tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697729614838301022024-03-13T13:34:14.844-07:00Rod OldfieldA collection of modern parables and stories of faith and grace.Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-1604558315593287522013-07-14T00:24:00.000-07:002013-08-01T14:43:36.201-07:00Dyslexia: The Prize<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is almost
the first anniversary of my Father’s death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a child Dad used to like telling stories to my sisters and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were usually fantasy stories, or greatly
exaggerated real events of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was not till very late in his life that he got the confidence to begin telling
stories to other children during services at his Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of Dad’s
stories was used this morning at my Church, and I thought it worth retelling
here.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyWhnfwOkcg/UeJPkTqdM3I/AAAAAAAABU4/RfjMh8qUG2I/s1600/lane+cove+59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyWhnfwOkcg/UeJPkTqdM3I/AAAAAAAABU4/RfjMh8qUG2I/s640/lane+cove+59.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and Mum, myself and two of My sisters Marina (on Dad's lap)and Sandra (on Mum's lap).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">T</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">he Prize, by Ronnie Oldfield.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I look
back on my life to think of something to tell you a story about, the one thing
that becomes most clear to me is the greatness and love of God for his people
... I am terrified by the thought of what might have happened to me if I did
not have Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to the
time I was 17 years old I was a keg of dynamite ready to explode!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was full of anger and hate for the world
and the people in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then one day when
I was 17 God stepped in and I became one of the friends of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All my life
I have found it very hard to spell and to read, and in those days if you could
not spell or read there were no special classes to help you.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I went
to school, we had exams each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think I must have been one of the most consistent pupils to ever go to a State
school!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never had a mark below zero
.... true, never a mark below zero ... and never higher than 20 ... out of
100!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that was for arithmetic.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think the
reason why I had a good mark in arithmetic was because I didn’t wear shoes, so
I could count on my fingers and my toes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I loved history and geography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am sure that I would have received a mark of 100 if I could have read the
questions and spelt the answers!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also had
exams at Sunday School in those days.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One year
just before the Sunday School exam time, about 30 boys around where I lived had
a game of bike polo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played that game
in the paddock behind my place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to
imagine 30 boys on their bikes going mad, trying to hit the ball ... bikes
coming from all directions ... no rules ... just hit the ball, or try in anyway
... sticks and bikes going in all directions ... and trying to knock each other
off their bikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell you it was the
hardest game I ever played ... it made football look tame!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved it!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To cut a
long story short, I was knocked off my bike and broke the thumb on my right
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the Sunday of the exam I could
not write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teacher and I went to a
room by ourselves, and he wrote the answers that I gave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next
Sunday was prize-giving, the names of the people were called out, class by class
to receive their prizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the class
had been called, and my name had not been called ... so I was thinking that I
had failed again!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then the
Sunday School Superintendent went on the stage and announced that the top prize
in the Sunday School had been awarded to ... Ronnie Oldfield!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shot out
of my seat like a rocket ... and I ran the fastest 50 metres dash of all
time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted that prize before they
realized they had made a mistake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
there was no mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been given
95 out of 100 for the exam!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt so
happy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a smile as wide as the
Sydney Heads!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wished my school
teachers had been there and the boys who made fun of me because I could not
spell or read ... to see the dunce of the school getting the top prize of the
Sunday School!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I won the
top prize for the next 3 years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to
make sure that I did well I went to a lot of trouble and pain!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One year I went to the shed out the back, and
hit my hand as hard as I could with a hammer, and one year I cut my hand with a
steak knife and had to have stitches. The last time was with a hammer again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you know
I have the greatest prize?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t mean
my wife ... she is the second greatest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The greatest prize is to be friends with Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to be clever ... because Jesus
loves all people ... even people like me, an average person like me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You don’t
have to hit yourself with a hammer, or cut yourself, or sit for an exam ... you
only have to tell Jesus that you want<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to
be one of his friend, then believe his promises and trust him ... then you will
have the greatest prize anyone can have ... Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-63992134389904711312013-01-21T14:29:00.001-08:002013-01-24T12:11:08.629-08:00England to Australia aboard the Orion 1947. (The first voyage after WW2).My Mother passed away early Sunday morning 13th January, 2013. I found a tiny diary that Mum kept that recorded her journey from England to Australia aboard the "Orion". Her father although Australian went to England to further his study. There he met and married my Grandmother. At the time of rhe Second World War my Grandfather enlisted in the British army and was sent to India. He took the opportunity at the end of the war to be repatriated back toAustralia. From there he sent for his family to follow him. So my Grandmother, my mother and her brother Peter and little sister Wendy made the journey that is recorded in her diary. Mum was eleven and I have retained her spelling and wording of her journey.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVx1ckgY99M/UPzjSExu5SI/AAAAAAAAAqY/F21YpAnREMM/s1600/no.+1+son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVx1ckgY99M/UPzjSExu5SI/AAAAAAAAAqY/F21YpAnREMM/s320/no.+1+son.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum and me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t32" o:oned="t" o:spt="32" path="m,l21600,21600e"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" o:connectortype="straight" strokecolor="#f2f2f2" strokeweight=".5pt" style="height: 0px; margin-left: -6.75pt; margin-top: 27.75pt; position: absolute; width: 486pt; z-index: 251600384;" type="#_x0000_t32"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:shadow color="#7f7f7f" offset2="-1pt" offset="1pt" opacity=".5" type="perspective">
</v:shadow></span></v:shape><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong> 1946<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>DECEMBER</strong> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em> (Saying Goodbye to England)</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 30th December, 1946:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Went to see “Peter Pan” with mummy & Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all enjoyed it a lot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 31st December, 1946:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to ‘Bartram Millo Circus” with mum, Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saw the New Year at
Auntie’s.</span><br />
<br />
<strong>1946 JANUARY</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, January 1, 1047:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncle Jack drove us home Mum & Wendy
stayed till after dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a bit of
my homework.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 2nd January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did a
bit more of my homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to see
“Robinson Crusoe” with gran, grandfather, mum, Peter & Wendy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all enjoyed it very much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 3rd January, 1947:</strong> Had a letter from Diane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrote my thank you letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the after-noon went to pictures to see
“Princess & the Pirate” & “Badman’s Territory.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>V. Good films.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 4th January, 1947:</strong> Played at circuses in the front room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed up to play cards, “Express”, &
“Hot Cakes”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 5th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t
do anything very exciting except that I stayed up to listen to “Orley
Farm”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Granny not very well.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 6th January, 1947:</strong> Snowed today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Went to London saw the Schoolboy’s Exhibit 7 “the Model Aircraft
Exhibit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Granny still not very well).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">T</span>uesday, 7th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
back to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed up to here “Just
William.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Granny greeting better).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 8th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncle
Jack & Auntie Audrey & John came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing else very interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 9th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snow
all gone today Stopped up to listen to “Beau Geste.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing else exiting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 10th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
school Mummy met me at the Odeon Eltham and we saw “Blue Skies” & “Her
Adventurous Night.” They were good films.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 11th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to see “3 little girls in blue” & “Send for Paul Temple” with Mummy &
Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 12th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
for a walk with grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had my hair
washed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed up to listen to “Orley
Farm”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 13th January, 1947:</strong> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
school took Betty some books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of
the class away with ‘flu” (25 out of 43).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Went to bed early. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 14th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some more of the class
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to bed late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 15th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Granny went to stay at Auntie Audrey’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jack met me outside the school and took me to some Ice Hockey (USA v.
ENGLAND) Went to bed 11.30.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 16th January. 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blossom came today didn’t do
anything else exciting today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granny
came back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 17th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
school. Blossom went home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After tea
went to the Pictures saw “A Matter of Life and Death” so little films.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 18th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to the library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went for a walk with
Grandfather and Peter to Greenwich Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Granny went to Auntie Audrey’s again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 19th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granny
came back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Played in the
sitting-room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed up to listen to
“Orley Farm”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 20th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mummy bought me a new
frock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing else exciting happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 21st January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t
do anything exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather not very
good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 22nd January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took
the Common Entrance Exam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing else
exciting.</span><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0px; margin-left: 4.75pt; margin-top: 7.75pt; position: absolute; width: 324.5pt; z-index: 251629056;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></v:shape><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 23rd January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Beau Geste”
& “Much Binding in the Marsh”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
snowed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 24th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong> </strong> </span>Went to
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auntie Audrey, Uncle Jack &
John came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is still snow on the
ground.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 25th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
up the library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to the pictures saw
“Green Years”, and “Winged Wonders”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 26th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
and played in the snow with Wendy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Listened to “Orley Farm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 27th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mummy bought me a grey coat and
red shoes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 28th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took Betty a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still snow on the ground.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 29th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still snow on the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auntie Audrey & John came.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 30th January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the morning went to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John’s
birthday party in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter
and I stayed away from school.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 31st January, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saw the King, Queen & Princesses
go for S. Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saw “the Walt Disney
Show”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bought Auntie Mary a scarf.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>1947<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>FEBRUARY</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<v:shape id="_x0000_s1051" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0px; margin-left: 2.05pt; margin-top: 8.45pt; position: absolute; width: 334.8pt; z-index: 251713024;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></v:shape><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 1st February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to the library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to bed early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(With Auntie Rose went to lib.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 2nd February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auntie
Carrie came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Orley Farm”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday 3rd February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took Betty some books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Betty ill.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday 4th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Children’s
Hour”,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dick Barton” and “William”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 5th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
afternoon went to the pictures saw “Sister Kenny”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 6th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Betty still ill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still snow on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Dick Barton”, ‘Much Binding”
& “Beau Geste”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 7th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
London to Blossom’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nursed the kitten
called Inky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anita’s friend Fritz
came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought Gran some Wattle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 8th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
up to the library with mummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bought a
plastic belt for my grey frock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing
else exciting. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sundayn 9th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Played
with my paper-dolls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auntie Audrey, Uncle
Jack & Johnny came for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Listened to the new serial called “IN CHANCERY”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 10th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrote invitations for my
party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made up some rhymes and wrote
them in my note-book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still snow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 11th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mummy went to London for her
perm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brought puppet’s head home &
did a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Dick Barton”
& “William”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 12th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Dick
Barton”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing else exciting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 13th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to school in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
afternoon went to pictures saw, “Great Expectations”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Much Binding” & “Beau
Geste”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 14th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Dick Barton”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brought my blouse home although not finished.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 15th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to Betty’s party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a nice tea, played
a lot of games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Came home with Iris
Green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong>Sunday, 16th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncle
Will & Auntie Min came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auntie Min
gave me some Turkish Delight.<v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0px; margin-left: 1.35pt; margin-top: 9.85pt; position: absolute; width: 364.65pt; z-index: 251654656;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p> </o:p></v:shape></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong>Monday, 17th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
school for the last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took Betty a
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had to stand in front of school
because I was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to
King<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on wireless.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Tuesday, 18th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
pancakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ate five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auntie Carrie came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cream Buns for tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listened to “Children’s Hour” & “Dick
Barton”.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Wednesday, 19th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to London to see Blossom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mummy bought
Peter a new blazer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went with Blossom
to Kensington Gard.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Thursday, 20th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Auntie Audrey, Uncle Jack & John came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mummy, Peter and I went with them to see “The
Ice Review”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mum getting ready for my
party.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Friday, 21st February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had my
party everybody who was invited came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think they enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took them home
with Grandfather.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Saturday, 22nd February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to Doreen’s to tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Played card
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learnt some card tricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Played Draughts and Long Hop.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Sunday, 23rd February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
Auntie’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had goose for dinner & a
lovely tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had our birthday presents
early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine from John a set to clean my
shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auntie & Uncle a necklace
& 10/-.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Monday, 24th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auntie
Carrie came, Auntie Audrey, Uncle Jack & Johnny came as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t do anything exciting.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<em><strong> "Aboard The Orion" ...</strong></em> <br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Tuesday, 25th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
in a taxi with Aunty Audrey to get on the ‘Orion”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a big boat and very comfortable.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Wednesday, 26th February, 1947: </strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were all sea-sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now in “the Bay of
Biscay”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to dinner with mummy.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Thursday, 27th February, 1947 :</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feeling a bit better now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of
‘the Bay” just before dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spent most
of the day on the deck. Stayed up for dinner again.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Friday, 28th February, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling
much better now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now near
Gibraltar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swimming bath full but
too deep for me. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong> 1947<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>MARCH</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<v:shape id="_x0000_s1048" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 9.45pt; position: absolute; width: 363pt; z-index: 251714048;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p> </o:p></v:shape><strong>Saturday, 1st March, 1947 :</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
Mediterranean now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is lovely and
warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mummy bought me a new blouse &
swim suit. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Sunday, 2nd March 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went up
on the Sun Deck and stayed there most of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watched the swimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing exciting happening.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Monday, 3rd March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went in
the swimming bath when it was lowered for the under 12s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting fairly hot now.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Tuesday, 4th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very
hot now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No land in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t do anything exciting.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Wednesday, 5th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Called at Port Said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
ashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mum & I had a pair of
sun-glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter& Mum had sandals
each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all had a linen hat & had a
bag from the boat.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Thursday, 6th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fell
over cut my leg badly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a stitch in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mummy didn’t know anything about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man carried me to the Dr’s.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Friday, 7th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed
in bed reading all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a jelly for
dinner.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Saturday, 8th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to the doctors to have a fresh bandage put on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sat on a deck-chair reading most of the time.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong>Sunday 9th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Called
at Aden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t go ashore because of my
leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we left the harbour we saw an
air-craft-carrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also before that a
German Ship.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 10th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
the Doctor’s again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had fresh bandage
put on and 3 stitches taken out 2 or 3 left.</span>
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0px; margin-left: -1.35pt; margin-top: 9.15pt; position: absolute; width: 366.55pt; z-index: 251677184;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></v:shape></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 11th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t
do anything exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather is very
hot.</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 12th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to the Doctor’s had a fresh bandage put on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have found our trunk now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to Child’s Party.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thusday, 13th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to the Doctor’s had fresh bandage and a stitch taken out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wore my beach-suit for first time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 14th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Called
at Colombo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed there all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went in a motor-coach to Kandy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bought coconut, pineapple, and bananas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 15th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to Doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had fresh bandage on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went down in the engine room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 16th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
Doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had 2 stitches out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fresh bandage on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed on Deck reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>At 6.30 am crossed the line.</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 17th March, 1947</strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
the Doctor’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a fresh bandage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing exciting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 18th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to Dr’s fresh bandage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saw a concert and
baby show.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 19th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were water-sports on Sun-Deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I didn’t see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to the film
saw “The Rakes Progress”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 20th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to the Doctor’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed up to see a
fancy dress parade and concert.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 21st March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had to
go to a Medical Inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Played with
Peter’s cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t do anything
exciting at all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (Docked in Freemantle, Australia)</span></em></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<v:shape id="_x0000_s1037" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 9.75pt; position: absolute; width: 360.75pt; z-index: 251688448;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></v:shape><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 22nd March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to the Doctor’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stopped at
Freemantle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went in a taxi to
Perth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bought sweets & fruit & a
tray-cloth to sew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Came back in train.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 23rd March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Ship was rolling a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They put rims
round the table to stop things falling off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing exciting. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 24th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
the Doctor’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather fairly cold and
quiet a swell in sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing exciting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 25th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Weather still cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing
happening.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 26th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Weather getting a weenie bit warmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing exciting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 27th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stopped at Melbourne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
Doctor’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went ashore & came back
for tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bought fruit, cakes &
sweets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 28th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went on
the beach at Melbourne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Collected some
shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paddled at the very edge because
of my leg.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 29th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
on the beach again (before & after lunch). Got a few more shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paddled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ship sailed at 6pm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 30th March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
rained and the sea was rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mummy was
sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed on deck most of the day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <strong> <em> (The Orion docks in Sydney)</em></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday 31st March, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got up
6am saw ship enter Sydney Heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Docked
at 7.30 at Woolloomooloo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went home in a
car with Auntie Mary & Grandma. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O42WhpWwE0c/UP2-b_o_BHI/AAAAAAAAAsE/ku-44ga9PAo/s1600/and+sister+makes+three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O42WhpWwE0c/UP2-b_o_BHI/AAAAAAAAAsE/ku-44ga9PAo/s320/and+sister+makes+three.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum and her brother and little sister ... Three "New Australians".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<v:shape id="_x0000_s1047" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0.05pt; margin-left: -0.95pt; margin-top: 7.15pt; position: absolute; width: 357.2pt; z-index: 251698688;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></v:shape></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong> 1947<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>APRIL</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 1st April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
down to the wharf to get the trunks through the customs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saw Dr. McNamara again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 2nd April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
rained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daddy took us in the car to see
the beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bondi, Clovelly & went
right up to S. Head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 3rd April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
afternoon went to the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saw cattle,
horses, dogs and prize fruit etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 4th April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
Bondi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daddy took us right in so that
the waves came up to our necks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 5th April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
went to Neilson Park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Climbed over the
rocks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 6th April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
Rockdale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had Easter egg each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Chocolate).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 7th April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to
Bondi in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the afternoon
went to Port Hacking & Cronulla.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Tuesday, 8th April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather
sunny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did nothing except stayed in the
garden.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wednesday, 9th April, 1947</strong><strong>:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To try to get my birthday
present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only got a box of sweets from
Wendy 7 Peter (1 lb)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thursday, 10th April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cardigan from granny. Brush
and comb from Daddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camera from
Mummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweets from Peter & Wendy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Friday, 11th April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
round the town, to Lady Macquarie’s Chair and Fort Macquarie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took Auntie Mary to the dentist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Saturday, 12th April, 1947:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went
to Elizabeth Bay to see “Orion” sail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bought some cakes for my party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And also collected my cake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sunday, 13th April, 1947</strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to National Park for a
picnic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daddy, mummy, Auntie Mary &
Joan, David & twins. Peter & Wendy & me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One last entry --- </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Monday, 14th April, 1947: </strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Daddy went to catch his train to Bundaberg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing else happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<v:shape id="_x0000_s1050" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0px; margin-left: 2.85pt; margin-top: 15.25pt; position: absolute; width: 361.5pt; z-index: 251653632;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></v:shape></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<v:shape id="_x0000_s1053" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 0px; margin-left: 0.7pt; margin-top: 8.45pt; position: absolute; width: 324.8pt; z-index: 251628032;" type="#_x0000_t32"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></v:shape></div>
Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-60218554036060509012012-12-24T20:49:00.000-08:002012-12-24T20:49:13.107-08:00Christmas, a time to consider true peace on earth.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are
living in an increasingly polarized world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The gap between opposing sides are widening ... and that gap seems to be
driven wider daily ... with anger ... hostility ... hatred ... often stirred up
and enflamed by very powerful vested interests.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blind
prejudices are overcoming reason ... and any rational debate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
is affecting all sorts of issues ...from the minor to the major.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The climate debate and mining ... refugee
policy ... racial policy ... sexual orientation ... left and right of politics
... unions and business ...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
think we on King Island are about to begin our own local version ... to wind
farm or not to wind farm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joking aside
the worlds increasing polarization and ramping up of hate rhetoric is producing
tragic results.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The end of
the last century I think saw the end of the divide between communist and
democratically elected governments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the time of the change of the millennium it seemed possible that the world was
on the brink of being able to enjoy a lengthy period of comparative peace ...
but it appears that the world needs conflict ... because into that gap of peace
came a new topic of struggle and anger ... a new reason to hate ... a new
excuse to go to war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new reason for
old men to stir up the young to hurl insults ... hurl hate ... hurl rocks ...
and aim bullets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may have
been lucky this week and missed a story from Pakistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a series of attacks eight young ...
dedicated nurses ... male and female have been senselessly killed while going
about their compassionate service trying to help Pakistan eradicate polio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Polio ... a crippling disease ... often
affecting the young ... the children ... and if they survive ... often leaving
the child crippled for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a country
without a good social welfare system like Pakistan ... this is a sentence to
slow starvation ... begging daily in rags in the street ... being ignored by
everyone ... <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not a thing
you would wish on your worst enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For some
years now the United Nations have been working with the Pakistani government on
a plan for this diseases eradication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Enter the Taliban ... who sees in this an opportunity to enflame the
passions of the vulnerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have
been spreading the rumour that the immunisation programme has all be a front in
order to sterilize Muslims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The result
of this irrational hate campaign ... Eight lives lost so far ... an
immunization program that could end the suffering of hundreds of children and
adults every year is in doubt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What hope does the world have in the
face of this level of prejudice and hatred?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enter a baby in a
manger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were
great social, cultural, political and religious prejudices and hatreds in the
community and the culture into which this special baby was born.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No
one liked the Romans ... they had conquered and ruled Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But
there was a much older hatred against Israel’s long time opponents and foes ...
Babylon (who had conquered them) ... Egypt (the land they were enslaved in and
with God’s help escaped from).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Israel’s
neighbours ... the Samaritans were despised (who Babylon resettled there after
taking the Israel’s who inhabited that land originally into exile).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
poor ... Jews who had the wrong sort of job (tax collecting, people who kept
pigs) ... those who lived outside the towns and cities (the shepherds, lepers
the ritually unclean, the sexually promiscuous) were all thought to be being
punished by God for their sins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is
interesting to read the Jesus’ birth narrative and see just how many of these
people feature in that short story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mary
... the mother of Jesus is an unmarried woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She could by keeping to the letter of the laws have been stoned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
shepherds ... outcasts ... not trusted by the people who lived in the cities
and towns<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shortly
after His birth the Babylonians become involved ... the wise men from the east.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They
visit Herod the Roman puppet King seeking the child who they foretold one day
would be king.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Herrod in fear went searching to kill this child ... the baby’s family become what
we today would class as refugee ... people fleeing their country of birth
because they had a reasonable fear of harm because of who they were.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as Jesus grew we read of him meeting ... talking with
lepers ... Samaritans ... Roman soldiers and officers ... often healing them
... tax collectors ...encouraging them and having them believe in him and them
following him ... joining his small group of followers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus broke open the prejudices and hatreds that kept people
apart ... that provided a fertile ground for increasing the distrust that leads
to hatred and in extreme cases ... violence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus did it by becoming one of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God did it by becoming human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The incarnation ... is about God becoming a
person and participating fully in all that it means to live a human life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
becomes possible to believe anything and everything of people we know nothing
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could be plotting to
sterilize our children ... they could be making bombs to blow up our stadiums
in their garages ... they could ... fill in any wild claim you can think of.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But
when we see these same people ... and get to know them ... their hopes ...
dreams ... concerns ... when we see people are not that different from us ...
it becomes a lot more difficult to be prejudiced ... it become impossible to
hate people if we see that they are not much different from us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That
is what the baby in the stable did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
showed us what it is to be human in the very best and fullest sense of the
term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What it is to love other people
more than oneself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What it is to risk
all for the sake of a stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And
Jesus calls us who believe to live his incarnate life ... so prejudices might
break down ... so faith might grow ... so a new redeemed people might be the
salt and light in this world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So that God might be glorified by the people of this world no matter what
group they may have by accident of birth been born into.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Glory to God in the highest,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And on earth peace to people on whom his favour rests”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-88807100331110617212012-09-13T15:32:00.001-07:002012-09-13T15:34:19.908-07:00King Island Abattoir Closes: <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week
has seen closure of the abattoir on King Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>75 people put out of work instantly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be easy to predicting a future of doom
and gloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do wonder what the immediate
future might be for us on King Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
will the Island cope?</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I have
read the history of King Island, one of the things that struck me is that the Island
and her people have had to struggle for much of that history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right from the beginning, ship wrecks,
unpredictable weather, and as the Island progressed fires, the struggle with
the land anda series of businesses booming and then closing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
generations people have survived and even thrived here for much of that time
with few of the luxuries or conveniences the world took for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They built their homes, they built a
community and they left a legacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
what I have read they seemed happy in what they did have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their Island home, their friends and family
and for many a deep faith in God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
times of trouble have come people have shared the little they did have with
those who had none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They
did not asked what is in it for me?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
was a strong commitment to the idea of the “common good”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sharing,
caring for those in need, the elderly, the sick and the less able is
fortunately a strong and visible value on this Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is under attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
live in an age where individuals rights are emphasised over or our community
responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
live in an age where everyone looks to the “bottom line” … “what’s in it for
me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And
advertising tells us …”look after the most important person in the world …
you”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Island way
of the ‘common good” is worth protecting; a community that does care for those
in need.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a
value that goes to the heart of the Christian message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus just hours before he was betrayed but
knowing what was to happen to him said to his followers …<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A new commandment I give unto you …
that you love one another as I have loved you”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus used a
specific word that we translate as love: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">agape.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The best
characterization of <b><i>agape</i></b> that I have come across is from New Testament
scholar, Leon Morris … who writes …<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Agape
is a love lavished on others without a thought of whether they are worthy to
receive it or not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It proceeds rather
from the nature of the lover, than from any merit in the beloved.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This definition distinguishes <b><i>agape</i> love</b> from what we would
normally regard as love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We most
commonly show love to those who are loveable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words because there is something
about the other we like, or want, there is a bottom line in it for us.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But the love Jesus commanded his followers to show was a love for all
people that was a sacrificial love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
love that did not expect to be repaid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is what the ‘common good’ is about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Caring for those in our community who may never have the ability or
means to repay us but caring for them and loving them because it is right, because
it is good, because they are our neighbours and friends.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">If we care for members of our Island in this way, I don’t think we will
have much to fear no matter how bad the fallout of the abattoir closure might
be, because the whole community will be sharing and supporting the cost
equally.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-29186181355521147772012-08-07T20:28:00.000-07:002012-08-07T20:29:20.598-07:00Eulogy for my DadMy Dad passed away last week. What follows is the euglogy I delivered at his funeral.<br />
<br />
To Ronnie James Oldfield, with thanks for being my Dad.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">St. Ignatius
of Loyola reportedly said ...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Give me a
child for his first seven years and I will give you the man.” </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad was born
the depression; they must have been hard times for his parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No work and no money to feed a young
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother began entertaining
men while his father was out trying to earn a living. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad has horrendous
memories of that period of his life that have left their scars on the man he
was to become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He remembered afternoons
and mornings spent locked in a cupboard by the strangers that visited his home,
often with threats of violence if he told his father what his mother had been
doing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But his
father did find out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming home early
he caught my grandmother with a ‘friend’<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.
</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad saw his mother stab his father
with a kitchen knife and then running away, leaving his father for dead and Dad
and his younger sister with the body of their father.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Grandfather
did survive but I don’t think he ever really got over what happened that night.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not able to look after his three
children, so Grandfather, Dad and his two sisters Elsie and Yvonne were taken
in by his grandparents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grandmother willingly
caring for the two girls but telling Dad he was there only because it was her
‘Christian duty’<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rejected by his mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
early years as I have said<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>left
lasting scars on Dad.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grandfather
was now an alcoholic; drinking his wages on a Friday night and coming home
drunk to give Dad lessons in being a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He would get Dad in a corner and demand he put up his fists and fight
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad never could bring himself to
hit his father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But he did
learn two lessons ... never hit someone weaker than you ... and how to fight, and
that is just what Dad did at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad
fought but he never picked on anyone smaller than himself as he saw that as
cowardice, always someone bigger and never any one weaker than himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result Dad seemed to have spent most of
his school years standing outside the teacher’s office waiting for the
cane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He told of
one year picking on a bigger new boy the first day back at school;
unfortunately this time Dad really did pick the wrong student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new boy was his new teacher’s son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way dad told the story was with him
spending the rest of his schooling getting ‘six of the best’ on each hand every
hour of the school day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Poor Dad, he
really didn’t like teachers at all but ended up with two daughters, countless
in-laws and now grandchildren who are teachers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not
surprisingly Dad didn’t see he had much future as an academic and left school
around this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His employment plans
involved giving someone he knew all the money he had to get him a gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately whoever that was ‘ripped’ Dad off
and took the money, but never gave Dad a gun.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad did have
better memories of his childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
very profound memory was of his grandmother reading the Bible aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The passage was from St. John’s gospel that Sandra
has just read us, which speaks of someone going to prepare a room just for
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad never
had a proper bedroom, instead his bed was in a hallway connecting the rest of
the house with the kitchen, the backdoor, the pantry at one end, and the
bathroom at the other and all his few processions kept in a box under the bed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although Dad
did not understand what the passage was about it impressed him hearing of
someone who loved him and was building a bedroom just for him, something Dad
longed for.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last Sunday
I was in this church with Mum and Clive spoke about David and Bathsheba, a
story of adultery and murder ... echoes of Dad’s own story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad was damaged by the events of his
childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spent most of his life
believing if people knew who he really was that they would think he was
unlovable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was deeply scarred by the
events of his childhood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad’s life
really could have ended in violence and another tragedy but fortunately he met
two people who loved him unconditionally; Mum and Jesus. God sees through the
walls we can all build around ourselves in an attempt to protect ourselves from
being hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God sees our real heart and
I believe saw the little boy who had a great capacity to love and was loveable,
who had real compassion to care for those weaker than himself; the little boy
that Dad might have been if his life had been different. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With Mum’s
love and God’s healing grace Dad’s adult life became very different from his
childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mum and Dad built a life and home
together that was loving and nurturing, a home and family which my sisters and
I could not have wanted any different.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last
Sunday’s services finished with the familiar words I say every Sunday at the
communion service,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“We do this until he
returns”.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After saying
those words this week I took Mum’s hand and said to her, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dad is in heaven now and at last enjoying perfect communion with God”.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw Dad there as that little boy he might
have been, taking delight in a room of his own built for him with loving hands
by the master carpenter, Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<br /></div>
Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-63379843011750924542012-07-19T18:47:00.002-07:002012-07-19T18:47:50.739-07:00Another Funeral addressThe tiny community of King Island has has a spate of recent deaths of King Islanders or people who have lived and worked on the Island for some time. At last cound 14 in the past 6 week. I have given gospel presentations, encouraged the people to consider there own mortality. This one I thought needed tio be particularly about comfort.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Comfort:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have been
hearing people speak this afternoon of Graham and how special a person he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visiting Jenny and her family on Monday
morning I saw a home full of photos of family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I heard stories of the bonds between Graham and his siblings, his
friends, his children and his grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jenny although still in a state of shock at the suddenness of her Graham’s
death, told me just as I was leaving what privilege it had been to be part of
Graham’s life and family for the 42 years of their marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the
words I remember Jenny using ... he and his brothers got on so well ... a
gentleman ... he didn’t swear ... loved his family ... so many friends ... lots
of interests ... everyone will want to say farewell.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 39.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But
many of you didn’t get that chance to say that final farewell. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graham’s death was so quick, so unexpected. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 39.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That
is just one of the reasons funerals are so important. They give us the
opportunity to say our goodbyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 39.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And
comfort each other in our shared grief.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s comfort in our time of
grieving.</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This afternoon I want to offer what I hope are a few words of
comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They come from the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God cares for us all ...
he weeps when we weep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Comfort, Comfort my people says your
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speak tenderly to them<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>... Do you not know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you not heard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator
of the ends of the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not
grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength
to the weary and increases the power of the weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even youths grow tired and weary, and young
men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will soar on wings like
eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I said a moment ago I wanted to offer you some words of comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three words in fact ... Hesed ... Shalom ...
and grace.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hesed.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is a Hebrew word the Bible translates
in a few different ways. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unfailing
love of God; the never ending love of God; the special unchangeable love of God
towards his people.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> is the love that God has for us that
can never be taken away, that can be depended on at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about the God who is always there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When everyone else is busy, he is
listening.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we wake lonely in the middle of
the night and long for someone to talk with; cry with or shout our pain too; Hesed
is the promise that God will be there when you need him.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shalom<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shalom is another Hebrew word that
holds the promise of comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shalom
again has several expressions of meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is about peace with God and from God that results in wellbeing,
safety, prosperity and completeness.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shalom is peace that comes from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing God cares for us, it about knowing
that despite how we may be feeling today that the sun will rise tomorrow morning
because God is in absolute control of the universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That God is the almighty, all-powerful
creator but at the same time is the God who is watching over us, living with us
and is here now weeping beside us today.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 39.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shalom
gives rise to peace of mind in the midst of our sorrow and grief. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps us trust there will come a time when
life will resume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That the pain you
presently feel <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>will not last forever; there
will be a time when you will be able to remember Graham not with sorrow or a
tear, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gladness and a smile as his
memory brings back the joys you have shared with him<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The third word is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grace.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace is a key attribute of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace means God is merciful, long-suffering,
and abounding in goodness and graciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grace is always associated with mercy, compassion, and patience as the
source of help and deliverance in our distress. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace is the reason Jesus became a
human person just like us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
experienced the pain of seeing people he loved die, his earthly father Joseph, his
cousin John the Baptist and his<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>close
friend Lazarus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 39.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
has been in the same place you are now, he knows what it is like to lose
someone you love dearly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 39.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace
means that God will listen if you call to God for help, and that God knows your
pain because he has felt it too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-8548523825427036192012-07-06T16:48:00.002-07:002012-07-06T16:48:58.834-07:00A funeral address
I had to take a funeral yesterday for someone I got to know reasonably well in the two years i have been on King Island. I always find funeral services particularly difficult. I want to comfort those there, but I also want people to think about their own mortality.<br />
This is the address I gave yesterday.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is a
sad occasion it is Ken’s funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
many of us on King Island, Ken was a long time resident and involved in many
Island organisations ... a very well known and respected member of our little
community ... for others Ken was a good friend and mate; someone whose company
and friendship will be missed .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For his
family he was Dad, grandfather, uncle or cousin; someone who was loved deeply
and who will go on being remembered and missed for as long as you live. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are here today to share our grief and
support each other through that sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Death is painful, it is not something we like to dwell on but lately it
has been unavoidable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone said to me
when they heard Ken had passed away that he is the 10th person they knew with
King Island connections to have died in the last couple of months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poet John Donne wrote ...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No man is an island entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent, </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a part of the main;</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were,</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As well as any manner of thy friend
or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in
mankind.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And therefore never send to know for
whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Death diminishes us, the death of someone we know changes us.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have usually taken scripture classes in most of the places
I have worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my last place, Norfolk
Island I had most of the children in the local school at some time over the
four years I was there.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Classes often said ... <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Why
do we have to waste time doing this when we should be doing something important
like maths or science?</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last year I was there was very different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the school holidays the brother of one
of the boys in the class I was to take died in very tragic circumstances a few
days before the first lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So instead
of the lesson I had prepared we spent the time letting them express how they
were feeling and trying to answer any questions as best I could that they had
about death when they asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I prepared the next weeks scripture lesson but the week before
had raised more feelings and more questions for the class so we spent that
lessons as well looking at the possibilities of what might happen after death, what
other people and faiths taught <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and when
they wanted to know, I told them what I believed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the next weeks we looked at life’s other
big questions: why are we here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did
they really want from their lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
would you know if you had wasted your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Six months later one of the boys (as 6th class boys will)
started mucking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not get a
chance <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to do or say a thing because one
of the other boys got up told him to be quiet ... <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the stuff we were talking about was really important.” </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What we believe about life and death if we stop and take the
time to consider it properly, is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we look at the possibility of our own mortality it can change our
priorities, it can sort out what is really important to from what is not.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It can help us face our death and can give comfort when we
mourn the death of someone we love dearly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe that the grave is not the end. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all made to live beyond the grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the major faiths share that belief in
common but they do not all agree on what that life is like, or how you get to
enjoy it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me I believe we receive that life as a gift from God through
faith in Jesus Christ, who lived, died, rose from the dead and showed himself
to hundreds of witnesses as proof of who he was and that life is eternal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all have to make up our own minds what we believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I want to encourage you to take that
question seriously and not just brush it off as of no importance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask yourself what do <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you believe happens after death? and What
evidence do you have for believing it? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can you face your own mortality with confidence? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">... any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And therefore never send for whom the
bell tolls; for tomorrow it may toll for thee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-46636580095728825402012-06-28T00:44:00.001-07:002012-06-28T00:44:28.028-07:00A life ruined for the ordinary. Part 3.<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted to
find somewhere to study but from what I had seen the theological colleges could
not provide the sort training I was seeking to work with the people I thought I
was being called to work with. I wasn’t interested in being ordained either as
I thought a ‘dog collar’ would be a hindrances instead of a help in relating to
these people as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had known a
couple of “odd” people who did not fit the normal mould of church workers who
had been through Church Army and who worked in the sort of ministries I was
interested in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the same at time
that Church Army was changing their training model.<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seemed
just the sort of place that might offer what I was looking for, so I applied,
had an interview and was accepted as a candidate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that time it was expected that our
theological education should be done through one of the ACT accredited Theological
Colleges and Church Army provided the practical training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked the faculty at Moorling Baptist
College so studied with them while doing the Church Army training during the
semester breaks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They were
three very exciting years for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
left school thinking further study was beyond me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stretched me, and gave me a good grounding
in ministry and God’s word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better still
was being apprenticed beside two Church Army Officers who mentored me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just what I was needing and looking
for.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three years
after beginning I graduated and was commissioned as a Church Army Officer, at
the same time a vacancy came up in Airds, the place most of the kids I had been
working with came from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had things
worked out perfectly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I applied for the
job at Airds but I did not get an interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again what was God saying and doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was the place I had just spent three years training to work
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a passion for public housing
ministry and a belief that I had a calling to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God works in
surprising ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Airds was closed to me,
(but I love that recently Church Army has begun a work planting a church there)
but another door opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St Stephen’s
Villawood had recently been amalgamated with a couple of other parishes into an
experimental parish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I applied and was
given the job as Assistant part time Minister to St. Stephens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was given responsibility for ministry in a small
church in the old public housing estate of Villawood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The old
church building was in poor state, my carpentry skills came in handy, the
building was reclad inside and out. The congregation was very small and had no
contact with the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Church
Army mission launched an after school children’s program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make contact with the community we started
a community garden that was going to use the grounds of the church for the
garden plots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around the same time I had
a phone call from a man in the Villawood Immigrant Detention centre asking to
talk to someone about Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was a
Muslim who had picked up a Bible in the detention centre, and wanted to find
out more about what he read. I met with him, he wanted to hear more and so I
arranged to meet with him again ... when next I saw him he had invited some of
his friends to hear what I had to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually I was visiting the centre two days a week and meeting with a
group of up to a dozen people at a time of all nationalities and faiths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sang songs, prayed together, and looked at
what the Bible had to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
requested baptism, some come to faith, and some who were already Christian were
supported while in detention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bishop Brian
King supported the work and appointed me Chaplain to the Detention Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Australian government at this time had a
policy of Temporary Protection Visas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Meaning that those released into the community could not receive a lot
of the benefits of normal citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
were released on temporary entry permits, meaning they were not entitled to any
benefits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Somali family was released
so that the government would not have to pay for the medical treatment and childbirth
costs but would eventually be paid for by a charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To help and
support these newly released asylum seekers I met the NSW Ecumenical Council
and we together we started the House of Welcome (</span><a href="http://www.houseofwelcome.com.au/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.houseofwelcome.com.au/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the time of the Kosovo War.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were many in the detention centre at
that time who had come from that conflict seeking a place of safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were unaccompanied children there as young as 5 who their parents had sent away
hoping they might be cared for and safe in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those children were looked away in a virtual
prison full of young single male adults. There was a Doctor who had fled Iraq
because his job in Iraq included amputating the hands or feet of deserters and
thieves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had to
pray with an Iraqi who was to be returned to Iraq because he did not meet the
requirements as an Asylum seeker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
an army deserter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew what his fate
would be once home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was also the
time of protests, of detainees going on hunger strikes; of sewing up their
mouths so they could not eat or be fed; of meeting with people who could not
speak to me because they had stitched up their mouths in protest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The authority’s response was to return these
protesters back to where they had come from without appeal, or looking into why
they were seeking asylum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This I believe
led to the death of a few when returned to their country of origin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They were vulnerable,
they needed someone to speak publically and make their plight known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Public opinion had been manipulated for
political ends at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Asylum
Seekers had been dehumanised and demonized, anything was thought possible of
them, as was demonstrated by ‘children overboard’ incident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the people I met with that they could
not afford to protest, that someone from outside had to speak for them, but
who?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Few people knew what was really
happening in these centres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided I
should speak on their behalf, and spoke at rally outside Villawood detention
centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told three stories to give a
human face to those locked away behind the razor wire of the centre. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result when next I visited the Detention
Centre I was told I was told I had been banned from entering any Immigrant
Detention Centre in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some month
later the Iraq war was about to begin and our involvement as a nation was being
debated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I listened to it over
radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One very well know government
minister was defending the need for us to go to war by telling the Australian
people of the way deserters are treated in Iraq, by having their feet
amputated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How barbaric that was. He
neglected to mention though that Australia sent asylum seekers back to Iraq to
have this barbaric operation happen to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night I
witnessed a special broadcast on television of Parliament House where both
sides were debating the recent tragedies of capsizing boats and the deaths of
over a hundred people from these tragedies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I became sad and angry as I watched what was being said, I could not
believe the hypocrisy I heard said by politicians about their “sincere interest”
in the protection of innocent people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
they are in opposition it has become unacceptable to send unaccompanied 13 year
olds to Malaysia because of what might happen to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that is unacceptable for 13 year olds in Malaysia
to face the possibility of rape surely it was unacceptable when it happened in
Australia to 5 year olds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was now
unacceptable to send people to a country that was not a signatory to the United
Nations Convention on Refugees, supposedly because of how the refugees might be
treated in those countries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet when
they were responsible and in Government it was fine to released people from
detention with no means but to begging of obtaining medical help, shelter,
food, and clothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once again I
was not able to minister to the people I had felt called to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funding for my position at St. Stephen’s Villawood
also ceased at about this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was soon
to be unemployed, and I was left wondering what God was doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-68516817596884745572012-06-22T02:05:00.000-07:002012-06-22T02:05:30.315-07:00A life ruined for the ordinary. Part 2<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left
school half way through year 11, or as it was then 5<sup>th</sup> year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a job as an apprentice carpenter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I was 26, I had a trade, a wife,
two children and a brand new home on the edges of Sydney’s vast urban sprawl on
a Landcom Estate, which meant that 6 months before moving in the suburb had not
existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We attended Church in the next suburb as ours
did not yet have a church. In time a minister was appointed to our suburb, and
a block of land and a grant of money was made available to build a church with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until the church building was completed we spent
a few years meeting in a community hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a good time, with the minister appointed to us we planted a
church, planned and built a building and along the way had to try all sorts of
new roles, find all sorts of skills and gifts we did not think we had.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being a
newly developed area there were hundreds of children and teenagers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a parish we thought it would be good to
employ a part time youth worker to work in the school and in the church to
reach out to the teenagers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
that if we went did employ someone, they would need some help, so when
scripture union with the local Fusion centre decided to run an Urban Mission
over the Christmas School Holidays, I thought it would be good to be part of,
to see what young people were like and if I had any aptitude for working with
them.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was
surprised, I had not realized what my suburb was like after dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met homeless kids, kids that travelled 100km
to where we were because they had heard we were feeding kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids living on the trains, kids that could
not go home on weekends because Dad was drinking, or Mum had the boyfriend
over, as well as dozens of ordinary kids looking for something to do during the
long school break.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By this
stage I was self employed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back
to work after the two weeks of mission, and back to my comfortable home with a
fridge full of food and a warm bed every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I could not get it out of my head that there were kids I had met who
were still hungry, cold, and vulnerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I spoke to the Fusion worker who had led the Urban Mission team and said
I wanted to do something for those kids.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We began a ‘drop
in’ program called Warehouse in the local youth centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a TV, a pool table, tea and coffee and
some food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started running it one
evening a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work grew rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the boys had got into trouble with the
police and had to appear before the courts the next day and he asked if I would
come along with him to keep him company. After that I could no longer work on
Fridays, the day the children’s court met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In that first year we found accommodation for over 50 kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some were
also becoming interested in Christianity, so I began a small group exploring
what it was to be a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they
needed more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took one group of kids to
a church one Sunday morning, they enjoyed it so much they did not want to go
home and stayed there on the grounds long after everyone else had gone
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An elder seeing this grew worried
and had the police come and remove the kids.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I next went
to the big Anglican Church in the area and talked with the minister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me not to bring any street kids to
His church’s youth group, because if I did, the other parents would take their
teenagers from the group in case they got interested in the street kids romantically.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he did make an application for a
grant to employ someone who could run a specialty ministry with these
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grant was successful and it
was time to find someone to fill the role as a church planter to these
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We failed to
find one trained person who would be able to take on this ministry, or who was
willing to try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What was God
doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In asking
that question, I began to suspect the answer was ... God is calling me to this
sort of ministry, but I needed some good training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
would I find a place to train that would prepare me to work with people who do
not normally fit in a church?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-73767817922757781872012-06-12T17:46:00.002-07:002012-06-12T17:46:26.232-07:00A Sister’s Grace.<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After church
last Sunday one of the young boys was sitting looking rather glum. School still has another week of holiday to
go; I figured he should have been feeling quite chirpy, so I asked him why the
long face?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His Mum
heard me asking and spoke for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“His
sisters, you have three as well ... perhaps you could have a talk to him?”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think I knew
just what he might have been feeling having had three sisters of my own.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So after
asking him what was up ... I told him a true story about my Dad, though it may
have been embellished over the years with the retelling.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad had two
sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day one of those sister became
one sister too many. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad being a boy of
action decided it was time to do something to fix the situation. He thought of
a very “clever” plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wagged school,
got a shovel from his Grandfather’s shed and went out back of their home at
Rockdale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those days it was a large
market garden and had very sandy soil that was easily dug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad began digging and continued most of the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He produced a lovely deep hole,
just perfect to put his sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was then
that Dad realized his “clever” plan had one short coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had forgotten to bring a ladder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was stuck, and couldn’t get himself out of
the hole he had dug for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he
could do was start calling for help, which he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may have
already guessed who it was who heard his cry for help?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That sister
who was the one sister too many found him, stuck in the hole. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Dad had to swallow his pride and ask her to
rescue him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aunty Elsie did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pulled him out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad thought
then that maybe that ‘one sister too many’ might not be quiet as bad as he had
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That maybe the reason they had
not been getting on was more to do with his attitude and behaviour and how he
had treated her.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad’s two
sisters have both passed away now, and Dad misses then both deeply, but they
both had a very real lively faith in the grace and forgiveness Jesus offer
everyone who trusts what he did on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has the comfort that death is not the end and they will all be
reunited one day in heaven with God.</span></span><br />Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-41130807316221581962012-06-06T01:02:00.001-07:002012-06-06T01:02:08.842-07:00A Life Ruined for the Ordinary (Part 1)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have just
got back home after attending the Church Army Conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The program was mostly the societies endorsed
Evangelists sharing the story of their lives and subsequent ministries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very encouraged hearing of the
extraordinary things God has been doing in the lives of these relatively ordinary
people, so I thought it might be worth recording my story on the chance someone
might find encouragement in the work God has be doing in me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mine is not
one of those dramatic conversion stories some people have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents turned back to God after the birth
of a still born child when I was 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
earliest memories are of us as a family attending church, being part of a
Sunday school and of parents who served God in a variety of ways in their local
Church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that age I naturally trusted
and believed in God, this is not to say I have not had to develop my own faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then I have had doubts and times when I
have wandered far from God but each time God has brought me back and through
that process deepened my understanding of Him and I have grown in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcXsfd2NcT8/T88NlxEYUgI/AAAAAAAAAnw/qEaGfXf65XE/s1600/groovy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcXsfd2NcT8/T88NlxEYUgI/AAAAAAAAAnw/qEaGfXf65XE/s400/groovy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sisters and I ready for church on Sunday morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recently
celebrated my 58<sup>th</sup> birthday. I have been following Jesus for
something like 53 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My first
experience of actively taking on a ministry responsibility was when I was about
14, I was a keen member of CEBS (The Church of England Boy’s Society) and the
CEBS leader wanted to begin a group for the very young boys, 5 – 7 year olds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After thinking about it I talked to the
leader and he agreed to let me try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
a week for an hour and a half I had charge of half a dozen excited boys, and
needed to prepare a program to maintain their interest, lots of games, a
devotional, some skills work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was only
ever half a step in front of the boys but it was fun and I learnt quite a bit
about ministry and leadership and serving God.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A couple of
years later I was part of the church’s youth group when all the older teenagers
became young adults, got married or moved on and we suddenly found that the
group no longer had any of the older teens left to lead it, and in fact I was now
one of the older teens at 16.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I
took on the leadership of the youth group and started an after church on Sunday
night ‘coffee shop’ for those that did not have to rush home after evening
service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The coffee
shop became popular and teens started dropping in who were only loosely
connected with the church and they had not all gone to church before dropping by
or some came from other churches in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was the
mid sixties, the beginning of modern youth culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rock music, long hair, beards, motor scooters
and motor bikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of rebellion, of the
counter culture, of Vietnam and moratoriums, peace, love and dropping out. Of
teenagers questioning everything and everyone searching to find who they are
and what they stand for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a
time of deep conservativism in mainstream Australia, of Robert Menzies and Bob
Askin. It was a time when the Church of England had just started calling itself
the Anglican Church and still used the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the
church’s parish council heard what was happening on Sunday nights, of teenagers
in front of the church and staying after services were over they became concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
did what many churches have been doing and continue to do with those they do
not know or understand, who are different to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They shut the door on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They informed me that the coffee shop was
closed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I knew
to the core of my being that something was not right in their decision.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I asked the
Rector if he would arrange a meeting with the three Parish Wardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meeting took place and I asked them to reconsider
their decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suggested these were
the very people that the church existed to reach out to, those who did not yet
know God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They listened and we prayed
and the coffee shop was allowed to remain open.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those men
are all long dead now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot imagine
it was easy for them to trust a kid like me with what they feared might happen
to their old historic building but they did, they were gracious, and I think it
was in that time that my life’s journey was set a course.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-15593890862037013712012-05-14T17:41:00.001-07:002012-05-14T17:41:13.915-07:00Depression<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Depression
is now epidemic today in the western world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1
in 6 men have clinical depression.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1
in 5 women also have clinical depression. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
is estimated 1 in 4 teenagers now have clinical depression.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every
person is likely to suffer a form of depression at some time in their life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only
I in 9 people who have clinical depression seek treatment it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet figures suggest the earlier that
treatment is started, the easier and quicker it is to remedy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Martin
Seligman has made a study of depression. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His ideas dominate psychology in the USA and
have caused a revolution in the treatment of depression in American in the last
10 years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until
Seligman’s research it was widely believed that a person was powerless to
change their circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
believed that people are simply programmed to act and respond in certain ways
that can not be changed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then one day
his 5 year old daughter taught him a profound lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seligman and his young daughter were out
weeding the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He the busy
phycologist was concentrating on the task at hand ... weeding the garden as
quickly as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His daughter on the
other hand, was more interested in having fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She found delight in pulling the weeds and tossing them in the air and
watching them flutter back to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a cranky
tone he reprimanded his daughter for not getting on with the task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Play later. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His daughter
a little upset but with the honesty of a young child finally came back to her
father with a question. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know how I
learned not to be whiney by the time I was 5?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, why can’t you learn not to be grumpy?”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
simple childish question changed modern phycology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It set Seligman learning and studying how to
become happy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Depression
robs us of happiness but if we can learn how to be happy it can act as a buffer
to prevent depression. If we suffer depression happiness can help make
antidepressant drugs more effective. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happiness
was not the only buffer Seligman found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He ended with a list of 13 buffers to stress and depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list includes: Courage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Future mindedness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Optimism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Interpersonal skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work ethic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perseverance. Capacity for insight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Resilience and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before
Seligman’s work an America Psychologists could loose their licences to practice
if they asked about a person’s faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seligman
found in his study of happiness that the happiest people are conservative
Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since Seligman’s
work it is now compulsory for Psychologists to take a spiritual inventory of
all patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is understood to be
so helpful in the process of prevention and recovery that a Psychologist who
does not do this with each patient they see is now considered negligent if they
do not take this inventory.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems
that science and Phycology are only now just discovering what Christians have
always known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We humans are wonderfully
made by God but we made with design limits that can not be exceeded without real
harm to ourselves. We are designed to be healthiest when we are in relationship
with our creator.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-13076143029968531562012-05-03T01:02:00.000-07:002012-05-03T01:02:01.902-07:00Forgiving and forgetting<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We all long and need to be loved and to
give love to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes though it
all goes wrong and we are left with disappointment and hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fairy tale can turn into a reality we did
not plan or imagine and all we are left with is shattered dreams and disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What happens when relationships break
down, when love stops, when you have been disappointed by others, when they
don’t live up to your hopes and expectations?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Can you find it in you to forgive and
forget or do you let life’s disappointment keep on hurting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In my job, I meet lots of people of all ages,
and unfortunately there are some older people that I have learned to try to avoid,
they seem to sap my energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are often
people who have been hurt at some time in their past, but have never got passed
that disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can not let it
go and so the hurt keeps on damaging them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time they can become bitter and twisted.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>T</o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">here are other older people though that
I really enjoy being around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They often have a deep wisdom, and
enjoy contributing to those around them, especially children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you talk with these people and get to
know them, I have discovered that often they too have had real sorrow, and
disappointments to cope with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What’s the difference?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think it is because they have learnt
to truly forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have learnt to
forgive as God does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With some people
that ability comes because they have known what it is to be forgiven by God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a song that sums it up well,
the song is, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, and it says,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Pardon for sin and peace to endure<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we receive God’s forgiveness we
also receive His blessing and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
Holy Spirit works in and with us, transforming us, healing our past, and giving
us a bright hope for the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God can even help us to be forgiving of
others…<o:p></o:p></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-11538355031038768942012-04-25T02:40:00.000-07:002012-04-25T02:40:02.724-07:00Does Christianity offer any help in uncertain times?<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We live in
troubled times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Korea testing rockets,
our country is still at war in Afghanistan, there is always a fear that terrorism
may strike at ourselves, or someone we love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The “Aussie dollar” is still high, manufacturing industries are closing
and unemployment is rising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Europe faces
an uncertain financial future that threatens other nation’s economies.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Would
Christianity have anything to offer in these circumstances to help people cope?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the
apostle Paul considered the lasting benefits of Christianity he wrote, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“and now these three remain:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>faith, hope and love.”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Faith, hope
and love, the world under values these but without anyone of them people’s very
survival can be threatened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Viktor
Frankel a Jewish neurologist </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">and psychiatrist</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> discovered just how important each
were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 1942, as a young doctor, along with his new
bride, his mother, father, and brother, he was arrested and taken to a concentration.
The events that occurred there and at three other camps led the Frankel to
realize the significance of faith, hope and love. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The loss of the research he had been undertaking was
a significant event for him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had sewn
it into the lining of his coat, but was forced to discard it at the last
minute. He spent many nights trying to reconstruct it, in his mind and on
slips of stolen paper. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another significant moment came while on march to work.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another prisoner wondered out loud about
the fate of their wives. Then Frankel began to think about his own wife,
and realized that she was present within him; in his mind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He later wrote, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood
how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it
only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. “</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">And throughout his ordeal, he
could not help but see that, among those given a chance for survival, it was
those who held on to a hope of the future, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>whether it be a significant task before them,
or a return to their loved ones who were most likely to survive their
suffering.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Frankel wrote
…</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“It is a peculiarity of man that
he can only live by looking to the future … and this is his salvation in the
most difficult moments of his existence, although he sometimes has to force his
mind to the task.”</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Does Christianity have anything to offer King Island if things get
hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes as it always has; the greatest
and most valuable of all gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christianity offers the sure and certain hope that God is watching over
us, he loves us and cares for us with a love that will last for all eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enter into that love and hope through
faith is God and his Son Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love; God’s love, because
only he can overcome the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-14154756670575258122012-04-15T16:46:00.000-07:002012-04-22T20:50:22.552-07:00Anzac Day: Damion Parer<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lehSyVj5Ecw/T4tWQpxFuqI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/h0oQ9MowlJY/s1600/Image-167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lehSyVj5Ecw/T4tWQpxFuqI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/h0oQ9MowlJY/s400/Image-167.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anzac Day: RSL Dawn Service</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Last time I was in Canberra I visited the “National Film
and Sound Archives”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there one
particular exhibit caught my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
featured the first Australian Academy Award winning film ...”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kakoda Frontline”.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The film images are now iconic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “diggers” fighting their way across the
steep, mountainous terrain, hampered by dense jungle, continuous rain storms,
river crossings but ever by their sides helping;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sometimes carrying the wounded are the New
Guinea natives, the legendary ‘fuzzy wuzzy angles”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was little wonder the film won an Academy
Award.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">At the time the film was being shot life back in
Australia was still relatively good, they had not really been touched by the
war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No German or Japanese night bombers
flying over, raining down death and destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rationing was not as tight as in
England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sounds of canon firing in
the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easy to pretend the
war posed no danger, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was too far away
to threaten Australia or her future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But the threat was real and coming closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Japan after entering the war and a string of
victories in the Pacific had decided to attack New Guinea landing with a force
of 1500 men and with 3000 more in reserve. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that was standing between them and the
exposed north of Australia was the hastily formed 39<sup>th</sup> battalion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They carried the nick name the “chocolate
soldiers” because every one back at home thought they would just melt at the
first sign of any real fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">These ‘chocolate soldiers” managed to hold out in hard,
vicious fighting and with reinforcement they managed to defeat and turn back
the military might of Japan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Damien Parer was the photographer of this film “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kakoda Frontline</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damien has significant connections with King
Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents lived here, he
himself spent much of his boyhood here and his family owned the Hotel that
still bears their name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film ends
with a strong statement by Damien Parer in which he makes an impassioned plea
warning people back in Australia not to be complacent about the dangers they
and the soldiers are facing on their behalf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Parer realized the danger Australian were in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The north of the country was virtually
unprotected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His film and his call to
vigilance and action helped stir the nation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Parer did not survive the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was killed less than 2 years after the
release of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Kakoda Frontline” </i>by
Japanese machine gun fire while again filming the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died telling the world the news they
needed to hear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Visit any RSL club in Australia and you will see the
phrase, “Lest we forget” but where have those words come from and why are they
used on War memorials?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It comes from a poem written by Rudyard Kipling to
commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee is 1897. Kipling recognized that
England was in some danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Empires
when they rise in wealth and power tend to begin forgetting about God and
boasting about their own efforts to achieve greatness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recessional then is both a poem expressing
pride in Britain’s achievements and a warning against the dangers of becoming arrogant
and forgetting that it is God who is in ultimate power and so the one who is responsible
for giving victories in times of war.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Recessional:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">God of our fathers,
known of old…<br />
Lord of our far-flung battle line…<br />
Beneath whose awful hand we hold<br />
Dominion over palm and pine…<br />
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,<br />
Lest we forget--lest we forget!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The tumult and the
shouting dies…<br />
The Captains and the Kings depart…<br />
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,<br />
An humble and a contrite heart.<br />
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,<br />
Lest we forget--lest we forget!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The ancient sacrifice Kipling speaks of is God’s own
sacrifice of himself upon a cross.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Damien Parer recognised the danger to our nation of being
complacent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with the danger that Japan
entering the war presented: life went on in Australia in relatively comfort
and most people did not realize the danger they were in or what the soldiers
were going through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damien gave his life
warning people and the filming scenes of struggle the soldiers faced that would going preserve their freedom and safety.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Rudyard Kipling also recognized a different sort of
complacency ... and the need to remind people of the danger they were in when
they forgot about God and took their good fortune for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrote His poem “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Recessional” </i>to tell of that danger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Each generation seems can become complacent, there is a
constant need for the world to be reminded that there is one who is ultimately
responsible, one who one day we will all need to stand before and give an
account to ... God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His own Son came into the world to be the Good News, the
Good News that God forgives us through Jesus, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that God loves us and cares for us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-44022848022429437222012-04-05T23:58:00.000-07:002012-04-05T23:58:12.382-07:00Evidence of The Resurrection<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6h4Pw5aYONY/T36SzagTfnI/AAAAAAAAAnI/KEgf7xub2nI/s1600/IMG_0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6h4Pw5aYONY/T36SzagTfnI/AAAAAAAAAnI/KEgf7xub2nI/s400/IMG_0907.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graveyard: Norfolk Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What proof is needed to convince someone that God exists and that
Jesus is the Son of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a question Christians and non-Christians alike have wrestled
with down the ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the Apostle Paul,
the answer was firmly tied into the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul believed that if Jesus did rise from the
dead as He claimed, then he had to be God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who else but God commands that sort of authority, to raise a person from
the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the resurrection was true, then
everything else that Jesus claimed had to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul become satisfied beyond a doubt about the truth and
reliability of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It changed his life dramatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what evidence would it take to convince
some one like Paul?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We read about it in 1
Corinthians 15: 3 – 8.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-text-raise: 3.5pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">3</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for
our sins according to the Scriptures, <span style="mso-text-raise: 3.5pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">4</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that he was buried, that he was raised on the
third day according to the Scriptures, <span style="mso-text-raise: 3.5pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">5</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the
Twelve. <span style="mso-text-raise: 3.5pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">6</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, he appeared to more than five
hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though
some have fallen asleep. <span style="mso-text-raise: 3.5pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">7</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he appeared to
James, then to all the apostles, <span style="mso-text-raise: 3.5pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">8</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and last
of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus appeared to the Disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all convinced that it was Jesus who
had returned from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It changed
their lives, and most of them believed in it so strongly they were willing to
give up their lives so others would also know the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 500 brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These witnesses were well known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They probably were not reluctant in telling
people who were interested what they had seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The resurrection was well announced and testified to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet no one seems to be able to have
produced<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus’ body, or come up with a
credible alternative suggestion as to what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any of these things would have stopped
Christianity dead in it’s tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
500 where convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">James the brother of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up to this point all the
witnesses Paul lists had been believers and followers of Jesus before his
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James was not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James met the resurrected Jesus, and again
that event changed his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From scorn
and doubt James become the leader of the Church in Jerusalem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James was convinced that Jesus had risen from
the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally we have Paul
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul encountered Jesus on his
way to Damascus to round up the Christians there and bring them back to
Jerusalem for punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul met Jesus
on that road, and it changed his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From persecuting the Christians he became their chief spokesperson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave his life to tell others of what He
knew to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul was convinced
that Jesus had risen from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you made
up your mind yet on where you stand?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-38880222923366192402012-04-05T23:38:00.000-07:002012-04-05T23:38:13.310-07:00Good Friday: The God who suffers.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have three heroes, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther
King Jr. and Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of them
understood there was a powerful, transformational relationship between unearned
suffering and redemption.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gandhi led his people in a great
revolution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>India wanted freedom from
Colonial English rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gandhi took the
tools of suffering and non-violence as his chosen weapons to fight his battles
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one time he called his people
to go on a great march … ending at the sea where they made salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They broke the laws of England that forbade
the production of salt … the English had a monopoly on the salt trade … and
England to defend their profits sent the police and army in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result many, many Indians were brutally beaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world’s media covered the story … the
world heard about the savagery and took action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a result India gained her independence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gandhi knew as Martin Luther King Jr.
was to learn a generation later … “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unearned
suffering is redemptive”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A generation after India gained her
independence, Black<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Americans found
themselves engaged in a struggle for freedom also. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader in that
struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He too led his people on a march,
this time over a bridge, where they were met by the police, with batons ready …
as the front row of marchers met the police they were knock senseless to the
ground … but the row behind pressed forward taking their place to be bludgeoned
… row after row … the beaten victims carried away and bandaged … all the while
the television cameras were sending the pictures into the homes of America,
ordinary people became horrified by what they were witnessing … the broken
skulls, black eyes and the beating of the unarmed … non resisting black
marchers caused the silent people to finally demand a change … the end of
segregation was achieved with broken bodies of the non-resisting marchers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is something truly and
remarkably redemptive about unearned suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Martin Luther King and Gandhi both had a model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Prophet Isaiah announced to the world that God’s
chosen servant, God’s Messiah would be rejected by the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be made to suffer greatly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be stricken … smitten … <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>afflicted … <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pierced … <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>crushed … punished and wounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He would suffer these indignities and
pain on our behalf, because he … the innocent one would take our sins upon
himself and would be punished for them in our place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It would be through Jesus’ unearned
suffering that we receive redemption.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Redeemer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each Jew had a Redeemer Kinsman whose task was three
fold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To buy back property or the person sold into
slavery … to ensure freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To
take the life of another who had murdered a relative … to ensure justice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Ruth
and Boaz)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To marry a relatives widow,
and to make sure an heir was born … the child born to such a relationship was
treated as the child of the dead person … to ensure a future as a member of
God’s chosen people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus became the redeemer of the whole world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His death ensures freedom from
slavery to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can become the
recipients of God’s grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can enjoy true
freedom to be the people God created us to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His death pays sins penalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wages of sin is death; Jesus has paid
that penalty once and for all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
demands of justice have been met.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His death ensures an eternal future,
freed from any pain or suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
glorious future in the presence of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We no longer need to be eternally separated from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the chance to enjoy the perfect future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All this has been made possible by the suffering Jesus
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he did nothing to
deserve the agony he went through his unmerited suffering made possible the
redemption of the whole world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each week in the Communion service we
say the prayer of Consecration, reminding us all of the words of Jesus on the
night before he died on the cross…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Jesus
took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it too his
disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you, do this
in remembrance of me’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise after
supper he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them
saying, ‘Drink from this all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for the many for the remission of sins.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. both knew
the power of unearned suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gandhi
adapted the ideas to win freedom for India, but did not accept Jesus’ promises
of redemption for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rejected
Christ … I believe to his own loss.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Martin Luther King also adapted the power of unearned
suffering to bring freedom to black America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>King also saw the redemption Jesus won on the cross as something Jesus
did for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King was able to write:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“More than
ever before I am convinced of the reality of a personal God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True, I have always believed in the
personality of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the past the
idea of a personal God was little more than a metaphysical category that I found
theologically and philosophically satisfying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now it is a living reality that has been validated in the experiences of
everyday life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of lonely
days and dreary nights I have heard an inner voice saying, “Lo, I will be with
you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the chains of fear and the
manacles of frustration have all but stymied my efforts, I have felt the power
of God transforming the fatigue of despair into the buoyancy of hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you have that same assurance of the presence and
care of a loving God in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
choice is yours; you too can either accept or reject the redemption Jesus won
for us on the cross. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The choice is yours alone to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe there is no other way to find peace
with God, than through the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is only through Jesus’ suffering
and death that we have peace with God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-20186136383285865612012-03-30T14:06:00.000-07:002012-03-30T14:06:05.958-07:00The Easter Story.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AGc-7hbKO0o/T3Yfw9n5vSI/AAAAAAAAAm4/LSdpP6T-Ats/s1600/IMG_4228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AGc-7hbKO0o/T3Yfw9n5vSI/AAAAAAAAAm4/LSdpP6T-Ats/s320/IMG_4228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While
children search your garden for Easter Eggs, you may like to consider…</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gardens figure prominently in the bible story, three
different gardens provide the back drop for 3 of the most significant events in
history.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The garden of
Eden.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story of the Bible begins in a garden, the Garden
of Eden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The earthly paradise created by
God for people to live in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A place of beauty,
which provided all that, was needed for our comfort and a place where God could
meet with his people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a perfect
garden.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It did not stay that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Garden of Eden is also the place people
rebelled against God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All God had done
for them was not enough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted more.
People wanted to be gods themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
they disobeyed God, and brought destruction on the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also brought judgment on themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Garden of Eden the perfect garden became the place
of the world’s most disastrous rebellion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Garden of
Gethsemane.</span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This garden is on a hill. The Mount of Olives is
across the Kidron Valley from the Temple in Jerusalem. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The garden of Gethsemane was where an ancient wine
press had most likely stood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gethsemane
means wine press.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is from this Garden that people most likely found
the branches to wave and lay down before Jesus as He made his entry into
Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The palms the
crowd used when hailing Jesus as Son of David, their rightful King.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Less than a week later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus celebrated the last supper with his
closest, dearest and most trusted friends,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>near the end of that meal he told them he would <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be betrayed and handed over to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he goes with most of those friends to
the Mount of Olives to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To prepare
himself for the ordeal that he must face with the dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was in this garden surrounded by his
closest friends that one of their own betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of
silver.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus was taken away to
another place, the city garbage dump and there he was executed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Left alone, failed by his friends, abandoned
and betrayed to pay the price for the world’s redemption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus became the atoning sacrifice for the sins
of the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, who had never sinned,
became our sin.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Garden of Gethsemane, one week the place from
which people hailed their king is also the place of the world’s greatest
betrayal.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Garden of
the New Tomb.</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After Jesus was executed, a man went to the Roman
Governor and asked if he could have Jesus’ body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was given the body and took it to his own
tomb and laid the body there to prepare it properly for burial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have the third Garden, the site of a new tomb; Jesus’
grave. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus had died, and with him died
the hope of the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or had hoped died?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story did not finish there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three days latter when the women went to
finish preparing Jesus’ body for final burial they found something
extraordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus had risen from the
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death had been defeated.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Garden of the New Tomb the place of the world’s
greatest despair is also the place of the world’s greatest miracle; the
resurrection of Jesus who is the Savior and Redeemer of the whole world.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8qSuO_G61M/T3Yf4TUnCzI/AAAAAAAAAnA/vXoB-4OKlRw/s1600/IMG_4151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8qSuO_G61M/T3Yf4TUnCzI/AAAAAAAAAnA/vXoB-4OKlRw/s320/IMG_4151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-8209971662047643452012-03-24T21:47:00.002-07:002012-03-24T21:47:57.570-07:00Reincarnation<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a recent
survey it was found 55 % of all Americans under the age of 40 believe in life
after death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When asked about their belief
in God, only 45% of them believed in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many Americans believe in a life after death that does not include God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what figures would result if King
Islanders were surveyed? <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I assume what
young people are thinking about is reincarnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fail to see the attraction of reincarnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reincarnation is a popular belief in
India.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is that belief that has led too
much of the suffering the poor endure there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reincarnation believes that we keep on living lives till our spirit
achieves a state of enlightenment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
previous life determining the quality of our next life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I have lived a good life this time, I will
return in a little better condition than in my previously. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I muck things up this time round. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then next time I will return in a lower
state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All life is karma; we live the
lives we deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No moral obligation
for anyone to do anything to help make conditions better for the millions who
suffer in extreme poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poor are living
the lives they deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To help would only
interfere with karma.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reincarnation
is morally bankrupt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next
problem is that the guidelines are vague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How good do you have to be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
many life times will it take before you even start on the road?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a system where even cockroaches have the
potential to attain Nirvana, it must be nearly impossible to reach the required
state of enlightenment.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reincarnation
is not only morally bankrupt it vague on detail.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The third
problem with reincarnation is there is not one jot of tangible evidence to
support the belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just vague stories
of past life experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely even if
re- incarnation was true only one person could have been Marie Antoinette?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reincarnation
is morally bankrupt, vague and it has no evidence to support the belief.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just compare
reincarnation to Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christianity demands I help others, do what I can to see justice done
and people are treated with dignity and compassion as Jesus did himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christian Church has always led the world
in charitable works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God through
the Bible has made it clear that people live only once. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we enter eternity, either to be with God in
heaven or to be punished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The relationship
we have established with God in this one life is what determines where you will
spend eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we get to know God
in this life God, God will welcome you into heaven, reject God in this life and
God will reject you in the next.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All this has
real evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus lived, that is a
fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died, an historical fact. Executed
on a cross, fact, recorded in numerous places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But death did not hold Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
rose from the grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He conquered death
and offers all who believe in him an eternal home in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That also is fact witnessed by over 500
people over a period of 40 days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I said
earlier I don’t see why anyone would find reincarnation an attractive
philosophy when Christianity has so much more to offer.<o:p></o:p></span></span>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-18919726542803283272012-03-22T14:59:00.000-07:002012-03-22T15:00:12.658-07:00Change is a painful process<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><em>What follows was written while I was serving as Chaplain to Norfolk Island. During that time there was talk of Australia 'taking over' the Island, of Norfolk loosing her independent status.</em></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NRg9cvrAFw/T2uf3T_inDI/AAAAAAAAAmA/ykFK8bY0QlM/s1600/10+Government+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NRg9cvrAFw/T2uf3T_inDI/AAAAAAAAAmA/ykFK8bY0QlM/s400/10+Government+House.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Government House, Norfolk Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thirty years
ago writer M. Scott Peck wrote a best seller, “The Road Less Travelled”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started with the often quoted sentence …</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life is difficult”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Then continues a paragraph later …<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most do not fully see this truth that
life is difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead they moan
more or less incessantly, noisily or subtly, about the enormity of their
problems, their burdens, and their difficulties as if life was generally easy,
as if life <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">should </b>be easy.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life is
difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is difficult because we
have to constantly learn to adapt to changes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of us have
had to make many, many changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of
them have been difficult, sometimes painful but often very beneficial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Change is part of growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is part of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A healthy person can never stay as they are.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You started life
as a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Completely helpless and
dependent upon your parents for everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was through them that you interpreted your world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was a thing good, or safe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time you learnt to do these things for yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is not always easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very safe being a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never having to make a decision or do
anything for ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can never
make mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always have some one
else to blame if and when things go wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Becoming responsible is not an easy process.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-1tW5eW8Y8/T2ufuxhfCXI/AAAAAAAAAl4/vYBPvyKGUpw/s1600/DSCF3093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-1tW5eW8Y8/T2ufuxhfCXI/AAAAAAAAAl4/vYBPvyKGUpw/s320/DSCF3093.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Government Administration Buildings, Norfolk Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then we need
to learn to speak, to walk, to read and to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In time we need to learn to earn our own
wages so we provide for ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have to learn how to relate to members of the opposite sex. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are hard and sometimes painful choices
and changes that help make us independent adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it
seems just as you start to get the hang of being an adult, of making decisions
for ourselves, our body starts to grow a little older, not as quick or strong as
we once were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eyes need
glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get tired more easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to learn to adapt to becoming
older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again not an easy change for us
to adapt to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is in how
we cope with difficulty and the challenges these changes bring that our
characters are formed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a
friend who was a body builder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used
to “pump iron” at the gym a couple of times a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would work on one part of his body at a
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just lifting weights again and
again with that same set of muscles until his muscle was torn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the pain of his muscle being torn that
let his muscle grow bigger and more defined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Growth for him always came with pain.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We on
Norfolk are facing the possibility of a change of Governance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the hot topic of local
discussions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone it seems has an
opinion about whether we will be better or worse of if Norfolk was to no longer
be self governing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is an
even more vital decision we all have to make about governance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each one of us at some time needs to decide
who rules our lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we allow God to
direct us or do we continue as mutineers, rebelling against God our maker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The benefits of letting God have control and
direct our lives although at times difficult, even painful, is always
beneficial, is always character forming, is always good.</span></span><br />
<br />Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-41549410733986602292012-03-17T22:36:00.001-07:002012-03-17T22:36:43.984-07:00All religions are the same: or are they?<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps you have heard statements like …</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“All
religions are the same.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He is the
same God, just called different names by different religions.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But are they?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nearly all of the world’s religions believe in some
sort of a life after death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The details
and nature of that life varies, but just about all faiths believe that life
continues in some form after the grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Does that mean they all teach the same thing and lead
to the same God?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although they all may believe in life after death,
they are all very different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone goes to heaven.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A loving God lets everyone in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entrance is automatic for all after
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a teaching of the Baha’i
faith and many of the new age religions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The problem is sin is not accounted for:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Saddam Hussein and Adolf Hitler both get to spend eternity with people
like St. Teresa and you and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s
justice and holiness are totally ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So
then the second possibility … </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We have earn our way to heaven.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Either by being perfect, (this is the
teaching of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Islam)</b> or being very
good, as if our lives or weighed in a balance; so if we are more good than bad
we are admitted into heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A variation
on this theme is reincarnation; we keep on living our lives over and over again
till we get it right, until we are good enough. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until we reach a state of enlightenment and
Nirvana, this is the teaching of most <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">middle
eastern religions</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
view also has problems: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
does not account for our fallen human nature and our capacity to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put simply, we all sin, all the time so no
one is ever going to be good enough and so as a consequence we all miss out on
going to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ignores the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">mercy </b>of God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">b.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
second major problem for me is it does not align with what God himself has told
us about life and death or heaven in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There we are told we live just once, no second, third or fourth attempt
to get it right.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
last view:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
has to be another way and there is, God provided it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By God entering the world and taking our
penalty, with Jesus dying the death we all deserve, by Jesus taking our
punishment upon himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Justice is satisfied
and we can be forgiven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me this view has three things
going for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is just.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin is punished in full. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No exceptions. No pardons.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is consistent with what I see of
the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world is in a sorry state
because we as a people are not perfect and none of us, except Jesus ever has
been.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It takes into account God’s nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is a God who loves and longs for us to
return that love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is a God who acts
with grace and mercy.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s
grace does three things.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gives
us forgiveness and makes us right with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We experience God’s complete justice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
gives us the gift of the presence of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God with us where ever we go what ever we are
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoy the mercy and love of
God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
gives us the sure and certain hope of life eternal.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So
how do we receive it? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By doing nothing because Jesus has
already done it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We only have to believe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All
the religions are not the same. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
only one that fully accounts for the justice and mercy of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is only one way to God’s blessings and
that is the way of grace through faith in what was achieved by Jesus on the
cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
is no other true religion except Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There
is no other </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Saviour </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">only
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
is no other way to heaven but through the cross of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-16537639556964414502012-03-17T00:06:00.002-07:002012-03-17T00:06:37.306-07:00“No Man is an Island.”<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zvxDHlj7q68/T2Q1twzSu7I/AAAAAAAAAlg/_hHQATg2f4o/s1600/IMG_4553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zvxDHlj7q68/T2Q1twzSu7I/AAAAAAAAAlg/_hHQATg2f4o/s400/IMG_4553.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. David Buffet, Chief Minister of Norfolk Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have just
celebrated 30 years of self government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the special Assembly meeting David Buffet reminded us of
Norfolk’s history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was much to be
proud of in that history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What impressed
me was how close the community was on Pitcairn Island and how difficult the
discission to leave was .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To quote David
… </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Their move to Norfolk Island – was not a
straight forward event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did however
decide this very clearly … we will all go or none of us go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will continue to be a people together.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bonds
that held that tiny community together were so strong that no one was willing
to leave Pitcairn unless everyone went together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">David’s
speech then went on to outline recent history and developments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I could not help thinking about that decision
to leave Pitcairn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the progress and
changes that have happened in the years since arriving on Norfolk the community
has become more fractured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These days I
read letters to the editor and a phrase keeps repeating itself. “if you don’t
like it leave.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A very
different attitude to the one that says we all go or we all stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That statement values all people as
individuals and values their contributions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is an attitude that says each person is valuable, unique and
precious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That
attitude comes directly out of Pitcairn’s Christian heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God when he made people, made us unique and
special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the Bible
says … <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then God said … “Let us make people
in our image, in our likeness … So God created man in his own image, in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the image of God he created him;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>male and female he created them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God made us
special, and each different to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each with our unique personality and abilities, each with our own
special contributions to make to each other but each of us made in God’s image.
This is not saying we are gods ourselves<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>but we all share in some way in God’s moral nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are made to be in relationships with other
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made to love and care for others
as God is in relationship with Himself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made to be creative and contribute to the
good of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are made
to live in close and supportive communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where each contributes to the well being of that community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>English poet and Church of England priest
John Donne expressed these thoughts well in his meditation 17,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a piece of prose writing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which has become better known in it’s poem
form … <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For Whom The Bell Tolls<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No
man is an island,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Entire
of itself.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each
is a piece of the continent,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
part of the main.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
a clod be washed away by the sea,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Europe
is the less.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
well as if a promontory were.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
well as if a manner of thine own<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or
of thine friend’s were.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each
man’s death diminishes me,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
I am involved in mankind.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Therefore,
send not to know<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
whom the bell tolls,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
tolls for thee.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnfXYhShMoA/T2Q2K35yTCI/AAAAAAAAAlo/7xu_Vx5-9Ow/s1600/Bounty+Day+07+re-enactment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnfXYhShMoA/T2Q2K35yTCI/AAAAAAAAAlo/7xu_Vx5-9Ow/s400/Bounty+Day+07+re-enactment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bounty Day Celebration,<br />
the annual anniversary of arrival of the settlers from Pitcairn Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-42013220324963418802012-03-16T02:28:00.002-07:002012-03-16T02:28:40.092-07:00Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaJ2GtVFOV8/T2MGzplyDsI/AAAAAAAAAlY/iTDnhyPumhk/s1600/IMG_4562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaJ2GtVFOV8/T2MGzplyDsI/AAAAAAAAAlY/iTDnhyPumhk/s400/IMG_4562.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New calves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My favourite
seasons would have to be spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
weather is mild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island looks
spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flowers in bloom and with
all the rain we have here the grass is a rich deep green, the Island is at her
most spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love sitting with a
cup of coffee first thing in the morning looking out over the Church paddock
beside the Rectory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a dozen cows
and they usually calve over spring and that is perhaps the ultimate reason I
like spring best, it is the season of new births.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If I let
myself I could sit for hours watching the antics of the calves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They play chasings, head butts and king of
the castle with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are inquisitive
and have to investigate everything and test everything to see if they can eat it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many ways they are like little children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think
Jesus enjoyed the company of children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a story in the Bible of a large crowd gathering to hear and see
him and with the crowd were lots of children and they wanted to see and hear
Jesus as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can you
picture the scene; out in the dusty country side, probably a hot day in the
desert sun and a large crowd pushing in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wanting to get close to see and hear, children squealing, sticky hands
wanting to touch and Jesus sitting teaching the people surrounded by his
closest friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus’
friends want to hold the people back a little, especially the grubby faced
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus sees this and what does
He do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says to them …<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Let the children come to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a lesson to us all about
heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heaven will be made up of people
just like them”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What an
amazing statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people who
populate heaven will be like those children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Children when they are young are helpless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can not stand by themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cannot speak, they cannot feed
themselves, they cannot reason, they cannot dress themselves, or wash
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are completely and
absolutely dependent on their parents for everything, even their very survival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is</b> Jesus saying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is
saying we all need to be like children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was not a matter of what we do; we can not earn, deserve or merit the love of
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to know we can do nothing because
God has already done it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
totally dependent on God and what he has done for us in the person and work of
Jesus on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we can do is be
like little children who totally trust and love their parents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to totally love and trust God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a hard lesson to learn but it is one we all need to
take to heart.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If we want to be of any use to God: </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all
have to face the moral poverty of our own existence. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
must realize we can bring nothing to the relationship with God, except our
willingness to worship him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all
have to get to the place where we know we have no worth except what God gives
to us.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We need
to recognize that we can do nothing for God, except trust in Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
wonderful news of the Bible is: if do love and trust God then our lives can and
will be transformed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enter into an
eternal relationship with God; we become adopted by Him as his sons and
daughter for ever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o91tDyRlzm8/T2MGpRCQauI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/Wzx-Q4-KXHc/s1600/IMG_4942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o91tDyRlzm8/T2MGpRCQauI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/Wzx-Q4-KXHc/s400/IMG_4942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time on four legs, and they are still very wobbly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-61944309791956165252012-03-13T15:57:00.002-07:002012-03-14T13:11:19.599-07:00Our great unchangable steadfast God<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VZD_Y4qiKg4/T18bVl2BzYI/AAAAAAAAAkw/lEulA-cOBcg/s1600/lane+cove+59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VZD_Y4qiKg4/T18bVl2BzYI/AAAAAAAAAkw/lEulA-cOBcg/s320/lane+cove+59.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in cowby suit with my family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are times when we all long for the unchanging security
we knew while growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you
remember what it was like to be a child?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we skinned our knee, all it needed was for Mum to give it a kiss and it
was all better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or waking in the middle
of the night and being scared of the dark, all you had to do was climb into the
safety of Mum and Dad’s bed and instantly the “Boggy Man” disappeared, and our
world was safe again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t seem to
matter what our problems were Mum and Dad had a solution for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YySoNhHUomA/T18boW5OIfI/AAAAAAAAAk8/3E-B3PHrHjY/s1600/scan0004a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YySoNhHUomA/T18boW5OIfI/AAAAAAAAAk8/3E-B3PHrHjY/s320/scan0004a.jpg" width="157" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first day at school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember starting school, and feeling very alone
that first day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know anyone
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teacher had lots of
rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You couldn’t talk when you wanted
to, or play with the toys in the room except at set times, and Mum had left me there
by myself. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it all changed at lunch time, sitting on the
seats under a tree in the play ground another boy in my class sat beside me and
started talking to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We discovered we
lived in the same street and enjoyed the same games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my first friend and he helped make
school a whole lot less scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next
ten years we walked to and from school together, played cowboys and Indians
after school, learned to ride bikes at the same time and saved our pocket money
to go to the pictures on the weekend together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert was my best mate.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember discovering girls didn’t really carry girl
germs and the excitement of first love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So many tricky decisions, where to take a girl on a first date? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pictures where always safe, but then do
you have the courage to put an arm about her and what about <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>later, just how to say good night?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We did kiss and I thought I had found the love of my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While walking home from her back
to her house I planned out the rest of our lives, marriage, a couple of
children and an early retirement after making my first million dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She was the person I was going to love for ever and
she was going to love me forever.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Needless to say, none of that worked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t earn my first million dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t marry that girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same with my best mate at school, by the
time we had finished high school we had both found ourselves with a different
circle of friends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the relationship
I have with my parents has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With age they are no longer as active and healthy as they were and I
have found that increasingly I have been the one who has to listen to their
problems and help them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think that is one of the great things about
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the same today, tomorrow and for
ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the world is constantly
changing God is always the same.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God offers the assurance that He really does love us
with a love that will endure for eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People change, love can fade, friends change, parents age but God is unchanging.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069772961483830102.post-17029696076899730862012-03-13T03:15:00.000-07:002012-03-13T03:15:00.133-07:00The Emperors New Clothes: A Modern Parable.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwOmKI_GUSw/T18d2pqr9RI/AAAAAAAAAlE/xcmGsaKv7M8/s1600/IMG_6548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwOmKI_GUSw/T18d2pqr9RI/AAAAAAAAAlE/xcmGsaKv7M8/s320/IMG_6548.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeless man sleeping at a railways station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The new
millennium started with such high hopes and promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The economic rationalists were promising us
the end to all the world’s troubles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
free-market economy, coupled with free trade and de-regulating the business-world
we were told would end poverty, provide solutions to the environmental problems
and possibly find cures for most diseases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We would have universal peace, prosperity and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many people
seemed to have got caught up in chasing success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work, money in the bank, a share portfolio, property
investments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were the things of
real value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chasing these would ensure
happiness, security and privilege.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
if it had a cost, like neglecting friends, family and community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all we were told, those had no real
value anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only things that could be
brought and sold or recorded on a balance sheet have any real value.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It reminds
me of the children’s story of the Emperor’s new clothes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like someone in the nineties went
around and changed all the price tags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
the priceless things, friendship, permanent relationships, our children, our
family, our community, spirituality and even God were some how seen as
worthless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world was sold a
lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then in the
past year the world has been presented with a series of disasters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>War in Iraq and Afghanistan that seems to be
never ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The global economy in melt
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who were planning a safe
and well provided for retirement are now forced to re-adjust their plans as
they watch their life savings being swallowed up as a result of corporate greed
and excess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Closer to
home we have witnessed the floods in North Queensland and the devastating bush
fires in Victoria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People have had tears
in their eyes as they have watched people they don’t know or never loose every
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Homes burnt, businesses
destroyed, but what was been worst was the mounting death toll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loved ones gone for ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have been
forced to re-evaluate what <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is </b>truly
valuable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People have rallied to help. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Millions of dollars given away to charities to
aid these victims of the fires and communities have mourned and turned to each
other for comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is at
these times that religion is again seen as valuable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of religion’s proper function is to help
make sense of life’s big issues and questions and to help draw people together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To offer the comfort that we are not alone in
these times, that God has not abandoned us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That God is in our very midst that God is with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the words
of the Pitcairn Anthem say …<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then shall the King (Jesus) say unto them,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On His right hand –<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Come ye blessed of my Father<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the foundation of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was enhunger’d and ye gave me meat,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was thirsty and ye gave me drink,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was a stranger and ye took me in,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Naked and ye clothed me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was sick and ye visited me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was in prison and ye came unto me;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In as much as ye have done it unto one<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of the least of these my brethren<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ye have done it unto me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ye have done it unto me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is where
he is always found, with the powerless, with those who suffer … <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rod Oldfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984097554074116323noreply@blogger.com0