tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56023562011-04-22T04:41:02.335+10:00Earthly Sight, Heavenly Vision (ESHV): Thoughts on the challenge of living this life whilst maintaining an eternal perspectivem<>noreply@blogger.comBlogger671100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-90034318539191280562007-08-15T08:01:00.000+10:002007-08-15T08:11:36.829+10:00

It's 0200 h and we have rats!!! Not just the two legged types that fill the Legal Officer positions on the Headquarters, but the four legged variety that obviously like the taste of our western military culture over the flavours of the Middle Eastern desert and the sweet essence of the Tigris. As I am up, thought I might share this important piece of wartime (sorry, security operation)

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-91534328534703023592007-06-28T07:40:00.000+10:002007-06-28T09:10:05.376+10:00

The Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, is like the Mos Eisley Spaceport: that iconic frontier experience starting with the different vehicles, control measures and Luke Skywalker's amazement at a big city full of sights and processes unfamiliar, and moreso typified by the famous scene where Luke and Ben Kenobi walk into the Cantina and are greated by a diverse range of foreign life forms, attitudes,

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-80116358221395662382007-06-26T02:46:00.000+10:002007-06-26T02:49:30.457+10:00

I will be posting the contents of my "family and friends" group emails to this forum over the next six months. Along the way I may interdict with some other observations abuot this life and the next.You are part of my group email that I have created to keep you in the picture as to what is happening with my time away. If you don't want to hear from me just let me know (you will of course get a '

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1176080522078660242007-04-09T10:51:00.000+10:002007-06-24T16:35:53.641+10:00

Wow - over 9 months and here we are back again - if anyone reads this let me know, because I would be keen to know who comes back to a box after 9 months still wondering if 'he' has bothered to writer!!!Andrew has written about 'Rising' http://www..blogspot.cointhespacebetweenm and Rebecca is singing about this being our time to 'rise up'. I am not a big believer in signs, but I have just

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1149644363425094402006-06-07T11:31:00.000+10:002006-06-07T11:39:23.506+10:00

Cat update: "Angus" now officially resides with us, after a brief 4 day reunion with his owner, one distressed wife of this author and a hero's mission to convince the crazy cat lady that she really did not need 11 cats and he would be much happier residing with us.The cat is cool, learning that my bed is not his bed at 0430 is a process he is coming to terms with. I am continually amazed at a

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1147934771869781092006-05-18T16:38:00.000+10:002006-05-18T16:46:11.886+10:00

Let me say this: I am, without any doubt, not a cat person. Never have been, never will be. Don't want one, can't stand an animal that shows no respect or obedience.We now have a cat. 5 days and counting. Abandoned, cold, half its body weight, curled up in the back of the "dog kennel" on Mother's Day. Adopted us it seems. As I have said to many, it is not a cat! It is an animal in need of help!!"

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1146972099167527272006-05-07T13:14:00.000+10:002006-05-07T13:21:39.176+10:00

I am sitting in the airport awaiting my boarding call, prepared for a home coming after a five day absence. My dog will come to the window as the driver delivers me to the front path. I will attempt to hurry with my baggage train up to the front door as the wet weather welcomes me with a reason to seek a hot shower. My loving hound will want to jump up on my leg as I juggle two suitcases, a

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1142322569009656982006-03-14T18:41:00.000+11:002006-03-14T18:49:29.020+11:00

Nearly a month...So nearly a month has passed since I thought I might be more diligent in my attempts to record something of worth in a self determined forum. Currently sitting in the Qantas lounge in Perth, awaiting a 4 hour flight back to Melbourne and continuing to wonder if the pace of life is draining my excitement or adding to it!!!So many observations to make and so little capacity to

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1140140513376873252006-02-17T12:20:00.000+11:002006-02-17T12:41:53.550+11:00

Warning: the following stream of consciousness results from a personal demand upon myself to write. Coupled with the mandate that once written it needs to be said, you are privvy to a rare open heart - much sentiment, but no guarantee of logic. Here we are again, getting swept into the maelstrom of life as the sweet idyllic peace from the Christmas break rapidly fades as realities force their way

m<>noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1134018799046302812005-12-08T15:59:00.000+11:002005-12-08T16:13:19.056+11:00

Today my project team and I commenced packing up our office for a physical relocation next Monday. Although moving buildings is just an administrative glitch in our timeline, it does afford a physical reminder of reaching the end of the year and marks a transition to a new organisational structure. In conjunction with the physical packing I decided to audit my electronic filings on both email and

m<>noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1133754222592791712005-12-05T12:57:00.000+11:002005-12-05T14:43:44.176+11:00

Like returning to an old childhood neighbourhood, there are vestiges of familiarity that convict me of my neglect. Failure to catch up with old friends, discarding part of my background not out of choice or shame, but rather caused by the distractions of busyness and the pathetic quenching of a writer's desire. Can I ignore this inner voice any longer? I fear my silence would testify to laziness

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1109055502954722782005-02-22T17:58:00.000+11:002007-06-24T16:43:04.395+10:00

I sit at my desk, glorious (is that a culinary term) beef mustard curryreheated from last night for lunch. I reflect on yesterday's lunchexperience, so eloquently drafted for posting and committed to the etherjunkyard by a system reboot overnight!!!As I recall, my expectation of a steaming hot bowl of noodles was basedupon the supposition that the brew room microwave would perform toexpectation.

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1108694434269722742005-02-18T13:40:00.000+11:002007-06-24T16:44:02.404+10:00

I will be so glad when we get to the next life that there will be no longerany requirement for administration!The cycle of business meetings, tax returns, administrative instructions,bill paying, investment monitoring, budgeting, in tray clearing,conferences - they are all so not worth the effort sometimes!!I envy the birds that I see in our yard.The other day, as I was stacking wood (yes the

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1107401110885933512005-02-03T14:25:00.001+11:002007-06-24T16:44:52.152+10:00

We bid farewell to Matty D on TuesAt 32 you are not supposed to by laying in a wooden box.At 32 you had better be ready for eternity.

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1107401108688461932005-02-03T14:25:00.000+11:002007-06-24T16:45:50.226+10:00

The abortion issue is getting some new life in Australian politics.The Pro-life lament: Letter to editor -The Australian 2 Feb 05 "What rightdo you have to put anything between the mother and father, the doctor andthe mother's health?"Isn't there something missing here - what about the baby.Trying to define the extent of the problem, by calling abortion a separateaction to other medical

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1106791854051132872005-01-27T13:10:00.000+11:002007-06-24T16:46:50.980+10:00

His breath came in short gasps as the restriction in his throat grewtighter.The gentle savour of pasta, peas and corn was quickly replaced by therealisation that without rapid movement his ability to recover without helpwould disappear. Alone in his office, no one was due back to disrupt hislunchtime reverie for another forty minutes. His final moments fittinglysynonymous with the Dilbert email

m<>noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1106782549513019142005-01-27T10:35:00.000+11:002007-06-24T16:47:46.383+10:00

It is official - I am off LLeyton Hewitt.I stayed up til midnight watching his 5 set epic in the Quarter Finals,admiring his strength, heart, resolve and reserve as his exuberant anticswere curtailed throughout the match.I can handle expletives to do with bowel movements, the frustration of theF word, but why does he need to use the Lord's name in vain - twice.I know that it probably means

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1106612587304233692005-01-25T11:23:00.000+11:002007-06-26T02:53:20.155+10:00

From today's "The Australian":"AS torrential rain and hail pounded down, defence force helicopter pilotMatthew Donovan was determined to ensure his girlfriend, two brothers andthree friends got out of Empress Canyon before him.The canyon in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, had flooded and turnedinto a series of sucking pools of deep water. Having ensured his friendswere safe, Matthew, who

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1106540393245315952005-01-24T15:19:00.000+11:002007-06-26T02:57:13.051+10:00

This morning a heavy shroud of mist sat on the mountain, dumping heavy dewoff of the gum leaves onto my head and back as I made my way along a running trail. It provided a stark representation of the weight sitting on my spiritual being at the moment. Three days, three impacts of death. None of them particularly close, but close enough to wonder why and when.On the way to the Australian Open

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1106204582524211522005-01-20T18:03:00.000+11:002007-06-26T03:01:15.836+10:00

This morning as I ran through the National Park I broke into the clearingthat gives a sweeping view over the city below and the ranges to the Eastand West. In the early morning grey the shadows still played, but the formwas unmistakable to the slight right, halfway up the slope. A large brownfox, caught out in the open, stalking down wind from the cluster of rabbitburrows under constant

m<>noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1106020629041006282005-01-18T14:57:00.000+11:002007-06-26T03:03:00.857+10:00

Yesterday I came back to work after four weeks break. The psychological preparation and domestic routine of setting the alarm clock, making sure my uniform was ready, thinking in advance as to what I would need for lunch all came to a head when I looked bleary eyed in the mirror at 0545 hours and faced the reality of having my first full shave in 31 days.Friends told me that the tuft of hair

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1099552070257358682004-11-04T18:07:00.000+11:002007-06-26T03:06:25.690+10:00

Letter from an Army Chaplain in Iraq:Dear Friends and Family:I am addressing this letter to you to express a frustration that I know has been voiced time and again, yet is met with little change. It concerns the media coverage of this war and the effect of that coverage on the morale of our troops. As a battalion chaplain I hear the comments andcomplaints of soldiers who, while performing an

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1098672636959102482004-10-25T12:50:00.000+10:002007-06-26T03:22:43.942+10:00

I received the following from a spiritual mentor today.It was written by his brother - I only wish that I had captured thethoughts as succinctly and as well supported anecdotally.Encouraging to know that my journey's experience is not unique.Where can I find such a worship experience? I don't see stumbling blocksaround me. The challenge is in seeing the opportunities to shape thecurrent

m<>noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1098327081466912622004-10-21T12:51:00.000+10:002007-06-26T03:24:33.489+10:00

"A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic" - Joseph Stalin.I have just finished reading a book by Joe Rosenbaum called "Defy the Darkness" as part of writing an essay on the Holocaust.Joe was a 14 year old Polish Jew living near the Russian border when Germany invaded in 1939. It was only written and published 3 years ago and really brings to mind the Stalin quote above as it

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1097721450434758272004-10-14T12:37:00.000+10:002007-06-26T03:27:54.886+10:00

Today on the radio I heard about one of those incidents in life that gives me a smile, caused me to reflect on how I did something similar once and now, a few years on - I would still do it given the chance, or maybe I still do if only in a different form.The story concerned a 25 year old man in Belgium arrested for jumping out in front of bushwalkers and then running off, whilst wearing a

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1095719460760715732004-09-21T08:31:00.000+10:002007-06-26T03:31:26.061+10:00

Dickens' play with appearances is also highlighted in his characterization of Wemmick. Wemmick lives a dual life at home and at work. At work, he is Mr. Jagger's "yes man," and is devoted to imitating his boss. In contrast, as Wemmick approaches his home, a gradual softening of his character becomes apparent. In fact, the Wemmick who resides in his "castle," is a good example of a "true gentleman

m<>noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1088478145498026032004-06-29T13:02:00.000+10:002007-06-26T03:35:02.155+10:00

Today I write because my silence condemns me. A block has occured to thwartmy meagre abilities and frustrate my ambitious desires to add comment wherethose that care to care can share.SITREP: Exams and assignments for semester one over and the liberty of noguilt when time is spent away from study.God continues to bless with teaching and reaching, speaking and seeking. AmI going into a slight

m<>noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1087190054872245152004-06-14T15:12:00.000+10:002004-06-14T15:18:09.340+10:00

Collected thoughts during my absence The other day I was in a coffee shop in the city and bumped into someone that I had only seen once in the last 6 years. He had started his military training a year behind me and left the Army after 8 years. He is now a contractor in IT architecture and very much at the cutting edge of technology and the attendant politics and money that go along with that

m<>noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1085532589521616052004-05-26T10:49:00.000+10:002007-06-28T08:10:26.234+10:00

Don't berate me, I am only trying to maintain some domestic order for you. Besides, I am once again neglecting you and feel convicted to at least let you know I passed by the neighbourhood, even if quality time is not forthcoming!-Look, the mail box is, well, in the mail! Some things are worth worrying over and some are not. Anyway - current project - 2000 words on broadcast evangelism. Yes I

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1084847254625497322004-05-18T12:27:00.000+10:002007-07-01T16:32:42.044+10:00

I'm trying OK. Technology doesn't come easy. Be patient.

m<>noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1084787781419263302004-05-17T19:56:00.000+10:002004-05-17T19:56:21.420+10:00

junk mail

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1084787571812447262004-05-17T19:51:00.001+10:002004-05-17T19:53:32.840+10:00

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1084787568462772772004-05-17T19:51:00.000+10:002007-07-01T16:36:03.737+10:00

...Yes I know it is a surprise to see me back again so soon. I promised a house warming gift. I have tried to fit a mail box for you.Hope you like it.bye.

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1084786719270327522004-05-17T19:26:00.000+10:002007-06-28T08:17:02.799+10:00

Hello...hello...hello....Kind of lonely around here. It has been a while, but I finally managed to call by. I see you have redecorated since I last came round. Looks OK, will take some getting used to.So much to tell you since I last visited, it is lonely when you don't get to share your goings on.....Yeah I know how you feel, kind of mean spirited to cut you out for so long but you know, with

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1082501412388191902004-04-21T08:50:00.000+10:002007-06-28T08:47:38.920+10:00

Last night I shared an ale with some new young(ish) acquaintances, expecting some insightful discussion on the day's brain molding, based around Othello and T.S. Eliot. Instead I received an insight into the ailments of today's youth culture.Conversation flowed with stories of rural and urban heroics (mostly based around urban myth and their believability needing to be ascertained through the

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1082328543054071442004-04-19T08:49:00.000+10:002007-06-28T09:01:25.428+10:00

In reading about the period of Puritan settlement and 'sense of community' in America up to the end of the 18th C, the challenge of ensuring that the 21st C equivalent of legalism is not given a hold in attitude and actions is reinforced.Arthur Miller reinforces the issue in "The Crucible" - when was the last "witch hunt" conducted in our worship community. The scars of illogical theological

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1082193809406017032004-04-17T19:23:00.000+10:002007-07-01T16:42:09.294+10:00

Back on the airWould anybody care!For those who care to me,they know why.For those who don't care,well - it hardly matters, does it?A day traveling to the University of New England (the Aus version) in the New South Wales Tablelands. Once again planes, trains and automobiles have taken me into new dimensions of human experience. Some questions from today's conversations (with strangers):Why do

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1077446896080949952004-02-22T21:48:00.000+11:002007-07-01T16:43:58.289+10:00

The 16th Century Bard is stealing all my reflective time! Fourteen lines at a time:Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?Thou art 34 with a strong hot wind!(work in progress)Now the Moor of Venice seeks to smother me, the same fate as Desdemona, but less dramatic in my academic pursuit.=========================Is prayer a privilege, an honour, a duty, a responsibility - or a composite of all?

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1076842265622441982004-02-15T21:51:00.000+11:002007-07-01T16:45:46.247+10:00

What would I give up for God? Would I give up my job, my house, my wife? What would I give up for God?Driving down off the mountain to work the other day the fog was quite thick (supposedly the middle of summer!). As the fog thickens the traffic is forced to slow down to give enough reaction time, ie visibility determines the speed of travel. So too in life, as visibility of what is coming

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1076099207040807042004-02-07T07:26:00.000+11:002007-07-01T16:49:18.709+10:00

Can I say that best intentions are thwarted by the reality of life? Once again writing will be to catch up rather than to maintain and develop thoughts.Last Friday I was promoted. K was excited and I think I am, but to be honest I have been too busy to figure out whether I am or not. The funny thing is, I am working at least as twice as hard as last year (not out of choice), and I think I am

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1075538400540703352004-01-31T19:40:00.000+11:002007-07-01T16:51:57.669+10:00

This year K and I have determined that the humanistic philosophy of five days of work and two days of leisure does not become us. Probably more out of the reality of needing to spend Saturday doing all the work for ourselves that the working week schedule does not allow us to get done Mon to Fri. But it was nice for a short while to consider ourselves Pharisaic in our application of the law to

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1075199432346809862004-01-27T21:30:00.000+11:002007-07-02T03:03:43.666+10:00

So I have chastised myself to be more disciplined and write as frequently as I can, not as frequently as I feel the urge. This requires some commitment and sacrifice – of time and attention (from competing demands) and the creativity to have something to say!!!Now which is the more challenging?And if the challenge exists for the writer, what level of challenge must exist for the reader? Are there

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1074936848362510882004-01-24T20:34:00.000+11:002007-07-02T03:07:09.320+10:00

Another week older, but no more matureAnother week nearly overAnother seven days closer to quitting this earthly realmAnother seven days less to make meaning of my lifeAnother seven days less to make a differenceBut this past seven days did make a differenceInvested in relationships with my PastorsPoured long purposeful hours into workPlayed much backgammon with K and suffered both the

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1074682511445734292004-01-21T21:55:00.000+11:002007-07-02T03:09:05.151+10:00

Tonight at prayer meeting we crashed through Philipians - the whole book in 30 minutes to be reminded that we are called to rejoice as Christians. A real conviction and challenge to my pessimistic, melancholic, malaise infected heart. The challenge once again is balance – how to maintain a realistic mindset of external circumstance and obligations whilst remaining encouraged by the promises of

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1074403350367306032004-01-18T16:22:00.000+11:002007-07-02T03:13:02.193+10:00

Several events have occurred recently which continue to form ideas and feelings within me which, although seminal at this stage, are an evolutionary advance* on subliminal simmerings.*(although scientifically speaking evolution through mutation involves the loss of information, not the gaining or further development of it)Contentment (thanks Janet! - ever ready to pose a question out of the blue)

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1073537032728525332004-01-08T15:43:00.000+11:002007-07-02T03:16:02.623+10:00

New Year, New CheerSo I am winding up my time away from vocational obligation and making the most of my last 4 days at home before work starts again. Time on the road with family has drawn K and I away from our normal routine and into a surreal world of family survival, fitting in with other people's domestic routines, being fraternally polite for harmony's sake. But now back home normal routine,

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1072908769380814302004-01-01T09:12:00.000+11:002007-07-02T03:17:41.962+10:00

Finally back home, half day pit stop before driving up the road to my ma and pa's for dad's 60th birthday celebrations. Holidays are tiring - next week is already full of friends and family and then it is back to work for a break!!!Jealous and AshamedA friend of ours has been fighting cancer for several years now. He has cancer through parts of his body and is now in the process of undertaking "

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1072227008864389332003-12-24T11:50:00.000+11:002007-07-02T03:20:20.082+10:00

(sorri Andrew but I need to title my blogs for my own sanity)So here I am trading a quiet Christmas at home relaxing in the mountains with the sounds of nature around me for a sweltering tropical interlude with the in-laws. The sounds of cicadas, cane-toads and a myriad of other creatures that reside within vast expanses of cane fields contrast against the holiday traffic that passes on the "back

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1068467941748571412003-11-10T23:39:00.000+11:002007-07-02T03:23:25.264+10:00

So he has no constraints or constrictions on time or actions, a feeling of freedom as temporary independence removes him from the daily domestic duty of relationship and reality. He takes an opportunity to give in to a selfish urge as the sensual draws him towards the forbidden delight of his own decisions and actions. His own time. His own agenda. No need for accountability.How does he feel when

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1066562347174652272003-10-19T21:19:00.000+10:002007-07-02T03:25:29.737+10:00

no excuses, just the way it isSo it is Sunday night and for the first time in a long time I have felt connected in worship, both socially and spiritually on a Sunday morning. What annoys is that I had to experience it without K - washed out and run down.Tomorrow starts six weeks on ROAC - a necessary evil. At least I don't have to travel to attend. A chance to catch up with old mates, escape from

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-106575919760105832003-10-10T14:13:00.000+10:002007-07-02T03:29:00.147+10:00

(just lost most of this blog due to FFL - finger fault local - spewin! A lesson in life learnt whilst writing about a lesson in life!!!)Anyway, as I have already typed!?! - Yesterday I locked my keys in the car at work. I did not realise until it was time to go home. I had finished late as it was so my sense of humour was taking severe hits. I had left the window down about an inch and a half and

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1065487092293654432003-10-07T10:38:00.000+10:002007-07-02T03:31:28.999+10:00

Message on Sunday was reassuring - if Christ suffered so much personally, why do we need to be so sensitive to suffering for our faith. Reinforced the maxim "don't take rejection, contention, suffering, persecution for your faith personally" - only then can we love our enemies, for revenge, a sense of justic, personal pride will not stand between us and them, or them and the salvation message.

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1065489327888586502003-10-01T10:38:00.000+10:002007-07-02T03:33:41.388+10:00

I felt all morning like writing, sat down, logged on and my mental capacity has deserted me!What gives us power and what generates our passion?Is our passion fuelled by that which enpowers us, or must we be passionate about something before it will provide us with power?A Christian perspective might lead to the power coming from our passion - we have been told to seek first the kingdom of God,

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1064902178351259272003-09-30T15:57:00.000+10:002007-07-02T03:36:06.422+10:00

Dear Lord, I do not askThat Thou should’st give me some big work of Thine,Some noble calling, or some wondrous task.Give me a little hand to hold in mine;Give me a little child to point the wayOver the strange, sweet path that leads to Thee;Give me a little voice to teach to pray;Give me two shining eyes Thy face to see.The only crown I ask, dear Lord, to wearIs this: that I may teach a little

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1064800076555982782003-09-29T10:15:00.000+10:002007-07-02T03:38:15.859+10:00

The weekend was spent visiting with family, Mum, Dad, sister and brother in law and two neices. We came home with an extra piece of luggage - in the shape of a four year old. How the world changes when you are exposed to the perspectives of one so full of optimism and adventure.This morning it snowed during breakfast - winter continues to exert "mission creep" and rob spring of some of its

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1064458222184119962003-09-25T12:29:00.000+10:002007-07-02T03:39:35.202+10:00

Apparently I exhibit balanced hemispheric dominance and a strong visual preference - or so the survey says!It is the intensity of my sensory preference which may more determine my learning style.I absorb my environmnet, selecting out details and simultaneously embedding them in a context, an overall perspective which adds nuances of meaning. Given the prodigious rate that I input information, I

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1064197999999159662003-09-22T12:28:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:24:09.935+10:00

Andrew blogged, I read, I responded and ended up venting on the current situation. Below is the heart of my missive to himHe wroteI hope your Saturday morning gives you rest and peace and HOPE for the rest of the week -- because ultimately, I affirm that its not the presence of the institutions and their suckage that =s The Nothing --- it's the seeping & creeping away of HOPE in the bustle of

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1063164001485116302003-09-10T13:20:00.000+10:002003-09-10T13:20:01.496+10:00

12.5 %My weblog owns 12.5 % of me.Does your weblog own you? I am disturbed that I am 2/3 as consumed as my blogging mentor, when his efforts are much more all encompassing than mine. It is scary what to think someone who is really consumed would be producing!

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1063076326354644152003-09-09T12:58:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:30:56.235+10:00

Over two weeks and not a word has appeared. A saying we have in the military "Excuses are like (a certain part of the anatomy), everybody has one!" So no excuse, just the reality of a busy schedule and a lack of thinking space. However - attention management, not time management is the answer!!Unlike my good friend, I do not have any renovation horror stories to account for the business of life,

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1061780974440167042003-08-25T13:09:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:34:29.661+10:00

From the other day:Tail gating, slow trucks, impatient speeding and road rage I drive to work on single lane country roads that are rapidly seeing housing developments extended out from the city limits. Traffic can get quite heavy and impatient, especially around morning and afternoon peak hour. The other day I was driving to work and had been tail gated by a couple of cars who then overtook in a

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1060918317652776812003-08-15T13:31:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:40:29.694+10:00

God doesn't call those who are prepared, he prepares those who are called.Ongoing interest over the years in creation and the fallacy of evolution. Recent weeks caught up on some reading on the matter - why? what purpose Lord?Yesterday a deep conversation with the chaplain who turns out to be a qualified bio-chemist, reassuring to talk science with a man who has a scriptural view point. This

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1060818222486396582003-08-14T09:43:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:42:21.388+10:00

'Christ is not for consumption, but for worship' David Wells.What a challenge in todays market driven, consumer based society.When we have our motivation based on the need for personal satisfaction, then we need religion/Christ/ a God for personal fulfilment. Christ becomes a resource that we can use, one of many ways to reach a personally defined end.When we understand that we are created beings

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1060748519298940402003-08-13T14:21:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:45:28.090+10:00

Technology has its frustrations. Finally I am back after a week of glitches, mainly due to templating problems!Life has been good this past week - relationships developed, experiences had, no profound progress towards any tangible goals but sometimes it is the intangible that is most important. I like the thought that the only things that matter when this realm is behind us are relationships and

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1060052084679940892003-08-05T12:54:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:47:40.344+10:00

Format for the posting screen has changed and my blogging mentor is not happy. I too am not keen, but this is a fairly normal reaction to something different, especially when it replaces something that makes up part of our reality, something that helps define our comfort zone.If we are so adverse to change, is that why it can be hard for us to change our resistance to issues in our life?Consider

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1059465173935243272003-07-29T17:52:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:49:32.723+10:00

It is amazing how time can be stolen from you, particularly the time needed to clear your mind of thoughts that need to be captured so you can move on. Work has required 14 hour days for the last week ( and on til the end of this week ), so little opportunity has been available to indulge in self expression.During that time several challenges have arisen. My wife is a grade five teacher and one

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1058928648252381972003-07-23T12:50:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:51:05.307+10:00

As I embed my inner thoughts into this medium I am going to bring thoughts from the past to this forum, just to build a foundation of who I am. The following was something that I wrote to some friends after one particularly introspective drive to work one morning. I hope it challanges.Why is the light green but the traffic still not moving?I was sitting in a long line of traffic this morning,

m<>noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602356.post-1058843250623221592003-07-22T13:07:00.000+10:002007-07-05T03:53:31.851+10:00

Welcome - I have been brought to this medium through a good friend who has paved the way for me by taking our mental musings over the years from the written page to email, and now to a publishing forum. A forum where thoughts are not restricted between a dedicated originator and addressee, but are available to all who care to be invited in.Why ESHV?We walk in this world but need to consider our

m<>noreply@blogger.com0