GordonMoyes.com

When Beverley and I were married, we were given a few pieces of crystal which were highly prized for times when we would be entertaining guests. That would be a regular part of our lives during fifty years of ministry, of which more than half of that time was spent leading Wesley Mission where entertaining visitors was the norm. Over the years, other pieces of crystal were added as gifts. I came to know something about crystal from a most unusual source.

Over the past year or so, welcome rain has fallen across Sydney and some country areas, giving many people the misguided idea that the drought is over. As most NSW farmers know all too well, nothing could be further from the truth. The drought grinds relentlessly onwards, with the Riverina copping it especially hard.

If I was in charge, then the next Young Australian of the Year would be Sophie Delezio. It is impossible to imagine what the recent years have been like for Sophie Delezio and her friend Molly Wood.

A few months ago I wrote on the theme “A Cup of Tea” about fine bone china. Nearly everyone who spoke to me told me the same thing – that that article meant so much to them because it reminded them of their dear old mother, now deceased who valued so highly the dinner set/tea set/cup, saucer and plate set that she was given for her wedding. This fine china was used at every important family occasion, celebration, anniversary and funeral, and for important visitors. The fine china, which had been left in mother’s estate, was now still in the owner’s crystal cabinet. Fine bone china reminded them of their dear mother.

My colleague in the Legislative Council, The Hon. Robyn Parker, said in her Adjournment Speech: I use this opportunity in the House to add my support to World Vision’s Don’t Trade Lives campaign, which focuses on human trafficking. It is estimated that human trafficking enslaves more than 27 million people around the world, mostly in developing countries, in forced labour, bonded labour, forced child labour and sexual servitude.

In the early 1980’s I studied the archaeological discoveries at Qumran on the northwestern shores of the Dead Sea. Because I had been doing a proper academic study of the Essene community and the Dead Sea Scrolls, I was granted permission to film inside the caves where the scrolls were discovered in 1947. This was a privilege rarely granted and gave me, and our film crew, incredible access for the film I was making. The resulting film was ultimately seen in countries throughout the world.

This week it will be the winter solstice, June 21st. The sun is at its lowest point. I would like to go that day to Elizabeth Bay House. One of my favourite historic places in Sydney is Elizabeth Bay House. In the 1980’s when I was making some historic films, I received permission to film in the basement and wine cellars of this remarkable building, as this is the closest original building to a cell for convicts in early Australian history still in existence.

The highly controversial Bill promoted by the Minister for Planning, The Hon. Frank Sartor, The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2008, Building Professionals Amendment Bill 2008, and Strata Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 passed Parliament after a noisy and aggressive debate which involved over one hundred amendments and finished at 2.00am on Wednesday 18 June.

I have been accused of many things, but I have never been accused of having excessive humility. Yet Jesus told us to have the humility of a child. I wonder why Jesus made the promise that the greatest among us would be those who become as little children? Humble greatness is required in adults. We are to repent, turn, to become as little children.

I have recently drawn readers’ attention to the consequences of the Miscellaneous Acts Amendment (Same Sex Relationships) Bill 2008 coming before the Parliament. I was the only person in the Upper House to send out this warning to churches, CDP members, and to ten thousand Christians who read these pages.