From Knowledge to Wisdom

Protocols for Approaching God

A short while ago I had an exchange of comments with Mark on madetopraisehim on the topic of "protocols we've created to approach God". Mark had used that phrase in a comment and it caught my attention.

Part of the trigger for me was the word "protocol". In the context of my work it has to do with automated communications and systems for business to business communications. And I have the idea that all parties that are in communication using the protocol have to know the protocol and have to have agreed to its specification. So when Mark wrote about protocols WE have created to approach God, I thought, "wait a minute, what does God think about these protocols? When did He sign up for an interchange agreement using these protocols? Do we think we can set these protocols up one sidedly and expect God to conform?"

Mark recognised the point of my question. He responded:

"I don't see protocols in the New Testament.

"In the Old Testament I DO see protocols. I see protocols God ordained to protect an unrighteous people from His righteous wrath. Isn't it amazing that God protects His wayward children from Himself?

"In the New Testament I see the need for those protocols stripped away, as we outrageously receive the righteousness of Jesus. Now God SAVES us from Himself. How incredible!"

Hillsong Gelredome Arnhem

Hillsong with Darlene Zschech gave a worship concert at Gelredome, Arnhem on Saturday. It was great to be there with friends and more than 20,000 worshipping Christians.

There is always a risk with these big events that all the circumstantial stuff on the periphery crowds out the heart of the matter. But that was certainly not the case this time. The heart of the matter was worshipping Jesus Christ, and with the worship leadership of Darlene, the Hillsong musicians and the EO Ronduit facilities we certainly got into deep worship and in such a huge crowd in a large stadium that is an awesome experience.

It was much better than I expected. I only knew Hillsong by reputation. My impression of Darlene Zschech was that she was a rather serene worship performer. The pictures on her site give that impression. But she was not like that at all. She is a gutsy Australian lady. And she is one fire with love for Jesus and does not mind letting everyone know. So the music, the singing and the message was really powerful. But above all it was authentic worship and God acknowledged that with His presence.

The theme of authenticity in worship came up earlier in the evening. Linda Wagenmakers was in the support programme and closed with a song on the theme of authenticity in worship - it does not matter how you worship, but your worship should be authentic, from your heart and not a matter of following rules or customs.

Darlene made the comment that she is getting wilder and looser as she gets older. She just wants to let out her love for Jesus in praising and worshipping Him. And if in the process she looks silly dancing around the stage, she doesn't care.

Celebrating Excellence in Blogging

Millennia Music & Media Systems have done a cool thing by assigning the Millennia Award for Excellence in PPM to the following blogs:

 

zoecarnate Sites Unseen
nextreformation Next Reformation
tallskinnykiwi TALLSKINNYKIWI .COM
jesuscreed Jesus Creed
lowercasepeople lowercase people
theooze The Ooze

I found the award statement by Millennia a wonderful reminder of why I started this blog:

"Blogging – Personal Participatory Media – is a growing bridge between local and global communities of faith – a gathering of Christ-followers interactively “working out their salvation” via organic cross- pollination born of commitment to God’s heart and kingdom. The Millennia Foundation views PPM as the “new printing press” – an intentional catalyst towards groundbreaking ecclesiastical consilience.

"The self-organizing nature of PPM is rendering historical sectarian boundaries blurry and indistinct – presenting an emerging global venue in which ideas and imagination, not structural or positional power, moderate dialogue. PPM encourages a new emancipation of knowledge, reawakening dreams buried in the slumber of institutional hierarchy and control. Wisdom (see Proverbs) is the new gatekeeper and community is reborn as a network of conversations.  

"Excellence in PPM invites passionate dialogue over points of faith while remaining charitable and beneficial to all participants. The Millennia Award is given to PPM communities which best reflect the centrality of Christ’s Jn17 prayer - seeking to bridge superficial cultural and religious divides; exploring commonality as much as difference; maintaining fresh, creative, missional formats accessible and relevant to a wide audience; remaining sensitive to our shared humanity and common need for grace as we learn and grow together."

I like the term "Personal Participatory Media", makes the whole subject sound really important, a serious scientific matter - much more serious than "blogging".

And I'm listed on zoecarnate under 'Relational "Home" Church Life' - does that mean this blog is just one click away from excellence?  ;-)