One is a genuine Nokia - and all have capacity for 2 SIM cards. The Ferrari edition makes F1 car noises. The Gucci one is my favourite.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Mobile Phones with Bling - China Edition
One is a genuine Nokia - and all have capacity for 2 SIM cards. The Ferrari edition makes F1 car noises. The Gucci one is my favourite.
Green Friend
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Four
It includes:
Four Insatiables
Four Mysteries
Four Intolerables
Four Small Wonders
Four Dignitaries
Well worth checking out.... but I am confused about 1 of them.
Need to look at it a bit harder, me thinks!
PS - I was reading chapter 30 because today is the 30th. If you ever get short on ideas on how to read the Bible.... Proverbs has 31 chapters, there are generally 31 days in a month... so read the chapter that corresponds with the day number of the month.
So what chapter of Proverbs will you read on your birthday?
BIG Wednesday - Coming Soon!
Monday, December 29, 2008
FB2009 - Get your Face in the Book in 2009
Here is my very first post about facebook and my "friends."
I have a concept brewing – I am sure someone has already done it. But it seems new to me!
I have taken the popular "facebook" and converted it to FB2009 - Get your Face in the Book in 2009.
This is part of how I got there..........
I recently did a post about some "Word-snippets" - random God-phrases from The Message that have caught my attention when reading Psalms recently. This is one that I forgot to add in....
…… soak yourself in the Fear-of-God—that's where your future lies. Then you won't be left with an armload of nothing.
Proverbs 23:17-18 (MSG)
and then it make me think of this....
Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.
Joshua 1:7-8 (MSG)
And then I remembered this post I did in July 2008 .... here is a bit of a cut n paste....
....."Connected with God...Fuel for the Journey." The BIG idea was that a dynamic and intimate connection with God was a key to effective ministry to others.....Imagine if we could understand the power of our commitment to connecting with God…….And when we really understood that
1. the ongoing strength of our ministry depends on us being able to hear and discern God's voice in your life - and then growing in and obeying what we hear
2. the effectiveness of our ministry and its impact on the community and with lost people depends on our spiritual growththis should be a motivator for us and should guide for us in all we do to come to a place of spiritual maturity.
So here it is - FB2009 - Get your Face in the Book in 2009.
.......... with a bit of artwork that I roughly whipped-up!
No doubt there will be more on this "live" thought - so stay tuned!
What is God starting to talk to you about for 2009?
Early in the morning....
Matthew 21:18 (NIV)
I dropped Mum at the airport very early this AM... wow!!
I love the city at that hour of the morning.
There was a passenger liner at Bretts Wharves ... a City Cat gliding the river near Bulimba, and church bell was quiet in New Farm. It was a shame that Vue Coffee was not open... but I did find a new bakery in Brunswuck Street.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
10 Frugal Ways to Show Them You Care
I have it down as being written by Kim Tilley at http://frugal-moms.com
Although it is written in the context of mums and kids, the principles are transferable.
Over to you now, Kim.
Who says love has to be expensive? With a little creativity, you can show your love in ways that don't break the bank and create special memories together.
COMPLIMENT FAMILY MEMBERS EVERYDAY
How often do we find ourselves reminding our loved ones of all of their faults? Get into the habit of saying something nice about each member of your family on a daily basis. Kids, and spouses, need this reassurance, and it will help you to focus on the positive rather than the negative. There will be days when finding something to compliment may be really difficult. Save the generic compliments for these days, such as "Wow, you've got such strong arms" or "Your hair looks very nice today."
SURPRISE THEM WITH LOVE NOTES
...in their lunches or coat pockets. This can be so much fun! I like to stick notes to the fruit in my husband's lunch, such as "You are the apple of my eye" or "You drive me bananas!" He enjoyed the notes, although he was a little embarrassed to discover them in front of his coworkers.
MAGNETIC MESSAGES
You can also leave funny notes on the refrigerator with magnetic letters. We bought some to teach my youngest child his ABC's, but soon found the entire family leaving silly notes to each other on the fridge. This is another great way to compliment your family as well, you can leave "Dad is great" on the refrigerator, but watch out-some kids like to "edit" these messages (I recently came home to find "Mom is not great" and "Beau eats bugs" on my refrigerator.)
ESTABLISH A FAMILY NIGHT
Set aside one night a week to do something special with your family. It might be going out somewhere, but it can also be something as simple as watching a moving together at home and eating popcorn. Take the phone off of the hook and keep the focus on the family. Other fun activities you might try include playing board games together, cooking a special meal together, going through old photos, singing and dancing, playing musical instruments, whatever you like.
BIRTH STORIES
Tell your kids the stories of their births. Take out some baby pictures and tell them what they were like at a young age. Sharing these memories with your children is precious, and may even trigger some long forgotten stories. We recently discovered some old pictures and videotapes of my oldest son as a baby, when we lived overseas. Watching the tapes and going through the pictures, I felt like I had my "baby" back. Sharing these stories is also a great way to deal with jealousy -- when I find my older two getting annoyed at my youngest child, I recall some of the things they did at the same age. They really enjoy the stories, and it makes them feel special.
LOVE PIZZA
Whenever someone in our family has a birthday, gets good grades, (or a promotion!), we celebrate with a "Love Pizza". Just make your favorite pizza crust, shaping it into a
heart. Add the sauce and cheese, and cut the pepperoni with kitchen shears into letters to make a special message. I like to write "I love you" or "Happy Birthday" on our love pizzas. I've also tried making the words out of green peppers, but the pepperoni seems to be the most popular at
our house.
HUGS
No child is too old for hugs. Sometimes we assume that older kids don't need or want to be touched, but they may need hugs the most. Make yourself openly available for hugs and
kisses from kids of any age, and keep that shoulder ready for them to cry on. Just knowing they can come to you is half of the battle!
READ WITH THEM
Every night we have a family reading time at our house. Sometimes the kids read to us, sometimes we read to them. Together we have discovered some fantastic books, as well as
each other. Chapter books such as Willy Wonka, the Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, Frankenstein, all work well. It's fun because we can't wait until the following night to read the next chapter. We've also read "Green Eggs and Ham" forwards, backwards, and as many different characters. Sometimes we'll even put aside the books and make up our own stories.
TALK TO THEM
It sounds so easy, and it is. Share your day with your kids and spouse. "Unplug" them from the TV, video games and, yes, even the computer. Ask them how their day was, share your
day with them, and make yourself available to answer their questions, no matter how silly those questions may seem. Laugh with them, counsel them, be there for them.
GET THEM INVOLVED
...in something you normally do. These are great opportunities for learning and sharing. Even the mundane things, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and yard work can become fun when done together. Doing these things may take longer at first, but you are teaching your kids skills they will need to be independent one day. The most important thing is to be consistent and make it fun. Turn on some music, tell some jokes, and talk about your day. You may rediscover your child over a load of laundry or a stack of dirty dishes.
Over to you now - do any of these look "doable" for you?
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas Ice Cream
One of the highlights was that my brother came to the Wonder of Christmas presentation and then slept over.
He got involved in making our Christmas ice cream on Christmas Eve. We all ate it on Christmas Day and it was delicious. It had cherries, marshmallows, nuts, and turkish delight!! Yummo!!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Ice Man!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
We Have a Saviour!
You can check it out here.
Her use of The Message bible freshened up an old truth.... especially in the Isaiah 9:6 text...
"He'll take over the running of the world"
Schweeet!
The Saviour
The lauching verse from the Bible was
The Saviour--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem!
Luke 2:11 (TLB)
Here is a bit more.
This verse reminds me of what God did to meet your need and mine
—how God saw the condition of planet Earth and did not look away.
But he looked at our sinfulness and fallenness, and he knew that we needed a Saviour, so he sent one.
My favourite all time Christmas story is one:
“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
“But our greatest,” and “my greatest need was for forgiveness.
So God sent a Saviour.”
At Christmas we’re reminded that God sent the best He had for our most pressing need, and He met that need.
And He had you in mind when he commissioned his only son to take on human flesh.
He had you in mind.
He had me in mind.
Awesome!!!
Monday, December 22, 2008
What I Say to Myself has Power!
Here is the BIG idea:
My own words have more power to affect me than anybody else's.
Check out the entry.
"He who invokes a blessing on himself...shall do so by saying, May the God of truth...bless me."Isaiah 65:16 AMP
Did you know you can bless yourself by what you say?
The Bible says: "He who invokes a blessing on himself...shall do so by saying, May the God of truth...bless me...because the former troubles are forgotten" (Isa 65:16 AMP).
Two important truths are taught in this Scripture:
(1) Your own words have more power to affect you than anybody else's. Ultimately it's not what others say that counts; it's what you say to yourself after they get through talking! You always have the last word.
(2) You'll never enjoy what God has for you in the future while you're still living in the past. To enter the Promised Land, you must first leave the wilderness. So come into agreement with God; begin to say what He says about you.
This is no small matter. What you say from the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night not only influences your day, it influences the entire outlook and direction of your life.
If you've been praying and asking God for specific answers, you can affect the outcome by making sure what you say lines up with what He says. In other words - get in harmony with God. Your body is God's temple, so be careful what you allow to come out of your mouth (See 1 Cor 3:16).
Faultfinding and negativity destroy and tear down, but Scripturally-based, faith-filled words open the door to God's blessings. That's why Paul writes: "Let no...worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such...as is...beneficial" (Eph 4:29 AMP).
So before you sound off, ask yourself - is this beneficial?
Here is another version of the opening Isaiah text
"Whoever asks for a blessing in the land will be blessed by the God of Truth. Whoever swears an oath in the land will swear by the God of Truth. Past troubles are forgotten. They are hidden from my eyes. "
Isaiah 65:16 (GW)
"You own the day, you own the night"
You own the day, you own the night…
You laid out the four corners of earth, shaped the seasons of summer and winter.
...Your Name is our favourite word
…Your mighty works are all we talk about.
You say, "I'm calling this meeting to order, I'm ready to set things right. When the earth goes topsy-turvy And nobody knows which end is up, …I put everything in place again."
He's the One …., he's the One.
I'm telling the story of God Eternal
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Saviour, Our Saviour, My Saviour
We are in part 2 of our Simply Christmas series.
Here is a chunk of my opening text - I love this passage of scripture.
1 About this time Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the nation.
2 (This census was taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration.
4 And because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David's ancient home--journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth.
5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born;
7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
8 That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened,
10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!
11 The Saviour--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem!
12 How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!"
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God: 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven," they sang, "and peace on earth for all those pleasing him."
15 When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on! Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
17 The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
18 All who heard the shepherds' story expressed astonishment….
Luke 2:1-18 (TLB)
Verse 11 - "The Saviour"!!!! Yes!!!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Church News Bloopers 2007
Check out the 2007 edition here.
If you missed the previous post about the 2008 edition click here.
Church News Bloopers 2008
We recently showed these church news bloopers in the BIG house - and we all laughed!
I love our church news - our team puts in such a great effort.
So sit back and enjoy... and thanks Richard!
Friday, December 19, 2008
How much do I have to hate somebody not to tell them about Jesus?
I have a copy of Just Walk Across the Room on my desk.
Our 2009 calendar has some great strategic chunks allocated there for "reach preparation."
Something happened to me recently in the Goodna Cash Converter store (post for another time).
And I did another blog entry recently called Do I Really Believe?
Then I come across this blog entry from Darryl via Ed Stetzer.
It's called "How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize?"
Penn of Penn and Teller is an atheist. His response to being evangelized after a show may surprise you.
"I don't respect people who don't proselytize. If you believe that there's a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, and you think, 'Well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward'...How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize?"
Check out the video clip below of him speaking... and at about 3:00 on the counter...
For inauguration prayer, Obama splits ticket
Here is a start:
The clergy chosen by President-elect Barack Obama to pray at his inauguration fill separate symbolic roles: One is a nod to the civil rights activists who made Obama's election possible. The other is an overture to conservative Christians who rankles some Obama supporters.
The Rev. Rick Warren, who will give the invocation, is the most influential pastor in the United States, and a choice that has already caused problems for Obama.
Warren is a Southern Baptist who holds traditional religious beliefs and endorsed California's Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage. But he also wants to broaden the evangelical agenda to include fighting global warming, poverty and AIDS.
The Rev. Joseph Lowery, 87, is considered the dean of the civil rights movement. For the benediction at the Jan. 20 swearing-in, he says he will pray that the "spirit of fellowship and oneness" at the inauguration endures throughout Obama's presidency.
"He gets a lot with these choices," said David Domke, author of "The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America."
"Here's a guy who wants to run a progressive administration .....
You can read the rest here.
I really like this bit:
With Warren, "Obama shows he is willing to work with a new breed of evangelical and kind of move beyond the tired figures associated with the religious right," said Randall Balmer, a Barnard College professor of religious history and author of "God in the White House."
"A new breed".... now there is just another post to be developed!!
PS - "Well done, Rick Warren! Love your work!"
"Yes Pete I am Listening..."
Thursday, December 18, 2008
"Thanks, Bruce!"
I was even on staff in 2000.
It is a great church. I love GCCC. My Dad took me and my family there when I was 11 years old. I got married there. Our daughter Katie was dedicated there. My Dad's memorial service was there. I served as an Elder there. I was asked to launch a new church from there.
I am sort of sad. Pastor Bruce Hills has just resigned. The people will be hurting, and sad, and frustrated, and .... hopeful.
Important Announcement
On Sunday 14th December 2008, Pastor Bruce Hills announced his resignation as the Senior Pastor of Garden City Christian Church. Pastor Steve Dixon, previously the Associate Pastor, has accepted the Church Board's request that he lead the church as the Senior Pastor for now, to allow them time to pray and consider applications for a long term replacement.
(The Church Board).
Thanks for leading in your season, Bruce. And thanks for the opportunities that you gave me.
"....This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
Matthew 16:18 (MSG)
".... and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. "
Matthew 16:18 (NLT)
"....and upon this rock I will build my church; and all the powers of hell shall not prevail against it."
Matthew 16:18 (TLB)
"And c'mon GCCC - you can do it - it's time to gather together and to pray and to build the next chapter, together! You are a prevailing church!"
Church Governance
When it comes to the subjects of leadership and governance, the New Testament presents a fairly fluid and emerging model for local churches. That's why there are so many different views on what church leadership should look like today. [For a detailed look at the subject of leadership as portrayed in the New Testament, click here to download a paper I wrote on this topic as part of my Master's Degree at Ridley College back in 2001 - A New Testament Pattern for Church Leadership]..........
The post is practical, relevent, and solid.
Thanks Mark!
Get Fit - New Series Coming - January 2009
This series will answer this potent question:
What are the habits that we need to develop in our lives so that we can run this race of life with purpose in every step?
A key text will be:
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.
All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me!
I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (MSG)
So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.......
1 Corinthians 9:26 (TLB)
The series will go something like this:
part 1 - get spiritually fit
part 2 - get physically fit
part 3 - get relationally fit
part 4 - get financially fit
part 5 - get intellectually fit
Ray and I signed off on the music and art yesterday AM - video promo will be appearing from this Sunday.
Starts Sunday 4 Jan 09 with Alan Goode! See you then!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
My Future Son-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law
I want the best for them. If you have kids, I am sure you know what I mean.
I was so inspired by this post from Mark Beeson - it is titled "Aaron & Tracy Are Engaged!"
It is well worth the read here. It includes a prayer he has prayed for many years for his future daughter-in-law.
Check out this snippet:
"Lord, somewhere there is a little girl who'll grow up to be my son's wife. Wherever she is at this moment, bless her with Your favour. Pour out Your provision on her life. Watch over her. Give her everything she needs to become a wise and faithful woman. Fill her with courage and compassion. Strengthen her. Put a hedge of protection around her. Discipline her and train her.
Give her loving and wise parents. Lead them in the Way that leads to life so she'll follow them in righteousness and learn to live for You. I pray she'll fall in love with Jesus. Show her how You've made her "special." Show her Your plan and purpose for her life.
Prepare her for life with my son - as You prepare him for life with her. I trust You to make her a great woman - so she can be a great wife, as You make my son a great man - so he can be a great husband. I entrust my son, and his future wife, into Your care. Oh Lord, be their Lord! Oh God, be their God! Let my son, and this little girl, bring honor and glory to You, as they play their part in Your great Story."
I want a great relationship with my children's life partners. So I better lift my game in relation to my future-focussed prayers!
What do you pray in advance for?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
DNA
My heart is unpacking what we must do to capture the next phase of the prophetic season at Westlife (unleashed!). So thoughts are towards leadership development, preparing our people, Jan 09 training and DNA management.
I try and find an image that starts to capture what is my heart. … that prophetic thread that sparks and catalizes!!!!
Here is one that came up on my radar recently.
Nice one!!
The part that I find interesting with this one is the colours – and how they could link with the colours of our 5 purposes – hmmmm!!!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Christmas Pledge
Our Great Team
The ministry team is going to serve the volunteers as our way of saying “thanks.”
It has been a BIG year – and we are so grateful for the contribution of so many people – and their families.
Thanks team for the great job that you – and for being co-workers for the sake of the Gospel!
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV)
Would you do me a favour, friends, and give special recognition to the family of Stephanas? You know, they were among the first converts in Greece, and they've put themselves out, serving Christians ever since then. I want you to honour and look up to people like that: companions and workers who show us how to do it, giving us something to aspire to.
1 Corinthians 16:15-16 (MSG)
……. Be proud that you have people like this among you.
1 Corinthians 16:18 (MSG)
Here are some samples of the photo montages that have been done up for tonight. Awesome!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Zimbabwe unveils 500 million dollar note
Zimbabwe's central bank has introduced a 500 million dollar note, as the African country struggles to cope with the world's highest inflation and crippling currency shortages.
The half-billon note, worth about $US10 ($A14.89), was released on Friday, together with a 200 million dollar bill, which the central bank said in a statement was introduced for the "convenience" of the public.
Finance minister Samuel Mumbengegwi announced the new bills in a government gazette, bringing to 29 the number of new notes put into circulation this year alone.
Just last Thursday, Zimbabwe introduced a 100 million dollar bill that at the time was worth $US14 ($A20.84). One week later, it's worth less than 50 cents......
You can read the rest of it here.
Here is an image of me interviewing our Zimbabwean ministry partner, Ps Richmond, in Sept 08. He said that the pain in his country is terrible!!
Simply Christmas
It was birthed out of a Christmas Eve planning session one Sunday afternoon. Ideas were flying backwards and forwards…. and then out of the brainstorming melee came this focussed phrase, “Simply Christmas.”
And thus, a series was born!
It is about “getting back to the basics” and “turning the season right-side-up-again!”
If you are in the Western Corridor why not come at check it out at 10am!!
Directions are on the Westlife Church website in the “contact us” section.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Genesis to Omega – "The Wonder of Christmas"
I really like it when an idea in a team is added to and then developed.
It started with the word "wonder." And the colour blue.
And a base concept was developed.
Check out the progression.
We all love the final product!
PS - really like that Merv was to be in the photo. Thanks to Pete Williams for that!!!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Do I Really Believe?
Sunday, December 7, 2008
2008 Preaching Bloopers
Today was a great day in the House
There was a lot of laughing as we reviewed parts of a great year of Favour.
Here is what Colin did up for us – a summary of some the 2008 preaching bloopers and me trying to sing! Nice work Colin.
PS - What a classic – “who you mate you will date!”
Unleashed!
We let everyone know in the 10am Celebration what the 2009 theme will be.
Check out this clip here to find out!
Thanks Ray and Lourdes for the production!