A World Behind The Eyes

Saw this beautiful dog on the beach at Freemantle. Its owner was having a sleep so I got some snaps! It looked like the owner may have been homeless. Whatever the case, it looks like there's quite a story behind those eyes...

When You Walk Through The Room

I've been reading a great book over the last two weeks. ONE STEP CLOSER: Why U2 Matters To Those Seeking God, by Christian Scharen. Last night as I was reading, this exerpt really jumped out to me:

... Yet U2 sees how they are part of something much bigger, something that they contribute to but does not come from them. Their embrace of the fact that, despite their shortcomings, they know that the gift of God's blessing and mercy lives in them, heals more, touches more, and inspires more than they could ever hope to do on their own. It is, in a way, the biggest contradiction of all that a rock and roll band understands itself as wrapped up in a conspiracy with the God of heaven and earth. Yet that's U2. Larry: "If we thought it was all about us, it would f**k us up. Something happens, but it is not something we make happen. It only happens when God walks through the room."
This is something that every one of us in the Creative Arts areas, and also in the position of providing and creating and shaping corporate environments for worship need to understand. We can do what we can do, but at some point we have to stand back and let God walk through the room.

Get Your Poo Tickets!

I've got to recommend this movie to you. Yes, it's toilet humour, but who hasn't ever indulged in that? For some reason, everyone laughs at toilet humour. Anyway, I reckon KENNY is a must see. I laughed and laughed (and believe me, I needed to). Kenny is a lovable Aussie character just trying to live a meaningful life. He's naive for sure but has a great sense of humour and a real openness to others that is endearing and ends up opening doors for him. But its not all potty and poo. His family situation is very sad and perhaps all too common. There are some real human relational issues dealt with in the movie, so be warned, you might cry too (I did - just a little bit!).

I reckon this one is destined to be a classic Aussie movie, a la The Castle. Yep, its that good! Get your poo ticket and check it out in a thunderbox near you.

A Fire Inside

I found this derelict old truck just around the corner from where I used to live. The late afternoon sun was flooding through the windscreen and making the rusted out mirror look like embers. (It looked a lot redder on my screen).

Developing an Eye

After many years of developing my "ear", I'm now learning to develop my "eye". I'm having fun with the photography and especially with Photoshop Elements. I'm very new to the whole thing, but here are a few early creations...

This is East Perth Power Station early in the evening...

...and from the other side...

Perth with angry skies. This is NOT our usual weather, but it makes for an expressive picture!
And something dreamy and soft to finish up. Someone very kindly gave a beautiful bunch of roses to Ali recently (unfortunately it wasn't me!).

A Strange Feeling

On Monday morning I woke up knowing that I didn't have to do anything! It was a strange feeling and I did feel a bit lost for part of the day...
I spent a couple of hours out with my camera just taking my time and trying to get a few shots. This was one of them...
I'll be trying to get the hang of relaxing over the next few weeks, but I think a bit of photography will help with that. I really enjoy it but it's not particularly taxing.

Bluesy and Cruisy!

Well, the Sunday Sesh went well. Thanks to Jess who took a few photos on the night, but the light wasn't very helpful.

I did make a recording of the set which actually came out better than I thought it might. I think we were a little aware of the record button being on, and so were a little less relaxed than we might have been otherwise.

Thanks everyone who stayed around! We had a fun night.

Sunday Session

I'll be playing a live set this Sunday night at Riverview Church's weekly "Sunday Sesh". It'll be a basic four piece band doing a mix of my own songs and a few covers. A couple of John Mayer songs, a classic that Ray Charles made great (Georgia), and some of my more funky/bluesy tunes from over the years. Bluesy and cruisy! The band is Paul Hardy on drums, Billy Muchtar on Bass, Luke Griffin on guitar and myself. Great band! I'm very much looking forward to it. Hope to see you there. (Start time around 7:45pm.)

Time For Change

Hello friends,

I’m writing this note to let you know about some changes in my personal and work life.

Over the past few months I have been in discussion with the leadership of Riverview Church as we have endeavoured to balance my personal needs and the needs of a growing church. Together we have concluded that the way forward for both Riverview and myself at this time is for me to move out of the key leadership role of the Riverview Worship Team.

For the health of the team, for my own health and that of my family, it’s time for some changes. I’m not leaving Riverview, but will have a change of responsibilities. I will take an extended break of 2-3 months beginning in August and return to a part time Music Director role.

A combination of things have brought me to this point:
• I feel that my battery is flat to the point it doesn’t charge properly and drains very quickly. I need to recharge it fully.
• I need to create space in my life to consider my direction and dreams for the future.
• I have personal goals and direction that have, over time, begun to compete for the energy and attention that my role at Riverview has required.
• The growing and changing requirements of the Worship Pastor role have increasingly moved away from alignment with my gift mix and the things that energise me.
• I’m looking forward to fulfilling further ministry opportunities both locally and around the globe.

None of this changes what it’s all about!
I still believe I’m to lead others in their love for God.
I’ll continue to use my gifts to help others express their worship.
I still want to discover God and bring that discovery to others.
I don’t believe my calling is changing, just my role at Riverview.

The worship team will undergo a restructuring of leadership at the staff level.
The key leadership role of Worship Pastor will be taken on by Paul Morrison. Lisa Gageler will manage most of the day to day running of the team as Worship Director. I will fill the role of Music Director. David Smith and Andrew Hadfield will continue in their roles as interns.

Thank you all for your support over the years. Let’s continue to build the Kingdom of God and build people’s hearts, making His praise glorious! God is Great!

Keep shining!

Mark

Single News

Well after 9 weeks in The Rock Across Australia (TRAA) top 30 chart, Falling At Your Feet is at number 16. Not bad I reckon considering all the great music out there at the moment. I'd love to see it go higher though, so if you're in Australia or NZ, call your local Christian radio station and ask to hear Falling At Your Feet! (Yes, even in Perth - visit http://www.sonshinefm.ws/ and fill in a homerun request form)

Music Book Available Soon

I've been working on a music book to accompany my album "mercy-kissed".

It's becoming pretty common to produce CDROM version music books (Planetshakers, United live, Hillsong, etc). Some people prefer the hard copy paper book and some like the CDROM. I'd love to know what you prefer and this will help me decide which to produce, or if I should make both.

Please comment to this post and let me know your preferences.

Mark Cullen Website live now!

Well it's finally out there! Please come visit www.markcullen.com.au and tell me what you think. Got any suggestions?

EDIT: This website is no longer active. Please visit my new sites here:
www.markcullen.me for music
www.markcullen.me/Lightplay for my Photo blog

Hillsong - WOW!!!

Yes, I'm still here! Have had some more busy times... Went to Melbourne on my way to the Hillsong Conference in Sydney. I did another day of recording for the Deb Fung project and spent Sunday at Careforce Church in Mt Evelyn leading worship in their 3 services and doing a workshop with their worship leaders and song writers.

Hillsong was amazing! What an incredible line-up of speakers and guest artists - awesome! I was encouraged, stretched and challenged once again. Highlights for me were Delirious on Tuesday night, Louie Giglio anytime he opens his mouth, and the closing night went off too. Got a few pics...











I also managed to fit in a quick recording session, playing for an undisclosed, high profile Christian artist. Very exciting!












Got a sneak peek at Nigel's rig under the stage! Check it out - NIIIICE!

Keane Rocks As Promised!

Well I've had the new Keane album for just under a week now and have been giving it a thrashing. I love, love, love it! I can't believe that a guitar free zone could grab my ears the way this does. It's all about great sounds and parts I guess, and that's what these guys do so well. The production is great and the singing is superb too. Passion and creativity! Nice!

Where I've Been!

Sorry about the short absence - I've had a couple of busy weeks!
I visited Melbourne from May 26th to June 4th fitting in some recording with Brad Evans who is producing an album for Deb Fung. We spent 4 days making some special sounds on both acoustic and electric guitars. That was fun!

On the 27th & 28th I led worship at the Saturday night and Sunday morning church services at Calvary Worship Centre in Springvale. On Sunday night I visited Planetshakers Church in Melbourne with my good friend Andy Naylor for what happened to be their latest album launch. On Monday night I had a quick interview with Martin Fawkes from Light FM and then rushed off to Christian City Church Whitehorse where I performed a couple of songs and spoke to the Creative Teams. Thursday evening was another Creative Teams evening at Citylife Church, and then I led worship again at 5 church services over Saturday night and Sunday morning at Citylife Church! That evening I came home rather exhausted but feeling like I'd had a very productive week.



I was thankful that the Monday was a public holiday here in WA. It was a magnificent day and we spent it hanging out as a family and experimenting with my new camera.