The Beauty of Nature (Russell Falls)

"Every now and again take a good look at something not made with hands, a mountain, a star, the turn of a stream. There will come to you wisdom and patience and solace and, above all, the assurance you are not alone in the world." Sidney Lovett



Pictured is Russell Falls in the Mount Field National Park. Both the falls and the walk there were so incredibly beautiful I felt awe, excitement and closeness with God.

Beauty, for me, is not optional. I need to see beautiful things in order to have peace within my soul.

When I was a child in Somerset, near Burnie, I would go down to the beach whenever I needed to calm down, to think or to talk with someone alone.

The beach, and its beauty, were very important in my childhood and this has become generalised now to nature generally.

It helps me, also, to know that God has an appreciation for beauty. After all He created the scenery. I therefore thank Him for creating such picturesque settings and pray that I will continue to appreciate them and not take them for granted.

God Bless to all my beautiful friends and family.

Amber

Australia - The Movie

Last night I went to see the movie 'Australia' with my dad. I expected it to be mediocre given the reviewers hadn't been that impressed but...it wasn't. I was pleasantly surprised.

Here are the good points

• The little Aboriginal boy who played 'Nullah' was superb. Cute but strong. Caught between two cultures.
• Nicole Kidman was awesome. She looked extremely pretty and acted very feisty.
• Hugh Jackman complemented Kidman perfectly and the tension/attraction between them was 'just right'
• The film highlighted the 'stolen generation' and was respectful of Aboriginal culture
• David Wenham was great as the evil cattle owner who stole, killed and manipulated people to get money/cattle
• The bombing of Darwin was realistic and placed the film in history
• The scenery was stunning and formed a perfect backdrop to the film.

I suggest everyone goes to this film. It is the best Australian film I have ever seen and is both entertaining and historical.

God Bless you all

Amber

God's Justice

I've just finished this awesome Bible Study that went through the Bible's views on justice. I found it fascinating, comforting and confronting.

As many of you know I was very politically active before my mental illness. Now I feel well enough to do it again but I want to make sure I do it God's way.

The study covered the fact that God cares passionately about injustice, whether it be at a personal level or a national/cultural level. It started with Habakkuk crying out for justice within his culture which I really related to. When I have been very ill I have felt God was unjust bringing such a burden upon me.

Chapter 2 was a challlenge to see protesting against social injustices as part of our worship of God. We can not just attend church and feel 'saved' - we are commanded to care for the poor and the oppressed.

Further chapters deal with racism and sexism. The sexism one used the Mary and Martha example - saying that while housework may be important service listening to the words of Jesus is our most important duty as women. Everything must flow from that, even housework.

Chapter 9 dealt with challenging cultural identity. For instance I love being Australian and I am very much a lover of our country, its laws and traditions. But yesterday I went to the Tasmanian Aboriginal exhibit at the museum. That brought home the fact that although I, as the descendant of free settlers, may feel 'at home' here Aboriginal people feel differently and we should be aware of their feelings.

Chapters 11 and 12 dealt with materialism. The rich nation described in Revelation chapter 18 sounds very like modern, Western societies. Wealth and trade and property rights are protected and loved above people and this is un-Biblical. We are commanded to put people before profits, to minister to the poor and oppressed, to be generous and charitable and to bend the law a bit so that mercy is achieved.

Koorong is selling this study and I have a couple of people already who want to lend it. If this includes you let me know.

God Bless You All

Amber

A Generous and Sleepy Christmas

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6

It was a great joy to have Christmas with my family yesterday. They gave generously and appreciated my very cheap little gifts.

Of course this is the same with Jesus. He gave us the spiritual gifts of love, peace and mercy, and gave up his life for our gain. We can only give back so little and, for me, it has been even smaller than for others because of my mental health.

The presents I got were all wonderful. From my father and stepmother I got the dress I am wearing in the photo and a lovely cat brooch also a pedometera, lavender hand cream, a book about religion and politics (Seven Ways to Change the World by Jim Ellis) and a diary. From my sister Elspeth I got a zigsaw puzzle and the book which has taken the world by storm Twilight by Stephenie Myer. From my sister Julia I got some soap and from my Nanna I got Island magazine.

I would also like to thank my friend Edwina for a poetry book, Debbie and family for a camera accessory, Debbie's daughter Jasmine for an animal calendar and my friend Raija for a kitten calender.

I would also like to thank all those people who wished me a Merry Christmas by text, email and cards. May God bless you all.

Christmas is usually my favourite time of year but this year I went to sleep for half the day. I'm not sure why I was so tired but it just happened. It was disappointing for me because I didn't get to spend as much time with my family as I wanted.

We were able to reflect together, however, on the details of Jesus' birth and what that means. Their opinions were different to mine. I am convinced that it was both an historical and spiritual event that changed the course of history. Because of this conviction I spent time in the morning in Bible study, reflection and prayer.

Anyway I hope you all had a great Christmas and I look forward to catching up with most of you in the next few weeks.

God Bless

Amber

In Memory of Kafka (Kaffy) Meredith

As most of you are probably aware my beloved cat Kaffy was run over by a car and died last Tuesday. I was devastated. We had the funeral yesterday and that gave me some relief and a sense of closure.

This quote sums up how I felt about Kaffy: "To others she may seem just a common little moggy, but to me she is my friend, confidante and comfort." Author Unknown.

Kaffy was a dear companion, a comfort in my distress and a friend always. I loved Kaffy dearly and spent many hours cuddling her and enjoying her company. She was calm, friendly and affectionate and always made my friends and family welcome. Many non-cat lovers - such as my friends Melonie Smith and Yvonne Wilkins - changed their minds when they met Kaffy. She will be sadly missed by many people.

I have placed a cat ornament and plastic flowers in the garden in memory of her. These are pictured.

My thanks go to all the people who helped me look after Kaffy - especially Rohan and Anthea, my stepmother Merridy, Tracey, Debbie and Tony and Kate.

My thanks also goes to all those who attended the funeral - Fiona, Kerri, Kate, Edwina, Heather, Yvonne and Owen.

After advice by various people I intend getting a new, fully grown cat in late January.

In the meantime I have my memories of a truly remarkable and exceptionally loving friend and companion.

God Bless you all.

Amber

Make your mark on History

Hi Everyone

I have an exciting new idea for you.

I inherited from my grandmother an 'Album of Opinions' detailing their opinions about various topics.

I would like to create a new one and, for this reason, will be showing you the questions and my answers. Please answer the questions and give them back to me, preferably by email.

God Bless


Now - for the Questions

Album of Opinion Questions (with sample answers by Amber Meredith)



The noblest aim in life?

To have a reputation for justice, love and mercy.


The Greatest Wonders of the world?

Uluru/Ayers Rock


The characters you most admire in real life?

My friend Megan


Who do you consider the greatest living politician?

Kevin Rudd


What political questions are you chiefly interested in?

Mental health reform and Aboriginal issues.

The greatest artists and musicians?

Artists Salvador Dali and Vincent Van Gogh. Also a local artist who sells at Salamanca Market called Rebecca Brogan

Musically still stuck in the 80’s – Madonna, Abba, U2 etc


Your favourite characters in fiction?

Lucy in the Narnia series. Lady Macbeth in Macbeth and Cordelia in King Lear.



The time of the year you like best?

Summer

The authors you admire most?

CS Lewis, TS Eliot, Shakespeare and Sally Morgan (author of My Place)


A brief definition of love?

As per 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (It’s a letter to the Corinthian church in the Bible) Love is patient and kind etc.


The scenery you admire most?

White sandy beaches with deep blue seas.


Your idea of happiness?

Inner peace and outward joy.


Your favourite motto or proverb?

A good name is more desirable than great riches. ; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold Proverbs 22:1


The wrongs you would redress?

Racism and other forms of prejudice.


Reforms you would advocate?

Prevention and early intervention in people who have, or are at risk of having, a severe mental illness.


Your favourite recreation or hobby?

Reading, writing and theatre.


The true place of woman in society?

Not sure. I think women (generally) are better at child rearing than men but not all women have children. So, generally, I think this is a subject up for discussion.


Your favourite topic of study?

Literature and theatre


Your chief ambition?

To be a famous writer

The Christian name you like best?

Jessica and Joshua


Your ideas on the subject of marriage?

I think marriage is a good thing generally but it requires work.


The qualities you respect most in men and women?

Intelligence, ethics/morality, humour, imagination and humility


Your favourite flowers, birds and beasts?


Flowers – white carnations. Birds – the rosella. Beasts – cats definitely.


Puzzles, Jokes, Quotes, Pictures and inspiring ideas


People are unreasonable, illogical, and self centred. Love them anyway If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Be good anyway. Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People need help but may attack you if you try to help them. Help them anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God . It was never between you and them anyway

From a sign on the wall of a children’s home in Calcutta.



Name Rachel (Amber) Meredith

Date 17th December 2008

Four Holidays - The movie

Last night my family and I watched the movie 'Four Holidays''.

We are all big fans of Reese Witherspoon after her success in ''Walk the line' and ''Legally Blonde'.

The movie was an easy one to watch. The plot was simple. A youngish couple seek to avoid family and romantic commitments and lead a fairly hedonistic lifestyle pleasing only themselves.

Every year at Christmas they lie to their family and say they are doing aid work overseas when, in fact, they are just having a holiday.

But this year - due to flight cancellations - they have to spend Christmas with their four parents (all divorced). Chaos ensues and the couple's love and loyalty to each other is tested.

I think the themes are very good and quite challenging for people who wish to avoid their family commitments.

What wrecked the movie a bit, for me, was the performance by Vince Vaughn. His character came across as both boring and weak and he was no match for Reese Witherspoon's acting and characterisation.

Overall, though, I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it for light entertainment.

God Bless You all

Amber