Today's chapter in PDL says some good sobering things. Reminding us that faith is based on fact, not feeling. That emotion or feeling or experience that we sometimes associate with "connecting with" or "worshiping" God is nothing more than a fleeting emotion. It's often those "dark nights of the soul" where we don't "feel" His presence that our relationship with Him deepens and we are matured. Sometimes it's good to remember that, because those feelings can be so dang good!
It's weird to think that our hopelessness and feelings of powerlessness can actually be good times or good-for-us times. We in the West certainly live in a time of great prosperity. One doesn't have to look too far to discover that there is great poverty on this planet, though. Remembering that what seems "normal" to me is extravagance for someone else will put a much needed perspective on material things, convenience, and comfort. It also underlines the value of relationships and people. I've had my daughter rebuke me before with one of those child-like statements that shows things how they really are. If I find her treating something with less care than I'd appreciate, I've brought up how expensive it is or valuable. Being hit with, "You care more about money than people" is a great thing to hear, because it gives us a chance to repent and make sure we can somehow reverse that perception by acting in ways that show the opposite to be true. God forgive me if and when that ever becomes true of me!
Went to see a screening of the movie Saved! last night. It was so funny. Many believers will find offense, because the movie is a parody of the Christian subculture of our time. Profanity and themes of premarital sex are present, keeping this from many for its un-family atmosphere; but sometimes you've just got to laugh at yourself. Some of the things done in this subculture are pretty silly. When you see them through the lens of someone else's eyes, especially if they exaggerate a little bit. But one point they drive home in this movie is the importance of people, friendship, and love. I was bummed that I didn't see a copy of HM Magazine lying around anywhere in the movie's set, but it was a funny movie. I'll be reviewing it and several other movies in our SXSW roundup to be published soon.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at March 18, 2004 08:43 AM