tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.comments2023-06-03T19:15:32.260+10:00Ramblings on the WayGrahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.comBlogger425125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-40093951682710056462017-08-21T21:12:59.783+10:002017-08-21T21:12:59.783+10:00Frankly, it might be. Young people can and do have...Frankly, it might be. Young people can and do have a lot of wisdom to share. But, that being said, I think it's something to be mindful of when you strike upon a contentious topic with a black-and-white-opinion young person.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-27327041389354936392017-08-21T19:52:45.631+10:002017-08-21T19:52:45.631+10:00isn't this a bit arrogantisn't this a bit arrogantAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-15934044425647261382016-02-09T14:18:41.451+11:002016-02-09T14:18:41.451+11:00Hope the baby is born happy and healthy.Hope the baby is born happy and healthy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-82230469017709145972015-06-05T14:05:24.285+10:002015-06-05T14:05:24.285+10:00You have such an interesting blog. Thanks for shar...You have such an interesting blog. Thanks for sharing. Reading blogs is my hobby and I randomly found your blog. I enjoyed reading your posts. All the best for your future blogging journey. Please keep in touch with me in Twitter, @ipersuade.Sridhar Chandrasekaranhttp://www.ipersuade.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-6952555180603513582013-06-21T08:59:23.865+10:002013-06-21T08:59:23.865+10:00its s pity the aussie contributions are not seen a...its s pity the aussie contributions are not seen as vital to the overall picture. lots of good stuff going down under.andrewhttp://tallskinnykiwi.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-78978232079455339812013-03-13T17:21:20.643+11:002013-03-13T17:21:20.643+11:00There is always the risk that the 'sizzle'...There is always the risk that the 'sizzle' detracts from the 'substance'. Give them substance, with the occassional sizzle. If its all spectacular displays, you risk that's what you become known for, rather than sound teaching!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-12339835472422668182013-03-13T17:15:55.102+11:002013-03-13T17:15:55.102+11:00Perhaps you should avoid the term "adult film...Perhaps you should avoid the term "adult film" in the context of bible studies...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-86517106209867269792013-02-27T11:39:46.869+11:002013-02-27T11:39:46.869+11:00Tom,
You make a good point about the volunteer h...Tom, <br /><br />You make a good point about the volunteer hours (and wages) which the church saves the community.<br /><br />In the utopia like world I wrote about they would all be included in the "service" aspect of my post (how this would all be worked out is WAYYY beyond my tiny finite mind).<br /><br />And when it comes to the ACA story there is a lot left unsaid, including the massive amount of things Hillsong and their people provide for the community.<br /><br />But the thing which especially caught my attention, and I imagine a lot of other people, was the proceeds from their records. I'm not convinced, on something of that commercial nature, we shouldn't pay our way.<br /><br />But you make a good point and, probably, it’s part of the reason why the whole church & tax issue isn’t dealt with.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-55038218091659430482013-02-26T23:38:15.396+11:002013-02-26T23:38:15.396+11:00I think that the tax-free thing for churches is al...I think that the tax-free thing for churches is also that they facilitate a huge volunteer base working in the community, which saves the government money. <br /><br />Churches, as you know, run kids ministry, youth ministry, play groups, meals services, visits to elderly and much more. At my last church they spent $500 a year on youth ministry, which would probably be tax-free as youth stuff should fall under community services.<br /><br />But when you have 10 leaders working 4 hours a week minimum, 40 weeks of the year, at $20 an hour, that's $32,000 a year. So that's one low-paid government employee we're saving from having to spend taxes on. <br /><br />Add that up across just one church and that's a lot of money that the government doesn't have to be spending on services. <br /><br />Hillsong do plenty of volunteering and community services. In that ACA story the figures reported show they're giving away over 10% of what they're bringing in, and they are facilitating huge amounts of community engagement. And we have no idea how much money is being spent on internal-church programs which would be considered community services anyway.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm not saying churches shouldn't be taxed, but there's more to the issue than just what gets actually spent on social services.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13412621934366542272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-78376838352573119212012-11-15T21:13:56.845+11:002012-11-15T21:13:56.845+11:00If this guy wasn't busy playing in the band I ...If this guy wasn't busy playing in the band I have no doubt he would have fixed the problem himself... without telling anyone what he was doing.<br /><br />It's another trait of people who notice the minor things.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-28417564933658345382012-11-15T21:10:56.139+11:002012-11-15T21:10:56.139+11:00Annon,
I can also think of quite a few "blac...Annon,<br /><br />I can also think of quite a few "black spots" across every denominations. <br /><br />Frankly, I think this is one of the contributing factors to gen y and younger being quite post-denominational.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-11916213058450776972012-11-15T16:19:00.865+11:002012-11-15T16:19:00.865+11:00I wonder why he came up to you, and didn't qui...I wonder why he came up to you, and didn't quietly get on with simply oiling the squeaky legs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-62098602279570398872012-11-15T16:16:29.441+11:002012-11-15T16:16:29.441+11:00Only in regional centres? Not at all. Within a 5-1...Only in regional centres? Not at all. Within a 5-10 drive of my home in suburban Sydney, there are seven Uniting Churches. Not one of them offers a regular youth ministry program. If we are open to other denominations, there are quite a few options...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-21149281340336820342012-09-13T11:02:07.437+10:002012-09-13T11:02:07.437+10:00Most adults always think critically on the risk of...Most adults always think critically on the risk of failures because they've been there. What we can do for the young is tell them straight to their eyes of their options. A little compromise helps greatly on their ability to make wise decisionWShahiranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07940694257704362054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-66552892043757920102012-09-03T16:01:29.247+10:002012-09-03T16:01:29.247+10:00Bacon is indeed good. Given that more families tha...Bacon is indeed good. Given that more families than usual were expected, did you adjust 'church' itself to cater for them? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-77928143732575340462012-08-31T10:20:36.310+10:002012-08-31T10:20:36.310+10:00Romans 14: 1-12 would be a good place to start. Yo...Romans 14: 1-12 would be a good place to start. You just have to figure out who has the 'strong faith' in this context... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-39959189523709718192012-08-30T23:38:20.042+10:002012-08-30T23:38:20.042+10:00Anonymous,
Good points. Really good.
I wonder ho...Anonymous,<br /><br />Good points. Really good.<br /><br />I wonder how many churches a)think the same way you do and b)show that by their actions?Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-54057132820497971492012-08-30T10:29:08.814+10:002012-08-30T10:29:08.814+10:00Yes. Absolutely. God loves a cheerful giver and so...Yes. Absolutely. God loves a cheerful giver and so should we.<br /><br />Beyond that, it's a matter of human relations... if you ask someone to do something (contribute money to a church related project you're running, move over so you can sit down in the train, pass the salt, donate a kidney, or whatever), and they do it, then you should say "thank you". <br /><br /><br />It's polite. It's human.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-31734761877706807672012-08-05T16:51:47.007+10:002012-08-05T16:51:47.007+10:00Andrew,
Great to have you here!
I'm glad you...Andrew,<br /><br />Great to have you here!<br /><br />I'm glad you added that really important, but previously unstated point (Good pick up). In order to beat porn we need to have our thoughts and actions shaped anew by Christ.<br /><br />Hope you keep enjoying the Ramblings...Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-68238484863320612542012-08-05T14:56:54.041+10:002012-08-05T14:56:54.041+10:00True Graham, you and I will need outside help to b...True Graham, you and I will need outside help to beat porn. That has been crucial in my life.<br /><br />But more crucial has been that I now find in Christ more pleasure and joy and satisfaction than I did in porn. And I think that's the ultimate key, even if I needed help to get me there. And I for one get worried when we don't mention that sort of thing explicitly.<br /><br />I'm new to your blog (I put it in my reader about a month ago) but I'm enjoying it. Thanks!<br /><br />AndrewAndrew Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12659181303107195871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-90795989148209996872012-06-24T11:51:30.289+10:002012-06-24T11:51:30.289+10:00Tom,
Good response. The same thing occurred to m...Tom, <br /><br />Good response. The same thing occurred to me after church this morning. With the teens we’re doing a series called “Why are Christian’s so…” (Warning: DON’T Google that sentence unless you want some shocking results!) with the point being that followers of Jesus are not perfect, but these are the people who God nonetheless uses.<br /><br />Peter’s a good example, but you could easily throw in Noah, Gideon, Samson, Jonah, Elijah, Paul and plenty other flawed biblical characters.<br /><br />Amongst other things in the news, this may be the reason why this query was bouncing around my head.<br /><br />But I still wonder if, in actuality, we still celebrate the good things which a so called “fallen” leader has done in the past or we “give them the Benoit treatment.”<br /><br />Having slept on it, I think we should recognise how God worked through some people who have had a sour season in their ministry, even if it means wearing some bad PR. As Tom said, it attests to the grace which God extends to people who don’t deserve it.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-57783072600519332192012-06-24T01:47:27.685+10:002012-06-24T01:47:27.685+10:00I'll provide an answer:
No.
The point of the...I'll provide an answer:<br /><br />No.<br /><br />The point of the gospel is grace. If we pretend that good work is only done by good people, or that you if you stuff up you lose your membership in the body of Christ than we diminish the power of Christ to work through all people.<br /><br />Also if we were to treat moral failures like that we'd have no idea who Peter was and that'd be a darn shame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-5220360684371021732012-06-05T09:54:26.127+10:002012-06-05T09:54:26.127+10:00That site is awesome. I'm just sad it doesn...That site is awesome. I'm just sad it doesn't have an RSS feed that I can use to keep up with all the latest fashion tips.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-40059048261377292882012-05-29T18:41:14.749+10:002012-05-29T18:41:14.749+10:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1108233204386860891.post-59549583880966446852012-05-22T15:02:08.312+10:002012-05-22T15:02:08.312+10:00I think if you're going to "go public&quo...I think if you're going to "go public" then it must be something which your church goes "the extra mile on" and not the status quo.<br /><br />Perhaps the original wording seemed to indicate that it was a competition, but surely, if you are going to be the (insert whatever it is) church, then you should look different to the churches which don't claim that title!Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10701675993909208817noreply@blogger.com