What God did and didnt say

I attended the Lutheran service at the Berliner Dome last Sunday. It was rather elaborate and traditional. What does God think of all this, I wondered...

Well, God never told us to build big churches with tall steeples. He never said to hang up paintings of Jesus or install stained glass windows. He never suggested we light candles, have wooden pews or a crucifix on the front wall. He didnt require and organ to accompany hymns (or a worship band either, for that matter).

But He did command us to love Him first and foremost. Then to love each other deeply, serve our neighbours and our enemies. To be patient and humble. To uphold justice and defend the cause of the fatherless. To be joyful always, to devote ourselves to prayer, to be filled with thanksgiving.To train up our children in His ways, to preach the word, to take the bread and wine in remembrance of Him. To be still and konw that He is God.

And so, I guess, whatever helps with (and doesnt distract from) any of the above, I'm OK with (and think He is too)

Good to be back

I'm back in the West - The wild wild West.

Where traffic is civilised and crossing the road isn't short of suicide
Where rubbish is found in rubbish bins and houses aren't grilled up
Where dogs are on leashes and cats, too, have owners
Where the price printed is the price paid
Where busses run on schedules (or heck, there exists a schedule),
appointments are made and appointments are kept.

Its not that I didnt like the East or that I couldnt live there.
Just noticed that, though Im still on the other side of the world,
Its nice to be back.