Inside South Australia...

Everything you've ever wanted to know about me! *click*

"There is an intense rivalry between people who live in South Australia and people who live in Victoria. Victorians just aren’t aware of it."

So tell me, is it true that in victoria (or other states even) that you dont have:

• Bickfords cordial
• Coopers beer
• "Deli's"
• Early minutes
• Farmers Union Iced coffee
• Fritz
• Frog cakes
• Halls/kirks soft drink
• Kitchener buns?
• Manies
• Stobie Poles
• Spoggies

I already knew that some of these are south australian. And some of them do exist in victoria as well. Let me explain...

Bickfords cordial

Just cordial in a fancy bottle. I swear Ive seen it or something like it here in Victoria.

Coopers beer

Beer made especially in SA. You can get it over here in victoria in Dan Murphys and places like that. The coopers brewery each year has a christmas display on the bit of land they have. People flock from all over the city to have a look.

"Deli's"

Now this one surprised me, are you sure that this is a south australian thing? My grandparents used to own a 'deli' in Murrayville, which is actually in Victoria, however, that doesnt count, because Murrayville is heavily under influence by Pinnaroo and South Australia. Now I just asked a fellow victorian if they knew what a deli is, and they thought it was like the meat section of Safeway. No! So for those of you who dont know, a deli is basically like a milk bar or corner store.

Early minutes

Wow I cant believe this is a South Australian thing! In primary school, if we were good, we were always given the reward of an early minute, meaning, getting out of school 60 seconds before we were supposed to. I think I might just introduce this teaching strategy into victorian classrooms ;)

Farmers Union Iced coffee

Dont get me started!!! Farmers Union Iced Coffee is ultimately the BEST iced coffee that you can get! Its better than any Big M rubbish you have over here! I can easily get victorians hooked on this one. Its availible in the Market Place Bendigo Safeway.

Fritz

Fritz, also the german name for "Fred", is like what victorians call Devon, but is much much nicer. I was only informed when I moved to victoria that fritz was not availible here. I was shattered. Something I always had in my sandwhich for lunch was just going to dissapear. Fritz is famous together with sauce. My favorite way to have fritz is to fry it on the George forman with some eggs!

Frog cakes

Cakes that look like frogs!!!!

Halls/kirks soft drink

A south australian soft drink Halls that was taken over by kirks.

Kitchener buns

According to Balfours (a mass south australian bakery): a ‘delightful yeast bun with a jam and non-dairy cream filling sure to please any sweet tooth.’

Manies

Now these are cool! I so didnt know that this was South Australian too! OK, now this is crazy. When I was about 12, I was down in Loxton and the same car kept going past us over and over again. This is when I first heard the term "mainies", where you drive around the block, usually the main street over and over again! Maybe another thing I can introduce to victoria!!!

Stobie Poles

A stobie pole is basically a power pole. But we make them in a unique way. Its basically some cement, kept together with a few railway sleepers. "Stobie poles probably kill more South Australians than sharks, red-back spiders and tiger snakes combined. And while sharks at least have some lethal grace about them, Stobie poles are simply hideous."

Spoggies

South Australian slang for 'sparrow'.

Other weird and wonderful things to note about South Australia:

• Our accent - "linguists have discovered that Adelaide residents can pick people as being from the Eastern states on the basis of their accents. Adelaidians will pronounce words such as dance, graph and plant with a long ‘a’ (‘darnce’, rather than to rhyme with pants, as in the Eastern states)."
• The Big Rocking Horse!
• Adelaide's bus system!
• Humphrey Bear and Fat Cat's origon!
• John Martin's Christmas paegent
• The devils elbow! (now not there anymore, but it was fun as a kid) - "The Hills-dwellers who had to negotiate the road every day and witness the 200 accidents a year probably found the novelty wore off very quickly."
• The fruit fly state.
• Glenelg tram! (we're a bit like Bendigo, only one tram)
• The interstate rivalry between SA and Victoria
• KESAB - Keep South Australia Beautiful
• Rundle Mall's Balls
• O-bahn - like a train track for busses that makes them go really fast!
• Adelaide's water - "One of Adelaide’s biggest claims to fame is that it has the worst drinking water of any city in the developed world."

Falling back...

Ok, all credit to this goes to my good friend Matt, aka Stoz.
In his famous words: "nothing a good blogging won't fix ".
So here I am, blogging.

Darangen - Falling Back :: Free legal download here

looking back on all that we've been through
what is left and what else could we do?
we've been down this road so many times before
will i ever learn the way
to come back to you?

this ardency has taken me
and now it is a part of me
i'm falling back to where i used to be
this heart's debut is overdue
now i can see, i know it's true
i'm falling back, falling back to you

i can see you from a million miles away
things weren't always the way they are today
if only i could learn to change the past
if only things could last
another day

this ardency has taken me
and now it is a part of me
i'm falling back to where i used to be
this heart's debut is overdue
now i can see, i know it's true
i'm falling back, falling back to you

this ardency has taken me
and now it is a part of me
i'm falling back to where i used to be
this heart's debut is overdue
now i can see, i know it's true
i'm falling back, falling back to you

i'm falling back to where i used to be
i'm falling back, yeah falling back
to you..

So, the meaning of all of this?
Well, isnt it plain and simple?
I feel like things are back with me and God again after a very long time.
And its good :)

And its not a matter of running back to God, its admitting our faults,
and allowing ourselves to "fall" back to God.

That is all

Last night a friend and I were talking about spiritual gifts. I have been thinking about mine a bit lately, and how they fit in, as well as what they are. I really have felt like its a "use it or lose it" case. I feel like God has been saying to me in the last few weeks, that when you are given gifts, shouldnt you use them? I know for a fact I havent used mine (the ones I know are mine) at all really. If you have a spiritual gift, and you do know you have it, use it to build up others/yourself/the church. If you dont know what yours are, pray. Seek God. Seek the gifts that you desire.

Just the facts...

Continuation of Narnia series: The Ressurection

Just the Facts! Easter validates what we celebrate at christmas!

PROOF OF THE RESSURECTION:

Proof #1 - Salvation. See 1 cor 15:2
Proof #2 - Scriptures. See 1 cor 15:3-4. JESUS IS THE TRUTH
Proof #3 - It was seen. See 1 cor 15:4-7.

The ressurection cannot be disproved!

***

Grads is now at 7:30 or moreso 8:00 on sunday nights. At first I didnt think this was such a good idea, being a sunday night and uni and prac, but it puts off going home! But it is actually just awesome to have that fellowship with people my age, getting into discussions where I can actually take part. Some of which are very challenging and fun. I enjoy praying with those guys too. I prayed with someone alone last night too, which was really awesome, and I'd love to do it more. I like praying with people. Its an idea I always bring up to people, about praying one on one. But then when someone actually suggests it in the here and now situation I think "what am I doing!?" But it always turns out to be a good thing.

The Missingf

Have you noticed I've been missing all weekend? Sorry, bad pun.

So where have I been and how many stories do I have to tell? Ive been on a youth camp with the Short Street crew. The title of the camp was "The Missing". This took place in the distant cold lands 20km out of Mansfield. There were a range of code-breaking activities and whatnot. The usual worship and intense teaching. I'll probably have to have follow up blogs on this because Im so tired and Im going to miss things. So how about I just do this:

Highlights of the camp

1. Deep conversations
2. Finding out what the word menarche means.
3. Taking a walk down to the bridge with a year 8 girl and having a really good talk.
4. Staying up talking with Cara and Steff.
5. Steve and Karens talks
6. Me winning a sherade game
7. Walking around with bare feet
8. Feeling disconnected from the "real world" for a while.
9. The scenery
10. Giving my little testimony to the grads group this morning.
11. Going through Bonnie Doon!
    
12. Playing the most rediculous and hilarious eye-spy game of my life.
13. Stoz and Sammy's duet of 40 kilometers to go to Bendigo (to the tune of 99 bottles of beer)
14. Getting home and wanting to go back because I really enjoyed time there.

Encounter the power

*drumroll for a week late blog!*

It is so incredibly powerful to watch the scene in The chronicles of Narnia where Aslan trades his life for Edmunds. Its very much what Jesus did for us on the cross. Even though we very much deserved what Jesus got, he took it instead. Wow.

Love is a sacrificial action. The depth of Gods love is unfathomable.

Romans 5:8-11

8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Forgiveness - You need to believe it! Not only for yourself but for others! See Romans 3:10-12. God remembers our sins NO MORE. This is something I have been struggling with myself, and then to see that other people are also forgiven, and are no less and no more loved by God as I am. See also Hebrews 10:17.

Accept it! You can never outdo Gods love! Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9...

Forgiveness is a treasure - persue it! Share whats going on with others! Phillipians 3:13-14

Spirtual Warfare

Joshua 5:13-6:5 (New International Version)

The Fall of Jericho

13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Jos

hua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"

14 "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord ^[a] have for his servant?"

15 The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.

Joshua 6

1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.

2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."

Ephesians 6:10-18 (New International Version)

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his

mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the

readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the S

pirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

To win a battle:

1. Humble worship
   Josh 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
   Great public victories come from private submission
2. Holy walk
   Josh 6:3-5^
3. Heavenly warfare
   Greatest spiritual weapon is prayer
   Ephesians 6:18^

We shouldnt go out by ourselves to win a battle, but in an army of God!

hair

While shopping the other day at Safeway, I found the above shampoo's on special: save $2!! When there's at least two dollars off a product I'm usually very intrigued. I decided that since it was such a saving I would get one.. But then, what colour am I? And then I realised, I dont have a hair colour. MY HAIR HAS NO IDENTITY??

So if you were me, which one would you buy?

I see love

Today I was surprised by the visit of Steff and Stoz. It was a tad embarrassing with the state of my room was in. Steff borrowed some paint so that she could replace the stolen painting (Im so discusted about that), meanwhile Stoz fiddled with some cat5e and my computer, and the pair of them tried to persuade Mish over MSN to come to camp. When they left I walked them out to the retro-stoz-mobile in my socks. I love walking in socks. It makes me feel like frolicing.

I have this new way to procrastinate. I've been searching through a lot of youtube lately. I blame this newfound procrastination form highly on this. Matthew Lawton you're in so much trouble for making me not do my homework. Nah, I love you mate! Note to self, blog about this.

Earlier today, I found the video clip to a song that makes me laugh. And to one that makes feel like crying.

But the video clip that had the most impact on me was this one, which I will post here for you.




This stired so many emotions. Its a pretty generic clip, but having the words there just put it out there for me. There were tears streaming down my face. I want to describe here but its just so indescribable how this made me feel. I guess we have so many different visualisations of who Jesus was, and he was many things. But the greatest of these was love (1 cor 13:13). Love. You may have to do a stupid presentation for uni, or help someone find something at work. But to do something for a friend for love is different. I want to emphasise something here but can't I just cant bring the words to say what I want to.

Earlier this arvo, after a trek to the market place, I went for a drive up to one tree hill. Its so thereputic to go up there. I love it and I wish I could just feel safe up there. Its a tad freaky. But I like it, it'd be really cool to go there and have a small group or something.. Or even a double date eh Steff?

Currently in the oven is a Chicken Florentine cooking. Ive never had one before, I hope I like it. I decided to listen to some kutless on my now oldschool discman while I prepared it. I was putting the rubbish out when I noticed that it was really beautiful outside and went for a walk around (May I add again in my socks). This was while listening to this song...

Kutless - Finding who we are

In You we're living
In You we're moving
In You we're finding who we are

In You we're living
In You we're moving
In You we're finding who we are

And I worship You
Father of lights, spirit of truth
And I worship You
Jesus, we call on You, yes we call on You

In You we're living
In You we're moving
In You we're finding who we are

In You we're living
In You we're moving
In You we're finding who we are

And I worship You
Father of lights, spirit of truth
And I worship You
Jesus, we call on You, yes we call on You

And I worship You
Father of lights, spirit of truth
And I worship You
Jesus, we call on You, yes we call on You

We come to worship with our voices
And know the love within Your skies
We lift our hands and seek Your presence
And find ourselves in who You are

And I worship You
Father of lights, spirit of truth
And I worship You
Jesus, we call on You, yes we call on You

And I worship You
Father of lights, spirit of truth
And I worship You
Jesus, we call on You, yes we call on You

The song really sums up how I'm feeling at this point in time. Finally, Im getting a glimpse of who I really am.

Taking off the blind fold

Most of you would know (if not, where have you been?) that I have an anxiety problem. At the start of the year I was in a really bad state, where I sometimes felt like I couldnt leave the terrace, not even feeling free from the anxiety if I did stay there. I was a mess. I began to seek councilling, which indeed was useful, it taught me strategies and that the world is not so bad after all. In the end I was advised to go on an anti-depressant type drug, however for a number of reasons I chose not to take it. I needed to give God another chance with this one.

Anxiety (and I guess depression as well) can be like a blind fold. It covers your eyes so you loose a sense of perception. You no longer can think rationally because everything in your mind is consumed with absolutely horrible thoughts.

A few months ago, I decided that it would be a good idea to start going to church again. I decided to give my best friends' church of christ a go. This church isnt anything special. Well, it is in a way, but you know what I mean. It was a church that had a style more like my own. They sometimes sung hymns at their services, which bring back memories of my "first love" for God. After a year and a half of feeling distant, and cut off from God, I decided that enough was enough.

By getting into this church has been one of my better decisions. Just one week ago, I felt like I was brought back to God like never before. A number of things have been hitting my heart.

This 'closeness' I now feel to God again is really fantastic. I feel like I can pray again, and, you know what, a month ago I was contemplating getting the script for those pills from the doctor. I feel like I can talk to God about anything. I feel this incredible sense of healing in my life at the moment.

In fact it was today, at uni this hit me. I have the tendancy to daydream, and just think in classes. Today, I was sitting in Art, the topic was childrens development. Then in my thought pattern I thought to myself that something had been lifted, I hadnt really had anywhere near the amount of panic attacks I had one month ago. Then I just felt this incredible feeling of healing. There and then I felt so happy. I almost cried. I think I may have a little.

In saying this all, I in no way want to encourage people to not go on anti-depressants. There are cases where they are going to help people. Just keep in mind seek first the kingdom of God - 2 chronicles 18:32-34.

I guess Im just feeling a bit overwhelmed and awestruck about this. I think this is really wonderful. But the problem is, Satan loves to try and prove me wrong. Note try.

Just to finish, what the bible says about anxiety:

• Psalm 94:19 - When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
  
• Ecclesiastes 11:10 - So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
• 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

darkness

This morning I go to make a cup of tea. Half way through the kettle boiling there is a dead black out. The power tried to go back on again but everything then went. So much for breakfast.

I woke up the RA (this is about 8:30 am) and he stumbles out of bed, and Im pretty sure he hates me right now. (origionally I just thought something surged in the terrace).

Got to uni and the power was off there as well, meaning it must have been a uni/suburb/city wide thing. It was rather freaky, going in the education building when it was pitch black. In fact, I sprinted through the hall and up the stairs cos it was so scary!

Then it came on and I had to go to class, what a shame.

In Pinnaroo, we used to have black outs that were just a bit less than frequent. The problem was is places like Murray Bridge and and so on would be out, so the workers would fix everywhere before Pinnaroo, meaning we'd go without power for up to 20 hours. One day it was 22 hours. It brought families together. Jess and I used to play cards, or light heaps of candles. It also meant take-away for tea, because all the appliences in our house are run on electricity. So that makes that "Pinnaroo has no running water or electricity" line quite valid indeed.

Priorities

Today was a really good day.

The not so good bit was being woken up at 4:15.... I was having a dream about a phone ringing. Then my answering machine woke me up! I dosed off to sleep when 2 minutes later my phone was ringing again. I went to answer it after my machine cut in, and there was nobody there, it was just dead. It must have been an annoying overseas tellymarketer. Im sure if anyone desperately needed to get hold of me at that time they would have called my mobile.

Anyway, after much decision making, Mish came up here this morning. I picked him up from the train station in my pyjamas and slippers, and then took a detour up to the One Tree Hill lookout near uni.

Something I mentioned to Mish today is that not many churches say the Lords prayer any more. I wonder why it is, and why it has been phased out.


Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[c]

Anyway, onto the subject of Short Street. Its a nice place. Tonight I listened to Karen speak about drugs and alcohol.

So, as always here is her three points:

1. Know your limitations BEFORE you get there. 1 John 4:4 says, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
2. Make choices to honour God. 1 corinthians 6:19-20 says "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
3. Run! When things get bad, run, get outta there! Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Karen made me think about my own priorities when it comes to drinking tonight. For me, smoking/drugs is not an issue. Alcohol really isnt either. When I was in high school, I took a huge stand against it, and now Im glad. Living on res, seeing the effects, I never want to fall that far. I dont mind having a small drink now and then, but I think that I really need to assess why it is I really do this.

The Edmund in all of us

“I can resist everything but temptation.”

- Oscar Wilde

Scene from the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia, where Edmund is treated nicely by the White Witch.

James 1:13-15

3When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

^^ That’s pretty self explanatory, I've learnt something new. Temptation does not come from God, but from the devil/within ourselves. Temptation is seductive. Reason must always control passion.

10 Truths about sin

1. Sin is most appealing when we are weak.

2. Sin clouds how evil sin actually is.

3. Sin appears as what you want.

4. Sin clouds your judgement.

5. Sins pleasures don’t last long.

6. Sin will eventually kill you.

7. Sin promises better down ahead, but doesn’t deliver such a promise.

8. Sin lies about your importance.

9. Sin betrays others.

10. Sin spoils good things.

Ø Don’t be discouraged when (not if, when) you are tempted: “Temptations are sure to ring your doorbell, but you don’t have to invite them in for dinner.”

Ø Don’t be drawn away when you’re tempted, and never forget that there is always forgiveness.

Ø Don’t be deceived when you are tempted.

Application

1. Pray – Matthew 6:13
2. Devour the scriptures – 2 Tim 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

3. Avoid compromising situations: Proverbs 4:14-15: “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. “

4. Get enough rest – Proverbs 24:33

5. Seek accountability from others – 1 cor 10:13: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

There’s a bit of Edmund in us all, but more of the Holy Spirit.

building a people with purpose

I thought everything was going well getting to church this morning. I ended up allowing 10 minutes to get across to Short Street. Didnt even get past the units on Sharon St and realised I left my USB stick and my present for Steff, so I turned back and parked in the bins bay, and then sped to Short Street with the song "Live out Loud" blarring through my speakers.

This morning I had to live without Steff (kids ministry) and Stoz (Melbourne). I managed to find some kids I met on friday night.

This song really said what was on my heart today:

Lord, Reign in Me

Over all the earth
You reign on high
Every mountain stream
Every sunset sky
But my one request
Lord my only aim
Is that You’d reign in me again

Lord reign in me
Reign in Your power
Over all my dreams
In my darkest hour
You are the Lord
Of all I am
So won’t You reign in me again

Over every thought
Over every word
May my life reflect
The beauty of my Lord
‘Cause you mean more to me
Than any earthly thing
So won’t You reign in me again

We also sung a song that brings back heaps of memories. Some good, some bad. Reminds me a lot of when I first became a christian.

You are Near

In awe of You we worship
And stand amazed at Your great love
We're changed from glory to glory
We set our hearts on You our God

Now Your presence fills this place
Be exalted in our praise
As we worship I believe
You are near

Now Your presence fills this place
Be exalted in our praise
As we worship I believe
You are near

In awe of You we worship
And stand amazed at Your great love
We're changed from glory to glory
We set our hearts on You our God

Now Your presence fills this place
Be exalted in our praise
As we worship I believe
You are near

Now Your presence fills this place
Be exalted in our praise
As we worship I believe
You are near

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

In awe of You we worship

and also this one for the same reasons:

Eagles Wings
Here I am waiting
Abide in me I pray
Here I am longing
For You
Hide me in Your love
Bring me to my knees
May I know Jesus
More and more

Come live in me
All my life
Take over
Come breathe in me
I will rise
On eagles wings

The sermon started off with a video. Its a short movie about a guy who's in a hurry. He jumps in his car, begins to back out, and almost collects a kid on his scate board. Annoyingly, he drives on. He then gets to a really busy intersection. Extremely annoyed. Gets to the carpark where his park is taken by a chick who he crowns "parking princess". He gets into the coffee shop, and there's a massive line! More annoyance. 4.2 Minutes later, he gets to the counter, and a guy pushes in front of him wanting cookies. After making it obvious that he is annoyed, he orders the coffee, and the coffee maker says that it will be a few minutes. Extremely adgetated at this stage he goes and sits at one of the dining tables and waits. Next, a random guy walks up to him and gives him a glasses case. He then opens this glasses case to find what? Yep, glasses. He puts them on and suddenly he can see words in front of everybody about what struggles they are going through. Things like lost his job (about a guy who's playing with his kids), looking for purpose in life, cries herself to sleep. The guy is immediately uncomfortable and amazed. He then sees the coffee maker walking towards him, the words in front of him, fighting an addiction. He then looses it and runs out of the coffee shop. He almost bowls down a big guy who just wants a hug, and a humble lady who is a struggling mother of 3, just wants to be a good mum. He runs back to his car, on his way, sees "parking princess", who is titled, grieving for her best friend. As he drives home he sees people that left home 3 days ago, and needing a place to live. When he gets home he takes the glasses off, then sees the kid on the scate board again. He looks through the glasses a final time and sees the words, just needs somebody to care. He immediately goes over to the kid and starts to talk to him. Thats where it ends. I almost lost it.

What is our purpose? Are we loosing perspective of the Acts 2 church? What happened in Acts 2 again?

Acts 2:1-12

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

There was then a bit of prophesying and blessing and what-not. What defines an Acts 2 church? Does this kind of stuff happen every week at church? Should all churches be under the Acts 2 (or even 1 corinthians 14) motive? These are interesting questions that I'd like someone to comment on.

Perspective. Like in that video, things are often not what they seem. Sometimes we forget to see ourselves the way God sees uz.

Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Ephesians 4:11-16
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

**points about this**

• ^ As christians this is our responsibility, and this can be used as a "blueprint".
• You can drown spiritually if you dont put the Word of God into practice.
• A spiritual gift can be defined as the God-given ability to serve God and other Christians in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified.
• All characters in the bible had flaws. I wanna see if I can find that list that was read out this morning.
• 1 Peter 2:4-9 suggests that we are 'spiritually equal'.
• Everybody needs to do their role in the church. If one person withdraws, it puts more weight on another.
• If you recieve and not give you get fat. If you give but do not recieve you get faint. If you give and recieve you grow faith.

Thats all for now.

What should I major in?

Your Scholastic Strength Is Deep Thinking

You aren't afraid to delve head first into a difficult subject, with mastery as your goal. You are talented at adapting, motivating others, managing resources, and analyzing risk. You should major in: Philosophy Music Theology Art History Foreign language

What Should You Major In?

Surprise, surprise

The fog is lifting

< we have some magnificent fogs that have lasted half a day here in Bendigo. I guess this is rather relevant to what I am about to say. This picture was taken just outside my terrace.

Well, where do I start?

I havent always been the happiest person. Pretty much ever since I moved to Bendigo last year it was pretty hard for me. It was a big move, and not knowing where to go, who to turn to, what to do, I sunk into a bit of lonliness and saddness.

I tried out a few different churches, which didnt really didnt 'click'. I thought I was going to go to some kind of pentecostal, but after going to both Bendigo AOG and Victory, things still werent happening for me and suddenly I felt myself feeling lost. I even went to the baptist church for a while, but something there was still missing. I didnt feel a close sense of 'relationship' in the churches.

But I didnt realise the answer until earlier this year, and it has been sitting in front of me since the day I started uni, right there in Indonesian C.

I tried to get involved with CU and it just wasnt cutting it.

Over summer I tried to find my feet again in terms of relationship with God-wise, although I was in Pinnaroo, which made it a bit harder. This summer, despite my distance, I really got to know Steff just over msn alone.

Coming back to uni, and just hanging with my 'group' again, I have just really enjoyed the company. Steff had invited me numerous times to Short Street, but I was a bit scared at first. I went and I liked it.

Its now semester 2 of my second year here. Just last Thursday I was sitting in my lounge room, feeling 'emo', listening to Linkin Park and terrorising Ben. I put numb on repeat and just sang it and sang it because I felt in the mood. Now this friday gone, I just feel like Ive had, as much as this is a loaded word, breakthrough. I just feel, content with being in my room alone. I feel content with Bendigo. I feel really really happy with whats going on. And whats better, is Ive found someone who I consider to be my best friend (in a worldy sense). Instead of crying because Im upset or lonely, I want to cry all the time because I feel so happy right now, and how could I have a friend who appreciates me as much as Steff does. I didnt think it was actually possible.

I know that "highs" dont last forever. I dont want this to merely be a high. (Its not really a high, its more like just feeling happy). I just want to feel this content all the time.

Gah. I dont know where Im heading with this post, and its not really speaking what I want to say so I think I'll end it here. Point of the matter is. I feel so happy with whats going on in my life at the moment, and I thank God for it. The fog feels like it has lifted.

This is new

Hello World!
This is a censored version of my private blog. I've realised that there is so much stuff I want to say to the world! So here it is. My blog. Enjoy, all.

;D Sammy XD
http://notsoemobadger.deviantart.com

(PS, for those who know my other blog, just ignore this one, its just a slightly censored version to protect a bit of my identity)