Popular Culture
How Do You Define Worldliness?
The very word “worldly” immediately conjures lavish sights and sensual sounds in our minds, conscientiously inscribed there by preaching and teaching we have heard over the years. The nightclub’s throb and strobe stroking embodied sensuality is instantly associated with a more blatant side of worldliness. More sedate icons of worldliness include the sleek BMW parked [...]
I Kissed a Girl, and I Liked It
The elephant in the room is sexuality. Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are everywhere. Sex is rarely discussed in churches, but Sex is the one issue that dominates our City. Historically Christianity has allowed the world to set the agenda for sexual discussions. Sadly, now the world has gone gaga over the church’s hypocrisy and [...]
Cultivating a Culture of Growth in the Church
Another sad story of church stagnation. Faces lined with weary stubbornness dot the congregation. Numbers are depleted since our last visit a few years ago, but besides the smaller numbers, nothing has changed except the decorations in the church lobby. Knowing a little of the background of this once thriving church, I wonder what led [...]
What’s Your Style?
I worked part-time in a department store during my seminary years. The store promoted clothing from Ralph Lauren and other brands, with glossy posters and creative displays. Each brand presented a certain “look” to attract the customer. I soon became aware of the value of style. What is style? Style (from “stylus” or pen) [...]
Food Glorious Food!
It is one thing to lose weight, but it is another thing entirely to try and understand why you were overweight in the first place. Unless you can unlock this mystery, long term change will always be harder. This question has stayed with me for many months now as I have read widely and racked [...]
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 [...]
