Perspective

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  


For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope  that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.  

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

good choices :: best choice

A few years ago one of my relatives said that when making big decisions that she had learnt that there were often many options laid out in front of her.

She shared that there were plenty of good choices. Things which appeared reasonable, responsible and productive.

The key was to decide was it just a good choice or the best choice.  Once you have two paths, good vs best, it's amazing how much clearer the right and best path is.

This is something I put into practice after my enlightening discussion with her and found really liberating.

Often I had been pressured into the choice which was best for someone else yet mildly good for me and those I am responsible for.

I just remembered that conversation this  morning and was prompted to realise it had somehow been forgotten in the survival and daily grind of the last couple of years.  I love it when you remember something really great and profound.

Bring on the next decision, I am ready.

Timing is everything :: my new favourite song

We watched this movie a while back and I fell in love with the soundtrack.  Sarah and I also tried really hard not to fall head over heels for the guy who sings it.  Garrett Hedland...check it out as it's a must see.  It's sad but real and there is just something about a film which shows the frailty of humans which gets to me.


When the stars line upAnd you catch a breakPeople think you're luckyBut you know its grace

It can happen so fastOr a little bit lateTiming is everything

You know I've had close callsWhen it could've been meI was young when I learned just how fragile life can beI lost friends of mineI guess it wasn't my timeTiming is everything

And I could've been the child that God took home,And I would've been one more unfinished songAnd when it seems a rhyme is hard to findThat's when one comes alongJust in time

I remember that dayWhen our eyes first metYou ran into the building to get out of the rainCause you were soaking wetAnd as I held the doorYou wanted to know my nameTiming is everything

And I could've been another minute lateAnd you'd never would've crossed my path that dayAnd when it seems true love is hard to findThat's when love comes alongJust in time

You can call it fateOr destinySometimes it really seems like its a mystery

Cause you can be hurt by loveOr healed by the sameTiming is everything

It can happen so fastOr a little too lateTiming is everything

brother+ sister + brother = gorgeous.

MONA

Today was the first time in a long time that I had an activity planned purely for the experience, for fun for recreation.  I have been eager to see the new Hobart landmark MONA  that has everybody buzzing in town.  I purposely deferred the visit until after the initial frenzy and waited for my sister (and friend) to join me.

I admit, I did not do much research and thought I had enough insight to be prepared for the "shock factor" that MONA promised to deliver.  I had a sense that I was walking through a private estate as we approached the entrance.  I appreciated the entrepreneurial private gallery owner's contribution to our city.  His provision of employment, attraction of tourists to stimulate our local economy, the funky building and engineering spectacle.

I felt such heaviness as I wandered the corridors and hallways and showrooms for the prized possessions of this man.  I saw nothing that was unfamiliar.  I saw nothing that shocked or rattled me.  I was not horrified and repulsed by the perverse and depraved representations of the inner thoughts of the human mind.

What may have been considered horror in the media or illegal on the screen has been glamorised into a den of intrigue and culture.  It has been read that sex and death are the main themes and that these are the main drives of the human, the pursuit of one and avoidance of the other.

I have seen this world, touched it's fringes, explored it's promise of answers to my deepest questions and promise to fill my soul's largest chasms of emptiness.

I felt nothing but having walked through the familiar realms of human brokenness.  After all there is nothing new under the sun, a wise man once said.  My heart aches for the lost and confused who are fooled into believing that there are no other prizes worth pursuing.  Death has no need of avoidance, sex no threat of domination when the truth of the real goal is realised.

Maybe I am considered a fool by the intellectual and cultured and savvy of this world.  I am not trying to be popular in my thinking or narrow minded.  I just know another way, the wrestle is over and I am humbly grateful.