We've officially begun the weaning process with the goat kids. We started out with a bottle every four hours and since then have dropped gradually to three bottles each day. Through that schedule the total amount of milk replacer rose to 60 oz. per day, but today that began to drop and will continue to do so until we're DONE with bottles the first week of March. By the end of the week we'll be down to two bottles per day and the total amount will drop 4 oz. each day until then.
I'm looking forward to that!
Leroy has the truck and when I called today said it will be tomorrow or Thursday before he's done making the E-brake swap. I thought I might get it back today, but Leroy isn't big on pushing stuff through, so I'm not surprised at this, either.
Mostly, I'll feel a lot better when the truck is SOLD. I had a FB conversation with the business in AZ where I took my auto body classes and whoever it was at the other end asked about it, and then asked for pics and details. I've prayed about the sale and believe God can answer that prayer in unimaginable and surprising ways, so I'll eagerly send anyone information, no matter how unlikely it seems. Email and pics sent!
It has rained pretty hard all day so I've only gone outside to feed the goats and restock the kindling bucket. Pam was in town for her Bible study meeting so I decided to spend the morning writing from the comfort of my chair with the opera channel playing on DishTV. They did the entire Aida opera, which was pleasant background music.
Thirty years ago a lot of churches went through what was called the worship wars over music forms and styles. Some churches were behind the curve and staved off the war for a decade or two and some managed to avoid it all together, but most didn't.
Organ & piano or guitars and drums?
Traditional hymns or contemporary worship choruses?
Single song leader or praise prompters?
More than a few churches split over matters of style and form, including the one I was attending in the early 90's. Messy, and entirely inconsistent with biblical values. We'll never know how much damage was done to the work of the gospel because Christians went to battle over something so inconsequential. And because the sides largely aligned along generational lines the conflict also divided the church in that critical way, too.
I've recently become aware that the potential for another worship war is looming. For reasons I don't understand it seems that millennials prefer worship music that is very contemplative and introspective, with a tempo to match. Instead of clapping in time to the energetic music think hands raised and eyes closed with meditative singing.
Color me unmoved. On my grumpy days I describe it as narcissistic sentimentality. I'd much rather celebrate the joy of the Christian life than engage in morose self-absorption.
But it's the direction UFC has committed to moving. Their stated target group is the students at the U of O... millennials. We've noticed a shift in music just since we began attending six months ago as the church more intentionally aligns aspects of their ministry to accomplish that vision, and Brett's vision casting sermon last Sunday expressed that commitment.
In an hour we'll go to our small group meeting where we'll discuss last Sunday's sermon with the questions supplied to all the small groups to use. I don't think anyone in our group will put it together - the changing music and the sharpened focus on reaching millennials. I might not notice except that Brett and I had a conversation about it.
I'll keep my mouth shut. I will NOT play any part in any repetition of the worship wars. It's not about me and my preferences, and if the church I attend decides on a worship style outside my comfort zone I can either a) leave, or b) deal with it. On something as inconsequential as musical styles I eagerly choose the latter.
But I'm curious to hear tonight's discussion. :)
1 comment:
Needed this!! Thanks for the music war encouragement. We are attending a church that has a piano and organ and hymn books and we sing every verse of every song very slowly. Very much not me.
I'm taking your attitude and I'm NOT going to allow myself to get involved. You know me...I'm a follower of Craig Mac Donald.
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