Twilight ponderings

I love the group of retirees that meet in one of our branch churches at St Columbs, Arcadia. I've known most of them since I was a kid, was in Bible Study lead by one of their kids years ago (who is now a missionary), knew another one of their children who has since passed away from CF, one of them worked in the office of my high school, one of them is the mother of a friend in my bible study group last year, and all of them as a group have challenged and encouraged me as I've progressed into leading services and preaching in the last couple of years (they've been very patient with me too!). I love being able to bring God's Word to them and learn from them as well.

But please, ladies (not so much a problem for the guys thankfully), let's get one thing straight - I'm not a "beautiful boy"!
Firstly, I'm male - there's nothing 'beautiful' about me. I'm tough and hard-core and nasty and brutal. I shoot fear into the hearts of 7 foot stalkers who try and jump me in dark alleys. I have no mercy, take no prisoners and I'm not even particularly handsome according to my Yr 6 Scripture Class at Dural a couple of years ago!

Second, if you believe the teenagers at my church, I'm as old as they come, what's with this 'boy' rubbish?! I am at the peak of my physical strength and intellect. I turn heads in the gym, I've got character lines for crying out loud! Enough with the diaper jokes!

And finally, if this is what i get for wearing a tie, trust me, it comes off much easier than it goes on people!

The lesson from this is, of course, that when you reach your twilight years and are pondering how you can share a little love and good will with the rest of the world, please understand that 26 is not 6, and dead-sexy is not 'beautiful'. If you've got a lovely grandaughter by then though, by all means arrange a quiet dinner for the dashing student minister, but if you can somehow not be there, it'd be all the better!

To try and restore my manliness (which could really never be shaken I know), I have found a better name to call me:





There you go, my Cyborg name. That'll bring back the testosterone.

Yours in oozing masculine pheramones,
JT

11

The last 3 weeks have been all about Mark 1:1-11, and tonight I sat down translated the lot, start to finish. Job done!
It felt really good, all that rote learning finally being put to some use, now it's just about sitting a minor little 'quiz' (we'll call it) tomorrow, and I'm on holidays for 2 days - ooo yeah!!
But the point isn't really translation, that wheel's already been invented, but I have noticed a difference in how I read the Bible now, and I'm thankful for the extra attention to detail, awareness and depth with which I more naturally read the Bible now. It's something I personally needed a little bit, so that's good.

And of course, the last 3 weeks have been about much more than learning Greek. I'm getting to know heaps of people here now, and things are much more funner. And we've really only just started, that's so cool. And the lecturers are a daily encouragement/inspiration/rebuke almost to me, I'm really thankful for getting to spend the time with them.

ANyway, this isn't that fun for you probably, and I'm tired (3.5 hrs sleep last night), and I have an exam tomorrow - so sorry if I can't be a little creative ok!

Hoping you're staying able to wring the neck of whatever is dragging you away from Christ, and living in the joy and hope of forgiveness already won for you. May God be somehow glorified in us.

Higher education

I did learn a few things over the w/e, and since. Let me share them with you:

- If you ride over glass you get a flat. That generally stops you riding any further - sorry boys!
- When you get dressed, make sure the window is shut. City Rd is a busy road...
- There's nothing like a naked man singing "swing low". Won't be forgetting that image in a hurry, thanks Anthony you freak of QLD human genetic engineering experimentation.

So it's been a productive week. But don't thank me for making you better people, it's my pleasure.

Equivocal

Is this good or bad?
This w/e I'm going on our 1st year w/e away down to Port Hacking. Good right? Except my brother is having his buck's tomorrow pm/night, it's my other brother's birthday on Sunday, I've been invited to lunch by a couple from church who I love for Sunday, AND I've got $100 tickets to see the 2nd One-Day Cricket Final also on Sunday!! What the..?? I know you can't complain when life's too full of excellent things, but tell me I'm crazy for feeling a bit jipped!

Anyway, hopefully some good times this w/e, then back for more Greek (the hard stuff) next week. It'd be nice to do some growing in the next couple fo days. I'll let you know how it goes.

Y'all have fun now, y'hear...

"Be still"

I can pretty much pin-point the time when I felt the stress go down to almost normal levels. Moving in Sat was draining, and I'm not really sure why, it wasn't the heavy lifting. Sunday was better with some tennis and then take-away under a beautiful summer sunset, but still not energizing, I felt relaxed but burdened. Monday was in some ways an easy intro, just a whole load of admin stuff and child protection (actually that was a struggle big time!), but meeting so many people takes it out of you. Tues morning was the first Greek lectures and my prep work meant that it was enjoyable more than anything else, but I wonder if I was getting frustrated at it being a bit slow? (Didn't think I'd be saying that! I'm aware it won't last..).

But then Tues arfternoon I turned the corner. I was getting to know who I'd be getting to know this year at Chappo, the fear of the unkown with Greek was dissipating, I was pleasantly surprised at the relatively light program, at least in terms of contact hours, and I was settling into the change of environment in my new house (Chappo's actually). And since then it's just becomming smoother and smoother.

We kick the ball around and play hacki to practice our Greek definite article declensions, I played some cricket today - ooo and some ultimate frisbee which rocked. AND we went to the pub last night (Marlboro), which was definitely much needed. The girls have invited us to thiers for dessert and we returned the favour tonight with some pool. I've even done some of my sermon for next week.

So I'm just dumping at the moment, but this feeling of comfort is huge for me right now. It was beginning to get to me. Really important in my change has been Psa 86:
"Hear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy...

...Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul."

I know it's a bit presumtuos to assume that I can call myself God's 'servant', that's really only Jesus' place since he was the only one who ever served his Father flawlessly, continuously and wholly altruistically. But by his grace it can apply to me through him, since I am in him now, much like with most of the Psalms.
And God was gracious to me, he has brought me joy during the turbulence, and is bringing me thorugh the storm altogether.

If you've been praying for me, thank you so much, I don't underestimate the effect your concern for me before our Lord has had. Please return that thanks to him from my grateful heart and yours.

My room is not finished yet, but here's a preliminary shot so you can get a glimpse of where I call home for this year. You're all welcome to come visit and take a tour of Chappo House!

18 Chappo House

Sleep time

I'm working on getting internet access in my room at College this week, but until then it might be a bit quiet from me for a few days/weeks(?). Sorry to the multitudes who live off my humble blog, but go outside and run around for a change, it'll do you good!
But I won't be too long. Please pray for me if you have the time and inclination. I know I'll need it from what I've heard.

Cheers.

College

Quick post, but an important day. Today I pack up and move in to College for a year or more of studying God in his Word and spending time with those of his people I will meet in there. I'm so content about the decision, I can't see anything but benefits from my time there, even if there will be things I will find difficult. While I have this constant nagging in the back of my mind about the uncertainty of where I will find myself this time next year, I know that 2006 will be a year of great things. I also know that God can use what I learn this year no matter where I find myself in the future, and while you can make plans for tomorrow, you can only live today.

So here's to glorifying God in the today of 2006. Please grow me as you see fit and use me as you will, my Father.