My mom came to visit us from the US in late August/early September and since her birthday was a week after she left us, I thought I’d take her out for high tea at the Tea House at Macquarie Centre and to the movies to see My Sister’s Keeper. We had a great time and it was during our high tea at the Tea House that I tried my first ever French macaron! Instantly hooked! Two varieties - Strawberry and Pistachio - simply AMAZING!  But at $2 each, I thought I could quickly send us bankrupt, so what else could I do but work out how to make them at home. And wouldn’t you know that macarons are everywhere in cyberspace! Prophecies that they’ll be the new cupcake - and I couldn’t agree more!

My first attempt was a Chocolate macaron and when it didn’t turn out very well, I suddenly recalled that French macarons were one of the tougher components of a Pressure Test on MasterChef Australia – and felt both scared, and slightly relieved – you see, mine didn’t look the best, but they didn’t look as bad as the bad ones on MasterChef either. Then I found Kitchen Musings, and was also reassured that chocolate macarons are a bit harder to master – another boost of confidence!

So we tried again – and by we I mean WE – Aaron is great at these kinds of things – and tried the basic almond macaron recipe from Kitchen Musings, and what do you know, we got feet! Yet the butter cream let us down – mainly because I was trying so hard to lower the fat content – alas! it cannot be done.

Third time was the charm – the Almond Macaron from Kitchen Musings with Strawberry Swiss Meringue Butter Cream from Martha Stewart’s website - oh so good! We’ve tried a few more times, still experimenting with different ingredients, flavourings, and slowly acquiring better equipment, but one of the most interesting results has been our renewed love for food – and with that has come our decision to apply to take part in The Daring Kitchen challenges.

So heads up – food is probably going to become a regular feature of this blog! – JRR

At this stage, I see the following things as areas worth exploring in working out the ‘way forward’ for the church in the 21st Century.

• Many churches’ worship and gatherings are based on a model that comes from the Agricultural Age
• People are replacing ‘religion’ with ’spirituality’
• Rather than having the culture directly influence ecclesiology, culture, along with our understanding of Jesus, should influence our missiology, which should determine our ecclesiology - so often we get it around the other way (culture determines ecclesiology, which influences our missiology, which shapes our Christology)
• we need to unpack what ‘in the world’ as opposed to ‘of the world’ means.  Often we spend too much time focusing in quite insignificant interpretations of this phrase (being in church on Sunday makes sure we’re not of the world) and ignore significant ways we could show we’re not ‘of the world’ (Western Christians’ adoption of consumerism, seen easily by visiting your local Christian bookstore).
• the division between ’secular’ and ’sacred’ needs to be seen as unbiblical as it is not an idea derived from the New Testament idea of church and mission
• this dualistic division impacts the church significantly in areas such as women in ministry, adopting a holistic lifestyle, and incarnationality

Much more was covered, but these are the points that I see as most relevant to the future direction the church needs to take.  One lucky last point is:

• we need to aim at being incarnational, not relevant

- ALR

The biggest pitfall I see in accountability set-ups is in their usually forced nature (someone needing to have security checks to make sure they are staying in line), and usually these will be from the bottom up, rather than the top down.  The problem with this is that I think we should be focussing on who we model ourselves to, and when we become aware of the enormous responsibility that comes with, it forces us to be accountable to those people.  I think that’s why Paul can confidently say stuff like:

I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me.
     (1 Cor 4:16)

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
     (1 Cor 11:1)

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.
    (Phil 3:17)

I used to think that this was very arrogant of Paul, but in reality, I think he is setting up accountability self-checks because they are to imitate him as he imitates Christ. I think this is the tell-tale sign that you are being open and honest about your character and actions, if you are confident enough to say to others that they can/should imitate you as you imitate Christ.  If you’re not able to do that, well, then I think there’s work to be done (keeping in mind I haven’t reached that state yet myself). - JRR

I was reflecting last night on how much my views have changed, particularly regarding ecclesiology, over the last 5 years or so. I think the ‘me’ 5 years ago would think the ‘now’ me was a heretic! This book has been another that has helped fuel my new-found heretical beliefs - I highly recommend it!

Really, my only gripe with this chapter comes with the personal examples Hybels provides.  I think it takes far mare courage to admit our sinful tendencies and open ourselves up for correction and seek forgiveness, than it does to learn to drive a semi-trailer, fly a plane, and sail a boat (p19-20).  Again he seems to be talking outside my level of understanding - I don’t need to be a thrill seeker to have courage, nor the financial means to do so.  I wish he would’ve come up with some better examples because I think it takes any action points in having courage in our own lives into the direction of thrill-seeking or bettering our social statuses, rather than truly be open and vulnerable. - JRR

But firstly, we were asked to prepare for the unit by completing this questionnaire on “Assessing Your Christian Character”, and my results made me feel, quite frankly, horrible, thinking I must be a very negative person and not very Christian.  But then, having compared my results with the traits listed in Hybels’ book, I noticed there seems to be no place for appropriate anger or lament for a Christian (something that was a major theme in my Psalter class last semester and has opened my eyes to its absence in the Church).  I think sometimes these sorts of books can be so ‘pie in the sky’ and so divorced from the reality of the here and now, a world of fallen human beings where bad things happen and are experienced, which concerns God and should concern us.

I’m not sure how I’ll feel by the end of this book, but right now I have my qualms about it been too ‘seeker sensitive’ (as Hybels notes in his Introduction that it for both Christians and non-Christians, p10) that it won’t be that applicable to our Bible college setting.  The reviews of the book on Amazon.com contribute to this initial impression.  Of special concern was the comment in one review that this book can help you achieve the things ‘which lead to a successful and contented life’.  On the contrary, I think we need to have ‘holy discontent’ – sure we have the good news, but that doesn’t separate us from the reality of a fallen world.  We’re not on that side of eternity yet.  We can’t just put on our blinders and pretend all is right with the world.  I think one of the ways the Holy Spirit guides us is by clueing us in to the injustices of the world, ways in which we can contribute to building God’s kingdom now.  I agree with Hybels when he says our character is who we are when no one’s looking (pp7-8), but I also think that Christians need to constantly be on the lookout to ensure we’re not being dualistic. - JRR

In this post, however, I want to mention two other books that are very popular with Caleb - I Went Walking, by Sue Williams and Where is the Green Sheep?, by Mem Fox – because they are great examples of books that develop a preschooler’s pre-reading skills.  The thing that makes these two books particularly good is the repetitive and easy vocabulary and the corresponding pictures, helping a child who can’t read yet remember which words go with which pictures, allowing them to practice ‘reading’ the book to themselves.  In fact, the book is rather an optional add-in when it comes to reciting the book, as Caleb demonstrated the other day when we were walking home from the shops by reciting pretty much verbatim I Went Walking (only steering from the script where I do as I read it to him).

I highly recommend these books for your toddler/preschooler and it’s my hope that reading these books over and over again to Caleb and having him ‘read’ them to me will help him gain the confidence he needs to take the leap when he starts school in 2011 to real reading. - JRR

Scot McKnight blogs about this song - mainly asking what people have heard and think about the song. McKnight doesn’t know much about Derek Webb so for that reason was asking what other people thought about the song/artist etc. A number of responses to McKnight’s questions seemed to be directed at Derek Webb’s artistic ability and not directly at the questions of whether the song was appropriate etc.

I’ve also read elsewhere opposing views as to whether or not the issue of homosexuality is in fact still an issue. A number of people at both McKnight’s and Burnside Writer’s blogs believe that “What Matters More” is a little bit too late.  I don’t think this is the case…I think, maybe on paper some Christians attitudes towards sexuality have changed, but I’d say in practice there is still a hesitation towards acceptance of people regardless of sexuality.

I think that Webb is asking the question about what matters more to highlight that instead of trying to correct other peoples’ behavior, we should focus on things that we can make a difference with, such as loving others, justice, and worrying about our own walk.  - ALR

If you’ve ever watched the show “Whose Line is it Anyway?”, you may be familiar with one of the games they play called Two-Line Vocabulary.  There are three actors and they are given a scene, but two of the characters have to act out the scene each being given only two lines they are allowed to say, while the third actor is allowed to say anything.  It’s amazing how many ways the actors can inject different meanings in to the two lines they are given, but also how every time they play this game, the actor that can say whatever they want to ultimately acts it frustrated.

Well, it occurred to me the other day that Caleb has been playing an ongoing game of Two-Line Vocabulary for months now.  The two lines he’s working with: “Look see” and “Is that right?”.  The thing is, like the character that can say whatever they want, I often find myself frustrated with Caleb after the 50th time he’s said “Look see” or “Is that right?” as it gets to a stage when I feel like our conversation is going nowhere.  I constantly need reminding that he’s still learning, and these are opportunities for me to expand his vocabulary as I offer different responses.

Caleb, at 3 1/2 is very strong-willed, (a child that refused to be weaned until 2 1/2, and who although quite capable of using the toilet, is still in nappies), and keeps us constantly on our toes (he’s got ‘tude).  But we love him to bits!  He’s been a bit sick the past couple days, and he’s just so snuggly and sweet.  In fact, just before I was colouring in for him (being forced), yet every time I finished a task for him and asked him how it looked, his response, “That’s beautiful!”.  How could you not adore that (especially since I wasn’t even staying in the lines)?! - JRR

The show started late as people were still arriving after the start time, but when they finally took to the stage, most seats were filled and we were all ready for a once in a lifetime opportunity to see and hear two of the most influential recording artists over the last 50 years.

The show opened, after a long round of applause from us fans, with the tour title “Old Friends“.  It was amazing to hear how good S&G still sound.  They played about 27 songs (click here for the complete set list), with at least one of them on stage for the entire 2 (and a little bit) hour concert.  Paul Simon left for Art to sing “Bright Eyes”, “A Heart in New York” (which I was hoping to hear!) and a song he wrote himself called “Perfect Moment”. Simon returned to the stage to play guitar for Art while he sang “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her“.  They then performed “Late in the Evening” which included one of their guitarists playing a saxophone solo, followed by a guitar solo, which was quite incredible.  Art then left for Simon to sing “The Boy in the Bubble” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”.  Art returned for Paul to sing “The Only Living Boy in New York“, which Paul told us he wrote while Art was down in Mexico filming “Catch 22“.

I was very impressed with their backing band - all incredible musicians.  After the concert Jen and I were discussing songs we would have liked to have heard that they didn’t play and soon realised that the concert would have had to have been twice as long for them to have sung all the songs we wanted to hear.

All up, it was a sensational concert and an amazing experience to have finally gotten to see Simon and Garfunkel in concert! - ALR