Last night we recorded the Terri Irwin interview (the Ray Martin one, not the Barbara Walters one) as we went to the prayer meeting in church so couldn’t catch it. We then watched it when we got back from church. It was very touching. I don’t remember ever shedding a tear over a something on the big or little screen but last night I came pretty darn close. Theresa was of course an open dam with the tears pouring down her cheeks uncontrollably. Terri came across very strongly as a strong, down to earth and very loving person. Steve Irwin needed someone who could put up with his quirkiness and in Terri he certainly found that someone, and more! She indulged him, gave him an extremely long leash with the kids and generally prodded him and the kids on, not that they needed any prodding!

This morning Theresa was up very early. I’m usually up just before 5, go downstairs, put away the dishes, make coffee for myself and a cup of tea for Theresa, do my “quiet time” of praying and reading the bible, then go back upstairs to get my stuff for the gym, leaving home about 10 minutes to 6. When I went upstairs this morning, Theresa was already up – this was about 5.40 and she looked chirpy. Maybe it’s the warmer weather (although this morning it was only 7 degrees) or the longer day (sunrise is now just before 6am). Maybe it’s our plan to go away for our first over-nighter since we arrived in Melbourne almost 2 years ago now. The important thing is she looks happier these days. Or maybe it’s the sense of anticipation – her parents have just confirmed their plans to visit in early January. Whatever the reason, it was fantastic to see her happy. She has been mostly a chirpy, delightfully wife and I always thank God for her.

We’re planning to take in the Great Ocean Road this weekend – to do something interesting for kiddo for her school holidays. We took her to the Royal Melbourne Show last weekend but we’re not sure if she enjoyed it. We’ll be staying in a town called Peterborough (must be a Janeborough nearby – or maybe it is a Maryborough). It’s a long drive – 4-5 hours one way. Like I said, it has been a while since we took a holiday (albeit a very short one) together as a family. It would be the first time we are going away overnight, since we arrived in Melbourne. Hopefully it would be the first of many more to come, as Australia has so many great places to go to. Watching Terri Irwin last night has reminded me that family time is so critically important.

September is harvesting month (a la The Island). Lots of sowing must have taken place in December. Last year, Theresa’s Uncle Jin treated the family to a dinner and show event at the Lido theatre (since closed down) to celebrate his wife’s birthday. Sharing the same month as Auntie Pin’s birthday, were Marloney, Matthew, Auntie Anne and myself. Chin Moi, a friend of ours here in Melbourne, shares the same birthday as me. So does Cze Mien, an ex-colleague from Chooi & Co in KL. Here in my new workplace, Maxine (site services), Anna (Legal) and Nancy (Marketing) all have their birthdays in September. Anna’s birthday is today, so we went out for lunch. This is the second time since I joined this place not too long ago. Already I feel my waistline expanding and my wallet shrinking. The food was great though. Last week we went to a place called Maria’s Place in Victoria Parade, near the Queen Victoria Market. I had a tortellini and it was very nice. This afternoon we went to Café Italia on Drummond/Lygon Street and I had a grilled calamari. It was again, very nice. Earlier in the day on both occasions, sweet, cream splattered cakes were served as well. So just as we’re thawing from winter’s slumbering blubber (or is it blubbering slumber), we get hit with harvest season celebrations.  And, just a minute ago someone was just passing tim tams around. As Steve Irwin would say: “Danger danger danger”

Last night I had a chat with Theresa. For a long time now, I have been stirred by the notion of God speaking directly to us, via events, circumstances or people. I have never experienced this, and have always “heard” God only through the Bible. In fact, I even doubted and continue to doubt, those who claim that God speaks directly to them. Sure, I acknowledge that there would be dreams and visions from God but, I thought, only where such dreams and visions relate to a specific task God wants His church to undertake and such tasks should relate to the fulfilment of the Great Commission. I had read something to this effect somewhere before, perhaps I should re-visit the basis for this belief.

The difficulty I have with individuals hearing messages from God on matters other than the Great Commission lies with their credibility. How does one verify that it is in fact God speaking and not that person’s will or psychological make-up causing him or her to “hear” such things? If it is events and circumstances, what differentiates such experiences from those who are not Christians? A Buddhist, a Hindu or a Muslim can claim to hear things from God on such things as well, either directly or through events or circumstances or other people.

Last Sunday a guest speaker in our church was relaying messages he “received” from God, to various people. I was amazed, confused and disappointed. Amazed because the messages were very specific. Confused because how does one verify or confirm these messages? They may cause the recipient to go down a path which may not be the best for that person, or they may cause that person to be disillusioned if it turned out that those messages were somehow not accurate or required revisions. Disappointed because I have, unknowingly, been sucked into this culture of expecting messages from God and becoming frustrated at not receiving them after all these years.

That speaker prefaced his session with a reference to Balaam/Balak and the donkey God used to relay the message. Theresa reminded me of that last night when we talked. The point was, if God could speak through a donkey, why can’t He speak through his servants or children? I don’t know. The Bible does say (in Hebrews) that in these the last days, God has spoken through His Son. Jesus is the Word. God’s Word. I believe everything God wanted to say to us, can be found in the Bible, and no where else, with the exception set out above. I don’t know if we seek to “hear” from Him through other sources as a result our human nature. We want to satisfy our doubts, our yearning for visual or audio confirmation of what we are told to accept by reading His Word. Could it be that we need a light and sound show in conforming to the signs of our times, otherwise His Word has no currency? Or am I just being a frustrated whingeing kid? I want a relationship with God which is more solid than that. Yet, I want, sometimes, to hear Him assure me every now and then.

This morning I received 2 emails informing us of Dr Lian’s passing. He was loved by many in our church in Klang and many felt the loss. I was reminded that he was one of the few who started the English speaking service, many years ago. When we left that church, the English speaking service had regular attendance of over 350. He also started the Theological Education Fund. Never mind the criticism of being overly conservative – resulting from his efforts, anyone from that church who wants to pursue a theological education need never worry about financial concerns. Dr Lian utilised his vast education experience to put in place a system of scholarships and sponsorships which rivals any philanthropic organisations I know.

We took Kiddo to the Royal Melbourne Show on Saturday, she went to a Youth Service later that night and yesterday, we had a good time in church. Yet in spite of a very good weekend, all I could think about is Dr Lian’s passing. In a space of less than 3 months, I have lost 2 loving uncles. Very sobering thoughts about how fragile and fleeting life can be.