Why does it seem that sometimes when we really start to pray for something, everything goes pear shaped?

It seems to me that when we focus our prayers and thoughts on a particular issue, be it someone we are concerned about, our family, our businesss, whatever, almost automatically things in that area get harder.

My theory is that we have brought that issue into the arena of the spiritual. I use the word “arena” because it is a battle. Suddenly whatever we are praying about becomes an issue, whereas before, maybe, it was flying under the radar. Either way the truth is that as a Christian, trying to do the right thing, and seeking God’s will, is not always, or even often, the easy road. Its not. And it is tough sometimes, really tough.

But ultimately life without real spiritual purpose is boring and safe. And I dont want a boring life.

Something drastic has happened.

I can’t drink instant coffee anymore.

I was over a good friends house the other day and they offered me some Mocconna. Expensive coffee, well made by my friend. I drank it.

But I can’t drink it anymore. Instant coffee is not coffee, its brown soup.

I need to go brew myself a latte. Melinda recently bought me a grinding machine so I am grinding my own beans now. MMMMM. Strong latte, made with fresh full strength milk.

Thats coffee.

Markedly is in mourning. GHD, Goal Hungry Dwarf, Paul Medhurst is gooorrrn.

Paul was a great source of joy to Freo supporters. I remember one incident when playing Collingwood (ironically) when Paul was in the middle of four of the Pies best defenders right in the goal square. With a subtle and skilful bump, Paul pushed aside the defenders, and calmy marked a beauty, before converting.

When Paul was on song, he kicked them from everywhere. He played on confidence, and when confident, never missed. I have seen him snap a goal while turning on a dime from 60 metres out. I have been about 2 metres from him when he kicked one 55 metres out from the boundary line.

This year he has struggled, even at WAFL level.

We won 9 games in a row without him playing.

Hello to Chris Tarrant. Look forward to your skills and kicking us onto a premiership in 2007.

If he plays well for us, and helps us, it will have been worth it.

Otherwise I can sense a Croad like feel about this trade.

“Trade week’s first mega deal has taken place, with Graham Polak now a Tiger, Chris Tarrant a Docker and Paul Medhurst a Magpie.Under the complex deal, Polak joins the Tigers on a three-year deal from Fremantle for a swap of first-round picks, with the Dockers getting Richmond’s pick no.8 and the Tigers getting the Dockers’ pick 13.The Tigers also gave up their third round pick to the Dockers, pick 42 overall, but in return got the Dockers fourth round pick, no.63.The Dockers then on-traded pick eight to Collingwood for their five-tie leading goalkicker, while goalsneak Medhurst was also traded to the Magpies as part of the package.And to complete the complicated trade, the Magpies and Tigers swapped fourth round picks, with the Tigers getting the Magpies’ pick 60 while Collingwood got Richmond’s pick 63, which the Tigers initially got from Fremantle” www.afl.com.au

Mark Tabb, Mission to Oz