Kathy feels we need to unplug… to turn it down. I don’t disagree. (In fact, I do agree.)

We need more quiet reflection, and deeper study of God’s word. We need shared meals, more prayer, more confession (to one another). We need more proclamation of God’s amazing grace and righteous judgment (maybe not in that order).

We also need more loud music. But that music needs to be played skillfully (and in our day, mixed skillfully on skillfully designed sound systems). (Psalm 33, 47, 150)

I think she’s right about the “pop” nature of this loud music (and art) though. Throughout history the church has lead the charge in art (and, well, culture in general). Now we settle for cheap copies of art, hurried ripoffs of other artists’ work.

Why doesn’t any of the above happen? Because we are too busy. I personally am too busy. We don’t have the time to create. That is a huge loss. Something I’m currently mourning and trying to repent from. God help me.

You who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

From God to us through Peter, the Apostle.

Church – Greek ekklesia (ek-klay-see’-ah) – “A gathering of people”

• Is built by Jesus. The Gates Of Hell will not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
• Multiplies when it walks in fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31)
• Is cared for by pastors who are appointed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28)
• Sometimes meet in houses (Romans 16:5)
• Is supposed to judge its members (1 Corinthians 5:12)
• Consists of a wide variety of people from a wide variety of backgrounds, with a wide variety of life situations and vocations, and it’s supposed to stay that way (1 Corinthians 7:17)
• Has many different members with many different skills, talents, and abilities (natural and supernatuarl) that are given to them by God. (1 Corinthians 12:28)
• These “gifts” mentioned in the last point are to be used by these members for the “building” (strengthening, growth, and improvement) of the church as a whole. (1 Corinthians 14:12)
• Causes its leaders anxiety (2 Corinthians 11:28) :-D
• Is currently, commanded, directed, and controlled by Jesus personally (Ephesians 1:22)
• Has been given a strange metaphorical picture to show it’s relationship with Jesus: Marriage. (Ephesians 5:32)
• Is Christ’s physical body on earth (Colossians 1:18)
• Is God’s household (1 Timothy 3:15)
• Is a pillar and buttress of truth (1 Timothy 3:15)

Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Apple has an Office killer.

I can open your Word documents, make them prettier, and save them as Word documents, or export them to PDF…

I can open your Excel files, with all of your formulas, and save them as Excel files…

I can open your PowerPoint presentations, make them cooler, and save them as PowerPoint presentations…

I can do all this with iWork ’08 which costs $79.

[tags]iWork, Apple, Office, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation[/tags]