Walking home with iPod on shuffle I experienced a real mixture - from Jack Johnson's Banana Pancakes to the traditional carol 'Christians awake salute the happy morn ... rise to adore the Mystery of Love which hosts of angels chanted from above". Echoes of the Lads 'Beetroot stain' in the morning selection: A quirky devotional from before the days of Napisan OxyAction. I consider this the contemporary Christian song that the 16th Century reformers would identify with - it seems in its own unique way to capture those Reformed essentials of the wholly other God who reaches out in grace; who first loved us; and who is faithful and whose love is beyond measure.
It's a long time since I read Ian McEwan's Enduring Love. I think it is my favourite work from this author. With skill many of the dimensions of love were captured, explored, examined; all the while seemingly handled gently and with respect. My random music choices today have rekindled some of the affect I remember from the novel (the movie didn't evoke the same affective response). And led me to reflect again on what it means to live in love.
In the challenges and the mundane tasks of everyday I hope that I keep within a hair's breadth of an awareness of the great Mystery of Love in whom I live and move and have my being. And within a hair's breadth of attending to relationships with those with whom I know the joy of loving and being loved. Not taking this gift for granted. Living in gratitude. And getting on with what needs to be done. So be it.
Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Top End
Darwin. Such a beautiful city. Today I started the day with a walk and a swim at Grungle Downs - a B&B I wholeheartedly recommend. Then attended my aunt's funeral at the Thorak Regional cemetery. Already 32 degrees (Celsius) by 10 a.m. Picnic lunch in the park with cousins and their children and grandchildren plus close friends. Coffee in Darwin city. Great explore of an Aboriginal Art gallery. Two movies at the deckchair cinema. Now bedtime. One of those well-rounded complete days including the conclusion of a life wonderfully well lived. Rest in Peace.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Ladybirds and other summer blessings
What a blest day we have had. A call at 8.30 a.m. signaled that friends from NZ were passing through Sydney (en route to Denver) with a day to spare. So out to the airport, drive into town and walk around Mrs MacQuaries's chair with tired but keen on climbing three-year-old who made the most of all the sandstone steps. Then home to our 'empty nest' for a great time of catching up and renewing friendship.
After several 30 degrees plus days, and 43 degrees again yesterday. today's cooler 24 made a late afternoon in the garden very pleasant. Hibiscus trimmed back strongly and all the paths swept and clean. It's time for our six-monthly massive rubbish collection and there is now a pile of tree branches on the kerb. Plus various other unfixable items cleared from the garage.
I hadn't realised that the hibiscus provided a home for so many ladybirds. They were flying everywhere as I pruned. I have never really seen them airborne before. Very beautiful! A very tiny one I relocated by hand. But the others seemed to find new (attached) branches quite easily. Although I was aware of the asault I was making on their territory.
So carried away with the gardening we were late for church. But not too late for the blessing of Matt Redman and Beth Redman's song:
Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful
Where streams of abundance flow, Blessed be your name
And blessed be your name when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness, Blessed be your name
It was the high point for me. Amid contextless pleas for change and a meander through the failure of the congregation to embrace the 'change' (undefined) recommended by a review in 2001. I was a bit lost in the sermon, and some of the other music, but this song does give me a sense of linking with the varieties of experience of life, and the hope and praise that can come forth in those diverse circumstances.
It made sense of the call from our partner churches in Fiji for additional aid as they face the aftermath of severe flooding. Of course the political instability and denial of democracy means that nations like Australia and New Zealand are not providing aid through government channels.
This comes after a solid and productive week at work, orientation with fellow tutors for 2009, movies on Friday and Saturday nights that were well worth seeing. Valkyrie for (limited) insight into a period of German history - and I was pleasantly surprised by Cruise's performance. Doubt for intriguing glimpses at the intricacies of human relationships, gender power imbalances, trust and justice.
And that empty nest. A sense of rightness rather than bereavement. One child celebrating 21st with friends interstate (due home on Tuesday). One still serving ice cream to deserving (or at least paying) customers in the Great Barrier Reef region, and taking a dinghy to a neighbouring island to celebrate Australia Day tomorrow. And one safe with a host family in the USA central time zone experiencing temperatures below zero and where quite possibly no one knows that it is Australia Day weekend!
Mind you I don't think anyone here noticed my careful selection of gold and green flowers for the church arrangement! It's kind of time we started engaging with the community around us rather than continuing the 8-year-plus conversation about how we must so engage.
After several 30 degrees plus days, and 43 degrees again yesterday. today's cooler 24 made a late afternoon in the garden very pleasant. Hibiscus trimmed back strongly and all the paths swept and clean. It's time for our six-monthly massive rubbish collection and there is now a pile of tree branches on the kerb. Plus various other unfixable items cleared from the garage.
I hadn't realised that the hibiscus provided a home for so many ladybirds. They were flying everywhere as I pruned. I have never really seen them airborne before. Very beautiful! A very tiny one I relocated by hand. But the others seemed to find new (attached) branches quite easily. Although I was aware of the asault I was making on their territory.
So carried away with the gardening we were late for church. But not too late for the blessing of Matt Redman and Beth Redman's song:
Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful
Where streams of abundance flow, Blessed be your name
And blessed be your name when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness, Blessed be your name
It was the high point for me. Amid contextless pleas for change and a meander through the failure of the congregation to embrace the 'change' (undefined) recommended by a review in 2001. I was a bit lost in the sermon, and some of the other music, but this song does give me a sense of linking with the varieties of experience of life, and the hope and praise that can come forth in those diverse circumstances.
It made sense of the call from our partner churches in Fiji for additional aid as they face the aftermath of severe flooding. Of course the political instability and denial of democracy means that nations like Australia and New Zealand are not providing aid through government channels.
This comes after a solid and productive week at work, orientation with fellow tutors for 2009, movies on Friday and Saturday nights that were well worth seeing. Valkyrie for (limited) insight into a period of German history - and I was pleasantly surprised by Cruise's performance. Doubt for intriguing glimpses at the intricacies of human relationships, gender power imbalances, trust and justice.
And that empty nest. A sense of rightness rather than bereavement. One child celebrating 21st with friends interstate (due home on Tuesday). One still serving ice cream to deserving (or at least paying) customers in the Great Barrier Reef region, and taking a dinghy to a neighbouring island to celebrate Australia Day tomorrow. And one safe with a host family in the USA central time zone experiencing temperatures below zero and where quite possibly no one knows that it is Australia Day weekend!
Mind you I don't think anyone here noticed my careful selection of gold and green flowers for the church arrangement! It's kind of time we started engaging with the community around us rather than continuing the 8-year-plus conversation about how we must so engage.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Slavery and saints
I saw on Oremus this morning that William Wilberforce is the saint for the day. I haven't had time to rent Amazing Grace from the DVD store, let alone watch it. But I have been remembering the movie, and the story behind it, in those moments of stillness throughout the day. Slavery remains such an issue in our world. Particularly in some parts of the Pacific and Asia.
Yesterday I bought an amazing product at ALDI. A4 sheets of canvas that you can print on. It was just what I needed to print out our young peoples' questions for their tree of growth - which I left in the Minister's office and didn't photograph :( Anyway the canvas was made in China. And I bought it without questioning how fairly it was made.
WWWD (What would Wilberforce do?) I wonder. And get caught up in the wonder inspired by this week's Oremus prayer. I just love it. I have printed it out on A4 and carry it around with me each day. A real blessing to me:
Blessed are you, O God,
you are our greatest treasure
and the source of our greatest joy:
Your Spirit continues to form us in the likeness of Christ,
that we may know the freedom of your children
and the assurance that nothing in creation
can separate us from your love,
most fully known in Jesus Christ our Lord.
For these and all your mercies, we praise you:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
Blessed be God for ever!
Blessed be God forever - AMEN
Yesterday I bought an amazing product at ALDI. A4 sheets of canvas that you can print on. It was just what I needed to print out our young peoples' questions for their tree of growth - which I left in the Minister's office and didn't photograph :( Anyway the canvas was made in China. And I bought it without questioning how fairly it was made.
WWWD (What would Wilberforce do?) I wonder. And get caught up in the wonder inspired by this week's Oremus prayer. I just love it. I have printed it out on A4 and carry it around with me each day. A real blessing to me:
Blessed are you, O God,
you are our greatest treasure
and the source of our greatest joy:
Your Spirit continues to form us in the likeness of Christ,
that we may know the freedom of your children
and the assurance that nothing in creation
can separate us from your love,
most fully known in Jesus Christ our Lord.
For these and all your mercies, we praise you:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
Blessed be God for ever!
Blessed be God forever - AMEN
Friday, June 13, 2008
Beach trip
Today's Friday Five over at an open table set for a diverse group of people -- women pursuing or discerning a Christian vocation -- and their friends -- is posed by Mother Laura who writes:
The Grimes-Honkanen bunch is settling in after a challenging move, and bubbling with gratitude for our new "cozy cottage by the beach": a tiny rented condo on Pacific Coast Highway.
We're five minutes on foot from Sunset Beach for my daily choppy-but-gorgeous swim or prayer walk, often with dolphin sightings. Ten minutes south by car is downtown Huntington with its pier and window shopping, and the same distance north is Seal Beach, much calmer for family swimming.
Nicholas is equipped with shorty wetsuit and boogie board, and game to learn mastering the local waves from Mom--though I need to get a big softy and learn to surf before he does to maintain my cool cred. But Katie is still learning to swim confidently in the pool, and Midwestern-raised Matt prefers something more like his beloved Great Lakes. "No waves, no salt?" "Yes, darling, and no worrisome wildlife." "Except for the water moccasins, dude." You get the idea...it's all a matter of taste.
So in honor of summer, please share your own beachy memories, plans, and dreams with a "Beach Trip" Friday Five.
1. Ocean rocks, lake limps? Vice versa? Or "it's all beautiful in its own way"?
The latter I think. I do adore the sea. The salt I think because I'm very happy in ocean or harbour. Last year I had only the statutory 10 days break over Christmas and New Year (I was planning a summer hol later in January) and on New Years Day it really felt too soon to be returning to work the next day. But an afternoon drive to Cronulla Beach and a dip in the surf dispelled that gloom and set me up with renewed energy for the return to the workplace. (The major return to work was the following week when I led this prayer in a central city congregation.) But I also love the lakes and rivers abundant with water yet so sadly dying in our troubled world. It seems hard to believe that water security is a major public health issue in our rich country.
2. Year round beach living: Heaven...or the Other Place?
Heaven no question. I just couldn't think of a better lifestyle although I must admit I have not managed it to date. This abode is the closest - 5 mins walk from the river which is tidal almost its entire length. Have just worked out (after 18 months) the ferry route to town which takes longer and costs more but links me directly to the harbour. A good way to nurture my spirit.
3. Any beach plans for this summer?
Need to get through winter first! But this is a good prompt to make the summer bookings. I would like to explore the South Coast.
4. Best beach memory ever?
There are so many. Childhood boat trips with Grandfather in his dinghy with an outboard, tramping (hiking) around Lake Waikareiti with friends and spending a week in a hut right on the beach at the far edge, the Abel Tasman walk with spectacular sea views every step of the way it seemed, building sandcastles with children, and a few years later swallowing my feminist sentiments and beaming as they paraded in the Little Miss Beach Girl competition. BUT you asked for the BEST MEMORY EVER. That would have to be buying fish and chips at Kawhia, driving down to the water, digging a large hole in the black iron sand until we reached the thermal springs - then sitting in our own heated pool eating fast food as the sun set over the horizon and the tide came in.
5. Fantasy beach trip?
See above but with addition of a chilled bottle of champagne to accompany.
Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what the beach means to you.
Well this is the one that came to mind. An oldie (although the hymn writer and composer were both born in the 20th century). And I loved hearing Eternal Father in The Perfect Storm. Funny that these are more sombre - not in a way what I would have expected to come to mind when considering the beach. My mind works in mysterious ways... and recognises that threat and opportunity co-exist maybe???
The Grimes-Honkanen bunch is settling in after a challenging move, and bubbling with gratitude for our new "cozy cottage by the beach": a tiny rented condo on Pacific Coast Highway.
We're five minutes on foot from Sunset Beach for my daily choppy-but-gorgeous swim or prayer walk, often with dolphin sightings. Ten minutes south by car is downtown Huntington with its pier and window shopping, and the same distance north is Seal Beach, much calmer for family swimming.
Nicholas is equipped with shorty wetsuit and boogie board, and game to learn mastering the local waves from Mom--though I need to get a big softy and learn to surf before he does to maintain my cool cred. But Katie is still learning to swim confidently in the pool, and Midwestern-raised Matt prefers something more like his beloved Great Lakes. "No waves, no salt?" "Yes, darling, and no worrisome wildlife." "Except for the water moccasins, dude." You get the idea...it's all a matter of taste.
So in honor of summer, please share your own beachy memories, plans, and dreams with a "Beach Trip" Friday Five.
1. Ocean rocks, lake limps? Vice versa? Or "it's all beautiful in its own way"?
The latter I think. I do adore the sea. The salt I think because I'm very happy in ocean or harbour. Last year I had only the statutory 10 days break over Christmas and New Year (I was planning a summer hol later in January) and on New Years Day it really felt too soon to be returning to work the next day. But an afternoon drive to Cronulla Beach and a dip in the surf dispelled that gloom and set me up with renewed energy for the return to the workplace. (The major return to work was the following week when I led this prayer in a central city congregation.) But I also love the lakes and rivers abundant with water yet so sadly dying in our troubled world. It seems hard to believe that water security is a major public health issue in our rich country.
2. Year round beach living: Heaven...or the Other Place?
Heaven no question. I just couldn't think of a better lifestyle although I must admit I have not managed it to date. This abode is the closest - 5 mins walk from the river which is tidal almost its entire length. Have just worked out (after 18 months) the ferry route to town which takes longer and costs more but links me directly to the harbour. A good way to nurture my spirit.
3. Any beach plans for this summer?
Need to get through winter first! But this is a good prompt to make the summer bookings. I would like to explore the South Coast.
4. Best beach memory ever?
There are so many. Childhood boat trips with Grandfather in his dinghy with an outboard, tramping (hiking) around Lake Waikareiti with friends and spending a week in a hut right on the beach at the far edge, the Abel Tasman walk with spectacular sea views every step of the way it seemed, building sandcastles with children, and a few years later swallowing my feminist sentiments and beaming as they paraded in the Little Miss Beach Girl competition. BUT you asked for the BEST MEMORY EVER. That would have to be buying fish and chips at Kawhia, driving down to the water, digging a large hole in the black iron sand until we reached the thermal springs - then sitting in our own heated pool eating fast food as the sun set over the horizon and the tide came in. 5. Fantasy beach trip?
See above but with addition of a chilled bottle of champagne to accompany.
Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what the beach means to you.
Well this is the one that came to mind. An oldie (although the hymn writer and composer were both born in the 20th century). And I loved hearing Eternal Father in The Perfect Storm. Funny that these are more sombre - not in a way what I would have expected to come to mind when considering the beach. My mind works in mysterious ways... and recognises that threat and opportunity co-exist maybe???
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Rain of the Children
Attended the premier of Vincent Ward's new movie Rain of the Children here in Sydney last night. It is a brilliant work. A docu-drama where Ward goes back to the subject of one of his first works. The images of Puhi (the special/chosen one) and the story of her life will be with me for weeks. I recommend that you ask for this remarkable movie at your film festivals, and if you have the chance go to see it. Read more about it following the link above and here.
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