Only a Mountain?

I've had that Jason Castro song "this is only a mountain" stuck in my head for the last couple days. After talking with Belinda and consulting my Bible (shock and horror!) I think the song is just bad theology. It perpetuates a rather poor understanding of suffering on the part of protestants in the west for the last century or more (I'm finding it rather easy to beat up on protestants these days, as if I'm not part of the problem. Don't let me fool you!).

Castro's song basically encourages the believer who is confronted with what sounds like a rather bad day to simple ask God in faith to make it better, and promises that he will. God certainly does respond to the faith of his people. But he's not in the business of making bad days go away, of eliminating suffering from our lives. "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me," Paul wrote. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"

It seems to me that our prayer of faith does more to change our perspective on the mountain than it does to eliminate our problems. I fear that Castro's attempt to provide encouragement may lead to deeper despair for the brother who prays in faith and doesn't see his problems disappear. His heart is not ready to hear "My grace is sufficient for you."

I think that most of us would rather have a comfortable life than know the fellowship of sharing in Christ's sufferings, and our eschatology hasn't taught us otherwise.

"I Feel" -- The Sand Dollars

I highly recommend reading the lyrics to The Sand Dollars new song, "I Feel" at least twice.


Without further commentary, here they are:

Beat thou O heart
Thou heart of mine
Fill ev'ry part
—with life-blood of thine

O my sweet dear
My spirit yearns
O come thou near
I long to learn

—from thee to take
Sustenance clear
Articulate
Refractions of a tear

The movement of rhythm
From my chest to my eyes
Rainbows from a prism
Flow down as I cry

It is the joy and the pain
The hope and the spite

It is the joy and the pain
The hope and the spite

It is the joy and the pain
The hope and the spite
A soft gentle rain
A river flowing at night

The silence of snow
Slipping into a lake
The sunrise rays show:
Words whisp'ring "Awake!"

Awake O my heart
How long wilt thou slumber?
Thou didst beat from the start
But thy beating is numbered

For I beat my body
to make it my slave[1]
Purge these passions not me
A pure person to save

My life-blood to shed
To mingle with Him

My life-blood to shed
To mingle with Him

My life-blood to shed
To mingle with Him
Purify the marriage bed
From the defilement of sin

O my Lord Jesus Christ
Thou alone canst do this
Thou art the breath for the beat and the blink for the blind
to save humankind
empty out all things
self-emptying in love—for the likes of me

But O my heart!
...your stone, hard granite muffles the pulse of my vibrance...
...it obscures the infinity of my personhood...
...and stifles the life-giving creativity of love...
...it contracepts my love / it sterilizes the union / it prevents life
...it prevents life

O my Lord!
O my Lord!
O my Lord!
O my Lord!

All these layers of stone
With Thine own hands peel
—pierce through to my bone
Then mine own heart may say...

All these layers of stone
With Thine own hands peel
—pierce through to my bone
Then mine own heart may say... 

All these layers of stone
With Thine own hands peel
—pierce through to my bone
Then mine own heart may say...

"I feel."

Then I will never be alone.


[1] 1 Corinthians 9:27


Watch the live demo here (beware significant shifts in volume that are characteristic of The Sand Dollars):

What If We Were the Church?

A song I wrote a few weeks ago. I can send you the chords if you're interested.

Verse 1
What if we were the Church?
The hope of the world
If we were Christ's Bride
Branches of the vine
If we were filled with the Spirit
One in heart and mind
What if we obeyed God rather than man?
What if we were the Church?

Verse 2
What if we were the Church?
The hope of the world
A chosen people
Priests and kings
If we were a holy nation
Belonging to God
What if we declared the praises of the One?
What if we were the Church?

Bridge
We would storm the gates of Hell
And set the captives free
Black and white and rich and poor
Serve in equality
The love of Christ shines through
For all the world to see
Not the culture but the cross
Our hope and victory
Victory
Our hope and victory.
What if we were the Church?

Verse 3
What if we were the Church?
The hope of the world
What if we lived together
And remembered the poor
If we fixed our eyes on Jesus
And carried the cross
What if we lived for God not ourselves?
What if we were the Church?

What if we were the Church?

Magnificent Master

I was reminded of this song through a series of associations beginning with a psalm I read this morning. I decided to post it here, since Jon's old xanga is still the only real source for it on the internet (http://jonnyboy961.xanga.com/606801801/magnificent-master/), and I assume that google will outlast xanga.

Well, here are the lyrics as sung by Fight Club (an RIT InterVarsity men's prayer group):


There is no one like You
No one as wondrous and true
There is no one like You
No one as wondrous and true
I'm pleading again
Cleanse me from my sin
I'm pleading again
Cleanse me from my sin
And shine through me

CHORUS:
Magnificent Master and Lord over all
You are so mighty and I am so small
And I know inside your arms
I'll never fall

There is no one like You
All of creation proclaims
There is no one like You
All of creation proclaims
If I fail to sing
The rocks and trees will bring
If I fail to sing 
The rocks and trees will bring
Praise to Your name




They are slightly different from the ones Jon posted, because Slippey and I decided at some point that "cleanse me from my sin" was a bit more theologically accurate than "cover my sin." The sacrifices of the Law temporarily covered sin. Christ's sacrifice cleansed us from sin once and for all.


It seems that the song was written by a Michael Gallaugher in 2002. He has a pdf with chords and original lyrics posted here: http://www.robberflymusic.com/MagnificentMaster.pdf.
We also know that it was sung at Vineyard Church in Columbus, OH at some point, perhaps my Mr. Gallaugher himself. The original three verses were somehow squashed into two by the time we were singing it at Fight Club, and I for one believe the shorter version to be the better one.

Community - shining a light

In my experience--

I'm not sure how much my experience counts, but we live in a post-modern culture, where experience seems to be the only acceptable truth.

In my experience, there is nothing like a community of believers to shine the light of truth on the state of my soul, the depths of my depravity, and then to reawaken me to the hope of the Gospel and the amazing grace of our God.

I was reminded this morning of an old Ross King song (when did 2002 become old?) called Clear the Stage. One of the great lines is

Shine the light on every corner of your life Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open.

The context in the song is deep personal soul-searching, one-on-one with God. While that is certainly an absolute necessity, I found the light pointed at my sin this morning through relationships. And we know what "everything exposed to the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"

The light of Christ shone on me this morning through my brothers. Darkness cannot abide in the light.

a song from my porch in C

I've been writing this song over the last few weeks, and I think it's actually good. I'm trying to make it better. Unfortunately you only get to see the lyrics, but if you have any critical feedback please contact me through the comments or otherwise.


(TITLE)

It's raining on a Thursday night
I'm singing to the fading light
Just sitting on my porch in the city

Cars roll by the puddles fly
Soaring through the falling sky
I'm just watching from my porch in the city

Tree roots push the sidewalk back
Weeds grow in the widening cracks
Just waiting on my porch in the city

chorus1
Cut down a tree to build a house
Folks move in, then folks move out
Houses die but trees start growing from their roofs.

-----

Bus comes by to go to school
If you get on then you ain't cool
I'm just sighing on my porch in the city

Boys are selling down the street
Bricks are crumbing round their feet
Just watching from my porch in the city

Place where they grew up is gone
Prairie sings a broken song
I'm listening from my porch in the city

chorus2
Cut down a house to build an interstate
Poor get poor, rich evacuate
Gospel sours but blight will feed on its disease

-----

Boys make fun of their drunk dad
Better than the one they never had
I'm just aching on my porch in the city

Their momma all strung out again
An empty flask her only friend
Just dying on my porch in the city

My neighbor's blood soaks the ground
His brothers hunt the shooter down
I'm just crying on my porch in the city

chorus3
Cut down a race to build a wealthy state
Lust for power -- systematic hate
Emancipated but still hanging from our greed

-----

bridge (builds in intensity to the end)
Cry with, cry with me
Come cry with, cry with me
For the city where we're
Living, dying
Praying, crying
Building, breaking
Stealing, making
Buying, waiting
Grieving, raping
Eating, painting
Planting, wilting
Growing, shaking
Breathing...
We're still breathing and we're singing
Won't you listen to the song of the city

-----

It's cloudy on a Sunday morn
I hear a hallelujah song
Won't you join me on my porch in the city

We

I'm really enjoying life right now. Bible study in Jeremiah has been awesome. I think I mentioned wanting to be a prophet. I feel like God is giving me a word for his church in America, that it's bubbling up inside me, smouldering. I had a really encouraging talk with Matt last night about some of those things, and about the way the program is going this summer in general. The team is still great, still family. We've convinced most of the day camp kids that we're all related brothers and sisters, although some of them are also convinced that a few of us are dating each other, which leads to some interesting conversations. There are also a handful of little girls that seem to be crushing on me, which is honestly rather nice because they're more likely to obey.

I've been wanting to share this song I wrote a few weeks ago. It deals with some issues of racial reconciliation, the church, and the concept of empire.

WE

Chorus:
Lord, who are we?
What have we done?
What have I by silence been a part of?
My culture and religion say it's just about me.
But where are we?

Verse 1:
It's not my fault her great-grandma was
My great-granddaddy's slave.
Can't we just forgive and forget?
But I grew up with privilage
Not even knowing I was white
And she grew up black every day.
If I'm hangin on the corner
You might ask why I'm there
But you'll think she's got something for sale.

Chorus

Verse 2:
I don't want my sinful ignorance
To visit my kids
This divided church don't fit your dream.
We all grew up singing
"Hallelujah, praise the Lord!"
I segregated rhythms and places.
Your disciples asked you
Restore your kingdom to the Jews.
You said, "Take my kingdom to the world."

Chorus

Verse 3:
This is my confession
I don't know how to change
But your Spirit's working in me.
Now I'm growing in the city
And you're setting me free
From the stranglehold of the empire.
Let them call us Christians
A community of love
Only Christ can hold us together.

Chorus

Outro (x2):
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love
By our Love
Yes they'll know we are Christians
By our love

we

I wrote this song today after studying Acts 1:6-8. It's called 'We.'

Chorus:
Lord who are we?
What have we done?
What have I by silence been a part of?
My culture and religion
Say it's just about me.
But where are we?

Verse 1:
It's not my fault her great-grandma
Was my great-granddaddy's slave.
Can't we just forgive and forget?
But I grew up in privilege
Not even knowing I was white
And she grew up black every day.
If I'm hangin on the corner
You might ask why I'm there,
But you'll think he's got something for sale.

Chorus

Verse 2:
Lord I don't want my sinful ignorance
To visit my kids.
This divided church don't fit your dream.
We all grew up singing
"Hallelujah, praise the Lord!"
In segregated rhythms and places.
Your disciples asked you
Restore your kingdom to the Jews.
You said, "Take my kingdom to the world."

Chorus

Verse 3:
This is my confession:
I don't know how to change.
But your Spirit's workin in me.
Now I'm growing in the city
And you're setting me free
From the stranglehold of the empire.
Let them call us Christians,
A community of love.
Only Christ can hold us together.

Chorus

Bridge:
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love
By our love
Yes they'll know we are Christians
By our love.

on God

God is so good.
God is so good.
God is so good.
He's so good to me.

He answers prayer.
He answers prayer.
He answers prayer.
He's so good to me.

mewithoutyou

C-Minor simultaneously makes me want to start writing songs again and never want to write a song again.  I'm inspired, but fear I could never write so well.

our house wrapped in disrepair,
a small mouse peeked out from a hole beneth the stairs
nearby to where my dad sat in his favorite chair,
thinking about the gov't and muttering a prayer
so I scattered some oats in hopes she'd stay
and sat still to stop from scaring her away-
but she hurried on her little way
and scurried around my mind
ever since,
every day

open wide my door, my door, my Lord
(open wide my door)
to whatever makes me love You more
(open wide my door)
while there's still light to run towards

I'm water, you're the dry wood
equal parts misguided and misunderstood
but all the neighborhood
watched a fire burn from where they stood
as the smoke said
"we're not half as bad as God is good"
still there's a whisper in my ear,
the voice of loneliness and fear, so I say:

"devil, disappear!
I'm still (ehh... technically...) a virgin
after 27 years-
which never bothered me before,
what's maybe 50 more?"

she came back for the oats
but she brought along a "friend"
(this never ends)
the harder the rain,
the lower the flowers in the garden bend
(this never ends)
I'd rather never talk again
than to continue to pretend

in words of another

I think this will be the first post in a sporadic series I'll call "In words of another." I do enough quoting of things that it's time for its own label.

Here is a beautiful song by musician and friend Jim Salmon:

Crossroads of Time: A Song of Parting

None of the words I rehearsed for today
Were able to say
My soul’s deep desire.
All the good things I wanted to share
To tell you I care
Consumed me like fire.

Here our paths part at the crossroads of time
Your presence leaving mine
To do God’s good will.
Distance between us pains both heart and mind
But to God space and time
Stand quite still.

Winding down the road that soon leads to Home
We’ll no longer roam
On our long Journey.
For God will hold in His mighty palm
’Til our worries all are calm
In Eternity.

—Jim Salmon © 1980

Merry Christmas

The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us.

My gift to you is the full text of my favorite Christmas song (at least it's this year's favorite):

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Merry Christmas.

from you

A worship song, of sorts, which of course means the chords are C, G, D, Em.

Your peace
Like the falling snow
The sound
Of the silvery silence

[yes, I completely stole that line]

Your faith
Like the ancient stone
Survives
A thousand generations

Your love
Like the ocean deep
And wide
And immesurable

Your hope
Like the rising sun
Above
The red horizon

--

From You
Faith, Hope, and Love
Shalom
x2

--

Your peace
Like a drop of dew
Arest
On the flower petal

Your faith
Like the giant oak
The tears
Of blood that you cried

Your love
Like a crown of thorns
You wore
A royal declaration

Your hope
Like the budding spring
New life
And the empty tomb

--

From You
Faith, Hope, and Love
Shalom
x4

beautiful and rote

another new song. despite the title, I'd not actually claim that it's beautiful.
Chords: Am C Dm Am E Am

O my God
I'm not sorry
I just feel guilty
For getting caught.

I don't hate my sin now
I still want it
I can't imagine
Turning around.

--

It'd be so easy
Just to lie now
More sin
To cover sin

Protect my pride now
Preserve my image
That's what religion
Is all about

--

O my God
Will they think I'm holy
If I end
This song with hope?

Word of repentance
Flow to my lips now
Beautiful
And rote.

--

O my God
I'm so sorry
That I've turned
My back on you.

So temporary
These sinful pleasures
I want to love
Eternal You.

--

Beautiful and rote.
Beautiful
And rote.

Proverbs 5 & 6

CHORUS:
I would rather be a man
Than a loaf of bread
I would rather be a man
Than a loaf of bread

VERSE 1:
Can't scoop fire
Into my lap
And not be burned
I would be burned

Cannot walk
Across hot coals
And not be scorched
I would be scorched

CHORUS

VERSE 2:
Drink water from
Your own well
Don't let it flow
Into the streets

For your ways
Are in God's view
He examines
All your paths

CHORUS

VERSE 3:
So when you
Are tempted
To look with lust
To act with lust

Recall to mind
Prostitute will
Reduce a man
To a loaf of bread

CHORUS


I wrote this song this morning after I finished reading Proverbs 6. This verse in particular caught my eye, and I went back through chapters 5 and 6 for the rest of the related content.

JJ's song

Hot off the press after a conversation with JJ. Seems like I just turn over the guitar and a song spills out.


I've been searchin'
For some answers
Who are we
Where do we come from

I've been asking
For some questions
Who am I
What does this life mean

I've been lookin'
Into my soul
So self-consumed
That I lost you
I've been so consumed with self
That I lost you

If I've discovered
What's inside me
What good is it
If there's no you
The find's no good
If there's no you

I'm returnin'
To the earth now
I'm no island
To stand alone
Better questions with two
Than answers alone

Will you join me
In my searchin'
Do we have purpose
Or am I alone?

you know you've been playin' your guitar too long

Here's the next in a series of strange songs I've been writing.
Chords are:
Am F C G
Am F C E
(repeat until end)


You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When all your picks lie broken on the floor around you
You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When your shoulder aches from strummin'
You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When all your fingers just won't stop bleedin'
You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When you fall asleep still pickin'

You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When you nearly faint from hunger
You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When the place you sit stinks of sweat and urine
You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When the friends that used to live with you are movin;
You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When all your strings are broken, and you're still goin'

Imagine you pick up the Sunday paper
And read all the ordinary news
Until with a tremble and some dread anticipation
You flip to the obituary page

There in astonishment you rub your tired eyes
But this crazy morbid headline just won't go away
MAN PLAYS HIS GUITAR TO DEATH?
Yes,it ended with a question mark. apparently
The writers and editors could not believe
The story either, but it was corroborated by the police
Befuddled police.

One day not so long ago the article read
A man in his middle age
Started playin' his brand new guitar
Despite frequent and persistent attempts
Of his family and doctors to move him
He just would not stop
Playin' his guitar too long
He was playin' his guitar too long

One day not so long ago to the great
And mournful relief of his family and doctors
The man died playin' his guitar too long
Broken strings and all.

They buried him with his beloved instrument
So when he got to heaven he could keep playin'
At least they're hoping somewhere up there
They've got an extra set of strings.

You may be wonderin' why nothing more was done
To stop this man from reaching his chosen tragic end.
But may I ask you why you would try
To stop him at all after all he died
Strummin' playin' his guitar too long
What a strange, glorious, musical, magical end.
Playin' his guitar too long
Playin' his guitar too long.

One day not so far from now if I meet that man
In heaven or in hell
I hope that I will remember to congratulate him
On his incredible suicidal ingenuity

If you know a better way to go
Please let me know
And you might want to tell me rather soon.
Cause I'm still playing my guitar

You know you've been playin' your guitar too long
When you write a song and it turns out anything at all like
This one.

music

I am more convinced than ever that the human being is not distinct parts body, spirit, emotion, intellect. As much as those things are aspects of our persons, the lines are blurred. They intersect in ways that all are affected by each other.

Music has been very powerful for me in the last few weeks. It moves me emotionally and spiritually. It challenges me mentally. And I participate physically, through playing, singing, clapping, dancing, and other forms of motion which may or may not be rhythmic.

The lament last posted has transformed. It's pretty epic now. New words are as follows:

Instrumental

Verse 1

Streets run red with righteous blood

O Daughter of Jerusalem

The Lord became your enemy

Made your walls and gates lament

Instrumental

Verse 2

Woe to me for I have sinned

All that I had hoped is gone

I have been deprived of peace

The Lord has turned his face from me

Transition

Let us test our ways

Let us turn to God

Let us left our hearts

Repent and wait in silence

Pre-Chorus

Da-da-da dat-da-da-da

Dat-da-da-da

Da-da-da dat-da-da-da

Dat-da-da-da

Chorus 1 (x2)

God came down became a man

Would not leave us to die

But he took the wrath upon himself

Now we are alive

Bridge 1 (x4)

Gates rebuit

Hope restored

Pre-Chorus

Chorus 2 (x2)

Jesus rose up from the dead

Conquered Death and sin

The Spirit gives abundant life

Until he's back again

Bridge 2 (x4)

Jesus

Is coming back again

Hallelujah (x4)

Instrumental

A Song from Lamentations

A lament. For guitar.

Instrumental:

F6add9(no5) Fmaj7b5 x4

Verse 1:

Am Csus2 Am E9(no3)

Bitterly, I weep at night

Am Csus2 Am Fmaj7

There is none to comfort me

Am Csus2 Am E9(no3)

I cry out in empty streets

Am Csus2 Am Fmaj7

"Look on my affliction, Lord"

Instrumental

Verse 2:

Am Csus2 Am E9(no3)

Woe to me, for I have sinned

Am Csus2 Am Fmaj7

Yet I lift my heart, my hands

Am Csus2 Am E9(no3)

Lord's compassions never fail