Everyday Encounter...
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There’s a house that I regularly drive past that has John 3:3 on a big sign on the wall at the end of their drive. There’s a box next to it offering free bibles. The heart is there, but I would need to sit opposite and see what effect it actually has as an evangelistic endeavour. That said, it had an impact on me.
The verse is in the context of the story of Nicodemus, a religious man who is willing to ask questions of Jesus. He does it quietly and discerningly in the night, and Jesus invests the time in hearing what he’s saying, hearing what he perhaps isn’t saying, and helping him re-frame what is being asked. Nicodemus wants to know about the Kingdom of God. And here are a couple of key verses that Jesus comes back at him with, including the verse on the wall…
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Another quick one... I'm tempted to turn it into a quiz: Lewis Capaldi or King Solomon? Love Song or Ecclesiastes? Pointless or Meaningless? Here's an idea: Have a listen to this song, then read Ecclesiastes.
This one is about forgiveness. Watch this long, uncomfortable and difficult TED talk, and then have a listen to the song. A short one today... Can't remember where I cam across this one, but it's quite catchy! What will you say "Thank you" for today? What's on you list? Does pain feature in your "Thank you"? Should it? Who or what are you saying "Thank you" to? (There isn't even a "Read more..."!)
"I Do."
No caveat. No grudge. Not feeling like I have to, but because I want to and more than that, that I have the privilege to... I GET to... And I am free to! That is the feeling that I had when I got married. I didn't feel like I had to say I do, but I really wanted to. And I knew the potential and privilege of it. I wonder if that's the same thing when we are asked to say "I do" at things like church services, when we sign up to things in life? Do we see the opportunity and potential excitement, or are we just saying it because we have to? Because when we say it we open ourselves up to a whole lot more... What more could we get ourselves into? Ever asked that question? As a parent it is one of my regulars. As someone who prays it is one of my regulars. I wanna know you’re listening
If I’m talking to myself I’m gonna find somebody else Tell me, can you hear me? I need you to hear me Screaming out so loud But my words don’t make a sound Tell me, can you hear me? Is anybody listening? I’m done talking to myself I’m gonna find somebody else. Lament and request. Clash said: "Lift Me Up" is an "emotive" R&B ballad that "speaks from the heart". To me it sounds and awful lot like a worshipful heart-cry of prayer.
"Are you going to fall? Is someone supposed to catch you? Or do you catch yourself? There will be something worth falling for." I've had to learn it before, and I'll have to learn it again:
"It stopped raining in my head today..." That would be nice...
I often feel like there's an almighty downpour inside my head, as I try and work out the mess of thoughts that spiral around! Some of those thoughts are trying to unpack faith and theology... I took the kids to see Sing 2 at the cinema and was reminded that Scarlett Johansson doesn’t just kick ass but also has a fine set of lungs on her… Trading her Black Widow leather cat suit for a porcupine-tailored rocker’s leather jacket, for me she steals the show!
As a result I jumped on Spotify and looked up what she’s done outside of films, and I stumbled across “Iguana Bird.” Further Google rabbit-hole wanderings confirmed magnificent creature pictured above doesn’t actually exist, and I have absolutely no idea what the title is in reference to. That said, the simplicity of the whole song, tune, rhythm and lyrics drew me in to hearing God’s voice speaking to me. |
Lent 2023 PlaylistIf you'd rather listen and come to your own conclusions about the eclectic mix of songs I'm working through in Lent 2023, here's the Spotify Playlist! Archives
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