Over the past year I have ventured into the world of screen-writing, first downloading a screen-writing course on my Kindle and then using the exercises in the workbook to attempt writing a script for a video, for CVC Media. I then started writing narrative for short films for a new website, to be launched soon, together with content for link pages. Many of these pages are dealing with what is known as 'apologetics', discussing difficult issues, or objections people have against the Christian faith.
There's a lot of material available on the web by many Christian organisations, churches and individual believers, but our searching has shown that much of it is too long-winded for the average seeker to plough through, or too deep theologically to be easily understood. We wanted something in plain, simple English that could be understood by those for whom English is not necessarily their first language, and something to draw them onto the journey of finding God for themselves.
It's been a tough road, reading some of the best material already in the public domain (books, journals, web pages and blogs) and then trying to write a succinct piece, usually in less than 400 words!
Recently, I've been attempting the question 'Why does God allow suffering?' focussing on what our suffering can produce, if only we can see it. Yesterday, I finished a first draft, sent it to Andy and then quickly checked emails. Imagine my delight to find a friend had forwarded this inspiring video, which encapsulates the answer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiDoYIflqAY
It speaks of perseverance in the face of adversity and of a willingness to allow God's infinite creativity to grow within and then be displayed for others to learn from.
As if to reinforce this message, last night, Andy & I saw 'Nutcracker on Ice' at Artscape Theatre, in Cape Town. What a magnificent spectacle of colour and movement, to Tchaikovsky's wonderful music, stiring the senses and emotions. It was a treat to savour, and further confirmation of hidden treasures for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Prayer Corner
Recently I have been reading One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. It's an inspirational account of her journey towards developing thankfulness in all circumstances, of counting those 'gifts'.
Over six months ago, a friend of mine recommended the book on her facebook, so I downloaded the free sample onto my Kindle and then bought the book. But then other things came along and I became distracted, forgetting about the book. It sat in my Kindle library, waiting to be explored.
In December, I met with my two friends, Alie and Sue, for what we call our 'Rio Day' (Sue and Alie came to visit us when we lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2004 and we started a tradition of listening to God and praying together) Since that time we have met up each time I have been in the UK. In the early days we would set aside a whole day to catch up with what had been happening since the last time we met, focussing in on what God had been doing in our lives. Then we would share a meal together and prayer for each other, paying particular attention to any words and pictures God revealed to us.
It has been an amazing adventure, which has not only sustained each one of us through the huge changes we each have experienced over the past seven years, but has guided our direction. Having close friends whom you are accountable to, really helps to keep you on track with your spiritual life. In recent years we have had to restrict ourselves to a couple of hours in an evening, but we do keep in touch regularly via email, so when we meet we can get straight into the 'best bit' (the prayer and hearing from God for each other).
So, back to recently, Alie arrived saying she'd heard of a book about thankfulness, called One Thousand Gifts, which she was going to buy. That jogged my memory and I confessed that I'd got it but hadn't read it yet. Over the Christmas holidays I did read a lot of it, and Alie did buy a copy too. We were able to arrange a second 'meet-up' just before I left for Cape Town, and spent some time sharing our findings with Sue. Inspired by the 24/7 prayer movement, several years ago Sue had created a prayer room in her home, which was well used both personally and corporately for homegroup prayer events. 'Rio days' spent in this room were always special.
Alie has now discovered the website http://onethousandgifts.com/ and Ann's related blog http://www.aholyexperience.com/ She sent us photos entitled 'The Prayer Bench' and 'A Peace Retreat', which you can find on the site.
Today, I decided to start a journal of 'gifts' and create a tiny Prayer Corner in our flat:
A Bible open to one of my favourite Psalms - 139:
A 'vase of beauty', again a 'prompting from the Lord' given to me since we returned to Cape Town, now filled with collected treasures:
A small photo book, a table gift from a recent Christmas family gathering in UK, now filled (both sides) with photos of close family:
The candle Joanne & David sent to Cape Town for 'Alex Day', a special day to remember the life of our beautiful nephew, on the first anniversary of his passing away:
Over six months ago, a friend of mine recommended the book on her facebook, so I downloaded the free sample onto my Kindle and then bought the book. But then other things came along and I became distracted, forgetting about the book. It sat in my Kindle library, waiting to be explored.
In December, I met with my two friends, Alie and Sue, for what we call our 'Rio Day' (Sue and Alie came to visit us when we lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2004 and we started a tradition of listening to God and praying together) Since that time we have met up each time I have been in the UK. In the early days we would set aside a whole day to catch up with what had been happening since the last time we met, focussing in on what God had been doing in our lives. Then we would share a meal together and prayer for each other, paying particular attention to any words and pictures God revealed to us.
It has been an amazing adventure, which has not only sustained each one of us through the huge changes we each have experienced over the past seven years, but has guided our direction. Having close friends whom you are accountable to, really helps to keep you on track with your spiritual life. In recent years we have had to restrict ourselves to a couple of hours in an evening, but we do keep in touch regularly via email, so when we meet we can get straight into the 'best bit' (the prayer and hearing from God for each other).
So, back to recently, Alie arrived saying she'd heard of a book about thankfulness, called One Thousand Gifts, which she was going to buy. That jogged my memory and I confessed that I'd got it but hadn't read it yet. Over the Christmas holidays I did read a lot of it, and Alie did buy a copy too. We were able to arrange a second 'meet-up' just before I left for Cape Town, and spent some time sharing our findings with Sue. Inspired by the 24/7 prayer movement, several years ago Sue had created a prayer room in her home, which was well used both personally and corporately for homegroup prayer events. 'Rio days' spent in this room were always special.
Alie has now discovered the website http://onethousandgifts.com/ and Ann's related blog http://www.aholyexperience.com/ She sent us photos entitled 'The Prayer Bench' and 'A Peace Retreat', which you can find on the site.
Today, I decided to start a journal of 'gifts' and create a tiny Prayer Corner in our flat:
Each item on the table has special significance:
A notebook, which I bought in Kiev, and had forgotten about until God prompted me to bring it back to Cape Town for my own 'counting gifts':
A Bible open to one of my favourite Psalms - 139:
A 'vase of beauty', again a 'prompting from the Lord' given to me since we returned to Cape Town, now filled with collected treasures:
A small photo book, a table gift from a recent Christmas family gathering in UK, now filled (both sides) with photos of close family:
The candle Joanne & David sent to Cape Town for 'Alex Day', a special day to remember the life of our beautiful nephew, on the first anniversary of his passing away:
These items should prompt thankfulness and open the way to many 'a holy experience'.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Cherries and ziplines!
December is cherry picking month in South Africa. In the markets, delicious, shiny red cherries are in abundance, but some people like to pick their own.
A group from our church in Cape Town spent a day travelling out to Ceres, frequently called 'the Garden of Eden', for this activity.
I had never picked cherries before, so it was a new experience. Many of the trees were ready for picking, as you can see above (friend, Marilet, in the orchard). The rules say not to eat while you pick. We weren't sure if that was to increase sales, or because they had been sprayed and would need washing before eating. But it was far too tempting not to try a few. Besides you really did need to check that they were ripe!
We discovered which trees were the best, and not necessarily the large black cherries; there are different varieties, colours and sizes, each with a distinctive taste. I picked three punnets in total.
After the cherry picking we picnicked in the shaded areas, just enjoying each others company on a lazy Saturday.
Then, my friend Sue and I set off for an arenaline adventure.
Ceres is surrounded by mountains so the location is perfect for the longest zip line in Africa:
Ceres Zip Slide Adventures is a series of eight slides across the rocky canyons, which funnel the rainwater into the fertile valley below.
We were kitted out with a harness and brake, which would be clipped onto each line, then, taken by minibus up into the mountains to the starting place, where our two instructors gave us the safety briefing:
...the successful launch (pitty you can't hear the screams!)...
...and landing (phew!)
Near the final landing point, we saw some bushman paintings, which sadly have been defaced:
A group from our church in Cape Town spent a day travelling out to Ceres, frequently called 'the Garden of Eden', for this activity.
We discovered which trees were the best, and not necessarily the large black cherries; there are different varieties, colours and sizes, each with a distinctive taste. I picked three punnets in total.
Then, my friend Sue and I set off for an arenaline adventure.
Ceres is surrounded by mountains so the location is perfect for the longest zip line in Africa:
There were two others on our tour (people we didn't know, but who gave us much 'dutch courage'). Sue's expression says it all!
Here I am preparing at the first slide...
...and landing (phew!)
Here is Sue on one of the slides...
The experience just got better and better, so by the end we were really enjoying it:
The zipline experience added much to the day and and for Sue was an important confidence builder. Well done, girl!!
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