The Gift of Losing my Camera

I thought I lost my camera this week, and was devastated at the thought I would no longer have it. Rather odd I know but this camera has been with me to weddings, births, up a glacier, tramped all around New Zealand, traveled through the Australian bush (via car, foot, horseback & 4 wheel motorbikes), all over Hong Kong, and has even gone around the world (east-west) when borrowed by a friend. It has been so much a part of my life that it, now battered and scratched, almost feels like an extra limb, or perhaps more correctly, a third eye that captures events that too quickly fade from my memory.

It was a real sense of grief. Very much a security blanket in an unfamiliar world that passes by all too quickly.

I woke up one night and really had to work through this grief and come to terms with the loss until until after quite some time in prayer I felt peace about the situation – why did it mean so much to me? Was it an idol in my life? (it wasn’t and isn’t for the record). Why did the loss make me feel so alone? Why did I miss my family and home in such an acute way all the more?

What amazes me is that I was prepared on a number of occasions this past year to give the same camera (Cyber by the way is his name!) away to people who may have needed it more than I. People, when offered, turned the offer down so it remained (much to my benefit) in my possession.

It really highlighted the difference between voluntarily giving something away, and having it taken from you. We’re happy to part with our money to help out a friend or the like, but if that same money gets stolen we’re mad as all get out. We’ll give our time to someone over a cup of tea, but we get frustrated when someone wastes it with idle chatter or gossip or an endless meeting.

Spiritually too I was really impacted. I want to learn and grow so much, but often don’t voluntarily let go of the things that hinder me. So God in his graceful sovereignty allows big challenges come along that knock my breath away – all for good, but none the less painful. The result is often the same, but the manner is very different.

Anyway – a fairly personal blog tonight, but did want to share a) I lost my camera b) I found my camera c) I’m thankful for both.

thoughtswordsactionshabitscharacterdestiny

Adam shared yesterday the passage from Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” and I was reminded of this quote by Frank Outlaw that used to hang in my Year 12 homeroom:

"Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny."

"May the words of my mouth May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Love as a Lifestyle - 1 Corinthians 13

I’m often fascinated by my own reactions to portions of scripture that I have studied before or heard many times. This morning the chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 was new to me, even though it is one of the most recognisable passages of the Bible, and I’ve meditated upon its contents repeatedly.

I wanted to share it here for easy reading for those who like me who may have avoided it recently because we've heard it so many times before and.. well.. we think you know what it says, and for those who might never have read it. For any and all may it impact your life as it has mine this day.

(Verse 11 was especially convicting 1 as I reviewed my actions in light of the words below and how childish I have been recently in so many ways.)

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

If I talk a lot about God and the Bible and the Church, but I fail to ask about your needs and then help you, I'm simply making a lot of empty religious noise. If I graduate from theological seminary and know all the answers to questions you'll never even think of asking, and if I have all the degrees to prove it and if I say I believe in God with all my heart, and soul and strength, and claim to have incredible answers to my prayers to show it, but I fail to take the time to find out where you're at and what makes you laugh and why you cry, I'm nothing. If I sell an extra car and some of my books to raise money for some poor starving kids somewhere, and if I give my life for God's service and burn out after pouring everything I have into the work, but do it all without ever once thinking about the people, the real hurting people-the moms and dads and sons and daughters and orphans and widows and the lonely and hurting-if I pour my life into the Kingdom but forget to make it relevant to those here on earth, my energy is wasted, and so is my life.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Here is what love is like--genuine love. God's kind of love. It's patient. It can wait. It helps others, even if they never find out who did it. Love doesn't look for greener pastures or dream of how things could be better if I just got rid of all my current commitments. Love doesn't boast. It doesn't try to build itself up to be something it isn't. Love doesn't act in a loose, immoral way. It doesn't seek to take, but it willingly gives. Love doesn't lose its cool. It doesn't turn on and off. Love doesn't think about how bad the other person is, and certainly doesn't think of how it could get back at someone. Love is grieved deeply (as God is) over the evil in this world, but it rejoices over truth.

Love comes and sits with you when you're feeling down and finds out what is wrong. It empathizes with you and believes in you. Love knows you'll come through just as God planned, and love sticks right beside you all the way. Love doesn't give up, or quit, or diminish or go home. Love keeps on keeping on, even when everything goes wrong and the feelings leave and the other person doesn't seem as special anymore. Love succeeds 100 percent of the time. That, my friend, is what real love is!

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Yes, there are the three pillars that will endure forever: faith, that is, to be convinced about that which is ultimately important in life; hope, that is, to anticipate and work towards its fulfilment; and compassion, that is, to embrace it with love and practical care. But when it is all said and done, compassion is at the very heart of it all.

What more can I say?

Versions in order of use

NIV

Paraphrase by David Sanford

Paraphrase for those involved in Compassionate Ministries

The Message

Paraphrase on Christmas Love

Polling Booth with a View

Louise and I made the trip in to Wan Chai to cast our votes for the Queensland State Elections on Friday. Lynda (who is visiting) came along and had a whole lot of fun when they couldn't find my street. Apparently, my home does not exist according to the books in Hong Kong, but due to the amazing thoughtfulness of my Mom (she wrote an email giving the number for my district and I was able give this to them) I was still able to cast my ballot for Lyle to win the seat of Toowoomba North.

Even though as I write, with 74.7% of the vote counted, it doesn't look as though Lyle will get in, I still think this endeavor was worth the small effort we made, and huge effort many people have put in for many months, not least of all Lyle and his family.

I've heard it said recently to only fight the battles you can win. At the time I must admit I thought, "Yeah, that makes sense", however, in light of this weekend's events I'm not sure I would still agree, or in fact ever really believed that line or have at any time followed it in my actions. Some battles, some causes, are worth fighting even if you don't end up at the same place you envisioned when starting. You still need to pick the battles you fight wisely, but you don't always need to enter them knowing you will win without a fight. Whether you win or lose does not make your fight or belief valid.

In this specific instance, Water Recycling, the Public Hospital System, Family Values and other matters are ones that have long term implications and are thus worth fighting for in a public arena, whether or not the majority of people agree with the views we hold or are voting for, or the candidate we believe will carry those views forward on our behalf as citizens.

Anyway... no matter what the outcome, I still reckon I had the best view from any polling booth.

Chasers - Trojan Horse

I was hanging out with Mike & Helen and Maria last night and when this video came up in conversation. I laughed my head off as Mike described it and found it even funnier watching. Aside from the language I hope you enjoy it, and remember your history lessons when next asked to park a Trojan horse overnight.

13 minutes

In 13 minutes I will have been living in Hong Kong for one year. I'’d love to write something profound and meaningful about this event, and while a reflection that is more interesting may follow in the weeks to come, for now I just want to say "thank you".

Thank you God for being faithful. Throughout my whole life, and in this past year specifically, you have been faithful, and based upon that I can trust and believe that you will continue to be. While these words are far from adequate, it's moments like these I'm glad for your omniscience... "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely Oh Lord"

Thank you friends and family: for releasing me, supporting me and encouraging me. Especially when I've been too busy to write, or an emotional wreck, your belief in me and what I am doing has been an abundant source of strength.

Lastly, thank you to my colleagues and friends who have put up with me this past year. I think you all know that I have good days and bad, just like I would anywhere else, but you put up with me and through it all actually seem to want me to hang around! It is extraordinary how much of a family you have become.

TEA (Healthier than Water!)

Two of my British friends sent me this link from the BBC recently which I got a huge kick out of reading - Not that I needed more of an excuse to drink tea! My love for this leaf is well known around site, as too is my extensive collection of different types and tins and proper cups.

There are few things more peaceful then making a proper "cuppa" and having the pleasure of drinking it out of a cup which matches the excellence of the liquid.

It's been wonderful to have packages of tea sent over, friends here give tins to store it, or pass on cups that are simply splendid. So thanks to everyone for feeding and encouraging this healthy addiction :)

May you enjoy your next cup of the ambrosia we mortals call "Tea"