Archives for the month of: December, 2007
« Older Entries

The Songs We’re Singing

December 28, 2007 //
4

In honor of the end of 2007, I thought I’d share some of my favorite music-related moments of the past year. While it is not a top 40 list or a comprehensive hipster guide, here are some of the artists and moments that have made me sing this year.

* * * * *

The Take Away Show performance of Neon Bible/Wake Up by Arcade Fire

From the moment the Arcade Fire ensemble crams en masse into a freight elevator, it is clear that Vincent Moon is onto something different. Their performance of Neon Bible is immediate, real and surprising (the sound of magazine pages being torn as a snare drum). And when the strings come in, I am left on the verge of tears. And, when they work their way through the roaring audience to perform Wake Up it is a triumphant and joyful coda to a groundbreaking performance.

* * * * *

Architecture in Helsinki live at House of Blues

Our whole family loves AIH! Our four year old daughter was a total trooper, staying awake as far into the night as she could for the show (her first!). AIH’s enthusiasm and love for performing is contagious.

* * * * *

Jonah Matranga live at The Casbah

Jonah is one of my favorite musicians. From the days when the ache in his voice paired in perfect incongruity with the downtuned heaviness of the riffs of Far, to his various permutations in onelinedrawing, New End Original and Gratitude, Jonah has released honest and heartfelt music on his own terms.

His performance at The Casbah was an intimate affair, feeling more like a house show than a rock club — the crowd of twenty of so leaning into the songs Jonah chose from his vast back catalogue and performed on his acoustic guitar. I had been corresponding with Jonah via email in the weeks leading up to the show and was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from him the day before the concert. He is a humble, genuinely likable person who actually cares the people with whom his music connects. A breath of fresh air in this age of prefab, preteen arena rock scalping madness.

* * * * *

Discovering Grace by Jeff Buckley

I had always heard Jeff Buckley’s name tossed around as a standard by which other male vocalists were measured, but until I never really listened to his music until I found Grace over in the lovely used bin over at M-Theory Records. Now that I’ve heard his music, I can appreciate what all of the acclaim is about, even if it’s ten years too late.

* * * * *

Trading Mixtapes With Friends

mixtape.jpg

On the left is original artwork for the mix the cowboy and the punk rock girl my friend Josh made for me. The “cowboy” we know; the “punk rock girl” is a nod to our little indie rock fan at home. Now I can name-drop Akron/Family, Girl Talk, Grizzly Bear and Devendra Banhart! I am also enjoying the fantastic mix jadanzzy made for me, also overflowing with indie hipster goodness. Your mixtapes are on their way (soon and very soon, I promise)!

Actually, although I love the music, what I really love about trading mixtapes is the friendship behind it all. This year has been quite a struggle in many ways, especially in terms of calling and clear direction, but I am very thankful for friends old and new with whom I have been able to connect.

* * * * *

And, because it wouldn’t be the end of a year without a list of some kind, here are some of my favorite albums of the year. In alphabetical order:

Tags
Categories hooray!, music

Mele Kalikimaka!

December 26, 2007 //
0

… or, as we might say on the mainland, Merry Christmas!

Christmas is such a strange time for those of us in vocational church ministry. Advent is supposed to be a season of watching and waiting, but because this is one of the “Big Two” seasons of the church (Easter being the other one) it’s more like a season of hustling and hurrying. I’m not complaining, mind you; this is all part of the territory of church work. It’s just that it can make things more difficult to find moments of deep reflection, quietness or joy.

It was a happy surprise yesterday when our family had a chance to visit Christmas Card Lane up in Rancho Penasquitos, not too far from our home. Before visiting, I had my doubts. My father-in-law lives in what is basically a mandatory massive Christmas light display neighborhood. It’s kind of fun for our daughter, but all I can think of is the massive electricity bills. Last year, my father-in-law blew out the electricity in half of his house.

However, what we found in Christmas Card Lane was a neighborhood of mostly hand-crafted, personalized displays. Sure, there were plenty of lights but, clearly, the focus was on the larger than life “Christmas Cards” families had made and put into their front yards. How can seeing Charlie Brown and friends not put you into a good mood? Whenever I hear Luke 2:8-20 being read during the Christmas season, I hear Linus’ voice.

Snow White was our daughter’s favorite:

I’m partial to Calvin, myself!

May the joy that came down from heaven fill your heart to overflowing!

Categories community, design, family, hooray!, just grinning

It’s Not Too Late!

December 24, 2007 //
0

Do you have loved ones for whom it is virtually impossible to buy just the right gift? Well, look no further than this Icelandic beard hat by Vik Prjonsdottir. You can thank me later.

Speaking of wonderful things from Iceland… the latest release from Sigur Ros, Hvarf/Heim, would be a fantastic addition to any loved one’s music collection. One studio disc, one acoustic disc — all beautiful and breathtaking. Or, for those on your truly nice list, pick up their film, Heima. Even the three-minute trailer below is crushing in its beauty.

Categories art, design, just grinning, music

Checking In At The Smackdown Hotel

December 20, 2007 //
2

Like the opening of the floodgates at your local big box retailer on Black Friday or the simultaneous release of film twins (Volcano + Dante’s Peak, Armageddon + Deep Impact, etc.), boisterous criticism from prominent Christians against other Christians seems to come in waves. As if according to some invisible timer, charges of being a universalist/false teacher/heretic/Lions fan are tossed around with great volume and passion on a somewhat predictable basis.

Like many of us, I am completely put off by the tone of these kinds of attacks. While many of these voices claim that they are simply “defending” the truth or “contending” for the Gospel, it usually just feels like name-calling and finger-pointing.

However, what really stands out to me is the exuberance with which the rank-and-file of these folks jump in, especially in the blogosphere. It’s strangely reminiscent of how rasslin’ crowds would eagerly finish Dwayne Johnson’s catchphrases. But instead of singing along with If you can smell-la-la-la… what the Rock is cooking! they finish accusations of Heretic! and Arrogant mocker! with a chorus of Thus saith the Lord (or was it ‘Cuz Stone Cold said so?).

While both of these approaches are remarkably effective at galvanizing a particular constituency, only one is the most electrifying.

* * * * *

Here’s something we can all agree on: Rodney Mullen is rad!

Categories church, communication, community, controversy, emerging church, faith, sigh

How To Apologize Sincerely

December 18, 2007 //
3

Earlier this week, we were up in the LA wasteland area and I was reminded of how much I really, really dislike driving there (I’m trying to refrain from saying that I hate it because, as we’ve been teaching our daughter, that’s a very strong word — but, seriously, I was on the verge of losing it completely the whole time we were driving around). One thing I do miss, though, is Air Talk with Larry Mantle on KPCC, the local NPR station up there. Larry Mantle is a great interviewer but, like Cinderella shrilled, you don’t know what you got ’till it’s gone.

Here in SD, I have tried to supplant my morning Mantle with These Days on KPBS, hosted by Tom Fudge — with mixed results. I’m not saying anything bad about Fudge — I mean, the man bikes to work (and survived a scary accident after being hit by a car while biking to work one morning); I think I was just used to Larry Mantle’s banter and rhythm.

I did hear a really interesting topic recently on These Days: “Apologies: Do Them Meaningfully and Gracefully Accept Them.” Politicians are infamous for non-apologies. Think, Mistakes were made, “We” made mistakes or If I did anything wrong… One guest, Dr. Bruce Weinstein, points out that the classic non-apology, “I’m sorry if you were offended” is actually a thinly veiled criticism: “Well, it’s your fault for being so thin-skinned or weak in character anyways.”

Life together is so messy. In any kind of community (families, churches, friends, workplaces) we constantly run the risk of stepping on each other’s toes, whether consciously done or not. Jokes gone wrong, careless words, thoughtless actions: We hurt the people we love, we mess up all the time. While we don’t want to become a groveling heap, learning to apologize sincerely is crucial if we hope to create, build and sustain genuine community.

I appreciate John Ortberg’s idea on forgiveness from Everybody’s Normal Till You Get To Know Them: “Forgiveness begins when we give up the quest to get even.” This is an enormous sticking point for most people; accomplishing it would be nothing short of life-changing. As my wife recently heard from a speaker at her MOPS group, when we choose not to forgive someone else it’s like drinking poison and wishing that they would die. However, I find myself often content to forgive and forget… that you ever existed at all. But the story of the Gospel is one of reconciliation, not avoidance passed off as forgiveness. If we are to live as God’s people, we must learn to forgive and how to ask for forgiveness.

We live in a culture of non-apologies — it’s all damage control and spin. While that might play well to focus groups, it does little for actual relationships. Instead, may we choose the hard path of humility, sincerity and responsibility.

Categories church, communication, community, faith, family, health, ministry, reconciliation
« Older Entries