Praise Habit

I am writing this after reading this post: http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/entertainment

I am disturbed, what a surprise for those of you who know me. When did we decide that the Gospel was not as important as being entertained? I’ve noticed this trend in the Southern Baptist convention and I’m beginning to see it in the United Methodist Church.

To start, let me expain my experience with a church in Northwest Arkanksas. I was a senior in High School, brand new to the area and looking for a church. I heard about this BIG church and visited (this was a Wed. night). I was immediately welcomed by the Youth pastor and saw all sorts of amazing things. Video games, music, soda, pool and all sorts of other things to keep me entertained until the service started. As soon as the service started, we were welcomed with music that was rockin’. Looking back, it was almost like a baby-sitting service and they threw Jesus in a little. The message was built around evangalism and very basic. I didn’t feel challenged, and as a 17 year old I like that. Today, I would see right through this and move on feeling a bit disturbed at what just happened.

I’m reminded of my readings and conversations about John Wesley. Apprantly, Wesley was a very dry preacher. He even read his sermons to people. I’ve had classes like that and I would rather have a root canal than sit through another class like that. The strange thing about Wesley’s sermons was that it truly impacted people. What does that say about the power of God? Do we need to make it entertaining?

Now I’m not saying we should do this. I agree with iMonk in finding a nice balance but focus on the Gospel. Don’t cheapen it and make it entertaining. Keep it real and let God move!

This won’t be easy though. From the article, I learned that we are addicted to entertainment and being entertained. Who would blame us? It is fun and makes us feel good. I think that might be where we started to wrong. We let the entertainment factor start creeping into how we worship. We let entertainment guide our worship styles and start getting into what we see the Gospel as. Perhaps if we can start putting God first and focus on the Gospel and use our gifts as artists, speakers, musicians and whatever else will glorfy God.

Off to the other soapbox now!

Art. What makes good art and bad art? Do we make art for art’s sake or to glorify God? Does everything we do have to glorify God? I would say yes, everything must glorify God. Does this mean that we must put Jesus in every painting or talk about God in every song? I don’t think so. God’s glory is in all of creation. Therefore, someone truly expressing themselves in art is glorifying God. That is what art is for, expression. Keep in mind this last paragraph was written for believers. Its like preaching the Gospel to a believer.
Now lets put the two together. Does art need to be entertaining? If you are the MIAA or RIAA, then yes it does. If you are me, then no. Art is art. It is an expression of emotion or feeling. Those emotions are from God and expressing them shows freedom. Is there cheap art? Yes, many of them are disguised as art in forms of entertainment and can even be used as a way to spread the Gospel.

This post was mainly just a long stream of thoughts and might be editted later, but probably not.

Well I officially have a degree to my name!  After a long week of checking and waiting for the degree check office to get their act together and fix their system, the transcript processing was completed last night.

In other new, I’m enjoying my new post-collegiate life.  I am enjoying a nice set schedule and the nice weather.  The only uncertainty is the one that will remain with me until the last of my days, what is next.  That is what I’m asking.  What is next up for me?  Am I going to move to a different place and start a new life alone or with someone (probably with someone, Hi Erin!)?

Am I willing to listen to God and follow His directions?  Am I willing to put my pride down and admit I don’t know what is best through myself?

On another note, I’ve learned something while going through Wesley’s account of Christian Perfection.  I’ve learned that no matter what you do, and how holy or pious you are.  Christ is the channel that makes what you do acceptable and pleasing to God.  Knowing this helps me realize that Christ perfects me to God.  How can I keep forgetting this?  The beautiful offense of the gospel perfects me and reminds me that I need Christ.  I can’t be perfect without Christ!  How humbling is that?

Brandon