Alpha & Omega Ministries Apologetics Blog
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Something that Made Phil Johnson and Me Wince
08/26/2009 - James White
While in Australia Phil Johnson and I did what you are supposed to do when in another country: act like the natives. So, we watched the Ashes. I actually knew about the Ashes from my visits to the UK (where, back in 2005, England had finally won them back, only to lose them in 2007). My separated-at-birth brother Roger Brazier had patiently attempted to explain the game to me during a very long drive through London rush hour traffic a few years ago, but let's face it. You can't figure cricket out without watching it. So when I discovered the Ashes were being shown on television, I finally got to watch and learn. Phil helped.Well, one afternoon/evening we were both working on our MacBook Pros (ahemm) and the Ashes were on the telly. (Did you catch that?) That's when we saw the following. And from what I'm told, that ball is hard and unforgiving.
16:27:10 - Category: Personal - Link to this article -
Wrapping Up in Australia
08/23/2009 - James White
I completed my assignments at the Glory of the Atonement Conference at Grace Bible Church last evening. I had a wonderful time with the brethren here in Brisbane, despite my weakened voice (evidently, there are some things blooming here that my sinuses have never encountered before!). I am excited that we have already begun discussions about coming back, currently looking at New Zealand, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Might have to make that a two-tripper!Today is the only day I am not traveling, or speaking, during all ten days of this trip. I brought my riding gear and Scott and Dominic from the church took me riding up Mt. Cootha early in the morning. We got to the top at sunrise, as you can see in this pic from my BlackBerry. Humidity was 100%, hence the fog and haze. It is a very scenic spot, to be sure. Tricky riding back, though, as the poor Aussies drive on the wrong side of the road, so I had to keep thinking "left, left, left!"
I head home tomorrow. I will leave Tuesday morning, fly through darkness, and land in LA...before I left on Tuesday morning. An odd feeling, to be sure. Hopefully I will be sufficiently recovered by Thursday for a good edition of the Dividing Line. Lord willing, see you then!
16:54:29 - Category: Personal - Link to this article -
Greetings from Sydney!
08/15/2009 - James White
It is a beautiful 77 degrees here in Sydney right now, but where did Saturday go? Oh well, I'll get it back a week from Tuesday I suppose. In just a few hours I will be speaking on why sane people still believe in Jesus, which, given the secularism of Australia, seems an appropriate topic. I have gotten enough sleep, thankfully (5.5 solid hours on the plane, two more once I got here), so I should be fine.
Goodness things are expensive here! Even given the small difference in the Australian dollar and the US dollar, things add up quickly. I picked up half a gallon of milk to make some protein shakes to keep my food costs down, and just half a gallon was $6! Not sure how folks get by!
By the way, an unusual product recommendation for those who travel a good bit. I ran across a number of good reviews of the Jabra C820S noise-canceling headphones. I had been using ear buds, but they are hard to sleep in and don't do a real good job. I figured with this trip, and, Lord willing, London in February, it would be worth the investment, especially since they are much better priced than most of the other models, and the reviews were glowing. Well, when I get a chance, I will add my own glowing review! Very comfortable, and goodness, talk about quiet! One of the reasons I got that good 5.5 hours of solid sleep!
Tomorrow at noon I will be debating Abdullah Kunde at the University of Sydney. Please pray that a clear witness to the Gospel will be provided and that the Lord will glorify Himself in drawing sinners to Himself.
Also! I need to make sure folks are praying toward some great opportunities this fall, including a second debate with Dan Barker in the Portland area in September, and, as of just last week, Imam Shamsi Ali has agreed to debate "Jesus in the Bible and the Qur'an" in early November back in New York (exact date and location pending). I will be in Southern California at the end of October, and a few weeks earlier, ministering in Montana. We are working on a possible debate the first weekend in December in St. Louis, I'm teaching in San Francisco in January (GGBTS) and would love to arrange a debate up there before or after the class, and then praying that things will come together for another debates series in London in February!
Thanks to all who have helped to get me here, and please continue to pray for my health, for the ministry of the Word, for the support of the ministry (still some unmet needs on this trip!), for my family back home, and for the many opportunities coming up in the Fall!
21:58:41 - Category: Personal - Link to this article -
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