John Finkelde

Why do I prefer Google Chrome as a browser?

2010-01-03T02:00:00.000+08:00

It’s simple. Fast. And comes with a clean, crisp interface.

IMHO Google Chrome is a way better browser than Firefox or IE.

And Google make not only top shelf products but they also can put together a pretty cool vid.

Check it out.

Launch the New Year!

2010-01-02T02:00:00.000+08:00

A friend of mine, Grant Herbert, has posted an outstanding ‘end of year’ piece.

His wisdom is superb as he uses nautical navigation as a motif for traversing our way into the new year.

I can’t better it so here’s a snippet & a link to the whole piece.

Take a look at your life like a small fishing boat. The boat itself represents our present, sometimes on calm waters, other times tossed by storms and sometimes it seems like it is sinking. Our past can be an anchor or an engine, we choose. One stops us from moving forward and the other propels us forward, moving us into calmer waters.

Read the whole post here.

2010 here we come

2010-01-01T02:00:00.000+08:00

Things I’m looking forward to in 2010

my great mate Rod Waters coming to the C3 Southern Africa Conference with me in 2010 –we’ve been to Europe, Asia & Nth America together so another continent here we come!
Ken Duncan visiting our church again
aiming for the biggest annual tithe amount in our church’s history – stepping out!
meeting new people
preaching in Tasmania for only the second time
Di preaching lots
ramping up extended times of waiting on God
heading back to NZ for more ministry
Phil Pringle ministering at our REAL MEN Conference
hanging with Pat Antcliff in Joburg
seeing lots of dechurched people returning to church
preaching
travelling to Kalgoorlie, Pt Hedland & Bunbury with Greg French
blogging
publishing Di’s first book, In Her Shoes
impact of the staff shuffle we made late in 2009
leading C3HH
Dockers winning more games
loving good friends
shooting some top notch photography
whipping out my Kindle on planes & observing people’s responses!
REAL MEN Big Backyard BYO BBQ
finishing my last Masters unit & graduating

and lots more – cya in 2010!

Like my photography?

2009-12-30T18:27:00.001+08:00

If you like my photography then I’ve got some good news!

You can now buy it.

Clicking on any of the photos to the right will take you to Red Bubble where you can buy one of my photos as a greeting card, poster, framed print, canvas print & more.

Or if you prefer check out my Red Bubble site.

Need to mow the lawn today – here’s an option

2009-12-30T02:00:00.001+08:00

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Life is not a marathon

2009-12-29T02:00:00.004+08:00

What a relaxing week!

We always close the office during the final week of the year. It gives our team a chance to cruise & restore their weary hearts & minds at the end of another year serving Christ.

Tonite we are having some friends over for a BBQ.

Then on New Year’s Eve we’ll celebrate with friends & conduct our annual tradition Rewrap the Crap. An ‘environmentally friendly’ moment when we recycle unloved Christmas presents!!!

This week is a combo of reading, watching the cricket, wandering down to the beach, catching a movie – just slowing down. Di’s doing a jigsaw while I avoid such pedantic practices like the plague!

Forget the marathon folks!

Life is a series of sprints & it’s vital to catch your breath in between the moments of mayhem!

Post Christmas weigh in

2009-12-28T07:00:00.000+08:00

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Classic Kerry O’Keefe

2009-12-27T02:00:00.000+08:00

With the famous annual Boxing Day Cricket test match in full swing I thought you would enjoy this excerpt from Kerry O’Keefe who is THE funniest sport’s commentator you are ever likely to hear.

During a cricket test match commentary he told this crazy, crazy joke.

You may not laugh at the joke but I deny anyone to not laugh at his laughter!

Evidently Santa was using a Land Rover this year!

2009-12-26T02:00:00.000+08:00

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Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T02:00:00.000+08:00

Christmas Eve family service tonite

2009-12-24T02:00:00.000+08:00

Live in Perth?

Looking for a family service tonite?

Head over to our church C3 Hepburn Heights for a 1 hour family service with carols & a light, bright approach to Christmas.

You will find a map here.

Quirky me!

2009-12-23T02:00:00.000+08:00

For some reason I just love the eve of Christmas eve!

Don’t ask me why! It’s completely illogical, quirky in fact!And nothing wrong with a bit of quirkiness in my world.

Maybe it’s the anticipation.

Maybe it’s the numbers, 2312.

Whatever – I just love it!

So be somewhat quirky – the world needs your particular brand of quirkiness!

Why are families important?

2009-12-22T02:00:00.000+08:00

Families show us the power of forgiveness, of redemption.

Families earth us to the reality that true success in life comes through relationships.

Families reveal our own short comings, reminding us of our oh so human frailty.

Families provide a safe haven, comfortable & familiar environs that grant us permission to be ourselves.

Families help us laugh, out loud.

Unfortunately not all families work properly. Some are so completely dysfunctional that they damage & wound rather than heal & comfort. When family is like this it’s time to discover family in our church. God indeed places the solitary in family, His family.

Reflections

2009-12-21T02:00:00.000+08:00

It’s not always the one off moments that give me satisfaction in a year but it’s the continuity of important moments such as these …

the collegiate nature of my friendship with other pastors is something I thoroughly enjoy every year – it’s truly a balm to my soul
watching our pastoral team give so much of themselves to serve Christ & His church & also see them grow in leaps & bounds
Monday nite dinners with my family – so refreshing
Sunday moments when God shows up & works wonders
hanging with Greg French
coffee with AJ
smashing the Wednesday morning office routine by taking the team for coffee & mindless chat
footy season launch & believing (foolishly) that the Dockers could go really well this year!

The power of reflection is its ability to refuel us through moments of discouragement & despair.

Never stop reflecting on the good things God’s doing in your world.

How a child remembers the Old Testament

2009-12-20T02:00:00.000+08:00

In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness& some gas.

Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!' & someone did.

He split the Adam & made Eve. Adam & Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet.

One of the next important people was Noah. He built a large boat. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.

Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt & away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels & no cable.

God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti.. Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments.

These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance or covet your neighbour's stuff.

Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humour thy father & thy mother.

David got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives & 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.

After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets.

One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale & then barfed up on the shore. There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them.

How a child remembers the New Testament

2009-12-19T02:00:00.000+08:00

Jesus is the star of The New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees & the Democrats.

Jesus also had twelve opossums.

The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.

Jesus was a great man.

He healed many leopards & even preached to some Germans on the Mount.

But the Democrats & all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead.

Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again.

He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminium. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.

This software cranks!

2009-12-16T02:00:00.000+08:00

Logos Bible Software have launched a major upgrade to their top shelf bible program, Logos 4.

And it cranks!

I’ve been a long term user of Logos & am very impressed with this latest version.

A few benefits…

search is a dream! I have 188 books in my digital library so finding info on a topic like redemption can be daunting but not anymore
interface is much cleaner
customisation is easier
online helps & tutorials are numerous
new components (e.g. Biblical People, Things & Places) are helpful & easy to use

Check it out here.

Get the free Logos engine here.

The art of reflection

2009-12-18T02:00:00.002+08:00

The art of reflection is so helpful in today’s world. It’s vital to stop. Look around. And consider what’s happening in your life.

Reflecting on an almost expired year always causes me to reflect on the memorable moments, so here are some of my 2009 moments …

Jeff Frankham inducting me into the post sunset blue hour. This photo taken 1 hour after sunset explains why it is called the blue hour
the amazing attendance of our church’s men at Valiant Man – what a life transforming course
enjoying our daughter Erin discover Europe with her Nanna
discovering Daniel served in Babylon for over 65 years
speaking at REAL MEN Sydney, always a pleasure to serve Phil Pringle & Greg French in their stellar church
the palpable relief when Di got thru her first sermon after her 12 mth vocal chord problem
buying (& loving!) the Kindle
hosting Dean Sweetman in our church – what a delightful man!

I could go on & on but they’ll do!

Why take a moment to reflect on the sweet aspects of 2009.

Villains abound in the Christmas story

2009-12-17T02:00:00.001+08:00

Matthew 2 is truly an amazing part of the Christmas story.

As Joseph & Mary settle into the peace of familial bliss with their young child, strangers turn up with worship & wealth. Their arrival precipitates unexpected change for the royal family as they are forced to flee a King intent on murder.

Thwarted, this conniving King orders a massacre.

Unbelievably, soldiers obey these callous orders & slaughter innocents.

Meanwhile, back at Jerusalem the religious leaders & the populace remain oblivious to the magnitude of what’s (or who’s) happening under their nose. Blithely they ago about their day to day business.

Villains abound in this dark side of Christmas.

However, in the midst God speaks through prophets & dreams. Guiding His Son, advancing His Kingdom in spite of all opposition.

This Christmas story is certainly complex!

Heading south today

2009-12-15T02:00:00.000+08:00

Our pastoral team is heading to Mandurah today for a 2 day retreat.

It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been away as a team on a retreat like this one. We’ve been watching our $$$ carefully during the GFC & have held retreats at our home over the last couple of years but without sleepovers!

But there’s a lot to be gained by hanging out together so I locked in this time away some months ago.

It’ll be a fun couple of days. We’ll talk heaps, eat together, drinks loads of coffee, laugh lots & have some brain storming about church, 2010 & whatever else comes up.

I’d really appreciate your prayers for our team & time away.

Starry starry nite

2009-12-14T02:00:00.000+08:00

Tried some star trails night photography recently whilst holidaying in Gracetown. Almost impossible to do this in a metro city cos of ambient light so being in a small coastal village provided me with an ideal opportunity.

It’s a fairly simple procedure but impossible without a tripod. I took 23 shots, each 30secs long, around 9pm & then merged them in Photoshop Elements.

I’m not totally happy with the result due to a very badly timed full moon providing massive ambient light!!

If you want to try this check out some simple instructions here.

BIG nite tonite

2009-12-13T02:00:00.001+08:00

Yep it’s our annual Christmas Concert tonite.

Will be an exceptional nite with a celebration of Christmas & life.

Why not join us!

Go here for promo & map.

Holiday pics

2009-12-12T02:00:00.002+08:00

I put together this 90 sec slideshow of some of my holiday pics.

You can also find them on Flickr.

And the backing music is from our album Essence which you can find at the iTunes store by searching for C3 Hepburn Heights.

Enjoy!

Christmas is back

2009-12-11T02:00:00.000+08:00

Yep it’s here again & I have to admit I love it!

All the traditions - carols, bustling shops, Christmas Eve family service, people being extra friendly, our annual Christmas concert, presents, eating too much, end of year parties – love it all!

And a special treat for me, Mum’s Christmas cake. She makes me one every year!

Now I’m trying to get my daughters Erin & Megan into the swing of it & am encouraging them to learn to cook this delicious entity.

Even got Mum to present them with the recipe one Christmas! They are stubbornly resisting this family tradition but I will win!

What do you love about Christmas?

Innovative Christmas Concert this Sunday Nite

2009-12-10T02:00:00.001+08:00

Our creative crew are pulling something special out of the box for this year’s Christmas Concert.

The Ricky Cheeseman Gala Variety Hour promises to be a hoot & yes it will have a strong tho’ different connect to Christmas.

If you live in Perth come & join us, 6pm this Sunday Nite. You’ll find a map here on our website.