Theological Thoughts for Thursday

I didn't quite know what to add as my subtitle for this piece, because it is going to end up being a stream of consciousness like piece about the past day and the God words of the past week.

I wanted to write something about Pentecost and the amazingness of the Holy Spirit in terms of transformation but I feel that there are many things this week by some great authors about understanding people from other cultures and religions, just click this link and you will find one:

http://girardianlectionary.net/year_b/pentecostb_2012_ser.htm

Instead I will speak of the Backbenches show which I go to every Wednesday night, but which last night really got me thinking about many things. One of the MP's used the phrase All Hui no Doey which I feel is clever and apt to many things. We may have many meetings and yet it can be all for nothing until action is actually taken. I am taking a paper in chaplaincy at the moment and there is an emphasis on listening and the fact that it is not a passive state, but it is an action, something which you must focus on and which is incredibly important, especially in today's society where we focus much more on, well not listening with our whole hearts.

Last night, Kennedy Graham, the Greens MP on the Backbenches panel reminded us of the Syrian refugees who he had just visited in the Ramtha refugee camp in Jordan. I, particularly when I have had little sleep, have a tendency to be a bit grumpy and sarcastic, and yet I take comfort in the story of Jonah and the fact that God can even use those of us who are grumpy. I think it is important to think of others and seek out the face of Christ in those we meet, serve them and above all love. Partnerships and relationships with God and with others is what makes us strong and the article linked below speaks of this.

http://unitingworld.org.au/blogs/partnerships-celebrating-a-great-privilege/

And lastly, if you like me, enjoy music as well as words, here is one of my favourite hymns, which I find quite moving every time that I hear it.

Way Back Whens-Day: Fashion of the Early 90's

I was watching Sister Act 2 last night which is one of my all-time favourite movies and I just really appreciate the fashion and the fact that Frank K (Hey Ho) is still considered a legitimate rap artist by his peers even though he dons denim dungarees in the final performance. I enjoy the clothes of the 90's because they seem so simple and yet so colourful with no fear. I say bring back denim on denim and colour blocking and striped t-shirts and just everything from what I have posted below. Especially this:

I mean seriously how good is Lauryn Hill!

And 90's fashion would not be the same without good old Beverly Hill's 90210

Check out the theme song from the first season. Songs these days are just lacking that smooth sax sound!

And to finish out my choice of looks is the always phenomenal Fresh Prince.

And of course the theme song:

Have a rad Wednesday night y'all

<3 Maddie

A Tune for Tuesday: Who I Am by Nick Jonas and the Administration

At the end of my year as was an exchange student, my parents came and visited and we went travelling to some of the states I had not yet been to such as New Jersey, New York and Washington D.C. In Washington D.C I saw that there was a Nick Jonas concert that night, so mum and I went to the ticket office and I happened to get the last ticket to the show. It was cool, but the screaming girls, even in the bad seats up the back were quite overwhelming. I didn't know the songs and would not get to know them as every time Nick took a single step squeals of "I love you Nick" would erupt from the crowd. It was a night I will remember for many years, largely due to the t-shirt I got to commemorate the event, but I do enjoy Nick's solo endeavour and this song has a good message of loving people for who they are and not who you want them to be. And it's pretty catchy as well.

<3 Maddie

P.S I was going to find this fuzzy picture to prove that I did go to the concert, but I have an inkling that due to it's crapness it may have been deleted, or hidden in an un-findable place.

Movie Monday's: Luther vs. Bicentennial Man

Okay so this isn't really pitting two movies against each other, it's more that in the past couple of weeks or so I have watched Luther and Bicentennial man and they seem to have similar messages - or at least the struggle of the two central characters - both internal and external shape themselves and the people around them. Obviously Luther is based on real life, while Bicentennial Man is a fictional story, but they are both moving and uplifting films and as I better stop procrastinating I shall end here and post the two trailers and yeah, that's all from me.

Theological Thoughts for Thursday: Narcissism

Recently, I read an article in the Listener Magazine about how my generation (Gen Y) is the most narcissistic in the world. It got me reflecting on what it means to be a young person and also what it means to be Christian and thecultural shifts that appear to be taking place in the world.

You can read the article here if you're interested: http://www.listener.co.nz/current-affairs/its-all-about-me-the-rise-of-narcissism/

The article begins with an anecdote of a young child coming home from school to her mother with a song that goes like this:

“I am special, I am special. Look at me! Look at me!”

This irked the mother as the child was essentially being rewarded for doing nothing - it is important to be yourself but in life congratulations and applause isn't given unless people work hard and achieve something (or at least it shouldn't be).

To quote the article..."Narcissism has a link to self-esteem, he says, but is not the same thing, although people who score highly on characteristics associated with narcissism also tend to display high scores on measures of self-esteem. Importantly, studies show that narcissists are no more attractive and no more intelligent than other people, although they believe that they are. Further, narcissists seem unable to be empathetic. They cannot see a situation from someone else’s perspective, but nor do they really try, since they mostly think only about themselves and how others see them."

Now, you may ask what does this have to do with anything, let alone theology, well I could ask the same question, but I thinks it begs the question how we can be Christ-like people in today's society and perhaps how we are to focus less on a 'personal' relationship with God where it's all about us, and more on a balance between a personal relationship and a relationship to the community and helping others just as God has helped us.The quote above makes me sad to think of people who can't be empathetic and in a sense can't feel or be there for one another. The article suggested that relationship breakdowns often occur when people only focus on their own needs and the expectations they have in relation to themselves. I know from personal experience that it can be very easy to get caught up on, what people think of me, how they treat me, and just me in general. Yet, when I open my eyes and see the events and the situations in others lives, I am much more likely to be able to help and be open, and I am much more likely to be happy and fulfilled. 

I just keep thinking of the oft taught Sunday School lesson which is a lesson for life:


^"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31

There is so much beauty and wisdom in others, and the only way to absorb this is to stop acting or thinking that you are better and yeah, I don't know what else to say. I guess it's like the Rotary Youth Exchange motto I learnt, when speaking of other countries, which I feel is still relevant:

"It's not better, it's not worse, it's just different."

And lastly, I will leave you with a nice rendition of one of my favourite hymns, Make me a channel.






P.S Sorry about my pics from the last post, I don't know what happened, but you can always look at them from the original link by left-clicking. :)

Way Back Whens-Day: Saved by the Bell

 I was originally going to make this post about tartan skirts which I have a great appreciation for - especially when teamed with a turtleneck or crisp shirt, but as I could not express how phenomenal they are without trawling the internet for great pics, I decided to instead remind you of one of the most phenomenal shows of my childhood: Saved by the Bell, and the sassy outfits it showed to kids everywhere.


Classic SBTB ensembles here. I always enjoy Zack's striped tee on Jeans look.


Jessie, Lisa and Kelly - ahh so good!


Jessie's vests and Kelly's colour co-ordination is always a highlight of the show.


Denim on Denim - who says it can't work?


I love these floral pants, they're just like some that Molly Ringwald wears in Pretty in Pink!

And last but not least - here is a classic clip of the show, from when the characters have a school project to sell an item and Jessie, Kelly and A.C team up to promote Buddy Bands...

A Tune for Tuesday: Madeline by Hanson

Hanson is my favourite band, and their song Madeline from their first album is one that I have pretty well been listening to on repeat at the moment. I guess it is the vanity in me that makes me really enjoy the fact that the title and the person who this song is about has the same name as me. It makes me feel like it was written especially for me. I also prefer the more acoustic sounding version on the video posted compared to the more pop sound that you get on the Middle of Nowhere album. I think Hanson is an under-rated band who get pigeon-holed into 90's popstardom. But their sound has evolved over the years and it's bloody phenomenal. I was listening to an interview with the band the other day and they were saying that it's funny when teenagers who were young children/babies when their first album came out, come to concerts. This was me in 2009 when I was an exchange student in Claremore, Oklahoma, which is the reason I started this blog originally. I went to a Hanson concert only knowing their eponymous hit Mmm.. Bop, and left a bit early having not heard it, and instead having heard a plethora of other great songs. So yeah, I hope you enjoy my song of the day and go and look at some more Hanson songs. I particularly recommend Strong enough to break, Go, Thinkin' 'bout something - ahh so many! I can't wait to see them in Sydney in September!