In the week or weeks ahead I will be posting the following (so I hope you will stay tuned):

Book reviews of a couple of fairly recent reads: The Great Giveaway by Fitch, The Search for God and Guinness by Mansfield and finally Book, Bath, Table and Time by Edie.

I also will be doing a post on Youth Ministry and the place of baptism in our theological and practical approach.

Finally I will be doing a post in the near future on A Prepositional Gospel 2.0.

Here in the east many are bracing for some serious weather - if it is affecting you - be safe and enjoy the “break” as the weather limits your activities. If your team is in the Super Bowl - well enjoy. I am anticipating a great super bowl menu, a shoot out of a game, and a few choice adult beverages.

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” -John Ruskin

Peace!

I have probably bored my readers to death with tales and mentions of cutting down trees and stacking firewood - so either ignore the following or endure my foolishness.

The following are lessons I have learned as I have stacked firewood; and when I say stacking firewood - I mean from dropping the tree to covering the finished product (this past weekend included two “marathon” sessions after a week of two or three half-marathon sessions of cleaning up a 120 or so year old white oak that I downed early this year). By the way the lessons are not going to be explicitly applied - glean whatever you glean - this is all about “reader response.”

1. a splitter will reveal any weak points in a log… pressure has a way of pointing out flaws

2. when falling a tree foresight and forward thinking are not optional

3. stacking firewood is not a solo sport

4. good firewood that makes for efficient fuel is often not easy to split

5. if at all possible… read the grain and go with it

6. every piece of wood has a story to tell… a tale of age and location; a tale of hardship and visitors - it is worth taking the time every once in a while to stop and listen

7. from tree standing to firewood stacked - it takes a lot of individual handling!! (more than I care to actually count - sometimes mystery or ignorance really is best)

8. from my wife - don’t short circuit all the handling by carrying multiple pieces - the carrying of each individual log multiple times from place to place helps remove the foreign matter

9. finding a logs niche in the pile is both serendipity and art

any other wood stackers out there? any other lessons learned?

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).

It is that time of year, Fall. Yeah, lots of stuff falling. Which means someone better pick it up, eh? Yesterday my bride and I spent a good while raking and hauling leaves. It provided a bit of time to think about the process and some of my past failures in the maintaining of my yard. In early October I am often heard saying, “Man, I love this time of year! The colors are so vibrant and beautiful. It is a great time to be alive.”

In early November, “Man, these leaves are such a drag.”

I have learned a lesson though - if you fail to rake the leaves you are going to hate your yard come Spring and if you continue to neglect it - you are going to have no grass and be knee deep in mud when the rain comes! My first home we rented had a beautiful back yard - but I failed to clean up the needles and leafs and just a year later that “beautiful yard” was a patch of old leaves, thatch and dirt. The command to “have dominion on the Earth” is an invitation to join with the Creator in nurturing and maintaining the wonder and beauty of our world.

Raking leaves and picking up the stuff that falls is hard work that we feel the next day; but being able to continue to enjoy beauty and order comes at a cost (month by month and year by year consistent maintenance). Make it fun though - you got to jump in at least one of those piles of leaves!!

I often say my “leaf-raking” prayer at this time of year as I clear my yard of leaves inviting God to do the same in me. I pray, “More of You, less of me.”

The Charlie Hall Band played a “show” at our church this past weekend. It was less of a show and more of a worship service. It was an exceptional experience. I have followed Charlie Hall since discovering him through Passion back in ‘96. Frankly, even back then, of those involved in leading the Passion conferences - Charlie was the worship leader I felt I most connected with (through the many recordings) - and it has only taken 12 years to actually see him live!

I had volunteered to help set up for the show and it was probably good I did - as it was a relatively light crew. We were all efficient and well ahead of the curve by the time the band showed. I actually wired a good part of the stage - (yeah, that is what my wife said!) - and it all worked. The only real snafu of set-up was the rented Vox AC-30 wouldn’t emit any sound - so that sent me back to the house to pick up my trusty Fender DeVille 4×10. It was great to hear Kendall (guitarist for The Charlie Hall Band) make my amp soar and sound so beautiful.

Charlie has just released a new album of tunes called, The Bright Sadness. When I first heard it - I knew it was going to be great; because it didn’t sound immediately accessible on a first listen. That is always a clue to me that this is a release worth giving some time to. This is a release that has some longevity (it isn’t just the sound of the moment). I have found that to be true. There are many levels to the recording; layers of sonic goodness and various layers of meaning - this is not your average worship release in my opinion.

It was great to worship along with my church family and with Charlie and his band as they led us through one of my favorite tunes of The Bright Sadness, called simply “Mystery.” The beauty of the songs melody; the intensity and passion of the groove and the great lyrics enhanced by singing possibly the most ancient of Christian creeds - makes this for me a perfect tune.

Here is a taste of the lyrics of Mystery:

Mystery
by Charlie Hall

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven, broken for me
Cup of salvation held up to drink
Jesus the Mystery

Christ has died and
Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again

Anyway - I can’t commend Charlie Hall’s newest release highly enough - pick it up (and if the chance to see him comes along - take it!).

Set List from 10/12/2008 @ Chippewa Evangelical Free Church

I absolutely love this transparency and “tongue in cheek” questioning - it reveals our inability to even imagine the great beyond (and the One who resides there).

—————–

“I wonder whether they have rum and Coke in Heaven? Maybe it’s too mundane a pleasure, but I hope so — as a sundowner. Except, of course, the sun never goes down there. Oh, man, this heaven is going to take some getting used to.”

-Desmond Tutu, London Sunday Telegraph, April 27, 2001

ht - Friar

I am otherwise occupied - outside working; keeping up with my paying gig; being a dad; relaxin’ a bit before “fall” gets here and just don’t feel like writing.

I’ll return very soon - got a few things buzzing around my brain that I will share…

soon.

Till then sit back and enjoy life. Just be in the now. No regrets - no planning - no waiting for the weekend - no wishing for yesterday.

Just enjoy, now.

I’ll return… soon. But now I am otherwise occupied.

Peace.

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!)

69%How Addicted to Apple Are You?

ONLY 69 percent?! Unbelievable… what just cause I didn’t own a G-3?!

Doesn’t my 128 K first gen mac account for something?

I am powered by APPLE baby - and proud of it!!