The Magneticism of Authenticity

Picasa Collage of said iPhone photos= very cool

2008-12-19T05:07:00.000-08:00

iPhone +picasa = not necessarily flickr worthy, but decent!

2008-12-19T04:52:00.000-08:00

Fiction Family Video...Finally....

2008-12-15T10:40:00.001-08:00

Fiction Family - When She's Near from ATO Records on Vimeo.

Last day of Low Country FGF

2008-09-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

I could not be more proud of my youth group. They "got it" and made an effort to invite friends. We are looking forward to what God is going to continue to do in and through our youth group. BTW, Tamara Walters and Ben Burris are both 8th graders.

REACH Prayer event

2008-09-22T07:48:00.001-07:00

Ryan Brownlow is the youth pastor at Fellowship of Oakbrook...he is an amazing guy with a real heart for students. Cory Humphries is a Catalyst Coordinator at CSU...he and I are convinced that we are related. The featured band for REACH was Good Tomorrow...from Spartanburg. Great guys with a real down to earth attitude. It was HOT that day, but it was a really cool event.

Franklin Graham Festival- Night 1

2008-09-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

So, I was asked to "host" some of the video blogs that the Franklin Graham Festival put together. The stand ups I did were similar to the ones that I did for Rock the City. The video crew was fantastic...and I have to say thanks to Craig Walters for his excellent direction. This is the first of three video blogs. The last one features my youth group!

Rock the City!!!

2008-05-07T04:19:00.000-07:00

Obviously there's a story behind this video. Well, there are many stories...but mine is that somehow I ended up being the "host", "narrator", "reporter", (?) for this webcast. What fun! There were several segments we taped with minimal scripting, so it wasn't hard work at all. I got to see what goes into putting a clip like this together and enjoyed working with the AV crew that day.

I also was behind the scenes in another capacity. I worked with BGEA staff to put the guest rooms together backstage, lined up merch workers (all volunteers!) recruited a camera crew, and found drivers who could run bands and personnel for the day. PLUS, I've been able to work with some of the most talented, personable, Christ-like youth ministers in the area. Great men and women who are intentionally following Jesus and lighting up the world as they go. And to make it even more than I could have even imagined, the guitarist for Group 1 Crew asked me to take pix of them while they played...what?

But the best part of the day, no doubt, was in seeing 350 students and adults begin a relationship with Jesus. Chills...

God is good!

Switchfoot Up In Arms Tour

2008-04-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

See all pix here...

Switchfoot’s Up In Arms Tour Brings Hope (and a rockin’ party) to Thousands
Concert review by Susan Lloyd

If you’re a fan of Switchfoot, you’ve been spoiled lately with The Appetite for Construction tour that finished up in late fall of ’07. Thankfully, our friends in the ‘foot have continued to spoil us with another big tour, this one supporting the work of the philanthropic organization To Write Love on Her Arms. The Up in Arms Tour began March 27 in San Antonio, TX and I was fortunate enough to catch the April 3 show in Myrtle Beach at the House of Blues.
Supporters of TWLOHA in a “behind the scenes” kind of way since the organizations inception, Switchfoot is throwing public support to the organization by including founder Jamie Tworkowski on the tour. Jamie was unable to make the HOB show, but tour friend Michael filled in to speak to concert goers about the problem of depression, cutting, and suicide among people ages 14-29 and how TWLOHA is dedicated to offering hope and help to those who suffer. The Up In Arms Tour will call attention nationwide to the struggle so many young adults face today in dealing with the too often taboo subject of depression. Kudos to Switchfoot for giving the organization such a broad platform from which to educate concert goers. It’s one of the best reasons to attend the show!
Touring partners for the duration include Athlete, The Myriad and Emery, and HOB attendees were fortunate to hear Athlete open the show. Although they weren’t running full octane (drummer Stephen Roberts was absent for the night…a Macbook Pro took over drum duties as best he could) the set was not lacking in intensity and served as the perfect primer for the more high energy set Switchfoot would provide later. Noel Potts, front man for the four piece band exuded warmth and appreciation for the audience at hand. Athlete bass player Carey Willetts showed himself to be a versatile member when he picked up an acoustic guitar on more than one occasion to fill out the sound of tracks selected for the night. Potts was a charming front man who peppered the set with dry British humor that fortunately wasn’t lost on the crowd. Midway through the set, it was apparent the band had already connected well with the audience, but hearing the story behind the song “Best Not to Think about it” sealed the deal. Potts explained the song was written after he viewed the UK documentary about the 9/11 attack entitled The Falling Man. Fans listened attentively at the provocative, haunting song. The set included stand out performances of “Hurricane”, “ Wires”, “The Outsiders” and “24 Hours”. Noel Potts ended the set by thanking the audience for such a warm reception..then he caused the Macbook to bow. Charming.
The majority of the crowd filtered in during Athlete’s set, so the house was fairly packed by the time the San Diego based Switchfoot took the stage. And they took the stage in a manner not seen in previous tours when all five members gathered around a mike to sing a line from the chorus of “Shadow Proves the Sunshine”. To make things even more intriguing, front man Jon Foreman walked over to the keyboard to play and sing out the rest of the chorus by himself as band mates took their places on stage. Switchfoot then immediately ripped into the opening guitar riff of “Stars”. Just as I had seen them do during the Appetite for Construction tour, “Stars” was followed by “Oh Gravity” and the crowd was roaring out the words to both songs. No question about it, there was a tremendous amount of mutual appreciation in the room all night as the affection between band and fans was the palpable undercurrent throughout the night.
Foreman is known for mixing it up with the crowd, and this night’s show was no exception. Front row fans were given the chance to see Foreman up close and personal when during “This is Your Life” he walked the security barrier like a tightrope, holding hands with fans and singing directly to one or two fortunate souls. At another point in the evening, “On Fire” meshed into “High and Dry” then gave way to a full version of “Shadow Proves the Sunshine” so that Jon could travel out through the audience and into the back corner of the venue. Fans there were obviously thrilled to have the front man so close, and once again Foreman showed why he is a master at connecting to a crowd.
It’s fairly obvious to anyone who has experienced a Switchfoot show that band members connect well to each other, too. And for concert goers Thursday, April 3, that connection meant we all got to show our love for guitarist Drew Shirley when bandmates surprised him onstage with a cake and balloons during the “American Dream” freeze. Foreman grinned like a Cheshire cat as he led the crowd in a singing Happy Birthday to Drew, and the surprise was exactly that. True to Switchfoot form, fans had a chance to connect even more by signing a large birthday card for Drew at the merch table prior to the start of the show. Several fans had brought in balloons and signs for the occasion and it was obvious the band enjoyed the crowd participation.
The party atmosphere didn’t die down, though, and Switchfoot sounded better throughout the entire set than I’ve ever heard them sound before. The set list included “Faust, Midas, and Myself” and a mash up of Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” and “Gone”. In support of and in tribute to To Write Love on Her Arms, “Love is the Movement” is being played this tour. The song title has been used for promotional merch for the organization, and the guys did a tremendous job playing it for fans that night. Fans who have followed the band for years as well as newer fans were all singing the mantra-like line at the end ‘get up, get out, love is moving you now’.
The set list was solid, but for one lucky fan (Emily Makar), Jon granted her request to play “Lonely Nation” in lieu of “Ammunition” and also honored her by dedicating the song to her. Switchfoot closed out the set with their huge hit “Meant to Live” but the relentless chanting of a charged up crowd thirsty for more brought Foreman back out to play “Your Love is Strong” a selection from his new Spring EP. It was a transcendent moment, and time seemed to stop as many sang along. The song itself is a step into a new realm for Jon as even he has called it a worship song. No stops followed though as Jon immediately launched into the familiar chord progression that introduces “Dare you To Move”. No one in the crowd was silent for the completion of the encore as Switchfoot resoundingly brought down the house.
It was the best Switchfoot show I’ve ever seen, and I’ve witness quite a few. All members of the band looked incredibly happy, there was a birthday to celebrate, we were settled in one of the best venues in the southeast, and the entire band was in top form, musically and personally. The show was such a good time, I’ll be going again to the Jacksonville show in a few weeks. I would urge anyone within striking distance of this tour to make it a priority to find a way to go. Up In Arms tour is currently in the Midwest, comes back to the east coast in a few weeks, and will finish up in California May 10.

Coolness! My concert photography slideshow

2008-03-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Exciting! This comes to you by way of Myspace...via my flickr...

Appetite for construction tour review

2007-11-22T21:47:00.001-08:00

All concert photos are here!

It’s not often that two incredibly talented and accomplished bands tour together and willingly share the stage, a vision, and even a song. And not only do these two bands collectively melt the faces off of concert goers each night, but they’ve also invited up and coming band Ruth to join them on the tour and to do the same. All this musical majesty its happening right now across the country on the Switchfoot/Relient K/Ruth Appetite for Construction tour. Recently I was fortunate enough to catch this show not once, but twice as the tour visited two of my favorite South Carolina cities, capital city Columbia, Greenville, the city where I grew up.

Relying on what I had been reading about this tour from interviews, reports, and eye-witness accounts from switchfoot “boardies”, I knew that without paper and pen in hand I would forget most of the mind blowing elements of the night. Plus, I’m horrible at remembering set lists, and I wanted to make sure I got that part right. So, at one show, with camera in hand and from the front row, I shot. At one show, I wrote. And at both shows I rocked my little heart out to some of the best known mainstream/Christian rock on the scene right now.

The alt-rock band Ruth, who hail from Washington State, began the night with a tight, well played set featuring stand out songs from their debut CD Second Hand Dreaming. Lead singer and guitarist Dustin Ruth also plays a mean harmonica, a skill he deftly demonstrated in the set’s opener, title track “Second Hand Dreaming”. But not only were listeners treated to harmonica, there was plenty of solid slide guitar in the next selection. Ruth’s vocals are spot on, and the tight harmonies the group is known for really stood out on selections like “I am Yours’ and “Work it Out”. The set ended with the poignant “Mr. Turner” which Dustin described as a song of hope for those people you are constantly praying for in hopes that their hearts will change. And not only was the song amazing, the jam session that closed it was the perfect way to end the set with a lot of energy, setting the stage nicely for Relient K.

Ruth did it’s job to make sure the crowd was ready to rock out and after a few set changes, the lights went down, the crowd screamed, and Relient K introduced their set with simulated radio static alternating with intermittent snippets of familiar songs like Jefferson Starship’s “We Built this City”. With a lot of drama, the Relient K banner unfurling as a backdrop, and the fans screaming maniacally, RK hit the stage with the high energy “Consequences” and followed it up with crowd favorite “Devastation and Reform” Lead singer Matt Theissen used a distortion mike for a good portion of the song adding an interesting effect to the lyric. Lead guitarist Matt Hoopes had a platform to really shine in DAR and took full advantage of the chance to wow the crowd with his prowess on the guitar.

While DAR may have been Hoopes chance to steal the spotlight, the impact of “The Best Thing” belonged to Thiessen who made keyboard work look like child’s play. Thiessen is a master at the keyboard and is completely comfortable with intricate patterns and keyboard runs that are played with the dexterity of a concert pianist.

Thiessen’s writing style is also stellar, and lyrically he is known for tongue in cheek overtones and humorous treatments of serious subjects. By introducing “In love with the 80’s” by playing Tears for Fears “Head over heels” and then later singing a tribute to the TV show “The Office” that incorporated the show’s theme song, Thiessen entertained the audience with not only his musical genius, but also with his sense of humor.

Relient K kept the energy alive through a stunning 15 song set that included one selection from their recent release “Let it snow, baby, Let it reindeer”. And snow it did!! As Thiessen’s band rocked out to “Sleigh Ride”, snow fell indoors on the concert goers. Yes, I said snow fell…and though it was fake snow, it was still a really cool effect. The set also included the opportunity for one lucky female to play guitar on the popular “Sadie Hawkins Dance”. A few other fans were pulled up on stage for the same song and had a blast playing percussion. One participant genuinely surprised Theissen and Hoopes by doing a back flip at the end of the song. Relient K ended the set with the powerful “Who I am hates who I’ve been” leaving the stage not just warm, but blazing hot and ready for Switchfoot to continue rocking out the house.

There are few bands who can create and maintain as much energy on stage as Switchfoot, and this night, fans were not disappointed with the showmanship of Jon Foreman and the adept musical skills of fellow band members Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, Drew Shirley and Jerome Fontamillas. I have had the privilege of seeing this band live several times over the years, and I can honestly say that, on this tour, Switchfoot has gone to the next level with an intricate light show, better sound, and innovative takes on concert standards.

The set began with the familiar guitar hooks of “Meant to Live” but morphed into the energetic strains of “Oh! Gravity” . Without missing a beat, “Stars” was up next, and it sounded even better live than the recorded version. Multi-tasker keys player Jerome Fontamillas switched to guitar for “Stars” and at one point, all four guitarists were standing on floor amps. Visually, this was a very powerful moment. Front man Jon Foreman knows how to keep a crowd engaged, and when the synthed opening notes of “This is Your Life” began, fans went crazy knowing that Foreman was about to use his guitar pick-ups as vocal mikes to amp his haunting voice at the beginning. “Gone” ‘mashed up’ with Beyonce’s huge hit “Crazy in Love” was a great follow up to the more introspective “TIYL” and showed that the ‘foot knows how to bring down the house and have some fun. In the Columbia show, Foreman even threw a little of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” into the mix.

Blazing out of the middle of the set list was the innovative, edgy “Dirty Second Hands”. I have to say that there is no way of really knowing what it’s like to see Jon Foreman go crazy on a cymbal while accompanied by Drew Shirley’s screaming guitar solo while frenetic strobe lights flash relentlessly unless you experience it first hand. Truly, this moment in the concert was mind-blowing and even having witnessed it several times this year, for me it had not lost one ounce of impact.

In addition from deafening crowd sing alongs on favorites like “Meant to Live” and “On Fire” another great concert moment happened when bands Ruth and Relient K joined Switchfoot on the stage to play the new song “Rebuild”. The song was penned by Thiessen and Foreman specifically for this tour, and it was obvious that a great camaraderie has built up between these bands as they thoroughly enjoyed their time on stage together. Jon even pulled up a young audience member to participate on percussion, saying that the kid was his “look-alike”.

Jon frequently enlightens and entertains fans with commentary that introduces songs, and according to him, “Head Over Heels” another fan favorite from their lastest CD “Oh! Gravity.” made it to the set list by repeated fan requests. The song was added to the set list for this tour and sounded amazing live. Tim Foreman’s backing vocals were very strong and he sounded eerily like Jon on sections where he echoed the melody line.

As the ‘foot’s set ended, fans screamed, stomped, and chanted for the encore. The band obliged with a powerful version of Dare You to Move. Foreman began the song alone on stage and was joined by band mates for the second verse…but the audience was already with him screaming out every word.

There are a few dates left on the tour, and if you haven’t had a chance to catch this show yet, make plans to do so now. Less than halfway through Relient K’s set, my friend turned to me and said “This is worth way more than $25” to which I definitely agreed. And the best part of the tour is that these three bands are raising money ($1 from every ticket goes to benefit Habitat for Humanity) and awareness of local Habitat chapters throughout the country. The energy, the message, the music, all passionately poured out on stage for the consumption of the fans was without a doubt one of the best experiences I’ve had in a while. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing all three bands in a live setting again, and whether its on a combined tour or their own separate tours, I’ll be there.

Switchkruth- Columbia/Greenville

2007-11-05T18:11:00.000-08:00

Pix now, review later. Enjoy!

This was an amazing show. SF and RK should tour together forever....

NeedtoBreathe- THE HEAT review

2007-10-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

To say that NeedtoBreathe’s latest effort, The Heat, is one of my favorite CD’s of the summer would really be an understatement. To be honest, it’s one of my favorite CD’s of the year. This four man band hailing from my home state of South Carolina has grown by leaps and bounds over their last CD. Their debut disc, Shine, made me sit up and take notice, but The Heat made me a fan for life. Musically and lyrically, the band has produced a solid effort that hopefully will earn some much deserved critical acclaim

Brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart have done a great job with song writing, and as always, bands who write their own material seem to earn my respect immediately. I love the southern rock undertones of stand out songs like “Run Away” and with lyrics like

It’s easy to find potential in the before, but we look the same in the afters…

listeners are challenged to think about what they are hearing. “Run Away” actually happens to be my favorite track in the collection and features an impressive accappella breakdown in the middle of the song that builds nicely into the final repetition of the chorus. There are layers and layers of sound on this particular song, and the first time I heard it, I hit repeat before the song was even over.

The songs are well crafted musically and a variety of instruments are brought in to create sounds that are reflective of the musical tapestry the Rinehart brothers were exposed to growing up. Subtle southern rock with a tinge of the blues (The Heat), bold gospel inspired soul (Washed by the Water), big brass similar to the sounds of the 70’s band Chicago (Movin’ On) and lilting acoustic (More Time, Second Chances) are all painted beautifully over a canvas of impressive lyrics. I can’t say enough about the distinct southern crawl (that’s not a typo… listen to the man sing and you’ll know what I’m talking about) of Bear Rinehart’s voice. Honestly, his voice is so well textured and so flexible that it is arguably the most impressive instrument on the album.

I was most moved by the song “Return”. The lyric reminds me of the story of the prodigal son, and the plea “return to me” is repeated in the closing bars of the song over a very sparse instrumentation. Gorgeous. Equally moving is “Streets of Gold”, a surprisingly upbeat song about losing someone to a protracted illness. The line,

All of the time it takes to figure it out could be the moments you can’t live without

is one that anyone who has loved someone with a terminal illness can fully appreciate. The whole song is underpinned with a strong bass line and has a very nice percussive break in the first verse.

Another topic tackled is the typical commitment phobic behavior of the modern male. “Looks like Love” will earn the favor of all women who hear it because of this one line;

“Our hearts can only shake when there’s risk that they could break. Yeah it’s a chance that I will take”
I can hear the sighing now. The song is a refreshing reminder that some men “get it” where relationships are concerned, don’t go the way of the world, and can commit to what is right in relationships.

Nestled in the center of the album on track eight is the stunning “Signature of the Divine” There is no question that this is a praise song. It reminds me of something that the Newsboys might do, and placing it in the center of the CD I believe is no accident. I think it has potential to be used in many churches due to the overt praise centered lyrics, easy chord progression and readily learned melody line. I definitely plan to find a way to incorporate it into our church’s contemporary service!

There are so many other songs that standout on this album and each track is unique. I had trouble writing this review, not because there wasn’t enough say but because there is too much to say! The CD is incredibly rich, and I fully believe it deserves a Dove award nomination this year. I’ll even go so far as to say that I believe it deserves a Grammy nod. I have the pleasure of attending a NeedtoBreathe concert in the very near future and I am really looking forward to hearing these songs performed live. And yes, it’s true that part of the reason I was initially drawn to this band IS because they are from tiny Possum Kingdom, South Carolina, but their musical prowess and attention to lyrics are the reasons I’ll stick around to hear what they do next.

switchfoot Valdosta, GA

2007-08-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

Great show...last one in the US until the Fall tour cranks up! Should be a blast 'cause they'll be with Relient K!
Many many many thanks to Mr. Jon Foreman for making these photos possible. Thanks to Gabby, Matt, and Marc from Wild Adventures, too. The people who work at Wild Adventures are the nicest people on the planet!!!

Look carefully at this photo and you'll see "Loyd" written on Jon's left hand. Yep.

You can see all the photos here. Enjoy!

Ratatouille review

2007-07-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

Beginning with Toy Story and moving on through A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc. (my personal favorite), Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, last summer’s Cars, and this summer’s blockbuster Ratatouille, the production team at Disney Pixar has steadily built a solid reputation as the best computer animation outfit in the business. And fortunately for movie goers, they have not concentrated solely on technical perfection but have also consistently developed strong story lines and likable characters. Ratatouille is no exception to Disney Pixar’s formula and is charming, beautifully illustrated, well- voiced and entertaining. The most stunning aspect of the film is the digital artwork, amazingly detailed and brilliantly colored. The artwork alone is reason enough to see this film on the big screen, but fortunately, Director Brad Bird has the given the viewer much more in this film than just pretty pictures.

Ratatouille is the story of Remy, a country rat with an inclination towards creating fine cuisine whose life intersects with that of an insecure, awkward young man named Alfredo Linguini. Remy, because of a tragic separation from his family, has ended up in Paris at the famed five star restaurant, Gusteau’s. Linguini has ended up at Gusteau’s at the request of his deceased mother, who begged a favor from the head chef by asking that Linguini be given a job as the kitchen boy. Through a series of humorous events, Remy and Linguini become unlikely partners the first night Linguini is hired. Remy is able to “cook” by deftly controlling Linguini’s movements through hair pulling, and as a result, Linguini becomes a rising star in the culinary world. Remy and Linguini discover that they need each other, Linguini to protect the life of the rat-turned-chef, and Remy to protect the secret of Linguini’s “success” in the kitchen. These two are living double lives, so to speak, and much has to be hidden from co-workers (I mean, seriously, what is one to do with a RAT in the kitchen?) The majority of the humor in the film is rooted in the fact that neither Remy nor Linguini can tell their secret to anyone and must work hard to keep Skinner, the head chef, from finding out the truth. The audience knows the secret the entire time, and tension is built when we watch the villainous Skinner slowly begin to unravel the mystery of Linguini’s talent.

High notes in the film are the voice acting work of Janeane Garafolo (Collette) and Brad Garret as the warm and ever encouraging Gusteau. There cannot be enough positive comments made about the breathtaking computer artwork we are treated to throughout the film. This isn’t just a visual treat, it’s a feast, and the film is incredibly well-crafted. For me personally, the best part of the film is Peter O’Toole’s (Anton Ego) eloquent monologue that closes the story. It is arguably one of the most well written monologues in modern cinema.

Although the plot is a tad bit predictable, the charm and wit of the film are enough to make us stop wishing for some fantastic plot twist in the end. The story line is simple, and we see accurate consequences come as the result of some bad choices made on the part of both of our heroes. The over-riding theme is that one is to pursue his calling, even if one seems to be the least likely person qualified to do what he is called to do. Another positive message is that the needs of others ultimately are more important than our own and sacrificing for someone else can be highly rewarding. Probably the most beautifully communicated message is that our pre-conceived notions about people (or rats) can sometimes be wrong. Because these themes are based in truth, parents can use this story to help teach their children some valuable lessons.

Parents will want to be warned ahead of time that there are some concepts that may need to be explained after seeing the movie with younger children. The issue of Linguini’s unknown paternity is a major element used to build conflict in the film. Also in one scene Chef Skinner plies young Linguini with wine in an effort to learn the truth about Linguini’s culinary skills. However, there are life lessons to be learned even within these scenes and wise parents will use the concepts presented as a platform for great discussion.

Ratatouille is a pleasant film that flows smoothly along and tells a charming story. I would recommend this film for children between the ages of seven and twelve, but adults of all ages will enjoy the movie with or without the company of children. Vive La Ratatouille!

This review is also posted at

Oh! Gravity. review

2007-07-28T18:55:00.000-07:00

Few bands have been able to turn out two albums in less than two years, much less have a significant evolution between the two. Switchfoot has managed to do that with it’s follow up to 2005’s Nothing is Sound. What started as an EP for the Grammy nominated band Switchfoot turned into the stunning 6th album entitled Oh! Gravity. Jon Foreman, lead singer and songwriter for the group has stated that the recordings began just for funand for the sake of recording. But with the addition of Steve Lilywhite and Tim Palmer to the production team, the project became more than just a fun EP. Oh! Gravity was born with all five members of the band in the studio at the same time recording, discussing, reworking, and mainly feeling their way through the album, and it shows.

Whereas Nothing is Sound is weighty in sound and in subject matter, Oh! Gravity manages to stay thought provoking yet provide levity at the same time. The title track has the signature switchfoot sound with giant guitar hooks created by Drew Shirley, a catchy chorus and of course lyrics that make the listener stop and think. Jon’s half yelled/half sung vocals on the chorus adeptly convey the bewilderment one encounters when observing that gravity forces us into position physically but does nothing to “keep us together” on an emotional or social level. The song also represents a step away from tamer sounds previously heard on multi-platinum disc The Beautiful Letdown

Following Oh! Gravity is “American Dream” which could easily be turned into an anthem for this generation of students who are looking for more than monetary gains to equal success. The next track “Awakening” begins with an echoing primal call (voiced by Tim Foreman and Jerome Fontamillas when played in concert) and Chad Butler’s riveting snare drum intro. The energy never lets up in what could prove to be switchfoot’s next mainstream hit.

Another standout on the CD is the innovative, alt-country sounding “Dirty Second Hands” co-written by long time friend of the band, Todd Cooper. Rhythmically, this is a very ambitious song. Chad Butler has been quoted as saying that it keeps him on his toes and is a challenge to play live. There are layers and layers of sound on this song, and over the top of it all is the twang of a dobra. Also, listeners should pay close attention to the background vocals. I love the interjection of breathy panting early in the song as it adds another layer to an already complex rhythmic structure. By far, this is one of switchfoot’s greatest songs, and it shows a creative progression that most bands neglect if they become lost in formula pop.

My absolute favorite track is “4:12”. This bass driven, melodic account of one’s questioning of his purpose on this earth demands a second listen every time. I absolutely love what Tim Foreman does with the bass line. It’s beautifully played and constantly moving, providing the perfect foundation for the other instrumentation, including some interesting electronica infused in the second verse by keyboard master, Jerome Fontamillas.

The only thing I’m surprised about on this CD is the omission of the powerful song “The Sound in My Mouth”. This track is currently available on an EP (Oh! EP) that is being given away with each merchandise purchase made by fans at concerts. I was blown away by the lyrical content, the experimentation with sound, and the resonance of truth within the track

Overall, I’m most impressed with Jon Foreman’s vocals on each track. There are few lead vocalists who convey more passion with their delivery than Jon Foreman does, and the grit, growls and occasional falsetto he uses provide the perfect vocal texture for each song. And once again, Foreman has written lyrics that stay grounded in Truth. While there are no overt references to Foreman’s faith in Christ, the Truth is evident in abundance. I was especially challenged by the song “Burn Out Bright” and have begun to desire that I burn out bright for the Kingdom of God while I still have time on this earth.

There is much to discover on switchfoot’s latest, and dare I say greatest CD. This disc demands that listeners focus carefully on all the layers, turns, lyrics, and passion that is poured into each track. One may not “get it” on the first spin, but trust me, continue listening and you’ll be hooked. There is no question in my mind that switchfoot has turned out its best CD yet. Because there has been such forward movement on this project, I can’t wait to see what’s next!

This review is also posted at http://titletrakk.com

2007-07-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

We should all be chillin' like Doug. It's summer time!!!

Transcendent

2007-06-05T16:58:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, you get to part of a moment that is much larger than it's intended to be because, to borrow a quote from Bono of U2, God walks into the room.

That happened for me Friday night at the graduation ceremony for the 2007 Graduating Class of First Baptist Church School. The valedictorian is someone I know and love well. I've had the privilege of being his youth pastor for the past three years, and I was blown away by his Valedictorian speech because it was truly a transcendent moment.

Trent had called me a few days before asking me to pray for him as he wrote his speech. I'm sure I'm not the only one he called because he really believes in the power of prayer. Anyway, he was fully aware that this was the last time he would be able to address the people he had spent his childhood with and he wanted to leave them with words that would matter.

While Trent was speaking, it was like the time stopped. Most people in the room were so focused on what he was saying that there was a true partnership between communicator and receiver. Transcendent, inspired, definitely God.

Here is the speech in full. He was gracious enough to let me post it...

1 June 2007
Existence
To my classmates-- Congratulations! High school is over. As we journey outward may our lives be caught up in adventure and mystery and passion. Here are a few suggestions to take along for the road that I’ve either remembered or looked up over the past few days:
• “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” 1 Thess. 5:23
• Be graceful when people wrong you, because you will need grace before the day is out.
• Do not resist discipline. It means you are loved, and though it is painful now, “it will produce a harvest of righteousness” later. (Hebrews 12:11)
• To borrow a phrase from C. S. Lewis, do not give in to “the seduction of ease.” Nothing worth having comes without difficulty.
• Judge a person by their actions, not by their appearance or words. Some of the most genuinely good people you will meet will be the ones with mohawks and raggedy clothes.
• Laugh as often as you can, for merriment is ailment for the soul.
• A good meal is always better shared.
• Don’t listen to conventional wisdom, but instead seek the Wisdom that lasts.
• Tomorrow doesn’t really exist, so everyday, burnout brightly.
• Never kiss someone unless you mean it.
• Material possessions provide the most satisfaction when they are given away.
• Life is all about love. All these awards and recognitions and successes don’t count for anything. What counts is how much love flows out of my life. What counts is how much love flows out of your life.
In the next minute or so, I would like to tell you how not to exist. I seek to offer how to move beyond existence into deep living. I submit that there is one Way to lasting joy and fulfillment, and that is found in a certain man from Nazareth. I submit that you must eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to find any manner of life at all. And I’m not talking about the short-haired, clean shaven Jesus that glares at you when you use curse words, who only drinks grape juice, and who walks around with that better-than-you-are air of self righteousness. I’m not talking about the Jesus who is too holy to know what an attractive woman looks like or who is too idealistic to care about money. I’m talking about the Jesus who reaches out and touches the decayed, disfigured hand of a leper--and it heals. I’m talking about the Jesus who offers forgiveness to a woman caught in the very act of adultery when the religious people would stone her. Irquote m talking about the Jesus who drinks wine, but enjoys it without getting drunk. The Jesus who has completely experienced all our humanity, who has felt the tug of temptations, yet withstood them. I speak of the Jesus who knows how difficult life is, because He has gone through it, and having gone through it, remained pure. I speak of the Jesus who knowing all of our troubles and insecurities and desires and having over come them stands saying, “There is a better way to life and I will help you through it.”
The good news of the gospel is that there is a God who can, and who will, heal your pain, free you from your addictions, give you rest in your trials, provide you with a true and lasting family, no matter what has happened to yours, and who will fill your life with love and purpose if you will trust it to Him and follow Him. That is the way I submit to get past existence.
And now, I would like to close with a prayer, so, as always, only if you would so choose, please pray with me for a moment and forever, because the fragrance of prayer lingers eternally:
Father, thank you for getting us this far. Thank you for getting me this far. Thank you for your grace in life, and thank you that throughout all the worst pain and trouble this life can bring, you are still there, you are still good, and you are still awfully glorious. Please let wisdom truly flow into all of us as we set out upon the adventure of this next stage of life. Please let us be successful in the way you measure success. And please, Lord, I ask that You pour out Yourself on us. All of this I seek in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain and is resurrected. Amen.

Sell it!

2007-05-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

In the interest of not joining the "American Consumer" club, churches would do well to heed the advice of Jesus in John 2:16 "Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade". Are we selling Jesus? Are we making Christianity and the redeemed life a commodity? How tempting it is to sell the most precious gift we've ever been given in the name of evangelism. To package it neatly, to make it pallatable, to make it fashionable. But Jesus isn't a quick fix. Jesus calls us to transformation. And frankly, not many people are interested in a complete overhaul. It simply costs too much!
The truth is the truth. We should not attempt to sell it, to water it down, to restructure it, to make it fit someone's life (or lifestyle).
The truth is the word. The word is life. Unfiltered, unhindered, unmarketable, it is the most powerful thing we'll ever encounter. Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life.
Now, dont' get the idea that I'm against Christians entering the marketplace with products that promote truth and glorify God. I'm just saying we'd better be careful that our motives are right in doing so. And as far as evangelism goes, well, the same goes for that. Jesus isn't something we sell to our neighbors as insurance against a life that could go south.
God, give us pure hearts out of which are born pure motives. Let us never attempt to reduce the power of redemption into a 5 step program to a better life that can be sold on infomercials the world over. Amen!

Shrek the Third

2007-05-19T04:48:00.000-07:00

Ah, what an adorable movie! Of course, watching it with my 7 year old daughter made it all the more adorable, but truly, it was an enjoyable film and did not disappoint.

All our favorite characters are back, of course, and Donkey stole the show again. No one, and I mean no one, could have done Donkey better than Eddie Murphy. Shrek's character has mellowed somewhat from the grumpy friendless ogre in the original, but he still has a slew of great one-liners, many of which he saves for the climax of the plot. Fiona was a little less of a player, although she does manage to galvanize the princesses of Far Far Away into a force to be reckoned with. Sleeping Beauty was so well animated and well played...a narcoleptic Princess in the face of eminent danger is always going to be funny.

Favorite scenes...the "croaking" scene (one of the best death scenes EVER), Shrek's nightmare, Pinnochio's verbal adeptness, and the whole bit where Donkey and Puss do a "Freaky Friday" sort of body exchange midway through the movie.

The only critcisms I have are that the pacing was a little off...the film started off with a ton of great humorous moments, one right after the other, but then flagged a little when it was necessary to build the plot. This happened a few times throughout the film, but overall, there weren't too many flat moments. I also was a little disappointed that Shrek's uncouth characteristics were capitalized on instead of his trademark grumpiness.

Pluses were the animation, the addition of new characters (Merlin is outstanding), numerous references to pop-culture (see you can pick up references to Mary Poppins, Monty Python and The Holy Grail, and the Six Million Dollar man),and an outstanding soundtrack. Oh, and slapstick humor in animation form is always a winner...how else can a half a ballroom burn down due to a chain of events that begins when Shrek's royal clothing begins to come undone?

The moral was well communicated as well...we live up to who we are, not who others say we are. I loved it. It fits with the theme of my life lately...seek out why God has created you and who He's created you to be and live up to it, regardless of the nay-sayers in your life.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars...or some such rating that puts it in the higher than average category. It's definitely worth paying to see in the theater AND owning on DVD.

AWAKENING!

2007-05-07T07:46:00.000-07:00

Life

2007-04-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the experience of life is more important than where you are headed in life. I mean, sometimes we are so caught up in the vision of our future that present opportunities slip right through our fingers. Then we look back and wonder why we didn't take advantage of life when we had the opportunity. As Americans, we are so focused on the future, on "making it", on success and financial freedom that we forget that NOW is all we have. Now is the moment we have to make a difference. Now is the moment in which we have to live. The battle cry "Carpe Diem" that my friend Bill Moody is so fond of yelling out on youth trips at 6AM makes more sense to me the older I get. The moment is all we have. Each moment is golden, a precious gift not to be wasted and a treasure all by itself. Even the painful moments are ones that bring living into sharper relief. I pray that God will continue to make me fully alive and fully aware every moment that I breathe, and I pray that my children will learn to live their lives this way, too.

Carpe Diem!!!

Songs you need to hear

2007-04-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

Your Love Is Stron...

Jon Foreman - Sout...

1:03AM

2007-04-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

So once again I find myself unable to fall asleep. I don't know what to blame it on...hormones? discomfort? pain in my shoulder? who knows...

The thoughts I've been having are probably the reason I'm still awake. They've been begging to be typed out in cyberspace for everyone or no one to read. Probably the latter! No matter who reads or doesnt read them, they still groan to be written.

I was thinking the other day about how, in the "ministry" we do so much to stimulate people to move forward in their relationship with Christ. Some of it feels like "bleaching headstones", all work and no real progress...no real depth. I have to remain focused on the outcome and not the means by which I get there in ministry...the outcome being the miracle of seeing people connect with Christ. The means are important, but they can't be without an end that has purpose. I fear that too much of our structure, too much of our urgency, too much of our time is spent in bleaching headstones. It amazes me that we've been entrusted to build the kingdom of God when sometimes the only tools we want to use are sponges soaked with bleach. So I struggle between the ease of having a structure that produces a measurable, predictable outcome and the challenges that real ministry demands. Real ministry demands that I pour myself out at the foot of the cross daily, hourly. It's sometimes a bitter wrestling match where parts of me are dislocated for sure. It's so much easier to meet a deadline and produce a program than it is to obey, but obedience is the only thing that's really going to produce anything that actually builds the kingdom of God.

It's now 1:23. I'll be exhausted tomorrow. And there were more thoughts as my body fought with my brain earlier when I was trying to go to sleep. But, as profound as I believed them to be, they were also fleeting...and so I'll call it a night.

Oh...and one more thought that I'll go into more detail tomorrow night at with the youth....At the wedding in Canaa, Mary, mother of Jesus asked him to help the family of the bride avoid some embarassment and public humiliation by producing wine from water. Jesus clearly told her it wasn't his time...and Mary completely ignored him! She turned and told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to having full confidence that he would honor her request. And Jesus did... He obeyed his mother. Think on that for a while.

Switchfoot revisited (AKA Susan and Tina's Great Switchfoot Adventure)

2007-04-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

After suffering from massive disappointment that my husband would not be able to accompany me to see switchfoot at Campbell University, I asked my friend Lauren to go. Strike two...Lauren hit her dad's truck and was restricted. But alas, there was my outstanding and almost always available friend Tina who agreed to go with me!
I won't bore you with the details of getting there. It went something like this..

great weather for driving
ipod madness
new camera fun
bad travelocity experience (when i say bad I mean atrocious...I will NEVER use that service again!)
42 wardrobe changes with only two different shirts and two different pair of jeans
finally off to find Campbell University

OUTDOOR CONCERT! Woohoo! We were more than excited! I've never sat down for a switchfoot concert and I never intend to...outdoors dictates that you'll stand!

So, no details on the concert either...just a series of adjectives. AMAZING, CREATIVE, ENERGIZED, INCREDIBLE, FUN, FUN, FUN, EXCELLENT, THOUGHT-PROVOKING, INSPIRING, CHALLENGING. That probably doesn't come close to describing the musicianship and work ethic of these guys, but it will have to do. I'm always impressed with their commitment to great performance. They never disappoint onstage.

And here are some pix for your viewing pleasure. Needless to say, we were AT the stage. We were right in front of Tim, which was cool because I've never really been able to focus on him during a show and he is SO much fun to watch.

And for the best part....

I met them all! (Well, all except Chad. I don't know why this happened. I just couldn't get to him before their time to "mingle" was up)

Impressions of each....

Jon- incredibly warm. Very approachable. Very genuine and sincere. And he looks directly into your eyes, but not in an intimidating way. It's more like he's trying to absorb as much of you as he can in the small amount of time he has to talk with you.
Tim- sweet sweet sweet. And very gentle. And also really warm and genuine. He was particularly encouraging when I told him what I do
Drew- Funny, very nice looking, laid back, engaging, and humble. But outgoing and at ease with everyone he talked to.
Jerome- my "40's" buddy! Smiley and lively. Great sense of fun and humor. We bonded over our "old age"
Chad- will have to remain a mystery. I just didn't get to talk to him at all and barely got any decent shots of him.

Umm, yeah. It was an incredible night. And I'm glad that Tina was the one that shared it with me. We were definitely kindred spirits that night, and God put us together for those 28 hours because we both needed.

So, on to Creationfest 2007 in PA (June) and then Valdosta (August). I'm determined to meet Chad!!!

Switchfoot

2007-03-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

Amazing concert...amazing musicianship....great lyrics. And Jon Foreman has to be half crazy. No doubt this band knows how to get the audience wrapped up in a song. And Jon sings straight from the heart. It's fascinating to see someone's heart represented so clearly on stage with music that is genious.

So does it sound like I'm impressed with this band? Well, I definitely am. I'm looking forward to seeing them again this weekend in NC. I know that sounds so groupy like, but it's just fun to watch these guys and soak up all they throw out. Hoping to see an aftershow, but not sure if there will be one. I'll definitely be posting about it.

Current switchfoot faves:
4:12
Let Your Love Be Strong
American Dream
Stars (acoustic version)

Mind control...aka the American Idol Machine

2007-03-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

I’m just having a lot of trouble hearing the glowing praise heaped on Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones EVERY week on American Idol. I love Lakisha’s drama and her expressive face when she sings, but is she MARKETABLE(i that word)? And with Melinda, I’ve listened to her several times without looking at her. Her vibrato is too wide at times, her tone color too heavy. In many ways, she seems too old (the biggest criticism that Taylor got last year was that he seemed so old).
Anyway, I think it’s fairly obvious what’s going on this year. AI is determined NOT to have another winner with backbone. Taylor had musical vision, something AI winners are NOT supposed to have. And from what I’ve been reading online, he was determined to do things HIS way, something that may in the end hurt his sales figures and his standing with the AI machine (there are worse fates in life, I’m sure) Melinda and Lakisha, this year’s “picks” are great vocalists, but neither seems to have much of a backbone…malleable, moldable, etc. Chris S. and Blake on the other hand are obviously MUSICIANS who pose a threat to TPTB. As long as those boys remain true to their own musical vision, they’ll die a slow on AI…and you can bet the judges will never praise them again like they did in Top 24. Then there is Jordin, who I believe is this year’s dark horse. Trainable, malleable, appealing, talented, but very very green. This is why she is getting great praise for performances that would get Gina slammed (another one who appears to have musical vision and a strong will).
Yes, America decides. But AI has learned to have a very tight grip on WHAT America gets to choose from. This year, it’s a limited line up for sure (grilled cheese or grilled cheez?)
If and when Chris S and Blake are voted off, I’m definitely done voting. And I may be done with AI for good. (it’s such a sick addiciton, though, I doubt I could ever be done with it. Ugh)

I lament my lameness...

2007-02-10T05:34:00.000-08:00

Wow! Could it be that I haven't posted since November? Ugh. That stinks. It's not that I have been without many profound things to post (hahaha...profound...I crack myself up) it's just that time has been in short supply. Well, I say that, but truth be told I haven't made time to post. We really do make time for the things we love in life. But blogging for right now at least, is a luxury I can ill afford.

In January, we had over 30 baskbetball practices, we had over 15 games, add in school, homework, youth activities, etc. You get the picture.

I dream of heaven where there is no such thing as time. Ah...that's going to be, well, heaven.

Keep truckin'.

Christmastime is here

2006-11-30T09:37:00.000-08:00

So yeah, my younger friends kindly reminded me that it's not Christmas after I told them in band practice we would be learning some Christmas Carols ...in fact, they said, it's still November. Well, on that point they are right, but my friends, it is indeed Christmas. I had to laugh when I remember that these guys are still in their teens and time doesn't travel so quickly for them as it does for me. Four weeks plus a few days can still seem like an eternity when one is young, but when one is a mom with three kids who have homework and basketball practice, a job, a somewhat serious commitment to exercise, and about 40 "adopted" teenagers to love and care about, time flies. Literally. Four weeks plus a few days is no time at all, and Christmas, for me at least, is here and pressing on me with all it's might.

Not that I mind. I love Christmas. There is a different feel in the air. I used to think that "Christmas Spirit" was manufactured by traditions celebrated in years past, but now I think that it's a real entity, and that the nearness of God is the reason we feel differently at Christmas. For some, that nearness means hope, love, warmth and acceptance. For others, that nearness means despair. They haven't yet learned that the nearness exists to reach out to give hope to the hopeless, light the those in darkness, forgiveness to the guilty.

There are a lot of things I think about at Christmas, and maybe I'll be commited enough to writing throughout this season to get some of those thoughts on paper (virtual paper). Stay tuned.

Until then, you can enjoy Mr. Hicks unbelievably unique and impressive version of "White Christmas"

Tired

2006-11-08T06:50:00.000-08:00

I'm tired of seeing people throw their lives away.
I'm tired of seeing them take the resources that are meant for good and use them up on self destruction
I'm tired of seeing people make mistakes, use bad judgment, and lie about it
I'm tired of brokenness.
Tired of my own and tired of everyone else's
Discouragement seems to be my closest companion lately.
I used to be able to focus on the positive, but today the negative is all that's visible
I'm tired of the things we chase to find pleasure
I'm sick to death of watching people so eagerly be deceived.
I feel like I'm inside a glass jar, yelling and banging on the glass walls. I can be seen, but no one can hear me.

If I hear one more story about how someone I love is screwing up his/her life, I might explode.

A word to Comment-eers

2006-10-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Please don't post comments anonymously. I will automatically delete them without reading first. Also, there are several posts on my blog that are of various subjects. Don't let the past few posts deceive you...explore first, make wholesale judgments on the blog later.

What's going on

2006-10-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

Marvin Gaye, What's Going On...1970

Lyrics:
Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today - Ya
Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what’s going on
What’s going on
Ya, what’s going on
Ah, what’s going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on
Ya, what’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
I’ll tell you what’s going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

Thanks to Graycharles for posting this today on his site, www.graycharles.com

In 1970, I was three years old. I think more and more often about the times in which I grew up, the social instablity, the political scene, the war. I was sheltered as I grew up, as were most people my age today. I have found it fascinating to look at that time now as an adult and see how the events our country experienced in the late 60’s and 70’s has shaped modern culture today.

And what amazes me even more is how music was then, and is now, a conduit for the thoughts, joys, bewilderment, frustration, etc., of present day man.

Today’s “popular” music to me seems to be a pretty accurate reflection of our self absorption and our greediness, our hedonistic tendencies. While we may lament that “real” music hasn’t been on the scene for a while, I think we need to look long and hard at ourselves first. Pop culture, while it can in some ways be thrust on us and marketed to us, is still and extension of who we are as people.

I think artists like Taylor Hicks, Jack Johnson, Marc Broussard, John Mayer, even controversial artists like the Dixie Chiicks, are finding the spotlight not only because of their talent, but because they are resonating with a population that has begun to soul search…again. And it’s about time. We may not always agree with the message the singer has to communicate, but we can agree that we need to stop living on the surface and start finding meaning in life…all aspects of life, even the arts.

Enjoyed reading the lyrics to this song. They are timeless and were a great catalyst for me to express some things that have been churning in my head for a while.

Must stop...must stop now....

2006-10-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

Ah....this must end. But I can't help it...what GREAT photography. Looks like some infrared work to me...or an infrared filter was used in Photoshop. I'm totally jealous of the photographer.

This is my no-longer-a-professional-photographer analysis of this very engaging photo.

Obviously, BW works for Taylor. His coloring begs for it. The cropping is fantastic. I love the open space above him…and he is sitting in an area of the photo that is a strong focal point…lower left hand corner. The curve of the wall that begins in the lower RH corner leads your eye to look directly at his eyes. I don’t think I see anything more than steeliness in those eyes…and that steely stare works very well in grayscale. No malice, no anger, nothing except steady conviction and determination. The way he is dressed works well, too…the lines of the vest give structure to the profile of his body. The dark pants and dark vest are magnets that draw the eye straight to the subject, but not in an overt way. The angle of his arm and leg are a really strong contrast to the curve of the wall. His hand is relaxed on his knee and the fingers are obscured which lets the eye see the strength of the forearm and the back of the hand, rather than focusing on fingers. Great posing. Leaving the wrist band in would have “broken” the wrist and the eye would have been drawn there, rather than following the curve of his arm. The other part that works is that the two darker lines that occur in the background within the trees, also serve to “point” towards Taylor in a very subdued way. Again, that along with the curve are strong points in the overall composition.

That being said, what really works is the perfect moment that this photo was captured. The intensity of the stare, the great angles of the body, the tilt of the head…all captured at precisely the right split second.

Bravo to the photographer. I want to see more.

Well...here we go again

2006-10-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

Ha. I promise I won't keep doing this. But here is a marriage made in heaven...B/W loves Taylor Hicks, don't you think?

Brokeness

2006-10-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

I've recently been paying more attention to the things we do and the ways we behave. I was drifting off the sleep the other day (yes, a very RARE daytime nap), and all of these thoughts about human behavior and our inherent brokeness came into very sharp focus. Of course, I was nearly asleep and not about to get up and write all of these monumental discoveries down, but I did make a somewhat sleepy mental note to remember all this and write it down sometime in the future.

Needless to say, my thoughts when I tried to retrieve them post-slumber were a little foggy. But I think I have gathered them all back and tamed them down into some semi-coherent statement about broken people and broken behavior.

See, we are all broken. We are all born deficient in some way. It's easy to look at the impoverished, sick, and neglected and say that they are broken. But the most beautiful, the smartest, the most talented, the most charming, and the most anything among us, well they are broken too. We must sense this brokeness somehow, even if we don't communicate it out loud. I say we sense it, because we spend a lot of time, money and effort to fix ourselves.

Deep down inside, we seem to know that we need to feel valuable. Like we matter, like we count. And we go about finding our "niche" and trying to feel accepted. Guys play sports, conquer video games, hunt, etc. Girls spend tons on makeup, hair products, etc. Of course these are generalities, but think about it. If we didn't somehow sense our defiencies, why would we strive for something more...why would we strive for improvement? or victory? Unfortunately, for a lot of people the desire to be "fixed" leads to real problems. Like the girl who gives herself away to any and all guys who ask for it, and the heroin addict, the athlete so consumed with winning that he compromises his health with steroids, the gamer who has no social skills and lives 24/7 in a virtual world, the woman addicted to plastic surgery, the man addicted to porn. The list is endless...the ways we try so desparately to fix ourselves.

I challenge you to look around and see if you think I'm right. It seems like a desparate thing. And it is a desparate thing. Our brokeness won't leave us alone and we can't seem to ignore it.

We all strive to be and do something more because we need a real sense of life. Abundant life.

There is an answer to our brokeness.

Something ugly

2006-09-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

I saw something really ugly today.

I saw someone who was really angry, rebellious, and frustrated. That person was angry because change wasn't happening fast enough. Angry because no one would listen, people are stubborn and eyes were closed to the truth. Well, that part isn't so ugly, because Jesus got angry like that too once. But what that anger caused in my friend was ugly. The anger was causing bitterness and a thought process that said "If people would just listen to ME, they would get it right" Then the rebellion set in...my friend is NOT top man on the totem pole...there are people who have authority over her. There are people who are in charge of things that she is not. There are people, whether she agrees with them or not, who have been set in places that carry more power and more authority than the place where she sits. She doesn't think she's being rebellious because she isn't actively protesting and railing against authority.

But the evidence of the rebellion is found in her level of frustration. See what my friend didn't realize is that when you try to fix something that isn't yours to fix, you can't do it. You aren't equipped to do the job right. So in her mind, frustration was there because the problem wasn't being fixed her way. But frustration was really there because she was messing with something she had no business trying to fix. It was subtle but definite rebellion.

You may have already guessed it, but the ugly thing I saw this morning was me. Ick. And trust me,when you see yourself reflected against God's word, God can use the most obscure verse of scripture to gently reveal the chasm that exists between who you are and who He is moving you to be. (That's because it's the LIVING word of God)

What's really cool about me seeing myself this way today was that this truth served not to make me feel guilty, but to free me.(You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free...I think that sounds familiar) It moved me to confess that I am not what I think I am. I am not in charge. I am not in control. God is the owner of all power and authority and He uses that in and through the people he chooses when he chooses. Freedom!!! I am called to do only what he has shown me to do and equipped me to do. Period. What a relief.

Seeing the ugliness today turned into something amazingly beautiful.

The Blues

2006-09-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

This is almost too much. Taylor Hicks singing the blues in Atlanta.

Sometimes the depth of emotion can only be expressed through music. Music allows the soul to well up through the entire being...if you can't hear the pain in a man's voice when he sings the blues, then something's missing.

Too much

2006-09-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

There is a great scene from the last episode of LOST, Season one, where Shannon is struggling to carry too much luggage through the sand and into the caves. Shannon's brother has just died and she is not only carrying her clothing, but his as well. She's also hanging onto Vincent's leash, Vincent being the dog that 10 year old Walt has left in her care. As Shannon's frustration over carrying her load begins to overwhelm her, Sayid, who is this major rock of calm and strength, goes to help her. After some conversation with Sayid about the fact that she is carrying too much luggage, she looks at him with tears in her eyes and says "It's too much, this plane crash, all if it, it's too much". And in a TV moment that gave me chills, Sayid looks at her and says "It won't be too much if you let me carry it for you"

Whoa.

Either someone who writes for LOST reads the Bible, or the writers are tapping into spiritual truth and they just don't know it. Because Jesus says that his yoke is easy and his burden is light...and to cast our cares on Him. It won't be too much if we let him carry it for us.

I've been carrying a lot lately. I ran two miles this morning and thought of all the people I know who are hurting, me included. And my heart broke. I pretty much broke down in the shower when I realized there is too much for me to fix. It seems like everywhere I turn, someone is hurting. Anxiety, addiction, loss of hope, loss of opportunity, divorce, separation, rebellion, loneliness, brokenness. Pain. Pain. Pain. And I want to fix it all. But I can't.

It's almost suffocating, the need that surrounds us everyday. It's too much.

And Jesus says, "It's not too much if I carry it for you". So, I'm letting go of what I can't change, what I can't fix, what I can't do.

With that being said, I still feel suffocation, but not the panicky type. I think we have to be overwhelmed by need in order to move in a forward direction. There's not much I can really fix, but there is a lot I can do to comfort and encourage, to speak truth and life into people.

So, here's to the writers of LOST for reminding me that there is One who lightens the load.

Fathers be good to your daughters

2006-09-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

I'm stealing a line from John Mayer. This happens to be one of my all time favorite songs, ever. I'm amazed every time I hear it at the wisdom it conveys.

I think about my father a lot. He died almost 4 years ago, when my own daughter was nearly three years old. I really loved my father. But the last 9 years of his life were painful for both of us. It wasn't the cancer that killed him that caused us the most pain, either. It's that, I believe, he forgot he still needed to be my father, and I forgot I still needed to honor him as such.

I always knew my father loved me. I really never questioned that he was proud of me. But something changed when he remarried. His wife didn't share the same history that we did. She didn't appreciate the bond, in fact sometimes I wonder if she was jealous, threatened by it. I wonder if I was too much of a reminder that yes, he had been married before, and yes, there was a time in his life that he didn't know her, and yes, I mattered. My brother mattered. Even my mother, his ex-wife, mattered.

In a sense, my father abandoned me in favor of this new life with this new family. He left his post as my defender. He left his post as my biggest cheerleader. And although he had a hard time ever revealing his innermost thoughts to anyone, the times that he would share, well, those came to an end to.

Fathers be good to your daughters.
Daughters will love like you do

It's true, John. You're right. As odd as it seems, I struggle not to draw away from my children in favor of what I want, when I want it. I'm selfish at heart, just like my father was when he chose another life and another family over ours. I struggle not to let gadgets, entertainment, "enrichment", etc become a mother to my children. They need to know me, they need to understand my disappointments with myself, my shortcomings, my triumphs. But more than that, they need me. Real, involved, entertwined with their lives in a way my father never was involved and entertwined with mine. Maybe that's why it was possible for him to leave. The investment in us just wasn't enough to hold him home.

I've forgiven my father for his shortcomings. He really did love me. It's just at times, he loved himself more.

So, my prayer is that I will learn to love like my Father, the One who imagined me in the first place. Sacrificial, transparent, yearning, devoted, compassionate love that knows no boundaries.

Fathers, be good to your daughters.
Daugters will love like you do.
Girls become lovers, who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters, too.
-John Mayer, Daughters

Rings, robes, parties and pig steins

2006-08-31T07:17:00.000-07:00

I love the way Jesus told stories.
One of my very favorites is the story of the Prodigal Son. I'm sure the people who heard the story understood a lot more of the cultural significance of that story than I do...what with the ring and the robe and the pig sty (or "pig stein" as one beloved friend calls it). But what's really cool about that story is, regardless of cultural shadings, that story is timeless. And at some point in my life, I've been every character in that story...even the pig.

Right now, I know some prodigals. One has just returned home. Everytime I think of her, I feel exhilarated, knowing that she has returned and is really a daughter of the King (of heaven, not rock and roll, for you Elvis fans out there). One prodigal has just left. He wanted it all NOW, and he left. I hope he avoids the pig steins for a while, but I know that he won't forever. One prodigal reports to me regularly about what is going on in his life. And I'm eternally grateful for that. I love him dearly, and it's amazing that he's on his prodigal journey, but he hasn't cut off ties with some of us left here in the homeland.

The last prodigal I mentioned has taught me something. I used to think that the prodigal son's demanding of his inheritance and leaving was tragic, the sign of a a spoiled, selfish child. In some ways, I still believe that to be true. But I've learned something about that guy...maybe it's not that he was so spoiled and selfish that he had to have HIS way, maybe this move out into the world, this being compelled to independence was necessary. Maybe his whole life, he had served his father well, obeyed him, tried to please him, even took on his father's faith. And maybe he woke up one day and came to the realization that he had the power to please himself...and he left. What if the father anticipated this? He saw it coming. And he wasn't surprised when the son came in and announced what he wanted to do. And amazingly enough, even though the father knew full well what was "out there" and what kind of pain his son might endure, he let him go. Maybe he let him go because he knew it had to happen. The son had to move in some way from pleasing his father because it was expected behavior to pleasing his father because he LOVES his father...no other motivation. And the only way for that to happen was for the kid to move out, please himself, wind up in a pig sty, and come home to a loving, grace filled father who welcomed him like a king. Oh, and let's not forget, the son never quit being the son...he was never cut off from the father's love.

Prodigals have to find out for themselves. They have to cultivate a real, gut wrenching, I-can't live-without-my-Father kind of faith. My faith, their friend's faith, their parent's faith, whoever's faith...someone' else's faith won't do. They can't wear it and pretend it's their own. It has to be theirs. Those prodigals somehow find their way home. And when they do, they find The Father who welcomes them back like royalty and never ever stopped watching for their return.

I used to be a prodigal. I used to be the jealous sibling. And when I was the pig...well, that's another story for another time. Now, it seems, I'm the one watching, anticipating, knowing that someday, the ones I love who are on a prodigal journey will return home to our Father.

So.
Plan the party.
Size the ring.
Dry clean the robe.
And let's wait....

Things on my brain

2006-08-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

So this won't be a long one. But sometimes it helps just to get things in writing. Here are some things I believe:

* Self righteousness breeds intolerance and smug pride
* There will be some people in Hell who lived some incredibly upright and moral lives
* Loving God is more important than anything else. More important than ANYTHING else.
* Sometimes we make idols out of some very good things.
* Change comes from the inside but is not of ourselves.
* Loving God causes real change to happen

Psalm 112

2006-08-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

So today, I'm in desparate need of some encouragement, and I read through some Psalms (well, skim through is more like it) and I read Psalm 112 from the Message translation. Incredible. What spoke to me most was the part that says a person who fears God is "unfazed by rumor and gossip" and is "relaxed in the presence of their enemies".

So you know how it feels when you think (you know) people have been talking about you behind your back and more than likely they have been saying things that aren't true. That's a horrible feeling. But if I fear God, I will be unfazed by that. In other words, it won't matter. And I can relax in the presence of my enemies. That means that around those people who just don't care for me or have no desire to support me, I don't have to get all riled up and nervous. It's all good because I fear God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I really love how the Bible supports itself all the way through.

Anyway, I couldn't ask for more encouragement than what I received today. God is an amazing provider who comes through at the precise moment we are convinced we cannot take anymore. And he turns mourning into dancing.

Other thoughts:
Prayer walking is infinitely cooler than I imagined
ARBC youth are blowing me away
My kids were a blast at a wedding reception
God is good
God is good
God is amazingly good.

2006-08-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

" I" in the sky

Have you ever tried to get through the day, or even just 30 minutes without saying "I " , or "me" or "mine" or "my"? It is literally impossible. "I" have some thoughts on that...and of course, being the human being that I am, I think that what I have to say, you need to hear (shameless)

I guess since we live inside ourselves and no one else resides with us from the start, it bcomes very easy to let the world revolve around numero uno. We think we have it right, we think we know it all, we want what we want, when we want it, we think everyone should conform to what we say, do, ask for, and think. And I am saying "we" hear because it is really too painful to admit that I am guilty of doing these things and thinking this way.
God is intimately familiar with our selfishness.
There is a story about a rich young man who came to Jesus and wanted to know how to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells him that he needs to follow the commandments...in other words, do the right thing. I think Jesus tells him this because he is fully aware of what the young man"s answer is going to be. And, the young man delivers when he says he has followed the law, all of his life (sure he has) Anyway, Jesus says good, then. Go out and sell all you have and give the proceeds to the poor and take care of them for the rest of your life. And the young man turned and walked away. See, here is where the selfishness part comes in. I do not think the young man was so attached to his stuff that he could not part with it. I think that Jesus was really saying, "Let go of yourself and all you hope to do and accomplish and let me take over...let me live in you..." Selfishness is a very very powerful thing. Apparently, the cost of heaven was too high.
Here is the way I see it. We do reside here alone inside ourselves UNLESS we allow Jesus in. He is the only one capable of entering and changing us from the inside out...changing us from selfish to selfless. It is fairly simple to understand, but incredibly hard to carry out because, like I said, we cannot go thirty minutes without a reference to ourselves. The rich young man had mastered righteousness in the sense the he was capable of doing the right thing, but "right" is not the same as real righteousness. If we make ourselves "right", then who needs Jesus?

The letting go of self, the grasping of the Holy Spirit....

The opposite of love is selfishness. 1 Cor. 13...look it up.

(and for those of you who are very observant, you will realize that I did not use contractions at all in this blog...not because I was attempting to make some great literary statement, but because my apostrophe key is not cooperating. Selfish thing.)

And the photo above is of a rat. Draw your own conclusions as to why I included a photo of a rat.

Great minds

2006-08-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

So, it's nearly midnight and I'm finally doing something that I've been meaning to do for a while. It's a blog. That I control. This should be fun.

There is too much on my mind these days. Way too much. My thoughts weigh me down and I spend more time distracted by musings on past conversations and outrageous statements than I should. Don't you hate it when you think of the perfect thing to say well after the opportunity to say it has passed? Ugh. At any rate, I can't solve the problems I'm dealing with. I just need to figure out how to operate within them without losing my sanity.

Grace is something I think about a lot at times like this. It's grace that allows us life, whether we acknowledge our Creator or not. It's grace that allows us to think, to speak, to act. And so much of what we think, speak, and act like is so ridiculous...but we think we are smart and have it all figured out. And grace is somewhere buzzing around in the background when it should be at the forefront of our thoughts...tattooed on our foreheads. Grace is not something that should ever ever be in the background. Grace there is not important enough for us to seek out, to allow to change us. But grace in the forefront is when we begin to understand it and begin to extend it, and it becomes life support. There is only one source of real grace. And it's the same source as real life. Grace, life, abundance. Wow.

So, there is no need for me to rehash conversations and wish I had said the clever life changing thing at the precise right moment. Grace covers more than I could ever fix.