Long Journey

Thought for the Day, recapturing the cross.

Today's thought for the day on radio 4, was a good message linked to the row between the Cross and BA.

I suspect it's because we've forgotten what the cross was originally all about. It's become a dead metaphor, loosing its association with humiliation and fear, and instead becoming some sort of club badge for people who call themselves Christians. Which is why even though I am a Christian I'm also uncomfortable at the way the cross is featuring in the row between British Airways and one of their employees.

Link to full article

Do you wear this "Badge of Identity"? I have in the past, and I suspect I will do at times in the future. For me putting a cross around my neck has never been about communicating that I am a Christian to the outside world. Most people would not get to see it, and those that did would know anyway. For me it has been about marking myself, a personal reminder to "put on the faith".

What is interesting here is to look back at what the cross signifies, and the nature of Christ's death and sacrifice.

In our emerging journey what is a good symbol of our faith, is one needed?

Good On-Line game

Found this game on-line. It simulates the cost of life, and is very difficult to play well. The best I have managed so far is to set people on the right track. The first few times I played it they all died. Think out of the box about education and that seems to be the way forward.

LINK

We Remember

Today is Armistice day, and across the countries silence was observed at 11AM

It saddens me that the media seem more interested in the usual "crack pot" stories that gather at this time of year.

However the Red Poppy / White Poppy question seems to be getting more column space than normal. I guess when Jon Snow starts out stating that he won't wear a poppy on screen, and the guy from Ekklesia states that the Red Poppy is somehow less "Christian" than the white; I guess we get what we deserve.

BUT look beyond the headlines and we see reasoned comments:

Snow wears a poppy in private life, but draws the line at wearing symbols to support any organization on TV. The white poppy row seems mainly taken out of context, whilst the white issue is one of the redemptive nonviolence peace, and the Red poppy remembers those who fought for peace.

My personal take on this is best summed up by the notice at our local Waitrose.

Remembrance of Armistice day, and the conflicts since then. WWI may not have been clear cut in its roots, and it was a tremendous loss of life, but it did allow for major social and economic changes to come after. WWII was different as a war could be. Fought against fascism of the worst kind, with a will to subject other peoples and inflict untold horror on other races. Those that fought, fought for the freedom of Europe and the world.

Since then we remember our armed forces who continue to fight for their country (right or wrong). Therefore I wear red and will continue to wear red.

That is not to say that white is wrong, this whole issue must be about choice. Because choice is part of that freedom fought for.

That deserves remembering. Reading out the names of the fallen, staying quiet, remembering is important for our society today. We need to remember, we need to remember that it only takes a small conflict to become a world war. Our society is not forgetting the fact of the wars, but it is starting to loose its respect and focus on what it meant.

In these times we all need to remember.

The white poppy remembers a better way to peace. The red reminds us that sometimes there is no alternative.

So in whatever manner you choose to remember, please remember and spend sometime thinking of the cost our freedom takes from our own people.

Mac Heist

I managed to complete the 1st Mac Heist.

Link

Not too difficult. I have a few invites left so drop me a mail if you want one!

The 1st heist is nearly over.

Some interesting software and a saving of over $40!

Howies & DohBoy

Whilst lurking on various blogs, Howies have come up several times as a great casual clothing supplier.

I've seen their stuff out on the "street", and it looks cool. It is also very ecco conscious, and the likes.

However I've not made a purchase because I am too like their icon DohBoy!

Well now help is at hand, or offered......

Howies appear to be launching some kind of small campaign against FAT in bread.

Link.

Maybe I should follow this one, and maybe I will no longer look like DohBoy and can buy some product!

On a serious note, Howies are a grass roots kind of organisation, and are holding a Free weekend for 40 people who wish to learn from their journey.



LINK

Places are limited, but if you have a campaign it may well be worth applying for one of those places..

Advent image,

Thanks to Jonny for putting me on to this.

I've seen Ben's Images from previous years, and they are always thought provoking and taken from contemporary life. I'd much rather have this kind of image drop through my door than some expected Church notice about Carol Services, and nativity plays.....

Link

Its great to see the Church doing something more interesting and getting notice locally.

So much better than the miss-informed adverts from CAN

I just find the sub-text disturbing. IE find Jesus in the bottom of an empty beer glass. This just strikes me as trying a little too hard to be mass market.
I know that too much can be read into these things, but the Church is always subject to in-depth scrutiny.

Also looking at the two works side by side, I know which one has better production values for me....... I just hope CAN did this in-house........

On Vox: Word - Sanctum 10 - End Video

I have signed up to Six Apart's new social blogging tool - VOX

Its in its early days and not without its problems, but it is set up to take larger file sizes than Typepad.

I have posted an early draft of a video I am doing for Sanctum 10 - WORD.

It is John 1: 1-5 in several languages (Maori, Lithuanian, Korean, Gaelic, Greek), which are displayed. Each verse is taken down from each language and is transformed into English for the end of the song. The track is Image of the Invisible God, by LLS (LLS4, Track 4). The music is available from Sticky Music.

The VOX application doesn't seem to play video on Safari, so the link below does not play the video. I was mainly testing the cross blogging function.

» Read more on Vox

This is a direct link to the video.

Wonderful Weather

I spent most of Friday up in town (London for the non southerners), I had a career advice session just off Regents Street, so I decided to have a look at the non-art slides at the Tate.

I say non-art, because I am not sure that these can qualify as art in itself. The materials are nicely presented, but their position in space is more about letting people use them as slides than for their artistic placement. The spirals do make a nice loop, but this isn't much different from the local water park!

However it is a great use of space, and is certainly pulling in the crowds.

From the ground the spirals are nice, but again it just feels like industrial metal work and the shape is determined by the function more than the art.

However what they do to the space, and how they encourage activity, could be performance art and easily justifies their presence in the turbine hall.

These signs are scattered around the halls, and I found their advice apt in both the context of the gallery and life.

Now the Bridge is art!