The great swap over has occurred

Today - 5/15; 10/21

Sun - 6 / 9; 11/20

Mon- 8 / 10; 7 / 20

Tues - 7 / 9; 11 / 20

These are the days, and the low/high temperatures, in centigrade, for Christchurch, NZ and Gloucester, UK according to my personalised Google homepage.

Yes, it's that time of year - when our autumn is colder than UK's spring. The great swap over has occurred. And the gap is only going to widen until it reverses in November.

It always seems fine that we're in summer when the UK is winter; I have no trouble with that at all. But when it's reversed I feel oddly, and irrationally, hard done by. I don't know why this is. I don't like it too warm, I like the cold and lighting the log burner to be nice and warm. I like trying to learn how to ski. But it's classic 'the grass is greener over there' mentality, and it's not right, at least in two regards:
1. You'd have thought that I'd be used to the seasons now - after all, this is my 4th Kiwi autumn
2. My sin of jealousy in thinking summer equals fun and I'm missing out.

This time of year is always going to be the busy time of year, work wise. Playing is for the summer, now it's not summer much work needs to be done.

How long before snow in August and essay deadlines of students with whom I work seems normal? It might be a long time - speaking to my wise great Aunt Maureen (who came to live in NZ in 1947 and is now clearly a Kiwi through and through having been here most of her life) she says that 'Christmas in the summer just isn't right Tim' - that's despite having had 60 of them here and only 20 Christmases in the winter!

My moping about this might be brought on by some typical Mancunian weather in Lincoln today - all day drizzle. Just horrible. Wish it would really rain/blow/snow/hail or really not rain/blow/snow/hail - like it normally does in Canterbury.

But it doesn't. As Andy, one of my colleagues is fond of saying 'I am not God and this is not my universe.' Which is a great phrase to ponder.

The Eschatology of Bluegrass

In case you can't read the full (inspired) title of this book from the picture, it's

Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. Or (the eschatology of bluegrass).

Brilliant! What a brilliant title for a book. AND THERE"S A BANJO ON THE COVER! Oh joy, and delight!
Maybe this book was written just for me.

But of course, there was no way the content of the book could fully match up to the promise contained in those title words.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy reading it very much. And there were lots of interesting literary devices, such as three quirky short stories interspersed in the main narrative, which all tied in together gradually. Also some instant messenger conversations between the authors. But I couldn't help feel that the book was trying to be a bit too clever with all these gimmicks, when really I just wanted to hear about the eschatology of bluegrass! I love bluegrass, and I've listened to a fair bit of it, (when Mothy's out of the house of course), but I hadn't really thought about the central premise being that we all want to go to heaven, but we don't want to die. What a profound truth!
So really, I wanted to hear about end-times theology as expounded by bluegrass artists through the decades, in their music. That's truly all I wanted the book to be about, but there wasn't so much of it here.
It was about the human soul, and grief, and death, and some history of bluegrass - all worthy subjects, and the authors were sensitive and also humourous in the way they dealt with the big topics...
... but someone still needs to write a book about the eschatology of bluegrass. And when they do, I will read it. Lots.


I think I'm now going to have to take care that my blogs don't all turn into book reviews, because, (and unless you have known me very well for some time, you may have missed this about me), I really enjoy reading, and talking about books. I'll have to try and have some original thoughts to blog soon...

Win the Ultimate Lifestyle!

I've just popped down to the Lincoln post shop, and on my way back, saw a sign outside the 4Square that reads 'Lotto Big Wednesday - Win the Ultimate Lifestyle!'.

It made me think - what's the prize, Jesus?

Isn't is good that Jesus is available without having to buy a lotto ticket?

It's obvious, but God is in control, after all!

I've just returned from meeting, as usual, with our local church here in Lincoln. I preach at Lincoln about 4 or 5 times a year, and this was one of those times: 'You must be born again', John 3, as one in a series working through all of John's gospel. It's a great chapter, but I knew I was 3 or 4 hours short on prep time. And I reckoned it showed - I knew I spoke too quickly, wasn't clear enough on 'take home message' and generally didn't think I was on top form. I asked Liz and, godly encouraging wife that she is, said it was the worst I've ever preached in New Zealand; I think some of her words were 'content was good but you spoke way too fast and it sounded like you were reading an essay'. Thanks Liz! No really - good honest criticism, and I agree.

But - the strange thing was that not all thought that! Sure, of the 200 it may be that 190 thought it was rubbish, but 10 didn't..... One said 'top notch as always Tim.' Another said 'I am blessed to be at church this morning'. Another, who's never commented on my sermons before and I don't even know their name, said 'that was so timely Tim, and all the girls thought it was just great.' A fourth said 'Tim, you often seem to get the passages that are more familiar (maybe he wasn't there when I preached on the long genealogy in Nehemiah 7!!), but when you do I always come away having had God show me something new - thanks'. And a fifth said 'wow Tim, I hadn't realised John 3 tied in with Ezekiel so much' etc etc etc...
Now I don't mention that to make me look great, for, although nice comments are, well, nice, I know that the talk today was a bad one. It really was. I might get the tape to see just where I went wrong. So the positive comments just go to show that God is in control after all. If people are hearing the truth of the gospel through my mistakes then that's amazing.
It reminds me of that verse from Isaiah 55:11, talking about God's word - It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
It seems that, on this occasion, God's word about being born again, in John 3, is achieving the purpose God desires for it. And that's a mighty good thing, and helps keep me humble 'cos today it was never about me at all.
Praise Jesus.

Our lovely homegroup

This is our lovely homgroup. The picture was taken on Thursday this week. (L-R is Dali, Carol, Robyn, Joan, Me, Andrew, Mothy, Mark and Matthias).
We always have fun together and learn about God too! This week Andrew told us his testimony. It was really good to hear, and as he's a professional musician in the NZ army band he played us some music, on CD, and video, and in person.
He told us about when he was having a hard time, how he wrote a piece called Phillipians, chapter 4, verses 6 & 7, so he played it for us on his trumpet, and it was very very beautiful.

Still crocheting

My next project. Made a flower brooch thingy for Nan J's birthday coming up.
It was harder than it looks. I think I'll go for more long straight things for a while yet...
Anyone need a new scarf?

Lizzy's theological thought

It occurred to me as I looked back over our blog that there is a pattern emerging. Mothy does some profound Christian theological thoughts, and I witter about little kittens or something equally inane. Then Mothy does some more encouraging Christian wisdom, and I tell you about chutney, etc etc. Here is an attempt to rectify that.

I recently finished reading this excellent book. It was one of those, where nearly each and every paragraph made me want to copy it out and keep it in my quote book to refer to. But that would have got a bit out of hand, and probably got me in copyright trouble! I kept reading bits out at Mothy from every page, saying 'here's a good bit'. It was such a good read because it really made me think again about the culture we live in (though it is written from an American perspective, so needs a filter for NZ, or UK), and how we so often treat cultural norms as morally and spiritually neutral, when actually they're anything but.
In fact, just after I finished it I went to some motivational lunch-time seminar thing at work, and because all David F Wells' prophetic warnings were sounding so fresh in my mind, the seminar really really got me down! Certainly de-motivated me, as I was thinking about it for days afterwards. It was full of the usual sort of stuff about there being no meaning in the world - only what you choose to make; and you personally deciding on your path for life and how to get there. Everyone just seemed to nod thoughtfully and lap it all up. But it scared and upset me. It was a) completely heretical, shaking a big 'I don't need you' fist at God, and b) incredibly selfish and self-centred. I tried talking to a few people about it afterwards, but even though they're scientists who think for a living, they didn't seem to be thinking very deeply about this...
Ho hum. Now what do I do with my gloom about that???

Canterbury Folk Music Festival 2007 - Oh Yeah!

We were only there for Saturday night, but it was great fun. This is an empty stage because I didn't want to take photos and distract the performers in such an 'intimate' venue. We arrived about 7ish, and joined in some sing-along sea-shanty type songs with a guy called Alan Whitehead who had a lovely voice, (and has previously performed in Great Yarmouth, according to the programme - what a claim to fame!) Then the main concert had one USA group (including banjo - tho' more gentle than hard-core banjo), one English woman, and two different Kiwi groups. We both agreed that the best performer was Lindon Puffin. He did some of his own stuff and an inspired version of 'Baker Street' with a kazoo. Brilliant! And he's from Lyttleton just round the corner from here, so hope to see him again soon.

LUCF Easter bun giveaway

For Easter 2006 LUCF gave away Easter buns outside the library a few days before Easter, to draw attention to the reason for the undergrad holidays. They weren't hot, but did have a Bible verse printed out, stuck in the top of the bun with a cocktail stick, so before eating the bun the verse had to be at least glanced at. It worked so well that we thought we'd do it again for 2007.


So we bought more buns than last year (300 this time round) and yet they all went within an hour. It was interesting to see people's reactions when inviting them to celebrate Jesus with a free Easter bun. Some got into it (including loads of ag boys lining up to receive them!), and some said a polite 'no thanks' whilst looking at us oddly. But no one was agitated by us - the days of outright offence and indignation are over in this secular postmodern nation. 'If it works for you - good, I'm pleased for you. And if you're giving me a free feed inbetween lectures even better' - that could be the response of many.


Tui beer has a long running 'Yeah Right' campaign (if you're not familiar with it, take a look here: www.tui.co.nz/ecards.asp)
To copy that idea, LUCF did this (nice one Margo & Saki!):


Big thanks to Saki for organising us so well, taking good care of the logistics.

Please do pray that some seed of interest in Jesus will be planted, and that those known personally by LUCF will be prompted by them to question more about Jesus in the new term, or even before on the Easter field trips.

Green tomato chutney

I spent my Monday evening making chutney, to try and use up all the oodles of green tomatoes that our two plants had on them. It was my first chutney, and my first attempt at bottling stuff. It seemed to work very well indeed, and now we have four very large jars of chutney to munch through. Yummy!
It's all thanks to my colleague Geoff at work. He gave us the two baby tomato plants in the Spring, and has loaned me the professional agee jars so I can learn to preserve stuff. I feel a bit like I'm turning into the epitome of a 50's house-wife. Except that because I've spent all my non-AgResearch time doing crochet and chutney the rest of the house, and my life, is a big scrawly mess! Yeah!!!

LUCF Camp

Another LUCF camp has passed. LUCF is a special group of students, with a community and culture uniquely theirs. I'm privileged to work with them. And their camps are always a highlight. This year, we returned to Mt Hutt with great views across the
Canterbury Plains.

Things that were great about LUCF camp:

• Bible teaching 'postcards from the end'. Thanks Mark (Manawatu colleague) for teaching us about end times in a simple, clear way, that you'd clearly contextualised for the Lincoln setting. 'Real good' was the feedback from many - very high praise indeed from LUCF. And several can recall, a few weeks on, your word picture stack. Nice one! Just superb to be forced back to Scripture.
• Resource centre - for the first time I took along resources for sale, not really expecting to sell any. But, to my surprise and delight, we did. I pray that books will be read and CDs listened too as a way of keeping Bible truths learnt at camp in mind.
• Food - once again, Kelly-Jean Kerr you're a legend. I've no idea how you do such good food on such a small budget, but I thank God you do. You're a huge asset to LUCF - thank you for serving and encouraging in this way. Liz - thank you too, of course, as chef's assistant!
• Tyres - last year one of my colleagues at LUCF was amazed there was some boxing going on, this year, my colleague Mark was amazed that LUCF found an old tractor tyre on site and proceeded to roll each other down the hill in it. Mark even had a go himself - just like Zorbing but free!
• Jigsaws - I still don't understand the attraction, but plenty did, especially the wasjig ones.
• Seminars - another first, inserting three concurrently run seminars for choice:
• Telling your story as a Christian
• Overseas mission - experiences and potential careers paths (thanks Debbie!)
• Biblical and personal reflections on moving from studentville to the commercial world as a Christian (thanks Rachal and Erin!)

• Work! Great to see students on similar courses helping one another out. It's well known that a Lincoln degree is twice as hard and worth twice as much as other universities!

Thing for the leadership to think about for next time:

• The opt-in nature of LUCF camp. Far too many see camp as an extra, as 'what's in it for me', rather than a way for community to be formed for mission on campus, and to be well taught the Bible to be trained for mission on campus. I long for all to be involved, for the benefit not just of LUCF but the whole university. How can this opt-in culture be changed?
• Promotion of camp - came across as too opt-in; 'if you'd like to come to camp'. How can we be clearer in promotion of camp as a key part of the LUCF year?

It's good to blog on this, as it helps me see the sheer number of positives, when i have a tendency to focus on what needs to be done. Lizzy's great in this (and many other!) regards - she reminded me what our first LUCF camp was like: I was asked to speak at camp just two weeks before; no cooks for the first night; few turned up on the Friday and most came just for a day on the Saturday; only c25% had Bibles with them; camp site wasn't very good; nothing organised in terms of games......etc etc. All of these have improved.

So, 2007 is the best camp yet, and for that I thank God.

Scarfies

1. Students in NZ, especially in Otago.
2. Film about NZ student drug culture - typically dark Kiwi film, but helpful to understand Kiwi culture (and quite a laugh in places too, if that's not too juxtaposed with dark).
3. Lizzy's finished, first ever, crocheted scarf!

Yes, today definition 3 is the one to go for. Liz has really got into crochet of late, and is loving her new 'deep trendy turqouise' scarf. Here's a picture of her modelling it (extreme close up to show detail and Liz's neck!):