Last night I was struck again - like I seemed to hear a tune for the first time. I was finishing up in the barn casually listening to the iPod when the lyrics stopped me in my tracks - and I went from casual observer to completely arrested by the music. The song truly brought me to my senses. The fifth week of Lent settled into my mind and I thought of this story (a story of Lent - a preparation story; a repentance story and a story of life after death… don’t miss who is present at this event!)

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him. [John 12.1-11]

A story worthy of our consideration this week - so many intriguing story lines - but mostly a story of complete surrender as Mary of Bethany goes from sitting at the feet of Jesus to laying down everything she had in complete abandon. A picture of authentic brokenness - not brought on by pain or by circumstance - but seemingly by devotion. My hope as I approach Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem next week is that I will learn from Mary of Bethany; what keeps me from this kind of devotion?

Back to the song in question: The song comes from Matt Maher and is found on his latest recording, The Empty and The Beautiful:

Lay It Down

Everything I am
Everything I long to be
I lay it down at Your feet

Oh pearl of greatest price
No act of sacrifice
Can match the gift of life I find within Your gaze
Oh, what a sweet exchange
I die to rise again
Lifted up from the grave into Your hands of grace’

(BTW - don’t just skim over the words above - check out the images and words in the bridge section of that tune… so many things there - let that just fill your head again).

Just stumbled across an acceptable video of the greatest band too few have heard…

the 77’s!

Enjoy (and it is definitely a song appropriate for this season of lent - as we face our mortality and death).

I feel an affinity to Celtic Christianity for a variety of reasons:

-it was indigenous - first Christian mission that was not first Romanized (Civilized) before being Christianized
-it was about community / very tribal (belonging to the community often preceded having faith in the Christian message)
-it saw hospitality as a means of being Christ to another and placed a high value on the practice
-monasticism was at the center of their practice of Christianity and integral to its expansion
-it celebrated natural revelation
-it sacramental-ized every day acts - the folding of clothes, the making of beds, the awakening of fire/coals, etc (making them acts of praise/prayer)
-it provided a place for beauty and aesthetics
-it was unequivocally trinitarian
-the openness to God’s activity in revealing Himself right NOW

These are things that readily come to mind as I consider what the Celtic Church offers [and much of what they offer is needed in our world today]. For this reason I celebrate today with many in the Church who thank God for St. Patrick and his faithfulness in carrying on God’s story of redeeming and restoring this world.

The prayer that follows is very famous, The Breastplate of St. Patrick (note it’s themes of protection) - it is a prayer of lyrical beauty and carries many of the themes discussed above. I encourage you to pray it today as we remember St. Patrick.

The Breastplate of St. Patrick
(also referred to as St. Patrick’s Lorica)

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through the confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Today no ancient wisdom; but nonetheless it is wisdom as old as the earth. The wisdom comes from an unlikely place and yet that is often the place where we find true wisdom (I Corinthians 3.18, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise.”) So today we turn to find wisdom in a little known Christian Alternative band. I uncovered this little gem while working in a church as an associate pastor and it was the music of these artists that I often turned to in times of pain, feeling misunderstood and finding myself amidst the pressure and the glass house of expectations that can accompany public ministry.

I often led our youth in worship singing this song. At first the teenagers enjoyed the novelty and the intrigue of the verses of this particular song - it felt out of place to be singing many of the words as part of our “worship” in church. Yet, over time the song became one that led us to some of our most deep and transcendent experiences of worship. More than one time the song ended and a holy hush filled the room; time stood still and we were one with our Maker.

I think of this song often - each time I turn on Skype and see that message about “breathe deep” and many times the refrain of this chorus fills me up as I walk amidst God’s creation.

So may this universal message of God’s wide mercy and extravagant grace remind us of our privilege to know and encounter God and our need to be His agents of restoration to all people.

Breathe Deep (the Breath of God)
from The Lost Dog’s debut album “Scenic Routes”
Music and lyrics by Terry Taylor

Politicians, morticians, Philistines, homophobes;
Skinheads, Dead heads, tax evaders, street kids;
Alcoholics, workaholics, wise guys, dim wits;
Blue collars, white collars, war mongers, peace nicks.

(repeat chorus)

The Lost Dogs performing “Breathe Deep” on Cornerstone Mainstage 2008 (Bushnell, IL)

Immanent and transcendent - truly the mystery of God.

Original Painting by Michael O’Brien

“Beyond Us (Only True God)”
Lyrics by Paul Baloche; from the album Our God Saves

Beyond us God within us
Revealed yet we see in part
Transcendent but so near us
Mystery dwelling within our hearts

Father Spirit Son
Only true God
Exalted three in one
Only true God only true God

Majestic God above us
Enthroned yet you wash our feet
Humble but so holy
All of creation bow when you speak

God of all things
God who saves us
God within us
You are God

Buddy Miller is someone I first became familiar with via Emmylou Harris and Pattie Griffin. He has made some fine music himself and along with his talented wife Julie Miller. I came across this beautiful new song (so new it has yet to be named) and had to pass it along. (That Phil Madeira is one talented organ player!)

Help us find “home!”

ht Rustin

It is no secret that I am sort of a freak when it comes to a particular band. Those who know me, know me as one who is more than a fan - more like a fanatic for the Seventy Sevens. For more than 25 years I have enjoyed in both the highest highs and the lowest lows their tunes as the “unofficial, official” soundtrack of my life. The vibe, the words, the emotion all tied up in their releases has collided well with the events that have propelled me through my adolescence, young adulthood, marriage, family and now near empty nest years. In many ways (even mysteriously) the themes and struggles of my life I have seen mirrored and even addressed in each subsequent 77’s release over these past 25 years.

I share all this to say… I am looking forward to adding some new tunes to the 77’s lexicon (aka my life soundtrack)!! They will arrive in my grubby greedy little fanatical hands with the appropriate autographs on June 28th!! I will buy it from Mr. Roe himself as I accompany my bride to see one of their (nowadays) rare live performances in Dayton Ohio at the infamous Canal Street Tavern (an adult beverage AND hearing the 7’s live… now that is a rare treat!) The new tunes are coming in the form of a new release entitled, Holy Ghost Building! It is a disc of standard blues and gospel numbers given the classic Seventy Sevens treatment and I can’t wait to hear this stuff! From the earliest days, old blues standards have been a 77’s staple - their very first release included an old blues tune, Denomination Blues by Washington Phillips - and the seven’s take on Phillips song is a fan favorite that is constantly requested at their live gigs (and this trend has continued through the years - a heavy dose of the blues has always been a strong suit of a 77’s recording). The ensuing blues & gospel fest soon to be released fits very well with the 77’s modus operandi and is highly anticipated (dare I say the older fans have been clamoring for this recording!!). A press release about the new recording follows, as well as their short tour dates (with Mike Roe, Mark Harmon & Bruce Spencer - and a special treat 7’s alumnus David Leonhardt!)… if you are anywhere near (say within 200 miles) any of these shows - do yourself a favor and grab a loved one and enjoy!!

And whether you make a live show or not… do yourself a favor and line the pockets of some great independent musicians and spend a few pennies (okay dollars) and get this recording!

————— for immediate press release ————– from low fidelity & the 77’s ———-

Lo-Fidelity Records and The 77s are proud to present the highly anticipated release of their new studio recording, “Holy Ghost Building.” Recorded over a 2-year stretch, the initial sessions were done quickly, much like Johnny Cash or Elvis recorded their early records at Sun Studios in Memphis. Mike Roe comments, “Those guys would choose a song, play through it to get the feel and arrangement, and while it was all fresh they would just roll the tape. Drawing from literally the same sources they did, we did the same thing….choosing old gospel, blues and bluegrass tunes that said something to us as a band, and then recording them on the spot with no rehearsal….the only difference was we spent a couple years putting the finishing touches on the songs!”

While “Holy Ghost Building” could be called a “return to form” for the band, saying so would also sell short the new depth the band has found in playing these songs. The record has The 77’s touchstones of rock and blues, but they have also included folk, slide guitar, Byrds-era jangle electric 12-strings, and vocal harmonies previously unheard on any 77’s record. Mike says “When folks ask me what this record sounds like, I like to say ‘Elvis, Scotty, Bill & D.J.’ because we did it exactly the way those guys did the early Elvis recordings. It even sounds like them sonically here and there, but thankfully none of that was planned either, which of course makes me very happy. You can’t plan those things without them often sounding planned, and I’m so glad we didn’t. Even the one original tune we tacked on at the end of this project as a bonus treat for the fans was made up on the spot: music, lyrics, melody and all. Talk about risk! But that’s how you end up with records like the ones I loved as a kid, and this one’s got that sound and feeling.

“For a preview off the record, visit the 77’s myspace to hear “Working on a Building,” the first single. The band will feature three new songs off the record leading up to its release.

The first pressing of “Holy Ghost Building” will feature limited edition digipack packaging and is scheduled for release beginning Friday, June 20th to coincide with The 77’s brief return to the road.

The CD will be available online from www.77s.com and www.lo-fidelity.com beginning June 20th as well, although orders will not begin shipping until the following Monday, June 23rd. Please note all dates are subject to change.

Mike Roe, Mark Harmon, David Leonhardt and Bruce Spencer will make a brief return to the road leading up to Cornerstone.

You do not want to miss this tour! Tour dates are as follows:

Friday, June 20th - Marietta GA
3 Bears Cafe
105 North Park Square,
Marietta GA 30060
Green Bracelet will open the show.
Showtime: 8:00PM
Must be 18+ years to attend.
Ticket Price: $12
Tickets available online at www.myspace.com/annemarieperry
(**Advise to buy in advance…this is going to be a full room) Your paypal receipt will be your ticket, please print out and bring to show.

Saturday, June 21 - Hendersonville TN
“The Living Room” at First Baptist Church Hendersonville
106 Bluegrass Commons Blvd.
Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075
Doors: 6:30pm
Showtime: 7:00PM
Lewis and Mary Lea will open the show…
Ticket price: $5.00 at the door.

Sunday, June 22, 2008 - Litchfield, IL
First Baptist Church of Litchfield
608 N Van Buren Street
Litchfield IL 62056
Doors: 6:30pm
Showtime: 7:00pm
Tickets: $8 in advance through itickets, $10 at the door
Litchfield is located off hwy 55 in southern Illinois, 46 miles south of Springfield Illinois and roughly 55 miles north of the Greater St. Louis Metro-East area.

Tuesday, June 24th - Ames IA
Zeke’s (Live Music, Performing Arts, Community Center)
3329 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
Doors: 7:00pm
Showtime: 7:30pm
Tickets: $15
Ticket info at www.zekesames.com
For more info contact Scott Hanson, hansonscott@mac.com (subject 77’s show)

Wednesday, June 25 - Rock Island IL
Comedy Sportz
1818 3rd Ave
Rock Island, IL 61201
Doors: 7:00pm
Showtime: 7:30pm
Ticket Prices: $15-if you purchase by June 13. $18.00 from June 14 - June 24th, $20 on day of show at the door.
Call District Drugs & Compounding Center, Monday through Friday, 10 AM - 5PM to Purchase Tickets. Call @ 309.786.8431 or Toll Free @ 866.842.3351 (Credit Card Payment- Visa/Master Card/Discover)- all sales final. Tickets will be issued “will call” at Door.
For more info contact Jim Perry @ jperry68@mchsi.com (subject 77’s show)
Website for more info: www.districtdrugs.com

Thursday, June 26, 2008
Lo-Fidelity Presents the 77’s at BACKTHIRD AUDIO
www.backthird.com
No tickets will be sold at the door.
This concert is being held in the beautiful “live room” of the studio at BackThird Audio in downtown Aurora.
40 seat capacity.
For more info and to purchase tickets, please visit:
www. lo-fidelity. com/77s

Friday, June 27 - Livonia MI
Trinity House Theatre
38840 W. Six Mile
Livonia, MI 48152-2605
Doors: 7:30pm
Showtime: 8PM
Ticket Price: $18, $15 for members
Contact 734-464-6302 or trinityhouse.org to reserve tickets

Saturday, June 28 - Dayton OH
Canal Street Tavern
308 E. First Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Doors: 8:00pm
Showtime: 9:00pm
Opening band TBA
Ticket Price: $15 in advance, $17 at the door
Advance tickets can be purchased at Canal Street Tavern (cash only), or can be charged online & by phone through iTickets. com or 1-800-965-9 324 (service charge applies)
Contact “Hear The Light” at 937-426-5400 or email deb@hearthelight.com (subject 77’s show) for more info.
Please note, you must be at least 18 or accompanied by parent or legal guardian to attend this concert.

Thursday, July 3 - Cornerstone
Gallery Stage
8:15pm - 9:15pm

Friday, July 4 - Cornerstone
Main Stage
7:15pm - 7:30pm

Once the Cornerstone dust has settled, Mike, Mark, and Bruce would like to continue their “Holy Ghost Building” tour on the West Coast/Pacific Northwest. Perspective show dates would begin July 11th, and end….??? For more information and to book the 77’s, please contact jeffrey k. ASAP at booking@lo-fidelity.com

So I was tagged by Dan Mayes in a “boredom breaker” meme he has started inviting folks to list their top ten favorite films.

The rules of the “game” are simple:
1. list your top ten favorite films (in no particular order).
2. if you’re tagged, you’ve got to post and tag 3-5 other people.
3. give a tag back (some link love) to the one who tagged you in your post
4. give a hat tip (HT) to Dan

So here we go… My Top Ten Favorite Films:

1. Sideways - a great film full of amazing dialogue and some of the most passionate discussions of food, life, and “the moment” conveyed on film. What a trip! But many won’t enjoy it - be warned it is rated R for a reason.

2. The Last Supper - a film I stumbled over that just got me at the right time - I dig this exploration of sin, tolerance, and guilt. A black comedy that is not for the faint of heart - but it looks into the human heart in a powerful way.

3. The Breakfast Club - one of the first films I remember walking out of with my then girlfriend (now wife) and feeling like we belonged to our generation - though we felt “disposable” we also felt triumphant (or defiant - feeling like we were vicariously lifting our leather covered fists with Judd Nelson - declaring - “don’t you forget about me!”). Generation X finds it’s confused, troubled yet communal and determined voice!

4. Chariots of Fire - from the soundtrack to the acting to the inspiring story this portrayal of Eric Liddell enraptured me as a young teenager. I found a hero worth emulating (prior to this it was Pete Rose and Evel Knievel?!).

5. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - well I am cheating putting three films in one entry - but the whole grand epic was one I became obsessed with driving me back to read Tolkien’s work again. I think the film was brilliantly done. It captured the beauty of the “journey” and celebrated the relationships which make this story universal and so compelling. I am definitely looking forward to the two installments of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit. “…not all who wander are lost!”

6. Star Wars - the first film (before it was “episode IV). This caught me off guard and I had never seen a film quite like it - but as a kid seeing it in the theatre it made a HUGE impression. Definitely a defining moment as a kid. There was pre-SW and after-SW; and after-SW - films and stories had a whole new standard to measure up to.

7. The Matrix - this was a very personal experience for me. I saw myself in that film - caught in the matrix and definitely (like many) saw myself as NEO finding my way out of the artificial and constructed world I had allowed myself to be “caught up in” This was for me just a great example of a powerful story told in the perfect medium! The Matrix is a very mythic and beautiful film displayed through a whole new world of special effects by the Wachowski Bros. (unfortunately for me neither of the sequels quite measured up - it may be that I just didn’t connect as well).

8. Magnolia - I love this kind of story telling (like Pulp Fiction & Memento) where you are submerged in the middle of the story and through flashback and the culmination of events all the various strands begin to intersect. In my opinion Magnolia does this in a memorable and fascinating way. Loved it!

9. The Name of the Rose - I loved Umberto Eco’s novel by the same title and I think the film captured very faithfully this murder mystery in a medieval Abbey. What’s not to love?!

10. The Silence of the Lambs - Saw this in the theatre and for the last half hour of the film was dying from the incredible suspense and tension! Wow! No film has had me so on the edge of my seat and jumping into my wife’s lap like this one (except the grandaddy of them all - the original Psycho). For me this is the ultimate “horror” film - I don’t dig gratuitous slasher films - but in this case J. Demme balanced the gore and the suspense with a smart written story. Great stuff - hold the fava beans!

I am tagging…

Light Lady - have some fun! (I am guessing Braveheart will make her list!)
Len - I am thinking he may dig Field of Dreams.
Justin - I think he may be a Napoleon kinda guy (just a hunch).
Chris - my gut says that Transformers (or another superhero kinda film) may make his list.
Brian - I think his list will be closest to mine (if not by film; by vintage)!

also Folmsbee can count himself tagged… it may be a way to break the silence over there! [I am fairly certain Hoosiers would be on his top 10]

Peter is also tagged - I think he may put Rosebud in his list (actually I am fairly certain it will make the list).

Okay, so guessing on what films may appear in those I tagged were somewhat genuine guesses - but also ways to mention other films that would or could have appeared in my top 10 on any other given day (well with the exception of transformers!)

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of a very little known band called the Seventy Sevens. Since many moons ago (circa 1982) I have followed the career of these bad luck or no luck paupers of the back beat. The recordings of Roe and Co. have been the soundtrack of a large portion of my life. Their honest and gritty lyrics and their way of pairing it to great hooks and often raw but still beautiful music for some reason connects with me.

So, the 77’s are rumored to be putting out their first new recording (working title - Jesus Hits Like an Atomic Bomb / rumored actual title - Holy Ghost Building) in some 6 years. A collection of old blues tunes given the royal 77’s treatment (think a Stones/Zep take on Run to the City of Refuge or Workin’ on a Building). I don’t know when it will ultimately “hit the street” (or website store) - but hopefully mid to late summer. There is even some talk of the power trio version of the band (Roe, Harmon and Spencer) making a little road trip round the country playing churches, clubs and maybe even a back yard or two.

Well, I couldn’t be happier! It is so refreshing to find beautiful and authentic music made out of sheer love for the art. I think that is what I find when Roe croons, and Harmon grooves and Spencer keeps time. They long gave up “the dream” and now the music is a result of their friendship, their connection and maybe even to quiet and satisfy their small, but rabid and devoted fan base.

Well, Mike Roe, lead singer and guitarist of the 77’s, has been working on mixing and readying the new sevens recording… and also has played a few solo dates this past week. I stumbled across this gem of a performance on you tube and felt COMPELLED to share it (do it for love!!). [stick with me here as I name drop and reference and well hang in and see if you can understand the next sentence ] It is Mike Roe in John J. Thompson’s (of True Tunes fame and the keeper of the Gallery stage at Cornerstone for many years) kitchen/dining room in Nashville helped out by Matt Slocum on Cello (Sixpence None The Richer); Phil Madeira on guitar (B-3 legend playing with everyone from Keaggy to Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller); Jimmy Abegg on guitar (painter, photograher, solo artist and member of the old Exit label band Vector) and Steve Hindalong on percussion (Member of the Choir and producer of the famed City on a Hill recordings; writer of God of Wonders). So without further ado… here is Mike and company turning up some beauty in the suburbs of Nash-vegas… doing his take on the Velvet Underground’s, “Pale Blue Eyes“:

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