Merry Christmas to all my blog readers, thank you for your comments, and taking time to read my musings.

If your in the area, and want a photo opportunity for your family, come down to Bedford Baptist Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. (105 Rosebery St Bedford Perth, WA)

7pm - 9pm

We have set up a Nativity Scene, we have costumes and good coffee!
You and your children can dress up as Mary Joseph, Angel, shepherds, and get a photo for prosperity.
Gold coin donation only, a professional photographer will be available on Friday night if you would prefer, but feel free to bring your own camera.

The Techno world is waiting with baited breath for Apple to introduce a line of mobile phones.
Steve Jacobs is expecetd to make an announcement about the company's move into mobiles at the annualo MacWorld Expo in San Fransisco on January 9th.
What would you expect Steve to name their new phone, mmmmmm,
I-Mac, I-Pod, I-Tunes etc etc.

Maybe they will call it an "I-Phone".

Bad luck Steve, too late.
Linksys, a division of Cisco, released the "Iphone" on Monday.
There will be no issue with copyright as Linksys has previously released a phone under this name in 1997.

spotted

This is a very interesting article published in todays Age.
Quite a serve given to the Eagles, and their treatment of the media and perceived arrogance.


http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/12/16/1166162364371.html

"Covering a two-team town can have its special challenges, as Duffield found out when, after the booze bus incident, he said Cousins should stand down from the captaincy or be relieved of it by the club. Many Eagles fans didn't like the media taking on a favourite son. Rather than criticise Cousins, some talkback callers blamed the police for setting up the booze bus and the media for its wide coverage.
Everywhere Duffield went - in the street, in taxis - he was deluged with pro-Cousins supporters to the point where he decided to stay out of circulation. "I went out twice in three months," the reporter says.
In trying to understand Cousins, it's helpful to consider the culture from which he sprang. He is a product of a club that is rich, powerful, used to success and intimidating. "A lot of the media are frightened to take them on," Duffield says of the Eagles. "You are not just taking on a football club, you are taking on the big end of town."
They are bred tough, from the coach down. In March 2006, as a media gathering prepared for a boundary-side conference with Fremantle assistant coach Michael Broadbridge, Worsfold ran 70 metres across Subiaco Oval to call the media "f---ing spastic". Worsfold was angry that reporters had breached an Eagles club directive that bans them from standing inside the fence, a move instigated after The West Australian reported Worsfold's dressing down of players after player Beau Waters was hit by a taxi in the early hours of the morning.
On another occasion, Worsfold turned on West Australian reporter Craig O'Donoghue. O'Donoghue approached Worsfold after a press conference, during which the coach had said he had no problem with Waters getting hit by the cab, even though he'd taken a harder line on the issue with the players. O'Donoghue told Worsfold he'd be reporting the coach's comments to the players.
"Half the team stood there watching," O'Donoghue remembers. "I got the famous Worsfold stare as he questioned my professionalism, morals and ethics over and over again. He reminded me that he worked for the West Coast Eagles and I worked for a 'sh#$t newspaper'. It was confronting."

On a sidenote, there are unonconformed reports that some Eagles players have been out late last night drinking, causing fuss and vandalising some cars and other property.

Someone I know well, recieved some fresh water from someone at their staff party.
What I mean is that someone, instead of forking out $10 for a pressie for this person, they payed for some fresh water at a village on this persons behalf.
Interesting.

I know some friends who asked people to do this at their wedding. Thats nice. Instead of buying them junk they dont need, or even stuff they might use, help someone less fortunate on their behalf. I like that. They have asked you to do it.

However in this case, there is something different. This person did not ask for the fresh water to be given to the villager. The act of generosity was foisted on them. Now this person is happy about it, and is a very generous person, and does not need another trinket, or bottle of wine.
But I cant help escape the uneasy feeling I have about this.
The idea of the staff party was to give a present to the person, which this person did. They researched it, and bought them something they would like.

I cant help but feel that while it is okay, in fact great, to make these choices for ourselves, there is something, just weird, about doing it for someone else, without them having asked you to. Its almost arrogant. I dont know, maybe I am thinking about it too much. Seeing George Constanza latch onto the idea and use it for his own ends was another story altogether.

Having said all that, I think Tear are fantastic, and do a great job, and I have supported them financially and in other ways myself, and will continue to do so.

and its gathering steam, this quote from Dilberts blog,

"I think that in an election cycle or two you will see an atheist business leader emerge as a legitimate candidate for president. And his name will be Bill Gates" (Scott Adams)

http://www.rojo.com/story/OvM1IkEWTIFjSrs5

“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord.
2 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. 3 But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the Lord have spoken!

Read that as a pastor and not be convicted.
Huge responsibility being a leader.
Recently I have asked the church to take some big faith steps. But these steps mean I too must be committed, really committed.
Lets go!

Had a church meeting today, after church.
Discussing our future plans.
What a great church we have, happy, courageous, ready to go.
Its taken a long time, but we are ready to take some significant steps of faith.

Cant wait!

Here is something that I found amusing which is kicking around on blog land.
Q. What do Geraint Jones and Michael Jackson have in common?
A. They both wear gloves for no apparent reason

Q. What is the height of optimism?
A. An English batsman applying sunscreen.
Q. What does Ashley Giles put in his hands to make sure the nextball almost always takes a wicket?
A. A bat.
Q. What would Glen McGrath be if he was an Englishman?
A. An allrounder.
Q. What advantage do Kevin Pieterson, Andrew Strauss and GeraintJones have over the rest of their team-mates?
A. At least they can say they're not really English.
Q. What is the English version of a hat-trick?
A. Three runs in three balls.
Q. What do you call an Englishman with 100 runs against his name?
A. A bowler.
Q. What is the most proficient form of footwork displayed by Englishbatsmen?
A. The walk back to the pavilion.
Q. Who has the easiest job in the English squad?
A. The guy who removes the red ball marks from the bats.
Q. Why is Andrew Flintoff the unluckiest English player?
A. Because he was born in England.
Q. What does "Ashes" stand for?
A. Another Sad Horrific English Series.
Q. What's the English version of LBW?
A. Lost, Beaten, Walloped.
Q. Who spends the most time on the crease of anyone in the Englishteam?
A. The person who ironed the cricket whites.

6 “Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace. 7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their towns. 8 I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion. 9 Then this city will bring me joy, glory, and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see all the good I do for my people, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for them.

What a wonderful promise God gave to His people.
If this is what God's heart is like for His people, there is nothing for us to fear.
I hope and pray my church takes this attitude, let us see what marvellous things God will do for us, in expanding His Kingdom.

http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/

I dont know how supergirl got that high, thats a bit of a worry,

but the Green Lantern was my favourite superhero, so thats a bit ironic.

(ta to Jarrol for this link)

My wife is a seriously good cook. Its a bit of a problem.

1. I eat too much good food, and get overweight
2. Often when I go to a restaurant its dissapointing. I pay $$ for food which is not as good as Melindas.

There are some things I can cook better than her
Steak, Pizza, Coffee, cold beer

Okay the last one does not count.
But I choose the brand, put it in the fridge, grab it out when its ice cold and put it in the stubby.

If ever you get the chance to eat Melinda's pumpkin soup, don't say no. There is no better pumpkin soup in the world. I know it sounds arrogant, but its not, its just the truth. That and that fried chicken breast stuffed with cream cheese and dribbled with tangy orange and cranberry sause. Seriously, I lick the fry pan afterwards.

I am a blessed man, in so many ways. Don't know what I did to deserve her, but there you go.

I need a holiday, badly
and not a two or three day break, something where I can relax,
all I seem to be focused on and thinking about is church stuff, and its not good for anyone


fishing, drinking, eating, swimming, enjoying my family..... not worried about other things

a distant memory at the moment.....

Christmas is when everyone else slows down, but us Pastors rev up.
This past week has been so wonderful for our church, in so many ways, but I am beat.

This is the first part of my three part series, based around Hybels book. If you missed it, or want to hear it again, you can hear it here, download it, or listen to it online. You may also want to have a look at the powerpoint slides, which I uploaded as well. Someone who lives a long way away asked me for this, and I am happy to oblige!

Ever been caught reading your bible by a member of your family?
This morning I was continuing my devotions from Jeremiah. Man, this is one depressed prophet. He has to give a message of doom, he has to, it is burning within him. Look at how the people react,
" 12 But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires."

Thats pretty blunt. Imagine if people in our churches and community were that blunt to us! We might be a bit depressed ourself. In fact maybe they do do this to you.
God's reply does not pull any punches either!

"I will reduce Jerusalem to ruins, making it a monument to their stupidity."

If anyone does not think God is not blunt, sarcastic and downright funny, in the midst of tragedy, this book will change your mind.

Throw a party this month!
 Matthew 18
16 “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
 17 ‘We played wedding songs,
      and you didn’t dance,
   so we played funeral songs,
      and you didn’t mourn.’
 18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

What results is Jesus talking about here? What is the conflict?
Well it seems the religious leaders of Jesus;’ day were getting very upset because Jesus was going to lots of parties, drinking and eating.
They did not like that Jesus was ‘hanging out with’ a whole bunch of sinners, and seemingly enjoying Himself!!
Yet Jesus replies, “wisdom is show to be right by its results”. In other words, what Jesus was doing would be proven right if it had good results. I reckon the results Jesus was talking about was people becoming Christians.
As Christians we can get very comfortable in our “holy huddles” . I know I can! Do you ever find yourself wondering if you have any non church friends? Maybe its time to make some!!
Throw a party!
Melinda and I are throwing a street party this year, and I dare say there will be lots of drinking and eating. Pray there are also some wonderful results. Maybe you could think of something you could do for your friends this year?

The last post on this subject went a little off skew, perhaps because I like to stir.
In an Aussie context, what do we mean by results?
Surely the key is leading people to Christ.
But how long will that take?
Some people say as much as 5 years, maybe more.

I do know this. If people are going to follow Christ, we need to befriend them, and that takes time.
Jesus, in the passage listed below, went to a lot of parties, and threw a few Himself, including supplying the drinks (no skippers required in Jerusalem though!)

Maybe we should do the same. Maybe the focus of our efforts should be borne out of love and friendship, not programs.
Programs can and should facilitate relationships. But having the best programs in the world wont do squat if people aren't prepared to get out of their shells and make friends. I find that tough.