I’d like to take a moment and introduce myself and the journey that I am taking. I am a Christian artist from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I call myself an artist because I am one. So far, I am a musician/singer/songwriter/filmmaker/writer and I hope to become even more expressive with my art in the years to come.
I began a philosophical journey recently to discover more of the Truth, as it pertains to Faith, Art & Culture. As a Christian all my life, I have avoided certain things, certain areas that I grew up believing were taboo. In recent years, however, I have felt an urgent need to discover what my faith really means to me, and how it affects my interaction with the culture of our world.
Along the way my goal is to establish my personal belief of being in the world but not of it. This verse has fascinated me for years, and I hope to discover its true meaning, I have a feeling it will be the key to understanding the complicated, or not so complicated relationship between Faith, Art & Culture.
I have been reading your blog, and want to tell you that I can very much relate to your journey.
For quite some time I have wreastling with the same questions. As I am now ministering to ministers I have been teaching them and exorting them of the need to teach their people how to relate to their neighbours.
There is so much teaching on seperation that people don’t want to relate not do they know how to relate to thier neighbors, friends, releatives and coworkers and this is so contrary to what Jesus taught and demonstrated.
We really lack confidence in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and Gods keeping power. ” We are kept by the power of God through faith… ”
We are not going to be swept away by the powers of darkness and who is able to pluck us out of the Fathers hand. If God is not keeping us then we will indeed be reduced to ashes by the breath of our enemies. Greater is he that is in us then he that is in the world. We can eat and drink with the sinners and let the light of Christ shine through. Maturity is not isolation but but it is the power of God giving us liberty to reach out and love and serve our neighbours, friends, relatives and coworkers. How can yo let your light shine if it is hid behind doors afraid to mingle, serve and be involved with the people who most need the gosple. As Jesus said I have not come for the righteous but for sinners. We can get so busy with the so called righteous that we miss the whole point of being light and salt.
Dave
Thanks Pastor Dave! Your words are wise and greatly appreciated!