Who told you you were naked?

kendegnanmusic — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:58:08 +0000

What do we know about God? All we know is what He tells us, and what He shows us. But as a whole, we really don’t know very much at all. I’ve been a follower for 20 years, and I feel at times like I’ve been a follower for 20 seconds. I know what His word says. I know what I see Him doing. But I have no clue. He still blows me away, and He will keep on doing that forever I think. I’m okay with that. I have nothing better to do. Really, I don’t. And neither do you. We live, and move, and have our being, in Him. Without Him we die, we stagnate and merely exist. What does that have to do with what I said at first? To be without Him is as fearful thing. Lost, dead, dormant, meaningless. So fear Him, before you understand Him. And fear is the beginning of knowledge of Him. You can never know Him, unless you fear Him. Fear being apart from Him. Fear separation. Adam and Eve feared because they were naked. “Who told you you were naked? I certainly didn’t. And if that fear makes you hide from me, you really don’t know me very well. You really don’t fear me very well. ” We need to be more concerned with how God sees us, and so much less with our own view of ourselves. We look through damaged eyes and process with a damaged mind. Were they naked? Why yes, yes they were. God didn’t say they weren’t. He only said, “who told you?” Meaning, who or what are you listening to. We are all naked, no doubt. But don’t let your mind fear what may or may not be important. When we do, we’ll miss the really important things. Like a stroll in the cool of the day.

The problem of gravity

kendegnanmusic — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:02:04 +0000

The Jetson prophesies I like to call them. Someone bunches of years ago created the cartoon, and sat around and wondered what life could be like in the future. And as time has gone on, we begin to see some of things actually occur. Of late, we have the video phones. You can see who you are talking to. We already have robots, though they don’t clean the house like Rosie. Give them time. But the ultimate of course; the flying car. I still think it can happen. The issue of course is a little thing called gravity. What goes up, must fall down. How do we get up, and then stay up. Once that is figured out, turning and moving are simple things. Someone a bunch of years ago said that everything that could be invented has already been invented. Then Steve Jobs was born. Blew that idea right out of the water. So someone has to tackle gravity. I know they already are working on this. Guys with more degrees than a thermometer are working formulas. But most of all, they are thinking. Dreaming. Just like the Jetson creator. Because it’s from those times when we dream, that we create. If you want to make something, you have to start by dreaming. Using your head. I have heard many comments about how wicked our thoughts can be. How we need to be careful with our imagination. It’s the devil’s playground. No, it’s our playground, and the devil has stolen it. We need to take it back. Our minds are part of who we are. Our created being. God intends for us to use them. Perhaps we have not, because we dream not. And in our dreams, we will learn how to defy the problem of gravity.

More than just one; A Tribute to Gloria

kendegnanmusic — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:55:25 +0000

A wonderful person recently passed away, Gloria Horton. She was to many, a Sister, a Mom, a Grandma, a friend. She always had two things to give you; practical wisdom, and unconditional love. What a combination. But one thing I always noticed about Gloria, is that it was never just Gloria. It was always Sherm and Gloria. Sherm, her husband, was always there with her. I don’t recall a single time I saw one, without the other. They were a team. But more than that, they were a greater expression of God, being together. When you met them, you knew God loved you. All doubt was removed (more like obliterated). We also, alone, can do little. But joined in fellowship with our fellow believers, we are a force for good, empowered by the Spirit of Christ. Branches to bear much fruit, enlivened by the Vine. There is a beauty and strength in our personal, private worship. But as a host of people; as a gathering of believers, we bring a whole new dimension to worship and ministry. We are many. We are one. Sherm and Gloria, individually, beautiful people. But together, so much more. Should the church ever decide to not be so individualized, but united in worship, in service, in purpose. It’s the end of the world as we know it. Gloria, thanks for such an awesome example of what it means to be more than just one.

Less of me

kendegnanmusic — Tue, 10 May 2011 23:30:38 +0000

I was at the Tim Horton’s drive thru today. Well, I’m there almost every day, but that’s beside the point. As I’m sitting in line in my car, I hear this rattle. Of course my first thought is, oh no, what’s going on with my car. But then as I focus, and move forward, I realize it isn’t my car. It’s the one behind me. What a relief. Oh really? So Ken, you would rather it be the other person who has the car trouble? Well, no, I’d rather it be neither of us. But to be honest, to be really honest, If I could decide who would not have the problem, I would pick me. And in so picking, I raise my need above another, and diminish the heart of Christ in me. Jesus would wish it on himself. I, in my weakness, would rather not. To want my car to be the troubled one….that’s hard to do. But just because it’s hard, doesn’t make it impossible. I had an opportunity to challenge my thought process. So in that at least, I succeeded. I must decrease, He must increase. And if He is to increase, and He is represented by “the least of these”, then they also must increase. More of them. Less of me.

It’s finished, but it isn’t done.

kendegnanmusic — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 02:09:26 +0000

Happy resurrection day. The time when we recognize the work of Christ, doing what only He could do. Reconciling all creation. All that was lost; now found. I think of Jesus speaking those awesome words, “It is finished.” And indeed it was. I think of John 17:4, when Jesus said to the Father, “I have accomplished the work which You have given me to do.” And indeed, He did. It is finished, but it isn’t done. Later in John 17 He said, “As You sent me into the world, I sent them into the world.” Meaning, of course, us. His work was done. The work of Jesus; His suffering and atoning death. But the work of Christ, carries on. But rather than in the body of one man, it is instead in the body of many. And in that many, One. We carry on His work on earth. And what was that work you ask? I’m so glad you posed the question. I think of John the Baptist, questioning whether Jesus is the Messiah. And Jesus in Luke 7:22 saying, “tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.” In other words, the needs of many are being addressed. The sick, the needy, the poor; all are being tended to. This is what Jesus used as proof that He was doing the work he was sent to do. And to me, this is our work as well, continued on His behalf. Doing unto the least of these. Our command to love. To Love our neighbor as ourselves. So, how do I tie this into music, which I always like to do. I Corinthians 13:1. “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” Sing all you want. Play music with stunning excellence. Amaze your family and friends. But neglect love, and you’re not worth horn spit. (About the most appropriate, yet I know gross, way to describe my thought). But, combine all the excellence in music, with a heart and active life of loving the poor and needy, and there is no better life spent. We literally walk in his sandals. So while it is finished, it isn’t done. We have work yet to do.

Asleep at the switch

kendegnanmusic — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:21:18 +0000

I’ve read twice in the past few weeks about people falling asleep on the job. This wouldn’t typically make headlines, unless your job is in an air traffic control tower. These folks had some significant assignments, and they were asleep at the switch. It forced others to cover for them, to avert a disaster. Which thankfully, is what those other folks did. It all begs the question, are we asleep at our switch. Maybe not literally (or maybe so…) Are we alert and busy about our responsibilities, whatever they might be. Or do others have to cover for us. Ought not be so. Don’t let what God has given you to do, fall on the shoulders of another. Or if we do, we may find ourselves unreliable in the eyes of God. If that thought doesn’t bother you, perhaps you are already fast asleep…at your own switch.

Musical prayers

kendegnanmusic — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 20:37:30 +0000

One of my favorite sayings….”There is nothing in the world that so resembles prayer, as music.” Since the beginning of the church, and even within the traditions of the Jewish faith, music has always been a part of “service”, a congregational gathering. When we get together to talk about and learn about God, music is part of what we do. There is a special connection when we sing about, and to, God. And our songs really are, and should be, our prayers. We have musical prayers (no attempt was made to play on the “musical chairs” rhyme. I’m not that clever. It Just came out that way). I am very particular when picking music for a Sunday service. They need to be songs that are basically prayers. Songs of intercession. Songs of repentance. Songs of declaration. Often people will say to me, “Hey I heard this song. It’s awesome. We should do it on Sunday morning.” I will listen to it and say, “Yup, great song. Nope, not for Sunday worship.” If it’s topical or reflecting on something that really would not be prayed, I won’t do it. It may be the musical mindset I have. I can’t imagine King David, musician as he was, considering a prayer, without humming a tune along with it. Likely why many of his psalms have a notation, “given to the chief musician”, with the intent on having music put to the words. Its just natural. So the point is I suppose, when you pray, sing. And when you sing, pray. If we think that way, I believe it will take our music, and our prayers , to a higher level, or a deeper depth.

Why wouldn’t you?

kendegnanmusic — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:16:35 +0000

I’ve spent the last 4 years working for Hospice, as the Spiritual Care Coordinator. Yesterday, reality struck me across the face, that I could not do it (well) anymore. These wonderful folks and their families need a lot more than I can give. So, I resigned. And then I cried. While Hospice care can be difficult, it is also an amazing blessing. What is it like to sit and hold the hand of someone who has weeks, or days to live. To experience those final moments with them, and their families. Let me tell you what….it will completely change your perspective on life, death, and everything in between. Back in 1995, my friend Tim Archer and I went to India. The plane landed in Bombay, which was just a stop over for us. Flying low as it approached the runway, Tim and I looked out at the hundreds (thousands?) of tin huts that people lived in. Little kids running around in poverty to the full extreme. And I recall Tim saying, “You know, if everybody in the church could just land in Bombay, it would change their whole perspective. They don’t even need to leave the plane.” Just land here, and they would all be changed forever. It did me. I never ever saw the world the same again. Our perspective. What we look at, and what we believe about what we see. But more than that, what is God showing us. When we look without considering Him, everything is meaningless. We can truly say, “vanity, vanity, all is vanity”. Everything we do, can be with, or without, God. We can pray without God. We can read God’s word, with no thought about Him. We can sing praise. We can lead praise, and our thoughts and concerns are on a million other things. We can go to work, go to school, go to the mall, and have no conscious thoughts, about God’s thoughts. But when we do…. when we do……when we consider God in everything. Our perspective about everything, changes. It has to. You cannot consider God in decisions, choices; and not have a whole new way of looking at those decisions, choices. You cannot look for God’s heart in situations and circumstances, and not powerfully impact everything. So, why wouldn’t you?…..I mean…., really? Why wouldn’t you?

It’s not about music

kendegnanmusic — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:20:57 +0000

I like to read. But I do go in stages with it. There are times when I have a few books checked out from the library, and other times when I don’t. Usually the book will be something about history. In particular, stories about the 3 significant times in our country. The Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and WWII. No offense to the other times involving wars (Korean, Vietnam, WWI). But these 3 fascinate me. So I do a lot of reading. But my goal is not to read. It’s to learn. Reading is the vehicle that gets me there. I’ve tried listening to one of the book on tape recordings. It’s okay, but I’d rather set my own pace. I guess the point is, I’m not reading to read, but to learn. So, it really has nothing to do with reading. And I make the comparison to worship in song. It really has nothing to do with music. I don’t play to play. I play to worship. It helps that music in fun, and can be very soul soothing. But when I get too “musical”, I complicate it all way too much. That makes me lose interest. Which in turn makes me play less. I’ve had times when I’ve lost my passion for it. And I think the reason was I made it more than it was. Or better said, different that it was. But worship, in song, is a must for me. Part of my DNA. I just have to be careful not to turn it into a pastime. Entertainment. I play and sing for a reason. And it’s not about music.

Jesus said…..

kendegnanmusic — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:18:48 +0000

I’d like to quote a scripture. Matthew 22:37. “Jesus said…” That’s all I’d like to quote of it. Do we need the rest? Do we understand what we just read? I mean, really? We have the words spoken by Jesus, the Christ. The Holy One. I think sometimes we read too fast. We see too fast. We hear too fast. We miss things. Important things. Like, “Jesus said”. We have the incredible privilege of the documented words of Jesus. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to everyone who made that possible. The Apostles. The scribes. Those who made copies. Those who made sure the words were not destroyed or lost over the last 2,000 years. Thank you. Thank you so very much. And now, another thought about those words. I think the reason we overlook the significance of them, is that God has lost His significance in our own lives. Oh He is there with us. We are aware of Him. We even pray, worship, think about and consider His teachings in our every day living. But God has gotten diminished, not in reality, but in our minds and hearts. We do not burn when He speaks. We do not melt when we sense His presence. We go about our business, as normal. But what we have is far beyond normal. The Living Risen Lord is among us. If that doesn’t distract you from laundry and what’s on TV for even a moment, why not? How can we possibly be nonchalant about that? Where is the fear? Where is the Awe? I can almost (almost) excuse it to our surroundings at work, school, the store, etc. But we have lost it as well gathered at church. Our buildings do not reflect the respect and glory He deserves. Our conversations generate much more small talk than deep thought. Our attention to the needs of those around us do not reflect the One who sacrificed all. He is Great and Mighty. But you wouldn’t always know it in the Altar we build or the Song we sing. If you know me, you know I am a huge promoter of simplicity. But when it comes to worship, it ought not be the case. And I’m not talking about great grand productions of worship. I’m talking about great grand respect and reverence. I think the “modern church” has in a sense lost it’s way, and needs to learn a lesson from the church of old. Worship is not a casual encounter with a buddy. It’s reverent fear of the Creator. Worship is not about fanning a flame in our heart to keep us warm and comfortable. It’s about falling on our face, in profound awe, before the Consuming Fire. I admit an honest frustration. I look for it in the church, and see much too much complacency. But when I look at those who we would consider “religious”. Those who sing sacred hymns with passion. Who in meditative silence reveal their respect. Who gather before elaborate altars, made not to be showy, but to demonstrate to all the AWE due Him who made all. I think the “modern church” needs a lesson in adoration. When we lose sight of who God truly is, we will treat His things with less than deserved honor. “Jesus said…” ….wow….I mean,…WOW…..need I say more?