Driving

I was driving to work the other day- i tell you what for someone who drives 30kms to work, across Auckland City in Peak hour traffic- the school holidays have been a huge relief. It has only taken (possibly a record) 35 minutes!

Ill let you all catch your breath at that amazing fact...

But as i was driving to work the other day- i realised the stupidity of what i was doing. I drive 60km a day in total, by myself, in my 5 seater car, i use $40 gas. I look across at my fellow travellers- and they are in the same boat (or car). This however is jsut taken as normal, status quo.. infact its taken as a necessary part of life.

But im challenged to think about this, seriously. If you live in Auckland you will understand that it would take three times the time and price to catch a train or bus (which i did do for a while, may i add), and im 'way to busy' after work to consider car pooling.

I have sucsessfully ruled out the two real options to bring justice in this sistuation of excessiveness, just like that. Money and Time. Possibly the primary life stranglers of the first world.

Where is the freedom in that? Nowhere! because i have dug myself into a hole, that makes those horrible words come out of my mouth...'i neeeeeeed to drive'.

Usually a nice piece of writting wil tie up nicely with a conclusion we all say 'ahhhh thats nice too' and everything is ok. Realistically i dont ahve one for this. Because im still driving 60km a day, using lots of gas, by myself in my car.

Any comments? suggestions? thoughts?

im trapped in my own spiderweb it seems...

A New Blog

Check out a new Blog titled Just Comment- A blog to engage in discussion around issues of injustice, equality, pain, Faith, and bringing to be a world that is whole! Sound a bit flaky? trust me its not! (its just the way i write...!)So check it out.

www.justcommentblog.blogspot.com

Hospitality of a different kind

A thought from a guy called Spencer (from the Ooze website),describes our need for hospitality of dialogue around theology. As we live and work and do in community, hospitality can extend past the tea and coffee at break time into conversation- especially conversation about the spiritual.

“I think more than ever we need to be people who choose to rise above this kind of dialogue (tactics of fear and intimidation, more ad hominem attacks, using cliched innuendos like "un-Biblical," "un-orthodox," "un-Christian," and even "heretical", Will we buy into these quick dismissals which threaten to disenfranchise and avoid the opportunity to engage in real, lasting dialogue?) and risk in engaging this discussion - to practice theological hospitality. I believe that we need to be the ones to lead by example, to intentionally create environments of gracious dialogue. We also need to show what respectful disagreement looks like in the midst of intellectual and theological tensions. If we are to see the Church, the beautiful expression of God in this world, move forward in being all that is should be, this kind of hospitality is not merely required; it is the way of Jesus.” (http://www.theooze.com/main.cfm)

As we do life, contend with the Kingdom of God, continued open, honest, respectful dialogue around life issues, who we are, faith and justice will enable us to wrestle with the issues we face personally, as a community and the world. Lets be people who are hospitable not only in the currency of club sandwiches and muffins but also in accepting each other and our conversation.

Fair Trade Fortnight

Fair trade fortnight is coming very soon.... infact 3-18 May is it!

Whats it all about? ITs about celebrating an alternative trade system that places some the power back in the hands of the producers. It aims to bring about more profit for growers, build sustainable livlihood for them, their families and their communities. This fortnight is also about awareness of how trade affects the world- for good and for bad. We can ask questions like: waht is my role in all of this? and then what is our role (for waht ever community your involved with ) in this?


For more info go to the Fair Trade Fortnight website

You can get involved, Here are some ideas:


*You can hold a Fair trade morning tea in you workplace or home or church

*You can stick up posters and info alerting people to the issue (see website)

*Go to an event in your area (see website)


Keep up the good fight! Choose today, Choose fair trade!

Some Reading!

The New internationlist has a whole range of small books on big issues- nononsense guides to fair trade, world health, globalisation and a whole lot more. Just to get us thinking perhaps!? Also some thought provoking articles and blogs can be found there.

Also another wonderful read and study is the Living simply study by Murrary Stead... avalible on trademe i believe!