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.)