post supportMIKE

I hate any facebook quiz*

2010-01-09T14:29:00.000+11:00

I’ve recently been alerted to a new scourge that is tearing at the very fabric of society and the social and communicative norms on which the great Internet itself was founded. I’m talking about the facebook quiz. You probably think it’s harmless bit of fun but how wrong you are. I am convinced that every time someone takes a facebook quiz somewhere in the world a small cute cuddly furry animal dies**.

“Mike has just taken the ‘Which Couch are You Quiz’…” Really? Are you serious? Since when has a human being ever looked like a couch? How has knowing this useless piece of information enriched my life? Will I be able to sit on my friend next time I visit or bump into them in the street? I don’t think so. My life will continue just the same whether little Jonny is a leather armchair or a bar stool.

If you want to share useless information with the world, start a blog that’s what I did.

*I think I originally wrote this about a year ago
**I have no evidence for this

Does blogger even still work?

2010-01-09T14:27:00.000+11:00

And more importantly does anyone read this blog?

Brett Geeves again

2009-07-08T09:46:00.003+10:00

I've blogged before about Tasmanian cricketer Brett Geeves. He's got a new post up on his blog. It's hilarious and you should definitely read it right now.

Back to work.

The best problem in the world to have?

2009-06-26T14:22:00.006+10:00

Too much money! Am I the most successful fundraiser in MTS apprenticeship history? Well unlikely... I have however managed to raise extra money above and beyond my wage. In fact more than $2000 extra... this I'm told by MTS minions in high places is pretty rare.

My reason for posting this is two fold.

Firstly I want to again thank all the people who helped and contributed to my MTS apprenticeship over the two years I did it. I am extremely grateful and have been blessed by people's generosity. I am humbled that people believe in my Christian work and abilities.

Secondly I'm faced with the question of what should I do with the money? The Crossroads powers that be have offered the following options.

1. TBT for 2010
2. Jake Bevan and his MTS apprenticeship
3. A Crossroads Data Projector Laptop
4. UFC work by Mikey Lynch

What do you think?

I'm sick at home but I'd rather be at work

2009-06-26T13:47:00.006+10:00

I'm sitting at home on the couch surrounded by tissues, on an self enforced day off work sick. I have some sort of cold thing (just over a week after getting a "flu shot"). I know it's not a "cold shot" but still I hate crappy sick. This is made more frustrating given I really wanted to go to work today. I like my work.

My blogging has been pretty sparse mostly because I'm really busy. On the other hand I've been loving micro blogging on Twitter. I signed up for Twitter a while back and wasn't quite sure what to do with it. The clincher for me was integrating it into a little chat based program for Mac called Adium. Adium quickly and easily allows me instant chat multiplatform.

Most usefully I can update my status from Twitter* then it automatically updates across, MSN, Gmail chat, and of course Facebook. Tweets from people I'm following on Twitter pop up just like normal conversations in chat tab. It's very neat.

I know many of you out there aren't convinced by Twitter and would argue "it's just another thing" and "waste of time". However I think if you can integrate it somehow into the exisiting systems you use, you won't find it hugly intrustive or time wasting. Just some food for thought.

*Twitter support for Adium is still currently in beta and can be found here.

Old skool and sucking the marrow out

2009-06-07T13:12:00.006+10:00

This weekend I felt like throwing some stuff out. There's nothing like visiting someone older to remind you of all the useless junk one can accumulate in a lifetime, but I digress... So I went through some old Christian stuff I had put in folders. "Back in the day" We ran a ministry training course called "Fightclub" where we trained each other to live and appy the Christian life.

Check out Salt Magazine (in blue) from the year 2000... errgh yuck.

There's probably about a whole ream of paper's worth in the picture I'm throwing out. Some of the topics covered included "Sexual Holiness" "Spong Spotting and Hin Hunting" tonnes of stuff about "Training", a couple of things on "How to apply the Bible". Three lots of stuff on How to write a sermon. Also covered was "The Gentle art of Evangelising Ockers" "Dealing with infertility" (I don't think any of us had kids at the time) and "Branding and the Christian Ethos".

As I trawled through all the paper, there was about 4 folders worth, (I've kept 3) it occurred to me that I've kept more information from "Flightclub" than from any of my uni courses. In fact I probably did more learning and working at church than I did at Uni during this period of my life. I don't regret it for a second. Looking back it's the stuff I learned during "Flightclub" that I value the most and reap the reward from now.

Clarkson on Aussie cars. File under C for cultural engagement

2009-06-03T12:46:00.004+10:00

You can learn much about our great country and the history of motor sport in this little review. Here's a taster...

At the Bathurst race from which this limited-edition Vauxhall takes its name, there are pitched battles between gangs of Ford and GM fans. Proper bike-chains-and-flamethrower, Hell’s Angel-type stuff. And the only time they ever came together was when a chap called Jim Richards won in a Nissan Skyline. Such was the torrent of catcalls as he climbed onto the podium, he leant into the microphone and called the entire crowd “a pack of arseholes”.
(more here)

Pimp my ride.

2009-05-24T10:21:00.003+10:00

Thanks to uncle Davo Olivia has the most fully sick pimped out Mountain Buggy ever.

Skulls on pram wheels... are totally awesome. Rush in to Kens Self Cycles in town, ask for Dave, and reserve yours today.

Slumdog wolf shirts

2009-05-22T22:07:00.004+10:00

Two awesome things happened to me tonight. First, I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire which is, without a doubt the best film of 2008 (sorry Adam it was much better than the Dark Knight). Second Christine tipped me off about the Three Wolf Moon Tee Shirt phenomenon over on Amazon.com. If you don't think the click is worth it here's the review that started it...

"This item has wolves on it which makes it intrinsically sweet and worth 5 stars by itself, but once I tried it on, that's when the magic happened. After checking to ensure that the shirt would properly cover my girth, I walked from my trailer to Wal-mart with the shirt on and was immediately approached by women... As I arrived at Wal-mart, mounted my courtesy-scooter (walking is such a drag!) sitting side saddle so that my wolves would show. While I was browsing tube socks, I could hear aroused asthmatic breathing behind me. I turned around to see a slightly sweaty dream in sweatpants and flip-flops standing there. She told me she liked the wolves on my shirt, I told her I wanted to howl at her moon. She offered me a swig from her mountain dew, and I drove my scooter, with her shuffling along side out the door and into the rest of our lives...

Pros: Fits my girthy frame, has wolves on it, attracts women Cons: Only 3 wolves (could probably use a few more on the 'guns'), cannot see wolves when sitting with arms crossed, wolves would have been better if they glowed in the dark. (more here)

Battling...

2009-05-09T16:41:00.002+10:00

To whom it may concern

In February 2009 I bought a Uniden cordless phone as an addition my existing cordless system. In March, having heard nothing I patiently sent the email (below) and was informed of a further delay and that the shipment was expected in April. Having heard nothing in late April I rang Uniden and spoke with a representative on the phone, who informed me that my shipment had been delayed further and was due in May

As you no doubt are aware it is now well into May and still I am yet to see any evidence of my phone ordered and paid for in full back in February.

Frankly I think this is a disgusting way to treat a valued customer. For a shipment to be delayed for this length of time is to my mind unacceptable. It is especially disappointing that I have not been kept up to date as to the expected arrival of my goods. Instead I have had to take the responsibility of chasing you for goods that I paid for. This is just not good enough.

In my years of successful Internet shopping I have never experienced such disappointing service. As it stands at the moment I cannot possibly recommend you, your products or services to friends and acquaintances

I look forward to hearing how I can be adequately compensated for my wasted time and money.

Regards Mike Jolly

The joy of ebay...

2009-04-24T21:29:00.006+10:00

By the time you read this I will have probably sold Christine's old iBook computer on ebay. It's pretty exciting for me because I've never delved into the dark realms of selling or buying on ebay for myself.

Recently as you may know I got a new computer for work which in turn meant that my faithful black Macbook became Christine's. We put her cute little iBook away purely for setimental reasons... until I suggested we have some fun and put it on ebay. Christine was most agreeable (she's not very attached to "stuff"). I wiped the hard drive, ran all the system tests on it and did a fresh install of the Operational System.

At the moment the bidding stands at $360 crazy stuff. I'll keep you posted.

Work...

2009-04-17T20:20:00.008+10:00

It's amazing how much can happen in a just a couple of weeks. I have to pinch myself on my way home from work when I think about how lucky I am to have landed my job. To give a bit more information I have an official title something like "Design and Support". What this actually means is I put together brochures, photo boards and various advertising for the houses we sell. My job also has scope to work on improving and implementing some new organizational systems. It's also meant I've been able to get a brand new mabook with Adobe CS3 for my design work and get to indulge my 'analness' which is most satisfying.

In short I really enjoy my job I find it interesting, challenging enjoyable I am very greatful for the opportunity the guys at Petrusma have given me. Pop onto thier website and have look it's pretty schmick.

In other news I bought Christine an iphone... (which I think is a nursing Mum's best friend) after her Mum washed her old one while she was here. Christine loves using it to do her email, facebook and skype while holding Olivia with the other arm. In fact she doesn't really use her computer (my old one) anymore.

And finally K Rudd gave me my 900. Seeing all my dreams have come true at the moment maybe I'll give it away.

The message of easter pick-a-match

2009-04-13T08:43:00.008+10:00

"Jesus was the deposit and the connection point when he was hanging on the cross at Calvary to unite us to the mains power source of heaven so we can experience a healthy well balanced life."
"We do know what is right and that from deep within the soul an inner voice makes this clear to us... let us take time out to reflect , to listen for the inner voice of the spirit and as it leads us into what is right and good, let us know it and do it and thereby demonstrate new truth in our world."
"How many of us continue to live in fear anxiety and guilt how many of us feel that we have been crucified by a cruel world?... Out of the darkness of our pain and fear we can find our true selves and come to know something of life in all its abundance."
" Easter is the time we remember just how serious God is about sin - serious enough to send his son to die on the cross so our sin could be forgiven... Jesus died for our sins. Not for them, but against them to forgive us and to set us free, so we can rid ourselves of the effects of living our lives independent of God."
"Include the resurrection and we have the greatest demonstration of love and the most amazing hope for a hurting world that history has ever seen. Jesus dealt with the greatest issue facing mankind today - our brokenness and sin - and his resurrection proves he is who he said he was."
"Christ sends the message return to the beginning. This is what the resurrection personally challenges us to do, seek that renewal by returning to the dream, the hope and the discipleship. Often our faith becomes tested and our dreams become crucified, but, like the disciples we must return to our Galilee or Jerusalem where we can experience a resurrection in ourselves."
"The message of the cross is this; God who is holy cannot dwell with that which is unholy. To do so would be impossible... human beings must be somehow transformed so that they can be holy or "righteous". Righteousness is not about living a better life than others but about being in a right relationship with God."
"Where is consolation found amidst the anxieties and tragedies of life... May Christ's promise of his presence... be real to me... May the resurrection be my trust and hope. The promise of my eternal dwelling with Christ where there will be no more tears and sorrow give me comfort and resilience to go on."

A) David Jones (Presbyterian)
B) Kay Groves (Churches of Christ)
C) John Harrower (Anglican)
D) Lucas Jacometti (CCC)
E)Andrew Glenn (Uniting Church)
F) Graham McClimont (Salvos)
G) Adrian Doyle (Catholic)
H) Bernard Cottuli (AOG)

*Picture courtesy of number one google image search for Jesus.

The problem with Christianity is...

2009-04-05T19:20:00.002+10:00

...you guys dress badly.*

The guys and girls from UFC are asking this question for their mission at the University. And people have responded. You can read the full number of responses here. (the formatting is pretty hideous but it's a good read).

I especially recommend the responses to anyone who works in christian ministry. Asking the world questions about how Christians are perceived is always a great way to engage with people evangelistically.

*I've been saying this for a while now.

In brief...

2009-04-04T11:47:00.005+11:00

We got robbed. I confronted the guy in our bedroom. He apologised and gave me back the cash he'd taken off my desk. I proceeded to call the police while giving chase but the guy but he got away when he jumped a fence and I went to try and cut him off.
I've completed two weeks full time work. I have much to write but not enough time to write it down. My new job is working for Petrusma Property. It's a great job and much better suited to me. I do editing, graphic design, IT and other ninja stuff.
Working full time on top of Jane work and Baby stuff is hard and I'm very tired.
I'm getting a new computer for my work which is very tasty.
Christine's parents have gone back to Germany. It was awesome having them here they were a tremendous help.
Olivia is still a little monkey.
My life is never boring.

Olivia and the airwalk

2009-03-29T09:55:00.000+11:00

Christine and I along with both sets of parents went down to the Tahune Airwalk last Saturday. It was the first trial run of the Mountain Buggy. I was on my best behavior until the lady at the front desk, glancing at my Mountain Buggy pram, said "If you need some help we can call and get someone to drive you up there."

Part of me wanted to piffle her in the head for a) doubting my awesomeness* and b) doubting the MB. "You won't be able to get up the the stairs." she insisted. Part of me inside wanted to yell "Don't you know I AM MAN! Me have Mountain Buggy!" but I mercifully refrained.

Not only did I push the MB all the way up the stairs but also all the way down. It's a tough pram and Olivia, strapped in tight, loved it. About half way up Christine's Dad spotted a group of grey haired older folk sitting taking a breather. He walked up to them...
"So you guys are all here ready for the bungee jumping class?" he announced, as though he was running the course. I had to run away before I wet myself.

* I probably mean "determination"

You need new glasses... or why I quit.

2009-03-28T10:42:00.007+11:00

So I got a job... finally. After about two months with no full time job* I was really grateful to these guys for giving me a job as an Opticians Assistant. I'm cautious about saying too much now but I very much enjoyed the short time I worked there.

On Monday afternoon just hours into my new job I received a call from a good friend who was really keen for me to work for his company. A position had just become available. The offer was too good to refuse. It was more suitable to my skills and talents as well as being more money. Once I made my decision (and it took me a while) I went and tendered my resignation as Opticians Assistant. I did however complete the week of training finishing on Friday afternoon.

In one week as an OA I learned heaps. I learned how to fix and pull apart a number of different types of glasses and frames. I learned about different types of lenses, coatings, contact lenses, and sunglasses, frames, transitions… the list goes on. I also had my eyes thoroughly tested (it turned out they are still fine).

Most of all I enjoyed being part of a local Tasmanian business that appreciates and actually cares not just for it’s employees but also it’s customers and patients. I would highly recommend that if you need to get glasses or have your eyes checked (it’s free every 2 years in Oz) then you visit a Total Eyecare store near you. And while it might not be the cheapest place in Hobart to visit, it would be the best… they even bought me a farewell cake. Total Eyecare thank you.

*My job as Resident Fellow at Jane is part time.

Being a bloke 101

2009-03-20T21:59:00.005+11:00

I've blogged some stuff about masculinity and christian masculinity before 1, 2, 3, 4. It's a good topic and one I shall continue to follow with interest. I read this just this evening on the Gospel and Culture Project blog.

"...in defining masculinity and femininity in static terms, and then in re-enforcing those understandings, many evangelical writers turn a blind eye to ways in which their own culture has shaped their notions of what seems “natural.”

You can read the rest of the article here.

Brett Geeves Blog

2009-03-19T13:53:00.002+11:00

To: info@tascricket.com.au
Subject: Brett Geeves Blog

Hey guys
I was wondering if you could provide an RSS feed for Brett Geeves very excellent blog. It's a pretty common practice in the web world.

If you don't know what I'm talking about then this is perhaps a request to pass on to your web/internet monkeys. Oh and tell Brett his blog kicks ****.

Cheers Mike Jolly

h/t Angus for link to his blog.

I heart twitter

2009-03-17T10:12:00.003+11:00

I'm loving twitter at the moment. I had this piece of ministry advice come through this morning from Mark Driscoll on twitter.

Spend money on those things that grow the ministry and not simply on those things that make it easier.

It's good advice for Dan and Crossroads. Read more here.

The rock concert... what happend to the drunk girl?

2009-03-14T11:52:00.009+11:00

It’s early on a Saturday night and I’m sitting on my prime-viewing ledge at the University Union bar. The gig starts. A guy in a crazy green suit wanders on stage (see below). His lyrics are garbled noise over a disco pop beat with a really heavy bass. He screams… a lot. From my position I watch as he wanders the room assaulting members of the audience and screaming in their faces. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. I want to hate and dismiss him as a crazy wanker but he’s just too keen.

I'm getting bored. On the other side of the room I spot a security guy with his fluro top on inside out. Classic. Next a guy walks past me wearing sunglasses on his head. No kidding. It’s night and we’re indoors. Evidently his girlfriend has the same disease of stupid cause she has her sunglasses on her head too. In front of me stands meat head man with a mullet that partially obscures his Opeth tee.

The support band come out, Trial Kennedy. They rock hard in a way your Mum would hate. Their drummer doesn't have a shirt. They have strong harmonious vocals reminiscent of The Butterfly Effect. People look more drunk. It dawns on me that in order to dance up the front you need a lot of confidence or just be really pissed. I can’t see myself doing either maybe that’s why I don’t dance.

It’s about 11pm when Birds of Tokyo come on stage. The lead singer looks like my computer nerd friend Matt. He dances with a sort of jerky nerdy motions. His vocals are spot on. The crowd seems to pulsate in time to the music like a large bodily organ. It’s the middle of the concert and a slight framed (drunk) girl jumps up next to me and proceeds to fall asleep. I’m not sure how, the music is very loud. Jason leans in and asks me if she’s ok.

They pump through their songs and people seem to enjoy it. Light explodes all over the room, music washes over me. I tap along. It’s a nice night out and I feel young again.

Choosing a pram... controversy.

2009-03-12T11:09:00.016+11:00

I finally bought a pram. I looked at a number of different ones and finally narrowed it down to two. Phil and Teds and Mountain Buggy. The particular models I was looking at were the urban elite and the Phil and Teds dash and vibe (probably the natural competitor of the urban elite).

I had many strong recommendations for the phil and teds from closely trusted and valued friends and it did present a strong case. However my problems with the Phil and Teds were...

It is a compromise pram. Bad for one child but good for two.
The second seat needs to be removed before the pram is folded.
It felt really clunky to drive especially with one child. I felt like I needed a longer handle.
Having the capability for two seats upsets the balance of the pram when you have one child. I found it really difficult to maneuver around up and down curbs and bumps when I tried it out.
The phil and teds (vibe) had very large footprint ruling it out.
The hand brake while sounding good seemed fiddly to use in real life.
Everyone has Phil and Teds (I'm not a follower of pram trends).

On the flip side the Mountain Buggy...

All the Mountain Buggy prams felt beautifully balanced. Compared to the dash and vibe the urban elite wins on overall feel and drive-ability (all far superior).
The urban elite and vibe cost about the same. The dash was slightly cheaper.
The handle seemed to be slightly longer suiting the taller person.
The Mountain Buggy is undoubtedly the better pram in terms of quality and make. The urban elite made from more durable fade resistant, water resistant canvas. The dash was just made from normal cordura (not as good).
While it had a slightly larger footprint it still fitted easily in the small hatch of my car.
When I thought about it I'd rather have a good one seat pram for a while then trade up later.
The mountain buggy looks way way cooler.

My conclusion; The Phil and Teds is great if you have a couple of kids it's a bit clunky and not easy to maneuver. However the Mountain Buggy's superior comfort and drive-ability mean that for one child you won't ever regret buying it... that is until you have another child. It'll be controversial I know, but I bought the better pram... the Mountain Buggy urban elite*.

* If you are wondering about Christine's opinion, she was happy with either pram. My feeling was that I should buy the best pram I could for her and the Mountain Buggy simply best met that requirement.

Only in Australia

2009-03-10T10:58:00.003+11:00

"Kangaroo intruder terrorizes sleeping family"

...No I'm not kidding. It happens all the time. ;)

h/t Seumas

Know your issues...

2009-03-09T10:56:00.003+11:00

I’ve been asked a number of times how I knew that Christine was the right one to marry. I’ve really struggled to put it into words until last night. I was watching a sermon and it suddenly dawned on me that you should marry someone you agree with. I think this is good advice not just for Christians but in relationships more widely. Many Christian guys I know have a list of things in their head it goes something like this; Is she Christian? Is she hot? Is she single? Sometimes in reverse order.

I’m not trying to critique this particular view but I would like to add an element to it. Marry someone you agree with. I’m not saying you need to agree with absolutely everything (that would make life boring). What I am saying is it’s not as simple as just marrying another Christian… “Ok are we both Christians? Yep. Let’s go for it.”

Everyone has “issues” both theological and otherwise. This could include the type of church you attend, the style of worship you enjoy, whether you think the wife should stay at home with the kids, right down to whether you leave the toilet seat up and where jam is stored (cupboard or fridge).

All of these things are “issues”. To marry right you must know your issues. More importantly know which ones you can let go and which ones you can’t. If you are passionate about the toilet seat but don’t care if your wife is the breadwinner then bully for you. But know which issues you have to hold to and which ones you can let go. One of the biggest mistakes I made in my relationships was to think that I didn’t have any issues. I thought that I was godly enough just to let things go. I wasn’t and I learned the hard way.

So if you are dating (or thinking of it) let me ask you some questions. What are your issues? What things can you flex on and which one’s can’t you flex on? Here was my list of non flexible theological issues in order of importance.

Christian?
Passionate about ministry and involved in church?
Strong theology of the roles of men and women in the church and home?
Calvinist?
Theology of spirits work in believers*?

* What I mean here is I potentially couldn’t marry someone who had a Pentecostal view of the second baptism of the Spirit.

Ten years ago this year...

2009-03-06T10:11:00.004+11:00

This year it’ll be ten years since I became a Christian. My story is pretty ordinary. There were no fireworks, explosions, blinding lights not even a voice in the night. It is the journey of the mind and the heart to an understanding of the graciousness of Jesus.

I was brought up in a Christian home but didn’t really take it too seriously. Late in year twelve one of my friends challenged me about how I lived my life. I knew I needed to fix things up in my life. I treated people around me pretty poorly including my parents and friends. I was a selfish and angry dude but I was also upset and broken. I can remember riding my bike down to the water and bawling my eyes out with frustration at life too often.

As I began to try and clean my life up I spent some time around people who read the Bible and prayed each day. The Bible for them wasn’t just a devotional and inspirational text but a book to be studied, understood and read in context like any textbook. I realise that sounds dry but for me this was revolutionary. It engaged not just my heart but my mind also.

For this reason I left my parents church met some other people who would have a profound influence on helping me to understand the gospel properly. I can still remember doing SUS (a Bible study on the first 5 chapters of Romans) for the first time. It was upstairs in a pub with people who weren't old. One night I remember I was especially struck by the Bible’s claim that all people deserved God’s judgment and condemnation. I knew I wasn't a good person.

As I went home I can remember thinking that Christian’s didn’t go to hell, but I wasn’t sure why. Later that night I read ahead of the study to Romans 3

Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn't by obeying the Law of Moses. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.

That night understood grace from God in sending his son Jesus, for the very first time.

Flowing locks. Shameful but true.

2009-03-04T14:38:00.000+11:00

What: I'm giving away Michael Bolton's Said I Loved You But I Lied from the album The One Thing.
Type: CD Single includes bonus track Soul Provider.
Condition: Used... but very good condition I probably listened to it once. Also contains small picture of Michael Bolton with chest hair (sorry no picture).

Does ANYONE want this CD or should I just break it up and do the world a favor?

Some random reflections on birth

2009-03-01T17:01:00.010+11:00

I don't think anything can prepare you for the birth of your own child. In spite of all the gruesome videos and books and parenting classes. Having a kid changes everything.
Everyone is an expert when it come to raising children. "Sleep for 3 hours feed for 1... you must get routine." "I can't believe you let other people hold her." "I can't believe..," the list goes on.
Everyone has their own little bit of advice about what to do. Very often most of the advice is contradictory other advice you will receive. I've tried to pick what I reckon is right. Trying to weigh it up make a wise choice.
Listening to your own child cry really chills you to the bone in a way that listening to to other people's kids crying doesn't.
I have a new appreciation and respect for women especially those who go through child birth.
You don't always do things the way your parents did. You can set your mind to do stuff differently... and succeed.
Don't be afraid to break conventions. There seem to heaps of unwritten rules when it come to child rearing. It always feels like someone is judging you for the decisions you make, push on they are your child.
In the parenting DVD I watched, men were made to look pretty useless when it came to helping Mums out. I was disappointed. I'm trying hard to be the bathing and nappy changing ninja. I am not some useless male oaf.
I've found the need to be confident and strong even when I don't feel it. I need to do this to support my wife and child. They are both vulnerable at the moment.
I'm glad I haven't got a job yet as it's meant I've been able to spend heaps of quality time with Olivia and Christine.
It's been nice having people drop by and give presents. It's much appreciated.
I promise I will not use a picture of just Olivia as my profile picture... anywhere. Just as I promised I wouldn't use my wedding photos as profile pictures. To be honest I find this practice a little lame*.
It's not possible to spend too much on a pram.

*Please try not to be offended it's just my opinion.

Car Alterations*

2009-02-23T10:51:00.004+11:00

It’s lazy Sunday afternoon and my mobile phone rings. It’s Davo. Usually when we call each other there’s a bit of silly brotherly banter and maybe an impression of our Dad… but not this time there’s a no-nonsense tone in his voice.

“Now listen carefully man. I’m serious. I’ve had an accident in the car. I’m Ok and in Launny in the Hospital.”
My guts sink in me. “You ok then?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“Camry?”
“It’s a write off."
“Oh well don’t worry about that.” (I‘ve always had a love hate relationship with that car).
“Do you want me to pick you up?” I say looking at Christine to see if it’s ok.
“Sure.”
“I’ll leave straight away seeya soon.”

I don’t think I’ve moved faster out the door in my life. Redbull check. Water check, ipod check, and I’m off. The road isn’t too busy and the traffic is light. I drive with the headlights on and the speedo bang on 110. Drink water, overtake, Campbell Town, egg and bacon pie. Time moves quickly. Two hours pass.

Davo walks out to meet me as I pull up outside the hospital. I give him a big hug that he probably doesn’t like. He tells me what happened. He’s pretty calm, Dave and are usually are pretty calm when s**t hits the fan. He tells me how the car slid off the road and how the tree just missed him. He tells me how people picked him up with all his bike stuff and helped him strip the car of it’s small Sony stereo and battery. We spend 15 mins talking to the insurance company to make sure they can recover the car before heading.

We pick up Davo’s stuff from a short stocky friendly guy we chuck it in the back of my newly fixed Corolla… it all fits. We drive back. We talk but don’t chit chat much, we don’t need to. We’ve travelled together many times before. It’s like communicating in code. We get back and it’s about 9pm. I drop Dave off after visiting Mum and Dad who are surprisingly calm.

It’s 10pm and wearily open the door to our flat.
“That you Mike?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m having some strong contractions.”

*Davo thought of this title.

5 shamefully bad CDs I've bought

2009-02-22T10:13:00.002+11:00

Celine Dion - Best of
Maria Carey – Best of
Spice Girls – Their first Album
Michael Bolton – Single
Avril Lavigne - Album

Ok so they are pretty bad. What about you? Time to own up.

I don't like Bible study but I do like Tim.

2009-02-19T11:10:00.008+11:00

Now don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't like the Bible or studying the bible itself. What I'm talking about are small groups that weekly read through a passage in the Bible with a series of set (or unset) questions. Let me try and pin why I don't like it.

It always feels out of control and messy. Sometimes it can feel like everyone wants to have their little say but we just don't get anywhere.
I'm not always awesome thinking on my feet and often struggle to "get" what people are saying.
Sometimes they end up pointless arguments over small things.
I never feel totally confident leading a study. I used to spend hours and hours preparing for studies and was still wracked with self doubt.
I freak out a bit when I can't answer every question.
It's worth noting this is my personal feeling and not a reflection on others. On the flip side I really enjoy 'one to one' and preaching... but just not Bible study.

All that brings me to the Crossroads MENS bible study which Dan roped me into running late last year. I'm about to hand it over to Tim H*. Tim previously has done an awesome job as FOCUSutas president in 2008. He's a really top bloke, tremendously encouraging, and has grown heaps in his faith over the last couple of years. I've been feeling a bit sad about handing things over. Maybe I have actually grown to enjoy my MENS Bible Study. In any case I have every faith in Tim and he'll probably do a better job than I.

Tim you get the award for being a Christian I truly respect.

*Just so you know I'm stopping the MENS study to free myself up to run another Bible study here at Jane.

Shameless Olivia Promotion

2009-02-17T21:26:00.002+11:00

More pictures over on Facebook.

Welcome to the world little girl

2009-02-16T10:19:00.003+11:00

Olivia Kious Jolly
Born 7:20am 16th February 2009

671 posts and counting

2009-02-13T11:40:00.005+11:00

I've finished the process of stitching this blog and my old blog together. It's a relatively new feature on blogger but a really useful one. You can now read all I've ever written dating back to 2006 when I started blogging as supportMIKE.

I've also updated and fixed broken links between the two blogs.
I've been over the 170 or so posts from my old blog and tagged them and done a little tidying of spelling etc.
I've fiddled with my template a bit and enlarged the regular size text to make it easier to read.
I've also updated my interests and reworked my blogger profile.

Happy reading. Enjoy.

Planet X... in grade 4

2009-02-12T13:34:00.005+11:00

This is a story I wrote in about grade four. I don't think I took it very seriously. Our teacher was Miss Ross. She was a bit older. My brother stuffed gum nuts up the exhaust pipe of her car. I didn't like her. Anyway I digress... on with the story.

It was a windy day on the Planet X. Zinca who had big teeth was on duty to make sure nobody went to the castle. There was a visitor on Planet x who didn't know anything about the planet. he walked up to the house and opened the door. Immediately he was pulled to the ground and killed.
By Michael J

This is obviously the arty illustration to go with the story.

It's time to change

2009-02-11T17:37:00.007+11:00

Drum roll please. I've finally got round relaunching my blog as promised. You'll notice a whole new look. I've been fiddling with this template for a while now. I think I'm almost happy although I'm not settled on the tabs in the bar. Feedback is always appreciated.

I'm not sure if or when I'll come back to paid church ministry stuff in the long term. There are possibilities around but that will be for 2010. As I've stated previously my current job search is for a regular style job. In the mean time I intend to keep blogging and ranting about all the stuff I usually do.

Enjoy the new look post supportMIKE... during the twilight years.

*EDIT* I have also stitched my old blog to this blog. I'll fix all the links over the next few days.

Let's play nice ok?

2009-02-11T10:41:00.008+11:00

Anonymous comments annoy me. It's no big secret.

Generally people on this blog keep their comments constructive but there are always a few that slip through. I try very hard to have a thick skin. Some of the harshest comments on this blog have stood because people used their name, but similar things said anonymously I have deleted.

Making anonymous comments isn't usually a constructive exercise. I liken it to walking into a party wearing a ski mask and proceeding insult the host and fellow guests in a loud voice. Responding to anonymous comments is also frustrating. I don't know who you are or your background. It may be simple misunderstanding or maybe I have actually offended you and should apologise. I also don't know whether you are a Christian or not*. There are any number of alternative options available to the anonymous commenter

Use a pseudonym.
Send me an email or facebook me.
Talk to me face to face.
Finally, not read my blog.

So why not turn them off then I hear to ask. Well there's few reasons. Firstly I often post about subjects that lend themselves to anonymous comments. I'm usually happy to receive people's experiences in this medium. Second some people don't have open ID or similar. Third I try to be optimistic when it comes to my readers. I'd like to think that people can be trusted to do the right thing and keep it constructive.

So let's all play nice ok?

*These sorts of simple things can make a difference as some posts are written from within a (admittedly my) Christian world view.

Porn Questions...

2009-02-06T11:33:00.003+11:00

Hey Mike,
I’m Christian bloke dating a Christian girl. Should I tell her that I used to have a problem with pornography?
Thanks heaps X

Dear X

It’s really difficult for this situation to go well either way. On the one hand fessing up is the best and most honest thing to do. Being transparent and open in a relationship especially one leaning toward marriage is very important. The point at which to do this in the relationship is harder to pin down (probably not on a first date). Let your conscience guide you.

On the flip side telling your girlfriend about your porn problem nearly always leads her to feeling betrayal and deep mistrust of you for what you’ve done. I also think the longer you leave it to tell her about the problem (eg. When you are married) the greater the damage to relationship. One friend of mine didn’t confess to his wife till after they were married. They needed to visit a counselor to work though their issues.

If you choose to tell her you need to be sensitive to her feelings. You need to validate her feelings and seek to empathise and understand how she feels. It’s right for her to feel shock, anger and betrayal. Explain to her you aren’t proud of your actions. Importantly you must tell her you’ve sought forgiveness from God. Next show her the steps you’ve put in place (accountability etc) to make sure that you don’t make the mistake again.

Finally if you find this becomes a burning issue in your relationship seek help and advice. The best thing for you to do would be to sit down with a Godly married couple preferably younger (I think it’s difficult for older people to understand the problem or porn let alone to talk about it) or alternatively a qualified counselor. They can take you through and help both of you get perspective on the issue.

Trust that helps
God bless Mike

My epic Corolla Seca... the story continues

2009-02-05T17:45:00.005+11:00

I've blogged about my car before and people weren't hugely interested but I'll persist anyway. Please know dear reader that I heard you inwardly groan as you read the title of this post. Still with me? Well read on I'll be brief. As reported back here my car looked a little like this...

The insurance company wrote the car off and gave me $4000 dollars and the wreck back... that was in September last year. Much time and effort later Jonny and I finally got it back on the road.

You can see all the rest of the photos of the build over on facebook here. The job isn't completed quite yet. Next week it'll visit the body works then after that the air conditioning will be re gassed. Don't worry I'll keep you posted.

Are you a real Atheist?

2009-02-03T20:41:00.004+11:00

A very good and interesting article over at the Sydney Morning Herald. Here's a quote to get your juices pumping.

"For a large number of people the tag "atheist" functioned as a protest against formal religion. Something similar to this may lie behind the rise of "no religion" in this country."

You can read more of John Dickson's article here.

Dear Cricket Australia

2009-01-28T14:01:00.003+11:00

28th January 2009

The Selectors: Australian Cricket Team

I am writing to you to apply for the job playing in the Australian Cricket team.

It probably hasn’t escaped your attention but we aren’t doing too well in test matches or one-day internationals. As I write this we are in grievous danger of loosing our number one team rankling. I firmly believe that I should drafted directly into the Australian Test and One Day squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa. I know this a very risky move but I truly believe that for us to become the great cricketing nation we once were, we must take risks.

Although my recent work experience hasn’t been so much Cricket related I still believe I have what it takes to be a valuable member of the touring team. In my previous lines of work I have garnered a reputation for my sense of humor and prank challenges. In spite of this I have never felt the urge to ring up radio stations while drunk. If I were to get the job I would promise to continue this exemplary behavior.

I have a broad cricketing experience. From a young age I have known and understood the great game of cricket. Similarly I have watched many matches on Television and am very passionate and animated in my support for the Australian team. Relevantly I attended the recent one-day match at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart and watched Australia win a close and exciting game. I enthusiastically participated in chanting “You are a w**ker” at the security personnel as well as the more traditional “Aussie aussie aussie, Oi oi oi”. I'm a passionate guy.

Back in 2000 and 2001 I played cricket for a local team called St Johns. In the two games I played, I only dropped two difficult catches while fielding at fine leg and third man. I was a regular and reliable member of the team and never missed a training session or felt the urge to go fishing instead. While I never scored a run batting, I was involved in a last wicket stand that would put some recent Australian batting performances to shame.

Last year I spent working in a residential college where I played “Backyard Cricket” regularly. I quickly mastered the complex system of rules including; one hand one bounce, ‘sundial’ (don’t ask), tip and run, and ‘foliage’. While not an outstanding player I was an important team member as the ‘lifer’ team defeated the ‘freshers’.

I was asked as recently as last night to play indoor cricket by a friend here at Jane in spite of him not having seen me play. This kind of self-belief is what the selectors need to show for the future of Australian cricket. I am also well versed in the ancient Australian art of sledging. I believe that political correctness has impacted poorly on the Australian teams ability to sledge well. I yearn for a return to the good old days when names like Merv, Boonie and Warnie led the way for the younger players in drinking and sledging.

In short, I believe that I’m the person the Australian team needs. I look forward to speaking with you in person.

Yours Sincerely
Michael Jolly

Twelve dollar icecream... a short story

2009-01-27T10:04:00.007+11:00

"I feel like an icecream" said Christine.
"So you want me to get some?" I said, "I reckon it would be melted by the time I get back."
"We could go together..." said Christine.

So we went for a wander down to the Salad Bowl on Australia Day to buy ice cream. Upon arrival we were confronted by a plethora of deep frozen choice. Straight away my eye was drawn to a very small (500ml) tub of ice cream.

"It's twelve bucks!" I said "I've got to see what a twelve dollar ice cream tastes like!" So I bought the Maggie Beer Vanilla Bean Elderflower Ice Cream for twelve dollars.

What did it taste like? My twelve dollar ice cream tasted crap. Vanilla Bean Elderflower Ice Cream what was I thinking? Note to self, keep it simple stupid.

Australia Day 2009

2009-01-26T15:10:00.004+11:00

Aussies in the cricket, check
Australian Open Tennis, check.... with...The Hottest 100 on the radio, check*

Beer, check
Vague attempt at looking patriotic check**

What did you do?

*in the photo of the TV above the radio is on
** I look like a tool

Mr Meaty #2

2009-01-26T11:14:00.004+11:00

Pinning down what it means to be a bloke (MAN) gets more and more difficult especially for Christian blokes. Here's a helpful collection of thoughts I've been sitting on for while now.

Stuart Scott writes

Though culture is pushing for unisex everything, men and women need be careful that they are distinguishably different from the opposite sex in appearance, mannerisms, and cultural concepts of appropriate gender behavior. Some men might need help to recognize and change effeminate habits, which they have inadvertently developed.

All men should fervently seek to pursue a true and life-changing understanding of the basic characteristics of man and Christ, take to heart specific biblical charges to men, and look for opportunities to lead, love, protect, and provide. Then, he will be a real man.

Douglas Wilson writes:

We have lost an understanding of imitative masculinity. Because of this, our boys veer into one of two ditches. Either they embrace humility without boldness which in boys is effeminate, or they embrace boldness without humility which is destructive.

John Benton writes:

There is need for repentance. Perhaps single men have used the strength they have to serve themselves rather than other people. Perhaps husbands have used their strength to dominate their wives and children. We need to learn to come back to God, back to his Word of Scripture, and learn again to walk with him. To be a loving sacrificial servant of others, as Jesus Christ was, is not to be namby-pamby. It is to be a true man.

John Piper writes,

At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a mans differing relationships.

Bad fashion... Jake Bevan

2009-01-17T17:50:00.009+11:00

Jake is one of the new MTS Apprentices* at Crossroads . Like I did, he has to raise all his own wage for his two year term. He needs your financial and prayer support... also a new pair of black socks for committing this bad fashion crime on Sunday night.

If you'd like know more or send him some dosh see here.

*The same job as I had.

Way behind I know...

2009-01-16T11:52:00.003+11:00

But this comprehensive article in the New York Times covers Christian preacher Mark Driscoll's phenomenal success and also gives a good explanation of Calvinism and Complementarianism, theological views to which I subscribe.

If you haven't already read this article or linked to it get over now and do it. I especially recommend it if you've not heard of the guy.

How to read more when you aren’t good at reading.

2009-01-08T10:35:00.008+11:00

If you aced English in year 12 this isn’t for you. If you romped through university and read more books than George Bush last year this also isn’t for you. This is for you, if you struggle to read books.

Back in primary school I used to read a lot. I didn’t get massively into classics but I read a good deal of novel trashy stuff. Then puberty happened and I started reading Asterix and Obelix, Tintin and assorted magazines much to my parents despair. Soon I began to struggle to read whole books. During my time at University I had barely read a whole book (I read the main parts) and battled get the minimum reading done for my subjects. It’s been like this ever since.

(Books beside my bed I'm reading... or trying to)

So one of my aims last year was to read more. And I succeeded. So if you are a struggler like me here are some helpful hints and tips.

Reading with someone else. Heavy theology and brain stretching stuff is best read with someone who can help you understand the terms, what is actually being said and can prod you when you nod off. Mikey and I read some of The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology And Worship by Robert Letham. It was powerfully awesome.
Finding an author. I read books by Keller, Driscoll, Miller, Dickson, Jensen and Clarkson. They write clearly and can easily be understood. I finished most of these books because they were interesting and well written. I searched out other books they'd written and bought them and read them too. I recommend these authors if you aren't a good reader.
Reading books for a purpose. I find that I’m better at reading a boring book if it’s for a particular purpose eg there's a book that addresses a particular heresy I'm interested in. I think sometimes people read “classics” not because they want to, but rather they want notches on their theological reading belt. Sometimes reading classics can just leave you bogged down and feeling depressed. Just a hunch.
Not feeling guilty if you can’t remember what you read. I used to smash myself up and try make my self take notes when I read Carson. It made reading a horrifically painful experience. I think talking to someone about what you’ve read is just as effective and less painful.
Not feeling guilty if you don’t finish reading a book. If you get the gist it’s totally ok to put the book back on the shelf. (Repeat that sentence as you do it).
Reading Multiple books at once. This was a revelation. I have about 10 books on the go at the moment. I pick up whichever one I feel like reading at the time. I have a book for every mood.
Reading on the toilet*. I’ve never been able to read the Bible on the toilet (it just didn’t feel right) but The Briefing and Wheels make for excellent trashy toilet reading (I enjoy both). More reading will help you get better at reading and make going to the toilet a more pleasant experience.

(Toilet reading; Wheels, Pulse and The Briefing)

*Safety first kids. Keep the lid down when you flush and always wash your hands.

Anthony asked me...

2009-01-04T14:26:00.000+11:00

...why I post about such inane things like this. The answer is that for many people cleaning isn't something that comes naturally. Have a look at this plate which was "clean". I took it and cleaned half of it. Look for the slightly grey side... (click for bigness).

5 christian friends who have influenced me

2009-01-02T10:53:00.000+11:00

Mikey – Pastor of Crossroads church. Taught me much about myself and my relationship to ministry and people. Helped me to move more like a ninja when I talk about my faith and showed great belief in me and they gifts I have.
Seumas – Bible College and language ninja extraordinary. Seumas always thinks outside the square. He’s from Sydney not Hobart and he’s cool but in weird way. Amazing intellect. We chat regularly on Skype.
Benny – Taught me heaps about ministry and University work. He also taught me humility and how to disciple others, helped shape my mind to become sharp. He also stood by me in some really tough times.
Sam Green – For preaching and teaching faithfully good solid theology and grounding me in basic understanding of the Bible over my Uni years.
Paul Chew – Taught me the basics of Romans 1-5 and put up with my annoying questioning of everything in Bible study when I first become a Christian. Thinks outside the square and puts up with my annoying questions still.

supportMIKE blog statistics*

2009-01-01T14:21:00.000+11:00

2008 looks something like this;

Total hits for the 2008 year 30,640
Total hits since I installed the statistics counter in June 2006 101,700

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year.

*You of course can look at these for yourself anytime.

5 New Year Resolutions

2008-12-31T22:29:00.000+11:00

Get to bed earlier
Find a job
Be a good parent
Keep blogging
Get a car that goes

2008 reviewed blog style

2008-12-31T11:13:00.023+11:00

Here's the year in review as seen through the eyes of my blog. Enjoy.

January (9 posts) - Tasmanian Leadership Convention, Yamba Maclean Mission and my bro lost his crappy job. Things were looking like pumping for 2008 FOCUS work.

February (12 posts) - I bought Mark Driscoll's book I still haven't finished reading it. We made the move to Jane, I crashed my bike and still have the scars. Most significantly I probably made the hardest decision in my life so far goodbye FOCUS.

March (5 posts) - Dark Times. I posted very little this month in fact a record low for this blog. Looking back there is very little substance to any of these posts. I was feeling really really crap. On a positive note I revived my ipod.

April (15 posts) - The month started poorly. I blogged about the problem of pornography not once but twice. I followed this topic all year. I began my series of posts on bad fashion now one of the most Googled set of posts on my blog. Christine and I also took a nice holiday up the east coast of Tassie.

May (16 posts) - I bought that car. Laura arrived from the US of A. I blogged about divorce (and offended a anonymous regular reader). I also blogged about porn again. This was the month I preached a fairly average sermon at Tuesday Crossroads and really began the battle to organise the the MTS Tasmania Conference.

June (18 posts) - We did some beer tasting with Laura before she departed. I posted a couple of rants one on hybrid cars (Which I still standby). For some reason I posted stacks of pictures some of them quite good. I should add my good friend Benny got hitched in poo paddock. I also think my friend Adam from Jane began reading my blog. He has become one of the people I hold in my mind as I write. Oh and in a very subtle way we announced we were having a baby.

July (14 posts) - I got sick. It was a bit of a ranty month and I got plenty of comments. The two most commented on posts were Pro Consistency where I argued that Christians should name their children before birth. (With hindsight I would have worded the post differently as it wasn't intended to cause offense. Provoke people, yes but not offend). On the other post I ranted;

I think often Christians already come across as bunch of right wing George Bush loving, Today Tonight watching latte sippers. You can be a Christian, believe in climate change, appreciate art, drink fairtrade coffee and vote left wing too.

That post drew one of the harshest comments on my blog to date. Finally for July there was bad fashion number #1.

August (12 posts) - I smashed up my body not once but twice. I Got sick again but completed the mammoth MTS Challenge Conference which rocked even though I didn't go. I also began a new series of rants on how to use email properly.

September (22 posts) - With the completion of the MTS Conference it felt like the fog had lifted and I increased the number of posts to a high for the year. Christine crashed my hard worked on car. No one really read this post. This was contrasted with the 2nd highest read post in the history of my blog about Mark Dricoll and his 18 points in Sydney. Other topics covered included; How annoying Sydney people are, How to run a successful blog, more Driscoll, and still more Driscoll.

October (20 posts) - My email etiquette series continued . Christine voted in an historic election which saw her cop flack (mostly on facebook) for daring to suggest a vote for Obama. It really frustrated me but this made me laugh. Of course in a reoccurring theme for 2008 I got sick with the flu again. I wrote a review of one of the post powerful pieces of TV I've ever seen and in a popular post taught my mates how to clean a shower.

November (19 posts) - I swapped a friends lunch, took a weekend break, won some cash on the Melbourne Cup. Quite a few posts linked to other people's opinions rather than my own.

December (32 posts) - I've been going blog crazy this month. I've had long stretches of duty here at Jane in which to think, reflect and write. This has meant I've posted some of my most personal and juiciest stuff to date. I also posted one of my best bits of writing this year complete with a follow up. I've also written a some longer posts and introduced my 5 things posts an idea I thought of late one night while I was sick (again). December has been a good month.

Total posts for 2008 194 and counting...

Time to swing the axe

2008-12-31T10:12:00.005+11:00

I can't believe we lost the second test to South Africa. I feel kind of hollow. Some people will no doubt say "it's good for Australia to loose", and "it's good for cricket". However the most upsetting thing is the manner in which Australia lost this last test. It was nothing short of humiliating going from a winning position to loose by 9 wickets. I'm still shaking my head.

It's time for the selectors to do some hard core axe swinging. Angus has some good tips.

5 Movies I’ve seen and felt like I’d wasted my life

2008-12-29T13:41:00.002+11:00

Reflections on Christmas and Santa

2008-12-28T12:14:00.010+11:00

I've been thinking about Christmas and the "true spirit" of Christmas. Firstly it puzzles me that Christians continue to fight for a return to the "true spirit" of Christmas (the birth of Jesus Christ saviour of the world) when it feels like it's lost cause in the secular world and among my friends*. The "true spirit" seems well lost to materialism, family and parties. Perhaps as Mikey put it a while back;

Rather than fighting some silly rear-guard action trying to make people care about the spiritual significance of Christmas, and consequently ruining Christmas day with a church service... why not instead just use the time to love your family, write cards to distant relatives and eat a nice meal?

Perhaps I have this attitude because I'm a product of my generation.

My second reflection was to do with Santa. I'm a bit "whatever" when it comes to Santa. I don't understand why people get either all anti Santa or all pro Santa. My parents told me that Santa wasn't real from a very early age but encouraged us to pretend. We used to get right into it every Christmas and write letters. Mum would always write us letters back from Santa. It was great fun, like an awesome family in joke.

Unfortunately when we got to school we may have spoiled the idea of Santa for a few choice classmates. I remember a teacher giving me a dressing down about it which still makes me laugh. I like pretend Santa. What about you?

* I should say here I'm all for teaching my kids about Jesus at Christmas time. I just think as an evangelistic opportunity Christmas is limited or at least more limited than we're prepared to admit.

Politics and Religion

2008-12-28T10:03:00.006+11:00

Firstly I read a very interesting article this morning on George Bush. According to the article Bush has read a total of 95 books this year. I'll give you just one juicy quote;

Like so many caricatures of the past eight years, this one is not only wrong, but also the opposite of the truth and evidence that bitterness can devour a small-minded critic. Mr. Bush loves books, learns from them, and is intellectually engaged by them.

George we don't agree on many things but I take my hat off to you. You've read more books than I.
h/t to Craig
I also found this article looking at Obama's decision to invite Rick Warren to his inauguration next month. While not a big fan I feel a bit sorry for Rick Warren. He's hated by the left for being anti homosexual but the right also disowns him for being "pro Obama". He can't win. What happened to tollerance?

For about a generation, many on the left have believed that active and unapologetic intolerance of the right was justified because its views on matters such as abortion and gay rights were simply unacceptable. This moral somersault may work for them, but to the average American voter, a full-throated assault on the likes of Rick Warren for being "wrong" on two of many issues looks like simple intolerance.

5 values for new Crossroads secretaries

2008-12-27T22:21:00.004+11:00

People over work. The Secretary should be free to tools down and hang out and chat with whoever drops by. Go and grab a coffee anytime.
Efficiency and accuracy. This involves trying to get things done with maximum accuracy in all things (weekly email, spelling, Church rolls etc).
Serving others. This includes serving the church members and staff (eg. Dan). The secretary should try and help out with the administrative burden where possible. Serving others also includes being hospitable.
Technological proficiency. This is probably the most important. Mastery of the various programs we use in the office is essential to be a proficient secretary.
The Boss. The secretary is the boss of the office. They have the right to boss people around even Mikey and Dan. Get angry and be bossy. People need to be a little bit scared of you not the other way round.

Vision and 5 values for the Crossroads Office

2008-12-26T12:41:00.002+11:00

Vision: Luke H is impressed. Luke is our standard. When he wants to hang in the Crossroads office we have achieved our goal. We are still a long way off this.

Neat and tidy. I managed this pretty consistently all year. I bought a vacuum cleaner and emptied the bins weekly. I cleaned and dusted.
No accumulated rubbish and crap - For some reason the Crossroads office ended up as a dumping ground for crap. I took a whole trailer load of it to the tip late in the year. Churches and offices have to get better at throwing out donated crap.
Thankful - We don’t pay rent and our landlords are awesome if a little Christian crazy.
Hospitality - I didn’t quite nail this one this year but simple things such as making sure the tea and coffee are well stocked up and fresh. Maybe some icy cold cans.
Not Belkirk - We want our office to be progressive with money allocated each year for small improvements. Maybe a nicely painted feature wall and no junk see point two.

Happy Christmas...

2008-12-25T19:44:00.007+11:00

To you all and thanks heaps for reading.

For those wondering about the flurry of blog posts and crazy facebook updates in the last couple of days, I'm spending pretty much all of Christmas working here all day at Jane doing "duty". This basically means I'm bound to the campus here and can't leave for about 3 days.

Not to worry, I've been taking a few photos (the garden is at it's best this time of year) and watching some choice DVDs. Mum, Dad and Davo and Jonny came up for Christmas lunch too which was very nice. Jonny also made a cake from scratch and it was pretty bloody good. (Click for full deliciousness).

Anyway enough babble. Happy Christmas from Myself, Christine and of course Olivia.

You didn't think of that did you...

2008-12-25T09:14:00.003+11:00

Custom hand written wrapping paper for my wife's Christmas present (click for bigness). Happy Christmas wifelette.

Email Etiquette #6

2008-12-24T11:52:00.007+11:00

Colors and fonts

If you send an email that looks like the image above (click for full glory) Stop. Now. Please. Bright colors and huge fonts might look cool to you but are actually the enemy of the internet.

It reminds me of when the mature age students let loose with word art or animated transitions in PowerPoint. Please stop it makes the baby Jesus cry.

All other Email Etiquette posts here.

Snowiness in Seattle...

2008-12-24T10:19:00.004+11:00

...has seen attendance at Mars Hill Church fall to the lowest in years. Mark Driscoll pastor of Mars Hill posts some thoughts. I love his post especially the disclaimer. Reminds me of my blog.

Note: This blog is not edited as everyone is on vacation and Pastor Mark had a few final thoughts before watching the Unit, eating chips and salsa, and passing out after the last day in a long and weary year so please forgive the poor grammar and punctuation.

5 actors you probably like... but I hate

2008-12-24T09:42:00.004+11:00

I should note that I don't hate every movie these guys have been in just most of them.

5 things you probably didn't know about me.

2008-12-23T10:44:00.003+11:00

I have a cyst on the back of my head. Nothing bad.
I went to Kip McGrath in High School for remedial work on my reading and spelling.
I suffer with depression which comes and goes.
I've worked for both the ABC and WIN Television.
My pillow has a name.

5 things you should know before you read my blog

2008-12-23T10:37:00.002+11:00

I'm a pretty sensitive person. I wear my heart on my sleeve.
I have some sort of mild dyslexia. So please bear with all my mistakes.
I'm often deliberately provocative. It's blog. It's my opinion. It would be boring otherwise.
If I offend you it's possibly because I haven't been clear in what I've said. In which case you should email me.
I try to make sure I'm the same person here as I am in real life. There should be no disconnect.

Tim Keller says there is more than one gospel

2008-12-22T10:56:00.000+11:00

"Like God, the gospel is both one and more than that."

And I agree (click here).

Don't throw the baby...

2008-12-20T10:39:00.013+11:00

"Labor is like a journey from Hobart to Smithton," said hippy earth mother midwife.

"So how can we get there?" she continued. She took us through all the scenarios; car via East Coast and Launny, car via Midlands Highway, boat via East Coast, boat via West Coast, or car via Zeehan and Roseberry. Each form of journey corresponded to a particular experience and length of labor.
"Of course your labor could be just like flying direct, and take a couple of hours."

I don't think I'll think about travel in Tasmania in quite the same way again. The highlight was when about half way through she farted quite loudly. "Oooooo sorry that was me!"

About halfway though the third class we were taken out for a MAN talk. I wasn't enthusiastic. The bloke arrived. He had striped pants that were too small for him and a small sole patch. He looked kinda like a older man still holding to the idea that he can be cool. The bloke told us about his move going from being a hardened, tough coal miner to working as a counselor talking to men about their feelings. (Talk about extremes).

He took the four of us blokes to the hospital chapel. Not the wisest move. Now I'm not sure why but Chapels and churches tend to attract stacks of donated items. Consequently the furniture in chapel was all odd. There also heaps of junk because no one wants to throw it out because, "It was donated! You can 't do that!"

Picture four men (half of whom didn't want to be there) in a chapel, being asked about their feelings, surrounded by candles, flowers and Jesus' with an exploding hearts. Awkward. I thought about how much better the pub would be. This painful experience lasted for an hour. I watched the clock. I tried really hard to be a good participant, but the mish mash of rubbish in the room and general air of awkwardness made it very hard.

The fourth and final class was last night, and it was by far the shortest and most useful. They brought in a live baby (less than 24 hours old) and showed us how to clean and bath it. A couple of the Mums were freaking out a bit thinking they'd break it. On the other hand the mid wife just chucked it around. It was pretty funny. The baby was returned to its Mother.

She then passed around a toy baby and asked what I'd do to help it settle it down. I rocked in gently in my arms and then put it on my shoulder and patted it's back. The midwife looked impressed.

"That's good Mike, now who's next?" she said, indicating I needed to pass the baby on. By this stage I wasn't really feeling like getting up off the floor and so I threw a perfectly weighted (netball) chest pass across the room to the next Mum.
"Oops I said," looking at the mid wife, with a naughty twinkle in my eye. The mid wife gave me a death stare. The other parents laughed. I felt good.

Thanks Mikey

2008-12-19T10:08:00.015+11:00

I think I first got to know Mikey when I was around eighteen. I didn't click with him straight away, he seemed just a bit too smart. Kinda like people who you are too scared to talk to. He'd just become a Christian and seemed to have a real burning passion for what he believed in. I really respected this especially because I'd grown up as a church kid. Even though he (and most of us) said and did some silly things back in those days, I always had a sense that Mikey's heart was always in the right place.

I got to know him a bit better when he and Nikki moved into "The Castle" my now famous (or infamous) sharehouse. He and Nikki lived in the very top room. He used to sit up in their room writing sermons and long seminars for "Fightclub" our church ministry training course.

I couldn't say we got along really well or that we were close friends during this time but I remember realising that I didn't need to be intimidated by him anymore. Our time at the castle came to a close and we all moved out. It'd been my hope to move with Mike, Nikki and the others to another share house.

Mikey then did something that taught me a very profound lesson. I was about 23 or 24 and didn't have a particularly well rounded understanding of people outside of myself. He took me aside and explained I wasn't the easiest person to live with and it had been hard for he and Nikki to live with me. Although the criticism cut deep and I was pretty upset I knew it was fair . I apologised begged Mikey for another chance. After talking with Nikki, they decided to give me a second chance.

I learned a lot about myself that day, and my treatment of others. Still more I learned about giving people a second chance. I learned about grace. Mikey showed me that being a Christian wasn't just about being forgiven by a gracious God, but about showing that gift to other people.

Mikey has been fantastic in looking after me this year while I've been working at church. He's been patient and careful in his advice. We've even had fun working in the Crossroads office encouraging each other in anal orgnaisationalness. Of course it would be easy to miss Nikki out but if you know Mikey well you learn that she plays a very important role in his work too not just looking after the kids but giving him advice. She lets him give generously of his time and for this I'm grateful.

Mikey has been a great supporter of myself and my work over both the years I've been working. This year particularly he has taught me many things and been very patient. I'm very very grateful to him for his help and the hard work that he's put into me, my church and many other Christians here in Hobart and beyond. Thanks heaps man.

supportMIKE News IX

2008-12-17T22:11:00.009+11:00

(A recent photo of the happy couple)

Howdy Folks

This letter finds me almost at the completion of my MTS/Ministry apprenticeship. I've just finished preaching a couple of sermons at Crossroads' Tuesday night and Sunday morning congregations. I felt like I was more back in the groove of things and I worked really hard to get both sermons up to my expectations. It was great to feel that connection with people from a preaching point of view.

About a week ago I helped out/organise the Tuesday Crossroads first birthday community event in South Hobart. It was a great success with a number of people from the South Hobart community coming along to chat and grab a free sausage. It was encouraging to be part of putting something back into the community and be able to serve the South Hobart community.

I've also been working hard in the Crossroads office taking some of the painful administration tasks away from Dan and Mikey and applying my sharpness to them. I've been involved with the steering committee with Dan and Mikey, in addition to being responsible for some of the smaller day to day decisions for Crossroads Church. I've tremendously enjoyed working with Mikey and Dan. We've had great fun in the office over the year (although not to begin with). Mikey has done a great job training me and bearing with my 11th hour "freak outs". I'm truly blessed to have worked with these guys. I'm also grateful to Sam Green, FOCUSutas and the AFES head office staff for their hard work particularly in my first year of my job.

(View from our new flat at Jane)

Things with Christine are going well. Her pregnancy has progressed very smoothly. If all goes according to plan we'll welcome Olivia Kious Jolly into the world towards middle-to-end of February next year. Most recently we've been attending parenting/birthing classes that have been long but at times entertaining. On top of completing a couple of classes toward her Master's Degree, she's been mentoring two young women preparing for marriage in the New Year, as well as, co-leading a women's Bible study. Sometimes it’s easy for me to forget how much work she does while I run around being “busy”.

I'll be finishing up my apprenticeship at the end on the 22nd of January. However last three weeks of this will be holidays, that I've been saving up all year. Christine and I had planned to travel to the USA during this time but this become problematic with Olivia's pending arrival. Instead during this time I plan to have a good rest and look for new employment. I'm not super fussed about what job I end up doing. I've committed to working here at Jane for all of next year meaning that I'll have to work my new job around things here.

Many of you may be wondering about whether we're planning to go to Bible College. The short answer is no. It certainly won't be next year but it's definitely one of the options for 2010. There also may be a small possibility of going back down to the University to do Christian work again. Stay tuned to my blog for more details.

I'm really happy with how things have turned out in 2008. It's been a difficult year having to adjust to a new job and new boss. I've been sick a fair bit and things often haven't gone according to my plan. However I've fought on and not given up by God's grace. I've most appreciated the people work that I've done this year particularly meeting with the various blokes. Many students have supported me in my work and I've found very often they have more to teach me than I do to teach them and they've helped and encouraged me greatly. Most of all I am very grateful to Christine and the great support she’s been throughout my whole paid ministry experience.

(Our new home at Jane inside)

Finally I'd like to take the time to say a big thank-you to you. I'd like thank all my readers and friends, family (and critics) all around the world for all your support (both prayer and financial) over the last couple of years. It's been a long crazy road and there have been some highlights and low lights but God has sustained me through all of them.

It has been a tremendously humbling experience to rely on others and God for my daily bread. God has taught me many things during my apprenticeship and for this experience I am truly thankful. It's my prayer that you may have been able to know something (through these newsletters and my blog) of where and what ministry, particularly my ministry, involves.

Please also feel free to pop by and visit my blog as I plan to keep it running in some form for a little longer. It's my prayer that you have a very happy Christmas and that the New Year brings you to walk closer each day to Jesus. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Thanks again and God Bless

Finally the gates lock

2008-12-15T21:44:00.007+11:00

I locked the brand new back gates at College tonight for the very first time.

(click picture for full glory)

If this post means nothing to you that's perfectly ok.

Writing sermons my way...

2008-12-14T13:58:00.020+11:00

I thought I'd write down a few thoughts about how I go about preparing a sermon. Please note this isn't meant to be necessarily prescriptive or imitated rather it's what I find helpful. Take from it what you want.

Maybe have a look and see how many things in the picture that would help me.

Computer - I write all my sermons out pretty much in full in Word. I'd find it hard to write without my computer.
Bible Gateway - I use this to get all my quotes and cross references from the Bible. It also lets me look at different translations.
I think hard over and read over the passage and try and run it through my head in the weeks up till I preach.
I think really hard about what my hearers need to hear. I sit and daydream their world so I know how to speak to it. I think hard about how the passage applies them. I sometimes get a strong feeling about what I need to say to them or what I'd like to say. I always then check back that this is actually what my text is saying.
Take notes - Having read, prayed and thought about my text I take written notes. I write out a rough structure (points etc). It's usually messy and undergoes much revision.
Dictionary - I use an online or hard copy to help me define any terms I don't understand
New Bible Commentary - I like this. It gives a good overview without being overly technical. I use it to make sure I'm not off track with my ideas.
Other Commentaries - I looked at two. Martin Lloyd-Jones and Don Carson. I found them pretty helpful. Sometimes they'd have a interesting observation or way of putting things. I'll write down anything that looks interesting or useful.
I'll usually also grab a couple of books I've been reading recently and check to see if they have anything I can use that applies to my passage (it's easy just check the index).
Google - I find is great to help me find quotes and cool ways of putting things in a fresh light. I especially like it when I find "non Christians" saying things similar to a point I'm trying to make with my sermon. (eg. See below)
I like to think of catchy phrases to as I write/think. Things like "Sitting in the gutter looking at the stars" (which google tells me is from Oscar Wilde).
Ask Christine - I'm generally not really good at this but Christine always gives helpful advice and links.
Online Sermons - I listened to a couple. One by a preacher down at Kingston Church, the other by John Piper. Again I take notes and write down anything that looks good or useful.
I next I paste the text I'm using into Word with verse/passage at top to keep referring to. I add any quotes in typing them out in full.
As I write, I preach what I write. I say things aloud as if I was preaching to listeners. This way my text sounds like a sermon not an essay.
I like to phone a friend. My friend Seumas is one of my brains trusts. Often I get him to jot down some thoughts on a passage if it's something he's studied. We either chat on facebook, skype or msn.
I usually also run stuff by Mikey. With this one I sent him my text via email and we talked about it over the phone.
It's really important to apply the passage to your own life. It took me a while with this last sermon but I think my best application was aimed squarely at myself.
As I write more I practice parts (or all) of the sermon and work out how to vary the tone in my voice.
Lastly I print out the final copy and highlight and underline it to reflect how I want to say things.

This is also really stupid

2008-12-13T20:35:00.004+11:00

Internet Censorship. My friend Seumas says why... and I agree.

I may add some thoughts of my own at some stage.

It's really stupid to charge for sermon downloads

2008-12-10T13:18:00.005+11:00

Shane the man with the tats has gone and said what I've been thinking for ages. It's really stupid to charge for sermon downloads. And I agree. You can read his full post here. Here is my recent experience.

Back in August I had the pleasure of attending a conference now famous for Mark Driscoll's 18 theses. As I listened his sermons they were awesome. So I filled out the form to allow them to charge me 50 bucks (I think that was the only option) and send me a full set of DVDs for the conference. No option to download.

Meanwhile I and others blogged about his 18 points and interest went through the roof. The powers that be in Sydney released the 18 point sermon for free download. I waited for my sermons... and waited... and waited... and waited. Finally almost two months later I received my set of $50 DVDs in the post. So I paid 50 bucks and waited 2 months for a sermon that was released free anyway. Not good enough people! Not good enough.

If Crossroads can turn around a sermon recording and host it free online within a couple of days surely the all the powers of Sydney can do the same. I assume it's the 21st Century there too.

Come join us in the gutter of life...

2008-12-10T11:35:00.003+11:00

"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

-Jesus

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."

-Oscar Wilde

Happy Birthday TBT

2008-12-09T22:36:00.004+11:00

Tonight was the first birthday of Tuesday Crossroads move to the Toilet Block (read Community Centre) in South Hobart. Mikey and I with a bunch of dudes from the TBT tribe worked getting the advertising out to the South Hobart Community.

We letter boxed about 1000 fliers, put posters in local shop windows and on notice boards. A couple of the fellas went and asked businesses for donations. They got a truck load of bread, snags, drinks etc. Our kick arse parents from Crossroads House and Sunday nighters brought along cool stuff for a couple of market style stalls.

And.... the rain stayed away... and people actually came... from the South Hobart Community.

You can see from the pictures it's the most successful event TBT has hosted. I'm happy with how things turned out. You can see all the pictures on facebook. Pop along and tag a nice picture of ya self. Happy Birthday TBT.

Empowering leadership...

2008-12-08T16:10:00.007+11:00

Don't think the credit crunch is that bad? Well spare a thought for car manufacturer General Motors (who own Australia's own Holden). Time Magazine reports they are loosing money at the rate of $2 billion a month. Think that's bad? The company lost a total of $38 billion in 2007. Toyota on the other hand has weathered the storm relatively well. What's made them succeed you ask?

"They made the workforce integral to improving the system. Workers were not mere labor inputs... it required a buy in from the shop floor so that everyone was dedicated to improvement... [Toyota] relies on contributions from employees . It feels vulnerable but your willingness to be open to vulnerability is what helps you make it work."

Pastors/General Motors take note. An ability to empower people on the production line is part of the reason for automotive/ministry success. You can read more about empowering leadership here*.

*Cheers Mikey for link

I'm not into theology!

2008-12-08T14:49:00.005+11:00

Back when I was doing my teaching degree we were constantly told to develop our "theory of teaching". One statement I didn't really like but stayed with me was that "Everyone has a theory of teaching. It's just how well it's understood and articulated". I think it's very similar with worldviews.

John Piper says this

Everybody has a creed. All people believe in something and shape their lives around it. Even agnostics believe very strongly that you ought not believe anything very strongly (which is why it is so hard to be a consistent agnostic). We all have a creed that we live by, whether we can articulate it or not.

For the same reason it really gives me the heebie geebies when I talk to Christians who say "I'm not into theology". I understand what they mean but it's a nonsensical self defeating statement.

It's funny cause it's true

2008-12-06T22:35:00.004+11:00

Click to enlarge for full hilarity. Cheers to Pryderi for the link. Original image here*.

*That's for you Jason

Where to go... and what to do?

2008-12-06T13:06:00.003+11:00

"Hey Jolly," said Dan. "Why don't you put a proposal together and come and work at Crossroads next year," a hopeful look in his eyes.

"I can't do it man," I said. "I'm just not pumped... I'm tired of working for Crossroads and I don't want to just end up being the admin dude. I'd just be doing it for the money and that's a crap reason."

"And Bible College?" asked Dan

"Baby is coming and moving... eek no way. And besides I've now committed to working at Jane as an RF for all 2009". I said

In case you didn't know I'm finishing my two year MTS apprenticeship soon. In fact I'm planning to finish up at the end of December. I'm then planning to take what's left of my holidays in January (Probably about 3 weeks). During this time I'll be applying for a new job and doing long stretches of duty up at Jane. Christine and I had planned to take January off to travel over to the USA but Olivia's impending arrival has changed that. It's going to be a long summer. I feel tired thinking about it.

It's no secret I've found working for Crossroads this year a bit of a battle. I haven't gotten as much out of this year as I did last. I haven't enjoyed my work as much. It's not that I don't like Crossroads or somehow bear it ill will. It's a me thing. I'm just not as excited and enthused as I was when I was down at Uni. I also think I'm better suited to Uni ministry also (but that's for another post*). I'm tired very very ministry tired.

Finally I'm not really sure what to do with this blog. I'm toying with the idea of closing it down as technically the stated purpose of supportMIKE will have come to an end. I have a lot of thinking to do over the next few weeks.

*I do also plan to do a future post thanking both my supporters and readers.

I spent too much time...

2008-12-05T17:52:00.002+11:00

Working on the new MTS Tasmania Website. After my hard work hacking today it looks much better. I've also posted some thoughts up there about my MTS experience. Head on over and have a look at my handy work. I'm off to birth centre class.

Evaluation

2008-12-03T17:14:00.008+11:00

One of my jobs this year has been working as part of the V100 IT ninja team.

My latest task is to access and assess the new look V100 website for usability and general user friendliness. So I'd like you to help me. I'd like you to pop on over then come back and leave some constructive feedback in the comments section.

Some thoughts I have so far

I like the brown colour.
I like the general look of the website.
I think the Vision 100 needs to be more prominent.
I don't like the square buttons at the top.
The Events Calendar is difficult read. Might be better to have a year view.
Too many tabs at the top (I'd file Newsletters with Support and do we even need the Events tab?).
I don't like the arrows for the drop down menus in the top tabs.
The front page calendar is hard to read and needs to spread more across the page.
Mikey's sermon link on the front page looks ugly.

Seriously? A load of...

2008-12-02T22:37:00.009+11:00

I wish this was a joke. It annoys me. This really annoys me. Why do people buy this rubbish? Praise Ponies? Faith Hope and Love? Are you serious?

The text reads...

"Every little girl wants a pony! Now she can have her choice of three, each named after one of the Biblical virtues - Faith, Hope and Love. Each Praise Pony pack includes 10 accessories plus memory verses, teaching biblical truths that will last a lifetime!"

Jesus. Race To Win trucks? What has that got to do with ANYTHING?

Honestly Koorong leave the junk to Chickenfeed. This is why I once told the girl in Koorong "I'm sorry don't get your catalogues because it just makes me feel depressed". Koo-Wrong I'm very sorry but for selling useless junk you've just got a stupid award.

Baby class 101 (a review)

2008-12-01T10:39:00.016+11:00

Christine decided she wanted to have Olivia at the Birthing Centre. Basically the Birthing Centre is for mothers who wish to (or at least try to) give birth naturally without drugs and the like. Personally I'm not fussed either way. Part of this process involves a 3 hour class each week for 4 weeks. 3 hours!! Not even the University lectures last that long. What could possibly take 3 hours?

Christine and I arrived slightly late. People were all sitting on lemon coloured pillows with their shoes off. There was a strong wiff of smelly feet. For some reason the midwife taking the class (I'll get to her in a minute) was playing something which could only be descibed as really bad pan pipe flute music (the sort you'd find in the two dollar bin at Chickenfeed). I think it was meant to make me relax... it was bloody awful and put me further on edge.

The mid wife running the the class was an older friendly looking hippy earth mother. She was dressed in a long skirt and top that looked like it had been bought at the Salamanca market. She began by asking us how we'd been born. "My name is X and I was a vaginal birth" she began in a soft tone.

She told us about the cervix being hard "like your nose" but then softening during labor "to be soft like the corner of your mouth". She told us about the three (or was it four stages of Labor).

For some reason she kept talking about Poo. When she said it she really lent on the "oo" sound sorta like a middle aged person when they swear. "You know when to push the baby out because it's a bit like when you go to the toilet to do a poooo... Sometimes the when the waters break they come out green because the baby has done a poooo." But my favourite quote was "Labor is like 9 months worth of period pain rolled into one... only worse."

It was all very informtiave but went for way too long, frustratingly long. She had dolls and posters with smily faces on them (that loooked about 25 years old). While she was a lovely approachable kind lady, she kept digressing with little stories, nearly all of which had nothing to do with the class. On and on it went.

The evening finally finished with a DVD of women giving birth. I found it pretty confronting. This was mainly because the film was in German, filmed in the eightites, was filled with bad fashion and bad eighties german porno mostaches and had another filthy pan pipe number over the top. Pan pipes over women in labor!! It's not good people!

Now before people get stuck into me I learned plenty and the video was eyeopening to say the least. The session was most informative and useful. But 3 hours? Really?? Surely one an half to 2 at the most is enough. In fact if you'd cut out the stories it probably would have lasted 45 min.

The Shack

2008-11-24T17:37:00.005+11:00

I've been hearing mixed reviews of this book. Some Christians I've spoken to rave about this book and others see it as a bunch of post modern rubbish. I haven't read it yet but I'm keen if someone wants to loan me a copy. A couple that I've read can be found below*.

Over at Sola Panel
Or in this months Briefing
Tim Challies

*Disclaimer I'm not saying I agree with everything in the reviews

What the kids are up to...

2008-11-24T17:30:00.004+11:00

My mate Josh sent me though a link for one schoolie who is blogging their experiences for a West Australian newspaper.

Leavers started off with a bang for my mate. He scored and I got kicked out of our room. He got her number but reckons he won’t bother calling her. Just a one-night stand, he says.

It's interesting stuff. You can read more here.

I found this very funny

2008-11-22T20:16:00.002+11:00

This definitely gets an award for shameless self promotion.

Piper on Porn

2008-11-22T14:45:00.003+11:00

The great tragedy is not mainly masturbation or fornication or acting like a peeping Tom (or curious Cathy) on the internet. The tragedy is that Satan uses the guilt of these failures to strip you of every radical dream you ever had, or might have, and in its place give you a happy, safe, secure, American life of superficial pleasures until you die in your lakeside rocking chair, wrinkled and useless, leaving a big fat inheritance to your middle-aged children to confirm them in their worldliness. That's the main tragedy.

(More here)

I love my wife

2008-11-19T21:35:00.004+11:00

I'm sitting at home listening to the Weepies waiting for my wonderful wife to get home. I love her very very much. I'm a very happy man when I'm with her. That is all.

Capitalism or Socialism?

2008-11-19T13:26:00.006+11:00

What's the Christian approach? As I promised earlier Mikey answers the question. Below are my sketchy sermon notes. Enjoy.

1. The Legitimacy of Private Property

God rules over all
God Gives his people "stuff"
Incentive doesn't equal greed
What about Acts 4:32?

2. Justice and shalom/peace

A fair system/method versus a fair outcome/result
God can do both
God brings justice and judges
Bible rebukes unfairness of method
We must hear this voice
We must be generous

3. A Call to Entrepreneurial Generosity

Window cleaning for YOU

2008-11-17T10:26:00.005+11:00

I worked as window cleaner for two years before retiring to take up my current job. During this time I worked in some of the most expensive houses in Hobart with their fussy owners. I was recently asked what the best way to clean windows is. Here are my two options for the home punter.

Option 1. Buy good gear from a cleaning shop (Tas Cleaning Supplies OR Hunters). You'll need a minimum of a squeegie and an applicator (about $50-$80 for both) a bucket of warm water and with quality detergent (add a dash of ammonia for extra kick).
Method: Use the applicator to apply your detergent solution in a swirling motion rather than make straight up, criss-cross up and down lines. Same goes when you squeegie it off. If possible try to clean the window with one fluid swirling motion. It takes practice but this way you’ll avoid streaks.

Option 2. Windex and Newspaper
Method: Spray on Windex. Wipe off with Newspaper.

Notes: Remember that even though Option 1 is more expensive it yields the best result. Futhermore the gear will last for many cleans and replacement parts are easily available. Finally don't ever use cheap cleaning products (Chickenfeed) they are cheap rubbish. I know I worked there and have tried most of their products. They yield a bad final result.

(My) Unofficial Birthday Party

2008-11-15T11:09:00.006+11:00

Last year Jonny and I shared a music/karaoke party. We got a couple of bands together including my good friends Dave Mac and Alex P. The night was a memorable and enjoyable. We played an assortment of covers. I ripped it up on the drums. Alex ripped up with some AC/DC. And Dave put us all to shame with some very professional Crowded House covers.

This year I decided that this year rather than inflicting my musical talents on my friends I'd just head along to Jonny's party.

But if you like bad covers singing and music but a rocking good time consider this an unofficial invitation to my unofficial birthday party. I can't put the invite better than Jonny.

Anyone with a practiced piece of music is most welcome, and an ability to jam on more than 2 chords will be just as good. "The band" may even practice requested songs before hand, but I doubt it.

Bring your own food and drinks, but if this turns into a drunken karaoke night that features "ultimate rock balards" that the band can't even play, then I guess it won't be as bad as last year.

More details here.

Are Christians Capitalists or Socialists?

2008-11-14T19:55:00.000+11:00

It's a good question and we'll be looking at it this Sunday.

Mikey is cooking up a ripper sermon as you read this. I don't really plug my church often enough on here but you should totally come and check it out especially if you haven't been before. Details see our website.

For my international readers I'll post a link when it's up.

Church for the unsaved

2008-11-11T13:10:00.007+11:00

I'm big fan of author Tim Keller. His book The Reason for God has been one of the best books I've read this year. I've ordered a copy of his new book The Prodigal God. Here's an excerpt from it (with thanks to Al Bain).

"Jesus' teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day. However, in the main, our churches today do not have this effect. The kind of outsiders Jesus attracted are not attracted to contemporary churches, even our most avant-garde ones. We tend to draw conservative, buttoned-down, moralistic people. The licentious and liberated or the broken and marginal avoid church. That can only mean one thing. If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did. If our churches aren't appealing to younger brothers, they must be more full of elder brothers than we'd like to think."

Learning to love your inbox

2008-11-11T12:52:00.005+11:00

The average person my age has more technology at their disposal than a CEO of just a few years ago. You’d think that as part of this technology cloud we’d become more effective at communication and organisation.

I believe it’s actually the opposite. The sheer volume of information that get’s thrown at today’s people is huge. Email, msn, skype, gmail, gmail chat, yahoo chat, blogging, rss, twitter that’s even before I get to facebook… I could go on. This wealth of information has a number of implications;

Learning to love Information. We must love information and increase of capacity for handling it. We must work hard at filtering and capturing information. We must build become effective at categorization and systems that allow us to quickly and efficiently handle electronic communication.
Organisation. In order to navigate this tricky world order it’s essential to be organised. Many people forget appointments because they fail to write them down or keep an up to date diary.
Harnessing technology to be organised. The chances are that you have more technology at your fingertips than you know what to do with. It’s essential that you learn how to use it and find a system of organisation that works for you. If you think an iphone will make you organised then bully for you buy it. If you like a paper diary go for it. My point is something is better than nothing. Technology is your servant not your master.
Communication. Multi layered approach to relationships is essential. We can no longer think of relationships as being primarily in person or primarily electronic. Communication takes place many levels we must embrace communication with people using diverse means at our fingertips to prevent misunderstandings. We must also learn the rules of various forms or communication (see my posts on email etiquette).

One could be tempted at this point to simply give up. For example the cry "Why bother? What a waste of time." This is to fall for the false view that because something can be used to waste time, it’s therefore a waste of time in itself. I think often this complaint stems from an inefficiency in the handling information rather then a problem with the thing itself.

I'm looking for jobs

2008-11-09T11:43:00.001+11:00

How long does it take?

2008-11-07T14:47:00.004+11:00

To get a refund from the Department of Transport/Service Tasmania...?

Since 23rd September 2008... and still waiting.

Fundamentalism and what I believe

2008-11-07T11:42:00.002+11:00

Mikey and I had an interesting conversation the other day about the differences between Fundamentalism and what I'd describe as the form of evangelicalism we'd subscribe to.

You can read the write up of his thoughts here.

Swapping Adam's Lunch

2008-11-05T00:45:00.002+11:00

Adam is my friend.

Adam reads my blog

Adam always eats the same lunch every day.

Today I switched his lunch.

I've been planning it for about 3 weeks. My previous efforts earlier in the year had been primitive and hadn't worked so I waited for a few months and hatched my daring plan.

First I took... yuck

And put it on his Salada Biscuits being careful to make it look exactly the same from the outside.

Looks exactly the same. Perfect

Then while he was distracted I did the switch. He may have just caught me do something so I distracted him with a little "patter" about current events. Any fears he had were removed. A smooth well executed operation.

Adam if you are reading this I'll see you at Lunch.

Being Mr Meaty

2008-11-04T22:41:00.002+11:00

I was chatting with Josh tonight and thought of an important clarification to being Mr Meaty.

It could be easy to mistake Mr Meaty for the dude up the front, or the guy with successful marriage or the cool preacher man with the awesome engaging sermons. All this is to miss the point of Mr Meaty. Mr Meaty isn’t about trying to be someone you’re not.

Mr Meaty is an ideal it’s about doing the best with what you’ve been given. As a Christian bloke it’s knowing your gifts small or large, public or private and using them all to the best of your ability for God’s glory.

Melbourne Cup tokenism

2008-11-04T16:42:00.005+11:00

I don't understand horse racing. I don't mean that I can't understand the rules, I just can't understand what the big deal is. Generally I don’t really like gambling not because I’m a Christian but just cause it seems like a waste of money.

I also don’t understand why the daily tabloid papers seem to think that hot women with fake tans and big stupid hats with random horses on the front page sell papers. Why do people care?

Having said all that I’m a totally inconsistent hypocrite. I went in the Office sweep at Jane for the Melbourne Cup. For my two bucks I bought one horse for Christine and myself and managed to win five bucks with my horse coming in 3rd. Interestingly the last time I went in a Melbourne Cup sweep (at Chickenfeed a few years ago) I won the blooming thing with a two dollar entry.

My motivation both times has been wanting to be more involved the community rather than wanting to win. Unfortunately this year I didn’t even end up watching the race. It feels like my involvement is nothing more than tokenism. I should be happy I won but I don’t really care.

Strahan and back again

2008-11-03T14:46:00.004+11:00

At Mikey's suggestion Christine and I went away for a mini break on Friday and Saturday. I borrowed my old car from my brother and we drove to Strahan on the West Coast. Unfortunately I was sick with a sore throat (still?) there whole time.

The mighty Camry (Chugging since '89)

View from where we stayed. Pretty swish.

It was a really beautiful to get away and enjoy part of the State which I've called home for the last fifteen years. If you haven't been here you should come it's simple as that.

Most awesomely we picked up a hitchiker from the Czech Republic who was interested in talking about Christianity. Good stuff.