Love it!!!

Had a meeting today with Lisa Baker, the member for Maylands.
What a refreshing person! Passionate about local issues, down to earth, easy to talk with and deal with...and focused on promoting community.

I love this area I live in...God has called me to it...and it is just amazing to have opportunities as the Church does now have.

We really want to serve our community, and be a major part of its transformation.

There are so many good ideas...and good people with them.
But there is a lot of difference between a good idea...and a completed idea.

The world, committees.... P & C Councils...are full of people with good ideas, that 'someone' should implement.

The world has enough people with good ideas, what we need are people who will persever and implement ideas.

Reminded of this as I spoke on Sunday about David, who endured the steely stares of Saul, and the wrath of his spear, yet he did not give up, do anything dishonourable...or sway from his God given destiny.
But it took hard work, and implementation.

Let us...let me...be an implementer, not a critique, a pot stirrer...but someone who actually does the stuff.....

If you live in Australia....you need to get yourself a set top box.
ABC2 this afternoon I have watched 2 different concerts....so good.
Duran Duran... (okay okay)
Beach Boys


Eccletic...interesting...vibrant.
They are not always to everyones tastes, or sensibilities....but the choice is there.
I loooove the national broadcaster

Here it is.
Some think it looks like doughnuts, others have wondered about the colours.
Those who have no idea about branding are wondering why we need a new one.

I am very happy with this new logo for the Baptist Union.
I feel it conveys a dynamic, contemporary organisation, working in unison.
We will start using it as a church.
Well done all concerned.

Here is the offical release
"
The new ABM logo. Get used to it.

For immediate release

10 July 2009

Australian Baptists today launched a new national name and logo, signaling a renewed commitment to evangelism, mission and ministry around the nation and around the world.

The three-circles logo replaces the traditional green and gold image, and the movement will be known as Australian Baptist Ministries. The Baptist Union of Australia will remain the legal name.

In announcing the new logo, BUA President Revd Dr John Beasy said the three circles concept pointed to a number of significant aspects of our life as Baptists.

“The circle of God’s love is our motive for service. The circle of relationships is the heart of our ministry. The circle of the world is the context for our work,” he said.

“The Triune God is our source and guide and goal. We confess one Lord, one faith, one baptism. We are driven by the call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. We are inspired by faith, hope and love. We are devoted to Jesus in body, mind and spirit.

“We are a movement embracing change with imagination, releasing potential through teamwork, shaped by faithfulness to Scripture, drawn together as a distinctive community following Jesus. We celebrate our unity in diversity, and the qualities that shape us – past, present and future.

“The natural colours indicate our place as stewards of an ancient continent, whose ministries take root as we sow the gospel seed in the good Australian soil.

“This year marks the 400th anniversary of the beginnings of the Baptist movement,” Dr Beasy said. “Baptists have ministered in Australia for more than 178 years. We are known as Bible-believing followers of Jesus.

“As we honour our heritage and contend for the faith that the Lord once for all entrusted to us, we need to prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. Our heart is to be an active learning community, repositioning our Baptist movement for the future, developing and empowering younger leaders, and resourcing the next generation to follow Jesus.

“Join us as we begin the next stage of our journey together with God,” Dr Beasy said.

"You can imagine that when David was in Sauls presence, Saul directed a steely glance over at him….he literally would have been sitting at the same table as the King who hated him…he would have been eating at that table…talk about an uncomfortable family dinner......"

Make your Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com

Are our churches 'too nice'?
How do we stop them being 'nice' and safe and comfortable places.

Our church is far from being comfortable...but someone who is a perseptive and discerning leader, shared with me today that our church is 'too nice'...woh.
That stopped me in my tracks.

I have not been sharing enough of the vision if that is what people are thinking.
How is the church you are attending...challenging your 'niceness'? Because it should be! Churches should not be safe places, they should be challenging the status quo.

Wonder if we should implement this at Inglewood Church.....

Thinking and praying about what is the next step for our church.
We are pushing the limits of our present facility, and need more room, particularly for our childrens ministries.

We need God to confirm/release/reveal the next step to us.
I feel we need a revelation or should I say.....an opportunity to be revealed.

I believe that God reveals the next step, but then it is up to us to take hold of that...to grasp that which God lays before us.

If you are the praying type, please pray for us at Inglewood Church.

Walking through the rain today with my family....
Its great to have that time....but you do get wet and a little cold...

But now, sitting in front of the heater, drinking a hot drink....

But if it were not for the cold and wet, you would not appreciate the warmth as much.

Collingwood article
If you have not yet read this article, its a beauty.

Handballs
The Eagles had almost double the amount of handballs to kicks today in their loss to Melbourne. They don't have the skilled players they had in 2006 to perform that style of play. Natanui had no kicks today, and only three last week (admittedly 3 pretty good and important ones) Its a dumb style of play, and I reckon indicative of a pretty uncreative coach. As an aside, how on earth...or why on earth the Eagles play Chad Fletcher is beyond me. I thought they were meant to be playing young players? Not guys who wont be playing next year, and cant hit the side of a barn with either handball or kick!

Peter Bell and Farmer
Watching Bell and Farmer play for Souths, they could both still be playing for Freo...but maybe its better they are gone, to give space to our young exciting players.

Dean Solomon
A great muscle player, pity he cant get home on time, but it does seem a bit childish that a 29 year old cant be out till late on his day off with his old mate. Rumour is that he was also out with Brett Peake last week, but no one was admitting to it.

St Kilda
I hope they win it this year, the probably have the most sentimental reason to win, but if they do and Geelong lose, Geelong will have underperformed, and with a lot of older players, will need to get some more youngsters in to stay competitive in years to come.

Voss
Michael Voss is proving to be as good a coach as he was a player, Lions could be the suprise premiership contender.

As we kick off our new series based around the life of David, I have made up this video about some aspects of his life....the Warrior who cried out.
The song in the background is an orginal composition by Eliot Vlatko, one of the pastors at Inglewood Church.

What would I do if I won 50 Million Dollars?
The first question I suppose is how did I win it, considering I don't buy Lotto tickets, but I would be lying if I did not admit I was tempted...but when I found out they cost $13-$20 for a basic game....that sort of convinced me it was not a good idea... :)

In no particular order...
1. Obtain houses for a couple of people who need them, and pay off their debts
2. Pay off our own mortgage
3. Buy a decent block of land for our church to build on
4. Build the purpose built theatre we have a vision for.
5. Give 10% to Compassion
6. Buy the most expensive coffee machine you can get, and a house with a room in it just for coffee making
7. Buy a Mazda Rx3, have someone else modify it for me.
8. Buy the fastest Porsche Ceyenne money can buy
9. Buy a holiday house in regional Albany
10. Buy my son a Wii, my wife a overlocker and my daughter a new bike... :)
11. Buy a Pizza Oven

Part of my history.
This extraordinary artist still has something to say to us today.

The Eagles have put out some pretty amazing spin over the years...but this takes the cake.

According to Channel Eagle, Basil reports a senior official in the Eagles camp strongly suggested that the reason they signed up Worsfold quickly was so that Freo would not get him when they sack Harvey in a years time.

What a joke. The Eagles believe it would be a marketing coup. Marketing coup? More like a marketing disaster.

Worsfold came into a side that had a star midfield, and still, in many commentators eyes, underperformed.
Now, when the pressure is on, the team has not won a away game for the last 17 games. Over the past two years they have a 20% winning record.
Woosha presided over the worst period of the clubs history as their PR Spin department lost the battle with numerous gaping holes in their culture being exposed, as the rats jumped off the sinking ship. It got so bad that players such as Selwood put a clause in contracts to say if there was any more serioius misdemenours, he could leave!

Since Judd, Cousins and Gardiner have left Wooshas coaching, they have all become far better players. Judd is amazing, Cousins is in career best form, and Gardiner has recaptured and surpassed his AA form, being the unbeaten St Kilda's premier ruckman.

Freo don't want Woosha, its just a weak excuse to resign someone who should be under a lot more pressure than he is.
The Eagles have put out some pretty amazing spin over the years...but this takes the cake.

According to Channel Eagle, Basil reports a senior official in the Eagles camp strongly suggested that the reason they signed up Worsfold quickly was so that Freo would not get him when they sack Harvey in a years time.

What a joke. The Eagles believe it would be a marketing coup. Marketing coup? More like a marketing disaster.

Worsfold came into a side that had a star midfield, and still, in many commentators eyes, underperformed.
Now, when the pressure is on, the team has not won a away game for the last 17 games. Over the past two years they have a 20% winning record.
Woosha presided over the worst period of the clubs history as their PR Spin department lost the battle with numerous gaping holes in their culture being exposed, as the rats jumped off the sinking ship. It got so bad that players such as Selwood put a clause in contracts to say if there was any more serioius misdemenours, he could leave!

Since Judd, Cousins and Gardiner have left Wooshas coaching, they have all become far better players. Judd is amazing, Cousins is in career best form, and Gardiner has recaptured and surpassed his AA form, being the unbeaten St Kilda's premier ruckman.

Freo don't want Woosha, its just a weak excuse to resign someone who should be under a lot more pressure than he is.

This is a very very good website

Who is Jesus

This song is an original song written By Pastor Vlatko from Inglewood Church, and performed by the Angus Buchan Mighty Mens Conference 2009 Band.
Sound is not great, apologies, audio was overdriven at sound input...But Live it was phenomonal...especially when 2500 blokes stood up and sang it out.
Blokes do sing...just give them the right song, in the right place...we lifted the roof on that tent!

This is our series at Inglewood Church for July...
Should be awesome.
David the warrior, the worshipper, the King, the lover...
I love delving into the people behind the stories and legends. The people are what make it relevant to contemporary life.

This is a great quote....
"The Christian life, therefore, is not an individual pursuit. It’s a corporate journey. Knowing Christ and making him known is not an individual prospect. Those who insist on flying life solo will be brought to earth, with a crash. Thus Christ and his church are intimately joined and connected. What God has joined together, let no person put asunder. We were made for life with God; our only happiness is found in life with God. And God’s own pleasure and delight is found therein as well.

If Jesus could rise from the dead, we can at least rise from our bed, get off our couches and pews, and respond to the Lord’s resurrection life within us, joining Jesus in what he’s up to in the world. We call on others to join us—not in removing ourselves from planet Earth, but to plant our feet more firmly on the Earth while our spirits soar in the heavens of God’s pleasure and purpose. We are not of this world, but we live in this world for the Lord’s rights and interests. We, collectively, as the ekklesia of God, are Christ in and to this world"
(A Jesus Manifesto Sweet and Viola)

Coming soon!!!!!

When I come home from a Dockers loss...I am normally despressed, philosophic, struggling to find positives.
Not tonight.
That was a gutsy effort from the young lads in purple.
Nick De Ber, Garrick Ibbotson...Stephen Hill....all played awesome games.
Sandilands is the best ruckman....and certainly playing better than his much more fancied cross town rival.
That was the best game I have seen him play.
Talking of best games, I have not seen Tarrant play a better one that today, at least while dressed in purple. He kept his opponent, Mooney, to a nil goal score line. Pretty impressive, and the knowledgable Fremantle crowd showed their appreciation.

If...McPharlin had bought his kicking boots on, if the umpire had paid the blatant free kick to McPharlin (that was the worst decision all day, but the umpiring was poor all day)...then we might have sneaked a win.

It was not to be, but what a great game of football, seriously, the best one I have seen the Dockers play all year, and that includes their wins.

This is a countdown I have made up for this Sunday as we continue our series on Solomon.
But I have modified it so you can use it. I have taken off our church logo, and the music I used, and replaced it with some generic stuff.

You can download it here.(Righty Click)
Please let me know if you find it helpful.

By all reports a few clubs are chasing Buckley for the senior coach next year.
I am staggered by this.
No doubt he was a good player.
But....
All reports are that he was not a great captain. He found it hard to understand why everyone was not like him. He was not a great communicator.
He has not coached anyone...really.
He has not been an assistant anywhere.
He is not great in the media, and I think will be prickly if pressed.

and....he always wore his shorts too high for my liking...anyone who wears their shorts too high is always the sort of kid that no one liked in the playground....

Not much about the Dockers on this blog for a while....

Playing the young players is the right strategy...in my totally unprofessional opinion....

They reckon the latest rookie...'Ruffles' looks about 14....and is built very slighty.
Its incredible how much the game has changed, that such a player could get a jig...and not have his body ripped apart.
I watched an old video of a game between Essendon and Hawthorn the other day, and they were big blokes....skills were good, but I think todays skills are better.

"Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will"

So said Rev ML King to the 'white moderates' whose desire for peace frustrated him. Peace like they wanted, was no peace at all...was Kings contention. And he was right. The plight of King's community was so wrong, that even if they had played nice, that would not have made the situation tolerable. Like someone in an abusive situation, you want them to create a fuss, and get out of that situation. Sometimes complacency needs to be shaken...hard!

In a similar way, it is frustrating to me that 'people of good will' don't understand the necesity, the urgency, the paramount importance, of discovering their Creator, being discovered by Him, acknowledging Him. Maybe the frustration is even with myself. I am not all I should be, when I consider all He is.....

Passionate people, that is what I know God wants....and that is what this world needs.

Proverbs One
24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. 25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. 26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.

Woh.....don't ignore God's wisdom...ignore it at your own peril.
Ignore it, and the wisdom will cry out at you, why did you ignore me?

Reflecting on a friend who recently left the ministry....
People have deleted links to his blog, stopped talking about him...he is suddenly not that relevant any more.

I think about the stories of people in the bible....how much of it is about what they did, who they were or thirdly, what God did in their lives?

No conclusions, just some Monday morning thoughts.

Being as opposed to doing.

"the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'

We associate fear as a negative emotion.
Fear has no place in the life of a victorious, fully actualised human...we are told.

But fear is natural, and can be helpful, nature teaches us that.
Try telling a deer running from a wolf that fear is not helpful, it is...it provides energy!

Fear of God? Well that can be associated with negative connotations. Because none of us post modern, gen x'ers want to believe in a God who judges, condemns, hurts...
We want a nice God who loves and cuddles us.

But what we need...is a God who is strong.
If your father was not at least a little scary, then he was probably weak, and none of us, when the tough times come, want a weak father.
Nor do we actually want a weak God...we want a strong God.

That means, He is a little, maybe a lot, scary.

He is awesome...frightening, strong...to be obeyed.
He is the strong wind, the fire, the thunder....

Perfect love drives out fear...but what if God, who is love, is the one to be feared? What then?

Well...I am afraid of God, but I am also loved by Him, and I love Him.
This is a paradox......

Things that make you go mmmmmm.
What do you think?

With Schuller now bringing in guest speakers every week to the Crystal Cathedral, the guest speaker this week is straight talker 'Mark Driscoll'.

I think the most interesting aspect of this is not what Mark will say, nor how the predonimantly senior congregation might cope with the cussing, direct language and content of Driscoll's message...but what Mark will wear in the almost entirely suit wearing church....

Who remembers the infamous incident when Brad Hardie threw his jumper off...one day playing for Footscray...when Mick Malthouse dragged him.
Now Mick has brought out his best team from Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood.
Brad, despite being a Brownlow Medalist, and one of the best pocket players...ever...did not make the list.

It is pretty obvious that Brad was not included because Mick does not like him.

Brad does not like Mick, and let the world know it on 6peagle last night.

Bitterness, unforgiveness....lack of communication.
It makes us unhappy...it does not help anyone, it causes us to stew and foster bad thoughts and feelings....

Forgiveness...such a better option...for everyone.

I have deleted the post which dealt with an issue which has been circulating the net regarding a well known pastor.
Would I want people talking about me if this happened to me? No.

It is not a hypothetical issue, it is a real person.
I am not judging others who talked about it. I wanted to!
But I just don't want it on my blog.

We have all heard the rumours, people not getting jobs, or losing them, because of a potential boss, or present boss, 'googling' them.

You are probably on the net, even if you dont think you are, even if you are just in the 'white pages'.

Be careful what you post!
Probably more than 70% of the people visiting our church tell me they come because of our church internet site, or at the least, visit the site before they visit the church.

I imagine the internet savvy of them google "Pastor Mark Edwards' afterwards! No doubt they will find this blog....

If you find yourself posting comments on other people's blogs, or you are on facebook..or whevever...and people want to find out who you are, they will! As I found out yesterday, you can nearly always find out who someone is if you want to.

I know they lost, but with 10 players who have played under ten games, and two new players, they did well against Port away.

Tarrant in particular 'owned' Tredrea, and it was good to see the rookies do really well.

For those of you who dont know, which is probably a lot of us, the National Basketball Competition in Australia is in serious danger of folding.
In my view, the decline really started when television stopped broadcasting the games. Now you would think that this would stop people from going, because they could just stay at home and watch it. But no, seeing part of the game, made people want to experience the whole.

What lessons or applications are there for a church that is not big enough to have its services broadcast on free to air television?

I think in this age of easily uploadable video, there are some applications.

"Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine. How fragrant your cologne; your name is like its spreading fragrance. No wonder all the young women love you! Take me with you; come, let’s run! You have brought me into your bedroom."

No....this is not the latest Brittney Spears perfume advertisement,
nor is it the latest song from Lady Gaga.....

Its the piece of scripture I am speaking from this week......

The media have gotten themself into a sanctimonious lather over the latest Ben Cousins incident. Cousins ‘pulled the bird’ at the camera before the Fremantle v Richmond game on Saturday night. He is clearly shown directing his attention at the camera in the changerooms at Subiaco.
(More)

Thanks to a fired up Richmond...and an insipid third quarter.

Fremantle at times played on...and kicked to teamates.
Unfortunately at other times they were playing it safe...and not playing with confidence.
If they had pinched the win, as they almost did, while it would have been nice, they would not have deserved it.
Richmond tried hard all night, and with Freo missing too many good players, the Tigers deserved the win.

I do like what Harvey is doing though. Experimenting, playing all the young players.
Lets hope Palmer gets back fit and firing next year, and with our new players like Hill and Mayne back...we do have a lot to look forward too.

That is the question.
And the person?
Ben Cousins.

For the affirmative
1. He used to play for West Coast
2. He now plays for Richmond
3. He is impossibly talented and good looking
4. If we don't boo him, he wont know how to react

For the negative
1. He no longer plays for West Coast
2. He has (self inflicted or not) had a rough trot
3. His coach is about to get sacked

I will leave it with my readers...to boo or not?

Amazing...awesome!
Hillsong United's New Album has hit number one on I-Tunes....
Story....

"A circus act in Romania ended in tragedy on 23 January when fire-eater Vlad Cazacu, 43, belched in mid-performance and was blown to bits. Incredibly no one came to his rescue as stunned onlookers assumed this was part of an amazing illusion. Consequently this unfortunate man, who probably could have been saved, was allowed to just lie there and die.

"In the first part of the performance," said fellow circus performer Nicole Antosu, "Vlad held a flammable cocktail in his mouth to spit fire at a burning torch. Somehow, he must have swallowed some of the liquid, because when he burped he triggered an explosion." The Parrot (Accra, Ghana) - 2-8 June 1998"


There is something significant about your life. You have it…right now…and at this moment you are choosing what to do with it. God has given us a choice on how to live our life…right up to the point of death…it is only at that point that control is then taken off you….

"I doubt that anyone becomes a Christian because they lose the argument"
(Phil Cooke)

At the moment as a church we are working out how best to do our seating.
There is a large influx of people at 10.01 am...which makes life difficult when you are trying to get the seating right.

We generally don't put out all the seats until closer to 10am ...so as to encourage people to sit in the seats nearer the front....my breath does not smell...honestly!

But because a significant portion of our church is children (about 45%), when they leave for their kids programs half way through the service, the place can feel a little 'drafty'!


Maybe this is the answer....a 12 seat chapel a husband built for his wife, because their church is too 'crowded'.
"Mr Richards, a retired watch importer, said: "I built it for Muriel because she's really passionate about her religion but the local church is often too busy. "

More...

No expert....just a bit of fun....but it did taste good!

Some might say...there but through the grace of God go I... :)

"Wests Tigers fanatic Mark Edwards jumped a fence, sprinted across the pitch and tackled whistleblower Jared Maxwell to the ground after a controversial Brisbane Broncos victory over his side at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday.

Edwards, 25, was later charged with common assault and entering and remaining on a playing field without authority."
Story

Thanks God!
Great crowd in full of joy and energy today.
A few laughs, some inspiration, and some great music from the biggest worship team we have probably ever had....so blessed in this area at the moment!

Also had a guest musician/singer join us for some items... Martin Jones. You probably dont know him, he aint famous...but the man can sing. He has good reason to sing the blues, been through a lot, but is now at a happy stage in his life. He shared a little this morning, and God inhabited the praises.

I shared what I thought was a challenging message, it challenged me! lots of comments afterwards...

Sometimes you just need to be thankful and reflect that it is gooood to be with Gods people. If you normally come to Inglewood Church and you missed today, you missed out. Today provided energy and joy for the week. Maybe thats why God created the Sabbath!

Freo should have not let this game slip against the Roos.
With a 26 point lead at the first quarter...and a host of good players...we should have won.
However another disgraceful display from the men in orange, did not do our cause much good.
More than once the commentators commented on the patheticness of the frees paid against the Dockers.
The free paid againt Tarrant just before half time was disgraceful.
Sigh....there went any chance we had of making the finals.

This is what I am speaking about this Sunday....
But we have to understand that if we start to use our money and time and gifts for God….there will be pain…there will be a trade off…there will need to be something we let go of.
If I gave you a million dollars under the proviso that you could only use it for kingdom…Gods kingdom purposes…there would be no problem, there it is, use it….
But if I come to you and say…you need to help out in this ministry area…financially…then you need to count the cost…

On Sunday I am talking about trade offs....everything new we want to ad to our lives is a trade off....In other words, in order to ad something, something needs to be taken away. This is true in ministry, money and life.

Russ Olmon from Ministry Advantage (Willow Creek) talked about this at Leadership Link this morning....

Write down the ideas you want to implement, then turn the sheet over so you can implement ideas you have thought off. On the other side, write down everything you will stop doing in order to implement those things you want to ad.

We dont think of what we will stop, declutter, simplify.....we need to say no to non-essentials,
Losing one thing to gain something of greater value, like in a game of chess, you might need to be willing to lose a piece to gain something else.

This is hilarious....


(Don't let Driscoll see it!!!)

Rapidly becoming a crowd favourite with the Freo faithful. Came off to warm applause, and encouraging words....
Harvey has put him down back in an inspired move. Interestingly Harvey himself started off as a forward, but ended his career as a backman.

Tarrant seems a lot happier down back. It enables him to be the team man that he is. Grover and Tarrant have been two reasons why teams have not been able to get a massive run on us lately, along with Steven Dodd.

But Tarrant in particular has given us flexibility, allowing McPharlin to go forward when needed.
So good to see him punching the ball away, beating the defender to best position, and generally making them look ordinary.

Leigh Matthews agrees....

There is a bloke who brings his kids along to our childrens programs....
He shares work with his wife...and he looks after the kids at times during the week.

Lovely guy...but not easy to talk to.
A couple of weeks ago we caught up at one of our church's community events, and I just prayed that I might be able to talk to him...about something, anything...connect somehow.

Somehow...I dont really know how, we started to talk about his footy team, the Swans. Turns out he is a passionate Swans supporter. We had a good laugh about the 2005 GF...and for the first time ever, his face just lit up...and we had a connection.

How to connect with the 'religious/spiritual' nature of the average Aussie male? You need to not only be able to talk about sport, but to really have a passion for it.
We can't be like some Indian Call centre worker briefed in the local lingo so as to make some sort of false connection with the caller. We have to resonate with our local culture...in a real way.

I am not saying that 'sport' is the only way. Another friend I have could not care less about sport, he is into his art and music. So that is something I can connect with him about, another guy loves his coffee....

Either way, in making and keeping friendships, we have to make connections with people.

But this is a great song...performed well....

As I have continued on in my faith journey, I have been amazed at how instead of becoming more certain of some things, I have become less certain of them.
And while the essentials are things I believe even more strongly in, those things which are not as essential, I have come to appreciate the greyness that God has allowed in the Bible.

In fact when I encounter someone who is strongly holding onto a practice which is clearly interpreted in different ways by good people, I find myself asking the question, why?

"Some experienced commentators are coming over to the view that the 211 centimetre giant from the West is towering over the rest of the competition not just in height, but now in effectiveness........"
Roar Article

Everywhere I go, people are talking about Mark Driscoll.
Ross Clifford talked about him at the pastors conference.
All my pastor mates are talking about him.
He has a lot of detractors....what he says is strong, some might say...at points divisive.
Either way, he wears the coolest shirts....but you cant be his Facebook friend, he has hit his limit of 5000.

About four weeks ago I was ready to pack in the season. I am not saying we are going to make the finals or anything like that....but it sure is nice to be on 12 points...along with a stack of other sides.

We are every chance to beat Hawthorn this week...and I am still not quite sure why.
Palmer, Crowley gone for a long time....5 new players...rebuilding year, first year players playing.

It does not make sense to me how we got over Carlton, West Coast and Sydney with such a young bunch.

A bit of positive risk taking footy goes a long way. The goal is to move the ball in the direction of...and eventually go through the posts. The Freo boys are not playing stop start footy at the moment, they are moving it on quickly, kicking to contests, and backing their teamates to win it, quite amazing really.

And Sandilands is the best ruckman in the contest at the moment, bar none.

I put together a task list for today. Along with some meetings, and a appointment or too, the day is not looking too rushed. Also have set aside some time to think about the theme for the next month, and start preparation for Sunday.

It is an interesting thing having more people at church. It pushes you to think more about your messages...maybe it shouldn't, but it does.

Seeking God in prayer, seeking some fresh insights from His word. Its fun!

Oh yes......

Today was a great day in church. Good crowd in...some good prayers and thoughts....Some more visitors...
Yesterday was a great Artisan Markets...Met lots of people, shared about our church, talked with lots of people we have contacts with
Monday through Wednesday was a great Pastors Conference. 200 Pastors came from all round WA...It was good time....

But all this comes at a price...I organised a lot of the conference, Artisan Markets and off course Church.

Too much in one week...as well as some draining from lots of quarters I cant talk about on this forum.

I am so looking forward to tommorow and some time off...I am actually too tired to enjoy a break tonight...

The pastors conference and events surrounding it have forced me into contemplative mode...hence not much activity here.

I have just found out some awful news about a good friend, which I did not know about.

There are some issues going on which I cant talk about publicly, and I don't like that

Some friends are really having to deal with some church stuff and conflict (in another church setting) and I dont know how to help them, in fact me helping would not be help at all.

I am too busy, but need to get through this weekend...

God is good, and things will work out for good for those who love Him....I believe that.

5 years ago...Malcolm Rule and myself had the crazy idea to combine our two denominations Pastors Conference....

Turns out it was not so crazy.
For the past five years our denominations have enjoyed the fellowship, joy and impetus to put on some fantastic retreats together.
I have enjoyed and been blessed greatly as I have worked with Church of Christ Pastors....become friends with them...and enjoyed working together for the Kingdom.

Today was the last day of the great experiment...next year both denominations go back to their own conferences.

We have had a great conference over the past 3 days at the 2gether Pastors Conference.
This is the conference of the Baptist and Church of Christ Pastors in WA.
Our speaker this year was Ross Clifford...

He was a exceptional speaker, probably the best, most inspiring, relational, enjoyable and stimulating we have had for a while.
The notes are below...he followed the theme of the conference, half full or half empty.
Ross emphasised the need for pastors to have time out to reflect, pray...be refreshed and go to the footy! Ross is a huge Sydney Swan fan...and talked about how going to the football is the closest you can get to a spiritual experience in secular, sports mad Australia.

On Tuesday we followed his advice and went lawn bowling...that is a whole other post about how Australians find community...but as you wait for that, he is a picture of Bob, the guy who organised it all...a great bloke!




What Ross said...
Churches can be places where we perpetutate the 'Non people status' people get in society.
Genesis unpacks what it means to be a non person...rejection of people
Number one mark of a well lead church...no non person status
Women as non persons?
Children as non persons...
Genesis 28
"Its not that my father does not love me..its just that he loves himself more
When we move away from God we move into treating people as non persons....
In christ the church has no non persons...
Genesis finishes with healing reconciliation15 21
Pastors can involve themeselves in Senseless activity
A profound moment (mowing the lawn at 10pm on Saturday night...who would want to be a Christian if that is what it means)
Real aussies find themselves in leisure
John Grisham is a strong Baptist
Australians work for the weekend
The non loved child keeps his trap shut and keeps his dreams to himself
Generation Y will not commit themselves to endless activity

The more we focus on ourselves...the less time we have for the community
Theology of leisure
The Lord is my shepherd...makes me lay down to...
Mark 6.30
Luke 10.38.....
Churches measure themselves by activity
In my sheer busyness I squeeze in activity

Drawn to timidity...not boldness
We dont go to church anymore because it does not stand for anything
Church that is bold..has not status
Royal law
Will not favour wrong people
When we play favourites...we fail
Model justice
Some are not
3. Models persevering patiently
4. Model being people of integrity
Speak truthfully
Tell them to their face
Speak truth with gentleness and respect

5. Model a pastoral heart
Pastoral observation
Public confession
Righteous men
Care for others salvation

6. Model the gospel of grace
Person of Christ

7. The church and pastoral ministry
Centrality of the resurrection
Heresy is to talk about one or the other
The central linchpin of the christian faith is the resurrection
How does it impact us?
A christian is someone who believes in the resurrection
Scott Peck discovered that i have a problem with sin...only one faith deals with sin...and what the remedy is...
Care for the whole person...
Christianty...the whole person is raised up
Whole of me is raised up
God is concerned that the whole of me is raised up
Am i a person who is resurrection focused?
Messages of wholeness and hope
Look at the things you stand for
Where are your strategies to show the resurrection?

The internet is amazing...
thanks to Dave Quinn who sent this link through....From the medic who treated Angus Buchan

"No sooner do we reach out tent when a marshal rushes over with the news that we are needed urgently at the main stage for a patient who had collapsed. We make our way back through the endless crowds, eventually reaching the stage, only to find one of our ambulances already there. I find it strange that the patient is under the stage, but push through anyway. Maybe they needed the shade for the patient. Near the entrance I find an elderly gentleman lying on the floor. He is covered in sweat, already has a drip up, and has an oxygen mask on. I kneel down next to him to asses him, and discover it is Angus......."
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A beautiful gift for my birthday...superb! Chilled the bottle and the glass in the freezer....lovely citrus fresh taste....
Knappstein Lager
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To beat the Eagles
What a meritorious win...and I have to admit...a great game
I had resigned myself to an Eagles victory at half time. They had most of the play, and were intense around the packs...and tackling with ferocity.

But...
They ran out of puff....and Hasleby and Hill stepped up to the plate.

What a game....my heart was racing...it hurts so much to lose to the Eagles...but it is so good to beat them.

Thank goodness really...I dont think I could go to the Pastors conference next week if they had lost!

The Qld Baptists are proposing this motion...
"The new ‘Interim Registration Guidelines’ for Queensland Baptists were sent out by e-mail today to pastors and a shock was in store for those who read all the way through. They discovered in Section 11 ‘General Guidelines’, the following:
11.5 Registered Ministers should be total abstainers from the use of alcohol"

According to some, the culture of Queensland means this has a good chance of passing.

Even an occiasional reader of this blog will know that I enjoy a social drink.
But taking aside the easy target this makes the Qlders....to call them wowsers of puritans or pharisees....I actually think this is seriously bad news.

It says something about us that we would want to regulate or forbid our pastors from enjoying a social drink with their neighbours and friends.
I seriously think it goes against scripture to try and stop a preacher do what Jesus did...and what God commanded His people to do...from the parties in the Old Testament, to the parties in the New...with Jesus making sure there was enough wine, to being accused of being a drunkard by the Pharisees....

I want to have a drink with my non church mates...I want to be their mate...I want to be a part of their life. I think this is what Jesus wants me to do.

I don't want to be a drunk
I do want my kids to have an example of a responsible drinker
I do want to be friends with those who don't yet know Christ.

In a sad way, I am sort of ashamed of this decision by Qld Baptists...I hope they reconsider.

Doing a Google search tonight...
As I typed in "Pastors" guess what was the most popular word to come up after 'Pastors" in the Google search box? 'Kids"

What does this say? The topic of what Pastors Kids are like...going to have to deal with...is huge.

Shudder.

Lets hope and pray for Pastors Kids....
By reputation alone...there is more than enough to have to pray about.

My wife totally suprised me this morning. I asked for a Sunbeam Coffee Grinder. It is a Sunbeam EM480. It really does make the difference between a good coffee and a great coffee. She bought me that...which was just perfect.

Then Melinda asked me to take out all her books to her car and put them in the boot...which I did. I opened the boot up and found a Sunbeam 6910....my dream coffee machine...

MY WIFE ROCKS!!

Considering neither side is likely to play finals this year, this weeks game might be the closest we get to a finals like atmosphere.

I have felt reasonably confident going into most derbies of the past few years, with justification. The Eagles supporters have mostly gone home at 3/4 time...in order to 'miss the traffic'. But we all know its cause they still can't accept a loss.

This Derby does feel a little different. 8 of our most seasoned campaigners...gone. Mc Manus, both Carrs and Bellie....Derby specialists....not there.
Replaced instead by 4 first year players, and maybe this week, another one.

With no one to make Kerr and Woosha complain to the umpires department for the fourth week in a row, the Eagles might actually prove too strong.

Then again, after Pav's scintilating perfomance last week...and the fact its his
200th... anything is possible.

There have been some unconfirmed rumours floating around the net regarding Angus.
He is not in hospital...nor has he had a stroke...
He preached at the final session of MMC and is reportedly well.

My latest article in the Roar...
"Following a week where Gary Lyon called for Fremantle to trade Matthew Pavlich, the captain of the beleaguered club chose to answer his critics with a dominant display against the Sydney Swans"



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At church.
Its getting bigger.
I feel like I am on a wave that I can't control, and can't enable.
I feel a little overwhelmed.
I like it. But it is darned uncomfortable.

I think I need to concentrate on my preaching. Will you pray for me?

He is okay! Praise God....250,000 men came!
(Received via text)

“Angus came good last night. He is OK. Doctor on site said he was having a heart attack. Cardiologist did further tests and said he is OK.”

“He is tired. While he lay waiting to be choppered out 250,000 men prayed and worshipped, people all over the world were also praying. We believe God miraculously healed him”


God Bless

Peter Goosen

(at Shalom)

Hi all,
please pray for Angus Buchan.....
Just received word from Peter Goosen that Angus fainted after the last session, while praying with the Aussie Guys present. He was checked out by a Doctor and found to be OK, another check shortly after found that his blood pressure had dropped.

He was taken by Helicopter to Pietermaritzburg ICU where he is under going further tests. Doctors suspect it may be heat exhaustion or could be the preliminary sights of cardiac arrest. Andy has stayed back to hold the fort and Fergus and Jill are with Angus. Angus is keen to get back and do the next session.

Please pray for Angus’ health and the Lords continual protection over the event. We need to be mindful that there is major be spiritual opposition to an event where over 200,000 men are meeting together to hear from God

If you have not heard of 'Life Church'...why not?
This church gives away all their multi-media....and it is good stuff. Excellent productions values, great thematic useable materials.
Others church could do this, this church does!
(www.lifechurch.tv)
This is a great interview with a truly Kingdom minded Pastor.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=4545905&referralPlaylistId=1292d14d0e3afdcf0b31500afefb92724c08f046

One of the blokes from our church has arrived in South Africa...with reports of Gods favour being evident there already....


This from someone on the inside..."Reports I received yesterday suggested that numbers may exceed the predicted 200,000. Registrations had been coming in at 1 person every 15 seconds but the registration system has now crashed with the high volume of people wishing to attend. "


Here is a photo of the grounds so far...
....wish I was there!


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Has to be Hillsong Church

There are many great preachers in the world, with great books, dvd's and influence, with some best sellers amongst them. Rick Warren probably the most influential.

There have been many evangelists, who have seen thousands, maybe millions come to know Jesus through their ministry, probably chief amongst them Billy Graham.

But Hillsong songs will be sung all over the world this week, their ministry has brought churches together in conferences all over the world.
The artist versus the preacher.....
Great art stands the test of time, be it music, sculpture, paint.....
The art needs to be motivated, undergirded, inspired by something....

With great privilege comes great responsibility...and I think "Shout to the Lord" is a classic explanation and exploration of the love of God for us...and our response to that love. I dare say it takes its place alongside, "How great Thou Art" and other classics.

This week at church we have as a our special guest Clive Carrol.
Clive was my old Sunday School teacher when I was 11.
We never knew that he carried burdens and memories from his time in Vietnam.
This week, 27 years later, I will hear some of his story.
This is a video I have made up to introduce a minutes silence.


Download it here
Let me know how you use it.

Seriously.....this is an unbelievable beat up.
Malaxos said this... that the young Dockers were playing a prank with 'sort of Ku Klux' costumes...
now we all know this...
Dockers prank taken out of context

what a beat up!!
Here is the photo...
no Ku klux costumes there...

My latest article in "The Roar"

During the 2006 season, Fremantle fans had reason to think that their club had come of age. Towards the end of the season, the club won nine games in a row and stormed into the finals.......

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Docker Dave has just about nailed my feelings here...

" i know we're in a rebuilding phase and i accept we're going to lose more than we win but i still expect some sort of competitive effort. the blokes who've now been around for 4 years or more need to be doing a lot more than they are instead of expecting the few really senior players to carry the side"

Another big crowd in today at church...wow...need to think about how we are going to change as we grow.

Sad to say goodbye to our former associate pastor Colin Craggs...and his wife....
they have been so valuable and wonderful to get to know and minister with.
But it was great to raise some money, pray and annoint them...and send them off as apostles...sent ones....cant wait to see what God does through them....

Looking forward to next week...at our Anzac Day Church service, cant wait to hear what my old sunday school teacher has to say.

New Worship Media has some nice ... free .... worship loops here

It should start off well....daughters 'cat' party on Saturday morning, followed by a mates wedding...it has been a long time coming.

I will recieve updates via gprs on the game (Dockers verses Saints) at the reception....but that is where the fun will probably stop. Cant see us getting within 40 points of the Saints...but you never know. Two teams enter the field.

Sunday will be sad and good as well. Craggs last Sunday.....as posted about here before...

Then off to Mandurah to pick up a new addition to the Edward's household...she has been asking for one for a long time, and we have finally relented...pictures to be posted here on Monday.

When we started this whole adventure of merging two churches, one of the key issues was leadership. This was actually solved rather rapidly when Pastor Colin decided that his call was to plant churches and resource leaders in India with CRM ministries.

It has been an absolute joy, and an unexpected strength to work with Colin these past 8 or 9 months. It will be tough to say goodbye, a large part of me wishes that he could stay on. But God has called Craggs family to another nation.

What a joy it will be to hear and see what God does through them. I think Colin is gifted for this type of ministry, teaching, coaching, discipling, enabling others to plant churches. He will be a great resource for them. Their gain, is our loss.

If you know Colin and Carolyn, and are at a loose end on Sunday, it would be great to come and wish them well.

but what comes out of your heart....Jesus (Mark 7.15)

Continuing my reading from the gospel of Mark.

So much of what we consider to be 'wrong' is not 'wrong' but tradition.
The Pharisees has built up all these religious rules and regulations.
The Puritans did the same.

With freedom and grace comes responsibility, to our fellow Christians, and to those on a journey.
But either way, I know that I often judge and am restricted by my upbringing...and can be quick to judge, or even dissalow myself from things, which have nothing to do with Christianity, and far more to do with my religion.

I don't want to 'shove' my freedom in anyones face, but I also don't want to judge myself and others...when God is not judging me.

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I think this inglorious start to the season, with the fired up and skilfull St Kilda (away game) next week....pretty much spells the end of our season 2009.

Barring a miracle comeback.....thats it for us this year.

Sundays effort was actually commendable in one sense. After the second quarter, I gave us no hope. To claw back in front during the fourth quarter was a good gusty effort. The Dockers did not give in....so well done.

But....if someone does not teach them how to kick straight, and quickly, thats it.

My wife knows me well....no Bunny with chocolate ears for me bought from Red Dot....

this is what I am enjoying tonight...

It is smooth, rich, obviously with chocolatey undertones, but unmistakably a Stout.

Right now, along with some Lindt Chocolate, it is making my evening very enjoyable. (Link)

Melinda and I looked at each other and sighed a big tired sigh today.
We are both emotionally and physically stuffed after an incredible Easter Weekend.
At Inglewood Church we had two huge crowds in....Sunday was even more packed than Friday...but Friday was a big service.

What was sooooo good was that we had friends, Jam Central parents, contacts, relatives...people we care about deeply...at church...remembering Jesus...many of whom have not found themselves in church for many years...if ever.

I chose to really step up to the plate for the services, and just put the message out there.
Friday I was particularly passionate about Jesus not being some namby pamby wimp....but a tough warrior, who went to fight....and took far more than any Hollywood action hero ever did...on His quest to save the world.

Sunday I focused on why we have nothing to fear an Atheist publicity campaign...because we have the truth...but what we do need to focus on is where we will spend eternity.
A very talented singer at our church, and the very talented Eliot just absolutely brought the message home with the U2 Song...'where the streets have no name". I shared with the crowd this songs deeper application, and asked them to ask the obvious question, where are they going to spend eternity. I dont apologise for a confrontantional message on such a day...you know...some of these people may not hear the gospel...or see it in someones life for years...if ever. I want them to know the truth. Dont get me wrong, there is a real balance between not being some 'fire and brimstone' fundamentalist loony....or being some limp wristed liberal....

If I offend anyone...I want it to be for good reason...because in their heart they know they need to respond to God...as indeed, we all do.

Blessings to all who read this blog..I have you had an awesome, enjoyable and great Easter Time...and enjoyed spending time with those you love.

and that is all I have to say about that!