The article below is insightful in the flawed thinking so many people have.
The idea that young children, from six weeks old, are intentionally being influenced so as to accept unquestioningly the premise that same sex relationships are 'good' is abhorrent.
For all the fuss about not being discriminatory, do people fail to recognise that what is happening here IS discrimination - against people who teach their children than same sex relationships are not good.
(And I notice the resources used to do this are government funded. Can you imagine if a non-profit group with a Christian wordview used government funds to produce books which promoted the Christian view on family?)
What this centre is doing is the classic passive aggresive tactic used. I won't explicitly say that the Christian worldview is wrong, I will just promote another philosophy that cannot co-exist with a Christian worldview. If I say same-sex sexual relationships are good, then the Christian view that says they are not obviously wrong.
So please, Mr Marrickville Mayor - don't even try to play the "Christians are discriminating" card - cause you just show you are either deceived, deceptive, or ignorant.
'Gay-friendly' child care slammed - Top stories - Breaking News 24/7 - NEWS.com.au
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Bliss and Terror
Bliss: Melody- lying in her box, with six little puppies nestled up against her.
Terror: Roland- whenever he tries to get near Melody and said puppies and Melody goes for him!
Terror: Roland- whenever he tries to get near Melody and said puppies and Melody goes for him!
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Alcohol: Abstinence from Alcohol (Official A/G Position Paper)
Alcohol: Abstinence from Alcohol (Official A/G Position Paper)
I found this yesterday. It's from the American AOG website and was put out this year, according to the copyright on it.
It's counter-cultural, courageous and could be controversial. Well worth a read!
I found this yesterday. It's from the American AOG website and was put out this year, according to the copyright on it.
It's counter-cultural, courageous and could be controversial. Well worth a read!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
There is a chance...
.. that Melody is about to have her puppies...
..updates as it becomes more clear..
..updates as it becomes more clear..
A deep, deep question
Well still home and daytime tv is pretty pitiful...
Just saw a Psychic Fair being advertised, which makes me wonder - how authentic can it be if they have to advertise it to the psychics? Shouldn't they just know!
Just saw a Psychic Fair being advertised, which makes me wonder - how authentic can it be if they have to advertise it to the psychics? Shouldn't they just know!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Incredible news!
Follow the link below and read what is nothing short of amazing. Rod Welford has announced he is dropping changes to RE which were proposed in the Education Bill. Just amazing. We may just have witnessed a miracle!
96five - Brisbane, Australia. Family's Number One!: "State Education Minister Rod Welford has anounced proposed changes to Religious Education classes in QLD state schools have now been dropped.
Below is the statement from the Minister:
Minister for Education and the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
22/05/2006
NO CHANGE TO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROVISIONS
Education Minister, Rod Welford, announced today that the Government would not be proceeding with proposed amendments to religious education provisions in the Education Bill currently before State Parliament. "
96five - Brisbane, Australia. Family's Number One!: "State Education Minister Rod Welford has anounced proposed changes to Religious Education classes in QLD state schools have now been dropped.
Below is the statement from the Minister:
Minister for Education and the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
22/05/2006
NO CHANGE TO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROVISIONS
Education Minister, Rod Welford, announced today that the Government would not be proceeding with proposed amendments to religious education provisions in the Education Bill currently before State Parliament. "
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Chubby Bunny
It's now been 48 hours since I went into the operating room to get my wisdom teeth out. It was certainly an experience. The bed you lie on has warm air blowing up underneath the bottom sheet to keep you warm cause the surgery is freezing!
The doctors were all lovely, particularly the guy who did the anaesthetic. It was the first general I've ever had so wasn't too sure what to expect - but he made you feel so relaxed (no pun intended).
When I started to wake up after the surgery, I felt like I had only been asleep for 5 minutes and thought I was still in the operating room and they hadn't given me enough. I was little concerned for a moment until a nurse next to me told me I was in recovery - a big relief!
Felt a bit sick so prayed and it settled down. The most frustrating thing was one of my eyes couldn't focus and i kept seeing double until Saturday morning...
And now - I still look like I have my mouth stuffed with marshmellows!
Have been living on ice-cream, custard, yoghurt however this morning I remembered what my good friend Matty J told me about how he lived on milkshakes - and that was much better. Anything you can drink through a straw rather than trying to put a spoon in your mouth is great!
I was hoping to be less swollen than I am. And I live from painkiller to painkiller and icepack to icepack. But overall things have proceeded very well. And I am looking forward to feeling relatively normal again.
The doctors were all lovely, particularly the guy who did the anaesthetic. It was the first general I've ever had so wasn't too sure what to expect - but he made you feel so relaxed (no pun intended).
When I started to wake up after the surgery, I felt like I had only been asleep for 5 minutes and thought I was still in the operating room and they hadn't given me enough. I was little concerned for a moment until a nurse next to me told me I was in recovery - a big relief!
Felt a bit sick so prayed and it settled down. The most frustrating thing was one of my eyes couldn't focus and i kept seeing double until Saturday morning...
And now - I still look like I have my mouth stuffed with marshmellows!
Have been living on ice-cream, custard, yoghurt however this morning I remembered what my good friend Matty J told me about how he lived on milkshakes - and that was much better. Anything you can drink through a straw rather than trying to put a spoon in your mouth is great!
I was hoping to be less swollen than I am. And I live from painkiller to painkiller and icepack to icepack. But overall things have proceeded very well. And I am looking forward to feeling relatively normal again.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
2 hours and 55 minutes to go
I am at home, after rushing out of church so I can get my assignment finished to lodge electronically before 11:59pm tonight, and I just can't get this out of my head so I am blogging it hoping that will do it!
GOD LOVES YOU MORE THAN WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR HIM
Ok - in case you got a different idea tonight- just wanted you to know that!
GOD LOVES YOU MORE THAN WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR HIM
Ok - in case you got a different idea tonight- just wanted you to know that!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Today
Today I realised again and again that Melody is getting SO pregnant and very fat - only 3 weeks to go until she has puppies!
Today I ate a lot of Steve's Easter Bunny. There's not much left of it.
Today I went back to the gym after last week's full diaryness (good thing after all that chocolate Easter Bunny too)
Today I realised I have an assignment due Sunday - not in two weeks time as I thought. Hence the research occuring tonight, but exceedingly thankful that this can be electronically lodged which meant I didn't have to post it Friday. Praise God.
Today I rang to confirm my admission to hospital next Friday to have my wisdom teeth removed.
Today I kept thinking about the beautiful food I ate last night - Pizza Capers does pizza VERY well!
Today I am thankful - because God is so good and His mercy endures forever
Today I ate a lot of Steve's Easter Bunny. There's not much left of it.
Today I went back to the gym after last week's full diaryness (good thing after all that chocolate Easter Bunny too)
Today I realised I have an assignment due Sunday - not in two weeks time as I thought. Hence the research occuring tonight, but exceedingly thankful that this can be electronically lodged which meant I didn't have to post it Friday. Praise God.
Today I rang to confirm my admission to hospital next Friday to have my wisdom teeth removed.
Today I kept thinking about the beautiful food I ate last night - Pizza Capers does pizza VERY well!
Today I am thankful - because God is so good and His mercy endures forever
When pressing the print button just doesn't do it for you!
I am currently sitting at my desk, with cold toes - hang on -
ok - now wearing my lime green ballet slippers which I bought with Steff and Laura on Saturday (ask them about their big day out) so toes are now warm and toasty -
so - I am sitting at my desk and have been researching for an assignment due at the end of this week so now have 35 different journal articles to print out and read.
It's very boring printing 35 articles. Ahh - the research process...
Why am I printing them all out? I find it easier to print out articles and read them through so I can underline, scribble etc rather than just read them on a screen. Maybe that doesn't make me a true new tchnology girl - I'm not sure?
Anyway - will blog about other random things in another post I think...
ok - now wearing my lime green ballet slippers which I bought with Steff and Laura on Saturday (ask them about their big day out) so toes are now warm and toasty -
so - I am sitting at my desk and have been researching for an assignment due at the end of this week so now have 35 different journal articles to print out and read.
It's very boring printing 35 articles. Ahh - the research process...
Why am I printing them all out? I find it easier to print out articles and read them through so I can underline, scribble etc rather than just read them on a screen. Maybe that doesn't make me a true new tchnology girl - I'm not sure?
Anyway - will blog about other random things in another post I think...
Friday, May 05, 2006
a big week
Well it's been a big week.
It's been a good week though.
One of those weeks which makes you realise afresh how wonderful all the people are that are in your life.
Watching people serve so selflessly, and so well, helps me remember how blessed I am to be doing life with all of you.
It's been a good week though.
One of those weeks which makes you realise afresh how wonderful all the people are that are in your life.
Watching people serve so selflessly, and so well, helps me remember how blessed I am to be doing life with all of you.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
The Sofitel Club Lounge
To celebrate our anniversary, we stayed at the Sofitel and througha club membership we have, had access to the Sofitel Club Lounge.
Well, well, well - very nice indeed!
You can pop up to the 30th floor anytime and get a range of teas - herbal or otherwise, hot chocolates or espresso coffees. It comes from one of those automated espresso machine which grinds the beans and heats the milk, and while I am not a big fan of them, it was one of the better ones I have used.
They also have refreshments available all day - sandwiches (very nices ones too), biscotti, fruit etc. They also have a great breakfast - buffet style, with bacon, eggs, mushrooms etc, as well as an outstanding array of danishes, cereals, fruit, nudie drinks, toast, cold meats, cheese etc.
There are some really nice big screen tv's, lovely leather lounges, newspapers, magazines, internet, chess boards and a really nice view!
It was just lovely and really added to the stay. The best thing is it is all included in your room price, which we also got at a good rate. So we would definitely recommend it!
Well, well, well - very nice indeed!
You can pop up to the 30th floor anytime and get a range of teas - herbal or otherwise, hot chocolates or espresso coffees. It comes from one of those automated espresso machine which grinds the beans and heats the milk, and while I am not a big fan of them, it was one of the better ones I have used.
They also have refreshments available all day - sandwiches (very nices ones too), biscotti, fruit etc. They also have a great breakfast - buffet style, with bacon, eggs, mushrooms etc, as well as an outstanding array of danishes, cereals, fruit, nudie drinks, toast, cold meats, cheese etc.
There are some really nice big screen tv's, lovely leather lounges, newspapers, magazines, internet, chess boards and a really nice view!
It was just lovely and really added to the stay. The best thing is it is all included in your room price, which we also got at a good rate. So we would definitely recommend it!
Monday, April 24, 2006
The power of our message
I have been thinking a lot about the power of our message.
The Christian message is incredibly complex, and also incredibly simple.
In it's complexity it provides a foundation on which to structure society - hygiene, notions of welfare, family units, education etc
In it's simplicity it say "God loves you"
I love our message. It is the power of God to change my life and my world.
The Christian message is incredibly complex, and also incredibly simple.
In it's complexity it provides a foundation on which to structure society - hygiene, notions of welfare, family units, education etc
In it's simplicity it say "God loves you"
I love our message. It is the power of God to change my life and my world.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
He must be loose out there!
"In many respects I find an unresurrected Jesus easier to accept. Easter makes him dangerous. Because of Easter, I have to listen to his extravagant claims and can no longer pick and choose from his sayings. Moreover, Easter means he must be loose out there somewhere." - Philip Yancey
Monday, April 17, 2006
The Christian paradox - In Depth - theage.com.au
My friend emailed me this article today and it provides good food for thought. Some of my comments are below the link to the article.
The Christian paradox - In Depth - theage.com.au
Essentially, the author is arguing that the church has become too self-focused and no longer promotes the idea of 'love your neighbour as yourself'.
My thoughts.
1. He is plainly coming from a communist/socialist philosophy which obviously biases his comments. He states the following "A rich man came to Jesus one day and asked what he should do to get into heaven. Jesus did not recommend that he should invest, spend and let the benefits trickle down; he said sell what you have, give the money to the poor and follow me. Few plainer words have been spoken."
He conveniently forgets that Jesus also had many rich followers of whom he didn't make the same demand, and in fact, was supported by them.
2. He promotes the idea that it is wrong and un-Christian to argue for tax cuts, on the basis that we should look after the poor with that tax money. Arguing for tax cuts means you don't care for the poor.
However, this thinking doesn't recognise that there are ways to look after the poor without taxes. I know some people think that the responsibility to look after the poor was given to the church not the state, so shouldn't even be a state concern. (I think it's both). As far as I am aware, non-Government organisations seem to be able to provide much more effective poverty relief than governments. If the author's concern is for the poor, perhaps a more innovative suggestion would be arguing for greater tax cuts for those who give generously to NGO poverty relief programs.
3. He has an obvious dislike of mega churches, which he doesn't really supply a reason for that I can see.
4. Finally, I have to say, he nearly lost me at the following statement. "And the Catholic Church, for most of its American history a sturdy exponent of a love-your-neighbour theology, has been weakened, too, its hierarchy increasingly motivated by a focus on abortion."
Could someone tell me when innocent unborn babies, and stressed, unsupported mothers who abort, lost their status as our neighbours?
Anyway - your thoughts?
The Christian paradox - In Depth - theage.com.au
Essentially, the author is arguing that the church has become too self-focused and no longer promotes the idea of 'love your neighbour as yourself'.
My thoughts.
1. He is plainly coming from a communist/socialist philosophy which obviously biases his comments. He states the following "A rich man came to Jesus one day and asked what he should do to get into heaven. Jesus did not recommend that he should invest, spend and let the benefits trickle down; he said sell what you have, give the money to the poor and follow me. Few plainer words have been spoken."
He conveniently forgets that Jesus also had many rich followers of whom he didn't make the same demand, and in fact, was supported by them.
2. He promotes the idea that it is wrong and un-Christian to argue for tax cuts, on the basis that we should look after the poor with that tax money. Arguing for tax cuts means you don't care for the poor.
However, this thinking doesn't recognise that there are ways to look after the poor without taxes. I know some people think that the responsibility to look after the poor was given to the church not the state, so shouldn't even be a state concern. (I think it's both). As far as I am aware, non-Government organisations seem to be able to provide much more effective poverty relief than governments. If the author's concern is for the poor, perhaps a more innovative suggestion would be arguing for greater tax cuts for those who give generously to NGO poverty relief programs.
3. He has an obvious dislike of mega churches, which he doesn't really supply a reason for that I can see.
4. Finally, I have to say, he nearly lost me at the following statement. "And the Catholic Church, for most of its American history a sturdy exponent of a love-your-neighbour theology, has been weakened, too, its hierarchy increasingly motivated by a focus on abortion."
Could someone tell me when innocent unborn babies, and stressed, unsupported mothers who abort, lost their status as our neighbours?
Anyway - your thoughts?
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Not just like any other
I was driving to the shops Monday night to get some groceries and heard on the radio that the Broncos were playing football on Friday night. I was immediately irritated. It's Good Friday - the day that we have off to reflect on the death of Jesus Christ, and the NRL is putting on a match. At least the AFL played Thursday night.
This 'football on Friday' thing has stuck with me for the last few days, and is still no less irritating to me.
I have been thinking about why it is so annoying to me. (In fact, the football will not be on at our place Friday night - even though we are having some people over for dinner who would probably love to watch it - and may leave in order to do so!)
This is what I have worked through. Perhaps I am over-reacting? But here's my thoughts anyway.
The reason I hate this so much, is because it is treating Good Friday just like every other day. There's football every other Friday night. But it's not every other day. It's the day we remember what Jesus went through on the cross for us.
We have a public holiday for that reason.
And while I keep hearing that we live in a pluralistic society, I don't see anyone NOT taking the public holiday because they don't believe in what it stands for.
I am also very aware that Jesus Christ is increasingly being marginalised in our society and that the days we have set aside as a society to remember or honour Him are increasingly being secularised. In fact, I even heard ads for Easter Buns the other day - what, we can't say Hot Cross Buns now?
Putting on a game of football, to make money and entertain, seems to trivialise and marginalise this day - to treat it just like any other Friday.
And I wondered - why does society treat such holy days so lightly?
Then I wondered if it is because His church have treated them so lightly.
We don't seem great at finding a balance between the extremes of meaningless rituals, or absolutely no way of marking holy moments.
We will be marking it by having a meal with people who are in the community of faith made possible by the death of Jesus. We will do something different. We will cut some things out of our life for one day, so that we are reminded this is a special day.
It is not just a day like any other.
This 'football on Friday' thing has stuck with me for the last few days, and is still no less irritating to me.
I have been thinking about why it is so annoying to me. (In fact, the football will not be on at our place Friday night - even though we are having some people over for dinner who would probably love to watch it - and may leave in order to do so!)
This is what I have worked through. Perhaps I am over-reacting? But here's my thoughts anyway.
The reason I hate this so much, is because it is treating Good Friday just like every other day. There's football every other Friday night. But it's not every other day. It's the day we remember what Jesus went through on the cross for us.
We have a public holiday for that reason.
And while I keep hearing that we live in a pluralistic society, I don't see anyone NOT taking the public holiday because they don't believe in what it stands for.
I am also very aware that Jesus Christ is increasingly being marginalised in our society and that the days we have set aside as a society to remember or honour Him are increasingly being secularised. In fact, I even heard ads for Easter Buns the other day - what, we can't say Hot Cross Buns now?
Putting on a game of football, to make money and entertain, seems to trivialise and marginalise this day - to treat it just like any other Friday.
And I wondered - why does society treat such holy days so lightly?
Then I wondered if it is because His church have treated them so lightly.
We don't seem great at finding a balance between the extremes of meaningless rituals, or absolutely no way of marking holy moments.
We will be marking it by having a meal with people who are in the community of faith made possible by the death of Jesus. We will do something different. We will cut some things out of our life for one day, so that we are reminded this is a special day.
It is not just a day like any other.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
A point to ponder...
If someone gave you $1000, and told you to spend it any way you wanted to, how would you spend it?
Friday, April 07, 2006
From a hero of mine
"I am serene. I have full awareness of what I have chosen ... If I must die, I will die. Somebody, a long time ago, did it for all of us ... I never thought it would end this way. But I am ready to face the consequences." - Abdul Rahman, an Afghan convert to Christianity, quoted in AP
On another note, I have also just found out that the Courier is running my piece on binge drinking on Monday, questioning some of the underlying assumptions we hold as a society about alcohol...
On another note, I have also just found out that the Courier is running my piece on binge drinking on Monday, questioning some of the underlying assumptions we hold as a society about alcohol...
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Joy o joy!
Well yesterday I found out some very good news. At Hillsong this year, every registered delegate gets a reserved, ticketed seat to one of the two night meetings each night! As long as you are in your seat 15 minutes before the session starts, you have your seat.... which means no lining up for two hours. Yippee! *** Ruth does dance of joy ***
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