Luther Meets the Emerging Chuch?

It's an intriguing thing to think about: a stoic, well grounded, deeply rooted, highly traditional denomination in decline - crossed with an emerging post modern movement (possibly) gaining momentum.

This article certainly thinks it may well be so:

"believe it or not, being a "word and sacrament" church, is right on target when it comes to the needs of postmodern people. we've already got what it takes. what we need to learn is how to open up our treasures in a postmodern/ancient-future way".

Maybe they will meet in a German Pub :-)

Parenting: Excellence

My 7 yo son has a fairly good understanding of Christian doctrine for his age. He knows that Christ died for us because none of us are perfect.

Though he has craftily learned to use this to his own advantage. When he is trouble he responds "well nobody is perfect". When he is charged with being lazy he responds in the same way.

I recently gave him a talk about the difference between 'Perfection' and 'Excellence', and told him that in our family we strive for Excellence.

This has given me an opportunity to let him know that it is my job to get him from where he is now to s that standard of Excellence—and that it is Jesus job to get him from there to Perfection!

Pressure Testing

This has to be one of my favourite Bumper stickers:




It makes you think (excuse the pun) that we should never be afraid of people who ask "the hard questions" - of us, the numbers behind a Business Case, the running of a Project, Department, our faith or our views. Unless, of course we have something to hide.

Questioning brings only Truth, growth, integrity and accountability - and that has to be good for every one in the long term.

Of course someone may wish to decline to comment, or to answer a question but this should be always politely articulated with a defensible reason as to why.

People on the whole I find are reasonable.

My Boss at a former company once advised "when an Exec asks me a question that I dont know the answer to, I have found that it is much better to say "I'll get back to them" rather than to make the answer up".

Good advice...I think.

Fitness: on Motivation

Everymorning, at 5am, the Ocean calls and challenges me to Race...




I then roll-over and hit the snooze bar several times before getting up.

Faith: On Scriptural Truth

"He who would read the Bible must simply take heed that he does not err, for the Scripture may permit itself to be stretched and led, but let no one lead it according to his own inclinations, but let him lead it to the source, that is, the cross of Christ. Then he will surely strike the center."
-Martin Luther

Australia Day

Have a great Australia Day.

I thank God that I have the opportunity to live in the "Great South Land".

Surely, we are without excuse.

"...For since the creation of the World,God's invisible qualities -His Enternal Power and Divine Nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse...". Rom 1:19-20

Junction Pool WA - Source: www.kenduncan.com.au

Great Whites II

I don't know whether to sleep easy or not - but this satelitte tracking tool shows us "Where the Wild things are"...well atleast "Bomber", "Michael", "Sam C" and "Rolf"...

Off Diving tommorrow...sweet dreams!

Great White

Its just come to my attention that the first Great White to be successfully held in captivity is in Monterey, California.

Also here.

I've always wanted to "dive with the sharks" at AQWA, but if I were given a plane ticket and voucher to dive with the Sharks in Monterey - I would gracefully decline.

Equally as interesting is this Shark web-Cam - which may well now become my home page at work!


Great White

Project Management: Driving Change

Getting change to happen in a large and conservative organisation is so painfully difficult.

I never want to appear disrespectful, but I can’t help but wonder if some Senior People were God for a day, whether they would have handed down the “Ten Soft Options” to the Israelites…

…at the very least they would have evaded putting the 10 Commandments in writing.

Its just one of those days!!!

Parenting: Developing DQ

One of my greatest challenges and frustrations as a Father in disciplining my children.

Often we all hear parents of large families say "I don't know why Harry has turned out the way that he has - we disciplined all my kids the same".

Herein lies the problem...kids are to be disciplined differently depending on their 'species': Porcupine, Bear, Lamb, or Monkey.

This article on developing our disciplne quotient (DQ) provides an intriguing insight on these four species, their motivations for misbehaviour and how we should respond.

Our sky-larking seven year old is definitely a "Monkey".

Hunters & Collectors

Hunters and Collectors Image Capatured Dec 2004

The Art of Teaching

"The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards".
-Author: Anatole France (1844-1924), French critic, writer

My take-out is that a good teacher, mentor or coach should not just be to fill a students mind with knowledge.

Rather, like a farmer who fallows and fertises ground in preparation for the growing of a crop, the teacher must prepare the mind and attitude of the student to become a life-time learner.

Things to Do Before I Die

Inspired by Marisa’s Blog (again):

Things I’d like to do before I die:

Get a qualification in Theology with units in Greek, Eschatology, History and Christology—without losing my saving faith.
Conquer my fear of Public Speaking
Drink a bottle of Penfold’s Grange Hermitage over dinner in front of a log fire during winter with a non-pretentious friend who appreciates a good Red for what it is.
Drink a bottle of cheap wine poured from a bottle labeled Penfold’s Grange Hermitage over dinner in front of a log fire during winter with a pretentious friend. ;-)
Dive the Kelp forests of Tasmania
Learn to think like a Gentleman.
To be promoted to General Manager.
See my sons marry gorgeous Christian women with a character as every bit as noble as their mother…albeit possibly a little less scary early in the morning ;-)
Even if its not good enough for publication I would like to write a book on Lessons from Proverbs, have it hardcover bound and dedicate it to my God children.
I would like to dive the wreck of the ‘Key Biscayne’ oil rig with my sons.
I would like to die faithfully married to the wife of my youth.
To be a mentor and a benefactor to a less fortunate child putting them through vocational training in the profession of their choice.
To take my Grand Children to the Zoo for the first time.

Concrete Artwork

On Courage

"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone -- Kindness in another's trouble, Courage in your own".
-Author: Adam L. Gordon

Atop Mt Flora

There is a place, that is note well known in our City. One of my favourite places. It is in an old water tower, atop a hill, near the sea.

There are 360 degree views. South to the City, West to Rottnest Island and the Indian Ocean, and even eastward to the Ranges.

Local talent has masterfully painted a wonderful mural of all the critters that dwell in our sea.

For those who don't like to dive, I think.


Mural

Napolean

I had a chat with my sisters father-in-law who is a history buff with special interest in the Napoleonic era.

I was amazed as he enlightened me of battle field stories bewteen the British and French, being told that the Europeans would run at the sight of the British cavalry - whose horses had been trained to bite the faces off the enemy on the Battlefield.

Apparently Napolean was more a defender of French ideals than a conqueror of nations. Need to check this out.

Note to self - read book on Napolean before next family barbecue. Much more interesting than talking about sport and business.

A Little Post on Ettiquette

At the risk of appearing conceited, due to persistence, hard work and continuous learning (and very little natural ability) I have become competent at executing my job. I take pride in having an outstanding track record of delivering complex projects – often working through people to get things done.

However, there is an important area where I must improve, if I am to succeed to the next level of my career. Melancholy by design, I often appear aloof and directive in my communications. Thinking about how things should be said, does not come naturally. It takes time and effort to communicate with finesse, and as a consequence I more-often default to my task-oriented disposition. Oftimes leaving others to pick up the pieces.

How quick I am to forget the wise words of my boss and mentor “It’s not what you say – it’s the way that you say it”.

A valued colleague and friend, with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer gave me a book for Christmas entitled "The Little Book of Etiquette". I will do well to take on board his intimation and read it.

Favourite Things

Few things in life bring greater pleasure than these.

An early morning, BOP Fannings tea from Sri Lanka, brewed to perfection.

Drawn in a pot of course.

On the Origin of Evil.

Rather than do some thinking tonight – I thought I might grab some late night musings that I left on Marisa’s blog regarding the origin of Evil a few nights ago.

If there are any theologians out there that might have something to offer or to correct me please let me know.
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A Bahai Faith colleague once remarked "that there is no such thing as sin - only the absence of good".

I think that as Chrstians we are clear in our views on the existence of evil. There is good and there is evil.

In my own life, I can choose to do acts of good, acts of evil or do nothing. Of course I can fail to do good when good is required - that can be evil. But when I am asleep am I doing good or evil? No rather I am not doing anything!

So did God create Evil. No, there is no Evil in God, but he did create beings with freewill. With freewill lies the potential to (choose) to do good or evil.

So the question rather should be - "Why did a perfect loving God choose to create beings capable of choosing evil?"

(I think that) the objects of ones love can choose to accept or reject the loving relationship offered to it when they have freewill.

So really Evil is the manifestation of a choice made to accept or reject the love of God (in the variety of forms that may take). ie. Putting that choice into action.

Good is an action (decision) and also Evil is a decision.

Turning Seven

This post will be of interest to few tonight - but I want to capture it in our family archives.

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Our Son turns 7 (officially) tommorrow. And he is growing up into such a magnificent kid - I can honestly say that he pleases me.

So tonight, on the eve of his Birthday, like every other year, I take him out for a one-to-one dinner and chat. With no pressure I affirm what he achieved last year (learned to ride his bike, completed year one of Primary and learned to read). I also set challenges for him, this year:
1) To attain level 5 in swimming
2) To save $100 of his pocket money (he just started getting $5.00 per week)
3) To give $25 of it to orphans
4) To read his Childrens Bible through by himself
5) To ride his bike to his Grandparents (4km's away)

I have also promised to do three things together this year:
1) To go to the Great Escape Waterslide Park (tommorrow)
2) To do Indoor Rock climbing (like his Dad he is a 'Free-Play Kid' not a 'Jock'
3) To go Camping in a Tent with some friends like we did a few years ago - (time goes by so fast)


(My beautiful wife made this cake. This is Sponge Bob Square Pants - whom I am told lives in the Ocean with Starfish and crabs all around!)



Sponge Bob

Project Managemnt: Communication

This one via is just so funny...

George Bush's speechwriter on how to communicate with relevance.

(I'm sure Preseident Bush can laugh with us on this one!)

What Great Service!

Thanks to the Graeme and the support guys at 'Blogger', I have got the content of my old Blog back!

I might be able to coerce a friend with far superior HTML skills than mine to stitch it all back together nicely for me.

Possibly for a block of Australian chocolate! ;-)

Project Management Quotes: Cooperation

"In the end the aggressors always destroy themselves, making way for others who know how to cooperate and get along. Life is much less a competitive sruggle for survival than a triumph of cooperation and creativity".
-Author: Fritjof Capra

For Teamwork and Cooperation...

So true - I know very aggressive people...and "they wear contempt as a cloak on their back".

Not Time - But God on their Side

"Planted in the house of Yahweh,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
In old age they will still bear fruit,
will remain fresh and green".
-Psalm 92:13-14 (Catholic Commissioned "New Jerusalem Bible").

Our Grandfather, a stalwart Member of the Lutheran Church is 90 years of age.

He is a little hard of hearing, but his eyes are still so strong he does not require reading glasses. He is also very sharp of mind and quick of wit.

He still retains his own teeth - which for a man of his age are still amazingly white in colour.

Recently he took our Grandmother to the Dentist. While he was in the waiting room, the receptionist thoughtfully asked him:

"While you are here would you like us to examine your teeth as well?"…

Without hesitation he responded "Oh no, thankyou—I had them attended to during the War!".

On Suffering

This week I have been re-reading Yancey's Book entititled "I was just wondering".

These are my thoughts captured from the Chapter entitled "Job and the Riddle of Suffering":

1 God allowed suffering (but did not cause it) upon a blameless man - it was not a result of sin.
2 It was not a judgement - possibly rather a trial-but definitely part of a greater plan.
3 Job's friends were reprimanded by God for trying to provide (logical) answers. The best thing they did for him was to sit in silence at the beginning of his afflictions.
4 Although Job cried out in despair and anger - he was commended for his response.
5 God himself did not give reasons or answers for suffering - just confirmation that he ultimately is in control.
6 Job's post-trial prosperity is a foretaste of God’s plan for better things to come.

"But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in his afflication" - Job 36:15

Time Value of Life

I am a Gentile Christian.

I love the freedom that my Faith brings. With the wonderful understanding of Grace given me through a Lutheran inheritence and studying the wonderful works of Luther and Yancey and others.

And ultimately the legacy writings of St Paul, ancient Letters to Romans and Galation beneficiaries - has my relieved my debt and released creditors obligated to persue my Soul.

I am not under Law - but under Grace.

But herein lies the problem.

Like a Bankrupt reissued with a credit card without a limit - I am perpetually spendthrift and guilty of "Grace abuse".

I need God to provide me with limits. Not the external restrictions placed by a Banker on my ability to spend. Rather a Spirit that by default will manage the investment in the currency that is my life — into His service to yield more favourable returns.

Before the time value of this life fails to break-even - and my Investor withdraws his goodwill.

Explicate

"Man who stops learning - must be dead!"
-Chinese Proverb

I learned a new word today:

Explicate (Explicated)

To make clear the meaning of; to unfold, explain

Economics: For Prosperity

Every year I transfer what amounts to my own philosophy from last years diary to this years diary. This is really my own ‘Vision, Mission, Values and Goals’ which helps set direction and inspire me to be a better man.

A few people out there know me in person, and partly because it is far too personal and partly because I fall so embarrassingly short of who I really aspire to be –these words will remain closed in my date book.

I also have a number of quotes penned by far greater minds than mine, that each year are rewritten, by hand from one diary to the next.

The following quote by Abraham Lincoln is one such quote:

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

Tonight, the line – “You cannot establish security on borrowed money” – really stands out.

In the wake of the Tsunami tragedy we as nations have a chance to correct what may amounts to a great transgression of usury – and declare a Jubilee and forgive these poor nations their foreign debt.

On one hand I am proud to be Australian based on the proportional amount of aid given to the relief of this tragedy. But, on the other hand, I cannot feel a little ashamed that our Leadership does not seem willing to explore such an option.

These devastated nations have little hope of establishing any real level of security with a spiraling economic burden hanging over their heads.

On Suffering

The wounded surgeon plies the steel
That questions the distempered part;
Beneath the bleeding hands we feel
The sharp compassion of the healer's art
Resolving the enigma of the fever chart.

Our only health is the disease
If we obey the dying nurse
Whose constant care is not to please
But to remind of our, and Adams curse,
And that to be restored, our sickness must grow worse.

-From “The Four Ouartets” by TS Elliot,

The meaning of suffering is a question on the lips of many at present. A couple of articles I have read today have used the words of TS Eliiott quoted above.

One of those articles, worth reading is here.

People of the Year: Bloggers

Internet Phenomenon Provides Unique Insight Into People's Thoughts...

I will never get my picture on "TIME" magazine as "Man of the Year"..but its kind of nice to know that I'm part of a quirky fraternity nominated as "People of the Year" by abc news - known as "Bloggers".

Story here.

(Though I bet I'm the only Blogger that has deleted 196 posts / amounting to 20,000+ words / 6 months work - when reformatting his Blog after a few glasses of red wine on New Year Eve.)

Project Management: Change Management Quote

"The man whose opinion never changes is like the standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind."
-William Blake (from the book "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell")

I heard this quote in Church this morning and thought I would use it when talking about change management at work.

Reptiles (scaly predatory creatures) thrive in stagnant waters - negative/destructive thoughts and attitudes thrive in stagnant (non-growing) minds.

Veiled For Allah

I have been reading a Blog of late by a Muslim woman who provides her perspective on faith, war and politics. It is a great read and has been added to my side-bar.

Check out her Christmas post (25/12) for some insight into the Muslim perspective (and great reverence for Jesus).

I am not a universalist by any measure, but I will be stepping-out this year and reading some blogs whose world-view I may not agree with entirely, but with a view to learning from. I do believe that you can (and should) learn from everyone.

710

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