Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Wed, Jan 12 2005
The Body
Alan over at A Different Perspecive had a blog entry on physical worship that made me think of all the times I've gone to worship services where the congregation was asked not to applaud after special music or other artsy events. I've always been bothered by that sort of thing. It seems like a direct attempt to supress the spirit of thankfulness that goes with a spiritual experience, especially the experience of those who attend a Christian service. We even speak of the Church as a Body.
I do like the way Seventh-day Adventists perceive the "soul" as not just some ethereal essence, but as the whole of a person. But sometimes Adventist churches too, stifle the outpouring of praise that might include clapping or lifting of hands. The one body position that seems to be acceptable is a bowed head with closed eyes and folded hands. I suppose one might see this as a form of reverence, but if we see God as a Father, won't we also want to let Him know we're happy to be in His presence? I suppose there's a fine line to be drawn if we don't want worship services to turn into noisy free-for-alls, but it shouldn't become an issue of crowd control to the point where we encourage people to refuse expressions of emotion and to maintain an outward posture of neutrality when they want to participate in the service. That kind of covering over is one of the marks of a very dysfunctional family.
posted at: 10:36 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Alan over at A Different Perspecive had a blog entry on physical worship that made me think of all the times I've gone to worship services where the congregation was asked not to applaud after special music or other artsy events. I've always been bothered by that sort of thing. It seems like a direct attempt to supress the spirit of thankfulness that goes with a spiritual experience, especially the experience of those who attend a Christian service. We even speak of the Church as a Body.
I do like the way Seventh-day Adventists perceive the "soul" as not just some ethereal essence, but as the whole of a person. But sometimes Adventist churches too, stifle the outpouring of praise that might include clapping or lifting of hands. The one body position that seems to be acceptable is a bowed head with closed eyes and folded hands. I suppose one might see this as a form of reverence, but if we see God as a Father, won't we also want to let Him know we're happy to be in His presence? I suppose there's a fine line to be drawn if we don't want worship services to turn into noisy free-for-alls, but it shouldn't become an issue of crowd control to the point where we encourage people to refuse expressions of emotion and to maintain an outward posture of neutrality when they want to participate in the service. That kind of covering over is one of the marks of a very dysfunctional family.
posted at: 10:36 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
The Da Vinci Ride
Sharan Newman writes medieval mysteries. She also decided to check the facts in The Da Vinci Code. Her resulting book, The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code, lets the reader both enjoy the story and find out what details were probably a creative enhancement on the part of author Dan Brown.
A Mix of fact and fancy is what makes historical fiction fun. We readers know we're being taken for a spin in a rather quirky time machine. We're going to hear a few clunks and feel a few bumps on the along. It's the little additions of things that aren't quite factual that spark our own sense of exploration. And I hear that one of my favorite directors will soon be bringing this tale to us on the big screen. I can't wait to get strapped in for the ride.
posted at: 06:29 | category: /Arts and Entertainment | link to this entry
Sharan Newman writes medieval mysteries. She also decided to check the facts in The Da Vinci Code. Her resulting book, The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code, lets the reader both enjoy the story and find out what details were probably a creative enhancement on the part of author Dan Brown.
A Mix of fact and fancy is what makes historical fiction fun. We readers know we're being taken for a spin in a rather quirky time machine. We're going to hear a few clunks and feel a few bumps on the along. It's the little additions of things that aren't quite factual that spark our own sense of exploration. And I hear that one of my favorite directors will soon be bringing this tale to us on the big screen. I can't wait to get strapped in for the ride.
posted at: 06:29 | category: /Arts and Entertainment | link to this entry
