Visitors

A honeyeater has been hovering in our toilet: flying in, flapping about, and, when any mere human enters, refusing to leave. We think he's eating the moths.

Don't panic, Mr H isn't entering through a window to take up residence inside; our toilet is off the back verandah, so he comes in through the wide open door.

One night last week, my wife was on the toilet and H was fluttering above her head. This unsettled her. So, I, clueless yet well-intentioned male (CYWIM, CWIM?), took up a broom and tried to prod and bully H from our facilities. This only agitated him. As soon as I left the toilet and put down my arms, relieved H calmly flew away.

In my 'umble opinion, comic domestic scenes such as these are worthy of a Dickens' novel.

Chewing on a Sermon

Recently I heard a sermon that was, I think, influenced by the thinking of the Swiss theologian, Karl Barth (1886–1968).

Some of its big themes included: the ‘eternal breaking in to the temporal’; the need for those present to decide! in the here-and-now; the unbreakable love that exists between the Father and the Son in the Trinity – and how we can eternally participate in this by becoming sons of God; our solidarity with Adam, its tragic consequences, and the possibility of being incorporated in a new head, Christ; plus much more that I can’t remember.

Yes, these themes are biblical, but the way they were presented was novel.

I found the sermon titillating, engrossing, and perplexing. As the minister spoke, I was wondering: how can he be saying such huge things in so few and such interesting words? And: what exactly does he mean by what he is saying?

I’d be interested in others’ musings on and responses to any Karl-Barth-influenced talks.

More Egg Art

Birds of Prey

Perhaps you've heard of the West Coast Eagles' latest mascot, Auzzie? Last weekend, at a birds of prey display in Whiteman Park, Perth, I got to see Auzzie up close and personal. Not my usual way to spend a Sunday afternoon -- but, if you get the chance, I heartily recommend it.

Auzzie the wedge-tailed eagle has a 2.5 metre wingspan, and, apparently, a slovenly top-speed of 95 km/hr. Slovenly, that is, compared to the white (?) falcon, which flys at 200 km/hr. But then Mr Falcon drags his feet compared to his cousin, peregrine, who smokes along at 400 km/hr! Unfortunately Mr P. wasn't part of the show.

White falcon (?)

Not for speed but for looks, the owl was also impressive. Although he preferred to remain perched on his keeper's arm rather than fly, he cut a striking pose, and, from time to time -- when it suited him! -- he did rotate his head.