I was recently reading an article in Christianity Today and the author wrote something that was profound and simple in the same breath. He said "The problem with spectacle, especially religious spectacle, is that the steady, repeated, raucous noise will eventually make us hard of hearing. And that will make it impossible to hear God's normal tone of voice." Gods normal tone, the whispering in the wind the subtle movement in the Spirit, that still small voice. Perhaps the voice of God is less about being impressed and more about being listened to. I think about Moses and the burning bush, there have been so many times when I wanted the burning bush, the big loud declarative voice of God to speak in my life. And even though the burning bush was a spectacle it was only seen by one person. One not a thousand , not a video screen not even a good soundtrack , one person and a bush in the middle of a dessert. SO where am I going with this, well to be honest I am not really sure but my thoughts turn towards corporate worship.
I mean on Sunday mornings most of us across the country put on good show, the music is done well, the message is well crafted and inspiring but let me ask this question where is the voice of God speaking. Are the people in our pews becoming hard of hearing due to what they experience every single Sunday. As Pastors are we causing our people to become deaf. We talk all the time,a good video clip or the latest song but where are we making a space for the voice of God. Where are we allowing the voice of God to speak in an unassuming quiet sort of way, in a way that moves people to life change. I am not saying we need to spend all of our time in silence and meditation but what are we modeling for our people, what are we showing ourselves? Where are we allowing the "noise " of life deafen us from the voice of God?

Power of Love

I just read this great quote from the legendary Hendrix that says
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power then the world will know peace"
This just resonates with me because I know it to be true . When I think about my life and the different walls and barriers I have had in various relationships it usually comes down to a question of love. Maybe I should say the lack of love. I want to have my way and the constant tug of war that follows. In essence it comes down to not loving as I should and wanting the upper hand, the power. Personal relationships, the world it all works the same, when we are loving one another it works, when we are not it doesn't. I realize I sound like a 60's throw back but maybe that is what made Jesus' message so radical. Because he believed love could change the world, love that nurtured and cared for the lost and the sick but a love that calls for accountability and mutual respect. It was not a message of power but a message of giving up power, strong when you are weak sort of thing. It is completely upside down thinking perhaps that explains why I am so drawn to it. Better yet perhaps that is why it works in a crazy mixed up world. I realize that what I am sounds a bit adolescent but perhaps this message does not need to be complicated. In fact Jesus put it like this, love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
Simple and world changing. Imagine if......