Chaplaincy on Compass.

Interesting show on compass on Sunday night on School chaplaincy. Well worth jumping on here or something to have a look at. It had a kinda balanced look at both sides of the debate but then never gave answers though both positive and negative were handled wellish I think. What do you reckon?

Balance or lack there of.

Well tonight I failed. I had agreed to catch up with someone after my futsal game. My problem was the game got delayed and then the game lengths got extended. To make a long story short I stood up that person although it wasn't entirely my fault. Turns out that person has some kinda serious things they wanted me to talk through with them. I feel terrible and apologise hugely. I feel selfish. To make matters worse men's A futsal is now moved to Sunday night which means I miss church. I feel just as bad about that. Problem is my men's futsal games are stress relief as well as much needed fitness for me. I miss catching up with people after church. So what is the answer? Do I drop futsal (I do go the 11am morning service) what tips do you guys use when balancing things out?

Heath Shaw's legendary grand final smother

In my opinion this was for me the moment that won us the afl premiership. At a key point of the game Heath Shaw showed that even though this wasn't his man- they would fight as a team. Quote of the year "came up behind him like a Librarian."

With what attitude are we serving

This Song has been getting stuck in my head and call me happy clappy but I think its for a reason. I'm starting to think I may have a problem with my attitude in service. Let me just put these thoughts in context and in the big picture.

I was always brought up believing service is a key part (if not one of the main) of Christianity and when I was five my family demonstrated this when they moved to PNG as bible translators. Mum and Dad were there for over 20 years and are still serving with Wycliffe today. Thus I was always introduced to the thought- As a Christian YOU HELP OUT wherever and however you can and I believe that as a whole I have been serving and serving in many different ways. I try to help out with as much as I can and often do to much- (I've been the guy described as the one who will do anything to help out someone but wont help himself out.) My thought is this- I think I've been finding joy because I feel like I'm helping rather than I help because of the joy that I have in me. What that means is things, when repeated become chores and the joy I have at being helpful fades rapidly. It is only recently I think I have realised the joy and love mum and dad have for the gospel which makes them translate it and help other people translate in other languages. Not because they feel like they are helping out but because it is the end product of their joy in God.

However then I run into more problems, if we aren't serving why not? Should there be expectations place on people to serve knowing they are serving with the wrong motives. E.G. I know people who will only agree to things if it is upfront- visible service. They come in- make a big impact and take off leaving others to clean up. Now I know we all can have different roles but at what point does this become selfish and self serving? I remember doing adventure club you really do get addicted to the upfront buzz, but I can say confidently- I've learnt that the leader who quietly stays behind to pack up without moaning or complaining- well I'll take them any day over the upfront superstar. May God help me to be more humble and serve with joy not just joy because I feel like I'm doing something or that I'm something special.

(Cheers to Adam Tunnah for the introduction to the video/song too)

Monkey Riding little motorbike on the streets in India!

This is what the commonwealth games opening ceremony was missing...

Nearly Forgot.

DID I MENTION THE PIES WON TODAY!!!!!! Woooooooooo HOOOOOO

just putting it out there- it was a demolition...

Psalm 139

One of my favorite psalms. (see below for the Sons of Korah song)

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹ O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

⁵ You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, ^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]} you are there.

⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹ If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

¹⁷ How precious to ^{b]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]} me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

New things.

Well I thought I'd resurrect the blogging aspect of my blog. Complete with bad spelling, grammar and punctuation aimed at grammar nazis- e.g. journalists- whom I'm probably deluding, actually read my blog.

Firstly I'd like to welcome new reader(s) to my blog- Hi Donna- Thanks for dropping by :)

Well This is probably my first about me blog in a while, other than a kinda poemy thingy in may it would be Febuary.

Since then (in no particular order of time or importance)...

I've been on 10 camps (which is down from 14 last year so i'm Proud of that)

I've been learning to say no to things.

I gave a speech at the chaplain's corporate fundraiser dinner which I've been told I did a great job.

I've started keeping myself more accountable with people- even in as much as if I'm doing something that I enjoy.

I've had the opportunity to have people come into school and give a clear gospel message.

I have started having professional supervision in my role as a chaplain (read seeing a psychologist) This is a requirement for chaplains now. I feel its helped me.

Realised more what a great group of friends I have around me and grown closer to a few more people.

Had a bible study shake up and got a mostly new group and enjoying getting to know these people.

Gotten to two Futsal grandfinals and lost both of them.

COLLINGWOOD HAD A GREAT WIN AFTER A TIED GRAND FINAL.

Also a few other things have been going on which hopefully I can share more on later.

For those who do faithfully check this blog thankyou and I shall endeavorer to actually post more.

But first some cartoons