Lets back up and lay the groundwork, giving the simplest definition of a prophet. Without doing much research on what the experts say, I'd put it simply as someone who was designated as a messenger, a spokesperson, charged with the responsibility to deliver the very words of God. Someone with the gift of prophecy feels a particular burden and has a particular ability for this same task.
We learn more about the nature of a prophet's job description then when we consider the nature of God's word: the powerful Word that always accomplishes its purposes, that endures forever, that created the world, that actively upholds the universe, that teaches, reproves, corrects, trains, equips, that's living and active and cuts like a sword.
When a people constantly bent on going their own way are faced with the powerful truth of God's Word, of course there is going to be a conflict of interests. No thank you, we say. And this is precisely why Jesus laments that prophets are never welcome in their own town, and why people shout to Isaiah, "Stop prophesying! Tell us only pleasant things! We don't want to hear this anymore!" (Those verses always send shivers down my spine. They sound too familiar. Like the people with itching ears who look for the teaching that suits their own passions.)
When we're around prophets delivering the Word of God, our real thoughts, intentions, and motives are laid bare for all to see. We cannot hide. We're naked and exposed before the one to whom we must give account. And that's not always a very pleasant place to be.
So it's no wonder we don't like prophets very much. But don't shoot the messenger. If we don't like the prophet who is being faithful and obedient to his job, it's really the one who sent him that we don't like.
But hold on. Before we give the prophet permission to do nothing but pick fights, let's jump back to the whole reason this post was inspired in the first place. Acts 15 and 1 Cor 14 showed us that prophets will also encourage, strengthen, console, and build up. Where does that fit in?
God's Word is also Good News that brings comfort. The prophets who spew fire and brimstone in one sentence speak soft words of joy and comfort in the next.
Isaiah 40: "Comfort, comfort my people says your God...Speak tenderly to her...that her warfare is ended, her iniquity is pardoned...He will tend his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom..."
But if we are not one of his people? Not in his flock? Not one of his lambs?
The Word of God brings comfort for those who believe it to be true and submit to it humbly. The believers in Acts 15 were encouraged because they were followers of Christ receiving a word of his grace that resonated in their hearts as truth that met their need.
A living and active sword does not hurt and our nakedness is not shameful if our thoughts, intentions, and motives are aligned with the Lords. Instead, it is an affirmation, an encouragement to press on.
Confrontation and consolation in the same breath.
I believe we see this most clearly and succinctly in Nehemiah 8. The new wall was built and all the people were gathered. They spent hours on end, standing, listening to the word of God being read. They were attentive. Teachers explained it--gave it sense--so that it could be clearly understood. And the people fell on their faces and worshiped. And their response? The people wept, mourned, and grieved. But immediately, they are reassured: No, no. Don't weep, don't mourn. The joy of the Lord is your strength. They obeyed the Word in celebrating the Festival of Booths, and there was "very great rejoicing" and a hunger for more. They continued reading the Word for the entire week.
Throughout all of scripture we see both of these responses to the Word of God, confrontation and consolation.
And finally, we turn to see Jesus as prophet, sent as a messenger from God, called the very Word of God himself. He confronted, angered many, was not at all welcome, even to the point of being murdered. But he also consoled, was appreciated and accepted by those who knew and acknowledged their need. The man who spewed insults at hypocrites gently welcomed children. He was rejected with hatred by some and received with great relief by others.
So it will often be for the person with the gift of prophecy. He must examine himself and the use of his gift if people are only being confronted and rejecting his words or if people are only being consoled and receiving his words.
To those with the gift: fan it into flame. To our communities: don't make their job even harder than it already is. Let them speak, affirm them, appreciate them, help them, because we certainly need what they bring.
And a disclaimer: I've used primarily masculine pronouns here, but for no reason other than writing "his or her" each time can make for laborious reading. I see no reason to believe the gift of prophecy is reserved for men, but most Christian circles I'm running in seem to think or hope that's the case, making the job sadly even more difficult. I say the same thing to women with the gift of prophecy: fan it into flame! With creativity and perseverance! And to our communities: Make some room!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
A Prophet's Job Description (1 of 2)
It's clear the simple Bible study I led the other night was the first in a long time; I continue to mull over several topics that came up through the study of Acts 15.
Take for instance these two elders who were chosen to come along to Antioch to set the record straight on the law and its role in salvation.
Acts 15:22 "They sent Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers..."
Acts 15:32, 33 "And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers..."
It's interesting to me that Luke goes out of his way to mention these guys 'were themselves prophets.' I don't really know why he feels the need to add that, but the fact that he does seems to link the gift of prophecy directly with what they were able to accomplish: spend a decent amount of time talking with these believers so that they were in the end encouraged and strengthened.
Prophets--or, if that feels to strong, those with the gift of prophecy--encourage and strengthen. It's confirmed elsewhere...
1 Cor 14:3, 31 "On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation...For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged..."
Add to the list: prophets bring consolation and build others up.
Now, I'm wading into vast and murky waters here. The role of a prophet is a big one and I'm surely no expert. And one thing is certain: it's a very multidimensional role or gifting.
But perhaps that's exactly where the problem lies. Prophets seem to get stuck with a one-dimensional job description.
Usually it's the fact that they predict the future. Ask 10 people in the average American church what a prophet does and 9 of them will say predict the future. True, it has been known to be a part of their job.
But if you look at any one of the Old Testament prophets, you'll very quickly see they spend much much more of their time confronting people and warning people and exhorting people and reproaching people and trying to set people on the right path and calling people to repentance than they do predicting the future. As it's been said by plenty of people besides me, proportionally speaking, they do much more forthtelling than they do foretelling.
Then there are the camps who look at Paul's passages on prophecy in the New Testament age, and because those sorts of things make us nervous and uncomfortable, we water down the gift of prophecy and say it's someone who can speak well. Basically, a good orator. I can remember my study Bible during those teenage years when I was trying to make sense of my more charismatic friends...it tried to convince me that a prophet was just kind of like a good motivational speaker. OK, sure, they speak well. But the only thing I will say in response here is that this sort of simplification greatly and tragically diminishes and devalues the gift of a prophecy in our communities.
Jumping from the forthtelling idea, and supported by some (equally one-dimensional) teaching from certain circles, in recent years I've come to believe the prophet is the one who is always busy confronting people with God's truth. It's a tough burden to bear because it's like they're never happy and never understood, but it's an important role because it pushes communities further in their understanding of God. These are the people who aren't afraid to have the tough conversations because they're so convinced of God's True Word and they simply must speak up rather than see it compromised.
While I do think something along those lines is closest to the truth, Judas and Silas surprised me the other night, because here are some prophets that are encouraging, strengthening, and consoling. The one-dimensional take told me it's the Shepherds who do that job. The Prophets break the tough news and the Shepherds clean up after them, like a sick good-cop bad-cop routine. The Prophet is to rain cloud as The Shepherd is to sunshine. Again: oversimplified, misunderstood.
As if being a prophet isn't hard enough, the poor guys don't even know what their job is supposed to be...
Take for instance these two elders who were chosen to come along to Antioch to set the record straight on the law and its role in salvation.
Acts 15:22 "They sent Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers..."
Acts 15:32, 33 "And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers..."
It's interesting to me that Luke goes out of his way to mention these guys 'were themselves prophets.' I don't really know why he feels the need to add that, but the fact that he does seems to link the gift of prophecy directly with what they were able to accomplish: spend a decent amount of time talking with these believers so that they were in the end encouraged and strengthened.
Prophets--or, if that feels to strong, those with the gift of prophecy--encourage and strengthen. It's confirmed elsewhere...
1 Cor 14:3, 31 "On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation...For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged..."
Add to the list: prophets bring consolation and build others up.
Now, I'm wading into vast and murky waters here. The role of a prophet is a big one and I'm surely no expert. And one thing is certain: it's a very multidimensional role or gifting.
But perhaps that's exactly where the problem lies. Prophets seem to get stuck with a one-dimensional job description.
Usually it's the fact that they predict the future. Ask 10 people in the average American church what a prophet does and 9 of them will say predict the future. True, it has been known to be a part of their job.
But if you look at any one of the Old Testament prophets, you'll very quickly see they spend much much more of their time confronting people and warning people and exhorting people and reproaching people and trying to set people on the right path and calling people to repentance than they do predicting the future. As it's been said by plenty of people besides me, proportionally speaking, they do much more forthtelling than they do foretelling.
Then there are the camps who look at Paul's passages on prophecy in the New Testament age, and because those sorts of things make us nervous and uncomfortable, we water down the gift of prophecy and say it's someone who can speak well. Basically, a good orator. I can remember my study Bible during those teenage years when I was trying to make sense of my more charismatic friends...it tried to convince me that a prophet was just kind of like a good motivational speaker. OK, sure, they speak well. But the only thing I will say in response here is that this sort of simplification greatly and tragically diminishes and devalues the gift of a prophecy in our communities.
Jumping from the forthtelling idea, and supported by some (equally one-dimensional) teaching from certain circles, in recent years I've come to believe the prophet is the one who is always busy confronting people with God's truth. It's a tough burden to bear because it's like they're never happy and never understood, but it's an important role because it pushes communities further in their understanding of God. These are the people who aren't afraid to have the tough conversations because they're so convinced of God's True Word and they simply must speak up rather than see it compromised.
While I do think something along those lines is closest to the truth, Judas and Silas surprised me the other night, because here are some prophets that are encouraging, strengthening, and consoling. The one-dimensional take told me it's the Shepherds who do that job. The Prophets break the tough news and the Shepherds clean up after them, like a sick good-cop bad-cop routine. The Prophet is to rain cloud as The Shepherd is to sunshine. Again: oversimplified, misunderstood.
As if being a prophet isn't hard enough, the poor guys don't even know what their job is supposed to be...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Unity in Separating
The idea of unity among Christians can be a tricky one to manage. Case in point? Acts 15.
The majority of the chapter focuses on how the early church manages one of its first big questions. Exactly how much and to what extent must the Gentiles take on Jewish practices to be "Christian"? What's necessary for salvation and what's necessary for good relations among the church? Paul, Barnabas, and several others leave their work to travel all the way to Jerusalem to discuss and solve the problem.
It's a problem that threatened to divide the early church, and especially because it's a conversation surrounding the very nature of salvation, it's an important one to iron out and set straight.
So many steps are taken to preserve the unity of the church as they try to incorporate new believers from different cultures and backgrounds. The decision follows the clear, firm idea of salvation by the grace of God through Christ alone ("We lay on you no greater burden than what is absolutely necessary"), but it includes some guidelines to get along well with one another ("If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well"). The letter is sent by Jewish delegates who can relay all of this to the Gentile believers in person, with words of encouragement.
But then, a few verses later, our two principal apostles have a sharp disagreement. It's time for Barnabas and Paul to keep traveling. Barnabas wants to give Mark a second chance and Paul doesn't want to be bothered, wants to keep going. This disagreement was strong enough that they decided to separate.
Why, after going to all of these great lengths to preserve unity, do we see these two leaders splitting? It's easy to see the two stories as being contradictory to one another, as though Paul and Barnabas are setting a bad example and discrediting all the work they had just accomplished.
It's easy to twist this story one way or the other. In our natural inclination to declare someone right and someone wrong, we choose a side. And certain camps among us have the impression that conflict is sin and the goal of the Body of Christ is to always and forever stick together, at all costs, no matter what.
The first thing to realize is that we are not told who was right and who was wrong. We're not told that anyone was sinning nor acting selfishly in this conflict, and we are given no extra information to show that that was the case. Instead, it appears as though two men, wired differently, want to do God's work in two different ways, and in the end they decide it's best to go their separate ways. The decision appears to be made fairly quickly, and as both of them continue in positive directions, it seems as though they were in agreement on this point, agreeing to disagree in a sense.
That's not to say this was an easy separation! The two have a long history together, have already experienced so much at each others side. It was most likely difficult to say goodbye, but it was the right thing to do.
But back to the original question. Does this separation contradict the efforts seen in the first part of the chapter? No, and for one important reason. The truth and meaning of the gospel is not at stake in the decision to take Jean-Marc along or not. We must be unified in our understanding of the gospel, but not necessarily in our way of working.
And what's the outcome of this conflict and separation? Paul and Barnabas find other men to take with them as they go: the workers and the efforts multiply and have an even greater impact moving forward. Separation, when done in unity, can be a very good, healthy, productive thing.
It's also important to note that they did NOT conclude after this conflict that it would be easier to just work alone. Working in teams and with others remains a high priority. No one is trying to be the star of the show.
We must seek unity as Christians, but that doesn't mean we all have to sit around the same campfire and prohibit anyone from leaving. What are the principal questions? The essentials? The majors? The foundations? Let's get it right together.
From there, let's acknowledge and respect and appreciate and encourage and empower the different personalities and gifts and ways of working. In some moments we have to lay aside 'my way' for the good of the community; I'm sure Paul and Barnabas had plenty of moments before this where they had to submit to one another. Surely there were moments when they got on each others nerves and wanted to separate, but knew they needed each other, knew they could do more together. But then, there are other moments where it is simply best to separate.
Paul and Barnabas weren't separating simply because they just didn't like each other anymore. There was work to be done and a decision to be made in this moment on how to do it. And so we must ask, when can we accomplish the most for our Lord in staying together? When can we accomplish the most for our Lord in separating?
Their focus was not selfish, but remained unified on the Lord, which is perhaps rarely the case in many of the separations we experience today.
The majority of the chapter focuses on how the early church manages one of its first big questions. Exactly how much and to what extent must the Gentiles take on Jewish practices to be "Christian"? What's necessary for salvation and what's necessary for good relations among the church? Paul, Barnabas, and several others leave their work to travel all the way to Jerusalem to discuss and solve the problem.
It's a problem that threatened to divide the early church, and especially because it's a conversation surrounding the very nature of salvation, it's an important one to iron out and set straight.
So many steps are taken to preserve the unity of the church as they try to incorporate new believers from different cultures and backgrounds. The decision follows the clear, firm idea of salvation by the grace of God through Christ alone ("We lay on you no greater burden than what is absolutely necessary"), but it includes some guidelines to get along well with one another ("If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well"). The letter is sent by Jewish delegates who can relay all of this to the Gentile believers in person, with words of encouragement.
But then, a few verses later, our two principal apostles have a sharp disagreement. It's time for Barnabas and Paul to keep traveling. Barnabas wants to give Mark a second chance and Paul doesn't want to be bothered, wants to keep going. This disagreement was strong enough that they decided to separate.
Why, after going to all of these great lengths to preserve unity, do we see these two leaders splitting? It's easy to see the two stories as being contradictory to one another, as though Paul and Barnabas are setting a bad example and discrediting all the work they had just accomplished.
It's easy to twist this story one way or the other. In our natural inclination to declare someone right and someone wrong, we choose a side. And certain camps among us have the impression that conflict is sin and the goal of the Body of Christ is to always and forever stick together, at all costs, no matter what.
The first thing to realize is that we are not told who was right and who was wrong. We're not told that anyone was sinning nor acting selfishly in this conflict, and we are given no extra information to show that that was the case. Instead, it appears as though two men, wired differently, want to do God's work in two different ways, and in the end they decide it's best to go their separate ways. The decision appears to be made fairly quickly, and as both of them continue in positive directions, it seems as though they were in agreement on this point, agreeing to disagree in a sense.
That's not to say this was an easy separation! The two have a long history together, have already experienced so much at each others side. It was most likely difficult to say goodbye, but it was the right thing to do.
But back to the original question. Does this separation contradict the efforts seen in the first part of the chapter? No, and for one important reason. The truth and meaning of the gospel is not at stake in the decision to take Jean-Marc along or not. We must be unified in our understanding of the gospel, but not necessarily in our way of working.
And what's the outcome of this conflict and separation? Paul and Barnabas find other men to take with them as they go: the workers and the efforts multiply and have an even greater impact moving forward. Separation, when done in unity, can be a very good, healthy, productive thing.
It's also important to note that they did NOT conclude after this conflict that it would be easier to just work alone. Working in teams and with others remains a high priority. No one is trying to be the star of the show.
We must seek unity as Christians, but that doesn't mean we all have to sit around the same campfire and prohibit anyone from leaving. What are the principal questions? The essentials? The majors? The foundations? Let's get it right together.
From there, let's acknowledge and respect and appreciate and encourage and empower the different personalities and gifts and ways of working. In some moments we have to lay aside 'my way' for the good of the community; I'm sure Paul and Barnabas had plenty of moments before this where they had to submit to one another. Surely there were moments when they got on each others nerves and wanted to separate, but knew they needed each other, knew they could do more together. But then, there are other moments where it is simply best to separate.
Paul and Barnabas weren't separating simply because they just didn't like each other anymore. There was work to be done and a decision to be made in this moment on how to do it. And so we must ask, when can we accomplish the most for our Lord in staying together? When can we accomplish the most for our Lord in separating?
Their focus was not selfish, but remained unified on the Lord, which is perhaps rarely the case in many of the separations we experience today.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Chaenomeles
I got a phone call from my wife.
"I found a small tree with beautiful red flowers at the store. What do you think?"
After exchanging a few questions, I gave my response,
"I'm certain it's going to die, but I trust your judgment."
She brought it home.
I have to admit the red flowers are beautiful, and now I am actually fairly certain we can keep it alive. But in doing some research, this is one of the first descriptions I came across:
"Flowering Quince spends most of the year as a shrubby tangle of branches and non-descript foliage. But then, for a brief two or three weeks in early spring, it transforms itself into a drop-dead beauty."
Hmm. A shrubby tangle of non-descript foliage suddenly becomes a three-week-long-drop-dead-beauty. Someone in the marketing department did their research on the best time to sell these things.
She ran out and took some photos while we still had the chance.
"I found a small tree with beautiful red flowers at the store. What do you think?"
After exchanging a few questions, I gave my response,
"I'm certain it's going to die, but I trust your judgment."
She brought it home.
I have to admit the red flowers are beautiful, and now I am actually fairly certain we can keep it alive. But in doing some research, this is one of the first descriptions I came across:
"Flowering Quince spends most of the year as a shrubby tangle of branches and non-descript foliage. But then, for a brief two or three weeks in early spring, it transforms itself into a drop-dead beauty."
Hmm. A shrubby tangle of non-descript foliage suddenly becomes a three-week-long-drop-dead-beauty. Someone in the marketing department did their research on the best time to sell these things.She ran out and took some photos while we still had the chance.
Friday, March 23, 2012
All it Takes to be a Pastor
I attended a funeral this morning and wore a tie and suit coat for the first time in well over a year.
When I arrived home, the kid--who was not around when I left--saw me and my outfit and got the hugest grin on his face. "Do you recognize me?" I asked.
His mother asked him, "What is he wearing?!"
The kid answered, still grinning widely: "A tie!!" With a moment of reflection, he added between giggles, "He's a pastor!"
Wow. There is so much to deduce there, where does one begin?
When I arrived home, the kid--who was not around when I left--saw me and my outfit and got the hugest grin on his face. "Do you recognize me?" I asked.
His mother asked him, "What is he wearing?!"
The kid answered, still grinning widely: "A tie!!" With a moment of reflection, he added between giggles, "He's a pastor!"
Wow. There is so much to deduce there, where does one begin?
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Mix Tape: More Insight on Love
I've had all sorts of music-related posts brewing in my mind, but haven't attempted because most days I don't feel I can do justice to the ideas and feelings swirling around. So, I'll keep this one rather simple.
Since seeing this video and finding her disc at the local library, I've come to really appreciate My Brightest Diamond. In the past she's been someone I know I'm supposed to like and I probably would if I'd give her the time, but for some reason that hasn't happened until now. Next week we'll be going on our second concert date in a month, seeing her with a chamber ensemble...yes!
One of the things I love most are her insights on love, somehow pulling it off without sounding too grand or too trite, too preachy or too fluffy. On "We Added it Up" she sings of cosmic love: "Oh I hear a quieter voice, it says, 'love binds the world for ever and ever and ever...'" And here on "Escape Routes," she brings it down to the day to day, singing of the hard work that goes into upholding promises of love. "It takes a lifetime to learn how to love...Let's close off all our escape routes, let's not put it off...These promises we have saved, they hold us..."
Hard work never sounded so good. But I'm tempted to say it sounds so good because it's true love. The hard work pays off...and inspires music like this.
My Brightest Diamond, "Escape Routes" from All Things Will Unwind
Since seeing this video and finding her disc at the local library, I've come to really appreciate My Brightest Diamond. In the past she's been someone I know I'm supposed to like and I probably would if I'd give her the time, but for some reason that hasn't happened until now. Next week we'll be going on our second concert date in a month, seeing her with a chamber ensemble...yes!
One of the things I love most are her insights on love, somehow pulling it off without sounding too grand or too trite, too preachy or too fluffy. On "We Added it Up" she sings of cosmic love: "Oh I hear a quieter voice, it says, 'love binds the world for ever and ever and ever...'" And here on "Escape Routes," she brings it down to the day to day, singing of the hard work that goes into upholding promises of love. "It takes a lifetime to learn how to love...Let's close off all our escape routes, let's not put it off...These promises we have saved, they hold us..."
Hard work never sounded so good. But I'm tempted to say it sounds so good because it's true love. The hard work pays off...and inspires music like this.
My Brightest Diamond, "Escape Routes" from All Things Will Unwind
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Dinner Time
Each evening the kid and I have the same conversation. It's a short little game with no variation, but we still insist on playing it each night.
Kid: "Papa, what's for dinner?"
Me: "This."
Kid: "I don't like that. I don't want to eat dinner."
Me: "Then you can go straight to bed right now without dinner and without dessert."
Kid: "I want to eat dinner, Papa."
Me: "OK, great. We'll eat soon."
Kid: "Papa, what's for dinner?"
Me: "This."
Kid: "I don't like that. I don't want to eat dinner."
Me: "Then you can go straight to bed right now without dinner and without dessert."
Kid: "I want to eat dinner, Papa."
Me: "OK, great. We'll eat soon."
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Bird Watching
It was fitting to meet up with Andrew Bird in Paris last night. My first introduction to him was a video strolling the streets of this city. A fond memory from 2007 is sharing ear buds with E to listen to his music on the train while completing Sudoku puzzles. Here we are, a culmination of sorts.
My brother-in-law has been known to accuse some of my favorite artists as not really knowing how to play their instruments, but rather just tinkering with whatever toy they find at the thrift store. The accusation is very likely merited in many cases, but Andrew Bird is not one of them.
The way he clutches his violin under his arm, the way he's done since kindergarten, it's another appendage, a part of himself, and that's exactly how he plays it. It's as effortless as his whistle, wandering melodies and complex rhythms flow without thinking. If it comes to mind, he can play it, but you have to wonder if he even bothers letting it going through his mind first. He knows his instrument, his instrument know him. Something tells me he is most at ease in life when he is plucking those four strings.
For some reason, though, I had low expectations for the three musicians joining him as a band. I was pleasantly surprised that they knew their instruments as well as Bird knows his, and found myself being just as pleased by their capacities as I was with Bird's, and even moreso with their ability to keep up with the man. While I'm relieved Bird's violin hardly ever crosses over into fiddle territory, there were moments where the four reminded me of a hoe-down blue grass band in the corner of the barn, tight and soulful, enjoying one another's company, swept up by the song that's carrying them away. (And I was a bit surprised, then, when they brought that idea to life, appearing around a single microphone at the encore for two bluegrass gospel standards.)
And in the end last night, I was taken by the fact that his name is fitting. Not for the obvious reason that he whistles so beautifully, but because his music so often becomes atmospheric. It's the soundtrack for the treetops, the clouds, the skies, the limits of the atmosphere. At times its the frenetic, intricate motion of a bird building a nest or an airplane motor getting started, at others it's the soaring bird's-eye view of all this activity below. And when we're not in the sky, we're plunging into the depths of the ocean, another theme that shows up often in his music. The thing that's so special is the way his music sounds like these expanses and the exploration of them, and yet never becoming pretentious or inaccessible, but rather inviting all of us along for the ride.
There's much to be said about the man and much that simply can't be said. He's inexplicably unique. But one thing is true: he is still more of a performer than a recording artist. After the second time seeing him perform, I'm left with the same feeling: wanting to stay in that concert hall for much longer than the performance allows. I woke up this morning and said, "Let's go back..."
If I've convinced you, take note that he is touring the States very soon (Philadelphia is already sold out) and for a limited time you can still stream his new album here.
My brother-in-law has been known to accuse some of my favorite artists as not really knowing how to play their instruments, but rather just tinkering with whatever toy they find at the thrift store. The accusation is very likely merited in many cases, but Andrew Bird is not one of them.
The way he clutches his violin under his arm, the way he's done since kindergarten, it's another appendage, a part of himself, and that's exactly how he plays it. It's as effortless as his whistle, wandering melodies and complex rhythms flow without thinking. If it comes to mind, he can play it, but you have to wonder if he even bothers letting it going through his mind first. He knows his instrument, his instrument know him. Something tells me he is most at ease in life when he is plucking those four strings.
For some reason, though, I had low expectations for the three musicians joining him as a band. I was pleasantly surprised that they knew their instruments as well as Bird knows his, and found myself being just as pleased by their capacities as I was with Bird's, and even moreso with their ability to keep up with the man. While I'm relieved Bird's violin hardly ever crosses over into fiddle territory, there were moments where the four reminded me of a hoe-down blue grass band in the corner of the barn, tight and soulful, enjoying one another's company, swept up by the song that's carrying them away. (And I was a bit surprised, then, when they brought that idea to life, appearing around a single microphone at the encore for two bluegrass gospel standards.)
And in the end last night, I was taken by the fact that his name is fitting. Not for the obvious reason that he whistles so beautifully, but because his music so often becomes atmospheric. It's the soundtrack for the treetops, the clouds, the skies, the limits of the atmosphere. At times its the frenetic, intricate motion of a bird building a nest or an airplane motor getting started, at others it's the soaring bird's-eye view of all this activity below. And when we're not in the sky, we're plunging into the depths of the ocean, another theme that shows up often in his music. The thing that's so special is the way his music sounds like these expanses and the exploration of them, and yet never becoming pretentious or inaccessible, but rather inviting all of us along for the ride.
There's much to be said about the man and much that simply can't be said. He's inexplicably unique. But one thing is true: he is still more of a performer than a recording artist. After the second time seeing him perform, I'm left with the same feeling: wanting to stay in that concert hall for much longer than the performance allows. I woke up this morning and said, "Let's go back..."
If I've convinced you, take note that he is touring the States very soon (Philadelphia is already sold out) and for a limited time you can still stream his new album here.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
He Leadeth Me
I got a few new pieces of recording equipment back at Christmas, and I've been slowly accumulating the rest of the needed pieces and trying to find the right time and space to tackle some projects that have been swimming around in my head, some for years on end.
But when we sang this song in French this morning, "Il me conduit, il me conduit..." I was reminded of its graceful little melody (if you can manage to rein in those fermatas a bit) and comforting, simple truth. I picked up the guitar and pulled out the hymnal when I got home. Written in 1862 by Joseph Gilmore. He Leadeth Me, O blessed thought...
The simpler and quieter the better, there was no question that this would be the first project to put the new equipment to use.
So, welcome to our living room at 10:30 PM, boys sleeping in their bedrooms, the two of us trying several times over to get one full take with the fewest mistakes possible. It's a humble affair, really, but most living rooms are at the end of the day.
(Stream here or, if you rival our mothers as biggest fans, click on the arrow to download.)
He Leadeth Me by nshorb
But there's a little more to choosing this song than just that. In the past week, spurred on by some teaching we heard, I've had the desire to remind myself of some of the most basic, simple, powerful truths of our faith, the ones that can keep us anchored and focused if only we remember and trust.
So, He leads me. Not a bad place to start.
Deuteronomy 31:7-8 Be strong and courageous...It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Psalm 23:2-4 He leads me beside still waters. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me...
Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
But when we sang this song in French this morning, "Il me conduit, il me conduit..." I was reminded of its graceful little melody (if you can manage to rein in those fermatas a bit) and comforting, simple truth. I picked up the guitar and pulled out the hymnal when I got home. Written in 1862 by Joseph Gilmore. He Leadeth Me, O blessed thought...
The simpler and quieter the better, there was no question that this would be the first project to put the new equipment to use.
So, welcome to our living room at 10:30 PM, boys sleeping in their bedrooms, the two of us trying several times over to get one full take with the fewest mistakes possible. It's a humble affair, really, but most living rooms are at the end of the day.
(Stream here or, if you rival our mothers as biggest fans, click on the arrow to download.)
He Leadeth Me by nshorb
But there's a little more to choosing this song than just that. In the past week, spurred on by some teaching we heard, I've had the desire to remind myself of some of the most basic, simple, powerful truths of our faith, the ones that can keep us anchored and focused if only we remember and trust.
So, He leads me. Not a bad place to start.
Deuteronomy 31:7-8 Be strong and courageous...It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Psalm 23:2-4 He leads me beside still waters. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me...
Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Professional Whistler
Second ever childless date in Paris will be Tuesday, hanging out with one of our favorite performers, who happens to have a new album out...
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Whistler
School let out and I walked to my car on the sidewalk made of uneven bricks. As is not uncommon, I was whistling without knowing it. Two old ladies turned as I passed and one asked, "What's that you're whistling?"
A little stunned, I simply answered the question fully expecting a blank stare, "Well, It's called 'Papa Was a Rodeo' by The Magnetic Fields."
"Well it's a lovely song," she said.
"I agree! I'm glad you like it." And we went our separate ways.
..
I walked through the 5th grade hall, whistling without knowing it. A colleague said, "You're always so happy!"
A bit surprised, especially because I wasn't all that happy on that day in particular, I asked, "Oh really? What makes you say that?"
"Well, you're always whistling. I don't think it's possible to whistle if you're not happy."
That kind of got me thinking.
..
I have an uncontrollable impulse to whistle in places like stairwells, parking garages, cathedrals, large rooms. And frankly, I wonder why and how in the world no one else does.
..
I've only met one Frenchman who likes to whistle. When I'd find myself whistling a song, my French professor would often join in. And as long as all of us could keep straight faces, Erica would join in as well, and there's not much better than whistling in three part harmony. But otherwise, I've lived in this land for more than a year, and haven't heard a single person whistle in public. And something about that feels telling.
A little stunned, I simply answered the question fully expecting a blank stare, "Well, It's called 'Papa Was a Rodeo' by The Magnetic Fields."
"Well it's a lovely song," she said.
"I agree! I'm glad you like it." And we went our separate ways.
..
I walked through the 5th grade hall, whistling without knowing it. A colleague said, "You're always so happy!"
A bit surprised, especially because I wasn't all that happy on that day in particular, I asked, "Oh really? What makes you say that?"
"Well, you're always whistling. I don't think it's possible to whistle if you're not happy."
That kind of got me thinking.
..
I have an uncontrollable impulse to whistle in places like stairwells, parking garages, cathedrals, large rooms. And frankly, I wonder why and how in the world no one else does.
..
I've only met one Frenchman who likes to whistle. When I'd find myself whistling a song, my French professor would often join in. And as long as all of us could keep straight faces, Erica would join in as well, and there's not much better than whistling in three part harmony. But otherwise, I've lived in this land for more than a year, and haven't heard a single person whistle in public. And something about that feels telling.
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