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Rhyse Palmer looks very hungry

Watching this video interview, you cant help but get the picture that Rhyse is very hungry to play, almost nervously saying, I have done everything I can, just want them to select me!
Lets not forget, he did win the Rising Star award, is a incredible player with evasive skills. If he comes in for the Derby, he will be huuuuungry!

Churches built by young people

This is a really good article.

Millenials are honest on faith

Basis of it is that young people are feeling isolated in their faith, while passionate and connected in their church, outside of church, not many of their friends can relate to their faith.

Mark Driscoll says this,
"Two, young people are committed to churches not built for them but built by them. Around the country young people are flocking to churches that have clear authoritative Bible teaching about real life issues, are lead by authentic leaders, include night services, use online social media, embrace technology, serve the poor and suffering, strive for community, encourage creativity, and allow young leaders to lead at the highest levels."

This is what we are going to be doing at Inglewood Church as we look to start a second service, but not just as an adjunct, but a church in many aspects all of its own. It will come under our authority, and be resourced by us, but the direction and feel of the church will be driven by the young adults.

Acts 1

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

God really spoke to me through this passage this morning in my devotional time.
Imagine being the disciples. You have spent 3 years following Jesus, you have seen Him be laughed at, suffer and then die.
Finally...you now see He is alive, victorious! All He said would happen...has.
And therefore you legitimately ask, now Jesus? now? Will you restore things now?
But the answer is...no. Not right now, it is not for you to know that. For now, you will receive the Holy Spirit, be empowered...and you need to spread the gospel, the good news.

Its like Jesus is saying, your time of comfort, restoration, everything being right...is not yet! For now, even though you have been through three years of this, your time has not yet come. Why? Because there were so many that needed to hear about Jesus. So many that Jesus wanted to bring into His family.
Their comfort was not important, what was important was the Kingdom!
Challenging.

HBF Advertisements

I really find these ads offensive as it appears many others do if Twitter is anything to go by.
They play on deep seated emotions in a cynical and somewhat offensive attempt to sign us up to their health care.
Now while health care is important, I think that how they have done these advertisements is almost using something which for many people may be personally very distressing as a way to sell their product.
Quite disgusting in my opinion.
If you live in Western Australia, and while I hesitate to post the link to their ad, you could find it easily enough, so here it is.
Link

Delirious Majesty

This is a truly beautiful moment and song.

Anzac Day

This Anzac Day at Inglewood Church we are going reasonably low key.
We have done some bigger services in the past, which has been great.

I have prepared a little media, and we are going to pray for those brave folk who are serving our Country at the moment overseas in conflict situations.

Baptist Pastors Conference


Record numbers of delegates attending the 2010 Alltogether Baptist Pastors Conference.
For the past few years we have joined up with Church of Christ Pastors, this year its just Bapos.
Looking like we are going to have as many as we did last year in total numbers...with only Bapos attending, so it has gone really well.

One thing we have done this year is try to give each Pastor a call and personally invite them. People matter. People appreciate the personal call....that someone cares about them.
Its not about making a great conference, although that is important. Its that we believe in community of Pastors, we have a unique calling/vocation.

Really looking forward to catching up with all my mates, praying, sharing...eating!

Craig Hutchinson called out by his colleagues

Even his colleagues are turning on him...as they should.... :)

My daughter turns six


My beautiful little princess turned six today.
Six years ago I was sitting in Joondalup hospital giving her a bath for the first time.

Nowadays she generally speaking dresses herself. In fact, unlike her brother, has very definete ideas about what she wants to wear. 'Dad...that does not match"....dad...those shoes dont go with those pants!

Generally speaking she is right, and dear old dad is wrooong.
Soon she will be telling me what to wear, and being embarassed by me.
So for now...I am holding onto the love and affection she has for me.
At times it seems like a hassle to 'come and say goodnight daddy, and give me a kiss". Especially when I have got settled into the couch.
But I can't not do it...its too precious.
I know, I realise, that times and daughters change. At the moment she could not be more precious, and I am going to enjoy every moment of her life I can.

And save up for the wedding. If todays 'art and craft' party with 15 giggling six year olds is anything to go by, this little precious girl is going to cost me a fortune...but she's worth it.

Speaking about leaving religion behind this Sunday....

I love how the message translation of the Bible puts this verse, 1 Samuel 15:22-23 Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him!
Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around
in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God's command, he says No to your kingship.


The truth is that there is nothing wrong with doing something which is beautiful and lavish for God, the woman who broke her very expensive perfume jar over the feet of Jesus in the days leading up to the cross, did something beautiful and lavish and extravagant for Jesus, in a beautiful act of worship. But here Saul is clearly making it about him. He says its about God, he says he kept back the best for God, but it is about his appearance, how he looks, what people think of him. That is religious! That is religion, and its empty, and it has no real worth, because obedience to God is what counts, to what God has asked for, not what He has not asked for

Pastors have a greater standard

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (Message Translation)
If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap."

There is probably as much written about Pastors on the Internet as what there is written about AFL coaches in papers.
We are not superhuman, and certainly not more spiritual than anyone else, just because we are a pastor.
There are certain obligations, responsibilities and rewards that go along with being a pastor. You get to lead people in church, thats great!
But you are also more responsible, as a shepherd.
You need to be allowed to lead, but if you are, then you need to realise you are more responsible as well. Lead...well....set boundaries...well, aim for purity.
I pray today for all my pastor friends, stay true, persevere....be faithful to your calling.
As Phil Pringle says, "Pastoring is a tough gig but if you read your bible & make sure you only sleep with your wife you probably will do ok"

Fremantle Dockers You can't ask more than that

This season I was not expecting much at all, perhaps a few more wins with a young developing side, and more first gamers to blood.

But....now I am expecting more.
Three gusty wins, including one today over Geelong which showed real character and will to win, and without our two best defenders and Palmer to still come in.

Wow.

And to top it all off, Weagles have lost all three of their very winnable wins. Double pleasure!

Rear View Mirror Countdown

Here is a Countdown I made up, using Final Cut. Learning the program. Used a music track I made using Garage Band. Feel free to download and use.


Download it here

Chuck Swindoll just does not care anymore

In a good way that is.
In regard to legalists, he just cant be bothered dealing with them anymore.

"The problem with legalists is that not enough people have confronted them and told them to get lost. Those are strong words, but I don't mess with legalism anymore. I'm 72 years old; what have I got to lose? Seriously, I used to kowtow to legalists, but they're dangerous. They are grace-killers. They'll drive off every new Christian you bring to church. They are enemies of the faith. Other than that, I don't have any opinion!"


Source

Leaving Religion Behind


Doing this series post Easter... Looking forward to it!

April 11 what is means to be spiritual, what it does not, freedom in Christ,

April 18th Spiritual prayer, not a rule, but a lifestyle....advocacy, standing in gap,
Holy Spirit power, being a person of prayer,

April 25th Worship, understanding our place in the universe, humbly entering in, realising who God is, what is then the natural expression of that
More...

Mick Sheehan is a fan....

2-0 or 0-2

A tale of contrasting fortunes for our two team town.

How on earth did Michael Barlow end up at Freo?
He is a gun...its that simple.
Two best on ground performances, from a player no one else seemed to want...and now he plays for us, the Dockers.

Can't really explain how it feels to watch the Dockers at the moment, but whatever it is, its enjoyable.
Having the Weagles lose their first two is just the cream on the cake!

Numbers aint everything...

But we had our largest attendance ever as a Church today.
Almost ran out of seats.

Perhaps more importantly, we had such a great celebration, a party if you like!
Jesus kicked death, rose from the dead...and He us our God!

Worth a celebration I reckon.