REACH OUT Central

REACH OUT has always been at the forfront of online resources helping young people and youth workers be resourced for dealing with life pressures and issues around suicide. They have had travelling roadshows, interactive internet content, storysharing etc!!


Now come REACH OUT CENTRAL an online game for 15-25's that helps deal with all the stuff life throws at us and more!! It's free to load up and get involved in at www.reachoutcentral.com.au

Read or hear more about it here via the ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2007/2032321.htm

Kenny Trailer

Story Collection # 03 "Kenny"

I guess Channel TEN were attempting to stall 'The Chasers War on Everything' ratings boost by putting this great little Aussie movie on a Wednesday night this week!! It's a story because as well as the great story in the film it's matched by the story of getting it to the screen in the first place.

First of all... lets put some punters straight... "Kenny" is a fictitious character who started life as a home movie project following Shane Jacobson in a truck and exploring links with his event management work and these interesting characters they encountered from "Splashdown" toilet hire company!!

They had a meeting with the owner of Splashdown who wanted to fund a feature film despite Clay and Shane's reticence... a call came through from the Manager of Ameri-can wondering if the boss would be attending that years national Convention in the US... suddenly the lights went on and 'bang' you've got a whole film!! They followed 'Kenny' and the rest is history.

The irony was not lost on Shane that one year he is event managing Splashdown, TV networks and the caterers at the Australian Film Industry Awards [AFI's] and 12 months later he is onstage accepting a BEST ACTOR gong!!

The boys were familiar to movie buffs through one or two Tropfest short film finalist efforts and are sure to go on and produce more than the one hit wonder that is 'Kenny'.

The great humour of the film is that Kenny is happy in his work, confused that people are so judgemental and has this understated way of using every 'poo' pun going with a straight face!!

There are also a couple of scenes which serve to define the challenge facing the church in secular aussie culture trying to share 'good news' !!

Kenny's son asks about his dad's beliefs in God and it emerges his ex-wife has suggested he'll be 'going to hell' because he doesn't believe in God! Kenny begs to differ but suggests "If God introduces himself to Kenny personally, he'll give God his full attention.... but until then.....?"

Story Collection # 02 "Fragile" Sting

Just after I first heard about the worship idea of using a fold out world map and inviting people to light a tealight and place it on the map in a place needing prayer I heard Sting telling the story of his then recent album launch. Fanclub members had been invited to Italy for a webcast and backyard concert previewing the new songs!!

While people travelled the events of September 11 2001 took place in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania!! Shocked, the band had to decide what to do.... they decided musicians should play but they chose a rendition of Sting's 'Fragile', shut down the webcast aspect and played on for those gathered.

I used to tell the story as I introduced the activity and while exploring Youtube and playing catch up with a list of potential footage I came across the original webcast footage!!

Remarkable with yesterday the 6th anniversary of those events!!

Story Collection # 01Wollondilly White Waratahs

There are some stories gathered on the Pumphouse weblog BUT in light of some recent work I've been developing I am going to start a deliberate collection of some stories!!

Honour of being the first of those goes to the Wollondilly White Waratahs who have been adopted this rugby season by the Daily Telegraph newspaper when it became apparent that this women's team were being soundly belted each week in the Illawarra competition BUT kept coming back for more and hoped for the day when things might be better!!

Even the NSW Waratahs sent Al Kanaar and friends along to training to give the coach a hand and the girls a few drills and tips!!

The girls are typical of rugby folklore... where its more about participating than the scoreline and you play on in the hope and knowledge that things will get better!!

I believe scores of over 100 - nil have been recorded... THEN it happened... last Saturday the White Waratahs scored a 3 point penalty goal and justifiably went berserk!!

The girls have vowed to come back next season and keep on working hard!! Its what rugby is all about!! Go well!!

Sydney APEC

We had some fun in Sydney last week with the APEC summit and the name famous 2.8m fence!!
Whatever you make of the 'usual suspects' and their protests, the Chaser fake motorcade and the 'dryzabones' national raincoats.... it was an amazing week whent eh city turned ghost town in response to the post 9/11 security measures!!

From my vantage point the behaviour of Police in the last hour of the protest in Sydney was a disgrace!! Thye had targeted organisers, were ready for the worst and when it didn't eventuate they precipitated a confrontation!! They launched into a crowd and singled out people they had under surveillance for weeks [including one at a Hyde Park Cafe] and others 'crossing the road, on the pretext that people were attempting to take an alt route which was originally denied permission.

It reminded me of my own Year 12 'muck up' where a Yr 12 v Yr 10 friut fight early in the year caused a stern warning and helped us decide to skip the normal destruction at year end and plan three days of touch footy, bbqs and parties....

Teachers who lived locally were really annoyed with us when they were rostered all night to sleep outside in cars and then regularly patrol our School to prevent damage....

Where were you? they asked.... either in Newcastle at the geography teachers house or at home asleep were the 2 responses!! No eggs or flour bombs at Assembly.... just a morning of touch footy, a bbq and some cold beverages ahead of our Prezo Dinner!!

They couldn't believe it...
I think the NSW Police were the same.... hang on, they can't just disperse.... better get amongst them!!

Rugby World Cup 2007

OK I've left it as long as possible before taking a pumphouse detour for seven weeks!!
The Wallabies will open their campaign this weekend to BRING BACK BILL [The William Webb Ellis Trophy] in France and Wales!! Cricket, football, netball whatever... it doesn't get any better than the Rugby World Cup. It's a relatively new competition since its beginning in Australia/New Zealand in 1987 and its invention happens to coincide with a golden era in Australian Rugby!!

We lost a killer Semi Final to France in 1987 with eventual champs New Zealand
We won the 1991 World Cup in the UK with Nick Farr Jones as captain
We imploded in South Africa in 1995
We won again in the UK in 1999 with John Eales 'Nobody' as captain

Given our poor lead up form very few gave us a chance in 2003 and despite my prediction we'd beat NZ in the semi's I was surprised how well we went in the cold and slippery Final. Down by a last gasp field goal in extra time. It was like a champion team saying to England "OK you've been the best performed team for 2 years but if you want the Cup you'll have to prize it from our dead fingers!!"

I love that the All Blacks only have one Cup to our two and would love that to be 3-1!! Though in truth they are always deserved favourites.

Predictions:
Wallabies to win

Surprises... South Africa, France, Ireland, NZ maybe having peaked early...
BUT you need focus and an ounce of luck to win it!!

I would not have picked Berrick Barnes and one or two other players in the squad but I guess we'll see.

Australian heroes will be:
Stirling Mortlock
Rocky Elsom
David Lyons

I am avoiding comment about George Gregan.
Maybe another day...

What wins World Cups? Defence
Why would I suggest we can win despite patchy form in 2007?

I believe we ran dead in the Super 14 because of key injuries BUT also because the Wallabies were in heavy base fitness training instead of tapered weekly processes. Similarly in the early trials we experimented BUT in the Tri Nations what changed to give us success was not our attack BUT our defence... it went up several cogs... so lets hope that continues!!

Plenty of time for more...

This weekend:

Date AEST
8/9 5am France v Argentina
9.45pm NZ v Italy
11.45pm Australia v Japan
9/9 2am Eng v USA
10pm Wales v Canada
midnight Sth Africa v Samoa
10/9 2am Scotland v Portugal
4am Ireland v Namibia

Enjoy!!

Not a Bad Read!!

Here's a couple of books worth a look from www.amazon.com

Miss Sarajevo

Miss Sarajevo
Is there a time for keeping your distance
A time to turn your eyes away
Is there a time for keeping your head down
For getting on with your day

Is there a time for kohl and lipstick
A time for cutting hair
Is there a time for high street shopping
To find the right dress to wear

Here she comes
Heads turn around
Here she comes
To take her crown

Is there a time to run for cover
A time for kiss and tell
Is there a time for different colours
Different names you find it hard to spell

Is there a time for first communion
A time for east 17
Is there a time to turn to mecca
Is there time to be a beauty queen

Here she comes
Beauty plays the clown
Here she comes
Surreal in her crown

Dici che il fiume
Trova la via al mare
E come il fiume
Giungerai a me
Oltre I confini
E le terre assetate
Dici che come fiume
Come fiume...
Lamore giunger
Lamore...
E non so pi pregare
E nellamore non so pi sperare
E quellamore non so pi aspettare

( its said that a river
Finds the way to the sea
And like the river
You shall come to me
Beyond the borders
And the thirsty lands
You say that as a river
Like a river...
Love shall come
Love...
And Im not able to pray anymore
And I cannot hope in love anymore
And I cannot wait for love anymore)

Is there a time for tying ribbons
A time for christmas trees
Is there a time for laying tables
And the night is set to freeze

And on Pav's website following his death http://www.lucianopavarotti.com/ a terrific quote!!

Farewell Pavarotti

Luciano Pavarotti died today and we've been hearing those 'magnificent pipes' all day on the radio!! It's hard to be excited that you had his name in your 2007 Dead Pool entry BUT so be it!!

While Opera is not my normal territory this bloke was a 'one off' who had a significant connection with Australia as he credited Dame Joan Sutherland as being the one who 'taught him how to breathe' while here in the mid 60s!!

People annoyed by U2 would be upset if I didn't mention his collaboration on 'Miss Sarajevo' which Bono actually has a crack at himself nowadays... owning up to inheriting his 'pipes' from his old man!!

Howzat!!

The song is a haunting soundtrack to any footage of the gunplay and people scurrying from building to building that is so often a feature of any news story about that conflict!!

During the ZOO TV Tour when Bono took on the Mephisto character he would mischievously phone someone each night while channel flicking on the giant screens on stage. One night he phoned a person in Sarajevo who ended up asking what 'he' was going to do about their plight... that after he hung up, unless something changed they would probably end up dead... it was a remarkable and uncomfortable media moment!!

Worship Resources for You

Where Do I Sign Up?

"Best of Both Worlds" Midnight Oil

So tonight before I go off to sleep I am feeling a bit flat so if your looking for a good song idea to use somewhere..... tough luck!! this one's for me...
"Best of Both Worlds" is I believe the last song I will ever hear the Oils play live!! This was at Waveaid to raise money for Tsunami Relief and befitting their status and live reputation the Oils closed the show in the smoke of a red flare and the chance for P.Garrett to call the band down for a bow front of stage that was denied them by originally winding things up nearly 2 years earlier at Tweed Heads Leagues club. BUT more fitting was the choice of song.... the Oils going flat out [albeit a bit puffed and out of nick] reminding us all what a lucky country we live in and that while times might be tough here we really do have it pretty good!!

"Best of Both Worlds"
You say times are tough
We've got the best of both worlds here
Things are rough
We've got the best of both worlds here
Times are tough
We've got the best of both worlds here

The real world is not as calm as it appears to be from here
The real world is not as calm as it appears to be from here

The old world is not as safe with the new world closing in
The great south land can be as great as the one it could have been
The one it could have been

The real world is not as calm as it appears to be from here
The small world is not as strong and the testing ground is near
The old world is not as safe as the one we could have seen
The great south land can be as great as the one it could have been
The one it could have been

We've got the best of both worlds

Because of their wide range of songs the Oils could play with this energy from song one at any gig. Music is taste driven and so this may not be on your list BUT in unbiased fashion I can say I have never seen a concert crowd going off from the first note as much as at Oils gigs. The sense of anticipation was always palpable and the support band had long since rudely been dispatched with the chant of "Oooiiillllssss!" ringing in their ears!

Peter felt so bad for "Tall Tales and True" who tried gamely one night at the Enmore... even pleading that they had grown up Oils fans too and could people please just give them a few songs... their set was cut short and on went the show!!

A band called "Horsehead" tried hard at "Selina's' at the Coogee Bay Hotel, they were pretty heavy rock and drowned out the chant BUT one bloke was obviously yelling so loud the veins on the side of neck were bulging and the lead singer threatened to throw a VB can at him and to 'take it out to the carpark' after the set!!

Anyhow apparently we've got the best of both worlds here!!

Unreliable Idea # 31 Oversized Skateboards

Most evangelically successful youth ministry programs have a hook, contact or entry point with young people from their local community. That can anything from a charismatic leader, a band, a clever idea, obvious location or a novel activity with a following!!

Over the weekend the papers made reference to the skate culture being capitalised on by enthusiasts at St Pauls Anglican Seaforth. They are using the standard and 'oversized' skateboards to attract young people to activities where relationships and connections can be established!! The hall is full of jumps, ramps etc!!

On Saturday at the loca Bar Beach Carpark I saw what I reckoned was the same thing... either city church or YWAM female leaders on metre long boards with 10-15cm diameter wheels doing large donuts in the massive asphalt space!! Then up rock what might have been 6 toekn attenders from a High School SRE Seminar through the week!!

Don't get me wrong I thought it was a good idea...
There are lots of things you could do... the trick is you need to be genuinely 'into' the activity!!
LAN Gaming
Sports
Paragliding
Bushwalking
Surfing
Gaming
Jigsaws
Board Games
Theatre Sports......

In various models of youth ministry these are 'opening up events' to attract new participants' and perhaps lead into new explorations of faith thru camping, introductory groups etc...

Next question is, what does skate-worship look like...

"Sometimes" Alex Lloyd on Dancing with the Stars

Sorry about Daryl Sommers!!

Reflection 30 min Worship Resource

I put together a number of things I have been using recently and a focus on 'Stories' to offer as a reflection for our recent Staff Gathering at work!!

Here's the main bits!!
The references to the context are all changeable and feel free to use this elsewhere!!
[Dean I'll whip it into another shape and send it along]

ENTER
With an audio-visual of a candle in the powerpoint slide
We listened to...

“SOMETIMES”
The traffic is jamming for miles up ahead
Releasing emotions deep in my head

I wish it was easy easy to breathe
The words that we needed to get some relief
I still hear you crying, then I see you smiling
Even when I close my eyes

Sending a rescue coming to find you
Do you think that we could save another day
Try not to break down walking the old ground
I don't want to throw the life we had away

Blocked up and cluttered tired we stand
Alone together was just not the plan
Something undenying in the underlining
Even if I close my eyes

Sending a rescue coming to find you
Do you think that we could save another day
Try not to break down walking the old ground
I don't want to throw the life we had away
Alex Lloyd EMI 2005

NOTE
Which is the song Alex Lloyd sang on 'Dancing with the Stars' in Oz as 2 of the professionals performed a stunning routine. Catch it here http://www.ifilm.com/profile/mr_pickle/video/2725977?sublisting=videos&page=1

CALL read aloud
Minute by minute day by day
We are called to be people of the story
To share and serve in the bringing about
Of a world according to the values of God

Close enough we can touch it
Far enough away we need to join God’s activity in the world
Personal enough it can be our own story along the way
Each one of us has a story worth hearing
Each one of us can do that for others

You are invited into a time of reflection as we begin our meeting today
Through writing, music, story and questions
Let’s give God our time and start in the right way

THEN
The next clip was introduced with a simple reference to a focus on stories and how this song was sung acoustically by Phil Jamieson from Grinspoon on ABC TV on 'Enough Rope' after the amazing interview about his addiction to crystal meth [ice]... captured the footage from youtube of course.... see previous post...

“MINUTE BY MINUTE”
This is a new year lullaby I cannot fake it
You know the reasons don’t ask why
When I got drunk and crashed the car were you still near me
Still I’ve got writing on my face

Minute by minute day by day
Though I can’t touch you you’re so far away X 2
Minute by minute Day by day [two packs a day]

This is an Easter crucified buried in levels
Though I’m still bleeding I won’t die
I can see violence in your eyes
I’ve run out of water
Satan is singing me lullabies

Minute by minute day by day
Though I can’t touch you you’re so far away X 2
Minute by minute day by day X 2 [two packs a day]

I know its time to say goodbye
But I’m still wasting
This is no time for me to ……
Now that its over said and done
Our house is empty
Where do I go now you have gone

Minute by minute day by day
Though I can’t touch you you’re so far away
Minute by minute day by day X 2 [two packs a day]
Grinspoon UMI 2007

EXPLORE/REFLECTION
I shared about my recent exploration of stories and my belief that everyone has a story and its worth hearing and forms part of my approach to mission and ministry fundamentally

STORIES
STORIES ARE COMPELLING BECAUSE:

1. THEY CROSS BOUNDARIES OF LANGUAGE, CULTURE & AGE
2. WE SEEM TO BE WIRED FOR NARRATIVE/STORIES
3. THEY DEFINE WHO WE ARE/IDENTITY
4. THEY CREATE COMMUNITY AND SHARED VALUES

LUKE 19: 1-10

PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

We watched the film trailer [also all over the net] and talked briefly about this story while I noted that with more time I'd ask the group top explore the three main stories together: Phil J, Zacchaeus, and Chris G

ENGAGE
What’s a story that defines you,
or says something about who you are?

What’s a story,
that you want to be
[or ought to be] part of?

NOTE
This is a song I wrote the lyrics for which Phil and Jill kindly put a tune to and bashed out on mp3 for me to use and teach

STORIES OF HOPE
ONE:
Stories of faith calling us to explore
What matters now is who we might be
It has to be believed to be seen
God’s story of love who could ask for more

CHORUS:
Stories of faith [calling us onwards] Stories of love [our example to follow]
Stories of hope [showing there is a way]

TWO:
We can all see what love has done
Jesus stands in solidarity
Actions louder than words making history
The values of God won’t be undone

CHORUS:…

THREE:
Dreams come and go around what might be
Hope against hope inspiring all things
We travel along despite our struggles
God’s call comes alive in you and in me

CODA:
Story of faith [calling us onwards] Story of love [our example to follow]
Story of hope [showing there is a way]

R. Hanks P.Newton J.Newton 2007

SENDING OUT

DOXOLOGY

Give me a blank piece of paper God
And on it I will write all the wrong choices
All the twists and turns
All the anger
And the destructive stuff that won't change a thing

Take it from my hand and turn me around
Around to where energy lay
In others, in laughter, in honesty and in the next step I take

Send all of us to places of reflection
But don't leave it there
Wet towels on the locker room floor of intent
twisted tape scrunched like a disappointing scoreline in the game

Send us out to share our humanity, ourselves
To be the marker point for checking direction
Help us tell a different story next time 'round
So we move ourselves and others from quietly screamed desperation*
to a different place....... *Thoreau
Rob Hanks 2007

The End

"Love Me Like the World is Ending"

Ben Lee does it again with a catchy feelgood tune that has something to offer... a really postive and genuine vibe!! I haven't yet got the great official film clip with 100 or so water bombers BUT this is the Live on Rove NY version!!

Nirvana Nevermind

Nirvana baby finds exposure a bit odd August 16, 2007 Chicago Tribune

Spencer Elden, the naked baby on the cover of Nirvana's breakthrough 1991 album, "Nevermind," says it's a bit creepy knowing millions have seen your stuff.
"I feel like I'm the world's biggest porn star," Elden, who is now 17, told MTV.com.

The California boy said he is a true Nirvana fan but has never met any of the band members. He's had a platinum record for "Nevermind" hanging in his bedroom since his first birthday. His parents were paid $200 for allowing him to be photographed in a pool.

Being on the album's cover has led to some strange encounters. He said he was once invited to swim in a rather wealthy woman's pool simply because he was the Nirvana baby.

Of course the album cover was also celebrated by Rolling Stone with one of three special edition covers!!

Unreliable Idea # 30 Spicks and Specks

MMS from Darren reminded me that I saw this in a 'wishbook' last Friday having once flagged with colleagues that we should design our own version of the quiz show 'Spicks and Specks'...

Of course you may be thinking... well you're either a 'RockWiz' or a 'Spicks and Specks' fan!!

The quiz gives you access to some buzzers and potential for singing and charades alongside the traditional questions and tricks!!

McDonalds DOUBLE Pounder

Despite evidence to the contrary I had no idea you could order special burgers 'off menu' at Mickey Dee's or Hungry Jacks... the McDonalds Double Pounder has enough fat to equal 45 tim tams, an armload of pizzas and is a virtual heart attack in a box!!

Apparently Sydney schoolies issue the challenge to their mates and can order this burger for $18

Welcome to Post # 700 Darwin Awards

I have been doing some work recently out of my passion for and interest in attention grabbing stories! Some the first I recall were Darwin Award* stories and the first ever was this one depicted by David Arquette!! The rocket powered desert machine!!



*Darwin Awards is a prize awarded to the individual or individuals in any given year who went to great lengths to remove their own idiotic influence from the gene pool [some honourable mentions go to survivors and the Darwins team do their best to weed out urban myths!!

There are a heap of websites to read about them!! Youtube features a number of scenarios!!

New Look

OK here it is... the new look Pumphouse after some panic and assistance from Darren so I now know how to add some of the stuff I panicked about!!

I hope you like it... its getting there for me so you'll have to put up with it at least!!

"Minute by Minute"

It's the crisp new lullaby
openness, honesty, vulnerability
Don't ask why?
Know that we are who we are and we do what we do
God is not to blame
and we must be there for each other

Minute by minute day by day
God is near to us yet we can barely touch that love
It's illusive yet reassuring
like something of value it isn't easily grasped
yet is freely available

In our Easter Friday experiences
We run dry, we hit walls, we fail
We get up, we stand, we walk
Where to from here?
Anywhere just don't fake it!

Minute by minute day by day
God is near to us we overflow with exuberance
We cry, we laugh, we dance
the power is in the knowing
and the knowing is ours to do

Minute by minute day by day
God finds a way
power and passion you and I
time is wasting
ours is the love to be shared out
So get to the task without any bounds

OK poor attempt awaiting improvement... lets call it a first draft... but here is an opening liturgy or prayer I would potentially use or record someone else reading in worship utilising the 'Enough Rope' clip of the Grinspoon song "Minute By Minute"

More Great Album Covers

OK I couldn't resist... I have uploaded them to flickr and they are accessible/viewable from the rectangle collection to the right in the Pumphouse margin!!

Album Covers from Heaven

Every so often a colleague [in this case Rev Dr Palmer] sends you a great email they've received from somewhere in the ether!! I can't possibly include every album cover in this post... its just too much inspired creativity in one post BUT be afraid... be very afraid....

Don't you just love these old LP covers [one or two of which I've seen on Spicksn Specks as a 'Guess the title' item!!

Sta tuned for next time when I will include "The Braillettes" blind singing group...

Snaps # 5 Pancakes at Parramatta

Another walk down story loaded memory lane!!
This scan is of the menu from "Pancakes at Parramatta" which we went to lots in the 1980s in Church St all the way from Newcastle!! At one time you could buy a copy of the menu for a few dollars and then when times weren't so profitable and the allure waned they were a bit more circumspect.... so this one pictured made it out under a girls jumper of course!!

"Pancakes' was open 24 hours on weekends and genuinely included out of work 'Home & Away' actors and sports stars....

How it worked is that we'd be sitting around on a quiet night after a video or a party and someone would ask 'Supper?' which always meant piling into the car and heading down the Highway [only part of the F3 existed back then...] to Parramatta and back in one night... where the food was brilliant!! My favourite was the pancake stack with a beef pattie and a hash brown like potato pancake... fat city... but great flavours!!

There were a number of memorable nights where hopefuls times were completely ruined by misinterpreting the attentions of a young lady who genuinely wanted to be your 'friend' and became horrified that you took her attention any other way!! Will those other lads never learn I often thought!!!!!!!

On one memorable night a few years in, we had actually been to a late movie first and it was way after 10pm when someone said "supper?" We had to travel around and collect several girls jumpers before heading off.... It was the LA Olympics and we saw many Finals and memorable races on the screens at 'Pancakes'...

Driving home included a sidetrack to East Maitland where it was so late we turned off the motor and glided down Jelly's street... then down the road and started the car around the block to head back home!! A total waste of time when Jelly realised she had no key and climbed into the kitchen window stepping into a sink FULL of plates and cutlery.... making a little noise as you'd imagine!!

On the way back thru Mayfield under the orange highway lighting you notice that cars are all grey and grey cars are nearly invisible. By now its 5.30am and as I drift off to sleep at the wheel Woz calls out "ummm!! CAR!!" as I swerve into the centre lane and miss running up the back of a stationary Falcon car by about 15cms....

On arrival at our Islington Unit I recall falling asleep on a loungeroom beanbag watching athletics on TV at about 6am!!

Those were the days!!

"Minute by Minute"

I have spent the last week with one song on repeat on the CD player and have used the live footage from ENOUGH ROPE in a worship context. 'Minute by Minute' acoustic is a beautiful and catchy tune. Phil Jamieson's interview with Andrew Denton is even on youtube in parts and was a moving and difficult piece reminding
me of the fragility of things when addictions take over!!
The audience member spoke for most when she couldn't help but speak out and wish Phil 'all our support' in his battle!!
Catch the performance of the song here and grab a copy of a great return to form album of you've admired Grinspoon before!!



I used this as a Training Day closing prayer reflection while we handed around some 'Group Resources' picture cubes to remind people of who they are in ministry with and would like to pray for. I am moved to write some liturgy to go with the song but haven't had 5 mins to that yet!!

Punters Having trouble at Madam Toussad's

Apparently punters at the New York branch of the Museum ahve had trouble telling the difference between the real Lindesay Lohan and the wax dummy!!

PM John Howard trips and Falls

Here's one for the joke reel when John finally does give it away!! It can add to that atrocious spin bowling in India, the presented car where the plastic lid and base slip in his grasp, the APEC shirts etc etc!!

Perhaps BB House Idiot Michelle was trying to emulate The Obama Girl from New York