the fountainside.

Gone to Blogger Beta...

2006-12-19T19:51:00.000+11:00

We've Moved! You can now find us here!

Sam and Soph

2006-12-17T16:50:00.000+11:00

2006-12-17T16:36:00.000+11:00

Dever on relevancy and faithfulness

2006-09-28T16:33:00.000+10:00

We've been discussing relevance and culture and the mission of the church in the thread below. I read an article by Mark Dever today that was most helpful. (h/t Craig).

Here's a bit to get you thinking.

"On the other hand, I am concerned about those who, in the name of evangelism, alter everything in their churches’ services to make the non-Christian feel more at home, all the while, ironically, assuming that everybody sufficiently understands the gospel. In other words, they don’t preach the whole counsel of God, and they do not speak week after week about God’s holy character, his holy wrath, his love made all the more astounding in light of his holiness, and his remarkable act of substitution on the cross. Like I already said, read their books and attend their conferences and you learn that they apparently think that knowing how to "be relevant" is the church’s major challenge. Holding onto the gospel, it would seem, is comparatively easy.

Consider what might actually be happening to the gospel message when all our effort goes into changing the "presentation" until we successfully yield a response from carnal man. Might we
not actually be at risk of changing the message itself?"

Mark Dever

Read more here.

10 points for anyone who knows me well enough to get the joke with the picture

Two Firsts!

2006-09-28T13:18:00.000+10:00

I've never played Tennis before. (gasp!) I've never been the sporty type, although I've played a lot of tabletennis. I'm having my first hit this afternoon with a guy from our Bible Study who's gone Tennis Crazy in the last few weeks, and wants a hitting partner. Should be fun!

After that another mate is coming over for some coffee roasting and Bible reading. Despite being a professional barista in my life before full time ministry, I've never actually roasted coffee before. Will let you know how it goes!

My space...

2006-09-27T15:15:00.000+10:00

...is so cluttered and jumbled (click here). I just don't get what the attraction is...?

Driscoll on the Emerging Church

2006-09-27T08:36:00.000+10:00

I've been trying to find something to help me understand the 'emerging church' in a simple way for quite some time now. This video helped me to at least start getting my head around this complicated concept.
A major problem seems to be the terminology - emerging has three differnt strands, and then there is 'emergent' which sounds the same but seems to be the one to be wary of. As Driscoll says: "They tend to be more liberal on such things as substitutionary atonement, authority of scripture, exclusivity of Christ, and original sin...". The other branches seem to be more interested in rethinking the practices of church meetings and evangelism to reach a younger, non-churched generation of society. Thoughts?

P.S this is our 100th post! Hooray!

It came in a box

2006-09-26T13:16:00.000+10:00

A small box came in the mail for dad today and inside, wrapped in silky tissue paper, was an embossed piece of cardboard with a silk orchid splayed on the corner. The orchid had two brown tendrils (presumably stalks) which curled around two gold names and a date. It was a wedding invitation, so elaborately put together that it needed its own box to be sent in the mail.

My dad reckons that a person’s wedding invite says a lot about the couple. Seeing as Sam and I are getting my graphic designer brother to make a square postcard for us to send, I wonder what that says about us. Funky? Edgy? Modern? Lazy is more like it. Postcard equals no ribbons, feathers, glitter, paper glue, folding, or calligraphy. No RSI from tying miniature bows on numerous pieces of cardboard.

That suits us both down to the ground!

New stuff from Sovereign Grace

2006-09-25T14:53:00.000+10:00

I've loved learning some Sovereign Grace songs at church this year. They've just released a new album called Valley of Vision which looks promising. The CD is founded upon the prayers of Puritans like John Bunyan, Thomas Watson, Richard Baxter, and Isaac Watts among others. Origianlly published in a book of the same name, now Sovereign Grace have put these prayers to music, and they sound great. I really like 'Let your Kingdom Come'. I hope we pick up some of these for church soon.

Desiring God

2006-09-22T13:10:00.000+10:00

Last night at Bible study, we did a one off study on John Piper. In our group planning at the start of the year, our group decided that they would like to learn about some theologians in the weeks between our regular studies. So, having finished Ephesians and having had a social last week, we took to John Piper last night.
We listened to this sermon as a group and then discussed the ideas that it raised. Basically the sermon is the grounds for the first chapter of the book Desiring God.

One verse that Piper refers to in the sermon really resonated with me . Piper had set forth the problem of our sin before God. How can we possibly have confidence that God will forgive us? Is it that God has a duty to forgive us? Is he bound by some heavenly set of rules that force him to be merciful?
Answer: Jeremiah 9:24, "'I am the Lord who performs mercy and justice and righteousness in the earth, because in these things I delight' says the Lord."

God delights in showing us mercy. He loves to do it. He is not, in Piper terms, a 'gloomy God'. He loves to show mercy. He loves to forgive. It brings God joy to be merciful. Thanks be to God that he loves to be merciful!

Blogger Beta

2006-09-21T22:31:00.000+10:00

Google is taking over the world.

Blogger Beta has been released. You can tour the features here.
It looks cool, and Google own it.

sitting at the feet of Jesus

2006-09-21T13:48:00.000+10:00

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

The first time I ever heard a sermon on Luke 10:13-49 was my school chapel service in year seven. “Life is too busy!” the chaplain exclaimed to a room packed with young girls. “Jesus teaches us that we should take time out for ourselves - not get caught up in constant activity.”

Although I had an inkling that my chaplain had made a huge mistake by leaving out Jesus, for years I agreed with her take-away message - that we are too busy to listen to Jesus (though obviously, I added the “Jesus” bit).

However, recently I came across one small phrase in the passage that made me rethink this. Verse 40 says that Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. It wasn’t Martha’s busyness that Luke chose to highlight in his account. It was the fact that she was distracted, worried and upset about many things.

And understandably so. Jesus – the great teacher and promised Messiah - is coming to visit! Ministry, for that is essentially what Martha is doing by opening her home, never had such a feeling of urgency. There are dishes to cook, rooms to clean, servants to prep. You can’t help but sympathise with her when she turns around and sees her sister Mary barely lifting a finger.

However, Jesus’ response to Mary’s complaints is unexpected. It is Mary, not Martha, who has “chosen what is better”. Rather than rushing about the place worrying about things, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to what He says. Jesus rebukes Martha not for being busy, but for being distracted from what really matters.

When I began this post, I wanted to write about how we should not be so busy with ministry, but make sure we take enough time out to listen to Jesus and read his Word. After all, it’s no secret that Christians are often so busy with meetings, whether it’s a committee meetings, bible studies, leadership training and weekends away. Too often we need to be told to step back, pace ourselves a little and give ourselves room to breathe.

But the more I read this part of the Bible, the more I’m convinced that Jesus is not criticising ministerial acts in themselves, or even the volume of ministry in our lives. Rather, he is putting his finger on the way in which we conduct ministry.

We’ve all been in this situation before. A church event is happening soon and there’s so much to organise: seating, lighting, the sound desk, music, hand outs, supper. Some people are panicking about little things, like forgetting to ask Tom to bring his acoustic, not electric, guitar. Others are spending a large amount of time on a comparatively small matter. Everyone is stressed out and feel like the night can’t come soon enough.

Being half-hearted is wrong. It’s important to put effort and creativity into whatever we do. However, there’s a serious problem when tasks cause people to feel worried, upset or distracted from sitting and listening at the feet of Jesus.

The same goes for the way we live. Ministry is not just doing church activities, but more importantly, giving our entire lives joyfully to the Lord, no matter what situation we are in. Martha allowed herself to be distracted, worried and upset by many things. It didn’t matter that the things she stressed about were inherently good, such as preparing the house for Jesus’ visit. In the end, she cheated herself by focusing on the less important things. Are we tempted to do the same? When I think of the things that consume my mind to the point of stressing me out – my job, relationships, day to day stuff, even ministry – I know I haven’t always chosen the better way.

Jesus goes on to say that what Mary has poured her efforts into “will not be taken away”. This makes so much sense. If I pour all my effort into earning enough money to buy a house, I may be able to enjoy it while I’m here on this earth, but one day it will be gone. Far better to listen to Jesus and invest in an inheritance that will not perish, spoil or fade. If I spend hours on end stressing about beautiful decorations for a church event, or running around like a headless chicken to make dinner for 150 people (while stressing everyone else out in the meantime)…guess what? The meal ends, people go home and tomorrow is another day. Far better to listen to Jesus, be joyful while serving, hear His word and spend the night encouraging others. If I stress about raising my children, about the million and one things I could have done better and the ways I should be “developing their potential”, I will wake up one day to realise they’re 23 and can’t even remember those cello lessons I made them take years ago. Far better to listen to Jesus, and teach them to do the same.

There is nothing wrong with being busy and putting effort into things. Living a life full of activities is wonderful, but they should never distract us from Jesus. I pray that we may sit at his feet until the end of our days, when we finally see Him face to face.

Individual Difference

2006-09-20T08:32:00.000+10:00

I think that this is a fantastic article from the Dean. I remember the first time I understood what Paul meant when he described women as the weaker vessel. It was thanks to this book.

Autopilot

2006-09-19T14:04:00.000+10:00

I don’t get invited to weddings very often, maybe three or four a year. A week before every wedding, it’s a habit of mine to go through my wardrobe for something to wear, convince myself that I have nothing appropriate and go shopping for a new dress/skirt/top/earrings. I don’t think this is uncommon for most girls (or maybe the naughty, worldly kind like me!); often I’ll go shopping with friends from work because someone has a party on the weekend or a big event coming up at the end of the month.

I’m songleading at Jen and Jon’s wedding this Saturday, so today at lunch I put myself into autopilot and went to some generic chain store (I think it was Sportsgirl or Just Jeans) looking for a new top to wear. I was contemplating a pretty blue blouse when I suddenly stopped and thought about what I was doing.

There are people in this world who struggle to find enough clothes to keep them warm for the winter, or save up a month’s pay just so they can afford to clothe their kids. Then there is me: fortunate enough never to have to worry about those things, but willing to hand over $40 for a new top without thinking. There is something seriously wrong with that! That $40 could be spent in so many better ways. I could give it away to a charity like Compassion. I could put it in my savings account for our church’s building project. I could buy someone who needs cheering up a lovely present. God has clothed and taken care of me so abundantly, like the lilies of the field. I have plenty of perfectly wearable tops to wear to a wedding. Why do I need to buy another one?

This “spiritual battle” in my head made me wonder: how many other little things I do on autopilot without reflecting on Christ and the difference He makes in my life?

What about you?

Chaser on the Vod

2006-09-19T12:07:00.000+10:00

The ABC have released a vodcast (video podcast) of The Chasers War on everything. Looks like you can now subscribe and get the entire season for free.

This is surely the way that television will go in the future. No need to be home on Friday night at 9:30 - just subscribe and watch whenever you like, as many times as you like. Quality is pretty good too!

Punk Rocker

2006-09-19T08:42:00.000+10:00

Regan was voted out which was a shame, because I really liked her and I love that punk rocker song by Sandie Toms.

I'm also annoyed that Kyle criticised Jessica’s clothes – for goodness sake, she’s a 16 year old girl! It made me think of Nixter’s post here. Amen to Nixter!

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air

I was born too late into a world that doesn't care

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair.

When the head of state didn't play guitar

Not everybody drove a car

When music really mattered and when radio was king

When accountants didn't have control

And the media couldn't buy your soul

And computers were still scary and we didn't know everything.

When pop stars still remained a myth

And ignorance could still be bliss

And when god saved the queen she turned a whiter shade of pale.

My mom and dad were in their teens

And anarchy was still a dream

And the only way to stay in touch was a letter in the mail.

When record shops were still on top

And vinyl was all that they stocked

And the super info highway was still drifting out in space.

Kids were wearing hand me downs

And playing games meant kick arounds

And footballers still had long hair and dirt across their face.

I was born too late into a world that doesn't care

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair.

New podcast

2006-09-18T09:57:00.000+10:00

The youth team at Carlo have launched a podcast of their friday night preaching from their youth group, Salt. Most of it is from Mike Everett - who is a fine preacher, but I think there may be others in time to come. If you're looking for a short 15-20 minute bible talk for the train trip etc - this is the place.

Subscribe here, listen online here.

Pray for the ministry to youth in Carlingford

Preaching to the Heart.

2006-09-18T09:08:00.000+10:00

Earlier this year, I went to the MTS preachers conference. The theme of the conference was 'Preaching to the heart'. We spent two days studying the puritans, and the way in which they preached. It was a call for our preaching to be more than just a "going through of the information" in the text. Instead we were encouraged to "present the gospel truth in terms of its effect on the affections". Good preaching is not about us examining the scriptures only - Good preaching will let the scriptures examine us.
The sermon last night at Christians in the Media was a fine example of this. It was preaching from the heart, about the heart of God. Don't miss this sermon.

A semi-charmed kind of life

2006-09-15T12:21:00.000+10:00

On Wednesday I was bored while waiting for some friends at the pub, so I decided to duck next door to the newsagency and buy a trashy magazine; something that was “healthy-recipes-and-bargain-shopping”, not “famous-nose-jobs-and-Paris-Hilton”.

I eventually picked up Notebook, a magazine that oozed charm and pastel prettiness just from the glossy cover. Divided into sections about food, home, community and health/wellbeing, the mag offers creative tips on how to spruce up an old cupboard, get into online dating and pack your kids a healthy lunch. It even has a section on community work and how to become a volunteer for various charities. Devoid of scantily dressed models, celebrity gossip and bad sex advice, it’s a classy magazine for women who are still modern but, quite simply, over all the hype.

Magazines like Notebook (e.g. Madison, In Style, Real Living) reveal a growing market of women in their late twenties to early forties who opt for a simpler life rather than the “bigger, better, more pay” syndrome of the 1980s and 90s. Instead of wanting it all, this new breed demand quality of living. The name of the game isn’t to have a burgeoning career, family and magnificent house, but to live well, prefer simplicity to ostentation and take care of what they have. In short, it’s to have a designer life.

This doesn’t mean that wealth isn’t important to these women. It’s more a differentiation in the things they choose to spend their money on. Instead of a mansion on Hunter’s Hill, it’s a Victorian terrace in Annandale. Instead of a living room decked out with the latest technology and furniture, it’s a single, $30,000 chair created by a famous designer. The only exception seems to be spending on the children, where a lack of restraint hardly raises an eyebrow.

For the upper echelons, designer living can seem like a sunny change from the stale taste of branding and manufactured prestige. However, it still has one thing in common with the gorging materialist of the 90s: rampant pretentiousness.

Maybe it’s the image-obsessed city we live in, but these days, “charm” can be packaged into anything, from a brand of car to kitchen décor. An example that recently struck me is wedding photography. Instead of ostentatious glamour shots, photography companies are now trying to sell off-the-cuff, “natural” shots that (to quote a recent bridal magazine) “capture those precious moments forever”. The irony is that these boutique photography packages cost around $3-4,000 and upwards. Brides pay money to manufacture a supposedly natural look because, while they want the appearance of an action shot, they still want to look like models. Shouldn’t the joy of those “precious moments” emanate from the happiness of the couple celebrating with loved ones? If the latter is the case, then why not get your aunt Rose to take the happy snaps for free?

I yearn for the old days, when “living well” was measured by a woman’s behaviour and not her possessions, sincerity was a valuable quality, and spiritual growth had more to do with her character rather than expensive yoga classes and Anthony Robbins. In the end, you just can’t buy a life that is meaningful. That kind of life is created through innate qualities such as love, peace, righteousness, joy, faithfulness, patience and unquenchable hope in something solid. And it can only be found when what women search for in life isn’t the appearance of meaning, but meaning itself.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
(Proverbs 31:30)

2006-09-14T15:56:00.000+10:00

"If you are telling me that a bad person who attends church will be "saved", but a good person who does not attend church will not be saved, then I don't think I want anything more to do with your sort of Christianity."

I read this comment on someone's blog today and it made me so sad.

To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not cry". (Luke 7:31-32)

Social

2006-09-14T13:58:00.000+10:00

Tonight we're taking our Bible Study group out for a social evening at Manly. Last week we finished a 12 or so week series on Ephesians, so we decided to have a night off, and go out as a group. The main reason for choosing Manly is so that Tobias (a German student on exchange who has joined our group) can see this beautiful part of Sydney. Updates and photos tomorrow.

What would you reccommend we visit in Manly?
What would you like to see a photo of tomorrow?

iTunes 7

2006-09-13T15:00:00.000+10:00

As a long time Mac user, I've had iTunes since right back at version 1. Today Apple released version 7, and it's finally included the one thing I've wanted for ages - album artwork. Yes they've had it for songs you buy off the music store for a while - but now you can have it even for the songs you already owned. iTunes downloads it all for you, and you can see it as you flick through your songs - as if you were flicking through your CD collection. It's a small pleasure - but I'm excited. You can download the new version here.

workplace bible study

2006-09-13T14:40:00.000+10:00

It took ages to get off the ground, but we’ve finally just had our second lunch time bible study at work. And we had a 100% increase in attendance – four instead of two!

Please pray for our group as we read through Colossians (using fanastic studies written by Sam Leary!). Pray that we'll meet regularly and urge one another on as Christians in our workplace.

And while you're at it, pray may have boldness at work to be upfront about Christianity and tell others about Christ. This is something I really struggle with (don’t we all?) but I don’t want to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus, the power of salvation for all who believe.

Peace and quiet

2006-09-13T09:05:00.000+10:00

I live at home in a small house with a noisy family.

This makes it hard to sleep at night, especially since I have sensitive hearing and like absolute quiet. I often toss and turn to the sound of footsteps, the television, music, talking, even singing sometimes, until I drift into slumber. My family knows this and always makes a huge effort to keep the noise down, but there’s only so much you can do when the entire house is covered in floorboards that reverberate every noise.

So you can imagine the anticipation I felt when I was asked to housesit an empty home for one whole month. Finally, a place to my own! No more having to tell teenage boys to turn the TV down. No more queuing for the shower. At last, the simple pleasure of being able to read a good book late at night without chatter in the background. Most importantly, I would finally have peace and quiet when I go to sleep. It was going to be fantastic.

Last night, after putting on my pyjamas, brushing my teeth and setting my alarm, I hopped into bed, shut my eyes and prepared to drift away into the heaviness that comes before sleep. The lack of noise was delicious. There was absolutely no chatter, no TV. No mother making earrings late at night for her class the next morning. No father preparing a talk while whistling an off-key song. Not even the sound of someone madly typing away at the computer for a last minute assignment, or boyish laughter at a funny joke on TV, or Ben Harper crooning gently at the edges of consciousness. No people, only the fading breeze. The house was completely silent.

It was the worst sleep I’ve had in ages.

What is a Christian hedonist?

2006-09-12T08:34:00.000+10:00

Some people are inclined to believe that Christians are supposed to seek God’s will as opposed to pursuing their own pleasure. But what makes Biblical morality different than worldly hedonism is not that Biblical morality is disinterested and duty-driven, but that it is interested in vastly greater and purer things. Christian Hedonism is Biblical morality because it recognizes that obeying God is the only route to final and lasting happinesss.

(from John Piper's website)

This year at bible study, we’re going to spend a few nights looking at the contribution of some great thinkers/theologians to the faith. Next week, Sam and I have decided to look at John Piper, so I am trying to read as much of his work as I can before I write the study this weekend. I have already read (well, half read…I struggle with reading a book right until the end) Desiring God and Counted Righteous in Christ - I loved DG but found CR in C a tougher read. I’m also hoping to listen to a few sermons and add some essays to the mix.

I’m going to use this blog to write up my thoughts, so watch this space for more on Piper ;)

Art or Cruelty?

2006-09-11T14:15:00.000+10:00

Art or just plain cruel?

US photographer Jill Greenberg’s 2004 work has recently caused a scandal, with critics calling her a “sick woman who should be arrested and charged with child abuse” (according to the Telegraph and the SMH).

Basically, Greenberg takes pictures of two and three year old toddlers in tears. To procure the needed waterworks for the shot, she gives them a lollipop and takes it away after a few minutes. Greenberg used her own daughter for one of the photographs and has managed to sell the series at a tidy sum of $6,000 each.

It’s interesting to read how she conceived the idea in the first place:

I saw this little girl at a party with her mom, and she was beautiful, so I thought it might be interesting to photograph her. When they came to my studio, the mother brought along her toddler son, and I decided to shoot him too. We took off his shirt because it was dirty. He started crying on his own, and I shot that, and when I got the contact sheets back I thought, "This could go with a caption, 'Four More Years,'" like he was appalled at George Bush's reelection. The images have a real power—they immediately get under your skin. The emotion you see is just so compelling, yet they're beautiful at the same time. That was one of the things that interested me about the project—the strength and beauty of the images as images. I also thought they made a kind of political statement about the current state of anxiety a lot of people are in about the future of the country. Sometimes I just feel like crying about the way things are going.

Personally, I think the images are powerful and the criticism is too extreme.

In terms of the “child abuse” accusations, toddlers cry all the time for the smallest reasons. Greenberg said it best: “I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and she cries for no reason, a hundred times a day. It's normal. Maybe getting kids to cry isn't the nicest thing to do, but I'm not causing anyone permanent psychological damage.”

As for the claim that “capitalising” on a child’s distress is akin to pornography, if you are to follow that line of argument, then some of the most famous artworks and photographs in history must be viewed in the same light as porn. Although I agree that there are boundaries we should not cross, I hate the idea that art has to be fluffy and beautiful in order to be meaningful. If art is to impact people and encourage any sense of empathy or social change, it needs to accurately reflect the world we live in.

However, I do feel sorry for the kids who had their lollipops taken away from them. I hope they were duly compensated with a hug after the photoshoot:)

Who cares?

2006-09-11T08:55:00.000+10:00

“Who Cares?” is the name for this year’s Christians in the Media mission to Bathurst. The elusive title is a double edged sword: tapping into the cynical mood of today - who cares about God/religion/life/this world - and posing that lifelong question, who cares about us? (God does... He loved us by giving us Jesus). The message of the gospel will come from Luke 14 and 15, in particular the story of the prodigal son, lost coin and lost sheep.

I am excited about mission this year. My section has some wonderful things planned for December, including a “Bathurst Beach” kids club (complete with surf life-savers), Christmas carols at the nursing home and a chill out space for young mums where they can build relationships with women in the church and hear the gospel. Also watch out for our very own reality TV show – a youth event to reach out to the teenagers in the community.

Most of all, I am looking forward to working with the churches in Bathurst, who are so keen to have us on board. Let’s keep praying that God will pour His spirit out on our country and turn hearts back to him.

Not so sweet sixteen

2006-09-08T14:09:00.000+10:00

I was reading Miranda Devine's article yesterday in the SMH on raising teenage girls and came across a book entitled The Princess Bitchface Syndrome by Michael Carr-Gregg.

I don't know why, but the title of the book just made me laugh and laugh and laugh.

I can completely identify with the term, along with my mother who had to put up with my "Princess Bitchface" adolescent years. But while my short-lived stint involved moody tantrums and crushes on various boys, I think Carr-Gregg is talking about something far more sinister. He says:

Part of the problem is that girls are becoming sexualised earlier, and their physical development is shooting ahead of their cognitive capacities. By the time they turn 13 they look like they're ready for anything - but they're not.

You know it's true when you see a kid wear a T-shirt saying, "I'm a bitch - I'm just not yours" or idolising scantily dressed socialites like Paris and Nicole rather than the chirpy teen stars of my day (whatever happened to Girlfriend? Those flowered hats were very chic). I don't always agree with everything Devine writes, but I think she makes a great point here:

The raunch culture leads these girls to believe they are empowered and in control because they are initiating the action. It suppresses the truth that they are demeaning themselves by reducing sex to servicing a male, encouraging him to believe that women exist to satisfy his sexual needs without reciprocation.

good bye Corolla, hello Vanuatu

2006-09-08T12:25:00.000+10:00

Sam and I may never win anything, but at least we've finally managed to sell our Toyota Corolla for a grand total of $2,600!

This is such an answer to prayer, as now we can use the money (plus Sam’s tax return from working last year as a barista and my savings) to pay for our wedding and more importantly, our honeymoon.

I have always wanted to go overseas and for a while, it was looking like we wouldn’t be able to afford the expense. To be honest, I would have been stoked with even a local holiday up north or even a gorgeous holiday house on the coast, but thank God for his kindness. Even though what is best for us may not be nice holidays and summer beaches, I am glad that He is a wonderful Father who delights in giving generously to his children.

Freebies

2006-09-07T09:20:00.000+10:00

It is umbrella weather today, and I mean inside-out umbrella weather, the kind that soaks into your shoes and makes the car smell like wet carpet.

Sam and I caught the start of this unexpected downpour yesterday as we walked to the Vic for a drink and dinner. Halfway through eating bangers and mash, a guy came to our table to sell raffle tickets for a door prize of $1,200. We bought a stack of tickets for $5 but unfortunately, we didn’t win anything, not even one of the $200 cash prizes or 10 meat trays they were giving away as runner up prizes.

Now this story is pretty pointless, except for the fact that it gives me a chance to rant about something petty and self indulgent that probably would not be tolerated by my friends in real life (but hey, that’s what a blog is for), and that is this: I never win anything. Never. No competitions, no awards at school, no raffles. Not even a free toy or pair of sunglasses when you peel off the coke bottle label or send 10 of those coupons from the Kelloggs cereal boxes.

Sam has also never won anything in his life so with our powers combined, we are destined to go through never winning a single prize (when he lamented over his losing streak, I bleated, “but you won me!” to which the reply was, “yeah, but it wasn’t like there was any competition!” I love my fiancé…).

I used to think that there was some universal statistic that meant your chances of winning something increased in life as you continued through competition after competition without any luck, but now I know the truth – God has chosen from the beginning to be gracious losers, battling our way with no cash prizes, giveaways or free Macca meal upgrades to nudge us along.

At least the children’s hospital will be $5 closer towards new equipment:)

The art of flying solo

2006-09-06T11:52:00.000+10:00

My brother is a huge Ben Folds fan, so when he could only find a single ticket to their concert tonight at the Opera House, he decided to go alone. I think he is a brave man. Call me a sheep if you will, but there is something unnerving about turning up by myself to a large venue with crowds of people.

People tend to attach an unappealing stigma to a person who is enjoying an activity sans a group of friends, whether it’s a concert, movie on a Saturday night or dinner at a restaurant. The bane of everyone’s existence, even the most confident people, is turning up to a party alone and knowing absolutely no one in the room. Snacks and beverages are good at this point, as the simple act of pouring yourself a glass of champagne or orange juice can be stretched out into a five minute process. So can going to the bathroom – it gives you an opportunity to walk with purpose across the room, yet scan the crowd to find a familiar face. And I’m sure everyone has done the fiddling with the mobile phone trick at a party when alone, i.e. looking as if you thoroughly involved in text messaging the most important 150 words of your life, when really you are just clearing your inbox until your friend arrives and saves you from shuffling awkwardly about.

However, there is a lot to be gained from spending some leisure time alone. We all lead such busy lives that are constantly filled with the bustle of people, relationships and activities. There are plenty of presumed social activities that are a refreshing change when done without company. Eating at restaurants and cafes alone allows you to devour a book or the paper without interruption. Perusing through art galleries is best done solo. Shopping is also a lot easier on your own, as you don’t have to apologise to anyone for browsing through the discount bin at JBs or taking twenty minutes to decide between the red or the blue top. The hard one is going to the movies; I’ve had to train myself to do that. The first time I tried it was in high school when I wanted to watch Ever After for the second time and surprisingly, no one wanted to come with me. The next few times was as a film student, so at least I could bring a notepad and wear a pretentious hat.

However, there are some things I still can’t do alone. I can’t drink by myself (I feel like some movie stereotype waiting for a guy to pick me up), go to concerts or on an extended holiday, but maybe it’s all in my mind. Choosing to spend some time alone is very different to being lonely. As writer Alice Coller says,

Being solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your won presence rather than of the absence of others. Because solitude is an achievement.

New Strongbad...

2006-09-05T22:48:00.000+10:00

...Wasn't that funny - so I'm not putting up the link this week :)

The daily grind

2006-09-05T19:33:00.000+10:00

I dislike being tired.

I haven't had any time to write anything decent lately, and I mean write about the fun stuff, not about FTAs and exporting goods to China (my latest article at work). I was really optimistic about being able to have a go at some articles for other publications this year, but on the few nights I'm home, all I seem to be able to do is eat, watch TV and sleep. Full time work is tiring sometimes. I wish I had more energy!

However, after much deliberating, I've decided to stay with my job for this year. God willing, after I get married I might be able to find some work more suited to my interests. My dream job? I would love to be a film reviewer or arts journalist. However, magazines aren't all they're cracked up to be and unfortunately I've had little success with my few attempts to get work in these areas.

In the meantime, I have resolved to stop complaining about how boring my job is. I prayed really hard that I would find work at the beginning of this year and God has answered my prayers so graciously. I have a relatively well paying job with great hours (8 till 4) and I don't have to worry about money. That is exactly what I need and more than what many people could hope for. And as Sam always says, "you won't be doing this forever!"

Three quids of gospel

2006-09-04T15:48:00.000+10:00

I would like to buy about three quid's worth of gospel, please. Not too much - just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust; I certainly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races - especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected, or my giving too greatly enlarged.I would like about three quid's worth of gospel, please.

D. A. Carson - Basics for Believers
(thanks elsie for this quote)

the church is different

2006-09-04T14:41:00.000+10:00

"I think you will find that at every period of revival and reformation, the church has stood out distinct and apart. That is always the way; when the Church is unique, she has the greatest influence upon the world. The tragedy of this (his, not our) century especially has been that the Church in her folly has been trying to accomodate herself to the world, thinking that by so doing she could attract it. But the world expects the Christian to be different, and it is right - this is the New Testament emphasis. It is nothing but a departure from the New Testament doctrine that ever tries to make the Church ingratiate herself to the world; the Church is meant to be, and is, essentially different."

Thanks to Sam for that quote; it really made me think about the church and its role in society today.

I totally agree that the church is to stand out and be distinct. However, in what ways are we to be different?

The first thing that comes to mind for many Christians, including myself, is preaching Jesus and the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Surely Jesus is at the core of the church and is ultimately what makes her different from the world. Any church that strays from this or tries to water down the person and message of Christ undermines its position in society.

But what about in other areas of life? Does the church have a responsibility to be different when it comes to social justice and generosity to those in need?

I know some people argue that these problems are fleeting and as a church we should be focussed on the eternal things, i.e. saving souls. While I agree that telling people about Jesus is the most important thing, I think that a vital way Jesus is glorified in this world is by our character mirroring that of Christ, both as a church and as individuals.

One thing I really want to see is the church take a more active role when it comes to issues regarding social justice. This could (and in many ways already does through groups like Compassion and Anglicare) happen in many ways: showing compassion for those who are less fortunate than us by giving aid, playing a role in taking care of the weak and oppressed in our community, standing up for what is right and true in the political arena, etc. Apart from being able to help others and create relationships fertile for the planting of seeds, it will definitely be a way the church can stand out in a society that is increasingly "user pay" and about people taking care of themselves.

It is one thing for our society to criticise and throw stones at us because we believe in Jesus. It is quite another thing to be called hypocrites because we are all about the preaching, but slow to demonstrate the love and mercy we claim Jesus brings. This is a rebuke for me too, as I don't do enough or give nearly enough of what I have to help others who are less fortunate than me.

Sorry, these are a jumble of thoughts at the moment, but what do other people think?

Life in God

2006-09-04T09:41:00.000+10:00

In my quiet times, I spend about 20 minutes reading the scriptures, and then 20 mins reading a theologian, and then 20 mins praying. Lately I've been working through "Life in God" by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I've thouroughly enjoyed reading the thoughts of someone from another generation, as he takes on the issues of his time. Some of the issues we no longer face - others, like the two quotes I've put in this post, sound as if he wrote them for us today. I have only one chapter left in this book - maybe you'd like to borrow it when I'm finished.

"I think you will find that at every period of revival and reformation, the church has stood out distinct and apart. That is always the way; when the Church is unique, she has the greatest influence upon the world. The tragedy of this (his, not our) century especially has been that the Church in her folly has been trying to accomodate herself to the world, thinking that by so doing she could attract it. But the world expects the Christian to be different, and it is right - this is the New Testament emphasis. It is nothing but a departure from the New Testament doctrine that ever tries to make the Church ingratiate herself to the world; the Church is meant to be, and is, essentially different."

"We say man is improving, but has there ever been so much selfishness manifested in the life of the nation as there is today, a self-centredness as well as a self-seeking? It is the only explanation of the appalling increase in divorce; it is the whole explanation of the spirit of greed; it is the whole basis of the attitude of the average person towards work - I do the minimum, I get the maximum - greed, self-centredness, the increasing rudeness in life, the increasing lack of consideration for others, the appalling suffering that is caused to innocent little children through the sheer selfishness of parents. The whole attitude towards life today as looked at in every respect is one that is showing this self-centredness. We do certain things on the surface, but man as man is still this selfish creature."

How do you do your quiet time or bible reading?

Snaring a barista

2006-09-01T08:17:00.000+10:00

Mads sent me this article yesterday. It made me laugh.

Greatest rock song ever?

2006-08-31T23:33:00.000+10:00

Everyone seems to be implanting YouTube videos on their blogs - so why should we be any different? Craig reckons GNR own this mantle, but I (possibly because I'm Christian - but hey, while we're doing what everyone else is doing...) love U2. This is my favourite song, and what I'm hanging to see come November...

Miss Universe in your world

2006-08-30T17:30:00.000+10:00

Hats off to Trinity Grammar student Jordan Avramides, who has managed to get Erin McNaught (Miss Universe contestant from Australia 2006) as his year 10 formal date (read here). The amazing thing is that she was his second choice, being extended an invite only after Jennifer Hawkins turned him down!

Now I know a few of our readers are ex-trinity grammar boys, and they are fine, upstanding and gentlemanly types, but even they couldn't have pulled this off. Perhaps young Jordan had some help? After all it seems rather suspicious that only the Telegraph are running the story.

The funniest part of the story is that Jordan already had a date before Miss Mcnaught accepted his invitation and the poor young guy had to take his mother round to effectively dump his old date!

Surely the presence of a supermodel will raise the stakes for the other girls at the formal. As if getting dolled up for the first time wasn't already stressful enough, now they'll have to compete with Versace as opposed to Harts...

My questions however - should he have 'dumped' his old date for a celebrity? Would you have done the same? What should the girl have said to him, when he and his mum arrived?

Rodeo has saved 'on-the-poddy'

2006-08-29T23:33:00.000+10:00

And he's done it singlehandedly it seems - listen here. Incidentally, they rate Craig's blog as number 3 in oz - wonder where that puts the fountainside? 1, or 2?

technophobe

2006-08-29T09:19:00.000+10:00

My fiancé Sam is a clever guy. He is an absolute master when it comes to dealing with modern day technology. On the other hand, I am a self confessed technophobe.

While he knows how to use the latest programs and zips through computer work with nifty little shortcuts, I struggle with Excel, use the lappy like it’s a PC and would rather go up and turn the DVD player on rather than figure out how to use the complicated master remote control at his parent’s house. And I only use my mobile phone to make calls. That’s it. Anything else is just too much work.

We’ve coexisted nicely in the past, with him being technologically astute enough to run everything and me, well, making good conversation. I’m happy to let him delve into whatever gadget or program is making our lives easier while I potter along contently, doing things the way I’ve always done them (he recently pointed out to me that you don’t need to type the plus sign anymore when doing a google search!). I suspect this unwillingness of mine to leap into the 21st century irks him a little, because at certain points in our relationship, he will drag me like some avid evangelist, kicking and screaming, to try something new.

So last night, I got my first initiation into the world of Pandora, Skype and iChat. After convincing me to create an account (I hate creating accounts on the internet. It puts me off and I usually don’t bother when asked to fill out an online form), we chatted, sent messages and fiddled with Pandora for an hour or two…and admittedly…it was kind of fun. Much better than talking on the phone, in fact.

I still think that technology can never substitute hearing Sam laugh in person or getting a cuddle when I’m feeling blue, but I can see how the Internet has made things a whole lot more convenient and interesting.

And I probably should thank Sam, as without him I probably wouldn’t know how to drive my manual car, check the oil and water gauges, bank online, create multiple savings accounts, send email attachments with a simple ‘click and drag’ and use the shortcut keys on my mobile phone. Even a habitual technophobe like me can get with the times!

Craig on Richard Beeston

2006-08-29T08:43:00.000+10:00

Craig discovers Richard Beeston, and likes what he's found (click here). I think Richard might be visiting some of our WA readers soon?

My Pandora Player

2006-08-28T14:03:00.000+10:00

If you haven't got a Pandora account up and running - hop to it. This is without doubt one of the best things i've seen on the net. I haven't put a CD on (except in the car) since I've had it on my computer. Currently I'm listening to 'Daft Punk' radio.

What stations have you made? What's your favourite one?

Lloyd-Jones on context and Scripture

2006-08-28T08:37:00.000+10:00

More gold from Mr Lloyd-Jones in my quiet time this morning.

"Nothing, incidentally is more dangerous in reading or interpreting scripture than to take a single statement right out of its context and elaborate a theory or doctrine upon it. That has generally been what has happened in every heresy and in every error in the long history of the Church. It is this fatal habit of men and women of jumping on to texts, as it were, and saying, 'The Bible says this - therefore...' And they forget the context; they forget that Scripture must always be compared with Scripture; that scripture never contradicts itself, and that there is a homogenous collation and unity about the message of the bible from beginning to end."

Goodbye Pluto

2006-08-25T08:33:00.000+10:00

Well, it’s official. Pluto is no longer classified as a planet, which leaves…eight? Or seven? I had the hardest time remembering all the planets in the car on the work: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus…I think I’m missing one.

Thinking of the solar system makes me realise how miraculous our existence is. Had the earth been a few degrees to the left or right, we would not have had the right temperature, balance of gases, light exposure, etc. for life to proliferate.

Question: why are all the planets given fancy Greco-Roman names and ours is just called earth? I looked it up; earth is just an old english and germanic word for ground.

bible reading - 1 John 5

2006-08-22T08:52:00.000+10:00

I came across a quote this morning from Martyn Lloyd Jones that I wanted to share.

"Christian people are not merely a collection of individuals who may hold certain views in common and come together for certain purposes. Not at all! According to the New testament we are to realise we are brothers and sisters; we belong to the same Father; we are partakers of the same divine nature; we have this initmate relationship of blood, as it were, than which nothing can be deeper or stronger. So we must look at one another as brothers and sisters; this is a family relationship. And that, of course, leads in turn to this: we must be concerned about one another; we should be exercising a watchful care and interest in one another; we should have a real concern about one another."

An Accomplished Modern Woman

2006-08-21T13:46:00.000+10:00

"It is amazing to me,'' said Bingley, "how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are."
"All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?''
"Yes all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover skreens, and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished.''

Pride and Prejudice

In Jane Austen’s day, an accomplished woman had a thorough knowledge of “music, singing, drawing, dancing, modern languages and besides all this, possessed a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions”.

In a similar vein, Maggie Alderson wrote an alternate list of what the “accomplished modern woman” can do in the Good Weekend. I liked her list so much that I thought I’d write my own (asterisks next to the qualities I have yet to conquer!).

In my opinion, an Accomplished Modern Woman can:

Drive a manual car
Cook simple meals that have the appearance of gourmet feasts (I include packet mix in this)
Diligently reply to emails, phonecalls and SMS.
Say no without feeling guilty*
Make shy people feel at ease
Eat spaghetti without dripping sauce on her clothes*
Surf the net and pay bills online
Sustain a conversation about some sort of Australian sport with a guy (or at least give the appearance of doing so)
Tell good jokes*
Find expensive looking clothes at Target
Drink beer
Iron a shirt* (the creases always go funny)
Iron men’s pants* (same as above)
Keep children entertained at a birthday party
Have the confidence to invite people into a messy house
Do her tax return
Ask for a raise at work or more importantly, time off for mission and honeymoon* (still working on this one)
Recycle
Sponsor a child from a 3rd world country*
Assemble a superhero outfit for her child out of old bed sheets and paint.
Clean the bathroom on a regular basis*
Ask the question that everyone may think is silly
Not finish her husband's sentences*
Learn how to give a public talk
Dance with her partner
Dance on her own
Dance on her own with no inhibitions
Use coupons and entertainment books to save on grocery bills, DVDs and dining out
Read at least one Dickens novel*
Watch a wide variety of movies, not just chick flicks
Remember birthdays and give flowers*
Immaculately wrap a present
Have a tin of quality slices to offer unexpected guests
Walk confidently in heels
Read the paper and know and have an opinion on at least one issue
Sew*
Send an email while doing the washing
Sell charity chocolate for her kids (I am convinced that children never sell their own fundraising chocolate, as most of gets sold in my office)
Ask her husband/partner "how was your day?" and listen carefully to the response
Remove a spider*******
Reuke someone in love
Take a rebuke with grace (and no tears)*
Give someone a warm hug at the end of each day
Marry for love

Any more to add?

Treasures in heaven

2006-08-21T13:26:00.000+10:00

Last night, I heard a great sermon on Luke chapter 12 at church.

I have read the “Do Not Worry” part from Matthew 5 hundreds of times, always as an encouragement to trust God to provide for all our material needs. It has brought me great comfort at various times in my life, especially last year when I struggled to find a job.

Sunday night was the first time I’d heard it preached in a wider context of not placing our hope in material gain, giving me a whole new perspective on this section of the Bible.

Dominic pointed out that the parable of the rich fool comes before this passage, where Jesus condemns the rich who store up treasures for themselves, yet are not “rich towards God”. Placed alongside the command not to worry in Luke, a picture is given of where our priorities should be as Christians. In short, we are not to place our hope in money, material possessions or the things of this world, but make every effort to store our riches in heaven, towards God*.

This is such a challenge to me, as often I find it easier to buy a new dress, get a takeaway lunch at work or save towards my wedding than to invest what I have in the heavenly Kingdom. In the future, I’m going to try and be more generous with my money and make giving my first, not last, priority. I’m also going to stop worrying about whether Sam and I will be okay during the potential financial drought of college years, but instead trust God and be joyfully content with less.

*There are so many things we can place our hope in other than Christ without even knowing it: relationships, marriage, a social life, gaining acceptance, career, education, our children, etc.

Under New Management

2006-08-18T08:44:00.000+10:00

Next to my office is a small café run by an Italian barrista called Frank.

People often complain that it’s the slowest café on our block because it’s always crowded and the service often lags. However, I love it because Frank knows my name, makes good coffee and knows how I like it without saying a word.

Every morning at ten when I do the coffee run, I stand next to the coffee machine and chat to Frank (who looks like a skinnier version of George Clooney) while he froths the milk. The cheery waitresses wear whatever they like and the atmosphere is always buzzing, with people laughing and the waft of fresh coffee mingled with hot bacon and eggs. I don’t mind waiting ten minutes for my coffee. It’s a welcomed break away from the monotony of my computer screen upstairs.

That is until yesterday morning, when I strolled into the café to find a cheaply printed white sign on A4 paper stuck on the coffee machine: Under New Management.

The new barrista(s) have no name, wear black and are professional. Three people man the counter; one froths the milk one runs the shots and the other takes orders. None of them look like George Clooney and none of them look at me while they make my coffee. My order is written on the takeaway lid with a biro and queued up next to an anonymous stack of other orders - just another Starbucks/Gloria Jeans-esque coffee in the production line.

Sure, I get my order in four minutes instead of ten, and sure, the milk doesn’t burn my mouth anymore like it did on some of Frank’s “off” days, but where’s the love? Where’s the banter? Where’s the friendly smile?

Frank I miss you, and I hope wherever you are, you’re happy and well!

seminar on feminism

2006-08-17T09:24:00.000+10:00

In October this year, I’ll be taking a seminar on feminism at my old church’s houseparty. I’m really excited about this opportunity.

I wrote my seminar a year ago and since then, I have given it twice – once at a houseparty at my church for our evening service, and again at a ministry training event. I’ve been meaning to rework it since then but I haven’t been able to find the time. Now I have something to work towards, it will definitely get done!

The seminar is divided into two parts, with the first being an informative overview of feminism and it’s three movements, and the second focusing on the 3rd wave and how it holds up against God’s principles. With the Bible as our compass, we cover a range of issues, including the purpose of marriage, beauty and self image, sexuality and raunch culture, raising children and women at work. The only thing I don’t touch on is women’s roles in the church, as I’m not yet equipped theologically or in maturity to lead in that area.

Most of all, we have a fantastic time holding this culture up to the piercing mirror of God’s word. There is nothing I love more than helping people understand something new about the Bible and how it relates to culture. Even more than that, I love encouraging girls to glorify God and live for Christ in every aspect of their lives. I love that moment of revelation when they realise something new about their adoption into the Kingdom. This seminar is one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done in the past few years and I’m thankful to God for the opportunity:)

maternal instincts revisited

2006-08-16T14:37:00.000+10:00

I have been doing some more reflecting after reading Kirwan-Taylor's article and people’s reactions to her unashamed claim to be “bored out her brains by her kids”. It’s interesting to see the reactions that people have, not just to Taylor’s rampant selfishness, but more generally towards the issue of motherhood and generation Y women.

Kirwan-Taylor’s problem is not that she has no natural affinity to childrearing, or even that she finds children boring. Her problem is that she is unwilling to set aside her desires for the sake of others. I would like to think that I would take my children to the playground when I’d rather be working on an article, not because I find it fun, but because I love my children and want them to have the very best (hopefully that is where the majority of the joy resides, for both those who enjoy playing with kids and those who don't).

This doesn’t mean it will be easy, or that it will come “naturally” to me. I think that the reason generations of women before us have embraced motherhood is because they lived in tribes filled with older women who offered them advice and support. Woman today miss out on that. In today’s user-pay and individualistic society, a woman (particularly if she’s single) is often left to fend on her own. Sure, there’s expensive childcare and a mountain books to read, but there is also an increasing lack of relational, familial support beyond her husband. If people are going to advocate that women should stay at home and look after the kids, then they also have to look upon her situation with understanding and compassion. A big question to ask is: where is the community support to help her do that?

In Chinese culture, it is common for families to live as a unit, with grandparents, mum, dad and children under the one roof. Both grandma and mum are responsible for rearing the child, as was the case with my mum as she grew up in Indonesia. Ideally, everyone pulls together, everyone gets looked after and everyone works for the good of the family as a whole rather their own individual needs (I say ideally because these days, grandma is often used as a free babysitter while the woman works all day). My knowledge of other cultures is pretty limited, but I think this happens in Mediterranean families as well.

As Christians, we can offer this support too. I wonder, how much of our “maternal” instincts are natural, and how much of it was learnt from the older women in our lives? Advocating a certain position when it comes to motherhood is one thing; offering support, the relational, loving kind that also understands that every woman is different and treats them as such, is another. It’s an important task and one that deserves the full attention and support of the church.

Catholic priests

2006-08-16T10:51:00.000+10:00

I was chatting to my editor this morning about Sam's "job" and what it would be like to marry an Anglican minister. He told me that years ago in Ireland, it was common practice for the first born son of every family to be trained in the Catholic church as a priest.

Does anyone know if that’s true?

Apart from the fact that the whole thing smacks of institution and duty, not to mention the small “your son may not want to be a priest” factor, I think the idea is quaint and beautiful. It’s like offering your first fruits to the Lord, in manner of Hannah and Samuel.

I would like to learn more about Catholicism and its rich history. I'll put it on the list...

Snow in Annandale!

2006-08-15T16:47:00.000+10:00

Well summer's on the back-burner, and it's been hailing/snowing for the last 20 mins! I feel like I'm in europe. I got some photos on my phone - check them out!

Summer is just around the corner...

2006-08-14T16:23:00.000+10:00

Today I wore thongs and shorts all day, in an attempt to convince myself that summer is on its way. Winter is good when you're rugged up in bed, or if you can afford to go skiing, but I'm pretty ready for summer to arrive. I'm really looking forward to some summer days at our holiday place at Macmasters Beach. I took this picture last summer while I was staying up there.
My favourite part of summer is walking at night while it's warm and breezy. What's yours?

Bored or just selfish?

2006-08-14T12:37:00.000+10:00

I was going to write a response to Helen Kirwan-Taylor's selfish and vapid article, Sorry but my children bore me to death, but after reading through the comments left by other readers, I felt they voiced my sentiments better than I ever could.

The comment I agreed with:

"I think my greatest weakness is my selfishness; I would rather watch CSI than read a book to my daughter; I would rather read my novel than watch my children during their swimming lesson. But I choose to work on my weaknesses and push myself to do the better thing, rather than see my selfishness as something to celebrate and joke about."

"Privately finding your children "boring" is one thing; writing perky articles about it as if it were something to be laughed off or even to be proud of is another. I think my verdict is that it's neither big nor clever. Mothering demands a huge amount of self-sacrifice and those who can't rise to it (I speak as a woman who has chosen not to have children) are better off sticking to their writing."

And check out this article from the Australian in response (thanks Craig).

Many may see this as a result of feminism, but I think it is deeper than that, namely deeply ensconced and unabashed selfishness. I don't understand how she can claim to be an accomplished journalist when she clearly demonstrates no compassion, understanding, insight or concern for other human beings (for if you can't even be bothered to care about your own flesh, who else can you care about?).

More dancing from OK, GO

2006-08-14T12:30:00.000+10:00

No treadmills this time, but oh so cool. Click here.

a helping hand

2006-08-14T11:01:00.000+10:00

You are not her Holy Spirit.

On the weekend I had a helpful chat with a friend about helping other people with their problems, particularly when they refuse to repent or change. Out of the conversation came a line that really struck me (though it came from neither of us, but a girl in my bible study group): you are not her Holy Spirit.

As Christians, we’re supposed to support each other as we stumble in our walk with God. How do we do that with people who aren’t stumbling but actively running away from their faith? And what do you do when it gets personal? How do we help them without emotionally destroying ourselves in the process?

It’s so difficult to let go of someone who used to follow Christ, especially when you care about them. However, I am learning to trust that the God is always in control and He cares for those that are lost. It’s not my job to convict people in their hearts to turn to Christ. Although I can proclaim the truth and care for them, I can’t do the hard work for them.

My favourite poem

2006-08-11T13:41:00.000+10:00

Woman to Man by Judith Wright

The eyeless labourer in the night
the selfless, shapeless seed I hold,
builds for its resurrection day-
silent and swift and deep from sight
foresees the unimagined light.

This is no child with a child's face;
this has no name to name it by;
yet you and I have known it well.
this is the hunter and our chase,
the third who lay in our embrace.

This is the strength that your arm knows,
the arc of flesh that is my breast,
the precise crystals of our eyes.
This is the blood's wild tree that grows
the intricate and folded rose.

This is the maker and the made;
this is the question and reply;
the blind head butting at the dark,
the blaze of light along the blade.
Oh hold me, for I am afraid.

The golden mean

2006-08-10T14:47:00.000+10:00

Daedalus was a famous artist who lived in Crete under the iron fisted rule of King Minos.

One day, he decided to hatch a plan to escape. Like most artists, his solution was not the most practical or straightforward: he built two pairs of feathered wings so that he and his son could fly to freedom.

On the day of the escape, two figures stood with their feathered appendages and looked out at the endless blue of the Agean sea.
“Fly the middle course,” Daedalus warned his son.
“Too close to the water and the sea spray will destroy the wings, too high above the clouds and the wax that holds them together will melt. Stay in the middle!”

Icarus nodded and took off, exhilarated by the feeling of soaring between water and sky. He spread his arms and flew upwards to dizzying heights, ignoring the advice of his father. Daedalus called out after his son in a panic, but it was too late. The sun’s rays melted the wax between Icarus’ feathers and before his father’s eyes, he plummeted to his death.

Daedalus’ warning to “fly the middle course” has become a commonly upheld moral for western civilisation. In his quest to define moral behaviour, the philosopher Aristotle claimed that a person of good character should seek an action that would logically lie somewhere between two extremes. Between cowardice and rashness lay the ideal - courage. Between surliness and flattery, friendliness. He called this concept the Golden Mean and held that it would mean different things for each individual, dependent on their circumstances.

Aristotle’s theory is not an ancient philosophy confined to the history pages, but very much alive today. In my first year as a media student at Sydney University, I was taught the Golden Mean as a possible way of ensuring ethical behaviour as a journalist. Imagine a scenario where a political leader is in the midst of a scandal that impinges on his family life. What is the journalist’s responsibility in this case? Is it to uphold the public’s right to knowledge, or protect the privacy of the wife and children who are adversely affected by the scandal? A journalist seeking the Golden Mean would aim to fall somewhere between both extremes.

Aside from media ethics, people use this theory to make a variety of decisions, from determining whether civilian deaths in war outweigh a just cause, to whether sparing your best friend’s feelings is more important than telling her the truth about her new haircut.

But what happens if two people are placed in the same situation, yet see their circumstances differently? The problem with the Golden Mean is its very premise. Claiming that it’s up to the individual to determine what is right upholds each person as the centre of morality. As a result, ethical behaviour becomes relative to what each individual thinks and how they perceive their circumstance. Clearly, this is extremely confusing.

The Bible tells us that morality is not found in maintaining a balance between two extremes, but in God. He is the ultimate judge of right from wrong. Therefore, it stands to reason that the only way to be completely moral is to obey Him perfectly.

Human beings have failed miserably at this. The only person to perfectly obey God is Jesus, who is the complete embodiment of what is good, righteous and pure in God’s eyes. A moral person isn’t one who "flies the middle path", but one who adopts the very nature and standing of Jesus before God; who cries out in repentance to the Father and is cleansed in the blood of the Lamb. Only through Christ can we find our bearings in God and obey Him.

This may sound like an obvious lesson, but it’s something that I’m constantly re-learning as I grow in my relationship with God.

Recently, I realised that I’ve been using the Golden Mean to work out my stance in issues surrounding the church. Not wanting to be ‘narrow minded’ and ultra conservative or ‘dangerously’ liberal, I’ve often made it my goal to be ‘balanced’ in matters related to faith. Although I may have succeeded in safeguarding myself against the dangers of both extremes, I have unintentionally made the shifting sands of human thinking, not an external God, the marker of what I believe to be a right course of thought or action.

While I still think that pursuing obedience to God means thinking through different viewpoints, I’ve come to realise that it’s more important to align myself with God’s point of view rather than try to straddle a healthy divide between two extremes.

Sometimes this may make me decidedly conservative. At other times, I may astonish myself with a point of view considered that is considered 'liberal'. Whatever the issue, such labels are irrelevant. What matters most is that I take bearings from God and keep my eyes on Jesus as the author and perfector of my faith; that I continually ask the Spirit to teach me from the Word and enable me to discern all things.

Espresso

2006-08-09T13:42:00.000+10:00

Lately i've felt like my skills have been waning. Gone are the cafe days of making 500+ cups per day, these days I make 1 or 2, at best 3 or 4 - if I've got a few people coming over to read the Bible. Sadly not many of them are into coffee!
Up until this year, I used to meet with a friend to read the bible and pray every week. We would make gourmet sandwiches, drink 'Australian fresh' juice (the best was apple and mango), and try and outdo each other with our latte art. It was a lot of fun. We used to take photos of our coffees with our phones, so I thought I'd put the best one I ever got a photo of up here.

6 hour working day

2006-08-09T08:39:00.000+10:00

I was listening to Adam Spencer on 702 on the way to work this morning. He had a really interesting interview with Caroline West, lecturer of philosophy at Sydney University, about workloads.

Apparently, research shows that when you weigh the positives of work (income, social networks, productivity) to the negatives (high stress levels, limited time with family) the healthiest number of hours a person should be working is 6 – 2 hours less that the average Australian work day.

God has already blessed me with a job that allows me to step into the office at 8 and leave at 4 or 4:30 at the latest (I have friends at the bottom of the food chain who put in 10-12 hours on a daily basis), but I still think that a 6 hour work day would be a wonderful thing. Imagine leaving work at 2! The things I could do with my afternoon…my mind swoons at the thought.

West also commented that modern Australians have made mortgages and domestic products like flat screen TVs too much of a priority. Work was meant to challenge us and keep us self sufficient, not enslave us. If it impinges on our quality of life, then perhaps something is wrong with the number of hours we’re working.

Treadmill dancing

2006-08-08T14:04:00.000+10:00

Strange but true. Click here

New Strongbad

2006-08-08T11:30:00.000+10:00

It's like a rainstorm... in your browser. Click here.

How to get a job...

2006-08-07T13:23:00.000+10:00

I'm getting very excited about this night! Send me an email to RSVP.

axed

2006-08-07T11:35:00.000+10:00

Yasmin was dumped.

It was a dumb idea anyway.

maternal instincts lacking

2006-08-07T09:33:00.000+10:00

On Saturday night, Sam and I were the first official babysitters for his sister's four month old baby. The experience left me both excited and terrified at the prospect of having kids.

Toby is an absolutely precious baby. He's old enough to open his eyes, smile and eagerly respond to people - all of which was adorable.

However, I now know that the so called "natural female maternal instinct" is a myth because I don't have it! Sam was so much better at bathing, changing and generally comforting the baby than I was. I don't know; it just looked so natural when he handled the baby. Although after many attempts I could finally get his singlet on his little body while supporting his head, it didn't come naturally to me at all. It felt awkward, precarious, frightening. Babies are so precious and little. I kept thinking, "God, don't let me ruin him!"

Plus, I don't know what to say to babies. People often revert to some sort of elemental cooing, in manner of "you're so cuuuute! Yess you are!! Yess you are!!!" I just can't do that. It feels weird. I like teenagers because you can talk to them and understand them. But babies? I just don't understand them. The only thing I really understood from Saturday night is how dependent they are on adults to merely survive. At one point, Toby looked so vulnerable and soft while he was falling asleep in my arms. It struck me how completely selfless you have to be when looking after a baby.

I do want kids in the near future, and not just one, maybe three or four. And I want to provide them with a good home, loving parents and a foundation to grow as a Christian.
I just hope I can be a good mother when the time comes!

Bible Study

2006-08-03T22:40:00.000+10:00

In our bible study tonight, we looked at Ephesians 3:14-21. It's an amazing insight into the prayer life of the apostle Paul. The final sentence struck me most:

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Paul prayed not only that Jesus would be glorified, but that Jesus would be glorified in the church, and in the church throughout all generations. Paul's theology in 3:10 (see a few posts back) is reflected in his prayer in 3:21.
How I want my prayers to be in line with the purposes of God like that.

He went back.

2006-08-03T14:20:00.000+10:00

I want to be like Paul.

"Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day, he and Barnabas left for Derbe."

Acts 14:19-20

Sometimes I wonder: do I give up too easily?

And do I give up because I think it’s the wisest thing to do, or because my life is worth too much to me?

fashion sense

2006-08-03T12:52:00.000+10:00

Sam’s niece Eleanor is two and she only ever wears the colour pink.

Everyday she chooses her own clothes and she has the wildest fashion sense: pink dresses over a Tshirt, a fairy costume complete with wings, her pink swimming costume over tights and a long sleeved top, matching pink bags and clips. She likes her hair messy (a big fan of shabby chic, obviously), climbs all over play equipment in a dress and likes to change her clothes at least two times a day.

I think that’s fabulous. I love fashion and sometimes wish I had the guts to wear exactly what I want like Eleanor does.

If clothes cost next to nothing, there was no such thing as winter and social decorum or workplace dress codes didn’t exist, I would wear pastel skirts made of tulle and silk (the kind that spins out in a circle when you twirl) with waistcoats fitted with tiny gold buttons. I would mix and match glamorous flapper dresses from the 1920s and 30s with hooded cardigans and stripey scarves. I would wear vintage skirts with high heels and match blue with red, purple with gold, black with everything. I would go to work in that dress that Audrey wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s – minus the tiara and gloves.

I would never, ever wear pants, not even jeans, not even in 5 degree weather. (I would obviously own some sort of special insulating cream that kept my body temperature warm). The only exception would be one the weekends, when I would team my pajamas bottoms with a pretty top and a nice pair of slippers for when I go out for coffee with friends.

I wish I had the guts to be two again.

My new journal

2006-08-01T16:12:00.000+10:00

Have you ever bought someone a present, but liked it so much that you kept the present for yourself?

I did today. In my lunch break, I bought some lovely things for a friend’s upcoming birthday, including a beautiful red journal from a Swedish stationery store. However, I liked the journal so much that I decided to unwrap it and keep it for myself.

I have kept a journal since I was twelve, so today I have a whole drawer of notebooks filled with prayers, reflections, devotions and letters. These books are a record of my inner life. Unlike snapshots of holidays and family get-togethers, they record feelings and experiences that I can’t capture with a camera. They help me remember being at school and having a tight knit group of friends. They know about when my dad moved to Cambridge and I missed him terribly. They have stories about trips up the coast, fights with my brothers, writing for a left-wing paper at university and leading my first bible study group at church. They know exactly how, when and where I fell in love with Sam.

But more than that, these journals are a record of my growing relationship with God.

I often enjoy reading through past entries and seeing how much I’ve matured as a Christian. There are so many entries that I read now and think, “I cannot believe I actually wrote that!” Although I haven’t got life all figured out yet, I’m glad to see how God has worked through me, despite how foolish, weak and filled with doubt I’ve often been in the past.

At the moment I have three journals: one for prayer points, one for reflections and another for prayers, quotes and bible verses. I try to write in at least one everyday, even if it’s just a sentence or two.

For those who have never tried it, I really recommend writing down your prayers and thoughts as a way of spending time with God. It has helped me in so many ways: to reflect on my actions, to think about my prayers as opposed to falling asleep after “dear Lord”, to meditate on the word of God instead of skim reading the Bible, to remember the ways in which God has blessed me and be thankful for them everyday.

While I was in the stationery store waiting for the present to be wrapped (which turned out to be a waste of time!), the store assistant was chatting amicably to me about how she used the journals that she owned.
“I have a book that’s called Things I Love,” she said. “All I write in it are things I love, whether it’s a sunny day on the beach or a new dress. I start every sentence with “I love”. It cheers me up when I’m feeling down”.

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a book called Thank You God and write down all the things that you thank God for in your day? Whenever you’re tempted to despair, you could read the book and take comfort His love and goodness.

I think I might do that with my new journal.

U2 are coming!

2006-07-31T20:49:00.000+10:00

U2 is my favourite band and for a while, Sam and I were worried that they would tour Australia in December during our mission to Bathurst and we would have to forgo our tickets (I could have missed part of the mission though not sure how my conscience would have held up...Sam definitely couldn't have missed it since he's heading it up this year!)

Thankfully, they're coming out in November, not December. Praise God!

I have so many favourite U2 songs, including Elevation, One, Bad, The End of the World, Bloody Sunday, Vertigo and Desire. I love to listen to them when I go out for walks. There is something about a good U2 song that helps me clear my mind from the busyness of the day and just enjoy the feeling of my feet hitting the ground as I walk.

Their music can also be quite emotional sometimes. I don't cry when I hear love songs, I can't understand opera and I don't find classical music moving at all (unless it's a film score), but I went through a phase where I bawled every time I heard Bloody Sunday.

But my favourite line from a U2 song, because to me it is the most heart wrenching, is from One:

Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I cant be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt.

I like the happy songs too (I like Beautiful Day!), but there's something about a sad song that gets me every time.

Piper on on Ephesians 3:10

2006-07-31T15:24:00.000+10:00

"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms."

This verse has perplexed me in the past, not because I didn't understand it, but because I found the idea it contains hard to articulate. In true Piper style, he nails it!
I thought I'd share it with you. You can read more of it here.

"The reason God created the world and called the church into being is so that he would have a sufficiently diversified yet unified system of mirrors with which to reflect the glory of his many sided wisdom to the universe. If the church is the theater in which the principalities and powers of the universe are to see the glory of God's manifold wisdom, then Jesus Christ is the embodiment of that wisdom and the main character in the drama played out in the theater of the church. The way the church glorifies God is by simply providing an arena in which the work of Jesus Christ can take effect."
What a privilege it is to be part of the church! God has graciously allowed us to be part of his eternal plan to bring glory to his name!

Playboy vs Martha Stewart

2006-07-31T09:57:00.000+10:00

Today’s Herald had an article on female modesty, touted as the new sexual revolution. It says:

"A growing number of American women believe they have the answer. Through books, websites and clothing ranges, a new breed of modesty-loving gals is spreading the word: chastity is chic! These women say that not only is premarital and casual sex a bad idea, but that modesty - in sexual behaviour, dress and comportment - is essential for building strong relationships. Although returning to a long-discarded form of femininity might seem retrogressive, many of these women assert the opposite. They are, they say, sexual revolutionaries."

Although I don’t think a few websites on modesty constitutes a “revolution”, I had a few thoughts to share.

Making modesty popular may seem like a step forward for those against the promotion of promiscuity, but it doesn’t actually address the problem that is at the heart of the mistreatment of sex.

Whether it’s vying for attention in a playboy outfit or batting your eyelids to attract a potential husband, women are still caught in the paradigm of basing their self worth on men. Restoring chivalry on university campuses and promoting marriage may be more palatable to our appetites, but it doesn’t actually fix this problem.

What women need to understand is that they don’t need a man to make them valuable, regardless of whether he has sex or marriage on the brain. While I can appreciate efforts towards modesty and positive values that it brings for society, as someone who believes that finding value comes from Christ alone, I reject both the idol of sex and the idol of courtship/marriage.

I also strongly agree with the writer's statement at the end (notice modesty is still centred on finding fulfillment in a man):

"The idea that women are inherently modest also puts an uncomfortable spin on an otherwise reasonable notion. Shalit argues that modesty is "a reflex, arising naturally to help a woman protect her hopes and guide her fulfilment - specifically, this hope for one man". But the insistence that this is the "natural" way for women to be only leads to the conclusion that anything else is unnatural - even dangerous."

What do other people think?

Weekend at Shoalhaven

2006-07-30T21:08:00.000+10:00

I've just arrived home from a refreshing weekend away with my church by the Shoalhaven river. It was a wonderful few days, with the following highlights:

*Spending an entire weekend reading, thinking and meditating on the Word of God. If I could, I would have weekends like this more often.

*Meeting people at church. I really enjoyed getting to know people who I've seen around on sundays but have never really had a conversation with. It helped me feel just that little bit more settled into Christians in the Media as my new home.

*Hearing challenging talks on 2 Peter (listen here) and chatting to Dominic about finding the true meaning in the Bible as a post-modern thinker - something I really struggle with.

*Going for a walk by the Shoalhaven river. The weather was just right (sunny yet crisp) and we saw rainforests, glorious fields of grass,a stunning vista by the water and a newly born calf. Ruth and AB's boys came too and I was so surprised by how much energy they had!

*Driving there and back with Sam, Carly and Lairdy, who are great company and lots of fun.

The right way to fly

2006-07-28T10:14:00.000+10:00

In the past, keeping up with the Jones meant having a bigger house, nicer car or more prestigious job. These days, it’s all about who has traveled the most widely.

I was born in Sydney, still live in Sydney and the only travelling I’ve ever done are visits to my mum’s hometown in Indonesia as a kid and a one month trip around China after I finished school.

I never thought that going overseas was a big deal until I started looking for jobs last year and everyone wanted to know how much I’d travelled, which was always a short story given the above synopsis.

This didn’t just happen in job interviews, but socially too. Whereas in the past young 20-somethings may have played “one-up” with marriage, renovating homes and getting the right job, today it’s common for people to go out for drinks and compare trips, pouring over the details of their next holiday or their plans to work overseas before settling down.

Now don’t get me wrong, I think that traveling is a great thing. I’m always the first to peer at the photos when friends come back from an overseas trip and I can’t wait until my upcoming honeymoon. Travelling can broaden your horizons and open your eyes to other cultures, but I think it’s wrong to measure how enlightened someone is based on where and how long they’ve been overseas. It all depends on the maturity and mindset of the person who goes. There are constant travelers who are absolute bores, whereas some of the most open and interesting individuals I know have never left Sydney.

In the Bible, travel meant walking from town to town simply to get from A to B. There was no such thing as jumping on a plane for a one month holiday trip overseas. How are we to approach holidays, overseas work and extended trips for leisure from a godly perspective when the concept isn’t in the Bible?

There are some who take a hard line against going overseas and tell others that it’s indulgent and selfish; a reactionary stance against the current tide of materialism and the worship of “experience”. I don’t think this is wise as it engenders guilt in people and fails to realise that everyone’s motives for traveling is different and not necessarily self centered. Plus, you would have to apply it to all sorts of other luxuries in life and tell people to stop buying houses, playing sport, owning nice clothes or taking art classes.

However, there are times when people are too quick to abandon our church, friends and family to go overseas for an experience, or are willing to spend thousands in overseas trips, but won’t match that amount when it comes to providing for those in need or giving to the work of the Gospel. There are even those who go away and never return; losing their faith to taste the pleasures of this life.

What advice should we as Christians give in these situations?

For Christians, is there a right and a wrong way to travel?

Pray for Lebanon

2006-07-27T12:33:00.000+10:00

Reading about the war raging between the Israeli Defence Force and Hezbollah makes me feel helpless as a Christian living comfortably in Sydney. I'm sure there are many others like me who are wondering what they can do to help.

Alongside giving aid, we must never underestimate the power of prayer. This list of prayer points from Arab World Ministries website is so important:

1. Pray for the people who have already been affected by the attacks, for Israelis and Lebanese who have been injured or who have lost family members, those who have been displaced because of the violence, those who have lost homes or livelihoods as a result of the bombings.

2. Pray for the safety of those living in vulnerable areas of Lebanon and Israel

3. Wisdom for those in governments, authorities and other groups, that they may seek ways to end these hostilities rather than cause more death and destruction

4. Wisdom for others involved in seeking a resolution to the conflict, such as the UN and the USA

5. The protection of all Christians in these regions; both local and expat

6. The safe and swift evacuation of all foreigners

7. Humanitarian aid - that agencies will be able to get essential supplies into all these areas

The Middle East Area Director has also released a statement with a final paragraph that I thought would also be good to pray:

At this time, we ask you to pray for peace to come to this troubled part of the world. In that, we pray for everlasting peace that comes only from Jesus. The resurgence of violence reminds us that the peace the world brings through force, or diplomatic means, does not endure. It is only in Christ that peace can come. May the sovereignty of God use this crisis to bring many to himself in the region, for his eternal praise and glory.

Maranatha and Amen.

"Victory" over sin?

2006-07-25T21:07:00.000+10:00

I've been reading the first chapter of Jerry Bridge's the Pursuit of Holiness. This particular passage struck me:

"Our problem is that our attitude toward sin is more self-centred than God-centred. We are more concerned about our own "victory" over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God. We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it is offensive to God...God wants us to walk in obedience - not victory. Obedience is oriented toward self. Obedience is oriented towards God."

This is so true in my own life. So often, I urge myself to defeat sin and conquer it rather than
grieve over my disobedience and aim simply to walk in obedience. It's a small distinction, but such an important one to make.

Strong Bad is Back

2006-07-19T15:18:00.000+10:00

See here. Still taking votes for favourite emails...

Coffee Festival

2006-07-19T11:34:00.000+10:00

The Aroma coffee festival is on again this Sunday. As someone who used to make a living in this industry, I'm excited to see what's happening in the coffee world again, as well as sampling what's new out there.
Hoping to pace myself with the coffees this time though. Last year I drank too many, too quickly. My hand/eye co-ordination paid the price, along with my sleep that night. Still, what better way to spend my last day of holidays. Soph's coming too.

I used to believe...

2006-07-18T15:55:00.000+10:00

I used to believe that my work would be a valuable contribution to society.
Now I realise that there is more than one way of creating meaning in this life.

I used to think that those older than me knew everything and were mostly right.
Now I realise that no one’s perfect, and infallibility is not a prerequisite for respect.

I used to believe that every question in life had a clear cut answer.
Now I realise that an open mind can often be the path to wisdom.

I used to anticipate experiencing life and revelling in the grey.
Now I realise that a discerning mind is needed to make the journey worthwhile.

I used to believe that life was simple and doing the right thing was easy.
Now I realise that the more you experience, the more complicated decisions are.

I used to talk like the Bible was a textbook and I had it all figured out.
Now I realise that humility before the Word of God is the far better way.

I used to act like I was indestructible and held the world in my hands.
Now I realise that when I am weak, then He is strong.

I used to dream about fairytale endings and living a perfectly charming life.
Now I realise that God gives us not what we want, but exactly what we need.

I used to want to travel the world and experience all this world has to offer.
Now I realise that I gained all the richness of this world when Christ came into my heart.

I used to think that being right was the most important thing in the world.
Now I realise that if I have not love, I am a clanging cymbal or a noisy gong.

I used to crave experiences and be governed by my heart.
Now I realise that there are some principles that are worth holding on to.

I used to be quick to tell others when, how and where they went wrong.
Now I realise that it's far easier to tread carefully than eat humble pie.

I used to think that if you weren't evangelical, you were on the wrong side.
Now I realise that God is far bigger than my religion.

I used to strive to be someone important, to make an impact and make my voice heard.
Now I realise that the key to life is to walk humbly with my Lord and let His will determine my ways.

Food

2006-07-18T08:31:00.000+10:00

Having spent the past few days with bad migraines which turned out to be sinusitus, I treated myself this morning to a full cream flat white and a blueberry bagel with lots of butter. I never have butter or bagels, so it was fantastic. In fact, I wish I was eating it right now.

Women have such a strange relationship with food. I work with three other girls on my floor and the amount of time we spend discussing what we’re having for lunch, what we’re craving during the day, who has what flavour cup-of-soup, the items we’re buying from the coffee shop, etc, is astonishing. We can talk for ages about lunch before we actually even have it.

Maybe girls develop a strong desire for delicious food because they're so health conscious and tend to deprive themselves of it more often. After all, cake is so much more desirable when you only let yourself eat it once a week.

Or maybe it’s a hormonal thing. You never hear about guys craving chocolate or hot chips (mmm…with chicken salt…)

In any case, for lunch today I’m having pumpkin soup brought from home with two pieces of sourdough bread. I’ve also got a sachet of date and golden syrup oats under my desk, just in case I feel like a snack at 3pm.

Yum.

It wasn't what you said...

2006-07-14T15:31:00.000+10:00

“It wasn’t what you said. It was the way you said it.”

I’m the kind of person who often gets caught up in the heat of the moment. When trying to make a point that is close to my heart, my pulse races and the blood start to rise to my face. Passion overtakes self control and my main objective changes from hearing other people out to making my point known at all costs. “Why isn’t this person agreeing with me?” I start to think in exasperation. “Can’t they see that this is the only perfectly reasonable point of view to be had?” I forget that it’s important to watch not just the content, but also the manner of my speech.

Words are a powerful tool and can be used in a variety of ways. They can cut to the heart, offer insight or provide comfort to the soul. However, they must never be used to hurt, humiliate, insult or triumph over others, even if the point that we are making is the right one. Saying “they shouldn’t take it so personally”, “that’s just the way I communicate” or “I didn’t mean to cause offense” isn’t really an excuse. Surely as Christians we are to be extra vigilant against unloving actions? If another person is easily offended, surely our reaction should be to take more, not less, care with our words?

It’s so easy to want to trump over someone in argument, whether it be concerning theology, social issues or simply the best way to keep the house tidy. However, my dad always used to tell me, “don’t win the battles, win the war”. Proving that you’re right doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve won the person’s heart. It’s far more effective to speak lovingly and entice others to what is good, than ram it home for the sake of coming out on top.

Burnt cookies

2006-07-12T20:37:00.000+10:00

I was feeling a little low tonight and no one was home except flu-infested Micah, so I taught him how to make choc chip cookies. I think we made them a little too small because some of them are burnt, but we've made so many that there are enough to salvage for a decent batch. It was very therapeutic.

It's nights like these that I terribly miss my friends at my old church. There is a familiarity with people you know well that fits like a warm hug. I miss the little things: driving home with friends on a sunday night after service, chatting with my family about the sermon, knowing who's new and who's not by just a quick scan around the room, having friends who live nearby, being able to talk with people without feeling nervous or shy. I don't regret my decision to move, but sometimes I do regret not doing more during my time at CCC.

The burnt cookies taste okay. I might take a few to work tomorrow.

Bananas.

2006-07-12T13:27:00.000+10:00

I miss them.

Love her more and love her less

2006-07-11T18:11:00.000+10:00

I love getting non work-related emails.

Today Sam emailed me a poem by John Piper with a header saying, "this is what I want our marriage to be like".

If you now aim your wife to bless,
Then love her more and love her less.
If in the coming years, by some
Strange providence of God, you come
To have the riches of this age,
And, painless, stride across the stage
Beside your wife, be sure in health
To love her, love her more than wealth.

And if your life is woven in
A hundred friendships, and you spin
A festal fabric out of all
Your sweet affections, great and small,
Be sure, no matter how it rends,
To love her, love her more than friends.

And if there comes a point when you
Are tired, and pity whispers, "Do
Yourself a favor. Come, be free;
Embrace the comforts here with me."
Know this! Your wife surpasses these:
So love her, love her, more than ease.

And when your marriage bed is pure,
And there is not the slightest lure
Of lust for any but your wife,
And all is ecstasy in life,
A secret all of this protects:
Go love her, love her, more than sex.

And if your taste becomes refined,
And you are moved by what the mind
Of man can make, and dazzled by
His craft, remember that the "why"
Of all this work is in the heart;
So love her, love her more than art.

And if your own should someday be
The craft that critics all agree
Is worthy of a great esteem,
And sales exceed your wildest dream,
Beware the dangers of a name.
And love her, love her more than fame.

And if, to your surprise, not mine,
God calls you by some strange design
To risk your life for some great cause,
Let neither fear nor love give pause,
And when you face the gate of death,
Then love her, love her more than breath.

Yes, love her, love her, more than life;
O, love the woman called your wife.
Go love her as your earthly best.
Beyond this venture not. But, lest
Your love become a fool's facade,
Be sure to love her less than God.

It is not wise or kind to call
An idol by sweet names, and fall,
As in humility, before
A likeness of your God. Adore
Above your best beloved on earth
The God alone who gives her worth.
And she will know in second place
That your great love is also grace,
And that your high affections now
Are flowing freely from a vow
Beneath these promises, first made
To you by God. Nor will they fade
For being rooted by the stream
Of Heaven's Joy, which you esteem
And cherish more than breath and life,
That you may give it to your wife.

The greatest gift you give your wife
Is loving God above her life.
And thus I bid you now to bless:
Go love her more by loving less.

By John Piper. ©Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 888.346.4700.

Even though I found the whole poem beautiful, it was the last paragraph that spoke powerfully to me. I love Sam heaps; he is my best friend and favourite person in the whole world. However, my first love is God. He is my carer and my provider, the only one who satisfies all my needs and deepest desires.

I hope I can remember that for all my days.

What's happened to Strongbad?

2006-07-09T15:52:00.000+10:00

There hasn't been a new email in over a month... This is sad... I hope Strongbad is ok.

My favourite email is Kids Book.

What's yours?

book review (of sorts)

2006-07-04T15:55:00.000+10:00

Yesterday, I read What women really want (need) ed. Lesley Ramsey, self described as an anthology of writings from “Australian women who talk about Jesus”. I haven’t read the whole book (only about three quarters of it) but I’m not convinced that it’s effective as an evangelism tool.

Firstly, the structure of the book isn’t very ‘secular friendly’. Unlike books like A Sneaking Suspicion or Case for Christ, it doesn’t build on one narrative or train of thought, but is a collection of chapters on different topics ranging from contentment to love, forgiveness and stability. Although this structure can work if each chapter offers something different, all of the articles in the book ended with the same conclusion: whatever your problem is, the answer is Christ. This isn’t wrong at all, but put yourself in the shoes of a non-believing reader. Would you want to read 10 or so chapters in a row, all with the same conclusion? I think it’s far more effective to sustain one continuous argument or conversation with the reader.

Secondly, and I hope I don’t offend anyone by saying this, but not all of the women who contributed could write. That’s not to say that their content wasn’t valuable, but some of the pieces would have sounded so much better as a talk.

Thirdly, the women were all the same. Perhaps there was a target market that the book was aimed for and I just happened to fall outside of it, but why were all the contributors: a) married (mostly to ministers), b) mothers and c) into home renovations or cooking? Where were all the single contributors? I also found it really limiting that being “culturally savvy” in one article was equated to knowing how to cook a roast or furnish a house. I probably wouldn’t give this book to my non-believing friends, not because I didn’t think the content was valuable, but because it simply wasn’t relevant to their lives (but then again, maybe that’s because I fall outside of the aimed audience for this book). People feel very strongly about women embracing their role as wife, mother and carer of the home, but I wonder if sometimes we make these things an unspoken prerequisite to fully serve God as a woman.

Finding the female voice

2006-07-03T19:46:00.000+10:00

A couple of years ago, I was involved in a ministry that published a Christian newsletter once a month. It was a pretty typical publication, filled with prayer points, articles and various news items from our church. The only thing that was slightly unusual about it was that the editorial team had six people - five men plus me.

Even though I was a competent writer and the guys I worked with were gentle and lovely, I struggled hard to contribute worthy pieces to the publication. My articles were all the same: unstructured, illogical, clumsy, just plain flat. I couldn't work out the reason until a friend's sharp comment hit the nail on the head. "Soph, this is really terrible," she said over coffee one day, shaking her head at yet another failed attempt. "For starters, it doesn't even sound like you."

Then it dawned on me. In an effort to mimic the style of articles from The Briefing and other no-nonsense type of works that I had read in the Christian sphere (I hadn't yet discovered the delights of Os Guiness, Phillip Yancey or John Piper), I tried to be everything I'm not - didactic, economical, down the line, methodical and authoritative.

In short, I tried to write like a man. And it failed abysmally.

Although this experience was years ago and I've since come to accept that I'm better at writing about relationships and Britney Spears than the theology of the Trinity, I still think back to my brief stint in the publications commitee and wonder if a larger question was at play. Was it just about my flailing attempts as a writer, or was it more than that? Was I trying to adopt the assumed 'superior' voice of a man instead of harnessing the ways God has gifted me as a woman?

Women communicate differently from men. According to a class I took in female narrative while I was at uni, we are a lot more indirect, circular and empathetic. While men get straight to the point, women weave intricate stories.

Now, I'm not sure how accurate these ideas are as I've read plenty of women writers who are straight to the point, nor do I think that this means women are incapable of being logical in communciation. However, it does raise an interesting issue about our gender. Are there any differences between the way men and women think, and if so, what are they? How do they affect the way we communicate?

I admit that I haven't read too many Christian books written by women (I am about to go to my shelf and post a list of the ones I have read), but I am now on a mission: to find a list of biblically solid, culturally relevant, smart and fun books written by Christian women.

Any recommendations?

Assault on Big Brother

2006-07-03T12:51:00.000+10:00

I don’t usually like jumping on the moral bandwagon when it comes to explicit content on TV, but the latest reports on how two men indecently assaulted a female contestant on Big Brother have really disgusted me – and that’s saying a lot from a film graduate who has seen pretty much everything.

Channel 10 was flogging a dead horse when it decided to bring out BB for another year, so I won’t rehash the old debates about tasteless voyeurism. What has really frustrated me about the whole incident is how vocal personalities ranging from media experts to Kyle and Jackie O have defended the show, both after the incident and previously when BB’s explicit content has caused alarm.

Criticism launched at politicians who have called for the show to be banned has claimed that: a) none of the critics have watched the show before casting stones, and b) BB is actually an accurate reflection of society and today’s voters.

While the first comment is fair, it saddens me that people can watch a cheapened view of sex on BB - to the point where a woman is sexually assaulted - and say that it’s just like our society without even batting an eyelid or raising alarm. If this is in fact how young people are behaving and living, shouldn't we be more concerned?

This incident has really shown how damaging raunch culture and third wave feminism can be. When girls are taught that the way to find equality is to flaunt what they’ve got, have sex like a man and hold nothing sacred, then can we be surprised that a girl gets assaulted on national television and no one protects or defends her?

Time out

2006-06-28T14:45:00.000+10:00

Last weekend, I had a really lovely day relaxing with Sam at the end of our busy weeks. We went to Lane Cove national park for a walk, where Sam surprised me with an impromptu boat ride on the Lance Cove river.

Although I could hear Lady Game drive in the distance, floating on the river amongst the creeping greenery and still water was so peaceful. Even though the boat was old and rickety (and according to Sam, difficult to row, I had a go until we decided that my talents lay elsewhere), it added to the charm of the falling fronds, pale sunlight and crisp smell of wet soil. My only regret was that we hadn’t brought any breadcrumbs to feed the ducks with.

I think that it’s important to regularly take time out to do something that you enjoy. This may sound really obvious, but so many people fail to do it and wonder why they’re tired, irritable and stressed out.

For me, that would mean things like reading the Good Weekend at a café with a flat white and banana bread (not the low fat variety and no skim milk), going on really long walks with lots of scenery, shopping at the markets, painting on a massive piece of paper or canvas in my garden, watching a really good film, doing funk classes at the gym and having dinner at a pub with good friends.

I used to enjoy going to bars on the weekends when I was younger, but now I find that scene so tiresome, filled with pretentious people, uncomfortable furniture and overpriced cocktails. Maybe I’m boring, but give me a good book, decent conversation or a DVD with friends any day…

Do not worry

2006-06-26T08:49:00.000+10:00

When I was young, I used to worry about all sorts of things.

Often, it was often because my imagination got the better of me. If a family member said they’d be home at 7pm and weren’t in the door by 7:15pm, I’d picture everything from horrific car accidents to abductions on the way home. If my mum had a migraine, it was because she had a brain tumor.

Although the scenarios are less extreme and I’ve extended my repertoire beyond freak accidents, I’m still a bit of a worrier today. Lately, my mind has been filled with niggling worries about all sorts of things, from insignificant details to ongoing concerns that are beyond my control.

I know I am supposed to trust God in all things. I think I do, or at least I try to in my actions. But how do I also submit my feelings to God when they seem even beyond my control? Is being a worrier just a personality trait, or am I disobeying God when he says “do not worry about your life?” in Matthew 6?

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Matthew 6:25-27

choose-your-own-marriage

2006-06-23T15:26:00.000+10:00

Nicole and Keith. Katie and Tom. Angelina and Brad. Vince and Jennifer.

As countries battle it out in the World Cup for fame and glory, it seems that gossip magazines a posing another battle of their own: who will be the first to tie the knot?

Despite the fuss made over lavish, million-dollar weddings and baby plans, I can’t help but wonder how long each marriage will last. These days it seems that young couples, not just celebs, are heading towards shorter marriages out of choice, not desperation. Here are some non-committal vows I recently discovered on the net in what I like to call ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ style weddings:

“I promise to be as loyal as long as our love lasts”
“I’ll be with you until our time together is over”
This one which sounds like some conjugal version of the Hippocratic oath - “I’ll love you for as long as our marriage shall serve the common good”.

As these lukewarm sentiments reveal, we just don’t believe in forever anymore. An article in Cleo magazine (source of all things sacred) from earlier this year says:

“[there is a] growing belief shared by many mere mortals, not just celebs, that all long term relationships – even the best ones – eventually run their course. This generation of women is more than capable of taking care of themselves, which removes that incentive to hang in there, “till death do us part”. Both men and women have so many choices these days, it almost seems a shame not to keep your options open.”

For the generation before us, “keeping your options open” caused many women to shun tradition altogether and opt not to get married at all. For today’s generation, the reaction seems to be the opposite. A wedding can often be treated as just another step in a relationship. Amongst the young, rich and famous, the latest accessory is an engagement ring followed by a quick party and an equally speedy divorce. The supposed beauty of it there’s no possibility of failing at a marriage, as the union never claimed to last forever in the first place.

The obvious question to me is: why get married in the first place? Living together is no longer a taboo in our society. Why not avoid the commitment of being husband and wife by not getting married at all?

Generation Y has copped a lot of criticism lately for their lack of rebellion, accused of caring more about a mortgage than the ideals that drove previous generations of young people. This is particularly true of young women who show any inclination towards marriage and childbearing as opposed to career and individualistic pursuits.

While these accusations are lop-sided (these days, it seems if you opt to stay at home with your kids you’re accused of having no ideals at all), they do highlight the schizophrenic tendencies of our generation. We desire the freedom to move around, yet want the security of an early mortgage and savings. We like to buck the system, yet depend on it to provide us with the life that we can enjoy. We want to say wedding vows, but we don’t want to live them out if it inconveniences our fast, hectic lives.

The result is often a curious blending of both, of wanting tradition, yet wanting tradition ‘my way’. Ours is the only generation with the audacity to change any standard in order to suit the way we like to live, and surely a prime example of this is standing up before others and making a promise to love someone “until you love them no more”.

Go Australia!

2006-06-23T07:55:00.000+10:00

Go the Socceroos! They played well and it was a great game, though quite messy with a lot of cards being dealt out. It was definitely worth getting up so early.

I didn't end up shopping for a wedding dress yesterday. I only had a small window of opportunity between work and Bible study and didn't really account for the heavy traffic on the road.

However, Bible study was fantastic; I had such a great night. We're studying Ephesians as an escalating argument, a progressive outpouring that just gets more and more passionate and exciting. This is my favourite verse from last night:

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him (Christ) to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:22)

I love that phrase, the church is the "fullness" of Christ. I love how we are tied in with the act of glorifying Christ as His body. It gives us so much to live for.

Leading was a great experience. It has been a while since I have led a study and I have never led a mixed group before (not because my old church was against it - I just always seemed to fall into women groups). Sam has been great with giving me both positive and constructive feedback, as well as helping me write the studies. At the moment, He is taking me through Growth Groups and we are reading Desiring God by John Piper, which I am really enjoying.

After years of being 'mentored' by my dad, it's nice to learn from my soon-to-be husband as well. They have very different styles and opinions, but they're both wise, committed to walking humbly with the Lord and wonderful teachers. I'm really blessed by God to have them both in my life:)

Shopping for a wedding dress

2006-06-22T15:54:00.000+10:00

Tonight, I’m going shopping on King St to peruse for a wedding dress. There’s a shop which I like which sells really beautiful clothes (I think it’s called Sarah Jane, but when I googled the name it came up as a lingerie store, so maybe I’m wrong). If I find something I like, I might come back with my mum or girlfriends to get a second opinion.

I’m not very fussy about the details of our upcoming wedding, but I do love beautiful clothes and funky jewellery. When it comes to my wedding dress, I have some thoughts:

1. It must not look like a wedding dress. No meringues, tulle, ballgowns or yards of fabric. They just aren’t me. And no veil.
2. It must be white or cream.
3. It must not cost lots of money. Definitely in the hundreds. No thousand dollar wedding dress for me!

Finding a cheap dress is hard. I haven’t started looking yet, but bridal stores seem to start at $1,500 and go up in price. All I really want is a simple, white dress that suits me. There are a few options that people have suggested, including second hand shops, borrowing from a friend (this is hard when I don’t have any married friends), hiring something or just buying a nice designer gown. I had a look at Lisa Ho yesterday and spied some really nice white dresses, but they cost $2,000. Everything is so expensive!

My mum has offered to make my wedding dress for me. She has never made one before, but I think that this would be so special and wonderful. However, she is already making my jewellery and lots of other things, so I don’t want to stress her out. It's still early days and we’ll see. In the end, it’s just a dress;)

Getting married feels so overwhelming sometimes. I can see why a lot of girls go crazy with things like dresses. Perhaps it's to distract themselves from the huge step they're taking.

24 starts again

2006-06-22T08:22:00.000+10:00

I'm devastated. Two of my favourite characters - Michelle Dresler and David "I stand for truth" Palmer - have been killed on 24. And it's only the first show for the season!

I think that year promises to be a good season. Although it is still unrevealed as to what the big threat is, we already know that both the chief adviser AND the head of CTU are working with the terrorists.

And Jack Bauer is still incredibly cool. I like this line:

"The only reason you're not unconscious is because I don't want to carry you."

Interview techniques

2006-06-20T11:55:00.000+10:00

In my current job, I write about things I know very little about.

Last week I was at a factory inspecting forklifts. Yesterday, I was talking to a leading software company about RFID and barcoding technology. This morning, it was the light metals department at the CSIRO.

Asking as many questions as possible is the best way of getting through these interviews. Good ones are, “what do you see developing in the next 5-10 years?” or “what benefits will this bring?” Open ended questions mean that they talk for longer, which gives me more time to figure out: a) my next question and b) words to search on Google with afterwards.

If they’re talking about the latest automotive technology or metallurgy and it's pretty clear that my next question is going to have to demonstrate some sort of understanding, I generally pick one term they’ve mentioned and focus on that. “You mentioned the carbothermic reduction process earlier; that was a really interesting point (people love to be told that they’re making interesting points), can you elaborate on that?”

It’s also important to constantly make noises that give the impression that you’re deeply listening. Simple words like “right”, “okay” or even murmurs of agreement often do the job. However, it's crucial not to mentally drift away while the engineer is talking and start thinking about what to eat for dinner, no matter how boring the subject matter is. That can spell disaster, especially if said engineer suddenly decides to grind to a halt, leaving you to make a response.

Hmm...maybe it's time for a new job...

Stamp or be stamped

2006-06-19T18:23:00.000+10:00

We are to make a stamp on the world, but is the world instead making its stamp on us?*

Amongst some of my friends and at work, women don’t get married before their late twenties or early thirties. If they do, they live together first, travel for at least a year, save until they can afford a house and put off motherhood until they’ve established a successful career.

I have done none of those things, so sometimes it’s difficult to talk about why I’m getting married, let alone why I’m marrying someone in Christian ministry. The conversation usually goes like this:

Them: What does your fiancé do?
Me: He’s training to be a minister.
Them: Oh, like a priest? (confused look - imagining vestry garments and wondering if we’re going to have a celibate relationship)

It's hard enough explaining to people why I'm marrying so young (at 23 I hardly think I'm a child bride, but that's what some people seem to think!). Explaining full-time ministry is even harder. Out of fear of being different, I’ve often tried to avoid the issue, or tried to dress Sam’s job and our prospects up in more palatable terms for the unbeliever. I’ve said things which I don't truly believe, like:

* “We’re not really sure what we’re going to do when he finishes his apprenticeship, it’s an open program and can lead to so many different places” i.e. We’re not that committed to this. It sounds extreme but we’re really quite normal
* “It’s the kind of job that you can travel with if you want – you can do mission work overseas or work in a church in another country” i.e. I can travel too, there’s no sacrifice for me in that area
* “Heaps of ministers have wives who are accountants/doctors/journalists” i.e. I can still be career driven and ‘successful’ like you.

I’ve always put it down to the fact that they won’t understand where I’m coming from, but if I’m really honest with myself, I am ashamed - not of my fiancé, but of Christ and the sacrifices that come with doing His work. I have no problems telling people about Jesus, but I shrink away when I am forced to declare any allegiance with him.

How hard is it to say the truth without watering it down? I have so little courage. It’s really hard sometimes to be different, but thank God for His power given to me, through whom I can do all things!

Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in the suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

2 Timothy 1:8

*This line was preached by AB at church tonight. We’re starting a series on Judges and so far it’s fantastic. I learnt that the Israelites – who were given land to “stamp” for God – turned to foreign gods and let the culture of Canaan stamp them instead. God judges them by making their conquests unsuccessful, but this ultimately to show His love by giving them a much needed wake up call. I’m looking forward to learning more…

Two movies on the weekend: I must be rich

2006-06-18T16:17:00.000+10:00

I must be rich because I saw two movies on the weekend that I thought were worth a mention.

The first was Gabrielle, a French film directed by Patrice Chéreau and screened as part of the Sydney Film Festival.

The storyline was quite simple: Set in the early 1900s, Mr Hervey has been married to his wife Gabrielle for 10 years and comes home one day to discover a note saying that she has left him for another man. Later on that evening, a remorseful Gabrielle returns to the house, unable to go through with her plan. Hervey grudgingly accepts her back into the marriage, but their marriage continues to crumble as it becomes apparent that their image as an ideal couple hides an empty relationship.

On the surface, the film could be read as a typical ‘suffocating marriage drives woman to leave her husband and discover herself’ story in manner of Thelma and Louise (those movies irritate me).

Instead, Chéreau uses the camera in creative ways to explore the deeper issues in the couple’s relationship. He constantly intercuts the film with shots of servants bustling around the mansion, cooking food and dressing Gabrielle at her toilette - showing how materialism and routine has damaged their relationship. In one beautiful image, a floor filled with white, marble statues of naked women is combined with Jean saying, “I love my wife like a collector loves his most prized possession”, showing how he sees his wife as an object rather than a person.

In another example, when Hervey gives the audience a description of his wife and the happy life they live together, the colour of the film changes to black and white and is treated to have a grainy feel, like film footage from a past era. When cut next to more naturally coloured scenes, it has the effect of clouding Hervey’s narrative about his wife in nostalgia, as if it’s a fairytale he weaves for himself that is far removed from reality. As the story progresses, we see that in fact, Hervey left Gabrielle alone in the first few years of their marriage, causing her to develop deep seated depression and loneliness. He hardly knows his wife and she, despite being grateful to him for providing her with a home, does not love him. The ending takes an ironic twist as he realises that he can’t live in a marriage where Gabrielle does not love him. It made me sad to see a picture of marriage bereft of anything meaningful.

The second film I saw, far more commercial but just as quality, was X Men 3. I wasn’t expecting much from this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was it well directed (fighting mutants in cataclysmic battle always make for great special effects), but it had a really gripping storyline. Dr Jean Grey, the character who died in the previous movie, is the central focus, as she is resurrected with an interesting twist. Also, I recommend that people stay until the end, as there’s a little sneak preview after the credits finish rolling.

Althought they were two great films, at over $15 per ticket ($17 for the film festival) plus dinner, I don't think I'll be seeing any more movies in the cinema in the near future. Much cheaper to hire a DVD, or even buy one!

Making Christ known in a secular state

2006-06-16T09:24:00.000+10:00

Whatever your religious beliefs, this is a secular state.

Julia Baird wrote this line as part of an article on the legalisation of civil unions, arguing a case for the recognition of same-sex relationships in our society by allowing homosexuals to marry.

This led to an interesting conversation on Craig’s blog about how a religious agenda should be dealt with in a secular state, particularly when the topic at hand is homosexuality – something which goes against Scripture, yet is widely accepted in secular society.

Craig made a great point:

Notice, though, what the state is not appointed to do. It is not appointed to preach the gospel. It is not appointed to make converts. It is not appointed to promote Christianity. It is not even appointed to enforce “Christian” behaviour – except in so far as such behaviour promotes good order and peace in society. It seems to me that this is the test that Christians must apply to new legislation. Not “will this legislation encourage non-Christians to behaviour like Christians” but “will this legislation promote order and peace in society.”

I agree. It seems strange to expect a secular government to adopt Christian values, considering that we are called to be aliens and strangers in this world. The role of governing bodies is not to further our own religious agenda but, as Craig says, “promote order and peace in our society”. We can’t expect non believers to dress up like Christians, even if it makes this temporary home on earth a more comfortable place for us and our sensibilities.

However, there is a bigger issue at hand. When we look at statements like “whatever your religious beliefs, this is secular state,” we need to look at the underlying meaning beneath them. The phrase is a loaded one that has been hurled at Christians before, effectively to demand that they keep their nose out of the State’s business and stick to the pulpit. This isn’t just restricted to politics, as I had a media lecturer at uni who once gave a talk entitled, “From Pulpit to Podium: Why Moral Posturing is Hindering Public Debate”. The implication is clear: we don’t mind if Christians give money to the needy or a religious address or two around Easter, but when it comes to serious issues in society, please butt out and mind your own business.

What saddens me is that Christians themselves buy into that line. Some of us retreat into the safety of the church, throwing our effort into Christian activities, yet too timid to make a sound in the public sphere. Although we can’t expect the government to simply bow to our demands with legislation, we are democratically entitled to voice our opinion. We need to take a hold of that right and not be afraid to vocalise a stance that may be unpopular in society (and in regards to the same sex issue, balance our stance on marriage with love and grace).

Others of us dig even deeper into the divide, sectioning off “Christian” issues that the church deals with from other matters that don’t directly impact our doctrine or beliefs. As Christians, we can be passionately vocal when it comes to issues such as abortion, same sex marriage and teaching Scripture at school, but deadly silent when refugees are being mistreated in our own detention centers, or our government evades the truth when it comes to the war in Iraq, or Aboriginal communities sitting on rich mining lands are living in squalor.

Although we can’t expect a secular society to promote our religious agenda, I think that part of our call to shine as stars in the universe for Christ is to reflect Christian values in all spheres of public debate. The Bible has so much on loving our neighbours, protecting the oppressed members of society and governing honestly – perhaps even more than it does on homosexuality. Remaining silent on these issues can give the unbalanced picture of our God as stringent when it comes to sex and terminating pregnancies, but lax in demonstrating love, compassion and justice for others.

“Will this legislation promote order and peace in society?” is a good question to ask, but one that Christians shy away from all too often.

Fitness First

2006-06-14T14:10:00.000+10:00

Every Thursday night, I dance to funky music and practice moves called ‘Rockstar’ and ‘Stripper Dip*’ - not at a bar in the city, but with roomful of girls in sweatpants at my local Fitness First gym.

In one hour, I have a great time de-stressing and getting fit with hip-hop, jazz, salsa and even African tribal dance moves. The best part about it is that I can choose a time and location which suits my day. If I miss my Thursday night class, there’s always Monday straight after work, or Tuesday night at another Fitness First gym only 20 minutes away.

Maybe this is why the Fitness First formula works so well. A person can walk into the complex whenever they like and select whatever activity takes their fancy. Want to start with a cardio workout? Try the room near the entry, where you can choose from a large selection of channels to watch while exercising. Cycling? A simulation machine lets you decide which pace and terrain is suitable for you. Stretch class? Try the 6am class, or if that’s too early, catch a later one at 11:30am.

I think that the modern day gym is such a fitting picture of today's society. As a business, Fitness First has based their entire ethos around the ruling principle of choice and giving customers the ability to get exactly what they want. Likewise, we often meet together not to build any sense of community, but to fulfill our individual needs. Entertainment and leisure is doled out in individual cells, with people running on a travelator or lifting weights metres apart, yet not having any contact with each other. The only exception seems to be watching the World Cup - the only time when it is considered perfectly acceptable to hug the person next to you and share camaraderie with a stranger.

The future will come not through automobiles, speed and machinery as the Futurists thought, or on a digital wave of computer technology as predicted in the new millennium. Post modern life is emerging through a conglomeration of Starbucks coffees, McCafes, mega chain stores, home entertainment units and Fitness First gyms, where the ‘user-pay’ philosophy is in full force and convenience, individualism and the body beautiful reign supreme.

I just hope this kind of thinking doesn’t affect other areas of society, especially schools, universities, family life and the church.

*The Stripper Dip is a move that looks exactly what it sounds like. Something I’ve noticed is the infiltration of raunch culture in the gym, with pole dancing classes becoming the latest craze in the US as a great way to keep fit and belly dancing touted as a great way to flatten those abs. I was surprised when one night my instructor yelled at us to “make her want to give us dollars” to the tune of a Pussycat Dolls song. It was a once-off and completely shocked me, but I have to admit, when the classes aren't so provocative and in the context of a roomful of girls and my female gym buddy, I find the moves a lot of fun. I’m still in the process of working out whether I'm right to think this (or if it says anything terrible about me!). What do people think about the use of stripping moves for the sake of fitness?