Web 2.0 and Digital Cameras

I have been lazy adopting the latest Web 2.0 technologies. This is not a good habit to develop since I work in Technology Consulting. So, in the last week I made up for my indescretion. I now have:

• Facebook (signed up 3 months ago)
• Del.icio.us (I'm still unsure if I made the right decision, perhaps I should have chosen DIGG)
  
• YouTube profile

At the moment I'm only using Facebook for work colleagues and friends. I'm not sure yet if I want to start adding my favourite authors and bloggers (e.g., Brian McLaren). Some of my mates have over 400 contacts in their list. I don't want to go to that extreme.

I also lost my digital camera on Christmas Eve. We are currently looking for a new one. I'm tempted to purchase a DSLR (in particular Canon ES 40D), but they're too expensive and I can't justify the cost since I'm not a pro. So, we might settle once more for a compact Digital, probaly Canon IXUS 960 IS. It's still a bit $$$ but hopefully it will give me piece of mind on our holidays, and we do use our camera alot (everyday a photo of something will be taken).

We considered getting a bridging camera (in between a compact and a DSLR, e.g., Canon S5Is) but the only plus I can see is the 12x zoom. My bias is toward size rather than zoom. Anyway, we'll hopefully decide before the City wide sales have ended.

Benazir Bhutto Assassinated

I wrote this blogpost one week ago but didn't post it because I still hadn't decided how I feel about the whole thing. Sure I am saddened, but I didn't know enough of the context to articulate my thoughts in a meaningful manner. First, the following two paragraphs contain my original thoughts, and then this link will take you to a good post by author Brian McLaren called Mourning Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistani former Prime Minister and advocate for democracy - Benazir Bhutto - was assassinated yesterday. This was a sad day for Pakistan. I have been casually following the Bhutto story since she returned from self-imposed exile 2 months ago. There have been attempts on her life since she returned to Pakistan, and she knew the risk of continuing her mission. She had the opportunity to remain in the comfort and luxury of the West, but her desire for the people of Pakistan was stronger than her fear of death.

Benazir Bhutto (June 21, 1953 - December 27, 2007)

Let's take the time to remember other martyrs who have died or are currently staring in the face of injustice as they seek a better, more humane life for their people, especially Aung San Suu Kyi (the Burmese peace activist) and all the men and women of peace in their own neighbourhoods and the slums around the world fighting to give people the dignity and respect that we all deserve. I'm sure there is a great difference between those fighting for democracy and those fighting against injustice in the name of Christ, but let's never underestimate the noble sacrifices made by people who are willing to give up their life for the hope of a better, safer world.

There's so much grace

Another year has come to an end. I struggled deeply with faith this year. Sitting here now, I believe one thing - there's so much GRACE.

I genuinely believe that Christs sacrifice was sufficient and if we live in HIM we have all the benefits of that grace. That means freedom. May 2008 be a year where we all know that grace. May we be the church, worshipping God and living like we should - ambassadors of a better Kingdom - bringing the light and joy of Christ into our neighbourhoods.

I quote Brian McLaren's final sentence from his new book, "Everything must change - Jesus, Global Crisis, and a Revolution of Hope":

"Mountains can be moved and everything can change, beginning with our stories, beginning with faith, beginning now, beginning with us."

I pray for God's blessing on Australia, the world, and the Church in 2008.

God, may Your kingdom come.

In Christ,

Daniel.

Top Reads of 2007

Here is a list of my top five reads from 2007 (in order of my preference). They're all faith related.

1. The Imitation of Christ (Thomas A Kempis)
2. God's Politics (Jim Wallis)
   
3. The Secret Message of Jesus (Brian McLaren)
4. Eat This Book (Eugene Peterson)
   
5. The New Friars (Scott Bessenecker)
   

I'm taking my reading back a notch for 2008, hoping to focus on the Bible. But to start off with, my first serious read for 2008 is 'Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope' by Brian D. McLaren.

Universal Prayer of Pope Clement XI

For All Things Necessary to Salvation
(Composed by Pope Clement XI, A.D. 1721.)

O my God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee' teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee, do Thou increase my sorrow.

I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.

[Grant], O my God! To conduct me by Thy wisdom to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.

To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest.

I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.

Give me strength, O my God! To expiate my offenses, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state of life.

Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world.

May Thy grace help me to be submissive to my superiors, [consider my inferiors better than myself], faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.

Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.

O my God! Make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity.

Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my [behavior disciplined and proper].

Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.

Make me realize, O my God! the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear thy judgments, and in the end obtain heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Peace

In light of what is happening around the world currently and especially in our own country, it is timely as we lead up to the season of Advent where we prepare for the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we should remember that we are all one family united by virtue of our intrinsic value - we are all made in the image of God Almighty.

I have come upon some beautiful prayers that we can use when asking our God to grant us, and the whole human family peace.

Prayer for Peace by Pope John Paul II

Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace,
who are yourself our peace and reconcilliation,
who so often said, "Peace to you", grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples on earth become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.

Mulsim Prayer for Peace

O God you are peace
From you is peace and unto you is peace
Lord, let us live in peace
Receive us into your peace
To you be praise and honor
We hear and obey
Grant us your forgiveness Lord
And unto you be our becoming

Jewish Prayer for Peace

Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that we may walk in the paths of the Most High.
And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares,
and our spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation
Neither shall they learn way anymore.
And none shall be afraid,
for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.

I envisage a world where no human shall live in fear. No person shall cry from the pains of hunger. Those who have plenty will share with those who have little. All men and women will see in their neighbour the image of the Everlasting God, and treat their neighbour with the utmost respect and honor.

Lord, grant us peace.

An October Update

It's been a while since I posted anything original. the truth is, I have been busy and have lost a passion for reading and posting blogs. I haven't lost my interest in the global subject matter, but when I come home from work I just want to relax and switch off. I haven't even been reading books.

It's Sunday arvo and I am preparing a presentation that I will deliver to a large group of colleagues this Friday. The topic is "A Personal Response to the Issue of Poverty". It is part of my companies 'Continuously Grow and Improve Campaign'. I usually have alot to say about this issue, but even now I am drawing blanks. I seem to have lost my creative streak. The aim of my presentation is to encourage people to find a cause and get involved in the effort to alleviate poverty. For some that could mean Child Sponsorship, for others it could mean Ethics in Business, and for others still, it could mean making better consumer choices. If any reader has some input, please e-mail me.

On Church. I went to Catholic mass this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a full choir and much of the mass was sung by the Priest. I have been studying the Catholic faith recently and it was refreshing to approach the Eucharist with new understanding. One of the highlights of the mass for me was when the choir (approximately 50 people) sung the Apostles Creed in Latin. Beautiful.

Work is going well. I have hit a dry patch in my current project and am looking forward to its completion so that I can move onto bigger and better things. My patience and endurace is being tested daily. There are lots of good opportunities to imitate Christ that I seem to be passing up. I have just reminded myself to try better tomorrow.

A couple of good friends are currently applying for Visas to move to Perth from Indonesia for work. I look forward to having them here.

Other than that, nothing much else is happening. I'll post an update if there anything.

St Francis of Assisi

I read today for the first time the story of St Francis of Assisi. Most people who aren't from the Catholic tradition will know him through his quote "go out and preach the gospel to all the world, and if all else fails, use words". Most Catholics know him as the founder of the order of friars - or the franciscan monks.

I would like to make a dedication to St Francis of Assisi – the man who dared to live according to the Gospel – according to the way of Christ. St Francis turned his back on a life of affluence to embrace the mission of God through voluntary poverty. St Francis continues to inspire many people in their journey of Christ through the living of monastic lifestyles – living in the most poverty stricken places in this world, forsaking all that the world has to offer, to show love to the marginalised, and themselves be transformed.

When a Bishop showed horror at the Friars hard life, Francis said, "If we had any possessions we should need weapons and laws to defend them." As Terry Matz comments, "Possessing something was the death of love for Francis. Also, Francis reasoned, what could you do to a man who owns nothing? You can't starve a fasting man, you can't steal from someone who has no money, you can't ruin someone who hates prestige. They were truly free."

This is the famous prayer attributed to St Francis –

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

My prayer -

Father, thank you that St Francis continues to inspire many today to take up there cross and follow you. Help us to remember who he followed so that we may always have the right perspective - keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Lord, help all of your children to be honest in acknowledging the things that we have pledged alliegance to. May we let go of everything that hinders us from living a Godly life in Christ. May we take seriously your call to take up our cross daily and follow you. May your will be done.

Daniel.

Posters from emerging grace

These posters were made in response to people taking swipes at the emerging Church. Here are some of my favorites. I believe they portray what "emerging Christianity" is all about. Honesty with self, honesty with others, humility toward God, and sharing our lives. You can view the rest at Emerging Grace.

Broken and precious

The title of this blog, 'Broken and precious', refers to you and me. I just come from doing my Thursday night grocery shopping in Vic Park and it seemed as though the Holy Spirit was yearning inside of me for the people I saw. I became sad for the people I saw.

I saw a young man, very handsome, about 25 years old, with his mother or his wife (they were Asian and so I couldn't tell her age too well to assume). He seemed to suffer from turrets syndrome and made yelping noises constantly throughout the shopping centre.

I saw an old man smoking a cigarette. His entire body jerked with every step he took.

I saw a young woman who was troubled in her mind. She walked with no shoes and shouted abuse at people for no apparent reason.

I wanted to be their friend. I wanted to reach out and hug them all. I want to be the person they can call a friend.

I spent last night unable to sleep. I was burdened with the guilt of sin and the sickness that one feels in their belly when they know they have grieved the Holy Spirit with their actions. Once again, I was ashamed and unable to confess for I thought of how I'd abused His grace once again. In my own eyes I was a hypocrite. this sickness continued throughout today.

I realised this night that the sickness I felt was bearing witness to me that I am still loved by God. One who does not have the Holy Spirit does not feel this grief. I realised that the sadness I felt for people bared witness to me that I am still in the vine. God hasn't forsaken me.

I thought of David. One moment writing beautiful psalms, and the next moment seducing a married woman. I thought of the people in Jesus family tree - Rahab (a prostitute), David (a murderer and adulterer), Jacob (hmm... what shall I say about Jacob) (I am labelling them by human terms - not Gods). I thought of the people at the table with Jesus - sinners and lepers. The outcasts of society. The people who didn't have it all together. Not the perfect. Not those who were consistently faithful. People who sinned. People who turned away and returned often.

Then I saw myself at the table with Jesus. I saw that I am part of the biblical story that is ongoing. I am a sinner whose heart has been invaded by Christ. The Holy Spirit has made His home in me. The gift of God is irrevocable. I will serve God all of my days. I will always remember my place at the table of God, in the presence of sinners accepted by grace. Loved. Being renewed daily. Living with mission. A minister of reconciliation.

Know who you are dear child. God has not forsaken you. Jesus has removed the barrier that separated us from God. Know you're loved and accepted.