Such is life?…

Often a picture does it best. I’ve seen reams written on “the six (sometimes seven) stages of life” and even run the odd workshop or two myself. I found this silent but eloquent expression on imgur.com.  The caption is a bit of a worry. That’s why I’ve inserted the question mark.

“Such is life!” These are the final words of Ned Kelly, Australia’s much feted anti-hero, just before the trapdoor dropped in Pentridge prison. Such, indeed,  is the fatalistic outlook that has been woven around his story.

P J Harvey and Peggy Lee ask “Is that all there is?” Take your pick! (I like them both for different reasons)


The implication in the lyrics is that we must look beyond this life to satisfactorily answer this question, and one might expect that I would agree, and because of my vocation, point to the Christian affirmation of “something better beyond.”

I prefer, however, to point to the possibility of fulfillment through each of these stages. It is evident to me that this is central to the kingdom talk of Jesus, who continually announces the “reign of God” was upon us (literally “breathing down our necks”). Live out his radical teaching of muscular and proactive compassion and lay these down as the building blocks of a wholesome community.

The “something better beyond” then finds expression through each of those six stages of life’s journey, whatever our contextual challenge, whatever the circumstances.

Marking November how?

P writing blue
Image via Wikipedia

November is approaching – the harbinger of low temperatures by climate on the the top half of the planet and air conditioner in the countries “down under” the equator. (Australia’s not the only country “down under”, by the way).

Personally, November is a bit of a bookmark month, being the month of my arrival on this planet, so I tend to mark it in different ways, like celebrating a birthday, remembering to have my annual medical check, reviewing insurances, registrations and other exciting things! When I was younger, the anniversary of my arrival coincided roughly with the Adelaide John Martin’s Christmas Pageant, the harbinger of the magic festive season. So November has always carried an aura of “specialness” about it.

Others will also make hay while the November sun shines. “Movember” will encourage those of us who can to grow moustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues – particularly prostate and testicular cancer prevention and treatment, and depression. Whilst supportive, I can hardly participate as my whiskers are a permanent feature of my face-scape.

Right now the prospect of November Novel Writing is nagging. I have four days to decide whether I will subject myself to the challenge of writing 1000 words a day for 30 days under the auspices of National Novel Writing Month . I’ve just registered with the site, but not yet sure that I’m committed to it.  There is an idea that I am keen to pursue and that should be some incentive. I think it will be a decision to grasp the nettle and just go with whatever comes off the keyboard. Life AFK (Away From Keyboard) is very insistent, but not dictatorial if I don’t let it be.

So some decisions need to be made in the next 48 hours, so should I go ahead, I will at least have time to plan an approach!

 

 

spider
Image by kakeyzz---- verY biXy.. going back to maldives 🙂 via Flickr

It’s 9 pm and I’m bombed out from a 3 am rise for a run to the airport this morning. Musing on what I can write before I nod off completely, something is tickling my ear. Mrs Wondering Pilgrim is in Wagga Wagga tonight so I know it’s not her. Now it’s the other ear! Suddenly it lands on my desk – a Diplocephalus cristatus – or money spider! Oh goody, now I’ll be rich, according to the legend of such creatures. So tiny, little more than 3mm across.

Reminds me of this story about money and spiders that pops up from time to time under a variety of guises.

This one’s from Nine News MSN

Below is the complete email conversation that Adelaide man David Thorne claims he had with a utility company chasing payment of an overdue bill.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.19pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,
Our records indicate that your account is overdue by the amount of $233.95. If you have already made this payment please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.37pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead. I value the drawing at $233.95 so trust that this settles the matter.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.07am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,
Thankyou for contacting us. Unfortunately we are unable to accept drawings as payment and your account remains in arrears of $233.95. Please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.32am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
Can I have my drawing of a spider back then please.

Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.42am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Overdue account

Dear David,
You emailed the drawing to me. Do you want me to email it back to you?

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.56am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,

Yes please.

Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 12.14pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account

Attached

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 09.22am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Whose spider is that?

Dear Jane, Are you sure this drawing of a spider is the one I sent you? This spider only has seven legs and I do not feel I would have made such an elementary mistake when I drew it.

Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.03am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Whose spider is that?

Dear David, Yes it is the same drawing. I copied and pasted it from the email you sent me on the 8th. David your account is still overdue by the amount of $233.95. Please make this payment as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.05am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Automated Out of Office Response

Thankyou for contacting me. I am currently away on leave, traveling through time and will be returning last week.

Regards, David.
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.08am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Hello, I am back and have read through your emails and accept that despite missing a leg, that drawing of a spider may indeed be the one I sent you. I realise with hindsight that it is possible you rejected the drawing of a spider due to this obvious limb ommission but did not point it out in an effort to avoid hurting my feelings. As such, I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 2.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Dear David, As I have stated, we do not accept drawings in lei of money for accounts outstanding. We accept cheque, bank cheque, money order or cash. Please make a payment this week to avoid incurring any additional fees.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 3.17pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

I understand and will definately make a payment this week if I remember. As you have not accepted my second drawing as payment, please return the drawing to me as soon as possible. It was silly of me to assume I could provide you with something of completely no value whatsoever, waste your time and then attach such a large amount to it.

Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Tuesday 14 Oct 2008 11.18am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Attached

Perth does CHOGM

Perth Western Australia at night.
Image via Wikipedia

Fighter jets flying overhead and rattling my office windows.
Concentration of police and security in the Central Business District.
Vehicles and personnel are being stopped and searched under special temporary laws.
The homeless have been moved on.

The Prime Minister & Cabinet move into the city and set up house.
The red carpet is no doubt being cleaned and shampooed before being rolled out for HM’s arrival on Wednesday.
We are told that some of the world’s most powerful will be rolling in over the next few days…
… and the local expression of OWS will seek to test them.

Should be an interesting week here in Perth as the Commonwealth Heads of Government gather.

In the meantime, we will continue to push back domestic chaos as we make early morning runs to the airport on family business and attend to the continuing round of daily distractions, opportunities and conundrums.

Versatile Blogging Award

Just when you thought it was safe to give up blogging… along comes Granny Dog to nominate you for the Versatile Blogging Award! While it’s been one of those time poor weeks where even the basics of life, like eating and sleeping, jostle for their allotted times – it’s easy to ask, “What can I do without?” A daily commitment to blogging inevitably comes onto the radar. But then again, as a teacher and a pastor, communication is my stock in trade and it deserves at least as much consideration as rest and nourishment. So thanks Granny Dog, for rattling my cage! These are the rules should you be nominated. Of course, whether you decide to abide by the rules is up to you!

  •  Thank the person who gave you the award.
  •  Include a link to their blog. Here’s how.
  •  Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly.
  •  Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
  •  Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

Seven things about myself that I haven’t made transparent already? Well, here goes:

  1. I’m third generation Aussie on my mother’s side, fourth on my father’s.
  2. My father’s people arrived from Cornwall in Moonta, South Australia, in 1853.
  3. I have lived in South Australia, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia.
  4. I have travelled to Jordan, Israel, Greece and the USA.
  5. USA states I have visited – California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.
  6. I aspire to travel with my church team to Zimbabwe in 2012 for a fraternal visit to supported churches and relief work and sharing of ideas and skills.
  7. I would like to travel again to the USA and enhance my training in teaching the Enneagram, a powerful pastoral/spiritual tool that I have been using.
Fifteen sites to which I would now offer the Versatile Blogging Award? Well there are 12 in my blogfeed and I will have to seek out 3 to add. In no particular order:
  1. coobarietwo  –  my sister is not a habitual blogger, but this is a travel journal climaxing at Kitgum, Uganda, where she and her husband, Des, have just finished working for three weeks in support of an orphanage, hospital and school developed in response to the armed struggle there. So keep blogging, sis, now that you’re home
  2. bwinwnbwimusic – a thoughtful journey involving one person’s pilgrimage, philosophy and music
  3. The Holy Irritant – I have great respect for church folk who think outside the box. Holy Irritant is one.
  4. Kate Shrewsday – I have never come away from Kate’s blog without learning something interesting or simply being won over by her knack for story-telling
  5. If Darwin Prayed – evolutionary spirituality & the path of Christ. I met Bruce Sanguin earlier this year and have continued to enjoy his reflections.
  6. A Feather Adrift   – a favourite daily read of someone whose daily homespun commentary on things of and beyond US politics keeps me both informed and entertained.
  7. Love vs.Goliath – the ongoing story of a compelling intercountry marriage that has negotiated Australia’s Kafkaesque immigration regime. Puts a human face on the acerbic refugee debate.
  8. The Go Between God – thoughtful, incisive essays on local current affairs and discussions from a faith perspective by my colleague and predecessor at Wembley Downs
  9. allaboutwordswa – a fellow Sandgroper simply blogs about her life in a simple and winsome fashion. A good friendly read.
  10. So Far From Heaven – from deep in the middle of Texas Hill Country, Old Jules writes his blog with a prose that is deeply musical.
  11. The Christian Left Blog – while the title may alienate some it attracted me. Its content is more radical (grass-roots) than left, and that suits me fine! Some fine commentary on the OWS movement right now.
  12. Call To Radical Discipleship – my nephew’s blog. He is innovative,entrepreneurial and compassionate and writes transparently about the projects to which he is summoned.

Well, I’m looking for three more. When I ‘ve found some, I’ll fill in the blanks.

Foodbanks in a land of plenty – World Food Day

Freestore Foodbank tour
Image by Rrrrred via Flickr

 

 

 

By world standards, Australia is one of the best fed countries. In spite of the vicissitudes of climate and a creeping drought line, we produce plenty of food, trade vigorously and respond to appeals for help in world famine trouble spots, sometimes generously, sometimes not as much as we could.

Even the most prosperous nations, however, have people who go hungry and whose children are malnourished. Within the urban sprawl of of our most populous cities and quieter regional centres, where surplus food is tossed or culled, there are families who wonder where their next meal is going to come from.

In the so-called leafy western suburbs of Perth, where old money and young professionals build family nests, there are also those who are down on their luck. The stereotype just doesn’t wash. Within a 5km radius of this expensive piece of real estate, there is a mix of brokenness, hard luck, income reduced by illness, separation, mental health, accident and a variety of human circumstances that overwhelm – whether it’s “one off”, periodically or chronically. And it’s Foodbank – An Australia Without Hunger  to the rescue.

Our local expression is organised by four or five neighbouring churches. Locals know there is a place that’s open on Wednesday mornings where they can go and stock up without charge on fresh vegetables, staples and maybe even one or two luxuries. Donations from the local community, the regional Foodbank warehouse, and a generous citrus orcharder keep the shelves flowing over. A friendly “help yourself” policy sees respectful response as first time clients overcome natural tentativeness at seeking help and slowly become part of the community that gathers and lingers over coffee and cake, swapping yarns – helper and client alike.

World Food Day is a great opportunity to reflect on how much of our life and our community revolves around the hospitality of food – whether its plenteous or meagre. Involvement in the local Foodbank advances such contemplation.

 

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Movie Review: Higher Ground

Cinema 46/365
Image by Blue Square Thing via Flickr

Higher Ground will have limited appeal to those interested in how room for doubt and exploring the nature of faith is accommodated or otherwise within the boundaries of family life confined by fundamentalist brands of evangelical Christianity, All characters are portrayed sympathetically, even those who portray the most obviously flawed expressions of their faith. This does not necessarily reflect badly on this particular brand of the Church, for any part of the Church where power trumps service would come off the same way. When religious faith is used primarily for comfort and security, one still has to meet the vicissitudes that life and relationship strew in the pilgrim’s path. The focus of this film is on one person’s journey, helpfully bookmarked throughout the screenplay by such titles as “Summons”, “Consumed” and “Wilderness”.

It had particular interest for me who, from time to time, engages with others in formal spiritual direction to explore the very kinds of questions this film raises. Others may respond as the only other patron in the session I attended this morning – yawning loudly and walking out half way through!  (Showing at the Paradiso, Northbridge)

Expedient decency

Christmas Island like a prison: Amnesty

Isn’t it funny how the best humanitarian outcome is seen as a government defeat? (See PM concedes defeat in asylum stand-off ) It could have been so different, with government leadership taking a principled stand rather than letting the opposition,  a fear frenzied section of the population and empire building bureaucrats seize control of the discourse. What many of us have been advocating all along – community based processing of refugees regardless of how they arrive, is now more likely to become the default standard for a while. Let’s hope asylum seekers are not punished by freshly conceived draconian measures as a result.