a new decade

Well, I made it! I got to the big 30. And for all of you reading this on the other side of the fence wondering if the grass is greener or all dried up... ask me again in 5 years time but so far it's been okay. I have been thinking I should go get a full medical to make sure my heart isn't failing or anything like that? What do you reckon?

Birthday celebrations this year were pretty low-key (that's so lame hey!). Mum and Dad came up and took us out for breakfast on Tuesday morning which was great, Prue organised a few Newcastle friends to come over on Thursday afternoon, a few weeks ago the Suttons came to Newcastle to celebrate my birthday, Lyndal's birthday and Rosie's birthday.

Things I'm looking forward to:
- getting my head into the next part of Genesis... beginning this week.
- the AIM mission trip around Australia... stay tuned for more details
- the Swans Preliminary Final on Friday Night... Yes, that's right the HIlton family is having a family outing to the Swans final...

Jowling at Take 5...

Australian Idol rocks. This is the first Sunday night Prue and I have had at home in ages (since I work Sunday night). We're at home becasue 5pm church wasn't on because we had Take 5 - our annual 5pm camp (see the previous blog) - and we're watching Idol.

Highlights of TAKE 5??

- Well it was great to get away with people and spend time with them looking at the Word together and hanging out getting to know them better. In our busy lives a weekedn doing this is invaluable.
- Seeing Morgan Powell... dead set legend.
- The food... breakfast in particular!
- The Swans winning by 1 point over the Westcoast Eagles in Subiaco
- Jowling

What's Jowling? We came across Jowling in the Spectrum in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday morning. According to the website jowlers.com this is how it is done:
1. Loosen all the muscles in your face.
2. Try to keep your mouths and eyes open
3. Shake your head from side to side as quickly as possible
4. Take a photo

Try it! It's absolutley hilarious to do as a big group (especially if it's late at night and people are suffering from severe exhaustion). Stay tuned for more Jowling photos.

P.S. Thanks for praying for the camp. Talks went well and people were encouraged and challenged as we thought about mission together.

Take 5

Well... it's a few days out from the annual 5pm camp. It's been very encouraging to see stacks of people throwing themseleves into ministry this year to get the camp up and going. I am speaking which will be great fun. It looks like there will probably 55-60 people at the camp this year which is encouraging. Pray that those who are slow to sign up would be convicted to come along and sign up in the next couple of days.

I am doing three talks on mission from John's gospel. Talk 1 - The Uniqueness of Jesus, Talk 2 - The Unique Mission of Jesus, Talk 3 - The Unique Sending of Jesus. If you pray, pray the talks would go well and that people would be convinced that the person and work of Jesus is worth proclaiming to the world around us.


Also, another tops thing is that Morgan and Anna (from St Matts, West Pennant Hills), will be coming up to share their vast wisdom with those who are considering going to Bible College or overseas on mission.

Oh yeah... one final thing. If anyone has any ideas on how to convince people on camp that a great Saturday Night activity would be to watch the Swans Vs. West Coast final on the Big Screen let me know??!!

sermon constipation

Well it's Friday afternoon and I am looking like having to spend a few more hours in the office tonight due to a severe case of sermon constipation all afternoon. (I am resting my mind by doing this brainless and unintersting blog)... Hopefully my condition will relieve itself when I return to the word document.

Anyway... it's now September which means it's FINALS SEASON! Brings back fond memories of last years grand final effort by the mighty Swans. I think we're looking at back to back titles. Adelaide has just lost theirs captain in Mark Richuto due some vague illness (hope you get well soon after the finals Mark) and the Swans are on song. Carlton should be an easy beat and hopefully we'll nab a top 4 position.

But it's looking like I will be in central Australia or on a bus going to central Australia and for the second year in a row will miss the grand final...

I promise my next blog will be much more meaningful and positive.