For what is really important, today was a great day for me.

We had a good Sunday AM at church. I spoke my first message on “Dangerous Church”. Talked about the Church in Acts….and how they became dangerous to the community around them. How God is dangerous…not safe or comfortable. (It will be online at Bedford Site soon)

Afterwards we had a good members meeting. We only have them sporadically now, and they are normally good and encouraging. Then….we heard some great and positive news…which relates to the “huge news”. I will go public with this shortly.

Now…to the footy. While the result was another dissapointing loss…it was good to spend some time with a new friend, fellow coffee nut…and deeply interested in spiritual issues…like me.

Then the family and I had the best, freshest Turkish bread in Perth…and some lovely fresh dip…from the local Turkish shop on Beaufort Street.

This weeks game against Port Adelaide is the Dockers 300th since entering the competition back in 1995.

There have been some magnificent moments. In the midst of this season, its nice to reflect on some of the good times.
My top six.

Parker v Fevola
It was Parks…the backman of integrity…200th game. It a magnificent run from the backline, Parker kicked one of only a handful of goals for his career. In doing so he outscored Carlton’s full forward.

Longmuir V St Kilda
Longmuir goals after the siren in a thriller. What may escape history’s glare is McPharlins beautiful rundown on Goddard resulting in a free with 30secs or so to go. I was about 1.5 metres from Longmuir when he jumped into the crowd, and you can see me jumping up and down like a Massi warrior in the background. About the only time I have seen Tom, the dour plumber who sits next to me, cry.

Medhurst V 4 Collingwood Backman
I am an unabashed fan. He was not coached consistently…he might come back. The game was against Collingwood. Paul was in the goal square, and about 1 foot smaller than 4 of Collingwoods finest, including Clement. He calmly marked the ball they all should have spoiled.

Leigh Brown
My favourite all time Freo player…who now plays for North. I remember the spray he gave to the great James Hird against Essendon in a home game we won.
I remember the bullocking work he did around the stoppages. He may be a lump, but he gave hope to all stocky blokes.

Clive V Slappovich
The best derby ever. I was so distressed at half time with the Weegirls leading by a considerable margin I felt like going home. Glad I didn’t. Of course the fireworks that erupted during that game were worth the admission price alone, and how Reid did not cop as many weeks as Kickett is another example of the inequity Freo have consistently suffered from. As Bruce McAverny stated, ” all a player has to do is put on a Freo jumper when they front the tribunal and they are guaranteed a guilty verdict”. But that is beside the point. Seeing Clive run towards the goals and kick seven against a hapless Slappy is an enduring memory.

Modra v McIntosh
Ashley Mc Intosh made a career, along with Silvangi, of getting away with scragging, niggling and generally operating outside the rules and spirit of the game. The game was in the 10th derby, and one Freo made sure of. Modra picks up the ball, sprints away from Ashley..and kicks an impossible goal. The glee of him and 30, 000 odd Freo fans is palpable as he strikes the ground.

How many pastors have I seen come and go? Personal friends need two hands to count them……People I know of…in Baptist circles….in the dozens.

People in churches do not realise the pressure on pastors….and sometimes they dont care.
Just yesterday I heard of a church sacking a young guy…sure he is young, no doubt he in imperfect…but he was giving it a go…and a good go….Part of me hopes that somehow they learn their lesson….but I wonder if this side of heaven they will realise the significance of decisions made…things could be so different.

Without my peer group of mates…who tell me the truth…and care for me…and we pray together…such strength in prayer with real blokes.

There is no need for pleasantries….we get stuck straight into it…What a blessing.

Cooked up a beautiful piece of steak tonight. Fresh, not frozen.

Used a nice grill fry pan, one with ridges on it.
Nice and hot sizzling olive oil. Cooked medium rare rare…..

Some fresh mushrooms, coated in olive oil, lemon and thyme….fried with the steak.

A baked potatoe which I fried a little, and smothered in garlic sour cream.
Cold Tooheys New….and the meal was complete.