If they keep quiet....

m Jackson.jpg
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." -Jesus (Luke 19:37-40)

This last Friday night we attended an event called "Women Rising" in part because our daughter was singing in it and my sister-in-law was helping put it together. It was a number of churches coming together in song, dance, human video and poetry. You can get a small taste in the video we took, excuse my daughters head...what can I say, we are amateurs.

In a part of the country where the Aryan Nation still holds white supremacy parades...this event is an example of the church waging war against principalities and powers that still seek a place in this region.

There is something about being in a crowd that begins to, as Luke put it, "Praise God in loud voices" that challenges the suffocating lethargy that freezes people up in their bodies. God is the Lord of the body, not just the mouth. I love that my black sisters can sing in a freedom of expression that awakens the soul in such a way that the body obeys. Is it necessary...no, well...maybe...but it's far more enjoyable! No rocks crying out here...

Short video here:
Women Rising