Bettercallpaul's Blog

Fortunately my father was humble. I think I got the impression that God must be kind and humble and non-judgemental too. Dad was always really pleased to see us come home. Like the Good Shepherd story or the Prodigal Son. I feel truly blessed to have had such a father.

Lord, please reassure me that I'm not talking to myself that I'm not insane that you are real that my attempts at prayer aren't a waste of time that this whole "Christian thing" is not a hoax that I wake up as you want people to wake up and move closer to the truth maybe we get carried away with...

I worshipped my older brothers when I was young. They could do no wrong. When they ridiculed me or found fault, I used to be devastated. It still hurts for me to think about it now. One would laugh at my lack of ability fix bicycles, another because I didn't tackle hard enough in rugby and...

Want to know my deepest fear? Or my Christian testimony? Why I'm a semi proud Australian? Why I feel guilty for not helping the poor? Why I'm not exactly rich anymore? Why I love my Protestant sibling? Why I'm one of the lucky ones? Why I didn't enjoy Church today? Why I spend so much time here?

Paul: What! How the Hell did you get in ? Nemesis: Well, fortunately God's love is broader than yours. Paul: But you were an argumentative, opinionated bully, who never took interest in anyone but himself. Nemesis: I was only like that around you. Other people found me quite humble. Paul: And...

Just kidding.That is the first step towards insanity. I'm a forum junkie. Just because I post on a Christian Forum, doesn't make me any better than any other forum junkie on any other forum on the Net. It is important to keep this in mind. I am just addicted to social networking and the...

The people you admire when you are young, put on a pedestal, turn out to be imperfect. One day you realise they are just human beings. That the unquestioning adulation you had for them was a mistake. You weren't smart enough to see through them. Not enough maturity. Suddenly you go the other...

A few years ago I worked in a Nursing Home for the severely disabled. I only lasted about 3 months. My job with colleagues was to bathe, shower, feed, attend to toileting needs, clothe, wheel around, get in and out of bed, and so on. It was a job I was neither skilled at nor enjoyed, to be...

I like relationships where you can have fights but still recover. You may have said words in the heat of the moment that you regret. But actually it is good to have that freedom to be angry in the heat of the moment, without the other taking it personally. I called a work colleague a "grumpy old...

Those priests and preachers who write homilies and sermons. They need to find a fresh way of saying the same thing. Otherwise we all fall asleep. Of course their enthusiasm or delivery is important. But I mean fresh vocab. and new insights. Interesting analogies. This is such an important area I...

I think God wants us to be tough and soft. Tough enough to bounce back each day from challenges and setbacks. Soft enough to notice another's pain. Tough enough to not take things personally Yet soft enough not to say an insensitive thing Tough enough to find an extra effort But soft enough not...

When we are in our twenties we feel immortal. There is no hint of death. I was a typically unhinged secular youth, looking for satisfaction in all its forms. My philosophy was: squeeze as much fun, as you can out of life, before you die. God is kinda boring, a party pooper. I was blissfully...

I view my future with trepidation. 2017 is likely to be my toughest financially. My savings are running out. I could look at this year as an opportunity for growth for a better relationship with God, to become a better person. But part of me feels that is all hollow. Sounds good but idealistic...

You could say I'm wasting time right now, writing this blog. Ok fair enough. I think my purpose in writing is to get past those dumb superficial thoughts that get in the way. And get to the gems. The golden thoughts. Ones not worn out by rumination. I am capable of loving others. Trouble is I...

I'm having a party tomorrow night. Everyone is invited. Everyone who has dwelt in my head for the past month. Past and present. Deceased or alive. Past workplaces, childhood, high school friends, parents, family, neighbours, strangers in bars, shop assistants, fellow travellers, celebs, novel...

Are you bored right now? Don't be. Because time is running out. Most of us don't realise until it is too late. Boredom is a luxury. If you are ever stuck in a dull moment, try to connect to the divine within. Do it before "the hour of our death, amen". I can see now my parents life was oh so...

The monster behind the wheel enters a main road. Speed limit says 70km. Not a km slow or fast. Exactly 70km an hour. How dare that guy cut in! Hey man, of all the nerve! Why cant everyone drive like me? Hang on now look that at this totoise. Let's see. Uh! Woman driver. Wouldn't you know it! And...

As Christians we might think we are spreading the Word of God. But are we in reality? It's like we've added our own filter to the truth. Because to my mind "the truth" is meant to be inaccessible. No human being owns the whole truth. Even the Pope. I think I'm spreading a kind of satirical...

Is it hard for you to believe that I might be quite shy in real life? Let's just say, when a confident speaker enters the room, I clam up. Yesterday for example. I swam a km at the local pool. Then I enter the sauna. Having a chat to a quiet chap I know. Then a third person enters the...

My perspective is no clearer nor worse than yours. My talents might be more marketable, yet your talents are hidden gems. This idea of equality. Yes, we are all equal in the eyes of God. But it is hard to be believe sometimes in this earthly life. Am I the equal of say Bill Gates , Freddy...