Did you know that the New York Philharmonic just gave a concert in, wait for it, North Korea?!?! Their orchestra was the biggest single group of Americans in North Korea since the Korean War. I'm afraid the significance of this concert has been lost on many of us. In his 2004 (I believe, I could very well be wrong, it might have been earlier but I'm short on time to check it out right now) State of the Union Address President Bush labeled North Korea as a member of "The Axis of Evil." Given their atrocious civil rights practices, the government of North Korea probably deserved that title (obviously that's not the angle President Bush was coming from).
That's a pretty big leap in a short time: from Axis of Evil to hosting one of America's premiere cultural institutions! The concert began with the orchestra playing both countries anthems and then moved to pieces that mostly highlighted the orchestra's history.
We often here people talk about music being a universal language (which, let's be honest, there is no one musical language that is universal so therefore "music" cannot be a universal language, but the human act of the creation of music is a universal act among all cultures). What a blessing it is to see art used as a bridge to open up dialogue between diverse groups of people!
Their are rumors that Eric Clapton has been invited to give a concert in North Korea in 2009.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Big Revisions!
I just altered the previous post "An Article for the Church Newsletter..." because, after reviewing it today, the style was pretty rough! Sorry about that!
Joe
Joe
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
An article for the church newsletter...
Here is an article I just wrote about the basics of Holy Week for the church newsletter. It was fun "getting back to the basics!"
Some Liturgical Theology in a Nutshell, or, What’s Holy Week All About?
by Rev. Joe Stobaugh
We are about to experience some of the most important events in the life of Jesus this month. Holy Week is, arguably, the most vital week in the Church Year. It is my prayer that the information that follows will help you to enter into this week in a deeper and richer way.
Passion/Palm Sunday
Holy Week begins with Passion/Palm Sunday, which this year falls on March 16th. During this service, we mark the irony of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where his followers and others spread out their coats and palm branches for Jesus and his donkey to ride into the city. With our voices this day we cry out “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” And with these same voices, we recognize ourselves as the ones who later in the week will also shout, “Crucify him!” The irony does not end there, however. Traditionally, the Roman Empire would march a legion of troops into Jerusalem the week before the Passover service was observed in an effort to remind the citizens of Jerusalem of who was “really in charge.” Many scholars have suggested that Jesus timed his entry in Jerusalem to occur on the other side of the city, at the same time as the Roman’s march into Jerusalem, as a demonstration against the empire. The act was laced with irony: the empires of this world marched in their glory, coming to crush any opposition with force, while Christ marched into the city on the back of a simple donkey, preparing to crush evil, the powers and principalities, and sin with grace, sacrifice, and love. The contrasts couldn’t be clearer between of the way of Christ and the way of the world.
In order to enter into this week fully try putting yourself in the events of this week: from Passion/Palm Sunday, to the Upper Room, to the Cross, and to then finally to the Resurrection! Where are you in these stories?
Maundy Thursday
On Thursday we enter into one of the most ancient times of worship, prayer, reflection and action in the Christian tradition. The events that begin sunset of this Thursday, and end on sunset of Easter Day are known at The Triduum
(the three days).
After sunset on Holy Thursday, the church remembers the actions of the last night of Jesus’ life, when he spent time with his disciples in the upper room, washing their feet, instituting the Lord’s Supper and his new commandment to love one another. This mandatum novum (new commandment, from which this service draws it’s name) comes from Jesus’ words in John 13:34: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
Maundy Thursday calls us to focus on the hope and love for the community that comes from the Last Supper and of our call to serve others, as Jesus’ demonstrated by washing the disciples feet.
Good Friday
During this most solemn of days, we mark the death of Jesus Christ. This day is filled with mystery, power, and significance. During this day we remember not only Jesus’ immeasurable sacrifice but we also ponder the depth of God’s love and God’s dream that all of God’s creation would be redeemed and restored. We marvel at the mystery of God’s greatest gift of love to us. We stand amazed, grateful, and perhaps confused and frightened at the power of the cross.
In the early church Good Friday was a time of deep intercessory prayer. In addition to marveling at the depth of God’s love, we too will enter into a time of deep prayer for the needs of the world this day.
Easter
On this day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! God has vanquished death, the final bastion of evil and sin! This day is the most celebrative day in the church year!
The early church celebrated Easter (as do many churches in our own time, including many United Methodist congregations) by holding an Easter Vigil. During the Easter Vigil, which usually starts late in the evening on Saturday (so as to finish early on Easter morning) God’ great acts of salvation as found through the Bible are proclaimed through song, readings and other acts. Traditionally, the service begins in darkness, outside of the church, and a great fire is lit outside of the church. The community processes in with a large candle, called the Paschal Candle, which represents the Light of Christ being brought back into the world, just as Christ came back from death. A beautiful song of praise, called the Exultet is sung and God’s saving acts are proclaimed. Traditionally, all those who were to be baptized received the sacrament at this service.
Our service, on Easter morning, will be a time of great joy and celebration as we praise God for all that God has done! This Sunday is the culmination of the church year! We will sing songs, hear a sermon, and experience the deep and abiding joy that comes from Christ’s victory.
For the following fifty days, we will continue to celebrate Easter and will then celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the church, where the Spirit was poured down onto the believers.
Parts of this article are used with permission from The Worship Sourcebook © 2004, CRC Publications.
Some Liturgical Theology in a Nutshell, or, What’s Holy Week All About?
by Rev. Joe Stobaugh
We are about to experience some of the most important events in the life of Jesus this month. Holy Week is, arguably, the most vital week in the Church Year. It is my prayer that the information that follows will help you to enter into this week in a deeper and richer way.
Passion/Palm Sunday
Holy Week begins with Passion/Palm Sunday, which this year falls on March 16th. During this service, we mark the irony of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where his followers and others spread out their coats and palm branches for Jesus and his donkey to ride into the city. With our voices this day we cry out “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” And with these same voices, we recognize ourselves as the ones who later in the week will also shout, “Crucify him!” The irony does not end there, however. Traditionally, the Roman Empire would march a legion of troops into Jerusalem the week before the Passover service was observed in an effort to remind the citizens of Jerusalem of who was “really in charge.” Many scholars have suggested that Jesus timed his entry in Jerusalem to occur on the other side of the city, at the same time as the Roman’s march into Jerusalem, as a demonstration against the empire. The act was laced with irony: the empires of this world marched in their glory, coming to crush any opposition with force, while Christ marched into the city on the back of a simple donkey, preparing to crush evil, the powers and principalities, and sin with grace, sacrifice, and love. The contrasts couldn’t be clearer between of the way of Christ and the way of the world.
In order to enter into this week fully try putting yourself in the events of this week: from Passion/Palm Sunday, to the Upper Room, to the Cross, and to then finally to the Resurrection! Where are you in these stories?
Maundy Thursday
On Thursday we enter into one of the most ancient times of worship, prayer, reflection and action in the Christian tradition. The events that begin sunset of this Thursday, and end on sunset of Easter Day are known at The Triduum
(the three days).
After sunset on Holy Thursday, the church remembers the actions of the last night of Jesus’ life, when he spent time with his disciples in the upper room, washing their feet, instituting the Lord’s Supper and his new commandment to love one another. This mandatum novum (new commandment, from which this service draws it’s name) comes from Jesus’ words in John 13:34: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
Maundy Thursday calls us to focus on the hope and love for the community that comes from the Last Supper and of our call to serve others, as Jesus’ demonstrated by washing the disciples feet.
Good Friday
During this most solemn of days, we mark the death of Jesus Christ. This day is filled with mystery, power, and significance. During this day we remember not only Jesus’ immeasurable sacrifice but we also ponder the depth of God’s love and God’s dream that all of God’s creation would be redeemed and restored. We marvel at the mystery of God’s greatest gift of love to us. We stand amazed, grateful, and perhaps confused and frightened at the power of the cross.
In the early church Good Friday was a time of deep intercessory prayer. In addition to marveling at the depth of God’s love, we too will enter into a time of deep prayer for the needs of the world this day.
Easter
On this day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! God has vanquished death, the final bastion of evil and sin! This day is the most celebrative day in the church year!
The early church celebrated Easter (as do many churches in our own time, including many United Methodist congregations) by holding an Easter Vigil. During the Easter Vigil, which usually starts late in the evening on Saturday (so as to finish early on Easter morning) God’ great acts of salvation as found through the Bible are proclaimed through song, readings and other acts. Traditionally, the service begins in darkness, outside of the church, and a great fire is lit outside of the church. The community processes in with a large candle, called the Paschal Candle, which represents the Light of Christ being brought back into the world, just as Christ came back from death. A beautiful song of praise, called the Exultet is sung and God’s saving acts are proclaimed. Traditionally, all those who were to be baptized received the sacrament at this service.
Our service, on Easter morning, will be a time of great joy and celebration as we praise God for all that God has done! This Sunday is the culmination of the church year! We will sing songs, hear a sermon, and experience the deep and abiding joy that comes from Christ’s victory.
For the following fifty days, we will continue to celebrate Easter and will then celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the church, where the Spirit was poured down onto the believers.
Parts of this article are used with permission from The Worship Sourcebook © 2004, CRC Publications.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Twelve minutes...
It's time to head home for the day! I love, love, love, love my 12 minute commute! Sarah, Ellie, double gummy, the jacks, and I have officially become residents of Denton County! Our new home, located in Corinth, Texas, is only 12 minutes away from the church. I just can't believe it! The commute seems like nothing from the 80 mile round-trip beating we endured the previous four months. Ahhh....satisfaction....domestic bliss....
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Things Every American Should do at Least Once!
Today in the Chicago airport Sarah and I sampled some local cuisine: Sarah had the Superdawg and I had the Whoopzitdawg (or something like that). As hot dogs and sausages are king in Chicago it only seemed right. Oh, wow, they were good! The hot dog place we sampled is a Chicago staple dating from the 1930’s. (I must admit, I was tempted to have a piece of Chicago pizza in Chicago for lunch and a piece of New York pizza in New York for dinner, but, sweet 6 lbs. 3 oz baby Jesus, the pizza looked bad! I mean real bad. So the sausage it was!)
This experience got me thinning (no, actually it got me fattening) it got me THINKING, what are the quintessential American experiences? What should every American do/experience in their lives?
Here’s Joe and Sarah’s Top 13 Things Every American Should Do at Least Once, at least at this moment!
1. Stand in the middle of Times Square and experience what it’s like to stand at the crossroads of the world. (A bit Amero-centric? You betcha!)
2. Ride a cable-car in San Francisco on a foggy night
3. Catch a Yankee’s-Red Sox game (in both Fenway and Yankee Stadium)
4. Experience the major schools of American bbq
5. Hear live jazz at least once in your life and actually pay attention (it’s America’s classical music)
6. Travel outside of America!
7. Have Mexican food in San Antonio (it’s just not the same anywhere else)
8. Experience all that New Orleans has to offer
9. See the Grand Canyon
10. Check out Niagara Falls (but from the Canadian side)
11. Spend at least a week in D.C.
12. Check out the historical sights in Philly (and have a Philly cheesesteak, trust us, you can’t skip the cheesesteak. If you have to, go back and do it again, but this time, have the cheesesteak. For the love of America, have the cheesesteak!)
13. Experience Disneyworld (going to EPCOT does not count towards completing number 6 on this list)
What would you recommend as a “must-do.” What have we missed?
This experience got me thinning (no, actually it got me fattening) it got me THINKING, what are the quintessential American experiences? What should every American do/experience in their lives?
Here’s Joe and Sarah’s Top 13 Things Every American Should Do at Least Once, at least at this moment!
1. Stand in the middle of Times Square and experience what it’s like to stand at the crossroads of the world. (A bit Amero-centric? You betcha!)
2. Ride a cable-car in San Francisco on a foggy night
3. Catch a Yankee’s-Red Sox game (in both Fenway and Yankee Stadium)
4. Experience the major schools of American bbq
5. Hear live jazz at least once in your life and actually pay attention (it’s America’s classical music)
6. Travel outside of America!
7. Have Mexican food in San Antonio (it’s just not the same anywhere else)
8. Experience all that New Orleans has to offer
9. See the Grand Canyon
10. Check out Niagara Falls (but from the Canadian side)
11. Spend at least a week in D.C.
12. Check out the historical sights in Philly (and have a Philly cheesesteak, trust us, you can’t skip the cheesesteak. If you have to, go back and do it again, but this time, have the cheesesteak. For the love of America, have the cheesesteak!)
13. Experience Disneyworld (going to EPCOT does not count towards completing number 6 on this list)
What would you recommend as a “must-do.” What have we missed?
Ahh, the CITY: part deux
So, after the longest approach in the history of aviation (probably not true, really) we landed in Chicago. I was going to take Sarah out for a nice dinner and then surprise her with our destination but our little adventure on I-35 kept that from happening.
First things first: Sarah. She is simply the most amazing woman I know! She is an incredible person of faith, the best mom around and a crazy awesome wife. God has blessed me richly in allowing me to be her husband. Plus, she’s hotter now than ever! I’m decent with words but I do not have to words to express how amazing she is and how blessed I am and how much I love her. True story.
Second things second: the CITY. They say Chicago is downtown USA. They also say that Manhattan is downtown World. Whoever they are (o.k., ‘they’ is Mark Rubinstein) well, they are right! What’s not to love about New York? Over seven million people, over 80 languages, 30,000 restaurants, some of the most incredible art and culture (and yes, it kills me to admit it, they do have a decent sports team or two) a tremendous vibe, and all on an island! You cannot beat that.
I’ve had the good fortune to go to L.A. (well, maybe that’s not good fortune), London, Paris, and Rome but for my money, give me New York! (Paris is a close second.)
If we have time, we’ll post more about the trip as we go.
First things first: Sarah. She is simply the most amazing woman I know! She is an incredible person of faith, the best mom around and a crazy awesome wife. God has blessed me richly in allowing me to be her husband. Plus, she’s hotter now than ever! I’m decent with words but I do not have to words to express how amazing she is and how blessed I am and how much I love her. True story.
Second things second: the CITY. They say Chicago is downtown USA. They also say that Manhattan is downtown World. Whoever they are (o.k., ‘they’ is Mark Rubinstein) well, they are right! What’s not to love about New York? Over seven million people, over 80 languages, 30,000 restaurants, some of the most incredible art and culture (and yes, it kills me to admit it, they do have a decent sports team or two) a tremendous vibe, and all on an island! You cannot beat that.
I’ve had the good fortune to go to L.A. (well, maybe that’s not good fortune), London, Paris, and Rome but for my money, give me New York! (Paris is a close second.)
If we have time, we’ll post more about the trip as we go.
Ahh, the CITY!
Whenever you put a word like “city” in all caps, you’ve got to know that you are talking about a word that everyone will recognize and agree on. Which city comes to mind when you read those two words: the CITY? Well of course, you are right! NEW YORK CITY! Right now Sarah and I are at 30,000, about to land in Chicago on our way to NYC for a long weekend. This weekend is not only Valentine’s Day Weekend (I just changed it from a day to a weekend) but also, and more importantly, my beautiful bride turns thirty this weekend! So I thought that I absolutely needed to take her on a surprise trip this weekend somewhere cool. We both love the Big Apple and she hasn’t had the chance to go back in a while so it was an easy choice!
I managed to conceal the destination of trip (as well as how I was paying for it) until yesterday. We were going to go out for a nice dinner and hang on; apparently I got to go, as we are about to land.
I managed to conceal the destination of trip (as well as how I was paying for it) until yesterday. We were going to go out for a nice dinner and hang on; apparently I got to go, as we are about to land.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Death was near...
February 14th, 2008 4:01 p.m.
Death was near
We got everything packed up last night and moved out of our house in San Antonio and arrived in Austin at12:30 this morning. Uncle James and Aunt Chelsea fixed us a wonderful breakfast and we hit the road. At about 1 1:10, on I-35 we were traveling in the left lane in a construction zone south of Salado when a 4x4 piece of wood rolled into our lane. We were in the left lane and a semi was in the right lane. Sarah, who was driving, had no choice but to hit the piece of wood dead-on at 70 mph. The blow ruptured both left-side tires, bent both rims and nearly sheered off the front spindle. Sarah was able to coax the fan into the right lane and we kept going for about ¼ mile trying to find an exit but to no avail: this stretch of I-35 has no exits and retaining walls on each side of the highway. There was not a shoulder for us to pull-off on. As we looked back, Sarah saw two semi’s that were behind us in a cloud of smoke. Both of the semis’s blocked the traffic, so we found ourselves alone on I-35. Thankfully, we came out just fine, injury- wise. The drivers behind us were not so lucky. I dialed 911 while we were still moving and, not too long after we stopped emergency vehicles were all over the place. We saw a care-flight helicopter and many ambulances: at the sight of the first ambulance we stopped-down for some prayer time.
As soon as we stopped and realized that there was no moving traffic behind us, Sarah called our insurance company while I looked to see how bad the damage was. Amazingly, we had zero body-damage but our tires and rims were destroyed.
About an hour later our tow-truck came and we were towed to the Mac Haik Dodge dealership in Temple, Texas. The dealership was fantastic: it was like we had our own pit crew! While we were waiting for the repairs to be finished two gracious DPS officers found us and we gave our information about the accident. We inquired about the accident and were told that no one had died, thank God (literally).
$777 dollars lighter and eight hours later, we were on our way back to Dallas.
Death was near
We got everything packed up last night and moved out of our house in San Antonio and arrived in Austin at12:30 this morning. Uncle James and Aunt Chelsea fixed us a wonderful breakfast and we hit the road. At about 1 1:10, on I-35 we were traveling in the left lane in a construction zone south of Salado when a 4x4 piece of wood rolled into our lane. We were in the left lane and a semi was in the right lane. Sarah, who was driving, had no choice but to hit the piece of wood dead-on at 70 mph. The blow ruptured both left-side tires, bent both rims and nearly sheered off the front spindle. Sarah was able to coax the fan into the right lane and we kept going for about ¼ mile trying to find an exit but to no avail: this stretch of I-35 has no exits and retaining walls on each side of the highway. There was not a shoulder for us to pull-off on. As we looked back, Sarah saw two semi’s that were behind us in a cloud of smoke. Both of the semis’s blocked the traffic, so we found ourselves alone on I-35. Thankfully, we came out just fine, injury- wise. The drivers behind us were not so lucky. I dialed 911 while we were still moving and, not too long after we stopped emergency vehicles were all over the place. We saw a care-flight helicopter and many ambulances: at the sight of the first ambulance we stopped-down for some prayer time.
As soon as we stopped and realized that there was no moving traffic behind us, Sarah called our insurance company while I looked to see how bad the damage was. Amazingly, we had zero body-damage but our tires and rims were destroyed.
About an hour later our tow-truck came and we were towed to the Mac Haik Dodge dealership in Temple, Texas. The dealership was fantastic: it was like we had our own pit crew! While we were waiting for the repairs to be finished two gracious DPS officers found us and we gave our information about the accident. We inquired about the accident and were told that no one had died, thank God (literally).
$777 dollars lighter and eight hours later, we were on our way back to Dallas.
Friday, February 15, 2008
A Conversation in a C-Store
After grabbing some breakfast for Sarah and I in Converse, I stopped into a convenience store to pick up some ice for our move (in the hopes that we could salvage some of our condiments). At the checkout I saw a magazine with Barack Obama on the cover. If you’ve read this blog in the last year or so, you’ve probably come across his name more than once. Needless to say, I am a big fan. (I’m blogging this on a flight to New York but we are changing planes in Chicago, home of said presidential candidate.)
The lady who was checking me out saw the magazine and asked, “Do you like him?” I should note that the lady was from the Middle East and was wearing the traditional Muslim garb for women. (Not a birkah but her head was covered.)
We struck up a five-minute conversation about him and the need to change politics in this country. Needless to say, there was no one else in line! She said that, for the very least, we need to change things for our children, and by ours, she meant the children of the world. She talked about how there was just no need for children to live in fear and was quite passionate about it. She is right. More to the point, she thought (as I do) that Obama is our best chance at beginning to move in a positive direction as a country. This woman was passionate about her politics and about her candidate, and I loved it!
The lady who was checking me out saw the magazine and asked, “Do you like him?” I should note that the lady was from the Middle East and was wearing the traditional Muslim garb for women. (Not a birkah but her head was covered.)
We struck up a five-minute conversation about him and the need to change politics in this country. Needless to say, there was no one else in line! She said that, for the very least, we need to change things for our children, and by ours, she meant the children of the world. She talked about how there was just no need for children to live in fear and was quite passionate about it. She is right. More to the point, she thought (as I do) that Obama is our best chance at beginning to move in a positive direction as a country. This woman was passionate about her politics and about her candidate, and I loved it!
A Conversation in a C-Store
After grabbing some breakfast for Sarah and I in Converse, I stopped into a convenience store to pick up some ice for our move (in the hopes that we could salvage some of our condiments). At the checkout I saw a magazine with Barack Obama on the cover. If you’ve read this blog in the last year or so, you’ve probably come across his name more than once. Needless to say, I am a big fan. (I’m blogging this on a flight to New York but we are changing planes in Chicago, home of said presidential candidate.)
The lady who was checking me out saw the magazine and asked, “Do you like him?” I should note that the lady was from the Middle East and was wearing the traditional Muslim garb for women. (Not a birkah but her head was covered.)
We struck up a five-minute conversation about him and the need to change politics in this country. Needless to say, there was no one else in line! She said that, for the very least, we need to change things for our children, and by ours, she meant the children of the world. She talked about how there was just no need for children to live in fear and was quite passionate about it. She is right. More to the point, she thought (as I do) that Obama is our best chance at beginning to move in a positive direction as a country. This woman was passionate about her politics and about her candidate, and I loved it!
The lady who was checking me out saw the magazine and asked, “Do you like him?” I should note that the lady was from the Middle East and was wearing the traditional Muslim garb for women. (Not a birkah but her head was covered.)
We struck up a five-minute conversation about him and the need to change politics in this country. Needless to say, there was no one else in line! She said that, for the very least, we need to change things for our children, and by ours, she meant the children of the world. She talked about how there was just no need for children to live in fear and was quite passionate about it. She is right. More to the point, she thought (as I do) that Obama is our best chance at beginning to move in a positive direction as a country. This woman was passionate about her politics and about her candidate, and I loved it!
The Move: Round One
Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 9:20 p.m.
Has there ever been a more functional appliance invented than the Mac PowerBook? I’m typing this blog entry on my Mac as my wife is driving the ole’ Dodge minivan on I-35 and our beautiful daughter is watching her hero, Dora the Explorer, on the screen in the van.
The family unit (minus the two Jack Russell Terriers) is taking that long trip down 35 to San Antonio for the last time. Tomorrow morning (after we drop Ellie off with her Aunt Chelsea and Uncle James in Austin tonight) Sarah and I will begin cleaning behind the movers as they pack up all of our possessions and prepare to move them north.
This ride at night from North Texas to South Texas with a move on the brain brings me back to the night we moved from Longview to SA. We arrived in SA in the middle of the night, bone weary, and found a hotel to stay in that night. The next day our closing was an absolute nightmare. Fortunately, it all came together and by the following evening we were all moved in.
Fast forward two and half years: we are on the road, at night, preparing for another move.
I hate to admit it but I am emotional about selling this house. I suppose my emotions are primarily sentimental. The house we are about to sell tomorrow contains a great many memories for us as a family.
This house was the first house that Ellie ever lived in. I’ll never forget those last few weeks of the pregnancy and then of Ellie’s birth. I don’t have the words to describe how it felt to bring Ellie from the hospital into her new home. That house contains so many “firsts.” First bath, first crawling, first steps, first words, etc., etc.
The house also came to represent several different things to me. First, while we lived there I learned that church really could be done differently and wonderfully. The house came to represent hope, vocationally speaking.
San Antonio was the first stop for us where we had real friends in our community. We had tremendous neighbors and incredible friends from the church. We had all kinds of gatherings at our house, from folks coming in from out of town for TMEA to the youth from the church. So many good times! I hope those friendships will endure. Our home was really a place of peace, comfort, and community. Tomorrow is going to be bittersweet.
Has there ever been a more functional appliance invented than the Mac PowerBook? I’m typing this blog entry on my Mac as my wife is driving the ole’ Dodge minivan on I-35 and our beautiful daughter is watching her hero, Dora the Explorer, on the screen in the van.
The family unit (minus the two Jack Russell Terriers) is taking that long trip down 35 to San Antonio for the last time. Tomorrow morning (after we drop Ellie off with her Aunt Chelsea and Uncle James in Austin tonight) Sarah and I will begin cleaning behind the movers as they pack up all of our possessions and prepare to move them north.
This ride at night from North Texas to South Texas with a move on the brain brings me back to the night we moved from Longview to SA. We arrived in SA in the middle of the night, bone weary, and found a hotel to stay in that night. The next day our closing was an absolute nightmare. Fortunately, it all came together and by the following evening we were all moved in.
Fast forward two and half years: we are on the road, at night, preparing for another move.
I hate to admit it but I am emotional about selling this house. I suppose my emotions are primarily sentimental. The house we are about to sell tomorrow contains a great many memories for us as a family.
This house was the first house that Ellie ever lived in. I’ll never forget those last few weeks of the pregnancy and then of Ellie’s birth. I don’t have the words to describe how it felt to bring Ellie from the hospital into her new home. That house contains so many “firsts.” First bath, first crawling, first steps, first words, etc., etc.
The house also came to represent several different things to me. First, while we lived there I learned that church really could be done differently and wonderfully. The house came to represent hope, vocationally speaking.
San Antonio was the first stop for us where we had real friends in our community. We had tremendous neighbors and incredible friends from the church. We had all kinds of gatherings at our house, from folks coming in from out of town for TMEA to the youth from the church. So many good times! I hope those friendships will endure. Our home was really a place of peace, comfort, and community. Tomorrow is going to be bittersweet.
Blogging from the road!
Greetings from New York City!
I hope all is well! Sarah and I have been on the road since Tuesday of this week and we've been keeping up with blog posting's via the mac. What follows will be some installments of what we've been up to!
I hope all is well! Sarah and I have been on the road since Tuesday of this week and we've been keeping up with blog posting's via the mac. What follows will be some installments of what we've been up to!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Speaking of the Grammy's
It was great to also see Joe Zawinul get some Grammy love tonight: God rest his soul. We lost a lot of good ones this year: Max Roach, Joe Zawinul, Beverly Sills, Pavarotti, Mistislav, just to name a few.
And, in what is a hopeful sign, in addition to winning Maine, Barack Obama won a Grammy! A crazy night!
And, in what is a hopeful sign, in addition to winning Maine, Barack Obama won a Grammy! A crazy night!
I am SHOCKED!!!!! And delighted!!!
I can't believe it!!!!!! I just got home and finished watching the Grammy's (thank you, TiVo) and I just am thrilled and in shock! Herbie Hancock won!!!!!!!!!! Amazing! Fantastic! Inspiring!!! It's been 43 years since a jazz album has been nominated for album of the year. And he won! Wow! My jaw hit the floor!
If you have not checked out this album yet go to iTunes and buy it! Especially if you are a casual jazz fan, or looking to get your feet wet, or even if you don't like Joni Mitchell's music: you will not be sorry! It is simply gorgeous. Wayne Shorter's playing on this album is simply inspired! (That was Ellie's first jazz concert: we took her to hear Wayne Shorter about a month before she was born!)
A jazz album wins in 2008...amazing.
And, to top it all off, Herbie quoted Barack! Can't beat it!
Wow!
If you have not checked out this album yet go to iTunes and buy it! Especially if you are a casual jazz fan, or looking to get your feet wet, or even if you don't like Joni Mitchell's music: you will not be sorry! It is simply gorgeous. Wayne Shorter's playing on this album is simply inspired! (That was Ellie's first jazz concert: we took her to hear Wayne Shorter about a month before she was born!)
A jazz album wins in 2008...amazing.
And, to top it all off, Herbie quoted Barack! Can't beat it!
Wow!
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards
The Grammy's run hot and cold for me. Usually I only tune in if I remember that the show is on or if I am interested in an artist whose been nominated. This year, however, I'm interested. Maybe its because I'm about to turn thirty (and all that implies) but I've ben keeping up with pop music a bit more this year than in years past. For the first time in years I own sevearl of the albums that will be nominated for Album of the Year (Kanye West's "Graduation," Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters" and bits and pieces from iTunes of Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black."). Certainly I have my favorite in that category but the offerings are so different this year. I'll be pulling for Herbie Hancock but, baring that, I think Kanye's offering would be a good choice. Both albums are beautiful and innovative in their own ways. The musicianship and sensitivity on Hancock's album is absolutely beautiful and virtuosic and Kanye's album grooves so hard. This is a compelling category this year. Experience tells me that West is going to win but it would be wonderful if Hancock did!
So, just for fun, here are my predictions in the major categories (that I have interest in):
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"Graduation" by Kanye West (but in my heart, I would love for Herbie Hancock to win.)
RECORD OF THE YEAR
"What Goes Around...Comes Around" Justin Timberlake (You hate to admit it but this groove is a guilty pleasure for you.)
SONG OF THE YEAR
"Hey There Delilah" Plain White T's (This is a tough category: it was impossible to escape any of these songs in 2007.)
BEST NEW ARTIST
Amy Winehouse (though Feist and Paramore could be contenders)
BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"Candyman" Christina Aguliera (Nelly Furtato and Winehouse will be in the running in a big way)
BEST MALE POP PERFORAMCE
"Belief" John Mayer (well, maybe I just hope he wins because he plays Fender guitars very well!)
BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
O.K., I want U2 to win for "Window in the Skies"
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
"Back to Black" Amy Winehouse
BEST ROCK SONG
"Icky Thump" The White Stripes (maybe the purest rock song in the last few years).
BEST RAP SONG
"Can't Tell Me Nothing" Kanye West. (It's beautiful and the lyrics are surprisingly forth right!)
BEST RAP ALBUM
"Graduation" Kanye West (Though it will be more interesting to watch him if he doesn't win.)
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Did you hear that? That was the sound of me getting up to do something else during that segment (though Brad Paisley is a very good guitarist.)
We'll see, eh?
So, just for fun, here are my predictions in the major categories (that I have interest in):
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"Graduation" by Kanye West (but in my heart, I would love for Herbie Hancock to win.)
RECORD OF THE YEAR
"What Goes Around...Comes Around" Justin Timberlake (You hate to admit it but this groove is a guilty pleasure for you.)
SONG OF THE YEAR
"Hey There Delilah" Plain White T's (This is a tough category: it was impossible to escape any of these songs in 2007.)
BEST NEW ARTIST
Amy Winehouse (though Feist and Paramore could be contenders)
BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"Candyman" Christina Aguliera (Nelly Furtato and Winehouse will be in the running in a big way)
BEST MALE POP PERFORAMCE
"Belief" John Mayer (well, maybe I just hope he wins because he plays Fender guitars very well!)
BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
O.K., I want U2 to win for "Window in the Skies"
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
"Back to Black" Amy Winehouse
BEST ROCK SONG
"Icky Thump" The White Stripes (maybe the purest rock song in the last few years).
BEST RAP SONG
"Can't Tell Me Nothing" Kanye West. (It's beautiful and the lyrics are surprisingly forth right!)
BEST RAP ALBUM
"Graduation" Kanye West (Though it will be more interesting to watch him if he doesn't win.)
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Did you hear that? That was the sound of me getting up to do something else during that segment (though Brad Paisley is a very good guitarist.)
We'll see, eh?
Maybe the Worst Song Ever?
I'm driving up to church this morning (and, since I currently live in Dallas and am commuting to Argyle, it takes me about 40-60 minutes each way) and I'm surfing the SIRIUS. As I'm flipping through the channels on comes Paula Abdul's soul-crushing 1992 hit, "Vibeology." When I saw her name come up I thought I should go ahead and check out the song in its fullness, just to see what exactly from her career makes her qualified to judge a singing contest.
The irony that I am on my way to church and spewing out judgement everywhere is not lost on me. But, anyway...
I don't know if I happened across the extended, bleed out your ears, life departing from my soul cut, but oh, it was bad. And by bad, I mean terrible.
Yes, of course it's dated. But even by 1992 standards (which was an admittedly low time in popular music) it was not good. Incredibly over-produced, to say the least. I am sure that this track is used as an example in recording school of the timeless maxim: just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
I don't want to be a judgmental person, in fact, I'm actually trying hard to work on that. I recognize that I have a great many logs in my own eye. But, you should never have to hear this song again. There is no redeeming value in it. Save yourselves!!!!
The irony that I am on my way to church and spewing out judgement everywhere is not lost on me. But, anyway...
I don't know if I happened across the extended, bleed out your ears, life departing from my soul cut, but oh, it was bad. And by bad, I mean terrible.
Yes, of course it's dated. But even by 1992 standards (which was an admittedly low time in popular music) it was not good. Incredibly over-produced, to say the least. I am sure that this track is used as an example in recording school of the timeless maxim: just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
I don't want to be a judgmental person, in fact, I'm actually trying hard to work on that. I recognize that I have a great many logs in my own eye. But, you should never have to hear this song again. There is no redeeming value in it. Save yourselves!!!!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
He wins again!
After thirty minutes of practice time on the saxophone (I'm getting re-introduced to my tenor after an extended time apart) I check CNN one last time before getting ready to go to sleep and they are declaring a sweep for Obama in today's primaries. A pretty impressive showing! Two recent polls (one from CNN and one from Time) show Obama to be ahead 7 points vs. McCain while Clinton ties with McCain.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Rev. Life
Welcome!
I have changed the name and address of this blog from "the-work-of-the-people" to "The Rev. Life" because the content on this blog has evolved from being primarily about the liturgy that I write to basic life stuff. Since the content has become more "Free Range Joe" (thanks, Rob Jackson!) I thought the name change was appropriate! I'm looking forward to more posts and discussions to come!
I have changed the name and address of this blog from "the-work-of-the-people" to "The Rev. Life" because the content on this blog has evolved from being primarily about the liturgy that I write to basic life stuff. Since the content has become more "Free Range Joe" (thanks, Rob Jackson!) I thought the name change was appropriate! I'm looking forward to more posts and discussions to come!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Super Tuesday...
Well, even though the votes are still being counted, I am encouraged by yesterday! I must admit, I though that "The Huck" would do well in the South but I didn't think he would do that well! I also thought that McCain would have been a bit more dominant than he was but he still emerged as the front-runner for the GOP.
Barack and Hillary are still neck and neck, which is great! It excites me to know that the Texas primary will actually count for something this time!
I had a chance to watch all of the candidates speeches last night and, by far, as far as pure oratory goes, the winner was Barack Obama, at least on my card! He was exciting, had great pitch, presence, and pace, and a good message! (I wish he was a preacher!)
He got me thinking that, well, maybe yeah, we can!
Barack and Hillary are still neck and neck, which is great! It excites me to know that the Texas primary will actually count for something this time!
I had a chance to watch all of the candidates speeches last night and, by far, as far as pure oratory goes, the winner was Barack Obama, at least on my card! He was exciting, had great pitch, presence, and pace, and a good message! (I wish he was a preacher!)
He got me thinking that, well, maybe yeah, we can!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Joe's Super Tuesday Predictions!
Two Super Tuesday Predictions:
Republicans: John McCain
Democrats: Still a toss-up between Obama and Clinton
Republicans: John McCain
Democrats: Still a toss-up between Obama and Clinton
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