New Found Appreciation

Last night, I went to see Michael Card at Rainbow Presbyterian. Thought it would be music...(It was)....thought I would see some old friends....(I did)...but I never imagined I would come away with a deeper appreciation of song fueled theology. Or songs that reflected the heart and soul of Scripture in such a way that was as liberating as it was. I came away with a new look at worship. That it isn't always "Happy, happy, joy, joy"...well, it is in one sense if our worship is focused beyond the end of our noses. It is if we lament sometimes our surroundings and our failure to the be the body that Christ died for.There is a happiness and joy that comes in the midst of great brokenness and pain. A joy that sees beyond the moment, and lays hold of the truth and promises of God.

Michael sang songs that took the stories of Scripture.....Blind Bartimaeus....The Samaritan woman at the well....Simeon waiting on the hope of Israel..The very fact that if God is love, then on Easter morning, love that had been crucified defeated death and rose from that tomb.

There was such a heart and soul to the music as Michael played and talked about the songs. He took the very heart of the foundational truth of Scripture and put notes and chords to it. I had lost sight of such. Music is an incredible means of conveying truth, and Michael Card was a wordsmith last night.

Jim Bentley was able to attend a Pastor's luncheon on Friday as part of an introduction as to what Michael would be doing. Jim came back with a really neat story that took place at the luncheon. He met a Burmese Pastor who had traveled to the U.S. for the conference, as well as to make the rounds of Burmese congregations in this country. Our Burmese brother had flown into Birmingham asking if there was rail transportation to Gadsden, as he had no means to get here. He was told that the only way to get to Gadsden was by taxi, and that it would cost a small fortune to do so. Standing there in the middle of the Birmingham airport, he began to pray..."O.k. Lord..you wanted me to come to Gadsden and I have no way to get there. You are going to have to provide transportation for this to happen. As he was praying, Michael Card walked by. One thing lead to another and Michael gave him a ride to Gadsden. Tell me that prayer doesn't work.

The Burmese pastor was very acquainted with John Wimber and the Vineyard, and accepted Jim's offer to come and visit with us yesterday morning. He accepted and it was a really neat time of worship, teaching and just hanging together. Much prayer and ministry over and for the church@Burma.

If anything, I came away from this weekend with a deeper appreciation for the many "flavors" that make up the body of Christ. For that I am grateful.
God on you...
mb