Whatever ...

If you're reading this ...

2011-01-02T05:23:00.001+11:00

on your own computer. Then you're rich: see here.

Pro-choice is not real choice

2010-10-28T21:38:00.001+11:00

A great, bipartisan article on abortion by, Lyn Bender, a woman who had one. She says that she actually felt that she didn't have a real choice, that abortion was her only option - even in our society which overflows in choice. Read more here.

Lausanne talks are up on iTunes

2010-10-26T03:47:00.001+11:00

search for Lausanne 2010. Gold.

Abortion debate

2010-10-14T21:11:00.003+11:00

My post on getup's website on their new pro-choice campaign:I am pro-choice in the true sense. I believe that a woman has a choice to not fall pregnant. She has the choice to take take the pill, to use an IUD, to use a condom, to use a diaphragm. So many choices.I only support the the right to have an abortion if those rights to choose have been forcibly taken away from the woman (eg. when she

Sabbath rest

2009-11-11T07:45:00.002+11:00

I just read a great book on parenting, Confident Parenting by Jim Burns. In one chapter he talks about how to "do" sabbath with your family. I found his 4 different categories of sabbath rest helpful. (Note: I've changed their titles so I can remember them more easily).Physical restoration: Taking care of your body. Sleeping in, taking Nana naps, lounging around with the family... and for those

Why shepherds?

2009-09-02T10:10:00.002+10:00

Why did angels appear to shepherds in Luke 2?Shepherds!???!Isn't that a bit random?Or is it some imagery to do with Jesus being the shepherd of Israel, so symbolically, shepherds coming to worship him first is appropriate?Or was it that God's angels were just overflowing with joy and had to sing about it, and the shepherds happened to be there when they did?Just wondering.

A solar powered India?

2009-08-07T22:43:00.001+10:00

Here's an ambitious plan for solar power generation which the Indian government is contemplating. I hope they go for it. Power cuts happen every day over here.

Some natural wonders

2009-07-29T19:03:00.000+10:00

The last post has prompted me to recall things which I have seen which have made me (metaphorically) breathless at the natural world we live in. Here's my top 10. 1. Accidentally seeing a total solar eclipse (see previous post). 2. Riding around country Denmark on the first warm spring day. I saw more green than I could remember, and the additions that humans have made to the environment there

A Hillsong rant

2009-07-25T21:44:00.000+10:00

One of my favorite songs at the moment: Everyone needs compassion, a love that's never failing, let mercy fall on me Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Saviour, the hope of nations Saviour, he can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save. Forever Author of salvation, he rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave So take me as you

A Lucky Solar Eclipse

2009-07-23T17:34:00.002+10:00

I got up early yesterday morning. I happened to be checking the news on smh.com.au and I saw that there was to be a total solar eclipse, and it happened to be in the part of the world I was in.I read a bit further, yes, exactly where I would be...I looked at what time it was supposed to be happening... I checked the time here... mmm that's about right.I turned my head 90 degrees, and I could see,

Are our church planters forgetting something?

2009-07-06T02:17:00.000+10:00

There's buzz going around these days about church planting. Al Stewart has been appointed as the Director of Evangelism ministries (in the Anglican church). He's going to focus on church planting. Here's a quote from Al: "I am absolutely committed to inspiring, recruiting, equipping and placing young men with a passion for church planting and reaching the lost." Here's Michael

Did mark think Jesus was God?

2009-06-28T19:56:00.001+10:00

Here's something which I've learned recently about Jesus as shown to us in Mark. I noticed a while ago that Jesus never calls himself God in Mark. Our doctrine of the trinity clearly tells us that Jesus IS God, but where is the evidence for that in

40 days

2009-06-04T18:16:00.003+10:00

I've been living in India, and have returned to Australia for about 40 days before I head back to India. I realised something which I've never thought about before. The time that Jesus was on earth between his resurrection and ascencion was quite a long time! He really did have quite a long time to be with his followers and to tell them whatever he needed to before he left them and sent them

Telling stories - Part 2

2009-05-28T21:52:00.001+10:00

So I've been asked how the event in this post went. Firstly can I say, that I'm a little surprised at the fact that every time we've this type of storying - in churches big and small, it has received a very positive response, people say that they love it. But I haven't seen it take off as a method of "word" focus in church services. I wonder whether our traditions are getting in the way

A new blog on Gender roles in church

2009-05-26T23:17:00.001+10:00

I've been thinking about women preaching to men (and related issues). Some people, I think rather unfairly, call that issue my "hobby horse". How rude! I prefer to call it my passion. I think it's important for us to interpret the bible well on this issue. However I will not cloud this blog with all my thoughts, so I've started another blog where I'll occasionally post my thoughts as I

Which is the best translation for a pew Bible?

2009-05-25T14:02:00.001+10:00

I've heard that there is a bit of buzz going around regarding the Holman Christian Standard Bible. I've read a bit of it, and for a literal translation it seems pretty good to me. Certainly better than the ESV. I'm not sure it's the best translation to have in church pews though. It seems to me that the New Living Translation, my favorite translation (though for many years I used to make

Telling stories

2009-05-24T14:39:00.001+10:00

I'm telling a story at church this evening. It's a great way to do a bible study, or sermon (in this case). I'm retelling 5 chapters from the old testament from memory at a Youth Church, and then I'll get the congregation to give me the sermon. The questions I'm going to ask are What did you like about this story? What didn't you like about the story? What did you learn, from this

The heavenly wedding - a song

2009-05-15T21:11:00.000+10:00

Here's the lyrics of a song written by my gorgeous and talented husband. It has a great tune too, if you're interested in the music let me know. A day has been appointed A table has been laid A heavenly celebration The bride in glorious array A day has been appointed A feast has been prepared When God himself will keep his word To bring us to him there It is a day of "Hallelujah!" A

The purpose of suffering

2009-05-12T15:59:00.001+10:00

I used to think that in heaven, all our suffering on earth would be forgotten like the labor pains of childbirth are forgotten. But I stumbled upon this CS Lewis quote the other day which has changed my mind. "They say of some temporal suffering, 'No future bliss can make up for it', not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory."

Thoughts about Judges

2009-05-09T10:21:00.001+10:00

I've long been intrigued by the book of Judges, with its hopeful start and disastrous end. At SMBC preaching conference yesterday I heard a very encouraging talk by Bryan Chappell on the story of Gideon. His talk was both personally encouraging, and also started me thinking about the structure of Judges again. I recently read Judges and I've been convinced again about a theory which I

Taboo on heaven

2009-04-19T21:37:00.001+10:00

I often wonder about what heaven will be like. Or should I more correctly (to my own theology) say what will the new earth be like, when Jesus reigns in all his glory. I like to imagine the specifics of what we might do, what abilities might we have, how will we relate to one another and to God... but I've noticed in some circles a resistance to discussing things like this. I've heard it

What do Christians do?

2009-03-25T03:30:00.002+11:00

When my house elf* married her Christian husband (many years ago) she became a Christian. As she was being counselled by the pastor's wife about Christianity her questions were not "Is Christianity true?" or "How do I know that God is real?" it was "What do Christians do?" She explained "We Hindus get up in the morning and do puja before anything else, we burn incense and we don't eat beef

Gender distinctions in the tabernacle?

2009-03-24T02:58:00.001+11:00

I've been reading through Mark and I'm up to the clearing of the Temple (Chapter 11). In the design of Herod's temple there were certain restrictions placed on different types of people. Certain people were allowed closer access to the Most Holy Place, and thus the presence of God. Furthest away were the Gentiles. There were actually signs placed on the walls leading to the temple that

SMBC Blog list

2009-03-23T02:06:00.000+11:00

Following the lead of Michael Jensen at Moore I thought I'd put a list of all the blogs from students or alumni of SMBC. See the blog roll on the right. Let's keep all those great conversations we had at college going. Does anyone know of any other SMBC blogs?

And he will separate the sheep from the goats

2009-03-17T04:37:00.002+11:00

Or will the goats separate the sheep....? “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.“Then the King will say to those on his

Cucumber anyone?

2009-03-17T00:25:00.000+11:00

Womens ministry - lines in the sand

2009-03-11T21:37:00.003+11:00

What do you think is OK for women to do in a church context? Is it allowable for women to: to be the sole head pastor of a church? be the head pastor of a church along with their husband? be ordained ministers? preach regularly in church? preach occasionally in church? lead the Sunday service? lead a mixed Bible study? lead youth group? share a testimony from

Pithy evangelism

2009-03-11T04:57:00.003+11:00

How did a newly converted villager in PNG preach to his friends? "Follow Jesus and you can have a better house". On first hearing this every bone in my body screamed "prosperity gospel!" Noooooo!!! Then I wondered how he undid the mess he'd made! But... when it was explained to me that the villagers in that particular place only built wooden houses (not brick) because of fear of the

Why do bibles have section headings?

2009-02-26T21:07:00.004+11:00

Today I'm wondering "Why on earth do we have section headings in our bibles?" In the gospels, at least, all they do is summarise the passage to help us find a passage that we're looking for. I think they could be doing much more. Here are the NIV headings from Mark 12: The Parable of the Tenants Paying Taxes to Caesar Marriage at the Resurrection The Greatest Commandment

An Australian in India - Culture Shock resolution

2009-02-19T04:20:00.004+11:00

How could I be angry with the person who wakes me up at six, When all they're doing is pumping water to bathe in. How could I be angry about the smoke pouring into my living room, When the person is just cooking their lunch by the only means they can. How could I be angry with all of the noise of loudspeakers all over the town, When I know that most people aren't able to read

Some SMBC love

2009-02-17T03:26:00.007+11:00

I went to SMBC for two years, here are some of the reasons why I loved my time there (in no particular order). Diversity within the student body at SMBC Both in terms of social demographics (lawyers, doctors, carpenters, nurses, economists), as well as chuch background (still generally pretty conservative, but with charistmatic/pentecostal students who speak up in discussions if they

Do women preach differently to men?

2009-02-11T05:16:00.003+11:00

It has been said: "Why would you even want to hear a woman preach - aren't they just the same as men but with less experience?" When I was at a women's conference a couple of years ago, I asked the group of girls that I was eating lunch with, why do you like to hear a woman preach. What's different about them? We came up with over ten reasons that women's sermons are different to the

Which is "the best" translation?

2009-02-03T20:43:00.000+11:00

Have you ever heard someone talking about a particular English Bible translation and saying it's the best? I've heard that said about the ESV, the NIV, the NRSV, the NLT and The Message. Can they all be the best?I was sitting in a Translation Priciples lecture recently and started to think about the different English translations and what their relative strengths are. Before I get there, let me

Inaugural prayer

2009-01-22T19:36:00.004+11:00

While watching Obama's inauguration, I was struck by the prayer that Rick Warren prayed. Not by the words themselves, but by the fact that he was praying as a representative of the whole nation.What would it mean if America meant these words "forgive us ... as we forgive those who sin against us".What would happen if the USA did forgive those people who sin against them. How would the last 8

Jars of Clay

2008-10-12T22:48:00.000+11:00

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our body.” 2 Cor 4:7-10

Lewis on friendship

2008-10-06T22:51:00.000+11:00

“But in friendship .... we think that we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, posting to different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting – any of these chances may have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are,

Chatterbox

2008-10-03T22:49:00.000+10:00

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” Proverbs 10:19

Who am I?

2008-10-01T12:00:00.000+10:00

Who am I? They often tell me I stepped from my cell’s confinement Calmly, cheerfully, firmly, Like a squire from his country-house. Who am I? They often tell me I used to speak to my warders Freely and friendly and clearly As though it were mine to command. Who am I? They also tell me I bore the days of misfortune Equably, smilingly, proudly, Like one accustomed to win. Am I then really all

Taken from my roof

2008-09-21T02:15:00.001+10:00

God is a wonderful artist.

Beautiful

2008-09-21T02:00:00.001+10:00

No, this isn't a cockroach with a particularly shiny bottom. It's a firefly that I found on my marble floor last night. I wouldn't have found it had I not turned off the light to go to bed and seen a flashing green light on the floor. (The photo below is taken from the same place without the flash).

I learned a new word

2008-09-20T02:39:00.002+10:00

natniIt's the word for "friend", but only if you're female, and your friend is also female, and only if you both share the same name. "Yeah, she's my natni". I haven't found any natnis here, my name is a little unusual to Indian ears.

Start 'em early...

2008-09-18T19:20:00.000+10:00

that's what I say. You may not be able to see it (note the sarcasm) ... but just below a Mr Men book, and above some other children's books is Wallace's "Greek Grammar - beyond the basics". Oscar put it there himself for a bit of light reading. Ok, so it's not light, it took him both hands and a big effort to get it there in the first place. He's already learned animal sounds, and some shapes,

Proverbs 23:4-5

2008-09-18T19:05:00.000+10:00

Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

Lightning

2008-09-15T01:16:00.001+10:00

This was taken from our roof this evening.

Addition to previous post

2008-09-12T01:21:00.001+10:00

Having put two and two together (one "two" being the rumours in India mentioned in the previous post, and the other "two" being an article in SMH) I think that the fear generated in this little town was because of the Hadron Collider in Switzerland. Doomsday preditictions seem to have reached here and intensified in this superstitious culture...

The world was supposed to end today

2008-09-11T01:54:00.005+10:00

so my house elf * tells me. She said it was in the newspaper and on the local TV news and everything. There was supposed to be an earthquake at 2pm. Lots of wild rumours were flying around. To people around here it wasn't a joke. Some schools were closed today because of these rumours, and those that were daring enough to open had fewer pupils than normal. My house elf's children (8 and 10

My favorite time of the day...

2008-09-10T01:10:00.003+10:00

... is when I'm preparing dinner. Specifically when I'm making something with peas in it. And it's not because I like cooking all that much (oh no no no). But peas here come still in their shells, and what might seem like a very slow mundane task is transformed into something soothing and calming when I sit on the floor with my bowl of peas to shell and Oscar trots up to me and instead of

Lovely

2008-09-07T03:52:00.004+10:00

Reading the bible in one year

2008-09-04T16:57:00.005+10:00

I've started to read along with a one year bible reading plan. I've tried it before, but never managed to finish it sticking to the one plan. I love the New Living Translation, especially reading the Old Testament, I find I understand it much better than the more literal translations. I usually read it on my mobile (that way I can curl up in bed and read it without the light on..... mmm).

Something "praiseworthy"

2008-09-01T19:26:00.000+10:00

Here's something which is "excellent and praiseworthy" - Oscar has managed to not only get a milk moustache, but a milk goatee and some milk chest hair as well. Well done!

Proverbs 17:22

2008-08-29T21:45:00.001+10:00

“A cheerful heart is good medicine,but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

The latest incarnation of my blog

2008-08-25T21:36:00.002+10:00

I've been wondering for a while what I should do with this blog, since facebook and our website have taken over my "photos and stories" mode of blogging. Because I do like blogging (and I like the idea that maybe someone, somewhere will actually read this blog) and so I want to keep it, I've decided to give it a new reason for being. So in spiritual exercise to keep myself looking

Prayer is like riding a bicycle

2007-06-27T22:30:00.002+10:00

“I think it was the “blue” that did it. A shiny blue bike of my very own… I had always hated the A to B-ness of life. Now, I could go where I liked. I could start at A, head for M, and stop off for a while at F if it took my fancy. If I changed my mind at F, I might forget M and pay a little visit to Q, which, as we all know, is only down the road from R. It was lovely, and I loved it… In the

The Will

2007-06-27T22:29:00.004+10:00

And shall I pray Thee change Thy will, my Father,Until it be according unto mine?But, no, Lord, no, that never shall be, ratherI pray Thee blend my human will with Thine.I pray Thee hush the hurrying, eager longing,I pray Thee soothe the pangs of keen desire-See in my quiet places, wishes thronging-Forbid them, Lord, purge, though it be with fire.And work in me to will and do thy pleasureLet all

More Amy Carmichael

2007-06-27T22:28:00.001+10:00

Thou who art my quietness, my deep repose,My rest from strife of tongues, my holy hill,Fair is Thy pavilion, where I hold me still.Back let them fall from me, my clamorous foes,Confusions multiplied;From crowding things of sense I flee, and in Thee hide.Until this tyranny be overpast,Thy hand will hold me fast;What though the tumult of the storm increase,Grant to Thy servant strength, O Lord, and

Flame of God

2007-06-27T22:27:00.003+10:00

From prayer that ask that I may beSheltered from winds that beat on TheeFrom fearing when I should aspireFrom faltering when I should climb higherFrom silken self, O Captain, freeThy soldier who would follow Thee.From subtle love of softening thingsFrom easy choices weakenings(Not thus are spirits fortifiedNot this way went the crucified)From all that dims thy CalvaryO Lamb of God deliver me.Give

Jesus says...

2007-06-27T22:26:00.001+10:00

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30

Zephaniah 3:17

2007-06-27T22:25:00.001+10:00

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

The Solitary Reaper

2007-06-27T22:21:00.000+10:00

Behold her, single in the field,Yon solitary Highland Lass!Reaping and singing by herself;Stop here, or gently pass!Alone she cuts and binds the grain,And sings a melancholy strain;O listen! for the Vale profoundIs overflowing with the sound.No nightingale did ever chauntMore welcome notes to weary bands Of travellers in some shady haunt,Among Arabian sands:A voice so thrilling ne’er was heardIn

Cloth vs Disposable Nappies - Environmental Footprint

2007-06-27T22:12:00.000+10:00

I have heard many people say that there is no difference in the environmental impact of disposable vs cloth nappies - I found this fairly hard to believe so I did some research (read "googling") and found this very scientific study, click here.In the opening "Summary" this study says: "there was no significant difference between any of the environmental impacts" of the different types of

By popular demand...

2007-05-05T09:36:00.000+10:00

Here are some more pictures of Oscar, lying on the ground, and heading out for a walk with his new blue hat on. Often he only goes to sleep (when there is a bit of light in the room) with a hand over his eyes. As you can see he's getting too big for the bassinette, he's 7.3kg and 64cm long! We're getting a cot very soon. Matt loves reading to him, here he's reading the rhyming bible that we were

Oscar relaxing

2007-04-17T05:09:00.000+10:00

Oscar!

2007-03-19T18:24:00.000+11:00

Our baby son Oscar was born on Tuesday the 13th March by casarian section after a long labor.The three of us meeting for the first time on the operating table. Leaving the hospital after a three day / two night stay. Some quality father son time.

2006-11-20T17:03:00.000+11:00

It's a foot! This one of our ultrasound pictures - we're expecting a baby in early March! We've had a great time studying in Sydney in 2006 and we look forward to more study next year, in preparation for going back to South Asia. And of course we look forward to meeting our little one as well! We don't know if it's a boy or a girl, we'll keep it a suprise.

2005-12-23T22:14:00.000+11:00

This is Matt and a church elder handing out sweets on our last day of church - we also gave them our guitar which they were glad to receive since they didn't have one.

2005-12-23T22:10:00.000+11:00

This is the day we said goodbye to our house help. She and Donna were both very sad - we had seen her six days a week when we were at home.

Up close with a baby elephant

2005-11-11T21:13:00.000+11:00

Yes, this elephant was a baby, it was only about 5 feet high! It shakes the grass around first before putting it into its mouth.

Getting some language survey work done

2005-11-08T04:37:00.000+11:00

Matt getting some survey work done with some of our colleagues. They actually just finished about three weeks of hard work - hence the big smiles!

The lighter side

2005-11-08T04:36:00.000+11:00

I am yet to find out if this cow paid the two rupees for the parking space.

The Himalayas

2005-11-08T04:31:00.000+11:00

This was taken from near our house, on one of the few days in the year that you can see the mountain from the plains. And no they're not clouds . . .

2005-11-05T02:15:00.000+11:00

This is me in front of the Himalayas - we were in Darjeeling for 3 days, and it was fogged in the first two days, but on the third it was very exciting to look out the window and see this!On the way up the hills, there were various warnings of the dangers of driving too fast along the winding road. This was one of our favorites.

2005-11-05T02:01:00.000+11:00

The view that some never got to see. . .

2005-11-04T23:39:00.000+11:00

This is the view from the youth hostel that sells the really yummy Tibetan Bread. Mmmmm.... Mike, Kate, Liz, Clare and "Auntie" this is the view that you never got to see.

The festival of Diwali

2005-11-04T23:30:00.000+11:00

During Diwali festival, people light firecrackers all over the place. On night I went outside to see what all the noise was, and to watch the firecrackers and I found that three candles had been lit outside my door, one on the doorstep and two on the fence, on either side of the gate. I was unknowingly joining in the celebrations as well. It must have been my landlady . . .

Holiday

2005-11-04T23:24:00.000+11:00

Jo, Penny and I, with very pretty mountains in the background.

Christmas 2004

2004-12-25T05:38:00.000+11:00

This is one of the Christmas feasts we were invited to. It's rice and pork, you can just see, in the black wok, the large pieces of fat which the small pieces of meat are attached to (at first I thought it was cut-up potato the bits of fat were so big). It's the absolute favorite of people in this area - it tasted really good too, though all that fat can't be good for us.

2004-12-25T05:32:00.000+11:00

This is the church that we go to, we all sit on the floor, gents on the left ladies on the right. Here its decorated for Christmas. Unlike Australia where many Christmas activities are centred around the home, here almost all Christmas activities are at the church, celebrating together, eating together, and sometimes distributing food to those families who are less fortunate.

2004-12-25T05:30:00.000+11:00

These are some of the friends that we hung out with on the 25th evening. In the absence of a Christmas tree, you can see an exercise bike in the background all strung up with Christmas lights.