Here's your assignment...

Sometimes when I am preaching - actually OFTEN when I am preaching - I find the written conclusion of my message doesn't quite live up to the challenge of the rest of the sermon. So... more often than not I end up extemporizing something that involves a homework assignment to explore the ideas of my message more deeply. This past Sunday, for example, after talking about how the creative arts are the best way of unlocking our spiritual imagination and communicating our journey with another, I invited folk to discern what movie, poem, TV show, song, sculpture, painting, dance or classical composition says something to their soul at this moment in time - and then let that work of art saturate them in its wisdom.

What do the old preachers say? "Be careful of what you pray for?" Well, as I was doing other work at church today I got a call asking if I would sing a justice song for an upcoming meeting of the wider church. Hmmmm? Wonder what that will be... (leaning towards either U2's "Pride" or Bob Franke's "The Great Storm.")

And then I got a note from a friend who found himself watching "Field of Dreams" and weeping tonight. It always touches me deeply when my words connect with an other's spiritual journey - it is always a blessing - and a burden, too. So, as we struggle to find a NEW language - a way of speaking the truth that is in our soul - we find ourselves called to the arts.

Thank GOD for our artists...

credit: www.history.noaa.gov/art_poetry.html