Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Election getting silly
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Singleness
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!!!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Psalm Moods
Psalm 77 (New International Version)
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
7 "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Selah
10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah
16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Rugby Legue player headplants concrete
I pay football :) Been meaning to post this for a while so enjoy
Finally people actually doing something about Dodgy Networks
AFL PLAYERS Association vice-president Brett Burton has announced a nationwide boycott of Channel Seven following the network’s decision to air information obtained from confidential medical documents.
Players from each of the 16 clubs, with the exception of those contracted to the Seven Network, will not honour any interview requests from the network until they receive a written apology and the network guarantees not to use the information they obtained.
Burton said it was “up to Channel Seven” as to how long the ban lasted and didn’t rule out a player boycott of the network’s Brownlow Medal coverage.
“As far we’re concerned at the moment and going forward, we won’t be giving Channel Seven anything at all,” he said.
Burton said he was “disgusted” with the breach of patient-doctor confidentiality and hoped the public would back what he described as “a strong statement” from the players.
“We’ve discussed what Channel Seven has done and ethically we think it’s very wrong, not only for footballers, but for anyone to buy private medical documents between a doctor and a patient.
“We’re disgusted by the actions of Channel Seven and we’re not just going to sit here and take it. The whole playing group have decided to make a stand and hopefully we get the result we want.”
Burton politely refused to answer any questions from Adelaide-based Seven Network journalists at the media conference and said the breach of trust ran far deeper than issues related to the AFL’s illicit drugs policy.
“I think ethically, this is very, very wrong for anyone in the community not only to want to put the information between a doctor and a patient in the public domain, but to also pay for it. I think it’s disgraceful.”
Burton said the players were being vindicated for refusing to “bury their heads in the sand” on the issue of drugs.
“We’re trying to get on the front foot here and do something that’s right for the football and wider community, and show the way that we don’t believe drugs are right,” he said.
“The players have every right to say, ‘Look, we’re trying to do the right thing here and all we’re getting is grief. This is the second time the confidentiality has been breached, we’re getting pressure from the public and pressure from the media, so we’ll just scrap it’.
“It’s the drug rehabilitation people who suggested the three-strike policy and until they change their minds, we’ll stick with it.”
In further fallout on the issue on Tuesday:
* KANGAROOS forward and AFLPAssociation club delegate Drew Petrie said he would support a boycott of player interviews and attendance at this year's Brownlow Medal count in retribution against the Seven Network.
“Something does need to happen for the breach of trust that the players had," Petrie said.
"If it's (refusals and a boycott) going to make people sit up and realise how seriously we do take this (illicit drugs) policy, then yes.
"I don't question the policy. It's one of the most stringent policies of any sporting code in the world.
"We've copped criticism from politicians who probably aren't fully aware of what's involved and probably made a few harsh comments when there's other sporting codes in this country that have probably got worse drug problems than what the AFL does.”
* COLLINGWOOD player and AFL Players Association executive member Nick Maxwell told The Age newspaper that he and his teammates were "filthy" at Seven's actions.
Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert supported the players' stance.
“The club will fully support the playing group in whatever action they choose to take against Channel Seven in response to the recent leaking of confidential medical reports," Pert said.
* AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou has branded as "abhorrent" the broadcasting by the Seven Network of the medical records of two AFL players.
Demetriou told Southern Cross Broadcasting that the decision by Seven to run the story went against the ethics of patient-doctor confidentiality, which he said were sacrosanct.
“This has nothing to do with the AFL drugs policy, it's got to do with the moral and ethical issues which surround private medical records which everyone would agree that patient and doctor confidentiality is sacrosanct," he said.
He said that over the past two years the AFL has had 28 positive drug tests of players who have been referred to rehabilitation centres for private treatment.
He said stealing medical records "goes to the absolute bottom of the obscene pool".
"We are tackling the drugs issue - we find the use of illicit drugs abhorrent - but what is more abhorrent by a multiple of 50 is that private medical records (are published)."
* Sydney Swans player Tadhg Kennelly said confidentiality was the most important issue for any player.
“I think we’re (the players) doing the right thing. We need to stick together over the issue,” he said.
“It’s obviously our private lives and it’s a big issue. No one has the right to dig into your personal life.
“It’s very disappointing to know that the media, or people in the media, are quite willing to pay money to get into someone’s private life. It’s very irritating from a players’ perspective but it’s not acceptable either.
“At the end of the day, we’re just the same as anyone else. Just because we’ve got a high profile it doesn’t give people the right to delve into your private life.” (www.afl.com.au)
There was great footage as Burton refused to answer a Channel 7 journalist and then answered the exact same question from another journalist. There is nothing better to change your actions whether you be a player, journalist or even a Christian than realizing our actions have consequences.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Return of the Dead Man At Unforgiven Second Sign 8/17/07
Thought I might keep going :D just because I can- I think only leah and nathan are watching but oh well :)
BTW Unforgiven is one of the big events, the Pay per views which they build to.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The Undertaker's comeback campaing start (10.08.07)
Sorry I haven't posted for so long but with everything going on i wasn't inspired. However once i saw this I got excited again. Long live the Dead man.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
The Lord Builds
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
Often we look at various ministries and think God must be blessing this or often we ask God to bless our ministries. I think what Psalm 127 is saying is the exact opposite. God Builds the ministry and that is where true fruit lie and what we should seek to be involved in. This isn't governed by numbers but rather a faithful adhering and instruction to God's word.
This Psalm was one written to commemorate the temple being built but yet the focus is not placed on the magnificent temple but rather on the continuation of God's chosen people and even then God is given the credit (verse 3). So despite the attractiveness of anything we are tempted to focus on- the great singing, our powerful prayer time, the great cricket games our focus should be the building up and multiplying of God's kingdom and our ministry's should reflect that.
On a side note Dave told me that some people interpret vs 5 the quiver being full- apparently as an Warrior Your arrow quiver was always marked as empty until you had 8 arrows in it- then it was full. Less than that was useless. wow 8 Kids :) a challenge there to all young marrieds :P
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Drugs in Sport
I also couldn't resist posting this- some of you would have seen this in the chaser's war on everything but its still funny. Which leads me onto another issue : Drugs in Sport.
Why is it that we see some sport athletes and immediately think drugs. It might be a pro wrestler or any German athlete with a Gold medal and immediately we convict them as drug takers. The problem is that some drugs are so common place that people can fail drug tests without realise it (or People's mum's not realising). However as role models recreational drugs must be stamped out and I believe the AFL's drug policy is too soft- sure we all make mistakes but these are ILLEGAL drugs here. would be the same as me robbing a bank and the police saying well we didn't catch you but figured out who you are from security video but we'll give you 3 strikes. Wow that means i can get caught twice more before I get in trouble.Sure one chance but name and shame them. They are being paid the big bucks for a reason.Whilst I don't want to pick on the West coast eagles for their Drug problem I read this article that really burred me up. For those who don't know The West Coast Eagles based out of Perth are one of the most successful clubs in the modern era (current premiers) and have had a few drug issues of late the ICE kind. West Coast are trying to get salary cap allowances for the treatment for ben cousins. click here to see the article. To put this into context He is one of the highest paid players in the AFL, brownlow medal winner- his endorsements alone are worth more than the North Melbourne Kangaroos Training facilities. And they want salary cap allowances... I think their CEO also might have a drug problem.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Unhappy Clappy
The publishing house that gave Chris Masters' book detailing the sexuality of talkback host Alan Jones a run after ABC Books pulled out has lost its nerve. It has dumped an exposé about the happy-clapping church Hillsong.
Allen & Unwin was to next week print ex-evangelical Tanya Levin's inside story of life within the nation's fastest growing and spunkiest congregation.
Allen & Unwin pulled the plug just a week after promoting on its website that People in Glass Houses tells how "a small Assemblies of God church in a suburban school hall became a multimillion-dollar tax-free enterprise, a cult and a powerful force in Australia".
Pastor Brian Houston and his perky wife Bobbie preside over Hillsong, which attracts about 19,000 Pentecostals a week to its two Sydney campuses and has been visited by the likes of John Howard, Peter Costello and Bob Carr.
Here is a taste from the manuscript of Levin's view of the all-singing, all-swaying convention centre where she spent her teenage years: "The music is useful for getting you to the building, and keeping you there long enough for recruitment purposes."
When Levin's publisher called last Thursday she expected to get the hurry-up on returning the last few page proofs before the 300 pages were committed to print. Instead she was told publishing director Patrick Gallagher had decided Hillsong represented too high a risk of suing for defamation. Gallagher declined to comment.
As far as Levin knows, the defamation laws haven't changed since Allen & Unwin's own lawyers gave her manuscript the tick of approval before Christmas. Then she had been advised to target the church as a whole, rather than individuals, because corporations can't sue.
Further legal advice has revealed a not-for-profit organisation can sue. The cruel irony for Levin is that while Hillsong is not-for-profit in the sense that it doesn't pay tax, it has annual revenues of about $50m, a good slice of which comes from song royalties and CD sales and is enough to keep a for-profit company in the black.
The back cover blurb was promising: "Tanya Levin uncovers the truths and untruths about the country's most ambitious, entrepreneurial and influential religious corporation."
For the record, Hillsong spokeswoman Maria Ieroianni said the church didn't lobby the publishers. Hillsong's general manager George Aghajanian did, however, write to Levin saying she was to refrain from attending any church events or entering the grounds. (http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=229556)
Hehehehe I'd love to comment on this...... but.... ok- When did hillsong become evangelical?
And now for something completely different go to http://www.myspace.com/alistairgriffinonline to hear a great aussie immortalised in Song.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Nothing exciting
Monday, December 25, 2006
(In)effective ministry
Firstly I would like insert a disclaimer that I am not having a go at anyone involved in this ministry- I respect them for seeing what needs to be done and jumping in. Also i am not having a go sitting at my desk- I also have helped out with this event in past years in every level from acting to picking up rubbish to ushering to Painting children's faces (badly). And God of course works though all our feeble efforts and does the work not us.
Now to THE RANT:
During the week here in townsville an event was run called "Stable on the Strand." (Our Esplanade) This has multiple areas namely: Stable tent, Stage show, youth area and Children's tent (sorry if i missed any areas) Tonight I'm mainly going to concentrate on point 1 and 2 with a little bit on 3 and 4 if your taking notes. (Sorry NTE joke)
In the lead up to the stable we were feeling the buzz from the various organisers about 'this wonderful evangelistic event'. Apparently 'every year the council lets us put more and more of the gospel in.' I allowed myself to be sucked in looking forward to seeing a refreshing presentation that can be shown to the 1000s of people who come in- many unchurched and often having no contact with the gospel at all and them hear a clear gospel message. Boy was I wrong...
The main focus was the stable tent which started well, there was the guide who announced that Christmas was all about hope and the three wise men/women who set the scene well- introducing Bethlehem. then we saw King Herod, Simeon and Anna, Pregnant Mary, dancing shepherds, baby Jesus and the people handing out bibles and the people blessing people and the prayer wall. The only problem was it was all rush and there was no clear message just a haphazard play on what it might have seen like in play form. but with no meat- I've done primary school plays with more meat. Sure its a great line 'Hope is born today' but what is the hope- there might be a fuzzy connection to Jesus in there somewhere, so he was born to give me hope: Great. I hope I finish uni one day is that the hope? I hope I get a girlfriend one day too- that must be what Jesus came for. NO Jesus came to save the world from their sins and to restore the relationship with God. But instead I was left with a wishy washy picture of Hope and no thrust of where it goes to next. As i read on the Prayer wall some one had thoughtfully put, obviously missing the whole point of blessing, "Lord please bless my telstra shares".
2ndly there was too many difficult things in the plays- I know my biblical accounts well but even i was confused with the interaction between Simeon and Anna followed by the starving family and Gabriel (Did Jesus come to give physical bread?).
3rdly why have people at the end blessing people- I thought it was great that they were handing about bibles and a decent version for ppl to understand. But then after that- hey you stood in line for an 1hr followed by crammed in small sections standing watching plays, have sore feet and probably kids needing to use the loos- Can I give you a blessing? WHY????????... And what is this prayer wall- do you think a base relationship with God might be the last thing people should be dwelling over as they leave the tent.
4thly I couldn't help but laugh as I left the tent and saw a cross outside. Yes finally an indication Christ came to die for our sins. oh no its actually a collection box. But wait there is more you put money and it lights up plays music and says Jesus was born today. hmmm maybe that's the Gospel you put money in and get a bit of gratification/humour and a flashy light show. At least I got a free wristband with hope on it.
Having said that I really enjoyed the stage show and the youth area was quite good. but when it came down to it the whole thing was very much it. All show or rather entertainment. There were some very good gospel snippets but in the end they seemed to be afterthoughts not the main point of the event. And when it comes down to it how is that different from a show put on entirely by non-Christians. If that is the way the organisers are planning I have no problem with it there as a Christmas show and it does give a christian side to the overly secularised event that is Christmas. But stop hoodwinking us by telling us it is 'THE evangelistic event of the year for townsville' unless you put some gospel and some decent evangelism in there.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Where's the Light?
*A Car with a bumper sticker that reads, 'Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven," speeds down the highway cutting someone off. As the other Driver scrambles for control of her car, she sees the bumper sticker and yells in frustration, "Does being forgiven give you licence to run me off the road?"
* Two teenagers meet for lunch. One wears a shirt that announces "Jesus is the reason for the season," and the other a jacket with the words "Jesus Rules." Their lunch conversation centres on the latest church gossip. A husband and wife seated nearby and exchange glances. The wife says "If that's the way they talk about each other, I certainly wouldn't want to go to their church."
* A busy executive spends many hours leading the men's ministry at his church and teaching a bible study, but he never seems to have time for his family and constantly loses his temper when he is at home. Each week his children sit in the back of the room where the bible study meets, listening to him teach the scriptures and thinking 'Hypocrite.'
*A demonstrator stands at the fresh grave of a murdered homosexual, holding a sign saying 'He's burning in hell.' Relatives and friends, who have come to mourn their loved one, stare in shock. "If that's the way God really feels," the victim's mother says, "I hate him."
The Driver, the teenagers, the busy executive and the demonstrator all have something in common. They believe they're shining the light of Christ to the world.
If you had encountered these people while you were unsaved, what would you have learned from them? Would you have found their words and actions attractive- or would you have been repulsed by them?
If some one was to give a description of the Gospel based on observing your life, what do you think that person would say? What message is your life proclaiming?
(Taken from 'Shine' by the newsboys)
Monday, November 27, 2006
Rush on aircons for the Eskimos????
Friday, November 17, 2006
What's important
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Do you like stuff?
So besides figuring out if I was in the designated flirting area or if the canteen was open I made some decisions or rather insights into camping ministry.
1. The Cooks are just as crucial as most of the leaders especially if you have a younger leadership team. Often especially on larger camps the cooks are the first to pick up on kids who aren't fitting in and have an ability to get along side the kids and get them to open up to them. Maybe because they are parents themselves (In most cases) or rather because they are giving something to the kids (food) with out asking in return but a good set of cooks can make a camp go from a good camp to an excellent camp. That's excluding the food itself which often sets the mood of the camp.
2. Some times we try too hard to cater the camp to what we think the kids want to hear. This leads to camps that are all games/ small devotions. We tend to think that as the kids are 'trouble' kids we try to cater the camp to subtly introduce Christ. However since they have signed up for a Scripture union camp or Willows Presbyterian camp they know they are going to get God stuff and so often are ready or at least willing to talk about God. And even if they aren't who are we to limit the Spirits work in the guys and girls.
3. 'Preach Christ all times. When necessary use words.' - There are 2 types of leaders respected by kids. The ones who are respected as an authoritive figure (usually a bit older or have regular contact with kids (Youth Pastor or Chaplin). Or the 2nd is some one the kids respect because the person has earned their respect. The first can't be earned on camp but the second can be. But it takes hard work especially on the first couple of days. This isn't earned by ordering the guys and girls around but rather getting in there and getting your hands dirty. If its a camping camp don't just tell them to set their tents, get up get in and help them. But don't do it for them- teach them. If you are trusted to teach small things you will be trusted to teach big things.
There are of course many other essential parts to a camp and I would interested in hearing what you think needs to be added to my list. Maybe then we can publish a book.
