Daily Journal
What have I been doing in recent days
Tuesday, August 28, 2001
Had a good weekend. Did a few web sites and some homework. I think my email dramas have been ironed out too. The amount of college work is building up but still within reach of getting it all done. Went to a KidsGames prayer meeting tonight and that was also a good time. I have ben staying up too late recently so will be off to be in a sec. Looking forward to the hols which start at the end of next week.
[ 11:16:58 PM ] +
Saturday, August 25, 2001
Did my first stint of milking the cows this morning. It wasn't too bad or hard; except that I have to get up at 7am. After doing this little duty Jeff, Murray, Daniel and I went to Mt. Barrow and mucked around in the snow. Heaps fun it was. Haven't seen snow since about this time last year. There was no one else there at the time so we ran a muck. Got the boys with a few snow balls and they got be a few too. On the way home we passed all the late risers heading up there. We left a bit of snow for them too.
[ 2:33:01 PM ] +
Thursday, August 23, 2001
Jeff's computer was stolen last week so this arvo us two boys went shopping over at the Uni. After chatting to the guy for a while we put in an order for a new Apple iBook. It should arrive in 8 days since they have to get it made in Korea and then shipped down here. It is a slick machine and will kick butt all over my slow little laptop. All my friends are getting new machines except me.
The weather was fantastic today again. When we where driving around we could see the snow on the surrounding mountains. The tops were seemingly all white which was alright for those who have the time to go skiing. It sure was picturesque and makes living in the cold all worthwhile.
At times I do some study. Most recently I have been doing the required reading for the subject church growth which Ron lectures (when he is around). It is very interesting to analyse what helps churches grow and what keeps them small and stagnant. It also presented the idea that ethnic groups should have their own churches and not be encouraged to interact. This seems to go against what all of society is saying, but they did have some good points. I just seem to like people to become Aussies and not be separate like groups.
A lady contacted me the other day and got me to build an Arabic site where she can put a book and sound files for people to download. I hope that many future missionaries might be able to make good use of this resource when it comes online. I also hope that opportunities will arise for me to share with this Aussie lady and those like her who get in contact using the web. The Internet can be used as a tool/opening for evangelism; you just have to know how to do it the right way.
Missions is next week for most of the students except us third years. I will have a room/flat to myself for two weeks. Quite a change to the usual life. We also get new duties where I will be for the first time at college be milking the cows. I have done this before but not at Worldview. I was hoping and thinking that I might actually get out of here after 3 years and not have had to do it. Not that lucky eh.
[ 11:23:19 PM ] +
Monday, August 20, 2001
Something to think about: Tim Myers told a good story over the weekend during the last sessions. It tells of the guy who established CNN and is so famous and rich. He was doing a talk at a university like Harvad for graduation. When he had finished he was given an awesome standing ovation. While they were still applauding he held up the lastest copy of Fortune magazine which had him on the front cover. He looked skyward and called out: "Is that good enough for you dad! Is that good enough! Are you happy with me now?!"
Sometimes we can get so caught up with wanting the admiration of others that we forget that we are more special than the anything. More loved by God than we could ever desire; and never have to work to get that affection and love. Ponder God's love today.
[ 9:01:48 PM ] +
I have arrived back in Tassie and was picked up by Jeff. It is cold down here but atleast the rooms are warm. Today in Sydney I wrote my latest news letter. I have been going to do this since I came back from Mexico but finally found a few spare moments to get the task done. While hangout at WEC HQ in Sydney I caught up with some old friends who have known me since I was a boy.
[ 8:53:09 PM ] +
The weekend at Reach Out was fantastic. About 1500 young people attended the camp and pretty much all were wanting to know how best they could get involved in missions. Many wanted to come to Bible college so I shared with them (did a sales pitch) of why they should come to Worldview. Many liked the idea of being trained by missionaries so hoepfully they will be there in tassie before too long.
The place was freezing but the warmth in the main meeting hall kept people their talking about what they should be doing with their lives. I had a ball; it was so rad seeing people excited about serving God. Others I guess were excited about the idea of a surfing ministry in Mexico. As I would tell them,"someone has to do it". I will be back in tassie this evening.
[ 8:53:54 AM ] +
Thursday, August 16, 2001
I have arrived in Sydney Ok and will head off to Katoomba with my parents tomorrow arvo.
[ 11:53:16 PM ] +
Wednesday, August 15, 2001
An all day of prayer was had today. I was a bit sleepy but had a good time anway. We heard a good talk from Peter Pinder in the morning and then prayed for issues that are of major concern. We have one of these days every term. I leave for Sydney on Thursday arvo. My web sites are starting to get heaps more hits too!! Must be doing something right.
[ 1:30:10 AM ] +
Monday, August 13, 2001
My sermon on Sunday morning went well. They youth at this Asian uni church were very responsive and friendly. I had a great time and would like to go back later in the year. At night I took 3 others to the Countdown meeting in Devonport. This also was great and I got to chat with some of the people I met there last year. This week will be busy as I leave for Sydney on Thursday arvo.
[ 11:11:28 AM ] +
Sunday, August 12, 2001
Today I had a relaxing time catching up on some much needed sleep. A few of us watched the rugby on the tele and then I went out to the missions meeting. It was a great night and many were challeneged tofollow God's call. After I chatted to a few people and then went to a friends place and hung talking about the future they and I think God is calling us too. I will be preaching the same sermon tomorrow that I did a few weeks ago but at a different location. I think I might also head off to Devonport tomorrow eveving to see the same missions presentation and catch up with some friends.
[ 1:53:27 AM ] +
Thursday, August 09, 2001
The past few days have been raining on and off. It is currently raining so is helping me stay inside and getting study done. There are only a few weeks left until the end of this term. Oh how they flt by! The program for this Friday night has come along good but we will have a few more practices tonight and tomorrow arvo. We are expecting 50 or more youth to the program. It will be good to get some of these along to the Countdown conference on the Saturday night too.
[ 4:26:28 PM ] +
Tuesday, August 07, 2001
Didn't get the most work done today even though we had no classes. I went out tonight and had a ball at the local big combined youth group. We started off with a sack race, had some singing then a guy came to chat. He was from the police force and talked about alcohol and also about getting saved last year. Great story! I was able to encourage many youth to come to Countdown which is on this Saturday evening. The yuoth are pumped for God but just need to be plugged into the right fields of service.
[ 1:36:56 AM ] +
Saturday, August 04, 2001
I have finished/survived another week at college. Things went well and I got some study done. I have to preach again next weekend at a local Chinese Uni church. On the Friday night prior I will be heading up a youth group meeting where we will be talking about missions and how it is for them too.
Yesterday I helped a few people celebrate thier birthdays as we went to town for coffee and then someones house to watch a movie. I also got AOL Instant Messenger working so I can now be contacted using the login ID of mikeallbutt if you would like to contact me that way.
[ 5:07:19 PM ] +