Popular Culture
Who Would Have Thought?
A few weeks ago I predicted a marginal win for Julia Gillard. While I was counting on the major parties tearing each other apart during the election, hardly anyone saw the Rudd camp throwing missiles into the ALP tent with damaging leaks against Gillard half way through the campaign. So Tony Abbott, on present numbers, [...]
35 off for 35 on
When I set out to lose weight 10 months ago, my dream was to lose 35kgs. I also turned 35 this year so why not lose a kilo for every year I have been on the earth? I didn’t expect to lose 3.5kgs so 35kgs was really in the ‘never never’ land. As of the [...]
The Mesmerising Lionel Messi
I had not heard of soccer player Lionel Messi until a couple of weeks ago. Messi is considered the natural successor to Diego Maradona, and if you have ever seen him play, you will know why. Take a look at this YouTube comparison of both Maradona and Messi to show why he is so highly [...]
iPads.. in a ministry context
Chances are (if you’re reading this blog) you know about the launch of the Apple iPad. Perhaps you’re curious about its potential for use in a ministry context? Perhaps you have a strong opinion (for or against) based on your technological preference? I own one. Here are my initial thoughts: The iPad makes your research [...]
Doing Hard Things
Jessica Watson’s solo world voyage was a remarkable success, especially considering her young age. Sixteen year-old Jessica sailed non-stop for over 200 days and 20,000 nautical miles. Prior to this journey, she had already gained over 10,000 miles of sailing experience. Jessica’s ambition and abilities are unusual, compared to most teens. Still, her achievement has [...]
The Ministry of the Penguin
John Bingham is to running what John Piper is to theology. They are both into the joy and pleasure of it all. Bingham turned to running in his early forties. He was a self-confessed couch potato. Inactive and overweight, Bingham found his physical salvation (and satisfaction) in running. He has written columns for running magazines [...]
The Fat War Diaries Part 4
There is no final victory in the weight loss war. As long as I have a mouth and stomach, the battle will rage. For anyone with long-term weight issues, an important truth needs to be remembered: The fight to control your weight is much like the war against Terror. There is no conclusive point in [...]
Designer Furniture & Monks
I recently read an article about designer furniture on a domestic flight in China. In summary: 1) The wealthy in China have property and technology, 2) Furniture will be the next status symbol, and 3) Buying furniture from China is unacceptable (this is ironic considering where the rest of the world buys its furniture…). The [...]
The Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser, shown on Channel 10 has developed almost a cult following. Since trying to lose some pounds, I quite enjoy watching it online (without the distraction of the ads, including those involving food). There must be tens of thousands of people who (vicariously) watch the contestants try and do something about their weight [...]
To Each His Own…
“To each his own.” It’s the only absolute truth for most Australians. Here’s a rebuttal in four characters: 9/11 It’s not rocket science after all. If you leave the terrorist to “his own,” the people in the plane die. And the building. 2,973 of them in all. We know intuitively that “to each his own” [...]
Abraham the Separated Dad
A couple of weeks ago I heard a message on the Patriarch Abraham in our church. There was a point made in the introduction of the message that utterly intrigued me. It touched on an episode of Abraham’s life that I had never given much thought to. It concerned the incident in Genesis 21 when [...]
FIREPROOF
Last night I watched Fireproof with my wife. I was a reluctant viewer. The thought of watching another Christian movie made in America with a happy ending sounded completely uninspiring. However, my wife’s gracious persistence paid off. What a movie! It had humour, action, pathos, at times heart rending glimpses into the tensions within all [...]
