Jul 19
I was poking around a hymn website when I noticed this:
The main tune is apparently named after Williams’ home town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllandtysiliogogogoch. In English, the name means “church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel near the rapid whirlpool of the Church of St. Tysillio by the red cave.”
If this is a joke it is funny, if it is real it is even funnier! (original link, warning MIDI)
“Worship” albums are a dime a dozen and the “christian” music world pumps them out like they are feeding an addicted population (with the same regard for spiritual quality that a street dealer has for his drug, that is to say, near none.) Sadly, the sheer volume of tepidness out there makes doubt the industry can sustain itself. Then, along comes an album that makes me really respect the heart behind the musician. Tim Hughes’ new album, Holding Nothing Back, seems genuine and real. Sure, there is a bit of gloss here and there, but his words reveal far more than any amount of post-production. His words cry out to God for renewal, for re-creation, and for realignment to the priorities of God.
It is refreshing to hear an album that emphasizes many aspects of the faith life, the CD starts with the glory of our salvation (Happy Day), while reminding us that that calling pulls us into a life of service (God Of Justice), and that the real meaning of all of this is God alone (Center of All.) This story arc closes with the final track, Take the World, that offers a counterpoint to all of the “noise” in the Church – the books, the CD’s, the cars, the fancy neckties, and all of the emptiness that pales, and that we need to cry out for God whether in voice, song, or silence.
Having been a worship leader off and on for a few years I would say that the song “Happy Day” would be a ton of fun to perform; the pacing, words, and style lead me to the believe that I could sing that song and pray it at the same time, which is what I need when leading worship. “Holding Nothing Back,” the title track, is a wonderful energetic push that could be an awesome song in the hands of a good worship team, it could certainly get people moving (if you are in that kind of church.) “Almighty God” is a great starter tune for a service it allows a leader to bring the congregation into the story of worship for the day; we must sing out today in worship, not just because it is Sunday, but because God requires, not by force, but by His own presence.
If your collection can fit one more album that you use to facilitate your personal worship or that you use to get ideas for corporate worship, this might just be an album worth shelling out a few bucks on iTunes to purchase.
Oct 24
What exactly constitutes a violation of the first amendment? Does a student activities committee at a state school paying a “Christian” band to perform constitute a violation? Students at the University of Tennessee at Martin find themselves asking this question.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Although I am leery to state any opinion of this matter, this is what I come up with:
What say you? I know I’ve got some folks in the legal profession out there so clear up my muddled understanding with your years of experience!
LA Times story (via boingboing) looks into the world of christian music downloading. I’ll be plain, I think it is stealing… flat out wrong… unless of course they’re giving it away (check out Bored-Again Christian.)
Sep 16
Derek Webb, formerly of Caedmon’s Call, is partnering with blood:water and the International Justice Mission to bring you his newest CD – absolutely free. [!!!]
I already own this CD and I can definitively say that it is awesome… politically agitated and pro-Jesus… just not in the way the religious right would want you to have it!
Jul 14
Not that I really agree with how this approaches the subject, I do believe that the nature of worship does need to be addressed. The modern church has created a reality in which how we worship is more important than what Who are supposed to worship. While I feel that this has been encouraged by the “christian” music industry; How many worship CD’s of the same songs can we possibly hear? There will always be false worship and real worship I think it does help to center us if we reflect on the following verse with the mind focused on worship of the great I AM and not the great me-centered falsehood.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:30 ESV
We love God, and therefore we worship Him, simple as that. How that worship takes place is as best fits the community which is doing the worship. Some churches are reactionary, shunning guitars and drums, while others cut off half a millenia of wonderful hymnody. If people do this to best worship God in their community that is one thing, but if it stops being worship and becomes a method of recruitment then what is it? Is it still worship? Is it just useless noise?
Professional, clean, simple, and unpretentious CBC radio 3’s podcast is the most enjoyable podcast out there right now. Grant Lawrence doesn’t gravitate towards one coast or genre, but brings the spectrum of music into my favorite hour of new music.
Now, if you ask me about what the best Christian music podcast is I would have to say, The Bored-Again Christian. I think the main reason why I can’t say it is the best indie podcast isn’t a lack of vision on behalf of the host, Just Pete, but rather an overall lack in the Christian music realm. That’s a topic for a new post (so keep your eyes on the site), but it has a lot to do with what happens when you label something.
