Pastor Davis' Weblog
Pastor's Blog
Podcasts
Acoustic Living
ACOUSTIC LIVING
Eric Clapton had an “unplugged” album out a number of years ago. He “unplugged” his electric guitar and recorded some songs using an acoustic guitar instead. It was some terrific music. Unplugged. Acoustic.
I’ve been away on a retreat with five pastor friends from college and seminary days. We were in an area that did not have cell phone coverage. We couldn’t get internet service. The TV reception was awful. And then a transformer blew nearby so the power went out as well. It turned out to be an acoustic retreat.
We spent a lot of time talking. (Of course with 5 pastors you’d expect that.) Plenty of time laughing. There was uninterrupted time for study and prayer. Our friendship grew richer still.
Once all the digital do-dads, the electric and battery powered gadgets that are supposed to help communication were turned off or were out of range, then some real and deep communication was able to take place. We had an unplugged experience that forced us to interact with each other.
Why not go acoustic? At least for a day or two here or there during the summer? Turn off the Blackberry or the I-phone. Log off the computer. Push away from the TV and pull out the ear buds. Go acoustic.
Bet you notice things you have been missing: birds, trees, stars. Bet you have more time for certain things: reading, thinking, praying. Bet you interact with people more—at least those people who are nearest to you. And bet that interaction leads to deeper and richer relationships.
Why not try a gadget free day once a week this summer. Go unplugged. Go acoustic. See what richer relationships develop once the communication gizmos are off.
(We are pastors so we handled the loss of power just like you would expect: we loaded up the car and went golfing.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
AMAZING LIVING
Having said all that, these are amazing times we live in. The technological tools we have for communication, medicine, transportation and the like are incredible. These things should be used and employed for Kingdom work.
I once heard a guy say, “God gave technology to the Church; he just lets business use it.”
What do you think about the way our congregation is “using” technology? What is working? What isn’t? Do you have suggestions?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHECK THEM OUT
More news on the economic front. Much of it expected, unfortunately.
Concerned? Anxious? Frightened? Here are some Psalm passages you might check out: Psalm 1, 22, 23, 27, 84, 95, 100, and 121.
Remember, the God who created the birds and the trees and the stars is the God who cares for you. Remember, the God who revealed the knowledge to develop all the technological tools is the God who cares for you. Remember, the God who faithfully sent his Son to be our Savior according to his trustworthy promises is the God who cares for you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Keep the faith. Pass it on.