Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A simpler approach to ethics
On Australia Day I discussed 2 ethical issues with Sparky. Now, granted, in explaining the issues to Sparky, my own biases came through strongly, both because I was trying to explain simply, and because I was instilling values.
But I was struck by how simple these issues appeared to him.
He couldn't understand why anyone would buy cage eggs. It was easy for him: unhappy chickens = a bad thing. Then when I explained that they were cheaper and people cared more about that than the chickens, he wanted to know why the supermarket sold them. I explained that they sold them because people bought them. He suggested that as more people realised chickens were sad and bought the free range eggs, maybe the supermarket would stop selling them. I said I hoped so.
The other issue was the date of Australia Day. He wanted to know why some thought it should be a different day (reading news over my shoulder). I explained about the indigenous point of view. His reaction? Well, why not just make it a different day then? Indeed.
On that last point, I am taken by suggestions we should make it the day we become a republic --- now roll on the republic!
photo from image after
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The right date?
Happy Australia Day! I am celebrating being Australian today, something I am very proud of. But today is not a happy day for indigenous Australians. Today for them is Invasion day, as the date commemorates the day the First Fleet landed. I agree with Australian of the Year Mick Dodson that a better date could be found.
He suggests Feb 13, the anniversary of The Apology. I like the symbolism of this, but I can understand that some others may not find this date as agreeable. Perhaps another date could be found that could be agreed upon. But let us have a conversation about it.
Feb 13 would be great for other less noble reasons - we could have a long weekend sometimes near Valentine's Day, and also near my wedding anniversary (Feb 10).
He suggests Feb 13, the anniversary of The Apology. I like the symbolism of this, but I can understand that some others may not find this date as agreeable. Perhaps another date could be found that could be agreed upon. But let us have a conversation about it.
Feb 13 would be great for other less noble reasons - we could have a long weekend sometimes near Valentine's Day, and also near my wedding anniversary (Feb 10).
photo from Flicker used under this licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
and the answers.....
1. The transforming power of prayer by James Houston - this book made me think a lot about how our other relationships affect our relationship with God - and vice versa.
2. Mansfield Park - I used to identify with Fanny as a shy anti-heroine - greater self knowledge has taught me I am quite different from Fanny in many ways - but there is still a little bit of me like Fanny. Well guessed Kris.
3.Raising Great kids: parenting with grace and truth by Cloud and Townsend. I almost chose Grace based parenting, but Nicole had used that already. This book perhaps didn't inspire me as much as the former, which I read first, but is probably a more consistently good, balanced approach.
4. To serve them all my days by RF Delderfield. About a welsh teacher's experience at a private English school at which he eventually becomes Principal. I have welsh ancestry, but I liked this book ever since I saw the BBC series. I love any stories of the impact teachers have, and so stories such as this one helped me to realise that I have the heart of a teacher.
5. Women in the church by Grenz and Kjesbo. This book helped me think through the issue of women in ministry. It takes a decided stand in favour of full participation in all roles, but does so with a respectful and thorough treatment of the different issues and positions.
6. Lord of the Rings: fellowship of the ring, Tolkien. Good guess Kris. This book helped me see the powerful emotional connection our imaginations can make with stories of the battle between good and evil, a connection I believe is hardwired And of course it showed me that even the smallest....
7. Christian Theology: an introduction, McGrath. This is the first theology book I read, and it made me realise that I wasn't alone in all the thoughts continually going round my head. I cried. I started to think that I was going to like studying theology.
8. The Complete English Poems, Donne. I had grown up loving and writing poetry, but Donne was perhaps my first grown up choice. He definitely affected my poetry, and my creative writing lecturer at Uni detected this by musing that at times I was a bit like a contemporary Donne (or word to that effect). Well done Nicole!
9. The Messiah by Handel. My mum passed on her copy of the score to me when I studied singing. Handel takes you to the steps of heaven. And strangely that emotional and spiritual connection to the music meant I sang it well - my singing teacher remarked it was odd that I could sing difficult pieces by Handel better than I sung simpler tunes. Well guessed Nicole again!
10. Barchester Tower by Trollope. Nicole got pretty close. I love this whole series. I think as someone who grew up a minister's daughter, I have no illusions about the church - it is packed with politics. But then also, I have had the privilege of knowing some of the most wonderful people in the church too. The Barsetshire Chronicles show the church warts and all, and yet also show the power of faith in Christ. And although the series is mostly on the side of high church, and as a Baptist I'm low church, it makes it very clear that authentic Christians are found in all the different "parties" in the church.
Well there you have a bit of insight into me. Thanks for asking me Nicole. Since Kris played along, I tag Kris.
2. Mansfield Park - I used to identify with Fanny as a shy anti-heroine - greater self knowledge has taught me I am quite different from Fanny in many ways - but there is still a little bit of me like Fanny. Well guessed Kris.
3.Raising Great kids: parenting with grace and truth by Cloud and Townsend. I almost chose Grace based parenting, but Nicole had used that already. This book perhaps didn't inspire me as much as the former, which I read first, but is probably a more consistently good, balanced approach.
4. To serve them all my days by RF Delderfield. About a welsh teacher's experience at a private English school at which he eventually becomes Principal. I have welsh ancestry, but I liked this book ever since I saw the BBC series. I love any stories of the impact teachers have, and so stories such as this one helped me to realise that I have the heart of a teacher.
5. Women in the church by Grenz and Kjesbo. This book helped me think through the issue of women in ministry. It takes a decided stand in favour of full participation in all roles, but does so with a respectful and thorough treatment of the different issues and positions.
6. Lord of the Rings: fellowship of the ring, Tolkien. Good guess Kris. This book helped me see the powerful emotional connection our imaginations can make with stories of the battle between good and evil, a connection I believe is hardwired And of course it showed me that even the smallest....
7. Christian Theology: an introduction, McGrath. This is the first theology book I read, and it made me realise that I wasn't alone in all the thoughts continually going round my head. I cried. I started to think that I was going to like studying theology.
8. The Complete English Poems, Donne. I had grown up loving and writing poetry, but Donne was perhaps my first grown up choice. He definitely affected my poetry, and my creative writing lecturer at Uni detected this by musing that at times I was a bit like a contemporary Donne (or word to that effect). Well done Nicole!
9. The Messiah by Handel. My mum passed on her copy of the score to me when I studied singing. Handel takes you to the steps of heaven. And strangely that emotional and spiritual connection to the music meant I sang it well - my singing teacher remarked it was odd that I could sing difficult pieces by Handel better than I sung simpler tunes. Well guessed Nicole again!
10. Barchester Tower by Trollope. Nicole got pretty close. I love this whole series. I think as someone who grew up a minister's daughter, I have no illusions about the church - it is packed with politics. But then also, I have had the privilege of knowing some of the most wonderful people in the church too. The Barsetshire Chronicles show the church warts and all, and yet also show the power of faith in Christ. And although the series is mostly on the side of high church, and as a Baptist I'm low church, it makes it very clear that authentic Christians are found in all the different "parties" in the church.
Well there you have a bit of insight into me. Thanks for asking me Nicole. Since Kris played along, I tag Kris.
Monday, January 19, 2009
snags for change
I bought this snag at Snags for Change to support World Vision's Global Food Crisis Emergency Appeal.
You should check it out. Buy a snag. Make a difference.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
clues to post below
1. from a prayer book on friendship with God
3. parenting book by people who like borders
4. had a bbc series and a welsh hero.
7. a book that introduced me to theology
3. parenting book by people who like borders
4. had a bbc series and a welsh hero.
7. a book that introduced me to theology
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Guess the books
Nicole tagged me to do this meme – I had fun guessing hers, so have a go on mine!
The rules:
- Take ten books, and transcribe the fifth sentence from page fifty six.
- Make sure that at least five books are fiction, provide five hints, and pass the meme on to six other bloggers.
Well here are the hints;
1. I picked 10 books that I own off the shelves in my loungeroom, which holds my theology and other Christian books, literature, science fiction and fantasy, parenting, arts (art, music, architecture etc) and psychology books . (There are no children’s books or cookbooks in this room).
2. I picked 10 books that had an impact on me.
3. the impact ranges from : my poetry, my imagination, my vocation ,my study, my theology, my prayer, my parenting, my self identity, my view of church, my musical taste.
4. Some of my favourite writers using the term broadly, are included.
5. Keep reading as I may divulge other hints in the next few days (such as authors…)
and the quotes...
1. If it is more natural for us to wear a mask than to show our faces, then how and when do we expose ourselves to God?
2. Fanny, who was sitting on the other side of Edmund, exactly opposite Miss Crawford, and who had been attentively listening, now looked at him, and said in a low voice,
3. Introduce children to the reality.
4. You’d like it down there. (it may help to know the next sentence has characters named Davy, megan and Gywnneth.)
5. In the past, the transition within renewal movements from the charismatic to the credentialing phase generally led to the loss of leadership roles for women.
6. It has everything to do with it, said Gandalf.
7. The rise and fall of Byzantiumis of particular importance to a full understanding of the subsequent development of eastern orthodoxy in Russia and Greece,,, (it goes on, and I can’t be bothered typing the rest but you get the picture)
8. So, so break off this last lamenting kiss (in this case I took fifth line not fifth sentence)
9. The prince of peace (fifth phrase in this case)
10. before a whole dean and chapter assembled in their own cathedral!
I will tag my six people later in the next week.
The rules:
- Take ten books, and transcribe the fifth sentence from page fifty six.
- Make sure that at least five books are fiction, provide five hints, and pass the meme on to six other bloggers.
Well here are the hints;
1. I picked 10 books that I own off the shelves in my loungeroom, which holds my theology and other Christian books, literature, science fiction and fantasy, parenting, arts (art, music, architecture etc) and psychology books . (There are no children’s books or cookbooks in this room).
2. I picked 10 books that had an impact on me.
3. the impact ranges from : my poetry, my imagination, my vocation ,my study, my theology, my prayer, my parenting, my self identity, my view of church, my musical taste.
4. Some of my favourite writers using the term broadly, are included.
5. Keep reading as I may divulge other hints in the next few days (such as authors…)
and the quotes...
1. If it is more natural for us to wear a mask than to show our faces, then how and when do we expose ourselves to God?
2. Fanny, who was sitting on the other side of Edmund, exactly opposite Miss Crawford, and who had been attentively listening, now looked at him, and said in a low voice,
3. Introduce children to the reality.
4. You’d like it down there. (it may help to know the next sentence has characters named Davy, megan and Gywnneth.)
5. In the past, the transition within renewal movements from the charismatic to the credentialing phase generally led to the loss of leadership roles for women.
6. It has everything to do with it, said Gandalf.
7. The rise and fall of Byzantiumis of particular importance to a full understanding of the subsequent development of eastern orthodoxy in Russia and Greece,,, (it goes on, and I can’t be bothered typing the rest but you get the picture)
8. So, so break off this last lamenting kiss (in this case I took fifth line not fifth sentence)
9. The prince of peace (fifth phrase in this case)
10. before a whole dean and chapter assembled in their own cathedral!
I will tag my six people later in the next week.
so we bolted....
Sparky and I went and saw the movie Bolt. We both liked it more than the last movie we saw (Beverly Hills Chihuahua).
Pros:
It is a G movie (but see cons below)
Not too long.
It has some good things to say, such as:
loyalty is important
even ordinary people can be heroes
the ordinary pleasures in life are important too - of home, family, friends, enjoyment of creation
It has humour that involves adults, while still being clean. The hamster is hilarious.
Cons:
It does have a few scary scenes - most of these take place as part of a TV show, and so no "real" (in the world of the movie) people or animals get seriously hurt.
There is reasonably frequent popping back and forth between the make believe of tv and the real world. This is confusing for little ones - Sparky is a 4 year old who is pretty good at this distinction, but he struggled with this, and so there was lots of questions on his part as we watched the movie - hopefully not annoying to the other patrons.
Sparky and I have decided to go to a movie every school holidays so if anyone ever wants to join in just say the word.
Pros:
It is a G movie (but see cons below)
Not too long.
It has some good things to say, such as:
loyalty is important
even ordinary people can be heroes
the ordinary pleasures in life are important too - of home, family, friends, enjoyment of creation
It has humour that involves adults, while still being clean. The hamster is hilarious.
Cons:
It does have a few scary scenes - most of these take place as part of a TV show, and so no "real" (in the world of the movie) people or animals get seriously hurt.
There is reasonably frequent popping back and forth between the make believe of tv and the real world. This is confusing for little ones - Sparky is a 4 year old who is pretty good at this distinction, but he struggled with this, and so there was lots of questions on his part as we watched the movie - hopefully not annoying to the other patrons.
Sparky and I have decided to go to a movie every school holidays so if anyone ever wants to join in just say the word.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Two today!
Scout is 2 today - I can't quite believe it! We gave him a boy doll and stroller and I am listening to the 2 boys playing daddies as I write this...
a video for scout....his favourite youtube video!
a video for scout....his favourite youtube video!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
austenbook
Mim (see sidebar) brought this to my notice. It is pride and prejudice done in facebook style.
2008 review 2009 preview
I just looked at my post a year ago about 2008. I did great at my goals for the kids. Sparky did pretty much all except for startng music, but we did informal stuff. Scout (previously Owl) also did all, though moral education for him was tougher than with our eldest!!
I didn't do so well at goals for myself. Most were about finding time for things other than kids and work, and the only area I did better in this regard was housework. The one I did well was helping my kids to understand the bigness of God's love, so this pleased me.
I feel happy that I am a better mother than I sometimes feel i am day to day - that while it can feel like you are getting nowhere,looking back over a year, we got there. But my self care needs work, and my care for relationships other than kids.
As for 2009:
Sparky: get him ready for school. read the bible with him. Help him to have greater responsiblity, compassion and patience. Make him feel very loved.
Scout: get him ready for preschool - including toilet trained. Introduce him to first knowledge of God. Help him to be more obedient and careful, without dampening his wonderful sense of adventure. Make him feel very loved.
Me: find time for all the things I struggled to last year: relaxation, my husband, my friends, prayer. Lose a little bit of weight and help my husband Bhaer to as well. start the doctorate - but have some time wth no-one in house studying first! Become a more gracious person.
I didn't do so well at goals for myself. Most were about finding time for things other than kids and work, and the only area I did better in this regard was housework. The one I did well was helping my kids to understand the bigness of God's love, so this pleased me.
I feel happy that I am a better mother than I sometimes feel i am day to day - that while it can feel like you are getting nowhere,looking back over a year, we got there. But my self care needs work, and my care for relationships other than kids.
As for 2009:
Sparky: get him ready for school. read the bible with him. Help him to have greater responsiblity, compassion and patience. Make him feel very loved.
Scout: get him ready for preschool - including toilet trained. Introduce him to first knowledge of God. Help him to be more obedient and careful, without dampening his wonderful sense of adventure. Make him feel very loved.
Me: find time for all the things I struggled to last year: relaxation, my husband, my friends, prayer. Lose a little bit of weight and help my husband Bhaer to as well. start the doctorate - but have some time wth no-one in house studying first! Become a more gracious person.
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