Chivalry…are you dead?

Published on August 31, 2010 at 1:34 am filed neatly in Love and Thoughts.

Love Gives Me Hope!I saw this image on my favorite website of the moment (Love Gives me Hope) and it made me think about our generation, then just me. I thought about why this man would have done that and I realised it’s because he loved her so much, and he knew from a young age that the way to show love to a women is by serving her, by allowing her to be beautiful and lady like. He knew that the way to care for his wife was to take the blow for her, to strain his body in the hope that it keeps her healthier, for longer, so that all the days of his life are filled with her.

Do we have that anymore? Will the generation of dudes I grow up with have these qualities? Lets face it, we’re the generation that invented the word “Luv” to kinda scale that commitment back a little bit. We’re the generation that expects girls to melt when we text them “143″…so are we gonna be the generation of boys that would happily choose saving ourselves over taking a bullet for our love?

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Why our political situation ain’t so bad…

Published on August 23, 2010 at 4:59 pm filed neatly in God and Politics.

I’m not that wise, I don’t really understand that much, but I know the people to talk to, I know the opinions to value and I now know that we are in a really good situation politically.

Now, I’ve tried to avoid specifics in my writing to this point, but lets face it, they can’t be avoided anymore so lets give this a shot. Many Christians were 100% backing our boy Tony Abbott across the line for a number of reasons, particularly her backstabbing of KRudd, her heavy invovlment in the pro-abortion labor faction “Emily’s List” and her lack of value for families and non-beleif in God. However, even at this point if Ms. Gillard manages to hold the position of Prime Minister things are not even close to as bad as we had expected, and here’s why…

Family Values and Abortion

Julia Gillard made an awesome pledge to school chaplaincy that will see an extra 1000 chaplains employed, she sees the awesome value in this program, and for that I’m so thankful, it is nothing but an answer to prayer. We WILL hold Julia accountable to seeing this pledge through, as well as non-secularisation of the current system.

Despite the contract she signed saying that she will bring abortion in, with near 50% of the house of reps being LNP kids, and not all the labor reps being abortion supporters she has little to know chance of actually getting anywhere when it comes to passing this. You’ll find this same issue will come up with any anti-family/christian policy she tries to pull.

The Greens

Furthermore the Greens in the senate, and their rep in the house of representitives will also be wonderful news for foreign aid, my hope is that these guys continue to push for foreign aid, while there anti-family policies get drowned out by the major parties. Foreign aid is a big issue, boats are not.

Boat People

Tony Abbott has chosen a shocking choice of words by saying “stop the boats” – this makes it sound like he has a problem with those seeking assylum when in actual fact he has a problem with the DANGEROUS, SELFISH and GREEDY practice of people trafficing on dangerous boats, many of which probably don’t make it across the ocean. Naroo is a REAL solution to this dangerous practice, that sees assylum seekers using humane methods as a pose to the exceptionally inhumane methods these people trafficers are using.

One Final Word…

If we go back to the polls because no stable goverment is formed…if you’re voting purely on the Labor stimulus package, spend a bit of time doing some resarch on this with key econimists – Australia’s economy was sped up thanks to the stimulus, but it actually do much more then slow down the recivership of some companies. The fact is our markets are tied up more with Asia, and we weren’t nearly as heavily affected by the GFC as the US or Europe. If you don’t believe me do a bit of research on this, looking at various unbiast sources. It’s not a guess, it’s a fact.

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Happy Election Day – My Bonner Results!

Published on August 21, 2010 at 1:36 am filed neatly in Uncategorized.

I did a pretty large post on what I really cared about this election in my previous post, the issue I focused on was beautifully resolved by both parties throwing amazing support behind what I believe is a very important issue in Australia.

However, for Bonner residents I wanted to share the responses I got to my identical emails to each of the candidates via the email addresses listed at http://www.aec.gov.au/election/qld/bonner.htm

Here’s the results…
Utz Wellner from DLP – Supporter of Chaplaincy, on the side he is also PRO LIFE. He replied to my email within a matter of hours.

Ross Vasta from LNP – Called me the day following the email sending, he informed we that he was part of the government that set up the National Chaplaincy Funding, he is very keen to see this program continue as is. He also informed me that he is pro life on all issues, including abortion – he has a track record of this as it is with stem cell research voting in the senate.

No one else responded. We had SIX candidates and only TWO of them cared about my vote. This is disgusting, especially from Kerry Rea (ALP) who I recently met at a function I was MCing. During my journey I further learnt that she in fact DOES NOT LIVE within the electorate of Bonner, and never has during her term of government (even though she promised if elected in 07 she’d move). She lives, in fact, some two electorates away. She doesn’t respond to emails, and doesn’t live in the electorate…is she even my MP, or someone just enjoying a weekly paycheck?

Now, I’ll be fair. I asked about abortion also – Kerry IS a member of the pro-abortion faction in labor Emily’s List, perhaps this is why she didn’t respond to my email. Still, to me this suggests she doesn’t believe her position enough to tell me it’s her position…what’s that about? I know of Labor candidates emailed about this chaplaincy issue before Julia Gillard’s announcement who simply said they didn’t know the party stance, then sent an updated email when the announcement was made, so where the heck was my elected member? Where the heck was Kerry Rea?

Happy Election Day, Bonner. If you want someone who lives in our electorate, has a track record on getting things done and who actually is happy to talk to you about what YOU want today is the day that you put Mr. Ross Vasta BACK in.

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I want to tell you something I really care about…

Published on August 4, 2010 at 4:24 am filed neatly in Politics.

Is it okay if I talk about politics? Not debate politics, just talk. More appropriately, is it okay if I share something important to me regarding the upcoming federal election? The thing is I’ve read a lot on Facebook in the last week or two about this election, a lot of uninspired stuff. Stuff that doesn’t affect the people saying it, and it’s obvious, not just in how they’re saying it, but also in how they often say “I don’t really care” or “it doesn’t affect me.” I’ve also been left uninspired by the belief that simply insulting someone is enough of a reason to justify not voting for them, but I guess that’s what election spin is all about. The point is, I’m unsure weather as a Gen Y/Z I’m actually allowed to speak about something that weighs on my heart in this election, or whether I’m simply meant to have overbearing comment on issues that cause public controversy, but mean nothing to me.

School Chaplains. In my eyes they are the unsung heros of our schools, and for the purposes of this blog, our state schools. Now before I lose too much interest I wanna just put out there that Chaplains may not, and do not force any religion on any student, furthermore they do not ever discriminate based on race, religion or background. This is evident amongst students at state schools as shown in the Chaplaincy Effectiveness study conducted last year, available from Chappy.org.au. This study concludes that “In most schools, students indicated that in their own dealings with the chaplain, it did not matter what religious faith they had, or whether they had any at all. Most students felt that the chaplain was there to assist students whatever their background.”

Chaplains roles in both primary and high schools is defined in it’s simplest form as a bridge between students and teachers, and students and parents. Basically they function to be a mate to students, someone they can talk big issues over with, or just chill with. Someone who is simply at the school to look out for them, or be a friend when you feel rejected or lonely. Visiting around 30-40 public high schools a year it’s always awesome seeing students of all social standings excitedly high fiving the “Chappy” and furthermore sharing personal connection “Are you coaching basketball this Friday Chappy?”  ”When are we doing pancake breakfast next?” or even “Did you manage to see Home and Away last night!?!” These guys are mighty popular.

Sooo why do students need more friends? Don’t they have enough at school? Well lets dive deeper into their role. Every Chappy I’ve met has different roles that custom fit the school they work in, but some of the more popular stuff includes

  1. Free weekly/monthly breakfast – the stats on kids going to school on an empty stomach are HUGE, some schools report well over 90%. I did this for much of 10, 11 and 12 mostly out of laziness, but majority of these young people do not have an opportunity for a home breakfast.
  2. Putting together programs for at risk young people, as well as programs to help lift the school environment and culture.
  3. Making young people realise how special they are (We’ll go through this in a tick)
  4. Talking out life’s big problems – parents divorcing, boyfriend cheating, maths teacher hates me, best friends all pay me our and reject me, big mistakes I made on the weekend… Take a look at Summer Heights High – the Australian TV Mocumentry to refresh your mind on how challenging high school can be.

Now, my heart truly beats for teenagers, I see the world they are growing up in, I see the pressure to drink, to look “hot”, to experiment with drugs, to have sex. I see that it’s not right. If you try to tell me I’m a sheltered Christian who doesn’t want to move forward then please, please humour me and listen to my story. Less then a month ago I was hanging with a Brisbane Chaplain when I was told the story of a group of 13 year old girls, the popular girls, who loved talking to their chaplain, they started talking about sex, and who’s sexually active in their grade, the group all were, so was apparently 50% of their grade. “Why?” asked a now very concerned chappy, to which she got a very matter-of-fact “Chappy, you can’t keep a man if you don’t give him sex!” Don’t you dare tell me that’s ok. Don’t you dare tell me that society hasn’t got a lot to answer for because of that one line. Our Chappys are on the front line letting these amazing girls know how amazing they are, how beautiful they are, how clever they are, how valuable they are, and slowly letting them know that if you need to give a boy physical satisfaction to keep him, he’s no good for you.

One of my friends is a student teacher, she told me a cracker story of a student in grade 2 telling her to “go f*** herself.” I’m sure this child is ignored and cast away by most teachers, and maybe parents aren’t doing so great…but the Chappy will hang out with them, be their friend, a positive light.

Did you know the anxiety levels of today’s teenagers are as high as the levels of teenagers who would have been admitted to hospital for anxiety in the 60s?
How awkward is it in the car when you drive past a big billboard asking if you want longer lasting sex and your 7 year old cousin reads it out loud and wants to know what it means?
How shattering is walking in on your 4 year old niece imitating Katy Perry’s latest video clip on V?

Who’s going to support this generation when they are old enough to be out on their own? What results will this have if these amazing young people aren’t supported?

Scott, Why are you banging on about this?

Glad you asked. At present the Federal Government has NOT committed to funding the chaplaincy program beyond 2011. Despite completly positive reviews from Students, Staff, Teachers & Parents, Secular and Religious (proof can be obtained here), and, honestly, a society that NEEDS this support system in our schools. For the record The Coalition HAVE committed to continued funding until at least 2014. Kevin Rudd did make a similar promise, which has since been revoked.

Anyway, lets not make this a right vs. left debate. Do something practical, if you agree that this is something that MUST be dealt with, or if you feel passionately about an issue relating to this election go to this website http://apps.aec.gov.au/esearch/ find your electorate then click on “More information about the electorate of …” Here you will find each of your candidates for the upcoming election, including their contact details. Go through each one, sending a quick email or phone call casually asking their opinion on the issue you’ve proposed. Let them know it means a lot to you, and why. It doesn’t need to be a well structured essay, simply a personal email. Vote for the person that best supports your view, and then if they get in, call them, visit them, email them – put the pressure on them to push for what you want.

The point is – you can do more then join funny facebook pages about Julia’s red hair, you can do more then debate about Tony’s speedos, you can do more then weigh in on facebook comment wars. You can become informed, and you can influence real change, and be part of real democracy.

For the record – I live in Bonner, Eastern Brisbane. I have emailed each of my candidates and will update this post with their responses. If you too get details on your electorates stance on Chaplaincy funding please post it in the comments below.

Thanks for reading this, I hope it was the right thing to do…

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The truth about “the priest” status…

Published on July 2, 2010 at 4:09 am filed neatly in God and Love.

Sunday the 27th of June, around 8pm my Facebook status updated to “thinks that he is feeling called to join the catholic priesthood.” This would go on to attract some 37 Facebook interactions, numerous phone calls and absolutely hilarious moments at work, but what was said behind my back broke my heart…

I’m going to be honest and say that all intelligent parts of me are screaming “don’t post this” but I’m furious, and, to be honest, shattered. I don’t think I’ve been this hurt in a really long time. So before I dive into this, let me qualify one thing…the idea of priesthood has and until I’m shown my vocation, will always be a real viable option for me, but did Sundays gospel make it abundantly clear to me, no.

At the time I was at Kookaburra Cafe with about 12 other people, one of whom grabbed my phone and updated my status, and answered comments. You will notice I never replied again after some five minutes since the initial post, simply because I didn’t create the mess, and I had no will to clean it up. Was it hilarious? Heck yes. Would I have done it to this person give the chance? Most definitely? Does it make us feel bad that people responded genuinely? Very much so. To those who left honest comments, and said honest prayers for my discernment, thanks. I really do appreciate that. For those who feel cheated by this status, sorry. I actually am.

This is no good, and I could apologise much more sincerely then I just did, but I want to do that in person the reason for this blog is not to do with the iphone break in, or the lovely comments, or even the hilarious phone calls, but it’s to do with people who shouldn’t be able to read that status.

In the last two years my life has changed dramatically, we’ve spoken about this before, I now live my life solely for the will of God, to use a cliche I have laid my life down at the altar, and everything I do, I do for Jesus. I have an incredible relationship with Jesus, that’s not to say I’m alright, I am indeed very broken, I lie, I brag and I gossip amongst other things that are not great, but I’m trying.

Some people have put this change down to chasing girls, some people have said it was the only option I had, others think it’s all for a job, and others, as I have just found out think that it’s all attention seeking. Wow.

Throughout the week a few people have told me about negative criticism that people have said about that status update on Sunday night, and sadly a resoundingly huge number of them have called it attention seeking, which is fine, whatever, I love the spotlight, but tonight it broke my heart.

Tonight I found out that people I believed to be my closest, best friends had decided that this status was attention seeking, a desperate cry for attention.

I actually don’t know what to say past that sentence. Some of these people I trusted with so much, some of these people had burnt me in the past and I couldn’t expect much more from. Some of these people were people I’d bend over backwards for because of how much I love them. I hate being vulnerable, I mean, I get to be the funny guy, the fun guy, the MC, the organiser, the preacher so much, like I have a pretty solid radio show, that gets me some pretty sic perks. I like to portray the image that I am “it” that I have it all perfect, and I hate to let people see that in some places people don’t like or respect me…but I don’t know what else to do, my heart is shattered.

I mean growing up I was a horrible person, I relate to Relient K’s song Who I am hates who I’ve been more then any other song I know, and so I don’t blame people for not wanting to be friends with me, and I realise that outside the people who actually know me now a lot of people probably still think I’m the same person, after all, I’m loud, I update Facebook a lot and I love the spotlight, so with these things not much has changed, but then look beyond that, look at my Christian friends and I like to think most of them would tell you of the heart I have for God, the desire I have for better respect to flow through our young people.

Sadly, I think tonight I realised the differences in the friendship groups I have, I realised that those people that God makes me hang around with all the time are the people who I need to grow with, because those other “friends” seem to resent everything I am.

I have the most amazing set of Christian friends, from all over the place. Thank you for challenging me, for keeping me grounded. For doing life with me, authentically. For proving day after day that losing your life to Jesus is not about kneeling or being bored, but is about adventure, late nights at Max Brenner and shooting things.

I want to talk to you, right now, those who said it was all attention seeking, those who knew pre-2008 Scott, who I now understand don’t actually know me at all. In Kim Walker’s version of How He Loves she makes a prayer in which she says “The love of God changes us, and we’re never the same after we encounter the love of God.” I’ve been blessed to have an encounter that changed me, that’s why as you sat there gossiping about how horrible I am, 20 something other people glorified God for my possible discernment.

I love you guys so much, like seriously, with all my heart. I am truly sorry that I have hurt you all so that you talk so horribly about me behind my back. Every day I think about how cool it’d be to hang out with you guys, so it stings a little that you think the opposite. It stings a lot more that the few of you I get to talk to regularly were just as quick to say the things you did. It stings even more that it wasn’t just me targeted, that other people commenting got the silver bullet.

I think what’s ironic is now I have been challenged by something in last Sunday’s gospel.

“No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

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Ignite Conference 2010

Published on May 30, 2010 at 4:04 pm filed neatly in Video.

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Scott’s thoughts in under 60 seconds: I’m a like a dog

Published on May 27, 2010 at 3:20 am filed neatly in Video.

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I should warn you, I’m a bit weird.

Published on May 21, 2010 at 3:52 am filed neatly in Love.

Tom Chambers – A journalist in San Diego wrote this killer blog on 5 things you should know before you date a journalist (language warning). Every Journo I know loves this list, and I’ll admit I feel deeply for it too, but it got me thinking about people who work in media, or more accurately, people with outgoing, creative personalities in environments and the things you should know before considering sharing life with them…

Basically I’m writing a list of “Things you should know before you date me,” but to make it seem a little less arrogant that I would think such a list needs to exist (after all, how else will I dwindle the list of girls chasing me…right? Mum?) lets make it a list for Enneagram type 7s, especially radio announcing type 7s (psychological people shouldn’t point out my mistakes).

I should probably point out that I suspect Tom was frustrated at a specific girl when he wrote his, truth is I’m not, in fact none of this attacks any special girls from my life, more people a few steps away who make comment on how I live.

  1. We Can figure things out Tom got this one right, but I reckon I get this from another angle. Tom focuses on how much PR spin we get, emails and phone calls everyday beating stories to be the size of a mountain, when they barely take up room inside a cutlery drawer. I reckon my gift for figuring things out is because this is what we are masters at – not getting to the bottom of the truth, but telling a good story, without facts getting in the way. We know when what you’re saying isn’t the full truth because you’re doing what we do when we are trying to tell an impressive story to an audience, we know the usual crutches, we know the right amount of detail to include and exclude, and worst of all we know the exact questions that will trip you up if this stories coming from the fiction section.
  2. At some point you will be a topic This is something that I wish was addressed in a blog years ago. Again, thanks Tom. I love the classic scene in Anchorman where Ron Burgundy announces his relationship with Veronica at the end of the news. The thing is we share the most exciting, interesting parts of our life with our audience, anyone who regularly hangs with me knows that any funny things that happen to us, any funny or stupid thing one of us says or does is fair game for radio talkly talk. I really think that the fact that you are that significant to me that I want to share you, that I want to introduce you to my audience is an honor, and asking me not to do it makes me feel sad, it makes me feel like you don’t want the stories we share together to be shared, that they aren’t something you’re proud to have other people knowing about.
  3. I’m not flirting with other girls remember how you couldn’t figure out I liked you for ages? God has gifted me at being a master of communicating, I love playing with people, imagine me as a kitten and people are balls of string. They are fun, they are exciting. No, I don’t mean this in a “playing with people’s heads” kind of way, but in a “you’re fun, lets been fun together” kind of way. I don’t see other girls as being potential partners, the truth is when I’m happy and healthy the thought of anyone else is dumb to me, why would I waste time with you if I wanted other girls? (rhetorical question, it’s how we think) besides I’d hate to hurt you. I love to know how people work, I’m not afraid of getting close to people. When it comes to having a thing for somebody most extroverted types can be read like a book, me, not so much. I know what people are looking for, so I don’t like to give it away. Does it look like I’m flirting with some random girl? Do those photos on facebook make you double take? Well I promise you she’s of no more dating interest to me then my mother.
  4. I’m not moody, but slow and fast change quickly essentially I’m happy and want to be having fun 100% of the time, but I also get exhausted at times. Thing is, in my exhaustian I continue to fight my brain screaming “STOP!!! SLEEP!!!” and try to have fun, it might give the impression that I need a mood ring, trust me, I’m happy.
  5. Please ignore the negatives, I like you a lot, maybe I love you, and I just want to have fun wow, that title somes it up. I’m a leader by nature, but I won’t die if you decide to take the reigns and lead the fun, in fact most of the time I love it, just make sure you at least pretend to give me options. I like to feel like I’m in control and free. There’s nothing that will make me happier then you be independent, but at the same time recognising I’m a big part of your life, and ABOVE ALL, can we have fun please? Lots of adventures, lots of fun, and not just doing things, but having FUN and enjoying each others company while doing it.
  6. All I talk about is work because, well, I love what I’m doing. Distract me if you want, but remember I believe I’m doing the job that EVERYONE else wants.

That was fun! Maybe I’ll do more one day? Cool. Good idea.

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Girls are funny man

Published on May 19, 2010 at 5:19 pm filed neatly in Thoughts.

Whats the deal with girls? Why is it that good girls get attracted to guys who can’t treat them right. Jerks. While dudes who just want a chance to show how awesome they are stand rejected on the sidelines.

Nah, forget that question. Why am I a jerk?

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I’m broken inside

Published on May 17, 2010 at 6:06 pm filed neatly in God and Music.

These last 9 days I’ve be opened to seeing myself as the least desirable person possible. You see I have an amazing life, in fact, to some people it’s closer to perfect then I even dreamed of. I’m involved in some of the most amazing ministries in Australia, I love my God, and have an incredible relationship with him, and I’m planted well in amongst a group of people who bring me closer to God with every conversation, but as Sanctus Real sing “I’m broken inside”

For me this couldn’t be more true, the simple fact is I’m not even a little bit alright, I’m very broken inside. This breakage is something I’ve wanted to escape for years, literally, years, I hated doing it, and I knew it was ruining so much of who I could be, but the simple thing is weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of. I prayed a lot about this weakness, and I have to admit I was consistently disappointed by how it didn’t seem to help, that the problem would just get better or worse without rhyme or reason, yet deep inside I clung to the knowledge that Jesus had this one worked out. I’m glad I did.

Around 9 days ago Jesus through some fuel on the fire to end the issue, so much fuel in fact that it seems to have incinerated the issue into an ash that is long gone, but it left a very strong smell of potential consequence, in fact a smell so strong that it disabled my thinking for about 8 days, I was scared, very scared, cause the truth of how broken I am would make me the other guy, I believed the guy NOBODY likes.

As I sit hear at 4.00am, after some amazing experiences over the weekend I do honestly believe that the whole thing is over now, that God HAS performed a miracle in my life, and while I’m sure this issue will raise worries with me in future, and I would REALLY dig your prayers that my future is clear of it, I genuinely have God’s nod that it’s gone.

But 8 or so days without that sense changed everything.

I realised how quick I was to judge so many people, how quick I was to type cast people, and say that “because they did this, they must think or act this way” when in actual fact if I thought that way about myself I’d have been lead to believe that I wanted to bring harm to a group of people I love beyond measure, a group of people I want to keep safe and prosper.

I think we need prayer for two things, 1. Our weakness, our brokeness and 2. For the way society portrays different people, particularly those with weakness we don’t understand.

Lord Jesus, I just want to thank you for coming into my life, for taking my hand and pulling me out of this deep ugly hole. Lord Jesus, we just pray that you would take our weakness, that you would rescue as from that and Lord God your grace would save us from the consequence of our brokeness, as only your mercy, love & grace can.
Father God, when your son was on earth he spent so much time with those people that society looked down on as the losers, the outcast, the failures and the damagers. He loved them, he didn’t condem them. Lord God I pray that you pass that love and knowledge to us, so that when we see situations, when we hear stories that we would not judge, nor question, we would not come to our own conclusions, but rather love, and pray that each person would have a personal encounter with you and your spirit.
In Jesus wonderful name we pray.
Amen

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