Monday, May 25, 2009
Worship Reflecting on Young People
It went a little like this...
Pre Worship 'The Door' Flash Animation [with Alex Lloyd's 'The Wonder' looped]
See it here
Audio-visual to "Viva La Vida" Coldplay as per a previous post this year
It's a reflection on feeling invincible but then discovering we're not...
CALL TO WORSHIP
This is our worship,
This is not a concert,
Not just a film, a lecture, or a party…
You are invited to give yourself time and space
to hear God
Let’s commit ourselves to be God’s people
Here in this place and in all places
We search, we question, we celebrate, we challenge…
May God’s Spirit be evident to you
In prayer and song, reflection and conversation
Prayer "Magnificent" U2
Lyrics on screen
Chance to scribe on newsprint about call, confession, reflection
"Flickering Candle" AV from Proost
Read a piece of creative writing that you'll understand was a first draft!!
Who Am I?
Wrapped up in my own world
or keen to make a difference
loved, known, seen
or invisible
When they handed out 'resilience'
Did I get my share?
Can I ask why God would love me?
or should it be obvious to all?
Will I make it?
Can I rise above?
Questions, insights, fears
imagination,
and the will to know myself
The smile, the grimace,
the angry facebook rant
Four friends who keep me going
that I couldn't live without
Constructions, dolls and dress ups
fantasies about teeth and birds,
and monsters in the cupboard
amongst my toys at the end of the hall
Who am I? I need to know
to be asked, to be heard,
to be hugged and understood
I am a kid, a mate, a neighbour
I am the 'trouble' down the road
I know you care
I hear your voice, I see it in your eyes
I got stuck here in this last verse
There's no right word that ryhmes with 'eyes'
The point is, don't forget me
with your strange gift,
to stop and care
I'll appreciate your message
As long as you don't stare
Who Am I?
Matthew 28 :16-20
"Lost Generation" from youtube [a few posts ago courtesy Bradon]
"Speakerdogs" response about gifts, childre/youth/worship
Sending Out "Be Yourself" Melinda Schneider inspired by Enough Rope audience member
Friday, May 22, 2009
Turning Increasingly Green

Ocassionally the weekend newspaper or glossy magazines include snippets about curious and trendy products for home and liesure!! One company often featured is Todae which sells products online and from King St, Newtown!Sunday, May 17, 2009
Waratahs Hurricaned!!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Credit Where It's Due!!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Lost Generation
This was one clever clip Bradon used and is the second time in as many weeks I'm shocked I hadn't seen a clip before...
"Telling Stories" Social Justice Stuff
I promised to load it all here but think it'd be easier to direct you to Bradon's blog here so you can find what works for you!!
Monday, May 11, 2009
"Desperate Housewives" Season 5 Episode 13

Who are the people who help you through the tough stuff? What are your priorities? Who tells you you're OK? When has someone or something unexpected been affirming, pivotal or transformative in your life story... how is an overwhelmingly positive energy present in your life? Who listens to you?
Eli Scruggs saved cookbook drafts, changed locks, asked questions, unblocked plumbing and reflected the best in people back to them!!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Woman at the Well
Having used this clip at the 'Telling Stories' Workshops on Saturday I have reposted it here for those who wanted to access it from youtube so you can also see it here.
Laurence Leung's "Choose Your Own Adventure"

"Magnificent" U2
Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent
I was born
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven't had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
I was born
I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise…
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts
Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent
Catch the video here or here
Friday, May 08, 2009
Lilith Fair returning in 2010
The next year, McLachlan founded the Lilith Fair tour, taking Lilith from the medieval Jewish legend that Lilith was Adam's first wife.
In 1997, Lilith Fair garnered a $16 million gross, making it the top-grossing of any touring festival.[1] Among all concert tours for that year, it was the 16th highest grossing.[1]
Because of its all-female line up, the festival received several nicknames, including "Breast-fest" and "Girlapalooza".[2][3]"
Wikipedia and other sources
Lilith Fair returns in 2010 and that's about all that's been said so far!!
Thursday, May 07, 2009
"Grey's Anatomy" Season 5 Epsiode 13
"Stairway to Heaven" was tonight's episode here in Oz and it was 'one their best episodes for a long time' even including that Denny was still hanging around!! It included closing sequences and Slaone voiceover with Powderfinger's 'Drifting Further Away'
They come at questions of life and death froma variety of angles with the various characters stories including the death row murderer, the young boy desperately in need of several transplant organs and whatever the reason is for Denny not being able to leave Izzie!!
The usual Grey's lunacy is maintained through the sub story about Sloane's 'broken penis'... yes you did read that correctly.
Powderfinger feature with the closing 5 min sequence bringing a number of the storyline threads together.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Worship Unplugged # 61 'Choose Serving Over Self Interest'
Colleagues on the 'youthmultimedia' egroup passed on a number of helpful suggestions and I found a few bits n pieces amongst an enormous ammount of 'dross'.
While I thought the tag was inadequate the "24" styled clip from Worship House Media about how we spend our time was a helpful substitute for a second 'reading'. The "Opportunities" clip from 'The Work of the People' was a simple observation that when we miss a chance to 'serve' we set off the bitterfly effect of missed opportunity that could be part of the living out of a world lived according to the values of God. I inserted an unexplained snippet of Trevor's assignment from 'Pay It Forward.'
There were a few more aspects as we explored the notion that stewardship was an activity of bringing about a world lived according to the values of God [reflecting on the parables about mustard seeds, yeast and the pearl] from Matthew 13: 31-33 44-46.
Simple definition "choosing serving over self interest"
It's about using your gifts and abilities from a standpoint of thinking about others
Wrestled with and didn't include a reflection time using 'Life Uncommon' by Jewel
Instead chose "Opportunity" Pete Murray/John Mayer from the ARIAs
Added [3] other Photostory videos of images so had four videos in one Powerpoint slide
We earthed the simple definition in a difficult exercise of ranking sceanrios by 'importance'
Drew out the need for communal action and different gifts in the activity
How would rank the importance of:
Giving money to the ‘Fred Hollows Foundation’ charity for eye surgery in the third world
Giving money to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal to rebuild the community
Getting involved in Meals on Wheels visiting older people and delivering their lunches
Joining an Aboriginal Reconciliation Group to work on a communitye event
Being at a Family members Dinner to catch up with relatives you don’t see often
Giving money to your local church activities and mission carried out by teams of volunteers and leaders
Installing solar electricity roof panels contributing power to the grid and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Buying only fair-trade coffee and chocolate from a local green grocer
Talking to a friend about why you’re part of a community of faith and what God’s call means to you
Spending time at your local pub listening to a friend talk about a few of their hassles and current relationship
Encouraging someone you know to give something a go that they are thinking about and would be great at
Writing letters to your local mp about an issue you see as important for the future of your communty
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Another Great Motoring Moment
My list includes:
Many memorable empty fuel tanks including Christmas Eve
Brake pads so worn they fell out
A siezed motor on the F3
Being run into in an accident on my way to my first day at work
Being run into at lights just a day after posting my overdue insurance premium leading to a seven week enquiry
A burnt out starter motor from holding the ignition on to get to the auto electrician
My Mitsubishi Van fireball when the car caught alight and was gutted just off Pennant Hills Rd
A rusted out Carolla I left with a wrecker and he didn't charge me for taking it
Electronic failure in my Commodore just as I entered the Harbour Tunnel leaving the rugby That's the highlights anyhow...
Friday, May 01, 2009
"Bohemian Rhapsody"
A classic tune an old fashioned way!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
"Sometimes" Alex Lloyd
Check out Alex Lloyd' website here
Sunday, April 26, 2009
"Telling Stories" Training Day 9th May

Row M Seat 30 "The Boat That Rocked" M
Saturday, April 25, 2009
ANZAC Day 2009
It's our day for commemorating the loss of lives of those who've fought in the name of our country in wars throughout our history. A problematic day brooking no argument with those who've felt led to volunteer or have served as soldiers in conflicts we've been part of... but an opportunity for reflection on the futility of war and the need in 2009 for 'another way'.
Indeed, whatever it means to be Australian [and it is unique], nationality is essentially a false construct. The oral history recorded in Scripture makes the argument that different languages and different religious paths are genuinely the result of our fallibility as humna beings... arising out of disobedience or at least selfishness!!
Whether to fight or not is never a decision I've had to literally make... my version is personal relationships, communitcation and how I respond or not to a whole different kind of provocation, power or dispute!!
The rugby field, the working world and family or friends is no comparison to whether or not it's a viable solution to terrorism to invade a training ground country and attempt to 'put things right.'
Specifically, what if someone broke the cycle of violence... hang on, someone did? We celebrate any number of individuals and groups who've 'tried some other way' including: Aung San Su Kyi; Martin Luther King Jnr; and Oscar Romero!! This is surely the example of Jesus of Nazareth whose death occured amidst a non voilent response [again and again] to politics, military rule, religious piety, temptation to power and selfishness...
Sobering then that it cost him and others their lives... so we're not talking about the soft option... would I... could I... just about every week most of us have the opportunity to do so even on a personal level!! The put down, judging people by first impressions, guarded responses, playing games, choosing self interest ahead of serving... choosing differently to these begins the approach by 'a different way...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
"Stir Your World"
One of the videos we grabbed for Easter Camp Senior Group Speaker Donna Mulhearn and used in Learning Groups was 'Stir Your World.' Although for some inexplicable reason it played at half speed my main reflection was 'how come I hadn't seen this before?'
It's a World Vision clip apparently created in 2007. I liked it because it was a very simple idea demonstrating that point an Easter Camp often reaches where people have been encouraged and challenged in a particular area of life and faith and begin to ponder how they might best respond, often wondering what they might have to offer ina particular issue... this clip reminds them of their existing gifts and vocation and doesn't ask us all to travel overseas, give up our day jobs or seek ordination... it leaves room for artists to paint, engineers to design solutions to world problems, speakers to speak and letter writers to get cracking!!
South Park cameo for Former PM John Howard
News this morning focused on the cameo from former Oz PM John Howard in a recent South Park episode where world leaders agreed to do away with Finland!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Kellie Crawford fronts Ralph Magazine


Sunday, April 19, 2009
Waratahs lose a game [by one point] they would have won last year
Renowned Schoolboy Rugby Coach Geoff Mould was quoted in a Sunday Papers article today having commented about the current Waratahs team in the context of a thirty year reunion of one of the best Australian Schoolboy Rugby Union teams to have ever worn boots!! Read about it here.They were taught and understood a brand of rugby advocated by the great Cyril Towers [embraced for decades by the Galloping Greens at Randwick] and even barked across the green of No 2 Sportsground in Newcastle by the one and only Tom Towers!!
This schoolboy team included: the Ella brothers, Hawker, Lloyd Walker, Michael O'Connor, Wally Lewis, Tony Melrose and others... I mostly recall the footage of a fogbound tour match in the UK [on their undefeated tour] where they disappeared through the fence gate and thats the last that was seen of them by the cameras covering the match!! These were the players and matches I recall as I first began to switch interest from League to Union...
Thirty years on Mould was apologetically analysing the problems with todays players and specifically the Waratahs [though it was perhaps an amalgem of the collected wisdom of those present]... even given the changes in rules and increased skill of defences!!
What I'm driving at [in an aside for those not slightly interested in rugby] is that there are clear issues with our state team which will again struggle to make a top four by relying on three wins from three in South Africa after their bye next Saturday!!
#They are not good enough at passing, catching and they kick aimlessly
#They are clearly trying to learn to 'pop' the ball to a support runner when they are grounded.... but they'll do it in patches only
#They are built around kicking but seem rushed, ill thought out and often at the wrong time
#Players like Tuqiri may be good talkers in defence or good at encouraging others but rarely make a break or earn their money
#They constantly flip from a forward controlled game to spinning the ball to isolated players and don't seem to know when to do which
#They don't run straight
#They don't naturally support the ball runner and so get caught alone
That's just the start...
As a frustrated rugby coach its annoying to watch... they have won games this year but its built around their defence, [which is great] their scrum and lineout... all three were sub par last night!! Anyhow, what would a lower grade, used to be, hack know!!
I fear that Chris Hickey won't make it through next season as coach... he gets this year because he didn't get to choose all the players...
I'll watch the replay closely on Wednesday on Foxtel to see if I can figure out what the game plan was, apart from decoy runners with Daniel Halangahu trying to get width behind the gain line but I suspect they lost shape all over the park... they were beaten at the breakdown too much in the second half and their handling was awful. Dean Mumm will rue a dropped ball from Palu but it wasn't a good pass and don't get me started on Cliff Palu! Lazy...
Friday, April 17, 2009
"Fifteen" Taylor Swift
A fan made video
"Fifteen"
You take a deep breath and you walk through the doors
It's the morning of your very first day
You say hi to your friends you ain't seen in a while
Try and stay out of everybody's way
It's your freshman year and you're gonna be here
For the next four years in this town
Hoping one of those senior boys will wink at you and say
You know I haven't seen you around, before
(Chorus)
'Cause when you're fifteen and
Somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen feeling like
There's nothing to figure out
But count to ten, take it in
This is life before you know
Who you're gonna be
Fifteen
You sit in a class next to a redheaded Abigail
And soon enough you're best friends
Laughing at the others girls
Who think they're so cool
We'll be out of here as soon as we can
And then you're on you're very first date
And he's got a car and you're feeling like flying
And you're mamma's waiting up and you're thinking he's the one
And you're dancing 'round your room when the night ends
When the night ends
(Chorus)
'Cause when you're fifteen and
Somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
When you're fifteen and your first kiss
Makes you head spin 'round but
In your life you'll do things greater
Than dating the boy on the football team
But I didn't know it at fifteen
When all you wanted
Was to be wanted
Wish you could go back
And tell yourself what you know now
Back then I swore I was gonna
Marry him someday
But I realized some bigger dreams of mine
And Abigail gave everything she had to a boy
Who changed his mind
And we both cried
(Chorus)
'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen, don't forget to look before you fall
I've found time can heal most anything
And you just might find who you're supposed to be
I didn't know who I was supposed to be
At fifteen
la la la la la...la la la la la...la la la la la
Your very first day
Take a deep breath girl
Take a deep breath as you walk through the doors
I bought Taylor Swift' CD before Easter to listen to what all the fuss was about. It's what's called crossover country in the style and sensibilities of Kasey Chambers... country feel with a pop quality and reflections on very contemporary views of relationships and aspirations...
I have quoted 'Fifteen' here because it could be used for a discussion with any group of adolescents asking them to imagine it was their age but also particularly with fifteen year olds and girls... raising questions of hopes and aspirations, coping skills, questions and the fragility of esteem and relationships...
Susan Boyle was the BBQ Stopper Yesterday
I mentioned 'what a lesson it was in seeing us as we are not who we appear to be'... the audience and the judges laughed at her age, ambition and appearance... but what she reminded me of was hundreds of young people I meet all the time, of that feeling you get when you have the priviledge of getting to know the person behind the facade and realise that there is 'Jesus' in each of us... that part of us which reminds that we are created in God's image, loved by God and valuable!! In this it reminds me that includes me, even when I often don't feel like it!
But it's not because Susan Boyle can sing like an angel, it's because Susan Boyle is a beautiful person. The truth of that is there in the clip, not in her singing but in her unbridled joy at being recognised, at being seen... and it would be true even if she ddidn't see it or show it... BUT its her singing that is the vivid reminder...
Zacchaeus, the Bent Over Woman, the woman at Simon's house, and many others are stories I find inspirational, precious and heart wrenching for their demonstration of God's values and encouragement of us that we are valuable and can be valued members of a community of people seeking to transform the world. Not an individualistic, consumerist sense of self which puffs us up and helps us feel we have rights and the permission to consume, wear brands and demand our space... that we have the capability of changing the world more like...
The clip was a sobering reminder that like those I cited in a symposium paper 2 years ago as part of a focus on stories, we are all deeply connected, in need of affirmation and need to see the Christ in each other. If we did we could be the change we want to see in the world!
I meet the Susan Boyle's of the world every week and get annoyed with myself when I forget that regardless of how they come across, see themselves or treat me I sometimes fall into that and forget to treat them with full respect, care and the love of God! Sometimes I get it right too...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
"Magnificent" U2

Susan Boyle Sets the Internet Alight Today
Check out her audition on Youtube here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Vale Shawn Mackay
Rugby Union is a remarkable game!! Camraderie, social activity, club loyalty and it's genuinely a game for people of all sizes! Once hooked in it's a sport to follow, to watch and to be very passionate about...The South Sydney Herald
It really was a great night out in Canberra!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Paid Parental Leave delivered by K_Rudd
'GetUp' are attempting to hold the Federal Government to account for it's promises in regard to paid parental leave which would make another excellent contribution to stimulating our bank credit ravaged economy currently in recession!! This is their national print advert for 1st April 2009




