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I’ve found a new favourite blog.
That’s right, yet another feed to add to the old newsreader, as if I didn’t have enough already…
It’s http://io9.com
Fairly intelligent posts on sci-fi-related-pop-culture-type-stuff
Posts that have grabbed my attention this week include:
Go check it out if you’re keen…
Richard recently linked to the video for “The Teens’ Speech“, a project of Banardos in the UK that aimed to allow a space where the voices of teenagers in the UK could be heard.
Over the course of the project teenagers were asked to share with the nation what issues they are passionate about, to share how they see the future with the rest of the country. They used video, interviews, surveys and social networking media to gather the thoughts of young people from all over the country and then tried to put it into a form that could allow their message(s) to be heard by people everywhere.
The Teens’ Speech YouTube Channel is something that you may want to go and spend some time at, listening to the thoughts of all the people who left their message there. Otherwise you may want to check out the Teens’ Speech Blog which is now shutting down for business.
It certainly looks like it was a very well organised project that gathered a lot of people’s thoughts and dreams, and a great resource for all of you out there, and perhaps a great space to listen for a while and gain some hope, inspiration and ideas.
It’s reported that Lily Allen has decided that she needs to let go of the multiple social networks that she’s been relying on for the past couple of years. Lily has self-promoted using twitter, blogging and facebook for a while now, her use of twitter has been on par with other twitter star, John Mayer.
In a single twitter post Lily wrote “I am a neo-Luddite, goodbye” and with that she put away her blackberry, computer and her ipod (that’s the one I don’t understand) and has decided to take the less technological road.
One still has to wonder what this move would do to her popularity, her blog and twitter account did get her a number of television articles and fans who followed her twitter exploits (even now her twitter account boasts over 1.5 million followers).
I also wonder whether the addiction is with the un-real communication, the need for fans or if there’s something else that hooks people into these forms of communication. And moving on from that why people seem to go hell for leather or cold turkey in their use of media like twitter, facebook and blogging, who are the role models that show a sensible way to manage one’s online media? Even I decided that Facebook was something that I just had to kill off rather than keep running in a sensible way (something I still don’t regret).
Then again, there’s something about Facebook and Twitter that lures people into un-real ways to use the media, the status updates are so small, and the knowledge that you’re only putting up what you’re thinking or doing at that minute encourages people to “keep it up to date” all of the time, which means constant access. Blogging at least allows you to post once then leave it be for a while, noone really wants you to post 10 page-long posts a day on what you’re thinking, eating or doing (unless you’re Seth Godin). Blogging, if used in the way one uses a journal allows you space away from the screen where we don’t really have anything to liken the use of Twitter or Facebook to, so very few people have offered mature and sensible ways to use it.
anyhoo, I’m blabbing…
and I know what you’re thinking…
“this would have been a better (and quicker) read if he did it on Twitter”
Speaking of Seth…
Seth Godin’s recently put his latest e-book online for free download.
“What Matters Now?” is a collection of thoughts from a huge collection of people who share what they’re thinking about at the moment, what really matters to them. Well worth the download and read you’ll get a small glimpse of what really matters to all of these people, and perhaps you’ll be challenged to write about (or d0) what really matters to you this Christmas.
Link: What Really Matters
Tags: Blogging, ebook, godin, Marketing, Seth godin, What Really MattersSeth Godin’s recently written a post titled “Different Kinds of Work” which got me thinking about some of my disillusionment in people within the Church recently…
There are so many jobs/ministries/roles/things that people seem ok to put up with, whether it be finance and property committee, the flower roster, making sandwiches for morning tea, washing dishes, cleaning the building, reading the scriptures to putting up with long and boring sermons…
And yet…
And yet when we ask them to look people in the eye, be creative, brainstorm, be generous, find a way to communicate with a young person, work with a bully, learn a new skill, dream of a new way of being Church or bring joy to Church, suddenly the excuses pile up. Is this a different sort of ministry/role/vocation? Is raising your hand in class too much to ask?
The Church that we’d all love to be a part of require us to take on roles and ministries like this. And yet we put up a fight when given the chance to do them well.
I’m reminded over and over again about a quote from Chap Clark in a lecture where he suggests that everyone seems to know what they need to doing order to have young people feel welcome and a part of the community, it’s just that we don’t seem to care enough to do it, instead we offer excuses.
Tags: Excuses, godin, Ministry, Seth godin, Vocation, Work
Douglas Coupland’s latest book “Generation Y” is out on the shelves. Set in the near-ish future in a world where all bees are extinct, food becomes scarce, some people start to hand-pollinate fresh produce (which apparently is very tricky, and the food it creates is rather expensive, a little dodgy and hard to get).
One could imagine that in such a world one may be tempted to turn to drugs to escape, so Coupland creates Solon, a drug that is so addictive that one hit is enough to hook you for life, a drug that makes the addict feel at one with the world, something that sounds too good to be true (and it is) and a drug that leaves people isolated, blisfull, alone. and a drug that’s creation helped kill off all the bees in the world.
Douglas introduces us to five people who are mysteriously bitten by bees, none of whom have anything in common, (other than the fact that none of them take Solon) and this is where the story begins. The five are captured and tested and, believe it or not asked to tell each other stories.
I don’t want to ruin the story, it’s an easier read than JPod and not as interesting as GenerationX but it’s definitely worth the purchase… even if you purchase it only for the short story “Superman and the Kryptonite Martinis” as told by Zack…
Seriously, the story’s completely changed my perceptions of superheroes, of Superman and of Yoda.
Not to mention that it made me laugh until my girlfriend told me that it really wasn’t that funny…
Even if you don’t buy the book, hunt it down and read the short story while you’re in the book store, pages 158-163 in the paperback version as sold in Australia.
Tags: Coupland, Douglas, Generation A, Generation X
Paul Kelly
I’ve been listening to Triple J tonight, specifically for the first part of a series of Paul Kelly tribute shows that they hosted in honour of Australian Music Month, and of the musician, poet, storyteller, prophet and muse Paul Kelly.
It’s got me thinking about a year-long blog project, one that’d make a kick arse theology thesis if I were ever thinking of doing a PHD. I’m thinking of using the alternative hymnal to reflect over the year upon the music of Paul Kelly and to use his music, poetry and prose to search for and reflect on an authentic Australian theology, or for those of you who hate the word “theology” an authentic Australian spirituality.Paul’s music has reflected sin, hurt, relationships, journey, transformation, hero worship, family, friendships, faith, god, indigenous stories and have, for many of us been a constant source of inspiration, not only of our senses, but of our faith, our lives, our relationships and our social conscience.
I’m just wondering if there’s anyone out there who may be interested in joining me on this project, perhaps by writing a post/entry/essay/reflection on Paul’s music, theology, scripture, faith, spirituality… over the next year? I’m not really thinking that all/any of you would write a 4 page theological paper (although that would be more than welcome!!!), instead a short reflection on a song or two would be good. I’ve just been talking to a good friend of mine and as we spoke I could think of a huge list of suggestions if you’re needing one…
Anyone keen on being involved?
Just in case you’re not sure who i’m talking about I’m looking particularly at people like you… (Ben, Craig, Larli, Cheryl, Paul, Steve, Duncan, Adrian, Mike, Dean)
Tags: Paul Kelly
The HOT GameThe Health educator at the Youth Accommodation Association’s HOT project has created a board game called, the HOT game.
HOT is a ‘trivial pursuit’ style board game that deals with issues such as sexually transmitted infections, contraception, handling pressure situations, party drugs, and more.
This could be very useful to those of you working with young people, in high schools or for parents wanting to talk with their kids about these types of issues.
The resource costs $111.
For details, contact the YAA ph: (02) 9698 5833, or email: althea[AT]yaa.com.au
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Yet another board game, Another Day Another Dollar is designed by Melbourne City mission Inc. and created by young people, for young people.
The game provides information about debt, budgeting and making the best decisions. A limited number of the games are available free of charge for schools, youth services, community development agencies and educators.
A good idea for people working with young people looking at moving out from home, newly arrived refugees, youth service providers, teachers…
Link: Another Day, Another Dollar
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by Child Support Agency and Beyond blue…
Are your parents separated? Is one of your friends struggling with their parents’ divorce?
You are not alone
Each year thousands of young people just like you experience family separation.
Family Separation: a guide for teens is a free booklet designed to help you cope during this difficult time.
This booklet has lots of information for you including:
If you or someone you know is experiencing this visit www.youth.csa.gov.au or call 1800 040 972 for a free booklet.
Well worth the look this is a resource developed to assist young people after the separation of their parents, the 48 page booklet is a fantastic and useful resource that reflects on practical ways that young people can work through their grief.
Link: Family Separation – a Guide for Teens
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Twelve months in the making, Expressions is a new magazine style resource that provides young Australians with the opportunity to share their experiences of mental health issues and inspire others to seek help.
The new resource, developed and initiated by the headspace Youth National Reference Group, features more than 30 stories, poems and artwork. They tell the true story of young Australians experiencing bullying, relationship issues, alcohol and other drug problems and what it means to reach out for help.
To order your copy of this resource (limit one copy per person) please email your contact details and mailing address to: expressions@headspace.org.au
My copy arrived a couple of weeks ago, (they actually sent me three to pass around) it’s a fantastic collection of poems, stories and art by young people from all over Australia dealing with their mental health, depression, abuse, eating disorders… I highly recommend that you hunt down a copy, and pass it around, the stories really need to be heard, the poems experienced and the art needs to be seen.
Youth and children’s minister’s workers, Elders, Ministers, Mission workers, parents, young people… all of which would do well to read these stories and learn from them, perhaps they’ll find themselves inspired, in awe or humbled by the experience.
Link: Expressions Magazine
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Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth have recently uploaded many audio recordings and abstracts from their recent conference in September on “Making Prevention Work”.
Download abstracts and materials for all keynote and invited speakers along with audio recordings of selected sessions, throw them on your ipod and listen to them on your way into work/uni.
Link: ARACY Conference Presentations
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It’s common for teenagers to experience emotional highs and lows but sometimes it’s a symptom of a deeper problem.
The first signs of depression and psychosis often emerge in the teenage years and, as with most disorders, early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference.
But navigating the maze of diagnosis and treatment isn’t easy.
The good news is that 80% of teenagers get over their depression.
The Mountain Goats have released another outstanding album, and what’s really amazing is that the rather agnostic John Darnielle has taken inspiration for each track on this album from the scriptures.
I know that some people will roll their eyes and assume that I’m only interested because of the “theme” of this album, but as a proud owner of a number of Mountain Goats albums I can say that this is a much better release than the previous album “Heretic Pride” and its really the first release for a couple of years that’s really had me singing along to the lyrics.
Each track’s title is taken from a scripture reference, but the link between the lyrics and the text are sometimes fairly hard to figure out, so don’t expect him to be knocking out some sort of badly written Hillsong lyric, instead the links are much more quirky and much more beautiful than that.
And don’t expect him to be knocking out some anti-christian / anti-god rhetoric in these songs either, I don’t think he’s out there to make a point, instead he’s really allowing the text to inspire him in a way that creates some really beautiful songs and stories.
The song titled “Matthew 25:21.” reflects on the death of someone suffering with cancer, with deep honesty and utter respect he tells his story, enough to make one weep if they were to listen to the music hard enough and allow the lyrics to truly speak to them.
One of my favourite tracks is Genesis 3:23, which people may remember to be the verse where God sends Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden to till the soil. The song tells the story of someone breaking into the house they used to live in and exploring their household, something that might not be too strange for many people, when home in Adelaide I will occasionally drive past our old family household and wonder who lives there and how they live…
I’m in love with this album, yet I’m still trying to find the best space to listen to it as with most Mountain Goats albums it’s not a great driving cd, yet there are some great driving songs and it’s not a happy cd, so perhaps listening to it on a bus or at work may not be a good idea either. So far I’ve found that listening to it in the dark before sleep hits as the best place to listen and allow the beautiful and confusing lyrics to do their work.
If you’ve got the spare cash, head over to iTunes now and purchase the cd, turn off the lights and listen to one of my favourite cds of the last year, and if not for the odd independent radio station picking up an occasional track you won’t be hearing it anywhere else.
Beautiful, strange, dizzy, odd, stunning, emotional, groovy, disturbing, inspirational….
House up in Clearlake
Where I used to live
Picked the lock on the front door
And felt it give
Touch nothing move nothing stand still
Keep my ears open for cars
See how the people here live now
Hope they’re better at it than I was
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
Pictures up on the mantle
Nobody I know
I, stand by the tiny furnace
Where the long shadows grow
Living room to bedroom to kitchen
Familiar and warm
Hours we spent starving within these walls
Sounds of a distant storm
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
Fight through the ghosts in the hallway
Duck and weave
Stand by the door with my eyes closed
When it’s time to leave
Steal home before sunset
Cover up my tracks
Drive home with old dreams of play in my mind
And the wind at my back
Break the lock on my own garden gate
When I get home after dark
Sit looking up at the stars outside
Like teeth in the mouth of a shark
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
I used to live .. here
Check out another couple of articles on this album:
Since baptism is itself vocation to discipleship, ordination — or preparation for ordination — can often become a denial of baptism.
- If you want to be ordained in order to become a really serious and committed disciple of Christ, then you have denied your baptism.
- If you want to be ordained in order to progress beyond ordinary discipleship, then you have denied your baptism.
- If you want to be ordained in order to “serve the Lord full-time”, then you have denied your baptism.
And with this single point he names one of my major concerns about my seeking “ordination.”
Actually, I think I’d go further than that, because I see my baptism (actually I see every baptism) as my “setting apart” for being a part of God’s plan, in other speak… as one’s ordination. My baptism therefore was the time where I was ordained into the life and ministry of the Church.
Sure, as my faith community practices infant baptism, perhaps I should say that “confirmation” and baptism as the point where one is set apart, but that would be a bit arrogant, I mean who’s to say that a 3 month year old can’t be “ordained” or set apart by God, or by the church? I’m definitely not going to make that call.
So, for me to “seek ordination” is to actively deny my baptism.
And to go on with that line of thought a little further…
For the Church to then say to me that I need to be ordained, or for the church to say that I’m not ordained is for the church to deny my baptism…
I have other issues I need to write about… I’ll get there when I have the mind to sort my thoughts out.
Tags: Baptism, Ben Myers, church, Ordination
