Don't make me use my handbag!
Sunday, November 30, 2003
I'll try and keep this short.
And not 'cos I'm angry about having 1 comment on my last blog, nope. :) But sorry Thida. I've deleted that e-mail. No, I must be quick because I am working at 8am tomorrow morning, until 8pm or perhaps midnight or perhaps later. Which... is a long time. And I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm a 'martial' for the premiere at Reading (yay me! Yay God!) basically guiding people through metal detectors, apparantly. I don't know why I have an 8am call, but that's fine with me - it's a job, and it's one I want, that's fine.
All right, day-to-day update... Thursday night, saw Mystic River with Jeremy and Reuben. It was good, but overrated. Could have been better. Friday... job interview. What did I do at night...? Oh, cell group, yeah! Good fun - I agree with what Brendan said. I think I had some more to say about that too. Yesterday, strong conviction to serve my family more and more - very tough for me, please pray on that. But so far, I've been doing quite well, with good results. Saturday night, went to dinner and the Lord of the Rings Symphony, conducted by Howard Shore.
That deserves a new paragraph, cos it was amazing. I kept thinking about ya, Abigail, until I stopped thinking and started feeling. And maaaan. That was good. And I saw Elijah, Orlando, Viggo, John R-D all up close. An incredible night - and someone had leaked a secret password online to get 50% off, so also good.
Church this morning, at the Rock. To be honest, I was struggling staying there... I don't think it's for me, any more. Not the morning service anyway. It seems a little... mellow. I need to be challenged more. The worship was quite good, but a little... mellower, too. But no regrets about going, it's very good to know. Bing's 21st was next, that was good. Hope you enjoyed it, Doc, we did! Luuuverly food. Choir tonight, that was pretty good too. So I'm doing well, a little tired (seems I'm always tired!), and looking forward to tomorrow, although it'll be a loooong day! God bless you all.
Thursday, November 27, 2003
He's got a ticket to ride...
I bought a ticket to the 1pm screening of RotK on the Thursday... now I gotta pray I can get time off work for that day. But first, I've gotta pray for work, before I can get time off it. I'm up for a job on Monday, as a security guard for the premiere - I'll find out over the weekend if I get it, I'd say I've got a good chance. But that's a one-off. Noooowww... I'm not complaining. I'm quite enjoying relaxing at home. I'm learning some good music, reading some good stuff, having some good prayer times... but I know that some time soon I will want to work. And I will be worried if there is no good job available. It's stupid, really. I trust God, He comes through, then I lose faith. Nah, I have faith that He'll get me what I need... but it's grilling, not knowing what that is!
Now, I wanna say firstly that that Rock Opera I mentioned that I bought on Monday, "!Hero"... it's great! I love it, really do. A couple of the songs are a little yawny, and some of the lyrics maybe a little iffy, but it's funky. My family were surprised that it was Christian, cos they said it sounded cool. Even my sister, and she'd know. So mmm. Also, "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis? Awesome book, mind-boggling. Everyone should read it, especially people who think they know what Christians believe. I've hardly started it, and it's good. Of course, that's why it's so well known.
I've got nothing to report, really. Which is a little concerning, I feel like I should be *doing*... Ah, Be still and Know. Patience. Still, this is the first time I've been in this sort of situation, and having to trust so fully... we all know how hard that is. Listen to me, I sound like it's something really important! Drama queen! :-) Oh yeah, looking forward to cell tomorrow night, that'll be cool. I've got some drinks, and we could steal some bikkies if we need to - or someone else could bring some...?
Commentary
Oh hey, so, who likes the 'eyes'? Hmm? Hmm?
Abscess (which is *clearly* a contraction of "Abbey is a princess", NOT something in your teeth. Ugh) - You enjoyed the adventures of Carnal Man and Flesh Boy, huh? Maybe they'll return some day... when they're most needed. Yes, I am weird. How where the doobies? And what's with the short, simple, short sentences? :)
Sam - Hi, me. What're you doing, commenting on your own blog? Silly silly man. But a very interesting verse you mentioned, it's a shame no-one's mentioned it.
David - Like I said, thanks. I won't protest that my 'modesty' was anything but false, but I'll keep your exhortation in mind, and go for it.
Lu, as in Lucy, as in Bing's Ma - hope to see you guys tomorrow! Remember that Bing wrote my address incorrectly, eh... It's 39! Thanks for the firey competition, now it's your turn to update again, you hear? You're never gonna win, y'know... Church is a toughy, eh. Firstly I need to get my motives straight for choosing one, God revealed that to me the other day. I guess it should be the church God wants me to go to, not the one with the cool student group. Or the good-looking congregation. :-) So maybe I'll be going to the Rock, that's the only place I feel somewhat led to. I might try the town Apo one on Sunday morning, and maybe E street at night again... Hehe, decisions, decisions. I reckon I'll ask God again.
Oh yeah, I did happen to go to a Cell last night... there were 4 of us in the church office, though there's usually a few more. It was a little tough fitting into their group, but they're some nice people. I might try and go again next week.
Aaannnd... Sam has left the building!
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Tuesday's update
Well, hello everyone out there in the Blogisphere and beyond, how's it all going? Well *good*! I'm doing pretty good... but I'm at a bit of a loose end. It's not that I want to be working right now, but that I feel like I *should* be. Which means I feel like my parents feel like I *should* be. Which shouldn't matter too much, really. But I would like to work again, relatively soon. I'm checking out SJS quite often, then. I found a job I could do willingly, too... I'll see if it's still there tomorrow, and head in and check it out.
So what has Sam been up to...? Hmm. Sunday night, had poo choir (yeah, that's what we call it. It has a story behind it). Man, it was fun! Good to see some old friends, meet some new ones, sing... I even introduced a few people to the gradually-becoming-more-infamous 'lettuce doobies' of Lydiaville fame. Yes, though I don't necessarily enjoy eating them, they definately make an awesome conversation piece. I can only hope Penny is spreading it through Texas too.
Been doing small things here and there since, no working, just... hanging. Done a lot of reading, also went to the library and got out Mere Christianity and books 3 and 4 of the Left Behind series. Oh, and I'm onto book 2 of the Narnia Chronicles. Played a lot of guitar and piano (!) recently, getting my singing together. Which was another thing, SATB (my initials) also mean Soprano Alto Tenor Bass. Apt. Although I've never sung Alto. The rest I will admit to. Ooh, also, considering auditioning for NZ Idol. I don't like my chances (and I'm not the only one, eh flatties? :-) ), but it'll be a laugh. The form asks who my favourite Idols are... not sure what to write there. Thinking of putting Jesus on, first, and then saying 'musical influences include...' in that question. Is that being nit-picky?
Okay, stop laughing! Fine, maybe I won't enter NZ Idol, just to get back at you! Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. By the way, I wonder if that phrase has always been a metaphor or if it has more... idiotic roots. Who'd do that? I can think of plenty of other reasons to cut off my nose... yeah, stop laughing again, I know it's big. :-)
So what else? I bought a double CD today from Manna, "!Hero, the Rock Musical." Haven't listened to it yet (Jeremy rolls his eyes), but it looks to be like a cross between Rent and JC Superstar. So I had to get it. It's got some famous CCM singers in it too, and a funky story. I hope I like it, I need a new Rock Musical. What did I do yesterday... oh, went to see Jeremy, watched some eps of Angel, new and old. Good, clean fun. By the way, dude, I'm gonna have to borrow CK some time next year, you know. :-) Annnnd... I think that's it. Oh, I've done a bit of e-mail, mostly official, some personal... I need to do some more personal e-mails - hold me to that, will you?
Comments:
Donnave - Thats really good to hear... do keep praying and loving, God is faithful. And yet, while you're struggling with whether to keep 'actively loving' this person, I'm struggling with starting to do so with my family... it's not in my system! Well, I guess it is, actually. I was reminded yesterday of a prophecy I got a month back, that this Summer I'm going to love people I don't want to love. Okay, this sounds rotten, it's not that I don't *love* my family, I do. It's just... different. Different from the love I want to show them. I hope you all understand.
Lou Lou (how about that? Or how about 'Skiptothe Lou'? Now I'm just being mean. :-) ) - do you normally go to the Rock night service? I thought you had a Baptist (?) church in Tawa... As for my address for Friday... well, it's never recommended that you give addresses out online... but I can be pretty stupid at times. 39 Trelissick Crescent, Ngaio. Heck, you want directions too? :-P We can pick you up, if ya want. By the way, you need to update too. Hehe.
Dave - sorry, I keep meaning to comment on your website. One day. Yeah, thanks for helping with the pic (and thanks to Jeremy for hosting it!) I'm not quite sure what your haloscan issues are, but e-mail me and I'll see if I can help. There's a troubleshooting forum at haloscan.com too...
And that's that. That's thatty that that. Oh, one more thing (HA!)... if I could draw, if I had a tablet on this computer, if I had the time and the space, I'd write a webcomic, I decided today. About two superheroes, Carnal Man and Flesh Boy. Hired by the Prince to defend the city from the works of The Spirit, a mysterious being armed with a strange arsenal, including what appears to be a magic book.
FB: Carnal Man! Do something! Use your Wandering Vision!
CM: I'm trying, Flesh Boy... but it's so hard to fight when you're being... crucified!
WILL Carnal Man and Flesh Boy meet their DOOM in this Calvarian Crucifiction Cornucopia???
HAS The Spirit subtley SHREDDED the superheroes' sense of serenity in this scene???
WHO will take control now the STRONGMEN have been bound???
FIND OUT!
SAME FLESH-TIME
SAME FLESH-CHANNEL...
THE WAR HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Surely God is With Us...
Love that song. Mmm. Just had a funky church service at the Rock. Nice place, good message - all about celebration. I was a little 'muh' at first, but then it hit me how relevant it was. God was a-nudging, telling me that he wants me to be a worshiper, a celebrator. Which I want to resist, but I know how fruitless that'll be. So that's cool, that'll be interesting, spice up my relationship a whole lot. I actually think it's also got something to do with the whole music thing I went through a while back... in that I need to be single-minded in worship, etc. Plus I'm finally coming to enjoy and appreciate CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) more and more. And one other thing that got me... My initials, ATSB (yes, Alex is my first name, but everyone calls me Sam), have always interested me... y'know, like, rearranging the letters (BATS, STAB, TABS...) as you do. The pastor went through a list of hebrew and greek words for different kinds of worship (man, there's heaps!). One was ATSAB, meaning "to set up an idol". Which, you can guess, struck a chord, excuse the pun. So yeah, good service, good church. I want to try the Wgtn Central Apo, which we did our Cutting Edge things at, and I might see if I can join a cell there (as well as our one). Then I'll decide which church to call home (away from home).
So, interesting about the prayer discussions, hmm? I don't really think the closed door thing applies, because it's more out of fear/integrity (interesting combination) than humility that we're not saying it. I also think that in saying that you will pray for someone, you're more likely too than not. It's all about balance, I guess. Whether to err on the side of caution, or what? I do like Donnave's answer the best, though! Very challenging, but also very good. I find it very difficult to pray for people like that, but I guess that's the point - it's something we need to do, and something we need practice with. Who's with me, who's gonna try it?
Oh, Lou (I can call you that, right?), cell group is probably going to be on Friday nights, at 7ish. Is that right, Bing?
And what I said yesterday, about wishing people could be converted with arguments rather than demonstations of God's power and love? I take that back completely. He gave me an opportunity to do the first at dinner with my family last night, and it did not go down well at all! I felt a bit stink about that, but turns out that was to show me the truth. Heh, I'm such a silly boy at times.
P.S. Jeremy's trying to give up his blog, but we can't let him do that without a fight! Let him know! :-)
P.P.S. Hi, Jeremy! :-)
Friday, November 21, 2003
I feel like I have a lot to talk about...
Which has been true the last few days, actually...
Donnave - thanks again. Y'know, at times I wish it were the other way around, that it was the high arguments rather than the good fruit that won people - not that I don't desire to bear good fruit normally, but it can be quite challenging at times. But then, if it were easy, we wouldn't be half as into it as we are. Am I making any sense? I am to me.
Well that's that done... man, I'm so exhausted. Today I was up before 6, working until 6. Yesterday I was up before 7, working 'til 6:30. Mostly standing, holding things, running, getting BAD sunburn (peel or tan, peel or tan...?) and having fun. Yep, I'm pretty much the lowest of the lows here, but I'm doing a Joseph, or trying to. They like me. Thing is, I don't know when they'll need me next, and when they do, they'll call me at 8pm the day before. Which is exciting, and a lesson in trusting God. But otherwise, this is exactly what I prayed for, so huzzah!
Speaking of God (it's been a toughy keeping close over the last two days cos I'm busy, but I've managed, thank Him), I've noticed something I do - y'know how people say "I'll pray for you" when someone has an issue? I rarely do that, unless I'm sure I'll remember to do it. Which means I hardly ever say it. Which is something to work on, for sure... d'ya reckon it's better to say it and not pray it, or not to say it? On the one hand it's comforting, on the other it's lying. I'd go with the way I'm doing it, to be honest. That sounds rather immodest. But I'm to tired to change it. Am I making any sense, he asks again? Huh.
Got my 2 Psyc marks back, and I'm very happy with them. Exams really didn't bother me this time around, although the studying got a little hectic (as it tends to!). But no big stresses - nice one God!
I feel like I've either written a lot and said nothing, or said something that I shouldn't have... a sort of sinking feeling inside me. Maybe I'm tired. Maybe it's an attack. Maybe it's the Wantons and Chicken Cashew I had. Who knows? The Shadow knows.
Oh yeah, so, we had the first Wellington Summer cell yesterday, Brendan, Kristy, Nicola and I. Spot the odd one out. :-) Yes, you're right, it's Brendan, cos he's odd. Just kidding. We had a great time at the Parade Cafe, mmm, cake. But I can't be bothered talking about our plans or our proposed name, you'll just have to come along! Hah! :-)
OH, and before I go, a big
Yes, three exclamation marks. Why? Because. Because. Because Stone Cold said so. Isn't that enough???
Sleep now.hsjttttsthp;/gyjk'gk,j'f,kj' ggfkjsjmyotrdhp
Oops. Maybe not on the keyboard. ;) Night folks!
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Well guess who went and got himself a job?
I don't know how. It's not forever, in fact, it's only for tomorrow. But the Gibson Group have asked me to be a runner for the 3rd AD for some TV show (probably The Strip) for 10 hours tomorrow (may be a little late to the cell thing). Now, this is the lowest you can go... and it's a one-off! BUT - I am so very very thankful. It hasn't really sunk in yet, but this is my first crew job in the industry. Starting from the bottom, hmm? It was funny, I'd finished my list of 'possibles' today, and no luck. Then one of them called me back and asked me to work. So, nice. I'll let you know how it goes, but Praise the Lord! Now I gotta pray that this leads to more, regular work. Oh, and the pay ain't as bad as you'd think either. :-)
That, you can expect, made my day. But better than that, the peace I felt when making 'the calls' was incredible! Understand, regardless of what you think you know of me, I am *not* a phone person with strangers. It took me about 30 minutes to make each call yesterday. But after a few this morning, I just launched into it, no fear! I reckon that was a combination of my prayers and other people praying for me, so thanks, guys!
In other news, I bought some guitar picks for my Dad's guitar. And some hair product. And some underpants. Mmm-mm. I think I'll wear them tomorrow! Not the picks, no! :-) And I saw my sister, finally. A little sick, but it was good to see her and we had a chat.
In other news, my parents are scared of me... they get so apologetic if they think they've offended me, and are so careful not to say bad words around me. This is a little disturbing, but very interesting. I wonder why. It's not because they understand my beliefs fully, 'cos they still rip into them. If I could place it, I'd say that I'm passively encouraging them to examine themselves, and they're not too happy with what they see. Not that I think *I'm* perfect, oh no... this blog is proof of my inadequacies, and only the ones I'm willing to share. But my openness and hunger for purity seems to have some sort of ripple effect. Very nice. More later.
So far, so good with the family. No fights, no altercations, I've been merciful. :-) Just gotta keep praying!
Jess - glad to hear you're working the blogs into your routine, and also glad to hear you're relaxing. You know, we'd all read *your* blog if you wanted to put one up... :-) Plus it helps ease the pain, because it's kinda like, when people read your blog, they've been living your day with you. That's one of the reason commenting is so important.
Dave - Glad to hear you enjoyed. Hope you find your phone, but until you do, I've been doing good (great!) on my QTs! Thanks for your prayers, too!
By the way, I seem to be updating nightly (like I thought I would) which is good, but I always worry that people will miss something good if they don't check every day (moose!) because, say, they're on a long flight to Texas. Say. So if you missed yesterday's post, it was quite important, especially the links. But so was today. Oh, and I've been doing some funky comments on Bing's blog. :-P Thanks, boss.
Sigh, I have too much time. Not tomorrow, though! I'll have to leave the house before I normally get up! And y'know, I'm still happy! Love y'all!
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Ooh, Tuesday. You won't believe how many Tues I ate today.
No, I don't know what or who Tues is. I could find out... but... ah, why not.
Ah, Tyr / Tiu was the Norse God of war. Son of Odin. Good to know. Anyway, I've got a lot to get through tonight, so let's stop blabbering.
Okay, firstly, here are five mini-reviews of The Passion, from a Priest, a Rabbi, a Baptist, a Professor and a film critic. And, uh, well... the Baptist liked it. Consensus seems to say it's WAY too violent, and it portrays Jews in a bad light. This is a big shame. Still, I'll see it if I can, I hate prejudging these kinda things (or most things, to be fair). And the Priest wrote an amusing comment down the bottom of his mini-review... I think the odd fellow he's talking about was the Devil, judging from the previews. And I think it was played by a bald chick.
And on that note, yes, I was excited when I heard this news. And while my entire family are keen to go, none of us (not even me) are keen to fork out $65 US *extra* to get access to the first tickets on sale. Even though they'd be cool. See, I'm not that fanatical about it! I'll still be lining up next Thursday. Oh, and in more news that no-one else cares about, here's this snippet.
And more. I got an e-mail today from the Embassy Theatre (yes, the world-premiere one) offering to sell me tickets to the extended LotR 1 and 2 and the midnight premiere of RotK in a row (marathon stylez) for $100. And you know? I probably won't. Sad bu true. Worse, because I thought it would be much cheaper, it seems I'll miss out on the midnight screenings altogether, having sold out at Reading. Unless I want to go to the 'rua or the Hutt cinemas, which is unlikely (sorry Bing, they're, uh, really far away :-) ). Interesting... and it's the one I'm in. Why don't I care? Maybe I've seen too many midnight screenings to think they're anything special. Still, they're fun... with friends. I'm kinda hoping I'll win one of the many competitions I'm entering to see the premiere.
I'm sure I had some other news. Well. Oh, Gail, yeah, I've been meaning to say that I'm sorry to hear that you're sick and all, you should take it easy, y'hear? Get well soon! Oh, and Jeremy, this caught my eye... we're unlikely to follow through, but it's a cool opportunity. Except they'd probably only accept jokes about sports people. Although I'm sure we could do something with the cheekie darkie line...
So, today, apart from sending stuff to Dave (I hope you find your cellphone, mate!), what have I been doing? Job-hunting. I've gone a large way through my list of possibles, and things are looking grim. Worse, this is exactly how I feared it would happen, so I'm getting worried. I'm gonna try not to think about it tonight, except I'll pray about it again before bed, but tomorrow seems to be my last chance with this line of work. Ah, stress. Lean not on my own understanding. I guess there is a glimmer of hope that *I* can see, and that is that one of the people I'll call tomorrow is my old (primary school) best-friend's mother, so that would give me an advantage... if they have work! Still, I must confess, the more rejections I get, the less worried I am about *needing* a film/TV job. Oh, more tomorrow.
Man, I'm really looking forward to starting the Summer Cell thing... even if it's just Bing and I on Thursday, that'll be good. Not only do I miss Christian friends, I miss friends! I haven't seen one for over two days... I should get in touch with my old friends. Both of them. :-)
I want to say more, like, I should go to bed, but I wanna keep typing. But my mind is blank. Not literally. Actually, it's filled with song. Under Pressure, by Queen, since you ask. Seriously. I listened to it earlier today. No, it's not a sign, or Freudian, thankyouverymuch! :-) Ah, I'd better go to bed. But, uh, I'd appreciate an e-mail, eh. That'd be nice. :-P Oh, I'm finding it quite a struggle to be merciful around my parents... they can do some incredibly annoying things (all parents can), and I just want to yell in frustration at them! But I won't. I will not. I will honour them. I just thought I'd let you know. I'll tell you how that's going, too.
This time I'm gone. Sleep tight.
How exactly does one do that?
Monday, November 17, 2003
Honeys, I'm home!
Giggle. Well, I am. Back in Business, back in Wellywood. Actually, I think of Dunedin as home nowadays, but there's no need to get into this. Oh hey, check these out:
Someone's in trouble...
And Blogger's response...
Funny, and quite true. Mine found out a few weeks ago, as y'all know. Still, nowadays I don't mind if she knows who I am... most of the time, that'd be fine with me! Still, like I said then, she doesn't check it. My *sister* on the other hand... :-P No-one knows where she is, speaking of. Last I heard, she was in New Plymouth, possibly driving to Auckland (maybe she got lost?)... I dunno.
So now that I'm home, now what? Well, I've made a good start... my goals are to find a job (which I'll get onto tomorrow), grow in my relationship with God (which I just prayed about... good fun!), have a good time being with (and *serving*) my family (so far so good), and have a blast. Well, there's probably some more too. At church the other night (oh, day, I didn't go at night... how was it? Katie?) I kinda sensed which Church I should go to here, which is good... I'll keep you updated. Well, for now, it's called The Rock, and I haven't been there for about a year, so I dunno what it's like. But we'll see! There's a meeting there on Thursday night, for Leadership, but the newspaper said everyone's invited, so I might take them up on that! Oh, except that's when Bing wanted to do the cell-group thang. No worries, I'll leave (The Rock) church 'til Sunday.
I'm still tired, weird... maybe it's a combination Post-Exam-DeStress-Disorder and Leaving-Friends-and-Church-Sadness. I don't usually sleep well in Wellington, but I plan on changind that. Oh, I'm not sad and lonely anymore (don't say it, DON'T!) - although I felt real rotten again last night, it lead to a pretty cool time with Jesus. But man, was I fragile. Then again, I was dead tired too. Oh yeah, that came from watching Chicago (again) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (for the first time?! But it rocked!) with Katie, which was a very fun evening. Oh, and previously, I'd been to dinner with Thida and her friend Anna, who is a nice wee lass. We had pizza at Brimstone, mmm....
So yep, thus does my Summer begin!
Sunday, November 16, 2003
Sunday, the day of... er... Sun. And rest. Rest in the sun?
I'm tired. Up late last night (my own fault! But it was worth it), up early this morning (got to say goodbye to some lovely ladies for 3 months). Church was pretty good, although hearing the same sermon twice is quite draining, no matter how good it is. But when I'm tired... bad things start happening. If I'm in a good mood, I get really... silly. If I'm in an average or below mood, I get sad. And that's kinda where I'm at at the moment. I haven't felt lonely and sad like this for a long time! Okay, it's not as bad as it sounds. Honestly, I'm over the worst of it. And I dealt with it in a good Scriptural way. So really, I'm thankful for it, because it helped me learn to control my thoughts that much better. That being said, sadness sure can suck! :-) Especially when you realise just how *selfish* and *faithless* some of the thoughts you have are. "Better than the sound of my friends' voices... your love is." We (I) so often believe that our friends are what makes life good, and that the friends we have are irreplacable. Which, to an extent, they are, but that implies that God cannot or will not provide more friendship when those you know leave. And I believe that's one of the reasons friends *do* leave, and a good thing that arises when friends do die - you slowly learn an independence from the sin of friendship idolatry. I know that sounds a little comic, but I'm serious... it is a sin. One I'm very guilty of.
I honestly don't know where all that came from. I don't think I meant to write any of that. Freaky. And yet, I feel much better... Revelations 12:11, huh? Hehe. I need to get packing and cleaning... naah, can't be bothered. :-) I've got a lot to do, and got to decide what to take and stuff - but then, most of you understand that, right?
You know, I've got to start job-hunting tomorrow. This is probably causing me more trouble than any other aspect of Summer. I hate job-hunting. More so, I hate job-hunting when I have limited the kind of job I'm interested. And I've never had to trust God about something so much (well, that might be an exaggeration, I'm not sure). I've prayed that I would find a job in the film/TV industry, but all signs and experience point to no. My faith tells me to ignore those, but it's easier said than done! Where is my faith!? Sigh. I'll keep you updated. :-)
Well, it's been a while since I've used this blog as a... what, a confessional? But man, is it ever helpful! I feel pretty good now. Still tired, though. And hungry.
SAM! Stop it! Phillipians 2:14! Hehe. I like that verse. I feel like some sugar. But not on lettuce, oh no. Later!
Saturday, November 15, 2003
A couple of interesting health news pieces...
A little squirt that eases hunger pangs - www.smh.com.au
Diabetes... reversable???
Hehe, oh, I am a tricky hobbit, aren't I.
That actually wasn't the new ending to the Return of the King. It's part of a scene cut from Two Towers where Frodo has a flash-forward (when Faramir is examining the Ring with his sword, if you must know) to what he will become if he keeps the Ring. Very gollummy, a little disturbing too.
So I'm home alone. I have a five-person flat all to myself. So naturally I'm dancing around naked, but don't let that put you off visiting. Hehe, joshing. It's very quiet here though, quite eerie. It might get worse, I got an odd text today that suggests that maybe Dave didn't tell the power company not to turn the power off today, but to wait until Monday. Well, we'll see. Or not, if it's night time. Ha! :-) Isn't it good to see how well I'm taking this?
Yeah, I'm in a pretty good mood. Exams are over, and last night rocked. Saw Matchstick Men with Thida and Abbey (our last movie together for mooonths!), which was real fun, and real... carthartic. The trailer doesn't do it justice. I'd love to say more, but it's kind of hard to if you haven't seen it. To be honest, there were bits near the beginning that I didn't enjoy, a little too much "Family Man" saccharine or something, as well as an offensive portrayal of anxiety disorders (which wasn't helped by the implications that they're curable by 'facing your fears') which could have been worse. But it got real good pretty fast. Ridley Scott is da man - not only in knowing how to tweak your heart-strings, but for shooting this movie in gorgeous 2.35 widescreen! Ooh! And then utilising that to change the ratio - by having shots which appear to top and bottom-matte themselves. Okay, I know what I'm talking about, rest assured it looked very nice. Plus, Nicolas Cage... maybe not deserving an Oscar, but he's cool. As is Sam. So I'd say the movie was part CONfidence, part As Good As It Gets, and part... oh, I had something in mind. Something cool. I'm tempted to say Confessions of A Dangerous Mind, but that's kinda... ad hoc?
Then Rachel and Katie and I got my guitar and went and ate popcorn and chocolate on Signal Hill for a while, while some Chinese people beside us let off skyrockets (YAY!) and boy-racers did their trix in the car-park. Then we went to Uni and had a 12:30am prayer time, and worshiped. Nice. Man, I'm gonna miss those girls. And Abbey and Thida. And everyone. Sigh. But I'm also happy. I'm looking forward to the holidays, although they scare me, but I'm used to that now. And I'm trusting.
Embassy theatre, where the World Premiere is gonna be, are advertising for employees. I'm wondering... firstly, I'd probably get to work on the night of the Premiere, and I'd get a steady job related to movies. But I think I could do better than a theatre job, and I want to. Am I being unreasonably picky, or trusting and not accepting second best? Tough question. Also, there are seats available on the red carpet for the premiere, for $100. Also tempting... but I guess I'm not too fussed. Once you've meet stars once, they lose their charm :-). Besides, I'm hoping to win a seat. :-)
I might update later today, if I have power... but otherwise, I'm a happy chappy.
Friday, November 14, 2003
Okay, exams are done!
And I wouldn't post about it yet, if I didn't have a few things to say...
FIRST: New ending to Return of the King! Not in the books! And I tell you, it's not a happy ending!
SECOND: What's up with California? First it burns, then there's mega storms, then LA gets pounded with giant hailstones... sound awefully end-timesy, or judgementy (Revelations 8:7)... I'm expecting a cloud of locusts next, or maybe another earthquake. :-)
Thursday, November 13, 2003
I feel like blogging!
Weird, huh. Here I am, in the middle of New Stressland, engaged in a Sam vs. Exams war, and I feel like blogging. I feel like I have a duty to, a deontic tendency... and yet, I think it's something I want to do, something I should do, an aretic tendency... yeah, you right, I have been studying too much. That's why I feel like blogging.
And y'know, I might even jump on the colour-change bandwagon too, but not now, not yet. Can't be bothered. Plus, this colour is very... 'me'. But then, Michael uses it too, so... hmm.
So, what can I talk about? Exams? Hah! No chance. I'm going home in four days, I could talk about that. But that might make me sad. Or nervous. Or sadly nervous. Or ne- you get the picture. See, that's the problem, I can't think of anything to talk about. That seems to be quite common these days, wonder why... all the focus on exams, I guess. How about I start by replying to comments. That usually fills things out. :-)
Oh right, yes, I'm keen to see Matchstick Men tomorrow night... 8:35 and 11:10pm. I know Abbey and Katie (and Kristy, but she left :-( ) are keen, I dunno if Rach is, maybe she can't afford it. But I'll ask her. Alaska. Heh. It's not on at Rialto (sorry, Ab-omination). Oh, but Seabiscuit is, we could see that... 8:55pm. The one about the horses. Looks to be an Oscar winner. I'd rather see MM though. So, let me know, ladies. And we can catch a cab, Katie, if we gotta. :-)
And then on Saturday night... hmm. We could sit back and watch a vid. Or hang. Or, ooh! We could go to the glo-worm caves! :-) Or... er... um... play laserforce, eh Katie?
Okay, that's a blatant lie, but I'll save some if you like! :)
And J., no worries, it was a nice chat. I *can* say no, y'know. :-P
P.S. KT - go to Settings, that's how you can change your archiving... Which reminds, I've added some new blogs up top, check 'em out! Bing and Dave Lim, the Asian Invasion. :-P I'm not sure how to order them, I've gone with alphabetical for now, but there's quite a few... I'm tempted to order them by how often they're updated... that'd encourage people to update more. Hehe. Or, if you don't want to check every blog every day, check this link , which will e-mail you daily to let you know which blogs have been updated the previous day. Handy, but not for me, cos I check every blog about three times a day. :-)
Anyone with a blog might want to check out this link, which allows you to manage your blog links easily.
Oh, did I mention it was snowing earlier?
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Well, just to placate the Abdominiser...
Here's another blog. But don't think your begging will always work with me! :) Sorry for those who read stuff they didn't want to about Matrix 3... I should have put spoiler warnings up. It's been so long since I've posted about new movies, I didn't think. In fact, it's been so long since I've posted about movies. That's kind of odd. I think my focus has shifted a little recently. Plus there's been nothing good on. Plus no-one ever comments when I talk about movies (I can't believe I care about that! Argh!)
Man, it's hard to think of what to blog about when you're chatting on MSN. I keep getting my thoughts disrupted by that little flashing blue bar that I *have* to click on! :) Then again, it's hard to think about *anything* except the phylogeny and ontogeny of serial memory in pigeons and monkeys at the moment.
Just me and Penny left in the flat right now. Which is fun, but we'd love visitors! Then again, with the study and stuff, there's not too much time for people. :-) Anyone keen to do anything on Friday/Saturday night? I'll need to blow off some steam, somehow.
Nope, nothing more to say right now. Back to studying.
Sunday, November 09, 2003
All right, I've played you guys long enough.
Hehe, I feel guilty now. I really shouldn't be so childish, but it's all in fun. Hey, I had an exam on Friday, speaking of fun. It was good, good and gone. Three left, huzzah! So I was gonne study for them yesterday, and I tried all day... but I only wrote five lines. Five lines! Now, that's a lot of coke, but that's NOTHING in terms of study. I guess it took a while to rearrange my bedroom again. So that was my yesterday, pretty sweet. And Friday night I was supposed to hang with a friend from Welly, but she decided to go and drink with her Aunt instead. Shows what she thinks of me. ;-) I ended up watching Cape Fear, which is quite good, as I said in the comments. Oh, it wasn't the original, it was the '91 De Niro/Nolte remake. If you care.
Good church message this morning, about fear. Worldy vs. Godly fear. This is something I've been gradually dealing with over the years, and I'm pretty comfortable with it now. But I've just now begun to wonder whether the reason I'm a little anxious about Wellington (my Summer home) is because I'm worried that God won't be with me there. Which is wrong, because "lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age," and "the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Which is good to know. It's when the Word conflicts with experience that causes that problem. So I won't fear that any more, I'll just quote those Scriptures.
Okay, y'all wanna know how I found Matrix: Revolutions. Well, I just walked into the cinema and it was playing.
D'ya get it? Because, you want to know how I FOUND the movie, and I told you that I FOUND it in the physical sense, which is incongruous with the aesthetic sense that you were curious about. You see...
Okay, enufofdat. To the movie. I went into it expecting something between M1 and M2, and I got what I was expecting. It still carried more of the taint of Reloaded than I would have liked, but it was fine. Very cheesey - in fact, I give it extra points for being so predictable. When they said that they needed one robot to open the one gate, I turned to Abbey and said "I bet it'll be Captain Screamy and geek-kid," or something. Lo and behold. I found the big Zion battle to be pretty cool and quite, I guess, tense, even if it's your classically contrived hero-battle. The fight scenes were okay, but fight scenes don't impress me much. And the main characters, so important to the first movie and so superfluous to the second, actually had purpose and intensity this time around. Oh, and Bane was cool - although Neo's the stupidest person for taking so long to pick it up.
Bane: Mister Anderson, I've been waiting for you.
Neo: Who are you, and what are you doing?
Bane: You know who I am, Mister Anderson.
Neo: What have you done? Who are you?
Bane: Mister Anderson... can't you tell? Can't you feel it?
Neo: I don't know what you're talking about.
Bane: I know its hard to comprehend, but your enemy is here, in the flesh.
Neo: What do you mean?
Bane: Don't you recognise my voice, Mister Anderson? I'm your worst nightmare.
Neo: -
Bane: Smith, I'm Agent Smith. From the matrix. In this guy's body.
Neo: Whoa!
Bane: And I'm here to show you that there's nowhere I can't go.
Neo: Wait a second... are you saying there's some sort of connection between you and that dude with sunglasses?
Bane: I am going to turn you into sawdust...
I was even amused by Trinity's last scene... but I reckon she was faking it because honestly, who wants to hang around a deformed Keanu? The last 30 minutes were the best, for sure. This wasn't as confusing as Reloaded, although Abflex and I spent a while discussing exactly what Neo (sorry, Keanu) did at the end. Then again, the Christian imagery was pretty obvious throughout, and Smith was an excellent villain. And that indian guy was pretty cool. Wasn't incredibly impressed with the giant floating head, to be honest. They should've got Paul Newman to play the Source. And the ending? It was inevitable, and I think the best possible ending, except for, maybe, a truly nihilist one. But the W Bros. wouldn't allow that.
So there y'have it. I enjoyed it, thought it could've been better. A satisfactory conclusion to an intriguing, and let's face it, influential trilogy. What else can I say? Oh, how am I? Great, wonderful. Happy as Larry. Bit hungry.
Ah, that'll do for now. I'll probably update tomorrow while I'm trying to study. But no promises! Hope y'all are good!
Thursday, November 06, 2003
I feel like I haven't posted for ages...
Wonder if that's because I've tried to blog a lot over the last couple of days, but could never think of anything to say or build up enough motivation. But here I go! I've got a lot of comments to, er, comment on, so that's a good start.
Abbey: The Spurgeon book is called "Spurgeon on Prayer and Spiritual Warfare". It's less focused on specific doctrines and more on finding single verses (often obscure) and writing really encouraging, faith-building chapters on them. For example, the last chapter was on Psalm 147:9 - who's ever heard a message on that one before?
He gives to the beast its food,
And to the young ravens that cry.
Basically, the whole chapter (and it's a long one) is about how much more will God answer our prayers if he answers the ravens' cries... pages on ravens, their cries, on promises, on words, on grace... largely with appropriate scriptural references. It's a good book, although his writing style takes a lot of getting used to. One of the later sections, at least, I dunno, 40 pages, is written as a prayer! But maybe all his writing is like that. Still, I'm glad I bought it. That other book you gave me is great too, as I said... I'm looking forward to seeing how it changes me!
Oh, and a confession to all. Not a biggie, but it bugged me. I went down to 1 o'clock prayer yesterday, but Dave L. was the only one there... and I don't know, sometimes I'm just not in the mood for one-on-one prayer, I find it a bit of a strain at times - especially for 45 minutes! So I left. I find it hard to go down to campus for prayer if I've got no other reason to be down there, because it is a bit of a walk. That wasn't the only reason I came to campus, but it made me feel bad afterwards, and I felt like praying with somebody. Which, again, I didn't, cos I'm dumb. :-) But the day ended well, so that was all right. Had to get that off my chest. I think the sin of prayerlessness is somehow tied into the spirit of satisfaction. Think on that.
Lou - man, the more I get to know you, the cooler you get! :-) That's an awesome key, asking someone else their beliefs first, I got to remember that one. You don't have to agree with someone to show them respect... that's a hard one to get my head around. I mean, I know it's true, I believe it - it's not easy to practice, though! I guess that's fear of man masquerading as respect. Ooh, challenging!
Dave - this is Dave Lim, right? Cos Dave P says it wasn't him, and I don't think Dave O reads this. :-) Anyway, I wouldn't go so far as to call romantic relationships a waste of time... just not up there in the priority list. I mean, I don't disrespect people who have a relationship (I often envy them, to tell the truth), that's cool. I just... hmm, how can I put this. I'm in no hurry, yeah?
Bing Bong Bang (if that is your real name...) - I actually would be keen to summarise the books I'm reading and tell people... guess that's the teacher within me. I dunno, I really love books like this (I know I'm not alone!), and I would love others to read more too. I know some people learn better in other ways, but I reckon good books are real important. Now, with regard to your problem... firstly, I enjoy these, I dunno why. I've always been somewhat of an Apologetic (heh, in more ways than one) - back when I was a Star Trek geek (I WAS 12, OKAY!!!), or a Red Dwarf fan, I was always the one explaining how it was possible for a character to have had his appendix out in one episode and yet in an earlier episode that character talked about having their appendix out when they were young. That's a true story. Where was I? Oh, the problem... Here's my opinion:
Well, firstly it depends on what you mean by "don't necessarily agree on" - do you mean actively disagreeing, or just not agreeing? In terms of two people praying for opposite, mutually exclusive, things, that's interesting, but I don't think that's what you were talking about. You were talking about whether "not agreeing", an essential premise for the Matt 18:19 prayer, would cause it to be unanswered, right? Okay, two points. When you pray (as my new friend Mr. Spurgeon pointed out), it's the Holy Spirit in your heart guiding you. Thus, it's basically God talking to Himself, so He'll answer. He's promised it. If someone prays, and you disagree or don't agree, then whichever one is guided by the Spirit will be answered. If someone prays about something you agree on, but pray it in a way you don't agree on, then that doesn't matter. God listens to the heart, to the Spirit, not just to the words.
So what's the point of agreeing? Well, I know a lot of people use that passage in Matt with respect to prayer in general, and also Matt 18:18, but if you look at the context, it's placed between teachings on discipline and forgiveness. Thus the two or three is referring to the earlier requirement of two or three witnesses - God gives them the authority to declare whether a person is at fault, in line with God's word. So where they agree, led by the Spirit, it is so, in heaven and on earth. I'm not entirely sure how the binding and loosing of 18:18 fit in, by my Bible links that to Mat 16:19 - whatever you bind (declare bound in sin) on earth will be bound (actually bound in sin) in heaven (according to God's word). Interesting, no? I don't know if that means that the application of those verses to other things (e.g. spiritual warfare) is inaccurate... I suppose you can declare a spirit bound on earth because the Word declares it bound.
That's my view, derived mainly from my Bible notes. I welcome any other views!
Gail - ooh, a long one! You may have confused some of my Kiwi readers - the US system of 'dating' is rather different from what we have here... here, a 'date' is a more intense, monogomous relationship - "going steady". We don't have "dates" like that, not really. But you gave us an interesting look into that lifestyle... it sounds like your daughters have got it pretty sorted out, I'm sure you might have had something to do with that. :-) Interesting about the music/worship... we had a guy speak a few weeks ago, he mentioned that the 4 biggest causes of church problems are authority, music, manifestations, and money. Oh, and you reminded me of something I read again last night. When Rich Mullins first performed at a church, he came back to his music teacher and told her that everybody said he was great. She told him (gently) that he had failed; he should direct people toward God, not toward his playing. Wow.
Donnave - some very good calls about infighting and mercy there. Here's a question (for everyone) - if you were a leader of an American Anglican church, what would you do in light of the gay minister (is that what they're called?) thing? Would you break off from the Anglicans as such, for fear of contaminating your congregation from sinful leadership? Would you stick with them? Hard call to make... And thanks for your comments on the truthwatch site, I found it disturbing too. It did raise another issue - if a person prophecies, and it doesn't come to pass (there are a few examples on their page), does that make them a false prophet, or just flawed? I'd argue for the latter, but shouldn't you judge a tree by its fruit - false prophecy --> false prophet? Or could you say their fruit is drawing people closer to good --> good fruit?
Man, this stuff interests me. And I thought I had nothing to talk about. I REALLY need to start studying for my exam tomorrow afternoon, huh? :) Love you all!
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Break from studying...
I've been learning a lot today, not just uni stuff... I'm reading 6 books at the moment, not counting uni books, which I think is a record for me. Not that I'm proud, or anything, ;-) No, that's just how I work. Anyway, they've been teaching me so much, I love learning (groan)! Where to start...
Well, I've just read a chapter of Living on the Edge by Dr. James Dobson about suffering, and it was kinda reassuring. I've never been through big suffering, so I'm really unprepared for it, but I think that a lot of what I've been going through will help. Preparation for pain. Which yeah, scares me, but I know it's inevitable, and I know I'll be okay.
I'm also reading the book Abbey loaned me, Andrew Murray's The Prayer Life... very convicting. It presents prayerlessness as a sin (wow!), and the cause of so much of life's (especially the church's) problems. What can I say, but wow, challenging.
I'm re-reading Rich Mullins' devotional biography, which was so powerful the first time through that I couldn't wait to read it again! This time I've heard most of his music, so that helps. What an amazing guy.
I'm also reading the last of a trilogy of John C. Maxwell books, this one called 'Becoming a Person of Influence'... it really makes me look at people differently, with more respect and love. It's got a lot of important principles for dealing with people, which I really like, especially for people involved in student, or any, ministry.
I'm also re-reading Derek Prince's Foundations for Faith, because I believe that foundations need to be so secure, and so strong, especially if we are or plan to be teaching people. It's great.
Finally, yesterday I bought a Charles Spurgeon book on prayer... I've read the first chapter, and incredibly in-depth look at the 'Ask... seek... find' passage. Very... hmm, just 'very'. :-) In case you haven't noticed, I've been focusing a lot on prayer lately, partly because I think it's vital for me and for the Church at this date (or any), and also because I feel that it's a weak point in my life, so I'm dealing to *that* before it bites me in the, well, the... er, spirit.
Two more points, about yesterday's blog. Something I meant to say a little more about satisfaction... personally, one of the reasons I don't want a romantic relationship at the moment is because I can see that that would lead to satisfaction. It's hard to explain, but you know what it's like, how your focus shifts so much in a relationship. I was wondering if that's part of the cause of the epidemically lacking occurrence of relationships in Cutting Edge Dunedin. If so, that's great!
The other thing was about the Christian in-fighting I mentioned. I should have linked to the site I was thinking about, "Truth Watch". It's vehemently opposed to the church I go to in Wellington and the preacher who helped lead me to Christ... so basically, many of my own beliefs! I was reading Ephesians today, as I do often (it's my favourite at the moment), and I wound up reading Chapter 4 in the context of unity. I think the actions of groups such as "Truth Watch" are more damaging than helpful (compare the replies of their 'opponents'). I also got the impression that things like "TW" are concerned about, doctrinal differences, really don't matter that much to God, especially compared to the fighting that results from them. I don't know, but that's something I'm going to think about some more, how God wants us to react to those we believe are deceived to various degrees. I'm not explaining this very well, but ah well. Back to study!
Monday, November 03, 2003
12 hours later
And still quite tired. But I'm okay with that. I didn't expect to suddenly wake up, or anything. Unproductive day, relatively productive morning. Said goodbye to Dave this morning - sad, but we'll talk regularly. Besides, it's only for 3 1/2 months. I don't want to write another blow-by-blow of my day, cos I find those dull, so they're probably dull to read. But here's three thoughts I spent a while on today.
Firstly, reading Abbey's blog clarified (solidified?) some thoughts that I'd been meditating on lately. And that concerns the evil of satisfaction. Not merely apathy, although that's often a result of it, but satisfaction. Immovability. Satisfaction literally means "enough has been done" - as Christians, as humans, that should never be the case! While we still have strength or power, there is always work to be done! Now, that doesn't mean relaxation doesn't have an important part, nor does it mean that chaos should reign, but the status quo is not good enough! And I think that's especially relevant to this generation, where rapid change is very possible, but often misdirected. And I'm not just talking about in the world, not just trying to save people or feed the hungry... but within ourselves! We need to be open, not just open, but hungry for change, for growth. We need to constantly advance. That's enough on that, but dwell on that.
Second, I have a friend who's recently accepted Jesus into his life, but he still believes that Christ is not the only road to God. He's passionate for God, that's for sure. And he may be reading this - hey! But I'm just not sure what to do. I mean, it's great that he's so keen all of a sudden, and he's coming to church, which rocks. I don't want to go into details, because that's too personal. But it's frustrating to just be praying and trying to point to the only way I know. And that's another thing, an embarrassing one - for all my faith, for all my trusting in the Lord, I find it incredibly hard to declare Jesus to be the only way, for the Bible to be the only truth. Not because I don't believe it, but because I know from experience that that's so hard to believe in. And that's fear of man, which brings a snare. But how can I express that I believe the paths he's taking are very damaging and dangerous, and some activities he's involved in need to stop? Well, I know how. I need God's help. I'm just venting. Still, praise God for giving me such a challenge for my faith, huh? And for seeking my friend more passionately than he's seeking Him!
And third... not really relevant, but I find it interesting examining the hugely different viewpoints Christians have - especially between Pentecostals and... well, everyone else, I guess! It's an incredibly interesting and incredibly sad tension - we all know the goal of unity, but once again, fear of compromise (godly fear?) separates. Wouldn't it be awesome to have an answer? Anyway, I was examining some sites that speak (vehemently) against various people and groups, many of whom I am associated with. I found the arguments for the beliefs I hold to be both more loving and more scripturally accurate - but is that just in-group prejudice? But it's interesting, like I said, and challenging - and very difficult for me to comprehend. I reckon that's going to be something I have to deal with at some stage, something I'll need to seek some wisdom about.
So yeah, I welcome your thoughts (this blog is as much yours as mine, or it should be!) and arguments. I hope everybody is well and enjoying whatever they're doing (studying, swimming, job-hunting, teaching, having fun).
I'm still exhausted after yesterday...
But what a day. And now everything winds down. Jeremy left the other day, Dave's leaving today... which I confess, I'm sad about. But we'll keep in touch, quite regularly. Finished the 21 day prayer-and-fasting yesterday, considering fasting regularly (not *as* regularly, though). Took my pre-Christian (:-) ) friends Guy and Celia to church yesterday evening, Margaret (the previous pastor's wife) came and held a healing meeting... oh, and for the first time in living history, I went to all three church services. Could explain why I'm tired. Hehe.
Can't think of anything to write about - studying today (BEAU-tiful day here, finally!) Head off to prayer at some stage, go Bible shopping with a mate, go supermarket shopping with an EFTPOS card...
I'm sure I'll find something interesting to write about soon. :-)
Saturday, November 01, 2003
Christian Music Article
Christian Music Article This is kinda interesting... but I must say, I don't necessarily agree with it. It's also looking more at whether 'secular sounding' Christian music belongs in the church, but it holds a lot of relevance.
This paragraph I find important, personally: Philippians 4:8, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." We are to value music on the basis of its virtue. The words and the sound must edify, build, and encourage Christian growth. The values and lifestyle of heaven must be taught and encouraged.
Oh, here's a really good, shortish, Scripture-based article on movies!
And here's a very interesting thing... the 'Christian Music Diet'. I might check that out later!
This article SLAMS Christian Rock as Satanic... haven't read it, although the fact that it calls itself crock1.shtml amuses (short for Christian rock...)
This article takes a converse view... I like this one a lot! In fact, it reminds me of an interesting truth I'm coming to acknowledge - good music should challenge us.
By the way, I've noticed recently the pithiness of all 60-ish 3:16 verses in the Bible - and a brief search reveals I'm not the only one. Interesting, might look into that more later. Later, later!
Hey, so what's brown and st- er, maybe not. :)
Okey doke, got some things to reply to. As for me, had an exam yesterday, went okay, yup. Probably the hardest of my exams, which is loverly. Oh, watched Godfather 3 last night... not as good as the first two, but not as bad as I'd thought it would be. And the last 5 minutes are pretty powerful. Had a good time praying with Dave and Abbey and Jess at 11 last night... had a little worship sess. with Dave this morning. Abbey gave me a book on prayer which I couldn't read past the foreword because I was so convicted! Scary... I look forward to reading more. Jeremy's gone home, which is quite sad, but I'll see him in a few weeks anyway. Dave's going in a few days which is sadder, cos I won't see him as much (at all?). Plus I'll be alone with two girls in the flat. :-)
Um... I've listened to LifeFM all week, no secular music. This isn't going to be a permanent thing, but I want to give it a try, check it out. I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't! It's been pretty good, and it is helping me see things a little clearer. I'll get onto that in a minute. The comments... okay, Katie, Abbey, I'll help you all sometime, if you want to change too. And I'll e-mail Tiffany too. I don't think enetation is really bad, but I thing haloscan might just be... better.
Katie, thanks for your questions (over and over and over again :-) ). Um, I think that DVD thing is definately true, I'm afraid. As for the links, I get them from the google news site, or links from the sites google news links to. I check it daily.
Reuben, thanks for that... I was aware that JRRT was a Christian, and LotR is filled with Christian imagery - Dave and I were discussing that the other day, actually. With regard to the idolatory issue (which people are taking a little too seriously, perhaps), I don't think that does help much, unfortunately. It has helped in the past when some people have told me that I shouldn't like LotR because it's worse than Harry Potter, or something. I think the poster issue centers around how important these things (LotR, Bowie) are to me, and whether that conflicts to a small extent with my relationship with God. And, more importantly, whether people could *think* that it conflicts - the role-model idea. But thanks!
Gail, Donnave, thanks for keeping up and commenting on all my blogs, and thanks to Gail for the promised e-mail! Man, I love you guys.
Michael - you're right on the idolatry issue, to some extent, but so is Donnave. Personally, I don't think my relationship with my hobbies in any way detracts from my relationship with God, but I'm open to suggestions - and the fact that a significant number of close friends had opined that there is a danger there causes me some concern. I'm not perfect (note to self - consider renaming your blog that, :-) ). Also, there is the role model issue. If people under my authority, who respect me as a man of God, believe that I devote too much time to secular attractions, at the expense of pursuing godly, er, pursuits, that's clearly not a Good Thing either. I don't reckon the cross is idolatrous - it's more a reminder of the price Jesus payed than an object to be worshipped. I do have my doubts about the Catholic relationship with the Virgin Mary, personally.
I'm sorry I distressed you, Michael. I don't accept that everything can be easily separated into the holy and the profane... not by us, anyway. I believe it should be - Ezekiel 44:23, Philippians 8:4. I don't think that those are necessarily the only categories, but they are the safest in some cases. For example, it's easy to imagine holy and profane music. Obviously, listening to one is more helpful than the other. It's the in-betweens that we need to be careful about and test. Sure, it's not a continuum of good---bad, but we need to decide yes or no as to whether we'll listen to it. Okay, I'm confusing myself. In which case, I'll tell you the way I'm heading. I don't think DB is necessarily bad, but I accept that there is a more beneficial approach than listening mainly to him, and some worship music every now and then. And that is the other way around. That's what I think at the moment.
And to be honest, I reckon this process of searching is just as important than any answer I reach. So, thanks for being involved in that, everyone!
Okay, I'm off.