...in the eye of the beholder

According to an online dictionary, beauty is defined as "the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, colour, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest)".

But what does that mean? As a person who has spent much (professional) time dedicated to making other people 'more beautiful' this is something that I've often thought about: how can something be beautiful to one person - and mean virtually nothing to someone else?

With the onset of another year at Credo we have already begun thinking about and planning for our major Easter conference - and this year, the topic for the long weekend is "Creation". Along with some others, I've been doing some summer reading on the subject - mostly in a book by David Wilkinson "The Message of Creation". I liked it when he says that "God is an artist who creates on a vast canvas with huge brushstrokes. He celebrates diversity, making a Universe that communicates His greatness, joy and generosity." For me it gives a depth to understanding that different people will find different things to be beautiful because God has created us with the ability to choose what we enjoy.

And yet it feels as though that isn't enough. I feel as though there should be more to it than that. That somehow, there is a greater richness to what God defines and understands beauty to be - but here on earth we just can't quite get it past the tips of our tongues.

The other day i walked around my home, esp my garden, to find things that were interesting to me. Here's one...


...I thought it was beautiful. But that could just be me.

"...for we are young and free"

Top five reasons why it's good to be an Aussie today - you can make up your own captions...

"Comedy" of Errors

You know the classic comedy scene in movies where someone walks into a glass door or wall and falls down?


That was me today at this shop in Chastwood. Everyone in the nearby stores and coffee shop went "ooohh" (and then quietly laughed) while i proceeded to try and hold my head, not to mention my dignity, together for the next couple of hours.

People - stop cleaning your glass so much!

Tonight marks the second night in a row that I have gotten to stay in my own place in about 7-8 weeks: and it's been so great today to just be able to sit around my own place - esp cooking my own food and not having to deal with the over processed "food" that you often get on camps.

JLC was good for two main reasons:


Firstly - being able to spend time with old friends (only Teresa and AP are pictured here but hopefully the others know how much I loved spending time with them too!)


Secondly - learning some things about myself and the people that I minister too. It was a pretty insightful week in starting to understand a little more about some of the key needs of uni students - primarily that many of them (and I'm only sort of sorry for the ones who read this who might get offended) need to start to learn to think for themselves about how they read and understand the bible - as opposed to just being spoon fed and regurgitating what they've heard before.

But the flip side is, that's also the challenge for me too then. How much have I - or any Christian - sunk into the patterns of not engaging with the bible for ourselves - and on it's own terms?

So yeah, it was a good week. And now, I finally get to have that glass of red...

A private goodbye made public

So if you've read Justin's comment on my last post you may have gotten the idea that there was a little chaos in me getting to and on the plane. Let's just say that it's not the best idea to not set an alarm clock (when you have to be out of the apartment at 7.25) because it could mean that you get woken up at 7.05 and still have to shower and, of yeah, pack... but I got there.

What that all meant in practice though, was that I didn't get a proper chance to say goodbye to the Moffats - just a harried "Bye - See you soon". And because I didn't get to say the final words that I wanted to, I'm taking a risk (of possibly embarrassing them a little) and letting everyone else in a 'see ya' to the Moff's and NYC...

I think you know you have a great friendship with someone when it's ok to be real with each other in everything. So first up, I want to say thanks. For sharing your lives and love with me - laughter, tears, tantrums (ok so that was just for 'the Boy') - it was great to be there and share all of it with you. I have so much respect for both of you, that it was just way to easy to tear up when thinking about how much I've missed having you around.

But having said that - more than ever I meant those words that I said on my first night there. I really do think that you're there because God has put you in a place to help change the world for His glory. No matter whether it is from the depths or heights of emotions - you always have that as a compass to guide what you guys do over there.

Justin - thanks for that chats and the odd 'rant time'. It was great to have them with you and to see you in action again. It was a blessing to see and meet the people of CCNYC - now i have a much better understanding of how to be praying for them, and you and John, as you minister together.

Laurel - you always amaze me. Your strength, sense of humour and patience are inspiring. If i ever become a wife and mother you're one of the women that I want to come to for advice. All that and an incredibly fun tour guide too! I wish we could have chatted more - when you get here we're going for High Tea somewhere.


And thanks for a great last night in NY - if only they'd had "When Harry Met Sally"! I'll have to get it out sometime soon.

But now I am back in Sydney. It probably wasn't the wisest choice but tomorrow morning (yes within 24 hours of getting back in town) I'll be on January Leadership Conference - spending time at Galston Gorge with some young people who are thinking about what to do, and how to think about, being a Christian their first year of uni. At first I was dreading it - but now I'm looking forward to what can happen this upcoming week. Pleas pray for us because these weeks can be life-changing for heaps of these young'uns.

It'll be nice to get into my own bed soon...

Start Spreading the News...

Well, I'm not quite leaving today because, let's face it, I'm already 'here' but I do feel as though I've been a part of it since Saturday when I arrived in NYC.

So far what I'm going to be walking away with is the people. Obviously spending time with old friends (like Justin here shown reading a bed time story to "The Boy) but also getting a glimpse into the lives of some others. On Sunday night I went a little out of my comfort zone and sat down to a Mexican dinner with 6 complete strangers. I didn't know a single person on the table. The way we met was through Christ Church NYC (where most of them attend regularly) and since Justin was busy after the service I tagged along with them. And I am so glad that I did!

Have you ever had a meal with strangers? Ever had to work your way into a conversation amongst a group of established friends? For many (like myself) it's not an easy thing to do - but as the night went on I was able to learn about these people; what excites them about life and their walk with God; why they make the decisions they do to affect where they fellowship and how they try to stand out in a culture that is all about how you can make your life more comfortable than the next persons.

This has kind of been brought into the forefront of my mind because tonight, Laurel and I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" - a movie that I've wanted to see since it came. The screen writers have shown incredible perception when they unveil the slow and steady decline of 'Andy' (main character) into a world of self-absorption and decision making that comes with detriment to others. If you haven't already seen it - go get it out on dvd because it really does show you something about the selfish state of a superficial and sinful human heart.

But back to my dinner. The humbling thing is that, although not directly by name, these were the people that I have been praying for since the Moffats moved over here. Like may others I'm sure I've been praying for them and their ministry and the growth and maturity of the church - so it was a real blessing to spend time with them and be a little better informed about their lives as well as to see the congregation in action.





Don't get me wrong, the sights (and shopping) have all been great and I've had a wonderful time wandering around - but since it's mostly been about the people, I'll leave you with a shot of "The Girl" (isn't she gorgeous???) and I'll put some scenic/touristy photos and stories up on the flickr later.

Well, Whistler was amazing! I'm not sure that i can put into words just how beautiful the mountains really are. I feel as though i was able to see and experience things up there that i never really thought that i would. It was so much fun- and best of all, I'm walking away unscathed - no injuries this time (well - bruises with fade and swollen muscles will re-coup over the next few weeks).


And along the way i got to spend time with some new interesting people. The skiing was awesome and Jane and Blake were very patient in giving me tips on how to get better. Along the way, they showed me some of the magnificent mountains in Blackcomb and Whistler. At one point we were above the clouds at one of the peaks, and i couldn't help but think on how incredible God's creation is. It's mindblowing. By His hand, all of these places have their being and it was incredibly humbling to be there and see so much of His creation laid out before my eyes for me to experience and enjoy. The landscape was, in parts, so ruggard and raw - it almost felt super human to be able to be up there and move through it all.


During the week i spent a lot of time doing my own thinking and reflecting on my relationship with God and Jesus. Most of the time i was surrounded by non-Christians - people who seemed to be happy to challenge and question me about why i choose to live the way i do. On one hand it was easy because, after all, my job is spent with people asking questions like theirs - but on the other side it was also tough as i kept asking the same questions of myself.

How do you explain 'faith' - concepts of absolute truth and certainty that you have in Jesus and salvation? Why is it, as Christians, that we choose to live so counter culturally? Does our living differently bring glory to God? I know how i answered these questions - but how would you?

I'm getting a bit tired now i think. last night i realised that I've now been on the move (about every week) since mid November and i still have another couple to go. Thankfully I'm getting some good sleep along the way though!

In a couple of hours I'm hopping on a plane to NYC where i get to spend time with the Moffats. Bring on the bagels and cheesy pizza slices!