In the tradition of The Bulletin, The Week covers mainly politics, current affairs, culture, arts and a small section on People News (i.e. posh talk for celebrity gossip). About 50% of the news is international, with lots of stories that don’t get heaps of coverage in the Australian media. There is a small section on Travel and Property, but nowhere near the amount you would find in broadsheet newspapers or other magazines.

However, the best thing about The Week is what it’s not. The Week does not do its own stories or reporting. It doesn’t have any writers. Instead, it summarises articles and stories for major publications around Australia and the world. 

So for example, the opening spread in the magazine features three or four topical issues (e.g. the US election) and goes through what was reported, what the commentators said, what the predictions are for the future, etc, in an easy-to-read table format. It also has articles which read a little like “politics for dummies” - explaining all the terms you hear people throw around, but are too embarassed to ask what they mean.

I think The Week is ideal for:

* News junkies who trawl through various sites and publications to get their news;

* People who don’t have time to read heaps of news and just want one publication which summarises everything for them - nice and lazy;

* People who want to sound smart with minimal effort;

* Ministers and college students. From what I hear, there isn’t much time in between readings, assignments and church commitments to keep up to date with the world and current affairs. That’s tough. But if we are to reach out to this world, it’s good to know what is going on. Here’s an easy way to do it. It only costs $5 and you can read it on the train while going home, so there’s no excuse

It bothers me because she can’t seem to do anything right. If she wears something expensive, they say she’s not “down to earth” enough. If she doesn’t wear something trendy, they make really nasty comments. For goodness sake, she’s a successful lawyer, mother of two and now wife to the President of the United States…isn’t that enough? Why does she have to be the next Jackie O? She’s her own person. I think she’s got a little more to concern herself with than worrying about which designer outfit to wear.

It also bothers me because no one criticises what men wear. It’s this old double standard that says while men are judged by their abilities and substance, while women are judged by their demeanor and looks.

It’s so irritating.

Each day, I think of three things I’m looking forward to in the day. They’re often really small things - seemingly mundane events that just make the day bright. Yesterday it was eating my very tasty sandwich, starting interviews for a story I’m feeling a bit daunted by and going to dance class with Christine. Today it’s getting my hair cut, giving my brother Nic a tasty sandwich (he’s currently doing his design internship at my company and has been buying KFC for lunch every day - yuck) and reading Grazia on the way home.

If this revelation makes my life sound depressing at the moment, I assure you it’s not. But sometimes you hit that point in the year where work is a grind, routine is tiring and the sweet scent of holidays beckon. I am dying for a break - not for the relaxation factor, but for the break from the tyranny of routine.

However, as I was reading Don Carson’s How Long Oh Lord this morning, I realised there may be a better way than looking to the very (very) short term.

“Christians ought to be developing a kind of homesickness for heaven. Some want to warn us against being so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. I suppose that is possible, but I haven’t found anyone like that yet. Puffed up piety and sentimental religion can make one think much of heaven and love no one down here, but those who are genuinely heavenly minded have the highest incentive to serve well here: they are laying up treasure in heaven.

Preaching and teaching that do not constantly make heaven the Christian’s hope and goal are not only unfaithful to the Scriptures, but rob believers of one of the most important perspectives for helping them to cope with pressure here and now…if they displace a robust Christian faith that deals with guilt, suffering, values, faith , fidelity, hope, mercy, truth, righteousness, justice, forgiveness and much more on biblical grounds, we have squandered our birthright for a mess of pottage.

Read 1 Peter and ask yourself if they accurately reflect your own values. Does Peter summarise what you really think and feel?”

But who wants to talk about exams? On to the good stuff! Some exciting news. Guthers, Matt, and myself are now the proud owners of a BBQ roaster. We picked it up about a fortnight ago, and now have roasted a few times. Our first roast was a disaster (unless charcoal is your thing - we forgot to start the timer!) but Fridays roast was great. We did one kilo of Harar, and I think it’ll be pretty tasty. We got first crack about 10 mins, second just on 14 mins, and they came out nice and even. We’re still getting the hang of getting the beans out quickly and onto a fan to cool, but practice will make perfect.

Once we get into the swing of it, we may even offer some of it up for sale. Probably around the $6.50 for 250g mark, and of course we’d offer a Moore College or student discount. Would you be interested in buying? Here’s the roaster in action!

* Work has been crazy, with twice the workload I’m used to and less time to do it (at the moment, I’m writing a 2,000 feature due 9am tomorrow). Things unfortunately won’t settle down until mid-December.

* Sam started some casual barista work today, which we are so thankful to God for. However, he has 4:45am starts, which means he sleeps early and fits study around it. Please pray he’ll get time to prepare for his exams.

* Going to two services on Sunday (morning church to lead Crossfire) then back to work on Monday is starting to really wear me down physically. Oh I miss my student days! Sam and I knew this would happen when we took on Crossfire, so it was a willing, joyful sacrifice. Our pastor has also been really kind about the whole thing, letting us know we could pull out if things got too much. But praise God that he gave us energy to get through the year! I’m tired, but so glad it happened in November when things are winding up, not June when we would have had to replace ourselves.

* And for some reason, I seem to be doing a lot of things for church at the moment. I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, it’s just the way the cards have fallen. Currently, I’m supposed to be playing drums, leading Crossfire, organising supper, helping Andre with a DVD project, plus getting ready to run a seminar and a few other things at the Women’s Weekend away. I could use a holiday!

If you are studying Hebrew, and the verb table is worrying you, here are my two tips. Work hardest on your Qatal and Yiqtol sections. From those two paradigms you can generate a huge proportion of the rest of the table. Qatal is easy - the vowels just follow the name of the type you are aiming to generate. Yiqtol is a little more complicated, but I’ve put together a table you can use to memorise each stem’s peculiarities. Click here to download it if you want it.

I’ve been thinking a lot about adoption lately. Sam and I would like to adopt if we aren’t able to have children of my own, but the operative word is always “if”, the assumption being that having biological children is somehow better. I never thought about how adoption is a wonderful way to love someone the way God loved us. Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians:

In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

Adopting a child is difficult and very expensive in Australia. That’s a problem, I think.