http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn an Imaginary Diocese blog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:41:30 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I have just read the proofs of a great book on Islam, Christianity and some new atheism! An intriguing mixture.  My commendation is to go on the book's cover and has been sent to the publisher. I have accepted the invitation to launch the book next month and am looking forward to this privilege very ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/03/11/christianity-alongside-islam-commendation/ I received an email this afternoon from Tim Costello, Chief Executive of World Vision, regarding an assault on the World Vision office in Pakistan. This is what Tim wrote to his staff this morning, Colleagues, World Vision is today mourning the brutal and senseless deaths of six members of our staff in the Mansehra ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/03/11/assault-on-wv-pakistan-office/ Continuing on with Why Pray?, inspired by Ray Stedman’s book, Talking with My Father, Jesus Teaches on Prayer.  Read his book, here.   So, why pray? Because prayer transforms our life.  There is an old saying, “Seven days without prayer makes one weak.” Ray Stedman writes that prayer is to be our life and ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/03/10/why-pray-2/ Ray Stedman’s book, Talking with My Father, Jesus Teaches on Prayer, is worth the read to prepare for my Prayer Pilgrimage, People @ Prayer, commencing in 3 months time: read of where I am up to in my preparation here: Prayer Pilgrimage - Working draft.  Read Stedman's book, here. Martin Luther said, “I ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/03/03/why-pray-1/ The outpouring over the Prime Minister's 'mea culpa' for the home insulation debacle (does no-one in government anticipate the effects of the doctrine of sin?) is particularly noteworthy during Lent. The question being asked: Is the Prime Minister's apology sincere or calculated political 'spin'? Sadly, 'spin' seems to be the conclusion from the media ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/03/02/lenten-sincerity-or-spin/ A summer read with a bonus back cover full of colourful North West Anglicans in ministry. Articles: Parliament of World Religions From the Dean’s Desk Enabler Supported Ministry Barnabas column – Devonport Barnabas Column – Empty cans (are still being collected) A reflection Chinese Christmas celebration in Hobart Gifts to Indian Missions CMS Summerview CMS Small cross From Devonport Haiti Partnership ministry in Cambodia From the ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/03/01/tasmanian-anglican-february/ This year I will be doing a Prayer Pilgrimage around the Diocese. The theme is "People @ Prayer". The launch will be at Synod, end May. The actual Pilgrimage around Tasmania will be for the months of June and July. The calendar of visits is well advanced and as we ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/02/27/prayer-pilgrimage-working-draft/ The following is an extract from my article, The Parliament of World Religions: Exploring the possibility of friendship, in the Tasmanian Anglican - February 2010.  The Parliament of the World's Religions 2009 was held in Melbourne in early December and attended by 5000 people from most of the world' s religions. I ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/02/26/powr-exploring-possibility-of-friendship/ 25 February I attended the Annual Meeting for the 2009 year of World Vison Australia. Although it is over used, it has been a truly 'challenging year'. The full Annual Report and also by sections for convenience can be downloaded from here. The website gives an excellent insight into the diverse ways in which ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/02/26/world-vision-reports-on-2009/ It is essential that the law upholds the protection of life of every individual…..unless the right to life is respected, protected and promoted within our society…. we risk falling into social disintegration as the lives of some are deemed to be less worthy of protection than the lives of others.  Brendan ... http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2010/02/24/opposing-assisted-suicide-%e2%80%93%e2%80%98religious-push/