Not too much is new as of late. I have just been trying to get some assignments done that are due at the end of the week. Apart from that, I have just been reading a whole lot. I'm reading The Irresistible Revolution (Claiborne) and the book of Acts (Luke/God ha). 

I was able to share with Savannah some potential huge things and ideas I had over the week. They are up in prayer and I really think they are going to be one of the steps I take in the future. I feel like I have been spoken to so much over the past couple weeks. I feel like I'm actually encountering God rather than just sitting in church reading black and white, or red and white. It's been nothing short of amazing. 

I've also been trying to learn some Hebrew concepts, and words and their meaning in the original language the bible was written. It has been really interesting. 

Anyways, I'm going to make breakfast. 

Chadwick. 

Videos.

I came across some of Brian McLaren's (author of Everything Must Change, The Secret Message of Jesus) videos today. Check them out if you have a minute: 

I do not necessarily agree with trying to reenact Heaven on Earth, but he brings up some amazing points towards the end about how to treat Earth as if it were Heaven. I dig it.

great, great points.

I just got back from a run not too long ago. Before that I watched The Island, and it is way crazy. Threw my mind for a whirl. I am about to have some ice cream because my throat feels scratchy. 

On another note, I need to start taking more pictures. I will begin taking more pictures this week. Here is one from a couple weeks ago. And one because I miss Savannah. :)

Chadwick

Plan B.S.

I was sitting at college the other day, reading by myself when I overheard a conversation and someone said that they were going to go home and do 4 years of college so they have something to fall back on, in case anything goes wrong. This really got me thinking... 

If we are fully surrendered and devoted to Jesus, we should have no other plans. We should not be worrying about if something goes wrong. If our faith is an an unmoving, unchanging, forever powerful God,  "plan B's" have got to be an enemy. And what exactly does a "Plan B" do for you? Some may say it's a backup plan in case I don't have money for groceries. How dare we depend on God? Chris Haw and Shane Claiborne put it this way (parentheses added by myself): 

"Who needs a Creator when we can sculpt mountains? (Mt. Rushmore)

Who needs a Great Physician when we can heal ourselves? 

Who needs Providence for food, when we can clone animals for food?

Who needs a Savior when we have a four hundred billion dollar defense shield? (of which half of taxes go to. violence.militarism.all for peace though, right? b.s.)

Who needs a deliverer, when the Empire has become a democracy? 

Who needs a God when we are worthy of worship ourselves?" 

Others may say its "wisdom" to have a backup plan or "Plan B". Somehow it seems more spiritually wise to give it all up. die to yourself. and bank on Jesus being the way, truth and the life. forget the back up plan and list of old ways you'd return back to if this whole thing didn't work out. 

I heard Judah Smith preaching on something like this once and he said that some of us "Christians" know EXACTLY what we would do if we found out this whole Jesus thing wasn't real. or it didn't work out.  And that is a MAJOR problem.

In John when Jesus is teaching about eating his flesh and blood, which sounds rather cannibalistic, (and no so fitting into our cookie cutter seeker-sensitive Church culture, or the culture anywhere for that matter.), many disciples walk away, leaving the twelve. He asks "will you leave also?" Simon Peter answers, "To whom shall we go." Thats the spirit we need to have. To whom shall we go? We have nothing else. You are our rock. You are our solidity. You hold us together. You make us more than dirt or dust. You hold our value. You give us our security. 

When eliminate our "Plan B's" and realize that this is ALL we have, we show God that we really trust in Him. and in that, we become used for His glory. When we burn our other options to the ground, we fight much harder. We run this race determined. 

A faith that only goes deep enough to limit us from doing certain "immoral" things, is just a moral, with no backbone. A faith that has other options were it to be incorrect, isn't a faith at all. An authentic faith is one that says 'To whom else (or where else) shall we go.'

Chadwick. 

hey!

if you are lurking this start leaving some comments! 

that would be awesomeee!  

we got the part to fix our car for 80 bucks. we pick it up tomorrow morning.

praise God.

traitor?

"If this bloody counterfeit liberation is American...

I am proud to be Un-American.

If depleted uranium is American...

I am proud to be Un-American.

If US sanctions are American...

I am proud to be Un-American.

If the imposed 'peace' of Pax Americana is American...

I am proud to be Un-American.

But if grace, humility, and nonviolence are American... 

I am proud to be American. 

If sharing to create a safe, sustainable world is American...

I am proud to be American. 

If loving our enemies is American...

I am proud to be American. 

Regardless, I would die for the people of New York, but I will not kill for them... my kingdom is not of this world. 

I would die for the people of Baghdad, but I will not kill for them... my kingdom is not of this world. 

I will pledge an allegiance deeper than nationalism, to my God and to my family... my kingdom is not of this world. I will use my life to shout "Another world is possible"... for my kingdom is from another place. "My kingdom is not this world. If it were, my servants would fight... but now my kingdom is from another place" (Jesus; John 18:36)"

- Shane Claiborne in Jesus For President

are you wiggling in your seat yet? 

the car is done.

i woke up this morning and talked to home for a bit. i was so stoked that Savannah got her purse back. exciting news. 

on the drive to class this morning the car made this really loud noise and now apparently our steering base (?) is messed up and we are missing some big ball bearing. i know nothing about cars or how they work. i just that when i hit the pedal they go. and that's all i really care about. so we are getting our neighbor to look at it. we left it up at the church for the night. i need to work out how i'm getting there tomorrow. 

i am about halfway through Jesus For President. it is messing me up for sure. challenging a lot of crucial stuff going on in the economy and government of America. and comparing it to Rome, and the early Christians, many of them being martyrs. 

there is this Jedi Mind Tricks song called Shadow Business. it's about the factories in China. while it is filled with profane language, it is attempting to do more about this situation than the Church is. 

everyone should probably check out. http://www.responsibleshopper.org 

Hanes, Levi's, Nike, among others ignore labor laws and use slaves. 

i haven't heard much from the hundo boys this week! a little here and there. 

the bus sold and we are making another deposit at First Street Studio, where we will be recording for all of October. www.myspace.com/firststreetstudiomusic

we are all getting ready for it. i have had some more song ideas as of late. i will begin getting my voice ready as soon as it doesn't hurt anymore. 

i am going to read a bit and then head to bed. 

tomorrow i will ship Savannah's b-day stuff. :) 

Chadwick

i'm falling ill.

i am pretty positive i have a sinus infection, so i need to begin pounding the meds. 

although i was cured for a couple hours by friendship, among other things. symptoms only really hit me at night, and in the morning. odd. 

i skipped out on church today just to try and rest up so i would feel better. 

i have a long day planned for tomorrow, which includes going into the city. 

i have a couple things to pick up for Savannah's birthday. 

tonight i was thinking about when she had surgery last year and when we were just sitting in her hospital bed making jokes. we were watching UFC and she was little "too medicated." something about a Rolling Stone cover also, but i don't remember what? i'll have to ask mom. she was sitting there laughing at us i remember. it's weird how low and risky times in life bring beauty. it's like we finally realize we are alive and begin to appreciate it much more knowing that it can be taken easily. 

it's like the hilarity-soaked drive home from Rock Hill following Elyse's funeral 3 years back. 

it's like the jokes and nights in Brandon's bed after TJ died. and the unbelievably topsy turvy car ride home from Warped Tour after we found out the news. we sat in hotel hallways not knowing how to trust God. i laid face down on a vintage-smelling couch while Brandon laid on the floor, face to the ceiling asking why. there's still something beautiful, and i can't catch what it is. but i get a glimpse in my head every now and then. i have to go on a journey of thought before i get there. it's almost like i'm surveying every detail of the situation to find out that there really is something beautiful amongst tragedy. i'm going to bet it is God's sovereignty and ability to use what we see at tragedy as an opportunity to rekindle relationships, break down pride and shed light on something thats a little greater than what we have here on Earth. 

when you look at yourself from the perspective of someone so unchanging, it's easy to notice how much you have changed. 

i am on a journey. a roller-coaster ride that'll end with me knowing that i was locked down to the tracks, just as planned. when i was at a high looking down at the low i was approaching, something was drawing near. when i thought i was alone, something was drawing near. when i was mixed up and had no clue where i was, something was drawing near. and when i get to the end and feel flustered and shaken up, something will draw near. 

goodnight.

Chadwick. 

couple things.

i started reading Jesus for President. it's way good. challenges a lot of crucial stuff going on. i dig.

i made a mushroom and egg wrap for breakfast. it was also way good. this week of classes was pretty good. wolves at night went pretty good. some sound issues, but it was alright. last night i just hung out with colby and cal. we just chilled out and listened to some sermons. 

not too sure what i'm up to tonight. maybe something fun. maybe not. 

i am already hungry again. i'm just sitting here with colby, nicole and enoch now. talking about useless stuff. 

i'll post again later tonight. 

chadwick

i guess you could call them changes.

i am winding down for the night at 10:45 pm. i have some new things that i am going to be trying on for size. i guess you could call them "changes." here is a rough list.

- 11:00 pm bedtime on weekdays. 

- drink at least 2 liters of water a day.

- stretch before bed and upon waking up. 

- read daily. 

my throat has been feeling really weird. 

i need some medicine or something.

goodnight! 

chadwick

sweatshops. justice. homeless.

I'm going to start this entry with one bold statement. 

Beyond compassion lies justice. 

How can we call ourselves compassionate followers of Christ, when a desire to bring justice isn't in our hearts. We mock the homeless and turn our noses up on a lifestyle that saved our wreckless souls. "How can we worship a homeless man on Sunday and ignore one on Monday." 

That lifestyle being that of Jesus... he WAS homeless, and yet we don't care about the homeless more than a food drive here and there.  Yeah, food is cool. But what about broken hearts and bare feet? Yeah, you did a great food drive with your church or school, but our attitudes towards justice aren't seasonal projects. They are what we are called to do. 

Mother Theresa said,  "Poverty is not created by God, but by you and I, because we have not figured out how to love."

Real "Christianny" folks are rockin' Jesus t-shirts, promoting His name and advertising Him to the world, but what we don't realize is the actual shirt we are wearing was made in a sweatshop somewhere. Ridiculous. The WWJD bracelets were most likely made in China with complete ignorance to any labor law or even a minimum wage. Made by children, forced to weave more "Christian" products into our "Christian Nation's" over-consumptive fiber of a being. There is way too many "Christian's" in this paragraph. While I'm on it, we should also stop focusing on striving to be amazing Christians (only used 3 times in the Bible).  Jesus was crucified for much more than us just to follow some rules than we have so carelessly named "Christianity." Do not get me wrong, they are great guidelines to live by. But He died for much more. Bearing our cross daily, is not safety insurance. In fact, following Jesus is NOT SAFE. The only promise we can cling to is that the best place we can be is in God's will. That says nothing about safety. 

"There is no more dangerous place to be, than for a Christian to be in comfort and safety, detached an isolated from the suffering of their neighbor."

We don't need to open our eyes. We just need new eyes. 

Eyes that asks questions about the things they consume and where they come from. 

We all have some work to do. 

Goodnight. 

Chadwick. 

i had a day off.

My day off was pretty good. I'm listening to Wolftron, and talking to my mom about some stuff that is going on at home. It seems like we are in full-time ministry and it makes me feel good. Like it's what we are supposed to be doing.

For my day off, I woke up and cleaned the house a bit. Vacuumed and cleaned my nasty room. I made an egg sandwich, watched an episode of the office and then I went to Towers with Colby. The bank was closed before I got there. That was a bummer. While Colby was shipping his package at the Post I solved a really hard puzzle toy thing. I was really stoked on it! Then I bought some brown, rather than black, flip-flops. Colby bought himself a pair of Nudies and we just walked around a bit.

Taryn came over for a bit and we just chilled out.


The house smells like a bonfire, and my room of vanilla. It is a quite nice mix, might I add.
Tomorrow is another day of classes. And a long useless break in between two classes. I usually just sit around. I'll be sure to take some headphones tomorrow. That paragraph was really choppy.

I didn't read any of Paul's letters today, so I am going to hit it before bed.

NightNight!

Chadwick.

I love Sundays.

It's 4am and I just got done having a real heart-to-heart with Enoch. It was really nice. I got to know him like I never have before and he is such a respectable person. He is constantly living out of selflessness and it is way inspiring. 

He was telling me crazy stories about his church in India and all of the demonic activity and black magic that his family has been cursed with. It is seriously insane. It is so crazy to hear it from a mouth I can truly trust. He was telling me that since he grew up around it, he really has a sense for demons and can feel their presence. He said he has even seen some in our house over here, which I actually never really thought about. I need to constantly be praying in tongues against demonic activity and praying for intervention. I seriously am going to be on that. Our conversation was just something I really needed. I almost felt like I experienced God in a new way after our talk. It got pretty deep and emotional at times. It was really good. I love that kid. 

He was telling me that there was this video of a pastor that he watched, and he was slaying people in the spirit, and the whole band on stage even fell. Then the keyboard kept playing, keys down and all. Insane. He said even watching the video, he just was like nailed with the presence of God and burst out into tongues. That is so crazy. I told him to try to find it and that I wanted to watch it. Sounds crazy! I'm so into believing stuff like this. God is a miracle-worker. He transported Philip in Acts. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He healed the blind man. He healed lepers daily. I serve a powerful God. 

Robert Fergusson spoke tonight about taking risks and stepping out in faith. It was phenomenal. I am going to pick up the CD this week. It really challenged me to just start stepping out, because God only moves when we step out and become desperate for him to move. We have to make the first move most times, and I feel like I need to really start doing that. I was very inspired post-church tonight. 

I still haven't cleaned my room. I have the day off tomorrow. I need to go to the bank to get some details. I also plan to read one of Paul's letters. I'm not sure which one yet. I also want to buy some flip flops, rubber black ones. I also need to do some collecting for Savannah's birthday, which is rapidly approaching!

Its 4:30AM and I REALLY need to get to bed. 

Goodnight. 

P.S if you are reading this, I probably really love you. 

sat er days.

If you are reading this, you should first listen to "I Believe" by Blessid Union of Souls. AMAZING. Way into it. 

I have some spiritual stuff I want to post. But I am going to wait to do it tomorrow. It has to do with "plan B's". 

Today was Saturday. I didn't do too much. 

I videochatted with my Mom and Dad right after I woke up for about an hour. It was good. Apparently my Dad has been into some rad music, which makes me really happy. Those two are obsessed with American Idol, it's ridiculous. After a comical video chat, I went downstairs and played guitar with Enoch (India) for a little while. Had something to eat, but I can't recall what it was. I hate when things like this happen. Anyways, I ran to Cole's and picked up some sugar to make some more sweet tea. On the way there I thought we were going to get in a fight, because Colby was beeping the horn at these guys in the middle of the road. That would not have been good. When we got back, I went over to no. 11 for a little BBQ. I wish Australian BBQ's had actual hot dog buns rather than white bread. And actual hot dogs rather than sausages. I just load on the ketchup ad dijonnaise and it makes it a tad bit better. I miss southern home-cooked meals! 

After that I hung with Taryn for a little while. We cooked dinner (me:steak w/ onions and mushrooms. garlic mashed potatoes ; her:chicken wrap, garlic mashed.) and just hung out. Listened to some killer tunes and talked about random stuff. 

It was a pretty good day. Not too active. 

I need to get in shape or else tour is going to kill me. 

I wonder when I'll actually do something about that, rather than just talk about it. 

I am heading to bed. Got church tomorrow. Stoked. 

Chadwick 

Some Thoughts.

I was thinking about 2 months ago and wrote this... 

February 3, 2008.

I woke up this morning, and not too long after I was introduced to an event in my friends life where he e-mailed a long put-off apology to someone he had offended. He explained that they responded in a not so expected form, which sparked many thoughts in my head. Thoughts that apply to all of us.

Why do we send apologies and condolences to people and even think about the result, or response to our actions? That seems like it nullifies the initial point of apologizing. We must go beyond ourselves mentally in order to truly apologize and “feel sorry” for something that maybe we did or in some cases didn't. It seems feasible that if we simply apologize to people in order to set ourselves free of the situation, then thats all we need to do. The other person does not have to accept or even acknowledge. They just have to know that we are sorry and that is it. Of course the story is different with God, because we know we are forgiven the minute we ask, but in the case of humanity, it has to be best to apologize with no thought of what comes back. It has to be best to apologize with a spirit of releasing and relieving things from our shoulders. As our shoulders shift back we realizing that apologizing for things is actually about freeing ourselves from situations, not necessarily the other person. Whether they accept or deny or argue an apology is their problem. Our problem is actually meaning it with our entire heart. 

Sleepy.

It has been a LONG day and my legs are tired and throbbing. 

I am definitely heading to bed with plans of sleeping in until I feel like waking up. Tonight went well. I forgot sugar at the grocery store. Ah! I need to get that first thing when I wake up.

 Goodnight! 

Chadwick.

fridays.

Had a pretty long day of classes. I'm now home for a quick break before I head over to Blacktown United to play. Today was pretty chilled out. Played the Muse song for Dave Ross's perfomance. It went kinda swell. I forgot what to play at one point. It was actually pretty funny. 

Next friday, some folks and I will be playing a Manchester Orchestra for a performance. 

It should be rad. 

Had a nice little chat with Michael last night about some potential plans for when I get home. 

I'm pretty stoked about what God is doing back home. And I'm so stoked on my sister coming over here. It's gonna be way fun and I can't wait to go pick her up from the airport ha. 

Some dude dented up our car last night. Left his number on the windshield. We called and realized it's this dude from school. We are going to try and get him to just give us some cash to 

help with the detriment to the resale value. Who knows what'll happen. 

I am currently pooping. And will be leaving soon. 

Chadwick. 

fresh.

So here we go. All-new.

This week I've really been into Strongarm (both of the full lengths.) I think we should cover a song or two. Also have been really big into 80's jams. Got ahold of "Omigod It's 80's Popculture" 7-Disc Compilation and I'm loving it. I wanna do a Stryper cover too. I think it would be rad! To Hell With The Devil!


Life has been pretty continuous. (why would it not be?)
Classes are still rolling on.
96 days until I am home.
26 until Savannahs birthday.
180 until we go record at First Street.
87 days until Hillsong Conference.

I've been reading The Screwtape Letters by Lewis. It took me a little bit to catch on to how it was written, but it is way rad. There is so much wisdom that I can't read more than like one letter at a time. Then I think about it all day long. I should prob recommend it to some folks.

I was reading in Luke 18 the other day about the two prayers, one from the tax collector and one from a Pharisee. It really opened my eyes to what I have been praying for. The rich man is praying in thankfulness that he is not like the tax collector, and the tax collector wouldn't even look up to heaven so he beat his chest and said "God have mercy on me, a sinner." It says that the tax collector went home justified before God. He who humbles himself will be exalted.

I have been trying to read more than I ever have and truthfully I sometimes get burnt out. My appetite is growing. I still need to read more. I still find myself hitting the pillow and realizing I hardly talked to God much during the day. It's a journey. I need to stick to my reading plan, which is rad might I add.

Musically, I have been pretty productive. I have been given numerous lyrical ideas for songs. I'm up to like 20 song ideas. This is pretty much just the basic idea. Now I just need to start writing actual lyrics and wording things. I wrote a pretty awesome indie-ish, raw acoustic song. It is pretty sporadic, which has been one of my most used words, and I like it quite a bit. I need to re-record it. The chorus is really high and I had to sing like falsetto on the rough recording. I haven't yet tried to sing it full volume, so I may have to drop it down. Not too sure. I really dig the lyrics for it. I may post them at a later time. I'm playing bass on the song "Hysteria" by Muse for a performance tomorrow in class. It's one of the craziest bass lines I have learned. But it actually isn't that tough. It should be pretty fun. I have all these sick tracks on garageband, but no vocals. Melodies aren't so much my thing. I should just venture out and see what happens.

Things with Aesthetic, the "company" me and Elyse are trying to start are kinda stagnant. I think she has some logos heading my way. We are making a Myspace and going to go ahead and start getting some "buzz" generating. I'm not sure if I will be getting a Silk Screening kit yet or not. They are pretty pricey and I have no experience. I'm thinking that maybe when I get home I'll try and get a job at a place screen printing or something. My Dad and I were talking about it the other night. The basics of starting a business and what he thinks I should do. It's all kinda up in the air. I am still praying about it for direction.

Speaking of direction, the new direction The Hundredth is taking is phenomenal. These last couple songs Alex has sent me are all REALLY good. A couple are aggressive and some slower and epic. I really like the vibe. I haven't tried much vocally. I am hoping I can get back my vocal style of 1995, but just more mid-rangy sound. I'm sure I can, just need to practice. I also probably need to get in shape a bit before we hit the road, or else I'm going to be suffering. A heck of a lot of sitting around eating is going on over here in Oz. I'm getting a little pudge and while I think it's kind of funny, I will be paying for it come October and November.

I can't believe Life in Your Way is breaking up. I have been sulking for 2 days now. Sad news. I wonder what Todd will do. I am also really anxious about what Josh, the singer, will do next. We were going to try and get on the road with them in January for a full tour. Maybe now we can hook up with one of the new projects, who knows. It's all up to God and what He wants.

Taryn started watching Grey's Anatomy and I have been re-watching a couple of the episodes with her. I realized how much I miss that show. Yes, I know that's probably funny. But really, it's a well-thoughtout show. Taryn and I have been hanging out quite a bit. She is an amazing person and I'm glad she is in my life. She brings the mundane to life, and in the church-world of repetition, I desperately need that. Praise God.

My room is getting ridiculous. I need to tidy up and vacuum the floor. There is stuff all over it. My clothes are piled up on the nasty, ugly couch thats cover (formerly Jeffreys bedsheet) is constantly falling off. I will get to that this weekend. I also need to go to Woolworths tomorrow. I'm thinking I'll buy some steaks, onions, and mushrooms. I also need sugar so I can make more sweet tea. I'm the man at making sweet tea now. Seriously, I am.

I have had pretty bad Acid Reflux. I need to get healed.

Well, I think I'm going to get to bed. I have a long day of classes (plus Youth) tomorrow.

Goodnight.

Chadwick