This is an interesting blog….
here he defends Rick Warren and makes some good points…..

“No stranger to getting flamed by church people indignant over his writings and methods, Warren is now getting flamed by some very vocal supporters of President-elect Obama because he (Warren) is pro-life and against gay marriage. Shocker, I know.”

“Here’s the thing: Warren is not saying anything outrageous for a Christian minister. He is simply, as most evangelical Christians do, saying that babies should get to live and that homosexual behavior is sin. That he is getting branded a radical hatemonger for these things should tell us a lot about the culture we live in, which — PAY ATTENTION HERE — doesn’t care if you’re a cool, goatee-sporting, social justice loving, Obama voting Christian. If you simply follow the Bible’s counsel about life and sin, you’re Hitler.” (Source)

It was really interesting to me that Obama mentioned ‘gays’ specifically in his presidential speach.

This is not a gay bashing site….there are plenty of them around, and this is not one of them.

But a Christian minister should stand up for something, namely that the Bible is true…and God does not like sin……..Rick Warren is probably one of the sharpest Christian minds of our generation, and when interviewed, I have not seen him slip up. I dont think he did in this context either….but what he said may very well be offensive.

Why do we make this statement, “I rarely watch TV but I saw this show on how Brooke split up with Taylor etc etc…’
What is it within us that makes us apologise for watching TV…or feign guilt about it?
You don’t hear people say, “I rarely go to the movies, but I just happened to catch Hugh and Nicole and she was so wooden….”

All things in moderation I reckon.
At present, with the non ratings rubbish on, thats pretty easy! But there is still some good stuff on. For me, Prison Break and Heroes. Lately I have got addicted to both of them, sometimes recording them when I am too bombed to stay up that late. Also ‘Top Gear’ (the UK version) on Monday nights.
And….with the ‘Spicks and Specks Christmas Special’ being essential viewing…enjoy your zone out time…in moderation.

I have an excellent Church Leadership Team…I suppose if they were terrible I would probably not post about them, but they are great…so I can.

Last night we held our first ever Leadership Team Meeting for our new church, and it was a significant time. We decided on some key things, which reflect our inherant values as a church.
I was so encouraged.

I shared with the leadership team that I need three things from them.

1. That they keep pushing me to keep my eye on the big vision, and give me freedom to lead.
2. That they be my chief set of cheerleaders.
3. That they set good boundaries and keep me accountable for what I achieve

There have been years gone by when things have not been so good. Our church is already experiencing some fruit from good leadership, and this team is setting us up for more health.

Well Richmond Football Club have drafted Ben……(after saying there is no way they would)

I actually am glad. I hope that he is aided in his journey back, and does his parents proud.
All of us have made mistakes, its just that Ben got caught…and he continued on with it….

But ultimately I suspect it wont be his much vaunted issues with drugs that bring him down but his hamstrings….and the feral Tigers fans…..

We had a great day at church on Sunday.
Some things I can tell you about, some things best kept from huge public audience that read this blog (!)

A great time of worship, the band sounded great, and their was a real sense of freedom there, led ably by Eliot, who allowed space and freedom….great!

A good story of two told…and a good message on meditating on scripture, you can download it from our church website www.inglewoodchurch.org.au

About 10 visitors, including some real special people, which I can’t go into here….but I am hoping they stick around, because together, we could make some awesome differences in our community….

The air conditioning kicked the 38 degree day out of the park…something we have not had the luxury of before….