Retooning the Nativity

The important details...

Jesus and Santa

Let's do a quick comparison:

Finding God

There's a lot of talk about "finding God" - as if that's a really difficult thing to do. Fortunately, God is not hidden. For starters, we can easily find God in the bible.

TEA Party Looking Ahead

Here is the collection of documents evolving from the forward looking exercies we have undertaken in the last few weeks. If you feel strongly about anything please let us know - especially what you do or don't agree with and, more importantly, what you would be willing to commit to in order for your passions to become reality. This will be available in hard copy from church next week as well. Looking Ahead 09/10

Jesus Was A Refugee

With all this recent talk of refugees, it got me thinking about Jesus, who (within days of being born) was a refugee. It's not something that's normally mentioned as part of the Nativity story with the shepherds and wise men, but the gospel of Matthew (chapter 2) tells us the events after Jesus's birth:

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up and flee to Egypt with the child and his mother" the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to try to kill the child." That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod's death.

Under threat from the rulers of the land, Jesus shared something in common with the asylum seekers of today. Years later, he made the following statement about helping those in need (quoted from Matthew 25).

Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'

Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'

And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'

3 Things Jesus Is

It's a statement that sometimes seems controversial, but also offers so much hope.

Cereal Advice

During September, Ben has been hosting breakfast in the church courtyard. Over brekkie we read and discuss some bible. We came across the timeless advice "Whoever sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly". That's when i noticed the cereal box said the same thing (but i'm guessing the bible isn't talking about protein and calcium ;)

God's Favourite

It sounds like a big call. But despite the fact that our planet is just one speck in an enormous universe, this is the planet where God chose to live in human form... [read more]

Life With God

It's not about religion. It's about living life in connection with God.

Poem - "Not Cut Out For Religion"

It seems that the poem from sunday night was quite popular. So here is the link to the text and the mp3. There is also a youtube clip.

Lateline - God is Back

Last night we saw the Lateline interview with John Micklethwait (author of "God Is Back"). The text & video are on the Lateline website. Meanwhile, if you're super-keen, ABC radio also has an mp3 interview with him.

A Text Message From God

You may have seen this poster around. While the bible is a text message, it's more lengthy and much more important than your average text... [read more]

Night Bushwalk

Saturday's bushwalk was a great time. It was a bit muddy in places, due to recent rain, but was still a great experience.

State of Origin

State of Origin time is here again. Game 1 was a lot of fun - and top it off we had leftover yummies from Canadianight. In exchange for these treats (apparently they're called "Nanaimo") we explained the intricacies of rugby league and State of Origin to our resident Canadian.

Canadianight

"Canadian Culture Night" certainly lived up to the billing. After the trivia quiz, which increased our knowledge of Canada, there was some delicious Candian deserts (especially considering the unavailability of certain Canadian ingredients). It was topped off by "Bon Cop Bad Cop" - a bilingual Canadian movie, which is a bit violent in parts, but very clever. As far as Canadian movies go, i give it 4 out of 5 maple leafs.

Bike Ride (after the rain)

Saturday's rain did clear up at about 4.30 which left a nice little hour for a ride to Anzac Park and the new overpass that crosses over to Mt Coot-tha. The photo is of Tamara on the overpass. It's unclear what the two-finger salute means, but i'm taking it in a friendly way :)

Lifting the Lid

Uniting World is a new organisation that teams up with churches in Asia, Africa and the South Pacific to assist them in their mission. “Lifting the Lid on UnitingWorld” was a chance to hear about the good work they do - particularly in the Pacific region.

Earth Hour

During Earth Hour we got together for an hour of games by candlelight. One of the candles was this home-made creation (fairly good for a first go).

Mad March

For the last couple of weeks a few of us have been getting together for an early brekkie, a read of the bible, and a chat. Good times!

Finding The House

Often referred to as the house, it's at 11 Grove street and is often the location for some great times. The number is 3870 5888.

House People '09

Tamara does not enjoy gluten - but does enjoy making plenty of gluten-free treats for everyone to enjoy (so caring!). Late at night she "hits the wall" and does things like balancing pineapples on her head.




Di often has to be up before 6am for her work as an exercise consultant. Hence, she really enjoys resting. When she is awake, she can be often be found adding something to the garden. She is pretty good at it and sometimes divulges some tips.



Monique speaks in a south african accent, which she assures us is genuine. She has baked some tasty treats that don't translate into english, so they are known as 'unpronouncables'. She admits her new haircut is experimental. It was described as 'mullet meets lisa simpson'.

Together they are the house team - a friendly group of people who always have something happening, and who enjoy having people around. It should be a fun and interesting year!

Tamara, Di and Monique
3870 5888

Simon Online

Our good friend (and pastor) Simon has just joined the blogosphere. Why not drop by and read his thoughts at simplysimonblog.blogspot.com ?

Getting to sherwood road

Here's a local area map for 82 sherwood road. If you're bussing it, most buses stop around the spot marked with the 33. Toowong train station is also close by.