Here is an interesting article in the SMH

Rick spoke about this article when at Hillsong.
Interesting, but not much more information than we already know.
Obviously the money issue is the one the press are most interested in, not the lives being helped.
(Thanks to Bagga for the Link)

The story in the West and splashed all over the TV News last night was all about the plight of West Coast Ruckman Michael Gardiner.
The West’s story this morning detailed his on and off field drama’s over the last few years.

Michael set out last night to grab some late night takeaway in his V8 Commodore. Only problem was Michael had been consuming Vodka, was drunk and smashed his car and two others.

This is a sad story for many reasons.

Michael is a very talented player. Many Aussie blokes would love to have his talent.
Michael has thrown it away because of one foolish choice after another.
It has come to light that this was his chance. He had six weeks during Cox’s abscence to prove himself, and with Cox out, and West Coast’s excellent midfield, he could have done it.

Instead he has made another foolish decision. What is perhaps more worrying is his lack of responsibility about it. He claimed he was not drinking, and had not done much wrong.
Unfortunately the blood alcohol limit was well over .08 and his own teamates and coach expressed their view that he had let the side down badly, which he has.

There is a distinct possibility Michael will not be covered by insurance if found guilty of driving under the influence. This will cost him a considerable amount of money, in fixing his own car, and two others, as well as court fines.

I feel sad for the young man, who at 26, had the world at his feet. With one bad decision he has hurt himself and set a bad example for others.

Lets hope he can turn it around. With just a few good decisions that is possible.
Get stuck into his footy at Claremont, pay his bills, face up to his responsibilties. With all the terrible stories of young Aussie males harming themselves intentionally, lets hope Michael seeks help.

Just a brief thought I wanted to write down and think about.

We have all heard the cliche, if one door shuts, dont worry, another will open.

I dont think thats true.
Maybe God wants us to smash down the closed door. Maybe the door is put there by someone who does not have our or God’s best interests at heart.
Maybe we give up too quickly and too easily, citing God’s will, when in fact its us being lazy or wanting things to be easy.

“Let go and Let God” , what a crock. Life is hard and tough sometimes. We dont get what we want, or even what we think God wants for our lives. Sometimes we get the exact opposite of what we think God would want for us, and it does not seem fair.

I dont see Jesus stopping when the going got tough. I see him going and being flogged to death for what He believed in. No easy road for that Warrior. If that was one door shutting, Jesus allowed it to slam shut in His face.
There was no easy door opened for Him to go through, and I wonder if there are many easy doors opened for us.

Malthouse was comprehensively outcoached today by the positive Chris Connolly.
One interesting tactic which the team employed in the last quarter was long torpedo kicks into the 50. It has come out after the game that this was a tactic Chris instigated amongst the players, and it worked a treat. It kept the Pies defenders on their toes, and with Jeff Farmer running amok in the forward 50, we won a good quality game.

Special Mentions to Bell, 38 Possessions, Josh Carr, brilliant, tough and in it when it counted.
Drum played well for a young player, kicking a valuable goal, and his first in AFL.
Sandilands won it in the middle for us consistently, and it showed in the clearances.

Pavlich did not have his best game, and the defender on him played out of his skin, but Pav still managed to kick some goals.
Mc Pharlin played in defense and played well on Rocca.

Des Hedland got a rev up at half time and it showed with a BOG third quarter.
Shaun, my favourite player, also played well, without needing to dominate.
Go Freo!!
Next week against the Melbourne Demons will be a tough tough test, even at Subi. But the Demons do not fear Subi. But don’t write us off, if we play like we did today, we are in with a chance.

Just one note on the umpires.
They played some very soft frees to both sides, and while they were consistent in their softness, it does not help the players, who were getting very frustrated from both sides.

Great game between the Saints and Dons.
Dissapointing from a Freo POV that Essendon could not win. But thats life.

Mc Phee does not look at his best either. That’s what happens when a average player has to play as a key play maker.

Robert Harvey is a trooper. Defintely amongst the best players on the field today.
But overall St Kilda’s effort, with such a talented side, was pretty dissapointing, they dont really have anything to be proud of, winning in the dying minutes of the game, having been behind most of the day to a team who have been terrible most of the year.
Essendon have never had such a bad season in my memory. Wonder who they are going to beat this season, maybe the Blues? How the mighty coaches of the AFL have fallen.

I am speaking from Jeremiah 33 tommorow.

6″Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s damage and give her prosperity and peace. 7I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their cities. 8I will cleanse away their sins against me, and I will forgive all their sins of rebellion. 9Then this city will bring me joy, glory, and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see the good I do for my people and will tremble with awe!
10″This is what the LORD says: You say, `This land has been ravaged, and the people and animals have all disappeared.’ Yet in the empty streets of Jerusalem and Judah’s other towns, there will be heard once more 11the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing,

In this passage the people of Israel, Gods only children find themselves in exile, being attacked, facing an uncertain future. Where is God in all of this?
Where is God when we suffer?

At the Hillsong Conference Delirious sung this song, listing some of the awful things we face, yet we are still able to cry out, in faith, Our God Reigns. Its a beautiful paradox.

40 million babies lost to Gods great orphanage,It’s a modern day genocide and a modern day disgraceIf this is a human right then why aren’t we free?The only freedom we have is in a man nailed to a tree.100 million faces, staring at the sky,Wondering if this HIV will ever pass us by.The devil stole the rain and hope trickles down the plug,But still my Chinese take away could pay for someone’s drugs.

Our God reigns, Our God reigns, Forever your kingdom reigns.

The west has found a gun and it’s loaded with ‘unsure’Nip and tuck if you have the bucks in a race to find a cure.Psalm one hundred and thirty nine is the conscience to our selfish crime,God didn’t screw up when he made you,He’s a father who loves to parade you.

Yes he reigns, yes you reign, yes you reign, For there is only one true God,

But we’ve lost the reins on this world,Forgive us all, forgive us please,As we fight for this broken world on our knees.

Written by Delirious? ©2005 Curious? Music UK