Well Fiji was lovely! Relaxing and fun and adventureous!
Some highlights...
Sailing on a tall ship to a lovely island where we snorkelled and ate a fabulous lunch and both Stephen and I had beach side massages!
Going on a long boat for an hour and a half trip up river to see a village of about 200 people AND discovering there was an AOG church in the village (and that the pastors of that church were in Suva at that moment attending the conference Ps Lewis was preaching at!)
Lying on a day bed in the Mercure resort overlooking the pool and reading a great novel
Going to the Sofitel, meeting Josh's uncle, using the facilities and having a DELICIOUS dinner
Discovering all sorts of eating places
Realising every day how very blessed we are in Australia..... thinking much on this...
I may post some pictures soon. I have had a small hiccup today at work with some changes to my computer and half my photos being currently unretrievable.... I am assured they will be fixed tomorrow...
Monday, August 28, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
And the craziness continues...
Sen Natasha Stott Despoja is concerned about some of the pregnancy counselling services provided in Australia, suggesting they are deceptive and not providing truthful information. In fact, she is so concerned that she wants access to government funding cut for counselling services that give women wrong information.
Do you know what some of these deceptive counselling services say, that Natasha hates so much? That terminating a pregnancy is akin to killing the baby!
**Ruth just shakes her head at the insanity of it**
Do you know what some of these deceptive counselling services say, that Natasha hates so much? That terminating a pregnancy is akin to killing the baby!
**Ruth just shakes her head at the insanity of it**
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Holidays!
Today has been officially (in my head anyway) the first day of my holidays!
While my annual leave started Tuesday, I was busy working on uni assignments Monday - Wednesday so wasn't really in relax mode. However, I finished off the ones due while I am away next week so am now relaxing!
I took our last little puppy out to the airport this morning and said goodbye to her (which made me feel a bit sad) and then to console myself I went to DFO where I picked up a few bargains.... gotta love a bargain. I then proceeded to make good use of our new Foxtel connection for several hours this afternoon... ahhhhh.
LOVED NYU camp last weekend. It was such a great weekend in so many ways. There was a real feeling of unity between the two parts of NYU - encounter and fusion - and it was wonderful to see God move in the lives of people there in very significant and profound ways. Honestly - it's life changing stuff. There is something about getting away for a weekend and spending it building relationships - with each other and with God. Moments of focus are vital in life.
It was also great doing fun stuff with fusioners too - like roller blading and enjoying the spa! (Although I wasn't at the 2am spa trip - which sounded like heaps of fun!) I have only just recovered from roller blading - my legs hurt for days!
I also particularly liked my new experience of being an 18-25's leader, which meant staying at a nice resort instead of dorms! After 10 years on high school youth leadership it was a very different experience - and one I relished.
All in all, a fabulous time and I am already looking forward to next year!
While my annual leave started Tuesday, I was busy working on uni assignments Monday - Wednesday so wasn't really in relax mode. However, I finished off the ones due while I am away next week so am now relaxing!
I took our last little puppy out to the airport this morning and said goodbye to her (which made me feel a bit sad) and then to console myself I went to DFO where I picked up a few bargains.... gotta love a bargain. I then proceeded to make good use of our new Foxtel connection for several hours this afternoon... ahhhhh.
LOVED NYU camp last weekend. It was such a great weekend in so many ways. There was a real feeling of unity between the two parts of NYU - encounter and fusion - and it was wonderful to see God move in the lives of people there in very significant and profound ways. Honestly - it's life changing stuff. There is something about getting away for a weekend and spending it building relationships - with each other and with God. Moments of focus are vital in life.
It was also great doing fun stuff with fusioners too - like roller blading and enjoying the spa! (Although I wasn't at the 2am spa trip - which sounded like heaps of fun!) I have only just recovered from roller blading - my legs hurt for days!
I also particularly liked my new experience of being an 18-25's leader, which meant staying at a nice resort instead of dorms! After 10 years on high school youth leadership it was a very different experience - and one I relished.
All in all, a fabulous time and I am already looking forward to next year!
Monday, July 31, 2006
From today's uni readings!
We have no inner spiritual lfe if we don’t have the outer experience of a beautiful world. The more we destroy the world the less the sense of God is possible.
Thomas Berry, ecologist and theologian.
Thomas Berry, ecologist and theologian.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Journaling here
My journal is in my car and I've had a shower and in my pjs so thought I'd journal here instead....
Scripture: Ps 16:5 LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
The Big Idea: He is my cup of blessing - blessing is sure when we know God.
Application: Even when we are in times of tension or waiting, we can remind ourselves that He is our cup of blessing. It's so easy to focus on what we don't have or what we are waiting for God to provide, and to stop remembering all the wonderful blessings that we do have. I always have a cup of blessing - something I can drink from, something that I can carry, something to refresh me. The cup is often a metaphor for a person's life - what do I contain, what do I carry within me. We have a cup of blessing!
It's just such a lovely thought - and such a constant one. He never changes. He never leaves us. He never forsakes us. He is closer than our closest friend. He is always gracious and His unfailing love is always with us. He is faithful and is faithful in blessing. We don't have to twist his arm or convince him, or trick him, or even be good enough. His blessing is certain. We often have to learn to recognise it. We can be so busy looking at what we want/think we need/others have that we want or something like that and we fail to recognise and give thanks for all the wonderful blessings of God He has poured out upon us.
Prayer: Holy Spirit - help me to recognise the blessings that are poured out upon me each day, and to give thanks always...
Scripture: Ps 16:5 LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
The Big Idea: He is my cup of blessing - blessing is sure when we know God.
Application: Even when we are in times of tension or waiting, we can remind ourselves that He is our cup of blessing. It's so easy to focus on what we don't have or what we are waiting for God to provide, and to stop remembering all the wonderful blessings that we do have. I always have a cup of blessing - something I can drink from, something that I can carry, something to refresh me. The cup is often a metaphor for a person's life - what do I contain, what do I carry within me. We have a cup of blessing!
It's just such a lovely thought - and such a constant one. He never changes. He never leaves us. He never forsakes us. He is closer than our closest friend. He is always gracious and His unfailing love is always with us. He is faithful and is faithful in blessing. We don't have to twist his arm or convince him, or trick him, or even be good enough. His blessing is certain. We often have to learn to recognise it. We can be so busy looking at what we want/think we need/others have that we want or something like that and we fail to recognise and give thanks for all the wonderful blessings of God He has poured out upon us.
Prayer: Holy Spirit - help me to recognise the blessings that are poured out upon me each day, and to give thanks always...
Monday, July 24, 2006
wanna trade?
There has been an outbreak of trading occuring at church ever since last night!
Shoes for paperclips..
Caramello koalas for bookmarks for paperclips..
something for a day on Jess's blog..
Who know where this could end!?
Rumour has it, Shannon even ended up with a spoon signed by Casey Rogers - that will be worth a fortune some day.
Shoes for paperclips..
Caramello koalas for bookmarks for paperclips..
something for a day on Jess's blog..
Who know where this could end!?
Rumour has it, Shannon even ended up with a spoon signed by Casey Rogers - that will be worth a fortune some day.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
More on gym stuff...
First up, kudos to the Professor - if that poster idea is not under copyright - you should so release it! You'd make a fortune! (I would buy one!)
On the 'which church service is more aerobically fruitful discussion' from previous comments, I was reading in the Readers Digest the other day about the 50 habits of thin people - things you can add into your life that help burn calories. They said that if you go to belt out some songs at Church on a Sunday you burn over 250 calories! (And I bet that wasn't even a contemporary church service either...!) I lead the last two Sunday nights in a row so that dress is looking more manageable all the time...
btw, I was sore the next day.. and the day after that..
And went back tonight so may be again tomorrow!
On the 'which church service is more aerobically fruitful discussion' from previous comments, I was reading in the Readers Digest the other day about the 50 habits of thin people - things you can add into your life that help burn calories. They said that if you go to belt out some songs at Church on a Sunday you burn over 250 calories! (And I bet that wasn't even a contemporary church service either...!) I lead the last two Sunday nights in a row so that dress is looking more manageable all the time...
btw, I was sore the next day.. and the day after that..
And went back tonight so may be again tomorrow!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Ask me tomorrow
Well today I went back to the gym, motivated by a very nice dress I am wearing to a wedding in two weeks!
I was sure I had only been away for 4 - 6 weeks but got to the gym, looked at my card and realised it had been 9 weeks since being there. I realised how good we are at self-delusion sometimes.
I heard a great quote once - which is still a huge challenge for me...
We judge ourselves by our intentions. Others judge us by our actions.
btw, I'm expecting to be sore when I wake up - but ask me tomorrow...
I was sure I had only been away for 4 - 6 weeks but got to the gym, looked at my card and realised it had been 9 weeks since being there. I realised how good we are at self-delusion sometimes.
I heard a great quote once - which is still a huge challenge for me...
We judge ourselves by our intentions. Others judge us by our actions.
btw, I'm expecting to be sore when I wake up - but ask me tomorrow...
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
How do you turn a paperclip into a house?
You just gotta love this!
Scotsman.com Living - How do you turn a paperclip into a house?: "How do you turn a paperclip into a house?
EMMA COWING
EXACTLY one year ago today, at 12:48am, a 25-year-old Canadian called Kyle MacDonald sat down at his computer in Montreal and uploaded a picture of a red paperclip on to his web page. 'This might not surprise you,' he wrote above it, 'but below is a picture of a paperclip. It is red.' MacDonald went on to explain that he wanted to trade the paperclip for something bigger. 'Maybe a pen, a spoon, or perhaps a boot.' He was, he said, 'going to make a continuous chain of 'up trades' until I get a house. Or an island.'
Today, MacDonald will make the ultimate trade up from that original red paperclip when he takes possession of a three-bedroomed, 1,100-square-foot, white clapperboard farmhouse at 503 Main Street, Kipling, Saskatchewan. Over the past 12 months he has bartered away random items, such as a snowglobe and a part in a movie, travelled across North America in search of the perfect trade, and been interviewed worldwide by a fascinated media that included several Japanese TV channels and Good Morning America. It is a story that has reawakened the notion of bartering, proved the brilliance of one simple idea, and once again demonstrated the ferocious power of the internet."
Scotsman.com Living - How do you turn a paperclip into a house?: "How do you turn a paperclip into a house?
EMMA COWING
EXACTLY one year ago today, at 12:48am, a 25-year-old Canadian called Kyle MacDonald sat down at his computer in Montreal and uploaded a picture of a red paperclip on to his web page. 'This might not surprise you,' he wrote above it, 'but below is a picture of a paperclip. It is red.' MacDonald went on to explain that he wanted to trade the paperclip for something bigger. 'Maybe a pen, a spoon, or perhaps a boot.' He was, he said, 'going to make a continuous chain of 'up trades' until I get a house. Or an island.'
Today, MacDonald will make the ultimate trade up from that original red paperclip when he takes possession of a three-bedroomed, 1,100-square-foot, white clapperboard farmhouse at 503 Main Street, Kipling, Saskatchewan. Over the past 12 months he has bartered away random items, such as a snowglobe and a part in a movie, travelled across North America in search of the perfect trade, and been interviewed worldwide by a fascinated media that included several Japanese TV channels and Good Morning America. It is a story that has reawakened the notion of bartering, proved the brilliance of one simple idea, and once again demonstrated the ferocious power of the internet."
Hillsong
Well Hillsong was great. There were so many things I could write about.
Here are just a few recollections!
Leaders must learn to discern the small things from the great things and not focus on the small things.
The significance of a service on Sunday - people get an impression of God and Christianity from our services.
Take the tape measure off! Don't try to measure God.
What's in your hand? Use that.
The importance of the stewardship of affluence and influence. Influence allows us to speak for those who have no voice.
Let the 'because factor' be written across you!
The power of the squeeze - it increases our capacity.
Just walk across the room - learn to obey those small promptings of the Holy Spirit to step out of our comfort zone and just go and talk to someone. You never know what God can do with that!
Now ....... just to put that into practise!
Here are just a few recollections!
Leaders must learn to discern the small things from the great things and not focus on the small things.
The significance of a service on Sunday - people get an impression of God and Christianity from our services.
Take the tape measure off! Don't try to measure God.
What's in your hand? Use that.
The importance of the stewardship of affluence and influence. Influence allows us to speak for those who have no voice.
Let the 'because factor' be written across you!
The power of the squeeze - it increases our capacity.
Just walk across the room - learn to obey those small promptings of the Holy Spirit to step out of our comfort zone and just go and talk to someone. You never know what God can do with that!
Now ....... just to put that into practise!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
What a week or so
What a week! An article I wrote recently generated a bit of interest, with the paper that I write for publishing an opposing article last week and then starting a blog about it! At last look, the post had 216 comments. It certainly had some emotive comments, which were rather innocently or deliberately misleading in content as well. (I checked with my legal sources today).
I have been pondering about how Jesus would respond to all of this and to one person in particular who has taken exception to me in their comments posted and could be contacted if I chose to.
Truth with grace.
I will not back down from truth and applied truth, and yet at the same time, I want to demonstrate grace and love.
You see, the whole 'tolerance' thing is a load of rot. How insulting that you would tolerate someone. As a christian, I am called to live from a higher place. I am called not to tolerate, but to love - unconditionally.
So I am still pondering......
I have been pondering about how Jesus would respond to all of this and to one person in particular who has taken exception to me in their comments posted and could be contacted if I chose to.
Truth with grace.
I will not back down from truth and applied truth, and yet at the same time, I want to demonstrate grace and love.
You see, the whole 'tolerance' thing is a load of rot. How insulting that you would tolerate someone. As a christian, I am called to live from a higher place. I am called not to tolerate, but to love - unconditionally.
So I am still pondering......
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Monday, June 19, 2006
Yes - I confess
Yes Matt (see comments on post below) I must confess - I didn't pray for the match last night. Sincere apologies - will do better for the Croatia match.
I continue to amaze myself with my ability to be really quite distractable (is that a word - should be anyway) from the task at hand which is studying for my two exams. I have put it down to the fact that it has now been a year since I started uni and I haven't had a break (not even a week). Summer Semester is a great idea and is the only way I could get the amount of subjects done in the time left however I can sense the sails are loosing their wind a little....! I am thoroughly looking forward to 4 whole weeks with no uni!
Dear me, I do sound like I am whinging. I'm not - I'm so thankful for the strength and sustaining power of God. One of my much loved verses and concepts is - His grace is sufficient for me. Everything I do is empowered, surrounded and covered by Him. He is my energy and my wisdom. He is all I need. I am so thankful for all He has done.
I continue to amaze myself with my ability to be really quite distractable (is that a word - should be anyway) from the task at hand which is studying for my two exams. I have put it down to the fact that it has now been a year since I started uni and I haven't had a break (not even a week). Summer Semester is a great idea and is the only way I could get the amount of subjects done in the time left however I can sense the sails are loosing their wind a little....! I am thoroughly looking forward to 4 whole weeks with no uni!
Dear me, I do sound like I am whinging. I'm not - I'm so thankful for the strength and sustaining power of God. One of my much loved verses and concepts is - His grace is sufficient for me. Everything I do is empowered, surrounded and covered by Him. He is my energy and my wisdom. He is all I need. I am so thankful for all He has done.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Monday, June 12, 2006
A quick run down....
As I was looking at blogs, and silently chastising the authors for not updating, I too realised I was guilty. So here's a little entry for reading pleasure (or displeasure) or however you find it.
Puppies: v v cute. Their eyes are open. Trying to walk now - very clumsily.
Uni: exams bearing down upon me. seem to be later than most peoples. good thing too.
Hillsong: just weeks away! yay!
Tea: bought artic fire loose leaf tea saturday. v v nice.
Coffee: enjoying espresso from phillips senseo. highly recommended.
Journalling: have enjoyed Romans. spending much time thinking about love for others.
Last home cooked meal: scrambled eggs at lunch today. It's only the third time in my life I have cooked scrambled eggs.
Puppies: v v cute. Their eyes are open. Trying to walk now - very clumsily.
Uni: exams bearing down upon me. seem to be later than most peoples. good thing too.
Hillsong: just weeks away! yay!
Tea: bought artic fire loose leaf tea saturday. v v nice.
Coffee: enjoying espresso from phillips senseo. highly recommended.
Journalling: have enjoyed Romans. spending much time thinking about love for others.
Last home cooked meal: scrambled eggs at lunch today. It's only the third time in my life I have cooked scrambled eggs.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
My horrible wisdom tooth story
Ok - first up, a shout out to Matt and Steff, who I saw earlier tonight at Vibe Night. I promised I would blog this so here I am ...
I went back to my oral surgeon the other day who removed my wisdom teeth a few weeks ago. They have been healing up ok, but on Sunday my mouth was hurting - particularly singing at three services.
I mentioned this when I saw her and she said it shouldn't still be sore so she'd have a look at it. So look at it she did.
Oh yes - I can see you have a sore spot there. Hmm, it looks like you have a piece of bone sticking out the gum....
To which I casually replied - That would be why it feels like it's catching.
I am so brave.
She removed the piece of bone.
It's feeling much better.
I am so brave.
See Matt and Steff - I told you it was horrible.
I went back to my oral surgeon the other day who removed my wisdom teeth a few weeks ago. They have been healing up ok, but on Sunday my mouth was hurting - particularly singing at three services.
I mentioned this when I saw her and she said it shouldn't still be sore so she'd have a look at it. So look at it she did.
Oh yes - I can see you have a sore spot there. Hmm, it looks like you have a piece of bone sticking out the gum....
To which I casually replied - That would be why it feels like it's catching.
I am so brave.
She removed the piece of bone.
It's feeling much better.
I am so brave.
See Matt and Steff - I told you it was horrible.
A great quote from Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson
"'We live in a noisy world. We are yelled at, promoted, called. Everyone has an urgent message for us. We are surrounded with noise: telephone, radio, television, stereo. Messages are amplified deafeningly. The world is a mob in which everyone is talking at once and no one is willing or able to listen. But God listens. He not only speaks to us, he listens to us. His listening to us is an even greater marvel than his speaking to us. It is rare to find anyone who listens carefully and thoroughly. It is rare to find our stammering understood, our clumsy speech deciphered, our garbled syntax unraveled, sorted out and heard—every syllable attended to, every nuance comprehended. Our minds are taken seriously. Our feelings are taking seriously. When it happens we know that what we say and feel are immensely important. We acquire dignity. We never know how well we think or speak until we find someone who listens to us.'"
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
It is finished!
Well, another assignment just finished. I really love this electronic submission thing they have happening now.
I submitted it 4 minutes late though - at 12:03am instead of 11:50pm - so I don't know if I will be considered as having submitted it a day late? Truth be told, it was having to insert their assignment cover sheet into my document, and then all that formatting going haywire that set me back a good 15 minutes so fingers are crossed that I won't lose marks....
I submitted it 4 minutes late though - at 12:03am instead of 11:50pm - so I don't know if I will be considered as having submitted it a day late? Truth be told, it was having to insert their assignment cover sheet into my document, and then all that formatting going haywire that set me back a good 15 minutes so fingers are crossed that I won't lose marks....
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