EPISODE 23: EASTER- THE DAY FOR 'TRANSFORMATION'

Today for Easter, as many people were away, Genesis held a 'cafe service', in casual informal meeting style at the church cafeteria, we all sat around tables, had coffee, discussion and worship.

Cafe service @ Genesis

The worship team that day was lined up like a cafe gig band and it was quite novel for me to have Sunday worship this way.

Later in the day, went with Leanne for worship ministry at another church which is new and holding its 1st meeting today: Transformation Community Church at Molendinar... interesting name. As the church is new with no worship team, we had been asked to help with worship there for 2 weeks, this week and the next. Leanne led worship and I backed her up on the keyboards.

Quite impressive for such a small church at pioneering level to have such sophisticated equipment at their place. Pastor Lynne Richardson was a very good organiser and she had everything pat down. The crowd were mostly non-believers but who were good friends of Lynne.

Here's a good example of God helping those who help themselves. You see, Lynne was a chaplain for the community there for many years. She had sown into it and done such a great job at it , gaining strong connections and respect there, so when she requested for government grants to build and buy facilities for this place, she had no problems at all as recognition of her efforts. And boy, such favour she reaped in getting access to equipment and resources - to even build an outdoor cafeteria and extra storerooms for the area + free access to the community centre! Amazing lady.

Pastor Lynne, myself & Leanne.

The church was at a community centre but it looked like a formal church with carpeting, LCD projector, sound equipment, keyboards, mikes, the works... She had great vision to transform the community, defying vandalism and graffiti attacks from hostile parties. Next week, we go back there again, and... Jordie won't mind. After all, he got 18 Easter eggs for his hunt today, a Moses movie and lots of friends, so a boy can't complain.

FORGIVENESS

Went for Good Friday service this morning at Genesis, (they have it mornings here, not evenings) and these words left an impression on me:

"TO DO GOOD FOR GOOD IS EASY

TO DO BAD FOR GOOD IS EVIL

TO DO BAD FOR BAD IS HUMAN

TO DO GOOD FOR BAD IS DIVINE.

So Lord, I do forgive those boys who did what they did yesterday and every person who had done me wrong in the past. Many times, I wanted to do take injustice into my own hands and scold these people into repentance. It seemed weak to just not do anything and let them off to repeat the same bad things they did to others. but today, I was reminded of what you went thru on the cross and that you, Lord of all persons, had more reasons to be angry and to hit back, but you did not - in your meekness was great strength, was great love.

So, I surrender it all back to you. ..the hurts, the angers, the disappointments, and thank you for all that you've done for me.

EPISODE 22: BOMBED

On the way back from school with Jordie, I saw some teenage boy cyclists hanging out near my neighbourhood. I was wondering why they were staring at me when suddenly, ...WHAM! I got hit by a water balloon. I stopped my car and got out and started yelling at them, and their 2nd shot flew in thru the door. Luckily Jordan caught it. I was so mad at them, stupid, reckless boys. They think it's so funny but could have caused a car accident. I hope they grow horrible pimples today- all of them, and get boycotted by girl company for the rest of their teenage lives.

HIJACK PLOT FOR EASTER

End of school term this week, Easter is around the corner. Everywhere I turn, I see eggs, chocolate eggs, bunnies, more eggs, gosh- it's like they are popping up with a vengeance. Major distraction manifesto time for easter ..

I do not get the significance of Good Friday at all over here. I think even in Malaysia & Singapore, this 'egg' disease may have spread in great proportions. The message of the cross has been hijacked by the chocolate confectionary business. Bunnies and eggs have been strategically placed at every corner of supermarkets and are considered must haves over here for Easter. If you didn't buy at least one for your child, you may be labelled a "meano cheapo". Oh well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so Jordan gets his easter eggs and his egghunt,.. but not without first understanding the true message of Good Friday & Easter. Jesus needs to take centre stage for this event,

We cannot lose the plot.

BROADBEACH

Weather was nice so, Jordie & me decided to head down the beach this Saturday for sand, breeze and some waves. BROADBEACH is the nearest one to my location, just 10 minutes' drive away. Gold Coast has lots of beautiful beaches and the sands here are one of the finest in Aussie. Jordan didn't exactly like fetching water from the waves to make his sand castles, he was scared silly of the water. He didn't like the froth on the waves..need to familiarise him to beach living, this city boy. The waves were rough that day, but people were still swimming in them. Halfway thru, the lifeguard patrol came and started shouting on the radio loudspeaker for them to clear off because the wave conditions were unsafe. So, everyone skedaddled outa there. They do a pretty good job at guarding everyone's safety.

...Some stayed behind still though, the ones who were tired of living. Those of us who were the good, well-behaved ones who want to keep on living- are on the sand, happily flinging it around... Just watching the skies and waves is relaxing, me alone with my thoughts and him with his sand.

Jordan also did some scootering on the pavements.

The beach facilities here are great, with lots of seats, parking spots, taps for washing off sand, drinking fountains, toilets.

ROBINA TOWN CENTRE STAGE 2 OPENING- BIGGER, PRETTIER & MORE

Yeah baby.. this is more like it! Now, this is what I call a real shopping centre. Robina Town Centre finally opened its new 2nd phase on April 2nd 2009, 2 days ago with a 900-seat food court, Australia's largest Big W, a second Woolworths, Queensland's largest Country Road store and more than 100 specialty retailers.

The architecture reminds me sorta like malls back in Malaysia/Singapore, more classy, with marbled floors and lotsa, lotsa shops. Lounges and comfy chairs for shoppers and very nice open spaces. $300 million they put into this new phase, it'd better be good. Variety is the name of the game and malls must give it to attract. Otherwise, no deal. So, yeah I'm pretty impressed- it's got something for everyone, what's missing? hmm.. how about a nice big playzone like those in 1 Utama so I can dump the kid there while I go shopping for hours?

Robina Town Centre houses some of Australia’s most exciting and iconic brands including Carla Zampatti, Oroton, Veronika Maine, Guess, Marcs, Mimco, Aldo, JAG, Ben Sherman, Diana Ferrari, L'Occitane and I like the new Borders bookstore with Gloria Jeans cafe attached which sits right above the food court. Noticed there are no escalators, just lifts and walkalators, easy facilities for the aged and disabled. Woolworths is just right next to the parking bays, so I think they really thought thru the convenience mechanics this time for shoppers. The final stage, which includes the redevelopment of The Promenade, the launch of the new cinemas and possibly a Myer, will be unveiled in the middle of 2009.

Robina is also home to the Gold Coast’s only David Jones store. You'll also find Target, Kmart, Coles, Woolworths and Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas- the old wing. At this point, it is already miles ahead of Pacific Fair, which is more old-fashioned and not as upbeat...and the best part is - I live just 5 minutes drive away from it!

Opening hours: --------------------------------------------

(M-F) 9am -5.30pm; except Thursdays when it closes at 9pm (Sundays) 10.30am-4pm