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TO 20/20@SIGHT
Welcome
to 20/20@Sight, our space for the creative arts. Here you'll
find a selection of writing - both prose and poetry - along
with photography and graphic artwork. If you'd like to make
a submission, simply contact editor@sightmagazine.com.au.
If
you've got some comments on what you've read, why not visit
the
This work of art is my attempt to address the theology of the book of Psalms. I've used my own symbols, along with descriptions found in the psalms to portray this.
At the core of the psalms is the 'great king over all', the maker of heaven and earth. I've chosen to epitomise God's presence as a pillar of fire, found in the Exodus story.Yellow dots also denote God's presence, which ventures into the heavens.
The shields, arrows and spears, which encircle the earth, are there to symbolise the battle that faces righteous people against wicked nations/people. The black dots represent evil spirits, showing that the battle is not only with flesh and blood. This is also indicated with the shields etc. protruding into the heavens. The spiritual battle of good and evil surrounds each nation and the earth, with the ultimate outcome of history being that God will one day rule the nations and all will be compelled to acknowledge him as Lord.
Have
you ever had a friend who would be willing to give up their
own life to save yours?
In our day and age it’s
hard to imagine a scenario where a friend could be placed
in such a position.
For earlier generations who lived in less
secure and comfortable circumstances, this may have been a
real and genuine occurrence.
Just today, during a time of worship and
meditation, I had a very clear vision of a dark, bloodied
battle scene. It was on a muddy and roughened terrain, loud
and fierce explosive noises ripping through the sky, bright
flashes of severe light as spotlights frantically scanned
the field, and then as an explosion of artillery tore up the
soil even more, punching holes in the earth. Shrapnel flying
through the air. Bullets ripping randomly in every direction.
Bodies lying on the ground, torn, bleeding, dismembered, some
gasping for their last breath, others still and cold.
Then, straining across the battle-zone;
a solid and strong figure, carrying a heavy load, attempting
to rush to safe cover on the horizon. Steely-gaze, fixed on
making it to protected trenches, where urgent medical attention
could be administered.
NICK HODGSON reflects on the meaning of Easter... |
more... |
THIS LIFE
Welcome
to This Life, a short column
reflecting
on life...
CALLING
FOR BARNABAS
While
there is no book devoted to him and we don’t hear him
being preached from the pulpit all too often, the influence
and effect of Barnabas’ ministry can be seen all the
through the book of Acts and much of Paul’s writing.
Barnabas, or as he was affectionately known
as, Joes or son of encouragement was himself a member of the
Levite priesthood, however he is not known for powerful teaching
or miracles. His ministry was not one that had a place of
prominence, however it was one of the up-most importance.
What was the great ministry that Barnabas
had to offer? He had the gift of encouragement, he knew how
to draw out the best in people and encourage them to achieve
all God had for them. Two of the people that he influenced
greatly was Paul and John Mark. Both of these had important
missionary journey’s, both of these men had a task to
fulfill that was imperative for the spreading of the Gospel.
While both these men were strong in the Lord, they both needed
encouragement.
CHRISSI ELLANKOON on why we all need a Barnabas in
our lives... |
more... |
Oh yeah, Christmas - well yes, the children and the old people
need to have their festivities. So yes, I'll be there, I'll
take the day off and yes, I've got some presents - over there
in the corner - I'll be part of it. Church? Well, OK but maybe
something'll come up and I might have to miss that but I will
be there for lunch.
Really though, I know it's
something that we can't do without, I know, but I'm no longer
a child and really my mind is not really on such things -
I have to keep my mind on the job. So much to do. So much
to arrange. So much to get in order for the new year. A new
broom. A new way of doing things. Resolutions. You know. A
new year and clean start and all that.
All this Jesus in the Manger
stuff, it's not where I'm at. Not really.
Read more of BRUCE C WEARNE'S Christmas reflection...|
more... |
SHORT STORY:
INCIDENTS AT THE GATE
Dies
Solis, Ante diem III Idus Iulias, DCCLXXIV AUC, Hora IX
(Day of the Sun, 3 days before the Ides of July, 776 years
after the founding of Rome, the Ninth Hour)
The sun had passed its zenith, but its heat still made the
air shimmer above the baked earth and cobbles of the street.
Its light was blinding as it ricocheted off the white marble
of the facade and columns of the Temple towering a hundred
cubits into the cloudless blue dome of the sky. Men, with
faces hooded against the glare, hurried into the blessed coolness
of the shaded inner courts. It was the hour of prayer.
Huddled in the small pool of shadow cast
by an alcove, sat a man. His tattered garments served to emphasise,
not hide, his thin, almost emaciated form. His skeletal and
twisted legs were tucked under him so as to cause as little
offence as possible as he held out gnarled and callused hands
that also served as feet. Hopelessness was etched into the
sagging and lined face. Shame ground into fatalism by desperation
smouldered in the downcast eyes. Every day as long as he could
remember, they had carried him to the Beautiful Gate to beg
coin on which to live.
Read
more of KEVIN I. GRANT'S story Incidents at the Gate... |
more... |
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Earlier this month , yet another teenager died as a result of gang-related violence in London - the eighteenth this year.
An Independent on Sunday investigation suggested that almost 14,000 people a year are injured in knife attacks. Some authorities believe the number may be much higher, because many people do not report their injuries for fear of reprisals.
In his second article on the issue, MAL FLETCHER writes about the problem of youth violence in the UK...| more... |
THEY SAID IT
“Young friend, God & his people expect much from u, because u have within u the Father’s supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus – BXVI"
- Pope Benedict XVI in a text message sent to 150,000 pilgrims attending the opening mass of World Youth Day in Sydney. For previous 'They said it'...| more...
|
DID YOU KNOW?
THE
STATISTIC
Number of people said to have been killed as a result of a campaign of genocide in Darfur allegedly master-minded by Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, according to International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo:
Click here to go
to the forums to have your say...
FORUMS THIS WEEK
PETROL PRICES
The price of petrol is hitting record levels in Australia and around the world. What are your thoughts?
SIGHTPOLL
Should Australian ban or introduce a checkout levy on plastic bags?
THE 'BIG IDEA'
Hundreds of ideas came out of the Federal Government's 2020 Summit on the weekend addressing a plethora of issues confronting Australian society. Which idea stood out to you? And what's your big idea to make Australia a better place?
Click
here to go
to the forums to have your say...
To me, humility is about being self-forgetful. How hard is that? I find that the more I think about this issue, that it is fundamentally about trust. When I don’t forget myself in the sense that Jesus meant, then I am clinging on to my way of doing things and not trusting.
SEEING THE EYES OF CHRIST IN THE POOR
The other morning I had an experience involving a homeless man who sometimes can be seen at the bus stop I frequent each morning on my way to work. This particular morning he was at the corner of one of the intersections where I cross the road waiting at the lights when I was walking up to them. As I approached the lights the homeless man and I exchanged eye contact for a second, so I said ‘How you going mate?’
NILS VON KALM'S blog on faith, life and how it all might fit together...|
more... |
STRANGESIGHTS:
IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE - NO, IT'S GORDON BROWN!...
Following on from former British PM Tony Blair's appearance on The Simpsons, his successor, Gordon Brown, has also leapt into the animated world with an appearance in Marvel's comic, Captain Britain and MI13. The PM, working alongside the fictional intelligence agency MI13, is apparently involved in defeating aliens intent on invading known as Skrulls.
DAVID
ADAMS writes about the odder side of life...|
more... |
Sight's
trial podcast is now available to download online. The first of what we
hope will become a monthly feature, the podcast features discussions on
The Da Vinci Code, giving donations as presents, Wow! featuring
Switchfoot and a "live" cooking demonstration by "celebrity
chef" Jamie Crookiver.
• Grammy Award winners in the Gospel categories;
• Delirious? set to release final album with Stew Smith as drummer;
• Hillsong United to release iHeart Revolution : With Hearts As One project; and
• Newsboys win honors, ready for Rezfest... |
more... |
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