Luke Carbis It’s more complicated than 42.

Interesting point on keeping the Sabbath and the Feast of Tabernacles

This is one of my favourite bible stories. We’re going to analyse it in parts, like we did last time. Again, I love this story, I think it really tells a lot about the character of Jesus.

This is a really long post, and so instead of it taking up my whole site, I’ve included the more… link below. Click it to continue reading.

Entropy

Back when I was in school, my friend Ross and I started a band, which we called Entropy.

We wrote some songs, did some covers, and went through a fair share of others. First there was Duncan “Double-Kick” Barker (not our style), then there was Sasha (our main drummer, pictured), and later when we recorded a few songs, Marcel.

We were young, it was grunge, and it was fun. Silverchair started in a garage like us, and that was all the motivation we needed.

Years later we changed our name to The Apollos, got a new drummer – Matt, and changed our style of music to sound like something less like Silverchair and more like John, Paul, Ringo and George, and moved to Brisbane to hit the big time.

That never happened, Matt left, and the band broke up again.

Another few years have been since then, I’ve been part of The Wells, and Ross has been part of a duet with our old drummer Marcel (both on guitar), and now Ross and I are looking at forming a band again.

Just thought I’d give you all a heads up (and a complete history of my non-existent musical career).

Bali – Day 8

What’s all this?

15.10.07 – Luke

What an interesting day in Indonesia.

We were due for a pick up to go do watersports at 9. The driver was almost and hour late.

We arrived, and were given tickets and shoved onto a beach with no idea where to go or what to do.

We eventually figured it all out, and managed to ride a banana boat. T was really scared but I thought it was kinda boring.

Then the jet-ski. T took it at her own pace, and had fun with it a bit. I held the throttle down all the way, and my instructor and I git heaps of jumps and got plenty of air. It was lots of fun, even if it did leave me with sore fingers, wrists and legs.

We were set to go snorkeling, visit turtles and ride the glass bottom boat next, but it was too full. This, plus the crappy service, had T and I making quite a scene with management, demanding a refund. After speaking on the phone with our tour guide, Dana, we arranged for him to give us the refun.

In the end, we got a ride back to our hotel, and the free banana boat ride and jet-ski. Oh, and I forgot to mention that we also missed out on parasailing ‘cos the wind wasn’t right.

We were in a complaining mood, so when we got back to the hotel we called and complained about the loud water pump right next to our room which was keeping us up. They moved us to a quieter room: 310 to 304.

We had a nap, then got supplies for tomorrow’s DVD day, and had dinner.

Dinner was great! I had about 2 green chilies chopped up with soy sauce and some hot chili sauce on my rive – I’ve only ever had 1 hotter meal. I went red, my nose ran, my ears popped, I sweated – it was great. We jad a stir fry and satayed beef also. Very yummy!

15.10.07 – Talia

Today was meant to be watersports, but it didn’t go entirely according to plan. Our driver was nearly an hour later, and then when we got there we were given basically no instruction, just a few coloured cards and a push onto the beach. Poor.

We did the jet ski and the banana boat (both v. scary), and then we were told that it was 2 busy for the other things. We would have to wait till late afternoon (it was only 10:45 or so) and for some, not be able 2 do it at all.

So we went up 4 a refund. Luke explained the situation, what we wanted and all those things, and then I chimed with a bit of angry ranting and an unimpressed look and we were calling Dana and getting a refund. Tops.

So we went home and day was a bit on an anti-climax because now we didn’t know what to do.

We had a long rest and when we woke up decided that we were in the mood for complaining and so got our room changed because of the annoying water pump always going and the ‘tick tick tic’ noise.

‘Fully booked’ my arse.

We went out to dinner at a nice chinese restaurant down the road and I didn’t sleep hardly a wink.

xox

Bali – Day 7

What’s all this?

14.10.07 – Luke

Today was 20 months since T an I started dating – but we didn’t make anything of it. We’re married now, all those dates mean nothing (except that it’s Valentines day).

We really did nothing today. We just walked around, went to a very loud club at 9:30am (just to see what it’s like), considered going to a waterpark, but it was too expensive, then just laid by the pool, and watched a few movies.

Dinner was interesting – Krispy Kreme donuts, NZ Natural ice-cream, and lots of garlic bread. We had a couple of cocktails also.

We canceled our rural Bali tour on Thursday. We didn’t that it would be that exciting, and it saved us RP300,000, which we’d rather spend on presents.

Water-sports tomorrow!

14.10.07 – Talia

Today was another relaxing day. We went for a walk a different way today, left at the end of our street.

It was quite nice to go somewhere a bit different (but we’d driven past it lots). We walked to the bowling and instead went into a club (it was about 9:30). V strange indeed. Apparently it was about to close and bowling was about to open. Weird.

We went into the shopping center across the road and had a look around, tried on clothes, and played arcade games. I am now officially the Indonesian air hockey champion (yay)! We were back in our hotel to watch movies, and then ventured out to buy cheap krispy kreme doughnuts (like 50c a doughnut!) and then some garlic bread for dinner.

We had a grasshopper (not really my kind of cocktail) and a banana daiquiri (prefer strawberry).

xox

Martian Child

Here’s a trailer I came across today. Looks like a great movie and is getting rave reviews. It’s called Martian Child, and is about a kid who believes he’s a Martian.

I think you’ll love this, Rhys.

Bali – Day 6

What’s all this?

Update:

I’m going to start linking up these Bali posts as well. Give you all a better picture. And don’t forget that you can comment on photos by clicking on them.

13.10.07 – Luke

Not too much to report today. We spent a lot of time by the pool in the morning then head to Bakung Sari street for a few games of pool.

Chips and pizza for lunch, then we relaxed in front of the telle watching a John Travolta flick.

The main event of the day was an expensive dinner on the beach. It was really nice, the sunset was absolutely amazing. I took heaps of photos.

We were told that we would get free beer. They said it was only 1 free beer when we went to pay. T and I were quite annoyed and refused to pay. They dropped the other 3 we had from the bill eventually – so all’s well that ends well.

13.10.07 – Talia

Today was a relaxing day. Pool, Lunch, Movies in the hotel, and just stuff like that.

We went to the sea side cafe for dinner (similar 2 where we went on the first night). Dana our guide had told us we could have free beers all night and we even clarified it, but when we went to pay we found out the deal was 1 free beer. We didn’t have enough $ with us, and we certainly weren’t going 2 pay for it anyway because we were told it was free and so after putting our foot down a lot we got it free.

Watched some Aus. news that night on TV also.

xox

Bali – Day 5

What’s all this?

12.10.07 – Luke

What a relaxing day.

Slept in, lay by the pool a while, breakfast etc. You know, the usual.

Then we budgeted, which I enjoyed, but T hated (cos we don’t have much money left). We’re basically living off 300,000 a day, with a few adjustments here and there.

We head to the beach after that. I think we may have been ripped off on the beach towels that we bought. Rp 75,000 for 2, basically just less than $5 AUD each.

We relaxed on the beach for a while, went swimming in the beautiful ocean (it’s so picturesque here), and fended off locals offering “Massage? You want? Good price!” and “Sarong? You want sarong? Just looking?”.

We were both quite sick of it after a while. Then we head out to lunch. I paid RP10,000 for a pitiful excuse for a hot dog, which I threw out cos it was so disgusting, and Talia had KFC, which I shared.

Back home (to the hotel) to watch the end of a movie (we discovered we have cable in our room!) and then we head to the beach for the 5th year commemoration of the Bali Bombings.

It was beautiful. Talia and I helped release 2 turtle hatchlings into the ocean. There was one turtle hatchling for ever person that died (192, I think).

Then the chief of police sounded the gong 21 times for the 21 nations (I think it was 21), and then surfers from around the world paddled into the ocean and formed a circle, scattering flower petals into the sea.

After that, T and I had some dinner, and a cocktail, and played a game of pool, then headed for bed.

12.10.07 – Talia

A beach and pool day seemed relaxing and cheap. But as always with us we managed to spend $, but we were on limited funds 2day, so we didn’t go overboard. I’m sick of being hassles, and so the beach was y chance at revenge.

Luke was swimming and I was lying on the beach and whenever anyone came up to me I either closed my eyes and pretended to sleep or just plain ignored them. I was asked at least 5 times by the same lady if I wanted a massage.

We bought Bali towels and sorted through all the things we bought – we’re on top of presents, which is good.

We got 44 DVDs – it was good to get that done with and we have quite a selection now. Can’t wait to watch them.

One week left in Bali now. Can’t wait to see everyone again. I miss them.

I had KFC for lunch. Don’t know what an original fillet burger is like in Oz, but it’s called colonel burger here and it’s crap. Chips are shamefully called french fries and are NOT KFC chips if you know what I mean – they’re thin and saltless. Luke had a poor excus for a hot-dog and so just ate my chips.

Was VERY hungry after that and so we bought noodles from supermarket. No kettle to boil water, and no cutlery, so not entirely sure what we’ll do with them.

Today we discovered the movie channel in our room (or was that yesterday?) and so in the evening we watched 1 1/2 movies.

Dinner was actually quite filling – garlic bread, chips and a pizza (all 2 share) and the pineapple was SO so fresh. Not that I’m a fan of pineapple on pizza, but, oh well.

The staff at our hotel still think I’m nuts as I ask for a 5am wake p call every morning. Need to take the pill you see, and unsure how strict time frame is as to when you can take it. Not in a position to do the wrong thing and don’t have instructions with me. I’m excellent at going back to sleep though, so that’s good.

xox

Hold up! Just read Luke’s entry and realised I forgot heaps. Had a Singapore Sling – easy to drink but made me feel icky.

AND WE RELEASED BABY TURTLES!!! Only like one of the highlights of the trip!!! So beautiful and it was amazing to have them swimming around your feet! People are so retarded though and they kept picking them up and putting them in deeper. They will probably die now because they aren’t strong from walking along the sand. I can’t get over how relaxed the whole event was! Very Indonesian / Bali style.

I want a turtle.

xox

Quick Tip for Web Developers

Here's a really quick tip for web developers. Never try to link a UTF-8 or UTF-16 encoded web page with a Western encoded stylesheet. It just doesn't work.

You'll sit around for ages trying to figure it out, but you won't get any styles.

Another thing: When working with PHP, you can't use UTF-8 or 16 encodings. I don't know why (maybe it's just my web server) but it just doesn't pass the PHP. It's strange. You'll sit around for ages trying to figure it out, but you won't get any PHP.

Why did nobody tell me this?

To chop, or not?

I’ve been struggling with some bible verses recently, and I’m hoping that either:

a) People will see this bible and struggle with me (this would be good, sometimes struggle is the beginning of change)

or b) Someone will explain this to me

Here’s a passage from Matthew 5, 7-20, Jesus speaking:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

So on a very basic level here,  Jesus is saying (in my opinion, this is ALL in my opinion, I could be wrong), that he has come to do what the Prophets said he would do, and follow every part of the Law. Which he did, no questions there.

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

First of all, Jesus mention until heaven and earth disappear. As far as I know, heaven is eternal, so to me, this means at the very least until Christ’s second coming, or forever.

Secondly, Jesus is quite forceful with his language here. He reiterates ‘not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen’. This to me means that what he is saying is very very important and concrete – he wants to be very clear about this.

Thirdly, I wanted to mention the ‘until everything is accomplished’ part. Simply because I don’t really understand what he means by this, or why he said it. Perhaps it was oddly translated, I don’t know. Right now, I’m assuming it to mean until heaven and earth disappear, and I think that’s a fair interpretation.

So the basic gist of this passage is that we should not forget even the smallest part of the Laws, or the Prophets (I’m assuming this to mean the old testament). It is concrete and Jesus does not change it.

We’re often taught in church that Jesus came so now we don’t have to do things like circumcision, or the feast of the tabernacle – but I feel like this verse is challenging that. Jesus is being very clear in telling us that not even a single letter of the Laws should be forgotten because of him.

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teachers others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven,

This verse continues, but I’d like to stop there a second. I wanted to mention two things. Firstly, I think the ‘and’ is important, I think Jesus is stressing that breaking the commandments is kinda bad, but teaching that we can break them is worse. Also, he mention ‘called least in the kingdom of heaven’.

The bible is very clear on the fact that all we have to do is believe that Jesus died for our sins, that all we have to do is call on God, confess our sins, and we will be allowed into heaven.

But what Jesus says is interesting. It’s one thing to get into heaven, but what you will have in heaven is another thing. You can be called least or great in heaven, in Chapter 6, verse 16-18, Jesus talks about storing up treasures in heaven. This is starting to get a little more complicated then we first thought.

Of course, we all want to be called great in heaven, so let’s see what Jesus tells us about how that will happen.

but whoever practices and teaches these commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Firstly, I am assuming ‘these commandments’ refer to the Law and the Prophets which were mentioned earlier. I think that this is pretty obvious, but it’s something you might question.

Saying that, it raises this question:

Should we follow the commandments of the old testament in order to be called great in heaven?

Now, as far as I can tell, the bible and Jesus is pretty clear on this one, and the answer is yes. Unless there’s another way of interpreting this all which I don’t see. Also, is there more to this story, mentioned in other verses, which completely changes what Jesus is so clear in saying, and if so, why doesn’t he mention it here? Why does he make it very clear here?

There is one more part to this which I haven’t mentioned yet, and I’ll get to that, but I wanted to mention something first.  I’m not trying to make a point, and back it up with scripture. That’s not what this is about. This is about a scripture which I came across that I am only able to interpret one way and it really challenges me.

Having said that, this verse, even though I don’t really understand it or see it’s relevance, is related to what Jesus was saying, before he gets on to another topic (murder). I don’t understand why he said this part, or what it’s purpose was, but maybe it will help your interpretation, or help you understand something that I don’t. Here it is:

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

So there you go. What are your thoughts? Is this challenging for you? Do you see it a different way to what I do? Anything you’d like to add? Please leave it in the comments.

Bali – Day 4

What’s all this?

11.10.07 – Luke

The best day in Bali yet.

After the usual morning ritual, we were picked up in a small van and taken on a one and a half hour trip through rural Bali.

The sights and sounds were all so foreign and new, and I finally got that culture shock I was after.

We really do have it made in Australia.

So finally we arrive at the white-water rafting reception were we checked in and got geared up in helmets and life-vests. We walked downhill got a while – the surrounding forest was almost surreal, it was amazing.

Then we arrived at our raft, for a 1 hour and 45 minutes raft down the longest river in Bali.

I’ve never seen nature like this before. Untouched, and beautiful. Even the local people we saw carving things into the rock and bathing in the water, somehow seemed part of nature, not something seperate, fighting for room.

After the raft we had a great buffet lunch, and once we were stuffed we head for the elephant park.

We had an absolute ball feeding them and touching them and playing with them.

Riding on the back of one (named Ula) was fun, save for the sore back and side it left me with.

Once back home, we walked along the beach, and finished the day with dinner, and then a few too many cocktails.

11.10.07 – Talia

Honey Paradise (yummy)

Tom Collins (v. yummy)

White water rafting and elephants today. Excellent! After taking the transport there, getting suited up in helmets and life jackets we took a long 400 step path down to the longest river in Bali. My legs were hurting. We were in a raft with a german couple and their son. They spoke English and we chatted to them a bit.

It wasn’t as rough as I thought it might be, but it was quite beautiful and serene. Glad we went.

Buffet lunch. We stuffed ourselves silly so we could buy less dinner 2night.

OFF to the Elephants. I can’t get over how relaxed and casual they are here about everything. Nothing is fenced off heaps or anything. We got to feed the elephants and things and do some tricks.

Luke and I were the first 2 ride and it was quite scary at first. Incredibly beautiful all the same. I heart elephants even more now since spending time with them up close and personal like that.