Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Thankful to who?
A quick post: I am dumbstruck this year wondering who on earth non-Christians (and especially non-religious people) give thanks to on Thanksgiving. Without the Giver of all good gifts to be thankful to, it becomes a really meaningless holiday that is just about eating a lot and watching football. Oh wait...
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
I bought U2's new CD today. The album is excellent. I love most of the songs and find the whole album to be enjoyable. I will need a few more listens to get a better grip on what Bono is saying, but the basic theme of the album is "Love". The title comes from a question that Bono asked Michael W. Smith. Bono asked, "How do you dismantle an atomic bomb?" Smith said he didn't know. Bono said, "Love. With love."
The whole album is about love. The love between father and son, of husband and wife, and of God and man dominates this album. In fact, this album has extremely strong Christian overtones. The last song is named "Yahweh", and yes, Bono is singing to God.
The music is wonderful and varied. The vocals good. Bono is ragged in some places, but perhaps that makes the album even better. The singer of these songs is discussing love, real love, not synthethic "Sex in the City" love. Love is ragged and sometimes hurts. But it's beautiful.
And that's this album. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. Go buy it today.
The whole album is about love. The love between father and son, of husband and wife, and of God and man dominates this album. In fact, this album has extremely strong Christian overtones. The last song is named "Yahweh", and yes, Bono is singing to God.
The music is wonderful and varied. The vocals good. Bono is ragged in some places, but perhaps that makes the album even better. The singer of these songs is discussing love, real love, not synthethic "Sex in the City" love. Love is ragged and sometimes hurts. But it's beautiful.
And that's this album. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. Go buy it today.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Mosque Visit
I visited a mosque a few days ago with a Muslim friend. Here are a few thoughts.
The mosque was plain but nice. Since everyone takes of their shoes at the entrance, it stays fairly tidy. No pictures but many writings from the koran on plates, plaques, etc.
The prayer service was short and quiet. No sermon. We ate dates beforehand. They are really good but you have to watch out for the seeds.
After prayer (I didn't pray with them), we ate. It was good food. The men and women are separated, so if you go to the mosque every day during Ramadan, you could have thirty days of "Guys Night Out".
The people were nice and from all walks of life. It was nice to meet friendly Muslims. They're not all out to get you, Mr. Average American, though I don't think that I impressed a couple of them when I told them I voted for Bush.
There were ways that the visit reminded me of church. One, kids were everywhere, running around and carousing. A couple of kids were sticking their rears in the other's face and laughing. (Oddly enough, the adults did nothing really. It seems to me that Muslims have a different approach to child-rearing.) Two, religion is learned young. Three boys came in at the end of the service. I saw them mouth the prayers and then bow. Of course, it was in a childish way. One boy seemed to smash his head on the ground each time. Quite humorous. Three, food is very important to the fellowship. What Christian can disagree with that?
Overall, it was an interesting experience. I was glad to see a faith in action, done peacefully. All the Muslims I have met here have been nice people. The media gives us too much of the terrorist side! Most, I'd say, are normal people trying to get through life in the best manner possible. Still, Islam is without Christ, the glue that binds Christianity together, the center of truly spiritual worship. And for that, it must be rejected.
The mosque was plain but nice. Since everyone takes of their shoes at the entrance, it stays fairly tidy. No pictures but many writings from the koran on plates, plaques, etc.
The prayer service was short and quiet. No sermon. We ate dates beforehand. They are really good but you have to watch out for the seeds.
After prayer (I didn't pray with them), we ate. It was good food. The men and women are separated, so if you go to the mosque every day during Ramadan, you could have thirty days of "Guys Night Out".
The people were nice and from all walks of life. It was nice to meet friendly Muslims. They're not all out to get you, Mr. Average American, though I don't think that I impressed a couple of them when I told them I voted for Bush.
There were ways that the visit reminded me of church. One, kids were everywhere, running around and carousing. A couple of kids were sticking their rears in the other's face and laughing. (Oddly enough, the adults did nothing really. It seems to me that Muslims have a different approach to child-rearing.) Two, religion is learned young. Three boys came in at the end of the service. I saw them mouth the prayers and then bow. Of course, it was in a childish way. One boy seemed to smash his head on the ground each time. Quite humorous. Three, food is very important to the fellowship. What Christian can disagree with that?
Overall, it was an interesting experience. I was glad to see a faith in action, done peacefully. All the Muslims I have met here have been nice people. The media gives us too much of the terrorist side! Most, I'd say, are normal people trying to get through life in the best manner possible. Still, Islam is without Christ, the glue that binds Christianity together, the center of truly spiritual worship. And for that, it must be rejected.
Enjoy the violence
[I wrote this piece for my church newsletter. Hope you like it. ~ BP]
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1, AV
G.K. Chesterton taught me to love violence. God’s violence. That fat, joy-filled British author taught me to glory in the violence of God in creation.
Concerning the Creation he writes that “there was something personal in the world, as in a piece of art; whatever it meant it meant violently”[1]. What Chesterton means here in context is that when God created the world, He created something magnificent and beautiful, even magical. God meant to create something, and He meant it violently. Our Father went about creating with the energy of a child.
Think of the leaves on the trees. In summer, they are splendidly green, the same color as Robin Hood’s hat! In the fall, they are red, orange, and yellow. They are bold, brash, glorious colors that stand out and scream of God’s glory. God could have made leaves ashen-colored, but He made them like fire. In fall, our trees burn, but they are not consumed!
Think of the trees themselves. How queer are they! Out of the ground come these monolithic creations that tower over us. They are blades that come out of the ground, pointing to their Creator, yet these blades dance for Him in the wind.
Again, think of pumpkins. They are big, fat, and jolly. They are exuberant: they wear orange! Pumpkins are so joyous that we feel the need to give them smiles. They’re so happy that even their seeds taste good. So, when you go outside the next few weeks, look around and praise God for giving us a violent, peculiarly wonderful creation! Revel in it. Do so while raking those leaves of fire! And afterwards, snack on some pumpkins seeds with friends.
[1] Chesterton, G.K., Orthodoxy. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1995), p. 70.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1, AV
G.K. Chesterton taught me to love violence. God’s violence. That fat, joy-filled British author taught me to glory in the violence of God in creation.
Concerning the Creation he writes that “there was something personal in the world, as in a piece of art; whatever it meant it meant violently”[1]. What Chesterton means here in context is that when God created the world, He created something magnificent and beautiful, even magical. God meant to create something, and He meant it violently. Our Father went about creating with the energy of a child.
Think of the leaves on the trees. In summer, they are splendidly green, the same color as Robin Hood’s hat! In the fall, they are red, orange, and yellow. They are bold, brash, glorious colors that stand out and scream of God’s glory. God could have made leaves ashen-colored, but He made them like fire. In fall, our trees burn, but they are not consumed!
Think of the trees themselves. How queer are they! Out of the ground come these monolithic creations that tower over us. They are blades that come out of the ground, pointing to their Creator, yet these blades dance for Him in the wind.
Again, think of pumpkins. They are big, fat, and jolly. They are exuberant: they wear orange! Pumpkins are so joyous that we feel the need to give them smiles. They’re so happy that even their seeds taste good. So, when you go outside the next few weeks, look around and praise God for giving us a violent, peculiarly wonderful creation! Revel in it. Do so while raking those leaves of fire! And afterwards, snack on some pumpkins seeds with friends.
[1] Chesterton, G.K., Orthodoxy. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1995), p. 70.
