Posts tagged as:

hear

Can you teach stones to talk?

October 9, 2009

written by Stephan Joubert

Stephan JoubertStones aren’t dead. They have ears, as Joshua will tell you when he delivers his last sermon to the people of Israel (Joshua 24). Stones can even cry out, as Jesus will tell you when he enters Jerusalem just before his crucifixion. So how do you then teach stones to talk? Perhaps the following quote from Annie Dillard (Teaching a Stone to Talk, NY, Harper-Perennial, 1992, p. 87-89) shows the way. [read more…]

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Reading vs Hearing

September 21, 2009

written by Stephan Joubert

Stephan JoubertTo read one uses one’s eyes, and to listen one’s ears. Reading is a form of exercise, and requires different skills than hearing. For most of us the bible is just a ‘reading’ book. Nevertheless we find lots of scripture telling us to listen to the Lord. This means that in addition to reading and understanding, you should also hear and listen. Jesus often gave instructions that those who have ears must hear. Thus, the bible is a book to listen to, not just to read… Originally, the people heard the bible with their ears. Hearing is the primary revelation instrument of God. Therefore, learn to listen carefully. Learn to listen in a way that the word of the Lord overwhelms you. You have to listen in a way that you personally meet the living God over and over again in the bible… behind all the letters on paper!

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