Richard Dawkins Summer Camp for Teenagers
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Les Murray
MJ reviews Les Murray's latest book of poetry. I haven't read a lot of poetry since high school, but this looks kinda interesting...
Monday, June 29, 2009
GENEVA Church Planting Network
Breaking news! "GENEVA is a new church planting network launching in Australia December '09. Mark Driscoll will be speaking via satellite." via Dave Miers. Andrew Heard is involved, so I'm sure it's gonna be good. I like the name as well, good work guys. Looking forward to hearing more details...
Thinking about Emotions
Tony is doing it, over at the Sola Panel. He queries, "So what is the call for a more emotional Evangelicalism really asking for?" Good question. I'm one of those who found our local version of evangelicalism a bit "heartless" in the old days. So what did I want to be different? I guess I felt that emotions were often dismissed as essentially unimportant. I think I was looking for some validation of the emotional Christian life - mourn with those who mourn, rejoice with those who are glad. That was probably going on anyway in the pews, but I think I felt a disconnect with that reality and the treatment of emotions from the pulpit.
I should say I've got no complaints in this area with my current (Anglican) church. Like many people, I found Piper's *Desiring God* to be an important book. To put it crudely, he demonstrated that it was possible (perhaps obligatory) to be a "joyful Calvinist". And that "joy" included a positive emotional element, rather than being simply some sort of mental attitude. Anyway, Tony will be writing more on this subject, and I look forward to reading it...
The diocese and the downturn
Jeremy interviews the CEO of the Glebe Admin Board about the endowment and it's losses
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Newton and Johnson
The famous John Newton was good mates with Richard Johnson, the subject of my biography. I've been reading a few of Newton's letters touching on this scheme, and it's clear that he was a real, thorough-going evangelical, a kindred spirit to modern evangelicals. He had a heart for the gospel.
One minister wrote to Newton, expressing doubt about Johnson's mission -
How is Mr. Johnson's Botany Bay scheme likely to end? I have seen a copy of his feelings on the occasion, and seemed to feel them all myself. It filled me with a thousand thanks that the Lord did not call me to that cross. If Johnson goes, I pray the Lord to go with him, and fit his mind for everything that lies before him.
Newton’s reply was typically elegant - but also cutting. For my friends who are pastors and missionaries, or considering the call, weigh yourself up against his words –
A minister who should go to Botany Bay without a call from the Lord, and without receiving from Him an apostolical spirit, the spirit of a missionary, enabling him to forsake all, to give up all, to put himself into the Lord's hands without resource, to sink or swim, had better run his head against a stone wall. I am strongly inclined to hope Mr. Johnson is thus called, and will be thus gratified.
I shall not advise him to consult with you upon this point. Your appointment is to smoke your pipe quietly at home, to preach, and to lecture to your pupils; you are not cut out for a missionary. I, too, must have my tea, my regular hours, and twenty little things which I can have when my post is fixed. I should shrink at the thought of living upon seals and train oil.
Oh! if Johnson is the man whom the Lord appoints to the honour of being the first to carry the glad tidings into the Southern Hemisphere, he will be a great and honoured man indeed.
Catching up
I told you all about the impact I love you, Man had on me. Well, I followed through on my little resolution after seeing the film. I got in touch with several old mates, some of whom I hadn't spoken to for a couple of years. Spent a couple of hours on Thursday night chatting to a bloke I've known for 25 years, hadn't spoken to him for well over a year. Good times. I've got lots of new mates I should spend more time catching up with too. Got to keep investing in those relationships, guys.
Gambling and Greed
Phillip discusses gambling and the problem of covetousness. He also (briefly) explains the difference between a (relatively) risky investment and a gamble.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Temptations of Ministry
Insightful post from Jean. Do we talk about the sin of pride much these days? Our forefathers in the faith were well aware of it - they even considered it the worst sin of all. I don't know that we interact with the issue of pride all that intelligently today...
Michael Jackson has died
He died of a heart attack. He was 50 years old. It's so shocking when these childhood icons pass away...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
"We capture peoples' minds up to 25yo but lose them till 40."
Justin said this at the church planting conference (reported via Nick's blog). This is so, so, so true. I haven't thought through why it's true, but it leaped out at me when I read it and said "bing".
Al Stewart to head up new church planting organisation
Breaking news... The AB announced this afternoon that Al Stewart will be leaving his duties as Bishop of Wollongong to head up the Department of Evangelism, which will be renamed to reflect a new focus on church planting. This change will take effect later this year or early next year. It's a good move by the diocese, and Al is the right fellow to do this. I'm still a little saddened by the death of Oz29 - I really liked the fact that it was a national organisation. Still, there is so much work to be done in Sydney alone, I don't think Al will be idle.
First visit to dentist in 20 years
I had my first visit to the dentist in 20 years last week. I'm not kidding. Anyway, the news was surprising good. No cavities, no decay. Teeth felt good after the clean and polish, though the experience itself was pretty yuck. Gonna try and get along there at least once a year from now on...
I [heart] Sherdog
Sherdog is the #1 mixed martial arts site. Most days I'll download one of their radio podcasts and listen while I work. Radio chat shows are aweseome...
Verbal abuse
Nicky Lock lists ways that people can verbally abuse each other. We should be aware of these - some of them are subtle, but no less abusive for that.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
HSC Subject Selection
Yeah, nearing that time with J. Some big decisions. As always, a primary concern is to make sure the picked subjects are well scaled. Here is the 2008 HSC scaling table.
Church - ink or pencil?
Rach asks whether weekly church attendance is in "ink" or "pencil" on our calendars. I'm wondering - what about multi-congregation churches? Is it ok to split your time between them? Or should you have a "main" congregation?
New Church Planting Network
Just days after the demise of Oz29, there is talk of a new church planting network in Australia
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Should Wollongong be a separate diocese?
Was looking through some old parish/diocese records last week, and discovered that there was a big push on about 30 years ago to turn Wollongong into a separate diocese. People donated money to the campaign and everything. The whole thing eventually petered out, not sure why. Someone reading this probably knows, perhaps they can share. Makes me wonder - how does a diocese get "created"? Would it be a good thing if this happened - good for Wollongong, good for Sydney? Good to have another evangelical diocese at the table come General Synod?
Southern Cross Advertising Rates
Here are the advertising rates for Southern Cross. $100 wont really get you a look in - a couple of people would have to pool their money for a 1/16th size ad...
$100 to Southern Cross
Sam wonders if he can find 1800 people who will give $100 each to save Southern Cross. Here's a refinement of the idea - buy $100 worth of advertising on it's pages. Advertise anything you want - "Save Southern Cross" perhaps.
Boy is sick
J is home sick today, for the second day running. Has a bad cough. He really wanted to go to school today, he had soccer on. I had to insist he stay home. Interesting to see how schools are using technology to combat truancy. If your child is not at school, you get an SMS message at the end of the day, which you respond to with the reason for the absence. The day of the handwritten sick note is gone...
Save Southern Cross
The discussion about the future of Southern Cross magazine continues. It's fascinating partly because it's so frank. There are no easy answers here at all...
The Stolen Generation of Church Planters
Jodie's idea has merit. The system of forcing a "change of scenery" on trainees every couple of years is a bit inflexible, and occasionally sees someone taken out of a really healthy and fruitful ministry and placed into a really bad position.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Every Generation
As you know, I've been doing some heavy duty historical research lately. Learning about the English Evangelical Revival of the 18th century was an eye-opener in some ways. What it made me realise is that the gospel must be rediscovered and reclaimed by every generation. The same battles must be fought every time. You never get to "build" on the work of the previous generation, not really. If you've ever wished, say, that you were born during the days of the Reformation or the Revival, be comforted - you have been. You are there. The time to fight is now. The time to reclaim the the gospel is now. The time to proclaim truth amidst an ocean of darkness is now. And it will be that time in another 20 years again. This seemed disheartening to me when I first realised it. But now it seems tremendously exciting...
Marcus Loane on Moore College
Found this article, nearly 30 years old, by Marcus Loane on the subject of Moore College. I wonder if it contains any lessons from the past that might be applied to the future?
THE ARCHBISHOP LOOKS BACK ...
A new academic year is beginning for Moore College.
It was 125 years before, on March 1, 1856, that the college opened its doors for the first time. It was situated in Thomas Moore's old home at Liverpool; the Rev. William Macquarie Cowper was the acting principal; and there were three students.
Now, 125 years later, the college occupies another site on the edge of the Sydney University campus; it has a staff of eight full-time members; and there is the largest overall enrollment of students for many years.
The contrasts between 1856 and 1981, Then and Now, seem almost endless. They are a great tribute to the foresight of Bishop Barker, and they reflect the growth of the church in the diocese.
Some of those contrasts make the past seem so remote that it is not easy to think of it as though it were real.
When the new term begins, it will be 49 years since I first passed through the gates of the college. There were few married students, and even fewer graduates, in those days.
Students were allocated rooms in the old wing or in what is now the vice-principal's house. My room was No. 13, an attic on the top floor of the old wing.
The principal was Archdeacon D. J. Davies and the vice-principal the Rev. G. C. Glanville; there were three visiting lecturers.
The Bishop Broughton Memorial Chapel was at right angles to the main porch of the old wing.
The Th.L. examinations took place at the end of the Trinity Term, and the Michaelmas Term was rather wasted.
I spent only five terms in the college, and then left without any nostalgic memories. The standard of lectures compared badly with that of university lectures and the text-books set by the Australian College of Theology were too liberal for me.
I read what I liked and ignored most of the text-books. In this way I ploughed through the three volumes on Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge and then the three volumes of John Calvin's Institutes of Theology.
That was a very uncommon exercise in those days; I do not know of any other student of the time who followed that diet of reading. But it was invaluable to me and served as an introduction to the Doctrines of Grace exemplified in the Lives and Works of the Reformers.
I left the college at the end of August 1933, and a month later began to work as a full-time catechist in the parish of Gladesville.
Archbishop Mowll arrived in Sydney in March 1934 and I met him for the first time three months later at the King's Birthday Convention at St. Paul's, Chatswood.
Archbishop Mowll was to determine the course of my ministry in ways I had never dreamed of.
I was in the first group of men whom he ordained to the diaconate in March 1935. There were five of us in all, and I was the last of the five.
To my immense surprise, he informed me that I was to return to the college as resident tutor and chaplain. I had not been asked and I had no choice. He had made up his mind, and that was that.
So in March 1935 I found myself back in the college after an interval of 18 months. It was a momentous year.
Corrie Glanville had retired at the end of 1934; Frank Hulme-Moir was the senior student; Archdeacon Davies died towards the end of the first term; Canon A. L. Wade of Croydon became acting principal.
After some time, it was announced that the trustees had appointed the Rev. T. C. Hammond, who was superintendent of the Irish Church Missions, as the new principal. He did not arrive in Sydney until April 1936.
Moore College then began to surge forward through the combined impact of Archbishop Mowll and the new principal.
It was Archbishop Mowll's drive and initiative that led to the formation of the Women's Auxiliary and the appointment of the Rev. S. G. Stewart as the organising secretary.
Funds were steadily raised to renovate the old buildings and to erect three new residential wings.
The building programme in the forties reached its culminating point with the consecration of the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel by the Archbishop of Canterbury in November 1950.
"TC", as the new principal was commonly called, was a man of massive learning and intellect, full of Irish wit and foible, formidable in debate and capable of true oratory from pulpit or platform.
He began at once to lecture to the Th.L. men as though they were final year honours students in Philosophy.
He preached in chapel five mornings every week, without a note, and often for 40 minutes before breakfast.
He was in great demand for house parties and undergraduate meetings and soon established a dominating position for himself in synod affairs.
There was a steady increase in the number of students, while matriculation was made the basic requirement before a candidate could be accepted.
A regular three year course of study and a special February term were established. Evening lectures were begun for two diploma courses which came to be known by their initials. Then in mid 1947, Archdeacon Hammond, as he had become, went on prolonged leave to visit Great Britain.
He did not resume his college duties until March 1949, but his great days were over He did not lay down the reins of office until the end of 1953 when he was 77 years old.
I always thought it a pity that students in those last five years only knew him when his powers were on the wane.
Archbishop Mowll and Archdeacon Hammond together laid the foundation for what Moore College has become today.
The contrast between the college when I first knew it in 1932 and as it is now in 1981 is so enormous that it is hard to convey.
Archdeacon Davies was principal for 24 years; Archdeacon Hammond for 18 years; Canon D. B. Knox has now held that office since March 1959.
The last 20 years have seen the erection of new-buildings - and the purchase of new properties on the south side of Carillon Avenue: the dining hall, the library, the class rooms, and staff houses. A four year course has been established; students have regularly taken the London B.D. degree; and the record of academic excellence has never been so high.
But there is something more fundamental to a college than fine buildings or academic achievements: this is the more intangibie element that makes the spiritual tone of college life pre-eminent.
Moore College is now 125 years old; may it continue to increase in honour and usefulness for the glory of God and the welfare of His people.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Calvin on raising your hands
The inward attitude certainly holds first place in prayer, but outward signs, kneeling, uncovering the head, lifting up the hands, have a twofold use. The first is that we may employ all our members for the glory and worship of God; secondly, that we are, so to speak, jolted out of our laziness by this help. There is also a third use in solemn and public prayer, because in this way the sons of God profess their piety, and they inflame each other with reverence of God. But just as the lifting up of the hands is a symbol of confidence and longing, so in order to show our humility, we fall down on our knees. (John Calvin, Commentary on Acts 20:36)
Book update redux
I wrote this morning that I planned to start revising chapters 1 - 4. However, a friend, an experienced author, emailed me and suggested a better course was to push on through with the rough draft, and revise the work as a whole later on. This seemed good advice to me, and probably mirrored my natural inclination as well. So I'm going to plough into chapter 5 in the next few days. It concerns the voyage of the First Fleet from Portsmouth to Botany Bay. It's a fascinating and well documented journey, and we have a couple of pages by Johnson concerning his experiences of it. This chapter was one of the earliest that I imagined when I was first thinking about the book, so I hope I execute it well, and do the great voyage justice.
Book update
Finished chapter 4 in a rough draft. Yeah, you can tell where all my spare energy is directed these days! About 3000 words, bringing the total so far to about 12,000. As with chapter 3, lots of primary source quotes in there, broken up by my commentary. Not sure if I have the balance right or not. Johnson is now standing on the shore at Portsmouth, about to board the First Fleet. I may leave him standing there for a while - I'm feeling inclined to go back over chapters 1-4 to do a bit of polishing, and to start to knock the footnotes into shape.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
History of Australia
Bought the 500 page abridgement of Manning Clark's seminal work today. I'm really after volume 1 of the unabridged version, but I can't find it anywhere. Clark was a fine writer...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Rhyming Prayers
I really like rhyming prayers. Here's one from Ernest Northcroft Merrington -
God of Eternity, Lord of the Ages,
Father and Spirit and Saviour of men!
Thine is the glory of time's numbered pages;
Thine is the power to revive us again.
Pardon our sinfulness, God of all pity,
Call to remembrance Thy mercies of old;
Strengthen Thy Church to abide as a city
Set on a hill for a light to Thy fold.
Head of the Church on earth, risen, ascended!
Thine is the honour that dwells in this place:
As Thou hast blessed us through years that have ended,
Still lift upon us the light of Thy face. Amen
Amazing Grace
We sang the Chris Tomlin version of Amazing Grace last night. I really think he has improved this classic song...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Prayer & Praise
Had a prayer and praise night at community group. Good fun. Sung about 8 songs (mostly hymns), prayed for about half an hour...
Porridge
The boys are going through a porridge phase. On the weekend just past I cooked up a big pot of porridge in the morning, flavoured with brown sugar. They loved it. With all the sophistication we put into food prep these days (verging on the idolatrous), it feels good to get a kick out of a simple pleasure...
10 Things About Redeemer
Justin shares some observations about the remarkable Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
I love you, man
I spoke a little last week about how this movie affected me a bit. I think a lot of guys will find it a bit challenging. Anyway, got off my butt and rang a couple of old mates last night. Was great to catch up. Yeah guys, we need to invest in our friendships...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Chapter 3
Just completed chapter 3, which describes how Johnson was appointed to the chaplaincy. It came together very quickly as I had lots of primary material to quote from. It's possible I overused such quotations, will have to give it some thought. Chapter came in at 2500 words, meaning I've hit about 8000 total so far. And I've come across so much additional material regarding Johnson's prep for the voyage, I'm inserting a new chapter between my original chapters 3 and 4.
The Gift of Evangelism
Driscoll describes the gift of evangelism. In our neck of the woods, we've tended not to really believe in this as a gift, more as a duty or task. Is there such a gift?
Playing guitar
Justyn played guitar at church last night for the first time. He loved it, came home really hyped up. I was really pleased for him...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
God sent the Babylonians
We are doing a series on Habbakuk at the moment, just did chapter 1 today. Habbakuk cries out to God, "Why are you letting all this injustice go on in Israel?" God replies, "I'm sending the Babylonians to punish you all." Habbakuk responds, "But they are even worse than the Israelites!"
It brings up an interesting point, one that took me a long time to get my head around. Scripture tells us, pretty clearly, that God is sovereign even over evil people, and that He uses evil people to accomplish His purposes. At the same time, the evil people are not somehow less responsible for their actions, and nor is God somehow responsible for evil.
Fitting those ideas together is a bit of a challenge, though I've seen some credible attempts. One of the most helpful things I've read on this is the following little quote from Augustine, which I share on this blog every few months -
It is, therefore, in the power of the wicked to sin; but that in sinning they should do this or that by that wickedness is not in their power, but in God's, who divides the darkness and regulates it; so that hence even what they do contrary to God's will is not fulfilled except it be God's will.
Oz29 is no more
The Oz29 network is no more. Mikey explains here. I'm pretty disappointed about this - it seemed to me they were moving in the right direction. Perhaps in a couple of years time something like this will get off the ground...
New book from Con
Con is starting work on a new book, a commentary on Galatians with David Peterson.
Off to see the Wizard...
Went with the extended family to see an amateur production of The Wizard of Oz, starring my niece. It was really terrific, and we all had a great time. I hadn't seen any live theater for a while. It can be a lot of fun, more engaging than a movie for some reason...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Is gearing immoral?
Interesting to see the continuing comments regarding the diocesan endowment losses. The majority view seems to be that it was wrong for the diocese to "gear" their investments (that is, to borrow to invest). My question is, why? Is gearing itself inherently immoral? An anonymous poster pointed out to me that anyone who borrows money to buy an investment property is involved in "gearing". If gearing is inherently immoral, then clearly the church shouldn't be doing it. But if it is ok for an individual to "gear" their investments, why is it wrong for an organisation to do so?
Friday, June 12, 2009
Christians have caught affluenza
A well-written and challenging post from the Dean. Excerpt -
With the missionaries, the common pattern of comments is about our growth in affluence and materialism - our growing wealth and inability to see or observe the changes. But the harshest words they have are for the Christian sell-out to society's materialism.
No more textbooks
In a bid to save money, the Governator is phasing out textbooks from school. California appears to be turning into a financial basket case... Some tougher decisions will be needed ahead...
Obama's Pacific Solution
Well, this is a bit of a surprise. As Jono says, the silence from the left will be defeaning...
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Richard Johnson Speech
Gave a 15 minute speech about Richard Johnson to the Society of the First Fleet at lunchtime, down at St Phillips. Went well I thought, enjoyed meeting the folk later...
Free Speech in the US?
Anglican Mainstream reports that a Philadelphia court has banned a kindergarten student from using a Bible for Show and Tell. More here
We must focus on the Christian poor
Article from AB. I really agree with him. How amazing it would be if our churches looked after our own poor to a large extent...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
"Jesus saves, the church invests"
The diocese cops a hammering over the endowment losses. This will be a bit of a story, I guess. We'll just have to cop it on the chin.
Mark, the magazine
Saw the latest resource from the Connect09 office on the weekend. It's the gospel of Mark in magazine format. It looks sensational! Wow, whoever put that together, take a bow. That would be an easy giveaway...
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Humour in church
The SMH have picked up on Bishop Bob's blog post from last week. Not the first time this has happened...
Guy friendship
After watching the movie last night, totally convicted that I need to invest more time in male friendships. It was a pretty powerful flick in it's way, a "bromance" they call them, apparently. If you can put up with the off-colour humour, well worth checking out. So hard to find the time though... I'm a single parent, got a demanding job, in a relationship, trying to write a book, etc!
Love this city
MJ speaks about Sydney. Must admit it, I'm a fan of this city, despite all her obvious flaws...
Monday, June 08, 2009
I love you, man
Went and saw this tonight with the girl. Was a bit crude, but pretty funny. Made some good points about male friendship, certainly a movie that makes you think...
Book progress
I spent a significant chunk of today researching and writing. I've now finished chapter 2, and written about 5,000 words in total. At a rough guess, I would say that this is about 10% of the finished work. Quickly read back over chapter 2. I feel I've got the shape right, and the sentences are more coherent than I expected in my first draft. It needs a fair dash of colour, but I'll worry about that more on the second and third drafts.
Characters in a biography
Continuing to make steady progress on my Johnson work. I'm nearing the end of chapter 2, and Johnson has just moved to London to work with the itinerant preacher, Henry Foster. One interesting thing I've realised - a biography has characters, just like a novel. You have to figure out when to introduce the characters, how to present them, and how to bring their little arc in the story to a close. You've also got to decide how many characters to include. It would be easy to fill the pages with name after name. But if you do that, I think the reader will soon lose track of everyone. So my approach has been to try and introduce new characters sparingly. The other relevant names will go in the footnotes.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Moore College website re-design
Mark is on a committee looking at redesigning the Moore College website in order to help the college get "in touch with today's generation". He's put down some thoughts, head on over and give him some feedback.
My initial thoughts... The current website looks outdated and unprofessional; front page content needs to be updated frequently and kept accurate; they should make lots of their archive audio and visual material freely available, as this will promote the college; any video they put up should be very well produced - if they can't do that, then just stick with audio for the time being; and they should check out the very best US seminary websites for inspiration, for example, Dallas Seminary.
Connect 09 Ambassadors Day
Went along to this today, was good times. Very encouraging actually - we are doing some good things in this diocese...
Friday, June 05, 2009
Getting Along
Wise words from the Sola Panel -
A wise man once said to me, "One of the essential ingredients of a functioning team is the ability to assume the best of others". On reflection, there is a crucial corollary: beware of assigning motives.
Vale Geoffrey Bingham
Sounds like a remarkable preacher - and I'd never heard of him! So many good stories out there, needing to be told...
Proverbs 14:1
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Read this today. It's one of only a few proverbs that are addressed specifically to women. By "house" I take it the proverb means "household" or "family". I wonder if God is highlighting the particular power a wife has in her home, for good or bad. Women are generally much more in tune with exactly how things are going in the marriage, and this comes with the responsibility to be always building up rather than tearing down. It is a very foolish thing to tear down your own household...
David Carradine has hanged himself
My generation only knew him as "Bill" in Tarrantino's "Kill Bill". He was 72 years old. For some reason, it seems strange to me that a very old person would commit suicide...
Update: Might not be suicide after all. Oh dear...
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Good Preaching
Mark Thompson is concerned that the most popular web preaching is a bit biblically light. He shares some alternatives...
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Psalm 68:6
"God sets the lonely in families..."
Been reflecting on this verse a bit lately. There are so many lonely and unhappy people in our society. I wish the problem stopped at the door of the church, but it doesn't. I know plenty of Christians who feel the agony of loneliness and isolation. It's one of the reasons I'm growing to like our new small groups name - community groups. We are trying to set the tone here, that this group should be a real gathering of friends. One day, perhaps, these little groups will even feel a bit like a family. Difficult to achieve. But we are, perhaps, taking some baby steps in that direction...
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Condie on Baxter
Looking forward to listening to this. MJ is doing a stellar service to us all with these interviews, check them all out.
Singing at Community Group
We've introduced singing at our community groups. It's been lots of fun. I'm leading this week, doing the Sovereign Grace song "Jesus Thank You".
Clarkson reviews an Aussie car
And finally there's the noise. Oh. My. G*d. There has never been a car that sounds like this. Not ever. Obviously the V8, lifted straight from the latest generation of Corvette, is quite a noisy thing, but when you accelerate you don't hear it at all. What you hear is the supercharger. It's not a whine or a whistle, as you might expect. It's as though someone is feeding a million squirrels into an industrial wood chipper.
More here
Monday, June 01, 2009
Imagine a church that blesses the city
I thought this was a really excellent sermon. Focuses on an area that we Sydney Anglicans have traditionally done poorly...check it out...
Top Gear Oz
Well, if you watch Top Gear tonight it's possible you will see me, Andre & Nick in the audience...
Church planting on the edge
Pray for Peter & Elizabeth Wood
Donations are being sought to support this important church plant.
These can be sent to:
St Marys Anglican Church PO Box 69 St Marys NSW 1790
Particularly at this time of year, some may be interested that they can assist with a tax deductible donation through our Special Religious Education (SRE) Fund for the local public school SRE component of this ministry.
For more information you can contact david [at] stmarysanglican [dot] info
Church is no laughing matter
The bishop is grumpy -
I am frankly sick of "leaders" ruining the atmosphere of the meeting/service and disrupting the focus on God with half-baked comic lines. Or they detract from my reflection upon some important point made in the sermon with smart cracks or attempts to make funny comments about the preacher or the sermon.
I don't know what it is about leaders of our churches which makes them think they are natural stand-up comedians. Let me tell you, they aren't.
I tend to agree, and it applies to preachers as well as service leaders. Those who have the gift of humour should use it - sparingly. Those who don't should spare us from their lame dad jokes...
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