Last week was super busy, especially with Australia Day on Tuesday...

I organised Pictures in the Park, decent crowd in, about 200 plus folk came in from the community, with minimal advertising. We watched Wall-e which has suprising spiritual themes. Lots of visible community presence, and being a blessing.

Had a group of friends we don't see enough of over for Australia Day. Melinda cooked up some superb pies, curry, steak and mushroom, satay chicken....homemade with big and juicy chunks of meat. Pavlova with fresh blueberries...and a loud and good countdown of Aussie Rock Music on 96fm

Saturday was my sons birthday...turned 9. Bought him a little video camera. He has a real aptitude for 'story', and so we want to encourage this natural skill. He loves taking photos and making videos with them. This is a natural next step.
Then I took him and two of his mates to 'Adventure World'. I had to go on every ride with them, and so I was smaaaashed.
Then we had a combined family 'Club Penguin Pizza Night'. Melinda cooked up the finest pizzas possible. Smothered in seafood, chicken and roast pumpkin, meatlovers, feta and vegetarian...etc etc....

Today was Church at Inglewood Church. Big crowd in, great sense of God's presence and joy. Our new youth pastor showed a great video and I spoke on 'Thy word is a'....
It went really well, with a stack of visitors....

Life is good...off to make myself a coffee with some coffee that my sister in law brought me from Vietnam...and a Krispy Kreme doughnut that my sister brought me from Melbourne....BLESSED!

The media love a story, they love making a story...

Tony Abbott, leader of the opposition, said this to a Australian Womans magazine...
"When asked by the Australian Women's Weekly in a wide-ranging interview published today what advice he would give his daughters on sex before marriage, Mr Abbott replied that he would advise them not to give away their virginity lightly. "I think I would say to my daughters if they were to ask me this question ... it is the greatest gift that you can give someone, the ultimate gift of giving, and don't give it to someone lightly," he said.

So a father advises his daughters to be careful about who they sleep with and when.
Thats a story?
Only if the media know Abbott is a devout Christian and are just angling for a way to place him in their stereotypical 'easy to understand' little spot.

Good on Abbott for not shying away from giving us his view. You don't have to agree with him, and he is not saying that he is going to try and legislate this, so what is the story?

I think the people of Australia are far smarter than the media give them credit for.

By the way....I do agree with Tony on his personal view, and will be advising my son and daughter of the same principle.

I love my country, can't imagine living anywhere else...

I love our lack of pretension
I love the fact we don't 'pump' each other up
I love the fact we are so egalitarian.
I love the fact that mostly you can do and be who you want to be
I love the fact that at our heart, and at our best, we are a generous, giving country, and we are willing to give people a go.

I love our fresh air, fresh water, clean beaches, fishing, swimming...driving along the beach.
I love our coffee, our innovation, our 'can do' attitude.

I love the fact we are not English, American or anything else...we are unique.

If you take our relatively small population into account, we kick the worlds butt in whatever sport we turn our hand to.
We are creative, smart and good people.

I love Australia, I love its people.

At Inglewood Church I devoted the communion time to thinking about Haiti, and the people in devastation there.
I thought that we just needed to stop and consider the poor distressed people suffering. Our brothers and sisters, people made in the Image of God, just like us.

We prayed this prayer I was sent, and I encouraged people to give to Compassion.

This story is amazing, and this line struck me, "Onlookers cheered as Wismond Exantus - smiling and apparently in a good condition - emerged on a stretcher from what remains of the Napoli Inn Hotel." Its strikes me, and I am not being trite, at the smiles on peoples faces when they are rescued. One women starting singing a gospel song! Of course you would be happy to be rescued, but they seem like such a beautiful people.

Prayer

A prayer for Haiti

Loving God of creation, at this time of devastation we hold before you the people of Haiti. When the damage is unimaginable, and the suffering seems overwhelming, remind us that every person affected is loved, honoured and precious in your sight. We remember all those who have been hurt; all who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Work through us to bring healing to broken and distorted lives, peace to those who have been thrown into despair, light to those in darkness, and hope to those who fear. We ask this in the name of Jesus in whom all life and grace is found. Amen

Angus Buchan is coming to town.
Because our new youth pastor is speaking this week...and I was back from holidays, I was able to devote some time this week to getting stuff ready for the
www.mightymensconference.org.au

T-shirts for all the volunteers, ushers, sound guys...you name it!
Also started working on how all the visual stuff is going to work.
Need 4 times 4000 ansi lumen projectors, our own tailor made screens, splitter boxes, four cameras, cables, and monitors...should be fun!

In some ways this is a case of getting there and adapting as we go.

This year is different. We have a larger tent, hoping for 3000 men.
Can you imagine that?

3000 men from all over Australia and the world.

If you have not registered yet, get on board.
This year we have new caterers, and you will need to register to guarantee food for the Friday and Saturday.
Love to see you there.

Okay, I have watched the video, listened to the song, and read the lyrics.
I have also read a bit of discussion on this...I don't know what he is really going on about...


God gave me the sunshine, Then showed me my lifeline I was told it was all mine,
Then I got laid on a ley line What a day, what a day, And your Jesus really died for me
Then Jesus really tried for me

UK and entropy, I feel like its ****in’ me Wanna feed off the energy, Love living like a deity
What a day, one day, And your Jesus really died for me I guess Jesus really tried for me

Bodies in the Bodhi tree, Bodies making chemistry Bodies on my family, Bodies in the way of me
Bodies in the cemetery, And that’s the way it’s gonna be

All we’ve ever wanted Is to look good naked Hope that someone can take it God save me rejection From my reflection, I want perfection

Praying for the rapture, ‘Cause it’s stranger getting stranger And everything’s contagious
It’s the modern middle ages All day every day And if Jesus really died for me Then Jesus really tried for me

Bodies in the Bodhi tree, Bodies making chemistry Bodies on my family, Bodies in the way of me
Bodies in the cemetery, And that’s the way it’s gonna be

All we’ve ever wanted Is to look good naked Hope that someone can take it God save me rejection From my reflection, I want perfection Bodies in the Bodhi tree, Bodies making chemistry Bodies on my family, Bodies in the way of me Bodies in the cemetery,
Bodies in the bodhi tree, Bodies making chemistry Bodies on my family, Bodies in the way of me
Bodies in the cemetery, And that’s the way it’s gonna be All we’ve ever wanted Is to look good naked Hope that someone can take it So God save me rejection From my reflection, I want perfection Jesus didn’t die for you, what do you want? (I want perfection)
Jesus didn’t die for you, what are you on? Oh Lord (Jesus really died for you) Ohh
(Jesus really died for you) (Jesus really died for you) Ohh

I love my job....but....

My thoughts are still somewhat in Bremer Bay...
Where I fished, snorkelled, surfed with my son....drove the Vitara along the beach,
enjoyed the sun, sand and friends...

We sat around, talked, drank, ate snacks....

Watched the kids roast marshmallows...and generally relaxed.
Its pretty relaxed around Bremer way....

I also caught up for the first time with an old pastor friend of mine, who I have caught up with 'online' but not in real life for over 20 years....It was really good.

Then we choofed off to Fonti's Pool for a few days of 'Edwards family time'. Clem and I spent a lot of our time in the natural waters of Fontis...and I taught Ruby a little bit more about swimming.
We ate a lot of Manjimup Cherries, and tried to stay out of the heat as much as we could.
Holidays are great...and really needed....but you cant stay there forever.

I don't know what it says about me, but towards the end, as much as I was enjoying the time, I felt a little purposeless. I don't think I could be a beach bum...or live in Bremer all my life...

Truth is, the anticipation of a holiday is almost as good as the holiday itself.
Today I have taken the afternoon off from a very busy week to get my fishing and other gear ready for a holiday in a beach location.
The rods, tackle, boogie board, sand board are all ready.
The Coleman Road Trip Grill is clean, and packed.
The new screen tent awaits its first use.

The kids are EXCITED DAD!

I have a lot of church work to do tommorow, and then Saturday...The Artisan Markets.

But right now, after slaving away in the hot Perth sun, cutting lawn, cleaning packing crates, getting the trailer ready...I am sipping on a cold Pilsner...and thinking how much better it will taste after a day fishing, swimming, surfing with my son, snorkling with my delightful daughter, and tasting the Harvey Beef cooked by my beautiful wife....

Bought my wife a fishing rod today, a Jarvis Walker 6 foot rod with ball bearing reel....for $19.99. On special, 30% off.
Its a decent rod, it will do the job well.
How do they make it that cheaply??

Spoke on 'Kairos' and chronos time today.
In Gideons life, God broke into normal time, and spoke into his life.
He called this scared, fearful guy...a 'mighty warrior'
Imagine being called that....by God!
But Gideon did not buy it, definetly a 'glass empty' sort of guy. He did not see himself as God did....

I wonder if God has a name, a designation...for me this year?
Something I need to take hold of..and believe?

I hope so...roll on 2010....its going to be a great year!

Hi to all who read this blog.
I wish you all a year of no regrets.
Of Opportunities taken
Of Kairos time broken into Chronos time in your life
Of a very real sense of the presence and knowledge of Jesus Christ in your life.
I hope for peace, healing, joy, hope and love for you this year.
If 2009 was a awful year for you, I hope you have a 2010 which exceeds all your expectations.