Today we had a nice journey to Edinburgh on the train, as Lyns technically had a day off university, and it was our last day together in Dundee for another wee while. So it was off to Edinburgh. Now, I must confess that last night I checked out a website giving listings of bookshops, and had dutifuly marked them on the map in my Rough Guide, in preparation for today!
And so it was that we visited about 6 or 7 bookshops - the best of which I can't remember the name of, but can be found at 72-74 West Port, should you happen to be in Edinburgh looking a good secondhand bookshop! I got a couple of bargains, so was well chuffed. And, in a sort of reciprocal gesture, we visited quite a few shoe shops for Lynsey to have a browse.
We also did a couple of the touristy things, calling in to St Giles' Cathedral (and seeing the statue of John Knox), as well as seeing Greyfriars Bobby - the little loyal dog, and various views of the castle from the streets around it (we decided not to go in as it is quite expensive, and is also a windy hole!)
The sun even came out for a while in the afternoon, which made it a very pleasant day, and also made for nice views of the coastline as the train chugged its way back to Dundee. And so we're into my last 7 hours in Dundee for this trip - before we set off at some unearthly hour to drive down to Stranraer for the ferry home (with Louise). So what am I doing blogging, when I should be spending my time with Lynsey??? See ya!
Friday, March 31, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Stop Press! Sun Shines in Dundee!
Well, I never! For the first time ever, the sun has been out while I have been in Dundee!!! Normally any time I'm here, it's always raining, but this morning when I got up to see Lynsey leaving for uni, the sun was out!
Even with that good news, it was after 3pm before I left the flat. My morning was taken up having a bit of a study of Colossians 1:24-2:5, in preparation for YF on Sunday night (so if any of you are reading this, bring your Bibles on Sunday night!). Then after lunch, we went out for a walk, down by the river Tay, having walked down two really steep hills to get there! The tide was quite high, and the water was coming over the wall as we walked along.
This evening then, we watched Red Eye the film - it was rather good, even if somewhat predictable... The other thing about it was that it seemed quite short - at just 82 minutes, the tension on the plane could have been extended a bit more. But all in all, a good enough film. [Although not as many laughs as 'Mickeybo and Me', which we watched on Saturday night. The other great thing about that film was that it was a bit of Northern Ireland-spotting, with views of Tate's Avenue, Donaghadee, Portrush, and Castlewellan - although it got a bit sad at the end]
Even with that good news, it was after 3pm before I left the flat. My morning was taken up having a bit of a study of Colossians 1:24-2:5, in preparation for YF on Sunday night (so if any of you are reading this, bring your Bibles on Sunday night!). Then after lunch, we went out for a walk, down by the river Tay, having walked down two really steep hills to get there! The tide was quite high, and the water was coming over the wall as we walked along.
This evening then, we watched Red Eye the film - it was rather good, even if somewhat predictable... The other thing about it was that it seemed quite short - at just 82 minutes, the tension on the plane could have been extended a bit more. But all in all, a good enough film. [Although not as many laughs as 'Mickeybo and Me', which we watched on Saturday night. The other great thing about that film was that it was a bit of Northern Ireland-spotting, with views of Tate's Avenue, Donaghadee, Portrush, and Castlewellan - although it got a bit sad at the end]
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Stargazing
Tonight we had a rather special evening! We decided we would go for a wee walk - there's a park near the flat here, and then a hill with an observatory on top. So off we set, through the park, and up this path, with a large number of steps up the side of the hill. Well, we say 'steps', but really, they were like railway sleepers put in the ground sideways to stop soil erosion and to create the next level up. They were a bit mucky, but we managed to make it to the top in one piece.
At first, we went up another series of steps, but that led us to a field overlooking the city, with some nice views of the city lights looking out towards the Tay. Then we came back down those steps, and followed the tarmac road round the top of the hill and up to the Observatory itself.
I didn't think it would be open, seing it was just after 9pm, but there were lights on, and the door was open, so we went in. It was indeed open for visitors, and free! So we had a look at the exhibition on the ground floor, and then the next floor up. Then there was a spiral staircase up the side of the building to the top floor, a domed roof, and some telescopes. But there was a sort of barrier across the top of the steps, so we thought it was just there to let you see the telescopes, but not anything else.
Just with that, the wee man that works the telescope came up and explained that, while it was a bit cloudy, he reckoned we might be able to see Saturn. So he moved the barrier, opened the hole in the roof, rotated the dome so the hole was over the big telescope, and set to work with levers and ropes etc. Within no time at all he stood back, and with a big smile said, "Yes, we have found Saturn!" So we got a look through the telescope, and we were indeed looking at Saturn, with the ring around it.
He then told us a bit about the observatory, and fortunately enough, we visited in their last week of night-time opening, as it gets too light with Summer Time here again. But it was well worth seeing! Definitely I'll be wanting to return again in the autumn if I get a clear night to see what else is up there in the sky.
So now I'll do my wee tourist information board bit and say that the Mills Observatory is the UK's only full-time public observatory, and is a very good place to visit if you're ever in Dundee.
On the way down again, we counted the steps, and there were 153 - several of which we nearly slipped on, because of all the muck and gutters!
On reflection, the trip to the observatory was really good, and gave me a fresh insight into the amazing Creator God we have. As Psalm 19:1 says, 'The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.' Everything that we can see has been fashioned by His hands, and does, or should, show forth his glory. And yet, the even more amazing thing is that the God who took so much care over creating all that there is, loves us so much more, and sent His Son to die for us. As the hymn puts it: 'Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered' Our Creator God died on the cross for us, in order to bring about His new creation!
At first, we went up another series of steps, but that led us to a field overlooking the city, with some nice views of the city lights looking out towards the Tay. Then we came back down those steps, and followed the tarmac road round the top of the hill and up to the Observatory itself.
I didn't think it would be open, seing it was just after 9pm, but there were lights on, and the door was open, so we went in. It was indeed open for visitors, and free! So we had a look at the exhibition on the ground floor, and then the next floor up. Then there was a spiral staircase up the side of the building to the top floor, a domed roof, and some telescopes. But there was a sort of barrier across the top of the steps, so we thought it was just there to let you see the telescopes, but not anything else.
Just with that, the wee man that works the telescope came up and explained that, while it was a bit cloudy, he reckoned we might be able to see Saturn. So he moved the barrier, opened the hole in the roof, rotated the dome so the hole was over the big telescope, and set to work with levers and ropes etc. Within no time at all he stood back, and with a big smile said, "Yes, we have found Saturn!" So we got a look through the telescope, and we were indeed looking at Saturn, with the ring around it.
He then told us a bit about the observatory, and fortunately enough, we visited in their last week of night-time opening, as it gets too light with Summer Time here again. But it was well worth seeing! Definitely I'll be wanting to return again in the autumn if I get a clear night to see what else is up there in the sky.
So now I'll do my wee tourist information board bit and say that the Mills Observatory is the UK's only full-time public observatory, and is a very good place to visit if you're ever in Dundee.
On the way down again, we counted the steps, and there were 153 - several of which we nearly slipped on, because of all the muck and gutters!
On reflection, the trip to the observatory was really good, and gave me a fresh insight into the amazing Creator God we have. As Psalm 19:1 says, 'The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.' Everything that we can see has been fashioned by His hands, and does, or should, show forth his glory. And yet, the even more amazing thing is that the God who took so much care over creating all that there is, loves us so much more, and sent His Son to die for us. As the hymn puts it: 'Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered' Our Creator God died on the cross for us, in order to bring about His new creation!
Dundee once again
As you know, I'm off at present on my so-called 'Easter holidays'. Having three weeks off college altogether, and spending most of the first week in Venice, and some of the second week in Dublin, I had to make sure I spent some of it with Lynsey. So here I am, back in Dundee again for another wee while.
I flew over yesterday from Aldergrove, travelling up by bus. The way the Ulsterbus ticketing works now meant that money was saved on having one combined ticket the whole way from Dromore to the airport, so I was all for that! At the airport I bumped into a fella I had been to Wallace with (Gareth Allison), so had a good chat with him, and sat beside him on the plane. It turns out that he was also travelling to Dundee to see his girlfriend! It's a small world indeed!
Then it was the train up from Edinburgh, a nice pleasant journey with some wonderful scenery on crossing the Forth Rail Bridge, and the Tay Bridge, as well as some really good beaches visible from the train. Of course, being in the warm train meant that the beaches looked lovely, but I'm sure I would have been miserable out on them in the cold and wet!
My knowledge of Dundee is improving (says you, it would need to have, seeing you're there for the fourth time now), so that I managed to navigate myself from the station to Lynsey's flat.
Today then, I got up after Lyns had left for university (yes, indeed, shame on me...), and got ready and took a wander down into Dundee city centre. There's an episcopal cathedral here, which was always closed when I tried to get in before, but it was open today so I had a nosey round it. I also visited the two Christian bookshops and the secondhand booskshop, which used up a good bit of my time! I even managed to get some good bargains, which I was chuffed at!
With Lynsey being in uni all day, I went out to Broughty Ferry on the bus and had a wander about it too, then came back to Dundee and walked up to the flat again in the rain. My trousers are soaked right up to the knees, such is the weather, but it doesn't matter, seeing I'm here wth Lynsey! It makes it all worth while.
I flew over yesterday from Aldergrove, travelling up by bus. The way the Ulsterbus ticketing works now meant that money was saved on having one combined ticket the whole way from Dromore to the airport, so I was all for that! At the airport I bumped into a fella I had been to Wallace with (Gareth Allison), so had a good chat with him, and sat beside him on the plane. It turns out that he was also travelling to Dundee to see his girlfriend! It's a small world indeed!
Then it was the train up from Edinburgh, a nice pleasant journey with some wonderful scenery on crossing the Forth Rail Bridge, and the Tay Bridge, as well as some really good beaches visible from the train. Of course, being in the warm train meant that the beaches looked lovely, but I'm sure I would have been miserable out on them in the cold and wet!
My knowledge of Dundee is improving (says you, it would need to have, seeing you're there for the fourth time now), so that I managed to navigate myself from the station to Lynsey's flat.
Today then, I got up after Lyns had left for university (yes, indeed, shame on me...), and got ready and took a wander down into Dundee city centre. There's an episcopal cathedral here, which was always closed when I tried to get in before, but it was open today so I had a nosey round it. I also visited the two Christian bookshops and the secondhand booskshop, which used up a good bit of my time! I even managed to get some good bargains, which I was chuffed at!
With Lynsey being in uni all day, I went out to Broughty Ferry on the bus and had a wander about it too, then came back to Dundee and walked up to the flat again in the rain. My trousers are soaked right up to the knees, such is the weather, but it doesn't matter, seeing I'm here wth Lynsey! It makes it all worth while.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Mothering Sunday
So today is the day of mum's getting breakfast in bed, of lunches out, and of high sales of chocolates, perfumes and flowers in the days leading up to it. It is of course, Mothering Sunday.
I'm not sure how you get on with your mother (or ma, as we affectionately call ours), but I hope you have a good relationship with yours. For all the silliness, strangeness and laughs, my aul ma is still one of the best! after all, think of all they put up with over the years, and love us all the same. Mother's love is something very special indeed.
And yet, there is a love that surpasses it. No surprises, really, but that love is God's. This morning in Dollingstown I started the service with some words from Isaiah, where God addresses Israel: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:15-16). Or as the NIV puts it, "Can a woman forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?"
Could it be possible that a mother, in the act of feeding, could forget the child she has? Even if that were possible, God will not forget us - never ever! And as a 'visual aid' as if needed, God says that he has 'engraved you on the palms of my hands' - or as the hymn 'Before the throne of God above' puts it, 'my name is written on his hands.' God will not forget you! Could this be a sort of foreshadowing of the cross, where the hands of Jesus were pierced for us? We read in John's Gospel that when Thomas doubted, Jesus showed him his hands and side, where the wounds remained. So if you're under the blood, then your name has been engraved on the hands of God, and he will never forget you.
----
Earlier I said about relationships with parents. You might be blessed with good parents and a great relationship with them, or maybe you haven't had such a good time with your parents. Maybe your mother or father was abusive, or cruel, or just never built you up with any encouragement, but were always critical. Perhaps even the words 'mother' or 'father' makes you uneasy. And to hear God described as Father? Well, that just makes you shudder completely - if God is like my earthly father, you say, then I don't want anything to do with him...
If you have suffered at the hands of your parents, then hear this word of God today: 'Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.' (Psalm 27:10). Even if those that brought you into the world reject you, and hate you, God will take you, and enfold you in his love.
I'm not sure how you get on with your mother (or ma, as we affectionately call ours), but I hope you have a good relationship with yours. For all the silliness, strangeness and laughs, my aul ma is still one of the best! after all, think of all they put up with over the years, and love us all the same. Mother's love is something very special indeed.
And yet, there is a love that surpasses it. No surprises, really, but that love is God's. This morning in Dollingstown I started the service with some words from Isaiah, where God addresses Israel: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:15-16). Or as the NIV puts it, "Can a woman forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?"
Could it be possible that a mother, in the act of feeding, could forget the child she has? Even if that were possible, God will not forget us - never ever! And as a 'visual aid' as if needed, God says that he has 'engraved you on the palms of my hands' - or as the hymn 'Before the throne of God above' puts it, 'my name is written on his hands.' God will not forget you! Could this be a sort of foreshadowing of the cross, where the hands of Jesus were pierced for us? We read in John's Gospel that when Thomas doubted, Jesus showed him his hands and side, where the wounds remained. So if you're under the blood, then your name has been engraved on the hands of God, and he will never forget you.
----
Earlier I said about relationships with parents. You might be blessed with good parents and a great relationship with them, or maybe you haven't had such a good time with your parents. Maybe your mother or father was abusive, or cruel, or just never built you up with any encouragement, but were always critical. Perhaps even the words 'mother' or 'father' makes you uneasy. And to hear God described as Father? Well, that just makes you shudder completely - if God is like my earthly father, you say, then I don't want anything to do with him...
If you have suffered at the hands of your parents, then hear this word of God today: 'Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.' (Psalm 27:10). Even if those that brought you into the world reject you, and hate you, God will take you, and enfold you in his love.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Dublin Tour Guide!
So there we are, my day as a Dublin Tour Guide has come to an end. Thankfully we didn't get lost the whole time, although there was one point where we had to divert cos only service busses could go down Nassau Street the opposite way, and not coaches...
The group is from West Tyrone, some of those I used to work with, and they're down for a project residential. Seeing they're here, they needed a guide, so drafted me in! I've had a great day sitting at the front of the bus with a microphone pointing out things of interest and telling them what Dublin's like.
And even better, we're staying in a very nice hotel out at Liffey Valley until tomorrow...
So if anyone else wants a bit of a tour, come on down!
The group is from West Tyrone, some of those I used to work with, and they're down for a project residential. Seeing they're here, they needed a guide, so drafted me in! I've had a great day sitting at the front of the bus with a microphone pointing out things of interest and telling them what Dublin's like.
And even better, we're staying in a very nice hotel out at Liffey Valley until tomorrow...
So if anyone else wants a bit of a tour, come on down!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Books, books and more books...
If you know me any way at all, then you'll know I have a bit of an addiction... My name is Gary, and I am a bibliophile. Yes, I love books and am always on the search for more. So far my library runs to 797 books, although there are others in boxes which haven't been included in my database.
A fair proportion of the books, though, are commentaries which are and will come in handy for sermon preparations and to assist in reading the Bible. Currently, I have completed the new Testament series of 'The Bible Speaks Today' series from IVP, and am one book away from completing the New Testament series of 'Tyndale Commentaries', also from IVP. Both these are extrememly good series, and if you ever see any, and are interested in getting more out of your Bible reading, then buy them for yourself! In these two series, I'm now branching slowly into the Old Testament books, although they seem to be less prevalent in secondhand bookshops. A newer series for me which also seems to be quite good are the 'Crossway Bible Guides', which have come in very useful for some recent sermons.
But as you might realise, space is quite limited, between home and Dublin, so lots of the books are either in piles on the bookcases and not properly accessible, or else stuck in boxes in my bedroom (which also leads to problems of getting about in there)... so I'm looking forward (DV) to having a proper study in my Curatage, when the time comes! Let's hope there will indeed be a spacious room for such things!
If you would like a copy of my database, currently an excel worksheet, then drop me a comment or email, and I'll see what I can do. It's always being updated though, as I find some more bargains...
A fair proportion of the books, though, are commentaries which are and will come in handy for sermon preparations and to assist in reading the Bible. Currently, I have completed the new Testament series of 'The Bible Speaks Today' series from IVP, and am one book away from completing the New Testament series of 'Tyndale Commentaries', also from IVP. Both these are extrememly good series, and if you ever see any, and are interested in getting more out of your Bible reading, then buy them for yourself! In these two series, I'm now branching slowly into the Old Testament books, although they seem to be less prevalent in secondhand bookshops. A newer series for me which also seems to be quite good are the 'Crossway Bible Guides', which have come in very useful for some recent sermons.
But as you might realise, space is quite limited, between home and Dublin, so lots of the books are either in piles on the bookcases and not properly accessible, or else stuck in boxes in my bedroom (which also leads to problems of getting about in there)... so I'm looking forward (DV) to having a proper study in my Curatage, when the time comes! Let's hope there will indeed be a spacious room for such things!
If you would like a copy of my database, currently an excel worksheet, then drop me a comment or email, and I'll see what I can do. It's always being updated though, as I find some more bargains...
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Holidaying
Having recovered from Venice, I'm still enjoying my holidays, and the break from college. But I have plenty of running about to keep me busy - yesterday I was up in Coleraine and the north coast, and met up with Heather. Twas good to catch up with her, and to hear all about what she's getting up to in Durham at university.
Then today I headed off to Newcastle - it was a nice sunny day, but still cold, and I got a bit of a look at the work they're been doing on the promenade etc. They still haven't completely finished, but what they've done is looking well. A new metal bridge has been erected over the river, in place of the old concrete one.
So tomorrow it's off somewhere with the parents (when they get up from their work), and then Thursday I'm back down to Dublin for a few days to do a guided tour for some friends from the north-west of the province. Then after Mother's Day (don't forget - it's this Sunday!), it's over to Scotland for a few days in Dundee! Then it's back to Dublin for the last four weeks of term... three weeks of revision... then exams and finished by the 2nd June at the latest! And that will have been first year over and done. Any ideas for a summer job for me?
Then today I headed off to Newcastle - it was a nice sunny day, but still cold, and I got a bit of a look at the work they're been doing on the promenade etc. They still haven't completely finished, but what they've done is looking well. A new metal bridge has been erected over the river, in place of the old concrete one.
So tomorrow it's off somewhere with the parents (when they get up from their work), and then Thursday I'm back down to Dublin for a few days to do a guided tour for some friends from the north-west of the province. Then after Mother's Day (don't forget - it's this Sunday!), it's over to Scotland for a few days in Dundee! Then it's back to Dublin for the last four weeks of term... three weeks of revision... then exams and finished by the 2nd June at the latest! And that will have been first year over and done. Any ideas for a summer job for me?
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Venice Photos online...
Just a quick posting to let you know that the first set of photos from my educational visit to Venice are now available online. They can be found by clicking here.
Also, a big thank you to Primrose who must have far too much time on her hands for that little copying and pasting exercise she engaged in! All those were taken out of context though, and my conscience is clear that it was indeed a study trip, with educational value!
Also, a big thank you to Primrose who must have far too much time on her hands for that little copying and pasting exercise she engaged in! All those were taken out of context though, and my conscience is clear that it was indeed a study trip, with educational value!
Confidence. A sermon preached in Dromore Cathedral on 19th March 2006 Philippians 3:4-14
How confident are you? Perhaps, like me, you are more confident in some things than in others. So, for example, when driving, I'm a lot more confident than I am when learning Greek. Or for you it might be that you're most confident in knitting, or your job, or singing.
And what about when it comes to the future? How confident are you when you think about the future? Do you look forward to what is coming, or does it all fill you with fear? Or what about confidence when approaching God? Are you right with God tonight?
In our reading, Paul writes about confidence, as he talks about his testimony. We'll see that he moves from confidence in himself and in his own achievements, to confidence in God, and what he has done for us in Jesus. We'll then look at what that confidence meant for Paul, and how we too can be confident for the future.
For most of his life, Paul had put his confidence in the flesh. He thought that to be right with God, you had to follow all the rules, and that it depended on what he did. And he does indeed have an impressive list of qualifications. The list at the start of the reading details all the things he originally had confidence in.
They all combine to show someone who was deeply concerned with doing his best, and making sure he was right with God. He first had confidence in his race, emphasising that he was born of Hebrew parents (despite being born in the 'foreign' city of Tarsus) of the people of Israel and tribe of Benjamin, and that he was fully made a member of the race when he was circumcised.
He also had confidence in his religion. He was a Pharisee, one of those who took the Law of Moses seriously. In fact, they made it their aim in life to follow the law so carefully that no detail of life could be overlooked. And in Paul's case, in order to defend his religion, he made sure to attack the church when it was founded, because he saw it as a threat to his religion. This surely proved his devotion to the religion, and to the Law.
But even more than this, he had reached the very top. He had confidence in his righteousness. He says that 'under the law' he was considered 'blameless.' He isn't saying here that he had never sinned, but rather, that through following the law's demands, he had done all he could to take away his sin, and could be considered perfect.
As one writer puts it, 'If there had been a Pharisee of the Year competition, Paul would have won it.' All his energy went into trying to be right with God, to be pleasing to God.
Paul's confidence was all in himself, and in what he had achieved. But that situation changed dramatically and suddenly when he met the Risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. And now, years after, Paul could see that his confidence had been misplaced. He had been doing it wrong the whole time. He had been building on sand.
Now, Paul's confidence was not in himself, but rather, in what God has done for him in Jesus. We find it in verse 9, where he gives the grounds for his righteousness. 'not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.'
Paul's confidence was in what Jesus achieved on the cross, as Jesus paid for his sins, and brought him peace. Paul could approach God with confidence, because Jesus had made him right with God. And that approach could only be made by faith.
In many ways, Paul's testimony is like the parable of the two men in the temple. Jesus told the parable 'to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt' – Jesus' hearers were putting their confidence in themselves. And so Jesus tells the parable: '10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
And what do we find? The Pharisee, the one who had confidence in himself, who boasted about the things that he did, wasn't justified in the sight of God. He hadn't lied in what he said, he told the whole truth, but he wasn't praying to God – he was talking to himself. His confidence was in what he was doing. That was how he thought he could get right with God, and be acceptable to God.
But the tax collector's confidence wasn't in himself – he knew how bad he was. His confidence was in the mercy of God, as he prayed 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' And the end result was that he was justified. God accepted his humble cry, and had mercy on him.
The challenge for us is the same. As we come before God tonight at Communion, what is our confidence based on? Do we come thinking that we're good enough to approach God, that we deserve his mercy because of what we do for him? That we're doing God a favour by being here? Or do we come, knowing our weakness, knowing our failings, knowing that we have sinned, and that we come only through the merits of Jesus, having confidence in his death for us?
Perhaps when the time comes tonight, we will have a pause before the Prayer of Humble Access. That will give us the chance to fully think about the words we say – words which are so familiar, they can trip off our tongue without engaging our mind. And through them let’s remember that we can only approach the Table through God’s mercy, and not in anything of ourselves.
Having confidence in Jesus brings some changes. For Paul, it meant the complete change in his thinking and priorities. No longer could he trust in his own achievements, nor have confidence in what he was doing himself. It was only when he realised that he wasn't good enough by himself, that Paul could find confidence in God. And the things that he had previously trusted in? He counted them as worthless, as a loss, as rubbish, compared to knowing Jesus.
The same is true for us. If we have previously found our confidence in our race, or culture, or religion, or our outward righteousness, then we need to forget those things, and count them as a loss. Because if our confidence is in Jesus, and we are made right with God through him, then nothing else really matters.
Are there things that you have been building your life upon? Are there things that you have confidence in, to make you right with God? Are there things you need to change?
Having confidence in Jesus also brings hope. We read that Paul was simply bursting with hope, which was one of the reasons why he keeps reminding the Philippians to rejoice, to be joyful. And what was his hope?
Paul's hope can be found in verses 10-14. He was looking forward to gaining Christ, knowing him, being found in him. And at the end of all things, he was looking forward to the resurrection from the dead, and to the 'goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.'
Quite a lot to unpack! For Paul, while his hope looks to the future, to the fulfilment of all things in the resurrection, his hope is firmly grounded in what has gone before. It is only through Jesus' death and through having faith in Jesus that Paul can look forward to the resurrection, to the time when he will be raised from the dead, perfected, to be with Christ forever.
And having this confidence in Jesus, with the hope it brings, also leads to changes in how we live our lives in the meantime. Because, as Paul says several times – God isn’t finished with me yet… ‘Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect’ (v12), and ‘I do not consider that I have made it my own’ (v13). The Christian faith is not solely concerned with this life – there’s more to come.
You see, so many preachers, and especially some of the tele-evangelists preach a message of prosperity. They try to tell their hearers that God’s blessings consist only, or mainly of wealth and riches in this world. And so they promise all sorts of things if you support their ministry, and pledge money to their campaigns. But they miss out on the fact of eternity, and eternal life with God after the resurrection.
This world is not all there is. And so long as we’re in this life, we should be looking forward to what is to come, and preparing ourselves for what is to come. We aren’t yet perfect, and so God hasn’t finished with us yet. While we are still alive, we have so much still to do, as we become more like Jesus. And if the prize is still to come, if we haven’t finished yet, then how should we live our life?
For Paul, with the prize ahead, he aims to run to win. The image is of the Olympic athlete, straining forward to win the prize. Now, we don’t have the Olympics on at present, but the Commonwealth Games organisers were very gracious in having them right now. Have you been watching the games at all? Would the athletes take it easy in a race, and not push forward as much as they could to win? After putting in so much effort to train for the games, they will surely push on as hard as they can, in order to win gold for their country.
In the same way, Paul says that he presses on to take hold of the prize awaiting for him. But even more than this, he runs to win, because he is sure of the prize awaiting him. We read, ‘I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.’ Or, in stronger words, as the NIV puts it, ‘I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.’
It's almost as if he is saying, because of what Jesus has already done, and what Jesus is going to do, then how can I do anything else? If the end is promised and secure, then I'm definitely going to run in order to make the end. He is confident of the prize, confident of the hope, confident of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, because his confidence is not in himself, but is rather in God, and in what God has done in Jesus.
So just as Paul framed his life around the hope set before him, let us, too, run in such a way to win the prize. As we find in Hebrews 12: ‘let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith’ (Heb 12:1-2).
And let us face the future with confidence, as we live our lives worthy of God, confident that he will enable us to win the prize.
And so I ask you tonight, do we fully realise the hope that we have? The future that is promised to us as sure? That we too will share in the resurrection from the dead, and will have the upward call of God in Christ Jesus? And all because of our confidence in Jesus, and in his promises!
Let us put our full confidence in Jesus, and in what he has done for us, and therefore, live in such a way as to win the prize, looking forward with confidence to our resurrection, and the fulfilment of his promises.
And what about when it comes to the future? How confident are you when you think about the future? Do you look forward to what is coming, or does it all fill you with fear? Or what about confidence when approaching God? Are you right with God tonight?
In our reading, Paul writes about confidence, as he talks about his testimony. We'll see that he moves from confidence in himself and in his own achievements, to confidence in God, and what he has done for us in Jesus. We'll then look at what that confidence meant for Paul, and how we too can be confident for the future.
For most of his life, Paul had put his confidence in the flesh. He thought that to be right with God, you had to follow all the rules, and that it depended on what he did. And he does indeed have an impressive list of qualifications. The list at the start of the reading details all the things he originally had confidence in.
They all combine to show someone who was deeply concerned with doing his best, and making sure he was right with God. He first had confidence in his race, emphasising that he was born of Hebrew parents (despite being born in the 'foreign' city of Tarsus) of the people of Israel and tribe of Benjamin, and that he was fully made a member of the race when he was circumcised.
He also had confidence in his religion. He was a Pharisee, one of those who took the Law of Moses seriously. In fact, they made it their aim in life to follow the law so carefully that no detail of life could be overlooked. And in Paul's case, in order to defend his religion, he made sure to attack the church when it was founded, because he saw it as a threat to his religion. This surely proved his devotion to the religion, and to the Law.
But even more than this, he had reached the very top. He had confidence in his righteousness. He says that 'under the law' he was considered 'blameless.' He isn't saying here that he had never sinned, but rather, that through following the law's demands, he had done all he could to take away his sin, and could be considered perfect.
As one writer puts it, 'If there had been a Pharisee of the Year competition, Paul would have won it.' All his energy went into trying to be right with God, to be pleasing to God.
Paul's confidence was all in himself, and in what he had achieved. But that situation changed dramatically and suddenly when he met the Risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. And now, years after, Paul could see that his confidence had been misplaced. He had been doing it wrong the whole time. He had been building on sand.
Now, Paul's confidence was not in himself, but rather, in what God has done for him in Jesus. We find it in verse 9, where he gives the grounds for his righteousness. 'not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.'
Paul's confidence was in what Jesus achieved on the cross, as Jesus paid for his sins, and brought him peace. Paul could approach God with confidence, because Jesus had made him right with God. And that approach could only be made by faith.
In many ways, Paul's testimony is like the parable of the two men in the temple. Jesus told the parable 'to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt' – Jesus' hearers were putting their confidence in themselves. And so Jesus tells the parable: '10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
And what do we find? The Pharisee, the one who had confidence in himself, who boasted about the things that he did, wasn't justified in the sight of God. He hadn't lied in what he said, he told the whole truth, but he wasn't praying to God – he was talking to himself. His confidence was in what he was doing. That was how he thought he could get right with God, and be acceptable to God.
But the tax collector's confidence wasn't in himself – he knew how bad he was. His confidence was in the mercy of God, as he prayed 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' And the end result was that he was justified. God accepted his humble cry, and had mercy on him.
The challenge for us is the same. As we come before God tonight at Communion, what is our confidence based on? Do we come thinking that we're good enough to approach God, that we deserve his mercy because of what we do for him? That we're doing God a favour by being here? Or do we come, knowing our weakness, knowing our failings, knowing that we have sinned, and that we come only through the merits of Jesus, having confidence in his death for us?
Perhaps when the time comes tonight, we will have a pause before the Prayer of Humble Access. That will give us the chance to fully think about the words we say – words which are so familiar, they can trip off our tongue without engaging our mind. And through them let’s remember that we can only approach the Table through God’s mercy, and not in anything of ourselves.
Having confidence in Jesus brings some changes. For Paul, it meant the complete change in his thinking and priorities. No longer could he trust in his own achievements, nor have confidence in what he was doing himself. It was only when he realised that he wasn't good enough by himself, that Paul could find confidence in God. And the things that he had previously trusted in? He counted them as worthless, as a loss, as rubbish, compared to knowing Jesus.
The same is true for us. If we have previously found our confidence in our race, or culture, or religion, or our outward righteousness, then we need to forget those things, and count them as a loss. Because if our confidence is in Jesus, and we are made right with God through him, then nothing else really matters.
Are there things that you have been building your life upon? Are there things that you have confidence in, to make you right with God? Are there things you need to change?
Having confidence in Jesus also brings hope. We read that Paul was simply bursting with hope, which was one of the reasons why he keeps reminding the Philippians to rejoice, to be joyful. And what was his hope?
Paul's hope can be found in verses 10-14. He was looking forward to gaining Christ, knowing him, being found in him. And at the end of all things, he was looking forward to the resurrection from the dead, and to the 'goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.'
Quite a lot to unpack! For Paul, while his hope looks to the future, to the fulfilment of all things in the resurrection, his hope is firmly grounded in what has gone before. It is only through Jesus' death and through having faith in Jesus that Paul can look forward to the resurrection, to the time when he will be raised from the dead, perfected, to be with Christ forever.
And having this confidence in Jesus, with the hope it brings, also leads to changes in how we live our lives in the meantime. Because, as Paul says several times – God isn’t finished with me yet… ‘Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect’ (v12), and ‘I do not consider that I have made it my own’ (v13). The Christian faith is not solely concerned with this life – there’s more to come.
You see, so many preachers, and especially some of the tele-evangelists preach a message of prosperity. They try to tell their hearers that God’s blessings consist only, or mainly of wealth and riches in this world. And so they promise all sorts of things if you support their ministry, and pledge money to their campaigns. But they miss out on the fact of eternity, and eternal life with God after the resurrection.
This world is not all there is. And so long as we’re in this life, we should be looking forward to what is to come, and preparing ourselves for what is to come. We aren’t yet perfect, and so God hasn’t finished with us yet. While we are still alive, we have so much still to do, as we become more like Jesus. And if the prize is still to come, if we haven’t finished yet, then how should we live our life?
For Paul, with the prize ahead, he aims to run to win. The image is of the Olympic athlete, straining forward to win the prize. Now, we don’t have the Olympics on at present, but the Commonwealth Games organisers were very gracious in having them right now. Have you been watching the games at all? Would the athletes take it easy in a race, and not push forward as much as they could to win? After putting in so much effort to train for the games, they will surely push on as hard as they can, in order to win gold for their country.
In the same way, Paul says that he presses on to take hold of the prize awaiting for him. But even more than this, he runs to win, because he is sure of the prize awaiting him. We read, ‘I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.’ Or, in stronger words, as the NIV puts it, ‘I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.’
It's almost as if he is saying, because of what Jesus has already done, and what Jesus is going to do, then how can I do anything else? If the end is promised and secure, then I'm definitely going to run in order to make the end. He is confident of the prize, confident of the hope, confident of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, because his confidence is not in himself, but is rather in God, and in what God has done in Jesus.
So just as Paul framed his life around the hope set before him, let us, too, run in such a way to win the prize. As we find in Hebrews 12: ‘let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith’ (Heb 12:1-2).
And let us face the future with confidence, as we live our lives worthy of God, confident that he will enable us to win the prize.
And so I ask you tonight, do we fully realise the hope that we have? The future that is promised to us as sure? That we too will share in the resurrection from the dead, and will have the upward call of God in Christ Jesus? And all because of our confidence in Jesus, and in his promises!
Let us put our full confidence in Jesus, and in what he has done for us, and therefore, live in such a way as to win the prize, looking forward with confidence to our resurrection, and the fulfilment of his promises.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Commonwealth Wishes
And so it's another season of competitions, this time the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. Once again, we have the opportunity to support our wee country, that is, Northern Ireland! Special well wishes go to Roger Aiken, competing for NI in the Cycling Road Race, on Tuesday. It's amazing to think that soemone I went to school with is now off representing our country at the Commonwealths... When I hear results, I will of course post them!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Arrival Home
Just to say that yes, I did arrive home last night, at just about midnight. So far I haven't been able to write up my last day in Venice, but it will come shortly... In the meantime I'm enjoying the rest of my holiday, and preparing for preaching in the Cathedral on Sunday night. Prayers will be muchly appreciated!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Venice Part Ten
Our final day in Venice dawned, and we had an earlier start than usual, with the whole business of checking out from the convent to be completed. That done, we made for the Doge's Palace (officially known as the Palazzo Ducale). The Doge was the head of state in the Venetian Republic, while it lasted, and the palace is located beside the Basilica, just off St Mark's Square.
The Palace contains not only the official residence of the Doge, but also the state chambers, for the different meeting rooms and chambers, as well as the Republic's courtrooms. The tour allows visitors to see all these areas, with their impressive paintings on the walls and the gilded decorations. The only downside was that the palace was crowded with lots of tour groups (in various languages), so in some of the rooms there was a bit of a crush.
Near the end of the tour, you move across the Bridge of Sighs, an enclosed bridge high up, which leads over a canal to the prisons. None of the cells were very big, and if you suffer from claustrophobia, then it isn't the place for you. After the tour we had some free time before heading off to the airport.
So for my last few hours in Venice, I set off on the riverbus and crossed to the Salute church. This was a plague church, built to give thanks for the ending of a plague, and is completely circular. The central section of the church is roped off, but you can get right around the outer edge of the interior. From there, I passed the Guggenheim Collection of modern art – it just isn't my thing, and went over Accademie to check my emails again in my favourite internet cafe. Next on the agenda was a wander up towards the Rialto, for the last bit of window and stall shopping, then across to get lunch in the place we had eaten dinner on the first night. Again, it was of course pizza, and was most enjoyable. I still wasn't getting fed up of the salami pizzas, so that did me for lunch.
Then it was off down the Grand Canal again on the riverbus, to Accademie, where I set off back towards the convent, spending the last half hour of so people watching and enjoying an ice cream in the sunshine in the square outside St Barnabas, waiting on Indiana Jones to appear. Sadly, he didn't show up during my time, so I headed back to the convent.
Our departure was as our arrival, in that we returned back up the Grand Canal to the bus station, and then on out to the airport. The flight home was rather good, and I managed to get a good bit of reading done during the flight. Oh, and the hot panini with ham and cheese was very hot! With a good drive up the M1, I was home for just before midnight, and glad to be home!
On reflection, the study trip was well worth it, giving us experiences of meeting people from different backgrounds and experiences (Lutherans from Germany and Tanzania, Anglicans from Italy, Tanzania and Nigeria, the Waldensian pastor), as well as showing us at firsthand the various styles of church architecture and the periods of church history. A big thank you must go to the principal for arranging the trip and some finance towards it, and also to Alan for arranging the meetings and activities with his contacts in Venice.
The Palace contains not only the official residence of the Doge, but also the state chambers, for the different meeting rooms and chambers, as well as the Republic's courtrooms. The tour allows visitors to see all these areas, with their impressive paintings on the walls and the gilded decorations. The only downside was that the palace was crowded with lots of tour groups (in various languages), so in some of the rooms there was a bit of a crush.
Near the end of the tour, you move across the Bridge of Sighs, an enclosed bridge high up, which leads over a canal to the prisons. None of the cells were very big, and if you suffer from claustrophobia, then it isn't the place for you. After the tour we had some free time before heading off to the airport.
So for my last few hours in Venice, I set off on the riverbus and crossed to the Salute church. This was a plague church, built to give thanks for the ending of a plague, and is completely circular. The central section of the church is roped off, but you can get right around the outer edge of the interior. From there, I passed the Guggenheim Collection of modern art – it just isn't my thing, and went over Accademie to check my emails again in my favourite internet cafe. Next on the agenda was a wander up towards the Rialto, for the last bit of window and stall shopping, then across to get lunch in the place we had eaten dinner on the first night. Again, it was of course pizza, and was most enjoyable. I still wasn't getting fed up of the salami pizzas, so that did me for lunch.
Then it was off down the Grand Canal again on the riverbus, to Accademie, where I set off back towards the convent, spending the last half hour of so people watching and enjoying an ice cream in the sunshine in the square outside St Barnabas, waiting on Indiana Jones to appear. Sadly, he didn't show up during my time, so I headed back to the convent.
Our departure was as our arrival, in that we returned back up the Grand Canal to the bus station, and then on out to the airport. The flight home was rather good, and I managed to get a good bit of reading done during the flight. Oh, and the hot panini with ham and cheese was very hot! With a good drive up the M1, I was home for just before midnight, and glad to be home!
On reflection, the study trip was well worth it, giving us experiences of meeting people from different backgrounds and experiences (Lutherans from Germany and Tanzania, Anglicans from Italy, Tanzania and Nigeria, the Waldensian pastor), as well as showing us at firsthand the various styles of church architecture and the periods of church history. A big thank you must go to the principal for arranging the trip and some finance towards it, and also to Alan for arranging the meetings and activities with his contacts in Venice.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Venice Part Nine
Our last evening in Venice was marked by going for dinner, and we returned to the same place we had been to on Saturday. The food was again excellent, and of course, it had to be pizza! I started with the same salami pizza from Saturday, but added peppers. The others got a more fancy one which, among other things, had a fried egg on it. I couldn't bring myself to try it though.
We went for a bit of a walk and stopped for coffee. I'm not sure what notion took us, but we decided to sit outside. Those actually drinking coffee may have been heated by it, but for me, orange fanta only made me colder! That done, we then returned to the convent - our earliest return, but on the last night we're all just a bit tired.
Our flight tomorrow isn't until the evening, so we're going to have a bit of time to wander for the final time. Then home again!
We went for a bit of a walk and stopped for coffee. I'm not sure what notion took us, but we decided to sit outside. Those actually drinking coffee may have been heated by it, but for me, orange fanta only made me colder! That done, we then returned to the convent - our earliest return, but on the last night we're all just a bit tired.
Our flight tomorrow isn't until the evening, so we're going to have a bit of time to wander for the final time. Then home again!
Venice Part Eight
This morning we were up and off again to the Institute, so the boat journey was the same as yesterday. For a bit of variety, we stood on the opposite side, but this meant that we were on the seaward side going round the islands. The wind would have cut corn, and was trying to go through us for a short cut, to coin a couple of phrases! So my photo-taking was cut short as we sought some shelter. En route, the principal talked about the Waldensians, in order to prepare us for the morning's session.
We were joined by the Anglican Chaplain and the Waldensian pastor, who told us about their churches' histories and how they came to be in Venice. We were then able to ask some questions to find out a bit more. What was really interesting was the Waldensian pastor said the debate within his mind was whether Italy was like the Galatians (in that they had heard and known the gospel but had forgotten it and been led astray by outward things), or like the Athenians (in that they had never heard the gospel and were a religious but godless society). But either way, Italy, like Ireland, needs the gospel.
Sadly we weren't staying for lunch, so after a quick reception, we set off for some sightseeing. We visited the Cathedral of St Peter of Castello. This is the 'middle' cathedral, as the oldest is on Torchello, one of the other islands, and the present cathedral is St Mark's Basilica. Inside, like the others, there were a lot of altars, statues and paintings, including one remarkable painting of what can only be described as the 'Bling' Madonna and Child, due to the shiny silver necklaces they're both wearing. Again, the 'priests' line got us in for free, although the woman raised an objection to the principal's wife, until it was explained we were Anglicans!
We then headed to St Mark's Square, to visit the 'new' cathedral, St Mark's Basilica. This one is free to get into for everyone (not just priests and seminarians), but the best bits are all separate pay-in sections. First, we went up the steep steps in the entrance hall, which brings you to the museum and gallery. A man was waiting at the top to relieve us of 3 euro, but it was well worth it. The vies, both inside the church, and outside on the balcony overlooking the square were worth the money.
The basicila's interior is covered in mosaics, from the top of the five domes to the floor, depicting bible stories and saints, which the floor is made up of intricate tiled patterns.
It is called St Mark's because the Venetians stole the body of St Mark from Alexandria (Egypt) in the 9th century and placed it under the high altar. So seemingly the Venetians haven't heard of the modern Biblical criticism, which would insist that there wasn't really a man called Mark who wrote his gospel. Behind the high altar (entry 1.50 euro), there is a huge altar piece of gold and gems, which contains about 2000 jewels, and features images from the life of Jesus, the disciples, saints, and even contains the story of the theft of St Mark by the Venetians!
We then moved out into one of the side alleys off St Mark's for some coffee before splitting up for some free time. So I checked my emails, and wandered up to Rialto, purchasing some souviners for the parents and such like. The riverbus again was useful in returning me to St Baranba's and the convent.
We were joined by the Anglican Chaplain and the Waldensian pastor, who told us about their churches' histories and how they came to be in Venice. We were then able to ask some questions to find out a bit more. What was really interesting was the Waldensian pastor said the debate within his mind was whether Italy was like the Galatians (in that they had heard and known the gospel but had forgotten it and been led astray by outward things), or like the Athenians (in that they had never heard the gospel and were a religious but godless society). But either way, Italy, like Ireland, needs the gospel.
Sadly we weren't staying for lunch, so after a quick reception, we set off for some sightseeing. We visited the Cathedral of St Peter of Castello. This is the 'middle' cathedral, as the oldest is on Torchello, one of the other islands, and the present cathedral is St Mark's Basilica. Inside, like the others, there were a lot of altars, statues and paintings, including one remarkable painting of what can only be described as the 'Bling' Madonna and Child, due to the shiny silver necklaces they're both wearing. Again, the 'priests' line got us in for free, although the woman raised an objection to the principal's wife, until it was explained we were Anglicans!
We then headed to St Mark's Square, to visit the 'new' cathedral, St Mark's Basilica. This one is free to get into for everyone (not just priests and seminarians), but the best bits are all separate pay-in sections. First, we went up the steep steps in the entrance hall, which brings you to the museum and gallery. A man was waiting at the top to relieve us of 3 euro, but it was well worth it. The vies, both inside the church, and outside on the balcony overlooking the square were worth the money.
The basicila's interior is covered in mosaics, from the top of the five domes to the floor, depicting bible stories and saints, which the floor is made up of intricate tiled patterns.
It is called St Mark's because the Venetians stole the body of St Mark from Alexandria (Egypt) in the 9th century and placed it under the high altar. So seemingly the Venetians haven't heard of the modern Biblical criticism, which would insist that there wasn't really a man called Mark who wrote his gospel. Behind the high altar (entry 1.50 euro), there is a huge altar piece of gold and gems, which contains about 2000 jewels, and features images from the life of Jesus, the disciples, saints, and even contains the story of the theft of St Mark by the Venetians!
We then moved out into one of the side alleys off St Mark's for some coffee before splitting up for some free time. So I checked my emails, and wandered up to Rialto, purchasing some souviners for the parents and such like. The riverbus again was useful in returning me to St Baranba's and the convent.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Venice Part Seven
Just one item of business to report on since the last update. Tonight was our 'gala dinner', which was basically a thank you to those who have helped us and hosted us over our stay. So we had Lady Clark, and the Anglican chaplain and his wife, and Roberto and Jurg from the Ecumenical Institute. The meal was great, with my first course being pasta, meat and tomato sauce, and the second grilled sea bass with thin potatoes on top.
I was sitting beside Jurg, and learnt a lot about the German Lutheran system, and their education system. But then the bext topic of conversation began, as we discussed international football, especially the glory of Northern Ireland's victory over England in September! He also remembered one night we were leading 1-0 in a game Germany had to win, and it wasn't until the 70th minute they started scoring, with the game ending up 4-1 or 5-1.
However, on a less pleasant note, I have gone a full day without eating pizza! No doubt I'll remedy that by this time tomorrow. Now it's getting late and I'm ready for bed, before tomorrow's excitement and adventure.
I was sitting beside Jurg, and learnt a lot about the German Lutheran system, and their education system. But then the bext topic of conversation began, as we discussed international football, especially the glory of Northern Ireland's victory over England in September! He also remembered one night we were leading 1-0 in a game Germany had to win, and it wasn't until the 70th minute they started scoring, with the game ending up 4-1 or 5-1.
However, on a less pleasant note, I have gone a full day without eating pizza! No doubt I'll remedy that by this time tomorrow. Now it's getting late and I'm ready for bed, before tomorrow's excitement and adventure.
Venice Part Six
Just to prove this trip is not a holiday, we set off this morning to the Ecumenical Study Institute. to facilitate all our travel until we go home, we bought the 3-day tourist travel pass, which means we can hop on and off the riverbus at will (although the hopping off will only be done at the stops!). The journey to the Institute took forty minutes, taking us around most of the main island.
Being an island with no vehicles able to go past the car park on the landside edge of the city, everything you can think of that depends on vehicles is done by boat. Hence the funeral hearse boat we saw on Saturday. Today we saw the other necessities - police, ambulance, postman and DHL, all on their own boats. We even saw a coffin being moved, on a trolley rather similar to the ones used to transport televisions and fruit. The other main thing is that there's no bin lorry! Rubbish is collected by refuse collectors with trolleys, then transferred to barges along the sides of the canals.
So anyway, we arrived at the Institute, and were offered coffee. Once again, I had to refuse - I think people here think I'm a rather odd creature for not drinking coffee, and refusing alcohol all the time... We then had a short session with the principal, learning about the role of Venice through the centuries, and particularly the Byzantine influence. We then moved into another room where we met some of the Institutes's students. They come from around the world, including Germany, Ecuador, Congo and Tanzania, and there are Coptics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Orthodox and Catholics.
At lunch, we were divided out round the dining room, with two people at each table round the outsid eof the room. Thankfully, they made sure we were with people who could speak English. My dining partner was Iohannes, a Lutheran pastor from Tanzania. It was interesting to share with him our experiences, and learn a bit about the Lutheran church in Africa.
During the coffee time after the meal (a first course of pasta, which we thought was the meal... then chicken, potatoes and a huge variety of vegetables, then a choice of two desserts - apple crumble and a red fruit salad), Canon John, the Anglican from Tanzania gave us a tour of the college. His room was much larger than ours are in Dublin, then he showed us the vineyards (the Institute grows its own grapes and makes its own wine), poultry farm, boatshed, chapel, chapter room and church.
We then left the Institute, and split up for an afternoon of free time. So I went round by St Mark's Square (by-passing it as we're going there tomorrow), and browsed some of the shops on the way to Rialto and on towards the ghetto. Having the riverbus ticket, I headed down to the canal back to Rialto, and checked out the market stalls and shops. Then back on the riverbus to Accademie, where I wandered and checked emails, and chatted on msn to Lynsey!
After that, I was busting for the toilet, so used the pay loo under Accademie bridge. It was a scandalous rip-off of one euro admittance, but I felt it was worth is... staying longer than the time switch thought appropriate for a stay in the loo. Thankfully it came on again without any problem by flicking the switch again!
Having still some time free, I hopped onto a passing riverbus, and journeyed to the east, where I hadn't been yet. Tyhe sunset was rather good, and I hope I got some good photos of the red sky behind the towers and spires. then I transferred to one coming back the other way, except it decided to go round the back of Dursduro, but with my trusty map and sense of direction, I was able to find my way back to the convent - and probably with a shorter walk than the stop I intended to get off at!
Being an island with no vehicles able to go past the car park on the landside edge of the city, everything you can think of that depends on vehicles is done by boat. Hence the funeral hearse boat we saw on Saturday. Today we saw the other necessities - police, ambulance, postman and DHL, all on their own boats. We even saw a coffin being moved, on a trolley rather similar to the ones used to transport televisions and fruit. The other main thing is that there's no bin lorry! Rubbish is collected by refuse collectors with trolleys, then transferred to barges along the sides of the canals.
So anyway, we arrived at the Institute, and were offered coffee. Once again, I had to refuse - I think people here think I'm a rather odd creature for not drinking coffee, and refusing alcohol all the time... We then had a short session with the principal, learning about the role of Venice through the centuries, and particularly the Byzantine influence. We then moved into another room where we met some of the Institutes's students. They come from around the world, including Germany, Ecuador, Congo and Tanzania, and there are Coptics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Orthodox and Catholics.
At lunch, we were divided out round the dining room, with two people at each table round the outsid eof the room. Thankfully, they made sure we were with people who could speak English. My dining partner was Iohannes, a Lutheran pastor from Tanzania. It was interesting to share with him our experiences, and learn a bit about the Lutheran church in Africa.
During the coffee time after the meal (a first course of pasta, which we thought was the meal... then chicken, potatoes and a huge variety of vegetables, then a choice of two desserts - apple crumble and a red fruit salad), Canon John, the Anglican from Tanzania gave us a tour of the college. His room was much larger than ours are in Dublin, then he showed us the vineyards (the Institute grows its own grapes and makes its own wine), poultry farm, boatshed, chapel, chapter room and church.
We then left the Institute, and split up for an afternoon of free time. So I went round by St Mark's Square (by-passing it as we're going there tomorrow), and browsed some of the shops on the way to Rialto and on towards the ghetto. Having the riverbus ticket, I headed down to the canal back to Rialto, and checked out the market stalls and shops. Then back on the riverbus to Accademie, where I wandered and checked emails, and chatted on msn to Lynsey!
After that, I was busting for the toilet, so used the pay loo under Accademie bridge. It was a scandalous rip-off of one euro admittance, but I felt it was worth is... staying longer than the time switch thought appropriate for a stay in the loo. Thankfully it came on again without any problem by flicking the switch again!
Having still some time free, I hopped onto a passing riverbus, and journeyed to the east, where I hadn't been yet. Tyhe sunset was rather good, and I hope I got some good photos of the red sky behind the towers and spires. then I transferred to one coming back the other way, except it decided to go round the back of Dursduro, but with my trusty map and sense of direction, I was able to find my way back to the convent - and probably with a shorter walk than the stop I intended to get off at!
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Venice Part Five
After lunch, we had the afternoon free, so I went for a wander round by the Friary, by Rialto (where many small shops and market stalls are), and crossed the Rialto bridge over the Grand Canal. From there, a maze of streets, alleys and bridges lead towards St Mark's Square, where I was able to take a few photos. then I walked back towards the Accademie bridge, checking emails on the way. At Accademie, I took a few more photos, before returning to the convent.
Our next engagement was with Peter and Lady Rose, in their home in the world's first ghetto. Lady Rose is a member of the Mountstewart family from Strangford, but has lived in Venice for a long time. Her grandfather was Lord Londonderry, the first Minister of Education in the NI Parliament, and her ancestors include Castlereagh, who was involved in the Irish Act of Union 1800. Her bathroom contains an autographed picture of a famous politician, which I had to be shown! Peter is an authority on Venice, and they talked to us about its history, as well as what its like to live there now.
As we broke into smaller groups, Peter and the principal delved deep into Byzantine history and stayed there... until Alan decided it was time to leave!
It was getting late, so we walked back to the square where we had eaten on the first night, and found another restaurant. Having already eaten pizza today, it had to be spaghetti, of the bolognese variety. And so our second full day comes to an end.
Our next engagement was with Peter and Lady Rose, in their home in the world's first ghetto. Lady Rose is a member of the Mountstewart family from Strangford, but has lived in Venice for a long time. Her grandfather was Lord Londonderry, the first Minister of Education in the NI Parliament, and her ancestors include Castlereagh, who was involved in the Irish Act of Union 1800. Her bathroom contains an autographed picture of a famous politician, which I had to be shown! Peter is an authority on Venice, and they talked to us about its history, as well as what its like to live there now.
As we broke into smaller groups, Peter and the principal delved deep into Byzantine history and stayed there... until Alan decided it was time to leave!
It was getting late, so we walked back to the square where we had eaten on the first night, and found another restaurant. Having already eaten pizza today, it had to be spaghetti, of the bolognese variety. And so our second full day comes to an end.
Venice Part Four
This morning we had nothing on the agenda prior to church, so I managed to enjoy a lie in until 0930. We set off for church, getting breakfast on the way. The church had maybe 50 people present, for a service of 1662 Holy Communion. Alan said that some people come along as they're learning English and think it might help them, but I'm not sure how muhc the thee's and thou's would help!
The English Church isn't really like an Enclish church on the inside, being very simialr to the Venice churches we saw yesterday - a painting behind the 'altar' of Jesus, Moses and St George, and an elegant marble 'altar' up against the east wall.
The minister was dressed in an alb and chasuble, and the service was conducted with his back to the congregation, facing the 'altar' - more like a pre-Vatican II mass, than an Anglican Communion service. And it seemed to me that despite their great love of the 1662 BCP, many of the rubrics (the 'stage directions' and instructions for the minister and congregation) had been conveniently ignored - in celebrating with his back to the congregation, rather than from the north side, and in the use of wafers rather than bread.
The sermon wasn't bad, focusing on Romans 4, doing a fair job of talking about Abraham being justified by faith, and how we also need to be made right with God by faith in Jesus.
When it came to receiving Communion, we went up to the front, and knelt at the rail. Normally Communion rails are solid and fixed, but when we leaned on it, it shot forward... then another of our party came to the other end, and it rotated back towards us!
After the service, refreshments were available at the bacj, and we had an opportunity to tlak to some of the congregation. We then went for coffee down the street, and were joined by Lady Clark again, who seemed to be one of the Churchwardens.
On our way to lunch, we bumped into some of our African Anglican brothers, from Tanzania and Nigeria. They were coming from their service i Padova to the Church Council meeting in Venice.
Lunch was more pizza (yes, again), on the edge of Dursoduro, and was very good (salami and peppers). The sleet which had been falling before church was finished and the sun was out again. Still slightly cold, but at least sunny!
The English Church isn't really like an Enclish church on the inside, being very simialr to the Venice churches we saw yesterday - a painting behind the 'altar' of Jesus, Moses and St George, and an elegant marble 'altar' up against the east wall.
The minister was dressed in an alb and chasuble, and the service was conducted with his back to the congregation, facing the 'altar' - more like a pre-Vatican II mass, than an Anglican Communion service. And it seemed to me that despite their great love of the 1662 BCP, many of the rubrics (the 'stage directions' and instructions for the minister and congregation) had been conveniently ignored - in celebrating with his back to the congregation, rather than from the north side, and in the use of wafers rather than bread.
The sermon wasn't bad, focusing on Romans 4, doing a fair job of talking about Abraham being justified by faith, and how we also need to be made right with God by faith in Jesus.
When it came to receiving Communion, we went up to the front, and knelt at the rail. Normally Communion rails are solid and fixed, but when we leaned on it, it shot forward... then another of our party came to the other end, and it rotated back towards us!
After the service, refreshments were available at the bacj, and we had an opportunity to tlak to some of the congregation. We then went for coffee down the street, and were joined by Lady Clark again, who seemed to be one of the Churchwardens.
On our way to lunch, we bumped into some of our African Anglican brothers, from Tanzania and Nigeria. They were coming from their service i Padova to the Church Council meeting in Venice.
Lunch was more pizza (yes, again), on the edge of Dursoduro, and was very good (salami and peppers). The sleet which had been falling before church was finished and the sun was out again. Still slightly cold, but at least sunny!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Venice Part Three
Moving on from lunch, we went to the Gallerie dell Accademie, the huge art museum. We started with a whistle-stop tour of the galleries with Martin showing us some highlights (he'd been there before), then a slower journey through, discussing some of the religious paintings on view. Not that the paintings were religious, but that they showed religious things! It being a Catholic place, lots of the pictures were of the Annunciation, the Pieta and the Coronation of Mary in heaven.
After the Gallerie, we had some free time, spent back at the convent relaxing and writing up the journal, then we ventured to the Friary to sit in on a mass. It was all completely over my head, being in Italian, but it was interesting to sit and watch the priest, server and congregation. The Friary itself is a huge building and was freezing!
We then went and had drinks, then dinner (another pizza, pepperoni this time). Oh, and we were overjoyed to hear the news of Ireland's rugby win!
I then wanted to check emails, but the internet cafe we went to had closed at 2000. so we headed on to St Mark's Square, the most famous part of Venice, and the big tourist trap. there weren't too many people about, and in the night time with the lights on, it looks so good. En route, we passed two concert halls with Vivaldi concerts (then passed the church he was the musician in), as well as an opera-singing busker! She had a backing tape playing on a stereo, and sang along - a much better class of busking than you would find in Belfast or Dublin!
We brought our evening to a close with yet more coffee (or coke in my case), and some lovely gelato (ice cream), and a walk back to the convent. Tomorrow we get a bit of a lie in before heading to the English church.
After the Gallerie, we had some free time, spent back at the convent relaxing and writing up the journal, then we ventured to the Friary to sit in on a mass. It was all completely over my head, being in Italian, but it was interesting to sit and watch the priest, server and congregation. The Friary itself is a huge building and was freezing!
We then went and had drinks, then dinner (another pizza, pepperoni this time). Oh, and we were overjoyed to hear the news of Ireland's rugby win!
I then wanted to check emails, but the internet cafe we went to had closed at 2000. so we headed on to St Mark's Square, the most famous part of Venice, and the big tourist trap. there weren't too many people about, and in the night time with the lights on, it looks so good. En route, we passed two concert halls with Vivaldi concerts (then passed the church he was the musician in), as well as an opera-singing busker! She had a backing tape playing on a stereo, and sang along - a much better class of busking than you would find in Belfast or Dublin!
We brought our evening to a close with yet more coffee (or coke in my case), and some lovely gelato (ice cream), and a walk back to the convent. Tomorrow we get a bit of a lie in before heading to the English church.
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