A debtor to Mercy alone

Lent Playlist

2011-03-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

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.

Books I read in 2010

2010-12-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

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.

Advent Playlist

2010-12-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

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.

My 1st Iona Concert - Review

2010-06-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

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!

Francis Parkman & the Northeast

2009-06-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

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.

Wolverine & The X-Men

2009-01-20T05:13:00.000-08:00

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!

Jesus as the only way to God

2009-01-16T06:51:00.001-08:00

This is one of my favorite passages from one of my favorite authors, the late Robert Webber:

"Years ago, the hundredth archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Ramsey, was in the United States and was interviewed on the Johnny Carson Show. The next person to be interviewed ignored Johnny Carson and instead turned to the archbishop and said, 'Archbishop, there is one thing about your viewpoint I don't like. You say there is only one way to God. I don't believe that! I think there are many ways to God and to assert exclusivity is arrogant.' The archbishop responded, 'My dear, I have never said there is only one way. It was Jesus who said it. As a follower of Jesus, I have no right to contradict him. I am called to be faithful to him and to his teaching.'"

-Ancient-Future Evangelism (pg 130)

Wow, I need to blog more (winter update)

2009-01-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody, it's been a heck of a long time since I've sat down & blogged. In the past, blogging has always taken a lot of effort for some reason. It's much like writing an essay for school: I would think of a (sometimes deep) topic, & take my time rearranging it & crafting it until it's finally presentable. But because I've been so busy with school, I haven't felt like sitting down & spending the time on a blog. So I think it's high time to take my blogs less seriously & just write about whatever, especially the fun day-to-day stuff of life.

This time around, I'll just update everyone on our year & what's been going on with us; especially for all my Phoenix friends whom we miss so much. 2008 was a cool year. My school schedule has been great, so I've been able to be home a lot with Aidan & Sarah. Being a dad is awesome. I know this is kinda weird, but every time I look at Aidan I see a little me. He's like my mini-me. This age is so much fun. He knows how to make us laugh & is doing new things all the time that blow us away. We got Aidan a little drumset for Christmas. He loves that thing. He loves coming alongside me when I play drums at church. He's not content leaving church on Sunday 'til he's banged on the drums a bit.

2008 was cool because I ended up getting many of the cool shows I watched as a kid on DVD. So Aidan & I daily sit down & watch an episode of GI Joe, X-Men, C.O.P.S., or Gummi Bears. We've even starting collecting little action figures. Yup, I'm getting him started young. Aidan can point out Hulk, Spider-man, & Wolverine...That's my boy!

School has been going really well. It's funny. I had teachers at Community College in Phoenix that really tried putting the fear into us of what a University was like, & how different it is than CC. I guess in some ways it's true, but for me it's been an easy transition. I've had fun, interesting classes & great teachers. I've gotten all A's thus far (one A- !). Half of getting A's is just staying on top of the reading. My favorite classes so far have been Indians in American Culture, Museum/Historic Site administration, & War at Sea in the Age of Sail. This coming Spring semester will be my busiest semester at Fisher. But after that, my senior year should be pretty light. I'm taking off from drumming at church for 3 months, which should help ease my load. People ask what I'm going to do with a bachelors in History. I'm still not entirely sure. I love learning about stuff that I love; that's my primary reason for going to school. It's something I wanted to do for myself. After graduation, I'd love to work in a museum, historic site, or non-profit, but if not I'm fine with it. As long as I help pay the bills & enjoy what I do, I don't care.

Being in our own home has been awesome. We got blessed with a great house at a great price in a good neighborhood that's close to everything. We're within 5 miles of my school, Sarah's work, our church, & many of our church friends. I love living in the city. I've been a suburbanite all my life, so it's neat being close to everything. We've got an older home (made in the 20s), & I know nothing about home repair. But I know people that do. (Plus I've been watching Handy Manny for tool advice). Rochester had a very snowy December, but if I recall correctly, it was only 2 or 3 storms that required shoveling. No big deal.

No joke, the best part of having our own place is that we can watch movies at a good volume whenever we want. I hated having to keep the volume really low in our past apartments/duplex as to not offend anyone. There are movies that I'm dedicated to watching every December: Gangs of New York, Little Women, Cold Mountain, & Lord of the Rings. Because I'm on Christmas break, I've been watching the behind-the-scenes discs of all the LotR movies. It makes for a great experience. With our Christmas money, I think we're gonna get an LCD flatscreen TV. We're set on getting a 37".

Unfortunately, 2008 was a lackluster year spiritually for me. I totally slacked. I barely read my Bible or prayed. I could easily have set aside 15 minutes a day for that stuff but didn't. To make it worse, because of Aidan's age, we have to keep him occupied during church. I haven't been able to intently listen to a sermon at our church in ages. (And I still really wish our church had small groups. We were blessed at VCFNP & Oneplace with great ones). I'll have to start listening to my own church's podcasts. I'm resolving to do the whole Bible in a year thing this year, which I haven't done in a while. Everybody needs to check out The Voice. It's a new, refreshing translation that really takes you into the story. I've never enjoyed reading the Bible as much as I do now.

Well take care everyone. To all our Phx friends: we miss you, love you, & look forward to seeing you all (hopefully this summer). More blogs to come.

thank you: delirious?

2008-07-10T08:34:00.001-07:00

So worship-rock pioneers delirious? announced this week that they'll be calling it quits at the end of 2009. This comes 5 months after their drummer Stew Smith announced his departure to spend more time with his family & local business. Though I haven't really been into delirious? the past few years, their announcement this week has brought back a flood of great memories and musical moments.

I first heard of the band back in my youth group days. Before service one night, their video Sanctify was playing. Our youth pastor ended up getting their double-disc worship release Cutting Edge soonafter. I began falling in love with the album and bought it and their next release King of Fools in 1998. It was during this time that I got my first guitar. I got all the chord sheets to Cutting Edge, and so I basically learned to play guitar as I worshiped in my room playing the songs from Cutting Edge.

I was working for a Christian bookstore in FL when their live album Live & In The Can came out in 1998. Perhaps no other worship album has had such an effect on me. The band's ability to improvise musically and take the worship music "wherever it goes" really struck me. No doubt this spontaneity made room for my future love for "jam music" like Dave Matthews Band & Phish. I remember blasting Obsession from this album on my speakers and just being completely absorbed by the music.

In Spring 1999 their album Mezzamorphis came out. To this day, this album remains my favorite delirious? album, and one of my top 5 favorite albums ever. This was delirious? at their peak. It was musically progressive, lyrically solid, and an impressive thematic album. I never shuffle through this one. The songs are ordered perfectly (on the UK version - the US Sparrow release screwed up the order): the beginning of the album focuses on the "now and not yet" aspect of God's Kingdom; the middle focuses on the struggles we face as believers, while the final third of the album crescendos in songs of praise climaxing in the powerful song Blindfold.

While my family & I moved to AZ in 1999, I read the band's biography Purepop. The band has a fantastic story. It was neat seeing how God worked in their lives and brought them together. From 2000-2002 the band released three mediocre albums. Glo and Touch certainly have their high points, but were disappointing. It was around this time that I feel the band really started struggling with their identity. It's like they had to draw distinct lines between their worship albums & rock albums targeted towards mainstream listeners.

After another great live album (Access:D), the band released World Service in 2003. The band seemed to be getting more comfortable with who they were, and the result was commendable. Though perhaps their tightest album musically, I agree strongly with Steve Stockman that delirious? had succumbed to the cliche worship lyrics of the time. Whereas Martin's lyrics in the past really set a new standard in worship songwriting, the band had ceased to forge new ground lyrically. Nonetheless, World Service remains a great album.

I finally got to see them live in Phoenix November 26, 2004. It was a great experience as Sarah & I were in the 2nd row in an extremely small venue. By shouting Stew's nickname "Smee" several times I was able to establish eye contact and cheer him on. I wish I could have gotten the opportunity to meet him and tell him his drumming has been a great influence.

Since then, like I said, I haven't been into them much. I was really disappointed with 2005's The Mission Bell. They lost me the moment I heard Tobymac rap on "Solid Rock," which would otherwise be a good song. I haven't even purchased or heard their last album Kingdom of Comfort.

I wish the band and their families well. Even though they are calling it quits, my hope is that they continue to release live albums and shows for download or something. They've got a plethora of great live music to pick from. I know I'd love a copy of the show I went to in 2004.

So thank you delirious! Thanks for your hearts for God, your special place in worship music, for Mezzamorphis, for the ? in your name, and the great memories over the years. I'll miss you guys.

Loving our enemies

2008-07-07T08:45:00.000-07:00

"...there it [is] in the Sermon on the Mount, very clear: 'Love your enemies. Return good for evil.' Either accept what Christ said, as unpassable and silly as it may seem, or deny him completely."

-Father George Zabelka, as quoted in Jesus for President

The Film Talk

2008-03-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hey people. For any other movie fans out there, I’ve got a great website/podcast I’d highly recommend. Gareth Higgins, my favorite movie critic and author of How Movies Helped Save My Soul, has teamed up with a friend of his to create The Film Talk. The Podcast is basically a review of a particular movie every week. The interaction between Jett & Gareth is great, and they point out a lot of neat stuff.

Recently, they discussed No Country For Old Men, The Assassination of Jesse James, & There Will Be Blood, which I found really interesting. Gareth points out that all three films essentially deal with an aspect of "America’s Shadow" & some of America’s foundational myths.

There Will Be Blood looks at the issues of land, greed, & the inevitable isolation that greed leads to. Like a lot of critics, Jett is keen on the similarities between Kubrick’s 2001 and this film.

No Country For Old Men is essentially about eradicating people that get in your way, which of course America did to the Native Americans. The ultimate point of the film being good people are just at a loss sometimes confronting evil.

The Assassination of Jesse James (my favorite out of the three) examines how we throw celebrity status on people who are famous for doing bad things. This definetely feels like a Terrence Malick film to me. I guess it’s kind of odd I really enjoy movies like this. Sarah fell asleep watching this one. Also, the soundtrack for this movie is one of the best I’ve heard.

So anyways, check out their podcast. Anyone else see these films? What’d ya think?

Winter update / misc. stuff

2008-03-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

Man, I haven’t written a blog in forever. Life has been busy for sure. I’m loving school. I’m taking classes in Archaeology, Indians in American Culture, the Holocaust, & Museum Studies. My favorite is probably Indians in American Culture. We watch movies and read books/historical documents, and look at how Native Americans are portrayed. I lucked out this semester. Only 1 class with actual tests. The others are filled with various projects and papers. Most of my classes this semester are on Tuesdays & Thursdays, so essentially I’ve got 5 days a week to do homework and study.

Aidan is getting so big! I cannot believe he’ll be a year in April. That blows my mind. He’s just starting to walk a little; taking a few steps towards us at a time. It’s so cool to see him grow and do new things all the time. Our church here is doing baptisms/baby dedications on Aidan’s birthday in April. That’ll be awesome to have him dedicated on his 1st birthday.

Finances have been rough here. So much in fact, that I even admit it would have been smarter to stay in Phoenix for a while ’til I graduated. We even occasionally bring up the idea of moving back to AZ, even though it goes against every fiber of my being. Hopefully, we’ll be in better shape after I get a job this summer, whatever it is. Be praying for us if you could.

Aidan & I are flying out to Portland, Maine next week to visit my family for my Easter Break. It’ll be great to hang out with my parents. And Portland is amazing. In April, Sarah & Aidan are going to Phoenix for a visit. I wish I could go, but it’s the week before my finals. I know they’re looking forward to seeing family & friends.

Other stuff:
-I’m getting back into NBA basketball again. It sucks not having cable, so every Sunday afternoon I try to watch a game on ABC. Go Kings & Suns.

-I am beyond impressed with Victory Brewing Co. in PA. They make some of the best beer I’ve ever tasted. Their Hop Wallop & Storm King Imperial Stout are out of this world.

-Why does every printer we have end up biting the dust within a year or so after our purchase? We’ve gone through 4 of them. Screw it. We’re just gonna live without a printer for a while.

-Go Obama.

The wounded singer on his way

2007-12-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

I remember back in 1998 when I was working at a Christian bookstore in FL, that my assistant manager & I were going back & forth about good music. He told me of a new band that he saw at a recent Christian booksellers conference that completely blew him away. "Just you wait 'til their CD comes out. You're gonna love it," he said. When their debut album Anybody Out There? finally came out, I had to acknowledge he was right. Burlap to Cashmere was a great band and was making some of the freshest music around.

Sadly, B2C wasn't around for long. The band broke up and their record label went under. Rumors soon abounded within the Christian music industry of the real reasons for the band's demise, from drug problems and prison to the record label's problem with how some of the band members conducted themselves while on tour; all of which lead singer/songwriter Steven Delopoulos acknowledged were false in a recent interview.

It wasn't until 2003, when Delopoulos came out with his 1st solo album Me Died Blue that he really started opening up about some of his disappointments/disillusionment with the Christian music industry and with much of American Evangelicalism itself. I remember reading a Grassroots music interview that year in which Steven recounted some of his negative experiences from his early "evangelical" days, how cult-like and controlling that particular denomination was, and how he was still healing from it all. The song "Rocky Boat" from Me Died Blue summed up his healing process and newfound freedom in Christ: "So my friends say that I've strayed / Say I lost my destined way...But I am free, I am free / Ain't nobody gonna lie to me...Living waters inside me / I am free, I am free, I am free.

Me Died Blue has been one of my favorite albums for years now, and I was excited when its followup Straightjacket came out a couple weeks ago. This album continues Steven's themes of grappling faith and finding healing, accompanied of course by the sound we fans have come to love: his incredible acoustic guitar playing and unique folksy vocals. Like the depth of songwriting on his last record, there's plenty of obscure lyrics in Straightjacket that will take a lot of pondering. But the songs are great.

Throughout the album, Delopoulos, "the wounded singer on his way" reminisces about his faith in the past, tries to balance a life of stardom & following Christ, longs for love & stability, and vows to be about God's work; "bowing our heads to the mission story" as he calls it. There's plenty of new experimentation musically, particularly on "May I Always Keep My Feet Upon the Ground" and "Halt." My favorite songs so far are "Wallfly" and "Open Your Eyes."

Steven Delopoulos is one of the best songwriters/storytellers of our time. I think his music would really take off if he got some good exposure. (My personal wish is for him to open for Dave Matthews oneday). I think there's a good chance of that happening if Burlap to Cashmere gets back together, which Steven has been hinting at on Myspace for months now. But even if that never happens, Steven has demonstrated that he can make excellent music; music we can all relate to.

our new place & SNOW

2007-12-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

So after 6 months of being in Rochester, we've finally got our own place. We moved this weekend into a duplex in the city. We're really happy with it. It's in a good location, near Sarah's work, my school and our church. We're still going through boxes, so we'll be happy when all that is over. But each day it feels more and more like home. Aidan finally has his own room too.

It's been snowing like crazy the past few days. Thankfully it really started coming down once we had already moved all our stuff inside. Rochester's gotten twice the average amount of snow for this time of year. So I've been out there shoveling pretty regularly. At least the plows keep the roads in pretty good shape. Even with all the shoveling, I love this time of year. It's beautiful watching the snow fall outside. And though it's really cold outside, the fun part is keeping warm and cozy inside, cuddled up with a blanket, sipping coffee, reading a good book.

Aidan's been sick the past week for so. At first the doctor thought it was just a bad cold, but it turned out to be RSV . So we've got him on breathing treatments, and he's taking medicine for his aching ears. He seems to be getting better, but please keep him in your prayers. The cool thing is that he's been saying "da da da" the past few days.

Advent Conspiracy

2007-11-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

As I've mentioned previously, I think the largest threat to true Christianity today is consumerism. Jack Wisdom of Ecclesia poignantly stated in a sermon a couple months ago that "Christians in America are no different than non-Christians when it comes to being suckers for marketing and advertisements." Sadly, this is no more true than around the Holidays. Christians claim that Christmas is all about Jesus, but far too often the beauty, simplicity and significance of Christ's birth is lost amidst the chaos, shopping, and constant busyness of the season; it becomes about us.

I'm just at a place where I'm questioning what all that crap really has to do with what we're supposed to be celebrating. Now that Sarah & I are parents, we're thinking about how we can reclaim Christmas and celebrate it within our family. I'd encourage everybody to check out Advent Conspiracy. It's a great organization with ideas on how to celebrate Christmas differently.

Here's some various questions & thoughts that Ecclesia & Advent Conspiracy have stimulated within us:

-Americans today are the richest people in the history of the planet. It seems wrong that we spend millions of dollars getting more stuff we don't need when there are millions around the world who don't even have clean water. We need to learn contentment.
-What if by getting our kids what they want all the time and giving them more and more stuff, we are not helping them, but hurting them? What if we are ingraining in them the exact opposite of what we would long to be?
-Jesus only got 3 gifts for His birthday. Wouldn't it be weird to go to Jesus' birthday party and get more gifts than He did?
-Let's give gifts to one another that are meaningful, not stuff that just makes us better consumers and stuff we'll throw away when we're bored of it.
- Because it's His birthday we're celebrating, our primary gifts of the Season need to be gifts to Jesus. And He made it clear that when we give to "the least of the these," we've given to Him. What a fascinating idea to to give a gift to Jesus on Christmas by helping the poor!

I'm inspired by what Ecclesia did for Christmas last year as a church community. By taking this approach, they raised $56,000 and built a well for a village in Nicaragua. That's the kind of stuff Christmas should be about. What a beautiful picture of the Kingdom that paints for non-Christians. Even the harshest of critics couldn't help but want to be part of a community like that.

What a glorious day

2007-10-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, Sarah went to Wegmans for a little grocery shopping while I watched Aidan. When she got back, she said she had a surprise for me. What could it be, I wondered. Chocolate perhaps, maybe some delicious cookies or a favorite beer of mine. I looked on with unabated anticipation as my beautiful wife reached into the grocery bag to retrieve my amicable gift.

My heart skipped a beat as I saw the blue can dazzle before my eyes:
How could it be? Cincinnati's Skyline Chili is now available in Rochester! Skyline Chili, one of the loves of my life and wonders of the modern world is purchasable at the local grocery store. God be praised!

So my fellow Rochesterians, I wholeheartedly encourage you this week to go to your local Wegmans and buy a can of the delicious comestible in order to partake of the blessed sacrament with your loved ones. Remember to add shredded cheese and oyster crackers on top. Happy Halloween. And God bless us, every one!

Remembering Rich

2007-09-20T10:54:00.001-07:00

Remembering Rich

So it was 10 years ago yesterday that Rich Mullins tragically passed away in a car accident. Tuesday night, Todd & I listened to our favorite Rich songs while smoking our pipes. It was a great experience. And last night, we watched one of his last concerts on DVD. As Rich would talk between the songs, we were just amazed at his wisdom, and how far ahead of his time he was. (Todd rightfully noted that Brian McLaren has raised some of the same points today - and many Christians brand Brian a heretic).

Here are some miscallaneous thoughts on Rich:
-I still look up to the way he lived his life: Even with all the $ he made as a singer/songwriter, he chose to get paid the average salary of a working American man his age. Everything else on top of that was given to charity and missions organizations. Seriously, what would the world look like if every Christian did the same?

-I love his heart for Native Americans. The more I study history, the more angered and saddened I become at what us white Christians have done to them over the years. Like Rich, I would love to be involved with a ministry to Native Americans someday, assisting them in their poverty, sharing the real Gospel with them, and helping preserve their beautiful culture.

-Even with all his frustrations, Rich still loved the Church.

-I too, need to be constantly reminded of the grace and love of God. So much of the time, I feel like God must be disappointed in me. But as Rich said, there's nothing we can do to make God love us more, and there's nothing we can do to make God love us less.

For anyone who hasn't, read his biography "An Arrow Pointing to Heaven." It's one of the best books you'll ever read.

"Hadoken!"

2007-09-06T05:53:00.000-07:00

I used to be a video game freak. Atari, Nintendo, Gameboy, Genesis, Gamegear, 32X, I had it all; at least for a while. But when new game systems got 14 buttons on their controllers, I gave them up.

So for 12 years now, I haven't had or played video games. But in the back of my mind, I've always missed Street Fighter II; the coolest game ever. The urge got too great today so I went to a used game shop and bought a Sega Genesis, along with Street Fighter II, NBA Jam T.E., and Sonic 2. I don't care how outdated I am, Genesis rocks and I'm having a blast!

summer, church & beer

2007-08-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hello all, I hope everyone's having a fine summer. We've been in Rochester now for a couple months and we're really enjoying it. I've been having a lot of time with Aidan which has been a lot of fun. He's getting so big! Yesterday, Sarah tried feeding him baby food (sweet potatoes) for the first time. He loved it. He's such a great kid. He rarely cries or gets out of control. Everyone who sees him at church or anywhere remarks how well behaved he is (and how lucky we are). He loves being held and just staring at and discovering new things. But man oh man, does he spit up a lot!

We've found a church home here in Rochester. It's called Artisan. We've gone there 4 weeks now and we like it better each time we go. Sure, I've got some hangups, but those aside, it's a good fit for us. I hate the whole "church-shopping" thing. I want to stop critiquing every church I visit, and just get involved. Instead of looking for a church that best fits my needs, I'm trying to look at it another way: what church can I best use my gifts? I think I'll have great oppurtunities at Artisan. I can drum for one of the worship teams. And there's even a chance my new hobby of homebrewing could be used within or for the church. Pretty sweet. Here's some stuff I love about Artisan:

- I love their liturgy. Their weekly rhythm of Gathering, Word, Table (the Sacrament of Communion), & Sending Forth is beautiful and transforming.
- They are very family oriented. Kids are really appreciated there and they play an important part within the service. I can't wait for Aidan to be older and make friends with them all.
- They have a weekly dinner after service on Sunday nights. I love that we all eat together as the kids play around.
- I love their denomination. All my life, I've been in non-denominational churches, which isn't bad really; but I love the fact that Artisan is accountable to other churches and is in constant dialogue with other churches around the country. My experience with "non-doms" in the past is that this accountability and dialogue doesn't happen; this can easily result in an isolated/island unto themselves outlook. Artisan's denomination (ECC), allows for a lot flexibility in their worship. And I love their stance on tobacco & alcohol: "No bad wine or cheap cigars."

Todd & I's first batch of beer didn't turn out so well. It actually tastes fine, but it's alchohol content is way too low. (We jokingly refer to it as Barley Pop). Our original gravity reading wasn't nearly where it was supposed to be, so that's probably why. Our 2nd batch of Porter should be fine though. We'll probably bottle that sometime this week. Next time we brew, we're going to attempt a lager, probably a Marzen/Octoberfest or a Rauchbier.

We went to a great pub Monday night called The Old Toad. It's a pretty authentic British Pub. Exchange students from England are on staff, which is neat. They have trivia nights and board games if you want 'em. But the best part is the beer selection. It's unreal. They've always got 2 real ales available (which is the best way to have beer - trust me). And they've got a great tap selection. I was very impressed they had Stone Smoked Porter on tap; one of my favorites. I can't wait to go back.

We've been smoking our pipes almost daily. It's been really enjoyable. We got a new tobacco blend that's supposed to cake real easily, which is what we're trying to do. It's the perfect weather every evening for a smoke this time of year.

I've been listening to a lot of my Vineyard worship music lately. It brings back a lot of great memories of my time at VCFNP. I had great times there drumming to these songs and leading worship on acoustic guitar for my small group. To all my friends at Vineyard & Oneplace, I miss you guys!

Vacation in Maine

2007-07-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

Well, we're back in Rochester after a great vacation in Maine. It was great to see my parents and their surroundings for the first time up there. Portland is such a cool city. I love how old it is, its location, and its small-big city feel. Portland is 2nd in the country for microbreweries, so we had a lot of great beer. I tried cask-conditioned ale for the first time. Without a doubt it's the best way to have a beer.

It seemed like everyday there was something to see. We went to Camden (a mountain right next to the coast with a spectacular view), Colonial Pemaquid, Boothbay, Little Sebago Lake, Portland Headlight, and Kennebunkport (where Bush met with Putin at Walker Point). I've read so much about the region in my history books, so it was great to see the rivers and areas in person.

For the drive back to NY, we decided to stop by the famous Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain for a day. The drive through the Green Mountains of NH & VT was beautiful on the way. When we got to the end of VT, we took our car on a ferry over Lake Champlain to get to the NY side. My time at Fort Ticonderoga was a blast. Last weekend was their annual Grand Encampment, a festival with reenactments, colonial merchants, and stuff. It was awesome. The Fort is in a beautiful spot overlooking Lake Champlain. It was chilling to be on the very ground of the battles there during the French & Indian and Revolutionary Wars.

After Ticonderoga, we drove by Lake George to Fort William Henry. For a while now, I've heard it said that Lake George is the most beautiful lake in America; now I know why. It was unreal. Fort William Henry is another fort from the French & Indian War. It's the fort depicted in The Last of the Mohicans, one of my favorite movies. Once again, great view of the lake, and neat to be where all the history happened.

It's nice to be back home though. Sarah starts work tomorrow, which'll be tough for her after having a couple months off for Aidan. But we're looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.

back in NY

2007-06-03T07:46:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm finally back in my hometown of Rochester, NY. My dad & I left on Monday and arrived here Thursday night. The 4 day trip was great. I loved being on the road, seeing the changes in the landscape, listening to great music, and spending time with my dad. On the way, we got to see the Petrified Forest, the Painted Desert, the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere, and the worst handled turnpike in the country. To the state of Oklahoma: please get your act together with that stupid turnpike. People don't always have exact change, and it's not nice to set off alarms and take their picture just because they have dollar bills instead of a quarter and a nickel.

The past couple days have been spent putting a lot of our stuff in storage and fixing up our room at our friends' Todd & Alysa's house. I can't wait to pick up Sarah & Aidan from the airport tommorow. I can't wait to show 'em around and experience the cool places and food around here. It feels good to be home.

1 more week in AZ!

2007-05-20T15:58:00.001-07:00

Well, we've only got one more week in AZ! We're loading the moving van next weekend, and my dad and I start the 4 day trip Monday, the 28th. It's hard to believe I've been in Phoenix for 8 years. That's like 1/3 of my life. Wow. It seems like just yesterday that my family moved here from Florida.

Though I'm really looking forward to this move, I've really enjoyed my time here. It was here I really grew out of my sheltered little bubble and discovered who I was. I've made a lot of great friendships over the years and have some great memories. I'll never forget my 1st Christmas in the desert, my 1st car, being involved with the Vineyard, seeing my drumming skills grow, leading worship for my small group, meeting Sarah & our hot outdoor November wedding, our first dog, my classes & classmates at PVCC, developing a love for history, being a part of Oneplace, the occasional trip to Rocky Point, camping on the Rim, my 1st pipe, buying my 1st beer kit, and our son Aidan's birth. A lot of great stuff crammed into 8 years.

Sure, we've got our fears about this new phase and place we're entering into, but God has proven Himself faithful thus far, and we believe He'll really bless us up in Rochester. So this week, we'll be packing up the last of our stuff. We could sure use some help loading the van on Saturday, so come by and give us a hand if you're free. Pizza and beer will be provided! Thanks AZ for all the great memories! The next blog I write will be from NY!

Aidan has arrived!

2007-04-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Well, we're finally home! Aidan Thomas Peers was born Friday morning (4-20-07) at 7:54am. Sarah had a C-Section that went smoothly (for the most part). Sarah's mom and I were there for the whole thing. We even got to videotape it. I got to cut the umbilical chord, which was neat. He weighed in at 7 lbs 7.9 oz. And he was 19 1/2 inches long. The hospital staff was great, and we really enjoyed our stay there.

With all that said, Aidan is the cutest thing I've ever seen (he looks like me, so he must be cute ), and it's great being a dad! I look forward to just kicking back this week, spending time with him, and changing his little diapers. I am not going to want to go back to work at all on Friday. So wherever you are, lift your glass and drink to little Aidan. Talk to y'all soon!

[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/javadrumboy/042207_1355.jpg[/IMG]

almost spring ramblings

2007-02-24T08:23:00.000-08:00

I can't believe Aidan will be here in only 2 more months! Man, how time has flown. We had a 3D ultrasound last week that gave us some great pictures of Aidan. It was a surreal experience for me, 'cause I couldn't make the first ultrasound. It really hits you when you're actually there as it's happening: wow, I'm gonna be a dad!

Sarah's doctor says we've either got a big baby or she's a couple weeks ahead of where they thought she was. So Aidan could be born well before his original due date of April 27. As long as he's not born on 4-20, I'm happy. :)

One of the pastors of Artisan Church in Rochester (the church we'll probably go to when we move) talked about the importance of family oriented churches a few weeks ago, and it really got me excited. He made a good point that American families today are so divided with their busy schedules and interests: Jimmy has soccer practice, Dan has band practice, mom has this club, dad has this meeting, etc. And when it comes to church, unfortunately, the family gets divided once more every Sunday. But at Artisan, they wanted to be a unifying force for the family, a place where families could learn to worship together, where different agegroups could learn and grow together. It really makes us even more eager for the upcoming move.

When I've had free time outside work and school, I've been entrenched in Francis Parkman's France & England in North America series. It's a monumental history of the beginnings of America's colonization, leading up to the French & Indian War. It makes me appreciate the history and beauty of the NorthEast so much more. Already, I've got a list of places I want to visit sometime. At the top of the list are Quebec City ("the most European city outside of Europe) and Louisbourg, Nova Scotia (the home of the reconstructed 18th century French Fortress). My dad I are making tentative plans for a trip for next summer.

For my fellow beer lovers, go and pick up some Samuel Adams Double Bock while it's still available. Great, strong beer that'll warm you up real fast. Well take care and God bless everybody this Lent season.

My celebrity look-alikes

2007-01-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

This is great. MyHeritage.Com is able to scan your picture and tell you what celebrities you resemble. I'm feeling pretty good right now because I resemble one of my heros Christian Bale. If you click on it, you can do the same thing. Enjoy!

the Scriptures / topical church "series"

2006-12-14T15:04:00.000-08:00

For those that are interested, Chris Seay and many others in the emerging Church community are coming out with a series of books, worship music & other great stuff designed to help the Church rediscover the Scriptures. They've got a great website that's worth checking out here.

In their most recent book examining the book of Acts, Chris Seay states, "It is all too common in many of our Protestant churches to have only a few verses of biblical text read in a service, and then that selection too often becomes a jumping-off point for a sermon that is at best peripherally related to, much less rooted in, the Bible itself. The goal of The Voice is to promote the public reading of longer sections of Scripture - followed by thoughtful engagement with the biblical narrative in its richness and fullness and dramatic flow..."

I totally relate to what Chris is saying here. I don't know about anyone else, but more and more I get irritated when churches do topical series. Typically, the teaching pastor picks a topic for a series, finds a few tiny verses to back up their take on the subject, and hops to around the Bible each week examing the particluar theme. I understand the intent of this approach, but I also think we really miss out on key elements of Scripture. We end up missing the larger picture by dissecting it too much.

I've always pictured the Word (pardon the Dave Matthews metaphor) as a wave that crashes into us every week, slowly shaping us in this beautiful rhythm of time God orchestrated with weekly Sunday worship. We might not feel like we're being shaped at the time, no more than a rock on the beach feels like it's being a shaped in a particular moment. But over time, we're different.

If we take a more holistic approach to Scripture, the question is not so much What does Pastor So-And-So have to say to us today, but rather What does God want to communicate to us as a people through His Word? That's the major strength of going though a book of the Bible completely and/or going through the Lectionary: Let's submit to the Word and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Advent

2006-12-03T11:47:00.000-08:00

A couple years ago, I decided to start following the Christian Year. I don't know about anyone else, but it's so easy just to get lost in day-to-day stuff, that I lose eternal perspective & get too focused on myself. I've found the Christian Year to be a great way to get outside myself & identify with the larger Body of Christ. Life takes on a beautiful sense of rhythm, focus & formation as I've journeyed through the different seasons of the Church.

Today marks the beginning of Advent, the season in which Christians all over the world focus on the coming of Christ - his coming to Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, his coming into our own lives, and his future coming to set all things right. It's a time to beg God to break in, interfere, & disrupt our lives. This morning, I went to the Catholic Church down the street from us for their morning mass. As always, it was a beautiful experience. As the service began, they turned off the lights to represent the darkness in a world without Christ. As the lights came on, the procession of the cross made its way down the center aisle as we sang O Come Emmanuel. We said the Lord's Prayer together, greeted each other, went through the readings, heard a short sermon, and of course the centerpiece of our time together - partook of Christ in Communion.

I pray you all have a great Advent season and fully celebrate the true reason for a holiday that's been hijacked by consumerism. To those who are interested, I'd encourage you to give a listen to Chris Seay's sermon from November 12, quite possibly the best sermon I've ever heard. I'd be interested in your response. Take care.

Neighborhood Oriented Churches

2006-11-29T18:06:00.000-08:00

Well December’s almost here, and life is busy. With an upcoming move to Rochester, our first baby on its way, and a lot change happening at my church, a lot has been on my mind. Much of my recent musing has to with church, ministry, & things I believe God is really calling Sarah & I to live out in our lives. One area that has really been on my heart for the Church is community.

To quote a favorite author of mine, Robert Webber, I firmly believe that the Church “must rediscover the concept of neighborhood.” To me, most churches today seem to be so consumer oriented, meaning they target a very specific ‘brand’ of person; therefore people commute to church to attend one that meets their needs. (No wonder there’s a lack of diversity in our churches. We try to fill them with people just like us). All the while, the people right next to us are ignored.

I believe our sense of community suffers when those in our local church are scattered all over the place, in different parts of a city. To me, true community means living life together, not just going to church and perhaps a small group during the week. As Brian McLaren says, “Community has become a buzzword in the church in recent years. Overbusy individuals hope they can cram it into their overstuffed schedules like their membership to a health and fitness club (which they never have time to use).” Community is costly. It requires time spent, meals shared; slowing down to recognize those around us. Webber remarks “our modern buildings and sprawling suburbs prevent relationships from happening…What has been lost is spontaneous relationships, availability of people for each other, frequency of being together, common meals, and geographical locations where people live close to each other. The solution is building neighborhood churches” where “local communities of people gather to be church together.”

Smaller, neighborhood-oriented churches, comprised of people who live close to each other, have some advantages over larger ones. People curious of Christianity get to see firsthand life being lived under Christ’s lordship daily. Resources are easily shared. It’s easier for newcomers to get to know people. Local problems can be solved at a grassroots level. People who live close together and have common experiences are more likely to find an identity together. History proves this. As settlers moved west of the Appalachian Mountains in the 18^th century, our first Presidents were worried that these people would end up building a different nation because of their geographic separation. To keep the country together, they built the Erie Canal to bridge the separate communities together. Another example is the current Canadian debate over Quebec that’s been in the news.

My point is that it’s only natural for strong communities to develop where people are committed to locality and where day-to-day life is shared. I recall a few years ago at our current church, we had different small groups going on. And there was one group in particular that lived in a different area of the valley (in Tempe, close to the University) than most of the rest of the church. This small group saw each other often and really formed a tightly knit community. After a while, they kind of lost touch with the church, and eventually they became a house church/Bible study that still exists today. At the time, a lot of us in church leadership were concerned about it, but looking back, it was a very natural thing to happen.

I’ve found this to be true in my own life. That same church that Sarah and I are still a part of used to gather at a local high school a couple miles from where we live. Many of the people in the church lived in the same general area. We had opportunities to hang out, eat together, see movies, and gather for prayer and Bible study often. But two years ago, the church moved to downtown Phoenix. I was disappointed when it happened, because an aspect of the church that first drew me there was their heart for the northwest valley. In the end I totally understood their reason to move there: to establish a presence in the art community and to be closer to those in immediate need. But over time, many of the people around us ended up moving to different parts of the valley. And ever since, much of our sense of community (living life together) has just died. As much as I love Oneplace, a big part of me would rather just go to a church down the street than constantly have to commute farther distances for worship and fellowship.

I’m really excited about a church in Rochester that we really look forward to connecting with when we move. This church is really doing all they can to encourage people to live in community. There’s a bunch of them who purposefully live in the same immediate neighborhood together. They share stuff, help with stuff, and see each other a lot. Whenever a house in the area becomes available, they let the church know, and their community there keeps on growing. That is something that we long to be a part of.

If our churches truly become neighborhood oriented, local churches will stop trying to attract particular type of people from all over the place, and will instead intently focus on the people around them. And consequently, I would encourage Christians to go to a community-oriented church close to home or move close to their current church to truly live in community. I would challenge my current church, Oneplace, that if it really is rooted downtown, it should get imaginative and do all it can to encourage people to live there. One of the cool things is that this is actually beginning to happen! I know numerous people that are looking into moving downtown. If Sarah and I were staying in Phoenix, we would definitely look into doing the same. We've made a decision that never again do we want to live in one area and go to church in another.

Coffee poem

2006-11-28T14:08:00.000-08:00

Sarah & I spent much of this past Saturday going through old file cabinets, organzing paperwork, & throwing out stuff we didn't need. While doing so, I came across an old poem I wrote about coffee a few years ago. I made it just for fun, so grab a cup of coffee (hopefully cinninut 'cause it's the season for it) & enjoy!

Brew by Jesse Peers

Brew, oh Brew
How I miss you

It's been too long a time
Since you and my tastebuds have intertwined

And I must admit one of my favorite things
Is to be near your coffee pot as it sings

Songs of peace; songs of rest
But I must be patient before you enter my chest

The shimmering colors of the oils on top
Remind me of a million rainbows about to pop

How your aroma reaches my nasal hairs like wind on leaves on trees
O how you set my mind at ease

And how the steam rises like ghosts over the waters
Surely I will pass you on to my future sons & daughters

I miss the warmth I feel when I embrace your mug
And how every time I sip, you give my heart a hug

Indeed, it's a mystery that when I gulp & speak
The brethren around me complain of the reek

How ever time you touch my tongue
My breath suddenly smells like dung

O how heaven must have rejoiced when man first discovered you
Yes, I can see the smile on God's face for I'm sure he enjoys brew too

So I make 2 cups; one for me and one for Jesus
And we rejoice in our fellowship and for this brew that pleases us

Stuck

2006-11-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

Hello all. I haven't felt like blogging much lately. Sarah & I were planning on moving back home to Rochester next month, but we realized it'd be a much smoother transition if we did it after our baby's born. So right now, we're looking at sometime in May.

Sarah's interview there a few weeks ago went great. They loved her and were really eager for her to start working there. But man, the pay there sucks; compared to other places at least. We've been working on a budget, to see if we could survive out there with just her income so that I could concentrate on finishing school, and it's gonna be really tight. It's been so frustrating recently that there's a part of each of us that thinks we should stay here 'til I graduate. She'd make so much more money out here, and we'd easily be able to pay our bills and live comfortably.

I'm so torn. And to be honest, I really don't know what's going on. God has really planted a passion for Rochester in our hearts the past couple years. Our hearts are really burdened for the city, and we can't wait to go back, establish roots, and really live out the vision God has been giving us for our lives there. But every time we inch closer to the move, something prevents us from going there, mainly finances.

The thought of staying in Phoenix another 2 years or so just sickens me. I look around me in Phoenix, and I just think, "I'm done with it; just done, it's time to move on." We've got great friends here, but still I can't get Rochester out of my mind. I don't understand why God would really put this passion in our hearts for Rochester, but only keep us here, stuck.

I look at the Bible, and I see God tell Abraham to get up and go the place He called them to. Just get up and go, and trust Me to provide. But then Jesus asks what man constructs something without first estimating the cost, and seeing if it's doable before preceding? Ah, the beautiful tension of Scripture. So be praying for us.

So my blog isn't too depressing I'll mention some other stuff. We are looking so much forward to our baby. We're overwhelmed with joy as the baby approaches. Next month, we'll have our first ultrasound, and we'll see whether it's a boy (Aidan Thomas) or a girl (Kendall McKenzie). Sarah already had 1 baby shower with her friends from school. Having baby stuff around the apartment is pretty cool. And it's finally cooling down in Phoenix. And you know what that means: perfect pipe smoking weather. I've got a new pipe I'm breaking in, which is always fun. As I smoke my pipe in the evenings, it's just warm enough to be comfortable, but just cool enough to where the pipe & smoke provide some comfort and warmth. Well, I'm gonna go have a smoke. God bless and have a great Thanksgiving.

Houston, family, & The Circling Hour

2006-10-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

So I went to Houston last week for my sister's wedding, and got back Sunday night. Man, was it a blast! I can't believe I hadn't seen my sister in 2 years. How horrible is that?

It was great just hanging out with family, eating great food, drinking copious amounts of beer, and of course playing the Peers family staple game: gin. It makes me want to move back east even more. As Sarah mentioned in her most recent blog, we're not sure if we'll be able to make the move to Rochester in December. We might have to move after the baby's born; around June or so. That'd be disappointing, but oh well. As long as we move...

While in Houston, I was able to go to Ecclesia Sunday morning before leaving for the airport. It was great to finally go there and experience it after reading about it & listening to their message mp3s for so long. I'm glad my parents and grandfather were able to go. It was everything I imagined & more. I hope I can be part of a community someday.

In other news, I recieved Iona's latest CD "The Circling Hour" in the mail this week. They've been one of my favorite bands for years, & it's been 6 years since their latest studio album. The album is amazing. I can tell it's not coming out of my CD player for months. Frank's drumming is much more prominent on this album than in the past, which of course I love. He's probably one of my biggest influences style wise. So for anyone up for Celtic, Progressive Rock, Folk, Classical, Jazz music, this album's a must have. Long live Iona!

Beer Basics

2006-09-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here's some interesting stuff I've learned so far in Beer for Dummies:

-Most beers can be divided into 2 categories: Ales & Lagers.
-Lagers (around since the 1850s) are cold fermented, aged longer, lighter, mellow, more carbonated, and tend to appeal to a wider audience.
-Ales (the traditional beers) are warm fermented, darker, less carbonated, and robust. They are generally served at slightly higher temperatures than lagers.

-Moderate drinking may lower the risk of heart attacks.
-Beer is actually nutricious. It has no fat or cholesterol. Usually the darker the beer, the less calories it has. A bottle of Budweiser contains 143 calories, while a bottle of Guinness contains 125.
-Craft beers ("gourmet" beer such as Sam Adams) usually contain half the carbs and preservatives than megabrewed beers.
-Because barley (1 of the 4 main ingredients) can be expensive, big beer factories (Coors, Miller, Budweiser...) often use adjuncts such as corn or rice in their beers to cut costs. They also use lots of additives and preservatives. Shame on them.
-Beware of "stealth micros." Many of the big beer factories are disguising some of their beers to look like craftbeers. (Killians Irish Red is from Coors. Michelob Amber Bock is from Anheuser-Busch)

-Never drink beer straight out of the bottle! Pour it into a glass always. Without pouring, the gas is trapped in the bottle and goes straight into your belly, thus giving the beer an unappealing, gassy bite.
-Frosted Mugs are bad. They just water the beer down.
-In the US, most beers are served much too cold for serious appreciation. Lagers should be served between 42-48 degrees; Ales between 44-52 degrees.
-3 months is the average window of freshness (shelf life) for bottled/canned beer.

Smoked Beer

2006-09-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

September 5, 2006: A day I will remember for the rest of my life. Last night, while enjoying my favorite movie The New World on DVD, I had a life-changing beer: Alaskan Smoked Porter.

It all started in July when Sam Adams came out with a limited edition 4 pack called the Brewer Patriots Collection. I loved the George Washington Porter & the James Madison Dark Wheat Ale. Both were dark, robust beers, which I always enjoy. But the Madison in particular had a distinct smokey flavor I loved. So I started doing a little research, & found that giving beer a smokey flavor goes back centuries. The real name for it is "rauchbier." It's when the hops of the beer are actually smoked on purpose for the unique flavor.

So I started a local quest of sorts for smoked beers. Last Friday, I went to AJ's Fine Foods nearby, and talked to the "beer guy" about smoked beer. He suggested the Alaskan Smoked Porter, which apparently is voted the best smoked beer every year. It was pricey, so I only bought one 1 Pint bottle. And I finally got around to drinking it last night. Man oh man. My life will never be the same. It was amazing. It's not something I could drink everyday, firstly because of its price, and secondly because I wouldn't want it to lose its specialness. But on special occassions, I'm going out & buying Alaskan Smoked Porter.

This whole experience has peaked my curiosity on beer. I want to know more about it: How it's made, what the different types are, and what the heck is the difference between Ales, Porters, Lagers, Bachs & such. So Beer for Dummies is on its way to me, & I look forward to diving into it. So my friends, go out & find an Alaskan Smoked Porter at a store near you & enjoy.

We're pregnant!

2006-08-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

So we found out this morning that Sarah's pregnant! The past week was pretty crazy as we were wondering if she was or not. But now that we know, it all feels a lot better. So spread the news & pray for a great pregnancy & healthy baby. See ya soon!

Food, Land, & Local Economy

2006-08-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

I remember being struck by this idea when I read it in my American History textbook a couple years back: "[Thomas Jefferson] opposed industrialization in America...He believed that only America provided fertile earth for the true citizenship necessary to a republican form of government. What America had, and Europe lacked, was room to grow. Jefferson envisioned a nation of small family farms clustered together in rural communities - an agrarian republic."

How far we've gotten away from that vision! Today, we face a growing global economy that thrives on destroying local economies. Most of our food comes from distant places, and too often the people on the other end of our food transactions get screwed. Cheap imported food undercuts local prices, which means local farmers get screwed too. At the same time, we become overly reliant on technology, fill ourselves with foods containing unhealthy preservatives, and continue to maintain minimal involvement with the food supply, the growing of it, and cooking. A favorite author of mine, Wendell Berry, says it this way:

The food industrialists have by now persuaded millions of consumers to prefer food that is already prepared. They will grow, deliver, and cook your food for you and (just like your mother) beg you to eat it. That they do not yet offer to insert it, prechewed, into your mouth is only because they have found no profitable way to do so.

We and our local economies have become dependent slaves.

Berry, among others, says our goal should be to have stable, sustainable, and self-sufficient local economies. In a city such as Phoenix, this is impossible with our current population. We simply don't have a countryside around us or near us from which we can be sustained. But in Rochester, on the other hand, this self-sufficiency is entirely possible. When Sarah & I move in December, we really want to invest in the local economy through the way we live and the choices we make. We want to participate in food production to the extent we can. We want to grow some of our own food (even if it's just a little bit), buy local produce, deal as directly as we can with the farmers, and prepare it ourselves.

If you're interested in some of these ideas, check out these resources:

Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire
Sojourners May '06 Issue
Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community

Approaching move

2006-08-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

Our move to Rochester is only 4 months away! Man, time is going by fast. We're excited for the move, but honestly, it's been pretty hard trying to save up the money necessary for the trip. We're figuring we're gonna need somewhere around $3500 for it. The great thing is that I get monthly & quarterly bonuses at my job that will greatly help us out. But that alone won't be enough. So we're really having to hold back on a lot of things to save up the money. It sucks. We love hanging out with our friends on the weekends, going out to eat, seeing movies, and of course I like buying books; but the fact is we're just not gonna be able to do those things over the next 4 months. I just hope our friends understand.

We would have been fine if Sarah's car hadn't crapped out a couple months ago. Now we've got a car payment every month we didn't expect. We were questioning yesterday that if God really wants us to go to Rochester, then why is it so hard to come up with the money right now? Why did her car give out months before the move? But I don't think God's will is always easy with no snags along the way. I still feel this is the right move, and that God has some great stuff for us up there. Despite the difficulty right now saving for the December move, I think we'll be alright. So be praying for that if you could.

In better news, I found out this week that I got accepted to St. John Fisher College in Rochester for the spring semester. I also received a decent transfer achievement scholarship.

wow, it's been a while

2006-06-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of blogs lately. Things have been crazy. I've been taking a Spanish 101 class at a local community college this summer. It's a 15 week class crammed into 5, so as you can imagine, I haven't had much of a life the past few weeks. At least Wednesday is my last class, and I can take it easy for a while until the fall semester starts.

I know I mention this every blog, but Sarah & I (how's that for proper grammar dad?) are excited for the move to Rochester in December. It's coming up fast. I can't wait to be back home, back east, near my family, and be in the midst of a place with such deep, rich history. The heat in Phoenix right now is just unbearable, and I don't care what people say, I'd rather take 80 degrees & humid than 115 and dry. It's so hot that I haven't been smoking my pipe at all lately. Or drinking much coffee. Just the obligatory cup in the morning. Sarah's gonna try to go up to Rochester in November for a short interview with a hospital up there. So be praying for that. Also be praying that God would give us direction for my schooling up there. I've gotta decide which school is best, and it's a tough choice.

As I look at the next few months left in AZ, I know I want to savor every moment & friendship here. I hate being so busy and tired that I don't have time or energy for hanging out. Regardless, I just want to soak everything in and just be a blessing to people while we're still here.

Mexico & Wendell Berry

2006-05-22T18:20:00.001-07:00

Me & Sarah had a fantastic few days in Rocky Point, Mexico this weekend. We went down Thursday with a bunch of people from our church, and just relaxed and enjoyed our friendships. We swam, snorkeled, played cards, watched basketball, read our books, smoked cigars/pipes, drank plenty of beer, and enjoyed great food. But the best part was simply hanging out and talking. I know in my life that I get so easily focused on myself: my school, my hopes and dreams, my books, and my future. Weekends like this wash over me and remind me that life is meant to be lived in community; even more: that I'm nothing without community. It's only been a day since I've seen everyone, & I can't wait to hang out again soon.

While down there, I started reading a book called "What Are People For?" by Wendell Berry. Berry is a Christian poet, novelist, and farmer. His approach to life, work, church, and community really clicks with me, and I'm eager to read more of his books. I share his disgust for global capitalism and over-reliance upon technology; along with his love for local communities, connection to the land around you, & Thomas Jefferson's vision of an agrarian republic.

In one of the chapters I read today, he talked about Capitalism's foundational component of competition. He talks about "the falseness and silliness of the economic ideal of competion, which is destructive both of nature and of human nature because it is untrue to both. The ideal of competition always implies, and in fact requires, that any community must be divided into a class of winners and a class of losers." How does this jive with Christianity and our call to love and serve our neighbors? He goes on to say that "rats and roaches live by competition under the law of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy."

I find it disturbing that a Christian like Jerry Falwell can look at the Bible and say that "the free enterprise system is clearly outlined in the Book of Proverbs." Does the Bible really endorse this every-man-for-himself approach to life? I have to agree with Shane Claiborne that "I am not a communist, nor am I a capitalist." I am a Christian.

Phoenix vs. Rochester

2006-04-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Me and my good friend Todd had a good conversation yesterday about the Church in my hometown of Rochester, NY. I can't wait to move back home, but if there's something I'm not looking forward to about it, it's the spiritual deadness of the area. At least to me, the region just feels spiritually stale, old, and lifeless. For the most part, churches aren't really growing, reaching out, or trying new things. And all the while, the local economy suffers, the inner city continues to struggle with drugs and violence, and over a quarter of the city's population lives in poverty.

I kinda came up with a little theory of sorts: In Phoenix, it's easier for the local Church to be vibrant, full of life, connected, and trying new things. That's because the city and its economy are growing and vibrant. (No wonder churches are growing and every elementary, junior high and high school are being used as churches on the weekends). I think the spiritual well-being of a community is inextricably linked to its all-around well-being. For me, to truly be the Church just doesn't mean filling up our buildings and saving souls, but blessing the community around us. It's reaching out to their suffering, whatever that may be. As Christians, it's imperative to have hearts for the people and community around us. Here's a verse in the Bible I've come to love: Jeremiah 29:7 "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

So all I know is that when we move to Rochester in December, I want to root myself in a local church that cares about the poor, that wants to clean up the city, that wants to bring the Peace of God to the area, and is willing to invest themselves in the community around them. Thankfully, I think God is beginning to put this in the heart of His Church in Rochester. There's a new church plant there that Sarah and I are really excited about getting involved
with, and they really seem to resonate with these ideas (check out their discussion"Gardening in Babylon" if you're interested). So be praying for us as the move approaches, but most of all pray for the city of Rochester, and that the Church there would step up to the plate and fulfill its mission in the city.

car accident

2006-04-01T14:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I got in a car accident Thursday in Tempe, AZ. Thankfully me & the other person were fine, though her car was really messed up. To my surprise, I got cited. But since it was my 1st violation, they allowed me to go to Defensive Driving School to maintain my clean record. So today, I spent all day in the class. It was nice to get it over with.

I've just felt like crap since the accident. I just feel like an idiot, even though I think we both got cited. It appears that I can still be a driver at my company, and that I can continue to receive the monthly drivers bonuses, which is awesome. So just be praying for the whole situation, particularly the insurance stuff.

In other news, our move to Rochester is back to December now. The week that Sarah would have started at Rio's summer program would have been the same week as her finals at GCC, so it just didn't work out. So that was kinda disappointing, but at least it's only a 3 month delay.

Rochester even sooner!

2006-03-23T20:25:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of blogs lately, but it's really been crunch-time for this school semester with midterms and papers to write. But anyways, we found out today that Sarah got accepted for a summer nursing program at Rio Salado College. That means that instead of graduating from Glendale Community College in December, she could graduate in August at Rio! We are so excited. Both of us have just been yearning for Rochester recently. Now we can move there in September rather than right before Christmas.

Phoenix has been great. We've met awesome people at VCFNP and Oneplace; people that have been a huge blessing to us who will be friends for life, but I think we're both ready for a new adventure. I'm excited for all that Rochester will bring. So be praying for all this. It's not definite with Rio yet, but it would be awesome if it went through. We'll keep you updated.

My 1st Ash Wednesday service

2006-03-03T17:24:00.000-08:00

Me and Sarah attended an Ash Wednesday service the other night. For me, it was my first time. (Sarah went to a Catholic school for some of her childhood in CA, so she was familiar with it). I had always been interested in the Catholic church down the road from our apartments. It seemed like a good, family oriented, beautiful church, and Ash Wednesday seemed like an ideal time to go check it out.

I had a horrible day at work Wednesday, and when I got home I needed to cram for a history midterm the next day. So I wasn't in the best of moods when we decided to go. But I'm glad we did. It was honestly one of the most refreshing times of worship I've ever experienced. For one, I was struck by the diversity of the church. There were old people, businessmen, families, jocks, and young couples. The family next to us even had their tiny dog. Throughout the whole service, there were kids whispering and babies crying, but no one cared. It just made the atmosphere even more family oriented. Everyone there seemed really present; eager to worship and joyful to be there.

A group of 4 young girls and a pianist led us in worship. It was simple and beautiful. I didn't know most of the songs, but I didn't have to. I simply prayed the songs of repentance others were singing. The singing! It was amazing to hear the congregation sing. I go to a church where you can't even hear your own voice because the drums, guitars, and bass are so loud. It's been a long time since I've been in such a stripped, simple worship service. It was awesome being able to follow along with the service and the songs in the hymnal.

The Priest who led the service was a small, black man with a deep African accent. He was funny, & called the congregation to the importance of repentance. It's been a long time since I have heard that call in church. We hear all the time to be close to God, reach out to others, reach culture, and the like, but I can't remember the last time the minister called the people to turn from their sin. He encouraged the people to get right with God today, not to put off a change of heart for another time.

Then came the Eucharist. This is where a lot of Protestant Christians freak out. But I've stated in past blogs how I think Catholics might be closer to the essence of Communion than we think. It was an honor to come and partake of Christ through the bread and wine with fellow believers who expected to meet Christ there. After that, we went forward to have ashes put on our forheads in the shape of a cross as a reminder of our sin and mortality. Then the Priest blessed as we went out to observe the 40 days of Lent.

I talk all the time about the importance of Orthodox, Catholic & Protestant Christians coming together. But Wednesday night was actually the first time I had ever been in a Catholic service. It opened up a whole new world to me of experiencing God and His Church All I can say is that we were blessed by it, and me and Sarah will definetely be back there soon.

Lent

2006-02-26T10:36:00.000-08:00

So this Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. Lent is the season that prepares us for Easter. It's a time of reflection, repentance, and denying oneself; a season to identify with the sufferings of Christ. This will by my second season of Lent practicing it. I know that last year, experiencing the darkness and somberness of Lent made the joy of Easter even sweeter.

Part of the practice of Lent is the daily Scripture readings. I'd encourage everyone to take part in the daily Scripture readings. It seems so powerful to know that Christians all over the world will be reading the same Scriptures with the same themes at the same time. That's why I love the Christian Year. Sometimes I just get lost in the "world's time:" school semesters, deadlines for papers, fiscal years, etc... The Christian Year takes us out of that and truly unites the Body of Christ; it really connects us with the larger global Church, past and present.

Jill at church is going to print out the readings for people to take home with them tonight. I'm going to make a general announcement explaining Lent and inviting people to take part. I'm excited to see who's willing to journey through Lent together. Up 'til now, I've been pretty much the only person I know personally who's practiced it. It'd be great to have others alongside me journeying through Lent. Me and Sarah are going to try to attend an Ash Wednesday service this week. Last year, I wasn't able to due to school. So I'm pretty excited about it. God bless everyone this Lent season.

A great Rich Mullins quote

2006-02-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

I'm reading a fantastic book right now by Shane Claiborne called Irresistible Revolution. He recalls a time when Rich Mullins led a chapel service at Wheaton College. Here's what Rich said. (Classic Rich):

"You guys are all into that born again thing, which is great. We do need to be born again, since Jesus said that to a guy named Nicodemus. But if you tell me I have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God, I can tell you that you just have to sell everything you have and give it to the poor, because Jesus said that to one guy too...[And he paused in the ackward silence.] But I guess that's why God invented highlighters, so we can highlight the parts we like and ignore the rest."

worship music

2006-02-20T17:28:00.000-08:00

I admit it, when the whole "modern worship" thing really started taking form in the Christian music industry around '99 & '00, I was totally behind it. Delirious, SonicFlood, Matt Redman, Passion...They definetely had my support & excitement. I tried as hard as I could to get my old church's worship pastor to join the fray, & soon enough our church was singing the same Top 20 worship hits the rest of the country was singing.

6 years later, & I'm totally "worship music'd out." More & more, it just seems like noise to my ears. Especially after working in a Christian bookstore for a few years, I got sick of it. I got sick of the industry, the commercialism, the same song being redone by 20 different artists making their "rendition" of it. I can't stand the thought of taking something so simple, and making it so complicated. Sure there's a Bible verse about singing a "new song," but can we take that too far or misinterpret it? Was that verse really supposed to find its ultimate fufillment in the modern worship industry?

More & more, I'm finding a lot of respect for churches that aren't buying into the whole Top 20 worship hits thing. Churches need songs that reflect who they are, their values; songs that are birthed out of the things they experience together as a community. I talked to someone recently who went to a church that sang pretty much only their own songs. This person was disappointed this church wasn't singing the songs other churches were. I thought to myself "Excactly! Kudos to that church for not playing the game."

So in my recent worship music frustration, I've been finding much hope & refreshment in hymns. I think hymns have the power to take us out of our commercial-driven mentality and really connect us with the larger Body of Christ, past & present. As always, share your thoughts.