Many of my facebook statuses are about food. Every now and then someone makes a comment about that. Stirring me up for talking about food so much.I reckon they are jealous….

But seriously, lets talk about food.

In our beautiful country we have some of the best produce and skillful growers, and they make beautiful food. Their creativity is world class as is the produce.

When we visited Cairns we went down to the markets and picked out about 6 different and strange fruits. We then went back to our motel, had a BBQ and while sitting around the pool we sampled them all with our children. It was a beautiful experience the kids still talk about.

As those who know me personally will know, my wife is a superb cook. She teaches cooking, has studied both formally and informally and sets very high standards for herself and me. When I cook for the family, sometimes twice a week, I know I need to get it up to a certain standard. That has been fun for me actually, and I reckon I cook steak better than her! (But she wouldn’t agree).

My point is though that we have such beautiful opportunities to enjoy the good things God has given us, and we should! I must admit that those people who prefer standard food, every day, annoy me sometimes. Launch out a bit, try something different, you just might enjoy it! While getting the same satisfying reaction from the same foods may be of some benefit, I much prefer trying new flavours and experiences.

When I visited Indonesia I said to my traveling friend Wayne, ‘I am

Some food at a Indonesian home I visited

going to try everything, enjoy everything, and if I get sick, I get sick’. Now Indonesians are not as wealthy as we might be, but they love their food, and enjoy it.

There is balance needed of course. Many in the world don’t have enough. We should do what we can to help them, and I think our family does…to be frank.

So enjoy food, revel in it, God has provided it for you.

Recently ABC2 have been playing some repeats of “The Goodies” a popular English show from the 70’s. I remember watching it as a 8 or 9 year old and laughing at the foolishness of the three main characters and the ridiculous situations and stories. Who can forget the giant cat roaming through the streets of London or the ‘black pudding’.

What is interesting to me now, as an adult, is what I missed. The crass jokes, the hidden meanings, the ‘nod nod wink wink’. It was hardly the worst show on television, and genuinely funny, but nothing like I remember as a kid!

Which brings me to George Thorogood, the master of the three cord blues. I downloaded some of his music, as I remembered its bluesy goodness from when I was 16 and 17. The chunky guitar and driving rhythm is still there…but I was surprised at some of the lyrics…I did not get some of it as a 16 year old, how naive was I! Nothing too over the top, just adult themes.

I wonder a couple of things, what are my kids ‘missing’, will they be as naive as me, and secondly…what am I ‘missing’ now?

Just something to ponder….

This is similar to the giveaway a week or two back. But this one allows you to rip a DVD and then watch the content on your Iphone.

Very cool, make sure you get the code so you can register it for nothing…

“MacX iPhone DVD Video Converter Pro Pack
Rip DVD and convert video for iPhone, iPod, iPad
•    This giveaway is valid until Nov 30”

Here

The local McDonalds, Maylands, has this sign up.

They are open on Christmas Day.

Now it is November 18th.

This means you could take this two ways. Either they have their sign up way too early, or they think people are going to be planning their Christmas Day around going to Mc Donalds.

Thats sobering.

Christmas at the Edwards’ house is full of provision, grace and blessing. We celebrate the great place we live in, the house and food and family we have. It is a day of extravegence. And there is nothing wrong with that! Jesus gave us this incredible world, and we should enjoy the fruit of its harvest.

But we also have health, great family and beautiful children.

So many don’t.

I often ask people, what are you doing for Christmas? Sometimes, truth be told, I am apprehensive of the answer, because for many, they don’t have exciting things to be doing on that day.

It is a time which brings into crystal clarity for many….what they don’t have.

So while I am enjoying and reveling in the good things I share with my family, I will also be aware that some people may be looking for a Mc Donalds store to visit.

Here is the start of the publicity I have done up for our Christmas theme this year.

For the month of December we are looking at ‘Immanuel, Journey to Christmas’ discovering together some of the stories revolving around God’s coming to earth.

For some Christians the idea of celebrating Christmas is problematic. They see it as being based on a pagan festival. I don’t care about that. Its like Paul’s argument in Romans 14 in regard to the weaker brother. These people were eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols! Paul knew it was just meat, but some Christians were upset because of the pagan origins. Paul made it clear….its just meat, don’t sweat it, its good for your body. But don’t offend your weaker brother with your freedom.

For me and my church, Inglewood Community Church, Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to share the great news about Jesus coming to earth. To not use it to share the gospel is a waste, a missed ‘Kairos’ in my view.

I have done the next installment in this series…

The Conservative College and Long Socks….

For our church, we generally see Baptism as something which believers do as a outward symbol of an inward decision they have made. While we might dedicate a child to God, and pray a prayer of blessing for them, we know that as they mature, they will have to make a decision of their own with what they will decide about God, and the role He plays in their life.

This Sunday I was really blessed and honoured to be involved in two Baptisms, both of them involving two people who did not grow up in Christian homes. Hearing their testimonies was exciting and fascinating. There is not much more powerful in church life than hearing how God has moved in someones life, changed them forever. Both of these wonderful people shared how believing in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour transformed them. I encouraged them to be open and frank in their testimonies, its their story, and often in the vulnerable aspects, others relate.  It was an honour as a Pastor to baptise them.

We did the Baptism down at the Swan River in Bassendean, at a place called ‘Sandy Beach’. It was the perfect place, sunshine, clear sand, and a nice bank for the good crowd who came down to witness it. Powerful stuff!