It has been a while since I’ve posted anything.
So here we go…
Last Christmas my wife got the family (but mostly me) a record player.
An old school vinyl record player.
Nothing too fancy, just something to spin the record and pull the music through the needle to our ears.
I’ve really enjoyed listening to music on vinyl. This is not a discussion about quality (Oh man…vinyl is so much warmer..). Besides, the quality of the speakers on our record player will not allow for that to happen ever…
But I’ve come to learn I enjoy the active participation of listening to vinyl.
The act of opening the record player.
Pulling out the album and cleaning it of dust before putting it on the turntable.
Then laying the needle down…
And after a few songs repeating this process to turn to the next side.
I can’t walk away and have it keep playing forever (or ever how long is in my iTunes library).
Because I’m actively listening I’m hearing all the songs, I’m being fully present with the music.
In this super connected/digital age we’re in are we fully engaging with the folks we encounter? Or are we being pulled by the alerts/beeps/notifications going off in our pockets?
I’ve begun leaving my phone in the kitchen. Letting it ring. Ignoring the beeps (even turning off the notifications). That’s also why I haven’t posted much during summer break – I’ve been actively engaged in our kids’ lives – not sitting down at the computer…
As Christians are we being actively engaging in our community?
Are we actively listening?
8 Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. 9 Open your homes to each other without complaining.
1 Peter 4:8-9 (CEB)
Are we being sincere in how we open ourselves to others and inviting the LOVE of Christ, the Holy Spirit into all that we do?
Red Chair Music 