Extravagance!

​The lovely flower had seen better days. Battered by the harsh weather conditions, its exquisite petals fell prematurely, leaving behind a rich centre unlikely to be fertilised. Life is about survival in order to reproduce, explained my science teacher long ago. Did that extraordinary colour and form count for nothing then? The delicacy and detail involved, spoke to me of something higher than mere functionality. In it, I saw the extravagance of a Creator who wants to evince joy in us!

Extravagant emotions, such as joy, accompany precious moments in life. From the beaming toddler’s proffered bouquet of brightly flowering weeds, to the heartfelt union of a marriage ceremony, such moments can catch us unaware, deeply touching our souls. A point to ponder: from where does that ‘inner gasp’ of delight originate?

Although beauty and creativity are abundant, we need to be open to their delightfulness. A revelation of beauty changes us and our outlook on life for the better. Have you been touched deeply by art or poetry or music? These pursuits may seem superfluous when productivity is prioritised. Yet for those who have cultivated their ability to appreciate their beauty, they add an unparalleled richness to life.

Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy aims to help people experience ‘life in all its fullness’. Our Walk and Wonder activity is designed to grow participants’ appreciative capacity of the natural wonders around them, for a couple of hours a month. Afterwards there is an optional, culinary experience to delight our tastebuds at a local restaurant for Dinner. Our Book Club appreciates the writing talent of Australian authors while savouring wine, cheese and good company. An hour of weekly Meditation may superficially appear to be a waste of time, but brings peace and counters anxiety and stress.
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Come and spend some time pursuing these, or other activities, that bring delight to your soul. Remember, we are lovingly and intentionally created with the capacity to enjoy life extravagantly.

奢侈! (譯自Karen牧師的‘Extravagance')


那朵可愛的花曾經歷較好的日子。在嚴峻的天氣打擊下，它精致的花瓣提早凋落了，留下花肥也挽救不了的花柱。生命有關乎存活來繁殖下一代，這是多年前我的科學老師解釋的。但是那精美的顏色和形態就算白廢了的嗎? 那朵花的柔嫩和細微之處告訴我，它有比實用較高的層面。從而我看到，造物主要顯示奢華現象來使我們歡欣!


奢侈的情緒，諸如歡欣，是隨著生命中寶貴一刻而起的。由愉快地微笑的幼兒送上多彩的野花至婚禮的衷心結合，都能無意中觸及心靈的深處。有一點我們要考慮：這喜悅的‘內心突諤’原自哪裏呢？


雖然美麗和創作隨處都可以找到，我們需要開懷接受才可享受那分愉快的。美感的默啟改善我們和我們的前瞻。你們有沒有深受藝術、詩詞或音樂感動？這類追求或許於生產力為尚的想法裏看來是多餘的。但是那些培養了欣賞美感能力者，可增加了無可比美的生活滿足感。


Lane Cove社區牧師意圖幫助您們體驗‘豐滿的生活’。我們的步行中體驗驚嘆Walk and Wonder活動是為了參與者每月只花兩個鐘頭來欣賞週遭的自然奇景而設計的。其後有隨意參加的在本區食肆用晚膳。


我們的閱讀俱樂部Book Club讓你們於賞識澳洲作家的才華之餘，享受美酒、芝士及同伴。逢星期一花一個鐘頭的冥想表面上是費時的，但帶來平安感和消除焦慮及壓力。


請蒞臨花點時間參與以上的，或其他的活動，在在都能帶給您心靈愉快的。請記著，我們是為了愛而給著意地受造的，具能力奢華地享受生活。


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奢侈! (译自Karen牧师的‘Extravagance')


那朵可爱的花曾经历较好的日子。在严峻的天气打击下，它精致的花瓣提早凋落了，留下花肥也挽救不了的花柱。生命有关乎存活来繁殖下一代，这是多年前我的科学老师解释的。但是那精美的颜色和形态就算白废了的吗? 那朵花的柔嫩和细微之处告诉我，它有比实用较高的层面。从而我看到，造物主要显示奢华现象来使我们欢欣!


奢侈的情绪，诸如欢欣，是随着生命中宝贵一刻而起的。由愉快地微笑的幼儿送上多彩的野花至婚礼的衷心结合，都能无意中触及心灵的深处。有一点我们要考虑∶这喜悦的‘内心突谔’原自哪裏呢？


虽然美丽和创作随处都可以找到，我们需要开怀接受才可享受那分愉快的。美感的默启改善我们和我们的前瞻。你们有没有深受艺术丶诗词或音乐感动？这类追求或许于生产力为尚的想法裏看来是多馀的。但是那些培养了欣赏美感能力者，可增加了无可比美的生活满足感。


Lane Cove社区牧师意图帮助您们体验‘丰满的生活’。我们的步行中体验惊叹Walk and Wonder活动是为了参与者每月只花两个钟头来欣赏週遭的自然奇景而设计的。其后有随意参加的在本区食肆用晚膳。


我们的阅读俱乐部Book Club让你们于赏识澳洲作家的才华之馀，享受美酒丶芝士及同伴。逢星期一花一个钟头的冥想表面上是费时的，但带来平安感和消除焦虑及压力。


请莅临花点时间参与以上的，或其他的活动，在在都能带给您心灵愉快的。请记着，我们是为了爱而给着意地受造的，具能力奢华地享受生活。