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“:

I took this test - from the Upper Room the other day and I found it both helpful and affirming. (I was reminded of it by my blogging friend - Brian Eberley) It reinforces an idea of mine that our temperament and our “personality” can actually be transformed. For many years while I was in full time Youth Ministry I proudly wore the badge of Type A - driven personality. I found that to be something that could excuse my plowing people over and being emotionally and relationally unengaged…

But over time I came to see that Type A personality in my life for what it was - an excuse to sin! After my life began to come apart at the seams I sought God in new ways (new to me - not new mind you - actually kind of ancient ways!) and over time I began to be put back together.

That was nearly 10 years ago and I have attempted to stay on the path that I started journeying on for that amount of time. So it was a real joy to see some of the results of this test and others like it. It is not scientific or even close to 100% accurate - it does however reveal that a transformation has taken place in my life! That is encouraging to me. God does transform us. It is a mystery how it happens, often slowly and over time, bit by bit God rearranges, replaces, composts, and recycles our sin and brokenness to create us into a whole new creation that honors Him.

So anyway the test I took - reveals that I am part of the school of the mystics (a far cry from the driven results oriented, just the facts kinda guy I tried to be [and thought was desireable] in my earlier days of youth ministry).

The Test Results Write Up:

You are a Mystic, known for your imaginative, intuitive spirituality. You value peace, harmony, and inner silence. Mystics are nurtured by walking alone in the woods or sitting quietly with a trusted friend. You may also enjoy poetry, meditation, wordless prayer, candles, art, books, and anything else that helps you connect with God.

Famous Mystics:
Thomas Merton | Enya | John (the Gospel writer) |
Brother Lawrence (Practicing the Presence of God) |
Desert mothers and fathers | Charlie Brown |
Sister Wendy | Phoebe Buffay (Friends) | Julian of Norwich |
Luke | Anthony de Mello

Hey if you want to try the test check it out over at The Upper Rooms Spirituality program called Method - X

Last night was a real treat. My church hosted a concert with The David Crowder* Band. What fun! It was a great time - my daughter and some friends and my wife and I and a good friend all piled into the suburban to attend the show.

I have seen Crowder and company a few times at YS - but never a full concert. It was pretty cool to get an hour and a half of Crowder and the boys!

Crowder* in Center Township, PA

It was cool to meet David after the show - my buddy got his Crowdster signed by it’s namesake - you can read that story at Peter’s site.

I saw a great story on NPR’s website, regarding “Six Word Memoir’s.” They were reporting that an online magazine was pushing people to write a memoir using only six words. The inspiration was Ernest Hemingway who was challenged to write a full story using only six words, he responded with: “For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.” So this online magazine (Smith) - developed a similar exercise, tell your story using only 6 words.

Such limitations and brevity, push us to work with language in a much more profound way. Finding just the right words and creating a statement that captures who we are in six words. It is a puzzle - but like poetry; it is pure writing in a compact form. Mensa has a similar exercise which I have used quite a few times - to create a self-portrait using only five lines. I think such limitations find us having to edit out any extraneous and redundant information and leave only the vital and essential. It forces us to stop diluting and start distilling.

So what would your memoir look like in six words?

I was thinking about this while doing barn work last night. I moved from memoir to spiritual biography and then to a prayer. Such compact language lends itself to a handy prayer - one that is memorable, can be repeated with regularity and accuracy, and is said so quickly; yet has a profundity. So I ended up praying this six word prayer sentence:

As He is, may I be.

I have grown with this statement just in living with it the past 10 hours or so. There are quite a few layers to that statement - a prayer I find that is worth praying, considering, meditating on and carrying around with me.

So, what about you… what six words would you string together.

Oh, MY six word memoir?

“I fell apart, God is mending.”

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.

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 had a great time in Daytona with the EFCA youth workers and their spouses! The weather was definitely not the expected sunny beach getaway - but it was wonderful nonetheless. Got to stick my feet in the Atlantic and enjoyed the sand between the toes in the brief moments the beach wasn’t getting pelted by sheets of rain or pounded by heavy surf. It was great to get away and I was pleasantly surprised at the response to my presentations on Christian Spirituality.

The Free Church folks welcomed me back to the tribe in gracious and affirming ways. It was very cool to be with them. Some great thinkers, and also a group of folks who are committed to quality youth ministry and longevity in youth ministry. It is encouraging to listen to the dialogue of these folks - there is a wisdom and a depth of care and understanding that is often missing from too many places in the youth ministry world. It was great to be sharpened and challenged by my old tribe.

I spoke on the idea that youth ministry must start within the youth minister. I covered the following topics:

Be the Beloved - before we are anything else we are beloved by God.
Be Real - we must strip off all the fig leaves and embrace our true identity as we are found in God ( I think I deluged the participants with information in this session.)
Be Prayerful - the life of Christ is a life of dependence — which is a life of prayer.
Be a Traveler - finding the heart of the journey to travel up, down, in and out.
Be Present Tense - enter the moment to be fully present to others that we might fulfill our calling as shepherds.

It was a great time, God definitely helped me and hopefully helped others to gain some new perspective and to refresh my faith as I was part of this get-a-way.

One final highlight was ministering with the worship pastor from my church here in western, PA. That was pretty cool. We also went to Sea World together - SHA-MU, SHA-MU!

Any Rebound folks out there? Share a comment.

Seriously - just say hey if you have endured the shortage of dispatches from here @ perigrinatio.

It has been a while since I have been able to just sit down and clear my head. I have been busy with life, work, autumn, getting ready for rebound and just too scattered to make a helpful post. I hope to be back on track here in the next few days.

I hope you will join me and make the pilgrimage of life together a better one.

Seriously, say “hey!”

Comment below.

In one Peace… (mostly).

receipt…

over 700 miles driven
14 hours in a car
toll$
ga$
road $ide food
rain
humidity!!
lines
road construction

seeing Genesis play at Giants Stadium with my brother…

oh it was priceless!!

WOW!! What a show…

Highlights:

Incredible lights and video - unbelievable.
- In the Cage - wow.
- Afterglow - does it get better than this… everything awash in purple.
- Firth of Fifth - it does get better - holy cow… just sublime - Stuermer shines on the Hackett bits!!!
- Follow You, Follow Me - Phil singing and drumming with a great, fun video of Albert, Cynthia, and other notable album art characters strolling and cavorting about…
- I Know What I Like - a great video trip down memory lane - and Phil’s signature tambourine solo!
- Ripples - Tony Banks at his compositional best.
- Drum Duet into Los Endos - Collins and Thompson were amazing with drum sticks - and then Los Endos… - for me the highlight.
- Carpet Crawlers - the finale… a great “chilled” version that ended a beautiful evening of superb musicianship and great entertainment!

From the first notes you know this is the david crowder* band. There is so much to enjoy and find and admire and yes emulate on this newest release, Remedy. It is probably a bit more accessible than A Collision. I can hear church’s, youth groups, and fellowships of all sizes putting there own spin on many of the tunes that Crowder and company have to offer this time round. (A Collision was a bit less accessible in my opinion - yet ground breaking in another sense - it clearly took “worship music” to a whole new level and experience.)

What I really find refreshing this time out with remedy…

This is corporate - you find very few references to “me” and “I” and tons of “we” and “us.”

This is a wonderful set of music that tackles both the transcendence and immanence of God. The music is filled with the reality and the implications of God’s presence. Wonderful stuff.

This is missional worship. Worship that helps us thank, exalt, lift up, praise and glory in our God who has come to save us. Worship that challenges and engages us in the part we have to play in the unfolding epic that God has come to save us.

There is hope filling and undergirding the message of Remedy. Check out these lyrics:
“…everything will change
Things will never be the same
We will never be same.” (from “The Glory of it All”)

“Oh surely we can change something;
Oh, the world’s about to change,
The whole world’s about to change.” (from “Surely We Can Change”)

I felt my whole being swell up with hope as Crowder sang “The whole world’s about to change” - the first time I heard it.

Yes there are plenty of anthems (youth rooms watch out- and they will have all kinds of new treats and feats of loudness in San Diego, St. Louis and Atlanta - YS!) There is also just quality stuff a great remake of one of Crowder’s first (and finest) tunes - Rain Down (from back in the UBC days); and a great song/psalm/prayer in the tradition of Francis Assisi’s Peace Prayer; and a beautiful re-working and amending to a “great Hymn of the church”.

[This release and it’s content also raises a question… so did I miss an announcement - is there going to be an “Everything Changes Tour” with Crowder and McLaren? This disc seems to drip with a message and a tone that is VERY consistent with McLaren’s new book (Everything Must Change).]

So what is the scoop? This is a great gift to the church - may we enjoy, use and celebrate with Crowder’s Remedy.

“Let us be the remedy
Let us bring the remedy.” from the song titled, “Remedy”