I recently started using an internet program called Pandora - it is called a "Music Genome Project." Musicians and music-loving technologists had an idea that they would put together an internet program that has the ability to analyze the music tastes and desires of anyone who wantes to listen to an internet "radio."
I gave Pandora an instruction to play Christmas music and told it that I like Amy Grant. For the past week Pandora has been playing Christmas music from artists like Amy Grant that have the same melody, harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement - you get the idea. I then give a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" on songs that Pandora chooses and the program learns a little bit more about my music desires.
Our journey with the Lord has a similar process. We are a living "Genome Project" as we learn about God. We have multiple inputs of data - the Bible, Prayer, worship, fellow seekers. Our responsiblity is to put all the data together in a way that allows us to learn what pleases our Lord. And as we learn - we then put into practice. Sometimes God gives us a thumbs down on silly things we do, and other times he gives us a big thumbs up to encourge us in the faith.
The developer of Pandora makes a final salutation in his introduction to his program by stating "We hope you enjoy the journey." Our Christian walk is truly the supreme journey of life. There is nothing else that ultimately matters than pleasing God - in so doing, we do everything else well.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Insights from My Children
Consider the 3 Year Old Boy:
Bible Reference: Proverbs 6:6 (Consider the Ant)
Consider the 3 year old boy, you workaholic, and learn from him – who having no concept of schedule or to do lists, takes the time to smell each pretty rose that catches his attention. By pausing and taking notice of the flowers’ beauty, the boy acknowledges his Creator, who takes pleasure in seeing the little one sniff each rose.
Staying in the Lines:
Bible Reference: 1 Cor 2:16
The other day my 5 year old daughter, Allison, was coloring at the kitchen table, which she does often. I was sitting next to her watching her skillfully stay within the lines of the coloring book picture, when she asked, “Daddy, do you know why I stay in the lines? Because I watched you do it.” At that moment a realization hit me like a ton of bricks. My daughter is watching me. Not only is she watching me, she is imitating me. I began to think, “What other habits or skills is she learning by watching me?” Will I someday hear her say, “Dad, do you know why I pray and read my Bible? Because I watched you do it. Do you know why I go to church and share my faith? Because I watched you do it.” That is an illustration of the power of an example. Jesus provided the supreme example for us. We are to imitate Him as best we can. Why? Because someone is watching.
Bible Reference: Proverbs 6:6 (Consider the Ant)
Consider the 3 year old boy, you workaholic, and learn from him – who having no concept of schedule or to do lists, takes the time to smell each pretty rose that catches his attention. By pausing and taking notice of the flowers’ beauty, the boy acknowledges his Creator, who takes pleasure in seeing the little one sniff each rose.
Staying in the Lines:
Bible Reference: 1 Cor 2:16
The other day my 5 year old daughter, Allison, was coloring at the kitchen table, which she does often. I was sitting next to her watching her skillfully stay within the lines of the coloring book picture, when she asked, “Daddy, do you know why I stay in the lines? Because I watched you do it.” At that moment a realization hit me like a ton of bricks. My daughter is watching me. Not only is she watching me, she is imitating me. I began to think, “What other habits or skills is she learning by watching me?” Will I someday hear her say, “Dad, do you know why I pray and read my Bible? Because I watched you do it. Do you know why I go to church and share my faith? Because I watched you do it.” That is an illustration of the power of an example. Jesus provided the supreme example for us. We are to imitate Him as best we can. Why? Because someone is watching.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
