I think that part of a simple life is looking for simplicity in music. Uh-oh...hot button there. I'm not going to get into a debate on types of music and worship style. Really, I'm kind of over that if you know what I mean. My own tastes are pretty eclectic ranging from classical to jazz to bluegrass. If you start playing rap, I may even know some of the lyrics depending on the artist (some of you just had a heart attack....it's okay...i still love God). I have found though, as I've gotten older (word written with some hesitation) that simplicity in music is essential to having a clear mind. Music, like any other media, speaks to us. If we are constantly allowing it to speak ungodly, loud, and disjointed ideas, our minds begin to crave the noise and chaos. The natural outcome to that is, well, not so good. So give your mind a rest.
The link below is to an artist who I have a great deal of respect for. Why? He travels all over with his family (and I mean the whole family....check out his blog) singing and worshiping in churches. His life is not about music; it's about relationships. It's a simple life, though by no means an easy one. I can't imagine the challenges this family must go through. But they're together. I suspect that when those children grow up they will have a deep and abiding relationship with one another, not because of proximity, but because of parents who invest in them daily. Track the family and see if my little theory is true...oh yeah...and check out this CD too!
A New CD of Psalms & Hymns
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Boredom
I have a theory; I think we're all bored. Now, I know, you've got your Itouch out and you're checking out the latest plot line of Twilight while listening to your favorite Barry Manilow song with one hand while you drive your blue tooth enabled hybrid to hang out wherever it is you hang out. So how could you possibly be bored? Right?
I think that our technologically advanced society is, at its heart, bored. I can see it in the average cubicle dweller. We sit at our computers....all day long. Screen after screen of reports, spreadsheets, analysis, etc. is enough to drive any man crazy. So what do we do? Listen to the Ipod and sneak a peek at Facebook to see who sent the latest friend request. We instant message the guy two cubes down from us. Or, some who border on being Amish, actually walk to a cube near them and talk (does that still happen?) to each other. Crazy concept I know.
I think it's really because we're bored. Here's how the theory goes: God created us to work the land. That was His original design. This gave Adam the chance to really pour himself into something. Even after the fall, Adam and Eve's purpose didn't change much. It became harder, but it didn't really change. So they're pouring themselves into their own lives: Adam tends the land trying to provide food. Eve is working along side Adam and caring for the children as they come. They don't really have a lot of other distractions. Their not worried, you see, about who danced the tango last night or who was ripped to shreds for their singing abilities. They worried about themselves and they created a life of beauty. That's the key. They created something together. It was their focus.
It seems to me that we've lost focus. We have so many plates spinning in the air, but with no real purpose. Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone in the world is bored at every moment. No, I'm talking about American society in general.
George Orwell said "War is a way of shattering to pieces... materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable and... too intelligent." Although I cannot speak to what he was thinking, the quote seems to indicate that the more comfortable a race is, the more intelligent it becomes. I'm not so sure that's played itself out. Though we've come into a place as a nation where we are most comfortable, I don't see vast intelligence breaking forth. Instead, I see games. I see things to keep us occupied. Instead of groundbreaking intelligence, I see a people who identify themselves with their occupation or hobby and pour themselves into it...because they have nothing else to pour themselves into.
The point is not that any pursuit of pleasure is bad; the point is that no matter what activities we engage in we should get back to a mindset where we pour ourselves into family and each other. The framework of our pursuits should fit around those closest to us. I think that's what God intended. What do you think?
I think that our technologically advanced society is, at its heart, bored. I can see it in the average cubicle dweller. We sit at our computers....all day long. Screen after screen of reports, spreadsheets, analysis, etc. is enough to drive any man crazy. So what do we do? Listen to the Ipod and sneak a peek at Facebook to see who sent the latest friend request. We instant message the guy two cubes down from us. Or, some who border on being Amish, actually walk to a cube near them and talk (does that still happen?) to each other. Crazy concept I know.
I think it's really because we're bored. Here's how the theory goes: God created us to work the land. That was His original design. This gave Adam the chance to really pour himself into something. Even after the fall, Adam and Eve's purpose didn't change much. It became harder, but it didn't really change. So they're pouring themselves into their own lives: Adam tends the land trying to provide food. Eve is working along side Adam and caring for the children as they come. They don't really have a lot of other distractions. Their not worried, you see, about who danced the tango last night or who was ripped to shreds for their singing abilities. They worried about themselves and they created a life of beauty. That's the key. They created something together. It was their focus.
It seems to me that we've lost focus. We have so many plates spinning in the air, but with no real purpose. Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone in the world is bored at every moment. No, I'm talking about American society in general.
George Orwell said "War is a way of shattering to pieces... materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable and... too intelligent." Although I cannot speak to what he was thinking, the quote seems to indicate that the more comfortable a race is, the more intelligent it becomes. I'm not so sure that's played itself out. Though we've come into a place as a nation where we are most comfortable, I don't see vast intelligence breaking forth. Instead, I see games. I see things to keep us occupied. Instead of groundbreaking intelligence, I see a people who identify themselves with their occupation or hobby and pour themselves into it...because they have nothing else to pour themselves into.
The point is not that any pursuit of pleasure is bad; the point is that no matter what activities we engage in we should get back to a mindset where we pour ourselves into family and each other. The framework of our pursuits should fit around those closest to us. I think that's what God intended. What do you think?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Purpose
I know; with all the blogs out in the blog-o-sphere why create yet another one? I suppose there are many reasons for me to create a blog. I'm not interested in keeping you up to date on the latest events in my relatively ordinary life. I'm not terribly good at being clever. Instead, I want to encourage you in a way of life that appeals to me, namely, the simple life.
You, my dear reader, are likely incredulous at this point. "Is there such a thing as a simple life? Is that impossible in this era of time?" Well, the truth is that my friends and family have, by now, calmed down from their laughing fit. No, I'm not sure I'd call my life simple; but that's the point. I'd like to. It's a goal I have.
So what does it mean to live a simple life? Well, to be clear, I'm not talking about a lack of activity or a lack of technology. In my mind it has something to do with relationships. As we've "evolved" or "progressed" in our thinking, we invented new ways to ensure that we don't have to interact with anyone. You don't have to look any further than the grocery store. As I place my items on the belt, I have a screen that explains to me what my bill is, minus the coupons. I scan my credit card and sign the pad in front of me. The teller hands me the receipt and says "Have a nice day." Done! At no point in this transaction have I made eye contact with her (whew). She's given me her script, but we've not actually communicated.
I am seeking something different, something more visceral. I'm seeking humanity. Does it still exist? Let's find out...
You, my dear reader, are likely incredulous at this point. "Is there such a thing as a simple life? Is that impossible in this era of time?" Well, the truth is that my friends and family have, by now, calmed down from their laughing fit. No, I'm not sure I'd call my life simple; but that's the point. I'd like to. It's a goal I have.
So what does it mean to live a simple life? Well, to be clear, I'm not talking about a lack of activity or a lack of technology. In my mind it has something to do with relationships. As we've "evolved" or "progressed" in our thinking, we invented new ways to ensure that we don't have to interact with anyone. You don't have to look any further than the grocery store. As I place my items on the belt, I have a screen that explains to me what my bill is, minus the coupons. I scan my credit card and sign the pad in front of me. The teller hands me the receipt and says "Have a nice day." Done! At no point in this transaction have I made eye contact with her (whew). She's given me her script, but we've not actually communicated.
I am seeking something different, something more visceral. I'm seeking humanity. Does it still exist? Let's find out...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)