As “the all seeing, all dancing crap of the world…” - Chuck Palahniuk
An outtake from just one of Tyler Durden’s epic monologues seen in the 1999 film Fight Club. A speech that still serves to stir sobering thoughts about the state of culture and society in the world today…So, what will we do?
Our expression of who we are through what we do is all that we have to leave our mark on this world; evidence of the meaning of a purposeful existence we were all created for. Free will is a splendour beyond our own grasp of understanding ; a lavish gift from a loving creator.
“As lungs of smoke to breaths of fire,
Exhalation of misguided desire”
For those of us living in the first world, we are the most, privileged, educated, capable and enabled generation to walk the earth, yet it seems we are still waiting for our turn to come around. Surrounded by seemingly obsolete institution, the ‘children of broken promises’ gaze upon destiny with eyes of defeat. Our future lies not in clever subscription; the greatness of time rests in it’s years. Hope is not an idea, it is the summation of every idea glowing in the hearts of the wild eyed dreamers who dare.
“Sometimes we are what we think,
When we can be all we speak
Softer clay and solid rock
Mould us with a gentle hand”
Within every creature (living creation), exists the instinct to extend greater than their predecessor. Offsprings are a multiplication not replacement. Within Human Life, which operates in dominion over the planet is an unparalleled longing for more. A quest for a seemingly unquenchable validation outside of it’s conscious awareness. An unexplained longing for more than all of the world could ever offer; fingerprints of an eternity yet to come.
Is this quest for greatness itself? Or simply the idea of it? Does your quest make you great?
Within its process there are countless millions of intricacies; the summation and interaction of ever effort; Purposeless ambition is ultimately self serving, even in the names of freedom, peace and liberty.
Our lives matter and it matters what we do with them, so dream dreams and choose your own adventure. The world we will live in is the the world that we choose to build.
- Rufio
As leafless branches reach for the sky,
So too shall I,
My soul is bared before you,
You know my heart
I am small and you are great
Sometimes we are what we think,
When we can be all we speak
Softer clay and solid rock
Mold us with a gentle hand
For You are worthy,
Through all our folly and failings,
You remain, our righteousness
I will hold steadfast to the cross
And be washed in the blood.
- Rufio
~{[SEE THE EVENT HERE]}~
“During the preparation for Hillsong Conference 2011 I was asked to participate in the filming of a clip to be used during one of the messages; I was happy to contribute and really enjoyed the role I was asked to play. However, it was not till now that I realized the incredible impact and weight which this small piece actually held. The narrative in this piece is taken from Paradise Lost written by John Milton, widely considered one of the greatest pieces of work in english literature.
Until now I had never taken the time to explore the epic poem but have recently become completely enamoured by it in all of its beauty, mystery, complexity and paradigm. The story of its creation is a reminder of the dedication, ambition and even obsession attached to great works that hold lasting influence throughout the ages.
Greatness does not come about by chance, but is the culmination of life long efforts.”
- Rufio
‘The Project’ Concludes in Part III…
‘The Project’ Continues… Part II
In an endeavour to showcase the creativity and ambition at Hillsong College, a collective of students and trainers created “The Project.” its a 3 part documentary designed to give potential students a glimpse into the things they can be a part of by coming here.
Our hope is that “The Project” will inspire you to “take what you have in your hands and go with it where you could.”
- Rufio
“What is Light?
In the beginning, God spoke it into existence;
He saw that light was good, and separated it from the darkness.
He called the light day and the darkness night.
Light itself is sustenance for all life, whether directly or indirectly;
City lights glisten on the horizon as a testament to our unending dependence on it; enchanting almost.
The flames of a fire bring comfort through warmth and illuminate the beauty of life that surrounds us.
It reveals both where we are, and where we are going.
Spoken into being by a God whose language truth, light must also be truth.
Truth that will tear down walls and set captives free; light redeems.
The closer we are to it, the brighter we shine as we reflect its glory from every facet of our being.There is not object so foul that intense light cannot make beautiful.
We are here to be light, light bearers, and speakers of truth one and the same.
Like a city on a hill unable to be hidden, shining before all men.”
- Rufio
Experimental Night
Over the past 6 months a dream has been forming in my heart to put on a special night of worship and song delivered with an experimental feel. Born out of a burning desire to try new things in the least likely of places; a time to engage and explore feelings not usually expressed with a simple, poignant and dynamic soundtrack. A group of people gather together with the sole purpose of expressing the greatness and love of the one holy God, free of the bounds of normal expectations of service and tradition; simply to see what happens. In not way does this endeavour intend to disregard or disrespect the function of The Church, nor is it an attempt to start a new one. This night will be a celebration of the freedom given to us, through our saviour Jesus Christ, to offer worship unto the Father in spirit and in truth, using mediums of music, film, art, dance and speech. Creation in reflection of the Creator; the image in whom we were made, giving honor to Him who is worthy.
- Rufio
A bird of prey descends to claim it’s prey
Eyes black and piercing
Vision as clear as his intent
Then, with a peculiar boldness she looks back
Frozen in a moment of curious pondering
Talons still drawn,
Captivation and surrender
Predator and prey as one
- Rufio
“Amongst the rush of a full blown digital age, it is refreshing to remember how music was once solely acoustic; instruments were made of wood, bone and forged metals. As a songwriter I am always under the influence of my surroundings, and when it comes to a creative burst, almost a heightened sense of things; taste, smell and touch. Texture can be a fascinating aspect of the musical journey often lost in mass produced, machine pressed plastic instruments.
Out of these thoughts came inspiration for initiative. I quickly searched the local classifieds for some previously enjoyed upright pianos in need of a new home. I borrowed a trailer from our principal Lee Burns, and enlisted the help of some of my housemates and friends; so began the adventure.
The goal was to combine the flexibility of software based synthesizers and the convenience of modern laptop recording into a unique experience that engages its user beyond their automatic interactions with a keyboard interface. The resulting product is a creaky, slow playing, less than perfect 300kg MIDI controller and a total success. The feeling of broken ivory keys on your fingers, a brass pedal at your feet, and the smell of dust and dirt from the last half century swirls together in a soundscape crafted in a digital universe.
The future of this creation is still undecided and is much less important than the encouragement I hope it provides for other students, or anyone thinking of coming here to Hillsong College, to unlock and express the God given creativity inside each of them.”
- Ian Locke
A special thanks to my good friend Matt Litow who was an integral part of this endeavour; your hard work and attention to detail was incredible.
