Since poetry operates on such small spaces,
be certain the layers
go
deep
Worship is...
Worship isnot style, song, or segment of service
Worship is not once a week Worship is not Sunday morning at 10am til "Seriously, another song?"
WORSHIP is a Stockholm Syndrome where the captive falls in love with his captor.
Worship is captivated by a furious love Worship is falling in love with The Love which captures you.
We All Need A Break
I apologize for the lack of posting and updates in the last week or so. We have had a lot of visitors to meet our new one, and I have not been able to be keep up on here. Family time is good though... Take a break some times!!!
NBC's Community Speaks of Religion
"While claiming to have no religion, you were actually devoutly worshiping yourself, and now that your god has high cholesterol, your want to kick Pierce's god in the balls." -Professor Ian Duncan on NBC's Community
What is with a few of my favorite television shows taking on the conversation and thoughts of religion and faith? Whether it be Glee's "Cheesus" episode or Community's religion episode a couple weeks ago, religion seems to be on the mind. Whether you agree with the portrayals of Christianity and general religion (you likely don't and probably shouldn't), it is important to pay attention. There perspectives portrayed are very similar if not exact reflections of common perceptions held in our culture.
Though you may not agree with the perceptions portrayed, take heart that the discussion is right in front of us. Take heart that our culture's interest is at least piqued.
How can this spark opportunity in your day to day for conversation?
*I have been LOVING the quote above, and it is my thought that Community is one of the most underrated comedies on television right now.
Suheir Hammad - First Writing Since
I saw this piece last week, and it was the first time in a long time a piece has struck me so deeply. *STRONG LANGUAGE (in case you need the warning)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fhWX2F6G7Y&fs=1&hl=en_US]
Eat This Drawing: what has art ever done for you
ART: tangible materials used, exhausted energy spent, hours lost with little return, unbalanced return on overall investment The artist within you says this is false. He tells you every creative journey is a worthwhile return on your exhausted investment of material, time, and energy, but you only half believe that.
What if the cyclical process of art was more balanced?
Jessica Dore; a great artist, and new friend of mine is setting out for such a project. Weary of seeing her art only yield a product or a vessel for the energy put in, she seeks to demand a fairer return from her art.
20 hours drawing! 4 hours eating...her drawing!
Jessica will consume the art she gave so much energy to in order to receive a return on the energy she gave. The symbolism is extravagant, but the project far exceeds mere symbolism for her.
She says, "This cycle doesn't always get completed. I am taking control over this deeper energy, this unexplainable force of creation. Instead of seeking validation for the work to feed my artists ego, I am consuming the effort and validating and fueling myself. Taking the thing I love and consuming it the way I have consumed so many unhealthy and superficial things that this contemporary world has convinced me will satisfy and validate me."
It goes beyond art, doesn't it? Think of the things and people and circumstances you invest yourself in. Who and what's beck and call do you continually subject yourself to?
All of these things are necessary and important. We are better people when we sacrifice ourselves for the better of others, but you can only pour out more than you have for so long.
Jessica's project is a process to engage with that universal tension of what we expend vs what is returned to us. Jessica asked if I would join her project from Ragamuffin Ramblings. I was very thrilled to be a part, though very small, of her discoveries.
Keep checking back to see more as more is returned.
People Aren't People
Today my friend, Justin Wallace, tweeted:
The thought that there is a unique story behind each set of eyes that I pass blows my mind. #walkingacrosscampus
What incredible potential awaits those who pay attention to people like this!
What could happen if we intentionally remembered each person we pass represents a story? What things would change if people were not just faces, stats, floating torsos but stories you should hear?
I want to hate more
"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." -Romans 7:15 God's word has hit me to the heart today. Reading Paul's reflections in Romans 7 about that tension of doing what I hate and not doing what I want to do, I am stricken by the word "hate".
Sure I understand what it is like to do things I wish I hadn't. I know what it is like to do things and feel bad for doing them, but I am not certain that I HATE my sin. I am not certain that I see my sin and loathe those things which continue to pull me away from my Father. I dislike them and try to avoid them, but I cannot say that I HATE them.
I want to look at those things which disconnect me from Him and know that I hate them for that. I want to hate my sin and those things which continue to attack my heart with guilt and shame. I want to hate my sin that I might love God more.
