The Christmas Season Begins...

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..." Isaiah 9:6

Right and Just!

In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation of Easter and Passover holidays. He decided to contact his lawyer about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays while atheists had no holiday to celebrate.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the long passionate presentation by the lawyer, the Judge banged his gavel and declared, "Case dismissed!"
The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, "Your Honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah...yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!"

The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said, "Obviously your client is too confused to even know about, much less celebrate his own atheists' holiday!"
The lawyer pompously said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any such holiday for atheists. Just when might that holiday be, your Honor?"

The judge said, "Well, it comes every year on exactly the same date---April 1st! Since our calendar sets April 1st as April Fools Day, consider that Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, in my opinion, if your client says there is no God, then by scripture, he is a fool, and April 1st is his holiday!

Now have a good day and get out of my courtroom!"

That's tellin' em judge!

In Times Like These...

In times like these, with massacres in Mumbai and bedlam in Bangkok, it pays to always remember that unforgettable Sunday School song "He's got the whole world in His hands..." Amen!

A Very Funny Sporting Moment!

Thursdays are this white man's second-busiest day in any given week so I will simply leave you with a very amusing clip for your viewing pleasure.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=_lP0CmEA6PA

I guess the question is "why would you do that?!"

What's In A Name...

"I AM the Lord; that is my Name!" Isaiah 42:8

More Stupidity...

Taken from ninemsn.com.au this morning...

ATM thieves blow up their getaway car

"Four thieves who blew up an ATM in Sydney's eastern suburbs were forced to flee on foot after the explosion damaged their getaway car, police say.
The four males set off the explosion at the Bendigo Bank street-front ATM in Clovelly Road, Clovelly, at about 1.45am (AEDT) on Tuesday.
The bank was extensively damaged with debris spewed out across the street.
The thieves had to abandon their Audi getaway car and escaped the scene on foot.
Bomb squad officers were called in to ensure several gas cylinders found in the car were safe.
Police have cordoned off Clovelly Road near the intersection with Mount Street, and it is expected to remain closed for several hours.
Police called in Polair and the dog squad to search the area.
The incident was one of three ATM-explosions across Sydney during the night.
About the same time, three males were seen blowing up an ATM on Waldron Street, Chester Hill, in Sydney's west, damaging the front of a bank.
Police believe the bandits fled in a late-model silver Audi.
In the third incident, an ATM on Guildford Road at Guildford was blown up at about 2.15am.
The area of Guildford Road between Cross Street and Station Street has been cordoned off due to a large amount of debris.
Police did not yet know whether any cash was taken in the three incidents."

Yes, this white man is convinced there is a God and He does have a sense of humour!

Sore Losers & Total Stupidity!

If my previous blog entry didn't highlight clearly why Australia didn't deserve to win the Rugby League World Cup then just click on these two links to know exactly why this national side and those associated with it are a disgrace!

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=670800
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=670964

Enough said!

On another note, at my gym today, again I was left astounded! This time for negative reasons unfortunately. After finishing my shower and getting changed in the mens change room another father came in with his child after swimming. He went off into the shower area leaving his child, who was getting changed, unattended. This was bad enough on it's own merit. What was even more ridiculous was the fact that his child turned out to be his daughter, probably 6-7 years of age. What kind of parent leaves their young girl in the middle of a men's change room with a dozen or so naked males?! Surely all parents understand that the world today is sickeningly full of all manner of depravity and to leave your kids vulnerable is unforgivable? This white man thought he'd seen it all at his gym...he was wrong!

Rightful Come-uppance!

When an Australian sporting team takes it upon themselves to challenge the tradition and integrity of another nation's accepted pre-match ritual then it says to this white man that something is amiss. That is what I witnessed last night in the final of the Rugby League Cup contested between Australia and New Zealand. After both country's national anthems were sung, New Zealand lined up and performed their usual "haka" war dance. Usually any other team facing this symbolic dance will line up respectfully at a distance and allow the Kiwis this one indulgence that connects them to their cultural roots. Last week in the semi-final, the English turned their back on the haka and ignored it - another show of disrespect in my opinion. But I believe last night was just as disgraceful, if not worse! During their haka last night, the Australian Kangaroos team linked arms and, in one long line walked towards the New Zealand players in the midst of their dance. They stopped as one literally a nose hair's width from the first Kiwi's in the front line of their haka formation. I believe it was obvious that they encroached so closely to the New Zealanders that they could not freely complete their dance with the same extravagence as normal. And then, when the haka finished the Australians arrogantly just walked through the New Zealand players. Absolute bad taste!

Let me say - I am Australian and I am proud of it. Nobody rejoices more when Australia succeed on the global stage and especially so on a sporting arena. But one thing this white man cannot cop is seeing arrogance by an Australian team to the extent that it disrupts another teams ritual preparations. Especially when that other team is performing a traditional cultural display. A couple of weeks ago I wrote in this blog that the RLWC08 tournament itself was a bit of a joke as it was so one-sided towards Australia. I think the Kangaroos believed they were the only team in the competition and treated everyone accordingly. Well, as they say, after pride comes the fall and how the 'mighty' fell! A 34-20 victory for New Zealand last night is a rightful vindication for a country disrespected before the game even began and it is a rightful come-uppance to an Australian national side so inflated with individual egos that they simply didn't deserve to win. Justice was done and so be it!

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas decorations in shopping centres along with appearances by the jolly red fat man may be annoyingly early this year but one thing remains the same...The best gift we could ever receive is still Jesus and an old rugged cross!

The Most Important Question I Ever Asked God...

In the midst of walking through shadow-filled dark valleys in life this white man knows that the irrepressible question that usually pours out of our souls is "WHY?". It is a necessary question appropriate for that stage of our journey through suffering as aligned with our faith and relationship with our Creator God. Yet I believe that there is a further place along that journey where the question must change if we are to ultimately move on into the green pastures and still waters of the soul. It is the location where reflective wisdom is gained, the oasis of new perspective if you will. That is the place where I can confidently cry out to God from the deepest ravines of any valley "WHY NOT?!" When those two words can finally penetrate through the heavy pressure of your pain then surely peace comes - the kind of peace Jesus spoke of; peace not of this world, peace that this world cannot understand. And there tranquility reigns...

Reflective Art...

"He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name" Psalm 147:4

The Killer Punchline!

A man is driving down the road and breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, "My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?"
The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, and even fixed his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound. The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk."
The man is disappointed but thanks them anyway and goes about his merry way.
Some years later, the same man breaks down in front of the same monastery. The monks accept him, feed him, and fixed his car. That night, he hears the same strange noise that he had heard years earlier. The next morning, he asks what it is, but the monks reply, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk."
The man says, "All right, all right. I'm dying to know. If the only way I can find out what that sound was is to become a monk, how do I become a monk?"
The monks reply, "You must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of sand pebbles. When you find these numbers, you will become a monk."
The man sets about his task. Forty-five years later, he returns and knocks on the door of the monastery. He says, "I have traveled the earth and have found what you have asked for. There are 145,236,284,232 blades of grass and 231,281,219,999,129,382 sand pebbles on the earth."
The monks reply, "Congratulations. You are now a monk. We shall now show you the way to the sound."
The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, "The sound is right behind that door."
The man reaches for the knob, but the door is locked. He says, "Real funny, may I have the key?"
The monks give him the key, and he opens the door. Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone. The man demands the key to the stone door. The monks give him the key, and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby.
He demands another key from the monks, who provide it. Behind that door is another door, this one made of sapphire. So it went until the man had gone through doors of emerald, silver, topaz, amethyst...
Finally, the monks say, "This is the last key to the last door."
The man is relieved to no end. He unlocks the door, turns the knob, and behind that door he is amazed to find the source of that strange sound.
But I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk.

Anglo-Celtic & Norse Observances...

One of the few subjects this white man embraced during his school years was history. It didn't matter if it was Australian History, European History, Modern or Ancient History...I loved it all! Perhaps history endeared itself to me because early in my life I grasped the fact that interpreting history speaks into the realities of today and can help chart the course of tomorrow. Naturally, as a pastor, biblical history always fascinates and feeds me. Yet it isn't really bible history that has been fanning the intellectual and spiritual flame within recently. For I have been finding great joy in discovering the depth of wisdom within Anglo-Celtic and Norse history which is the major heritage of my ancestory. Epic tales from the Celts and Viking tales from the north and their amazing mythologies have led this white man deeper into his understanding of himself and the God he worships.

One such tale is the account of the Norse hero Beowulf. His story was the first-ever documented piece of writing in Old English script. The epic of Beowulf, especially as interpreted through a recent cinematic adaption is a saga of heroism, egoistic pride and ultimate downfall. For after all, the superheroic Beowulf, slayer of monsters and dragons is eventually revealed to be a mere mortal with drastic failings. A healthy reminder that at the height of pride a fall always comes.

And then there are the incredible accounts from Norse mythologies about the pantheon of gods like Odin, Loki and Thor. Their belief in the spiritual afterlife as expressed through their hope in Valhalla and even their own apocalyptic revelation of Ragnarok have eerie similarities with Christian views of heaven and the end of this age. And so on...Arthurian legend, Druid spirituality, Gaelic legends...too much to elaborate on here.

What I am saying is simply this - to touch the heart of oneself in relation to who you are in your physical and spiritual life-blood, sometimes you must return home into the history of that which you are a product of. I guess it is a way of truth to arriving at a place of 'owning' oneself and the complexity of who you are. For at that place of understanding hopefully comes wisdom, heightened self-esteem and serenity of soul. And most importantly, a closer understanding and connection with our God of Ages, revealed in and through the person of Jesus Christ.

Nature's Fury...

A terrifying storm hit SE Queensland yesterday unleashing a barrage of fury that killed one person and left massive amounts of damage to properties and infrastructures. Just another awe-ful display of nature that leaves one trembling at the true vulnerable condition of our mortality.

It causes this white man to reflect on God's reminder to Job in 38:25;

"Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,

and a path for the thunderstorm?"

Yep...God does...

Verse for the day...

The Amazing Buddha Boy!

This white man was bemused to learn of the emergence of the Nepalese young man dubbed 'Buddha Boy'. His story can be accessed by clicking on the link below:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24645114-2703,00.html

Honestly, I've seen first-hand Buddhist and Hindu religious fervour in Nepal and India. And even a story like this doesn't surprise me in the least. Because at the end of the day, some people will just believe what they want to believe. Don't think for a moment Christianity is exempt from such fanatical hysteria. I can clearly remember the sad case of a young 10 year-old American boy named Shaun Walters. His father basically would take Shaun around churches and put him up to preach as your stereotypical hellfire and brimstone tele-evangelist! Even gave the boy the title of pastor! Around 8-9 years after the original expose, a follow-up documentary of Shaun Walters revealed him as a socially retarded and mentally disturbed young man with major issues in his life. Wonder what will end up of the Buddha Boy?

Just For Laughs...

A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel was knitting!
Realising that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled "PULL OVER!"
"NO!" the blonde yelled back,

"IT'S A SCARF!"

Clothed in Righteousness...

True Dutch Courage!

One morning mid last year this white man was simply stunned when news came through over the airwaves of a shooting in the Melbourne CBD. "This is Melbourne, not New York!" was my first thought (that reaction was actually misinformed as New York City has probably an equal or even less amount of street crime in their CBD than Melbourne does due to their successful zero tolerance crime policy but that's another discussion...). News continued to filter through that a Melbourne lawyer was dead and a woman and a backpacker seriously injured. It was revealed that the lawyer and the Dutch tourist came to the aid of a woman being assaulted by another male. The protagonist then produced a gun and the three were summarily shot. In time the offender was eventually arrested, charged, found guilty in court and sentenced to life in prison. And still an innocent man's family grieve their loss of a husband and father. Another woman still struggles to piece together her life after the trauma she was subjected to. And then there is the Dutch backpacker, Paul De Waard...

Paul De Waard, a young tourist on the other side of the world from his home made a decision one day to do the right thing. It can't have been an easy decision, after all he was here on a holiday in a country not his own and really, he didn't have to get involved in what transpired...but he chose to involve himself. And he has paid a heavy price for that act of heroism. This white man has travelled abroad and cannot imagine the dilemma of being faced with a similar situation in another country, let alone my own. Today Paul De Waard has been honoured with a bravery commendation and medal. It is both an appropriate and obligatory gesture no doubt, but even still it seems inadequate compared with the real legacy I believe this brave Dutchman has left in our lives here in Melbourne. For me, his legacy is this - a personal challenge. That come any time in my day-to-day life, if I was to be confronted with a scene alike what he was faced with, that I, too would remember his rightful actions and follow his example by not being content to be a spectator to another person's suffering but be willing and able to interject myself, even at personal cost if necessary. Moreover, I would expect it not only of myself but also, later in life when they are older, I would expect it of my sons. Why are my expectations worth the time of day? They aren't in themselves, but I also believe them also to be Christ's expectations and so at least for me that means something.

I feel personally challenged by this and consider the heroism of Paul De Waard a clarion call into the collective consciousness of Melburnians. How often to we keep walking past situations when we truly know deep inside that we should have stopped to help? How often do we cower to our innermost fears and retreat into self-preservation when confronted with the suffering of others? Let me tell you, this white man has heard the story of the Good Samaritan many, many times over. Yet honestly, it took a real life good samaritan on my own streets to fully reveal the deep truth Jesus taught one day in responding to a simple question "who is my neighbour?" I guess that Dutch guy knows the story of the good samaritan - whether he knows it or not, more importantly he lived it. May I also have the same courage to make that truth the testimony of my life as well.

Happy Birthday to the White Man!

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me...

The Final Solution?

This white man duly noted with regret the recent executions of the three men infamously known to Australians as "the Bali Bombers". These three men, Imam Samudra, Muklas and Amrozi received exactly what they desired - martyrdom for their flawed insidious cause. Not surprisingly, most Australian families affected by the 2002 Sari Club atrocity indicated relief at the executions but few said that it really changed anything or provided any real sense of closure for them. They will always be without the loved ones who were callously taken from them that fateful night.

Let it be said from the outset - this white man vehemently opposes capital punishment. And the case of the Bali Bombers is no different. The simple fact is this - for those three misguided individuals death was not a punishment, it was their reward. Their executions will not be a deterrent to other deluded bloodthirsty zealots of the same terrorist cause - it will be an inspiration...something worth emulating to receive their due "reward" in Allah's paradise with a "harem-full of virgins" etc... So why execute these depraved three men? Surely if the Indonesian judicial system truly wanted to punish them then they would have denied them their wish of a glorious martyrdom.

Well I know that many will share an alternate opinion and say with an arguable amount of truth that the Bali Bombers got what they deserved. All this white man would say is that justice isn't so black and white. A Jewish peasant man proved that on one ground-shaking day when stones fell upon the earth as a broken woman cried for her life...and she lived. No justice isn't black and white but grace is all-consuming...

Verse for the day....

Knowledge is power?

It was Sir Francis Bacon, the English philosopher and statesman who famously quoted the popular saying "knowledge is power!" That statement can be understood in many ways but one way in which some people live out what they believe to be the essence of this notion goes something along the lines of "the more I know, the more powerful I become..." And that is why some unfortunate individuals in this world carry a self-harnessed cross because they are constantly anxious and even paranoid to know everything that is going on around them. Their equation is simple - to know means to control, or at the very least attempt to control. They are the troubleshooters in life who troubleshoot problems before they are even problems! They have no concept of feeling content not knowing about matters that are not their concern - for everything is their concern! This white man feels desperately sorry for people like that - especially in church circles. The only person I can recall who could ever adequately handle omniscience was Jesus Christ Himself! And He truly was the exception! As for me...well I fall back into the comfort of that other famous quote - "ignorance is bliss!"

Will they still call it the White House?

Amidst the euphoria of many pro-Obama supporters, not only in the United States but globally as well, this white man has had cause to reflect on President-elect Barack Obama's ground-breaking victory in the US presidential election yesterday. Of course much has been made of Obama himself, a highly skilled and intelligent man who ran a relatively near-flawless campaign to grasp the highest seat of power in the US, if not the free world. And of course one cannot escape the issue of Barack Obama's racial background - he will be the 44th president of the United States of America and the first not a caucasian white male. Personally, I found it poignant to hear repeatedly throughout the media coverage yesterday the deep echoeing voice of Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr reminding us of his dream, a dream for an equal, truly united America between white and black and anyone else in-between. The significance of the people of America's choice to elect their first coloured president cannot be lost upon those of us in the world who can now be of lesser doubt that the US is a land of opportunity for all. As Barack Obama himself said yesterday "It's been a long time coming. But tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America." And that it has; America will never be the same.

Yet this white man wants simply to make one point. Whilst the racial significance of Barack Obama's victory should not be lost, let it be said that regardless of what colour the leader of a nation is, that alone cannot be the defining measure of who they are and how they will perform in their role. As the first Anglo-Australian ever ordained into the Vietnamese Evangelical Church of Australia I know that at the end of the day my skin colour counts for little when compared to who I am as a human being and how I do my job. And when they gather at my funeral some day I earnestly hope that the conversation about my legacy isn't focused on my ethnicity but rather on my good nature and integrity. So I will judge Barack Obama on how he tackles the mountainous task of re-building global respect for his nation and re-stabilising the economy. Whether he is black, white, red or yellow should not matter as long as he stands worthy of the high office before him and presides fairly and equally for all Americans.

Yet all that being said and at the risk of sounding contradictory, how long will it be before an indigenous Australian can ascend to the highest office in our great southern land? Hopefully in my lifetime! I have a dream too...

Back from Tranquility...

This white man and his family have just returned from a relaxing long weekend with good friends down Gippsland way. His blog will fill in the blanks tomorrow, along with some US presidential reflections and the like.

Grace & Peace!

Verse for the Day...

Halloween Truth...

This white man received this recently as a more Godly response to the celebration of Halloween. Not a bad reflection for your consideration..

A woman was asked by a coworker, 'What is it like to be a Christian?' She replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.' God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'

AMEN (and happy Halloween!)