"The object of a new year..." - G.K. Chesterton

"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.
It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.
Unless a particular man made new year resolutions, he would make no resolutions.
Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.
Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards.
Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."

- G.K. Chesterton

Happy Merry Christmas!

20ten

I have been trying to get some intel about next year... 2010 or 20ten.

Stuff like... "what will I be doing?".. "where will I be living?" etc etc. There is a bit of change in my world at the moment.

The best I can do at the moment is a logo design.

Maybe it's my way of getting some traction at least around the concept of a next year.

I know this... God will still be there... and He will be faithful... again.

So here goes... I know this about my 20ten....


1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move in my life.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-annoited preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessing upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love me.
10. Jesus will still save the lost souls.

That's not a bad start!

The Bush Behind Our Home

Went for a walk in the nature reserve behind my home yesterday afternoon.

I took the camera with me and went in search of the elusive "storm bird."

The dog and I tracked him down to this tree. The bird is in this photo... if you have a keen enough eye. A bit like "where's Wally?"

I took some time to observe the detail of what I was standing near.

Lilley always likes to come for a walk with the boss!

Simple Pleasures

Life is full of simple pleasures... the little things that make up a great life.


A great cup of tea is one them.


What "simple pleasure" are you thankful for?

Los Angeles - Photographs by Tim Street-Porter

I enjoy collecting picture books of some of the world's great cities that I have visited.

The family bought me this one for my birthday during a recent trip to Los Angeles.

And I love it!

The photographers are by Tim Street-Porter and they are superb. They also show the detail behind many of the things I have seen during my visits to LA in 2004, 2005 and 2009.

Diane Keaton writes the intro and has some very clever perspectives. Here are a few:

"I think of Los Angeles, the appropriation capital of the world, the Wild West of the imagination, the dumping ground for every revamped hybrid ever assembled..."

"Living in a fantasy of a fantasy based on a dream of a past that never was is forgivable."

And here is what the publishers say... a nice cut n paste to save you doing the research.

This elegant volume is a brilliant presentation of all that is L.A.

It takes us from Venice Beach to Rodeo Drive, from high culture to pop, and over freeways and flashing past billboards.

Los Angeles captures the essence of the constantly evolving city: from palm-lined avenues to hip hotels and art deco theaters, Frank Gehry's Disney Concert Hall to the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels.

Not just for L.A. residents and connoisseurs, this book is for anyone interested in architecture, design and, of course, the iconography unique to Southern California. The book's format allows us to revel in the marvelous landscape. From mountain peaks to desert oases, beautiful beaches to redwood forests, Los Angeles literally envelops us in the city's grandeur in stunning spreads and impressive gatefolds, each more than five feet wide.

Acclaimed architecture and design photographer Tim Street-Porter showcases the fascinating cityscape-by day and by night. A long time resident with exceptional access, Street-Porter takes us from the most coveted homes of Hollywood and Beverly Hills to the best examples of contemporary architecture for which the city is famous, featuring the full spectrum of residences from seminal modernist houses to baroque mansions and California Mediterranean homes in their lush settings.

Hot Rod Car Randoms

I snapped these photos on the weekend on my iPhone.


There was a group of hot rod cars displayed at The Gift Christmas Spectacular at the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds.


There were some really nice cars.


And if you take the time to slow down... and admire... and really look.... this is what you can see.

Musical Stairs and "Fun Theory"

I really enjoyed this media clip - it really is true... this thing called "fun theory."

Click the link below to view the media clip.

What do you think?

"Get a Clue" - Notes from Metro Leadership College Message

I was asked to speak the students of Metro Leadership College this week during their scheduled chapel.

They really know how to worship God!

Here are some of the notes from the end - I was punching it through pretty quick.

But to start off... here is my opening text... with my BIG idea - in ministry there are some things that you need to "get a clue" about.

Here is Jacob "getting a clue"....

16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it."
17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."
Genesis 28:16-17 (NIV)

One the things we need to get a clue about is the value of our primary relationships. Here is a cut n paste from some great resource from Perry Noble that I referred to.

My recommendation…ask your wife questions like…
§ What time would you like me home every night?
§ How many nights a week would you like for us to have dinner as a family?
§ How can I serve you and the kids once I get home?
§ What can I do for you when the kids go to bed to make you feel special?

Five Questions Husbands Should Ask Their Wives

#1 – What is the most romantic thing that I’ve ever done for you?
#2 – What is something fun we can do together?
#3 – What is one thing I can do for you this week that will relieve stress from your life?
#4 – How can I pray for you?
#5 – If you could change one thing about our marriage–what would it be?

Men…Ephesians 5:25 says we are to love our wives as Christ loves the church…
He never stops loving the church…
He never stops pursuing the church…
He always comes home for the church…
He never cheats on the church…
He provides for the church….
He never stops thinking about the church…
He takes the church seriously…

I am NOT the perfect husband…but more and more I am realizing that my marriage should NOT be about what I can get…but what I can give and how I can serve.
As men of God we should go ALL OUT to show the world how awesome Jesus is THROUGH loving our bride like He loves His!!!

Four Questions Wives Should Ask Their Husbands

#1 – Do You Feel Admired?
#2 – Do You Feel Respected?
#3 – Do You Feel Taken Care Of?
#4 – Is Our Sex Life Fulfilling To You?

In closing, I am thankful for my "get a clue" journey.

How about you?

"It is your job.." - Robert F. Kennedy - 1966

I came across this great quote recently from Robert F. Kennedy's eloquent and visionary speech given at Cape Town University in 1966.

It really cuts to the chase......

"Everywhere new technology and communications [bring] men and nations closer together, the concerns of one inevitably [become] the concerns of all. And our new closeness is stripping away the false masks, the illusion of differences which is the root of injustice and of hate and of war.

Only earthbound man still clings to the dark and poisoning superstition that his world is bounded by the nearest hill, his universe ends at river shore, his common humanity is enclosed in the tight circle of those who share his town or his views and the colour of his skin.

It is - it is your job, the task of young people in this world, to strip the last remnants of that ancient, cruel belief from the civilization of man..."

A New Day of Honouring - Ps Mark Edwards Style

Jillian and I and the kids were invited last Sunday to attend Ipswich Region Community Church by Ps Mark Edwards.

The purpose of the visit was so that we could be honoured for our leadership role in the region since 2006.

We had been thoroughly honoured at a Night of Honour for us at Westlife Church on Sunday 11 October.. and they also gave us a 2 week holiday in Hawaii !!!

And then this from our district Australian Christian Church leader. It was just superb... and very humbling.

Below is a photo of the lovely flowers and books given as gifts.
And there is also a photo of Ps Mark in full-flight preaching part 1 of the innovative new series, Green. What a great church!

What a great day ... and a whole new level of honouring. Thanks to all involved and may you be favoured by your investment.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honour;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalms 84:11 (NIV)

Sunset @ The Lakes

Jethro and I went for a bike ride late this afternoon and it included 2 laps around Spring Lake at Springfield Lakes.


There were a lot of other locals out enjoying a great part of the day. Even the ducks!

It's Been a While.....

I've decided to get back into blogging after a great break.

We were favoured with an overseas holiday to the USA as a family.

Twitter and Facebook seemed to work best when we travelled... but it's time to get the blogging rhythm back again.

I'll probably start to post some US photos and reflections... it'll be a bit random... and may even include a "best of" the photos that we posted on Facebook.

Red Dawn in the Pacific

I have always admired the red dawn.
I look for it when I travel internationally and as I power across time
zones.

This time I got to see it with my son as we winged it to Hawaii. We have been talking about it for days leading up to the trip. His eyes were wide-opened as I explained a very red early morning as we rounded the globe.

And now we have seen it ... together.

Route 66

This will be a great soundtrack for one of our roadtrips!

Thanks to the team from Cars!

Click below

R-O-C-K in the USA - John Mellencamp

Today is the day we fly out to the US! You beauty!!

Here is a great theme song for one of our legs - a road trip from las vegas to San Francisco!

Over to you, John Mellencamp!

The Wonder Years - March 2006 "It's Time" Media Clip

When we started Westlife Church we did monthly preview or "entree" services ... to give people a "taste" of what the church would look like.

This is one of the first media clips we did - a combo of inspirational and arial footage of Greater Springfield and a good dose of Shannon Noll. Some people were so moved that they believed the song was written for the launch of Westlife.

I had a teary moment watching it recently... when I thought about how many lives have been touched in 4 years!

Click below.

Creative Leadership - Steve Penny

I came across another great Steve Penny b log post recently.

The challenge of life is to grow your leadership gift.

I believe that every person created in the image of God is born with a leadership gift. To develop this gift to serve your generation is the real challenge of life.

There are three qualities that need to be developed to see our leadership influence increase.

1. Future scope
This is the ability to see into the future and focus on the dreams God has put within you.Your future is not in tomorrow but in the next level above you. You can live your future today by chosing to pay the price to go to the next level.The next level is always within our reach. To go up requires three things. You must look up – reach up & give up.Remember – to go up you have to give up.

2. Future planning
Good leaders do not wait for life to come to them, they are always planning ahead. Proactive leadership always initiates and activates rather than waiting to see what eventuates.Do today what you want to enjoy tomorrow. Good harvests come from planning to plant – not planning to reap. Plan to sow today and your harvests will come naturally into your life.

3. Future friends
You must choose your friends with the future in mind. Commit to people who want to go and grow with you in life.Influence those around you to keep reaching higher. Be the catalyst for growth in your group. Take a leadership role in dealing with attitudes and actions that limit your progress together. The mark of good leaders is the number of people they take with them to the next level.

Drawing of Me Sick - Priceless

I just love this drawing that my boy did for me when I was recently in hospital.

The kids have never seen me sick like that - so it was a bit of a shock.

This drawing just made my day!

Sin Deterrant and Faith Accelerant – Mark Batterson

I came across another great Mark Batterson blog post recently.

I know of no greater sin deterrent and faith accelerant than simply reading the Bible on a daily basis.

There is no substitute. There is no shortcut.

Of course, it takes more than reading.

The Bible wasn't just meant to be read. It was meant to be meditated. Reading without meditating is like eating without digesting. We don't absorb all the nutrients.

May God give us a ravenous appetite for His word.

Reading results in one-dimensional knowledge.
Meditating results in two-dimensional revelation.
Obedience results in three-dimensional faith.

Read it. Meditate on it. Live it out.