Ive just sent out the weekly email, and I was prompted to write about MY meaning of Christmas. For me, so much of Christmas is about family and friends, and over the years thats come to be reflectedin my yearly Christmas 'Traditions'. Some of these I have been doin for a long time, some are much more recent. But these are the things that make Christmas for me.
Going to see the Myer Windows. I know its a kiddie thing, and it was something that was there throughout my childhood. Every year Mum would take my sisters and I into the city for a day, to visit Santa at Myers and then line up and see the windows. I got too cool for it in my teenage years, but started going again when I turned 18. The night in at the windows, queueing up for the animatronic story is always fun and remiscient of what Christmas used to be about - innocence, joy and good company. Plus, we always go out for some good goofing off afterward.
Carols at Whitehorse. Ive gone to this each year for at least ten years, and with various groups of people. Each year its great to be there, I always run into my sister and her friends (until last night, which ruined that), kids I work with at the high school, most of the families from the primary school, people from churches, people I know from working at the service station and people I went to school with. All these people come together, regardless of how 'religious' they are, to share food and drink with each other, and sing Christmas Carols. Not Christmas songs, but proper Christmas Carols. Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. We see the kids choir sing, we see the cool nativity with real animals and baby Jesus. We Love Dennis Walter. And on that night, we all love Jesus.
The Christmas lights. It's cheesy, but I do like to see the Griswald-like efforts that some people go to, lighting up their homes with Christmas spirit. We search out the ones that actually reflect a Christian Christmas, we pause whenever we find carollers or teenage girls playing recorders and violins badly. But its always a good experience with friends. The boulevard in Ivanhoe is one the biggest, but there's some good sets to see in Dingley, Lilydale and Rowville as well. More and more seem to be doing it these days, with houses lit up everywhere.
Free Golf on Christmas day. Someone pointed out to me last year that Golf clubs are all closed on Christmas day, but are happy enough for people to play. Nervously, Owen, Rich and I headed out onto the course. The first time we saw a staff member, we got ready to hide, but he waved happily and we kept playing. It was a nice relaxing way to spend a sunny evening, and I hit my best 9 hole score in a long time.
Late night shopping at Chadstone. Back in the days of 90 hour weeks at Hungry Jacks, I rarely had any time to do my shopping, and Chaddy started 24 hour trading on the 23rd. It became a novel thing, a late night out with some mates. Two years ago it peaked, with 30 000 people piled into Chadstone at 2am. The foodcourt is pumping the whole time, people go out there with no intention of shopping at all - just dressed up to 'strut'. These days its the way I do the bulk of my shopping.
Carols by candlelight rehearsal. The cheap way to enjoy the Carols at the Sidney Myer music bowl. Its much more relaxed, a family atmosphere, and you get to sing some of the songs several times over. And the whole thing is worth if for Hi-5 and Humphrey. I wonder if plucka will be there this year? Maybe Fat Cat as well.
Christmas Day. Church with my church family in the morning, and a time spent in praise and worship. Lunch with the extended family, Grandparents, Cousins, Aunties and Uncles, and this year Baby Jack. Good food, almost civil conversation, a pretty nice time. Then in the evening I get together with my friends, we have supper and share gifts, and watch the panel Christmas special. A nice way to end the day.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
The name's Bond. James Bond. (Ian Fleming's James Bond)
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing a movie franchise revitalised. Actually, forget that, re-envisioned. I've been a Bond fan ever since Dad had me watch Goldfinger when I was 5. Ive seen all the old movies in retrospect, watched every new one since Goldeneye on opening day (and usually in a suit). I've liked the gadgets, loathed the villains and loved the girls. Ive debated the merits of the different Bond actors (Connery!) the different Bond girls (Natalya) and the best nemesis (Jaws). Loved all of the movies, but I also own all of Fleming's original books. Bond movies have always been about elaborate death schemes, big opening sequences with theme songs and witty (or sleazy) one liners. The James Bond of the novels is darker, more disturbed. He dislikes his job - actually he dislikes himself - but he knows that the only thing that he is suited for in life is to be a 00. He drinks heavily, he drives fast, and he is tough, arrogant, and willing to succede at any cost. It's all he knows how to do.
Every Bond movie produced by Broccoli Productions (and therefore every Bond movie considered canon) since the first, Dr No in 1962 has had the title "Ian Fleming's James Bond in....." , but this movie is the first one to actually live up to that title. Casino Royale was the first book written by Fleming, and it is fitting that they have returned to this story for a re-boot of the franchise. The theme song is great (Chris Cornell, of Soundgarden and Audioslave), the sets are exotic and brilliant, and the camera and sound quality what you expect from a big action film. The plot of the book has been seized, updated and expanded into a 2.5 hour adventre that re-introduces us to Bond on his first mission as a 00. Some liberties have been taken, but all the major plot cues are still exactly as they are written originally. This movie IS James Bond as he always should have been.
From the beginning, where we finally learn how the man became a 00, we follow Bond through his first mission to take down a terrorist operation (backed by a terrorist financier, Le Chiffre). Bond gives it his all and faces down an entire army (and a construction site) only to find his cover almost blown and himself in disgrace with MI-6. Of course, this is Bond as we've always loved him. Instructed to take some time off and re-think his position as an agent, Bond naturally forgets the agency all together and goes straight after the bad guy by himself. Bond saves the day, and earns his way back into active service, sent up Le Chiffre in a high stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. Cue Brassy Bond music, a beautiful agent (Vesper Lynd), the fast car (Aston Martin DB7) and a gun. Nothing else needed. Actually, one other thing needed - A dry martini 'Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel Got it?'
I'm not going to spoil the rest. There's heaps more to come, but I suggest you go see it for yourself.
Every Bond movie produced by Broccoli Productions (and therefore every Bond movie considered canon) since the first, Dr No in 1962 has had the title "Ian Fleming's James Bond in....." , but this movie is the first one to actually live up to that title. Casino Royale was the first book written by Fleming, and it is fitting that they have returned to this story for a re-boot of the franchise. The theme song is great (Chris Cornell, of Soundgarden and Audioslave), the sets are exotic and brilliant, and the camera and sound quality what you expect from a big action film. The plot of the book has been seized, updated and expanded into a 2.5 hour adventre that re-introduces us to Bond on his first mission as a 00. Some liberties have been taken, but all the major plot cues are still exactly as they are written originally. This movie IS James Bond as he always should have been.
From the beginning, where we finally learn how the man became a 00, we follow Bond through his first mission to take down a terrorist operation (backed by a terrorist financier, Le Chiffre). Bond gives it his all and faces down an entire army (and a construction site) only to find his cover almost blown and himself in disgrace with MI-6. Of course, this is Bond as we've always loved him. Instructed to take some time off and re-think his position as an agent, Bond naturally forgets the agency all together and goes straight after the bad guy by himself. Bond saves the day, and earns his way back into active service, sent up Le Chiffre in a high stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. Cue Brassy Bond music, a beautiful agent (Vesper Lynd), the fast car (Aston Martin DB7) and a gun. Nothing else needed. Actually, one other thing needed - A dry martini 'Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel Got it?'
I'm not going to spoil the rest. There's heaps more to come, but I suggest you go see it for yourself.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
What's a community?
Community: A group with common goals & desires; a group of people living in a particular local area; a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other .
In life, we all look for community of some kind. People to talk to, share with, find love from. Its a basic human desire to be with other people. For some that might meabn large and diverse groups, for others much smaller and comfortable groups. We find it in family, sporting teams, work colleagues, friends, and in other groups that we may join in our lives.
For many, it's found in church. Our church is spending the next few months specifically looking at how to grow a strong community within our walls, and hwo to better associate with the wider community outside it. I think this is great. This year our church community has grown in big big ways.
But I'm niggled by something - while we are growing as a community, are we growing as a Christian community? Are we just a big club, where 'we're just members of a system that has rules that make us feel comfortable', a group of people who like the niceness, and trust, and good moral values that come from being a Christian? True believers and followers of Jesus should be more than just a good strong community. It's gotta be more. No-one can have a real encounter with the son of God and walk away from it unchanged.
In life, we all look for community of some kind. People to talk to, share with, find love from. Its a basic human desire to be with other people. For some that might meabn large and diverse groups, for others much smaller and comfortable groups. We find it in family, sporting teams, work colleagues, friends, and in other groups that we may join in our lives.
For many, it's found in church. Our church is spending the next few months specifically looking at how to grow a strong community within our walls, and hwo to better associate with the wider community outside it. I think this is great. This year our church community has grown in big big ways.
But I'm niggled by something - while we are growing as a community, are we growing as a Christian community? Are we just a big club, where 'we're just members of a system that has rules that make us feel comfortable', a group of people who like the niceness, and trust, and good moral values that come from being a Christian? True believers and followers of Jesus should be more than just a good strong community. It's gotta be more. No-one can have a real encounter with the son of God and walk away from it unchanged.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Beach: Sunday November 12, 2006
I've got this whole journey to walkback through. I contemplated starting now and working backwards, also starting at the beginning and working towards the end. It just didnt seem right, with what I've felt about each step. I'll start with some of the more recent steps, and I'm guessing it will end with the first step. Between here and there, I'll just tell whichever story seems appropriate at the time. Come, take a walk with me.
How refreshing has this rain been? I couldnt help myself last night - after church I drove down to the beach to watch that storm come in . The sky was black, the air was warm, and the rain was that big sploshy kind (what a technical definition!) It was so nice to just kick back, put on some good music and feel it all. There was electricity in the air, and suddenly the sky lit up. The whole sky, in a silvery flash it went from black, dark and bleak outside to dazzling day. It was beautiful, but it was the huge crack of thunder that followed which really got my attention. It's been a while since we've felt a good thunderstorm. That first roll of thunder shook everything; God was stamping his ownership on that storm. This rain is nothing compared to what we need to solve our problems, but it is an improvement, and November is shaping up to be a pretty good month for rainfall. We've spent weeks praying for a break to the drought.As I watched that display come in over the bay last night, the light show in the sky, and felt fresh rain wash over my face, I knew that God was giving an answer, "Stay strong, pray continually. I am with you. When you suffer, I suffer with you. When you are longing, I am longing with you. When you are alone, I am by your side. When you are discouraged, I am your hope!".
For me this worked on more than one level. I'd had such a good week - an eye opening one, with a lot of lessons that God had been teaching me over different time frames (weeks, months, years) coming together. It was like I'd been weathering a storm for so long. At times I'd raged against God. At times I'd wept. I knew that God was never away from me, but it often felt like he was turning his face from me. Hope and faith were all that kept me going through the worst and most stormy times.
As the storm cleared, a peaceful night sky settled. Stars glimmered through. In the same way a peace settled in my heart. Hope shone forth. I thought about the old days of sailing ships, how in a storm, they dropped sails, tied themselves down and let the storm do its worst. When the sky cleared again afterward, the navigator would look for the first stars to come through, and figure out where they had been blown to. After the week I had just come through, it was like that. I'd weathered the storm, and now the stars were showing me the way home.
How refreshing has this rain been? I couldnt help myself last night - after church I drove down to the beach to watch that storm come in . The sky was black, the air was warm, and the rain was that big sploshy kind (what a technical definition!) It was so nice to just kick back, put on some good music and feel it all. There was electricity in the air, and suddenly the sky lit up. The whole sky, in a silvery flash it went from black, dark and bleak outside to dazzling day. It was beautiful, but it was the huge crack of thunder that followed which really got my attention. It's been a while since we've felt a good thunderstorm. That first roll of thunder shook everything; God was stamping his ownership on that storm. This rain is nothing compared to what we need to solve our problems, but it is an improvement, and November is shaping up to be a pretty good month for rainfall. We've spent weeks praying for a break to the drought.As I watched that display come in over the bay last night, the light show in the sky, and felt fresh rain wash over my face, I knew that God was giving an answer, "Stay strong, pray continually. I am with you. When you suffer, I suffer with you. When you are longing, I am longing with you. When you are alone, I am by your side. When you are discouraged, I am your hope!".
For me this worked on more than one level. I'd had such a good week - an eye opening one, with a lot of lessons that God had been teaching me over different time frames (weeks, months, years) coming together. It was like I'd been weathering a storm for so long. At times I'd raged against God. At times I'd wept. I knew that God was never away from me, but it often felt like he was turning his face from me. Hope and faith were all that kept me going through the worst and most stormy times.
As the storm cleared, a peaceful night sky settled. Stars glimmered through. In the same way a peace settled in my heart. Hope shone forth. I thought about the old days of sailing ships, how in a storm, they dropped sails, tied themselves down and let the storm do its worst. When the sky cleared again afterward, the navigator would look for the first stars to come through, and figure out where they had been blown to. After the week I had just come through, it was like that. I'd weathered the storm, and now the stars were showing me the way home.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
U2. World Tour Saturday November 18
Just got home from the U2 Concert. Wow. If there's one man who inspires me to follow God in a different, but full-on way, it's Bono. The Concert was beautiful. Scripted, sculpted, and managed into perfect order. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen jnr showed us why after 30 years they are still the biggest, best and most relevant band in the world. It started with dazzle, newness and volume, with "City of blinding lights". Backed up by a huge light wall behind them, and 4 screens flanking it that followed each of the bandmembers, they worked their way thorugh some big volume stadium rock, newer songs in the U2 catalogue. Then, going back to their first single, "I will follow" they took us on journey of some of the key moments of U2's story arc, finishing with Bono's reflective "Sometimes you can't make it on your own".
Somehow at this point, U2 managed to turn up the intensity (must have gone all the way to 11) by taking aim at the hearts of 60 000 people and then shooting straight into them. Fresh from last night's 'make poverty history' concert, the following bracket of songs seemed more personal than ever, to the band and to the crowd. Arms in unison rasie with the ubiquitous white bands, swayed, pointed and clapped their way through a carefully chosen group of songs and political messages. "Love and Peace or Else" was dedicated to the conflict in the middle east, to our soldiers who are serving there, and ultimately cryed out to those who have decided we need to be there - "You don't have to become a monster to defeat a monster", Bono pleaded. As the song climaxed, with Bono playing drums at the stage apex, he donned a headband - we moved into "Sunday Bloody Sunday", and as it played out I strained to make out the message of the headband. "Coexist" it read, with the C being the Muslim Crescent Moon, the X being a Star of David, and the T being the cross of Christ. 'We are all children of Abraham" we were told.
The bracket built in raw power as we waved along to "Bullet the Blue Sky" and then were surprised witha song thats not a U2 stage regular - "Miss Sarajevo" with Bono even supplying the italian lyrics written for Pavarotti. We raised our phones in unison, a sea of twinkling lights to rival a beautiful night sky, to declare our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, read out to us as they scrolled across the light wall. Then, if the Telstra Dome Roof hadnt already been opened, it may have been in trouble as they Jammed out "Pride" and "Where the streets have no names" with all singing along, dedicated to the downtrodden of our world, and the third world nations in africa. With our hearts now fully opened to whatever Bono had to say, he pleaded with us to get behind 'Make Poverty History' before closing the set with the beautiful, haunting "One".
The first encore opened with another mulitmedia big screen display, a giant slot machine of images scrolling through buildings, churches, concerts, people, before landing on images of Peter Garrett and John Howard (I wonder what that message was?) and then U2 roared back on to stage with "The Fly" acompanied by a full Zoo tv display of words - harsh, searching and unsure questions and statements - culminating with one word, one idea - Love. 'We can always go back to the beginning' we were told.
The end of the second encore was perhaps the most beautiful and personal moment of the whole evening. As they played "Kite" we all sang along
'Who's to say where the wind will take you, Who's to say what it is will break youI don't know, which way the wind will blow, Who's to know when the time has come around, Don't want to see you cry I know that this is not goodbye' and watched, fascinated, as a kite rose from the stage. Bono stepped forward and grasped the string, and holding it with the fascination of a child, looked up and sand purely to the beautiful bird that was the kite. Then, with a combination of regret and eagerness that we all felt, he set fire to the string and set the kite free, flying through the sky out of the stadium. As the band accepted applause from a grateful crowd, my eyes lingered on the Kite rising. Second star from the right and straight on til morning.
The Setlist:
City of blinding lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I will follow
New Years Day
Beautiful day
Stuck in a moment
Angel of Harlem
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Love and peace or else
Sunday bloody Sunday
Bullet the blue sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (In the name of love)
Where the streets have no name
One
1st Encore
The Fly
Mysterious ways
With or without you
2nd Encore
The Saints are coming
Desire
Kite
2 hours and 15 minutes, well worth the 100 bucks, the 6 hour wait, and putting up with Kanye West.
Somehow at this point, U2 managed to turn up the intensity (must have gone all the way to 11) by taking aim at the hearts of 60 000 people and then shooting straight into them. Fresh from last night's 'make poverty history' concert, the following bracket of songs seemed more personal than ever, to the band and to the crowd. Arms in unison rasie with the ubiquitous white bands, swayed, pointed and clapped their way through a carefully chosen group of songs and political messages. "Love and Peace or Else" was dedicated to the conflict in the middle east, to our soldiers who are serving there, and ultimately cryed out to those who have decided we need to be there - "You don't have to become a monster to defeat a monster", Bono pleaded. As the song climaxed, with Bono playing drums at the stage apex, he donned a headband - we moved into "Sunday Bloody Sunday", and as it played out I strained to make out the message of the headband. "Coexist" it read, with the C being the Muslim Crescent Moon, the X being a Star of David, and the T being the cross of Christ. 'We are all children of Abraham" we were told.
The bracket built in raw power as we waved along to "Bullet the Blue Sky" and then were surprised witha song thats not a U2 stage regular - "Miss Sarajevo" with Bono even supplying the italian lyrics written for Pavarotti. We raised our phones in unison, a sea of twinkling lights to rival a beautiful night sky, to declare our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, read out to us as they scrolled across the light wall. Then, if the Telstra Dome Roof hadnt already been opened, it may have been in trouble as they Jammed out "Pride" and "Where the streets have no names" with all singing along, dedicated to the downtrodden of our world, and the third world nations in africa. With our hearts now fully opened to whatever Bono had to say, he pleaded with us to get behind 'Make Poverty History' before closing the set with the beautiful, haunting "One".
The first encore opened with another mulitmedia big screen display, a giant slot machine of images scrolling through buildings, churches, concerts, people, before landing on images of Peter Garrett and John Howard (I wonder what that message was?) and then U2 roared back on to stage with "The Fly" acompanied by a full Zoo tv display of words - harsh, searching and unsure questions and statements - culminating with one word, one idea - Love. 'We can always go back to the beginning' we were told.
The end of the second encore was perhaps the most beautiful and personal moment of the whole evening. As they played "Kite" we all sang along
'Who's to say where the wind will take you, Who's to say what it is will break youI don't know, which way the wind will blow, Who's to know when the time has come around, Don't want to see you cry I know that this is not goodbye' and watched, fascinated, as a kite rose from the stage. Bono stepped forward and grasped the string, and holding it with the fascination of a child, looked up and sand purely to the beautiful bird that was the kite. Then, with a combination of regret and eagerness that we all felt, he set fire to the string and set the kite free, flying through the sky out of the stadium. As the band accepted applause from a grateful crowd, my eyes lingered on the Kite rising. Second star from the right and straight on til morning.
The Setlist:
City of blinding lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I will follow
New Years Day
Beautiful day
Stuck in a moment
Angel of Harlem
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Love and peace or else
Sunday bloody Sunday
Bullet the blue sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (In the name of love)
Where the streets have no name
One
1st Encore
The Fly
Mysterious ways
With or without you
2nd Encore
The Saints are coming
Desire
Kite
2 hours and 15 minutes, well worth the 100 bucks, the 6 hour wait, and putting up with Kanye West.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Pushing the boundaries
Hey Guys, was checking things out over at Father Bob's http://www.fatherbob.tk/ and came across this great post and grat thought provoking coments. Seems there's some involved discussion going on over some controversial sermon topic.
'SPP is not a comfortable church' is probably a paraphrase rather than a direct quote, but it's one of the things I remember from this morning's 11am Mass.' - Remember, PREACHING as opposed to TEACHING tends to messiness and lack of neat and tidy outcome. Preaching is meant to "break open the Word" as they say and that breaking open leaves a mess!Respect. Bob Maguire.
One of the responses started out with me going 'you idiot', Maybe they're low standards, but maybe being engaged with a community on a personal level is just a higher priority for me. With me assuming that the person was only in it for the sense of community, and what they could get out of it. You know, a 'me' church; but they finished with a point I couldnt fault 'Kids (read teenagers) push boundaries (for a living) and need their boundaries pushed without being judged, its an fact of development and essential for growth. You, Bob, connect with young people, and devoted healthy catholics want to have their boundaries pushed so they can grow. ' Obviously this person digs the conflict, cos they know its casuing growth. Their engagement isnt just over having some good friends to hang out with, or feeling better on a Sunday, but about actually getting change!
It led to this exchange with a friend:
yup. do we push enough boundaries?
it's so true, in spiritual growth, etc etc do we? I don't think so
there are no major fights at mitcham at the moment
me either. we're too comfortable. opur standards are so broad, and too
low. And frankly, I d0nt think we epxect enough of each other
it's very friendly
so how do we do it? what should we be doing? what boundaries should we be pushing?
good questions
So yeah, what do you think? Is Mitcham too safe? Too comfortable? Should we be fighting?
How do we do it? What boundaries should we push?
'SPP is not a comfortable church' is probably a paraphrase rather than a direct quote, but it's one of the things I remember from this morning's 11am Mass.' - Remember, PREACHING as opposed to TEACHING tends to messiness and lack of neat and tidy outcome. Preaching is meant to "break open the Word" as they say and that breaking open leaves a mess!Respect. Bob Maguire.
One of the responses started out with me going 'you idiot', Maybe they're low standards, but maybe being engaged with a community on a personal level is just a higher priority for me. With me assuming that the person was only in it for the sense of community, and what they could get out of it. You know, a 'me' church; but they finished with a point I couldnt fault 'Kids (read teenagers) push boundaries (for a living) and need their boundaries pushed without being judged, its an fact of development and essential for growth. You, Bob, connect with young people, and devoted healthy catholics want to have their boundaries pushed so they can grow. ' Obviously this person digs the conflict, cos they know its casuing growth. Their engagement isnt just over having some good friends to hang out with, or feeling better on a Sunday, but about actually getting change!
It led to this exchange with a friend:
yup. do we push enough boundaries?
it's so true, in spiritual growth, etc etc do we? I don't think so
there are no major fights at mitcham at the moment
me either. we're too comfortable. opur standards are so broad, and too
low. And frankly, I d0nt think we epxect enough of each other
it's very friendly
so how do we do it? what should we be doing? what boundaries should we be pushing?
good questions
So yeah, what do you think? Is Mitcham too safe? Too comfortable? Should we be fighting?
How do we do it? What boundaries should we push?
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