“stand up and be counted!!”

Something quite unexpected came up which meant I had in a sense some extra finance with which I needed to spend it on technology to do with one of the ministries I am involved in.

What does that have to do with turning 40?
Well I have for a long time been a stirrer of those ‘Mac Evangelists’ who seem to be in my wider social circle.

I have enjoyed throwing potshots from the corners of my safe Windows world.

No more.

As I turn 40 very shortly I was convicted to challenge myself.
Buying a Mac is only one of the ways, other more important ones including doing some work with ‘Theologians without Borders’ and some other more personal things.

But buying a Mac is the point of this post.

So far so good, things just work on a Mac…and I am really enjoying the clean sharp screen, the intuitive design and interface…and the fact that with Final Cut Express…rendering movies is quicker and better….

The other thing that surprised me was the fact I just plugged in my wireless 3 button scrolling mouse…and it worked..right click and all.

On Tuesday 15th March the West Australian ran this story on their front page.
“A State Government report paints a bleak picture of the life of Aboriginals in Roebourne, revealing alarming levels of alcohol abuse, child neglect, violence, crime and overcrowding.”
They showed Cyril in his home and said this, “Village resident Cyril Munda, who lives among the squalor, said no one should have to live in such conditions.”
(Story)

The West Australian is not staffed by idiots. They knew what the response would be. Letters to the West included typical stuff by people such as calls for Cyril to clean up his house, buy some detergent, take personal responsibility.

Fair call. Each of us should take responsibility for how we live.

But The West knew this, and knew what the response would be. It was a cynical, cliched photo, even if it was ‘true’. It did not share how Cyril had got to this point, what his family life was like. I don’t want to absolve him of responsibility, but I do want to say that ‘easy’ pot shot journalism such as this, just makes it easy for our society to continue in its attitude towards indigenous people.

I think we need to have some real dialogue with our fellow Australians about the issues that affect us all and I don’t think The West contributed to that.

Great song!
Might do it for Easter….

Good day today at Inglewood Church.
I never find it easy to talk about giving, but today I sought to have a positive message on being generous…

Had someone give a testimony that was really powerful about the provision of God in their life, as they trusted Him with their finances.

Good day!

Lots going on in office…particularly rendering video for MMC and other stuff as our church suffers (!) from growth issues…

Lots to talk about, not much time to talk about it….

Watch this space