Yeah, im slack, I know. Just I dont know, I finished exams and went Blaaaeerrgh blah diddity blah and all of a sudden I hadnt added in a month,
Anyway, Merry Christmas, God Bless you all. Hope you ahve fun with frieneds and family and get cool stuff.
Monday, December 25
Wednesday, December 6
Homosexuality
So what do we think about this big and usually intense issue? Are people born gay? Do people become gay? Is the church to closed to gay people? Is our government right to not recognise their relationships legally? does 'God hate fags'?
What does the bible say? I know at some point someone will post verses from leviticus. That's fine, it saves me searching for them, but what ELSE does the bible have to say?
There is so much in the media about these issues. What should Christians think. I'll wager a can of coke now that we are going to have some vastly polar opinions.
Do we make general sexual sin a separate topic or combine it into this one?
What does the bible say? I know at some point someone will post verses from leviticus. That's fine, it saves me searching for them, but what ELSE does the bible have to say?
There is so much in the media about these issues. What should Christians think. I'll wager a can of coke now that we are going to have some vastly polar opinions.
Do we make general sexual sin a separate topic or combine it into this one?
Wednesday, November 15
The Big Questions: Marriage
Dave and I have realised that so many of us don't really have well though out, biblical, or informed opinions on some pretty weighty topics. So we're going to be posting on both of our blogs about them, lookng for opinions, facts, and bible verses relating to the big questions. In Peter 3.15 we are told to be prepared to give an answer - always - but so often these things aren't talked about in churches. When they are, it is usually very one sided, and doesnt allow for real world influences.
Weigh in to these. Argue, inform. make your opinion known. be willing to change your opinion. Learn, so that next time someone asks believer or not, you have a balanced, thought out answer. Also, be willing to give us more questions to pose. We want to go deeper, people. Check em out, here and at http://dave-punk-emo.blogspot.com/
To get us started: Is Marriage still relevant?
Do we still encourage marriage in today's society? Is it still the right way, or not culturally relevant? Is Commitment enough? Should there be marriage for christians and something else for others? Should it be harder to get married than it currently is? (currently all you need to do is apply for a license and wait 28 days)
Weigh in to these. Argue, inform. make your opinion known. be willing to change your opinion. Learn, so that next time someone asks believer or not, you have a balanced, thought out answer. Also, be willing to give us more questions to pose. We want to go deeper, people. Check em out, here and at http://dave-punk-emo.blogspot.com/
To get us started: Is Marriage still relevant?
Do we still encourage marriage in today's society? Is it still the right way, or not culturally relevant? Is Commitment enough? Should there be marriage for christians and something else for others? Should it be harder to get married than it currently is? (currently all you need to do is apply for a license and wait 28 days)
Monday, November 13
Well its been a little while
Sorry guys, I know its been a while. I vowed not to touch this thing while Ive been doing exams and was afraid of what Mia might do to me if I broke that.
Also, I have been launching myself toward becoming the trendiest, coolest person around. Rather than just thinking about children, I got on board and did whats fashionable - I adopted an african child - a five year old boy. His parents both died of AIDS in Ghana when he was only a few weeks old, and he;s been living in an orphanage in pretty crappy conditions. I've named him Nokia. Me and Nokia are getting along great - he loves coming out and hitting bars with me late nights. You should see him down a milk shot. Yeah, there's been a few tussles with the paparazzi (damn paparazzi), oh and keep an eye out for me on an upcoming 'celebrities uncensored' where I yell a few 'effing this' and 'arse that's before exposing myself. After a period in rehab, I plan on adopting a little sister for Nokia from southeast Asia - she'll be called Boston.
Also, Nokia and I are appearing at the 'make poverty history' concert next week in Melbourne. I've been invited by Bono because I'm so influential in the circles of 20 something Sydneysiders. I can see where he's coming from - basically I'm not that different from the average 20-something; I'm socially involved, politically ambiguous, and culturally aware. i hang around cool bars, I drink Chai Latte's, I drink foreign Lagers. I wear all the right clothes, the right coloured wristbands (At the moment Pink Breast Cancer is out, so is Yellow Livestrong. Brown Movember, White MakePovertyHistory and Black Roadtoll are all in). Ive got a brsitling Mo, and I listen to the right music.
That's right, I'm cool. but whats makes me cooler is my love for other people. I don't just wear the gear - I raise the money, I raise the profile. I live the life. Coupled with my minor celebrity-ness and my adopted african child, I'm now taking my message to a global stage. Melbourne here I come.
Okay, I'm not a minor celebrity, and I havent adopted an African Child. Although I'd like to one day, I won;t be naming him Nokia. I will however be in Melbourne next week for the MakePovertyHistory day, and the u2 Conert. Hello to all my frinds from Melbourne. Make Poverty History People, get behind it and make your voice heard.
Also, I have been launching myself toward becoming the trendiest, coolest person around. Rather than just thinking about children, I got on board and did whats fashionable - I adopted an african child - a five year old boy. His parents both died of AIDS in Ghana when he was only a few weeks old, and he;s been living in an orphanage in pretty crappy conditions. I've named him Nokia. Me and Nokia are getting along great - he loves coming out and hitting bars with me late nights. You should see him down a milk shot. Yeah, there's been a few tussles with the paparazzi (damn paparazzi), oh and keep an eye out for me on an upcoming 'celebrities uncensored' where I yell a few 'effing this' and 'arse that's before exposing myself. After a period in rehab, I plan on adopting a little sister for Nokia from southeast Asia - she'll be called Boston.
Also, Nokia and I are appearing at the 'make poverty history' concert next week in Melbourne. I've been invited by Bono because I'm so influential in the circles of 20 something Sydneysiders. I can see where he's coming from - basically I'm not that different from the average 20-something; I'm socially involved, politically ambiguous, and culturally aware. i hang around cool bars, I drink Chai Latte's, I drink foreign Lagers. I wear all the right clothes, the right coloured wristbands (At the moment Pink Breast Cancer is out, so is Yellow Livestrong. Brown Movember, White MakePovertyHistory and Black Roadtoll are all in). Ive got a brsitling Mo, and I listen to the right music.
That's right, I'm cool. but whats makes me cooler is my love for other people. I don't just wear the gear - I raise the money, I raise the profile. I live the life. Coupled with my minor celebrity-ness and my adopted african child, I'm now taking my message to a global stage. Melbourne here I come.
Okay, I'm not a minor celebrity, and I havent adopted an African Child. Although I'd like to one day, I won;t be naming him Nokia. I will however be in Melbourne next week for the MakePovertyHistory day, and the u2 Conert. Hello to all my frinds from Melbourne. Make Poverty History People, get behind it and make your voice heard.
Monday, October 23
Poem/thoughts
Standing, waiting. People pass me by.
Some rush, some pause. They all move on. none really see.
But I'm yelling. I'm Waving. I'm calling out in the middle of a crowded room
Somehow, though, Ive never been so alone. Even here, noone sees me.
__
Im speaking words already written. Rehearsed? The lines of play.
and I wonder, am I just a character, a part? I cant shake the feeling that Ive been here before.
That ive seen this before. That ive heard it before.
I know, already, how it ends. Can I change it? or do I just go through the motions?
Perhaps it is an act. Perhaps this is another performance.
No Matter,
I take the stage.
Some rush, some pause. They all move on. none really see.
But I'm yelling. I'm Waving. I'm calling out in the middle of a crowded room
Somehow, though, Ive never been so alone. Even here, noone sees me.
__
Im speaking words already written. Rehearsed? The lines of play.
and I wonder, am I just a character, a part? I cant shake the feeling that Ive been here before.
That ive seen this before. That ive heard it before.
I know, already, how it ends. Can I change it? or do I just go through the motions?
Perhaps it is an act. Perhaps this is another performance.
No Matter,
I take the stage.
Friday, October 20
How deeply does our role in the church permeate our life?
Roles in the Church today vs. Roles in the Church in the past vs. Roles in the Temple
Last night Roy (Wikicrawler) and I were talking over some bad McDonalds cheeseburgers, and we got into the subject of the role of the church. We wondered how deeply it permeates our existence as Christians today, and more importantly, how much should it?
2000 years ago, the temple ruled society. Those who were respected in the temple, were those who were respected in the community. Those who had the authority to teach in the temple, were also those who instructed in life. Jesus first got involved in temple discussions when he was 12 (hey that’s 2000 years ago now, in theory) and we can assume that by the time he was 30 and began his ministry, he already held a fair level of respect in the temple society. That would mean he had for a long time been teaching in the temple, as well as instructing others outside of the temple walls. This is in addition to his work as a carpenter. Jesus was the initial missionary, roaming from place to place, serving, healing and teaching. Even in this time though, our records in the gospels show large gaps (like, months long) where it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Jesus was still doing his usual thing. Jews in that era had their own lives outside the temple, but because temple integrated into most parts of their culture, it really was involved with most parts of their life.
As the church grew in power, from around 400ad to 1950, it was still very much the same. The Church took the place of the temple in society, but the effect was much the same. The church leaders were also respected public figures. The church still set the agenda for most political and social agenda. People had jobs and lives outside of the church, but they were still very linked.
We live in a world now where the church reflects a small part of our large, globally linked community. Some Christians have shed the shackles of this powerless church to immerse themselves in society. Church no longer wields the power or easily affects the rest of our life. You could run into one in a pub and their actions and language wouldn’t necessarily tell you that they were a Christian. You'd have to listen to the content of what they said. Then there's some people that unknowingly scream 'Christian' whenever they enter the room; Conservatively dressed, visibly shocked when they hear a swear word, the kind of people who work for a Christian company, only buy books at Christian bookstores, only listen to Christian music and radiostations, only eat at Christian restaurants, and only hang out with Christian friends. You'd think that would be hard in a society that can be so un-Christian, but they manage it. Some people believe that it isn’t right to take a job if you cant specifically serve within that job. Others believe that their Christianity isn’t part of their work life, working in some business or political positions that have little ethical value at all.
I don't think either extreme is right - in general, I don't think extremes are good at all. Where do you think the best middle ground lays today? What parts of our lives should be thrown open to the world? How much should our Christianity seep into life?
Last night Roy (Wikicrawler) and I were talking over some bad McDonalds cheeseburgers, and we got into the subject of the role of the church. We wondered how deeply it permeates our existence as Christians today, and more importantly, how much should it?
2000 years ago, the temple ruled society. Those who were respected in the temple, were those who were respected in the community. Those who had the authority to teach in the temple, were also those who instructed in life. Jesus first got involved in temple discussions when he was 12 (hey that’s 2000 years ago now, in theory) and we can assume that by the time he was 30 and began his ministry, he already held a fair level of respect in the temple society. That would mean he had for a long time been teaching in the temple, as well as instructing others outside of the temple walls. This is in addition to his work as a carpenter. Jesus was the initial missionary, roaming from place to place, serving, healing and teaching. Even in this time though, our records in the gospels show large gaps (like, months long) where it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Jesus was still doing his usual thing. Jews in that era had their own lives outside the temple, but because temple integrated into most parts of their culture, it really was involved with most parts of their life.
As the church grew in power, from around 400ad to 1950, it was still very much the same. The Church took the place of the temple in society, but the effect was much the same. The church leaders were also respected public figures. The church still set the agenda for most political and social agenda. People had jobs and lives outside of the church, but they were still very linked.
We live in a world now where the church reflects a small part of our large, globally linked community. Some Christians have shed the shackles of this powerless church to immerse themselves in society. Church no longer wields the power or easily affects the rest of our life. You could run into one in a pub and their actions and language wouldn’t necessarily tell you that they were a Christian. You'd have to listen to the content of what they said. Then there's some people that unknowingly scream 'Christian' whenever they enter the room; Conservatively dressed, visibly shocked when they hear a swear word, the kind of people who work for a Christian company, only buy books at Christian bookstores, only listen to Christian music and radiostations, only eat at Christian restaurants, and only hang out with Christian friends. You'd think that would be hard in a society that can be so un-Christian, but they manage it. Some people believe that it isn’t right to take a job if you cant specifically serve within that job. Others believe that their Christianity isn’t part of their work life, working in some business or political positions that have little ethical value at all.
I don't think either extreme is right - in general, I don't think extremes are good at all. Where do you think the best middle ground lays today? What parts of our lives should be thrown open to the world? How much should our Christianity seep into life?
Thursday, October 19
An observation about counselling female girls.
Call this a rant, a venting, call it creative genius. Thanks Dr Seuss.
"As I go about what I call my work,
I recently disovered a strange little quirk.
I cannot explain it, I cannot tell why,
But with no clear reason, girls seem to cry.
They cry with their friends, they cry all alone,
They cry over email, sms and the phone.
They cry even if they don't know what its about,
And when it dawns what it its, more tears pour out.
They cry in the morning, they cry in the night,
They cry during peace, the cry in a fight.
They cry when they've lost and they cry when they've won,
This weight on my shoulders feels like it's a tonne.
Our water shortage could be just a crank,
For tears they are shedding could fill up a tank.
They cry for all problems, both big and small,
sometimes they cry for nothing at all.
They cry when they're hurt, they cry when contented,
They cry when it's cruisy, They cry when tormented.
They cry when insulted, and when complimented,
This crazy behaviour seem somewhat demented.
They cry when they're happy, they cry when the're sad,
They cry when they're bitter or moody or mad.
They cry but we love them, all that they do,
But dont let them know - that'll bring tears too."
"As I go about what I call my work,
I recently disovered a strange little quirk.
I cannot explain it, I cannot tell why,
But with no clear reason, girls seem to cry.
They cry with their friends, they cry all alone,
They cry over email, sms and the phone.
They cry even if they don't know what its about,
And when it dawns what it its, more tears pour out.
They cry in the morning, they cry in the night,
They cry during peace, the cry in a fight.
They cry when they've lost and they cry when they've won,
This weight on my shoulders feels like it's a tonne.
Our water shortage could be just a crank,
For tears they are shedding could fill up a tank.
They cry for all problems, both big and small,
sometimes they cry for nothing at all.
They cry when they're hurt, they cry when contented,
They cry when it's cruisy, They cry when tormented.
They cry when insulted, and when complimented,
This crazy behaviour seem somewhat demented.
They cry when they're happy, they cry when the're sad,
They cry when they're bitter or moody or mad.
They cry but we love them, all that they do,
But dont let them know - that'll bring tears too."
Tuesday, October 17
Family units. (Heh-heh, he said unit)
So in getting serious, I've been thinking about the role that the family unit plays in our lives. I was talking the other day with some friends, and one of the guys mentioned that when he was in Primary School, nearly all of the families were your typical "two parent, two-four kid families". When he hit high school, he realised that the majority of families there were single parent families, or kids livign with grandparents, or aunts and uncles.
Today, it seems like the classic family unit has just disappeared. Sure, its still found in a lot of churches, but so many people now even take wedding vows that no longer include 'til death do us part'. Are the traditional wedding vows now irrelevant? These days we enter into short term work contracts, short term leases. We upgrade our cars every 3 years, our phones every 6 months. Have marriage, and the traditional family unit become archaic?
Do you think the loss of the Husband/Wife/2.3 Kids family has, in the long run, been damaging for our whole society? Which is the cause of the other?
As Christians, should we continue to be advocates of the old, or should embrace the new and discover a whole new way to minister the this Millenial family unit?
Today, it seems like the classic family unit has just disappeared. Sure, its still found in a lot of churches, but so many people now even take wedding vows that no longer include 'til death do us part'. Are the traditional wedding vows now irrelevant? These days we enter into short term work contracts, short term leases. We upgrade our cars every 3 years, our phones every 6 months. Have marriage, and the traditional family unit become archaic?
Do you think the loss of the Husband/Wife/2.3 Kids family has, in the long run, been damaging for our whole society? Which is the cause of the other?
As Christians, should we continue to be advocates of the old, or should embrace the new and discover a whole new way to minister the this Millenial family unit?
A new weekly tradition?
While I'm one who hates rosters and routines, I do like traditions - whether they be weekly, monthly, yearly. The last couple of weeks I have found myself catching up with a mate for a movie and a couple of beers. (Tip no. 1 - A beer is cheaper than a coke and popcorn, healthier, more filling for the duration of the movie, and still makes you rush to pee after the movie)
Last night I saw The Departed. Wow what a movie. Scorcese has gathered a top line cast - Matt Damon, Leo Dicaprio, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, and Jack Nicholson. And this was some of the best acting I have ever seen from some of these. Defintely the best Ive seen from Dicaprio (Of course I haven't thought he has been convincing as an actor since Gilbert Grape). Jack Nicholson was in fine semi-evil form, and Alec Baldwin was great. The set up of the movie was great with a twisted plot where you are never entirely sure about who is good and who is bad. The camera and editing, brilliant, and the soundtrack was really enjoyable.
The movie is set in gritty, irish dominated Boston, and we see the tension of those growing up in the almost-slums of South Bostson, an area shadowed by organised crime. The gangs are simple, loyal, and hard-nosed. The cops are high-tech, dedicated, and honest (?). It keeps you enthralled and thinking throught he whole movie - I kept finding myself secretly cheering for the bad guys. It is pretty visually brutal, and the language is off the scale, so probably not a movie for meek, sheltered Christian types.; but to do this movie justice, I think it needed to be exactly this full on.
Definitely a good way to waste two hours!
Last night I saw The Departed. Wow what a movie. Scorcese has gathered a top line cast - Matt Damon, Leo Dicaprio, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, and Jack Nicholson. And this was some of the best acting I have ever seen from some of these. Defintely the best Ive seen from Dicaprio (Of course I haven't thought he has been convincing as an actor since Gilbert Grape). Jack Nicholson was in fine semi-evil form, and Alec Baldwin was great. The set up of the movie was great with a twisted plot where you are never entirely sure about who is good and who is bad. The camera and editing, brilliant, and the soundtrack was really enjoyable.
The movie is set in gritty, irish dominated Boston, and we see the tension of those growing up in the almost-slums of South Bostson, an area shadowed by organised crime. The gangs are simple, loyal, and hard-nosed. The cops are high-tech, dedicated, and honest (?). It keeps you enthralled and thinking throught he whole movie - I kept finding myself secretly cheering for the bad guys. It is pretty visually brutal, and the language is off the scale, so probably not a movie for meek, sheltered Christian types.; but to do this movie justice, I think it needed to be exactly this full on.
Definitely a good way to waste two hours!
Monday, October 16
In the Beginning
In the beginning, Ghost was tired of being outside the blogging community, reading, occasionaly posting, but never having his own. So on the 16th day of October, he created one. He picked a name, a template, and pressed the create button. And he saw that it was good. For now he had a place to post his thoughts, his poetry, his ramblings. A place for ideological and political discussion.
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