Simply Apocalyptic yet Free

I sit in the Library, a study room on floor 6. I pace and pray. I am being inspired. Listening to these, and praying through these (apostolic prayers) for my university, city, church, friends, and fellow bloggers.

It's not often the wise that are called. And it's not articulate words that reveal Christ, but only the simplicity of devotion acticulating words, actions and prayers of love empowered by the Spirit.

I just got out of my Art History classes, and I'm thinking about my paintings. I paint these wild crazy paintings, and they're fun, but I really want to make some simple images, I don't care if they don't look profound. I want them to be simple, like a head of brocolli in the midst of mouths chewing on empty calories.

The most powerful passage of Scripture I think about that relates to arts is actually when Paul discusses tongues.

(Quote)
⁶Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? ⁷Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? ⁹So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. ¹²So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

¹³For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. ¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. ¹⁶If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand^[e] say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

¹⁸I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.(End Quote from 1Cor14)

I associate tongues with abstraction and "in the mind" with literal art. They both have a place, but man, I want to sound a clear trumpet to get people ready. Sure we could all be partying and grooving to some great music, but that's no good if the enemie's in our camp. "God loves you, now get ready battle!"

There is a place for abstract, jazz, and and rave music and art, I love it. Yet, its place is not being an alarm during a fire drill or invasion. For those times we need clear meaningful distinct messages/songs/images that speak, so we won't be dancing or crying when we need to be running.

I know I'm all choppy in my talking. I'm working through my thoughts.

So when I dance, I love it funky. When I'm trying to rescue a drowning person, I like it simple clear and uncomplicated. I sometimes feel this way about art.

I think Heiromymous Bosch balanced both wacky imagination and literal clear trumpet blasts.


I love this guy's style. Intense apocalytic, yet playful and free, that's how I wanna be.