What amazes me about atheists and materialists, people who only believe in biology and chemicals…is that they fail to account for the incredible spirituality we see demonstrated in the arts, in music, in theatre…in nearly every endevour of humankind there has been a striving to connect with something beyond ourselves.
But the truth is….as Christians…as people who are part of a church. How much of what we do…would continue…if the Holy Spriit was removed.
Here are some of my favourite photos from our recent trip to Tasmania
After Driving about 1300 Kilometres on the first day, and staying at Madura, we were lucky enough to make it to the Great Australian Bight for breakfast. Coco pops and milk…and a stunning view.
The road across the Nullabor is strangely fascinating. But with the Zooks average fuel capacity, I stopped at most fuel stops. Ruby enjoyed the whale!
We got to Melbourne quicker than expected and spent a day there. Then we boarded the ‘Spirit of Tasmania’ for the 10 hour boat trip. The cabin was great. If traveling with your family I recommend traveling at night. We went to sleep at about 10pm and were woken at 6.45am. Great fun.
Tasmania produce is amongst the best in the world. Rasberries were cheap and plentiful, so were cherries, apricots and other superb fruit.
Cradle Mountain is perhaps the middle of Tasmania…in a spiritual sense. Our young family managed to climb to Marions lookout. A great sense of accomplishment. About 13 Kilometres and 6 hours.
The North West Coast of Tasmania is certainly our favourite part. Here we are fishing at Arthur River for ‘Cockie Salmon’. We did get some!
Love being able to drive on the beach.
The North West Coast of Tasmania, beautiful untouched coastline and a Zook? What more does a boy need?
It has been a while since I have posted anything Freo related.
This year shapes up as a defining year for the club….like the last 15.
The players all seem in shape and passionate for climbing up the ladder….like the last 15.
The big difference is our coach. Ross Lyon comes with a big reputation for strong discipline and work ethic. Already there are reports of players losing significant weight, and having renewed application to training.
They will need to, for Lyons sake. This present administration have proven time and time again that they have no sense of loyalty to anything apart from their own agenda. Lyon comes in knowing fully well that he has a short period of time before the CEO will be sharpening his knife. Like a new education minister, the club CEO has come in with a raft of changes to make sure his ‘branding’ is all over the club. I suspect the sacking of Harvey and replacing him with Lyon had as much to do with Steve Rosich ego as any plan for team success.
Watch your back Lyon, make sure that contract is water tight.
Having said all that…I support the club, not the administration, and I hope we do have a great year.
This is a great video…I don’t quite know why just yet. But there is something here about the physically powerful, the ‘attack first, ask questions later’, and frustration….
While on the way to Kalgoorlie my wife and I listened to some John Bevere sermons we had been given. That guy is a preacher. I love preachers. It is my gifting…..rather than a teacher.
He can preach…John Bevere, even if you don’t agree or like his message.
One thing he said which resonated with me was that we should have ‘godly confidence’. This is not pride. Rather it is a measured understanding of who you are in Christ. As I look at the first chapter of Titus, and how Paul descrives the Cretans….Titus needed some godly confidence, strength under control.
Some people hate change, some people love it. In my public speaking ministry I consciously change my style every 12 months. I listen to other preachers, read online messages…but most of all reflect on what I have been doing previously.
After returning from Tasmania, a number of people have commented on how my preaching has changed….thats good. One thing I consider to be almost sinful…being a ‘boring’ preacher. The best message in the world should never be boring. 
Alain De Botton is a well known atheist, philosopher and book writer. In his latest book he points out how useful religion is, even though he thinks its based on untruths. “Why religion is too important to be left to the religious
To my mind, of course, no part of religion is true in the sense of being God-given. It seems clear that there is no holy ghost, spirit, geist or divine emanation. The real issue is not whether god exists or not, but where one takes the argument to once one concludes that he evidently doesn’t.
I believe it must be possible to remain a committed atheist and nevertheless to find religions sporadically useful, interesting and consoling – and be curious as to the possibilities of importing certain of their ideas and practices into the secular realm.”
I responded to what he had to say this morning at Inglewood Community Church. You can listen here