Michael Hart - Direct from Michael Hart

MP3's

Michael Hart

January

SPRING 2006

During winter, Vancouver is not an accurate reflection of the rest of Canada. Similarly with spring, the city has bloomed its first cherry blossoms and the rest of Canada is hoping to catch up to the daffodils that have sprouted on the early side. I wouldn't want to arouse any envy here, I'm just glad spring is here. It's one of my favorite seasons. And today is the first day of spring.

Whenever I write, I have to battle the old voice that whines "maybe you don't have anything important to say... will anyone be really interested?... maybe you need to wait." But then I realize I have been waiting. The winter wait is over. So now it's my pleasure to write about BLESSING. Being a Christian in this culture is not for cowards. There is certain vehemence about Christian faith and a lot of energy being devoted to alternatives to faith in God. I've been told by a few that I'd be more successful if I took the God stuff out of my music. I'm saying this as one who has has been too affected by what others thought of me. There is so much "explaining away" of God, the association of God with hypocrisy, fantasy and neurosis. It is an atmosphere that seems counter productive for faith to grow. Within this climate, God's bad identity is easily reinforced. But there is a way forward and that way forward, for me at least, is to maintain a life of praise and blessing that joins a life of service. It's one way in which the negative projections can be stemmed, and for faith's vigor not to be paralysed.

There is a verse in Acts3:25 that sums up why Jesus came. "He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed'. Ultimately, He came to bless. He came to bless Abraham, the people of Israel through him, finally completing the history by extending the blessing to all nations, all peoples. He did not come to condemn, but to bless. Anything that affirms,enhances, respects and liberates is part of blessing. Anything that negates, humiliates, binds and denigrates is the opposite of blessing and has to do with cursing. I cannot find a one example of Jesus cursing anyone, at any time. Warnings, yes, but not cursing. He still blesses people with His love and presence. His grace and acceptance are a blessing. He came to bless.

I rest my case. I won't be put out or made insecure by winters that cause me to hide from the elements - and there will be more winters. I will seek a life of praise, to bless others and to serve mankind in the places God puts me. Because of His blessing, I have a massive assurance: I am respected, I'm deeply loved... and so are you.

Thanks to all of you who continue to support my music ministry,
God bless, truly.....