Tag Archives: Music

February 18, 2018 · 11:07 am

Of “Small Voices”

Last night I had an interesting, and corrective, experience.

I play guitar and bass with a local guitar club. Mostly just for the joy of making music with other people, and to improve our skills, but sometimes we get to play out, for one event or another. Last night, we had the joy of playing for one of our own, a wedding reception for one of our members.

This is not a group of 20-somethings. They would not likely know the songs. We are not ALL my age, there is a pretty good range, but at 62, I fit right in. I find it fascinating that in the few short years I have been part of this group, this is the third wedding. That seems more prolific than among the groups of those 20-somethings I hung with 35+ years ago! Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under ALL, Christianity, Emotional Health, Marriage, Music

Tagged as , , , , ,

November 27, 2012 · 1:54 pm

Thoughts on the beginning of Advent; “O Come O Come Emmanuel!”

O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel;

that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

 
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny.

From depths of Hell Thy people save, and give them victory o’er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here.

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,

 In ancient times did’st give the Law, in cloud, and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

My favorite song of this season, Advent, and one I am full ready to proclaim this this year. I need the awareness of Emmanuel (“God with us”) now, as proclaimed in the third verse, to

“Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death dark shadows put to flight.” Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under ALL, Bible, Christianity, Church, Music, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

July 22, 2012 · 8:51 pm

Small Victories!

I have been more open to restorations lately. I think perhaps that can happen when one doesn’t try so hard to keep everything on the fence, balanced so that you can go for either opportunity that may present itself. Nothing wrong with staying open – I heartily encourage it – but one’s real life is lived in only one pasture at a time, not on the fence. (Damned uncomfortable place, anyway!)

My latest small victory is in rediscovering music. Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under ALL, Music

Tagged as , , ,

November 19, 2011 · 8:12 pm

Singing in Harmony: an objection to Deitrich Bonhoeffer (or what I learned from the music ministry of Church of the Redeemer)

 “ ‘Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord’ (Eph. 5:19). …

‘Because it is bound wholly to the Word, the singing of the congregation, especially of the family congregation, is essentially singing in unison. Here words and music combine in a unique way. The soaring tone of unison singing finds its sole and essential support in the words that are sung and therefore does not need the musical support of other voices. …

‘Unison singing, difficult as it is, is less of a musical than a spiritual matter. Only where everybody in the group is disposed to an attitude of worship and discipleship can unison singing, even though it may lack much musically, give us the joy which is peculiar to it alone.’ ”

from Life Together, The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

It is only with the greatest trepidation that I would dare to dissent from such a saint as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but this section of “Life Together” has bothered me since I first read it over thirty years ago. The ideas have nagged at me as I have seen changes in congregational singing between parishes, and even in the way congregational music is published. My renewed time and extended visitation among the folk of Houston’s Church of the Redeemer (Episcopal) has both confirmed and solidified my objections.  It is time I gave them voice. Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under ALL, Christianity, Church, Theology

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

February 20, 2011 · 1:39 am

For the working musicians among us (and especially to Kelly):

This started as a FB response to an excellent musician who is a friend of mine, and a bit discouraged. As it grew too long for that, I thought of all the other working musicians I know, including S, who I have written about here.

For the working musicians among us (and especially to Kelly):

OK Kelly, I was just playing before. Now you’ve got me going (Besides, this cough has turned me into an insomniac night owl too).

Of course you’ll be fine. No, there’s no need to worry. Damn straight you’re exhausted, but how is that so different from your “normal” times? whatever that means.  As for being weird, as a cop-out, I don’t buy it. As a somewhat pleasant descriptor, yes you are.

Honestly Kelly, I get it. I’ve spent the last 30 years married to a musician (are you ALL weird?) who could have written your note herself many times. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under ALL, funerals, Heaven and hell, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , ,

March 17, 2009 · 5:55 am

St. Patrick

On this day set aside in honor of St. Patrick , I am bringing forward this post of  my favorite hymn. it is a translation of

 St. Patrick’s Breastplate

It is one I definitely want sung at my funeral. My challenge (and it is a good exercise for anyone) is to examine and amend  my life; and so live that my choice makes sense to that small band who would come to my funeral.  I don’t want people saying “Say what! why did he pick THAT?”  Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under ALL, Christianity, Funeral, funerals

Tagged as , ,