But ask yourself this question, If I offered you $1,000 for every verse you memorized in the next week, how many do you think you could memorize? Yet God says of his word in Psalm 19:10-11, “They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” The real value of the word is far greater than $1,000 a verse. The question is, Do you believe this? Believing this will be the crucial motivation you need.

– John Piper

Challies does it. I’ve been trying. Do you?

Love the facial expressions:

Growth-based economies have to stop. We simply cannot sustain them.

It’s economic heresy, but the fact is we’re already consuming our finite resources faster than they’re being replaced – yet growth requires us to consume it ever more quickly. “It has taken all of human history for the economy to reach its current size. On current form it will take just two decades to double.” We have to find another way.

If you haven’t read this October issue of New Scientist, you should, beginning at page 40. (Most can be read online.) Click the graph below for full-size version.

Sometimes, growth is also called cancer.

Twice in the last 3 days I’ve lost myself in overwhelming, unexpressable joy. Praise God! (Hadn’t felt that for a few months…)

We have an awesome saviour!

Side effects of lots of study include excessive tea consumption, cabin fever, warped sense of humour, emergence of eccentricities and socially unacceptable behaviour (eg blogging).

(I was with friends once, and someone mentioned TheCrazyAustralian.com – I shushed him quickly. You don’t want too many real world people to find out you’re a blogger. *shudders at the thought*)

Blogging what you’re studying is all the rage. Here’s a music video parodying the case which sparked the tort of Negligence:

Rain, green tea, Louis Armstrong, all day, empty house. Perfect.

Tuesday is International Study-Like-A-Maniac Day.

(Or at least, it is in my house.)

I’ve decided that my bad back, gradually developing sickness, and the flat swell are all gifts from God to encourage study. I get the message!

Sometimes Dad and I are funny.

We were talking about how, in theory, our church believes God gives gifts of prophecy, but, since it takes weeks and weeks just to get an announcement made, effectively there is no way a gift would ever reach the church. [Pause to allow reflective readers to notice this in their own church and consider the implications.          That's long enough.]

We decided we need a Prophecy Hotline (1800-PROPHECY) so people can have their prophecy tested. Of course, much of this could be automated:
“Thank you for calling 1800-Prophecy. All our Discerners are busy right now, your prophecy has been placed in a queue – please hold.”

Christian music plays for the longest time bearable (about 8 bars), then:

“Thank you for waiting. Your prophecy is important to us. A Discerner will be with you shortly.”

Repeat ad infinitum, or forward call to Telstra (whichever is quicker).

Recently I’ve been digging the acoustic tunes of Central Coast local boy Daniel Ford. He sounds like a blend of Josh Pyke, Matt Costa, Angus and Julia Stone, and Jason Mraz; but is somehow unique as well.

Give him a listen and let me know what you think. (Or if heavy metal is more your thing [why???], check out his other band – recently signed by RIOT!)

Oh, and he’s a top bloke

Annoyingly, I’ve had a sore back since Thursday. More annoyingly, I have no idea why. I’ve been resting it, which (most annoyingly of all) has meant abstaining from surfing.

Reading up on it, I noticed this quote:

“If you are not taught to move properly, the spine will take that punishment for a long time – because it is so brilliantly designed – but there will come problems, possibly years later,”

I’m always more and more amazed at how awesome our Creator is!