The Rise of the Modern Day Levite – Bringing The Arts Home To The Church
A facebook friend sent me the following message a few days ago:
Hi Randy,
I’ve been pondering for a while the place of the creative arts in the Body of Christ. I feel that the arts are a way to communicate the heart of God to those who don’t know Him and to those who are yet to know Him. My hearts to desire to see the arts returned to a place of honor as a way that God shares His message. I’d love to see a community where the artist connect and a place where the churches/organizations can connect with an artist. Anyway, just a bit of what’s inside. It would be great to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Blessings, J
This reminded me of my conversation with Dennis Jernigan back in 1995:
The first time I hung out with Dennis was at IHOP (the all night pancake place … not the all night prayer place) after we had both appeared on James Robison’s Life Today program in 1995. It was that conversation that turned my heart toward the arts and praying for the “modern day Levites” (artisans, worship leaders etc.) to return to prominence in the Body of Christ. Dennis is the one that coined that designation. I started praying that they would not continue to be shunned as “extra,” … or weird … but embraced as a necessary manifestation of worship, communication and communion. And, I think the Lord is answering those and millions of other prayers along the same lines.
The Best Kayaking Trip Ever – A Survivor’s Story (Republished)
I wrote this on May 20th of 2007 on a previous version of my blog. It is one of my favorite stories. Enjoy!
***Heads up: This is the longest blog post I think I may have ever written. Go grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and pull up a chair. It’s a long story***
The Benevolent Trainer (TBT… I haven’t asked him if I can call him by his first name here or not yet) and I share the same birthday. I am eight years older than him but we were both born on May 14th. This year we decided to do something in honor of our birthdays. We both love to kayak but we had not ever gone kayaking together. We had planned to but it hadn’t worked out to date so we wanted to correct that delay and enjoy a nice day on the river.TBT was kind enough to stake out all the different kayaking places in central Florida and he was specifically looking for scenery, challenge and not to far out from Orlando. Where I go, Rainbow River, is pretty far north of Orlando. He even borrowed a two seater kayak and a Lincoln Navigator from a couple he knows, Mr. & Mrs. C. They were very kind to extend the use of their resources and we felt truly blessed. TBT thought it would be fun to explore The Black River. We got to the drop point and we were surprised to see that no one else was there. As we untied the two seater kayak, love bugs swarmed the car we were in and got all inside the interior. Every May the love bugs (don’t know their real scientific name) swarm over Central Florida. They are EVERYWHERE and annoying. They are nasty to clean up and really do a mess up your car when you drive. Even so, we went down to the water and instead of The Black River, it was more like The Black Trickle.
We only went down 50 yards or so and back. In that short span we:
* had to lay completely backwards into the kayak as we tried to clear the first obstruction of fallen trees.
* crashed through the second obstruction of fallen trees and brush. There were only the top branches of the trees coming up through the plane of water so we had to go through them, not around or under.
* Five paddle strokes later we were going under a bridge that was being expanded. The pile driver thing started up right about then. It was excruciatingly loud.
* We pressed forward and had to clear two more man made obstructions, one on each side of the bridge. The water in between was nasty and stagnate.
* After clearing those we went about 3 paddle strokes to the next trash filled obstruction. It was huge and there was no getting through it… and we got stuck in the Florida muck.
* Frustrated, I jumped out of the kayak to pull us out and sank in the muck up to around mid thigh level.
* The only true thing about the black river was that the water was black. I was NOT a happy camper and told TBT so. We turned back and had to go back through all of that just to get back to the car.
Oh there is more … so much more …
The Book of Eli – Movie Review
Last night I went to a very nice theater in downtown Orlando to see The Book of Eli. My eight word review is:
Hallelujah! … oh ok … now that was gross. Hallelujah!
I will do a general review and then a more specific review after the jump so as to not reveal any spoilers for those that haven’t seen the movie.
I loved it. I love artsy symbolic movies. I love action movies. I love obvious good vs. evil movies. I love epic movies, self-sacrifice movies and movies with a really good twist I didn’t see coming. Big Hollywood said the twist was silly. When the twist was revealed I literally shed a tear or two. I thought it was beautiful … absolutely heart-wrenching and definitely close to the level of the plot twist at the end of The Sixth Sense that completely changed the context of the whole movie.
I love Christian movies because at least they are trying to put the eternal transcendent into artistic form and that is just simply not an easy thing to do. This is very much a Christian movie. It’s about the last Bible on the post-apocalyptic earth and the voice of God leading a man on a journey of faith to secure the Bible well into the future.
I tried to impose some literal interpretations of the symbols onto the movie and they might be worth exploring (I’ll do so a little after the jump.) Yet after sleeping on it I think the overarching symbolic message is that The Word of God is alive and powerful to bring Light and Life to men. It is worth fighting off the world system, powers of darkness and personal despair in order to protect it as we go on our life’s journey. God’s word will survive because He has ordained it to be so and for no other reasons. Others will try to abuse it for power but only those who have “eyes to see” will actually be able to receive the true life giving power of the Holy Spirit inspired and empowered scriptures.
The Word of God is worth dedicating our lives too and sharing with others who might not “look” or “act” like church folk, but have a pure faith and an undeniable spiritual zeal to know the Truth. We can abide in and embody The Word, emulate Christ and pass off this noble, sacrificial and beautiful faith to others so they might take it back “home” to those still left in chaos and bondage.
Everything I wrote in the two preceding paragraphs are symbolized very very well in the movie.
That was the general review. More, including spoilers, after the jump.
Live Blogging New Years Eve 2009 Welcoming 2010
UPDATE: I will be using the CoverItLive.com service. It won’t run embedded here on the blog BUT you can get to it by Clicking Here
UPDATE 1/1/10 – I actually moved the blog to a new server today and it will run embedded BUT the “live blog” is now done so here is the transcript.
I just sent this update to the fans of my facebook page 
.
Hello Friends!
Sorry for the lack of updates but … don’t we get enough updates from enough people
I don’t want to abuse those who have signed up on my “fan” page with a bunch more stuff to read. If you want that … just visit the page http://facebook.com/randythomasblog !
I am always posting something. You can post something too.
However, I do want to send out prayer requests from time to time and this time I want YOU to know that I am praying for YOU to have a great New Years Eve celebration and a Blessed New Year!
I am probably going to “Live blog” “Live facebook” something … tonight. The past few years I have really just enjoyed not being out and about at midnight. Last year I did the “Live Blog” of the ball drop and it was really kinda’ funny.
I know right? I am only 41 and an unabashed extrovert … and yet I enjoy sitting at home live-blogging critiques of the different hellivision show coverages. So if you are home starting around 10pm EST, join me at the fan page or the blog http://randythomas.org. I haven’t figured out how best to live blog the whole thing yet.
OH and I just redecorated the blog for New Years Eve
OK… be blessed. Much love to you!
In Him,
Randy
Since I started hosting my blog on Wordpress.com they don’t allow javascript in posts so my usual coveritlive.com service (for live blogging) won’t work as an embedded source … so … I am definitely doing something but not sure if it will be here or on my facebook page. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated. I will update this post when I figure it out.
UPDATE: I will be using the CoverItLive.com service. It won’t run embedded here on the blog BUT you can get to it by Clicking Here
Today Is World AIDS Day
Cross-posted at the Exodus Blog
***
Whether you identify as gay, a Christian on a post-gay journey, or simply someone who pays attention, you know that the AIDS pandemic has been a terrible tragedy across the world. To help raise prayer and awareness on the annual World AIDS Day, I wanted to post a few links.
The Red Campaign has two social media hubs you can follow at Twitter: http://twitter.com/joinred/ and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/joinred
Christopher Yuan, a friend and AIDS Activist has a blog and you can follow him on Twitter.
There is also HIV: He Intends Victory outreach and Rick and Kay Warren’s efforts through Saddleback Church.
MORE:
Grace and Gay Men (my personal testimony of finding out a former partner had died of AIDS)
AIDS Organization “Muzzling” Christians. Why? What to Do? (read the post, there is a twist to it that contextualizes the title completely differently.)
Thanksgiving 2009
Today is the day we in the United States eat way to much to celebrate what we are thankful for. I am thankful for:
- Family: Goes without saying but must be said! I love you all so much and have the most beautiful, intelligent, creative and awesome nieces ever.
- Friends: Online – been online since ‘93 and have met some amazing people and have a real appreciation for the good that online communities can bring. You (blog readers) have seen me go through quite the travails of whether to keep blogging or not in 2009 and I appreciate you hanging in there with me.
- Friends Offline – When I came to Christ He eventually released my unabashed extroverted-ness . Now, I have the honor of enjoying friendships with folks all over North America. PLUS I have great new friends in England and Mexico that I met this year .
- Food: oh yeah … I like my food … a lot. Especially ice cream food.
- The Gym: maybe I like food a little too much? I actually like the gym a lot. Some cool folks go there and it isn’t a meat market. That plus a reasonable gym membership price, no waiting for machines and great spin class schedule. Ok… the spin class schedule is great even though I don’t ever go to it.
- Live in a *great* country and we will leave it at that for the day . Live in a great state. I love Florida. And I have great neighbors and a nice home that brings rest.
- I am grateful for my church family. Especially grateful that we are based in the grace of Christ’s atonement for us.
- Grateful for art and creativity. Still trying to learn how to paint with acrylics.
- Grateful for being able to read and write.
- Grateful for prayer, private worship and communion
- and of course grateful to God for His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who dwells within.
- … and much more.
So, what are you grateful for?
Utah Vs. TCU – Don't Worry It's Not Really About Soccer
Can I tell you how happy I am to have a reason to create a sports category … SO very happy.
You know that whole story about the Bionic Woman from yesterday? Well, there was a whole sub-plot that happened simultaneously on the cram-packed shuttle bus.
The Bionic Woman was wearing purple but I don’t think she was a part of the whole other scene happening on the bus. EVERYONE was wearing either purple or orange. Except for me. I was wearing a black sweatshirt.
That’s how I roll … comfort-wear.
Before I got all into it with Bionic woman, I said to the man next to me, “at the risk of sounding stupid…what’s going on here?” Pointing to the mass of purple and orange.
He said, “It’s Utah vs. TCU!” And several approving heads of the almost all male crammed packed shuttle bus nodded in knowing agreement.
I said, “So what do the Mormons have against the Texas Croquet Union?”
Just kidding… I didn’t ask that. I really really wanted to.
Taking Our Place
At church one of my friends is a great single Mom to three great kids, one girl and two boys. I have watched them growing over the past few years and they are a delight. The oldest boy, we will call Kevin, loves to joke around, skinny, dark hair, freckles and does a dead on impersonation of Drew Barrymore’s cadence.
Funny kid.
Today, I looked over and while he had left his mother’s side quite a while ago to join the tweens/teens section on the front row to our left, it was very cool to see him today having fun among his friends. They were singing, talking and being a part of our church. They even looked like they wanted to be there and were having fun! The thought came to mind, “He’s taken his place,” and I felt very encouraged for him.
On another note, some sad news also happened. Our worship leader Abby, had to fly home last week because her grandfather passed away. In her place the guitar guy, we will call Blond Faux Hawk Dude, stepped up to fill in the gap as worship leader. In times past when he has led a song, he sounds like a cross between Third Day and Scott Stapp.
Excellent. I really like Third Day and Scott Stapp.
Please Pray For My Friend "Blessed" – I'm Here to Stay
I have gotten so much positive affirmation of my blogging on facebook, here and privately via facebook, twitter and email. I should totally delete and recreate my blog more often!
Wait … I kinda’ do.
But this one message really struck my heart, many touched my heart but this one … just kinda’ got to me. A friend on Facebook writes:
(Printed here with permission)
I will be entirely upfront and honest. I have had a few shots of vodka and am feeling a bit vulnerable. Within the past hour, I have just shut down communication between an old mentor. I moved in with her and her family this summer. They did nothing but talk badly about my family and made gay jokes often. It was an environment that I could not remain in. Currently, I am living back with my parents – who know nothing of depth about my life – but support me.
I am a 20something who struggles with sexuality. I am utterly depressed and fighting drug addiction. Recently, I have relapsed. Overall, in regards to the drugs, I am doing okay. But in the big picture, my depression is deep. I feel as if no one understands me, and as if there is no help for me where I live.
Pray For Haiti – Relief Resources
Picture credit goes to AP via FoxNews.com
Watching the horror unfold after yesterday’s devastating earthquake has been breathtaking. It’s times like this that you see the good in humanity. Everything gets put in better perspective as we focus on rescue and aid to our hurting brothers and sisters in very dire circumstances.
Many bloggers, facebook and twitter folk are compiling many links to various resources seeking to help out in Haiti. Of course the most common I have seen is the Red Cross.
The Anchoress, a very popular blogger has compiled a great list of ways to help Haiti. So has Michelle Malkin. Fox News has also compiled a list of reputable organizations. Musician Wyclif has always been involved in helping Haiti and has his own outreach through his site at yele.org.
I am watching for other Christian resources arise … there are a lot of them … but please add any prayer requests, reports or links to ways to help in the comments. I will update this post too.
UPDATE:
Just found this on the Desiring God Blog