With God & One Another

I feel sorry for Tom Clark's poor neighbors. At this month's Gathering, I'm sure we broke at least ten sound ordinances for the city of San Juan Capistrano. Everyone was just LOUD! Meeting. Greeting. Laughing. Sharing. A crowd of fifty artists is going to be anything, but a quiet, solemn affair.

At the end of the evening, when our cluster of five began to pray for one another, the conversations going on behind me were so boisterous and filled with so much energy that I couldn't hear myself think, let alone pray. So, all I could do and did, was burst into laughter. "This is funny," I said to myself. "Really funny."

At least it was to me. Since it's not polite to yell at people when you pray, I told myself, "I'm just going to pray silently..."

Chef Sean was sick with the flu, so his wonderful wife Stephanie stepped in and prepared an incredible dinner for everyone. Our good friend, Jefferson Denim, killed it. Yes, he absolutely killed it! What's not to love about a guy who delivers Arthur O'Shaughnessy's Ode?

We are the music makers,

And we are the dreamers of dreams,

Wandering by lone sea-breakers,

And sitting by desolate streams;—

World-losers and world-forsakers,

On whom the pale moon gleams:

Yet we are the movers and shakers

Of the world for ever, it seems.

Weaving story, song, poetry, scripture and an overwhelming dose of encouragement, Jefferson's energy and love for artists flowed out with richness, grace and truth.

Jefferson's songs and stories were a perfect set-up for our conversation about pursuing the dreams, ideas, nudgings and stirrings God has placed in our hearts. Several artists shared God-sized dreams that they're jumping into in the days to come.

Roy and I wrapped up the evening sharing a few thoughts about four postures people typically take in how they relate to God. We talked about the importance of walking not OVER, UNDER, FROM, or FOR God, but with God.

With: Reimaging the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani is a remarkable book. Jesus has been using it to seriously mess with me.

In describing how people try to manage fear and control (and might I add "God") in their lives, Skye describes the four postures of how people try to live over God, under God, from God, or for God...anything, but with God.

Based upon everyone's response, it was obvious that everyone in the room was eager to reimagine how they relate to God.

Pick up the book. It's a great read. I can't recommend it enough...your purchase also helps support The Grove.