Mark Keown

Hey I am back. I had a nice break. The first part of it was a sensational walk around Lake Waikaremoana with my family and my wife's sisters family. What a wonderful experience. We tramped and kayaked around it. This was our second trip around the lake. We did it in 2001 and it rained with a cold southerly. Our kids were 12, 10 and 9 and they nearly got exposure on Panikiri mountain. That time, the weather forecast was perfect and it rained the whole time. This time the weather forecast was terrible but we had good conditions with a few showers and warm conditions! The highlight was the natural surroundings. The beauty of the natural environment cried out that there is a God. I reflected on Rom 1 and Paul's thoughts on the futility of worshiping the created rather than the creator, the ignorance of humanity in failing to recognise that there is a God from the natural order. His words penned in the mid50's AD stand true today. The glory of NZ's native bush and the lake r...

I have been away having a great break so there has been nothing new for a while. Here's ten predictions for 2007. 1. Australia wins Cricket World Cup (nothing strange here!). India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are the main threats. 2. Nadal wins French tennis open (I hope Federer can do it, but I think Nadal is too good on clay). 3. New Zealand wins Rugby World Cup (nothing strange here!). I do think NZ will be too good. I think the surprise will be England if Johnny Wilkinson is on the field. He is a great player and if he is fit will transform England. I do think NZ will be too good this time. 4. Federer wins everything else in tennis of any note! 5. Alonso defends Formula One title. 6. New Zealand regains the America's Cup! The NZ campaign has a great feel to it. The loss of Coutts may be fatal for Alinghi. 7. Tiger Woods wins 2 majors. Ernie Els and Mickleson win the other two. 8. New Zealand win the netball world cup by one goal in a nail biter with the Australians. Then half t...