Friday, April 15, 2005

Term 1: Under the spotlight ...

Well, it has been quite a while since I posted (two whole months!). There are good reasons for this ... I've been busy with college life. Here are some of the highlights ...

Hebrew ...
Along with Greek is one of my favourite subjects; often wish that the Masoretic priests were a little more imaginative when they added vowels to the text; discovering that gel pens are the best invention for writing Hebrew.

Greek ...
Translating Mark's gospel and finding interesting things in the text; flows with our New Testament lectures (we're doing Mark, then we start Romans next semester).

Mission Foundations ...
Looking at a definition of mission; how evangelism relates to works of compassion; hearing more about social justice and how Christians should be involved.

Doctrine ...
Understanding the knowledge of God, the trinity and how God speaks; has helped me think through the reliability of the Bible and the idea of extra-biblical revelation (languages has helped with this as well - the fact that the text of the Bible is accessible, tangible and historically reliable is a fantastic provision of God).

Assignments ...
1) Comparing what Josephus (a Jewish historian) and the gospels record about John the Baptist. While some bits are the same the big thing that Josephus misses is that John is the promised forerunner to Israel's expected Messiah and that's pretty important!

2) Who is Paul speaking to in Romans 2:1-5? A details question so I liked it alot. There were two main issues here: Jews or Gentiles? Real or hypothetical? I concluded Paul was speaking to Gentiles and Jews who were a part of the Roman Christian community (because they had experienced the kindness of God) and who were judging those in Romans 1 while doing the same things themselves. I didn't find anyone with the same opinion. Trials for heretics don't begin until second year so I'm safe until then!*

Best effort at procrastinating so far ...
Spending 2 hours on the internet searching for origami patterns the Tuesday before my Greek exam.

Other highlights ...

  • being involved in speaking at Da Vinci Code night and leading a women’s Bible study group through an overview of the Bible on college mission
  • chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I’m being challenged about how to apply God’s word to my life by fellow students
  • cooking the infamous Chunky Chocolate Cookies for some college friends on Friday
  • watching Qld win the first State of Origin match with a bunch of NSWers
  • great Thai food, great live music (at The Vanguard), good coffee shops, great times card making and cross stitching ...

* Note: this doesn't actually happen!

Becoming famous ...

It's not The Courier Mail (or even the Sydney alternative) but I was recently interviewed for a "newspaper". I was among a few people who got interviewed this time 'round for the MooreWomen magazine Magnolia. Here's what I said ...

Current church ...
St Thomas’ Anglican Church, North Sydney

Home church ...
Sunday Night Open House (SNOH), a part of the Ann St Presbyterian Church, Brisbane

Currently reading ...
Selected Poetry of John Keats, and Foxe’s Book of Martyrs are among a few that I’m reading at the moment.

Favourite way to spend a Saturday night ...
Eating good Thai food with a small group of close friends while listening to a live band (preferably folk/jazz/alternative music).

Shows you’re watching on TV ...
If I get a chance it’s The Iron Chef or CSI (the original, not one of the spin-offs).

Sound you never want to hear again ...
My Dad and brother rejecting Christ.

Favourite place in Sydney ...
I don’t think I’ve been in Sydney long enough to find a favourite spot!

What’s in your CD player?
Life Sux by FAQ (a local Brisbane band made up of good friends … not sure if that title is appropriate at college, is it?).

Talent you wish you had ...
Singing because apparently all musos should be able to sing!

Favourite way to unwind ...
Walking on the beach or listening to music.

Favourite holiday destination ...
Tygalgah (a friend’s family farm near Murwullimbah) or Brunswick Heads, both in northern NSW.

Ideal ministry you’d like to be involved with ...
Teaching, encouraging and equipping for ministry women in Brisbane (or Fiji or … ).

On your birthday wish-list ...
A surprise, something unexpected whether it be a gift or a visit or an SMS!

How would you spend your last $5?
A good cup of chai tea (or two!)