This blog space is sacred.

I mean, I spend hours pouring over exactly the wording and content of every single post just to make sure I honour the platform and influence that this little corner of the internet has given me.

37 readers, plus my Mum is not to be sneezed at.

So to use this blog to say a big Happy Birthday to someone should be considered an honour of such magnitude that it would make grown men weep, ladies swoon at the knees and grandfathers pin the medals of their youth on this blog post in gratitude and awe.

Happy Birthday Funny Man Dan.

He turns a year older today (not unusual an occurrence obviously), a year wiser (slightly more unusual) and a kilogram heavier (one can only assume upon imagining the food he will be consuming).

But to be serious for a moment:

• There is not a man on earth I would trust more to bring laughter to kids
• There is no greater writing partner of  scripts that connect with kids
• I have have seen no greater transformation from ‘crusty student bachelor man’ to responsible, loving husband/father
• He’s a man that goes above and beyond to ensure everyone feels included
• A man who’s revelation of Jesus guides everything he does
• A husband who makes the special celebrations very special (leaving approximately 3 days in the year that are normal)
• A father that puts the well being of his wife and kids (one still womb bound) a top priority

For those of you who know what planking is, the following image will create great amounts of external laughter and much merriment. For those of you who don’t then probably move on before you get sucked into a void of internet nonsensry and start looking at pages like this, or this, or find out what it is here.

Thank you small baby child for making my day

I hope that my boys get this pumped about learning a new skill.

What was the last new thing you learned?

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

So that’s what happened to them.

Oh yeah, more funny babies.

Seriously, when I was a kid I had to wait for funniest home videos to come on Sat nights to see ridiculous home movies!

Twin Baby boys have a conversation

When will the Z become ironic?

In 1987 a revolution happened. The Church of the Nazarene in Wynona, South Dakota changed the name of its children’s ministry to “Nazarene Xtreme Kidz” (perhaps alluding to the “Z” in Nazarene), they were following the lead of multiple youth ministries since the early 80′s to use the “Z” in place of an “S”. This seemingly insignificant event sparked a worldwide naming phenomenon with thousands of churches jumping on the great ‘Z’ bandwagon.

South African preschool’s, English after school programs, Australian sunday schools were proudly displaying their relevance to the world. And it continues to this day with “Z” prominently displayed on many a logo and clipart noticeboard around the world.

But I am still waiting.

You see most everything from the 70′s 80′s and 90′s has come back again as a cultural force. Flares, Midriff tank tops, Hula Hoops, Yo-Yo’s, George Bush, Rubix Cubes — even Michael Jackson was experiencing a resurgence towards the end of his life.

We take cultural influences from our past, and in bouts of nostalgia… reinvent them. Look for Hannah Montana in 2032 to make a comeback, mark my words.

But in order for something to return, even ironically (like a 30 year old hipster wearing a Knight Rider tee-shirt), it needs to go away.

And that’s the problem… Z never went away. It hung around like an Uncle who lost his job and is living in your basement.

So I wait. Wait for a death so I can experience a resurrection. For until I can name a children’s ministry – “Miraclez Sunshinez Kidz Ministriez” — and everyone gets the joke, I shall have no part of it.

P.S. Yes, much of this post is parody.

P.P.S. Please don’t make me specify which part.

P.P.S. The “Z” sensation was only eclipsed in significance and impact by the inclusion of the famous Comic Sans font in the release of Windows ’95, igniting a firestorm of imagination and whimsy in paper signs on the doors of preschools the world over.

Before Youtube, who knew there were so many babies that laughed uncontrollably at random things.

I am going to try this on my baby right now.

I honour of the beginning of another year of our awesome Bible College I present a few helpful pick up lines… only for use in second year

“We have to go to a restaurant now! Because I have been praying and fasting for you all my life!”

“There you are, I have finally found my rib!”

“I tithed today… want to help me spend my 90%”

“Do you need help carrying your Bible? It looks heavy.”

“Your name must be Grace, because you are amazing”

“I noticed you crying during altar call, can I help?”

“I’m an Arminian unless of course you believe we are destined to be together.”

“I see that hand… holding mine.”

“Man it’s hard getting up for quiet time at 5 every morning, do you think you could give me a ring everyday just to help my time with the Lord.”

**results not guaranteed.

I love Christian graphic design… just make sure that it all works together… or you might send the wrong message

I just found this while idly browsing through some Church sites… I don’t know anything about the conference, but what I do know is that they need a little work on their logo

Wiley Vs. Rhodes