I might be showing my age here a little bit, but do you remember the E.F. Hutton commercials? "When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen". I was reminded this week that God is always speaking and is not limited in the way he speaks. Even when God is silent, his silence says something.

I wish I was as attentive to God's voice as the above mentioned marketing slogan. The truth is, I am hard of hearing most days. In fact, often when God speaks to me in a big way, it's only because I didn't hear him the first 20 times!

I sometimes find myself telling God, "you know, if you would just speak out loud like you did in the bible....it would be much easier for me to understand. Just tell us all the same thing at the same time, and I am sure we could all get our act together". Sometimes when I reflect back on the things I say to God, I wonder how he keeps from laughing and smacking me upside the head all at the same time.

When I tell God to speak louder or more plain, what I'm really saying is "God, I don't want to work to get close enough to you to hear a whisper, or to spend enough time with you to understand they way you speak." It seems God likes to speak in ways that draw us closer to him, not in ways that allow us to stay far away. Everything about God is inviting, even his communication.

He also speaks in as much variety as there is people. To the artist, he speaks through art. To the theologian, he speaks through theology. To the child, he speaks through toys. To the parent, he speaks through children. To the warrior, he speaks through battle. To the dude, through a muscle car. On and on and on....he speaks. I just don't listen well enough.

So what am I learning? What have I heard this week? Despite my best efforts, God is not boring. He's not distant. He's more alive, colorful, passionate and involved then I can even imagine. God is always speaking, to everyone in a variety of ways....even in ways I don't understand or like, but he speaks in ways we can all understand because he is personal. He's not a force, a higher power or some cosmic mist....he's God, he's Lord, he's king, he's friend.

So today, I'm listening...to everything to see what he might have to say.

Job 33:14
For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.

You know Skipp for me, I have "heard" from God a couple of times in my life. It was nto an audible voice....it was a MASSIVE HEAVY emotional touch, and without words I knew exactly what he wanted of me. There were no need for words...words may have taken to long to explain...it was like a "download" of information all at once...and it was terrifying! I am not sure I really would want to go through that again to be honest.

I like what you said, and I think if we "have ears to hear" He will use everything around us to speak to us! C.S. Lewis was deeply touched and spoken to by God through Greek Mythology! It took that to lead him back to God. R.C. Sproul said (and I feel the same) that the book Moby Dick is PACKED with the voice of God pleading to His people! What actually led me to a stronger walk with God MANY years ago was Star Wars! Yes...Star Wars!