he is the catalyst to awaken them from their grief. And as he dies, we see their new child be born.
The relationships are real. The grief is clear. We do see both parents show their grief, for Sarah, who cannot look into Johnny’s eyes for they remind her of Frankie. Johnny, after a night at the fair, starts playing a game with the kids, and then as he realises he is looking for Frankie he stops, as he stops his wife urges him to continue playing for the sake of the kids.
We too feel the loss of Frankie. And the kids feeling the loss of their parents is highlighted by the scene in Heaven (an Ice Cream parlour), were Ariel says – you don’t play with us as you used to.
Another standout moment is when Christy (Sarah Bolger) sings Desperado. She has a beautiful voice. And that song speaks her heart. Christy later admits that she lost something, and has been holding the family together.
The last scene is one that stays in my mind, we see Christy, turn off her camcorder, and tell us, this is not how she wants to remember her brother; she wants to remember his face, and she asks if he can see her.
I don’t think I’ve been as moved by a film in a long time. The story engages with you, at times, you feel like you are watching someone else’s home movies. The acting of Sarah and Emma Bolger is also brilliant, it is so natural, and the natural joy, naivety, and at times maturity Sarah and Emma bring add to the films impact.
Friday, February 06, 2004
Goodbye Lenin!
My mother outlived the German Democratic Republic by three days …
And with that the film wound to conclusion. The film was a great rollercoaster ride of emotion. You laughed, you cried. By way of summary – a staunch socialist falls into coma. The doctor warns that any shock, any excitement might kill her. During her coma, the Berlin Wall fell – her world literally came crashing down around her – the son’s solution, pretend it hadn’t happened.
There were a few great lines about lying – one of the lines, as the lie get bigger; it gets out of control and take one a life of its own. But the film for me was not there to teach us about morality and truth.
To me, the script was great, the characters were believable. The relationships between the two children, their respective partners, and his father were all beautifully constructed. The interweaving of comedy and tragedy worked beautifully. I heartily recommend it.
+++
Though, the day was not without its own little bits of drama. Having decided to go I jumped on the bus from work, at 5:22. I got off the bus, at Central at roughly 6:40pm … The trip made a snail look like a Brett Lee yorker. Ah well, it was all worth it.
+++
Over the weekend I’ll be aiming to go and see In America with my parents, which should be fun. In America, put simply is about new beginnings. Based somewhat on the experiences of the director Jim Sheridan, and largely written by Jim, and his two real life daughters.
It looks great. One of my friends mentioned to me that it was terribly unlucky to not get a Best Picture nomination. But, come now, we’ve all realised the truly great films are not either nominated, or winners of Oscars.
And with that the film wound to conclusion. The film was a great rollercoaster ride of emotion. You laughed, you cried. By way of summary – a staunch socialist falls into coma. The doctor warns that any shock, any excitement might kill her. During her coma, the Berlin Wall fell – her world literally came crashing down around her – the son’s solution, pretend it hadn’t happened.
There were a few great lines about lying – one of the lines, as the lie get bigger; it gets out of control and take one a life of its own. But the film for me was not there to teach us about morality and truth.
To me, the script was great, the characters were believable. The relationships between the two children, their respective partners, and his father were all beautifully constructed. The interweaving of comedy and tragedy worked beautifully. I heartily recommend it.
+++
Though, the day was not without its own little bits of drama. Having decided to go I jumped on the bus from work, at 5:22. I got off the bus, at Central at roughly 6:40pm … The trip made a snail look like a Brett Lee yorker. Ah well, it was all worth it.
+++
Over the weekend I’ll be aiming to go and see In America with my parents, which should be fun. In America, put simply is about new beginnings. Based somewhat on the experiences of the director Jim Sheridan, and largely written by Jim, and his two real life daughters.
It looks great. One of my friends mentioned to me that it was terribly unlucky to not get a Best Picture nomination. But, come now, we’ve all realised the truly great films are not either nominated, or winners of Oscars.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
In the name of love ...
It's been a fun, and busy few weeks. Like Elsie, and Ben, I was also at KYC over the Australia Day weekend. Will post my thoughts later. But one point to make here is, to quote one of the speakers - the Sermon on the Mount is no beanbag. It does make one uncomfortable.
Friday after work I had a nice surpirse, after a busy week at work, it was great coming home and finding the book of Whale Rider in the mail, Thanks Deb. (And as an aside congrats to Keisha Castle Hughes for the deserved nomination for best actress)
Last weekend was a nice relaxing weekend. Went for a walk out to Coogee Beach for Breakfast on Saturday, before having a BBQ lunch on Bronte Beach. Kind of regret not doing more "exploring" since I moved up to the Eastern Suburbs. There are a number of nice beaches out here. Sunday, was mostly spent catching up with one the former residents of my flat, in front of the tennis and cricket. It was great fun.
Its been good to have a somewhat quieter week at work so far. But that will change. I've got some news on the job front. Sometime later this month I'll apply for my job, and have a chat (read interview) with a few of my colleagues about my job.
Its a strange situation, and I am somewhat worried that I'd sell myself out of my job. But I do also want to hold on to the fact, that whatever happens in the interview and with the job, God is working his purposes out. Though I think its more likely than not that I'd get the job .. it doesn't make it any easier an experience. Please pray for me.
Today after work I had another nice surprise, I had a CD arrive in the mail. Interesting hearing some songs you love reinterpreted, by other artists you love...
Friday after work I had a nice surpirse, after a busy week at work, it was great coming home and finding the book of Whale Rider in the mail, Thanks Deb. (And as an aside congrats to Keisha Castle Hughes for the deserved nomination for best actress)
Last weekend was a nice relaxing weekend. Went for a walk out to Coogee Beach for Breakfast on Saturday, before having a BBQ lunch on Bronte Beach. Kind of regret not doing more "exploring" since I moved up to the Eastern Suburbs. There are a number of nice beaches out here. Sunday, was mostly spent catching up with one the former residents of my flat, in front of the tennis and cricket. It was great fun.
Its been good to have a somewhat quieter week at work so far. But that will change. I've got some news on the job front. Sometime later this month I'll apply for my job, and have a chat (read interview) with a few of my colleagues about my job.
Its a strange situation, and I am somewhat worried that I'd sell myself out of my job. But I do also want to hold on to the fact, that whatever happens in the interview and with the job, God is working his purposes out. Though I think its more likely than not that I'd get the job .. it doesn't make it any easier an experience. Please pray for me.
Today after work I had another nice surprise, I had a CD arrive in the mail. Interesting hearing some songs you love reinterpreted, by other artists you love...
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