Beyond Now

“If we go on the way we have, the fault is our greed [and] if we are not willing [to change], we will disappear from the face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect.”
Jacques Cousteau

Contemporary Church?

This photo from our recent trip to Melbourne seemed to uncannily capture the present point along my spiritual "journey".

Post Church.

Balanced

In Yancey’s book "I was just wondering" he deals with the reality of suffering and the issue of “positive thinking” in the modern church.

He claims that the once “morbidly minded” (melancholy) evangelicals who were led by the likes of Wesley etc. competed with the “healthily minded” (overly optimistic) sects like Christian science - which (early last century) thrived in times of unprecedented prosperity.

(Interestingly, the influential Word-Of-Faith movement also has much of its roots in Christian Science as well as pentecostal revivalism).

These sects ‘met their waterloo’ when the reality of the depression and the World Wars hit - “a monstrous fact that exposed the flaws in their vision of the world and humanity”.

But what Yancey claims is that this “healthy mindedness” is now characteristic in the Christian church and he concludes his mini-thesis with the statement ”I hope and pray an even more ominous fact does not arise to smother the ‘healthy-mindedness’ that has swept evangelicalism in the last few decades”.

My personal view is that we do need to allow times for melancholy reflection and teaching “in the correct season” and with correct perspective - otherwise Yancey’s concern may be well placed.

Australia Day 2006

This may sound like a tremendous boast, but I think that we Aussies live in the best country in the World.

Today it will be the beach, a barbecue in the Park, the Beach, a barbecue at home - for something different. I will also head to the 'lookout' a converted water tower to watch the Austrlai Day fireworks. Thats what its all about.

I'm cutting a CD with my favourite Australian Songs:

1) Flame Trees - (Cold Chisel)
2) Cool Change - (Little River Band)
3) Better Days - (Pete Murray)
4) Down Under - (Men at Work)
5) Happy Birthday Helen - (Things of Stone and Wood)
6) Reckless - (Austlian Crawl)
7) Sounds Of Then (This is Australia) - (GANGGajang)
8) Making Gravy - (Paul Kelly)
9) Never Tear Us Apart (INXS)
10) Great South Land - (IceHouse)
11) Power and the Passion - Midnight Oil
12) Woking Class Man - (Jimmy Barnes)

Who knows...I may even add I Sitll Call Australia Home - (Peter Allen) as a hidden track.

Have a Great Australia Day...

(Let me know if you would like a copy Marisa).

Contradictions

Which of the thieves on the cross, reviled Jesus?
a) Both of them (Mt 27:44)
or
b) Only one of them (Lu 23:39-43)

What was Jesus offered to drink on the cross?
a) wine mixed with myrrh (Mk 15:23)
or
b) vinegar mixed with gall.( Mt 27:34)

How did Judas die?
a) He hung himself (Mt 27:5)
or
b) He fell & burst open. (Ac 1:18)

When did Jesus curse the fig tree?
a) After going to the temple (Mt 21:12-19)
or
b) Before going to the temple (Mk 11:15-21)

How many foremen and chief officials did Solomon have?
a) 3300 foremen and 550 chief officials (1Ki 5:16, 9:23)
or
b) 3600 foremen and 250 chief officials (2Ch 2:2,18, 8:10)

Where did King Josiah die?
a) Meggido (2Ki 23:29-30)
or
b) At Jerusalem (2Ch 35:23-24)

How old was Jehoiachin when he began to reign?
a) eight (2Ch 36:9)
or
b) eighteen (2Ki 24:8)

Who made the following prophecy?
“They took the thirty silver coins, the price of the one whose price had been set by the people of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
a) Jeremiah (Mt 27:9-10)
or
b) Zechariah (Zec 11:12-13)

Who bought potter's field?
a) Judas (Acts 1:18)
or
b) The chief priests (Matt 27:6-8)

via Nilmot

On Faith and Fancy

Placed a comment in a discussion regarding faith at signposts that I wanted to capture for my records here.

Kierengreen states “…. We may define faith, as a firm belief in something for which there is no evidence.

Kierentgreen what you write about is what I would term as being ‘Blind Faith’….and Blind Faith is not the faith of the sincere thinking Christian.

In coming to a conclusion and decision regarding my faith in Christ, I have based my decision on firstly being open, taking time to analyse the available evidence, using intuition and finally taking that leap of (educated) faith….

In the words of Jack Welch, Chemical Engineer, CEO GE (and non-Christian):

“In life there are no formulaic answers to many of life’s problems…because often there is no black-and-white answers…the (analysis) process gets you to a darker shade of grey”.

I believe analysis must fallow the ground and provide initial direction, then intuition will take you a little farther.

And then, finally, it is faith takes you the remainder of the distance

Nilmot

Nilmot now has his own Blog.

Welcome to the blogosphere Nilmot! He has started an interesting discussion on "Is the Bible Infallible".

Check-it-out.

New Year 2006

2005 In review:

Last Years Key Highlights & Achievements:
1) Being a Husband and Father!
2) Visit family in Tasmania and Melbourne
3) Completed two Units towards Masters Degree
4) Successful delivery of Financial System and making Senior Management.
5) Reticulated lawn down.



2005 Best Reading:
Bono, Table Talk (Luther), Strategic Procurement Management, Project Procurement Management, Prince2. Also lots of Blogs.

2005 Key Learning:

Leadership is about engendering Trust and taking responsibility. It’s less about charm, charisma or communication skills. It’s about taking initiative, taking risks and standing up for what is right. Its about speaking the Truth or taking action at critical points in history.

This is what made Jesus - and to a lesser extent Martin Luther, Gandhi, Martin Luther King and JFK genuinely great.

Sometimes Leadership does in fact mean walking alone. Or with the few. Be led by a careful study of the Truth. Be led by your conscience. Lead yourself first.

For the New Year 2006:

1) God: A) Study to better understand "Predestination & Freewill" B) Study to better understand the names of God C) Kids Baptised. D) Commit to Friday nights ‘Kids Club’ with M - if it goes ahead.
2) Family: A) Commit to having a ‘work-free’ family day each week. B) A holiday for ‘JB’. C) Celebrate ‘Thanksgiving with Family & Friends’ as Family tradition (May).
3) Professional Development: A) Excel in new role to develop team to create a sense of community, excellence, accountability and achievement B) Deliver the First Phase CRM Project by year-end.
4) Fitness: Get back into 32" Boardshorts by Mid-Feb…Again! :-)
5) Home: A) Complete front garden Garden (Fence, Paint Fence, Plants) B) Build a cabinet for TV and C) Finish M’s room.
6) Recreation: Join Scuba2 (Been putting that off too long).
7) Financial: Improve Stewardship A) Develop a Financial Plan. B) Improve Giving under Grace - “Don’t feel guilty – Get responsible.”
8) Relationships: Help organise Boss’ 50th. Resolve/close outstandings.


Character Growth: A) Better frugality: Make own lunches, buy less coffee, drink more water, ride to work with colleagues. B) Be More Thankful.

On High Standards

Been thinking through freewill, predestination, faith and some other stuff.

Funny how things come from all directions to put a picture together…like pieces of a puzzle:

Some lyrics came my way:

“I gave myself to religion...
Became a follower of the Word.
I tried so hard to live up to everything that I heard
Then I found Love...Yeah, I found Love…

Or should I say -
...Love found Me”.

-Chris Falson

Source: http://www.chrisfalson.com/uploaddsl/main.swf

Still haven’t got most of the pieces yet. Maybe I never will.

Christmas 2005

Another Christmas is over.

Enjoyed Fish & Chips on Christmas Eve with good friends.
Woken from a deep slumber at 5:30am by my 7 year old to the words “Santa has been!”..
Went a local Lutheran Church on Christmas Morning – heard a great and relevant sermon on scriptures from Isaiah and John on the birth of the Saviour who cam in both “Grace and Truth”.
Enjoyed marvellous Christmas lunch with my largish family…played Backyard cricket.
My wine collection has now increased by several bottles…hmmm.
Was given a great straw ‘Quiksilver’ hat from my brother - with a brim large enough to cover the South West of this State!
Had the inlaws for Boxing Day for a relaxed lunch and assembled a portable basketball ring for the kids.
Needless to say I have played plenty of basketball.

I have to say – I have not relaxed so much in such a long time.

Back to the grindstone tomorrow.

I trust you enjoyed the break.

Better Days

Some songs just mark the milstones of your life.

Though not a hppay one, this is one for now:

Better Days
-Pete Murray

And I saw it coming
I saw emptiness and tragedy
And I felt like running
So far away
But knew I had to stay
And I know when I'm older
I look back and I still feel the pain
I know I'll be stronger and I know I'll be fine
For the rest of my days

I've seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end

I noticed the smallest things
But I didn't notice the change
It was hot in the morning
Then it turned so cold, twas the end of the day
There was no condensation I just felt like I was in space
I needed my friends there I just turned around
They were gone without a trace.

Rather Be Diving...

Its beautiful weather outside. The Ocean is blue and clear. I also have Monday off.

Too bad I'm in here ploughing through a 350 page text book for an exam on Wednesday.

It doesn't feel like Christams.

Place Holders

Things I am grateful for with regard to my faith:

My aunt who gave me my first Bible.
Those who fought and lost their lives to get the scriptures into the hands of the lay man.
A little old Catholic scripture teacher that came to our school and had nicotine stained fingers. That showed me that Christians did not have to be perfect.
A Lutheran Pastors who spent time of a Sunday afternoon showing us how to read and interpret the Bible correctly - thank God.
The Catechism and the Lords Prayer.
My Prayer book - for when I'm stumped and lost for words.
Confirmation classes - even though I made a mockery of them at the time.
Communion.
The Cross.
Stained Glass. Sometimes.
Spirit words that just seem to talk to my heart.

On Excellence

"Excellence is too hard to maintain -
Mediocrity maintains itself" -Mick the de motivational speaker

The Big Chill

Had our 20 Year School reunion last night. Can’t believe how fast 20 years goes.

Although I still see three or four guys on a regular basis, had a great time, with people I had not even spared a thought for in a long period of time.

Quite different from the 10 year reunion – where everyone was showcasing their career.

This time around it was all about children, schools and work-life balance. Many now have opted for a ‘sea-change’ / country life style (not surprising as many were boarders).

Looking back at the photo’s of some of the mature teachers at the time only to realise that we have now exceed the age that they were when they taught us.

One thing is clear; we have become our parents and teachers.

Refresh

Its been a busy time. The pressure has been on at work. Much change happening. But its work that I love.

I've just finished a thesis for this semester towrds my Masters on "Strategic Project Procurement Management"...left it all to the last few weeks - as usual. #1 Rule for a Project Manager - "Thou Shalt Not Procrastinate"...

Sunday mornings - I am now helping out with the kids at the Surf Club. Thirty or so under 8's all wearing orange and white caps. Its all good.

Faith stuff has been a bit dry. Very dry infact.

It's time to blow the dust of my Bible (metaphorically speaking of course) and read through the Gospel of John. Been taking some time out of 'formal Church' to get my head around things - though I really feel a pull towards heading down to the local Anglican for Communion this weekend. The one with the annual fete amd the corny signs that I used to laugh at as I drove past. Funny how perspectives change - oftimes for the better.

Unexpectedly recieved and appreciated the gift of music today from a far away friend. Now that's refreshing.

Success

These are thoughts gate-crashing my mind of late, as posted in the comments of Steve Addisons blog - I just wanted to cath them here.

Why is it so? Why can’t a Church handle success as we define it – affluence, influence or (political) power well? Is it because we have ill-defined the definition of a “successful church”?

The Jews were waiting on a powerful, influential strong messiah when Jesus came – but his ministry was just the opposite…meek, weak, his influence rejected by those in power, humble and lead to his own demise and death.

Could it be that the local congregational Pastor (also layperson) who spend his time visiting nursing homes, counseling, doing funerals and spending time with mourning families, doing scripture lessons in the local school etc – could still be closer to Jesus than the well remunerated mega (or giga) church pastor who is mixing with the politicians and has a television ministry?

I don’t want to sound negative – but these are just questions on my mind. Are we supposed to be successful, or authentic...Upwardly mobile and influential, or downwardly mobile (and incarnational in EC speak).

I’m wondering is the Church that gravitates towards success and the successful – being faithful to its calling?

Are we supposed to 'decline' offers of worldly success as Jesus did in the desert or are we supposed to capitalise on them inorder to have maximum impact? Why is all of Church history stacked against Churches that become 'successful'?.

No need to answer - just thinking it through.

Quote For Today

"I keep six honest serving men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who."
-Rudyard Kipling, Just So Sories For Little Children

Thought For Day

"Be daring, be different, be impractical; be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary"-Cecil Beaton

This from Marisa.

South Eastern States Tour

Hobart

Normal Blogging will resume shortly (after I have submitted my thesis).

Wrote this some time ago but never posted it!


Just back from visiting family in Tasmania and Melbourne. Both places are beautiful in their own right, but hope to get back and spend a little more time there again in a couple of years.

Highlights
• Salamanca Place / Markets in Historic Hobart (I could live in Hobart):
• Spending some time with Grandparents and family. Ninety-five year old Grandfather-in-law telling us of his plans to tour around Victoria on a Motorcycle.
• Visiting me wife’s Uncle’s renovated beach house in Weymouth Tas ,Walking in Tasmania’s wilderness, eating at some 19th Century Inns, chairlift over Cataract Gorge at Launceston..
• Dinner at Aunts high-rise apartment overlooking Melbourne City of a night time
• Walking along High Street Shops and Café’s of South Yarra, going to Luna Park and Coffee and cake in St Kilda and having Dim Sims at the South Melbourne markets.
• Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance and seeing Rembrandt paintings (Dutch Masters) at NGV.

Lessons Learned
• It’s never a good idea to buy a harmonica at the Markets for seven year old son when touring in the car as a family
• Don’t expect too much from cheap serviced apartments in Melbourne. If the brochure lists a swimming pool and a spa—that does not mean that it will actually be in a safe, heated and in useable condition by humans. Frogs perhaps.

The biggest disappointment was cancel plans for Dive of the Kelp forests of Port Arthur due to a persistent chest infection…that one now has to wait for next time.