We have succesfully got together some finance to get a much needed new data projector for church and Toddler Jam....and the people I am getting it from are not answering their phone...cant see them being at work tommorow...

You would think it would not be this hard.......but it seems that it is. If the price was not this good.... :)
They are actually a good crowd, helping churches out a lot when they can. I will let you know their name...if I get through and they deliver!!

Finished off our series on "The God you're looking for". Looked at God as our Father. There are some good resources which I used here.
Fathers Love Letter

I distributed to each person the letter, which I printed off on card, so people could attach it somewhere. Its good, good reassuring, healing scriptures.

We said goodbye to some good friends, who are moving to sunny Qld, where they can watch the Saints win the wooden spoon in peace, and drink green tea till their hearts content. But...God be with them, and bless their ministry.

Love this ad.
Would love to drive each of these vehicles, including the first one, which I used to own (when I was ten!)

There is something about it, the beautiful countryside, the idea of journey, of speed, of being outside enjoying it all, the quest.......

(Better Copy of clip)

Ebay

H/T MMI

We have just had the best attended and most enjoyable Christmas Services since I have attended Bedford.

Over 240 people came through both services, with Christmas Dav Service packing the church, leaving us with no room to move! Mostly through personal invitations and family attending with family.

Eliot and the Soul Jam Choir did an awesome job, as did our own Jim Mc Kinnon, who nailed a beautiful old carol.

We had some excellent and flowing multi media, helped in no small part by having two projectors. This helps the seniors who like to be able to see what is going on.


Most of all though I sense Gods joy upon us as we continue to leave behind the stuffiness and formality of previous services and move towards embracing joy and a naturalness in our expression of worship. And this is not necesarily a generational shift....some of our most joyful and happy folk are those who are glad to embrace new ways of worship, and joy in the service.

Thanks Jesus for coming. Its why I live the life I do.

All praise and glory to God, our Creator, our Master, our Lord, Our Saviour, Our mighty Warrior, our Lion of Judah, our Lamb of God, Star of the Morning.....beautiful Saviour.

We had a great awesome service tonight......

Church was packed, choir and band sounded great.
Everything flowed well, heaps of good food beforehand. Great vibe before service and during.
In fact the service tonight felt like a big party, which is what I reckon Church should feel like!

Some of the youth did a drama which was funny and pointed....really exciting to see them up to the mark. Some good items and multi-media, and some fun interactive games as well......

Most exciting of all to see the heaps of people coming from different outreaches of our church rocking up to our community event....

Well sort of, in an Andrew Hamilton sort of way :)

We have our Pre Christmas Eve service tonight, so we did not have a service at Bedford this morning, I stuck a sign on the door, just in case someone had not listened the past four weeks, read their bulletin, or checked their emails......

So my wife organised a christmas bbq/street party at the local park. Met a bunch of great people who live on our street. Ate some bacon and eggs and played a dad versus kids game of soccer. Because most of the dads (except me) are originally from the UK, the dads kicked the kids butts. But in the end, soccer was the winner.

Great morning and opportunity to strike up friendships in our local community. People really appreciated it.

Tonight we are having our service with bring and share dinner first. Expecting a big crowd, going to play some Christmas games, including a 'do you know the lyrics' singing contest. Will be great fun!!!

I love the fact my kids love Christmas
I love the food
I love getting together with family
I love Christmas services
I love celebrating Jesus coming to earth
I love the way heaps of non church people come along
I love the songs
I love the challenge of making the services fresh and different
I love the food
I love the anticipation of holidays
I love the decorations
I love the lights
I love my family
I love the food
I love Christmas......

Go check it out yourself....
Every light is synched to music which is heard by motorists on a FM92.5 as they drive past this home in Bishop Riley Way, Churchlands Western Australia

Mark O Brien has an excellent post for husbands as we approach Monday next week, the shops are open Monday, right???

"For those guys out there… I’d like to help you all become better men and husbands, so here’s my Christmas gift to you… I’m going to pass onto you the SINGLE BIGGEST tip I can give you to help you have a VERY happy Christmas, and it involves something you can do for your wives.
Trust me on this… Take me at my word and see if this is not true…"

Rest of post

Watching my son at swimming lessons this morning I took the time to read Psalm 3 on my PDA using the New Living Translation. It has Matthew Henry's commentary on it as well.

So here I am, reading two texts, one from thousands of years ago, and one published in 1706.
It struck me, I wonder if David the Psalmist, and Matthew the Clergyman would ever have thought their work would be digested many years later, by someone with a mult-purpose electronic device, while relaxing by a pool?

Both texts spoke to me, about various things, and how blessed are we to have such insights available to us at the touch of a stylus!!

"Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people."

We had a remarkable service today....

The band was great, there was a full church...but that was not it.

Geoff and Annette Louwen shared their testimony, as did Bill and Betty Dobbs. God brought them both to our church this morning. Both are quite different in age, experience and background....but they are all setting off as missionaries. The Louwens around Australia, and the Dobbs around the US, Canada and Alasaka. God spoke to us all through their testimony. I finished it off with a challenge to undersand where our security comes from. Both couples have sold all they have and are setting off with no real itinerary, determined to see God move through their ministries. Their security is not coming from material things, but from God.

I talked about how my son loved exploring the Tasmanian wilderness, but would not have done so without his dad (me) being by his side. With the Father's presence, comes confidence and courage to live the adventure of life.

It was truly a privilege, honour and God given pleasure to be in Church this morning.

Here is a Countdown I have made up for the Carols I am helping with on Saturday Night.
Beaumaris Baptist Church is putting these on....I am helping with multi-media and Eliot is helping with the music....If you live up that way, come along.....Ampitheatre Iluka Saturday December 15th....7.30pm

We just watched this on the ABC...I love the ABC......
I have not laughed that much for a while.....if you have seen this episode..and the post credits scene....Melinda and I were on the floor with our stomachs hurting from the laughter.....if you have scene it....its revolves around a pencil....

It was first shown Christmas 2006

This is cool...... Love their music....

"Tony Koch and Padraic Murphy December 10, 2007
THE Queensland opposition has called for an immediate inquiry into the sentencing procedure behind the gang-rape case of a 10-year-old girl whose nine attackers escaped jail time.
Nine males who pleaded guilty last month to gang-raping a 10-year-old girl at the Aurukun Aboriginal community on Cape York have escaped a prison term, with the sentencing judge saying the child victim "probably agreed" to have sex with them. "
Story

Agreed????? I would not ask a 10 year old girl to decide what TV shows she was allowed to watch......I and a lot of other people are incredibly angry about this. I am struggling to try to understand what on earth is going on in this magistrates mind......Obviously we are not privy to all the details revealed at the case....but the ones we are, make me incredibly angry.

My wife just received this email.

Hi girls
this is true our staff just called one of the police to clarify that is a true story Guys please pass this along to all the women you know.....This actually happened a few weeks ago right here in Perth. It was early evening and a young lady stopped to get petrol. She filled her tank
and walked into the store to pay for her petrol. The cashier told her 'Don't pay for your petrol yet.....walk around the store for a while and act as if you're picking up some other things to buy. A man just got into the back of your car. I've called the police and they're on their way'. When the police arrived, they found the man in the back seat of the girl's car and asked him what he was doing. He replied, he was joining a gang and the initiation to join is to kidnap a woman and bring her back to the gang to be raped by every member of the gang. If the woman was still alive by the time they finish with her then they let her go. According to the police that night, there is a new gang forming here originating from Melbourne. The scary part of this is because the guy didn't have a weapon on him. The police could only charge him with trespassing.... He's back on the street and free to try again. Please be aware of what's going on around you and for your family and friends. LADIES you or one of your family and friends could be the next victim. Please forward this on to everyone you know. Please do not discard this message it is very important that everyone knows what is happening. Please be careful when leaving your vehicle and make sure it is ALWAYS Locked to prevent this from happening to you.

Its a shame people send this sort of stuff around and don't check Snopes first. Snopes is a reliable Urban Myths site, which would save a lot of people getting stressed out.....

Snopes about this myth

We had a great carols night last night.
The weather was beautiful, the band and choir sounded great, the sound was good, the bouncy castle bounced, and the sausages sizzled.

We had over 500 people there, which considering we had very minimal advertising, was a great turnout. They all seemed to have a great time, relaxing, singing and being a community together.

You cannot put on such an event without a group of people around you and resources to make it happen. You cannot impact the community, and bring people together, without a lot of help. A motivated Christian Community who care about the wider community, and sharing the message of Christ with them.

I shared minimally, but the message was in the songs, the love shown, the care given, and the effort taken, with no financial reward in mind.

I must also thank profusely Pastor Craig Lydon from Beaumaris Baptist Church who came along and did the sound for us. We have done it ourselves in the past, but this year Craig came along and did an excellent job.

It feels to me like our continued visible presence in the community will have lasting effects. It is a spiritually enriching experience to stop and reflect on what happened.

You are all welcome, come say hello....

awesome...cannot wait. Read the books when I was 11, cant wait to see the movie!

Love joy peace at Christmas time........
I am just printing off 300 brochures for our Carols this Friday, after ringing around organing bouncy castles, sausages, buns, sauce and helpers for the same event.

I also am helping organise the sound gear, stage and lighting.

As well as Carols we are having special dinners, break ups and 2 Christmas Services this year.

To say there is a lot on for Pastors at Christmas time is an understatement. But we need to find time to reflect. The one message I am exhorting others too this Christmas is to stop and reflect on Jesus and the amazing story of His intersection with humanity and the story of this world. How can I do this myself amongst the business that a Pastor finds himself in? I must.

Other pastors and busy too, everyone I talk to is stressed out, flat and fatigued. My own team is really pushing themselves at the moment, pushing hard.
My prayer is that in the midst of the business, we will find Christ's story once again reverberating within us, bringing a sense of hope, peace and joy into our lives,

I was at this game, with my Eagle supporting brother in law....what a day, what a goal by Hase...what coolness from Peter Bell.....what a magnificent feeling as the home team got the win by a whisker.....

Oh Dear....I think she missed basic training.....

I joined this a few weeks back, but Phil Bakers post reminded me of it, that and the sticker I just got in the mail.

Here is their blurb,
"The Junky Car Club is a car club whose members are learning to live with less so we can give more. We're a bunch of happy drivers that are politely rebelling against consumerism by driving junky cars. We encourage our members to use their dough to support social justice causes instead of making fat car payments. Junky Car Club members sponsor kids who live in poverty through Compassion International and help other great organizations. We believe in environmental stewardship and hangin onto things a little longer. Click on the banner below to join! "

If, like me, your car is a little junky, and you support a sponsor child, you can become an "Elite Lemon Membership".
I have just submitted my photo, so it should be up there soon!

www.junkycarclub.com

Great day in church today, I have started our new series...and took on the role of prosecutor and defence lawyer asking the question, does God exist. Got a lot of positive response..which is great.

Have you ever tried "Pana da Casa' bread? Its great, chewy, and yeasty. I have just about finished my Fiori coffee...just opened my new Five Senses PNG blend....smells great.

Love this song....

If you are in the US or Canada, get your child one of these for Christmas, and at the same time, get one for someone who really needs one. THIS IS A WONDERFUL INTIATIVE

Kevin has won the election. Now its time to pray for him and his team.

1 Timothy 2
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

I pray that he makes godly decisions, wise moves, and leads our country with grace and peace.

The Eagles have suprised us all in picking up their team store sales clerk as their first pick in the AFL draft at pick 3. Chris Mastern has described it as a dream come true. Lets hope it does not turn into a night mare for the young man as he enters the culture of the troubled club.

Off to vote at my local PS on Saturday.

While eating some soft boiled eggs, and pondering the shape of them compared with Mr Howard's head,
I have been watching our PM on the "Press Club"....
He is the archetypal performer on camera and answering questons....
Brilliant, quick on his feet......a lot of laughter as well.
(No matter what your view on him is)

For church this Sunday.....Q speaking....should be fun!

Here is our theme for December, you heard it here first!

"Food is something you have between coffee"


(Mark E)

Now you know!

Had a interestiong conversation with a bloke last week. He is a strong, tough guy. Works in a male dominated environment, rides a motorbike etc etc.

Because of work commitments he can't make church every week, but he made a interesting comment to me. He said I need to come to church and just get involved in the singing. It gives me strength. Strength? This guy could flatten a lot of guys in a bar fight. What strength does he mean? Well he, like a lot of blokes, probably most of us, has struggles in the 'relationship' area of his life. He does not have a Christian upbringing, in fact he became a Christian in his 20's. But coming to church, singing together, brings some tangible strength to him which he does not find anywhere else.

"It is the voice of the church that is heard in singing together. It is not you who sings, it is the church that is singing, and you as a member of the church may share in its song." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Worship in singing does transform the world, if it provides us with energy, renewal and purpose for the week, or in some cases the month ahead.

Great Sunday at church, Eliot preached a good message, challenging, on being a friend. He said one thing about friendship that really struck me...Good friendships will be eternal friendships. A mutual friend died a few years ago, but when we see him again, we will experience what it means to have eternal friendships....

These are the type of friends I want.......honesty, frankness, truth spoken in love.

Church was great...had coffee mid-service....which is always good.

Beautiful Sunday afternoon, just made myself another Fiori coffee....beautiful.
Australia kicking Sri Lanka's butt again in the cricket.....
Who will win Australian Idol? Tonight we see the performances of the two possibilities....I like Natalie....despite what some think, I dont think she is boring at all.

Warm day, big Saturday paper, children either in bed or playing at friends.....

Time, opportunity, motive.... to make myself a nice long iced coffee.
Some lovely 5 Senses 24/7 beans, long shot of expresso, add some cold full cream Harvey Fresh milk and some icecream....all blended together.....

Nice Saturday afternoon.

(ps add in watching Glichrist hammer the Sri Lankans.....perfect)

Something Borden said keeps resounding in my ears.....

As soon as a church gets its focus off mission, it becomes self focused. This means it starts focussing on its own problems.

I wonder if we do this in a general sense, as well as a specific sense. I wonder if we focus on negatives we see in others, maybe even other churches, when our focus gets off mission.....

We now use Five Senses coffee exclusively at church, which means I often drink it when in the office at work, its a beautiful fresh product. Nonetheless I felt the need for a change when buying some for home. I picked up some Fiori Coffee from Fresh Provisions. It is sourced from Honduras, and I have had it before. I love buying anything from my Sponsor child's country.

The roaster seems to have a good relationship with his growers, and as far as I can tell is giving them a fair price. You can read about it here, . Certainly it is a single blend coffee, and has not been sitting in a warehouse gathering mould somewhere.

It is a rich 'oily' bean, and the grinder needs work hard to get it to the right texture. The coffee has a lovely chocolately aroma, warm, good smells.

We are so blessed with the people we have as team leaders at our church....I am so blessed to be working with a group of people who just do ministry...they want to do it themself, there is a maturity there which often makes me feel proud...proud they are in my church.

To hear stories of how they are reaching for and caring for people, such initiative and love being shown....thanks God.

Spewing I missed Erwin at the Riverview Pastors gig on Friday....was getting ready for church camp, and also was helping run Toddler Jam. He is a great speaker. Here is an example...one line that sticks....'our conversations with God have tangible effects in the spiritual realm, which affects the physical realm"...

As different people debate which style of church is getting it right....this helps me stay focused.

Ed Stetzer say recently that "each church must make a decision - either for their traditions or for the children." He added that Stetzer said most would chose tradition....

One of the dear folk at Bedford told me this week to make sure I looked after my children first....thanks so much.......they are my first priority over church, but....

I want our church to be a place my kids grow up in, and that they grow to love the church...that is my aim.

Here is a countdown video I made up for Sunday morning, used Toby Mac and Roo from 'Winnie the poo'....hows that for juxtoposition?? :)

We had a great Refresh camp at Bedford....I can reccomend Lake Leschenaultia on a hot day....and I can reccomend my wifes cooking.
There is a mantra that what happened at camp, stays at camp...but one good friend in particular...during the singing bee we had on Saturday.....was exceptionally good, he can sing, dance and 'make the moves'....I laughed and laughed...he knows who he is...pity 'goggles' was not there to see it!! :)

The service on Sunday was really good, with some guest musicians who added to our own great team...and we had a time which touched some folk, which was great.

It took me far too long to put up my new tent, and I recieved an absolute ribbing about it on Saturday night....curse the video camera and video editor.....

Kids had a great time, nice to be out in the bush....nice to spend time with good friends, and church family.

If you have not caught this yet, it would be a great conversation starter. As a father of a daughter, this stuff is scary.....I believe that dads are the primary source of a young girls self esteem, how she feels about herself. So many wrestle with issues of self worth, from a young age.....and reality is that this is compounded by societal and cultural expectations.

Five senses single blend Capricorn Estate, Harvey Fresh Full Cream Milk, Queensland brown sugar,
finally starting to get the hang of getting the milk aeration right,
thanks to Five Senses website advice......

Well he is not really a pastor anymore, but that is how I will always think of him.

He was (and presumably still is) a great preacher, a great leader, and someone who inspired me with his stories of the life of Christ. He was my first real pastor after I became a Christian when I was 18 and living in Albany......I remember getting the tapes of a sermon series he did once on Jesus, and how Jane Ewers-Verge stirred me up about it....but I listened to them.

Life does not always turn out the way you think it might, but I remember Mark with fondness and joy, and whatever else happened, his pastoring inspired me.

Anyways, he has a blog, funny how the internet helps you catch up with people you probably never would have.

http://mark-bymaswell.blogspot.com/

Could it be true?
Demetriou has called in the big guns to evaluate the Weegirls..

Ex supreme court judge to review Eagles

De-registration is the best option, Andrew knows he needs to reduce the AFL to 15 teams so that this can happen

AFL to have Gold Coast Franchise

Nothing and no one....is ideal.

All have fallen short, especially me.

Why did Jesus say, "let him who is without sin cast the first stone"
What did He write on the sand?
And what did He mean when He said, "go and sin no more"...and why did He feel the need to say that?

How do we, as Christians, rightly divide the truth, stand up for what is right, without being judgmental, self righteous, arrogant or liberal, spineless, lacking integrity and consistency in our faith?

"And do not think that it will stop there. The West Coast administration has overseen a culture of drug abuse within its team for years. Officials admit it now.

It appears the club put success ahead of rigorous values.

Daniel Kerr, Chad Fletcher, Michael Gardiner, Daniel Chick, Beau Waters, Quinten Lynch, Michael Braun. They have not been saints.
It is believed the West Coast administration was told Cousins had issues with drugs when he was just 18. Fine, but Benny is a very good player. Very good players observe different rules.
The AFL has threatened to punish West Coast. It must do more than that and it will. And West Coast must make the men in charge of the club during the Cousins era accountable, too."

Now why did this not appear in the West Australian? Oh, thats right, we dont say negative things about the weegirls in this state...

Source

I am conducting a funeral today for a great old bloke.
Stan Gilchrist came to our church after Bayswater Baptist closed down. A number of folk from that church came across, but they had lost something which another church could not replace. None the less, Stan and Eileen enjoyed our church, and I enjoyed their elderly wisdom.

Stan and Eileen were married for 72 years, and lived in the same house in Bayswater for 71 years. They had the most beautiful back garden, a rambling place of nooks and crannies.

Its a sad day to say goodbye, but also a celebration of life and Gods grace.

Most people love Fridays.,..woo hoo weekend! Thats how I feel on Sunday night.....
Today is spent tidying up things, praying, getting ready for Sunday....
Should be a great day on Sunday...kicking off our new series on Friendship...looking forward to speaking....have a suprise for you all at the end of the service as well.

This is our theme for November....

orrsome!!!
Brings back some great memories...Balcatta Rollerdrome.....Late nite tv.....wagging 8th period at scabs and enjoying Friday pool day at a mates....

"“We have just pounded the drum again and again that, for churches to reach their full redemptive potential, they have to do more than hold services — they have to try to transform their communities,” he said. “If there is racial injustice in your community, you have to speak to that. If there is educational injustice, you have to do something there. If the poor are being neglected by the government or being oppressed in some way, then you have to stand up for the poor.”




I'lll give you a clue...he formed and leads what has possibly been the most influential church movement of our time.
Story

A few things which stand out as the great man retires.
He retires to help the club, they would have had to pay him out, and it would have affected our salary cap.
He retires with his head held high....having never caused the club any reason to be ashamed of his on or off field behaviour.

I have met him once, at the Cervantes Tavern. Good bloke, spoke to him about 'that mark'. In fact if you look at the video below, you can see me....I am the blond guy jumping up and down. One of the best, most ecstatic footy moments of my life. It is a great great shame that he has been struck down by knee problems, but he leaves with no regrets, because he gave it all. Well done Justin Longmuir, we Freo fans will never forget this moment, when in a piece of time, you gave 38, 000 people reason to scream, cheer and hug people they do not know.

Here is a video I have done up for pre service at church, kicking off our monthly theme on "Friends".

Where would we be in life without friends?

In Theological College we were taught that having close friends with people in our church was unhelpful. I can understand that. There are times when being close friends with people in your church can be problematic. There are times when you need to lead, and when they dont like the direction of your leadership....it is difficult. Your friends, close friends, cant just up and leave your church because they are upset with you, although they might.

But the alternative is far worse. We should be travelling with, journeying with, those who are our friends. Church is meant to be an adventure, a battle, a march towards the holy grail...and you have to do it together.

The verse from Galatians is good, "bear with one another'. Part of journeying together means putting up with each others faults and follies, even when the other cannot see how their selfishness or bias or blindness....is hurting the friendship and the community of believers. But that is part of the 'bearing'.

I am fortunate...I have some really good friends as part of my church, and I would never want to change that...my lecturer was wrong. They may cause me pain, and I might cause them pain...but ultimately, I hope we can bear with one another and learn what Christ meant when He said to forgive and be patient.

I am fortunate...I have some really good friends who are not part of my church, or any church for that matter. They keep me grounded, they reassure me (not with words but action) that my whole identity is not in being a pastor, and they would be my friends if I was still selling exhaust components....some of them have no idea what a pastor is, some of them know...and generally speaking cant stand 'pastors'.

Either way, having friends is a risk...but the alternative is far worse. I know a lot of pastors...and I look with despair as they approach the end of their ministry, and realise that their whole identity and all their social standing and significance is tied up with their identity of being a pastor. That is sad.

It is also sad to see a 55 year old male come to the realisation he has no friends, and the opportunity to make some seems to have gone....it hasn't, but it is going to take a transformation of character, attitudes and beliefs about themself to change that.

Will the Wee Girls supporters boo him? He might get a double boo..... :)

FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey has left the door ajar for Ben Cousins to make a comeback, refusing to rule out the possibility of drafting the disgraced star.

On day one of the Dockers' pre-season campaign, Harvey was asked whether Cousins might feature on the club's radar if he was to nominate for the pre-season draft.

And while distancing the Dockers from any possible move for the former Eagles star, Harvey was also careful not to rule it out completely - saying the AFL's decision whether they would allow Cousins to play would have to come first.

Both Andrew Embley and Daniel Kerr have been involved in an incident outside the Niche Bar Nightclub in Leedervile. The two Eagles midfielders were outside the club at 3.30 am on Sunday, and police were called due to a disturbance involving the two players.

Eagles spokesperson Gary Stocks has spoken to the press and said that Kerr and Embley have been spoken to by the club. The Eagles say that no further action is required. However with the AFL meeting shortly to discuss possible sanctions over the most recent Cousins incident, this story could not have come at a worse time.

Police are continuing their enquiries but have not laid any charges yet. Apparently both players were involved in a fight,but it is not clear yet who with.



Woosha must be tearing his hair out....

The AFL fixtures have been released with a mixed result for our two local teams. The much anticipated 'grudge' match when former West Coast Captain Chris Judd meets his old team will occur in round seven when Calton travel to Subiaco. It is widely anticipated that the home crowd 'boo' their former champion in typical West Coast fan style.
Fremantle finally get a chance to hold a proper ANZAC day clash with the 'Len Hall' game set for a national audience on Friday night, at Subiaco against travelling side Geelong.
Fremantle will travel interstate 10 times, six times to Victoria, including one to Kardinya Park, twice to Adelaide, and once to Brisbane and Sydney. In contrast, Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon will only leave Victoria four times each.
West Coast will play the majority of their games on Saturdays, enjoying at least a six day break most weeks. They are expected to lose both derby's again, as they did in 2006, when they play Fremantle in rounds 3 and 18.

Fixtures

The fires in Orange County have come perilously close to Saddleback Church....within about 500 metres apparently.

"Trisha Wuich, 32, creative arts coordinator at nearby Saddleback Church, had spent the day watching the fire from her office window. Her curiosity got the best of her, however, and now she stood within feet of the conflagration, taking cell-phone videos to send to her husband.

"I probably shouldn't do this," she said as ash darkened the late-afternoon sky. "But it's natural curiosity. I called my husband and said, 'If I'm dead it's because of curiosity.' We were watching flames from a distance, and all of a sudden separate patches jumped together. It came out of nowhere; your eyes started to water and your chest started to tighten."

Suddenly an Orange County sheriff's deputy appeared and ordered the gawkers to leave. "Adios, sayonara, bye bye everybody," he said.

As the throng departed reluctantly toward the Ralphs grocery store on nearby Portola Parkway, a fire engine arrived with its lights flashing to knock the flames down.

story

Oh yeh........
great movie...

You could do worse than at least have a look at this post.

http://flowofreality.blogspot.com/2007/10/watermelon-party.html

I dont know how Pastors survive without a peer group. My bunch of mates are great...if ever I was in real trouble in ministry, I know these guys would help. Its pretty organic. Some months someone brings something to discuss. Its good, causal, prayerful and honest.
This is what we looked at today.

The title of this article is a little deceptive....just read it before judging it.

Bring Back Personality Driven Churches
By Dave Gilpin
Learn how to master the art of Culture Creation for growth in your church. After almost 20 years in full time ministry, Dave Gilpin gets angry at the colour that dominates the Christian sky-line...'beige'.
After almost 20 years in full time ministry, Dave Gilpin gets angry at the colour that dominates the Christian sky-line...'beige'.
There is a divine spark inside each of us! Don't quote me on this - it's a quote from 'Bruce Almighty'. Bruce had just spent a disastrous time of his life trying to be what he wasn't. Bruce (played by Jim Carey) was 'called' to be the 'light entertainment' correspondent of the nightly newscast, yet in his insecurity, wanted to be seen in a more serious light.
His quest for anchorman led to horrible consequences for the entire world! God (played by Morgan Freeman) had a heart to heart with Bruce and revealed to him that deep within him lay a divine spark. Bruce's was to bring laughter and happiness to the world. He 'saw the light' and set about to be himself - content, funny and furious!
If Abba reunited, they'd make trillions, yet Bjorn Again, the Aussie Abba tribute band, sing better, play better and look younger . yet only make thousands. Why is that? It's the power of originality.
It's the same for you and your church. Why would the devil spend time undermining your incredible God given gift of personality? Why do we admonish a 'cell driven' church, a 'purpose driven' church, a 'passionately driven' church, yet vilify a 'personality driven' church? Why is a church allowed to be led by strong leadership but not strong charisma? Who made charisma so superficial and so 'American'? Is there a power at work to weaken the power that's generated where originality abounds? (Please switch on the Jaws theme tune now!)
The funny thing about ministers is that they often change personalities upon entering the pulpit. It's a strange morphing that I've been guilty of many times over. What results is a pale imitation of someone else's divine spark.
So much of our life owes its power to the power of originality. Take faith for example. Faith comes by an original word from God. You can't just repeat a verse from the Bible and then try to believe it. Either you believe it or you don't believe it. You can't make it up. When God speaks, faith is ignited. It's not borrowed faith nor humanly generated. It doesn't come through the laying on of hands. It comes via the power of originality ignited. It's not borrowed faith nor humanly generated. It doesn't come through the laying on of hands. It comes via the power of originality.
The gifts of the Spirit also operate on the strength of originality. They express themselves with unique words for a unique season and plan. And they do it through personality. It's also a funny thing to see what happens when many people prophesy. Their voice changes, their manner changes and for whatever intents and purposes, they become a 'different' person. Who devalued and disfigured the vessel through which the gifts would operate?

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Beautiful day.....

Some pleasant suprises at church with two folk joining Eliot for worship....and they were great...both of them....cant say much more...but really encouraging....

There was a real sense of the presence of God this morning during church, and another good crowd in this week as well......which is always encouraging.

I spoke on fasting, which was good, got a friend to do a testimony about his own experiences, and it fitted in really well....in fact the whole service 'flowed' in that mysterious way that says to me that God has something to say...and we are just the passengers. It was good to be there.

This afternoon I took the kids down to City Beach to walk the dog, have some overpriced fish and chips, and let my son ride his bank down the steep grass walls of the oval there, going way to fast on his bike....he is such a boy.

Tommorow I have peer group, and I will be picking up my wife late at night.

Wife away...what to do....Ruby provided the answers....lets go swimming dad!!!
Great idea daughter of mine....

Off to Mc Donalds for a great start to the day...well for the kids anyway, I had a Mc Cappucino which was passable....

Then to Fremantle Aquatic Centre....or whatever it is called....Son of mine taking to the water like the fish he is, daughter being her normal fun loving stuff...but approaching the slides with a little bit more timidity that son.....

Then to the Freo Markets, Freo icecream store and then to the Freo Bakehouse for some excellent Italian bread......

Great day, great suggestion....beautiful coffee at home....

My wife has gone to Singapore for a few days....shopping and fun holiday with her sisters.

The reality of life without her has just hit me....sleeping alone....that sucks.....
Getting the kids ready...no problem....

Saturday without her....that sucks.........

Talking about fasting this week, coupling it with some thoughts on our rampant consumerism....
Here is some interesting facts....
56% of Australians believe they spend almost all their income on basic necessities.
• Expenditure on imported consumer goods rose by 60% between 2000 and 2004.
• Australians spend about $10.5 billion on goods they do not use: food and drink; appliances; exercise equipment; memberships (in 2004, Australians spent about $500m on gym memberships that were never or hardly used).
• Spending on mobile phones rose by 183% between 1999 and 2004.
• Personal debt doubled between 2001 and 2004, and quadrupled between 1996 and 2004.
• The average floor area of a new house increased from 170m2 to 221m2 between 1985 and 2000. In 1955, house population was 3.6 people, in 2000 it was 2.6.
• An average child in the USA, Australia and UK sees between 20-40,000 commercials a year.
• 60% of children spend more time watching television than in school.
• Children as young as 3 recognise brand logos.
• In 2003-04, households spent, on average, just under half (49%) of their total weekly expenditure on food, housing and transport.
• In 2003-04, Australian households spent $893 per week on average on goods and services, an increase from $362 in 1984. While household expenditure increased in absolute dollar terms, spending patterns did not change greatly between 1984 and 2003-04.
• The overall increase in average weekly household expenditure on goods and services between 1998-99 and 2003-04 was $184 or 26.4%. Over the same period, the price of goods and services, as measured by the CPI, rose by 18%.
• A typical supermarket now carries about 20,000 products. Fifteen years ago it would have been about half that.
• Between 20-40% of purchases of food, movies, games, etc, would not have occurred unless a child had nagged their parent/s (Initiative Media study, USA).
• As we spend more and borrow more, so we are forced to work longer hours in order to pay off our debts and afford our purchases. The cost of housing, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, has seen housing debt (mortgages) reach record levels. This is made worse by the fact that the size of our houses is growing, despite the size of our families shrinking. Our houses have doubled in size over the past 50 years.
• The number of Australians working long hours has increased significantly. 31% of our full-time workforce now works in excess of 48 hours a week, something that would be unlawful in Europe. Two million Australians work on average more than 50 hours a week.

Source

The last thing I ever want to be, or my church to be, is mediocre.
At times we are, and I certainly am.....but we don't want to be, that's for sure.
I see a God who is creative, energetic, powerful, generous......
I want to be follow my Saviour's example, and I want my church to as well.

I am not talking about the idea of 'excellence' that used to be prevalent, and still is in some quarters, but I am talking about not being mediocre.
I am talking about being creative, generous, unique, purposeful......

This is an excellent article...and I think the applications to Church are many, so I have reprinted it here.


I got a ton of email this week about the Radiohead rollout. The short version: Radiohead (a million-selling rock band) launched their new album as a pay-what-you-want MP3 combined with an expensive boxed set. This is the sort thing I've been talking about for seven years and many unknown bands have been doing for at least that long.

A lot of pundits have jumped in and talked about how this is the next big thing. That the music industry is finally waking up and realizing that they can't change the world... that the world is changing them.

But that's not the really useful insight here. The question is: why did it take so long, and why did we see it from Prince (CD in the newspaper), Madonna ($120 mm to leave her label and go to a concert promoter) and Radiohead?

Most industries innovate from both ends:

The outsiders go first because they have nothing to lose.
The winners go next because they can afford to and they want to stay winners.
It's the mediocre middle that sits and waits and watches.
The mediocre record companies, mediocre A&R guys and the mediocre acts are struggling to stay in place. They're nervous that it all might fall apart. So they wait. They wait for 'proof' that this new idea is going to work, or at least won't prove fatal. (It's the impulse to wait that made them mediocre in the first place, of course).

So, in every industry, the middle waits. And watches. And then, once they realize they can survive the switch (or once they're persuaded that their current model is truly fading away), they jump in.

The irony, of course, is that by jumping in last, they're condemning themselves to more mediocrity.

Seth Godin

Missional - Two Sundays ago we had a guy nursing a hangover, a couple that had given up on church years ago and a Muslim attend Compass Point...after we had befriended them through community outreach.

Attractional - This past Sunday they all came back because they liked it the week before.

It's a stupid argument...you need both!!!


Christians hang out at Starbucks...disconnected people hang out in bars.


Chris blog

and if you want your club to pick him up.......forget it...as he is very likely to be delisted from the AFL, meaning he cant play for any other club.....

as well....SGIO is reviewing its sponsorship of the club...as they should....I've had enough of those "not anymore' ads for a start....and that dork wearing a eagles jumper as well.

The weagles had to do this....otherwise the AFL would definetly take draft picks off them.

Hope Woosha is able to enjoy his holiday in Broome, but somehow I doubt it.


with Cousins and Chick gone, there is only one known drug user left at the Weegirls...he had better be careful.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Howard has weighed into the Cousins scandal, warning that the AFL must take a tough line on drugs.

He also described the latest strife to hit the Eagle as a tragedy for a great athlete.

"But I hope that the AFL is as tough as needs be in relation to the culture and attitude within the sport that brought it about," he said this afternoon.

The Government has been critical of the AFL's controversial three strikes illicit drugs policy – endorsing a zero tolerance approach to illegal drugs in all sports.

Mr Howard said he felt sorry for the star footballer's family and he hoped the player was able to get a grip on his problem.

"I think it is a personal tragedy for a very talented young man," Mr Howard said.

story

I actually have a lot of sympathy for Ben Cousins, and I hope that at some point in the future he is able to relax, and think that life is okay, and that the demon hand of drugs has left him. I hope he does no more self harm to himself, and lives a long and good life.

However, he cannot possibly be allowed to play football anymore. The West Coast should do something strong, which they have failed to do thus far, and they must sack him. If they dont, they will have no reputation left at all, if indeed they have any credibility.

SGIO, an insurance company, a solid citizen of the corporate world, must also withdraw their sponsorship of the club. The corporate world should not support a club which takes no moral responsibility for the behaviour of its players.
West Coast must act now, but the fact they have failed to act sooner, has in no small way, led to the events of yesterday.

The fans must also take responsibility. How sycophantic and ridiculous does the standing ovation Ben recieved feel now? Will the sign writer who wrote, "we admire what you have overcome" burn their sign? The undulating support on 6peagle last night was sickening, 'get of his back', 'its the medias fault'....sheesh.

Apparently Ben smiled through his arrest last night, and asked the police to wait so the "West Australian" could get a decent photo of him. Maybe this is a cry for help. Maybe he has had enough of himself. He needs some tough love.

One of the many issues for the West Coast is the line from their song which talks about 'the men from the east'. It embodies something about their culture which is a 'them and us' mentality. WA is a state of pioneers, and rumours of secession. We have not trusted those from the East. Unfortunately the WC Eagles are seen as being part of the 'us' and thus immune from scrutiny.

Those of us who dont support them, are constantly suprised by the depth of denial that emmenates from the WC management, the media and their fans. They are the worst behaved sporting club in Australia...bar none.

The lack of media and fans scrutiny of the club have led in some small way to Ben's demise, and again, I wish him all the best.

Car searched in Northbridge, taken shirtless to local police station.

West Coast have a severe culture problem at their club.....severe...and need to do something drastic. Glad my kids dont support them.

Just in....Cousins is very likely arrested, and Daniel Chick is being questioned.

During the trade period Freo wanted to pick up Keppler Bradley from Essendon. They offered a 3rd round draft pick....Essendon said no, he is worth at least a second round draft, stale mate...Harvey did not blink.

Now we get the news that Essendon have delisted him!! story

Unbelievable....now we pick him up for nothing......

The trade week is designed so players can move clubs....and its a good idea....because good players dont want to be forced to play for the Weegirls.

Great service this morning...had a big crowd in, heaps of visitors....

David and Shirley Deane shared of their work in China. They teach English, and have some incredible stories to tell of their missionary endevours....amazing and encouraging stories...David and Shirley are really giving themselves to these people, they have them over, they share lives with them, and have seem fruit for their endevours...

This afternoon our church had a picnic down by the river, what a beautiful day.

Then this arvo went out with the BIL as we get some much needed bloke time in as our wives prepare to head overseas for a few days....
We played some pool, and then went and say "The Kingdom"......what an incredible, riveting, challenging, thought provoking action packed political movie. If you can handle the graphic and realistic violence....I consider this a must see movie.
Jamie Fox is a incredible actor, and backed up by an impressive cast. But the kudos must go to the scriptwriter who has written one of the most intelligent movies I have seen...Go see it....

This from Markedly in 2006....

"May he (Chris Judd) have his worst year ever this year and get traded to Collingwood in 2007"

all good things come to those who wait....Chris Judd had his most injury plagued year to date, and got traded to Carlton.

Archive

So lets get this straight Nisbett (WC CEO).....

You lost the derby....and its Josh Carr's fault for playing hard football....mmmmm

You lose a captain when he runs away from a booze bus, possibly because he was taking drugs.....and its the media's fault....

You lose the best player in the competition, and your captain, and its Carlton's fault because they tried to lose all their games so they could pick him up......


Grow up Nisbett...if its possible to give your club a worse name than it already has....you are giving it a go......

Here is a video I have put together to play pre-worship. Let me know if you want a copy.

John Howard has made some pretty big statements this last week about the indigenous debate in Australia.

The cynic, or maybe realist, would state that Howard has chosen a very strategic time to announce what appears to be a backflip in policy.

I have grown into the belief that a statement of regret needs to be made to the original inhabitants of this land. There was never a treaty, not even a preposterously unfair one such as the one drafted by the American settlers.

Does this mean the Australian government will be sued? Maybe, maybe not. But there is a basic human right to be respected, noticed and valued as a person made in the image of God. The original inhabitants of this land were at times treated as something less than human.

Maybe the gracious person might suppose that Howard has grown, and wants to leave a legacy. Maybe the public perception has caused him to rethink and reevaluate his previous value. Either way, it appears something will be done in this area, which is a good thing.

I also applaud the leadership being taken in remote indigenous communities. The childrens lives, their safety, their innocence, needs to be protected. Of course this is not only a issue in indigenous society, it is everywhere, and something which makes me very angry. It drives me to do what I do, in the place God has put me.