Well I completed my second half ironman in 6 hours and 14 minutes. I'd like to expand more but I'm wrecked so I'm going to bed. Goodnight!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
I made it!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Half Ironman Dream
a Jesus thought...
"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[k] gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:31-35)
a Godly thought...
Godly character is shaped by Godly thoughts
a leading thought...
"If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good." — Thomas J. Watson, Jr.
a Dave thought...
Today I am heading up to Shepparton where it is currently forecast to be 33 degrees with 80% humidity. It is in this town in 22 hours where I will be starting my second Half Ironman which comprises of a 1.9km swim, 90.1km bike ride and 21.1km run. Last time I did this event it took me 6 hours and 49 minutes so my goal is to beat this time. Yes there is a certain amount of stupidity that comes with people who pursue such ridiculous events but I love the challenge and in a strange sort of way am looking forward to the day.
"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[k] gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:31-35)
a Godly thought...
Godly character is shaped by Godly thoughts
a leading thought...
"If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good." — Thomas J. Watson, Jr.
a Dave thought...
Today I am heading up to Shepparton where it is currently forecast to be 33 degrees with 80% humidity. It is in this town in 22 hours where I will be starting my second Half Ironman which comprises of a 1.9km swim, 90.1km bike ride and 21.1km run. Last time I did this event it took me 6 hours and 49 minutes so my goal is to beat this time. Yes there is a certain amount of stupidity that comes with people who pursue such ridiculous events but I love the challenge and in a strange sort of way am looking forward to the day.
Like many visions we have for our lives I have had to sacrifice, plan and train for the last 6 months and now all I can do is rely on the hard work I've put in and enjoy the experience. Anyway I better head off for Shep and I'll fill you in when I post tomorrow night on the events of the day.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Friday, November 16, 2007
ESTJ Worship
a Jesus thought...
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" (John 2:13-16)
a Godly thought...
I wondered if we in the church have sent people packing in the name of cold, clinical holiness. (p100 Lucas)
a leading thought...
Sooner or later a leader wakes up and realizes that he can never meet everyone's expectations and that he must quit worrying about what other people think. (p171 Finzel)
a Dave thought...
Many that have worked alongside me know my fascination with Myers-Briggs personality profiles. For those that are unfamiliar there are four pairs of preferences or dichotomies:
Extraversion/Introversion
Sensing/iNtuition
Thinking/Feeling
Judging/Perceiving
The test was developed in 1942 to help women discover where they were best suited to enter the work place. The E/I is about attitude, S/N & T/F are about function and the J/P is about lifestyle. I personally am an ESTJ and continue to discover that I can now normally pick another in a work situation, I have also discovered that it helps immensely in getting teams to understand the ways we all operate.
Lately I have been thinking about how each of the personality types would prefer a worship service, and although this is a selfish way to look at church it is often an accurate way to find what people are looking for.
So what about an ESTJ worship service, what would it look like? It would be well structured, be visually appealing, economical with time, deep teaching, held in a practical well-maintained space and of course excellent coffee for interaction with others. So am I fussy? Yeah probably but then again I'm sure JC himself was an ESTJ so let's put a service together that would please him:)
Just a thought.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Obesity
a Jesus thought...
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:14)
a Godly thought...
Let’s work harder at developing an informed, biblically-rounded faith. Let’s read our Bibles more; pray for discernment; use the brains God gave us; think of others before ourselves; let God be God. (p97 Lucas)
Let’s work harder at developing an informed, biblically-rounded faith. Let’s read our Bibles more; pray for discernment; use the brains God gave us; think of others before ourselves; let God be God. (p97 Lucas)
a leading thought...
No matter what we may at one time have hoped and dreamed we would become, what we are now is most likely what we will be to the end. (p169 Finzel)
a Dave thought...
No matter what we may at one time have hoped and dreamed we would become, what we are now is most likely what we will be to the end. (p169 Finzel)
a Dave thought...
Australia is now one of the fattest nations in the developed world, according to a new international report which singles out the country's sky-rocketing obesity rate. A report released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development shows Australia performing well on smoking rates and survival from breast cancer and heart attacks compared w
ith the other 29 OECD nations. But it was one of the worst performers on obesity, thanks to new statistics showing almost one in every four Australians now has a body mass index (BMI) over 30. Australia had the fifth highest adult obesity rate, 21.7 per cent, behind the US, 32.2 per cent, Mexico, 30.2 per cent, the UK, 23 per cent, and Greece, 21.9 per cent.Australians are gaining weight even faster than people in the US, a notoriously fat nation.``Using consistent measures of obesity over time, the rate of obesity has more than doubled over the past 20 years in the United States, while it has almost tripled in Australia,'' states the report, Health at a Glance 2007.
What does this report say about the Australian culture today? We have one of the best climates for exercise and have more parks and footpaths than most other countries yet we have the fastest growing obesity rate in the world. I write this as I am part of Justlose (justsalvos.com) and have managed to drop a few kilos over the last month. But it hasn’t been easy, it does take discipline to eat the right foods and to plan time to do regular exercise. There is no doubt we have been educated about this but as we watch more TV, eat out more, and drive our vehicles more than ever before, sadly I don’t think us Aussies will improve. The choice is ours to take on a disciplined lifestyle and be proactive everyday otherwise watch out US we are going to surpass you once again.
Just a thought.
ith the other 29 OECD nations. But it was one of the worst performers on obesity, thanks to new statistics showing almost one in every four Australians now has a body mass index (BMI) over 30. Australia had the fifth highest adult obesity rate, 21.7 per cent, behind the US, 32.2 per cent, Mexico, 30.2 per cent, the UK, 23 per cent, and Greece, 21.9 per cent.Australians are gaining weight even faster than people in the US, a notoriously fat nation.``Using consistent measures of obesity over time, the rate of obesity has more than doubled over the past 20 years in the United States, while it has almost tripled in Australia,'' states the report, Health at a Glance 2007.What does this report say about the Australian culture today? We have one of the best climates for exercise and have more parks and footpaths than most other countries yet we have the fastest growing obesity rate in the world. I write this as I am part of Justlose (justsalvos.com) and have managed to drop a few kilos over the last month. But it hasn’t been easy, it does take discipline to eat the right foods and to plan time to do regular exercise. There is no doubt we have been educated about this but as we watch more TV, eat out more, and drive our vehicles more than ever before, sadly I don’t think us Aussies will improve. The choice is ours to take on a disciplined lifestyle and be proactive everyday otherwise watch out US we are going to surpass you once again.
Just a thought.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Blogs
a Jesus thought...
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:46-49)
a Godly thought...
We must be ready to be a faithful tour guide for to their potentially bewildering excursion around Planet Church. (p94 Lucas)
a leading thought...
True leadership always exacts a heavy toll on the whole man, and the more effective the leadership is, the higher the price to be paid. (p164 Finzel)
a Dave thought...
I am very thankful for the work all our divisional youth teams do around the territory. As we attempt to celebrate the great ministry that is continually being done we have this week launched a DY's blog. You can check it out by clicking on the heading “2Love blog” on my side bar. As the DY's share their stories and discoveries it will help us all know what is going on around the territory in youth work.
It is often through sharing and writing our thoughts that you realise how much you have learnt or grown through an experience in your life. I have had many speak to me about why I blog every single morning and asking me if anyone is reading it. I say regardless of the 50-80 readers I have a day it certainly helps me to reflect on my reading and observations and to take them from head to the screen with some clarity. Why not try some journaling yourself and if you are happy to share your thoughts start a blog and if no one reads it, at worst I guarantee you will grow through the experience.
Just a thought.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Officership
a Jesus thought...
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." (Luke 23:47)
a Godly thought...
We will be called to account for the way that we’ve used or abused the gift of speech: “But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken” (Matt 12:36) - Lucas
a leading thought...
We need to allow younger generations coming into our churches and organisations to colour outside the lines we have drawn – to have their own chance to put their mark on the ministries God has given us. (p159 Finzel)
a Dave thought...
Today I ventured into the Training College and under the teaching of the TP Major Frank Daniels we refle
cted on the ‘undertakings of Officership’. As we looked and discussed the 14 points to this document, it once again confirmed the unconditional commitment so many officers have signed over the years. This document explains the relationship between The Salvation Army and the officer and includes points such as a willingness to undertake appointments as requested and to not earn any additional income or take on extra work as our sole commitment should be to God & the organisation.
It is now 12 days till Kylie and myself will be commissioned as Captains and although the changes will be minimum to begin with we are now entrusting our lives and ministry fully to God through the Salvos. With signing this covenant we are now willing to take new appointments in new places and the future is unknown. What we do know however is that in the 28 years ahead we have to serve that God will be with us and whatever happens and wherever we are appointed we will do our best to serve Him to the best of our abilities.
Just a thought.
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." (Luke 23:47)
a Godly thought...
We will be called to account for the way that we’ve used or abused the gift of speech: “But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken” (Matt 12:36) - Lucas
a leading thought...
We need to allow younger generations coming into our churches and organisations to colour outside the lines we have drawn – to have their own chance to put their mark on the ministries God has given us. (p159 Finzel)
a Dave thought...
Today I ventured into the Training College and under the teaching of the TP Major Frank Daniels we refle
cted on the ‘undertakings of Officership’. As we looked and discussed the 14 points to this document, it once again confirmed the unconditional commitment so many officers have signed over the years. This document explains the relationship between The Salvation Army and the officer and includes points such as a willingness to undertake appointments as requested and to not earn any additional income or take on extra work as our sole commitment should be to God & the organisation.It is now 12 days till Kylie and myself will be commissioned as Captains and although the changes will be minimum to begin with we are now entrusting our lives and ministry fully to God through the Salvos. With signing this covenant we are now willing to take new appointments in new places and the future is unknown. What we do know however is that in the 28 years ahead we have to serve that God will be with us and whatever happens and wherever we are appointed we will do our best to serve Him to the best of our abilities.
Just a thought.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Crackberry
a Jesus thought...
But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:26-28)
a Godly thought...
The church is not a trophy case crammed with nice, together people. It's a place where those tragically dubbed as misfits can find that they fit, where odd types can belong and believe. (p83 Lucas)
a leading thought...
Ideas are the currency of the future. This intellectual capital-innovation, imagination, and creativity-must be valued and sought at all costs. (p153 Finzel)
a Dave thought...
THE number of Australian BlackBerry users is expected to double in the next year and experts say the craze will lead to poorer family life and less personal satisfaction.
The multifunctional business tool is already referred to by some as a "CrackBerry" for its addictive qualities.
But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:26-28)
a Godly thought...
The church is not a trophy case crammed with nice, together people. It's a place where those tragically dubbed as misfits can find that they fit, where odd types can belong and believe. (p83 Lucas)
a leading thought...
Ideas are the currency of the future. This intellectual capital-innovation, imagination, and creativity-must be valued and sought at all costs. (p153 Finzel)
a Dave thought...
THE number of Australian BlackBerry users is expected to double in the next year and experts say the craze will lead to poorer family life and less personal satisfaction.The multifunctional business tool is already referred to by some as a "CrackBerry" for its addictive qualities.
An organisational psychologist and Griffith University senior lecturer, Paula Brough, said that by making people always accessible, there was a detrimental effect on work-family balance.
"I think it's a serious concern," Dr Brough said. "There has been so much research demonstrating how technology has totally blurred the boundaries between work and home life. People find they can't switch off the work demands at all.
"It can be managers or supervisors expecting 24-hour access to their employees, which is the worst type. Instead of taking your children to the beach or to the movies, you've always got your BlackBerry with you. You can't turn it off."
"I think it's a serious concern," Dr Brough said. "There has been so much research demonstrating how technology has totally blurred the boundaries between work and home life. People find they can't switch off the work demands at all.
"It can be managers or supervisors expecting 24-hour access to their employees, which is the worst type. Instead of taking your children to the beach or to the movies, you've always got your BlackBerry with you. You can't turn it off."
I must admit I do have an addiction, as an avid Blackberry user I am constantly attending to a little machine that spends most of its time in my pocket or in my hands. I love the convenience and the freedom to access Internet & email 24/7 wherever I am located, I also love to network, dream and connect with people outside of the office so this allows me to do that while still being in contact with my team.
But does it effect my family life? Yes if I am honest it is addictive and as I like to stay on top of my inbox and pass on information as quick as possible it constantly grabs my attention. But ministry is unending and there is always something to respond to, so this is dangerous. So like all addictions it is up to the user to really want to break the habit, for true freedom to occur. Maybe if the habit gets any worse I need to look at booking into a Blackberry detox centre? What I do do know however is that somehow Jesus managed to get a lot done while on this earth and to the best of my knowledge didn't own a Blackberry so there is an alternative way, but then again he always knew the 5 day forecast, so maybe he did have one.
Just a thought.
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