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Anamrae: celtic, “Soul Space”

Spent a great weekend away in an attempt to assist Kel and Mr X build their house on their property.  We’d never met them before, except through Kel’s Blog.

I love what they are doing.  Yes, they are building their own home, but every decision they make in doing so revolves around how they will be able to use the property to bless and accomodate others.  And what a blessing it will be.

It is a magnificent property (for what used to be a cow paddock).  The property is on the water’s edge, and over the lake you can see mountains in the distance.  It reminded me a great deal of the view from our previous home in Tassie.  And the silence!

Louisa and I had the opportunity to take Kel’s prayer walk.  Particularly inspiring for us was the station on “water walking”.

We talk the walk out to the station which is at seat right out on the water’s edge.  It is slightly in flood at the moment, and to get there, it meant wet feet.

But well worth it.  Stunning view, and the prayer, which reads:

Here we are father
Your apprentice water walkers,
Stepping out in faith
For new beginnings
And expanded borders
Help us to remember that
With our eyes fixed on you,
And some wet feet,
All things are possible.

Some times we need encouragement like that.

The island that Anamrae in situated on is abounding with Koalas.  So much so, that some of the trees are stripped bare in a striking way, killing the trees.  Guess there is a lesson to be learned there on bio-sustainability.

What amazed me is that we rode our bikes to the property, and would have ridden under at least a dozen koalas along the path.  Never saw them, until we were looking for them, and they were then hard to miss.

On the work we did - it didn’t feel like we helped much.  But I guess building a house is such a long process that a couple of day’s work is only a small portion.  But I helped put up these plaster batons.  I’m an expert at that now, if anyone needs some help putting batons up?

And finally the train trip home.  Listening to sigur rós while the sun set.  Great way to finish this weekend.

I have of late gained a little interest in monastic spirituality. 

This encompasses in part New Monasticism, which has a focus on community to the extent of even living together and sharing possessions with others.  Louisa especially would like to be able share a home with both close friends and those who need some support.  In this vein, I am looking forward to hearing Shane Claiborne of The Simple Way speak at the coming UNOH conference.

But I am also interested in the spirituality of traditional monasticism - Monks, hermitages et al.  I must say that I have never liked the idea of cloistering ones self long term in order to “find communion with God” - I find this approach quite selfish.  However, the act of separating yourself at times to pray in solitude, and living in simplicity and authenticity has great appeal to me. 

A few months ago, I stumbled across the web page for a film titled “Into Great Silence“.  Shot over a period of a year, it is a rare glimpse into the lives of Carthusian monks at the highly ascetic and silent Grande Chartreuse monastery in the French Alps.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this film playing at Cinema Nova in Melbourne this week, and was able to go along to see it.  The cinematography is amazing, and the film, while long and at times hard going (like life in the monastery) was fascinating.  These men seem truly content with their chosen life.

I’ve formed some ideas lately on ways to encompass some aspects of this spirituality into our lives;

• Silent nights - no TV, computers or electric lighting.  Maybe even nights where we don’t even talk.  Try this one with three young kids!
• I’d love to own or share a small cottage in the bush somewhere.  No electricity.  Just a fireplace and time to reflect and pray.
• Getting out into nature.  Recently I went back to Tassie for another three day walk into Pelion plains with a mate.  There is no phone coverage up there.
• Breaking bread before meals.  We try to do this as often as possible at home.  We turn off the lights, light a candle and share communion, taking time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us.  This brings some daily ritual into our busy lives.

I’d love to hear other ideas that people have..

In light of my last post, and the ensuing conversation, I appreciate this post from Alan Hirsch..

The word simplex has appeared a few times on this blog. Its probably time to try and to eloborate on the idea behind my use of the this term. Well…while I use it is a nuanced way, it is stolen from the realm of biology, the humble naughty virus herpes simplex no less! Nonetheless, I have hacked the term to to try and bring two key ideas together–simplicity and complexity.

(more…)

Source: the issue of simplexity
Originally published on Wed, 23 May 2007 03:57:29 GMT by Alan Hirsch

I was lead to some reading after following a link over the weekend (N.T. Wright on “Pierced for Our Transgressions”) on theological positions behind the cross of Jesus.

In some circles this sort of discussion is regular and passionate.  It has always been.  And you could say it is justified - after all the cross is central to our faith.

Some of the recent discussion owes its thanks to, in part at least, the increasingly popular “Christian” TV series “Way of the Master“.  Starring the ex-teen-sensation Kirk Cameron (you know - the guy from Growing Pains), WOTM makes well known its dogmatic commitment to what is called ”penal substitution” theology.  I’ve heard a WOTM man point out that the book of Acts never once mentions the love of God and that God will “Squash” you.  True enough of a fact (the Acts part), but he also fails to point out that it is one of the only books in the New Testament part of the bible that does not mention this dominant theme of the Love of God. 

In a short (crude) sentence, penal substitution is the angry god / loving Jesus perspective on the cross, that says that we all deserve punishment because of sin, but Jesus died on the cross in our place so that God is allowed to forgive us.

On the flip side of the coin is the “Christus Victor” understanding that says (again, crudely) that a loving God doesn’t send people to hell, but instead paid the ransom (Jesus/Cross) to purchase us back from the slavery of sin, who then stuck it to the devil by raising again from the dead.

My problem, is that both sides of this argument have valid arguments for and against them.  Penal substitution makes sense rationally, until you start to ponder on even the little we as humans understand about love - then it doesn’t make sense.  And yet, a quick reading of the first few chapters of Romans (in the bible) makes it clear that God does indeed hate sin, and retribution does indeed form part of the equation.

So my logical brain was left wanting.  But you know what, I think it is allowed to remain that way.

I read a timely entry today from “Angry and Shallow“.  Read it, and then my comment:

I just spent the weekend going over such stuff .. really, it did my head in. I wanted to come up with a statement of exactly what I believed, but just could not.

But you are right. What happened on the cross was supernatural and divine. It cannot be understood fully in human terms. We now look through a “glass darkly”.
What we have though are magnificent types and symbols the show as that through whatever happened, the old has been made new, and we now have a hope and a future.

Thank you for allowing me to not need a formulation.

So where I am at - I think both sides have truths.  But with all metaphors, they fall short.  I think that we do not fall into the trap of committing to metaphors or logical reasoning, but allow a healthy amount of mystery and paradox to leave us in Awe.  Actually, come to think of it - I think that’s probably God’s intent.

It’s about the last thing in our house (that I’m aware of) that isn’t too eco-friendly.  And with all the TV shows talking about how we should be replacing our shower heads with water-saving shower heads, I thought it must be about time to go into the bathroom and plumbing place across the road from work.

Now when the media started talking about CF lightbulbs, suddenly our supermarkets were sold out of them.  It become a boom industry apparently.  I was certain then that I would walk into the store across the road to be greeted with isles full of showerheads, to grab one and walk out with smiling salespeople beaming ‘welcome to the club’

Instead I was given quizzical looks.  “You mean one that uses less water”.  “Well, yes - that’s what the TV tells me”.  “Well, we’ve got this one”.

“This one” looks just like my current one, except they have stuck a limiting valve in there to meet the ratings.  “That’s no good” I complain, “wouldn’t that mean lower pressure?”.  “They are all lower pressure, mate”.

Now, I might be missing something, but couldn’t I get the same result by using my same shower head with the tap turned down?  What I wanted was a shower head that uses less water, because it is designed to use less water - meaning a decent shower.

Choice tells me that the best (low priced) head is the “Flexispray Bermuda II”.. That sounds like a shower head I want to wash under.  I try to buy it online.  I can only find it on a site that offers it to me for $15 (great!).  But wait, it’s Sydney Water, and they won’t sell it to me, because I’m in Melbourne and the reduced price is due to a NSW scheme.  Why don’t we have something like that?  Hang on, we do, but they won’t send one to me because I am a renter.

So after trying to get a water saving shower head, I go home empty handed.  It’s a good thing that we don’t have a water crisis at the moment.

We had some family and friends over for what could be called our first spritual gathering that we have hosted since moving to Melbourne.

It was a simple affair with 13 of us in all - we sat round in a group having great conversation until we pulled out the Easter eggs.  We were following a tradition that we thought was Bulgarian, but turned out to be following in most of middle Europe, where hard boild, died eggs are held in hand, and then an attempt is made to hit it against some-one elses egg, and crack theirs without cracking your own.  I lost.  Twice.

We followed this up with an idea stolen from Andew Jones where I read some words of Jesus over the music and video called Glósóli by Sigur Ros.  It was quite impacting, although I did skip over some of the verses accidentally.  We then broke some bread and drank some wine.

Louisa had prepared a big, big salmon, which we then shared, eating, talking and drinking into the night.

My Friend, John, turned up with a copy of The Age, and on the front cover, leading into a full page was a great article on some Emerging Church happenings in Melbourne.  Featured was Urban Seed, a community that we have been a little involved in over the past six months.

Not according to Proverbs 6:16-18:

6:16 There are six things that the Lord hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans,feet that are swift to run to evil.

Ok, I understand that this opens a kettle of fish.  And, so I must relent and admit that I do understand the context of the verse.  God really does love Osama.  It’s just his hands and his heart that he hates. A handless and heartless Osama makes the grade.

Enough, already - this really isn’t actually meant to be a theological rebuttal of the message that some Sydney churches are displaying on billboards around that city.  Though, I would like to see some discussion on this.

The message is well meaning I’m sure.  And I do believe that the unconditional love of God does extend to Osama.  I need to, because otherwise I’d be without hope.  I’m no terrorist, but I’ve done by share of naughty things in my time.

But c’mon!!

When will the Church learn that one line cliches aren’t going to turn the hearts of a jaded and desensitized society.  And controversial messages designed to offend are going to do just that, offend.  And offended it has.  And don’t give me that ‘The Gospel offends’ crap (another cliche), because there is a difference between being disliked because of the Message, and being disdained because of stupidity.

Surely when someone pens a statement like this, they must realise that it will offend..   It’s just like the group gunning down Santa in the middle of Brisbane CBD.  Whether or not their message was correct, their method of delivery destroys any ability to convey that message.  It’s just stupidity.

One line slogans belong to the domain of mass-market corporations and intelligent marketers, when they are trying to sell you something that you probably don’t need.  The person who has lost his job and family because of his alcohol addiction doesn’t need to know that Jesus loves Osama.  He needs to know that God loves him.  And he needs someone to look him in the eyes and tell him that, and then an offer to walk beside him and demonstrate that it is actually true.

But for those of us who are too lazy and proud to be that messenger, we can always buy a t-shirt.  Surely it will bring hope to someone.  Somewhere.

Celebrated our national pride by heading down to Federation Square for Melbourne’s Australia Day fireworks.

Were also treated to a little all-in performance by a variety of musicians and dancers, featuring the Space Man from Swanston Street - if you’ve been to the Melbourne CBD at night, you’ll know who I’m talking about.

Here’s a really blurry but typical camera phone shot of the closing moments of the fireworks.  Judging by the amount of people holding their phones in the air, I’m guessing there would be thousands of photos looking just the same as this floating around just now.

Went along to Planet Shakers church tonight in Melbourne.  Although we’ve been to many conferences which are very close in atmosphere to this, it was the first time we’d actually been to a normal mega-church service.

I feel I must be getting old, because the atmosphere here once would have excited me.  Not so much any more.  It’s great to see so many young people in Church, but the drop-off age was clear.  I felt like one of the oldest there (I’m 31).

The visiting speaker was a guy called Chris Hill.  I saw Chris years ago when I’d watch TBN, on a US show called Ramp.  At the time he reminded me very much like a young T.D. Jakes clone.  He was putting on all the right moves.  Even had the sweat-ker-chief.

I was pleased to see that he seemed much more comfortable and authentic tonight.  Though, the message was reasonably predictable;  “We’re going through tough times, but it’s only because God wants to bless us at the right time - and that time is NOW, yada yada..”.  At the risk of sounding like a cynical GenXer, this sort of preaching seems like a carrot being waved in front of our faces.  It urges us onwards, which in itself is not a bad thing, but how long can the carrot be dangled before disillusionment sets in?

In my youth (gee, I really do sound old) we went to conferences with a guy called Ruckins McKinley, also from the states.  We’d jump up and down and declare that we were a ‘kick devil butt generation’ and we’d be sure that ours was the revival generation.  Unless I missed something, it never turned out to be that way.  If the prophetic words were correct, then either our generation or God Himself failed.

I love passionate praise.  I’m a very rare breed in that I class myself as Emerging-Missional and still Pentecostal through and through.  So to me, an authentic, vibrant atmosphere with some good ol’ hollerin’ certainly has it’s place, though it’s no longer my cup of tea.  But the worship must be authentic and our message real.  We can peddle hope, and hope is very much a need of the human soul, but if that hope in the end is not in the true promises of God, then it will go unfulfilled, and that has devastating consequences to our ability to hope again. 

Point to the Planet Shaker on your left (point left)
Point to the Planet Shaker on your right (point right)
Point to the Planet Shaker born to fight (point to your self)

Point to The Planet Shaker (point up)
(Chris Hills and Planet Shakers, 2007)

 

Were a kick devil butt generation
Were a kick devil butt generation
Gonna stomp on his head, won’t stop ’til he’s dead
Were a kick devil butt generation

Kick, Kick, Kick some devil butt, were’ gonna..
(Ruckins McKinley and YouthNet, 1998)

As expected, the kids loved it.  Which probably means that we’ll have to go again.

In finally arrived!

Call me about 5 years behind the times, but I special ordered in from the U.S. my own Xootr, the Rolls Royce of kick scooters.

Getting around on Jay’s little scooter was just dandy, but I’m glad to have my own adult sized piece of fine engineering.

The scooter will be used to ride with the Kids to school which is a few blocks away, and to other destinations that are not quite far enough away to make the hassle of riding and locking up a bike worth it.

I once voice acted in a Kid’s radio show, and the main mode of transport of the geeky, clumsy character I played was a scooter.  A motor scooter, but a scooter no less.  In fact, the character’s name was even Scooter.

Talk about type-casting.