The former spiritual leader of the West Coast Eagles came out and gave a brief interview on Thursday night. It was an interesting interview. Ben seemed guarded in his response, yet also aware and upfront about the struggles he is going to face.
I hope that he gets back to playing footy at some stage, it might help the journey to recovery for him. With so much talent and giftedness, Ben’s story is one of contradictions, missed opportunities and waste.

Maybe he might get picked up by Geelong. Mooney was open to the idea, and it was the club he could have gone to instead of the Eagles.

In the ongoing spat between Obama and the Religious right, headed by Dobson, Christian Media Producer Phil Cooke has nailed the point…..

“So my question is – how long before we realize that political power isn’t the best way to make cultural change happen? Christians need to vote and be a vital part of the political process, but programs like Dr. Dobson’s today serve not to move the ball forward, but to raise money for the cause.”
Rest

Preparing my final message at Bedford Baptist Church.

I feel the need for our church to let go of some past conflicts and hurts, I know I need to.

This is a spiritual decision, a spiritual word if you like.
But how much detail do you need to go into, or should go into?

“Our church has had a lot of conflict in its years. I am the longest serving pastor by double, I have served here as your pastor for double the length of any other pastor. Joe Westlake, who in my mind looms larger than life, served here just under 7 years. Chris Robinson, who oversaw a great period in the life of the church was here just 3 years.
The average pastor has been here for only 2.5 years…and that does not include the part timers and interims.
A long standing secretary and someone who I have enormous respect for, who kept this church going during the dark times, told me once, that this church had a reputation for chewing up and spitting out its leaders.
This morning I am going to share with you all some of this stuff, and then you know what, we are going to ask God for forgiveness and we are not going to mention it again…There is great healing to be done in lifting the scab off, allowing the air to get in, and then allowing time to heal it. Unless asked, I don’t want us to talk about these things again. As we move on, all of us, and I include myself, need to move on from Bedford Baptist Church, and start making some new mistakes as Inglewood Church” (last comment said with a smile!)

What do you think?

For one thing, its good to see someone get stuck into Woosha…no matter what you think of Hardie, or Woosha…at least they are treating him as they have treated Freo coaches!!

Prepare for some unformulated ramblings and thoughts of reflection….

This week I have struggled with a few things as I prepared my message for today.
How much is us…how much is God?
As I read from Acts 8 we looked at the story of Philip and Simon the sorcerer.
If ever there was a passage which describes the difference between a magician and a miracle worker…this is it.

Yet Simon had much influence over his society…which proves you dont need God to have influence and lead people.
But leading people where God wants them to go….that takes miracles, not magic – doesn’t it?

Even in our own personal spiritual life, with our struggles….sometimes self discipline will get us through…sometimes it takes God….often we fail.

The other struggle is that it seemed Simon truly believed, despite his mixed up perceptions and money fulled desire to be able to impart the Holy Spirit. Peter could not give something he himself did not have….yet he did annoint people and the Holy Spirit did come upon them. So again…the tension between is it God, is it us.

Some pastors are so obviously gifted…not necesarily in a God empowered way…they are just smart, and good communicators…and they use their talents for the kingdom.
Me? I struggle…cant preach well without His presence and empowering. But then….when we have a smaller crowd in, its harder! It should not be. But it is…and surely that is the influence of human factors, not God…

After the 187 to 42 point flogging handed out to the hapless Eagles by Geelong tonight at Subiaco Oval…what possible spin shall serial offender Kim Hagdorn put on it? Will they be able to mention Fremantle in a disparaging way….somehow? Maybe something like….

“Eagles loss not as bad as Freo’s 9 point loss to St Kilda in Melbourne”

“Worsfold happy to play kids in rebuilding year as Harvey falters”

“Eagles rebuilding process on track as Champion Coach Worsfold plays rookies”

“Eagles still have premiership flags despite embrassing loss to Geelong”

mmmmmmm………

EDIT
Thanks to Speedy Geoff for pointing out that indeed Hackdorn took the first option.
“It was West Coast’s worst ever loss at Subiaco Oval, once considered a fortress for eastern states invaders during the Eagles power years of the 1990s and middle of this decade and was on the back of Fremantle’s shocking effort against St Kilda on Friday night.”

Tell me Kim, what relation does Freos 9 point loss to the Saints, in Melbourne, have to do with the mauling that West Toast received?
Journalism???

In stark contrast to the measured and objective journalism (mostly) of Mark Duffield.
“In fact, after the carnage the Cats visited on the hapless Eagles last night, the rotting carcass that is the 2008 West Coast team may well have been stuffed into the grave alongside those now dormant ghosts.
It was a display so dominant and clinical that West Coast’s parochial fans, known for clapping their own team’s points and booing opposition champions, sat in quiet awe as Geelong ran up a 10-goal half-time lead that was never going to be run down or threatened.”
Real journalist…take note hackdorn…