Year: 2010

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I’ve Made The Switch – World News Australia

Reading/watching the news is a good thing. I’ve made the switch to SBS World News Australia for my browser homepage. I’ve gone from Sydney Morning Herald to ABC News and now to SBS. I lost confidence in SMH a few years ago and now ABC are increasingly running more sensational hit-seeking articles in the prominent headline positions.

I already feel smarterer from reading the site. Mainly, I feel like I understand more about what’s happening in the world. That’s gotta be a good thing… right? What paper/news site do you read? Does anyone still read a physical copy of the ‘paper’?

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300 – Lives Changed by Jesus

God has continually shown his kindness through the ministry of KYCK. For over 15 years, KCC has run a youth conference keen to challenge teenagers to take the Bible and following Jesus seriously. I’ve posted and tweeted quite a few times over the past 3 weekends about KYCK 2010. This year the convention was attended by 5700 young people. Each Saturday night I gave a talk inviting young punks to follow Jesus.

Over the 3 weekends, over 300 have either become Christian or recommitted themselves to following Jesus! That’s very cool. God is very kind. It’s been super-encouraging to hear stories from many of those changed by Jesus. It’s such a joy to join in the chorus singing praise to God for new life. If you’re a pray-er, pray these new Christians would keep clinging to Jesus. Praise God for his kindness.

Interested in finding out more about Jesus?

Jesus Saves | Jesus Rules | Sweet Short Vid | Q+A | Take it Fervr

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Free Music Friday 04 // Red Letter – Full Album

It’s not Friday. It’s been 5 days since I last posted. But let’s pretend I wrote this on Friday (I’ll back-date the post). Mars Hill Church in Seattle have been generously providing their church music for free download for many years. One of their bands, Red Letter, have recently released a full studio-quality album Red Letter. Led by Pastor Joel Brown, the band is a mix of rock, indie and grunge. Sports people often play heavy music to get psyched up before the big game. This album isn’t that heavy, but as a preacher I’ve been encouraged by the Jesus-centred lyrics on the way to speak at a group/event.

Of the 9 tracks, my favourite are: 5 One Righteous Man; 6 Psalm 139; 2 Led to the Slaughter. Download it for free or nominate your price to support them financially.

Free Album Download | Band website | Facebook

Got an idea for Free (+ legal) Music Friday? Leave it in the comments. Are you a band? Think I might like your music? If you send me your album and let me give away at least one mp3 for free, no promises, it might be featured! Contact deets.

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Themelios Journal – Something for the older punks

Lots of my posts lately have been written with younger punks in mind (ie Youth Ministry and KYCK posts). If you’re an older smarter punk, I haven’t forgotten you! This one goes out to you. Themelios is An International Journal for Pastors and Students of Theological and Religious Studies. If you kinda fit into either of those categories, check it out.

The latest issue – Volume 35 Issue 1 April 2010 – has just been released. It’s hectic in length – 196 pages. But jam-packed with solid content. My tip for reading? Read the feature articles – that’s manageable. The 1000 book reviews aren’t manageable – so scan them and work out any that grab your attention. I enjoy Don Carson’s editorials and have particularly liked reading Carl Trueman during the past year.

Moore College is also represented. Mark Thompson and Paul Williamson are on the Editorial Board. Paul Barnett and Con Campbell both have book reviews this issue.

4 ways to read it: Online | iPaper | PDF | Osmosis

(h/t Andy Naselli)

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CMS Camp MMM – Rego Opens 23 April

I dig CMS (Church Missionary Society). That’s because I dig the preaching of Jesus to all nations. Check them out – they have a pimpin sweet website. Pray. Care. Give. Go.

Dan Anderson and I will be preaching on the upcoming CMS Camp MMM. It’s a camp for High School Students on 5-9 July 2010 in Katoomba. From what I hear, it’s a killer camp. I’m really looking forward to being part of the action! If you want in – rego opens on Friday 23 April @ 7pm. I’m guessing you will be able to register from this page.

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4 Tips on Becoming a Designer

A friend asked me how I learnt to do ‘design stuff’. The truth is, I didn’t one day sit down and plan on learning design stuff. I just gradually got better at making youth group flyers. Quite a functional way to learn! Below is my response to my friend.

  1. Just have a go. If you want to design stuff, just start designing stuff. You’ll probably suck. That’s okay. That’s how you learn to do it better. Have you got Microsoft Publisher? Have a go. Have you got any of the sweet Adobe Design software? Have a go. Got nothing? Download GIMP for free and… have a go!
  2. Look for online tutorials. If you start to progress, you can then find stacks of free online tutorials. Just google them. You’ll find more than enough to keep you busy increasing your skills.
  3. Follow a design blog. Lots to choose from. My tip? SMASHING MAGAZINE. It has galleries you can get ideas from. Free fonts. Free backgrounds. Free tutorials.
  4. Comic Sans font should be illegal. Save yourself grief. Don’t touch it. It’s ugly.

This post might also be useful: Top 5 websites for making free church graphics

Any tips to add?

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Hey Young Punk – Remember Your Creator!!

George Statheos has really been smashing it with the final KYCK talk on Ecclesiastes 12. This verse is a summary of the whole chapter. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” (Ecc 12:1)  Here are 4 reflections:

  1. People are prone to forget – the Bible repeats the refrain to ‘REMEMBER’. Israel forgot God – and worshipped idols instead of God. Because of our sin and forgetfulness, we must keep reminding each other to remember.
  2. Old people are often cranky and bitter – Some old people are beautiful, but some are cranky, bitter, twisted and unwilling to change. If they don’t become a Christian in their youth, they’re less likely to become one in their old age.
  3. Youth Ministry is the bees knees – want to change the world? Work with teenagers. Preach the gospel to them when they’re young. If they remember their Creator in their youth, they’re more likely to remember Him when they’re old.
  4. Are you a young punk reading this? Have you heard stuff about Jesus? Do you actively remember your Creator Jesus? If not. Do it now. Don’t wait until you’ve experienced life. Remember Him, do it now before you get old and cranky.

Find out stuff about God | Learn about how to start following Jesus