Peek-A-Boo Jesus

(http://www.woostercollective.com/2009/03/maki105s_peekaboo_jesus_draws_a_crowd.html)

Isn’t it amazing at the effect that street art can have. The other day, the New England based artist Maki105 placed "Peek-A-Boo Jesus" on the side of a video store in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

A little while later, this was reported in Boston Newspapers;

Caption:

Rafael Chinea prays with his fiance, Brenda Thibault, and her children, Bethany Martin, 8, and Brittany Martin, 14, on Wednesday in the parking lot of Premier Video in New Bedford.

 

 

 

 

Lund’s Corner Jesus Draws a Crowd
By Steve Urbon / Standard-Times senior correspondent
Thursday, March 26, 2009 -

NEW BEDFORD — Tears welled up in Angela Sampaio’s eyes as she beheld the Lund’s Corner Jesus through her car windshield Wednesday, reports today’s Standard-Times.

"I am really, really, really moved by this," she said. And she wanted reassurance that the photographs of this Jesus are on the Internet. "This will be seen all over the world," she said.

She had plenty of company there in the parking lot of Premier Video, where the slightly larger-than-life depiction of the Saviour appeared on the wall sometime last weekend. In a one-hour span around noon Wednesday, at least 35 people walked or drove to the lot just to see the figure that is pasted to the white brick.

They came from miles around. They were young and old, sometimes three generations of a family in a car. There were blue-collar workers with their buddies, retirees, teenagers. They brought cameras and took pictures of each other near the figure of Christ. Some brought flowers, real and artificial, and some brought candles that flickered in their jars in the spring breeze.

So aside from the idolatry stuff, from a “street-art-for-Jesus” perspective, This reminds me of a blog from years back – Evandalism – check it out! It created quite a comment stir in it’s day.

The only time I’ve ever seen Clipart used well.

(It needs a music track… press play on your favourite song and then press play on this vid)

Imagination Isn’t Flat.

I think I’m going to use this picture next time I’m on “Creative Prayers” at college.

The little subtitle at the bottom… “Imagination isn’t flat”.

Nice. Let’s keep imagining the future. I don’t mean that we need to build play-dough replicas of the Kingdom of God (whatever that looks like!) I just figure that sometimes we limit our potential with God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

(Click on the photo to link to Daniel Case’s designs)

The Climax

I was preparing a meeting lead for a meeting coming up soon, and as I was doing it, realised that I was working from the bottom up. I’m not sure if I’ve ever done it like that before, but if I have, I haven’t noticed.

Literally, I had written in a song for during the alter-call/response time and then worked up the meeting lead from there!

It made me think about the fact that the call to salvation or holiness REALLY IS the climax of a Salvation Army meeting.

So much so, that by default my focus was working backwards from there!

Praise God for the climax!

(NB: I’m making no reference to tattoos or piercing, that picture was simply 3rd on the list when I googled “Mercy Seat”. Although I have known people to get tattoos as sermon illustrations…)

Connection

Can you tell that I’m without wireless internet again?
It’s almost like I don’t function properly when I’m not connected to the internet. That’s not healthy is it? Or is that just the way I’ve grown to work?
Have got lots of thoughts sitting in draft blogs at the moment, looking forward to sharing them.

Welcome To The Front Line

“If the Salvation Army really was an army, how could it make the biggest impact by involving everyone?
How would it change its look and approach to accomplish its mission in today’s culture?”

Have a look at the work that Art Director Daniel Case has done; he has some very clever & interesting ideas – ‘Salvation Army’

Does anyone reading this know whether any Salvos have used these resources in their local areas? Or was this just a great idea?

I would LOVE to be a part of using this or something like this where I’m at. This type of thing (created specifically for local areas) could be an AMAZING resource.

Our shield is certainly evidence of recognisable branding, what would it look like if we used something a little different for an equally useful and recognisable purpose?

A great thing about this, too, is that it actually does involve everyone. His idea with this is that ANYONE can buy these kits, or individually buy the vouchers; supporting others, by inadvertently supporting, and making use of The Salvation Army’s contacts, networks and resources. Brilliant!

Crate Sphere

People that know me really well, know that I have a soft spot for Tattoos and Street Art. I’m not sure what it is exactly about them, I think sometimes that it’s mostly about the colour.

Check out this interesting expression (both examples pulled from woostercollective.com);

There’s this bunch that have created the Crate Man (Adelaide and Melbourne, I think..)

Check him out (Spotted along the Newport Railway line in Melbourne);

So, from the Crate Man Crew:

"The Adelaide Fringe Festival commissioned us to design a float for their opening night parade, based on some of the work we have been doing with milk crates, and in particular the idea of ‘crateman‘.

We were reluctant however to simply relocate our street based work into a radically different arena. Instead we were interested in the idea of a parade as being a cross between performance art, sculpture, and audience participation.

The crate sphere was designed to be rolled down the street as the final act in the parade. Comprising of 688 milk crates and being over 4.5 meters high, it had an estimated weight of over 700 kilograms. It was hoped that upon seeing us struggle with the beast, members of the audience would join in, and help us roll the sphere to a glorious end!

Unfortunately the reality was somewhat different.

 

People in their curiosity came closer and closer to the ball – but were reluctant to get involved and help, or move out of its way when it threatened to crush them. Our cries of distress were misinterpreted as part of the ‘theatre’ of the situation, as we struggled to maintain control. After completing about a quarter of the parade route, the organizers and the police decided to pull the plug, and ordered us to stop the ball.

It was rolled to the side of the street, and left to sit in a ‘no parking’ zone. Here it sat for a day or so, puzzling passers by, a strange visitor to the quaint streets of Adelaide."

Artists: Sam, Ed, Simon and Gab.

–
As I read this I feel like there are huge parallels between what happened here, and what has happened or may be happening in our movement (allusions to ‘sleeping giants’ and other looming metaphors… requiring us to respond with revolutionary leadership…) Does anyone else get that feeling? I need to work on wording these feelings a little more, and will post more thoughts soon. In the mean time, if you also feel anything when you read this, please let me know.

–
While we’re on the topic of Street Art, let’s play “Guess Who?”!

Brigadier Power

She was speaking of an anonymous “Brigadier Power”, but I believe the same is true (to a large extent..?) of Capt. Stephen Court, our highly esteemed Training Principle, 108 years later;

“This man is a flame. His theology is of the apostolic brand, comprising a merciful and just God, an atoning Saviour, a full and free salvation through the Blood of Jesus Christ; a real, live active devil; an eternal hell for the wicked, and an eternal heaven for those who persevere to the end in righteousness and Christ. His lectures are admirable, full of point, thought, and fire. He can be read as he is reported; that is to say, his spoken sentences read as well as they sound, and may generally be printed without revision. They are brilliant with virile salvationism, and tingle with common sense. He uses no stale sentences. What he has to say is fresh and new from the mint of his own mind, original logical and manly.” – p. 40-41 A School of The Prophets 1901.

I especially would encourage you to read the post below, notes from a lecture presented by Capt. Court. A lot of the comments are direct quotes from his “spoken sentences” and further to the Brigadier, have been printed without revision. I would suggest that his comments, as well as being full of salvationism, also “tingle with common sense”.

“To be able to hold the attention of Cadets, and make them request a little more lecture, is an enormous compliment to any speaker’s power, we budding Officers soon becoming experts in good and bad addresses. The farewell volley when the lecturer concludes may be enthusiastic – it generally is; but, occasionally, it is the enthusiasm of relief. [Captain Court’s] ovations were evoked by pleasure and regret.” p. 42-43 A School of The Prophets 1901.

I’m not just saying these things to puff Steve up, I (and my fellow Cadets) are seriously enjoying his lectures, and the lectures from other teachers on college staff and at Whitley. And this, because more than anything else, our discussions and our musings spur us on to big and better things for the Kingdom. It has been an amazing blessing to be privy to such a wealth of knowledge and experience.

This training experience has been seriously underrated.

I urge you – if you’re called to Officership, hurry up and respond so that you can get in on the training. If you’re not called, and you’re sure of it, sign up for some classes – this stuff is not exclusive. If you’re already on the journey, or have been for a while, poke some people near to you and ask them whether they’re following Jesus.

Five Components of Revolutionary Leadership.

My first attempt at live blogging…take particular note of the “Attard Quadrilateral” (certainly one of the highlights of the class)

Lecture (Capt. Stephen Court) – Revolutionary Leadership.

We’re looking at a revolution.

Our point is not to coddle the saints. Comm. (someone) – “Collar the sinners, not coddle the saints”.
- not sent to “wipe their spiritual noses”.

We have an apostolic calling to “take” a city.

What does being a leader look like in this setting?

Overthrow of a ruling entity (whether its a govt. or a culture)

Using a potential outpost (that has been affected by Victorian bush fires) as an example, we’re overthrowing…

• “forts of darkness”
• power of death and despair.
• established power
• fear
• the notion that we’re “just” a relief service.
• blindness – the veil over eyes.
• materialism
• loss of identity.

“Think Big. Start Small. Go Deep.”

Five Components of Revolutionary Leadership.

1. Chairos (or Kairos – “If I used the K, I wouldn’t have five C’s”)
   • (Egypt)
   • Opportune Time
   • (Spanish Doughnuts)
   • Propitious (favourable) moment for decision or action.
   • Other types of time;
     • Chronos (linear)
   • Ability to see or grasp these opportune moments.
   • Fleeting – urgency associated with it. (Now is the time!) – aligned with favourable..
   • often the “revolt” is crystallised in a moment – a “last straw” moment.
     • Having been frustrated, build enough momentum to push over the edge.
     • “until the bushfire thing happened” – it’s the last straw.
     • the face to face engagement, gives us the momentum required.
   • Easy example from a negative standpoint; – Hitler, the conditions were “right” for his leadership – Chairos “so to speak”.
     • Germany, historical, legal factors, that opened themselves up to a minority party (Nazis)
     • The mood of the population, frustration built to anger, Hitler saw the signs of the times.
   • Luke 12:56 – “Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”
   • Key characteristic in Revolutionary Leadership – make it a goal to grab every Chairos moment, sitting on the edge of your spiritual seat, aggressive in intent and posture.
2. Charisma
   • Wordly Perspective.
     • (Showiness)
     • Influence
     • Outgoing
     • Style
     • Charm
     • Good-orator/Speaker.
     • “Magnetic” – Gen. Burrows enlightened,  before JFK, it was not used in this way. Time magazine coined it. Previous to them, people would say “magnetic”. He was so great they wanted a new word to describe him.
   • Churchy Perspective
     • Spiritual Gifts / Grace.
     • God working through you.
     • (Popular church.)
     • The ability to inspire people. Convey the gifts/fruit/etc. to others through your leadership. (Careful with interpretation of this one..we’re not mediating the Grace of God)
     • Charismatic Leader does have Holy Spirit in him/her and does have ability to share.
     • Communicate a powerful message in a way that speaks to the hearts of the listeners – persuade people to follow you.
3. Conviction
   • Completely committed to something that’s bigger than yourself.
   • TSA – “Soldiers should be ready to preach, pray or die at a moment’s notice.”
   • “Default” reactions.
   • Love to fight, live to fight, love the thickness of the fight, and die in the midst of it.
   • While we’re here, figure out what your convictions are on big issues, so you don’t have too spend to much time thinking about it later on. so that you’re ready to act on it.
     • eg. Morpheus and his conviction about “The One”. “We don’t think that Neo is the one”, “My beliefs don’t require that you do”.
     • That kind of conviction that produces revolution.
4. Cadre
   • “Nucleus of military personal capable of expansion.”
   • “Nucleus of trained personnel around which a larger organisation can be built and trained.”
   • “Tightly knit group of zealots active in advancing the interests of a revolutionary party.”
   • eg. Corps councils can serve this purpose.
   • Question: Do you need a cadre to build a cadre? No?
     • “The Attard Quadrilateral”; the word Cadre (from the Latin quadro & quadrum, the origin of the word square) so;
     • 4 in Cadre (Square)
     • 3 in Trinity
     • 1 in Me
     • Hence we always have a Cadre!
   • Global and local differences… (Session mates vs. local leadership)
   • Question: Do you need a cadre to build a cadre? Example;
     
     

     new	existing
     eg. 614 Mel - Started with The Nottles (conviction) - Recruited (from friends and community – invited & attracted) - Look around for people who are between the cracks.	- recruit (invited & attracted) - trained - identified

5. Consequences
   • Should be able to measure the consequences.
   • The kinds of things you couldn’t even imagine when you start.
   • Don’t compromise.
   • eg. Consequences of John Wesley’s Cadre (The Holy Club?)
   • eg. 614 Melbourne 60 on Thurs, 140 on Sun (0-200 in 6 years) – Heroic and Inspiring! What has started there, can be Revolutionary in terms of what The Salvation Army can do.
   • Success is different in our context – we miss out on the favour of the world.

Case Study; Corps / Historical / Movie

Examples; Wesley, Azusa Street, Crossroads, Star Wars, West Wing, SA Aussies, Braveheart, Sound of Music.

Most interesting note; the consequences of SA Aussies – in less than 3 years, 0 – 32 officers, 12 Corps, 3,600 soldiers

Here I Am.

Too much of what I do is motivated by guilt. I need to concentrate on living a pro-active, rather than a reactive life. A life where I say “I intend to..” rather than “I should do..”. A life where I look forward to the challenges, rather than trying to make excuses as to why I don’t want to be involved.

I want to cultivate in me, and around me, a “Yes!” culture.

Not a yes culture that will make me overwhelmed, or burned out, just one that is real, optimistic, honest, forward looking, and not lazy.

A comrade of mine has inherited a signature-book-of-sorts that page-by-page, one-by-one has been signed in succession by all of the General’s of The Salvation Army, starting with General William Booth himself. This is what General Carpenter had to say…

“The Secret of the Victorious life will be found in saying “Yes” to God, and to keep on saying it.” – Melbourne, 20/6/1945

And, because Officership is at the beginning and end of most of my daily thoughts; an exhortation, before I leave…

“This little book/[blog] contains the experience of one who heard God’s call to become an Officer, and who answered it.

More than 13,000 men and women all over the world have chosen to obey His voice and give themselves up to lives of self-denying toil for the salvation of the world. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself whether God does not require you to give Him your life? Will you ask yourself that question today?

When you have thought and prayed about it, speak to the Officer of your Corps or write to your Candidates Secretary.” – A School of Prophets, by ‘One of the Scholars’ The Salvation Army Book Department, 1901

Quote/s of the Day (today, originating from one family unit);

“Incarnation without transformation is not the kingdom of God, it’s simply assimilation.” – Capt. Danielle Strickland.

“Enjoy the Lord today. Take a step back and appreciate the fact that the Creator of the universe died for you, loves your socks off, and dreams about you. Then crawl into His presence and soak it all up – fear/reverence, safety, acceptance, love, mercy, grace…” – Capt. Stephen Court

And Introducing; The Ambassadors of Holiness 2009-2010, The Australia Southern Territory Training College