Tuesday, January 26, 2010

On Being Australian

Today is Australia Day.

It is earily quiet here in the city. Almost silent. But it is early in the day. All this will change later in the day.

I wrote a series of posts a few months back called: 15 Minutes Around Postcode 2000. A group of us at York Street are trying to work out who it is that we are trying to reach. And so we came up with 9 things we think characterise Sydney-siders.

Three that apply to Australia Day:

BEING AUSTRALIAN:

Sydneysiders belong to 'multiple, highly-motivated global tribes which exert influence, not control'. Like most Australians, they are passionate about being Aussie, without any substantial understanding of what constitutes the national identity (unlike many Americans). Sydneysiders don’t know Australian history; they only know some Australian stories. Traveling brings out some sort of essential Aussie-ness, and so young people travel often and regularly, with families often holidaying overseas.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Sydneysiders pride themselves in community spirit, helping fellow Aussies when in need. They value time to socialise, and they like crowded summer events (e.g. Cricket, NYE, and Australia Day). They have numerous social connections but often few deep friends. They are often sexually active, with the assumption that something is not right if they are not.

LIFESTYLE:

Sydneysiders choose pleasure over pain; beauty over ugliness; simple over complicated. They are comfortable and maybe even indulgent. They love the weekends over weekdays, knowing that Sydney is its own heaven. They have unusually good water skills, and they are into personal time, sport, sun, socialising, weather, concerts, movies, and the SMH. They care deeply *where* they live. They are green, but only when convenient.

Thought I'd repost this today.

Any thoughts?

Have a day of joy. We're having a BBQ in Mascot with 2 other families.

___________________
Pic on FLickr by robyngeeringphotography.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Fear and love (Tomorrow's Sermon)

Tomorrow's Sermon Preview:
How can I learn to love God more?

Two ways from Deuteronomy 6 and 1 John 4:

1. Tremble with a Fear that leads to Love.
We'll see how we go.

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Help me with Fear


I'm preaching this Sunday on the Fear of the Lord.

Here is my text: Deuteronomy 6:13-19:
It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— 15 for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

16 “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you. 18 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers 19 by thrusting out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has promised.
Lots of great stuff there. Lots to talk about. But you can help me:
  • Why fear?
  • How does the dynamic of fear help you to love God?
  • What is your testimony of the Fear of the Lord?
  • How does this message become evangelistic?
  • Who is good to read on Fear? (Besides Kierkegaard... I don't have the time... :)
Any other thoughts or reflections on fear would be great.

______________________

Celebrity, wash thy hands

About the funniest thing I've read in a while. Nice.

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Attention Moore College Student Ministers: Can you serve in two congregations?

Quick Questions for any Moore College Students reading this:
  • How do you feel serving two congregations (if you are a Student Minister)?
  • Do you give weight to one gathering, and not the other?
  • Would you have a preference to serve at one? Why? Why not?
  • Does it change if one congregation serves one purpose, but not another (e.g. Morning Church, then Youth church?)
  • Does it change if you have a family?
  • Positives? Negatives?
I'm just trying to work out how it feels working in a church for just one day.
    Help me, if you can.

    _____________________
    Pic from Dan's Blog.


    Sunday, January 10, 2010

    York Street 2010 Developments: #1 Podcasts

    York Street Anglican is podcasting again. Early stages yet, and we'll get better at it. Bonnie is our office person here, and she is putting them up.
    • You can go to our SERMON Page.
    • Or THIS link (hopefully) takes you to the iTunes page.
    There are just three sermons there at the moment.

    Two from our Advent Series:
    • Simeon — We need a Hope that Satisfies our Longings (25 minutes)
    • Jesus – We need a Son to show us his Father (21 minutes)
    The first of our Summer Series:
    • Begin Again to Love God. (21 minutes)
    Hope they help.

    _______________________





    Wednesday, January 06, 2010

    After Church on Observatory Hill

    I may try to post some of my favourite summer pics. This one was taken with an iPhone after Church last month on Observatory Hill, just above our home.

    You can click on it to make it bigger.

    _____________________

    Saturday, January 02, 2010

    Cool Lego Commerical

    Love this commercial:



    Love it on so many levels.

    H/T Dan Philips.

    __________________

    Sermon Series: New Beginnings for an Ancient People

    York Street Anglican has this one simple irony going on:

    It is the oldest parish in Australia, and yet it has this new feel about it. We are small, but full of potential. Love this space.

    Therefore, Deuteronomy 6 is perfect series for Summer: An Ancient people on the Edge of Promise, with a History, but with New Possibilites and New Beginnings. Plus, during summer, it is nice to only spend time in a few verses at a time.

    It's too hot for large tracts of text, right?

    Here is the Series:

    New Beginnings for an Ancient People (A Series in Deuteronomy 6)
    8:30AM (Book of Common Prayer)
    10AM (City Church)
    3 York St, Sydney.

    May God be with you.

    ____________________________

    My Favourite Picture on New Year's Eve

    Love this one.