vannvar

First Art Exhibition

2007-09-15T17:34:00.000+10:00

It worked out really well, the youth group were really interested and i got to speak about God, the Gospel and work of Jesus. It was an awesome experience. I guess evangelism can happen in various ways.

The Double Pounder burger challenge

2007-08-22T19:42:00.000+10:00

Overall Result:

One finished and the other failed.

Quilt

2007-08-05T20:06:00.000+10:00

Pip and Mel are very good at making quilts. This one was made for Travis, one of my uni friend's baby. Well, he is not really a baby now, he is 15 months old. He is starting to walk and talk.

Tony is getting married

2007-07-22T11:09:00.000+10:00

Just like to announce that Tony is getting married in Nov 07. Congratulations.....hope the wedding prep is going well.

Wharf

2007-07-12T00:25:00.000+10:00

Pip and her family had been traveling around perth and down to Busselton for their holidays. The wharf was beautiful especially around sunset. They also saw dolphins during their walk on the wharf.They went to Marget River region as well. They went to a place called Olio Bello where they produce some lovely olive oil. It was really nice with bread.

Boating

2007-06-15T19:04:00.000+10:00

I recently went on a boat ride similar to the boat shown at the bottom except it's a bit faster and slightly bigger.

The weather condition was very choppy at sea state 4 (Moderate 1.25 to 2.5 m swirl). We were traveling more than 30 knots (approx 60 km/hr). We weren't attached to anything, just hung on to a horizontal pole.

The boat was very powerful, we had some serious air time and we also went through waves. We were on the boat during the day and also at night. At night it was difficult to judge when we were going to land on water after getting some air time. There were times where I thought I was going to be thrown off the boat and if I did I would have had to swim 10km to shore. The drivers will not be able to tell if I got thrown off because visibility was poor. The ride was tough on the body and especially on the knees. But was well worth it.

I was soaking wet by the end of the boat ride. I guess it's a bit hard to stay dry after going through the waves and i mean through into the waves not cutting through the waves.

Road Crash

2007-06-10T11:01:00.000+10:00

We spent two days with the FESA (Fire and emergency) training to do some rescue work. It was really basic but very helpful. On the second day, we spent time with fire fighters to work with heavy machinary such as jaws of life. We got taught how to cut up two vehicles and extraction of injured patients. Those heavy machinaries have not problem cutting, squeezing or sprending the wrecked car, like knife through butter. Finally, we did a scenario to finish off the day. We were working with fire fighters in a car vs train crash. we did the medical component and they cut up the cars, in real time scenario. We got heaps out of the exercise.

Stress Release

2007-05-10T21:58:00.000+10:00

We all need a bit of rest after a few hours of work. Some people stands up and do some stretches. Some people go outside and get a breath of fresh air. And there are others who relax by going outside of office and throw knives at a block of wood. And after a while, we get pretty good at it. But there are other times where it bounces back at you. And that really gets your heart rate up really quickly. The sudden surge of adrenaline into your blood stream really makes you more alert. And you are ready to go back to work.There were occasions that were really close calls, a scratch or two. But it's alright; I am working at a medical centre. They'll patch me up.

First blow out

2007-05-01T23:15:00.000+10:00

Last Sunday, I went for a short ride 50km. It was a great social ride. We pulled up at a coffee shop, had a raspberry and white chocolate muffin and a latte.

On the way home, i had a flat tire. This is my first time. I've seen someone change a flat tire before so i wasn't too worried. then as soon as i pulled the rear wheel off, down came the rain and it poured. And i was only 500m away from my vehicle as well.

It turned out fine in the end, just wet and cold.

Ironman

2007-03-04T23:47:00.000+11:00

It's been a while since I've blogged. It's been busy lately.

I've decided to train for Ironman next year at Bussleton. It's going to be a very long race. The aim is to actually finish the race within 17 hours.

Last week, I went for a swim just to see if I can actually swim the distance required. The swim leg is 3.8km open water. I swam 4km in a lap pool and it wasn't too bad at all. It took me 1 hr 25 mintues.

The bike leg is 180km ride. I went for three ride this week totalling 140kms and the bottom is pretty sore. More time on the seat is required for pain endurance on the butt.

Run could be interesting. Having the ability to keep running after the two legs. I went for 16km run today after 40km ride today and I was pretty tired. Need more engery stores in my muscles.

But overall, I think training is going well.

Road Bike

2007-01-20T13:22:00.000+11:00

I got this bike from a lady who is currently the Aust cycling Champ for her age. She just upgraded her bike and she wanted to sell her 3.5 yr old bike. It's a cannondale CAAD 7 with Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels with Dura ace. I got it for a good price as well. She works at the bike shop which means I can get some discounts on other bike accessories. How good is that!!!!

New Location

2007-01-18T21:12:00.000+11:00

This is the view from my new location that I'll be staying for a while. It's a couple of hundred of metres to the beach. A great view of the ocean and the big ships going to the ports.

Engagement

2006-12-08T20:22:00.000+11:00

Pip and I got engaged last Saturday 02 Dec 06. The Lord has bless both of us by bring us together. We had a wonderful night in Parramatta to celebrate our engagement.

Crossroad

2006-11-10T15:58:00.000+11:00

Crossroad

In our today’s society it is all about options. Commercialism enables competition and choices. Just walk to your local supermarket in the beverage aisle. There are many products that you can choose from. Soft drinks, ice tea, ginger beer, sport drinks, spring water, fruit juices, and many other products. Each day we make heaps of decisions that are not really life changing. Deciding on whether you should drink soft drink or spring water when you are thirsty isn’t that complicated.

What about spiritual beliefs?

I believe that the society create choices in spiritual beliefs as well. Look at world religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Taoism, scientology, astrology, Judaism, Animism, atheism, communism, Voodoo, Witchcraft, Satanism, Magic, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastranism, Confucianism, Shintoism and other new age religions. I must admit I don’t quite understand or even heard of some of these religions until I goggled search world religions.
As we journey through in our lives, we find that one day we will realise that we have reached a stage in our lives- the crossroad. We stop at the crossroad and look up to the road sign: Paradise City or Sulfur Lake City. The options and choices for spiritual beliefs are somehow very much simplified into two options: the “Way” (Paradise City) or the highway (Sulfur Lake City). How long do we stop at the crossroad to make a decision vary individually?

For me, I have chosen to travel on the paradise city road because I am confident that I’ll reach the final destination of salvation. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. And that is good enough for me.

Brisbane Conference

2006-10-26T09:28:00.000+10:00

We went to Brisbane for a medical conference. My work put us up on a 4.5 star accommodation, fully furbished apartment in the middle of the City. I also caught up with a school friend and his fiancé. Congrats Robbie.

Character Leadership Course

2006-10-13T15:01:00.000+10:00

I've spent a week at the Sacred Heart Monastery in kensington, Sydeny for a course. The course teaches us to be be leaders within our lives, work etc by relflecting on the Christian values and the scripture.

We've had some awesome conversations about God, people, relationships, leadership and charater. I guess I had a slight glimps of what college will be like.

We had people from work from different places who are not believers of Christ but decide to come to this course with an open mind and a searching attitude. And we had great talks and answering some of their questions about God and life. I found the converstaions more interesting than the course itself.

Praise God for placing non believers in to this course because the seeds have definitely been planted, now it's up to God to make it grow.

ps: I suppose there are benefits to living in the city. I had an awesome run from kensington to SCG, around the Centennial park, randwick then back to kensington. Pretty tired after that.

Striking Josh

2006-10-05T14:04:00.000+10:00

The dinner with Josh and Naomi in Newtown was entertaining and insightful. Josh showed his room at college to me and asked if I can paint something for him to hang up so that the room felt more "him".

So this painting "Striking Josh" is both inspired by Josh's request and Naomi's suggestion about painting Josh's constant personal and public reflection of his "good" looks.

I hope you like it, I pulled an all nighter to finish this !!!

"Striking Josh"
Cost of Paint: ........................ $ 5.00
Cost of Canvas: ..................... $ 6.00
Cost of Labour: ..................... 7 hours worth

Truth about Josh: ................. Priceless

PS: comments and insights are partly true and fictional. Painting should be viewed with a cocked funny eye. So don't take it personally.

PPS: Let me know when you want to pick it up.

Dessert

2006-10-05T02:44:00.000+10:00

So what do I do on my week off ??

Making fat loaded desserts.

I have finally mastered this "Vanilla Buttermilk Cream with Summer Berries".

Estimation:
one dessert = 10km run

But it's so worth it !!!

Chaffing

2006-09-30T00:27:00.000+10:00

For the first time today I really understood how women felt about chaffing. It's not the first time I had chaffing, being a runner, I've experience it under the arm pits, between the legs after long distance runs.

Today, we decided to do biathlon, swimming and running. But this time I was dressed in full length shirt and pants with runner. And after one hour !!!

Nipple was very sensitive. I guess I'll tape up my nipple next time, mental note.

Life

2006-09-10T20:22:00.000+10:00

My lastest art work. It's titled "LIFE".

Out in the middle of no where

2006-08-11T20:29:00.000+10:00

Ok, so it's been a couple of months since i've blogged. But I've been away. Can't really say where but it was a lot of fun. Long hours each day: 5:30am- 11pm. The weather is really cold, frosty in fact. I am actually doing my job, physiotherapy rather than pushing paper and rearranging the magnetic field in my hard drive. Here is a couple of photos.

Rubgy

2006-06-10T21:22:00.000+10:00

Australian Army Rugby Union is back on top of its game.

AARU spent two weeks in May/June in preparing for the National Services Championships.

End Result

Preparation game against Randwick Rugby Union Team: 22 Draw.

Air Force Vs Army: 11 vs 60 (win to Army)

Navy Vs Army: 13 vs 22 (win to Army)

Go Army !!!

Balancing act

2006-05-14T22:38:00.000+10:00

I never thought that this day would come

Buying a house.....
Life is about a balance.

House = stability
Mortage= inflexibility

It's all about a balance!!!!

I'm pretty excited with the place.

stuff up of the day

2006-04-19T15:40:00.000+10:00

My ex-elderly neighbour ( in his 90's), called my parent's place while I was there. I answered the phone and remembered him but I called him by his brother's name who passed away about seven years ago. What a shocker !!!

Memorabilia

2006-04-19T01:05:00.000+10:00

Surely, this is got to worth something, it's got my face on it. Well, I had fun putting it together anyway.

Photos

2006-04-13T00:36:00.000+10:00

Just recycling through my photo albums and trying to make them into a solid panoramic photos.

Nelson, NZ

Near Fitroy Crossing, WA

A piece of sky, Nowra

A piece of land, Nowra

Canungra, Gold Coast

Individual

2006-04-12T15:21:00.000+10:00

Everyone is an individual. Although people feel the need to conform to different parts of society: the clothes we wear, the car we drive, different types of hair cut, or even our skin colour.

There seems to be an inner conflict in ourselves. I am an individual but I feel that I need to belong to a group that will accept me.

Funny thing is that, yes, I am an individual. So the next question is who do I belong?

Belonging? Some people will take their entire life struggling to seek the answer to that question.

But for me, I belong to God and that is what matters the most. A sense of completeness.

I am an individual in the community of God's family.

Young Adults Church Camp

2006-04-10T09:15:00.000+10:00

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME.

We learnt about being a radical disciple. Doing things that are so different to our modern thinking. And all it is....is to be more like Jesus.

Is it Radical? Or really it is what it meant to be? But it seems so radical because we have been living in a sinful life.

Here are some pictures from the weekend, at the beautiful Port Hacking.

So did I have fun at the Commonwealth games?

2006-03-27T20:08:00.000+11:00

Gold Medalist in Welterweight 69 kg: Bongani MWELASE (RSA)

Gold Medalist in HeavyWeight 91kg: Brad PITT (AUS)

Gold Medalist in light flyweight 48 kg: Jafet UUTONI (NAM)

Badminton Head Referee

Bronze Medalist in feather weight 57kg: Luke JACKSON (AUS)

5th in 69kg division in Weight lifting: Joel WILSON (AUS)

Fiona SSOZI (left) and Saudah NABAWESI(UGA)

Bronze Medalist in Badminton Team Event : Jwala GUTTA (IND)

Michelle EDWARDS (RSA)

Day 5 volunteering

2006-03-19T00:50:00.000+11:00

I was quiet busy today at the clinic. I think the athletes are starting to warm up to us (medicals). They are coming in for treatments, chats, ice bags and even want photos with us.

I sat at the field of play for a bit today as well, because i was the only physio there. so when the clinicl needed me, I was directed back to the clinic from the field of play.

I watched the last round of a boxing match, under 75kg Kenya vs Nigria. The Kenyian won.

The Singaporians were sharp today. They destroyed the Canadians in Badminton.

More Badminton

2006-03-17T23:30:00.000+11:00

Day 4 of volunteering. Well, today went really smoothly. I've got to see a boxing match between Australia and Malaysia. And the Australian won, crowd went off like a rocket.

We had an injury at the weight lifting, one of the girls won silver and had cooling down at the back stage when she fell and the weights hit her foot. She had to get some treatment down before she was helped out to the medal ceremony.

Badminton was awesome today, the Australian's were outstanding. I sat at the referee's area for about 4 hours today. I treated some athletes at the clinic and it's was all good. I managed to get a shuttle cock that was played on one of the matches.

We finished a bit earlier today and got home at anout 2055h. Looking forward to tomorrow's session.

Badminton

2006-03-16T23:53:00.000+11:00

Day 3 of Volunteering. Today is my first day at the Melbourn Exhibition Centre. The place is massive. I got a phone call while I was catching the tram into the city when i got a call from the medical co-ord, checking if i was alright. I was suppose to be at the exibition centre at 1300h. But on the roster that i received, it said 1500h. Anyway I got there at about 1430h.

After a light orientation, I was ready to get into the job. I actually have to sit at the referee's table to provide advice to the referees, if a player goes down on injury. I have to decided whether the player is fit enough to play on. There are a doctor and two physio that rotate through the referee's desk. and when we are not at the desk, then we are located at the medical clinic where the athletes do their training and warm up. So it's good, we get to see heaps of the training and athletes.

I treated a few people today, and once again i can't say who. But i've managed to get a couple of photos of athletes at the clinic. and the people i've treated all have won their events. So i don't this it was all to do with the top quality of my treatments but rather their skills.

Overall, I had an awesome day.

Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Squash and TableTennis

2006-03-15T23:39:00.000+11:00

Well, it's Day 2 as a Physio Volunteer. Although I didn't treat many people today but I got to see heaps of athletes training at the MSAC.

The Swimming Teams from Australia, South Africa, NZ, Canada, Sri Lanka, And other smaller Nations.

I watched the diving boards getting used overtime today. Divers jumping from various heights of platforms. There was a bloke who hardly made a splash as he hit the water and he is consistently doing it. So i'm thinking that he is one to look out for.

I also watched the English Table Tennis team going through their training routines. Exciting.

I watched the Squash players train as well. very impressive with getting those balls out of the corner of the back courts.

I also watched the Mayalasian Synchronised Swimming team, timing to perfection. The South African Synchronised Swimming team were also very impressive and very friendly bunch of ladies.

I'm off to the Melbourne Exhabition Centre tomorrow. Hope it is equally as exciting and impressive.

Commonwealth Games Physio

2006-03-14T22:33:00.000+11:00

I can't say who I have treated because it will then be a breach of confidentiality. But what I can tell you is that is I watched the Australian Swimming team in training and most of other countries such as Great Britain, South Africa, Canada, NZ and heaps of smaller countries.

I also treated a person during squash. I very down to earth person, i hope this person does well. The centre court for squash is amazing.

I also spent a bit of time watching the table tennis and that was also very entertaining.

The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic centre also had diving and synchronised swimming.

Go Australia.

One more day at the MSAC then it's off to the Exhibition centre for lots of badminton.

Melbourne Trip

2006-03-13T18:17:00.000+11:00

After driving a couple of hours to Goulburn, met up with a few work mates from the Goulburn base hospital, i was off to Lyn's place for dinner with work mates as well.

Then it was a long drive to Melbourne. Arrived at a friend's place at about 4:30pm.

I collected my uniform at the UAC, then went to the rehearsal of the Open Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games. I can't tell you what will happen because it is a surprise.

I had a free day off on Sunday and my friend took me out sight seeing, being a tourist. We visited the Victoria markets, Luna Park and the sheds at the Brighton Beach.

I start work at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre tomorrow, Go Australia.

Fly like a bird

2006-02-27T23:22:00.000+11:00

A baby can crawl and a boy can walk. A man can sprint, run and jog. We have definitely conquered the land.

We can swim, maybe not so good at diving into the deep ocean. The pressure of the water compresses the air in our lungs. But we can move our body through H2O.

The only fronter to conqure is to fly. Yes, I know we can fly on a plane but really, we don't do the flying, it the plane (machine) that flies and we ust sit in it. But parachuting is like flying. Although many people believe that parachuting more like floating or descending at a constant rate. Well, to me, parachuting is flying. the only problem in parachuting is the landing.

Combat First Aid

2006-02-25T21:19:00.000+11:00

After three weeks straight working without a break, I have finally completed the Combat First Aid course. I was so tired by the end of it. Got home today, slept, then went for a short run, 6km then sat in a warm bath for 1/2hr. The photo showed us practising extracting a pretend injured member from a motor vehicle accident. Now I'm quailified, I am able to cannulate and give certain drugs. Maybe this maybe useful when I'm really dehydrated from a long run.

Personal Best Time

2006-02-12T09:43:00.000+11:00

Waking up this morning feeling a bit bloated from last night's massive all you can eat dinner, it was time for the fitness exam. My previous PB for 2.4km was 8:57. I ran my little heart out today cutting my time by 2 seconds. 8 minutes 55 seconds = 3 minuts 43 sec per km. The goal till end of this year is to get below 8 minutes 30 seconds. Can it be done? who knows only time will tell.

Love is......

2006-02-07T17:55:00.000+11:00

As of 06 Feb 06, I'll be working 28 days straight. I was really tired after work on 06 Feb 06 and i had to pick up myself to go to bible study. I was not really in the mood. And since it was the first bible study of the year, I thought I should at least look happy and excited. I was one of the bible study leaders. When i got to the location, i went into the toilet, there was a picture that had "love is kind, love is patient........" that really picked me up, since it was only the first day of 28 days straight working days.

Shark

2006-01-31T08:44:00.000+11:00

Incentive for exercising.

Sanctification

2006-01-28T21:34:00.000+11:00

(first part of the painting ) (Finished Painting)

God created us in his own image, to be pure and sinless. God made us to be in relationship with Him. The canvas is painted white signifying the purity of God and what we were meant to be.

But we decided to live our lives in our own ways. We start to paint our own artwork of sin on this pure white canvas. This purity is broken, no longer sinless but carries the marks of death.

We cry for help, a desperate man lying on the ground, heavy and burden with his sins, gathered his strength and ask for help by writing his expression. His last hope for someone to give life back to him.

God sent Jesus as the perfect sacrifice, his blood flows from pierced hands and feet. The blood drips and trickle down from the cross. Jesus suffered a horrible death. The blood washes our sins away, like the red pain washing away the black spots.

We are now made holy again, in relationship with God. God is going to see a white canvas again. Although Jesus justifies us, we still see the remanence of our sin. Maybe it’s our guilt? Maybe it’s our lack of trust that Jesus has set us free?

The Holy Spirit has made his mark on us, branded us as children of God. God sees a pure white canvas that Jesus has painted over once stained canvas and the mark of the Holy Spirit.

Now Sanctified. Go and live life worth of Christ.

Justification

2006-01-28T19:55:00.000+11:00

Romans 5:18 "Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men."

I wanted to reflect the passage directly onto the painting. Firstly, I’ve split the background into two different colours for two different eras: Old Testament and New Testament, or BC and AD. The lush green background on the left side signifies that in the beginning of the creation when everything was perfect and that mankind has not yet cause destruction to the world that God created.

The beginning, the first man on earth was Adam and he is represented by the figure on the bottom row on the left side. He was made perfect by God. But his rejected God when he sinned against God. The heart has been darkened by the self-desires: evil and sin. But as generations move on, I feel that people are sinning more and more. People have moved away from God. And people have rejected God, especially in the society these days, many people refuse to even want to know God. Therefore, the bodies of the generations after Adam are infected and darkened by sin, more and more. This really cuts into the Lord’s heart deeply and since God is a holy God, there is a clear separation between God and man. But God’s love for us is deeper than any water well on earth. The world that we live in was once a perfect creation and that God was pleased with it.

Now, the world we see is decaying. This world is on the right side of the painting, the dried and lifeless yellow colour on top of once lush green and beautiful creation. Even though God is a Holy God, He is also a merciful and compassionate God. There is nothing we can do to pay the price of our trespasses. God knows that. God loves the sinner but hate the sin. So, God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is represented by the red figure in the middle of the right half of the painting. This figure is in red because the people do not recognise Him as the Saviour. So they mocked, tortured and crucified him. But through Jesus Christ, one man, He has justified men who believe in him. The figures in the dark are no longer chained by sin. But they are made holy, through Jesus. They are free from the bondage of sins. The believers have become the white figures surrounding Jesus in the red figure.

From hopelessness to holiness, but only through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

MCF

2006-01-26T20:51:00.000+11:00

Well, I've started work this week and it looks like it's going to be pretty full on. I'm looking forward to leading Military Christian Fellowship Bible study this year. For people reading this, please pray for MCF and for all Christian Defence Force member to stay focus, rely on Christ and let the gospel flow into the lost souls.

Farewell paintings

2006-01-26T20:17:00.000+11:00

I painted these two art works for my friends who have move on to other postings.

One night in Amsterdam:
There was an ongoing joke that my friend went to Amsterdam during his holiday trip last year and he couldn't remember that night. I managed to do some research in terms of the language and the beer brand.

Corridor Cricket
We played hallway cricket all the time and trying to bowl occasional bouncers to scare each other. The whole point is to stay at the crease and survive. I remembered some bruises on my ribs.

Farewell my fellow airbornes.

Commonwealth Games here I come

2006-01-23T16:19:00.000+11:00

I found out today that they are willing to roster me on as a Physiotherapist at the Commonwealth Games this year. It will be doing Badminton in the CBD Area. Should be very exciting indeed.

Photos- Nobby Beach

2006-01-21T21:40:00.000+11:00

Rocks that are beautifully shapped by our God's rain and wind.

Painting- The Gospel

2006-01-21T21:18:00.000+11:00

These four paints give a brief summary of the Gospel.

Painting 1 (top left): The beginning In Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This is represented by the letter Alpha in Greek on the background. And in the beginning, the Trinity (represented by the triangle) existed in harmony (represented by the circle). Everything was prefect. God created the world in six days and rested on the seven day.

Painting 2(top right): Jesus In Genesis 1: 27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” But man and woman decided that they should be in control of their own lives rather than God. And this is Sin. So, we are no longer in relationship with our creator, God. In Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Therefore, we are all doomed. But God loves us so much and it is because of Jesus that we are saved from our death. Jesus is God’s only son. The word on the background is Jesus in Greek. Jesus is the fisher of men. Jesus lived a perfect life on earth but he took the punishment for our sins. Isaiah 52:14 showed that Jesus suffered for us as sinners, “his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man”. Jesus was whipped, beaten, nailed and died on the Cross. But after three days, God raised him from his death and he was exalted to the right hand of God. Therefore, to be in a relationship with God, we need to believe in Jesus and what he has done for us on the cross, to be baptised into a relationship with God. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6.

Painting 3 (bottom left): Faith and Grace It is truly based on God’s grace that we can be in relationship with God. There is nothing that we can so to save ourselves except for believing in what Jesus has done for us. Romans 3: 23-25, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” We do not deserve this salvation but God is willing to give it to us, through our faith in Jesus Christ Our Lord. The gift of life is for us to take. Repent from our old ways. The square symbolises my faith in Christ, and that it reminds me that we need to stand firm in Christ. Pistis is the Greek work for “faith”.

Painting 4 (bottom right): The Judgement In the end (represented by the letter omega) Jesus will return to judge us as individuals in this world. This time Jesus comes as the triumphant king. When will this happen? No one knows. Matthew 24:36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” The single straight line in the middle is a line that defines clearly which side you are on. It is a simple line but a tough decision to make. You have come to a place where you need to decide either you are with God or you are against God by living your own ways. Jesus will judge all of mankind. Matthew 25:32, “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” So the challenge for people who have not yet know God, are you with God or do you reject God’s gift and continue to live life in your own ways. “Whoever 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: 36.

The Best defence is an offence

2006-01-20T12:06:00.000+11:00

I heard this on the radio on the way to see Pip. The best defence in Christianity is a good offence. A clear and simple presentation of the gospel backed up by a Christ centred lifestyle.

Lost Child?

2006-01-20T00:23:00.000+11:00

This is photo that I've taken while I was visiting Melbourne's War Memorial. I'm not sure where the baby is, or where the mother is, or why the pram is located in the middle of ground. Intriguing yet distrubing.

Trip to Adelaide- Day 5

2006-01-18T22:50:00.000+11:00

Last Day at SA. We checked out at 10am. And we headed to the Adelaide city once again. It was my friend's 31st Birthday. So we were on a look out for a seafood restaurant, especially for some bugs. But we couldn't find any. We spent most of the day at the Art Gallery and the Museum. There were some interesting creatures in the deep. Then it was home time. It's was a good but exhausting trip to South Australia.

Trip to Adelaide- Day 4

2006-01-18T22:24:00.000+11:00

Recovery Day after the wedding. Slept till very late, then when swimming and walk to the jetty watching people do some fishing, crabbing and diving off the jetty. We watched the sunset and it is absolutely beautiful of the the horizon at Glenlg.

Trip to Adelaide- Day 3

2006-01-18T21:36:00.000+11:00

Louise and John's Wedding.

A lovely wedding and an excellent reception.
Good Company, Good Food, Good Wine and Good Venue.

Trip to Adelaide- Day 2

2006-01-18T21:04:00.000+11:00

Recovery Day for some of my friends after a massive night. But i have no problems since that i don't drink alcohol. Day 2 is for sightseeing in Adelaide City.

Adelaide: cultured, uni environment, lay back and cruisy.

Short tram ride into the city, a city full of heritage buildings and churches. We stopped at a Cafe for some breakfast, ie. coffee before a long walk around the city. We visitedthe markets, antique shop, China Town, shopping areas, book shop, churches, more churches and big wide roads.

Then back home to Glenlg for an afternoon swim. My two other friends continue on to nightclub while I catch up on some sleep at the hostel.

Trip to Adelaide- Day 1

2006-01-18T20:38:00.000+11:00

So I made it to the airport on time. The passenger sitting next to me was as nervous as a rattlesnake during take off. So I decided to lower his anxiety by chatting to him. His name was Dave and he is in the software business. I was reading "Come Thirsty" by Max Lucado and Dave asked me if I was a Christian. Dave is a member of a Pentecostal church. So we had heaps of theological discussions.
So got off the plane and headed to the Glenlg Beach Hostel. We asked the Taxi driver if the surf was any good and his comment was, "yeah, it's good." Well, it was poo, there are zeroo waves. But still a nice beach.
The purpose of the Adelaide trip was for a friend's wedding. So on Friday night, we went to the friend's buck's night. There was too much alcohol involved. For my friend anyway.

Rush Hour

2006-01-13T13:57:00.000+11:00

I'm flying to South Aust today on 1620h flight. I was coming home from the central coast this morning at 1130am when I found myself in a traffic jam in the freeway. tick tick tick. When I finally got past the accident. I found myself close to running out of fuel. So I have to make a detour to get fuel. Tick, Tick, Tick. Then I got home at about 1pm, my dad was suppose to give me lift to the airport but Mum and Dad went to the city by bus for the day. And there was no way of getting in contact with them cause mum lost her mobile. So I guess it's the taxi then !!! A day of excitement.

Crookhaven Heads Beach Mission

2006-01-11T23:11:00.000+11:00

I went on SUFM beach mission at Crookhaven Heads 27 Dec 05- 06 Jan 06. I was part of the year 7 to year 9 section: The 0853. We had heaps of fun doing table tennis, ice toboganing, paper hockey, banana splits, beach games, volleyball bush dance, amazing race, trivia night, concert and movie night. It seems heaps of fun but the most important job is to evangelise to the teenagers and children about Jesus. On the last day of the beach mission, four teenagers committed their lives to God. They no longer wish to live their lives in their own way. They acceptted Jesus into their lives as their saviour. Praise God.

Trip to Melbourne

2006-01-11T22:53:00.000+11:00

Pip and I flew to Melbourne City for the day on 10 Jan 06. We got up at 5:30am for 6:45am flight to Melbourne. We went sight seeing for most of the day and covered pretty much all the major sites in Melbourne City. We flew back to Sydney on 8:15pm flight. Exhausting but a fun day out.

Resistance is futile

2006-01-11T22:27:00.000+11:00

This is a photo of me just before smashing through the futile resistance of the Blue Force in the board game, Risk: Star Wars- Attack of the Clone Edition. Tony had no chance right from the start.

Gospel and parachuting

2006-01-07T23:44:00.000+11:00

Life is like parachuting.

Life begins when you step out of the plane.

Everyone has to land sometimes, some people stay in the air longer while others stay in the air shorter.

The landing is the end of the physical life.

You are the parachutist.

Jesus is the parachute.

If you don't trust in Jesus, the parachute does not open. Result: death: eternity in Hell.

But Jesus is always there with you during the flight: descent. All you have to do is trust in Jesus and pull the cord.

One you have pulled the cord, the parachute opens and guides you down to the ground, like the Holy Spirit guides you in your life.

You land safety on the ground, walked away to spend eternity with God.

When it comes to life and death, people will chose to pull the cord. So why are we so reluctant to save the spiritual life?

Identity

2006-01-07T23:18:00.000+11:00

"Who determines your identity? What defines you?" (Max Lucado)

Society, friends, family, things that you have achieved, or it is yourself that defines you.

"By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10)

Isn't it good to be just you, no long you need to strive for things that make you who you are. I am what I am, a child adopted by God. His grace is more than sufficient for me.

Thirsty

2006-01-07T17:27:00.000+11:00

Are men thirsty?

Of such sorrow, of such perplexity, of such deep darkness and loneliness. What is this enlightenment that men seeks?

Of earthly things can only satisfy this thirst temporary.

But the fountain of 'Living Water' will quench this thirst, like sheep draw towards the shade in a hot day.