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Annie Dillard, christian, christianity, church, corporate worship, God, quotes, Sunday, Teaching a Stone to Talk, worship
As I was thinking about church tomorrow morning, this quote came to mind. I should probably read it at least every Saturday.
The implications of Annie Dillard‘s words are a little unsettling. They should, I think, radically challenge every one of us who plan to attend a church service tomorrow (which should be every one of us who consider ourselves a Christian).
When we gather for worship, do we realize what we’re doing? Are we quite prepared to stand together in the presence of the Holy One, the Alpha and Omega, the sovereign Lord, creator of heaven and earth?
God help us, as we gather in Your presence, to stand in awe of You.
“On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return.” -Annie Dillard in Teaching a Stone to Talk
Interesting quote and definite food for thought. How much harm have we done by our words and actions, supposedly in the name of our Lord, in His service?
More prayer, more reflection, more inner searching before outward action is a good idea.
Are we in touch with Christ, or just massaging our own egos?
Thanks for sharing this!
Good grief! Amazing quote. I must ponder this. What if God actually “showed up” in His power and majesty. Oh my! It’s so hard to think of. Perhaps it’s why we don’t.
Thanks for that.
Andy,
It’s one of my all-time favorite quotes. I really do think I will read it at least every Saturday.
Laurie
It’s a good quote to meditate on. I have no doubt that what we need, more than we even begin to fathom, is for God to do just that–show up in power and majesty.
Fantastic quote, Barry!
I’m a Chinese reader. I know English, I would like to understand this quote, but I can’t find what is “mixing a batch of TNT”. Would you mind explaining a bit? Thanks!