The Great Divergence

This is an incredible TED talk that speaks about The Great Divergence between the West and the East, and how it is now converging, because the six things that have made the West affluent are being lost, and in the East these things are being adopted.

Very interesting. Worth the twenty minutes.

Worship isn't(mostly) an Introspective Sport

Where did this idea come from that worship is a dude(or dudette) sitting in a corner with hands folded listening to music, and that somehow, this is the extent of meaningful worship experience? This is like a newly-wed groom trying to find the perfect way to express his love to his bride, so he goes into the other room and reads a good book. It just doesn't line up.



The point of worship is to respond to the work of God's multi-faceted grace in our lives. The key there is respond. What that looks like for people is different, but it always is something.

Sometimes we must engage in worship before we feel like worshipping.

If I had no previous experience with the church, but I knew that worship was a measure of gratitude, I wouldn't be convinced that anything significant had happened in the lives of most of the people I was watching.

There are many, many times when in the psalms it says to shout to God. I know it's a poetic book, but I'm pretty sure David is being literal there.

Just a few of the statements out of Psalm 96

-Sing to the Lord a new song
-Proclaim His salvation
-Declare His glory
-Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness
-Tremble before Him
-Shout for joy to the Lord(Psalm 98)

These all count as response.

Only one of them is quiet.

Trembling.

My prayer is that I would have a right response to the grace of God, along with especially the community at the Well.

Jesus said that who is forgiven much loves much.

Pieces of (free)Inspiration #1

Listimania!

1.) http://www.academicearth.org/

I think this has been around for quite a while, but I just recently discovered it. This is a compilation of free(yes, free) lectures from places like Yale and Harvard. Pretty legit.

2.) http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/online-books/by-title

Again, it's been here for a while, but John Piper offers all of his books for free online for download. "Don't Waste Your Life" had a profound impact on me at a crucial time of life.

3.) http://theresurgence.com/

Mark Driscoll's ministry has influenced me in my life and faith, so I love passing it on.

4.) http://www.ntslibrary.com/PDF%20Books/Tozer_Pursuit_of_God.pdf

"The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer is another book that blows my mind. Every time.

5.) http://www.ted.com/

Of course...

That's all for now.

-K