Tag: Christianity

Experiencing God’s Presence Beyond Worship

I don’t usually speak like this — not because I don’t believe, but because I believe deeply. My struggle isn’t with faith itself, but with how it’s sometimes portrayed; how the church, in its passion to express God’s love, can sometimes end up commercializing what should be sacred and simple.

Lately, that’s been weighing on my heart…

There’s something I haven’t done in a while — just speaking straight from the heart.
Usually, I’d write it all down, but lately, I haven’t had the strength for that. Still, this question has been sitting heavy on my mind, and I don’t want to hold it in any longer. I don’t want to grow cynical about my faith.

So here I am, just putting it out there — hoping that maybe someone will understand what I’m trying to say.

Recently, I was listening to a live worship session. I noticed something that’s always been there. This time, it really struck me. The worship leader said something like, “We’re going to feel the presence of the Lord tonight!”

And I realized how often I hear that phrase — Come and feel the power of God. Come and feel His presence. Experience His love tonight.

It’s everywhere in how gatherings, events, and worship nights are advertised. And it made me pause.

Because sometimes… it feels commercialized.
Almost like we’re trying to sell people an experience — like we’re offering them air, when air is already all around us.

Why do we make it seem like the love or presence of God is something confined to a church building, or a particular atmosphere?
Why can’t we remind people that God’s love can be felt right where they are — in the quiet of a new morning, in good health, in the warmth of family and friends?

Yes, it’s beautiful to gather with others in worship — there’s power and encouragement in community. But we shouldn’t give the impression that that is the only place God’s love resides.

His presence isn’t an event.
It’s existence itself.
Every breath, every sunrise, every moment of peace is proof that His love is still here.

I think we sometimes sensationalize His presence — we turn it into something to be felt rather than lived. But maybe to truly feel the love of God, we also have to love Him in return.

If you don’t carry love for God in your heart, how can you recognize His love when it’s already around you? It’s not that His love arrives only when the music swells or the preacher calls for it — it’s that our hearts finally open to notice it.

Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe not.
But it’s something I needed to say — and maybe, someone out there feels the same.

—
(Thank you for reading. If you’ve ever thought about this too, I’d love to hear your perspective.)

Ligo Haibun Challenge- Dewdrops

Googled!

“…for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground, but there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” – Genesis 2:5&6

She longs to catch a glimpse of what might have been…

Rising long before the Sun,  just as creation made her, she steps out of her abode and onto the freshly cut lawn- The silent twilight greeting her.

Only moments outside, yet all too quickly her skin is wrapped in  perspiration, not of her own but Gaya’s- Fresh and cool; Wet grass embracing her feet- The total experience causing her to shiver… She’s cold. Finally bearing witness to Genesis 2:6… “The Mist that waters the face of the Earth” lay thick in the atmosphere and all around her.

She stills her naked body in the middle of the open space and is cloaked by the light fog around her; Eyes closed, she fills her lungs with Gaya’s cold breath- Embracing the silence of the slowly coming Morn.

…. In that moment she is in Eden.

Tears mix with Dewdrops...
 Insanity born from faith
 ...Her faith... her madness.
Ligo Haibun Challenge- Dewdropsligo-challenge_logo

Perfect want vs. Perfect will

I, your face I have sought on every desire hitherto
But so hard it is to get what I make known!
Why do my desired “yes’s” from your lips come out “no”
Best I come with thanksgiving leaving my wants un-shown!

Aware your plans are best, this without question
The path you place before me leading to the promise land
Yet my heart breaks as you put aside my every intention
… the stubborn child unwavering in her demand.

I implore, “This is what I ask for! let this be what I get”
Assuredly I will stand challenges on the rise
The climax is failure and at your feet I falls in regret
You in your omniscience bear no surprise

Thank you Google 😉

Again and again, stupidly battling against Your will
Yet ever loving Father you softly speak, “Be still…”

OK, so a friend says to celebrate the fact that its my first sonnet so here goes 😉 …. YIPPEE!!!!!!!! 😀

In the name of God…

In the name of God inquisitions have transpired
 In the name of God, death to the heretics and liars!
In the name of God crusades have been fought
 In the name of God, religions have been brought to not
In the name of God wickedness is at its highest
 In the name of God corrupt religious leaders smile the widest
In the name of God suicide bombs explode
 In the name of God horrors still unfold
In the name of God many lives are lost
 In the name of God an embassy was just torched
In the name of God, such foolishness is caused
 In the name of God LETS STOP HURTING OUR GOD!

The Encounter by Queen Ewere

I watched his lips part
As I clung to his every word
In the sweet essence of presence
Swooning at his mercy
My eyes grow heavy
In betrayal too soon, dims

My heart drums up uneven beats
And I rumble into an ecstatic dance
My blood’s on a fiery course
Sweat breaks out on every pore
Yes, the world’s beneath my feet!
As my spirit sets to soar, I must be Alice

Shhh! Suddenly sublime
The crescendo comes to a screeching halt
“No! Please stay” I cry
And like a million others I wake.
Is this it? Did you feel it too? I search
Hesitant, yearning I rise from my kowtow.

Was that  you Lord, I ask?
An incoherent whisper,
“Maybe next Sunday I hear,
Just maybe Alice dear…”

By: Queen Ewere

Hello 🙂 

Its that time again so please join me in giving a big welcome to my newest feature, Queen Ewere 🙂

I read this piece off of her phone yesterday and it moved me. Its seemed like a verse out of songs of Solomon… you know, romantic yet spiritual. To me it portrayed a sort of spiritual ecstasy. What’s your view? 🙂

Anyway, thank you Q.E for allowing me share such a wonderful poem, and thank you reader for stopping by! 🙂

Cheers!

Blogging, Broadcasting and Christ

When I first started my blogs I never realized just how many people would get to read my posts, neither did I consider the sort of people that would come across my messages. Today however, was an eye opener to that reality.

People from all facets of life will read your stuff and if you make enough sense the usual case is that they get impacted with some form of entertainment, encouragement or inspiration. They will leave comments telling you how wonderful your post was or how touched they were by your message or even use one of your posts as a reference. Its a good feeling, the attention, but what happens when you start getting it from a crowd you never expected?

One of my latest posts got a pingback from a blog site today. On getting the notification I clicked on the link only to realize that I had stepped into a world absolutely different from mine. Its okay when you get on your blog and see that your blog post was liked by “your kind of people” or that they were touched by your ideas and opinion, but what do you do when your message is applauded by someone you have always considered different from you? I can’t go into detail as to what makes this person different, but my guess is that you have a few ideas relating to what I’m going on about.

Anyway, I saw the blog and noticed that my article had been made reference to in one of the blog posts. My first reaction was to trash the comment, but then something in my head or maybe my heart stopped me.  This all happened while I was at the office so I really didn’t have time to fully assess the situation. After quick deliberation I finally decided to spam it for a time, at least until I was sure about my convictions. Meanwhile, I had been receiving this broadcast from friends on my blackberry network all day saying:

“Hello, I am Jesus Christ,u hardly have time for me. I love You and always bless you.I am always with You. Today I want this message across the world before midnight, please do not cut it and I’ll help you with something that you are in need of.“

I’m sorry,  I love Christ and all and I RRRREALLY do, but why some people try to make him look like some sort of sales person or item is beyond me! I feel broadcasts like this one just belittles the image of my Lord and Saviour.

So what does this have to do with my initial story? A lot!

Me not rebroadcasting that message had got me feeling a little uneasy from the moment I started receiving it. I felt irritated and yet just because the message bore the name Jesus Christ in it, I was filled with guilt for not wanting to follow the B.B re-broadcasting horde. “Don’t I love Jesus enough?” I thought to myself. Then the blog issue hit! Whether or not I would accept this blogger’s comment on my page would be a test of my faith.

The sense of guilt seemed only to increase when I decided I wouldn’t delete the comment. “O so you’d rather have funny people on your blog, but rebroadcasting a message about Jesus is an issue huh?”. I wondered how Jesus saw me at that time.

At home I took my time to read this persons blog, and though their opinion and way of life is FAR DIFFERENT from mine, I could see how my message might have helped through certain feelings and emotion. It was then I realized, “your kind of people” or not, its all about making a positive contribution to a “LIFE”. Loving your neighbor as yourself and bringing peace and joy to others, isn’t that what being christian is all about?

I decided to reach out to this person and apologize for my initial reaction to their comment because in the end its all about practicing what you preach… I preach Love and acceptance, judging not so that I too will not be judged.

My final take. You can broadcast or rebroadcast messages about Christ a million and one times believing that this is your contribution to the christian race , but if your message only tends to scare, irritate or even put people on a spiritual guilt trip then maybe you need to re-think your strategy on how to draw lost sheep to The Father and Son. Its not about selling him as an idea but becoming more like him in spirit and person, that others may see and draw near.

Let your actions, thoughts and behavior speak louder than your broadcasts…

Cheers!

God in Music, God in Everything

I believe God reveals Himself through the vaguest of means, take Music for instance. Besides gospel, I listen to some songs (mostly instrumental) and I’m caught up in some sort of rapture, I feel His presence (true beauty), which leads me to cry like a 5 year old :D.

Below is one of my favourite compositions done by David Buckley, one of the soundtracks to the movie “The Forbidden Kingdom“. He for one must have been touched by a higher power to have come up with such an amazing piece of Music.

God in Everything

He stretches forth His arms to share his presence in every way
The rustling trees, starry nights, the breaking of each day.
A baby’s cry, a canary sings;
all symphony and  silence give
testament to His Manifestation.
Therefore embrace His reach
through all of  His creation.

… I thank God for His beauty in all its shapes and forms.
Cheers! 🙂