Galatians

I just read a book "The Hole in our Gospel" by the president of World Vision, Rich Sterns. So my new favorite quote is "We've drifted from being fishers of men to keepers of the acquarium" (actually Paul Harvey said that). Good quote, huh?

Anyway, the more I read the book of Galatians, the more I realize that Paul was not mad over circumsion. That was NOT the issue. In fact, it seems "the issue" (whatever it may be) is never REALLY the issue at all. Take for example, in past decades it might have been that we could have replaced the term "circumcision" w/ the terms "one cuppers" or "kitchens in churches buildings" or "worship leaders on staff." Someday it will be whether or not to have holograms to illustrate sermons points. Some will find holograms entertaining and distracting, others will find them enlightening and educational. There will, no doubt, be anti-hologram churches and pro-hologram churches. We will be beaming guest speakers in from Texas to plead for unity. The progressive churches will probably finally settle on one hologram inclusive service, and one without.
Face it, Paul's just mad at the folks who set themselves up to make whatever-it-is mandatory for the other side to agree with or else! It's just another example of folks trying to be God (once again!....our forever human sin...). It's so much easier, and much more of a power trip, to make and enforce rules for others and then judge them by their noncompliance than it is to accept God's grace. So read Galatians. Everytime it says "circumcision" (which we care nothing about today but they sure did back then), replace it with a current hot-button-topic, and see what Paul has to say to us today.

IMAGINE

Six hundred people (including cast & crew & audience) enjoyed all the wonderful varied facets of IMAGINE last weekend (well, May 2 & 3). After that I took off to West Palm Beach to see my daughter graduate from college. Congratulations on a job well done, Chelsea! On Mother's Day, there I sat at IHOP surrounded by my extremely handsome husband, five children, and two serious boyfriends (of my daughters, not me!) Good stuff.

Anyway, back to the show. Everyone has a different favorite memory. Some said it was like an extremely educational documentary with great music. I still go into the foyer daily and read some of the 220 scrolls on the wall with references to praise & music. [thank you, Chris Sterritt!] As I watch the DVD, I realize how organically some of it sprang into reality. Joyful Noise made both the spiritual section and the restoration movement come to life in a way that WAS truly joyful! Thank you to my lovely dancers who had to put up with all kinds of torturous workouts for the last three months. Jody, you were certainly some kind of a discovery! How come no one ever tells me when we have a Sandi Patti in our midst. Anyway, it was all just super great...I loved the dramas....B.J. just generally has talent dripping from every pore at all times...Karin's my new best friend....Jerry, Carol, Anne---we could NOT have done it without you. Anyway, thanks everyone. Thank you again & again & again....