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.

From Lisa Bevere

I was listening to a Lisa Bevere podcast the other day while painting and she was talking about the importance of realising that
we live not just for ourselves. She related a question God asked her...

"What will the next generation inherit from you? My promises, or your fears?"

Selah....

An issue of concern

I know that a candidate’s views on abortion are not the sum total of their candidacy.

However, the views that Barack Obama is expressing, and the ‘first act of office’ he has said he will do, are a concerning insight into the philosophy and worldview held by a man who may become the leader of the USA.

Something to think on...

http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000008450.cfm

A favourite blog

Stuff Christians Like is one of my favourite blogs. It is one of the few things I read that can make me laugh out loud. 

And of all the posts on this blog, this one is my favourite!

A brilliant thought

Below is a statement I just heard - you can think on the following for days...

Whatever the season, what you do in the current season, positions you for the outcome of the next.
: Ps Gary Swenson

One of the less-quoted books...

Nahum!
1:7 The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.

Facebook status updates

When there isn't enough room for all the status updates you feel like putting.....

Ruth is... very excited for Dean and Vanessa's new house

Ruth is... loving her cute little puppies

Ruth is... needing to get back on writing track

Ruth is... so desperately sad for a friend's loss

Ruth is... going to Melbourne soon to get her award

Ruth is... pretty pumped for her ski trip

Ruth is... pretty nervous about her ski trip

Ruth is... looking forward to a friend's wedding

Ruth is... asking God to come through in a few things for a few people

Ruth is... trusting God

Ruth is... starting 21 days of exercise so she doesn't collapse on the slopes

Ruth is... loved and known by God

A change of view

I am sitting at my desk working on an assignment. I'm looking out over my pool, watching a bird in a tree, hopping around from branch to branch and enjoying the sunshine.

However, last week, I would have been looking at out a fence and shaded grass and dirt.

Why the change?

I moved my workspace to a different room in the house. Now, instead of looking out at a very uninspiring and slightly depressing view, and being in a cold room, I have a lovely view and it's much warmer.

We can bring significant changes in our life and how we feel simply by changing where we are looking.

'Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!'
Hebrews 12:2-3 (The Message)

To think on

"How you think when you lose determines how long it will be until you win."

— G.K. Chesterton

"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
— President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Horizontal and vertical thinking

"Some people are unhappy about lateral [horizontal] thinking becausethey feel it threatens the validity of vertical thinking. This is notso at all. The two processes are complementary, not antagonistic.Lateral thinking enhances the effectiveness of vertical thinking byoffering it more to select from. Vertical thinking multiplies theeffectiveness of lateral thinking by making good use of the ideasgenerated."  - Edward DeBono, author of 62 books on creative thought.