The aim was to help youth think about how they use their time and money.

It would be great to share it  with any teenagers you might know (or just ‘Like’ it on Facebook), as you help them think through these big issues.

On the one hand, it’s remarkable to think that this kind of internal intellectual property could be so brazenly released. If I was Julia Gillard, I would immediately call upon the Federal Police to investigate the leak. This lapse in security is just not tolerable.

On the other hand, it’s an exercise in cultural analysis to try and work out whether the leak will damage Rudd’s reputation, or in fact, improve his image. Us Aussies seem to like the image of a swearing, drinking, sports-loving larrikin, and in many ways, this video helps show the humanity of a man who has a greater natural affinity with the chess club than the footy club.

Maybe the answer comes in the reality of the inevitable leadership spill. It will be the sitting ALP politicians who decide on this ballot, not the happy little Vegemites who make up the voting public. Perhaps the real aim of the leak was to remind the caucus of the true, behind-the-scenes Rudd, so that they remember the past and don’t repeat history.

But this is nothing new to them. Most ALP politicians seem to hate Rudd, but because they love their job more than anything, they might be happy to swallow this bitter pill.

Interesting times ahead in Australia Federal politics.

My training and lecturing in youth ministry has been strongly influenced by this understanding of the church, especially in terms of what we ‘do’ when we gather.

The latest edition of ‘The Briefing’ has an excellent summary of this doctrine, and I think it’s an important read for anyone who is responsible for shaping the content and context of a Christian gathering.

Read the article in full here at The Briefing online.

For a powerful explanation of the effects of this disorder on our society, check out this great Youtube video:

All the more reason to get outdoors!

The reason I share this with you is that I’ve just heard Prime Minister Julia Gillard speak about the terrifying threat of Cyclone Yasi, where she not only spoke of “thinking” of the people of Far North Queensland, but said that the Australian people were “united in spirit”, another example of a an attempt to rebirth and recommission a typically Christian expression in this time of pain.

I really want my friends in Townsville, my family in Port Douglas, and everyone in Cairns and FNQ to know that God truly answers the prayers of those who speak to him, and that I am speaking to God on their behalf, that he might reduce the power of the storm, protect human life, and through this, show his glory in the way he intends.

In this time of trial for Queensland and Australia there is no better time to seek the mercy of God for the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life.

Australia, get down on your knees!

In fact, to do so might lead me to shoot myself in the foot, given that I work for such an organisation.

However, in a ‘courageous’ move (potentially in the tradition of ‘Yes Minister’), I boldly step where wise angels wouldn’t dare tread.

In my latest column at sydneyanglicans.net read about why I think it’s better to call our ‘parachurches’ by the name ‘hupochurch’.

I just hope I got my Greek right, or I’ll look like a real idiot.

Follow the link, have a read, and leave your thoughts in the comments section.

What’s most interesting is that both stories have a positive ‘feel’ to them.

There is nothing about scandal or infighting.

In fact, the story about Mary Mackillop has no sense of scepticism whatsoever. It reads like the thing you’d expect to find in a Catholic newspaper.

Here’s the main teaser quote, as featured on the front page of smh.com.au this morning:

When Kathleen Evans arrives at the pearly gates, she will have a simple question for St Peter: ”Why me?”

Maybe the secular media is waking up to the fact that far more Australians consider themselves Christians than had previously conceded by the mainstream press.

Keep praying for opportunities to use these articles as a springboard to conversations with your friends about Jesus.

And, if you’re a budding journo, why not submit an opinion piece to the dailies, and see if they might publish it?

My blog on this new Internet phenomenon is now live at sydneyanglicans.net. Have a read, and join in the discussion.

Should we clap or not? Read my thoughts in my blog at sydneyanglicans.net.

Read my thoughts in my blog at sydneyanglicans.net.