The last thing I ever want to be, or my church to be, is mediocre.
At times we are, and I certainly am…..but we don’t want to be, that’s for sure.
I see a God who is creative, energetic, powerful, generous……
I want to be follow my Saviour’s example, and I want my church to as well.

I am not talking about the idea of ‘excellence’ that used to be prevalent, and still is in some quarters, but I am talking about not being mediocre.
I am talking about being creative, generous, unique, purposeful……

This is an excellent article…and I think the applications to Church are many, so I have reprinted it here.

I got a ton of email this week about the Radiohead rollout. The short version: Radiohead (a million-selling rock band) launched their new album as a pay-what-you-want MP3 combined with an expensive boxed set. This is the sort thing I’ve been talking about for seven years and many unknown bands have been doing for at least that long.

The irony, of course, is that by jumping in last, they’re condemning themselves to more mediocrity.

Seth Godin

Missional – Two Sundays ago we had a guy nursing a hangover, a couple that had given up on church years ago and a Muslim attend Compass Point…after we had befriended them through community outreach.

Attractional – This past Sunday they all came back because they liked it the week before.

It’s a stupid argument…you need both!!!

Christians hang out at Starbucks…disconnected people hang out in bars.

Chris blog

and if you want your club to pick him up…….forget it…as he is very likely to be delisted from the AFL, meaning he cant play for any other club…..

as well….SGIO is reviewing its sponsorship of the club…as they should….I’ve had enough of those “not anymore’ ads for a start….and that dork wearing a eagles jumper as well.

The weagles had to do this….otherwise the AFL would definetly take draft picks off them.

Hope Woosha is able to enjoy his holiday in Broome, but somehow I doubt it.

with Cousins and Chick gone, there is only one known drug user left at the Weegirls…he had better be careful.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Howard has weighed into the Cousins scandal, warning that the AFL must take a tough line on drugs.

He also described the latest strife to hit the Eagle as a tragedy for a great athlete.

“But I hope that the AFL is as tough as needs be in relation to the culture and attitude within the sport that brought it about,” he said this afternoon.

The Government has been critical of the AFL’s controversial three strikes illicit drugs policy – endorsing a zero tolerance approach to illegal drugs in all sports.

Mr Howard said he felt sorry for the star footballer’s family and he hoped the player was able to get a grip on his problem.

“I think it is a personal tragedy for a very talented young man,” Mr Howard said.

story

I actually have a lot of sympathy for Ben Cousins, and I hope that at some point in the future he is able to relax, and think that life is okay, and that the demon hand of drugs has left him. I hope he does no more self harm to himself, and lives a long and good life.

However, he cannot possibly be allowed to play football anymore. The West Coast should do something strong, which they have failed to do thus far, and they must sack him. If they dont, they will have no reputation left at all, if indeed they have any credibility.

SGIO, an insurance company, a solid citizen of the corporate world, must also withdraw their sponsorship of the club. The corporate world should not support a club which takes no moral responsibility for the behaviour of its players.
West Coast must act now, but the fact they have failed to act sooner, has in no small way, led to the events of yesterday.

The fans must also take responsibility. How sycophantic and ridiculous does the standing ovation Ben recieved feel now? Will the sign writer who wrote, “we admire what you have overcome” burn their sign? The undulating support on 6peagle last night was sickening, ‘get of his back’, ‘its the medias fault’….sheesh.

Apparently Ben smiled through his arrest last night, and asked the police to wait so the “West Australian” could get a decent photo of him. Maybe this is a cry for help. Maybe he has had enough of himself. He needs some tough love.

One of the many issues for the West Coast is the line from their song which talks about ‘the men from the east’. It embodies something about their culture which is a ‘them and us’ mentality. WA is a state of pioneers, and rumours of secession. We have not trusted those from the East. Unfortunately the WC Eagles are seen as being part of the ‘us’ and thus immune from scrutiny.

Those of us who dont support them, are constantly suprised by the depth of denial that emmenates from the WC management, the media and their fans. They are the worst behaved sporting club in Australia…bar none.

The lack of media and fans scrutiny of the club have led in some small way to Ben’s demise, and again, I wish him all the best.

Car searched in Northbridge, taken shirtless to local police station.

West Coast have a severe culture problem at their club…..severe…and need to do something drastic. Glad my kids dont support them.

Just in….Cousins is very likely arrested, and Daniel Chick is being questioned.

During the trade period Freo wanted to pick up Keppler Bradley from Essendon. They offered a 3rd round draft pick….Essendon said no, he is worth at least a second round draft, stale mate…Harvey did not blink.

Now we get the news that Essendon have delisted him!! story

Unbelievable….now we pick him up for nothing……

The trade week is designed so players can move clubs….and its a good idea….because good players dont want to be forced to play for the Weegirls.