A blessing... and a curse...

I have recently been to a 'Conference' it was only one day, so it was bearable!

The guy who spoke (Brian Mclaren) is well known for what might come across as being a bit too controversial. But, needless to say I find comfort in that. I feel more at peace with a theology that seriously looks at how we interact with the social systems of our day as opposed to the monotonous thrashing of abstract and specualtive doctrines...

So it was good on one level... he had some good stuff to say... but I've read most of his books and his talks were basically a summary. And this I think is where the 'curse' get laid down...

We have in part, not all of us I might add, become obssessed with the next best idea, the next best speaker and the newest book. I love books and ideas... but this is all too much. No point going to seminars about a 'practical' theology. When does it become practical, all it does is fuel our apologetic cannons so that we can one up that guy at church who is set in his ways (ok that was a bit of an exaggeration!). But what now do we continue to go to seminars, do we continue to read books, do we continue to go out for a coffee, do we continue on talking about the most revolutionary ideas in history and just sit on our hands while time keeps passing us by?

The answer is pretty simple right? We'd love to shout out a resounding, "NO!" But it's not that easy, is it?

With all that said, this is actually the blessing of going to one too many conferences. We get frustrated, we get aggitated, some of us might just be apathetic to the cause. But I had some really cool conversations with really good friends of mine, that is a blessing. For me, and I hope it is the same for you, the milling of ideas that subvert the current way things are done inspire new practical ways of engaging, prosperity, equity and security.

If anything, I will probably go to more conferences in the near future because there are great people to meet, ordinary people who are looking for some inspiration and it's in those conversations with those people, not the lecture from the pseaker up front, that I get some of the divine inspired ideas I have ever come across...

Conferences, books, talks...

It's a blessing and a curse...    

AndyC

oh yes I have another blog as well, criticalpixels.blogspot.com , I reflect on art, film, images and culture in a light hearted manner...

It's often easier to escape reality...

It’s often easier to escape reality… because…

It means…

I don’t have to face the facts…

What I don’t know doesn’t affect me…

Children suffering on the other side of the world mean’s nothing to me…

Why should I care?

You see, it’s just often easier to just escape reality… sit on the couch… and just escape.

I heard it said that religion was the opiate of the masses, but I say we’ve missed the point!

Televisions

And

Couches,

These are the ‘opiates’ of our time.

It goes without saying that religion is no longer a dominant factor in mainstream society.

Tv’s, computers, fashion…

Images.

Images.

And more images.

These are the dominant factors of our society.

Because,

It’s

Just

Easier to escape reality…

We long for deeper relationships.

We want to make something of our existence.

We want to be good citizens, active members of our community.

We want the best for those closest to us.

These are legitimate ‘wants’, these are want’s that long to express that thing inside us that tells us to live.

We want to live.

Yet!

We consume,

We oppress,

We exploit,

We ignore the very fabric and pattern of life that enables us to live.

We fail to see that the very things we consume stop us from attaining these legitimate ‘wants’.

We fail to see that the very things we are told that are meant to bring us happiness and fulfilments are the same things that drive us apart.

This is the irony of technology.

This is the irony of televisions.

It is also the irony of social networks.

It is even the irony of this blog.

In that I am trying my best to connect you with my ideas, my thoughts and my feelings. And instead of being able, as I would if we personally spoke face-to-face, to see your reaction, hear your voice and to feel your physical presence with me in a space.

We are now

Limited

By one sense,

The one that we need to read.

By words that convey limited meaning and,

Express

NO

EMOTION. [still not sure about this bit :D]

If this is the only way that we communicate we will only experience intimacy to certain degree.

And,

NO

MATTER

HOW

MUCH

We find out about each other our relationship will not be real.

Because, even though we know what we ‘want’ and need,

We

STILL

Escape Reality…

[Just a little disclaimer: The post is both an exploration of 'space'and also a journey in finding out what, "The Medium is the Message" means. IT JUST AN EXPLORATION :D <3]

Love's New Reign [Spread the love like marmalade]

You call me crazy
Our worlds cascaded
Life’s not arrived
Till Love’s new world has invaded.

Broken lives, and
Pumping fists
Even Love’s new reign
Is enacted in this.

Faith, hope and love
Ingredients brewing to be made
The recipe’s sweet taste, to
Spread the love like marmalade.