A confession: I am the new hypocrite. The new hypocrite can be found all over ‘Christian’ culture. The new hypocrite is in love with knowledge and study of God. The new hypocrite is in love with the huddle, the church gathering, the small group. The new hypocrite loves to show up every morning and meet with the Lord in private, so that he or she can learn to live out the word. Live it around who? Other Christians? What about non-believers? Here lies the disconnect in my life, the life of the new hypocrite....
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I would like to expand on a thought I had the other day. The intrinsic oneness of the universe….
In the beginning, we discover two things. That “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2), and that “the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1). It can only be assumed then that at the point of creation God, the Word, who we find to be Jesus (John 1:14), and the Spirit are all in community, in a connected oneness. Now, when sin enters the world and the oneness of humanity is broken, is the Trinity also broken? No, it was not, for the Trinity in itself committed no sin and therefor remains in tact. Fast forward then, post slavery, post desert, and this gives us a fresh new perspective of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. In the final hour of his life, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) The oneness of the Trinity is broken. God literally breaks himself apart and takes our place of fragmented oneness. This sacrifice was more then atonement for sin, it was a breaking apart of the Holy Trinity, utter isolation, so that on the third day when Jesus rose, defeating that isolation, we could be restored to the natural order of oneness we were created to inhabit. -jon A thought for the day…
There is an intrinsic oneness to the universe and all of creation is meant to be brought together underneath this oneness. This is evidenced by our deep need for connection. This same intrinsic oneness of the universe manifests itself through our communal desires. We join clubs, churches, activities, because we experience a sense of oneness there, a sense of community. This is how we were created to live. I’ve been praying and reflecting over the word sacrifice over the last few weeks. Last night, I joined some friends for a epic living room worship night, as the Spirit moved, and my voice got tired, I stopped singing and brought our my journal. It was then, unexpectedly, that all my thoughts and prayer came to a head, and this is what God had to say…
A preface to my thesis. I am an amateur storyteller, I do not pretend to know anything for certain. These thoughts are just a reflection of where God has me on my artistic/spiritual journey. I look forward to your thoughts and feedback on this post.
Thesis: Stories, the good ones, center around characters that are utterly and abrasively real, but are, at the same time way too large and abrasive to ever fit into the real world.... I was out to dinner with my sister the other night, she is in town visiting me for spring break, and before the meal came out we were playing a little game I enjoy called the Question Game. (A side not about the Question Game, it’s not really a game, you just ask questions back and forth, but if you sell it to people as a game, they are more likely to engage in conversation with you).
In the early stages of the game I usually ask very surface level questions, this or that, would you rather type things. The answers are always fun to compare and listen to, but when I asked my sister what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer surprised me beyond what I was prepared for. In the life of an artist, or any creative for that matter, we are sure to be confronted with the evil monster of failure sooner or later. Failure is an inherent effect of risk, and risk is and inherent effect of artistry. Therefore, as artists, it is time that we embrace this monster and find a way to call him friend.
I have made a few observations about failure recently that I would like to share..... The Awake film series is a collection of monologues based on actual accounts and experienced during morning quiet time with the Lord. These recorded accounts are transcribed and then given into the hands of an actor. These actors do not know whose words they are speaking, all stories and accounts will remain anonymous.
Here is the link to the first entry... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvGTyZ2FK8k -jon I realize that February went by without a story of the month. That is because all throughout February I was experiencing this divinely orchestrated tale. It is a bit lengthy, but I pray that you take the time to both enjoy it and to be encouraged by the fact that God has a beautiful plan for our lives....
 Last night was the conclusion of an epic saga that ironically lasted only seven weeks for those of us who were lucky enough to be a part of it. Sweeney Todd is one of the greatest musicals ever written, and I cannot tell you what a blessing it was to be a part of Carnegie Mellon’s production directed by Joe Calarco. From the cast, to the crew, to the audience, and last but not least the director, the show was a theatrical experience that was not to be missed. I say this with all humility, knowing that it was despite my imperfections, as well as those of my cast mates that this production succeeded the way it did. And in it’s final hour, we as a company began to experience something incredibly rare, and completely beyond my comprehension.
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AboutThis blog is about learning how to notice, make, and share your art Archives
September 2016
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