A Child's Imagination

I've started walking around Mittagong with JJP after dinner...yesterday we walked around Lake Alexandra. We brought the camera down for fun - I can see how authors like Beatrix Potter got inspiration for their stories. JJ was telling me all sorts of imaginary stories based on just a few ducks, a lake and some trees.

Ministry Begins

Well, began first day of being a full-time Christian minister yesterday. Had a lengthy staff meeting in the morning, followed by lunch together (still talking through ministry things) then back to the meeting. There's certainly a lot to get up to speed on, but I really enjoyed being with the team at last. I feel very green but hopefully over time (not much!) that will dissipate.

In the evening I sat in on the first session of an 'Introducing God' course being run at St Stephens. It was great and it reminded me of why I wanted to become a minister - to see people introduced to God and understand who he is and what he has done for us - sensational!

I'm reading a book 'The Soul of Prayer' by P T Forsyth. It's a small book (only 92 pages) and cost me $AUD4 from Moore Books in Sydney. What a bargain! He has a way of writing that hits your senses. I can 'see and taste' the importance of prayer through his illustrations and language. Haven't finished it yet....will tell you what I learn soon.

Some Things I'm Reading/Listening To

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey - Simply put, it proposes that the truth of Christ deeply affect our public and private lives (hence the title). It gives a history of how Christianity in the west has moved largely into the private sphere of life alone, and how this has shaped western Christianity as a result. Nancy Pearcey is a student of Francis Schaeffer. Definitely worth reading so far and very helpful in thinking through a Christian worldview and responses to culture, science and our work.

Genesis (Iain Provan) - an MP3 lecture series I downloaded from Regent College Vancouver. I've listened to one lecture so far. One thing he proposes is that the Spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis 1:2 implies God's authority over chaos (in contrast to Ancient Near Eastern creation stories).

The Black Echo (Michael Connelly) - every year at Christmas I am given a crime/mystery novel (last year was the Da Vinci Code). This year's one was great! Go Detective Harry Bosch! Can't wait 'til next year.

Effective Youth Ministry (Ken Moser) - I'll be involved in youth ministry next year so am re-reading this. Having experienced four years of youth ministry I think Ken Moser has the right idea. Youth group is about growing Christian disciples.

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Packer) - an oldie but a goodie.

Pastoral Leadership (Rod Wilson) - another MP3 series from Regent (its principal). I thought it was interesting and it is from an experienced Christian leader. He is surprisingly and refreshingly self-deprecating.

Relationship Development Intervention Parents' Objectives - reading this every night together with Cecily to help rehabilitate our middle child who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Future Reads/Listens:

Admin/whatever church or the ministry team is reading

The Soul of Prayer (P T Forsythe)

More Michael Connelly!

Apologetics in a Postmodern World (Alister McGrath MP3 series)

Exclusion and Embrace/Free of Charge (Miroslav Volf)

The online papers and kids books galore!

Oops

Here's NOT how to start in a new house in a new town:

a) Don't forget your keys on Christmas day after driving an hour from Sydney to Mittagong with three young children well past their bedtime - requiring the wonderful grace of a nearby neighbour to bring his new Christmas grinder to grind the hinges off your back door at nearly 10pm (many thanks to my neighbour for that!)

b) Don't forget that you haven't fixed that gap under the side gate of your house, allowing your dog to escape and be found by a different neighbour who, with wonderful kindness, thoughtfully walks your dog to the nearest park to see if any Mittagong day tourist has lost their dog, before knocking on your door (and by the way, update your dog's tag and microchip)

Many thanks to my neighbours for their grace to us!

Back On Air

It's been a while - sorry about that. We've just moved to Mittagong, an hour south of Sydney. The picture is from our back window.

Another Thought About College...

...which I forgot before!

There are many different people at college. Some are introverts, some put themselves forward, some are amazingly brilliant, others are not and struggle all the way through college. Over half are boys from private schools with a uni education (like me). Others have no tertiary education. Most have done MTS (Ministry Training Scheme) and know each other as they enter college. Some know no-one.

Friend, work out where you sit in all this. Don't forget who YOU are in relationship with God. It is so easy to compare yourself to others at college and feel inadequate in some ways - or in every way. This is not good for you!All it does is deflate you and demonise the person or people you are comparing yourself to. Remember who you are in God's eyes, his precious child, loved by him for who you are.

Ok - sermon over! The picture is of our dog Soren.

Some Advice To Heed Before Entering College

Some advice that comes to mind for those entering any Bible College:

1) You are about to learn a new language. Remember to keep translating it to your congregation.

2) Knowing more about God does not translate to you knowing God better. Remember Matthew 23 and 1 Corinthians 1 and 2.

3) Pray pray pray and more prayer! Don't forget to speak to God as you learn. This is so vital for how you learn...

4) Your way of reading the Bible is about to be challenged. Be humble and be prepared to have your ideas and things you always assumed to be true about God and his Word to be challenged.

5) You are about to have four years of reading the Bible for information , unlike now where you read God's word for transformation. Be prepared for this!

More advice coming!! Do you have any more to add?

Two weeks left in the big smoke...

The End of College

Well College is over for this man as of yesterday. It hasn't hit yet as I am still a bit wasted from exam preparation...maybe it will seep through over the next week or so. College was an intense experience. Some spontaneous thoughts as of tonight at least...more will come upon more reflection:

Best Subject (Nominations from Each Year):

2003 - Biblical Theology/Old Testament

2004 - Church History (Reformation)

2005 - Doctrine (in particular, Union with Christ and Church and Sacraments)

2006 - Modern Trinitarian Thought

And The Winner is...

Modern Trinitarian Thought

Highly Recommended

Old Testament in any year - an excellent OT department covered basically all the parts of the OT in a brilliant way over the three years - well done all!

Studying Romans in Year 1 (thanks PWB)

Galatians in Year 3 (PHK)

Extra-Curricular Activities

'Split chapel' (ie splitting when chapel was on to go to Campos/Cafe Connection/Green Iguana - I mean, Kikis - I mean, Phuzes - I mean, what next?). Our group experienced much growth over the period!

Study group for theology (years 2-3) - I didn't understand half of what they said but hey! Got through!

Cricket - without playing at lunchtime my brain would have fried

A couple of amazing friends from college who I played golf with, prayed with, opened up to, gave support to, and loved. Thank you fellas. It meant a lot and still does.

If you went to college, what were your nominations for the above?

Check These Out


As a postscript to my 'bookplates' post below, Lew Jaffe has kindly sent a heads up to check out his bookplates blog site. You'll see all kinds of different examples, from centuries old bookplates bearing coats of arms to hippie 60s versions (see the President JFK one too!). Lew's blog is at http://bookplatejunkie.blogspot.com/ .

Another interesting bookplate site recommended by Lew is
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/swain/bookplates/alpha/a.html .

Blogging is fun!

When you can't decide what colour car to drive to work...

Apparently this morning is the coldest November morning in Sydney (8 degrees celsius) for 100 years. Isn't great that this is nothing to do with climate change but just one of those rare things (tongue firmly planted in cheek...)

Surviving in 'Survivor'

They say in Sydney if you haven't started studying for exams by the time the jacarandas are in flower, you are in trouble! Well, they've nearly finished flowering now...

I am in the middle of exam period but let that not stop the watching of Survivor: Cook Islands!

I was talking about acceptance a few posts ago and decided to put my theory (well, it isn't mine but anyway...) to the test. Is acceptance truly acceptance of diversity???

Let's see all the people who've been knocked out so far...they have had either one or more of these characteristics:

1) overweight

2) black (Sekou, Stephannie)

3) interested in alternative hobbies (Billy and heavy metal music)

4) Irritating, eccentric personalities (Cao Boi)

5) Mean to the others (JP)

6) Bossy and overly motherly (Christina)

The people left are all athletic, good-looking and intelligent and are seemingly 'normal' (ie little if any eccentricities, not noticeably irritating)...acceptance equals fit into the conforming box?? I leave that for you to decide...

Bookplates



It's amazing how distracted you can get when you are studying. I've discovered bookplates recently! I guess that makes me a certifiable nerd...some may say "Finally he's self-aware!"

Actually it's pretty interesting. Apparently having a bookplate (which is simply an label on the front inside of a book which identifies the book as yours) was a very big deal once upon a time. Kings and queens would have special logos and emblems designed specifically for bookplates. Prestigious libraries also have had unique bookplates designed for their items. Harpo Marx had bookplates made for his library.

There are dedicated bookplate societies and artists. Just google 'bookplates' and see what happens.

I think I'd better get back to studying now...

Migraine, A Lounge Suite, Accept This!

Studying tonight for exams. Have a sore eye and a migraine. Found a complete lounge room sofa set tonight on the other side of our street that was thrown out for garbage collection. Decided to take it (heavy!) and hoped the people in that house wouldn't see me doing it!

Studying for exams. Thinking about acceptance. Acceptance is totalitarian! In making sure everyone is 'accepted' in our society we conform to a certain set of values that are restrictive and enforced 'religiously'. The example that comes up in my mind is Christianity of course. Being a Christian is certainly not the same as being of a 'religion'. Yet it is confined to that general sweeping 'category', and boxed with all the others into one. Hmmm...

Christianity is far more accepting than the world's acceptance because it accepts diversity and difference - after all, God has lived with diversity eternally within himself! (can you guess what topic I am studying at the moment!!) Any thoughts on this?

Where do you think the picture is taken?

Jubilee Man and Titanic

You may be interested as to the origin of the tag 'Jubilee Man'. Well, sit back with your Earl Grey and laptop, and here goes.

Jubilee is one English translation of the word 'Tuipiri'. Tuipiri is my third name. It is a Maori name first given to my grandfather who was born in New Zealand. Tuipiri's father was an English sea captain, Walter, who emigrated to New Zealand with his family after having visited NZ's shores and being captivated by her beauty. To give his son a name that reflected his own affection for the country, Walter named his newborn Tuipiri in 1900 (there was a jubilee celebrated that year in NZ). The name has continued down the family line - both my sons have Tuipiri in their names. I like the name because of the biblical meaning of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:10)!

So - Jubilee Man and the Titanic?

A solid rumour has it that Walter was offered the job of captain of Titanic for its maiden voyage - but turned it down.

Phew!

Blog with A New Coiffeur

Blogging is an interesting phenomenon.

On the one hand it has created whole new communities of people with like interests and opened the world to a flurry of new conversations, across the globe. On the other hand - why can't people just say all of their blogging in person! The real world would be a lot more interesting!

Many blogs are deeply profound, each word measured, carefully coiffeured for its intellectual audience. Blogs often become multi-part publications of fascinating subject matter.

Friends, I make no such promise to you. I guarantee Jubilee Man will be spontaneous, disjoint, mostly disturbingly shallow and aesthetically pleasing. So sit back and have a good laugh!