The Jack-a-nory Story

New City; New Job 22/10/11

2011-10-22T05:35:00.000-07:00

I have just moved to Welwyn GardenCity, a green and tidy City about 20 miles from London. I had neverheard of this place until about 2 weeks before I moved here and nowhere I am feeling the bite – not just from the winter closing inbut also by a distinct lack of friends. I moved here to take up ajob offer and one will better understand our economic circumstance when I tell you that I moved to a remote part of the country, where I haveno friends and no memories, in order to start a job that pays no morethan the average offered graduate salary.

I do, however, work for a charity. I'm not in it for the money but rather for the experience and for the pursuit of the charities vision. Friends International is a Christian organisation that seeks to serve and befriend International Students here in the UK. You can follow them on Twitter HERE and you can visit their website HERE. Note: They are currently in the process of entirely updating their website.

Re-vamped BLOG: The Jack-a-nory Story 17/10/11

2011-10-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

This blog has been re-awoken and is now going to have regular posts from myself including updates from my photography and journalistic writings. Sadly I am no longer a student but hopefully, as a working man blogging, these posts will still be worth your time.

I am writing here

I am showcasing photos here

I am Tweeting here

I am LinkedIn here

Thanks for stopping by.

A Final Reflection: The Roehampton Days 29/07/11

2011-07-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Do you remember what happened in our second month of being at Roehampton University? For some they will never forget it, for others it may have just been a troubling day, for me it was the first time I saw the true colours of Roehampton University. Jason Dixon, a much loved and admired third year student, suddenly and tragically died. It was naturally a deeply emotional time for many students. This was for me a time when I realised that Roehampton University was in fact a place of deep friendships, lasting memories, and of life being lived fully and shared abundantly. I did not know Jason but we were both part of this community and through that we were connected more than I had ever realised. From the mourning of my friends who knew him, to the many flowers laid outside the Uni Bar, I could see our community more then than at any other time. This profound start to my Roehampton life (and maybe yours as well) left me far more awake to what this University is; a community of close friends that are in it together.

Maybe you didn't know about Jason Dixon but you more than likely felt what I'm talking about in the closing weeks of your university life. What you were sad about leaving (or crying so uncontrollably about at the last BOP) is what I'm talking about. The realization that three years has done far more than give you a degree. It has actually woven you into a living, breathing and loving community of like minded, fun loving friends. I'll never say that I'm sad to leave Roehampton as a place but rather that I'm heartbroken to be leaving a community – a family - of friends. Thank you Roehampton, may your good times live on.

'Inductance' - A short film by Physalia 12/07/11

2011-07-12T04:30:00.000-07:00

F5 2011 RE:PLAY Film Festival. Inductance from Physalia Studio on Vimeo.

Short Story: Embankment. 3/07/11

2011-07-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

9pm. Embankment. Friday Night. Greasy chips in hand. Echoes of youths having a spat. Dull scene of a tube station. Individuals and couples going about their London business. Numbing sound of repetition coming through my headphones. The noise of the fighting grows, a few people look up. To much internalizing and I conclude I resent my comfortable and easy life. A worried and bothered middle-aged women paces around the platform. My expensive camera is on one shoulder and £1.50 chips worked on by my other arm. The noise of the fighting must be aware to everyone by now. Curiosity and the insatiable human desire to 'know' propels me towards it. Earphones out, but nothing to see. The noises are coming from a mystery stairwell just off from the platform. There is definitely a female voice shouting, screaming, a desperation. The noises are more and more manic. The chips stopped reaching my mouth a while back.

The worried and pacing women exchanges glances with me.
A second eye contact with the women and I know now what she's worried about.
A third time our eyes meet and this time a hushed and desperate voice: "It's a tragedy..."

I breath in deep as I take in the possible reality of what my ears are witnessing. Grotesque. My head swarms, I can't believe what this women's panicked body language and simple words are telling me. That's too much. Too wrong... but it adds up.
I look around and some young men are discussing it, acid is mentioned... unlikely.
A gush of wind and I see my train approaching.
A futile desperation to make the right decision ensues.
Self-preservation is chosen and cowardice is championed.
With every passing stop away from the scene a sickness grows and a guilt takes hold.
By the time I'm off the tube and at Putney Bridge I start to wretch. The chips want to come back up.
I stop. I have to pray. Right there... for mercy.

"The only thing needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing"
- Edmund Burke

My Brand New Photography Website 20/6/11

2011-06-20T01:19:00.000-07:00

This is simply to announce that my new photography website is now up and fully functioning. It can be viewed here: www.jackbentley.co.uk

It has been created by the web designer Alex Moyler [www.am0.co.uk]

I am looking for work as a photographer and so is Alex as a web designer. So please get in touch via the above links if our skills are what you're looking for.

'Apocalyptic Mood Swings' 2/06/11

2011-06-02T04:32:00.000-07:00

This is a little late in being published but I feel they are interesting thoughts and worth sharing:

On April 29th the wedding of the decade took place and many in the world celebrated the love of a royal couple. Only three days later, Monday 2nd May, the mood had somewhat changed as much of the world was instead celebrating death. Osama Bin Laden had been killed by US forces in Pakistan and that evening scenes of rejoicing took place in many major US cities. My friend quite aptly described the long weekend as the world having “apocalyptic mood swings”.

During our collective fickle emotions we need to ask ourselves the probing question of whether we should be rejoicing in the death of another, even an enemy. The wisest words said at the time, regarding Osama's death, appeared in the New York Times in the form of a quote from Martin Luther King Jr: ‎”I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy."

On top of this I heard further wisdom from another Godly man: Tony Campolo. A well known liberal commentator and lecturer, he said this in his recent podcast: “A while back someone brought to my attention that I ought to be praying for Bin Laden. So I did... Now here's the issue: It's very hard to cheer for the death of somebody you've been praying for.”

The reason MLK Jr. says that he will “never celebrate the death of one enemy” and that Campolo was praying for Bin Laden is because of the example of Jesus Christ. “Love your enemies” may be the simplest of words but words that have far reaching consequences when they are turned to actions.

Not just in our “apocalyptic mood swings” do we need to read and take seriously the words of Jesus but in everyday life as well. For we do not know when we, or the world around us, will be celebrating love or celebrating death.

Photography Website - Update 18/05/11

2011-05-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

My photography website hosted by Carbonmade was updated last month with new photos uploaded. If you haven't seen it yet then please visit it.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE A LOOK.

Banksy - Stained Window 14/05/11

2011-05-14T02:54:00.001-07:00

Interesting new artwork from the infamous Banksy!

Travel Writing - Final days 25/04/11

2011-04-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

For this final week of my time here I have attended different events either as part of Holy Week and the Christian calender or Passover as part of the Jewish calendar. Let me me share one of them with you now.

On Wednesday morning of the Passover holiday I went to the Western Wall at 7:30am to witness the Cohen Benediction Priestly Blessing. This takes place only twice a year and is an amazing scene. Several thousand Jewish Orthodox believers pack the whole of the Western Wall plaza and I was in one corner with my camera to take photos for the photography agency I was volunteering at. After some good advice from another photojournalist I stationed myself high up on a gate right next to the wall that gave me a fantastic view of the events about to unfold. An astonishing cohesion and unity followed as one praying voice was heard from a tannoy system above the calm silence and then it was followed by the thousands below that sang prayers in unison. This was awe-inspiring and a great opportunity for photographs as many of the orthodox completely cover themselves with their prayer shawls meaning in some places you see a field of white. Below is one photo that I took while it was happening. It is a close up of those praying by the wall with their prayer shawls covering them.

Photo of the week: The Stairwell 21/04/11

2011-04-21T07:13:00.000-07:00

A nun walks up a stairwell in the Church of Our Lady of the Spasm in Jerusalem's Old City. Photo by Jack Bentley

Travel writing continued... 18/04/11

2011-04-18T03:41:00.000-07:00

I left the house at 8am in order to arrive by 11am. After a long coach journey I got to the bus station so I was only 10 minutes away. Google maps, however, had other ideas as it hadn't made it clear that there were now two bus stations in Haifa, the northern industrial city of Israel. Therefore I found myself in what seemed to be nothing; at least I saw no city and no Haifa.
Through broken English I was directed to a bus but after riding it for 45 minutes I had no idea where I was or where I was going. I turned to a woman sitting behind me “Is this bus going to the Ba'hia Gardens... The Shrine of the Bab?” She looked confused. As the Ba'hai Gradens and shrine are Haifa's most renowned landmarks and tourist spot the confusion on the woman's face gave me no reassurance I was even in Haifa! A little while later however and after conversing with the bus driver he gestures for me that its my stop.
I get off the bus and onto another empty road. I ask someone else and with more English and less sign language this time I get new directions. I finally reach my destination with relief and much sweat in the intense heat. I start walking towards the huge gold roofed building and it's immaculate gardens. As I enter through the gates a guard suddenly gets my attention and proceeds to politely inform me that it has now closed. Closing time was 12:00. I look at my watch, it's 12:05. I would make a useless pilgrim.

Photo of the Week: Father and sons praying at the Kotel 15/04/11

2011-04-15T00:24:00.000-07:00

This Week: Travel Writing 11/04/11

2011-04-10T23:44:00.000-07:00

Just before midday I was passing through the military guarded check point. With everyone displaying passports or travel documents I spied one other British passport on the crowded coach of about 45. A few American's were present and the rest were Palestinian citizens. The road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is one of the more frequented routes taken by tourists when passing from Israel into the West Bank. The check point soldier checked our documents and after the 5-10 minute delay we were on our way again. The stop hadn't been hostile nor tense but rather seemed to have become a tiresome chore for both the Palestinians and the Israeli military.

I spent the day in Bethlehem and enjoyed the hectic and vibrant Arabic culture and after seeing the 'tourist sites' there was something else I was keen to try. I paid the 1 Shekel (about 18 pence) and was handed a small, transparent, plastic cup holding a chocolate black liquid. Having seen the streams of locals buying from this friendly seller in the public square I assumed it would be my best bet for trying authentic Arabic coffee. I sipped it at first. It wasn't strong like I had expected but rather had a strange flavour I couldn’t recognise. Maybe it was mint but I wasn't sure.
I chatted with the man, Muhammed was his name, and he informed me with some satisfied swagger that there are one hundred million people in the world with the name Muhammed. I smiled and studied his ornate brass coffee jug with my wondering eyes. As I looked it struck me what I could actually taste. This mysterious taste was undoubtedly brass! So after finishing the drink and leaving Muhammed to his friendly selling I was planning on getting home and Googling to see what brass does to ones digestive system.

In the Event of My Death 5/04/11

2011-04-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

Speaking with one of my friends yesterday they expressed a desire to start living more with a mindset that they could die tomorrow. Not being morbid but rather, coming from a Christian perspective, my friend wanted to live in the now for as far as he knows he may be meeting Jesus tomorrow. Gandhi once said “Live as if you'll die tomorrow and learn as if you'll never die”. Wise words but how does one start to apply such radical thinking to their life?

If I was to die tomorrow it would change my today. Firstly I would want to comfort those that I think would be upset by my death. Reassure my sisters. Put my arm around my mother. I would speak the truth to them that I also hold: “If I die tomorrow I will go to be with Jesus”.
I would seek forgiveness from those I feel it is needed and to speak the confirmation of my love to those for whom I hold dear. To my best friends there would be tears of joy and rejoicing in the memories and the blessed fellowship. To my sisters and bothers I'd say “keep running the race set before you”. To my parents I'd congratulate them on a job well done, and to the girl held in my heart I would adoringly gaze upon her and not rush a single word.
Thank you letters would have to be shipped out by the bundle. My money and possessions might as well be divided up and shared with whoever needs it the most. I'm not going to strive in my final hours to insure I leave some kind of legacy but rather push harder in pointing people towards Jesus; our only hope.

So maybe, after considering what I believe and whom I love the most, I do know what I would do if I were to die tomorrow. So now why don't I live it?

Ravi Zacharias - One of my heroes. 20/03/11

2011-03-20T04:10:00.000-07:00

Ravi Zacharias is a well known and respected Christian apologetic. He has spent his life traveling the globe and sharing, with intellectual aptitude, the Christian faith. This post is simply to commend him to you and anyone that is wrestling with the bigger intellectual questions of the Christian faith.

Below are a few thoughts of his, a quote and a video, that are worth looking at:

“In naturalism man is actually very insignificant but arrogates to himself stupendous power. In Christianity man is actually the apex of created significance but is called to see it in abject humility.”

How do you know there is a God? [Click for Link]

Finally if you would like to visit his website you can here: www.rzim.org His ministry is called Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM)

I hope his words are a blessing to you.

'Supper at Emmaus' by Caravaggio (My photographic replication) 4/03/11

2011-03-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

Thoughts: Suffering and a Christian Perspective 15/2/11

2011-02-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

Some one once told me: “God owes you two things: death and hell... and he's chosen to give you neither.” This I believe is the starting perspective for how we deal with suffering, when we start to grasp something of our status under God for Christians and non-Christians alike. We did nothing to receive the mercy God offers us, the Bible says that whilst we were still sinners God sent his son into the world to die for us. We had done nothing to warrant a rescue plan, nothing in our-selves to persuade God to offer us his overwhelming mercy instead of death and hell. Yet he offers life instead of punishment. This mercy God offers every human is illogical to the human mind and if not for Jesus taking the punishment it would also be unjust. Though because of Jesus this mercy is exactly just and can be offered to us freely, but isn't Jesus suffering punishment in my place completely unfair?
Suffering is also often made even more unbearable by it being undeserved or in other words unfair. A comfort I have found in the midst of seemingly unfair suffering is that God's mercy is also totally unfair. God's gift of mercy is something of an antithesis to that of suffering and though despite this unfairness is a character they both share. We may endure suffering that is so undeserved but I assure you that God's mercy is as or more undeserved.
With this starting point I think next is to disarm suffering of its authority of being a total and unnecessary evil. John 9 tells the story of the man born blind from birth. When questioned why he was blind Jesus answers: “To give God glory”. This man, most of us would say, is in a state of suffering yet the purpose of the suffering is to Glorify God. This does not mean God is sadistic and takes pleasure in our suffering, it is quite the opposite. He is brought gory because, in the blind man's case, a healing takes place and this brings the man into relationship with God and his town is shown the power of God. Like anybody you are naturally reading this and putting these thoughts up to your own experiences to see if you agree. However suffering is far too complex and mysterious for me or anyone to draw up a blueprint or map explaining suffering and all its questions. However as we see in John 9 suffering is not always as some may say “just life” or as some Christians say “Satan's attack”. There can be purpose in suffering and God's glory is far more important than our selfish enjoyment of life.
Mike Pilavachi, a church pastor based in Watford, describes the 'ups and downs' of life as a mountainous terrain. We all love the mountain top experiences where we have spectacular views and things are going well but no-one really enjoys the valleys, which are far from spectacular. However, and in Pilavachi's words: “the growth is in the valleys”. This is the truth of all life’s valleys and struggles and in many cases suffering. We find ourselves growing, maturing and developing immeasurably more in the valleys compared to when things are calm and plateaued out or spectacular at the top. Romans 5 says: “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
In conclusion I will repeat a statement I heard recently: “The question is not: Why God have you allowed this to happen? It is: Given that God has allowed this to happen, how can I live so that God can be most glorified?”

My photo on poster design for RCU 'Invited' Week 1/02/11

2011-02-01T04:15:00.000-08:00

Uni Paper Article: 'The Rise of Facbook and the Rule of Zuckerberg' 22/01/11

2011-01-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

If your reading this then we probably have two things in common. We are both Roehampton students and we are both members of the third largest country in the world.
Did you know that Facebook is closing in on its 600 millionth user and if it was a country it would be the third largest in the world? This means one in twelve of us on the planet has been knit together by this online phenomenon. As 2010 drew to a close Facebook was seeing nearly a billion new pieces of content posted every single day. The record number for photos uploaded in a single day was 339 million, that was on Halloween last year. These are astonishing figures and media critics and the general public have only just started to grasp the sheer enormity and influence of this company that has existed for less than 7 years.
Right in the middle of this is the rise of Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg's story made headlines in the film 'The Social Network' in August and then he was named TIME's 2010 Person of the Year in December. How is it that a social network has gone from being spoken about only by it's youthful and modernized users to a global conversation led by media critics and journalists in every country? “Facebook is now the third largest country on earth and surely has more information about it's citizens than any government does. Zuckerberg, a Harvard dropout, is its T-shirt-wearing head of state” are the words of TIME's Richard Stengel and surely the smartest summary on the rise of Facebook and the rule of Zuckerberg. We have been witnesses to a truly remarkable rise of, not just a company, but a growing and changing community. You may not think this at all significant but I assure you this changes social dynamics for the next generation. Now friendships can last beyond a friendship's usual life-span, the once met stranger becomes a “friend”, and a relationship status is a public spectacle that your Mum's friend from down the road can “like”. We can view someone's world at a distance, view their photos and comments but remain out of view. If we don't want to interact we sign-out. Isn't this just friendship but on our own terms?
The journalist Lev Grossman wrote: “In less than seven years, Zuckerberg wired together a twelfth of humanity into a single network, thereby creating a social entity almost twice as large as the U.S.” Whether we both belong to this new internet nation or not it seems it's here to stay. However I'm assuming both of us are Facebook citizens and both of us are Roehampton students, but only in one of these communities does the word “friend” actually hold any meaning.

Studio Portraits 12/01/11

2011-01-12T07:54:00.001-08:00

Below are three images taken from a recent photo shoot that I undertook as part of my photographic research. I Thought I'd share them with you.

Travel misery as viewed from Facebook 6/01/11

2011-01-06T02:58:00.000-08:00

We had heavy snow mid-December and once again the UK airports freaked out. Transport died and children laughed. Students thought they'd be enjoying it too, but cancelled and delayed flights were a real kill-joy especially for international students returning home. While most of us were worried that our £20 train ticket, taking us home, would be delayed there were others that were not sure their £400 (or more) plane ticket would get them home by Christmas! With a third of all flights grounded at Heathrow for several days Roehampton's international students faced a tense wait.
Every Facebook status at the time seemed to be a day-by-day update on either weather conditions, flight cancellations or the miracle story of getting home. A successful journey home would unfold on Facebook like this: “Lots of prayers and crossed fingers for my flight home tomorrow!” Then a day or two later: “After a long journey: bus, tube, and 11 plus hour flight (which was a little delayed) I am finally home safe and sound :)”. That's nice but what about the more unsuccessful travellers? What about the failed journeys that are actually interesting to read about? “Stuck in London. Forever.” is how the updates began, while another one simply read: “Cancelled”. In terms of unlucky travellers I didn't see a worse update than this: “I'm FINALLY back home :D ..after two cancelled flights, more than 24hrs at the airport and then having to switch airport! What a mission...”.
I am not writing this from a distance while pitying all those who were unlucky enough to have slept in an airport over Christmas. Instead, 48 hours after the snow came relentlessly, it was me trudging through Heathrow equally worried that my Christmas plans were about to fall flat. I saw the sleeping stranded, no beds; just Terminal 1 as their private shelter. Sleep, though, must be at a minimum when your bedroom is shared with thousands of travellers, many sleep deprived and all completely hell bent on leaving the country. I was a lucky one and able to fly out the same day my flight was scheduled and though it was a little delayed I at least didn't spend the night curled up on the highly polished Terminal 1 floor. I think most people did make it out by Christmas Day but having seen those that had gone through such Christmas misery you realise it's not much fun. To all students that complained when their £20 train was marginally delayed by the snow- shame on you. To the international students that spent more than their fair share in an airport terminal- I salute you.

"Anarchy in the UK" 23/12/10

2010-12-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

By Hugleikur Dagsson

Roehampton and Biola 14/12/10

2010-12-14T03:28:00.000-08:00

Not far from the glitz and fame of Hollywood and somewhere lost amongst the great expanse of the Los Angeles urban sprawl is a small university called Biola. It was here during freshers week 2010 that the auditorium was packed and the speeches were flowing. With some 3,000 freshers and returning students in attendance there were actually 3 people in the crowd who were imposters. Me, Annabelle and Mike; Roehampton students through-and-through. We weren't there to study at all but rather on holiday. So how did we end up in this auditorium hearing inside jokes we didn't understand and being welcomed as the class of 2014? The answer to that is found with Roehampton's international students. You probably have never heard of Biola but did you know that every autumn term we have up to 20 of their students come and live amongst us here at Roehampton? This term has been no different. A favourite with Roehampton's women's football team this term is Chelsea Schwickert who has made the transition to Roehampton with little trouble. “I think getting yourself involved in the university lifestyle plays an important factor on how much you end up enjoying your stay here.” she says. Rachel Link another student from Biola came with us on the student protest march last week: “I was privileged with an opportunity to support education with Roehampton at the protest in Central and it was one of my favourite experiences yet.” Rachel and Chelsea are shining examples of internationals making the most of a study abroad program. Rachel has even taken opportunities to express her own cultural identity here at Roehampton: “My flat mates and I have been cooking for each other meals once a week that represent our different cultures and the things we love dearly.”

It was last years visiting students from Biola however, that led to Annabelle, Mike and I being in that auditorium on that day. We had made such good friends with a couple of them that it was a natural step for the 3 of us to embark out to the Sates to see them once again and visit their university that we had heard so much about. That's why we were there – because we had allowed friendship to form, to grow, and then to blossom. Knowing them changed my entire summer and there's a precious part of it that has changed my life. There's more to international friends than having a free place to crash once your abroad.

A striking image: 'SALVATION' 9/12/10

2010-12-09T06:13:00.001-08:00

I saw the above image while researching photographers and found it very striking. It is by Duane Michals and below is what he said about it in an interview. Full interview can be viewed here.

"I did a piece for The New York Times years ago called 'Salvation.' The Times called and asked that I take a photo and write about 100 words about where they think the country is politically. I did the picture, and it's a man with a priest's collar holding a cross to the head of a young guy. The first sentence says it all: 'No American has the right to impose his private morality on any other American,' which is precisely the agenda of most organized churches. I was out in the country when they ran the piece, and my mother was in a Catholic church in Philadelphia. She called me and said, 'Did you have something published in The New York Times? Well, the priest was talking about it today at Mass.'"

Jesus probably rode a dinosaur! 4/12/10

2010-12-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

Religion and faith in the media. 30/11/10

2010-11-30T01:48:00.000-08:00

The Guardian Online covered broadly the debate between Tony Blair and the charismatic atheist Christopher Hitchens in which Tony Blair stated that religion is "a benign progressive framework by which to live our lives".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/27/christopher-hitchens-tony-blair-debate

The BBC covered the Queen's address during this years general Synod opening. The Queen said a "preoccupation with our welfare and comfort" were not "at the heart of our faith" but rather "the concepts of service and of sacrifice as shown in the life and teachings of the one who made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant" [were].
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11817744

CNN, during the Thanksgiving holiday, covered Obama's Thanksgiving day proclamation from the Whitehouse. Quoting Obama CNN comments on the “distinctly religious ring” to the address as at one point he said: "As we stand at the close of one year and look to the promise of the next, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, for one another, and for our Nation."
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/25/president-obamas-faithy-thanksgiving-proclamation/

So God and faith is in the news and influential people are saying positive things regarding it. But is all press good press? And are the press and the general public talking about it because we have good things to say? God knows.

My Commentary: The Student Protests 10/11/10

2010-11-25T02:44:00.000-08:00

The day after 50,000+ students protested the government's proposed cuts on higher education, seven of the daily UK national newspapers had the same photograph on their front page. You probably saw it. A hooded youth kicking at a shattered window while a pink flare illuminated the carnage around him. I don't know about the other 200 or so Roehampton students that marched their way past Westminster but that image doesn't sum up the day I had. I'm pretty sure I would have remembered it had my day gone like that. Instead my day was pride-filled that so many students had turned up with incrediable unity to make the politicians take notice and the budget cutters think twice. Due to government spending cuts tution fees could rise from £3,290 to up to £9,000 a year. Students argue that this would leave higher education less accessiable to poorer income families and those that do choose to take out a loan will be paying it back for many more years to come.

Back at the march our Roehampton group became fragmented so it is possible that some of us did witness the violence. For me, however, I spent the first half of the day peacfully demonstrating but unfortunatly had to leave 20 minutes before anything “news-worthy” happened. That is “news-worthy” at least to the newspaper editor who knows his news-hungry audience too well. While the 99% marched without disturbance, the 1% grabbed the headlines. Why? Because no matter how many students would have turned up that day, violence sells better than an uneventful march. Before I did leave early however, I was greatly impressed by both the huge number of students and the fun-natured, day-out approach, to the protest that was apprent and that only students could have achieved. With banners slagging off the PM and countless chants that hurled obscenities, it was the sporadic appearance of signs that read 'I only popped out for a pint of milk' or 'I shaved my balls for this' that kept the angry tensions at a jovial level. That was, at least, until about 2:30pm when proceedings were hijacked by a mob-like minority at the Millbank tower. The blame for the violence can only fall on the shoulders of the those responsible but where, I ask, were the police to stop this happening? I was very much aware that there were three groups of people there that day: The students, the loud ones; the police, they barely turned up; and the media, there were more of them than there were police! Truthfully for the first half of the day there were probably as many camera toting, video slinging 'journos' as there were police. You just have to look at the aftermath to see that the police were grossly understaffed. A mere 250 were on duty, even the paparazzi and those with a journalist's notepad could have overpowered them. The police may not have done their job but you can always trust the media to do their's and take it one step further at the same time. They must have snapped & videoed the march from every angle for every minute of the day! but when it came to the front page we can depend on them to produce only what sells.

The day was indeed marred by what we saw at the Millbank Tower and many are disapointed because of it. Though most are saying how disappointed they are that they saw violence take place, I however would say I was very disppointed not to have seen it. Having left just before it turned nasty, I, as a photojournalist, missed a golden opportunity. Yes I am disappointed that the violence happened but I am even more upset that I wasn't there to take photos of it.

Buckingham Palace & the Shanty Town

2010-10-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

In case of nothing to do...

2010-09-11T09:53:00.001-07:00

A little provocative thought...

2010-07-06T03:02:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting quote that I consider to hold much truth:
"In the first century in Palestine, Christianity was a community of believers. Then Christianity moved to Greece and became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome and became an institution. Then it moved to Europe and became a culture. And then it moved to America and became a business. We need to get back to being a healthy, vibrant community of true followers of Jesus."
--- Pricilla Shirer

The Church is a body. It is the Body of Christ. If Pricilla Shirer is correct and that in some places, not just in America I might point out, churches have lost their function as a body and become a business then we have a big problem.

I ask you: What is a body if it has become a business? One answer to this question would be: A Prostitute.

Mark Willis, a church planter in Chicago, analyses this problem very well in his blog.
"...I think too often it has (the Gospel) adopted to the culture, instead of adapting to the culture. Here in America, if we as a culture assume a position of business, then the gospel virus should subvert and infuse the business world with all the revolutionary power of the first century gospel – not simply become a consumer-religion."
You can read Mark Wilis' Blog [HERE]

The Bible uses the allegory of a prostitute for Jerusalem when His people in the city disobey Him and chase after evil things. Ezekiel 16:15 says: "But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute."

Commitment to God and God alone is our role as the church. If the Church gives itself away to any other god it is being unfaithful.

FOAM MONSTER IN EMOTIONAL REUNION WITH SEVERED LIMB

2010-07-01T03:34:00.001-07:00

Mary

2010-06-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

Below is a book I put together for my documentary photography module in my second year at University. I hope you like it.

'Mary' is a personal portrait of the life and devotion of one woman. She is a Sacred Heart nun, living a life of servanthood and love to her Lord Jesus and to the people around her.The book is a collection of photographs put alongside the memories and stories of this amazing and inspiring woman.

Mary by By Jack Bentley | Make Your Own Book

Saw this and laughed

2010-05-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Found it while researching images on consumerism at an interesting image website called: 'Yay!Everyday' http://yayeveryday.com/

Carbonmade update

2010-04-13T06:30:00.001-07:00

I have done a few updates on my photography website hosted at Carbonmade.
Clck here to see it.

Passion London 2010

2010-04-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

PASSION LONDON @ WEMBLEY ARENA 14th & 15th MAY.

[CLICK HERE FOR MORE]

Short Comparison on Acceptance

2010-04-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

March 2010

Speaking to my cousin the other day I found out that she had had an experience with a Christian Union that made me quite sad.
She is an active Christian and at her university wanted to be involved with the Christian Union (CU). She went along early in her first year and she went for about three weeks but then stopped and now in her 3rd year hasn't been back since. She said simply that this was because no one made an attempt to befriend or include her. This happened even though these people were in her immediate student community, a similar age, with the same beliefs and some possibly in the same course. The CU seemed to be too much of a clique or too closed for her to fit in or connect with any one.

Now compare this experience to her work placement in a sleepy town in her third year. She was on placement for 8 weeks and in her very first week she visited a near by traditional Church of England church. She says she was welcomed with arms wide open, she was accepted and ended up attending the church every week of her placement. These people were all mostly elderly, weren't from the same community as her, and the church type and denomination was nothing like her charismatic energetic church background. Despite this she made good friends and felt part of the church for the time she was living in that town.

What do we learn here?
If we are serious about growing our Christian communities and accepting every single person, even those that find that they don't want to come back, then maybe we should, sacrificially, care less for our own friendships and be to a greater extent looking outwards.

Arsenal for free?!

2010-04-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

February 2010

I just wanted to tell you how I went to see Arsenal vs Burley at the Emirates stadium in London for free!

Using my cunning skill, quick thinking and agile movement I walked up to the stadium and...
well that was where my skill ended and after being there for about 10 seconds a kind gentleman walked up to me and said: "Are you looking to get into the game?". I looked at him suspiciously and he carried on: "Because I have a spare season ticket here that will go to waste if no one uses it today."

Less than 60 seconds later I was with 60,000 others but instead of chanting and whooping I was speechless to what had just happened, but grinning from ear-to-ear!

January 2010

2010-02-04T02:34:00.000-08:00

February 10th

Within the first three weeks of January I had visited 4 countries and traveled through 6 airports. It was a hectic way to start a year but unforgettable.

Often people put too much emphasis on WHERE. I believe that other things such as WHY and HOW and far more important.

From the gigantic, world famous St Peters Basilica to an intimate group of young people worshipping in a small Helsinki school, WHERE has been important but I feel it has been overshadowed by something deeper.

In the Vatican City I saw overwhelming tradition, huge expressions of Man's creativity and worshipers from all over the world united and sharing a common faith. In Helsinki I saw a handful of young people gathered in a school hall sincerely seeking God's heart and seeing his power and love poured out.

I do not come from a traditional church background but rather a charismatic and contemporary style. This may be the reason for me to feel at home in Helsinki far more than when I was in Rome. Rome was undoubtedly an awe-inspiring experience but in the words of Hillsong United in their song 'Tear down the walls': "I don't need to see it to believe it"! I am a firm believer in God being far more than what we can perceive visually. So even though Rome blew my mind I would say I 'saw' God in Helsinki far more than my physical eyes did in Rome.

I'm not calling for us to 'Tear down the walls' of traditional belief and style of faith but rather to look with more spiritual eyes and not to seek God just in the physical. If we are living by faith and not by sight then surly 'we don't need to see it to believe it'!

"Oh, how he loves us!"

2009-11-30T06:13:00.000-08:00

Many of you may have already seen this, but I just discovered it this weekend...
IT BLEW MY MIND.

If you do not have a relationship with the creator and loving God then this will be just a song. For those that know Him, this is so much more!

Caffeine Induced thoughts

2009-11-23T07:53:00.000-08:00

23rd November

If my generation can't separate love from lust can they distinguish between God's wrath and His splendor?

If I win the lottery would I lose sight of eternal riches?

If I sacrificed my life for another but did not love would it have been worth it?

If my generation care more for self-pleasure than for justice and mercy what will our country look like when we're in control?

If my generation leave absolute truth and morality for good ethics and relativism where does that leave faith?

If my generation choose themselves as God, surely they wont be chosen.

Does insignificance exist to an all knowing and all caring God?

An awesome advert; simple and affective!

2009-11-19T05:33:00.000-08:00

Archbishop Desmond Tutu comes to London

2009-11-13T04:37:00.000-08:00

November 8th

On Sunday night several Roehampton University Students made the long trek to Golders Green to see the world famous South African peace advocate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. One of the best known clergy men in the world and internationally known for his stand against apartheid in South Africa he was in Golders Green celebrating the centenary of St Albans Church. Having spent time attending the church in the 60's while studying at Kings College, Archbishop Tutu thanked the Parish Church in it's role in shaping his life, claiming: "You helped us prepare for the ministry we were to have in South Africa" and "You helped us become what we became". Since those early days he has gone on to win a Nobel Peace Price and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Humble, animated and hilarious are three words that would describe his address to the congregation. A great storyteller who captures peoples imagination to dream big dreams. He loves to challenge and his driving message is one of empowerment, to provoke people into a response that will positively change the world. "God is weak..." he said defiantly and for the sake of shock value but to then go on and say "... until you say here I am God, use me" He told us it was up to us to stand up and make a difference in this world and that the world needs people who are willing to make a difference. "...who can change it? You!" he said with deep conviction and belief.

Rebbecca Morton is a second year student at Roehampton studying Theology and Religious Studies, she is also the daughter of the Vicar at St Albans. "I was expecting a long and boring preach but instead he was really funny and very engaging". Rebbecca was involved with the running of the event, welcoming and hosting visitors from all over London.

Archbishop Tutu shared one story in which he was speaking at a youth conference and was asked how do you win a Nobel Peace Prize. He answered: "You have to have an easy name to remember, a big nose and sexy legs!"

With a final parting word and thanks he blessed us in his native Xhosa language. He left with a trail of flashing cameras and smiling faces behind him, but most poignantly he left a congregation with their hearts challenged.

Summer Tales 09 - The Church protesting the Church?

2009-10-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

September 14th

A controversial pro-Israel event took place at Gloucester cathedral which saw the bizarre occurrence of an ordained Church of England Vicar protesting the proceedings. The event, billed as 'The Clash of the Kingdoms', saw a coming together of Christians from all over Gloucestershire to hear the message of David Silver. New Zealand born David Silver preaches the Christian message with a strong emphasis on Israel and the Jewish heritage of Christianity. Now living in Israel, Mr Silver is a Messianic Jew as he is both a Christian and also Jewish by race.

During the evening as a performing group came to the end of their piece there was a momentary lull. In this time a man from the back walked to the front wearing a dog collar and the congregation assumed he was the next item on the program. Without a microphone he started to loudly state certain facts which seemed to include numbers of deaths of innocent Gaza civilians. When understood that this was a protester everyone went into hushed conversation about what was happening and there was also a little applause. At this point several of the men who were involved with the running of the evening approached him and after a flurried discussion the man was escorted out.

One eye-witness commented: "I think it was very sad. He (the protester) had an opportunity to address it in the morning discussions times which were there for questions to be raised. He actually interrupted the act of worship in the church which was far worse than interrupting David (Silver)."

Read the news article from This Is Gloucestershire.co.uk

Switchfoot's new album 'Hello Hurricane' countdown

2009-10-23T03:31:00.000-07:00

Get this widget!

'Warren Barfield - Love is not a Fight'

2009-09-25T03:54:00.000-07:00

Summer Tales 09 - Great Wedding, Best Man!

2009-09-16T01:30:00.000-07:00

August 1st

Out of the 365 options for a matrimonial unison August the 1st was by far the hotbed of it all. Why? No reason, but it statistically has been the day with the most weddings on so far this year. I too was at a wedding that day. For me however it wasn't a quiet day with a few sweet snaps of the happy couple. On the contrary, I was honoured and privileged to be the best man. It was amazing but to say I was stressed and rushed off my feet would be an understatement. There was a lot to do and if you've ever helped the running of a wedding you will know that everything HAS to be perfect. I had never been best man before and I was nervous and even though I was already sweating by midday I was very excited.

The couple looked stunning, the ceremony went off without a hitch, and then the reception and the dreaded speeches...

You know when you have to do something important, you give it your best shot and then brace yourself for the aftermath, well that was my speech. However instead of the crashing, the burning and then regret, I was overwhelmed by the positive response, the genuine laughter, and enthusiastic applause. In fact looking back at it, I really don't think it could of gone any better. I was so happy at how the speech and whole day went. I was happy because it meant the newlyweds had a gorgeous and blemish free day to remember. As much as I may of wanted to be the star of the show it was however thankfully only about two people. Mr and Mrs Clayfield. I love you both, may your marriage be long and fruitful.

Summer Tales 09 - Costa RIca

2009-09-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

July 1st - July 11th

With a group of eight others from my church in London I traveled for over 13 hours to Costa Rica in Central America. Though it may sound more like a holiday destination, the team and I were busily involved with helping a church run a four day conference in the capital San Jose. We also went into a local shanty town and prayed with the locals and invited them to the conference. We encountered some challenging situations but ultimately saw God do some incredible things. Working with the team and with the Costa Ricans was fantastic, everybody was able to contribute and bring something unique to the trip. We also worked with guys from the United States, Honduras and Nicaragua. Our group from England was the ministry team for the duration of the conference, one of us also lead worship some of the nights and another spoke on one evening.

It is a beautiful Latin American country and we were treated to the culture with salsa dancing, trips to the rainforests, and fluent Spanish.

One resounding image that will stay with me is from the Sunday morning of the conference when we joined in a joint celebration with the rest of the church. In the middle of the worship we witnessed several eagles swooping majestically in and out of the rainforest. This was all seen through a gigantic window at the front of the building behind the stage area. Amazing!

I warmly reccomend this country to you!

'Jeremy Riddle - Sweetly Broken'

2009-08-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Summer Tales 09 - Aziziye Mosque

2009-08-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

June 27th

I was in a cinema on a busy London high street. Stoke-Newington High Street to be precise and well... it wasn't a cinema any more. About 20 years ago the cinema had been bought by Turkish Muslims and converted into a Mosque that now boasts a capacity for 2000 worshipers. Called The Aziziye Mosque and Community Center (Pictured Below)it is used by the large local Turkish Islamic community.

During my visit I was shown the impressive and beautifully decorated main hall. Just as I was admiring it a troop of young children all laughing and screaming came racing in from the back of the hall. One kid, about 8 years old, tripped up his friend in a playground manner and had a cheeky laugh about it only to then, seconds later, drop to his knees in near silence to start his prayers facing east. It was a striking scene seeing these young children change from a laughing rabble into a quiet and solemn congregation in a matter of seconds. The Imam came to the front and then began to lead the group of 40 or so children in specific prayers and worship. Thirty minutes later the kids were laughing and screaming again. I was wowed by what I had just seen, a total glimpse into the lives of not just young British Muslims but perhaps how millions of others on this planet grow up praying and worshiping. It was also striking to see this act done not just by children of a stereotypical Arabic appearance but also white Caucasians. It was a beautiful scene yet frightening as so many young minds were being shaped into such a uniform and strict mold. Is this the way of religion? Or is this the way to extremism? I daren't say. Personally I don't agree with religion or extremism. I just believe Jesus makes the difference.

Summer Tales 09 - Armagh Venture

2009-08-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

June 22nd - 28th

The Armagh Venture is an annual project that sees thirty teenagers from the Northern Irish city of Armagh fly to London to have fun and make friends. Armagh is in an area of Northern Ireland where on-going conflict stains the otherwise peaceful and normal lives of these teenagers. Out of the thirty teenagers that come over fifteen are from a Catholic school and fifteen are from a protestant school. With this mix in backgrounds it is the aim of the week to bring the teenagers together to show that their differences don't need to cause divisions and to bring about friendships that will last beyond that of the visit.

For the 2009 Venture I was a group leader for the week. It was fantastic and I was pleasantly surprised by the great friends I made, the fun I had and the conversations that were so mature and honest. Not only did we learn the perspectives of both catholics and protestants we also made a visit to a mosque in North London. That was very eye-opening! We had a great time changing unused space on the university campus into gardens. That was until I was attacked by wasps! I was stung 5 or 6 times... nice. We also did a photo challenge that meant we traveled the length and breadth of London for a whole day. But we ended the day and ultimate the week with great memories and close friends. Thanks for coming guys! x

"Vineyard - Dwell"

2009-06-16T10:08:00.001-07:00

Another beautiful and relaxing worship song, hope you can enjoy it like I have.

"Random Photo - Lifeguard"

2009-06-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

"The life and times of LA300"

2009-06-05T04:37:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I finish my first year at Roehampton University and get effectively kicked out.
I lived in Lee House, Block A, Flat 300. Hence: LA300!

This is a message to all my flat mates over the past year. Aby, Tia, Lorraine, Kayleigh, Amy, Rizan, Hannah, Ellen, Dante, and Chele.

Thank you - and all the best for the future!

Favourite memory: Having our big LA300 Christmas Dinner together!

Next year in Sherfield Gardens!

"Kathryn Scott - At the foot of the Cross"

2009-05-14T07:14:00.000-07:00

An Incredible song; the words so powerful. Enjoy!

"5 Dollars with Che"

2009-05-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic manipulated photograph by Pedro Meyer called '5 Dollars with Che'.

"Photography Project"

2009-05-02T13:54:00.001-07:00

Hey guys!

For those interested my latest photography project can now be viewed on my Carbonmade website [HERE]. It is titled: 'The Gods are Advancing'

The project comprises of a series of 9 colour digital images. Each image is a portrayal of something that is worshipped, seen as salvific or considered a God in this society and in this day and age. Examples are football, alcohol, self-image, and religion.

Using actual newspaper headlines out of there original contexts I have used irony and humour to attempt to show that what the images portray is in fact shallow, unsatisfying and widely unknowingly worshipped.

In a sense the project is a critique on post-modernistic thinking where absolute truth is shunned and relative truth embraced. The project shows what people turn to when searching for their own truth and how nothing is now seen as wrong even when it's unashamedly worshipped.

Criticisms:
Firstly it could be considered that the project is generalising and judgemental of society and what others take pleasure in.
Secondly some of the images in relation to the text are weaker than others. Where it is a subtle irony or hidden meaning it has a greater impact than ones with a blatant message.

Hope you like it!
Let me know what you think!

"Love/Hate"

2009-04-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting image created through photographic manipulation.

"The DHLC!!"

2009-04-12T15:43:00.001-07:00

David Hasselhoff's Love Children. That was the name of my 5-a-side football team back in sixth-form. We were a wonderful bunch of misfits. Amongst us there was the guy that was affectionately known as ‘Peado’ and it was said that he ran like a duck there was the short Scottish guy and there was also the witty one, who was hated by every teacher. There was me, the active and very annoying Christian and finally there was our erratic goal keeper, nicknamed ‘Babs’, a practicing Muslim and about as unpredictable in his manner as was his goal keeping.
We were however more than just a poorly performing 5-a-side football team. In reality our group of eccentrics was in fact our identity group, it was where we found something of friendship inside a punishing grammar educational system. In the same way at University we all desire some sort of friendship group even if we do end up with a slightly suggestive nickname. We are born to share life with others, that’s why it’s the most natural thing to socialise and why feeling lonely and isolated sucks. As a Christian I believe in a God that is personal and very much interested in our lives. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” is what God says to his followers in the Bible. This means that when I do feel lonely God is actually with me and he never plans to leave me.

"Did you know?"

2009-03-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a short video with some crazy facts! Take a look below or watch it here.

'Irony portrayed'

2009-03-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

Below is one photo from a short series that I've created for a mini project on the ideas of truth & fiction.

What the photo suggests through stereotype is diametrically opposed to what the text tells the reader. As the text is taken from a real newspaper headline it then challenges what we take as truth and what we assume through stereotype.

"The Good Times and The New Times"

2009-02-26T04:27:00.000-08:00

Today is a good day to blog:

For the last week I have had a friend come and stay and we've had a great time. Last week was one of the most hectic and crazy yet totally fun weeks of my life!

Tomorrow I will turn 21 and on the same day I am joining the Committee for the Christian Union here at Roehampton University.

Good times and new times in equal measure.

So last week saw my German friend David Ewert visit. He is a non-stop adventurer. Almost everyday we went into central London and did something different staying up into the early hours every night and meeting new people and making new friends.
On one night we found ourselves playing football with kids at 2 o'clock in the morning on Trafalgar Square. Initially we got told off by security as apparently there is a by-law in place that prohibits football on the square. So we moved up the steps at the back next to what I think is the National Portrait gallery. There we were able to play but to also witness how football brings complete strangers together. Amazing.
Another time we went to an Evensong service at St Paul's Cathedral. It was truly stunning how the perfect voices resounded throughout such an inspiring building. That was before we got chucked out. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photographs but in all our covertness David left the flash on... I'll say no more.
Other brilliant moments was taking David to Hillsong for the first time. As he is from a strict and traditional church background it was great to see him rejoice in the freedom of the worship there. Epic.
Meeting strangers on the street and becoming friends is not common, or for a start easy, when in London. Incredibly on different nights me a David became friends with people who were also traveling around London. It was refreshing to be able to show people that there are people out there who aren't after anything and have no other agenda other than a conversation and an interest in people.
Finally I will say that Camden Town has the most unique venues. If you want something different then head for Camden Proud. Last Friday night we went there and it was an unusual mix of being in a club, bar, gig venue and... a barn.

Now the new times...
Happy Birthday Jack!
Can I get a Whoop Whoop?!

"Perspective"

2009-02-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

A guy called Rustin Carlson spoke at The 24/7 prayer 'Home08' conference last year (I wasn't there but I got the seminar recordings). In one of his seminars he told this story of a vision he had. It is a powerful yet simple picture that puts things into perspective for Christians.

"I'm in the desert and it's sand dune after sand dune. It is hot, I've taken off almost everything you can take off and I'm out of water. I then hear the voice of the Lord speak to me and he says: "When your in the desert and your about to die, sexual gratification means nothing does it?"
And I croaked out "No God".
"When your in the desert and your about to die, your accomplishments in life have no value do they?"
And I said "No God".
"When your in the desert and you about to die..." and he just keeps sending me these questions. So here's what he says:
"When your in the desert and your about to die only two things have value: food and water. I am the bread of life and I'm the living water, eat and drink of me"."

I hope Mr Carlson doesn't mind me putting it up here, but it really spoke to me and I'm thankful to him for sharing this.

"Let the issues be the issue"

2009-02-03T06:45:00.000-08:00

Continuing with random/funny manipulated photos, here's another I came across:

"Photo-montage"

2009-01-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

This is an excellent and hilarious example of photo-montage by Peter Kennard and Cat Picton Phillipps.

"Christian Identity"

2009-01-27T08:45:00.000-08:00

On Sunday I heard a fascinating talk by a pastor of a Vineyard church from Chicago. Steve Nicholson spoke about legalism and grace but at the beginning spoke briefly on church identity. Apparently in Chicago, being a predominately Democratic northern city of the US, words such as 'Evangelical' are more and more being associated with pro-war, homophobia, intolerance, and Republicans. These words that once were used to simply describe a church or Christian organisation now carry a dark stigma.

It is interesting to note, that with the evolution of language and the creation of labels for what isn't acknowledged as normal, the Church and Christians as individuals struggle with identity. Passionate born-again believers most of the time do not want to be labelled as religious, as the word conjures up ideas and a stereotype of rules, regulations and condemnation. It's not just the stereotype but also the almost clichéd saying: "It isn't a religion, it's a relationship". I very much agree with this saying but it is hard for a Christian to explain their beliefs and faith to a non-Christian after starting the conversation with "I'm not religious...". This is mainly because non-Christians don't understand belief in God as anything else than pure religion.

At a basic level the truth is as Christians we belong to God and are his children. Our identity should be found in him and through him. The Church also plays its part in our identity as it is the body of Christ and the bride of Christ and we as Christian whether we like it or not are part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).

25th... "Ich will an den Inn"

2009-01-18T07:46:00.001-08:00

To many words not enough pictures... Saw this in Innsbruck, in Austria, and I thought Banksy would be proud.
I think the words at the bottom translate into "I want to go to the Inn" and are meant to be the small yellow bird talking. The Inn is the river that runs through Innsbruck.

24th... "Knowledge puffs up"

2009-01-13T16:17:00.000-08:00

Recently I've found myself engaging in or listening to conversations that are really far from informal banter.

With a friend I recently discussed if selflessness really existed or if it was actually a lesser degree of selfishness, therefore being selfless selfishness. I really enjoy a good mentally challenging conversation but coming away from this one I was aware that it made me that little bit more full of myself. "I have intellectual conversations, therefore I'm intelligent, therefore I'm better than other people" is something like the subconscious thought pattern that takes place.

Furthermore, last Monday morning I found myself at a public inquiry in a function room at Gloucester Leisure centre. At this inquiry it was discussed, over a two day period, whether or not a small piece of land behind a church was being used frequently enough by the local community to warrant the title of 'Village Green' (...and yes it was very dull). There were people there who clearly thrived on the knowledge they had and were out to take others down with it. They considered themselves powerful and better than others if they were able to silence someone or prove there point unchallenged.

What the Bible says concerning knowledge:
"...of course we know that all of us possess knowledge. Yet mere knowledge causes people to be puffed up, but love edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow."
1 Corinthians 8:1

23rd... "I think I'm in Love!"

2009-01-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

The more time I spend with Finnish people the more I'm falling in love with them. Of course I'm not in love with all 5 million of them, but I really love the Finnish brothers and sisters I have made over the last 2 years.

For the last week I've had the absolute pleasure of having three Finnish friends stay at my house. Julia and Julius Jokinen as well as Sonja Sarsa come from Helsinki and have many brothers and sisters here in Gloucester. The Finns did not have transport or English mobiles while here so I became not only their driver but their point of contact with everyone else. The small joke came about that I was their 'Social Organiser and PA', and yes... I loved it!

We had a great time celebrating the new year and having general craziness. At one point we found our selves having a drink in the new pub in Gloucester city centre called 'Robert Raikes House'. If your a Gloucester folk then I warmly recommend this place to you, especially if you want an alternative drink in a less than ordinary city pub.

May 2009 bring you joy!

22nd... "Random website of the day"

2008-12-29T03:25:00.000-08:00

The more I think about it the more I see a greater multiplication of identity groups in our society as individuals strive for individualism and uniqueness shunning conformity and moving away from the norm. Obviously this is more apparent in youth and is largely seen in the clothes and disposition of an individual but also goes as far as the type of music the person listens to.

Let me now point you towards a website that records people's attempts to distinguish themselves from others by assuming a group identity.

For the last 14 years a Dutch photographer has travelled around the world creating a stunning project on people and identity groups. The contradiction between individuality and uniformity is taken to an extreme, meaning that the artistic aspect clearly dominates the documentary element.

If your into photography, fashion, or sociology and culture then you will like this.

http://www.exactitudes.com/

21st... "Chrismukkah"

2008-12-25T03:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas to you or happy Hanukkah to those who are enjoying the 5th day of the 8 day celebration or just happy Thursday if you are not doing either.

I hope whatever you are celebrating or being merry about you can appreciate the birth of Jesus and how in his coming to the earth he changed the destiny of mankind.

Love, peace and blessings.

20th... "Home and Delirious?"

2008-12-20T04:49:00.000-08:00

Last night I returned home (to Gloucester) after finishing my first term at Roehampton University. It has been great but I'm relieved to be home and for it to be over for this year.

Last Monday night I went to Shepherds Bush Empire to see the Christian band 'Delirious?' in possibly their last ever UK gig. One word - AMAZING!
[See photos here]

Continuing with the ten year tradition of having a one off Christmas gig in London every year the audience were treated to a healthy mix of old and new songs as well as some Christmas classics. It was a massive set and Delirious? are truly masters when it comes to creating anthems. 'History Maker', 'My Soul Sings', 'Majesty' and 'Break the Silence' are just a few of the anthems that got the audience frenzied and surrendered.

It was so much more than a gig. It was worship, empowerment and challenging, touching deep with every Jesus freak there. I came out buzzing.

To my brothers that wanted to be there but couldn't be I'm sorry. However look out for 'Bluetree' the supporting act and possibly a band to move this next generation of worshipping youth froward after these great days of 'Delirious?'.

19th... "Greenpeace"

2008-12-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

When doing some research for an essay the other day I stumbled upon this image. Also the website it's from was designed really very well, but then again you would expect that from an advertisement agency. Check it out here: http://www.leoburnett.com/

There is actually a debate going on at the moment about whether it's a good thing that there are people on the street asking you for money for charities and pressure groups like Greenpeace. I have found myself cornered by these people on more than one occasion. One time I ended up talking to a Greenpeace rep. for almost two hours in Gloucester city centre. From that experience I learnt that McDonalds (apparently) own both Café Nero and Pret a Manger! Also from that experience Greenpeace became £5 richer a month!

So is it a good thing?

18th... "Carbonmade Update"

2008-12-05T05:05:00.000-08:00

I've put a new project of photos up on my Carbonmade account.

Titled: 'Event Nights' They are a few of the photos I have been taking for the Roehampton University Student Union over the last 2 months.

http://www.jackal.carbonmade.com/

17th... "To worry is to sin?"

2008-12-05T04:54:00.000-08:00

Last night me and my friend Rachel had the awesome pleasure of leading worship, on guitars, at an event called 'Prayer and Praise' run by the Christian Union. I really enjoyed the evening and we had a great time.

I had never led worship before so a few days earlier I had been mentioning my anxieties about it to a friend. Their response was to put it into perspective for me: "It's not about you" were the words used.

After this little conversation I realised that to be worrying about leading worship was actually to be in sin. If you ask yourself why are you worried about it the answer may seem harmless as in: "I'm afraid I'll mess up" or "I might look stupid" or "I don't know why, its just how I feel in front of people". However this brings it back to "It's not about you" and in a sense you are making it about yourself and being selfish by worrying about what people will think. To be worrying about what others think is in reality to fear man, and this is in direct disobedience to God (Proverbs 29:25).

So a lot of worrying we do is selfish or because of a fear of man; both of which is sinful or in other words: disobedience to God.

In Philippians it says: "Do not worry about anything..." (Philippians 4:6)
So could you go as far as to say... To be worrying is to be in sin?

What do you think?

16th... "Lifehouse - Everthing"

2008-11-29T02:21:00.001-08:00

I saw this for the first time in ages just last weekend and it made me cry. This video has been around for a while and you may have seen it but if you havn't then I would reccomend it as it is a powerful drama.

15th... "Good times!"

2008-11-21T10:26:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd fill you in on the last week or so of my life:

I had the interview with Sir Michael Volland. We had a coffee at the British Film Institutes's café overlooking the Thames River and Westminster... proper! He is a great guy and I have a lot of respect for him and his work. The interview will be used in a piece I'm doing for my journalism course, It will be a 1,500 word profile. I'll let you know how that goes.

Last weekend I went away on the C.U.'s (Christian Union's) "Weekend Away"! We went to a place called Stone in South London and slept over in the baptist church there. Was a good time of getting to know people and having fun. Two highlight of the weekend for me would be jamming on the guitar with my mate Sam into the early hours of Sunday morning and playing the cereal box game in the middle of a crowded platform 5 at Clapham Junction. Good times.

This week I've had my first real deadline for work, so that's kept me very busy and is why this blog is failing to be interesting and falling into the realm of diary drab.

14th..."I was on TV!"

2008-11-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

I was on T.V. the other day and I'm quite happy to admit it, but the fact that it was on the 'Paul O'Grady Show' makes me not want to admit it. (If you've seen it you should know why)
The reason I mention it is because I found it on YouTube and I thought I would share my two seconds of fame with you. I don't recommend you watch all 8 minutes unless you want to waste your life, but pause it at 1 minute 44 seconds to see me.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LrIjPIzTmto

In real news... my good friend Ben Clayfield came to visit me here at Uni last weekend. We went and saw Fulham play Newcastle United at Craven Cottage. Was a good game as the home team (Fulham) were eventual winners in a close encounter. Good times!

Tomorrow I get the pleasure of interviewing Michael Volland for an article piece I'm doing for my journalism course here at Uni. If you want to know more about him he's got a great blog that you can see... here ...

13th... "Less Aquintances; More Friends"

2008-11-08T05:48:00.000-08:00

Swigging a beer and watching football highlights into the early hours isn't done with girls. The same as watching Hollyoaks double-bill in your pyjamas before 8pm isn't something done with boys. Never did I ever think I would start to crave masculine company but being around so many girls is getting to me. Don't get me wrong, I do love the look on a guys face when I tell them I'm living in a flat with 8 other girls, and the high-fives received from male well-wishers.

It's just... not natural.

To be surrounded by so much femininity, I find my self needing to breathe. When stepping back from it and with girls to one side I realise I have only male acquaintances and no male friends. This is really getting to me as I realise that this isn't how it should be. So, time to make some friends!

Oh, and my mate Ben from back home is coming to visit today and we are going to a football game tomorrow.... so I'll stop my complaining.

12th... "The Nation's Circulation"

2008-10-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Circulate the truth; circulate the life.
Life is in the blood as the good book says. Truth is in the book as the good man says.
Mass media of the black and white pages. Mass hysteria of the 'Rock of Ages'.

Can you trust the news? The gossip columns? Can you trust a man, someone who's caused big problems?
Are you a visionary or a victim of the city? Do you think headlines or page 3 fitty?
Do you learn out of necessity, interest or lust? Do you believe it and change, or is it worthless dust?
Shock and awe, are you impacted by the news? Breaking story; Paris Hilton's new shoes!
Cynical about what you hear, cynical about the world. Cynicism can destroy you, believe me I've been told.
Your not told what to think, just told what to think about. And what you do know, is it really worth that amount?
Story tellers, columnists, Old Testament prophets. Article writers, bloggers, New testament martyrs.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and The Sun. Do you read out of love or to be someone?

Broadsheets of fear. Tabloids of lust. Red letters of hope.

What do you read?

11th... "Jason 'Danger Rabanne' Dixon"

2008-10-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

This particular night was emotional, I'd never seen a DJ start crying mid-set.

Last Friday night I was at 'The Bop' (My University's weekly on campus club night) taking photographs for the student union website. I was allowed to roam and at one point I was on stage taking photos of the DJ. I suddenly realised that the DJ (early 20's and female) looked as if she was in pain and then tears were in her eyes. I asked if she was feeling OK and she replied: "A friend of mine died earlier this week and this song and the next one I'm going to play were his favourite".

Jason Dixon, a third year student At Roehampton University and Floor Rep in Lee House passed away suddenly, early on Tuesday morning of last week. I have only heard great things of this man and the people who new him best speak very highly of him. I've heard that "His first year flat mates idolised him" and that "You wouldn't meet a nicer guy".

To see what a legend this man was and the love our community had for him [Click Here]. It will take you to his Facebook page, with hundreds of comments of love.

I feel that I know and understand the community I am in a lot better because of last week's events. I did not know Jason and had only met him once, however we were part of the same community and through that we were connected more than I realised. From the mourning of my friends who knew him to the many flowers laid outside the Uni Bar I can see my community now more than at any other time. It is real love and it is the real flesh and bones of this life I see breaking through in the community around me.

Life is fragile.
Thank you Jason and goodnight.

10th..."Which way to Luck?"

2008-10-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

I saw this when in Austria.

('Glück' is German for 'Luck')

9th... "Oh, to be singing and dancing!"

2008-10-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

I've been at University for a full four weeks now and if someone was to ask me how university was going I would just say "yeah, it's good" with very average exuberance. I know deep down though that I'm in a chapter of life that's a bit special. In a few years time I'll look back to these very days and with a warm smile to myself I'll realise that these possibly were the best days of my life. Do you ever truly realise your in the best days of your life or does that happen only when they have past?

Those who know me may have heard me say something like: "Why don't we live to try and make every day to be the new best day of our lives?" OR "Lets make every moment of everyday the zenith and just constantly be living to the MAX!" Unfortunately there's something called reality, and were all involved. If we're really living and going for it we will most definitely meet hardships, pain, and indecision. However this shouldn't stop us from being optimistic, having hope, and attacking life fearlessly. Instead of falling by the roadside or blindly embracing life without thought, we should wise up, take hold of truth and then go through life singing and dancing.

If your not singing and dancing, I recommend two things:

The first is a song:

The second is serious thought: [THINK HERE]

"You know well enough from your own experience that
there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves
to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act. But offer yourselves to the
ways of God and the freedom never quits." - Romans 6:15 [The Message]

8th... "Just some people I met"

2008-10-16T04:33:00.000-07:00

I met some ordinary people on Sunday. They were normal...well every one's normal until you get to know them.

They were normal people with extraordinary stories:

The first story was from a man who had just returned home from his honeymoon with his wife in Cuba.
Amazing time? Yes! Almost Die? Yes!
It just so happened that the second week they were there hurricane Ike decided to hit and completely destroy their holiday house. They spent a whole night sheltering in the bath as it was their best means of protection. "It was the first time I've ever feared for my own life. I was terrified but obviously I didn't show this fear to my wife!"Both are now home and well.

The second story is of a Christian man who grew up in a Muslim country with a dad that was a leader in a church. The church was raided by the local authorities one Christmas and his dad and a number of the leaders were arrested and sentenced to death. "A date was even set for there be-heading" he told me still with an air of astonishment that this had ever happened to his family. After much prayer and by the mercy of God they were released and are all alive and well!

Normal people, with stories to tell.
Normal people; incredible God.

7th... "7th"

2008-10-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

I've written a lot recently, and now this blog looks dull!

A picture is needed!

Taken when I was in Austria; ladies and gentleman I give you the 'Marble Sheep'!

6th... "The Question of Londoners"

2008-10-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

I was asked: "Do people here act the same as people from where your from?"

Let me answer this with some dialogue I heard on Monday in London between two middle-aged women in ASDA:
Jean: EXCUSE ME!!.....OI YOU!!
Sally: Oh! Your talking to me!
Jean: Yea I am! Is this your basket here (Pointing) ...because I nearly tripped over it!
Sally: Tuff!
Jean: Hey! You can't speak to me like that!
Sally: And why not! What you gunna do!
Jean: (Laughs)
Sally: Come on then! (Said while walking towards her intimidatingly)

I never thought being in the frozen vegetable aisle of ASDA could be so intense. Thankfully They walked away just laughing at each other and not with chunks of skin and hair under their finger nails!

This happened on a London bus between a women (60ish) and the bus driver (Middle-aged male) after the bus passed her stop but had stopped at the next one a mere 100yards or so down the road:
Margaret: Why didn't you stop the bus! (Meaning at the last stop)
Rasheed: You didn't press the bell!
Margaret: Yes I did!
Rasheed: No you didn't!
Margaret: Yes I did!
Rasheed: No you didn't! Just get off!

It continued a bit longer than this but I thought you would of got the gist of the conversation.
So back to the question, and based on my personal experience and opinion I would say two things:
1. Here, people tend not to want to admit any wrong doing.
2. Here, people tend not to want to back down.
Call these characteristics 'London Grit' or a 'Never say die' spirit I just think they are a recipe for conflict. Put In the words of a song no one has ever heard of: "Where is the Love?"

Of course you get these character traits in people everywhere, however I've seemed to of encountered them a lot more in people in London compared to... outside London. I couldn't say this is the difference between city folk and country folk and I wouldn't want to sum up any group of people with this brash generalisation, and I wouldn't dream of labelling people just because of one or two individual events.

So....that was a waste of time!

5th..."Is Hollywood your church?"

2008-10-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night I watched Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 back to back.
On Sunday morning standing a few rows in front of me I saw a tall, skinny, blonde women. Naturally I was a little worried she was on a rampant killing spree of revenge, fuelled largely by unhealthy amounts of bitterness towards old friends. Thankfully though she wasn't and after that church carried on smoothly. I was in a church that meets at Elliott School in Roehampton on Sunday mornings. This Elliott school was used in the film 'Love Actually'. Its the scene towards the end of the film at the kids school hall. The same hall the church meets in. When walking to this church last week I was stopped from going down one particular road in the housing estate by police. I thought that as I was in London there must of been a gang shooting, or a terrorist attack or a horrific massacre so the road had to be closed. However it was worse than all of these things, they were filming a scene for the TV series 'The Bill'!

On the same Sunday evening I went to Hillsong Church London. This church meets at the Dominion Theatre (Capacity 2,000) in the very heart of London. In 2007 the church was running four services over a weekend with approximately 7,000 people in attendance. Not quite as impressive as the 20,000 plus attending Hillsong Sydney who have GOD TV, a Christian satellite channel broadcasting many Hillsong events to millions across the globe.

Hillsong are one of the most culturally relevant churches in the world using the media revolutions of TV and Internet as well as writing, selling, and singing popular sounding music in worship. With the challenge of cultural relevance verses truthful living in churches today Hillsong are doing an amazing job. At that meeting on Sunday night Brian Houston, the pastor of Hillsong Sydney and one of the founding fathers of Hillsong was speaking. He spoke with the same passion, honesty and conviction I've heard from many Godly men and women.

Even if you love it, hate it, or couldn't care less, the question I ask myself when being entertained in my Dominion Theatre seat by the light shows, loud live music and professionalism on stage is this:

IS THIS HOW JESUS WANTED IT?

4th... "Me here now. Me there then"

2008-10-06T04:16:00.001-07:00

Two weeks ago I moved from the city of Gloucester to the Greater London Borough of Wandsworth so that I could attend university.

Borough : A town, area, or constituency represented by a Member of Parliament.
City: the major metropolitan center of a region; downtown.

The City of Gloucester
Population: 123,205
Pop. Density: 266 per Km sq
White Ethnicity: 97.3%
Starbucks: 1

The Borough of Wandsworth
Population: 281,800
Pop. Density: 8,225 per Km sq
White Ethnicity: 66%
Starbucks: 24

"In a city everything is super sized the beauty and the ugliness"
- Joseph Brodsky

"There is no solitude in the world like that of the big city"
- Kathleen Norris

3rd..."Lies and Deception"

2008-10-03T02:44:00.000-07:00

I have just completed my first proper week here at university. I am learning a lot and learning it quickly!

Let me be honest with you. On Tuesday I lied to someone....I lied to The Roman Catholic Chaplin of Digby Stuart College. It sounds bad, which it was, but it was far more humorous than malicious.

The story goes like this: I was hungry and had noticed that there was to be a fair trade lunch at the chapel for only £2. As I arrived two girls arrived also and started a conversation with the Chaplin in the foyer. The Chaplin then thinks were all one group and leads us enthusiastically to the FREE lunch. This is when I realise that the fair trade lunch isn't happening but the special free lunch for all students that live off campus is. I should note to you now that I'm living on campus, and really should of noted to the Chaplin the same thing. After eating the best beef chilli con carne and rice I've had this side of the M25 the Chaplin with such a big friendly smile starts asking us: "where off campus are you living?"! So the other girls give their spiel on it and then inevitable the question comes to me! With all eyes turned I seriously considered turning myself in but with a large empty plate in my hand I couldn't. I squirmed, went red, and then muttered something under my breath which had no bearing on the English language. Strangely enough however the Chaplin replied to this muttering with "oh, with your sister?" Taken slightly by surprise I quickly answered “Yes”, nodded and then forced the conversation on to the girl next to me by asking her the dreaded question.
So deceptively I led the Chaplin into thinking I was living off campus with my sister. I in fact live in Uni halls of residence and I haven't seen my sisters for a good few months. I'm not proud of this episode even though it was funny.

One thing I reminded my self of, apart from the commandment “Do not lie”, is that if you don't tend to lie in day-to-day life then don't try because you will be absolutely terrible at it!

2nd..."Initiation and Rites of Passage"

2008-09-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Permanent marker was emblazoned all the way up both my arms. 'DIGBY BOYS' was the message but a lack of sleep, sore throat and being convinced I had B.O. led me away from being so proud about my newly acquired Digby roots. I was live proof of what freshers week can do to a student. I was the result of a week of a poor diet, loud music, and alcohol consumption.
I was in fact ...in church.

My first Sunday morning of my University life had led me to SW London Vineyard. A friendly and honest family of people who did in fact bless me more than they knew. Approximately three minutes into my first friendly exchange with a man of South African background the question of my graffited arms inevitably came about. After explaining to him that I had just had freshers week his satisfied and complete response was: "Aaaaaah Initiation!" This was a thought I hadn't considered and found it intriguing. I may have continued my deep thinking, however I couldn't understand why everyone I was meeting had a Southern Hemisphere accent. In fact the first four people I met were South African. The Fifth was from New Zealand, I know him as Dave. After the formalities I was telling him about my first week of university life and scraping for intelligent reasons to why I had permanent marker on my arms. He spoke knowingly and then said: “...yeah...Initiation.” I was fascinated. Was it a compulsory masculine journey of all Southern Hemisphere men to go through an “Initiation” and to ignorantly think all English men did the same. Or were they right? I had seen my week as a rite of passage, a leaving from the nest and a breathing in of the world, but an initiation sounded far more manly and brave, and that suited me.

You may be wondering why I needed that more manly approach to my new Uni career or why I hadn't covered up my arms appropriately. To be honest you probably asked why I had marker on my arms when you started reading this but this is a blog not a telephone conversation. The only answer I can give to you is that just over a week ago I moved into a flat with 8 others, all of which are females, my age and attractive. Men you may be jealous but have you thought about the fact that I'll be watching more Desperate Housewives and EastEnders than is psychologically safe for one man!

....yeah your right....its absolutely fantastic!

1st Blog..."Finding the Key"

2007-10-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

I thought I would start actually using my blogger account. I have started a course in Photography, Journalism and News Media so I need to be writing.

For my first Blog I thought I would give you my latest piece. It is designed for spoken rap but take it how you like. I admit that it is dark, but it reflects a searching from a broken place, a journey of a hurting man...

I walked up to this kid, his eyes were all gory, no love, no peace, so I said what’s your story. He looked at me once but then just ignored me. So I asked again, "What’s life done to you", he looked at me square and said "I’ll tell it true"...

"I grew up not far from here, a small town known as fear, where neglect and rebellion cause often a tear to run down the faces of the young and the dear. I battled my way through pain and fire slowly building my worldly empire. But only this morning I awoke to find all that I held dear was all in my mind. An illusion of self-esteem, worth and meaning I awoke to find I was dirty and bleeding. No cuts no bruises yet I was stained red it covered my being my mind and my bed. It drove me to the brink of everything sane I lay on my back and felt only pain welling up from the emptiness inside, all I could do was run and hide. I hid my eyes from all that glared so not to be seen by the people I thought cared. Selfish ambition and shameless motive once looked so promising but it all lies in ruin. I share these thoughts not as a man of triumph but as scared child running. As I run; the thoughts of hate haunt me they tear at my flesh, do their best to taunt me. My only hope now is for that key, to change my heart and who I really be, to unlock my spirit so I can be free."