Blue Skies
May 20, 2007 1:29 PM
As you all know, I have been at college now for almost 2 1/2 years.That means a very long time without any serious form on income. This, in turn, means that there is great potential for stress as a guy moves closer and closer to being married. Rather than feeling a sense of responsibility being met, I am keenly aware of how I am going to be dependant on my (soon to be) wife for the next six months, while I finish of my studies.
As we look into our future, "concessions" is the word that seems to ring in our (or at least my) ears. Do we choose to live in a dump because you can't afford a nice place, you don't have much rental history and you only want a 6-month lease? Do we try & get some furniture when we have so many other things we could be getting? What about whitegoods.You need a fridge & a washing machine etc, but what do you do if you plan to move overseas next year & fridges & washing machines are just going to spend most of their warranty in storage?
These are all things that can weigh on the mind of a couple.
Or to put it another way, they were all things that could have weighed on our minds...
But fortunately, God is a good. Stresses have melted away as God has answered our prayers. Let me just run you through a couple of the blessings.
1: Finding a house: What a stress! We have to have a place that is handy to either my college or Shona's work. The places near here are not nice at all, the places near Shona have 20 or more couples going for each one!
Enter Nici & her two friends. Nici tells me that her friends are going to Bali to be missionaries & are looking to rent their place out. I make a quick phone call to them. One week later, we have a lovely place that is 10 mins walk to Shona's work PLUS with Nici and Jeremy living in the same block. I can carpool to college! God is good!
2: Furniture: We have been doing some marriage prep with Fergus (the minister) as we started off the first night in the church lounge room, Fergus notes how it is a little crowded with too many couches. 10 seconds later, Tim & Shona have a new (used) couch! Nice!
3: Whitegoods: I am staring into the mail room at college, hoping for some mail-love, when Allan walks up behind me.
"Hey Tim"
"Hey Allan", I reply.
"You don' need a fridge do you? It's not that big, but it's not too small either. It's a spare that we lent to T&C, but they don't need it anymore & now it is just sitting in our garage".
"That would be awesome!", Tim responds with unbridled enthusiasm.
I know Allan & his wife & I like them both, but we're not the closest of friends, yet they are thinking about my situation & actually approaching me about how they can help me!
4: Furniture (part B): I am reading my email & I notice I have one from the "Capt'n" who is living with his lovely wife in England these days.
"No.2", emails the Capt'n. "how are you going for furniture in your new place? We're about to put some stuff in storage from our house in Sydney. Could you use some?"
The captain, like Allan & Fergus, is a thoughtful, Godly and considerate man.
1:My good friends at college, thinking about me & seeking to help out. To be expected.
2: My minister, who has a thousand other worries on his mind, still keen to look for solutions for Shona & I. Something you would hope is the case in the church, yet are pleased when you find out it really is a reality.
3: Fellow students. In a different year of college, largely in different social circles, yet still looking out to serve. Unexpected. A great example of how and why Christian community can be a fantastic thing.
4: A friend, 12,000 kms away, yet right there with you in spirit. Thinking about you, praying for you and, even from that great distance, offering thoughtful and practical assistance to his brother and sister in Christ!
People ask me how I am handling the stress of all the things on my plate. Essays to write, Sermons to preach, exams coming up, followed by a wedding.
I have to say I am feeling pretty good. Certainly not because I am that organised or thoughtful. But, when houses, furniture and fridges get offered to a couple who are praying about how this kind of stuff will sort out, you can't help but feel confident that God is in control.
God is in control.
The Good word
May 15, 2007 12:12 AM
Last week's preaching conference was pretty intense, but it was also great.
I went in expecting that "The Don" would be good, but Dale Ralph Davis was a surprise. I've heard the name, I know he's a smart guy, but he was AWESOME as a preacher.
I'd love to put up some notes from some of the sermons, but I might wait till I get the tapes & I get to listen to them again.
In other news, it is a bit "same ole same ole" at the moment. Lots of work preparing for the wedding. Lots of work preparing for sermons. Lots of work preparing for essays. Lots of work preparing for exams. 7 months & I am done with college though!
Here, have a pic of Mandy. I get to photograph her wedding on Dec. 1st!
Sick little puppy
May 5, 2007 1:22 PM
It is going to be a little bit lean over the next week or so. My poor compy hasn't been feeling the best & I had to put him in for a service (what? It even happens to Macs? Yes! Macs too!).
Fortunately, he was able to hold on until after I managed to finish my theology essay. We have preaching conference over the next week, so what that means for me is that I get to spend my time doing readings for my final two essays. I'm looking forward to them both actually. One is a comparison of the structure of John with the Synoptic gospels with a focus on how John's distinctives accord with his purpose in writing. The other one I can't really decide on. Maybe I should do a bit of an online poll? You, yes you, could be involved in my theological education!
So, what do you thinik? Should I write an essay for my "Theology of Missions" subject on
"Religious dialogue in the context of interaction with other faiths" or,
"Establishing the boundary between contextualisation and syncretism"?
They are my top two choices out of seven options. Now you may have a chance to help me decide!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, things are just plugging along happily I guess. Wedding prep is coming along nicely. Today is my little brother Phil's birthday, so Shona & I get to head out to "Lee's Lotus Inn", a chinese restaurant in Wahroonga, the suburb I grew up in as a kid, with all the family to celebrate. Even Amy is up from Wagga Wagga, though her hubby & kids are still there.
Preaching tomorrow morning at 8:45 and really looking forward to it, though I need to go through the sermon a couple more times if I am going to "make it mine". Then it is off to a "menu tasting" at my reception venue with my parents & Shona's parents. First time they have meet!
OK, you know, this is a really boring post. I might have to see if I can find a little time during the next week to actually sit down & type something worthwhile.
Meanwhile, know that even though I am not writing. I am thinking about you all!
TCG.><>.