upside-down.

Happy Silly Season everybody.

prayer.

With world leaders gathering for the United Nations conference on Copenhagen this week, I feel it's appropriate to keep them and the conference in our prayers. A prayer for world leaders is also a prayer for the Earth.

Brian Mclaren and Tim Costello have put together a prayer for Christians (and beyond) to pray.

Most gracious God, creator of all good things, we thank you for planet Earth and all creatures that share it. Have mercy on us, Lord.

Through ignorance and carelessness we have poisoned clean air and pure water. For monetary gain we have reduced verdant forests to barren wastes. In our craving for more we have plundered your beloved creation and driven many of our fellow creatures to extinction. Only recently have we begun to realize the dangerous future into which our current patterns of consumption and waste are driving us, especially in relation to Earth’s climate. Only recently have we begun to see our need to find a wiser and better way of life in the future, before it is too late and our choices are limited by the consequences of inaction.

We who join in prayer today believe the time has come, Lord. Please guide us now, our God, at this critical moment in history, to better fulfill our role as stewards of this fragile planet. Guide the leaders of nations who (will) gather in Copenhagen (on Dec. 6). Give them courage to set noble goals that reach beyond short-range political expediency, short-term economic profit, and short-sighted self-interest. Impress upon their conscience our sacred duty to bequeath to our children and grandchildren a healthy and thriving environment rather than a world in climate crisis.

If our leaders fail, Lord, if they fail to take the necessary action, they will violate both our trust and your calling to use their power for the common good. If they fail, every person will be affected, including generations not yet born. Rouse us all to action, for we are all woven together in the fabric of creation.

This is the moment, God, when a great turning of hearts must begin. So through this prayer, we of many traditions who follow Christ — joined by friends and neighbors of many faiths — unite our hearts in a cry for change. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray in the name of Christ, through whom you have given yourself to the whole world in incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. Amen.

NO!

Last night when I was wondering the barren lands of the world wide web I came across this article titled 'Does the Cross mean "No"? .

It certainly was an interesting read by someone who seems to uphold the authority of scripture.

envious.

I was reading about a woman, who had adopted a no-impact lifestyle with her husband for a year and this is what she said in retrospect:

“What I realized was that so many of my rituals were so bad for me (my health), for us (our bank account and all the family time lost to my scurrying off to shop), and for the environment. What I learned from No Impact was that there is a steep cost to supporting all your stuff. To a life devoted to getting and having. In my days of high consumption, I'd been searching for something. It turned out that it was right in my own home.”

You can read the whole article here.

We’ve heard it said many times, that simplicity is important, but here it is in actuality. I’m incredibly envious. Such a life has the ability to recognise the connection that ought to with people, with the stuff in our trolley, the stuff our houses are made of, the stuff in the garden. That is truly inspiring simplicity.

Who wants in?

Check out noimpactproject.org

enemy.

Want to talk about loving enemies...

Watch this...



peace.

nh

prayers.

A friend sent me a link to the website of a faith community in Canada and I came across a list of prayers that are prayed in the community that went beyond ego and ethnocentricism (not sure if thats a word) yet still son intimatley involved and connected to the individuals and the community.

enjoy.

psalm.

Not sure how many still read this... sadly - i do.

This semester at uni, I'm doing a unit focussed around wisdom writings of hebrew scripture - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. It's fun!

Psalms are incredibly interesting, at the moment i'm absorbed with the humanity present in them. My traditional view of psalms as the 'ancient hebrew equivalent of contemporary church worship songs' is being challenged as I get to understand the role of poetry and liturgy in ancient near eastern context - I told you it was fun!

I am admittedly biased toward the laments. I like the idea that Brueggemann suggests, that they are the result of moving from a world of orientation where perhaps one might feel life is quite simple; God is king; I am righteous and God loves me - simple... to a world of disorder, where things are ambiguous; is God distant, or not present; there is pain and confusion resulting in the psalmist being quite paranoid about everyone out to get them or feeling as important as a worm - disoriented!

I like the laments - they're real, it's also nice to know (or at least assume) there are other depressed creative types out there.

To end on a happy note there is another movement from disorienation to the new orientation - which to me, says a lot about hope and the importance disorientation which takes us beyond living in a state of denial.

Hooray for laments! hrmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Watch this!

unshaved.

I was in the city today. Walking from the Oxfam shop to my car down hay street. I noticed a well dressed lady, presumably on her lunch break awkwardly stepping back from a conversation with a man. The man wasn’t well dressed, unshaved, obviously hadn’t had a shower recently. I was disgusted with my first reaction, to move to the opposite side of the walkway. I caught myself in this mindless reaction and then moved toward to the side closest to the gentleman.

He asked for some money - I only had change, so I stopped, gave him the change and then decided to have a conversation with him. Not long into the conversation he asked if I was Italian, to which I told him about my South African heritage. We talked for a little while about Cape Town, Table mountain and the cable cars. He told me his name please forgive me as I don’t remember it, possibly because it was a Jewish name. I told him my name, and told me he was a poor Jewish man, so he recognised it. We chatted a bit about the Old Testament and he rightfully corrected me and called it the Torah. He told me to remember one thing - that Jesus wasn’t a British man.

We wished each other well and ended the conversation, as I walked away it struck me - that I had just conversed with a poor Jewish man.

He kind of reminded me of another poor Jewish man.

I've never seen 'angels' - maybe i'm being presumptious, but I dont think I need to. My poor jewish friend is enough reality for me.

peace.

nh

peace.

nh

happiness.

For anyone interested, here's an article written by someone - perhaps a christian or even an anonymous one... who is finding happiness.

enjoy.

nh.

poet.

"The poet is the healer of language. A poet can carefully, gently, with dignity, return the word to its home. The poet can graft, gingerly bind the word back to its rightful place. Amazingly, what was prostituted and left for dead, comes to life, flourishes, grows!"

I found this quote on a blog post. Check out the rest of the post here.

peace.

nh

cultures.

watch this:



If it doesn't work here's the link http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/index.php?ct=store.details&pid=V00594

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.

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

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.

gospel.

There was this wise cracker named Jesus (I'm must mention he grew up in Capernaum which is very likely to mean 'village of Nahum') who came to proclaim the "good news" (gospel).

I'm interested - what do we think is the the gospel?

Can it be completely defined in a simple sentence, diagram or 5 minute altar call?

nh.

pilgrim.

One of our most common temptations is to turn the way into a place, to turn the adventure into a status, to trade the runway for the hangar, to turn the holy path into a sitting room - even if we call it a sanctuary. When a movement becomes an institution, those whose hearts call them to pilgrimage get restless. [McLaren 2007, 51; Finding Our Way Again]

A great example of the above would be the church around the 4th century, as it gained social acceptability. If you were privileged enough to be born within the Roman Empire, you would be considered a Christian. Many followers of Jesus left the comfort of the Empire and made their way into the desert to seek a life of more challenge. From this the monastic way was born. Throughout christian history people and movements have stirred the pot, shaken the status quo and reminded followers of Jesus that we're not called to a comfortable seat in a comfortable building, with a comfortable life, but we're called to a winding footpath into the depths of our collective humanity and brokeness proclaiming and living in the reality of the Kingdom of heaven, after the example set by our Master Jesus.

Isn't that what Christianity is about - following Jesus.

Or have I got the whole thing wrong?