tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13231217862660180472011-07-08T10:06:54.032+10:00Welcome to dna online! You'll find all sorts of things here, including updates on our activities, general musings, poetry, and the odd photo. Enjoy!dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.comBlogger1151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-19960845684416622412009-08-26T20:09:00.003+10:002009-08-26T20:18:28.277+10:00

Hi there faithful blog-readers!The time has sadly come (after 6 months of absence) to admit that I'm unlikely to keep up blogging... you have permission to abandon your connection with this site without any guilt or feelings of regret. Thanks for the happy times and interactions (sniff sniff). From now on I shall keep my thoughts safely to myself, and we may all be the better for it!I'm still

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-35588839606377455862009-02-02T17:27:00.003+11:002009-02-02T17:37:45.086+11:00

Here's my latest linguistic ESV-related concern.What does the title of this post mean? Or, what does it mean to say, "I am happy for you?" Take a second to think about it. What contexts can you imagine saying it in?OK, now what does it mean to say, "I am angry for you?" Funny isn't it, I don't think you can say that. But maybe you think someone could say it. If so, what do you think it

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-41721743118592765402009-02-02T16:58:00.005+11:002009-02-02T17:38:12.000+11:00

So, Derek and I have a spare Sunday in Sydney, a "holiday" from our normal routine and our normal church family. How shall we spend it? I know, we'll go to an emerging church! Ever since I heard about the emerging church I have found it fascinating and appealing. Here's me with some emergents I found at the zoo:So the next step is we google "emerging church Sydney". Well, there's three.

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-22049097264635609032008-12-12T12:03:00.004+11:002008-12-12T12:34:19.924+11:00

Ah the happy life of a student! Holidays again.First stop was NTE (or should I say SPRTE) in Canberra. Fun times! Great to catch up with lots of old friends (including heaps who live in Sydney!) and meet some new people. A highlight was going up Black Mountain Peninsula with my strand and some Tassie people... found myself getting quite emotional, looking down at Canberra after 2 years away!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-13333776645516090292008-11-15T10:48:00.004+11:002008-11-15T11:01:03.711+11:00

Well, seeing as a few people think I'm ranting too hard against the ESV (which I'm almost willing to concede - almost), I thought I'd steal this lovely little analysis from an esteemed friend and ex-colleague, a linguist and Jesus-lover extraordinaire, whose comments I endorse wholeheartedly! And it's more scientific because it has a graph. Love to hear your thoughts.Have you ever heard someone

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-23433747755130220292008-11-12T20:09:00.005+11:002008-11-12T20:18:06.266+11:00

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-89728462053994810692008-11-10T15:59:00.003+11:002008-11-10T16:25:02.412+11:00

For the sake of balance and credit where credit is due, I feel that it's only fair to announce that I have now had my left lower mandible extracted (ie, I'm now wisdom toothless on the bottom) and praise the Lord, neither lockjaw nor dry socket ensued. Here's what happened - I tried not to think about it too much in advance, but just got to work making a variety of tasty soups, until the fated

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-60913951830871703032008-11-10T15:43:00.004+11:002008-11-10T15:53:25.306+11:00

Hi there one and all,It's exam time again! Yay!Tuesday 18th - my theology half-examWednesday 19th - Derek's theology examFriday 21st - our New Testament exam (1 Corinthians and Hebrews)Monday 24th - our Hebrew examFollowed by a week of partying, winding up, tidying desks, and general frivolity!Here's a photo of the cool crew here at our units!The three studying wivesThe boys blue steeling

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-45134088692160469192008-10-19T17:32:00.004+11:002008-10-19T17:43:42.819+11:00

The people passed over [the Jordan River] in haste.Now, you might think people could possibly pass over a full-flowing river, but over a dry one? Who'd say that? It sounds like they were spookily levitating over, on a hovercraft or something.It gets worse:And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people.Hang on, first you're

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-62765232430132208832008-10-02T17:54:00.002+10:002008-10-02T17:56:57.252+10:00

Here's another essay abstract for your perusal... (see below post if you're confused)This essay analyses the Bible’s teachings about the state of the dead between now and the final judgment. The Old Testament, with its emphasis on life in this world, gives only vague information about the state of the dead. References to Sheol primarily serve to highlight the horror of death as a punishment

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-44691537514609597032008-10-02T17:47:00.002+10:002008-10-02T17:53:54.844+10:00

This is the first example of my new essay-publication strategy - instead of plonking the whole thing up on dna in depth, I'm sticking the question and abstract here and then if you're interested you can ask me to email you the full deal! And I may or may not oblige depending on my assessment of your motives ;)Ok so the question was (something like):Describe the role creeds have played in church

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-46756483026897287122008-09-24T08:27:00.003+10:002008-09-24T08:47:58.075+10:00

Victoria's lower house has approved a bill allowing unfettered access to abortions up to 24 weeks; and from 24 weeks to full term, only 2 doctors would have to agree that the pregnancy is having a negative impact on the mother "physically, mentally or socially". No abortion would be considered a crime. (See this article in the Australian).Here's a particularly disturbing argument:Nationals

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-28172532805151699892008-09-20T15:10:00.004+10:002008-09-20T15:31:39.872+10:00

Some of you may have realised that I lately became one tooth the less. We pick up the story three days after my right lower mandibular extraction, which culminated in an all-night bleeding episode, traumatic gauze changes, 10 hours of clenching, a lengthy but fruitless visit to nearby hospital, and a troubling inability to open my mouth...Anna woke up bright an early today, 4am in fact, with

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-2321766807741675712008-07-24T17:03:00.003+10:002008-07-24T17:11:20.207+10:00

Here are some photos from our recent holiday to Thora NSW. I went for an amble along the country road and saw some pretty things. I like the glowing cows.This one is some nice gravel in the sun.This one's me and Derek at Ebor falls (blocking the view to the falls).

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-18469317969406692852008-07-15T19:59:00.003+10:002008-07-15T20:17:41.465+10:00

Hello one, and hello all'Tis time to speak out in this hallOf what has happ'd in days of lateWhere I have been, what I have ateIt must be said that I've done muchA holiday by the mountains was, oh, sucha good idea and a needed breakMany books and the West Wing we did takeThereafter we visited the Armidale crewThen hopped along to Newcastle tooThen back to Sydney for an important dateA colourful

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-60950348101720588902008-06-05T18:33:00.003+10:002008-06-05T18:40:02.848+10:00

I've taken up painting as my latest creative outlet! I really love it!One of them is paint-by-numbers - can you guess which???JoyPearl of Great ValueVenice

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-18883921630097940902008-04-29T13:26:00.004+10:002008-04-29T13:42:57.572+10:00

Here are some photos taken on our trip... the last ones we are to receive from our camera which was stolen on our last night in East Timor!A 'toilet' - it's times like these it pays to be male!An unusual drink, tasted not a lot better than the name would suggestEnglish conversation clubBuying shoes as a celebrity is not a straightforward affairBeautiful Dili beach

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-45813682332287304922008-04-29T09:47:00.004+10:002008-04-29T10:01:40.374+10:00

We arrived home on Sunday afternoon after 3 weeks in SE Asia. We had a fab time, and learned stacks! It's funny being home again, where everything is familiar, structured (lots of rules) and in good English. I miss the yummy food and weird fruits. I have re-adjusted very smoothly to flushing loos and dry bathroom floors. I have a feeling that I'm going to miss the relaxed pace of life and

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-41945868280788789092008-03-24T22:15:00.003+11:002008-03-24T22:22:31.318+11:00

Actually, I'm too tired to odify my musings. I'll just write in prose that Derek and I visited Canberra for two friends' wedding on the weekend, and it was lovely. So much reminiscence, driving into the mist, driving in the country - and I'm just talking about Belconnen Way - driving through the poplars with autumn colours already showing. Fresh wintery goodness. Lots of romantic memories of

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-86803247247210153332008-03-24T22:12:00.002+11:002008-03-24T22:15:16.287+11:00

I am going to hand in my first essay for the year tomorrow - joy! The topic was about the state of the dead. I changed my view during writing it... I used to think something like soul sleep (like Luther thought), but now I think immediate resurrection. Cool hey! Mysterious!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-24812410787549223982008-03-24T22:03:00.002+11:002008-03-24T22:12:46.382+11:00

Here's us on our anniversary, enjoying being tourists in Syd!Here's what we did basically every night before college started - free movies at Sydney Olympic Park! We got rained on twice (ie storm conditions) but it was worth it. May our friends whom we dragged along forgive us (you know who you are)Ah, those were restful days. These days it's mostly study and other necessary things (fun, maybe

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-61116433429470632932008-02-17T17:05:00.005+11:002008-02-17T17:14:25.830+11:00

O barren mankindYou breathe behind a veilObject of loveGlorious, MarvellousUnder a curseYour majestic worksOf futilityDelight and drive despairYou bear scars of broken passionO wandering race,Arise! Disperse!O frightened child!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-54798653601894489572008-02-07T19:46:00.000+11:002008-02-07T19:48:14.424+11:00

This is the only shot of the two of us at Christmas, and it's now yours to enjoy!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-3439189527308940692008-02-07T18:18:00.001+11:002008-02-07T18:26:54.147+11:00

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!We've started back at college. Some exciting new things:- Our new unit is fun! We've enjoyed being dry in all the thunderstorms and getting more exercise walking/riding to and from college.- I have started using Firefox instead of IE, and it's so good.- I'm doing two essays - one on the state of the dead, and one on original sin. Kind of sad topics you might

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-75026003675431934462007-12-10T16:56:00.001+11:002007-12-10T17:15:02.305+11:00

I am reading this book at the moment. I have been looking forward to it for a while, and now is the moment I've been waiting for. I've approached it eagerly, pen in hand, ready to engage with him and see how theism stands up against his attack.The cover of the book is promising...one guy called Stephen Pinker (who I heard of in my linguistics days) calls him "one of the best non-fiction writers

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-41799018153317559172007-12-10T16:42:00.000+11:002007-12-10T16:55:56.724+11:00

After a crazy semester of little to no blogging, you'll be pleased to know that the holidays are here once again, which means I have time to think again, and maybe even hopefully a bit of time to upload my stream of consciousness into the public domain!I noticed that the blog's friend counter is on 1981 - that's one hit for every year between Christ's birth and mine - now that's gotta be

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-84510680596530319442007-12-10T16:39:00.000+11:002007-12-10T16:42:18.717+11:00

Hi faithful few who still read this blog! Thankyou!Just a quick note to let you all know that I am singing in the Messiah this week, at the Sydney Opera House. It's a fantastic concert and the music is absolutely wonderful! Let me know if you're coming and I'll put in a special shriek for you. :)

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-52884527160341427922007-11-14T14:19:00.000+11:002007-11-14T14:27:41.875+11:00

Just a quick break from study to ask for prayer!We have exams coming up:Old Testament and Church History - both tomorrow (15 Nov)Greek (Derek) - Monday morning (19th Nov)New Testament - Tuesday morning (20th Nov)Please pray that we'll be honouring God in the way we study, and that we'll learn lots of things that will be helpful in our ministry to others, as well as strengthening our own faith and

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-7452091671200075462007-10-27T14:52:00.001+10:002008-09-24T08:49:39.435+10:00

What is it?Heart Disease, I was told, rates first, with 40,000 Australians dying of it per year. Government response: funding for research, prevention and cure.Cancer, I'm told, is the leading cause of premature death of Australians, with 30,000 deaths per year. Government response: funding for research, prevention and cure.But in fact, these are not the leading causes of death or premature

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-4349309401722967182007-10-27T12:58:00.000+10:002007-10-27T14:47:55.223+10:00

Here's an interesting little snippet from an upcoming seminar at Sydney Uni. I was really struck by how rap music - something so full of passion and so brimming with emotion and energy - can so be the source of something so, well, boring. The invitation says:For more than a decade, hip-hop culture and rap music has been the object of considerable academic inquiry across a range of disciplines,

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-33539314859387363262007-10-17T16:36:00.000+10:002007-10-17T16:45:15.370+10:00

I was checking various translations of Isaiah 53:6, which I am planning to preach on in a couple of weeks. I thought maybe ESV would be good (Good News way too much extra, NIV OK but has the word 'iniquity', NLT a bit better but not what I was after), and here's what it came up with:All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way [...]Two problems.One = "All we" is

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-43428698275221476832007-10-17T16:29:00.000+10:002007-10-17T16:36:19.417+10:00

I have an eerie feeling that blogs are becoming sadly subject to the all-consuming monster of obsolescence. Blogs are the old way of getting info on the lives of people who you don't normally have anything to do with. Now it's Facebook. Heaven forbid I ever join Facebook. I think it's weird. Blogging's weird too, I suppose. I wonder if it has a future.Anyway, I haven't written for ages

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-85385336582843186122007-09-11T16:10:00.000+10:002007-09-11T16:15:52.363+10:00

Hello again, I've re-emerged. Life's been busy this semester... no time for interesting thoughts, no time for blogging! Sorry!If anyone wants me to add a thingy so you know when I've written something new, please leave instructions in a comment :)I'm doing an essay at the moment : "Discuss the nature of religious fundamentalism and the ways that it has drawn from and/or contributed to

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-3686372796908863042007-08-19T19:42:00.000+10:002007-08-19T20:05:56.470+10:00

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.With a sad death in my family last

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-36680766814732297742007-08-09T16:06:00.000+10:002007-08-09T16:08:24.204+10:00

We went into the big smoke last night to see Amazing Grace. It was super! I recommend it with all my heart.Love to hear other people's thoughts - if you've seen it, please post a comment and tell me what you thought :)

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-71945244625513898022007-08-01T22:19:00.000+10:002007-08-01T22:33:02.133+10:00

After a week and a half in solitary confinement, I am pleased to announce that my pox are scabbed! I.e., I am no longer contagious.It's been a fun week, watching movies, sleeping, doing readings for classes, being brought 3 meals a day plus snacks, watching my spots progress, getting a couple of lovely brave visitors come for chats and Scrabble, and so on. I'm very thankful that God gave me

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-33214609013111305562007-08-01T22:02:00.000+10:002007-08-01T22:19:38.862+10:00

Having just watched above-titled movie last night, all I can say is: disturbing, disturbing, disturbing. Mostly because I don't think it was even meant to be.The movie was basically about life in a moral vacuum. I think the film knew this; after all, the title of the film is taken from a list of rules which were pinned up on the wall of the cider house. No-one could read them, they were

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-26086406035170232242007-07-28T10:34:00.000+10:002007-07-28T13:40:06.074+10:00

I met a Buddhist earlier this year. She said she had become a Buddhist because, ever since she was young, she had loved pretty, shiny things, and so she had begun to collect little Buddhas. When she grew up, her love for these little statues naturally flowed on to actually worshipping them (bigger, shinier versions). Apart from being a tragic story of idolatry, what it really made me wonder is

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-14446345574899335462007-07-25T11:43:00.000+10:002007-07-25T11:49:24.026+10:00

Hello dear blog readers,I have chickenpox! Boo! I'm covered in painful little red blobs. I think I must even have one in my throat, because it hurts to high heaven when I swallow.When I'm up and about again I shall have to put a photo of my spotty face up here. Bet you can't wait!Please pray that God will heal me up nicely, and that I won't feel too stressed about missing all my classes and

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-79560558875528592322007-07-17T20:49:00.000+10:002007-07-17T21:09:24.076+10:00

We're baaaack! Aaaah. So nice to be back in Bible college land. We had our first big class today and it was tops. We're looking at Acts (and later, Paul's letters), and it promises to be a winner. I've begun the first assignment already - how organised is that! - and hooray! It's great to learn about Jesus and life!Anyway, the main point of this post isn't to enthuse, but to let you all

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-26001546709023039862007-07-09T13:34:00.000+10:002007-07-09T13:43:12.526+10:00

We watched a movie with D's parents last week by abovementioned title. It's really good! I recommend it.One very interesting theme which began to hatch (but never quite made it, I don't think) was the theme of: "What would you do if you knew you were going to die?" But not the usual time-limited, disaster-movie kind of ones, where the boyfriend wants to sleep with the girlfriend, and the old

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-55017131145514354802007-07-09T13:20:00.000+10:002007-07-09T13:32:46.864+10:00

Our majestic home... actually it's where the lecturers have their offices, and we live in a shack next door. But it feels like home. (Just pretend the rake and crate are not there, and the fountain is brimming with fresh, sparkly water.)Mum and Dad and me at the zoo. This was in April but I can only be bothered now putting the photo up! There's an elephant in the background, if you look

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-73418445688483455642007-07-09T13:03:00.000+10:002007-07-09T13:19:13.382+10:00

Hello again... I have re-emerged!We've just been away on a holiday, which can mainly be charactised as Nice'n'Icy.First: Tassie. So nice. So icy. Got to see the wedding of two lovely friends from school, and saw so many other familiar faces there as a bonus! And I had lots of fun with mum and dad. I even hand-made some cards with mum, can you believe? And they were pretty nice ones! I

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-40710123074608619872007-06-19T18:30:00.000+10:002007-06-19T18:47:29.361+10:00

One thing we Christians don't do well is be festive. Our lovely Christmas and Easter traditions have been overwhelmed by atheistic consumerism and other nasty things. Even Lord's Supper has become a rather sombre affair ("Lest we forget" rather than "Hoooray!"). And the Lord's Day (apart from being optional) is often not an opportunity to gather together and really let the hair down and dance

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-10782221591208455692007-06-12T11:34:00.000+10:002007-06-12T11:49:10.062+10:00

We have four exams next week:Old Testament (Genesis - 2 Chronicles)New Testament (the Gospels)Church History (from Jesus to 1550!)and Hebrews (just a little exam).My old familiar study patterns are starting to re-emerge (one minute on, five minutes off, one minute on, toilet break. Panic, five minutes on, boredom, one minute off, drinks break. Three minutes on, interesting, must share with

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-68844041321579614642007-06-08T10:32:00.000+10:002007-06-08T10:38:54.336+10:00

D and I were reading poems to eachother last night. I came across this one by John Donne, I love it already.Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,     Which is my sin, though it were done before?Wilt thou forgive that sin through which I run,   And do run still, though still I do deplore?     When thou hast done, thou hast not done,       For I have more.Wilt thou forgive that sin

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-38778712731064933212007-05-29T20:42:00.000+10:002007-05-29T20:43:28.028+10:00

Come hum-along Thong thingsFlap flap a trapSong singsMerry merry muse sing-songCome along and see this throngDance along and sing this songMerry, merry sound.

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-5164939149849745342007-05-29T11:15:00.000+10:002007-05-29T11:21:32.173+10:00

Ever since working for the government I have had an interest in all things ethics. Here's a fascinating interview with "controversial" Australian ethicist Margaret Somerville, on the topic of medical/reproductive ethics. I found myself captivated by her realism and compassion, and I think, wisdom. I would love to read more of this kind of stuff and it was great (and a little surprising) to

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-87247974808938337322007-05-28T19:48:00.001+10:002007-05-28T20:07:35.666+10:00

Now that exams are coming expect a few more photo posts! (Or less, depending on stress levels!) More coming soon.This is a few college friendsThis is my mission team outside a primary school in Newcastle. We had lots of fun singing about Jesus pow-ower!Here's some photos I stole from my neighbour's blog... thanks Noe! :)Friend Beth in the dining room - no idea who took this pic but it's a

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-41841837166785179292007-05-28T12:19:00.000+10:002007-05-28T12:44:13.623+10:00

Did anyone see Richard Dawkins on Compass last week and last night? It was a compelling watch. Our common room at Bible college here was full of shrieks of disbelief, angry voices and cries for fair trial, as well as occasional stunned silence as Christian hypocrisy and thoughtlessness raised its very ugly head. Dawkins had some good points, didn't he? So many people having faith for faith's

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-54555753553837113092007-05-20T13:24:00.001+10:002007-05-20T14:13:10.502+10:00

Today is East Timorese Independence Day. Hip, hip!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-567428427862744902007-05-20T13:14:00.000+10:002007-05-20T13:23:39.831+10:00

One of my fave things at college is "Culture Spot", where one of the lecturers gives a short appraisal of some artistic work and then somehow links it to an aspect of life under Christ. It's fun and interesting. One of these culture spots mentioned a movie called Russian Ark, and so when Derek and I were browsing the DVD collection at our local library and saw it there, we snavelled it up and

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-80318749998423262852007-05-14T13:39:00.000+10:002007-05-14T13:57:15.892+10:00

Hello again everyone. Thanks for faithfully visiting this blog even though I haven't added a skeric to it for a whole TEN days!Life has been pelting along and I've just paused for a breather today. Last week was the SMBC Biennial Preaching conference - it was a real hoot. Highlights: - Dale Ralph Davis speaking on how & why to preach Old Testament narrative. He really gave some super examples

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-40967549914358233552007-05-03T14:45:00.000+10:002007-05-03T14:50:32.337+10:00

I am stirred; I am stirred.A fire-child is tapping on my distant glass.Shh. Shh!You are safe inside.Trapped, trappedTapping my glass heart,Shattering my glass heart!Shards will dig through my sluggish veins,Scrape through my thick blood,And my fire will flowFree; fervent fire of love!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-44318347325354398422007-05-01T10:22:00.000+10:002007-05-01T10:37:16.606+10:00

I've noticed that a new irk has been added to my Christian Irk list. It's right up there with "Let's just pray"/"I'm just going to pray for us now".It's the cheerful, pleasant phrase, "Prayer works!" It can also be disguised as "I believe in the power of prayer". Stormie O'Martian (is that her name?) has even made a series of books which has irk in the title, "The Power of a Praying Wife".Is

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-36143936260184530492007-04-28T12:26:00.000+10:002007-04-28T12:33:43.787+10:00

Hip hip hooray, one wasn't enough, I've made another. "dna in depth" is our exciting new product, which is basically a whole blog dedicated to our essays (or other thought-out and lengthy ramblings, in contrast to the flighty, brief and self-contradictory musings you'll find on this blog), so that anyone and everyone can enjoy the fruits of our labour without us needing to meet any standards

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-54144878625443245542007-04-27T19:25:00.000+10:002007-04-27T19:40:52.399+10:00

Last night I wasn't sleepy, so I stayed up reading Oedipus the King. What a fantastic play. I like how it's a desperate bid to find the truth but not find it, and it becomes even more desperate the more horrible the truth is hinted to be.O Oedipus, God help you! God keep you from the knowledge of who you are!This was Oedipus' wife and mother, who cottoned on to the tragedy before he did. Ah,

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-30121107257755639252007-04-25T18:31:00.000+10:002007-04-25T18:36:01.513+10:00

D's in Canberra today. I looked at the weather forecast and it will get down to 4 degrees tonight! He, he, he.More importantly though, even though I have been looking forward to some fun time alone, it isn't really that much fun. I've put music on, but it's just annoying me. I managed to do some exercise but that was annoying too. The afternoon dragged quietly on. Even eating our leftover

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-51496306920829643152007-04-23T22:42:00.000+10:002007-04-23T23:03:39.608+10:00

Time for another life update!We're having a research week this week - no lectures, just lots of time for catching up on assignments - yay. D's doing one on Numbers, one on Joshua, and also taking a short trip to Canberra, and organising music for a preaching conference on the side. I'm doing an essay on 2 Samuel, another one on Muslim and Buddhist festivals, and fingers crossed (really hard)

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-33481315887671069482007-04-21T11:59:00.000+10:002007-04-21T12:28:03.068+10:00

Last night, D and I and about 16 fellow college students watched the movie "End of the Spear" at a lecturer's house. It's a movie about Jim Elliot and friends, who were killed after two days of trying to evangelise a fierce people group in Ecuador.I cried and cried and cried the whole way through the movie and then for two hours afterwards. Today, I read this in Jim Elliot's journal, after he

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-54439414984073046572007-04-16T12:31:00.000+10:002007-04-16T12:33:56.505+10:00

This SMH article shows another complicated ethical dilemma created by IVF. I don’t really have much to say about this – I just have a deeply sad and angry feeling from reading it. The final line is interesting: “Under current British law, both the man and woman have to give their consent at every stage of IVF treatment”… but evidently the couple’s embryos can be destroyed without the consent of

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-69730740919032419882007-04-16T12:23:00.000+10:002007-04-16T12:31:08.863+10:00

Far out, blogger has been infuriating! Anyway, I'm back - although for how long, I don't know... and no, Dan, it's not because I repented from criticising the so-called 'established church' that I'm back, because God knew my next post would be this!Why do so many Christians keep saying the old creeds from Nicene and wherever else, which refute old problems and use old language and don't

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-41350616790662368642007-04-15T17:22:00.000+10:002007-04-15T17:23:15.102+10:00

test testing...2 2 2 1 2

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-84146910340344094612007-04-11T21:23:00.001+10:002007-04-11T21:23:39.960+10:00

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-63660555997380232432007-04-11T21:19:00.000+10:002007-04-12T14:45:09.255+10:00

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-54874018467888159552007-04-10T15:06:00.000+10:002007-04-10T15:19:17.571+10:00

"Look it up on the internet" we say, when an argument looks like it will never otherwise resolve. Today I have decided not to say that anymore. Derek's low jibe (which I promptly and confidently dismissed) that Anna is a boy's name - well apparently it has some validity. Ah, the proliferation of misinformation! It's so easy to get things published... So many people now feel justified in

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-56244348220970970572007-04-02T13:13:00.000+10:002007-04-02T13:36:56.011+10:00

Well, that was my first mission, been and gone. How I managed to live for four years in AFES-land and never go on a mission escapes me. But now I've done it.One of the highlights for me was walk-up evangelism at Newcastle Uni. I never did it at my own uni! Maybe now that I'm a bit older and a few years out of uni I feel a teeny bit more confident now.One thing that really surprised me was how

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-68834326094928826832007-04-02T13:06:00.000+10:002007-04-02T13:12:22.244+10:00

Here's the transcript of the rap I performed at Edgeworth Heights Primary last week, with the rest of the team chiming in for key parts. The kids weren't quite as enthralled as I'd hoped - I think I was just a bit too cool for them.Let me tell you little story which maybe you never heardBout a man called Jesus Christ and the trouble that he stirredHow he lived, how he died, how he came back from

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-40436304814934036212007-03-22T14:23:00.000+11:002007-03-22T14:34:32.224+11:00

Well here's an update on us for yall.We're at the end of our 6th week of lectures. So far so good. Haven't got any assignments back yet though, so it's all just a vain hope that I'm succeeding! We're falling drastically behind in our readings. C'est la vie! The work is fun and that's the main thing.Derek's all better - thanks for the prayers!Exciting news is that we won $10 at a pub trivia

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-20493031818671327882007-03-19T14:54:00.000+11:002007-03-19T14:56:30.226+11:00

Have a look here for a funny but kind of serious and compelling look at Dawkins. (Thanks Dan!)

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-77820992255558066052007-03-19T12:30:00.000+11:002007-03-19T12:42:56.590+11:00

Tragedy, tragedy, they are knocking my house down!We just heard the news today that our beloved Trowell Court will be sacrificed to the hungry bulldozers as soon as exams finish in November. Woe! As I say, it's been here since the 1940s, why change it now? Our blessed abode, so reminiscent of a holiday shack by the sea, has in fact housed hundreds of the strange breed they called "marrieds" as

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-65163979104364676392007-03-13T10:29:00.000+11:002007-03-13T10:48:20.135+11:00

For someone who prides himself on his rationality, I find Richard Dawkins rather illogical. Have a look at this article on the Huffington Post. He quotes a nice argument from Gould:To say it for all my colleagues and for the umpteenth millionth time (from college bull sessions to learned treatises): science simply cannot (by its legitimate methods) adjudicate the issue of God's possible

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-84829281286935290802007-03-06T09:11:00.000+11:002007-03-06T10:10:22.216+11:00

Here's some photos for your viewing pleasure.My desk:Us on our anniversary, feeling jolly:We went to Arjuna's for dinner on our anniversary, the same place we went on our honeymoon. Here's the delicious feast we shared:And of course we had to have a mango lassi... here was one to die for:The next day we went for a lovely bushwalk down into a nearby canyon which had lovely waterfalls and bright

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-75021284654409988602007-03-05T16:34:00.000+11:002007-03-05T16:42:25.612+11:00

Hello to any fellow pray-ers, Here's some prayer fodder for you:- Thank God for giving us time out to study his word and serve at St Peters without too many other distractions. This week is research week, so we have no classes and we can just get stuck into our essays and sermon preparation.- Thank God for the lovely rain we've been having, including the beautiful thunderstorms which display

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-47742663286060402412007-03-05T09:03:00.000+11:002007-03-05T09:13:03.284+11:00

I could feel it coming… the lingering nauseous feeling in the stomach, the distracted mind, the low mood, the jittery nerves… it was a crisis of faith. How I longed to suppress it! How I wished it would just go away by itself!But alas, it had to be dealt with. Out it all comes, over tears to Derek after arriving home from church. A second bout of Sudden Onset Doubting Fever. I hoped my

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-35829316617171003772007-03-04T14:42:00.000+11:002007-03-04T14:52:54.160+11:00

Here's a little showcase of my personal art. You've seen a graphite drawing, but how's this for a screen print:It's fish and the bits around the outside are boats, sort of. I think that was the only piece of art I got a good mark for at school. So I'm very proud. Derek thinks it's overrated, and so we stick it up on the inside of our cupboard door. :(What about this one:I painted this one

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-66760279491936087832007-03-02T08:14:00.000+11:002007-03-02T08:26:49.968+11:00

Oh meeerrrrrrrcyyyyyyy... another night of church history. I always end up with these grand revelations on Thursday nights during these lectures, but on Friday morning they seem a little blurry.Church history penetrates into human nature, and tricks me into making objective judgments about appropriate and inappropriate Christian responses, and then slowly, subtly, turns the tables, leading me to

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-54803359584686627702007-03-02T07:57:00.000+11:002007-03-02T08:12:58.942+11:00

D & I went to see Babel on Wednesday night. Inspired by a study on Sunday about entering and engaging with culture and so forth, as well as an interesting "culture spot" at Principal's hour in which a lecturer engaged convincingly with a peculiar piece of art, I was sitting on the edge of my seat, keen to spot some underlying themes and penetrate deep into the worldview of the filmmaker and the

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-2622150545138188552007-02-26T15:09:00.000+11:002007-02-26T15:14:25.800+11:00

One of the things I love about being at college is that I can wear comfy clothes every day. And, it's cool, windy weather today so I'm drinking rooibus tea. And I'm blogging as a break from study. ("Study" today is reading Matthew's gospel and drawing up a table of how different people responded to Jesus.)I love being a student! Yay!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-85504611817775350962007-02-25T22:49:00.000+11:002007-02-25T23:13:44.748+11:00

One little nugget of interest from church history class was about what happened when persecution broke out in the church in early days. The church leaders were being especially targeted by persecutors, and many of them fled and hid during the height of persecution. If they hadn't've, there would have been no-one left to lead the church.So, post-troubled-times, out they come from their hidey

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-27972686616985969662007-02-25T22:43:00.000+11:002007-02-25T22:48:58.328+11:00

If studying theology is a dangerous pursuit, than studying church history is a depressing pursuit. How many times have we made the same mistakes? There really is nothing new under the sun. That makes studying church history more exciting than depressing, though, because I think, "Yes! That's what I would have done!" and then see the disastrous results and think, "Ah. Not such a great idea.

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-52608704769522818962007-02-21T17:39:00.000+11:002007-02-21T17:42:38.597+11:00

Derek and I had a fab anniversary celebration last weekend. We went to Blackheath for a couple of nights and stayed here for a couple of nights. We went to the same Indian restaurant we went to on our honeymoon, and God put on a thunderstorm in Blackheath and in Canberra to remind us of the special day in 2002 when the rain came in on our guests at dinner. It was really nice. Thanks to those

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-20212922248425027372007-02-21T17:34:00.000+11:002007-02-21T17:39:03.007+11:00

I've been noticing lately that my hands have started looking a lot like Mum's. And so, apart from feeling warm and happy at strange times when I see my hands, I am starting to get kinda philosophical about growing up. I'm not sure I really believe it yet. I still feel the same on the inside.

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-69667843313386017612007-02-21T17:12:00.000+11:002007-02-21T17:34:11.990+11:00

I handed in my first assignment today... joy! (That also explains why the blogging has reduced to a trickle lately!) It was for my most exciting subject - Living Faiths, a subject devoted to understanding and responding to Buddhism and Islam. I suppose I shouldn't say that the most interesting subject at a Bible college is other religions, but there you have it!We've started on Buddhism, and

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-87458274096098191822007-02-14T17:33:00.000+11:002007-02-14T17:43:09.251+11:00

Today's theology class came as a gift from God to me. One of the first posts I wrote on this blog ("Confessions of a doubter") mentioned how I had thought so hard about God and thought I understood him so well, that I lost sight of him completely. The mysterious and glorious Yahweh had become the package deal I had cleverly constructed for my digestive pleasure - and quite frankly I didn't

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-8978535296922832852007-02-12T22:03:00.000+11:002007-02-12T21:40:45.173+11:00

If you pray to the same God as we do, please remember these things in your next communication!- It's our 5 year anniversary on Friday... We've been so blessed in our marriage and we can't wait to celebrate on the weekend. Thank God for providing us with the money and time to go away to the Blue Mountains for the weekend. We spent some time there on honeymoon so it will be fun to revisit the

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-86827032434078164882007-02-12T20:37:00.000+11:002007-02-12T20:44:28.857+11:00

Everyone knows that driving in Sydney is more stressful than any other place in Australia. In a strange twist of malice, the NSW government has decided to only sometimes signpost their streets, and when they do it, it's so random that it's not much use anyway. How annoying!!!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-90417777766235844402007-02-09T10:31:00.000+11:002007-02-12T21:31:33.964+11:00

At first, when Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, they were happily running about nude. They had a kind of glory - the glory of created humanity. And glory is most glorious when it is expressed.After the duo denied their creator and sinned, they were ashamed, and wanted to cover up. Their glory had been replaced with shame. Now we all share their sin, and we share their shame, and

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-76924202016610245192007-02-02T01:35:00.000+11:002007-02-02T01:47:17.090+11:00

Here's another love poem. I wrote it just then, so it's hot off the press, and if you're like me and caffeinated to the hilt and unable to sleep tonight, and so resorting to poetry and blog therapy, you may be the very first person to read it!I jump up onto your lapBright-eyed, expectantYou welcome me with warm embraceAnd place a coloured gift in my hands.Eagerly, eagerly,My fumbling fingers

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-25028332309414480972007-01-29T22:35:00.000+11:002007-01-29T22:59:01.364+11:00

Well hello again everyone. I've been excitedly noticing the friend counter tick over the 100 mark, which means that people are visiting this blog, which means I should put new things up! Unfortunately I haven't had time to read newspapers and formulate thoughts about anything much lately (apart from a few violent thoughts towards certain professions and certain technological items, which aren't

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-22035186973468773572007-01-29T22:25:00.000+11:002007-01-29T22:34:38.393+11:00

Here's my one and only piece of artwork. Once last year when I was looking for a hobby I bought a graphite pencil (I always loved them in high school art class) and one day I drew this. It's a self-portrait, sort of.Actually I have done one painting too, which I'll put up here some time. Oh, and I still have a screen print from high school which I'm very proud of, and insist on putting up even

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-60587738877193457922007-01-27T18:37:00.000+11:002007-01-27T19:10:31.745+11:00

From birth I was cast upon you;from my mother's womb you have been my god.Do not be far from me,for trouble is near and there is no one to help.[...] O Yahweh, be not far off;O my Strength, come quickly to help me.[...] You who fear Yahweh, praise him!All you descendents of Jacob, honour him!Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-8797845914315094482007-01-26T09:05:00.000+11:002007-01-26T09:25:22.242+11:00

Blessed is he... whose sins are covered.Oooooh, yeah. I hate it when my dark side is exposed. I like to hide my meanness away and not let people near it.David obviously tried to cover his sin in the same way I try: by not telling anyone about my tainted depths.When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;My strength was

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-77936047904450599942007-01-22T22:17:00.000+11:002007-01-22T22:21:15.177+11:00

Here's another love poem I wrote. It wouldn't be one of my love poems if it didn't have a 'but' in there somewhere. That's how you'll be able to tell if it's really my work or not, when I'm dead and people start trying to palm off their poetry as mine, like they did with the gospels.Can you guess what it's about?TapestryI am weaving you into my tapestryI am choosing colours for youI can imagine

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-48202630618192951972007-01-22T15:48:00.000+11:002007-01-22T15:56:03.345+11:00

Hello again after a frantic little absence... we're here!Sydney is beautiful... it's so warm and there is so much life springing up from the fresh earth. There are strange birds too which serve as a tropical alarm clock. And large spiders lurking.We've made our first Sydney purchase - a fan. Aaaaaaaaah.For those who pray:   - Thank God for getting us up here safely, and for giving us a

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-27757155482593392022007-01-15T19:45:00.000+11:002007-01-15T19:52:52.830+11:00

An article in the SMH today talked about a boy who had been kidnapped (now recovered) and mentioned his development, over 4 years, of the Stockholm Syndrome. That's where the victim begins to feel positive attachment to their captor or abuser. It's apparently the reason why the boy didn't try to go home, even though he was regularly allowed out for bike rides. I think this is amazing!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-69028868687285842442007-01-15T19:40:00.000+11:002007-01-15T20:07:43.901+11:00

In the middle of a crazy pre-move week, I was quietly and tiredly sitting in a cafe, minding my own business, when I began to read Luke 11 and 12, and my spirit suddenly sat bolt upright and paid close attention… here’s why.After visiting a Pharisee’s house, and being looked at with surprise by his host because he didn’t do the usual pre-dinner washing ritual, Jesus launches into a hearty and

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-12121313437721428242007-01-13T17:03:00.000+11:002007-01-15T19:57:27.525+11:00

How about this, I've decided not to say this anymore. I think it's bad blog etiquette to remove a post, but oh well. Kind of ironic given my last comment about changing my opinion regularly!

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-2342318856082579562007-01-13T16:59:00.000+11:002007-01-13T17:09:59.493+11:00

I have just had an interesting linguistic moment. The debate on embryonic stem cell research led me to realise that a distinction can be made when we express ownership in English: (1) - the "my" of complete ownership and control, and (2) the "my" of strong personal relationship. There's another distinction in each category - inalienable (it's yours forever) or alienable (you can disown or sell

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323121786266018047.post-7695616743146180882007-01-09T22:39:00.000+11:002007-01-09T22:46:41.147+11:00

The other night, after Derek and I had finished watching part two of the 3 hour movie “Jessica” (tragedy of tragedies – and it gave me a nightmare about snakes), we flicked on the TV and there was 42-Up! I remember watching an episode of that in high school, and it was great to see all the old friends again. (Unfortunately we missed Tony, who was my favourite.)I don't think I've ever seen a

dnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12435955256265872874noreply@blogger.com0