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Monday, April 27, 2009

St Paul's Football Club - The Negotiations.

I got this great email on the weekend from my brother.

It was titled, "Did you see this on www.football.com?"

Football fans around the world were stunned late last week to hear of speculation that 41 year-old mid-fielder Andrew Staggs was considering coming out of retirement. According to a local player, the St Paul's Saints football club was engaged in discussions about when the Sydney-born play-maker might make his debut.

These discussions have been hampered to some extent by how Mr Staggs will fit within the existing squad of 16. However, suggestions that there was no room for the mid-fielder, who has been compared to Tottenham Hotspurs Glen Hoddle, were waived off by observers. "He is a class act, has a brilliant soccer brain, and will be a steadying influence in a squad that has been accused of not playing to their potential".

A spate of injuries have rocked the Saint's reserves bench in the first few games of the season and have added to concern that the Saints will not be able to defend their 2008 premiership title. These injuries have left the Saint's bench bereft of impact players who can add a much-needed 'shot in the vein' for the team.

According to one football expert, these prolonged discussions are a sign that the club may have lost focus. In a phone interview with Football.com they argued, “It is ludicrous that the club wouldn't continue on-going recruiting. It's a long season and every club, no matter who they are, must invest first and foremost in personnel. You look at some of the great clubs, such as Manchester United - they've stayed at the top year in year out with a big squad, a deep purse and hunger for new players, and good squad rotation".

St Pauls Saints last year won the Grand Final in a run of 5 successive victories and with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Championship victors, North Pine. Despite this grand final win, football commentators and fans alike have observed that the team often lacks discipline on the field with their passing and general control.

An enthusiastic supporter of the club said "They need to learn to keep the ball on the deck! They're not as young as they think they are so they've got to let the ball do the work- play smarter, not necessarily harder!" It is expected that if Andrew Staggs does suit up for the Saints, he will bring much needed depth to the squad.

Ironically, Andrew Staggs was spotted on the sideline of the Saint's grand final win, and also an earlier final between Saints and the Tarragindi Tigers. One observer, who requested not to be named, commented, "He was biting at the bit.. I mean salivating! It looked like he just wanted to be out there, controlling, turning, and having a ping at the onion sack (shooting at goal)".

This news of a comeback does come with great speculation about what number Andrew Staggs will wear if he was to join the club. His preference for the #10 jersey is well renowned, and this may cause some initial conflict at the club. This speculation has only been fuelled by the inaugural appearance last weekend of Andrew's son, Jethro Staggs, who also wore the #10 jersey. Jethro made his first appearance with the Western Spirit and he is expected to follow in the steps of his father.

While most commentators of the world game agree that Andrew Staggs has always played with the 'bigger picture' in mind and the jersey number will mean nothing, one critic remembers earlier incidents at Sunnybank Saints where it is alleged that Andrew had received a number of yellow and a red card. In what has been an exemplar career, much akin to the career of Gary Lineker, these alleged incidents perhaps suggest that there is a darker side to his game.

Responding to this criticism, a former team mate of Andrew Staggs retorted, "The media have to give the guy a break. Andrew was going through a tough time off the field. And, the media builds him up to be some kind of a super-hero so that when he makes a few mistakes are surprised that he's just a mortal man! I think that this latest news of a comeback is more his chance to answer these critics and set history straight".

There is also some speculation that Andrew Staggs, who in his retirement from football has gained his ministry credentials and busily establishing the Westlife Group in a Brisbane's outer suburbs, is keen to bring some added significance to the church league.

In a reported conversation with Andrew, one close friend (who also asked not to be identified) described how Andrew was interested in the origin of the church league and who were the original pioneers who began the league. "Andrew has always been interested in leadership and how a vision gets passed down or lost between generations", the close friend reported. "I think he feels that this league was set up with a great ideal in mind but without players, coaches, managers, and referees who carry this vision, it really suffers from neglect and will ultimately fall over".

The latest rumour to hit the Football.com's blog site is that Andrew Staggs will lace his boots for the Saint's training session on Tuesday night. It is expected that it will be a closed training session to avoid intense media attention.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Fireproof - Today

If you have been following the blog for a bit you will have seen the posts about the movie Fireproof.

It is part 3 of our Are You Going to Be OK? series.... hope for our relationships.



Please pray with us a BIG GOD-day at Westlife. This movie is a real chance to see people get God's hope and can impact a generation.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Early Morning at the Lake

Mum and I were on our way back from the ANZAC service this morning - and this is what the lake looked like.

Beautiful!!


Coenraad would have enjoyed the mist on the lake.

ANZAC Day @ USQ Springfield

I really enjoyed the dawn ANZAC day service @ USQ Springfield this AM.

There was a lot of involvement from local schools this year. Well done, Doug Fraser, for your organisation.

And the Springfield Region Combined Church laid a wreath too.

Lest we forget!

It was great being able to get to a service in my local, local neighbourhood.

Friday, April 24, 2009

ANZAC Day - Mark Edwards

I really enjoyed Mark's post about ANZAC Day. I have included a section below and then you click the link to read the rest.

I will be attending the service being held at USQ Springfield starting at 5.45am.

There are some traditions in our family that despite our increasing busy and independant lives, all of the family want to keep. ANZAC Day is one of those wonderful traditions - the Edwards family bleary eyed (apart from me none like early rising when they don’t have to) attend the dawn service at the RAAF base Amberley. It is dark when we arrive then the sun rises during the service - it is truly beautiful and attended by well over a thousand people. Then home for a cooked breakfast - I love the experience.

ANZAC Day continues to grow, in the sense that rather than less people attending the dawn services and marches across the nation more people are attending - there are even suggestions that it is now our country’s unofficial National Day.

For me personally it is a day where.....
(click here to read the rest)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

My Next Chapter - New Series Coming

I am currently finalising the outline and artwork for a new series we have coming up.


Much of the resource we need to live a life of wholeness has already been prepared by God. But we need to do something new to be aware of it and release it and activate it.

My Next Chapter is a series
1. about a new season in people's lives... and people working with their God to
write a new GOD-chapter.
2. about what we need to do to unleash more of God’s love and resources
3. in which people become aware of how much God loves them and wants them to live in freedom
Starts on BIG Wednesday - Wed 6 May - 6.44pm. Tracy will be launching part 1.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Fireproof Movie - This Sunday

I am really looking forward to this movie we are showing this Sunday 10am.

I did a blog here last November about the movie with a link to the trailer. You can see it here or here.

See you Sunday (with a friend!).

Monday, April 20, 2009

Civic Forum - Our Mayor

We had the privilege of having our Mayor, Paul Pisasale, as the keynote speaker at our Civic Forum yesterday.

He was funny and inspirational. Thanks, Paul!

Changes to the Job Market

We showed this clip yesterday at the Civic Forum.

It got a great laugh - and I used it to illustrate that the current economic crisis has certainly turned things upside-down!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Westlife News - Sunday 19 April 09

I really enjoyed this new edition of the news - well done team!

Civic Forum - The Panel

The 7 panel members at the Civic Forum today were awesome!

To stand so close as they unpacked their insights was a real privelege.

I could not help myself - I just had to take a photo while they were speaking.

Like the "moderator's-eye-view!"

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Civic Forum - Tracy Skellern-Smith on the Panel

Here is an article that appears in the Springfield News today.

I am really looking forward to this Sunday!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Sand Drawing and Art

Someone sent me this video clip this AM - awesome!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Wanted - R.E. Teachers to Help Change Our Community!

We recently did up this media clip to recruit some more teachers to our R.E. ministy team.

It is another Combined Church initiative. So why not make some time in your schedule to join a teaching team and make a difference!
Check out the media clip below.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Crucifixion - What a Man of Hope!

I am getting my heart ready for this Easter weekend.

I am amazed again at this powerful message of hope.

Check out the video clip below.

5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:5-8 (NIV)

5 In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
6 Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway.
7 We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice.
8 But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.
Romans 5:5-8 (MSG)

Monday, April 6, 2009

New Senior Pastor Appointment for Garden City Christian Church

Garden City Christian Church had a big day yesterday.

They announced that they are pleased to announce that Pastors Brian & Bobbie Houston have agreed to accept the nomination of the Board of the Church for appointment as Senior Pastors of the Church by an extraordinary general meeting of members to be held on 26 April 2009.
You can view the announcement here.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

No Regrets - Mark Beeson - Preaching about Sex

I really enjoyed this gutsy post recently from Mark Beeson.

I've been asked if I regret addressing the topic of sex at Granger Community Church.
The answer is, "No. Not one bit. Not for one minute."


Here is the video clip:


My Story from Granger Community on Vimeo.


(During the first week of the Sex for Sale series at Granger Community Church, hear first hand the story of a woman's journey to freedom. In the media she speaks of her sexual past and the pain she went through during that time, with the band playing Breathe Me by Sia as background music. The media transitions into the actual song performance.)

The video you just watched is the true accounting of a woman at GCC. The need for moral guidance is glaring. She'd be the first to tell you God's guidance was exactly what she needed most.

If the church doesn't teach God's plan for our relationships who will?
If the church doesn't open the Bible and call people to live in scriptural holiness, who will?
If the church doesn't bring God's instruction to people, who will?

I thank God for the scriptures He give us, lest we think no differently than the people of this world think.

1 Corinthians 2:9-13 It is just as the Scriptures say, "What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!"

God's Spirit has shown you everything. His Spirit finds out everything, even what is deep in the mind of God. You are the only one who knows what is in your own mind, and God's Spirit is the only one who knows what is in God's mind.
But God has given us his Spirit.
That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think.
That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us.
Every word we speak was taught to us by God's Spirit, not by human wisdom.
And this same Spirit helps us teach spiritual things to spiritual people.



Saturday, April 4, 2009

Filled with the Spirit - Joyce Meyer

Here is a great new book we have come across about being filled with Holy Spirit.

It is very easy to read and understand. Go for it!!


Here is what the publisher writes:

Have you ever felt dissatisfied in your Christian walk?
Have you felt that your love relationship with Christ hit a plateau and there is no power in your prayers anymore?
You can experience a deeper love in the Lord, and see life-changing results by learning how to welcome the Holy Spirit's abiding presence and power into your daily life!
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Joyce Meyer overcame an abusive past.
She explains from experience the importance of inviting the Third Person of the Trinity to fill your life.
This book is a catalyst for those desiring a more power-filled Christian walk.


Let best selling author Joyce Meyer show you how to be filled with the Spirit and speak in tongues.
Enjoy this new walk with the Holy Spirit, the person who wants to be your Counselor, Advocate, Strengthener and Forever-Stand-By-Friend.
- Publisher

We Gave Our Volunteers The Week Off

Los posted this great entry about the value of all who serve in the church.

You can click here to see the brilliant video clip.

Los is on the team at Buckhead Church in Atlanta.

"... You must give proper honor to all who serve so well."

1 Corinthians 16:18 (NLT)

Friday, April 3, 2009

Civic Forum - Sunday 19 April - 10am

I am really looking forward to this.....
and we hope that it is a great way to engage our community with a message of hope.




Thursday, April 2, 2009

Shimizu Church - Japan - Opens this Sunday!

This was a great privilege last September... to be involved with like-minded "partners" in activating God's global plan for His church.

5 Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets."
6 It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity.
7 They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.
Luke 5:5-7 (MSG)


Kazuo and Johanna Syrja-Sano open the new church this Saturday in Shimizu, Japan.

Warwick and Elizabeth Aubin who are members of Garden City Christian Church are staying in Japan for a few months assisting the Church team over there at this stage.

The launching of this church is part of a ministry-focussed "triangle plan" - a prophetic response and plan of supernatural breakthrough for Japan.

Go for it, team!!! ANd keep pushing through in the face of adversity!

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

James 1:12 (MSG)

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

"My Hope is Jesus"

I came across this song when preparing about "hope" for our upcoming Easter series.

It is written by the Hillsong gang.

Here are the lyrics and a version on You Tube. Love it!

Some hope in chariots
Some hope in wealth
My hope is Jesus and nothing else
Oh such love such love and grace
Lead me to seek my Saviour's face




Some hope in armies and the strength of men
My hope is Jesus who calls me friend
He bears me up if I should fall
My everything my all in all
What love is this that knows no bounds to faithfulness
What help will He not give
The Son of God through whom I live

Some hope in fortune
Some hope in fame
My hope is Jesus salvation's name
For there He hung and bore my sin
That I might live and bear His name
What love is this the Saviour's blood my righteousness
His wound to make me whole
He sacrificed to save my soul

What love is this that knows no pride or selfishness
Poured out upon my need
Love’s work is done and I am free
My hope is Jesus
My hope is Jesus
My hope is Jesus.

From Album Hillsong "Songs For Communion" (2006)

20 Ridiculous Complaints Made by Holidaymakers

Roderick sent me a great link for "20 ridiculous complaints made by Holidaymakers."

In it they say, "We present 20 of the most ridiculous complaints made by holidaymakers to their travel agent, taken from research by Thomas Cook and ABTA."

You can click here to see all 20.

To get you going here is my favourite!

"My fiancé and I booked a twin-bedded room but we were placed in a double-bedded room. We now hold you responsible for the fact that I find myself pregnant. This would not have happened if you had put us in the room that we booked."

Civic Forum - 19 April 2009 - with Prez Barrack Obama

We are holding our first Civic Forum on Sunday 19 April 2009 at 10am.

Check out this promo and a guest spot with President Barrack Obama.