Amazed & Confused

Book seventeen & eighteen: hunger ends

Last week I unashamedly dove into part two and three of The Hunger Games trilogy (Catching Fire and Mockingjay) and as they're essentially two parts of one story I thought one blog would suffice.  My conclusion on this thrilling teen series is:

The first book's the best, but it's worth reading until the end.  

As I followed Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch and others through opposing political orders, rebellion, war, madness and grief, the trilogy kept me hooked though did not entirely sate my appetite.  I was interested in Cinna's back story, I wanted to explore more of the cultures and landscapes of the districts, I was keen to explore the history of this distopian North America with it's hunger and brutality.  Sadly these things were touched on and breezed over.  I can't help wondering what The Hunger Games could have been in the hands of someone like Mr Stephen King; a master of worlds, subtext and little regard for brevity.  

Don't get me wrong they weren't bad.  They were good... The story just captured my imagination in a way that I wanted it to go deeper and further.  The first book I'd give four stars in five the following two I'd give three.  Now to thumb through the pages of a book written by a good friend...  Approaching God by Lisa Borden :)

How to get a Guinness Moustache - A Picture Story

The last morning I spent in Dublin last week, Mum and Dad took us to the Guinness factory.  Despite most of my Grandfather's family having worked in this famous brewery I had never actually been.  As we walked through presentations and exhibitions debating the best Guinness advert (got to be the 'tick follows tock' horses in the wave one!) it was a peaceful way to end a difficult trip.  We were all together, laughing, talking and walking in the heart of the city of our birth.  (Well my brother's a little Brit but we don't talk about that ;)

As we made our way up to the Gravity Bar that looks out over the city the iPhones were whipped out and the photo addicted Trundle family snapped away.  At the end of my working day I realised I'd yet to got through my snaps and as I played with my new iPhoto update I laughed my way through the following series of photos...

Mum explains that the best photo to be taken with a pint of Guinness is the classic creamy tache!

So we sip...

Mum wins, I fail...

So I give it a good dunk... You can't say I don't commit...

oh dear...

I guess there is still much my Mother can teach me :)

Saying goodbye...

During my commute back from work on Monday afternoon I received a call from my Dad to tell me that Aunty Marie had left us... Pictured above with my Mum, Marie was an amazing woman loved very much by me and all our family.  Though her passing was not unexpected (she's had a long battle with cancer) I guess no one really believed she would ever leave us. She was so incredibly strong, full of life and love.  I am very grateful for her... for the years she had... this week I flew to Dublin with the rest of my family and  together we said goodbye... It was good.  It was deeply sad.  That's about all I'm gonna say about it here...

Today I'm back in Chi, pretty exhausted and starting to get my head around all the things I dropped or postponed when I took off.  As I started downloading emails I took a look at today's PrayerSpaces podcast for lent and was surprised to see myself.  Though I only filmed these thoughts and prayers a few weeks ago, I never seem to recall exactly what I said.  As I hit play to remind myself I was moved afresh by the passage I was given; Jesus calling out to the Father in intense sorrow... there is something beautiful about the Bible... some days it'll hit you on one level the next it moves you in a completely different way...

Book sixteen: a precocious child

Since childhood I've had a soft spot for the tales of Roald Dahl.  The Twits were a particular favourite, I poured over his poetry and scared myself silly trying to take in The Witches.  His grasp of the Grim Brothers macabre and the imagination of a child have always combined to make witty and interesting tales.  I knew I hadn't read all his tales, Danny Champion of the World and his Boy books didn't particularly interest me for example, but imagine my surprise when I realised I hadn't read Mathilda.  I knew the story quite so naturally assumed I must have, but as I sat and thought about it I realised I hadn't... Oh what fun, two days to whip through a new tale, to enjoy a new Dahl world.

Mathilda was charming.  It suffered a little as I did know the story quite well but it was very enjoyable all the same. (I must collect all his books so I can read them to my children - is that a weird thing to do when you're not even pregnant?)  The only negative part of reading it was that every now and then the actors who played parts in the US film version kept popping into my head and they didn't fit at all well with the old English feel the book.  I was able to disspell them quickly though and swiftly extrapalated my own impressions of each character based on the magnificent illustrations by Quentin Blake...

Being free to create an image of characters is important to me I've realised.  Maybe that's why I'm so naffed off when someone completely different is cast in film versions...

Anyway - Mathilda was charming, perfect for recovering from a very busy week.  Now I'm off to the cinema and then I'll dive into my new book - Catching Fire, book two of the Hunger Games :)

Book fifteen: girl on fire

I was turned on to this young adult trilogy by a fandom.  I was listening to some podcast or other (can't actually remember which... hmm maybe it was a youtube vid... nope it was definitely a podcast) and I listened to a group of enthusiastic fellow geeks go off on a literary tangent to rave about the final book in a series called "The Hunger Games".  They were so enthusiastic about adventure and thrill of the story I immediately opened my laptop to check it out online.  (Hmmm fandoms are directing me to more and more of my fiction at the mo... "Oooo you liked such and such!  Well your gonna loooove this!")

After trying and failing to pick up a free copy through Bookmooch (check it out - it's a second hand book exchange community)  I eventually succumbed and ordered it through Amazon's market place.  I was not dissapointed.

I yearn for a book that makes me want to rush home to read.  It doesn't necessarily have to be a masterpiece, it simply needs to capture my imagination; to introduce me to a world and characters that continue to play out in my mind even after I close book.  The Hunger Games approaches this literary high.  Set in a disstopian future where a wealthy and technologically advanced elite oppress the impoverish majority, it reminded me a lot of Stephen King's The Running Man... obviously not quite as well written and a little less gritty.  I was swept up in the survival story of Katniss Everdeen (the names are probably the worst bit of the book!) as she is forced to fight her fellow citizens to the death for the amusement of the masses.  The romantic interest was a little hammy (at least it's not as unhealthy as the twilight trio) but I am really hoping that the wider world and the back stories of the minor characters are more fully explored in the next two books.  

I guess the greatest compliment I could pay the book is to say I bought the next one.  Suzanne Collins, I will journey a little further in the world of Panem with you...

Book fourteen: yum yum

I'm a little behind on blogging my thoughts about the books I've been munching my way through in 2011.  Forgive me, but for the three I'll be catching up on today, I will be brief!  First up, Eat the Word, Speak the Word by Rachel Hickson...

I picked up this book because I'm teaching from a section of it in a few weeks time.  Revelation Church is spending a year approaching the Bible in different ways at our Sunday gatherings.  Beginning tomorrow we're starting our 'God's word as...' series, and on the 3rd April I'll be replacing that ellipses with the word 'seed'.  Though Hickson's book only touches on this metaphor and idea briefly I did find that the whole text served as reminder about how awesome God's word is.  I found myself moved to tears on underground trains as I read about believers in other countries denied copies of the Bible.  I felt challenged to start memorising scripture again as I was reminded of its power and encouragement.

All in all, this book was good for my soul.  

Though I was most intrigued by her passages about the Bible, the main content of the book is about a word based prophetic ministry. Though I don't consider myself to be strongly gifted in the prophetic I did find her perspective and advice refreshingly practical and grounded.  If you are interested in that sphere I recommend diving into what she has to share.  So... one of the three books to write about today covered... on to the next!

Coming to a halt...

Today I am emerging from a week of running at a hundred miles an hour.  I've gone from a whistle stop trip to Switzerland with the DeLoreans, to two amazing days with the 24-7 Council in Guildford, then a day with the 24-7 Board and Trustees and finally, yesterday, I gradually decelerated whilst cleaning the house from top to bottom. I'm a little weary.  I also have A LOT to blog about.   For now I'm posting two videos from the last couple of days of the PrayerSpaces podcast for lent produced by 24-7 Prayer.  The first is mine...  

 

I had actually totally forgotten what I'd prepared and shared for this episode, and though it's a bit weird praying with yourself on a podcast I was really challenged afresh by the questions and thoughts in humility the Spirit had brought to mind when I read it.  Hope it gives you food for thought... Second vid is Scot Bower leading people in prayer today.  A voice of hope to the hopeless... beautiful...

My turn...

 

Today it's my turn to lead the thoughts in 24-7 Prayer's Prayer Spaces podcast for lent.  It was freezing cold on that bridge but a total pleasure to read this passage and provide questions and suggestions for prayer.  Hope it encourages you... 

Only one sleep to go... I don't think Scot looks like a hobo...

 

Today is Shrove Tuesday.  Scot, Georgina, Pete G and myself are all involved in last minute preparations for Ash Wednesday and the launch of 24-7's new devotional podcast Prayer Spaces.  Scot and I took a walk today, found a sunny spot and filmed each other explaining why we're looking ahead to the lent season with such anticipation.  Though Scot is convinced the video makes him look like a hobo (I disagree), he turned our musings into this nifty little trailer for the prayer spaces series.  Take a look.  The graphics are courtesy of the beautiful Ella and the music was produced by my handsome husband.  Find out more about Prayer Spaces here. 

Will you pray through Lent?

I love this time of year.  The sun is breaking through the winter grey, the daffs are popping the optimistic heads out of the ground and tomorrow is pancake day!  (I am planning a savoury and sweet extravaganza!)  As a child this week was also marked by a trip to Mass on Ash Wednesday so a priest could put a smudgy cross on my forehead to symbolise the start of lent.  Though this Wednesday my forehead will be staying clean, I will be launching into this season of the year with gusto.  I have big plans for this years journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

I will be fasting something specific this year.  I was praying about it and it turned out God had a suggestion for me.  Exactly what it is will stay between He and I but I'm curious about the impact it'll have on the coming months.  On a more exciting note, I've been hinting at it for a few weeks but the day is finally here to tell you all about the new prayer podcast that begins Wednesday!

Through the season of lent the 24-7 Prayer community are inviting you to join in prayer.  The podcast is written to walk us through the life of Jesus with daily inspiration from people like Pete Greig, Etienne Piek, Alana Wiens and others.  (I'll even be making a few appearances myself.) Monday to Friday, from Ash Wednesday (9th Mar) to Easter Sunday (24th Apr), 24-7 Prayer will release five-minute devotional films to help you pray.

Go to the 24-7 prayer page for more info.  Subscribe through iTunes, YouTube, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to receive links or downloads each day.  It's a bit of an experiment for us but I'm pretty excited.  Let me know what you think and if it helps you to pray.  If it's useful and inspiring to people we may have another go at it for advent later this year :)  

How are you praying this lent?  Know of any other good resources out there? Have some traditions that give you life?  I'd love to hear about them in comments.

PS - eek  the podcast is already number 1 on the UK iTunes Religion & Spirituality podcast chart.  It hasn't even started yet... now I'm scared...

Consider the heavens...

 

I spotted this stunning video on a twitter and was mesmorised as the words of Psalm 8 ran through my mind...

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,  
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honour."

Lake Tahoe Milky Way Night Time Lapse from Justin Majeczky on Vimeo.

Scary close ups & hyperactive double chins...

 

Oh yeah, I've done it again.  Another 24-7 YouTube update where I demonstrate every muscle in my face and get frighteningly close to the camera.  Ah well, keeps me humble xc

My Town... Justice is Local...

 

I have a super wise friend, she's Canadian, and her name is Alana.  If you watch the above video, you'll get to sort of meet her.  This week, 24-7Prayer.com features an idea, a prayer, a challenge from my beautiful friend to you and me.  Check out her article, "My Town..." all about Guildford and the simple way she's praying for justice and equality there...

Ok, from this point on in the post I'm making the assumption you've all read it!  

I find praying for justice and equality pretty intimidating... I mean where do you start?  There are macro issues, cultures of permission, apathy, greed, indifference... and then there's the individual people literally living out the consequences of other people's greed, intolerance etc. What I love about Alana's idea as it gives me a place to start.  A place to say, "hello God, I really need to talk to you about this... Can you do something please?"  Sooo what to choose? I'm gonna take a walk around Chichester today and decide on my one thing, for my town.  What's your thing for where you live?  Let me know in comments and if you make a video to post as a response to Alana's give me the link! 

It's the little things that are cheering me up today...

...like wearing this new tshirt Steve got me as a spontaneous gift... and the sun warming my arm as it streams in our bay window from the early spring sky outside...

...and my wonder woman shorts drying amidst my laundry... (I don't think I'll show you a photo of those!)  I need a little cheering today so each little thing or moment feels like a little gift, just for me, just for my smile.  Thanks God.

P.S. looking at that photo makes me feel guilty... I need time... or a window cleaner...

Who am I made to be?

Many years ago I was reading a book.  (Wow - not a very inspiring first sentence.  I read  a lot of books, but go with me on this one...)  In this book the author encouraged his readers to cultivate joy mentors - people in your life who give you energy, who make you... more you.  The phrase stuck with me. It stuck with me and it grew.  It grew and the idea got mashed together with another word, another idea...

Who are my cymbrogis... my companions of the heart?

Yesterday I was trying to slog through a whole, terrifying list of administrative tasks, but every few hours I received a welcome interruption from not one but four of the people who fall into the mashed together category of joy mentoring and heart companionship.  Some calls were practical, others philosophical, but one in particular left me with a unique feeling that only these people bring out in me.

A desire to be more myself.

That call came from my beautiful friend Charlotte.  Charlotte is unique.  There is no-one quite like her and no way to fully capture her in words.  She is a force of nature, a catalyst, a friend.  There is no holding this woman down.  Recent months have not been the easiest in her life but as we chat about our days, weeks, months and thoughts we naturally fall into encouragement, honesty and reflection.  She calls me out.  She pieces together puzzles. She reminds me of what's gone and hints at what there could be to come.  She states how God made me, the things He's put inside me and she prompts my tired mind to think in the context of eternity, hope and possibility.  Charlotte makes me more Carla.  And I think, in my own way, I make her more Charlotte.  This is a precious friendship.

At the turn of the year I was reading another book, and as I thought about the beautiful Charlotte the words of that book came to mind.  I went back through my journal until I found the place were I'd noted them down...

"In holiness we become the persons we were created to be..." Richard Foster

I love that idea - holiness is not something imposed from the outside in, not a set of rules, regulations or appearances; but a blossoming from within of the best that we are.  All I need to do is present myself to God, (just as I am, warts and all) and allow him to nurture the buds and blossoms of my heart... to call me out.  

Ah!  Another book I've read just sprang to mind... 

"Know that the Lord is God, It's He who made us, we are His..." Psalm 100:3

Oh dear... now I have Alan Partridge in my head... "Knowing me, knowing you... aha!" (This is a new low.)  The closer I get to knowing more of Jesus, the closer I get to knowing more of who I am made to be, why I'm on this earth and what I have to give.  Seems like God will use the Bible, and people, and the things I read, and the mistakes I make, all to transform me more fully into me.  What a good me to be.