bittersweet times

I've had a really great time in Brisbane.

I've loved spending big chunks and little chunks of time with people, both family and friends.

But the last few days have been bittersweet.  I realised that I will have to say goodbye to these lovely friends again.  Pangs of sadness gripped my heart.  In some ways it is easier to stay away.  Seeing everyone again makes it harder to leave.  It reminds of all that I leave behind.  It reopens the door of grief.

But even though it is harder to go again once I see everyone, I wouldn't trade those times.  They bring lots of laughter and many hugs.

That's what I miss most, being able to sit in the lounge room to together and drink tea, chatting for hours, but much more than that I miss the hugs.  I really miss the hugs.

long time no see

Hello again blog!

Long time no see, especially considering exams, training and Brisbane catch ups happened :-)

Only one life, 'twill soon be past

My friend Jess shared this poem a while ago.  As I read it again today I thought I'd share it with you too.

“Two little lines I heard one day, Travelling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervour burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “’twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

- C.T. Studd

learning learning

Exams provide good motivation for learning.

Learning on my own is good.

Learning with and from others is also good.

Such a profound post! :-)

good stuff from Greek

Doing stuff in another language is good for making you notice little things along the way (because you're going so slowly!).

One thing I just noticed in Mark 10:15 is the emphatic statement of Jesus.

(my rendition) "Truly I say to youse, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child will definitely not enter it."

For those in the know, it is an emphatic future negative subjunctive construction :-).  It makes for a pretty big statement.  It means "no way Jose"!.

so many languages!

There are so many languages spoken by people in the world!

I'm finding it enough work just dealing with a few. 

But I'm glad that God knows them all (no sweat), and that He's calling people from all people groups to worship Him!

looking back at church history

I've really enjoyed church history this semester...even more than I thought I would. :-)

It's been great to see Christians in other times wrestling to figure out what it means to be a Christian.

We've been looking at early church history from 70-451AD.  A lot happened in this time!!  It was very formative.  The church was expanding.  The church was being persecuted.  The church was figuring out how to do church.  The collection of authoritative writing was being recognised and developed.

As some people expressed their opinions others thought, "I don't think you've got that quite right."  So then over time orthodoxy developed and heresies were combatted.

Looking back at this history now, almost 2000 years later, it can be easy to criticise, but I've been really grateful for our lecturer encouraging us to be sympathetic to people as we read about them.  Generally they had good aims.  They may have come up with something we consider to be incorrect, but they may have had good intentions when they came up with their explanation.  We also have the benefit of 2000 years of reflection on Christianity, whereas they were pioneers.