Emotions

Bad pastors use ‘good teaching’ as a weapon, to shut people up.

So said one of my Ethics lecturers today, during what was possibly the best lecture of my degree, so far. In short, he was urging us to engage at the emotional level with our people when they're hurting, rather than fobbing them off with 'the right answer'.

The Cross and Life

According to 1 Corinthians, what difference should the 'theology of the cross' make to the Christian life?

That's my New Testament essay question. It's due next week. Please pray I can get the essay done in time, and that through it I'd learn to better reflect the theology of the cross in my own life.

Getting Back into Gear

Our trip to Tassie was great. Great time with family and friends, some good time spent talking shop with Crossroads, plenty of blobbing about.

We had a bit of time back home in Sydney before college recommenced. The Balmain Markets were pretty neat. Also, Kate's folks passed through town for a few days, which was great, since we missed them in Tassie.



Term 3, now one week in, is proving pretty cool. New things this term include studying Luke-Acts, beginning Philosophy 3 (with Andrew Cameron), and Mission Awareness Week (lots of missios and mission agencies at college).

Nick and I are spending quite a lot of our mornings together at the moment. Deus Cafe has been a fave haunt.


Last Sunday evening, however, Nick and I ducked across to the Local Taphouse. The Mountain Goat Rapunzel Belgian Ale was pretty neat. The Ross' Alt Spice was totally off the chain.

Warmth

Some reasons to like Sydney (and look forward to our return, tonight):

• Hobart's top temp. yesterday: 10.4°C.
• Sydney's min. temp. overnight: 8.0°C

And the clincher:

• Hobart's temp. at 6am today: 0.7°C.

(The apparent temp.: -5.9°C)