Shalom

what sort of an evangelical am I

As this quiz suggests, I was raised an evangelical. I suspect from the slant of the questions that it will say that about pretty well all participants unless they rig their answers. I don't mind having Tom Wright in the picture, although I suspect this quiz is American in origin. I feel he may not be regarded as a high church nomad in real life, and I don't consider myself that either.

Once again, it's one of the major problems with labels. Terms are not defined. And what did I say that put Presbyterian up there well towards the top? Not me at all.

You scored as High Church Nomad, You were raised as some kind of evangelical, but you've started to appreciate other forms of Christian piety. Specifically, you're starting to think that Roman Catholics aren't as crazy as you once thought they were. You probably won't end up going home to Rome, but Canterbury has piqued your interest. High Church Nomad 70% Moderate Evangelical 60% Evangelical Presbyterian 55% Presby - Old School 40% Reformed Baptist 35% Baptist 35% Fightin' Fundy 30% Conservative Evangelical 25% What Kind of Evangelical Are You created with QuizFarm.com

patronal festival of st james

Two services were combined today for the patronal feast of St James at St James. There was an impressive procession, although the thurible did not seem to be working quite as well as it could have been. Small puffs of incense arose, instead of clouds.

The congregation sang really well and seemed to put a lot of effort into the processional hymn, For all the saints who from their labours rest... One of my favourites, as I firmly believe in the continuity of the faith and the great cloud of witnesses as described by the writer to the Hebrews. The emphasis on individualism in today's church leaves me cold, as does the number of small groups which have no connection to the rest of Christianity, and certainly no accountability.

The choir was in good form today and the dodgy sopranos from my last service there were now on the note. The setting was by Mozart, and I enjoyed it.

One thing I particularly like about this traditional naglican service is the readings. Many Anglican churches have dispensed with the traditional readings and may have just one. The last service I atttended at St John's Cathedral at Parramatta had only one reading and that wasn't from the lectionary. St James has Old and New Testament readings and the Gospel reading, where the thurible seemed to have finally warmed to its task today. The psalm was Psalm 126, those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy. I felt particularly one with the sentiment here and was much encouraged by it.

Dean Peta Sherlock, Dean of the Cathedral in Bendigo was the preacher. She spoke warmly and well. She said the scripture which had called to her from all for the day, was that particular psalm. Her exegesis was hidden but gave the sermon a strong skeleton which was fleshed out with several interlocking themes, neatly summarised at the end. She said she like preaching to have an eschatalogical flavour and I thought of the last part of the first hymn:

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array:
The King of Glory passes on his way.
Alleluya, Alleluya!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl, streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Alleluya, Alleluya!

The eucharist, another timeless link between Christians through the ages, left me nourished as I thought of the one perfect sacrifice of Christ and of his presence there today.

One other hymn also touched me. Christ is made the sure foundation and the precious corner stone.. I'll finish with its concluding verse.

Laud and honour to the Father; Laud and honour to the Son; Laud and honour to the Spirit; Ever Three and ever One: While unending ages run. Amen.

film archives

Australia has a long history of film making.

View some clips Here.

friends

It's been a beautiful day weatherwise today. Quite chilly but clear and sunny for most of the day. A friend and I went to visit other friends at Mittagong on the Southern Tablelands. These people have a comfortable home facing north, with a view well to the north over cattle fields and trees. It was great to be away from Sydney and all that currently stands for to me. Good food, laughter, good conversation on intelligent topics and friends. Neither of us wanted to return to Sydney,but we have booked another date to see them not far away.

the stress goes on

Life has been continung here, but not very pleasantly in many aspects. I did not use it, and I think it was meant to bully me, but a certain word was used. However, once words are spoken, they cannot easily be retracted.

I've been considering what might happen and have been seeing a counsellor too. I've had wonderful support from friends and my sons and daughters-in-law have been very helpful and supportive. I can see a couple of options and neither will be pleasant or quick. It's a case really of the old saying, " the devil you know and the devil you don't know," and I have decided that the devil I don't know is slightly less unattractive than the alternative.

As I said, I've been seeing a counsellor and have found this helpful in sorting out my mind into some type of order. Yesterday I needed to see the doctor to obtain a repeat prescription of some longstanding medication. I had promised the counsellor that I would mention my current problems as she thought there may be some depression there. I'm sure there is, but I'm really not keen on medication for that. I've started some meditation and am trying to take care of myself in other ways. I spoke to the doctor for quite a while. He felt as I do, that medication wasn't necessary at the moment. I'm to see him again in a week-ten days to reassess.

However, he was quite bothered by my poor sleep patterns which I know are part of depression. He thought that if these could be improved, then other things might also improve. He gave me a script for tablets to help me sleep. Now it's been well over twenty years, probably closer to thirty, since I had anything like that. Dosage was one to two tablets. I took one last night.

I didn't notice anything different about falling asleep and I was once again awake by 2:00 am. No more sleep last night. I didn't feel druggged or as if I'd had anything. I'm wondering if these are affecting me as a general anaesthetic does. Once I come round from one, I'm wide awake. My dad was the same.

I'll take two tonight and see what happens. If I still get the fidgets, then I'll be back to see him sooner rather than later. An average of two-three hours sleep/night is just not enough.

black dog again

I rather liked Chas' comment on my previous post. He wondered if a Cuban cigar would also help depression.

Certainly Churchill lived to a ripe old age. I once saw it suggested that his blood may have been pickled, so perhaps cigars and whisky, I think it was, both helped. Not my choice of cure, although I like and drink both wine and beer. I've just never appreciated whisky and other spirits.