1 Corinthians

Reading through it at the moment...I've never really realised the tone in this letter before. Paul really isn't happy with them and gives it to them straight...

The Centenery of Gnowangerup

Went back down to the hometown of Gnowangerup (pronouced No-wang-ger-up) for the weekend as it was the celebration of 100 year. For those that dont know where it is, it is a small country town about 3.5 hours drive from perth between the Stirling ranges and Katanning. There were a bucket load a people and general just a whole lot of catching up with people and looking over historical stuff. It all came together with a BBQ for 700 people which went suprisingly well...
Well done to my Mum who was the chairperson of the orgainising committee, which I think is just another way of saying that she did most of the work....

the cat 

two animals happy to have us home from holidays..."Hungry" the cat and "Dozer" the dog. 

thought I should post some pictures. The old camels in broome - fantastic!

another U2 article

lifted from U2 sermons blog. here

discusses the songs of the new album but also an insight into the band and the "upfrontness" of the spirituallty of the album - I'm itching to get my hands on it...

Us and Sin

Thoughtful and honest blog here.

I have often found the same issues as mentioned in this blog - although the times of being far from God is always accompanied by a real knowledge that your not doing things right.
Something which has helped me in the past few weeks is a passage from Galatians...

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

This passgae reminds us that it is not our good disipline that keeps us from sin but rather the desires of the spirit of God in us. Being in step with God frees our mind. Staying clear from sin on our own required us to constantly think about what we should not do - which ultimartly leads us back into that behaviour. Yet, concentrating on God, through his word and prayer, requires our mind to be focus on the desires of the spirit therefore freeing us from sin.
I have seen this at work in my life this week - its good to type this down and teach myself.

Family first

I get a bit concerned sometimes with religous political parties. Often their policies and stance can be quite embarrasing as a chrictian. Sometimes their members really put their foot in it and it reflects on the whole christian community.
Although, the family first party doesn't look too bad - they have tried had to separate "church and state" by not explicity saying that they are a christian party bad have not been shy in saying that their policies are influenced by christian principles. After reading a blog on Baggas site (see blogroll) i went to their site and checked out their policies. Not too bad. Often these parties exibit real intolerance and ignore the main christian gift to the world - grace. but all in all i think they've done a good job - lets hope the dude with the balance of power in the senate will do a good job.

the elections over...

Well - quite interesting in the end, although for different reasons than I thought. I was anticipating a Coalition win but with lost seat and a very closly contested lower house number of seats. And what we ended up with was a blowout to the government...who would have thought. I guess people just reacted against Lathams inexperience and went for howard even though some undesireable stuff has gone done in his time.
I hope that people have gone for the libs coz they figure that Costello's coming in soon anyway so they will get a change in PM whilst retaining the experienced fiscal team. I'm hope that Costello will bring some better social policies in regard to our own country but also internationally. I think his background will have given him a strong social conscience and I'm hoping that has stayed alive during all the economic years...
Anyway, as an Aussie I'm not really ment to talk about politics am I....

Busking

Went down to freo last night with a mate and did some busking - been about a year since we have done it and it was great fun to be back there. We haven't had a good jam for a while so it was a case of practicing down there!! We ended up getting about $30 for our troubles so thats a reasonable return for freo - we've had less and we've had more....
Some of the characters that are down there and who stop to listen (some for over and hour!) are quite interesting to say the least! Hve to do it again soon...maybe with a bit more practice under our belt.

We used to have a regular last year at Clancy's Fish Pub in Applecross but unfortunalty got pushed out in favour of a family member so that kinda sucked...it's a great experience getting paid good money to do something like play some covers and origanals. We are always half (probably more quarter) looking for another gig so if anyone knows!?

The Christian Ghetto

Over at The Alternative Hymnal there is a particuly good rant!

Gods love for the Israelites...

At the start of Romans 10 - reading it this morning...It nicely outlines where they were at back then and still now...

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they
may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but
their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness
that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to
God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be
righteousness for everyone who believes.

Best Cricket Banner in India

Put up by some young Aussies...

"Mum, send Imodium!"

its all good

A great article about christian music in the mainstream and people making it. Raises alot of good questions...here

Cricket on the radio

Great to hear cricket on the radio again!!

The ABC does such a great job, and its a series that I have been looking forward to for quite a while... whoo hooo

Romans

After reading yancey's "whats so amazing about grace", I have been going back through romans. Such a meaty book - so much to think about.

I like the ideas that if we concentrate on staying away from sin, our sinful nature will win out and we will end up sinning just because we are thinking about it. Instead paul tells us to focus on being in step with the Spirit and THAT is the way we stay away from sin!

All things Finn

Really enjoyed the finn brothers album but now wouldn't mind going to see their gig at belviour amphitherater. Only problem is that tickets are around $70 each and after our little jaunt up north thats probably a bit much - 'speshly for a PhD student. And missy higgins is supporting them!! So if anyone wants to ring up BOCS and order two tickets for Cam and Kath that would be great!!

interesting blog

interesting thoughts and ones many of us have in sure. here.

Sudan

interesting article about the worlds inaction in Sudan. Mainly from a USA perspective but valid nontheless. here

Israel V Arabs

Was reading through parts of Genesis last night trying to get a better handle on why these two cultures are in such historical war. It is interesting to investegate the Ishmael/Isaac connection and that God said their descendants will always have tension between them because of their origins. If you want to read more start at chapter 17...

New U2 single

I still havn't heard Vertigo. This holidays thing has kept me from hearing something I have been looking forward to for ages. Alot of net reviews have really liked it so now I am even more keen.

holidays are over...

Well they have come and gone - three whole weeks. I think its good, I am ready to get back into work and give this PhD thing one final burst to finish it off.

We did close to 7000 kms this holidays and saw a good lot of the north - just an amazing part of Oz. We had to cut the trip a little short to attend my Pops (Grandfather) funeral in Albany. If was generally a good thing. He was not himself for a long time and to know that he has gone home is a relief. It has bought with it the usual reflection and thought over his life and with someone as dignified and as much of a gentleman as Pop there is only good stuff to remember. He was a quiet and gentle example of how to be a man and i think that is how i will think of him.