like a fire

I ave been reading and re-reading Contemplative Youth Ministry by Mark Yaconelli. It has some great things to say, and I have been wondering if it is actually possible to have a youth ministry do some of the things he talks about. His site The Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project talks about the practices for a more contemplative style of youth ministry. Frankly, I wouldn’t know where to start. So his site is actually a big help.

If you are like me, you wouldn’t know the Lectio from a Contempletatio, so here is what I have found:

“Lectio Divina refers in Latin to the practice of “divine reading.” This form of spiritual reading originated in the Benedictine tradition and involves a deeply personal and prayerful encounter with the presence of God through sacred scripture. Lectio invites us to listen to the word of God with our whole being and our longing to be touched, healed and transformed by the Holy Spirit.”

So guess what we are trying in the near future in our youth ministry. That’s right. It won’t be this week, since our attendance will be down from the holiday weekend, but it will be soon. I’ll write on how it goes. If this sounds really strange, go check out the site. It is quite compelling.

Continuing with yesterday’s theme of music. Check out this new electric guitar. I so want one.

Last night I attended my first Ash Wednesday. It was not much what I expected. I guess I was thinking it would be a lot more ritualistic. I had a picture of me on my knees, hands folded prayerfully, tears in my eyes, looking up while someone gently reached down and rubbed ashes on my head. Well, that didn’t happen.

Instead, I heard about the season of Lent and how this is a time of acknowledging brokenness and guilt. Not for the purpose of feeling bad and making amends, but to consecrate our hearts to God again. It was very clear from scripture last night, that God wants our hearts. Better than giving up something like drinking wine or eating chocolate is to give God our hearts. Again, not so that he can lock it away from all the bad things we put into it, but to restore it to himself and thereby make it work again.

There were many states of the heart talked about last night - fearful, callous… I think I fall into the stone heart group. I remember asking God when I was younger to even out my life, take away the extreme swings in my heart. Now I wish for a little more suppleness.

About a month ago, I started a practice in confessing my feelings to God. I think that will be my biggest celebration of Lent. I want to stop whenever I am aware of my feelings (which is a lot nowadays) and tell God how I feel for no other purpose than to know his presence in my heart.

Today I will be going to me first Ash Wednesday service. I have to admit, I am a little embarrassed that I have never been to one before now. I have no idea what I am getting into, but I am really excited about the experience.

According to Wikipedia:

At Masses and services of worship on this day, ashes are imposed on the foreheads (or tonsure spots, in the case of some clergy) of the faithful. The priest, minister, or in some cases officiating layperson marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes in the shape of a cross, which the worshiper traditionally retains until washing it off after sundown. The act echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one’s head to signify repentance before God (as related in the Bible). The priest or minister says one of the following when applying the ashes:

Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.
—Genesis 3:19

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
—Mark 1:15

Repent, and hear the good news.
—Mark 1:15

 So mostly at this point I am glad that I am wrong about the whole “not washing your head for the season of Lent” thing. I have also never observed Lent before and am considering it. My Vickar has told me to just wait and see. Sounds like good advice to me. I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

For me, mixing is that proof positive of Parkinson’s Law. What ever time is available is how much time it will take to complete a project. Previous other versions just needed improvement. I could just keep mixing things to infinity. So this is probably the last mix, just because I am going to start working on other projects.

I think the final mix, though it has some distinct differences, is more a subtle change other than the intro, which is new. I spent a lot of time on levels and transitions and even more time with positioning. The intro andd remix can mostly be attributed to Kim. She had some good ideas and was in a place where she could tell them to me without me getting defensive like some Prima Donna artist (thanks Kim).

So this is the first of many to come. I’m sure I will get my art together as it progresses.

Make A Joyful Noise ver. 3