19/20

Thats my first result for my first Bible College assignment! Im so happy! To get 19/20 has been a huge encouragement - I finally found something Im good at!! Anyway, it probably wont last for the next assignment!! EEK due this week, on the Pentateuch and Judaism!! aaahhh, I dont know much about them!

still shattered

I dont know whats wrong with me! Im still quite shaken up about Steve Irwins death. It is such a loss and I grieve for his wife. Im going to watch the interview with her tonight on Channel 9 8.30pm. I'll probably have tissues everywhere, and russell will come home to a panda bear, but I dont care. I still have tears in my eyes when I think of his family. *snif snif* to loose someone you love must be heart wrenching. It always makes me think what i would do if i ever lost russell or a family memeber. anyway, my sick dad sent me these pictures, some of them are funny and clever. I used to watch the crocodile hunter when i was about 6/7 with my brother and we always loved watching his adventures. this is my tribut blog :)

marriage article

I all this is a good read on how lightly marriage can be taken these days.

a religion of peace?

These are some photos i received via email of muslims marching through the streets of London. They are a little scary.

what the pope had to say

this is just a little info on the stuff going on with the pope, and here are a couple more links.
very interesting article. you should all read it.

not so wise

Want to know something that really makes my blood boil?
Old people who are so opposed to change that they would rather have church suited to them and compromise the salvation of the community around them.
Our church is currently having discussions about having a second service. We had a meeting on tues. night to discuss different possibilities. I was put in charge a few months ago to head up a small group to come up with different ideas. So you can understand how I feel when I see (majority)of older people turn up for this meeting and constantly talk about what THEY WANT for the service. It was like everyone was putting in their orders for what they would like to have in the new service.
There were a couple of comments that really got to me:
"I've had to older friends come to our church and say how great it is that we are so multi-generational" My response to that, "Oh, do you want me to stand up and give you a round of applause for that? Are you really that excited that we had christians join our church? I thought our aim was non-christians? You should be so proud of yourself that we are nicking christians from other churches!"
The second comment:
"What is so wrong with having a church service for ourselves?"
I just about shot out of my chair when I heard this. "Is that what Christ said to us when he ascended into heaven? Go and have fun in your little churches - dont worry about the nations!" NO!
Sorry if I am sounding really harsh, but I have had it up to here (for those of you who cant see, my hand is high above my head) with the older generation being so opposed to seeing the gospel spread in our communities. All I see these days is lip service. We are so quick to applaude ourselves that we have the 4 largest highschools around our church like its some big achievement! And yet we are doing NOTHING!
I see my husband working so hard, only to butt up against some strong stubborn people.
My biggest prayer is that I will never become complacent to a point that I no longer care.
You can tell me - its just young passion, you'll grow out of it. No, I never ever want to lose my conviction. It is Christ I am serving, and I never want to lose this passion.

those blasted green ants...

Yay it worked finally!!

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of bek... part 2

In 1994 my family moved to Perth. I remember my parents going to Perth to speak at a church, and then after a few months was asked how we ((he kids) felt about moving to Perth. Since I was a huge loner at school I was up for it, my bro wasn't too keen first off but soon came round, the younger two were too young to understand.
You may have noticed I referred to my siblings as "the kids", we all call each other "the kids" I still call them "the kids" it's just our name for us all because we're too lazy to refer to each other singularly.
I was about to turn 10, robbo had just turned 7, kate 5 and little druth, still in nappies. Growing up in Cairns, we spent most our time in undies and that's it, it was just sooo hot. We headed off in our car (van) on an adventure to a new place. I had never heard of WA! I was completely naive. Whenever I look back on Cairns, I miss it. Don't you ever look back at your childhood and wish you could go back? My backyard was my world! We had a massive Mango tree I used to climb with Robbo and we would take a spoon with us and eat all the mangoes we wanted – I can now no longer even handle the smell on mangoes, I claim I overdosed on them and haven't touched them since. We also had 2 mulberry trees which had big leaves that created a cubby house, 2 lemon trees and a couple coconut ones ( I think) In QLD they have what you call "green ants" they are nasty if you get bitten by them! But my brother and I used to bite their bums off and suck on them. They were a kinda sour taste. This also helped eliminate them!! (haha – evil laugh – our plan was to save the world from them) They create these huge nests from the leaves and when the whole nest gets on you, theres no stopping them! I was helping mum one arvo by picking a few lemons and I must've upset one to many ants because a whole nest got on me, in my eyes, biting all over. We had people over for dinner that night and I couldn't even open my eyes, I just cried and went to bed. Here's a couple of photos of the nasty critters…when they bite you, their little bums go up in the air. The nest in the photo is a small one.


Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. I guess I'm just putting in little stories as I remember them because I feel they explain who I am a little bit more. I was always in another world. I don't think people will ever grasp how much of an air-head I was. I still day-dream most of the day, and I have trouble communicating verbally a lot because my mind is always another step ahead. Russell gets so frustrated when I'm trying to explain things to him. They make sense to me, but for some reason he doesn't understand my way of thinking and this has been one of the things that has isolated me the majority of my life.
Actually-I want to have a small rant here. All my life people have called me 'PK' . You may have even called someone else this? I still get called it and I am 22, and I get called it from people who are even 40 and over. PEOPLE! You don't know how isolating this is to the people you call this. I was an isolated person as it was, but people had to make me even more isolated by naming me things based on my fathers job. DON'T DO IT! You honestly don't understand how words can take an effect on people. This isn't just with Pastors children, but anyone who maybe different to you. I don't understand how even people we call 'wise' in church, can name call to this extent. DON'T DO IT – if I catch you, you better watch out.
Well this is kinda long, so I'll end it here (but continue later) Sorry it wasn't really about my move to Perth, but it is still part of my journey.
To be continued…
p.s ive tried and tried and cant get these blasted green ant pics up for you, sorry!

my little bro HAD a wedding

tough guys - sean, brett, robbo, dru, and russell (doesnt he look so old with that beard?)


From left to right: Sean, best man, brett, robbo, dru, and russ


no its not an older sister! its my mum and robbo! isnt she beautiful?


from closest to screen, brett hall, robbo, dru (check out his wicked emo fringe!), my beloved - russell


Flower pins to go onto suits and family members


Boys waiting for wedding to start watching footy


Big bro (robbo) helping little bro (dru aka. druth)


This is robbo...my bro that I used to go on adventures with...now hes all grown up *snif*

Overview of Go! Reachout

This was a jam packed weekend! There was so much information that by Sat arvo my brain was ready to explode. Russell and I also left with a daughter, just to add to our clan. But more on that later...
It started Fri. night, and I had to go straight from work (not really too pleasant) however it was held in Wattle Grove, so Russ and I decided that we would just go home and sleep in our own bed rather than stay at the campsite (10-15m from our place). We had two speakers for the weekend, Phil Nicholson and Neville Stanway. Phil started off the weekend with a few stats, and a bit of info on the work he is doing in Taiwan. It was interesting stuff, but I dont think he is necessarily a good public speaker. The night had your typical worship (non-denominational which was good, not just hillsong stuff) and was lead by James Bryant (the drummer was pretty hot too ;)!!)
The next morning was lead by Neville Stanway (my old teacher) and it was amazing!! He has soo much passion for mission. He took us to 2 Samuel...I cant think off the top of my head, I havnt brought my notes with me to work :) But I remember thinking to myself, "How the heck is he going to get a mission talk out of this" Now, he didnt twist Scripture to suit what he was saying. He spoke of David and Goliath and how David fought with God on his side. That when we go into the mission field, we need to have God with us, rather than cowering like the Israelite army, but to be bold in Christ. I will have to post my notes, because it really was an amazing talk and something I have lacked to hear for a while. It was good to hear someone speak with passion and knowledge of Scripture again.
Oh, on the daughter front, Russ and I are now the proud parents of Reethu from India 9yrs and lots of potential. She is now the sister to Antoine in Rwanda.
*Small prayer point* Russell and I are praying and planning to go to India at the start of next year (we might get to meet our daughter) so please pray we will be guided into what God wants us to do.
I will post my notes for you all from Go! Reachout as it was a great conference, and I think there was something for everyone to take away. Go! Nextyear :)

past 42 hours

Hey guys!
Sorry I havnt posted in a while. On Tuesday, my beloved fell sick and by Wednesday I had it too, so I havnt been on here in a while. Sorry again!

Go! Reachout

Im off for the weekend with my man to the Go! Reachout camp. Should be pretty good, Im expecting big things! I love missions and one of the speakers they have used to be my year 7, 8 and 9 teacher at school....tcc's favourite Mr Stanway! All you ex-thornlie-ites will agree with me when I say, he was the best!
anyway, have a good weekend y'all!

Anxiously waiting

I have handed in my first assignment for Bible College. "Outline your understanding of the purpose, extent/scope, unity and historicity of the Old Testament" eeep....Im not sure how I went. I was doing it in between work hours, and I wish I could have put more time and thought into it. Im a little worried as the pass mark is 80% so Im not sure how I go, but heres hoping!!

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of bek...

Ive decided to chronicle a bit of my life. At the moment in my life I feel so misunderstood by people. Those people probably wont read this blogspot, but if I can get it out of my system, it might help me a bit.
The Basics…
I was born April 1984, the first of four to Rob & Karen Furlong in Brisbane, QLD. Mum and Dad were Pastoring in a small country town, Toogoolawah a few hours west (Im pretty sure) of Brisbane. This little town has one main street, with 3 pubs on it! Its a small quiet town, and this is where I spent the first 2 years of my life (lots of memories :) ). After that, my parents were called to Cairns Baptist Church in Far North QLD. This is where my 3 siblings were born. Dad was the associate pastor to Wes Caddy. Uncle Wes I grew to call him. He wore white cowboy boots to church, with short white shorts. (Those Qlders) Eventually Dad came to be Senior Pastor here and we stayed till 1994, until once again, my parents were called to WA. Thornlie Church of Christ. We (they) have been there ever since. I am currently at Bull Creek Church of Christ, and have been there since 2005. I met Russell late 2001, and we married in 2005.
Thats a basic run down of my life so far. You probably notice that the majority of it revolves around church. My faith is my life, I cannot separate the two.
So I dont really know where to begin in detail. How about I start with my earliest memory?
I must have been 3, and it was just after I had had a bath and my dad was teaching me how to put a singlet on by myself. My little brother had just arrived, Robert James, and we soon became the best of friends. My fondest memories of my childhood involve my brother. We used to be adventurers. Climbing trees, creating our own make-believe worlds, and constantly on an adventure.
I was always in another world. Even though I did well at school, I was ALWAYS daydreaming.
I remember one instance when I was in Year 2, I hadnt been paying much attention and my teacher was asking us to tell her different words that sound the same but are spelt different and have a different meaning. Some of the kids were saying "their, there, they're". I remember putting my hand up and saying "Sunshine". My teacher was a little puzzled and I went on to explain that my Mum called my brother Sunshine, and that it was also a word for 'the' Sunshine. She told me to stop being silly and continued with class. I distinctly remember being confused as to what I had done wrong, I thought I had given a good answer! I was an absolute dag in primary school (still was in High). My undies never had elastic in them and they would always fall down when I played jump rope. I would purposely try and make bruises on my legs so I could go to the office and get betadine put on because I like the look of it. I was top of my class in Reading/English – I was on Grade 3 work in Grade 1. I spent my 'little recess' and 'big recess' in the school Library, and eventually lost myself in books. I didnt have many friends and I was a bit of a rebel/crazy kid at Girls Brigade. I was pretty much a normal kid (not that Russell would agree). I had a few quirks, but who doesnt?
Next chapter: The BIG move...

To dunk or not to dunk

Last night in my small group the topic came up about church membership. One of our fellows decided one sunday to "tick the box" for church membership.
He has come from an Anglican church background, and was baptised when he was 6. He received a phone call from our pastor about the membership and was asked whether he had had an "emergent" baptism. (where your dunked under water). He said "no" but if thats something I have to do, then I'll do it.
He was asking our group what we thought. The discussion that followed was very interesting. Isn't baptism something of the heart? Isnt is something that you make in your christian journey, and not something you have to do to become a member? I asked him about when he was baptised at 6. His father was the Anglican Priest at his church and wouldnt baptise him until he understood what it meant. It wasnt a sprinkling it was liked cupped over his head. Thats the best way I can describe it.
We all sort of decided that he shouldn't be baptised again if he felt that he had already made that public commitment. But here is where it gets tricky. Because he came from another denomination, does his baptism count? Do we recognise other peoples/denominations way of doing things? I personally dont believe he should have to be baptised again if he feels that he already publically announced Christ when he was 6. I also don't believe that he should therefore NOT be allowed to become a member because the Church's "constitution" says it has to be an emergent baptism.
The constitution at Church says that Bull Creek members have to be Emergent baptised
(sorry if Im using or spelling emergent wrong). Does that then mean, that if someone was baptised in a different way other than that, not allowed to become a member? What if someone came from another country, didnt have a baptismal, or a bath, and they had to baptise themselves (has happened in some countries) or whatever the circumstance. Would we not accept them?
The next problem I have is, if someone wants to become a member but is not ready for baptism, are they then not allowed to become members? I dont think anyone should be allowed to tell another person when they have to be baptised. It is a personal decision. One of the girls in our small group described it really well. She said it's like marriage. You don't commit to the person on the wedding day. It is a whole process through the engagement. In the end, the ceremony on the day is your public display of committment.
There are so many for's and against's. The line can get blurry. It is also hard when a constitution puts the two things (membership and baptism) in the same sentence. It should probably be, "Here at Bull Creek we baptise this way...".
I am interested to see what different people think on these issues.
Have fun!