Friday, June 16, 2006
Signing off
well I'm going to go out to Tubetube Island for 4 weeks and due to the fact we don't have phone line, electricity, or running water (well If I run the water back from the tanks it is running water) I wont be posting for a while. Instead you'll have to think of me sitting on a tropical island while you all engage in your dreary lives of repitition. where everything has to be spelled right. So Until then as you watch the socceroos :( I wont be and the Maroons win the 3 game easily :( spare a thought for me. Hope everyone has a great break and if you don't get a break unlucky but Jesus still loves you.
Monday, June 12, 2006
PNG report 1
Well I'm in ukarumpa, I'd forgotten what PNG roads and transport was like. Wow's this for a pothole? I also had to wait in the hanger for 6 hours for the SIL plane due to a medical evac but I guess you can't really complain about them. So after leaving the Willis's house at 4:45 AM I got to to ukarumpa in the Highlands at 4:50pm 10mins before we weren't allowed to land at this strip. Good to see family again. Of course they drafted me into waitering for the graduation dinner. Lucky i had packed a white shirt but I had forgotten black pants. So it was a mad dash around centre to find some. So I've just been catching up with old friends and tomorrow I'll be going 'gumying' which essentially is floating down rapids in an inner tube.
So anyways It looks like i'll be heading to Port Moresby on wed. Overnighting there and onto alotau on thurs followed by a trip to the island on sat. So hopefully I can get to the TV in moresby before the americans to ensure I catch the Origin. Anyways thats most of my news- I'll try and get a pic of mark up before I leave. I'm trying to post two pics- the 1st one is of ukarumpa to try and give you guys an idea of what it looks like and it situation. Altititude 5300 ft. 2nd is a huge pothole
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
World Cup fever
Found a great site on the sbs site focusing on all the world cup nations. It lists 10 things you may or may not know about each nation and I just had to post the American one.
Here's a list of 10 things that you may or may not have known about USA.
1 Some form of football was played in America as far back as the establishment of the original Jamestown settlement in 1609. The game was banned as a bad influence but after modern soccer took hold in England in the 1830s, clubs began to emerge in the US. Oneida Football Club, formed in Boston in 1862, was the first club outside of England.
2 The popularity of football dwindled as colleges preferred to play their football under Rugby, rather than Football Association, rules. Their game developed into modern gridiron. At the same time baseball also grew in popularity among immigrants and the working classes. Baseball was seen as an American pastime and people to chose to play it, rather than football, to assimilate.
3 This occurred during the largest of the four recognized waves of American immigration, which have moulded the present-day US. During this period, from around 1881-1930, almost 27million people poured into the country. The other great immigration are recognizeded as; the 1600s to the Revolutionary War of 1775, 1820-1870 and the time since the Immigration Act of 1965.
4 The population of the USA is today estimated at 295million, the third most populous nation behind China and India.
5 Of those people, 2.1million reside in prison, half of them incarcerated for violent crime. The number of crimes committed with firearms has averaged just under 400,000 in recent years.
6 Those living freely spend 47% of their disposable income in restaurants, primarily of the fast food variety. America's most-ordered restaurant foods are hamburgers, French fries and pizza. Even though salads do come in the top 10, it is estimated 30% of Americans are obese. The US fast food industry is worth around £62million per yea7 Threehree-quarters of Americans own a car and 30% of them have two or more. As a result, the average American walks just 400 yards per day.
8 Contrary to popular belief, soccer is a popular game in the US with an estimated 18million regularly playing the game. The vast majority of them, however - reckoned to be around 78% - are under 18 and cease active interest after leaving school. The split between male and female of those playing is roughly 50-50, but women are far more likely to continue playing after school.
9 USA's most famous female footballer is Mia Hamm, the world's record goalscorer - men or women - at international level. Hamm retired after the 2004 Olympics having scored 158 goals in 276 internationals. She became the youngest player to play for the national team when she won her first cap at the age of 15 and won the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice in 2001 and 2002.
http://www.theworldgame.com.au/worldcup/index.php?pid=st&cid=70172§ion=facts
Now the more astute amoung you might have noticed that is not 10. That leaves us with 2 options a) Their last point is Americans can't count or b) 10 was left out due to budget cuts. Not that the clever people at sbs would ever make a mistake although during the world cup they might have to change their name as the acronym Soccer Before Sex (SBS) might no longer apply. Any ideas for a new one?
Here's a list of 10 things that you may or may not have known about USA.
1 Some form of football was played in America as far back as the establishment of the original Jamestown settlement in 1609. The game was banned as a bad influence but after modern soccer took hold in England in the 1830s, clubs began to emerge in the US. Oneida Football Club, formed in Boston in 1862, was the first club outside of England.
2 The popularity of football dwindled as colleges preferred to play their football under Rugby, rather than Football Association, rules. Their game developed into modern gridiron. At the same time baseball also grew in popularity among immigrants and the working classes. Baseball was seen as an American pastime and people to chose to play it, rather than football, to assimilate.
3 This occurred during the largest of the four recognized waves of American immigration, which have moulded the present-day US. During this period, from around 1881-1930, almost 27million people poured into the country. The other great immigration are recognizeded as; the 1600s to the Revolutionary War of 1775, 1820-1870 and the time since the Immigration Act of 1965.
4 The population of the USA is today estimated at 295million, the third most populous nation behind China and India.
5 Of those people, 2.1million reside in prison, half of them incarcerated for violent crime. The number of crimes committed with firearms has averaged just under 400,000 in recent years.
6 Those living freely spend 47% of their disposable income in restaurants, primarily of the fast food variety. America's most-ordered restaurant foods are hamburgers, French fries and pizza. Even though salads do come in the top 10, it is estimated 30% of Americans are obese. The US fast food industry is worth around £62million per yea7 Threehree-quarters of Americans own a car and 30% of them have two or more. As a result, the average American walks just 400 yards per day.
8 Contrary to popular belief, soccer is a popular game in the US with an estimated 18million regularly playing the game. The vast majority of them, however - reckoned to be around 78% - are under 18 and cease active interest after leaving school. The split between male and female of those playing is roughly 50-50, but women are far more likely to continue playing after school.
9 USA's most famous female footballer is Mia Hamm, the world's record goalscorer - men or women - at international level. Hamm retired after the 2004 Olympics having scored 158 goals in 276 internationals. She became the youngest player to play for the national team when she won her first cap at the age of 15 and won the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice in 2001 and 2002.
http://www.theworldgame.com.au/worldcup/index.php?pid=st&cid=70172§ion=facts
Now the more astute amoung you might have noticed that is not 10. That leaves us with 2 options a) Their last point is Americans can't count or b) 10 was left out due to budget cuts. Not that the clever people at sbs would ever make a mistake although during the world cup they might have to change their name as the acronym Soccer Before Sex (SBS) might no longer apply. Any ideas for a new one?
Monday, June 05, 2006
Its all about me...mwah hahaha
Well due to some complaints about the length of my last blog I'll endeavor to make this a shorter one and due to lack of any interesting topics It will be all about me.
But before I begin let me extend my congratulations to cb and arty (both recent posters on my blog) on their engagement.
Exciting news.... I'm heading to PNG- most of you already know this but I still like to say it over and over again. On Thursday I'm heading out up to Cairns then Friday at 6 am catching flight to Port Moresby (black line) then Blue line to Ukarumpa which is where mum and dad are based and my little brother is graduating from (American system). After his grad dad and will fly to alotau (red line) and then after a few days catch a boat out to Tubetube island (8 hrs and sort of bluish line) (I couldn't get the line to curve. )This is the language group where mum and dad work. I'll try to update my blog when I'm in uka and alotau but on the island we don't have phone lines so makes it a bit hard. If you want to see some photos of my island because you can't wait until I post some go to the links on the right and there is one for photos. It is, as cinta would say: 'Beautiful.'
This was written by a pilot who writes for a magazine called Beyond and wrote this about water safety and the need for it. They did the blue line boat trip out to our island and had rather a good trip according to dad. But yes very humorous looking at it through some one else's eyes.
http://www.jaars.org/publications/archives/beyond/bey26-4.shtml . It is set out funny but you'll figure it out being highly intelligent people. Side note the boat they were on was called 'Sago' (pronounced saa gooo) which translates to mean 'help' .
Saturday, June 03, 2006
We kill the world
Any guesses on what band sings this song? Let me quote a few more lyrics
We kill the world...
Don't kill the world
don't let her down.
Do not destroy basic ground.
Don't kill the world
our means of life.
Lend ear to nature's cry.
Don't kill the world
She's all we have,
And surely is worth to save.
Don't let her die,
fight for her trees,
Pollution robs air to breathe.
Don't kill the world
help her survive
And she'll reward you with life
And don't just talk,
Go on and do the one, who wins is you.
Cherish the world,
A present from God
On behalf of all creatures,
made by the Lord
Care for the earth,
Foundation of life
Slow progress down help her survive
Doubtfully any one got it (I would be interested if anyone did as that would mean they have similar music tastes) this was 70s/80s Raggae band Boney M most famous for the song "By the rivers of Babylon" song loosely based on Psalm 137.
How about this one
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine)
This one?
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, Holy, Holy! (Music by J. Dykes, Text by R. Heber)
or
This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world, The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father's world; He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere
This Is My Father's World (Music by Franklin Sheppard; Text by Malthie Babcock)
When I tell people that I do Marine biology and that I'm a Christian many people sem to look at me as if I have dodgy theology. I mean how can you be a Christian Conservationist. And that is from my Christian friend- my non Christian friends look at me as if I'm on my own crusade to try and right the wrongs that have been cause to the environment by our Judeo-Christian heritage. The thought Man is to have dominion and rule over the earth justifies that what could be done, should be done thus nature is destroyed with out any long term views to the future or to the ecological crisis that we currently have on hand. At this point med students and pharmacy students are probably thinking "What Global Crisis?"
Well let me tell you Land is being converted and habitats destroyed at an increasing rate. Some estimate that three species are becoming extinct every day. On a per-head basis, Australia has the highest greenhouse gas emissions in the developed world, a third higher than the United States and more than double the rich-country average.Land is being degraded by overuse of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Hazardous chemicals and wastes are finding their way into the environment. Pollution is rapidly ceasing to be a local problem and is becoming a global problem. The atmosphere's ability to regulate itself is being perturbed by excess carbon dioxide, CFC's, and other gases. Human cultures that know how to live in harmony with nature are rapidly disappearing.
So my friends I think it is a problem and this is whaI i was trying to show with the Hymns earlier-God has given us his creation and even by it people have been converted. This is a Valuable tool of evangelism and we are destroying it.
So does this mean we should go out and chain ourselves to trees. NO
I was approached by a Christian greenie group at one stage who are very good at going about this the wrong way. Have a look at their lent suggestions Green up your lent. Restoring Eden suggests the way to remember God is not to drive your car or eat meat or dairy. HMMM
Even the Late Pope had a thought to fix the world though again sort of off track
"At the conclusion of this Message, I should like to address directly my brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church, in order to remind them of their serious obligation to care for all creation. The commitment of believers to a healthy environment for everyone stems directly from their belief in God the Creator, from their recognition of the effects of original and personal sin, and from the certainty of having been redeemed by Christ. Respect for life and for the dignity of the human person extends also to the rest of creation, which is called to join man in praising God (cf. Ps 148:96).
In 1979, I proclaimed Saint Francis of Assisi as the heavenly patron of those who promote ecology (cf. Apostolic Letter Inter Sanctos: AAS 71 [1979], 1509f). He offers Christians an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation. As a friend of the poor who was loved by God's creatures, Saint Francis invited all of creation's animals, plants, natural forces, even Brother Sun and Sister Moon to give honor and praise to the Lord. The poor man of Assisi gives us striking witness that when we are at peace with God we are better able to devote ourselves to building up that peace with all creation which is inseparable from peace among all peoples." (From the Vatican address, 8 December 1989)
St Francis of Assisi of course was the one who wrote that "Hymn All Creatures Of Our God And King" which thanks to Mr Bean can never sung seriously in church again.
So what as Christians should we do?
The true answer lies in a Christian environmental ethic based on the reality of God as Creator and man as his image-bearer and steward.
God is the Creator of all things. The creation is not part of His essence (Gen. 1, 2; Job 38-41; Ps. 19:1, 24:1-2, 104; Rom. 1:18-20; Col. 1:16-17).
All of nature is equal in its origin, including man.
Nature has value in and of itself because God created it.
The rock, tree, and cat deserve our respect because God made them to be as they are.
While man is a creature, he is also created in God's image (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 139:13-16).
Man is therefore separated from creation yet related to it.
While a cat is not to be romanticized as though it had human emotions, as Christians we respect it as having value since God made it. The cat's purpose is to glorify its Creator.
Man was given dominion over nature.
Man is not sovereign over the lower orders of creation. He does not own them. They belong to the Lord.
Since man was told to cultivate and keep the garden, we certainly may use nature, but only as God intends (Gen. 2:15). An example is the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:15-30). Technology puts nature to man's use, but unnecessary pollution and waste degrades nature.
We are to exercise dominion over nature not as though we are entitled to exploit it, but as something borrowed or held in trust.
We kill the world...
Don't kill the world
don't let her down.
Do not destroy basic ground.
Don't kill the world
our means of life.
Lend ear to nature's cry.
Don't kill the world
She's all we have,
And surely is worth to save.
Don't let her die,
fight for her trees,
Pollution robs air to breathe.
Don't kill the world
help her survive
And she'll reward you with life
And don't just talk,
Go on and do the one, who wins is you.
Cherish the world,
A present from God
On behalf of all creatures,
made by the Lord
Care for the earth,
Foundation of life
Slow progress down help her survive
Doubtfully any one got it (I would be interested if anyone did as that would mean they have similar music tastes) this was 70s/80s Raggae band Boney M most famous for the song "By the rivers of Babylon" song loosely based on Psalm 137.
How about this one
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine)
This one?
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, Holy, Holy! (Music by J. Dykes, Text by R. Heber)
or
This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world, The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father's world; He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere
This Is My Father's World (Music by Franklin Sheppard; Text by Malthie Babcock)
When I tell people that I do Marine biology and that I'm a Christian many people sem to look at me as if I have dodgy theology. I mean how can you be a Christian Conservationist. And that is from my Christian friend- my non Christian friends look at me as if I'm on my own crusade to try and right the wrongs that have been cause to the environment by our Judeo-Christian heritage. The thought Man is to have dominion and rule over the earth justifies that what could be done, should be done thus nature is destroyed with out any long term views to the future or to the ecological crisis that we currently have on hand. At this point med students and pharmacy students are probably thinking "What Global Crisis?"
Well let me tell you Land is being converted and habitats destroyed at an increasing rate. Some estimate that three species are becoming extinct every day. On a per-head basis, Australia has the highest greenhouse gas emissions in the developed world, a third higher than the United States and more than double the rich-country average.Land is being degraded by overuse of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Hazardous chemicals and wastes are finding their way into the environment. Pollution is rapidly ceasing to be a local problem and is becoming a global problem. The atmosphere's ability to regulate itself is being perturbed by excess carbon dioxide, CFC's, and other gases. Human cultures that know how to live in harmony with nature are rapidly disappearing.
So my friends I think it is a problem and this is whaI i was trying to show with the Hymns earlier-God has given us his creation and even by it people have been converted. This is a Valuable tool of evangelism and we are destroying it.
So does this mean we should go out and chain ourselves to trees. NO
I was approached by a Christian greenie group at one stage who are very good at going about this the wrong way. Have a look at their lent suggestions Green up your lent. Restoring Eden suggests the way to remember God is not to drive your car or eat meat or dairy. HMMM
Even the Late Pope had a thought to fix the world though again sort of off track
"At the conclusion of this Message, I should like to address directly my brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church, in order to remind them of their serious obligation to care for all creation. The commitment of believers to a healthy environment for everyone stems directly from their belief in God the Creator, from their recognition of the effects of original and personal sin, and from the certainty of having been redeemed by Christ. Respect for life and for the dignity of the human person extends also to the rest of creation, which is called to join man in praising God (cf. Ps 148:96).
In 1979, I proclaimed Saint Francis of Assisi as the heavenly patron of those who promote ecology (cf. Apostolic Letter Inter Sanctos: AAS 71 [1979], 1509f). He offers Christians an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation. As a friend of the poor who was loved by God's creatures, Saint Francis invited all of creation's animals, plants, natural forces, even Brother Sun and Sister Moon to give honor and praise to the Lord. The poor man of Assisi gives us striking witness that when we are at peace with God we are better able to devote ourselves to building up that peace with all creation which is inseparable from peace among all peoples." (From the Vatican address, 8 December 1989)
St Francis of Assisi of course was the one who wrote that "Hymn All Creatures Of Our God And King" which thanks to Mr Bean can never sung seriously in church again.
So what as Christians should we do?
The true answer lies in a Christian environmental ethic based on the reality of God as Creator and man as his image-bearer and steward.
God is the Creator of all things. The creation is not part of His essence (Gen. 1, 2; Job 38-41; Ps. 19:1, 24:1-2, 104; Rom. 1:18-20; Col. 1:16-17).
All of nature is equal in its origin, including man.
Nature has value in and of itself because God created it.
The rock, tree, and cat deserve our respect because God made them to be as they are.
While man is a creature, he is also created in God's image (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 139:13-16).
Man is therefore separated from creation yet related to it.
While a cat is not to be romanticized as though it had human emotions, as Christians we respect it as having value since God made it. The cat's purpose is to glorify its Creator.
Man was given dominion over nature.
Man is not sovereign over the lower orders of creation. He does not own them. They belong to the Lord.
Since man was told to cultivate and keep the garden, we certainly may use nature, but only as God intends (Gen. 2:15). An example is the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:15-30). Technology puts nature to man's use, but unnecessary pollution and waste degrades nature.
We are to exercise dominion over nature not as though we are entitled to exploit it, but as something borrowed or held in trust.
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