FOUND IN DRAFTS FOLDER FROM NOVEMBER 2009

If God spoke contemporaneously during “Bible times,”

Will He not speak contemporaneously to us now?

I have mentioned my interest in slam poetry before.  I am not the demographic for it, an unusual fan, certainly.  Yet I am impressed, moved, by the talent in the thought-provoking stringing-together-of-words by these young artist/performers.   There is a bold-word Paul-like quality, just speaking straight from and to the guts.

Recently Tredessa and I have been talking about art and literature and music and how we find glimpses of the one true God popping up even where people would be shocked to find Him.  Like He did that day at the well.

This particular YouTube example is pretty straightforward-from-the-Christian-biblical viewpoint.

And here is Levi-he-Poet at Heaven Fest.

But I have found Him in songs, in movies, in books that aren’t Christian bookstore fare.  I have heard Him in stories and wordless music, too.

Interpret.

God is still writing on the walls of this wicked and secular generation.  I believe it.  And we are the Daniels interpreting the signs and symbols that point the way out of darkness and into light.  When we see Jesus in a movie, find Him in a deep spiritual meaning in some story or His grace depicted by fictional characters, maybe even when we hear a song by a known “sinner” that touches something deep inside – are we too closed off to believe that God is able and IS speaking to the world today through every available means?  Do we think the only chance people have to hear from the God of the Universe is in our church building-boxes on Sunday morning or via Christian TV?

Hey, God spoke through an ass (Numbers 22).  I think He can use the arts.  Maybe even you and me.

C.S. Lewis says so much in so few words.

If only I could learn to do the same…

“A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

He speaks.

He speaks to everyone, to every human being on the face of the earth, by both general and specific revelation.

Creation testifies about the Creator.  The heavens declare His glory.  And whether we choose to igore them or not, our very consciences are God speaking into our awarenesses, His voice direct to something deep inside.  He speaks in the church and to the church.  He speaks through His Word.  He speaks through the Holy Spirit and through Godly people who bear His image.  By their example and words and prayer, we hear Him and are marked for life.  And sometimes, He speaks to me in a still, small voice, so direct the wind is nearly knocked from my lungs.  It even happened at a movie once.

He speaks.

Are we listening?