Thursday, July 20, 2006

The house is alive to the sound of ....

Since our return from Oz, the house has been alive to the sounds of ... Inspector Clouseau - as only Peter Sellers can play him!

Yes, while on holiday we found the original Pink Panther series on DVD. (That was before the self-denial sermon really started intruding into my consciousness!)

Even my kids commented that the original series (especially the latter ones) were funnier than the remake. The fight scenes with Cato... the hunchback disguise ... the Toulouse Le Trec disguise... I could go on!

So, we had great fun watching them at night and I think Alastair has pretty much got the accent down pat. Just have to get the kids trained up now!

Sunday, July 09, 2006

I need this holiday!

Thursday I am at work, getting ready to hand over to the person who will be doing my job while I am away. I have spent hours on training and writing notes on how to make products, including screen snaps etc.

While I am explaining some things he starts complaining about how hot it is, then he goes totally white, talks about chest pains and collapses on the floor in my office.

It was a really horrible situation - here is a person having a heart attack, I need to be leaving so I can catch the plane to Brisbane, I am totally useless at first aid, and so there is this tension going on for me - thank goodness others appeared to who knew more than more and took over the medical care - still an awful situation to be in - what to do? sacrifice your holiday? As it worked out I didn't need to but I was reminded of the good samaritan parable - when you are in that situation it isn't as cut and dried as you think it would be.

I have since heard that he has had a stent put in and is recovering.

Now I am at the Gold Coast in mid 20 degree heat and having to conserve water as they are in the middle of a drought - so opposite to what Christchurch is experiencing.

Thought briefly about the Self Denial sermon on the way to Harbour Town Shopping Centre in the bus - decided I wouldn't buy lunch out but make it back at the apartment. Will only buy stuff that has "Sale" on the Price tag.

Have to go - I hear the shops calling my name, telling me there are bargains, just for me ... or could it be the money on the internet is running out!

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Holidays and Self Denial Appeals don't mix!

It's been an interesting morning at church for me.

First there was the speaker - his text was from Amos and normally my heart would sink thinking "Yet another one of THOSE sermons". But as he gave a brief outline of the events leading up to Amos, I was thinking "YES! I know this stuff, I can follow it, I understand it", and a feeling of surprise as I thought "I'm actually looking forward to hearing this passage expanded upon"- all the hard slog of learning I have done in the Old Testament class at Bible College is really helping me to make more sense and understand better the Bible and who God is.

But then the whole sermon was tied up with the Self Denial Appeal. Not a sermon you want to hear when you are about to head off to the Gold Coast on holiday!! Especially when the Gold Coast is home to one of the largest malls in Australasia!! But I also know that God has a sense of humour and I sensed he was laughing with me as I put it all into perspective.

Yes, I will take on board the message of Self Denial, I do believe with all my heart that God is passionately concerned with poverty and oppression, and yes, I do believe that I can make a difference by contributing to this appeal.