sufjan stevens

Sufjan Stevens is possibly my favorite musician in the world right now. It's a pretty close race up there with such contenders as Wovenhand/Daved Eugene Edwards, Arcade Fire, and occasionally Derek Webb. Last night we went to a Sufjan concert here in Indianapolis, though, and it pushed him into the lead for a bit.

That concert was so fantastic - literally. The evening began with the eerily beautiful My Brightest Diamond, who I'd never heard before, but really enjoyed. She has a stunning voice which, though quirky is superbly controlled. After that, Sufjan and his Butterfly Brigade came out - complete with butterfly wings and marching band uniforms. On top of that, the music was so well crafted and well performed. The string and brass arrangements were wonderfully put together and each song had such a calculated dramatic sweep. It made me giddy. Favorite moments: definitely the crazy chaotic build at the end of The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades, Seven Swans (including the story behind the song), and Sufjan's quirky stories and childish humility. Really, there weren't any bad moments though. Each song was a treat in itself. It was an evening to remember and it reminded me again why live music is fun. Thank, Sufjan.

Mark

i don't want to be comforted

A few months ago I was listening to this sermon by A.W. Tozer and was really struck by something he said. The sermon is on "The Holiness of God" and it's the one from which that chapter in his book "The Attributes of God" was transcribed. He describes how we will all stand naked before "the uncreated beam" of God's gaze and in that hour no one will be able to help us. He talks about how we are so quick to throw Bible verses and trite, easy answers at people who are struggling with God or are under conviction from him. "I DON'T WANT TO BE COMFORTED!" he says, "I want to know that I will be accepted when I stand before the Holy God."

That phrase has stuck in my mind and I've thought of it often. I thought of it again two Sunday's ago as we looked at Romans 9 and the labyrinth of God's sovereignty together. Any time we are talking to someone and they are feeling troubled about something, our first impulse is to make things ok. To try to say something that will make them feel better. What if God isn't concerned about us feeling better? What if we are actually robbed of something great and eternal (namely, an experiential knowledge of the Holy One) by not pressing into and through the discomfort?

I don't want to be comforted anymore. I want to hear God speak. I want to walk with people through stuff, but not by trying to make everything "ok" until God makes it ok.

Just a thought. Here is that sermon (in three parts):

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
  

In the beautiful name of Jesus,

Mark