Coffee Break Lane: September 2005

Monday, September 26, 2005

'The One'

http://www.answersingenesis.org/AfterEden/view.aspx?id=30

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Pulse Check

Listenin: Third Day 'Offerings'

Reading: 'Pursuit of Holiness' by Jerry Bridges

Watching: A viewing of a classic today - 'Singin in the Rain' - good laughs, entertaining song and dance, and a good ol' love story with Gene Kelly

Thinking: Nikon D50 or Canon EOS 350D?

On my heart and mind: Making the most of the one and a half hour trip into uni yesterday morning i pulled out 'The Pursuit of Holiness' and amongst the six pages of chapter 4 i discovered nothing less than a challenging reminder.
Establishing that our lives are meant to follow that of the example set by the sinless life of Jesus, Bridges challenged me with these words:

"Consider then [Jesus'] statement, "I always do what pleases Him." Do we dare take that as our personal goal in life? Are we truly willing to scrutinize all our activities, all our goals and plans, and all of our impulsive actions in the light of this statement: 'I am doing this to please God'?"

And as an example of living such a life Bridges continues: "How do we view those who do not show love for us? Do we see them as persons for whom Christ died or as persons who make our lives difficult?...We need to learn to follow the example of Christ, who was moved with compassion for sinners and who could pray for them even as they nailed Him to the cross on Calvary."

Concluding statement to be echoed in a change for eternity: "In all of our thoughts, all of our actions, in every part of our character, the ruling principle that motivates and guides us should be the desire to follow Christ in doing the will of the Father."

These are the words that challenged me. I hope and pray they will continue to be the ones filling my heart, mind, and actions - every part of my character.

As I looked out the window of the train at the passing world, a pulse check was taken.

What will encourage your next pulse check?

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Spring

ok, so i like tulips...

Thursday, September 15, 2005

4 Generations

I love this photo for two reasons:
Firstly, Jack has already grown so much and just looks so cute in his little winnie the pooh socks!
Secondly, this photo shows 4 generations of Burtons (my mum's side of the family) - my grandfather, my uncle, and my cousin, Rhys, holding his baby son, Jack!

A special moment I should think.
And one I am sad my Nana was not able to witness.

Meanwhile, back on the home front, I handed in my 40hr Famine money this week. $141. It may not seem that much to us, but this is exciting stuff because that much money can feed 6 hungry kids - thats right, six! - for at least 4 months!

So, thank you to all who gave generously to this cause! You have made a difference!

God bless,
Chelsea

Monday, September 12, 2005

Katrina

A friend sent me a link to this article What Can Katrina Teach Us? by Max Lucado. As I'm sure others have, Lucado questions how or what God may be teaching us through such an event as the recent Hurricane Katrina which has not only brought physical destruction, but spun a thread of havoc through the people of New Orleans with some shocking results.
Lucado raises some interesting points - points that I think should challenge us all.

What value do we place on our possessions? "Were all your possession washed away, could you still worship? Would you still worship? If not, you are holding things too tightly."
I like to think I would.

"In a land where we have more malls than high schools, more debt than credit, more clothes to wear than we can wear, could Christ be saying: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15)?"
Am I on guard?

Job lost everything he owned and loved. His response? He knew all he had was never his to begin with but given by the Lord, and therefore could be just as easily taken by Him.
Do we have this attitude?

"The main problem in the world is not Mother Nature, but human nature."
Are we too quick to blame the 'natural disaster' to consider why it occured?

Some people have concluded Katrina was direct judgement on the city of New Orleans. Well, we cannot presume to know what God's plan is nor place judgement only he can deliver.

What we can do is learn from these things, as God reminds us of the fallen world in which we live.

And reminds us of our need for Jesus - our rescuer holding out his hand to us amongst the chaos!

I encourage you to read the article and be challenged too.
Would like to hear your thoughts!

In Him,
Chelsea

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Sunny Spring Saturday

Saturday lunch time at a cute little cafe in Lindfield, by the name of m's place, five friends gathered for a long overdue catch up.

As we sat out back in the beautiful sunny coutryard, summer was in the air - and I have the sunburnt shoulders to prove it!
Veronica, Amy, Annika, Lou and I - friends from the school days - soaked in the sun while enjoying tastey meals and milkshakes and caught up on lost time.

Cheers guys - good times indeed!
I only hope it isnt so long til we gather again!

And bring on more sunny spring saturdays!

"Can I say, 'I wish that this weather would never leave?'"
[Counting Crows]

God bless,
Chelsea

Annika & I

Veronica & Amy

Louisa & Annika

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Love Song

The love song. So many have been made throughout history. The handwritten ballad on a piece of note paper to be shared intimately between two people; or the hit song that becomes known and cherished worldwide.

We hear them so often on the radio, our favourite tv show or the latest hollywood blockbuster....but do we really know the true meaning of those words?!

I'd therefore like to perform a little experiment.
Below are the lyrics to a beautiful love song from the film Moulin Rouge, called 'Come What May'. And the lyrics to 'Love Song' by Christian band, Third Day.

"Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high
No river too wide
Sing out this song I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather
And stars may collide
But I love you until the end of time"

"I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It has never been done
I've never climbed the highest mountain
But I walked the hill of calvary"

Spot the difference?

Now dont get me wrong, Come What May is actually one of my all time favourite love songs and I am actually a hopeless romantic at heart! But there is also some danger in hanging onto these words.
That promise to climb a mountain for the one you love is a common theme in love songs of the world. What Third Day point out to us here is that these promises are rarely kept. The only true promise of love given and fulfilled is that of Jesus, when he walked that hill and took his final breath!

Cynical Chelsea you may be asking? No, hopefully not!
Realistic and hopeful? Yes I think so!

So as I may be waiting for the right man to come along and write me that love song on an old piece of note paper, I can remain in the hope and the satisfaction that come with knowing Jesus - the ultimate love.

That all said, I still love a good love song ;)

In Him,
Chelsea

Monday, September 05, 2005

A Week of Film

In a nutshell, this was my past week:
6 days; 6 films.

To expand:

Monday:
Boyz N The Hood - A Gangsta/Hood film of the early 90s, this film was not too bad, but provided a slightly scary insight into the life in the 'hood where even if these guys want to get out of this cycle, they are more than often shot dead before they can. What makes this scary is that it is reality.

Tuesday:
The Passion of Joan of Arc (circa 1928) - Yes this film is the epitome of films no one ever wants to see! Black and white, French, Silent, and made in the 1920s. Why watch it i hear you ask? Well its a requirement for a uni subject...
However, do not be fooled! This film is one of the most powerful i have ever seen, beyond explanation....but it may have something to do with a faithful woman dying for what she believes being presented through some very emotive close ups of her face, fearful yet hopeful at the same time!

Wednesday:
A yakuza (Japanese gangster) film. Yes, I have forgotten the title...but thats not important. All I can say about this film is that it is simply violence for the sake of violence. To give you an idea, this is the sort of film that has influenced Tarantino!

Friday:
Yellow Earth - A Chinese film. While in first hearing about this film i was not particularly excited about seeing it, it turned out to be both an interesting insight into the history and culture of China and an enjoyable narrative. And lets just say, it is obvious that no matter what country or culture, love remains the same.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The long awaited film has arrived. AlthoughI had high expectations for this latest Depp Burton collaboration, I was not disappointed.
Depp is brilliant. And Burton's usual quirkiness is evident but not overbearing. With a great deal of clever intertextuality, this film can be appreciated on a number of levels...and definately provides some laughs! Definately the highlight of the film week!

Saturday:
Set If Off (1996) - Another Gangsta/Hood film providing a further education of the terrible cycle of crime and death that is life in the 'hood. While it takes a slightly different spin on the genre by casting 4 women as the leads, death once again conquers, true to the genre... and sadly, a life to which I am thankful I dont belong.

So, 6 days, 6 films.

The life of a film student.

In Him,
Chels

Coffee Break Lane