Wednesday, August 31, 2005
and baby makes three
(belated) congratulations go out to Bruce and Ruth from www.hismethod.com on the arrival of their first child, Judah John.
Please drop in on them and pass on your congratulations! (There are also some very recent pictures of their new arrival).
On a side note, most people know that I truly believe that our names are important, and that they play a part in who we become. Jesus referred to Simon Peter as Peter - the rock upon which the church would be built. Saul became Paul - a man who was humbled. So I thought that I'd look to see what Judah John means:
Judah: Praise
John: God is Gracious
Beautiful!
Please drop in on them and pass on your congratulations! (There are also some very recent pictures of their new arrival).
On a side note, most people know that I truly believe that our names are important, and that they play a part in who we become. Jesus referred to Simon Peter as Peter - the rock upon which the church would be built. Saul became Paul - a man who was humbled. So I thought that I'd look to see what Judah John means:
Judah: Praise
John: God is Gracious
Beautiful!
being older
It took me a good 2 days to recover from the lack of sleep caused by my birthday party. I mentioned this to my mum, and her reply?
"Well you are getting old now dear"
Thanks Mum.
I suppose going to bed at 4am and getting up a few hours later isn't the smartest thing to do anyway!
"Well you are getting old now dear"
Thanks Mum.
I suppose going to bed at 4am and getting up a few hours later isn't the smartest thing to do anyway!
Haloscan
Well some of you may have noticed that a few days ago I added Haloscan to my blog. Today I removed it.
No real reason for removing it, except that if I wanted email notification, I would need to pay for that privilege, while with blogger, I'm notified for free. Yeah, I'm that cheap :)
The trackback feature was cool, but then I'm really not bothered who links to me (as long as they're only saying nice things....)
No real reason for removing it, except that if I wanted email notification, I would need to pay for that privilege, while with blogger, I'm notified for free. Yeah, I'm that cheap :)
The trackback feature was cool, but then I'm really not bothered who links to me (as long as they're only saying nice things....)
Monday, August 29, 2005
Saturday 27th
Well I had a fantastic Saturday; don't know about certain others such as Bruce or Rodney, though!
For all those who have no idea of the weekends events, here's a brief summary.
1. My birthday (including laser tag & fine dining)
2. West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows - otherwise known as "The battle for the minor round premiership"
Let's look at #1 first....
Laser Tag was a blast! (literally AND metaphorically!) We played two games, and had the arena to ourselves, which was great. There were 8 of us playing, which was a good number as we actually had to hunt each other down. Game 1 I came in 2nd, and Game 2, I WON!!!
Then after heading home to refresh ourselves, we headed out to "Il Punto", our new favourite restaurant as of this weekend! None of the boys who RSVP'd turned up. Apparently they all went to a Buck's night instead. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise - we had a fantastic "girls night out". The food was incredible. This is what I ate: "Pollo Claudio" - chicken breast fillet stuffed with fetta and baby spinach, nestled on roasted zucchini, eggplant and pumpkin, with the chef's secret sauce. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Their service was fantastic - at one point during the night we had the owner and the maitre d' at our table chatting with us! Admittedly, the owner was trying to entice us with her "young & single" bar staff, but it was all good fun.
After our dinner, we all headed on back to my house to watch a movie. We ended up choosing "Under the Tuscan Sun" - a beautiful movie with beautiful Italian scenery (and people!), accompanied by a beautiful Italian wine completed a great day.
However, the day was made even better by #2:
On Wed 24 Aug, I made my predictions regarding the match to be played on the 27th.
Of course it was a biased prediction, as Bruce so kindly pointed out, but hey! I'm a Crows supporter. What more needs to be said?
Maybe....WE'RE NUMBER 1!!
Unfortunately the game wasn't broadcast in Sydney, so I had to make do with checking the scores on my mobile every 15 minutes or so during the aforementioned dinner.
The Final Score:
Adelaide Crows: 12.10 (82)
West Coast Eagles: 10.14 (74)
It wasn't exactly the 23 point defeat that I'd hoped for, but anything's better than nothing.
Next on the cards is our Preliminary Final against St Kilda at AAMI. There shouldn't be any problems there - fingers crossed that Riccutio will be available to play!
For all those who have no idea of the weekends events, here's a brief summary.
1. My birthday (including laser tag & fine dining)
2. West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows - otherwise known as "The battle for the minor round premiership"
Let's look at #1 first....
Laser Tag was a blast! (literally AND metaphorically!) We played two games, and had the arena to ourselves, which was great. There were 8 of us playing, which was a good number as we actually had to hunt each other down. Game 1 I came in 2nd, and Game 2, I WON!!!
Then after heading home to refresh ourselves, we headed out to "Il Punto", our new favourite restaurant as of this weekend! None of the boys who RSVP'd turned up. Apparently they all went to a Buck's night instead. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise - we had a fantastic "girls night out". The food was incredible. This is what I ate: "Pollo Claudio" - chicken breast fillet stuffed with fetta and baby spinach, nestled on roasted zucchini, eggplant and pumpkin, with the chef's secret sauce. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Their service was fantastic - at one point during the night we had the owner and the maitre d' at our table chatting with us! Admittedly, the owner was trying to entice us with her "young & single" bar staff, but it was all good fun.
After our dinner, we all headed on back to my house to watch a movie. We ended up choosing "Under the Tuscan Sun" - a beautiful movie with beautiful Italian scenery (and people!), accompanied by a beautiful Italian wine completed a great day.
However, the day was made even better by #2:
On Wed 24 Aug, I made my predictions regarding the match to be played on the 27th.Of course it was a biased prediction, as Bruce so kindly pointed out, but hey! I'm a Crows supporter. What more needs to be said?
Maybe....WE'RE NUMBER 1!!
Unfortunately the game wasn't broadcast in Sydney, so I had to make do with checking the scores on my mobile every 15 minutes or so during the aforementioned dinner.
The Final Score:
Adelaide Crows: 12.10 (82)
West Coast Eagles: 10.14 (74)
It wasn't exactly the 23 point defeat that I'd hoped for, but anything's better than nothing.
Next on the cards is our Preliminary Final against St Kilda at AAMI. There shouldn't be any problems there - fingers crossed that Riccutio will be available to play!
Friday, August 26, 2005
we're back...
For those of you who don't know, a while ago there was an extortion attempt made against MasterFoods in NSW - there was a risk that the Mars and Snickers bars they manufacture had been contaminated by the extortioner (is that even a word?). As a result, all Mars & Snickers bars in NSW were recalled and destroyed, meaning that there have been none on the shelves...until now.
http://www.we-are-back.com.au
And for those who have forgotten how to eat them, they have an instruction manual on how to eat a Mars or Snickers bar...
http://www.we-are-back.com.au
And for those who have forgotten how to eat them, they have an instruction manual on how to eat a Mars or Snickers bar...
tomorrow
Well tomorrow marks my 24th birthday. Yeah, I know - I'm getting old hey! (Sorry Rodney, had to do it!). I will be exactly half my Dad's age. (On my 21st, I was exactly half my Mum's age.)Anyway....my birthday "parcel" from my parents and siblings arrived on Wednesday. The worst thing about that? I'm not allowed to open it until tomorrow. It's very tempting to open it and not let them know, but for some reason, I'm holding out until tomorrow.
And, because I was such a conscientious teenager, I got my drivers licence on my birthday 8 years ago, so every year, I get a nice little bill for my birthday - and a new "portrait" to celebrate the occasion!
So, tomorrow is a day I'm spending with all of my friends (and anyone they wanted to invite). In the afternoon, my girlfriends and I are heading off to play Laser Tag, and then everyone's going out to dinner at Il Punto, which is a new little Italian restaurant just down the road from my house. And then it's back to my place (invite only) for more fun and frivolity...we'll probably just be watching dvd's and playing games till the wee hours of the morning....not too early though, as a few are "on" for church in the morning....and that's a 7:30am call. Thank God i'm on for the evening services!!!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
confirmed
Well, our holidays to Fiji have finally been booked! There was a slight problem in that we didn't get the accomodation we wanted, but we've been booked into Crusoe's Retreat, which apparently is nicer than where we were going to stay!
So from October 11-23, I'll be in Fiji with my family on our first family holiday in 14 years. Bring it on!
(Those cabins are where we're staying...)
[AFL] Eagles v Crows 27/8/05
Well Bruce has suggested that his Eagles may win this match by 28 points, and in winning the match, they'd also win the minor premiership.
Let's assess the situation shall we?
Round 21
Adelaide Crows: WON by 110 points against Collingwood.
West Coast Eagles: LOST by 76 points against Geelong.
Round 20
Adelaide Crows: WON by 7 points against Port Power
West Coast Eagles: WON by 48 points against Fremantle
Round 19
Adelaide Crows: WON by 54 points against Melbourne
West Coast Eagles: LOST by 43 points against the Western Bulldogs
Round 18
Adelaide Crows: WON by 7 points against Sydney Swans
West Coast Eagles: WON by 48 points against Hawthorn
Round 17
Adelaide Crows: WON by 13 points against the Kangaroos
West Coast Eagles: LOST by 21 points against Sydney Swans
Ok.
In the last 5 rounds, we have the Crows winning all 5 of their matches, while the Eagles have only won 2.
The games we've won, we've won by an average of 38.2 points. West Coast have won by an average of 48 points, and have lost by an average of 46.6 (recurring!) points.
On the ladder, West Coast is still #1, with 17 wins and 4 losses and a total score of 68 premiership points. Adelaide is still #2, with 16 wins and 5 losses, and a score of 64 premiership points. Percentages though, are as follows: West Coast 125.55% and Adelaide 137.77%, which is the highest winning percentage on the ladder at this time.
So if the crows win against the eagles, we will both be on 68 points, however our percentage would place us in first position on the ladder, securing US the minor round premiership.
So Bruce, my answer to your challenge? I think that the Crows will win by 23 points, kick the Eagles out of #1 for the first time this season, and take home the minor premiership! (And give me a happy birthday!)
It's just a pity that I'm going to be playing Laser Tag at the same time as the game is on....maybe I'll tape it to watch later...
Adelaide Crows: afc.com.au
West Coast Eagles: westcoasteagles.com.au
you are here
If you don't know what that is....that's a computer generated image of the Milky Way, with our sun pinpointed...and to thing, there's billions more galaxies out there! Isn't God incredible?http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,16292426-13762,00.html
courtesy of philbaker.net
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
life group
We had a "night off" last night, and watched a movie instead. Popcorn and jaffas were distributed throughout the room before we sat down to watch Roberto Benigni's "Life is Beautiful" (La Vita E Bella). It's an incredible movie - if you haven't seen it, please do. It truly is a beautiful movie.
[AFL] a turbulent weekend for the AFL
Wow - what a weekend - and most of the trouble revolves around the Fremantle & St Kilda game...Freo winning after the final siren, the following accusations of umpires fixing the game, and also a religious vilification accusation...all from one game.
From NineMSN:
Gehrig is accused of having called Fremantle's Christian full-back Shane Parker a "bible-bashing ...."...the AFL...has now launched a formal investigation....it is believed to be the first time a player has been investigated over a religious slur under the league's racial and religious vilification laws.
And let's not forget Bruce's beloved West Coast Eagles on an incredible losing slump.. Is this the end of the Eagles for this season? With the premiership within their reach, have they simply run out of oomph too early in the season?
This weekend's match is going to be interesting...if we beat the eagles at Subiaco, there's every possibility that the crows could end up on top of the ladder going into the prelim finals!
From NineMSN:
Gehrig is accused of having called Fremantle's Christian full-back Shane Parker a "bible-bashing ...."...the AFL...has now launched a formal investigation....it is believed to be the first time a player has been investigated over a religious slur under the league's racial and religious vilification laws.
Meanwhile, Nine Network reporter Tony Jones said he had heard one of the officiating umpires from Friday night's match, Matthew Head, claiming victory after the Dockers' win over the Saints..."...Umpires Brett Allen and Matthew Head have both emphatically denied any suggestion either of them made any inappropriate comments regarding the result of last Friday night's game at Subiaco...
More on that game in this article from NineMSNAnd let's not forget Bruce's beloved West Coast Eagles on an incredible losing slump.. Is this the end of the Eagles for this season? With the premiership within their reach, have they simply run out of oomph too early in the season?
This weekend's match is going to be interesting...if we beat the eagles at Subiaco, there's every possibility that the crows could end up on top of the ladder going into the prelim finals!
Friday, August 19, 2005
Happy Birthday, Dad
Today is my Dad's birthday. I know he doesn't read my blog, but I thought I'd let everyone know anyway!
For some reason, I nearly always get Dad's birthday wrong. Usually, I think it's the 18th. I was so sure that this year I had it right, until I rang mum and asked her this:
"Dad's birthday - it's on the 18th, yeah?".
Mum's response?
"Try again, Paula."
Oops.
So happy 48th Dad, have a great day (seeing as you took the day off), and have fun doing carpark security for tonight's Youth Alive Concert!
For some reason, I nearly always get Dad's birthday wrong. Usually, I think it's the 18th. I was so sure that this year I had it right, until I rang mum and asked her this:
"Dad's birthday - it's on the 18th, yeah?".
Mum's response?
"Try again, Paula."
Oops.
So happy 48th Dad, have a great day (seeing as you took the day off), and have fun doing carpark security for tonight's Youth Alive Concert!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Narnia
I've always loved the story of CS Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia". And 5 minutes ago, I watched the "teaser trailer" on the movie website : www.narnia.com
Now all I have to do is wait for December 9!
a "heavenly brew"?
more here
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
seeing Jesus through a porn star
I recently discovered this true story on the blog of a woman named Natala. It's her story. As I read it this afternoon, it was all I could do not to cry. Please read it. I know you'll be impacted; please be warned that it contains some strong (though edited) language.
http://heretogoal.blogspot.com/2005/07/porn-star-part-1.html
http://heretogoal.blogspot.com/2005/07/porn-star-part-1.html
Bye Bye Blackboard
I found this site via Yahoo's Site of the Day, and loved this blackboard so much that I thought I'd post it here. It makes you think...(click on the image for a closer look)
[AFL] Sorry
I've been promising studio pics for a while now, and I've also promised pics from the footy on sunday afternoon, but due to technical difficulties (ie missing usb cables, etc), that's on the backburner. Nevertheless, please be assured that I DID spend time recording in the studio, and I DID go to the football on the weekend. haha.
Some good news from the weekend: My beloved Adelaide Crows defeated our arch rivals Port Power in Showdown XVIII by 7 points! Final score: Port Adelaide 12.9 (81), Adelaide Crows 13.10 (88).
More good news from the weekend - a friend of mine who only a few weeks ago announced her pregnancy, has just announced that she is pregnant with TWINS!!!! It's their first pregnancy, so it's doubly exciting now. (But that means that I need to make another present!)
Some good news from the weekend: My beloved Adelaide Crows defeated our arch rivals Port Power in Showdown XVIII by 7 points! Final score: Port Adelaide 12.9 (81), Adelaide Crows 13.10 (88).
More good news from the weekend - a friend of mine who only a few weeks ago announced her pregnancy, has just announced that she is pregnant with TWINS!!!! It's their first pregnancy, so it's doubly exciting now. (But that means that I need to make another present!)
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Big Brother 2005
Well it's all over (Thank God!).
Last night, Logan Greg (above left) walked away with $862,000 as the winner of BB05. However, as he was only one half of "Logan" (Logan Greg and Logan David), he only gets half the prize money as it's split 2 ways between the brothers.
I was hoping that Tim (above right) would win, as he was the nicest person in the house - and he was like that through the whole 100 days.
And, Network 10 has announced that Big Brother will be back in 2006. God only knows what they will have planned for then!
Update
I haven't posted for a couple of days as you may have noticed. I'm just waiting on some pictures from the weekend (we went to the Swans V Brisbane game...) to arrive, and then I'll blog away.
Have a good day!
Have a good day!
Friday, August 12, 2005
Stuff on My Cat Pt 2
Yeah, I know. My 4th post today. I finished all my work before midday, so I'm bored.
Anyway, I realise I linked to this site the other day, with out any visual stimulation to impel you to go there. So, here's some for you:
go to: Stuffonmycat.com
Anyway, I realise I linked to this site the other day, with out any visual stimulation to impel you to go there. So, here's some for you:
go to: Stuffonmycat.com
Help Ally
Another e-friend of mine, Ally Simpson has been feeling a bit down of late. You see, all of his blog settings were somehow wiped, including his hit counter. So now he's feeling quite unloved.
Please go and visit Ally at his blog "SUPERSIMBO".
Tell him Paula says Hi.
Please go and visit Ally at his blog "SUPERSIMBO".
Tell him Paula says Hi.
Birthday
For any of my friends who read this, the details for my birthDAY have finally been finalised. Catch up with me at Insight, email me, or call me for more info!
I'm a Dog?
Apparently so, according to this quiz.
Here are my results:
Paula, yo
u're a Bernese Mountain Dog
u're a Bernese Mountain Dog No bones about it, you're a good-hearted, people-loving Bernese Mountain Dog. Down-to-earth and loyal, no one works or plays harder than you do. You put your nose to the grindstone when it really counts, but you never neglect your social calendar. Simultaneously strong and sweet, you're very tuned-in to the feelings and needs of the other dogs you run with. Without having to be asked, you always have a helping paw to lend and a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. "Communication" is your middle name, and when that's paired with your unswerving devotion, you get a breed that everyone respects and trusts. Woof!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Evermore
The new Planetshakers CD arrived today - not bad, considering the release party was held friday night last week. I figure that 4 days after commercial release isn't too bad.
I got back from lunch and found it sitting on my desk at work...I love it when I get parcels sent to me at work. I hate being at work knowing there's a new cd in my letter box at home...the wait is WAY too long!
And, it's got "Jump Around" on it - Nothing much spiritual about that song, but it's a great one to get everyone up on their feet before starting the meeting!
Help Shaun
Shaun Groves, the creator of a blog called "Shlog" wants to reach 300 hits today.
Please click on the above link and help him achieve his dream.
Oh, and while you're there, please read what he's written. You may actually learn something.
: )
www.shlog.com
Please click on the above link and help him achieve his dream.
Oh, and while you're there, please read what he's written. You may actually learn something.
: )
www.shlog.com
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Switchfoot Pt 2
The boys are touring Australia again in September, but unfortunately for me, they'll be in Sydney on Sept 30 - the saturday night of our Intensifire Conference.
If I was able to have one super power for that day, I'd choose the one where I could be in two places at once.
Please God?
:)
If I was able to have one super power for that day, I'd choose the one where I could be in two places at once.
Please God?
:)
Switchfoot
This from their new site: www.switchfoot.com
This record was written somewhere between the blessed and the unblessed, between the godly and the ungodly by a few young urban professionals from San Diego. These songs are dreams and questions, bleeding together, breathing in and out- always somewhere between life and death. And I feel this tension, this distance now more than ever, like a numbing ache... deep inside. The distance between the way things are and the way they could be, the distance between the shadow and the sun. And this is where we exist: within the paradox. Living out our lives: oxygen and carbon and hydrogen and so on... This record was the attempt to make something beautiful in filthy backstage dressing rooms everywhere, trying to sing something true with a broken heart. This record was written about things that I don't understand.
And yes, there's more than a wink of irony in all of this: making music from our most intimate thoughts and selling these songs online for a dollar a pop. Singing an anthem every night about how "we were meant to live for so much more" and many times feeling like a failure; singing "I dare you to move"and feeling trapped. Both loving and hating all the fuss that the music has brought. Knowing that even Rock and Roll, perhaps the best job in the world will not make me happy (in the yuppie sense of the word).
And yes, this American life is absurd! a strange paradox indeed... Perhaps no amount of money, sex, or power has ever satisfied us before, but maybe today will be different! Maybe this new purchase will make me happy! And the sun rises and sets once more- another day, another dollar. A carbonated beverage will help to chase your insecurities away. This new product will help to fill the meaningless void I feel inside. And so I drink the beverage, wear the clothes, and watch the war on TV. meaningless. meaning less.
Do we hunt our ridiculous suburban dreams like the neighborhood cat? Have we quietly fallen in line with the advertisement? Are we driven by ego uncontrolled, our lives simply vain pursuits of meaningless ends? Do we attempt to validate our existence by materiel means, relational acquisitions, sexual conquests, fiscal achievement, and cultural prowess? It was another jewish man who said something like this a while back.
"All is meaningless,"
Declares the teacher.
"Meaningless, meaningless,
Everything is meaningless"
For me, there is a terrible, wonderful freedom in coming to terms with these un-happy, un-yuppie words. It's a strange consolation in our dizzy and breathless race for happiness to find that you will never outrun the horizon. It's an avalanche you can't escape. It's a fatal wound that you cannot heal. If you fall on this rock you will be broken, if it falls on you you will be crushed. You see, this album started with a blow between the eyes that I am still recovering from, that's really all I've got to offer these days.
So in the half-light glow of radio shows, music videos, and greedy billboard charts I am aware of a darkness that is beyond me, I am coming to terms with my unbelief. No, I don't believe in rock and roll. No, I don't believe in the success that we've achieved. And no, I don't believe in me. In a free market world of the bought and sold I feel caught in between. I believe I've heard about a man who was exploited to sell everything from indulgences to the wars of men. And yet he offered only one bitter pill that was not easily marketed. Maybe that's what this record hopes to be: a simple bitter pill of truth that steps outside of our hamster wheel and looks up at the stars and beyond.
Maybe Dylan was right when he said Rock and Roll isn't Rock and Roll anymore. I've met so many lonely, desperate, beautiful people over the past few years. Yeah, I've got a bitter pill to swallow, but it just might be true. Maybe our lives drift quietly by and we can't stop the current. Maybe this modern river leads to the sea of death, where no medicine can cure these ills. Perhaps our restless wanting is satisfied only outside of ourselves.
It was another jewish man who said something like this, "If you seek to gain your soul you will lose it." I am on a journey that will one day come to final terms with these words.
 |  |
In 1991, when Rolling Stone interviewed Dylan on the occasion of his 50th birthday, he gave a curious response when the interviewer asked him if he was happy. He fell silent for a few moments and stared at his hands. 'You know,' he said, 'these are yuppie words, happiness and unhappiness. It's not happiness or unhappiness, it's either blessed or unblessed.'
This record was written somewhere between the blessed and the unblessed, between the godly and the ungodly by a few young urban professionals from San Diego. These songs are dreams and questions, bleeding together, breathing in and out- always somewhere between life and death. And I feel this tension, this distance now more than ever, like a numbing ache... deep inside. The distance between the way things are and the way they could be, the distance between the shadow and the sun. And this is where we exist: within the paradox. Living out our lives: oxygen and carbon and hydrogen and so on... This record was the attempt to make something beautiful in filthy backstage dressing rooms everywhere, trying to sing something true with a broken heart. This record was written about things that I don't understand.
And yes, there's more than a wink of irony in all of this: making music from our most intimate thoughts and selling these songs online for a dollar a pop. Singing an anthem every night about how "we were meant to live for so much more" and many times feeling like a failure; singing "I dare you to move"and feeling trapped. Both loving and hating all the fuss that the music has brought. Knowing that even Rock and Roll, perhaps the best job in the world will not make me happy (in the yuppie sense of the word).
And yes, this American life is absurd! a strange paradox indeed... Perhaps no amount of money, sex, or power has ever satisfied us before, but maybe today will be different! Maybe this new purchase will make me happy! And the sun rises and sets once more- another day, another dollar. A carbonated beverage will help to chase your insecurities away. This new product will help to fill the meaningless void I feel inside. And so I drink the beverage, wear the clothes, and watch the war on TV. meaningless. meaning less.
Do we hunt our ridiculous suburban dreams like the neighborhood cat? Have we quietly fallen in line with the advertisement? Are we driven by ego uncontrolled, our lives simply vain pursuits of meaningless ends? Do we attempt to validate our existence by materiel means, relational acquisitions, sexual conquests, fiscal achievement, and cultural prowess? It was another jewish man who said something like this a while back.
"All is meaningless,"
Declares the teacher.
"Meaningless, meaningless,
Everything is meaningless"
For me, there is a terrible, wonderful freedom in coming to terms with these un-happy, un-yuppie words. It's a strange consolation in our dizzy and breathless race for happiness to find that you will never outrun the horizon. It's an avalanche you can't escape. It's a fatal wound that you cannot heal. If you fall on this rock you will be broken, if it falls on you you will be crushed. You see, this album started with a blow between the eyes that I am still recovering from, that's really all I've got to offer these days.
So in the half-light glow of radio shows, music videos, and greedy billboard charts I am aware of a darkness that is beyond me, I am coming to terms with my unbelief. No, I don't believe in rock and roll. No, I don't believe in the success that we've achieved. And no, I don't believe in me. In a free market world of the bought and sold I feel caught in between. I believe I've heard about a man who was exploited to sell everything from indulgences to the wars of men. And yet he offered only one bitter pill that was not easily marketed. Maybe that's what this record hopes to be: a simple bitter pill of truth that steps outside of our hamster wheel and looks up at the stars and beyond.
Maybe Dylan was right when he said Rock and Roll isn't Rock and Roll anymore. I've met so many lonely, desperate, beautiful people over the past few years. Yeah, I've got a bitter pill to swallow, but it just might be true. Maybe our lives drift quietly by and we can't stop the current. Maybe this modern river leads to the sea of death, where no medicine can cure these ills. Perhaps our restless wanting is satisfied only outside of ourselves.
It was another jewish man who said something like this, "If you seek to gain your soul you will lose it." I am on a journey that will one day come to final terms with these words.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Incredible
You know what I think is incredible?
That God took two gasses, combinded them and made water.
I think that is incredible - that the very thing that sustains life, the very thing that hydrates us is made from air.
Well, that's just what I'm pondering today!
That God took two gasses, combinded them and made water.
I think that is incredible - that the very thing that sustains life, the very thing that hydrates us is made from air.
Well, that's just what I'm pondering today!
New Book @ Life Group
Well, it's not really new as my cell leader gave us each a copy for Christmas, and the cell has been reading it for the past 3 weeks, but I haven't been at cell for the past 3 weeks, so it's new to me. Ok? haha.Anyway, we're continuing on our study of books...and the book we're currently reading is called "Intimate Friendship With God - Through Understanding the Fear of God", by Joy Dawson.
The name is enough to make me think twice about reading it. Not that I'm not interested, but often I just don't feel like reading anything to theologically deep. I know - that sounds horrible.
Just to clarify that last sentence - I love theological study, but usually I find myself reading texts about Worship and the like. I tend to avoid books on prayer and self discipline...which really tells me that I need to read them all the more!
Anyway, last night, my half of the cell read chapters 8-10. These three chapters dealt with Godly relationships, God's view on Sex, and the influence that women have over men. These three chapters surprised me, as I didn't expect to find them in a book on the Fear of God!
The thing that probably stuck in my mind the most from last night's readings were the examples that Joy gave of women in the bible who didn't use their influence wisely - Eve and Bathsheba are two that I remember. And then of one woman, Abigail, who used her influence as a woman to save her family and staff from death!
It's a fantastic book, and a surprisingly easy read, considering the subject matter. It was written in 1986, so some topics are slightly dated, and you may find that some chapters are not applicable to you, but read it anyway!
Monday, August 08, 2005
not bored
Boring
At the moment, my blogging has been fairly lacklustre - probably due to a lack of exciting events in my life :)
We're in the lead up to our major youth conference, so I've got rehearsals for that every week. I've missed life group for the past month, due to being in the studio to finish the album within the deadline. Yesterday was a busy day - I was at church from 7:30am -1pm and then from 3pm until nearly 10pm, with our first two evening services. (BTW they went well, but I was exhausted!)
During the second evening service I was reading on in my Bible (I find it hard to sit through the same message twice), and discovered Deuteronomy 8. Over on Ps Phil Baker's blog (www.philbaker.net), there's an intense discussion going on about "prosperity doctrine". Sadly, money has always been somewhat of a sacred cow to churches in the western culture. As far as I'm aware, there's not much in the Bible relating to money being either evil or good. However, there is much to be said regarding what we do with our money. Deuteronomy 8, especially in the latter verses really opened my eyes to the issue of being good stewards with what we're given, and in all things to honour God:
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We're in the lead up to our major youth conference, so I've got rehearsals for that every week. I've missed life group for the past month, due to being in the studio to finish the album within the deadline. Yesterday was a busy day - I was at church from 7:30am -1pm and then from 3pm until nearly 10pm, with our first two evening services. (BTW they went well, but I was exhausted!)
During the second evening service I was reading on in my Bible (I find it hard to sit through the same message twice), and discovered Deuteronomy 8. Over on Ps Phil Baker's blog (www.philbaker.net), there's an intense discussion going on about "prosperity doctrine". Sadly, money has always been somewhat of a sacred cow to churches in the western culture. As far as I'm aware, there's not much in the Bible relating to money being either evil or good. However, there is much to be said regarding what we do with our money. Deuteronomy 8, especially in the latter verses really opened my eyes to the issue of being good stewards with what we're given, and in all things to honour God:
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Deuteronomy 8
A Call to Remember and Obey
1"Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors. 2Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands. 3Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people need more than bread for their life; real life comes by feeding on every word of the LORD. 4For all these forty years your clothes didn't wear out, and your feet didn't blister or swell. 5So you should realize that just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you to help you.6"So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with springs that gush forth in the valleys and hills. 8It is a land of wheat and barley, of grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, olives, and honey. 9It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10When you have eaten your fill, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.
11"But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. 12For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, 14that is the time to be careful. Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17He did it so you would never think that it was your own strength and energy that made you wealthy. 18Always remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestors.
19"But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. 20Just as the LORD has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.
Big Brother
Hmm.
I really haven't watched much of this year's series at all, which is probably a good thing. However, my flat mate keeps me updated on who's still in the house, and what's going on.
So when I came across this article on ninemsn today, I was slightly shocked - and disgusted:
Big Brother unveils transsexual intruder
Big Brother's so called recluse Melanie became the latest housemate to be booted off the reality show, as a transsexual gets set to enter the Gold Coast compound.
Melanie's exit leaves Tim, Greg and Vesna to battle it out in the 2005 Big Brother grand finale, which airs on Network Ten on Monday week.
The departure of the 19-year-old blonde model and student came as little shock to anyone.
Melanie, an intruder, lasted 39 days in the Big Brother house and was the 13th contestant to be evicted.
She was criticised by other housemates and also viewers for being too quiet while on the program and for not being herself.
As an intruder she was never favoured to win.
Following her eviction, Melanie told the show's host Gretel Killeen she had enjoyed her time on the show, but admitted it had been hard.
She said she thought she was "a really good listener during her time in the Big Brother compound.
"Wow I gave some really good advice," Melanie told Killeen.
Meanwhile the Big Brother house is in for a shock, with the winner of last year's British show Portuguese transsexual Nadia Almada set to enter it on Monday night.
"No it's not Brad Pitt and no it's not Angelina Jolie," Killeen told a live audience when announcing the new intruder.
"It's someone who will put much more dynamite into the house."
Tim is favoured to win the fifth instalment of the reality show.
With the housemates being fined by Big Brother this year every time for slip ups, the prize money is currently at $600,000.
Last year's winner took home a million dollars.
I really haven't watched much of this year's series at all, which is probably a good thing. However, my flat mate keeps me updated on who's still in the house, and what's going on.
So when I came across this article on ninemsn today, I was slightly shocked - and disgusted:
Big Brother unveils transsexual intruder
Big Brother's so called recluse Melanie became the latest housemate to be booted off the reality show, as a transsexual gets set to enter the Gold Coast compound.
Melanie's exit leaves Tim, Greg and Vesna to battle it out in the 2005 Big Brother grand finale, which airs on Network Ten on Monday week.
The departure of the 19-year-old blonde model and student came as little shock to anyone.
Melanie, an intruder, lasted 39 days in the Big Brother house and was the 13th contestant to be evicted.
She was criticised by other housemates and also viewers for being too quiet while on the program and for not being herself.
As an intruder she was never favoured to win.
Following her eviction, Melanie told the show's host Gretel Killeen she had enjoyed her time on the show, but admitted it had been hard.
She said she thought she was "a really good listener during her time in the Big Brother compound.
"Wow I gave some really good advice," Melanie told Killeen.
Meanwhile the Big Brother house is in for a shock, with the winner of last year's British show Portuguese transsexual Nadia Almada set to enter it on Monday night.
"No it's not Brad Pitt and no it's not Angelina Jolie," Killeen told a live audience when announcing the new intruder.
"It's someone who will put much more dynamite into the house."
Tim is favoured to win the fifth instalment of the reality show.
With the housemates being fined by Big Brother this year every time for slip ups, the prize money is currently at $600,000.
Last year's winner took home a million dollars.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Just call me Roster Girl!
This weekend marks our first week (at church) with two evening services, the first at 5pm, and the second at 7pm. And because evening rehearsals start at 3pm, we're starting to use morning and evening teams. Occasionally we'll be needed to do a full day, but not as often as usual.
Anyway, I received my roster for the next two months in the mail last week, and was amazed to see that I was only rostered on for 3 services (well three lots of two services), excluding choir, which I do if I'm not doing anything else.
Dee, our vocals coordinator, calls me "Roster Girl" - as I'm the one she calls whenever anyone else can't make it. She promised me that my "easy two months" wouldn't run as planned, and she's come through so far.
2 of our quartet members for sunday morning can't make it, due to illness or other reasons. Dee tried a few other CM team members, all of who were unavailable (yeah...) for the sunday morning...so Dee called me, and of course I said yes. So this coming sunday, I've got a 7:30am call time for the two morning services, I'll get home from those services some time after 1pm, and I'll be back at church by 3:00pm, heading home around 9pm.
Maybe I should pack a sleeping bag and stay for the day? : )
Anyway, I received my roster for the next two months in the mail last week, and was amazed to see that I was only rostered on for 3 services (well three lots of two services), excluding choir, which I do if I'm not doing anything else.
Dee, our vocals coordinator, calls me "Roster Girl" - as I'm the one she calls whenever anyone else can't make it. She promised me that my "easy two months" wouldn't run as planned, and she's come through so far.
2 of our quartet members for sunday morning can't make it, due to illness or other reasons. Dee tried a few other CM team members, all of who were unavailable (yeah...) for the sunday morning...so Dee called me, and of course I said yes. So this coming sunday, I've got a 7:30am call time for the two morning services, I'll get home from those services some time after 1pm, and I'll be back at church by 3:00pm, heading home around 9pm.
Maybe I should pack a sleeping bag and stay for the day? : )
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
All done!
Finally, after 2 weeks, and 3 attempts, I've finished all my parts for the album. Actually, I think that all the vocal parts have now been completed - and let me say, it's sounding amazing. The studio cuts have quite a raw, live-ish sound, and the live tracks we recorded at conference last year sound great too. We've recorded new lead vocals for the live stuff, as the existing lead track was pretty unusable, so we didn't try and make them perfect - even still, they're sounding great. I think the album's going to have 10 tracks on it - 5 live and 5 studio, although there are two tracks that were recorded both live and in the studio. Can't wait to hear it!
Monday, August 01, 2005
Attempt #3
Well tonight is our third attempt to get me into studio to record my parts. So far, nothing has happened that may stop me from doing exactly that. My throat is fine (I'm still a little under the weather, but that's pretty normal for this time of the year), and I think I'm sounding ok. I haven't learnt the live overdubs yet, but that wasn't my fault...we lost our copy of the dvd that I needed to watch!
The photo's ARE coming, I promise! I think it's just a USB problem...
This weekend coming marks our first 5 & 7pm services for our sunday nights. I've got a feeling that after the 2 month trial, the double night meetings will stay; the church was packed last night, and it was just a normal night! I thought it was going to be full on for me, as part of the CM team, but they're using AM and PM teams, and according to my roster, I'm only on 3 times over the next 2 months (excluding choir), but then again, all it would take is for someone else to get sick, and then I'm up. (Just call me Roster Girl!)
And, don't forget, Australian Story on the ABC tonight @ 8pm.
The photo's ARE coming, I promise! I think it's just a USB problem...
This weekend coming marks our first 5 & 7pm services for our sunday nights. I've got a feeling that after the 2 month trial, the double night meetings will stay; the church was packed last night, and it was just a normal night! I thought it was going to be full on for me, as part of the CM team, but they're using AM and PM teams, and according to my roster, I'm only on 3 times over the next 2 months (excluding choir), but then again, all it would take is for someone else to get sick, and then I'm up. (Just call me Roster Girl!)
And, don't forget, Australian Story on the ABC tonight @ 8pm.
