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"

A Few Events of the Week

REARRANGED

I received in the mail today a copy of my church back home’s CD/DVD music album!

Listening to it now I just had to do Blog for all the Toowoomba City Churchites and say how amazing it is to hear you singing and praising our Lord.

Ev – special shout out to you – awesome leading, music and lyrics – well done and keep on doing what you’re doing. Bringing others to a place of worship and reflection is such an awesome thing… and yes, I did just use the A word !!!

Looking forward to watching the DVD when I get a moment and seeing the work of the video team … ahhh… those were the days!

(thanks mom for sending this over)

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WE WON!

Ok.. so maybe I had nothing to do with it but I’m claiming that my moral support did something to help *grin*

Well done to Lynda, Pricilla, Anthony and all at Emu Gully Heritage Stock Horse and Waler Stud for taking out the Best Waler Stallion, and Supreme Horse of the Breed at the Ekka this week.

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BIRTHDAY DECORATIONS

One of the things we do here is really make birthdays special for people as they’re away from friends and family. Last night we decorated Kara’s workstation which was done in a Mickey Mouse theme - here's Josh hanging a few ears :)

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JOY JOY JOY

Have you ever had a week that was marked by Joy? A week filled with an ever present peace, that despite the dificult and shall we say "crudly" moments, you felt a deep, deep satisfaction and joy whatever the circumstance? This week was a week like this.

I can safely say it’s the best week I’ve ever had in Hong Kong.

I’m not sure if it has anything to do with the Blog below and allowing God to take over more and more of my life, but whatever the case… bring on more of it!

Death of the Magic 8 Ball

8 Ball
Originally uploaded by somewhere_smiling.

I’m travelling home on the bus as I write this and sitting beside to me is a father and his two children. The dad has just asked his boy to sit down, either on his’ knee where he sat previously, or on the empty seat next to me.

The boy then pulls out his Magic 8 Ball to help him decide. “Should I sit down” he asks the ball as he shakes it vigorously. “Too early to predict” he cries reading from the plastic panel. He shakes it again, asking the question “Should I Sit DOWN!” this time the ball reads “forget about it”.

So much for the 8 Ball’s advice, he now sits perched on the side of the seat happily (or at least loudly) playing snap with the cards his dad brought along for his children’s amusement.

I’m reminded of a saying that one of my teachers in school told us (I can’t remember though if it was a favourite saying of his or if it was a one off quote that stuck) “Advice is what you ask for when you know the answer but wish you didn’t”

This little boy knew what he should be doing. He should have been sitting down as his father, who had his best interests in mind, had told him to do. Instead as a petulant little boy he consulted with an inanimate object, not once but twice, until he got the answer which suited him.

How often I do the same.

Not with a Magic 8 Ball, but most definitely with my prayers and active life. I continue to ask for a different outcome, or ignore the response that God has given me all together. I ask those closest to me what they think, or Google the subject hoping to find alternate wisdom. All the while, my Father, who has my best interests in mind, is watching over me patiently until I submit to what is ultimately right.

I’ve always struggled with that quote of Mr Sondergeld’s. Sometimes because I don’t trust myself to make the right decision and I like the comfort of other’s buy in; other times because I need the courage that comes from knowing others are walking the journey with me. But when it comes down to it, I think that my biggest struggle is when I do know the answer, but like the quote states “wish I didn’t”. When the action means laying down my wants, my dreams, my needs – because my life is not my own at all. There’s power in consultation, in feeling like the decision is mine to make, like I'm justified in my response of disobedience – when that is the most distant thing from the truth.

At the end of the day, my propensity to seek other answers (when like the boy on the bus I know the way to walk) shows how far I am from actually truly laying down my life as a disciple of Christ. Death to self is the only way I’ll ever stop picking up the figurative 8 Ball. As George Muller put it so aptly when asked about his success in helping others (and related in Simon Ponsonby’s book MORE)

“There was a day when I died: died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends, and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.”

That’s the challenge. There’s no escaping it: As Bonheoffer states in the Cost of Discipleship “When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die”.

It means death to the Magic 8 Ball

The Koala Building

Lippo Tower
Originally uploaded by somewhere_smiling.

I found out today that this building (the Lippo Centre) used to be owned by Alan Bond and he had it designed to show koalas clutching a tree... fancy that! Koalas do exist in the middle of Hong Kong!

Yours in being proudly Australian... and when the All Blacks are playing England (or anyone other than Australia) a vocal Kiwi too!

Into a Place of Abundance – Francis Frangipane

I read this quote today (also the article from which it comes) and was encouraged by the thought of using tests and trials that come into our lives as a method to move into a deeper relationship with God and develop our character further. Not an original thought but one it was refreshing to hear again.

“. . . Right now, I would say that most Christians are in the "beta" stage: they are released to a limited group for testing. God desires to see how well what He has created in us works outside of church (the "lab"). These small test groups may consist of co-workers, one's neighbourhood or even one's family. But during this time of "limited release" you will go through various tests before being released to the larger, general public.

It is also important to note that when God tests us, He does not descend into our thought-life with a loud public announcement, warning, "This is a test, this is only a test." A true test examines what we are under stress and in real life conditions; it appears in our lives without forewarning that a test is coming. You see, God isn't testing how well we can outwardly look "Christian," He is examining the quality of what we actually are. Even more than possessing right answers, He desires we possess right attitudes and responses. He wants to know if we can function under adverse conditions, spiritual warfare and stress.” read more here

did you know?

BBC: DR CONGO KEY FACTS
Did you know that more people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a direct result of any conflict since World War 2?

No? Neither did I

The DR Congo has just held its first democratic elections in 40 years. To say that this is a huge thing would be a massive understatement, and yet I’m dismayed at how little recent information I can find to tell me what is happening, what the polls are indicating, what the likely outcome will be.

Yes, this news perhaps isn’t as blatantly interesting as what is happening in the Middle East at the moment – there are no bombs – but there are still 1,250 people dying daily as a direct result of the conflict.

I know very little about the situation in the Congo. Any informed person is likely to look at this blog and “phoo phoo” it, but contrasting my usual attitude, I don’t care. 1,250 people dying each day should be newsworthy, I should know more, I should have heard about this before. Why haven’t I?

Why is it that the majority of people who read this Blog, even if it doesn’t have the most informed opinion you will find, have never heard about the atrocities either?

If this is the first you have heard about it head to this TIME magazine article, and also the BBC for an overview.

If you find any links that might help others know more please leave them in a comment.

(as a sideline, I have the honour to work with a refugee from The Congo - if he was in his country this would be the first opportunity he would have had in his lifetime to vote... once again I am reminded at how privileged I am)

Miss Havisham's

.

My morning slumber was broken today by a phone call, but unlike most phone calls of this time I didn’t mind it at all. It was the husband of one of my girlfriends asking if I wanted to have a cup of tea before he flew off back to Aussie, where he will meet his beloved. (there is never a wrong time to have a cup of tea and catchup!)

I noticed though, while we sipped tea leaves newly arrived from England from china cups (hoorah for returning friends and gifts!) this sad picture that had evolved on my windowsill.

The blinds in my living room have been drawn for about a week to keep the heat out as much as possible and this is what has happened during that time.

I guess there’s a lot of early morning parallels that my mind jumps to when looking out my window now, but for the most part I just wanted to share this cool picture!

So thank you friend, thank you Hong Kong... and thank you friend's wonderful wife! I look forward to seeing her soon :)

The One Thing…

When tuning in to 96.5 recently I've often heard “The One Thing” a song by Paul Colman (you can hear also this song on his website).

This song is played on Christian radio stations and as such I initially assumed it was about God, in reflection though I am not so sure – it could easily be referring to someone else. Either way… what is the “one thing” I don’t question? Is there a “one thing” at all?

The answer is yes, but not what you might expect – not the expected “good Christian answer” for God is perhaps what I question most, or at least my theology and view of him. If there is a “one thing” that I don’t question it’s my parents and their love for me, this I do not doubt, but with God I often doubt, or drop I my focus and let other things supersede this relationship, or I become influenced by cynicism, or hurt by the hypocrisy of those claiming to act in His Name.

If Mr Colman is referring to God, while I envy him in some respects, if the option came I would still question, for I think belief is stronger when subjected to inspection.

I think our views of God must be challenged, and subjected to Biblical understanding with loving, empathetic encouragement by other believers. Many might have heard me say “doubts must be questioned, for when they are not, when they are hidden in the dark they putrefy and fester, but when doubts are brought into the light, questioned and understanding sought it is the healthiest thing that can happen – challenging but essential.” As Christians we should encourage debate with open, honest and forthright discussion – doubts aired and vulnerabilities exposed, especially among our Youth.

I think most Christians would agree with me; we have times when we are sure of our faith, and other times when we need to look back at the “North Star” reference moments we've had to remind us that He will be faithful. That’s what faith is – not a blind leap, but future and present trust based upon past experience of faithfulness.

I wonder what the “one thing” is that you don’t question. Is it God? Is it like me the love of those who have proven a rock in your life for many years? Is it your job and the fulfilment you find in it? Is it your health? Or can you be sure of anything? I hope there is at least one thing you can be sure of – and I pray that that “one thing” is worthy of that trust and dependence.

(Digression: this song and my assumption that the subject was God also bring to mind the South Park episode where they made Christian songs by replacing the words Baby, or Love, with Jesus or God… (i.e. “I love you baby” becomes “I love you Jesus”) but we’ll leave that thought for another day…)

and yes - I like do actually like this song!

Chinese BBQ

Dinner
Originally uploaded by somewhere_smiling.

On Saturday night we had a Chinese style BBQ down at the beach to celebrate Phil Phil's Birthday.

Check out the photos on Flickr (in the July 2006 folder)

The fish that you see were delicious (stuffed with Chili, Ginger and Lemon Grass).. great night had by all!

The begining of a journey!

After much deliberation I've finally started my own little Blog... for good or evil... temporarily or permanently... as a fad or for fun I'm really not sure...

The thought behind it is that I often have ideas or items of news that I'd love to share with all my mates (far and near) but have no idea if the recipients want to hear them or not - so - this is your way to choose! I'll "blog" them and if you're interested my thoughts on issues are yours!

For those who receive my newsletters you still will - and they will be posted on my other site - these are more just quick "news grabs"