Humble Christian

Time to think

2012-01-25T18:39:00.002+12:00

I wonder if the whole process of blogging was a constructive one for me as it gave me the tools to think out loud in a public environment.

I also wonder if it is something I, personally for my own growth, need to pick up again?

Anger after Bible defaced in British gallery...

2009-07-29T14:27:00.000+12:00

Wednesday July 29, 11:15 AM

Anger after Bible defaced in British gallery

Christians voiced anger and dismay on Tuesday (local time) after a Bible, which was part of an exhibition inviting viewers to add their reflections, was defaced with offensive, foul-mouthed scrawl.

Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art has decided to put the Bible in a glass case after the exhibit - called Untitled 2009 and part of a show entitled Made In God's Image - was vandalised.

Artist Jane Clarke, a minister at the Metropolitan Community Church, asked visitors to annotate the Bible with stories and reflections, as a way of making it more inclusive.

But visitors to the gallery took the invitation a bit further than she had anticipated.

"This is all sexist pish, so disregard it all," wrote one person, while another described the Bible as "the biggest lie in human history". A third wrote: "Mick Jagger and David Bowie belong in here."

On the first page of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, someone had written: "I am Bi, Female and Proud. I want no god who is disappointed in this."

Clarke said: "I had hoped that people would show respect for the Bible, for Christianity and indeed for the Gallery of Modern Art. I am saddened that some people have chosen to write offensive messages.

"Writing our names in the margins of a Bible was to show how we have been marginalised by many Christian churches, and also our desire to be included in God's love.

"As a young Christian, I was encouraged by my church to write my own insights in the margins of the Bible I used for my daily devotions - this was an extension of that idea."

On Tuesday, over 100 people gathered outside the gallery to protest at what they said was vandalism.

Letitia Reid, a housewife from Glasgow, said the Bible should not be desecrated.

"As a Christian I am offended by this because Christians hold the Bible to be sacred. For it to be publicly defiled in this way is very offensive," she said.

- AFP

"Why are so many people leaving City New Life...?"

2009-07-22T17:34:00.002+12:00

The question I was asked on Sunday morning as I was talking to an old friend in a shop in town.

"Why are so many people leaving City New Life...?"

I was shoe shopping with Kate, (Kate was actually shopping, I was just tagging along...) the girl behind the counter was asking the question because she had seen so many people leave Majestic over the years and was curious to what I thought.

I shared that possibly one of the reasons I believed people were leaving Majestic was because the church's ethos and vision was not compatible with that which Jesus shared during his ministry 2000 years ago.

She also shared that because she worked in a quite fashionable shoe shop, she was able to purchase shoes for half the retail value, meaning she had over 40 pairs of shoes. Most of which would have been over $100 each.

I thought about this question a little more when I got home, and I wondered how she would have felt if I challenged her on how many shoes she owned and could she justify them in the face of the thousands of local children who go to school each day without breakfast and lunches. (And even shoes...)

The reason I thought that question was probably a challenging one was because in an Image and Luxury styled church, sacrificing some of the more pleasurable things in life for the needs of the poor and vulnerable, to meet real and practical needs was not a high priority. The issue of social justice was further down the priority list that the attraction and promises and indulgences offered from the core values of the church itself.

Challenge:

How do I stop myself falling into the same trap?
How do I lead NABC away from the same trap?

Blaa blaa blaa...

First post in 3 months... What did you expect...

There! How Was That?

2009-04-02T09:30:00.000+12:00

There! How Was That?

A couple of F-15’s are escorting a C-130 Hercules, and their pilots are chatting with the pilot of the transport to pass the time. Talk comes around to the relative merits of their respective aircraft. The fighter pilots contend that their airplanes were better because of their superior speed, maneuverability, weaponry, and so forth, and pointed out the Hercules deficiencies in these areas. After taking this for a while, the C-130 pilot says, "Oh yeah? Well, I can do a few things in this old girl that you’d only dream about." Naturally, the fighter pilots challenge him to demonstrate. "Just watch," comes the quick retort. And so they watch. But all they see is that C-130 continue to fly straight and level…After several minutes the Hercules pilot comes back on the air, "There! How was that?" The fighter pilots reply, "What are you talking about? What did you do?" And the Hercules pilot replies, "Well, I got up, stretched my legs, and got a cup of coffee."

Similarly, many of us don’t really recognize what God has done in the Easter story. We’ve got hi-tech toys, with great graphics and things that the generations before us could only dream of. And the simple 2,000-year-old Easter story comes along, and it feels like a great old C-130 Hercules. We figure, "It’s old and so what can it do?" We search the Internet, and we think we’ve got Christianity nailed down. I mean look at the colossal failures of Christians through the centuries, and they are numerous. But through the centuries and even with modern hi-tech sophistication and our evolved sensibilities, no one can explain away the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The resurrection of Christ comes to us, sneaking into our consciousness, and somehow we hear a voice in that Easter story: "There! How was that?"

Not too sure about this???

2009-03-24T08:34:00.001+12:00

Technically, the cat is licking her... wait, no... that's not right...?

Hilarious Pictures...

2009-02-26T16:02:00.001+12:00

Found these two pictures priceless!

Love the Feeling...

2009-01-07T08:32:00.005+12:00

I had to laugh.

The TV 2 advertising campaign, "Love the feeling", where what seems like a thousand jellybeans pass through an unsuspecting person on the street and immediately they start laughing or dancing or kissing.

The latest advert has 6 Emo's sitting on a playground swing...

Tomato Season...

2009-01-06T13:05:00.003+12:00

It's almost Tomato season, the first of the cherry tomatos is almost ripe!!!

Should last until June-ish.

Well I'm excited...

Profile of a Fat Person.

2008-12-01T08:02:00.004+12:00

At an alarming rate I am watching my health and fitness ebbing away and as a result I am beginning to think a lot more seriously about my health.

Diets come and go, like fads and crazes they are about as reliable as a one legged man in an ass kicking contest.

I guess the phrase "Lifestyle Choice" comes to mind. Thinking about this some practical "Lifestyle" choices my gut tells me these would be a good start.

1. Exercise: For 6 days a week exercise for at least 30 minutes. 2 mornings go for a run
2. Meal size: Eat smaller portions! It's not true, I don't need a second helping!
3. Meal Times: Graze throughout the day, smaller and more regular.
4. Eat Breakfast: Have something healthy for breakfast, porridge is good.
5. Food Types: Eat wholemeal bread, low-fat foods, trim milk.
6. Alcohol: Cut out the beer! Have one glass of wine instead of 3-4 pints or half a dozen.
7. No Shit: Stop eating McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, Pizza, Fish n Chips. If I have to eat out, sushi (I actually like sushi!) or if necessary Subway.
8. Water: Drink more water, a gay as it looks, carry a water bottle in the car or at work. Instead of coffee, drink water.
9. Time: Avoid eating after 7pm.
10. Fresh Food: Eat more fruit and vege's. Take fruit as a snack.
11. Shopping: Make myself go shopping once a week instead of whenever's convenient.
12. Rest: One day a week, completely ignore steps 1 to 10.

This'll be as hard as hell through Christmas, but what's the point of starting in the New Year?

Movember is back!

2008-10-29T12:20:00.003+12:00

Beware the Slug!

Check out my Mo Space

Caption Contest...

2008-10-24T09:59:00.004+12:00

This was one of the winners in the Ship of Fools caption contest last month, I thought it was pretty clever...

"Up yours, Wellhausen!"

I also liked...

"It's fun to stay at the..."

Spirituality of Gardening... Nice.

2008-09-10T14:18:00.000+12:00

“Although we all possess the seeds of great love and compassion, without the light of the enlightened one's wisdom and the waters of their compassion these seeds would never spout.”

- Philip Kapleau

Tending a garden is like tending one’s soul; it is about enjoying the rhythms of creation, rhythms of preparation, planting, growth, harvest and compost. Planting a garden connects us to a divine presence who sustains his beloved. It is in our connection with the creator that we find meaning in life. What does it mean to prepare our life? What does it mean to plant good seed in our life? What does it mean to be tendered and grow into the fullness of being human? Where do we see the harvest in our lives? And what do we leave behind as autumn approaches and this life finds rest?

These questions only find meaning when our body, mind and spirit - our whole being - is connected to the One who knew us from a seed in the ground to the beautiful life we have become in God’s garden. It is then that we discover our purpose, our holy, pleasing and complete purpose.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the centre of this process but God, who makes things grow…”

St. Paul

Healer II

2008-08-29T13:22:00.002+12:00

An anthem of brokenness, for all of us who are broken and need God's grace.

Healer I think is a message of God's kingdom, that God can take even the most severely broken among us and touch lives by His Spirit.

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

My Healer, You're my Healer

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Mike Guglielmucci (2007)

I believe you're my healer.

If a Samaritan woman with 5 previous husbands and living with some guy who isn't even her husband can preach the good news of Jesus and see her village saved, then I'm pretty sure God can use Mike Guglielmucci to reach the hearts or others just as broken as himself. And perhaps even "Physician, heal thyself???"

Healer???

2008-08-23T13:23:00.002+12:00

I guess what is becoming a little more apparent over the last couple of days is the news about Michael Guglielmucci, the Australian Pastor and musician who wrote the very popular song Healer and promoted it alongside the story of his terminal cancer and his faith in Jesus as the Healer.

It seems stories are coming out now that his Cancer was a lie. With the danger of reading into it before I have all the facts, my first reaction is...

Bugger.

I really liked that song, and I think what drew me to find Jesus among it was the spirit with which I was lead to believe it was written. It wasn't just the song, but that the song came from someone who really spoke from within it.

It seems to me that it is another brand of viral marketing, check a previous post here to see other forms in movies.

Two different comments from another online feedback forum caught my attention.

"...to all those who have been affected by this, I really encourage you: Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus!! He never fails."

And

"...well, well, well, we are supposed to serve God not money and i'm afraid church is all about money. Christians are supposed to build God's kingdom not their own little empires. Jesus did not drive a mercedes or sell cds and books. Why are we not surprised!"

One view from the glass is half full and the other from half empty...

I pray that through this a new sense of humility may develop and a greater sense that even in God's church we are still prone to screwing things up.

May God create in Michael Guglielmucci and all those who are impacted by this story, a new and fresh sense of His grace and mercy.

Fell of the Bike...

2008-08-08T14:24:00.001+12:00

Bit of a graze after falling off my Bike...

Prayer for the Day...

2008-07-30T09:20:00.000+12:00

Psalm 25, verse 16-18

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.

Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.

Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

Amen.

From the "That's rich coming from you..." file:

2008-07-28T12:51:00.002+12:00

NRL chief executive David Gallop has put the heat on the IRB regarding the defection of Sonny Bill Williams move to French Rugby powerhouse, Toulon for what seems to be a 2-year contract worth around $3.9 million.

Gallop believes Williams' defection could damage both codes, that the IRB needs to take a stand against this form of "...international piracy..." lest it cause instability among both Rugby League and Union.

I can only assume his concern was for both codes because my question to Mr. Gallop is this, where was you concern for "Both Codes" back in the 90's when many top All Blacks were drawn to Rugby League because of the top dollar being offered?

Darker with the Day

2008-07-27T19:13:00.001+12:00

Finding comfort in song... no coincidence that he last two songs have been dirges...

As so with that, I thought I'd take a final walk
The tide of public opinion had started to abate
The neighbours, bless them, had turned out to be all talk
I could see their frightened faces
peering at me through the gate

I was looking for an end to this, for some kind of closure
Time moved so rapidly, I had no hope of keeping track of it
I thought of my friends who had died of exposure
And I remembered other ones who had died from the lack of it

And in my best shoes I started falling forward down the street
I stopped at a church and jostled through the crowd
And love followed just behind me, panting at my feet
As the steeple tore the stomach from a lonely little cloud

Inside I sat, seeking the presence of a God
I searched through the pictures in a leather-bound book
I found a woolly lamb dozing in an issue of blood
And a gilled Jesus shivering on a fisherman's hook

Babe
It seems so long
Since you've been gone away
And I
Just got to say
That it grows darker with the day

Back on the street I saw a great big smiling sun
It was a Good day and an Evil day and all was bright and new
And it seemed to me that most destruction was being done
By those who could not choose between the two

Amateurs, dilettantes, hacks, cowboys, clones
The streets groan with little Caesars, Napoleons and cunts
With their building blocks and their tiny plastic phones
Counting on their fingers, with crumbs down their fronts

I passed by your garden, saw you with your flowers
The Magnolias, Camellias and Azaleas so sweet
And I stood there invisible in the panicking crowds
You looked so beautiful in the rising heat
I smell smoke, see little fires bursting on the lawns
People carry on regardless, listening to their hands
Great cracks appear in the pavement, the earth yawns
Bored and disgusted, to do us down

Babe
It seems so long
Since you've been gone
And I
Just got to say
That it grows darker with the day

These streets are frozen now. I come and go
Full of a longing for something I do not know
My father sits slumped in the deepening snow
As I search, in and out, above, about, below

Babe
It seems so long
Since you went away
And I
Just got to say
That it grows darker with the day

(Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - 2001)

Transcript from the only real James Bond...

2008-07-26T14:58:00.005+12:00

From Goldfinger, Sean Connery as James Bond.

Bond: Felix! How are you?
      Dink, meet Felix Leiter.

Dink: Hello!

Bond: Felix, say hello to Dink.

Felix: Hi, Dink.

Bond: Dink, say goodbye to Felix.

Dink: Hmm?
      
Bond: Uh, Man-talk.

[Slap!]

Oh My God

2008-07-26T12:47:00.001+12:00

Oh my God, look around this place
Your fingers reach around the bone
You set the break and set the tone
Flights of grace, and future falls
In present pain
All fools say, "Oh my God"

Oh my God, Why are we so afraid?
We make it worse when we don't bleed
There is no cure for our disease
Turn a phrase, and rise again
Or fake your death and only tell your closest friend
Oh my God.

Oh my God, can I complain?
You take away my firm belief and graft my soul upon your grief
Weddings, boats and alibis
All drift away, and a mother cries

Liars and fools; sons and failures
Thieves will always say
Lost and found; ailing wanderers
Healers always say
Whores and angels; men with problems
Leavers always say
Broken hearted; separated
Orphans always say
War creators; racial haters
Preachers always say
Distant fathers; fallen warriors
Givers always say
Pilgrim saints; lonely widows
Users always say
Fearful mothers; watchful doubters
Saviors always say

Sometimes I cannot forgive
And these days, mercy cuts so deep
If the world was how it should be, maybe I could get some sleep
While I lay, I dream we're better,
Scales were gone and faces light
When we wake, we hate our brother
We still move to hurt each other
Sometimes I can close my eyes,
And all the fear that keeps me silent falls below my heavy breathing,
What makes me so badly bent?
We all have a chance to murder
We all feel the need for wonder
We still want to be reminded that the pain is worth the thunder

Sometimes when I lose my grip, I wonder what to make of heaven
All the times I thought to reach up
All the times I had to give
Babies underneath their beds
Hospitals that cannot treat all the wounds that money causes,
All the comforts of cathedrals
All the cries of thirsty children - this is our inheritance
All the rage of watching mothers - this is our greatest offense

Oh my God
Oh my God
Oh my God

(Jars of Clay - 2006)

The Story of my life... Oh my God.

"Critique from Within"

2008-07-25T12:52:00.003+12:00

I am looking forward to spending time listening to and experiencing the latest class I have enrolled in at BCNZ, Issues in Pentecostal/Charismatic Theology and Pastoral Practice, It will help me trace my roots and foundations back to my Pentecostal past and hopefully help me understand a little more of who I am.

I began my Christian walk at City New Life Church and found it difficult reconciling what I experienced at church and what I read in the Bible.

Joyce Meyer last week helped me see a little more of that world I had been born into. As I wrote last week on a friends blog, "I had been a little skeptical towards her coming here to speak..." But I now know from what I saw and experienced 'from the inside' that her ministry touches many lives in unique ways which can only come from God's spirit working through her.

So I think it is about taking the good and the bad, the amazing experiences of what it means to be part of the People of the Spirit and some of the more forgettable moments which kinda make you cringe and wonder if you really just heard that!

There is still a part of me which identifies with the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition and misses it in my current situation. I am glad I heard Joyce Meyer, she has been a part of my Journey in rediscovering part of who I am and I am looking forward to hearing more from God over the next 4 months in class.

The Sharks are circling!

2008-07-17T09:59:00.003+12:00

Disturbing picture of a shark circling as two divers have their photo taken!

Another photo of a shark circling from Sunday Night...

The offering receptacle...

What a... seat!

2008-06-24T10:13:00.003+12:00

Good Game of Rugby on Saturday Night, but even more exceptional was the Corporate seat I managed to score. (Thanks Hans!)

We had a great view of the Game from the Fresh Choice Corporate section...

Almost as good as Graham, Steve and Wayne, but certainly better than Rob Andrew as they had this big English Fan who stood up in front of them the whole game Swearing! (BTW this photo was taken from my seat...)

Spring already?

2008-06-12T16:36:00.003+12:00

The first blossom of Spring! I picket this off a tree in Avondale this afternoon.

Yea for warmer weather!

Listening to...

2008-06-12T11:41:00.000+12:00

Redemption Song – Bob Marley

Old pirates, yes, they rob i;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took i
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the and of the almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Wont you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? ooh!
Some say its just a part of it:
Weve got to fulfil de book.

Wont you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! have no fear for atomic energy,
cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say its just a part of it:
Weve got to fulfil de book.
Wont you help to sing
Dese songs of freedom? -
cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.

Not too sure if I understand this...

2008-06-05T17:50:00.000+12:00

It's good to be a Tui Master Blaster!

2008-06-03T09:57:00.005+12:00

This was the photo I took with my phone of the "Reuben Thorne" song. (I wonder what song they would sing next year if they win the final?)

This is Ritchie McCaw, I took this photo again with my camera after I shook his hand and congratulated him on a good outing. (Not too sure if I was meant to be on the field at that point, but I got away with it...)

The Cheerleaders really wanted to have their photo taken with us.

Alanna also really wanted to have her photo taken with us. Alanna works for the CRFU and she also rolls the T-Shirts we fire out of that big gun I'm holding!

Nice Neighbourhood eh?

2008-05-23T14:03:00.002+12:00

This is why I love Autumn.

Small Group Models

2008-05-23T13:31:00.003+12:00

Last Sunday we met to discuss some different models of small groups which could colour the way we life together as a Church.

Here is a list of the different forms which were discussed.

(If you can think of others feel free to add your ideas in the comments...)

Definition: A Group of people who meet together for a specific purpose.

Evangelism Cell

Purpose: As a vehicle to reach into our communities in contemporary, biblical and relevant ways.
Examples could be a midweek Parents/Caregivers group, a craft group or even something like Alpha or Journeys programmes. Luke 10:1-3

Social Network

Purpose: People who just want to go out and spend time in social environments and to enjoy one-another’s company
Examples could be a golf group, Tramping/Walking Group, Movie group or a Coffee group. Honouring the desire to belong before belief. Luke 19:5-6

Bible Study

Purpose: To take a passage/section/theme from the Bible and develop a greater understanding of it’s Historical, literary, social and theological context. Acts 17:11

Action Team

Purpose: To identify needs and opportunities within our communities which would benefit society in general; and to put plans in place to achieve them.
Examples could be a street cleaning group, Graffiti cleaning or a Community Watch scheme. Nehemiah 2:17

Ministry Team

Purpose: to Identify specific ministry needs and to be involved in meeting these within the church and the wider community.
Examples could be Rest Home Services, Shut-in communion services or Bible in Schools Acts 15:22

Prayer Group

Purpose: To meet regularly to pray for specific issues and personal requests and to hear from God
Examples could include a Prayer walk around our community, personal ministry opportunities, Listening together to discern Gods will for one another. James 5:13-15

Accountability Group

Purpose: To meet regularly to be accountable to one another for specific issues we are facing in life.
Examples could be a weight loss/exercise group, financial responsibility or even an AA group Hebrews 10:24-25

Discipleship Group

Purpose: to target specific areas of our walk with God and spiritual disciplines and to focus on these areas to learn and grow and strengthen one another
Examples could be a focus on developing our “gifts” such as our preaching/teaching gifts or “How to read the Bible for all it’s Worth” or a Meditation group. Deuteronomy 4:1

Leadership Training

Purpose: to develop specific leadership gifts within people to strengthen our understanding of what it means to be called by God as a leader.
Examples could be in business/event management, ministry leadership and how these line up with biblical models. 2 Timothy 2:1-3

Congregation Plant

Purpose: to plant a new congregation or form of worship which seeks to encounter different Christian worship traditions.
Examples could be a Lectio Divina Service, a Youth Service, Hymn service or a Café Church. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

Worship Group

Purpose: to meet to worship God in one or many different ways which reflect specific worship styles.
Examples could be to spend time in His presence, singing Hymns or worship music, painting, poetry or any other form of worship. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Investment group

Purpose: to share investment ideas and to resource business opportunities for financial gains.
Examples could be Property/financial investment, opening a shop together, managing a charitable trust. Luke 8:1-3

South Park Me!

2008-05-22T10:15:00.001+12:00

It's Pretty Close...

Who's on First - A Reprise

2008-05-11T08:52:00.002+12:00

Recently, Hu Jintao was named chief of the Communist Party in China.

SCENE: The Oval Office.

George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?

Condi: Sir, I have the report about the new leader of China.

George: Great. Let's hear it.

Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.

George: That's what I want to know.

Condi: That's what I'm telling you.

George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?

Condi: Yes.

George: I mean the fellow's name.

Condi: Hu.

George: The guy in China.

Condi: Hu.

George: The new leader of China.

Condi: Hu.

George: The Chinaman!

Condi: Hu is leading China.

George: Now whaddya' asking me for?

Condi: I'm telling you Hu is leading China.

George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?

Condi: That's the man's name.

George: That's whose name?

Condi: Yes.

George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir? You mean Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.

Condi: That's correct.

George: Then who is in China?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir is in China?

Condi: No, sir.

George: Then who is?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir?

Condi: No, sir.

George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone. I bet he knows.

Condi: Kofi?

George: No, thanks.

Condi: You want Kofi?

George: No.

Condi: You don't want Kofi.

George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N.

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.

Condi: Kofi?

George: No, milk! Will you please make the call?

Condi: Call who?

George: Who is the guy at the U.N?

Condi: Hu is the guy in China.

George: Will you stay out of China?!

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N!

Condi: Kofi?

George: All right! Light with sugar. Now get on the phone.

(Condi picks up the phone.)

Condi: Rice here.

George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too.

- Curtain -

Quote of the Day...

2008-05-02T12:32:00.001+12:00

"the unexamined life is not worth living ... wisdom begins in wonder "

-Socrates

What is God saying to our Church today?

2008-05-01T11:33:00.002+12:00

I asked a couple of older members of the Church the other day what they thought God is wanting to say to North Avon Baptist?

The response was, needless to say interesting but not at all unexpected.

Firstly the comment was that we need to get back to more "Biblical" preaching. Hearing this sort of comment before, and not being at all surprised it has surfaced I pushed the point and asked "When did you think we went away from being Biblical?"

The answer was not one I expected.

He responded by sharing about how back in the 60's society was becoming more consumer driven and even within the Church people were becoming more independent and were not as reliant upon God, the preaching was contributing towards this and this is where the church was deteriorating.

I continued to press the point, "Are you saying that the decline in the church, particularly at North Avon has been from the 60's onwards and that to see the church move forward we need to get back to Biblical teaching, we need to distance ourselves from the "Unbiblical" teaching which we have received over the last 40 years?"

Silence...

I wonder if this is something I should bring up in a service?

Buses, a greener option?

2008-04-09T16:28:00.002+12:00

Do Buses have a greater carbon footprint than individual cars?

· Buses are scrapped after a short number of years, cars last longer so require less resources to replace and keep on road.

· Their fuel consumption is greater than a number of smaller cars so they need to actually be full in order to have fewer emissions.

· A 10min Car trip could take 30-40min on buses, (waiting for buses, connecting routes, having to take earlier buses to make appointments on time) So this means for a round trip – there and back - you could lose almost an hour (each trip) meaning if it was a business expense the equation is not in the buses favour.

o Bus – 1 hour, 20min @ $20/hour, + ticket, + Diesel/passenger, + road user charges/passenger (at conservative guess) = $30

o Car – 20Min @ $20/hour, + Fuel (At conservative guess) = $15

· People are having to work longer hours and be away from home longer in order to meet the same financial commitments which also means any loss of time also eats into family/recreation time destabilizing family relationships resulting in social and community breakdown.

I’m not sure you’re saving the planet, but you are keeping Greenpeace employed, so at least it’s good for the economy…

2008-04-04T09:04:00.001+12:00

Tagging in tongues...

2008-03-26T15:29:00.003+12:00

I think I have the gift of interpreting Tongues, particularly with the tagging on the front window of my office...

Nice image...

2008-03-25T13:37:00.002+12:00

On Good Friday there was a hole left on the table of broken items which people had laid as their response from Bruce from Richmond Methodist. Bringing our brokenness to the cross.

On Sunday, with the music of Selah's "You Raise Me Up" the church was asked to replace the empty cross with colourful flowers, new life, something fragile yet with a pleasant aroma and beautiful appearance.

The emptiness of the cross replaced by new life and a new hope.

Nice image I thought.

Scrubs Quote

2008-02-09T15:42:00.000+12:00

Scrubs Quote for the week...

Dr. Cox: People are just bastard covered bastards with bastard filling.

"God Hates Fags..."

2008-02-06T00:50:00.000+12:00

Saw a documentary on TV One on Monday night on the Westboro Baptist Church who have earned such publicity towards themselves for some very unconventional and in my opinion Un-Christian protests involving signs carried by most family members with the phrase "God Hates Fags"

Their view is that God hates America and all who don't follow their narrow perspective on the interpretation and application of Scripture, especially the homosexual community and the armed forces. Their hatred goes even as far as traveling interstate in order to picket a Funeral of a U.S. Soldier.

They Believe God has called them to fulfill this mission of bringing this message of judgementto all these different areas of society, that God Hates them and that they need to repent, in some way, to their way of believing.

My Question is this: If God hates these different sectors of society so much (Churches, Gays, Military etc), why has he gone to all this trouble of sending the members of the Westboro Baptist Church to warn them of their 'evil ways'?

Conquest of Paradise?

2008-02-06T00:35:00.000+12:00

Classical Sparks left me with a question.

Tomorrow is Waitangi day.
Celebration of the birth of a nation.

Tonight they played Vangelis, Conquest of Paradise, Crusader Theme Song, also theme song to 1492, Conquest of Paradise, the story of the conquest of the Americas by Columbus.

The had a Maori Kapa Haka group performing a Haka while the song was being played.

And so the Maori Kapa Haka group celebrating the Conquest of Paradise on the Day before Waitangi Day.

Am I reading into this one too much?

Check out my tomato's

2008-02-02T15:41:00.000+12:00

I have spent most of today clearing out my office. Taking all my accumulated "Stuff" in the boot of my car into my new office at North Avon.

WHAT A MESS!

I guess I'm gunna be spending a bit of time sorting through all the books and stuff, asking the big questions, "Is it something or is it nothing?"

Quite an interesting experience looking at three years of history and trying to figure out if it has any meaning or not???

But more importantly, check out my tomato's!!!

This will be the first ripe one from the plant, ready in about 3 days!

Quote from two years ago...

2008-01-30T09:50:00.001+12:00

Quote of the week,

Evil as defined by:

(a) Consistent destructive, scapegoating behavior, which may often be quite subtle.
(b) Excessive, albeit usually covert, intolerance to criticism and other forms of narcissistic injury.
(c) Pronounced concern for public image and self-image of respectability, contributing to a stability of lifestyle but also to pretentiousness and denial of hateful feelings or vengeful motives
(d) Intellectual deviousness, with an increased likelihood of a mild schizophrenic like disturbance of thinking at times of stress

- M. Scott Peck, People of the Lie, pg 129

This is an interesting definition.

Who am I?

2008-01-27T22:20:00.001+12:00

I never realized the importance of knowing who I am and where I came from as much as I did today.

Today I met 6 people for the first time in 16 years who are probably the closest thing I have to understanding who I am as a person.

When I left High School in 91' I walked away from one of the biggest parts of my life and without realizing it, I walked away from something which has been haunting me for the last 10-15 years.

I cannot explain the emotions I am experiencing meeting up with these 6 classmates from my Highschool after all this time. Seeing their faces, hearing their stories, listening to, and remembering the memories, reliving the laughs and heartaches has really done a job on me.

It started with seeing them on Facebook about 4 months ago and I'm still trying to process what I'm feeling.

Sometimes i have been having this feeling that I never really "Left" school in that I'm still grieving the loss. I have been having this re-occuring dream for the last 10 years where I am back at school finishing my classes and yet scared about the year ahead, scared of the commitment, Scared that I'm going to miss a whole year of my life while I finish school and scared that my friends and life will be long gone when i finish and I will be left behind.

I'm a bit frightened about what has been brought up by this experience and I'm not too sure how to process it???

Quote...

2008-01-27T08:23:00.000+12:00

There's "...more to religion then pleasing your imaginary friend..."

Courtesy of The Virtual Church of the Blind Chihuahua.

Who also gave us this little gem...

[The Virtual Church of the Blind Chihuahua] ...is a sacred place in cyberspace named after a little old dog with cataracts, who barked sideways at strangers, because he couldn't see where they were. We humans relate to God in the same way, making a more or less joyful noise in God's general direction, and expecting a reward for doing so. Hence our creed:

We can't be right about everything we believe.
Thank God, we don't have to be!

Cloverfield

2008-01-26T10:15:00.000+12:00

Saw Cloverfield last night.

Interesting concept, done before with the Blair Witch Project, but where as the Blair Witch Project sacrificed realism for cinematography, the reverse was true in Cloverfield. In this movie, you believe it could be possible that the camera used to capture all the events could really be only the secondary concern for the actors and that it really does capture "accidentally" much of the story.

One of the interesting issues for me is the relationship the movie thereter is playing with other forms of media relating to the story.

Gone are the days of a linear movie where the story begins and ends in the cinema. Now there is part of the story which needs to be experienced on their website. The phrase which sems to describe this experience is "Viral Marketing"

"...Viral campaigns are a great marketing tool that give people a taste of what they want and then pulling back, which really creates a mystique about the project..."

"...By following the viral Web clues, you get a whole, specially-created back story that's not something you would necessarily get if you just see the film..."

Cloverfield has subtle links to "Lost" "Alias" and "Hero's"

The inter-weaving of these subtle links creates this idea that the srory is so much bigger than a movie theater. Are we seeing the evolution of Story which has developed from Oral, to Picture, to written, to Movie, to Gaming and now it's crossing mediums to become Viral storytelling?

Gutted

2008-01-22T22:14:00.000+12:00

A number of years ago someone said to me that my choice to change my studies from and Internship to a full time degree was a big mistake and that it was the only chance I had at getting a job as a minister. It gutted me to hear that from him, but at least he said it to my face. For that I respected his opinion.

A trusted friend of mine shared with me some comments someone said about be behind my back which felt like someone was ripping my still beating heart out of my rib cage. They were unsure of whether to share what was said or not, but thought it better that I knew.

Regardless of whether the comments were true or not, they really hurt and I'm feeling almost physically sick. The main reason I'm so distressed by what he said is that I thought I had thicker skin than that and that the opinion of this person really didn't mean that much to me.

Moving into a new Pastoral position, I know I'm going to cop much more critical and hurtful comments from people who are much more insightful and respected than this person.

I can only pray that whatever insecurity, self doubt or shortcomings that I live with, God can keep me honest and humble enough to be at peace.

"Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen."

Annoyed...

2008-01-15T22:23:00.000+12:00

I am annoyed.

If you're still to see the movie "I am Legend" perhaps you might want to stop reading here lest you read something which spoils your view of the movie.

I'm annoyed because i feel that after being drawn into this incredible story with some very engaging acting i have been left hanging with what i see as a story without an end.

Now i realize that good stories without ends allow the reader/viewer to think and explore their possibilities, bit IAL seems to have brought us along this extremely emotional journey and then seems to dump us like some second rate consumer about 2 minutes before the end in order to continue the journey with some character who appears out of nowhere, like some poor attempt at a prophet, who moves us into this happy ending scenario while our hearts are still hanging in shock from the death of Dr Robert Neville (Will Smith) whom we had invested so much emotional energy into.

Bob Marley was brought into the movie as a theme of hope and love, but this was never realized unless Neville's sacrifice at the end was meant to tie this in?

There was so much potential for a great journey into the character of the "alpha" zombie who seemed to have quite a sense of intelligence, but this was sadly lacking.

The death of the dog was as predictable as the Black Caps routing of the Bangladesh cricketers. Even so, this gripped me and drew me into the sorrow and heartache which worked well for the story (even though it was hard to take). Smith played the grieving friend very well.

2 minutes from the end the movie was hanging at high 8's, but with that last couple of minutes, my rating dropped to a very luck 6/10.

I am annoyed.

They had me right there in the palm of their hands, there was potential for an amazing story conclusion/twist/dramatic conclusion ANYTHING!, but I didn't even subtly slip through their fingers, i felt i was unceremoniously "dumped" like some ex-boyfriend without even a casual thought for letting me down easy.

I am sorry Dr Robert Neville, you have been shafted, you have been betrayed, all your hard work and the wonderful character we have bonded with (because how many of us feel all alone and frightened for either ourselves of those closest to us as one time or another...) has been hung out to dry by unimaginative storytellers and short sighted writers.

I am not Legend, I am annoyed.

Theology of the Crash Test Dummies.

2008-01-09T23:10:00.000+12:00

"God Shuffled His Feet"

After seven days
He was quite tired so God said:
"Let there be a day
Just for picnics, with wine and bread"
He gathered up some people he had made
Created blankets and laid back in the shade

The people sipped their wine
And what with God there, they asked him questions
Like: do you have to eat
Or get your hair cut in heaven?
And if your eye got poked out in this life
Would it be waiting up in heaven with your wife?

God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them;
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him

So he said:"Once there was a boy
Who woke up with blue hair
To him it was a joy
Until he ran out into the warm air
He thought of how his friends would come to see;
And would they laugh, or had he got some strange disease?

God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them;
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him

The people sat waiting
Out on their blankets in the garden
But God said nothing
So someone asked him: "I beg your pardon:
I'm not quite clear about what you just spoke
Was that a parable, or a very subtle joke?"

God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them;
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him

Kite Runner

2008-01-09T22:54:00.000+12:00

Imagine doing something so horrible, so dishonorable, with such betrayal towards someone who loves you so much and would sacrifice everything they have, their dignity, their honor, even their life for you?

Imagine being so guilty all you wanted to do was to get as far away from this person so you could hide this shame, even if it meant lying about them so they would have to leave?

Imagine having to live with that guilt and never being able to repent?

Flatmates... Who would have them...

2007-12-29T09:35:00.000+12:00

Stacy was supposed to move into the 3rd bedroom on Boxing Day. At 22 years old I was concerned she might be a little young and immature. I was right. She had to give 3 weeks notice at her old flat which I wasn't happy with but was willing to cover.

On Christmas Day I hadn't heard from her and so I Txt and call to confirm everything is OK.
No Answer.

On Boxing day, the day we had arranged for her to move in 3 weeks earlier, I Txt to get her to call me at home which she does. Apparently she needs to pay another week rent at her old place and wants to move in a week later. No notice, no courtesy call to ask if this is appropriate, nothing. And I said this is OK, but she starts paying rent from Boxing Day. Pretty reasonable I thought?

Apparently Not. Christmas was busy and expensive, Stacy was not happy with having to pay two lots of rent!

It wasn't enough that I have been covering the room out of my pocket for three weeks, but she wants me to cover it for another week. Without even calling or letting me know until I contacted her on Boxing Day!

What made it even more incredible was that when I put the proposal to her to start paying rent from the original day, she needed to "...go and ask her Mum..."

I didn't need this, not on Boxing Day when I was to be cooking a Christmas Dinner for my Mother and her partner Graeme.

Needles to say, I was VERY grumpy for the rest of the day. (Sorry Mum and Graeme.)

Is this typical for a 22 yearold?

Am I being unreasonable?

I have advertised in the Press today for another flatmate. Stacy hasn't called back yet. I don't expect her to. I guess it's better to find this out about her now then 3 months down the track...

I cannot go to Rakaia for New Years now. I have to hang around home while I look for a new flatmate.

Thanks Stacy,
happy New Year's.

North Avon Baptist.

2007-12-16T13:23:00.001+12:00

This afternoon I got the phone call I have been waiting for from Margaret at North Avon Baptist Church to inform me that they want me to be their New Senior Pastor starting early Next Year. I obviously accepted and so after much prayer and a pretty hard year it seems God has been leading me to this place in my life where things are taking an interesting new direction.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2007-12-12T14:29:00.000+12:00

Merry Christmas one and all, I've put a couple of lights up on the house and a Christmas tree inside, they look a little plain, but something to build on in future years...

Pretty eh?

Caption contest!

2007-11-01T23:07:00.000+12:00

There'll be a prize for the best caption for this photo. (Assuming of course that people still view blogs while they're waiting for their facebook profile to download!)

God at work...

2007-08-07T10:06:00.000+12:00

It seems that we're not the only ones who are exploring the idea that God is active in all of life, including the workplace, phew!!!

"Participants on the Living for God at Work course will explore how God wants to use them in their current place of work, how to use their gifts each day, ways to transform their work relationships, the God who works alongside them, and how to be sure they are in the right job."

The rest of the brief article can be found here.

Holy liturgy Batman!!!!

2007-08-01T14:59:00.000+12:00

Check out this site for an order of service to commission the new Thou Shalt Not Smoke signs to be placed in churches in UK as the UK government has insisted churches carry "no smoking" signs.

Courtesy of shipoffools.com

Sunday Night Live

2007-07-24T11:45:00.000+12:00

A sucker for punishment, Sunday Night Live is back again for another dose of something?

The Epic of Gilgamesh, the Nag Hammadi Library, the Apocrypha, the Gnostic Gospels, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the "Q" hypothesis are all historical writings which sit alongside the Bible in some form or another. What are these writings? Should we ignore them? Should we embrace them? Are we afraid of them? Can they tell us something more about the Bible, the writers and the times they were living in?

What are your questions, that you would like addressed around these texts?

I welcome your feedback.

From the Editor's wastebasket

2007-07-24T09:05:00.000+12:00

Bono, the lead singer of the band, U2, is famous throughout the entertainment industry for being more than just a little self-righteous. At a recent U2 concert in Glasgow, Scotland, he asked the audience for total quiet. Then, in the silence, he started to slowly clap his hands, once every few seconds.

Holding the audience in total silence, he said into the microphone, "Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies."

A voice with a broad Scottish accent, from the front of the crowd, pierces the quiet ............

"Well, stop foockin' doin' it then !!"

I've been thinking...

2007-07-20T12:04:00.000+12:00

As long as we still run programmes, people will volunteer, but their mission will be to the church and not the lost?

Is this true in a lot of areas?

When we run an event or a programme, and we ask for people to volunteer to help out, are we in danger of enforcing the idea that the church leadership is responsible for the mission and the 'laity' is responsible to support them? Where-as I'm certain that all of the church is responsible for mission and the church leadership is responsible for equipping and supporting that mission. This means we should be in less of a hurry to run a training session, and more in a hurry to attend what is already happening in informal and formal groups meeting in homes and businesses and schools and workplaces. Believing that mission is already occurring and we have been called to "equip [God's] people for works of service..." therefore the role of building mission into everyday thinking falls to identifying where gifts are being used and to help build this rather than draw people away from their 'work' in order to teach them skills which may or may not even be applicable to them?

Thinking out loud...

But, and there's always a but, how is it that we empower all of us as a church to take ownership of mission in our own unique contexts? In essence, how do we get people to do stuff?

"God at Work" - excellent tools for equipping us to workplace spirituality/mission
"Easter/Christmas Journeys" - Creative expressions of Easter and Christmas.
"Pentecost Festival" - Inspiring opportunities to celebrate our relationship with the Holy Spirit
"Toolbox Groups" - Growing in Parenting skills
"Mainly Music"...

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink... We can invite people to learn about God's kingdom, but we cannot make them participate...

Faith is a strange thing.

Our prayer is that as we sow seed, God fertilizes and germinates and grows.

Anyway, enough of thinking...

Go the Black machine on Saturday Night!!!

Cluttered!

2007-07-17T09:38:00.000+12:00

I think I am officially cluttered!

After a huge 6 weeks for the Toolbox course...

And working with a great team to put on the 2007 Mid Winter Christmas Dinner...

Including a visit from Santa...

And the Stork...

Things have become
a little cluttered! (Notice only 1 coffee cup!!!)

P.S. Thanks Matt for helping out with a few bugs on the computer on Sunday.

@#$%&* Computer!!! II

2007-07-13T09:56:00.000+12:00

The plot thickens...

itunes has shut down now and no longer opens...

My Libronix Bible software has shut down and no longer opens...

Adobe Premier has shut down and no longer opens...

Something doesn't feel too good, and I think it was the Windows Vista I had for tea last night...

Has anyone else had this sort of problem with Vista?

Wisdom of a ten year old boy

2007-06-29T10:16:00.000+12:00

Teachers teach
Preachers preach
do you know what's
going on in the head of each?

serious serious
serious serious
serious serious
serious.

And there's no healing power
in serious.

Simon Brown, Parables and Poems

#@$!%* Computer!!!

2007-06-28T16:20:00.000+12:00

Windows Media Player has stopped functioning, it doesn't even start. I can no longer play videos or music on the Data Projector, to even connect the computer to the data projector I needed to shut the system down and re-boot it while it is plugged in! I cannot uninstall the WM Player to reinstall it as apparently I do not have authorization??? It's my !@#$% computer dammit! Of course I'm authorized!!!

I don't think there is any coincidence that Vaio, Vista and Virus all start with the letter "V"

I will pay give a $50 dinner voucher to anyone who can sit down with this Lovely computer and solve these problems.

$50!!!

That's two good Steaks!!!

Or at least 7 Happy Meals!!!

Or almost 10 Wendy's Supershakes!!!

Or 6 2 x Curries on Rice at South City!!!

How did Jesus ever succeed in ministry without a good laptop and IT support!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2007-06-22T10:23:00.000+12:00

The Mid Winter Christmas Dinner!!!

Tickets are available after Church on Sunday and from the Church Office.

Uses for Church Facilities #1.

2007-06-14T13:37:00.001+12:00

How bout that carpet...

2007-06-08T13:13:00.000+12:00

And the winner is...

2007-05-27T18:07:00.000+12:00

As anonced on Sunday the 6th of May, "Advanced Hair... Yeah Yeah"

Congratulations Andrew, well done.

Bit more Paint...

2007-05-23T14:17:00.001+12:00

Is that... Paint?

2007-05-18T08:58:00.000+12:00

And what's that in the bathroom?

And so the journey goes on...

2007-05-10T14:29:00.000+12:00

I'm happy with that.

2007-05-02T14:45:00.000+12:00

It seams two things have surprised me today as I read the news.

Firstly: the Anti-smacking bill has been 'amended.' Well... it hasn't been really, just the wording has been to make it a little clearer to those who were in danger of protesting against something they weren't really sure about. What it boils down to is:
"The proposed amendment makes it clear police have the discretion not to prosecute complaints against a parent where the offence is considered "so inconsequential" there is no public interest in it going ahead."
Which is what it was about in the first place, just that common sense now rules when it comes to smacking (not abusing) children for discipline or correction purposes.

And Secondly: that both labour and National stood together for something for the benefit of the country (If in fact you believe this bill is for the benefit of the country...)

Good to see some common sense politics happening, right here in our back yard!

Caption Competition!

2007-05-01T14:42:00.000+12:00

Come up with the most creative caption for the following picture and you could be in to win a prize!

Post your caption and the winner will be announced on Sunday!

Good Luck!!

Thanks Mark

2007-04-27T09:16:00.000+12:00

Mark, fellow BCNZ Student, Twin brother of Adrian, Gib Stopper extraordinaire! Thanks for all your hard work. It's finally coming together, all the walls have been gibed, stopped and sanded. The next step is the trims around the windows and doors and then onto the painting! Yah!

Check out the pose!

Update

2007-04-22T18:46:00.000+12:00

An update of things...

Progress?

2007-04-20T11:09:00.000+12:00

Some progress on the Bathroom...

We're back in business...

2007-03-27T10:22:00.000+12:00

The horror of having the computer stolen and all of my stuff from the last 7 years along with it has somewhat been replenished with a new computer. Some nicer components, but not quite the same. Windows Vista is not as helpful as XP either, but I'm growing on it.

This one won't be left at church for any reason...

Almost like a real house...

2007-03-23T11:34:00.000+12:00

Thanks Mark Taylor for your hard work.

Gutted!!!

2007-03-20T17:36:00.000+12:00

Saturday before last, while most of Christchurch was quietly sleeping, the underbelly of society was actively plotting evil!

My office was broken into. The thief threw a rock through the glass window, reached in and unlocked the window, reached through and took my Sony Vaio, the cradle for my PDA and my wireless mouse.

I had been working hard on my house all week, I had clocked up 55 hours on the house alone (plus Church and Nalco) and so to receive the call on Sunday that the computer and all the information on it (which very little was backed up, including over 14 Gb of pictures and 20 Gb of other information/resources/work-in-progress) was removed to be sold off for $20 to pay for someone's P addiction!

Insurance won't cover the loss of memories and work which was lost. I'll be lucky to get enough to replace the computer...

Still not sure if I'll go with a Mac or a PC though?

Probably leaning towards another Vaio, but the iMac looks quite smart...

If insurance comes through. Don't know too much about the insurance process. Not much of an administrator when it comes to insurance, however our church administrator seems to think I can handle the task so we'll see.

Gutted.

Something's happening

2007-03-16T11:32:00.000+12:00

Looking a little different...

Isn't it ironic?

2007-03-08T12:08:00.000+12:00

Thinking about last week and the "Boobs on Bikes" Parade through Christchurch Streets and the response from the Christchurch City Council and Police that it was a Moral issue and not a legal issue. I wonder if they will still try to sweep "Moral Issues" away in light of the latest allegations over Clint Rickards?

I'll be interested in the response from top officials over this case.

Now you're just showing off...

2007-03-06T08:47:00.000+12:00

Sunday Night was a magical evening when you looked towards the sunset in the west. What a wonderful God we worship. May His grace and beauty always carry us in times of hardship, trials and failures as we live and grow under the shadow of his wings.

Clearing out the yard...

2007-03-03T10:54:00.000+12:00

Paul and His Bobcat arrived today to start on cleaning the rubbish around my property...

Great guy, very good at what he does.

If anyone needs some yard work done of section clearing give Independant Bobcat & Digger Services a call for a free quote, 021 117 1989

It's starting to take Shape...

2007-02-28T17:46:00.000+12:00

This is the first room...

Until...

2007-02-22T18:06:00.000+12:00

Following That...

2007-02-18T18:05:00.000+12:00

And Then...

2007-02-10T18:04:00.000+12:00

What a mess...

2007-02-06T16:37:00.000+12:00

Then...

2007-02-04T18:03:00.000+12:00

It Started...

2007-02-02T18:02:00.000+12:00

Sunday Night Live, I'd do it again - It was a Joke!

2007-02-01T14:26:00.000+12:00

3 more sleeps!!!

2007-01-30T07:49:00.000+12:00

It has been a huuuge coupla weeks, I havent been able to slow down since New Years, what with buying a new house, preparing for a new year at Church, juggling two jobs and preching the first two Sunday Mornings.

Friday morning I take possession of my New Home. Yeaterday I had the kitchen measured up, so this will be installed towards the end of Feb. I've sorted the insurance yesterday also.

But I'm really looking forward to Sunday the 11th. Why? Because Sunday the 11th is "Sunday Night Live!"

With the return of such favourites like Wash Mu Feet for a Comfortable Seat!, the exectutive worshiping experience, the Top 10, What The..? and much much more...

As part of What The..? I'm looking for church notices which make you say, What the..? If you know of any, or have photo's of any, please e-mail them to me or send them into the church office by the end of the week.

Let's see that again!!

2007-01-23T08:18:00.000+12:00

Sunday Morning for me was an eye opener. It was the First Sunday morning service which I have directly put together (with Amy's help, Thanks Amy!) and preached at. I guess I have developed a new appreciation for those who do this week in-week out as their full time Job (even though I'm not full time!) let alone those who don't even work in the church and preach on Sunday Mornings. (Thanks Annette and Karen!)

Some observations.

1. Preaching God's word is not something you can take lightly. When you do you join a great history of pulpit ministries, men and women of God who have stood up week in and week out to reveal God's kingdom to eager lives.
2. As much as this is a learning experience for me, at the end of the day it is not just about me. There are people listening who shape their lives upon what they are taught in church and when you preach you have a responsibility to ensure there is growth. Preachers are "transformation peddlers", their role is to encourage Transformation into the likeness of Christ, for me, this becomes a greater responsibility than what I can get out of it.
3. I get heaps out of it. I have grown in myself, my appreciation of what goes into communicating has grown and it helps me in the process as I look forward to repeating the whole process next week.

For the Glory of God.

Back to work...

2007-01-16T08:01:00.000+12:00

This week will be a nice little motion back to the reality of work.

Holidays, it seems, are meant to be relaxing and an opportunity to recharge the batteries. Perhaps I didn't get the whole "relaxation" thing these holidays, but I did take the opportunity to plan and dream up how I'm going to make my new home "livable!"

The house I purchased over Christmas is a shell as you can see...

But I guess beggars can't be choosers and the price was right.

Needless to say the first month will test my resolve, the first step will be to strip the walls and ceiling, then install the wiring for light switches and plugs, install insulation and get the plumbing done. Then re-gib the walls and installing the kitchen, allowing space for the gas fitter to install the water heater, tanks and Gas hobs. Then the plumber needs to install the shower and bathroom units as well as the kitchen sink. Then the Shower tray needs to be installed and the bathroom needs to be sealed and tiled.

This will make it livable. Then the fun really starts...

Missed out again...

2006-12-31T08:48:00.000+12:00

The New Zealand Honours list is out again, and once again I missed the cut.

Not too surprised, I guess you need to be an international sports star or controversial Theologian like Lloyd Geering?

Maybe next year.

For more names to check if yours is there check here.

It's Church Jim, but not as we know it...

2006-12-22T11:26:00.000+12:00

I visited a Church on Tuesday evening.

It was not the typical model of what church usually looks like. Some may not see it as a Church, but do. While I was there I experienced a wonderful feeling of community which seemed to welcome me as an outsider and made a concerted effort to make me feel part of the wider conversation.

We discussed different life topics which included the place of God in areas of society which are broken and vulnerable.

Finally I was reminded of how much they were interested in helping me as part of purchasing and renovating my new house, sourcing contractors and what “mates rates” could look like.

The sense of being interested in what happens in areas of life outside the four walls of the room. They had a genuine desire to help because of who they were rather than what I could offer them in return.

The church was called The Chum’s Club.

It’s a nice way to do church.

Jas in da House!

2006-12-21T15:28:00.000+12:00

Yesterday I signed the purchase agreement for the property I have been looking at. It was quite a nervous time and a little exciting also. I hope to confirm within 10 working days, which looks to be by the 17th of Jan. The next step will be possession day which should be the 2nd of Feb!

I just need to sign off on a couple of things, Lim report, Title, Builders Report and Finance.

Pending these... I have a house... and a mortgage... and quite a bit of work to get it livable...

Merry Christmas Jas!

"Needs a little TLC..."

2006-12-18T17:18:00.000+12:00

I'm looking at a house. There's not too much to it to look at it, but there's potential???

The outside is pretty rough...

And the Interrior is a little on the "unfinished" side...

The bones seems in good nic...

And so...

Maybe...

It could be exactly what I've been looking for???

Next Step, talk to a Lawyer to put in an offer...

Three fools and a set of clippers!

2006-12-17T20:09:00.000+12:00

What happens when you get three people together with no regard for their head and an overenthusiastic photographer!

I need a Lawyer

2006-12-17T11:37:00.000+12:00

I need a property lawyer as I'm looking at a property. Does anyone know a good lawyer whom you've had experience with and know and trust?

Let me know.

Sunday Night Live Report

2006-12-15T14:00:00.000+12:00

Great night out, good attendance and we had a lot of fun as well as having feet washed, (a classical example of abuse of position!)

Will probably run another one next year...

Sunday Night Live

2006-12-01T15:17:00.000+12:00

Looking forward to Sunday Night Live next week (10th December 7pm)

Taking the Claws out of Santa: How do we as Christians respond to Santa in our families, workplaces and with our friends.