Reflections on BBQ and Brimstone...

Yesterday, I was sitting under the tracks of the MindEraser at Elitch Gardens, and with the noise of joyfully screaming youngsters in the background - I posed a question to my friend Sean.

I asked what his thoughts on experiencing God in worship were recently.

Among his answers (very insightful and honest), he noted that part of his time in worship is spent simply asking the question: "am I living the way I should be?"

I made a mental note about how it struck me when Sean said this simple line. I began to realize that so often I over-think worship and how we are to encounter the living God. I often think of reflection of Sean's nature as regulatory, guilt-filled and legalistic. But really, is there anything that can lead more to freedom and peace than tossing all of ones life before God and letting him pick through it and gently let me know what is good for me and what is not?

I realize that this is much easier said than done. I feel that most folks don't need someone to tell them that they have done things that are wrong, but instead someone to create a space for them to process their life and decisions - good and bad. I also found something so simple, deep and beautiful about Sean's insight, and even with the antiquated, evangelical images that this notion conjured up in my mind.

I realize that there have been many wounds and misconceptions doled out by the traditional, "are you livin' right with God?," preacher. But, there is a beauty in simply reflecting on a daily basis on such questions:

Am I living/loving like Jesus?
Am I giving all I can to the poor and those in need?
Am I giving my heart to my wife, kids, or friends as much as I should?
Where do my daily priorities fall?

Quite often I feel I could be quite satisfied and fulfilled singing a few hymns and hearing a simple message at a quaint country church, shooting the breeze and asking the above questions with good friends over a beer and BBQ that afternoon.

In theory and practice, is post-post-modern synonymous with post simplicity?