'I had a right'

Rosa Parks, the black woman who marked the start of the modern US civil rights movement by refusing to give up her seat on the bus has died. I admit I know nothing of her life except this one courageous act that has made history. I can't imagine what it would have been like to stand up against the norm, the law, and the inequalities during that time. All I know is that because she took the courage to stand up (or rather sit down in this case!) for something she believed in, she paved the way for equality among races in the US. And she is known across the globe for this. I guess its probably also because it was a peaceful protest, and it sparked a peaceful protest.

May the spirit and courage of Rosa live on in all who seek to champion for the rights of those who have less, and may it all be done also in peace.

call security!

When I was in Sydney, there were billboards and TV ads asking people to be vigilant against terrorism - "Every little bit helps". They were encouraging people to come forward with any information that could potentially foil a terrorist attack. And recently in NZ, I heard ads on the radio, also asking people to be vigilant. About bio-security. We need to watch out for exotic pests that could potentially reek havoc on our agricultural industry.

I have to say, there is something rather comforting about being in a country whose current main security concern in bio-security. With all the bombings and rumours of eminent attacks, and increased security presence, there is something nice about arriving at an airport and having dogs sniff your bags for fruits rather than for other potentially more sinister items.

croaky!

Home sick... again. This time I went to see the doctor. Its laryngitis, so instead of talking, I now croak. This time last week I was at home, sick as well. Then I had a really bad sore throat and just felt really crook. I think whatever I had morphed into whatever I am having now. Even the doctor couldn't make a specific diagnosis, except that I have the symptoms of a bacterial infection so she has prescribed antibiotics.

And of course, as Murphy's Law would have it, I have had slightly more than usual phone calls since I have lost my voice and have ended up croaking into the end of the phone - but thankfully having very short conversations.

At least it is sunny. But day time TV is really bad. So I have ended up bugging friends via email. Heh heh...

OMG!!!

Was surfing through ship of fools and came across this. At first I thought it was a joke... until I checked out the website. I cannot imagine anyone I know remotely wanting to play this game. Anyway, isn't it a bit deceitful - inviting poor unsuspecting non-Christians to play a board game (which they probably think will be Settlers or Cranium or Pictionary etc) and you whip out this Salvation Challenge game?

But then there are several methods or inflicting salvation or evangelising that I would deem rather deceitful or ungracious. Especially those that call for you to accost a stranger and recite some formulaic story to them. Well, basically I'm referring to one that I really don't like called the Black Book. [by the way, I think websites who say they are about proclaiming the gospel and then are obsessed wioth stats are a bit suspect. Why have stats? Scare themselves into evagelising?]

The basic premise is starting with the question "Do all good people go to heaven?" Well, you can guess what happens next. But the thing is, I do not recall Jesus ever using that line on anyone in the gospels. Jesus always approaches others with compassion eventhough he was confronting them with the awful truth. The Samaritan woman, for example, he starts introducing her to life first by beginning to talk about living water. Then he confronts her 'sin' and tells her go leave her 'sinful' life behind. But all with the promise of life. The woman acknowledged what she did was wrong and that she needed to get her life right. Jesus didn't have to threaten her with the prospect of hell. If Jesus is all we say he is cut out to be, then talking about him and the life is offers should be enticing enough. Not scaring people into heaven! Gosh. They might get there, look at Jesus and say "Who are you? Not really heard of you before!"

I had to do a workshop at mid-year conference. And I ended talking about the uniqueness of Christ. In it, I urged students to listen to what others had to say, not to sound arrogant or take the high road. And most of all, to talk about how Jesus is different. Not better. Not right (and whatever others believe in is wrong). But different. Talk about life. Talk about grace. Talk about love. Thats what Jesus talked about.

But then maybe I am too pc in my approach...

hmm...

According to the test on http://www.politicalcompass.org/ I am:
Economic Left/Right: -4.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.05

Which will put me somewhere nearish Nelson Mandela...

but in an NZ context...

near the Greens - didn't vote for them and not sure if I will in the future. Maybe this explains why I found it hard to vote for this election!

over-spiritualising or just plain stupid?

I came upon this message on a particular site. I wonder if people who preach things like that will be made accountable to God for those who don't seek appropriate treatment and subsequently commit suicide. This type of irresponsible preaching undermines all the work that is done to not stigmatise mental illness and encourage people to get the right treatment.

It just makes me angry... and sick. I wonder what God would think about this message. After all, there are lots of Christians who are taking meds to help with depression and those who profesionally help those with depression. Hmm.. I wonder what she then thinks about other forms of mental illness. Ones that even professionals consider more serious and more difficult to treat like paranoid skitzophrenia (sp??) or multiple personality disorder etc. *sigh*

post-holiday

It was great escaping for a week. The first 3 days was spent catching up with Adrene, meeting Andrew and catching up with the Gohs. Wedding was great. Reflected them somewhat, though I was a bit surprised at the extravagance. But nonetheless, a privilege to be there.

Other than that, stayed in a nice hotel up the road from King's Cross (Sydney's red light disctrict). It was near enough to the city to walk. Walked through the botanical gardens, Opera house, the Rocks, Paddy's market, and along the Sydney Harbour bridge. Spent a day in Manly though it was a bit chilly so didn't spend a lot of time on the beach. Ended up doing a bit of an "urban bush walk" and "rock hopping". Fun all the same.

And of course food. Had nice Vietnamese, gelato and home cooking. The highlights were the Greek restaurant on Pitt St and the Czech place - Doma (or something like that). Food was authentic (I think) and great. Accompanied good alcohol - nice house wine in the Greek place, and a dark Czech lager in the Czech place.

But it was finally reading the intro in the guide book about Australia's history that shocked me somewhat. I had already known their attitude towards the aboriginal people, but having hard kinda made it hit home a bit more. It seems that only the the late 1970's (I think 1978) the Aboriginal people were recognised as citizens. Gosh! Considering they had been there for about 60,000 yeras already! Up till now, Australia has refused to apologise for the way their colonial ancestors have treated (or mis-treated rather) the Aborigines (no wonder a number of my non-white friends have felt an air of racism about the country) . In the last 20 years, there have been more efforts by some prominent people to make a move towards reconciliation. Lets hope they make progress in that.