I have got into the habit of listening to talk back radio - in particular sports talk back. It's great fun often but can largely be summed up as 'the domain of idiots with nothing to say, and no knowldege of what they are talking about...'
Last night while comming home from a meeting listening to a bunch of so called 'experts'talk about soceer. Needles to say I felt like calling them up and telling them what a bunch of idiots they were - I took the moral higher ground though and just switched it off, I resited, but it occured to me that isn't blogging the same thing -so called experts talking about stuff and (I include myself in this) often talking rubbish.
Maybe Blogging is for introverts and talk back is for extroverts...
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Strengthening valuable contribution of youth work
Here in NZ we have been really slow on developing a qualification standard for youth workers - I suspect it's part of our number 8 wire make do mentality but a few years abck I was part of a group that challenged then MP Steve Maharey to encourgae the government to 'look into it'.
The saga continues but there is promise ahead...
Wednesday, 6 June 2007, 12:35 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Government
Strengthening the valuable contribution of youth workers
We are seeing the positive impact of youth workers especially with hard-to-reach young people.
---------------------------------
The government is looking at practical ways to support and strengthen the positive contribution made by youth workers including those who work with at-risk or very vulnerable young people says Youth Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
This follows a recent Ministry of Youth Development survey of the professional development and training needs of youth workers.
"I welcome the results of the survey which will be used to inform further work by both government and the private sector as to how they can continue to support youth workers," says Nanaia Mahuta.
"The findings show a high level of demand from youth workers for opportunities to increase their skills, effectiveness and qualifications, delivered in a way that meets their needs."
"We are committed to ensuring that youth workers receive access to high quality training opportunities, including making training a mandatory requirement with organisations employing youth workers, and signing up to the finalised national code of ethics," says Nanaia Mahuta.
The Ministry will drill further into the data from the survey to identify any regional differences in training needs, and will engage with regional providers to identify how these needs can best be met
To assist the further development of the youth worker workforce, the Youth Development Ministry has contracted the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa to develop a national code of ethics for youth work and to develop and support regional networks.
The Minister also acknowledged the work of the National Youth Workers Network in contributing to the survey and for the work on their national research report project, "Real work".
"We are seeing the positive impact of youth workers especially with hard-to-reach young people, for example the contracting of youth workers in response to recent youth gang issues in South Auckland has been very effective. We need to strengthen and support their important work.
"The ongoing recognition of the important role of youth workers, increased emphasis on the need to invest in professional development and training of this workforce better enables youth workers to respond to the needs of young people and support them to make positive changes for the long term. This survey should be utilised by government and non-government agencies when they make investment decisions in the youth sector. Just like good teachers we need to invest in youth workers to ensure that we have quality professionals working with our young people" says Nanaia Mahuta.
The saga continues but there is promise ahead...
Wednesday, 6 June 2007, 12:35 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Government
Strengthening the valuable contribution of youth workers
We are seeing the positive impact of youth workers especially with hard-to-reach young people.
---------------------------------
The government is looking at practical ways to support and strengthen the positive contribution made by youth workers including those who work with at-risk or very vulnerable young people says Youth Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
This follows a recent Ministry of Youth Development survey of the professional development and training needs of youth workers.
"I welcome the results of the survey which will be used to inform further work by both government and the private sector as to how they can continue to support youth workers," says Nanaia Mahuta.
"The findings show a high level of demand from youth workers for opportunities to increase their skills, effectiveness and qualifications, delivered in a way that meets their needs."
"We are committed to ensuring that youth workers receive access to high quality training opportunities, including making training a mandatory requirement with organisations employing youth workers, and signing up to the finalised national code of ethics," says Nanaia Mahuta.
The Ministry will drill further into the data from the survey to identify any regional differences in training needs, and will engage with regional providers to identify how these needs can best be met
To assist the further development of the youth worker workforce, the Youth Development Ministry has contracted the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa to develop a national code of ethics for youth work and to develop and support regional networks.
The Minister also acknowledged the work of the National Youth Workers Network in contributing to the survey and for the work on their national research report project, "Real work".
"We are seeing the positive impact of youth workers especially with hard-to-reach young people, for example the contracting of youth workers in response to recent youth gang issues in South Auckland has been very effective. We need to strengthen and support their important work.
"The ongoing recognition of the important role of youth workers, increased emphasis on the need to invest in professional development and training of this workforce better enables youth workers to respond to the needs of young people and support them to make positive changes for the long term. This survey should be utilised by government and non-government agencies when they make investment decisions in the youth sector. Just like good teachers we need to invest in youth workers to ensure that we have quality professionals working with our young people" says Nanaia Mahuta.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Selling Jesus
I am not sure why, but since I became a christian in my mid 20's people have always said that I am an evangelist. It's a 'gift' that has always felt uncomfortable on my shoulders, there are so many supposed evngelists outthere that just come across as car sales people for Jesus - i don't want to be tagged with that. But I am more than happy - in fact I really enjoy shrring my faith - not in a heavy manner but in a way that speaks of grace, forgiveness and the possiblity of change (thanks to the work of Jesus in that).
Yesterday i got invited to a a bible study with a christian guy and two Jehovahs Witnesses, i loved it being able to sit down and chat God stuff is great even if the people you are sharing with have some unusal views. i asked them some questions about the usual stuff and talked about Jesus being God, the way that God refers to himself as the I AM when he met Moses in the bush, and that way that Jesus uses that same I AM words in John - love it. Also talked a fare bit about Revelation in particular the point of the book and the development of the thought that worship is only for God, and since the focus of the book is about worshipping the lamb that was slain - Jesus - doesn't that mean Jesus is God. it's simple stuff but this is what really stumps JW's - they cannot get passed this - though they reckon that what is happening is not worship but submission to authority - though i'd say if it looks like worship, smells like worship and i guess to witness it it would sound like worship - then maybe it is worship.
I also threw them a bit with some thoughts on the Trinity - i talked about it as a faith statement rather than doctrine that is biblical - again this threw them - they know as well as i do that the trinity is not biblical (ie you won't find the words in the bible), but if you put the strands together from Genesis 1 all the way through to Revelation - I think it is as plain as the nose on my face (and i have quite a big nose). Which is why the creeds start of with the words I believe - they are faith statements - they are central to the christian belief but they are still faith statements.
It was a great time - hope to get the opportunity again at some stage...
Yesterday i got invited to a a bible study with a christian guy and two Jehovahs Witnesses, i loved it being able to sit down and chat God stuff is great even if the people you are sharing with have some unusal views. i asked them some questions about the usual stuff and talked about Jesus being God, the way that God refers to himself as the I AM when he met Moses in the bush, and that way that Jesus uses that same I AM words in John - love it. Also talked a fare bit about Revelation in particular the point of the book and the development of the thought that worship is only for God, and since the focus of the book is about worshipping the lamb that was slain - Jesus - doesn't that mean Jesus is God. it's simple stuff but this is what really stumps JW's - they cannot get passed this - though they reckon that what is happening is not worship but submission to authority - though i'd say if it looks like worship, smells like worship and i guess to witness it it would sound like worship - then maybe it is worship.
I also threw them a bit with some thoughts on the Trinity - i talked about it as a faith statement rather than doctrine that is biblical - again this threw them - they know as well as i do that the trinity is not biblical (ie you won't find the words in the bible), but if you put the strands together from Genesis 1 all the way through to Revelation - I think it is as plain as the nose on my face (and i have quite a big nose). Which is why the creeds start of with the words I believe - they are faith statements - they are central to the christian belief but they are still faith statements.
It was a great time - hope to get the opportunity again at some stage...
Friday, November 23, 2007
Breaking rocks for Jesus...
If I think we were to take an honest look at the Church in general many of us would say - "this isn't working, something is not right". But what do we do about it???
I have a theory about what we can do about it - I call it breaking rocks for Jesus.
Many years ago in the penal system to reform criminals they would give them a hammer and some big rocks and tell them to break them into small rocks. To an outside this looks like pointless and cruel punishment, so it was stopped - and now criminals get to do pretty much what they want in our penal systems - but when you think about it they were actualy doing soemthing constructive - they were keeping themselves physicaly fit, they were given time in the monotony of what they were doing to reflect on their crime and probably sweraing to themsleves that they would not get themseleves in this situation ever again.
I think breaking rocks for Jesus is a good image of what we should be doing, trying stuff no matter how meaningless, reflecting on what we have been doing and generaly keeping active - not rearanging the church seats but doing stuff in the community, anything that will keep us active, fit and focused on the task. When i look back at some of the ministry that God has blessed that i have been involved in it hasn't been dreamt up it has come from breaking rocks and keeping busy.
I am a rock breaker for Jesus - and proud of that fact
I have a theory about what we can do about it - I call it breaking rocks for Jesus.
Many years ago in the penal system to reform criminals they would give them a hammer and some big rocks and tell them to break them into small rocks. To an outside this looks like pointless and cruel punishment, so it was stopped - and now criminals get to do pretty much what they want in our penal systems - but when you think about it they were actualy doing soemthing constructive - they were keeping themselves physicaly fit, they were given time in the monotony of what they were doing to reflect on their crime and probably sweraing to themsleves that they would not get themseleves in this situation ever again.
I think breaking rocks for Jesus is a good image of what we should be doing, trying stuff no matter how meaningless, reflecting on what we have been doing and generaly keeping active - not rearanging the church seats but doing stuff in the community, anything that will keep us active, fit and focused on the task. When i look back at some of the ministry that God has blessed that i have been involved in it hasn't been dreamt up it has come from breaking rocks and keeping busy.
I am a rock breaker for Jesus - and proud of that fact
Christian TV
Here in Nelson we are blessed/cursed with our own localy produced Christian TV program, I must admit I occasionaly watch it. Last night the host and failed mayoral candidate interviewd another TV host Lonnie Jenkins from Global Answers an end times Tv ministry. It was absolute drivel, firstly he was asked why they set up the show, his answer included the usual lack of good christian TV, a lack of sound biblical theology, and the fact that when the general public think of Christian TV they have images of TV evangelist asking for money so they can buy another Lear jet. That's fine with me but then the guy goes on to praise the TBN network and their shows saying how great they are and that they produce good Christian TV, unless I am mistaken 99% of the money hungry TV evangelists that feature are supported and shown by TBN - what is going on here. Lonnie your an idiot!
But what got me even more was this whole talk of good biblical theology and good bible teaching, by that he meant wacky interpretations of the book of Revelation, Daniel and all the rest of the Schofield flavoured stuff. I think it is time that Christian stood up and reclaimed the scriptures from these people - they have an image in their mind that flavours everything they read - but the way I see it it doesn't line up with the Bible - it isn't Biblical, and I am pretty sure that it borders on not being Christian too. For instance saying that God allowed the extermination of 6,000,000 Jews during WW2 so that the world would look with pitty upon the nation of Israel so they would be given their homeland - that just sound stupid -what does it say about God - that real estate is more important than people?
I grown when i hear anyone mention end times stuff becuase of people like this - and then we have the guy who wanted to stand for mayor (Host Gary Watson) talking about how the bible and Mayan (were this tribe even Christian) calendar point towards Jesus' return in 2012. If that's the case then why did you want to stand for mayor - you are an idiot.
But what got me even more was this whole talk of good biblical theology and good bible teaching, by that he meant wacky interpretations of the book of Revelation, Daniel and all the rest of the Schofield flavoured stuff. I think it is time that Christian stood up and reclaimed the scriptures from these people - they have an image in their mind that flavours everything they read - but the way I see it it doesn't line up with the Bible - it isn't Biblical, and I am pretty sure that it borders on not being Christian too. For instance saying that God allowed the extermination of 6,000,000 Jews during WW2 so that the world would look with pitty upon the nation of Israel so they would be given their homeland - that just sound stupid -what does it say about God - that real estate is more important than people?
I grown when i hear anyone mention end times stuff becuase of people like this - and then we have the guy who wanted to stand for mayor (Host Gary Watson) talking about how the bible and Mayan (were this tribe even Christian) calendar point towards Jesus' return in 2012. If that's the case then why did you want to stand for mayor - you are an idiot.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
why blogger.com sucks
I used to be able to navigate my way around blogger.com really well, but lately it just sucks - i cannot insert pictures, i cannot spell check and the posts keep on blooming disapearing. I'd like to move any suggested cheap/free options?
Friday, November 09, 2007
I always cry at movies...
a few weeks back I went to see the Movie Atonement - it is quite seriously one of the best told stories i have seen for quite some time. But also very moving - especialy for me..
Most people who have scene comment on how amazing the Dunkirk beach shots are and how they capture your emotions. For me they capture my emotions for a different reason - it was shot on the beach where I spent a lot of my childhood years. When the camera panned out to the troops singing on the band standa - I cried, not becuase of the song they were singing and the hope in their hearts as they waited for the ship to take them home, but becuase I used to play on the same spot as a child (thought it's not a band stand).
For me what captured me was the story underneath the story, I saw a different view of reality to those sitting around me in the cinema, I was captured by memory - "by the view on the other side of he tapestry" - so to speak. My emotional response was different.
For me the Book of Revelation has a simialr feel - it's a glimpse behind the story fo the day - the world as John the writer saw, a glimpse behinf the political turmoil into the world at the centre of the universe - to the throne room of God, it's a story behind the story of the day. Again it fills me with emotion, with fear and with Joy as the Lion who was slain overcomes.
I love that, I love seeing the stories behind the stories, the reality beyond what is presenting itself - seeing God at work beneath the surface
Most people who have scene comment on how amazing the Dunkirk beach shots are and how they capture your emotions. For me they capture my emotions for a different reason - it was shot on the beach where I spent a lot of my childhood years. When the camera panned out to the troops singing on the band standa - I cried, not becuase of the song they were singing and the hope in their hearts as they waited for the ship to take them home, but becuase I used to play on the same spot as a child (thought it's not a band stand).
For me what captured me was the story underneath the story, I saw a different view of reality to those sitting around me in the cinema, I was captured by memory - "by the view on the other side of he tapestry" - so to speak. My emotional response was different.
For me the Book of Revelation has a simialr feel - it's a glimpse behind the story fo the day - the world as John the writer saw, a glimpse behinf the political turmoil into the world at the centre of the universe - to the throne room of God, it's a story behind the story of the day. Again it fills me with emotion, with fear and with Joy as the Lion who was slain overcomes.
I love that, I love seeing the stories behind the stories, the reality beyond what is presenting itself - seeing God at work beneath the surface
The Return Of...
It has been quite a while since I last blogged, someone contacted me a few months back and said i must be feeling happier becuase i had not blogged for a while - that comment put me off and the busyness of life- but i have some space to unpack my thoughts and so blogging is back in business
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