As many of you know, we've got a new dog. She's a 2 or 3 year old lab-pit mix we got from a local shelter just after Thanksgiving. Sarah & the kids were kind enough to let me name her "Pilot," a dog name I've wanted to use ever since reading the following story in a couple of my history books years ago.
My primary historical interest remains the New France era of Canadian history. It's chock full of fascinating characters & almost Tolkien-ish stories & battles. When French settlement began in the 1640s on the island of Montreal (yes, Montreal is an island - in the middle of the St. Lawrence), it was with the purpose of creating a mission colony from which the surrounding Native tribes could be evangelized. At the time, this island settlement, Villemarie, was a strategic outpost in the wilderness far away from the primary French settlement of Quebec. Colonists on the island were always in danger from invading Iroquois from the south.
As my favorite author, 19th century historian Francis Parkman puts it: 20th Century Canadian author Thomas B. Costain puts it this way:
In the same vein as my Advent playlist posting, here's some tunes I'll be soaking in during Lent which starts on Wednesday. Whereas in Advent, the (oversimplified) general attitude is "This world is fallen and messed up. Come God, and make things right," the attitude in Lent is more internal: "I am not right. My sin is the issue. Come and make me right." It's a time of reflection, simplifying, self-denial, a more intense discipleship, and repentance. My experience has been that Easter is a much more powerful holy day/season when we do these things, especially corporately.
Kyrie Eleison - City on a Hill Draw Me Nearer - Caedmon's Call I Repent - Derek Webb Break Our Hearts - Passion Oh Lead Me - delirious? Refine Me - Jennifer Knapp God Be Merciful To Me - Indelible Grace Be Merciful To Me - Caedmon's Call Only You - david crowder band Lead Me - delirious? Before You - Vineyard Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay You Must Increase - Matt Redman Lord Have Mercy - Robin Mark On My Way - Robbie Seay Band Come Let Us Return - Kevin Prosch When My Heart Runs Dry - Matt Redman
For those interested, here are the Lectionary passages that churches all over the world will be examining during corporate worship on Sundays. And here are individual daily readings that complement them.
Champlain's Dream: The European Founding of North America I started the year by reading this thorough biography of Samuel Champlain during my last semester at St. John Fisher. The author does an amazing job of unearthing Champlain, one of my favorite historical figures. I'm fascinated with Fischer's assertion that though there's been countless biographies of Champlain written over the years, that "the new scholarship of the early twenty-first century" allows more light than ever to be shone on this character due to today's archaeology, historical ethnography, archival methods, & the ability to correct old errors. One of the best books I've ever read, & it only confirms the fact that I love early Canadian history more than early US history.
George Eastman: A Biography As soon as I landed the job of my dreams at George Eastman House, I started reading this book (One of my profs at St. John Fisher was kind enough to give me his copy as a graduation present - thanks Father Graff!). As my job entails helping researchers & visitors get the info they need on Eastman & Kodak, this book has become my Bible. Brayer did an incredible job putting this book together (she spent ~8 years going through Eastman's correspondence). It was neat to honor her with the title of G.E. Honorary Scholar in October for her efforts.
The White and the Gold and Century of Conflict The White and the Gold came recommended to me by one of my history professors at Fisher, Professor, MacGregor, who knew I was a fan of Francis Parkman. The book takes a look at Canada's early history. It was neat to see another historian's take on the period. I followed the book by reading Century of Conflict, its sequel in the series. It focuses on the French & Indian Wars: my favorite historical topic. Can't wait to continue by reading the next book in the series in the future.
Francis Parkman: Heroic Historian Having such a respect for Francis Parkman's writings, I was eager to read the biography of the author himself. He was a fascinating man, & wrote his epic series 'France & England in North America' virtually blind. The amount of research he did is staggering, and he was the first person to write about the French & Indian Wars in their entirety because he was one of the first to travel to all the historical grounds to actually see in person where the events took place.
Sheperding A Child's Heart Parenting is one of the most natural things in the world, but it also requires a lot of work & reading up. The book focuses on directing our children's hearts, which as the Bible says, is the place from which behavior & actions flow. Yes it advocates spanking, but never in anger. All I know is that when we stick to these principles, it works. Highly recommended.
Celebrating the Church Year With Young Children and Talking With Your Child About the Church Year I love the different seasons of the church, and how they guide our spirituality and unite the global church - Much like the festivals & seasons in the Old Testament allowed God's people to reenact the works of God. Kids love rhythm and the patterns that it entails. These books offer ideas on celebrating the church seasons with kids. The first book is definitely worth reading & full of great ideas.
GI Joe: A Real American Hero As much as I love thick history books & books on theology/ecclesiology, I also enjoy a little dose of GI Joe comics every morning as I drink my coffee. What else can I say but great characters, good storytelling, & fond memories?
Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Horse and His Boy Before the Prince Caspian movie came out a couple years ago, Sarah & I read the book aloud to each other to reacquaint us with the tale from our childhoods. It made the movie version horrible to watch. The same will probably happen this time around. =)
Raising Faith Filled Kids Another great book on parenting. I think Christians from liturgical backgrounds/churches have more help/weight/power (searching for the right word here & not finding it) behind their guiding their kids in the Lord.
The Pioneers I reread James Fenimore Cooper's The Pioneers this fall. The first time I read the Leatherstocking Tales (the books featuring Hawkeye from Last of the Mohicans), I read them in order of the events taking place. This time around as I spread the books out, I'm gonna read them in the order they were written. This one's a neat tale on a frontier town in Upstate New York just after the Revolution.
Advent Conspiracy and The Gospel According to Jesus These books by Chris Seay challenge Christians to join God in his redemptive work instead of just focusing on morality. In the second book, Chris puts forth that Christians very much misunderstand the word 'righteousness.' When Christ admonishes us to seek first his Kingdom & righteousness, Chris interprets it as 'God's restorative justice.' Rather than Christians putting their primary focus on 'the rules,' which only leads us to break them, we are to see the brokenness around us & join God in fixing it. It's books like these that make me leap up inside and say, "If this is what Christianity is, I'm in." Sarah & I (along with our kids and my sister/brother-in-law) are making the decision to sponsor a child through Compassion International. For us & for our kids, we don't want poverty to be some abstract idea on the other side of the world. But helping and establishing a relationship with a child whose basic needs can easily be met for an affordable amount every month is something we can and want to do.
Here's a playlist of songs I created to listen to during Advent: songs that voice a yearning for God to come & make things right in this fallen world; songs that remind us of Christ's second coming & put us back in Israel's shoes as they waited for their Liberating King:
Wake Up Dead Man - U2 O Come Emmanuel - david crowder The Trumpet Child - over the rhine My Deliverer - rich mullins Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - derek webb & sandra mccracken Prepare Ye The Way - caedmon's call Psalm 13 - shane barnard He Is Coming - andrew osengra Come Like You Promise - delirious? Rescue is Coming - david crowder band Coming Toward - david crowder band Come Then, Lord Jesus - indelible grace The Man Comes Around - johnny cash
David Crowder Band's A Collision Album along with Songs from the Voice Volume 2 are also great albums with Advent themes.
So last week, I had one of the most enjoyable nights of my life as I finally saw my favorite band, Iona, live for the first time.I first heard them back in ’97, & have been a diehard fan since then.Iona is a Celtic folk/progressive rock/jazz band from the UK, whose musicianship has always been top notch.The band got their start back in 1989, and as guitarist and band leader Dave Bainbridge says, “From the beginning, Iona was seen not as a band that hoped to 'make it' into the big time - rather a means by which the musicians could freely express their art form without compromise.”Old friend and columnist Mike Rimmer saw in the beginning the band’s “desire to make music that wasn’t simply using the words of songs to communicate.Instead like an artist creates different colors on his palate and then creates something beautiful on a canvas, [they] wanted the music itself to create moods, evoke grand themes and express something much deeper.”The band’s ethereal vocals and keyboards, masterful guitar solos, thunderous bass, powerful drums, beautiful sax, and Irish flutes/pipes create one of the most unique sounds you’ll ever hear.True to its progressive rock roots, many of the band’s dynamic songs consist of different movements and a few of the songs go over 10 minutes.
Not only is the band’s sound unique, but its lyrical content and focus as well.The founding band members were particularly fascinated with early Celtic Christianity, its Saints, its approach to nature, and its lasting effect on European culture.In the music, they wanted to “express something of the richness of these Island's Celtic Christian heritage,” and in this way breathe life on a Christianity too often marked by gimmick-iness and materialism.Many of the band’s songs explore different Celtic Saints, their faith, their journeys, and many old prayers have been woven into the music.In this regard, its lyrical content was folk in the truest sense – stories.Iona’s music earned many fans throughout Europe, Christian and non-Christian alike.The band became renown for its electrifying live performances, and the band’s music soon caught many ears in the States as well.Despite Iona’s deep faith, the band chose to let the music speak for itself in their shows and prided themselves that “there is nothing at all 'preachy' about Iona's music” - something that made them at home whether at Christian music venues or progressive rock festivals.
Unfortunately, the band has gone through many lineup changes over the years.In its early days, Iona had a Chapman Stick player, a rather odd bass-like instrument that fitted the band’s music perfectly.They have since had a standard bass.In 1998, Iona lost their saxophone player, and instead of finding a replacement, chose to pursue a 5-piece sound without it.One of the band’s most constant and most talented members, Troy Donockley, became more and more an integral part of Iona’s sound with his pipes and impressive guitar work as the band’s number of members dwindled.In time, Troy made it known that he wasn’t a Christian like the others and was in the band for the music – something the other band members were fine with and something I think is quite neat.But after a while, it became clear that the Christian members of the band had to ‘neuter’ the lyrical content in order to keep Troy in the band, the result being 2006’s impressive effort, “This Circling Hour,” the band’s only album without any reference to Celtic Christianity.In 2009, after 14 years with Iona, Troy left Iona, perhaps the most crushing departure for them ever music-wise.(He cited a difference in overall philosophy along with the band’s frequent inactivity – most members have families and other pursuits and live far apart from each other – making writing sessions and gigs extremely sparse as of late).
Thankfully, with the addition of Martin Nolan this year, Iona found an impressive pipes player that could play Troy’s integral parts.But unlike Troy, Martin does not play guitar as well, making a number of songs if not impossible or more difficult, then less impressive.As big and as faithful a fan of Iona that I am, I’ll admit that they have their weakest lineup to date.Also disappointing is the band’s new lyrical focus and direction.Now that all the members are Christians again, the band has decided to push the music in an overtly Christian direction – but not like the band’s founding thematical content of Celtic Christianity (which I and many others are fine with and enjoy), but rather songs about revival, prophesy, and spiritual warfare.The song titles from their upcoming studio album give you a sense of what’s in store: “White Horse,” “Another Realm,” “The Ancient Wells,” “Let Your Glory Fall,” and “Clouds,” a song about (what they believe to be) a correlation between strange cloud formations and spiritual warfare.
Up ‘til this point, Iona’s albums could be appreciated by Christians and non-Christians alike - something I really admired.In a 2006 interview, Dave Bainbridge went so far as to confide, “I think it's been unfortunate that sometimes we're referred to as a 'Christian' band as I'm sure this label…may alienate those who don't adhere to the Christian faith.”And as I mentioned earlier, their gig atmosphere has always been jovial and music-driven, where people from any background could enjoy themselves and be treated to some of the best music on the planet.But with Iona’s change in overall direction, it appears this balance is gone.
It was with this feeling that I went into my first Iona concert last week. The last time Iona came to the US was ’97, so this was my first opportunity to see them live.A couple friends and I made a four and a half hour trip up to Belleville, Ontario for a gig on June 24.The band brought out many classic Iona favorites and three songs from the upcoming studio album.The music was tight, and I was particularly impressed with Frank Van Essen’s drumming (I’m a drummer, and Frank has been one of the greatest influences on my playing/approach).The band brought out one of their songs US fans have been clamoring for on this tour, Inside My Heart, but only because someone in the crowd could play the essential guitar part that Troy used to play.The new songs were solid musically, but weren’t anything strikingly different than they’ve done before.Throughout their six studio albums, Iona has made it a point to never “repeat [themselves]” musically, making each album unique.The new songs sounded much like the rhythmic material from their last studio effort, and the outro of “Ancient Wells” sounded like a rehash of an old song.
And then of course there was the lyrical direction of the new songs/evening.Joanne talked pretty intensely about her desire to see revival, “glory clouds,” and such.And at one point in the show, she asked those at the concert wanting to see revival to come up front during one of their songs.This is a clear departure from their shows up to this point, where the music spoke for itself and rarely got “preachy.”I am a Christian, but I can’t say I’m on board entirely with the band’s new direction and theology espoused in their upcoming album.To me, Iona isn’t Iona without their particular focus on the Celtic Christian past, one of the founding essences of the band.Up to this point, I’m confident I could hand any of their albums to a non-Christian into Celtic Folk and Progressive Rock and that they would enjoy it thoroughly.Now I think the lyrics are so over-the-top that they are bound to alienate those who don’t subscribe to their particular religious beliefs.
I am glad I went to the Belleville show. I had a great time.Seeing them live has been a dream of mine for years.I got to meet the band briefly after the show, have them sign a copy of their setlist the tour manager was kind enough to give me, and tell Frank just what a big influence his playing has been.But in some respects the night left me a bit disappointed: I was struck by how the music and songwriting has been impacted with the departure of Troy.(I wish I could have seen a few shows back when the band was in their prime – I would love to have seen them with the Chapman Stick, a sax player, Troy, and their old drummer Terl).I remain a huge fan and will continue to support them and listen to them, but I can’t help but feel that in many respects they are going downhill.I’ll of course buy and enjoy the new album when it comes out later this year, but I hope at some point they’ll return to getting more inspiration from Celtic Christianity than from Rick Joyner and the Florida Outpouring.But even if the Iona I’ve grown to love is mostly gone, I’m thankful for the experience at Belleville, for the years of incredible music, and for their extensive catalog that never gets old.Thanks Iona!
I never liked history much in high school. It wasn't until I was about 20 that I started gaining an appreciation for it. In my community college American history class in 2004, the French & Indian War was briefly glossed over. When I later found out how important Upstate NY was as a battleground for this War, I was intrigued. At Barnes & Noble one day, I browsed through the history section looking for a good book on the Conflict. I stumbled across Francis Parkman's Montcalm & Wolfe and decided to purchase it and read it.
It was a great read. Parkman, who lived & wrote in the mid-19th Century, was an incredible writer. This review on Amazon says it all (and better than I ever could): Parkman was indeed a "titan of history writing." "His [Homeric] tales...assume a mythological status, and the main protagonists...are larger than life." The final showdown between the French & English over control of the North American Continent "assumes the same proportions as Hector and Achilles..." Well said Matherson.
When I found out that 'Montcalm & Wolfe' was only the last book in a series Parkman wrote covering the greater conflict between France & Britain for North America, I purchased the entire series (available in 2 well put-together volumes) and read it voraciously. In the 3 months before our son Aidan was born, I was totally immersed in the series. It was without a doubt the best literary experience of my life. I get goosebumps thinking about it (yeah, I know; I'm a nerd). Parkman's thorough and detailed history and beautiful writing kind of remind me of JRR Tolkien's works.
Another similarity with Tolkien is the importance of geography to the work. (For me, I can't read Lord of the Rings or The Silmarillion without a detailed map on hand. History and geography are intertwined and must go together). Because Parkman's books don't have detailed maps of many of the places he mentions, I've always had to make my own maps to truly grasp this history. The absence of maps in Parkman's books actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It's been a great experience pouring over maps, researching where these forts, missions, and settlements were. (Below is a custom map I'm making noting where important geographical and historical places in Parkman's work are). Reading Parkman has only made me fall more in love with the Northeast. I love being surrounded by all this history. It's nothing I'll ever be able to sufficiently explain to people, but it's a spiritual thing for me; I have a connection to this area. In the back of my mind, I fantasize about living in the Albany/Saratoga region of NY, where we'd be smack dab in the middle of all this stuff. (Plus Albany is half way between my hometown of Rochester and Portland, Maine - where my parents live).
Since we moved back to NY from AZ two years ago, I've been trying to visit many of these places of historical significance. It's been surreal going to places like Pemaquid, Lake George, & Quebec City. This summer, we're gonna try to do a few road trips around NY state visiting cool sites. It'll be neat meeting my parents later this month in Ticonderoga for their annual Grand Encampment. Sarah & I have been talking about making a trip to Nova Scotia after I graduate in 2010.
So I owe a big debt to Francis Parkman. Someday after I graduate, I would love to somehow spread that passion for history in whatever it is I do, whether teaching, or working in a library or historic site. If I had the balls, luck, & oppurtunity, I think it'd be neat to work on/publish some sort of visual companion to Parkman's work, noting where all the places he mentions are, what those places are like today, along with historical notes, pertinent archaeological info, and what the best places to visit are. To those that love history, Parkman's work is a must-read. His work has endured a century and a half and it's just as readable today. For those who don't usually like history but love great literature, give it a shot. I plan on rereading his stuff every year.
I'm sure I'll get some laughs for this, but I still really enjoy the X-Men. Growing up, I wasn't really into the comic books. It requires too much money and you have to get every issue to get & make sense of the complete story. But I really soaked up the animated series in the 90s. Cartoons, unlike the recent superhero movie craze, really are a great medium for the telling of these characters' stories.
And at their core, that's what the whole superhero thing is all about. To quote Greg Garrett, an author and professor at Baylor University who someday hopes to be a Priest in the Episcopal Church, "comics...represent some of the best storytelling around." In fact, 'superheroes' have always been a part of humanity's mythology and folklore. You can go all the way back to the Greek gods or the Hebrew Bible's "strongmen and prophets." There is something in these myths that "reflect our fears, desires, and beliefs." Garrett likens comics/superheroes to studying the lives of Saints and Martyrs. They teach us and inspire us.
To me, there is no better example than the X-Men. First of all, they are a community, so you get to see great interaction that isn't present in Spider-Man and the like. The X-Men universe also has an eery apocalyptic element in them. We see humanity at its worst and we see history spiraling towards an end we don't want. The X-Men thus represent hope in that crisis. Most of all, the X-Men can be a great metaphor for the Church. They are in the world but don't feel that they are "of it." Even though they are persecuted by the world, they are charged with protecting it and being a blessing to it.
This comes back to the cartoons. A few months ago, I bought the 90's series on DVD, and recently got the more newer X-Men: Evolution on DVD. Both are great shows. The first is classic; the second is an interesting spin on their story in that they are all young, growing up in Xavier's Institute, learning to use their powers. The great thing about comic heroes, is that there can be multiple shows, stories, and continuities. As long as the basic premise is the same and the characters are largely as they were established in the comics, there's lots of room for storytellers to play around. This week, a third X-Men cartoon premieres in the US (it's already aired in Canada and other places around the world. It's airing later in the US to coincide with the upcoming Wolverine Origins flick). Wolverine and the X-Men is without a doubt the best superhero cartoon ever made. The animation, story, characters, and music are all incredible. I won't give away the plot, but it takes the whole apocalyptic thing even further. And more so than the other X-Men cartoons, the series is one big, sweeping story. So for those so inclined, tune in this Friday for the first episode on NickToons. For those without cable, Marvel.Com will be streaming the latest episode every Saturday. Enjoy!
I grew up in Rochester, NY. I spent 8 years in Phoenix, AZ where I met my wife Sarah and our son Aidan was born. We are back in Rochester. I just graduated from St. John Fisher College with a degree in History, and I am now working at George Eastman House.
