Symposium on Worship and The Arts

I attended and spoke at the Symposium on Worship and The Arts this week and had a good time. I actually had a bit of an inspiration for my next project. My book is sort-of done. I met with an editor from a publishing house to be named later and he sent my book out for reviews. What happens next depends on the reviews but he's "hopeful." So I now have to do one of my non-favorite things: wait.

So, what's next? I'm thinking that this whole inter-generational worship thing that I've been working on needs some juice. I've been talking about this a lot and giving general type suggestions when I speak to church groups and at conferences but I'm thinking that I need to perhaps spend some time making resources that churches can use. Stuff that allows them to actually try a few specific things that will get them on their way.

What do you think?

snow storm

We have a lot of snow and my snowblower won't start. This is especially irritating because a) we just paid $70 to get it fixed and b) it wouldn't start when I was in England and my wife and son had to shovel thus no longer allowing me to hold any moral high ground this season with regard to the snowblower.

It is possible that I am merely out of gas but I know there is at lease SOME gas in the machine because I poured some more into it before the can ran out. If this is indeed the problem refer to the loss of moral high ground argument above. Unfortunately we have about a foot of snow and I can't get the car out to go get more gas until I clear the driveway.

It's a good thing I don't have to go anywhere today.

catapult magazine and U2

This catapult magazine article by by Kate Bowman is really good. I love the quote at the end: Do we not know by now that, as Madeleine L’Engle writes, “God chooses his artists with as calm a disregard for surface moral qualifications as he chooses his saints”?

I got this from the U2 blog I often read so I want to make sure that I give yet another shout-out to Beth and the U2 Sermons blog.

Calvin Prof's Book Wins Newbery Honor

Calvin College - News - Calvin Prof's Book Wins Newbery Honor

Congrats to Gary Schmidt on his Newbery award. Pretty impressive.

I like to write about things I'm listening to, partly because I like to do that, but also because I can write about things that I think and I'm not giving away too much info about my personal life. I have an aversion to people who use their weblogs as a personal diary. Too much information and, frankly, I've seen examples of people writing things that have been hurtful to others. This just isn't appropriate in a public forum. Would you ever stand up in public and say these things out loud? If not, your weblog is at least as public - probably more so.

So why am I not writing about what I'm listening to? Because I have been listening to very little lately. On my trip to Ireland and England I listened very little and since we're doing remodeling at home my stereo is out of commission (the horror!). Plus, I've been working from home a bit more so even my commute listening has been limited.

Soon, though, I'll be back to my normal bloggery.

Back in the US

After a whirlwind trip to Dublin and the UK (including Liverpool) I am safe and sound back home. I did a lot of sightseeing on the day and a half I had aside from the Christian Educator's Conference at which I presented a paper with my good friend and Colleague Ron Sjoerdsma. Highlights of the trip include the Guiness Storehouse, Trinity College (home of the Book of Kells), crossingthe Ha'Penny Bridge and buying a U2 CD at the Celtic Note in Dublin, Penny Lane and the Beatles Museum in Liverpool, the Stamford Arms, a pub in a small village just southwest of Manchester where I had dinner.

The conference was very good and I met some wonderful people with great British names - like Rupert and Felicity. So all in all, a great time - I covered a lot of miles and a lot of ground in five and a half days!

Neal Morse

I got a Neil Morse CD for Christmas. I was pretty unfamiliar with his music. In fact, before Phil Keaggy made a guest appearance on his CD I had not heard of him at all. I had heard of his band Spock's Beard but had never heard their music. For samples you can look at his Official Site.

His stuff reminds me a bit of Kerry Livgren and Kansas. I have only heard the CD once (and only partly at that) but I'm liking it so far.

Here is a review.

U2 interview

U2 news article - from @U2

Interesting U2 interview. I love the reason why they didn't sell "Where the Streets Have No Name" for a car ad.

Any Clapton fans should seriously consider getting Sessions for Robert J. I've only watched two-thirds of it but so far it seriously blows Me and Mr Johnson away.

U2 - Pop

In the song "Mofo", do you think Bono is referring to the church when he says "mother am I still your son?"

The Alternative Hymnal: U2 - Pop

Alias

Here is a description of the season premier of ALIAS which will air on January 5. I'm pretty geeked about this show and have been since the first episode a bit over three years ago. What I like about it (especially in the first two seasons) is the combination of things that keep me guessing along with some cool action sequences and a very hip set of production values.

If you have not gotten in to ALIAS yet the best place to start is with the first episode. The producers had to dumb down the show slightly half way through the second season because people we having a hard time following it but they've done a pretty good job of keeping the standards up there. Worth checking out.

How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb Rebuilds the Heart - byFaith Online

This is a pretty good article from the PCA regarding U2 and their faith journey. I like how the author places HTDAAB in thecontext of the rest of U2's catalog.
How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb Rebuilds the Heart - byFaith Online

21st Century Reformation: My Sermon - Exposition of U2's Miracle Drug

Here is a sermon based on the song "Miracle Drug" from the latest U2 album. I really appreciate the way Bono weaves scripture into so much of what he does. It matches exactly with the notion I have been teaching about how we need to help children learn the stories of the Bible so that they become part of the very air we breathe. Its almost like Bono can't help but put these biblical allusions in his writing, they're such a part of his life.

21st Century Reformation: My Sermon - Exposition of U2's Miracle Drug

What would Jesus Drive?

It's always nice when theology comes in handy

What would Jesus Drive?

Under the Radar

This is a post about writing a post that no one reads. I was pretty secure in the knowledge that no one knew about this blog. Seriously. I haven't sent it's address to anyone and I have yet to comment on anyone else's blogger blog (there's a pair of words I never expected to use) with this address yet but, lo and behold, Beth M from the U2 site found me and commented. Imagine that.

So, that brings up an interesting question - how did she know?

U2 Sermons Blog for Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog

I've been listening to a LOT of U2 lately and this is one of my favorite sites at which to read U2 thoughts: U2 Sermons Blog for Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog

It also marks the first time I've used the "blog this" button on my Google toolbar. Life is good.

First Posting

I mostly got this blog so that the button on my Google toolbar will work. It could be a good place to put some music thoughts and reviews or to try out some writing.

We'll have to see what happens. This place seems more serious than Xanga. So maybe I will be too.