Month: April 1997

Let's be blunt and honest to God before we begin talking about prayer. We have real trouble in this present age with prayer. I'm not certain if the problem stems from our belief or lack of belief in prayer or … Read more

How often have we begged God for a "sign" so that we would know God's will? When we pray, how do we recognize God's direction over the beguiling call of our desires and perceived needs? Wouldn't it be so nice … Read more

One of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard were the Waywayseecappo Sacred Drummers in Manitoba. When I first invited the drum into the church for a sacred wedding song, the drummers thought I had lost my senses — drums … Read more

The importance of music means that if the church wants to reach out to new communities, new people, new generations, it must use (get ready now…) new music. When I was a child, most Protestant churches sang hymns such as … Read more

You are not familiar with one of the most divisive moments in St. Andrew's history, but it had to do with sound. To be more precise, it had to do with the organ controversy that wreaked havoc and division in … Read more

With the possible exception of the communion elements, we do not think of being able to "touch" God in most of our Protestant services. But we do sometimes touch each other, though rarely, as when the biblical "kiss of peace" … Read more

"To live is to taste and touch, to smell and see and listen to, the good things of the earth and rejoice in them." Frederick Beuchner Go back with me to the days of Thomas Moore. He lived in trying … Read more

There is a famous tale about the visitor who went to the great cathedral at Chartres while it was being built. Spying some men cutting stone, he asked them, "What are you doing?" They replied, "Cutting stone. Can't you see?" … Read more

There is so much more that we could do to use sight to enhance our praise and proclamation. Some churches are now experimenting with dance and movement as part of the service. We have had dance used here to express … Read more

"To live is to taste and touch, to smell and see and listen to, the good things of the earth and rejoice in them. … It is to search for God if you are religiously inclined and, if you are … Read more