2nd Year Actor's Centre company presented the above tonight! I went to see a friend who was performing and ended up bumping into two old uni mates - I enjoyed!
Stand Out Quotes of the Night:
from 'Scenes from Philistines by Maxim Gorky'
Adaptation by Andrew Upton
Opinions don't like to be silent
from 'Scenes from Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov'ASTROV: And when they don't know what label to stick on my forehead, they say "he is a queer fellow, very queer!" I am fond of forestry - that's queer!
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SONYA: I am not good looking. YELENA: You have beautiful hair.
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Watching these plays has made me want to read some more Chekhov! He has amazing wit and insight into life: a wasted life. Which is I think is what I saw as the linking theme between each snippet of plays by the three Russian playwrights...
the meaninglessness of mores, the valuelessness of wealth and the fruitlessness of unrequited love.
What also impressed me is the clear shared culture of the plays (1888-1902?) with that of our own: sex, lies, broken relationships, pursuit of wealth, fortune and a name (oh not to forget tea - we all love a cuppa!).
Friday, March 28, 2008
Chekhov, Gorky & Strindberg (Sex, Lies & Samovars)...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
What I am...
PLANNING FOR...
- Replenish 08 - CBTB training course term
This is my brief. I will present it with a guy from church who is also 'creative'!
God’s view on Art, how to do it in a way that glorifies God;
Explore the theology of visual media & human artistic expression (but don’t get bogged down in it – allow lots of time for teaching skills to people who want to express their love of God artistically. (eg how to make an artwork of a passage – even if you don’t finish it by the end of 4 weeks!). Broader issues of how visual media can serve the gospel (eg. The effect of visuals, even decorating a room, can effect how people hear the gospel… maybe the course needs to finish by re-decorating church!)
- Joanna Newsom - The Milk-eyed Mender
She is a harpist and singer - unique voice but great sounds!
http://www.joanna-newsom.com/
- Soko - Soko not Sokute
Very fun lyrics expressing blunt emotions!
http://www.myspace.com/mysoko
LOOKING FORWARD TO...
- College Mission -to Ulladulla
30th March - 6th April - Newsboys Concert this Saturday night
- Carrie & Todd's Wedding! Anzac Day
HAPPY ABOUT...
- My back and headaches are better.
Thanks to the Osteopath and retesting of my eyesight! - Finding treasures in God's word:
I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant... Genesis32:10 - My girls in my bible study group
Bec, Kim, Hilary & Laura have been a great encouragement in spurring me on to godly living. - Seeing my brother Toby around college heaps! Plus meeting lots of new friends and building existing friendships here!
SAD ABOUT...
- No door-knocking - on mission
Love door-knocking, and sad to hear that my team won't be involved in any where as some other teams have heaps of it. - Not being around home, especially in the lead up to my brother Todd's wedding.
- Passion t2 Tea
an exotic and sensual spicy blend. energising with high levels of anti-oxidants. added ginseng promotes general health and stamina.
made from: hibiscus, rosehip, cardamon, lemongrass, red clover, jasmine, pasion flower, ginseng, rose.
MISSING...
- The fellowship of peeps from Matthias.
- My sewing machine and time to sew!
- The convenience of being around my family.
EXCITED BY...
- God sending his Son to intersect humanity, at that point in time and location in history... Using the greek language to record the events of Christ's life. It has given me a deeper appreciation for the clarity and precise nature of the Greek language. So much meaning can be found in each word - it excites me!!! YEP nerrrrdd!!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday...
2 Corinthians 5
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
What a Saviour...
My soul is weak
My heart is numb
I cannot see
But still my hope is found in You
I’ll hold on tightly
You will never let me go
For Jesus, You will never fail
Jesus, You will never fail
Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross
Even darkness is as light to You, my Lord
So light the way and lead me home
To that place where every tear is wiped away
For Jesus, You will never fail
Jesus, You will never fail
Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross
What a Saviour, what a story
You were crucified but now You are alive
So amazing, such a mystery
You were crucified but now You are alive
Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross
http://www.myspace.com/timhughesmusic
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Links to resources...
Check out the whole lot of links I've added to the side bar...
Please use your discernment as some of the resources vary greatly in quality. Some things are great as is, some things need tweaking, and some just provide a spring board for ideas!
I hope you find some of the resources useful in your context of proclaiming Christ!!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Sharing in His Kingly Rule...
I Corinthinans 6
2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world?
And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?
3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels?
How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
I really enjoyed digging into the depths of the scriptures for our Connect Group study last night. In doing so my view of God just got a bit bigger.
If you try and extract some of the implied truths from the questions Paul poses to the Corinthians - in his efforts to help them see how ridiculous it is for the church to pursue conflict resolution from unbelievers - you come across some astounding truths.
- Saints will judge the world.
- The world is to be judged by the saints.
- Even the lowest person in the Corinthian church is competent to judge.
- The saints judge angels.
Daniel 7
22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
Matthew 19 28 Jesus said to them, Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Timothy 2:11-13
11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
Revelation 20
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Ultimately Christians will judge the ungodly and angels too… Affirming that when Christ returns God’s people will share in his kingly rule - one aspect of which is passing judgment on the ungodly.
How mind blowing is that?
This is the sort of authority our Jesus has, he gave it up to plummet to his death for us his enemies. He washes, sanctifies and justifies us and not only do we gain access to the kingdom, but share in His rule!
One girl alluded to the image from Narnia, when the kids sit on thrones alongside Asalan - I am not a Narnia buff, so am unsure of this scene... but I think it was a helpful image!
I am not sure how it will actually work out on That Day, but it is obvious that we share in Christ's rule and all I can think is WOW - what a privilege!?!
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"Sitting on the throne passing the kingdom" - PD '08
Sunday, March 09, 2008
March Prayer Update...
PRAISE GOD:
- I am very aware of his kindness to me in the transition into college life. I have found the last few weeks leaving home, moving in, making friends, starting study, leaving Matthias, starting at CBTB, and generally settling in a joy! There are lots of changes and things to get used to but I have to say it’s bee a pleasant few weeks.
- Thank God for people who lift your gaze from yourself to the infiniteness of God and his plans for the world:
➲ Friday Community Chapel we were challenge to think outside the box of Sydney by some folk from OMF. It was awesome to hear of the growth of God’s church in places like Africa and Asia and the need for people to GO!
➲ Last night I bumped into Jo (we both taught SRE at North Sydney Dem 2 or so years ago!) and she was great in challenging me to keep Indigenous Australia on the agenda. She knows my story and how the time spent out in Burringurrah Community impacted me and made me realise the urgency of the gospel. So she wanted to remind me of that passion and conviction I used to speak with. She shared with me the many opportunites she is aware of, the need for youth ministry and the lack of workers under the age of 40 out there!
PRAY:
- That I would be willing to be more prayerful about the future plans and that I would be open to heading into gospel work amongst Indigenous/Remote Communities. It has never slipped from my radar but in the last 2 years it has definitely become far less a priority and dream. Pray also that I would be prayerfully support the work going on already out there. (So partly why I am blogging about it is so that you will ask me about it and keep me thinking about it!)
- That I would wear my glasses and go get my eyes re-tested. I have had a really sore eyes and headaches over the last week. Some days are better than others, but it makes it hard to concentrate in class and studying - as it hurts to think (yep I said it).
- For my friends and that they would meet and love Jesus. Please pray especially for my friend Lisa who came to church the other week! Thank God for our friendship!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
my connect group...
The young adults bible study group was encouraged to be hip and trendy and so have a unique name distinct from the other connect groups at church...
ocg4god (our connect group for God) was winning for a while but I think affix has taken over!
what do you think?
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Insert Jesus instead of baby...
I think Alicia Keys has great insight into what motivates us & what we allow to define us...
Mmmmmm Mmmm mm ooo
Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
And I've been there before
But that life's a bore
So full of the superficial
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, Yeah
Some people search for a fountain
That promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
With no one to share
With no one who truly cares for me
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, you, you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah
If I ain't got you with me baby
So nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby
Indeed, I count everything as loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and
count them as rubbish,
in order that I may gain Christ
- Philippians 3:8
