Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God’s presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

The Canticle of Brother Sun

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord,
Praise, glory and honor and benediction all are thine.
To thee alone do they belong, most High, and there is no man fit to mention thee.

Praise be to thee, my Lord, with all thy creatures,
Especially to my worshipful brother sun,
The which lights up the day, and through him dost thou brightness give;
And beautiful is he and radiant with splendor great;
Of thee, most High, signification gives.

Praised be my Lord, for sister moon and for the stars,
In heaven thou hast formed them clear and precious and fair.
Praised be my Lord for brother wind
And for the air and clouds and fair and every kind of weather,
By the which thou givest to thy creatures nourishment.

Praised be my Lord for sister water,
The which is greatly helpful and humble and precious and pure.

Praised be my Lord for brother fire,
By the which thou lightest up the dark.
And fair is he and gay and mighty and strong.

Praised be my Lord for our sister, mother earth,
The which sustains and keeps us
And brings forth diverse fruits with grass and flowers bright.

Praised be my Lord for those who for thy love forgive
And weakness bear and tribulation.
Blessed those who shall in peace endure,
For by thee, most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be my Lord for our sister, the bodily death,
From the which no living man can flee.
Woe to them who die in mortal sin;
Blessed those who shall find themselves in thy most holy will,
For the second death shall do them no ill.

Praise ye and bless ye my Lord, and give him thanks,
And be subject unto him with great humility. (St. Francis of Assisi: The Canticle of Brother Sun)

Sunday had a wonderful start - with no real “have to see” programming - I was able to sleep a bit. The general session with folks from my church, Len, & Matt was terrific. There was a comedian who “kicked” the morning off and I have to admit it had me chuckling! They had a “stage in the round” that was used very effectively throughout the week. And video screens galore to give everyone a feeling of a front row seat. One thing that is really unfortunate meeting in convention centers… there is no slope. So line of sight to the main stage was always tedious at best for this 5 foot 10 inch guy.

Jeff Johnson (with two violins and a bassoon) put together a reflective and meaningful set of worship for getting the session going. The art work that supported the Taize’, Celtic and Traditional hymns and chants was so powerful. The beauty was almost overwhelming. But the pacing/progression of music, prayer, silence and singing definitely drew me into a place where I was able to rest before God.

The general session speaker was Doug Fields (on the big screen Matt and I thought he definitely resembled John Elway - anyone else catch that?). He spoke on envy and did a great contrast between our tendency for envy (like the brothers of Joseph) exemplified by the multi-colored coat and the way that God see’s us exemplified by those dressed in white robes in Revelation 3. A helpful and healthy reminder.

The session closed with Crowder. That is almost enough said, but a couple observations. Can anyone grab a crowd quicker than this guy? Crowder is able to move from fun to intense focus on the things of God effortlessly, authentically and immediately. Remedy live is glorious. The band is TIGHT - every time I see them I go away thinking, not only are they unique and presenting great songs… there musicianship is quite good. Final thought - the NFL Fox theme… great encore!

After a quick bite - Chris, Matt and I got the room set up for Chris’ final seminar. A good crowd who I think enjoyed themselves. It was much more of a “presentation.” Good stuff on “Living, Loving and Leading in the Way of Jesus.” The crowd liked “free stuff” (everyone signed up for free goodies to show up in their in-box).

Enough NYWC - I was at my limit. So… Matt and I watched the NFL for far too long. It was great (Chris joined us after some of his final obligations)… we ate, laughed and I reminded everyone that the Bucs had won (31 to 7) down the street at the Georgia Dome!!

Wonderful day.

Saturday was a wonderful day! It started early as I attended Dave Ambrose’s seminar - “What Monks Can Teach Us.” It was a fun and helpful seminar that looked at both contemplative AND activist approaches to developing our spirituality. It was a good mix of both helpful content and interactive learning experiences.

Next was general session 3. All I can say is wow. Phyliss Tickle was someone I was really looking forward to hearing. Did she ever deliver. Amazing. This 80 (oops 72, thanks Heidi) year old woman came out and shared a “map” of the way in which Christendom has responded to the upheaval and revolutions that have rocked our world every 500 years (from the fall of Jerusalem, the fall of Rome, the great schism, the great reformation and now the great emergence). It was jaw dropping. It deserves a bit or reflection before I post anymore.

After a time of laughter with friends and some new friends. I attended Folmsbee’s super seminar, Story, Signs, and Sacred Rhythms (it was a real introduction to what SonLife is all about). It presents a helpful system or process by which to approach our ministry to youth theologically. It was a great group of folks who seemed to be engaged, asked good questions, and participated enthusiastically. Chris involved Matt and I by letting folks know we could field questions, etc. So, I had a couple of fun conversations with those who were there. (I also got to meet Josh!)

The evening was great! Wonderful conversations, laughter, refreshment, and just a great time with great people. (Riddle, Matt, Darian, Len, Josh, Chris, et. al.)

Today I wrapped up the critical concerns course with Mike King and with Jeff Johnson. It was a wonderful experience overall. Mike shared some great stories about pilgrimage. Probably the most memorable and powerful “take-a-way” for me was his statement, “Jesus in the Incarnation, displaced himself. We need to find ways and be intentional in displacing ourselves. Pilgrimage is a way to help us in this displacement and find a place of transformation.”

Wow.

The convention began with a general session. The technology and excellence of this multi-stage production is phenomenal. In the first session for me the highlight was Flatfoot 56. What a fun “old school punk band” tinged with Irish tendencies.

I was able to connect with a number of friends in the afternoon. Shared a great meal with Folmsbee, Matt and Mike. Then Matt and I caught the Atlanta Hawks vs. Supersonics at Phillips Arena. My first live NBA experience was full - a double overtime game that ended with buzzer beater to break the Hawks hearts. During the fourth period we learned that back at the convention during the second general session, Shane Claiborne’s message was a word-for-word reading of the Sermon on the Mount. I don’t know how you top that sermon?! But, at the same time, I am sure some were left shaking their heads.

A wonderful day complete with good music, insight, meaningful discussions, laughter with real friends, and a beautiful day under the sun.

The meeting with Len was definitely encouraging and a fun lunch filled with insight, reminders, encouragement and laughter. Pretty darn cool to meet with the grand pooh-bah! We both were part of the same pre-conference course - The Passionate Pursuit of God in the Way of Jesus with Mike King and Jeff Johnson.

The time in the course was good. I thoroughly enjoyed the content and the opportunity to be quiet, pray, meditate and just rest in God. Having Jeff Johnson to lead music is also a special experience. One of the things that really “works” for me is that Jeff doesn’t amplify his music - he relies on his natural voice and it comes across so beautifully. It definitely lends an authenticity and naturalness to his worship leadership.

Some take-a-ways from day one:

Jesus dwelt among us to be an example of how to be “fully human.” (Interesting that we often pursue being “like God” rather than embrace our full humanity - becoming who God made us. Wasn’t “becoming like God” the temptation that Adam and Eve succumbed to?)

“The Glory of God is a human being - fully alive” - Irenaus

“If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.” - Charlie Parker

“My love will change your belief about Me.” - Mother Teresa (a meditation on God’s thirst for us)

“The more you know me,
the more you will love me.
The more you love me,
the more you will follow me.
The more you follow me,
the more you will become like me.
The more you become like me,
the more you become yourself.” - Rick Lawrence

I arrived last night in Atlanta… found some good mexican food (something sorely lacking in Western PA) and my bed (and it is comfortable!).

I am staying about 6 or more blocks from the site of the YS convention at the Georgia World Congress Center. I am not far from Peach Tree Center at the Hampton Inn. I mentioned that 20 years ago I attended the YS Convention here in ATL - as I look out my hotel window I see the site of that convention - The Westin, Peachtree, pretty cool.

Other news… I am meeting a fellow blogger - a first for me. Meeting someone I formerly only knew through the “blog-o-sphere.” I’ll let you know how it goes!

Later today I begin my critical concern course. Looking forward to being led on a bit of a “spiritual retreat” with Mike King and Jeff Johnson.

Running through my brain, Psalm 123:1 as found in, “Work Of God Benedictine Prayer“:

“I gaze at the heavens,
searching for you, my God.”

May my search end at my delight.

Finally, pray for rain here in the drought-ridden Southeast… (it did rain last night… but they are down 17 plus inches).

Later today I head down to Atlanta to begin my time at the National Youth Worker’s Convention. I have been anticipating this time with a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer (1979):

O God of Peace
Who has taught us that in returning
and rest we shall be saved,
in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength;

Amen.

What has struck me from this wonderful trinitarian prayer are the wonderful words that so often we desire yet are so often missing from our 21st century lives… the words like:

Peace.
Rest.
Quietness.
Confidence.
Strength.
Stillness.
Presence.

So, my prayer for NYWC ‘07 is to make these words part of my autobiography…

I don’t know why I picked it up. I avoided it for a long time. I was biased. Arrogant. I wrote it off as having nothing for me (viewing myself as a sophisticated spiritually-mature Christian?! Yeah, right.). I asked myself again and again, “Why would you buy that?” What does a Charismatic young worship person have to say to you?

Well, apparently LOTS!

I think more than anything I have given a listen in the past three or four years - this music, this strange, wonderful, simple, yet challenging music goes through the auditory nerve straight to the soul. If it is possible - this music wounds AND soothes my soul; and I can’t recall ever having such an experience before.

I had never heard of Jason Upton. I picked up the weird looking cover at a discount bin and then after “googling” him - I wrote it off. In the jury of my mind I tried, judged and concluded: “a person from that tradition has nothing to say to me, that explains it being in the bargain bin. Just simplistic, charismatic fluff.”

Again - what a judgmental, arrogant, snob of the worst kind. Why do we think we can’t learn from one another? Why does the Body of Christ act this way? Why do I act this way? Labels and pigeon holing one another - I guess it helps me feel safe and comfortable? I guess it gives me some bearing knowing the lines, limitations and boundaries that others and I operate from. Of course these labels and lines also serve to separate us. And separated we become so unprepared, so limited and so sterilized in a world needing a BIG, MYSTERIOUS, UNEXPLAINABLE, VOLATILE, expression of God’s mercy, love, greatness and vastness.

Back to Jason Upton. This is what I get from his music - greatness, vastness, mystery and all served with an edge. The edge may be felt from his improvising and spontaneity - but don’t write it off, this isn’t endless noodling - it works. The spontaneous sections of his tunes are meaning-filled and they serve to push the themes and musical ideas in new directions which find me enraptured, transfixed. His music is really intriguing. I have acquired four or five of his (mostly self-produced) recordings. More than once I have put on the first title and haven’t made it past the first or second line of the lyric when I just can’t go on. It strikes me to the core. Powerful stuff. I just get consumed by the striking or odd juxtaposition of the words Upton composes. I haven’t found this type of music before. Really Odd.

I don’t get it either. Just telling you my experience.

I don’t know - does everyone know of this guy? Have I been living under a rock? Seems he has self-produced recordings since 2000.

Anyway I stumbled across this startling music mixing first nation influences (Native American and Celtic) with rootsy acoustic piano based rock and I am on record saying…

“I dig it.”

My recommendation as a starting place?

or his one project on a major label…

*disclaimer I use the word “unlikely” as understood in the context of my story of discovery of Upton’s music.

In less than a week I will be heading to Atlanta. I am looking forward to this time. I will be heading down south on a pilgrimage to gather with Youth Workers from across North America for Youth Specialties - National Youth Worker’s Convention (NYWC).

This will be a special time. As 20 years ago I made the pilgrimage to Atlanta for this very same convention. It will be great to head back, maybe with a bit different perspective (sadly not as wide eyed, but possibly not as arrogant or ignorant to think that I could save the world). I have also attended the NYWC in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati (I really need to attend on the West side of the Mississippi!).

I am looking forward to a number of things:

enjoying renewed friendships
making some new acquaintances
pre-conference “retreat” led by Mike King and Jeff Johnson
hearing Shane Claiborne
eating some good grub with my partner in crime (or ministry?)
just taking in some of the general sessions
Morning Prayer (Lauds)
Vespers
Enjoying the moments of each day!

If you are also making the pilgrimage to ATL - let me know in the comments below, it would be cool to say, “hey” and maybe share a beverage.

I also hope to be blogging throughout my time in ATL… so “stay tuned!”

My wife and I were talking about the aspect of Autumn that - one day the trees are gorgeous showing off their colors - and the next day it is gone. So, is one of the lessons of the season of fall:

“open your eyes to the ever changing fall, for if you don’t stop, observe, and appreciate it today, it may be gone.”?

I think it may be one of the lessons the seasons tell us, over and over again. A lesson that I fail to observe… over and over again. May I have eyes to see and ears to hear all that is being declared and shared in this moment on this day!