Since its inception, there has only been one game ever, that an Aboriginal player has not been on the field for the Dockers.

At one stage there were 7 Aboriginal players on our list.

That is something to be proud of. More than any other arena, the sports one is one where Aboriginal people have found acceptance, respect and equality. Of course it has not always been so, and there are still awful stories of racism pottering around the edges of the AFL. But in the main, AFL Football should be glad with the way it has advanced the cause of these original Australians.

As a Dockers fan, we actually named our son after a great Freo Aboriginal player, Clem Michael. His father, Stephen, was arguably one of the best players ever.

We have been thrilled with the skillful Fremantle Dockers players with an Aboriginal ancestry from Winston Abraham, Garry Dhurrkay, Jeff Farmer, Roger Hayden and Michael Johnson. What a wonderful bunch of men.

Now we look forward to Stephen Hill becoming all he can be and others as well. Makes you proud to be a Dockers Member.

Although it is well documented that the change of logo and jumper was not met with gladness by myself, I must say that the Indigenous Jumper that Roger Hayden has been involved with is a beauty. Might just consider getting one!

Psalm 1

Every year I help organise the WA Baptist Pastors Retreat. We hold it in Mandurah over three day with most of us staying at the Mandurah Atrium.
This year we had as our guest speaker Dale Stephenson, the Senior Pastor at Crossway Baptist Church.
Dale spoke a number of times.
The first statement he made was,
“The kingdom price is too high to adopt methods that God is not blessing”
His point being that we are not to fear the people or their approval
I would add that the price of time is also too high. Look to where God is working, and go there.

Dale then spoke about preaching and communication of vision. Do not make a big point without emphasis, Vast majority of people have a heart, Hearts and minds need to be touched. He emphasised the need for stories, and how stories shape your culture. Do you want bad stories to shape your culture?

He then finished on Wednesday with the well known story of the Lost Son
At our point of failure and when the Devil is pointing at us, God meets us in our vulnerability. Having enticed you away, the Devil then tells you you can’t come to God for forgiveness. Shame. The lost son could have been found shame, but instead the Father ran to him to show him grace. Who can now shame the son when the Father is celebrating? Who wants to go to the auditor? Who wants to go to the principals office? He saved us today and he will save us in the future
Pharisees are enjoying the story when son is getting what he deserves with the pigs. No Jewish father is going to celebrate his son feeding pigs

The story ends with the father and the lost son.
The story is unresolved with the older brother not having joined the party.
Does he? We don’t know. The listener of the story has to answer that question themselves.

The Retreat was a inspiring and full on time. Most of us love it and look forward to it every year.

Erving Coffman used the metphor of a theatre to describe human behaviour. In Walkers book, “leading out of who you are’ he uses this illustration to suggest that leaders can understand their behaviour and attitude through self reflection using this diagram. I found it helpful.

“Leading out of who you are’

Rick Warrens much loved son passed away recently, at his own hand. After a long battle with depression and mental illness.

Rick is one of the most social media savvy pastors there is. His influence is profound.
He is perhaps one of the most influential religious practitioners in the world.

All I have seen of him causes me to respect his ministry. He was at the forefront of Christians getting involved in Aids research, before it was trendy to do so. He reaches out to all political spheres. Yet he has not compromised his Christian faith or beliefs to do so.

But there have been so many who have chosen this sensitive time to condemn, judge and post spiteful comments directed towards him from behind the safety of their keyboards.

Shame on you, you pharisees.

“He sees you as a diamond in the sky…beautiful….His creation..chosen before the word was given for the light to crack open the darkness.” From my message prepared for this Sunday. (Eph 1)

It is a pretty good start to the year. Beating the mob from down the road is always good. But I hope we have bigger birds to fry this year.

Here are some thoughts I am pondering.

1. Is Jonathon Griffin the most underrated Ruckman in the AFL?
After comprehensively toweling up AA Ruckman Dean Cox in the absence of Sandilands, it might be time for him to get some more recognition. Tick for whoever made the decision to keep him on last year.

2. Is Nic Suban about to have a break out year?
After periods of injury, and having to wear the Sub jacket to many games, perhaps his four quarter effort, including 3 goals, might see Nic become a regular player.

3. Is Danyl Pearce the shrewdest pick up for 2013?
His presence and pace on Saturday night was telling. Having to decide who to tag out of Hill, Fyfe and now Pearce is going to cause some headaches to opposition coaches.

4. Can we keep up the intensity?
Keeping the ball in your own forward 50 has become a mark of a well coached and disciplined Fremantle side under Ross Lyon. I hope the intensity can be kept up because if it is, Fremantle will win more games than lose in 2013.