in between ..

Like many of you, I find myself mentally catching up after the holiday. For that reason, I've chosen to simply post a great quote from Ben Pasley that impacts me deeply:

"The absence of worship leaves a space for somethings sinister as well. Worship's vacuum fills with pride. Now pride is the black hole of human potential: pride becomes pride becomes pride. Pride will not bow, it will not honor another, and it will not believe in anything higher. Worship, in high contrast, is humility that has found a higher thing to reverence, it has discovered the joy of inferiority, and it has made an art of offering thanks, honor, and affection to something greater. Worship is humility that has matured. Without worship humankind is reduced to embrace itself as the jewel of it's own pursuits, like a dog chasing it's tail, and pride will prove it's destructive intent."

I've heard it said that much of our daily lives is built on the foundation of perspective. I haven't the time to delve into Kingdom perspective or the nature of the Kingdom of God, (A great read on that subject though...Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinnley) but, the idea of making an art of offering thanks is as beautiful as it is compelling. I've so much to be thankful for, but I rarely take a moment out of my day to simply appreciate it. A moment to worship. In a world that proudly proclaims the message of entitlement, self worth, and fear, how freeing could it be to embrace the reality that we are in fact, quite small? Quite insignificant, on our own. We are frail. We are hopelessly dependent on a great many things. Yet, we are here. Our lives our sustained by the generous hands of our Father. That perspective brings me to my knees...and as it turns out, that's right were God wants us.

rob.

identity

Who am I?  This very question has plagued even the greatest mind's of our day.  In fact, *recent studies have shown that this most basic longing for identity is at the forefront of pop culture and psychology.  Living authentically, while seemingly simple, can be difficult, even frustrating, to fully grasp amidst a world that influences us so greatly.  At times, our understanding of who we are one day, may differ from the next, due, in part, to our work environment, personal relationships (or the lack there of), Media, pop-culture, etc.  But, despite the rising waters of fear and miss-interpretation, the God of the Bible offers insight too beautiful to ignore.  Even with in a perspective much like this painting, lonely and overwhelmed, the Spirit of God speaks truth in a language we can understand and embrace.  He says, "I love you."

Some might be disapointed, even offended by the claim.  Can it be that simple?  Well, yes

"Perfect love drives out fear," and what is it that keeps us from being true, dare I say even vulnerable?  Fear.  Fear of what others may think.  Fear of failure.  Fear of being hurt or caused seemingly avoidable anguish.  And yet, for some, even the fear of success or public approval.  Oh, if we could fully understand even a glimpse of His life altering, relentless love for us, then we may find ourselves filled with the courage to live as our truest selves.  We could stand firm, living the fullest life that the God of the heavens has always intended.  I am loved.  

Part of our psyche's problem with being loved is a jaded concept of what God's love looks like.  In the Bible, God is often referred to as a Father or King.  A Savior and Servant.  As Justice and Grace.  But, these are all images we don't quite have a grasp on.  God's love for you is so pure, so true, so out of this world crazy that there is nothing you can do to be loved any more or any less.  Think about that.  There's nothing you can do to be loved any  more or any less by God.  If you preach the perfect sermon, sing the perfect song, write the perfect poem...God loves you.  If you make huge embarrassing mistakes, sing off key, and struggle with spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation and fasting...God loves you.  Even more, God's affection for us is so great that, despite our inevitable flaws and short comings, He enters into our mundane reality and will even use us for Kingdom purposes beyond our [complete] comprehension.  Oh, How he loves us so.

Now, my dear family, as we yearn to grow in the understanding of His grace and mercy, stand firm.  Like a lone rose, rising from the ashes of defeat, embarrassment, failure, pride, etc., stand firm.  And remember, we are not alone at all.  We, us, together stand and we stand with a common identity...We are loved.

rob.

Check back next week as we explore further and consider the audacity of Divine reason as it relates to living authenticity.  

resources:

"The One" by Lawrence Yang

"From Ashes 1" by rob.

*Psychology Today/May-June 2008/ Cover Article

less refined...

  Welcome, you have just found the collection of thoughts regarding art, culture, and worship.  I hope you come to enjoy and even look forward to my weekly postings.  I hope you find that this blog encourages you, as well as provoke thought.  

  Why less refined? We live amidst a contrast of pop culture and the Divine.  Our world may tell you to dress for success, dot your "i's" & cross your "t's", check your emotions at the door, and above all else, don't make a fool of yourself!  Now, there is a time for those things to be sure, however, when I read the Word...when I spend time in prayer and get even a glimpse of God's character...I hear something different.  Throughout Biblical history, God compels men and women to engage Him with a staggering level of honesty and transparency.  The facade of our exterior aesthetic is melted away in His presence.  The unrefined mess of our real lives is what God is after.  Over and over we see this passion for our truest selves described in Scripture.   One example can be found in Psalm 51: 

   "The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.  You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God."

  It's a little unnerving.  Even scary at times to be that vulnerable.  But, I believe in a God who's love is so great, so immense, so relentless that I can be free from the shackles of this worlds expectations.  Like David, "a man after God's own heart", I pray that I may find myself a little undignified in the presence of my King.  Perhaps, if I am willing, I may even come to embrace my stubble and shed my refined veneer.  Much like the mocking bird of this painting ["escape"2007], consider freedom from the bondage of our worlds perception.

rob.