The Circuit

The circuit - a place of training, of sweating, of persistence. Step after step, your feet pound out the steady pace of getting the task done. Sweat drips in your eyes, the pain and accomplishment spurs you on - and then at the end, you arrive and realise - you have finished.

* today's writing exercise

Obedience

A long obedience in the same direction. Not an original phrase, but one I have turned over in my head many many times. Obedience. Laying down one's life. Serving the greatest cause and the most wonderful King of all times. And yet, a friend. It takes your breath away.

Kick-starting my blog again... perhaps

One month of holidays.....

One badly neglected blog.....

Perhaps one is a solution to the other?

In an attempt to kick-start this blog again, I shall be posting relatively random things. Don't read too much into them. They are merely a response to random words generated at a 'writing inspiration' site that my friend told me about. It gives you one word a day and you free-write for 60 seconds. Sounds like a good holiday project to me.

The greatest moral issue of our time?

Tim Costello was quoted in The Australian today, criticizing Tony Abbott’s stance on the ETS and was reported to have said from Copenhagen, "Tony Abbot is out on his own, there are 194 countries here and they all see it as the greatest moral issue of our time. Tony Abbott is singing solo". Full article here: http://tinyurl.com/yc5nxre

Greatest moral issue of our time.....really Mr Costello?

The greatest moral issue isn’t the thousands of children dying each day from preventable diseases?
It’s not the tens of thousands of children being aborted every day?
It’s not the internal displacement, civil war and humanitarian crisis’ in places like Sudan, the DR Congo or Zimbabwe?
It’s not the 2-4 million people who are victims of human trafficking every year?

I would have hoped that Mr Costello, as the CEO of an aid organisation, would have tempered his comments somewhat. Yes, the wanton waste and destruction of our environment, of which we have been charged with stewarding, is a serious issue. EQUALLY so however is the way we treat our fellow man.

Imagine if the same the time, energy, finance, political will and media exposure which is currently afforded the Copenhagen conference, was given to help stop human trafficking, or simply to provide clean drinking water to the world?

If 194 countries see the greatest moral issue of our time as cutting carbon emissions, then there is little wonder that human trafficking still exists today.
 

When words are not enough

I don’t know what to say having just read this.....

“Since legalised euthanasia was introduced in the Netherlands, initially by court decision (1973) and subsequently by statute (2002), there is no doubt that there has been a rapid expansion of the categories of people considered eligible for physician administered death.

Children aged 16 and over can request euthanasia without parental agreement.
Children aged 12 to 16 can be killed by euthanasia if they request it and a parent agrees.
Children up to the age of 12, including newborns, may be killed by lethal injection with parental consent.

Psychiatric conditions such as depression or anorexia have been accepted as sufficient justification for requesting euthanasia.”

(From the FamilyVoice briefing paper on the SA Voluntary Euthanasia Bill)

Praying for Christians in Iraq

CNN reported today about a wave of bombings in Christian churches in Iraq.

There have been 7 Christian churches bombed in the last 3 days. 35 people have been wounded and 4 killed.

Praying for the church in Iraq...

* Sent from my Blackberry

Good thought from Seth Godin's blog...

...."Sometimes we spend more time than we should defending the old thing, instead of working to take advantage of the new thing. I bet you can list a dozen "critical" industries that will be as relevant to life in 2020 as Singer is to our world today.

The key difference is that back then, managers and shareholders could stall and fumble and wait out the transition until after they retired. Now, it's almost an annual event. Hiding isn't working, and neither is whining. The best marketing strategy is to destroy your industry before your competition does."...

Remarkably

It is remarkably hard to find extension dining tables, and chocolate brown desks and returns.

It is remarkably difficult to find a suitable dark coloured carpet.

It is remarkably tiring to go from place to place trying to find things for insurance quotes.

However, it is remarkably easy to change a tired, annoyed perspective into a grateful and gracious one.

Thankfulness - a choice often overlooked but simple to do - remarkably so.
* Sent from my Blackberry

A fashion crisis

Two weeks ago I had a surfing lesson and in the process of being less than spectacular, I injured my ankle. The doctor said on Friday that it is ligament damage and has told me it is another 2 - 4 weeks of recovery.

It's certainly not a serious injury, however it has grave fashion implications. Word on the street is that I won't be wearing heels for at least two weeks. For a shortie like me, that is distressing enough.

However add to that the fact that I own a very limited range of flats, and they are mostly casual or summer sandals. I have now essentially reduced my autumn fashion collection to 'casual', and it won't even stretch to smart casual.

Failing a miracle healing (which I am up for, by the way), I shall have to go shoe shopping. Yes, I know I said HAVE to but it's the only sane response to the matter at hand - or foot as the case may be!

* Sent from my Blackberry

A thought from what I read today

When the choice is between condemning or saving, choose saving.
God did.

* Sent from my Blackberry

More thoughts on New York

New Yorkers love their public spaces and utilise them so well. WIth most people living in apartments, they flock to parks.

The UN tour, with our guide Edgar, from Belarus, was very interesting (even if Edgar seemed a little new to it all).

I am amazed that within the space of 4 days the temperature went from 9 degrees, to 31 degrees.

The Tribeca Talks have been really good. It's the first year they have done them and have really added value to our experience.

There are dogs everywhere - you will meet them in shops and restaurants etc. It's kinda cool. Just remember, "curb your dog"!

Not much shopping this trip - but am the very happy owner of a beautiful red handbag which was on sale big time.

"Defamation: The Movie" was an excellent and thought-provoking documentary. Still thinking about it.

Parking a car in a garage here is around $550 a month (including tips).

Reeces peanut butter cups are the best.

I wish Brisbane had street side vendors, selling hot dogs and pretzels.

Central Park was such an interesting experience. We went on Saturday, when it was 31C and it was so so so full. People love their parks!

FAO Schwarz is a totally cool toy shop. We bought lego candy (from the appropriately titled section: FAO Schweetz)

Our little adventure to the new Yankees Stadium in the Bronx was a little longer than we planned it to be - I had memorised how to get there from Central Park, and then totally forgot we had to catch a different line. Luckily, a kind man named Jerry helped us out, took us up the bus stop to catch a cross-town bus and got us a map. 

Joel Osteen was great at A Night of Hope. Stephen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was 3 hours, but certainly didn't feel long or dragged out. 

Like all stadiums, they have you hostage for food purchases. We got hot dogs, fries and coke - and it was $36 US dollars. Eek!!!

You can get your clothes washed and folded by the pound over here - our host said it would be cheaper than buying detergent and using a laundromat. She was right. Crazy.

Finally walked half a block to the Hudson River - another lovely area.

Drove through the Meatpacking area - lots of new designers. The area was still meatpacking 5 years ago.

Thoughts are starting to turn to home, and the very long trip....

New York thoughts

Being here 10 days means getting to relax into the city a little - I like this.
Staying in the West Village is very different to staying midtown but I have decided I am a fan.
Saw a rat in the subway, down on the tracks. It seemed a throughly NY moment for some reason.
People carry all sorts of things on the subway.
The American Museum of Natural History was good, but I did feel like I was on a school excursion.
The exchange rate is seriously cramping our style.
I love the "Bread and Pastry Cafe" on Bleecker st. Open 24 hours and they have the yummiest muffins and coffee for
breakfast.
The Christopher St Gourmet Deli is two blocks away, and the "Jane" sandwich is pretty great.
Getting 2 of the last few seats at the Spike Lee session at Apple Soho was a 'lucky' break.
I am so thankful I threw my Converse in at the last minute - perfect for walking all over NY.
I do not recommend, ever, taking a Brisbane - NY trip on the back of a week of sleeping about 3 hours a night. Makes the
first day a very big downer as your body is struggling to cope. Thankful it only lasted one day.
Being in the audience at Letterman was such a great experience - and it was divine favour we got the tickets.
You never know who you will be standing in line with.
Third trip to NY. First time to Statue of Liberty today!
Enjoyed Lobster Bisque at the Soupman.
Ate at the Bourbon St Cafe last night - good southern fried chicken.
Discovered being the NBC weather girl is harder than it looks, and have a DVD to prove it.
Macy's had only two hats to sell me, and neither of them were any good to protect me from the rain.
The lovely waitress at Dublin6 cafe gave us two umbrellas, and we were exceedingly thankful.
There is something thoroughly addictive about this city.

Not understanding is okay

Not understanding is okay. Restricting our spiritual life to what we understand is not. It is immaturity at best. Such a controlling spirit is destructive to the development of a Christ-like nature. God responds to faith but will not surrender to our demands for control.
- Dreaming with God, Bill Johnson
* Sent from my Blackberry

Is it too much to ask for a happy ending?

I am not a huge fan of movies that do not have a happy ending.

I won't mention the movie as I am not sure if it is still in cinemas, but while artistic, and unusual, and far from ordinary, it was depressing.

While some would argue that there is an obtuse kind of redemption in the story, it came at the expense of hope and life.

And to be honest, as the storyline became apparent I thought of a friend whose life has been turned upside down by a similar event which was made to seem noble in the film, but in reality is far from it.

I know that life is certainly not always a happy ending. But a struggle in life which I find, as many people seem to, is letting hope rise in the face of hopelessness.

The last thing I want is entertainment which makes that harder.

So to all the artists I know...
Be authentic
Be real
But nurture hope always.

* Sent from my Blackberry

Not just a bike - but a future

We have been visiting some families in Hang Dong and I have been struck by how, at least in this area, there seems to be a generation missing. Aids has devastated many families here. Many of the families that the Foundation helps comprise of children being looked after by grandparents, as their parents have died of Aids. Many of the children also have Aids.

One family we visited was a 12 year old child being loked after by her great-grandparents has both her parents and grandparents had died of Aids. Her great-grandfather is 88 years old, and sadly, his wife now suffers from Parkinsons and other age-related problems. This lovely man receives little support, even though his grown children live on both sides of him. The reason? They both consider that the great-grandparents have brought bad luck into their home because they took in the girl.

The foundation have been able to assist with food, care, schooling and prayer with the family.

In another family we visited, there were two young girls being looked after by their grandfather. The children shared a bike between them, so one of the children went to school on the bike one day and the second child would go to school the next day on the bike.

The Foundation bought a second bike for the family so both girls can go to school every day. When we heard this story, Jayne remarked, "That's not just a bike, that's a future". It is amazing what a simple gift can make to the future of a child.

"As an athiest I believe Africa needs God"

James Macpherson put me on to this article - literally amazing.

An extract:

Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.

Published in the UK TImes

Excellent food for thought as we prepare to depart for Thailand today.

Lingering

Popping into Woolworths around 8:30pm tonight, I was hurrying to get a few things on my way home.

As I walked in, I glanced at a little willy wagtail bird which had flown down to the tiled area and was hopping around.

But I did a little more than a quick glance – I lingered. I looked at this bird just a little bit longer than usual (only 5 seconds really) and as I took that extra moment, I realised afresh just how intricately and beautifully God had created it. And I was grateful to my awesome God.

Who would have thought that when rushing into the supermarket, a few moments of lingering could have created a worship moment...

Be still and know.

Fresh meaning to an well-known verse

In the midst of a great big storm on Sunday I was standing at the front screen door looking out and saw two of our fence panels blow out of the fence. They were blowing over toward the car and I was worried they were going to scratch or dent the car.

I was about to run out and grab them when Stephen told me in no uncertain terms to close and lock the front door and sit down.

It was only after the storm passed, and I had to try 4 different routes to get to church (due to fallen power lines and trees) that I realised the immensity of the storm.

And suddenly I had a fresh understanding of "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".

I had almost not given the very powerful storm the reverence it deserved. That would have been very unwise.
In the same way, we have a very powerful God - much more powerful than the storm. And to treat Him with reverence and the respect He deserves truly is the wisest thing we can do.

Once born into childlike faith...

"Once born into childlike faith, brimming with belief, typical people begin to lose their faith. Society mocks them. Their friends smirk. They come to change the world, but over time the world changes them. Soon they forget who they were; they forget the faith they once had. Then one day someone tells them the truth, but they don't want to go back, because they are comfortable in their new skin. Being a stranger in this world is never easy."

pg 283 Saint, by Ted Dekker

Thoughts about Obama's presidency

I think it is wonderful that America has it’s first African-American president. The racial history of the States, and the quite disturbing racism that still exists, is a sad indictment on the USA.

I think Obama is incredibly charismatic and a brilliant orator, who loves his wife and daughters (and is even buying them a puppy!) That is a very nice thing to have in a leader!

I think it is time for a political change in the States. Too long of any party and things can become too far skewed in one direction. (I think the same was true for Australia as well.)

And let’s face it – what a fairytale story ripe for amazing headlines such as “From Slavery to the White House”. Seriously, the media will be in heaven for a while! There is a lot of hyperbole and some very grandiose statements being flung around at the moment. But hey – it’s America – they do big, bold, and spectacular like few other countries.

I don’t know who I would have voted for if I was American. I wasn’t too interested in the election for a long time and was leaning Obama.

But here’s the thing....

The difficulty with American politics is that ‘some’ segments of the christianised culture in the States forgot to be prophetic rather than partisan. This has had the effect of galvanizing other ‘segments’ of the christianised culture to rightfully denounce that position.  And sadly, it sometimes feels that we have to choose between being Christians who oppose poverty, or Christians who oppose abortion.

Why can’t we love and help the poor AND the unborn? Why do we let political maneuvering define the issues for us?

Globally, 26 500 children die every day from poverty-related issues.
Globally, 126 000 children are aborted every day.
Both of these statistics are tragic and should compel us to continue to speak for those who do not have a voice.

Obama’s voting record on matters of abortion are dismal.  Obama’s voting record on matters pertaining to infants born alive after abortions is possibly worse.
And you know what – that’s not ok.
So in our breathless rush to celebrate a fairytale ascension, let’s cheer the good, but not gloss over the bad.

For there is both good and bad in Obama’s espoused policy, as there was in Bush, and Clinton, and Bush, and Reagan, and Carter........
And as there is in my own heart, and in my own actions...

Political change is always possible. And we should never abandon the systems which govern our countries. But political change will never effect the heart of man. And poverty, and abortion, and all the other tragic circumstances of our world ultimately need solutions birthed and sustained by transformed hearts.
Change – true change - is possible. It comes through Christ and his power to transform lives and hearts each and every day.
And His plans for us are for ‘a future and a hope’.

So let’s smile and rejoice in Obama’s historic win.
Let’s continue to seek the good of the lands in which we live.
Let’s continue to speak for those who have no voice.
And let’s pray and play our part in influencing society.