Mystical Ramblings

Christ and Nature

2012-02-22T11:03:00.002+11:00

Thinking about God being in all things and all things being in God and significance of Christ for not just Humans but all of creation.

'... All creatures of God's creation that can suffer pain suffered with him.

The sky and the earth failed at the time of Christ's dying because he too was part of nature'

Julian of Norwich (JN, 44). as quoted by Matthew Fox in "The coming of the cosmic Christ" P. 124

Should he be deified or committed

2012-01-09T08:07:00.002+11:00

"I wasn't sure whether she should be deified or committed"

From Book "Unholy Pilgrims" p. 175 by "Tom Trumble"

A Baby on the edge redefining the centre for all

2011-12-17T08:03:00.003+11:00

"... God comes to us on our level to draw us more deeply and lovingly to Godself.

This is the joy and the wonder of Christmas - a baby on the edge redefining the centre for humankind so that all can be within the ambit of God's reach of love for ever. ..."

By Bishop Brian Farran. The Anglican Encounter Newspaper, December, 2011.

Grace & Darkness

2011-12-12T19:36:00.000+11:00

Recently a friend posted some nice thoughts about grace on his Musings from the Suburbs blog
it got me thinking and follows nicely with the words I chose this year for my Mystical Wanderings website theme phrase of "Bordello's Grace". Some may find it strange, funny or even offensive but for me it's incredibly comforting.

So what do I think, suspect, believe or mean when I think or talk of the word grace?
My mind drifts to my theological college days where the definition went something like "God's unmerited favor". I still like this as it succinctly says it's about God's giving of goodness even when it's totally undeserved and as HeShe is goodness God thus permeates all of creation. Let me ramble for a bit:

It's the good stuff that just happens in our lives, that perfect moment in time, of experience or place. Sometimes it's what we've asked for but also it's the lucky and chance moments along with the miraculous; an unexplained goodness in a situation and that sense of comfort, love, connection or goodness that exists even when the circumstances are less than ideal. I think here the example of the Bordello provides such a metaphor, for in a Bordello people gather with their own particular reasons and life circumstances, yet still a sense of goodness can be found and experienced, even though it may not be ideal for some or all concerned.

Recently while on holidays I had an experience with a Shaman. He encouraged me to take a soul journey to the underworld, sensing my hesitation he said I could go to the upper world to find my angel(s) but said it was best I go to the underworld first to find my totem animal(s). A lot of it I didn't understand as all that stuff is totally foreign to me. It was very difficult for me to engage fully in and pursue. For me the language of "underworld" and "darkness" equates to Hell, Devil and demons and not something to seek but rather actually the complete opposite!

My own world view has placed light as something that triumphs darkness and it's the light that is to be sought not darkness. From my own Christian background my mind goes immediately to what I now feel has been an unhelpful, simplistic and dualistic thinking, of opposites e.g. light \ dark, God \ Devil, Good \ Evil, Angels \ Demons, Night \ Day. Even in the liturigcal prayers of the church I myself use it's full of seeking of the light; of Christ, "The light of the world". e.g. "Lighten our darkness lord we pray", "Protect us from the hours of this night" or "may our darkness be dispelled by your light".

I continue to reflect on this as I wonder if I've experienced such an over emphasis of the light metaphor that it's led to me to not being fully integrated within myself. Has this in fact negatively impacted the whole Christian message of God's love. If I really believe God is in all and his goodness if everywhere, is he not in the underworld and even gosh the devil? Is there an aspect of "seeking" or "going to dark places" that is perhaps beneficial or even necessary? Does it help us to embrace all of life? Certainly over the past ten years I've pursued many things I was brought up being told were bad or evil only to find they were indeed the very opposite; they were life giving and where God's grace abounded.

Back in 2006 I blogged two thoughts about darkness "I love darkness" & "God began it with darkness" back then I was reminded of the Genesis creation story that it was darkness that existed at the very beginning. It started with God and God creating, what seems to be a sequence of events; ending with “and it was good”. Seemingly not saying the first was bad or the next was better, just that at each step “it was good”.

So it seems my journey to understand or maybe even embrace "darkness" continues.

These days I don't read or quote scripture a lot (overdosed in a past life) but this year there is one verse from the living bible I've absolutely loved and have prayed many times. " Bless the Lord, the God of Israel, who exists from everlasting ages past and on into everlasting eternity ahead ..." Psalm 41:13. I just love this, God has always been and will always be, Goodness is all around us and will remain in some way foreever if only we take time to notice and give thanks. That means there is always hope. And as I've said for many years "While there is breath, there is life and while there is life there is hope".

Of course in some places one would question if there is any goodness at all. We have a paradox for there is so much suffering, pain and terror in our world, there always has been and I suspect always will be. No simple answers from me, just many questions :)

Peace be with you!

Post script: My soul is singing and this song fits beautifully.
Bless the Lord, O My Soul

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

Monks Nipple

2011-10-14T00:49:00.001+11:00

Protruding from the orange robe, the nipple glisens in the sun as the sweat drips from my chin.
So below is a rod of iron, a heart of love, a history of pain and a destiny of hope.

Change what you can, accept what you can't

2011-09-13T08:32:00.001+10:00

"When something is not in our control its foolish to let it affect you. Change what you can and accept what you can't"

From Hindi movie "Chalo Dilli"

Bless & Protect

2011-09-09T10:54:00.001+10:00

For all those known and unknown:
May the the Good Lord bless,
the Spirit guide and direct,
the Holy Angels guard and protect.

The Third Jesus

2011-07-30T11:40:00.001+10:00

Yesterday i finished the book "The Third Jesus". By Deepak Chopra.

A refreshing look at Jesus, Grace and Christ consciousness, drawing on biblical and gnostic writings. To me it is an appealing Jesus so familiar yet so very unfamiliar in much of Christian circles. I suspect fundamentalists won't much like this book.
I can't find the sections but for me there was some profound fresh thinking around "love your neighbour as yourself" & "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" & "loving your enemies". Something about that in grasping and living this is pure grace, union with God within, Christ consciousness.
I would recommend this book.

Forged in the fires of questioning

2011-07-30T10:57:00.001+10:00

To be vital, to be the best of which we are capable, our religon must be a wholly personal one, forged entirely through the fire of our questioning and doubting in the crucible of our experience of reality.

P194."The Road Less Travelled" by M.Scott Peck.

Nature of Life

2011-07-29T19:06:00.001+10:00

The nature of life is to sip evenly from the cup of comfort and the cup of discomfort.

Told to me by Jana who was told by Siberian sharmon.

Walking the Labyrinth

2011-07-28T14:28:00.002+10:00

I was reminded of how freeing walking the Labyrinth can be. I found this lovely out door one in Healsville, Victoria.

We are up and running again

2011-06-23T22:05:00.001+10:00

It's been a while but I suspect over the coming months I'll start rambling again as I move into a relaxed season of life travelling. I've tonight transferred my old Mystical Ramblings Blog which has been offline for quite some time to this new site.

I do love a good play with an organ

2010-07-17T16:21:00.000+10:00

This is a cack,
Barry Morgan Plays the Organ
check these out
http://www.mrbarrymorgan.com/demo-mode

Dirty Nuns

2010-05-24T22:03:00.002+10:00

Nuns are something, all in white, they go down into the dirt of the world and pull out what is precious and shine it up again as best they can.

Not an exaxt quote but close. From the Book: Brother Odd by Dean Koontz 2006. p294. HarperCollinsPublishers

Taking a Piss at Church

2010-05-16T17:34:00.000+10:00

My friend posted this very funny "movie" on his blog where the church is taking the piss out of certain experiences you'll find in contemporary pente & mega churches (and wanta bee's)

Check out North Point Churches Growtivation very Chaser if you ask me and very much what I experienced 10 years ago when I was part of that style of Church and what I know to well I have at my finger tips when leading worship.

A Beginning Prayer During Summer at the End of the Day

2010-05-09T17:35:00.000+10:00

Peace to those absent,
Peace to those present,
Peace to those known and unknown.

God of the hopeless and hopeful.
We are here again, gathered in sacred circle,
The familiar afternoon street birds are chirping, the cars are going by and we feel the afternoon breeze as it brings refreshment from the heat of the day.
The sun sets, the day begins to end and the night descends.

Conscious of the now, we breathe in, and out, stilling ourselves, and being present in the now.

We are here for a range of reasons,
some because, life is hard and sad
For others life is good and happy.
Many reasons, many situations, but this time is for us.

Breathing in, and out, in, and out. We are here, present in this moment, the other can wait or take care of itself.

Come now Holy Spirit, comforter and guide, be present with us and bless this time making it a sacred place.

Amen.

I wrote this prayer to go at the beginning of a afternoon time of prayer & meditation, towards the beginning of the service. An alternative beginning call \ response is one I found in the daily office part of the Anglican book "A Prayer Book for Australian". + Peace to those who are far off, Peace to those who are near.

does the serpent lurk even with the most virtious of intentions ...

2010-03-13T15:29:00.001+11:00

Blog Text
The Door hissed ... "He incorporated the hiss to remind himself that in every human enterprise, no matter with what virtuous intentions it is undertaken, a serpent lurks"

From Brother Odd by Dean Koontz 2006. p36. HarperCollinsPublishers

No Wakeboarding in the Kiddies Pool

2010-02-24T23:04:00.000+11:00

I saw the coolest thing today down at an Ocean Swimming Pool while I was out walking \ running.
These two young guys were "wake boarding" in the kiddies pool.
Very ingenious, they'd setup at one end tied to a pole a winch connected to a a 2 stroke engine (like you'd have on a small pump or generator). On the rope they had a Ski pole and one would walk to the end of the pool with the rope, give the command and the other would start the engine and off the boy would ski until he came a croppa.

Good on you boys, no doubt someone will come and spoil your fun, but enjoy it while it lasts cause I saw no sign that says "No wakeboarding in the Kiddies Pool"!

Tie with God, the Irony

2010-02-12T23:33:00.000+11:00

Today I was inspired by a few words mid sentence in an email from a friend who essentially said "what do we include in our lives as an expression of a tie with God in the company of others?".
The ironic or perhaps wise part is that even though the sentiment still resonates with me, I'm still heading for the door as I exit the Church stage left. This year is going to be good but different year than I expected.

IT guy vs dumb employees

2010-01-04T10:50:00.000+11:00

Perhaps only an IT person could understand just how funny and true this could actually be. My favourite part is the desktop bit towards the end.

http://www.break.com/index/it-guy-vs-dumb-employees.html

Being a Helper

2010-01-04T08:26:00.000+11:00

A friend of mine recently wrote "Discipleship and mission will cost deeply - we need to ensure that what we are committing ourselves to is the cost that is God's call for us at this time". I feel there is much wisdom here, how true this concept is in all of life. There is always a need around us but is it up to us in this time and place to offer a level of help in the now and is that a small or big level. We can't be all things to all people at all times. Sometimes unfortunately you just need to keep walking on by and hope "it's someone else's day". I've seen too many people in my life live trying to be the good samaritan to everyone, which in the end is life denying to them selves. I choose to help where I can but don't want to do it out of guilt or obligation but rather because it's the right thing to do and it's "my time" to do it. I guess the hard part is knowing "is this my time" and confusing my higher thinking with pure laziness!

To be Alive

2009-12-28T10:59:00.001+11:00

The year comes to a close.
I pause and give thanks
thanks with a gratefulness to a loving and compassionate God
thanks for family and friends and a house that covers and befriends
a God who has not struck me dead
a God who has allowed me to walk from that which I knew was right into that which I thought was wrong yet have found likely to be right.
different spaces, different places, than a decade ago, yet I live.
So the journey continues and the fun has begun.
Where I am going, I'm not quite sure but one step forward is enough I'm sure.

A Tasmanian Wilderness

2009-10-03T15:56:00.000+10:00

I penned the following in response to my recent Holiday in Tassie see my travel blog

A Tasmanian Wilderness
The wind blows, blowing she blows,
where does she come from, where does he go?
Invisible breeze, mysterious wind, the spirit covers, revives, renews
ever present, ever new, within, without, encircles around.
Blissful mountain greens and raging streams.
Rivers flowing, trickling streams.
Echoes of the past, what does the future hold?
Glory be to God who has given us the light.

No Junk Mail

2009-09-16T21:11:00.001+10:00

Have you ever considered the "No Junk Mail" sign on letter box's.

In doing the letter box in relation to the Prayer \ Meditation thing I'm starting in October, I was struck with the "No Junk Mail" sign. Do I deliver or not? Do they mean no commercial advertisement, but local community things are ok? I'd never thought about it like that before. I chose not to deliver out of respect, but it's interesting, in rejecting all the loads and loads of supermarket advertisement they may also miss out on various community events or meetings.

A Framework To Live a Transformative Life

2009-09-16T17:40:00.000+10:00

Perhaps one that stems from Beatitude's in Matthew 5:1-12 is useful:

Try and be Humble
Try and be Compassionate
Try and Pursue Justice
Try and Show mercy
Try to be Pure within yourself
Try and Work for peace

For in these somehow there will be blessing even if you are made fun of or even persecuted. Do this by:

1. Keeping the tension of looking outward and inward, backwards and forwards being rooted in the present; both individually and as a community.
2. Finding ways that support the journey, through life giving practices and frameworks.
3. Remembering that the 'other' is actually you, love, accept and embrace yourself so you can love and compassionately understand and serve others.
4. Being conscious that God is at work in the whole of creation, seek to nurture and love all things, tread lightly and seek to do the least harm.

Holidaying Smile

2009-09-10T22:07:00.000+10:00

My Smile has gone on holidays
and my peace has passed away

I head the above line in a song on the radio this week. I thought it's really true, that's just how you feel when things are pretty shit

Not a problem to be solved but rather a mystery to be explored

2009-09-05T21:27:00.000+10:00

I heard someone say today something along the lines of

It's not a problem to be solved but rather a mystery to be explored

Pretty cool words.

Nanna RIP

2009-08-15T20:47:00.000+10:00

Sad for us, but now she's gone to be with Jesus and Poppy which she'll be happy about and is kind of nice and comforting.

Rest eternal, grant unto her Good Lord and let light perpetual shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

Nancy Clark 1922 - 2009

Do the Stones and Rocks listen and remember?

2009-05-12T21:40:00.000+10:00

One of the books I'm reading on and off at the moment is "'Sacred Space, Sacred Sound' the Acoustic Mysteries of Holy Places" by Elizabeth Hale. She tries to draw some spiritual and scientific meaning to sound. How it's used in different religions rites and sites and it it's affect on those involved. Looking at both the present and historically.

One aspect I seem to remember is the concept that sound is absorbed and never disappears e.g. that the Rocks hear things and 'remember' i.e they have a memory. An interesting idea to reflect upon and let your imagination run away with.

The other night I was Reading Joshua 24 from the Bible and verses 26-27 are very interesting.
26: Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a large stone, and set it up there under the oak in the sanctuary of the Lord.
27: Joshua said to all the people, "See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, if you deal falsely with your God."

What struck me were these words 'See, this stone ...for it has heard all the words'.

One day I might look into this, the context and some ways people have interpreted this in years gone by, but for now I allow my mind to wonder, wondering if there is something far greater going on than we can begin to imagine. If objects like rocks can 'hear' then can it 'speak' and if it can 'speak' how do you hear what it has to say?

Many things to a people

2009-03-04T19:39:00.001+11:00

"I know that when the Aborigines look at their land and sea their view is different from mine, For them it is a supermarket, a hardware store, a pharmacy, a library, a museum, a place of worship, an art gallery, and all of these things interconnected within their souls ... but I can only ever see one at a time."

I read the quote above yesterday and thought it was beautiful as I was coming to the end of the book. Today I finished the book and have been a little jolted into how quick things can change in peoples lives and good people at that, Tracey the author and main character in the book is now a quadriplegic. Very sad that such a thing would happen to such a beautiful caring person who lived life to the full and life of serving others. I do hope she has support around her and that things work out for her.

From the Book"The full catastrophe" by Tracey Leonard .p260. A Hodder Book 1999

Raw and Honest Call to Worship

2009-02-12T23:02:00.002+11:00

Last night I attended an ecumenical service at the Cathedral to pray for those affected by the bush fires. Such a sad time for so many.
I found the opening prayer very helpful for it was raw and honest.

'A litany of welcome'

We come to offer this time to God and to bring ourselves to God's presence.

If you come in certainty or in confusion, or in anger,

All: this time is for us.

If you come in silent suffering or hidden sorrow, in pain or promise,

All: this time is for us.

If you come for your own or another's need, for a private wound or the wound of our nation.

All: this time is for us

If you come, and do not know why, to be here is enough.

All: This time is for us all

Come now, Christ of the forgiving warmth

Come now, Christ of the yearning tears

Come now, Christ of the transforming touch.

All: This time is for you.

A Prayer for Listening to News of Disaster

2009-02-09T18:30:00.000+11:00

God of life and nature, death and disaster
be God for us at this time.

As a death count rises
and reports of devastation continue
shake us from our disconnect
and remind us of our fragile humanity

May I, driving in my air-conditioned car
not withdraw from the sounds of those whose only possession is loss

May you be found in the rebuilding
of lives, homes and townships
and in government and community response

May my response be motivated by your compassion

May I be reminded that you, too
were once homeless, seeking refuge amidst great death and sadness
As then, so now
draw close to those who cry out.

Amen.

By my Friend Stuart Davey, 9th February, 2009

Gospel Truth

2009-01-29T18:27:00.000+11:00

I heard the phrase 'Gospel Truth' on the radio today. In the context of saying that "I'm not lying, I'm telling you the truth". It struck me just how strange and possibly unhelpful this phrase has been to the Gospel itself. If the Gospel of Christ is "Good News to all" to equate this to "truth" in the context of truth vs error it seems to me perhaps it's not actually in the spirit of the Gospel itself? I guess it's served a purpose in the past, perhaps for some still but for me I associate the word truth with dogmatism; (Black \ White. Right \ Wrong. Truth \ Error). To me these seem negative and unhelpful and don't cater for the fullness and complexity of the human experience and thus for me isn't such good news.

But I guess for someone who need some sort of resolution, and answer on the truth of a matter, perhaps it can be a good thing and thus good news. mmm funny little phrase..

Like Scarecrows in a cucumber field

2009-01-29T18:24:00.000+11:00

They are like scarecrows in a cucumber field.

I found this a funny phrase as it was read during the daily office today. "..."Like scarecrows in a cucumber field". Never really heard or thought of a cucumber field, I guess they have to grow somewhere.

Comes from bible. Jeremiah 10:5

A handy self help contact list

2009-01-19T18:40:00.000+11:00

From time to I say to someone or here someone say 'you might need to talk to someone about this' or 'they probably need to talk to a professional' or 'I think it's best if they speak with a counsellor'. I know myself how helpful Counsellors and Psychologists have been in my own life in addition to family, friends, Priests \ Ministers \ Pastors, so on the weekend I scanned the web for some contact numbers to create a handy contact sheet for help on a range of different issues people might need help with at some stage in their life in the Newcastle area. Not sure how good any of them are but here is my list .....

Mensline Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
24hours \ 7 days a week
http://www.menslineaus.org.au
Mensline Australia is the national telephone support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is staffed by paid professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues. It provides:
A safe and private place to talk about concerns
Confidential, anonymous and non-judgemental support
Coaching and practical strategies for managing personal relationship concerns
Relevant information and linkage to other appropriate services and programs as required

Cooks Hill Counselling
David Bulbert
Phone: 02 4927 5086
Address: 35 Laman Street, Cooks Hill, NSW, 2300, Australia
http://www.cookshillcounselling.com
A private counseling practice with extensive experience counselling individuals and couples on issues such as:
Drug and Alcohol dependency
Youth and Adolescent problems
Co-dependency issues
Phobias and neurosis
Relationship issues (including breakdown and separation)
Loss and Grief
Issues that arise from just trying to survive in contemporary society

Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A)
Newcastle region - Help Line: (02) 4964 1555
Phone: (02) 4962 3844
Newcastle
7/10 Dixon St
Hamilton 2303 (PO Box 240)
Email: aa.newcastle@aa-area-c.org
http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.org.au
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

al-anon
Phone: 02 4969 3889
Al-Anon Family Groups
PO Box 217
Hamilton NSW 2303
alanonnorthernnsw@bigpond.com
http://www.al-anon.org/australia
To help families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of someone close.
Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14
http://www.lifeline.org.au
Lifeline’s 13 11 14 service is staffed by trained volunteer telephone counsellors who are ready to take calls 24-hour a day, any day of the week from anywhere in Australia. Some of the issues that people call Lifeline about include:
Family and relationship issues
Mental Health Concerns
Suicide Prevention and Support
Abuse and violence
Loneliness
Life direction

Beyondblue
Phone: 1300-22-4636
http://www.beyondblue.org.au
Beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia. Help for:
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Postnatal depression
Bipolar disorder
Diagnosis
Treatment
Recovery
Young people
Men
Family and friends
Chronic physical illness

Narcotics Anonymous (N.A)
NA's primary approach to recovery is the belief in the therapeutic value of one addict helping another. Members take part in NA meetings by talking about their experiences and recovery from drug addiction.
Hunter Valley 02 4969 6767
http://www.naoz.org.au/community/index.php

Sexaholics Anonymous
Sexaholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover.
Australian Web site: http://saoz.net
International Web Site: http://www.sa.org/index.php

Headspace
Phone: 02-4931-1000
http://www.headspace.org.au/hunter
For young Australians aged 12-25. For young people who may be experiencing mental health and/or drug and alcohol issues.

From the Rising of the Sun

2009-01-06T22:14:00.000+11:00

From the rising of the sun to the setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

As I went for a walk tonight over the bridge at Carrington, the sun was setting and with the beauty of the sky, water, bridge and city lights the above prayer came to my mind. It's become part of me when I'm out doors at the start or end of the day. I remember when I first moved to Newcastle, when I was in a difficult place within myself, God and the Church this is one prayer my spirit would say. It comes from a mix of experiences, mostly when on retreat with the Monks for at Tarrawarra Abbey in Victoria and the Daily Office in general.

I'm constantly amazed at how liturgical prayer dwells with your soul.

No more what if

2008-11-29T23:08:00.000+11:00

How much time one can waste in life constantly obsessed with "what if". I know I've wasted many years with such questions.
One must not worry about "what if", rather take life as it comes, live for the moment and go with opportunities as they present themselves in the here and now. If the world you live in doesn't empower you to do this, then you must create a world that does, find a framework to live within. One that affirms who you are. We are who we are.

What does it matter what men call the light?

2008-11-18T18:41:00.000+11:00

"What does it matter what men call the light? It is the same light, and men must live by it or die. I only know that God is the source of all the light which has lit the world, and that his purpose runs through the world and past each one of us like a great river, and we cannot check or turn it, but can only drink from it while living, and commit our bodies to it when we die"

Quote from Mary Stewart's "The Crystal Cave" p452. Spoken by Merlin to Uther. 2002 Coronet Books, Hodder & Stoughton

Bog Shock

2008-11-11T22:28:00.000+11:00

I was lost for words yesterday as I was walking home over the bridge near me yesterday. I saw a naked mans bottom hung over the canoe with him washing his butt. He then hoped back into the canoe, pulling up his speedo's and paddled off. As I walked further I noticed in the water about 12! small logs floating. Yuck! ... Can you believe it. Weeing in the water is one thing but taking a crap is I think just pushing the boundaries a little too far for my comfort. Especially when the night before I saw kids jumping in that water off the bridge and swimming.

Service of Others

2008-09-28T20:56:00.000+10:00

"The Christian faith shapes us for service of others"

My journey into myself these past few years has led me more and more to a sense that there is something very positive in the other and self giving to others and that we impede our own happiness when we stop giving.

Quote from Bishop Brian. Well that's at least what I think he said.

The concept of ONE

2008-09-28T20:46:00.000+10:00

"It does not do to neglect the gods of a place, whoever they may be. In the end, they are all one."

It struck me, what do we mean by the word "one", it seems to me that the word, one has multiple levels, some physical, some spiritual some metaphorical.
Sometimes there is a lot of talk about "one God" yet we say there is "one body" and that body is physically multiple peoples. There is talk about "one God" yet that one God is three. So for religions where there are many god's what does this mean? Is there something quite hugely different or in fact is it possible there is actually amazing closeness, especially when you consider the divinity in each person. I really must look into the Eastern Churches concept of human divinity.

I'll have to think some more on the concept of ONE.

Quote from Mary Stewart's "The Crystal Cave" p62. Spoken by Galapas to Merlin

Circles

2008-09-14T21:29:00.001+10:00

I walk in circles surrounded by inner darkness
disconnected from myself and others
longing for company yet living a life of selfish indulgence
running from the very thing I need
I wish I could be an open book

Saxamaphones

2008-08-24T20:26:00.000+10:00

There was just something about the whole situation that made me go mm mm mmm

A lady with a tight red t-shirt, big boobs, deep voice singing and blowing a tenor saxophone to the blues with a pianist going off!

I couldn't help but smile.

Life's funny.

How to dance in the rain

2008-04-08T17:01:00.000+10:00

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,

but how to dance in the rain.'

Author Uknown

Some say rules are rules

2008-02-09T10:06:00.001+11:00

Banana Tip

2008-01-25T22:42:00.000+11:00

Did you know if you don't want Banana's to ripen too fast in the heat you can wrap them in news paper and put them in the fridge and they'll keep and won't go black?

Well I didn't until in the hot weather my Banana's were going off. My local fruit shop was most helpful in advising me of the above.

Medication

2007-12-10T22:05:00.000+11:00

It's people like you that make people like me need MEDICATION!

I think that's how it went, on the side of a Wicked Campervan. Made me laugh.

Kingdom Comes

2007-12-04T20:25:00.000+11:00

"When the kingdom comes, there will be justice for all, relationships will be restored ..."

The above is a portion of a sentence I noticed in a recent group email i received. It's got me thinking. It kind of indicates a real and tangible impact of the Kingdom of God in the here and now. This is good news when it occurs.

Curved Yellow Fruit

2007-11-30T23:16:00.000+11:00

This is hilarious, I don't know just appealed to my sense of humour
From a funny internet email I received.

Fucked in the head or just stupid

2007-11-09T22:47:00.001+11:00

"are you Fucked in the head or just Stupid" this phrase means a lot to me, I like it. mystical tolerance ... nope, just "tell it as it is Friday".

Baptism of a child

2007-10-29T20:20:00.000+11:00

I attended an infant Baptism yesterday.

I was reflecting. The child has no say in the matter. The parents are making the decision. In a sense nothing is being asked of the child, although over time there is 'hope' that the child will engage bit by bit in the Christian faith.

What struck me was some how there seems to be an analogy to the grace of God. That un merited favour where he just gives to us without asking anything in return, he's just there, he just blesses us, says "good on you", welcomes us, shows us a better way. My suspicion is that through Christ something special was accomplished and continues and is offered, freely. That something that made people flock to him, people who were not welcome in some peoples homes, shops, cafes. Yet when he was around they seemed to be always welcome to sit and share a meal and company with him, seemingly no strings attached. In a way if you kind of forget the possibility that Jesus "could read minds" people were welcome without really knowing who they were, what they'd done, where they'd been; be it good or not so good.

So as I reflect on infant baptism, I take comfort in something that is offered and given to the child by his \ her parents, those present and by God. In fact in the broader understanding that part of baptism is actually formal entrance into the Church, God's people universal essentially welcome this person "site unseen", taking a risk that this person may or may not turn out be a wonderful person or a person who shares in the Christian faith.

From the day of baptism, from that moment, something occurs and happens and the child is different and has something it didn't have before. How very cool. he \ she is made "holy" and is "saved" and at the same time salvation and holiness continues and has only just begun on a road that will lead far beyond.

Liturgy of the Zoo

2007-10-07T22:24:00.001+10:00

I was in hysterics from the moment I got out of my car for the next hour or so (the following day!)

Newcastle Anglican Cathedral had invited Novacastrians to bring their Animals to a service to Give thanks for Creation and also blessing of the Animals

Well I walked through the door to be met by lot's of animals, mostly dogs of all shapes and sizes. It was the funniest and strangest thing. It was a very formal and all proper like service with choir, pipe organ, robed clergy & servers and all in a Beautiful old Cathedral. The service was essentially a normal Evensong but a difference. This time there were dogs barking, snarling and growling etc.

I sat next to a Lady Wippet dog with her own Perls around her neck. In font was a lady dressed in leopard skin style top with two fat Korgy's, her hair was the same colour and styled in the same way! To my left in the aisle was a number of very large dogs mostly golden retrievers. Behind me was an old lady dressed in black with a hat holding her very large black sausage dog.

The place was really like a zoo. Some being held by their owners, others laying on the ground and still others walking around. Cats seemed to stay in their cages, I didn't blame them ... heaps of dogs.

Also on my left was this one, my favourite

I couldn't stop laughing and later on i turned around and saw these three dogs sitting on the pew all in a row, that put me in absolute hysterics!

There was no smell of incense just that dirty dog smell.

It was nice to see the Church taking in interest in creation and peoples pets as pets mean so much to people and to have the blessed is very special. It was lovely, a bit quaint, fucking strange and just so very very funny, I'm still laughing.

How funny it was to look around at people and then look at their pets, they looked just so similar. Pets really do look like their owners.

Jesus and Resurection

2007-10-01T18:18:00.000+10:00

I was reflecting. Maybe Jesus didn't literally rise from the dead. Does this really matter? Many would argue absolutely, and that's okay. But for now I reflect maybe it's his spirit, his inspiration that lives on. Kind of puts a different spin on things, maybe even a greater sense of action for his followers to carry on that same spirit of love, justice and compassion of which he was on about. Perhaps it offers more of a focus on helping bring about change in this world and not being complacent or just giving up and waiting for the next. Assuming there is a next of course.

Spong not so bad

2007-09-10T22:12:00.000+10:00

After attending a lecture by Bishop Spong last night my suspicions that I'd gained after reading his auto biography were confirmed, I do like him and just like his book he comes across as a genuine good bloke. And indeed was certainly not the devil incarnate as certain people in my past life had made him out to be.

He seems to be very passionate about Jesus and also the bible, almost makes me want to read the good book again. But he is working from a very different place than a lot of Christians I know. Even so it was still refreshing to hear someone asking the big questions about the contradictions and the pain and destruction that exists in the bible and also perpetrated by the Church.

He seemed to summarise everything by saying. We are Holy, We are loved and we are called to be everything we were created to be. All good stuff. He also told story of a church sign he once saw that stated the only pre requisite to communion "is that you are hungry", just beautiful.

On reflection though i think it's all too easy to demonize all Evangelicals as biblical literalists where I don't actually believe this to be the case, certainly my own study at such a college didn't teach that type of biblical interpretation. Context and Genre were very important. Although looking at scientific research didn't seem to get mentioned.

I've still not read any of this primary books but do hope to, but have a reasonable idea of the sorts of things he says and suspect I may not agree with everything but I still respect the man because he's one who asks & welcomes questions + anyone who pisses off the conservative evangelicals of my past gets my thumbs up!

SHADOWS of PERSISTANCE

2007-09-07T21:36:00.001+10:00

Shadows pervade

all around

less is revealed

different to reflections

different to an icon

not definable

only slightly comprehensible

God is ever present ever near

surrounding, revealing.

Taize

2007-07-23T21:51:00.002+10:00

Some of you will have heard me talk about Taize before and my posative experience of 2 trips to the community in France and also the Taize contemplative prayer services I've been part of and facilitated before.
I found a wonderful link on uTube which has some photos and samples of the Music of Taize.
Watch & Listen to Taize on utube

Nazcar Ode to the Dead

2007-06-09T20:30:00.001+10:00

The day after I'd visisted the desert outside Nazcar and saw various mummies I penned the following words on the overnight bus to Arequipa as a response.

"Surrounded by beauty death surrounds

Babies hands, the long hair demands

The mountains know the truth

Dignity to the dead. What would they think? What do they think?

We walk casually around the path, and stand under the shadows of the dead.

Is this sacrelidge or is it necessity?

Photos indiscriminate, Mother, Father, Son and Female child

Bones of love trampled with memories under foot.

Taxis stir up dirt and sells the skirt

Rest my friend, rest in peace. Rest under the shadows of the Haphazidness

May the mountains sing, sing a song a song of hope

Rest and rise to knew birth as hope and life is born to the earth."

Etheopian Church

2007-06-03T07:58:00.000+10:00

On the flight to Peru I watched Discovery channel "keepers of the lost ark". I found it most intriging, a very ancient indiginous Church, seemingly keeping some O.T rituals but also lot´s of drumming and dancing in their liturgies. Their Priests and Deacons (1 in 5 men) dressed not much different to the robes that the villagers wear. They prayed what looked to me not unlike Muslims on the ground. Quite different to the the dress that the Western church wears and even what I´ve seen in Eastern Orthodox. I was struck by the indiginousness. Apparently Etheopia was never collenised. When I get home i intend to investigate more.

Kinetic Sculpture if this is real it's very cool

2007-05-30T17:21:00.000+10:00

Link below is to a web site with display of Kinetic Scultures.
If they are real, it's pretty amazing. Not bad background music either.
http://www.glumbert.com/media/kineticsculpture

A particularly religious day

2007-05-27T21:50:00.000+10:00

Pentecost Sunday. What I heard the preacher say that I liked enough to write down:

1. "We say Jesus Christ came to forgive us or said in another way he came to bring healing to all those broken places of our being" (I would add in all the world \ creation)

2. "You and I share a great inheritance but we also share an awesome responsibility"

Quote 1 - Fr Garry. Quote 2 - Fr Bruce

Welcoming Table

2007-05-20T20:54:00.000+10:00

The annual stomp festival was held in Newcastle yesterday. An amazing day of celebrating cultural diversity bringing various sub cultures within the community together.

The most profound moment for me was that the organisers had invited all those present to share in a community meal cooked by a group of African women. To me here was the spirit of Christ being made manifest. A welcoming table for All no matter what their background or present circumstances were. Strange but not unpredictable; it wasn’t the Church institutional leading the way but rather a collection of local community groups.

As he chased his delinquent crouton around his plate

2007-04-06T18:09:00.000+10:00

"As he chased his delinquent crouton around his plate" is the line that caught my attention to a booking being read on ABC radio national as I drove to Bluesfest, Good Friday 2007.

I just liked it!

Christ the Lord out of Egypt by Anne Rice

2007-03-12T21:39:00.000+11:00

I just finished a book called "Christ the Lord out of Egypt" by Anne Rice.

It's basically first person novel with Jesus as a little boy of about 5yo to maybe 8 and the stuff that happens and his journey back from Egypt with his family and his gradual trying to work out who he is and why he's different and various things like miracles just happen and he tries to make sense of it all.

She reckons she's drawn on various historical sources. I loved it, I actually listened to it on CD, if I had of read it i think it would have been quite long winded.

Full load of shit

2007-02-19T19:35:00.000+11:00

Ever smelled shit but couldn't quit pin where it was? Well while driving home today I could smell what I suspected was cow shit and thought I bet there is a cattle truck up ahead. Yep, about 10mins later I found it and boy was the liquid flowing and speks flying and covering my wind screen. Thought it was all okay until I got home and got out of the car in my garage, nope a wee bit smelly.

Humankind is a Minister and Interpreter of nature

2007-02-14T19:20:00.000+11:00

"Man, as the minister and interpreter of nature, does and understands as much as his observations on the order of nature, either with regard to things or the mind, permit him, and neither knows nor is capable of more"

I picked up this Francis Bacon book today and read that first opening sentance. Humanity as a Minister and Interpretor of nature. Minister, how wonderful, not conquerer, not just caretaker but perhaps one who even serves creation "Ministers" to creation. When I think of Interpreter I that makes me think that we have something to learn, then perhaps creation is our teacher?

Quote from: "Novum Organum".

Love thy self, self divinisation, Orthodox Church and Spong

2007-01-01T00:03:00.000+11:00

I wonder if I can really love, accept and embrace others if I do not truly love, accept and embrace myself. I don’t think so. To love God with your whole being and love thy neighbour as thy self; what does this mean? I suspect and and am really beginning to believe it actually means, to know and love yourself for from within will flow that which will bring peace and happiness to our world; love and acceptance of all creation. We must meet ourselves in our common humanity, and love it in totality and from there we can meet others at that same gutsy and gritty level of self acceptance. I suspect from that not only will I be drawn more to others of all shapes, sizes, tastes, likes and dislikes but they to me.

God is within and without, in all and nothing He is. I cannot deny this it’s my reality He just is. That ever present creator helping us to be co-creators. The Trinitarian nature seems to prevail in life. More on the “order of three” another day.

I’m very interested in the connection between sexuality and spirituality. Are we at the core sexual or spiritual? Is it one, two or many things? I wonder if the banquet of sexuality actually includes a range of fine delicacies; including spirituality; the connection of ourselves, God and others but also the physicality of the sexual, emotional connection and communion with others generally and that special one specifically.

The creativeness of which we exist in is quite amazing. For we are co-creators with the supreme creator who is ever creating; creating our very existence our very own divinity. I’ve just finished reading a book on the Orthodox Church, fascinating book “The Orthodox Church” by Timothy Ware 1964. I feel like it’s clarified that which I’d begun to realise in the past twelve months that my draw to the “east” and wanting to explore more the Buddhism and other eastern and also pagan religions actually already exists and may actually provide fullfillment for me within my own Christian tradition. The mystical is there in the Anglican, Roman Catholic and now I’m finding the Orthodox. Not that I’m not interested in knowing more about Buddhism and even paganism and the Celts but my basis in which I’ve chosen and works for me is ultimately Christian, it’s my grounding.

So back to deification. I’d always wondered and struggled over the answers I was given to the various references in the bible to us becoming gods. It never seemed to sit right with me if God one God and he’s one who wants total allegiance then what’s this stuff about us becoming god’s. Such joy to find within the Orthodox tradition that they seem to have an answer for this and actually a large part of their theology. P.236 “Basil described man as a creature who has received the order to become a god;” Athanasius said that God became man that man might become god. What a wonderful thought. Not only is our purpose to become fully human but fully divine, we become god, not equal, not the same and not worthy of worship but a god, divine. Interesting that the Church teaches that Jesus was fully human and fully divine. Maybe the incarnation is actually the second act of creation or the finishing of what was started which culminates at the end of time in the second coming?

Another interesting thing I found in this book on orthodoxy is another view of Sin and Adam and Eve. In recent years I’ve struggled more and more with the concept of “original sin” and the “total depravity of humankind” it just doesn’t sit right and seems altogether negative. But p228 says “Each new human being is born into a world where sin prevails everywhere, a world in which it is easy to do evil and hard to do good”. The human will is weakened by desire. The orthodox picture of fallen humanity is far more positive than the Augustinian and Calvinist view. I’d like to read further. P. 230 Sin blocked the path to union with God. Since humankind could not come to God, God came to humankind. I still struggle with the word Sin!

Something else I found interesting was about Jesus and why the orthodox say he came. P230. The incarnation is an act of God’s love towards all humanity {I’d add in question whole of creation?}. He says many eastern writers looking at the incarnation from this aspect of love say that Christ would still have become man even without the fall. Because of the fall the incarnation is not only an act of love but also of salvation.

While I’m rambling, about a month ago I finished reading John Shelby Spongs auto biography. What an amazing man, he seems to me to be a man of great integrity and love for God, people and the Church. If what he’s written is true how wonderful and lucky is the church to have had such a man. To have helped bring hope, love and practical assistance to the needy and rejected members of the church and society at large especially the Afro Americans, Homosexuals and those Gay or Straigh couples who choose to live together rather than formal marriage and Divorced people. Yes it seems he’s brought controversy but it’s always helpful to rock the boat and ruffle the conservative feathers. It’s not the questions that bring death but the way in which we live out the answers or even the way we respond to the questions themselves. I’ve not read any of his other stuff, but I now have more of an idea of the kind of stuff and controversial idea’s he’s put forward. I was brought up being told he was bad and a heretic. Well his views may or may not be 100% true or helpful but I do look forward to reading some of his stuff in the future. We all need to be constantly challenged and questions must always be asked of ourselves and the Church. Why we do this? Why can’t we do that? Why do we believe this? What does this mean now that this or that scientific or historical records have come to light? Spong is a product of his time and saw a need within his local Christian community and wider community where he found that the Christian message; view spoke. Some havn't liked what he had to say but others did. We can’t please everyone and we all just have to get on with life hoping that we create and do more good than bad. I say good on him and bless him and all the good that he has done thus far.

May peace prevail within and without you in 2007 and beyond and let us all love ourselves more and more.

Contemplative Seventh Day

2006-11-09T21:27:00.000+11:00

I believe that Eugine Peterson has written something about the 7th "day" of Creation as the "Contemplative 7th Day".

I'm reflecting on the concept that rest isn't a sense of inactivity. I wonder if we are in the "Contemplative 7th Day" now?

Maybe the "day's" were figurative with them being a task of doing, now complete?

If from fear is it still our choice

2006-10-14T21:29:00.000+10:00

I wonder, if we do something out of fear is it still a decision of choice, an act of our own free will or is it something else?

If we do something because we are scared of negative repercussions; possible punishment, is it still our decision?

If we fear an after life which includes the possibility of a separation from God and loved ones or some form of torment or punishment or absolute nothingness, I suspect our whole life may be framed in part or whole by fear or anxiety.

I feel it's quite ironic that within versions of Christianity which seem to have a message of assurance of the positive after life "by faith not works" and includes a message of no fear of the negative afterlife; condemnation \ hell fire etc for those who are "in", actually end up creating within their devotee's the antitheses of their message; a ego centric fear and anxiety within themselves and for others.

I've found Brian D. Malaren’s books like the "New King of Christian" series and "Generous Orthodoxy" most helpful of hearing a different take on things.

I wish you were a coke machine

2006-09-11T22:51:00.002+10:00

I wish you were a coke machine, a coke machine

yes I wish you were a coke machine, machine

dispensing that which I want, need, desire or require

I wish you were a coke machine, a coke machine

I wish you were a coke machine,

for if you were a coke machine I'd ask you for a latrine

Oh I wish you a coke machine, dispensing that which I want, I need

I wish my God was a coke machine

for I'd choose my request and wait for it to be dispensed

maybe you are a coke machine? coke machine

for like a coke machine, sometimes you don't get what you want,

sometimes you choose one thing and you get another

sometimes you choose one thing and you just loose your money

and you try again and again, more money with little gain.

you kick and shake the machine and still it does not come clean

you tilt the machine risking death, sometimes dispensing, sometimes not.

Oh I wish you were a coke machine, a coke machine

if only my God was a coke machine

Perhaps you are a coke machine, a coke machine

Busking? What the!

2006-08-18T23:14:00.000+10:00

Have you ever seen a piano player busking? Yes you may say, but have you seen one at 10pm at night with an accustic piano on a main street of town? Well I did on Darby St, Newcastle. The strangest and funniest fucking thing I've seen in a long time.

Universal Community

2006-06-25T21:17:00.000+10:00

There comes great benefit in thinking more universally, greater than our immediate circumstances or ourselves.

There is a saying “We are the body of Christ, for his Spirit is with us”. The saying doesn’t say I am the body of Christ, for his spirit is with me, but rather it says WE are the body of Christ, his spirit is with US. And that US includes past, present and future members.

The body is an interesting metaphor because a body has various parts, shapes and sizes. Can you define a body? Is the body a finger or a toe or is a toe part of the whole body? I’ve found it of great benefit to think of this in a universal and mystical sense which brings the individual and otherness together.

I’ve heard and read various people try and define community as a local geographical and tangible entity, however my experience tells me community has included the tangible and intangible. The local and not so local. It’s included the mystical and the not so mystical. It’s included the here and now and the yesterday and tomorrow. It actually crosses cultural and communication methods. It’s a connection that is easier to experience than it is to define.

I’ve found loneliness can exist in both the tangible small definable communities and in the less definable more universal and mystical, but I’ve found community within both also. In fact for times of loneliness I feel that loneliness can be propounded in an environment that talks a lot of community in the here and now in “this place” in “this group of people”. For the person who’s really trying to connect, but doesn’t seem to, this can be a very isolating experience.

So if God’s presence is with us and God is with us and we are a part of the whole and as part of the whole we will give and receive and different times and places different aspects of each other and of God himself.

One form is not better or more ideal than the other but rather all forms have value for different people at different stages on their journey. What’s important is that each person can find and experience community in all its fullness whatever that may look like.

Which way

2006-06-22T23:16:00.000+10:00

It's not about it being either or, it's both and!

Did you see this hillsong sketch "taking the piss", hilarious

2006-05-26T23:06:00.001+10:00

Did any of you happen to watch "The Chaser's War on Everything" on ABC tonight (26th May).

I'd never seen this show before, but very funny, They take the piss out of all sorts of stuff.

My favourite was the "Hillsong Church Sketch", you've got to watch it, absolutely hilarious.

At moment it's on the ABC website: under "Play Latest Highlights", and click on "Hill song Sketch". But I suspect over next day or so it will appear in the general list.

Happy watching.

An Aunt’s Prayer

2006-05-22T21:02:00.000+10:00

"I wish to burn and release all negativity connected to myself, [name other people specifically e.g. family members and animals], all pass overs, step-outs and step-ins and I raise these up to the white light in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

A prayer my Aunty said ~ 2005 sometime I think or may have been 2004?

Response and Outcome

2006-05-22T20:54:00.000+10:00

"Your response dictakes the outcome"

Author Uknown. Heard somewhere in past couple of years.

Here to learn and teach

2006-05-22T20:51:00.000+10:00

"We are here to learn and teach"

Spoken by Afro Moses

Group or Private Loneliness

2006-05-03T21:09:00.000+10:00

Are you better to be lonely and know lots of people or lonely and really not knowing many people?

I've experienced both sides and I think I prefer knowing few people rather than lots. I think loneliness is compunded when you are surrounded by lot's of acquaintances but not really not feeling connected to anyone in particular.

Hence having moved to a new part of the country I'm in know rush to meet lot's of people, I'd prefer to make good friendships with a few.

A Decent Response to Contraversy

2006-04-29T22:56:00.001+10:00

If only more Christians could think and act in a more generous way, like the dean.

When being questioned about the controversy about the upcoming release of the Da Vinci Code movie:

“I think anything in this day and age which causes people to think about the Christian faith is a good thing, and even if the claims are widely off the mark it gives me and other people a chance to say, well, perhaps you should look at it this way.”

Graeme Lawrence – Dean of Newcastle (Reported in Newcastle Herald, p 17)

Spirituality or Sexuality

2006-04-26T21:13:00.001+10:00

How often do we confuse sexuality and spirituality, be it denying the sexual and replacing it with the spiritual or by denying the spiritual and replacing it with the sexual. This denying may not be outright or even conscious. I know for me in the past it wasn't conscious. The question I ask myself, is should this site be a porn site … maybe?

God began it with darkness and darkness wasn’t removed, rather it became part of the whole.

2006-04-25T22:00:00.001+10:00

Today I by chance was moved to read the beginning of the Hebrew Scriptures Genesis 1:1-5, how my soul leaped for joy as I came across darkness and God; side by side. For the story starts with God creating the universe, the heavens and the earth. For it says that the earth was cloaked in darkness (NLT) \ it says, “The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness” (GNB). It says “..and darkness was on the face of the deep” (KVJV). It says, “darkness was over the surface of the deep” (NIV). But who or what was amongst this darkness? We are told that it was the Spirit of God hovering (NKJV \ NLT \ NIV); The Power of God moving over the water (GNB);

Do we pause here and ponder the first act, or is the first act still in progress?

For as we continue reading, God goes on and creates light and says it’s good, but he doesn’t get rid of darkness, he rather divides \ separates darkness and light, calling them day and night (vs 3,4).

Further down the passage in verses 14-17 God creates the sun and moon to preside over the day and night and also stars. Interestingly these two bright lights were to be signs (vs14) to mark off the seasons, the days and the years. Also interesting is the word preside (also translated govern and rule), especially when you read later on in Genesis chapter 1, how these same words of seemingly dominant language are also used to describe humankinds relationship to earth and animals. I suspect it’s not about dominance, but rather of care and protection. But that’s for another discussion.

It seems the beginning of the whole, including darkness and light ends with God being happy and seeing it as good. Interestingly the story doesn’t start with bad news, of evil or for that matter, darkness being a bad thing. It starts with God and God creating, what seems to be a sequence of events; ending with “and it was good”. Seemingly not saying the first was bad or the next was better, just that at each step “it was good”.

So I still love the darkness and think it’s good.

The Mystical Wanderer.

I love darkness

2006-04-23T21:59:00.001+10:00

I love darkness, for in the darkness of the night you can see the light.

The candles burn and flicker away. The candles make sense in darkness. For darkness brings a different perspective to life and light.

For without darkness would light make sense, would the totality of its beauty be seen and experienced?

But without light, darkness would be hopelessness and fear, for we would be afraid.

But with light comes hope, it removes fear.

Darkness + Light

I lookup and see the stars shining, only because it's dark. I look out and see the lights of the city flickering in beautiful harmony, only because it's dark. For if there were no darkness and only light there would be beauty in the sky and the view of the city, but it would be different.

I look at myself and see joy + freedom that I didn't see when I was only walking in the light, for by walking in the darkness I seem to naturally see the light. A new and different perspective that compliments.

I wonder what the scriptures say about darkness from a positive perspective, I've heard much negative, but I wander if in fact there might be a good deal from a positive? Does it even matter?

Does darkness = evil? or is evil more easily hidden by darkness? Does that make darkness in and of itself evil or bad?

My International Bible Dictionary p.255 says "Mankind has long associated it with evil, danger, crime" yet in the complete dictionary of symbols p.142 it goes further and says "In mystic thought, light and dark are equally necessary: darkness precedes light as death proceeds resurrection". I guess I'm the more mystical type.

Greater than ourselves

2006-04-23T20:56:00.000+10:00

I find it interesting how there are moments in ones life when we are reminded that we are not the centre and our issues and struggles are not the greatest, actually far from it.

I by chance attended an Anzac Rememberance service at the local Cathedral. Across the ilse from me were what I assume army cadets, probably 18 - 30 yo. And the man at the front said 1000 men lost their lives in WW1 form Newcastle, many so young as these boys, about the age of my cousins and their friends who were paying around this easter. So young.

And so I remember those who have gone before and those who serve our country and others in the cause of peace and justice.

Pilgrim Ways

2005-04-01T21:34:00.001+10:00

"..l handed them my rouble and said, 'Repent and pray! Jesus christ loves men, he will not forsake you,' And with that l left them and went on my way."

The way of a pilgrim. p30

Journey of Enquiry

2004-05-05T21:06:00.000+10:00

"A journey of enquiry leads to salvation"

Craig D'Alton, St Peters Eastern Hill. 2004 Sometime.

Graduation Commitment Prayer

2004-03-22T21:14:00.001+11:00

"I commit above all to seek his presence and to pursue an ever closer and deeper relationship with Jesus Christ my Lord, and to continue to faithfully follow Him and, relying upon him and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, to faithfully discharge whatever duties and service he may call me to".

Christians vs Non

2003-10-03T10:12:00.001+10:00

Difference between Christians and Non Christians is that Christians "punctuate our lives with sacred moments".

by: Gerard Kelly