Got me thinking that this year there is this incredible focus on us in the so called "richer nations" cancelling out debts to many of the poorer nations to enable them to eradicate extreme poverty, and the world is responding quite well to this. Yet again in my own area last weekend 6 out of 9 local candidates won a council election on the sole premise of lowering rates so that we can all have an extra $100 in our pockets, regardless of what community services will get cut as a result. We live in a weird and sometimes tragic world, with those who have much just wanting more and more all the time. Thy kingdom come...
Last year former Essendon champion footballer Michael Long walked from Melbourne to Canberra to visit little Johnnie and have a talk about the treatment of indigenous people in Australia. He, like many others, was upset at the sacking of ATSIC, the national body set up to negotiate on behalf of indigenous Australians and the government. The walk turned into an epic, as more and more people joined in so that in the end Johnnie had no choice but to receive Long and have a chat. This weekend Michael and others have issued an invitation to ordinary Australians to remember that walk with a smaller symbolic walk in Melbourne. Some have called this a reconciliation walk, others a sorry walk, Long simply says, Our neighbourhood communities at Foothills are hoping to go and join them this Sunday morning, 10.00 at Optus Oval in Carlton, wanna come for a walk?"This isn't about indigenous Australia and white Australia – this is about ALL Australia".
Congratulations to my brothers in Norway who at the weekend became the first lot of patched up members of God's Squad CMC from that neck of the woods.Well done and may Jesus guide you both now and in the future.
Have just heard the news that U2 are comin to town with their Vertigo Tour, playing at the Telstra Dome here in Melbourne on Friday, March 24. Tickets go on sale December 5, not long to save my pennies. I saw them last during their Zooropa Tour at the MCG, many moons ago. Actually met Larry after he sat on my Harley, but the best tour was the 'Love comes to Town' one with BB King must have been 16 years ago now. Rock on.
Yesterday we took a punt and invited the principals and vice principals from 5 of our local primary schools, and our local secondary college around for a lunch. It was a chance to say thankyou for the amazing work they do with many of our young people within our community, and I guess to show our appreciation. Worked out fantastic, we have great relationships with 3 of the local schools, so there was great conversations and a chance to show that Jesus is interested in sitting at tables with all sorts. Had my great mate Janelle, along with Helen for support, cooking up a feast and a half. Mike then complimented the lunch beautifully with lates all around. Gave them all a little card with the gift of a christmas angel made by our thai partners. Thanks Janelle and Mike for your amazing hospitality, and thanks to the prins and vice prins for a great afternoon of conversation and the chance to serve.
Well Saturday was a day of great contrasts. Started early in the morning with a 7.15 drop off for the boys at their cricket games, then off to the Ferntree Gully Fair. Here amongst other things I was stage managing and the MC. Was a great day, although a little damp in places, infact rained until midday. Highlights were FTG Idol again, seeing the kids perform in the rain, our Funky Foothills Hair girls were champs coloring hair all afternoon, our Make Poverty History stand went well, selling about 50 bands as well as thai handmade crafts from Ta Rua church, our partner church in the slums of Klong Toey. Special thanks to my good mate Marc who went beyond the call of duty to get our MPH banner up, advertising our day on Sunday December 11.
Last Sunday was Helen's birthday, she ended up working a morning shift for the day. She works as a midwife at a hospital not too far away and loves her work, so not a bad start to the day. Her plan was to come home at 4pm and have a nice quiet picnic with the family down at our local park at the end of our street, The Arboretum. But me as I am ended up inviting 8 families of neighbours and families from our Foothills community. So after a treasurer hunt for birthday presents around the house, aided by cryptic clues, we ended up having 30 or so people for what I thought was a great afternoon and evening of story telling, eating, playing with kids and enjoying Helens birthday in the setting sun that was Ferntree Gully. Quite a nice wasy to spend a Sunday evening I thought...
The rants and ramblings of one who tries to do his bit to make the world a better place
Red curry is my favorite curry, but orange juice gets me going. I try and swim 3 times per week, and walk a little in between. I love cricket and footy, I was there when the Pies won their last flag, my first album was Deep Purple, I used to be in love with Suzy Q, I like Star Wars, but the original 3 were much better than the latest ones. Martin Luther King is one of my heroes, I love watching my children grow up,and sometimes I get to read the paper. I enjoy good coffee, but not too much. I hang out to wake up next to my best mate Helen each morning and not rush off to save the world. I wish the Beatles were still together, I tried to play the guitar a few times, I love to ride my Harley, I hate walking in the rain when I get wet, and I hate people who waffle on about themselves...
