Mar. 7, 2007
If We're Adding to the Noise, Turn off this Song-- Switchfoot
Posted in Church God Faith
My life is too noisy. Do you ever just crave silence? I don't mean an absence of chattering kids-- although once in a while that would be nice. I just feel like I have been cramming my life full of "sound and fury" because I am afraid of facing the silence. Does that make sense? During the last few worship services I have been in, I have wanted to find an unobtrusive spot where I could curl up in a ball and focus only on God. I am not trying to be melodramatic and I don't think I am insane, I just never seem to get alone with God. There is too much stuff, too many distractions. And to be honest, I have been loving God from a distance because I fear drawing close enough to see myself as He sees me.
Fernando Ortega said in Homelife that he belives the church might be missing the discipline of solitude and meditation.
"Our church services certainly don't push us in that direction. I've been on staff at many churches, and what you hear is, 'There's too much down time. Let's get the choir in place during the prayer so as soon as the prayer is over, Boom! The choir is there.' That's the mentality. We are afraid to lose the attention span of the congregation. But there was a time when this was ot so, when there were long periods of silence, when your job was to be quiet, to think about God, to ponder your sin and pray for forgiveness."
I don't know if he is right or not-- certainly seems worth exploring. I don't think that waiting a few seconds for the choir to get in place will give us the time of reflection that we need, but I see his point. We are filling our worship services with "stuff" in the same way we fill our lives. We can't stand the silence because we don't want a chance to stop and examine ourselves and face what we see.
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Comments
Mar. 14, 2007 - Great Point
 Posted by ktneis
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We go to a very quiet church, too quiet. People are not participating and it is very dull. I do not enjoy the hands in the air singing or praising but I do like enthusiasm for God in a church. i always focus on the mass when I am not involved and then I am in my own little world. My great time with God is reading his word in the bathroom with the fan running and the do not disurb sign on the door. Yes it is not my first pick but no one bothers me. I need that time with God everyday and that is how I need to get him sometimes.
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Mar. 18, 2007 - in the need of silence
Posted by Anonymous
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I can definately identify with the need to draw near to God with no distractions. As busy First families, homeschoolers or parents in general ( of multiple children) that need is greater. In all of our striving to do and to be, our highest aspiration should always be to know the creator. Meaning, to get in his presence and to learn of him. What he is saying to me today, helps me get through today and even tommorow. Sometimes he is calling us unto himself, creating beautiful moments in time with his blessed creation. There are times when we feel strongly that we must cut away, as Jesus did when he went away to be alone with God. Those could be times when we need more affection and power from him just to think straight, and we sense it. Pull away and draw near to him at your earliest convienience. Then there are times when God is, again calling us to him, he has something in store, don;t miss it! i can't forget about times when we feel a burden for others, esp. as innerscessors... I don't know if I spelled that right but get with God! Your children are beautiful! May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to pour out blessings over your family. I don't know who you are, or where you are; but I too am first lady and teacher to our children. As I need prayer, direction and understanding; so will I be praying over you. May the Lord watch between us.
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