The Day I Met Tony Abbott

Have you ever met a Prime Minister?

I want to tell you my story of the day I met Tony Abbott, and what I said to him.

Though first, I remember the former Australian Government, and the time I shook the hand of the then Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the large foyer of Parliament House in Darwin. It was like getting a photo with Santa: A long line, lots of anticipation, a quick wry smile from Kevin '07, and then a slight drooping of the shoulders from my wife and I, as we realised, this was just a handshake and we were not going to be gifted with new toys or given an additional baby bonus. You could sense the body language of the Prime Minister: 'How long is this line, and how long am I going to have to stand here and shake the hands of people I don't even know?!' and 'How humid is it in Darwin?!'

I did also shake the hand of the Liberal Treasurer, Peter Costello, some years back. Again, it was a quick handshake, a smile and one sentence that made me feel good about myself.  I'm not sure what I have gained in life by such handshakes, but I digress.

The day I met Tony Abbott.

Well, what would you have said? Now, be nice. We have a growing dissatisfaction with politicians today (atleast in Australian culture, though I suggest it is not much different in other Western world contexts). The problem is we not only hold them to account, but we trample over their self-esteem and we yell at them like they're a piece of rubbish. Irrespective of your ideology, politicians should be treated with respect. That being said, what would you say?

If I had my chance again I would've asked him, how he would feel if he was fleeing violence from his country of origin, and was locked up in a jail in Nauru. Maybe I would've asked him to suggest that Christopher Pyne smile a little more. I could've asked him whether he was a little harsh on Julia Gillard during her time in office.

Though, the day I met Tony Abbott, this is what happened. Prime Minister Abbott asked if I had any thoughts on how to develop leaders.We spoke about leadership development for some time. I spoke about the importance of Emotional Intelligence and developing the capacity to deal with all sorts of criticism. I suggested the need to empower people, to develop just economic policies and tips on how to clearly articulate any future governmental policy decisions.

The problem was... This was a dream I had last night. We did in fact speak of such things, but only in the imagination of my pre-frontal cortext or whatever area my dreamy brain was using.

I do wonder though, if I did have a chance to meet another Australian Prime Minister, whether I would just shake a hand, and stand, curious and in awe of the office of the Prime Minister, or whether I would have the guts to ask something of significance that would be for the betterment of Australian culture.

God willing, one day I will have the chance.

Change the World - You can do it!

Back in January 2014, I outlined 10 ways to change the world. The list on how to change the world ranged from radically loving your neighbour, to sponsoring a child, to exhibiting hospitality.

I'm wrestling with a thought. Is it better to remain naive to the obstacles that exist for a grandiose vision and push to make a change, or is it best to outline all the barriers to achieving a grandiose vision, and run the risk of never ending up doing anything to fulfil it?

I have always said that I would rather aim for cloud nine and reach cloud five, than aim at nothing and reach it everytime.

Some people call me daft for doing such things. Though, was it not said in the Lord's Prayer, 'Let your kingdom come and your will be done'? Is that not one of the biggest dreams and visions you could ever have? If that kind of visioneering is fine with Jesus, it is fine with me.

We can change the world. 
 

I Have a Dream! Read the DREAM and listen to the PODCAST

On February 3rd, 2013, I shared this vision with the Craigieburn Salvation Army Community. I hope you are inspired to dream big when you read it:

I have a dream:
That the suicidal in our community will find Jesus will give them hope for living.

I have a dream:
That the depressed will find joy in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have a dream:
Every hurting person in our community will have an opportunity to respond to Jesus.

I have a dream:
That this church would be used of God to restore broken marriages and broken relationships.

I have a dream:
That family members will give their lives over to Jesus.

I have a dream:
That this church will help people find a deep sense of purpose and calling to live for Jesus Christ.

I have a dream:
That God working in miraculous ways through the people of this church, would be the norm and not the exception to the norm.

I have a dream:
That God will abundantly finance the work of His church, primarily through the people of this church.

I have a dream:
That every idle back-bencher will find their role in the life of this church to help fulfill this great mission.

I have a dream:
That every hurting person would find hope.

I have a dream:
That every person would understand their God ordained giftedness and would use their gifts and skills to honour God.

I have a dream:
That 'Blood and Fire' would not be some cute ideology tucked away on some Salvation Army flag somewhere, but that it would characterize the essence of The Salvation Army movement.

I have a dream:
That The Salvation Army would understand that the best days of the Army were not in the days of William and Catherine Booth, but the best days are actually still to come.

I have a dream:
That this church would powerfully and prophetically impact the wider body of Christ. Not just people in our community but the wider body of Christ right around Australia, if not the Globe.

I have a dream:
That Salvos 3064 will have people waiting in the foyer hoping they will find a seat in the second or third morning service.

I have a dream:
That prayer meetings would be overflowing with passionate people seeking after God's heart.

I have a dream:
That these last few weeks have not just been a nice start to 2013, but it is just the start of something more, what God wants to do in 2013.

 

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Listen to the "I have a dream" podcast below. The dream is near the end of the podcast. The middle of the podcast has a video playing in the background, which you will need to skip while listening.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

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