Lost In Translation

WKC was an encouraging weekend, of learning, loving, caring, driving, and dining.

Amongst other things, the weekend served to refresh me in the Word of God, sharpened my understanding of His sovereignty, and reminded me that the glory of all things, both good and bad, belongs to Him alone.

It was nice to be away from Sydney. Fresh air. A house placed in the middle of nowhere. Quaint towns. Spectacular views.

Though the days were long, the teachings were faithful; the illustrations pertinent in bringing forth a deeper understanding of God's inherent nature, and the sharing, a testimony to the goodness, and compassion found in the grace of Christ.

I returned from Katoomba feeling inwardly renewed, though outwardly lacking in sleep my body so desperately desired.

Up until the weekend, life, though good, had been relatively unsettling. The time away has, in many ways, been an answered prayer in carrying me through a slight deviation in my walk. The faithfulness, kind corrections, love and thoughts from my brothers and sisters in Christ, continues to be nothing short of a blessing.

I suspect, my reading of Job, amongst other events, ruffled my unsuspecting feathers, and like all creatures of comfort, I found myself resisting change and discipline, as I stubbornly trusted in my own understanding rather than the One in whom I owe my life.

The book is unsettling at best, frustrating at parts, and unsatisfying in its pleasure at leaving the reader with a series of unanswered, and obviously irrelevant, questions. Again like any book in the Bible, the time spent in mulling through, and understanding the passages are well worth it.

This quote posted in Rachel's blog a while ago, made me sit back, and reflect on the meaning of music, and the power it has in speaking the words of my soul.

Music, of all the arts, goes directly to the heart, catching us out sometimes when in another part of ourselves we have already moved on.

- David Malouf

The music and lyrics in Avalon's Renew Me, captured the thoughts of my recent emotions - a desire to love, a resisting yet need for change, and a growing dependence on a will greater than my own.

Here are the lyrics.

Why am I such a dusty window
For your light to shine through?
Why am I just a tiny star
In a sky already blue?
Why do I offer everything
With my heart closed like a fist?
I want to love You better than this

Why do I live like I'm in chains
When You have set me free?
And why do I have to break Your heart
Before I fall to my knees?
I know it's time to pray for change
Give all I have to give
I want to love You better than this

So renew me
Remake me
Undo me
Unbreak me
Come into the empty spaces
Of my broken places
And consume me
Complete me
Pursue me
Redeem me
Let Your Holy Spirit living through me
Renew me

I need Your power to renew me, Lord, yeah
I need to know You're moving through me, Lord

I need You as my refuge
My first and last resort
Be the river always running
Through my deepest thoughts
Keep me in Your arms
'Cause even when I drift
I want to love You better than this

So renew me
Remake me
Undo me
Unbreak me
Come into the empty spaces
Of my broken places
And consume me
Complete me
Pursue me
Redeem me
Let Your Holy Spirit living through me
Renew me

My life bending to Your will
Seeking You until I'm more and more like You

Deuteronomy is next on the list. I started chapter one at lunch today. So far, it's been good, and already I'm reminded and challenged, by trusting in God, his faithfulness, and the wisdom in following his commands.

In many ways, I'm thankful that the new sermon series at Church, on James and wise living, is taken from the New Testament. I suspect it'll aid in providing a healthy balance, from the quiet times I'll be spending in the Old Testament during the week.

James is a good book. Practical. Pertinent. Challenging. It's an easy read, comparatively to the other 66 books. I recommend everyone, believer or not, to read it, well, at least once in their lifetime.

Had some interesting conversations at work with my Sales Manager, and my direct line Manager. Amongst other things, it reminded me about the common mistake people make at interpreting text. That is, they interpret the text as they would like to see it, rather than allowing the text to interpret itself. Otherwise, respectively known as the top-down, bottom-up approach.

All that aside, last Thursday night, I stumbled on a CD sale, and bought Michael Buble's previous album. Woo Hoo! I have since found myself surrendering to the comfort of his voice, as I prepare for peaceful nights of rest and renewal.