Comments on: Patiently Waiting for the Muse http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Fri, 18 May 2012 14:25:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: vibiexkxmv http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-65440 vibiexkxmv Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:31:40 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-65440 Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! gupldrurzjwb Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! gupldrurzjwb

]]> By: Charles Hoffman http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-41056 Charles Hoffman Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:55:31 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-41056 Google is the best search engine Google is the best search engine

]]> By: MommyHAM http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17679 MommyHAM Sun, 22 Oct 2006 02:18:54 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17679 Totally, QB..... Totally agree. Totally, QB…..

Totally agree.

]]> By: qb http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17496 qb Fri, 20 Oct 2006 21:37:53 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17496 How much of this hand-wringing about the weekly appearance of the Muse is a result of the rather contrived expectation that there be 30 minutes (+/-) of preaching every single Sunday? I have wondered that ever since reading Eugene Peterson's and Marva Dawn's _The_Unnecessary_Pastor_. The expectations we put on our "pastors" seem like cultural artifacts to me. The pressure to deliver every Sunday would be discouraging at least, and immobilizing at best, were it not for those divine moments... I have wondered, therefore, if we would be well advised to recall that sometimes more is less, and less is more. qb How much of this hand-wringing about the weekly appearance of the Muse is a result of the rather contrived expectation that there be 30 minutes (+/-) of preaching every single Sunday? I have wondered that ever since reading Eugene Peterson’s and Marva Dawn’s _The_Unnecessary_Pastor_. The expectations we put on our “pastors” seem like cultural artifacts to me. The pressure to deliver every Sunday would be discouraging at least, and immobilizing at best, were it not for those divine moments…

I have wondered, therefore, if we would be well advised to recall that sometimes more is less, and less is more.

qb

]]> By: David Johnson http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17421 David Johnson Fri, 20 Oct 2006 09:30:54 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17421 I'm with that other David....it's amazing how often I will try in vain to write something original for weeks on end, and then on the evening when the project is due, I become a veritable fount of interesting and uncontainable ideas. Necessity is the mother of invention, yo. I’m with that other David….it’s amazing how often I will try in vain to write something original for weeks on end, and then on the evening when the project is due, I become a veritable fount of interesting and uncontainable ideas. Necessity is the mother of invention, yo.

]]> By: David http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17399 David Fri, 20 Oct 2006 05:00:31 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17399 When I preached, it was amazing how many creative ideas came to me when I was in the shower at 5:00 on Sunday morning. When I preached, it was amazing how many creative ideas came to me when I was in the shower at 5:00 on Sunday morning.

]]> By: Joel http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17398 Joel Fri, 20 Oct 2006 04:57:41 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17398 reminds me of something Randy (I think) said once while teaching an undergrad class, about "the Spirit comes to those who prepare." I think he meant something like, "I don't care how spiritual you think you are - there's no excuse for not doing your homework on a passage." I've tried to maintain a respect for the huge cultural/historical divide between us and the world of the biblical text. Living in another very different culture and working to understand the people is making me appreciate the importance of those differences even more. reminds me of something Randy (I think) said once while teaching an undergrad class, about “the Spirit comes to those who prepare.” I think he meant something like, “I don’t care how spiritual you think you are – there’s no excuse for not doing your homework on a passage.”

I’ve tried to maintain a respect for the huge cultural/historical divide between us and the world of the biblical text. Living in another very different culture and working to understand the people is making me appreciate the importance of those differences even more.

]]> By: Kathy http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17395 Kathy Fri, 20 Oct 2006 03:52:54 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17395 What a stunning defeat! Now on to the WS!! Congratulations!! What a stunning defeat!

Now on to the WS!!

Congratulations!!

]]> By: Wade S. http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17394 Wade S. Fri, 20 Oct 2006 03:50:38 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17394 Congrats, Mike! A STL-DET World Series should be a good one! Congrats, Mike!

A STL-DET World Series should be a good one!

]]> By: don http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17321 don Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:40:34 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17321 I usually find it easy to write songs, but when I go back after giving it a rest and listen to them, most are pretty lame. However, there is the occasional song that I go back and revisit and think "whoa, did I write that?". And those usually turn out to be written by Neil Young. I usually find it easy to write songs, but when I go back after giving it a rest and listen to them, most are pretty lame. However, there is the occasional song that I go back and revisit and think “whoa, did I write that?”. And those usually turn out to be written by Neil Young.

]]> By: Andy Wall http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17291 Andy Wall Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:26:28 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17291 Good words Mike. As a fellow preacher, I've gotten the "This dog won't hunt" feeling as I've prepared my sermons. Part of the beauty and challenge of preaching each week is that facing the congregation every Sunday provides tremendous motivation to continue studying, reading, listening, thinking, praying, worshipping, relating, learning, growing, traveling, and experiencing new things in life. Pursuing that balance between seeking continual growth (doing) and experiencing God's peace (being) helps me stay in my creative zone most of the time. For the times I don't feel terribly creative (the drought), I'm sustained by Paul's words from 2 Corinthians: "But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us." “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Good words Mike. As a fellow preacher, I’ve gotten the “This dog won’t hunt” feeling as I’ve prepared my sermons. Part of the beauty and challenge of preaching each week is that facing the congregation every Sunday provides tremendous motivation to continue studying, reading, listening, thinking, praying, worshipping, relating, learning, growing, traveling, and experiencing new things in life.

Pursuing that balance between seeking continual growth (doing) and experiencing God’s peace (being) helps me stay in my creative zone most of the time. For the times I don’t feel terribly creative (the drought), I’m sustained by Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians:

“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

]]> By: Josh Ross http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17290 Josh Ross Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:25:29 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17290 I have some of the same memories as Wade from interning with you. I remember you telling me that we aim for singles. Occasionally we'll hit some doubles, triples, and home runs, but we aim for singles. (I love how baseball metaphors are close to your heart, Mike.) You have taught me so much about the power of creativity, vision, and imagination in preaching. Those are 3 principles that I pray for on a regular basis. For me, as one of those twentysomething preachers, I think of preaching as a puzzle. By Thursday night or Friday morning I usually have all of the pieces. Therefore, Friday and Saturday morning is all about putting the puzzle together with the help of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes that puzzle feels like a little 10 piece puzzle. Other days it feels like a 1,500 piece puzzle of a forest or something. And, there are Saturdays when the puzzle is undone Saturday afternoon and put back together with new pieces. Okay, I think you get where I'm going. All this to say, I love it. I love doing what I do. Yet, as many of you have already alluded to, I know that I can stand up every Sunday and read a text, tell a story, exegete a passage, say a prayer, and point people somewhere. But, if the power of the Holy Spirit isn't breathing life through my words, it is meaningless. I have some of the same memories as Wade from interning with you. I remember you telling me that we aim for singles. Occasionally we’ll hit some doubles, triples, and home runs, but we aim for singles.
(I love how baseball metaphors are close to your heart, Mike.)

You have taught me so much about the power of creativity, vision, and imagination in preaching. Those are 3 principles that I pray for on a regular basis.

For me, as one of those twentysomething preachers, I think of preaching as a puzzle. By Thursday night or Friday morning I usually have all of the pieces. Therefore, Friday and Saturday morning is all about putting the puzzle together with the help of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes that puzzle feels like a little 10 piece puzzle. Other days it feels like a 1,500 piece puzzle of a forest or something. And, there are Saturdays when the puzzle is undone Saturday afternoon and put back together with new pieces.
Okay, I think you get where I’m going.
All this to say, I love it. I love doing what I do.
Yet, as many of you have already alluded to, I know that I can stand up every Sunday and read a text, tell a story, exegete a passage, say a prayer, and point people somewhere. But, if the power of the Holy Spirit isn’t breathing life through my words, it is meaningless.

]]> By: Frank http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17283 Frank Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:06:42 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17283 About being disciplined: Flannery O'Connor said that she had to write every single day because if she didn't, then on the day that it would have gone well, she might not be writing. When I came across that I realized that if SHE had to work at it every day, so did I. About being disciplined: Flannery O’Connor said that she had to write every single day because if she didn’t, then on the day that it would have gone well, she might not be writing. When I came across that I realized that if SHE had to work at it every day, so did I.

]]> By: Keith http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17278 Keith Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:58:58 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17278 I think you had the muse by the tail in your blog today. Try making banking creative day in and day out! But I will be thankful. Swing for the fences. I think you had the muse by the tail in your blog today. Try making banking creative day in and day out! But I will be thankful. Swing for the fences.

]]> By: Joel G.Quile http://preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse/comment-page-1#comment-17277 Joel G.Quile Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:42:47 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/19/patiently-waiting-for-the-muse#comment-17277 To all my deceived brothers and sisters who've commented above: WRONG! The firstverb in the Bible? "Created" Our God is a Creator. and... We are created in His image! So guess what? Gone are the days that you get to claim, model, and pray for other parts of God's DNA such as, mercy, patience, peace, etc... and simply dismiss the whole creative quality. We've been lied to by the great deceiver and consequently have a warped definition of creativity. It's time we stop listening to a weasel and start listening to Webster. Here is the dictionary's definition of creative: having the power to bring into being. Let me assure the most anal, analytical accoutants and attornies out there: you have the power to bring into being. Yes, you might not be the most innovative (you are probably much more than you give yourself credit for) but you are creative. Creative is less about dressing like Rob Bell and preaching like Ed Young and more about helping to build peace like President Carter and heal hurts like Mother Teresa. If creative is only new and different then the writer of Ecclesiastes lied because according to him there is a limited color of paints on our pallets. If creative is more about heart than art - more about true than new. So, if any of you feel that God is not creative or that you were not made in His image - go ahead and say you're not creative. All others - figure out what God wants to create (to bring into being) in your life, your family's life, your church, your friends, your communities, and the world - AND JOIN HIM IN IT! Creative is not how you were made. It's why you were made. To all my deceived brothers and sisters who’ve commented above:

WRONG!

The firstverb in the Bible? “Created”

Our God is a Creator.

and…

We are created in His image!

So guess what? Gone are the days that you get to claim, model, and pray for other parts of God’s DNA such as, mercy, patience, peace, etc… and simply dismiss the whole creative quality.

We’ve been lied to by the great deceiver and consequently have a warped definition of creativity. It’s time we stop listening to a weasel and start listening to Webster. Here is the dictionary’s definition of creative:

having the power to bring into being.

Let me assure the most anal, analytical accoutants and attornies out there: you have the power to bring into being.

Yes, you might not be the most innovative (you are probably much more than you give yourself credit for) but you are creative.

Creative is less about dressing like Rob Bell and preaching like Ed Young and more about helping to build peace like President Carter and heal hurts like Mother Teresa. If creative is only new and different then the writer of Ecclesiastes lied because according to him there is a limited color of paints on our pallets. If creative is more about heart than art – more about true than new.

So, if any of you feel that God is not creative or that you were not made in His image – go ahead and say you’re not creative. All others – figure out what God wants to create (to bring into being) in your life, your family’s life, your church, your friends, your communities, and the world – AND JOIN HIM IN IT!

Creative is not how you were made.

It’s why you were made.

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