New World Leader

Every now and again a moment defines a country. A country takes a stand and says This is me and I have an identity. For us Aussies some say it was Galipoli or the Kokoda trail. For the Americans it was the declaration of independence- The french hmmmm ummmm maybe a surrender here or there. Germany when the wall was knocked down.England The Magna Carter or the battle of hastings. At the time they don't seem like big events but they change the shape of the world just like 9/11 (could anyone tell me where afganistan was located before that) One possible one happened at Bali where a nation took a stand and made the most powerful nation in the world back down. Was it Australia with their new Pm full of talk on climate Change. Or North Korea with their nuclear weapons? No it was the country of Papua New Guinea. Sure it may be a small thing but so was a bunch of vandals pouring tea crates into the ocean to protest taxes. And look what that led to (Boston tea party).
So let's hope this is the chance PNG has to develop some character and self belief instead of being known as a corrupt dangerous place.

People of Faith post 1

Many of the people who read this know I like looking to people for inspiration or am fascinated at what makes people tick. I believe you can find out a lot about people in who their role models are. I'm thinking of doing a few post on some people who have inspired me in their faith. Now I would like to add these aren't perfect people and with my luck will probably come out and renounce their faith but I thought I'd go ahead and post- many of these people you only will have heard about if you are in that particular field.
My first person is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite. Ring any bells? Yes Brazilian and yes soccer player but when most soccer player score goals they show off by pointing to their name on their back- doing athletic flips or do many other things to bring adulation to themselves. Ricardo just puts his arms in the air face up and prays a prayer of thanksgiving. This public showing of his faith was even more evident when his team won the champions league (Europe's Top Club competition). moments after the whistle blew this photo was taken.



You may know him as Kaka, playmaker for AC Milan .

What you may not know is that in the year 2000 he broke his neck in a swimming pool accident. Doctors told him he wouldn't be able to walk properly again. A year later he had cemented his spot in the senior side. He quite openly uses his celebrity to promote the Gospel. Ironically the shirt above is in a language he doesn't even speak. In an interview with a soccer magazine he was answering questions sent in by readers about improving their skills. He was asked if there was anything he'd like to say to his fans. Instead of a feel good message like try your best he instead said " To those who already have Jesus: you have made the best choice and are in the best team. Go ahead. Do not give up. The fight is great, but we can only win being on Jesus’ side. To those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus: What are you doing being outside of this team?! Come to learn the Word of God, come to know who God really is." Proud to be a Virgin when he married he is also a UN Ambassador against hunger (the youngest ever appointed) and yesterday won the Ballon D'or the award given to the world footballer of the Year. And guess who he thanked first :)
What can we learn from Kaka- well firstly nothing is an accident- God puts you in various situations- what are you there for- preach the Gospel openly.
Secondly Be mindful of how you conduct yourself whatever you do. people are watching.
as kaka says "But I am not supposed to be punching people up on the field or swearing. I don't want people to be saying of me," Look, that guy says one thing and does another". My concern before my fellow players and my adversaries is to be what I am and never say one thing and be something else. I seek to be a role model in the club. I seek to demonstrate what God has done for me and that He can do it in their lives as well. As much as possible I try saying something about Jesus, about life with God, to counsel and help others." (he also has refused many sponsorships for various Wine or beer companies as ' It wouldn't look good')
Finally God is faithful- At least that is what is stitched onto the tongues of his boots along with I belong to Jesus. Why? Every time he looks down he sees it and is reminded of what God has done for him. Your own ego vanishes in the realisation of the power and faithfulness of God.
So as Kaka says “Stop eating cookies, while God offers us a banquet.”

The Condemned.

I was watching a movie last night called "The condemned." this is the plot from IMDB:

"The story of Joe Conrad, who is awaiting the death penalty in a corrupt Central American prison. He is "purchased" by a wealthy television producer and taken to a desolate island where he must fight to the death against nine other condemned killers from all corners of the world, with freedom going to the sole survivor."

Whilst this may seem like an over the top blood and guts movie (which it was) and i wouldn't recommend it to anyone; there was a few points that really made you think. At one stage in the movie two of the people involved get squeamish and have second thoughts about what they are showing and the producers says look its entertainment- nothing is real these day- If people didn't watch it- it wouldn't be made.

Later on in the film a reporter sums up the violence saying that those of us in our culture are condemned for actually paying money to watch it- however the movie's anti-violence message is then quickly forgotten as we get back to the violence.
Watching this made me too aware that we get too acclimatised or numb to today's culture- we need to step back have a think and re-centre ourselves. Where? In the Bible because without Christ as our centre we are all Condemned

I like Football

I like football. I especially like Aussies doing well at the "European Game" This Goal by one of my favorite players is worth watching over and over again. Go aussie

Motor mouth Mason

Well the biggest Sport story once again is of course Willie Mason. And Good Riddance. What sort of player would leave a club because they wouldn't allow him to have a professional boxing match? Of course you wouldn't allow some one to do that- he is one of their star players on over 400,000 grand a year. And he wants to do boxing? How about you actually preform for your club first. Then to top it off Mason complains about the culture of the club changing in the last 3 years and that that is bad. Well I dunno if you remember but wasn't that the time when there was the gang rape allegations. Just shows.... i didn't think i could respect him any less but its happened. I hope he goes to England where the media will have fun with him. Of course we'll miss him here I honestly believe that they would have beaten the cowboys in the last 2 games here if Mason had of kept quiet and not fired up the cowboys both times.
I couldn't resist posting this video- appologies for the bad language. i could watch it over and over again.
But let me know Do you want Mason at your club?
Are the Bulldogs better off without him?
Is he more trouble than he is worth?

Election getting silly

I didn't think it would happen this quickly- have a look at this http://election2007.yahoo.com.au/BlogEntry.59.aspx

Rappin' Rudd vs Hip-hop Howard

If only we had a musical debate or maybe get them both to go on Thank God your here- I'd vote for the winner

Singleness

Jumped in a car recently with a friend who i haven't talked to in a while and the first thing he said to me was "So another of your friends is dating- not many left ey?"
Or "You can't really understand unless your in a relationship."
PIGS EYE.

There is nothing more sinful that sort of attitude.
Firstly Why is it an assumtion that to be Happy you must be in a relationship? The amount of times i have been set up by every man and his dog(thats a saying -not calling anyone a dog) and every time they do "Its for your good" or "we just want you to be happy".
TRANSLATION: "The only way for you to be happy is to be like us"

What pride. and so anti scripture.
1 cor 7: 25-28
Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

Or how about verse 8 and 9 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

This seems to indicate that Singles seem to be in a higher standing. However is this the way things are in your church? Think about your social circles in the church and think who are the ones who don't really fit in? I'm guessing its the singles
Marrieds and couple have a think how you can serve/encourage singles better in your church and i'll give you a clue- IT ISN'T BY TRYING TO SET THEM UP!!!

Unforgiven 2007 Undertaker's Return

Thought I'd show the return since i built up to it.

Message from Bob Dylan