My Favourite CD's

Ok, firstly I must give credit to JC, the main man, the guy we all love, yes you guessed itJono Croxford for this idea (his blog has a list of favourite movies). So, here it is, the definitive collection, the albums that changed my life (in no particular order):

1. Ben Harper: Diamonds on the inside
2. Rage Against The Machine: Rage Against The Machine
3. Metallica: Master of Puppets
4. Manic Street Preachers: This is my truth, tell me yours
5. Dream Theater: Scenes From a Memory
6. Counting Crows: August and Everything After
7. Pearl Jam: Ten
8. Pearl Jam: Vitalogy
9. The Beatles: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
10. Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

Thoughts, comments, flames? Music is a wonderful creative force in our world. I grew up with people who told me that some music is "evil" and that other music is "satanic". Music, for me, is music. It's a creative dance between the song writer and the listener. We all hear different things in music, and interpret lyrics in different ways. It is a wonderful thing to be moved by the images, words, and sounds of a musician.

Why I am not a Christian

HA! Got you! I really am a Christian, but the reason I've called this blog that is because it is the title of a book that I'm currently reading. The author, Betrand Russell, wrote this essay some time around the turn of the 20th century. He is very critical of organised religion, specifically Christianity. Many of his arguments are valid, well thought through, and very challenging. I personally am challenged by his assault on Christian integrity and consistency. Russell points out with clarity the call the Jesus places upon His followers, and then wonders why Christians are not more Christ-like. So, what does it mean to be a Christian? How do you know you are? What does a Christian do? How do they live their lives? These questions are sometimes very difficult to answer because many of our responses can be conditioned by the culture we live in. For example to be a Christian in Africa is quite different from being a Christian in Australia and yet they both call themselves Christian.

Easy Christianity 101

I am reading a book at the moment as part of a small group that I help run with my wife. I wont name the book, because I am about to give it a beating! The other night our group was discussing a particular chapter in this nondescript book on "happiness". The author suggests, basically and with excessive simplicity, that the world would be better off if everyone were "church-going-Christians". Now, I am heavily involved with a church community and I realise that while the church, as an institution, does some amazing things within the lives of its people and the lives of local communities, it also struggles quite a lot to live up to the ideals of the one whom they are claiming to follow (Jesus). In fact, Paul in his letter to the Romans, reminds them of his own struggle with his inner self. He says in Romans 7:18-19 For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. I know that there have been times in my life, frequently I might add, when I know within my heart what I should be doing but in fact do the entire opposite. We DO struggle with our own selves. We DO try to live up to our own expectations but often fall short. I get annoyed when faith is overly simplified, faith is incredibly complex, often grey, and is not an easy life by any stretch. It is, however, the most rewarding expression of life giving fullness that I have experienced.

A candle in the darkness

I came across this little saying last night in a book I was reading: It is better to light a single candle than to curse in the darkness. Sometimes I feel like cursing in the darkness that I inhabit. Don't get me wrong, I am a white, middle-class, Tertiary educated, employed male, so I do realise how well I've got it, but sometimes the blackness seems to hard to overcome. I see so much pain, torment, hurt, grief, greed, callousness, and I wonder how can I, one person, make an impact. I am prone to cursing in the darkness. However, there are times, if only rarely, that I light a candle in the darkness of the world. Have you ever been in a room that is only illumined by candlelight? It's amazing how bright it is! The candle flickers and dances around the wick and it gives warmth, and light to the darkness. For me, I need to light these tiny lights. These lights remind me of hope-a God who believes in me and loves me- and the lights encourage me to move forward, rather than being stuck in the mud of despair. Light yourself a candle...

I'm Back!

Yes, that's right, I am back blogging. I've been under enormous pressure from Chong to start writing again, so I will. How frequently? Who knows. But at least I've written something and it's a starting point.
Peace
Sime