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March 2012

God--Wherever We Are

6828714116_d8f4a11c0c_bWe walked out of the movie theater the other night and one of my friends asked me, “Ok, where was God in that one?”

I’m afraid I deserve that rather odd question.

After seeing a movie, I am one who likes to go out with friends for coffee or ice cream so that we can talk about the latent meaning of the film.  I oftentimes see themes of salvation, grace, compassion, sacrificial love, humble service and ultimately, God in the midst of the movies that I watch—and in the artwork that I admire, the books that I read and the music that I listen to. 

I see God all around me.  I concur with Calvin Miller that, “God literally crowds all good books.  He inhabits the theater and the laboratory.  He is alive in every conversation between those whom he has created.  God’s glorious, all-pervading self awakens us to his immensity.  We may celebrate him wherever we are.” (Miller, 97)

I believe that God wants to be seen by us, and celebrated. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Ps. 19:1, NIV)  God woos us unto himself in a myriad of ways and he does it out of love.  We are made in his image and when we acknowledge and respond to his loving presence all around us—in books, movies, theater, art, conversation and music—God is glorified.

My God sightings go beyond my appreciation of the Arts.  As an educator, I can’t help but see God in the midst of learning and education.  From the curious eyes of the learners in my wife’s Kindergarten class to the discerning minds of my online graduate students, there is something good and glorious in the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and I believe that God is to be found in the center of it all.

“The marvelous Christ pervades the entire world of thought and study.  We have nothing to fear therefore by growing in many directions at once.  In fact, the more we know of psychology or literature or mathematics or philosophy, the wider our perception of God becomes.” (Miller, 97)

It has been said that knowledge is power, but in God’s economy it is more that that—it is perception.  Even though knowledge of God is unfathomable, God still wants to be known.  There is so much to learn about God and creation, and in an almost playful way, God beckons us to know him more.  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” (Prov. 25:2, NIV)  It may sound a bit like a cosmic game of “hide and seek,” but in the end we are the winners because God isn’t very good at hiding.  With God, the game of “hide and seek” is better titled, “seek and find.” God wants to be found.  “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13, NIV)

So, I have an odd question for you,  “Where are you seeing God?”

Are you looking for God in the midst of your studies, your entertainment, your conversations, your relationships, your work . . . your life?  I hope so.  I am convinced that God is there and wants to be seen by you.

I would love to sit down with you and talk about it over a cup of coffee.


Works Cited:

Miller, Calvin.  The Table of Inwardness. Inter-Varsity Press.

Bible, New International Version, Zondervan, 1984.


Harmony

DSCF3125My daughter, Becca, is an amazingly talented musician and a wonderful young lady.  She has some talented friends too. As high schoolers they share lots of laughs and good times together, but they don't waste all of their time just goofing off.  Just for fun, they write music, make songs and create beauty.

Below is the most recent creation by Becca, John and Peter.  This is a song that Becca (vocal/piano), John (vocal) and Peter (guitar) recently wrote (music and lyrics) and they debuted the song at an Amnesty Int'l fundraiser at TCIS.  Even though the piano was a bit out of tune with itself and with the guitar, the song was terrific. 

It is a song sung by a boy and a girl who are in love.  They sing about how the characteristics of their true love compliment one another and the result is beautiful harmony.

Enjoy!