This will be the last message in our "U2 Christmas" series. It is fitting because Christmas is the time of year we remember when "love came to town" for the first time. It is the moment in history where God's plan to redeem the world finally starts to play out in the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ.
The song's chorus states:
When love comes to town I'm gonna jump that train
When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that flame
Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
But I did what I did before love came to town
The writer is stating he has done wrong things - and haven't we all? But he indicates a heart-change after coming to a realization of what love truly is - "I did what I did before love came to town."
Now love has come to town, love has arrived, and I see my life and actions in a new light.
To keep things simple, this song I think, is really about heart-change. A change that can only really occur after experiencing the heart changing power of love. The ultimate love is God's love for us expressed in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. How has your heart changed since meeting Christ and beginning your new life in him?
I hope you all have a wonderful and Merry Christmas. God bless!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
"Simple" - January Message Series
Beginning in January we will be kicking off a new message series at Meadow Spring called "Simple." You can preview the trailer for this series below.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
"Vertigo" Performance - Last Sunday
I wrote quite a bit about the song "Vertigo" in my blog last week. Due to this writing I came to the conclusion that what initially appears to be a disjointed bridge in the middle of the song is actually a different "voice", a voice full of promises but very sinister in nature. I also noticed while watching the video of the song that during the bridge the members of U2 actually get brought underground and the video becomes very dark.
As I thought about performing this song last Sunday I wanted to do something that would really make a distinct impression that this was a completely different voice than the rest of the song and to project some of this darkness into the feel of the bridge - even more so than what U2 does.
So, I asked Brian to do the bridge. Brian is a bass singer in every sense of the word. He can get a certain "boom" out of his voice that I can only dream of. Then, I asked Dave if there was a way, using effects, to make his voice boom even more - to make it as evident as possible that this voice is different and dark.
As the vocal effect had to get cut in and out very quickly it took four hands to pull it off back at the soundboard. Jeff and Dave, working seamlessly together, pulled it off without a hitch. And Brian sounded totally amazing. The "boom" in his voice was more of a "BOOM". I saw people's faces in the congregation and many of their jaws dropped. I think the point was made. Not only did Brian do the bridge, but he put 100% of his energy into it and it was truly remarkable. I think it made the whole song.
A huge thanks to Brian, Dave, and Jeff for using the arts and technology to paint such a vivid picture for all of us.
Were you there? Feel free to comment about the service last Sunday and in particular the performance of "Vertigo".
As I thought about performing this song last Sunday I wanted to do something that would really make a distinct impression that this was a completely different voice than the rest of the song and to project some of this darkness into the feel of the bridge - even more so than what U2 does.
So, I asked Brian to do the bridge. Brian is a bass singer in every sense of the word. He can get a certain "boom" out of his voice that I can only dream of. Then, I asked Dave if there was a way, using effects, to make his voice boom even more - to make it as evident as possible that this voice is different and dark.
As the vocal effect had to get cut in and out very quickly it took four hands to pull it off back at the soundboard. Jeff and Dave, working seamlessly together, pulled it off without a hitch. And Brian sounded totally amazing. The "boom" in his voice was more of a "BOOM". I saw people's faces in the congregation and many of their jaws dropped. I think the point was made. Not only did Brian do the bridge, but he put 100% of his energy into it and it was truly remarkable. I think it made the whole song.
A huge thanks to Brian, Dave, and Jeff for using the arts and technology to paint such a vivid picture for all of us.
Were you there? Feel free to comment about the service last Sunday and in particular the performance of "Vertigo".
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
U2 Christmas - Week 3 - "Where The Streets Have No Name"
In the book "Walk On - The Spirtual Journey of U2" by Steve Stockman, the author explains what it was like growing up in the streets of Dublin for the young members of U2. Now, I'm writing this from memory so it may not be exact, but I think I have the main thrust of his thoughts. In Dublin, at the time, there were few secrets and lots of labels as everyone knew your social status and religious bent based upon the name of the street you lived on.
Anyone who knows history knows of the tension and battles between the Catholics and Protestants of Northern Ireland.
Imagine a songwriter, years later, sitting down to pen words to a song about the longing for a world without prejudice, a world without labels, where equality and peace are the norm and not the exception. Wouldn't it be natural for that songwriter to use as a picture of this longing a place where the streets have no name? Here, the streets have no name, you and me have no labels, and prejudice has disappeared.
When looking at this song through this filter it is not only a beautiful masterpiece musically, but also lyrically.
Speaking of the musicality of the song - if you've never heard it (is that possible?) or, if you haven't heard it in a long time - do you remember the beginning? Twenty years after its release the beginning of this song STILL gives me the chills. The soft and slow pad of chords, then accentuated by The Edge's opening arpeggio on the guitar, then the drums and bass building into the crescendo that leads to the opening verse! Unbelievably beautiful and moving - and the lyrics haven't even kicked in yet.
When they do kick in, the lyrics stop you in your tracks:
I want to run, I want to hide
I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside
I want to reach out and touch the flame
Where the streets have no name
I want to feel sunlight on my face
See that dust cloud disappear without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name
Anyone who knows history knows of the tension and battles between the Catholics and Protestants of Northern Ireland.
Imagine a songwriter, years later, sitting down to pen words to a song about the longing for a world without prejudice, a world without labels, where equality and peace are the norm and not the exception. Wouldn't it be natural for that songwriter to use as a picture of this longing a place where the streets have no name? Here, the streets have no name, you and me have no labels, and prejudice has disappeared.
When looking at this song through this filter it is not only a beautiful masterpiece musically, but also lyrically.
Speaking of the musicality of the song - if you've never heard it (is that possible?) or, if you haven't heard it in a long time - do you remember the beginning? Twenty years after its release the beginning of this song STILL gives me the chills. The soft and slow pad of chords, then accentuated by The Edge's opening arpeggio on the guitar, then the drums and bass building into the crescendo that leads to the opening verse! Unbelievably beautiful and moving - and the lyrics haven't even kicked in yet.
When they do kick in, the lyrics stop you in your tracks:
I want to run, I want to hide
I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside
I want to reach out and touch the flame
Where the streets have no name
I want to feel sunlight on my face
See that dust cloud disappear without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building then burning down love, burning down love
And when I go there, I go there with you
It's all I can do
The city's a flood, and our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind, trampled in dust
I'll show you a place high on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name
What is this place? Where is this place? Is it heaven? Is it a future society? Who knows??? What's important to take away from the song is that there is a place - maybe its within our own selves - maybe that is where we need to start - where we no longer need to be beaten and blown by the wind of our own petty prejudices, but have found the high place, the better way, where the streets have no name. Where human dignity, equality, and justice have replaced labels and prejudice. How do you interpret this song? Feel free to comment.
I have embedded a live version of this song. Enjoy! In the beginning of this version Bono quotes from the Book of Psalms - Psalm 116:12-14 - very cool!
Monday, December 3, 2007
U2 Christmas - Week 2 - "Vertigo"
The "American Heritage Dictionary" defines vertigo as:
ver·ti·go (vûr'tĭ-gō') n. pl. ver·ti·goes or ver·ti·gos
- a.) The sensation of dizziness, or
b.) An instance of such a sensation. - A confused, disoriented state of mind.
The video does a good job of communicating this sense of "dizzyness". Just to be safe, you may want to view it while sitting down. ;-)
To be honest, when I first started trying to figure out what this song means I experienced vertigo myself. Talk about a confusing jumble of word pictures. I do not enjoy jigsaw puzzles and trying to make sense of this song felt like trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle to me.
I found some insight into the song by doing some focused Internet searching. Music is art though, and as such, is open to interpretation. So, keep in mind, if any die-hard U2 fans read this whose opinions differ that is fine. My collection of thoughts regarding this topic are based on my own feelings as to how the song could be interpreted, and from reading the thoughts of some others about the meaning of this song whose words ring true with me. I didn't write the song, so I can't say this is how it 'should' be interpreted. I get the feeling if we asked Bono directly what it meant he would probably say something to the effect that "great art loses its meaning if the artist has to explain the work," or something kinda deep like that.
According to a post I ran across (which I have not verified is an actual quote from Bono), in an interview Bono did discuss the song in the following terms:
'Fear, paranoia, these are the type of things we wanted from 'Vertigo'. The album ends in quite an ecstatic place and, so we wanted to start off with a little bit of electric shock treatment. It's a club maybe, and you're supposed to be having the time of your life, but you want to kill yourself (laughs)….it's a light little ditty. These are nervous times, they really are, you turn on the news, you think 'Wow, who's next? My brother, my sister, my uncle, my aunt …nervous times.'
'It's a dizzy feeling, vertigo, a sort of sick feeling, when you get up to the top of something and there's only one way to go - that's not a dictionary definition, that's mine. And in my head I create a club, called Vertigo, with all these people in it, and the music is just not the music you want to hear, the people are not the people you want to be with. And then you just see somebody, she's got a cross round her neck, and you kind of focus on it because you can't focus on anything else, and you find a little, tiny, fragment of salvation there.'--Bono
The song starts interestingly enough. People will debate whether the first word in the song is "uno" or "unos". According to the official U2 website the correct word is "Unos" -which in Spanish means eleven. Not "uno" which means one. The last number in the four number sequence is "catorce", which means fourteen. So, one would think the middle numbers are twelve and thirteen - but, again the official U2 website says they are "dos" and "tres" which mean two and three if my Spanish is right (not "doce" and "trece" which would be twelve and thirteen). So, the song begins with a confusing number sequence "11, 2, 3, 14". This sets the stage for the confusion to follow. The writer is so disoriented he can't even count right.
Here are the lyrics with some thoughts interspersed:
Lights go down, it’s dark
The jungle is your head can’t rule your heart
A feeling is so much stronger than a thought
Your eyes are wide and though your soul, it can’t be bought -Your mind can wander
- Tension, confusion, struggle ("it's a jungle out there") - between what we know is right in our heart and where our "wide open eyes" and "wandering mind" can take us.
Hello, hello (¡Hola!) "Hello"
I'm at a place called vertigo (¿Dónde está?) "Where is it?" or "Where is that?"
It’s everything I wish I didn’t know
Except you give me something I can feel, feel
- The first two lines of the chorus are like a conversation between two different people -
"Hello."
"Oh, hello."
"I'm at Vertigo." (Or, "I'm experiencing vertigo").
"Oh really? Where is that?"
This conversation amplifys the sense of confusion, but also hints at the way out of the confusion as the first voice answers - "I'm not sure how to give you directions to this place - it's all just too confusing. All I know is that you give me something I can feel. Something that is separate from this 'vertigo' that surrounds me externally. Something that I know to be true in my heart." I almost get the feeling the second voice is unfamiliar with 'vertigo' or 'confusion', as it has to ask "Where is it?" The second voice is standing outside of what the writer is experiencing and is larger than what the writer is experiencing.
The night is full of holes
As bullets rip the sky of ink with gold
They twinkle as the Boys play rock and roll
They know that they can’t dance - at least they know….
- Another word picture - this is a description of a wild Friday night - there's a band playing a show under fireworks or one heckuva light show. This is the 'Club Vertigo' that Bono was describing in his interview. There's a lot of people here, there's a lot going on, a dull moment cannot be found here. There's light, there's energy, there's noise, this is the place to be - there's buzz, there's excitement. I'm not really sure, but I think the line "they know that they can't dance - at least they know" hints at a bit of emptiness in the midst of all the activity and entertainment. Maybe this plays into the "nervous times" part of his quote. In the midst of all this activity, these are nervous times. I'm uncertain about what tomorrow holds. Even the trappings of celebrity are temporary and fleeting and do not have significance beyond the here and now.
I can’t stand the beats - I’m asking for the cheque
The girl with crimson nails has Jesus round her neck
Swinging to the music - Swinging to the music - Oh oh oh oh
- I think the second half of the second verse here, develops the emptiness hinted at in the first half of the verse. "I can't stand it here. In spite of all the trappings of celebrity. In spite of this being the 'place to be.' I want to pay my bill and leave. There's got to be more than this vertigo, doesn't there?"
Then the girl with "Jesus 'round her neck" catches his attention. She is wearing a necklace with a cross on it. The cross, the symbol of hope for something better. For a life truly fulfilled. A life beyond the 'vertigo', the confusion, the spinning, the dizziness. Whether the wearer of the necklace believes it has any significance or not is not the point here - the point is that in the midst of all the dizzying activity a reminder was found of our true hope. Re-quoting Bono from earlier, "And then you just see somebody, she's got a cross round her neck, and you kind of focus on it because you can't focus on anything else, and you find a little, tiny, fragment of salvation there."
Musically, while Bono sings "Swinging to the music, swinging to the music, oh oh oh oh," you can almost feel the dizzyness here. They did an excellent job when arranging this song to make this section make you feel like you are spinning.
Hello, hello (¡Hola!)
I'm at a place called vertigo (¿Dónde está?)
It’s everything I wish I didn’t know
Except you give me something I can feel, feel
All of this, all of this can be yours
All of this, all of this can be yours
All of this, all of this can be yours
Just give me what I want and no-one gets hurt….
- The bridge is an interesting piece of work. This seems completely out of place lyrically. It's like a third voice has been introduced into the mix. This voice is full of promises, but is quite sinister. I found some online posts whose authors speculated this part of the song is in reference to Jesus' tempation in the wilderness. The devil took him up on a high cliff and told Jesus everything he saw could be his, if Jesus would only worship him. "Jesus, you can have it all! You can rule it all! But, you've got give me what I want first - you've got to worship me!"
I don't think the writer of the song is comparing himself to Jesus, but he may just be using this event from the Bible to draw a parallel. All of the light, sound, energy, activity, entertainment, celebrity, buzz - can be yours. Just let your mind "continue to wander" and forget what you know to be true in your heart. Lose yourself in the moment. Lose yourself in the vertigo. Put on the Band-Aid and forget about the cure.
Considering the fame and success of U2, is this not a tempation that they have faced? Is this not something that Bono has wrestled with personally? So, what is his response? I think we find it in the final chorus of the song that follows here, where he is back to the original conversation between two people. The second person, at this point in the song I think we have a pretty good idea is Jesus. The writer of the song chooses the love that is teaching him how to kneel - how to be humble in spite of incredible success - how to pray and be dependent on his Creator and not on his celebrity.
Hello, hello (¡Hola!)
We’re at a place called vertigo (¿Dónde está?)
Lights go down and all I know
Is that you give me something - I can feel your love teaching me how
Your love is teaching me how, how to kneel, kneel…
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
I know this is an incredibly long blog, and blogs are actually supposed to be short, but since I've already blown that rule, I'm going to push the envelope a little further. I noticed in this last chorus the lyrics are changed where before he sang "It's everything I wish I didn't know except you give me something I can feel," he sings "Lights go down and all I know is that you give me something . . .". What happens at the end of a concert? The lights go down - the crowd goes home. There is no more "rock star." There is no more "celebrity." There is only You and Your love teaching me how to kneel - how to be humble, how to pray, and to be dependent on Your grace.
Overall, not bad for a rock song, eh? :-)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
"Amazing Grace" - The Movie
OK - If you did not see it in the theatre, or rent it on DVD yet, I'm telling you - you NEED to watch the movie "Amazing Grace." Go rent it - right now! Seriously!
Here's the trailer:
It is the true story of a man named William Wilberforce. An abolitionist in the English Parliament who fought for years for the end of the slave trade. When he first entered the political arena, there was some support for his position, though never enough. Then, when war broke out with France, promoting abolition became near treason and his support almost completely dried up.
There is a scene in the film during this time period (the war with France) where William Wilberforce is standing alone in Parliament SHOUTING at the top of his lungs his message of abolition while nearly everyone else in Parliament is shouting back at him to shut up and take his seat. He was one man - alone against many - speaking for those who had no voice. It was an incredible scene, an inspiring scene. Here is a man who was willing to do the right thing, no matter the cost to him personally.
He was a man of faith. In fact he wrestled over entering the ministry or politics. For twenty years he fought an uphill battle to overturn the acceptance of the slave trade within the English empire. A large part of his success was because he had the strength and fortitude, based on the convictions of his faith, to never allow his voice to be silenced. His lone voice was the conscience for an entire nation, prodding action to be taken against an incredibly inhuman practice. Though he suffered countless defeats, and even his personal health suffered, he never gave up - he never lost site of his goal. He refused to be silenced.
John Newton plays a role as a mentor in William Wilberforce's life. John Newton was a former slave ship captain who became a Christian and left that lifestyle. He went on to become a minister and pen the words to the great hymn everyone knows still today called "Amazing Grace." The discussions between Newton and Wilberforce in the movie are powerful. In Newton, you see a man filled with regret and remorse over his previous lifestyle. When he wrote "a wretch like me" he really meant it. He talks about his "20,000 ghosts." But, in his life, he experienced God's amazing grace and it changed him completely.
I can't say enough about this movie - except you need to see it. If you're squeamish, another thing I really liked about this movie is that it is not graphic. There are a couple times where they describe what the ocean passage was like for the slaves, and what life was like, if they survived the trip, in captivity. And this is enough - sometimes when we use our own imagination to fill in the gaps of what is being described it is more powerful than having it graphically displayed on the screen. This was one of those times, for me anyway.
See the movie. And then ask yourself what lessons can you draw from it for your own life? For your own faith? What can you apply? And, maybe be so bold as to ask yourself, "how can I change the world?"
Here's the trailer:
It is the true story of a man named William Wilberforce. An abolitionist in the English Parliament who fought for years for the end of the slave trade. When he first entered the political arena, there was some support for his position, though never enough. Then, when war broke out with France, promoting abolition became near treason and his support almost completely dried up.
There is a scene in the film during this time period (the war with France) where William Wilberforce is standing alone in Parliament SHOUTING at the top of his lungs his message of abolition while nearly everyone else in Parliament is shouting back at him to shut up and take his seat. He was one man - alone against many - speaking for those who had no voice. It was an incredible scene, an inspiring scene. Here is a man who was willing to do the right thing, no matter the cost to him personally.
He was a man of faith. In fact he wrestled over entering the ministry or politics. For twenty years he fought an uphill battle to overturn the acceptance of the slave trade within the English empire. A large part of his success was because he had the strength and fortitude, based on the convictions of his faith, to never allow his voice to be silenced. His lone voice was the conscience for an entire nation, prodding action to be taken against an incredibly inhuman practice. Though he suffered countless defeats, and even his personal health suffered, he never gave up - he never lost site of his goal. He refused to be silenced.
John Newton plays a role as a mentor in William Wilberforce's life. John Newton was a former slave ship captain who became a Christian and left that lifestyle. He went on to become a minister and pen the words to the great hymn everyone knows still today called "Amazing Grace." The discussions between Newton and Wilberforce in the movie are powerful. In Newton, you see a man filled with regret and remorse over his previous lifestyle. When he wrote "a wretch like me" he really meant it. He talks about his "20,000 ghosts." But, in his life, he experienced God's amazing grace and it changed him completely.
I can't say enough about this movie - except you need to see it. If you're squeamish, another thing I really liked about this movie is that it is not graphic. There are a couple times where they describe what the ocean passage was like for the slaves, and what life was like, if they survived the trip, in captivity. And this is enough - sometimes when we use our own imagination to fill in the gaps of what is being described it is more powerful than having it graphically displayed on the screen. This was one of those times, for me anyway.
See the movie. And then ask yourself what lessons can you draw from it for your own life? For your own faith? What can you apply? And, maybe be so bold as to ask yourself, "how can I change the world?"
U2 Christmas - Week 1 - "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
We are starting a new message series this Sunday called "U2 Christmas." For the next four weeks John's messages will be centered around the lyrics of songs from U2.
This coming Sunday the theme will be "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." The band will be performing this song during the service as well.
I remember when U2 released "The Joshua Tree" CD. U2 was a popular band before this, but this CD propelled them to the top of the world stage. It was 1987, the year I graduated from high school - and suddenly, you couldn't turn a radio on without hearing "Where The Streets Have No Name," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and "With Or Without You." There was something unique and fresh to their sound back then, and even when I listen to this CD twenty years later it still sounds like something that could get released by a new band today. These songs just do not age.
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is a song that explores the yearning in each of us for something greater, a restlessness for something yet unfulfilled. The final verse of the song speaks directly of Jesus when it says:
You broke the bonds and you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame, of my shame
You know I believe it
And then, followed by the final chorus:
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
As Christians, don't we believe that true fulfillment in life is found in a relationship with Jesus? How can we say we know Jesus, and in the same breath say that we still haven't found what we're looking for? This is one of the reasons I love the music of U2 - it makes you think. Is everything in our lives as we would like them to be? Is every part of our lives the way God wants them to be? Is everything in the world right and just? My eight year old is learning there are bullies in the world. I wish she didn't have to learn that - I wish there were no bullies. But don't these things stir a yearning within us? Aren't there things we are still looking for, even as followers of Christ? Not necessarily material things - but the state of things.
Are we content with the world the way it is, or do we see the potential of lives changed helping to change the lives of others through God's grace? I hope we are all still looking for that - and jumping in to make it as much a reality as possible.
This coming Sunday the theme will be "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." The band will be performing this song during the service as well.
I remember when U2 released "The Joshua Tree" CD. U2 was a popular band before this, but this CD propelled them to the top of the world stage. It was 1987, the year I graduated from high school - and suddenly, you couldn't turn a radio on without hearing "Where The Streets Have No Name," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and "With Or Without You." There was something unique and fresh to their sound back then, and even when I listen to this CD twenty years later it still sounds like something that could get released by a new band today. These songs just do not age.
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is a song that explores the yearning in each of us for something greater, a restlessness for something yet unfulfilled. The final verse of the song speaks directly of Jesus when it says:
You broke the bonds and you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame, of my shame
You know I believe it
And then, followed by the final chorus:
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
As Christians, don't we believe that true fulfillment in life is found in a relationship with Jesus? How can we say we know Jesus, and in the same breath say that we still haven't found what we're looking for? This is one of the reasons I love the music of U2 - it makes you think. Is everything in our lives as we would like them to be? Is every part of our lives the way God wants them to be? Is everything in the world right and just? My eight year old is learning there are bullies in the world. I wish she didn't have to learn that - I wish there were no bullies. But don't these things stir a yearning within us? Aren't there things we are still looking for, even as followers of Christ? Not necessarily material things - but the state of things.
Are we content with the world the way it is, or do we see the potential of lives changed helping to change the lives of others through God's grace? I hope we are all still looking for that - and jumping in to make it as much a reality as possible.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Running On Empty
At Meadow, we are a church that is not afraid to use secular music in our services. Of course, there are conditions on this. We are not going to do a secular song just for the sake of doing a secular song - but if a secular song contains a theme or thread that corresponds to the sermon for that day, we may just use it.
Why do we do this? Because music, all music, paints a picture and can be used as an illustration to drive home a point. For instance, last week we did the Stevie Wonder song "Superstition." Why would we do a song about superstition in church? Isn't God against superstition? Yes He is. But the song itself is not necessarily pro-superstition, in fact the chorus states, "Superstition ain't the way." And, in fitting into the theme of the message last week we wanted to drive home the point that to determine God's will for your life you need to study the Bible, and seek out counsel from other Godly people who have gone through what you're going through. Just because we used a song with the name "Superstition" does not mean we are advocating that as a church. It only means we are using a song most Christians and non-Christians alike have heard to make a point - if you're seeking God's will and direction for your life then "superstition ain't the way." God has outlined the methods we are to use to discover his will - and those are the methods we should use. The song reinforces the theme for the day.
There is another older secular song that we will be performing this coming Sunday. It is "Running On Empty" by Jackson Browne. Now, if the Christian life is supposed to be a life of spiritual fullfillment, why would we do a song about running out of gas? Remember, the message series is about God's will - what does life look like for those who don't know God, or understand his purpose for their life, or his grace, or his forgiveness? Wouldn't it look a lot like someone who is running on empty? Running blind? The song can be taken allegorically, to paint a picture of life from the perspective of someone who is searching for God, for his will and purpose in their life. We are not advocating that we should run blindly through life. But when viewed through the filter of allegory, this song has an incredibly strong impact. And that is how we need to see the secular songs that we perform at Meadow - allegory, a tool to tell a story and drive home a point (definition of "allegory" from Dictionary.com - a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another).
To be honest - I love this song. It is one of my all-time favorites. It's simple melodic hook and message of searching have gotten it stuck in my head many times throughout the years. Here are some of the lyrics. Read them through the filter of allegory - see the picture they are painting, the description of life from the writer's perspective.
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up 101
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun but I'm running behind
Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In sixty-nine I was twenty one and called the road my own
I don't know when that road turned on to the one I'm on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun but I'm running behind
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Looking into their eyes I see they're running too
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun but I'm running behind
Why do we do this? Because music, all music, paints a picture and can be used as an illustration to drive home a point. For instance, last week we did the Stevie Wonder song "Superstition." Why would we do a song about superstition in church? Isn't God against superstition? Yes He is. But the song itself is not necessarily pro-superstition, in fact the chorus states, "Superstition ain't the way." And, in fitting into the theme of the message last week we wanted to drive home the point that to determine God's will for your life you need to study the Bible, and seek out counsel from other Godly people who have gone through what you're going through. Just because we used a song with the name "Superstition" does not mean we are advocating that as a church. It only means we are using a song most Christians and non-Christians alike have heard to make a point - if you're seeking God's will and direction for your life then "superstition ain't the way." God has outlined the methods we are to use to discover his will - and those are the methods we should use. The song reinforces the theme for the day.
There is another older secular song that we will be performing this coming Sunday. It is "Running On Empty" by Jackson Browne. Now, if the Christian life is supposed to be a life of spiritual fullfillment, why would we do a song about running out of gas? Remember, the message series is about God's will - what does life look like for those who don't know God, or understand his purpose for their life, or his grace, or his forgiveness? Wouldn't it look a lot like someone who is running on empty? Running blind? The song can be taken allegorically, to paint a picture of life from the perspective of someone who is searching for God, for his will and purpose in their life. We are not advocating that we should run blindly through life. But when viewed through the filter of allegory, this song has an incredibly strong impact. And that is how we need to see the secular songs that we perform at Meadow - allegory, a tool to tell a story and drive home a point (definition of "allegory" from Dictionary.com - a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another).
To be honest - I love this song. It is one of my all-time favorites. It's simple melodic hook and message of searching have gotten it stuck in my head many times throughout the years. Here are some of the lyrics. Read them through the filter of allegory - see the picture they are painting, the description of life from the writer's perspective.
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up 101
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun but I'm running behind
Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In sixty-nine I was twenty one and called the road my own
I don't know when that road turned on to the one I'm on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun but I'm running behind
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Looking into their eyes I see they're running too
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun but I'm running behind
Grace Under Pressure
We had to start church a few minutes late yesterday. I don't remember the last time this happened - or IF it's happened before. It was one of those mornings that was, how should I phrase this . . . an exercise in character growth.
First, we found a problem with a speaker that was recently replaced and decided we would have to go without the sub-woofer. Then, immediately after that the main speakers went out completely. We had blown the power amp that drives them.
Dave troubleshot the issue and went to work on figuring out how to work around this right away. Within a few minutes we had enough of the sound system back to keep going. Why do I say all this? Because I made two observations during this stressful time that floored me.
First, we are so fortunate to have Dave on our team at Meadow. He is one of the first people there on Sunday mornings and one of the last to leave. He knows the sound system inside and out (in fact he has pretty much designed and built it). He knew what needed to be done and got us back up and running as quick as possible. If it were left to me I'm not sure what would have happened, but John would have had to probably shout during his message as I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have had a sound system. On top of all the sound system drama for Dave, he also was part of the music team. It's not very often that he is able to play, but when he does I'm pretty sure he would prefer not having to deal with a crisis. But he handled everything with grace and professionalism. He commented to me "I live for Sunday's like this." I was like, "Dude."
Second, when something technical goes wrong on a Sunday morning, it is stressful. Being a portable church, there is little room in our schedule for something to go wrong. But everyone on the music team and tech team was calm, cool, and collected throughout. It was awesome to see.
We have a great team at Meadow and I enjoy working with you all. Thanks for using the gifts God has given you and for being examples of his grace and peace.
First, we found a problem with a speaker that was recently replaced and decided we would have to go without the sub-woofer. Then, immediately after that the main speakers went out completely. We had blown the power amp that drives them.
Dave troubleshot the issue and went to work on figuring out how to work around this right away. Within a few minutes we had enough of the sound system back to keep going. Why do I say all this? Because I made two observations during this stressful time that floored me.
First, we are so fortunate to have Dave on our team at Meadow. He is one of the first people there on Sunday mornings and one of the last to leave. He knows the sound system inside and out (in fact he has pretty much designed and built it). He knew what needed to be done and got us back up and running as quick as possible. If it were left to me I'm not sure what would have happened, but John would have had to probably shout during his message as I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have had a sound system. On top of all the sound system drama for Dave, he also was part of the music team. It's not very often that he is able to play, but when he does I'm pretty sure he would prefer not having to deal with a crisis. But he handled everything with grace and professionalism. He commented to me "I live for Sunday's like this." I was like, "Dude."
Second, when something technical goes wrong on a Sunday morning, it is stressful. Being a portable church, there is little room in our schedule for something to go wrong. But everyone on the music team and tech team was calm, cool, and collected throughout. It was awesome to see.
We have a great team at Meadow and I enjoy working with you all. Thanks for using the gifts God has given you and for being examples of his grace and peace.
Monday, November 12, 2007
"What Are These Strings For?"
Stephen Wright, a comedian, did a routine many years ago that I still remember. Actually, I remember a lot of his routines. If you know who he is, I guess that gives you a glimpse of the humor I like. Anyway, he brought a guitar out on stage and started playing a song he had written. He soon stopped and asked, "What are these strings for?" I know it's not funny as you read this, but if you're familiar with his delivery, it was actually quite humorous.
That's how I felt playing guitar last Sunday - "What are these strings for? What are strings? What's a guitar? Have I ever played one before?" Argh! I had practiced for hours during the week, but on Sunday it all went out the window. Many years ago, I would have beat myself up for all the mistakes, when in truth, most people in the congregation probably didn't even pick up on most of them.
What's cool about God is that he is able to use us. He chooses to use us. In spite of our mistakes. In spite of our imperfections. In spite of our sometimes trying to keep him at a distance. So, I don't beat myself up too much anymore. Is it humbling? Yes. Is it something I'm happy with? No. But I have learned this through my years in leading worship - that God uses what happens in the service. No matter how badly we think we've blown it, there is always someone in the congregation that heard something beyond the mistakes that were so obvious to us, and THAT is what mine and our focus needs to be on. Not the mistakes, but on the fact that God uses us and our times of worship together in ways we don't always understand to impact, challenge, and enrich our lives and the lives of the people in the congregation.
That's how I felt playing guitar last Sunday - "What are these strings for? What are strings? What's a guitar? Have I ever played one before?" Argh! I had practiced for hours during the week, but on Sunday it all went out the window. Many years ago, I would have beat myself up for all the mistakes, when in truth, most people in the congregation probably didn't even pick up on most of them.
What's cool about God is that he is able to use us. He chooses to use us. In spite of our mistakes. In spite of our imperfections. In spite of our sometimes trying to keep him at a distance. So, I don't beat myself up too much anymore. Is it humbling? Yes. Is it something I'm happy with? No. But I have learned this through my years in leading worship - that God uses what happens in the service. No matter how badly we think we've blown it, there is always someone in the congregation that heard something beyond the mistakes that were so obvious to us, and THAT is what mine and our focus needs to be on. Not the mistakes, but on the fact that God uses us and our times of worship together in ways we don't always understand to impact, challenge, and enrich our lives and the lives of the people in the congregation.
Crazy Follow-Up . . .
Well, the "baptism in a movie theatre" mission was hugely successful. Dave and John pulled it off without a hitch. By the time I got there Sunday morning for sound check, the baptistry was not only assembled, but full of water - WARM water at that (I'm telling you, they thought of everything!). This actually happened two Sundays ago, so you can see how well I've been doing at keeping my new blog up to date (ya, right!).
Brandon, Meadow's friendly neighborhood plumber, had brought in an industrial strength sump pump thingy and after the service the baptistry was emptied of who knows how many hundreds of gallons of water in less than twenty minutes.
The service itself was incredible. We opened with Chris Tomlin's "Party" and it just took off from there. The best part was, of course, the baptisms. Before people go through the actual baptizing at Meadow, they nail a card with their name on it to a cross as a symbolic statement that they belong to Jesus and that their lives have been changed because of what he did on the cross. And then the actual baptism - a huge step of faith - and wildly out of most people's comfort zone - another symbol. We were dead in our sins, but have been raised to new life through Jesus. It is always extremely moving and exciting. Congratulations to you all!
Brandon, Meadow's friendly neighborhood plumber, had brought in an industrial strength sump pump thingy and after the service the baptistry was emptied of who knows how many hundreds of gallons of water in less than twenty minutes.
The service itself was incredible. We opened with Chris Tomlin's "Party" and it just took off from there. The best part was, of course, the baptisms. Before people go through the actual baptizing at Meadow, they nail a card with their name on it to a cross as a symbolic statement that they belong to Jesus and that their lives have been changed because of what he did on the cross. And then the actual baptism - a huge step of faith - and wildly out of most people's comfort zone - another symbol. We were dead in our sins, but have been raised to new life through Jesus. It is always extremely moving and exciting. Congratulations to you all!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Crazy
Welcome to my first blog post ever. I have no idea where this will go from here. I have no idea who will read this. I have no idea what I will write tomorrow or a week from now. But, it's time to make the jump and just do it. So here goes . . .
I told John and Dave they are crazy the other day. I know this is probably not the wisest thing in the world to do since I just returned to being on staff and leading the music team again at Meadow. My tenure may be short-lived, but - you have to understand - there will be a portable baptistry in the movie theatre next Sunday, Nov. 4th. That might not sound too crazy on the surface, but once you stop and consider the logistics of this endeavor - it is . . . well . . . crazy.
But, if you know John and Dave they kind of thrive living on the edge. They bid goodbye to their comfort zone a long time ago. My hat's off to them - it has to be, you see I don't sleep with my hat on. As they begin preparing the baptistry at about 4:00 a.m. next Sunday I'll still be sawing logs.
They've got the filling and emptying part of this all figured out and are sure we'll still be able to be done with tear down by 11:30. It is complete madness, but it is what makes ministry at Meadow so cool. It is going to be an awesome Sunday - it always is when you get to celebrate with so many people making a public statement of their faith in Jesus by being baptized. We have never done this during a Sunday morning service before - because of the logistics involved. But it is not holding us back any longer.
Congratulations to all those being baptized next Sunday. It is so awesome to see God moving in the lives of people at Meadow.
I told John and Dave they are crazy the other day. I know this is probably not the wisest thing in the world to do since I just returned to being on staff and leading the music team again at Meadow. My tenure may be short-lived, but - you have to understand - there will be a portable baptistry in the movie theatre next Sunday, Nov. 4th. That might not sound too crazy on the surface, but once you stop and consider the logistics of this endeavor - it is . . . well . . . crazy.
But, if you know John and Dave they kind of thrive living on the edge. They bid goodbye to their comfort zone a long time ago. My hat's off to them - it has to be, you see I don't sleep with my hat on. As they begin preparing the baptistry at about 4:00 a.m. next Sunday I'll still be sawing logs.
They've got the filling and emptying part of this all figured out and are sure we'll still be able to be done with tear down by 11:30. It is complete madness, but it is what makes ministry at Meadow so cool. It is going to be an awesome Sunday - it always is when you get to celebrate with so many people making a public statement of their faith in Jesus by being baptized. We have never done this during a Sunday morning service before - because of the logistics involved. But it is not holding us back any longer.
Congratulations to all those being baptized next Sunday. It is so awesome to see God moving in the lives of people at Meadow.
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