Over the past months I've had some real thoughts running through my head, like mulling over many different aspects of life. I've often thought I should express these thoughts on my blog, but just never have.
I want this place to be somewhere I can regurgitate my many mind wanderings into processed thoughts and have other people take them in then share their responses with me. Lately this blog's been more about current events, around the world and in my life.
So this week I want to try and commit to sharing some of these thoughts, one post a day which will be on many different topics of faith and life, but will be specifically processed thoughts written out for your response.
So starting tomorrow, I hope you will read them and respond, agree, disagree or hail me a genius - I don't mind - but I'd like it to be a little interactive.
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]
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Monday, 25 August 2008
1 Becomes 2
Two different brands, close to the same thing. Both very tough little laptops! Cool gadgets make my time a little more exciting sometimes!
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Not To Be.
Australia's gold medal hopes in the inaugural Olympic BMX competition were dashed on turn 2 of the Gold Medal race. Aussie Jared Graves was one of the favourites, and well within winning potential when a South African rider came unstuck on the second corner and took out Graves' rear wheel.
Jared hurt his leg and his bike was bent and unrideable after the crash, but he picked himself up and walked the rest of the track - pushing and carrying his bike over the finish line to claim 6th spot almost 2 minutes behind the gold medalist Maris Strombergs from Latvia.
It's a real disappointment to see the Aussie taken out through no fault of his own, right while he was in gold medal winning contention, but it is great to see that Aussie fight and spirit alive and well as he made sure he still completed the race.
Maybe he's just seen Cool Runnings one too many times....
In the women's race Nicole Callisto also crashed out, but on the first turn, so no medals at all for Australia in the BMX - exciting racing though!
Jared hurt his leg and his bike was bent and unrideable after the crash, but he picked himself up and walked the rest of the track - pushing and carrying his bike over the finish line to claim 6th spot almost 2 minutes behind the gold medalist Maris Strombergs from Latvia.
It's a real disappointment to see the Aussie taken out through no fault of his own, right while he was in gold medal winning contention, but it is great to see that Aussie fight and spirit alive and well as he made sure he still completed the race.
Maybe he's just seen Cool Runnings one too many times....
In the women's race Nicole Callisto also crashed out, but on the first turn, so no medals at all for Australia in the BMX - exciting racing though!
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
What I've Been Waiting For...
As a kid most people have those aspirations to be someone great. It might be swimming and watching Ian Thorpe, maybe little athletics, softball, equestrian or tae kwon do. The Olympics every 4 years gave you an opportunity to see the best of the best competing for the ultimate prize; a gold medal.
As a kid the sport I loved, and did really well at wasn't an Olympic sport, it wasn't even a big professional sport - just a child's activity really. However as I grew up I gave up this sport, but others didn't, and it's now a pro sport, and for the first time this year an Olympic sport!
Watching the BMX has brought back so many memories of a sport I loved, and was really good at (even at a young age) - about 8 years ago I jumped back on my trusty BMX (which was about 8 years since I'd raced) and hit a local track with some of the younger guys from youth group. I surprised myself (and the boys who were with me) by getting some serious air and running pretty quick laps around the track.
I'm feeling a desire to pull the old bike out again after seeing the grace, speed and power of these Olympic riders. The Beijing track is amazingly intense - with one 13m jump for the men. The Aussie's are well placed - 2 in the finals tomorrow, with them coming into the games 2nd and 5th in the world ratings.
It's fantastic to see BMX now an Olympic sport, and I wonder if I'd had the dream of a gold medal when I was younger would I have been so quick to give it up?
As a kid the sport I loved, and did really well at wasn't an Olympic sport, it wasn't even a big professional sport - just a child's activity really. However as I grew up I gave up this sport, but others didn't, and it's now a pro sport, and for the first time this year an Olympic sport!
Watching the BMX has brought back so many memories of a sport I loved, and was really good at (even at a young age) - about 8 years ago I jumped back on my trusty BMX (which was about 8 years since I'd raced) and hit a local track with some of the younger guys from youth group. I surprised myself (and the boys who were with me) by getting some serious air and running pretty quick laps around the track.
I'm feeling a desire to pull the old bike out again after seeing the grace, speed and power of these Olympic riders. The Beijing track is amazingly intense - with one 13m jump for the men. The Aussie's are well placed - 2 in the finals tomorrow, with them coming into the games 2nd and 5th in the world ratings.
It's fantastic to see BMX now an Olympic sport, and I wonder if I'd had the dream of a gold medal when I was younger would I have been so quick to give it up?
(Photos: http://www.foxsports.com.au/beijing_olympics/beijinggallery/0,27379,5033940-5017127-2,00.html)
Saturday, 16 August 2008
I know I shouldn't
In the city today... And you can't go to the city and not have Krispy Kreme donuts.
Friday, 15 August 2008
Indestructable Laptop
I have a new toy to play with over the next few days. The Pioneer Dreambook is water proof, sand proof and shock proof. It has a durable touch screen and allows you to use it absolutely anywhere. Pretty cool little gizmo!
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
That Stinks!
Haha oh the things done in the name of art!
Giant inflatable dog poo wreaks havoc
A GIANT inflatable dog turd by American artist Paul McCarthy blew away from an exhibition in the garden of a Swiss museum, bringing down a power line and breaking a window before it landed again.The art work... is the size of a house.
The wind carried it 200m from the Paul Klee Centre in Berne before it fell back to Earth in the grounds of a children's home...
The inflatable turd broke the window at the children's home when it blew away...
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24166937-13762,00.html
Saturday, 9 August 2008
MV Doulos
My sister and her husband fly to Canada today. They're working over there for 12 months. To say goodbye we had lunch at Brett's Warf before they had to be at the airport.
I didn't realise but within walking distance the MV Doulos is docked. The floating ministry ship is quite amazing. Built in 1914 it is the worlds oldest working liner.
Friday, 8 August 2008
Let the Games Begin
The XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing China are just about to begin!
You can't ignore the political, social and humanitarian issues surrounding the games this year, but in essence this event is about supporting your country and enjoying good friendly competition.
I love the Olympics, I love Australia and love supporting my country, in sport or anything else.
The only problem in China is it's government - the people are amazing, they want the games so much, they are so welcoming of outsiders, they love deeply. I felt slightly convicted to boycott the Olympics this year in support for the Tibetan people and the human rights of Chinese people. However I couldn't overshadow the passion of the Chinese people, and the honour of our Olympians, so I will be watching and enjoying.
In support for my country, and the Chinese people, and the people of Tibet - I bought a t-shirt this week, it's green and gold, with "I Support Human Rights" in both Mandarin and English on it. You can buy them here, from the Australian Tibet Council. I'll wear it with pride throughout the duration of the games.
China is an amazing culture, so old and full of history. Kung Fu and marshal arts, the art, the gold sculptures and weapons are just fantastic, the language is beautiful - a craft to speak and write, something I wish I was still able to do. It's only in recent times with the communism that the people have been so suppressed.
Even when I was there in 1995 Beijing was an overwhelming mix of old and new... Tiannamen Square with its dark political history, the Forbidden City with it's rich heritage, the amazement of standing on the Great Wall... it has to be one of the most diverse and culturally rich places on earth!
So I look forward to 2 weeks of good games. I pray that good will come from the exposure to all of China's issues, good and bad. But let's just see the Aussies do well!!!!
You can't ignore the political, social and humanitarian issues surrounding the games this year, but in essence this event is about supporting your country and enjoying good friendly competition.
I love the Olympics, I love Australia and love supporting my country, in sport or anything else.
The only problem in China is it's government - the people are amazing, they want the games so much, they are so welcoming of outsiders, they love deeply. I felt slightly convicted to boycott the Olympics this year in support for the Tibetan people and the human rights of Chinese people. However I couldn't overshadow the passion of the Chinese people, and the honour of our Olympians, so I will be watching and enjoying.
In support for my country, and the Chinese people, and the people of Tibet - I bought a t-shirt this week, it's green and gold, with "I Support Human Rights" in both Mandarin and English on it. You can buy them here, from the Australian Tibet Council. I'll wear it with pride throughout the duration of the games.
China is an amazing culture, so old and full of history. Kung Fu and marshal arts, the art, the gold sculptures and weapons are just fantastic, the language is beautiful - a craft to speak and write, something I wish I was still able to do. It's only in recent times with the communism that the people have been so suppressed.
Even when I was there in 1995 Beijing was an overwhelming mix of old and new... Tiannamen Square with its dark political history, the Forbidden City with it's rich heritage, the amazement of standing on the Great Wall... it has to be one of the most diverse and culturally rich places on earth!
So I look forward to 2 weeks of good games. I pray that good will come from the exposure to all of China's issues, good and bad. But let's just see the Aussies do well!!!!
Monday, 4 August 2008
Peanutbutter Honey and Banana.
I don't know how healthy it is but I don't think there is anything better than a toasted peanutbutter, honey and banana sandwich. Not a usual choice but somewhat a Sandham family favourite.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Weekly Photography Assignment
It's been a while since I've been involved in a Weekly Assignment over on the Digital Photography School forum.
This week's assignment is X-tych (diptych, triptych or anything up to 7 pictures formed into a single image with multiple panels). That means a multifaceted image, something I have never even tried before.
So I thought I'd best jump in and try something new... using an old favourite, coffee!
There are some other great submissions this week... check out the thread... link
This week's assignment is X-tych (diptych, triptych or anything up to 7 pictures formed into a single image with multiple panels). That means a multifaceted image, something I have never even tried before.
So I thought I'd best jump in and try something new... using an old favourite, coffee!
There are some other great submissions this week... check out the thread... link
Breakfast
Funny it seems my blog wasn't working at all yesterday, some other blogger ones weren't either so I guess it was a generic problem.
Anyway... I love going out for breakfast! Something about actually getting up to go and meet someone just makes it more of a special time than just meeting for lunch, coffee or tea... I think breaky catch ups have a completely different feel about them.
Yesterday I had breaky with my sister Vanessa, she and her husband are moving to Canada at the end of the week. Andy's company is starting a lab in Vancouver so Ness and he are going over to help get that started, and just to take the opportunity to go live somewhere completely different. Vanessa is a special education teacher so there are plenty of opportunities for her to find employment in most countries.
It's funny, Ness has been married for 2 years, and this is the first time since she moved out that we've caught up together like this. In fact I'd almost say that it's the first time in our lives that we've gone out specifically to spend time together. She's two years younger than me, and I guess there was always that 'annoying little sister' thing that neither of us ever grew out of, even up to her getting married when she was 22 and I was 24. Since she's not been at home our relationship has changed for the better I'd say, but it's still taken this long (and the impending departure of her for 12 months) to get us to plan and head out together.
Oh by the way, great little cafe called "Red Rock" at the Forrest Lake shopping centre, beaut breaky meals, DiBella coffee (but I think we had the new guy pulling the shots, a little burnt and overdrawn I think), and a nice vibe even for on the edge of a shopping centre.
Anyway... I love going out for breakfast! Something about actually getting up to go and meet someone just makes it more of a special time than just meeting for lunch, coffee or tea... I think breaky catch ups have a completely different feel about them.
Yesterday I had breaky with my sister Vanessa, she and her husband are moving to Canada at the end of the week. Andy's company is starting a lab in Vancouver so Ness and he are going over to help get that started, and just to take the opportunity to go live somewhere completely different. Vanessa is a special education teacher so there are plenty of opportunities for her to find employment in most countries.
It's funny, Ness has been married for 2 years, and this is the first time since she moved out that we've caught up together like this. In fact I'd almost say that it's the first time in our lives that we've gone out specifically to spend time together. She's two years younger than me, and I guess there was always that 'annoying little sister' thing that neither of us ever grew out of, even up to her getting married when she was 22 and I was 24. Since she's not been at home our relationship has changed for the better I'd say, but it's still taken this long (and the impending departure of her for 12 months) to get us to plan and head out together.
Oh by the way, great little cafe called "Red Rock" at the Forrest Lake shopping centre, beaut breaky meals, DiBella coffee (but I think we had the new guy pulling the shots, a little burnt and overdrawn I think), and a nice vibe even for on the edge of a shopping centre.
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