"True freedom requires sacrifice and pain. Most humans beings only think they want freedom. In truth, they yearn for the bondage of social order, rigid laws, materialism. The only freedom man really wants is the freedom to be comfortable."

- Sons of Anarchy (TV show)

Probably the best cover of this song that I have seen so far!

My friend works for the production company that made this fantastic video!

I made this video a few months back for Smokestack Cowork. It never ended up getting used for anything, but I'm still pretty proud of the way it turned out!

Previously: Smokestack Bloopers.

"Well," says the objector, "I should like to know how you would manage matters if the ruffian should actually break into your house with settled intent to rob and murder. Would you shrink back like a coward and see your wife and children slaughtered before your eyes?" I cannot tell you how I might act in such a dreadful emergency - how weak and frail I should prove. But I can tell how I ought to act - how I should wish to act. If I am a firm, consistent non-resistant, I should prove myself no coward; for it requires the noblest courage and the highest fortitude to be a true non-resistant. If I am what I ought to be, I should be calm and unruffled by the alarm at my door. I should meet my wretched fellow-man with a spirit, an air, a salutation, and a deportment so Christ-like, so little expected, so confounding, and so morally irresistible that in all probability his weapons of violence and death would fall harmless by his side. I would say "Friend, why do you come here? Surely not to injure those who wish you nothing but good? This house is one of peace and friendship to all mankind. If you are cold, warm yourself at our fire; if hungry, refresh yourself at our table; if you are weary, sleep in our bed; if you are destitute, poor, needy, freely take of our goods. Come, let us be friends, that God may keep us all from evil and bless us with his protection."

 - Adin Ballou in Non-Resistance in Relation to Human Governments

I love these guys and this video.

And this is why people love Mila Kunis.

"As white evangelicals have captured material resources, they in turn have been captured by the comfort of the middle class. Addressing the felt needs [of the poor] involves the possibility of releasing monetary resources to support such outreach, and it involves setting priorities from self-aggrandizement to sacrifice. Instead of limiting one's concern to self and the nuclear family, the Christian must broaden the circle of love. This will mean time spent to help others,energy expended rather than guarded, and an orientation of giving rather than getting. Comfort and recreation time may have to assume a secondary role to compassion and redemption time."

 For many, the cost is too high. They feel they have worked too hard to get to the apex of middle/upper-class life and don't want to give up the rewards and risk their resources. As a result most middle class churches have been uninterested in ministry to those with significant needs who require more than an occasional guilt offering."

From, "Planting Urban Churches," and the essay by Craig Ellison.

( Edited by Harvey Conn). 1997

This video was all over the internet a few weeks ago, but it's still great.

Feast your eyes on the newest Fortress cover: Build Me Up Buttercup

Ladies and Gents, I once again present Lamon Luther, just because I dig what this company is doing!

(during the decades of urban-suburban out-migration) "... the American dream became the practical theology of the people of faith and upward mobility became the sign of God's blessing on the faithful. Little thought was given to a theology of community that provided the framework for Christians to live interdependently rather than independently. Nor was a theology of neighbor part of the Christian dialogue during this period. 'Neighbor' became a word so broadly used to describe any and every human relationship that it lost its meaning. And when 'neighbor' was neutralized, it no longer specifically included the people who live next door. Thus loving one's neighbor lost its practical impact in everyday living. Also lost was a theology of place that raised the issue of deployment of God's people. Without such a theology, the people of faith begin to drift toward places of personal convenience and comfort with little reflection on the strategic kingdom importance of where Godly neighbors are located." 

From, "Restoring At-Risk Communities," p. 77; 

Chapter entitled: "Relocation-Living in the Community"

Best short film I've seen in a good while!

I can hardly even wait for Iceland!