Category Archives: Random Ponderings

A bitter sweet Easterfest – part two

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Photo by Craig Paulsen (www.craigpaulsenphoto.com)

You can catch up with Part one of the crazy saga that unfolded at Easterfest in my earlier post – A bitter sweet Easterfest.

“What are we going to do to make sure we don’t get a repeat of Saturday nights flash flooding at Easterfest next year.  I really want to come again but I don’t want to waste my money if it’s cancelled again!” was the phone call complaint of the year for me.  Hmmm… “God, can you please help with that one?”

I know during my broken attempts to sleep that Saturday night after eventually crawling into my dry warm bed, I too was having my own question time with God whilst fighting back tears of disappointment…  Wondering why in the world he’d allow an event we had worked on all year to be prematurely ended by such a downpour!   An event that was supposedly meant to bring life and economic relief back into the city after Toowoomba’s devastating floods in January.

Questions upon questions flooded my mind… had we done something wrong to warrant it?  Was Satan throwing his weight around?  Was some kind of battle happening over the grounds of Easterfest that us mere mortals couldn’t even begin to fathom?  Was this a “Job” moment?  What would be our fate?  Questions no one could answer on this side of eternity.  Many of us have probably asked similar questions of late as we’ve been brought to sheer disbelief watching disaster upon disaster unfold around the world – some in our very own neighbourhoods.

Maybe George Bernard Shaw’s quote, “Life wasn’t meant to be easy, my child, but take courage: it can be delightful!” is true.  God hasn’t promised life would be easy.  In actual fact, have you read Christ’s life story?  He sure didn’t get it easy.  His death was sort before he even walked!!!

His promise to us though, is - “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb 13:5)  So we can be assured, as Christians, amidst the trials life throws us, he’s in the thick of it with us.

To quote an anonymous person’s observation of Easterfest “God pulled the carpet out from underneath us and then caught us in the palm of his hand”.  So whatever the case… the reasons… the criticisms… God may have used some extreme measures to bring our attention to something…  or Satan could have been allowed to mess with us (like in the case of Job)… whatever unfounded reason we could possible conjure up… God has and will provided for all our needs.

He allowed the disturbance to be dramatic enough to give nationwide coverage on every news channel (sample here).  The tent that collapse was safely evacuated and no one was seriously injured.  Much of the Sunday’s park schedule was able to be reconvened to the city (thus pouring even more economic resources back into the businesses of Toowoomba then otherwise would have been possible!) and the vibe was absolutely electric.  For the thousands that stuck around, the night before became the catalyst for a ‘delightful’ day after – that many have reflected on as their best Easterfest ever!

So although things didn’t pan out as WE planned, I have a peace that through this ‘disturbance’ to our human plans greater victories were won then could possibly have been otherwise!

…in saying that… I do hope we can have a ‘no rain’ Easterfest in 2012!

An eye test for a good employee?

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The other day I had the most interesting conversation with my optometrist about how to find good employees.  A bit of our history… I was friends with his sister during high school and he somehow convinced us to let him and his now wife go on their first date riding my horses!  Evidently it worked… they’ve been happily married for like 15 years so far!

So anyway, every two years or so, whilst doing my eye test we catch up on what’s been happening over the years.  This visit he began sharing about frustrations he’s been having with finding good, reliable staff.  How disappointed he is in the current employable generations ability to show any attention to detail or even care.  And their inability to give a dam whether or not their mistake could actually cost someone else money!

He told me he wished he could do an eye test with a potential employee rather then a traditional interview because it would be easier to discern actually employable qualities then from reading a tarted up resume and asking a few questions.  He said from an eye test, he could even tell whether or not someone was an eldest child and what their attention to detail was like.  I questioned him on this and he used me as an example… He said that when he was testing my eyes he would change the lenses to be only the slightest bit off (either side of the lens that I had first said was most accurate) and I would somehow manage to choose the same one.  He said he’d had some customers choose lenses that where clearly NOT clear… because he’d throw them a curb ball to see if they could actually make a decision!  So watch out… there could be people out there wearing glasses that still can’t see!!!

From his experience most times and oldest child would make a more accurate judgement and generally had a quirky appreciation for details.  He was right… I am an oldest child and I would say I have some attention to detail.  (However, I wouldn’t say any better then my siblings… we’d need to do an eye test to sus that one out!  Lol!)  I certainly get frustrated when I make mistakes that could have been prevented had I noticed… I think I’m either slightly ADD or my ‘people skills’ probably distract me from being as proficient (or as anal) as I could be.

It’s interesting hey… How would you fair if given an eye test to determine your prospect as a future employee? It is sad to think that our generations aperture to work today is far from desirable.  My optometrist has resorted to importing employees from the UK!  Are we being detrimental to ourselves?  We seem to be taking for granted employment as if were ‘owed’ to us.  I’d say I have some US friends who may have thought the same thing once… who are now wishing they had work after months and months of unemployment since their countries relatively unexpected economic crisis.

Think about how you could value your employer today.  And what you could do to be more grateful for your job.  No one is irreplaceable.

Salvaging a vintage handbag

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My mother was given this handmade leather handbag (we think) in 1978 as a Christmas present by my dad.  30 years later I found it and it’s now classified as vintage and has held its value!  I love it… and I love that you can mix black with brown and be fashionably acceptable – much to my sister’s disapproval!

It’s funny how something that has been hanging around the house for my whole life (literally!) suddenly has once again become fashionable and of value.  It’s interesting how our ‘perceptions’ change as we are influence externally by trends and changes in the world we live in.  Makes you think hey?

Do our perceptions of people, friends and even family change just as flippantly?

Is there someone we have been taking for granted because ‘they’ve just always been there’ or ‘they are always around’.  Maybe it’s time to get their ‘value’ reassessed.  They might be more valuable to you then you can ever dare live without and deserve a little ‘cherishing’.  Classifying someone as ‘vintage’ might sound like you’re ‘dating’ them so maybe there is a classier way to recognise a friend who’s really been their for you then that.  I’d encourage you to do that today and then think about how you can be a better friend to someone.

So thanks Mum for preserving this treasure!  What else do you have!?!

I met some heros!

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Des and Jenny Oatridge missionary's to the Binumarien tribe in PNG

Today I met some real live hero’s – Des and Jenny Oatridge.  They wouldn’t agree with me and probably would be embarrassed that I’m mentioning them in my blog.  A few weeks ago I finished reading the book ‘Hidden People’ about their story with the Binumarien tribe in Papua New Guinea.  It is a remarkable and inspiring story about the impact the Scriptures had on a small, dying tribe when translated into their own language.  By 1959 the number of Binumariens had dropped from 3000 to 111.  This couple, now in their 80′s, spent years painstakingly translating the scriptures for this people group who were deeply rooted in tribal fighting and thought the scriptures they’d heard translated from another language were stories of spirits and magical rituals.

It’s a great real life adventure and totally worthwhile read!  One story that sticks in my mind was when Des translated the genealogy’s in Matthew 1. (the part I find myself skipping over!)  A very talented local guy, Sisia became Des’ regular translation helper and when the meaning of this chapter became evident he became extremely excited.  It was almost a tense moment when the reality of the revelation they had uncovered was revealed to the tribe.  If I remember correctly, Des was scared as the information was processed.  The people realised that the ‘bible people’ were indeed REAL people and not spirits… because SPIRITS don’t have genealogy’s!  It was incredible how from that point on the scriptures translated took on new authority.  For a long time the thought Des and Jenny were actually spirits!  (Check out this great blog from The Translation Beat about a return trip the Oatridge’s had to the tribe years later)

So… to meet Des and Jenny as I was walking the final one kilometer of ‘The 2000 walk’ was a real honour.  The 2000 walk was a 2000km awareness walk that three guys from Stanthorpe – Dave Carnell, Andrew Carnell and Andrew Savage organised in order to raise awareness about the great need for bible translation in the world today.  Still over 2000 languages don’t have a single scripture in their native tongue.

Here’s some pics of the last 10km walk… I’m sore… I honestly don’t know how they did it.  80 days of walking… please check out the blog to become more aware of how good we have it!

The 2000 walk

The three guys were joined by nearly 100 supporters for the final 10kms.

The incredible scenery along the journey was... distracting!

The crowd... despite the rain!

Treasuring the singlehood season…

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Capturing the beauty before it fades

I’ve been learning a lot lately about cherishing and treasuring the season I’m in.  God, for whatever reason, has allowed me to be still doing life single… I was going to say ‘alone’ but I don’t actually feel that is really the case for the most part.  I feel so richly blessed by the precious friends God has and is constantly putting around me… .  Yes of course, my soul craves to meet my soul partner… my other half… my life companion… the one who’s suppose to fill the man shaped void.

But the moment right now is what I’m choosing to be joyful in… I’m choosing to be content… I’m choosing life in.  (Or at least trying to!)  We can get so consumed by wanting what we don’t have – whether it be a partner… a divorce… a better job…our kids to just grow up and be gone… a better car…an iPhone 4… a holiday… a day off… a better figure…  a better this or a better that… and we forget to actually enjoy LIFE!  Those things actually come and go and we FORGET how set our heart was on actually having them in the first place!

The sunset that faithfully comes each evening to remind us of our creator… our sustainer and provider

I’m so grateful for the precious friends I’ve met or even grown up with… who are setting examples of spouses and parents who are striving and PRAYING that they leave a legacy worth living for.  They are not pretentious and are the first to admit their faults and absolute need for God in every circumstance.  A happy marriage is a choice… well behaved and disciplined children is hardwork… both are completely worth signing up for… but once it’s happening there is no stopping.  So singles… join me on the journey of contentment in singleness… yet anticipation and excitement about the future gifts of marriage… and life.  Cheers to Mr Right!  I look forward to meeting you!

‎”We must aim to put more into life than we take out.” – J. Oswald Sanders

Church Fragmentation

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Sightseeing in Dunedin, NZ 2008

Today I met up with a ‘twitter’ friend from Newcastle, Rick Prosser who happened to be in meetings across the road from the Easterfest office, where I was working today.  We had a really interesting conversation.  Having just returned from a 25 day Easterfest trip I was sharing a little about the places I visited and the people I met when Rick asked a really thought provoking question – ‘So where in your opinion is the ‘church’ in Australia at?’

A really good question!  I’ve actually been thinking a lot about church, faith and evangelism lately.  I get so frustrated seeing the fragmentation of Christians through what we call denominations.  Instead of being a people  transformed by the message of Christ we are either numb, grumpy pew warmers or we are passionate advocates for the particular brand of ‘church’ we’re in – absorbed in meetings with fellow ‘members’ trying make something within four walls attractive to the thought of someone actually walking in from the real world… which so rarely ever happens!

I recently listened to the documentary made by Erwin McManus called ‘CRAVE: The Documentary’.  Such a worthwhile listen.  He talks about how Christians possibly need to learn how to listen and step into the story of others and realise that God has ALREADY been speaking to them.  Everyone is on the journey.  Everyone has Soul Cravings.  People, more then anything are craving AUTHENTIC community are actually really open to having a meaningful conversation with another human being who has met Jesus.   BUT they might not actually step through the doors of a church to find it… unfortunately the ‘c’ word has left a bad stench in many peoples mouths.

So back to the original question… I’m not sure where the different denominations are at… but I certainly have met some amazing followers of Christ in the last month who are living, sharing and breathing life and love into the communities they are in.  There is a hunger for more.

I’ve always wondered what would happen if instead of us sending a pastor to a struggling little church in the outback….what if we sent a bunch of Christians – a teacher, a doctor, a chappy, a family or three, a miner… real authentic people who have a relationship with Christ.  People who ‘reflected’ their faith… who were the ‘church’… imagine how the reputation of the Church could be transformed!

What do you think?

Concerned about Australia’s upcoming election?

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I’m really not much into politics probably because I wasn’t brought up in an environment that openly talked politics.  It’s a big issue though.  We see every election – whether in America or Australia (for me) candidates make promises and then break them by using lots of big words and complicated jargon the average joy I mean jo doesn’t understand.  The 2010 Australian election campaign is in full swing at the moment.  In our country its compulsory to vote… my bro missed it and paid like a $170 fine.   So as Christians, there has been put forward to unite together for 30 days of prayer from this Friday until Saturday August 21 to seek God’s will on Australian’s future.  No matter our understanding of who we should vote for… lets ask for divine inspiration for God for his man or women to get in.

A call for 30 days of Prayer*

— from Friday July 23 – Saturday August 21 —

This is a passionate plea for Christians across Australia to join hearts together in prayer for three specific prayers, three times a day for thirty days that God will give all Australians great wisdom and direction to know His will for the election of God’s appointed leaders to govern our nation.

Three Prayers – Three Times a Day – for Thirty Days

1. For God’s People to Humble Themselves and Pray

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

2. For God’s Wisdom and Will to Be Revealed

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Ephesians 5:15-17

3. For God’s Government to Be Clearly Elected

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  1 Timothy 2:1-3

Lets commit ourselves to join together in united prayer for 30 days of prayer to see God glorified and exalted in our nation through the election of our government on the 21st August.

James wrote, “You do not have, because you do not ask God”.

Jesus promised, “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete”.

Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray: ” ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

Please spread this call to people to pray.

Three Prayers – Three Times a Day – for Thirty Days

*initiated by Graham Sercombe

Whats happening today in Nashville

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Today, my roomate Mandy and I joined ‘Hands on Nashville’ to help clean up Nashville after this past weekends notorious flood.  Potentially over one billion dollars worth of damage! It’s so unbelievable driving through ‘normal’ neighbourhoods and seeing basically entire contents of people’s homes in a sopping, decaying mess out on the curbside awaiting disposal.  Everything gone.

Check out the video

The water came to the ceiling of these homes… so many of these owners didn’t have ‘flood’ insurance.  Apparently over here you have to actually be somewhere that potentially ‘could’ flood to even be eligible!  This flood was the worst on record for like 500+ years they are saying… so no one’s even seen before what a storm of the weekends caliber could do, so many people were caught off guard!  So, many of these home owners have lost everything, have no insurance and face the potential fact that their home may not even be salvageable after being under 10feet of water!  Saw one guy talking on TV tonight about the fact that he DID have flood insurance but his contents weren’t insured because the insurance company failed to tell him it existed and for even just a couple extra dollars a month!

So today we took about two hours working on two homes clearing debris and major mounds of smelling, water logged, lifelong investments… memories… hobbies… collections… furniture…  Everything basically reduced to rubble.  So so sad.  One of the houses literally had hundreds of old records!  I’m sure some of them would have been worth a mint.

We joined with lawyers – who’s carparks were flooded… teachers who’s schools were still closed… musicians who play for big time country artists… ‘full time volunteers’…. anyone… who could spare a few hours to lend a hand.  It was awesome to see.  People who were unable to attend their own jobs because of the flood… came out to help out someone they don’t even know.  It was incredible.  Nothing appealing about it… one girl I was with shared, on the brink of tears, the fact that her house just a street away from where we were was safe and sound, like nothing had happened!

Opryland Hotel

Nat in Nashville at the Opryland Hotel pre-flood

Another of the most impacting moments for me was last night driving over to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  This hotel has almost 3000 rooms and is a ‘must visit’ tourist destination in Nashville.  I’ve been there SOOOO many times and with so many out of town guests!  It normally has tree’s and beautiful rivers and waterfalls and all natural growing plants… inside.  At Christmas time it is a fairy light wonderland with millions of lights everywhere.  So beautiful.  This picture above was when my great friend from home, Natalie visited in 06 INSIDE the hotel.  An absolute masterpiece.

Now it looks like this … ten feet under water!  The cop I was talking to last night down near the Opry said that they may be forced to look at rebuilding.  They only had 50 million in ‘Flood’ insurance and apparently the damage here could be in the hundreds of millions! Apparently the food storage area is in the basement…. arg… imagine how nasty this clean up will be!  The Opry Mills mall has runaway Piranha’s on the loose after ‘The Rainforest Cafe’s’ fish enclosures smashed!
Opryland Hotel

There’s lots of talk about the limited ‘national’ news coverage about this ‘State of Emergency’.  I wonder why?  Is it because there’s barely been any looting reported…. or because ‘The people of Nashville’ (and surrounding areas) have rallied together like an army to help a neighbour out?  It’s pretty surreal seeing the city I’ve lived in for the past four years turn into such a disaster zone… AND have 12 people lost their lives in flood waters!  Many houses are still underwater… so the clean up is going to take months.

If you’re not from here please help by donating to Red Cross or get a team of friends together and come on down on a little ‘mission’ trip!  Let me know I may be able to help facilitate this.

Volunteer.  Hands on Nashville has an incredible system and you can come for three hour shifts.  Everyone living in Nashville should have a go… even just once.  Reality will sink in once you drive out there and see whats going on.  Your soul will be messed with…

For those of you who have been affected by Nashville’s Flood my heart goes out to you.  And I pray you will find your source of strength and provision in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Here is some encouragement for you

Isaiah 43:2 (New International Version)

2 When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

We are all going to have the ‘When’ moments in our lives at some point or another… but God promises to be there for us amidst our storm… whatever that looks like for you.


See previous Nashville Flood post here.

A bloody remembrance day that couldn’t be stopped

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Good Friday is a hard day for me to get my head around… to even remotely comprehend… to assume the right posture… to be reverent… yet excited and grateful… to realise the full extent of what Christ did by dying on the cross for MY sin.  It could be looked at as the ‘Remembrance Day’ of the Christian faith.  Last night I watched this gruesome, bloody reminder of what the innocent Jesus Christ went through to fulfill prophecies foretold thousands of years prior… Isaiah 53 and to provide for us a way out.

You have to respond to the story of the cross… its unavoidable.  Let me encourage you to listen to this message on the cross by Andy Stanley this Easter. May God grip our hearts and may our lives reflect our love for him as we seek to honour him and show our gratitude to him!

Arrogance of the Human Heart

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One month ago, tomorrow, my dear friend Jenna was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  This blog has shared many of the stories from that time.  I’m so grateful for the miraculous recover that Jenna has had so far and am excited to share a blog entry written by her for you all!


Arrogance of the Human Heart
By Jenna Lowery
The following is an excerpt from my journal dated 12-27-09:
The year is ending, again. I find myself reflecting on several things that happened in the course of 2009 that I believe have changed my life forever…
  
          The arrogance of the human heart can still amaze me, yet not surprise me. The arrogance of my own heart? I’ve never been more brutally aware of it until this past year. I believe Revelation is Spirit not just intellect. You can “know” a lot of things about life…love, religion, philosophies, science, and cultures…but never have revelation. I think of it as divine, or at least a divine impartation.
          In the beginning of last summer, I had one of these revelations. It felt as if my face had been gripped by the hands of God. And in that moment, lightning struck through the core of my heart. It sent a holy kind of pain shattering through my entire being. I saw myself through the eyes of a humble, generous and hurt God. The prior six months were very miserable months for me…constantly getting sick, working 3 part-time jobs and still not able to pay my bills, living alone, and still alone with no boyfriend in sight (lol). Deep in my heart I resented and blamed God for this, and I had accusations against him for even more; a past full of hurt, abuse, betrayal, sacrifice and loss, even the loss of those things I never had. (These events will be in a book I will write ASAP)
          But in this moment of revelation, I saw my arrogance, raw and stripped gruesomely bare. But I also saw, a most Holy God capable of crushing my prideful, puny self instead pull my face with his hands close to His lips and kiss my forehead tenderly. That’s revelation to me…when Spirit and intellect meet and dance to the music of the Divine. (In this moment, which I can only describe as attempted above, I realized God is not to blame. Pain and suffering is just going to be a part of life living in a fallen world and having a fallen nature; it just is. We are responsible for how we choose to deal with life as well as death. Bitter and blaming or humble and trusting. Trusting in a God who created the universe, who created every sinew in you, who loved His creation enough to provide redemption in a fallen world.)
        Then, on July 26th I ended up in the ER with salmonella poisoning. I thought I was going to die. I have never felt so near death. I lost 12 pounds within a month. After the salmonella was cured my colon got infected and inflamed so I lived with the “Big D” for nearly 2 months. Unbelievable discomfort and misery! At one point I had to be tested for diseases. Fear gripped my heart.
Then the beauty of God’s Spirit spoke into the core of my being…
“In the end all that matters, is that you’re My Beloved.”
End of Journal excerpt (Parentheses were added notations)
So here I am on March 28, 2010, just had a successful removal of a benign brain tumor a couple of weeks ago. I feel truly resurrected. My Faith has been incredibly strengthened. And Christ has deepened His love in my heart and spirit like I never could have hoped for or even prayed for. His love is so deep, so wide, limitless, unconditional, unfailing, and available to all.

Romans 8:38-39 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Please continue to pray for me, I so appreciate your prayers! I will go to the doctor on April 8th for a CT scan and we will discuss what needs to take place for a couple of tumor cells that they had to leave in a vein in my brain. They were too dangerous to remove during surgery but since their not cancerous we have time to discuss all the options for getting rid of the little rascals!
Much Love!
Jenna Lowery
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Previous Posts on Jenna’s journey - 
Update on Jenna’s Brain Tumor
Can you find Mary in Jenna’s Brain Tumor
Jenna’s swelling has gone down
Surgery D-day for Jenna!
Brain Surgery Success for Jenna
Joy through pain
Jenna’s leaving hospital

High Resolution Press Images:

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