Opening Prayer at the Council Budget Meeting

Had a great opportunity this morning to open the Ipswich City Council Budget Launch in prayer.

I crafted up a prayer based on bible verses related to civic leadership etc Here is a segment

"Father, thank You for this city of Ipswich and our Ipswich City Council. Your Word says that when good men are in authority, the people celebrate, but when wicked men are in authority, the people are unhappy. I pray that You will keep good men and women in authority over our city. .....I ask that You cause this council to make decisions that increase the integrity of our city. Grant them the wisdom and insight needed to deal with this city’s finances, that You may cause us to prosper and be a blessing to other peoples...."

Here is a section from the Mayor's speech:
"To do this we need the community, including business, churches, seniors and youth groups working together with a strong sense of pride to meet these challenges and convert them into opportunities. Today we deliver a budget to place Ipswich in a strong position ready for the future, as we focus on people and growth."

"Like Ipswich rugby league legend Alfie Langer, who mastered the art of predicting where the game is going, Ipswich needs to keep moving forward, by understanding where global trends are going, so we can continue to be ahead of the game for Ipswich and its people, now and into the future."

And to top things off, the Mayor gave me an Ipswich tie as a gift!

Western Corridor Summit

Went to this Summit today and found the time to be very productive. This Summit hoped "to harness the ideas, ambitions and thoughts of the local residents, community groups and community leaders, and other stakeholders and businesses and to help develop a vision and strategies for the future of the Western Corridor area."

The promo material noted that "the phenomenal growth in the region has thrown up a number of challenges and innovative opportunities in recent years, and our Western Corridor Summit is an opportunity to help shape (our) destiny ....."



The Summit aimed to focus on:

1. transport, facilities and sustainability
2. education, training, skills and innovation
3. communities, families and social inclusion
4. health, housing, well being and recreation.

Nick and I did the "communities" and "health" workshops. There are a lot of opportunities in our region... and region really needs some leadership in the area of building "social capital." Now that will need to be another post shortly....

Deep Needs - Men and Women

I was skim-reading Harley's book again recently ("His Needs, Her Needs") while researching for an upcoming series -

A woman’s 5 most basic needs in marriage:
1. Affection
2. Conversation
3. Honesty and openness
4. Financial support
5. Family commitment

A man’s 5 most basic needs in marriage:
1. Sexual fulfilment
2. Recreational companionship
3. An attractive spouse
4. Domestic support
5. Admiration

What do you think about this list?

"Blokes in a Shed"

Representative SMS Feedback

I help run events all the time. Feedback is useful - helps let you know where you hit the target, where we went close, and even when we blew it.
There is "feedback" and then there is "Feedback".
Some feedback is "gold" - I call it "Representative Feedback."
There are some people who's point of view carries real weight.
And when people take the time to SMS, straight after a gathering, then that is really valuable - bit like an exit poll.

Check out these edited SMS after our "Blokes in the Shed" breakfast this morning.

* “really enjoyed this morning…”
* “it was really good. Thanks”
* “great – was a nice combo of activities and inspiration”

Now that's gold!!

Corporate Box

"Go the Blues!"

Alright, alright!!
They lost 30-0, but it is not the end!
Just wait till game 3 on 2 July. That's when images like this will be destroyed.
I must say though... I think the image is very clever.
"Go the Blues!"

I have been Watotoed!

These guys are awesome!!! Here is Franklin and Felix, "uncles" from Uganda. I love how believers from all over the globe can meet and "instantly connect." In all my travels this will never cease to amaze me.

Krispy Kremes!

They have arrived!!
We took delivery of 330 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts for a fundraiser.
People were so excited.
Here they are arriving at the auditorium before the Watoto concert.

"Having a Moment!"

This happened to me recently.. and I love how it happens often!

Mortgage Payments Going Up - Who's to Blame!!??

I got another letter from the bank recently... our fortnightly repayment is going up!! Aaarrgghhh. Apparently it's linked to the "credit crunch" which started in US. TIME magazine does a great job with making tough stuff easy to understand. Here is one perspective of how all this rubbish started.



The expectations, thinking and attitudes of all parties in the finance market played a big role in this mess. As we all know "our thinking determines the direction of our life." So what's your expectations, thinking and attitudes towards finance based on??

This is why I try to choose the Bible way - it is important – it sets the benchmark - and a true course.

I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Psalms 119:11 (MSG)

Blog On!!

Was driving Jethro to school this morning and had a random thought about my new blog ... thought of a sign off... "blog on!" Now as I think about it, I am sure someone else would have come up with something so profound. Anyway, "blog on!"

Happy in the House!

This drawing was done by a little girl in our church. Her name is Chelsea and she is a sweetie. She has done a picture of our family.... I love it!!! She has done other drawings - and I have a great photo. Maybe for another time! She sits in church while I am preaching and does up these masterpieces. It is awesome how creative people can be while I am rambling on!!! Love your work Chelsea!

Capture!

Build Our House - Love it!

Blogging Training Wheels... Images

I am still distracted!!!
I have this urgency to get onto the next thing on my "to do list" - because this is great time management.

But this is my first attempt to put an image in a blog post - so here goes

This is a mid-week teaching series we kicked off last night. I love preaching about faith!

Trialing a quick new blog entry - I just got distracted!

I am clearing up some early morning emails.. and while doing so came across this great link about blogging. So I was about to "file it" for later use... but then thought "heck" why not trial adding a quick post and seeing how long it will take!
So I am typing fast to purge this distracted but strategic moment - because "momentum is my friend!"

Check out this link to "12 Traits of Successful Bloggers" by Darren Rowse at http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/05/20/11-traits-of-successful-bloggers/
I got the link to work by adding to the bold title of this post - saves you cutting n pasting this link

PS - I know there is a way to hyperlink this stuff but that is something on my "must learn to do real quick" list - so watch this space!! I have blogging training wheels on!!

Our Church

Here is a link to the church I have the privelege of leading

Here goes - entry #1

I was thinking that this should be a really momentous occasion - entry to the world of blogging and publishing. Everyone has gone to bed - it is dark outside - and there is no celebratory or anticiptatory music. Hmmmm
I think I now need to click the "post options" button!