This evening was "supposed" to be an evening with some friends sharing God's work in our lives, prayer for one another and lifting up the name of Jesus with songs of praise. The evening started well, sharing stories about our weekend, sharing exciting books that have been recently read, and dining on some homemade bean soup. How could it get any better than this? Church of Acts was happening in our apartment and it was awesome.
It was wonderful and it was only going to get better as the excitement building with anticipation to lift up my God in song!
Unexpected but to no surprise a small complaint from a extra large messenger asked if we could lower the noise above their heads. In respect to our neighbors down below we decided to cut out some instruments and noise in order to keep the peace between our two houses.
Our evening progressed with a time of reflection on the Word and prayers for each other as an alternative to give God praise and our worship.
A couple quite songs wouldn't hurt...right?
We sang one song silently and sang it like a breath of fresh air as a release from our longing desire to sing to our Savior. Then we sang another hoping to continue with songs of praise as we closed our evening.
Just one more song...
One more just to end the night. We sang one more and it was beautiful. It fit right into our understanding of our God who is with us and will meet us where we are.
But it was one song too much for our neighbors down stairs.
"KNOCK, KNOCK" communicated enough that patience had run dry.
As I walked to the door trying to come up with some kind of excuse or apology with the split second I had left before the door fully opened it was already too late. Slowly the door was open wide and eye contact with a pissed neighbor was locked. Scrambling for words to say he beat me to the punch. (Don't worry I do not mean that literally, just in case you wondering their was no brawl at Stone Pine this night)
With a cigarette at hand hoping that the nicotine would be enough to keep him calm my neighbor's words with exhaust from his smoke, "Look man, I f!$^=# asked nicely. My baby is trying to sleep. I asked for you guys to f!$^=# be quiet!"
My response, "sorry man."
Well, there was really nothing I could say to fix what happened but if I can be honest there were plenty of words I was fighting with to say. But we decided to end their and relocate our time at another place. I said my good nights and gave hugs as people left to find myself in front of the computer just to share what God put on my heart.
Living at the Hub has shaken all my preconceived notions of what Jesus said to be the greatest commandments: "loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength" and "loving your neighbor as yourself." The first part of this commandment aligns our hearts, restores our souls, gives us theology, and the means to put our faith into action. The second part gives God permission to break our hearts in order to earnestly listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, challenges our theology and surrenders our will be done to His Kingdom come.
It was wonderful and it was only going to get better as the excitement building with anticipation to lift up my God in song!
Unexpected but to no surprise a small complaint from a extra large messenger asked if we could lower the noise above their heads. In respect to our neighbors down below we decided to cut out some instruments and noise in order to keep the peace between our two houses.
Our evening progressed with a time of reflection on the Word and prayers for each other as an alternative to give God praise and our worship.
A couple quite songs wouldn't hurt...right?
We sang one song silently and sang it like a breath of fresh air as a release from our longing desire to sing to our Savior. Then we sang another hoping to continue with songs of praise as we closed our evening.
Just one more song...
One more just to end the night. We sang one more and it was beautiful. It fit right into our understanding of our God who is with us and will meet us where we are.
But it was one song too much for our neighbors down stairs.
"KNOCK, KNOCK" communicated enough that patience had run dry.
As I walked to the door trying to come up with some kind of excuse or apology with the split second I had left before the door fully opened it was already too late. Slowly the door was open wide and eye contact with a pissed neighbor was locked. Scrambling for words to say he beat me to the punch. (Don't worry I do not mean that literally, just in case you wondering their was no brawl at Stone Pine this night)
With a cigarette at hand hoping that the nicotine would be enough to keep him calm my neighbor's words with exhaust from his smoke, "Look man, I f!$^=# asked nicely. My baby is trying to sleep. I asked for you guys to f!$^=# be quiet!"
My response, "sorry man."
Well, there was really nothing I could say to fix what happened but if I can be honest there were plenty of words I was fighting with to say. But we decided to end their and relocate our time at another place. I said my good nights and gave hugs as people left to find myself in front of the computer just to share what God put on my heart.
Living at the Hub has shaken all my preconceived notions of what Jesus said to be the greatest commandments: "loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength" and "loving your neighbor as yourself." The first part of this commandment aligns our hearts, restores our souls, gives us theology, and the means to put our faith into action. The second part gives God permission to break our hearts in order to earnestly listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, challenges our theology and surrenders our will be done to His Kingdom come.
Outside my balcony at O-223.
