Back to the blog

So it was always going to need something massive to bring me back to the blog.

Since the last offering much has happened – I became a dad, I was asked to pastor the congregation where I work through Christmas, I got an iPad (and then smashed it, and then got it replaced), the Australian Cricket Summer commenced… None of which seemed to draw a mention on here.

That left my one loyal reader asking the question – will we hear from Bradon again?

Let me assure you, this post isn’t about some NY resolution to once again fill the Internet with my nonsense. Oh no. It’s got to do with a massive problem which I think needs addressing.

…..

Why does a song on Australian iTunes cost $1.69 when the same song in American iTunes cost $0.99?? No answer I’ve heard/read has seemed satisfactory.

Anyway, that’s it. It’s one of the significant global injustices (albeit not the most) that I think we should work on.

And with any luck, I’ll be back soon to reflect on some of those exciting things I mentioned earlier.

Merry Christmas, and happy 2012!

On Harry Potter…

Harry Potter has no place in Australian churches.

The series, both book & movie, promote an unhealthy idea which is capable of corrupting young people.

This idea stands to jeopardise the moralistic fibre of our society.

This idea simply must not be promoted as anything other than false.

I know that if Jesus had read the books, or at least seen the movies, he would agree with me.

Harry Potter. Shame on you…

I mean, it is simply not OK to hook up with your best mate’s sister. Period.

That is all.

French Toast

The culinary masterpiece that is French Toast is one of my favourite topics for discussion. You see, I have a firm belief that French Toast is best made in a particular way, which seems to fly in the face of lesser-qualified critics.

I’ve been looking for a way to gain a significant upper-hand in these discussions (read: arguments) regarding French Toast, and have decided that by publishing the recipe on this little blog, that makes me a published chef. And a published chef always trumps a kitchen hack.

So here’s my French Toast recipe:

Whisk together eggs & a splash of milk. Dip bread in egg mixture. Fry bread on both sides till golden. Cover with BBQ sauce. Enjoy.

Simple, elegant, delicious.

Take-away communion

Just a quick one today,

This morning I got to lead our Wednesday morning Eucharist service as the boss was ill. This is a rare opportunity to lead the group (normally 12-14 people, average age 75+) with prayers and psalms, reflecting on the lectionary readings.

Our tradition dictates that I’m not allowed to serve the Eucharist meal as I’m not ordained (a discussion for another time) so this morning we prepared ‘take-away communion’ – a Apple & Blackcurrant juice popper with a bread roll in a paper bag. We pondered whether Jesus actually intended for the meal to form part of a worship service, or simply that we should remember with thanks whenever we ate together.

One lady suggested she would go home and have ‘lunch with the Lord’ (and was quite impressed with her own alliteration).

Preparing for Mother’s Day

(a pleasant distraction & reflection amidst this week)

I’m pretty excited about this week – while my boss is away on a Minister’s Junket, I get to lead worship on Mother’s Day. I came across this video which I’ll let speak for itself. The text is below. In short, I reckon Julia Ward Howe could be the 2nd best mum in the world.

Mother’s Day Proclamation by Julie Ward Howe

Arise then…women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
“We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.”

From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: “Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.”
Blood does not wipe out dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace…
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

I’m not American

So I’ve spent the afternoon watching another scary world event unravel on my television. President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden has been killed within Pakistan. Instantly everyone has an opinion. People (including myself) have  sprouted bible verses supporting all angles, others have quickly made clever jokes about hide & seek and the Playstation hacking – I’m still waiting for WikiLeaks to claim responsibility too. On the TV there are scenes of celebration in the USA.

Now, I’m not an American, and I haven’t experienced the grief which the 9/11 events have caused to families, communites and nations. And I want to be clear that I intend no offense (or percieved insensitivity) when I wonder if this achieves anything good…

I wonder how you explain the party to a 9-year-old child, who wasn’t alive when the hunt started?

I wonder how we might now measure ‘justice’ on a global scale?

I wonder how we might love our neighbour?

I can’t excuse what’s been done to lead us to this day. I can’t condone what’s happened this day. I’m not sure I want to fully understand how we’ll see this day in 5 years time. What I will leave you with is the exact quote from the essay I was reading when my FB account started going crazy this afternoon…

“At the heart of this identity as neighbourhood saints, there is an evangelical conviction that Christ is met as stranger in the world as well as saviour in the scriptures” (Storrar, 2004).

I guess I’ll keep wondering…

Discipleship

Here are some actual characteristics of the disciples I think we can safely trust. If you resonate with any of these, you’re in a good spot and likely following Jesus:

1. You think Jesus wants to take over the government so you cut off a soldiers ear in order to get the fighting started. (The neo cons are definitely disciples!)

2. You keep pestering Jesus about who he will give more power to in heaven.

I found this post by Donald Miller about discipleship (there’s another 6 observations about discipleship). In the midst of working my fulltime role at Balgowlah, studying  my Masters, getting fit & the various stuff associated with impending daddy-dom, I have no time to provide fun stuff for this blog. Hence my thanks to Donald, whom I will never meet.

The Fever

I confess, this happened while I was listening to Christian radio. It was a moment of weakness.

Anyway, a song came on which I did not recognise. Immediately I started sweating, itchy eyes, ran a temperature and felt a wave of nausea. Turns out I unknowingly got Bieber fever.

I’m not sure what bothered me more about the song. Maybe the artist, maybe the concept that prayer only happens with our eyes closed, maybe it was something I ate. Anyway, I’ve recovered. Turns out my body doesn’t agree with Bieber fever. But I invite you to make your own decision.

And while we’re on the subject, a new friend of mine from River Camp suggested I check out this song below. At the time I felt she earnestly liked the song and it had special significance. I definitely enjoyed it, but not sure if it held the same meaning for me. Have a listen for ‘Pray for You’

Yes I’m a man, and yes I run playgroups

10 Things I’ve Learnt at Playgroup

I never considered playgroup part of my role when I started at Balgowlah nearly 18 months ago. Now my week is defined by our 3 playgroup sessions. So I thought I’d share some of my experiences and learning with you.

 

1.       Don’t let children near hot coffee

2.       Adults get tired well before kids run out of energy

3.       Apparently frogs no longer ‘ribbit.’ We all know frogs go *clap* lar-de-dah-de-dah

4.       A cup of tea fixes most things

5.       The concept of volunteers coming along, serving morning tea and cleaning up is largely foreign and yet overwhelmingly appreciated

6.       Glitter sticks to everything.

7.       Playgroup is a sacrificial ministry involving an investment of time, money and energy. But the blessings of high-fives and cuddles outweigh any cost

8.       There is something magical about helium balloons (and the kids haven’t even learnt to inhale them yet!)

9.       Playgroups are a meaningful connection with our community – a rare opportunity to share life with mums, dads, carers and grandparents

10.   The hokey-pokey is what it’s all about

Social mourning

I commented earlier that amidst the fallout of Tuesday’s earthquake in NZ, I witnessed a remarkable few hours online. As the grapevine (both SMS & online) shared the news of my friend’s families tragic loss, the Internet became the forum for a community of young people to grieve. Perhaps the “privacy” of one’s own computer allows for more honesty and permission to speak freely.

I’ve added below a few of the comments.

Tragic loss – a slightly old-fashioned, musical and dry-humoured man who brought joy and peace to those around him. He will be truly missed.

Lost a friend. A quiet, creative, noble man. I resonated with him. We have his photographs on our wall. The earth shook and now he is gone, and we are all the poorer for it. If you are breathing, be grateful. You have breath.

I dont no wats happening but a lot of ppl r praying 4 u so I think I should also b praying for u