An elegant, elegaic novel, written in almost sublime English by a Japanese author. First read this book when it was feted as the winner of the Booker Prize (circa 1989). I was hugely impressed. I read it again last year and remained so.
The story is clearly intended to work on many levels, all intertwined. Its narrator, Stevens, is clearly blind to reality; so, too, his employer. And maybe the reader. What is the nature of true service? What is loyalty? And what is the power and importance of love? All sculpted in beautifully-observed prose with a deep respect for words and language.
It was made into a film, starring Anthony Hopkins. Just to say: I've never seen the film but I scarcely doubt it could ever do justice to such a fine piece of writing.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
wild animals
I preached not so long ago on Mark 1:9-13 and (from memory) handled Jesus being with the wild beasts in verse 13 as a counterpoint to Adam's original setting in Eden (where the animals were not wild beasts).
Just been reading some comments on that text which suggest a different slant: Jesus was with them as the Messiah-who-brings-peace. That is, the wild beasts were with him in a pacified way, not as threats. In the wilderness, Jesus was already bringing transformation to his creation, undoing the effects of sin.
And, of course, 'wild beasts' has deep OT history as a term that refers to hostile human powers that opposed Israel (think Daniel especially). Is there a hint in Mark that Jesus is going to pacify the hostile powers, making peace (as Paul expressed it) through his blood, shed on the cross? If so, then maybe that hint is strengthened in 15:39 where the Centurion recognises him as the Son of God, the bringer of peace, through the manner of his death.
I'm preaching on this passage again this Sunday morning. It's always great to read things that stimulate further thinking.
Just been reading some comments on that text which suggest a different slant: Jesus was with them as the Messiah-who-brings-peace. That is, the wild beasts were with him in a pacified way, not as threats. In the wilderness, Jesus was already bringing transformation to his creation, undoing the effects of sin.
And, of course, 'wild beasts' has deep OT history as a term that refers to hostile human powers that opposed Israel (think Daniel especially). Is there a hint in Mark that Jesus is going to pacify the hostile powers, making peace (as Paul expressed it) through his blood, shed on the cross? If so, then maybe that hint is strengthened in 15:39 where the Centurion recognises him as the Son of God, the bringer of peace, through the manner of his death.
I'm preaching on this passage again this Sunday morning. It's always great to read things that stimulate further thinking.
Monday, July 20, 2009
how to avoid disconnection
Over at Stepcase Lifehack, Craig Harper has written a piece about disconnection. I particularly liked his suggestions for avoiding disconnection (or making connection); they seem to hold promise for pastoral work, too.
1. Work to build trust and respect. If there’s no trust or respect there can be no real connection. What often appears to be connection is in fact acting and/or manipulation on one person’s part. Simulated rapport I call it. We learn this kind of stuff in basic retail sales training. It’s not connection; it’s role-playing.
2. Ask the right kind of questions. Ask questions that will generate meaningful dialogue; open-ended questions, not yes-no questions. Ask questions which demonstrate that you’re interested in what the other person has to say.
3. Work to increase your awareness and to become an active listener. If you are serious about creating connection with someone then give them one hundred percent of your attention in that moment. Yep; all of it. Don’t be anywhere else (mentally). This is not always easy for us as our cerebral landscape tends be a very busy “place”. However, it is a very valuable skill to develop. Do your best to understand the other person’s perspective and thoughtfully consider the intended meaning of their words. Don’t be like many who simply wait for a gap in proceedings to launch their own self-indulgent monologue. As a general rule, listen more than you speak.
4. Read the non-verbal communication. In any conversation, the words are only part of the message and sometimes, a small part. What people don’t say will often tell you more than what they do. Listen with your eyes as well as your ears.
5. Speak their language. All the talking in the world will result in zero connection if you’re both speaking different languages. And we see this all the time; the boss and the employee, the mother and daughter, the teacher and the student, the tech-dude (Johnny) and the non-tech-dude (me). Lots of words but no understanding, no connection and no positive outcome. While most of us understand English, we all speak our own “language”. What will motivate one person will intimidate another. What will make me laugh will offend my neighbour. What will make complete sense to you could be totally confusing to your parents (think computer). Know who you’re talking with and learn their language if it’s connection you’re after.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
the great books (ii) - the great gatsby
This was a book I bought on a recommendation of sorts and it sat (with many others) by my bedside for a few months, unread. I tried to start it but never got anywhere with it - the first couple of pages somehow just didn't draw me in.
I can't remember how it happened but at some stage I was drawn, slowly at first and then without any reserve. There are many layers to why I enjoyed the book so much: an enthralling story of deep human tragedy; the Jazz-age context; the New York setting. It has a lot going for it.
But it's the quality of the writing that really did it for me. Fitzgerald's writing by turn dazzles, intrigues and astonishes. He had a rare gift for conjoining words and images that seem at first sight thoroughly incompatible but which, on further reading, disclose a deep awareness of the possibilities of language.
Surely one of the greatest shorter novels of all time.
I can't remember how it happened but at some stage I was drawn, slowly at first and then without any reserve. There are many layers to why I enjoyed the book so much: an enthralling story of deep human tragedy; the Jazz-age context; the New York setting. It has a lot going for it.
But it's the quality of the writing that really did it for me. Fitzgerald's writing by turn dazzles, intrigues and astonishes. He had a rare gift for conjoining words and images that seem at first sight thoroughly incompatible but which, on further reading, disclose a deep awareness of the possibilities of language.
Surely one of the greatest shorter novels of all time.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Place I Want To Get Back To (Mary Oliver)
is where
in the pinewoods
in the moments between
the darkness
and first light
two deer
came walking down the hill
and when they saw me
they said to each other, okay,
this one is okay,
let's see who she is
and why she is sitting
on the ground like that,
so quiet, as if
asleep, or in a dream,
but, anyway, harmless;
and so they came
on their slender legs
and gazed upon me
not unlike the way
I go out to the dunes and look
and look and look
into the faces of the flowers;
and then one of them leaned forward
and nuzzled my hand, and what can my life
bring to me that could exceed
that brief moment?
For twenty years
I have gone every day to the same woods,
not waiting, exactly, just lingering.
Such gifts, bestowed,
can't be repeated.
If you want to talk about this
come to visit. I live in the house
near the corner, which I have named
Gratitude.
(from Thirst, p.35f)
in the pinewoods
in the moments between
the darkness
and first light
two deer
came walking down the hill
and when they saw me
they said to each other, okay,
this one is okay,
let's see who she is
and why she is sitting
on the ground like that,
so quiet, as if
asleep, or in a dream,
but, anyway, harmless;
and so they came
on their slender legs
and gazed upon me
not unlike the way
I go out to the dunes and look
and look and look
into the faces of the flowers;
and then one of them leaned forward
and nuzzled my hand, and what can my life
bring to me that could exceed
that brief moment?
For twenty years
I have gone every day to the same woods,
not waiting, exactly, just lingering.
Such gifts, bestowed,
can't be repeated.
If you want to talk about this
come to visit. I live in the house
near the corner, which I have named
Gratitude.
(from Thirst, p.35f)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
the great books (i): the thirty nine steps
The Badger and I have decided to blog 15 of our all-time favourite works of literature and I'm kicking the series off (you can find him at UnChristian Ministry).
My first choice is not a work of high literature but rather of high drama told with great skill. An old-fashioned adventure novel of the highest order that draws you in from the first page and, once there, the fate of Richard Hannay becomes an almost obsessively important part of your life, until the last page is turned and the final denouement complete.
I've read the book a couple of more times over the years (and some time ago seen the similarly-excellent film). I don't actually own a copy of the book, except as an ebook (which is the form in which I last read it a couple of years back). I do, however, currently have a bid on a Folio Society edition on eBay....
I've also read some other Buchan novels, notably Greenmantle, and whilst enjoying them too, I think this, for me, is his best work.
My first choice is not a work of high literature but rather of high drama told with great skill. An old-fashioned adventure novel of the highest order that draws you in from the first page and, once there, the fate of Richard Hannay becomes an almost obsessively important part of your life, until the last page is turned and the final denouement complete.
I've read the book a couple of more times over the years (and some time ago seen the similarly-excellent film). I don't actually own a copy of the book, except as an ebook (which is the form in which I last read it a couple of years back). I do, however, currently have a bid on a Folio Society edition on eBay....
I've also read some other Buchan novels, notably Greenmantle, and whilst enjoying them too, I think this, for me, is his best work.
Monday, July 13, 2009
pastoral wisdom
Some verses in Proverbs 20 recently sturck me as particularly appropriate for those engaged in pastoral care: one for direction, one for humility, one for hope.
For direction:
For humility:
For hope:
For direction:
The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.
(verse 5)
For humility:
A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
(verse 24)
For hope:
The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man;
it searches out his inmost being.
(verse 27)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Reflections on Getting Things Done (i)
David Allen's (almost) seminal work, Getting Things Done, is a very stimulating read - and not just for those looking for better working practices. I'd like to interact with him, on an occasional basis, starting here: the blurred edges of modern work.
David is quite right, I believe, to point to the changing nature of work for most people as a major factor in mounting stress levels. He quotes Peter Drucker's phrase for the new type of work - knowledge work - that most people are somehow engaged in.
(Of course, doctors and nurses, teachers and firemen and a whole host more are not really doing this kind of work....or are they? More and more those employed in such professions have to handle information demands - it's spreading all over....)
The thing about knowledge work is this, says Allen: "there are no edges to most of our projects. Most people I know have at least half a dozen things they're trying to achieve right now, and even if they had the rest of their lives to try, they wouldn't be able to finish these to perfection." The egdes are ragged; the need for what he terms "cross-divisional communication, cooperation and engagement" is becoming all-pervasive. And to that "we must add...the constantly shifting definition of our jobs". (pp.5,6).
Some reflections:
i. Where there are no edges, no boundaries, there is no shelter, no real home. That matters greatly. We need the security, the rest, of home.
ii. I wonder if it would help to try to recategorise what is required and what is being done. That is, to view knowledge work instead as people work - to learn to focus on the relationships that exist (or that come into existence) rather than on what passes between them (knowledge). Making people primary without knocking knowledge. To learn to see knowledge not as the product but as a conduit, as a means to an end - the goal being people living well (you can fill-in the theological defiition of 'well').
iii. In a world of fuzzy edges with no end in sight for work, where it spills over into every other dimension of life, aided by the ubiquity of email, texts and so on - in such a world, the ability to position that work into a larger framework that has at its heart the creative and benevolent sovereignty of God is of immense importance. I think that's an improtant insight for pastors to work with but it also ought to help all of us, whatever our work.
iv. Knowing that fuzzy edges are held in the grasp of a God who is not only creative but redeeming is a vital breakthrough. Work, even the fuzziest and most blurry-edged, is not futile, is not in vain 'in the Lord'. Somehow, it gets redeemed because Jesus lives and has overcome all the forces of chaos and futility.
David is quite right, I believe, to point to the changing nature of work for most people as a major factor in mounting stress levels. He quotes Peter Drucker's phrase for the new type of work - knowledge work - that most people are somehow engaged in.
(Of course, doctors and nurses, teachers and firemen and a whole host more are not really doing this kind of work....or are they? More and more those employed in such professions have to handle information demands - it's spreading all over....)
The thing about knowledge work is this, says Allen: "there are no edges to most of our projects. Most people I know have at least half a dozen things they're trying to achieve right now, and even if they had the rest of their lives to try, they wouldn't be able to finish these to perfection." The egdes are ragged; the need for what he terms "cross-divisional communication, cooperation and engagement" is becoming all-pervasive. And to that "we must add...the constantly shifting definition of our jobs". (pp.5,6).
Some reflections:
i. Where there are no edges, no boundaries, there is no shelter, no real home. That matters greatly. We need the security, the rest, of home.
ii. I wonder if it would help to try to recategorise what is required and what is being done. That is, to view knowledge work instead as people work - to learn to focus on the relationships that exist (or that come into existence) rather than on what passes between them (knowledge). Making people primary without knocking knowledge. To learn to see knowledge not as the product but as a conduit, as a means to an end - the goal being people living well (you can fill-in the theological defiition of 'well').
iii. In a world of fuzzy edges with no end in sight for work, where it spills over into every other dimension of life, aided by the ubiquity of email, texts and so on - in such a world, the ability to position that work into a larger framework that has at its heart the creative and benevolent sovereignty of God is of immense importance. I think that's an improtant insight for pastors to work with but it also ought to help all of us, whatever our work.
iv. Knowing that fuzzy edges are held in the grasp of a God who is not only creative but redeeming is a vital breakthrough. Work, even the fuzziest and most blurry-edged, is not futile, is not in vain 'in the Lord'. Somehow, it gets redeemed because Jesus lives and has overcome all the forces of chaos and futility.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Getting Things Done (well, trying to)
For some time now I've been trying to implement a GTD method of working (if it's new to you, here's a brief explanation).
Allied to - and maybe central to - that effort has been the quest to find suitable software to enable the most helpful means of collating and using information in tracking projects and so on. It would be really helpful to have both a desktop app and one that worked on a mobile basis (for example, on the iPod Touch). If it somehow interfaced with Google Calendar or Gmail then even better.
Well, I've tried loads - I thought Evernote might do it but somehow it's great for the Reference dimension of GTD but not so good at the Project and Next Actions level. The same applies to OneNote, although I do find that easier for the Project level. For a while it looked like Google's Notebook might be the one but that is now history.
A number of online services have been suggested along the way - some of which have counterparts that work with the iPod Touch (and iPhone, of course, but I have the former, not the latter).
Of late I've tried with varying success the following:
Remember the Milk
GTD Agenda
Task2Gather
Toodledo
Todoist
RTM I could never really get the hang of - maybe I ought to try it again. It has an iPhone app and it handles the Gmail aspect, too.
GTDAgenda - What I really like here is the ability to 'star' items on a Project List as being Next Actions and they then appear in the (surprise, surprise) Next Actions section. But it doesn't have such a clean look and keeping track of stuff hasn't been easy.
Task2Gather I gave a whirl to the other day but it just doesn't work for me. Not simple enough.
Toodledo I've used quite a bit - it has a really nice iPhone app but even that has its drawbacks (no grouping of tasks within the Next Actions section). And the basic online layout is just a wee bit too busy.
In terms of the iPod, I'd love to be able to try out Appigo's ToDo because it has a desktop counterpart. I'd love to try the (reportedly) amazingly powerful OmniFocus which also has a desktop experience. The same applies to Things. Alas, all these only work on Macs. If only....
Which leads me to Todoist - not the most catchy of names but it's shaping up into a really nice app - after a short and not too steep learning curve I've been able to set it up how I want it to be - nice layout, good options for outlining of projects etc. I've set it up without a Next Actions section (gasp!surely not!) - instead, I can check the Projects and tag whatever is next in line to be done and a simple 'next' query brings up a list of items that are so tagged.
I've only really used it in earnest for a day or so - and most of the time I've spent with it has been set-up rather than proper use - but it's really appealing. It's a free service (as most of these are) with the option to pay a low monthly fee for extra facilties (I don't think I'll be needing them).
It's an online app which has a mobile site from which you can look through your whole set-up. Not sure how much editing you can do from there but that's not neccessarily a deal-breaker.
So, that's about it, for now.
Maybe I ought to add that I'm using it in conjunction with Evernote (for reference materials) and OneNote (for keeping track on focus areas and for writing).
Of course, the irony isn't lost on me - time taken to research and set-up a system and then posting about it is all time spent not Getting Things Done...but it's worth it in the long-haul.
Update: Not only does the mobile version work reasonably well on the iPod Touch, it works nicely on Opera Mini on my Nokia 6120, despite its small screen. That is good news. You can't edit items or check them off as done but you can add items.
Allied to - and maybe central to - that effort has been the quest to find suitable software to enable the most helpful means of collating and using information in tracking projects and so on. It would be really helpful to have both a desktop app and one that worked on a mobile basis (for example, on the iPod Touch). If it somehow interfaced with Google Calendar or Gmail then even better.
Well, I've tried loads - I thought Evernote might do it but somehow it's great for the Reference dimension of GTD but not so good at the Project and Next Actions level. The same applies to OneNote, although I do find that easier for the Project level. For a while it looked like Google's Notebook might be the one but that is now history.
A number of online services have been suggested along the way - some of which have counterparts that work with the iPod Touch (and iPhone, of course, but I have the former, not the latter).
Of late I've tried with varying success the following:
Remember the Milk
GTD Agenda
Task2Gather
Toodledo
Todoist
RTM I could never really get the hang of - maybe I ought to try it again. It has an iPhone app and it handles the Gmail aspect, too.
GTDAgenda - What I really like here is the ability to 'star' items on a Project List as being Next Actions and they then appear in the (surprise, surprise) Next Actions section. But it doesn't have such a clean look and keeping track of stuff hasn't been easy.
Task2Gather I gave a whirl to the other day but it just doesn't work for me. Not simple enough.
Toodledo I've used quite a bit - it has a really nice iPhone app but even that has its drawbacks (no grouping of tasks within the Next Actions section). And the basic online layout is just a wee bit too busy.
In terms of the iPod, I'd love to be able to try out Appigo's ToDo because it has a desktop counterpart. I'd love to try the (reportedly) amazingly powerful OmniFocus which also has a desktop experience. The same applies to Things. Alas, all these only work on Macs. If only....
Which leads me to Todoist - not the most catchy of names but it's shaping up into a really nice app - after a short and not too steep learning curve I've been able to set it up how I want it to be - nice layout, good options for outlining of projects etc. I've set it up without a Next Actions section (gasp!surely not!) - instead, I can check the Projects and tag whatever is next in line to be done and a simple 'next' query brings up a list of items that are so tagged.
I've only really used it in earnest for a day or so - and most of the time I've spent with it has been set-up rather than proper use - but it's really appealing. It's a free service (as most of these are) with the option to pay a low monthly fee for extra facilties (I don't think I'll be needing them).
It's an online app which has a mobile site from which you can look through your whole set-up. Not sure how much editing you can do from there but that's not neccessarily a deal-breaker.
So, that's about it, for now.
Maybe I ought to add that I'm using it in conjunction with Evernote (for reference materials) and OneNote (for keeping track on focus areas and for writing).
Of course, the irony isn't lost on me - time taken to research and set-up a system and then posting about it is all time spent not Getting Things Done...but it's worth it in the long-haul.
Update: Not only does the mobile version work reasonably well on the iPod Touch, it works nicely on Opera Mini on my Nokia 6120, despite its small screen. That is good news. You can't edit items or check them off as done but you can add items.
Friday, July 10, 2009
tracking down the hinted greats
Way back when, unless a mate had the album, all you had to go on were the singles released, the odd album track played on the radio and the reviews in your music mag of choice. To shell out precious cash on an unheard album was risky and, so, although many hints were dropped about how great an album was, it was always a leap and one not everyone was willing to take.
So - spotify! Yes, continuing to sing its praises. This last week I've had a great deal of pleasure in 'discovering' these albums:
UB40 - Present Arms - I had Signing Off, their first offering. But, apart from One In Ten, this album remained a mystery - especially its dub twin. I'd say it's one of their very best - a great listen.
Simple Minds - Sparkle In The Rain - If I remember rightly, this made its appearance in the autumn of '83 and it was quite a departure from the aesthetics of New Gold Dream (81, 82, 83, 84). Big, bold, anthemic - perfectly suited to its time. A real treat to hear the classic singles in their larger context.
Japan's The Tin Drum and David Sylvian's Brilliant Trees - I've often been intrigued by the press they got, and only now think I can begin to see what others saw in them. An acquired taste, certainly, but some standout tracks.
None of the above would make my list of all-time great albums but they're more than worth a listen.
So - spotify! Yes, continuing to sing its praises. This last week I've had a great deal of pleasure in 'discovering' these albums:
UB40 - Present Arms - I had Signing Off, their first offering. But, apart from One In Ten, this album remained a mystery - especially its dub twin. I'd say it's one of their very best - a great listen.
Simple Minds - Sparkle In The Rain - If I remember rightly, this made its appearance in the autumn of '83 and it was quite a departure from the aesthetics of New Gold Dream (81, 82, 83, 84). Big, bold, anthemic - perfectly suited to its time. A real treat to hear the classic singles in their larger context.
Japan's The Tin Drum and David Sylvian's Brilliant Trees - I've often been intrigued by the press they got, and only now think I can begin to see what others saw in them. An acquired taste, certainly, but some standout tracks.
None of the above would make my list of all-time great albums but they're more than worth a listen.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
on false dichotomies
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
the best discovery
Chatting to someone about spotify last night and they asked me what my best discovery had been.
I regaled them with tales of Echo & The Bunnymen's fine album, What Are You Going To Do With Your Life, Glen Campbell's superb Meet Glen Campbell and the two pivotal Steely Dan albums, Aja and Gaucho (the latter much-maligned but for why I cannot fathom).
His best discovery was Moment Of Glory by The Scorpions with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Seems like there's no accounting for taste.
I regaled them with tales of Echo & The Bunnymen's fine album, What Are You Going To Do With Your Life, Glen Campbell's superb Meet Glen Campbell and the two pivotal Steely Dan albums, Aja and Gaucho (the latter much-maligned but for why I cannot fathom).
His best discovery was Moment Of Glory by The Scorpions with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Seems like there's no accounting for taste.
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