2011 The year that was...

Moving to Philip Island when I look back was a pretty dramatic. I suppose I have that feeling because I feel so settled at the moment.

Jemima is about to start school. Jo is about to start kindergarten. Christina has settled into a life of study for a Masters of creative writing. My work is only 2 days per week, and I'm looking to study to supliment my nursing with a some sort of Drug and Alcohol qualification. I've also enjoyed the garden. As a patient of mine said of her garden 'It gives me pleasure'. I have to agree.

If anything Church life has been the most complicated. We have been going to the local Uniting Church, and while I enjoy the theology and the acceptence of all people. It is in Cowes a declining congregation. The local minister been reduced to part-time status and in likely hood probably leaving. We proably have two choices, really get involved and try to help in changing culture, get on boards etc etc, or move on. Moving on is

 the far easier choice....

So after a bit of thought and consultation with Christina it looks like we will head to Solace which caters well for us and the children; while not having a evangelical/pentecostal view of the world. We look to do this monthly. Also monthly Christian or myself will organise some sort of Spiritual activity for all of us as a family. The other times we plan to get involved in some sort of community group. There is a Phillip Island transition group which looks pretty good. They maintain a communiy garden and have a few other activitiies wihich look like something I'd like to be involved with. 

So some stuff Ive enjoyed in 2011::

Music :: Wild Swans by Elana Kats-Chernin (Jo thinks this is angels singing!)

Podcast:: Homebrewed Chrstianity, its about were I fit.

Blogs:: Postcard Radio

Gawler

An interesting article in 'The Age' about Dr Ian Gawler, who runs a center in the Yarra Valley for people who suffer cancer and wish to beat it. It's basic premies is that Gawler didn't have secondaries, thus he can't make the claims which he does.

During my time with palliative care in Melbourne we often came across people who had come from Gawler's center. My only criticism would be (an this is a generalization) is that people are overly optimistic, so much so that they often in denial that there body is shutting down and even day or hours away from death.

But on the positive side, there are many. The most important is that he gives people hope. He does so through some basic holistic ideas; eating differently, centering the mind, your environment. Stuff that all people should look at and think about. Not just those with Cancer.

The idea that Gawler did or didn't have secondaries is a furfy. It dosn't matter; giving people hope is one of the greatest gifts you can give anyone.

If you want a pin up for someone who beat cancer, read Lance Armstrongs book; amazing. 

HTC Desire 18 months on...

Its been 18 months since I switched from the iphone 3G to the Android HTC Desire. I've some mixed feeling about the device, but ultimatley I wont be continuing with Android. While I think Google has given manufactures a solid operating system my biggest gripe is the manufacturers and telecom carriers havn't continued to upgrade them on older devices including the HTC Desire.

When I had the iphone I had about two upgrades; and from what I can gather the phone is still getting upgraded!

On a positive note, physically the phone has been solid. Its still operating even considering the phone has been dropped a few times.

Its also been good to see Google often upgrading their app store. But its not enough to hold me....

Creative tension

I was looking through my itunes library and noticed that Pink Floyd has a very high rotation. It had me pondering about the break up between them and Rodger Waters. He was undoubdedly the creative force within the band while he was there. Yet he was tempered especially with David Gilmore. It was what I would describe as the creative tension within the band. A synergy between its members.  It is what makes good musicians  in a band, a great band. 

When Rodgers left Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd floundered a bit yet found that equalibrium of creativity with some new song writers and I think 'A Momenary Lapse of Reason' was a good follow up to the Rodger Water days. 

Yet when you listen Rodger Waters solo Albums they are pretty insipid. Radio K.A.O.S to me just seems self indulgent. It seemed to really lack a tempering which other members in a band can bring. Now all we have is Rodger Waters continually touring 'The Wall' all over the world since 1990 in Berlin.

For me I can help wondering what would have happened if both Gilmore and Waters weren't so proud. We would probably have had another 20 years of really good Pink Floyd music. In retrospect I bet they wished they had made more effort.

Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy

If you were to look at my Facebook profile I've taken Brian Mclaren's title from his book, 'A generous orthodoxy' as the definition of my 'religion'. You could argue that 'a generous orthodoxy' could be part of the definition of Orthopraxy. I've been pondering the two words quite a bit lately. If you want a really simplistic definition it would be something like this

• Orthodoxy :: Correct beliefs
• Orthopraxy:: Correct behaviors usually informed by beliefs or values.

I would say that for my teens all the way up to my thirties I had a greater emphasis on orthodoxy yet behaviors fell a long way short of my beliefs.

It wasn't until latter in life that I realized the gap between the both belief and practice; a great inconsistence in my life. 

There are a couple of issues which are of importance. How do you have correct beliefs orthodoxy? How is this monitored and mentored. In most Christian circles it comes for the pulpit down. Therefore much of it comes down to the minister/pastors interpretation of the bible and how they see it interacting how we live 2000 years later. The hermeneutic nightmare.

For me it's easier to just have a few absolutes. Say Jesus great commandments,  love God, and love your neighbors. Then trying to put them into practice: orthopraxy. 

The side issues in the Church, such as infant baptism, same sex marriage, women ministers, headship etc, etc. They are just distractions all trying to take me away from my absolutes, and often contradicting my absolutes. (Especially when it comes to equality.)

Unfortunately having this understanding between orthopraxy and orthodoxy doesn't make things easier. I still find it difficult to love God, love my neighbors. It would be simpler just to go to Church have all the answers; doctrine regurgitated from the minister/pastor. I find it  freeing with a few absolutes and trying to work your life out from there.  

David Cameron

An interesting article in 'The Age' regarding British Prime Minister David Cameron and his spin on Religion in his country. It was mainly about the a general 'moral decline' and how religon has a place in aresting this decline. It was in light of the recent riots in his country. Also of interest was his own personal admission:

Mr Cameron also disclosed details of his own faith following criticism from atheist Richard Dawkins that he was ''not really a Christian''. ''I am a committed, but I have to say, vaguely practising, Church of England Christian, who will stand up for the values and principles of my faith,'' Mr Cameron said. But he added he was ''full of doubts'' and ''constantly grappling'' with the big theological issues.

I find this an honest answer. One that most people can relate to. It does underline that what people took for granted 50-100 years ago with Christianity, an unwavering faith; is not the case anymore. The ideas of pluralism, deconstruction are mainstream thoughts. The Church needs overcome these hurdles.  Then the moral compass may return. 

Brian May

I' ve been a looking at some Brian May you tube interviews after watching the two part Queen documentary on the ABC. 

The above clip I thought was insightful. Having a Doctorate in physics as well as been a creative musician he has a view of the world that others don't.  So his discussion on 'Is there a God' question I thought was good. His ideas on the whole idea of 'presence'; it makes sense to me.

The other part of the interview I liked was when May talks about his overcoming depression. How he had to 'throw every thing away'.  To use a a computer analagy 'reboot'.  That he had to go about life in a differn't way with 'new tools' to face life challenges because the old ones weren't working anymore, even just to survive. May came through this period with a renewed energy.

This discussion remined me very much of the ideas behind, repentence: The leaving behind the old ways of doing things, which are harmful to yourself and others. Though I would say repentence has the connotation of been religious. Confessing your sins and not doing the evil things anymore; to use religous language. The 'new tools' would be living in a religous context. 

I'm fairly convinced that it one of those univerals of humanity to come to a place of needing to look at your life, and needing to reboot, and living with some 'new tools' to help you get through. Some need to do it more than once.

Working in palliative care you can often see people and know where they are on the 'reboot' scale. Because of their condition of looking death in the eye, they have a choice, fighting doing as they always done; or maybe still fighting, but at least evaluated life in the face of death, having a peace about how things are going.  (and yes this is a huge simplification)

The end of the Russian Federation

I couldn't help thinking a while ago that Russia was starting to spiral. When Putin put up his hand for another shot as President, altering the constitution to do so, was the beginning. 

It was confirmed with to me with Gorbachev the former Soviet Union leaders comments from The New York Times. Gorbachev is usually supportive of Putin.

“With every passing day, more and more Russians are ceasing to believe that the results of the elections were honest,” Mr. Gorbachev said in an interview with the Interfax news agency. “In my view, ignoring public opinion will discredit the authorities and destabilize the situation. That is why I think the government should make but one decision: annul the results of the elections and hold new ones.”

It will be interesting what Putins next move will be. He is looking more and more like a dictator who is enjoying the power. 

It is a shame after his first two terms he didn't retired gracefully, history would have judged his as the best Russian leader for over a century.

The Coaliton

One of the things that has become increasingly obvious is that the Greens have probably benefited the most with there support of the Labor Government. 

It makes you wonder why the National party continues to be in "Coalition" with the Liberal party. Whatever influence they do have really never gets published. Both Coalition and Liberal policies blur into one. 

It would also seem apparent to me that the tradition constitutes of the party those from the country are starting to wake up to this: Three independents all from the country...

As I see it the Nats have two options. Become less relevant and blur into the Liberal party. This most likely will just encourage more independents and loss of seats. Or separate from the Liberals, represent there tradition country men and women.

Without Warning, by John Birmingham

I would say way of my favorite sort of genre is alternate history. 'Without Warning' is a novel where the main premies is that the majority of the Unitied States disappears, just prior to the American invasion of Iraq. What interested me was the myriad  of permutations of what could happen if the United States did disappear. Instability in the Middle East, Africa, Europe. Financial institutions collapsing, Gold becoming the most important currency. 

I cannot help but think at times what a precarious hold on life we have in this world, working in paliative care reinforces this continuously. But what would happen with a disasster on a global scale, a huge meteor, nuclear war, extreme climate change? Maybe this novel is a wake up call?

It was a good book a 4/5. There were a few jumps history with some of the characters which didn't make scene. Like how did that guy become President?

The Ranch

When I was in my early 20's I went on missional training camp in America for three months, it was called the 'Ranch'. It was in many way life changing with many life long friends coming from it. What suprised me reflecting upon the experince is the amount of people who went into ministry and there life has been rather horrid since.

The main leader, CEO if you like suicided.

Another leader came back to Australia planted a church, seperated from his wife, dropped out of ministry, probably divorced now.

What is reinforced in my mind is that, bad stuff happens in equal proprotion to Christians as Non-Christians.

If you look at divorce for example, the rates are pretty much the same for Christians and non-Christians.

Life it seems to me is non-discriminating no mater what you believe. 

Baptist minister Gone

As reported in 'The Age' yesterday, Baptist minister Matt Glover was secretly dismissed for his support of same sex marriage. Some thoughts-

-Working within an institution such as the Baptist Church is alway going to be a hard gig. I take my hat off to him for been honest. There would be a lot more pastors who would have the same opinion but find it easier to lie or brush off the topic (I actually know some!).

-What did it mean two to four thousand years ago for a man and wife to leave there family and become one? Is it about 'fruitfulness' or a loving relationship? I suspect it is meant to be both. 

Either way I think the idea of equality is by far the higher principle. In some ways I don't think society can escape this. Same sex marriage will happen but not for a long time, it won't go through this parliment.

Maybe a way around the whole issue is having 'Civil marriages' and 'denominational religious marriage', where the denomination has the choice to marry or not to marry same sex couples. 

Andrew Bolt and love

I was reading an article few months ago about Andrew Bolt. He once had a girlfriend/fiannce and the relationship broke down. Her thoughts about him-

"I do not know what has happened to the Andrew I knew so well. The person he has become bears no resemblance to the ethical, highly principled and idealistic young man I loved."

It dons't supprice me that Andrew Bolt has changed. Love can make you like things which you would have had no time for previously. How many Christian blokes have converted to marry the one they love?(I'm sure there are girls as well but I have no one who I know of where there has happened) You like a certain dress but really you couldn't really give a damn.
So yes I think she was slightly naive. Yes love can change a person, just as money. And maybe that is what we see with Andrew Bolts writing; writing crafted to be controversial for the money. Strangely when I see him in on a television panel he seems actually reasonable. Unlike his writing....

Article from http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/bolt-from-the-past-a-heartfelt-history-lesson-to-the-man-i-loved-20111021-1mcio.html