Broken

This is a meditative poem written by a friend of mine. She read it during communion last Sunday.

Broken

Have you ever actually looked at the bread as it’s being broken?

Hear the crack of the crust
as what once was whole
becomes fractured
then split open

Can you see the way the fibres cling together,
until they are torn apart,
… kind of like sinews

And now there are pieces,
Jagged-edged remnants
that barely resemble the original form

Have you ever looked at the wine as it’s being poured?

Look at the rich, red colour,
vibrant and full of life,
the way it flows freely,
abundantly even

Have you ever noticed how just one drop
can mark something (or someone) for life?


Jodie McCarthy 2004

Tolstoy on the walk

If I know the way home and am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way because I am staggering from side to side?

Actually, I don't know what he was talking about here, or from where it is quoted. As I'm sure he is for many reading this, Tolstoy is an author I'd like to read, but haven't yet. This might help though.

The quote is taken from the back cover of the liner notes of Brooke Fraser's CD, "What To Do With Daylight".

TC & GB, pk

Why is it so hard to get started?

(Wow! two posts in one day... I wonder if anybody actually reads this stuff, though!)

After reading Troy's and Heather's blogs, and a few others that link from them to other places, (such as Faith In Fiction) I've become really interested in writing again. I say again, as I haven't written anything substantial for the last year or so.

Over the years there have been numerous ideas. Stories that came and go. I think they were ok ideas - at least, I could see they weren't too bad. General pulp fiction in a lot of ways, but hey, I'm no pro! Maybe something got started. Maybe the ideas just stayed in my head, residing in the Buena Vista Social Club of the mind. Waiting to be rediscovered, happy just to exist. Why is it so hard to get started?

Music, songs, short stories, devotions, prayers. Nothing seems good enough, evenly polished, "right". Never totally happy with letting go, half finished creations stand in my frail shadow, glaring at my inner eyes. Their yearning for the light can be strong. Desire for the acceptance of my creativity and expression is overpowering. My pride and fear of failure is crushing. The tension is unbareable. I am the tightrope upon which judgement walks: is he just technically skilled at what he does, or is it art? Learned tricks of balance, or beautiful movement suspended high in the air? Why is it so hard to get started?

I read recently that the people who think of themselves as creative, are actully the most creative. This I can definately work on. Think of myself as creative? Having something to offer? Something good? That's a challenge.

TC & GB, pk

Romans 8:28

Bible Gateway: ROM 8:28

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. (NIV)

This is one of the (far too few) verses I have memorised. (Well, ok, almost memorised. It's certianly one I know, but I'm never too sure of the reference.)

One of the things that I find really important about this verse is NOT

• that God works everything for good; or
• that God works in all things.

No, the point for me is those 4 little words: "those who love him."

God is a jealous God. He want's our love, and will continuously work to get it. This is not only an interpretation of difficult times for those that love God, but also for difficult times for those that don't know God, or have chosen not to love him. The rain falls on the godly and wicked alike. We who love God know all is, and will be, turned for our good, as God is at work. Those that don't know Him, cannot be so assured. Praise God He is at work!

A question: does God take rest, even now? He instructs us to do so in the Sabbath (originally Saturday, now Sunday); God is a god who leads by example. Does He take rest? Is His work continuous work?

I don't have any highly thought out answer here. I do know that God's work, and the repercussions of God's work, affect my life more than I know or appreciate. God is still working in me (there's a lot of work to do, let me tell you!). God also lets me rest from His work in me, because He loves me. He doesn't want to tire me out, get me frustrated (or get Himself frustrated?!). His love is everlasting, even when I don't respond, and especially when I love him and when we work things together for His good, which is my good.

TC&GB,

pk

World Friendship

I'm constantly amazed at how far the world reaches, and how close computers and the Internet make it seem. I discovered the other day that Heather and Troy also blog. They are friends of ours in Madrid (Spain), on a mission establishing an English speaking church - MountainView.

We met them whilst living in the Netherlands, and attending Crossroads. We still pine for those days in many respects. It's been well over a year now that we've been back in Australia, and it's still all I can do to hold myself together if I think of Europe and our friends there for too long. Zoe, Bram, Jante, Gerard, Troy & Heather, the Crossroads gang, our adopted parents Jos & Jaap. These all are people that we feel honoured to have been friends with; that we will stay in contact with until our live's ends; that hope to meet up with again, the sooner the better. Thanks for letting us be a part of your lives. We've been truly blessed.

God called us back to Australia; that we know for sure. Why, though? I don't get it. I think perhaps we're in training for something bigger. We face obstacles and difficult situations, but I think we're learning to rely on Him more and more. At least more than we would have living longer in NL

For those who have been trained by it, no discipline is pleasant at the time, but painful.

Bobby McFerrin on Hebrews 12:11.

Here is to life-long, world friendship. God be praised for the age in which we live.