dave miers dot com » life http://davemiers.com davemiers.com Sat, 19 May 2012 14:17:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Fun with the boys in the city http://davemiers.com/2012/05/20/fun-with-the-boys-in-the-city/ http://davemiers.com/2012/05/20/fun-with-the-boys-in-the-city/#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 14:17:04 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9994

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/05/20/fun-with-the-boys-in-the-city/feed/ 2 Holiday Pics – Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia http://davemiers.com/2012/04/24/holiday-pics-wagga-wagga/ http://davemiers.com/2012/04/24/holiday-pics-wagga-wagga/#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:23:53 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9833

The Blessed Bean

The Botanic Gardens

Food. Flora. Fauna. Family.

Sam & Tom with some of their cousins

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/04/24/holiday-pics-wagga-wagga/feed/ 3 DMDC about page updated 2012 http://davemiers.com/2012/03/24/dmdc-about-page-updated-2012/ http://davemiers.com/2012/03/24/dmdc-about-page-updated-2012/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:44:21 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9735 I’ve updated my about page. Deleted lots of stuff. Added an extra child. Used sentences.

After something more interesting to read? Check this.

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/03/24/dmdc-about-page-updated-2012/feed/ 0 I often write blog posts in my head http://davemiers.com/2012/03/24/i-often-write-blog-posts-in-my-head/ http://davemiers.com/2012/03/24/i-often-write-blog-posts-in-my-head/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:26:17 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9731 It’s been more than two weeks since my last blog post, except for the ones I regularly write in my head. I’m guessing you don’t have access to those ones. Therefore, I might try and write some of them down in the weeks to come. Or not.

Above pic originally from here.

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/03/24/i-often-write-blog-posts-in-my-head/feed/ 0 Beach. Bacon. Boy. http://davemiers.com/2012/03/07/beach-bacon-boy/ http://davemiers.com/2012/03/07/beach-bacon-boy/#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:02:14 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9701

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/03/07/beach-bacon-boy/feed/ 2 Speaking page updated for 2012 http://davemiers.com/2012/02/26/speaking-page-updated-for-2012/ http://davemiers.com/2012/02/26/speaking-page-updated-for-2012/#comments Sun, 26 Feb 2012 11:05:12 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9655 I’ve recently updated the speaking page on dmdc, including a new vid and 2012 calendar.

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/02/26/speaking-page-updated-for-2012/feed/ 0 Ordination http://davemiers.com/2012/02/08/ordination/ http://davemiers.com/2012/02/08/ordination/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:23:33 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9565 This past weekend I was Ordained as a Deacon into the Anglican Church. The ordination service, at St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, was an encouraging time.

I love being part of the Sydney Anglican group of churches and look forward to continuing to preach Jesus in the Narrabeen branch and beyond.

Rowena told Sam that it would be a little bit like a wedding except that I would be the one wearing the dress! He has had fun laughing at me all week.

Here is an article from SydneyAnglicans.net

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/02/08/ordination/feed/ 2 Back from a Short Hiatus http://davemiers.com/2012/02/06/back-from-a-short-hiatus/ http://davemiers.com/2012/02/06/back-from-a-short-hiatus/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:49:54 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9552 More than 2 weeks have passed since the last blog post. I’m back! January had only 6 posts. The smallest month since I started blogging in 2006. February – here we come! Lots been happening. Summercamp. Youth + Kids kick off for 2012. Ordination. Sam’s Undie Day.

Above pic is Narrabeen Lake and Narrabeen Beach. Originally posted here.

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/02/06/back-from-a-short-hiatus/feed/ 0 Pinch + Punch // January 2012 http://davemiers.com/2012/01/09/pinch-punch-january-2012/ http://davemiers.com/2012/01/09/pinch-punch-january-2012/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:13:40 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9509 Happy New Year! I hope this (belated) pinch + punch blog post finds you enjoying 2012!

New reader of DMDC? These posts were the most clicked for December 2011:

I hope you’ll stick around for fresh contact in 2012! Peaceout.

]]> http://davemiers.com/2012/01/09/pinch-punch-january-2012/feed/ 0 Top 20 Most Clicked Articles from 2011 http://davemiers.com/2011/12/28/top-20-most-clicked-articles-from-2011/ http://davemiers.com/2011/12/28/top-20-most-clicked-articles-from-2011/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:35:31 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9488 The following are the most popular 2011 posts according to clicks on dmdc. Clicks doesn’t necessarily equate to quality. But I’ll let you be the judge. Thanks for clicking. Peaceout.

  1. The Egyptian Revolution
  2. Dear Aussie Muslims
  3. Which English Bible?
  4. Pray for Steve Chong. Now!
  5. Lecrae’s New Album – REHAB: THE OVERDOSE
  6. Grow a Goatee for the Cottage
  7. Have you made the switch to the HCSB?
  8. Mars Hill Kids Ministry Vision
  9. The Most Famous Youth Pastor in the World…
  10. The Smartest Youth Pastor in Sydney…
  11. Youth Ministry Papers: Commitment is Counter-Cultural
  12. Harbour Bridge Construction and other Amazing Sydney Photos for FREE!
  13. Michael Collings – Tracksuit Wearing Legend!
  14. The G.O.S.P.E.L.
  15. Clean Water, Dirty Water and the Dash for Cash
  16. Youth Ministry Papers: Disciples Making Disciples
  17. Resolved: Read the Word
  18. Creation Swap – Free Stuff for Church Design
  19. 4 Youth Sermons on ROMANS 8
  20. 4 Rules That Every Young Christian Leader Should Know
]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/12/28/top-20-most-clicked-articles-from-2011/feed/ 0 No More Tumbleweed http://davemiers.com/2011/12/17/no-more-tumbleweed/ http://davemiers.com/2011/12/17/no-more-tumbleweed/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:13:20 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9395 The December blog drought is about to end with a barrage of posts ready to be unleashed on the interwebs. We’ve been away on holidays for the past week. A pic from Kiama Carols:

Stay tuned for the following blogposts:

  • Compassion Christmas/New Year Fundraising Project
  • How to become a Christian
  • Music Reviews
  • Best of 2011
  • App Reviews
  • Christmas Sermon Preview
  • Bus Stop News
  • Year 12 Youth Ministry Strategy
]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/12/17/no-more-tumbleweed/feed/ 0 Pinch + Punch // December 2011 http://davemiers.com/2011/12/01/pinch-punch-december-2011/ http://davemiers.com/2011/12/01/pinch-punch-december-2011/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:28:31 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9380 This might well be the final Pinch + Punch. I always seem to back date it!! Today is 8th December, but I’m pretending it’s the 1st. Here’s a Desktop wallpaper from smashing mag:

New reader of DMDC? These posts were the most clicked for November 2011:

Hanno un grande Dicembre!

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/12/01/pinch-punch-december-2011/feed/ 0 Right round like a record, baby http://davemiers.com/2011/11/21/right-round-like-a-record-baby/ http://davemiers.com/2011/11/21/right-round-like-a-record-baby/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:43:04 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9327 Sam with his cousin Fin. Spinning. Bonus points if you can name the park & suburb.

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/11/21/right-round-like-a-record-baby/feed/ 0 The World is a Safer Place http://davemiers.com/2011/11/20/the-world-is-a-safer-place/ http://davemiers.com/2011/11/20/the-world-is-a-safer-place/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:59:23 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9321 If you missed the first two posts, I grew a goatee. It looked terrible. It’s now gone. The world is a safer place. My face is still ugly. It was to help raise money for the cottage.

Donations are still being accepted.

DONATE MONEY HERE | FACEBOOK PAGE | THE COTTAGE WEBSITE

Pic originally from my photoblog.

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/11/20/the-world-is-a-safer-place/feed/ 0 Cottage Goatee Update – Very Chic http://davemiers.com/2011/11/15/cottage-goatee-update-very-chic/ http://davemiers.com/2011/11/15/cottage-goatee-update-very-chic/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:57:15 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9282 I only recently learned how to say ‘chic’. This is useful considering that my goatee is very chic! Find out why I’m growing a goatee. Here it is in all its photo booth glory:

Will you consider supporting the cottage? The team still has more than $2000 until we reach the target.

Here are some reasons why I think it’s worthwhile.

DONATE MONEY HERE | FACEBOOK PAGE | THE COTTAGE WEBSITE

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/11/15/cottage-goatee-update-very-chic/feed/ 2 4 Destructive Personal Effectiveness Myths http://davemiers.com/2011/11/10/4-destructive-myths/ http://davemiers.com/2011/11/10/4-destructive-myths/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:30:13 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9261 I recently read the ‘Four Destructive Myths Most Companies Still Live By‘ from the Harvard Business Review. Each of them challenges how I operate in different ways. Below are the 4 myths (in bold) and their relevance for me.

  • Myth #1: Multitasking is critical in a world of infinite demand. Multitasking is stupid. It’s taken me a while to admit it. I regularly try to juggle 5 things at once.
  • Myth #2: A little bit of anxiety helps us perform better. Here’s a brief blogpost I wrote 4 years ago: ‘The Dead-Line Driven Life‘. I haven’t changed. I need to “for the sake of my family, for others who rely on me; and for godly discipline.”
  • Myth #3: Creativity is genetically inherited, and it’s impossible to teach. My application of this one is slightly different to the the article. I’m fairly creative, but often I don’t trust that others can also be creative! So I become a bottle neck, either by having to do the creative work or making sure the creative work is up to my standard.
  • Myth #4: The best way to get more work done is to work longer hours. Guilty. Longer hours doesn’t lead to more effectiveness. Repeat.

Confession over.

Read the full blog post for more detail on each one.

Any of them resonate with you? I’d be interested to hear of any strategies you have for bringing about change.

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/11/10/4-destructive-myths/feed/ 2 Grow a Goatee for the Cottage http://davemiers.com/2011/11/07/gag-cottage/ http://davemiers.com/2011/11/07/gag-cottage/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:42:12 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9250 I’m growing a goatee to raise money for The Cottage Counselling Centre. Check out this vid:

DONATE MONEY HERE | FACEBOOK PAGE | THE COTTAGE WEBSITE

Below are four reasons why The Cottage is worth supporting:

1. The Cottage is a charity that does great work providing counselling services on a Not-For-Profit basis to those in need at 6 locations around Sydney.
The Cottage was initially started through the vision of professional psychologists who gained the support of one of the churches on the Northern Beaches to establish a counselling centre in a small cottage on the church grounds in Narrabeen.  The Cottage was established so those who can’t afford commercial counselling could still gain access to effective counselling services.  The counsellors see people struggling with many different kinds of issues; grief, anxiety, depression, anger, domestic violence, childhood abuse, addictions, sexuality issues, disability, relationship strain, and parenting issues.  They run on a shoestring and never turn anyone away from their door.

We are able to provide these services through subsidies from local organisations such as RSLs, local churches and through fund raising.

In the 15 years since the Cottage started, they have provided excellent care for hundreds of clients through referrals from GPs and through awareness raising in the local communities.  In recent years there has been an increasing demand for the Cottage’s services, with a further five centres being opened.  It should be noted that this is not at the expense of commercial services.  They are also run off their feet.  This is a double edged sword.  It means that the Cottage’s services are needed but it also means that they have to subsidise more, and with a growing operation with more counsellors, they also have increased admin costs.

DONATE MONEY HERE | FACEBOOK PAGE | THE COTTAGE WEBSITE

2. Why does the Cottage need your help?
There are more people than ever who need counselling but can’t afford commercial services. As a result, the Cottage has expanded and now operates 6 centres.  But the Cottage policy of never turning away someone who genuinely needs counselling and genuinely cannot afford those services puts enormous pressure on costs.  Unless the Cottage receives much needed funds, they will need to consider reducing services or closing their doors.

3. The Cottage has virtually no administrative overheads
The Cottage runs a very, very lean operation with just one full time employee – Genni, the Director of the Cottage.  And even Genni does about 50% counselling and 50% being a Director.  So that means your money will go directly to sustaining the frontline counselling services the Cottage provides.

4. Your money goes straight to the Cottage.
6.5% of every donation goes to Everyday Hero, the website that is hosting this fundraising effort.  Apart from that, every cent of your donation goes directly into the Cottage’s bank account.  No middlemen, no commissions, no fees.

DONATE MONEY HERE | FACEBOOK PAGE | THE COTTAGE WEBSITE

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/11/07/gag-cottage/feed/ 4 Pinch + Punch // November 2011 http://davemiers.com/2011/11/01/pinch-punch-november-2011/ http://davemiers.com/2011/11/01/pinch-punch-november-2011/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:22:54 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9235 Pinch + Punch! Here’s my selection from the Smashing Mag November desktop calendars:

If you are a new reader of DMDC – the posts below were the most clicked for the month of October. Check ‘em:

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/11/01/pinch-punch-november-2011/feed/ 0 Milestone? Twenty-One Plus Ten http://davemiers.com/2011/10/15/thirty-one/ http://davemiers.com/2011/10/15/thirty-one/#comments Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:36:31 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9147

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/10/15/thirty-one/feed/ 0 Pinch + Punch // October 2011 http://davemiers.com/2011/10/01/pinch-punch-october-2011/ http://davemiers.com/2011/10/01/pinch-punch-october-2011/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:22:19 +0000 davemiers http://davemiers.com/?p=9087 Welcome to another back-dated edition of Pinch + Punch! According to the dmdc archives September 2011 had only 11 blog posts. This is the lowest number since 7 posts in January 2007. Is this blog dying? No! Never! Look out October 2011!!

The Smashing Mag desktop calendars have been getting worse. So this month I chose the above desktop calendar from Challies.com – I don’t think the design is brilliant, but it’s good prep for Reformation Day at the end of October. If you are a new reader of DMDC – the posts below were the most clicked for the month of September. Check ‘em:

]]> http://davemiers.com/2011/10/01/pinch-punch-october-2011/feed/ 2