Yesterday afternoon in the car on the way home, the trusty iPod did it again...
I live a simple life, I take a day at a time
I spend my mornings with God before I hit the grind
The subtleties of darkness never cease to amaze
As a physical world creates a spiritual haze
Blinded by distractions
Lost in matterless affairs
Reaching through the darkness
Trusting you will meet me there
Day by day, day by day
Day by day, day by day
Oh dear lord, three things I pray [one, two, three]
To see thee more clearly [day by day]
To love thee more dearly [day by day]
To follow thee more nearly [i got to take it]
Day by day
You sweep your feet down alley streets
Sometimes you creep, I never see you coming
Monday, man youre on my back
Like a knapsack strapped with my heavy burden
No, you cannot condemn me
I wont buy your bag of goods
Youve got nothing for me anyway
Thats why I pray
Day by day, day by day
Day by day, day by day
Oh dear lord, three things I pray [one, two, three]
To see thee more clearly [day by day]
To love thee more dearly [day by day]
To follow thee more nearly [i got to take it]
Day by day
Classic DC Talk...
Remember 'Remember the Titans'?
Culture change is tough - but it is worth it!!! I was reminded of this as I watched the movie Remember the Titans. A coach dropped into a chaotic situation must bring culture change for the team to survive... but he doesn't just want it to survive he wants it to succeed, and to dominate. In a way we want our ministries to do likewise so what ideas for culture change can we take from Coach Boon?
Thinking about sacrifice
If Jesus is King, what does that mean for what we want to do with out lives? [Image by Chris Bellerophon Dotson on flickr]
Back to the Mission
Reminded again and again about what we are created for. We are created for worship! But because there are some people who do not worship, we have been given a mission... to go and show people they were created to worship! - photo on Flickr by llamatofu
Appeasement verses Satisfaction
Do we look to appease our emotions, troubles, discomforts with earthy things that may provide some release temporarily, or do we look to God who is the source of complete satisfaction? [Image by donald_palansky_photography on flickr]
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
The Ministry of Car and iPod
I think I've found the bonus of living in Ipswich and working in Brisbane? The drive home may be long and slow, but it gives me a good chance to just sit and listen to music all the way.
I can have the worst day imaginable but by the time I get home I feel much better because I've just spent the last 45minutes to and hour listening to some good Gospel Rock.
I think if I lived 5 minutes from work, I'd still be pissed off and holding a heap of grudges from my working day once I was home... but I find as I listen to the words of DC Talk, Newsboys, Casting Crowns, Third Day, PC3, Audio Adrenaline and more I find more of a perspective outside of my working life, and by the time I'm home those worrys have been left behind in a cloud of funky music and God inspired words.
I can have the worst day imaginable but by the time I get home I feel much better because I've just spent the last 45minutes to and hour listening to some good Gospel Rock.
I think if I lived 5 minutes from work, I'd still be pissed off and holding a heap of grudges from my working day once I was home... but I find as I listen to the words of DC Talk, Newsboys, Casting Crowns, Third Day, PC3, Audio Adrenaline and more I find more of a perspective outside of my working life, and by the time I'm home those worrys have been left behind in a cloud of funky music and God inspired words.
Monday, 28 April 2008
Subtle
Love it when your in a meeting about stuff that's going wrong, and someone says "It's no one's fault really..." while looking straight at you showing for well they think it's your fault.
When truth be known it is closer to theirs, but their comment suddenly makes you look like the bum...
Sometimes crafty works so much better than truthful......
When truth be known it is closer to theirs, but their comment suddenly makes you look like the bum...
Sometimes crafty works so much better than truthful......
A Current Day Idea of Paul
Pastor Steward said this in his sermon last night, and I thought it was quite a good little quote.
"The conversion of Paul, in todays standards would be like Osama Bin Laden becoming a Christian and going to be a missionary in Saudi Arabia."
Kind of makes you see how huge Pauls conversion was, and how much God really can work in the life of someone.
"The conversion of Paul, in todays standards would be like Osama Bin Laden becoming a Christian and going to be a missionary in Saudi Arabia."
Kind of makes you see how huge Pauls conversion was, and how much God really can work in the life of someone.
Weekly Photography Assignment
Assignment: Angles
I used another shot from the drag racing last weekend. Apart from taking the photo on an angle, I think these old classic cars have such fine lines and angles - I so want one!!!!
Actually this 1951 Dodge was for sale, and it was very hard to keep walking without trying to do a bit of a deal - the lack of money was a motivating factor to keep walking though :-P
I used another shot from the drag racing last weekend. Apart from taking the photo on an angle, I think these old classic cars have such fine lines and angles - I so want one!!!!
Actually this 1951 Dodge was for sale, and it was very hard to keep walking without trying to do a bit of a deal - the lack of money was a motivating factor to keep walking though :-P
Friday, 25 April 2008
Another ANZAC Poem
I'll admit to having tears running down my face as I post this after reading it, I can't explain the feelings I get on Anzac Day
_________________________________________________
Grandpa, What Did You Do In The War?
I’d been mowing the lawn and pulling some weeds, and slipped inside for a breather
I picked up the paper and turned on the news, not paying attention to either
When my grandson came in with a look on his face and a question that hit me full bore
An innocent question, no intention to hurt, “Grandpa, what did you do in the war”?
My skin went all creepy, I had sweat on my brow, my mind shot back fifty years
To bullets that thudded and whined all around, to terror, to nightmares, to tears
I was crawling through mud, I was shooting at men, tried to kill them before they killed me
Men who had wives and children at home, just like mine, just like my family.
“What did you do in the war?” he had asked, a question not meant to cause pain
But it brought back the horrors I’d left far behind in a deep dark recess of my brain
I remembered the bombs being dropped from the planes, the explosions, the screams, and the loss
Of a friend - or an enemy - but a life just the same, replaced by a small wooden cross.
The visions attacked me of tramping through jungles, hot and stinking, with leeches and flies
Of orders that seemed to make no sense at all - of distrust, of suspicions, of lies
I lived once again all those terrible storms, the dysentery, fever, the snakes,
The blisters that lived with me month after month, all those blunders, and costly mistakes.
But how could I tell the boy all about that, ’Twould be better if he didn’t know
It’s a part of my life that I don’t talk about from a good half a century ago
So I gulped, took a breath and tried to sound calm, and bid him to sit at my side
Then opened my mouth to say a few words, but the tears welled up and I cried.
He cuddled to me with a look of concern, and I mumbled of feeling unwell
Then took hold of myself, blew hard on my nose, while I thought of some tales I could tell
“What did I do in the war,” I began, then the stories began tumbling out
And they flowed with such ease I felt better again, and got over my pain and my doubt.
I told him of how I had made many friends, how I’d trained and had gone overseas
Made a joke of how seasick I’d been on the way, almost dirtied myself when I’d sneezed
I told of the joy of the letters from home, of the hand-knitted socks and the cake
That I got for my birthday but three weeks too late ’cause it went somewhere else by mistake.
We talked about mateship and what it had meant to trust someone else with your life
And of when I came home to my family again, to my kids, Mum and Dad, and my wife
Of the crowd on the wharf, the bands, and the pomp, and the pride I felt in the parade
But I’m not ashamed that I hood-winked the boy, a decision I’m glad that I made.
He can grow up without seeing fear in my eyes, or know of the terror I knew
For he’d not understand - and neither he should - all those memories that hit me anew
But maybe some day when he’s older than now, I will tell him what war did to me
But with luck he won’t ask me ever again, about wars that never should be.
Jeff Cook
_________________________________________________
Grandpa, What Did You Do In The War?
I’d been mowing the lawn and pulling some weeds, and slipped inside for a breather
I picked up the paper and turned on the news, not paying attention to either
When my grandson came in with a look on his face and a question that hit me full bore
An innocent question, no intention to hurt, “Grandpa, what did you do in the war”?
My skin went all creepy, I had sweat on my brow, my mind shot back fifty years
To bullets that thudded and whined all around, to terror, to nightmares, to tears
I was crawling through mud, I was shooting at men, tried to kill them before they killed me
Men who had wives and children at home, just like mine, just like my family.
“What did you do in the war?” he had asked, a question not meant to cause pain
But it brought back the horrors I’d left far behind in a deep dark recess of my brain
I remembered the bombs being dropped from the planes, the explosions, the screams, and the loss
Of a friend - or an enemy - but a life just the same, replaced by a small wooden cross.
The visions attacked me of tramping through jungles, hot and stinking, with leeches and flies
Of orders that seemed to make no sense at all - of distrust, of suspicions, of lies
I lived once again all those terrible storms, the dysentery, fever, the snakes,
The blisters that lived with me month after month, all those blunders, and costly mistakes.
But how could I tell the boy all about that, ’Twould be better if he didn’t know
It’s a part of my life that I don’t talk about from a good half a century ago
So I gulped, took a breath and tried to sound calm, and bid him to sit at my side
Then opened my mouth to say a few words, but the tears welled up and I cried.
He cuddled to me with a look of concern, and I mumbled of feeling unwell
Then took hold of myself, blew hard on my nose, while I thought of some tales I could tell
“What did I do in the war,” I began, then the stories began tumbling out
And they flowed with such ease I felt better again, and got over my pain and my doubt.
I told him of how I had made many friends, how I’d trained and had gone overseas
Made a joke of how seasick I’d been on the way, almost dirtied myself when I’d sneezed
I told of the joy of the letters from home, of the hand-knitted socks and the cake
That I got for my birthday but three weeks too late ’cause it went somewhere else by mistake.
We talked about mateship and what it had meant to trust someone else with your life
And of when I came home to my family again, to my kids, Mum and Dad, and my wife
Of the crowd on the wharf, the bands, and the pomp, and the pride I felt in the parade
But I’m not ashamed that I hood-winked the boy, a decision I’m glad that I made.
He can grow up without seeing fear in my eyes, or know of the terror I knew
For he’d not understand - and neither he should - all those memories that hit me anew
But maybe some day when he’s older than now, I will tell him what war did to me
But with luck he won’t ask me ever again, about wars that never should be.
Jeff Cook
ANZAC Day
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
~Lest We Forget~
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
~Lest We Forget~
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Surrounded By His Love
Ever have one of those moments when you're totally washed with the love of God? Suddenly you are overwhelmingly aware of how much God loves you, how simple, yet deep and everlasting, that love is. You can be leading a hectic life, worrying about so many things, even dwelling on matters of faith when all of that is pushed aside as God turns up just to tell you He loves you.... and that's really all that matters.
Driving home last night I had an experience something like that. I'd had a real bad day - work was crap, so many things had been put upon me I really didn't want to do, and I just felt the whole work day was like trying to crawl through sticky mud. Driving home I was listening to the tunes on my iPod through the car stereo and kind of venting and trying to sort out where my life was heading.
I noticed a new song starting, one I'd heard many times before, but I didn't recognise the intro. It was a nice simple piano intro that for some reason out of all the music I'd been hearing, and not really listening too this really caught my attention.
It was a song by The Lads called "Call My Name"
Lord I have failed you every day that I remember
I've brought upon you shame, and tarnished your good name
Lord how I've betrayed you, every day that I remember
But you don't seem to care, you just love me standing here
Anyone but you, would walk away
Oh if they really knew
You call my name
You call my name
You call my name
And I'll never be the same
Nothing I can say, could ever make you turn away
You're constant like the ocean, refreshing like the rain
Lord, I want to take you as my saviour and my King
You don't ask to much, you just want my everything
Take what I've broken
I leave it all with you and start again
You call my name - I have nothing
You call my name - I can give you
You call my name
And I'll never be the same
You call my name - I have nothing
You call my name - I can give you
You call my name
I can't take this love away
Every single day
I'm carried and I'm taken by the way
You call my name
You call my name
You call my name
And I'll never be the same
The at the end they change into "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" and then Mark Millard reads from Romans 8;
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God..."
I was totally drawn in to the whole emphasis of this song (one I'd heard many times before but has never really had any effect on me before), and God just seemed to be sitting there in the car with me telling me He loved me.
Just a simple idea, with such an amazing consequence and strong passionate feeling of warmth... God loves me!
The crap I'd been through in my work day suddenly seemed insignificant and something I could handle without much effort at all. The guilt of sin lifted, and bitterness faded away. God's love really does fix everything, it's as simple as that - we just need to be in a place to receive and understand it.
And yes - I really could sing of his love forever!
Driving home last night I had an experience something like that. I'd had a real bad day - work was crap, so many things had been put upon me I really didn't want to do, and I just felt the whole work day was like trying to crawl through sticky mud. Driving home I was listening to the tunes on my iPod through the car stereo and kind of venting and trying to sort out where my life was heading.
I noticed a new song starting, one I'd heard many times before, but I didn't recognise the intro. It was a nice simple piano intro that for some reason out of all the music I'd been hearing, and not really listening too this really caught my attention.
It was a song by The Lads called "Call My Name"
Lord I have failed you every day that I remember
I've brought upon you shame, and tarnished your good name
Lord how I've betrayed you, every day that I remember
But you don't seem to care, you just love me standing here
Anyone but you, would walk away
Oh if they really knew
You call my name
You call my name
You call my name
And I'll never be the same
Nothing I can say, could ever make you turn away
You're constant like the ocean, refreshing like the rain
Lord, I want to take you as my saviour and my King
You don't ask to much, you just want my everything
Take what I've broken
I leave it all with you and start again
You call my name - I have nothing
You call my name - I can give you
You call my name
And I'll never be the same
You call my name - I have nothing
You call my name - I can give you
You call my name
I can't take this love away
Every single day
I'm carried and I'm taken by the way
You call my name
You call my name
You call my name
And I'll never be the same
The at the end they change into "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" and then Mark Millard reads from Romans 8;
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God..."
I was totally drawn in to the whole emphasis of this song (one I'd heard many times before but has never really had any effect on me before), and God just seemed to be sitting there in the car with me telling me He loved me.
Just a simple idea, with such an amazing consequence and strong passionate feeling of warmth... God loves me!
The crap I'd been through in my work day suddenly seemed insignificant and something I could handle without much effort at all. The guilt of sin lifted, and bitterness faded away. God's love really does fix everything, it's as simple as that - we just need to be in a place to receive and understand it.
And yes - I really could sing of his love forever!
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Weekly Photography Assignment
The assignment topic over on the Digital Photography School forum this week is 'Circles'.
Suddenly I'm noticing circles everywhere!!! Especially at the drag track on Saturday, here's this weeks submission...
Suddenly I'm noticing circles everywhere!!! Especially at the drag track on Saturday, here's this weeks submission...
Monday, 21 April 2008
The Stand
You stood before creation
Eternity in Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand
You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
And what can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So Ill walk upon salvation
Your spirit alive in me
This life to declare your promise
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
And what can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the one who gave it all
So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours
So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the one who gave it all
So I'llstand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours
So what can I say
And what can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
The Stand ~ United Live
I've often wondered what "My Soul Now To Stand" means, but as I look at the song as a whole, and my mind revolves a bit around the upcoming remembrance of ANZAC Day I think I understand. I have such renown and honour for the men who have fought to keep Australia safe that I can do nothing but stand in silent remembrance of them on ANZAC Day. I feel such passion for the legacy of their heroism (even though most of them wouldn't call themselves heroes), and it really does force me to get up and stand to my feet... nothing else seems appropriate.
Translate that into your soul's reaction to the grace of Jesus and it pulls a really nice parallel I think. I love the joy of the third verse of this song, my heart always seems to float as I sing, "So I'll walk upon salvation, your Spirit alive in me..."
That salvation that's been given to me to walk upon... it gives me that same feeling as when I look at the graves on the Kokoda or see the sun rising on an Aussie flag in Gallipoli... my soul can do nothing but stand in grateful remembrance.
Eternity in Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand
You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
And what can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So Ill walk upon salvation
Your spirit alive in me
This life to declare your promise
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
And what can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the one who gave it all
So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours
So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the one who gave it all
So I'llstand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours
So what can I say
And what can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
The Stand ~ United Live
I've often wondered what "My Soul Now To Stand" means, but as I look at the song as a whole, and my mind revolves a bit around the upcoming remembrance of ANZAC Day I think I understand. I have such renown and honour for the men who have fought to keep Australia safe that I can do nothing but stand in silent remembrance of them on ANZAC Day. I feel such passion for the legacy of their heroism (even though most of them wouldn't call themselves heroes), and it really does force me to get up and stand to my feet... nothing else seems appropriate.
Translate that into your soul's reaction to the grace of Jesus and it pulls a really nice parallel I think. I love the joy of the third verse of this song, my heart always seems to float as I sing, "So I'll walk upon salvation, your Spirit alive in me..."
That salvation that's been given to me to walk upon... it gives me that same feeling as when I look at the graves on the Kokoda or see the sun rising on an Aussie flag in Gallipoli... my soul can do nothing but stand in grateful remembrance.
Sunday, 20 April 2008
A little change, a big difference...
Saw this on a church bulliten board while driving round the other day....
I dunno where they're getting that Biblical truth from, but I think it's undermining the truth of the grace of God in which the price of our sin has been paid.
"The price of sin has been reduced"
I dunno where they're getting that Biblical truth from, but I think it's undermining the truth of the grace of God in which the price of our sin has been paid.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
The new digs
Roz and Rodney asked me to take some photos of their place and email them so they can show their family in Canada and Mexico their home
So I thought I'd throw some up here too to show you all where I'm living at the moment.
Woop, second load of washing for the day is done... gotta run...
So I thought I'd throw some up here too to show you all where I'm living at the moment.
Woop, second load of washing for the day is done... gotta run...
Friday, 18 April 2008
There goes another week
Amazing how it's suddenly Friday again, my working weeks have been flashing by so quickly. This week I've had to deal with fax machines, had a Dell trade conference (which was awesome, but I'm not really able to say what it was about!), thought I was driving to Kingaroy but ended up going to Dalby instead.
So my first week out on my own has been spent mainly at work. Have enjoyed the independence that house sitting has given me though, cooking, cleaning, washing and all that... the first week has been enjoyable. Nothing too exciting or disasterous to report, had some grilled cheese burst into flame in the griller last night - I've been cooking grill cheese toast since I was 13, but I think there must have been something old on the tray that burnt enough to light up - which was a worrying moment, but nothing serious.
Good news on the Wilson front, it seems he had a tummy bug, and Mum had put his hip out giving him a bath, those two things at the same time made Wilson look like he was a lot worse than he really was. He's eating again (a lot as usual) and he's limping less.
So it looks like his days of chasing a ball are over, but at least he'll be around for some time yet :-)
So my first week out on my own has been spent mainly at work. Have enjoyed the independence that house sitting has given me though, cooking, cleaning, washing and all that... the first week has been enjoyable. Nothing too exciting or disasterous to report, had some grilled cheese burst into flame in the griller last night - I've been cooking grill cheese toast since I was 13, but I think there must have been something old on the tray that burnt enough to light up - which was a worrying moment, but nothing serious.
Good news on the Wilson front, it seems he had a tummy bug, and Mum had put his hip out giving him a bath, those two things at the same time made Wilson look like he was a lot worse than he really was. He's eating again (a lot as usual) and he's limping less.
So it looks like his days of chasing a ball are over, but at least he'll be around for some time yet :-)
Sunday, 13 April 2008
End of the week
It's been a pretty full on end of the week and weekend.
Friday I moved out of home, it's only for 4 weeks as I house sit for some friends who are travelling overseas, even so moving out and getting set up here has taken a fair effort.
The house is only 5 minutes from my parents place, so that makes things slightly easier. I went shopping yesterday and realised how much groceries can take out of your wallet. I'm really enjoying it though, being on my own, living independently and all that. I did do this 4 years ago when I lived in The Gambia, and had planned on moving out when I got home, but after being in Africa for 5 months staying at home just seemed like a sensible and right thing to do at the time. I think I've left it too long now though, I'm certainly ready to be out on my own again.
Though I called in at home today to learn some pretty sad news. It seems my dog, Wilson, is dieing. It's such a bummer, and I can't begin to explain why Wilson means so much to me. He's a 13 year old cattle dog, and I know he's old. He's been slowing down a lot in the past year, but last night he stopped eating and it seems like he can hardly walk. He ate a bit while I was there today, but he just seems to be slowly stopping.
Wilson isn't a work dog, he's a family pet. I'm lucky enough to only had 2 dogs in my lifetime, both having lived a long time. We got Wilson in 1995 as my previous dog Sol had aged to a point where we knew he only had months to live. Wilson came into our house a 6 weeks of age, a little bundle of fur, and all through out my highschool years and beyond he's been my mate.
Dog are there as well I think to teach you responsibility, and looking after Wilson really impacted my journey into becoming a man. I think now that he seems beyond all help it is the hardest thing to handle, that I've been responsible for him for so long, now I can to nothing but watch him slow down.
Some people don't really get attached to their pets, I don't know why, but maybe it's just me but I've felt Wilson has his own unique personality, slightly different to every other dog out there. In highschool and even through uni and work when things really pissed me off I use to go right down the back of our yard and just sit by myself and let myself vent. Most times Wilson would either follow me or find me out and just sit there with his head on my knee... so it always seemed he knew how I was feeling. It's those times you don't need someone to preach at you, teach you or even say anything, they just need to be there... and as shallow as it sounds Wilson was always just there.
It's hard too cause it seems as soon as I walk out of the house for 4 weeks suddenly Wils takes a turn for the worse, and suddenly all I wanna do is go back and spend every moment I can with him. Mum will do anything for Wilson, he's been her baby for the past 13 years, so he's had it good. I just hope he's not actually in too much pain, and even today he was able to get up and put his head on my knee.
I'll miss him real bad though...
Friday I moved out of home, it's only for 4 weeks as I house sit for some friends who are travelling overseas, even so moving out and getting set up here has taken a fair effort.
The house is only 5 minutes from my parents place, so that makes things slightly easier. I went shopping yesterday and realised how much groceries can take out of your wallet. I'm really enjoying it though, being on my own, living independently and all that. I did do this 4 years ago when I lived in The Gambia, and had planned on moving out when I got home, but after being in Africa for 5 months staying at home just seemed like a sensible and right thing to do at the time. I think I've left it too long now though, I'm certainly ready to be out on my own again.
Though I called in at home today to learn some pretty sad news. It seems my dog, Wilson, is dieing. It's such a bummer, and I can't begin to explain why Wilson means so much to me. He's a 13 year old cattle dog, and I know he's old. He's been slowing down a lot in the past year, but last night he stopped eating and it seems like he can hardly walk. He ate a bit while I was there today, but he just seems to be slowly stopping.
Wilson isn't a work dog, he's a family pet. I'm lucky enough to only had 2 dogs in my lifetime, both having lived a long time. We got Wilson in 1995 as my previous dog Sol had aged to a point where we knew he only had months to live. Wilson came into our house a 6 weeks of age, a little bundle of fur, and all through out my highschool years and beyond he's been my mate.
Dog are there as well I think to teach you responsibility, and looking after Wilson really impacted my journey into becoming a man. I think now that he seems beyond all help it is the hardest thing to handle, that I've been responsible for him for so long, now I can to nothing but watch him slow down.
Some people don't really get attached to their pets, I don't know why, but maybe it's just me but I've felt Wilson has his own unique personality, slightly different to every other dog out there. In highschool and even through uni and work when things really pissed me off I use to go right down the back of our yard and just sit by myself and let myself vent. Most times Wilson would either follow me or find me out and just sit there with his head on my knee... so it always seemed he knew how I was feeling. It's those times you don't need someone to preach at you, teach you or even say anything, they just need to be there... and as shallow as it sounds Wilson was always just there.
It's hard too cause it seems as soon as I walk out of the house for 4 weeks suddenly Wils takes a turn for the worse, and suddenly all I wanna do is go back and spend every moment I can with him. Mum will do anything for Wilson, he's been her baby for the past 13 years, so he's had it good. I just hope he's not actually in too much pain, and even today he was able to get up and put his head on my knee.
I'll miss him real bad though...
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Weekly Photography Assignment
Assignment: News
It doesn't matter if your Black or White.
A Michael Jackson impersonation contest turned ugly last night when a white man caused animosity by dressing as an 80's version of Jackson.
Michael enthusiasts claimed that this was not a correct portrayal of Jackson from that period and if Brisbane resident Cameron Smith wanted to enter the competition he should have dressed as a 90's to present version of the famous singer.
"I didn't think much of it," Mr Smith says; "Thriller is my favorite album of all time, and I spent weeks learning the moon-walk [famous Jackson dance move], I just wanted to be part of the show."
Official judges of the competition allowed Mr Smith to participate in the competition, but as an exhibition dress up only, even so, many members of the Michael Jackson fan club booed and threw their white gloves onto the stage as Mr Smith walked on.
The eventual winner, South African Jackson fan Lammin Moray said "it's all in good fun, but I would have been annoyed if a white 80's Jackson had beaten my original Thriller dance act."
Cameron Smith shows off his moon-walk
P.S - so I made up the news story to go along with the assignment this week. But it sounds like something one of the local newspapers would run, with that type of photo so I thought it met the assignment with a bit of fun along the way.
The photo is of an 80's dress up night on the City North YA camp, thanks to Mostyn for dressing up as the 80's Michael Jackson, which gave me this idea...
It doesn't matter if your Black or White.
A Michael Jackson impersonation contest turned ugly last night when a white man caused animosity by dressing as an 80's version of Jackson.
Michael enthusiasts claimed that this was not a correct portrayal of Jackson from that period and if Brisbane resident Cameron Smith wanted to enter the competition he should have dressed as a 90's to present version of the famous singer.
"I didn't think much of it," Mr Smith says; "Thriller is my favorite album of all time, and I spent weeks learning the moon-walk [famous Jackson dance move], I just wanted to be part of the show."
Official judges of the competition allowed Mr Smith to participate in the competition, but as an exhibition dress up only, even so, many members of the Michael Jackson fan club booed and threw their white gloves onto the stage as Mr Smith walked on.
The eventual winner, South African Jackson fan Lammin Moray said "it's all in good fun, but I would have been annoyed if a white 80's Jackson had beaten my original Thriller dance act."
Cameron Smith shows off his moon-walk
________________________________________________
P.S - so I made up the news story to go along with the assignment this week. But it sounds like something one of the local newspapers would run, with that type of photo so I thought it met the assignment with a bit of fun along the way.
The photo is of an 80's dress up night on the City North YA camp, thanks to Mostyn for dressing up as the 80's Michael Jackson, which gave me this idea...
Monday, 7 April 2008
Back in the Groove (a funky funky groove)
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago about drumming for the first time at City North. I felt pretty bad about how I played that night, a unfamiliar drum kit, playing with people I hadn't before just left me feeling like I hadn't found a groove or played very well at all.
Well we had the City North Young Adults camp last weekend (post and pics to come) and I was asked to take my kit up and play in the music team for the weekend.
It was great! Just 3 of us, an acoustic, a bass and myself. But we really rocked out! Then I was on for the Sunday night service last night so was able to use my kit straight from camp.
I played with an old mate Ben King (some may know him from bands like The Last Resort, or The Smashing Bumpkins) who worship lead. Ben has an awesome way of leading a service, and we did some good old choruses like "I Walk By Faith" and a "Celebrate Medley" (I Will Celebrate, Come on and Celebrate and Celebrate Jesus Celebrate) which we overly rocked up...
Needless to say I think I found a very funky groove last night and played really really well. It's so good finally feeling at home in a group of people, feeling accepted, and finding ways to use my gifts for the betterment of the group as a whole.
Well we had the City North Young Adults camp last weekend (post and pics to come) and I was asked to take my kit up and play in the music team for the weekend.
It was great! Just 3 of us, an acoustic, a bass and myself. But we really rocked out! Then I was on for the Sunday night service last night so was able to use my kit straight from camp.
I played with an old mate Ben King (some may know him from bands like The Last Resort, or The Smashing Bumpkins) who worship lead. Ben has an awesome way of leading a service, and we did some good old choruses like "I Walk By Faith" and a "Celebrate Medley" (I Will Celebrate, Come on and Celebrate and Celebrate Jesus Celebrate) which we overly rocked up...
Needless to say I think I found a very funky groove last night and played really really well. It's so good finally feeling at home in a group of people, feeling accepted, and finding ways to use my gifts for the betterment of the group as a whole.
Zimbabwe in Crisis
As if it already wasn't...
But as I said in a previous post, I didn't think an election lose would be taken by Robert Mugabe. It couldn't be that easy, he wouldn't just leave.
Unfortunately it seems I was right. The Mugabe government has called for a recall of the votes... to which the opposition is apposed as they are accusing the Mugabe regime of having stuffed ballots with false votes since the election seemed to be going the wrong way. It seems a recount will give a false result, all be it hugely in Mugabe's favour.
While this is happening some of Mugabe's old stale warts of military leaders have again tried to push white farmers off their land. It seems like an attempt to throw the country into even more of a crisis and allow Mugabe to get away with what is essensually a coupe.
Pray for this nation - particulary that this diesese Mugabe would be stripped of power and order can be restored to the nation of Zimbabwe.
But as I said in a previous post, I didn't think an election lose would be taken by Robert Mugabe. It couldn't be that easy, he wouldn't just leave.
Unfortunately it seems I was right. The Mugabe government has called for a recall of the votes... to which the opposition is apposed as they are accusing the Mugabe regime of having stuffed ballots with false votes since the election seemed to be going the wrong way. It seems a recount will give a false result, all be it hugely in Mugabe's favour.
While this is happening some of Mugabe's old stale warts of military leaders have again tried to push white farmers off their land. It seems like an attempt to throw the country into even more of a crisis and allow Mugabe to get away with what is essensually a coupe.Pray for this nation - particulary that this diesese Mugabe would be stripped of power and order can be restored to the nation of Zimbabwe.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Paul Colman's Brisbane Show
Last Monday night I went with my father, brother, sister and brother in-law, as well as one of my brother's mates to the Paul Colman solo gig at the Princess Theatre.I enjoyed the show - Nainby opened for PC and they did an awesome job, thoroughly enjoyed your set girls (if you read this ;-p) and Paul did a lot of the old classic PC3 songs. I did kind of feel it lacked some of the enthusiasm and spontaneity of the old Paul Colman gigs. He was still funny, sang well, but didn’t seem to improvise as much or play with the crowd as much.
But boy can he play the guitar!
He was slightly upstaged at one point though, the battery in his amp ran out and he asked the crowd if anyone had a 9volt. One of the techies ran one up, but Paul was kind of hoping someone else could change the battery in his guitar for him. He asked if anyone in the crowd played, a young bloke in the row in front of us put up his hand. Paul called him onto the stage and sent him backstage to swap the guitars amp battery. Paul proceeded to kill time with a story but Chris (the young guitarist) was back within 3 or 4 minutes with the job complete.
Slightly shocked it had been done so quick Paul commented he must be a pretty good guitarist, to which Chris replied “I am”, so Paul jokingly said “Well why don’t you play one of my songs then??”
Hmmmm I admit to feeling a little jealous of Chris’ skills, and his chance to stand up and play and sing with Paul Colman.
In the end it was a really enjoyable night of music and laughter… was totally worth squeezing into such a tight venue.
P.S: Thanks to the Paul Colman forum members who have posted up some photos from the gig, I didn't get a good enough seat to take any shots. www.paulcolman.com
Thursday, 3 April 2008
It can't be this easy...
Robert Mugabe has lost control of the Zimbabwe parliament following the national election this week. It seems the opposition has taken a majority of seats in the countries parliament.
If that's the case it should kick off a presidential run-off between Mugabe and Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
I say should because I find it hard to believe that Mugabe will allow this process to run smoothly or fairly. Already he is dismissing the opposition's claims of victory, in fact the results of the election would have been known on Sunday - yet they haven't been made public as yet. He has already warned this could be regarded as an attempted coupe...
Kind of shows what type of 'democracy' there is in the Mugabe government - when it look like he's loosing a fair election he claims a coupe attempt!
I pray that Mugabe goes... he is one of the worlds biggest political tyrants - unfortunately the USA and other nations don't seem to be as worried about him as they are about the middle east.
Maybe we need to uncover oil fields in Zimbabwe?
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
How Rude...
Walking down a walkway wide enough for 2 1/2 people - why do the people coming the other way think they can keep walking 2 a breast and make you squish up against the wall to let them pass.
For some reason it's happening alot round the office this week and I'm finding it so annoying!
For some reason it's happening alot round the office this week and I'm finding it so annoying!
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Weekly Photo Assignment
This weeks topic is "My Morning"
So the idea is to take a photo that shows part of your morning ritual.
My phone is my alarm clock - it wakes me every morning at 6am... as it gets closer to winter, the darker it is at 6am... and the darker it is at 6am, the harder it is to get out of bed.
So the idea is to take a photo that shows part of your morning ritual.
My phone is my alarm clock - it wakes me every morning at 6am... as it gets closer to winter, the darker it is at 6am... and the darker it is at 6am, the harder it is to get out of bed.
April fools
There were some good ones today.
Obviously below, Google gets into the April Fools day spirit every year, this year's was a tab less believable than other years, but the futuristic search engine did catch a few people out.
Red Symons was got on ABC Radio in Melbourne, believing that all women's events in the Beijing Olympics would be run 2 weeks after the men's.
Sydney Radio was buzzing with news that the new stand at the SCG would be named after Warwick Cappa (sorry mate not true :-P)
I think the best one however was Virgin Blue, who ran full page newspaper ads advertising No Chair Fairs... they cost half the price of regular fairs, as long as you're willing to stand for the entire flight. As a bonus if the flight is more than 2 hours long you get a complimentary calf massage.
I really wonder how many people rang up trying to get one of those :-P
So did you prank anyone? Or get done yourself today?
Obviously below, Google gets into the April Fools day spirit every year, this year's was a tab less believable than other years, but the futuristic search engine did catch a few people out.
Red Symons was got on ABC Radio in Melbourne, believing that all women's events in the Beijing Olympics would be run 2 weeks after the men's.
Sydney Radio was buzzing with news that the new stand at the SCG would be named after Warwick Cappa (sorry mate not true :-P)
I think the best one however was Virgin Blue, who ran full page newspaper ads advertising No Chair Fairs... they cost half the price of regular fairs, as long as you're willing to stand for the entire flight. As a bonus if the flight is more than 2 hours long you get a complimentary calf massage.
I really wonder how many people rang up trying to get one of those :-P
So did you prank anyone? Or get done yourself today?
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