Photographic Evidence

We spent the weekend in Philadelphia and I must admit that never in my life have I enjoyed such luxury. The Rittenhouse Hotel was by far and away the most exceptional establishment it's ever been my experience to enjoy, and after wining and dining the weekend away I'm sure to have gained some weight, especially from the outstanding brunch we had at Lacroix where every bite was a delight.

After taking the train down Friday, Michelle, Cathy and I went to the township of Manayunk to enjoy the shopping there. While I didn't purchase anything it was fun to have a "day out with the girls" looking at and trying on various fabulous designer clothes. Relying on public transport, we had to wait for our cab to pick us up again later in the day (when he dropped us off he said we weren't likely to get another taxi easilly, so he could return at 6 - and thankfully he did as we would have been stuck without his help), after which we returned to the hotel and relaxed before heading out for the night. Unfortunately, Ian was held up in town with work and traffic but joined us later at Bookbinders. I ate a really lovely halibut fish caught not 24 hours earlier and a snapper soup (that's turtle!). We then headed back to the hotel for drinks at the bar and ended up closing out with the bartender and manager. A very enjoyable evening which I can honestly say I've not done anything like before. It was a fascinating thing to talk to complete strangers and be able to have genuine dialogue and connection (or watch this) with people of such varying backgrounds. There is so much I can learn and I really appreciated this interaction.

The next morning after a delightful sleep-in I went to the in-house gym and after mucking about on some of the state of the art machines decided to just float in the pool. Very few things beat floating :)

Ian and I headed out then to check out the historic sights and managed to get standby entry for free into the Independence Hall tour. I hear Ian talk so much about "freedom" and the right every person should have in this country to bear arms or live however they want. I admit I certainly didn't understand the context of his philosophy until this weekend. As an Australian, we never had a bloody war to fight for our independence. Yes, we had wars that we joined and an amazing ANZAC heritage of which I am truly proud, but never did farmers and soldiers join together to bear arms to change the constitution and rulership of our beloved home. America has, and did so on the basis that they didn't want to be told how to run their country by the English. Considering this heritage, the belief in the right to bear arms (even to fight against the government of the day should it not seek the best for its people), and the right of freedom of choice that these pioneers fought for, it is scary to witness the current state of politics here. The power is not with the people, but instead with a few which choose to limit the freedom of choice and decision that this country was founded upon. It was an understanding which I'm thankful for, but one that is disturbing to gain.

We headed to Chris's Jazz Cafe later that night after eating a HUGE meal at Smith and Wollensky's - the biggest steaks I've seen in my life (honestly - no veg on the plates.. just a chunk of meat). I've never heard much of Jazz, and I can't say what type of jazz I like in terms of categories.. but I liked the music that night and would gladly hear it again.

Worshipping at the Church of the Holy Trinity was also a service to remember on Sunday morning. A picture you can view here indicates the beauty of the interior, and I was blessed by the writing over the artwork "to the glory of God the Father, and to God the Son, and to God the Holy Ghost". To see a created work such as that and to in the viewing be reminded of the Trinity was a reminder not only of his gloriousness, but also of a sermon I heard 2 years ago that echoes in my head today - reminding us to work for the Glory of God, and how great he is. When men build structures to the glory of themselves through architecture to hold houses of finance, or real estate, or industry, people used to build cathedrals to be the house of God in that vicinity, to the glory of His name. The sermon was exceptional and I'm thankful for that time of fellowship.

I recognise that this has been a bit more of a diary entry of events over the weekend, but it keeps people in the loop and you can always email me or leave a comment if you want more info!

You might by this stage be wondering about the title of this blog though.. no photos yet? Well, I did take some but not too many as I've lost a bit of confidence in my camera recently after some photos with horrid lines through them (thankfully none in this batch though), and one of my biggest regrets from this trip was the lack of photographic evidence. Thankfully though, I came across this Flickr site which has many of the photos I would have loved to have taken - and with a great deal more artistry. Check it out, especially the Public Art set which is likely what I would have focused on (I do love bronze statues).

Back to Hong Kong this week after the holiday (experiencing holiday blues at the moment... I so don't want them to end!). I'm so thankful to God for making these past two weeks possible, and especially the family I'm staying with for all the extras which have once again exceeded my wildest imaginations.

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Yesterday I had the real pleasure of going to Sight and Sound's production on the Psalms of David, the most pleasurable aspect though, was not in fact the show, but rather mocking it with Michelle during and after.

At the intermission, she asked what I thought and to begin with, all I could think of was "culture shock". It was consumerist to the core and right from the beginning the desire to profit was evident. The prelude to the performance was a run through on each of the shows, and an invitation to "buy two of everything" at Noah's Ark Store (Click and then go to View Movie to see for yourself).

The first Act was interesting, with some scenes being reasonably enjoyable, a ballet dancer was very talented and there was a flautist who I really enjoyed - the rest though was tacky to the core - right from the Goliath whose arms bobbed on springs (hilarious) to the one particular actress whose exaggerated expressions were almost as nauseating as the scene where the African American slave Ezra talks how he managed through the tough times by reading his bible, or the inconsistency in morality between the ballet dancer wearing pants (not tights) under her skirt whilst in another scene the good Christians of the time preforming the Can Can...

The final straw though was when in a mistaken act of patriotism, the choir wearing blue robes walked reverently towards the cross draped in red and white. There was no mistaking the underscoring view, nor the desire to fleece more pockets on many future occasions, after all we were encouraged "why not make The Miracle of Christmas a family tradition?".

There was the obligatory alter call at the end of the production (for people to see the Ushers if they wished to make a commitment), and I have no doubt that some were truly impacted (the gentleman 2 seats down from us for instance was evidently worshipping in raising his hands on numerous occasions). I however, left the theatre wondering WHY? What was the purpose of this show? Was it to encourage the converted or was it some sort of evangelism? Call me cynical but when we exited out of the parking lot and drove 500 meters down the road to the Millennium Theatre (a 2,000 seating theatre with a 300 foot wrap around stage) which incorporates the largest moving light system on the East Coast of America, all I could see were $ signs.

I don't regret going, but I'm still wondering, "What's Love Got To Do With It?"

For another view please read: Charisma Magazine which interviews the founder of Sight and Sound

And if you're wondering, I'm having a GREAT holiday, just needed to expel the fundamentalist kitsch out of my system... perhaps exaggerated by pranging Ian's car today :(

The quandary of Trust

I’ve had a great couple of weeks since I last blogged, but have found myself confronted by the issue of Trust.

It seems to be a continuing theme lesson in my life, and one that’s rather exciting to work through as in reality, God who my trust is in is really always faithful – although it may not seem so at the time with his end goals often justifying the means through which He works.

I was in a group last fortnight where we were discussing young people in the Bible who had made a difference. We were supposed to choose one, and develop the theme with that person. Our group however ended up doing “a collage of trust”, with each person speaking out someone who trusted, and is known today due to that trust.

The Widow’s sons – The two boys in 2 Kings 4 who went around their village collecting empty jars for their mother to fill with oil. Certainly they understood the importance of the situation, and in that they trusted their mother and the prophet to go to every neighbour and get jars to be filled.

Hadassah (Esther) – Her trust in Mordecai and God, within exceptional circumstances as a young girl in the King’s palace.

Mary – someone shared that they were astounded recently when they heard that she would have only been 13 years old or so and not only trusted an angel and God, but also her betrothed and aunt, Elizabeth

The boy who gave up his lunch – for which Jesus used to feed 5,000

David – who as a young man used his tools of choice, being a rock and slingshot over Saul’s armour, trusted in his skill and his God to achieve the victory. David also trusted God in the timing of when he was to become king, when he could have taken it by force many times.

Hannah – who gave up her long awaited son as a gift back to God, and Samuel who said to God, “speak”

The list could go on and on, yet, even with this heritage, I confess I often waiver in my trust. I’m thankful that God is always faithful though, and he IS worthy of my trust. Other people are too.

I think it can come down to praying to God for His will to be done, not mine, and not anyone else’s.

His Will.

In that I also must place my trust, which means knowing more of his character. If God is Love, then I can and should trust him. If he did invent the concept of Grace, I would be foolish not to. I can’t control God, I should trust him, and I shouldn't commit the witchery of praying for my will over his.

What a journey we are on : ) What an Adventure!

Snow, Wind, Smoke, Bubbles, and Rain... all in one night in Hong Kong

Yes, it is true, in the course of one evening I (and others) experienced Snow, Wind, Rain, Bubbles, Smoke... and Perfume. Where you might ask? (Thinking especially of the snow). When I went to watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!

We went to a 4D cinema located out near the airport, and it was such fun! We had smoke when the fireworks went off, wind when we were flying through the sky, perfume when someone sprayed excess amounts, snow and rain when the elements dictated, and bubbles to finish off the movie!

The movie itself was ok too : )

The screen also had more depth, but no red and blue glasses were required.

I'm a little intrigued though as to what the effects for Die Hard 4 will be when they start to show it later this month.

... I wonder if Toowoomba will get one?

Love and Vulnerability

Just before I left, my best friend Lynda gave me this quote. I look at it often, and it still resounds with me. I'm inspired to share it here as it encouraged a friend of mine today and it might encourage others.

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket — safe, dark, motionless, airless — it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.

- C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves (1960), 138-39

WOW! Many letters!

It has been far too long since I last blogged, and while I have drafts written, just had to share on the plethora of letters I have just received from home!

I'm sooooo blessed by this HUGE pile and am looking forward to getting home and reading them!

(and thanks to Mom who I think organised these :)