Its Official...

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know. You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems. Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green. Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

Rainy Days in Sydney Town

At the moment Lyndell & Deb are visiting from the US and are staying in my house with the giggly Gately girl(GGG) while I'm staying at my parents' house. But today it was raining. Now what would you do if you were American and its a rainy day in Sydney?

Answer: You would go out to the mall and you would buy your host a teddy drop-bear! And you would dress it up in a Superman outfit! Then, you would take pictures of it on the escalator, sitting in a cafe and reading, and standing next to a Superman action figure. But you also have to be careful, because it might fall on you unawares and try to eat your neck, which is what drop-bears do. Especially when they have Superman outfits on. And then you would put it in situations which you think might sum up your hosts' life- preaching in the pulpit, reading theological books and Greek grammar books, posing in the local church, and casually hanging out by the fish tank. Then you would show your host when he came to visit that evening. And his face would be hurting from laughing...

So today it rained- the local farmers were pleased, 2 Americans & GGG were amused, and I was thoroughly entertained. All is good in Sydney Town.

Take a Guess...

The way it was on Sunday

Church this morning- I'm excited- a man we have been praying for came to church. Pray he'll come back. We've started a new series in Ecclesiastes. I'm going to enjoy preaching on this book! Then I had lunch with my Nan at Yum Cha. Ohh-la la! And tonight some good times were had in the rectory with Shannyn, Gheever and JT. We had pizza, and the Gheev-meister managed to down half a chocolate cake. I don't know how the big guy does it. Then we sat around the outdoor fire afterwards and chatted. About aliens and shooting stars. Some laughs were had, some quotable quotes were made, some discussions about tonight's sermon, and some pyromaniac behaviour from one of our group. Can you guess who?

Distant Thoughts of Poland

Over the last few days my thoughts have been overseas...in the land of Poland. My parents are visiting there as I type this. My Dad is meeting his cousins for the first time (he has never ever set foot in his native country). He even met his uncle the other day. They are taking him to the place of his grandfather's grave. He has been enjoying being able to speak Polish in his homeland.

My thoughts are there because for a long time it has been on my heart to go to the land of my heritage and tell them about Jesus. My deep desire is that Polish people would come and drink of a deep relationship with God.

Late last night I called my parents because I was excited about their trip and the people they are meeting. They told me that they went to a Polish Baptist church on Sunday where they met some Australian and American missionaries! Praise the Lord! AND- they got some contact details for me so I can email/ write and talk about about ministry opportunities there with them. If I start forming friendships with people over there, the thought of going wouldn't be so daunting.

My next step is I am going to start up a Polish prayer group, so that people here can start praying for Poland. That will motivate me to write to some missionaries there, and fuel the desire I have to see God's glory declared in Poland.

I know I have a lot of decisions to make before I even go there. I also know I have things to work on in my own life. But I'm very excited!!! My parent's trip has really helped me to re-focus upon the urgency for mission. Lately I feel as though I have lost the passion- the sense of urgency to declare the gospel. Call this blog entry something of a confession. But the question that I keep asking myself is 'Give me a good enough reason why I shouldn't go?'

P.S. Kid's club is on at church at the moment. There are many opportunites to share Jesus here. The sense of urgency is here too... please pray.

For his glory...not my own.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14).

Woo-hoo!

I just conducted my first wedding.
Woo-hoo! *a jump in the air and a click of the heels*

Ode to Keppel

Disclaimer- the following blog is not intended to represent the worship of creation, but rather to celebrate its beauty.

I'm home now from Great Keppel Island, but my mind is still there. And so, dear friends, a tribute. No, more than a tribute: an ode to the island that is Great Keppel.

As the sun adorns Keppel
I will dream of thee as one dares to dream
Of a place now in the recesses of my mind.
Where time stood still
Yet eternity was witnessed in your starry expanses and vast horizons.
Where people forget
And remember that haven you offer.

Shadowy declines ease to sandy plains crowned by coral.
Renewing blue waters and calming bushlands whisper that same sweetness: 'hush!'
Commanding coastlands and unattainable depth beckons dangerously.
The wonder of your beaches alone
Do not justify their isolation.
I would embrace them in a moment!

Your distant sisters remind me
I float in a sea of isolation,
Almost like a prison.
Yet your serenity liberates me.
Nonetheless I am captivated.
You are fed from without.
You feed me from within.

I do not even hold your lighthouse against you Keppel,
For you Keppel, can do me no wrong.

You be the judge

Imagine climbing an old, historic lighthouse with breathtaking oceanic views over crashing rocks on Great Keppel Island... :D

The only problem was that to get there, its a 4 hour return trip across rocky mountains :(

But I bravely started out on my expediation *insert drumroll* and as I got there, the excitement was mounting as I saw this (notice the lighthouse) :D


Imagine my disappointment when this is what I saw...


:(

(Notice my shadow taking the picture...the whole thing is like a 2 metre tall solar powered lighthouse...for Smurfs!!! Seriously, can ships really see that????) >:[

When I got back, I justified the 4 hour trip to see a piddly little lighthouse to Dave R by saying:

1. I needed the exercise

2. The views looked like this:

:D

You be the judge.

About that Soccer Game...

Its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...its only a game...

*sigh*

Everything is meaningless.

Field Report

Day 3.

Island exploration has commenced. The landscape is rocky, with bushlands and long deserted beaches. The ocean is unlike any Sydney beach I have seen- a clear, milky blue. We are down to our last can of tuna and 3 sausages. From now on, strict rations apply. In the meantime, our appetites can be satisfied by the abundance of oysters that populate the island. Tonight, our allusions of island exploration, survivial and isolation will be temporarily interrupted while we watch Australia play Italy with the other natives and marooned visitors.

End of field report.

Good Coffee, Bad Water

Day 1.
Dave and I have landed on the Island which is known as Great Keppel. The natives are friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Today we explored the island. I'd like to say that we went hunting for our lunch but that would be a lie.

Quote of the day:
Dave R "The water here makes the coffee taste bad."
Dave M (seriously) "Perhaps we should try boiling the water"
Dave R- "What do you think is in the coffee?"

OK, so Im on holidays....

Ahhh Holidays...

Steve and I at Nelson Bay


Kevin Conner, the artist once said 'I would be happy if I could draw for the rest of my life and not show anyone...'. Well, I'd be happy to draw for the rest of my life, but I'd love to show you- so here's a picture I drew of my niece, Jade. More to follow when I get back! Ahhh...holidays!

Adelaide: 17th June, 2006

Congratulations Jay and Jo!

Australia 3, Japan 1

So I did watch the soccer last night between Australia & Japan. But I am kicking myself now that I decided that it was too late to keep watching, and as a result I missed all the fun in the last 8 minutes when we won 3-1.

But people- let's get some perspective here. The Socceroos are not going to win the World Cup. This is only Round 1. One newspaper called this victory the 'greatest sporting moment in Australian history'. Wait a minute- what about Phar Lap? What about Makaby Deva? What about Cathy Freeman? Or the America's Cup? Stephen Bradford? My latest trip to the gym (my mother would be proud anyway...)

Training Days

The good thing about being an Anglican is that the diocese puts effort in training us in the years out of college. Today we had a training day in the city on hatch, match and dispatch (that's thanksgiving services, weddings and funerals in the Anglican context).

Funniest quote of the day:
Seminar leader: (about a groom at a wedding) 'He was the kind of guy who calls a spade a spade.'
Minister: (bluntly) 'Why? Did he work in a hardware store?'

CU Blues

I've got the Cedarville blues.

Normality Sets in

Today was a normal day. I got up early, read my Bible and prayed while I ate my porridge. Then I drove into the office, wrote an answer to a question the ladies had in Bible study (finally!), started writing a report for a grant application, started planning a 'Day Away' conference for 2 months time, decided to run a 'Challenging Da Vinci' Sunday, met up with Matt and Kylie for the afternoon, rushed home to cook dinner. Was still eating dinner while people from Bible study arrived. Bible study. Ate dinner after Bible study. Blogged.

Today Shannyn and I reminisced about the week that was Cedarville. Until next year. Can't wait.

Oh Man!

Today I spent the day taking the Cedarville team around the city and Manly (don't worry- I've swapped my day off for this week, for those of you who think I'm bludging!) It was a glorious day- the kind of day that makes you glad you are alive and living in such a beautiful city like Sydney. Sydney turned on a winner of a day...breezy on the Parramatta River but warm enough to notice the sun. The beach was inviting- the water fresh, and the company great!

Of course, I'm sad that my time with the team is coming to a close...only a few more days before their trip to Melbourne. We've had so many laughs, and shared so many good times ministering together. Its hard forming such good friendships, only to say good bye. And I still miss last year's team as well. I'm so glad I will have heaps of friends in Glory. This is yet another good reason to call heaven my Home. And may the good times continue.

Cedarville has Landed!

The 2006 team from Cedarville is finally here! This week we are hosting 15 university students from CU this week. We had a great day in church yesterday with them, and the week can only get better. Today we are all taking a much needed day off and going into the city to see the sights. If you get a chance, and if you live in the same country, head on over to church hear the team sing about Christ.

The Holy Spirit in Scripture

Today in Scripture I was teaching about the Holy Spirit. The students had to write down in their work books something about who the Holy Spirit says he is. Here's what one kid write:

'Yo! I'm the Holy Spirit! Get Down! Yo Bro! Wassup?'

I admit, I had to laugh. And then wonder about my teaching skills...