​Our pilot made an alarming announcement.  There was to be an unscheduled landing as fuel was running low due to the head wind! How much longer until we reached our final Chinese destination we wondered? Our time in transit was fast approaching 24 hours.  We were tired of being on the journey and eager to reach our destination where our friends were awaiting us.
In the context of eternity, our whole lives can be viewed as being in transit. If our life span is memorialised by years lived e.g. 1965 -2045, the ‘–‘ represents our fleeting years. How quickly they go! Even if life feels somewhat like our arduous plane trip at present, we need to utilise our ‘dash’ the best we can.
Rev. Graham Long, CEO of the Wayside Chapel, in his recent ‘Loneliness is killing us’ talk, postulated that to be at our best we are ‘necessary, significant and not central’. Being ‘the expert’ (central) tends to be a lonely experience he said. Engaging with others, in contrast, is often a win/win experience. Despite our own problems and priorities, participating with others can be helpful, particularly when all are equally valued and seeking to give to the relationship.
We have begun Coffee with Friends for anyone to join in and have a meaningful time with others on Thursday afternoons. On Sunday afternoons we have Walk and Wonder to help us be ‘captured by the awesome’ (another Graham Long axiom) and some barbecues planned. Contact me for details if you are interested, or if you’d like to discuss life with me in person.
I also derive hope for my life from various promises found in the Bible:
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)

​我們的機長發出令人震驚的通告。 由於迎面逆風過烈，飛機為了節省燃油需要緊急著陸！我們擔心哪時可低達旅程最終的中國目的地了。我們的轉機過渡時間花去將近24小時，實在煩人，正渴望趕到目的地見迎接的朋友。
 
在永恆的背景下，我們整個生命可以看成處於過渡中的。假如壽命是以在生年份來紀錄的話，比如1965－2045，那‘－’就代表飛快逝去的年華。歲月如梭啊！若生命的感受像那正受高壓的機長般，我們應善用那‘連接號’。
 
Wayside Chapel的主管CEO Graham Long牧師，在最近的演講‘Loneliness killing us孤獨正殺害我們’中假定，達到生命最高峰時我們是‘必須的，具重大意義的而并非主要角色’。我們作為‘專家’（主要角色）會導致孤獨的，他說。與他人交往相反地經常得雙贏的經驗。儘管我們給苦惱和事情的先後選擇困擾，參與他人的活動會得幫助的，尤其是當我們獲平等優待和各自為了這份關係付出努力之時。
 
我們已開始逢星期四下午的Coffee with Friends 與友咖啡聚談這活動。於星期日下午我們計劃Walk and Wonder 步行中感恩，讓我們感受‘令人驚嘆景象的吸引’（另一Graham Long的銘言）。如你們有興趣參加，請和我聯絡，甚至可以跟我親自交談人生問題的。
 
我亦從聖經裏得到生命中各類默許：
 
上主說：因為我知道我為你們所定的計劃，那是要賜福而不是降災的計劃，為要帶給你們前途和盼望。耶利米書第２９章第１１節（ＮＲＳＶ）
 
（譯者附加）聯絡詳細：Rev Karen Paull - 手提：0400 299 751,　網址： [email protected], 或　www.lanecovecc.com  

过渡时期  （译自Karen牧師的‘In Transit')
 
我们的机長发出令人震驚的通告。 由於迎面逆風过烈，飞机为了節省燃油需要緊急著陸！我们担心哪时可低达旅程最終的中国目的地了。我们的转机过渡时间花去将近24小时，寔在煩人，正渴望趕到目的地見迎接的朋友。
 
在永恆的背景下，我们整个生命可以看成处於过渡中的。假如寿命是以在生年份來紀录的話，比如1965－2045，那‘－’就代表快逝去的年华。岁月如梭啊！若生命的感受像那正受高压的机長般，我们应善用那‘连接号’。
 
Wayside Chapel的主管CEO Graham Long牧師，在最近的演讲‘Loneliness killing us孤独正殺害我们’中假定，达到生命最高峰时我们是‘必須的，具重大意义的而并非主要角色’。我们作為‘专家’（主要角色）会导致孤独的，他說。与他人交往相反地经常得双贏的经验。儘管我们给苦恼和事情的先後选择困扰，參与他人的活动会得帮助的，尤其是当我们获平等优待和各自为了这份关係付出努力之时。
 
我们已开始逢星期四下午的Coffee with Friends 与友咖啡聚談这活动。於星期日下午我们計划Walk and Wonder 步行中感恩，让我们感受‘令人惊嘆景象的吸引’（另一Graham Long的铭言）。如你们有兴趣參加，請和我联络，甚至可以跟我亲自交談人生問題的。
 
我亦從聖经里得到生命中各类默許：
 
上主說：因為我知道我為你們所定的計劃，那是要賜福而不是降災的計劃，為要帶給你們前途和盼望。耶利米書第２９章第１１節（ＮＲＳＶ）
 
（绎者附加）联络詳細：Rev Karen Paull - 手提：0400 299 751,　网址： [email protected], 或　www.lanecovecc.com 

We have just undertaken our second move in 3 years! It’s really not far away, but after 28 years of stability in one place, I am currently feeling the grief of dislocation. Familiar places have gone and there is a sense of loss, and even of being lost, within my place of residence!  Kind friends have helped us so much and we are grateful for their loving efforts to settle us into our lovely new house - but it is not yet ‘home’ to me.

Home and a sense of stability tend to go hand in hand. Our rapidly changing world is exciting and brings many fresh joys and challenges, but the price is a lack of stability and consequent unease. Hence, a consistent place to rest and refresh complements the ceaseless movement of our public lives. I am grateful that my family comes with me, as continuous, loving relationships are a great source of comfort. Unfortunately, they are frequently disjointed when we move. Lane Cove, however, has many groups and activities where new friends can be found. Check here for some diverse (and free) activities where you will experience a warm welcome. I am also happy to connect you to others locally. Council have helpful Welcome Packs freely available too.

Despite this move stirring my emotions, I have a deeper sense of ‘home’ that does not change. My God is always here with me, a tangible comfort, especially in times of distress. Many doubt the tangibility, but I do experience a deep sense of God’s presence within me, of peace, of rightness, of home. I’m also happy to explore this with you and gently guide you in your own spiritual exploration.
​
‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ – a quote from the Bible, Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
‘We can always begin again’ – Jack Kornfield