The Cyber Kazbá

I live in a part of the world that never ceases to amaze me. When I lived back in the USA I never really got to taste and experience history. In fact one could argue that the US really has no history. We are a country that is just barely older than 230 years. I live near a structure was constructed when Christopher Columbus was wearing diapers! I got the opportunity to visit one of the vast amounts of cities that litter the countryside of CZ that is rich in history. We were in a town called Klatovy. It has a large square with a tall clock tower that is also next to a Jesuit church. Very near the square is an Archeacon church. This church was built in the 1200's! (pictured above)

I was standing and just observing this church and I got to thinking about Churches and religious art. The detail that was both on the inside and outside of this church was astounding. Almost glamourous. Before you walk in you are captivated at the details of the statues and the stories they tell. Inside is like a throne room as things are covered in gold and masterpiece paintings are placed all around. There is in fact, in the center of the chapel a painting of Mary that has been said to perform miracles.

I put this in contrast to the churches that are very common within American evangelicalism. Our churches resemble shopping malls. Which may or may not be a commentary on the influence of culture.... Sure our buildings are state of the art...but that is sometimes exactly what is missing...art!

So what am I getting at? First of all on a theological side of things I completely understand that a "church" is nothing more than a building. It's very inaccurate, in fact, to call it a church when, in fact, the people are the church and the "church" just so happens to be the place where they meet. However, since we go through so much to construct these multi-million dollar "churches" do we at all stop to think about how they should look?

Let me take a break for a second and talk about religious art. I know that many evangelical warning flags are already flapping in the wind at the mere mention of the idea. Often times we associate religious art with some sort of idolatry. People travel for miles to see a statue of Mary that is bleeding, tortillas with the likeness of the Virgin sell on e-bay for thousands of dollars etc. We see people weeping and clutching relics and it seems that the emphasis is on the object rather than the Creator. So religious art often gets a bad rep.

Let me try to re-define religious art a bit. In some cases, yes, it's true idol worship is happening. Yet in others, the iconic image is nothing but a window into the divine. The God of the Bible is a God who wants his people to search him out with all of their being; he has implored us to holistic worship. There are sights and sounds even smells and tastes that are outlined in the OT law. Even the first century church followed suit with things like the Lord's Supper, singing songs, and baptism. All forms of worship that bring together all the senses.

So now it all comes full circle. Are the structures that we find ourselves in on Sunday mornings designed to bring about this holistic form of worship. Is what we see, smell, taste and even feel create a window to the divine?

I know that some people will be creeped out, even offended, at pictures of Jesus or Mary or some other "image" in our sanctuary; but are there any depictions that might strike a cord with you? A thirteenth century chapel will do me just fine. :)

So I went to a cardiologist today. Moving to a foreign country does at times have its moments of nervousness and inconveniences. So much more so when you have a congenital heart defect. Tracking down a good doctor who understands my situation, and one who speaks English was a daunting task. Thankfully with much help form people around me I was able to find a great doctor to do everything I needed. All has gone smoothly and I continue to be healthy! The best part it all costs less then $2... Can't get that service in the good ol' US of A

I was going through this process of a doctor's check up almost for the first time with my girlfriend. To me this is a usual process, my heart condition has become norm and a usual thing that I have to deal with, and usually without too much worry or even second thought. Not so, I guess, for those who are close to me. I've always been the one in the hospital bed, and not usually the one standing beside it. I sometimes wonder which side of the bed is more difficult to endure. I would argue the ones in the waiting room have it much harder...

But all this got me thinking about the problem of evil. That is... Why was I made this way? What did I do to deserve such an arduous load to bear? Also, why do those around me have to suffer so much as well? Why does it work out this way? Is it completely gratuitous, or some sort of cosmic joke? And not just me but the many people who are even far worse off than I am!

Well, I see such questions from a "cup is half empty" perspective, and I believe God sees it in a completely different perspective as well. Let me take you to one of my favorite passages in all of scripture. John ch. 9. Go ahead and read it. No really, this blog isn't going anywhere, besides it would do you some good to sit back and soak in some of God's word.

Ok so now that you have read it, there are clearly 2 perspectives going on here. Light and dark, sight and blindness. Jesus said this man was born blind so that the works of God could be displayed. And I truly think this captures the answers to a lot of my questions. For truly I am a living testament to the works of God. He has me to display his works to those around me. Here are his works:

-Born without a pulminary artery, turning blue within hours after birth
-Immediate exploratory and emergency surgery
-Two more sugeries to follow up and make 'temporary' fixes
-Surgery four, a breakthrough in technology, the conduit is placed in I go from purple little boy to boy with pretty pink lips
-Surgery 5 deemed 'unsucessful attempt to connect the left lung' yet health improves greatly
-Bout with deadly disease Endochriditus, Doctor says I 'dodged a bullet.'
-Surgery 6 replacement of Conduit followed by a great time of health

All in all a tough road, but God has been good, oh so good. I am healthy and live a beyond normal life. I live across the world and move around without problems. If you were to look at me you would never guess that I have been through what I have. I think that is the beauty of it. God doesn't sit and pout about how the world sucks; how everything is going to hell in a hand basket. He uses such instances to prove His glory. If everything was great and healthy who would need Him?

Its not that He delights in our plight, but rather chooses to take such a grim situation and pour His mercy down and totally change the outcome to be glorious. God is honored through those who are weak. His strength is made perfect in my defects.

The prognosis of my situation is really like everyone elses...it's unknown. Every breath a gift, every day a blessing.