In reading today's article on Pokies in the Herald, it seems as per usual, that Governments are dependent on the taxes from gambling ( NSW: $443M in the last 3 months just on gaming machines).
Supposedly $1.3B, yes $1.3B went through such Pokies just in the 21 odd clubs in Fairfield alone in the past 3 months.
I'm struggling to reconcile Dooleys Catholic Club in Lidcomb who are getting money from the other people's misery is justified when it gives money away from those profits?
For example: The chief executive officer of ClubsNSW, Anthony Ball, said: ''After clubs have paid their taxes, wages, electricity bills and other operating costs, 50 per cent of the remaining gaming revenue goes directly to the community through donations to charities, sporting sponsorships and club promotions. Clubs' contribution to the community is all the more impressive given Australia's 20 largest companies donate less than 1 per cent of their profits.''
If I follow your logic Anthony, what if a drug dealer, pimp or sex slave trader said: " after our business have paid their taxes, wages, electricity bills and other costs, I will donate 50% of the remaining profit to the community"
In thinking about it, God's plan for us is to sink lots or our cash into an electronic machine that promises chance and heaps of cash back......
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Standing on the Edge
I was running home the other night when it occurred to me, that as I was waiting at the lights to cross a busy road at peak hour I was standing too close to the edge.
All it would take is one mis-step, or a loss of balance, a car, a bus or a truck and I would be cactus.
And God suggested to me that at times, your life is like that Ben and more to the point, you are not even aware of it.
So why would that be a something to discuss at Ironmen? Who cares, really?
Good question!
You see if we are standing near the edge of something that could have dramatic affect, and we aren't spiritually street smart, then one of these days, we're going to have that appointment with the truck.
That is not to say, God is not the God of the redeemer and resurrection, by no means, but Ironmen is about sharpening ourselves, so that we are street smart, game ready. Bring it on Satan!
"For the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."(1 Peter 5:8)
Better still, if satan is prowling around, then I am stomping around aware of his deceptive tactics.
Let's bring this closer to home:
- Friend of my mine, tells us a husband (not hers) wants to leave his wife and kids and shack up with her, meanwhile his wife is overseas on a short trip...
- I did not attend my brother's 30th and instead went to a friend's farewell dinner, I made the wrong call and should have gone to my brother's event, he's offended and hurt. Days drag into weeks, drag into months, I don't apologise.
- An old girlfriend or women you had a crush on "pokes" you on Facebook, she's keen to catch up, "see how things are going...." You think, it would be great to re-connect, what could happen...
- You're working late and spending lot's of time at work, "it's just a busy period, it will die down next month", you come home to relax and turn on the TV at 11:30 at night...
- The weekend's are getting busier and busier, with Nippers, Ballet, Sports, and the social events, You miss church, one weekend, then another and now it's every second or third week you're attending, if that....
- Work is pumping, sales are good, pipeline is strong, "Ka-ching!", Mr Money is coming down the road, and in your head you've already spent the bonus.
- She's in the same office block as you, you've briefly talked once or twice, she's cute, she seems really nice to talk to...
- What's wrong with a little porn, it's soft porn anyway.
- This company that I work for is a joke, the management are a joke, my boss is a "d*&$head", screw them all.
- When was the last time I spoke with God? I mean, not in desperation? Hmmm, I'd have to think about that one.
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones"
(Proverbs 3:7-8)
"Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galations 6: 7-8)
This discussion is not designed to make us constantly look over our shoulder and be on the defensive about getting "too close the edge" and to not take risks in life, by no means.
To me there are two wider applications (and many many more):
1. Follow Philippians 4:8 example: If you're always thinking about God stuff, good spiritual food, then your limited in having time and place for options that may take you down.
(the flip-side to this is to think of the amount of time you and I spend "on ourselves", doing only what we want to do, basically filling it with perpetual self fulfillment and 'fun stuff' - follow that road and have a think about where it leads to - a really good litmus test, is to review how much time and money you and I give away to others - like serving, community work, volunteering, helping)
2. Smarten up to our weaknesses and proclivities. Don't excuse them or give them the time of day. Walk away from that situation, or deal with it head on.
2.5 "Enjoy life with your wife whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun." (Ecclessiates 9: 8)
2.6 Pray, read the Bible, go to church.
All it would take is one mis-step, or a loss of balance, a car, a bus or a truck and I would be cactus.
And God suggested to me that at times, your life is like that Ben and more to the point, you are not even aware of it.
So why would that be a something to discuss at Ironmen? Who cares, really?
Good question!
You see if we are standing near the edge of something that could have dramatic affect, and we aren't spiritually street smart, then one of these days, we're going to have that appointment with the truck.
That is not to say, God is not the God of the redeemer and resurrection, by no means, but Ironmen is about sharpening ourselves, so that we are street smart, game ready. Bring it on Satan!
"For the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."(1 Peter 5:8)
Better still, if satan is prowling around, then I am stomping around aware of his deceptive tactics.
Let's bring this closer to home:
- Friend of my mine, tells us a husband (not hers) wants to leave his wife and kids and shack up with her, meanwhile his wife is overseas on a short trip...
- I did not attend my brother's 30th and instead went to a friend's farewell dinner, I made the wrong call and should have gone to my brother's event, he's offended and hurt. Days drag into weeks, drag into months, I don't apologise.
- An old girlfriend or women you had a crush on "pokes" you on Facebook, she's keen to catch up, "see how things are going...." You think, it would be great to re-connect, what could happen...
- You're working late and spending lot's of time at work, "it's just a busy period, it will die down next month", you come home to relax and turn on the TV at 11:30 at night...
- The weekend's are getting busier and busier, with Nippers, Ballet, Sports, and the social events, You miss church, one weekend, then another and now it's every second or third week you're attending, if that....
- Work is pumping, sales are good, pipeline is strong, "Ka-ching!", Mr Money is coming down the road, and in your head you've already spent the bonus.
- She's in the same office block as you, you've briefly talked once or twice, she's cute, she seems really nice to talk to...
- What's wrong with a little porn, it's soft porn anyway.
- This company that I work for is a joke, the management are a joke, my boss is a "d*&$head", screw them all.
- When was the last time I spoke with God? I mean, not in desperation? Hmmm, I'd have to think about that one.
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones"
(Proverbs 3:7-8)
"Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galations 6: 7-8)
This discussion is not designed to make us constantly look over our shoulder and be on the defensive about getting "too close the edge" and to not take risks in life, by no means.
To me there are two wider applications (and many many more):
1. Follow Philippians 4:8 example: If you're always thinking about God stuff, good spiritual food, then your limited in having time and place for options that may take you down.
(the flip-side to this is to think of the amount of time you and I spend "on ourselves", doing only what we want to do, basically filling it with perpetual self fulfillment and 'fun stuff' - follow that road and have a think about where it leads to - a really good litmus test, is to review how much time and money you and I give away to others - like serving, community work, volunteering, helping)
2. Smarten up to our weaknesses and proclivities. Don't excuse them or give them the time of day. Walk away from that situation, or deal with it head on.
2.5 "Enjoy life with your wife whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun." (Ecclessiates 9: 8)
2.6 Pray, read the Bible, go to church.
Friday, October 12, 2012
GroundHog Day - The world looking for an answer
Hi Guys,
You may have seen the amass of advertising at bus stops and other places, with a picture of an asian man, with the caption asking "How happy are you?"
Of course, when a sign, has a question, you tend to read it to the full. It got me intriuged, but with suspicion.
Then this morning, the SMH had an article on this guy.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/happy-science-cashes-in-on-new-age-fears-in-sydney-20121012-27i6t.html
President Ryuho Okawa, of his self proclaimed religion: "The Happy Science" (http://www.happyscience.org.au/)
Fascinating. And here we go again, Ground Hog Day... supposedly he's the (self proclaimed) re-incarnation of Buddha.
He's written 500-900 books
He's got a political party in Japan
Here's a snippet of what his website has to say:
Happy Science was established in Tokyo, Japan in 1986 and rapidly growing today with 12 million members in more than 90 countries. Ryuho Okawa’s teachings of love and enlightenment are bringing the world together, and people of all races, nationalities and faiths are studying and uniting together in joy, in harmony and with deep-found respect for each other.
Haven't we been here before?
Wouldn't it be lovely if the world just "got on" and using Happiness mixed with Science (because science is the new 'fact based' religion right - even though science is constantly contradicting itself and updating itself daily) we can achieve that.
Hang on, here we have a "self professed" guy claiming may things (good for him) and starting a new "enlightened way" that in some ways encapsulates all faiths and preaches love, enlightenment (whatever that is), happiness and a new way to "salvation" (btw he has a book on salvation).
Jesus was the same, made many proclamations about himself, said there was a new way and preached stuff:
"I am the way truth and life, no one comes to the father but through me" (quite megalomaniac if you ask me)
"Anyone who isn't with me opposes me and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me" (pretty extreme isn't it?)
"For God loved you and I so much that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him will have eternal life"
"I have come to give life and life to the full"
Except Jesus actually did what he said he was going to do. He actually healed people, controlled the natural laws of nature and cast out demonic spirits, read peoples minds and knew their intimate pasts before meeting them. He also predicted the future and it has come to pass.
Jesus claims much about himself, in that case, he's either a liar, insane or who he says he is.
If it's true, Jesus is who he says he was, he's the son of God (and the only one at that). He died and rose again from death to pay the penalty of rebellion, to put right all the wrongs of the world, once and for all - the ultimate justice for every wrong. In a way, kind of comforting to know that all evils will have justice done.
In that case, if Happy Science is the new Way, then did God do a double take and rethink His plan, His philosophy His strategy? Whoops! Sorry earthly beings, I got it wrong, Happy Science is the new updated 2.0 version to life's answers.
But God says in the Bible, "heaven and earth may pass away but my words will not"
The great thing about Jesus and God, is that He doesn't change, his character, his word his power doesn't. Whereas Satan does a great job at using deception, science and new "Enlightened ways" to get man onto the path to self delusion.
Truth, is truth, it doesn't change. "I am the way, the truth and the life" "The truth will set you free"
Wether it's Eckhart Tolle, this Happy Science guy, David Koresh, Muhammad, Buddha, Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, whichever sage or teacher you want to point to, God didn't send Jesus to come and do his thing only to go later on in the history of the world and say "oops, I need to update my plan for people, let me contradict some or all of what my Son said, let me disassociate him as my Son and call him a teacher or prophet instead - sorry guys I got it wrong"
Ground Hog Day.... Don't be fooled guys, by Happy Science, even with all the beautiful words, imagery and all encompassing philosophy it seems to espouse.
Instead, love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength. And Love others as you love yourself. He who believes in Jesus will have everlasting life, to those who believe in Jesus, they will be called children of God.
You and I have God's spirit inside of us, we are a soul that happens to have a body. We have the spirit of life in our inner beings.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20090804zg.html
You may have seen the amass of advertising at bus stops and other places, with a picture of an asian man, with the caption asking "How happy are you?"
Of course, when a sign, has a question, you tend to read it to the full. It got me intriuged, but with suspicion.
Then this morning, the SMH had an article on this guy.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/happy-science-cashes-in-on-new-age-fears-in-sydney-20121012-27i6t.html
President Ryuho Okawa, of his self proclaimed religion: "The Happy Science" (http://www.happyscience.org.au/)
Fascinating. And here we go again, Ground Hog Day... supposedly he's the (self proclaimed) re-incarnation of Buddha.
He's written 500-900 books
He's got a political party in Japan
Here's a snippet of what his website has to say:
Happy Science was established in Tokyo, Japan in 1986 and rapidly growing today with 12 million members in more than 90 countries. Ryuho Okawa’s teachings of love and enlightenment are bringing the world together, and people of all races, nationalities and faiths are studying and uniting together in joy, in harmony and with deep-found respect for each other.
Happy Science is opening a bright future for the world.
Who am I? What is the purpose of life? Where do I come from and where am I going? At Happy Science, you will discover all the answers to these fundamental questions you have in your life
Haven't we been here before?
Wouldn't it be lovely if the world just "got on" and using Happiness mixed with Science (because science is the new 'fact based' religion right - even though science is constantly contradicting itself and updating itself daily) we can achieve that.
Hang on, here we have a "self professed" guy claiming may things (good for him) and starting a new "enlightened way" that in some ways encapsulates all faiths and preaches love, enlightenment (whatever that is), happiness and a new way to "salvation" (btw he has a book on salvation).
Jesus was the same, made many proclamations about himself, said there was a new way and preached stuff:
"I am the way truth and life, no one comes to the father but through me" (quite megalomaniac if you ask me)
"Anyone who isn't with me opposes me and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me" (pretty extreme isn't it?)
"For God loved you and I so much that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him will have eternal life"
"I have come to give life and life to the full"
Except Jesus actually did what he said he was going to do. He actually healed people, controlled the natural laws of nature and cast out demonic spirits, read peoples minds and knew their intimate pasts before meeting them. He also predicted the future and it has come to pass.
Jesus claims much about himself, in that case, he's either a liar, insane or who he says he is.
If it's true, Jesus is who he says he was, he's the son of God (and the only one at that). He died and rose again from death to pay the penalty of rebellion, to put right all the wrongs of the world, once and for all - the ultimate justice for every wrong. In a way, kind of comforting to know that all evils will have justice done.
In that case, if Happy Science is the new Way, then did God do a double take and rethink His plan, His philosophy His strategy? Whoops! Sorry earthly beings, I got it wrong, Happy Science is the new updated 2.0 version to life's answers.
But God says in the Bible, "heaven and earth may pass away but my words will not"
The great thing about Jesus and God, is that He doesn't change, his character, his word his power doesn't. Whereas Satan does a great job at using deception, science and new "Enlightened ways" to get man onto the path to self delusion.
Truth, is truth, it doesn't change. "I am the way, the truth and the life" "The truth will set you free"
Wether it's Eckhart Tolle, this Happy Science guy, David Koresh, Muhammad, Buddha, Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, whichever sage or teacher you want to point to, God didn't send Jesus to come and do his thing only to go later on in the history of the world and say "oops, I need to update my plan for people, let me contradict some or all of what my Son said, let me disassociate him as my Son and call him a teacher or prophet instead - sorry guys I got it wrong"
Ground Hog Day.... Don't be fooled guys, by Happy Science, even with all the beautiful words, imagery and all encompassing philosophy it seems to espouse.
Instead, love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength. And Love others as you love yourself. He who believes in Jesus will have everlasting life, to those who believe in Jesus, they will be called children of God.
You and I have God's spirit inside of us, we are a soul that happens to have a body. We have the spirit of life in our inner beings.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20090804zg.html
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