lennon.

As soon as your born they make you feel small,
By giving you no time instead of it all,
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school,
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool,
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.

When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years,
Then they expect you to pick a career,
When you can't really function you're so full of fear,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.

Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV,
And you think you're so clever and classless and free,
But you're still fucking peasents as far as I can see,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.

There's room at the top they are telling you still,
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill,
A working class hero is something to be.
A working class hero is something to be.

If you want to be a hero well just follow me,
If you want to be a hero well just follow me.

shift.

St. Paul could be considered highly literate. His writing tends to reflect the “if/then” reasoning of an educated man. His revelation of Christ was also very ‘definite’ his experience could be considered very “dark/light”.

During the middle ages - prior to the printing press, Paul’s couldn’t be captured in stained-glass or art. The medium of art could really only capture iconic stories - like those found in the gospels. Only with the development of the printing press could theological ideas be clearly presented. Unfortunately as a result of the printing press, so too did our dependence on reason and the writings of John, Paul and Peter became the preferred texts. Anything that simple tells the story was of lesser value then writings that describe doctrine about Jesus. Matthew, Mark & Luke were narratives of Jesus rooted in the thought pattern of oral tradition.

To our relief the age of image is restoring the right brain preference for parable and story over theology and doctrine. Much of Evangelical Christianity seems to be shifting from doctrine of a believer in Christ, to ethics of a follower of Christ. Belief is something that happens in the mind, but following is what happens in daily life.

trees.

Nothing new - but this is just because i like video-art :)

crash.

Been thinking.

We contrast the economic crises with that of the ecological crises and ask “where do we need to put our attention?” My observations of the world (my own life included) is that we tend to consider the economy of primary concern, whilst God’s earth is continually being plundered and the world’s poorest are most likely suffering the most. I am no expert in political matters, in fact I do consider myself an idealist.

I think that both crises’ are a result of the same problem. The problem = us and the selfish decisions we make, and perhaps the only way to solve these huge issues is personal transformation. The kind of transformation that Jesus brings when he confronts our evil. I feel so addicted to ‘stuff’, I feel as though I’m a slave to so many things, to products, image, status, wealth. I’m a slave to the culture that says to be someone you must be this or that, you ought to have this or that.

shit.

consume, consume, consume.

Perhaps YHWH was trying to save us from something when he said ‘worship no graven image’?

Perhaps the destruction of the planet, economy and peoples livelihoods are a result wide road?

I’ve unapologetically devoted my life to trying to consume less and asking the big questions in the meantime. In no way have I pulled it all together - and you don't need to point out where I’m failing because I’m quite possibly aware of it. But if you’ve up far a challenge - that is only good for the soul, come along with me, if you haven’t already done so.

Have a look at this video.



Don't stress about accuracy on the minor details of what she's saying - but try to grasp the whole concept - And if you have faith, I ask how does this correlate to what it you believe??

peace.

nh.

showreel #1.

Thought i'd also abuse my readers by displaying some of my work.

Here are some videos I busted out for the 'ARTillery Youth Arts Festival' put on by my friends at Amnesty International WA

enjoy.





peace.

nh

another.

Just another video that I like.

green tip #3: reduce.

Houses, cars, entertainment systems, hungry jacks. The more and bigger our products get, so do the demands on the earth.

So do we really need most of the stuff we buy - including all the excess packaging?? Can what we consume be reduced?

Do we need to buy that burger on the way home can we wait and eat what we have at home?

Do 5 people need to drive 5 different cars to and from the same location?

Is it that incredibly important for us to leave our workspace computers on over night?

This is probably the most important tip when it comes to living sustainably - not to mention as a follower of Jesus. Doing all the little things may seem incredibly insignificant, but we all understand the equation [1+1+1+3+1+1+.2+7+1+1 = 17.2] Not only does the earth and others benefit, but how good is it for our souls? Definatley not out of line with what Jesus says about storing up treasures on earth (Matt 5:19-21)

• less waste.
• less pollution.
• lower carbon emissions.
• save our beloved dollar ;)
  

A few months ago I read a great book - Serve God, Save the Planet. It's about a guy who had a fantastic life and great job as the chief of medical staff in a large hospital. He was living the American dream, until through his patients he began to suspect the earth and it's inhabitants were in deep trouble. Him and his family turned to scriptural lessons or personal responsibility, simplicity and stewardship and since then sold their big home, gave away more than half of what they owned an adopted green principals for living. In the book Matthew Sleeth (the doctor) shares the absolute joy of adopting a healthier, less materialistic lifestyle which led to stronger relationships and a richer spiritual life. Brilliant book!

www.servegodsavetheplanet.org

paint.

I edited this one for the easter weekend at church.



i think there's a radical difference between art and commerce.

art is about creating, communicating, sharing.

it's honest, it's not always what you want to hear but expresses something of the artist's reality.

marketing can be these things too... but the goal isn't art - it's generally capital, product, pop-stars.

peace.

nh

chocolate.

It was last year, a week before Easter that I decided. I would not purchase chocolate that was not ethically produced.

I've heard different statistics but 30-40% of the world's chocolate is made from cocoa grown in the Cote d'Ivoire, on the east coast of Africa. Countless thousands of children have been trafficked into cocoa plantations who become slave labourers, not treated respectfully, underpaid and over worked.

not cool.

So this problem is beyond anything I can do. But I've decided not to purchase certain brands of chocolate, I've also contacted the companies and stay in tune with Stop the Traffick.

But I guess on another level it's been really good for the soul.

Almost like an ongoing lent or something.

I've learned the art of saying no to some things (yes I've screwed up too). I've learned to be a bit more creative and decisive and it feels as thought my world has gotten a little bigger.

If any of you want to walk My path, you're going to have to deny yourself. You'll have to deny yourself. You'll have to take up your cross everyday and follow Me. If you try to avoid danger and risk, then you'll lose everything. If you let go of your life and risk all for My sake, then your life will liberated, healed, made whole and full. Listen, what good does it do you if you gain everything - if the whole world is in your pocket - but then your own life slips through your fingers and is lost to you? [Luke 9:23-25]

Check out www.stopthetraffik.org.au/chocolate for more info and to find out what you can do to help.

peace.

nh

hosanna.

hello.

it's good friday and I don't have much to say. But I really really like this video.



if it doesn't work try this link:
http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/index.php?ct=store.details&pid=V00024

peace.

nh

troubled.

I guess I'd call myself a troubled-pacifist.

I'm currently reading a collection of essays on the Christian response to War. There are four different views presented and each view is critiqued by the others. The book has rekindled the thoughts in my mind about war and conflict.

This crazy Jewish man named Jesus tells me to love not just my neighbour, but my enemy. He speaks about renouncing our lives and possesions and following him - showing me the way to the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven or Eternal life. If i'm honest I'd say it's crystal clear, He is asking that we live a different way that brings about a new Kingdom not with violence, lies and domination, but through love, through service and through reconciliation.

I understand we have plenty of good conventional reasons for war - to protect our own country, our own people. But Jesus goes and spoils it all by saying stupid like "love your enemy". [And clearly he showed special favour for the people his society deemed as lesser people.] But it seems Jesus isn't about protecting one state or one people, but he's about bringing everybody into a reconciled relationship with the Father and with one another. That's quite revolutionary.

Martin Luther King Jnr philosphy for non-violence was expressed in 5 points.

1. Non-violent resistance is not a method for cowards. It takes more strength to stand for love than to strike back.
2. Such resistance does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win friendship and understanding.
3. The attack is directed against forces of evil, rather than against the people doing the evil.
4. Non-violent reisistance is a willingness to accept suffering without retaliation, to accept blows from the opponent without striking back.
5. This resistance avoids not only external physical force, but also internal violence of spirit.

I quite like this. This is just as much a challenge to a pacifist who thinks their shit don't stink, as it is to anyone else. It's about reconciliation, it's about defeating 'forces of evil' not people and it's not just about physical violence, but the same violence we commit in our hearts.

So yes I agree with this view. That we're about reconciliation not war.

But don't get me wrong.

Last night I watched the movie 'Australia'. And there was a scene where a white Aussie man 'Fletcher' was chasing a beating a young indigenous boy 'Nullah' and his mother - And in my heart I had anything by loving thoughts toward this man within this injustice. This is a kind of rage that I never ordinarily feel.

So I'm troubled.

But still believe in Jesus redemptive way.

help.