So it's Easter? What does that mean? It means I get to sing one of my favourite Hymn’s…
Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
I think it really celebrates the moment! (Great musically) but so often we find ourselves trapped in the story of the cross. Trapped in the despair and anguish. Jesus died for us, we are not worthy of his love, grace prevailing! We get so caught up in the sin and the blood and the sacrifice, the mourning and the sorrow. Which is great...
BUT JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE...
He didn’t stay on the cross, he didn’t stay in the tomb, he didn’t stay dead!
And through his death promised us new life. A life with his father.
Someone was telling me recently (BK) that the resurrection is the start of the new heaven and the new earth that will come. The resurrection is where this all started and we can look forward with hope, in faith and continue to Love. Love God and Love his people, all people.
Christ is Risen… He is Risen Indeed!
March 31, 2010
March 29, 2010
Someone Else's Song...
Recently I was reading a blog which was entitled 'Per Caritatem'
I spent ages thinking hmmm what does that mean...? and it was an abbreviation for Non intratur in veritatem nisi per caritatem - translating to 'One cannot enter into the truth without love'. The words from the one and only Augustine. I thought man that’s such a cool statement and is something that I am beginning to grow and understanding of what it means.
Anyway I though hmmm why have I titled my blog the way I have... well it’s a Wilco lyric.
I can’t in no way begin to explain what Tweedy is actually singing about - I am not him. But maybe that’s the point of poetry - each to their own.
There is this really funny website where people attempt to decipher meaning in people’s lyrics. Just makes me want to cry!
But I think thats why John Lennon wrote I am The Walrus.
People began to say what they thought the Beatles lyrics were meaning and were trying to hard to find meaning in everything. People are stupid!
Anyways I chose this song to title my blog because someone once said to me (after I apologised for regurgitating someone else's opinion as I quite often do) that there is nothing new under the sun... quoting from Ecclesiastes I believe. Ambrose Bierce adds to this saying... But lots of old things we don’t know.
Most of my thoughts, my rants, my ideas etc... are based on what I have heard, seen or read. It sounds like someone else's song ... from a long time ago.
And Tweedy? well who knows what he was on about!
I spent ages thinking hmmm what does that mean...? and it was an abbreviation for Non intratur in veritatem nisi per caritatem - translating to 'One cannot enter into the truth without love'. The words from the one and only Augustine. I thought man that’s such a cool statement and is something that I am beginning to grow and understanding of what it means.
Anyway I though hmmm why have I titled my blog the way I have... well it’s a Wilco lyric.
I can’t in no way begin to explain what Tweedy is actually singing about - I am not him. But maybe that’s the point of poetry - each to their own.
There is this really funny website where people attempt to decipher meaning in people’s lyrics. Just makes me want to cry!
But I think thats why John Lennon wrote I am The Walrus.
People began to say what they thought the Beatles lyrics were meaning and were trying to hard to find meaning in everything. People are stupid!
Anyways I chose this song to title my blog because someone once said to me (after I apologised for regurgitating someone else's opinion as I quite often do) that there is nothing new under the sun... quoting from Ecclesiastes I believe. Ambrose Bierce adds to this saying... But lots of old things we don’t know.
Most of my thoughts, my rants, my ideas etc... are based on what I have heard, seen or read. It sounds like someone else's song ... from a long time ago.
And Tweedy? well who knows what he was on about!
March 28, 2010
Something quite Swell!
So its a Saturday night and im sitting alone on my couch listening to soul touching music and perhaps feeling a bit sorry for myself... after texting numerous "potentials" alas no one was keen to spend their lonely night with me. So after watching for episodes (1/5 of a season) of Gossip Girl distraught that I haven’t rented the next disc i decided to reflect on things past... and i cant justify feeling sad and lonely at home on a sat night because I have had an incredible week out (every night) and you know maybe my Saturday is my nana night at home!
So on Tuesday went to the MOST AMAZING CONCERT of my life (that is most amazing along with Justin and Muse and Ryan Adams oh and the Backstreet Boys)!
I went along accompanied by my Dad (yay) The Swell Season
You may be more familiar with Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová from their lead roles in the Irish independent film Once. Ahhhh those guys I hear you say. Yep those guys. Their performance was Truly magnificent. Words can not express the place that I was taken to, the sound that touched my ears and the music that spoke to my heart... but here are some of the highlights!
Glen took to the very front of the stage (were talking toes over the edge)and began their set by playing Say It To Me Now acoustically. No mic no pick up, just him and his banged up guitar with two holes in it. (I pointed out to dad that his gat had a hole in it and dad said they are meant to! yea not that sort of hole!)After being blown away by the power of a solo voice ringing through the dead acoustics of the Aotea Centre he was joined by Markéta and four other members from his band The Frames.
What followed was song after song, masterpiece after masterpiece. Every instrument knew its place in the ensemble (which was pretty impressive as his band members were roped into the tour as support opposed to key members in a backing band) making for sheer brilliance in delivery and performance.
Glen has quite a powerful voice and in some of the numbers (When Your Minds Made Up and Lies)I thought he would completely dominate and his passionate screaming would leave poor Markéta struggling to be heard but whilst he continued to scream passionately you could hear her every harmony cut through.
The performance chit chat was brilliant... sharing with us stories and encounters with people all over the world. The humour was priceless and just the humility that came across was unforced and admirable. One of the best moments was when Glen asked if anyone could do the "Kihi dance thing they do here" followed by his brilliant attempt of a Haka, and then his excitment when an audience member said they could do it.
We were also treated to a solo performance from Colm Mac Con Iomaire(what a name) who is the Violin player for The Frames. He played the most incredible Irish piece which included him looping himself to build a layering of tracks. This piece sent shivers up and down my spine as I listened I imagined myself on a cliff top in Ireland... Idyllic! bad recording but you get the gist of it!
To end the night... Markéta played the sombre but beautiful ballad The Hill, and was then joined by Glen to play crowd favourite Falling Slowly (yea you know the one in the music shop) and then the encore of the encore... Irish Traditional 'The Parting Glass'. This piece has traditionally been sung at wake's for the last 400 years. An execerpt of lyrics...
O, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away.
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wished me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Goodnight and joy be with you all.
So Glen made the audience join in on the last 2 lines each time they were sung and then ended by repeating these, he then stepped back from the mic and the entire audience sung in unison these beautiful words. Goodnight and Joy be with you all. It bought a tear to the eye!
What I loved about this finish was it wasn’t about them, they could have easily (and some may argue should have) finished with Falling Slowly. Instead they chose to play a traditional piece and what Dad mentioned afterwards was that not only did it not end with them but it ended with the Audience. Coming together from all places of life and singing. (this is Oprah stuff)
So all in all... A intimately spiritual experience... the melodies spoke to my soul and the music to my heart. I laughed, I cried, I sung, I listened, I took, I gave.
So on Tuesday went to the MOST AMAZING CONCERT of my life (that is most amazing along with Justin and Muse and Ryan Adams oh and the Backstreet Boys)!
I went along accompanied by my Dad (yay) The Swell Season
You may be more familiar with Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová from their lead roles in the Irish independent film Once. Ahhhh those guys I hear you say. Yep those guys. Their performance was Truly magnificent. Words can not express the place that I was taken to, the sound that touched my ears and the music that spoke to my heart... but here are some of the highlights!
Glen took to the very front of the stage (were talking toes over the edge)and began their set by playing Say It To Me Now acoustically. No mic no pick up, just him and his banged up guitar with two holes in it. (I pointed out to dad that his gat had a hole in it and dad said they are meant to! yea not that sort of hole!)After being blown away by the power of a solo voice ringing through the dead acoustics of the Aotea Centre he was joined by Markéta and four other members from his band The Frames.
What followed was song after song, masterpiece after masterpiece. Every instrument knew its place in the ensemble (which was pretty impressive as his band members were roped into the tour as support opposed to key members in a backing band) making for sheer brilliance in delivery and performance.
Glen has quite a powerful voice and in some of the numbers (When Your Minds Made Up and Lies)I thought he would completely dominate and his passionate screaming would leave poor Markéta struggling to be heard but whilst he continued to scream passionately you could hear her every harmony cut through.
The performance chit chat was brilliant... sharing with us stories and encounters with people all over the world. The humour was priceless and just the humility that came across was unforced and admirable. One of the best moments was when Glen asked if anyone could do the "Kihi dance thing they do here" followed by his brilliant attempt of a Haka, and then his excitment when an audience member said they could do it.
We were also treated to a solo performance from Colm Mac Con Iomaire(what a name) who is the Violin player for The Frames. He played the most incredible Irish piece which included him looping himself to build a layering of tracks. This piece sent shivers up and down my spine as I listened I imagined myself on a cliff top in Ireland... Idyllic! bad recording but you get the gist of it!
To end the night... Markéta played the sombre but beautiful ballad The Hill, and was then joined by Glen to play crowd favourite Falling Slowly (yea you know the one in the music shop) and then the encore of the encore... Irish Traditional 'The Parting Glass'. This piece has traditionally been sung at wake's for the last 400 years. An execerpt of lyrics...
O, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away.
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wished me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Goodnight and joy be with you all.
So Glen made the audience join in on the last 2 lines each time they were sung and then ended by repeating these, he then stepped back from the mic and the entire audience sung in unison these beautiful words. Goodnight and Joy be with you all. It bought a tear to the eye!
What I loved about this finish was it wasn’t about them, they could have easily (and some may argue should have) finished with Falling Slowly. Instead they chose to play a traditional piece and what Dad mentioned afterwards was that not only did it not end with them but it ended with the Audience. Coming together from all places of life and singing. (this is Oprah stuff)
So all in all... A intimately spiritual experience... the melodies spoke to my soul and the music to my heart. I laughed, I cried, I sung, I listened, I took, I gave.
Journal Entry number 2
So I have to keep a reflective journal of my course so far... may not make complete sense but thought id chuck it up here...
My task...In light of your reading of Newbigin so far, how do you think he would respond to these assertions? Would he agree? If not, why not?What is the relationship between faith and reason according to Newbigin?
“Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence.Richard Dawkins)
"It is time that we admitted that faith is nothing more than the license religious people give one another to keep believing when reasons fail." (Sam Harris)
Upon examining these statements, Newbigin would ask the definition of evidence. What can be certain? It is a different certainty that faith encourages. Instead of there being an excuse in no evidence, there is certainty in the one who made us. He calls us to look at knowing relationally. Polanyi argues against the dichotomy of objective and subjective, as all scientific hypothesis’s are based on hunches, a subjective framework of personal commitments. Seeing a subjective element in all things objective. This dichotomy being false.
Science itself has limits in relation to knowledge. Science defines our limits but does not explain the structures. Newbigin doesn’t say this is a problem but rather embraces science and the argument that comes with it he does suggest its limitations.
Newbigin, I think, would also argue against the polarity of faith and reason. The question to be asked is not around this polarity but instead focus on purpose. Newbigin even goes as far to say that the split is caused by an absence of purpose. Purpose cannot be explained by reason. Purpose cannot be observed, only revealed through Revelation and personal communication. This calls for a need to trust and have faith in the communicator. Instead of asking ‘How?’ Newbigin encourages us to further ask ‘Why?’
My task...In light of your reading of Newbigin so far, how do you think he would respond to these assertions? Would he agree? If not, why not?What is the relationship between faith and reason according to Newbigin?
“Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence.Richard Dawkins)
"It is time that we admitted that faith is nothing more than the license religious people give one another to keep believing when reasons fail." (Sam Harris)
Upon examining these statements, Newbigin would ask the definition of evidence. What can be certain? It is a different certainty that faith encourages. Instead of there being an excuse in no evidence, there is certainty in the one who made us. He calls us to look at knowing relationally. Polanyi argues against the dichotomy of objective and subjective, as all scientific hypothesis’s are based on hunches, a subjective framework of personal commitments. Seeing a subjective element in all things objective. This dichotomy being false.
Science itself has limits in relation to knowledge. Science defines our limits but does not explain the structures. Newbigin doesn’t say this is a problem but rather embraces science and the argument that comes with it he does suggest its limitations.
Newbigin, I think, would also argue against the polarity of faith and reason. The question to be asked is not around this polarity but instead focus on purpose. Newbigin even goes as far to say that the split is caused by an absence of purpose. Purpose cannot be explained by reason. Purpose cannot be observed, only revealed through Revelation and personal communication. This calls for a need to trust and have faith in the communicator. Instead of asking ‘How?’ Newbigin encourages us to further ask ‘Why?’
March 21, 2010
Easy on the quotes...
I know it may seem like ive been copying and pasting quite a bit recently but so many good writings...
Heres a treat from Newbigin -
If the place where we look for ultimate truth is in a story and if (as is the case) we are still in the middle og the story, then it follows that we walk by faith not by sight. If ultimate truth is sought in an idea, a formula, or a set of timeless laws or principles, then we do not have to recognize the possibility that something totally unexpected may happen. Insofar as our knowledge is accurate, we shall be able to predict the future. Future and past are governed by the same laws, the same principles, and the same realities. But if we find ultimate truth in a story that has not yet been finished, we do not have that kind of certainty. The certainty we have rests on the faithfulness of the one whose story it is. We walk by faith.
Proper Confidence - Lesslie Newbigin
Heres a treat from Newbigin -
If the place where we look for ultimate truth is in a story and if (as is the case) we are still in the middle og the story, then it follows that we walk by faith not by sight. If ultimate truth is sought in an idea, a formula, or a set of timeless laws or principles, then we do not have to recognize the possibility that something totally unexpected may happen. Insofar as our knowledge is accurate, we shall be able to predict the future. Future and past are governed by the same laws, the same principles, and the same realities. But if we find ultimate truth in a story that has not yet been finished, we do not have that kind of certainty. The certainty we have rests on the faithfulness of the one whose story it is. We walk by faith.
Proper Confidence - Lesslie Newbigin
March 16, 2010
St Aug!
A new Hero I thee have... how cool to be named of a place... how much cooler if that place was HIPPO!!! and to top it off... just casually be reffered to as a saint!
The greatness of his writings. The deepness of his thinkings. And the beauty of relationship he saw! Oh how he has won my heart!
Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace. - St Augustine
The greatness of his writings. The deepness of his thinkings. And the beauty of relationship he saw! Oh how he has won my heart!
Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace. - St Augustine
March 14, 2010
Journal entry 1 - learnings so far
Every couple of weeks we have to write a journal entry on what we have learnt so far... below is my first attempt to sum up 6 hours of lectures and 4 chapters of Newbigin.
I have often viewed Jesus and his teachings in the gospels in an isolated sense, removed from the rest of what happens in the bible. What I have realised through last weeks teaching on
creation is that as a part of the entire meta-narrative opposed to isolated in his own context.
> Jesus < not < Jesus >
The story of the gospel and where we look for ultimate truth is not yet finished we can only view this story in faith. The only certainty we can have is in the Father, the creator, the author.
I have learnt about Augustine and how his statement ‘we believe in order to know’ radically shifts the position our starting point to know to the bible. I like the clarity of this statement. How it isn’t in order to know better but in order to know full stop.
I understand Descartes thinking around doubt however am still trying to grasp Descartes ideas overall and his position in our learning as Christians?
I haven’t thought before now on the gospel’s impact on epistemology. I think the idea that we can’t know certainty but that we can only know God is fundamental in this.
Jesus who had equality with God didn’t cling to this. He knew his father and trusted entirely on this.
I have often viewed Jesus and his teachings in the gospels in an isolated sense, removed from the rest of what happens in the bible. What I have realised through last weeks teaching on
creation is that as a part of the entire meta-narrative opposed to isolated in his own context.
> Jesus < not < Jesus >
The story of the gospel and where we look for ultimate truth is not yet finished we can only view this story in faith. The only certainty we can have is in the Father, the creator, the author.
I have learnt about Augustine and how his statement ‘we believe in order to know’ radically shifts the position our starting point to know to the bible. I like the clarity of this statement. How it isn’t in order to know better but in order to know full stop.
I understand Descartes thinking around doubt however am still trying to grasp Descartes ideas overall and his position in our learning as Christians?
I haven’t thought before now on the gospel’s impact on epistemology. I think the idea that we can’t know certainty but that we can only know God is fundamental in this.
Jesus who had equality with God didn’t cling to this. He knew his father and trusted entirely on this.
Ways of Knowing...
So I thought I was in need of a challenge... things were getting grey and life was beginning to look less exciting... some study I thought! (stupid thought) alas though I have begun doing a paper at bible college... for credit!!! ugh!
why why why i ask myself now! when i signed up i remember me chiming i have heaps of time and I need a challenge and i dont learn good by just listening... no for credit it is!
so about to embark on my 3rd lecture I thought i would write some reflections of my time at "bible college" so far.
Firstly lets clear some things up... It did not even cross my mind that this could be a place to meet lovely... young... christian... (single) men... the amount of slack I have been getting with the whole bridal college thing! not my key motivation people! (instead its an added bonus)
I also have spent most of my life silently mocking the idea of going to bible college... its a place to go when you dont really know what you want to do with your life... hoping a couple of years out of the real world may just clarify your "true calling" in life... this may perhaps be one of the most misguided judgements I have ever made in my life... so sorry for all those silent thoughts I held before experiencing this place of learning...
Also something that someone said to me was as believers... how shocking is it that we commit to devoting our whole life to following this deity that we spend about 30 minutes learning about in church on a sunday (30 mins if im lucky... i usually have the average attention span of about 8mins) but how we make this decision this commitment to follow yet spend no time researching and delving deeper into history, culture, word and teachings. So i guess thats kinda exciting...
my course its called Ways of Knowing and looks at Epistemology! Yep i can use that word cos i know what it means!
So really exciting my brain is expanding... and I hope to continue to share my thoughts and learnings as I go along...
Basic outline of what my course is on below...
Ways of Knowing seeks to answer the question “What difference does the gospel make to our ways of knowing?” The course spans how we know (epistemology), how we interpret (hermeneutics), how we think from the Gospel (theological method), how ideas have shaped society (history of thought), how ideas can be changed (leadership and public discourse), and the personal challenges of knowing well. Our aims are intellectual, personal and practical: to introduce the themes of epistemology; to throw useful light on the lived experience of making sense of ourselves and ideas, events and things; to foster improved skills of scholarship; and to suggest how we might engage and influence in the marketplace of ideas.
ps. thanks to M&K Haines for funding this... best birthday present ever (tears included!)
why why why i ask myself now! when i signed up i remember me chiming i have heaps of time and I need a challenge and i dont learn good by just listening... no for credit it is!
so about to embark on my 3rd lecture I thought i would write some reflections of my time at "bible college" so far.
Firstly lets clear some things up... It did not even cross my mind that this could be a place to meet lovely... young... christian... (single) men... the amount of slack I have been getting with the whole bridal college thing! not my key motivation people! (instead its an added bonus)
I also have spent most of my life silently mocking the idea of going to bible college... its a place to go when you dont really know what you want to do with your life... hoping a couple of years out of the real world may just clarify your "true calling" in life... this may perhaps be one of the most misguided judgements I have ever made in my life... so sorry for all those silent thoughts I held before experiencing this place of learning...
Also something that someone said to me was as believers... how shocking is it that we commit to devoting our whole life to following this deity that we spend about 30 minutes learning about in church on a sunday (30 mins if im lucky... i usually have the average attention span of about 8mins) but how we make this decision this commitment to follow yet spend no time researching and delving deeper into history, culture, word and teachings. So i guess thats kinda exciting...
my course its called Ways of Knowing and looks at Epistemology! Yep i can use that word cos i know what it means!
So really exciting my brain is expanding... and I hope to continue to share my thoughts and learnings as I go along...
Basic outline of what my course is on below...
Ways of Knowing seeks to answer the question “What difference does the gospel make to our ways of knowing?” The course spans how we know (epistemology), how we interpret (hermeneutics), how we think from the Gospel (theological method), how ideas have shaped society (history of thought), how ideas can be changed (leadership and public discourse), and the personal challenges of knowing well. Our aims are intellectual, personal and practical: to introduce the themes of epistemology; to throw useful light on the lived experience of making sense of ourselves and ideas, events and things; to foster improved skills of scholarship; and to suggest how we might engage and influence in the marketplace of ideas.
ps. thanks to M&K Haines for funding this... best birthday present ever (tears included!)
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