pondering fragrant oil

Pondering "the question" again...What is Worship?

We were discussing in our class recently Mary who washed Jesus' feet...and trying to put her in modern day context. A couple of things that we concluded:

• she was a woman that respected religious leaders look down on
• she had a dodgy background, probably she was acquainted with the ways of the world
  
• and she had money, took about a years salary to buy some exquisite oil - only to pour it out empty on the feet of the Lord

I like to think of this Mary as a performance artist, and yet I will not pretend to even be able to scratch the surface in meanings of this act of worship - we do know that she was taking some big risks...risking her reputation - what important people thought of her...risking her future as she poured out her future financial security on His feet. I believe Mike Bickle, in his book,Passion for Jesus: Cultivating Extravagant Love for God really unpacks this much better than I can.



...lets just camp on the expensive oil part....many of us can't imagine an oil that would cost tens of thousands of dollars (remembering it cost about a years wage). We think, extra virgin olive oil from the supermarket is under $10. Now if there are any aromatherapists reading this, they are acquainted with expensive, exquisite oil....I will not pretend to be knowledgable in this area, I do know that a one oz bottle of some oils like real rose absolute can be as much as $100 or more...

In one translation it says that the "fragrance of the oil filled the house".....Oh Lord that the fragrance of worship would fill our homes, gatherings and lives...drawing a dieing world to the feet of the Lord.

Image from this artisan's website.

fabric

i took perhaps one or two years of rhythm gymnastics and felt very clumsy adding props to dance...Fabric can be a wonderful addition to a dance, whether it is choreographed, improvised, for the audience of One (the One), or for a gathering.

The exercise in the last post, bubble painting, can be done with fabric. Large or small chiffon or organza scarves work well. Carving or swirling while holding it in both hands or just one hand or alternate. Contrast is ALWAYS a good thing in choreography...for example, you want variety of levels in a dance - high, medium, and low...not just in one level.

Swirl....Wave....Throw it up high, and dance under it....Throw it up high and catch it with a different body part.

p.s. that is not me in the picture...it's beautiful to watch, but i have absolutely NO desire to put on point shoes!

Full Body Warm-Up

Bubble Painting Warm-up or Improv Exercise

Imagine you are in a bubble - it is as high as you can reach, and as wide as you can reach. Starting with using the top of your head, paint your bubble, covering high, medium, and low spaces. Paint with the back of your head...paint with your shoulder...now with an elbow...your forewarm...the back of your hand(s)...the palm of your hand...your pointer finger...your spine...your knee...alternating knees....your heel...toe...you get the idea! As you paint, explore all levels of space and vary your strokes...paint swirls, pokka-dots, zigzags, or lines....the possibilities are limitless. Paint with 2 body parts. Alternate body parts....a swirl leads into another stroke with another body part, which leads into a carve of another body part. The secret is not to get too analytical about it, or else you'll stop moving to think about what movement you are going to do next. If I can make one more suggestion in the execution of this activity, it would be to encourage you to eyetrack your strokes, rather than look outside of your bubble - it'll make a huge difference in how you feel, and how it appears. Some people like to do this choreographic exercise with their eyes closed - just becareful as that can effect your balance. Enjoy, have fun, and Worship Him as you do this!

"I've always wanted to dance in Worship, but never knew what to do. Now I just paint my bubble" - Cheryl

the importance of countenance

The focus and countenance of the dancers is wonderful in this. It is genuine, bright, and emotional. There is a fine line when it comes to stage presence, between 'over-emoting' (being overly emotional), and having no presence at all - the absence of genuine feeling or emotion. Both extremes are hard to watch and tend to make the observers uncomfortable. A good stage presence starts with the presence of one's heart in the peice. Facially, it can be as simple as opening the eyes, lifting the cheek bones, and making sure that there is a nice amount of space between the collar bones and chin (releasing the head towards the cieling as you lengthen the spine). A simple peice with good or striking stage presence puts a lifeless peice that is full of tricks and complicated moves to shame.

the Question

Being pregnant four times in the last four years, resulting in two beautiful littles under 3 - makes time for teaching on the minimum side.

Recently I started a once a week class at a local private Christian school. The question or discussion I usually start a session with is, "What is Worship?" I've discussed this topic or question with probably 100's of children and youth throughout the last decade....and I'm always surprised at the majority of thought. 'worship is singing', 'worship is reading your bible, it's this, that and the other'.....so then over the course of the term or session, we come to the realization that those things are a manifestation of worship. Its kind of like when I teach in public schools, movement education (creative movement), I am always surprised at how many 12 year olds don't know where their heels or elbows are.

What is worship? Job, in the bible, is a great example, so is Mary who washed Jesus' feet - in both cases, I guess it started in the attitudes of their hearts. Starting with a genuine contriteness of heart, and a keen awareness of desperation and adoration of the Lord...