http://www.philbaker.net politics, economics, philosophy, theology, media, words, church growth, poetry, running, cooking and stuff en Copyright 2004 Riverview IT http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5440 Genesis 41&42, Jeremiah 5, Prov 5:1-6 http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5447 Just got back last night. Heather and I were invited by the Broome Christian Fellowship for a weekend conference..... However the fact that our 24th anniversary was on the tuesday made it a no-brainer to say yes we will come and, do you mind if we hand around for a few days????The bbq last night on the beach was fantastic as was warmth, quietness and of course romance... http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5439 Some viral marketing at its best - and from a rather unlikely source - ABC Radio Disclaimer: my employer. Check out the video below. ABC Radio will be broadcasting wall to wall Olympics starting Monday, but if youre inclined I will be taking to the airwaves online for a slightly more unique look at the day in sport with On the Pine. Details coming soon. http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5434 Genesis 39&40, Jeremiah 4, Prov 4v23-27 http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5433 Genesis 37&38, Jeremiah 3, Prov 4v20-22 http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5438 I had the opportunity to have lunch yesterday with World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello. Tim has quite the resume. He has been a solicitor, the Mayor of St. Kilda, local church pastor and president of the Baptist Union in Australia. Tims brother Peter has a pretty impressive resume too. He is the former Federal Treasurer and widely regarded as one of the most successful treasurers Australia has ever had this assessment varies somewhat depending upon your political persuasion of course! Former Prime Minister John Howard together with his treasurer Peter Costello dominated the Australian political landscape for more than a decade before losing at the last election. For those not in Australia, Peter Costello is currently being begged to take on leadership of the Liberal Party in the widely held belief he is the only person who can lead the Party to victory at the next election And so the question arises ... what kind of parents were Mr and Mrs Costello that one of their sons became World Vision CEO and the other became one of Australias most prominent politicians? Tim answered the question with the explanation: My parents are as puzzled as anyone! Infact, my mother said to me just the other day that people continually ask her how it was that two of her sons became so prominent in public life and she feels embarrassed because she doesnt know the answer herself! Costello said that his parents, both of whom were school teachers and committed Christians my own mother used to attend the Costellos home Bible Study in Melbourne had a few characteristics that he believed impacted him and his brother. 1. They Were People of Great Faith Tim Costellos mother spent two years in hospital in her early 20s with a serious heart complaint. The doctors told her not to marry as they did not expect her to live. But by faith, she married. The doctors advised her not to have children. But, by faith, she gave birth to boys who would lead World Vision and the Australian economy. This faith inspired and shaped the Costello boys as they grew. 2. They Ate Meals As a Family Tim says: I thought it was normal for families to sit at the dinner table and argue and discuss for two hours every night. Mum and Dad engaged us. We would sit and disect the Sunday sermon. Table talk would revolve around what was happening in the church as well as around the world. This encouraged he and his brother to think as well as to learn to articulate their thoughts. 3. They Turned the Car Into a Classroom During a holiday trip the car would be turned into a classroom, Tim said. My parents would always be asking us questions about things and we would debate issues back and forth. Family drives were never boring. They were actually times of great learning. http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5432 Luke 2, Jeremiah 2, Prov 4v16-19 http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5435 The Junky Car Club continues to gain momentum in the United States. Recently, my good friend and JCC President Mike Foster appeared on The Dave Ramsey Show on Fox to talk all things Junk Pride! Head over to the JCC website or to the Fox Business site if you want to watch the interview. http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5431 Luke 1, Jeremiah 1, Prov 4v10-15 http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5430 Romans 16, Ezra 10, Prov 4v3-9 http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5437 This is great - they should play it before every movie. http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5429 Genesis 35&36, Ezra 9, Prov 4:1-2 http://www.philbaker.net/blog/5427 I first encountered palyography in the early 80s when I read a book about Constantine Tischendorf. I was entranced, so whenever I am in London I try to go to the British Library and say hello to this most prized of codices.Now it is all online... Thanks Lance.