Was I viciously tackled from behind by a South American while playing football? No. Did I fall off my bike while riding in the picturesque French Alps? No. Were my calculations slightly out when dropping into a 90ft half-pipe on my skateboard? No.

I broke my toe writing an essay.

Embarrassing. I know. Yep. My first broken bone is from an academic injury. How the heck can you break a toe writing an essay? Let me explain.

At Moore College, we have electronic submission for essays. They need to be uploaded by 11:55pm on the due date. I normally submit mine between 11:47 and 11:54pm. Last night, I was on track for another “comfortable” submission.

The wireless Internet isn’t working on my computer at the moment. So at 11:51pm I picked up my computer to plug it into the modem in the kitchen. Plenty of time, no stress.

But the Internet wasn’t working. Losing time, stress. Clock ticking. So I plugged in my phone to tether the Internet, but it wasn’t working either. 11:52pm. Then I thought that maybe I needed to plug the computer into the power socket to get the network cable to work. 11:53pm. I began my sock lined run across our polished floor boards. Bang. Crash. Crack. Smash. As I slipped, I collected the wall, filing cabinet and futon. Ouch. My arm. My bottom. My back. My little left toe. I got the power cord and jogged back to the kitchen. 1154pm.

By this stage, Rowena had been woken up the bang-crash-cracking-smash.

“Dave, are you alright? I thought you were getting beaten up by an intruder!?”

“No. I’ll be fine. I’m just getting beaten up by this essay!”

The power cord didn’t work.

11:55pm.

So we tried to transfer it to Row’s computer. Except my computer wasn’t recognising the USB key.

11:56pm. It was too late.

I tried to re-start my computer. It crashed. It’s a PC, so it took 15 minutes to sort itself out. By 12:14am, it was submitted. Yay. But late. Un-yay.

Ice. Sleep. Limp.

I’ll probably spend an hour or two today tightening up the essay, to make up for the marks I’ll lose.

Any medical people out there? Should I see a doctor? They can’t really do anything anyway?

Any fashion police out there? I’m sorry. Today I’m breaking your number 1 rule: I’m wearing jeans and running shoes.

Any Dell or Windows computer people out there? I don’t blame you. You can only cut it fine so many times before something like this happens!

Anyone still reading this far? Thanks. If someone asks you how I broke my little toe, tell them I broke it wrestling a lion.

Any lame injury stories waiting to be told???

I’m on holidays for the next week. I might get a chance to blog, or I might not!

Here’s some posts coming soon:
- final “Never be destroyed” post
- mp3s from preaching in QLD
- a letter from some Afghan Christians
- mp3s from preaching in Katoomba
- book review of “What is the gospel?”
- FIFA World Cup wrap
- a 10-part series on “Techno Youth Ministry”
- finishing of Vanuatu 09 series (long overdue!)

Hope you’re well.

Catch yo on da shizzle

(if formatting/spelling is bad, I wrote this on my mobile phone)

July is good. I’m enjoying the crisp winter weather, another camp, and looking forward to time off. Above is my choice of the July Smashing Mag Desktop Wallpapers.

Here’s the best of June (according to clicks) and some other stats:

• Most popular Jesus post: Praying for the World (Cup)
• Most popular Life post: 7 Years = Perfect Marriage
• Most popular Culture post: “Young Punks” – you heard it here first
• Most popular Design post: 3photos: Outside Inside
• 21% less hits than the same month last year
• 9% less hits than the previous month

Germany for the win!!

There were quite a few peeps who got in the action for #MTCexamcram09. It was good. Here are the 3 reasons from last year:

1. I’m motivated to study because I see others studying
2. There are gems among the quotes, reflections and bible verses being shared
3. It’s a fun and maybe (?) useful way to use social media

Follow the action in the widget above or by clicking here.

see below for the other 2 pics

Check this out for more LOST + FOUND action.

Okay, maybe it’s not perfect, but I think it’s getting better. We still love each other and we’re learning more and more how to forgive each other. Love ya Row!

Are you married? Tip: Work hard on your marriage. We’ve been reading this book, What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage – it’s brilliant. Check it out!

Dave’s List:

1. Cafe – I like the coffee thing, but probably more so the people thing.
2. Shoe Shop – during high school and my first few years out of school I worked in a sport shop. I like shoes. The shoe shop would specialise in sports shoes and casual/urban/street shoes.
3. Creative Suite – web/graphic design, marketing, advertising, PR etc.

Row’s List:

1. Florist – even though she’s allergic to grass, she likes flowers. That’s cool. (Mental note: buy row flowers)
2. Travel Agent – not just the opportunity to travel, but help people plan sweet trips.
3. Art House Cinema – operating an independent cinema. A little bit like the one at Avoca Beach (if you haven’t been there… make the trip one day/night)

If I could run a business…

The high light of June will definitely be the FIFA Football World Cup held in South Africa. During the 1998 World Cup, my trial HSC was significantly impacted by late nights watching soccer matches. This year I have 2 exams at college during the world cup… good luck studying! This month’s Smashing Mag Wallpaper is the better of the 2 soccer related ones (see above). Australia for the win!

Here’s the best of May (according to clicks) and some other stats:

• Most popular Jesus post: Re-generation Youth Event // Will Graham in Tamworth
• Most popular Life post: Probably the highlight of May 2010
• Most popular Culture post: Breaking News: Teenager does something
• Most popular Design post: 3photos: Cafe Telegraph
• 13% less hits than the same month last year
• 13% less hits than the previous month

Joga Bonito.

The next verse answers that with a positive statement: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph 4:32). So I get rid of the crap stuff from v31 and then take hold of kindness, compassion and forgiveness from v32. The key? It’s the motivation in the final clause, “just as in Christ God forgave you.” The way in which I can get rid of bitterness is by reflecting on the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

Grace overcomes bitterness. Ephesians is a pretty sweet book to reflect on God’s grace. God’s grace is all about his incredible kindness shown to sinful people who don’t deserve it. God’s grace is all about Jesus dying in the place of sinners. God’s grace is all about being made alive with Christ.

Here’s how God’s grace helped me this morning to keep punching as bitterness reared its ugly face, I saw that:

1. my sin is ugly before God (see Eph 2:1-3)
2. God’s love expressed in Christ Jesus is beautiful and rich (see 2:4-5)
3. the debt against me is far less than my incalculable debt against God
4. grace now characterises my new life as one united with Christ (see ch 4-6)

(this post was written on monday, published on tuesday, then back-dated to monday!)

Denying self, taking up cross and following Jesus. Recently I’ve been thinking and praying through where and how to serve Jesus once college has finished. I’ve realised that following Jesus may lead to doing things that would have never even crossed my mind a few years ago.

We’re really starting to count the costs of what this could mean, convinced that whatever we do, following Jesus “demands my soul, my life, my all.”

His abilities with a shovel have surpassed mine!

For more photos, there are like a million on facebook.

(Shout out to Faith Wan. I ripped this pic from her FB album)

Praying Christian friends/readers: I’m currently talking to different churches/ministries about possible work for next year. I’d appreciate your prayers. Non-Christian friends: praying you’d come to know Jesus. This vid would be worth your time. Trust me.

Here’s the best of April (according to clicks) and some other stats:

• Most popular Jesus post: KYCK 2010 #1 – Summary
• Most popular Life post: Train a child in the way he should go
• Most popular Culture post: Free Music Friday 03 // Garage Hymnal – I Am
• Most popular Design post: 4 Tips on Becoming a Designer
• 5% more hits than the same month last year
• 1% less hits than the previous month

Peaceout amigos.

Rwanda – Battling for safe drinking water – here’s a project that readers of dmdc have previously partnered with Compassion. // Find out more info about Compassion Day

Parenting is exciting and daunting. My prayer is that I would be training him now in the way he should go and that when he’s old he will not turn from it.

I chose it because it’s a reminder of a Bible series I’ve done about 6 times in the last year or so, and hopefully it will remind me to be ‘radially changed by the good news of Jesus’. I did the series most recently in the Riverina and I’ll be doing it in a couple of weeks with MBM Youth. Some major changes/tweaks coming for the series. I’m hoping to turn it into a free e-book for youth later in the year. We’ll see…

April is also the month for KYCK. It sounds like it’s going to be the biggest one ever, my tip is 6000 young peeps!!! I’m really excited to be preaching there. I’ll be giving the Saturday night evangelistic talk. I’ve given the talk a couple of times already and been given some really useful feedback from a preacher friend. If you’re a Christian – I’d appreciate your prayers. If you’re not a Christian – check out this crazy website.

Here’s the best of March (according to clicks) and some other stats:

• Most popular Jesus post: Riverina Youth Convention – Talk MP3s
• Most popular Life post: I played chicken with my host
• Most popular Culture post: Chuck Norris doesn’t turn 70…
• Most popular Design post: Moore Mission 2010 Blog
• 8% more hits than the same month last year
• 15% more hits than the previous month

I enjoyed the Haiku poetry anthology in the comments last month. How about we try Limericks this month?? Leave one if you’re feeling creative or bored… Thanks.

What does the world need most? Forgiveness of sin that comes only through trusting in the death and resurrection of Jesus. BUT the book of James makes it clear that for followers of Jesus, real faith is shown in action.

GOOD NEWS: In a small way, readers of dmdc have put their faith into action and raised $1741 to help provide safe drinking water in the developing world. This is $200 more than the original target! Read the first 3 posts: one, two, three.

The money will go towards a fantastic Compassion project in Rwanda. The aim of the project is to contribute to the reduction of water-borne diseases among Compassion assisted children by supplying 20 Compassion child development centres with safe drinking water to meet their basic needs. I’m really impressed with Compassion’s work in Rwanda and I’m glad that this water project fits into a larger ongoing strategy.

Expected Project Outcomes

• At least 75 per cent of Compassion assisted children are supplied with a basic amount of clean water per day (60 litres per household).
• Water shortages in beneficiary villages are reduced.
• Families in the vicinity of the church partner property have regular access to water supplied by the tanks.
• Each church planter is trained in the use and maintenance of the water tanks and has taken over financial and operational responsibilities of the water tank.

Thanks to those who have contributed. Praise God for the generosity of his people!

If you want more info on the project, I can send you a detailed PDF. Likewise, if you want to contribute to the project, let me know or contact Compassion directly.

My theory in taking someone was that it would be good to:

• have company for the 10 hours of driving
• spend informal time encouraging and training a young punk
• have absolutely no opportunities to scoop fire (see v27)

So shout out to Tim!

By 1am I realised that I needed to call it off. But I couldn’t. I had to win. I thought if I just held out for another minute or two, he’d say “good night” first. He didn’t. I did. He wins. I lose. That’s okay.

I miss my family already, but here are 3 reasons why being billeted is gold:

1. A tangible way of showing our gospel partnership
2. A glimpse into the culture of the family, the local church and the local community
3. An encouragement hearing of God’s work in their lives

THIS POST ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.