Red Sky in the Morning?

What does it mean when there's a red sky in the morning?

Shepherd's warning? Sailor's warning?

Whatever it means for the possibilities of the weather, which changes almost daily, there is one thing that I do know: the sun is there. It rises faithfully each morning according to the pattern set for it. It will set again each evening. It drives our climate and so, whatever the day-to-day weather, there is a reassurance of stability.

How is the weather in your life? Is your circumstance sunny or stormy? Whatever your situation, there is one thing I know: the Son is there. He has risen and is faithful. Even more reliable than climate, he is unchanging. He brings joy and peace. He is our reassurance of stability. Why not ask him to drive your life's climate?

Leather Jackets, Sunlight and Prayer: Distractions and Reminders

My leather motorbike jacket smelled so good this morning!
And the sun was so bright!
And I need to constantly and consistently start my day with God.

What ties all the above together?
This morning I was running right on the knife edge of punctuality and lateness. I don't know about you, but things can get a little hectic for me when that happens. (Actually, more often that not it's my fault, so there is no blame in this for anyone but myself...)

Pulling on my motorbike jacket, the smell of leather was an instant reminder of the joy of being on the bike.

I smiled.

Pulling out of the driveway, the sun was directly in my eyes, a vivid orange, glowing intensely through the misty curtain of rain between us.

I love sunrises. I squinted.

Then I smiled.

It arrested me this morning that, pulling myself out of bed, I need to actively decide to spend time with God.

First thing.

Recalling the Son rise that has happened. For my sake.

Remembering that He has clothed me, not with leather as protection, but Himself. It's His fragrance on me, not the smell of cow. Or me.

I squinted: I don't do this anywhere near regularly enough. I allow busy-ness to distract me. Not good.

Then I smiled: He has graciously reminded me. I enjoy time with my maker.

What distracts you from quality time with God?

What do you need to do about those distractions?

Winter Wonderings

Recently I submitted this photo to a website, reflecting on the Winter Solstice.

Some leaves have fallen, exposing arboreal skeletons. Other leaves are primed. Some staunch hangers-on remain green even on this shortest day, reminding us of the promise of spring on the day the solar tide turns from its ebb.


During the past few days I've been thinking about why I like winter. This morning it was the ice in the birdbath outside, the still air and the frost. For a month or so now I've noticed the sunrise, and some have been spectacular. Our woodheater is in near-constant use at the moment, and I love it!


What does winter mean to you?

Fog or Son: where are you looking?

This morning, patches of fog presented themselves as I rode to work. Travelling toward the sun as I rode, it was quite glary at times, and difficult to see through. I noticed that my visor, jacket and jeans collected moisture, remaining on me as evidence of the fog through which I'd travelled.

As I looked at the fog, my destination blurred. Once I recognised this and set my sights back on the destination, my journey became clearer.

It occurred to me that, often in life, I get distracted by the fog around me. Too often I turn my gaze toward the fog: my schedule, tasks, relationships, various roles I fulfill, temptations. More than I like to admit, I actually pursue the things within the fog. In addition, I carry some evidence on me that I've been through fog.

Things become much clearer when I return my gaze to the Son in my life. The fog is still around, but my direction is clear.

Are you looking at the fog or the Son?

A promise of things to come

Riding east this morning, piles of dark cumulus were gilt. The intense brightness would soon flood my view. For now, though, the golden tops of the clouds were the deposit afforded by the sun, my promise of things to come.


In my life, dark as my heart can be, I live with a gilt edge (not an edge of guilt!). It is the deposit of God's Holy Spirit in me, afforded through the obedient life of Christ. My guarantee is that one day Jesus will return for me. It is my promise of things to come.


"[God] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Cor 1:22

Australia's pivotal moment: have we learned from our mistake?

What a picture! There are a few variations kicking around, but they all carry pretty much the same wording, reminiscent of the political change that gave Kevin Rudd the Prime Minister's job in 2007.

Right now we, Australia, are at a potentially crucial pivotal point in our history and, in the near future, we may have the chance out of seemingly nowhere to rid ourselves of some very suspect legislation that would cripple us (more on that below).

For the past four years we've had a (minority) Labor government split in two which, about a year ago, experienced a major upheaval when the leader was talked up and then sniped by one of his ministers. Now, the ex-leader has returned the challenge; on Monday, caucus will vote on the (new?) leader of our governing party. There is so much wrong with this party leading our nation (if indeed it was actually this party leading our nation in the last year or so).

In the past year, Ms Gillard has sided with the Greens. This party, born out of good intentions a few decades ago at the Franklin river, has lost its green focus and has descended into the party where it seems anyone can have their say for the sake of social "progress". The carbon tax is (currently) possibly the biggest and most dangerous thing for our nation's future and, despite Ms Gillard's assurances that it would not see the light of day (my words), it is nearing reality for us. The reason for this? Without the support of the Greens (who drove the deceptive legislation - yes, that is my descriptor, and with good reason), Labor couldn't govern. To retain power, an alliance was made that has disillusioned many about the state of the current Labor party.

Australia stands to pay in excess of $3.5 billion per year for carbon credits. These are to be purchased so that we can offset our guilt for "polluting" the atmosphere with carbon. We buy these credits from countries who are supposed to employ carbon capture and storage procedures (the largest of which is to plant trees). Some of these nominated countries, however, have governments rife with corruption or are impoverished. I wonder:

• Will my carbon credits come with an ironclad guarantee that my guilt money has been used to plant x trees in Laos?
• How many other countries have adopted or look like adopting a carbon pricing scheme? (Hint: the answer is less than 1).
• How much will the global temperature drop as a result of Australia's bankruptcy under this legislation?  Figures at the time of the legislation's initial lower house passing put it at around 2/1000 of a degree Celsius.

The Greens are in a very precarious position. If Labor remains divided, the Greens could well lose the power they currently hold over the nation. Is it just me or have they been quieter than usual in the past day or so? Who would they rather see at the head of the Labor Party?

If, after Monday, the Labor Party cannot unite behind its leader, we may very soon be asked to vote in a general election. This could be our chance to repeal the carbon tax legislation by not voting for the Greens or Labor. It could well be the only chance we ever get to avoid the devastation sold to us as "reform".

Have we learned from 2007's "change"? Is it really working for us? Has it ever done so?

Our Little Butterfly: Jasmine's Short Visit

It's hard to believe four years have passed already. In 2007, October 20th was a Saturday night. There was pizza in the oven and Melissa and I were looking forward to dinner. Toby was just over a year old and Mel was 17 weeks' pregnant.

And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Verses like this one (Romans 8:28) sound terrific when things are going well. But can we hold to those verses and cling to their promises when everything goes pear-shaped?

The contractions started at about 5pm, and on the way to the hospital they got worse. Melissa prayed for peace and immediately felt protected and relaxed within herself.

Five minutes after entering Emergency, Melissa’s waters broke. A bed was found. Melissa was being asked a few questions when another contraction occurred, and she began to deliver.

At 8:10pm Jasmine arrived. The nurses were unsure what our response would be, and even wondered whether Melissa fully realised she had given birth. But she knew, and I looked at the baby for the first time, seeing a tiny, yet fully-formed, ear. The nurses were shocked by the smile and look of awe on my face, and we explained to them that we were Christians and told them about the peace we had prayed for earlier. This changed the atmosphere completely.

When our baby was born, her heart was still beating. She passed away in our arms.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16

We were able to hold our perfectly-formed little girl and gaze in wonder at God’s creation. Looking at her fingernails and toenails, and at her tiny lips, we marvelled at how perfect and fully-formed she was at such an early stage.

We named her Jasmine; gift from God.

Delirious penned a great song:

I'll see you when I get there,
Shining like the sun.
I'll see you when I get there,
Into your arms I'll run.

I see you when the wind blows,
Running without fear,
Born to rest in your fathers arms,
Your joy has dried the tears.

I'll see you when I get there,
When my life's complete,
Will you take me to Jesus' feet?
Hand in hand we'll sing.

We're gonna sing for you.

Dear Jasmine, Our Little Butterfly, our Gift from God,

You didn't stay long, but we loved every minute we shared with you.

You revealed our Lord's Grace and Mercy and Love not only to us, but to all who met you.

We look forward to meeting you again in Heaven.

We'll see you when we get there: our little girl, all grown up.

We love you.

Mummy and Daddy.